Study of Correction of Somatic Pain under the Conditions of Experimental Pathology of Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of the study was to experimentally substantiate the ways of pharmacological correction of somatic pain syndrome in conditions of the experimental equivalent of multiple sclerosis through a comparative system analysis and the use of complex methodological approaches. Materials and methods. To study multiple sclerosis, we used an experimental model with autoimmune mechanisms of inflammatory demyelination – a model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. To assess the antinociceptive activity of painkillers, we used the method of electrical stimulation of the rats’ tail root. The activity of the enzyme prostaglandin H-synthetase was also determined. Results and discussion. A comparative analysis of the analgesic activity indicators of combinations of methylprednisolone with analgesics under the condition of the formed experimental allergic encephalomyelitis showed that their antinociceptive potential (taking into account the basic therapy with methylprednisolone) decreased in the series meloxicam > lornoxicam ≈ ketorolac ≈ paracetamol > celecofenacoxib ≈ sodium diclofupene ≈ diclofupene ≈ diclofupene. Accordingly, the maximum effect on the threshold of nociception under these experimental conditions was exerted by meloxicam and lornoxicam. The combined administration of methylprednisolone with diclofenac sodium, celecoxib and meloxicam reduced the activity of prostaglandin N-synthetase in the brain structures by 49.8% (p <0.05), 50.4% (p <0.05) and 51% (p <0.05), respectively, compared with the indicators of the control group. The same drugs markedly reduced the activity of prostaglandin N-synthetase in the spinal cord by 23.9% (p <0.05) (Methylprednisolone + diclofenac), by 34% (p <0.05) (Methylprednisolone + celecoxib) and by 47.4% (p <0.05) (Methylprednisolone + meloxicam) compared with the control group. Our analysis of the analgesic activity of antidepressants and anticonvulsants as means of correcting nociceptive pain in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis found that their antinociceptive potential was inferior to the severity of the analgesic effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusion. Among the studied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants and anticonvulsants, the maximum therapeutic efficacy as a means of correcting nociceptive pain in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis against the background of basic methylprednisolone therapy was shown by meloxicam, which gives grounds to recommend it as the analgesic of choice for eliminating somatic pain syndromes

Efficiency of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis Modeling as an Experimental Model of Multiple Sclerosis

The purpose of the study was the most adequate modeling of multiple sclerosis in the form of autoimmune allergic encephalomyelitis for further use in the study of experimental equivalents of neurodegenerative conditions. Materials and methods. The article highlights the results of the formation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, for the induction of which homologous brain homogenates were used, which in terms of encephalitogenicity ranks first among other drugs (homologous, heterogeneous brain and spinal cord homogenates). An encephalitogenic mixture was injected into the connective tissue of the base of the animal's tail at the rate of 0.1 ml per 100 g of body weight. Results and discussion. Experimental allergic encephalomyelitis reproducible by intradermal administration of a homogenate of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves with a Freund's stimulator belongs to a true autoimmune disease of the nervous system and is an experimentally reproducible model of multiple sclerosis. According to the experimental data obtained, the state of the animals showed that the rats of the experimental group lost body weight, had a number of pathological neurological symptoms, which manifested on average from 10-12 days. The increase in symptoms continued for an average of 7 days and was not very stable. Experimental animals had paresis, manifestations of ataxia, walking disorders and urinary and fecal incontinence, lethargy, which corresponded to 1-2 degrees of the rating scale in 13 animals. In 7 rats, paresis of the hind limbs and loss of tail tone were expressed (grade 3). Most of the rats recovered spontaneously within 6-8 days after the onset of clinical manifestations (18-20 days after immunization). According to the requirements of the experiment, during the paralytic stage, the rats had free access to food and water. In addition, our experimental studies on the formation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis were confirmed morphologically using electron microscopy. Conclusion. The use of this technique for the formation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis made it possible to obtain a simulated pathological state of multiple sclerosis in the form of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and can be used in further studies to identify the corresponding patterns, the degree and nature of changes in the immune and nervous systems of the body during the reproduction of an experimental pathological state. The data obtained can serve as a basis for further studies of drugs and their combinations in order to improve and rationalize the pharmacotherapy of multiple sclerosis

Berberine-Loaded Biomimetic Nanoparticles Attenuate Inflammation of Experimental Allergic Asthma via Enhancing IL-12 Expression

Asthma is one of the most common chronic pulmonary disorders, affecting more than 330 million people worldwide. Unfortunately, there are still no specific treatments for asthma so far. Therefore, it is very important to develop effective therapeutics and medicines to deal with this intractable disease. Berberine (Ber) has fabulous anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, while its low water solubility and bioavailability greatly limit its curative efficiency. To improve the nasal mucosa absorption of poorly water-soluble drugs, such as Ber, we developed a platelet membrane- (PM-) coated nanoparticle (NP) system (PM@Ber-NPs) for targeted delivery of berberine to the inflammatory lungs. In vivo, PM@Ber-NPs exhibited enhanced targeting retention in the inflammatory lungs compared with free Ber. In a mouse model of house dust mite- (HDM-) induced asthma, PM@Ber-NPs markedly inhibited lung inflammation, as evident by reduced inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokines in the lung compared with free Ber. Collectively, our study demonstrated the inhibitory actions of nasally delivered nanomedicines on HDM-induced asthma, primarily through regulating Th1/Th2 balance by enhancing IL-12 expression which could potentially reduce lung inflammation and allergic asthma.

Pharmacological correction of antioxidant protection system in the brain with Vincamine within the model of multiple sclerosis

Objective. In the course of the research, the effect of vincamine (nootropic drug) on neurological status, as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the level of their coding genes’ expression in the somatosensory cortex of rats within the model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) were being studied. Relevance: the topicality of studying the mechanisms of multiple sclerosis in the early stages of its development is dictated by the need to search for markers of the disease and its therapy before the onset of its clinical manifestation. Materials and methods. The animals’ neurological status was studied using muscular strength, balance, tenacity and traction tests. Rates of survival and the rats’ body weight were also being evaluated. The study of activity antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as the expression of SOD1, GPX4, GPX6, and GSR genes was conducted on the 14th and 30th day of immunization. Results. The percentage of vincamine-injected animals’ survival was 100% versus 87% among rats that were not injected with the nootropic drug during immunization (р<0,05) . Besides, after the injection of vincamine, a less significant decrease in body weight (р<0,01) and a less pronounced neurological deficit (р<0,05) in comparison with immunized non-injected animals were reported. The vincamine injection contributed to an increase in all studied antioxidant enzymes’ activity and the level of their genes’ expression in the somatosensory cortex. Conclusion. Against the background of vincamine injection, a minimization of neurological deficit is being observed, probably due to a decrease in oxidative stress in the rat brain during the clinical stage of experimental allergic encephalomyellitis.

Peculiarities of changes in a functional condition of pro-oxidant and antioxidant systems in guinea pigs’ lungs in experimental allergic alveolitis under the conditions of immobilization stress

We have analyzed the results of investigation of alterations in indices of pro-oxidant (conjugated diene and malondialdehyde) and antioxidant (superoxide dismutase, ceruloplasmin, catalase) systems in guinea pigs’ lungs in experimental allergic alveolitis in the dynamics of EAA development under the conditions of immobilization stress. The investigation was conducted on 62 female guinea pigs weighing 180-220 g, divided into 4 groups: I – intact guinea pigs (n=20), II – guinea pigs (n=14) with EAA under the conditions of IS (1st day); III – guinea pigs (n=14) with EAA under the conditions of IS (2nd day); IV – guinea pigs (n=14) with EAA under the conditions of IS (64th day). The results of experimental investigation showed that a significant increase in conjugated diene level in animals’ lungs was observed at all stages of EAA development under the conditions of immobilization stress as compared with control group, indicating activation of this marker. The same changes occurred with MDA content, indicating excessive accumulation of this lipid peroxidation product in lung tissue. Intensive synthesis of free radical compounds caused activation of some components of enzymatic system of antioxidant defense. In particular, a moderate decrease in superoxide dismutase activity in lung tissue is observed in response to increased level of LOPs at early stages of EAA and immobilization stress development as compared with the indices in intact animals. The same situation is observed with catalase and ceruloplasmin activity in the lungs of guinea pigs with modeled AA and IS.

Flagellin Alleviates Airway Allergic Response by Stabilizing Eosinophils through Modulating Oxidative Stress

Eosinophil (Eo) degranulation plays a central role in the initiations of allergic attacks. Flagellin (FGN), the major component of bacterial flagella, has immune regulatory functions. This study aims to investigate the role of FGN in alleviating the allergic reaction by stabilizing Eos. A toll-like receptor 5-knockout mouse strain was employed to test the role of FGN in stabilizing Eos. An airway allergy mouse model was developed to test the administration of FGN in alleviating the airway allergy by stabilizing Eos. The results showed that FGN was required in stabilizing Eos in the airway tissues. FGN prevented specific antigen-induced Eo activation. Oxidative stress was associated with the antigen-induced Eo activation that could be counteracted by the presence of FGN. The FGN levels were lower and chymase levels were higher in the airway tissues of mice with allergic inflammation. Negative correlation was detected between the data of FGN and chymase in the lung tissues. Chymase physically contacted FGN to speed up its degradation. The administration of FGN alleviated experimental allergic inflammation in the mouse airways by stabilized Eos in the lung tissues. In conclusion, FGN contributes to Eo stabilization. The administration of FGN alleviates the experimental airway allergy. The data suggest that FGN can be a candidate to be employed in the treatment of allergic disorders.