Physicochemical Studies on Amino Acid Based Metallosurfactants in Combination with Phospholipid.

Dicarboxylate metallosurfactants (AASM), synthesized by mixing N-dodecyl aminomalonate, -aspartate and -glutamate with CaCl2, MnCl2 and CdCl2, were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and NMR spectroscopy. Layered structures, formed by metallosurfactants, were evidenced from differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses. Solvent-spread monolayer of AASM in combination with soyphosphatidylcholine (SPC) and cholesterol (CHOL) were studied using Langmuir surface balance. With increasing mole fraction of AASM mean molecular area increased and passed through maxima at ~60 mol% of AASMs, indicating molecular packing reorganization. Systems with 20 and 60 mol% AASM exhibited positive deviations from ideal behavior signifying repulsive interaction between the AASM and SPC, while synergistic interactions were established from the negative deviation at other combinations. Dynamic surface elasticity increased with increasing surface pressure signifying formation of rigid monolayer. Transition of monolayer from gaseous to liquid expanded to liquid condensed state was established by Brewster angle microscopic studies. Stability of the hybrid vesicles, formed by AASM+SPC+CHOL, were established by monitoring their size, zeta potential and polydispersity index values over 100 days. Size and spherical morphology of hybrid vesicles were confirmed by transmission electron microscopic studies. Biocompatibility of the hybrid vesicles were established by cytotoxicity studies revealing their possible applications in drug delivery and imaging.

Impact of Ionic Liquids on the Physicochemical Behavior of Vesicles.

The effects of two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([bmim]BF4) and 1-butyl-1-methyl pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate ([bmp]BF4), on a mixture of phospholipids (PLs) 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (DPPE), and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol (DPPG) (6:3:1, M/M/M, 70% PL) in combination with 30 mol % cholesterol (CHOL) were investigated in the form of a solvent-spread monolayer and bilayer (vesicle). Surface pressure (π)-area (A) isotherm studies, using a Langmuir surface balance, revealed the formation of an expanded monolayer, while the cationic moiety of the IL molecules could electrostatically and hydrophobically bind to the PLs on the palisade layer. Turbidity, dynamic light scattering (size, ζ-potential, and polydispersity index), electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetric studies were carried out to evaluate the effects of IL on the structural organization of bilayer in the vesicles. The ILs could induce vesicle aggregation by acting as a "glue" at lower concentrations (<1.5 mM), while at higher concentrations, the ILs disrupt the bilayer structure. Besides, ILs could result in the thinning of the bilayer, evidenced from the scattering studies. Steady-state fluorescence anisotropy and lifetime studies suggest asymmetric insertion of ILs into the lipid bilayer. MTT assay using human blood lymphocytes indicates the safe application of vesicles in the presence of ILs, with a minimal toxicity of up to 2.5 mM IL in the dispersion. These results are proposed to have applications in the field of drug delivery systems with benign environmental impact.

Micro-structural investigations on oppositely charged mixed surfactant gels with potential dermal applications.

Dicarboxylic amino acid-based surfactants (N-dodecyl derivatives of -aminomalonate, -aspartate, and -glutamate) in combination with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HTAB) form a variety of aggregates. Composition and concentration-dependent mixtures exhibit liquid crystal, gel, precipitate, and clear isotropic phases. Liquid crystalline patterns, formed by surfactant mixtures, were identified by polarizing optical microscopy. FE-SEM studies reveal the existence of surface morphologies of different mixed aggregates. Phase transition and associated weight loss were found to depend on the composition where thermotropic behaviours were revealed through combined differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric studies. Systems comprising more than 60 mol% HTAB demonstrate shear-thinning behaviour. Gels cause insignificant toxicity to human peripheral lymphocytes and irritation to bare mouse skin; they do not display the symptoms of cutaneous irritation, neutrophilic invasion, and inflammation (erythema, edema, and skin thinning) as evidenced by cumulative irritancy index score. Gels also exhibit substantial antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus, a potent causative agent of skin and soft tissue infections, suggesting its possible application as a vehicle for topical dermatological drug delivery.

Interfacial and Aggregation Behaviour of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Induced by Ionic Liquids.

Aggregation studies of anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) was investigated in aqueous 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [bmim]Cl and N-butyl-N-methyl pyrrolidinium tetrafluoroborate [bmp]BF4 ionic liquid (IL) solutions respectively. Systems were studied by surface tension, conductance, UV-VIS absorption/emission spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Critical micelle concentration (CMC) values gradually decreased with increasing IL concentration which indicates synergistic interaction between ILs and SDS. Gibbs free energy change results demonstrated spontaneous micellization induced by ILs; however the effect of ILs were not similar to the corresponding regular salts (NaCl and NaBF4). Aggregation number (n) of micelles, determined by fluorescence quenching method, indicate that the 'n' values increase with increasing ILs concentration, induced by the oppositely charged IL cation. Size of the micelles, determined by dynamic light scattering studies, increased with increasing ILs concentration, which were due to the formation of larger aggregates; the aggregates are considered to be comprised of the anionic surfactant with a substantial proportion of ILs cation as the bound counter ions. Such studies are considered to shed further light in the fundamentals of IL induced micellization as well as in different practical applications.

Insulin resistance in prostate cancer patients and predisposing them to acute ischemic heart disease.

Lack of insulin or insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in diabetes mellitus and makes diabetics prone to acute ischemic heart disease (AIHD). It has likewise been found that many cancer patients, including prostate cancer patients die of AIHD. Previously it has been delineated from our laboratory that dermcidin could induce anomalous platelet aggregation in AIHD and also impaired nitric oxide and insulin activity and furthermore dermcidin was also found in a few types of cancer patients. To determine the role of this protein in prostatic malignancy, a retrospective case-control study was conducted and blood was collected from prostate cancer patients and healthy normal volunteers. So, we measured the level of dermcidin protein and analyzed the IR by Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) score calculation. Nitric oxide was measured by methemoglobin method. HDL, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), BMI, hs-cTroponin-T were measured for the validation of the patients' status in the presence of Dermcidin isoform-2 (DCN-2). Multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age and BMI identified that the HOMA score was significantly elevated in prostate cancer patients (OR = 7.19, P<0.001). Prostate cancer patients are associated with lower level of NO and higher level of both proteins dermcidin (OR = 1.12, P<0.001) and hs-TroponinT (OR = 1.76, P<0.001). From the results, it can be interpreted that IR plays a key role in the pathophysiology of prostate cancer where dermcidin was the cause of IR through NO inhibition leading to AIHD was also explained by high-sensitive fifth generation cTroponin-T (hs-cTroponinT) and HbA1c level which are associated with endothelial dysfunction.

Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) Protects Against Arsenic Neurotoxicity via Antioxidative Mechanism and Activation of Superoxide Dismutase Activity.

BACKGROUND: Chronic arsenic-exposure even at a low-dose results in the neural impairment and motor/cognitive dysfunction. However, several preventive approaches are made mainly against hepatic/ gastrointestinal damages. Only a few investigations postulate therapeutic strategies for neural anomalies. Here, the protective role of Green tea (Camellia sinensis or CS; 10mg/ml aqueous) has been evaluated against arsenic-induced (0.6ppm/100g bw/28 days) cerebral/cerebellar tissue degeneration, oxidative-threats and neurotransmitter deregulation in female rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: The Dunnett's t test and multiple-comparison ANOVA-test suggest that arsenic significantly decreased free thiol level with an increase in lipid-peroxidised product and damages to the tissue-structure. A significant decrease in serum urate accompanied by increases in C-reactive protein and TNF-α, an acute-phase inflammatory cytokine, strongly suggests a possible mechanism of oxidative- inflammatory tissue injury being supported by the increase in lactate-dehydrogenase activity. In addition, suppression in cytosolic superoxide-dismutase (Cu-Zn isoform/SOD1; NBT reduction-test) and an insufficient protection through catalase activity culminate free radical-related damages. In-vitro, H2O2 inactivated partially-purified (dialyzed/concentrated, 6-8kd cutoff-Millipore) rat liver SOD1 and that was markedly protected by 2-mercaptoethanol. Though significant signs of toxicities were noticed at biochemical/cellular level, the present treatment did not affect DNA (DNA-fragmentation assay) in the brain tissues. The CS supplementation significantly protected serum/tissue antioxidant-components, prevented inflammatory-responses and decreased lipid-peroxidation in brain resulting in increased tissue integrity. Moreover, arsenic-induced impairment of neurotransmitters i.e. glycine, glutamate and aspartate levels in cerebral tissue were significantly restored in CS-supplemented group. CONCLUSION: Taken together, this investigation indicates the potent neuroprotective and antioxidative efficiencies of Camellia sinensis against arsenic-induced oxidative threat.

Neutralization by Acetyl Salicylic Acid of the Testosterone induced Impaired Maspin Synthesis Stimulated by Estriol in Neutrophils through Nitric Oxide Synthesis.

PURPOSE: Maspin, an anti breast cancer protein in the mammary cell and normal neutrophil has been reported to be synthesised by the stimulation of NO production induced by estriol. The role of testosterone was investigated in the synthesis of maspin in relation to that of estriol. METHODS: Fifty normal female between the ages of 25-65 years old participated in the study. Maspin synthesis was demonstrated by in vitro translation of maspin mRNA, followed by the quantification of maspin by enzyme linked immune absorbent assay. NO was determined by methomoglobin method. RESULTS: Incubation of the neutrophils in HBSS both with 30 nM estriol resulted in the synthesis of 1.8 ngm maspin with simultaneous increase of NO synthesis. In contrast incubating neutrophils with 20 nM testosterone in the presence of estriol inhibited maspin synthesis to 0.33 nM with simultaneous inhibition of NO synthesis from 1.89 nM to 0 nM at the same time. Addition of 0.2µM flutamide, a testosterone receptor blocker to the incubation mixture restored the synthesis of maspin by 60.64 %. Incubation of 25µM aspirin that stimulated NO synthesis restored the inhibition of maspin synthesis by testosterone by 79.1%. I-NAME, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, abolished both maspin and NO synthesis. Scatchard plot of estriol binding in the presence of testosterone demonstrated that the male sex hormone inhibited the female sex hormone binding to its receptor by "cross talk" between the receptors. It was found that while 1.02 × 10(3) molecules of estriol bind each neutrophil at equilibrium, in the presence of testosterone (20nM) in the binding mixture decreases the binding of estriol to 0.5 × 10(3) with little change in the dissociation constant compared to controls. CONCLUTION: Estriol was found to stimulate maspin synthesis through the stimulation of NO, testosterone inhibited maspin synthesis through the inhibition of NO synthesis.