Radiosensitizing effect of ferulic acid on human cervical carcinoma cells in vitro

Radiotherapy may be effectively combined with plant derived radiosensitizers. Ferulic acid, a naturally occurring phenolic acid, has been reported to have free radical producing properties. In the present study, the radiosensitisation potential of ferulic acid has been tested in two cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa and ME-180) in vitro. Percentage of growth inhibition (MTT assay), colony survival, levels of lipid peroxidation (TBARS, CD and LHP), antioxidant status (SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH), oxidative DNA damage (% tail DNA, tail length, tail moment and Olive tail moment), apoptotic morphological changes (AO/EtBr staining) and intracellular ROS levels (DCFH-DA) were estimated. The present results show that ferulic acid (FA) enhances radiation effects by increasing lipid peroxidative markers in HeLa and ME-180 cells. We observed significant enhancement of ROS levels during ferulic acid plus radiation treatment. FA treatment alone increased intracellular ROS levels indicate its prooxidant nature. Similarly, we observed enhanced oxidative DNA damage and apoptotic morphological changes in FA plus radiation treated cells. The present data suggest radiation sensitizing property of FA in cervical cancer cells. Further investigations warrants to substantiate the present findings.     

The performance of primary human renal cells in hollow fiber bioreactors for bioartificial kidneys

Bioartificial kidneys (BAKs) containing human primary renal proximal tubule cells (HPTCs) have been applied in clinical trials. The results were encouraging, but also showed that more research is required. Animal cells or cell lines are not suitable for clinical applications, but have been mainly used in studies on BAK development as large numbers of such cells could be easily obtained. It is difficult to predict HPTC performance based on data obtained with other cell types. To enable more extensive studies on HPTCs, we have developed a bioreactor containing single hollow fiber membranes that requires relatively small amounts of cells. Special hollow fiber membranes with the skin layer on the outer surface and consisting of polyethersulfone/polyvinylpyrrolidone were developed. The results suggested that such hollow fiber membranes were more suitable for the bioreactor unit of BAKs than membranes with an inner skin layer. An HPTC-compatible double coating was applied to the insides of the hollow fiber membranes, which sustained the formation of functional epithelia under bioreactor conditions. Nevertheless, the state of differentiation of the primary human cells remained a critical issue and should be further addressed. The bioreactor system described here will facilitate further studies on the relevant human cell type.     

Use of intramedullary fibular strut graft: a novel adjunct to plating in the treatment of osteoporotic humeral shaft nonunion

Humeral shaft fractures respond well to conservative treatment and unite without much problem. Since it is uncommon, there is not much discussion regarding the management of nonunion in the literature, and hence this is a challenge to the treating orthopaedic surgeon. Osteoporosis of the fractured bone and stiffness of the surrounding joints compounds the situation further. The Ilizarov fixator, locking compression plate, and vascularised fibular graft are viable options in this scenario but are technically demanding. We used a fibular strut graft for bridging the fracture site in order to enhance the pull-out strength of the screws of the dynamic compression plate. Six patients in the study had successful uneventful union of the fracture at the last follow-up. The fibula is easy to harvest and produces less graft site morbidity. None of the study patients needed additional iliac crest bone grafting. This is the largest reported series of patients with osteoporotic atrophic nonunion of humerus successfully treated solely using the combination of an intramedullary fibular strut graft and dynamic compression plate.

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Résumé  Les fractures de l’humérus répondent bien au traitement conservateur avec une bonne consolidation. Concernant les pseudarthroses, la littérature est assez controversée et ceci reste un traitement difficile pour les chirurgiens orthopédistes, notamment en ce qui concerne l’ostéoporose et la raideur des articulations adjacentes. Le fixateur externe d’Ilizarov, les plaques en compression, les greffes vascularisées sont des possibilités techniques et thérapeutiques. Nous avons utilisé des fragments de péroné pontant le foyer de fractures associés à une plaque dynamique en compression. Les patients dans cette étude ont eu un bon résultat avec consolidation de la fracture au dernier suivi. Le péroné est un site intéressant pour le prélèvement des greffons, avec peu de morbidité. Aucun patient n’a nécessité un complément de greffes iliaques. Cette étude est la plus importante concernant une série de patients présentant une pseudarthrose athrophique avec ostéoporose au niveau de l’humérus traités avec succès par l’utilisation combinée de greffes de péroné intra médullaire et d’une plaque dynamique en compression.

     

Low levels of plasma soluble complement receptor type 1 in patients receiving thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction

Background Administration of recombinant soluble CR1 (sCR1) has been shown to attenuate complement mediated myocardial injury in animal models of acute MI. The plasma level of sCR1 in humans with acute MI is not known. We determined the levels of the complement regulatory protein, complement receptor type-1 (CR1) in plasma and its expression on the surface of leukocytes of patients receiving thrombolysis for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods Plasma sCR1 was measured by a sandwich ELISA. The levels in patients with AMI were compared with those in normal controls. Leukocyte surface expression of CR1 was measured by flowcytometry. We correlated these parameters with clinical outcome and left ventricular ejection fraction. Results Patients had very low plasma sCR1 levels. Mean plasma sCR1 levels were significantly less than in controls (6 ± 3.6 ng/mL vs. 44.6 ± 12.2 ng/mL, P < 0.00001). Patients who had an adverse in-hospital outcome had significantly lower sCR1 levels when compared to those who had an uneventful course (3.8 ± 2.0 ng/mL and 7.1 ± 3.8 ng/mL respectively, P = 0.01). The low plasma sCR1 was despite significantly greater lymphocyte and monocyte surface CR1 (which is a potential source of plasma sCR1). Conclusion Plasma sCR1 levels are reduced in patients receiving thrombolysis for AMI. Replenishing plasma sCR1 might limit complement-mediated injury in this setting.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, and anticancer properties of cyclic monocarbonyl analogs of curcumin

A series of novel indan-2-one and dibenzylidenepiperidin-4-one compounds were synthesized and screened for anticancer activities. The compounds are symmetrical and they have conjugated double bonds. They closely resemble the curcumin analogs which are found to possess anticancer properties. The structure of the compounds was confirmed by single crystal study and wherever the compound is a powder, the structures were confirmed by spectral data (IR, NMR, and Mass).     

Effects of Aroclor 1254 on femoral bone metabolism in adult male Wistar rats

Environmental pollutants that disrupt endocrine system might also affect the modeling and remodeling of bone. Environmental factors, irrespective of age and sex contribute for the development of secondary osteoporosis. Polychlorinated biphenyls have adverse effects on various organs including bone. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of PCB (Aroclor 1254) on femur bone and the ameliorative role of vitamin C or E. In this regard, four groups of adult male albino rats were used as control, PCB (2mg/kgb.wt.), PCB+vitamin C (100mg/kgb.wt.) and PCB+vitamin E (50mg/kgb.wt.). The bone formation markers (ALP, Collagen), bone resorption marker (TRAP), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPX and GST) and lipid peroxidation in the femur were studied. Aroclor 1254 treatment decreased the ALP activity and collagen, but increased the TRAP activity and lipid peroxidation. While it decreased the SOD and GPX activity, GST was unaltered. Interestingly, simultaneous administration of vitamin C or E prevented the adverse effects of Aroclor 1254 in the femur. In conclusion, the present investigation suggests that Aroclor 1254 induced oxidative stress affects femoral bone metabolism. However, vitamin C or vitamin E protected the femur from the oxidative stress.