Pharmacokinetic profiles of the active metamizole metabolites in healthy horses

Metamizole (MT) is an analgesic and antipyretic drug labelled for use in humans, horses, cattle, swine and dogs. MT is rapidly hydrolysed to the active primary metabolite 4-methylaminoantipyrine (MAA). MAA is formed in much larger amounts compared with other minor metabolites. Among other secondary metabolites, 4-aminoantipyrine (AA) is also relatively active. The aim of this research was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles of MAA and AA after dose of 25 mg/kg MT by intravenous (i.v.) and intramuscular (i.m.) routes in healthy horses. Six horses were randomly allocated to two equally sized treatment groups according to a 2 9 2 crossover study design. Blood was collected at predetermined times within 24 h, and plasma was analysed by a validated HPLC-UV method. No behavioural changes or alterations in health parameters were observed in the i.v. or i.m. groups of animals during or after (up to 7 days) drug administration. Plasma concentrations of MAA after i.v. and i.m. administrations of MT were detectable from 5 min to 10 h in all the horses. Plasma concentrations of AA were detectable in the same range of time, but in smaller amounts. Maximum concentration (Cmax), time to maximum concentration (Tmax) and AUMC0-last of MAA were statistically different between the i.v. and i.m. groups. The AUCIM/AUCIV ratio of MAA was 1.06. In contrast, AUC0-last of AA was statistically different between the groups (P < 0.05) with an AUCIM/AUCIV ratio of 0.54. This study suggested that the differences in the MAA and AA plasma concentrations found after i.m. and i.v. administrations of MT might have minor consequences on the pharmacodynamics of the drug

Influence of drought and salt stress on durum wheat grain quality and composition: A review

Durum wheat is a staple crop for the Mediterranean diet because of its adaptability to environmental pressure and for its large use in cereal-based food products, such as pasta and bread, as a source of calories and proteins. Durum wheat whole grains are also highly valued for their peculiar amount of dietary fiber and minerals, as well as bioactive compounds of particular interest for their putative health-beneficial properties, including polyphenols, carotenoids, tocopherols, tocotrienols, and phytosterols. In Mediterranean environments, durum wheat is mostly grown under rainfed conditions, where the crop often experiences environmental stresses, especially water deficit and soil salinity that may induce a hyperosmotic stress. In particular, changes in C and N accumulation due to these abiotic conditions, during grain filling, can influence starch and storage protein amount and composition in durum wheat caryopsis, thus influencing yield and quality traits. Recent advancements regarding the influence of water deficit and salinity stress on durum wheat are critically discussed. In particular, a focus on stress-induced changes in (a) grain protein content and composition in relation to technological and health quality; (b) starch and dietary fiber accumulation and composition; (c) phytochemical composition; (d) health-related grain micronutrient accumulation, such as Fe and Zn

Changes in antioxidant defence system in durum wheat under hyperosmotic stress: A concise overview

Durum wheat is one of the most commonly cultivated species in the world and represents a key commodity for many areas worldwide, as its grain is used for production of many foods, such as pasta, bread, couscous, and bourghul. Durum wheat grain has a relevant role in the human diet, providing carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fibres, vitamins, and minerals, as well as highly valued bioactive compounds contributing to a healthy diet. Durum wheat is largely cultivated in the Mediterranean basin, where it is mainly grown under rain-fed conditions, thus currently undergoing drought stress, as well as soil salinity, which can hamper yield potential and influence the qualitative characteristics of grain. When plants suffer drought and/or salinity stress, a condition known as hyperosmotic stress is established at cellular level. This leads to the accumulation of ROS thus generating in turn an oxidative stress condition, which can ultimately result in the impairment of cellular integrity and functionality. To counteract oxidative damage due to excessive ROS production under stress, plants have evolved a complex array of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant mechanisms, working jointly and synergically for maintenance of ROS homeostasis. Enhancement of antioxidant defence system has been demonstrated as an adaptive mechanism associated to an increased tolerance to hyperosmotic stress. In the light of these considerations, this review provides a concise overview on recent advancements regarding the role of the ascorbate-glutathione cycle and the main antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidases) in durum wheat response to drought and salt stresses that are expected to become more and more frequent due to the ongoing climate changes

Antiangiogenesis: current clinical data and future perspectives

Neovascularization is a prerequisite for progressive growth of solid tumors and their metastases. This process is tightly regulated by a large number of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic factors such as VEGF, bFGF and matrix-metalloproteinases. The inhibition of angiogenesis is an innovative therapeutic approach and could represent a powerful adjunct to traditional therapy of malignant tumors. Preclinical trials have been very successful but in clinical studies meaningful response rates could only be shown in some cases. This might indicate the existence of different angiogenic phenotypes in humans. It seems that at present only a part of the interactions between the angiogenic cytokines are known. In addition, new receptor/ligand systems which regulate the neovascularization are being described. This article presents an overview of the most important angiogenically active substances, preclinical and clinical data, surrogate markers as well as future perspectives

Serum antioxidant capacity and peroxide level of seven healthy subjects after consumption of different foods

This article reports experimental data related to the research article entitled \u201cDifferent effectiveness of two pastas supplemented with either lipophilic or hydrophilic/phenolic antioxidants in affecting serum as evaluated by the novel Antioxidant/Oxidant Balance approach\u201d (M.N. Laus, M. Soccio, M. Alfarano, A. Pasqualone, M.S. Lenucci, G. Di Miceli, D. Pastore, 2016) [1]. Antioxidant status of blood serum of seven healthy subjects was evaluated during four hours after consumption of two functional pastas, supplemented with either bran oleoresin or bran water extract obtained from durum wheat. For comparison, the effect of a non-supplemented reference pasta was also evaluated, as well as the effects of glucose, of the wheat grain dietary supplement Lisosan G, and of the reference pasta consumed together with Lisosan G. Serum antioxidant status was evaluated by measuring both the serum antioxidant capacity, using LOX-FL, ORAC and TEAC methods, and the serum oxidant status, assessed as peroxide level

Osteoma in the upper cervical spine with spinal cord compression

Osteoma is a common benign tumor. It occurs dominantly at the skull bone. Outside skull osteoma is rare, and primary intra-canal osteoma is extremely rare. To the author’s knowledge, only 14 cases of osteomas of the spine had been reported, in which only seven cases were in English literature. The authors reported two rare cases of intra-canal osteoma of the upper cervical spine with cord compression. Included are pertinent history, physical examination, rontgenographic evaluation before and after operation, surgical interventions, pathological study, and outcome. The available literature is also reviewed. On systemic examination and rontgenographic study, these two cases were found to have bone tumor in the upper cervical canal. Surgical interventions were performed, one with an en bloc excision, the other with a subtotal excision. The pathological study demonstrated a diagnosis of osteoma. After a follow-up with 20 and 15 months, the clinical symptoms of both cases significantly improved

Preparation and Properties of PTFE-PMMA Core-Shell Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites

he preparation of polytetrafluoroethylene-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PTFE-PMMA) core-shell particles was described, featuring controlled size and narrow size distribution over a wide compositional range, through a seeded emulsion polymerization starting from a PTFE seed of 26 nanometers. Over the entire MMA/PTFE range, the particle size increases as the MMA/PTFE ratio increases. A very precise control over the particle size can be exerted by properly adjusting the ratio between the monomer and the PTFE seed. Particles in the 80240 nm range can be prepared with uniformity indexes suited to build 2D and 3D colloidal crystals. These core-shell particles were employed to prepare nanocomposites with different compositions, through an annealing procedure at a temperature higher than the glass transition temperature of the shell forming polymer. A perfect dispersion of the PTFE particles within the PMMA matrix was obtained and optically transparent nanocomposites were prepared containing a very high PTFE amount

Synthesis and Crystal Structures of New 5,5'-Azotetrazolates

Five new 5,5'-azotetrazolate salts (amminsilver, trimethylsulfonium, tetramethyl-phosphonium, trimethylsulfoxonium, 2-(hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium) were prepared and characterized. The crystal structures were determined by X-ray diffraction. Interactions between the ions are identified and discussed. The sensitivities of the highly energetic silver salt were measured by BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung) methods

Interpenetrating Hydrogel Networks Enhance Mechanical Stability, Rheological Properties, Release Behavior and Adhesiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has attracted much attention for the treatment of articular cartilage defects or wounds due to its intrinsic content of growth factors relevant for tissue repair. However, the short residence time of PRP in vivo, due to the action of lytic enzymes, its weak mechanical properties and the consequent short‐term release of bioactive factors has restricted its application and efficacy. The present work aimed at designing new formulation strategies for PRP, based on the use of platelet concentrate (PC)‐loaded hydrogels or interpenetrating polymer networks, directed at improving mechanical stability and sustaining the release of bioactive growth factors over a prolonged time‐span. The interpenetrating hydrogels comprised two polymer networks interlaced on a molecular scale: (a) a first covalent network of thermosensitive and biodegradable vinyl sulfone bearing p(hydroxypropyl methacrylamide‐lacate)‐polyethylene glycol triblock copolymers, tandem cross‐linked by thermal gelation and Michael addition when combined with thiolated hyaluronic acid, and (b) a second network composed of cross‐linked fibrin. The PC‐loaded hydrogels, instead, was formed only by network (a). All the designed and successfully synthesized formulations greatly increased the stability of PRP in vitro, leading to significant increase in degradation time and storage modulus of PRP gel. The resulting viscoelastic networks showed the ability to controllably release platelet derived growth factor and transforming growth factr β1, and to improve the tissue adhesiveness of PRP. The newly developed hydrogels show great potential for application in the field of wound healing, cartilage repair and beyond

Dietary Crude Lecithin Increases Systemic Availability of Dietary Docosahexaenoic Acid with Combined Intake in Rats

Crude lecithin, a mixture of mainly phospholipids, potentially helps to increase the systemic availability of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA), such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Nevertheless, no clear data exist on the effects of prolonged combined dietary supplementation of DHA and lecithin on RBC and plasma PUFA levels. In the current experiments, levels of DHA and choline, two dietary ingredients that enhance neuronal membrane formation and function, were determined in plasma and red blood cells (RBC) from rats after dietary supplementation of DHA-containing oils with and without concomitant dietary supplementation of crude lecithin for 2–3 weeks. The aim was to provide experimental evidence for the hypothesized additive effects of dietary lecithin (not containing any DHA) on top of dietary DHA on PUFA levels in plasma and RBC. Dietary supplementation of DHA-containing oils, either as vegetable algae oil or as fish oil, increased DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and total n-3 PUFA, and decreased total omega-6 PUFA levels in plasma and RBC, while dietary lecithin supplementation alone did not affect these levels. However, combined dietary supplementation of DHA and lecithin increased the changes induced by DHA supplementation alone. Animals receiving a lecithin-containing diet also had a higher plasma free choline concentration as compared to controls. In conclusion, dietary DHA-containing oils and crude lecithin have synergistic effects on increasing plasma and RBC n-3 PUFA levels, including DHA and EPA. By increasing the systemic availability of dietary DHA, dietary lecithin may increase the efficacy of DHA supplementation when their intake is combined.Nutricia Researc