Cytotoxicity testing of beta-lactam antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sulfonamides in primary human keratinocyte cultures

Beneficial effects of sulfonamide‑based gallates on osteoblasts in vitro

Effective treatments for osteoporosis remain fairly elusive; however, studies have reported that antioxidants may aid in the maintenance of reactive oxygen species at a favorable level, in order to prevent osteoporosis. Gallic acid (GA) and its derivatives are potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agents that affect several biochemical and pharmacological pathways; however, GA is slightly cytotoxic and suppresses cell proliferation. The present study modified GA by the introduction of sulfonamide, in order to obtain a novel compound known as JEZ-C, and investigated its effects on osteoblasts by measuring cell proliferation, viability, morphology, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the expression of relevant osteoblast markers. Results indicated that JEZ-C may effectively promote osteoblast growth. JEZ-C increased ALP activity, upregulated the expression of osteogenic-related genes, including runt-related transcription factor 2, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin and alpha-1 type I collagen, thus indicating that JEZ-C enhances bone matrix production and mineralization. The recommended range of JEZ-C concentration is between 6.25×10⁻³ and 6.25×10⁻¹ µg/ml, within which cell growth was promoted compared with the control. Specifically, treatment with 6.25×10⁻² µg/ml JEZ-C is ideal. These findings may represent a novel approach to cell-based therapy for the treatment of osteoporosis.

Pain and quality of life for patients with venous leg ulcers: proof of concept of the efficacy of Biatain®-Ibu, a new pain reducing wound dressing

Wound pain is a serious problem for elderly patients suffering from chronic leg ulcers, and it may lead to reduced wound healing rates and reduced quality of life. Biatain-Ibu Non-adhesive (Coloplast A/S), a new pain-reducing moist wound healing dressing containing ibuprofen was tested for pain reduction, safety, and efficacy on 10+2 patients in a single-blinded crossover study against Biatain Non-adhesive (Coloplast A/S). Pain was measured with a Numeric Box Scale before, during, and after dressing change. Quality of life was measured using the World Health Organization-5 Well-Being Index. Dressing moist wound healing properties such as absorption capacity and leakage were tested together with assessment of wound exudate and blood plasma content of ibuprofen. Use of the Biatain-Ibu foam dressing correlated with a decrease in pain intensity scores from 7 in the run-in period to approximately 2.5 in the Biatain-Ibu treatment phase. Quality of life measures were improved which together with the reduced pain could contribute to faster wound healing. The moist wound healing properties of Biatain-Ibu were similar to that of the Biatain Non-adhesive and ulcer size was reduced by 24% during the treatment period. Neither side effects nor systemic plasma concentrations of ibuprofen were observed. These data indicate that Biatain-Ibu could reduce persistent and temporary wound pain, increase Quality of life, was found safe to use, and had excellent moist wound healing properties.