Formulation and Characterization of a Pluronic F127 Polymeric Micelle as a Nanocarrier for Berberine Delivery

The periparturient period, which spans late pregnancy to early lactation in dairy cows, is a crucial phase characterized by complex metabolic and endocrine adjustments necessary for sustained milk production. This research focused on the relationship between serum vaspin, inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF), and markers of negative energy balance (NEB) in 100 primiparous and multiparous Holstein dairy cows. The results demonstrated that one month post-calving, both groups had a significant decrease in serum vaspin levels but increased NEFA levels, indicating possible consequences for lipid metabolism and energy balance. Multiparous cows showed significant elevations in cholesterol, IL-1, and TNF concentrations after calving, indicating increased inflammatory responses. Primiparous cows, on the other hand, responded differently, indicating the role of parity in metabolic adjustments. The study acknowledges limitations such as sample size and its observational nature. Future research should investigate the long-term effects of these metabolic changes on herd health and lactational performance, using advanced technologies to gain a molecular understanding. Despite limitations, this study provides valuable insights into how adipokines, inflammatory markers, and energy balance interact during the periparturient period, offering the potential for improved dairy cow management and productivity while ensuring animal welfare.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), a potent mycotoxin, poses a significant threat to animal health through contaminated feed. Our study aims to investigate the neurotoxic effects of AFB1in chickens, with a special emphasis on the brain. Seven-day-old chickens were fed AFB1-contaminated feed (5 mg of AFB1/kg of feed) for two weeks, after which neurobehavioral assessments and biochemical analyses were conducted and compared to control chickens. In the open-field test, chickens exposed to AFB1 exhibited a reduction in locomotor activity and exploratory behavior. Additionally, AFB1 exposure increased the tonic immobility response. Biochemical analyses revealed that AFB1-contaminated feed reduced whole-brain acetylcholinesterase activity, suggesting impaired cholinergic neurotransmission. Indicators of oxidative stress in the brain revealed a reduction in glutathione levels, superoxide dismutase levels, and total antioxidant capacity, alongside an increase in malondialdehyde levels, indicating heightened oxidative stress in the brain. The neurotoxic effects of AFB1 were further supported by the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, including interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, interleukin-17, and inducible nitric oxide synthase, as determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our study demonstrates that AFB1-contaminated feed influences chicken neurobehavioral outcomes and brain biochemistry and represents the inaugural evidence that AFB1 exposure markedly reduces AChE activity in the whole brain of chickens.

Background: Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) is a major complication of cancer chemotherapy. Thus, developing effective myocardial protection strategies during doxorubicin (Dox) therapy is a medical necessity.Objectives: To evaluate and compare the cardioprotective effectiveness of free berberine (Ber) and berberine loaded in micelles (mBer) against DIC.Materials and Methods: The study, which was conducted in 2023, employed the H9c2 cell line, derived from embryonic cardiomyocytes, as a model. The study included a control group and six experimental groups: the Ber-treated group, the mBer-treated group, the Dox-treated group, the Ber-Dox combination-treated group, and the mBer-Dox combination-treated group, as well as the void micelles-treated group. The study evaluated the alterations in several cardiotoxicity markers with triplicate measurements: [lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase myocardial band (CK-MB), and cardiac troponin I (cTn-1)], lipid peroxidation indicator (malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidative stress markers [Reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6)], and the activity of the apoptosis proteins caspases 3/7. Results: The DOX group demonstrated significant increases in cardiotoxicity enzyme indices, lipid peroxidation, generation of free radicals, inflammatory cytokines, and caspase 3/7 activity relative to the control group. When Ber, or mBer, was co-delivered with Dox, the levels of LDH, CK-MB, cTn-1, and MDA significantly decreased. Whereas the activities of SOD and CAT were significantly improved when Ber, or mBer, was co-delivered with Dox. They reduced the elevation in both IL- β and IL-6 levels as well as the activities of caspases 3 and 7 induced by Dox. Importantly, the utilization of the micellar formulation of Ber in conjunction with Dox significantly enhanced the cardioprotective efficacy of Ber against DIC in H9c2 cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that mBer offers a novel Ber delivery approach and prospective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of DIC.