Ligand fishing using new chitosan based functionalized Androgen Receptor magnetic particles.

Superparamagnetic nanoparticles with chemically modified chitosan has been proposed as a potential support for the immobilization of the androgen receptor (AR). The study involved comparison of different AR carriers like commercially available magnetic beads coated with silica (BcMag) and chitosan coated nanoparticles with different amount of amino groups. The immobilization was carried out through covalent immobilization of the AR through the terminal amino group or through available carboxylic acids. The initial characterization of the AR coated magnetic beads was carried out with dihydrotestosterone, a known AR ligand. Subsequently, chitosan modified nanporticles with long-distanced primary amino groups (Fe3O4CS-(NH2)3) (upto 8.34mM/g) were used for further study to isolate known AR ligands (bicalutamide, flutamide, hydroxyflutamide and levonogestrel) from a mixture of tested compounds in ammonium acetate buffer [10mM, pH 7.4]. The results showed that the selected nanoparticles are a promising semi-quantitative tool for the identification of high affinity compounds to AR and might be of special importance in the identification of novel agonists or antiandrogens.

Tropomyosin-1 protects transformed alveolar epithelial cells against cigaret smoke extract through the stabilization of F-actin-dependent cell-cell junctions.

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of tropomyosin-1-based structural stabilization of F-actin in transformed human alveolar epithelial line H1299 cells subjected to high oxidative stress induced by cigaret smoke extract. We demonstrated here that cigaret smoke extract induces cell shrinking and detachment as a consequence of F-actin cytoskeleton degradation in H1299 cells not overexpressing tropomyosin-1. Furthermore, the treatment of these cells with cigaret smoke extract resulted in the loss of peripheral localization of ZO-1 and initiated apoptosis. In contrast, structural stabilization of F-actin, by overexpression of tropomyosin-1, preserved cell to cell interactions through the attenuation of cortical actin organization into thin fibers and thus protected these cells against oxidative stress-induced degradation of actin cytoskeleton and cell death. In conclusion, we suggest that structural stabilization of thin cortical F-actin fibers increases link between tight junctions proteins and actin cytoskeleton and thus protects H1299 cells against cigaret smoke extract.

Morphine delays and attenuates ticagrelor exposure and action in patients with myocardial infarction: the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled IMPRESSION trial.

AIMS: The currently available data indicate a drug-drug interaction between morphine and oral P2Y12 receptor inhibitors, when administered together. The aim of this trial was to assess the influence of infused morphine on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ticagrelor and its active metabolite (AR-C124910XX) in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS AND RESULTS: In a single-centre, randomized, double-blind trial, patients were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive intravenously either morphine (5 mg) or placebo, followed by a 180 mg loading dose of ticagrelor. Pharmacokinetics was determined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry and ticagrelor antiplatelet effects were measured with up to three different platelet function tests: vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation assay, multiple electrode aggregometry and VerifyNow. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic assessment was performed in 70 patients (35 in each study group). Morphine lowered the total exposure to ticagrelor and its active metabolite by 36% (AUC(0-12): 6307 vs. 9791 ng h/mL; P = 0.003), and 37% (AUC(0-12): 1503 vs. 2388 ng h/mL; P = 0.008), respectively, with a concomitant delay in maximal plasma concentration of ticagrelor (4 vs. 2 h; P = 0.004). Multiple regression analysis showed that lower AUC(0-12) values for ticagrelor were independently associated with the administration of morphine (P = 0.004) and the presence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (P = 0.014). All three methods of platelet reactivity assessment showed a stronger antiplatelet effect in the placebo group and a greater prevalence of high platelet reactivity in patients receiving morphine. CONCLUSIONS: Morphine delays and attenuates ticagrelor exposure and action in patients with myocardial infarction. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02217878.

Alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase and hepsin as urinary prostate cancer markers.

BACKGROUND: Because of the numerous limitations of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), α-methylacyl-CoA racemase (AMACR) and hepsin have recently been suggested as potential biomarkers in prostate cancer (PC). This report presents a comparison study of the presence of AMACR and hepsin in urine collected before and after digital rectal examination (DRE) as a previously suggested diagnostic marker for PC. METHODS: Seventy-six urine samples (38 before and 38 after prostate massage) from patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 66 urine samples (33 before and 33 after prostate massage) from patients with PC were analyzed. PC was confirmed by prostate biopsy. Urinary levels of AMACR and hepsin were determined by ELISA and related to the tumor stage, Gleason score and PSA level. RESULTS: AMACR and hepsin levels in urine collected after prostate massage were higher only in the PC group. There were no correlations between AMACR levels, hepsin levels, tumor stage and Gleason score. AMACR and hepsin did not differentiate between BPH and PC with better true positive and false negative rates than serum PSA. CONCLUSIONS: AMACR and hepsin were unable to diagnose PC with better true positive and false negative rates than PSA. An additional procedure combined with other markers should be applied for the reliable diagnosis of PC.

Tropomyosin-1 protects endothelial cell-cell junctions against cigarette smoke extract through F-actin stabilization in EA.hy926 cell line.

The aim of the study was to estimate the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on EA.hy926 endothelial cells in culture in the context of maintenance of cell-cell junctions through the structural stabilization of the actin cytoskeleton. In the present study, F-actin was stabilized by the overexpression of tropomyosin-1, which is known to stabilize actin filaments in muscle and non-muscle cells. Our study showed that the stabilization of F-actin significantly increased the survival of cells treated with 25% CSE. In addition, after stabilization of F-actin the migratory potential of EA.hy926 cells subjected to CSE treatment was increased. Our results also showed increased fluorescence intensity of alpha- and beta-catenin after CSE treatment in cells which had stabilized F-actin. Analysis of fluorescence intensity of Zonula occludens-1 did not reveal any significant differences when EA.hy926 cells overexpressing tropomyosin-1 were compared with those lacking overexpression. It would appear that overexpression of tropomyosin-1 preserved the structure of actin filaments in the cells treated with CSE. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that stabilization of F-actin protects EA.hy926 cells against CSE-induced loss of both adherens and tight junctions. The data presented in this study suggest that overexpression of tropomyosin-1 stabilizes the organizational structure of actin filaments and helps preserve the endothelial barrier function under conditions of strong oxidative stress.

Ionic liquids as mobile phase additives for feasible assay of naphazoline in pharmaceutical formulation by HPTLC-UV-densitometric method.

A specific and reliable high-performance thin layer chromatography method with densitometry detection has been developed for the determination of naphazoline nitrate in nasal drops. The best separation of the basic analyte, without spot tailing, was achieved by using a mobile phase composed of acetonitrile-water (60:40, v/v), adding 1.5 % (v/v) imidazolium-class ionic liquid and covering the plates with a stationary phase based on RP-18 with F254S (10 × 20 cm). The presented results confirm that imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ionic liquids are efficient suppressors of free silanols, which are considered to be responsible for troublesome and irreproducible chromatographic determinations of basic compounds. The developed chromatographic system was found to be convenient in use and to provide a repeatable assay of naphazoline nitrate in nasal drops, which could not be obtained with the use of standard silanol suppressing mobile phase additives such as triethylamine or dimethyloctylamine.