The influence of hypericum extract LI 160 on the expression of serotonin receptors was investigated using a neuroblastoma cell line to establish a model for the regulation of neurotransmitters by immunologically active compounds such as cytokines. The cells were incubated with hypericum extract LI 160 in kinetic form for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours, then washed. The serotonin receptor expression analysis was compared to that of a placebo control solution. The neuroblastoma cells showed a clearly reduced expression of the serotonin receptors under treatment with hypericum extract. First stimulation experiments with interleukin-1 (IL-1) and hypericum extract suggest that a further reduction of the serotonin receptors is possible when IL-1 is added.

No abstract

Objective: Bone grafting is an important surgical procedure to restore missing bone in patients with alveolar cleft lip/palate, aiming to stabilize either sides of maxillary segments by inducing new bone formation, and in bilateral cleft cases also to stabilize the pre- maxilla. Polyphosphate (PolyP), a physiological polymer composed of orthophosphate units linked together with high-energy phosphate bonds, is a naturally existing compound in platelets which, when complexed with calcium as Ca-polyP microparticles (Ca-polyP MPs), was proven to have osteoinductive properties in preclinical studies. Aim: To evaluate the feasibility, safety and osteoinductivity of Ca-polyP MPs as a bone-inducing graft material in humans. Methods: This prospective non-blinded first-in-man clinical pilot study shall consist of 8 alveolar cleft patients of 13 years or older to evaluate the feasibility and safety of Ca-PolyP MPs as a bone-inducing graft material. Patients will receive Ca-polyP graft material only, or Ca-polyP in combination with biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) as a bone substitute carrier. During the trial, the participants will be investigated closely for safety parameters using radiographic imaging, regular blood tests, and physical examinations. After 6 months, a hollow drill will be used to prepare the implantation site to obtain a biopsy. The radiographic imaging will be used for clinical evaluation; the biopsy will be processed for histological/histomorphometric evaluation of bone formation. Discussion: This is the first-in-man study evaluating the safety and feasibilty of the polyP as well as the potential regenerative capacity of polyP using an alveolar cleft model.Trial registration {31a} The clinical trial protocol received a written approval by the ethical committee of Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia with code number 1063/UN4.6.4.5.31/PP36/2019. On completion of the trial, the results on safety, feasibility and bone formation with polyP as graft material will published.