Hepatoprotective effect of fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite in acute treatment of healthy rats

In our recent studies we have designed fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite (FNP/DOX) as the new drug nanocarrier. This research has demonstrated that this novel nanocomposite has had better implications on the liver tissue in vivo (Wistar rats treated intraperitoneally), than treatment based only on DOX. FNP/DOX has been characterised by DLS, TEM and AFM measurements which have shown that DOX loaded onto FNP did not influence fullerenol nanoparticle's size. FNP/DOX affected oxidative status in blood causing a significant decrease of catalase and SOD activity in comparison to DOX, implicating the reduction in oxidative stress. qRT-PCR results on the mRNA level of antioxidative enzymes (catalase and MnSOD) revealed that the effect of oxidative stress is significantly reduced by the treatment with FNP/DOX (p < .05). The ultrastructural analysis of the liver tissue has revealed that FNP/DOX nanocomposite generated considerably less damage in the liver tissue, than DOX applied at the same dose. Hence, our results have indicated that FNP, within FNP/DOX nanocomposite, exhibits protective effects to the liver tissue of the healthy rats.

Synergistic mitotoxicity of chloromethanes and fullerene C60 nanoaggregates in Daphnia magna midgut epithelial cells

Adsorption of non-polar compounds by suspended fullerene nanoaggregates (nC₆₀) may enhance their toxicity and affect the fate, transformation, and transport of non-polar compounds in the environment. The potential of stable fullerene nanoaggregates as contaminant carriers in aqueous systems and the influence of chloromethanes (trichloromethane and dichloromethane) were studied on the midgut epithelial cells of Daphnia magna by light and electron microscopy. The size and shape of fullerene nanoaggregates were observed and measured using dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and low vacuum scanning electron microscopy. The nC₆₀ in suspension appeared as a bulk of aggregates of irregular shape with a surface consisting of small clumps 20-30 nm in diameter. The presence of nC₆₀ aggregates was confirmed in midgut lumen and epithelial cells of D. magna. After in vivo acute exposure to chloromethane, light and electron microscopy revealed an extensive cytoplasmic vacuolization with disruption and loss of specific structures of D. magna midgut epithelium (mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, microvilli, peritrophic membrane) and increased appearance of necrotic cells. The degree of observed changes depended on the type of treatment: trichloromethane (TCM) induced the most notable changes, whereas fullerene nanoaggregates alone had no negative effects. Transmission electron microscopy also indicated increased lysosomal degradation and severe peroxidative damages of enterocyte mitochondria following combined exposure to chloromethane and fullerene nanoaggregates. In conclusion, the adsorption of chloromethane by fullerene nanoaggregates enhances their toxicity and induces peroxidative mitochondrial damage in midgut enterocytes.

Fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite mitigates acute oxidative stress and modulates apoptosis in myocardial tissue

Fullerenol (C₆₀(OH)₂₄) is present in aqueous solutions in the form of polyanion nanoparticles with particles' size distribution within the range from 15 to 42 nm. In this research it is assumed that these features could enable fullerenol nanoparticles (FNPs) to bind positively charged molecules like doxorubicin (DOX) and serve as drug carriers. Considering this, fullerenol/doxorubicin nanocomposite (FNP/DOX) is formed and characterized by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Measurements have shown that DOX did not significantly affect particle size (23 nm). It is also assumed that FNP/DOX could reduce the acute cardiotoxic effects of DOX in vivo (Wistar rats treated i.p.). In this study, quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction results have shown that treatment with DOX alone caused significant increase in mRNA levels of catalase (p < 0.05) enzyme indicating the presence of oxidative stress. This effect is significantly reduced by the treatment with FNP/DOX (p < 0.05). Furthermore, mRNA levels of antiapoptotic enzyme (Bcl-2) are significantly increased (p < 0.05) in all treated groups, particularly where FNP/DOX was applied, suggesting cell resistance to apoptosis. Moreover, ultrastructural analysis has shown the absence of myelin figures within the mitochondria in the heart tissue with FNP/DOX treatment, indicating reduction of oxidative stress. Hence, our results have implied that FNP/DOX is generally less harmful to the heart compared to DOX.

Association between body mass index and prevalence of multimorbidity: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To explore the prevalence of multimorbidity in Serbia according to sex and body mass index (BMI) categories, and to examine the association between BMI and multimorbidity. In addition, this study examined the relationships between the main demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the population (age, settlement, education) and multimorbidity.

STUDY DESIGN

Secondary analysis of data from the 2013 Serbian National Health Survey.

METHODS

This study analyzed data from 13,103 participants aged ≥20 years with BMI data. The associations between BMI, age, education and multimorbidity were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of multimorbidity was higher than the overall prevalence of a single disease (26.9% vs 20.7%). The proportion of participants who reported two or more chronic diseases increased with each BMI category in both sexes, reaching the highest values in obese category III. Odds ratios (ORs) for the prevalence in all morbidity groups increased gradually with BMI category, and the highest OR values were found in obese category III. Males of obese category III were seven times more likely to have multimorbidity [OR 7.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2-12.6] than males of normal weight, whereas females of obese category III were nine and a half times more likely to have multimorbidity (OR 9.5, 95% CI 4.0-22.4) than females of normal weight. In the multivariable analysis, age (both sexes), low and middle level of education (males), and rural settlement and low level of education (females) were found to be predictors of multimorbidity.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found positive associations between obesity and multimorbidity and between overweight and multimorbidity. Recognizing these associations is of great importance from both clinical and public health perspectives because this could lead to an integrated approach for patients.

Synthesis and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite/Fullerenol Nanocomposites

Fullerenols are polyhydroxylated, water soluble derivatives of fullerene C60, with potential application in medicine as diagnostic agents, antioxidants or nano drug carriers. This paper describes synthesis and physical characterization of a new nanocomposite hydroxyapatite/fullerenol. Surface of the nanocomposite hydroxyapatite/fullerenol is inhomogeneous with the diameter of the particles in the range from 100 nm to 350 nm. The ζ potential of this nanocomposite is ten times lower when compared to hydroxyapatite. Surface phosphate groups of hydroxyapatite are prone to forming hydrogen bonds, when in close contact with hydroxyl groups, which could lead to formation of hydrogen bonds between hydroxyapatite and hydroxyl groups of fullerenol. The surface of hydroxyapatite particles (-2.5 mV) was modified by fullerenol particles, as confirmed by the obtained ζ potential value of the nanocomposite biomaterial hydroxyapatite/fullerenol (-25.0 mV). Keywords: Hydroxyapatite, Fullerenol, Nanocomposite, Surface Analysis.