90 research outputs found

    Deferasirox decreases age-associated iron accumulation in the aging F344BN rat heart

    Get PDF
    It is thought that aging in rats and humans is associated with increases in iron accumulation and these increases in iron may be associated with increased cellular apoptosis. Here we examine the relationship between cardiac iron levels and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in aged F344BN rats which were treated with an oral iron chelator (Deferasirox; 100mg/kg body. weight/day) for 6 months. Compared with 6- month controls, the levels of cardiac iron, cardiac apoptosis, FLC and DMT-1 were higher in 33-month hearts. Deferasirox treatment for six months decreased cardiac iron and this was associated with decreases in the number of apoptotic cardiac myocytes. Age-associated increases in cardiac apoptosis were coupled with alterations in the amount of Bcl-2 and Bax. Deferasirox treatment increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bad and activated caspase-12 expression. Taken together, these data suggest deferasirox may be effective in diminishing age-associated iron accumulation and cardiac apoptosis in the aging F344BN rat model

    ORAL DISINTEGRATION TABLETS – AN UPDATED REVIEW

    Get PDF
    The purpose of writing this review is Oral delivery is currently the gold standard in the pharmaceutical industry where it is regarded as the safest, most convenient and most economical method of drug delivery having the highest patient compliance. It is leads to development of orally disintegrating tablets. This disintegrates in the mouth in seconds without chewing and the need of water which is advantageous mainly for pediatrics, geriatrics and patients having difficulty in swallowing tablets and capsules. The prepared tablets were evaluated for hardness, friability, disintegration time and in vitro drug release ODTs are solid dosage forms containing medicinal substances which disintegrate rapidly, usually in a matter of seconds, when placed on the tongue. The aim of this article is to review the development of ODTs, challenges in formulation, new ODT technologies and evaluation methodologies, suitability of drug candidates, and future prospects. Key words: Orally disintegrating tablet, Oral route, Excipients

    Design, Characterization and In-vitro Evaluation of Superporous Hydrogel Tablets of Nimodipine

    Get PDF
    The present work was aimed to formulate Superporous Hydrogel tablets of Nimodipine using an effervescent approach for gastro retentive drug delivery system to improve its bioavailability by using different rate retarding polymers like plantago ovata, tamarind gum and carbopol, along with suitable excipients. All the formulations were prepared by direct compressionmethod. The prepared tablets of all the formulations were evaluated for physical characteristics, in‐vitro drug release, hardness and friability. Optimized formulation F8 containing 0.3% of plantago ovata and carbopol each was considered as the best formulation with respect to in vitro drug release for 12 hours release action. The results showed that the drug release rate was decreased as the viscosity of the polymer was increased. The drug release kinetics was performed for the optimized formulation and it shows zero orderwith non-fickian transport drug release. Keywords: Superporous Hydrogel tablets, Nimodipine, plantago ovata, tamarind gum and carbopol, non-fickian transport drug release

    Cerium oxide nanoparticles attenuate acute kidney injury induced by intra-abdominal infection in Sprague-Dawley rats

    Get PDF
    Background Intra-abdominal infection or peritonitis is a cause for great concern due to high mortality rates. The prognosis of severe intra-abdominal infection is significantly diminished in the presence of acute kidney injury (AKI) which is often characterized by renal tubular cell death that can lead to renal failure. The purpose of the current study is to examine the therapeutic efficacy of cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles for the treatment of peritonitis-induced AKI by polymicrobial insult. Results A one-time administration of CeO2 nanoparticles (0.5 mg/kg) in the absence of antibiotics or other supportive care, attenuated peritonitis-induced tubular dilatation and the loss of brush border in male Sprague–Dawley rats. These improvements in renal structure were accompanied by decreases in serum cystatin-C levels, reduced renal oxidative stress, diminished Stat-3 phosphorylation and an attenuation of caspase-3 cleavage suggesting that the nanoparticle treatment improved renal glomerular filtration rate, diminished renal inflammation and reduced renal apoptosis. Consistent with these data, further analysis demonstrated that the CeO2 nanoparticle treatment diminished peritonitis-induced increases in serum kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), osteopontin, β-2 microglobulin and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) levels. In addition, the nanoparticle attenuated peritonitis-induced hyperglycemia along with increases in blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum potassium and sodium. Conclusion CeO2 nanoparticles scavenge reactive oxygen species and attenuate polymicrobial insult induced increase in inflammatory mediators and subsequent AKI. Taken together, the data indicate that CeO2 nanoparticles may be useful as an alternative therapeutic agent or in conjunction with standard medical care for the treatment of peritonitis induced acute kidney injury

    Cerium oxide nanoparticle treatment ameliorates peritonitis-induced diaphragm dysfunction

    Get PDF
    The severe inflammation observed during sepsis is thought to cause diaphragm dysfunction, which is associated with poor patient prognosis. Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles have been posited to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities suggesting that these particles may be of potential use for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. To investigate this possibility, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: sham control, CeO2 nanoparticle treatment only (0.5 mg/kg iv), sepsis, and sepsis+CeO2 nanoparticles. Sepsis was induced by the introduction of cecal material (600 mg/kg) directly into the peritoneal cavity. Nanoparticle treatment decreased sepsis-associated impairments in diaphragmatic contractile (Po) function (sham: 25.6±1.6 N/cm2 vs CeO2: 23.4±0.8 N/cm2, vs Sep: 15.9±1.0 N/cm2 vs Sep+CeO2: 20.0±1.0 N/cm2, P2 nanoparticles may improve diaphragmatic function in the septic laboratory rat

    Altered Regulation of Contraction-Induced Akt/mTOR/p70S6k Pathway Signaling in Skeletal Muscle of the Obese Zucker Rat

    Get PDF
    Increased muscle loading results in the phosphorylation of the 70 kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p70S6k), and this event is strongly correlated with the degree of muscle adaptation following resistance exercise. Whether insulin resistance or the comorbidities associated with this disorder may affect the ability of skeletal muscle to activate p70S6k signaling following an exercise stimulus remains unclear. Here, we compare the contraction-induced activation of p70S6k signaling in the plantaris muscles of lean and insulin resistant obese Zucker rats following a single bout of increased contractile loading. Compared to lean animals, the basal phosphorylation of p70S6k (Thr389; 37.2% and Thr421/Ser424; 101.4%), Akt (Thr308; 25.1%), and mTOR (Ser2448; 63.0%) was higher in obese animals. Contraction increased the phosphorylation of p70S6k (Thr389), Akt (Ser473), and mTOR (Ser2448) in both models however the magnitude and kinetics of activation differed between models. These results suggest that contraction-induced activation of p70S6k signaling is altered in the muscle of the insulin resistant obese Zucker rat

    Acetaminophen Improves Protein Translational Signaling in Aged Skeletal Muscle

    Get PDF
    Background: Age-related muscle atrophy is characterized by increased oxidative stress, diminished Akt enzymatic function, and reduced phosphorylation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which can be attenuated by chronic acetaminophen ingestion. Here we hypothesize that age-related impairments in Akt/ mTOR function are associated with reduced protein translational signaling, and that these changes, if present, can be attenuated by acetaminophen treatment. Results: Compared to 6- and 27-month old animals, the expression of the mTOR-complex proteins raptor and GbL and the phosphorylation of tuberin/TSC2 (Thr1462) were reduced in the soleus muscles of very aged rats (33 months old). These changes in Akt/mTOR pathway signaling proteins were in turn associated with decreased phosphorylation of S6 kinase p85S6K (Thr412) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor-4E (eIF4E) binding protein-1 (4EBP1, Thr37/46), reduced phosphorylation of S6 ribosomal protein (Ser235/236), and increased inhibition of eIF4E by binding to 4EBP1. Age-associated alterations in the Akt/mTOR pathway signaling and in the phosphorylation of the stress-responsive eIF2a protein were attenuated by chronic acetaminophen treatment (30 mg/kg body weight per day). Ex vivo incubation of adult muscles with hydrogen peroxide mimicked the age-related decreases seen in eIF4E and 4EBP1 phosphorylation, whereas the inclusion of acetaminophen in the muscle bath attenuated this effect. Conclusion: Aging is associated with impairments in the regulation of proteins thought to be important in controlling mRNA translation, and acetaminophen may be useful for the treatment of age-related muscle atrophy by reducing oxidative stress

    Exposure to Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Is Associated With Activation of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinases Signaling and Apoptosis in Rat Lungs

    Get PDF
    Objectives: With recent advances in nanoparticle manufacturing and applications, potential exposure to nanoparticles in various settings is becoming increasing likely. No investigation has yet been performed to assess whether respiratory tract exposure to cerium oxide (CeO2) nanoparticles is associated with alterations in protein signaling, inflammation, and apoptosis in rat lungs. Methods: Specific-pathogen-free male Sprague-Dawley rats were instilled with either vehicle (saline) or CeO2 nanoparticles at a dosage of 7.0 mg/kg and euthanized 1, 3, 14, 28, 56, or 90 days after exposure. Lung tissues were collected and evaluated for the expression of proteins associated with inflammation and cellular apoptosis. Results: No change in lung weight was detected over the course of the study; however, cerium accumulation in the lungs, gross histological changes, an increased Bax to Bcl-2 ratio, elevated cleaved caspase-3 protein levels, increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and diminished phosphorylation of ERK-1/2-MAPK were detected after CeO2 instillation (p\u3c0.05). Conclusions: Taken together, these data suggest that high-dose respiratory exposure to CeO2 nanoparticles is associated with lung inflammation, the activation of signaling protein kinases, and cellular apoptosis, which may be indicative of a long-term localized inflammatory response
    corecore