Clinical concentrations of efavirenz (EFV) reduce cellular proliferation and viability in several human cell lines

Results MTT assays upon 24 h of culture in the presence of the drug revealed reduced viability in the human hepatoma cell line Hep3B (significant for all three concentrations and calculated as 84.59 ± 8.82% decrease for 50 μM EFV), human cervix carcinoma cell line HeLa (71.92 ± 5.49% reduction for 50 μM EFV) and primary Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial cells (HUVEC), (96.76 ± 0.27% reduction for 50 μM EFV). This result was corroborated with 3day-proliferation experiments in which Hep3B were exposed to different concentrations of EFV; a significant reduction (60.1 ± 6.54% after 3 days) was detected with 25 μM EFV whereas cytotoxicity (97.01 ± 1.13% reduction) was observed with 50 μM, however…

Efavirenz induces alterations in lipid metabolism through AMPK activation

Summary of results EFV produced an immediate reduction of mitochondrialfunction, evident by the significant and dose-dependentinhibition of mitochondrial O2 consumption and thedecrease of intracellular ATP and Δψm. This metabolicstress promoted the activation of AMPK, triggering severalof its signalling pathways, as EFV induced an increment inCD36 mRNA expression and in intracellular lipid content,which could have been a result of the formation of lipiddroplets. This intracellular lipid increase was not presentin cells treated with Compound C, which points to a keyrole for AMPK in these mechanisms. Conclusion Given that EFV treatment is usually prolonged, thesemechanisms may effect the gene…

Effects of temperature and desiccation on ex situ conservation of nongreen fern spores

Premise of the study Fern spores are unicellular and haploid, making them a potential model system to study factors that regulate lifespan and mechanisms of aging. Aging rates of nongreen spores were measured to compare longevity characteristics among diverse fern species and test for orthodox response to storage temperature and moisture. Methods Aging of spores from 10 fern species was quantified by changes in germination and growth parameters. Storage temperature ranged from ambient room to -196°C (liquid nitrogen); spores were dried to ambient relative humidity (RH) or using silica gel. Key results Survival of spores varied under ambient storage conditions, with one species dying within …

Water properties in fern spores: sorption characteristics relating to water affinity, glassy states, and storage stability.

Ex situ conservation of ferns may be accomplished by maintaining the viability of stored spores for many years. Storage conditions that maximize spore longevity can be inferred from an understanding of the behaviour of water within fern spores. Water sorption properties were measured in spores of five homosporeous species of ferns and compared with properties of pollen, seeds, and fern leaf tissue. Isotherms were constructed at 5, 25, and 45 degrees C and analysed using different physicochemical models in order to quantify chemical affinity and heat (enthalpy) of sorption of water in fern spores. Fern spores hydrate slowly but dry rapidly at ambient relative humidity. Low Brunauer-Emmet-Tel…

Christella dentata (Forssk.) Brownsey & Jermy, cita para la flora valenciana

Inhibition of Mitochondrial Function by Efavirenz Increases Lipid Content in Hepatic Cells

Efavirenz (EFV) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) widely used in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection therapy. It has been associated with hepatotoxic effects and alterations in lipid and body fat composition. Given the importance of the liver in lipid regulation, we have evaluated the effects of clinically used concentrations of EFV on the mitochondria and lipid metabolism of human hepatic cells in vitro. Mitochondrial function was rapidly undermined by EFV to an extent that varied with the concentration employed; in particular, respiration and intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were reduced whereas reactive oxygen species (ROS) production i…

Calorimetric properties of water and triacylglycerols in fern spores relating to storage at cryogenic temperatures.

Abstract Storing spores is a promising method to conserve genetic diversity of ferns ex situ . Inappropriate water contents or damaging effects of triacylglycerol (TAG) crystallization may cause initial damage and deterioration with time in spores placed at −15 °C or liquid nitrogen temperatures. We used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to monitor enthalpy and temperature of water and TAG phase transitions within spores of five fern species: Pteris vittata , Thelypteris palustris , Dryopteris filix-mas , Polystichum aculeatum , Polystichum setiferum . The analyses suggested that these fern spores contained between 26% and 39% TAG, and were comprised of mostly oleic ( P. vittata ) or …

Seed Longevity—The Evolution of Knowledge and a Conceptual Framework

The lifespan or longevity of a seed is the time period over which it can remain viable. Seed longevity is a complex trait and varies greatly between species and even seed lots of the same species. Our scientific understanding of seed longevity has advanced from anecdotal ‘Thumb Rules,’ to empirically based models, biophysical explanations for why those models sometimes work or fail, and to the profound realisation that seeds are the model of the underexplored realm of biology when water is so limited that the cytoplasm solidifies. The environmental variables of moisture and temperature are essential factors that define survival or death, as well as the timescale to measure lifespan. There i…