Synthesis, in vitro activity and in vivo toxicity of the new 2,3-dinitrobutadiene derivative (1E,3E)-1,4-bis(2-naphthyl)-2,3-dinitro-1,3-butadiene

Abstract Our interesting results on the antiproliferative (in vitro) and antitumour (in vivo) activities of (1E,3E)-1,4-bis(1-naphthyl)-2,3-dinitro-1,3-butadiene (1-Naph-DNB) have more recently induced us to design and synthesize some new 1,4-diaryl-2,3-dinitro-1,3-butadienes characterized by a common arylnitrobutadiene array but with different geometric and/or functional properties. This task was undertaken with the aim to obtain new compounds with an enhanced antiproliferative activity and, possibly, a different specificity with respect to the original (lead) compound. (1E,3E)-1,4-Bis(2-naphthyl)-2,3-dinitro-1,3-butadiene (2-Naph-DNB) is one of the molecules so obtained, a structural isomer of 1-Naph-DNB provided with a different spatial arrangement. When analyzed in vitro for its inhibition of cell proliferation 2-Naph-DNB showed a remarkable activity in the range of micromolar concentrations, with significant differences, with respect to 1-Naph-DNB, against some cell lines. Furthermore, it was able to significantly trigger apoptosis, to up-regulate p53, to block cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and, finally, to slightly bind to DNA forming interstrand cross-links (ISCL). 2-Naph-DNB was then analyzed for its toxic activity in vivo in CD1 mice. This allowed the determination of toxicity parameters such as the lethal doses (LD) and the maximal tolerated dose (MTD) together with the definition of the spectrum of tissue alterations due to its administration i.v. Altogether our data suggest that the idea of modifying the geometry of the lead compound 1-Naph-DNB deserves further investigation aimed at synthesizing new molecules with similar chemical functionalities but with different spatial requirements, hopefully characterized by still enhanced activities in terms of inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis

Cell activation and death (apoptosis) induced by IL-2: ultrastructural evidence.

Peripheral blood cells of cancer patients with advanced renal carcinoma and treated with interleukin-2 by intravenous application were studied by electron microscopy at different intervals from the beginning of rIL-2 administration. Morphofunctional modifications of lymphocytes, circulating hystiocytes containing phagocitated bodies and polimorphonucleated cells undergoing phagocytosis were observed with a time dependent increase of altered cells. The analysis of blood cells cultured in the presence of recombinant IL-2 confirmed the in vivo results. Our data suggest that IL-2 induces apoptotic phenomena in the peripheral blood cells of treated patients

Pulmonary toxicity of instilled cadmium-doped silica nanoparticles during acute and subacute stages in rats

Potential risk associated with new nanomaterial exposure needs to be assessed. This in vivo study investigated pulmonary effects of engineered cadmium-containing silica nanoparticles Cd/SiNPs (1 mg/rat), silica SiNPs (600 µg/rat) and CdCl 2 (400 µg/rat) 1, 7 and 30 days after intratracheal instillation. Comprehensive histopathological and immunocytochemical characterization of lung damage in terms of apoptosis, cell proliferation, inflammation, fibrosis and metabolism were obtained. After exposure to all treatments, lung parenchyma showed injury patterns characterized by collapsed alveoli, inflammation, granuloma formation, thickened alveolar septa and bronchiolar epithelium exfoliation. Type II pneumocytes, containing scarcely surfactantlamellated bodies, were also observed. Apoptotic phenomena enhanced as following, Cd/SiNPs>CdCl 2> SiNPs. In parallel with these findings, a significant increase of PCNA-immunoreactive cells was detected together with high mitotic activity. Cellular localization and distribution of IL-6, IP-10 and TGF-ß1 revealed an increased expression of these cytokines as evidence of an enhanced cellular inflammatory response. CYP450- immunoreactivity was also enhanced, at bronchiolar (e.g. Clara cells) and alveolar (e.g. macrophages) level after both Cd/SiNPs and CdCl 2. These overall effects were observed acutely and lasted until the 30th day, with Cd/SiNPs producing the most marked effects. Collagen-immunolabelling changed particularly 7 and 30 days after Cd/SiNPs, when a strong stromal fibrogenic reaction occurred. The present findings suggest that Cd/SiNPs produce significantly greater pulmonary alterations than either SiNPs or CdCl2 under the present experimental conditions

Mechanisms of changes to the liver pigmentary component during the annual cycle (activity and hibernation) of Rana esculentaL.

The present study was performed to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the changes of melanin content/distribution we had previously discovered in the liver parenchyma of Rana esculenta during natural hibernation. Melanomacrophagic component response was analysed using morphocytochemical methods. The results demonstrated that during the prehibernation period (October–November) the melanomacrophages reach the highest proliferative activity (BrdU, PCNA labelling) which is accompanied by an evident melanosynthesis (dopa-oxidase activity). In contrast, after hibernation, the decrease of liver pigmentation was the consequence of a partial cell loss by apoptotic mechanisms (TUNEL labelling, pyknosis-karyorhexis) accompanied by a decrease of melanosome content by autophagy and low melanosynthetic activity. On the basis of these findings, there is evidence that liver melanomacrophages represent a metabolically (melanin synthesis/degradation) and cytokinetically (proliferation/death) active cell population during the annual cycle of the frog. The results are also discussed in relation to the functional synergism between hepatocytes and pigment cells in the adaptation to environmental changes

Cyclodextrin polymers as nanocarriers for sorafenib

Polymeric nanoparticles based on cyclodextrins are currently undergoing clinical trials as new promising nanotherapeutics. In light of this interest, we investigated cyclodextrin cross-linked polymers with different lengths as carriers for the poorly water-soluble drug sorafenib. Both polymers significantly enhanced sorafenib solubility, with shorter polymers showing the most effective solubilizing effect. Inclusion complexes between sorafenib and the investigated polymers exhibited an antiproliferative effect in tumor cells similar to that of free sorafenib. Polymer/Sorafenib complexes also showed lower in vivo tissue toxicity than with free sorafenib in all organs. Our results suggest that the inclusion of sorafenib in polymers represents a successful strategy for a new formulation of this drug