Influences of “Spasmolytic Powder” on Pgp Expression of Coriaria Lactone-Kindling Drug-Resistant Epileptic Rat Model

Background: The mossy fiber sprouting (MFS) in the dentate gyrus is a common pathological change of epilepsy. Previous studies suggested that it is associated with drug-resistant epilepsy, and mossy cells control spontaneous seizures and spatial memory. Methods: We investigated the correlations among cognitive impairment, MFS, seizure frequency and drug resistance in a rat model of epilepsy induced by lithium–pilocarpine. Phenytoin and phenobarbital were used to screen drug resistance. Cognitive function and MFS were detected through the novel object recognition (NOR) test, Morris water maze (MWM) test and Timm staining. Results: The results showed that object memory and spatial memory functions were both significantly impaired in rats with epilepsy, and only spatial memory impairment was more severe in rats with drug-resistant epilepsy. More frequent spontaneous seizures and more obvious MFS were observed in the drug-resistant rats. The seizure frequency was significantly associated with the MWM performance but not with the NOR performance in rats with epilepsy. The degree of MFS was significantly associated with seizure frequency and spatial memory function. Conclusion: Taken together, these correlations among drug resistance, seizure frequency, spatial memory impairment and MFS suggested the possibility of a common pathological mechanism. More studies are needed to clarify the underlying mechanism behind these correlations and the detailed role of MFS in epilepsy. The mechanism of mossy cell change may be an important target for the treatment of seizures, drug resistance and cognitive dysfunction in patients with epilepsy.

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Topically Applied Bacteriophage to Control Multi-Drug Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Infected Wound in a Rat Model

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10091048 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1048

Author(s):

Mohamed S. Fayez ◽

Toka A. Hakim ◽

Mona M. Agwa ◽

Mohamed Abdelmoteleb ◽

Rania G. Aly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽

Rat Model ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Control Group ◽

Lytic Phage ◽

Drug Resistant ◽

Infected Wound ◽

Specific Phage

(Background): Multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-KP) has steadily grown beyond antibiotic control. Wound infection kills many patients each year, due to the entry of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacterial pathogens into the skin gaps. However, a bacteriophage (phage) is considered to be a potential antibiotic alternative for treating bacterial infections. This research aims at isolating and characterizing a specific phage and evaluate its topical activity against MDR-KP isolated from infected wounds. (Methods): A lytic phage ZCKP8 was isolated by using a clinical isolate KP/15 as a host strain then characterized. Additionally, phage was assessed for its in vitro host range, temperature, ultraviolet (UV), and pH sensitivity. The therapeutic efficiency of phage suspension and a phage-impeded gel vehicle were assessed in vivo against a K. pneumoniae infected wound on a rat model. (Result): The phage produced a clear plaque and was classified as Siphoviridae. The phage inhibited KP/15 growth in vitro in a dose-dependent pattern and it was found to resist high temperature (˂70 °C) and was primarily active at pH 5; moreover, it showed UV stability for 45 min. Phage-treated K. pneumoniae inoculated wounds showed the highest healing efficiency by lowering the infection. The quality of the regenerated skin was evidenced via histological examination compared to the untreated control group. (Conclusions): This research represents the evidence of effective phage therapy against MDR-KP.

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