23 research outputs found
Short-term effects of very low dose cadmium feeding on copper, manganese and iron homeostasis:A gastropod perspective
The available information on the interplay between low-dose cadmium intake and copper, manganese, and iron homeostasis in invertebrates is limited. We have currently studied the accumulation of these trace metals in the hepatopancreas of adult snails, Cantareus aspersus, following 14 and 28 days of exposure to low doses of dietary cadmium, up to 1 mg/kg dw (dry weight). The cadmium dose, but not the duration of exposure, had a significant effect on hepatopancreas copper deposition, the values being significantly elevated compared to controls. A significant peak in manganese levels at 14 days was found in snails administered the lowest cadmium dose. These increases occurred even in the absence of cadmium increase in the hepatopancreas. Our data suggest that low dose cadmium feeding can produce a transient disturbance in hepatopancreas copper and manganese homeostasis. Such responses may serve as early biomarkers of physiological changes occurring during the initial stages of cadmium intoxication
Biocompatible Colloidal Suspensions Based on Magnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and Toxicological Profile
Classification of cancer cell lines using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and statistical analysis
Over the past decade, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‑TOF MS) has been established as a valuable platform for microbial identification, and it is also frequently applied in biology and clinical studies to identify new markers expressed in pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential of using this approach for the classification of cancer cell lines as a quantifiable method for the proteomic profiling of cellular organelles. Intact protein extracts isolated from different tumor cell lines (human and murine) were analyzed using MALDI‑TOF MS and the obtained mass lists were processed using principle component analysis (PCA) within Bruker Biotyper® software. Furthermore, reference spectra were created for each cell line and were used for classification. Based on the intact protein profiles, we were able to differentiate and classify six cancer cell lines: two murine melanoma (B16‑F0 and B164A5), one human melanoma (A375), two human breast carcinoma (MCF7 and MDA‑MB‑231) and one human liver carcinoma (HepG2). The cell lines were classified according to cancer type and the species they originated from, as well as by their metastatic potential, offering the possibility to differentiate non‑invasive from invasive cells. The obtained results pave the way for developing a broad‑based strategy for the identification and classification of cancer cell
Classification of cancer cell lines using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and statistical analysis
Over the past decade, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‑TOF MS) has been established as a valuable platform for microbial identification, and it is also frequently applied in biology and clinical studies to identify new markers expressed in pathological conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess the potential of using this approach for the classification of cancer cell lines as a quantifiable method for the proteomic profiling of cellular organelles. Intact protein extracts isolated from different tumor cell lines (human and murine) were analyzed using MALDI‑TOF MS and the obtained mass lists were processed using principle component analysis (PCA) within Bruker Biotyper® software. Furthermore, reference spectra were created for each cell line and were used for classification. Based on the intact protein profiles, we were able to differentiate and classify six cancer cell lines: two murine melanoma (B16‑F0 and B164A5), one human melanoma (A375), two human breast carcinoma (MCF7 and MDA‑MB‑231) and one human liver carcinoma (HepG2). The cell lines were classified according to cancer type and the species they originated from, as well as by their metastatic potential, offering the possibility to differentiate non‑invasive from invasive cells. The obtained results pave the way for developing a broad‑based strategy for the identification and classification of cancer cell
Assessment of antitumoral and antimicrobial effects of a maslinic acid derivative
INTRODUCTION
Maslinic acid, a naturally occurring triterpene, has
been reported to possess several therapeutic effects
including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic
properties. Structural changes of the compound led to the
development of new derivatives in order to expand the
spectrum of activities.
OBJECTIVES AND BACKGROUND
The present study was purposed to assess the in vitro
antitumoral and antibacterial effects of a maslinic acid
derivative, namely benzyl (2α, 3β) 2,3-diacetoxy-olean-12-
en-28-amide (EM2).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Four compound concentrations (12.5, 25, 50 and
100 µM) were evaluated for their cytotoxic effect on A375
human melanoma and B164A5 murine melanoma cell
lines using the MTT assay. Furthermore, EM2 was tested
on ten bacterial strains by means of agar disk diffusion
method with the assessment of the inhibition zone
diameters at 24h period of time.
RESULTS
EM2 elicited a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect
on both melanoma cell lines. Regarding the antibacterial
activity, EM2 determined a significant growth inhibition
on Streptococcus pyogenes (20 ± 0.26 mm) and Staphylococcus
aureus (13 ± 0.19 mm).
CONCLUSIONS
The tested maslinic acid derivative is a promising
antitumoral agent against skin cancer and antimicrobial
agent against cocci bacteria.
Graphical abstract: EM2 in vitro effect
A Review of Electroporation-based Antitumor Skin Therapies and Investigation of Betulinic Acid-loaded Ointment
Evaluation of skin parameters in C57BL/6J mice exposed to chemical and environmental factors using non-invasive methods
Design and Assessment of a Polyurethane Carrier Used for the Transmembrane Transfer of Acyclovir
The Herpes simplex viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2) are responsible for a wide variety of conditions, from cutaneous-mucosal to central nervous system (CNS) infections and occasional infections of the visceral organs, some of them with a lethal end. Acyclovir is often used intravenously, orally, or locally to treat herpetic infections but it must be administered with caution to patients with kidney disease and to children of early age. The main objectives of this study were to synthesize and evaluate new polyurethane nanoparticles that might be used as proper transmembrane carriers for acyclovir. Polyurethane particles were obtained by a polyaddition process: a mixture of two aliphatic diisocyanates used as organic phase was added to a mixture of butanediol and polyethylene glycol used as aqueous phase. Two different samples (with and without acyclovir, respectively) were synthesized and characterized by UV-Vis spectra in order to assess the encapsulation efficacy and the release profile, FT-IR, DSC, SEM, and SANS for structural characterization, as well as skin irritation tests. Nearly homogeneous samples with particle sizes between 78 and 91 nm have been prepared and characterized revealing a medium tendency to form clusters and a high resistance to heat up to 300 °C. The release profile of these nanoparticles is characteristic to a drug delivery system with a late discharge of the loaded active agents. Very slight increases in the level of transepidermal water loss and erythema were found in a 15-day evaluation on human skin. The results suggest the synthesis of a non-irritative carrier with a high encapsulation efficacy that can be successfully used for the transmembrane transfer of acyclovir