Diet-Induced Early Inflammatory Response of Visceral Adipose Tissue in Healthy Male Wistar Rats.

The prolonged consumption of a high-fat diet (HFD) leads to abnormal growth of the visceral adipose tissue (VAT), increased macrophage infiltration, and altered secretion of biologically active molecules. This is considered as a precondition for the development of obesity, inflammation, and obesity-related disorders. Therefore, we studied HFD-induced changes in the tissue levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein, serum amyloid-A, and interleukin-4 in healthy male Wistar rats. The animals were first divided at random into two groups subjected to either a standard or a high-fat diet. The initial effect of the diet was evaluated after fourteen weeks. In order to study the diet duration effect, the standard diet was given to twelve animals from the HFD group, while the remaining continued with the HFD for an additional four weeks. Our results showed that the HFD barely affected body mass index, conicity, relative fat mass, and Lee indices, whereas it provoked adipocyte hypertrophy and gradually increased the levels of both the pro- and anti-inflammatory markers. The switch from the high-fat to the standard diet resulted in the comparatively fast restoration of the baseline levels of the studied molecules. Although, the prolonged consumption of an HFD causes adipocyte hypertrophy in healthy male animals, the inflammatory process in VAT is well-coordinated, time-dependent, and reversible.

Casein-Based Nanoparticles: A Potential Tool for the Delivery of Daunorubicin in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

The aim of this study was to develop casein-based nanoscale carriers as a potential delivery system for daunorubicin, as a pH-responsive targeting tool for acute lymphocytic leukemia. A coacervation technique followed by nano spray-drying was used for the preparation of drug-loaded casein nanoparticles. Four batches of drug-loaded formulations were developed at varied drug-polymer ratios using a simple coacervation technique followed by spray-drying. They were further characterized using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Drug release was investigated in different media (pH 5 and 7.4). The cytotoxicity of the daunorubicin-loaded nanoparticles was compared to that of the pure drug. The influence of the polymer-to-drug ratio on the nanoparticles' properties such as their particle size, surface morphology, production yield, drug loading, entrapment efficiency, and drug release behavior was studied. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded nanoparticles was investigated confirming their potential as carriers for daunorubicin delivery.

Effect on Cellular Vitality In Vitro of Novel APRF-Chlorhexidine Treated Membranes.

INTRODUCTION: Chlorhexidine (CHX) has been used for some time in clinical practice as a local antiseptic agent with excellent efficacy. The combination of CHX with APRF (Advanced-platelet rich fibrin) membrane has the potential to stimulate tissue regeneration and to provide a bactericidal effect. We hypothesize that this may reduce the rate of infections development and protect cell viability. AIM: The aim of this study was two-fold-to create a stable APRF membrane treated with different concentrations of CHX (0.01% and 0.02%) and to monitor its effect on the viability of PDL cells in vitro. This benefits the introduction of a new protocol for APRF membrane production -CHX-PRF and enriches the available evidence on the effect of this antiseptic agent on PDL (Periodontal ligament) cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: APRF membranes were prepared by the addition of two concentrations (0.01% and 0.02%) of CHX. Membranes without the antiseptic were also prepared and used as control samples. PDL cells were cultivated on the membranes for 72 h. Cell number and vitality were examined by fluorescent cell viability assays. RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that a concentration of 0.01% CHX allowed the production of a stable APRF membrane. This concentration slightly reduced the viability of PDL cells to 96.7%, but significantly decreased the average number of cells attached to the membrane-149 ± 16.5 cells/field compared to controls -336 ± 26.9 cells/field. APRF-CHX 0.02% membranes were unstable, indicating a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect of CHX. CONCLUSIONS: The introduced novel protocol leads to the production of a new type of APRF membrane-CHX-PRF. The incorporation of an antiseptic into the APRF membrane can improve its bactericidal activity and might serve as an important step for the prevention of postoperative infections.

The Photobiomodulation of MAO-A Affects the Contractile Activity of Smooth Muscle Gastric Tissues.

Nowadays, the utilized electromagnetic radiation (ER) in modalities such as photobiomodulation (PBM) finds broader applications in medical practice due to the promising results suggested by numerous reports. To date, the published data do not allow for the in-depth elucidation of the molecular mechanisms through which ER impacts the human organism. Furthermore, there is a total lack of evidence justifying the relation between the enzymatic activity of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the spontaneous contractile activity of smooth muscle gastric tissues exposed to various light sources. We found that exposure of these tissues to lamps, emitting light with wavelengths of 254 nm and 350 nm, lasers, emitting light with 532 nm and 808 nm, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with ER at a wavelength of 660 nm, increased the 5-HT effect on the contractility. On the other hand, LEDs at 365 nm and 470 nm reduced it. The analysis of MAO-A enzymatic activity after exposure to the employed light emitters endorsed these findings. Furthermore, MAOA gene expression studies confirmed the possibility of its optogenetic regulation. Therefore, we concluded that the utilized emitters could alternate the functions of significant neuromediators by modulating the activity and gene transcription levels of enzymes that degrade them. Our investigations will help to disclose the selective conditions upon which PBM can effectively treat gastrointestinal and neurological disorders.