Histopathological determinants of autofluorescence patterns in oral carcinoma.

Biological tissues (including oral mucosa) can absorb and re-emit specific light wavelengths, detectable through spectrophotometric devices. Such a phenomenon is known as "autofluorescence" (AF). Several devices evaluating tissue AF have been developed and commercialized in the last two decades. Among these, the VELscope® system has been proposed as a visual diagnostic aid for potentially malignant disorders and malignant lesions of the oral mucosa. In the present pilot study, we investigated which are the main histopathological features possibly related to variations in AF patterns in a set of 20 oral squamous cell verrucous carcinoma. Among all the histological features investigated, only the mean width of keratin was significantly different between hypofluorescent and hyperfluorescent carcinomas. The results of the present study demonstrate that AF features of oral malignant lesions are significantly associated with the width of their keratin layer.

Low serum ferroxidase I activity is associated with mortality in heart failure and related to both peroxynitrite-induced cysteine oxidation and tyrosine nitration of ceruloplasmin.

RATIONALE: Ceruloplasmin antioxidant function is mainly related to its ferroxidase I (FeOxI) activity, which influences iron-dependent oxidative and nitrosative radical species generation. Peroxynitrite, whose production is increased in heart failure (HF), can affect ceruloplasmin antioxidant function through amino acid modification. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between FeOxI and ceruloplasmin tyrosine and cysteine modification and explored in a cohort of patients with HF the potential clinical relevance of serum FeOxI. METHODS AND RESULTS: In patients with chronic HF (n=96, 76 ± 9 years; New York Heart Association class, 2.9 ± 0.8) and age-matched controls (n=35), serum FeOxI, FeOxII, ceruloplasmin, nitrotyrosine-bound ceruloplasmin, B-type natriuretic peptide, norepinephrine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were measured, and the patients were followed up for 24 months. Ceruloplasmin, B-type natriuretic peptide, norepinephrine, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein were increased in HF versus controls. FeOxI was decreased in HF (-20%) and inversely related to nitrotyrosine-bound ceruloplasmin (r, -0.305; P=0.003). In HF, FeOxI lower tertile had a mortality rate doubled compared with middle-higher tertiles. FeOxI emerged as a mortality predictor (hazard ratio, 2.95; 95% confidence intervals [1.29-6.75]; P=0.011) after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, smoking, sodium level, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. In experimental settings, peroxynitrite incubation of serum samples and isolated purified ceruloplasmin reduced FeOxI activity while increasing ceruloplasmin tyrosine nitration and cysteine thiol oxidation. Reduced glutathione prevented peroxynitrite-induced FeOxI drop, tyrosine nitration, and cysteine oxidation; flavonoid(-)-epicatechin, which prevented ceruloplasmin tyrosine nitration but not cysteine oxidation, partially impeded peroxynitrite-induced FeOxI drop. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced activity of serum FeOxI is associated with ceruloplasmin nitration and reduced survival in patients with HF. Both ceruloplasmin tyrosine nitration and cysteine thiol oxidation may be operant in vivo in peroxynitrite-induced FeOxI activity inhibition.

The effect of laser therapy on the expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin after tooth extraction in rats treated with zoledronate and dexamethasone.

PURPOSE: Laser therapy has been used for the prevention and management of medication-related ostenecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The aim of this paper was to investigate the action of laser therapy on extraction socket healing in rats in conditions at risk for MRONJ, evaluating the expression of markers of bone metabolism. METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in four groups: control group (C, n = 5), laser group (L, n = 5), treatment group (T, n = 10), and treatment plus laser group (T + L, n = 10). Rats of group T and T + L received zoledronate 0.1 mg/kg and dexamethasone 1 mg/kg every 2 days for 10 weeks. Rats of group C and L were infused with vehicle. After 9 weeks, the left maxillary molars were extracted in all rats. Rats of groups L and T + L received laser therapy (Nd:YAG, 1064 nm, 1.25 W, 15 Hz, 5 min, 14.37 J/cm(2)) in the socket area at days 0, 2, 4, and 6 after surgery. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the alveolar expression of osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN) 8 days after extraction. RESULTS: Rats of groups L and T + L showed a significant higher expression of OCN compared to rats of groups C and T (+348 and +400 %, respectively; P = 0.013 and P = 0.002, respectively). The expression of OPN did not show significant differences among the different groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that laser irradiation after tooth extraction can promote osteoblast differentiation, as demonstrated by the higher expression of OCN. Thus, laser irradiation could be considered a way to improve socket healing in conditions at risk for MRONJ development.

Characterization of a novel peripheral pro-lipolytic mechanism in mice: role of VGF-derived peptide TLQP-21.

The peptides encoded by the VGF gene are gaining biomedical interest and are increasingly being scrutinized as biomarkers for human disease. An endocrine/neuromodulatory role for VGF peptides has been suggested but never demonstrated. Furthermore, no study has demonstrated so far the existence of a receptor-mediated mechanism for any VGF peptide. In the present study, we provide a comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo identification of a novel pro-lipolytic pathway mediated by the TLQP-21 peptide. We show for the first time that VGF-immunoreactivity is present within sympathetic fibres in the WAT (white adipose tissue) but not in the adipocytes. Furthermore, we identified a saturable receptor-binding activity for the TLQP-21 peptide. The maximum binding capacity for TLQP-21 was higher in the WAT as compared with other tissues, and selectively up-regulated in the adipose tissue of obese mice. TLQP-21 increases lipolysis in murine adipocytes via a mechanism encompassing the activation of noradrenaline/ß-adrenergic receptors pathways and dose-dependently decreases adipocytes diameters in two models of obesity. In conclusion, we demonstrated a novel and previously uncharacterized peripheral lipolytic pathway encompassing the VGF peptide TLQP-21. Targeting the sympathetic nerve-adipocytes interaction might prove to be a novel approach for the treatment of obesity-associated metabolic complications.

Eotaxin/CCL11 in idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis (IRF) is a rare fibro-inflammatory disorder characterized by a periaortic tissue which often encases the ureters causing acute renal failure. IRF histology shows fibrosis and a chronic inflammatory infiltrate with frequent tissue eosinophilia. We assessed a panel of molecules promoting eosinophilia and fibrosis in IRF patients and performed an immunogenetic study. METHODS: Serum levels of eotaxin/CCL11, regulated and normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-5, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) were measured using a multiplex assay in 24 newly diagnosed, untreated IRF patients and 14 healthy controls. Retroperitoneal biopsies (available in 8/24 patients) were histologically evaluated to assess eosinophil infiltration, whereas mast cells (MCs) were identified by immunohistochemical analysis for human tryptase. Immunohistochemistry for eotaxin/CCL11 and its receptor CCR3 was also performed. Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the CCL11 gene (rs6505403, rs1860184, rs4795896, rs17735961, rs16969415 and rs17809012) were investigated in 142 IRF patients and 214 healthy controls. RESULTS: Serum levels of eotaxin/CCL11 were higher in IRF patients than in controls (P = 0.009). Eotaxin/CCL11 drives tissue infiltration of eosinophils and MCs, which can promote fibrosis. Eosinophilic infiltration was prominent (>5 cells/hpf) in five (62.5%) cases, and abundant tryptase-positive MCs were found in all cases; notably, MCs were in a degranulating state. Immunohistochemistry showed that CCL11 was highly produced by infiltrating mononuclear cells and that its receptor CCR3 was expressed by infiltrating eosinophils, MCs, lymphocytes and fibroblasts. None of the tested CCL11 SNPs showed disease association, but the TTCCAT haplotype was significantly associated with IRF (P = 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the eotaxin/CCL11-CCR3 axis is active in IRF and may contribute to its pathogenesis; the TTCCAT haplotype within the CCL11 gene is significantly associated with IRF.

Eosinophil as a cellular target of the ocular anti-allergic action of mapracorat, a novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist.

PURPOSE: Glucocorticoids can either suppress gene transcription (transrepression) or activate it (transactivation). This latter process may contribute to certain side effects caused by these agents. Mapracorat (also known as BOL-303242-X or ZK 245186) is a novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist that maintains a beneficial anti-inflammatory activity but seems to be less effective in transactivation, resulting in a lower potential for side effects; it has been proposed for the topical treatment of inflammatory skin disorders. This study assessed the anti-allergic activity of mapracorat at the ocular level and whether eosinophils and mast cells are targets of its action. METHODS: With in vitro studies apoptosis was evaluated in human eosinophils by flow cytometry and western blot of caspase-3 fragments. Eosinophil migration toward platelet-activating factor was evaluated by transwell assays. Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and the chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 (CCL5)/regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed, and presumably secreted (RANTES) were measured using a high-throughput multiplex luminex technology. Annexin I and the chemochine receptor C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) were detected by flow cytometry. With in vivo studies, allergic conjunctivitis was induced in guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin by an ocular allergen challenge and evaluated by a clinical score. Conjunctival eosinophils were determined by microscopy or eosinophil peroxidase assay. RESULTS: In cultured human eosinophils, mapracorat showed the same potency as dexamethasone but displayed higher efficacy in increasing spontaneous apoptosis and in counteracting cytokine-sustained eosinophil survival. These effects were prevented by the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. Mapracorat inhibited eosinophil migration and IL-8 release from eosinophils or the release of IL-6, IL-8, CCL5/RANTES, and TNF-α from a human mast cell line with equal potency as dexamethasone, whereas it was clearly less potent than this glucocorticoid in inducing annexin I and CXCR4 expression on the human eosinophil surface; this was taken as a possible sign of glucocorticoid-dependent transactivation. In the guinea pig, mapracorat or dexamethasone eye drops induced an analogous reduction in clinical symptoms of allergic conjunctivitis and conjunctival eosinophil accumulation. CONCLUSIONS: Mapracorat appears to be a promising candidate for the topical treatment of allergic eye disorders. It maintains an anti-allergic profile similar to that of dexamethasone but seems to have fewer transactivation effects in comparison to this classical glucocorticoid. Some of its cellular targets may contribute to eosinophil apoptosis and/or to preventing their recruitment and activation and to inhibiting the release of cytokines and chemokines.

Nd:YAG laser versus traditional scalpel. A preliminary histological analysis of specimens from the human oral mucosa.

Hyperplastic fibro-epithelial lesions are the most common tumor-like swellings in the mouth. The neodymium yttrium aluminium garnet (Nd:YAG) laser appears to be useful for the surgical treatment of these lesions. Some controversies of laser surgery concern the accuracy of pathological diagnosis as well as the control of thermal damage on the target tissue. The aim of this study was to establish if the thermal changes induced by the Nd:YAG laser may affect the histopathological diagnosis and the evaluation of the resection margins. Furthermore, we compared the histological features of oral benign fibro-epithelial lesions excised through Nd:YAG laser and traditional scalpel. Twenty-six benign fibro-epithelial oral lesions from 26 patients, localized in the same oral subsites (cheek and buccal mucosa), were collected at the Unit of Oral Pathology and Oral Laser-assisted Surgery of the Academic Hospital of the University of Parma, Italy. Specimens were subclassified into three groups according to the tool used for the surgical excision. Group 1 included six specimens excised through Nd:YAG laser with an output power of 3.5 W and a frequency of 60 Hz (power density 488,281 W/cm2); Group 2 included nine specimens excised through Nd:YAG laser with an output power of 5 W and a frequency of 30 Hz; Group 3 included 11 specimens excised through a Bard-Parker scalpel blade no. 15c. Epithelial changes, connective tissue modifications, presence of vascular modifications, incision morphology and the overall width of tissue modification were evaluated. Differences between specimens removed with two different parameters of Nd:YAG laser were not significant with regard to stromal changes (p=0.4828) and vascular stasis (p=0.2104). Analysis of regularity of incision revealed a difference which was not statistically significant (p=1.000) between group 1 and group 2. Epithelial and stromal changes were significantly more frequent in specimens with a mean size less than 7 mm (p<0.0001). Nd:YAG laser induced serious thermal effects in small specimens (mean size less than 7 mm) independently from the frequency and power employed. The quality of incision was better and the width of overall tissue injuries was less in the specimens obtained with higher frequency and lower power (group 1: Nd:YAG laser at 3.5 W and 60 Hz).

3D-printed chitosan scaffolds modified with D-(+) raffinose and enriched with type IV collagen to improve epithelial cell colonization.

Tissue regeneration often requires the use of biocompatible resorbable scaffolds to support the ingrowth of cells from neighboring tissues into a localized tissue defect. Such scaffolds must possess surface molecular cues that stimulate cells to populate the device, the first necessary condition for the formation of a healthy tissue. Chitosan is a natural polymer that has long been tested in biomedical applications because of its high biocompatibility, which can be further increased by modifying its formulation, e.g. adding D-(+) raffinose. We used this formulation in an ad hoc designed 3D printer to create regularly ordered scaffolds, which we then enriched with type IV collagen, an isoform of collagen that is exclusively found in basement membranes. Human epithelial A549 cells were then seeded on control scaffolds or on scaffolds coated with collagen, which was precipitated, or on scaffolds first collagenized and then exposed to either UVB or UVC radiation. Observations by the transmission light microscope, confocal microscope after staining with calcein-AM/propidium iodide, and by environmental scanning electron microscope revealed that collagen-enriched UV-treated scaffolds promoted the attachment of a higher number of cells, which covered a more extensive area of the scaffold, as also confirmed by alamar blue viability assay. Together these data confirm that coating 3D-printed scaffolds made of D-(+) raffinose-modified chitosan with type IV collagen and exposing them to UV light sensibly increases the cell compatibility of scaffolds, making them a better candidate to serve as a tool for the regeneration of epithelia.

Ex Vivo Conjunctival Retention and Transconjunctival Transport of Poorly Soluble Drugs Using Polymeric Micelles.

This paper addresses the problem of ocular delivery of lipophilic drugs. The aim of the paper is the evaluation of polymeric micelles, prepared using TPGS (d-α-Tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate), a water-soluble derivative of Vitamin E and/or poloxamer 407, as a vehicle for the ocular delivery of dexamethasone, cyclosporine, and econazole nitrate. The research steps were: (1) characterize polymeric micelles by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and X-ray scattering; (2) evaluate the solubility increase of the three drugs; (3) measure the in vitro transport and conjunctiva retention, in comparison to conventional vehicles; (4) investigate the mechanisms of enhancement, by studying drug release from the micelles and transconjunctival permeation of TPGS; and (5) study the effect of micelles application on the histology of conjunctiva. The data obtained demonstrate the application potential of polymeric micelles in ocular delivery, due to their ability to increase the solubility of lipophilic drugs and enhance transport in and across the conjunctival epithelium. The best-performing formulation was the one made of TPGS alone (micelles size ≈ 12 nm), probably because of the higher mobility of these micelles, an enhanced interaction with the conjunctival epithelium, and, possibly, the penetration of intact micelles.

3D-printed chitosan-based scaffolds: An in vitro study of human skin cell growth and an in-vivo wound healing evaluation in experimental diabetes in rats.

The fabrication of porous 3D printed chitosan (CH) scaffolds for skin tissue regeneration and their behavior in terms of biocompatibility, cytocompatibility and toxicity toward human fibroblasts (Nhdf) and keratinocytes (HaCaT), are presented and discussed. 3D cell cultures achieved after 20 and 35 days of incubation showed significant in vitro qualitative and quantitative cell growth as measured by neutral red staining and MTT assays and confirmed by scanning electron microphotographs. The best cell growth was obtained after 35 days on 3D scaffolds when the Nhdf and HaCaT cells, seeded together, filled the pores in the scaffolds. An early skin-like layer consisting of a mass of fibroblast and keratinocyte cells growing together was observed. The tests of 3D printed scaffolds in wound healing carried out on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats demonstrate that 3D printed scaffolds improve the quality of the restored tissue with respect to both commercial patch and spontaneous healing.

In vivo efficacy of different extracts of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) in animal models.

Dichloromethane, methanolic and CO(2) extracts of the aerial parts and roots of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) were investigated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects after oral administration. The highest activity in rat's paw edema assay was found for the lipophilic extracts of the aerial plant parts (dose 200 mg/kg), exhibiting a swelling reduction of 72% (CO(2)-extract) and 80% (DCM-extract), respectively. Histological evaluation of the treated paws showed a significant reduction of the inflammatory response in the pre-treated specimens. On the contrary in the acetic acid-induced writhing test the dichloromethane extract of the root extract exhibited more pronounced analgesic effects than the extracts of the aerial parts, suggesting a different pattern of active compounds. As far as gastrointestinal effects are concerned, oral administration of aerial parts (hDCM 200 mg/kg) to mice induces a highly significant inhibition in gastrointestinal propulsion probably related to the presence of so far unknown compounds. Moreover, the antioxidant capacity of some extracts was studied in order to establish a possible correlation with anti-inflammatory properties.

In-vitro characterization of buccal iontophoresis: the case of sumatriptan succinate.

Buccal administration of sumatriptan succinate might be an interesting alternative to the present administration routes, due to its non-invasiveness and rapid onset of action, but because of its low permeability, a permeation enhancement strategy is required. The aim of this work was then to study, in-vitro, buccal iontophoresis of sumatriptan succinate. Permeation experiments were performed in-vitro across pig esophageal epithelium, a recently proposed model of human buccal mucosa, using vertical diffusion cells. The iontophoretic behavior of the tissue was characterized by measuring its isoelectric point (Na(+) transport number and the electroosmotic flow of acetaminophen determination) and by evaluating tissue integrity after current application. The results obtained confirm the usefulness of pig esophageal epithelium as an in-vitro model membrane for buccal drug delivery. The application of iontophoresis increased sumatriptan transport, proportionally to the current density applied, without tissue damage: electrotransport was the predominant mechanism. Integrating the results of the present work with literature data on the transport of other molecules across the buccal mucosa and across the skin, we can draw a general conclusion: the difference in passive transport across buccal mucosa and across the skin is influenced by permeant lipophilicity and by the penetration pathway. Finally, buccal iontophoretic administration of sumatriptan allows to administer 6mg of the drug in 1h, representing a promising alternative to the current administration routes.

Sympathetic modulation by carvedilol and losartan reduces angiotensin II-mediated lipolysis in subcutaneous and visceral fat.

Advanced heart failure is characterized by increased activation of the renin-angiotensin system and the development of cachexia. Angiotensin II (Ang II) has been proposed as a lipid metabolism regulator. The effects of exogenous Ang II (osmotic minipump, 525 ng/kg/min for 12 d) on interstitial sc glycerol and norepinephrine levels, indexes of lipolysis, and sympathetic activation, respectively, were measured in Sprague Dawley rats by consecutive microdialysis performed in vivo in white adipose tissue. Higher sustained interstitial glycerol and norepinephrine levels were found after 7 and 12 d of Ang II infusion. Triglyceride to DNA content ratio and adipocyte diameter were reduced in sc and visceral (retroperitoneal and epididymal) fat tissues of Ang II-infused rats, whose body weight was lower and blood pressure higher. Losartan, an Ang II receptor 1 blocker, and carvedilol, an alpha1-nonselective-beta1,2,3-adrenergic blocker, but not doxazosin, an alpha1-selective-adrenergic blocker, lowered glycerol and norepinephrine levels, preventing lipolysis and weight loss. Our results indicate that Ang II stimulates lipolysis in sc and visceral adipocytes by sympathetic activation and beta-adrenergic-receptor stimulation. Nonselective-beta-adrenergic and Ang II-receptor1 blockade markedly attenuated the rise of norepinephrine, preventing catabolic effects. The metabolic benefits of carvedilol and losartan, in addition to recognized protective cardiovascular effects, may be relevant in cachectic patients with advanced heart failure.

Permeation of proteins, oligonucleotide and dextrans across ocular tissues: experimental studies and a literature update.

Proteins and oligonucleotides represent powerful tools for the treatment of several ocular diseases, affecting both anterior and posterior eye segments. Despite the potential of these compounds, their administration remains a challenge. The last years have seen a growing interest for the noninvasive administration of macromolecular drugs, but still there is only little information of their permeability across the different ocular barriers. The aim of this work was to evaluate the permeation of macromolecules of different size, shape and charge across porcine ocular tissues such as the isolated sclera, the choroid Bruch's membrane and the cornea, both intact and de-epitelialized. Permeants used were two proteins (albumin and cytochrome C), an oligonucleotide, two dextrans (4 and 40 kDa) and a monoclonal antibody (bevacizumab). Obtained data and its comparison with the literature highlight the difficulties in predicting the behavior of macromolecules based on their physicochemical properties, because the interplay between the charge, molecular radius and conformation prevent their analysis separately. However, the data can be of great help for a rough evaluation of the feasibility of a noninvasive administration and for building computational models to improve understanding of the interplay among static, dynamic and metabolic barriers in the delivery of macromolecules to the eye.

Development of a convenient ex vivo model for the study of the transcorneal permeation of drugs: histological and permeability evaluation.

In this paper, an ex vivo model for the study of the transcorneal permeation of drugs, based on porcine tissues, was evaluated. The setup is characterized by ease of realization, absence of O2 and CO2 bubbling and low cost; additionally, the large availability of porcine tissue permits a high throughput. Histological images showed the comparability between porcine and human corneas and confirmed the effectiveness of the isolation procedure. A new de-epithelization procedure based on a thermal approach was also set up to simulate cornea permeability in pathological conditions. The procedure did not affect the integrity of the underlying layers and allowed the characterization of the barrier properties of epithelium and stroma. Six compounds with different physicochemical properties were tested: fluorescein, atenolol, propranolol, diclofenac, ganciclovir and lidocaine. The model highlighted the barrier function played by epithelium toward the diffusion of hydrophilic compounds and the permselectivity with regard to more lipophilic molecules. In particular, positively charged compounds showed a significantly higher transcorneal permeability than negatively charged compounds. The comparability of results with literature data supports the goodness and the robustness of the model, especially taking into account the behavior of fluorescein, which is generally considered a marker of tissue integrity.

Microcirculation density and maturity in uterine and soft tissue leiomyosarcomas: an immunohistochemical study.

The role of angiogenesis as a hallmark of tumor progression has been poorly explored in leiomyosarcoma, a rare but aggressive mesenchymal malignancy. We aimed to characterize microvessel distribution and morphology - including pericyte coverage - in a retrospective series of leyomiosarcomas of the soft tissues and the uterus. 41 whole-block tumor slides from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were immunostained for endothelial-specific marker CD31 and microvessel density was quantified by assigning a grade to the frequency of CD31 positive microvessels. Vessel morphology and pericyte coverage were investigated by double-labeling for CD31 and either PDGFRß, αSMA, desmin, CD90, or CD146. We found that microvessel density correlated with tumor grade in leiomyosarcoma of soft tissues, in analogy with what has been established in several types of carcinoma. This did not apply to uterine leiomyosarcoma, possibly due to the abundant myometrial vascularization. The evaluation of perivascular cell markers related to vessel stability revealed immature microvascular networks with aberrant pericyte coverage, irrespective of tumor origin or grade. Our observations substantiate the role of angiogenesis in the progression of soft tissue leiomyosarcoma. A multiple-marker approach to the assessment of pericyte coverage can identify different profiles of vessel immaturity correlated with tumor grade.

Myeloperoxidase-Related Chlorination Activity Is Positively Associated with Circulating Ceruloplasmin in Chronic Heart Failure Patients: Relationship with Neurohormonal, Inflammatory, and Nutritional Parameters.

RATIONALE: Heart failure (HF) is accompanied by the development of an imbalance between oxygen- and nitric oxide-derived free radical production leading to protein nitration. Both chlorinating and peroxidase cycle of Myeloperoxidase (MPO) contribute to oxidative and nitrosative stress and are involved in tyrosine nitration of protein. Ceruloplasmin (Cp) has antioxidant function through its ferroxidase I (FeOxI) activity and has recently been proposed as a physiological defense mechanism against MPO inappropriate actions. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the relationship between plasma MPO-related chlorinating activity, Cp and FeOxI, and nitrosative stress, inflammatory, neurohormonal, and nutritional biomarkers in HF patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: In chronic HF patients (n = 81, 76 ± 9 years, NYHA Class II (26); Class III (29); Class IV (26)) and age-matched controls (n = 17, 75 ± 11 years, CTR), plasma MPO chlorinating activity, Cp, FeOxI, nitrated protein, free Malondialdehyde, BNP, norepinephrine, hsCRP, albumin, and prealbumin were measured. Plasma MPO chlorinating activity, Cp, BNP, norepinephrine, and hsCRP were increased in HF versus CTR. FeOxI, albumin, and prealbumin were decreased in HF. MPO-related chlorinating activity was positively related to Cp (r = 0.363, P < 0.001), nitrated protein, hsCRP, and BNP and inversely to albumin. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma MPO chlorinated activity is increased in elderly chronic HF patients and positively associated with Cp, inflammatory, neurohormonal, and nitrosative parameters suggesting a role in HF progression.

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) promotes human osteoblast proliferation: a new proposal for bone tissue repair.

Several researchers have recently shed new light upon the importance of extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides to stimulate cells growth. PDRN, a mixture of deoxyribonucleotides polymers of different lengths, has recently demonstrated to stimulate "in vitro" fibroblast proliferation and collagen production, probably stimulating the purinergic receptor system. In this work we evaluated the effects of PDRN on human cultured osteoblasts, focusing our attention on cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity. PDRN at a concentration of 100 microg/ml induce an increase in osteoblasts growth after 6 days as compared to control (+21%). The addition of DMPX 50 microM and suramine (P2 inhibitor) 10 microM give different results: suramine has no significant effect, while DPMX reduce, even if partially, the PDRN induced cell growth. The alkaline phosphatase activity shows a gradual enhancement starting from day 0 to day 10, even if PDRN treated cells, examined at day 6, present a sensibly lower phosphatase activity when compared to controls. Our data demonstrate that PDRN acts as an osteoblast growth stimulator. Its action is partially due to a stimulation of the purinergic system mediated by A2 purinoreceptors, however we can not exclude the involvement of other mechanism like salvage pathway.

Wulfenia carinthiaca Jacq., antioxidant and pharmacological activities.

Relative antioxidant activities of a methanolic extract of three phenylpropanoid glycosides and three iridoid glycosides from Wulfenia carinthiaca were evaluated using the Briggs-Rauscher (BR) reaction method. This method is based on the inhibitory effects by antioxidants on oscillations of the BR reaction. The total extract showed a certain antioxidant activity with respect to resorcinol chosen as standard. The three phenylpropanoid glycosides showed a very high relative antioxidant activity while iridoid glycosides had practically no activity. These experimental results were confirmed by empirical calculations based on the BDE (Bond Dissociation Enthalpy) theory. The total phenolic content was also measured for the phenylpropanoid glycosides using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. The obtained values as gallic acid equivalents were in perfect agreement with the relative antioxidant activities. From a pharmacological point of view the results obtained demonstrate that the methanolic extract of W. carinthiaca have antinociceptive and antiedematogenic effects in the different models adopted. The plant extract produced a significant inhibition, dose related, of the rat paw edema induced by carrageenin. The anti-inflammatory activity is probably due to the phenylpropanoid compounds present in the plant. The histological sections of paw tissue in animals treated with Wulfenia carinthiaca extract confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects. The results of the antinociceptive assay indicated a significant reduction on the number of abdominal writhes of mice, induced by acetic acid.

Mapracorat, a selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, causes apoptosis of eosinophils infiltrating the conjunctiva in late-phase experimental ocular allergy.

BACKGROUND: Mapracorat, a novel nonsteroidal selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist, has been proposed for the topical treatment of inflammatory disorders as it binds with high affinity and selectivity to the human glucocorticoid receptor and displays a potent anti-inflammatory activity, but seems to be less effective in transactivation of a number of genes, resulting in a lower potential for side effects. Contrary to classical glucocorticoids, mapracorat displays a reduced ability to increase intraocular pressure and in inducing myocilin, a protein linked to intraocular pressure elevation. Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common form of ocular allergy and can be divided into an early phase, developing immediately after allergen exposure and driven primarily by mast cell degranulation, and a late phase, developing from 6-10 hours after the antigen challenge, and characterized by conjunctival infiltration of eosinophils and other immune cells as well as by the production of cytokines and chemokines. METHODS: In this study, mapracorat was administered into the conjunctival sac of ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized guinea pigs 2 hours after the induction of allergic conjunctivitis, with the aim of investigating its activity in reducing clinical signs of the late-phase ocular reaction and to determine its mechanism of anti-allergic effects with respect to apoptosis of conjunctival eosinophils and expression of the chemokines C-C motif ligand 5 (CCL5), C-C motif ligand 11 (CCL11), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). RESULTS: Mapracorat, administered into the conjunctival sac of OVA-sensitized guinea pigs 2 hours after allergen exposure, was effective in reducing clinical signs, eosinophil infiltration, and eosinophil peroxidase activity in the guinea pig conjunctiva; furthermore, it reduced conjunctival mRNA levels and protein expression of both CCL5 and CCL11. Mapracorat was more effective than dexamethasone in increasing, in conjunctival sections of OVA-treated guinea pigs, apoptotic eosinophils. CONCLUSION: Mapracorat displays anti-allergic properties in controlling the late phase of ocular allergic conjunctivitis and is a promising candidate for the topical treatment of allergic eye disorders.