Objectives: This study investigates the influence of Cnestis ferruginea (CF) on kainic acid (KA)-induced immediate early genes (IEGs) associated with hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) in mice.
Methods: Animals were randomly divided into preventive treatment; vehicle (10 mL/kg, p.o.) or CF (400 mg/kg, p.o.) for three consecutive days before KA (5 mg/kg, i.p.) on days 4 and 5. In the reversal model, KA (5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered on days 1 and 2 before CF (400 mg/kg) administration on days 3-5. Animals were euthanized on day 5, 6 h after KA exposure in preventive model and 1 h after CF administration in reversal model to estimate markers of IEGs.
Results: KA upregulated the expression of c-Fos protein by 3.32-, 9.45-, 8.13-, and 8.66-fold in the hippocampal CA1, CA2, CA3, and DG regions, respectively. Also, KA elevated inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression by 10.9-, 10.6-, 9.78-, and 9.51-fold. Besides, mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors and heat shock protein was increased by 2.38- and 1.39-fold, respectively, after exposure to KA which were attenuated by CF.
Conclusions: CF attenuated KA-induced IEGs and could be used as an adjunct in TLE.
Objectives: GABA and glutamate neurotransmission play critical roles in both the neurobiology of depression and cognition; and Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is reported to support brain health. The present study investigated the effect of VCO on depression-associated cognitive deficits in mice.
Methods: Thirty male mice divided into five groups were either exposed to chronic unpredicted mild stress (CUMS) protocol for 28 days or pre-treated with 3 mL/kg b. wt. of VCO for 21 days or post-treated with 3 mL/kg b. wt. of VCO for 21 days following 28 days of CUMS exposure. Mice were subjected to behavioural assessments for depressive-like behaviours and short-term memory, and thereafter euthanised. Hippocampal tissue was dissected from the harvested whole brain for biochemical and immunohistochemical evaluations.
Results: Our results showed that CUMS exposure produced depressive-like behaviours, cognitive deficits and altered hippocampal redox balance. However, treatment with VCO abrogated depression-associated cognitive impairment, and enhanced hippocampal antioxidant concentration. Furthermore, immunohistochemical evaluation revealed significant improvement in GABAA and mGluR1a immunoreactivity following treatment with VCO in the depressed mice.
Conclusions: Therefore, findings from this study support the dietary application of VCO to enhance neural resilience in patients with depression and related disorders.
Objectives: COVID-19 continues to range around the world and set morbidity and mortality antirecords. Determining the role of genetic factors in the development of COVID-19 may contribute to the understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms that lead to the development of complications and fatalities in this disease. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of TNF-α (rs1800629), IL-6 (rs1800795) and VDR (rs731236 and rs1544410) genes variants on the development risk and the course of COVID-19 in intensive care patients.
Methods: The study group included 31 patients with diagnosis "viral COVID-19 pneumonia". All patients underwent standard daily repeated clinical, instrumental and laboratory examinations. Determination of IL-6, TNF-α, and VDR genes variants was performed using the PCR-RFLP method.
Results: It was found a significant increase in the rate of the CC genotype and C allele (38.7 vs. 12.0% and 0.6 vs. 0.4%, respectively) of the IL-6 gene in all patients of the study in comparison with population frequencies. There was a significantly higher rate of heterozygous genotypes TC and GA of the VDR gene in group of died patients. The rs1800629 variant of the TNF-α gene is associated with the need for respiratory support and its longer duration in patients with COVID-19.
Conclusions: The obtained results support a hypothesis about the influence of variants of IL-6, TNF-α and VDR genes on severity of COVID-19. However, in order to draw definite conclusions, further multifaceted research in this area are need.
Objectives: Human cytochrome P450 3A4 is the most abundant hepatic and intestinal Phase I enzyme that metabolizes approximately 60% marketed drugs. Simultaneous administration of several drugs may result in appearance of drug-drug interaction. Due to the great interest in the combination therapy, the exploration of the role of drug as "perpetrator" or "victim" is important task in pharmacology. In this work the model systems based on electrochemically driven cytochrome P450 3A4 for the analysis of drug combinations was used. We have shown that the analysis of electrochemical parameters of cytochrome P450 3A4 and especially, potential of the start of catalysis, Eonset, possess predictive properties in the determination of the leading ("perpetrator") properties of drug. Based on these experimental data, we concluded, that the more positive potential of the start of catalysis, Eonset, the more pronounced the role of drug as leading medication.
Methods: Electrochemically driven cytochrome P450 3A4 was used as probe and measuring tool for the estimation of the role of interacting drugs.
Results: It is shown that the electrochemical non-invasive model systems for monitoring the catalytic activity of cytochrome P450 3A4 can be used as prognostic devise in assessment of drug/drug interacting medications.
Conclusions: Cytochrome P450 3A4 activity was studied in electrochemically driven system. Method was implemented to monitor drug/drug interactions. Based on the obtained experimental data, we can conclude that electrochemical parameter such as potential of onset of catalysis, Eonset, has predictive efficiency in assessment of drug/drug interacting medications in the case of the co-administration.
Objectives: ABCB1 gene polymorphisms can modify P-glycoprotein function with clinical consequences.
Methods: The 3435C>T polymorphism prevalence was analyzed using oligonucleotide probes and next-generation sequencing in 421 unrelated healthy individuals living in Cuba. Data were stratified by gender, ethnic background and residence. The genotype and allelic frequencies were determined.
Results: The genotype distribution met the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium assumption. The allelic frequency was 63.5% for the 3435C variant. The genotype frequencies were 41.1% for CC, 44.9% for CT and 14.0% for TT. The allele and genotype distributions differed between individuals living in La Habana and Santiago de Cuba (p<0.05) when ethnic background was analyzed. The allelic distribution was similar among Admixed and Black subjects, and they differed from Caucasians. The CC genotype was equally distributed among Admixed and Black subjects, and they differed from Caucasians. The TT genotype frequency differed between Caucasians and Admixed. The CT genotype was distributed differently among the three groups. Similar distribution was obtained in Brazilians, whereas some similarities were observed in African, Spanish and Chinese populations, consistent with the mixed Cuban ethnic origin.
Conclusions: This is the first report on allele and genotype frequencies of the 3435C>T polymorphism in Cuba, which may support personalized medicine programs.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of childbearing, which is defined by the accumulation of multiple, small fluid-filled ovarian cysts without the selection of a single dominant follicle. Most PCOS phenotypes are characterized by the absence of spontaneous ovulation, resistance toward ovulation inductors, the production of a large immature oocytes number, and the high prevalence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, resulting in reduced assisted reproductive technologies (ART) programs effectiveness. The review analyses current data about the relationship between polymorphism genotypes of KISS genes, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and their receptors genes, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), estrogen, and progesterone receptors genes, the PCOS risk and the features of ovarian response to stimulation during ART cycles. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as prognostic markers of ART programs outcomes would provide a personalized approach to the drugs and doses choice for ovarian stimulation and significantly increase the chance of pregnancy.