Arsenic exposure is associated with alterations to multiple red blood cell parameters among adults in rural Bangladesh.

Chronic arsenic exposures are associated with multiple hematologic disturbances, including anemia. The goal of this study was to evaluate associations between arsenic exposures and hematological parameters among men and women who are chronically exposed to elevated levels of arsenic from drinking water. Hematologic analyses were performed on blood collected from 755 participants (45% male and 54% female) in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS) cohort, Bangladesh. Herein, we used linear regression models to estimate associations between red blood cell (RBC) parameters (i.e., RBC counts, hematocrit (HCT), hemoglobin (Hgb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)) and measurements of arsenic exposure (urinary arsenic and urinary arsenic metabolites). Arsenic exposures showed trending associations with decreased RBC counts in both men and women, a positive association with MCV in males, and an inverse association with MCHC among males, but not among non-smoking females. Among men, those who smoked had stronger associations between arsenic exposures and MCHC than non-smoking males. Collectively, our results show that arsenic exposures affect multiple RBC parameters and highlight potentially important sex differences in arsenic-induced hematotoxicity.

Elements in cultured fishes in Chittagong, Bangladesh and risk assessment.

The concentrations of manganese, iron, copper, lead, nickel, cadmium, arsenic, copper and mercury were determined in 10 cultured fish species, which were collected from local markets of Chittagong, Bangladesh, in June 2021. Measurements were performed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, after acid digestion of the samples. In some cases, the concentration of the investigated elements was more than the maximum limit set by the WHO. Although the concentration of toxic elements in fishes was relatively high in some species, no health risk has been identified in comparison to the estimated daily intake and the maximum limit. Calculated hazard indices were below 1, which indicates the investigated fish would not cause human health risks. Carcinogenic risk indices for Cr, As, and Cu in all species were considered to be significant.

Titanium (IV) complexes of some tetra-dentate symmetrical bis-Schiff bases of 1,6-hexanediamine: Synthesis, characterization, and in silico prediction of potential inhibitor against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

Symmetrical bis-Schiff bases (LH 2) have been synthesized by the condensation of 1,6-hexanediamine (hn) and carbonyl or dicarbonyl. One of the synthesized Schiff bases has been subjected to the molecular docking for the prediction of their potentiality against coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Molecular docking revealed that tested Schiff base possessed high binding affinity with the receptor protein of SARS CoV-2 compared with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). The ADMET analysis showed that ligand is non-carcinogenic and less toxic than standard HCQ. Schiff bases acting as dibasic tetra-dentate ligands formed titanium (IV) complexes of the type [TiL(H2O)2Cl2] or [TiL(H2O)2]Cl2 being coordinated through ONNO donor atoms. Ligands and complexes were characterized by the elemental analysis and physicochemical and spectroscopic data including FTIR, 1H NMR, mass spectra, UV-Visible spectra, molar conductance, and magnetic measurement. Optimized structures obtained from quantum chemical calculations supported the formation of complexes. Antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-oxidant activity assessments have been studied for synthesized ligands and complexes.

The Role of Oxidative Stress and Its Counteractive Utility in Colorectal Cancer (CRC).

An altered redox status accompanied by an elevated generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) has been implicated in a number of diseases including colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC, being one of the most common cancers worldwide, has been reported to be associated with multiple environmental and lifestyle factors (e.g., dietary habits, obesity, and physical inactivity) and harboring heightened oxidative stress that results in genomic instability. Although under normal condition ROS regulate many signal transduction pathways including cell proliferation and survival, overwhelming of the antioxidant capacity due to metabolic abnormalities and oncogenic signaling leads to a redox adaptation response that imparts drug resistance. Nevertheless, excessive reliance on elevated production of ROS makes the tumor cells increasingly vulnerable to further ROS insults, and the abolition of such drug resistance through redox perturbation could be instrumental to preferentially eliminate them. The goal of this review is to demonstrate the evidence that links redox stress to the development of CRC and assimilate the most up-to-date information that would facilitate future investigation on CRC-associated redox biology. Concomitantly, we argue that the exploitation of this distinct biochemical property of CRC cells might offer a fresh avenue to effectively eradicate these cells.

A Novel Formulation Strategy to Deliver Combined DNA and VLP Based HPV Vaccine.

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) are small, double-stranded DNA viruses that cause cervical cancer, the second most lethal cancer among women in the world. Currently, two vaccines are on the market for preventing HPV-caused cervical cancers and warts. Both are virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines. However, these vaccines have limitations; they are costly, have an invasive route of administration, require trained personnel to administer, need cold chain storage to preserve them, and most of all, they are preventive vaccines that do not have curative effects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop therapeutic HPV vaccines to facilitate the control of HPV-associated malignancies and to address all these issues. Recently there are DNA vaccines under investigation to prevent HPV. In general, DNA-based vaccines are better than or an excellent alternative to traditional vaccines since they can closely mimic live infections and can induce both antibody and cell-mediated immune responses. DNA vaccines involve the delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) which encodes the specific antigens. DNA vaccines have potential to be effective therapeutic tools against HPV infections. Combining the VLP-based and DNA-based vaccines can be highly effective as they can complement each other. VLP vaccines are more prone to mucosal immunity whereas DNA vaccines are more towards systemic immunity. In this article, we discuss an optimal formulation that will contain both type of vaccines, preventive and therapeutic. A film dosage form can be a good option which can be administered in buccal or sublingual routes for systemic action or in the vaginal area for local action to treat cervical cancer and to protect from future infection. Multiple vaccines in native form or in particulate form can be incorporated in film dosage forms. The film dosage form of vaccines can elicit both antibody-mediated (preventative) and cell-mediated (therapeutic) mechanisms. Film dosage forms are feasible to prepare for vaccine administration in the mouth cavity, GI tract, and vagina.

Overview and Future Potential of Fast Dissolving Buccal Films as Drug Delivery System for Vaccines.

Vaccination is considered one of the most successful public health interventions of the modern era. Vaccines are categorized based on the antigen used, delivery system and the route of administration. Traditional vaccines are produced from the dead, attenuated or inactivated pathogens that cause disease. However, newly developed vaccines are DNA based, liposome based, and virus like particle (VLP) based which are more effective and specific to some malignant diseases. The delivery system of vaccines has been advanced along with time as well. New delivery systems such as nanoparticles, liposomes, or cells (for DNA) has been proven to develop a more efficient vaccine. Most vaccines are administered via intramuscular (IM), subcutaneous (SQ) or oral (PO) route. However, these routes of administration have limitations and side effects. An alternative route could be oral cavity administration such as buccal or sublingual administration using film dosage form as delivery vehicle. In this article, we thoroughly reviewed the possibility of developing a quickly soluble film-based delivery system for vaccine administration. We reviewed the different types of new vaccines and vaccine formulations such as VLP based, liposome, bilosome, particulate, and summarized their suitability for use in a film dosage form. Quickly soluble film dosage form is the most optimized form of buccal administration. A film dosage form applied in the buccal cavity has several advantages: they can avoid first pass effect, they are easy to administer and prepare, and they are more cost effective. Since there is no first pass effect, only a small quantity of the vaccine is needed. Vaccines in their original form or in a nano or microparticulate form can be used in a film. The film can also be developed in multilayers to protect the vaccine from degradation by saliva or swallowing. Films are easy to prepare, administer, and can be used for systemic and local action. In addition, most of the current vaccines use mostly the parenteral route of administration, which has some major drawbacks such as poor induction of mucosal immunity, less patient compliant, less potent, high cost and cumbersome production process. Sublingual and buccal vaccine delivery can be good alternatives as they are easier to prepare and safer than parenteral administration routes. The buccal and sublingual administration have the advantage to produce both systemic and mucosal immunity.

Drinking Water Salinity, Urinary Macro-Mineral Excretions, and Blood Pressure in the Southwest Coastal Population of Bangladesh.

Background Sodium (Na+) in saline water may increase blood pressure ( BP ), but potassium (K+), calcium (Ca2+), and magnesium (Mg2+) may lower BP . We assessed the association between drinking water salinity and population BP . Methods and Results We pooled 6487 BP measurements from 2 cohorts in coastal Bangladesh. We used multilevel linear models to estimate BP differences across water salinity categories: fresh water (electrical conductivity, <0.7 mS/cm), mild salinity (electrical conductivity ≥0.7 and <2 mS/cm), and moderate salinity (electrical conductivity ≥2 and <10 mS/cm). We assessed whether salinity categories were associated with hypertension using multilevel multinomial logistic models. Models included participant-, household-, and community-level random intercepts. Models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index ( BMI ), physical activity, smoking, household wealth, alcohol consumption, sleep hours, religion, and salt consumption. We evaluated the 24-hour urinary minerals across salinity categories, and the associations between urinary minerals and BP using multilevel linear models. Compared with fresh water drinkers, mild-salinity water drinkers had lower mean systolic BP (-1.55 [95% CI : -3.22-0.12] mm Hg) and lower mean diastolic BP (-1.26 [95% CI : -2.21--0.32] mm Hg) adjusted models. The adjusted odds ratio among mild-salinity water drinkers for stage 1 hypertension was 0.60 (95% CI : 0.43-0.84) and for stage 2 hypertension was 0.56 (95% CI : 0.46-0.89). Mild-salinity water drinkers had high urinary Ca2+, and Mg2+, and both urinary Ca2+ and Mg2+ were associated with lower BP. Conclusions Drinking mild-salinity water was associated with lower BP , which can be explained by higher intake of Ca2+ and Mg2+ through saline water.

Optimization of structures, biochemical properties of ketorolac and its degradation products based on computational studies.

BACKGROUND: Ketorolac (KTR) is used as an analgesic drug with an efficacy close to that of the opioid family. It is mainly used for the short term treatment of post-operative pain. It can inhibit the prostaglandin synthesis by blocking cyclooxygenase (COX). METHODS: In this investigation, the inherent stability and biochemical interaction of Ketorolac (KTR) and its degradation products have been studiedon the basis of quantum mechanical approaches. Density functional theory (DFT) with B3LYP/ 6-31G (d) has been employed to optimize the structures. Thermodynamic properties, frontier molecular orbital features, dipole moment, electrostatic potential, equilibrium geometry, vibrational frequencies and atomic partial charges of these optimized structureswere investigated. Molecular docking has been performed against prostaglandin H2 (PGH2) synthase protein 5F19 to search the binding affinity and mode(s). ADMET prediction has performed to evaluate the absorption, metabolism and carcinogenic properties. RESULTS: The equilibrium geometry calculations support the optimized structures. Thermodynamic results disclosed the thermal stability of all structures. From molecular orbital data, all the degradents are chemically more reactive than parent drug (except K3). However, the substitution of carboxymethyl radicalin K4 improved the physicochemical properties and binding affinity. ADMET calculations predict the improved pharmacokinetic and non-carcinogenic properties of all degradents. CONCLUSION: Based on physicochemical, molecular docking, and ADMET calculation, this study can be helpful to understand the biochemical activities of Ketorolac and its degradents and to design a potent analgesic drug.

Increased Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase and Quinolinic Acid Expression in Microglia and Müller Cells of Diabetic Human and Rodent Retina.

Purpose: We investigated the relationship between inflammation, neuronal loss, and expression of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) and quinolinic acid (QUIN) in the retina of subjects with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) and in the retina of rats with T1D. Methods: Retinas from T1D (n = 7), T2D (n = 13), and 20 age-matched nondiabetic human donors and from T1D (n = 3) and control rats (n = 3) were examined using immunohistochemistry for IDO, QUIN, cluster of differentiation 39 (CD39), ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Iba-1, for macrophages and microglia), Vimentin (VIM; for Müller cells), neuronal nuclei (NeuN; for neurons), and UEA1 lectin (for blood vessels). Results: Based on morphologic criteria, CD39+/ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1(Iba-1+) resident microglia and CD39-/Iba-1+ bone marrow-derived macrophages were present at higher density in T1D (13% increase) and T2D (26% increase) human retinas when compared with controls. The density and brightness of IDO+ microglia were increased in both T1D and T2D human retinas. The intensity of QUIN+ expression on CD39+ microglia and VIM+ Müller cells was greatly increased in both human T1D and T2D retinas. T1D retinas showed a 63% loss of NeuN+ neurons and T2D retinas lost approximately 43% when compared with nondiabetic human retinas. Few QUIN+ microglia-like cells were seen in nondiabetic retinas, but the numbers increased 18-fold in T1D and 7-fold in T2D in the central retina. In T1D rat retinas, the density of IDO+ microglia increased 2.8-fold and brightness increased 2.1-fold when compared with controls. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that IDO and QUIN expression in the retinas of diabetic rats and humans could contribute to the neuronal degeneration that is characteristic of diabetic retinopathy.

Synthetic Receptors Induce Anti Angiogenic and Stress Signaling on Human First Trimester Cytotrophoblast Cells.

The cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells of the human placenta have membrane receptors that bind certain cardiotonic steroids (CTS) found in blood plasma. One of these, marinobufagenin, is a key factor in the etiology of preeclampsia. Herein, we used synthetic receptors (SR) to study their effectiveness on the angiogenic profile of human first trimester CTB cells. The humanextravillous CTB cells (Sw.71) used in this study were derived from first trimester chorionic villus tissue. Culture media of CTB cells treated with ≥1 nM SR level revealed sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1) was significantly increased while VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) was significantly decreased in the culture media (* p < 0.05 for each) The AT2 receptor (Angiotensin II receptor type 2) expression was significantly upregulated in ≥1 nM SR-treated CTB cells as compared to basal; however, the AT1 (Angiotensin II receptor, type 1) and VEGFR-1 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1) receptor expression was significantly downregulated (* p < 0.05 for each). Our results show that the anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effects of SR on CTB cells are similar to the effects of CTS. The observed anti angiogenic activity of SR on CTB cells demonstrates that the functionalized-urea/thiourea molecules may be useful as potent inhibitors to prevent CTS-induced impairment of CTB cells.

Site-1 protease is required for the generation of soluble (pro)renin receptor.

The extracellular domain of the (pro)renin receptor [(P)RR] is cleaved to generate the soluble form of (P)RR [s(P)RR]. Multiple clinical studies have revealed the association between serum/plasma s(P)RR levels and certain diseases, thereby suggesting a potential role for s(P)RR as a disease biomarker. Here, we investigated whether site-1 protease (S1P) is responsible for cleaving (P)RR to generate s(P)RR. Reduction of endogenous S1P with siRNA attenuated s(P)RR generation in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells exogenously expressing human (P)RR with a C-terminal decahistidine tag [CHO/h(P)RR-10His cells]; conversely, overexpression of S1P by transient transfection increased s(P)RR generation. The S1P inhibitor PF429242 suppressed s(P)RR generation in CHO/h(P)RR-10His and human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells; however, the ADAM inhibitor GM6001 had no effect. The furin inhibitor Dec-RVKR-CMK had no effect on the amount of s(P)RR, but caused a slight increase in the size of the s(P)RR. Moreover, the reversible vesicle-trafficking inhibitor brefeldin A (BFA) enhanced the generation of large-sized s(P)RR; PF429242, but not Dec-RVKR-CMK, suppressed this BFA-induced s(P)RR formation. The size of s(P)RR generated during BFA treatment was reduced after removal of BFA; Dec-RVKR-CMK, but not PF429242, suppressed this conversion. Together, these results suggest that s(P)RR is generated by sequential processing by S1P and furin.

Aerobic Exercise Training as a Potential Cardioprotective Strategy to Attenuate Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

Doxorubicin is one of the most commonly used cytotoxic anticancer drugs against several cancers.  Although a highly effective anticancer drug, the clinical use of doxorubicin is severely limited by its cardiotoxicity which results in morbidity, poor quality of life, and premature mortality.  Only very few clinically accepted methods to minimize doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury are available today, but none of them have proven to be completely successful.  Due to limited alternative strategies, a number of potential cardioprotective therapies are currently being investigated for treating and/or preventing doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.  Of these potential strategies, aerobic exercise training is the only nonpharmacologic strategy that shows a great deal of promise.  Although there are no published human clinical trials, evidence from numerous animal studies suggests that aerobic exercise training, administered prior to, during and/or following doxorubicin therapy, is protective against doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury.  Protective properties of exercise training against the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin have been attributed to a number of potential molecular mechanisms including:  enhancing the production of endogenous antioxidant machineries; regulating proapoptotic signaling; stimulating the release, mobilization and homing of cardiac progenitor cells; limiting myocyte turnover; eliciting favorable adaptations in myocardial calcium handling and preventing calcium overload; modulating cardiac AMPK activity; downregulating cardiac autophagy/lysosomal signaling; and reducing myocardial doxorubicin accumulation.  Further preclinical and clinical research is needed to decipher and refine the molecular mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of exercise training, as well as to define the nature and magnitude of the effect of exercise on doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in cancer patients. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

Low-Dose Creatine Supplementation Lowers Plasma Guanidinoacetate, but Not Plasma Homocysteine, in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Creatine synthesis from guanidinoacetate consumes ~50% of s-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-derived methyl groups, accounting for an equivalent proportion of s-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and total homocysteine (tHcys) synthesis. Dietary creatine inhibits the synthesis of guanidinoacetate, thereby lowering plasma tHcys in rats. OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypotheses that creatine supplementation lowers plasma guanidinoacetate, increases blood SAM, lowers blood SAH, and lowers plasma tHcys. METHODS: Bangladeshi adults were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 4 treatments for 12 wk: placebo (n = 101), 3 g/d creatine (Cr; n = 101), 400 µg/d folic acid (FA; n = 153), or 3 g/d creatine plus 400 µg/d folic acid (Cr+FA; n = 103). The outcomes of plasma guanidinoacetate and tHcys, as well as whole blood SAM and SAH, were analyzed at baseline and week 12 by HPLC. Treatment effects of creatine supplementation were examined with the use of the group comparisons of Cr vs. placebo and Cr+FA vs. FA. RESULTS: Plasma guanidinoacetate declined by 10.6% (95% CI: 4.9, 15.9) in the Cr group while increasing nonsignificantly in the placebo group (3.7%; 95% CI: -0.8, 8.5) (Pgroup difference = 0.0002). Similarly, plasma guanidinoacetate declined by 9.0% (95% CI: 3.4, 14.2) in the Cr+FA group while increasing in the FA group (7.0%; 95% CI: 2.0, 12.2) (Pgroup difference < 0.0001). Plasma tHcys declined by 23.4% (95% CI: 19.5, 27.1) and 21.0% (95% CI: 16.4, 25.2) in the FA and Cr+FA groups, respectively (Pgroup difference = 0.41), with no significant changes in the placebo or Cr groups (Pgroup difference = 0.35). A decrease in guanidinoacetate over time was associated with a decrease in tHcys over time in the Cr+FA group (ß = 0.30; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.43; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that whereas creatine supplementation downregulates endogenous creatine synthesis, this may not on average lower plasma tHcys in humans. However, tHcys did decrease in those participants who experienced a decline in plasma guanidinoacetate while receiving creatine plus folic acid supplementation. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01050556.

Strategies for Developing Oral Vaccines for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Induced Cancer using Nanoparticle mediated Delivery System.

Human Papillomaviruses (HPV) are a diverse group of small non-enveloped DNA viruses. Some HPVs are classified as low-risk as they are very rarely associated with neoplasia or cancer in the general population, and cause lenient warts. Other HPVs are considered as high-risk types because they are responsible for several important human cancers, including cervical cancer, a large proportion of other anogenital cancers, and a growing number of head and neck cancers. Transmission of HPV occurs primarily by skin-to-skin contact. The risk of contracting genital HPV infection and cervical cancer is influenced by sexual activity. Currently two prophylactic HPV vaccines, Gardasil® (Merck, USA) and Cervarix® (GlaxoSmithKline, UK), are available and recommended for mass immunization of adolescents. However, these vaccines have limitations as they are expensive and require cold chain storage and trained personnel to administer them by injection. The use of nano or micro particulate vaccines could address most of these limitations as they are stable at room temperature, inexpensive to produce and distribute to resource poor regions, and can be administered orally without the need for adjuvants in the formulation. Also it is possible to increase the efficiency of these particulate vaccines by decorating the surface of the nano or micro particulates with suitable ligands for targeted delivery. Oral vaccines, which can be delivered using particulate formulations, have the added potential to stimulate mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue located in the digestive tract and the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, both of which are important for the induction of effective mucosal response against many viruses. In addition, oral vaccines provide the opportunity to reduce production and administration costs and are very patient compliant. This review elaborately discusses different strategies that can be pursued to develop a nano or micro particulate oral vaccine for HPV induced cancers and other diseases.

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activity of stems of Smilax zeylanica in vitro.

BACKGROUND: Plant-derived phytochemicals consisting of phenols and flavonoids possess antioxidant properties, eventually rendering a lucrative tool to scavenge reactive oxygen species. This study was carried out to evaluate in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic potential of methanolic extract and petroleum ether extracts of Smilax zeylanica L. stems. METHODS: Phytochemical screening was done following standard procedures. Antioxidant activity was tested using several in vitro assays, viz., 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, NO assay, H2O2 assay, CUPRAC assay, FRAP assay and total antioxidant capacity assay. Total phenol and flavonoid contents were determined by colorimetric method. Brine shrimp lethality and MTT cell viability assays were used for cytotoxic potential. RESULTS: Preliminary phytochemical study revealed the presence of flavonoids and glycosides in both extracts. Methanolic extract was found to possess stronger antioxidant potential than petroleum ether extracts in all assays. The IC50 value of methanolic extract was 29.14±0.39 µg/mL, 120.30±3.32 µg/mL and 78.41±5.53 µg/mL in DPPH assay, NO assay and H2O2 assay, respectively. Likewise, total phenol [56.78 mg/g gallic acid (GAE)] and flovonoid [125.69 mg/g quercetin equivalents (QE)] were higher in methanolic extract. In cytotoxicity assays, petroleum ether extract showed stronger activity in both brine shrimp lethality (LC50 2.85±0.13 µg/mL) and MTT cell viability assay (IC50 15.49±1.18 µg/mL). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that methanolic extracts could be considered as potential sources of natural antioxidant, whereas petroleum ether extracts could be explored for promising anticancer molecules.

A synthetic thiourea-based tripodal receptor that impairs the function of human first trimester cytotrophoblast cells.

A synthetic tripodal-based thiourea receptor (PNTTU) was used to explore the receptor/ligand binding affinity using CTB cells. The human extravillous CTB cells (Sw.71) used in this study were derived from first trimester chorionic villus tissue. The cell proliferation, migration and angiogenic factors were evaluated in PNTTU-treated CTB cells. The PNTTU inhibited the CTBs proliferation and migration. The soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) secretion was increased while vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was decreased in the culture media of CTB cells treated with ≥1 nM PNTTU. The angiotensin II receptor type 2 (AT2) expression was significantly upregulated in ≥1 nM PNTTU-treated CTB cells in compared to basal; however, the angiotensin II receptor, type 1 (AT1) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (VEGFR-1) expression was downregulated. The anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic effect of this compound on CTB cells are similar to the effect of CTSs. The receptor/ligand affinity of PNTTU on CTBs provides us the clue to design a potent inhibitor to prevent the CTS-induced impairment of CTB cells.

Oleanane triterpenes as protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors from Camellia japonica.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) plays a key role in metabolic signaling, thereby making it an exciting drug target for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Besides, there is substantial evidence that shows its overexpression is involved in breast cancer, which suggests that selective PTP1B inhibition might be effective in breast cancer treatment. As part of our continuous research on PTP1B inhibitors from medicinal plants, four oleanane-type triterpenes were isolated from an EtOAc-soluble extract of fruit peels of Camellia japonica (Theaceae), together with 6 previously known compounds of this class. Their structures were determined on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis (UV, IR, (1)H and (13)CNMR, HMBC, HSQC, NOESY, and MS). All isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on PTP1B, as well as their cytotoxic effects against human breast cancer cell lines MCF7, MCF7/ADR, and MDA-MB-231. Several compounds with OH-3 or/and COOH-28 functionalities showed strong PTP1B inhibitory activity (IC50 values ranging from 3.77±0.11 to 6.40±0.81 µM) as well as significant cytotoxicity (IC50 values ranging from 0.51±0.05 to 13.55±1.44 µM).

Bio-sample preparation and gas chromatographic determination of benzodiazepines--a review.

Benzodiazepines have become commonly prescribed medicines worldwide in the therapy of anxiety, sleep disorders and convulsive attacks because they are relatively safe, with mild side effects. The availability of rapid, sensitive and selective analytical methods is essential for the determination of these drugs in clinical and forensic cases. Benzodiazepines are usually present at trace levels (µg/mL or ng/mL) in a complex biological matrix, and the potentially interfering compounds need to be removed before analysis. Therefore, a sample preparation technique is often mandatory, both to extract the drugs of interest from the matrices and to increase their concentration. An extended and comprehensive review is presented herein, focusing on bio-sample preparation (pretreatment, extraction and derivatization) and gas chromatographic methods applied for the quantification of 1,4-benzodiazepines.

New prenylated isoflavonoids as protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) inhibitors from Erythrina addisoniae.

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the EtOAc extract of the root of Erythrina addisoniae (Leguminosae) resulted in the isolation of four new (1-4), along with 2 known prenylated isoflavonoids (5-6). The structures of the isolates were assigned on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis, focusing on interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR, and MS data. All the isolates were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), as well as their growth inhibition on MCF7, adriamycin-resistant MCF7 (MCF7/ADR), and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Compounds which exhibited PTP1B inhibitory activity (IC(50) values ranging from 4.6 ± 0.3 to 24.2 ± 2.1 µM) showed potential cytotoxic activity (IC(50) values ranging from 3.97 ± 0.17 to 11.4 ± 1.9 µM). Taken together, our data suggest that prenylated isoflavonoids, especially the isoflavone-type skeleton could be considered as new lead compounds against breast cancer via PTP1B inhibition.

Associations between arsenic exposure and global posttranslational histone modifications among adults in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to arsenic (As) is associated with an increased risk of several cancers as well as cardiovascular disease, and childhood neuro-developmental deficits. Arsenic compounds are weakly mutagenic, alter gene expression and posttranslational histone modifications (PTHMs) in vitro. METHODS: Water and urinary As concentrations as well as global levels of histone 3 lysine 9 di-methylation and acetylation (H3K9me2 and H3K9ac), histone 3 lysine 27 tri-methylation and acetylation (H3K27me3 and H3K27ac), histone 3 lysine 18 acetylation (H3K18ac), and histone 3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) were measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from a subset of participants (N = 40) of a folate clinical trial in Bangladesh (FACT study). RESULTS: Total urinary As (uAs) was positively correlated with H3K9me2 (r = 0.36, P = 0.02) and inversely with H3K9ac (r = -0.47, P = 0.002). The associations between As and other PTHMs differed in a gender-dependent manner. Water As (wAs) was positively correlated with H3K4me3 (r = 0.45, P = 0.05) and H3K27me3 (r = 0.50, P = 0.03) among females and negatively correlated among males (H3K4me3: r = -0.44, P = 0.05; H3K27me3: r = -0.34, P = 0.14). Conversely, wAs was inversely associated with H3K27ac among females (r = -0.44, P = 0.05) and positively associated among males (r = 0.29, P = 0.21). A similar pattern was observed for H3K18ac (females: r = -0.22, P = 0.36; males: r = 0.27, P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: Exposure to As is associated with alterations of global PTHMs; gender-specific patterns of association were observed between As exposure and several histone marks. IMPACT: These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence linking As exposure to epigenetic dysregulation, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of As toxicity.