Putative therapeutic impacts of cardiac CTRP9 in ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Recently, cytokines belonging to C1q/tumour necrosis factor‐related proteins (CTRPs) superfamily have attracted increasing attention due to multiple metabolic functions and desirable anti‐inflammatory effects. These various molecular effectors exhibit key roles upon the onset of cardiovascular diseases, making them novel adipo/cardiokines. This review article aimed to highlight recent findings correlated with therapeutic effects and additional mechanisms specific to the CTRP9, particularly in cardiac ischaemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). Besides, the network of the CTPR9 signalling pathway and its possible relationship with IRI were discussed. Together, the discovery of all involved underlying mechanisms could shed light to alleviate the pathological sequelae after the occurrence of IRI.     

The effect of N-Acetyl cysteine on the expression of Fxr (Nr1h4), LXRα (Nr1h3) and Sirt1 genes,oxidative stress,and apoptosis in the liver of rats exposed to different doses of cadmium

Molecular Biology Reports - The aim of this study was to consider the expression of farnesoid X receptor (Fxr), liver X receptor (LXRα) and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), oxidative stress, inflammation,...     

Highly efficient Brønsted acidic ionic liquid-based catalysts for biodiesel synthesis from vegetable oils

Biodiesel has been produced by transesterification of canola oil with methanol in the presence of highly Br?nsted acidic ionic liquids based on 1-benzyl-1H-benzimidazole, and the effect of reaction temperature, type and amount of catalyst, molar ratio and reaction time investigated. The results show that the 4B ionic liquid has the highest catalytic activity and best recyclability under the optimised reaction conditions. Thus, this ionic liquid is able to catalyze the transesterification of canola oil to its methyl esters in 5 h with yields of more than 95%. Density functional calculations (B3LYP), using the 6-311G basis set, have been performed to have a better understanding on the reactivity of these catalysts. The catalytic activity of 4B for the transesterification of other vegetable oils and alcohols has also been studied.     

Genotype Directed Therapy in Murine Mismatch Repair Deficient Tumors

The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway has frequently been found activated in human tumors. We show that in addition to Wnt signaling dysfunction, the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is often upregulated in mouse Msh2^−/− initiated intestinal tumors. NVP-BEZ235 is a dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor toxic to many cancer cell lines and currently involved in clinical trials. We have treated two mouse models involving Msh2 that develop small intestinal and/or colonic tumors with NVP-BEZ235, and a subset of animals with NVP-BEZ235 and MEK inhibitor ADZ4266. The disease phenotype has been followed with pathology, ¹⁸F FDG PET imaging, and endoscopy. Intestinal adenocarcinomas are significantly decreased in multiplicity by both drug regimens. The majority of tumors treated with combined therapy regress significantly, while a small number of highly progressed tumors persist. We have examined PTEN, AKT, MEK 1&2, MAPK, S6K, mTOR, PDPK1, and Cyclin D1 and find variable alterations that include downregulation of PTEN, upregulation of AKT and changes in its phosphorylated forms, upregulation of pMEK 1&2, p42p44MAPK, pS6K, and Cyclin D1. Apoptosis has been found intact in some tumors and not in others. Our data indicate that NVP-BEZ235 alone and in combination with ADZ4266 are effective in treating a proportion of colorectal cancers, but that highly progressed resistant tumors grow in the presence of the drugs. Pathways upregulated in some resistant tumors also include PDPK1, suggesting that metabolic inhibitors may also be useful in treating these tumors.     

Finasteride induced depression: a prospective study

Background  

Finasteride is a competitive inhibitor of 5 alpha-reductase enzyme, and is used for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenetic alopecia. Animal studies have shown that finasteride might induce behavioral changes. Additionally, some cases of finasteride-induced depression have been reported in humans. The purpose of this study was to examine whether depressive symptoms or anxiety might be induced by finasteride administration.