Ovarian cancer has the worst prognosis among all gynecological cancers. Therefore, it seems reasonable to seek new drugs that may improve the effectiveness of treatment or mitigate the adverse effects of chemotherapy. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) has many beneficial biological properties. The aim of the study was to assess the anticancer properties of CAPE against serum ovarian carcinoma cells. The morphology of the cells was evaluated in H-E staining and in transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxic and proapoptotic activity of CAPE was investigated by using the XTT-NR-SRB assay, qRT-PCR analysis of BAX/BCL2 expression, and by cytometric evaluation. CAPE causes constriction in OV7 cells, numerous granulomas were observed in the cytoplasm, the cell nuclei were pyknotic. Autophagosomal vacuoles could suggest the occurrence of aponecrosis. CAPE significantly decreased the lysosomal activity and the total synthesis of cellular proteins. CAPE exhibited, dose and time dependent, cytotoxic activity against OV7 serum ovarian cancer cells. In OV7 cells CAPE induced apoptosis via dysregulation of BAX/BCL2 balance, while activated proapoptotic BAX gene expression level was 10 times higher than BCL2.
Some NK cell subpopulations may be involved in the modulation of fibrogenesis in the liver. The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between the number and phenotype of NK cell subsets in peripheral blood (PB) and total NK cell percentage, population density and the degree of liver fibrosis of patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV+). The study group consisted of 56 HCV+ patients, divided into two subgroups: patients with mild or moderate fibrosis and patients with advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis (F ≥ 3 in METAVIR classification). The preparations were stained with H-E and AZAN staining. NK cells were targeted with anti-CD56 antibody and identified automatically in situ using the DakoVision system. Assessment of different NK cell subsets in PB was performed with the flow cytometry technique. In the PB of HCV+ patients with advanced liver fibrosis, there was a lower proportion of CD62L+; CD62L+/CD94++; CD27+; CD127+/CD27+ and CXCR3+/CD27+ NK subsets, as compared to patients with mild/moderate liver fibrosis. The results also showed no association between total PB NK cell level and total intrahepatic NK cell population density between patients with mild/moderate fibrosis and with advanced liver fibrosis. However, positive correlations between the PB levels of CD94+ and CD62L+ NK cell subsets and the intrahepatic total NK cell percentage and population density in the liver, irrespectively to the extent of fibrosis, were observed. Additionally, positive correlation was found between the PB CXCR3+/CD94+ NK cell percentages and intrahepatic NK cell percentages in patients with advanced hepatic fibrosis. Lower blood availability of specific NK subsets in patients with chronic type C hepatitis might be a cause of progression of liver fibrosis via insufficient control over hepatic stellate cells.
Babesiosis is a tick-borne disease with an increasing number of cases each year. Due to the non-specific symptoms of babesiosis, insightful analyses of the pathogenesis of babesiosis are still very important. Transmission of the disease occurs in a few ways, which makes laboratory diagnosis of piroplasmosis important. Complications associated with the infection can be tragic, especially in patients with immunological disorders. The aim of this study was the histopathological analysis of the spleen and kidney of young Wistar rats infected transplacentally with Babesia microti. Female rats were infected with a reference strain of B. microti (ATCC 30221), and then, birth 3-week-old males were euthanized with isoflurane. Subsequently, the material was collected at autopsy for microscopic and ultrastructural examination. Microscopic and ultrastructural analysis of the spleen and kidney showed degenerative changes within the organ parenchyma and the capsules surrounding the organ. Regenerative and reparative changes through mitotic divisions of parenchymal cells were also evident. Merozoites of B. microti were visible in the section of erythrocytes and the cells building the organ stroma. The results presented in this study proved the negative effects of B. microti on cells and tissues in rats with congenital babesiosis.
IntroductionThe aim of the study was to assess the influence of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on the morphology of the aorta and liver of rabbits fed high fat diet with addition of oxidised (ORO) and non-oxidised rapeseed oil (N-ORO).Material and MethodsThe study was conducted on male chinchilla rabbits divided into six groups. The control group (C) was fed a breeding standard diet (BSD), group I received BSD with the addition of ALA in the dose of 10 mg/kg b.w., groups II and III received BSD enriched with 10% addition of N-ORO or ORO, whereas rabbits from groups IV and V received BSD with 10% addition of N-ORO or ORO and ALA.ResultsAddition of ORO caused necrosis and steatosis of hepatocytes, as well as atherosclerotic plaques of various intensification in the aorta. In the liver of rabbits from group II (N-ORO) infiltrations of mononuclear cells was observed in the area of liver triads and between liver lobules. The beneficial influence of ALA was demonstrated in rabbits fed a diet containing N-ORO or ORO. In case of ORO, the activity of ALA was not fully effective.ConclusionDiet supplementation with ALA counteracts the changes generated in the liver and aorta under increased exposure to higher fat content in diet, in particular thermally treated fats.
Human babesiosis is a disease reported mainly in North America, while its etiopathogenesis in Europe is less frequently described. However, according to the literature, human babesiosis in Europe is caused not only by Babesia divergens, as previously thought, but also by Babesia microti. Babesiosis is a parasitemia with varied symptoms, and potentially different organs can become dysfunctional during this disease. Since B. microti penetrates the blood during infection, the liver seems to be particularly exposed to these parasites, especially during the first phase of the disease. Considering the above, we aimed to investigate the effect of B. microti merozoites on hepatocytes. The study was carried out under in vitro and in vivo conditions to compare the different effects i.e. to focus on the direct effects of the protozoa on hepatocytes without the influence of associated cells in the living organism, including the immune system. In the study, we analyzed the effects of B. microti (ATCC 30221) on the liver of infected rats and the contact of the same line of B. microti with hepatocytes of the Clone 9 line (ECACC 88072203). The study was conducted at both microscopic and submicroscopic levels.
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