RESUMO
Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combined ABZ and PZQ and their solid lipid nanoparticles in chemoprophylaxis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Methods ABZ and PZQ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared by high shear homogenization and microemulsion congealing techniques with some minor modification. Nanoparticles average size, polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size distribution were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy. Forty females BALB/c were experimentally infected by protoscoleces (PSC) and randomly divided into four equal groups of 10 mice. After the end of the 3 months treatment period and 2 months rest, mice were sacrificed and the peritoneal cavity was opened for removal, counting, measuring, and histological analysis of hydatid cyst. Results The results indicated that ABZ and PZQ chemoprophylaxis treatment reduced the wet weight and size of developed cysts 77.3% and 79%, respectively. The corresponding result for the ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs was 83% and 85%, respectively. Conclusions This study for the first time demonstrated that ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs is superior to free ABZ and PZQ for the chemoprophylaxis of CE in mice.
RESUMO
Objective: the organotypic co-culture is a well-known technique to examine cellular interactions and their roles in stem cell proliferation and differentiation. This study aims to evaluate the effects of dermal fibroblasts [DFs] on epidermal differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells [ASCs] using a three-dimensional [3D] organotypic co-culture technique
Materials and Methods: in this experimental research study, rat DFs and ASCs were isolated and cultured separately on electrospun polycaprolactone [PCL] matrices. The PCL matrices seeded by ASCs were superimposed on to the matrices seeded by DFs in order to create a 3D organotypic co-culture. In the control groups, PCL matrices seeded by ASCs were placed on matrices devoid of DFs. After 10 days, we assessed the expressions of keratinocyte-related genes by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and expression of pan-cytokeratin protein by immunofluorescence in the differentiated keratinocyte-like cells from co-culture and control groups. Keratinocyte-like cell morphologies were also observed by scanning electron microscopy [SEM]
Results: the early, intermediate, and terminal differentiation keratinocyte markers-Cytokeratin14, Filaggrin, and Involucrin significantly expressed in the co-culture groups compared to the control ones [P<0.05]. We observed pan-cytokeratin in keratinocyte-like cells of both groups by immunofluorescence. SEM observation of the co-culture groups showed that the differentiated keratinocyte-like cells developed a polygonal cobblestone shape, considered characteristic of keratinocytes
Conclusion: the 3D organotypic co-culture bilayered construct that consisted of DFs and ASCs was an effective technique for epidermal differentiation of ASCs. This co-culture might be useful for epidermal differentiation of stem cells for future applications in skin regeneration