Effects of theophylline/chitosan/β-cyclodextrin microspheres for oral drug delivery on an asthmatic rat model

Objective:This study aimed to investigate the effects of TH/CTS/β-CD microspheres by oral administration on ovalbumin allergic asthma of a rat model.Methods:Spray drying method was applied for preparing the TH/CTS/β-CD microspheres,which were used in treatment of asthmatic rats.At a predetermined time,the levels of eosinophil(Eos),protein,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),aspartate transaminase(AST),glutamic pyruvic transaminase(GPT),and creatinine(Cr)were ascertained by automatic hematology and biochemical analyzers.Lung tissue histology was performed by hematoxylin-eosin staining.Results:No significant differences were found about the contents of Eos in the blood,and the contents of Eos,protein and LDH in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid between the microsphere-treated and dexamethasone-treated groups,but the levels were lower in both treated groups than in the model group.In the microsphere-treated group,the levels of Cr,AST,and GPT in the serum of rats showed no significant differences compared with the normal group.Based on lung histopathological findings,the microspheres attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus hypersecretion compared with the model group.Conclusion:This study demonstrated that TH/CTS/β-CD microspheres exerted an anti-inflammatory effect and could serve as a novel promising drug delivery system for asthma treatment.

A nanosystem of copper(II)-disulfiram for cancer treatment with high efficacy and few side effects

Developing chemotherapy drugs with high efficacy and few side effects has been a bottleneck problem that requires an efficient solution.The active cancer treatment ingredient disulfiram(DSF),inspired by the copper(II)diethyldithiocarbamate complex(CuET),can be used in a one-pot synthesis method to construct a CuET delivery nanosystem(CuET-ZIFCu@HA).Due to the high biocompatibility,targeting of CD44 overexpressed cancer cells,and acid response of zeolitic imidazolate framework(ZIF)materials of hyaluronic acid(HA),we realized that CuET-ZIFCu@HA could become an effective and highly selective cancer treatment.Both in vivo and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that CuET-ZIFCu@HA has robust anti-tumor properties without evident side effects.This research provided a promising strategy for DSF nanosystems that involves simple preparation and high efficacy,both of which are key to reusing DSF in cancer treatment.

Prevalence and Severity of HBV-Associated Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Due to Irregular Medication of Nucleos(t)ide Analogs

Hepatitis B virus(HBV)represents the commonest etiologic agent of acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF)in most Asian countries.Nucleos(t)ide analogs(NAs)are effective in the treatment of chronic HBV infections,but may also exacerbate the disease and stimulate its development into HBV-associated ACLF if not used appropriately.The current study aimed to assess the prevalence and severity of HBV-associated ACLF as a result from irregular medication of NAs(IMNA).A total of 1134 individuals with HBV-associated ACLF in nine hospitals in Heilongjiang Province were enrolled in this study between 2005 and 2015.Among these,777 chronic hepatitis B(CHB)and 357 HBV-associated liver cirrhosis cases were classified based on various predisposing factors,including IMNA,HBV reactivation(HBVR),infections,treatment drugs,alcohol use and others(hepatitis C virus,hepatitis E virus,gastrointestinal bleeding and unknown reasons).The percentage and improvement rate were examined.Among individuals with HBV-associated ACLF and CHB,IMNA was found in 9.01%,HBVR in 46.20%,infections in 9.52%,treatment drugs in 14.67%,alcohol in 11.71%,and others in 24.58%as predisposing factors.Improvement rates in cases with IMNA,HBVR,infections,treatment drugs,alcohol and others were 41.43%,58.50%,58.11%,56.14%,53.85%,and 65.97%,respectively.Multivariable analysis showed that IMNA,others,infections,hepatic encephalopathy and hepatorenal syndrome were associated with prognosis.Only IMNA independently predicted HBV-associated ACLF prognosis.Overall,our study demonstrated that the percentage of IMNAinduced HBV-associated ACLF was 12.61%,and worse disease conditions resulted from IMNA compared with other factors.Thus,the suitability of treatment with NAs should be thoroughly evaluated.