The Modulatory Effect of Selol (Se IV) on Pro-Inflammatory Pathways in RAW 264.7 Macrophages.

Selol is a semi-synthetic mixture of selenized triglycerides. The results of biological studies revealed that Selol exhibits several anticancer effects. However, studies on its potential anti-inflammatory activity are scarce, and underlying signaling pathways are unknown.

Selol (Se IV) modulates adhesive molecules in control and TNF-α-stimulated HMEC-1 cells.

Selol, an organic selenitetrigliceride formulation containing selenium at +4 oxidation level, has been suggested as anticancer drug. One of the causes of several diseases including cancer may be inflammation. This study aimed at determining the activity of Selol via measuring its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activation, intercellular cell adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesive molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and plateled-endothelial cell adhesive molecule-1 (PECAM-1) levels on control and on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1).

Assessment of physical properties of granules with paracetamol and caffeine.

Caffeine increases the analgesic properties of acetaminophen and therefore it is reasonable to use both substances together in one drug form in stronger pain. Currently, there are no commercially available pharmaceutical combination products containing acetaminophen and caffeine, which is present as granules. The aim of the study was to obtain twelve different granules with these therapeutic substances and determine the effect of various excipients on the quality of the drug form.

Comparison of physicochemical properties of suppositories containing starch hydrolysates.

The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of starch hydrolysates (SH) on the physicochemical properties of suppositories. The study was conducted with suppositories with acetaminophen (AAP) a typical antipyretic analgesic, as model drug on lipophilic (cocoa butter) and hydrophilic base (polyethylene glycol 1500 + 400). The suppositories with and without the addition of SH were examined for physicochemical tests according to European Pharmacopoeia 8th edition (Ph.

Photon recycling in lead iodide perovskite solar cells.

Lead-halide perovskites have emerged as high-performance photovoltaic materials. We mapped the propagation of photogenerated luminescence and charges from a local photoexcitation spot in thin films of lead tri-iodide perovskites. We observed light emission at distances of ≥50 micrometers and found that the peak of the internal photon spectrum red-shifts from 765 to ≥800 nanometers.

THE INFLUENCE OF EXCIPIENTS ON PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF TABLETS AND DISSOLUTION OF CAFFEINE.

Caffeine is a common component of everyday diet but also a popular ingredient of some analgesics. Before it is administered to a patient, it has to be properly prepared using appropriate procedures to get the suitable drug form with various excipients. The tablets with caffeine were obtained using a wet granulation method.

EFFECT OF STARCH HYDROLYSATES IN THE PROCESS OF DISSOLUTION OF SOLIDS.

The purpose of this work was to investigate the influence of starch hydrolysates in the dissolution process of the substance practically insoluble in water. Progesterone and ibuprofen were chosen as model substances. The study was conducted with a constant amount of the drug (25 mg/mL) or constant amount of starch hydrolysate (50 mg/mL).

Thiram activates NF-kappaB and enhances ICAM-1 expression in human microvascular endothelial HMEC-1 cells.

Thiram (TMTD) is a fungicidal and bactericidal agent used as antiseptic, seed disinfectant and animal repellent. In the light of known properties, thiram is considered to be used as an inhibitor of angiogenesis and/or inflammation. Since angiogenesis requires the growth of vascular endothelial cells we have used microvascular endothelial cell line HMEC-1 to elucidate the effect of thiram on normal and stimulated cells.

Near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy of naphthalene diimide-thiophene co-polymers.

Near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy is an important tool for probing the structure of conjugated polymer films used in organic electronic devices. High-performance conjugated polymers are often donor-acceptor co-polymers which feature a repeat unit with multiple functional groups. To facilitate better application of NEXAFS spectroscopy to the study of such materials, improved understanding of the observed NEXAFS spectral features is required.

Two-dimensional carrier distribution in top-gate polymer field-effect transistors: correlation between width of density of localized states and Urbach energy.

A general semiconductor-independent two-dimensional character of the carrier distribution in top-gate polymer field-effect transistors is revealed by analysing temperature-dependent transfer characteristics and the sub-bandgap absorption tails of the polymer semiconductors. A correlation between the extracted width of the density of states and the Urbach energy is presented, corroborating the 2D accumulation layer and demonstrating an intricate connection between optical measurements concerning disorder and charge transport in transistors.

Modulation of antioxidant defense system by the dithiocarbamate fungicides Maneb and Zineb in Chinese hamster V79 cells and the role of N-acetyl-L-cysteine.

Oxidative stress is one of the major factors leading to Maneb- and Zineb-induced disorders. The aim of this in vitro study was to examine (i) the potency of Maneb and Zineb to induce changes in antioxidant enzyme activities in Chinese hamster fibroblasts V79 cells and (ii) the role of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in the preventing their action. Maneb increased mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD2) activity but failed to affect the activity of cytoplasmic superoxide dismutase (SOD1), whereas Zineb did not change the activity of any of superoxide dismutases.

[Erythrocytes - the new application in medicine].

The new forms of drugs with better proprieties from traditional ones were sought for a long time. Erythrocytes applied as carriers of therapeutic substances are among promising. They are characterized by slower release of active substances, less toxicity, as well as better biocompatibility and biodegradation in the organism.

The effects of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate in fibroblasts V79 cells in relation to cytotoxicity, antioxidative enzymes, glutathione, and apoptosis.

Sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DETC) is the main metabolite of disulfiram. Recently, we reported that mechanism of disulfiram cytotoxicity in V79 cells might be partially connected with thiol redox-state imbalance. Here, we examined the effect of DETC on the level of intracellular glutathione (GSH), protein oxidation (measured as PC-protein carbonyl content), lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS-thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), antioxidant enzymatic defense, as well as on apoptosis.

NMDA and AMPA receptors are involved in the antidepressant-like activity of tianeptine in the forced swim test in mice.

It is known that tianeptine exhibits antidepressant-like activity. Its influence on the glutamatergic system is also known, but the mechanisms involved in this activity remain to be established. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of the glutamate pathway in the antidepressant-like action of tianeptine.

[Cardiovascular complications of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors].

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors increase the intracellular level of cyclic guanosine monophosphate that is a potent nitric oxide dependent vasodilatation and antiproliferation agent. Unlike vardenafil and tadalafil which are prescribed in the erectile dysfunction, sildenafil is also used in a treatment of the pulmonary arterial hypertension, both congenital and acquired. The drug administration may let to various side effects such epistaxis, headache, flushing, eye problem including blurry vision, retinal hemorrhage and nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

[Coffee and caffeine - enemies or alliantes of a cardiologist?].

Caffeine is a widespread known psychoactive substance that is present mainly in coffee, tea, soft and energy drinks. As a natural methylopxanthine it blocks A1 and A2 adenosine receptors and in high doses inhibits the phosphodiesterase activity. Caffeine also decreases calcium ion accumulation in the mitochondria of cardiomyocytes.

Protective effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine against maneb induced oxidative and apoptotic injury in Chinese hamster V79 cells.

The role of antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in protection against cellular changes triggered by maneb during in vitro exposure was investigated in cultured Chinese hamster V79 cells. We observed high apoptotic activity and high oxidative stress induced by exposure to maneb evidenced by a statistically significant increase in lipid peroxidation (measured as TBARS--thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) as well as a decrease of glutathione (GSH) and glutathione disulfide (GSSG) ratio (GSH/GSSG). Maneb did not exhibit any effect on protein oxidation (measured by protein carbonyls content).

Protective effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine against disulfiram-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in V79 cells.

This work investigated the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on disulfiram (DSF) induced oxidative stress in Chinese hamster fibroblast cells (V79). An increase in oxidative stress induced by DSF was observed up to a 200 μM concentration. It was evidenced by a statistically significant increase of both GSH(t) and GSSG levels, as well as elevated protein carbonyl (PC) content.

Unusual interleukin-1 and -6 expression in fetal cartilage is associated with placental abnormalities.

Unusual expression of interleukin-1alpha, -1beta and -6 was previously found in the epiphyseal cartilage of rat fetuses prenatally exposed to various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID, i.e., ibuprofen, piroxicam, tolmetin) and selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor (DFU).

[Cyclooxygenase inhibitors in chemoprevention and treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma].

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors (COX) are a complex group of pharmacological compounds characterized by significant efficacy in chemoprevention of epithelial origin tumors, especially colorectal ones. It was found that inducible isoform of COX - COX-2 plays an important role in cancer growth and dissemination, e.g.

Influence of size and density of particles on flow properties of granules.

The patent apparatus for measurement of pouring of powders and granules, as well as enlarged version of apparatus for measurement of angle of repose were applied for examination of granules and their mixtures. Straightlinear association of flow time with diameter of particles of the fraction was revealed. The relation was described with linear equations.

Immunoexpression of constitutive and inducible cyclooxygenase isoforms in distinguishing and accessory structures of synovial joints in rat foetuses.

Joint formation is a developmental process regulated by various factors including bone morphogenetic proteins, transforming and growth factors, etc. Recently, a high expression of cyclooxygenase (COX) isoforms in the foetal cartilaginous elements was also revealed. On the other hand, various joint and skeletal abnormalities were seen in laboratory animal and human offspring, exposed in utero to several COX inhibitors.

Morphology and physiology of the epiphyseal growth plate.

The epiphyseal growth plate develops from the cartilaginous-orientated mesenchymal cells that express SOX family genes. This multilayer structure is formed by the proliferation and hypertrophy of cells that synthesize the extracellular matrix composed of collagen (mainly type II, IX, X, XI) and proteoglycans (aggrecan, decorin, annexin II, V and VI). The resting zone is responsible for protein synthesis and maintaining a germinal structure.

[Genetic base of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma susceptibility].

The esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is multifactorial disease involving genetic and environmental factors. The paper presents most important human data on the polymorphisms of selected genes that have been linked with higher risk of the neoplasm. The most widely studied group were genes encoded molecules engaged in biotransformations of xenobiotics, in particular potential carcinogens, like alcohol (ADH2) and aldehyde (ALDH2) dehydrogenases, various isoenzymes of cytochrome P450 (CYP1A1, CYP2E1) and glutathione S-transferase (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1).

[Biological role of phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C in mammalian cells].

Phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C (PC-PLC) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the ester linkage between glycerol and phosphate in phosphocholine (PC) and other phosphatides, such as sphingomylin (SM) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). PC-PLC activity has been described in many organisms, from bacteria to mammals. In mammalian cells the enzyme has been found in erythrocytes, lymphocytes, muscular tissue, adipose tissue, and the nervous system.