Angiogenic strategy for human ischemic heart disease: Brief overview

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine diseases. In UAE many traditional plants such as the Citrullus colocynthis (Handal) are used as antidiabetic remedies. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the aqueous extract of the seed of C. colocynthis on the biochemical parameters of normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal (60 mg/kg body wt1) injection of STZ. Normal and diabetic rats were fed with the plant extract daily by oral intubation for 2 weeks. Blood sample were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment for the measurement of biochemical parameters. The plasma level of alanine aminotranferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) increased significantly after the onset of diabetes. Oral administration of the plant extract reduced the plasma level of AST and LDH significantly. However, the plant extract failed to reduce the increased blood level of GGT and ALP in diabetic rats. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased significantly after the onset of diabetes. No significant difference was observed in the blood creatinine, K+, Na+, Ca2+ and P levels of normal and diabetic rats. The plant extract did not have any effect on BUN level, however, it caused an increase in the level of K+, Na+ in diabetic rats. In conclusion, oral administration of the aqueous extract of the C. colocynthis can ameliorate some of the toxic effects of streptozotocin.     

Cyclodextrin encapsulation to prevent the loss of l-menthol and its retention during drying

The taste and flavor of spray-dried powdered products are the most important quality factors. In the present study, molecular encapsulation in cyclodextrin was applied to prevent the loss of a hydrophobic flavor compound (l-menthol) during the drying of a droplet. beta-Cyclodextrin appeared to be a better encapsulant for menthol than alpha- and gamma-cyclodextrin. The retention of menthol increased with increasing concentration of both cyclodextrin and maltodextrin. A simple mathematical model is proposed for estimating the flavor retention. The theoretical results by this model estimated well the final retention of menthol encapsulated in a blend of beta-cyclodextrin and maltodextrin.     

Dual action of prostaglandin E2 on gastric acid secretion through different EP-receptor subtypes in the rat

We examined the role of prostaglandin E (EP) receptor subtypes in the regulation of gastric acid secretion in the rat. Under urethane anesthesia, the stomach was superfused with saline, and the acid secretion was determined at pH 7.0 by adding 50 mM NaOH. The acid secretion was stimulated by intravenous infusion of histamine or pentagastrin. Various EP agonists were administered intravenously, whereas EP antagonists were given subcutaneously 30 min or intravenously 10 min before EP agonists. PGE(2) suppressed the acid secretion stimulated by either histamine or pentagastrin in a dose-dependent manner. The acid inhibitory effect of PGE(2) was mimicked by sulprostone (EP(1)/EP(3) agonist) but not butaprost (EP(2) agonist) or AE1-329 (EP(4) agonist). The inhibitory effect of sulprostone, which was not affected by ONO-8711 (EP(1) antagonist), was more potent against pentagastrin- (50% inhibition dose: 3.6 mug/kg) than histamine-stimulated acid secretion (50% inhibition dose: 18.0 mug/kg). Pentagastrin increased the luminal release of histamine, and this response was also inhibited by sulprostone. On the other hand, AE1-329 (EP(4) agonist) stimulated the acid secretion in vagotomized animals with a significant increase in luminal histamine. This effect of AE1-329 was totally abolished by cimetidine as well as AE3-208 (EP(4) antagonist). These results suggest that PGE(2) has a dual effect on acid secretion: inhibition mediated by EP(3) receptors and stimulation through EP(4) receptors. The former effect may be brought about by suppression at both parietal and enterochromaffin-like cells, whereas the latter effect may be mediated by histamine released from enterochromaffin-like cells.     

Selective involvement of members of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E family in the infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by potyviruses

Arabidopsis thaliana plants with mutations in the genes encoding eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF4E) or isoform of eIF4E (eIF(iso)4E) were tested for susceptibility to Clover yellow vein virus (ClYVV), a member of the genus Potyvirus. ClYVV accumulated in both inoculated and upper uninoculated leaves of mutant plants lacking eIF(iso)4E, but not in mutant plants lacking eIF4E. In contrast, Turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), another member of the genus Potyvirus, multiplied in mutant plants lacking eIF4E but not in mutant plants lacking eIF(iso)4E. These results suggest the selective involvement of members of the eIF4E family in infection by potyviruses.     

Laser photolysis of carboxymethylated chitin derivatives in aqueous solution. Part 1. Formation of hydrated electron and a long-lived radical

Laser photolysis experiments on carboxymethylated chitin derivatives, such as carboxymethyl chitin (CM-chitin) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CM-chitosan), in aqueous solution by a 248 nm excimer laser were carried out for the first time. The transient absorption spectra of photolyzed CM-chitin or CM-chitosan solutions revealed a strong band with the maximum at 720 nm, which was assigned to the hydrated electron (eaq-). In the presence of argon, the eaq- decays by reacting with CM-chitin or CM-chitosan, and the rate constants are (6.1 +/- 0.1) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1) and (3.7 +/- 0.1) x 10(7) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. Long-lived radicals with relatively weak absorption intensity were detected in the near-UV region. The absorption band was not notably characteristic and showed only an increasing absorption toward shorter wavelengths. It is similar to the signal of *CM-chitin or *CM-chitosan macroradicals formed by the reaction of CM-chitin or CM-chitosan with an OH* radical. It was assigned to *CM-chitin- or *CM-chitosan- macroradicals formed by eaq- + CM-chitin or CM-chitosan reaction. CM-chitin aqueous solutions were further examined by pulse radiolysis in order to confirm the site of the long-lived radical.