Site Specific Delivery of Microencapsulated Fish Oil to the Gastrointestinal Tract of the Rat

The aim of this study was to design food grade matrices to deliver microencapsulated fish oil to the large bowel of the rat where the potential exists to retard inflammation and cancer development. Digestion in simulated gastric fluid and intestinal fluid demonstrated that only 4–6% of oil was released from the following dried emulsion formulations: 50% fish oil encapsulated in heated casein-glucose-dried glucose syrup (1:1:1) (Cas-Glu-DGS-50); 25% fish oil in casein-modified resistant starch (Hylon VII) (1:1) (Cas-Hylon-25); or 25% fish oil in Cas-Glu-Hylon (1:1:1) (Cas-Glu-Hylon-25). A short-term gavage study (0–12 h) with fish oil and Cas-Glu-DGS-50 demonstrated the appearance of fish oil long chain (LC) n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) into the plasma indicating specific small intestinal absorption with little LC n-3 PUFA reaching the large bowel. In a 2-week-long term, daily gavage study, the bioavailability of fish oil and fish oil in Cas-Glu-DGS-50 or Cas-Hylon-25 demonstrated that fish oil and Cas-Glu-DGS-50 LC n-3 PUFA were incorporated into the tissue of the small intestine and colon, whereas Cas-Hylon-25 was resistant to degradation in the small intestine. The use of modified Hylon VII for targeted colonic delivery was confirmed in the final short-term gavage study (0–14 h) using Cas-Glu-Hylon-25 with [¹⁴C]-trilinolenin as a marker incorporated into the microcapsules, where up to 60% of the labeled oil reached the large bowel. Depending on the microencapsulating matrix employed, fish oil can be delivered selectively to the small intestine or to a high degree to the large bowel.     

视觉分散和视听分散对接受结肠镜检病人焦虑和接受性的影响

目的通过在结肠镜检查中给患者看DVD,了解视觉分散和视听联合分散对受检者焦虑和接受性的影响。方法采用随机对照的研究方法,将180例准备行结肠镜检查的患者随机分为三组,每组60例,视觉分散组检查时看DVD但不听DVD里播放的声音,视听分散组检查时看DVD并戴着耳机听DVD里播放的声音,对照组检查时不看DVD,比较三组患者间的焦虑水平和接受性。结果视觉分散组和视听分散组检查后焦虑水平降低较对照组显著,但这种差异未达到统计学意义。视觉分散组和视听分散组的愿再检查率均较对照组高(P<0．05)。结论视觉分散和视听分散能增加结肠镜检查患者的接受性,对患者的焦虑水平无显著影响。     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子与转化生长因子β1联合诱导大鼠脊髓源性神经干细胞的分化特点

目的:观察胶质细胞源性神经营养因子与转化生长因子β1体外联合诱导对脊髓源性神经干细胞分化的影响,为了解神经干细胞在体内多因素环境下的分化表现提供实验依据。方法:实验于2005-10/2006-09在南方医科大学附属深圳医院中心实验室完成。①碱性成纤维细胞生长因子,表皮生长因子,胶质细胞源性神经营养因子,转化生长因子β1(PeproTech);胎牛血清(Hyclone);神经巢蛋白多抗(武汉博士德);胶质纤维酸性蛋白多抗,神经丝蛋白单抗(Sigma)。②选用清洁级孕16d的SD大鼠10只,无菌条件下取出胚胎,进行脊髓源性神经干细胞的分离培养。基础培养基组成:含青霉素、链霉素、两性霉素B及体积分数为0.02B27添加液的DMEM/F12。③原代培养1周后,获取体外稳定增殖的鼠脊髓源性神经干细胞克隆,在基础培养基中加入体积分数为0.1的胎牛血清作为对照。同时设立碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组、转化生长因子β1组、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 转化生长因子β1组,换用诱导培养基,即分别在基础培养基中加入20μg/L碱性成纤维细胞生长因子、2μg/L转化生长因子β1、10μg/L胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 2μg/L转化生长因子β1。观察在不同因子诱导情况下脊髓源性神经干细胞的分化行为,免疫细胞化学染色标记神经元与星状胶质细胞的表达。④通过荧光激发流式细胞仪分选技术对分化细胞计数,检测不同诱导环境下神经干细胞分化为神经元及星状胶质细胞的阳性百分率。结果:①细胞分化的形态学观察:分化早期可见神经球贴壁,大量细胞向四周爬出,1周后迁徙的大部分细胞完全贴壁,完成分化过程。在细胞密度较低区域可辨认出3种神经细胞类型:神经元样细胞、星状胶质样细胞、寡突胶质样细胞。②神经干细胞免疫组织化学检测:血清对照组、转化生长因子β1组存在大量胶质纤维酸性蛋白染色阳性的星状胶质细胞;而碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组、胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 转化生长因子β1组分化的神经元细胞数量较多,神经丝蛋白染色阳性。③流式细胞荧光分选计数:诱导1周后,胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 转化生长因子β1组神经元分化比例最高,明显高于碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组(χ2=19.56,P<0.05),而与血清对照组、转化生长因子β1组比较差异有极其显著性意义(χ2=24.15,25.32,P均<0.01)。碱性成纤维细胞生长因子组星状胶质细胞分化比例最低,胶质细胞源性神经营养因子 转化生长因子β1组组与其相近(χ2=17.23,P>0.05),而血清对照组、转化生长因子β1组则显著升高(χ2=24.45,23.79,P均<0.01)。结论:体外胶质细胞源性神经营养因子与转化生长因子β1的联合诱导有利于脊髓源性神经干细胞向神经元的分化,为脊髓原位神经干细胞分化及神经干细胞移植体内后的分化表现提供了实验数据。     

Long-term saturated fat supplementation in the rat causes an increase in PGI2/TXB2 ratio of platelet and vessel wall compared to n-3 and n-6 dietary fatty acids

The effect of long-term manipulation of dietary lipid intake on platelet and vessel wall lipid composition and eicosanoid synthesis was investigated. Rats were fed a standard diet (REF diet) supplemented (12% w/w) with either sheep fat (SF), sunflower seed oil (SSO) or tuna fish oil (TFO) for a period of 15 months. Significant compositional changes both in the aorta and platelets were observed following dietary lipid treatment and differences between these tissues were particularly apparent with regard to the incorporation and conversion of n-3 fatty acids. For example, platelets displayed a selective accumulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5 n-3) over docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6, n-3), but in the aorta the proportion of DHA was considerably higher than that of EPA. In both tissues, compared to REF diet, n-3 dietary fatty acids replaced the n-6 unsaturates 20:4 and 22:4, but did not affect the proportion of linoleic acid. In contrast to aorta, the unsaturation index for platelet membrane varied significantly between dietary groups. The capacity of aorta and platelets to generate PGI2-like activity and thromboxane was unaltered by the SSO diet. However, changes were seen following SF and TFO supplementation. Rats fed the SF diet displayed a greater synthetic capacity whilst in animals maintained on TFO diet the synthesis of these two eicosanoids was considerably suppressed. The SF group displayed the highest value for PGI2/TXB2 ratio whereas TFO diet fed rats showed the lowest which may partly be due to synthesis of TXA3. The reduction in eicosanoids following the tuna fish oil supplementation can be explained on the basis of concurrent compositional changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The anti-cancer agent SU4312 unexpectedly protects against MPP+-induced neurotoxicity via selective and direct inhibition of neuronal NOS

Background and Purpose

SU4312, a potent and selective inhibitor of VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), has been designed to treat cancer. Recent studies have suggested that SU4312 can also be useful in treating neurodegenerative disorders. In this study, we assessed neuroprotection by SU4312 against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP⁺)-induced neurotoxicity and further explored the underlying mechanisms.

Experimental Approach

MPP⁺-treated neurons and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated zebrafish were used to study neuroprotection by SU4312. NOS activity was assayed in vitro to examine direct interactions between SU4312 and NOS isoforms.

Key Results

SU4312 unexpectedly prevented MPP⁺-induced neuronal apoptosis in vitro and decreased MPTP-induced loss of dopaminergic neurons, reduced expression of mRNA for tyrosine hydroxylase and impaired swimming behaviour in zebrafish. In contrast, PTK787/ZK222584, a well-studied VEGFR-2 inhibitor, failed to prevent neurotoxicity, suggesting that the neuroprotective actions of SU4312 were independent of its anti-angiogenic action. Furthermore, SU4312 exhibited non-competitive inhibition of purified neuronal NOS (nNOS) with an IC₅₀ value of 19.0 μM but showed little or no effects on inducible and endothelial NOS. Molecular docking simulations suggested an interaction between SU4312 and the haem group within the active centre of nNOS.

Conclusions and Implication

SU4312 exhibited neuroprotection against MPP⁺ at least partly via selective and direct inhibition of nNOS. Because SU4312 could reach the brain in rats, our study also offered a support for further development of SU4312 to treat neurodegenerative disorders, particularly those associated with NO-mediated neurotoxicity.     

Vasorelaxation induced by common edible tropical plant extracts in isolated rat aorta and mesenteric vascular bed

In this study, the vasodilatory actions of nine edible tropical plant extracts were investigated. Ipomoea batatas (sweet potato leaf), Piper betle (betel leaf), Anacardium occidentale (cashew leaf), Gynandropsis gynandra (maman leaf), Carica papaya (papaya leaf), and Mentha arvensis (mint leaf) extracts exhibited more than 50% relaxing effect on aortic ring preparations, while Piper betle and Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass stalk) showed comparable vasorelaxation on isolated perfused mesenteric artery preparation. The vascular effect on the aortic ring preparations were mainly endothelium-dependent, and mediated by nitric oxide (NO) as supported by the inhibition of action in the presence of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (NOLA), an nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, or by the removal of endothelium. In contrast, vasodilatory actions in resistance vessels (perfused mesenteric vascular beds) appear to involve several biochemical mediators, including NO, prostanoids, and endothelium-dependent hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs). Total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities varied among different extracts and found to be independent of vascular relaxation effects. This study demonstrates that many edible plants common in Asian diets to possess potential health benefits, affording protection at the vascular endothelium level.     

Attitudes and beliefs of emergency department doctors towards domestic violence in Hong Kong

A questionnaire was sent to all doctors working in emergency departments in Hong Kong to survey their attitudes and beliefs towards domestic violence. Beliefs concerning privacy and traditional cultural values were found to be important factors affecting the doctor's ability to identify cases of wife abuse. Most respondents had no formal training in this area and felt inadequate in the handling of domestic violence cases. Ways to improve training and identification of at risk cases are discussed.     

A challenging case of calcific myonecrosis of tibialis anterior and hallucis longus muscles with a chronic discharging wound

The occurrence of calcific myonecrosis of the anterior compartment of the leg is rare. Common risk factors include a history of trauma, although little is known about the exact pathophysiology, latency period or triggering factors resulting in disease progression. Macroscopically, it begins with a single muscle being replaced by a fusiform calcified mass, which progresses peripherally. We present a rare case of a 7‐year history of chronic discharging sinus overlying the site with protruding calcified muscle and discuss the senior author's wound management strategy and surgical considerations. The initial approach used dressing applications to reduce wound exudate while obtaining repeated imaging for disease progression comparison. Repeated CT scans showed significant disease progression from a single solitary amorphous soft tissue calcification to disseminated scattered calcified myonecrosis. In planning such surgeries, extensive debridement and temporary wound coverage is the first stage. Subsequent definitive coverage includes skin grafting of the remaining defect.