Therapeutic effect of yinchenhao decoction on cholelithiasis via mucin in the gallbladder and intestine.

Cholelithiasis is a common and frequently occurring disease worldwide that belongs to the category of jaundice in traditional Chinese medicine. Yinchenhao decoction (YD) consists of Artemisia capillaris Thunb., Gardenia jasminoides J.Ellis, and Rheum palmatum L., and is traditionally used to treat jaundice, which has a significant therapeutic effect on cholelithiasis. Our study aimed to investigate the pathological mechanism of cholelithiasis and the therapeutic mechanism of YD via mucin in the gallbladder and intestine. YD was prepared and analyzed using HPLC. The supersaturation stability experiment was designed by the solvent-shift method. The cell transport experiment was conducted by coculture monolayers. The animal experiment was performed using a cholelithiasis model with a high-cholesterol diet. The related indicators were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer, PCR, western blot, or ELISA. Statistics were analyzed using χ2-tests and t-tests. As the results, in cholelithiasis, MUC5AC highly expressed in the gallbladder shortened cholesterol supersaturation and promoted cholesterol crystallization via the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway; MUC2 highly expressed in the small intestine prolonged cholesterol supersaturation and promoted cholesterol absorption via the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway. YD inhibited mucin expression in the gallbladder and intestine in a concentration-dependent manner for cholelithiasis treatment by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokine signaling pathway, which was attributed to the active components, including chlorogenic acid, geniposide, and rhein.

[Clinical analysis of the correlation between gallbladder adenomyomatosis and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux].

Objective: To explore the association between gallbladder adenomyomatosis (GA) and occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR). Methods: A total of 81 patients with GA who underwent cholecystectomy in Shanghai East Hospital from December 2020 to January 2022 were enrolled, including 48 cases of fundal type, 28 cases of segmental type and 5 cases of diffuse type. Patient's intraoperative bile was coltected and tested for amylase. According to gallbladder bile amylase level, patients were divided into OPBR group (bile amylase>110 U/L) and the control group (bile amylase≤110 U/L). Results: Among 81 patients, 32 were male and 49 were female, and aged (49.1±13.2) years; there were 66 cases in control group, including 27 males and 39 females, and aged (50.0±12.9)years; there were 15 patients in the OPBR group, including 5 males and 10 females, and aged (45.1±14.2) years. In terms of the clinical features of the two groups, there was no significant difference (all P>0.05), except for a significant increase in biliary amylase in the OPBR group compared with the control group (P<0.001). However, the incidence of OPBR was significantly different in the three types of GA, with a lower incidence of OPBR in the fundal type (10.4%, 5/48) than in the segmental type (28.6%, 8/28) and diffuse type (2/5) (P=0.038). In addition, segmental GA was more likely to be combined with gallbladder stones (85.7%, 24/28) than fundal GA (58.3%, 28/48) and diffuse GA (3/5) (P=0.031). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed OPBR [OR (95%CI)=3.410 (1.010 to 11.513), P=0.048] and combined gallbladder stones [OR (95%CI)=2.974 (1.011 to 8.745), P=0.048] indepenclently correlated with segmental and diffuse GA. Conclusions: The incidence of OPBR is higher in segmental and diffuse GA, and gallstones and OPBR are independently associated with the occurrence of segmental and diffuse GA. These results suggest that OPBR may be the initiating factor for the occurrence and carcinogenesis of segmental and diffuse GA.

Surface Modification of Polypropylene Mesh with a Porcine Cholecystic Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel for Mitigating Host Tissue Reaction.

Polypropylene (PP) meshes are widely used for repairing skeletal muscle defects like abdominal hernia despite the chances of undesirable pro-inflammatory tissue reactions that demand revision surgeries in about 45% of cases. Attempts have been made to address the problem by modifying the mesh surface and architecture. These procedures have yielded only incremental improvements in the management of overall postoperative complications, and the search for a clinically viable therapeutic strategy continues. This study deployed a tissue engineering approach for mitigating PP-induced adverse tissue reaction by dip-coating the mesh with a hydrogel formulation of the porcine cholecystic extracellular matrix (CECM). The biomaterial properties of the CECM hydrogel-coated PP (C-PP) meshes were studied and their biocompatibility was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo tests based on ISO standards. Further, the nature of tissue reactions induced by the hydrogel-coated mesh and a commercial PP hernia repair graft was compared in a rat model of partial-thickness abdominal wall defect. Histomorphologically, in comparison with the PP graft-induced tissue reaction, C-PP caused a favorable graft-acceptance response characterized by reduced numbers of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages and cytotoxic lymphocytes. Remarkably, the differential inflammatory response of the C-PP graft-assisted healing was associated with a fibrotic reaction predominated by deposition of type I collagen rather than type III collagen, as desired during skeletal muscle repair. It was concluded that the CECM hydrogel is a potential biomaterial for surface modification of polymeric biomedical devices.

Gelatin-Modified Cholecyst-Derived Scaffold Promotes Angiogenesis and Faster Healing of Diabetic Wounds.

Compromised angiogenesis is a major factor contributing delayed wound healing in diabetic patients. Graft-assisted healing using synthetic and natural scaffolds supplemented with micromolecules for stimulating angiogenesis is the contemporary tissue engineering strategy for treating diabetic wounds. This study deployed the carbodiimide chemical reaction for coupling gelatin with a porcine cholecyst-derived scaffold (CDS) for enhancing angiogenesis. The modification was confirmed by the trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid assay and scanning electron microscopy. The gelatin-coupled CDS was more stable than the bare CDS in an in vitro proteolytic environment and allowed survival of keratinocytes (HaCaT), indicating its suitability for chronic skin wound application. The gelatin coupling brought significant improvement in the in vitro angiogenic potential of the CDS as evident from the enhanced viability of endothelial cells. An in ovo chorioallantoic membrane assay also demonstrated the angiogenic potential of the modified scaffold. Further, the modified scaffold promoted angiogenesis and aided faster healing of full-thickness excision wounds in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. It is concluded that the gelatin-coupled CDS is a potential advanced wound care material for treating diabetic wounds.

Paraganglia of the Gallbladder: An Underrecognized Incidental Finding and Potential Diagnostic Pitfall.

CONTEXT.­: The identification of paraganglia (PG) in the gallbladder (GB) is infrequent, and easily overlooked as it is not something routinely reported. Occasionally they may be misinterpreted as neoplastic cells, such as low-grade carcinomas, germ cell tumors, or because of their close resemblance to neuroendocrine cells, as low-grade neuroendocrine neoplasms. OBJECTIVE.­: To evaluate the incidence and histological features of PG of the GB in patients that underwent cholecystectomy, and discuss the potential misinterpretation of these benign structures as clusters of neoplastic cells. DESIGN.­: A retrospective study of cholecystectomy specimens performed during a 6-month period were reviewed for identification of PG. Immunohistochemical studies for chromogranin, synaptophysin, S100, and cytokeratin AE1/AE3 were performed in selected cases. RESULTS.­: A total of 365 GBs were reviewed and in 16 cases (4.4%) PG was identified within the subserosal connective tissue of the GB wall or cystic duct adjacent to small capillaries, nerves, and ganglia. They consisted of well-demarcated, lobular structures ranging in size from 0.2 to 0.5 cm, which were predominantly composed of chief cells, with strong expression for chromogranin and synaptophysin and negative CKAE1/AE3, and a minor component of S100-positive sustentacular cells. CONCLUSIONS.­: PG is an uncommon finding with a prevalence of 4.4% in our study. Awareness of their location, histologic features, and immunohistochemical profile may help practicing pathologists to confirm their benign nature, avoid a misdiagnosis of malignancy, and prevent unnecessary diagnostic work-up and treatment.

Determination of bile acids from human gallbladder by 1 H-MRS-Protocol optimization and estimation of reproducibility.

Bile exerts multiple functions in the liver and gut and is involved in multiple disease processes. It is secreted continuously from the liver and stored in the gallbladder until needed, and closely reflects the available bile acid pool. The study objective was therefore to develop a reliable MRS protocol and to assess variability of bile acid determination in human gallbladder. MRS measurements were performed on a 3 T MR scanner with 20 subjects to optimize protocols (26 measurements) and conduct a prospective reproducibility study (18 measurements). Measurements were carried out with subjects lying in either supine (23 scans) or prone positions (21 scans) to compare results from the two positions. For reproducibility determination, six of the 20 volunteers (three males, three females, age = 34.9 ± 10.9 years, BMI = 23.4 ± 2.1 kg/m2 ) were measured three times: back to back to assess technical variability and once again after three weeks to assess total variability, including additional physiological variability. A single voxel was measured in the gallbladder with respiratory triggering. For quantification, apparent T2 times were determined and a non-water-suppressed spectrum was acquired. Total bile acids, glycine and taurine conjugated bile acids, and lipids including choline-containing phospholipids were determined. Higher quality and reliability of gallbladder spectra were obtained with subjects measured in prone compared with supine position. All measurements of the reproducibility sub-study were of sufficient quality to be included in the analysis. Average coefficients of variation within subjects for the main compounds were 37% for total variation (including physiological and technical variation) and 24% for technical variation alone. These values were much smaller than those between subjects, which were >54% for both back-to-back and three weeks separated measurements. These results suggest diagnostic applicability of the method, especially for longitudinal studies aiming at non-invasive characterization of bile composition in humans with various diseases and/or interventional maneuvers.

Feasibility of Voltage-Applied SERS Measurement of Bile Juice as an Effective Analytical Scheme to Enhance Discrimination between Gall Bladder (GB) Polyp and GB Cancer.

A unique surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) measurement scheme to discriminate gall bladder (GB) polyp and GB cancer by analysis of bile juice is proposed. Along with the high sensitivity of SERS, external voltage application during SERS measurement was incorporated to improve sample discriminability. For this purpose, Au nanodendrites were constructed on a screen-printed electrode (referred to as AuND@SPE), and Raman spectra of extracted aqueous phases from raw bile juice samples were acquired using the AuND@SPE at voltages from -300 to 300 mV. The sample spectra resembled that of bilirubin, possessing an open chain tetrapyrrole, showing that bilirubin derivatives in bile juice were mainly responsible for the observed peaks. Discrimination of GB polyp and GB cancer using just the normal SERS spectra was not achieved but became apparent when the spectra were acquired at a voltage of -100 mV. When voltage-applied SERS spectra of bilirubin and urobilinogen (one of bilirubin's derivatives) were examined, a sudden intensity elevation occurring at -100 mV was observed for urobilinogen but not bilirubin. Based on examination of corresponding cyclic voltammograms, the potential-driven strong adsorption of urobilinogen (no faradaic charge transfer) on AuND occurring at -100 mV induced a substantial increase in SERS intensity. It was presumed that the content of urobilinogen in the bile juice of a GB cancer patient would be higher than that of a GB polyp patient, and the contained urobilinogen was sensitively highlighted by applying -100 mV during SERS measurement, allowing clear discrimination of GB cancer against GB polyp.

A cholecystic extracellular matrix-based hybrid hydrogel for skeletal muscle tissue engineering.

Tailoring the properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) based hydrogels by conjugating with synthetic polymers is an emerging method for designing hybridhydrogels for a wide range of tissue engineering applications. In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA), a synthetic polymer at variable concentrations (ranging from 0.2 to 2% wt/vol) was conjugated with porcine cholecyst derived ECM (C-ECM) (1% wt/vol) and prepared a biosynthetic hydrogel having enhanced physico-mechanical properties, as required for skeletal muscle tissue engineering. The C-ECM was functionalized with acrylate groups using activated N-hydroxysuccinimide ester-based chemistry and then conjugated with PEGDA via free-radical polymerization in presence of ammonium persulfate and ascorbic acid. The physicochemical characteristics of the hydrogels were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and environmental scanning electron microscopy. Further, the hydrogel properties were studied by evaluating rheology, swelling, gelation time, percentage gel fraction, in vitro degradation, and mechanical strength. Biocompatibility of the gel formulations were assessed using the C2C12 skeletal myoblast cells. The hydrogel formulations containing 0.2 and 0.5% wt/vol of PEGDA were non-cytotoxic and found suitable for growth and proliferation of skeletal myoblasts. The study demonstrated a method for modulating the properties of ECM hydrogels through conjugation with bio-inert polymers for skeletal muscle tissue engineering applications.

Pioglitazone prevents cholesterol gallstone formation through the regulation of cholesterol homeostasis in guinea pigs with a lithogenic diet.

BACKGROUND: The cholesterol gallstones diseases (CGD) is highly correlated with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. The present study aimed to investigate preventive effects of pioglitazone (PIO), an antidiabetic drug, on the CGD in guinea pigs fed with a lithogenic diet (LD). METHODS: The guinea pigs were fed with the LD for 8 weeks. All guinea pigs were grouped as follows: low fat diet; LD; LD plus PIO (4 mg/kg); LD plus PIO (8 mg/kg); LD plus ezetimibe (EZE) (2 mg/kg). Gallbladder stones were observed using microscopy. The profile of biliary composition, and blood glucose, insulin and lipid were analyzed. The liver or ileum was harvested for determinations of hydroxyl-methyl-glutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR), sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 2 (SREBP2), 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) sterol transporters G5 and G8 (ABCG5, ABCG8), bile salt export pump (BSEP), Niemann-Pick C1-Like 1 (NPC1L1) and acetyl-coenzyme A cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT2) by Western blot. The gallbladders were used for histological examination. RESULTS: The LD successfully induced gallstone. Both pioglitazone and ezetimibe prevented gallstone formation, as well as hepatic and cholecystic damages. Pioglitazone significantly decreased HMGCR and SREBP2, but increased CYP7A1, ABCG5, ABCG8, and BSEP in the liver. Pioglitazone also remarkably decreased NPC1L1 and ACAT2, while increased ABCG5/8 in the intestine. The beneficial alterations of cholesterol and bile acids in the bile, as well as profile of glucose, insulin and lipid in the blood were found in the guinea pigs treated with pioglitazone. CONCLUSION: Pioglitazone has a noticeable benefit towards the CGD, which is involved in changes of synthesis, transformation, absorption, and transportation of cholesterol.

A fatal case of self-poisoning through the ingestion of oleander leaves.

BACKGROUND: Benefits and even dangers of plants are known since time began. The ancients used plants and herbs because of their effects on the human body. Poisoning is a logical consequence of their use: history is full of episodes of plants and herbs poisoning, whether intentional or accidental. AIM: Oleander poisoning is generally accidental; an intentional assumption of its leaves to commit suicide is uncommon because the population is not aware of the harmfulness of its cardiotoxic glycosides, therefore we report a fatal case of self-poisoning through the voluntary ingestion of oleander leaves. METHODS: A diagnosis of oleander self-poisoning was highly suspected on the basis of the circumstantial evidence and the autopsy findings. Toxicological investigations were performed on the samples collected during the autopsy and aimed at confirm the presence of oleandrin at a toxic level. RESULTS: The autopsy revealed a piece of oleander leaf on the posterior third of the tongue's body and several plant residues, similar to the one recovered on the tongue, into the gastric content; petechiae on the deep surface of the scalp, multi-organ congestion, and pulmonary edema were also observed. The histological study corroborated the pulmonary edema macroscopically observed but did not provide any other information. The detection of oleandrin in biological cadaveric samples revealed high, fatal, concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Cases of voluntary ingestion of oleander with a suicidal intent prove to be uncommon: in the case reported the victim was aware about the possibility to commit suicide through the ingestion of oleander leaves.

Variants in ABCG8 and TRAF3 genes confer risk for gallstone disease in admixed Latinos with Mapuche Native American ancestry.

Latin Americans and Chilean Amerindians have the highest prevalence of gallstone disease (GSD) and gallbladder cancer (GBC) in the world. A handful of loci have been associated with GSD in populations of predominantly European ancestry, however, they only explain a small portion of the genetic component of the disease. Here, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for GSD in 1,095 admixed Chilean Latinos with Mapuche Native American ancestry. Disease status was assessed by cholecystectomy or abdominal ultrasonography. Top-10 candidate variants surpassing the suggestive cutoff of P < 1 × 10-5 in the discovery cohort were genotyped in an independent replication sample composed of 1,643 individuals. Variants with positive replication were further examined in two European GSD populations and a Chilean GBC cohort. We consistently replicated the association of ABCG8 gene with GSD (rs11887534, P = 3.24 × 10-8, OR = 1.74) and identified TRAF3 (rs12882491, P = 1.11 × 10-7, OR = 1.40) as a novel candidate gene for the disease in admixed Chilean Latinos. ABCG8 and TRAF3 variants also conferred risk to GBC. Gene expression analyses indicated that TRAF3 was significantly decreased in gallbladder (P = 0.015) and duodenal mucosa (P = 0.001) of GSD individuals compared to healthy controls, where according to GTEx data in the small intestine, the presence of the risk allele contributes to the observed effect. We conclude that ABCG8 and TRAF3 genes are associated with GSD and GBC in admixed Latinos and that decreased TRAF3 levels could enhance gallbladder inflammation as is observed in GSD and GSD-associated GBC.

Radiation effect on cathodoluminescence and thermoluminescence emission of Ca-rich oxalates from the human body.

The radiation effect of luminescence emission of Ca-rich oxalate biogenic materials (gallbladder and renal calculi) and a commercial standard sample (CaC2 O4 ·H2 O) is reported. The samples were characterized by environmental scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses, display complex cathodoluminescence (CL) and thermoluminescence (TL) glow emissions. CL spectra (in the UV-infrared range) displayed non-well defined peaks, and exhibited emission at: (i) higher energies (300-490 nm) mainly associated with non-bridging oxygen hole centers, oxygen-deficient centers and peroxy intrinsic defects, regardless of the sample; and (ii) higher, narrow and sharp wavebands, in the red region, probably induced by the presence of traces of Sm3+ (4 G5/2 →6 H9/2 transition) and/or Tb3+ (5 D4 →7 F3 transition) only for mineral-like materials in the human body. The UV-blue TL emission showed low-intensity maxima in which it was possible to distinguish at least four groups of components in each sample.

Differential proteomics analysis of bile between gangrenous cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis.

To establish human biliary protein expression profiles of gangrenous cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, and to discover differently expressed proteins for gangrenous cholecystitis by comparative proteomics, we gathered human gallbladder bile samples from gangrenous cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis patients, respectively After removing the bile salts and lipid peptide fragments were identified by the iTRAQ-coupled LC-MS/MS technology,then identified in SwissProt with Mascot software. A total of 2251 proteins from chronic cholecystitis patients and 2180 proteins from gangrenous cholecystitis patients were identified. A total of 575 differential proteins were found between gangrenous cholecystitis and chronic cholecystitis, 159 proteins were over-expressed and 416 proteins were under-expressed in gangrenous cholecystitis. By bio-informatics analysis, in gangrenous cholecystitis, cell death, necrosis,immune response of neutrophils, apoptosis and degranulation of cells were activated; while cell survival, fatty acid metabolism, transport of molecular and proliferation of cells were inhibited, which might reflect the de-compensatory phase. Pathway analysis showed acute phase proteins were changed, indicating the role of the inflammatory response in the pathogenesis of gangrenous cholecystitis. Six acute phase proteins were found up-regulated,implying a close linkage to gangrenous gallbladder. Our study could be applicable in the biomarker discovery of gangrenous cholecystitis.

Cross-Linked Cholecyst-Derived Extracellular Matrix for Abdominal Wall Repair.

Abdominal wall repair frequently utilizes either nondegradable or biodegradable meshes, which are found to stimulate undesirable biological tissue responses or which possess suboptimal degradation rate. In this study, a biologic mesh prototype made from carbodiimide cross-linked cholecyst-derived extracellular matrix (EDCxCEM) was compared with small intestinal submucosa (Surgisis®), cross-linked bovine pericardium (Peri-Guard®), and polypropylene (Prolene®) meshes in an in vivo rabbit model. The macroscopic appearance and stereological parameters of the meshes were evaluated. Tailoring the degradation of the EDCxCEM mesh prevents untimely degradation, while allowing cellular infiltration and mesh remodeling to take place in a slower but predictable manner. The results suggest that the cross-linked biodegradable cholecyst-derived biologic mesh results in no seroma formation, low adhesion, and moderate stretching of the mesh. In contrast to Surgisis, Peri-Guard, and Prolene meshes, the EDCxCEM mesh showed a statistically significant increase in the volume fraction (Vv) of collagen (from 34% to 52.1%) in the central fibrous tissue region at both day 28 and 56. The statistically high length density (Lv), of blood vessels for the EDCxCEM mesh at 28 days was reflected also by the higher cellular activity (high Vv of fibroblast and moderate Vv of nuclei) indicating remodeling of this region in the vicinity of a slowly degrading EDCxCEM mesh. The lack of mesh area stretching/shrinkage in the EDCxCEM mesh showed that the remodeled tissue was adequate to prevent hernia formation. The stereo-histological assays suggest that the EDCxCEM delayed degradation profile supports host wound healing processes including collagen formation, cellular infiltration, and angiogenesis. The use of cross-linked CEM for abdominal wall repair is promising.

Asbestos fibre burden in gallbladder: A case study.

The methods conventionally used to determine the burden of asbestos fibres inhaled/incorporated in lung require chemical digestion of the biological matrix before counting/characterising the inorganic fibrous phases under scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Asbestos fibres can also be present in extra-pulmonary organs, and we set out to quantify the fibres in gallbladder. Although the standardised procedure requires approximately 5 × 10-1 g of wet tissue, this amount of tissue is not always available. We applied the procedure on about 9 × 10-4 g of gallbladder from a patient with known environmental and workplace exposure to asbestos. The patient died of malignant pleural mesothelioma and was also affected by severe bile-tract problems. The traditional procedure of digesting tissue samples in NaClO and filtering the resulting suspension was carried out. The filter was then examined under SEM/EDS using two methods 1. following the standardised procedure to assess the fibre burden in lung by investigating only 2 mm2 of the filter (660 microscopic fields), and 2. analysing all the microscopic fields in one-quarter of the filter (about 82 mm2). In parallel, histological sections (prepared in the usual way for medical diagnosis) were analysed without digestion or manipulation of the sample using variable pressure SEM/EDS. The fibre counts obtained using the two methods were of the same order of magnitude, i.e., ∼105 fibres/g of wet tissue. We showed that the counting of fibres in human tissue may be successfully carried out even when a limited amount of tissue is available. We also found that, when exposure to asbestos is considerable, the number of asbestos fibres accumulating in the gallbladder may be significant.

Bile acids and bile alcohols from Muraenesox bagio, Pomadasys argenteus and Lobeo rohita.

Gallbladders bile of three well known commercial fish of South Asia region named Muraenesox bagio (locally called bam), Pomadasys argenteus (dother) and Lobeo rohita (rohu) were analysed on GC-MS, after derivatising the bile alcohols and bile acids as trimethylsilyl ether and trimethylsilyl-methyl ester, respectively. Cholic acid (1) and chenodeoxycholic acid (2) were found as major bile acids in all three species. Major bile alcohol in these fish was cholesterol (4), which was not detected in freshwater specie (L. rohita). M. bagio was also found to contain 3αα,7α,12α-trihydroxy-23-cholesten-26-oic acid (3). Other bile acids and bile alcohols identified in L. rohita were allo deoxycholic acid (5), 12-oxo-3α-hydroxycholanic acid (6), 3α,7α,12α-trihydroxy-24-cholesten-26-oic acid (7), 5α- and 5ß-anhydrocyprinol (8 and 9, respectively) and 5ß-homocholane-3α,7α,12α-25-tetrol (10). Besides acting as emulsifying agent in the digestion process, in non-mammalian vertebrates, e.g., fish, reptiles, etc. the analytical and elucidative studies on the bile contents disclose the diversity in metabolic pathways of cholesterol and indicate the existence of molecular evolution in the basic C27 skeleton of cholesterol.

Crocodiles and alligators: Antiamoebic and antitumor compounds of crocodiles.

Crocodiles exist in unsanitary environments, feed on rotten meat, are often exposed to heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, tolerate high levels of radiation, and are amid the very few species to survive the catastrophic Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, nonetheless they can live for up to a 100 years. Moreover, as they live in unhygienic conditions, they regularly come across pathogens. Logically, we postulate that crocodiles possess mechanisms to defend themselves from noxious agents as well as protecting themselves from pathogens. To test this hypothesis, various organ lysates and serum of Crocodylus palustris were prepared. Amoebicidal assays were performed using Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype. Cytotoxicity assays were performed using Prostate cancer cells culture by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release as a marker for cell death. Growth inhibition assays were performed to determine the growth inhibitory effects of various organ lysates. Serum and heart lysates of Crocodylus palustris exhibited powerful anti-tumor activity exhibiting more than 70% Prostate cancer cell death (P < 0.05). Additionally, lysates from gall bladder and bile also showed significant host cell cytotoxicity, however intestine, lungs and brain showed partial cytotoxicity. Both sera and heart lysates of Crocodylus palustris abolished Prostate cells growth. Moreover, serum completely abolished A. castellanii viability. For the first time, these findings showed that the organ lysates of Crocodylus palustris exhibit potent anti-amoebic and anti-tumor activity. The discovery of antimicrobial and antitumor activity in crocodile will stimulate research in finding therapeutic molecules from unusual sources, and has potential for the development of novel antitumor/antimicrobial compound(s) that may also overcome drug resistance. Nevertheless, rigorous research in the next few years will be necessary to realize these expectations.

Comparative profiling of extractable proteins in extracellular matrices of porcine cholecyst and jejunum intended for preparation of tissue engineering scaffolds.

Scaffolds prepared from cholecyst and jejunum have differential immunological potential, despite similar biocompatibility, when used as subcutaneous grafts. The reason for differential immunogenicity is probably due to differences in the nature of protein composition and biomolecules in the extracellular matrices (ECMs) of source organs that are used for preparation of the scaffolds. Against this background, the present study aims to identify the extractable proteins of ECMs derived from porcine cholecyst and jejunum. The proteins were extracted and identified through a conventional database search following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel-electrophoresis separation and mass spectroscopy. The resultant protein profile was analyzed and at least 154 proteins in cholecyst-derived extracellular matrix (CDE) and 186 proteins in jejunum-derived extracellular matrix (JDE) were identified. Both the matrices contained several extracelluar proteins including fibronectin, nidogen, decorin, and lumican that are known to participate in wound healing responses. However, the CDE had fewer cellular proteins than JDE, especially the latter contained class-I and class-II histocompatibility antigens which are incriminated as potent immunogens responsible for graft rejection. The results of the study suggested that the ECMs used for the scaffold preparation need not be "acellular" and differences in the protein composition of the ECMs might have caused the differential wound healing responses. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 489-496, 2017.

Retrospective analysis of canine gallbladder contents in biliary sludge and gallbladder mucoceles.

The pathophysiology of canine gallbladder diseases, including biliary sludge, gallbladder mucoceles and gallstones, is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the component of gallbladder contents and bacterial infection of the gallbladder in order to elucidate the pathophysiology of biliary sludge and gallbladder mucoceles. A total of 43 samples of canine gallbladder contents (biliary sludge, 21 and gallbladder mucoceles, 22) were subjected to component analysis by infrared spectroscopy, and the resultant infrared spectra were compared with that of swine mucin. Of the 43 samples, 41 were also evaluated by aerobic and anaerobic bacterial culture. The contents of 20 (95.2%) biliary sludge and 22 (100%) gallbladder mucocele samples exhibited similar infrared spectra as swine mucin. Although biliary sludge and gallbladder mucocele contents exhibited similar infrared spectra, one sample of biliary sludge (4.8%) was determined to be composed of proteins. The rate of bacterial infection of the gallbladder was 10.0% for biliary sludge and 14.3% for gallbladder mucoceles. Almost all of the identified bacterial species were intestinal flora. These results indicate that the principal components of gallbladder contents in both gallbladder mucoceles and biliary sludge are mucins and that both pathophysiologies exhibit low rates of bacterial infection of the gallbladder. Therefore, it is possible that gallbladder mucoceles and biliary sludge have the same pathophysiology, and, rather than being independent diseases, they could possibly represent a continuous disease. Thus, biliary sludge could be considered as the stage preceding the appearance of gallbladder mucoceles.

Two Major Bile Acids in the Hornbills, (24R,25S)-3α,7α,24-Trihydroxy-5ß-cholestan-27-oyl Taurine and Its 12α-Hydroxy Derivative.

Two major bile acids were isolated from the gallbladder bile of two hornbill species from the Bucerotidae family of the avian order Bucerotiformes Buceros bicornis (great hornbill) and Penelopides panini (Visayan tarictic hornbill). Their structures were determined to be 3α,7α,24-dihydroxy-5ß-cholestan-27-oic acid and its 12α-hydroxy derivative, 3α,7α,12α,24-tetrahydroxy-5ß-cholestan-27-oic acid (varanic acid, VA), both present in bile as their corresponding taurine amidates. The four diastereomers of varanic acid were synthesized and their assigned structures were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. VA and its 12-deoxy derivative were found to have a (24R,25S)-configuration. 13 additional hornbill species were also analyzed by HPLC and showed similar bile acid patterns to B. bicornis and P. panini. The previous stereochemical assignment for (24R,25S)-VA isolated from the bile of varanid lizards and the Gila monster should now be revised to the (24S,25S)-configuration.