scholarly journals Preclinical Therapy with Vitamin D3 in Experimental Encephalomyelitis: Efficacy and Comparison with Paricalcitol

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 1914
Author(s):  
Luiza Ayumi Nishiyama Mimura ◽  
Thais Fernanda de Campos Fraga-Silva ◽  
Larissa Ragozzo Cardoso de Oliveira ◽  
Larissa Lumi Watanabe Ishikawa ◽  
Patrícia Aparecida Borim ◽  
...  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). MS and its animal model called experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) immunopathogenesis involve a plethora of immune cells whose activation releases a variety of proinflammatory mediators and free radicals. Vitamin D3 (VitD) is endowed with immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties that we demonstrated to control EAE development. However, this protective effect triggered hypercalcemia. As such, we compared the therapeutic potential of VitD and paricalcitol (Pari), which is a non-hypercalcemic vitamin D analog, to control EAE. From the seventh day on after EAE induction, mice were injected with VitD or Pari every other day. VitD, but not Pari, displayed downmodulatory ability being able to reduce the recruitment of inflammatory cells, the mRNA expression of inflammatory parameters, and demyelination at the CNS. Lower production of proinflammatory cytokines by lymph node-derived cells and IL-17 by gut explants, and reduced intestinal inflammation were detected in the EAE/VitD group compared to the EAE untreated or Pari groups. Dendritic cells (DCs) differentiated in the presence of VitD developed a more tolerogenic phenotype than in the presence of Pari. These findings suggest that VitD, but not Pari, has the potential to be used as a preventive therapy to control MS severity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 779-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre LeBlanc ◽  
Miroslava Cuperlovic-Culf ◽  
Pier Jr. Morin ◽  
Mohamed Touaibia

Background:: The current therapeutic options available to patients diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) are limited and edaravone is a compound that has gained significant interest for its therapeutic potential in this condition. Objectives: : The current work was thus undertaken to synthesize and characterize a series of edaravone analogues. Methods: A total of 17 analogues were synthesized and characterized for their antioxidant properties, radical scavenging potential and copper-chelating capabilities. Results: Radical scavenging and copper-chelating properties were notably observed for edaravone. Analogues bearing hydrogen in position 1 and a phenyl at position 3 and a phenyl in both positions of pyrazol-5 (4H)-one displayed substantial radical scavenging, antioxidants and copper-chelating properties. High accessibility of electronegative groups combined with higher electronegativity and partial charge of the carbonyl moiety in edaravone might explain the observed difference in the activity of edaravone relative to the closely related analogues 6 and 7 bearing hydrogen at position 1 and a phenyl at position 3 (6) and a phenyl in both positions (7). Conclusion: Overall, this study reveals a subset of edaravone analogues with interesting properties. Further investigation of these compounds is foreseen in relevant models of oxidative stress-associated diseases in order to assess their therapeutic potential in such conditions.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 428
Author(s):  
Douglas Kemboi Magozwi ◽  
Mmabatho Dinala ◽  
Nthabiseng Mokwana ◽  
Xavier Siwe-Noundou ◽  
Rui W. M. Krause ◽  
...  

Plants of the genus Euphorbia are widely distributed across temperate, tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Asia and Africa with established Ayurvedic, Chinese and Malay ethnomedical records. The present review reports the isolation, occurrence, phytochemistry, biological properties, therapeutic potential and structure–activity relationship of Euphorbia flavonoids for the period covering 2000–2020, while identifying potential areas for future studies aimed at development of new therapeutic agents from these plants. The findings suggest that the extracts and isolated flavonoids possess anticancer, antiproliferative, antimalarial, antibacterial, anti-venom, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatitis and antioxidant properties and have different mechanisms of action against cancer cells. Of the investigated species, over 80 different types of flavonoids have been isolated to date. Most of the isolated flavonoids were flavonols and comprised simple O-substitution patterns, C-methylation and prenylation. Others had a glycoside, glycosidic linkages and a carbohydrate attached at either C-3 or C-7, and were designated as d-glucose, l-rhamnose or glucorhamnose. The structure–activity relationship studies showed that methylation of the hydroxyl groups on C-3 or C-7 reduces the activities while glycosylation loses the activity and that the parent skeletal structure is essential in retaining the activity. These constituents can therefore offer potential alternative scaffolds towards development of new Euphorbia-based therapeutic agents.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 3671
Author(s):  
Magdalena Ulanowska ◽  
Beata Olas

Eugenol is a phenolic aromatic compound obtained mainly from clove oil. Due to its known antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it has long been used in various areas, such as cosmetology, medicine, and pharmacology. However, high concentrations can be toxic. A dose of 2.5 mg/kg body weight is regarded as safe. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge regarding the activities and application of eugenol and its derivatives and recent research of these compounds. This review is based on information concerning eugenol characteristics and recent research from articles in PubMed. Eugenol remains of great interest to researchers, since its multidirectional action allows it to be a potential component of drugs and other products with therapeutic potential against a range of diseases.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1143
Author(s):  
Haiyan Xu ◽  
Keizo Hiraishi ◽  
Lin-Hai Kurahara ◽  
Yuko Nakano-Narusawa ◽  
Xiaodong Li ◽  
...  

Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for colorectal cancer, and inflammatory cytokines secreted from inflammatory cells and active oxygen facilitate tumorigenesis. Intestinal bacteria are thought to regulate tumorigenesis. The longer the breastfeeding period, the lower is the risk of inflammatory bowel disease. Here, we investigated preventive effects of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus M9 (Probio-M9) on colitis-associated tumorigenesis. An inflammatory colorectal tumor model was established using a 6-week-old male C57BL/6NCrSlc mouse, which was intraperitoneally administered with azoxymethane (AOM: 12 mg/kg body weight). On weeks 2 and 4, 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) was administered to mice for 7 days through drinking water. On weeks 8 and 10, Probio-M9 (2 × 109/day) was orally administered for 7 days. Animals were sacrificed at 20 weeks after AOM administration and immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting was performed. The α-diversity of microflora (Shannon index), principal coordinate analysis, and distribution of intestinal bacterium genera and metabolic pathways were compared. The AOM/DSS group showed weight loss, diarrhea, intestinal shortening, increased number of colon tumors, proliferating tumorigenesis, increased inflammation score, fibrosis, increased CD68+, or CD163+ macrophage cells in the subserosal layer of non-tumor areas. Inflammation and tumorigenesis ameliorated after Probio-M9 treatment. Fecal microbial functions were altered by AOM/DSS treatment. Probio-M9 significantly upregulated the fecal microbial diversity and reversed fecal microbial functions. Thus, Probio-M9 could suppress tumor formation in the large intestine by regulating the intestinal environment and ameliorating inflammation, suggesting its therapeutic potential for treatment of inflammation and colitis-associated tumorigenesis.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Shang-En Huang ◽  
Erna Sulistyowati ◽  
Yu-Ying Chao ◽  
Bin-Nan Wu ◽  
Zen-Kong Dai ◽  
...  

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthropathy that is mainly characterized by dysregulation of inflammatory responses. KMUP-1, a derived chemical synthetic of xanthine, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here, we aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and in vivo anti-osteoarthritis effects of KMUP-1. Protein and gene expressions of inflammation markers were determined by ELISA, Western blotting and microarray, respectively. RAW264.7 mouse macrophages were cultured and pretreated with KMUP-1 (1, 5, 10 μM). The productions of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP- 9 were reduced by KMUP-1 pretreatment in LPS-induced inflammation of RAW264.7 cells. The expressions of iNOS, TNF-α, COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also inhibited by KMUP-1 pretreatment. The gene expression levels of TNF and COX families were also downregulated. In addition, KMUP-1 suppressed the activations of ERK, JNK and p38 as well as phosphorylation of IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, SIRT1 inhibitor attenuated the inhibitory effect of KMUP-1 in LPS-induced NF-κB activation. In vivo study showed that KMUP-1 reduced mechanical hyperalgesia in monoiodoacetic acid (MIA)-induced rats OA. Additionally, KMUP-1 pretreatment reduced the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in MIA-injected rats. Moreover, macroscopic and histological observation showed that KMUP-1 reduced articular cartilage erosion in rats. Our results demonstrated that KMUP-1 inhibited the inflammatory responses and restored SIRT1 in vitro, alleviated joint-related pain and cartilage destruction in vivo. Taken together, KMUP-1 has the potential to improve MIA-induced articular cartilage degradation by inhibiting the levels and expression of inflammatory mediators suggesting that KMUP-1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for OA.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 2351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Cervantes-García ◽  
Armida I. Bahena-Delgado ◽  
Mariela Jiménez ◽  
Laura E. Córdova-Dávalos ◽  
Vanessa Ruiz-Esparza Palacios ◽  
...  

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy is considered a serious and increasing clinical problem without available treatment. Glycomacropeptide (GMP) is a 64-amino acid peptide derived from milk κ-casein with numerous biological activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of GMP on NSAID enteropathy in rats. Enteropathy was induced by seven days oral indomethacin administration. Rats were orally GMP treated from seven days previous and during the establishment of the enteropathy model. Changes in metabolism, hematological and biochemical blood alterations, intestinal inflammation and oxidative damage were analyzed. Integrity barrier markers, macroscopic intestinal damage and survival rate were also evaluated. GMP treatment prevented anorexia and weight loss in animals. Furthermore, prophylaxis with GMP ameliorated the decline in hemoglobin, hematocrit, albumin and total protein levels. The treatment had no therapeutic efficacy on the decrease of occludin and mucin (MUC)-2 expression in intestinal tissue. However, GMP markedly decreased neutrophil infiltration, and CXCL1, interleukin-1β and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Nitric oxide production and lipid hydroperoxide level in the small intestine were also diminished. These beneficial effects were mirrored by preventing ulcer development and increasing animal survival. These results suggest that GMP may protect against NSAID enteropathy through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.


2016 ◽  
Vol 397 (9) ◽  
pp. 815-826 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew S. Murray ◽  
Fausto A. Varela ◽  
Karin List

Abstract Carcinogenesis is accompanied by increased protein and activity levels of extracellular cell-surface proteases that are capable of modifying the tumor microenvironment by directly cleaving the extracellular matrix, as well as activating growth factors and proinflammatory mediators involved in proliferation and invasion of cancer cells, and recruitment of inflammatory cells. These complex processes ultimately potentiate neoplastic progression leading to local tumor cell invasion, entry into the vasculature, and metastasis to distal sites. Several members of the type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP) family have been shown to play critical roles in cancer progression. In this review the knowledge collected over the past two decades about the molecular mechanisms underlying the pro-cancerous properties of selected TTSPs will be summarized. Furthermore, we will discuss how these insights may facilitate the translation into clinical settings in the future by specifically targeting TTSPs as part of novel cancer treatment regimens.


2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. G169-G174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gert Van Assche ◽  
Paul Rutgeerts

Adhesion molecules regulate the influx of leukocytes in normal and inflamed gut. They are also involved in local lymphocyte stimulation and antigen presentation within the intestinal mucosa. In intestinal inflammation, many adhesion molecules are upregulated, but α4-integrins most likely hold a key position in directing leukocytes into the inflamed bowel wall. Therapeutic compounds directed against trafficking of leukocytes have been designed and are being developed as a novel class of drugs in the treatment of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. This review deals with the immunological aspects of leukocyte trafficking focused on gut homing of T cells. Second, the changes in adhesion molecules and T cell trafficking during intestinal inflammation are discussed. Finally, we review the clinical data that have been gathered with respect to the therapeutic potential and the safety of antiadhesion molecule treatment. Antegren, or natalizumab, a humanized anti-α4 integrin IgG4 antibody, has been most extensively evaluated and may be close to registration. A more specific humanized α4β7-integrin MLN-02 has shown preliminary clinical efficacy in ulcerative colitis, and both antergren and MLN-02 appear to be very safe. Trials with the anti-ICAM-1 antisense oligonucleotide ISIS-2302 in steroid refractory Crohn's disease have provided conflicting efficacy data. In the near future, some of these novel biological agents may prove valuable therapeutic tools in the management of refractory inflammatory bowel disease, although it is too early to define the patient population that will benefit most from these agents.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 74-82
Author(s):  
Forough Kajbaf ◽  
Shahrbanoo Oryan ◽  
Ramesh Ahmadi ◽  
Akram Eidi

Background: Growing evidence has shown that the apoptosis of cells plays an important role in the advancement of the Diabetic nephropathy (DN). Objectives: This study attempted to discover the therapeutic potential of Peganum harmala leaf extract in the apoptosis of diabetic kidney disease. Methods: In the present experimental research, 32 male Wistar rats were studied, and diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg). The animals were randomly divided into four groups (n=8, in each group) as follows: control, diabetic, control+leaf extract, diabetic+leaf extract. For our purposes, the methanolic extract of P. harmala leaves (150 mg/kg) was given by gavage for 28 days. Flow cytometry and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses were utilized to determine the percentages of apoptotic cells. Also, histological alterations and blood biochemical parameters were evaluated. Results: The P. harmala leaf extract has a high amount of flavonoids (25.84%), a lower percentage of alkaloids (0.14%), and some antioxidant properties. Serum urea (P<0.001) and apoptosis (P<0.05) significantly elevated in diabetic rats relative to the control ones. The mean of fasting blood creatinine, urea, and albumin level was not significantly changed in diabetic+leaf extract rats as compared to the diabetic ones. Histopathological results also displayed that diabetic complications in the kidney could not be improved following treatment by the leaf extract of P. harmala. In addition, the leaf extract could not significantly reduce the apoptosis and caspase-3 expression compared to diabetics in renal cells. Conclusion: Based on our findings, the leaf extract of P. harmala is unable to inhibit apoptosis in the diabetic kidney model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunju Jeong ◽  
JooYeon Jhun ◽  
Seon-Yeong Lee ◽  
Hyun Sik Na ◽  
JeongWon Choi ◽  
...  

The potential therapeutic effects of probiotic bacteria in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remain controversial. Thus, this study aimed to discover potential therapeutic bacteria based on the relationship between the gut microbiome and rheumatoid factor (RF) in RA. Bacterial genomic DNA was extracted from the fecal samples of 93 RA patients and 16 healthy subjects. Microbiota profiling was conducted through 16S rRNA sequencing and bioinformatics analyses. The effects of Bifidobacterium strains on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were assessed. Significant differences in gut microbiota composition were observed in patients with different RF levels. The relative abundance of Bifidobacterium and Collinsella was lower in RF-high than in RF-low and RF-negative RA patients, while the relative abundance of Clostridium of Ruminococcaceae family was higher in RF-high than in RF-low and RF-negative patients. Among 10 differentially abundant Bifidobacterium, B. longum RAPO exhibited the strongest ability to inhibit IL-17 secretion. Oral administration of B. longum RAPO in CIA mice, obese CIA, and humanized avatar model significantly reduced RA incidence, arthritis score, inflammation, bone damage, cartilage damage, Th17 cells, and inflammatory cytokine secretion. Additionally, B. longum RAPO significantly inhibited Th17 cells and Th17-related genes—IL-17A, IRF4, RORC, IL-21, and IL-23R—in the PBMCs of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Our findings suggest that B. longum RAPO may alleviate RA by inhibiting the production of IL-17 and other proinflammatory mediators. The safety and efficacy of B. longum RAPO in patients with RA and other autoimmune disorders merit further investigation.


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