Therapeutic effects of sericin on diabetic keratopathy in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats

An Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty(OLETF)rat provides a useful model for studies to develop corneal wound healing drugs for use in diabetic keratopathy resulting from type 2 diabetes mellitus.We investigated the effects of sericin on corneal wound healing in OLETF rats.Corneal wounds were prepared by removal of the corneal epithelium and documented using a TRC-50X.Sericin was instilled into the eyes of rats five times a day following corneal abrasion.The plasma levels of glucose,triglycerides,cholesterol and insulin in 38 wk old OLETF rats were significantly higher than in normal control rats(LETO rats),and the rate of corneal wound healing in OLETF rats was slower than in normal rat,probably due to the suppression of cell migration and proliferation caused by high plasma glucose levels.The corneal wounds of OLETF rats instilled with saline showed almost complete healing 72h after corneal epithelial abrasion.On the other hand,the instillation of sericin has a potent effect in promoting wound healing and wound size reduction in OLETF rats and the wounds showed almost complete healing at 48 h after abrasion.The sericin may be an effective and safe drug to promote corneal wound healing in diabetic keratopathy.

Glutathione-depleted cyclodextrin pseudo-polyrotaxane nanoparticles for anti-inflammatory oxaliplatin(Ⅳ) prodrug delivery and enhanced colorectal cancer therapy

Oxaliplatin(Oxa) is the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of colorectal cancer(CRC). However, long-term Oxa chemotherapy can induce inflammation and increase the levels of cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and prostaglandin E2(PGE2), which can promote tumor metastasis. Moreover,high glutathione(GSH) levels in CRC cells significantly reduce Oxa sensitivity and seriously restrict the clinical application of Oxa. Herein, an Oxa(Ⅳ) prodrug with anti-inflammatory properties(desmethyl naproxe, DN) and GSH-depleting cyclodextrin pseudo-polyrotaxane carriers were prepared and further self-assembled into micellar nanoparticles(designated DNPt@PPRI). The relesae of DN from DNPt@PPRI can reduce the level of PGE2 to inhibit inflammation and tumor metastasis by decreasing COX-2 protein,and also synergize with Oxa to inhibit tumor. More importantly, GSH depletion can reduce the detoxification of Oxa and further enhance chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. DNPt@PPRI have a good GSH depletion ability to enhance the sensitivity of Oxa, indicating a potential in the synergistic chemotherapy and chemo-sensitization of colorectal cancer.