Effect of novel carboxymethyl cellulose-based dressings on acute wound healing dynamics.

The clinical implications and efficacy of newly developed modified cellulose materials were evaluated in an acute wound animal model. In the current study, sixty male rats were divided into four groups. A full-thickness circular excision wound was created in the suprascapular area. Newly developed matrices (acidic partially carboxymethylated cellulose; acidic partially carboxymethylated cellulose impregnated with a povidone-iodine solution) were applied in two test groups, while fifteen animals were used as a control group without any primary dressing. Aquacel Ag, a clinically used dressing, was selected as the reference material. To compare the efficacy in vivo, the wound size and production of selected cytokines and growth factors (TNF-α, TGF-ß1, and VEGF), which play a key role in the healing process, were measured at two, seven, and fourteen days after surgery. The activity of matrix metalloproteinases 2 and 9, which actively participate in cell signalling and are essential for tissue remodelling, was determined in wound tissue by gelatin zymography. A positive effect of the newly developed dressing materials on the healing process, tissue granulation, and wound re-epithelialisation was demonstrated.

Hepatoprotective and proapoptotic effect of Ecballium elaterium on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of perorally administered juice on tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity model in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were tube-administrated silymarin, Ecballium juice at 0.2 mL/kg and 0.7 mL/kg daily for 3 consequent days, i.e., 3.28 µg and 11.48 µg of cucurbitacin B per kg of body weight respectively. On the third day, liver damage was induced by intraperitoneal application of CCl4. On the fourth day, abdominal cavity was macroscopically examined and liver samples were taken for histopathological and immunochemical evaluation. HPLC was used to determine the content of the active substance cucurbitacin B. RESULTS: The experiment revealed that 0.7 ml/kg juice concentration expressed the highest pro-apoptotic activity, but with prevailing negative effects. Compared with the lower concentration, there was an observable vasodilatation with consequent interstitial hemorrhages and a larger scope of inflammatory damage, which suppressed the hepatoprotective effect. In the 0.2 mL/kg concentration, there was a smaller pro-apoptotic activity but other parameters had better results, and the liver parenchyma damage was reversible. CONCLUSIONS: No reactions confirming the potentially allergic effect on laboratory rats were observed; its hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effect was confirmed on a model of acute liver damage.

Activity of selected salicylamides against intestinal sulfate-reducing bacteria.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our work was to evaluate effect of selected salicylamides on cell viability of sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio piger Vib-7 isolated from the human large intestine, as well as to assess antimicrobial activity and biological properties of these compounds. METHODS: Microbiological, biochemical, biophysical methods, and statistical processing of the results were used. RESULTS: An antimicrobial activity and biological properties of salicylamides against intestinal sulfate-reducing bacteria was studied. Primary in vitro screening of the synthesized selected salicylamides was performed against D. piger Vib-7. Adding 0.37-1.10 µmol.L(-1) (N-(4-bromophenyl)-5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzamide, 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]benzamide, 5-chloro-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide, 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-(4-nitrophenyl)benzamide and 4-chloro-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide) caused decrease in biomass accumulation by 8-53, 64-66, 49-50, 82-90, 43-46% compared to control, respectively. The studied compounds completely inhibited the growth of D. piger Vib-7 under the effect of 30 µmol.L(-1). Moreover, addition of the compounds in the culture medium inhibited the process of dissimilation sulfate dose dependently. Treatment with salicylamides led to the bacterial growth inhibition which correlated with the level of inhibition of sulfate reduction. The data on relative survival of D. piger Vib-7 cells and cytotoxicity of salicylamides are consistent to our research in previous series of the biomass accumulation experiments. CONCLUSIONS: A significant cytotoxic activity under the influence of salicylamides was determined. These results are consistent with a data on bacterial growth and inhibition process of dissimilation sulfate. The strongest cytotoxic effect of the derivatives was observed in compounds of 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]benzamide and 5-chloro-2-hydroxy-N-(4-nitrophenyl)benzamide which showed low survival and high toxicity rates.

Effect of a new ultrashort betalytic agent on aconitine-induced arrhythmia.

The anti-arrhythmic effect was tested on the model of aconitine-induced arrhythmia. The experiment was performed in vivo with 31 male Wistar laboratory rats. Group A was first administered aconitine and, after the onset of the first sinus rhythm disorders, the 44Bu compound was administered. Group B was first administered the 44Bu compound and only after that the aconitine. The control group was administered aconitine and saline as a replacement of the tested compound. In group A, there was a decrease in the ventricular fibrillation occurrence from 100 % to 8 % (p < 0.001) after the administration of the 44Bu compound. In the B group, the onsets of all monitored arrhythmia types were delayed by an average of 15.6 min. Ventricular rhythm occurrence was decreased from 100 to 20 %, as well as ventricular fibrillations, from 100 to 0 % (p < 0.001).