scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of Spironolactone as an Antischistosomal Drug Capable of Clinical Repurposing

2018 ◽  
Vol 63 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael A. Guerra ◽  
Marcos P. Silva ◽  
Tais C. Silva ◽  
Maria C. Salvadori ◽  
Fernanda S. Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Parasitic Flatworm ◽  
And Control

ABSTRACT Schistosomiasis is a parasitic flatworm disease that infects over 200 million people worldwide, especially in poor communities. Treatment and control of the disease rely on just one drug, praziquantel. Since funding for drug development for poverty-associated diseases is very limited, drug repurposing is a promising strategy. In this study, from a screening of 13 marketed diuretics, we identified that spironolactone, a potassium-sparing diuretic, had potent antischistosomal effects on Schistosoma mansoni in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of schistosomiasis. In vitro, spironolactone at low concentrations (<10 µM) is able to alter worm motor activity and the morphology of adult schistosomes, leading to parasitic death. In vivo, oral treatment with spironolactone at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either patent or prepatent infections significantly reduced worm burden, egg production, and hepato- and splenomegaly (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Taken together, with the safety profile of spironolactone, supported by its potential to affect schistosomes, these results indicate that spironolactone could be a potential treatment for schistosomiasis and make it promising for repurposing.

scholarly journals Promethazine Exhibits Antiparasitic Properties In Vitro and Reduces Worm Burden, Egg Production, Hepatomegaly, and Splenomegaly in a Schistosomiasis Animal Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Roquini ◽  
Ramon M. Cogo ◽  
Ana C. Mengarda ◽  
Susana F. Mazloum ◽  
Cristiane S. Morais ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Model ◽  
Worm Burden ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Anticholinergic Drug ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Parasite Motility

ABSTRACT The treatment and control of schistosomiasis, a neglected disease that affects more than 200 million people worldwide, rely on the use of a single drug, praziquantel. A vaccine has yet to be developed, and since new drug design and development is a lengthy and costly process, drug repurposing is a promising strategy. In this study, the efficacy of promethazine, a first-generation antihistamine, was evaluated against Schistosoma mansoni ex vivo and in a murine model of schistosomiasis. In vitro assays demonstrated that promethazine affected parasite motility and viability, and it induced severe tegumental damage in schistosomes. The 50% lethal concentration (LC50) of the drug was 5.84 μM. Similar to promethazine, schistosomes incubated with atropine, a classical anticholinergic drug, displayed reduced motor activity. In an animal model, promethazine treatment was introduced at an oral dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight for five successive days at different intervals from the time of infection for the evaluation of the stage-specific susceptibility (prepatent and patent infections). Various parasitological criteria indicated the following in vivo antischistosomal effects of promethazine: there were significant reductions in worm burden, egg production, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. The highest worm burden reduction was achieved with promethazine in patent infections (>90%). Taken together, considering the importance of the repositioning of drugs in infectious diseases, especially those related to poverty, our data revealed the possibility of promethazine repositioning as an antischistosomal agent.

In vitro and in vivo studies on the bioactivity of a ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract towards adult schistosomes and their egg production

2002 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 241-247 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Sanderson ◽  
A. Bartlett ◽  
P.J. Whitfield
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Zingiber Officinale ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Separate Experiment ◽  
Laboratory Mice ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Almost All ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe bioactivity of an ethyl acetate extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) towards Schistosoma mansoni adult pairs, both cultured in vitro and in vivo in laboratory mice, was investigated by monitoring worm mortality and fecundity. In vitro, a concentration of 200 mg l-1 of extract killed almost all worms within 24 h. Male worms seemed more susceptible than female under these conditions. Cumulative egg output of surviving worm pairs in vitro was considerably reduced when exposed to the extract. For example, after 4 days of exposure to 50 mg l-1, cumulative egg output was only 0.38 eggs per worm pair compared with 36.35 for untreated worms. In vivo efficacy of the extract was tested by oral and subcutaneous delivery of 150 mg kg-1 followed by assessment of worm survival and fecundity. Neither delivery route produced any significant reduction in worm numbers compared with untreated controls. Worm fecundity was assessed in vivo by cumulative egg counts per liver at 55 days post infection with mice treated subcutaneously. Such infections showed egg levels in the liver of about 2000 eggs per worm pair in 55 days, in both treated and control mice, with no significant difference between the two groups. To ensure that density-dependent effects did not confound this analysis, a separate experiment demonstrated no such influence on egg output per worm pair, at intensities between 1 and 23 worms per mouse.

New evidence for tamoxifen as an antischistosomal agent: in vitro, in vivo and target fishing studies

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tais C Silva ◽  
Ana C Mengarda ◽  
Bianca C Silva ◽  
Thais S Relvas-Lima ◽  
Vinicius C Rodrigues ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Once Daily ◽  
Potential Target ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Patent Infection ◽  
Target Fishing

Background: Praziquantel is the only drug available to treat schistosomiasis, and there is an urgent demand for new anthelmintic agents. Methodology & results: We conducted in-depth in vitro and in vivo studies and report a target fishing investigation. In vitro, tamoxifen was active against adult and immature worms at low concentrations (<5 μM). Tamoxifen at a single dose (400 mg/kg) or once daily for five consecutive days (100 mg/kg/day) in mice harboring either adult (patent infection) or juvenile (prepatent infection) significantly reduced worm burden (30–70%) and egg production (70–90%). Target fishing studies revealed propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target for tamoxifen in Schistosoma  mansoni and glucose uptake by S. mansoni was also significantly reduced. Conclusion: Our results provide news evidence of antiparasitic effect of tamoxifen and reveal propionyl-CoA carboxylase as a potential target.

scholarly journals High-resolution AP-SMALDI MSI as a tool for drug imaging in Schistosoma mansoni

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annika S. Mokosch ◽  
Stefanie Gerbig ◽  
Christoph G. Grevelding ◽  
Simone Haeberlein ◽  
Bernhard Spengler
Keyword(s):  
Schistosoma Mansoni ◽  
Egg Production ◽  
Drug Repurposing ◽  
Cancer Drug ◽  
Ionization Mass ◽  
Parasitic Flatworm ◽  
Paired Female ◽  
First Time ◽  
Organ Tropism

AbstractSchistosoma mansoni is a parasitic flatworm causing schistosomiasis, an infectious disease affecting several hundred million people worldwide. Schistosomes live dioeciously, and upon pairing with the male, the female starts massive egg production, which causes pathology. Praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug used, but it has an inherent risk of resistance development. Therefore, alternatives are needed. In the context of drug repurposing, the cancer drug imatinib was tested, showing high efficacy against S. mansoni in vitro. Besides the gonads, imatinib mainly affected the integrity of the intestine in males and females. In this study, we investigated the potential uptake and distribution of imatinib in adult schistosomes including its distribution kinetics. To this end, we applied for the first time atmospheric-pressure scanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (AP-SMALDI MSI) for drug imaging in paired S. mansoni. Our results indicate that imatinib was present in the esophagus and intestine of the male as early as 20 min after in vitro exposure, suggesting an oral uptake route. After one hour, the drug was also found inside the paired female. The detection of the main metabolite, N-desmethyl imatinib, indicated metabolization of the drug. Additionally, a marker signal for the female ovary was successfully applied to facilitate further conclusions regarding organ tropism of imatinib. Our results demonstrate that AP-SMALDI MSI is a useful method to study the uptake, tissue distribution, and metabolization of imatinib in S. mansoni. The results suggest using AP-SMALDI MSI also for investigating other antiparasitic compounds and their metabolites in schistosomes and other parasites. Graphical abstract

scholarly journals Characterization of Weissella viridescens UCO-SMC3 as a Potential Probiotic for the Skin: Its Beneficial Role in the Pathogenesis of Acne Vulgaris

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1486
Author(s):  
Marcela Espinoza-Monje ◽  
Jorge Campos ◽  
Eduardo Alvarez Villamil ◽  
Alonso Jerez ◽  
Stefania Dentice Maidana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Oral Treatment ◽  
Acne Vulgaris ◽  
Topical Administration ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Mice Model ◽  
Cutibacterium Acnes ◽  
Snail Helix Aspersa

Previously, we isolated lactic acid bacteria from the slime of the garden snail Helix aspersa Müller and selected Weissella viridescens UCO-SMC3 because of its ability to inhibit in vitro the growth of the skin-associated pathogen Cutibacterium acnes. The present study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties of W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 and to demonstrate its beneficial effect in the treatment of acne vulgaris. Our in vitro studies showed that the UCO-SMC3 strain resists adverse gastrointestinal conditions, inhibits the growth of clinical isolates of C. acnes, and reduces the adhesion of the pathogen to keratinocytes. Furthermore, in vivo studies in a mice model of C. acnes infection demonstrated that W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 beneficially modulates the immune response against the skin pathogen. Both the oral and topical administration of the UCO-SCM3 strain was capable of reducing the replication of C. acnes in skin lesions and beneficially modulating the inflammatory response. Of note, orally administered W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 induced more remarkable changes in the immune response to C. acnes than the topical treatment. However, the topical administration of W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 was more efficient than the oral treatment to reduce pathogen bacterial loads in the skin, and effects probably related to its ability to inhibit and antagonize the adhesion of C. acnes. Furthermore, a pilot study in acne volunteers demonstrated the capacity of a facial cream containing the UCO-SMC3 strain to reduce acne lesions. The results presented here encourage further mechanistic and clinical investigations to characterize W. viridescens UCO-SMC3 as a probiotic for acne vulgaris treatment.

Abstract 518: In Vitro and in vivo Disease Modeling Using Patient Derived iPSCs to Characterize the Calcification Phenotype in Arterial Calcification Due to Deficiency of CD73

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia St. Hilaire ◽  
Hui Jin ◽  
Yuting Huang ◽  
Dan Yang ◽  
Alejandra Negro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Calcification ◽  
Disease Modeling ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Dermal Fibroblasts ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Arterial Calcification ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
And Control

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based disease model to understand the process by which CD73-deficiency leads to vascular calcification in the disease, Arterial Calcification due to Deficiency of CD73 (ACDC). Approach & Results: ACDC is an autosomal recessive disease resulting from mutations in the gene encoding for CD73, which converts extracellular AMP to adenosine. CD73-deficiency manifests with tortuosity and vascular calcification of the medial layer of lower-extremity arteries, a pathology associated with diabetes and chronic kidney disease. We previously identified that dermal fibroblasts isolated from ACDC patients calcify in vitro, however in vivo studies of the vasculature are limited, as murine models of CD73 deficiency do not recapitulate the human disease phenotype. Thus, we created iPSCs from ACDC patients and control fibroblasts. ACDC and Control iPSCs form teratomas when injected in immune-compromised mice, however ACDC iPSC teratomas exhibit extensive calcifications. Control and ACDC iPSCs were differentiated down the mesenchymal lineage (MSC) and while there was no difference in chondrogenesis and adipogenesis, ACDC iMSCs underwent osteogenesis sooner than control iPSC, have higher activity of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP), and lower levels of extracellular adenosine. During osteogenic simulation, TNAP activity in ACDC cells significantly increased adenosine levels, however, not to levels needed for functional compensatory stimulation of the adenosine receptors. Inhibition of TNAP with levimisole ablates this increase in adenosine. Treatment with an A2b adenosine receptor (AR) agonist drastically reduced TNAP activity in vitro, and calcification in ACDC teratomas, as did treatment with etidronate, which is currently being tested in a clinical trial on ACDC patients. Conclusions: These results illustrate a pro-osteogenic phenotype in CD73-deficient cells whereby TNAP activity attempts to compensate for CD73 deficiency, but subsequently induces calcification that can be reversed by activation of the A2bAR. The iPSC teratoma model may be used to screen other potential therapeutics for calcification disorders.

scholarly journals The role of divalent cations in the regulation of microtubule assembly. In vivo studies on microtubules of the heliozoan axopodium using the ionophore A23187.

1976 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 527-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Schliwa
Keyword(s):  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Light And Electron Microscopy ◽  
Microtubule Assembly ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Microtubule Formation

Low concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions have been shown to influence microtubule assembly in vitro. To test whether these cations also have an effect on microtubules in vivo, specimens of Actinosphaerium eichhorni were exposed to different concentrations of Ca++ and Mg++ and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Experimental degradation and reformation of axopodia were studied by light and electron microscopy. In the presence of Ca++ and the ionophore axopodia gradually shorten, the rate of shortening depending on the concentrations of Ca++ and the ionophore used. Retraction of axopodia was observed with a concentration of Ca++ as low as 0.01 mM. After transfer to a Ca++-free solution containing EGTA, axopodia re-extend; the initial length is reached after about 2 h. Likewise, reformation of axopodia of cold-treated organisms is observed only in solutions of EGTA or Mg++, whereas it is completely inhibited in a Ca++ solution. Electron microscope studies demonstrate degradation of the axonemal microtubular array in organisms treated with Ca++ and A23187. No alteration was observed in organisms treated with Mg++ or EGTA plus ionophore. The results suggest that, in the presence of the ionophore, formation of axonemal microtubules can be regulated by varying the Ca++ concentration in the medium. Since A23187 tends to equilibrate the concentrations of divalent cations between external medium and cell interior, it is likely that microtubule formation invivo is influenced by micromolar concentrations of Ca++. These concentrations are low enough to be of physiological significance for a role in the regulation of microtubule assembly in vivo.

Steroid effects on permeability of rat thymic lymphocytes to α-aminoisobutyrate

1963 ◽  
Vol 205 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melvin Blecher
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Extracellular Fluid ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Metabolic Inhibitors ◽  
Active Process ◽  
Low Concentrations ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Adrenalectomized Rats

In vitro studies of the flux of α-aminoisobutyrate-1-C14 (AIB) between rat thymic lymphocytes and extracellular fluid have revealed that: a) the amino acid enters cells but is not further metabolized; b) at low concentrations, similar to those of amino acids in plasma, the net influx and efflux of AIB exhibit properties of an active process; and c) influx of AIB is inhibited, and efflux stimulated, by deoxycorticosterone (DOC), by metabolic inhibitors, and by other specific steroids. In vivo studies of the distribution of AIB between serum and tissue demonstrated that administration of DOC to adrenalectomized rats inhibited concentration of AIB by thymus, diaphragm, and skeletal muscle, augmented uptake by liver, and increased the serum level of AIB. Prior adrenalectomy of donor rats resulted in no change from normal in the in vitro capacity of thymic lymphocytes to take up AIB. There was no significant difference from normal in the in vivo concentration of AIB by thymus, liver, and skeletal muscle of adrenalectomized rats, although uptake by diaphragm was decreased compared to normal control animals.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Studies of the Trypanocidal Effect of Novel Quinolines

2017 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. S. G. Nefertiti ◽  
M. M. Batista ◽  
P. B. Da Silva ◽  
D. G. J. Batista ◽  
C. F. Da Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parasite Species ◽  
Oral Absorption ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Cure Rate ◽  
Reference Drug ◽  
Content Type ◽  
African Trypanosomes ◽  
Highly Active

ABSTRACT Therapies for human African trypanosomiasis and Chagas disease, caused by Trypanosoma brucei and Trypanosoma cruzi, respectively, are limited, providing minimal therapeutic options for the millions of individuals living in very poor communities. Here the effects of 10 novel quinolines are evaluated in silico and by phenotypic studies using in vitro and in vivo models. Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties revealed that most molecules did not infringe on Lipinski's rules, which is a prediction of good oral absorption. These quinolines showed high probabilities of Caco2 permeability and human intestinal absorption and low probabilities of mutagenicity and of hERG1 inhibition. In vitro screens against bloodstream forms of T. cruzi demonstrated that all quinolines were more active than the reference drug (benznidazole [Bz]), except for DB2171 and DB2192, with five (DB2187, DB2131, DB2186, DB2191, and DB2217) displaying 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) of <3 μM (4-fold lower than that of Bz). Nine quinolines were more effective than Bz (2.7 μM) against amastigotes, showing EC50s ranging from 0.6 to 0.1 μM. All quinolines were also highly active in vitro against African trypanosomes, showing EC50s of ≤0.25 μM. The most potent and highly selective candidates for each parasite species were tested in in vivo models. Results for DB2186 were promising in mice with T. cruzi and T. brucei infections, reaching a 70% reduction of the parasitemia load for T. cruzi, and it cured 2 out of 4 mice infected with T. brucei. DB2217 was also active in vivo and cured all 4 mice (100% cure rate) with T. brucei infection.

The Development of an In Situ Assay for bFGF Release

1993 ◽  
Vol 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. K. Hobbs ◽  
L. M. Periolat ◽  
L. G. Cima ◽  
M. Nugent ◽  
M. Leunig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Dorsal Skinfold Chamber ◽  
Control Growth ◽  
Vessel Growth ◽  
And Control ◽  
Tissue Reactivity ◽  
In Situ Assay

AbstractThere is a need for an in situ assay to quantify tissue reactivity to sustained release of bFGF to better understand and control growth factor-induced angiogenesis. To this end we have adapted the alginate/heparin-sepharose release system for use in the mouse dorsal skinfold chamber. A mathematical model was used to predict the time dependence of bFGF release as a function of bFGF loading, heparin concentration, and device geometry. The model predictions agreed well with previously reported in vitro data. In vivo studies to correlate blood vessel growth as a function of release rate are in progress.

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