Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion Modulate the BDNF and TrkB Expression in the Colon and Dorsal Root Ganglia of IBS Rats with Visceral Hypersensitivity

Objective. To evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture and moxibustion on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) protein and mRNA expressions in the colon and dorsal root ganglia of IBS rats with visceral hypersensitivity and to explore their underlying therapeutic mechanisms. Method. Forty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal, model, model + mild moxibustion (MM), model + electroacupuncture (EA), and model + pinaverium bromide (PB) groups, with eight rats in each group. Chronic visceral hypersensitive IBS rat models were established by colorectal distension (CRD) with mustard oil clyster. Rats in the MM and EA groups, respectively, received moxibustion and electroacupuncture treatments on the Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) acupoints once daily for 7 days, and rats in the PB group received pinaverium bromide by oral gavage once daily for 7 consecutive days. After treatment, rats underwent abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) scoring under CRD and colon histopathological examination. Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to study the protein and mRNA expressions of BDNF and TrkB in the rat colon and dorsal root ganglia. Results. Compared with the normal group, AWR scores and body weight were clearly increased in the model group rats (both P < 0.01 ). The body weights were significantly elevated ( P < 0.01 , P < 0.05 ), but the AWR scores were reduced ( P < 0.05 , P < 0.01 ), after electroacupuncture and mild moxibustion treatment. Compared with levels in normal rats, BDNF and TrkB protein and mRNA expressions were significantly elevated in the IBS model rats ( P < 0.01 ) but were downregulated after mild moxibustion, electroacupuncture, and Western medicine treatment ( P < 0.01 ). Conclusion. Electroacupuncture and moxibustion improved visceral hypersensitivity of IBS rats possibly by reducing BDNF and TrkB protein and mRNA expressions in the colon and dorsal root ganglia.

Inhibition of the Human Hsc70 System by Small Ligands as a Potential Anticancer Approach

Heat shock protein (Hsp) synthesis is upregulated in a wide range of cancers to provide the appropriate environment for tumor progression. The Hsp110 and Hsp70 families have been associated to cancer cell survival and resistance to chemotherapy. In this study, we explore the strategy of drug repurposing to find new Hsp70 and Hsp110 inhibitors that display toxicity against melanoma cancer cells. We found that the hits discovered using Apg2, a human representative of the Hsp110 family, as the initial target bind also to structural regions present in members of the Hsp70 family, and therefore inhibit the remodeling activity of the Hsp70 system. One of these compounds, the spasmolytic agent pinaverium bromide used for functional gastrointestinal disorders, inhibits the intracellular chaperone activity of the Hsp70 system and elicits its cytotoxic activity specifically in two melanoma cell lines by activating apoptosis. Docking and molecular dynamics simulations indicate that this compound interacts with regions located in the nucleotide-binding domain and the linker of the chaperones, modulating their ATPase activity. Thus, repurposing of pinaverium bromide for cancer treatment appears as a promising novel therapeutic approach.

Powder diffraction data and preliminary spectroscopic and thermal characterization of pinaverium bromide, a drug used for functional gastrointestinal disorders

Pinaverium bromide (C26H41Br2NO4) is an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) usually prescribed for the relief of spasm and functional gastrointestinal disorders. This work reports its powder diffraction data, Raman and FT-IR spectroscopy and thermal characterization. Indexing of the powder diffraction pattern showed this material crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell with a = 16.00(4) Å, b = 8.901(2) Å, c = 19.225(4) Å, β = 98.68(3)°, and V = 2808.2(6) Å3.

Efficacy of pinaverium bromide in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Spasmolytic agents are an attractive first line treatment option for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Pinaverium bromide (pinaverium) has antispasmodic effects on gastrointestinal smooth muscle and can relieve major IBS symptoms, but an up-to-date meta-analysis comparing the efficacy of pinaverium with placebo is lacking. The aim is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of pinaverium compared with placebo for IBS treatment. Methods: All placebo-controlled trials evaluating pinaverium for IBS treatment were included, up to October 2019. Treatment efficacy was evaluated by overall patient IBS symptoms. Individual symptoms were also evaluated. The effect of pinaverium versus placebo was expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) and risk ratio (RR). Odds ratio (OR) and number needed to treat (NNT) were also calculated. Results: Eight studies were included for analysis. Pinaverium treatment had a beneficial effect on overall IBS symptom relief with a positive SMD of 0.64 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45–0.82, p < 0.0001] and a positive RR of 1.75 (1.26–2.43, p < 0.0008). No significant difference was found by publication year, gender, age, methodological quality score (MQS), or sample size. No publication bias was detected. OR was 3.43 (2.00–5.88, p < 0.0001), and NNT was 4. Pinaverium also demonstrated a beneficial treatment effect for abdominal pain, stool change, and bloating improvement or resolution. Conclusion: Pinaverium is superior to placebo for the treatment of IBS symptoms, irrespective of patient age or gender, study publication year, sample size, or MQS. The NNT in this meta-analysis is amongst the lowest for studies and meta-analyses of antispasmodics versus placebo in IBS.