Browsing by Subject "pharmacology"
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(2014)Nitai Peled1, Miao Zefeng1, Tuija Tapaninen1,2, Pertti J. Neuvonen1,2 and Mikko Niemi1,2 1Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Helsinki, Finland 2HUSLAB, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland Rifampicin is a broad spectrum antibiotic used in the treatment of tuberculosis and staphylococcal infections. Through activation of pregnane X receptor (PXR), rifampicin induces the expression of several drug metabolizing enzymes and drug transporters. Previous studies suggest that rifampicin can induce the expression of certain drug transporters (e.g., ABCB1) in blood. Our aim was to investigate possible effects of rifampicin on drug transporter gene expression in whole blood. In a randomized crossover study, 12 healthy volunteers took 600 mg rifampicin or placebo once daily for 5 days (Tapaninen et al 2010). On the morning of day 6, a venous blood RNA sample was collected from each participant into a PaxGene® tube. The expression of 18 ABC, 24 SLC and 10 SLCO transporters was investigated using reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) with OpenArray® technology on a QuantStudio™ 12 K Flex Real-Time PCR system (Life Technologies, Paisley, UK). FPGS, TRAP1, DECR1 and PPIB served as reference genes. A total of 16 ABC transporters, 18 SLC transporters and 4 SLCO transporters were expressed above the quantification limit in most samples. Rifampicin had no significant effect on the expression of any transporter. However, SLC5A6 (sodium-dependent multivitamin transporter, SMVT) and ABCB4 (multidrug resistance protein 3, MDR3) expression tended to be increased by rifampicin (by 19% and 18%; P=0.066 and P=0.096, respectively). In conclusion, multiple drug transporter genes are expressed in whole blood, but rifampicin has limited effects on their expression. References: Tapaninen T, Neuvonen PJ, Niemi M. Rifampicin reduces the plasma concentrations and the renin-inhibiting effect of aliskiren. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2010;66:497-502.
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(2017)Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Upon myocardial infarction, billions of cardiomyocytes are lost, a fibrotic scar forms, and the heart's contractile function is compromised. Mammalian cardiomyocytes lose most of their proliferative capacity shortly after birth. This decline in proliferative capacity is associated with a switch from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, yielding more ATP, but also inevitably forming reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, finding a way to extend the proliferative window seems crucial to cardiac repair. microRNAs (miRNAs) are short, single-stranded noncoding RNAs that repress gene expression after transcription by binding to their target mRNAs. SIRT1-7, mammalian homologs of the Sirt2 protein in yeast, have been implicated in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis, cell proliferation, cardiac hypertrophy, and aging. The objective of our research was to investigate the differential expression of SIRT1-7 between day 1 and day 7 neonatal mice. Since cells continue to divide until day 7, we wanted to compare the differences in sirtuin expression during the two time points. By doing so, we hoped to gain insight into ways we could regulate sirtuin protein expression by manipulating miRNA and sirtuin gene expression in diseased hearts, thereby promoting the fetal gene program and inducing cells to reenter the cell cycle. Proteins were isolated from whole cell lysates of cardiac tissue of day 1 and day 7 neonatal mice, and western blotting technique was used to analyze SIRT1-7 expression. Expression of SIRT3 and 7 was significantly higher in day 7 as opposed to day 1 in at least two of the three runs, with SIRT7 levels being higher in day 7 in all three runs. Our study provides a basis for carrying out more quantitative analysis to validate gene and protein expression and protein activity, since expression is different at the gene and protein levels and does not necessarily translate into activity.
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(2011)The aim of this study was to explore the functions of T-type calcium channels, and their possible role in neuronal stem cells migration. The role of T-type calcium channel in mature brain is known to be in producing electroencephalographic oscillations. This action in turn is the key factor in some neuronal physiological and pathophysiological functions, like non-REM sleep, memory, learning and absence epilepsy. In addition, T-type calcium channels have peripheral actions, but this study concerns on its neuronal functions. This low-voltage activated channels functions in neurogenesis is less known than its role in mature brain. It is known to promote neuronal proliferation and differentiation, but what comes to its possible actions in neuronal migration, is poorly studied. This study shows some evidence of T-type calcium channel taking part in neuronal migration in mice embryonic subventricular zones progenitor cells. Selective T-type antagonists, ethosuximide, nickelchloride and a scorpion peptide toxin kurtoxin, decreased the rate of migration in differentiating progenitor cells. This study consists of a literature review and an experimental part. Another aim of this study is to consider an alternative approach to stem cell therapies based on invasive transplantation of the cells. This other attempt is non-invasive manipulating of endogenous stem cells to proliferate and migrate to the injured or depleted area in the brain, differentiate into a desired phenotype and stop their division after they have completed their mission. Non-invasive altering of the stem cells is awaiting pharmacological solutions to resolve the problems being faced in this effort. There are some non-invasive therapies already being used successfully to cure pathological conditions such as spinal cord injury. These methods could be used as well in stem cell based therapies in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and brain injuries. These methods are still in the beginning of their way and lacking the full understanding of the key factors that affect neuronal development. These factors include some important endogenous inducing and inhibiting substances. One of the most important inducing substances is calcium ion regulating a variety of events in neurogenesis. T-type calcium channel, as being widely expressed during early brain development, and decaying by neuronal maturation, might have a pivotal role in conducting progenitor cells.
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