Static compression regulates OPG expression in periodontal ligament cells via the CAMK II pathway

ABSTRACT Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential role of CAMK II pathway in the compression-regulated OPG expression in periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs). Material and Methods The PDL tissue model was developed by 3-D culturing human PDLCs in a thin sheet of poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds, which was subjected to static compression of 25 g/cm2 for 3, 6 and 12 h, with or without treatment of KN-93. After that, the expression of OPG, RANKL and NFATC2 was investigated through real-time PCR and western blot analysis. Results After static compression, the NFATC2 and RANKL expression was significantly up-regulated, while partially suppressed by KN-93 for 6 and 12 h respectively. The OPG expression was significantly down-regulated by compression in 3 h, started to elevate in 6 h, and significantly up-regulated in 12 h. The up-regulation after 12 h was significantly suppressed by KN-93. Conclusions Long-term static compression increases OPG expression in PDLCs, at least partially, via the CAMK II pathway.

Ultrastructural changes of erythrocytes in whole blood after exposure to prospective in silico-designed anticancer agents: a qualitative case study

BACKGROUND: Novel, in silico-designed anticancer compounds were synthesized in our laboratory namely, 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10),15-tetraen-17-ol (ESE-15-ol) and 2-ethyl-3-O-sulphamoyl-estra-1,3,5(10)16-tetraene (ESE-16). These compounds were designed to have improved bioavailability when compared to their source compound, 2-methoxyestradiol. This theoretically would be due to their increased binding affinity to carbonic anhydrase II, present in erythrocytes. Since the novel compounds under investigation are proposed to be transported within erythrocytes bound to carbonic anhydrase II, the morphological effect which they may exert on whole blood and erythrocytes is of great significance. A secondary outcome included revision of previously reported procedures for the handling of the whole blood sample. The purpose of this study was twofold. Firstly, the ultrastructural morphology of a healthy female's erythrocytes was examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after exposure to the newly in silico-designed compounds. Morphology of erythrocytes following exposure to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16 for 3 minutes and 24 hours at 22°C were described with the use of SEM. The haemolytic activity of the compounds after 24 hours exposure were also determined with the ex vivo haemolysis assay. Secondly, storage conditions of the whole blood sample were investigated by determining morphological changes after a 24 hour storage period at 22°C and 37°C. RESULTS: No significant morphological changes were observed in the erythrocyte morphology after exposure to the novel anticancer compounds. Storage of the whole blood samples at 37°C for 24 hours resulted in visible morphological stress in the erythrocytes. Erythrocytes incubated at 22°C for 24 hours showed no structural deformity or distress. CONCLUSIONS: From this research the optimal temperature for ex vivo exposure of whole blood samples to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16 for 24 hours was determined to be 22°C. Data from this study revealed the potential of these compounds to be applied to ex vivo study techniques, since no damage occurred to erythrocytes ultrastructure under these conditions. As no structural changes were observed in erythrocytes exposed to ESE-15-ol and ESE-16, further ex vivo experiments will be conducted into the potential effects of these compounds on whole blood. Optimal incubation conditions up to 24 hours for whole blood were established as a secondary outcome.

Rational design, synthesis and computational structure-activity relationship of novel 3-[4-chlorophenyl]-5-[3-hydroxy-4-ethoxyphenyl]-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide

Densely functionalized 3-[4-chlorophenyl]-5-[3-hydroxy-4-etoxyphenyl]-4, 5-dihydro-1H- pyrazole-1- carboxamide was synthesized in an expedient manner through specification and transamidation respectively, of ester-functionalized pyrazoles. This synthetic protocol allowed for three diversifying steps in which appendages on the pyrazole scaffold were adjusted to optimize inhibition of protein kinases. Computational design and study of novel 3-[4- chlorophenyl]-5-[3hydroxy-4-etoxyphenyl]-4, 5-dihydro-1H-pyrazole-1-carboxamide is reported. This computational prediction analysis will improve the understanding of candidate drugs and help in identifying its properties and effects on the human body. Simulation analysis of candidate drugs is necessary for providing clues about regulatory mechanisms, biochemical pathways and broader drug functions

Farmacocinética de tres mezclas de sulfonamidas con trimetroprim en cerdos, mediante una técnica cualitativa-cuantitativa / Pharmacokinetics of three sulfonamide-trimethoprim mixtures in pigs

Con la finalidad de evaluar la farmacocinética de tres mezclas de sulfonamida con trimetroprim, se utilizaron 21 cerdos criollos de 20 kg de peso, divididos al azar en tres grupos de 7 cerdos cada uno. A los siete cerdos de cada grupo se les administró, por vía iv en una primera fase y por vía oral (dosis bolo) 15 días después, 100 mg/kg de las siguientes mezclas: sulfacloropiridazina-trimetroprim (SCP-TMP); sulfamonometoxina-trimetroprim (SMM-TMP) y sulfametoxazol-trimetroprim (SMZ-TMP). Después de la dosificación se obtuvieron muestras de sangre de las venas auriculares a intervalos crecientes hasta las 12 horas. Se obtuvieron los sueros por coagulación y centrifugación y se congelaron a -4º C hasta su análisis. La cuantificación se realizó mediante un análisis bacteriológico por difusión en placa, utilizando suero de cerdo como vehículo y una cepa sensible de Escherichia coli como organismo problema, con un coeficiente de variación intraprueba de 8 por ciento. Se realizaron análisis de farmacocinética compartamental por computadora. Los resultados indican una mayor biodisponibilidad para la SCP-TMP, mayores valores en la concentración sérica máxima y mejores volúmenes de distribución. Aunque la vida media de eliminación fue ligeramente mayor para SMM-TMP y SMZ-TMP, la depuración no varió sustancialmente entre las tres mezclas. Se concluye que existen importantes diferencias en la farmacocinética de mezclas que pudieran aparentar ser bioequivalentes; y se comenta sobre el impacto de estas variaciones en la respuesta clínica

Diclofenac vs nimesulida en artrosis: niveles plasmáticos y eficacia clínica / Diclofenac vs nimesulide in arthrosis: plasmatic levels and clinical efficacy

El diclofenac (liberación sostenida) y la nimesulida (fórmula convencional) son dos antiinflamatorios no esteroideos cuya dosificación es de un comprimido diario en nuestro país. Las escasas referencias en relación a la farmacocinética y duración de la acción de la nimesulida en pacientes añosos nos indujeron a diseñar el presente estudio controlado con diclofenac. Se selecionaron 20 pacientes con gonartrosis grado II-III asignándoles al azar el tratamiento A (diclofenac, liberación controlada 100mg) o B (nimesulida, presentación convencional 200mg). El estudio se desorrolló de acuerdo a un diseño doble ciego con grupos paralelos. Luego de un lavado de 7 días se comenzó con la medicación activa durante 84 días. Cada 14 días se evaluaron el dolor y otros parámetros clínicos. Se tomaron muestras de sangre los días 7, 49 y 91 a las 10 horas de la toma matutina para medir la concentración de los fármacos en plasma. Se realizaron exámenes de laboratório y al final del estudio. Ya a las dos semanas de comenzado el estudio se constataron mejorías estadísticamente significativas para los parámetros clínicos evaluados, que se mantuvieron durante todo el ensayo, en ambos tratamientos. El diclofenac y la nimesulida aumentaron su concentración plasmática durante los tres meses de estudio y se constató una aparente correlación lineal entre algunos parámetros clínicos y los niveles plasmáticos de los fármacos. La tolerancia, los exámenes de laboratório, y la apreciación clínica global del médico y del paciente para ambos grupos no mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas