Healing of Skin Wounds in Rats Using Creams Based on Symphytum Officinale Extract.

Rosmarinic acid is a well-known natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, and it is one of the polyphenolic compounds found in comfrey plants. Comfrey root also contains allantoin, which helps with new skin regeneration. This study aimed to investigate the healing and skin regeneration process of skin wounds in Wistar rats using creams based on comfrey extract and to correlate the results with active compounds in the extract. The obtained results showed that comfrey root is rich in bioactive compounds, including allantoin, salvianolic acid, and rosmarinic acid, which are known for their great free radical scavenging activity, and the high antioxidant activity of the extract may be mainly due to these compounds. The obtained extract has an antimicrobial effect on Staphylococcus aureus (1530.76/382.69), Escherichia coli (6123.01/6123.01), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6123.01/6123.01). The macroscopic evaluation and the histological analysis of the skin defects 14 days after the intervention showed faster healing and complete healing in the skin excisions treated with oil-in-water cream with 20% extract of comfrey as the active ingredient.

The evaluation of the osteopromoting capabilities of composites based on biopolymers and gold/silver nanoparticles doped bioactive glasses on an experimental rat bone defect.

The most important concept behind using bone scaffolds is the biocompatibility of the material to avoid a local inflammatory response and must have the following properties: osteoinduction, osteoconductivity, angiogenesis, and mechanical support for cell growth. Gold nanoparticles/gold and silver nanoparticles -containing bioactive glasses in biopolymer composites have been used to enhance bone regeneration. These composites were testedin vitroon fibroblast and osteoblast cell lines using MTT tests, immunofluorescence, scanning electron microscopy analysis, andin vivoin an experimental bone defect in Sprague-Dawley rats. Both composites promoted adequate biological effects on human fibroblastic BJ (CRL 2522TM) cell lines and human osteoblastic cells isolated from the human patella in terms of cell proliferation, morphology, migration, and attachment. Most importantly, they did not cause cellular apoptosis and necrosis. According to the histological and immunohistochemical results, both composites were osteoinductive and promoted new bone formation at 60 d. Evidence from this study suggests that the small amount of silver content does not influence negatively thein vitroorin vivoresults. In addition, we obtained accurate results proving that the existence of apatite layer and proteins on the surface of the recovered composite, supports the validity ofin vitrobioactivity research.

Association between polymorphisms of genes involved in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System and the adaptive morphological and functional responses to essential hypertension.

Hypertensive cardiac remodeling is illustrated by increased left ventricular (LV) mass index values and/or relative wall thickness (RWT) values >0.42, and functionally by isolated alteration of LV diastole (abnormal relaxation). The aim of the present study was to establish differentiated models of anatomical and functional adaptation to essential hypertension (EHT), in relation to the genetic variants of genes involved in the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS). The M235T-AGT, I/D-ACE, A1166C-R1AngII, A3123C-R2AngII and G83A-REN genotypes were determined using PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism in 139 hypertensive subjects. The relationship between the studied RAAS gene polymorphisms with morphological and functional cardiac remodeling was assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Patients carrying the C/C, A/C genotypes (A3123C-R2AngII polymorphism) had a 2.72-fold (P=0.033) increased risk of exhibiting an RWT value <0.42; in the multivariate model the risk was 4.02-fold higher (P=0.008). Analysis of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) revealed that hypertensive patients carrying the T/T, M/T genotypes (M235T-AGT polymorphism) had a 2.24-fold (P=0.037) increased risk of developing LVDD and a 2.42-fold increased risk (P=0.039) after adjustment for confounders. Similarly, carriers of the G/G, A/G genotypes (G83A-REN) had a 2.32-fold (P=0.021) increased risk of developing LVDD, and this remained an independent risk factor based on the multivariate model (P=0.033). The results of the present study showed that no particular gene was associated with increased LV mass, but the A3123C-R2AngII polymorphism was associated with a non-concentric type of cardiac response in hypertensive patients. Conversely, the M235T-AGT and G83A-REN polymorphisms were found to be statistically significantly associated with LVDD when assessing abnormal relaxation.

Bioactive glass-biopolymers­gold nanoparticle based composites for tissue engineering applications.

Biomaterials based on bioactive glass with gold nanoparticle composites have many applications in tissue engineering due to their tissue regeneration and angiogenesis capacities. The objectives of the study were to develop new composites using bioactive glass with gold nanospheres (BGAuSP) and gold nanocages (BGAuIND), individually introduced in alginate-pullulan (Alg-Pll) polymer, to evaluate their biocompatibility potential, and to compare the obtained results with those achieved when ß-tricalcium phosphate-hydroxyapatite (ßTCP/HA) replaced the BG. The novel composites underwent structural and morphological characterization followed by in vitro viability testing on fibroblast and osteoblast cell lines. Additionally, the biomaterials were subcutaneously implanted in Sprague Dawley rats, for in vivo biocompatibility assessment during 3 separate time frames (14, 30 and 60 days). The biological effects were evaluated by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The physical characterization revealed the cross-linking between polymers and glasses/ceramics and demonstrated a suitable thermal stability for sterilization processes. The in vitro assays demonstrated adequate form, pore size of composites ranging from few micrometers up to 100 µm, while the self-assembled apatite layer formed after simulated body fluid immersion confirmed the composites' bioactivity. Viability assays have highlighted optimal cellular proliferation and in vitro biocompatibility for all tested composites. Furthermore, based on the in vivo subcutaneous analyses the polymer composites with BGAuNP have shown excellent biocompatibility at 14, 30 and 60 days, exhibiting marked angiogenesis while, tissue proliferation was confirmed by high number of Vimentin positive cells, in comparison with the polymer composite that contains ßTCP/HA, which induced an inflammatory response represented by a foreign body reaction. The obtained results suggest promising, innovative, and biocompatible composites with bioactive properties for future soft tissue and bone engineering endeavours.

The Impact of Composites with Silicate-Based Glasses and Gold Nanoparticles on Skin Wound Regeneration.

The silver content of the skin regeneration ointments can influence its regeneration process but in the meantime, it can take the benefit of the antibacterial properties of silver by avoiding the bacterial infection of an open wound. In the current study, the skin healing and regeneration capacity of bioactive glass with spherical gold nanocages (BGAuIND) in the Vaseline ointments were evaluated in vivo comparing the bioactive glass (BG)-Vaseline and bioactive glass with spherical gold (BGAuSP)-Vaseline ointments. Spherical gold nanocages are stabilized with silver and as a consequence the BGAuIND exhibits great antibacterial activity. Histological examination of the cutaneous tissue performed on day 8 indicates a more advanced regeneration process in rats treated with BGAuSP-Vaseline. The histopathological examination also confirms the results obtained after 11 days post-intervention, when the skin is completely regenerated at rats treated with BGAuSP-Vaseline compared with the others groups where the healing was incomplete. This result is also confirmed by the macroscopic images of the evolution of wounds healing. As expected, the silver content influences the wound healing process but after two weeks, for all of the post-interventional trials from the groups of rats, the skin healing was completely.

Bone regeneration response in an experimental long bone defect orthotopically implanted with alginate-pullulan-glass-ceramic composite scaffolds.

In the present study, scaffolds based on alginate-pullulan-bioactive glass-ceramic with 0.5 and 1.5 mol % copper oxide were orthotopically implanted in experimental rat models to assess their ability to heal an induced bone defect. By implying magnetic resonance and imaging scans together with histological evaluation of the processed samples, a progressive healing of bone was observed within 5 weeks. Furthermore, as the regenerative process continued, new bone tissue was formed, enhancing the growth of irregular bone spicules around the scaffolds. A significantly higher amount of new bone was formed (37%) in the defect that received the composite with 1.5 mol % CuO (in glass-ceramic matrix) content implant. Nevertheless, the bone regeneration obtained by scaffold with 0.5 mol % CuO implanted is comparable with the alginate-pullulan-ß-tricalcium phosphate/hydroxiapatite composite implant. The assessed amount of new bone formed was found to be between 29.75 and 37.15% for all the composition involved in the present study. During this process a regeneration process was shown when the alginate-pullulan composite materials were involved, fact that indicate the great potential of these materials to be used in tissue engineering.

Complications of cataract surgery in Wistar rats undergoing treatment with tamsulosin.

The aim of the study was to identify if there is a connection between the time of administration of alpha-blocker medication and cataract surgery complications. Furthermore, it was explored whether discontinuation of tamsulosin before cataract surgery influences the manifestations of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in rats. An experimental study was conducted on 20 male Wistar rats aged 1.5-2 years (body mean weight 357 g), which were divided into four equal groups: Group 1, under tamsulosin hydrochloride 0.4 mg/day for 2 months; group 2, without any treatment in the first month, followed by tamsulosin; group 3, under tamsulosin for 1 month, followed by 1 month without any treatment; and group 4, control. The pupillary diameter was assessed before instillation of 0.5% tropicamide (mydriatic and cycloplegic agent), after 1 or 2 h from instillation and postoperatively. Furthermore, pupil constriction during surgery, the presence of floppy iris and prolapse of the iris following the main incision and during serum injection were also assessed. Other analyzed features included iris rupture, posterior capsule tear, vitreous loss, lens fragments in the vitreous, suprachoroidal bleeding and corneal haze. The iris dilator muscle thickness and the posterior epithelium was measured using light microscopy. In the control group, the largest pupillary diameters were indicated and in group 1, the smallest pupillary diameters were revealed. Statistically significant differences were indicated between group 1 and 2 and group 3 and 4. Floppy iris, iris prolapse in the main incision and during serum injection appeared at maximum frequency for group 1 with continuous treatment and low frequency for the control group. Lens fragments in the vitreous were present in the groups 1-3. Notably, intraoperative miosis had statistical relevance in group 1 and group 2. To conclude, the present findings suggested there is a clear connection between the time of administration of the alpha-blocker medication and most cataract complications. The results indicated that discontinuation of tamsulosin for one month largely reduces the manifestations of intraoperative floppy iris syndrome in rats, which may suggest to change preoperative treatment for benign prostatic hypertrophy with another class of drugs that do not interact with the iris receptors.

New alginate-pullulan-bioactive glass composites with copper oxide for bone tissue regeneration trials.

Composites based on sodium alginate, pullulan, and bioactive SiO2 -CaO-P2 O5 glass-ceramics with copper oxide were prepared as capsules. The obtained samples were structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and their bioactivity and biocompatibility properties were also tested both in vitro and in vivo by XRD, FT-IR, SEM, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The fibroblast and osteoblast cell viability assays have shown good proliferation rates for all investigated samples, whereas all composites exhibited a good in vivo tolerance. The recovered composites after 5 weeks' in vivo and in vitro trials evidenced clear macroscopic alterations; particularly, after soaking in simulated body fluid, they have a corn flake aspect, and after their in vivo inoculation, a globular shape is retained. Different crystalline shapes of hydroxyapatite were formed after in vitro and in vivo trials for the glass-ceramic-polymer composites, the in vitro precipitated apatite was found to be nodular, and the in vivo experiment led to needlelike crystallites formation. Histopathological results showed a good biocompatibility with no significant signs of rejection by the host tissue. These assessments performed on the composites indicate that the studied materials can be considered without any doubt suitable candidates for future bone regeneration applications.

Vaginal prolapse with urinary bladder incarceration and consecutive irreducible rectal prolapse in a dog.

BACKGROUND: True vaginal prolapse is a rare condition in dogs and it is occasionally observed in animals with constipation, dystocia, or forced separation during breeding. If a true prolapse occurs, the bladder, the uterine body and/or distal part of the colon, may be present in the prolapse. CASE PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old intact non pregnant Central Asian Shepherd dog in moderate condition, was presented for a true vaginal and rectal prolapse. The prolapses were confirmed by physical examination and ultrasonography. Herniation of the urinary bladder was identified within the vaginal prolapse. The necrotic vaginal wall was resected, the urinary bladder was reduced surgically and fixed to the right abdominal wall to prevent recurrence. Rectal resection and anastomosis was necessary to correct the rectal prolapse. Recurrence of the prolapses was not observed and the dog recovered completely after the surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, extreme tenesmus arising from constipation may have predisposed to the vaginal prolapse with bladder incarceration and secondarily to rectal prolapse. In the young female dog, true vaginal prolapse with secondary involvement of the urinary bladder and irreducible rectal prolapse is an exceptionally rare condition.