Molecular Binding Mechanism and Pharmacology Comparative Analysis of Noscapine for Repurposing against SARS-CoV-2 Protease.

Originating in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019, COVID-19 has emerged now as a global health emergency with a high number of deaths worldwide. COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus, referred to as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulting in pandemic conditions around the globe. We are in the battleground to fight against the virus by rapidly developing therapeutic strategies in tackling SARS-CoV-2 and saving human lives from COVID-19. Scientists are evaluating several known drugs either for the pathogen or the host; however, many of them are reported to be associated with side effects. In the present study, we report the molecular binding mechanisms of the natural alkaloid, noscapine, for repurposing against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2, a key enzyme involved in its reproduction. We performed the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in an explicit solvent to investigate the molecular mechanisms of noscapine for stable binding and conformational changes to the main protease (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. The drug repurposing study revealed the high potential of noscapine and proximal binding to the Mpro enzyme in a comparative binding pattern analyzed with chloroquine, ribavirin, and favipiravir. Noscapine binds closely to binding pocket-3 of the Mpro enzyme and depicted stable binding with RMSD 0.1-1.9 Å and RMSF profile peak conformational fluctuations at 202-306 residues, and a Rg score ranging from 21.9 to 22.4 Å. The MM/PB (GB) SA calculation landscape revealed the most significant contribution in terms of binding energy with ΔPB -19.08 and ΔGB -27.17 kcal/mol. The electrostatic energy distribution in MM energy was obtained to be -71.16 kcal/mol and depicted high free energy decomposition (electrostatic energy) at 155-306 residues (binding pocket-3) of Mpro by a MM force field. Moreover, the dynamical residue cross-correlation map also stated that the high pairwise correlation occurred at binding residues 200-306 of the Mpro enzyme (binding pocket-3) with noscapine. Principal component analysis depicted the enhanced movement of protein atoms with a high number of static hydrogen bonds. The obtained binding results of noscapine were also well correlated with the pharmacokinetic parameters of antiviral drugs.

Pulmonary vascular changes in asthma and COPD.

In chronic lung disorders such as in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) there is increased bronchial angiogenesis and remodelling of pulmonary vessels culminating to altered bronchial and pulmonary circulation. The involvement of residential cells such as endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells and pulmonary fibroblasts, all appear to have a crucial role in the progression of vascular inflammation and remodelling. The regulatory abnormalities, growth factors and mediators implicated in the pulmonary vascular changes of asthma and COPD subjects and potential therapeutic targets have been described in this review.

Bioinformatic meta-analysis reveals novel differentially expressed genes and pathways in sarcoidosis.

Introduction: Sarcoidosis is a multi-system inflammatory disease of unknown origin with heterogeneous clinical manifestations varying from a single organ non-caseating granuloma site to chronic systemic inflammation and fibrosis. Gene expression studies have suggested several genes and pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis, however, due to differences in study design and variable statistical approaches, results were frequently not reproducible or concordant. Therefore, meta-analysis of sarcoidosis gene-expression datasets is of great importance to robustly establish differentially expressed genes and signalling pathways. Methods: We performed meta-analysis on 22 published gene-expression studies on sarcoidosis. Datasets were analysed systematically using same statistical cut-offs. Differentially expressed genes were identified by pooling of p-values using Edgington's method and analysed for pathways using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Results: A consistent and significant signature of novel and well-known genes was identified, those collectively implicated both type I and type II interferon mediated signalling pathways in sarcoidosis. In silico functional analysis showed consistent downregulation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 signalling, whereas cytokines like interferons and transcription factor STAT1 were upregulated. Furthermore, we analysed affected tissues to detect differentially expressed genes likely to be involved in granuloma biology. This revealed that matrix metallopeptidase 12 was exclusively upregulated in affected tissues, suggesting a crucial role in disease pathogenesis. Discussion: Our analysis provides a concise gene signature in sarcoidosis and expands our knowledge about the pathogenesis. Our results are of importance to improve current diagnostic approaches and monitoring strategies as well as in the development of targeted therapeutics.

New perspectives of nanoneuroprotection, nanoneuropharmacology and nanoneurotoxicity: modulatory role of amino acid neurotransmitters, stress, trauma, and co-morbidity factors in nanomedicine.

Recent advancement in nanomedicine suggests that nanodrug delivery using nanoformulation of drugs or use of nanoparticles for neurodiagnostic and/or neurotherapeutic purposes results in superior effects than the conventional drugs or parent compounds. This indicates a bright future for nanomedicine in treating neurological diseases in clinics. However, the effects of nanoparticles per se in inducing neurotoxicology by altering amino acid neurotransmitters, if any, are still being largely ignored. The main aim of nanomedicine is to enhance the drug availability within the central nervous system (CNS) for greater therapeutic successes. However, once the drug together with nanoparticles enters into the CNS compartments, the fate of nanomaterial within the brain microenvironment is largely remained unknown. Thus, to achieve greater success in nanomedicine, our knowledge in understanding nanoneurotoxicology in detail is utmost important. In addition, how co-morbidity factors associated with neurological disease, e.g., stress, trauma, hypertension or diabetes, may influence the neurotherapeutic potentials of nanomedicine are also necessary to explore the details. Recent research in our laboratory demonstrated that engineered nanoparticles from metals or titanium nanowires used for nanodrug delivery in laboratory animals markedly influenced the CNS functions and alter amino acid neurotransmitters in healthy animals. These adverse reactions of nanoparticles within the CNS are further aggravated in animals with different co-morbidity factors viz., stress, diabetes, trauma or hypertension. This effect, however, depends on the composition and dose of the nanomaterials used. On the other hand, nanodrug delivery by TiO2 nanowires enhanced the neurotherapeutic potential of the parent compounds in CNS injuries in healthy animals and do not alter amino acids balance. However, in animals with any of the above co-morbidity factors, high dose of nanodrug delivery is needed to achieve some neuroprotection. Taken together, it appears that while exploring new nanodrug formulations for neurotherapeutic purposes, co-morbidly factors and composition of nanoparticlesrequire more attention. Furthermore, neurotoxicity caused by nanoparticles per se following nanodrug delivery may be examined in greater detail with special regards to changes in amino acid balance in the CNS.

Advancement in biomarker based effective diagnosis of neonatal sepsis.

Neonatal sepsis is considered as alarming medical emergency and becomes the common global reason of neonatal mortality. Non-specific symptoms and limitations of conventional diagnostic methods for neonatal sepsis mandate fast and reliable method to diagnose disease for point of care application. Recently, disease specific biomarkers have gained interest for rapid diagnosis that led to the development of electrochemical biosensor with enhanced specificity, sensitivity, cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness. Other than conventional biomarker C-reactive protein to diagnose neonatal sepsis, several potential biomarkers including Procalcitonin (PCT), Serum amyloid A (SAA) and other candidates are extensively investigated. The present review provides insights on advancements and diagnostic abilities of protein and nucleotide based biomarkers with their incorporation in developing electrochemical biosensors by employing novel fabrication strategies. This review provides an overview of most promising biomarker and its capability for neonatal sepsis diagnosis to fulfil future demand to develop electrochemical biosensor for point-of-care applications.

Targeting eosinophils in chronic respiratory diseases using nanotechnology-based drug delivery.

Asthma, COPD, COVID-19, EGPA, Lung cancer, and Pneumonia are major chronic respiratory diseases (or CRDs) affecting millions worldwide and account for substantial morbidity and mortality. These CRDs are irreversible diseases that affect different parts of the respiratory system, imposing a considerable burden on different socio-economic classes. All these CRDs have been linked to increased eosinophils in the lungs. Eosinophils are essential immune mediators that contribute to tissue homeostasis and the pathophysiology of various diseases. Interestingly, elevated eosinophil level is associated with cellular processes that regulate airway hyperresponsiveness, airway remodeling, mucus hypersecretion, and inflammation in the lung. Therefore, eosinophil is considered the therapeutic target in eosinophil-mediated lung diseases. Although, conventional medicines like antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and bronchodilators are available to prevent CRDs. But the development of resistance to these therapeutic agents after long-term usage remains a challenge. However, progressive development in nanotechnology has unveiled the targeted nanocarrier approach that can significantly improve the pharmacokinetics of a therapeutic drug. The potential of the nanocarrier system can be specifically targeted on eosinophils and their associated components to obtain promising results in the pharmacotherapy of CRDs. This review intends to provide knowledge about eosinophils and their role in CRDs. Moreover, it also discusses nanocarrier drug delivery systems for the targeted treatment of CRDs.

Expression of heat shock protein (HSP 72 kDa) during acute methamphetamine intoxication depends on brain hyperthermia: neurotoxicity or neuroprotection?

In the present study, light and electron microscopy were used to examine heat shock protein (HSP 72 kD) expression during acute methamphetamine (METH) intoxication in rats and evaluate its relationships with brain temperature and alterations in a number of other histochemical and morphological parameters. Freely moving rats received METH at the same dose (9 mg/kg, sc) but at different ambient temperatures (23 and 29°C), showing a wide range of brain temperature elevations (37.6-42.5°C); brains were taken for histochemical and morphological evaluations at peak of brain temperature increase. We found that acute METH intoxication induces massive and wide-spread HSP expression in neural and glial cells examined in detail in the cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus. In each of these structures, the number of HSP-positive cells tightly correlated with brain temperature elevation. The changes in HSP immunoreactivity were also tightly related to alterations in permeability of the blood-brain barrier, acute glial activation, and brain edema assessed by albumin and GFAP immunoreactivity and measuring tissue water content, respectively. While robust and generalized HSP production normally appears to be the part of an adaptive brain response associated with METH-induced metabolic activation, activation of this protective mechanism has its natural limits and could not counteract the damaging effects of oxidative stress, high temperature, and edema--the leading factors of METH-induced neurotoxicity.

CD3 in Lewy pathology: does the abnormal recall of neurodevelopmental processes underlie Parkinson's disease.

CD3ζ is a subunit of the CD3 molecule that, until recently, appeared restricted to T cells and natural killer cells. However, experimental studies have demonstrated a role of CD3ζ in dendritic outgrowth in the visual system as well as in synaptic plasticity. Given the increasing evidence for uncharacteristic recapitulation of neurodevelopmental processes in neurodegenerative diseases, in this study, we evaluated brains from subjects with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia for evidence of aberrant CD3 expression. Our data shows marked CD3ζ in association with the α-synuclein containing pathological lesions, i.e., Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, in the brains of subjects with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. This finding raises the novel concept of CD3 dysregulation in these disorders as a pathogenic factor and also furthers the increasing evidence that the recall of aberrant neurodevelopmental processes underlies the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases.

Recent advances in i-Gene tools and analysis: microarrays, next generation sequencing and mass spectrometry.

Recent advances in technology and associated methodology have made the current period one of the most exciting in molecular biology and medicine. Underlying these is an appreciation that modern research is driven by increasing large amounts of data being interpreted by interdisciplinary collaborative teams which are often geographically dispersed. The availability of cheap computing power, high speed informatics networks and high quality analysis software has been essential to this as has the application of modern quality assurance methodologies. In this review, we discuss the application of modern 'High-Throughput' molecular biological technologies such as 'Microarrays' and 'Next Generation Sequencing' to scientific and biomedical research as we have observed. Furthermore in this review, we also offer some guidance that enables the reader as to understand certain features of these as well as new strategies and help them to apply these i-Gene tools in their endeavours successfully. Collectively, we term this 'i-Gene Analysis'. We also offer predictions as to the developments that are anticipated in the near and more distant future.

Transforming growth factor-beta 1 induces angiogenesis in vitro via VEGF production in human airway smooth muscle cells.

Increase in size and number of bronchial blood vessels as well as hyperaemia are factors that contribute to airway wall remodelling in patients with chronic airway diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1), a multifunctional cytokine as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a key angiogenic molecule, has been shown in the inflammed airways in patients with chronic airway diseases. TGF-beta 1 has been implicated in the regulation of extracellular matrix, leading to airway remodelling in patients with chronic airway diseases. However, the role of TGF-beta 1 in regulating VEGF expression in patients with chronic airway diseases, as well as the underlying mechanisms are not yet well established. We investigated whether TGF-beta 1 stimulates VEGF expression in vitro and hence could influence vascular remodelling. Cultured human airway smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were serum deprived for 60 h before incubation with 5ng/ml of TGF-beta 1 for different time points. Control cells received serum-free culture medium. TGF-beta 1 treatment resulted in time dependent HASMC cell proliferation with maximal values for DNA biosynthesis at 24 h and cell number at 48 h. Northern blot analysis of VEGF mRNA expression showed increased levels in cells treated with TGF-beta 1 for 4 to 8 h. TGF-beta 1 also induced a time-dependent release of VEGF proteins in the conditioned medium after 48 h of treatment. Furthermore, the ability of HASMC-released VEGF proteins to induce human umbilical vein endothelial cells proliferation was inhibited by VEGF receptor antagonist, confirming that TGF-beta 1 induced VEGF was biologically active. We conclude that TGF-beta 1 in addition to an extracellular matrix regulator also could play a key role in bronchial angiogenesis and vascular remodelling via VEGF pathway in asthma.

Nanotechnology based advanced therapeutic strategies for targeting interleukins in chronic respiratory diseases.

Both communicable and non-communicable chronic respiratory conditions have accorded for suffering of millions of people of all ages and stated to be leading cause of death, morbidity, economic and social pressures, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) worldwide. These illnesses impair patient's health and negatively impacts families and society, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) affect different organs of respiratory system, involving airways, parenchyma, and pulmonary vasculature. As the number of respiratory diseases are exponentially escalating but still the stakeholders are not paying attention towards its serious complications. Currently, the treatment being used primarily focusses only on alleviating symptoms of these illness rather delivering the therapeutic agent at target site for optimal care and/or prevention. Lately, extensive research is being conducted on airways and systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, airway, or parenchymal rehabilitation. From which macrophages, neutrophils, and T cells, as well as structural cells as fibroblasts, epithelial, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells have been found to be active participants that are involved in these chronic respiratory diseases. The pathogenesis of all these chronic respiratory diseases gets caused differently via mediators and proteins, including cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and oxidants. Presently, the target of prescription therapies is to reduce the inflammation of airways and relieve the airway contraction. In all studies, cytokines have been found to play an imperative role in fostering chronic airway inflammation and remodelling. Owing to the limitations of conventional treatments, the current review aims to summarize the current knowledge about the chronic respiratory disease and discuss further about the various conventional methods that can be used for treating this ailment. Additionally, it also highlights and discusses about the advanced drug delivery system that are being used for targeting the interleukins for the treatment of CRDs.

Myocardial expression of PDECGF is associated with extracellular matrix remodeling in experimental myocardial infarction in rats.

Platelet-derived endothelial cell growth factor (PDECGF) is a potent angiogenic peptide with anti-apoptotic activity expressed widely in tumours. However, its expression in myocardial infarction (MI) is not yet established. This study aimed to assess the myocardial expression of PDECGF in rats after MI. Extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling plays an important role in angiogenesis; hence, changes in the ECM components were investigated in the myocardium after MI, which was induced in rats by coronary artery ligation (CAL) and verified using biochemical markers and histopathology. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and activity assays identified the expression pattern of PDECGF on days 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 after CAL. The levels of TNF-alpha, MMP-2, collagen, and glycosaminoglycans in the ECM were assessed. Studies on immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and PDECGF activity demonstrated elevated levels of PDECGF expression from day 2 after CAL. Macrophages, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and cardiomyocytes, especially at the border region of the lesion, showed an enhanced expression for PDECGF. Remodeling of the ECM was depicted by changes in the levels of TNF-alpha, MMP-2, collagen, and GAG. Hence, this study clearly indicated PDECGF as an important angiogenic molecule expressed during MI and the alterations in ECM components facilitated the process of angiogenesis.

Rapid morphological brain abnormalities during acute methamphetamine intoxication in the rat: an experimental study using light and electron microscopy.

This study describes morphological abnormalities of brain cells during acute methamphetamine (METH) intoxication in the rat and demonstrates the role of hyperthermia, disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and edema in their development. Rats with chronically implanted brain, muscle and skin temperature probes and an intravenous (i.v.) catheter were exposed to METH (9 mg/kg) at standard (23 degrees C) and warm (29 degrees C) ambient temperatures, allowing for the observation of hyperthermia ranging from mild to pathological (38-42 degrees C). When brain temperature peaked or reached a level suggestive of possible lethality (>41.5 degrees C), rats were injected with Evans blue (EB), rapidly anesthetized, perfused, and their brains were taken for further analyses. Four brain areas (cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and hypothalamus) were analyzed for EB extravasation, water and electrolyte (Na(+), K(+), Cl(-)) contents, immunostained for albumin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and examined for neuronal, glial and axonal alterations using standard light and electron microscopy. These examinations revealed profound abnormalities in neuronal, glial, and endothelial cells, which were stronger with METH administered at 29 degrees C than 23 degrees C and tightly correlated with brain and body hyperthermia. These changes had some structural specificity, but in each structure they tightly correlated with increases in EB levels, the numbers of albumin-positive cells, and water and ion contents, suggesting leakage of the BBB, acutely developing brain edema, and serious shifts in brain ion homeostasis as leading factors underlying brain abnormalities. While most of these acute structural and functional abnormalities appear to be reversible, they could trigger subsequent cellular alterations in the brain and accelerate neurodegeneration-the most dangerous complication of chronic amphetamine-like drug abuse.

Airway vascular reactivity and vascularisation in human chronic airway disease.

Altered bronchial vascular reactivity and remodelling including angiogenesis are documented features of asthma and other chronic inflammatory airway diseases. Expansion of the bronchial vasculature under these conditions involves both functional (vasodilation, hyperperfusion, increased microvascular permeability, oedema formation, and inflammatory cell recruitment) and structural changes (tissue and vascular remodelling) in the airways. These changes in airway vascular reactivity and vascularisation have significant pathophysiological consequences, which are manifest in the clinical symptoms of airway disease. Airway vascular reactivity is regulated by a wide variety of neurotransmitters and inflammatory mediators. Similarly, multiple growth factors are implicated in airway angiogenesis, with vascular endothelial growth factor amongst the most important. Increasing attention is focused on the complex interplay between angiogenic growth factors, airway smooth muscle and the various collagen-derived fragments that exhibit anti-angiogenic properties. The balance of these dynamic influences in airway neovascularisation processes and their therapeutic implications is just beginning to be elucidated. In this review article, we provide an account of recent developments in the areas of vascular reactivity and airway angiogenesis in chronic airway diseases.

Influence of engineered nanoparticles from metals on the blood-brain barrier permeability, cerebral blood flow, brain edema and neurotoxicity. An experimental study in the rat and mice using biochemical and morphological approaches.

Influence of nanoparticles on brain function following in vivo exposures is not well known. Depending on the magnitude and intensity of nanoparticle exposure from the environment, food and/or water source, neuronal function could be affected and may lead to neurotoxicity and neuropathology. This hypothesis was examined in present investigation using systemic or intracerebroventricular administration of engineered nanoparticles from metals, i.e., Al, Ag and Cu (approximately equal to 50 to 60 nm) on neurotoxicity in rats and mice. Intraperitoneal (50 mg/kg), intravenous (30 mg/kg), intracarotid (2.5 mg/kg) or intracerebroventricular administration (20 microg) of nanoparticles significantly altered the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function to Evans blue and radioiodine in several regions of the brain and spinal cord at 24 h after their administration. Marked decreases in local cerebral blood flow (CBF) and pronounced brain edema was seen in regional areas associated with BBB leakage. Neuronal cell injuries, glial cell activation, heat shock protein (HSP) upregulation and loss of myelinated fibers are quite common in effected brain areas. The observed pathological changes were most pronounced in mice compared to rats. Exposures to Cu and Ag nanoparticles showed most marked effects on brain pathology when administered into systemic circulation or into the brain ventricular spaces as compared to Al nanoparticles. Our results are the first to show that nanoparticles from metals are able to induce selective and specific neurotoxicity that depends on the type of metals, route of administration and the species used.

Nano-drug delivery and neuroprotection in spinal cord injury.

Recently nano-drug delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) has been shown to be more effective than the parent compound by itself. An increased availability of the drug for longer periods to the brain or spinal cord and/or a decrease in the drug metabolism altogether could lead to potentiation of the pharmacological activity of the nano-delivered compounds. However, it is still unclear whether the nanocarriers used to deliver the drugs may itself has any potential neurotoxic activity. Although, nanodrug-delivery appears to be a quite promising therapeutic tool for the future clinical therapy, its advantages and limitations for the routine use of patients still needs to be elucidated. Our laboratory is engaged to study a plethora of potential neuroprotective novel compounds delivered to the CNS using nanowiring techniques following brain or spinal cord trauma. Our investigations show that nanowired drugs, if delivered locally following spinal cord injury achieve better neuroprotection than the parent compounds. This effect of nano-drug delivery appears to be very selective in nature. Thus, a clear differentiation based on the compounds used for nano-drug delivery can be seen on various pathological parameters in spinal cord injury. These observations suggest that nanowiring may itself do not induce neuroprotection, but enhance the neuroprotective ability of compounds after trauma. This review describes some recent advances in nano-drug delivery to the CNS in relation to novel neuroprotective strategies with special emphasis on spinal cord trauma based on our own observations and recent findings from our laboratory investigations.

Pulmonary vascular remodeling in congenital heart disease: enhanced expression of heat shock proteins.

In congenital heart disease (CHD), mechanical wall stress by increased pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary blood flow is believed to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary plexogenic arteriopathy (PPA). The pathogenesis of this disease that involves significant pulmonary arterial remodelling, is, however, largely unknown. In the systemic circulation, upregulation of HSP-70 and HSP-27 in the arterial wall occurs in response to acute hypertension, whereas HSP-60 and increased titres of anti-HSP-60 antibodies are associated with atherosclerotic vessel disease. We looked for the involvement of HSPs in the stress response of pulmonary endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells in different abnormal hemodynamic conditions in patients with CHDs. We analyzed the expression pattern of HSP-27, HSP-70 and HSP-60 in lung biopsies of 38 patients with CHD, using immunohistochemistry. These included 4 individuals with an essentially normal pulmonary circulation, who served as controls. Immunoreactivity against HSP-27 and also against HSP-70 was present in the pulmonary endothelium and vascular smooth muscle cells of patients and controls in a similar pattern. In contrast, expression of HSP-60 was absent in pulmonary arteries of both patients and controls. In patients with advanced PPA, cells within plexiform lesions showed strong staining for HSP-27 and HSP-70, but were again negative for HSP-60. The intensity of immunoreactivity against HSP-70 correlated inversely with medial thickness of pre-acinar arteries (r = -0.32; p = 0.04). Expression of HSP-27 and HSP-70 did not correlate with hemodynamic parameters, although immunoreactivity against HSP27 tended to be increased in cases with high pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.37; p = 0.16) and was highest in patients with flow-associated pulmonary hypertension (p<0.01). HSP-27 and HSP-70, but not HSP-60 are engaged in the stress response of cells of small pulmonary arteries in pulmonary plexogenic arteriopathy. HSP-27 and HSP-70 are increasingly expressed in the advanced proliferative lesions of this disease.

Cerebral Tissue Oxidative Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Connection with Experimental Cardiac Arrest and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Effect of Mild Hypothermia and Methylene Blue.

The present investigation is an expansion of previous studies which all share a basic experimental protocol of a porcine-induced cardiac arrest (CA) of 12 min followed by 8 min of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), different experimental treatments (immediate as well as postponed induced mild hypothermia and administration of much or less cool intravenous fluids), and a follow-up period of 3 h after which the animals were sacrificed. Another group of animals was studied according to the same protocol after 12-min CA and "standard CPR." After death (within 1 min), the brains were harvested and frozen in liquid nitrogen awaiting analysis. Control brains of animals were collected in the same way after short periods of untreated CA (0 min, 5 min, and 15-30 min). Previous studies concerning chiefly neuropathological changes were now expanded with analyses of different tissue indicators (glutathione, luminol, leucigenin, malonialdehyde, and myeloperoxidase) of cerebral oxidative injury. The results indicate that a great part of oxidative injury occurs within the first 5 min after CA. Immediate cooling by administration of much intravenous fluid results in less cerebral oxidative injury compared to less intravenous fluid administration. A 30-min postponement of induction of hypothermia results in a cerebral oxidative injury comparable to that of "standard CPR" or the oxidative injury found after 5 min of untreated CA. Intravenous administration of methylene blue (MB) during and immediately after CPR in combination with postponed cooling resulted in no statistical difference in any of the indicators of oxidative injury, except myeloperoxidase, and glutathione, when this treatment was compared with the negative controls, i.e., animals subjected to anesthesia alone.

Repeated Forced Swim Exacerbates Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity: Neuroprotective Effects of Nanowired Delivery of 5-HT3-Receptor Antagonist Ondansetron.

The possibility that stress associated with chronic forced swim (FS) may exacerbate methamphetamine (METH) neurotoxicity was examined in a rat model. Rats were subjected to FS in a pool (30 °C) for 15 min daily for 8 days. Control rats were kept at room temperature. METH was administered (9 mg/kg, s.c.) in both control and FS rats and allowed to survive 4 h after the drug injection. METH in FS rats exacerbated BBB breakdown to Evans blue albumin (EBA) by 150 to 220% and [131]-Iodine by 250 to 380% as compared to naive rats after METH. The METH-induced BBB leakage was most pronounced in the cerebral cortex followed by the hippocampus, cerebellum, thalamus, and hypothalamus in both FS and naive rats. The regional BBB changes were associated with a reduction in the local cerebral blood flow (CBF). Brain edema was also higher by 2 to 4% in FS rats after METH than in naive animals. Neuronal and glial cell injuries were aggravated by threefold to fivefold after METH in FS than the control group. Pretreatment with ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before METH injection in naive rats reduced the brain pathology and improved the CBF. However, TiO2-nanowired delivery of ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p.) was needed to reduce METH-induced brain damage, BBB leakage, reduction in CBF, and edema formation in FS. Taken together, these observations are the first to show that METH exacerbates BBB breakdown leading to neurotoxicity in FS animals. This effect of METH-induced BBB breakdown and brain pathology in naive and FS rats is attenuated by ondansetron treatment indicating an involvement of 5-HT3 receptors, not reported earlier.

Synthesis of Biocompatible Titanate Nanofibers for Effective Delivery of Neuroprotective Agents.

Nanoscience provides us with new opportunities to develop nanotechnologies for treating, in particular, central nervous system disorders such as Alzheimer disease and multiple sclerosis. From a methodological point of view, it is challenging to deliver drugs effectively across the blood-brain barrier and blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Our 10-year data and reports from both in vivo and in vitro studies, however, have consistently proved that therapeutic drugs of different types can be generally loaded in/on the nanocarriers for targeted and programmable deliveries to the central nervous system with a high degree of efficacy. This chapter presents a protocol for the synthesis of biocompatible titanate nanofibers as low-cost drug delivery cargos. In addition, a procedure for loading the neuroprotective agent Cerebrolysin onto the nanofibers is briefly described. Finally, experimental observations on the use of nanodrug delivery for superior neuroprotective effects of Cerebrolysin in traumatic brain injury are given as a proof of concept as compared to normal drug alone.