Effect of novel carboxymethyl cellulose-based dressings on acute wound healing dynamics.

The clinical implications and efficacy of newly developed modified cellulose materials were evaluated in an acute wound animal model. In the current study, sixty male rats were divided into four groups. A full-thickness circular excision wound was created in the suprascapular area. Newly developed matrices (acidic partially carboxymethylated cellulose; acidic partially carboxymethylated cellulose impregnated with a povidone-iodine solution) were applied in two test groups, while fifteen animals were used as a control group without any primary dressing. Aquacel Ag, a clinically used dressing, was selected as the reference material. To compare the efficacy in vivo, the wound size and production of selected cytokines and growth factors (TNF-α, TGF-ß1, and VEGF), which play a key role in the healing process, were measured at two, seven, and fourteen days after surgery. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, which actively participate in cell signalling and are essential for tissue remodelling, was determined in wound tissue by gelatin zymography. A positive effect of the newly developed dressing materials on the healing process, tissue granulation, and wound re-epithelialisation was demonstrated.

Composite Hemostatic Nonwoven Textiles Based on Hyaluronic Acid, Cellulose, and Etamsylate.

The achievement of rapid hemostasis represents a long-term trend in hemostatic research. Specifically, composite materials are now the focus of attention, based on the given issues and required properties. In urology, different materials are used to achieve fast and effective hemostasis. Additionally, it is desirable to exert a positive influence on local tissue reaction. In this study, three nonwoven textiles prepared by a wet spinning method and based on a combination of hyaluronic acid with either oxidized cellulose or carboxymethyl cellulose, along with the addition of etamsylate, were introduced and assessed in vivo using the rat partial nephrectomy model. A significantly shorter time to hemostasis in seconds (p < 0.05), was attributed to the effect of the carboxymethyl cellulose material. The addition of etamsylate did not noticeably contribute to further hemostasis, but its application strengthened the structure and therefore significantly improved the effect on local changes, while also facilitating any manipulation by the surgeons. Specifically, the hyaluronic acid supported the tissue healing and regeneration, and ensured the favorable results of the histological analysis. Moreover, the prepared textiles proved their bioresorbability after a three-day period. In brief, the fabrics yielded favorable hemostatic activity, bioresorbability, non-irritability, and had a beneficial effect on the tissue repair.

Platinum(II) Iodido Complexes of 7-Azaindoles with Significant Antiproliferative Effects: An Old Story Revisited with Unexpected Outcomes.

A series of platinum(II) diiodido complexes containing 7-azaindole derivatives, having the general formula cis-[PtI2(naza)2] (1-8), has been prepared and thoroughly characterized, including X-ray structure analysis of cis-[PtI2(2Me4Claza)2]∙DMF (8∙DMF; 2Me4Claza = 2-methyl-4-chloro-7-azaindole). Complexes showed high in vitro cytotoxicity against nine human cancer cell lines (IC50 ranging from 0.4 to 12.8 µM), including the cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cell line (A2780R; IC50 = 1.0-3.5 µM). The results of in vivo testing, using the L1210 lymphocytic leukaemia model, at the equimolar doses of Pt with cisplatin (2 mg/kg) confirmed the activity of complex 8 comparable to cisplatin. From the mechanistic point of view, evaluated ex vivo by Western blot analyses on the samples of isolated tumour tissues, the treatment of the animals with complex 8, contrary to cisplatin, decreased the levels of tumour suppressor p53 and increased significantly the amount of intracellular anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1L (37 kDa). Additionally, the active form of caspase 3 was significantly elevated in the sample of tumour tissues treated with complex 8, indicating that the activation of p53-independent cell-death pathway was initiated. The light and electron microscopy observations of the cancerous tissues revealed necrosis as a dominant mechanism of cell death, followed by scarce signs of apoptosis. The additional results (e.g. in vitro interaction experiments with selected biomolecules, cell cycle perturbations, gel electrophoretic studies on pUC19 plasmid DNA) supported the hypothesis that the complexes might be involved in the mechanism of action quite different from cisplatin.

Effects of prenylated isoflavones osajin and pomiferin in premedication on heart ischemia-reperfusion.

The present 15 days study was undertaken to evaluate the cardioprotective potential of the prenylated isoflavones osajin and pomiferin isolated from the infructences of Maclura pomifera, Moraceae, against ischemia-reperfusion induced injury in rat hearts as a model of antioxidant-based composite therapy. The study was performed on isolated, modified Langendorff-perfused rat hearts and the ischemia of heart was induced by stopping coronary flow for 30 min followed by 60 min of reperfusion (14 ml min(-1)). The Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The first treatment group received osajin (5 mg/kg/day in 0.5% Avicel); the second treatment group received pomiferin (5 mg/kg/day in 0.5% Avicel); the placebo group received only 0.5 Avicel; the last was an untreated control group. Biochemical indicator of oxidative damage-lipid peroxidation product malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes - superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, total antioxidant activity in serum and myocardium were evaluated. The effect of osajin and pomiferin on cardiac function, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, left ventricular pressure and peak positive +dP/dt ischemia and reperfusion, also was examined. The results demonstrate that osajin and pomiferin attenuates the myocardial dysfunction provoked by ischemiareperfusion. This was confirmed by an increase in both antioxidant enzyme values and total antioxidant activity. The cardioprotection provided by osajin and pomiferin treatment results from the suppression of oxidative stress and this correlates with improved ventricular function.

Influence of antioxidant effect of stobadine derivative in condition of kidney ischemia-reperfusion in a pre-clinical experiment (effect in therapy).

The goal of the study was to monitor the antioxidative effect of stobadine derivative under conditions of ischemia-reperfusion of laboratory rat kidney tissue. 40 animals were subjected to kidney tissue ischemia (60 min) followed by reperfusion (10 min). After that, the animals were divided by random selection into 4 groups (n = 10). The treated groups were given stobadine derivative in peroral doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg in 0.5% solution of Avicel once a day, the placebo group was given only the solution of Avicel. One group (n = 10) was an intact group (without ischemia-reperfusion and without treatment), for comparison. Once a week, selected laboratory parameters were determined in all animals. On the 15th day the animals were exsanquined and organs were recovered for histopathological examination. We discovered a statistically significant changes of the superoxiddismutase and glutathione peroxidase catalytic activity; changes of total antioxidative capacity and malondialdehyde in the treated groups compared to the groups of placebo and intact. Other examined laboratory parameters (creatinine, urea and uric acid in blood; creatinine, urea, total protein in urine; diuresis) exhibited significant changes too. The results of biochemical examination show a protective antioxidative effect of the compound studied. The results of histopathological examination support this assumption.

Influence of antioxidant effect of stobadine derivative in condition of kidney ischemia-reperfusion in a pre-clinical experiment (effect in prophylaxis).

The goal of the study was to monitor the antioxidative effect of stobadine derivative in the conditions of ischemia-reperfusion of laboratory rat kidney tissue. The animals were divided by random selection into 5 groups (n = 10). The treated groups were given stobadine derivate in peroral doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg in 0.5 % solution of Avicel once a day; the placebo group was given only the solution of Avicel. The last group was an intact group (without ischemia-reperfusion and without treatment). After conclusion of medication on the 15th day all animals were subjected to kidney tissue ischemia (60 min.) followed by reperfusion (10 min.). All animals were subsequently exsanquined and single identification of superoxiddismutase, glutathion peroxidase, total antioxidative capacity, and malondialdehyde level in the blood were determined. Kidneys were recovered for histopathological examination. A statistically significant decrease of the superoxiddismutase and statistically significant increase of the glutathione peroxidase catalytic activity in the treated groups compared to the groups of placebo and intact was discovered. There was also a statistically highly significant increase of total antioxidative capacity in the treated groups compared to the groups of placebo and intact. A statistically significant decrease of malondialdehyde level was identified in the treated groups compared to the groups of placebo and intact. The results of biochemical examination show a protective antioxidative effect of stobadine derivative. The results of histopathological examination support this assumption.

Sarcoidosis associated with interferon-alpha therapy for chronic hepatitis B.

Sarcoidosis is one of the possible rare complications of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) therapy. Only a few reports have been published on this disease, and these have been associated with the treatment of malignant diseases, essential thrombocytosis, and chronic hepatitis C. We report on a 64-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B (HBsAg, HBeAg, HBV DNA-positive) who was treated with recombinant IFN-alpha-2b (5 MU three times weekly) for 28 weeks. Tolerance to treatment was very good; only a mild flu-like syndrome appeared. Twelve months after completing the therapy, a chest X-ray was performed that revealed bilateral hilar masses, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest indicated the presence of lymphadenopathy of the anterior and middle mediastinum. Therefore, a right-sided thoracoscopy was performed with excision of a 27-mm lymph node and a histological diagnosis of sarcoidosis was made. No medication for sarcoidosis was indicated. Complete normalization of mediastinal lymphadenopathy (verified on HRCT and chest X-ray) was confirmed 1 year following the thoracoscopy. To our knowledge, this is the first case wherein occurrence of sarcoidosis in a chronic hepatitis B patient treated with IFN-alpha is described. We suppose that IFN-alpha, as a potent stimulator of T-helper 1 (Th1) immune responses, may trigger the compartmentalized Th1 reaction that has been shown to take place in sarcoidosis.