Effects of nanoparticles of hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine on markers of liver injury and glucose metabolism in diabetic mice

Photodynamic therapy, by reducing pain and inflammation and promoting the proliferation of healthy cells, can be used to treat recurrent lesions, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Studies using the photosensitizer phthalocyanine, together with the nanostructured copolymeric matrix of Pluronic® and Carbopol® for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and leishmaniosis lesions, are showing promising outcomes. Despite their topical or subcutaneous administration, these molecules are absorbed and their systemic effects are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the subcutaneous administration of the hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine hydrogel without illumination on systemic parameters, markers of liver injury, and liver energy metabolism in type 1 diabetic Swiss mice. Both the hydrogel and the different doses of phthalocyanine changed the levels of injury markers and the liver glucose release, sometimes aggravating the alterations caused by the diabetic condition itself. However, the dose of 2.23 µg/mL caused less marked plasmatic and metabolic changes and did not change glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity of the diabetic mice. These results are indicative that the use of hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine hydrogel for the treatment of cutaneous ulcers in diabetic patients is systemically safe.

Effects of nanoparticles of hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine on markers of liver injury and glucose metabolism in diabetic mice.

Photodynamic therapy, by reducing pain and inflammation and promoting the proliferation of healthy cells, can be used to treat recurrent lesions, such as diabetic foot ulcers. Studies using the photosensitizer phthalocyanine, together with the nanostructured copolymeric matrix of Pluronic® and Carbopol® for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and leishmaniosis lesions, are showing promising outcomes. Despite their topical or subcutaneous administration, these molecules are absorbed and their systemic effects are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the subcutaneous administration of the hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine hydrogel without illumination on systemic parameters, markers of liver injury, and liver energy metabolism in type 1 diabetic Swiss mice. Both the hydrogel and the different doses of phthalocyanine changed the levels of injury markers and the liver glucose release, sometimes aggravating the alterations caused by the diabetic condition itself. However, the dose of 2.23 µg/mL caused less marked plasmatic and metabolic changes and did not change glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity of the diabetic mice. These results are indicative that the use of hydroxy-aluminum phthalocyanine hydrogel for the treatment of cutaneous ulcers in diabetic patients is systemically safe.

The significance of premature luteinization in an oocyte-donation programme.

BACKGROUND: Several evidences indicate that premature luteinization (PL) may affect IVF outcome. The primary end-point of the present study was to verify the effect of PL on the pregnancy rate (PR) of our oocyte-donation programme. METHODS: PL was defined as serum progesterone > or = 1.2 ng/ml on the day of HCG. We analysed retrospectively 240 oocyte-donation cycles in which 120 women donated twice, with PL in the first donation cycle and no PL in the following one, acting as its own control. Recipients (n = 240) were divided in two groups according to the presence of PL (n = 120) or not (n = 120). Both groups were compared regarding donor cycle parameters and recipient cycle outcome. RESULTS: There was no difference in PR between the groups (55.7 versus 54.4%, respectively). The number of total oocytes (18.2 +/- 0.6 versus 20.8 +/- 0.6; P = 0.003) and the number of mature oocytes retrieved (16.9 +/- 0.6 versus 19.4 +/- 0.6; P = 0.005) were different among donors with progesterone < 1.2 ng/ml and PL, respectively. There were no differences between the oocyte recipients in fertilization, cleavage, embryo division on day 3, blastocyst development or fragmentation rates. The number of embryos transferred, number of embryos cryopreserved, and implantation and miscarriage rates were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: PL does not appear to have a negative impact on ongoing PR in our oocyte-donation programme.