Journal of Applied Biomedicine, 2012 (vol. 10), issue 2
Original Research Article
Effect of shRNA mediated Smad4 gene silencing on the fibrosis of C2C12 myoblasts
Shiqiu Chen, Jiwu Chen, Shiyi Chen, Hongyun Li, Jia Jiang
J Appl Biomed 10:63-70, 2012 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-011-0023-2 
Our present study aimed to investigate the effect of lentiviral-mediated RNAi using short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting Smad4 on TGF-β1 induced fibrosis. shRNAs targeting Smad4 were designed and the most efficient shRNA was screened. This shRNA was introduced into a lentiviral vector which was used to infect C2C12 myoblasts, and then the Smad4 expression was detected. Cells were divided into: C2C12 cells group, TGF-β1 induction group, transfection group, and transfection after TGF-β1 induction group. C2C12 myoblasts were transfected with lentivirus carrying Smad4-shRNA and treated with TGF-β1 to induce the differentiation into myofibroblasts....
Pharmacokinetics of acetylcholinesterase reactivator K203 and consequent evaluation of low molecular weight antioxidants/markers of oxidative stress
Jana ®ďárová Karasová, Daniela Hnídková, Miroslav Pohanka, Kamil Musílek, Robert Peter Chilcott, Kamil Kuča
J Appl Biomed 10:71-78, 2012 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-011-0015-2
Oxime K203 is a new compound designed to be used as an acetylcholinesterase reactivator for the treatment of intoxication following exposure to tabun and certain pesticides. After intramuscular administration of a therapeutic (23 mg/kg) dose, the time-course of plasma concentrations of K203 in rats was determined by HPLC. Maximum concentrations were reached between 40 and 60 min (16.5±2.1 μg/ml in 40 min and 16.6±2.0 in 60 min, respectively) with the concentration being relatively constant during this period. There was no significant effect on the plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) during the administration...
The antioxidant N-acetylcysteine in vitro improves several functions of peritoneal leucocytes from old mice approaching their values to those of adult animals
Mónica De la Fuente, Angel Hernanz
J Appl Biomed 10:79-90, 2012 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-012-0005-z
The age-related deterioration of the function of immune cells, or immunosenescence, is based on oxidative stress (an imbalance between the levels of oxidants and antioxidant defences with an increase of the former). Accordingly, the ingestion of a diet supplemented with thiolic antioxidants such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, by aged subjects improved their leucocyte functions. The aim of the present study was to show if NAC improves in vitro several functions of leucocytes from chronologically old mice and if this antioxidant is able to bring the values of these functions to the levels of those of adult animals. Six concentrations...
Modulation of antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxidation products in diet-induced hypercholesterolemic rats fed ortanique peel polymethoxylated flavones extract
Curtis Omar Green, Andrew O'Brien Wheatley, Donovan Anthony McGrowder, Lowell Lloyd Dilworth, Helen Nosakhare Asemota
J Appl Biomed 10:91-101, 2012 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-011-0014-3
The primary aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ortanique peel polymethoxylated flavones extract (PMFort) on antioxidant enzymes activities and lipid peroxide levels in organs of hypercholesterolemic and normal rats. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were fed high cholesterol diets supplemented with 1.5% PMFort and niacin respectively for 49 days. Hypercholesterolemic rats fed PMFort had significant reductions in malondialdehyde levels in the liver and brain compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic control rats. This reduction also occurred in the brain of the rats fed niacin. The activities of catalase,...
The DNA chromatin condensation expressed by the image optical density of chromosomes and heterochromatin in proliferating single human leukemic granulocytic progenitors
Karel Smetana, Hana Klamová, Ilona Jirásková, Dana Mikulenková, Michal Zápotocký, Zbyněk Hrkal
J Appl Biomed 10:103-108, 2012 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-012-0007-x
The appearance of heterochromatin is generally accepted as a useful tool for the evaluation of the cell state including pathology; however, information on the heterochromatin DNA condensation state expressed by the image optical density in interphase nuclear regions and mitotic chromosomes with silent genes is very limited. Since human proliferating myeloblasts are a very convenient model, they were studied in the bone marrow of leukemic patients and established cell cultures using computer assisted image densitometry at the single cell level after heterochromatin visualization by a simple but sensitive cytochemical procedure for demonstration of DNA....
A cherry nutraceutical modulates melatonin, serotonin, corticosterone, and total antioxidant capacity levels: effect on ageing and chronotype
Jonathan Delgado, María Pilar Terrón, María Garrido, José Antonio Pariente, Carmen Barriga, Ana Beatriz Rodríguez, Sergio Damián Paredes
J Appl Biomed 10:109-117, 2012 | DOI: 10.2478/v10136-011-0016-1
Impaired daily rhythms in vertebrate physiology occur with age. Particularly, age-related changes in melatonin and serotonin rhythms and hypercortisolemia have been reported to be linked to age-related disorders. This study was aimed at assessing the effect of a Jerte Valley cherry-based nutraceutical product (patent no ES 2342141 B1), which contains high levels of tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin, on the serum melatonin, serotonin, corticosterone, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in young and old ring doves (Streptopelia risoria) and rats (Rattus norvegicus) as representatives of animals with diurnal and nocturnal habits,...