Growing evidence suggests that galectin-3 (Gal-3) is instrumental in orchestrating innate immune response and microglia activation following different…

Background: Pressure ulcers have afflicted critically ill patients since the dawn of recorded medicine. Pressure ulcers had adverse patient outcomes. Aloe vera as a non-pharmacological modality can be used in the pressure ulcer management. Aim of the study: to investigate the effect of Aloe Vera on the healing of second degree pressure ulcers among critically ill patients. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was used to conduct this study. Sample: 60 adult critically ill patients developed second-degree pressure ulcer. Setting: Intensive Care Units of Emergency Hospital Mansoura University. Results: There were highly statistical significant differences between study and control groups regarding pressure ulcer wound's characteristics: size, depth, edges, wound undermining presence, skin color surrounding wound, granulation tissues presence, and epithelial tissues presence (P < 0.001**) at post intervention assessment. Conclusion: Aloe vera cream is effective in management pressure ulcers as it stimulates and accelerates the healing process. It is excellent, cheaper and safer choice than current conventional therapeutic management of pressure ulcers. Therefore, it can be routinely employed in management of pressure ulcers. Recommendation: Encourage the establishment of non-pharmacological remedies using (aloe vera) in treatment of pressure ulcer wounds and other different types of wounds.

This study investigated changes in neuroinflammation and cognitive function in adult zebrafish exposed to acute hypoxia and protective effects of glucosamine (GlcN) against hypoxia-induced brain damage. The survival rate of zebrafish following exposure to hypoxia was improved by GlcN pretreatment. Moreover, hypoxia-induced upregulation of neuroglobin, NOS2α, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and S100β in zebrafish was suppressed by GlcN. Hypoxia stimulated cell proliferation in the telencephalic ventral domain and in cerebellum subregions. GlcN decreased the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-positive cells in the telencephalon region, but not in cerebellum regions. Transient motor neuron defects, assessed by measuring the locomotor and exploratory activity of zebrafish exposed to hypoxia recovered quickly. GlcN did not affect hypoxia-induced motor activity changes. In passive avoidance tests, hypoxia impaired learning and memory ability, deficits that were rescued by GlcN. A learning stimulus increased the nuclear translocation of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB), an effect that was greatly inhibited by hypoxia. GlcN restored nuclear p-CREB after a learning trial in hypoxia-exposed zebrafish. The neurotransmitters, γ-aminobutyric acid and glutamate, were increased after hypoxia in the zebrafish brain, and GlcN further increased their levels. In contrast, acetylcholine levels were reduced by hypoxia and restored by GlcN. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine partially reversed the impaired learning and memory of hypoxic zebrafish. This study represents the first examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced memory and learning defects in a zebrafish model. Our results further suggest that GlcN-associated hexosamine metabolic pathway could be an important therapeutic target for hypoxic brain damage.

The significant place in the menopausal syndrome and deficiency of estrogens takes psycho-emotional disorders. Psychosomatic disorders, difficulty of adequate evaluation and correction in menopausal women evidence the fact that this issue is important today. Severe symptoms of menopausal syndrome at violation of psycho-vegetative sphere appear in the early post-menopause, due to final termination of ovarian function and sharply deficiency of estrogens during this period. Intravaginal administration of glucosamine hydrochloride to spay female rats has moderate anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects, accompanied by reduction of the psycho-emotional behavioral reactions, normalization of locomotor activity of animals. As of totality of effects, the estriol reference drug is better than glucosamine hydrochloride. The data reveal prospects of vaginal gel glucosamine hydrochloride in the treatment of menopausal disorders of various origins.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading killer of Americans, imparts a significant toll on the quality of life of the patient and primary caregiver, and results in inordinate costs in an already overburdened medical system. Prior studies on cholinesterase inhibitors among AD patients have shown minima …

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that causes substantial changes in joint tissues, such as cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone sclerosis. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are commonly used products for the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of these products when used as structure-modifying drugs on the progression of osteoarthritis in the rabbit temporomandibular joint. Thirty-six New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups (n = 12/group): control (no disease); osteoarthritis (disease induction); and treatment (disease induction and administration of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine). Osteoarthritis was induced by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate. Animals were killed at 30 and 90 days after initiation of therapy. The treatment was effective in reducing disease severity, with late effects and changes in the concentration of glycosaminoglycans in the articular disc. The results indicate that chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine may have a structure-modifying effect on the tissues of rabbit temporomandibular joints altered by osteoarthritis.

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Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) selectively kills tumor cells in cancer patients. However, patients often develop TRAIL resistance; thus, agents that can sensitize cells to TRAIL therapy would be beneficial clinically. Methods: Immunoblotting, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, qPCR and caspase 8 activity assays were used to investigate whether glucosamine (GlcN) can sensitize cancer cells to TRAIL thereby enhancing apoptosis and potentially improving clinical response. Results: GlcN sensitized DU145 cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis but did not increase death receptor 5 (DR5) cell surface expression. Once treated, these cells responded to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways as evidenced by the cleavage of both caspases 8 and 9. The combination of GlcN and TRAIL suppressed the expression of key anti-apoptotic factors cFLIP, BCL-XL, MCL-1 and XIAP and translocated BAK to the mitochondrial outer membrane thereby facilitating cytochrome C and SMAC release. In addition to the activation of apoptotic pathways, TRAIL-mediated inflammatory responses were attenuated by GlcN pretreatment reducing nuclear NF-kB levels and the expression of downstream target genes IL-6 and IL-8. Conclusions: GlcN/TRAIL combination could be a promising strategy for treating cancers by overcoming TRAIL resistance and abrogating TRAIL-induced inflammation.

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in the metabolism of sugars, fats and proteins in the body, leading to hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Resistin is an adipocytokine associated with diabetes. This study aimed at investigating the effect of high intensity interval training and Aloe Vera consumption on resistin and the insulin resistance index in diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 male Wistar streptozotocin-(STZ) diabetic rats were randomly divided into four groups including the control, training, supplementation and training + supplementation. The training program included 8 weeks, five sessions per week, and each session with 6-12 periods of two minutes activity at 90 maximum speed and one minute rest (10 m/min). The Aloe Vera gel (300 mg/kg) was given as gavage in the supplementation recipient groups, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Results: The results showed that the insulin levels and insulin resistance index increased and resistin decreased significantly in the experimental groups (P0.05). Conclusion: It seems that combination of high intensity interval training and the use of Aloe Vera can have a positive effect on diabetes control by reducing resistin and glucose and increasing insulin levels.

Food industries typically use Aloe vera as concentrated (100&#xd7; to 200&#xd7;) and dried powders in their final products. These powders are obtained by extrusion of Aloe inner leaf gel (ILG) or Aloe whole leaf (WLP); the juice is filtered through diatomaceous earth and activated carbon before spray drying at temperatures below 70 &#xb0;C. In another process, Aloe inner leaf gel was dried at &#x7e;80 &#xb0;C and mashed to a powder rich in high molecular weight fibres and soluble polysaccharides (ILF). In contrast to ILG and WLP, the ILF sample was cytotoxic for the human intestinal cell line Caco-2 (CC50 = 1&#x2009;g/l), even at concentrations below the recommended dose for human consumption. At lower concentrations (250&#x2009;mg/l) with LPS challenged macrophage-like THP-1 cells decreased by 40&#x25; the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, whereas the release of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-1&#x3b2; increased by 35&#x25; (compared to untreated but challenged macrophage-like THP-1 cells). Unexpectedly, under the same conditions, the less cytotoxic ILG and WLP, both samples with a lower fibre content, significantly increased (up to 2.4 times) the release of IL-10, while the concentration of IL-1&#x3b2; remained unaltered and of TNF&#x3b1; decreased by 35&#x25;. Even more interesting is that a treatment of the ILF sample with activated carbon reduced its cytotoxicity and increased the IL-10 release (3.1 times). Based on these results, we suggest applying an activated carbon treatment on Aloe-starting products, which have high fibre content and have received high temperature treatment, in order to reduce their cytotoxicity and improve their immunomodulatory properties.

This study investigated the protective effect of the butanol (BuOH) fraction from Laminaria japonica (BFLJ) extract on high glucose-induced oxidative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Freeze-dried L japonica was extracted with distilled water, and the extracted solution was mixed with ethanol then centrifuged. The supernatant was subjected to sequential fractionation with various solvents. The BuOH fraction was used in this study because it possessed the strongest antioxidant activity among the various solvent fractions. To determine the protective effect of the BFLJ, oxidative stress was induced by exposing of HUVECs to the high glucose (30 mM) or normal glucose (5.5 mM) for 48 hr. Cell viability, lipid peroxidation, glutathione (GSH) concentration, and antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and glutathion reductase (GSH-re) were measured. Exposure of HUVECs to high glucose for 48 hr resulted in a significant (p

Glucosamine is an amino sugar that is produced naturally in human body. It is an essential carbohydrate component of many cellular glycoproteins, glyc…

Introduction : Tuberculosis has become a serious health  problem in the world. Increased mortality in patients with tuberculosis infection is associated with MDR and hepatotoxic side effects of antituberculosis drugs. Therefore, it is necessary to find an alternative drug that can reduce the hepatotoxic side effects . Objective : This study aims to investigate the benefits of Aloe vera in preventing liver damage as a side effect of antituberculosis drug administration. Method: Twenty-five rats will be divided into five groups, namely the control group (without any treatment), the group of rats treated by anti-tuberculosis drugs, and a group of mice were given antituberculosis drugs and got Aloe vera extract at a dose of 40; 80; and 120 mg/kg body weight. Results: Antituberculosis drugs are isoniazid and rifampicyn a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. Levels of TNF-a were significantly higher in the antituberculosis group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). All doses of Alovevera reduce levels of TNF-a compared with the antituberculosis group (P < 0.05), although it has not yet reached levels comparable to the control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It was concluded that administration of Aloe vera can suppress the production of TNF-a as a result of antituberculosis drug administration. Thus, Aloe vera can be a useful alternative to natural materials in the successful treatment of tuberculosis through the inhibition of hepatotoxid side effect.   Keywords: Aloe vera; TNF-a; antituberculosis drugs.

The endothelial glycocalyx (EG) lining the endoluminal surface of the capillaries has been proposed as a key component of the microcirculation and a major player in microvascular pathology. Recent advances in the understanding of its physiological role and clinical significance have been made upon t …

This article reports the results of a within-subject design. Fifty subjects with a physician diagnosis of fibromyalgia (FM) and/or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were interviewed using a structured interview from. Each subject was interviewed initially, and again nine months later (follow-up). Subje …

Fucoidan has been reported to exhibit various beneficial activities ranging from to antivirus and anticancer properties. However, little information is available about the effects of fucoidan on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Our study aimed to explore the effects of fucoidan on cerebra …

Fucoidan has been reported to exhibit various beneficial activities ranging from to antivirus and anticancer properties. However, little information is available about the effects of fucoidan on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Our study aimed to explore the effects of fucoidan on cerebra …

Background/Aim: Administration of cisplatin in cancer patients is limited by the kidney-related adverse effects; however, a protective strategy is absent. We hypothesized that fucoidan protects the proximal tubule epithelial (TH-1) cells against the effects of cisplatin. Materials and Methods: To assess the effect of fucoidan, its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response, DNA damage response (DDR), apoptosis, and cell-cycle arrest in TH-1 cells was investigated. Results: Cisplatin increased the accumulation of ROS, leading to excessive ER stress. In presence of cisplatin, treatment of TH-1 cells with fucoidan significantly reduced the ER stress by maintaining the complex of GRP78 with PERK and IRE1α. In particular, fucoidan enhanced the antioxidative capacity through up-regulation of PrPC. Furthermore, fucoidan suppressed cisplatin-induced apoptosis and cell-cycle arrest, whereas silencing of PRNP blocked these effects of fucoidan. Conclusion: Fucoidan may be a potential adjuvant therapy for cancer patients treated with cisplatin as it preserves renal functionality.

Fucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from brown algae. Fucoidans with low molecular weight (LMWF) have been revealed various biological activities and health benefits. The aim of...

Accumulations of radionuclides in marine macroalgae (seaweeds) resulting from the Fukushima 1 Nuclear Power Plant (F1NPP) accident in March 2011 have been monitored for two years using high-purity germanium detectors. Algal specimens were collected seasonally ...

Study Design: This is an experimental study using an animal model. Objectives: Disk degeneration is a common cause of low back pain. However, few attempts have ...

Fucoidan, a sulphated polysaccharide, plays a vital role in reducing cellular oxidative damage by exerting potential antioxidant activity. However, be…

Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a major public health problem worldwide. In this work, we investigated the effects of a purified Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP61A) on the renal function using adenine-induced CRF mice model. Results exhibited that adenine treatment caused serious renal pathological damages and elevation of serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen of mice. However, these changes could be significantly reversed by the administration of LJP61A in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, LJP61A could dramatically reduce the weight loss, improve the urine biochemical index, and regulate the electrolyte disturbance of CRF mice. These results suggested that the renal functions of adenine-induced CRF mice could be improved by LJP61A, which might be developed to a potential therapeutic agent for CRF patients.

The co-administration of absorption enhancing agents with macromolecular drugs (e.g., protein and peptide drugs) has been identified as a means to improve the oral bioavailability of these drugs. Absorption-enhancing agents of natural origins have received ...