No abstract

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) have been recognized as the principal cells responsible for the production of fibrosis in PDAC. Recently PSCs have been noted to share characteristics with cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage (MML cells). Thus, we tested whether PSCs could be targeted with the nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (NBPs) [pamidronate (Pam) or zoledronic acid (ZA)], which are potent MML cell inhibitors. In addition, we tested NBPs treatment combination with nanoparticle albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) to enhance antitumor activity. In vitro we observed that PSCs possess α-naphthyl butyrate esterase (ANBE) enzyme activity, a specific marker of MML cells. Moreover NBPs inhibited PSCs proliferation, activation, release of macrophage chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and type I collagen expression. NBPs also induced PSC apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase. In vivo, NBPs inactivated PSCs; reduced fibrosis; inhibited tumor volume, tumor weight, peritoneal dissemination, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation; and increased apoptosis in an orthotopic murine model of PDAC. These in vivo antitumor effects were enhanced when NBPs were combined with nab-paclitaxel but not gemcitabine (Gem). Our study suggests that targeting PSCs and tumor cells with NBPs in combination with nab-paclitaxel may be a novel therapeutic approach to PDAC.

These results suggest a possible link between the chronic maternal metabolic stress, such as long-term fructose intake, and neurodevelopmental disturbances in the offspring.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effi cacy of trimetazidine(TMZ) after end-to-end repair in a peripheral nerve injury model. METHOD: We performed end-to-end primary repair of sciatic nerves in rats and showed TMZ's regenerative effect. For this objective 30 male Sprague Dawley albino rats were used. Surgery+water group, rats were assigned to a placebo group and were given water by oral gavage. Surgery+TMZ group, rats were given trimetazidine by oral gavage. All medications were given for 12 weeks. Motor function test was performed. Afterwards, electromyography (EMG) recording was done. Finally, blood samples were taken, the animals were euthanized andsciatic nerve was removed. RESULTS: The amplitudes of compound muscle action potential (CMAP) increased signifi cantly in the Surgery+TMZ group when compared with the group that have been given Surgery+Water. Nerve growth factor (NGF) immunoexpression in the Schwann cell was signifi cantly increased in the Surgery+TMZ group compared with the Surgery+Water group. Moreover, fi brosis score was reduced in the Surgery+TMZ group compared to the Surgery+Water group. CONCLUSİONS: In conclusion, we demonstrated the superiority of TMZ on nerve healing in our experimental study which was evaluated with comparative groups (Tab. 3, Fig. 2, Ref. 31).

Objective: The medical intervention for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is restricted to ameliorating comorbid situations. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is a growth factor that enhances the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic progenitor cells. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of G-CSF in a maternal immune activationinduced autism model.Methods: Sixteen female and six male Wistar adult rats were included in the study. After 21 days, 48 littermates (eight male controls, eight female controls, 16 male lipopolysaccharide [LPS]-exposed rats, and 16 female LPS-exposed rats) were divided into groups. Sixteen male LPS-exposed and 16 female LPS-exposed rats were divided into saline and G-CSF treatment groups.Results: In male rats, the LPS-exposed group was found to have significantly higher levels of TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-17 than the LPS-exposed G-CSF group. Levels of nerve growth factor, brain PSD-95, and brain GAD67 were higher in the LPS-exposed G-CSF group than in the LPS-exposed group in male rats. In female rats, brain NGF levels were similar between groups. There was no difference between groups in terms of brain GAD 67 levels. Brain PSD-95 levels were higher in the control group than in both the LPS-exposed and LPSexposed G-CSF groups in female rats. Both neuronal CA1 and neuronal CA2 levels were lower, and the GFAP immunostaining index (CA1) and GFAP immunostaining index (CA3) were higher in the LPS-exposed group than in the LPS-exposed G-CSF group in male rats. However, neuronal count CA1 and neuronal count CA3 values were found to be similar between groups in female rats.