scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of Arachidonic Acid against Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium

2010 ◽  
Vol 54 (8) ◽  
pp. 3383-3389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashika El Ridi ◽  
Marwa Aboueldahab ◽  
Hatem Tallima ◽  
Mohamed Salah ◽  
Noha Mahana ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The development of arachidonic acid (ARA) for treatment of schistosomiasis is an entirely novel approach based on a breakthrough discovery in schistosome biology revealing that activation of parasite tegument-bound neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) by unsaturated fatty acids, such as ARA, induces exposure of parasite surface membrane antigens to antibody binding and eventual attrition of developing schistosomula and adult worms. Here, we demonstrate that 5 mM ARA leads to irreversible killing of ex vivo 1-, 3-, 4-, 5-, and 6-week-old Schistosoma mansoni and 9-, 10-, and 12-week-old Schistosoma haematobium worms within 3 to 4 h, depending on the parasite age, even when the worms were maintained in up to 50% fetal calf serum. ARA-mediated worm attrition was prevented by nSMase inhibitors, such as CaCl2 and GW4869. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that ARA-mediated worm killing was associated with spine destruction, membrane blebbing, and disorganization of the apical membrane structure. ARA-mediated S. mansoni and S. haematobium worm attrition was reproduced in vivo in a series of 6 independent experiments using BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice, indicating that ARA in a pure form (Sigma) or included in infant formula (Nestle) consistently led to 40 to 80% decrease in the total worm burden. Arachidonic acid is already marketed for human use in the United States and Canada for proper development of newborns and muscle growth of athletes; thus, ARA has potential as a safe and cost-effective addition to antischistosomal therapy.

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 989-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Gorasiya ◽  
Juliet Mushi ◽  
Ryan Pekson ◽  
Sabesan Yoganathan ◽  
Sandra E. Reznik

Background: Preterm birth (PTB), or birth that occurs before 37 weeks of gestation, accounts for the majority of perinatal morbidity and mortality. As of 2016, PTB has an occurrence rate of 9.6% in the United States and accounts for up to 18 percent of births worldwide. Inflammation has been identified as the most common cause of PTB, but effective pharmacotherapy has yet to be developed to prevent inflammation driven PTB. Our group has discovered that N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), a readily available solvent commonly used as a pharmaceutical excipient, rescues lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced timed pregnant mice from PTB. Methods: We have used in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro approaches to investigate this compound further. Results: Interestingly, we found that DMA suppresses cytokine secretion by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB). In ongoing work in this exciting line of investigation, we are currently investigating structural analogs of DMA, some of them novel, to optimize this approach focused on the inflammation associated with PTB. Conclusion: Successful development of pharmacotherapy for the prevention of PTB rests upon the pursuit of multiple strategies to solve this important clinical challenge.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1748-1755 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bryder ◽  
Sten E. W. Jacobsen

Abstract Although long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) can self-renew and expand extensively in vivo, most efforts at expanding HSC in vitro have proved unsuccessful and have frequently resulted in compromised rather than improved HSC grafts. This has triggered the search for the optimal combination of cytokines for HSC expansion. Through such studies, c-kit ligand (KL), flt3 ligand (FL), thrombopoietin, and IL-11 have emerged as likely positive regulators of HSC self-renewal. In contrast, numerous studies have implicated a unique and potent negative regulatory role of IL-3, suggesting perhaps distinct regulation of HSC fate by different cytokines. However, the interpretations of these findings are complicated by the fact that different cytokines might target distinct subpopulations within the HSC compartment and by the lack of evidence for HSC undergoing self-renewal. Here, in the presence of KL+FL+megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF), which recruits virtually all Lin−Sca-1+kit+ bone marrow cells into proliferation and promotes their self-renewal under serum-free conditions, IL-3 and IL-11 revealed an indistinguishable ability to further enhance proliferation. Surprisingly, and similar to IL-11, IL-3 supported KL+FL+MGDF-induced expansion of multilineage, long-term reconstituting activity in primary and secondary recipients. Furthermore, high-resolution cell division tracking demonstrated that all HSC underwent a minimum of 5 cell divisions, suggesting that long-term repopulating HSC are not compromised by IL-3 stimulation after multiple cell divisions. In striking contrast, the ex vivo expansion of murine HSC in fetal calf serum-containing medium resulted in extensive loss of reconstituting activity, an effect further facilitated by the presence of IL-3.


Blood ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 1748-1755 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bryder ◽  
Sten E. W. Jacobsen

Although long-term repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) can self-renew and expand extensively in vivo, most efforts at expanding HSC in vitro have proved unsuccessful and have frequently resulted in compromised rather than improved HSC grafts. This has triggered the search for the optimal combination of cytokines for HSC expansion. Through such studies, c-kit ligand (KL), flt3 ligand (FL), thrombopoietin, and IL-11 have emerged as likely positive regulators of HSC self-renewal. In contrast, numerous studies have implicated a unique and potent negative regulatory role of IL-3, suggesting perhaps distinct regulation of HSC fate by different cytokines. However, the interpretations of these findings are complicated by the fact that different cytokines might target distinct subpopulations within the HSC compartment and by the lack of evidence for HSC undergoing self-renewal. Here, in the presence of KL+FL+megakaryocyte growth and development factor (MGDF), which recruits virtually all Lin−Sca-1+kit+ bone marrow cells into proliferation and promotes their self-renewal under serum-free conditions, IL-3 and IL-11 revealed an indistinguishable ability to further enhance proliferation. Surprisingly, and similar to IL-11, IL-3 supported KL+FL+MGDF-induced expansion of multilineage, long-term reconstituting activity in primary and secondary recipients. Furthermore, high-resolution cell division tracking demonstrated that all HSC underwent a minimum of 5 cell divisions, suggesting that long-term repopulating HSC are not compromised by IL-3 stimulation after multiple cell divisions. In striking contrast, the ex vivo expansion of murine HSC in fetal calf serum-containing medium resulted in extensive loss of reconstituting activity, an effect further facilitated by the presence of IL-3.


Parasitology ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Kusel ◽  
L. Stones ◽  
L. Tetley

SummaryIntraperitoneal injection of cercariae into pristane (2, 6, 10, 14 tetramethyl pentadecane)-primed Balb/c mice led to greatly diminished numbers of portal and peritoneal worms compared with untreated mice. Schistosomula taken from the peritoneal cavity of pristane-primed mice carried globules of pristane on their surfaces, were contracted and were permeable to Trypan blue. Pristane globules bound also to adult wormsin vitroandin vivocausing rapid damage to the surface membrane. Hydrophobic compounds other than hydrocarbons either bound without causing gross damage, or did not bind to the adult worms.51Cr release studies showed that pristane had no effect on the permeability of human erythrocytes, while causing significant release from both schistosomula and adult worms. The binding of hydrocarbon globules to a variety of other parasites did not occur. The binding ofn-[1-14C]hexadecane to adultSchistosoma mansoniwas significantly decreased by extraction of the parasite with organic solvents or treatment with staphylococcal δ toxin, which interacts with phospholipids in the membrane. Possible mechanisms of damage of the parasite by the hydrocarbons are discussed.


1977 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.K. Sim ◽  
A.P. McCraw

γ-linolenic acid, dihomo-γ-linolenic acid and Naudicelle, a naturally-occurring rich source of essential unsaturated fatty acids have been evaluated as potential antithrombotic agents. A sequential series of tests was used to compare each substance in vitro (human plasma), in vivo using an artificially induced thrombus in the microcirculation of small laboratory animals and ex vivo in non-human primates with a spontaneous pathological thrombotic tendency. Finally the test substances were compared in man after oral administration. Particular reference was made to the effects of the compounds on platelet function, the fibrinolytic system, thrombus formation and on circulating blood lipids. The compounds which are possible prostaglandin precursors, have been shown to have a positive (antithrombotic) effect in the test systems used. Platelet aggregation was inhibited over 24 hours in non-human primates and in man at oral dose levels of 1.5 mg/kg. In addition plasma cholesterol and triglycerides were decreased by up to 50% on the same dose regime.


1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Hatmi ◽  
A Del Maschio ◽  
J Lefort ◽  
G De Gaetano ◽  
B B Varqaftiq ◽  
...  

In previous studies we have found (Br. 3. Pharmac. 85, 849, 1985) that a) human platelets pre-exposed to arachidonic acid or to the endoperoxide analogue, U46619 and then washed and resuspended, fail to respond to a second challenge by both arachidonic acid and U46619; b) desensitization by arachidonic acid and U46619 occurs at a site sensitive to endoperoxides / thromboxane (Tx) receptor antagonists; c) the desensitizing effects of U46619 are direct, whereas those of arachidonic acid are mediated by a cyclooxygenase-dependent metabolite. Sulfinpyrazone (100 μM) and its thioether metabolite G25671 (50 μM) are known to suppress arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation and TxB2 formation (Eur. 3. Pharmac, 101, 209, 1984). We now demonstrate that the presence of sulfinpyrazone or G25671 during platelet exposure to arachidonic acid or U46619 prevents desensitization. Platelet activation by the endoperoxide analogue U46619 is also prevented by sulfinpyrazone or G25671 (0.3-1 mM). The threshold aggregating concentrations of arachidonic acid and U46619 in healthy subjects before and after oral treatment with sulfinpyrazone were elevated by 2-3 fold and a good correlation between ex vivo and in vitro findings was established. We finally examined the actions of sulfinpyrazone and G25671 on the bronchoconstriction in vivo and parenchymal lung strip contraction in vitro induced by U46619. Neither drug had any preventive effect.Our results demonstrate that sulfinpyrazone and its metabolite G25671 are not only cyclooxygenase inhibitors but can also act as endoperoxide/Tx antagonists and indicate clearly that antagonism of U46619 by both drugs is selective for platelets.


2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (42) ◽  
pp. 11676-11681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steffi Sunny ◽  
George Cheng ◽  
Daniel Daniel ◽  
Peter Lo ◽  
Sebastian Ochoa ◽  
...  

Camera-guided instruments, such as endoscopes, have become an essential component of contemporary medicine. The 15–20 million endoscopies performed every year in the United States alone demonstrate the tremendous impact of this technology. However, doctors heavily rely on the visual feedback provided by the endoscope camera, which is routinely compromised when body fluids and fogging occlude the lens, requiring lengthy cleaning procedures that include irrigation, tissue rubbing, suction, and even temporary removal of the endoscope for external cleaning. Bronchoscopies are especially affected because they are performed on delicate tissue, in high-humidity environments with exposure to extremely adhesive biological fluids such as mucus and blood. Here, we present a repellent, liquid-infused coating on an endoscope lens capable of preventing vision loss after repeated submersions in blood and mucus. The material properties of the coating, including conformability, mechanical adhesion, transparency, oil type, and biocompatibility, were optimized in comprehensive in vitro and ex vivo studies. Extensive bronchoscopy procedures performed in vivo on porcine lungs showed significantly reduced fouling, resulting in either unnecessary or ∼10–15 times shorter and less intensive lens clearing procedures compared with an untreated endoscope. We believe that the material developed in this study opens up opportunities in the design of next-generation endoscopes that will improve visual field, display unprecedented antibacterial and antifouling properties, reduce the duration of the procedure, and enable visualization of currently unreachable parts of the body, thus offering enormous potential for disease diagnosis and treatment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Serafini ◽  
Giuseppa Morabito

Dietary polyphenols have been shown to scavenge free radicals, modulating cellular redox transcription factors in different in vitro and ex vivo models. Dietary intervention studies have shown that consumption of plant foods modulates plasma Non-Enzymatic Antioxidant Capacity (NEAC), a biomarker of the endogenous antioxidant network, in human subjects. However, the identification of the molecules responsible for this effect are yet to be obtained and evidences of an antioxidant in vivo action of polyphenols are conflicting. There is a clear discrepancy between polyphenols (PP) concentration in body fluids and the extent of increase of plasma NEAC. The low degree of absorption and the extensive metabolism of PP within the body have raised questions about their contribution to the endogenous antioxidant network. This work will discuss the role of polyphenols from galenic preparation, food extracts, and selected dietary sources as modulators of plasma NEAC in humans.


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