Ibuprofen-Loaded Silver Nanoparticle-Doped PVA Gels: Green Synthesis, In Vitro Cytotoxicity, and Antibacterial Analyses.

In contrast to conventional drug delivery systems, controlled drug release systems employ distinct methodologies. These systems facilitate the release of active substances in predetermined quantities and for specified durations. Polymer hydrogels have gained prominence in controlled drug delivery because of their unique swelling-shrinkage behavior and ability to regulate drug release. In this investigation, films with a hydrogel structure were crafted using polyvinyl alcohol, a biocompatible polymer, and silver nanoparticles. Following characterization, ibuprofen was loaded into the hydrogels to evaluate their drug release capacity. The particle sizes of silver nanoparticles synthesized using a green approach were determined. This study comprehensively examined the structural properties, morphological features, mechanical strength, and cumulative release patterns of the prepared films. In vitro cytotoxicity analysis was employed to assess the cell viability of drug-loaded hydrogel films, and their antibacterial effects were examined. The results indicated that hydrogel films containing 5% and 10% polyvinyl alcohol released 89% and 97% of the loaded drug, respectively, by day 14. The release kinetics fits the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. This study, which describes nanoparticle-enhanced polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel systems prepared through a cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach, is anticipated to contribute to the existing literature and serve as a foundational study for future research.

An In vivo study: Adjuvant activity of poly-n-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone-co-acrylic acid on immune responses against Melanoma synthetic peptide.

Peptides have been studied as an important class of components in medicine to control many major diseases with vaccination. Polymers as adjuvants are capable of enhancing the vaccine potential against various diseases by improving the delivery of antigens, and they reduce the booster doses of vaccines. In brief, polymers are promising candidates for peptide-based vaccine delivery platforms. The purpose of the present study was to create a possible alternative approach in the treatment of malignant melanoma and/or to prevent metastasis of melanoma. The study was designed as both an experimental and an in vivo study. We prepared a complex and covalent conjugate of MAGE-3 121-134 (L-L-K-Y-R-A-R-E-P-V-T-K-A-E) T-cell epitope as a vaccine candidate for melanoma. These conjugates were able to generate an immune response in mice after a single immunization, without the help of any external adjuvant. The peptide-polymer complexes activated the immune system in the best way and formed the highest antigen specific immune response. These results indicate the adjuvant activity of Poly(N-vinyl-2- pyrrolidone-co-acrylic acid) [P(VP-co-AA)] and the potential use of P(VP-coAA)-peptide based vaccine prototypes for future melanoma cancer vaccine formulations.

Selenium status in blood, urine, and hair samples of newly diagnosed pediatric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Selenium (Se) is a trace element that has multiple functions. Low Se amounts in serum and hair have been reported in pediatric and adult cancer patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate Se levels in the serum, urine, and hair of pediatric cancer patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors when compared with healthy children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The concentrations of Se in the serum, hair, and urine of 32 Turkish children as healthy controls and 88 Turkish children diagnosed with acute leukemia (58), lymphoma (16), and solid tumors (14) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. RESULTS: Se levels in the serum and hair of the children with cancer were significantly lower than those of the controls. There were no differences between the leukemia, lymphoma, and solid tumors group. On the other hand, the Se levels of the urine samples were slightly elevated in cancer patients compared with the control group. There was no marked difference in the Se levels of patients with different types of cancer. CONCLUSION: Se deficiency might be associated with the development of pediatric cancer. Especially in children, additional studies are needed to define whether low levels of Se may play a role in cancer pathogenesis.

Protective effect of chemically modified SOD on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in diabetic rats.

Reactive oxygen species mediated oxidative stress play an important role on the injury of tissue damage and increased attention has been focused on the role of free radicals in diabetes mellitus (DM). In the present study firstly superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme was chemically modified with two different polymer and physicochemical properties of these conjugates clearly analyzed. Then, the stability of carboxymethylcellulose-SOD (CMC-SOD) and poly methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride-SOD (PMVE/MA-SOD) conjugates was investigated against temperature and externally added H2O2. Moreover, we investigated the effect of chemically modified SOD enzyme on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. PMVE/MA-SOD conjugate treatment significantly reduced MDA level compared with the control groups, native and CMC-SOD conjugate treated groups in brain, kidney and liver tissue. GSH and SOD enzyme activity in diabetic groups was significantly increased by treatment of CMC-SOD and PMVE/MA-SOD conjugates. The protective effects on degenerative changes in diabetic rats were also further confirmed by histopathological examination. This study provides the preventative activity of SOD-polymer conjugates against complication of oxidative stress in experimentally induced diabetic rats. These results suggest that chemically modified SOD is effective on the oxidative stress-associated disease and offer a therapeutic advantage in clinical use.