RESUMEN
Cancer is one of the deadly diseases leading to approximately 7.6 million deaths worldwide, with the mortality rate of 13%, and the number of deaths is expected to increase to 13.1 million within the next 10 years. In controlled drug delivery systems (DDS), the drug is transported to the desired location. Thus, the influence of drugs on vital tissues and undesirable side effects can be minimised. Additionally, DDS protects the drug from rapid degradation or clearance and enhances drug concentration in target tissues, and therefore, minimise the required dose of drug. This modern form of therapy is particularly important when there is a discrepancy between the dose and concentration of a drug. Cell-specific targeting can be achieved by attaching drugs to individually designed carriers. Recent developments in nanotechnology have shown that nanoparticles (particles with diameter < 100 nm in at least one dimension) have great potential as drug carriers. Because of their small size, these nanostructures exhibit unique physicochemical and biological properties that make them a favourable material for biomedical applications. Therefore, in this review, we aimed to describe the importance and types of nanomedicines and efficient ways in which new drug delivery systems for the treatment of cancer can be developed.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study was designed to create an experimental varicocele model by a simple surgical procedure in dog with minimum invasion and to investigate the effect of varicocele-induced infertility on the expression of six related genes (HSP90, HSP70, IL- 4, TNF, KITLG and KIT receptor). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, the proximal part of the pampiniform plexus of dog testes was partially occluded without abdominal incision which was confirmed by venographic examination. To evaluate varicocele in its acute form, dogs were castrated after 15 days and testes were dissected. Histopathologic evaluation was undertaken and the relative expression of the six genes was assessed by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Microscopic changes showed tubule degeneration. The Johnson score was significantly decreased in the varicocele testes when compared with non-varicocele testes. Expressions of HSP90, TNF, KITLG and the KIT-receptor gene were significantly downregulated (P=0.029, 0.047, 0.004 and 0.035 respectively) in varicocele-induced testes while HSP70 was upregulated (P=0.018). IL-4 did not show differential expression (P=0.377). CONCLUSION: We conclude that partial occlusion of the proximal part of the pampiniform plexus induces varicocele in the testis of dog. Differential expression of the mentioned genes may be responsible for the pathophysiology of varicocele and related subfertility.