冰片对黄芪甲苷和三七总皂苷配伍有效成分在脑缺血/再灌注模型大鼠脑组织分布的影响

目的探讨冰片是否具有促进黄芪甲苷(AST IV)和三七总皂苷(PNS)配伍时主要有效成分透过大脑中动脉栓塞(MCAO)再灌注模型大鼠血脑屏障的作用。方法大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、冰片组、AST IV组、PNS组、AST IV+PNS组、冰片+AST IV+PNS组,制备MCAO再灌注大鼠模型,以液相色谱-质谱联用法(LC-MS/MS)测定大鼠患侧与健侧大脑皮层、小脑中AST IV和PNS有效成分(人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1和三七皂苷R1)的含量。结果 AST IV无论是单用还是与PNS、冰片配伍,其口服后主要分布在大脑皮层,尤其是患侧大脑皮层。冰片+AST IV+PNS能使患侧与健侧大脑皮层中AST IV含量显著增加。PNS单用,其有效成分人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1和三七皂苷R1主要分布在患侧小脑。冰片+AST IV+PNS能使患侧大脑皮层中人参皂苷Rb1含量显著增加,使健侧和患侧大脑皮层中人参皂苷Rg1含量增加,使大脑皮层尤其是患侧大脑皮层及小脑中三七皂苷R1含量增加。结论大鼠脑缺血再灌注后,AST IV与PNS的有效成分人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1及三七皂苷R1在大脑皮层和小脑均有一定的分布。AST IV单用时,AST IV主要分布在大脑皮层;PNS单用时,人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1及三七皂苷R1主要分布在小脑。冰片与AST IV、PNS合用后,能促进AST IV及人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1及三七皂苷R1向大脑皮层富集,尤其是向缺血再灌注侧大脑皮层富集;而且能不同程度地促进AST IV,人参皂苷Rb1、Rg1及三七皂苷R1在大脑皮层的吸收,尤其是在患侧大脑皮层的吸收。     

Detection of recombinant and endogenous mouse melatonin receptors by monoclonal antibodies targeting the C‐terminal domain

Melatonin receptors play important roles in the regulation of circadian and seasonal rhythms, sleep, retinal functions, the immune system, depression, and type 2 diabetes development. Melatonin receptors are approved drug targets for insomnia, non‐24‐hour sleep‐wake disorders, and major depressive disorders. In mammals, two melatonin receptors (MTRs) exist, MT₁ and MT₂, belonging to the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamily. Similar to most other GPCRs, reliable antibodies recognizing melatonin receptors proved to be difficult to obtain. Here, we describe the development of the first monoclonal antibodies (mABs) for mouse MT₁ and MT₂. Purified antibodies were extensively characterized for specific reactivity with mouse, rat, and human MT₁ and MT₂ by Western blot, immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and proximity ligation assay. Several mABs were specific for either mouse MT₁ or MT₂. None of the mABs cross‐reacted with rat MTRs, and some were able to react with human MTRs. The specificity of the selected mABs was validated by immunofluorescence microscopy in three established locations (retina, suprachiasmatic nuclei, pituitary gland) for MTR expression in mice using MTR‐KO mice as control. MT₂ expression was not detected in mouse insulinoma MIN6 cells or pancreatic beta‐cells. Collectively, we report the first monoclonal antibodies recognizing recombinant and native mouse melatonin receptors that will be valuable tools for future studies.     

Antimycobacterial action of a new glycolipid‐peptide complex obtained from extracellular metabolites of Raoultella ornithinolytica

In this paper, an antimycobacterial component of extracellular metabolites of a gut bacterium Raoultella ornithinolytica from D. veneta earthworms was isolated and its antimycobacterial action was tested using Mycobacterium smegmatis. After incubation with the complex obtained, formation of pores and furrows in cell walls was observed using microscopic techniques. The cells lost their shape, stuck together and formed clusters. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy analysis showed that, after incubation, the complex was attached to the cell walls of the Mycobacterium. Analyses of the component performed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated high similarity to a bacteriocin nisin, but energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis revealed differences in the elemental composition of this antimicrobial peptide. The component with antimycobacterial activity was identified using mass spectrometry techniques as a glycolipid–peptide complex. As it exhibits no cytotoxicity on normal human fibroblasts, the glycolipid–peptide complex appears to be a promising compound for investigations of its activity against pathogenic mycobacteria.     

MF59 adjuvant enhances the immunogenicity and protective immunity of the OmpK/Omp22 fusion protein from Acineterbacter baumannii through intratracheal inoculation in mice

Acinetobacter baumannii (A baumannii) is an emerging nosocomial pathogenic bacterium which leads to hospital infections. The increase in drug‐resistant A baumannii strains makes it difficult to control by using common antibiotics. The development of effective vaccines is an alternative means to avoid A baumannii infections. In the present study, Balb/c mice were inoculated intratracheally with 30 μg of OmpK/Omp22 fusion protein alone or OmpK/Omp22 formulated with MF59 adjuvant. After two times of boosting at day 14 and 21, the antigen‐specific antibody levels and the protective immunity against A baumannii challenge were evaluated. The results showed that the OmpK/Omp22 formulated with MF59 immunized mice produced much higher level of antigen‐specific antibodies compared to mice immunized with OmpK/Omp22 alone (P < 0.01). Mice immunized with 30 μg of OmpK/Omp22 formulated with MF59 also provided more potent protection post‐challenge, which showed lower bacterial loads in the blood and lung tissue, lower level of blood inflammatory cytokines and higher survival rate (83.3%) than mice immunized with OmpK/Omp22 alone (P < 0.001). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that OmpK/Omp22 fusion protein adjuvanted with MF59 induced superior immune response and better protection than OmpK/Omp22 alone through intratracheal inoculation in mice .     

Minor contribution of CYP3A5 to the metabolism of hepatitis C protease inhibitor paritaprevir in vitro

1. Paritaprevir (PTV) is a non-structural protein 3/4A protease inhibitor developed for the treatment of hepatitis C disease as a fixed dose combination of ombitasvir (OBV) and ritonavir (RTV) with or without dasabuvir.

2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A5 on in vitro PTV metabolism using human recombinant CYP3A4, CYP3A5 (rCYP3A4, rCYP3A5) and human liver microsomes (HLMs) genotyped as either CYP3A5*1/*1, CYP3A5*1/*3 or CYP3A5*3/*3.

3. The intrinsic clearance (CL_int, V_max/K_m) for the production of a metabolite from PTV in rCYP3A4 was 1.5 times higher than that in rCYP3A5. The PTV metabolism in CYP3A5*1/*1 and CYP3A5*1/*3 HLMs expressing CYP3A5 was comparable to that in CYP3A5*3/*3 HLMs, which lack CYP3A5.

4. CYP3A4 expression level was significantly correlated with PTV disappearance rate and metabolite formation. In contrast, there was no such correlation found for CYP3A5 expression level.

5. This study represents that the major CYP isoform involved in PTV metabolism is CYP3A4, with CYP3A5 having a minor role in PTV metabolism. The findings of the present study may provide foundational information on PTV metabolism, and may further support dosing practices in HCV-infected patients prescribed PTV-based therapy.

     

Valor de la escala ASPECTS de circulación posterior y del índice puente-mesencéfalo en imágenes de TC sin contraste y angiografía por TC en pacientes con oclusiones de la arteria basilar recanalizados tras trombectomía mecánica

Purpose

Endovascular treatment with mechanical thrombectomy devices demonstrated high recanalization rates but functional outcome did not correlate with high rates of recanalization obtained. Patient selection prior to the endovascular treatment is very important in the final outcome of the patient. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the prognostic value of posterior circulation Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (pc-ASPECTS) and Pons-Midbrain Index (PMI) scores in patients with Basilar Artery Occlusion (BAO) treated with successful angiographic recanalization after mechanical thrombectomy.