Amitriptyline efficacy in decreasing implant-induced foreign body reaction.

Beyond its actions on the nervous system, amitriptyline (AM) has been shown to lower inflammatory, angiogenic, and fibrogenic markers in a few pathological conditions in human and in experimental animal models. However, its effects on foreign body reaction (FBR), a complex adverse healing process, after biomedical material implantation are not known. We have evaluated the effects of AM on the angiogenic and fibrogenic components on a model of implant-induced FBR. Sponge disks were implanted subcutaneously in C57BL/6 mice, that were treated daily with oral administration of AM (5 mg/kg) for seven consecutive days in two protocols: treatment was started on the day of surgery and the implants were removed on the seventh day after implantation and treatment started 7 days after implantation and the implants removed 14 after implantation. None of the angiogenic (vessels, Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) or fibrogenic parameters (collagen, TGF-ß, and fibrous capsule) and giant cell numbers analyzed were attenuated by AM in 7-day-old implants. However, AM was able to downregulate angiogenesis and FBR in 14-day-old implants. The effects of AM described here expands its range of actions as a potential agent capable of attenuating fibroproliferative processes that may impair functionality of implantable devices.

Genotoxicity and maternal-fetal safety of the dried extract of leaves of Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae) in Wistar rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), popularly known as "neem", is used for the treatment of rheumatism, cancer, ulcers, diabetes, respiratory problems, among others. This species is present on six continents and contains more than 400 bioactive compounds. Practically all parts of the plant are used in the treatment of diseases. Although it is widely used, no study has evaluated the safety of this species throughout the gestational period in Wistar rats. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the genotoxicity and the effect of treatment with dried extract of leaves of Azadirachta indica on maternal toxicity and fetal development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dried extract of leaves of A. indica was obtained by spray drying after percolation of the plant material in 30% ethanol (w/w). The total flavonoids and rutin contents of the extract were determined by spectrophotometric method and HPLC-DAD, respectively. Pregnant Wistar rats (n = 40) were divided into four groups (n = 10/group): one control and three groups treated with dried extract of leaves of A. indica at doses of 300, 600 or 1200 mg/kg. Treatments were carried out from gestational day (GD) 0-20. During gestation, clinical signs of toxicity, weight gain, feed and water consumption of the dams were evaluated. On GD 21, rats were euthanized and cardiac blood was collected. Liver, kidneys, lung, heart, uterus, ovaries and bone marrow were collected. Reproductive performance parameters, histopathological analysis, biochemistry and genotoxicity were evaluated. Fetuses were evaluated for external morphology, skeletal and visceral changes. RESULTS: The total flavonoid content of the extract ranged from 2.64 to 3.01%, and the rutin content was 1.07%. There was no change in body mass gain, food and water consumption between the evaluated groups. There was also no difference between the groups in terms of biochemical parameters, reproductive performance, histopathological analysis of the mother's organs and genotoxicity. Supernumerary ossification sites of the sternum were observed, and other skeletal and visceral alterations were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment did not induce maternal toxicity, it was neither embryotoxic nor fetotoxic. The extract was not potentially genotoxic, and at a dose of 1200 mg/kg, it caused changes in the ossification of the sternum.

CFTR High Expresser Cells in cystic fibrosis and intestinal diseases.

Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR), the Cl-/HCO3 - channel implicated in Cystic Fibrosis, is critical to the pathophysiology of many gastrointestinal diseases. Defects in CFTR lead to intestinal dysfunction, malabsorption, obstruction, infection, inflammation, and cancer that increases morbidity and reduces quality of life. This review will focus on CFTR in the intestine and the implications of the subpopulation of CFTR High Expresser Cells (CHEs) in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), intestinal physiology and pathophysiology of intestinal diseases.

Association of Fructo-oligosaccharides and Arginine Improves Severity of Mucositis and Modulate the Intestinal Microbiota.

Mucositis is defined as inflammatory and ulcerative lesions along of the gastrointestinal tract that leads to the imbalance of the intestinal microbiota. The use of compounds with action on the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and their microbiota may be a beneficial alternative for the prevention and/or treatment of mucositis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the association of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and arginine on intestinal damage in experimental mucositis. BALB/c mice were randomized into five groups: CTL (without mucositis + saline), MUC (mucositis + saline), MUC + FOS (mucositis + supplementation with FOS-1st until 10th day), MUC + ARG (mucositis + supplementation with arginine-1st until 10th day), and MUC + FOS + ARG (mucositis + supplementation with FOS and arginine-1st until 10th day). On the 7th day, mucositis was induced with an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and after 72 h, the animals were euthanized. The results showed that association of FOS and arginine reduced weight loss and oxidative stress (P < 0.05) and maintained intestinal permeability and histological score at physiological levels. The supplementation with FOS and arginine also increased the number of goblet cells, collagen area, and GPR41 and GPR43 gene expression (P < 0.05). Besides these, the association of FOS and arginine modulated intestinal microbiota, leading to an increase in the abundance of the genera Bacteroides, Anaerostipes, and Lactobacillus (P < 0.05) in relation to increased concentration of propionate and acetate. In conclusion, the present results show that the association of FOS and arginine could be important adjuvants in the prevention of intestinal mucositis probably due to modulated intestinal microbiota.

Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 51A Attenuates Signs of Inflammation in a Murine Model of Food Allergy.

Food allergy is a pathological condition that can lead to hives, swelling, gastrointestinal distress, cardiovascular and respiratory compromise, and even anaphylaxis. The lack of treatment resources emphasizes the necessity for new therapeutic strategies, and in this way, probiotics has been pointed out as an alternative, especially because of its immunomodulatory properties. The goal of this study was to evaluate the probiotic effect of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum 51A (BL51A) in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA) food allergy, as well as to investigate the effect of the dose and viability of the bacteria on the proposed model. For this purpose, the probiotic effect was assessed by clinical, immunological, and histological parameters in mice treated or not with the BL51A and sensitized or not with OVA. Oral administration of BL51A prevented weight loss and reduced serum levels of IgE anti-OVA and of sIgA in the intestinal fluid. Also, it reduced the intestinal permeability, proximal jejunum damage, recruitment of eosinophils and neutrophils, and levels of eotaxin-1, CXCL1/KC, IL4, IL5, IL6, IL13, and TNF. Furthermore, the treatment was able to increase the levels of IL10. Investigating different doses administered, the level of 108 CFU showed the best results in terms of protective effect. In addition, the administration of the inactivated bacteria did not present any beneficial effect. Results demonstrate that BL51A promotes a systemic immunomodulatory protective effect in a murine model of food allergy that depends on the dose and viability of the bacteria, suggesting its use as probiotic in such disease.

Tissue healing changes on wounds in rats after treatment with Hancornia speciosa latex in cream-gel formulation.

PURPOSE: Hancornia speciosa latex has shown pharmacological potential in wound healing processes due to its angiogenic, osteogenic, and anti-inflammatory activities. The aims of this study were to carry out a cream-gel formulation with 5, 10 and 25% of H. speciosa serum latex and to evaluate its potential to stimulate the skin regeneration in rats' wounds. METHODS: One hundred and twenty rats were divided into five groups: neutral control with saline (G1), cream-gel based on H. speciosa latex serum at 5% m/v (G2), cream-gel at 15% m/v (G3), cream-gel at 25% m/v (G4), and cream-gel (G5). The animals were euthanized at three, seven, 14 and 21 days after the injury induction, and some parameters were analyzed: wound contraction, necrosis, fibrin, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear infiltrates, fibroblast, angiogenesis, hemorrhage, and collagen. RESULTS: The therapeutic treatment with cream-gel at 15 and 25% is beneficial in the inflammatory phase of healing processes since it increased the angiogenesis and proliferation of mononuclear infiltrations in wounds. Regarding wound contraction, the treatment with cream-gel (5 and 15%) induced a higher rate of contraction in the proliferative phase. The 15% cream-gel formulation stimulated a greater production of collagen in the injured tissues. CONCLUSIONS: H. speciosa cream-gel is a low-cost herbal medicine which can aid in tissue repair.

The role of whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) in primary central nervous system lymphoma: is it an alternative to ASCT for consolidation following HD-methotrexate based induction in low-income settings?

BACKGROUND: Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare and aggressive malignancy. Although potentially curable, its prognosis remains dismal. Its treatment is based on high-doses of methotrexate (HD-MTX) and rituximab, followed by consolidation therapy with whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT) or autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Currently, there is no consensus about the best consolidation strategy, but better outcomes with ASCT are obtained with conditioning regimens based on thiotepa, a high-cost drug with restricted use in resource-constrained settings. Latin American data on clinical outcomes, prognostic factors, and therapeutic management in PCNSL are virtually unknown. METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, and single-center study involving 47-Brazilian patients with PCNSL. We aim to assess outcomes, determine predictors of survival, and compare responses, as well as toxicities in patients consolidated with chemotherapy alone versus chemotherapy plus WBRT. RESULTS: The median age at diagnosis was 59 years (24-88 years), and 53.1% were male. LDH ≥ UVN occurred in 44.7%, ECOG ≥ 2 in 67.6%, and 34.1% had multifocal disease. Hemiparesis was the main clinical presentation, observed in 55.3%, 51.0% had intermediate-/high-risk IELSG prognostic score, and 57.6% had an ABC-like phenotype by IHC. With a median follow-up of 24.4 months, estimated 5-year OS and PFS were 45.5% and 36.4%, respectively. Among 40 patients treated with HD-MTX-based induction, estimated 2-year OS was 85.8% for those consolidated with WBRT plus HIDAC versus only 41.5% for those consolidated with HIDAC alone (p < 0.001). Hematologic and non-hematologic toxicities were not significant, and severe cognitive impairment occurred in only 6.3% (3/47) of cases, all of them treated with WBRT. Age < 60 years, Hb ≥ 120 g/L and WBRT consolidation were associated with increased OS, however, LDH ≥ UVN, hypoalbuminemia, ECOG ≥ 2, Karnofsky PS < 70 and intermediate-/high-risk Barcelona score were associated with decreased OS. CONCLUSION: Combined consolidation therapy (CCT) based on WBRT plus HIDAC was associated with increased OS in PCNSL compared to isolated consolidation therapy (ICT) based on HIDAC alone. Here, severe late neurotoxicity was uncommon with this approach. These data suggest that WBRT may be an effective and safe alternative to ASCT for consolidation therapy in PCNSL, particularly in resource-constrained settings, where access to thiotepa for pre-ASCT conditioning is not universal.

Loss of Serum Glucocorticoid-Inducible Kinase 1 SGK1 Worsens Malabsorption and Diarrhea in Microvillus Inclusion Disease (MVID).

Microvillus inclusion disease (MVID), a lethal congenital diarrheal disease, results from loss of function mutations in the apical actin motor myosin VB (MYO5B). How loss of MYO5B leads to both malabsorption and fluid secretion is not well understood. Serum glucocorticoid-inducible kinase 1 (SGK1) regulates intestinal carbohydrate and ion transporters including cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). We hypothesized that loss of SGK1 could reduce CFTR fluid secretion and MVID diarrhea. Using CRISPR-Cas9 approaches, we generated R26CreER;MYO5Bf/f conditional single knockout (cMYO5BKO) and R26CreER;MYO5Bf/f;SGK1f/f double knockout (cSGK1/MYO5B-DKO) mice. Tamoxifen-treated cMYO5BKO mice resulted in characteristic features of human MVID including severe diarrhea, microvillus inclusions (MIs) in enterocytes, defective apical traffic, and depolarization of transporters. However, apical CFTR distribution was preserved in crypts and depolarized in villus enterocytes, and CFTR high expresser (CHE) cells were observed. cMYO5BKO mice displayed increased phosphorylation of SGK1, PDK1, and the PDK1 target PKCι in the intestine. Surprisingly, tamoxifen-treated cSGK1/MYO5B-DKO mice displayed more severe diarrhea than cMYO5BKO, with preservation of apical CFTR and CHE cells, greater fecal glucose and reduced SGLT1 and GLUT2 in the intestine. We conclude that loss of SGK1 worsens carbohydrate malabsorption and diarrhea in MVID.

Acute toxicity and antitumor potential of 1,3,4-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazole dhmtAc-loaded liposomes on a triple-negative breast cancer model.

For the first time, compounds developed from the 1,2,3-triazole scaffold were evaluated as novel drugs to treat triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Four organic salts were idealized as nonclassical bioisosteres of miltefosine, which is used in the topical treatment for skin metastasizing breast carcinoma. Among them, derivative dhmtAc displayed better solubility and higher cytotoxicity against the human breast adenocarcinoma cell line and mouse 4T1 cell lines, which are representatives of TNBC. In vitro assays revealed that dhmtAc interferes with cell integrity, confirmed by lactate dehydogenase leakage. Due to its human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) toxicity, dhmtAc in vivo studies were carried out with the drug incorporated in a long-circulating and pH-sensitive liposome (SpHL-dhmtAc), and the acute toxicity in BALB/c mice was determined. Free dhmtAc displayed cardiac and pulmonary toxicity after the systemic administration of 5 mg/kg doses. On the other hand, SpHL-dhmtAc displayed no toxicity at 20 mg/kg. The in vivo antitumor effect of SpHL-dhmtAc was investigated using the 4T1 heterotopic murine model. Intravenous administration of SpHL-dhmtAc reduced the tumor volume and weight, without interfering with the body weight, compared with the control group and the dhmtAc free form. The incorporation of the triazole compound in the liposome allowed the demonstration of its anticancer potential. These findings evidenced 1,3,4-trisubstituted-1,2,3-triazole as a promising scaffold for the development of novel drugs with applicability for the treatment of patients with TNBC.

Pharmacological blockade of protease-Activated Receptor 2 improves airway remodeling and lung inflammation in experimental allergic asthma

Abstract Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are metabotropic G-protein-coupled receptors that are activated via proteolytic cleavage of a specific sequence of amino acids in their N-terminal region. PAR2 has been implicated in mediating allergic airway inflammation. This study aims to study the effect of PAR2 antagonist ENMD1068in lung inflammation and airway remodeling in experimental asthma. Allergic lung inflammation was induced in sensitized BALB/c mice through intranasal instillations of ovalbumin (OVA), and mice were pretreated with ENMD1068 1 hour before each OVA challenge. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and the lungs were removed at different time intervals after OVA challenge to analyze inflammation, airway remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness. Ovalbumin promoted leukocyte infiltration into BALF in a PAR2-dependent manner. ENMD1068 impaired eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the lung parenchyma into BALF and reduced the loss of dynamic pulmonary compliance, lung resistance in response to methacholine, mucus production, collagen deposition and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 5 expression compared to those in OVA-challenged mice. We propose that proteases released after an allergen challenge may be crucial to the development of allergic asthma in mice, and PAR2 blockade may be useful as a new pharmacological approach for the treatment of airway allergic diseases.

Antiproliferative, Antiangiogenic, and Antimetastatic Therapy Response by Mangiferin in a Syngeneic Immunocompetent Colorectal Cancer Mouse Model Involves Changes in Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism.

In spite of the current advances and achievements in cancer treatments, colorectal cancer (CRC) persists as one of the most prevalent and deadly tumor types in both men and women worldwide. Drug resistance, adverse side effects and high rate of angiogenesis, metastasis and tumor relapse remain one of the greatest challenges in long-term management of CRC and urges need for new leads of anticancer drugs. We demonstrate that CRC treatment with the phytopharmaceutical mangiferin (MGF), a glucosylxanthone present in Mango tree stem bark and leaves (Mangifera Indica L.), induces dose-dependent tumor regression and decreases lung metastasis in a syngeneic immunocompetent allograft mouse model of murine CT26 colon carcinoma, which increases overall survival of mice. Antimetastatic and antiangiogenic MGF effects could be further validated in a wound healing in vitro model in human HT29 cells and in a matrigel plug implant mouse model. Interestingly, transcriptome pathway enrichment analysis demonstrates that MGF inhibits tumor growth, metastasis and angiogenesis by multi-targeting of mitochondrial oxidoreductase and fatty acid ß-oxidation metabolism, PPAR, SIRT, NFκB, Stat3, HIF, Wnt and GP6 signaling pathways. MGF effects on fatty acid ß-oxidation metabolism and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) protein expression could be further confirmed in vitro in human HT29 colon cells. In conclusion, antitumor, antiangiogenic and antimetastatic effects of MGF treatment hold promise to reduce adverse toxicity and to mitigate therapeutic outcome of colorectal cancer treatment by targeting mitochondrial energy metabolism in the tumor microenvironment.

Induction of Ticlike Involuntary Movements in Rats by Striatotomy and Subsequent Neurochemical Sensitization.

OBJECTIVE: It has been proposed that Tourette syndrome is associated with dysfunction in widespread cortical areas and globus pallidus externus hyperactivity secondary to dopaminergic hyperactivity and serotonergic/dynorphinergic hypoactivity. The main objective of this study was to test this hypothesis by developing an animal model of Tourette syndrome via striatotomy, followed by administration of drugs that mimic the neurotransmitter environment, so as to induce globus pallidus externus hyperactivity. METHODS: Rats were assigned to 3 groups: stereotactic striatotomy (STT) and striatal sham -lesion (SHAM) groups, treated with anterior and posterior striatum procedures in both hemispheres, and a group of nonoperated animals (NAIVE). Postoperatively, all rodents were blindly administered 3 drug protocols: levodopa/benserazide; levodopa/benserazide/ergotamine/naloxone (MIX); and saline. The animals were filmed at the peak action of these drugs. The videos were evaluated by a single blinded researcher. RESULTS: Six types of involuntary movements (IMs) were observed: cephalic, trunk jerks, oromandibular, forepaw jerks, dystonic, and locomotive. The number of animals with IM and the mean number of IM after both levodopa/benserazide and MIX was significantly higher in the STT compared with the SHAM and NAIVE groups. In the SHAM and NAIVE, MIX was superior to levodopa/benserazide in the induction of IM. In the STT, MIX was superior to levodopa/benserazide in the induction of trunk jerks. Appendicular IM were more common after posterior than after anterior striatotomy. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that striatotomy, followed by administration of levodopa/benserazide alone or associated with ergotamine and naloxone, is efficacious in inducing IM, supporting the hypothesis that led to this study.

Diet-induced obesity leads to alterations in behavior and gut microbiota composition in mice.

The high prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic disorders are one of the major public health problems worldwide. Among the main causal factors of obesity, excessive consumption of food rich in sugar and fat stands out due to its high energy density. The regulation of food intake relies on hypothalamic control by the action of several neuropeptides. Excessive consumption of hypercaloric diets has impact in the behavior and in the gut microbiota. In the present study, we used a high-sugar and fat (HSB) diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity in C57BL/6 mice and to investigate its effects on the gut microbiota, hypothalamic peptides, and behavior. We hypothesize that chronic consumption of HSB diet can change the behavior. Additionally, we also hypothesize that changes in gut microbiota can be associated with changes in the transcriptional regulation of hypothalamic peptides and behavior. To evaluate the gut microbiota, we performed the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, which demonstrate that HSB diet modulates the gut microbiota with an increase in the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phylum and a decrease of Bacteroidetes phylum. The real time qPCR revealed that HSB-fed mice presented changes in the transcriptional regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides genes such as Npy, Gal and Galr1. The Marble-burying and Light/dark box tests also showed an alteration in anxiety and impulsive behaviors for the HSB-fed mice. Our data provides evidence that obesity induced by HSB diet consumption is associated with alterations in gut microbiota and behavior, highlighting the multifactorial characteristics of this disease.

New genetic prognostic biomarkers in primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

BACKGROUND: PCNSL is a rare extranodal NHL with poor prognosis. Tumorigenesis has been associated with hyperactivation of BCR downstream and NFkB pathways. We studied the prognosis of the relative expression profile of target genes of NFkB pathway (MYC, BCL2), the essential transcriptional regulator in hematopoiesis LMO2, the checkpoint regulation pathway MGMT, the transcription factor POU2F1, the immune checkpoint gene PDCD1, and the proto-oncogene and transcriptional repressor gene BCL6 and its proteins in PCNSL. METHODS: This study is a retrospective cohort study; 35 immunocompetent PCNSL-DLBCL patients had their gene expression (RT-qPCR) normalized to internal control gene GUSB. RESULTS: Median patient age was 62 years, median OS was 42.6 months (95% CI: 26.6-58.6), PFS was 41 months (95% CI: 19.7-62.4), and DFS was 59.2 months (95% CI 31.9-86.6). A moderate correlation was found between the gene/protein expressions of MYC (kappa = 0.596, p = .022) and of BCL2 (kappa = 0.426, p = .042). Relative gene expression of MYC ≥ 0.201 (HR 6.117; p = .003) was associated with worse 5-year OS. Relative gene expression of MYC ≥ 0.201 (HR 3.96; p = .016) and MGMT ≥ 0.335 (HR 3.749; p = .056) was associated with worse PFS. Age > 60 years and IELSG score moderate/high were also associated with worse prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of MYC and overexpression of MGMT were prognostic markers associated with unfavorable clinical outcomes in PCNSL.

Marine Seagrass Extract of Thalassia testudinum Suppresses Colorectal Tumor Growth, Motility and Angiogenesis by Autophagic Stress and Immunogenic Cell Death Pathways.

Marine plants have become an inexhaustible reservoir of new phytopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment. We demonstrate in vitro/in vivo antitumor efficacy of a standardized polyphenol extract from the marine angiosperm Thalassia testudinum (TTE) in colon tumor cell lines (RKO, SW480, and CT26) and a syngeneic allograft murine colorectal cancer model. MTT assays revealed a dose-dependent decrease of cell viability of RKO, CT26, and SW480 cells upon TTE treatment with IC50 values of, respectively, 175, 115, and 60 µg/mL. Furthermore, TTE significantly prevented basal and bFGF-induced angiogenesis in the chicken chorioallantoic membrane angiogenesis assay. In addition, TTE suppressed bFGF-induced migration of endothelial cells in a wound closure assay. Finally, TTE treatment abrogated CT26 colorectal cancer growth and increased overall organism survival in a syngeneic murine allograft model. Corresponding transcriptome profiling and pathway analysis allowed for the identification of the mechanism of action for the antitumor effects of TTE. In line with our in vitro/in vivo results, TTE treatment triggers ATF4-P53-NFκB specific gene expression and autophagy stress pathways. This results in suppression of colon cancer cell growth, cell motility, and angiogenesis pathways in vitro and in addition promotes antitumor immunogenic cell death in vivo.

Clinical significance and prognostic role of tumor-associated macrophages infiltration according to histologic location in canine mammary carcinomas.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have been involved in growth and metastases of human and canine mammary tumors. However, the prognostic importance of TAM specific location in canine mammary tumors (CMT) was not evaluated. In this study, we evaluated the potential role of TAMs in specific histologic locations - intratumoral (iTAM) and stromal (sTAM), as well as total macrophage (tTAM) counts - as prognostic indicators in CMT. Clinicopathologic data from 66 animals with mammary carcinoma and their tumors were used in this study. Samples were stained with anti-macrophage antibody for subsequent TAM count. High levels of iTAM, sTAM, and tTAM were related with advanced clinical stage and vascular invasion. Additionally, tTAM revealed a relation with larger tumor size, while high levels of sTAM and tTAM were also correlated with node metastasis and a poor prognosis based on survival analysis. CMT with aggressive features can reveal higher TAM counts. TAMs are associated with vascular invasion and nodal metastasis, and sTAM and tTAM counts are correlated with overall survival, suggesting they could be used as prognostic indicators in canine mammary carcinomas.

Prophylactic and therapeutic supplementation using fructo-oligosaccharide improves the intestinal homeostasis after mucositis induced by 5- fluorouracil.

The beneficial effects of prebiotic, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS), in intestinal inflammation have been demonstrated in several studies. Herein, we evaluate whether joint treatment with FOS, both before and during mucositis, had additional beneficial effects and investigated the mechanisms underlying in the action of FOS on the intestinal barrier. BALB/c mice were randomly divided into five groups: CTR (without mucositis + saline solution), FOS (without mucositis + 6 % FOS), MUC (mucositis + saline solution), PT (mucositis + 6 % FOS supplementation before disease induction), and TT (mucositis + 6 % FOS supplementation before and during disease induction). Mucositis was induced by intraperitoneal injection (300 mg/kg) of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). After 72 h, the animals were euthanized and intestinal permeability (IP), tight junction, bacterial translocation (BT), histology and morphometry, and immunoglobulin A secretory (sIgA), inflammatory infiltrate, and production of short-chain fatty acids (acetate, butyrate and propionate) were evaluated. The MUC group showed an increase in the IP, BT, and inflammatory infiltrate but a decrease in the tight junction expression and butyrate and propionate levels (P < 0.05). In the PT and TT groups, FOS supplementation maintained the IP, tight junction expression, and propionate concentration within physiologic levels, increased butyrate levels, and reduced BT and inflammatory infiltrate (P < 0.05). Total treatment with FOS (TT group) was more effective in maintaining histological score, morphometric parameters, and sIgA production. Thus, total treatment (prophylactic and therapeutic supplementation) with FOS was more effective than pretreatment alone, in reducing 5-FU-induced damage to the intestinal barrier.

Encapsulating paclitaxel in polymeric nanomicelles increases antitumor activity and prevents peripheral neuropathy.

Paclitaxel (PTX) has a great clinical significance as an antitumor drug, although several side effects are strongly dose-limiting. In this way, we prepared a PTX-loaded 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy (polyethylene glycol)-2000] polymeric micelles (PM/PTX) in an attempt to improve safety and effectiveness of conventional PTX formulation (CrEL/EtOH/PTX). In this study, we evaluated from both formulations: stability after dilution, hemocompatibility, cellular uptake, acute toxicity in healthy mice, antitumor activity, and toxicity after multiple-dose treatment. PM/PTX appeared to be more stable than CrEL/EtOH/PTX after dilution. PM/PTX did not exhibit hemolytic activity (values <1%), even at high concentrations. In vitro cellular uptake study indicated that polymeric micelles were able to deliver more PTX (5.8 %) than CrEL/EtOH (2.7 %) to 4T1 cells. In the acute toxicity evaluation in healthy mice, CrEL/EtOH/PTX (single dose of 20 mg/kg) induced peripheral neuropathy, which was not observed in PM/PTX group. Similar results were observed after tumor-bearing mice received a multiple-dose regimen (seven doses of 10 mg/kg). Worth mentioning, we also evaluated vehicles, and CrEL/EtOH alone was not capable of inducing neuropathic pain. Besides, PM/PTX exhibited a higher antitumor activity with an inhibition ratio approximately 1.5-fold higher than CrEL/EtOH/PTX group. This study suggested that PM/PTX is safer than CrEL/EtOH/PTX, and was able to improve the antitumor effectiveness in a 4T1 breast cancer model.

CXCR1 and CXCR2 Inhibition by Ladarixin Improves Neutrophil-Dependent Airway Inflammation in Mice.

Rationale: Increased IL-8 levels and neutrophil accumulation in the airways are common features found in patients affected by pulmonary diseases such as Asthma, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, Influenza-A infection and COPD. Chronic neutrophilic inflammation is usually corticosteroid insensitive and may be relevant in the progression of those diseases. Objective: To explore the role of Ladarixin, a dual CXCR1/2 antagonist, in several mouse models of airway inflammation with a significant neutrophilic component. Findings: Ladarixin was able to reduce the acute and chronic neutrophilic influx, also attenuating the Th2 eosinophil-dominated airway inflammation, tissue remodeling and airway hyperresponsiveness. Correspondingly, Ladarixin decreased bleomycin-induced neutrophilic inflammation and collagen deposition, as well as attenuated the corticosteroid resistant Th17 neutrophil-dominated airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness, restoring corticosteroid sensitivity. Finally, Ladarixin reduced neutrophilic airway inflammation during cigarette smoke-induced corticosteroid resistant exacerbation of Influenza-A infection, improving lung function and mice survival. Conclusion: CXCR1/2 antagonist Ladarixin offers a new strategy for therapeutic treatment of acute and chronic neutrophilic airway inflammation, even in the context of corticosteroid-insensitivity.

The Role of ST2 Receptor in the Regulation of Brucella abortus Oral Infection.

The ST2 receptor plays an important role in the gut such as permeability regulation, epithelium regeneration, and promoting intestinal immune modulation. Here, we studied the role of ST2 receptor in a murine model of oral infection with Brucella abortus, its influence on gut homeostasis and control of bacterial replication. Balb/c (wild-type, WT) and ST2 deficient mice (ST2-/-) were infected by oral gavage and the results were obtained at 3 and 14 days post infection (dpi). Our results suggest that ST2-/- are more resistant to B. abortus infection, as a lower bacterial colony-forming unit (CFU) was detected in the livers and spleens of knockout mice, when compared to WT. Additionally, we observed an increase in intestinal permeability in WT-infected mice, compared to ST2-/- animals. Breakage of the intestinal epithelial barrier and bacterial dissemination might be associated with the presence of the ST2 receptor; since, in the knockout mice no change in intestinal permeability was observed after infection. Together with enhanced resistance to infection, ST2-/- produced greater levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the small intestine, compared to WT mice. Nevertheless, in the systemic model of infection ST2 plays no role in controlling Brucella replication in vivo. Our results suggest that the ST2 receptor is involved in the invasion process of B. abortus by the mucosa in the oral infection model.