scholarly journals Ceylon cinnamon and its major compound Cinnamaldehyde can limit overshooting inflammatory signaling and angiogenesis in vitro: implications for COVID-19 treatment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt Lucas ◽  
Maximilian Ackermann ◽  
Anna Lena Leifke ◽  
William W. Li ◽  
Ulrich Poeschl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Chronic Fatigue ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Inflammatory Signaling ◽  
High Dose Dexamethasone ◽  
Ceylon Cinnamon ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Molecular Patterns

Overshooting immune reactions can occur during inflammatory responses that accompany severe infections, such as COVID-19. Cytokines, damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can generate positive feedback loops of inflammation, leading to long-term complications such as vascular endothelialitis, thrombosis, endothelial dysfunction, neurological impairments, and chronic fatigue. Dexamethasone can limit inflammation by inhibiting the activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors. High dose dexamethasone, however, has undesirable side effects. Here, we show that Ceylon cinnamon and its major compound cinnamaldehyde can mitigate inflammatory signaling in vitro. Cinnamaldehyde interferes with the dimerization of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which can be activated by DAMPs like HSP60 and HMGB1. Our results suggest that supplementary treatment with Ceylon cinnamon may allow administration of lower doses of dexamethasone to avoid high dose steroid side effects. Moreover, preliminary results indicate that Ceylon cinnamon modulates angiogenesis, which is a reactive phenomenon in COVID-19.

Quality-by-Design Enabled Chitosan Nanoparticles for Antitubercular Therapy: Formulation, Statistical Optimization, and In vitro Characterization

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manasi M. Chogale ◽  
Sujay S. Gaikwad ◽  
Savita P. Kulkarni ◽  
Vandana B. Patravale
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Treatment Regimen ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Chitosan Nanoparticles ◽  
In Vitro Release ◽  
Antitubercular Therapy ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Average Size

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) continues to be among the leading causes for high mortality among developing countries. Though a seemingly effective treatment regimen against TB is in place, there has been no significant improvement in the therapeutic rates. This is primarily owing to the high drug doses, their associated sideeffects, and prolonged treatment regimen. Discontinuation of therapy due to the severe side effects of the drugs results in the progression of the infection to the more severe drug-resistant TB. Objectives: Reformulation of the current existing anti TB drugs into more efficient dosage forms could be an ideal way out. Nanoformulations have been known to mitigate the side effects of toxic, high-dose drugs. Hence, the current research work involves the formulation of Isoniazid (INH; a first-line anti TB molecule) loaded chitosan nanoparticles for pulmonary administration. Methods: INH loaded chitosan nanoparticles were prepared by ionic gelation method using an anionic crosslinker. Drugexcipient compatibility was evaluated using DSC and FT-IR. The formulation was optimized on the principles of Qualityby-Design using a full factorial design. Results: The obtained nanoparticles were spherical in shape having an average size of 620±10.97 nm and zeta potential +16.87±0.79 mV. Solid state characterization revealed partial encapsulation and amorphization of INH into the nanoparticulate system. In vitro release study confirmed an extended release of INH from the system. In vitro cell line based safety and efficacy studies revealed satisfactory results. Conclusion: The developed nanosystem is thus an efficient approach for antitubercular therapy.

scholarly journals Toll-Like Receptor Signaling in Airborne Burkholderia thailandensis Infection

2009 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 5612-5622 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Eoin West ◽  
Thomas R. Hawn ◽  
Shawn J. Skerrett
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Tlr Signaling ◽  
Necrosis Factor Alpha ◽  
Airborne Infection ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
High Doses

ABSTRACT Melioidosis is a tropical disease endemic in southeast Asia and northern Australia caused by the gram-negative soil saprophyte Burkholderia pseudomallei. Although infection is often systemic, the lung is frequently involved. B. thailandensis is a closely related organism that at high doses causes lethal pneumonia in mice. We examined the role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), essential components of innate immunity, in vitro and in vivo during murine B. thailandensis pneumonia. TLR2, TLR4, and TLR5 mediate NF-κB activation by B. thailandensis in transfected HEK293 or CHO cells. In macrophages, TLR4 and the adaptor molecule MyD88, but not TLR2 or TLR5, are required for tumor necrosis factor alpha production induced by B. thailandensis. In low-dose airborne infection, TLR4 is needed for early, but not late, bacterial containment, and MyD88 is essential for control of infection and host survival. TLR2 and TLR5 are not necessary to contain low-dose infection. In high-dose airborne infection, TLR2 deficiency confers a slight survival advantage. Lung and systemic inflammatory responses are induced by low-dose inhaled B. thailandensis independently of individual TLRs or MyD88. These findings suggest that redundancy in TLR signaling or other MyD88-dependent pathways may be important in pneumonic B. thailandensis infection but that MyD88-independent mechanisms of inflammation are also activated. TLR signaling in B. thailandensis infection is substantially comparable to signaling induced by virulent B. pseudomallei. These studies provide additional insights into the host-pathogen interaction in pneumonic Burkholderia infection.

A dual-action peptide-containing hydrogel targets wound infection and inflammation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (524) ◽  
pp. eaax6601 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manoj Puthia ◽  
Marta Butrym ◽  
Jitka Petrlova ◽  
Ann-Charlotte Strömdahl ◽  
Madelene Å. Andersson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Nuclear Factor Κb ◽  
Reporter Mice ◽  
Dual Action ◽  
Infection And Inflammation ◽  
Molecular Patterns

There is a clinical need for improved wound treatments that prevent both infection and excessive inflammation. TCP-25, a thrombin-derived peptide, is antibacterial and scavenges pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide, thereby preventing CD14 interaction and Toll-like receptor dimerization, leading to reduced downstream immune activation. Here, we describe the development of a hydrogel formulation that was functionalized with TCP-25 to target bacteria and associated PAMP-induced inflammation. In vitro studies determined the polymer prerequisites for such TCP-25–mediated dual action, favoring the use of noncharged hydrophilic hydrogels, which enabled peptide conformational changes and LPS binding. The TCP-25–functionalized hydrogels killed Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria in vitro, as well as in experimental mouse models of subcutaneous infection. The TCP-25 hydrogel also mediated reduction of LPS-induced local inflammatory responses, as demonstrated by analysis of local cytokine production and in vivo bioimaging using nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) reporter mice. In porcine partial thickness wound models, TCP-25 prevented infection with S. aureus and reduced concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines. Proteolytic fragmentation of TCP-25 in vitro yielded a series of bioactive TCP fragments that were identical or similar to those present in wounds in vivo. Together, the results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of TCP-25 hydrogel, a wound treatment based on the body’s peptide defense, for prevention of both bacterial infection and the accompanying inflammation.

scholarly journals Vitamin D accelerates resolution of inflammatory responses during tuberculosis treatment

2012 ◽  
Vol 109 (38) ◽  
pp. 15449-15454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Coussens ◽  
Robert J. Wilkinson ◽  
Yasmeen Hanifa ◽  
Vladyslav Nikolayevskyy ◽  
Paul T. Elkington ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Antimicrobial Therapy ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Vitamin D Supplementation ◽  
Tuberculosis Treatment ◽  
Sputum Smear ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Increased Risk

Calcidiol, the major circulating metabolite of vitamin D, supports induction of pleiotropic antimicrobial responses in vitro. Vitamin D supplementation elevates circulating calcidiol concentrations, and thus has a potential role in the prevention and treatment of infection. The immunomodulatory effects of administering vitamin D to humans with an infectious disease have not previously been reported. To characterize these effects, we conducted a detailed longitudinal study of circulating and antigen-stimulated immune responses in ninety-five patients receiving antimicrobial therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis who were randomized to receive adjunctive high-dose vitamin D or placebo in a clinical trial, and who fulfilled criteria for per-protocol analysis. Vitamin D supplementation accelerated sputum smear conversion and enhanced treatment-induced resolution of lymphopaenia, monocytosis, hypercytokinaemia, and hyperchemokinaemia. Administration of vitamin D also suppressed antigen-stimulated proinflammatory cytokine responses, but attenuated the suppressive effect of antimicrobial therapy on antigen-stimulated secretion of IL-4, CC chemokine ligand 5, and IFN-α. We demonstrate a previously unappreciated role for vitamin D supplementation in accelerating resolution of inflammatory responses during tuberculosis treatment. Our findings suggest a potential role for adjunctive vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of pulmonary infections to accelerate resolution of inflammatory responses associated with increased risk of mortality.

Survey of the Side Effects of ITP Therapies

Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 3327-3327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles W Shaffer ◽  
Naznin Haq ◽  
James B Bussel
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Board Of Directors ◽  
Side Effect ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Control Sample ◽  
Control Group ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Advisory Committees ◽  
High Dose Dexamethasone ◽  
Equity Ownership

Abstract Abstract 3327 Introduction: Adult immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by an isolated low platelet count. Options for initial therapy in children and adults include corticosteroids (CS), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and anti-D. Second-line treatments include splenectomy, rituximab, and the thrombopoietin receptor agonists (TPO-A) eltrombopag and romiplostim. Treatments are usually effective in raising platelet counts, but there are often associated toxicities. We designed and administered a patient survey to compare side effects reported with different ITP therapies to an off treatment control group. Methods: A literature search identified 56 distinct side effects reported by patients on medical therapy for ITP. A self-report questionnaire was designed that asked patients how frequently (never, occasionally, regularly, almost always, always) they had experienced each side effect during the last 30 days. If a respondent had experienced the side effect, he/she was also asked to indicate the level of distress associated with the symptom on a rating scale. Adult non-pregnant patients with ITP were eligible for the IRB-approved study if they were currently taking one of the following therapies, and had done so for at least 30 days: CS, rituximab plus pulse high dose dexamethasone [Dex-Ritux], eltrombopag, IVIG, romiplostim, or no therapy (control group). Clinical details were obtained from patient records. Side effects in the treatment groups were compared to the control sample using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test (alpha = .05). Results: Ninety-one eligible patients completed the survey. Eleven (12%) were on CS (9 patients on prednisone [median dose 20mg/day] and 2 on pulse high dose dexamethasone), 11 (12%) on Dex-Ritux, 21 (23%) on eltrombopag, 9 (10%) on IVIG, 22 (24%) on romiplostim, and 17 (19%) on no therapy. Sixty-two percent overall and 71% of control patients were female (n=56, n=12). One hundred percent of patients reported experiencing at least one side effect. The most commonly reported side effects were fatigue (n= 78; 86%), stress (n=70; 77%), anxiety (n=56; 62%), joint pain (n=55; 60%), and muscle pain (n=55; 60%). Most side effects reported by patients on treatment did not occur with significantly greater frequency or distress than in the control sample. Side effects that occurred with significantly greater frequency compared to the control sample were found in every treatment group except eltrombopag. Most of these symptoms were mild and not associated with greater distress compared to control patients who experienced the same side effect. The number of side effects occurring with greater frequency was 15 with romiplostim, 5 with Dex-Ritux, 3 with CS, and 2 with IVIG. Side effects that occurred with significantly greater distress compared to the control sample were found in every treatment group. Greater distress was not necessarily associated with greater frequency (see Table). Many unwanted effects, such as fatigue, insomnia, dyspepsia, and skin irritation, that have traditionally been associated with CS treatment did not occur with greater frequency or distress in that group; however, few patients were on long term or high dose CS therapy. Surprisingly, unlike published series, we found that romiplostim patients experienced fatigue with significantly greater frequency and more distress than the control group (see Figure). Conclusion: These results suggest that, while unwanted effects of ITP treatment in adults are common, the great majority are not associated with significant patient distress. Patients who participated in this study were being treated at a clinic where treatment guidelines for adult ITP favored TPO-As over CS. Thus our findings may not reflect general experience. Disclosures: Bussel: Amgen: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Cangene: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Genzyme: Research Funding; IgG of America: Research Funding; Immunomedics: Research Funding; Ligand: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Eisai, Inc: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Shinogi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Symphogen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sysmex: Research Funding; Portola: Consultancy.

High-dose dexamethasone shifts the balance of stimulatory and inhibitory Fcγ receptors on monocytes in patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 117 (6) ◽  
pp. 2061-2069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin-guang Liu ◽  
Shi-hui Ma ◽  
Jian-zhi Sun ◽  
Juan Ren ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Fcγ Receptor ◽  
Fcγ Receptors ◽  
Phagocytic Capacity ◽  
High Dose Dexamethasone ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia ◽  
Before And After

Abstract The human Fcγ receptor (FcγR) system is composed of 2 opposing families, the activating FcγRs (FcγRI, FcγRIIa, and FcγRIII) and the inhibitory FcγR (FcγRIIb). The disturbed balance of the activating and inhibitory FcγRs has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many autoimmune diseases. In this study, the expression of FcγRs on monocytes was determined in 23 patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) before and after high-dose dexamethasone (HD-DXM) treatment. The FcγRI expression was significantly higher in ITP patients and decreased after HD-DXM treatment. The ratio of FcγRIIa/IIb mRNA expression on monocytes was significantly higher in untreated patients than in healthy controls. After HD-DXM therapy, the ratio decreased and the increased expression of FcγRIIb mRNA and protein coincided with a remarkable decrease in the expression of FcγRIIa, FcγRI, and monocyte phagocytic capacity. There was no significant difference in FcγRIII expression on monocytes between patients and controls. In vitro cell-culture experiments showed that DXM could induce FcγRIIa and FcγRIIb expression in monocytes from ITP patients, with FcγRIIb at higher amplitudes. These findings suggested that the disturbed FcγR balance might play a role in the pathogenesis of ITP, and that HD-DXM therapy could shift monocyte FcγR balance toward the inhibitory FcγRIIb in patients with ITP.

scholarly journals Determination of lumefantrine as an effective drug against Toxoplasma gondii infection – in vitro and in vivo study

Parasitology ◽  
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Dawei Wang ◽  
Mengen Xing ◽  
Saeed El-Ashram ◽  
Yingying Ding ◽  
Xiao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Toxoplasma Gondii ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Vero Cells ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Mouse Tissues

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite, which can infect almost all warm-blooded animals, including humans, leading to toxoplasmosis. Currently, the effective treatment for human toxoplasmosis is the combination of sulphadiazine and pyrimethamine. However, both drugs have serious side-effects and toxicity in the host. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the discovery of new anti-T. gondii drugs with high potency and less or no side-effects. Our findings suggest that lumefantrine exerts activity against T. gondii by inhibiting its proliferation in Vero cells in vitro without being toxic to Vero cells (P ≤ 0.01). Lumefantrine prolonged mice infected with T. gondii from death for 3 days at the concentration of 50 μg L−1 than negative control (phosphate-buffered saline treated only), and reduced the parasite burden in mouse tissues in vivo (P ≤ 0.01; P ≤ 0.05). In addition, a significant increase in interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production was observed in high-dose lumefantrine-treated mice (P ≤ 0.01), whereas interleukin 10 (IL-10) and IL-4 levels increased in low-dose lumefantrine-treated mice (P ≤ 0.01). The results demonstrated that lumefantrine may be a promising agent to treat toxoplasmosis, and more experiments on the protective mechanism of lumefantrine should be undertaken in further studies.

scholarly journals Gram-Positive Staphylococcus aureus LTA Promotes Distinct Memory-like Effects in Murine Bone Marrow Neutrophils

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trim Lajqi ◽  
David Frommhold ◽  
Maylis Braun ◽  
Simon Alexander Kranig ◽  
Johannes Pöschl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Acute Infection ◽  
Lipoteichoic Acid ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Murine Bone Marrow ◽  
Neutrophil Priming

Neutrophils as innate immune cells primarily act as first responders in acute infection and directly maintain inflammatory responses. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that neutrophils also bear the potential to mediate chronic inflammation by exhibiting memory-like features. We recently showed that priming by serial doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram-negative bacteria can trigger opposing memory-like responses (exaggerated inflammation, i.e. trained sensitivity or suppression of inflammation, i.e. tolerance) depending on the LPS-dose. We now asked whether this observation could also hold true for lipoteichoic acid (LTA) from gram-positive S. aureus. We found comparable effects of LTA on neutrophil priming as seen for LPS. Low-dose (1 ng/mL) LTA-priming promoted increased production of pro-inflammatory mediators (i.e., TNF-α, IL-6, ROS), whereas high-dose (10 µg/mL) results in contrary reactions supporting anti-inflammatory responses by increased IL-10 and declined pro-inflammatory capacity. In vitro neutrophil recruitment was similarly regulated by LTA -priming. Investigation of signalling patterns revealed TLR2/MyD88-mediated regulation of NFκB-p65 through intermediate PI3Ks/MAPK. Collectively, our data suggest a previously unknown capacity of neutrophils to be differentially primed by varying doses of LTA, endorsing memory-like features in neutrophils.

scholarly journals Saireito Improves Lymphatic Function and Prevents UVB-Induced Acute Inflammation and Photodamage in HR-1 Hairless Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Manami Oyama ◽  
Kenta Murata ◽  
Misaki Ogata ◽  
Nina Fujita ◽  
Ryuji Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Protective Effect ◽  
Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Ultraviolet B ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Hairless Mice ◽  
Edema Formation ◽  
Lymphatic Function

A single high-dose ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure on the skin induces acute inflammatory responses, such as an increase in proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6 and IL-1β), hyperpermeability and dilation of blood and lymphatic vessels, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. These responses result in different cutaneous disorders characterized by erythema, epidermal hyperplasia, edema formation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Saireito extract (SRT), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat various inflammatory diseases in Japan, and SRT and its major active components (e.g., saikosaponins and baicalin) were reported to downregulate proinflammatory cytokines. Moreover, SRT has a protective effect against UV irradiation in vitro. Based on these findings, we aimed to investigate the effect of SRT on UVB-induced photodamage and structural change in the vasculature. We pretreated male HR-1 hairless mice with SRT (625 or 1250 mg/kg) for 3 weeks before a single UVB (250 mJ/cm2) irradiation. SRT treatment attenuated UVB-induced increases in erythema, transepidermal water loss, and edema formation at 72 h after irradiation. SRT treatment also suppressed UVB-induced inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen degradation. Furthermore, at 24 h after irradiation, SRT treatment inhibited UVB-induced upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and reduction in lymphatic vessel density associated with upregulation of VEGF-C expression. These results suggest that SRT could attenuate UVB-induced photodamage. This protective effect of SRT involves suppression of upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and improvement of lymphatic function in the early stage of inflammation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document