Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Bryostatin-1 Activates α-Secretase and PKC Isoforms In vitro and Facilitates Acquisition and Retention of Spatial Learning in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) animal models have revealed neuroprotective actions of Bryostatin-1 mediated by activation of novel PKC isoforms, suppression of beta-amyloid and downregulation of inflammatory and angiogenic events, making Bryostatin-1 an attractive candidate for attenuating AD-associated neural, vascular, and cognitive disturbances.

OBJECTIVE

To further enhance Bryostatin-1 efficacy, nanoparticle-encapsulated Bryostatin-1 formulations were prepared.

METHODS

We compared nano-encapsulated and unmodified Bryostatin-1 in in vitro models of neuronal PKC-d, PKC-e isoforms, α-secretase and studied nano-encapsulated Bryostatin-1 in an AD mouse model of spatial memory (BC3-Tg (APPswe, PSEN1 dE9) 85Dbo/J mice).

RESULTS

We found that nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 formulations displayed activity greater or equal to that of unmodified Bryostatin-1 in PKC-δ and -ε and α-secretase activation assays. We next evaluated how treatment with a nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 formulation facilitated spatial learning in the Morris water maze. AD transgenic mice (6.5 to 8 months of age) were treated with nanoparticle encapsulated Bryostatin-1 formulation (1, 2.5, or 5 μg/mouse) three times the week before testing and then daily for each of the 5 days of testing. Across the acquisition phase, mice treated with nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 had shorter latencies, increased % time in the target zone and decreased % time in the opposite quadrant. The mice were given retention testing after a 2-week period without drug treatment. Mice treated with nanoencapsulated Bryostatin-1 had shorter latencies to find the escape platform, indicating retention of spatial memory.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that cognitive deficits associated with AD could be treated using highly potent nanoparticle-encapsulated formulations of Bryostatin-1.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Sodium Saccharin, Caffeine, Aspartame, and Sodium Benzoate in Cola Beverages

A rapid method has been developed for the determination of sodium saccharin, caffeine, aspartame, and sodium benzoate in cola beverages. The sample is degassed, diluted in water, and injected onto a C18 column. The mobile phase consists of 15% acetonitrile in triethylammonium phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 4.3 with NaOH. The total run time is less than 10 min and the active compounds are determined using absorbance detection at 214 nm.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Total Niacin in Beef, Semolina, and Cottage Cheese

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A rapid method has been developed for the determination of miconazole nitrate in creams and suppositories. The sample is dissolved in ethanol, diluted in acetonitrile-water (1 + 1), and injected onto a C18 column. The mobile phase consists of 55% acetonitrile, a triethylammonium phosphate buffer, and an ion-pairing agent. The total run time is less than 4 min, and the active ingredient is determined using absorbance detection at 214 nm. The mean recovery of miconazole from spiked placebo samples was 99.7 +/- 0.7% for the cream samples at the 2% level and 98.8 +/- 0.3% for the suppository samples at the 4% level.

Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Miconazole Nitrate in Creams and Suppositories

A rapid method has been developed for the determination of miconazole nitrate in creams and suppositories. The sample is dissolved in ethanol, diluted in acetonitrile-water (1 + 1), and injected onto a C18 column. The mobile phase consists of 55% acetonitrile, a triethylammonium phosphate buffer, and an ion-pairing agent. The total run time is less than 4 min, and the active ingredient is determined using absorbance detection at 214 nm. The mean recovery of miconazole from spiked placebo samples was 99.7 ± 0.7% for the cream samples at the 2% level and 98.8 ± 0.3% for the suppository samples at the 4% level.

Liquid chromatographic determination of sodium saccharin, caffeine, aspartame, and sodium benzoate in cola beverages

A rapid method has been developed for the determination of sodium saccharin, caffeine, aspartame, and sodium benzoate in cola beverages. The sample is degassed, diluted in water, and injected onto a C18 column. The mobile phase consists of 15% acetonitrile in triethylammonium phosphate buffer adjusted to pH 4.3 with NaOH. The total run time is less than 10 min and the active compounds are determined using absorbance detection at 214 nm.