A novel model of early type 1 diabetes mellitus: The chick embryo air sack model

Baicalin administration could rescue high glucose-induced craniofacial skeleton malformation by regulating neural crest development

Hyperglycemia in pregnancy can increase the risk of congenital disorders, but little is known about craniofacial skeleton malformation and its corresponding medication. Our study first used meta-analysis to review the previous findings. Second, baicalin, an antioxidant, was chosen to counteract high glucose-induced craniofacial skeleton malformation. Its effectiveness was then tested by exposing chicken embryos to a combination of high glucose (HG, 50 mM) and 6 μM baicalin. Third, whole-mount immunofluorescence staining and in situ hybridization revealed that baicalin administration could reverse HG-inhibited neural crest cells (NCC) delamination and migration through upregulating the expression of Pax7 and Foxd3, and mitigate the disordered epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process by regulating corresponding adhesion molecules and transcription factors (i.e., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Cadherin 6B, Slug and Msx1). Finally, through bioinformatic analysis and cellular thermal shift assay, we identified the AKR1B1 gene as a potential target. In summary, these findings suggest that baicalin could be used as a therapeutic agent for high glucose-induced craniofacial skeleton malformation.

Observation of the neuroprotective efficacy of vitamin K in a streptozocin-induced diabetes model in chick embryos

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency and/or resistance. Vitamin K (VK) is a group of fat-soluble molecules, including naturally occurring vitamin K1 (phylloquinone). vitamin K2 (menaquinone), and synthetic vitamin K3 (menadione). Beyond coagulation, the health benefits of VK have been described to play different roles in both physiological and pathological processes such as inflammation, energy metabolism, neuroprotection, cellular growth, and survival. It was aimed to observe the antioxidant and/or neuroprotective activity of vitamin K1 in our model of chick embryo diabetic neuropathy (DN) induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Ninety White Leghorn, fertile and 0-day-old SPF (specific pathogen-free) eggs (57 ± 4 gr) were used in the study. Chick embryo blood brain tissues were taken for biochemical evaluation. Plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured. In addition, brain tissue total antioxidant level (TAS), total oxidant level (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were measured. Plasma glucose levels were higher in the STZ-treated groups and lower in the treatment groups. Plasma insulin levels were observed to be higher in STZ groups in groups treated with high VK. Low TAS, high MDA, TOS, and VEGF levels were recorded in brain tissue STZ groups. Low VEGF, TOS, and MDA levels were recorded in the group treated with the highest VK, while high TAS levels were observed. In our STZ-induced chick embryo diabetic neuropathy model, we observed that VK1 reduced oxidant damage by showing antioxidant properties or by modulating antioxidant enzymes.

CAM-Xenograft Model Provides Preclinical Evidence for the Applicability of [68Ga]Ga-Pentixafor in CRC Imaging

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Increased expression of CXCR4 has been associated with liver metastasis, disease progression, and shortened survival. Using in vitro cell binding studies and the in ovo model, we aimed to investigate the potential of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-Pentixafor, a radiotracer specifically targeting human CXCR4, for CRC imaging. Specific membrane binding and internalisation of [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-Pentixafor was shown for HT29 cells, but not for HCT116 cells. Accordingly, [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-Pentixafor accumulated specifically in CAM-xenografts derived from HT29 cells, but not in HCT116 xenografts, as determined by µPET/MRI. The CAM-grown xenografts were histologically characterised, demonstrating vascularisation of the graft, preserved expression of human CXCR4, and viability of the tumour cells within the grafts. In vivo viability was further confirmed by µPET/MRI measurements using 2-[¹⁸F]FDG as a surrogate for glucose metabolism. [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-Pentixafor µPET/MRI scans showed distinct radiotracer accumulation in the chick embryonal heart, liver, and kidneys, whereas 2-[¹⁸F]FDG uptake was predominantly found in the kidneys and joints of the chick embryos. Our findings suggest that [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-Pentixafor is an interesting novel radiotracer for CRC imaging that is worth further investigation. Moreover, this study further supports the suitability of the CAM-xenograft model for the initial preclinical evaluation of targeted radiopharmaceuticals.