Effect of Conjugated Bile Salt Taurodeoxycholic Acid (TDCA) on Mice Colonic Motor Activity

Background & Aims: There is an ongoing discussion concerning the role of bile salts on the gastrointestinal motility. Therefore, Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) was studied to investigate the effect of TDCA on mice colonic motility and to examine this mechanism of action in presences histamine antagonist (pyrilamine maleate salt, H1) and serotonin agonist (5-hydroxytryptamine hydrochloride, 5-HT). Methods: Dose response curve of TDCA was performed using different doses of TDCA (0.3, 30, 50, 100, 200, 300 and 500 µM). Peristaltic motor complexes (PMCs) amplitudes and intervals of contractions were recorded. TDCA inhibitory effect (300 µM) on PMCs was studied with presence with H1 (10 µM) and 5-HT (25 µM). Results: TDCA inhibits intestine motility through increasing PMC intervals and decreasing PMC amplitudes with doses of 100, 200, 300 and 500 µM compared to the control values (P< 0.03, 0.03, 0.01, 0.01 respectively). H1 antagonist (10 μM) induced significant reducing in the PMC intervals (137.2 ± 13 S) compared to the control values (255.8 ± 31 S, P < 0.04) while there was no response of 5-HT agonist (25 µM) on interval or amplitude of PMCs regardless applying of TDCA (300 µM). Conclusion: TDCA directly inhibited colon motility may be due to slowing intestinal transit time. These finding is not revealed with presences of histamine antagonist and serotonin agonist

Antitumor activity of doxorubicine-loaded nanoemulsion against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice

Purpose: To evaluate the antitumor activity of doxorubicine (DOX) loaded nanoemulsion (NE) on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing Swiss albino mice.Methods: The mice were divided into five groups (n = 20) according to the administered drug. Groups I - V were labeled as negative control (normal), positive control of the untreated EAC bearing mice (EAC control), blank nanoemulsion (BI-NE), DOX-loaded-NE (DOX/LNE) and free DOX (DOX-Sol), respectively. Cardiotoxicity was assessed by measuring changes in body and organ weight, analyzing serum enzymes and lipids, and examining histological changes in heart tissues by light microscopy. In addition, mean survival time (MST), increase in life span (ILS) and survival (S) of the mice were determined.Results: DOX/LNE group reduced levels of serum enzymes and lowered damage to heart tissues relative to DOX-Sol group. The MST of the DOX/LNE group (80 ± 0.0 days) was significantly greater than that for DOX-Sol group (34.6 ± 8.9 days), while ILS of DOX/LNE (265.30 days) was higher than that of DOX-Sol (57.99 days) by 4.6-fold.Conclusion: Administration of DOX/LNE to EAC-bearing mice improves the efficacy of DOX and reduce its side effects on the heart.Keywords: Doxorubicine, Anti-tumor activity, Mean survival time, Heart histology, Nanoemulsion, Lipid profil

Incorporation of methotrexate into coconut oil nanoemulsion potentiates its antiproliferation activity and attenuates its oxidative stress

Methotrexate (MTX), a chemotherapeutic agent, has limited clinical applications due to its pulmonary and neurotoxicity. The antineoplastic activity of MTX-NE COCO, which is MTX formulated in coconut oil nanoemulsion (NE), was evaluated in A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells while its adverse side effects on the oxidative stress of the lung and brain were assessed in mice. The z-average diameter for the dispersed nanodroplet of MTX-NE COCO (79.74 ± 3.49 nm) was considerably greater than the free-NE COCO (64.80 ± 3.34 nm). In contrast, the magnitude of the negative z-potential of MTX-NE COCO (3.00 ± 0.69 mV) was markedly less than that of free-NE COCO (8.20 ± 0.76 mV). The minimum inhibitory concentration (IC50) of MTX-NE COCO (18 ± 1.8 µM) was less than the IC50 of free MTX (32 ± 1.2 µM) by around twofold. The in vivo evaluation of the MTX-NE COCO treatment revealed that the antioxidant enzymes activities of the brain and lung tissues, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase, were relatively raised while the malondialdehyde amount was diminished when compared to the free MTX treatment. In conclusion, combining MTX with coconut oil in a NE had improved its efficacy while ameliorating its oxidative stress effect on the brain and lungs

In vivo evaluation of the anticancer activity of the gemcitabine and doxorubicin combined in a nanoemulsion

Context: Doxorubicin (DOX) and gemcitabine (GEM) are anticancer drugs that were combined in a nanoemulsion (NE) to reduce their adverse side effects. Aim: To detect the antitumor activity of the combination formulas of GEM and DOX, loaded either in water (GEM+DOX-Sol) or in NEs (GEM–DOX combination/loaded NE [GEM+DOX/LNE]), in female Swiss albino mice inoculated with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC). Settings and Design: The anticancer assessment of the NE formulas was implemented in 200 mice, which were divided into 10 groups. Materials and Methods: It includes the detection of the change in body weight, analysis of the hematological and serum biochemical profiles, and study of the histopathologic alterations of the heart tissues. Statistical Analysis: One-factor analysis of variance was used. Results: Mice treated with GEM + DOX/LNE, which have an z-average of 155.38±2.33nm and zeta potential of −38.5±1.3 mV, recorded a considerable improvement in the mean survival time (MST), which was 60 days, as compared to the EAC control group, which has an MST of 28 days. It also restored the hematological and serum biochemical parameters toward normal values. Conclusions: The combination of GEM and DOX in NE has significantly diminished the cardiotoxicity of DOX and hematotoxicity of GEM while improving their antitumor properties

Osteoporosis knowledge and awareness among university students in Saudi Arabia

Awareness and knowledge about any disease is the first step to prevent and treat it, so this study evaluates osteoporosis awareness and knowledge in university students. Our results showed a high awareness and good knowledge of osteoporosis. Females were better informed than males. Knowledge increased with increasing education level. PURPOSE: Osteoporosis is a worldwide health problem, including Saudi Arabia where vitamin D deficiency is common. Prevention of osteoporosis must begin by increasing awareness of the disease from a young age. This study aimed to assess awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis among young adults (18-30 years) attending Saudi universities, exploring the relationship between education and gender and the sources of information in this age group. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 337 students (176 females; 161 males) randomly selected from four Saudi universities during January-December 2017. Education level ranged from preparatory year to undergraduate and postgraduate levels. A self-reported questionnaire was designed to assess awareness and knowledge of osteoporosis across several domains, including risk factors for the disease, prevalence, symptoms, prevention, and treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 92% of students had some awareness of osteoporosis through a variety of sources, predominantly via friends. Just over half of all students had a good or high knowledge level overall (53.4 ± 16.6%). Knowledge score correlated with education (r2 = 0.28) and gender (r2 = 0.27); p < 0.0001. Females were better informed than males (57.7 ± 15.4% vs 48.8 ± 16.8%; p < 0.0001). Knowledge increased with increasing education level (preparatory year (47.8 ± 15.3%), undergraduate (53.5 ± 16.5%), and postgraduate (61.8 ± 15.8%); all p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Knowledge of osteoporosis was good among university students in Saudi Arabia, higher in females and with increasing years of education. Overall, students were more knowledgeable about risk factors compared to other aspects such as symptoms, prevention, or treatment of osteoporosis