The Safety and Effectiveness of Decapeptide in Patients With Vitiligo: A Real-World Study

Background Vitiligo, a chronic autoimmune depigmenting skin disease, affects a significant portion of the global population. One of the topical treatment options for vitiligo is basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-related decapeptide (bFGFrP) 0.1% solution. This study aimed to assess the real-world effectiveness and safety of decapeptide in treating vitiligo. Methods This retrospective analysis utilized data collected from routine clinical practice in the management of vitiligo, focusing on patients treated with topical decapeptide lotion (Melgain™, manufactured by Zydus Healthcare Ltd., Ahmedabad, India). The primary outcome measures included the extent of re-pigmentation (EOR) and the grade of re-pigmentation (GOR) assessed at each follow-up visit. Results The analysis included data from 65 patients (24 males and 41 females) with an average age of 30.83 years. Segmental vitiligo was present in 52.31% of cases, with the face being the most commonly affected site. Among the patients, 33 received decapeptide as monotherapy, while 32 received decapeptide alongside adjuvant drug/phototherapy. The mean duration of treatment was five months. The first, second, and final follow-ups were observed to be at a mean of 45 days, two months, and five months, respectively. During the second and final follow-up, a significant response (>75% re-pigmentation) was observed in 12% (eight) and 71% (46) of the patients. A mild response (<50% re-pigmentation) was noted in 45% (29) of the patients during the first follow-up visit, 15% (10) during the second follow-up visit, and 6% (four) during the final follow-up visit. Grade 6 and 7 re-pigmentation occurred in a higher number of patients at the final visit, indicating treatment effectiveness. Overall, nearly all patients (96.92%) reported excellent tolerability of the decapeptide lotion based on the global assessment of tolerability. Conclusion This real-world study demonstrates that decapeptide promotes re-pigmentation and improves patient outcomes in vitiligo. Both decapeptide regimens, as monotherapy or in combination with other therapies, were effective and well tolerated by most patients. Thus, decapeptide represents a safe and effective therapeutic option for vitiligo treatment.

Structural characteristics and improved in vitro hepatoprotective activities of Maillard reaction products of decapeptide IVTNWDDMEK and ribose

Here, a novel decapeptide IVTNWDDMEK with Maillard reactivity derived from scallop Chlamys farreri mantle was identified. The structural characteristics and in vitro hepatoprotective effects of IVTNWDDMEK conjugated with ribose were further investigated. The changes in decapeptide structures were determined by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and the modification sites induced by Maillard reaction of IVTNWDDMEK and ribose were monitored by high performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Maillard reaction products (MRPs) of IVTNWDDMEK-ribose demonstrate hepatoprotective benefits through the suppression of DNA damage and apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in human HepG2 cells in addition to enhancing the antioxidant activities. Moreover, after treatment with decapeptide-ribose MRPs, the activities of cellular antioxidative enzymes, such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and glutathione reductase (GSH-Rx) were remarkably increased, while the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was decreased compared with H₂ O₂ ^- treated group, thereby enhancing the intracellular antioxidant defenses. These findings demonstrate the potential utilization of decapeptide IVTNWDDMEK-ribose MRPs as food antioxidants to suppress oxidative damage. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: In recent years, several food-derived bioactive peptides and their derivatives are regarded as good dietary antioxidants for reducing oxidative stress and improving liver function. Here, a novel Maillard reactive decapeptide IVTNWDDMEK, identified from scallop mantle hydrolysates by peptidomics in the previous study was synthesized. Then, the correlation between intercellular antioxidant activities and chemical structure changes of IVTNWDDMEK-ribose Maillard reaction conjugates was further studied. The preferable hepatoprotective activities of decapeptide IVTNWDDMEK-ribose MRPs indicated that these MRPs could be potentially utilized as food antioxidants or additives in the production of nutritional foods.

Human estrogen sulfotransferase and its related fluorescently labeled decapeptides specifically interact with oxidized low-density lipoprotein

Estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E) mainly catalyzes the sulfation of estrogens, which are known to prevent the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Recently, we found that peptides with a YKDG sequence specifically bind to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), which plays a major role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Here, we investigated the interaction between human SULT1E1 (hSULT1E1), which has a YKEG sequence (residues 61-64) unlike other human SULTs, and Ox-LDL. Results from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blotting demonstrated that hSULT1E1 specifically binds to Ox-LDL and its major lipid component (lysophosphatidylcholine; LPC), and platelet-activating factor (PAF), which bears a marked resemblance to LPC in terms of structure and activity. Moreover, an N-terminally fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled decapeptide (MIYKEGDVEK; FITC-hSULT1E1-P10) corresponding to residues 59-68 of hSULT1E1 specifically binds to Ox-LDL, LPC, and PAF. Unveiling the specific interaction between hSULT1E1 and Ox-LDL, LPC, and PAF provides important information regarding the mechanisms underlying various diseases caused by Ox-LDL, LPC, and PAF, such as atherosclerosis. In addition, FITC-hSULT1E1-P10 could be used as an efficient fluorescent probe for the detection of Ox-LDL, LPC, and PAF, which could facilitate the mechanistic study, identification, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of atherosclerosis.

Anti-Proliferation Activity of a Decapeptide from Perinereies aibuhitensis toward Human Lung Cancer H1299 Cells

Perinereis aibuhitensis peptide (PAP) is a decapeptide (Ile-Glu-Pro-Gly-Thr-Val-Gly-Met-Met-Phe, IEPGTVGMMF) with anticancer activity that was purified from an enzymatic hydrolysate of Perinereis aibuhitensis. In the present study, the anticancer effect of PAP on H1299 cell proliferation was investigated. Our results showed that PAP promoted apoptosis and inhibited the proliferation of H1299 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. When the PAP concentration reached 0.92 mM, more than 95% of treated cells died after 72 h of treatment. Changes in cell morphology were further analyzed using an inverted microscope and AO/EB staining and flow cytometry was adopted for detecting apoptosis and cell cycle phase. The results showed that the early and late apoptosis rates of H1299 cells increased significantly after treatment with PAP and the total apoptosis rate was significantly higher than that of the control group. Moreover, after treatment with PAP, the number of cells in the S phase of cells was significantly reduced and the ability for the cells to proliferate was also reduced. H1299 cells were arrested in the G2/M phase and cell cycle progression was inhibited. Furthermore, the results of western blotting showed that nm23-H1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels decreased in a dose-dependent manner, while the pro-apoptotic protein and anti-apoptotic protein ratios and the level of apoptosis-related caspase protein increased in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, our results indicated that PAP, as a natural marine bioactive substance, inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of human lung cancer H1299 cells. PAP is likely to be exploited as the functional food or adjuvant that may be used for prevention or treatment of human non-small cell lung cancer in the future.

Decapeptide functionalized targeted mesoporous silica nanoparticles with doxorubicin exhibit enhanced apoptotic effect in breast and prostate cancer cells

BACKGROUND

Considering the increase in cancer cases and number of deaths per year worldwide, development of potential therapeutics is imperative. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are among the potential nanocarriers having unique properties for drug delivery. Doxorubicin (DOX), being the most commonly used drug, can be efficiently delivered to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-overexpressing cancer cells using functionalized MSNPs.

AIM

We report the development of decapeptide-conjugated MSNPs loaded with DOX for the targeted drug delivery in breast and prostate cancer cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

MSNPs were synthesized and subsequently functionalized with an analog of GnRH by using a heterobifunctional polyethylene glycol as a linker. These targeted MSNPs were then characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. An anticancer drug DOX was loaded and then characterized for drug loading. DOX-loaded nanocarriers were then studied for their cellular uptake using confocal microscopy. The cytotoxicity of DOX-loaded targeted MSNPs and DOX-loaded bare MSNPs was studied by performing MTT assay on MCF-7 (breast cancer) and LNCaP (prostate cancer) cells. Further, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining, as well as flow cytometry, was performed to confirm the apoptotic mode of cancer cell death.

RESULTS

MSNPs were conjugated with polyethylene glycol as well as an agonist of GnRH and subsequently loaded with DOX. These targeted and bare MSNPs showed excellent porous structure and loading of DOX. Further, higher uptake of DOX-loaded targeted MSNPs was observed as compared to DOX-loaded bare MSNPs in GnRH-overexpressing breast (MCF-7) and prostate (LNCaP) cancer cells. The targeted MSNPs also showed significantly higher (P<0.001) cytotoxicity than DOX-loaded bare MSNPs at different time points. After 48 hours of treatment, the IC50 value for DOX-loaded targeted MSNPs was found to be 0.44 and 0.43 µM in MCF-7 and LNCaP cells, respectively. Acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and flow cytometry analysis further confirmed the pathway of cell death through apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests GnRH analog-conjugated targeted MSNPs can be the suitable and promising approach for targeted drug delivery in all hormone-dependent cancer cells.

Preparation of a radiolabeled GnRH-I analogue derivative with 111 In as a new anti-proliferative agent

The new GnRH-Ιanalogue developed in this paper was based on the D-Trp⁶ -GnRH-Ι-scaffold, and its potency was increased by the replacement Gly-NH₂ by NH-NH₂ binding to the Gly at position 10. Triptorelin-Hydrazide analogue was synthesized using solid phase. For ¹¹¹ In labeling, synthesized peptide was followed by conjugation with DOTA using pSCN-Bn-DOTA. The conjugated Triptorelin-Hydrazide was labeled with 500-550 MBq of ¹¹¹ In-chloride (in 0.2 M HCl). At optimized conditions after labeling, radio-chromatography showed radiochemical purity of approximately equal to 98% (RTLC) and greater than 95% (HPLC). The serum stability of the tracer was determined up to 24 hr. Binding affinities of Triptorelin-Hydrazide analogue were determined in a binding assay for both human and rat GnRH receptors. For in vivo studies, ¹¹¹ In-peptide was injected intravenously via the tail vein into rats and significant ovaries uptake consist with reported GnRH receptor mappings. In vitro radioligand binding assays performed with GnRHR-expressing human cell lines using ¹²⁵ I-Triptorelin as the standard radioligand. The quantities of internalization efficiency and receptor affinity of the new radioligand were IC₅₀  = 0.20 ± 0.04 nM vs 0.13 ± 0.08 nM for Triptorelin and internalization: 3.5 ± 0.9% at 1 hr and 12.8 ± 1.8% at 4 hr of the internal reference.

[Differential proteomics on synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans]

OBJECTIVE

To compare the protein profiles between decapeptide-treated and untreated planktonic cells of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) by differential proteomic analysis to determine and identify the key proteins.

METHODS

In our previous study, we investigated decapeptide (KKVVFKVKFK-NH2), which was a novel adenosine monophosphate. Compared with other oral pathogens tested, decapeptide had a preferential antibacterial activity against S. mutans. It also inhibited S. mutans biofilm formation and reduced the one-day developed biofilm. In the present study, we first synthesized decapeptide, and then compared the protein profiles between decapeptide-treated and untreated planktonic cells of S. mutans by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. We also verified different expressions of key protein enolase in the protein level.

RESULTS

The results showed that decapeptide altered the protein expression of planktonic S. mutans. These proteins were functionally involved in carbohydrate degradation by glycolysis, protein folding, conjunction, transport, translation, adenosine triphosphate binding, protein binding, sequence-specific DNA binding, transcription factor activity, and two-component response regulator activity. Western blot results showed that enolase protein expression decreased obviously in decapeptide-treated cells of S. mutans.

CONCLUSION

The protein expression of S. mutans significantly changed after synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide treatment, suggesting that decapeptide may present a preferential effect on oral caries by changing the expression of certain key proteins, such as enolase protein.

[Antibacterial activity of synthetic antimicrobial decapeptide against oral bacteria]

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide, a novel antimicrobial peptide, against several major cariogenic and periodontopathogenic bacteria in vitro. METHODS In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial activity of decapeptide against Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Streptococcus sobrinus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces viscosus, Actinomyces naeslundii, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, and Saccharomyces albicans in vitro using the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. Furthermore, a time-kill kinetic study of decapeptide against S. mutans was performed.

RESULTS

The results showed that decapeptide exhibited antimicrobial activity against various oral bacteria and fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of main cariogenic bacteria ranged from 62.5 μg · mL(-1) to 125 μg · mL(-1), and the MIC of periodontopathogenic bacteria tested ranged from 250 μg · mL(-1) to 1,000 μg · mL(-1). Among the bacteria tested, decapeptide had a strong inhibitory effect on cariogenic S. mutans. Results of the time-kill kinetic studies showed that decapeptide reduced the viable counts of S. mutans by more than one order of magnitude after 20 min of incubation, and thoroughly killed S. mutans after 30 min. No viable cells could be detected after 24 h of incubation.

CONCLUSION

This study suggest that decapeptide might have potential clinical application in treating dental caries by killing S. mutans within dental plaque.

Primary structure of the ovine hypothalamic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LRF) (LH-hypothalamus-LRF-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-decapeptide-Edman degradation)

The primary structure of ovine hypothalamic hypophysiotropic luteinizing hormone-releasing factor, LRF, has been established as pGlu-His-Trp-Ser-Tyr-Gly-Leu-Arg-Pro-Gly-NH(2) by hydrolysis of the peptide with chymotrypsin or pyrrolidone-carboxylylpeptidase and by analysis of the products by an Edman-dansylation sequencing technique, as well as by mass spectrometry of the derived phenylthiohydantoins. A decapeptide with the proposed primary structure, prepared by total synthesis, gave the same result on sequencing. The synthetic decapeptide possesses the same biological activities as the native ovine LRF. The amino-acid sequence of ovine LRF is identical to that already published for porcine LRF.