Pharmacological Reports最新文献

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) are pivotal in regulating vascular tone and integrity. Their dysregulation significantly contributes to the pathophysiology of cardiovascular ailments, including atherosclerosis, blood pressure, and vascular remodeling. Curcumin, a polyphenol with a natural origin in turmeric, exhibits promising therapeutic properties due to its remarkable anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiproliferative characteristics. This review aims to assess the effects of curcumin on vascular SMC behavior, encompassing its impact on proliferation, migration, phenotypic switching, and extracellular matrix remodeling. The underlying molecular mechanisms are highlighted, particularly curcumin's modulation of signaling pathways such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear transcription factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) signaling pathways, as well as its ability to decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokine generation. Furthermore, we evaluate the implications of the results for vascular health and disease, emphasizing curcumin's potential to prevent or mitigate atherosclerosis, restenosis, and hypertension. Despite promising preclinical evidence, challenges related to curcumin's bioavailability and clinical translation remain.

Background: Schizophrenia is a mental disorder with multifactorial etiology including positive, negative and cognitive symptoms. Nitric oxide (NO֗)-related biochemical pathways significantly contribute to the disease's pathophysiology and subsequent antipsychotic treatment. Recently, metabotropic glutamatergic (mGlu) or muscarinic (M) receptors have been considered as potent antipsychotics with the potential to reverse cognitive symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate how selected mGlu or muscarinic receptor ligands regulate the most important aspects of NO֗-related neurotransmission.

Methods: In this study, MK-801-the tool compound that induces schizophrenia-related changes-was used alone or with mGlu or muscarinic receptor ligands. Positive allosteric modulators (PAM) of mGlu₂ (LY487379), mGlu₅ (CDPPB), M₁ (VU0357017) and M₄ (VU0152100) receptors were administered. cGMP levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, nitrite and GLT-1 s-nitrosilation processes were investigated in mouse brain and plasma samples, while oxidative stress was measured in vitro with the use of mouse or human astrocytic cell lines.

Results: MK-801 did not change cGMP levels, while a decrease was observed in mice treated with VU0357017 or LY487379 in parallel. Increased SOD activity was observed in the cortex of MK-801-treated mice, and the compounds, with the exception of CDPPB, prevented this effect. The investigated compounds also prevented an MK-801-induced increase in plasma nitrite levels. GLT-1 protein was decreased after MK-801 treatment which was not evident in mice administered with muscarinic or mGlu ligands. GLT-1 S-nitrosilation was increased in all groups. In vitro studies revealed the potency of these compounds in counteracting MK-801-induced oxidative stress.

Conclusions: The present data confirm that both mGlu and muscarinic receptor ligands may exert antipsychotic effects through biochemical pathways regulated by NO֗, in particular by decreasing oxidative stress indicators.

Background: Alendronate (ALN), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (NBP), augments proinflammatory cytokine production by mouse macrophage-like cells incubated with ligands of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4. The present study investigated whether ALN augments the production of interferon (IFN)-β, which has anti-viral activity.

Methods: Mouse macrophage-like J774.1 cells were pretreated with or without ALN and then incubated with or without lipid A, a TLR4 ligand. Levels of secreted mouse IFN-β were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Expression of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-5, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), stimulator of interferon genes (STING), retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I), downstream of kinase (DOK) 3, caspase-11, Nur77, laminB1, and β-actin was analyzed by Western blot analysis. Cell viability was evaluated by measuring the reduction of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) to formazan by living cells.

Results: Pretreatment with ALN significantly augmented lipid A-induced IFN-β production and nuclear IRF-5 expression in J774.1 cells. In addition, treatment with ALN upregulated the expression of cGAS, RIG-I, and DOK3. Pretreatment of J774.1 cells with RU.521, a cGAS inhibitor, inhibited ALN-augmented IFN-β production, IRF-5 activation, and caspase-11 expression. Similar results were shown in the pretreatment of cells with another inhibitor, G140. RIG012, a RIG-I antagonist, also suppressed ALN-augmented lipid A-induced IFN-β production. Furthermore, pretreatment with ALN significantly upregulated lipid A-induced Nur77 expression, which was also inhibited by RU.521.

Conclusion: These results suggest that pretreatment with ALN augments lipid A-induced IFN-β production by J774.1 cells via the upregulation of cGAS expression.

Background: Polyphenols have garnered significant interest because of their potential health benefits, but their bioavailability is limited. According to recent studies, in vivo metabolites of phenol compounds may mediate their biological activity, potentially countering systemic oxidation and inflammation and therefore reducing multi-organ dysfunction associated with gut microbiota alterations. This pre-clinical study aims to characterize a novel formulation, enhancing metabolite bioavailability, ensuring long-term stability, and employing sustainable production methods. Our research provides the first evidence of the presence of these metabolites in the blood plasma of animals receiving different Bergamot polyphenols fraction (BPF) formulations.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley were used throughout the study. The animals were subdivided into three groups of six animals each receiving 50 mg/kg of BPF standard (BPF), 50 mg/kg of Bergamot polyphenols fraction micronized (BPFmicro), and 50 mg/kgof Bergamot polyphenols fraction encapsulation (BPFencap), respectively, by oral gavage. Blood samples were collected, and plasma was prepared with a specific protocol and analysed for the presence of primary and secondary metabolites through ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS).

Results: UHPLC-MS/MS analysis showed significantly higher plasma concentrations of naringin and its metabolites in the BPFencap group compared to the BPF standard and BPFmicro groups at all time points. In comparison to BPF, plasma Area Under Curve (AUC) analysis of metabolites revealed substantially elevated values for the BPFencap group and substantially reduced values for the BPFmicro group.

Conclusion: While BPFmicro greatly increased bioavailability, the improvement was only temporary, highlighting a stability problem. The bioavailability and stability of metabolites are significantly improved over time by the new BPFencap formulation (micronized BPF in hybrid phospholipid systems with citrus albedo fibers).

Background: Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the most commonly used agent for treating neutropenia and mobilizing hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) for transplantation. However, some patients do not respond effectively to the currently used mobilization protocols. To address this, new therapeutic approaches are needed. A potential strategy is pharmacological induction of endogenous mobilizing factors via cobalt protoporphyrin IX (CoPP). CoPP mobilizes HSCs and granulocytes by increasing endogenous G-CSF, though optimal dosing and potential side effects remain unclear. Our study aimed to optimize CoPP dosing and timing, and assess its safety in mobilizing cells from bone marrow to blood.

Methods: Mice were treated with different doses of CoPP, and blood cell counts, cytokine concentrations, and organ damage markers were evaluated at various time points after injection.

Results: Our results show that CoPP exerts a dose-dependent mobilizing effect, with the highest G-CSF levels and number of mobilized leukocytes observed in mice treated with 10 mg/kg of CoPP. While there were no severe adverse effects, there were mild fluctuations in markers of organ function, including a reduction in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and glucose levels during the five days of administration. Additionally, although most parameters normalized within 30 days, the decrease in BUN persisted. Mice experienced short-term weight loss following CoPP administration, but they regained their initial weight within two weeks.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CoPP mobilizes cells from the bone marrow to the blood in a dose-dependent manner, with mild side effects, including temporary changes in biochemical markers and a sustained reduction in BUN levels.

Background: The use of immune-modifying biological agents has markedly changed the clinical course and the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Active post-marketing surveillance programs are essential for the early recognition of both expected and unexpected adverse events (AEs), providing a powerful tool for better defining the safety profiles of biologics in a real-world setting.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with IBDs and treated with biologic drugs at two gastroenterology units in Calabria, Italy, were monitored during the period from 2023 to 2024. AEs and drug switches or swaps were recorded. The primary objective was to assess the safety profile of biological therapies in real-world practice, as measured by the occurrence of AEs. Secondary objectives focused on assessing treatment effectiveness by monitoring rates of therapeutic ineffectiveness and rigorously analyzing necessary modifications to therapy (swaps/switches) in response to treatment failure.

Results: A total of 214 patients were enrolled, including 85 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 120 with ulcerative colitis (UC). Among biologics, vedolizumab (VDZ) was the most prescribed drug (50.3%), followed by ustekinumab (UST, 33.6%). Among biosimilars, infliximab (IFX) was the most administered (70%), followed by adalimumab (ADA) (63.3%). 96 patients experienced AEs, though no serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported. The highest number of AEs was reported with VDZ (n = 31; 32.3%), followed by IFX (n = 22, 23.0%), ADA and UST (n = 17, 17.7%), and golimumab (GOL) (n = 7; 7.3%). The biological drugs associated with the fewest AEs were upadacitinib (UPA) and tofacitinib (TFC) (n = 1; 1.0%).

Conclusions: This study confirms the importance of pharmacovigilance in monitoring the safety of biologics in IBDs. The results offer useful insights into the actual use of monoclonals in gastroenterology and support more targeted prescribing.

Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is a central nervous system stimulant that is approved and widely used for the treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. It acts primarily by inhibiting the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, thereby enhancing synaptic concentrations of these neurotransmitters and improving attention, impulse control, and wakefulness. Despite its well-established therapeutic efficacy, MPH is associated with a complex safety profile that necessitates careful consideration, particularly in long-term use and in populations with preexisting health conditions. Cardiovascular risks, including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and, in rare cases, serious adverse events such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death, have been reported. Psychiatric adverse effects, including anxiety, agitation, psychotic symptoms, and exacerbation of preexisting mood disorders, also warrant close monitoring. Additionally, MPH has the potential for misuse, abuse, and dependence, particularly due to its dopaminergic effects, which can contribute to reinforcement and addiction-related behaviors. This review synthesizes current evidence on the safety of MPH, with a focus on its impact on cardiovascular and psychiatric health, and addiction potential. Special attention is given to vulnerable populations, including children, adolescents, individuals with comorbid psychiatric or cardiovascular conditions, and those with a history of substance use disorders. Furthermore, sex and gender influence health outcomes, for MPH healthcare strategies have been addressed. Given these concerns, the necessity for rigorous patient monitoring, individualized risk assessment, and adherence to prescribing guidelines is emphasized to optimize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing risks. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

Out of several types of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS), glioblastoma (GBM) represents one of the most frequent and malignant forms of brain neoplasms. To date, GBM holds very limited therapeutic options leaving patients with poor prognosis of survival. As such, novel treatment approaches are constantly quested. One of these strategies is based on the utilization of proteasome inhibitors (PIs). However, although several PIs have been approved as therapy for patients with hematological malignancies, these treatment benefits cannot not be easily extrapolated to brain tumors. This is mostly due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) impermeability of the majority of PIs, which is then followed by their low brain bioavailability. Marizomib (MZB) is a unique, irreversible, second-generation proteasome inhibitor, which unlike other PIs can penetrate through the BBB, making it a promising therapeutic tool in brain tumors. Despite an indisputable therapeutic potential of MZB, it has yet failed to be successfully introduced to the clinics as a ready-to-use chemotherapy for GBM-suffering patients. Therefore, in this work we describe the potential of PIs as candidates for neuro-oncological drugs, present results of preclinical and clinical investigations concerning MZB in brain tumors, discuss possible reasons of failure of MZB-based therapies and delineate future directions of MZB-related studies.

Background: C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mouse strains differ markedly in behavioral responses to acute and chronic morphine administration. Some of these disparities might be underlain by and/or correlated with different expression of the opioid propeptide genes Pdyn and Penk. The objective of our study was to characterize the influence of morphine on Pdyn and Penk expression in substance abuse-related forebrain regions of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice.

Methods: Pdyn and Penk mRNA levels were measured using in situ hybridization after acute or chronic morphine administration, and during 24-48-h withdrawal.

Results: Pdyn and Penk gene expression was increased after chronic morphine and throughout withdrawal in all investigated brain regions. The changes were strain-specific in the central amygdaloid nucleus (CeA), where both genes were upregulated exclusively in C57BL/6 mice. The effect of morphine on Penk and Pdyn mRNA levels in the NAc core and shell did not significantly differ between the strains. However, trends within the data suggest greater upregulation of Pdyn in DBA/2 mice and of Penk in C57BL/6 mice. No such trends were observed in the dorsal striatum.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that Penk-expressing neurons of the CeA, which are critical for some withdrawal symptoms, adapt differently to chronic morphine in C57BL/6 vs. DBA/2 mice. We discuss how this may correspond to the inter-strain disparity in the opioid withdrawal syndrome intensity. We also analyze possible causes and consequences of the presumed inter-strain differences in morphine effects within the NAc.

Background: The skin is a pivotal organ that serves as a physical barrier, protecting the body from harmful substances such as pathogens, allergens, and other environmental irritants. Chronic inflammation in the skin, along with the anthropogenic effects, can cause reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction. Prolonged exposure to elevated ROS levels and inadequate antioxidant defenses in the skin can contribute to the onset of various skin disorders. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf-2) signaling pathway plays a key role in enhancing antioxidant capacity by promoting the production of antioxidant and detoxifying molecules. Consequently, pharmacological activation of the Nrf-2 pathway may help restore the oxidant-antioxidant balance, thereby improving therapeutic outcomes for chronic skin disorders. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of novel agent: (5-((4-(4-(methoxycarbonyl)-2-oxopyrrolidin-1-yl)phenyl)carbamoyl)benzene-1,2,3-triyl triacetate (LN-53), synthesized based on the structure of previously developed by our team lead compound SK-119, on Nrf-2 signaling pathway in human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) at mRNA and protein level.

Methods: The cytotoxicity of LN-53 was evaluated by MTT, LDH, live/dead cell staining, and caspase-3,-8,-9 multiplex activity assays. Intracellular ROS production was assessed by DCFH-DA staining. The Nrf-2 gene was silenced by transient transfection using human Nrf-2 siRNA. Nrf-2 and related factors (heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase: quinone-1 (NQO1)) were evaluated at the mRNA level by qPCR and protein level in nuclear and cytosolic fractions by Nrf-2 activation assay and Western blot. The levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) in supernatants were determined by ELISA.

Results: Our results indicate that LN-53 effectively reduces intracellular ROS production triggered by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), without leading to any noticeable cell damage. It promoted the nuclear translocation of Nrf-2 and induced the production of Nrf-2, HO-1, and NQO1 at both the mRNA and protein levels. LN-53-mediated alterations in antioxidant gene expressions were blocked by Nrf-2 knockdown. LN-53 treatment also suppressed the release of IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines mediated by TBHP exposure. Additionally, novel compound LN-53 was found to be more stable than the parent compound SK-119.

Conclusion: LN-53 can effectively induce antioxidant mechanisms by promoting Nrf-2 nuclear translocation and suppressing ROS production in human epidermal keratinocytes. These data may suggest that LN-53 can contribute to maintaining redox balance and homeostasis in the skin.