Efecto sinérgico de un bifosfonato con vitamina D / Synergic effect of a biphosphonate with vitamin D

Introducción: Los bifosfonatos son considerados como un grupo de fármacos de gran utilidad en el tratamiento de enfermedades del tejido óseo ya que promueven su resorción. Han sido la primera línea para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis, enfermedad de Paget, mieloma múltiple e hipercalcemia maligna. Por su parte, la vitamina D es un nutriente esencial cuya función principal es la homeostasis de calcio (Ca+2) y fosfato (P4 3-). Objetivo: Describir los aspectos moleculares y farmacológicos de la acción de un bifosfonato (alendronato sódico) y la vitamina D, por los cuales potencian mutuamente sus efectos en enfermedades óseas. Métodos: Fueron seleccionadas las referencias más actualizadas que abordaran aspectos relevantes acerca del alendronato y la vitamina D. Se consultaron las bases de datos de PubMed, Uniprot y Protein Databank. Conclusiones: El sinergismo entre alendronarto y vitamina D generan efectos benéficos en el tejido óseo. Sin embargo, existen efectos colaterales que pueden afectar a otros tejidos, por lo que su uso debe ser controlado(AU)

Introduction: Biphosphonates are considered to be a group of very useful drugs used to treat osseous tissue conditions, since they foster resorption. They are first line in the treatment of osteoporosis, Paget's disease, multiple myeloma and malignant hypercalcemia. Vitamin D, on the other hand, is an essential nutrient whose main function is calcium (Ca+2) and phosphate (P4 3-) homeostasis. Objective: Describe the molecular and pharmacological aspects of the action of a biphosphonate (alendronate sodium) and vitamin D on osseous diseases. Methods: A selection was made of the most updated references about relevant aspects of alendronate and vitamin D. The databases consulted were Pubmed, Uniprot and Protein Databank. Conclusions: The synergy between alendronate and vitamin D generates beneficial effects on osseous tissue. However, their use should be controlled, since side-effects may affect other tissues(AU)

Factores moleculares implicados en insuficiencia cardiaca / Molecular factors involved in heart failure

La insuficiencia cardiaca se define como un síndrome caracterizado por la incapacidad de proveer las necesidades metabólicas del organismo, presentando disnea y fatiga. Hasta ahora, se ha descrito la participación de varias moléculas involucradas en los mecanismos de señalización intracelular que conducen a la insuficiencia cardiaca y estimulan la síntesis de algunas proteínas, como colágeno, la cual induce a una hipertrofia cardiaca(AU)

Heart failure is defined as a syndrome characterized by the inability to meet the metabolic needs of the organism, causing dyspnea and fatigue.Descriptions are available of the involvement of several molecules in cell signaling mechanisms which lead to heart failure and prompt the synthesis of some proteins, such as collagen, inducing cardiac hypertrophy(AU)

Ultrastructural and proapoptotic-like effects of kaempferol in Giardia duodenalis trophozoites and bioinformatics prediction of its potential protein target

BACKGROUND Kaempferol (KPF) is a flavonoid with antiparasitic activity including experimental giardiasis which mechanism of action is unknown. OBJECTIVE To analyse the cytotoxic effects of KPF on Giardia duodenalis trophozoites and to identify a likely parasite target of this compound. METHODS We used inhibitory concentrations of KPF (IC25, IC50 and IC100) and albendazole (ABZ) as reference drug. The ultrastructure of the trophozoites was analysed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) whilst apoptosis/necrosis, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell cycle progression were assessed by flow cytometry (FCM) and confocal laser microscopy (CLM). Ligand-protein docking analyses were carried out using KPF structure from a drug library and crystal structure of a G. duodenalis aldose reductase (GdAldRed) homolog. RESULTS KPF provoked appearance of perinuclear and periplasmic spaces devoid of cytosolic content and multilamellar structures. KPF induced proapoptotic death associated with partial arrest in the S phase without ROS production. Bioinformatics approaches predicted that GdAldRed is a viable KPF target (ΔG = -7.09 kCal/mol), exhibiting 92% structural identity and a similar coupling pattern as its human homolog. CONCLUSIONS KPF exerted a proapoptotic effect on G. duodenalis trophozoites involving partial interruption of DNA synthesis without oxidative stress or structure damage to chromatin and cytoskeletal structures. GdAldRed is a likely target underlying its antigiardial activity.