L-amino acid oxidase from snake venom and its anticancer potential.

L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) is a protein toxin commonly found in snake venom. It has many applications, ranging from biotechnology to potential anticancer therapeutics. LAAO converts L-amino acid into α-keto acid and release ammonia and hydrogen peroxide as by-products.

In vitro cytotoxicity of L-amino acid oxidase from the venom of Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus.

L-amino acid oxidase isolated from Crotalus mitchellii pyrrhus (Cmp-LAAO) exhibited cytotoxicity against LNCaP prostate adenocarcinoma cells. The viability of LNCaP cells decreased in a concentration- and time-dependent manner upon administration of Cmp-LAAO. Cmp-LAAO induced apoptosis as evidenced by AnnexinV/PI staining using flow cytometry.

Repair of segmental load-bearing bone defect by autologous mesenchymal stem cells and plasma-derived fibrin impregnated ceramic block results in early recovery of limb function.

Calcium phosphate-based bone substitutes have not been used to repair load-bearing bone defects due to their weak mechanical property. In this study, we reevaluated the functional outcomes of combining ceramic block with osteogenic-induced mesenchymal stem cells and platelet-rich plasma (TEB) to repair critical-sized segmental tibial defect. Comparisons were made with fresh marrow-impregnated ceramic block (MIC) and partially demineralized allogeneic bone block (ALLO).

Tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (TCP-HA) bone scaffold as potential candidate for the formation of tissue engineered bone.

Background & Objectives: Various materials have been used as scaffolds to suit different demands in tissue engineering. One of the most important criteria is that the scaffold must be biocompatible. This study was carried out to investigate the potential of HA or TCP/HA scaffold seeded with osteogenic induced sheep marrow cells (SMCs) for bone tissue engineering.

Alternanthera sessilis Red Ethyl Acetate Fraction Exhibits Antidiabetic Potential on Obese Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

The antidiabetic potential of Alternanthera sessilis Red was investigated using the obese type 2 diabetic rats induced by high fat diet and streptozotocin. Three fractions (hexane, ethyl acetate, and water) were obtained from the crude ethanol extract of Alternanthera sessilis Red. Alternanthera sessilis Red ethyl acetate fraction (ASEAF) was found to possess the most potent antihyperglycemic effect through oral glucose tolerance test.

Comparison of bioengineered human bone construct from four sources of osteogenic cells.

Osteoprogenitor cells have been reported to be present in periosteum, cancellous and cortical bone, and bone marrow; but no attempt to identify the best cell source for bone tissue engineering has yet been reported. In this study, we aimed to investigate the growth and differentiation pattern of cells derived from these four sources in terms of cell doubling time and expression of osteoblast-specific markers in both monolayer cells and three-dimensional cell constructs in vitro. In parallel, human plasma derived-fibrin was evaluated for use as biomaterial when forming three-dimensional bone constructs.