Different Forms of Ursolic Acid and Their Effect on Liver Regeneration.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of natural and encapsulated sources of ursolic acid on liver regeneration. Four ursolate sources were tested. Two forms of ursolic acid encapsulates were combined with cyclodextrins, i.e., gamma-CD (gCD) and beta-CD, and two natural sources were adjusted by homogenization (HAP) and micronization of apple peel using Jonagold apples. All ursolate forms were applied intragastrically in daily doses of 20 mg for 7 days. Laboratory rats were fed with standard laboratory diet. Further, gCD and MAP were also tested with a high-fat diet (6 weeks). Partial hepatectomy (PH) was performed 24 hours before the end of the experiment. The concentration of plasma hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) was determined with an immunoassay; simultaneously, the expression of HGF and CYP7A1 in the liver was quantified through qPCR. HGF expression and plasma levels were significantly increased 24 hours after PH in both the HAP (p=0.038) and HFgCD groups (p=0.036), respectively. The correlation between HGF expression and plasma values was significant (p=0.04). The positive effects on liver regeneration were found in both the gCD and HAP forms of ursolic acid, whose effects were confirmed through the upregulation of HGF.

Effects of Amlodipine on Bone Metabolism in Orchidectomised Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats.

Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) represent a model of essential hypertension. We studied the effect of amlodipine (AML) on bone markers, bone mineral density (BMD), and biomechanical properties of osteopenic bone induced by orchidectomy in male SHR. Rats were allocated to 3 groups and were sacrificed after 12 weeks: sham-operated control; orchidectomised control; and orchidectomised receiving a diet supplemented with AML. Indicators of bone turnover were assessed in bone homogenate, BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and the femurs were subjected to biomechanical testing. Long-term AML administration does not have a negative impact on bone metabolism and density in male SHR.

Boldine Inhibits Mouse Mammary Carcinoma In Vivo and Human MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells In Vitro.

Boldine is an aporphine alkaloid widely consumed in the folk medicine of some regions. Its anticancer potential has been shown but not yet elucidated. We compared the antitumor effect of orally and parenterally applied boldine in mice bearing solid Ehrlich tumor. We also explored the effects of boldine on breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells in vitro. Repeated i. p. injections of 30, 60, or 90 mg boldine/kg, either alone or combined with doxorubicin, slowed tumor growth in vivo. The latter two doses also prolonged the post-therapeutic survival of the mice. When fed food supplemented with boldine at a dose of 90 mg/kg, the tumor-bearing mice survived significantly longer, but there was no effect on tumor size. Interestingly, continuous p. o. administration did not produce detectable levels of boldine in plasma or tissue samples, in contrast to high but short-lived concentrations after i. p. injections. There was neither antagonism nor synergism between boldine and doxorubicin, except a possible synergism of i. p. boldine 90 mg/kg combined with doxorubicin when compared with doxorubicin alone.Boldine was cytotoxic to MCF-7 cells and reduced their viability and proliferation in vitro. Exposure to boldine decreased bromodeoxyuridine incorporation and histone H3 phosphorylation but did not induce apoptosis. Boldine treatment resulted in p38, ERK, and JNK activation in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Since bioavailability in mice seems to be different from that reported in rats, pharmacokinetic studies in humans are needed to evaluate the role of boldine in the beneficial effects of Boldo infusions.

The effect of mud-bath therapy on bone status in rats during adjuvant subchronic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: We studied influence of mud-bath on bone status in male Wistar rats with subchronic arthritis. METHODS: Arthritis was induced by 2 subplantar injections of Freund's adjuvans with heat-killed Streptoccocus pyogenes into paw. Groups: intact (int) on chippings; (con) arthritis on chippings; (san38) arthritis on hot sand; (mu38) arthritis on hot mud; (mu21) arthritis on mild mud. Bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm2) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and femurs were tested biomechanically. Bone markers osteocalcin (OC), PINP and CTX were analysed in bone. RESULTS: BMD of right femur decreased vs. left in san38 (p = 0.030) and mu38 (p = 0.047). Fracture load of right/left femur (N) decreased in experimental groups, significantly in san38 (p = 0.05). Fracture threshold of neck decreased in right vs. left in experimental groups, but significantly in san38 (p = 0.05). OC decreased in mu38 vs. con (1.84 +/- 0.14/2.62 +/- 0.23). PINP decreased in int vs. san38 (p = 0.005) and mu21 (p < 0.001). CTX decreased in int vs. mu38 (p = 0.006) and mu21 (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: The hot bath appears indifferent in relation to osteoporosis, while cold mud-bath shows good effect on bone metabolism. The cold mud-baths help to reduce arthritic inflammation and pain and thereby lead to higher mobility with positive consequence on bone.

Primary hyperparathyroidism associated with hypocalcemia in a patient presenting with kidney disease.

Elevated serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level together with hypocalcemia in chronic kidney disease usually suggests secondary hyperparathyroidism. However, primary hyperparathyroidism should also be considered, especially if concomitant vitamin D deficiency is suspected. We report a case of parathyroid adenoma associated with hypocalcemia and metabolic bone disease in a patient presenting with kidney disorder. The patient was successfully treated by parathyroidectomy that was preceded and followed by intensive calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

The influence of repeated blood withdrawals before surgery on clinical outcome.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to find the influence of blood withdrawals and diet iron on elective surgery. Male Wistar rats (n=24) were divided: 1. group (SLD) ate standard laboratory diet (SLD), 2. group (FE) an iron enriched diet (FE) with one blood withdrawal after 9 weeks. 3. group (SLD-w) SLD and 4. group (FE-w) ate the FE diet; with 9 withdrawals once a week. The rats were sacrificed 18 hour after partial hepatectomy (PH) in the 10th week. Liver DNA synthesis (3H-thymidin - kBq/mg DNA) was performed. Serum hepcidin (pg/ml), iron concentration, respiratory burst of polymorfonucleares (RB, spontaneous; stimulated, %), count of blood cells were determined. FE-w had a higher (2.36+/-0.36) liver DNA synthesis after PH vs. SLD (1.21+/-0.49). Higher hemoglobin in erythrocytes (pg) was in FE-w and SLD-w vs. FE and SLD. PMN count in SLD-w, FE-w increased vs. SLD, FE. Hepcidin after PH decreased in SLD (78.0), FE (68.0), FE-w (97.0), but increased in SLD-w (217). Serum iron increased in SLD-w. RB after PH increased in FE-w (4.5; 47.6) vs. SLD (1.15; 29.1), FE (3.20;17.8), SLD-w (3.30;13.7). CONCLUSIONS: The iron diet with stimulation of haematopoesis by withdrawals improves an organism's condition expressed as better response to elective surgery and better PMN functions.