Multi-walled carbon nanotube-induced inhalation toxicity: Recognizing nano bis-demethoxy curcumin analog as an ameliorating candidate

Human beings and ecosystems are being possibly exposed to CNTs, as there is a rise in global production rate of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). This may affect the health of humans and increases the environmental risk. We have already reported the pulmonary toxicity due to the inhalation of MWCNTs. We claim that a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity may ameliorate the CNT-induced toxic effect. With this view, we have investigated the ameliorative effect of intravenously-administered nano bis-demethoxy curcumin analog (NBDMCA) against MWCNTs-induced inhalation toxicity by examining the lung histopathology for inflammatory cell dynamics, pulmonary remodeling and estimating the inflammatory biomarkers in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. We observed that NBDMCA could ameliorate the injury as evidenced by the decline in the levels of markers of inflammation, cell damage, and the histopathological changes induced by MWCNTs. We conclude that NBDMCA may be used to reduce the risk of MWCNTs-induced inhalation toxicity.     

Lipid based nanocarriers: a translational perspective

Over the recent couple of decades, pharmaceutical field has embarked most phenomenal noteworthy achievements in the field of medications as well as drug delivery. The rise of Nanotechnology in this field has reformed the existing drug delivery for targeting, diagnostic, remedial applications and patient monitoring. The convincing usage of nanotechnology in the conveyance of medications that prompts an extension of novel lipid-based nanocarriers and non-liposomal systems has been discussed. Present review deals with the late advances and updates in lipidic nanocarriers, their formulation strategies, challenging aspects, stability profile, clinical applications alongside commercially available products and products under clinical trials. This exploration may give a complete idea viewing the lipid based nanocarriers as a promising choice for the formulation of pharmaceutical products, the challenges looked by the translational process of lipid-based nanocarriers and the combating methodologies to guarantee the headway of these nanocarriers from bench to bedside.     

New molecular diagnostic trends and biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Two forms are recognized, familial (FALS) that accounts for 5–10% of ALS cases, and sporadic (SALS) that accounts for the rest. Early diagnosis of ALS is important because it improves their therapeutic efficacy. Current diagnosis is based on clinical assessment and requires approximately 12 months, leading to a significant delay in drug administration. Therefore, new methods are required for the earlier diagnosis of ALS. Screening for pathogenic variants in known ALS‐associated genes is already exploited as a diagnostic tool in ALS but cannot be applied for population‐based screening. New circulating biomarkers (proteins or small molecules) are needed for initial screening, whereas specific diagnostic methods can be applied to confirm the presence of pathogenic variants in the selected population subgroup. Lipids appear as promising biomarkers for population‐based screening and for monitoring disease progression. Genetic analysis can also assist in the prediction of disease progression by analyzing disease‐modifying genes, for example, EPHA4 and CHGB. Furthermore, molecular diagnosis will aid the stratification of ALS patients for improved pharmacological approaches. Here, we discuss current and novel diagnostic strategies and how they can be applied to revolutionize the field of ALS molecular diagnosis.     

喹硫平联合氟哌啶醇对精神分裂症患者激越行为的影响

目的 探讨喹硫平联合氟哌啶醇治疗对精神分裂症患者激越行为的影响。方法 采用回顾性研究方法,2015年1月-2016年9月选择在新乡医学院第二附属医院诊治的精神分裂症患者115例,根据治疗方法的不同分为观察组60例与对照组55例,对照组给予喹硫平治疗,观察组给予喹硫平联合氟哌啶醇治疗,比较两组的治疗效果、不良反应、血脂改变及激越行为评分情况。结果 观察组的总有效率96.7%（58/60）高于对照组87.3%（48/55）,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。观察组的不良反应发生率为21.7%（13/60）,对照组为21.8%（12/55）,且两组的不良反应都为轻中度。治疗后两组血清低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）、总胆固醇（TC）、三酰甘油（TG）、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-C）含量对比无差异。治疗后观察组与对照组的激越行为评分分别为（8.14±6.33）分和（13.01±6.10）分,显著低于治疗前的（22.22±5.33）分和（22.09±4.82）分（P<0.05）,同组治疗前后比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;且观察组明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 喹硫平联合氟哌啶醇治疗精神分裂症患者能有效控制激越行为,提高治疗效果,且不会增加不良反应的发生,也不会影响患者的血脂水平,有很好的应用价值。     

Solid lipid nanocarriers in drug delivery: characterization and design

Introduction: Solid lipid nanoparticles are promising drug carriers for systemic circulations as well as local applications. One of the major challenges for drug delivery is designing nanocarriers for efficient delivery of active substances to the target site and facilitating drug absorption.

Areas covered: In this article, the effects of excipients and particle preparation methods on the properties of solid lipid nanocarriers (SLNCs) and their impact on drug absorption and efficacies related to different administration routes are reviewed and discussed.

Expert opinion: SLNCs have special characteristics, making them attractive as drug delivery systems, for parenteral and oral delivery for systemic effects, or ocular, pulmonary and topical delivery to enhance local treatment efficacy and reducing systemic side effects. Both excipients and fabrication methods are crucial for the function and size of nanoparticles and should be considered simultaneously in designing particles to obtain the optimal drug absorption and efficacy, especially for local treatments. Despite the demonstrated advantages by the preclinical studies, further studies on improved understanding of the interactions of SLNCs with biological tissues of the target site is necessary for efficient designing functional nanoparticles for clinical applications.

Abbreviations: DG: diglycerides; FFA: free fatty acids; GMS: glyceryl monostearate; MG: monoglycerides; NLC: nanostructured lipid carriers; PL: phospholipids; SLM: solid lipid microparticles; SLN: solid lipid nanoparticles; SLNC: solid lipid nanocarriers; TG: triglycerides.     

红景天联合拜新同治疗糖尿病肾病30例

目的:观察红景天联合拜新同治疗糖尿病肾病的临床疗效。方法:将60例糖尿病肾病患者随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各30例。对照组给予西医常规治疗,并给予拜新同降血压以降低尿蛋白的排泄,治疗组在对照治疗的基础上联合红景天治疗。观察两组患者治疗前后血压、空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白(glycosylated hemoglobin,Hb A1C)、24小时蛋白尿、β_2-微球蛋白(β_2-microglobulin,β_2-MG)、肌酐清除率(Creatinine clearance rate,Ccr)。检测两组患者治疗前后血脂水平[三酰甘油(Three acyl glycerol,TG)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、低密度脂蛋白(Low density lipoprotein,LDL-C)、高密度脂蛋白(high density lipoprotein,HDL-C)]及血浆纤维蛋白原、全血黏度、全血黏度高切、全血黏度低切等实验室指标变化情况。结果:两组患者治疗后血压、空腹血糖、Hb A1C、24小时蛋白尿、Ccr、TG、TC及LDL-C均低于治疗前,且治疗组低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。两组患者治疗后β_2-MG、血浆纤维蛋白原、全血黏度、全血黏度高切及全血黏度低切均低于治疗前,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),但治疗组与对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:红景天联合拜新同治疗糖尿病肾病可改善患者临床症状及实验室指标。     

帕金森病患者中医证型与血脂水平关系初探

目的:探求帕金森病患者中医证型与血脂代谢异常的关系。方法:选择52例帕金森病患者为病例组,50例一般情况与帕金森病组患者相匹配的健康人及50例脑梗死患者为对照组。检测帕金森病组及脑梗死组、正常老年人组的血脂水平,比较组间的差异性。同时对52例帕金森病患者进行中医证候分布规律调查,分析帕金森病患者中医证型与血脂水平之间的关系。结果:PD患者总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、三酰甘油(triacylglycerol,TG)、高密度脂蛋白(high-density lipoprotein,HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白(low density lipoprotein,LDL-C)水平显著低于CI组及正常老年组(P0.05);CI患者TC、TG、LDL-C、Ox-LDL水平显著高于PD组和正常老年组(P0.05);气虚证及髓海不足证帕金森病患者TC、TG、LDL-C、Ox-LDL水平明显低于其他证型(P0.05)。结论:脂质代谢异常可能参与了PD的发病过程;正气亏虚是PD发生的根本原因,脂质代谢的异常可能为帕金森病患者痰、瘀等病理因素的生化物质基础和客观指标之一。     

柴胡疏肝散对肝郁型代谢综合征大鼠糖脂代谢及胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的:观察柴胡疏肝散对肝郁型代谢综合征大鼠糖脂代谢及胰岛素抵抗的影响。方法:将40只大鼠随机分为普通饲料空白组和高脂饲料造模组,每组各20只。高脂饲料造模组给予高脂饲料喂养,采用束缚情志应激法造模。造模成功后,将普通饲料空白组随机分为普通饲料生理盐水组和普通饲料药物干预组,每组各10只;将高脂饲料造模组随机分为造模生理盐水组和造模药物干预组,每组各10只。高脂饲料造模组继续予高脂饲料喂养。普通饲料生理盐水组和高脂造模生理盐水组予0.01 ml·g~(-1)生理盐水灌胃;普通饲料药物干预组和高脂饲料造模药物干预组予柴胡疏肝散,按0.01 m L·g~(-1)灌胃,每日2次,连续4周。大鼠禁食12 h后,从眼眶静脉采血,离心取上清,测定三酰甘油(three acyl glycerin,TG)、血清总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、低密度脂蛋白(low density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)和高密度脂蛋白(high density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)、空腹血糖(fasting plasma glucose,FBG)、空腹胰岛素(fasting insulin,FIN)。结果:高脂饲料造模组与空白组比较,HDL-C、TC、TG、FBG、FIN、胰岛素抵抗指数、体质量及腹围差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。造模药物干预组与造模生理盐水组大鼠比较,LDL-C、TC、FBG、FIN、胰岛素抵抗指数差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:柴胡疏肝散能改善肝郁型代谢综合征大鼠的胰岛素抵抗,从而影响其糖脂代谢。     

马钱子碱固体脂质纳米粒的细胞毒性及细胞摄取试验

目的:研究马钱子碱固体脂质纳米粒(brucine-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles,B-SLN)对Hep G2的细胞毒性和细胞摄取情况。方法:采用四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法(MTT)检测B-SLN对Hep G2细胞的毒性,利用荧光显微镜定性观察细胞摄取情况,运用流式细胞仪定量检测不同条件下的细胞摄取情况。结果:马钱子碱组和B-SLN组对Hep G2细胞增殖具有抑制作用,且抑制率随时间延长和药物质量浓度增加而上升。马钱子碱组48,72 h的半抑制浓度(IC_(50))分别为208.5,78.5 mg·L~(-1),B-SLN组48,72 h的IC50分别为563.3,114.9 mg·L~(-1);药物质量浓度在125~500 mg·L~(-1)时,随药物质量浓度的增加,细胞摄取量由50.2%增加到71.2%;温度在4℃和37℃条件下,细胞摄取量由43%增加到55.2%;摄取时间在30~240 min时,随孵育时间的增加,细胞摄取量由9.7%增加到56.4%。结论:SLN给药系统能显著提高马钱子碱对抗癌细胞的活性,且B-SLN具有增加药物被细胞摄取的能力。     

昆仑雪菊水提物对KKAy小鼠血清脂联素、抵抗素、血脂的影响

目的:探讨昆仑雪菊水提物对KKAy小鼠血清脂联素、抵抗素、血脂的影响。方法:将SPF级7~8周龄雄性自发性2型糖尿病KKAy小鼠50只按体质量随机分为模型组(MC组)、昆仑雪菊低剂量组(KD组)、中剂量组(KZ组)、高剂量组(KG组)、吡格列酮组(B组),正常对照组(NC组)选与KKAy小鼠同源的C57BL/6J小鼠10只(NC组)。模型组和正常组给予0.9%氯化钠溶液,其余组给予对应浓度的药液灌胃。35天后取材测血清脂联素、抵抗素、血脂水平。结果:与模型组比较,昆仑雪菊低剂量组脂联素水平明显升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);昆仑雪菊不同剂量组虽比模型组抵抗素水平降低,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05);昆仑雪菊低剂量组高密度脂蛋白(HDL-C)水平提高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),而总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、低密度脂蛋白(LDL-C)水平无明显降低,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:昆仑雪菊水提物可能通过提升KKAy小鼠血清脂联素与HDL-C水平而发挥其改善胰岛素抵抗及脂代谢紊乱起作用。