Vitamin D3 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have beneficial effects on fracture union in an experimental rat model.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the influences of vitamin D3 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on fracture union in rats radiologically, histologically, and biomechanically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (mean weight: 435±31.15 g; range, 398 to 510 g) were indiscriminately separated into four groups, with 12 rats in each: Group 1 was the control group, Group 2 received vitamin D3, Group 3 received omega-3 PUFA, and Group 4 received both vitamin D3 and omega-3 PUFA. One day after surgery, only one intramuscular dose of 50,000 IU/kg vitamin D3 was administered to Group 2. From the first postoperative day until sacrification, 300 mg/kg omega-3 PUFA by oral feeding was administered to Group 3. In Group 4, both an intramuscular dose of 50,000 IU/kg vitamin D3 on the initial postoperative day and 300 mg/kg omega-3 PUFA were administered by oral feeding until sacrification. All rats were sacrificed by intracardiac potassium injection at the sixth postoperative week, and radiological, biomechanical, and histological studies were conducted. RESULTS: According to the radiological scores, the best scores were obtained in Group 4, and callus density and ossification were advanced in Groups 2 and 3 compared to Group 1. There was no statistically significant distinction between Groups 3 and 4, while a significant distinction was found between Group 4 and Groups 1 and 2. Biomechanically, the advanced values were attained in Groups 1 and 3. However, there was no statistically significant distinction among the groups. Histologically, although the advanced scores were attained in Groups 3 and 4, there was no statistically significant distinction among the groups. CONCLUSION: The use of omega-3 PUFA together with vitamin D3 might have beneficial influences on fracture union. In the future, the combination of omega-3 PUFA and vitamin D3 might be used as an encouraging treatment choice that contributes to fracture healing.

Modafinil Improves Autism-like Behavior in Rats by Reducing Neuroinflammation.

To evaluate the ameliorating effect of Modafinil on neuroinflammation, behavioral, and histopathological alterations in rats induced by propionic acid (PPA). Thirty male Wistar rats were used in the study, divided into 3 groups of ten subjects. One group served as a control, the subjects in the other two were given 250 mg/kg/day of PPA by intraperitoneal injection over the course of 5 days to induce autism. The experimental design was as follows: Group 1: Normal control (orally-fed control, n = 10); Group 2 (PPA + saline, n = 10): PPA and 1 ml/kg/day % 0.9 NaCl saline via oral gavage; Group 3 (PPA + Modafinil, n = 10) PPA and 30 mg/kg/day Modafinil (Modiodal tablets 100 mg, Cephalon) via oral gavage. All of the groups were investigated for behavioral, biochemical, and histological abnormality. Autism-like behaviors were reduced significantly in the rats treated with PPA. TNF-α, Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), IL-17, IL-2, and NF-KB levels as well as MDA levels and lactate were significantly higher in those treated with PPA compared to the control group. Using immunohistochemical methods, the number of neurons and GFAP immunoreactivity was significantly altered in PPA-treated rats compared to the control. Using Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS), we found that lactate levels were significantly higher in the PPA-treated rats, while creatinine levels were significantly decreased. In the rats administered with Modafinil, behavior, neuroinflammation, and histopathological changes brought about by PPA were significantly reversed. Our results demonstrate the potential role of Modafinil in ameliorating PPA-induced neuroinflammation in rats.

[99mTc]Technetium-Labeled Niosomes: Radiolabeling, Quality Control, and In Vitro Evaluation.

The aim of this research was to develop technetium-99m ([99mTc]Tc)-radiolabeled niosomes and evaluate the cancer cell incorporation capacity of radiolabeled niosomes. For this purpose, niosome formulations were developed by film hydration method, and prepared niosomes were characterized to particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), ζ-potential value, and image profile. Then, niosomes were radiolabeled with [99mTc]Tc using stannous salts (chloride) as a reducing agent. The radiochemical purity (RP) and stability in different mediums of the niosomes were assessed by ascending radioactive thin-layer chromatography (RTLC) and radioactive ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (R-UPLC) methods. Also, the partition coefficient value of radiolabeled niosomes was determined. The cell incorporation of [99mTc]Tc-labeled niosome formulations, as well as reduced/hydrolyzed (R/H)-[99mTc]NaTcO4 in the HT-29 (human colorectal adenocarcinoma) cells, was then assessed. According to the obtained results, the spherical niosomes had a particle size of 130.5 ± 1.364 nm, a PdI value of 0.250 ± 0.023, and a negative charge of -35.4 ± 1.06 mV. The niosome formulations were effectively radiolabeled with [99mTc]Tc using 500 µg mL-1 stannous chloride for 15 min, and RP was found to be over 95%. [99mTc]Tc-niosomes showed good in vitro stability in every system for up to 6 h. The log P value of radiolabeled niosomes was found as -0.66 ± 0.02. Compared to R/H-[99mTc]NaTcO4 (34.18 ± 1.56%), the incorporation percentages of [99mTc]Tc-niosomes (88.45 ± 2.54%) were shown to be higher in cancer cells. In conclusion, the newly developed [99mTc]Tc-niosomes showed good prototype for potential use in nuclear medicine imaging in the near future. However, further investigations, such as drug encapsulation and biodistribution studies, should be performed, and our studies are continuing.