Crucial role of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) in cold-restraint stress-induced gastric lesions in mice

Core-binding factor acute myeloid leukemia: Heterogeneity, monitoring, and therapy

Core binding factor acute myelogenous leukemia (CBF AML) constitutes 15% of adult AML and carries an overall good prognosis. CBF AML encodes two recurrent cytogentic abnormalities referred to as t(8;21) and inv (16). The two CBF AML entities are usually grouped together but there is a considerable clinical, pathologic and molecular heterogeneity within this group of diseases. Recent and ongoing studies are addressing the molecular heterogeneity, minimal residual disease and targeted therapies to improve the outcome of CBF AML. In this article, we present a comprehensive review about CBF AML with emphasis on molecular heterogeneity and new therapeutic options.

The protective of hydrogen on stress-induced gastric ulceration. Int Immunopharmacol. 2012;13:197-203. [PMID: 22543062 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2012.04.004]

Stress ulceration frequently occurs as a result of major stressful events and hydroxyl radical (⋅OH) is one of the major causative factors for it. Recently, it has been proved that hydrogen, a potent selectively ⋅OH scavenger, can effectively protect animals against ROS-induced tissue damage. In like manner, we hypothesize that hydrogen may have a protective effect against stress ulceration. Gastric ulceration was induced by the method of cold restraint stress. Rats in the hydrogen treatment group received hydrogen-rich saline (10 mL/kg body weight) 5 min before the stress. At 6h post-stress, gastric corpus mucosa was harvested for the measurement of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, 8-hydroxy-desoxyguanosine, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, myeloperoxidase, TNF-α, IL-1β and cytokine-induced neutrophils chemoattractant-1. In addition, western blotting was used to determine the expression of p38 MAPK, P-p38 MAPK, P-JNk, JNK, Bcl-xl, Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Nuclear translocation of NF-κB was assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Gastric mucosa structure and mucosal epithelial cells apoptosis were measured at 12h post-stress. Our present study showed that hydrogen treatment lessened the stress-induced lipid peroxidation, protein carbonyl and DNA oxidant and improved tissue antioxidant potential. In addition, hydrogen mitigated inflammatory response and neutrophils infiltration with suppressing the activity of P-p38 MAPK, P-JNk and NF-κB. Importantly, hydrogen ameliorated gastric mucosa damage with preventing cell apoptosis. Furthermore, the up-regulation of cleaved caspase-3, Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-xl expression were blocked by hydrogen treatment. In conclusion, hydrogen treatment effectively ameliorated stress-associated gastric mucosa damage via its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.

Synbiotic (probiotic and ginger extract) loaded floating beads: a novel therapeutic option in an experimental paradigm of gastric ulcer

OBJECTIVE

This study investigated the use of a bioactive phytochemical, namely ginger extract (GE), for its antioxidant and antiulcer effects, and also for supporting probiotic growth and activity. Use of probiotics is limited in therapy because of their transience and inability to survive the adverse physiological conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Packaging probiotics in a suitably designed pharmaceutical system with GE may facilitate their establishment in the stomach mucosa.

METHODS

A probiotic (Lactobacillus acidophilus) and GE were simultaneously and individually encapsulated/immobilized in alginate floating beads. The developed system was evaluated for diameter, buoyancy, entrapment, porosity, in-vitro viability/release and pharmacodynamics in a cold restraint stress induced gastric ulcer model in rats.

KEY FINDING

The developed floating beads stayed in the stomach for more than 10 h and both agents were released slowly and over a prolonged period from these beads. Significant and promising results were obtained for the combination (synbiotic) system in terms of ulcer index, mucus secretion, oxidative stress and histopathological parameters, as compared with the individual agents. The developed system could completely revert the damage induced in ulcerated stomachs at physiological (ulcer index and mucus secretion), biochemical (oxidative stress) and histological levels.

CONCLUSION

This study establishes that suitable packaging of GE and Lactobacillus acidophilus together in floating beads can help exploit their prospects as therapeutic curative agents rather than potential preventive agents.

Development and evaluation of a gastro-retentive delivery system for improved antiulcer activity of ginger extract (Zingiber officinale)

Aim was to develop and optimize multiunit gastro-retentive floating beads (FBs) intended for localized and prolonged release of ginger for treating gastric ulcers. Protective effect of ginger extract (GE) against ulcer is well documented, but therapeutic use is compromised due to poor bioavailability and physicochemical properties. GE was only slightly soluble (3.19 ± 0.38 mg/ml) in simulated gastric fluid (SGF; pH 1.2). The solubility decreased in water to 0.69 ± 0.03 mg/ml and further by 26% in the presence of calcium carbonate (0.5% w/v). We prepared FBs of GE using calcium carbonate and sodium alginate in different proportions. Beads were evaluated for diameter, buoyancy, entrapment, and porosity. In vitro dissolution showed a Fickian release with a cumulative release of >80% at 24 h. Preclinical evaluation was done in cold-restraint stress induced gastric ulcers, in albino rats, in terms of (i) ulcer index, hemorrhagic streaks (l), mucus content, (ii) oxido-nitrosative stress, and (iii) histopathology. GE loaded FBs (200 mg/kg) were significantly better than free GE and better/equivalent to cimetidine (10 mg/kg). The system was evaluated for therapeutic effect (curative), i.e. after the induction of ulcers. Most of the natural phytochemical or antioxidants show pretreatment effectiveness. We, however, developed and established GE FBs for sustained curative effect.

Entrapment of Lactobacillus acidophilus into alginate beads for the effective treatment of cold restraint stress induced gastric ulcer

Lactobacillus acidophilus (LAB) loaded alginate floating beads (FBs) were developed with an intent to (i) preserve their viability during manufacture and upon exposure to adverse physiological conditions existing in the stomach, (ii) achieve an increased stay of the system in the stomach for improved pharmacodynamics and to provide for their effective establishment within the gastric mucosa. In vitro characterization of developed beads was performed in terms of entrapment efficiency, buoyancy, and surface as well as cross sectional morphology and viability studies of LAB in a gastric environment. The developed system was evaluated and was found to be significantly better in an experimental model of cold restraint stress (CRS) induced gastric ulcer model in terms of ulcer index, hemorrhagic streak length, histopathological and biochemical markers and their cross talk with reactive oxygen/nitrogen species. The present study emphasizes the advantages and future potential of probiotic loaded FBs in gastric disorders.