NOPR Collection: Pages 661-740

Thickness and biopolymer coat standardization for culture of MCF7 cells on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface and off-chip retrieval of methacrylated gelatin gel from PDMS

2017-10-03T11:22:09Z

Title: Thickness and biopolymer coat standardization for culture of MCF7 cells on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) surface and off-chip retrieval of methacrylated gelatin gel from PDMS Authors: Aparnathi, Mansi K.; Patel, Jagdish S. Abstract: Poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) platforms can be molded into desirable shapes and patterns, thereby increasing their usefulness in developing architecturally well-defined tissue constructs. PDMS surface, being hydrophobic, needs a further coating of a biocompatible polymer to facilitate cell culture. In this study, we have reported a novel approach for coating capillary walls with PDMS. Further, we have compared the growth of cells on collagen and gelatin coated PDMS surfaces of varying thicknesses and PDMS coated capillaries. Therapeutic relevance of the cells cultured in defined patterns on PDMS platforms can be increased if they could be detached from the PDMS surface keeping the patterns intact. We tested the ability of a biocompatible methacrylated gelatin gel (GelMA) to be detached from PDMS surface. We have also demonstrated that GelMA can be pushed out of a PDMS coated glass capillary as intact cylindrical threads. This study is a breakthrough in extending the usability of PDMS platforms by exploiting the architectural flexibility of PDMS and the property of GelMA to get detached from PDMS. Page(s): 665-674

Effects of maternal exposure to antidepressant fluoxetine on humoral immunity in rat pups

2017-10-03T11:19:42Z

Title: Effects of maternal exposure to antidepressant fluoxetine on humoral immunity in rat pups Authors: Fernandes, Eduardo Vignoto; Ramos, Aline Camargo; Santos, Alice Hartmann dos; Gerardin, Daniela Cristina Cecatto; Venancio, Emerson José Abstract: Fluoxetine is a common drug for the treatment of depression. However, their effects on the development of the offspring are still poorly understood, especially in relation to the humoral immune response. In this study, we evaluated the antibody production of rat pups from female rats administered with fluoxetine during pregnancy and lactation. Pups of both control and fluoxetine groups were first weaned and after divided into 4 subgroups: male control; female control; male fluoxetine and female fluoxetine. The animals were administered subcutaneously with 50 μL of PBS solution containing 50 μg of chicken immunoglobulin Y (IgY) and 500 μg aluminium hydroxide on post-natal day 26 and 40. Blood collection was performed 7 days after each administration. The titres of IgM, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were determined by ELISA. Results were submitted to analysis of variance and the differences between averages were compared by Bonferroni post hoc test, P <0.05. The results showed increased production of IgG1 and IgG2a (anti-IgY) antibodies in animals exposed to fluoxetine. In relation to gender, an increase in the production of antibodies (IgG1) was seen only in females. The data obtained indicates that maternal exposure to fluoxetine can modulate the antibodies production in offspring. Page(s): 675-679

Antitumor potential of herbomineral formulation against breast cancer: Involvement of inflammation and oxidative stress

2017-10-03T11:16:08Z

Title: Antitumor potential of herbomineral formulation against breast cancer: Involvement of inflammation and oxidative stress Authors: Bakrania, Anita K; Nakka, Surender; Variya, Bhavesh C; Shah, Prabodh V; Patel, Snehal S Abstract: Breast cancer, the most frequently diagnosed cancer is a leading cause of death in females worldwide. Here, we evaluated the effect of herbomineral formulation [Cruel capsule (CC), an ayurvedic proprietary medicine] on DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis in rat. Fifty days postpartum female Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped into control, control treated with herbomineral formulation (30 mg/kg/day, p.o.), disease control, disease treated with herbomineral formulation (30mg/kg/day,p.o.). Breast cancer was induced by dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) (60 mg/kg, p.o). Animals were palpated twice weekly for the incidence and tumor size. After 48 h of last dose, blood was collected for estimations of LDH, GGT, C-RP & ESR. Animals were sacrificed and tumors isolated for histopathological examinations and antioxidant studies. Treatment with formulation showed significantly decreased LDH, GGT, CRP & ESR compared to disease control group. Histopathological examinations showed hyperplastic and well demarcated tubular inflammation which was improved by treatment with the formulation. Treatment also showed significant decrease in MDA and increase in GSH and SOD levels in breast homogenate as compared to the disease control group. From the present investigations, we can conclude that the herbomineral formulation (CC) inhibits the tumor progression and the mechanism for the chemopreventive potential of formulation may be due to its anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic and antioxidant potential. Page(s): 680-687

Wound healing activity of Celtis timorensis Span. (Cannabaceae) leaf extract in Wistar albino rats

2017-10-03T11:10:25Z

Title: Wound healing activity of Celtis timorensis Span. (Cannabaceae) leaf extract in Wistar albino rats Authors: Kumar, Prasanth M; Suba, V; Reddy, Rami B Abstract: Celtis timorensis Span. (Cannabaceae), commonly known as stink or stinking wood, has been traditionally used in the treatment of wounds and cuts by the Badagas living in Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. However, effects of this plant on wound healing have not yet been clearly elucidated. Here, we evaluated wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of C. timorensis leaves on rats using excision, incision and dead space wound models. The topical application was made in the case of excision and incision wound model whereas oral treatment was done with dead space wound model. Soframycin skin ointment and Vitamin E were used as standard drugs. The following differences were noted in the group of experimental animals which were treated with an extract of C. timorensis (5 and 10% topically, 200 and 400 mg/kg orally) when compared with the control: a high rate of wound contraction (P<0.01), high skin breaking strength (P<0.01), a significant increase in the granulation tissue weight (P<0.01) and hydroxyproline content (P<0.01). On day 16, the extract-treated animals (10% ointment) showed 95.76% reduction in the wound area compared to the controls which was 74.08%. Histological studies of granulation tissue obtained from the extract treated groups showed increased well organized bands of collagen, more fibroblasts and blood vessels when compared with the controls which showed inflammatory cells and decreased collagen fibres and fibroblasts. Enhanced wound contraction, increased skin breaking strength, hydroxyproline and histological findings suggest the use of C. timorensis for the management of wound healing. Page(s): 688-693