Hepatoprotective effects of phosphatidylserine liposomes on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

It has been proposed carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) intoxication due to the production of free radicals and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) overload results hepatotoxicity. Phosphatidylserine (PS) has shown antioxidant activity in numerous studies. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of PS liposomes treatment against the CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in a rat model. Male Wistar rats were treated with PS (10 mg/kg, oral) or phosphatidylcholine liposomes (PC) (10 mg/kg, oral) for 3 days before CCl4 (2 ml/kg; ip once on the third day) injection. The serum level of ALT, AST, and ALP were measured. Also, antioxidant assays were performed. Administration of PS with CCl4 significantly inhibited alterations in the serum levels of AST, ALP (** P < 0.01), and ALT (*** P < 0.001) compared with control group. Furthermore, measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels indicated that PS significantly reduced reactive oxygen species. The results of the present study showed the hepatoprotective effects of PS against CCl4 -induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Involvement of IL-1ß and IL-6 in antiarrhythmic properties of atorvastatin in ouabain-induced arrhythmia in rats.

PURPOSE: Evidence show that statins possess wide beneficial cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects; therefore, in the present experiment, we investigated the antiarrhythmic properties of atorvastatin in ouabain-induced arrhythmia in isolated rat atria and the role of several inflammatory cytokines in this effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were pretreated with either of atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) or vehicle, orally once daily for 6 weeks. After induction of anesthesia, we isolated the atria and after incubation with ouabain, time of onset of arrhythmia and asystole as well as atrial beating rate and contractile force were recorded. We also measured the atrial levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α after the injection of ouabain to animals. RESULTS: Pretreatment with atorvastatin significantly delayed the onset of arrhythmia and asystole compared with vehicle-treated group (p < .01, p < .001, respectively). Incubation of ouabain boosted both atrial beating rate and contractile force in vehicle-treated group (p < .05), while these responses in atorvastatin-treated group were not significant (p > .05). Injection of ouabain elevated the atrial levels of IL-1ß, IL-6, and TNF-α, while pretreatment of animals with atorvastatin could reverse the ouabain-induced increase in atrial IL-1ß and IL-6 (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that observed antiarrhythmic effects of atorvastatin might be attributed to modulation of some inflammatory cytokines, at least IL-1ß and IL-6.

Possible involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the antidepressant-like effects of gabapentin in mouse forced swimming test.

Gabapentin as an anticonvulsant drug also has beneficial effects in treatment of depression. Previously, we showed that acute administration of gabapentin produced an antidepressant-like effect in the mouse forced swimming test (FST) by a mechanism that involves the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO). Considering the involvement of NO in adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive potassium channels (KATP), in the present study we investigated the involvement of KATP channels in antidepressant-like effect of gabapentin. Gabapentin at different doses (5-10 mg/kg) and fluoxetine (20 mg/kg) were administrated by intraperitoneal route, 60 and 30 min, respectively, before the test. To clarify the probable involvement of KATP channels, mice were pretreated with KATP channel inhibitor or opener. Gabapentin at dose 10 mg/kg significantly decreased the immobility behavior of mice similar to fluoxetine (20 mg/kg). Co-administration of subeffective dose (1 mg/kg) of glibenclamide (inhibitor of KATP channels) with gabapentin (3 mg/kg) showed a synergistic antidepressant-like effect. Also, subeffective dose of cromakalim (opener of KATP channels, 0.1 mg/kg) inhibited the antidepressant-like effect of gabapentin (10 mg/kg). None of the treatments had any impact on the locomotor movement. Our study, for the first time, revealed that antidepressant-like effect of gabapentin in mice is mediated by blocking the KATP channels.

Involvement of opioid system in antidepressant-like effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist AM-251 after physical stress in mice.

Cannabinoid inverse agonists possess antidepressant-like properties, but the mechanism of this action is unknown. Numerous studies have reported the interaction between opioid and cannabinoid pathways. In this study, acute foot-shock stress was used in mice to investigate the involvement of the opioid pathway in the antidepressant-like effect of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor inverse agonist AM-251. Stress was induced by intermittent foot-shock stimulation for 30 min. Then, using the forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), the immobility time was measured. Results show that the immobility time was significantly prolonged in animals subjected to foot-shock stress, compared with non-stressed controls (P < 0.01). Also, the serum corticosterone level was significantly increased after stress induction (P < 0.001). Administration of AM-251 (0.5 and 0.3 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)), significantly decreased the immobility time of stressed mice in the FST (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) and TST (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). The lowest dose of AM-251 (0.1 mg/kg), naltrexone (0.3 mg/kg), and morphine (1.0 mg/kg) did not show any significant effect on stressed animals (P > 0.05). Co-administration of AM-251 with sub-effective dose of naltrexone decreased the effective dose of this cannabinoid inverse agonist, to 0.1 mg/kg (P < 0.01). On the other hand, administration of the sub-effective dose of morphine reversed the anti-immobility effect of AM-251 (0.5 mg/kg; P < 0.001). In conclusion, the present study for the first time reveals the possible role of opioid signalling in the antidepressant-like properties of AM-251 in a foot-shock stress model.

Mesenteric artery responsiveness to acetylcholine and phenylephrine in cirrhotic rats challenged with endotoxin: the role of TLR4.

Cirrhosis is associated with vascular dysfunction and endotoxemia. These experiments were designed to investigate the hypothesis that the administration of a low-dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) worsens vascular dysfunction in rats subjected to bile-duct ligation (BDL), and to determine whether LPS initiates changes in vascular Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. Four weeks after BDL, the animals were given an intraperitoneal injection of either saline or LPS (1.0 mg/kg body mass). Three hours later, the superior mesenteric artery was isolated, perfused, and then subjected to the vasoconstriction and vasodilatation effects of phenylephrine and acetylcholine, respectively. Our results show that phenylephrine-induced vasoconstriction decreased in the cirrhotic vascular bed (BDL rats) compared with the vascular bed of the sham-operated animals, and that the LPS injections in the cirrhotic (BDL) rats worsened this response. LPS injection administered to the sham-operated animals had no such effect. On the other hand, both the BDL procedure and the LPS injection increased acetylcholine-induced vasorelaxation, but LPS administration to the BDL rats had no effect on this response. The mRNA levels of TLR4 did not change, but immunohistochemical studies showed that TLR4 localization switched from the endothelium to vascular smooth muscle cells following chronic BDL. In conclusion, acute endotoxemia in cirrhotic rats is associated with hyporesponsiveness to phenylephrine and tolerance to the effects of acetylcholine. Altered localization of TLR4 may be responsible for these effects.

The role of clomipramine in potentiating the teratogenic effects of caffeine in pregnant rats: a histopathological study.

Since little is known about the teratogenic effects of clomipramine used concurrently with caffeine during the organogenesis period, the aim of this study was to test the teratogenic effects of a coadministration of caffeine and clomipramine on rat fetuses. We divided 42 pregnant rats into seven groups, randomly. The first group (control) received 0.5 mL of normal saline. Clomipramine was injected at 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg to the second and third groups, respectively. The fourth and fifth groups received caffeine in doses of 60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg, respectively. The sixth group received a combination of 40 mg/kg clomipramine and 60 mg/kg caffeine, and the seventh group was given clomipramine and caffeine at 80 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg, respectively. The fetuses were removed on the 17th day of pregnancy and studied in terms of microscopic and macroscopic morphological features. Fetuses of rats receiving high doses of caffeine or combinations of caffeine and clomipramine showed a significant rate of cleft palate development, open eyelids, mortality, torsion anomalies, shrinkage of skin, and subcutaneous haemorrhage (P ≤ 0.001). This study concludes that caffeine in high doses or the simultaneous administration of caffeine and clomipramine leads to teratogenicity.

A review on qualifications and cost effectiveness of induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs)-induced cardiomyocytes in drug screening tests.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hIPSCs) have initiated a higher degree of successes in disease modelling, preclinical evaluation of drug therapy and pharmaco-toxicological testing. Since the discovery of iPSCs in 2006, many advanced techniques have been introduced to differentiate iPSCs to cardiomyocytes, which have been progressively improved. The disease models from iPSC-induced cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CM) have been successfully helping to study a variety of cardiac diseases such as long QT syndrome, drug-induced long QT, different cardiomyopathies related to mutations in mitochondria or desmosomal proteins and other rare genetic diseases. IPSC-CMs have also been used to screen the role of chemicals in cardiovascular drug discovery and individualisation of drug dosages. In this review, the quality of current procedures for characterisation and maturation of iPSC-CM lines will be discussed. Also, we will focus on time efficiency and cost of standard differentiation methods after reprogramming.

Antidepressant-like Properties of Melatonin and Atorvastatin Combination following the Restraint Stress in Mice: A Study of Oxidative Stress Factors.

BACKGROUND: Antidepressant properties of melatonin and atorvastatin have been reported by clinical and experimental studies. Since both melatonin and atorvastatin possess antioxidant properties and considering the involvement of oxidative stress factors in depression, the aim of the present investigation was to study the possible role of oxidative stress factors in the antidepressant- like effect of melatonin and atorvastatin combination in mice forced swimming test. METHODS: Following the induction of restraint stress, mice were randomly divided into eight groups including the non-stressed and stressed vehicle-treated groups, melatonin- and atorvastatintreated groups, a combination of melatonin and atorvastatin-treated group, and fluoxetineadministrated group. The open field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST) were carried out, and the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex were removed for the measurement of oxidative stress factors. RESULTS: Induction of restraint stress increased the immobility time in FST, and melatonin (10 mg/kg) significantly reduced it. Atorvastatin at both doses of 1 and 10 mg/kg could not alter the immobility time, significantly. Co-administration of melatonin and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) exerted a significant antidepressant-like response and decreased the immobility time compared with melatonin or atorvastatin (10 mg/kg), alone. Induction of restraint stress elevated the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in mice's hippocampus, while pretreatment of animals with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) could reverse it. The co-administration of melatonin and atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) increased the cortical superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared with atorvastatin alone, but could not alter the catalase (CAT) activity. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that atorvastatin might augment the antidepressant-like properties of melatonin in FST.

Antidepressant-like effect of ethanol in mice forced swimming test is mediated via inhibition of NMDA/nitric oxide/cGMP signaling pathway.

There is evidence for a dramatic relationship between depression and alcohol consumption. Depressed patients may abuse ethanol because this agent reduces the symptoms of depression. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the NMDA/nitric oxide/cGMP pathway in the antidepressant-like effect of ethanol in an animal model of behavioral despair. Animals were subjected to locomotor activity in an open-field test separately, followed by a forced swimming test. During the forced swimming test (FST), ethanol (2 and 2.5 g/kg) significantly decreased the immobility time without altering the locomotor activity of animals. The antidepressant-like effect of ethanol (2.5 g/kg) was reversed by co-administration of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA, 75 mg/kg), L-arginine (750 mg/kg), or sildenafil (5 mg/kg). In contrast, co-administration of MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg), ketamine (1 mg/kg), and ifenprodil (0.5 mg/kg) as antagonists of NMDAR, and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, 10 mg/kg), 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, 30 mg/kg), and methylene blue (10 mg/kg) as inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), or 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazole[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) (20 mg/kg), a nitric oxide/cyclic-guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) inhibitor, with a subeffective dose of ethanol (1.5 g/kg), significantly decreased the immobility time in the FST. Furthermore, injection of ethanol 2.5 g/kg alone or 1.5 g/kg with a 7-NI subeffective dose, significantly decreased the nitrite levels in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Hence, it is concluded that blockade of NMDA receptors and the nitric oxide/cyclic-guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) pathway might be involved in the antidepressant-like effect of ethanol in mice.

Licofelone, a dual cyclooxygenase/5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, reverses endotoxin-induced impaired atrial chronotropic responsiveness to cholinergic stimulation in rats.

Evidence show that endotoxemia is linked with tachycardia. The exact mechanism of tachycardia is not well-understood, but it seems that impaired cardiac chronotropic responsiveness to cholinergic stimulation plays a role in this phenomenon. The aim of this experiment was to study the effect of licofelone as a dual cyclooxygenase (COX)/5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) inhibitor in modulation of atrial chronotropic hyporesponsiveness to cholinergic stimulation in endotoxemic rats, compared with hydrocortisone and indomethacin in in vitro and in vivo studies. Rats were injected by either of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline. The isolated atria were incubated with licofelone, hydrocortisone, or indomethacin in an organ bath set up. In a separate experiment, rats were injected with licofelone, hydrocortisone, or indomethacin prior to isolation of the atria. Then, in both experiments, chronotropic responsiveness to cumulative concentrations of carbacholine in organ bath was recorded. LPS injection decreased the chronotropic responsiveness to cholinergic stimulation in both in vitro and in vivo experiments, significantly (P < 0.0001), while either incubation of isolated atria with licofelone (a dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor) or injection of licofelone to animals could reverse it, completely (P < 0.01). Hydrocortisone (phospholipase A2 and COX-2 inhibitor) in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, respectively) as well as indomethacin (COX inhibitor) in vitro and in vivo (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively) exerted some lesser effects. Our data revealed that in endotoxemic rats, chronotropic hyporesponsiveness to cholinergic stimulation was modulated by the dual COX/5-LOX inhibitor licofelone, and this effect is comparable with hydrocortisone and indomethacin.

Involvement of nNOS, and α1, α2, ß1, and ß2 Subunits of Soluble Guanylyl Cyclase Genes Expression in Anticonvulsant Effect of Sumatriptan on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Seizure in Mice.

Epileptic seizure is phenomenon of abnormal synchronous neuronal discharge of a set of neurons in brain as a result of neuronal excitation. Evidence shows the nitric oxide (NO) involvement in neuronal excitability. Moreover, the role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) activation in seizure pathogenesis is well-established. Sumatriptan is a selective agonist of 5-Hydroxytryptamine1B/D auto-receptor, has been reassessed for its neuroprotection. This study was aimed to explore the anticonvulsant effect of sumatriptan through possible involvement of NO-cGMP pathway in mice. For this purpose, the protective effect of sumatriptan on PTZ-induced clonic seizure threshold (CST) was measured using NO-cGMP pathway inhibitors including N(G)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg), 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, 30, 45, and 60 mg/kg), aminoguanidine (AG, 30, 50, and 100 mg/kg), methylene blue (MB, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg) and sildenafil (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg). The involvement of nitrergic system was further confirmed by measurement of nitrite levels by Griess reaction. The gene expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and subunits of soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) was studied using qRT-PCR analysis. Acute administration of sumatriptan (1.2 and 0.3 mg/kg) in combination with subeffective doses of NOS, sGC, and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors significantly reversed the PTZ-induced CST (P ≤ 0.001). The nitrite level in prefrontal cortex was significantly attenuated by sumatriptan (P ≤ 0.01). Furthermore, sumatriptan downregulated the PTZ-induced mRNA expression of nNOS (P ≤ 0.01), α1 (P ≤ 0.001), α2 (P ≤ 0.05), and ß1 (P ≤ 0.05) genes in cerebral cortex of mice. In conclusion, the anticonvulsant activity of sumatriptan at least, in part, is mediated through inhibiting NO-cGMP pathway.

The potassium channel blocker, dalfampridine diminishes ouabain-induced arrhythmia in isolated rat atria.

The aim of the present experiment was to investigate the possible antiarrhythmic effects of dalfampridine in ouabain-induced arrhythmia in rats. Twenty-four male rats including the control and dalfampridine-incubated (100 µM to 10 mM) ouabain-stimulated (40 µM) groups were used. After induction of anesthesia, the atria were isolated and the time of onset of arrhythmia and asystole were recorded. The contractile force of atria was also measured. Dalfampridine at concentration of 1 mM significantly postponed the onset of arrhythmia and asystole compared to control group (p ≤ .05). Ouabain significantly increased the atrial beating rate in control group (p ≤ .05), while pretreatment of isolated atria with dalfampridine reversed this effect. Incubation of isolated atria with ouabain did not alter the contractile force in both control- and dalfampridine-treated groups (p > .05). It is concluded that dalfampridine might possess antiarrhythmic properties in reducing the atrial arrhythmias.

Cardiac chronotropic hypo-responsiveness and atrial fibrosis in rats chronically treated with lithium.

Lithium is a widely used mood-stabilizing agent; however, it causes a variety of cardiovascular side effects including sinus node dysfunction. In this study we explored the potential adverse effects of lithium on cardiac chronotropic responsiveness, atrial tissue histology and gene expression in rats that were chronically treated with therapeutic doses of lithium. Male Wistar albino rats were given lithium chloride (2.5 g/kg) orally for 2 or 3 months. Following treatment, the atria were isolated and spontaneously beating rate and chronotropic responsiveness to ß-adrenergic stimulation was evaluated in an organ bath. Development of cardiac fibrosis was examined by histological methods. The expression of atrial Col1a1 (collagen I, alpha 1) and ß-arrestin2 was also assessed using quantitative RT-PCR. Treatment with lithium induced a significant hypo-responsiveness to adrenergic stimulation (P < 0.001) and caused fibrosis in the atrial tissue of treated rats. In addition, the expression of atrial Col1a1 mRNA was significantly increased in atrial tissues of lithium-treated animals, while ß-arrestin2 mRNA expression did not show a significant difference compared with control animals. Altogether, these findings indicate that cardiac chronotropic hypo responsiveness and associated cardiac fibrosis are side effects of chronic lithium treatment. Moreover, it seems that lithium treatment does not influence ß-arrestin2 mRNA expression.

Cromakalim, a Potassium Channel Opener, Ameliorates the Organophosphate and Carbamate-Induced Seizure in Mice.

Organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates are acetylcholine esterase inhibitors (AChEIs), which can cause seizure and lethality. Anticonvulsant properties of potassium channel openers including cromakalim have been determined in previous studies. In the present experiment, the possible effect of cromakalim on the convulsion and death induced by OPs and carbamates was studied in mice. Dichlorvos (an OP, 50 mg/kg) and physostigmine (a carbamate, 2 mg/kg) were used to induce seizure in animals. Cromakalim at doses of 0.1, 10, and 30 µg/kg was injected 30 min before dichlorvos and physostigmine, and 5 min before glibenclamide (a potassium channel blocker, 1 mg/kg) administration. All injections were performed intraperitoneally. After drugs administration, the onset of convulsion, death, the severity of seizure, and rate of mortality were investigated. Results revealed that both dichlorvos and physostigmine induced seizure activity and lethality in 100% of the animals. Cromakalim at doses of 0.1, 10, and 30 µg/kg significantly increased the latency of both seizure and death (P<0.05). Also, cromakalim decreased the mortality rate induced by dichlorvos and physostigmine (P<0.05). On the other hand, glibenclamide blocked all aspects of the anticonvulsant effect of cromakalim (P<0.05). This study revealed for the first time that cromakalim (a KATP channel opener) diminishes the seizure and death induced by dichlorvos and physostigmine in mice, and introduces a new aspect to manage the patients who suffer from OPs/carbamates-induced seizure.

Nitric oxide involvement in additive antidepressant-like effect of agmatine and lithium in mice forced swim test.

Lithium is still the main agent in the management of mood disorders such as depression. Likewise, agmatine protects the central nervous system (CNS) against depression. The aim of the present study was to examine the possible additive antidepressant-like effect of agmatine and lithium in mice forced swim test (FST) as well as exploration of the probable involvement of nitric oxide (NO) pathway in this response. Results showed that pretreatment with a subeffective dose of agmatine (0.01 mg/kg) augmented the antidepressant-like effect of lithium subeffective dose (3 mg/kg) (P < 0.001). L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME, nonspecific nitric oxide synthase [NOS] inhibitor) at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI, neuronal NOS inhibitor) at doses of 15 and 30 mg/kg potentiated the antidepressant-like effect of the subeffective combination of lithium (3 mg/kg) and agmatine (0.001 mg/kg) (P < 0.001, P < 0.01, respectively). However, various doses of aminoguanidine (25 and 50 mg/kg, inducible NOS inhibitor) failed to alter the immobility time of the same combination (P > 0.05). Moreover, pretreatment with subeffective doses of L-arginine (substrate for NOS, 300 and 750 mg/kg) reversed the augmenting antidepressant-like effect of agmatine (0.01 mg/kg) on lithium (3 mg/kg) (P < 0.001). Our results revealed that agmatine enhances the antidepressant-like effects of lithium and the NO pathway might mediate this phenomenon. In addition, constitutive NOS plays a dramatic role in this response.

The role of nitric oxide-cGMP pathway in selegiline antidepressant-like effect in the mice forced swim test.

BACKGROUND: Considering the pivotal role of nitric oxide (NO) pathway in depressive disorders, the aim of the present study was to investigate the antidepressant-like effect of selegiline in mice forced swimming test (FST), and possible involvement of NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in this action. METHODS: After assessment of locomotor activity in open-field test, mice were forced to swim individually and the immobility time of the last 4min was evaluated. All drugs were given intraperitoneally (ip). RESULTS: Selegiline (10mg/kg) decreased the immobility time in the FST similar to fluoxetine (20mg/kg). Pretreatment with l-arginine (NO precursor, 750mg/kg) or sildenafil (a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, 5mg/kg) significantly reversed the selegiline anti-immobility effect. Sub-effective dose of selegiline (1mg/kg) showed a synergistic antidepressant effect with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, inhibitor of NO synthase, 10mg/kg) or 7-nitroindazole (specific neuronal NO synthase inhibitor, 30mg/kg), but not with aminoguanidine (specific inducible NO synthase inhibitor, 50mg/kg). Pretreatment of mice with methylene blue (an inhibitor of NO synthase and soluble guanylyl cyclase, 10mg/kg) significantly produced a synergistic response with the sub-effective dose of selegiline. Neither of the drugs changed the locomotor activity. Also, hippocampal and prefrontal cortex (PFC) nitrite content was significantly lower in selegiline-injected mice compared to saline-administrated mice. Also, co-injection of 7-nitroindazole with selegiline produced a significant reduction in hippocampal or PFC nitrite contents. CONCLUSIONS: It is concluded that selegiline possesses antidepressant-like effect in mice FST through inhibition of l-arginine-NO-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway.

Evaluation of propylene glycol nanoliposomes containing curcumin on burn wound model in rat: biocompatibility, wound healing, and anti-bacterial effects.

Curcumin is an effective wound healing agent in burn therapy, but due to its low bioavailability, it is required to be formulated for topical therapy. Liposomal nanocarriers are developed as stable and efficient dermal delivery systems. In this study, we prepared curcumin-propylene glycol liposomes (Cur-PgL) to treat animals subjected to second degree burns. The characterization tests confirmed the production of monodisperse nanoliposomes of average size of about 145 nm with high entrapment efficiency percentage and a sustained release behavior. TEM analysis of nanocarriers showed no aggregation in long time storage up to 60 days. The biocompatibility of the Cur-PgL formulation was evaluated by ISO standards. We found that Cur-PgL 0.3% was the effective dose in injured rats without any side effects on intact skin. The cytotoxicity of the Cur-PgL 0.3% nanovesicles was also assessed on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells. The results showed no detectable cytotoxicity, but considerable cytotoxicity was observed in higher concentration of 1.5 and 3 mg/ml of free and PgL forms of curcumin. Eight days of application of Cur-PgL on burned rats resulted in a significant (P<0.001) recovery of wound repair parameters, and after 18 days, wound contraction occurred significantly (P < 0.001) compared to the other groups. The antibacterial activity of the Cur-PgL formulation was found to be similar to the silver sulfadiazine (SSD) cream 1% regarding the inhibition of the bacterial growth. In conclusion, the low dose of curcumin nanoliposomal formulation efficiently improved injuries and infections of burn wounds and it can be considered in burn therapy.

Streptozotocin induced oxidative stress, innate immune system responses and behavioral abnormalities in male mice.

Recent evidence indicates the involvement of inflammatory factors and mitochondrial dysfunction in the etiology of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depression. To investigate the possible role of mitochondrial-induced sterile inflammation in the co-occurrence of anxiety and depression, in this study, we treated adult male mice with the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of a single low dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 0.2mg/mouse). Using valid and qualified behavioral tests for the assessment of depressive and anxiety-like behaviors, we showed that STZ-treated mice exhibited behaviors relevant to anxiety and depression 24h following STZ treatment. We observed that the co-occurrence of anxiety and depressive-like behaviors in animals were associated with abnormal mitochondrial function, nitric oxide overproduction and, the increased activity of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in the hippocampus. Further, STZ-treated mice had a significant upregulation of genes associated with the innate immune system such as toll-like receptors 2 and 4. Pathological evaluations showed no sign of neurodegeneration in the hippocampus of STZ-treated mice. Results of this study revealed that behavioral abnormalities provoked by STZ, as a cytotoxic agent that targets mitochondria and energy metabolism, are associated with abnormal mitochondrial activity and, consequently the initiation of innate-inflammatory responses in the hippocampus. Our findings highlight the role of mitochondria and innate immunity in the formation of sterile inflammation and behaviors relevant to anxiety and depression. Also, we have shown that STZ injection (i.c.v.) might be an animal model for depression and anxiety disorders based on sterile inflammation.

Protective Effects of Lithium on Sumatriptan-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice.

Lithium is a drug used for the treatment of bipolar disorder. It has several mechanisms of action, and recently it is shown that lithium can antagonize the 5-HT1B/1D serotonin receptors. Sumatriptan is a 5-HT1B/1D receptor agonist used for the treatment of cluster headaches and migraine which might cause memory impairment as a potential side effect. In this study, effects of lithium on sumatriptan-induced memory impairment have been determined in a two-trial recognition Y-maze and passive avoidance tests. Male mice weighing 25-30 g were divided into several groups randomly. In Y-maze test, effects of lithium (1,5,10,20,40,80 mg/kg) and sumatriptan (1,5,10 mg/kg) were assessed on memory acquisition, then lithium (0.1,1,10 mg/kg) and sumatriptan (1,10 mg/kg) were studied in passive avoidance test. Effects of lithium (1mg/kg) on sumatriptan (10 mg/kg)-induced memory impairment were studied in both of tests. The present study demonstrated that sumatriptan impaired memory in Y-maze and passive avoidance tests (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). Lithium did not show any significant effect on memory function compared to saline-treated control group in both tests (P>0.05), but significantly reversed sumatriptan-induced memory impairment in Y-maze and passive avoidance tests (P<0.001, P<0.05, respectively). It is concluded that lithium reverses the sumatriptan-induced memory impairment probably through 5-HT1B/1D receptors antagonism.

Involvement of Inflammatory Cytokines in Antiarrhythmic Effects of Clofibrate in Ouabain-Induced Arrhythmia in Isolated Rat Atria.

Considering the cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of clofibrate, the aim of the present experiment was to investigate the involvement of local and systemic inflammatory cytokines in possible antiarrhythmic effects of clofibrate in ouabain-induced arrhythmia in rats. Rats were orally treated with clofibrate (300 mg/kg), and ouabain (0.56 mg/kg) was administered to animals intraperitoneally. After induction of anesthesia, the atria were isolated and the onset of arrhythmia and asystole was recorded. The levels of inflammatory cytokines in atria were also measured. Clofibrate significantly postponed the onset of arrhythmia and asystole when compared to control group (P ≤ 0.05 and P ≤ 0.01, resp.). While ouabain significantly increased the atrial beating rate in control group (P ≤ 0.05), same treatment did not show similar effect in clofibrate-treated group (P > 0.05). Injection of ouabain significantly increased the atrial and systemic levels of all studied inflammatory cytokines (P ≤ 0.05). Pretreatment with clofibrate could attenuate the ouabain-induced elevation of IL-6 and TNF-α in atria (P ≤ 0.01 and P ≤ 0.05, resp.), as well as ouabain-induced increase in IL-6 in plasma (P ≤ 0.05). Based on our findings, clofibrate may possess antiarrhythmic properties through mitigating the local and systemic inflammatory factors including IL-6 and TNF-α.