Topic Review
Inhibiting Angiogenesis by Anti-Cancer Saponins
Saponins are one of the broadest classes of high-molecular-weight natural compounds, consisting mainly of a non-polar moiety with 27 to 30 carbons and a polar moiety containing sugars attached to the sapogenin structure. Saponins are found in more than 100 plant families as well as found in marine organisms. Saponins have several therapeutic effects, including their administration in the treatment of various cancers. These compounds also reveal noteworthy anti-angiogenesis effects as one of the critical strategies for inhibiting cancer growth and metastasis.
  • 504
  • 24 Mar 2023
Topic Review
Inhaled MSCs for Lung Diseases
The number of publications studying the therapeutic use of stem cells has steadily increased since 2000. Compared to other applications, there has been little interest in the evaluation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived products (mostly extracellular vesicles) for the treatment of respiratory diseases. Due to the lack of efficient treatments for acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the action of MSCs has also been studied. This review describes mode of action and use of MSCs and MSC-derived products in the treatment of lung diseases including the respective advantages and limitations of the products. Further, issues related to standardized production are addressed. Administration by inhalation of MSCs, compared to intravenous injection, could decrease cell damage by shear stress, eliminate the barrier to reach target cells in the alveoli, prevent thrombus formation in the pulmonary vasculature and retention in filter for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. It is more feasible to deliver extracellular vesicles than MSCs with inhalers, offering the advantage of non-invasive and repeated administration by the patient.
  • 461
  • 10 May 2021
Topic Review
Inflammatory Pain Study in Animal-Models
Pain is an easily recognized sensation that is experienced by humans and animals alike. However, the process behind the production of the pain experience is a complex pathway that requires parallel integration of both the emotional and sensory experiences together with noxious perceptual information registered by multiple layers of our brain structure with the purpose of defending our body from harm’s way. Here, the complete protocol that is being adapted for inflammatory pain study in animals induced by different phlogogenic agents and different assessment methods were elaborated along with the underlying mechanism of actions. This provides a concise idea and improves our scientists’ understanding of inflammatory pain management in future research.
  • 2.4K
  • 05 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Induced Tissue-Specific Stem Cells (iTSCs)
Induced tissue-specific stem cells (iTSCs) are partially reprogrammed cells which have an intermediate state, such as progenitors or stem cells. They originate from the de-differentiation of differentiated somatic cells into pluripotent stem cells, such as induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and embryonic stem cells (ESCs), or from the differentiation of undifferentiated cells. They show a limited capacity to differentiate and a morphology similar to that of somatic cell stem cells present in tissues, but distinct from that of iPSCs and ESCs. iTSCs can be generally obtained 7 to 10 days after reprogramming of somatic cells with Yamanaka’s factors, and their fibroblast-like morphology remains unaltered. iTSCs can also be obtained directly from iPSCs cultured under conditions allowing cellular differentiation. In this case, to effectively induce iTSCs, additional treatment is required, as exemplified by the conversion of iPSCs into naïve iPSCs. iTSCs can proliferate continuously in vitro, but when transplanted into immunocompromised mice, they fail to generate solid tumors (teratomas), implying loss of tumorigenic potential. The low tendency of iTSCs to elicit tumors is beneficial, especially considering applications for regenerative medicine in humans. Several iTSC types have been identified, including iTS-L, iTS-P, and iTS-D, obtained by reprogramming hepatocytes, pancreatic cells, and deciduous tooth-derived dental pulp cells, respectively. This review provides a brief overview of iPSCs and discusses recent advances in the establishment of iTSCs and their possible applications in regenerative medicine.
  • 570
  • 11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
In Vitro Models of the Blood–Cerebrospinal Fluid Barrier
The blood–cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier (BCSFB), an under-studied brain barrier site compared to the blood–brain barrier (BBB), can be considered a potential therapeutic target to improve the delivery of CNS therapeutics and provide brain protection measures. Therefore, leveraging robust and authentic in vitro models of the BCSFB can diminish the time and effort spent on unproductive or redundant development activities by a preliminary assessment of the desired physiochemical behavior of an agent toward this barrier.
  • 667
  • 30 Sep 2022
Topic Review
In Situ Smart Hydrogels
With the advances in biomaterials and the understanding of the tumor microenvironment, in situ stimulus-responsive hydrogels, also called in situ smart hydrogels, have been extensively investigated for local anticancer therapy due to their injectability, compatibility and responsiveness to various stimuli (pH, enzyme, heat, light, magnetic fields, electric fields etc.).
  • 551
  • 08 Oct 2022
Topic Review
In Silico Models to Predict Drug-Induced Liver Injury
Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major cause of the withdrawal of pre-marketed drugs, typically attributed to oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, disrupted bile acid homeostasis, and innate immune-related inflammation. DILI can be divided into intrinsic and idiosyncratic DILI with cholestatic liver injury as an important manifestation. The diagnosis of DILI remains a challenge today and relies on clinical judgment and knowledge of the insulting agent. Early prediction of hepatotoxicity is an important but still unfulfilled component of drug development. In response, in silico modeling has shown good potential to fill the missing puzzle. Computer algorithms, with machine learning and artificial intelligence as a representative, can be established to initiate a reaction on the given condition to predict DILI. 
  • 490
  • 29 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Implementation of Pharmacogenetics - The PriME-PGx Initiative
Pharmacogenetics is the medical discipline born in the 1950s that studies the role of genetic variation affecting drug response or adverse reactions to drugs. Implemented in the clinical practice, this discipline helps to bring a personalized treatment to each patient. Consequently, ineffective or potentially toxic treatments are avoided or optimized. Here, we present the experience in Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation at the Clinical Pharmacology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa.
  • 350
  • 10 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Impact of Solute Carrier Transporters in Glioma Pathology
Solute carriers (SLCs) are the largest family of transmembrane transporters (consisting of 439 proteins without the pseudogenes), which are divided into 65 subfamilies (60 of which have been identified in the brain). They play a crucial role in exchanging different substances such as nutrients, ions, metabolites, as well as drugs through biological membranes. Most SLCs share the same protein structure consisting of 12 presumed transmembrane segments with molecular mass ranging between 50 to 100 kDa.
  • 180
  • 06 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Impact of Pharmacogenomics in Clinical Practice
Polymorphisms of genes encoding drug metabolizing enzymes and transporters can significantly modify pharmacokinetics, and this can be associated with significant differences in drug efficacy, safety, and tolerability. Moreover, genetic variants of some components of the immune system can explain clinically relevant drug-related adverse events. Knowledge of how genetic variations can modify the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of a drug can lead to the adjustment of usually recommended drug dosages, improve effectiveness, and reduce drug-related adverse events. 
  • 118
  • 19 Jan 2024
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