Catalytic activity of Cu2O nanoparticles supported on cellulose beads prepared by emulsion-gelation using cellulose/LiBr solution and vegetable oil.

Nanocatalysts tend to aggregate and are difficult to recycle, limiting their practical applications. In this study, an environmentally friendly method was developed to produce cellulose beads for use as supporting materials for Cu-based nanocatalysts. Cellulose beads were synthesized from a water-in-oil emulsion using cellulose dissolved in an LiBr solution as the water phase and vegetable oil as the oil phase. Upon cooling, the gelation of the cellulose solution produced spherical cellulose beads, which were then oxidized to introduce surface carboxyl groups. These beads (diameter: 95-105 µm; specific surface area: 165-225 m2 g-1) have a three-dimensional network of nanofibers (width: 20-30 nm). Furthermore, the Cu2O nanoparticles were loaded onto oxidized cellulose beads before testing their catalytic activity in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol using NaBH4. The apparent reaction rate constant increased with increasing loading of Cu2O nanoparticles and the conversion efficiency was >90 %. The turnover frequency was 376.2 h-1 for the oxidized cellulose beads with the lowest Cu2O loading, indicating a higher catalytic activity compared to those of other Cu-based nanoparticle-loaded materials. In addition to their high catalytic activity, the cellulose beads are reusable and exhibit excellent stability.

Influence of chitosan and hydroxyethyl cellulose modifications towards the design of cross-linked double networks hydrogel for diabetic wound healing.

The wound dressings' lack of antioxidant and antibacterial properties, and delayed wound healing limit their use in wound treatment and management. Recent advances in dressing materials are aimed at improving the limitations discussed above. Therefore, the aim of this study includes the preparation and characterization of oxidized hydroxyethyl cellulose (OHEC) and ferulic acid-grafted chitosan (CS-FA) hydrogel loaded with green synthesized selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) (OHEC-CS-FA-Se NPs named as nanohydrogel) for diabetic wound healing. The structure and properties of the hydrogel was characterized by FTIR, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, EDAX, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, XRD, DLS, zeta potential and rheological studies. The findings of these experiments demonstrate that nanohydrogel possesses a variety of outstanding qualities, including an optimal gel time, good swelling characteristics, a fair water retention rate, a good degradation rate, and strong mechanical stability. Nanohydrogel has been shown to have a synergistic impact by significantly increasing antioxidant activity by scavenging ABTS and DPPH radicals. The nanohydrogel's strong biocompatibility was confirmed by cytocompatibility testing using L929 mouse fibroblast cells. In addition, the wound healing potential of nanohydrogel was tested on L929 cells by an in vitro scratch assay and the nanohydrogel showed a wound closure rate of 100 % after 12 h. In addition to this study, nanohydrogel has demonstrated significant antimicrobial properties against human and wound infection causing pathogens such as Bacillus subtilis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the animal model, almost complete diabetic wound healing was achieved on day 14 after application of the nanohydrogel. The results obtained indicate that the multifunctional bioactive nature of OHEC-CS-FA-Se NPs showed exceptional antioxidant and antibacterial potential for the treatment of infected and chronic wounds.

Oxidized cellulose-filled double thermo/pH-sensitive hydrogel for local chemo-photothermal therapy in breast cancer.

Lumpectomy plus radiation is a treatment option offering better survival than conventional mastectomy for patients with early-stage breast cancer. However, successive radioactive therapy remains tedious and unsafe with severe adverse reactions and secondary injury. Herein, a composite hydrogel with pH- and photothermal double-sensitive activity is developed via physical crosslinking. The composite hydrogel incorporated with tempo-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCN), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and a polydopamine (PDA) coating for photothermal therapy (PTT) triggered in situ release of doxorubicin (DOX) drug was utilized to optimize postoperative strategies of malignant tumors inhibition. The incorporation of TOCN significantly affects the performance of composite hydrogels. The best-performing TOCN/PVA7 was selected for drug loading and polydopamine coating by rational design. In vitro studies have demonstrated that the composite hydrogel exhibited high NIR photothermal conversion efficiency, benign cytotoxicity to L929 cells, pH-dependent release profiles, and strong MCF-7 cell inhibitory effects. Then the TOCN/PVA7-PDA@DOX hydrogel is implanted into the tumor resection cavity for local in vivo chemo-photothermal synergistical therapy to ablate residue tumor tissues. Overall, this work suggests that such a chemo-photothermal hydrogel delivery system has great potential as a promising tool for the postsurgical management of breast cancer.

Pickering emulsions of thyme oil in water using oxidized cellulose nanofibers: Towards bio-based active packaging.

The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of thyme essential oil (TEO) are useful for active food packaging, but its poor aqueous solubility restricts its applications. This work involves anionic cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as the sole stabilizing agent for TEO-in-water emulsions, with oil concentrations ranging from 10 mL/L to 300 mL/L. A double mechanism was proposed: the adsorption of CNFs at oil/water interfaces restricted coalescence to a limited extent, while thickening (rheological stabilization) was required to avoid the buoyance of large droplets (>10 µm). Thickening effects comprised both higher viscosity (over 0.1 Pa·s at 10 s-1) and yield stress (approximately 0.9 Pa). Dilute emulsions had good film-forming capabilities, whereas concentrated emulsions were suitable for paper coating. Regarding antimicrobial activity, CNF-stabilized TEO-in-water emulsions successfully inhibited the growth of both Gram-negative (E. coli, S. typhimurium) and Gram-positive bacteria (L. monocytogenes). As for the antioxidant properties, approximately 50 mg of paper or 3-5 mg of film per mL of food simulant D1 were required to attain 50 % inhibition in radical scavenging tests. Nonetheless, despite the stability and the active properties of these bio-based hydrocolloids, providing this antioxidant and antimicrobial activity was incompatible with maintaining the organoleptic properties of the foodstuff unaltered.

Mechanically strong, hydrostable, and biodegradable all-biobased transparent wood films with UV-blocking performance.

Petroleum-based plastics are useful but they pose a great threat to the environment and human health. It is highly desirable yet challenging to develop sustainable structural materials with excellent mechanical and optical properties for plastic replacement. Here, we report a simple and efficient method to manufacture high-performance all-biobased structural materials from cellulosic wood skeleton (WS) and gelatin via oxidation and densification. Specifically, gelatin was grafted to the oxidized cellulose wood skeletons (DAWS) and then physically crosslinked via Tannic acid (TA), resulting in a significant enhancement of the material properties. Notably, only a mild pressure was applied during the drying process to form a densified TA/Gelatin/transparent wood film(TWF). The developed TA/Gelatin/TWF (thickness:100 ± 12 µm) exhibited a desirable combination of high strength (∼154.59 MPa), light transmittance (86.2 % at 600 nm), low haze (16.7 %), high water stability (wet strength: ∼130.13 MPa) and ultraviolet blocking efficacy which surpass most of the petroleum-based plastics. In addition, due to the all bio-based origins (wood and gelatin), TA/Gelatin/TWF are easily biodegradable under natural conditions, leading to less impact on the environment. These findings would hold promises for exploring high-quality all bio-based wood composites as eco-friendly alternatives to substitute plastics with wide applications, e.g. anti-counterfeiting, UV protection, and flexible electricals.

Mussel-inspired self-healing hydrogel form pectin and cellulose for hemostasis and diabetic wound repairing.

Diabetic wound is considered as a kind of chronic wound prone to infection and difficult to repair due to high glucose level in the blood of patients. In this research, a biodegradable self-healing hydrogel with mussel inspired bioadhesion and anti-oxidation properties is fabricated based on Schiff-base cross-linking. The hydrogel was designed from dopamine coupled pectin hydrazide (Pec-DH) and oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (DCMC) for mEGF loading as a diabetic wound repair dressing. The Pectin and CMC as natural feedstock endowed the hydrogel with biodegradability to avoid possible side effects, while the coupled catechol structure could enhance the tissue adhesion of the hydrogel for hemostasis. The results showed the Pec-DH/DCMC hydrogel formed fast and can cover irregular wounds with good sealing effect. The catechol structure also improved the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability of the hydrogel, which can eliminate the negative effect of ROS during wound healing. The in vivo diabetic wound healing experiment revealed the hydrogel as mEGF loading vehicle greatly enhanced the diabetic wound repairing rate in mice model. As a result, the Pec-DH/DCMC hydrogel could show advantages as EGF carrier in wound healing applications.

Development of pullulan/carboxylated cellulose nanocrystal/tea polyphenol bionanocomposite films for active food packaging.

In this study, novel active films based on pullulan and carboxylated cellulose nanocrystal (C-CNC) incorporated with tea polyphenol (TP) was prepared by solution casting method. The effect of TP addition on the microstructural, mechanical, barrier, optical, functional properties of the resultant pullulan/C-CNC/TP (PC-TP) bionanocomposite films was systematically evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy showed that an appropriate TP adding was well distributed within the PC-TP bionanocomposite matrix. Fourier-transform infrared further revealed that new hydrogen bond was formed among the pullulan, C-CNC, TP. Addition of TP at an appropriate level (3%, w/w, on a dry basis of the weight of pullulan and C-CNC) led to stronger intermolecular interactions and more compact microstructure, and thus enhanced the water barrier properties, thermal stability and tensile strength of the resultant bionanocomposite films. Nevertheless, overloading of TP in the bionanocomposite films might produce some aggregations and thus have negative effects on their performance. In addition, the incorporation of TP significantly improved the UV-barrier properties, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial activity of PC-TP bionanocomposite films, while induced a decrease in the transmittance. These results revealed that PC-TP bionanocomposite films with TP at appropriate levels had potential to be used as active food packaging.

Hydrogel Films Based on Chitosan and Oxidized Carboxymethylcellulose Optimized for the Controlled Release of Curcumin with Applications in Treating Dermatological Conditions.

Cross-linked chitosan (CS) films with aldehyde groups obtained by oxidation of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with NaIO4 were prepared using different molar ratios between the CHO groups from oxidized carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCOx) and NH2 groups from CS (from 0.25:1 to 2:1). Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy demonstrated the aldehyde groups' presence in the CMCOx. The maximum oxidation degree was 22.9%. In the hydrogel, the amino groups' conversion index value increased when the -CHO/-NH2 molar ratio, cross-linking temperature, and time increased, while the swelling degree values decreased. The hydrogel films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR analysis. The curcumin encapsulation efficiency decreases from 56.74% to 16.88% when the cross-linking degree increases. The immobilized curcumin release efficiency (REf%) and skin membrane permeability were evaluated in vitro in two different pH solutions using a Franz diffusion cell, and it was found to decrease when the molar ratio -CH=O/NH2 increases. The curcumin REf% in the receptor compartment was higher at pH = 7.4 (18%- for the sample with a molar ratio of 0.25:1) than at pH = 5.5 (16.5%). The curcumin absorption in the skin membrane at pH = 5.5 (47%) was more intense than at pH = 7.4 (8.6%). The curcumin-loaded films' antioxidant activity was improved due to the CS presence.

Acid-free preparation and characterization of kelp (Laminaria japonica) nanocelluloses and their application in Pickering emulsions.

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) from kelp were prepared by cellulase treatment with lengths greater than 3 µm. CNFs were further oxidized by TEMPO-oxidized system, and the lengths of the oxidized CNFs (TEMPO-CNFs) were 0.6-1 µm. AFM and TEM images showed that intertwined CNFs fibers were divided into individual nanofibrils. The crystallinity of TEMPO-CNFs increased to 66.5 %. TGA analysis indicated that TEMPO-CNFs were more sensitive to temperature than cellulose and CNFs. FT-IR spectra revealed no changes in the basic cellulose structures of CNFs and TEMPO-CNFs. In the sunflower oil/water (20/80, v/v) model emulsions, the oil droplet sizes were less than 20 µm in CNFs emulsions, which became smaller in TEMPO-CNFs emulsions. Delamination was found in CNFs emulsions after three days of storage. Addition of NaCl increased the volumes of TEMPO-CNFs emulsions but enlarged the oil droplets sizes. TEMPO-CNFs emulsions had the largest volume with smallest and most homogeneous oil droplets at pH 3. TEMPO-CNFs emulsions showed good stability after storage for 30 days. Further, TEMPO-CNFs could also emulsify 50 % (v/v) of sunflower oil. All these results indicated that TEMPO-CNFs can be used in preparing Pickering emulsions.

The effect of hemostatic agents and tissue adhesive on injured peripheral nerve healing in rats - Part I. Electrophysiological study.

BACKGROUND: In the practice of maxillofacial surgery, bleeding and nerve injury have common problems. In the control of bleeding, hemostatic agents and tissue adhesives have been frequently used. The effect of these hemostatic agents and tissue adhesives on the injured neural tissues has not been known. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of hemostatic agents and tissue adhesive on injured nerve tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two rats randomly divided into seven groups: Control, Oxidized Regenerated Cellulose (ORC), Gelatine Sponge (GS), Bovine Collagen (BC), Ankaferd BloodStopper (ABS), Glutaraldehyde Surgical Adhesive (BioGlue®) and N-butil-2 cyanoacrylate (Glubran®2). The left sciatic nerves were crushed and surrounded by hemostatic agents and tissue adhesives. At the end of 12 weeks, the surgical site was reopened and electrophysiological recordings were performed. RESULTS: In the ORC, GS, and BC groups, the compound action potential (CAP) values were lower compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Although the values of CAP in the ABS group were higher than in the control group while CAP values in the BioGlue and Glubran®2 groups were lower than the control group, there was no statistical significance between the experimental and control groups (p > 0.05). In the ORC, BC, GS, and Glubran®2 groups, the nerve conduction velocities (NCV) values were lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). In the ABS and BioGlue groups, NCV values were lower compared to the control group but no significant differences were found (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides evidence that ABS is the most suitable hemostatic agent due to its favorable effect on the healing of injured neural tissues. BioGlue is also a suitable surgical agent with no adverse effects.

Bronchoscopic blood patch for treatment of persistent alveolar-pleural fistula.

Airway pleural fistulas remain a significant treatment challenge despite improved antimicrobial therapy and surgical techniques. We present a case of a 56-year-old female who was admitted with severe bilateral cavitary pneumonia requiring mechanical ventilation. The patient suffered bilateral pneumothoraces related to necrotic pneumonia resulting in bilateral chest tube placement. Despite conservative measures, the air leak persisted preventing chest tube removal. Bronchoscopy with Fogarty balloon (Edwards) occlusion was performed in attempts to isolate an airway responsible for the air leak. No one single airway could be bronchoscopically occluded to isolate the right-sided fistula. Efforts were focused on the left airway where the fistula could be isolated to the anteromedial basal segment. Several alternating layers of an absorbable hemostat (knitted fabric prepared by controlled oxidation of cellulose-Surgicel; Ethicon) were placed within the left anteromedial basal segment using bronchoscopy forceps. Through a cut Fogarty balloon, 3 mL of the patient's blood was delivered onto the absorbable hemostat to create an occluding blood patch. No air leak was present at the completion of the procedure. While on mechanical ventilation, the left chest tube was removed 2 days later without radiographic recurrence of her pneumothorax.

Comparison of the effects of new folkloric hemostatic agent on peripheral nerve function: an electrophysiologic study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to evaluate the effects of a new folkloric medicinal plant extract on peripheral nerve function compared with oxidized regenerated cellulose (OC) and bovine collagen (BC). STUDY DESIGN: Under ketamine anesthesia a total of 40 male Sprague-Dawley rat right sciatic nerves were identified. Animals were randomly divided into 5 groups: OC, BC, ankaferd blood stopper (ABS), and negative and positive control groups. The recordings of nerve potentials were carried out using an electrophysiologic data acquisition system. After the application of substances, the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) was recorded for immediate (30 min), early (120 min), and delayed (3 wk) effects on nerve function. RESULTS: Statistically, differences were not found among the hemostatic agents (OC, BC, and ABS) at baseline and all tested periods (early, immediate, and delayed; P > .05). The positive control group exhibited lower NCV values compared with the other solutions at the 30-minute period (P < .05) as well as the other tested time periods (P > .05). OC exhibited NCV values closer to the positive control group at 120 minutes (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Folkloric medicinal hemostatic agent could be considered as an acceptable hemostatic material without resulting in any serious peripheral nerve function alterations. The possible desirable effects of bovine collagen and undesirable effects of oxidized cellulose on peripheral nerve function should not be overlooked.

Evaluation of the hemostatic and histopathological effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper in experimental liver injury in rats.

We studied the hemostatic and histopathological effects, and intra-abdominal adhesion scores of a new hemostatic agent, Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS), in an experimental liver injury model and compared it with regenerated oxidized cellulose. Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to ABS, oxidized cellulose (Surgicel), and control groups (n=12, each). A wedge resection was performed on the left medial lobe of the liver. In the ABS group the liver surface was sprayed with ABS, whereas in the Surgicel group the liver was covered with double-layered oxidized cellulose. In the control group, saline solution was sprayed on the cut surface. The mean bleeding time was shorter in the ABS (23.08±6.99s) and Surgicel groups (47.91±8.21s) than in the control group (223.42±57.83s). No significant difference was found in the ABS and Surgicel groups in terms of preoperative and postoperative hematocrit (hct) values (P>0.05). Whereas there was no significant difference on day 7 (P>0.05), total adhesion score of ABS group was lower than both Surgicel (P<0.05) and control groups (P<0.01) on day 14. Liver sections from ABS group displayed more favorable histopathological changes when compared with Surgicel group on day 7 and day 14. All livers in the ABS group completed their regeneration process with minimal signs of inflammation. Our findings suggest that ABS is more effective than Surgicel and control groups in achieving hemostasis and in reducing blood loss. Apart from this, ABS causes more encouraging histopathological changes and better intra-abdominal adhesion scores in rat experimental liver trauma model.

The effect of ankaferd to stop bleeding in experimental partial nephrectomy.

AIMS: In kidney surgery, bleeding is one of the most important issues. In partial nephrectomy, as a "blood stopper", we used surgycell and ankaferd which is used traditionally in Turkish medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 24 Wistar-Albino rats were grouped randomly. Laparotomy was performed in the first group, sham group. In the second group, partial nephrectomy was performed to lower-kidney pole and then, serum physiology was given to the lower part of the kidney. In the third group, partial nephrectomy was performed and surgycell was given over the kidney. In the fourth group, partial nephrectomy was performed and then ABS was applied. In all groups, the gauze was weighted on sensitive lift before and after the operation in order to determine the amount of bleeding. After the subjects were left alive for 5 hours, the levels of blood urea, and creatinine and kidney histopathology were evaluated. RESULTS: No meaningful difference between the groups was found as for the levels of blood urea, and creatinine and the kidney histopathology. Bleeding amount was diminished significantly in the group 4, to which ankaferd was applied. CONCLUSION: Ankaferd is a substance which can be used effectively for controlling acute bleeding in kidney surgery (Tab. 2, Ref. 19). Full Text in free PDF www.bmj.sk.

Protective value of a folkloric medicinal plant extract against mortality and hemorrhage in a life-threatening renal trauma model.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the efficacy of a folkloric medicinal plant extract (Ankaferd Blood Stopper [ABS]) with that of oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) in a life-threatening renal injury model. ABS is a mixture of 5 plants that has historically been used in Turkish traditional medicine. It has been approved by the Ministry of Health to manage external hemorrhage and dental surgery bleeding in Turkey. METHODS: Twenty-two Wistar albino rats underwent partial nephrectomy after intravenous heparin anticoagulation (2000 U/kg). The cut surface received 1 of 3 therapies, namely no treatment, Surgicel (Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick, NJ) or ABS (Trend Teknoloji Iaç AS, Istanbul, Turkey). Blood pressure was continually monitored. Survival time, total blood loss, and mean arterial pressure were recorded for 60 minute or until death. Rats that were alive (mean arterial pressure>or=20 mm Hg) at the end of 60 minutes were sacrificed with blood withdrawal with the help of catheters. RESULTS: All animals that received no treatment died within 60 minutes of follow-up. One of 7 in the Surgicel group, and 5 of 7 animals in the ABS group, survived. Mean survival times for the Surgicel and ABS groups were 42.7 and 53.4 minutes, respectively. Rats in the ABS and Surgicel groups survived significantly longer than rats in the control group (P<.05). There were no significant differences between the ABS and the Surgicel groups in survival (P=.128). CONCLUSIONS: ABS is as effective as Surgicel in achieving hemostasis and lengthening survival time following partial nephrectomy in an experimental rat model.

Adjuvant therapy for the reduction of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesion formation.

BACKGROUND: To review currently available evidence on the use of adjuvant therapy to reduce the formation of postoperative intra-abdominal adhesions. METHODS: A search on Pubmed and the Cochrane library was undertaken using the keywords "abdominal", "adhesion", "postoperative", "prevention" and "reduction". Only randomised controlled trials, prospective non-randomised controlled studies and review articles published in the English language between 1990 and 2006 were included. RESULTS: Two prospective non-randomised controlled studies and 18 randomised controlled trials were included in this review. Adjuvant therapies reviewed included pharmacological agents (streptokinase, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, vitamin E antioxidant molecules), and mechanical barriers (hyaluronic acid barriers, oxidised regenerated cellulose barriers, nanofibrous barriers and collagen foils). Hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose-based bioresorbable membrane (Seprafilm) appeared to be the most efficacious in reducing adhesion formation as well as decreasing the incidence of adhesion obstruction requiring reoperation in clinical studies. Drawbacks to the use of Seprafilm include high cost and complications such as haemorrhage and poor wound healing. CONCLUSIONS: Only a limited number of adjuvant treatment methods are currently available for the reduction of postoperative adhesions. Seprafilm has been proven to be the efficacious method to reduce adhesions. Investigations into the novel therapies are showing promising results in experimental studies and clinical studies before their wider application.

Evaluation of a new hemostatic agent Ankaferd Blood Stopper in experimental liver laceration.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death after trauma. It is also the major cause of operating room deaths among patients who undergo liver surgery. Various techniques and materials have been attempted to manage bleeding, but a standard method has not been defined yet. We studied the hemostatic effects of Ankaferd Blood Stopper on liver injury in comparison with regenerated oxidized cellulose. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Wistar albino rats underwent partial hepatic laceration by scissors. The animals were randomized to the treatment of resected surface with either Ankaferd Blood Stopper (ABS, n = 11) or regenerated oxidized cellulose (Surgicel, n = 9), or were left untreated (controls, n = 10). All the animals were resuscitated with lactated Ringer's solution at 3.3 ml/min/kg to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 100 mmHg. Survival time, total blood loss, resuscitation volume, and MAP were recorded for 30 min or until death. The rats that were alive at the end of 30 min were sacrificed with blood withdrawal from catheters. RESULTS: Rats in the ABS and Surgicel groups survived significantly longer than rats in the control group (p =.0001). There were no significant differences between the ABS and the Surgicel groups in survival (p =.91). Application of ABS and Surgicel was associated with a significant reduction in blood loss compared to controls (p =.008), with no significant differences between active treatment groups (p =.74). The resuscitation volume was not different. CONCLUSIONS: ABS is as effective as Surgicel in achieving hemostasis following partial liver excision in an experimental rat model.

Microdispersed Oxidized Cellulose as a novel potential substance with hypolipidemic properties.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether Microdispersed Oxidized Cellulose (MDOC) possesses a hypolipidemic effect in apolipoprotein-E/low-density lipoprotein receptor double-knockout (ApoE/LDLR-deficient) mice and the possible mechanism of this effect in mice. METHODS: Female ApoE/LDLR-deficient mice subdivided into two groups were fed with a Western-type diet for 8 wk, and the experimental group was supplemented with 5% MDOC for 8 wk. Female C57BL/6J mice were fed an atherogenic diet containing 5% MDOC or pectin for the determination of a possible hypolipidemic mechanism of MDOC action. RESULTS: Biochemical analysis showed that 5% MDOC treatment significantly decreased total cholesterol by 20% (P = 0.0338) and very-LDL cholesterol by 21% (P = 0.0110) and significantly increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 62% (P = 0.0172) when compared with non-treated ApoE/LDLR-deficient mice. The results Association of Official Analytical Chemists method 991.43 revealed that MDOC contains 59.78 +/- 5.0% of fiber. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that administration of MDOC did not affect cholesterol absorption in the small intestine. Using C57BL/6J mice, MDOC and pectin treatments decreased cholesterol content in liver and increased fermentation in the gut in vivo. In vitro experiments confirmed that MDOC is fermentable under conditions mimicking those in the large intestine. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated hypolipidemic effects of MDOC in ApoE/LDLR-deficient mice. Moreover, we propose that MDOC is a hypolipidemic soluble fiber acting probably by increased fermentation and production of short-chain fatty acids in the large intestine in mice. We propose that MDOC might be a possible source of soluble fiber for use in dietary supplements.

Effects of intraoperative oxidated regenerated cellulose on wound healing reaction after glaucoma filtration surgery: a comparative study with Interceed and Surgicel.

BACKGROUND: The successful lowering of the intraocular pressure after glaucoma filtration surgery depends mostly on the nature of the healing response, which is also the single most important modifiable factor. AIMS: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two oxidated regenerated cellulose material, Interceed and Surgicel on wound healing reaction after glaucoma filtration surgery. SETTING AND DESIGN: University hospital, prospective study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Full thickness filtration surgery was carried out on three groups of rabbits. Interceed and Surgicel was applied in Groups 1 and 2 respectively. The third group was the controls. Intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth and bleb appearance were checked on the first, third, seventh and 14 th days. The rabbits were sacrificed on the 14 th day and the trabeculectomy area with overlying conjunctiva was excised, fixed, stained and evaluated histopathologically. STATISTICS: The values obtained from the clinical and histopathologic evaluation were statistically analyzed using non-parametric tests (Mann Whitney-U and Kruskall Wallis tests) in SPSS for Windows v-10. P values under 0.05 for statistical significance in comparisons were considered significant. RESULTS: The groups were similar with respect to intraocular pressure, anterior chamber depth, bleb appearance and number of the fibroblasts and neutrophils on the seventh and 14 th days. Mean number of the eosinophils and vessels was significantly less in Groups 1 and 2 ( P = 0.014, P = 0.20 respectively). Macrophages in Group 2 were significantly less than Group 1 ( P = 0.047). CONCLUSION: Both these agents seem to suppress vascularization. Since they have no significant effect on fibroblast proliferation, it is controversial to talk about wound healing modulation.