A new in vitro model of seizure activity

AbstractSpike-and-wave discharges (SpW) are seen in absence-type epilepsies. They are heterogeneous in terms of their clinical burden and their electrographic signature, which is used to classify different types of absence seizures; typical absence, in which SpW frequency is 3-4Hz and atypical absence, which shows a slower 1-2Hz frequency. Treatment of SpW varies dependent upon the syndrome, but both Valproic Acid (VPA) and Ethosuximide (ESM) are shown to be effective in controlling typical absence seizures. Other anti-epileptic’s (AED’s), Levetiracetam (LEV) and Rufinamide (RUF), have shown promise in treating absence epilepsies and their associated syndromes. Here we examine the efficacy of these AED’s on an in vitro model of SpW.Both LEV and RUF show an effective reduction in both the number of SpW events and the spike component amplitude; VPA shows no effect, whilst ESM enhances the spike amplitude. Phenytoin exacerbates the SpW activity, increasing both the number of SpW, amplitude of the SpW and the number of spikes within each event. These data suggest that both LEV and RUF could be effective in the treatment of absence-type epilepsies. They also suggest this model could be an effective tool to test other AED’s aimed at treating atypical absence syndromes.

Download Full-text

An in vitro model for investigation of vitamin A effects on wound healing

International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research ◽

10.1024/0300-9831/a000692 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Hoda Keshmiri Neghab ◽

Mohammad Hasan Soheilifar ◽

Gholamreza Esmaeeli Djavid

Keyword(s):

Wound Healing ◽

Endothelial Cell ◽

Vitamin A ◽

In Vitro Model ◽

Cellular Proliferation ◽

Endothelial Cell Migration ◽

Normal Fibroblast ◽

Anti Inflammatory ◽

Vitro Model

Abstract. Wound healing consists of a series of highly orderly overlapping processes characterized by hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Prolongation or interruption in each phase can lead to delayed wound healing or a non-healing chronic wound. Vitamin A is a crucial nutrient that is most beneficial for the health of the skin. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of vitamin A on regeneration, angiogenesis, and inflammation characteristics in an in vitro model system during wound healing. For this purpose, mouse skin normal fibroblast (L929), human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), and monocyte/macrophage-like cell line (RAW 264.7) were considered to evaluate proliferation, angiogenesis, and anti-inﬂammatory responses, respectively. Vitamin A (0.1–5 μM) increased cellular proliferation of L929 and HUVEC (p < 0.05). Similarly, it stimulated angiogenesis by promoting endothelial cell migration up to approximately 4 fold and interestingly tube formation up to 8.5 fold (p < 0.01). Furthermore, vitamin A treatment was shown to decrease the level of nitric oxide production in a dose-dependent effect (p < 0.05), exhibiting the anti-inflammatory property of vitamin A in accelerating wound healing. These results may reveal the therapeutic potential of vitamin A in diabetic wound healing by stimulating regeneration, angiogenesis, and anti-inﬂammation responses.

Download Full-text