Zinc supplementation promotes oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development in sheep.

Zinc plays a crucial role in the growth and reproductive functions of animals. Despite the positive effects of zinc that have been reported in oocytes of cows, pigs, yaks, and other animals, the influence of zinc on sheep is little known. To investigate the effect of zinc on the in vitro maturation of sheep oocytes and subsequent parthenogenesis-activated embryonic development, we added different concentrations of zinc sulfate to the in vitro maturation (IVM) culture medium. The IVM culture medium with zinc improved the maturation of sheep oocytes and the subsequent blastocyst rate after parthenogenesis activation. Notably, it also enhanced the level of glutathione and mitochondrial activity while reducing levels of reactive oxygen species. Thus, zinc addition to the IVM medium improved the quality of oocytes with a positive effect on the subsequent development of oocytes and embryos.

Characterization, pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and antitumor activity of honokiol submicron lipid emulsions in tumor-burdened mice.

Honokiol, isolated from the Chinese traditional herb magnolia, is a poorly water-soluble component and has been found to have anti-tumor properties. In the current study, honokiol submicron lipid emulsions (HK-SLEs) were prepared by high pressure homogenization technology. After HK-SLEs were physically characterized, their pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and antitumor activity after intravenous (i.v.) administration to tumor-burdened mice were examined, using honokiol solution (HK-SOL) as the control. The results showed that the mean particle size, zeta potential, pH value, osmolality, drug loading (DL)% and entrapment efficiency (EE)% of HK-SLEs were 186.6 +/- 1.7 nm, -35.65 +/- 0.67 mV, 7.22 +/- 0.26, 298 +/- 2.3 mOsm/L, 7.1 +/- 0.2% and 95.5 +/- 0.2%, respectively. HK-SLEs were stable for at least 12 months when stored at 4 +/- 2 degrees C. The pharmacokinetic results showed that the drug concentration-time curves of HK-SLEs and HK-SOL could both be described by an open two-compartment model. The half-life of HK-SLEs (t1/2(alpha) = 8.014 min, t1/2(beta) = 35.784 min) was remarkably prolonged compared to that of HK-SOL (t1/2(alpha) = 4.318 min, t1/2(beta) = 15.522 min). HK-SLEs exhibited a greater AUC and reduced plasma clearance. The tissue distribution results indicated that HK-SLEs have better targeting properties to lung and tumor tissues compared with those of HK-SOL. Both HK-SLEs and HK-SOL tended to accumulate in brain tissue. In vivo study showed that HK-SLEs treatment caused significant inhibition of mouse sarcoma S180 tumor growth compared to HK-SOL. These results suggest that HK-SLEs might be an effective parenteral carrier for honokiol delivery in cancer treatment.