Safety evaluation of 5-hydroxytryptophan and S-(2-aminoethyl)isothiouronium bromide hydrobromide on rodent lungs.

OBJECTIVES: During the past few decades, various compounds have been researched for their potential as radioprotectants, and many of them were found to be safe and effective in several preclinical models. However, many of these compounds were found to have serious adverse effects when evaluated in clinical settings, thereby making them unsuitable for human applications. 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and S-(2-aminoethyl) isothiouronium bromide hydrobromide (AET) act in a synergistic fashion to promote radioprotection. The present study primarily emphasizes the safety of fixed dose of 5-HTP + AET in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice, a well-known model used in drug safety studies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Post-administration of the combination of HTP+AET at specific time points, blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected for the analysis of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers of the lungs. Thereafter, the mice were sacrificed and the lungs were dissected out, weighed, and fixed in formalin for histopathological studies. RESULTS: The inflammatory biomarkers: tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 and oxidative stress biomarkers: 8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine were found to have normal levels in blood and BALF in both control and treatment groups, which was further supported by normal histological findings. In addition, other endpoints such as food and water intake were found to be within normal limits. CONCLUSION: The present safety study reflects that the combination has no adverse effects on the lungs of the experimental mouse. Further, evaluation in higher mammals including nonhuman primates is essential prior to validation of the safety of the combination in humans.

Design, synthesis, and mechanistic insight of novel imidazolones as potential EGFR inhibitors and apoptosis inducers.

As regards to the structural analysis and optimization of diverse potential EGFR inhibitors, two series of imidazolyl-2-cyanoprop-2-enimidothioates and ethyl imidazolylthiomethylacrylates were designed and constructed as potential EGFR suppressors. The cytotoxic effect of the prepared derivatives was assessed toward hepatic, breast, and prostate cancerous cells (Hep-G2, MCF-7, and PC-3). Three derivatives 3d, 3e, and 3f presented potent antiproliferative activity and selectivity against the examined tumor cells showing IC50 values at low micromolar levels. Hence, successive biological assays were applied to determine the probable mechanism of action of the new compounds. They exhibited significant EGFR suppression with an IC50 range of 0.137-0.507 µM. The most effective EGFR inhibitor 3f arrested the MCF-7 cell cycle at the S phase by inducing the apoptotic pathway that was confirmed via increasing the expression of Caspases 8, 9, and Bax, which are associated with Bcl-2 decline. Additionally, molecular docking displayed a distinctive interaction between 3f and EGFR binding pocket. Overall, this work introduces some novel imidazolyl-2-cyanoprop-2-enimidothioates and ethyl imidazolylthiomethylacrylates as potential cytotoxic and EGFR inhibitors that deserve further research in tumor therapy.

Design and synthesis of novel dithiazole carboxylic acid Derivatives: In vivo and in silico investigation of their Anti-Inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Inflammation is a complex set of interactions that can occur in tissues as the body's defensive response to infections, trauma, allergens, or toxic compounds. Therefore, in almost all diseases, it can be observed because of primary or secondary reasons. Since it is important to control and even eliminate the symptoms of inflammation in the treatment of many diseases, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs are always needed in the clinic. Therefore, the discovery of new anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs with increased effectiveness and safer side effect profiles is among the popular topics of medicinal chemistry. Therefore, in this study, in order to synthesize and diversify new molecules, we focused on the N,N-dithiazole carboxylic acid core and linked it with the chalcone functional group. The final eleven molecules were analyzed via HRMS, 1H NMR, and 13C NMR. The antinociceptive effects of the test compounds were examined by tail-clip, hot-plate, and formalin methods in mice, while their anti-inflammatory activities were investigated by carrageenan-induced inflammation tests in rats. The motor activities of the experimental animals were evaluated using an activity-meter device. Obtained findings revealed that none of the test compounds (10 mg/kg) were effective in the tail-clip and hot-plate tests. However, compounds 4b, 4c, 4f, 4 h, and 4 k in the serial shortened the paw-licking times of mice in the late phase of the formalin test indicating that these compounds had peripherally-mediated antinociceptive effects. The same compounds, moreover, showed potent anti-inflammatory effects by significantly reducing paw edema of rats in the inflammation tests. To provide an approach to pharmacological findings regarding possible mechanisms of action, the binding modes of the most active compounds were investigated by in silico approaches. The results of molecular docking studies indicated that the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of the compounds might be related to the inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2 isoenzymes. Findings obtained from in silico studies showed that 4 k, which was chosen as a model for its analogs in the series, forms strong bindings to the basic residues (Arg120, Tyr355), side pocket loop area and deep hydrophobic regions of the enzyme. Moreover, results of the molecular dynamics simulation studies revealed that ligand-COX enzyme complexes are quite stable. Obtained results of in vivo and in silico studies are in harmony, and all together point out that compounds 4b, 4c, 4f, 4 h, and 4 k have significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities with good ADME profiles. The potential of the derivatives, whose pharmacological activities were revealed for the first time in this study, as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drug candidates, needs to be evaluated through comprehensive clinical studies.

A Novel Aldisine Derivative Exhibits Potential Antitumor Effects by Targeting JAK/STAT3 Signaling.

The JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway is aberrantly hyperactivated in many cancers, promoting cell proliferation, survival, invasiveness, and metastasis. Thus, inhibitors targeting JAK/STAT3 have enormous potential for cancer treatment. Herein, we modified aldisine derivatives by introducing the isothiouronium group, which can improve the antitumor activity of the compounds. We performed a high-throughput screen of 3157 compounds and identified compounds 11a, 11b, and 11c, which contain a pyrrole [2,3-c] azepine structure linked to an isothiouronium group through different lengths of carbon alkyl chains and significantly inhibited JAK/STAT3 activities. Further results showed that compound 11c exhibited the optimal antiproliferative activity and was a pan-JAKs inhibitor capable of inhibiting constitutive and IL-6-induced STAT3 activation. In addition, compound 11c influenced STAT3 downstream gene expression (Bcl-xl, C-Myc, and Cyclin D1) and induced the apoptosis of A549 and DU145 cells in a dose-dependent manner. The antitumor effects of 11c were further demonstrated in an in vivo subcutaneous tumor xenograft experiment with DU145 cells. Taken together, we designed and synthesized a novel small molecule JAKs inhibitor targeting the JAK/STAT3 signaling pathway, which has predicted therapeutic potential for JAK/STAT3 overactivated cancer treatment.

Antitumor activity of methyl (Z)-2-(isothioureidomethyl)-2-pentenoate hydrobromide against leukemia cell lines via mitotic arrest and apoptotic pathways.

In a previous study, we described a series of 28 aryl- and alkyl-substituted isothiouronium salts with antitumor activity and selectivity toward a leukemia cell line. Among the synthesized compounds, methyl (Z)-2-(isothioureidomethyl)-2-pentenoate hydrobromide (IS-MF08) showed conspicuous activity. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of action of IS-MF08. Our results showed that its mechanism most likely is related with the membrane receptor Fas and subsequent activation of the extrinsic cell death pathway, triggered by a decrease in the levels of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and caspase-8 and -3 cascade activation, causing DNA damage and mitotic arrest. IS-MF08 also caused an increase in intracellular ROS, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and mitochondrial membrane permeabilization, resulting in organelle degradation as an attempt to reestablish cell homeostasis. Furthermore, cells exposed to IS-MF08 combined to an autophagy inhibitor were less susceptible to compound's cytotoxicity, suggesting that autophagy makes part of its mechanism of action. These data support the hypothesis that IS-MF08 acts by the apoptosis extrinsic pathway and possibly by autophagy as mechanisms of cell death.

Determination and pharmacokinetic study of isothiouronium-modified pyrimidine-substituted curcumin analog (1G), a novel antitumor agent, in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

1G, a novel derivative of curcumin, exhibits promising anticancer activities in various cancer cell lines. To support its further pharmacological studies, a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated in accordance with FDA's Guidance. After extraction by protein precipitation, analytes were separated by a 4.5 min gradient elution (water/0.1% formic acid and methanol) on a reverse-phase C18 column at 40 °C. The multiple reaction monitoring mode was used for quantification on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with positive ionization. The assay was linear over the concentration range of 5-1000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) greater than 0.99. Values of intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy were satisfactory, i.e. <10.1% for precision and within ± 14.5% for accuracy. No obvious matrix effect was observed. Recovery of the analyte was higher than 95.3%. 1G was stable during the whole analytic process. The validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of 1G after intravenous and intraperitoneal administration in rats. Favorable pharmacokinetic profiles were demonstrated, including good abdominal absorption (F = 62.58%), moderate clearance and high extravascular distribution. Results indicated that as a novel antitumor agent, 1G exhibited acceptable pharmacokinetic properties for further in vivo pharmacologic evaluation.

Hyperbaric oxygen increases glioma cell sensitivity to antitumor treatment with a novel isothiourea derivative in vitro.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor. Tumor hypoxia is a pivotal factor responsible for the progression of this malignant glioma, and its resistance to radiation and chemotherapy. Thus, improved tumor tissue oxygenation may promote greater sensitivity to anticancer treatment. Protein kinase D1 (PKD1) protects cells from oxidative stress, and its abnormal activity serves an important role in multiple malignancies. The present study examined the effects of various oxygen conditions on the cytotoxic potential of the novel isothiourea derivate N,N'­dimethyl­S­(2,3,4,5,6­pentabromobenzyl)­â€‹isothiouronium bromide (ZKK­3) against the T98G GBM cell line. ZKK­3 was applied at concentrations of 10, 25 and 50 µM, and cells were maintained under conditions of normoxia, anoxia, hypoxia, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), hypoxia/hypoxia and hypoxia/HBO. The proliferation and viability of neoplastic cells, and protein expression levels of hypoxia­inducible factor 1α (HIF­1α), PKD1, phosphorylated (p)PKD1 (Ser 916) and pPKD1 (Ser 744/748) kinases were evaluated. Oxygen deficiency, particularly regarding hypoxia, could diminish the cytotoxic effect of ZKK­3 at 25 and 50 µM and improve T98G cell survival compared with normoxia. HBO significantly reduced cell proliferation and increased T98G cell sensitivity to ZKK­3 when compared with normoxia. HIF­1α expression levels were increased under hypoxia compared with normoxia and decreased under HBO compared with hypoxia/hypoxia at 0, 10 and 50 µM ZKK­3, suggesting that HBO improved oxygenation of the cells. ZKK­3 exhibited inhibitory activity against pPKD1 (Ser 916) kinase; however, the examined oxygen conditions did not appear to significantly influence the expression of this phosphorylated form in cells treated with the tested compound. Regarding pPKD1 (Ser 744/748), a significant difference in expression was observed only for cells treated with 10 µM ZKK­3 and hypoxia/hypoxia compared with normoxia. However, there were significant differences in the expression levels of both phosphorylated forms of PKD1 under different oxygen conditions in the controls. In conclusion, the combination of isothiourea derivatives and hyperbaric oxygenation appears to be a promising therapeutic approach for malignant glioma treatment.

Involvement of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in immune-functioning of Paphia malabarica (Chemnitz, 1782).

In recent years, the role of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) isoform has been widely studied because of its immunological relevance in higher organisms as well as invertebrates including bivalves. However, little is known about the immunological role of iNOS in Paphia malabarica defense mechanism. In this study, we immunodetected the presence of iNOS in P. malabarica hemocytes using antibody N9657 monoclonal anti-nitric oxide synthase. In addition, increased iNOS activity was evident in response to a higher bacterial dosage (Vibrio parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae), highlighting the dose-dependent iNOS activity induction. Also, higher bacterial survivability was observed in the presence of iNOS inhibitor, i.e., S-methylisothiourea hemisulphate (SMIS) thus, validating the bactericidal role of iNOS. These findings implicate the involvement of iNOS in immune-functioning of P. malabarica. Future work should focus on elucidating the expression and regulation of pathogenesis in P. malabarica, involving iNOS.

Preventive treatment with dizocilpine attenuates oedema in a carrageenan model of inflammation: the interaction of glutamatergic and nitrergic signaling.

Dizocilpine is a highly selective and potent non-competitive antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptor. It is well known that dizocilpine has different neuroprotective effects in animal models of pain, epilepsy and oedema during trauma. The search for alternative antiinflammatory drugs is ongoing. We investigated the anti-oedematous effects of dizocilpine and the probable mechanism of action in a rat model that mimics local and persistent inflammation without tissue injury or damage. Male Wistar rats were injected with 100 µL of 0.5% carrageenan to the plantar surface of the hind paw. Anti-oedematous activity was assessed in the carrageenan-induced paw inflammatory oedema test with a plethysmometer. To assess possible mechanisms of dizocilpine action, we examined the effects of the selective inhibitor of neuronal [N-ω-propyl-L-arginine hydrochloride (L-NPA)] and inducible [S-methylisothiourea (SMT)] nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Dizocilpine after systemic (0.0005, 0.005 and 0.02 mg/kg, subcutaneous (s.c.)), but not after local peripheral administration, reduced the paw inflammatory oedema. The effect is not dose dependent, and the highest decrease by about 47% at the time of maximally developed oedema was achieved with 0.005 mg/kg. Intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered L-NPA (0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg) or SMT (0.005, 0.01 and 0.015 mg/kg) before dizocilpine abolished or reduced the anti-oedematous effect of dizocilpine by about 70-85%. An acute single dose of dizocilpine administered before inducing oedema systemically reduced the development of inflammatory oedema. The mechanism of the anti-oedematous effect includes, at least partially, an increase in nitric oxide (NO) production.

Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) Mediates Vascular Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in Grass Carp Reovirus (GCRV)-Induced Hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage is one of the most obvious pathological phenomena in grass carp reovirus (GCRV) infection. The etiology of GCRV-induced hemorrhage is unclear. We found inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) may relate to viral hemorrhage according to the previous studies, which is expressed at high levels after GCRV infection and is related to apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mechanism of iNOS on apoptosis and hemorrhage at the cell level and individual level on subjects who were infected with GCRV and treated with S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMT), an iNOS inhibitor. Cell structure, apoptosis rate, and hemorrhage were evaluated through fluorescence microscopy, Annexin V-FITC staining, and H&E staining, respectively. Cell samples and muscle tissues were collected for Western blotting, NO concentration measure, caspase activity assay, and qRT-PCR. iNOS-induced cell apoptosis and H&E staining showed that the vascular wall was broken after GCRV infection in vivo. When the function of iNOS was inhibited, NO content, apoptosis rate, caspase activity, and hemorrhage were reduced. Collectively, these results suggested iNOS plays a key role in apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in GCRV-induced hemorrhage. This study is the first to elucidate the relationship between iNOS-induced cell apoptosis and GCRV-induced hemorrhage, which lays the foundation for further mechanistic research of virus-induced hemorrhage.

Potent Antitumour Effects of Novel Pentabromobenzylisothioureas Studied on Human Glial-derived Tumour Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Tumours of astroglial origin are the most common primary brain malignancy characterized by infiltrative growth and resistance to standard antitumour therapy. Glioma progression is thought to be related to various intracellular signal transduction pathways that involve the activation of protein kinases. Protein kinases play important roles in cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Recently, novel, specific inhibitors of constitutively active serine/threonine kinases and structurally similar isothiourea derivatives were suggested to induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in several types of human cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we examined the cytotoxic and proapoptotic activities of selected modified pentabromobenzyl isothioureas (ZKKs) in an adult human glioblastoma (T98G) and a subependymal giant cell astrocytoma cell (SEGA) line. We evaluated cell proliferation, viability, and apoptosis. RESULTS: Two pentabromobenzyl isothiourea bromide derivatives, ZKK-13 and N,N,N'-trimethyl-ZKK1 (TRIM), exhibited the most potent cytotoxic and proapoptotic efficacies against human glioma-derived cells, even at a very low concentration (1 µM). ZKK-13 (25-50 µM) inhibited cell growth by approximately 80-90% in 24 and 48 h of treatment. We showed that selected ZKKs exerted antiproliferative activity against astroglial neoplastic cells of both low- and high-grade tumour malignancy classes. No synergistic effects were detected when ZKKs were combined with serine/threonine kinase inhibitors. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicated that modified ZKKs show promise for the treatment of glioma-derived brain tumours.

A new promising simultaneous approach for attenuating type II diabetes mellitus induced neuropathic pain in rats: iNOS inhibition and neuroregeneration.

In view of the pathologic basis for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy, it is important to enhance nerve regeneration as well as prevent nerve degeneration. So, in the present study, we have investigated the effect of S-Methylisothiourea Sulfate (selective iNOS inhibitor) and Citicoline, alone and in combination, on Type II diabetes mellitus induced neuropathic pain in wistar rats. Type II diabetes was induced by providing high fat diet and low dose of Streptozotocin for 35 days in rats. Type II diabetes mellitus was assessed in terms of increased glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL levels, glucose tolerance and decrease in HDL levels. Neuropathy as the complication of type II diabetes was assessed in terms of decreased nerve conduction velocity, mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia. Oxidative stress was assessed in sciatic nerve and showed increase in LPO and nitrite levels whereas decrease was shown in GSH and catalase activity. Axonal degeneration marked by nerve fibre dearrangement and demyelination was observed in histopathological studies. SMT (iNOS inhibitor), Citicoline and low dose combination of both drugs significantly attenuates the diabetic neuropathic pain assessed in terms of parameters employed. Thus, it may be concluded that simultaneous administration of SMT and Citicoline may provide potential therapeutics for diabetic neuropathic pain.

Cardiovascular risk and the effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibition in female rats: The role of estrogen.

It is known that autonomic modulation is responsive to ovarian hormone levels and that estrogen increases nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. However, little is known about the interaction of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms with autonomic modulation, oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk in females. This study aimed to investigate cardiovascular, autonomic and oxidative parameters after selective NOS inhibition. A spectral analysis of systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and heart rate variability (HRV) was performed. NO levels, total antioxidant capacity (TRAP), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity were measured in the plasma of rats treated with L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME), S-methylisothiourea (SMT) or saline. Wistar rats, ovariectomized (OVX) with or without estradiol treatment (1mg/kg/day) or with a false ovariectomy (SHAM), were submitted to artery and vein catheterization. Cardiovascular parameters were evaluated before and after the administration of saline or NOS inhibitors. After 2h, plasma samples were collected for biochemical measurement. At baseline, cardiovascular and autonomic parameters were not different among the groups. L-NAME, the constitutive NOS isoform (cNOS) inhibitor, promoted an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and a reduction in the low frequency band (LF) of SAP of SHAM rats, but this increase was smaller in OVX animals, which also showed a reduction in PON1 activity. The decreased activity of PON1 caused by L-NAME was prevented in the OVX+E group. SMT, an inducible NOS isoform (iNOS) inhibitor, promoted an increase in MAP and in the LF of SAP, in interbeat interval (IBI) parameters at LFnu and in LF/HF ratio of HRV in all groups, but the OVX+E had lower levels of NO when compared with the OVX group. Our data suggest that while cNOS contributes to maintaining the activity of PON1 in OVX rats, iNOS activity maintains the levels of NO in OVX+E rats.

Allylic isothiouronium salts: The discovery of a novel class of thiourea analogues with antitumor activity.

A series of 28 aryl- and alkyl-substituted isothiouronium salts were readily synthesized in high yields through the reaction of allylic bromides with thiourea, N-monosubstituted thioureas or thiosemicarbazide. The S-allylic isothiouronium salts substituted with aliphatic groups were found to be the most effective against leukemia cells. These compounds combine high antitumor activity and low toxicity toward non-tumoral cells, with selectivity index higher than 20 in some cases. Furthermore, the selected isothiouronium salts induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and cell death, possibly by apoptosis. Therefore, these compounds can be considered as a promising class of antitumor agents due to the potent cytostatic activity associated with high selectivity.

Isothiouronium modification empowers pyrimidine-substituted curcumin analogs potent cytotoxicity and Golgi localization.

Most of protein post-translational modifications occur in the Golgi and many human diseases are associated with abnormal Golgi function or improper post translational modifications of proteins in the Golgi. In this study, we designed and synthesized 4 × 6 series of novel isothiouronium-modified (E,E)-4,6-bis(styryl)-pyrimidine analogs and found that they localized at the Golgi as visualized by the intrinsic fluorescence of the analogs. The isothiouronium-modified analogs had potent cytotoxicity in both normal (Chinese Hamster Ovary or CHO) and cancer cells. Furthermore, permethylated isothiouronium-modified analogs showed cancer cell-selective cytotoxicity. The molecular mechanisms underlying Golgi localization of isothiouronium-modified compounds were investigated using 7 CHO and 4 human cancer cell lines and the results indicated that the compounds had binding partners in the Golgi. Thus, isothiouronium-modified analogs might be promising anticancer agents, novel Golgi staining reagents, and useful research tools for studying Golgi functions in normal or cancer cells and in Golgi-related human diseases.

Endogenous nitric oxide derived from NOS I or II in thoracic spinal cord exerts opposing tonic modulation on sympathetic vasomotor tone via disparate mechanisms in anesthetized rats.

The sympathetic preganglionic neurons (SPN) in the thoracic spinal cord regulate vasomotor tone via norepinephrine released from sympathetic terminals and adrenal medulla. We assessed the hypothesis that nitric oxide synthase I (NOS I)- and NOS II-derived nitric oxide (NO) in the thoracic spinal cord differentially modulate sympathetic outflow and that the adrenal medulla may be involved in those modulatory actions. In Sprague-Dawley rats, NOS I immunoreactivity was distributed primarily in the perikaryon, proximal dendrites, or axons of SPN, and small clusters of NOS II immunoreactivity impinged mainly on the circumference of SPN. Intrathecal administration of 7-nitroindazole (7-NI), a specific NOS I antagonist, into the thoracic spinal cord significantly reduced arterial pressure, heart rate, and basal or baroreflex-mediated sympathetic vasomotor tone. On the other hand, intrathecal application of S-methylisothiourea (SMT), a specific NOS II antagonist, elevated arterial pressure with a transient reduction of heart rate, induced a surge of plasma norepinephrine, and reduced baroreflex-mediated but not basal sympathetic vasomotor tone. Bilateral adrenalectomy significantly exacerbated the cardiovascular responses to 7-NI but antagonized those to SMT. We conclude that both NOS I and NOS II are present in the thoracic spinal cord and are tonically active under physiological conditions. Furthermore, the endogenous NO generated by NOS I-containing SPN exerts a tonic excitatory action on vasomotor tone mediated by norepinephrine released from the adrenal medulla and sympathetic nerve terminals. On the other hand, NO derived from NOS II exerts a tonic inhibitory action on sympathetic outflow from the SPN that targets primarily the blood vessels.

Inhibition of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase does not affect the analgesic effects of NMDA antagonists in visceral inflammatory pain.

Previously we described the antinociceptive effect of magnesium sulfate and dizocilpine (MK-801) in the visceral and somatic rat models of pain. In the somatic model of pain, we established the influence of selective inhibitors of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase on the antihyperalgesic effects of magnesium sulfate and dizocilpine. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine in the rat model of visceral pain whether same mechanisms are involved in the antinociceptive action of magnesium sulfate and dizocilpine. Analgesic activity was assessed using the acetic acid-induced writhing test in rats. Subcutaneous injection of either magnesium sulfate (15 mg/kg) or dizocilpine (0.01 mg/kg) decreased the number of writhes by about 60 and 70%, respectively. The role of nitric oxide on the effects of magnesium sulfate and dizocilpine was evaluated using selective inhibitor of neuronal (N-ω-Propyl-L-arginine hydrochloride (L-NPA)) and inducible (S-methylisothiourea (SMT)) nitric oxide synthase, which per se did not affect the number of writhes. We observed that the antinociceptive effect of magnesium sulfate or dizocilpine did not change in the presence of L-NPA (2 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) and SMT (0.015 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.). We conclude that, nitric oxide produced by neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase does not modulate the effects of magnesium sulfate and dizocilpine in the visceral inflammatory model of pain in the rat.

Synthesis and characterization of crosslinked polyisothiouronium methylstyrene nanoparticles of narrow size distribution for antibacterial and antibiofilm applications.

BACKGROUND: Isothiouronium salts are well known in their variety of antimicrobials activities. The use of polymeric biocides, polymers with antimicrobial activities, is expected to enhance the efficacy of some existing antimicrobial agents, thus minimizing the environmental problems accompanying conventional antimicrobials. METHODS: The current manuscript describes the synthesis and characterization of crosslinked polyisothiouronium methylstyrene (PITMS) nanoparticles (NPs) of narrow size distribution by dispersion co-polymerization of the monomer isothiouronium methylstyrene with the crosslinking monomer ethylene glycol dimetacrylate. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The effect of total monomer, crosslinker and initiator concentrations on the size and size distribution of the formed NPs was also elucidated. The bactericidal activity of PITMS NPs of 67 ± 8 nm diameter was illustrated for 4 bacterial pathogens: Listeria innocua, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. In order to demonstrate the potential of these PITMS NPs as inhibitor of biofilm formation, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films were thin-coated with the PITMS NPs. The formed PET/PITMS films reduced the viability of the biofilm of Listeria by 2 orders of magnitude, making the coatings excellent candidates for further development of non-fouling surfaces. In addition, PITMS NP coatings were found to be non-toxic in HaCaT cells. CONCLUSIONS: The high antibacterial activity and effective inhibition of bacterial adsorption indicate the potential of these nanoparticles for development of new types of antibacterial and antibiofilm additives.

Nitric Oxide Produced by Macrophages Inhibits Adipocyte Differentiation and Promotes Profibrogenic Responses in Preadipocytes to Induce Adipose Tissue Fibrosis.

Fibrosis of adipose tissue induces ectopic fat accumulation and insulin resistance by inhibiting adipose tissue expandability. Mechanisms responsible for the induction of adipose tissue fibrosis may provide therapeutic targets but are poorly understood. In this study, high-fat diet (HFD)-fed wild-type (WT) and iNOS(-/-) mice were used to examine the relationship between nitric oxide (NO) produced by macrophages and adipose tissue fibrosis. In contrast to WT mice, iNOS(-/-) mice fed an HFD were protected from infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages and adipose tissue fibrosis. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) protein level was increased in adipose tissue of HFD-fed WT mice, but not iNOS(-/-) mice. In contrast, the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors was decreased in HFD-fed WT mice, but not iNOS(-/-) mice. In studies with cultured cells, macrophage-derived NO decreased the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis factors, and increased HIF-1α protein level, DNA damage, and phosphorylated p53 in preadipocytes. By activating p53 signaling, NO suppressed peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α expression, which induced mitochondrial dysfunction and inhibited preadipocyte differentiation in adipocytes. The effects of NO were blocked by rosiglitazone. The findings suggest that NO produced by macrophages induces mitochondrial dysfunction in preadipocytes by activating p53 signaling, which in turn increases HIF-1α protein level and promotes a profibrogenic response in preadipocytes that results in adipose tissue fibrosis.

The Effect of the iNOS Inhibitor S-Methylisothiourea and Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatment on Radiation Colitis in Rats.

INTRODUCTION: External radiotherapy is one of the main treatment modalities for a variety of malignancies. However, the lower gastrointestinal tract is sensitive to the ionizing radiation. Hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HOT) has been suggested as a viable treatment for refractory radiation colitis, but the effect of S-Methylisothiourea (SMT) in the radiation colitis have not reported. To investigate the effect of SMT, HOT and the combination of both in an acute radiation-induced enterocolitis model. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into five equal groups. A single dose of gamma irradiation (25 Gy) was administered through the colorectal region to anesthetized rats. In the control group, we applied 2 ml of saline solution intraperitoneally for five days. In the HOT group, 100-per-cent oxygen at 2.5 atm pressure was applied for five days. In the SMT group, 10 mg/kg/day of SMT was applied intraperitoneally for five days. In the HOT+SMT group, HOT and SMT were both applied in the same dosages as in the preceding two groups. At the end of five days, the rats were sacrificed and colon samples were collected for histological grading. Blood samples were collected to test for : tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-1ß, transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) mRNA. RESULTS: The TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-10 and TGF-ß levels were reduced by SMT, HOT and HOT+SMT applications (p < 0.05). However ICAM-1 mRNA levels were not significantly lower (p:0.19). The microscopic scores differed significantly between the SMT, HOT and HOT+SMT groups and the control group. There was significant improvement histologically, especially in the HOT+SMT group. When we compared the weight of the rats before and after the study, weight loss was significantly lower in the SMT, HOT and HOT+SMT groups compared with the control group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HOT and SMT together were significantly more effective in preventing weight loss and in reducing inflammation and the severity of colitis histology when compared with HOT and SMT separately.