Novel compound FLZ alleviates rotenone-induced PD mouse model by suppressing TLR4/MyD88/NF-

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, but none of the current treatments for PD can halt the progress of the disease due to the limited understanding of the pathogenesis. In PD development, the communication between the brain and the gastrointestinal system influenced by gut microbiota is known as microbiota-gut-brain axis. However, the explicit mechanisms of microbiota dysbiosis in PD development have not been well elucidated yet. FLZ, a novel squamosamide derivative, has been proved to be effective in many PD models and is undergoing the phase I clinical trial to treat PD in China. Moreover, our previous pharmacokinetic study revealed that gut microbiota could regulate the absorption of FLZ

Dexamethasone and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose prevent postoperative intraperitoneal adhesions in rats

We aimed to evaluate the effects of the barrier agent sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) with and without dexamethasone for the prevention of postoperative adhesion formation in a rat model of postoperative peritoneal adhesion. A total of 160 three-month old male and female Wistar rats underwent a laparotomy, and adhesions were induced by ileocecal abrasion. Rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=40 each): group A, untreated; group B, treated with SCMC only; group C1, treated with SCMC + 3 mg dexamethasone, and group C2, treated with SCMC + 8 mg dexamethasone. After 12 days, adhesion formation and histopathological changes were compared. In groups A, B, C1, and C2, the mortality rates were 10, 5, 5, and 5%, respectively. In groups C1 and C2, the adhesions were filmy and easy to dissect and were milder compared with those in groups A and B. The total adhesion score in group C1 (3.38±0.49) was significantly lower than that of group B (6.01±0.57; P<0.01) or group A (8.01±0.67; P<0.05). There was no significant difference in adhesion formation between groups C1 and C2. Compared with groups A and B, groups C1 and C2 exhibited milder histopathological changes. SCMC in combination with dexamethasone can prevent adhesion formation and is a better barrier agent than SCMC alone. The safety and feasibility of SCMC in combination with dexamethasone to prevent adhesion formation after abdominal surgery warrants further clinical study.

Preparation, Characterization and In-vitro Evaluation of Microcapsules for Controlled Release of Diltiazem Hydrochloride by Ionotropic Gelation Technique.

The problems of frequent administration and variable low bioavailability after oral administration of conventional dosage forms of diltiazem can be attenuated by designing it in the form of microcapsules which would facilitate intimate contact with the absorption surface and thereby improve and enhance the bioavailability. Diltiazem-loaded microcapsules were successfully prepared by ionotropic gelation technique employing Sodium carboxy methylcellulose, Xanthan gum as rate controlling polymers and Aluminium chloride as cross linking agent. Microcapsules obtained were discrete, spherical, free flowing and showed a maximum encapsulation efficiency of 91.20 ± 0.08%. Particle size of the microcapsules was found to be in the range of 1009 – 1311 μm. Interaction studies performed using FTIR spectroscopy revealed that there were no drug and polymer interactions. The drug remained dispersed in the polymer matrix in amorphous state, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. The in vitro drug release follows matrix-diffusion controlled release and the release mechanism was non-Fickian type controlled by swelling and relaxation of polymer. There was no significant change in drug content and cumulative drug release of drug-loaded microcapsules stored at different storage condition after 90 days. From the study, it was concluded that diltiazem loaded microcapsules could be successfully prepared by ionotropic gelation technique with high entrapment efficiency and prolonged release characteristics.

The Effect of Hyaluronate-Carboxymethyl Cellulose on Bone Graft Substitute Healing in a Rat Spinal Fusion Model

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of sodium hyaluronate-sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (HA-CMC), an anti-adhesive material for spinal surgery, on bone fusion by applying it to rat spinal models after lumbar posterolateral fusion. METHODS: Lumbar posterolateral fusion was performed at L4-5 using bone graft substitutes in 30 rats. HA-CMC was injected in 15 rats at a dose of 0.2 cc (HA-CMC group) and a saline solution of 0.2 cc in the other 15 rats (control group). Simple radiographs were taken until postoperative 9 weeks with an interval of one week. At postoperative 4 and 9 weeks, three dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) scanning was performed to observe the process of bone fusion. At 9 weeks, bone fusion was confirmed by gross examination and manual palpation. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in bone fusion between the two groups. 3D CT scanning did not reveal significant differences between the groups. The gross examination and manual palpation after autopsy performed at 9 weeks confirmed bone union in 93.3% of both groups. CONCLUSION: The anti-adhesive material used for spinal surgery did not have adverse effects on spinal fusion in rats.

The Effect of Hyaluronate-Carboxymethyl Cellulose on Tissue Adhesion after Achilles Tendon Tenorraphy in Rats / 대한족부족관절학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Sodium hyaluronate-Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (HA-CMC) on tissue adhesion after tenorrhapy in tenotomized Achilles tendon of the Sprague-Dawley rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Twenty-eight legs of 14 Sprague-Dawley rat were used in study. After tenotomy of the Achilles tendons, tenorrhaphies were performed. Simple tenorrhaphy without any other procedures were performed on the left Achilles tendons (control group), and additional HA-CMC injections were done prior to the tenorrhaphy on the right Achilles tendons (HA-CMC group). Gross and histological examinations were made to identify differences between the two groups, 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 weeks respectively. RESULTS:Distinct decrease in granulation tissues and adhesions were seen in the HA-CMC group during gross inspection at 6 and 8 week after the operation. On histological analysis of the HA-CMC group, although increased infiltrations of inflammation cells were observed during 1 week, less adhesion were seen at 6, 8 and 10 weeks after the operation. In HA-CMC group, superior healing processes were seen at 6, 8 and 10 weeks and less fibrotic changes, compared to control group, were seen at 2 and 6 weeks. CONCLUSION: Prevention of adjacent tissue adhesion was made possible through decrease in collagen deposition and fibrosis by injecting HA-CMC before tenorrhaphy of Achilles tendon. Also, histologically faster healing process of the collagen fibers within the Achilles tendon was observed