Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy and the Mystery of Genetic Material: A Review Article.

This review focuses on recent findings in the preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos. Different preimplantation genetic tests are presented along with different genetic materials and their analysis. Original material concerning preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) was sourced by searching the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases in October and November 2021. The searches comprised keywords such as 'preimplantation', 'cfDNA'; 'miRNA', 'PGT-A', 'niPGT-A', 'aneuploidy', 'mosaicism', 'blastocyst biopsy', 'blastocentesis', 'blastocoel fluid', 'NGS', 'FISH', and 'aCGH'. Non-invasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) is a novel approach to the genetic analysis of embryos. The premise is that the genetic material in the spent embryo culture media (SECM) corresponds to the genetic material in the embryo cells. The limitations of niPGT-A are a lower quantity and lesser quality of the cell-free genetic material, and its unknown origin. The concordance rate varies when compared to invasive PGT-A. Some authors have also hypothesized that mosaicism and aneuploid cells are preferentially excluded from the embryo during early development. Cell-free genetic material is readily available in the spent embryo culture media, which provides an easier, more economic, and safer extraction of genetic material for analysis. The sampling of the SECM and DNA extraction and amplification must be optimized. The origin of the cell-free media, the percentage of apoptotic events, and the levels of DNA contamination are currently unknown; these topics need to be further investigated.

Topical hydrogels with escin ß-sitosterol phytosome and escin: Formulation development and in vivo assessment of antihyperalgesic activity.

The physicochemical properties, stability, in vivo antihyperalgesic activity, and skin irritation potential of the carbomer hydrogels with the new chemical entity escin ß-sitosterol (ES) phytosome were characterized and compared with those containing escin. Physicochemical characterization of the hydrogels (performed 48 hr after preparation) included organoleptic examination, pH measurement, light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry analysis and rheological tests. The obtained results showed that increasing concentration of the active substances within 1-5% affected the appearance (color and transparency) of the hydrogels, their pH, consistency, and rheological behavior. Unlike acidic escin, which was dissolved in the liquid phase of the pseudoplastic hydrogels E1-E5 and reduced their maximal apparent viscosity (ηmax ), minimal apparent viscosity (ηmin ), and hysteresis area (H) in comparison to the plain carbomer hydrogel, amphiphilic ES-enhanced ηmax , ηmin , and thixotropy of the hydrogels ES1-ES5, which is favorable for prolonged retention at skin surface. Evaluation of in-use stability of the hydrogels showed that organoleptic characteristics, flow behavior, and pH values could be preserved for 3 months under ambient conditions. The rat ear test results suggested that the hydrogels are safe to be used on human skin. Both escin and ES-loaded hydrogels exerted significant, concentration-dependent antihyperalgesic effect in inflammatory pain model in rats. ES-loaded hydrogels were significantly more effective than those loaded with escin. This is a first report on the antihyperalgesic effect of topically applied escin as well as ES in a model of inflammatory pain.

Metformin Synergizes With Conventional and Adjuvant Analgesic Drugs to Reduce Inflammatory Hyperalgesia in Rats.

BACKGROUND: Metformin is a widely used and safe antidiabetic drug that has recently been shown to possess analgesic properties in models of inflammatory pain. Because various arthritic inflammatory disorders are highly prevalent in diabetic patients, we aimed to examine the type of interaction between metformin and several conventional and adjuvant analgesic drugs (ibuprofen, aspirin, tramadol, and pregabalin) in a rat model of somatic inflammatory hyperalgesia. METHODS: Inflammation of the rat hind paw was induced by an intraplantar injection of carrageenan (0.1 mL, 1%). The antihyperalgesic effects of metformin (intraperitoneally), analgesics (orally or intraperitoneally), and 2-drug metformin-analgesic combinations were assessed with an electronic Von Frey anesthesiometer, by measuring the change in paw withdrawal thresholds induced by carrageenan (n = 6 rats in drug/drug combination-treated groups). First, we determined the doses of individual drugs needed to produce an antihyperalgesic effect of 50% (ED50 values). In combination experiments, drugs were coadministered in fixed-dose fractions (1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2) of their individual ED50 values and the type of interaction between components was determined by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Metformin (50-200 mg/kg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia with a maximal antihyperalgesic effect (mean ± SEM) of 62 ± 6% (all P ≤ .024). Ibuprofen (25-150 mg/kg), aspirin (100-400 mg/kg), tramadol (0.5-5 mg/kg), and pregabalin (2.5-20 mg/kg) also produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects (all P ≤ .042) of similar magnitude to metformin (the maximal antihyperalgesic effects were 73 ± 4% for ibuprofen, 62 ± 4.2% for aspirin, 69 ± 5.9% for tramadol, and 56 ± 3.9% for pregabalin). In combination experiments, administration of 2-drug metformin-analgesic combinations led to a significant and dose-dependent reduction of carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia (all P ≤ .027). The isobolographic analysis revealed that metformin interacted synergistically with the examined analgesics (experimental ED50 values of 2-drug combinations were significantly lower than theoretical additive ED50 values; all P < .05) and that there was a similar, approximately 5-fold, reduction of doses of both drugs in all tested combinations. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that in patients who are already receiving metformin therapy, lower doses of ibuprofen/aspirin/tramadol/pregabalin might be sufficient for achieving satisfactory pain relief. Metformin-aspirin combination might be particularly useful because it may achieve multiple therapeutic goals (glucoregulation, pain relief, and cardioprotection).

Laserpitium zernyi Hayek Flower and Herb Extracts: Phenolic Compounds, and Anti-edematous, Antioxidant, and Antimicrobial Activities.

Phenolic compounds and different biological activities of the dry MeOH extracts of the flowers and the herb (aerial parts without flowers) of Laserpitium zernyi Hayek (Apiaceae) were investigated. The total phenolic contents in the extracts were determined spectrophotometrically using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. In both extracts, apigenin, luteolin, their 7-O-glucosides, and chlorogenic acid were detected by HPLC. Identified phenolics were quantified in both extracts, except luteolin in L. zernyi herb extract. The extracts (p.o.) were tested for anti-edematous activity in a model of carrageenan (i.pl.) induced rat paw edema. Antioxidant activity of the extracts was assessed by FRAP assay and DPPH and • OH radicals scavenging tests. Antimicrobial activity was investigated using broth microdilution test against five Gram-positive and three Gram-negative bacteria, as well as against two strains of Candida albicans. The polyphenol-richer flower extract exerted higher anti-edematous and antioxidant activities. The herb extract exhibited better antimicrobial effect against Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, while against other tested microorganisms, the activity of both extracts was identical. Demonstrated biological activities of L. zernyi flower and herb extracts represent a good basis for their further investigation as potential new herbal medicinal raw materials.

Levetiracetam synergises with common analgesics in producing antinociception in a mouse model of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Painful diabetic neuropathy is difficult to treat. Single analgesics often have insufficient efficacy and poor tolerability. Combination therapy may therefore be of particular benefit, because it might provide optimal analgesia with fewer adverse effects. This study aimed to examine the type of interaction between levetiracetam, a novel anticonvulsant with analgesic properties, and commonly used analgesics (ibuprofen, aspirin and paracetamol) in a mouse model of painful diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice with a single high dose of streptozotocin, applied intraperitoneally (150 mg/kg). Thermal (tail-flick test) and mechanical (electronic von Frey test) nociceptive thresholds were measured before and three weeks after diabetes induction. The antinociceptive effects of orally administered levetiracetam, analgesics, and their combinations were examined in diabetic mice that developed thermal/mechanical hypersensitivity. In combination experiments, the drugs were co-administered in fixed-dose fractions of single drug ED50 and the type of interaction was determined by isobolographic analysis. Levetiracetam (10-100 mg/kg), ibuprofen (2-50 mg/kg), aspirin (5-75 mg/kg), paracetamol (5-100 mg/kg), and levetiracetam-analgesic combinations produced significant, dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in diabetic mice in both tests. In the tail-flick test, isobolographic analysis revealed 15-, and 19-fold reduction of doses of both drugs in the combination of levetiracetam with aspirin/ibuprofen, and paracetamol, respectively. In the von Frey test, approximately 7- and 9-fold reduction of doses of both drugs was detected in levetiracetam-ibuprofen and levetiracetam-aspirin/levetiracetam-paracetamol combinations, respectively. These results show synergism between levetiracetam and ibuprofen/aspirin/paracetamol in a model of painful diabetic neuropathy and might provide a useful approach to the treatment of patients suffering from painful diabetic neuropathy.

The Efficacy of Eslicarbazepine Acetate in Models of Trigeminal, Neuropathic, and Visceral Pain: The Involvement of 5-HT1B/1D Serotonergic and CB1/CB2 Cannabinoid Receptors.

BACKGROUND: Many clinical pain states that are difficult to treat share a common feature of sensitization of nociceptive pathways. Drugs that could normalize hyperexcitable neural activity (e.g., antiepileptic drugs) may be useful in relieving these pain states. Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a novel antiepileptic drug derived from carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine with a more favorable metabolic profile and potentially better tolerability. We examined the efficacy of ESL in models of inflammatory and neuropathic pain and the potential mechanism involved in its action. METHODS: The antinociceptive effects of ESL were assessed in mice models of trigeminal (orofacial formalin test), neuropathic (streptozotocin-induced diabetic neuropathy model), and visceral pain (writhing test). The influence of 5-HT1B/1D serotonin receptor (GR 127935) and CB1 (AM251) and CB2 cannabinoid receptor (AM630) antagonists on the antinociceptive effect of ESL was tested in the model of trigeminal pain. RESULTS: ESL exhibited significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the second phase of the orofacial formalin test (P ≤ 0.011), in the tail-flick test in diabetic mice (P ≤ 0.013), and in the writhing test (P ≤ 0.003). GR 127935 (P ≤ 0.038) and AM251 and AM630 (P ≤ 0.013 for both antagonists) significantly inhibited the antinociceptive effect of ESL in a dose-related manner. CONCLUSIONS: ESL exhibited efficacy in models of trigeminal, neuropathic, and visceral pain. In the trigeminal pain model, the antinociceptive effect of ESL is, at least in part, mediated by 5-HT1B/1D serotonin and CB1/CB2 cannabinoid receptors. This study indicates that ESL could be useful in the clinical treatment of inflammatory and neuropathic pain.

The effects of levetiracetam, sumatriptan, and caffeine in a rat model of trigeminal pain: interactions in 2-component combinations.

BACKGROUND: Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug with analgesic efficacy shown in pain models and small clinical trials. Sumatriptan is used in acute migraine treatment. Caffeine is widely consumed in some beverages/foods and is also an adjuvant in analgesic formulations. We examined the effects of systemic levetiracetam, sumatriptan, and caffeine and their interactions in 2-component combinations in the rat orofacial formalin test, a model of trigeminal pain. METHODS: Rats received a subcutaneous injection of formalin solution into the perinasal area, and the total time spent in nociceptive behavior (face rubbing) was quantified. The antinociceptive effect of drugs/drug combinations was assessed 1 hour after per os administration. The type of interaction between levetiracetam/sumatriptan and caffeine was examined by comparing the effects of a fixed, effective dose of levetiracetam/sumatriptan alone with the effects of the same dose applied with increasing, subeffective doses of caffeine. The type of interaction between levetiracetam and sumatriptan was determined by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Levetiracetam (1-50 mg/kg) and sumatriptan (0.5-5 mg/kg) produced significant and dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in both phases of the orofacial formalin test (P ≤ 0.001). Caffeine (7.5-100 mg/kg) produced significant antinociception in the second phase of the test (P = 0.04). Caffeine (1-7.5 mg/kg) significantly reduced the antinociceptive effects of levetiracetam (25 mg/kg) (first phase P = 0.002, second phase P < 0.001) and sumatriptan (2.5 mg/kg) (first phase P = 0.014, second phase P = 0.027); dose-dependent inhibition was observed in the second phase. Levetiracetam and sumatriptan exerted an additive interaction in the second phase of the orofacial formalin test. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that levetiracetam may be useful for treatment of pain in the trigeminal region. Dietary caffeine might decrease the effects of levetiracetam and sumatriptan; this needs to be considered in clinical settings. A levetiracetam-sumatriptan combination could also be useful in trigeminal pain treatment. Its efficacy and adverse effects should be examined clinically.

Antihyperalgesic/antinociceptive effects of ceftriaxone and its synergistic interactions with different analgesics in inflammatory pain in rodents.

BACKGROUND: The ß-lactam antibiotic ceftriaxone stimulates glutamate transporter GLT-1 expression and is effective in neuropathic and visceral pain models. This study examined the effects of ceftriaxone and its interactions with different analgesics (ibuprofen, celecoxib, paracetamol, and levetiracetam) in somatic and visceral pain models in rodents. METHODS: The effects of ceftriaxone (intraperitoneally/intraplantarly), analgesics (orally), and their combinations were examined in the carrageenan-induced paw inflammatory hyperalgesia model in rats (n = 6-12) and in the acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice (n = 6-10). The type of interaction between ceftriaxone and analgesics was determined by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Pretreatment with intraperitoneally administered ceftriaxone (10-200 mg/kg per day) for 7 days produced a significant dose-dependent antihyperalgesia in the somatic inflammatory model. Acute administration of ceftriaxone, via either intraperitoneal (10-200 mg/kg) or intraplantar (0.05-0.2 mg per paw) routes, produced a significant and dose-dependent but less efficacious antihyperalgesia. In the visceral pain model, significant dose-dependent antinociception of ceftriaxone (25-200 mg/kg per day) was observed only after the 7-day pretreatment. Isobolographic analysis in the inflammatory hyperalgesia model revealed approximately 10-fold reduction of doses of both drugs in all examined combinations. In the visceral nociception model, more than 7- and 17-fold reduction of doses of both drugs was observed in combinations of ceftriaxone with ibuprofen/paracetamol and celecoxib/levetiracetam, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Ceftriaxone exerts antihyperalgesia/antinociception in both somatic and visceral inflammatory pain. Its efficacy is higher after a 7-day pretreatment than after acute administration. The two-drug combinations of ceftriaxone and the nonsteroidal analgesics/levetiracetam have synergistic interactions in both pain models. These results suggest that ceftriaxone, particularly in combinations with ibuprofen, celecoxib, paracetamol, or levetiracetam, may provide useful approach to the clinical treatment of inflammation-related pain.

Antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities of bisabolol-oxides-rich matricaria oil in a rat model of inflammation.

From the dried flower heads of Matricaria recutita L., essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation, and in the obtained blue oil, α-bisabolol oxide A (21.5%), α-bisabolol oxide B (25.5%) and (Z)-spiroether (cis-en-yn-spiroether) (10.3%) were identified as the main compounds, by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry analyses. The antihyperalgesic effects of this oil were examined in a rat model of inflammation induced by carrageenan, through a modified 'paw-pressure' test. Antiedematous effects were examined in a rat model of inflammation induced by carrageenan, dextran and histamine, through plethysmometry. Matricaria oil (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited a significant dose-dependent reduction of hyperalgesia and edema induced by carrageenan in both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment schemes. It was more efficacious in the prophylactic treatment scheme, and the corresponding median effective dose (ED50 ) ± standard error of the mean (SEM) values were 49.8 ± 6.0 and 42.4 ± 0.2 mg/kg for antihyperalgesic and antiedematous effects, respectively. Prophylactic treatments with matricaria oil (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) caused a significant dose-dependent antiedematous effect in dextran-induced edema with lower efficacy than in the carrageenan model. In a dose of 100 mg/kg, p.o., matricaria oil caused a slight reduction of histamine-induced edema. These results suggest that bisabolol-oxide-rich matricaria oil may be effective against pain and edema present in various inflammatory conditions, which supports matricaria traditional uses.

Synergism of polysaccharide polymers in antihistamine eye drops: Influence on physicochemical properties and in vivo efficacy.

The incorporation of polymers into drug delivery vehicles has been shown to be a useful approach to prolong the residence time of drugs in the precorneal tear film and to improve penetration into biological membranes. The main objective of this research was to formulate novel viscous eye drops with ketotifen as the active ingredient, containing the polysaccharides: chitosan (MCH), hydroxypropyl guar gum (HPG) and hyaluronic acid (SH) alone and in combination as functional polymers. DSC and FT-IR techniques showed the compatibility between ketotifen and polymers. Physicochemical and rheological analysis at ambient and simulated physiological conditions, as well as the evaluation of mucoadhesive properties showed that vehicles containing combinations of polymers have suitable physicochemical and functional properties with demonstrated synergism between combined polymers (MCH and HPG i.e. SH and HPG). The drug permeability was successfully estimated in vitro using HCE-T cell-based models. MTT cytotoxicity assay demonstrates that the tested formulations were non-toxic and well tolerated. In vivo preclinical study on mice revealed that both vehicles containing mixed polymers enhanced and prolonged the antipruritic/analgesic-like effect of ophthalmic ketotifen. Based on these results, both combinations of polysaccharide polymers, especially SH-HPG, could be considered as potential new carriers for ketotifen for ophthalmic use.

The antidepressant drugs vortioxetine and duloxetine differentially and sex-dependently affect animal well-being, cognitive performance, cardiac redox status and histology in a model of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis represents a leading cause of disability with limited treatment options. Furthermore, it is frequently accompanied by cardiovascular and cognitive disorders, which can be exacerbated by osteoarthritis or drugs used for its treatment. Here, we examined the behavioral and cardiac effects of the novel antidepressant vortioxetine in an osteoarthritis model, and compared them to duloxetine (an established osteoarthritis treatment). Osteoarthritis was induced in male and female rats with an intraarticular sodium-monoiodoacetate injection. Antidepressants were orally administered for 28 days following induction. During this period the acetone, burrowing and novel-object-recognition tests (NORT) were used to assess the effects of antidepressants on pain hypersensitivity (cold allodynia), animal well-being and cognitive performance, respectively. Following behavioral experiments, heart muscles were collected for assessment of redox status/histology. Antidepressant treatment dose-dependently reduced cold allodynia in rats with osteoarthritis. Duloxetine (but not vortioxetine) depressed burrowing behavior in osteoarthritic rats in a dose-related manner. Osteoarthritis induction reduced cognitive performance in NORT, which was dose-dependently alleviated by vortioxetine (duloxetine improved performance only in female rats). Furthermore, duloxetine (but not vortioxetine) increased oxidative stress parameters in the heart muscles of female (but not male) rats and induced histological changes in cardiomyocytes indicative of oxidative damage. Vortioxetine displayed comparable efficacy to duloxetine in reducing pain hypersensitivity. Furthermore, vortioxetine (unlike duloxetine) dose-dependently improved cognitive performance and had no adverse effect on burrowing behavior (animal surrogate of well-being) and cardiac redox status/histology. Our results indicate that vortioxetine could be a potential osteoarthritis treatment (with better characteristics compared to duloxetine).

The local peripheral antihyperalgesic effect of levetiracetam and its mechanism of action in an inflammatory pain model.

BACKGROUND: We have recently shown that levetiracetam, administered systemically, exerts an antihyperalgesic effect in a rat inflammatory pain model. In this study, we examined whether levetiracetam has local peripheral antihyperalgesic/anti-edematous effects in the same model of localized inflammation and whether opioidergic, adrenergic, purinergic, 5-HTergic, and GABAergic receptors are involved in its antihyperalgesic action. METHODS: Rats were intraplantarly (IPL) injected with carrageenan. A paw pressure test was used to determine the effect/s of (a) levetiracetam when applied IPL, on carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, and (b) naloxone (a nonselective opioid receptor antagonist), CTAP (a selective µ-opioid receptor antagonist); yohimbine (a selective α(2)-adrenoceptor antagonist), BRL 44408 (a selective α(2A)-adrenoceptor antagonist), MK-912 (a selective α(2C)-adrenoceptor antagonist); caffeine (a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist), DPCPX (a selective adenosine A(1) receptor antagonist); methysergide (a nonselective 5-HT receptor antagonist), GR 127935 (a selective 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist); and bicuculline (a selective GABA(A) receptor antagonist), all applied IPL, on the levetiracetam-induced antihyperalgesia. Moreover, levetiracetam's influence on paw inflammatory edema was measured by plethysmometry. RESULTS: Levetiracetam (200-1000 nmol/paw) produced a significant dose-dependent reduction of the paw inflammatory hyperalgesia and edema induced by carrageenan. Naloxone (75-300 nmol/paw), CTAP (1-5 nmol/paw); yohimbine (130-520 nmol/paw), BRL 44408 (50-200 nmol/paw), MK-912 (5-20 nmol/paw); caffeine (500-1500 nmol/paw), DPCPX (3-30 nmol/paw); methysergide (10-100 nmol/paw) and GR 127935 (50-200 nmol/paw); but not bicuculline (400 nmol/paw), significantly depressed the antihyperalgesic effects of levetiracetam (1000 nmol/paw). The effects of levetiracetam and antagonists were attributed to local peripheral effects because they were not observed after administration into the contralateral hind-paw. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that levetiracetam produces local peripheral antihyperalgesic and anti-edematous effects in a rat model of localized inflammation. Antihyperalgesia is at least in part mediated by peripheral µ-opioid, α2A,C-adrenergic, A1 adenosine, and 5-HT1B/1D receptors, but not by GABAA receptors. These findings could contribute toward a better understanding of the analgesic effects of levetiracetam, and improved treatments of inflammatory pain with a lower incidence of systemic side effects and drug interactions of levetiracetam.

Synergism between metformin and analgesics/vitamin B12 in a model of painful diabetic neuropathy.

Metformin (a widely used antidiabetic drug) has demonstrated efficacy in models of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN), as well as certain clinical efficacy in relieving/preventing PDN. This study aimed to determine the type of interaction between metformin and duloxetine/oxycodone/eslicarbazepine acetate [ESL]/vitamin B12 in relieving diabetic pain hypersensitivity. Antihyperalgesic efficacy was determined using a Von Frey apparatus in mice with streptozotocin-induced PDN. We examined metformin's efficacy following oral (acute and prolonged 7-day treatment) and local (spinal and peripheral) application. The examined analgesics were administered in a single oral dose, whereas vitamin B12 was intraperitoneally administered for 7 days. In combination experiments, metformin (prolonged treatment) and analgesics/vitamin B12 were co-administered in fixed-dose fractions of their ED50 values and the type of interaction was determined using isobolographic analysis. Metformin produced dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effects in diabetic mice after oral (acute and prolonged 7-day treatment) and local spinal/peripheral application. Two-drug metformin combinations with analgesics/vitamin B12 also dose-dependently reduced mechanical hyperalgesia. The isobolographic analysis revealed that metformin synergises with analgesics/vitamin B12, with a 6-7 fold dose reduction of both drugs in the examined combinations. In conclusion, metformin reduces hyperalgesia in diabetic animals, most likely by acting at the spinal and peripheral level. Additionally, it synergizes with duloxetine/oxycodone/ESL/vitamin B12 in reducing hyperalgesia. Metformin co-treatment may increase analgesic efficacy and enable the use of lower (and potentially safer) analgesic doses for treating PDN. Combined metformin-vitamin B12 use may provide more effective pain relief and mitigate metformin-induced vitamin B12 deficiency.

Vortioxetine as an analgesic in preclinical inflammatory pain models: Mechanism of action.

Vortioxetine is a novel atypical antidepressant with multimodal activity that has recently demonstrated efficacy against neuropathic pain. There is no published data about its analgesic properties in models characterized by peripheral inflammation and consequent pain pathway sensitization, nor data on its mechanism of antinociceptive action. This study aimed to investigate vortioxetine's antinociceptive/antihyperalgesic effects in trigeminal, visceral, and somatic inflammatory pain models, and provide evidence on its mechanism of action in the modulation of trigeminal nociception. Vortioxetine's effects on the nociceptive behavior in orofacial formalin test (OFT) and acetic acid-writhing test in mice and on mechanical hyperalgesia in carrageenan-induced paw inflammation in rats were examined following peroral single administration. The involvement of serotonergic/adrenergic/cholinergic/cannabinoid/adenosine receptors was evaluated in OFT by intraperitoneally treating mice with an appropriate antagonist immediately after vortioxetine application. We used antagonists of 5-HT1B/1D serotonergic (GR 127935), α1 -adrenergic (prazosin), α2 -adrenergic (yohimbine), ß1 -adrenergic (metoprolol), muscarinic (atropine), α7 nicotinic (methyllycaconitine), CB1 /CB2 cannabinoid (AM251 and AM630), and adenosine A1 (DPCPX) receptors. Vortioxetine dose-dependently reduced pain behavior in OFT and acetic acid writhing test, as well as inflammatory hyperalgesia in paw pressure test. All examined antagonists except prazosin dose-dependently inhibited vortioxetine's antinociceptive effects. In conclusion, vortioxetine exerted analgesic efficacy in trigeminal, visceral, and somatic inflammatory pain. The effect is at least in part mediated by 5-HT1B/1D serotonergic, α2 /ß1 -adrenergic, muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic, CB1 /CB2 cannabinoid, and adenosine A1 receptors. These findings contribute to better understanding of the analgesic effect of vortioxetine and suggest its potential usefulness for inflammatory pain treatment.

Association between Sperm Morphology and Altered Sperm microRNA Expression.

Evaluation of male infertility has been based on semen analysis for years. As this method can be subjective at times, there is a scientific tendency to discover stable and quantifiable biomarkers. This study included 28 couples who underwent an in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycle. The couples were assigned into two groups, according to sperm morphology. Couples where the males were normozoospermic were placed in the control group (15 participants), while couples where males had teratozoospermia were placed in the study group (13 participants). Thirteen candidate miRNAs were selected for qPCR analysis, based on our literature search. We determined significant under-expression of nine miRNAs (miR-10a-5p/-15b-5p/-26a-5p/-34b-3p/-122-5p/-125b-5p/-191-5p/-296-5p and let-7a-5p) in spermatozoa from patients with teratozoospermia compared to the controls, whereas expression levels of four miRNAs (miR-92a-3p/-93-3p/-99b-5p/-328-3p) did not significantly differ between the study and control groups. The expression levels of all 13 included miRNAs were significantly positively correlated with each other and significantly positively associated with spermatozoa morphology, excluding miR-99b-5p. There were no other significant associations between miRNA expression and sperm quality parameters. Only expression levels of miR-99b-5p were significantly positively correlated with good-quality day 3 embryo rate (ρ = 0.546; p = 0.003), while other variables of the IVF/ICSI cycle outcome showed no significant associations with miRNA expression profiles. This is one of the rare studies providing an insight directly into miRNA profiles in regard to sperm morphology. We identified nine miRNAs that could serve as biomarkers of spermatozoa quality in regard to teratozoospermia.

Percutaneous delivery of levetiracetam as an alternative to topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: formulation development, in vitro and in vivo characterization.

The study focused on formulation of carmellose sodium hydrogels and nonionic microemulsions with 5% and 10% of levetiracetam and investigation of drug concentration influence on their physicochemical characteristics and in-use stability as well as influence of drug concentration and carrier type on in vitro drug release and in vivo antihyperalgesic/antiedematous activity in a rat model of localized (intraplantar) carrageenan-induced inflammation. Hydrogels were pseudoplastic semisolids with thixotropy and pH 7.37-7.58. Microemulsions were low viscous Newtonian nanodispersions of oil droplets (13.11-15.11 nm) in water, with pH 4.01-4.64. Physical stability of the investigated systems was preserved over the 3-month storage under ambient conditions. Levetiracetam release followed zero order and Korsmeyer-Peppas models (R2 ≥ 0.99) reflecting the combined effects of drug concentration and carrier viscosity. All levetiracetam-loaded formulations produced significant reduction of hyperalgesia and paw swelling induced by carrageenan (p < 0.001). Their efficacy in exerting antihyperalgesic activity was significantly higher than that observed with the reference 5% ibuprofen hydrogel preparation (up to 6 h) (p < 0.001), while antiedematous activity was comparable with the reference product. No erythema and visible blood vessels were observed in a rat ear test. The study demonstrated percutaneous delivery of levetiracetam as useful and safe therapeutic option for localized inflammatory pain with potential to overcome the insufficient efficacy of topically applied nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of a hydrogel. Graphical abstract.

Investigation of antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities of three Hieracium species.

Present study investigated triterpene profile, antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities of Hieracium scheppigianum flowering aerial parts dichloromethane extract (SCH), and antihyperalgesic and antiedematous activities of previously chemically characterised polyphenol-rich H. glabratum and H. calophyllum flowering aerial parts methanol extracts (GLA and CAL, respectively). α- and ß-Amyrin and their acetates, and lupeol acetate were identified and quantified in SCH by GC-FID and GC-MS. In carrageenan-induced localised inflammation model in rats, SCH and GLA (50-200 mg/kg, p.o.) produced significant and dose-dependent antihyperalgesic effect of 26.9%-56.2% (ED50=163.0 ± 26.5 mg/kg) and 25.3%-51.6% (ED50=211.6 ± 70.6 mg/kg), respectively, and CAL (200 mg/kg, p.o.) exhibited effect of 38.1%. Extracts did not significantly reduce paw edema. SCH and GLA, which demonstrated higher (over 50%) antihyperalgesic efficacy, were tested in a rotarod test (200 mg/kg, p.o.) and no alteration of motor coordination was observed. Also, acute administration of SCH and GLA in mice (2000 mg/kg, p.o.) caused neither mortality nor toxicity.

Synergistic interactions between paracetamol and oxcarbazepine in somatic and visceral pain models in rodents.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapy is a valid approach in pain treatment, in which a reduction of doses could reduce side effects and still achieve optimal analgesia. We examined the effects of coadministered paracetamol, a widely used non-opioid analgesic, and oxcarbazepine, a relatively novel anticonvulsant with analgesic properties, in a rat model of paw inflammatory hyperalgesia and in a mice model of visceral pain and determined the type of interaction between components. METHODS: The effects of paracetamol, oxcarbazepine, and their combinations were examined in carrageenan-induced (0.1 mL, 1%) paw inflammatory hyperalgesia in rats and in an acetic acid-induced (10 mg/kg, 0.75%) writhing test in mice. In both models, drugs were coadministered in fixed-dose fractions of the 50% effective dose (ED(50)), and type of interaction was determined by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: Paracetamol (50-200 mg/kg peroral), oxcarbazepine (40-160 mg/kg peroral), and their combination (1/8, 1/4, 1/3, and 1/2 of a single drug ED(50)) produced a significant, dose-dependent antihyperalgesia in carrageenan-injected rats. In the writhing test in mice, paracetamol (60-180 mg/kg peroral), oxcarbazepine (20-80 mg/kg peroral), and their combination (1/16, 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 of a single drug ED(50)) significantly and dose dependently reduced the number of writhes. In both models, isobolographic analysis revealed a significant synergistic interaction between paracetamol and oxcarbazepine, with a >4-fold reduction of doses of both drugs in combination, compared with single drugs ED(50). CONCLUSIONS: The synergistic interaction between paracetamol and oxcarbazepine provides new information about combination pain treatment and should be explored further in patients, especially with somatic and/or visceral pain.

Eslicarbazepine acetate interacts in a beneficial manner with standard and alternative analgesics to reduce trigeminal nociception.

RATIONALE: Acute pain states in the trigeminal region (headaches, dental pain) fall into the most prevalent painful conditions. Standard analgesics (paracetamol/NSAIDs) represent the cornerstone of their treatment, whereas triptans are primarily used in migraine attacks. Due to limited efficacy and/or side effects of current treatments, identifying favorable combinations of available drugs is justified. OBJECTIVES: Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a novel antiepileptic drug whose effectiveness against trigeminal pain was recently demonstrated. Here, we examined the interactions between ESL and several standard/alternative analgesics (paracetamol, propyphenazone, naproxen, zolmitriptan, and metoclopramide) in a model of trigeminal pain. METHODS: The antinociceptive effects of orally administered ESL, standard/alternative analgesics, and two-drug ESL-analgesic combinations were examined in the orofacial formalin test in mice. The type of interaction between drugs was determined by isobolographic analysis. RESULTS: ESL, analgesics, and two-drug ESL-analgesic combinations significantly and dose-dependently reduced nociceptive behaviour in the second, inflammatory phase of the test. Isobolographic analysis revealed that ESL interacted additively with paracetamol/propyphenazone/zolmitriptan and synergistically with naproxen/metoclopramide (with about a 4-fold and 3-fold reduction of doses in the ESL-naproxen and ESL-metoclopramide combination, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: ESL interacted in a beneficial manner with several analgesics that are used for trigeminal pain treatment, producing synergistic interactions with naproxen/metoclopramide and additive interactions with paracetamol/propyphenazone/zolmitriptan. Our results suggest that combining ESL with analgesics could theoretically enable the use of lower doses of individual drugs for achieving pain relief.

Vortioxetine reduces pain hypersensitivity and associated depression-like behavior in mice with oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy.

Chronic pain and depression commonly occur together so dual-acting agents might be particularly useful. The population of patients with chemotherapy-induced neuropathy is increasing in parallel with the increase of population of cancer survivors and there is a compelling need for satisfactory treatment of symptoms of neuropathy and concomitant depression. We examined the effects of vortioxetine, a novel antidepressant with unique mechanism of action, on pain hypersensitivity and depression-like behavior in oxaliplatin-induced neuropathy model in mice (OIPN). Vortioxetine (1-10 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly and dose-dependently reduced mechanical allodynia in von Frey test and cold allodynia in acetone test in OIPN mice, in both repeated prophylactic and acute therapeutic treatment regimens. It also reduced depression-like behavior in the forced swimming test in OIPN mice, in both treatment paradigms. Its antiallodynic and antidepressive-like effects were comparable to those exerted by duloxetine (1-15 mg/kg, p.o.). The antiallodynic and antidepressive-like effects of repeatedly administered vortioxetine might be related to the increased content of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NA), detected in the brainstem of treated OIPN mice. These results indicate that vortioxetine could be potentially useful in prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, for the relief of pain and concomitant depressive symptoms. It should be further tested to this regard in clinical settings.