Engineered extracellular vesicles coated with an antimicrobial peptide for advanced control of bacterial sepsis.

Alarming sepsis-related mortality rates present significant challenges to healthcare services globally. Despite advances made in the field, there is still an urgent need to develop innovative approaches that could improve survival rates and reduce the overall cost of treatment for sepsis patients. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel multifunctional therapeutic agent for advanced control of bacterial sepsis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma cells) (iEV) displayed an average particle size of 171.63 ± 2.77 nm, a poly dispersion index (PDI) of 0.32 ± 0.0, and a zeta potential (ZP) of -11.87 ± 0.18 mV. Compared to HepG2 EV, LPS induction significantly increases the EV protein concentration, PDI and ZP, reduces the average size and promotes cell proliferation and cytoprotective effects of the isolated EVs (iEVs) against LPS-induced cytotoxicity. Coating of iEV with a cationic antimicrobial peptide (AMP) to form PC-iEV slightly changed their physical properties and shifted their surface charge toward neutral values. This modification improved the antibacterial activity (2-fold lower minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] values) and biocompatibility of the conjugated peptide while maintaining iEV cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Our findings indicate the superior anti-inflammatory and antibacterial dual activity of PC-iEV against pathogens associated with sepsis.

Novel peptide and hyaluronic acid coated biomimetic liposomes for targeting bacterial infections and sepsis.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome resulting from an imbalanced immune response to severe infections. Despite advances in nanomedicines, effective treatments for sepsis are still lacking. Herein, vancomycin free base (VCM)-loaded dual functionalized biomimetic liposomes based on a novel TLR4-targeting peptide (P3) and hyaluronic acid (HA) (HA-P3-Lipo) were developed to enhance sepsis therapy. The nanocarrier revealed appropriate physicochemical parameters, good stability, and biocompatibility. The release of VCM from HA-P3-Lipo was found to be sustained with 76 % VCM released in 48 h. The biomimicry was elucidated by in silico tools and MST and results confirmed strong binding between the system and TLR4. Furthermore, HA-P3-Lipo revealed 2-fold enhanced antibacterial activity against S. aureus, sustained antibacterial activity against MRSA over 72 h and 5-fold better MRSA biofilm inhibition compared to bare VCM. Bacterial-killing kinetics and flow cytometry confirmed the superiority of HA-P3-Lipo in eliminating MRSA faster than VCM. The in vivo potential of the nanocarrier was elucidated in an MRSA-induced sepsis mice model, and the results confirmed the superiority of HA-P3-Lipo compared to free VCM in eliminating bacteria and down-regulating the proinflammatory markers. Therefore, HA-P3-Lipo exhibits potential as a promising novel multi-functional nanosystem against sepsis and could significantly contribute to the transformation of sepsis therapy.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress in pancreatic ß-cell dysfunction: The potential therapeutic role of dietary flavonoids.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health burden that is characterized by the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic ß-cells. In pancreatic ß-cells, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a fact of life that contributes to ß-cell loss or dysfunction. Despite recent advances in research, the existing treatment approaches such as lifestyle modification and use of conventional therapeutics could not prevent the loss or dysfunction of pancreatic ß-cells to abrogate the disease progression. Therefore, targeting ER stress and the consequent unfolded protein response (UPR) in pancreatic ß-cells may be a potential therapeutic strategy for diabetes treatment. Dietary phytochemicals have therapeutic applications in human health owing to their broad spectrum of biochemical and pharmacological activities. Flavonoids, which are commonly obtained from fruits and vegetables worldwide, have shown promising prospects in alleviating ER stress. Dietary flavonoids including quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, isorhamnetin, fisetin, icariin, apigenin, apigetrin, vitexin, baicalein, baicalin, nobiletin hesperidin, naringenin, epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate hesperidin (EGCG), tectorigenin, liquiritigenin, and acacetin have shown inhibitory effects on ER stress in pancreatic ß-cells. Dietary flavonoids modulate ER stress signaling components, chaperone proteins, transcription factors, oxidative stress, autophagy, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses to exert their pharmacological effects on pancreatic ß-cells ER stress. This review focuses on the role of dietary flavonoids as potential therapeutic adjuvants in preserving pancreatic ß-cells from ER stress. Highlights of the underlying mechanisms of action are also presented as well as possible strategies for clinical translation in the management of DM.

Multi-functional pH-responsive and biomimetic chitosan-based nanoplexes for targeted delivery of ciprofloxacin against bacterial sepsis.

Bacterial sepsis is a mortal syndromic disease characterized by a complex pathophysiology that hinders effective targeted therapy. This study aimed to develop multifunctional, biomimetic and pH-responsive ciprofloxacin-loaded chitosan (CS)/sodium deoxycholic acid (SDC) nanoplexes (CS/SDC) nanoplexes with the ability to target and modulate the TLR4 pathway, activated during sepsis. The formulated nanoplexes were characterized in terms of physicochemical properties, in silico and in vitro potential biological activities. The optimal formulation showed good biocompatibility and stability with appropriate physicochemical parameters. The surface charge changed from negative at pH 7.4 to positive at pH 6.0 accompanied with a significantly faster release of CIP at pH 6.0 compared to 7.4. The biomimicry was elucidated by in silico tools and MST and results confirmed strong binding between the system and TLR4. Furthermore, the system revealed 4- and 2-fold antibacterial enhancement at acidic pH, and 3- and 4-fold better antibiofilm efficacy against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) respectively, compared to bare CIP. In addition, enhanced bacterial efflux pump inhibition was demonstrated by CS/SDC nanoplexes. Finally, the developed nanosystem showed excellent antioxidant activity against DPPH radicals. Taken together, the study confirmed the multi-functionalities of CS/SDC nanoplexes and their potential benefits in improving bacterial sepsis therapy.

Assessing the Potential Contribution of In Silico Studies in Discovering Drug Candidates That Interact with Various SARS-CoV-2 Receptors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred intense research efforts to identify effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2. In silico studies have emerged as a powerful tool in the drug discovery process, particularly in the search for drug candidates that interact with various SARS-CoV-2 receptors. These studies involve the use of computer simulations and computational algorithms to predict the potential interaction of drug candidates with target receptors. The primary receptors targeted by drug candidates include the RNA polymerase, main protease, spike protein, ACE2 receptor, and transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2). In silico studies have identified several promising drug candidates, including Remdesivir, Favipiravir, Ribavirin, Ivermectin, Lopinavir/Ritonavir, and Camostat Mesylate, among others. The use of in silico studies offers several advantages, including the ability to screen a large number of drug candidates in a relatively short amount of time, thereby reducing the time and cost involved in traditional drug discovery methods. Additionally, in silico studies allow for the prediction of the binding affinity of the drug candidates to target receptors, providing insight into their potential efficacy. This study is aimed at assessing the useful contributions of the application of computational instruments in the discovery of receptors targeted in SARS-CoV-2. It further highlights some identified advantages and limitations of these studies, thereby revealing some complementary experimental validation to ensure the efficacy and safety of identified drug candidates.

Unveiling the Inhibitory Potentials of Peptidomimetic Azanitriles and Pyridyl Esters towards SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: A Molecular Modelling Investigation.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for COVID-19, which was declared a global pandemic in March 2020 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since SARS-CoV-2 main protease plays an essential role in the virus's life cycle, the design of small drug molecules with lower molecular weight has been a promising development targeting its inhibition. Herein, we evaluated the novel peptidomimetic azatripeptide and azatetrapeptide nitriles against SARS-CoV-2 main protease. We employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate the selected compounds' binding free energy profiles against SARS-CoV-2 and further unveil the residues responsible for the drug-binding properties. Compound 8 exhibited the highest binding free energy of -49.37 ± 0.15 kcal/mol, followed by compound 7 (-39.83 ± 0.19 kcal/mol), while compound 17 showed the lowest binding free energy (-23.54 ± 0.19 kcal/mol). In addition, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) assessment was performed and revealed that only compound 17 met the drug-likeness parameters and exhibited high pharmacokinetics to inhibit CYP1A2, CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 with better absorption potential and blood-brain barrier permeability (BBB) index. The additional intermolecular evaluations suggested compound 8 as a promising drug candidate for inhibiting SARS-CoV-2 Mpro. The substitution of isopropane in compound 7 with an aromatic benzene ring in compound 8 significantly enhanced the drug's ability to bind better at the active site of the SARS-CoV-2 Mpro.

A molecular dynamics perspective into estrogen receptor inhibition by selective flavonoids as alternative therapeutic options.

Zearalenone is an estrogenic mycotoxin which is a common food contaminant and has been implicated in increasing the incidence of carcinogenesis and other reproductive health ailments through the estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) pathway. Competitive ERα blockers such as 4-Hydroxytamoxifen (OHT), are synthetic FDA approved drugs which, albeit being an effective anticancer agent, induces life altering side effects. For this reason, there is an increased interest in the use of naturally occurring medicinal plant products such as flavonoids. This study aimed to identity flavonoid ERα inhibitors and provide insights into the mechanism of inhibition using computational techniques. The Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area calculations revealed that quercetrin, hesperidin, epigallocatechin 3-gallate and kaempferol 7-O-glucoside out of 14 flavonoids had higher binding affinity for ERα than OHT. The structural analysis revealed that the binding of the compounds to the receptor lead to dynamic alterations, which induced conformational shift in the structure and orientation of the receptor resulting in stabilised, compact and low energy systems. The results of this study provide imperative information that supports the use of flavonoids in the inhibition of ERα to prevent or ameliorate the consequential adverse effects associated with zearalenone exposure.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Dual acting acid-cleavable self-assembling prodrug from hyaluronic acid and ciprofloxacin: A potential system for simultaneously targeting bacterial infections and cancer.

The incidence and of bacterial infections, and resulting mortality, among cancer patients is growing dramatically, worldwide. Several therapeutics have been reported to have dual anticancer and antibacterial activity. However, there is still an urgent need to develop new drug delivery strategies to improve their clinical efficacy. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a novel acid cleavable prodrug (HA-Cip) from ciprofloxacin and hyaluronic acid to simultaneously enhance the anticancer and antibacterial properties of Cip as a superior drug delivery system. HA-Cip was synthesised and characterised (FT-IR, HR-MS, and H1 NMR). HA-Cip generated stable micelles with an average particle size, poly dispersion index (PDI) and zeta potential (ZP) of 237.89 ± 25.74 nm, 0.265 ± 0.013, and -17.82 ± 1.53 mV, respectively. HA-Cip showed ≥80 % cell viability against human embryonic kidney 293 cells (non-cancerous cells), ˂0.3 % haemolysis; and a faster pH-responsive ciprofloxacin release at pH 6.0. HA-Cip showed a 5.4-fold improvement in ciprofloxacin in vitro anticancer activity against hepatocellular cancer (HepG2) cells; and enhanced in vitro antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae at pH 6.0. Our findings show HA-Cip as a promising prodrug for targeted delivery of ciprofloxacin to efficiently treat bacterial infections associated, and/or co-existing, with cancer.

Synergism Potentiates Oxidative Antiproliferative Effects of Naringenin and Quercetin in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed type of cancer as of 2020. Quercetin (Que) and Naringenin (Nar) are predominantly found in citrus fruits and vegetables and have shown promising antiproliferative effects in multiple studies. It is also known that the bioactive effects of these flavonoids are more pronounced in whole fruit than in isolation. This study investigates the potential synergistic effects of Que and Nar (CoQN) in MCF-7 BC cells. MCF-7 cells were treated with a range of concentrations of Que, Nar or CoQN to determine cell viability. The IC50 of CoQN was then used to investigate caspase 3/7 activity, Bcl-2 gene expression, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial membrane potential to evaluate oxidative stress and apoptosis. CoQN treatment produced significant cytotoxicity, reduced Bcl-2 gene expression and increased caspase 3/7 activity compared to either Nar or Que. Furthermore, CoQN significantly increased lipid peroxidation and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) compared to either Nar or Que. Therefore, CoQN treatment has potential pharmacological application in BC chemotherapy by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis in MCF-7 BC cells. The results of this study support the increased consumption of whole fruits and vegetables to reduce cell proliferation in cancer.

Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90) Inhibitors as Anticancer Medicines: A Review on the Computer-Aided Drug Discovery Approaches over the Past Five Years.

Cancer is a disease caused by the uncontrolled, abnormal growth of cells in different anatomic sites. In 2018, it was predicted that the worldwide cancer burden would rise to 18.1 million new cases and 9.6 million deaths. Anticancer compounds, often known as chemotherapeutic medicines, have gained much interest in recent cancer research. These medicines work through various biological processes in targeting cells at various stages of the cell's life cycle. One of the most significant roadblocks to developing anticancer drugs is that traditional chemotherapy affects normal cells and cancer cells, resulting in substantial side effects. Recently, advancements in new drug development methodologies and the prediction of the targeted interatomic and intermolecular ligand interaction sites have been beneficial. This has prompted further research into developing and discovering novel chemical species as preferred therapeutic compounds against specific cancer types. Identifying new drug molecules with high selectivity and specificity for cancer is a prerequisite in the treatment and management of the disease. The overexpression of HSP90 occurs in patients with cancer, and the HSP90 triggers unstable harmful kinase functions, which enhance carcinogenesis. Therefore, the development of potent HSP90 inhibitors with high selectivity and specificity becomes very imperative. The activities of HSP90 as chaperones and cochaperones are complex due to the conformational dynamism, and this could be one of the reasons why no HSP90 drugs have made it beyond the clinical trials. Nevertheless, HSP90 modulations appear to be preferred due to the competitive inhibition of the targeted N-terminal adenosine triphosphate pocket. This study, therefore, presents an overview of the various computational models implored in the development of HSP90 inhibitors as anticancer medicines. We hereby suggest an extensive investigation of advanced computational modelling of the three different domains of HSP90 for potent, effective inhibitor design with minimal off-target effects.

New Quinoline-Urea-Benzothiazole Hybrids as Promising Antitubercular Agents: Synthesis, In Vitro Antitubercular Activity, Cytotoxicity Studies, and In Silico ADME Profiling.

A series of 25 new benzothiazole−urea−quinoline hybrid compounds were synthesized successfully via a three-step synthetic sequence involving an amidation coupling reaction as a critical step. The structures of the synthesized compounds were confirmed by routine spectroscopic tools (1H and 13C NMR and IR) and by mass spectrometry (HRMS). In vitro evaluation of these hybrid compounds for their antitubercular inhibitory activity against the Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv pMSp12::GPF bioreporter strain was undertaken. Of the 25 tested compounds, 17 exhibited promising anti-TB activities of less than 62.5 µM (MIC90). Specifically, 13 compounds (6b, 6g, 6i−j, 6l, 6o−p, 6r−t, and 6x−y) showed promising activity with MIC90 values in the range of 1−10 µM, while compound 6u, being the most active, exhibited sub-micromolar activity (0.968 µM) in the CAS assay. In addition, minimal cytotoxicity against the HepG2 cell line (cell viability above 75%) in 11 of the 17 compounds, at their respective MIC90 concentrations, was observed, with 6u exhibiting 100% cell viability. The hybridization of the quinoline, urea, and benzothiazole scaffolds demonstrated a synergistic relationship because the activities of resultant hybrids were vastly improved compared to the individual entities. In silico ADME predictions showed that the majority of these compounds have drug-like properties and are less likely to potentially cause cardiotoxicity (QPlogHERG > −5). The results obtained in this study indicate that the majority of the synthesized compounds could serve as valuable starting points for future optimizations as new antimycobacterial agents.

Super-Cationic Peptide Dendrimers-Synthesis and Evaluation as Antimicrobial Agents.

Microbial infections are a major public health concern. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been demonstrated to be a plausible alternative to the current arsenal of drugs that has become inefficient due to multidrug resistance. Herein we describe a new AMP family, namely the super-cationic peptide dendrimers (SCPDs). Although all members of the series exert some antibacterial activity, we propose that special attention should be given to (KLK)2KLLKLL-NH2 (G1KLK-L2KL2), which shows selectivity for Gram-negative bacteria and virtually no cytotoxicity in HepG2 and HEK293. These results reinforce the validity of the SCPD family as a valuable class of AMP and support G1KLK-L2KL2 as a strong lead candidate for the future development of an antibacterial agent against Gram-negative bacteria.

Toxicogenicity and mechanistic pathways of aflatoxin B1 induced renal injury.

The study investigated the toxicogenic effects, molecular mechanisms and proteomic assessment of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ) on human renal cells. Hek293 cells were exposed to AFB1 (0-100 µM) for 24 h. The effect on cell viability was assessed using the methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assay, which also produced the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) used in subsequent assays. Free radical production was evaluated by quantifying malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrate concentration, while DNA fragmentation was determined using the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay and DNA gel electrophoresis. Damage to cell membranes was ascertained using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The concentration of ATP, reduced glutathione (GSH), necrosis, annexin V and caspase activity was measured by luminometry. Western blotting and quantitative PCR was used to assess the expression of proteins and genes associated with apoptosis and oxidative stress. The MTT assay revealed a reduction in cell viability of Hek293 cells as the AFB1 concentration was increased, with a half maximum inhibitory concentration (IC50 ) of 32.60 µM. The decreased viability corresponded to decreased ATP concentration. The upregulation of Hsp70 indicated that oxidative stress was induced in the AFB1 -treated cells. While this implies an increased production of free radicals, the accompanying upregulation of the antioxidant system indicates the activation of defense mechanisms to prevent cellular damage. Thus, membrane damage associated with increased radical formation was prevented as indicated by the reduced LDH release and necrosis. In addition, cytotoxic effects were evident as AFB1 activated the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis with corresponding increased DNA fragmentation, p53 and Bax upregulation and increased caspase activity, but externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS), a major hallmark of apoptosis, did not occur in AFB1 treated renal cells. The results suggest that AFB1 induced oxidative stress leading to cell death by the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in renal cells.

Influenza Viruses: Harnessing the Crucial Role of the M2 Ion-Channel and Neuraminidase toward Inhibitor Design.

As a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses, influenza viruses (IVs) are known causative agents of respiratory infection in vertebrates. They remain a major global threat responsible for the most virulent diseases and global pandemics in humans. The virulence of IVs and the consequential high morbidity and mortality of IV infections are primarily attributed to the high mutation rates in the IVs' genome coupled with the numerous genomic segments, which give rise to antiviral resistant and vaccine evading strains. Current therapeutic options include vaccines and small molecule inhibitors, which therapeutically target various catalytic processes in IVs. However, the periodic emergence of new IV strains necessitates the continuous development of novel anti-influenza therapeutic options. The crux of this review highlights the recent studies on the biology of influenza viruses, focusing on the structure, function, and mechanism of action of the M2 channel and neuraminidase as therapeutic targets. We further provide an update on the development of new M2 channel and neuraminidase inhibitors as an alternative to existing anti-influenza therapy. We conclude by highlighting therapeutic strategies that could be explored further towards the design of novel anti-influenza inhibitors with the ability to inhibit resistant strains.

Modulatory influences of antiviral bioactive compounds on cell viability, mRNA and protein expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 and P-glycoprotein in HepG2 and HEK293 cells.

The induction of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and P-glycoprotein (ABCB1) influence drug plasma, and eventually decreases the drugs' therapeutic effects. The effects of Plant-derived compounds (PCs) on drug-metabolising proteins are largely unknown. This study investigated the cytotoxicity, cell viability profiles and regulatory influences of four PCs (epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), kaempferol-7-glucoside (K7G), luteolin (LUT) and ellagic acid (EGA)) on the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP3A4 and ABCB1 in HepG2 and HEK293 cells. After treatment with the PCs (0-400 µM) for 24 h, 80% (IC20) and 50% (IC50) cell viability were determined. The PCs were not toxic to HepG2 (ATP levels increased at IC20, insignificant change in LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) with the exception of LUT, and ABCB1 protein expressions decreased. The PCs decreased CYP3A4 at IC20 (except LUT), EGCG and K7G at IC20 decreased mRNA expression. For HEK293 cells, no significant change in ATP, except for EGCG IC20 and K7G IC50 which decreased and increased, respectively. LDH decreased at IC20, but LUT IC50 significant increase LDH. ABCB1 protein expression increased at both IC20 and IC50, but LUT and EGA at IC50 decreased mRNA expression. The PCs at IC20, and IC50 of LUT, K7G and of EGCG may enhance drug bioavailability.

Di-2-picolylamine triggers caspase-independent apoptosis by inducing oxidative stress in human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Di-2-picolylamine (DPA) is an organic compound that has been shown to possess antioxidant properties when conjugated to form a metal complex. The basis of this study was to determine the effects of DPA on the proliferation and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and elucidate the possible mechanisms. The methylthiazol tetrazolium assay served to measure cell viability and generated an IC50 of 1591 µM. Luminometry was used to investigate caspase activity and ATP concentration. It was observed that the decreased cell viability was associated with reduced ATP levels. Despite increased Bax and caspase 9 activity, cell death was caspase independent as indicated by the reduction in caspase 3/7 activity. This was associated with the downregulation poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage (Western blotting). However, the Hoescht assay depicted nuclear condensation and apoptotic body formation with elevated DPA levels suggesting DNA damage in HepG2 cells. DNA damage assessed by the comet assay confirmed an increased comet tail formation. The presence of oxidative stress was investigated by quantifying reactive species (malondialdehyde and nitrates concentration) and Western blotting to confirm the expression of antioxidant proteins. The DPA increased lipid peroxidation (RNS), a marker of oxidative stress, consequently causing cell death. The accompanying upregulation of stress-associated proteins superoxide dismutase (SOD2), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), and Hsp70 verifies oxidative stress.

Genomic Investigation into the Virulome, Pathogenicity, Stress Response Factors, Clonal Lineages, and Phylogenetic Relationship of Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Meat Sources in Ghana.

Escherichia coli are among the most common foodborne pathogens associated with infections reported from meat sources. This study investigated the virulome, pathogenicity, stress response factors, clonal lineages, and the phylogenomic relationship of E. coli isolated from different meat sources in Ghana using whole-genome sequencing. Isolates were screened from five meat sources (beef, chevon, guinea fowl, local chicken, and mutton) and five areas (Aboabo, Central market, Nyorni, Victory cinema, and Tishegu) based in the Tamale Metropolis, Ghana. Following microbial identification, the E. coli strains were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Comparative visualisation analyses showed different DNA synteny of the strains. The isolates consisted of diverse sequence types (STs) with the most common being ST155 (n = 3/14). Based Upon Related Sequence Types (eBURST) analyses of the study sequence types identified four similar clones, five single-locus variants, and two satellite clones (more distantly) with global curated E. coli STs. All the isolates possessed at least one restriction-modification (R-M) and CRISPR defence system. Further analysis revealed conserved stress response mechanisms (detoxification, osmotic, oxidative, and periplasmic stress) in the strains. Estimation of pathogenicity predicted a higher average probability score (Pscore ≈ 0.937), supporting their pathogenic potential to humans. Diverse virulence genes that were clonal-specific were identified. Phylogenomic tree analyses coupled with metadata insights depicted the high genetic diversity of the E. coli isolates with no correlation with their meat sources and areas. The findings of this bioinformatic analyses further our understanding of E. coli in meat sources and are broadly relevant to the design of contamination control strategies in meat retail settings in Ghana.

Molecular mechanisms underlying the renoprotective effects of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane: a ßeta-lactamase inhibitor.

Broad-spectrum ß-lactam antibiotics such as penicillin are routinely used against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. However, bacteria that produce ß-lactamase have developed resistance against these antibiotics by cleaving the ß-lactam ring and rendering the antibiotic inactive. To combat this effect, 1,4,7- Triazacyclononane (TACN), a cyclic organic compound derived from cyclononanes has been shown to preserve the activity of ß-lactam antibiotics by inhibiting ß-lactamase. However, its cytotoxic effects require elucidation. Given that the cytotoxic target for many therapeutics is the kidney, this study investigated the effects of TACN on human embryonic kidney cells (Hek293) cells. Hek293 cells were treated with TACN (0-500 µM) for 24 h and the cytotoxicity was assessed (MTT and LDH assay). Apoptosis was luminometrically detected by measuring phosphatidylserine externalisation and caspase activity and fluorescently detecting necrosis. DNA fragmentation was visualised using fluorescent microscopy. Expression of the apoptosis-related protein were determined by western blot. The results generated indicate that TACN does not initiate necrosis as LDH was decreased. Likewise, decreased apoptosis was supported by the decreased phosphatidylserine, caspases, Bax, cleaved PARP, IAP and NF-kB. However, increased DNA fragmentation was associated with increased p53. Therefore, effects of TACN at the nucleus, produced a p53 response to initiate DNA repair and did not culminate in cell death. The findings show that TACN is not cytotoxic to Hek293 cells via the apoptotic route. Since TACN did not induce cell death, its potential as a metallo-ß-lactamase inhibitor (MBLI) may be exploited to counteract the effect of MBL-producing bacteria. Restoring ß-lactam activity will curb the global menace of antibiotic resistance.

The molecular effect of 1,4,7-triazacyclononane on oxidative stress parameters in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells.

Antibiotic resistance poses a great threat to human, animal and environmental health. ß-Lactam antibiotics have been successful in combating bacterial infections. However, the overuse, inappropriate prescribing, unavailability of new antibiotics and regulation barriers have exacerbated bacterial resistance to these antibiotics. 1,4,7-Triazacyclononane (TACN) is a cyclic organic tridentate inhibitor with strong metal-chelating abilities that has been shown to inhibit ß-lactamase enzymes and may represent an important breakthrough in the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial strains. However, its cytotoxicity in the liver is unknown. This study aimed to determine the effect of TACN on oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. The HepG2 cells were treated with 0 to 500 µM TACN for 24 hours to obtain an IC50 for use in subsequent assays. Free radicals were measured using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and nitric oxide synthase assays, respectively, while antioxidant levels were assessed using luminometry (glutathione [GSH] and adenosine triphosphate [ATP]) and Western blot analysis (SOD, catalase, GPx-1, HSP70 and Nrf2). Percentage survival fluctuated as TACN concentration increased with a calculated IC50 of 545 µM. A slight increase in HSP70 and Nrf2 expression indicated the presence of stress and a response against it, respectively. However, free radical production was not increased as indicated by decreased malondialdehyde levels and reactive nitrogen species. Glutathione levels increased slightly, while ATP levels were marginally altered. The results suggest that TACN does not induce oxidative stress in HepG2 cells and can be exploited as a potential inhibitor.

Molecular Insights Into Di(2-Picolyl) Amine-Induced Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis in Human Kidney (HEK293) Cells.

Di(2-picolyl) amine (DPA) is a pyridine derivative known to chelate metal ions and thus has potential anticancer properties; however, its effect on normal cells remains unchartered necessitating further research. This study, therefore, investigated the mechanistic effects of DPA-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis in the HEK293 cell line. Methods required that an half the maximum inhibition concentration (IC50) was derived using the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Analyses aimed to assess oxidative stress, membrane damage, and DNA fragmentation by means of biochemical assays were performed. Luminometry analysis was carried out to understand the mechanism of apoptosis induction by determining the levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and the activities of caspase-8, -9, and -3/7. Western blotting was used to ascertain the expression of apoptotic and stress-related proteins. An IC50 of 1,079 µM DPA was obtained. Antioxidant effect correlated with a minimum increase in reactive oxygen species induced lipid peroxidation. The increase in initiator caspase-8 and -9 and executioner caspase-3/7 activities by DPA-induced apoptosis albeit prompting a decline in the levels of ATP. Furthermore, DPA brought about the following consequences on HEK293 cells: markedly elevated tail lengths of the comets, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 cleavage, and apoptotic body formation observed in the late stages. The cytotoxic effects of DPA in HEK293 cells may be mediated by induction of apoptosis via the caspase-dependent mechanism.