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The purpose of our study is to investigate the comparative effects of materials based on silver and gold nanoparticles functionalized with polyphenols from Cornus Mas extract (AgNPs-CM and AuNPs-CM) in vivo on experimental inflammation. The nanoparticles were obtained at room temperature under UV irradiation and were characterized by different methods: ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The modulatory effects of AgNPs-CM and AuNPs-CM on inflammation were quantified by oxidative stress parameters, pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines levels and apoptosis assessment at 2 h, 24 and 48 h after induction of inflammation with carrageenan in the paw tissue of Wistar rats. Our results showed that silver and gold nanoparticles only partial and for a short period have mobilized the antioxidant defense mechanisms. In addition, they diminished inflammation and apoptosis in the early stage while later, at 48 h, exerted an immunomodulatory effect, activated ERK ½ and induced apoptosis. The photoreduced silver and gold nanoparticles, functionalized with natural compounds, modulated the inflammation in a similar manner in the soft tissue injected with carrageenan. In order to decipher the mechanisms involved in interactions of metallic nanoparticles with biological systems and for a complete assessment of the risks and benefits of these products in clinical practice long term studies are necessary., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

(1) Background: The study aimed to investigate the impact of gold nanoparticles capped with Cornus sanguinea (NPCS) and mixed with a fruit extract (Vaccinum myrtillus L.—VL) on human hepatic stellate cells (LX-2) exposed to TGF-β. (2) Methods: NPCS were characterized by UV-Vis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential measurement, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX). The cytotoxic effects of VL, NPCS and of the hybrid compounds obtained by mixing the two components in variable proportions (NPCS-VL) were assessed. LDH activity, MDA levels, secretion of inflammation markers, the expression of fibrogenesis markers and collagen I synthesis were estimated after treating the cells with a mixture of 25:25 μg/mL NPCS and VL. (3) Results: TEM analysis showed that NPCS had spherical morphology and homogenous distribution, while their formation and elemental composition were confirmed by XRD and EDX analysis. TGF-β increased cell membrane damage as well as secretion of IL-1β, IL-1α and TLR4. It also amplified the expression of α-SMA and type III collagen and induced collagen I deposition. NPCS administration reduced the inflammation caused by TGF-β and downregulated α-SMA expression. VL diminished LDH activity and the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. The NPCS-VL mixture maintained IL-1β, IL-1α, TLR4 and LDH at low levels after TGF-β exposure, but it enhanced collagen III expression. (4) Conclusions: The mixture of NPCS and VL improved cell membrane damage and inflammation triggered by TGF-β and mitigated collagen I deposition, but it increased the expression of collagen III, suggestive of a fibrogenetic effect of the hybrid material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resveratrol is a polyphenol with important antioxidant and antiinflammatory roles. Loratadine, as a selective inverse-agonist of peripheral receptor H1, is described as an anti-allergic substance with potential antiinflammatory effects. We aimed to assess the protective capacity of loratadine against oxidative stress produced by inflammation with carrageenan in comparison with a well-known antioxidant compound, resveratrol. Our results showed that resveratrol and loratadine had no protective anti-inflammatory effects in inflamed skin. As expected, resveratrol had antioxidant effects in serum and in liver. Loratadine developed oxidative stress in tegument and serum. In this experimental model, our results do not sustain the initial hypothesis that loratadine could have a protective effect in inflammation, and, in the contrary, is capable of increasing it, by producing an oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Medica Transilvanica is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. Oxidative stress, the result of the oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, is involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases associated with inflammation. Aims. The study aimed to investigate the effects of orally administered gold nanoparticles phytoreduced with ellagic acid (AuNPs-EA) on oxidative stress in carrageenan-induced paw oedema, in Wistar rats. Methods. Paw oedema and oxidative stress parameters were investigated in rats after intraplantar carrageenan injection (0.2 ml 1% solution). Prior to this, the animals, randomly allocated into four groups, received, for 15 days, vehicle (1% carboxymethyl cellulose –CMC) (group C), 1 mg/kg/day indomethacin (group I), 40 mg/kg/day ellagic acid (group II) or 0.3 mg/kg/day AuNPs-EA (group III). The paw oedema was evaluated through plethysmometry before and at 2, 6 and 24 hours after carrageenan injection and blood samples, paw tissues and kidneys fragments were collected for oxidative stress investigation. Results. AuNPs-EA and indomethacin administration produced significant decreases of the paw oedema, compared to the control group. Lipid peroxidation was reduced significantly by the tested medication in the paw tissues, but it was increased significantly by AuNPs-EA in the kidneys. The antioxidant protection, evaluated through the GSH/GSSG ratio, was amplified significantly in all rats that received AuNPs-EA and indomethacin, in paw tissues and in serum. Ellagic acid provided antioxidant protection only in the serum. In the kidneys, only indomethacin administration increased significantly GSH/GSSG ratio. Conclusions. AuNPs-EA reduced the paw oedema and oxidative stress in inflamed tissue and in serum, in carrageenaninduced inflammation model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TMAO, a gut microbiota derived byproduct, has been associated with various cardiometabolic diseases by promoting oxidative stress and inflammation. The liver is the main organ for TMAO production and chronic exposure to high doses of TMAO could alter its function. In this study, we evaluated the effect of chronic exposure of high TMAO doses on liver oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis. TMAO was administered daily via gastric gavage to laboratory rats for 3 months. Blood was drawn for the quantification of TMAO, and liver tissues were harvested for the assessment of oxidative stress (MDA, GSH, GSSG, GPx, CAT, and 8-oxo-dG) and inflammation by quantification of IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-10, TGF-β, NOS and COX-2 expression. The evaluation of fibrosis was made by Western blot analysis of α-SMA and Collagen-3 protein expression. Histological investigation and immunohistochemical staining of iNOS were performed in order to assess the liver damage. After 3 months of TMAO exposure, TMAO serum levels enhanced in parallel with increases in MDA and GSSG levels in liver tissue and lower values of GSH and GSH/GSSG ratio as well as a decrease in GPx and CAT activities. Inflammation was also highlighted, with enhanced iNOS, COX-2, and IL-10 expression, without structural changes and without induction of liver fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Pulmonary diseases associated with inflammation are largely found in humans. The lungs are continuously exposed to oxidative stress, a process that, through the release of reactive oxygen species, leads to tissue damage and to an increase in the initial inflammatory reaction. Therefore, it is necessary to find a therapy that is able to counteract the noxious effects of reactive species and of inflammation. Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol with anti-inflammatory effects, having the capacity to limit the production of pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukins and prostaglandins. Quercetin, a flavonoid with known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, inhibits phospholipase A2 and the enzymes of lipid peroxidation, reducing the synthesis of leukotrienes. Aims. The antioxidant effects of resveratrol and quercetin were studied in an experimental model of carrageenan-induced pleural inflammation. Methods. The study was performed using male rats, divided into 2 groups, each group containing a further 4 groups (control, administration of carrageenan, resveratrol and carrageenan, and quercetin and carrageenan, respectively). The oxidant/antioxidant balance was evaluated in the serum and in the lung tissue at 4 hours (groups I-IV) and at 24 hours (groups V-VIII). Results. In serum, at 4 and at 24 hours after carrageenan administration, the malondialdehyde levels were decreased significantly by resveratrol and quercetin, and the ceruloplasmin concentration in the rats that were pre-treated with these chemicals was increased significantly, in comparison with the control and carrageenan groups. In lung homogenate, at 4 and at 24 hours, significant decreases of malondialdehyde in the groups that received antioxidants were recorded, compared to unprotected groups; increases of glutathione levels were recorded at 24 hours only in the resveratrol group. Conclusions. In serum, both compounds, resveratrol and quercetin, presented antioxidant effects. In the lungs, at 24 hours, resveratrol had superior antioxidant effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles (NPs) conjugated with natural products have shown good results in lowering the glycated hemoglobin and have an anti-inflamatory effect. The aim of our study is to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of NPs functionalized with S ambucus nigra L. (SN) extract on experimental model of diabetes in rats. Diabetes was induced to 18 Wistar male rats (n = 6) by a single intramuscular injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight − b.w.). SN extract (15 mg/kg b.w.), NPs (0.3 mg/kg b.w.) and vehicle (normal saline) were administered by gavage once a day, every morning, for 2 weeks. Other 18 animals were used as control groups and were treated with the same compounds, at the same time. Afterwards, blood, liver and muscle samples were taken to assess the oxidant/antioxidant status and the liver for the evaluation of metalloproteinases (MMP)-2 and 9 activities, COX-2 and NFKB expressions and for immunohistochemistry. Serum glycemia, cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) were also measured. The administration of NPs extract increased the muscle and systemic GSH/GSSG ratio in the diabetic group vs. diabetic (p < 0.03) or non-diabetic groups treated with vehicle (p < 0.05) and decreased MDA levels compared to non-diabetic group (p < 0.05). COX-2 expression (p < 0.0001) and proMMP-2 activity (p < 0.05) decreased after pretreatment with NPs in parallel with the reduction of Kupffer cells percent ( < 0.001). No morphological abnormalities were detected in histopathology. NPs present a great potential for further usage as adjuvants in the diabetic therapy due to the increase of antioxidant defence and reduction of MMPs activity and inflammation in liver tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Endothelial disorders of the veins are considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of primary varicose veins and oxidative stress is implicated in these disorders. With this aim, we investigated the levels of metabolic markers of oxidative stress after creating partial venous obstruction on an experimental animal model. Methods: Chronic venous hypertension was produced by partial ligation of the superficial and common femoral vein in Wistar rats ( 2 groups: group 1- ligation of the superficial femoral vein, n=30 animals,10 animals/lot; group 2 - ligation of the common femoral vein, n=30 animals,10 animals/lot). At specified intervals blood was collected from the retroorbital sinus of the animals. We investigated the levels of malondialdehyde, carbonilated proteins, glutathion, hydrogen donors and thiol radicals in the study groups and compared the results with a control group. Results: There was statistically significant difference between the study groups and the control group concerning the levels of oxidative stress markers. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde and carbonilated proteins were found higher than in control group at each time point for both study groups.Total antioxidant capacity of the blood was found at decreasing levels compared with controls. Conclusions: The current model of induced venous hypertension demonstrates early changes in the oxidative status of study animals not only in the local area but also in the sistemic circulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]