Previous in vitro studies suggest a direct relevance for the peptide–free lipid fraction (LF) of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in biological mechanisms related to wound healing. However, there are no scientific reports to date on the wound healing activities of this lipid component in vivo. Thus, the present study provides a scientific evaluation for the wound healing potential of the lipid portion of the activated PRP. For the wound healing activity assessment, in vivo full‐thickness excisional wounds were created on the dorsal skin of Sprague-Dawley rats. Lipid extract from pooled PRP was applied topically to the wounds on 0, 3, and 7 days after injury. Histological assessment of epidermal and dermal regeneration, granulation tissue thickness and angiogenesis by Sirius red and Masson’s trichrome staining, in addition to immunohistochemical staining for transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), collagen type I (COL I), and collagen type III (COL III) were performed on skin biopsies at 3, 7 and 14 days. The total histological scores of the LF group were significantly higher than the 25% dimethylsulfoxide-control group. According to the immunohistochemical staining, the observed expression changes for TGF-β1, COL I and III at 3, 7, and 14 days after wounding were significantly better in the study group than the control group. Furthermore, COL I/III ratio in the lipid extract-treated group at day 14 was much higher than that of the control group. Meanwhile, analysis of the data also indicated that the LF has less positive effects on all evaluated parameters than PRP. From the present data, it could be concluded that the peptide–free LF of PRP has potent wound healing capacity in vivo for cutaneous wounds, although not as much as that of PRP. Strengthening our understanding of the wound healing potential of lipid components of PRP and platelet-derived lipid factors may provide new avenues for improving the healing process of a wound with elevated protease activity.

Background Gene expression analysis of cells treated with extreme dilutions or micro amounts of drugs has been used to provide useful suggestions about biological responses. However, most of the previous studies were performed on medicines being prepared from a variety of herbal and metal sources. This study investigated the effects of ultramolecular dilution of the taxane anti-cancer drugs, which are not commonly used in homeopathic medicines, on mRNA expression profiles of five key genes (p53, p21, COX-2, TUBB2A and TUBB3) in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. Method MCF-7 cells were exposed to paclitaxel (Taxol) or docetaxel (Taxotere) preparations (6X, 5C and 15C dilutions prepared from pharmacological concentration of 25 nmol/L) for 72 hours. The cell culture groups were evaluated with the trypan blue dye exclusion method for the proliferation/cytotoxicity rates, immuno-staining β-tubulin for microtubule organization, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for gene expression levels.Fold-change in gene expression was determined by the ΔΔCt method. Results The administration of diluted preparations had little or no cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 cells, but altered the expression of genes analyzed with a complex effect. According to the ΔΔCt method with a five-fold expression difference (p < 0.05) as a cut-off level, ultra-high dilutions of paclitaxel and docetaxel showed differential effects on the studied genes with a concentration-independent activity. Furthermore, the dilutions disrupted the microtubule structure of MCF-7 cells, suggesting that they retain their biological activity. Conclusion Despite some limitations, our findings demonstrate that gene expression alterations also occur with ultra-high dilutions of taxane drugs.

Article: Erythroid microRNA and oxidant status alterations in l-thyroxine-induced hyperthyroid rats: effects of selenium supplementation - Minerva Endocrinology 2021 March;46(1):107-15 - Minerva Medica - Journals

Objective: This study investigated the effects of selenium, which is known for its antioxidant and immune-supporting properties, on serum levels of thyroid function markers, selenoproteins, and proinflammatory cytokines in a model of hyperthyroidism. Materials and methods: A total of 48 Wistar albino rats were distributed into 6 groups: a control group; a hyperthyroid group (HT group); a group fed 0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite (Se 1 group); a group fed 1 mg/kg sodium selenite (Se 2 group); a hyperthyroid group [...] ABSTRACT Objective: This study investigated the effects of selenium, which is known for its antioxidant and immune-supporting properties, on serum levels of thyroid function markers, selenoproteins, and proinflammatory cytokines in a model of hyperthyroidism. Materials and methods: A total of 48 Wistar albino rats were distributed into 6 groups: a control group; a hyperthyroid group (HT group); a group fed 0.5 mg/kg sodium selenite (Se 1 group); a group fed 1 mg/kg sodium selenite (Se 2 group); a hyperthyroid group