Artificial Light-Induced Cytokine Gene Expression in Rabbit Cornea Effect of Ocular Drops Containing Flurbiprofen

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of artificial sunlight on the gene expression of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in rabbit cornea in vivo , as well as the potential of an ocular anti-inflammatory formulation containing sodium flurbiprofen to suppress this effect. New Zealand Albino rabbits were subjected to acute exposure of their eyes to irradiation emitted from a light bulb commonly used for artificial tanning purposes with and without topical application of a commercially available formulation containing sodium flurbiprofen. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used as a means of estimating gene expression. The gene expression of IL-6 and IL-8 was found statistically significantly increased at 24 hrs post-exposure time (p = 0.003 and 0.006, respectively), as was that of TNF-α albeit in a non-statistically significant manner. A sodium flurbiprofen (0.03%) formulation was found to effectively reduce the light-induced upregulation of all three cytokines in the rabbit cornea

Effects of fentanyl and its analogs on electric field-stimulated contractions of rat ileum

Opiates inhibit electrically-stimulated contractions of isolated rat ileum acting on δ-receptors. We have examined effects of fentanyl and its three analogues on contractions of isolated rat ileum stimulated by electric field (20 V, 22 ms, 1 Hz). Fentanyl (from 10-9 M to 10-7 M) and trans-3-(carbomethoxy) fentanyl (from 10-7 M to 10-5 M) produced concentration-dependent decrease in amplitude of stimulated contractions, only fentanyl was about 40 times more potent. Cis-3-(methyl) fentanyl and Cis-3-(carbomethoxy) fentanyl did not affect stimulated contractions. Our study suggested that introduction of methyl and carbomethoxy moieties on position 3 of piperidine ring produced loss of fentanyl activity on δ-opioid receptors, cis-orientation being specially uafavourable

Losartan Increases No Production from the Bovine Aortic Wall That is Stimulated by Angiotensin II

In these studies we investigated if losartan, an AT 1 - receptor blocker has any beneficial effect on NO production from the bovine aortic preparations in vitro while under stimulation from angiotensin II. Experiments were performed on intact specimens of bovine thoracic aorta, incubated in Dulbeco's MOD medium in a metabolic shaker for 24 hours under 95 % O 2 and 5 % CO 2 at a temperature of 37°C. We found that angiotensin II 1nM −10 μM does not exert any statistically significant action on NO production. On the contrary, angiotensin II 10nM increases the production of NO by 58.14 % (from 12.16 + 2.9 μm/l to 19.23 + 4.2 μm/l in the presence of losartan 1nM (P<0.05). Nitric oxide levels depend on both rate production and rate catabolism or chemical inactivation. Such an equilibrium is vital for the normal function of many systems including the cardiovascular one. The above results demonstrate that the blockade of AT 1 -receptors favors the biosynthesis of NO and indicate the protective role of losartan on the vascular wall