Pharmacokinetics and Early Tumor Response to Conventional Transarterial Chemoembolization with Sorafenib and Doxorubicin in a VX2 Rabbit Tumor Model

PurposeTo investigate the pharmacokinetics (PK) and early effects of conventional transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) using sorafenib and doxorubicin on tumor necrosis, hypoxia markers, and angiogenesis in a rabbit VX2 liver tumor model.Materials and MethodsVX2 tumor-laden New Zealand White rabbits (N = 16) were divided into 2 groups: 1 group was treated with hepatic arterial administration of ethiodized oil and doxorubicin emulsion (DOX-TACE), and the other group was treated with ethiodized oil, sorafenib, and doxorubicin emulsion (SORA-DOX-TACE). Animals were killed within 3 days of the procedure. Levels of sorafenib and doxorubicin were measured in blood, tumor, and adjacent liver using mass spectrometry. Tumor necrosis was determined by histopathological examination. Intratumoral hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) 1α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel density (MVD) were determined by immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe median intratumoral concentration of sorafenib in the SORA-DOX-TACE group was 17.7 μg/mL (interquartile range [IQR], 7.42–33.5 μg/mL), and its maximal plasma concentration (C_max) was 0.164 μg/mL (IQR, 0.0798–0.528 μg/mL). The intratumoral concentration and C_max of doxorubicin were similar between the groups: 4.08 μg/mL (IQR, 3.18–4.79 μg/mL) and 0.677 μg/mL (IQR, 0.315–1.23 μg/mL), respectively, in the DOX-TACE group and 1.68 μg/mL (IQR, 0.795–4.08 μg/mL) and 0.298 μg/mL (IQR, 0.241–0.64 μg/mL), respectively, in the SORA-DOX-TACE group. HIF-1α expression was increased in the SORA-DOX-TACE group than in the DOX-TACE group. Tumor volume, tumor necrosis, VEGF expression, and MVD were similar between the 2 groups.ConclusionsThe addition of sorafenib to DOX-TACE delivered to VX2 liver tumors resulted in high intratumoral and low systemic concentrations of sorafenib without altering the PK of doxorubicin.     

Heart rupture as an acute complication of cocaine abuse: A case report

The purpose of this study is to show a very rare complication of acute cocaine poisoning, namely heart rupture. In the present case report, acute cocaine intoxication caused massive myocardial infarction, resulting in heart rupture and cardiac tamponade. A crime scene investigation found a dead body on the street in a drug dealing district. Examination of the body showed no external injuries. A thorough autopsy was performed showing massive cardiac tamponade with 510 ml of blood within the pericardium and full-thickness tissue lesion at the posterior wall of the left ventricle of 3.5 × 3 cm. Histological examination in hematoxylin and eosin was performed and confirmed the interruption of the posterior wall of the left ventricle with the presence of blood. In fact, although the correlation between cocaine and myocardial damage is well established, the relationship between heart rupture and acute cocaine intoxication is an extremely rare event. Moreover, since there are, to date, few reports of similar deaths, our report provides useful information regarding sudden death in a cocaine abuser. It is, therefore, of crucial importance to report this case to the scientific community.     

Caractéristiques de l’atteinte cardiaque au cours de la granulomatose éosinophilique avec polyangéite

Aim of the studyOur study aimed to identify the characteristics of cardiac involvement in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analytic study including EGPA cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2019 in an internal medicine department. Diagnosis was made according to the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria and the 2012 Chapel Hill Concensus.ResultsEleven EGPA cases were included, 64% of patients were female. Median age at diagnosis was 52 years [42–58]. Heart damage revealed EGPA in 55% of cases with a significant predominance of women (p = 0.015). The main cardiac manifestations were myocarditis, ischemic cardiomyopathy due to small vessel vasculitis, cardiac tamponade and intracardiac thrombus. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mainly showed subendocardial hyposignal in early infusion and late enhancement in the same areas, nodular by locations, associated with impaired left ventricle function and micro-infarctions by distal vasculitis. Cardiac damage was associated to ANCA negativity in 83.3% of cases. The median Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score version3 (BVAS v3) was 16 [10–17]. Under conventional treatment, no relapses had occurred. The median vasculitis damage index (VDI) was 2 [1–2.3] and the mortality rate was zero after a mean follow-up of 43 months.ConclusionCardiomyopathy is a frequent revealing mode of EGPA. A late onset asthma and hypereosinophilia should guide the diagnosis. As ANCA research often turns out to be negative, histological evidence is recommended in this context. The contribution of cardiac MRI in the diagnosis of EGPA remains to be defined.     

生姜炮制成干姜前后挥发油透皮吸收促进作用的比较研究

目的 比较生姜炮制成干姜前后挥发油透皮吸收促进作用及成分的变化。方法 将生姜炮制成干姜前后提取挥发油，皮肤电阻动力学实验和体外布洛芬透皮实验比较二者的促渗能力，ATR-FTIR红外分析挥发油透皮促渗主要机制，皮肤细胞毒性实验比较了生姜和干姜挥发油的细胞毒性，GC-MS分析成分变化。结果 干姜挥发油的透皮吸收促进作用显著优于生姜挥发油，其透皮促渗机制主要为对皮肤角质层脂质的萃取，而生姜和干姜挥发油的皮肤细胞毒性均显著低于化学促渗剂氮酮，炮制后干姜挥发油的倍半萜类成分比例高于生姜挥发油，透皮后干姜挥发油组皮内的倍半萜类成分比例也高于生姜挥发油组。结论 炮制后的干姜挥发油的透皮吸收作用优于生姜挥发油，验证了中药挥发油透皮吸收促进剂存在"热者易效"的规律。     

Impact of different types of olive oil on cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

Background and aimThis network meta-analysis (NMA) compares the effects of different types of olive oil (OO) on cardiovascular risk factors.Methods and resultsLiterature search was conducted on three electronic databases (Medline, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central). Inclusion criteria: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (≥3 weeks duration of intervention) comparing at least two of the following types of OO: refined OO (ROO), mixed OO (MOO), low phenolic (extra) virgin OO (LP(E)VOO), and high phenolic (extra) virgin OO (HP(E)VOO). Random-effects NMA was performed for seven outcomes; and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was estimated, using an analytical approach (P-score). Thirteen RCTs (16 reports) with 611 mainly healthy participants (mean age: 26–70 years) were identified. No differences for total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and diastolic blood pressure were observed comparing ROO, MOO, LP(E)VOO and HP(E)VOO. HP(E)VOO slightly reduce LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) compared to LP(E)VOO (mean difference [MD]: −0.14 mmol/L, 95%–CI: −0.28, −0.01). Both, HP(E)VOO and LP(E)VOO reduces SBP compared to ROO (range of MD: −2.99 to −2.87 mmHg), and HP(E)VOO may improve oxidized LDL-cholesterol (oxLDL-C) compared to ROO (standardized MD: −0.68, 95%–CI: −1.31, −0.04). In secondary analyses, EVOO may reduce oxLDL-C compared to ROO, and a dose-response relationship between higher intakes of phenolic compounds from OO and lower SBP and oxLDL-C values was detected. HP(E)VOO was ranked as best treatment for LDL-C (P-score: 0.83), oxLDL-C (0.88), and SBP (0.75).ConclusionsHP(E)VOO may improve some cardiovascular risk factors, however, public health implications are limited by overall low or moderate certainty of evidence.     

Formulation and evaluation of carrot seed oil-based cosmetic emulsions

The present study deals with the evaluation of antiaging potential of carrot seed oil-based cosmetic emulsions. Briefly, cosmetic emulsions composed of carrot seed oil in varying proportions (2, 4, and 6% w/v) were prepared using the hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB) technique. Coconut oil, nonionic surfactants (Tween 80 and Span 80), and xanthan gum were used as the oil phase, emulgent, and emulsion stabilizer, respectively. The formed emulsions were evaluated for various physical, chemical, and biochemical parameters such as the zeta potential, globule size measurement, antioxidant activity, sun protection factor (SPF), skin irritation, and biochemical studies. The zeta potential values ranged from ?43.2 to ?48.3, indicating good stability. The polydispersity index (PDI) of various emulsion formulations ranged from 0.353 to 0.816. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl- (DPPH) and nitric oxide-free radical scavenging activity showed the antioxidant potential of the prepared carrot seed oil emulsions. The highest SPF value (6.92) was shown by F3 having 6%w/v carrot seed oil. Histopathological data and biochemical analysis (ascorbic acid (ASC) and total protein content) suggest that these cosmetic emulsions have sufficient potential to be used as potential skin rejuvenating preparations.     

维吾尔医“库西提”法炮制技术规范化研究及巴豆脂肪油含量测定

目的:评价维吾尔医“各立衣克买提”泥法炮制技术和在这种炮制方法前提下改进的新“库西提”法炮制技术对巴豆中脂肪油的含量测定的影响。方法:利用两种炮制方法炮制生巴豆,按《中国药典》2015年版一部巴豆项下的脂肪油含量测定方法进行测定。结果:采用这两种方法炮制的巴豆根据炮制时间不同脂肪油含量依次递减。结论:采用新“库西提”法炮制技术炮制的巴豆的脂肪油含量明显降低。     

基于薄荷油为油相的红花提取物自微乳凝胶递送系统制备研究

目的制备以薄荷油(Menthaha plocalyx oil,MPO)为油相的红花提取物(Carthamus tinctorius extract,CTE)自微乳凝胶递送系统(CTE-SMEDDS-BGs)。方法以MPO为油相,CTE为水相,采用伪三元相图法优选载药自微乳处方,采用单因素法筛选凝胶工艺与处方,并对其外观性状、黏度和pH值进行评价。结果所得CTE-SMEDDS-BGs最佳处方工艺:F68为乳化剂,无水乙醇为助乳化剂,乳化剂与助乳化剂比例(Km)为1∶1,乳化剂和助乳化剂总量(TS)与MPO的比例为8∶2,卡波姆2%,甘油6%,CTE5m L。处方量自微乳加入溶胀后的凝胶基质,三乙胺调节pH值至6.0即得CTE-SMEDDS-BGs;其外观为黄色半透明、黏稠度适中、均匀细腻、不油腻,易涂展的胶状凝胶,黏度为4.98×10~4m Pa·s(RSD为1.53%),pH为6.04(RSD为0.44%)。结论制得的薄荷油为油相的CTE-SMEDDS-BGs,制备简便,方法稳定,符合凝胶局部外用制剂要求。