The Cytotoxic Effect of Cecropin A and Cecropin B on the MDA-MB-231 and M14K Tumour Cell Lines

The aim of the present in vitro study was to assess the tumoricidal potential of the following natural peptides belonging to the Cecropin family, namely Cecropin A and B, on a series of tumour cell lines: MDA-MB-231 (breast adenocarcinoma) and M14K (human mesothelioma). The experimental results reveal that the cytotoxic effects of the two peptides depend on their concentration. Their efficiency is significant at 120 μM concentrations and it persists even at 60 μM concentrations. The effects were insignificant at 30 μM concentrations. On the other hand, the cytotoxic potential was not significantly dependant on the type of peptide but more on the type of tumour cell line used. The MDA MB 231 line cells were much more sensitive to the action of Cecropins A and B than the M14K line cells. The prospects brought about by this experimental research consist of the collection of in vitro experimental data on the tumoricidal potential of these natural cytotoxic peptides on tumour cells. This will enable specialists to develop future in vivo experimental models in order to test the antitumor effect of these cytotoxic peptides. The ultimate goal would be the discovery of agents with efficient antitumor properties, i.e. with maximum tumoricidal effects and minimum toxic side effects.

Polyphenolic extract association with renin inhibitors in experimental arterial hypertension

Various epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between the consumption of polyphenols or polyphenol-rich foods and the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the study was to emphasize the effects of the association between the renin inhibitor and the polyphenolic extract on biochemical parameters and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The polyphenols are extracted from isolated and purified vegetable material represented by the mature fruit of the Aronia melanocarpa. The experiment was performed on the arterial hypertension model. In the arterial hypertensive model the cardioprotective effects of the polyphenolic extract from Aronia melanocarpa are represented by the antioxidant, hypocolesterolemiant intervention. Polyphenolic extract from Aronia melanocarpa reduce systolic and diastolic arterial tension values in rats with drug-induced hypertension, a phenomenon more pronounced when polyphenols are associated with Aliskiren (renin inhibitor). The combination between the Aliskiren and polyphenolic extract produce superior hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects than in the case of separate administration within experimental arterial hypertension induced in the murine model.

Possibilities of Experimental Modulation of Senescence by Stimulation of Antiradical Defense

Various epidemiological studies have shown an inverse association between the consumption of polyphenols or polyphenol-rich foods and the risk of neurodegenerative, hepatic diseases. The research aimed to fight oxidative stress and lipid metabolism changes in the context of?administration?of antioxidants, such as polyphenolic extract of Aronia melanocarpa and zinc aspartate, known for its neurotrophic effects in intrinsic aging processes. Zinc aspartate and poly-phenolic extract from Aronia melanocarpa reduce oxidative stress values both in serum, liver homogenate, and in brain homogenate. Oxidative stress assessed by malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) markers was reduced in animals receiving additional zinc salts and polyphenolic extract of Aronia melanocarpa, which underlines their role in antioxidant defense. This combination produces more superior hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects than in the case of separate administration within experimental senescence induced in the murine model. Further studies will investigate the effect of different dose combinations of zinc aspartate and polyphenolic extract of Aronia melanocarpa at different periods of treatments on age-associated liver/cerebral dysfunction.

Modulation Possibilities of the Tissue Wettability, Marker of the Physical Modifications Produced by Senescence versus Photo Senescence at Tegument Level

We used an experimental model involving white Westar rats (young and old) who were subjected to precise doses of ultraviolet radiation (UV). The experiment aims to examine the influence of epidermis potential protection factors in photo senescence versus senescence. We have studied the in vivo effect of some natural polyphones extracted from black grapes seeds and zinc aspartate and in vitro effect of AED (deuterium depleted water). The substances were administered by intragastric gavages, at two days intervals for two weeks prior to UV irradiation and during the entire period of the experiment (28 days). In the end, we determined the degree of hydrophilicity of the skin, in vitro, by measuring the contact angle value, which was inversely proportional to the hydrophilicity of the tissue (the angle formed at the contact between a liquid and a solid surface). Using this method we found a large variability depending on the hydrophilicity of the epidermis (abdomen and back), the age of the animal and UV/non UV irradiation. The maintenance of the epidermis fragments in AED (for 6 hours) increased significantly the tissue wet ability degree both in the young rats subject to UV and in the senescent ones subject to UV (photo senescence).

Involvement of Autoimmune Diseases in the Pathogenesis of Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is a condition based on an immune-mediated mechanism that determines the premature hyperdestruction of the thrombocytes in peripheral blood, as well as their deficient synthesis at the level of the bone marrow. The chronic immune purpura could be of primary, idiopathic cause, as well as of secondary cause, occurring in the context of other pathologies. The characteristic of the primary form of the disease is the presence of isolated thrombocytopenia, defined by a platelet count under 100,000/mm3 in peripheral blood, in the absence of supporting causes for thrombocytopenia. In the secondary form of the disease, the decreased platelet count is due to associated pathologies involving an immune mechanism, responsible for the occurrence of thrombocytopenia. This study aims to emphasize the involvement of autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), dermatomyositis, rheumatoid polyarthritis or antiphospholipid syndrome in the pathogenesis of secondary thrombocytopenia. Furthermore, the study was conducted on a sample of 40 patients, divided into two groups: The first group comprising asymptomatic patients diagnosed with thrombocytopenia following routine tests, and the second group comprising patients with hemorrhagiparous symptomatology (petechiae, ecchymoses, epistaxis, gingivorrhagia), who went to the doctor in order to determine the etiology of the hemorrhagiparous syndrome. The average value of the thrombocytopenia of the patients included in the study was of 60.20 ± 19.75 × 103/μL. Laboratory investigations performed in order to establish the etiology of thrombocytopenia showed that 80% of patients presented positive antiplatelet antibodies. Moreover, 20% of the patients in the study showed positive anti-double-stranded DNA, 20% were identified with IgG anticardiolipin antibodies, while antinuclear antibodies were present in 10% of the patients.

Arava Treatment,between Beneficial Action on Joint Inflammation and Side Effects on Liver,Myocardium and Kidney in Experimental Murine Arthritis

The purpose of the experiment was the follow-up in time of the course of joint inflammation phenomena in laboratory animals (white female adult Wistar rats) by determining particular biological, hematological, radiological, osteodensitometric, immunological and anatomic-pathological parameters and by assessing the effects of Leflunomide (Arava) on the course of the disease. ARAVA®(Leflunomide) is a pyrimidine synthesis inhibitor. The experimental study was conducted for 8 weeks. We have also assessed the side effects of the therapy on their liver, myocardium and kidney. Leflunomide therapy improved the course of the clinical and paraclinical parameters, but it did not cure the condition. The positive results in the joints were accompanied by many histological alterations. The experiment revealed the toxic visceral effects of Leflunomide on the liver, heart and kidney.