The Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Pleiotropic Beneficial Activity and Its Possible Relations with Neurotransmitter Activity.

We highlight the particular aspects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 pleiotropic beneficial activity (not destroyed in human gastric juice, native and stable in human gastric juice, as a cytoprotection mediator holds a response specifically related to preventing or recovering damage as such) and its possible relations with neurotransmitter activity. We attempt to resolve the shortage of the pleiotropic beneficial effects of BPC 157, given the general standard neurotransmitter criteria, in classic terms. We substitute the lack of direct conclusive evidence (i.e., production within the neuron or present in it as a precursor molecule, released eliciting a response on the receptor on the target cells on neurons and being removed from the site of action once its signaling role is complete). This can be a network of interconnected evidence, previously envisaged in the implementation of the cytoprotection effects, consistent beneficial particular evidence that BPC 157 therapy counteracts dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, GABA, adrenalin/noradrenalin, acetylcholine, and NO-system disturbances. This specifically includes counteraction of those disturbances related to their receptors, both blockade and over-activity, destruction, depletion, tolerance, sensitization, and channel disturbances counteraction. Likewise, BPC 157 activates particular receptors (i.e., VGEF and growth hormone). Furthermore, close BPC 157/NO-system relations with the gasotransmitters crossing the cell membrane and acting directly on molecules inside the cell may envisage particular interactions with receptors on the plasma membrane of their target cells. Finally, there is nerve-muscle relation in various muscle disturbance counteractions, and nerve-nerve relation in various encephalopathies counteraction, which is also exemplified specifically by the BPC 157 therapy application.

From Selye's and Szabo's Cysteamine-Duodenal Ulcer in Rats to Dopamine in the Stomach: Therapy Significance and Possibilities.

We reviewed gastric ulcer healing by dopamine considering several distinctive duodenal key points. Selye and Szabo describe the cysteamine-induced duodenal ulcer in rats as a duodenal stress ulcer in patients. Szabo's cysteamine duodenal ulcer as the dopamine duodenal healing and cysteamine as a dopamine antagonist signifies the dopamine agonists anti-ulcer effect and dopamine antagonists ulcerogenic effect. From these viewpoints, we focused on dopamine and gastric ulcer healing. We mentioned antecedent studies on the dopamine presence in the stomach and gastric juice. Then we reviewed, in the timeline, therapy significance arising from the anti-ulcer potency of the various dopamine agonists, which is highly prevailing over the quite persistent beneficial evidence arising from the various dopamine antagonists. Meanwhile, the beneficial effects of several peptides (i.e., amylin, cholecystokinin, leptin, and stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, suggested as an acting mediator of the dopamine brain-gut axis) were included in the dopamine gastric ulcer story. We attempt to resolve dopamine agonists/antagonists issue with the dopamine significance in the stress (cysteamine as a prototype of the duodenal stress ulcer), and cytoprotection (cysteamine in small dose as a prototype of the cytoprotective agents; cysteamine duodenal ulcer in gastrectomized rats). Thereby, along with dopamine agonists' beneficial effects, in special circumstances, dopamine antagonists having their own ulcerogenic effect may act as "mild stress (or)" or "small irritant" counteracting subsequent strong alcohol or stress procedure-induced severe lesions in this particular tissue. Finally, in the conclusion, as a new improvement in further therapy, we emphasized the advantages of the dopamine agents' application in lower gastrointestinal tract therapy.

Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Striated, Smooth, and Heart Muscle.

First, we review the definitively severed myotendinous junction and recovery by the cytoprotective stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 therapy, its healing that might combine both transected and detached tendon and transected muscle, ligament and bone injuries, applied alone, as native peptide therapy, effective in rat injury, given intraperitoneally or in drinking water or topically, at the site of injury. As a follow up, we reviewed that with the BPC 157 therapy, its cytoprotective ability to organize simultaneous healing of different tissues of and full recovery of the myotendinous junction might represent the particular muscle therapy against distinctive etiopathology muscle disabilities and weakness. In this, BPC 157 therapy might recover many of muscle disabilities (i.e., succinylcholine, vascular occlusion, spinal cord compression, stroke, traumatic brain injury, severe electrolyte disturbances, neurotoxins, neuroleptics, alcohol, serotonin syndrome and NO-system blockade and tumor-cachexia). These might provide practical realization of the multimodal muscle-axis impact able to react depending on the condition and the given agent(s) and the symptoms distinctively related to the prime injurious cause symptoms in the wide healing concept, the concept of cytoprotection, in particular. Further, the BPC 157 therapy might be the recovery for the disabled heart functioning, and disabled smooth muscle functioning (various sphincters function recovery). Finally, BPC 157, native and stable in human gastric juice, might be a prototype of anti-ulcer cytoprotective peptide for the muscle therapy with high curing potential (very safe profile (lethal dose not achieved), with suited wide effective range (µg-ng regimens) and ways of application).

DEPARTMENT BEFORE DEPARTMENT: HOW WAS THE DEPARTMENT OF PATHOLOGY ESTABLISHED AT THE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE UNIVERSITY OF ZAGREB / ZAVOD PRIJE ZAVODA: KAKO JE OSNOVAN ZAVOD ZA PATOLOGIJU MEDICINSKOG FAKULTETA SVEUCILISTA U ZAGREBU

The authors of the paper aim to present the foundation of the Department of Pathology at the University of Zagreb. The first years of the Department of Pathology, from 1918 to 1922, will be analysed in the paper. The emphasis is on the construction of the Department and the difficulties encountered at the same time. Also, persons who were crucial for the establishment of the Department of Pathology will be discussed. So far, the literature has mostly stated that the initiator of the Department of Pathology was Sergej Saltykow, a pathologist of Russian descent. Although Saltykow's role is unquestionable, the aim is to present more persons who have more or less contributed to the establishment of the Department. Thus, more will be said about Vaclav Neumann, Dorde Joanovic, Walter Berlinger and others. Besides, the paper will provide a brief context focusing on the establishment of the School of Medicine and pathology in Zagreb before the foundation of the Department of Pathology. The Pathoanatomic Service of The Public Health Divisions in the City of Zagreb and Ljudevit Jurak, the first head of this institution, should certainly be pointed out. The Pathoanatomic Service played a key role in the development of forensic medicine and pathology in Croatia. In addition to available literature, the paper is based on archival materials found in the School of Medicine University of Zagreb archive.

Novel laser activated photoacoustic streaming for removing pulp remnants from round root canals after single file reciprocating instrumentation.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the efficacy of a new laser-assisted irrigation system, the shock wave enhanced emission photo-acoustic streaming (SWEEPS) technique in removing pulp tissue from single-rooted premolars. METHODS: Freshly extracted mandibular premolars with round root canals (n = 40), scanned using cone beam computed tomography, were randomly divided into control and four experimental (according to the irrigation technique used) groups (n = 8/group). Groups 1, 2, and 3 were instrumented using Reciproc Blue (RB25/0.06) followed by final irrigation protocol (FIP), activated by SWEEPS, ultrasonically activated irrigation (UAI), and conventional irrigation (CI), respectively. In these groups, 7 mL 3% NaOCl in total was used during instrumentation; for FIP, 3% NaOCl (60 s), ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (60 s), and 3% NaOCl (30 s). In group 4, SWEEPS activation of 3% NaOCl for 6 × 30 s alone was performed. The untreated control group specimens were processed for histological evaluation of remaining pulp tissue (RPT) in each canal third. The results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between the control group and the experimental groups (p<0.05). In the middle third, the UIA and SWEEPS showed similar efficacy (p = 0.171), superior to CI and SWEEPS without instrumentation (p<0.05). In the apical third, SWEEPS was the most efficient (p = 0.002), and UIA and CI showed no difference (p = 0.643). CONCLUSION: SWEEPS was superior to UIA and CI in removing RPT in the apical region of round canals after single instrument root canal preparation; SWEEPS without instrumentation was inefficient in removing pulp tissue.

Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 as a Therapy for the Disable Myotendinous Junctions in Rats.

(1) Aim: The stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 is known to heal transected muscle, tendon, and ligament. Thereby, in this study, we investigated the effect of BPC 157 on the dissection of the quadriceps tendon from the quadriceps muscle in rats. (2) Materials and Methods: Myotendinous junction defect, which cannot heal spontaneously in rats, as evidenced with consistent macro/microscopic, biomechanical, functional assessments, eNOS, and COX-2 mRNA levels and oxidative stress and NO-levels in the myotendinous junctions. BPC 157 (10 µg/kg, 10 ng/kg) regimen was given (i) intraperitoneally, first application immediately after surgery, last 24 h before sacrifice; (ii) per-orally, in drinking water (0.16 µg/mL, 0.16 ng/mL, 12 mL/rat/day), till the sacrifice at 7, 14, 28 and 42 postoperative days. (3) Results: These BPC 157 regimens document prominent therapy effects (macro/microscopic, biomechanical, functional much like eNOS and COX-2 mRNA levels and counteracted oxidative stress and NO-levels in the myotendinous junctions), while controls have a poor presentation. Especially, in rats with the disabled myotendinous junction, along with full functional recovery, BPC 157 counteracts muscle atrophy that is regularly progressive and brings muscle presentation close to normal. Accordingly, unlike the perilous course in controls, those rats, when receiving BPC 157 therapy, exhibit a smaller defect, and finally defects completely disappear. Microscopically, there are no more inflammatory infiltrate, well-oriented recovered tissue of musculotendon junction appears in BPC 157 treated rats at the 28 days and 42 days. (4) Conclusions: BPC 157 restores myotendinous junction in accordance with the healing of the transected muscle, tendon, and ligament.

Robert's Intragastric Alcohol-Induced Gastric Lesion Model as an Escalated General Peripheral and Central Syndrome, Counteracted by the Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157.

We redefined Robert's prototypical cytoprotection model, namely the intragastric administration of 96% alcohol in order to generate a general peripheral and central syndrome similar to that which occurs when major central or peripheral veins are occluded in animal models. With this redefinition, we used Robert's model to examine the cytoprotective effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. The intragastric administration of alcohol induced gastric lesions, intracranial (superior sagittal sinus) hypertension, severe brain swelling and lesions, portal and vena caval hypertension, aortal hypotension, severe thrombosis, inferior vena cava and superior mesenteric vein congestion, azygos vein failure (as a failed collateral pathway), electrocardiogram disturbances, and heart, lung, liver and kidney lesions. The use of BPC 157 therapy (10 µg/kg or 10 ng/kg given intraperitoneally 1 min after alcohol) counteracted these deficits rapidly. Specifically, BPC 157 reversed brain swelling and superior mesenteric vein and inferior vena caval congestion, and helped the azygos vein to recover, which improved the collateral blood flow pathway. Microscopically, BPC 157 counteracted brain (i.e., intracerebral hemorrhage with degenerative changes of cerebral and cerebellar neurons), heart (acute subendocardial infarct), lung (parenchymal hemorrhage), liver (congestion), kidney (congestion) and gastrointestinal (epithelium loss, hemorrhagic gastritis) lesions. In addition, this may have taken place along with the activation of specific molecular pathways. In conclusion, these findings clarify and extend the theory of cytoprotection, offer an approach to its practical application, and establish BPC 157 as a prospective cytoprotective treatment.

Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 Therapy for Monocrotaline-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Rats Leads to Prevention and Reversal.

Background. Monocrotaline selectively injures the lung's vascular endothelium and induces pulmonary arterial hypertension. The stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 acts as a prototype cytoprotective agent that maintains endothelium, and its application may be a novel therapy. Besides, BPC 157 prevents and reverses thrombosis formation, maintains platelet function, alleviates peripheral vascular occlusion disturbances, and has anti-arrhythmic and anti-inflammatory effects. Monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats (wall thickness, total vessel area, heart frequency, QRS axis deviation, QT interval prolongation, increase in right ventricle systolic pressure and bodyweight loss) can be counteracted with early or delayed BPC 157 therapy. Methods and Results. After monocrotaline (80 mg/kg subcutaneously), BPC 157 (10 µg/kg or 10 ng/kg, days 1-14 or days 1-30 (early regimens), or days 14-30 (delayed regimen)) was given once daily intraperitoneally (last application 24 h before sacrifice) or continuously in drinking water until sacrifice (day 14 or 30). Without therapy, the outcome was the full monocrotaline syndrome, marked by right-side heart hypertrophy and massive thickening of the precapillary artery's smooth muscle layer, clinical deterioration, and sometimes death due to pulmonary hypertension and right-heart failure during the 4th week after monocrotaline injection. With all BPC 157 regimens, monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (including all disturbed parameters) was counteracted, and consistent beneficial effects were documented during the whole course of the disease. Pulmonary hypertension was not even developed (early regimens) as quickly as the advanced pulmonary hypertension was rapidly attenuated and then completely eliminated (delayed regimen). Conclusions. Thus, pentadecapeptide BPC 157 prevents and counteracts monocrotaline-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension and cor pulmonale in rats.

BPC 157 Therapy and the Permanent Occlusion of the Superior Sagittal Sinus in Rat: Vascular Recruitment.

We show the complex syndrome of the occluded superior sagittal sinus, brain swelling and lesions and multiple peripheral organs lesions in rat. Recovery goes centrally and peripherally, with the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157, which alleviated peripheral vascular occlusion disturbances, rapidly activating alternative bypassing pathways. Assessments were gross recording, venography, ECG, pressure, microscopy, biochemistry. The increased pressure in the superior sagittal sinus, portal and caval hypertension, aortal hypotension, arterial and venous thrombosis, severe brain swelling and lesions (cortex (cerebral, cerebellar), hypothalamus/thalamus, hippocampus), particular veins (azygos, superior mesenteric, inferior caval) dysfunction, heart dysfunction, lung congestion as acute respiratory distress syndrome, kidney disturbances, liver failure, and hemorrhagic lesions in gastrointestinal tract were all assessed. Rats received BPC 157 medication (10 µg/kg, 10 ng/kg) intraperitoneally, intragastrically, or topically to the swollen brain at 1 min ligation-time, or at 15 min, 24 h and 48 h ligation-time. BPC 157 therapy rapidly attenuates the brain swelling, rapidly eliminates the increased pressure in the ligated superior sagittal sinus and the severe portal and caval hypertension and aortal hypotension, and rapidly recruits collateral vessels, centrally ((para)sagittal venous collateral circulation) and peripherally (left superior caval vein azygos vein-inferior caval vein). In conclusion, as shown by all assessments, BPC 157 acts against the permanent occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus and syndrome (i.e., brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal lesions, thrombosis), given at 1 min, 15 min, 24 h or 48 h ligation-time. BPC 157 therapy rapidly overwhelms the permanent occlusion of the superior sagittal sinus in rat.

Comparison of Androgen Receptor, VEGF, HIF-1, Ki67 and MMP9 Expression between Non-Metastatic and Metastatic Stages in Stromal and Tumor Cells of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common oral malignancy with low survival as it is very often diagnosed at an advanced stage, which is why the accurate profiling of the tumor is essential. The aim of this study was to, for the first time, compare in OSCC the frequency of AR, VEGF, MMP9, HiF1beta and Ki67 between the non-metastatic and metastatic disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, 96 non-metastatic and 91 metastatic OSCC patients were analysed for AR, VEGF, MMP9, HiF1beta and Ki67 levels by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: All of the tested biomarkers significantly differed between non-metastatic and metastatic disease. A significant association was found between >/=20% AR positive epithelium cells in cytoplasm, Ki67 and VEGF in cancer stroma. Ki67, HiF1beta, VEGF and MMP9 were significantly associated with TNM stages. CONCLUSION: Our results show for the first time an interplay between AR, VEGF, MMP9, HiF1beta and Ki67 in OSCC which may contribute to better diagnostics and therapy selection.