Introduction: Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are considered a promising system in enhancing the oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs; owing to their intrinsic ability to increase the solubility together with protecting the incorporated drugs from extensive metabolism. Objective: Exploiting such properties, SLNs loaded with gliclazide (GLZ) were developed in an attempt to improve the oral bioavailability and the anti-diabetic action of GLZ, together with prolonging its duration of action for better glycemic control. Methods: SLNs were prepared by ultra-sonication technique using glyceryl behenate (Compritol ® 888 ATO) as a lipid matrix and poloxamer 188 (PLX) as a stabilizer. A 2*3 asymmetrical factorial design was adopted to study the effect of different stabilizer concentrations at different sonication times on the shape, and size of the particles, PDI and drug loading. The selected optimum formulation was then freeze dried using trehalose di-hydrate as a cryo-protectant in different ratios with respect to glyceryl behenate concentration. After freeze drying, the formulation was tested for in-vitro drug release, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Safety of the selected formula was established after carrying out a subacute toxicity study. Results: The factorial design experiment resulted in an optimum formulation coded 10F2 (150 mg PLX/10 min sonication). Scanning electron micrographs showed spherical particles with smooth surface, whereas a ratio of 2:1 cryo-protectant:lipid was found to be optimum with particle size of 245.9 ± 26.2 nm, polydispersity index of 0.482 ± 0.026, and biphasic in-vitro release with an initial burst effect, followed by a prolonged release phase. On the other hand, the selected SLNs exhibited prolonged drug release when compared with the GLZ commercial immediate release (IR) tablets (Diamicron ® ). Pharmacokinetics study showed about 5-fold increase in GLZ oral bioavailability loaded in SLNs when compared with raw GLZ powder. Pharmacodynamics study on a diabetic rat model confirmed the better anti-diabetic action of GLZ loaded SLNs when compared to raw GLZ powder. Subacute toxicity study indicated the safety of SLNs upon repetitive oral administration.

Although monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced neurotoxicity has been recognized for decades, the potential similarities of the MSG model to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-type neuropathology have only recently been investigated. MSG-treated mice were examined behaviourally and histologically in relation to some features of AD. Four-week old mice received 5 subcutaneous MSG (2 g/kg) injections on alternate days, or saline. At age 10–12 weeks, they were given a battery of behavioural tests for species-typical behaviours and working memory. The mice were killed at 12 weeks and the brains excised. Accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau protein was assessed in cortical and hippocampal neurons by immunohistochemistry, and in cerebral cortical homogenates. A 78% increase in cortical concentrations of phosphorylated tau protein was observed in the MSG mice. Intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau immunostaining was observed diffusely in the cortex and hippocampus, together with cortical atrophic neurons, extensive vacuolation and dysmorphic neuropil suggestive of spongiform neurodegeneration. Nest-building was significantly impaired, and spontaneous T-maze alternation was reduced, suggesting defective short-term working memory. Subcutaneous MSG treatment also induced a 56% reduction in exploratory head dips in a holeboard (P = 0.009), and a non-significant tendency for decreased burrowing behaviour (P = 0.085). These effects occurred in the absence of MSG-induced obesity or gross locomotor deficits. The findings point to subcutaneous MSG administration in early life as a cause of tau pathology and compromised species-typical behaviour in rodents. Determining whether MSG can be useful in modelling AD requires further studies of longer duration and full behavioural characterization.

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Background and Aims. Sepsis can evoke disseminated intravascular coagulation, resulting in multiple organ failure and death. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and hemopexin (HPx) can mediate cytoprotective mechanisms against these deleterious effects. This study aims to determine a role for HO-1 and HPx in coagulopathy induced by septic inflammation and define whether they can enhance the production of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.Materials and Methods. 48 healthy male albino rats were divided equally into 4 groups: control group: animals subjected to laparotomy and bowel manipulation; CLP group: severe sepsis induced by cecal ligation puncture (CLP); CLP + hemin group: animals received single intraperitoneal injection of hemin (50 µmol/kg) 12 h before sepsis induction; CLP + HPx group: animals received single HPx dose (150 µg/rat, i.v.) 30 min before sepsis induction. Survival rates were calculated. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and activated protein C (APC), liver HO-1, serum, and liver IL-10 levels were measured, 48 hrs after sepsis induction. Liver and lung were excised for histopathological examination.Results. Hemin and HPx administration upregulated liver HO-1 and IL-10. They prolonged PT, PTT and increased APC. They reduced the inflammatory infiltrate and thrombosis in liver and lung parenchyma. However, hemin was superior in controlling coagulopathy and HO-1 production, while HPx was more potent stimulant of IL-10 expression.Conclusions. Hemin and HPx have a potential beneficial effect in severe sepsis regarding coagulopathy and inflammation.

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The suggested concept of "bone as an endocrine organ" had shed the light on the role of osteocalcin, an osteoblast secreted hormone, in regulation of testosterone production. This study aimed to assess the association between the active undercarboxylated form of osteocalcin (ucOC) and semen parameters and hormonal levels in infertile male patients. The study was carried on 34 infertile male patients and 20 fertile healthy control males. Semen analysis and serum level of testosterone, LH and FSH were performed in addition to serum level of ucOC in cases and controls. The results revealed significant differences between cases and controls in all measured semen and hormonal parameters. In addition, significant higher level of ucOC in cases than control group (p = .019). On the other hand, ucOC was not related significantly to any of the measured hormones or semen parameters. There was no significant correlation between ucOC and sperm concentration, total motility, morphology (p = .594, .640, .940 respectively) and similarly between ucOC and testosterone level or LH level (p = .275, .954 respectively). The significant higher level of ucOC in infertile cases cannot be used as a predictor of male reproductive parameters.