scholarly journals An in vitro study of dual drug combinations of anti-viral agents, antibiotics, and/or hydroxychloroquine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus isolated from hospitalized patients in Surabaya, Indonesia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0252302
Author(s):  
Purwati ◽  
Andang Miatmoko ◽  
Nasronudin ◽  
Eryk Hendrianto ◽  
Deya Karsari ◽  
...  

A potent therapy for the infectious coronavirus disease COVID-19 is urgently required with, at the time of writing, research in this area still ongoing. This study aims to evaluate the in vitro anti-viral activities of combinations of certain commercially available drugs that have recently formed part of COVID-19 therapy. Dual combinatory drugs, namely; Lopinavir-Ritonavir (LOPIRITO)-Clarithromycin (CLA), LOPIRITO-Azithromycin (AZI), LOPIRITO-Doxycycline (DOXY), Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)-AZI, HCQ-DOXY, Favipiravir (FAVI)-AZI, HCQ-FAVI, and HCQ-LOPIRITO, were prepared. These drugs were mixed at specific ratios and evaluated for their safe use based on the cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) values of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. The anti-viral efficacy of these combinations in relation to Vero cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus isolated from a patient in Universitas Airlangga hospital, Surabaya, Indonesia and evaluated for IC50 24, 48, and 72 hours after viral inoculation was subsequently determined. Observation of the viral load in qRT-PCR was undertaken, the results of which indicated the absence of high levels of cytotoxicity in any samples and that dual combinatory drugs produced lower cytotoxicity than single drugs. In addition, these combinations demonstrated considerable effectiveness in reducing the copy number of the virus at 48 and 72 hours, while even at 24 hours, post-drug incubation resulted in low IC50 values. Most combination drugs reduced pro-inflammatory markers, i.e. IL-6 and TNF-α, while increasing the anti-inflammatory response of IL-10. According to these results, the descending order of effective dual combinatory drugs is one of LOPIRITO-AZI>LOPIRITO-DOXY>HCQ-AZI>HCQ-FAVI>LOPIRITO-CLA>HCQ-DOX. It can be suggested that dual combinatory drugs, e.g. LOPIRITO-AZI, can potentially be used in the treatment of COVID-19 infectious diseases.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosangela Montanaro ◽  
Alessio D’Addona ◽  
Andrea Izzo ◽  
Carlo Ruosi ◽  
Vincenzo Brancaleone

AbstractClodronate is a bisphosphonate agent commonly used as anti-osteoporotic drug. Throughout its use, additional anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties have been reported, although the benefits described in the literature could not solely relate to their inhibition of bone resorption. Thus, the purpose of our in vitro study is to investigate whether there are underlying mechanisms explaining the anti-inflammatory effect of clodronate and possibly involving hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Immortalised fibroblast-like synoviocyte cells (K4IM) were cultured and treated with clodronate in presence of TNF-α. Clodronate significantly modulated iNOS expression elicited by TNF-α. Inflammatory markers induced by TNF-α, including IL-1, IL-6, MCP-1 and RANTES, were also suppressed following administration of clodronate. Furthermore, the reduction in enzymatic biosynthesis of CSE-derived H2S, together with the reduction in CSE expression associated with TNF-α treatment, was reverted by clodronate, thus rescuing endogenous H2S pathway activity. Clodronate displays antinflammatory properties through the modulation of H2S pathway and cytokines levels, thus assuring the control of the inflammatory state. Although further investigation is needed to stress out how clodronate exerts its control on H2S pathway, here we showed for the first the involvement of H2S in the additive beneficial effects observed following clodronate therapy.


2005 ◽  
Vol 289 (6) ◽  
pp. G1091-G1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazunobu Nonome ◽  
Xiao-Kang Li ◽  
Terumi Takahara ◽  
Yusuke Kitazawa ◽  
Naoko Funeshima ◽  
...  

Human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) contains stem/progenitor cells, which can differentiate into a variety of cell types. In this study, we investigated whether HUCB cells differentiate into hepatocytes in vitro and in vivo. We also examined whether CD34 could be the selection marker of stem cells for hepatocytes. HUCB cells were obtained from normal full-term deliveries, and CD34+/−cells were further separated. For in vitro study, HUCB cells were cultured for 4 wk, and expressions of liver-specific genes were examined. For the in vivo study, nonobese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient mice were subjected to liver injury by a Fas ligand-carried adenoviral vector or only radiated. Mice were treated simultaneously with or without cell transplantation of HUCB, CD34+, or CD34−cells. After 4 wk, human-specific gene/protein expression was examined. In the in vitro study, human liver-specific genes were positive after 7 days of culture. The immunofluorescent study showed positive staining of α-fetoprotein, cytokeratin 19, and albumin in round-shaped cells. In the in vivo study, immunohistochemical analysis showed human albumin-positive, hepatocyte-specific antigen-positive cells in mouse livers of the Fas ligand/transplantation group. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis using the human Y chromosome also showed positive signals. However, no difference between transplanted cell types was detected. In contrast, immunopositive cells were not detected in the irradiated/transplantation group. The RT-PCR result also showed human hepatocyte-specific gene expressions only in the Fas ligand/transplantation group. HUCB cells differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells in the mouse liver, and liver injury was essential during this process. The differences between CD34+and CD34−cells were not observed in human hepatocyte-specific expression.


Author(s):  
Christina J. Megli ◽  
Alisse Hauspurg ◽  
Raman Venkataramanan ◽  
Steve N. Caritis

Objective The rate of recurrent spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) was reduced by 33% in the Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit (MFMU) Network trial of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC), but the mechanism of action, 17 years later, remains elusive. The robustness of the interleukin-10 (IL-10) response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation of leukocytes in pregnant women with a prior PTB correlates with gestational age at delivery. This study sought to determine if there is a relationship between the concentration of 17-OHPC and response to LPS stimulation. Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of data from the Omega-3 MFMU trial which evaluated the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in reducing recurrent PTB. We utilized previously characterized data from a subanalyses of the Omega-3 trial of IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels from peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated with LPS. Blood was obtained from enrolled women at 16 to 22 weeks' gestation (baseline) and 25 to 28 weeks' gestation (posttreatment). All women received 17-OHPC and plasma 17-OHPC concentrations were measured at 25 to 28 weeks' gestation. We analyzed these data to determine if there was a relationship between 17-OHPC concentration and cytokine production. We then performed an in vitro study to determine if 17-OHPC could directly alter cytokine production by THP-1-derived macrophages. Results In the clinical samples, we found that 17-OHPC plasma concentrations were correlated with the quantity of the LPS-stimulated production of IL-10. TNF-α production after LPS stimulation was unrelated to 17-OHPC concentration. In the in vitro study, we demonstrate a 17-OHPC concentration dependent increase in IL-10 production. Conclusion In women receiving 17-OHPC for PTB prevention, we demonstrate a relationship between plasma 17-OHPC and LPS-stimulated IL-10 production by circulating leukocytes. We also demonstrate that, in vitro, 17-OHPC treatment affects IL-10 production by LPS-stimulated macrophages. Collectively, these findings support an immunomodulatory mechanism of action of 17-OHPC in the prevention of recurrent PTB. Key Points


Reumatismo ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Sisto ◽  
S. Lisi ◽  
M. D'Amore ◽  
V. Mitolo ◽  
P. Scagliusi

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola A. Pascarelli ◽  
Antonella Fioravanti ◽  
Elena Moretti ◽  
Giacomo M. Guidelli ◽  
Lucia Mazzi ◽  
...  

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α is primarily involved in the regulation of cell proliferation and apoptosis; in addition it possesses pro-inflammatory properties. Anti-TNF-α strategies involve either administration of anti-TNF-α antibody or soluble TNF receptor to mop up circulating TNF-α. Etanercept, a recombinant human TNF-α receptor, was found to be effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The impact of TNF-α inhibitors on human fertility is of notable interest. This in vitro study investigated the effect of different concentrations of TNF-α and etanercept used alone or in combination on sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial function, percentage of apoptosis and chromatin integrity in swim-up selected human spermatozoa. A negative effect of TNF-α (300 and 500 ng mL–1) and etanercept (from 800 µg mL–1 to 2000 µg mL–1) individually on sperm viability, motility, mitochondrial function, percentage of apoptotic spermatozoa and sperm DNA integrity was demonstrated. However, at concentrations of 100 and 200 µg mL–1, etanercept can block, in a significant way, the toxic effects of TNF-α (500 ng mL–1) on studied sperm characteristics. Our results confirm that TNF-α has a detrimental effect on sperm function and suggest, for the first time, that etanercept may counteract the in vitro toxic action of TNF-α. This data appears to be quite promising, although further studies, both in vivo and in vitro, are needed to understand the exact mechanism of action of TNF-α and TNF-α antagonists on sperm function.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian-Fa Wang ◽  
Zhi Zhu ◽  
Lei Sun ◽  
Shi-kun Shao ◽  
Bao-dong Ma ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: We aimed to determine the significance of MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) in chondrocyte autophagy under normal and inflammatory conditions.Design: Human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hMSCs) were cultured in vitro. hMSC-Exos( EX) were isolated by an ultracentrifugation method. Transmission electron microscopy and western analysis were used to identify exosomes. Human chondrocytes were extracted from five adult males with OA undergoing total knee arthroplasty. Primary cultures of chondrocytes from OA patients were stimulated with 50 ng/ml tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the presence or absence of hMSC-Exos. Autophagy levels were determined based on expression of autophagic marker LC3, StubRFP-SensGFP-LC3 analysis, and electron microscopy. Catabolic gene and chemokine expression were evaluated using quantitative PCR. The NF-κB inhibitor NS398 was used to analyze the role of the NF-κB pathway in autophagic activation.Results: hMSC-Exos increased LC3-II levels as well as autophagosome number in chondrocytes. hMSC-Exos inhibited TNF-α–induced expression of MMP-3, -9, and -13; ADAMTS5; CCL-2 and -5; and CXCL1. NF-κB inhibition activated autophagy in TNF-α–treated chondrocytes. These results indicate that hMSC-Exos might suppress the levels of catabolic and inflammatory factors in chondrocytes by promoting autophagy via NF-κB pathway inhibition.Conclusions: Our data support the interest in hMSC-Exos to develop new therapeutic approaches for joint conditions.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaohong Hu ◽  
Lingying Liu ◽  
Yu Wang ◽  
Zhongyuan Li ◽  
Yonghui Yu ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To investigate whether hUC-MSCs attenuated severe burn-induced ALI and the effects were based on TSG-6 secreted from hUC-MSCs. Method Rat model was established and evaluated as follows:Anires2005 animal pulmonary function tester for pulmonary function; micro-CT scanner for lung imaging manifestations; cytokine expression was measured by ELISA assay, and both inflammatory cell infiltration and lung injury were assessed by immunohistochemistry assay. Results In vitro, TSG-6 levels in serum from the burn group were significantly increased than that of the sham group. In vivo, TSG-6 levels of lung tissues and serum in the burn+ hUC-MSCs group were significantly increased than those of that in the burn group. Higher parameters of airway resistance(Ri, Re, etc)were markedly decreased, and the disordered lung texture and funicular density shadows were significantly improved after hUC-MSCs administration. Both in lung tissues and serum, increased levels of proinflammatory cytokines(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6)were remarkably decreased, but anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 increased after hUC-MSCs administration (p<0.05). These significant positive effects after hUC-MSCs transplantation did not occur in the Burn+siTSG-6 group. Conclusion Intra-tracheal implantation of hUC-MSCs has been an effective treatment for severe burn-induced ALI via promoting TSG-6 secretion and inhibiting inflammatory reaction in lung tissue.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weifeng Zhang ◽  
Hualong Deng ◽  
Yanfen Liu ◽  
Shaohong Chen ◽  
You Liu ◽  
...  

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV), belonging to the genus Morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae, causes severe infectious disease in small ruminants and has been rapidly spreading in many parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Although vaccination is considered to be an effective means of controlling PPR, the heat-sensitive nature of the vaccines against PPRV greatly limits their application in areas with a hot climate. In the present study, we investigated the anti-PPRV effects of favipiravir and sought to identify the underlying mechanisms in vitro using the Vero cell line. MTT assays, Western blotting, indirect immunofluorescence assays, virus plaque formation assays, and qRT-PCR were used to assess the effects of favipiravir on the life cycle of PPRV and the expression of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). Additionally, the expression levels of JAK1, STAT1, phosphorylated (p)-STAT1, PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT, as well as those of signaling molecules acting downstream of the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways, were determined by Western blotting and qRT-PCR. The results indicated that, in PPRV-infected, favipiravir-treated Vero cells, the attachment, invasion, replication, and release of PPRV were significantly inhibited, as was the expression of RdRp, when compared with that in untreated PPRV-infected cells. Furthermore, in favipiravir-treated cells, the expression of JAK1 and STAT1 was downregulated, whereas that of p-STAT1 was significantly upregulated. Similarly, the expression levels of PKR, IRF9, ISG54, and MxA proteins that are associated with innate antiviral activity in host cells were also markedly increased. Moreover, with favipiravir treatment, the expression of PI3K and p-AKT and the p-AKT/AKT ratio were significantly decreased, whereas the expression of AKT was noticeably upregulated. The expression of GSK3, NF-κB p65, p-NF-κB p65, and BAD was also increased with favipiravir treatment, while the expression of CREB, p-CREB, p-GSK3, and Bcl-2 was slightly decreased. In addition, all the p-GSK3/GSK3, p-CREB/CREB, p-NF-κB/NF-κB, and p-BAD/BAD ratios were significantly reduced in favipiravir-treated cells. These results implied that the antiviral effectivity of favipiravir against PPRV is mediated by the JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT pathways and that favipiravir has potential for use as an effective antiviral agent against PPRV.


Nanomedicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (30) ◽  
pp. 2955-2970
Author(s):  
Jin-Ying Wong ◽  
Zhao Yin Ng ◽  
Meenu Mehta ◽  
Shakti D Shukla ◽  
Jithendra Panneerselvam ◽  
...  

Aim: In this study, curcumin was encapsulated in niosomes (Nio-Curc) to increase its effectiveness for the treatment of asthma. Materials & methods: The formulation underwent various physicochemical characterization experiments, an in vitro release study, molecular simulations and was evaluated for in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Results: Results showed that Nio-Curc had a mean particle size of 284.93 ± 14.27 nm, zeta potential of -46.93 and encapsulation efficacy of 99.62%, which demonstrates optimized physicochemical characteristics. Curcumin release in vitro could be sustained for up to 24 h. Additionally, Nio-Curc effectively reduced mRNA transcript expression of pro-inflammatory markers; IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α in immortalized human airway basal cell line (BCi-NS1.1). Conclusion: In this study, we have demonstrated that Nio-Curc mitigated the mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory markers in an in vitro study, which could be applied to treatment of asthma with further studies.


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