Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic potential of zinc-ibuprofen and zinc-naproxen complexes in rats

Because of numerous indications and high availability, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most commonly prescribed and used medicines in the world. However, long-term therapy with and improper use of NSAIDs may lead to gastrointestinal damage. Therefore, improving the therapeutic index of the existing drugs has become a priority over the past decades. Considerable attention in the field has been concentrated on metal complexes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of complexation with zinc on the anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic effects of ibuprofen and naproxen after single and triple intragastric administration to rats. The anti-inflammatory effect was assessed in carrageenan-induced inflammatory edema in the hind paw of male albino Wistar rats. The mucosal lesions were inspected and evaluated for gross pathology. Single administration of both the investigated complexes, namely zinc-ibuprofen and zinc-naproxen (20 mg/kg equivalent to ibuprofen and naproxen, respectively) and their parent drugs and physical mixtures with zinc hydroaspartate (ZHA doses: 16.05 and 14.37 mg/kg), caused a significant reduction of the edema after the same time from the carrageenan injection in comparison to the control groups. However, no statistically significant differences between the investigated drugs were observed after their single administration. The mean ulceration score for the mixture of ibuprofen and ZHA was statistically lower than the mean score achieved in rats after treatment with ibuprofen alone. On the other hand, triple intragastric administration of the ZHA-ibuprofen and ZHA- naproxen combination showed substantial enhancement of the anti-inflammatory activity against control groups, as well as against the parent NSAIDs. The most potent anti-inflammatory activity was demonstrated after 2 h from the carrageenan injection in animals receiving ZHA together with naproxen. The edema growth was reduced in these animals by 80.9% as compared to the control group. This result was significantly higher than the results achieved in animals receiving zinc-naproxen (50.2%) or naproxen alone (47.9%). Both NSAID complexes with zinc and mixtures with ZHA alleviated ulcerations caused by parent NSAIDs; however, the mixtures of both ibuprofen and naproxen with ZHA after triple administration were the least damaging. In view of the above results, zinc supplementation during NSAID therapy may have a beneficial effect on ulcer prevention and healing by reducing the effective dose of the parent drug and increasing its potency

Berberine produces antidepressant-like effects in ovariectomized mice

Berberine has been reports to have antidepressant-like effects. However, it is seldom known whether berberine produces antidepressant-like effects in ovariectomized mice, which exhibit depressive-like responses. To examine the antidepressant-like effects of berberine in ovariectomized mice, behavioral tests were conducted, including the forced swimming test and the open field test. To elucidate the mechanisms, levels of BDNF, phosphorylated CREB and phosphorylated eEF2 were analyzed by western blotting, and c-Fos induction was examined by immunohistochemistry. In the forced swimming test, berberine decreased the immobility time in a dose-dependent manner, reversing the depressive-like effect observed in ovariectomized mice, and this effect was blocked by the 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin. In addition, western blotting indicated that BDNF and peEF2 in the hippocampus, but not pCREB/CREB in the frontal cortex, were affected by berberine treatment. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the reduction in c-Fos induced by ovariectomy were greater after berberine treatment. Ketanserin also antagonized the effect of berberine on the c-Fos expression. Our findings suggest that berberine exerts antidepressant-like effects in ovariectomized mice, and 5-HT2 receptor activation may be partially related to the antidepressant-like effects of the berberine by BDNF-CREB and eEF2 pathways

THE USE OF DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION IN THE STUDY OF ACHILLES TENDON STRAIN FIELD

The paper presents an application of vision-based measurement method in experimental mechanics of biological materials.  The displacement and strain fields of human Achilles tendon specimen under tensile test were computed using digital image correlation method. Different software applications, both commercial as well as open source ones, were compared. The performance of algorithms was tested based on a referential measurement, carried out by a commercial software with affine model of deformation implemented. The root mean square error of a difference between strain obtained using reference measurement and each of the analyzed programs was computed. Additionally,  an example of full field computation of displacement and strain field was presented

Zinc in the glutamatergic theory of depression

Depression is a serious psychiatric illness that affects millions of people worldwide. Weeks of antidepressant therapy are required to relieve depressive symptoms, and new drugs are still being extensively researched. The latest studies have shown that in depression, there is an imbalance between the main excitatory (glutamatergic) and inhibitory (GABAergic) systems. Administration of antagonists of the glutamatergic system, including zinc, has shown an antidepressant effect in preclinical as well as clinical studies. Zinc inhibits the NMDA receptor via its binding site located on one of its subunits. This is thought to be the main mechanism explaining the antidepressant properties of zinc. In the present review, a link between zinc and the glutamatergic system is discussed in the context of depressive disorder

Hipokryzja i cynizm polityków — normalność czy patologia?

Hypocrisy and cynicism of politicians — morals or pathology?The article refers to the phenomena of cynicism and hypocrisy existing in the political space, in particular paying attention to the perception of the phenomena by research and, first and foremost, by societies. Cynicism and, above all, hypocrisy are inextricably connected to politics. In the article, a special place is devoted to the conceptualization of normality related to the aforementioned cynicism and hypocrisy, which are also subjects of analysis. An issue was taken up of not only the pathological nature of the phenomena, but also positive sides were pointed out which allow for applying other than a negative evaluation of their mechanisms. These considerations are accompanied by examples related both to historic and modern times, being only an exemplification of the formulated theses, in particular, the thesis of a thin line between what we consider as a negative aspect and what we recognize as having positive aspects. Secondly, it looks at how the phenomena of cynicism and hypocrisy can be relativized depending on the so-called point of view. Thirdly, it is discussed how interesting psychological and social phenomena are attitudes and behaviours of individuals and large social groups, very often unaware of the importance of their activities. However, it needs to be admitted that sometimes we encounter individuals not only in politics who use these means deliberately. Most frequently, hypocrites and authors of cynical behaviours are exposed by their social environment. Hypocrisy and cynicism of politicians — morals or pathology?The article refers to the phenomena of cynicism and hypocrisy existing in the political space, in particular paying attention to the perception of the phenomena by research and, first and foremost, by societies. Cynicism and, above all, hypocrisy are inextricably connected to politics. In the article, a special place is devoted to the conceptualization of normality related to the aforementioned cynicism and hypocrisy, which are also subjects of analysis. An issue was taken up of not only the pathological nature of the phenomena, but also positive sides were pointed out which allow for applying other than a negative evaluation of their mechanisms. These considerations are accompanied by examples related both to historic and modern times, being only an exemplification of the formulated theses, in particular, the thesis of a thin line between what we consider as a negative aspect and what we recognize as having positive aspects. Secondly, it looks at how the phenomena of cynicism and hypocrisy can be relativized depending on the so-called point of view. Thirdly, it is discussed how interesting psychological and social phenomena are attitudes and behaviours of individuals and large social groups, very often unaware of the importance of their activities. However, it needs to be admitted that sometimes we encounter individuals not only in politics who use these means deliberately. Most frequently, hypocrites and authors of cynical behaviours are exposed by their social environment

Patologie życia politycznego zagadnienia teoretyczne i metodologiczne

Political pathology the theoretical and methodological aspectsThe article is devoted to issue concerning the political pathology. Th e author draws attention to theoretical and methodological aspects of the occurrence of pathology trying to define relations that exist between pathology and deviations. How is pathology defined in science? What are the roles of axiological factors and quantity factors when defi ning pathology? To what extent is the occurrence of pathology also in politics a result of functioning of both objective and subjective factors? Th e article discusses the concept of anomia from the viewpoint of E. Durkheim and R. Merton. There is also presented a problem of science autonomy of pathology: social, political or public. A number of questions and problems discussed in the article needs to be explored and analyzed more closely. A large piece of science literature has been dedicated to some of the topics: corruption, bureaucracy, populism, manipulation, malefi cent violence – wars, revolutions or manslaughter, just to mention a few. Others, due to exploration problems, are waiting not only for a description but also a theoretical reflection. Among those are politicians’ mental disorders, political frauds, the cynicism and hypocrisy of politicians or scandals.Political pathology the theoretical and methodological aspectsThe article is devoted to issue concerning the political pathology. Th e author draws attention to theoretical and methodological aspects of the occurrence of pathology trying to define relations that exist between pathology and deviations. How is pathology defined in science? What are the roles of axiological factors and quantity factors when defi ning pathology? To what extent is the occurrence of pathology also in politics a result of functioning of both objective and subjective factors? Th e article discusses the concept of anomia from the viewpoint of E. Durkheim and R. Merton. There is also presented a problem of science autonomy of pathology: social, political or public. A number of questions and problems discussed in the article needs to be explored and analyzed more closely. A large piece of science literature has been dedicated to some of the topics: corruption, bureaucracy, populism, manipulation, malefi cent violence – wars, revolutions or manslaughter, just to mention a few. Others, due to exploration problems, are waiting not only for a description but also a theoretical reflection. Among those are politicians’ mental disorders, political frauds, the cynicism and hypocrisy of politicians or scandals