Search results for "compounds"
showing 10 items of 3372 documents
An organogold compound as potential antimicrobial agent against drug resistant bacteria: Initial mechanistic insights
2021
Abstract The rise of antimicrobial resistance has necessitated novel strategies to efficiently combat pathogenic bacteria. Metal‐based compounds have been proven as a possible alternative to classical organic drugs. Here, we have assessed the antibacterial activity of seven gold complexes of different families. One compound, a cyclometalated Au(III) C^N complex, showed activity against Gram‐positive bacteria, including multi‐drug resistant clinical strains. The mechanism of action of this compound was studied in Bacillus subtilis. Overall, the studies point towards a complex mode of antibacterial action, which does not include induction of oxidative stress or cell membrane damage. A number …
Interleukin-10-treated dendritic cells do not inhibit Th2 immune responses in ovalbumin/alum-sensitized mice.
2005
<i>Background:</i> It is well known that the immunoregulatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 inhibits the accessory function of human dendritic cells (DC) in vitro. Recently, we have shown that these IL-10 DC inhibit the production of T helper cell 1 (Th1) and T helper cell 2 (Th2) cytokines by T cells from atopic individuals in vitro. The current study was set out to analyze whether IL-10 DC also exert inhibitory effects in vivo in a murine model of allergy to ovalbumin adsorbed to the adjuvant aluminium hydroxide (OVA/alum). <i>Methods:</i> OVA-pulsed or unpulsed bone marrow-derived DC, treated with IL-10 or left untreated during generation, were injected intravenous…
The translocation of signaling molecules in dark adapting mammalian rod photoreceptor cells is dependent on the cytoskeleton.
2008
In vertebrate rod photoreceptor cells, arrestin and the visual G-protein transducin move between the inner segment and outer segment in response to changes in light. This stimulus dependent translocation of signalling molecules is assumed to participate in long term light adaptation of photoreceptors. So far the cellular basis for the transport mechanisms underlying these intracellular movements remains largely elusive. Here we investigated the dependency of these movements on actin filaments and the microtubule cytoskeleton of photoreceptor cells. Co-cultures of mouse retina and retinal pigment epithelium were incubated with drugs stabilizing and destabilizing the cytoskeleton. The actin a…
Oxysterols: Influence on plasma membrane rafts microdomains and development of ocular diseases
2015
Oxidation of cholesterol into oxysterols is a major way of elimination of cholesterol from the liver and extrahepatic tissues, including the brain and the retina. Oxysterols are involved in various cellular processes. Numerous links have been established between oxysterols and several disorders such as neurodegenerative pathologies, retinopathies and atherosclerosis. Different components of the lipid layer such as sphingolipids, sterols and proteins participate to membrane fluidity and forme lipid rafts microdomains. Few data are available on the links between lipids rafts and oxysterols. The purpose of this review is to suggest the potential role of lipid rafts microdomains in the developm…
Design of enzyme-mediated controlled release systems based on silica mesoporous supports capped with ester-glycol groups
2012
[EN] An ethylene glycol-capped hybrid material for the controlled release of molecules in the presence of esterase enzyme has been prepared. The final organic-inorganic hybrid solid S1 was synthesized by a two-step procedure. In the first step, the pores of an inorganic MCM-41 support (in the form of nanoparticles) were loaded with [Ru(bipy) 3]Cl 2 complex, and then, in the second step, the pore outlets were functionalized with ester glycol moieties that acted as molecular caps. In the absence of an enzyme, release of the complex from aqueous suspensions of S1 at pH 8.0 is inhibited due to the steric hindrance imposed by the bulky ester glycol moieties. Upon addition of esterase enzyme, del…
Simulations of a Graphene Nanoflake as a Nanovector To Improve ZnPc Phototherapy Toxicity: From Vacuum to Cell Membrane
2017
International audience; We propose a new approach to improving photodynamic therapy (PDT) by transporting zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc) in biological systems via a graphene nanoflake, to increase its targeting. Indeed, by means of time-dependent density functional theory simulations, we show that the ZnPc molecule in interaction with a graphene nanoflake preserves its optical properties not only in a vacuum but also in water. Moreover, molecular dynamic simulations demonstrate that the graphene nanoflake/ZnPc association, as a carrier, permits one to stabilize the ZnPc/graphene nanoflake system on the cellular membrane, which was not possible when using ZnPc alone. We finally conclude that the…
Improved synthesis and in vitro evaluation of the cytotoxic profile of oxysterols oxidized at C4 (4α- and 4β-hydroxycholesterol) and C7 (7-ketocholes…
2013
Whereas the biological activities of oxysterols oxidized at C7 (7-ketocholesterol (7KC), 7β-hydroxycholesterol (7β-OHC), 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7α-OHC)) are well documented, those of oxysterols oxidized at C4 (4β-hydroxycholesterol (4β-OHC), 4α-hydroxycholesterol (4α-OHC)) are not well known, especially on the cells of the central nervous system. Therefore, an improved methodology has been validated for 4β-OHC and 4α-OHC synthesis, and the effects on cell viability and cell growth of these molecules were studied on immortalized, tumoral and normal brain cells (158N, C6 and SK-N-BE cells, and mixed primary cultures of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes). Whereas inhibition of cell growth with 7…
Diffusion in slice preparations bathed in unstirred solutions
1987
A diffusion model is described here, which allows for the estimations of drug concentration changes in porous media, such as in slice tissues of the central nervous system (CNS) bathed in unstirred solutions following abrupt changes of drug concentration. This model may be used for the interpretation of data obtained in neuropharmacological studies if (i) the diffusion coefficient of the molecules under investigation is constant within the excised tissue, (ii) drug molecules are diffusing only in the extracellular space (ECS) and are not bound by the tissue, (iii) drug molecules diffuse mainly within one dimension, (iv) the drug concentration in the bath is changed within 5 s, and (v) the b…
Aluminium nitrate ceramics: a potential UV dosemeter material.
2002
The ceramic material AlN-Y 2 O 3 is proposed as a potential ultraviolet radiation (UVR) dosemeter using optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) and thermally stimulated luminescence (TL). Experimental studies have shown that AlN ceramics exhibit attractive characteristics suitable for practical UV dosimetry applications. The features are: (1) the spectral sensitivity covers the 200-350 nm range, in the UV-B region it is similar to that of human skin; (2) the angular dependence of the incident radiation follows the cosine law; (3) high yields of both UVR-induced OSL and TL signals compared to those of Al 2 O 3 :C; and (4) a large dynamic range TL signal (5 orders of magnitude). Although ther…
Ceramide Mediates Acute Oxygen Sensing in Vascular Tissues
2014
AbstractAims: A variety of vessels, such as resistance pulmonary arteries (PA) and fetoplacental arteries and the ductus arteriosus (DA) are specialized in sensing and responding to changes in oxygen tension. Despite opposite stimuli, normoxic DA contraction and hypoxic fetoplacental and PA vasoconstriction share some mechanistic features. Activation of neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) and subsequent ceramide production has been involved in hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). Herein we aimed to study the possible role of nSMase-derived ceramide as a common factor in the acute oxygen-sensing function of specialized vascular tissues. Results: The nSMase inhibitor GW4869 and an anticera…