scholarly journals The Role of Thermal Effects in Plasma Medical Applications: Biological and Calorimetric Analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5560 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luigi Cordaro ◽  
Gianluca De Masi ◽  
Alessandro Fassina ◽  
Clarice Gareri ◽  
Antonio Pimazzoni ◽  
...  

Plasma Medicine tools exploit the therapeutic effects of the exposure of living matter to plasma produced at atmospheric pressure. Since these plasmas are usually characterized by a non-thermal equilibrium (highly energetic electrons, low temperature ions), thermal effects on the substrate are usually considered negligible. Conversely, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS), UV radiation and metastables are thought to play a major role. In this contribution, we compare the presence of thermal effects in different operational regimes (corresponding to different power levels) of the Plasma Coagulation Controller (PCC), a plasma source specifically designed for accelerating blood coagulation. In particular, we analyze the application of PCC on human blood samples (in vitro) and male Wistar rats tissues (in vivo). Histological analysis points out, for the highest applied power regime, the onset of detrimental thermal effects such as red cell lysis in blood samples and tissues damages in in-vivo experiments. Calorimetric bench tests performed on metallic targets show that the current coupled by the plasma on the substrate induces most of measured thermal loads through a resistive coupling. Furthermore, the distance between the PCC nozzle and the target is found to strongly affect the total power.

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (15) ◽  
pp. 8106
Author(s):  
Tianming Song ◽  
Yawei Qu ◽  
Zhe Ren ◽  
Shuang Yu ◽  
Mingjian Sun ◽  
...  

Despite the numerous available treatments for cancer, many patients succumb to side effects and reoccurrence. Zinc oxide (ZnO) quantum dots (QDs) are inexpensive inorganic nanomaterials with potential applications in photodynamic therapy. To verify the photoluminescence of ZnO QDs and determine their inhibitory effect on tumors, we synthesized and characterized ZnO QDs modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone. The photoluminescent properties and reactive oxygen species levels of these ZnO/PVP QDs were also measured. Finally, in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed to test their photodynamic therapeutic effects in SW480 cancer cells and female nude mice. Our results indicate that the ZnO QDs had good photoluminescence and exerted an obvious inhibitory effect on SW480 tumor cells. These findings illustrate the potential applications of ZnO QDs in the fields of photoluminescence and photodynamic therapy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Samira Sanami ◽  
Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi ◽  
Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei ◽  
Majid Salehi ◽  
Maryam Ghasemi-Dehnoo ◽  
...  

AbstractCervical cancer, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), is the fourth most common type of cancer among women worldwide. While HPV prophylactic vaccines are available, they have no therapeutic effects and do not clear up existing infections. This study aims to design a therapeutic vaccine against cervical cancer using reverse vaccinology. In this study, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins from HPV16 were chosen as the target antigens for epitope prediction. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and helper T lymphocytes (HTL) epitopes were predicted, and the best epitopes were selected based on antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity. The final vaccine construct was composed of the selected epitopes, along with the appropriate adjuvant and linkers. The multi-epitope vaccine was evaluated in terms of physicochemical properties, antigenicity, and allergenicity. The tertiary structure of the vaccine construct was predicted. Furthermore, several analyses were also carried out, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and in silico cloning of the vaccine construct. The results showed that the final proposed vaccine could be considered an effective therapeutic vaccine for HPV; however, in vitro and in vivo experiments are required to validate the efficacy of this vaccine candidate.


Planta Medica ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 84 (02) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fang Wang ◽  
Huanhuan Zhong ◽  
Shiqi Fang ◽  
Yunfeng Zheng ◽  
Cunyu Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Eupatorium lindleyanum has traditionally been used as folk medicine in Asian countries for its therapeutic effects on tracheitis and tonsillitis. Investigation of the anti-inflammatory active constituents from E. lindleyanum led to the isolation of two novel sesquiterpene lactones, named eupalinolide L (1) and eupalinolide M (2), and seven known sesquiterpene lactones (3–9). The structures and configurations of the new compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, especially 2D NMR techniques. In vivo experiments showed that the sesquiterpenes fraction significantly reduced mouse ear edema induced by xylene (18.6%, p < 0.05). In in vitro assays, compounds 1–9 showed excellent anti-inflammatory activities, as they lowered TNF-α and IL-6 levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells (p < 0.001). The above results suggest that the sesquiterpene lactones from E. lindleyanum can be developed as novel potential natural anti-inflammatory agents.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 2305-2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandita Ghosh ◽  
Shinjini Mitra ◽  
Ena Ray Banerjee

Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic disease of the skin, involving itchy, reddish and scaly lesions. It mainly affects children and has a high prevalence in developing countries. AD may occur due to environmental or genetic factors. Currently, all therapeutic strategies involve methods to simply alleviate the symptoms, and include lotions and corticosteroids, which have adverse effects. Use of phytochemicals and natural products has not yet been exploited fully. The particle used in this study is derived from Cyamopsis tetragonoloba, an edible polysaccharide with a galactomannan component. The mannose component mainly increases its specificity towards cellular uptake by mannose receptors, highly expressed by macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine the therapeutic effect of guar gum nanoparticles (GN) in vitro and in vivo in AD. Methods: To assess the wound healing capacity of GN, we first treated adherent fibroblast cells, with a scratch injury, with GN. GN successfully healed the wound caused by the scratch. In the in vivo experiments, Balb/c mice ears were treated topically with oxazolone (Oxa) to induce AD, and then were topically treated with GN. The ear thickness increased significantly until day 28 upon treatment with Oxa. Results: Application of GN showed a significant decrease in ear thickness as assessed on day 28. The total cell count of skin cells that showed a fold increase, when treated with Oxa, was again decreased after topical application of GN on the affected skin. The eosinophil count, as assessed by Giemsa staining, was also increased when treated with Oxa, while GN application led to a significant decrease. Serum IgE levels were restored by GN. T helper cell and macrophage populations, when examined by flow cytometry, showed an increase in percentage when treated with Oxa; the percentage was reduced after application of GN. Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining of the ear tissue showed an increase in epidermal thickness in Oxa-treated mice, while GN application showed reduced cellular infiltration and epidermal thickness. Conclusion: Overall, our results showed that GN, when administered topically, was successful in alleviating dermatitis caused by Oxa.


2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krassimira S. Yakimova ◽  
Rumen P. Nikolov ◽  
Ivan G. Todorov ◽  
Milen H. Hristov

Abstract Leptin inhibits feeding, reduces body weight and increases thermogenesis. Experimental data suggest involvement of GABAergic mechanisms in the regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance. The present study was set to determine the effect of combinations from leptin, GABAB-agonist baclofen and GABAB-antagonist CGP35348 on thermoregulation of male Wistar rats, using in vivo and in vitro experiments. The substances used for in vivo experiments were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.). The measurement of the body temperature was done via thermistor probes (TX8) and monitored on multichannel recorder Iso-Thermex16. In vitro experiments were conducted on rat PO/AH neurons, recorded extracellulary by conventional electrophysiological equipment, using brain slice preparations. The separate intraperitoneal injection of leptin as well as GABAB-antagonist CGP35348 produced significant hyperthermia in rats while the GABAB-agonist baclofen caused a decrease in the core body temperature. The probable synergy between the hyperthermic effects of leptin and GABAB-antagonist did not occur. On the contrary, the effect of this combination was lower as compared to the result of the separate administration of GABAB-antagonist. When leptin was applied just prior to GABAB-agonist baclofen, neither of their separate effects appeared. In vivo effects determined correlated with in vitro changes of firing rate observed in PO/AH neurons. The data from this study provide a new point of view concerning the interactions of leptin and GABA on the level of thermoregulation. These results represent a step forward in understanding the complicated mechanisms involved in thermoregulation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (10) ◽  
pp. 5232
Author(s):  
Yen-Zung Wu ◽  
Hsuan-Ti Huang ◽  
Tsung-Lin Cheng ◽  
Yen-Mou Lu ◽  
Sung-Yen Lin ◽  
...  

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) could serve as ideal entry points to the deregulated pathways in osteoporosis due to their relatively simple upstream and downstream relationships with other molecules in the signaling cascades. Our study aimed to give a comprehensive review of the already identified miRNAs in osteoporosis from human blood samples and provide useful information for their clinical application. A systematic literature search for relevant studies was conducted in the Pubmed database from inception to December 2020. We set two essential inclusion criteria: human blood sampling and design of controlled studies. We sorted the results of analysis on human blood samples according to the study settings and compiled the most promising miRNAs with analyzed diagnostic values. Furthermore, in vitro and in vivo evidence for the mechanisms of the identified miRNAs was also illustrated. Based on both diagnostic value and evidence of mechanism from in vitro and in vivo experiments, miR-23b-3p, miR-140-3p, miR-300, miR-155-5p, miR-208a-3p, and miR-637 were preferred candidates in diagnostic panels and as therapeutic agents. Further studies are needed to build sound foundations for the clinical usage of miRNAs in osteoporosis.


1996 ◽  
Vol 271 (5) ◽  
pp. E910-E915 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Lu ◽  
C. P. Lau ◽  
Y. F. Tung ◽  
S. W. Huang ◽  
Y. H. Chen ◽  
...  

The effect of exercise on the production of ovarian progesterone was examined in female rats. During in vivo experiments, diestrous rats were catheterized via the right jugular vein (RJV), and blood samples were collected before and after 10, 15, 30, and 60 min of swimming. In addition, blood samples were collected from the RJV before and 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after 10 min of infusion of lactate (13 mg.kg-1.min-1) through the left femoral vein. To explore if lactate modulates progesterone secretion by acting directly on rat ovary or on anterior pituitary gland (AP), an in vitro experiment that mimicked the in vivo condition was performed. The ovarian tissue was challenged with lactate (0.01-10 mM) or porcine follicle-stimulating hormone (1 microgram/ml) and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (1 mM) for 60 min, and the AP was challenged with lactate ranging from 0.1 to 10 mM or 10 nM gonadotropin-releasing hormone for 30 min. The postexercise levels of plasma glucose, lactate, and progesterone at 10, 15, and 30 min were significantly higher than the corresponding basal levels. Plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) did not change after exercise. An elevation of plasma lactate and progesterone was found at 15 and 30 min subsequent to 10 min of infusion of lactate. Lactate ranging from 0.01 to 10 mM significantly increased ovarian adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and progesterone production in a dose-dependent manner. LH concentration in plasma was not changed subsequent to lactate infusion. LH level in media samples was not altered after incubation of AP with lactate. These results suggest that the increase of plasma progesterone level in rats during exercise is independent of LH secretion and at least in part is due directly to a stimulatory effect of lactate on the production of ovarian cAMP.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3006
Author(s):  
Saman Sargazi ◽  
Mohammad Reza Hajinezhad ◽  
Mahmood Barani ◽  
Mahwash Mukhtar ◽  
Abbas Rahdar ◽  
...  

The development of effective strategies for local administration of chemotherapeutic drugs, thus minimizing the adverse side effects to patients, is one of the key challenges in biomedicine and cancer research. This work reports the formulation and characterization of PluronicF127 microemulsions to enhance the bioavailability of Cisplatin (Cis). The size of Cis microemulsion was about 12.0 nm, as assessed by dynamic light scattering analysis. In vitro cytotoxic activity of free Cis and F127/Cis microemulsions were studied on malignant (C152 and MCF7) and normal (HUVEC) cells via tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay. Cell morphology was also monitored. In vitro assessments revealed thatF127/Cis microemulsions induced cytotoxicity/morphological changes to a lesser extent than free Cis. Regarding in vivo experiments, F127/Cis microemulsions were injected intraperitoneally at 7 and 14 mg/kg doses into adult male Wistar rats to assess histologic and biochemical changes. In this case, the bulk Cis group caused severe histopathological changes and significant increases in serum liver enzymes and serum kidney function markers. The group treated with the 14 mg/kg dose of F127/Cis microemulsions also showed severe fatty changes and significant increases in serum liver enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine levels. The group treated with the low dose of nano-Cis showed a significant increase in serum liver enzymes levels accompanied by mild fatty changes of the liver. Theoretical surveys were performed to get an understanding of the interplay between F127 and Cis. Results reveal that hydrogen bonding (HB) interactions with F127have an influence on the molecular properties of Cis and may playa role in the lower toxicity of F127/Cis in comparison to free Cis.


2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1300801 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farideh Namvar ◽  
Paridah Md. Tahir ◽  
Rosfarizan Mohamad ◽  
Mahnaz Mahdavi ◽  
Parvin Abedi ◽  
...  

This review article summarizes in vitro and in vivo experiments on seaweed anticancer activity and seaweed chemical components. Seaweed use in cancer therapy, chemopreventive randomized control trials (RCTs) and quasi-experiments are discussed. The literature reviewed in this article was obtained from various scientific sources and encompasses publications from 2000–2012. Seaweed therapeutic effects were deemed scientifically plausible and may be partially explained by the in vivo and in vitro pharmacological studies described. Although the mechanisms of action remain unclear, seaweed's anticancer properties may be attributable to its major biologically active metabolites. Much of the seaweed research outlined in this paper can serve as a foundation for explaining seaweed anticancer bioactivity. This review will open doors for developing strategies to treat malignancies using seaweed natural products.


1976 ◽  
Vol 35 (01) ◽  
pp. 049-056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian R Klimt ◽  
P. H Doub ◽  
Nancy H Doub

SummaryNumerous in vivo and in vitro experiments, investigating the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the prevention of experimentally-induced thrombosis, suggest that anti-platelet drugs, such as aspirin or the combination of aspirin and dipyridamole or sulfinpyrazone, may be effective anti-thrombotic agents in man. Since 1971, seven randomized prospective trials and two case-control studies have been referenced in the literature or are currently being conducted, which evaluate the effects of aspirin, sulfinpyrazone, or dipyridamole in combination with aspirin in the secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. A critical review of these trials indicates a range of evidence from no difference to a favorable trend that antiplatelet drugs may serve as anti-thrombotic agents in man. To date, a definitive answer concerning the therapeutic effects of these drugs in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease is not available.


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