Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 97 in total

Abstract:
Sort:
  1. Effect of the mannose-binding Artocarpus integer lectin on the cellular proliferation of murine lymphocytes
    Lim SB, Kanthimathi MS, Hashim OH
    Immunol Invest, 1998 Dec;27(6):395-404.
    PMID: 9845424
    The effect of the mannose-binding champedak (Artocarpus integer) lectin-M on the cellular proliferation of murine lymphocytes was investigated in this study. Our data demonstrated that the lectin was the main mitogenic component in the crude extract of the champedak seeds. It stimulated the proliferation of murine T cells at an optimal concentration of 2.5 microg/ml in a 3 day culture. Lectin-M appeared to be a T-cell mitogen as it does not induce significant DNA synthesis when cultured with spleen cells from the nude mouse. In the absence of T cells, the lectin was incapable of inducing resting B cells to differentiate into immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells.
    Matched MeSH terms: Carrier Proteins/pharmacology
  2. Effect of soy protein on the small bowel mucosa of young infants recovering from acute gastroenteritis
    Iyngkaran N, Yadav M, Looi LM, Boey CG, Lam KL, Balabaskaran S, et al.
    J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 1988 Jan-Feb;7(1):68-75.
    PMID: 3335989
    The effect of soy protein on the small bowel mucosa of 18 infants with acute gastroenteritis was studied. The infants were maintained on a protein hydrolysate formula for 6-8 weeks, following which they were readmitted for soy protein challenge studies. Jejunal biopsy was performed before and 24 h after challenge. On the basis of the clinical and histological reaction to soy protein challenge, three groups were identified. Group 1 consisted of three infants who had clinical and histological reaction. There was associated depletion of mucosal enzymes, lactase, sucrase, malatase, alkaline phosphatase, and blood xylose levels. Group 2 consisted of seven infants who had histological reaction but no clinical symptoms. Two of these seven infants, however, developed clinical reaction when rechallenged with soy protein 2 and 90 days later. Following challenge, mucosal enzymes and blood xylose levels were depressed in five of the seven infants tested. Group 3 consisted of eight infants who did not have either a clinical or a histological reaction. The mucosal enzymes and blood xylose levels were not depressed in four infants tested. The present study shows that the small bowel mucosa of some young infants recovering from acute gastroenteritis remains sensitive to soy protein for a variable period of time. The feeding of soy protein to these infants may result in the persistence of mucosal damage and perpetuation of diarrhea.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
    Matched MeSH terms: Vegetable Proteins/pharmacology*
  3. [Modification of blood coagulation through Arwin]
    Vinazzer H
    Subsid Med, 1974;4:53-5.
    PMID: 4450561
    Matched MeSH terms: Hemolysin Proteins/pharmacology*
  4. Oil Palm Defensin: A Thermal Stable Peptide that Restricts the Mycelial Growth of Ganoderma boninense
    Tan YC, Ang CL, Wong MY, Ho CL
    Protein Pept Lett, 2016;23(11):994-1002.
    PMID: 27719656
    Plant defensins are plant defence peptides that have many different biological activities, including antifungal, antimicrobial, and insecticidal activities. A cDNA (EgDFS) encoding defensin was isolated from Elaeis guineensis. The open reading frame of EgDFS contained 231 nucleotides encoding a 71-amino acid protein with a predicted molecular weight at 8.69 kDa, and a potential signal peptide. The eight highly conserved cysteine sites in plant defensins were also conserved in EgDFS. The EgDFS sequence lacking 30 amino acid residues at its N-terminus (EgDFSm) was cloned into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS and successfully expressed as a soluble recombinant protein. The recombinant EgDFSm was found to be a thermal stable peptide which demonstrated inhibitory activity against the growth of G. boninense possibly by inhibiting starch assimilation. The role of EgDFSm in oil palm defence system against the infection of pathogen G. boninense was discussed.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology*
  5. Fulltext Effects of different types and doses of whey protein on the physiological and intestinal flora in D-galactose induced aging mice
    Ma Z, Zhang F, Ma H, Chen X, Yang J, Yang Y, et al.
    PLoS One, 2021;16(4):e0248329.
    PMID: 33857162 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248329
    The elderly usually suffer from many diseases. Improving the quality of life of the elderly is an urgent social issue. In this present study, D-galactose treated aging mice models were used to reveal the effects of different animal sources and different doses of whey protein (WP) on the immune indexes organs and intestinal flora. A total of 9 groups were set up, including normal control (NC), negative control (NS), positive control (Vc), low-, medium- and high-doses of cow WP intervention groups (CL, CM and CH for short, correspondingly) and low-, medium- and high-doses of goat WP intervention groups (GL, GM and GH for short, correspondingly). The body weight gain, thymus/body weight ratio, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, spleen immunoglobulins G (IgG), spleen interleukin-2 (IL-2) and spleen interleukin-2 (IL-6) were measured. Then, the intestinal contents were collected, and 16s genes of intestinal bacteria were sequenced to reveal the changes in bacterial flora structure. WP intervention significantly increased the weight gain, thymus/body ratio and SOD activity, but decrease the content of MDA. WP intervention increased some immune indicators. All the WP treated aging mice showed similar values of physiological indexes to that of the Vc group, even better. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Stenotrophomonas was increased and decreased, respectively, by both cow and goat WP. Lactobacillus may be involved in regulating the functional repair of organisms. In contrast, Stenotrophomonas might play a negative role in the immune and antioxidant capacity of the body. Combining physiological indicators and intestinal flora structure, low-concentration WP for cow and goat might be optimal for aging models.
    Matched MeSH terms: Whey Proteins/pharmacology*
  6. Immediately early 2 (IE-2) and DNA polymerase SiRNA as virus-specific antiviral against novel transplacental cytomegalovirus strain ALL-03 in vitro
    Balakrishnan KN, Abdullah AA, Bala JA, Jesse FFA, Abdullah CAC, Noordin MM, et al.
    Infect Genet Evol, 2021 06;90:104783.
    PMID: 33640483 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.104783
    OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the suitability of siRNA targeting specific genes that cause inhibition of virus replication in vitro especially for the virus that capable of crossing placenta and we employed a novel transplacental rat cytomegalovirus that mimics infection in human.

    METHODS: Six unique siRNAs with three each targeting different regions of IE2 (ie2a, ie2b and ie2c) and DNA polymerase (dpa, dpb and dpc) were prepared and tested for antiviral activities. The efficacy as an antiviral was determined in in-vitro by measuring TCID50 virus titer, severity of virus-induced cytopathic effect (CPE), intracellular viral genome loads by droplet digital PCR, the degree of apoptosis in siRNA-treated cells and relative expression of viral mRNA in infected Rat Embryo Fibroblast (REF) cells.

    FINDINGS: Remarkably, the siRNAs: dpa, dpb and IE2b, significantly reduced virus yield (approximately >90%) compared to control group at day 18 post infection (p.i). Changes in CPE indicated that DNA polymerase siRNAs were capable of protecting cells against CMV infection at day 14 p.i with higher efficiency than GCV (at the concentration of 300 pmol). Gene expression analysis revealed a marked down regulation of the targeted DNA polymerase gene (73.9%, 96.0% and 90.7% for dpa, dpb and dpc siRNA, respectively) and IE2 gene (50.8%, 49.9% and 15.8% for ie2a, ie2b and ie2c siRNA, respectively) when measured by RT-qPCR. Intracellular viral DNA loads showed a significant reduction for all the DNA polymerase siRNAs (dpa: 96%, dpb: 98% and dpc:92) compared to control group (P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Immediate-Early Proteins/pharmacology*
  7. Combination of sago and soy-protein supplementation during endurance cycling exercise and subsequent high-intensity endurance capacity
    Ghosh AK, Rahaman AA, Singh R
    Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab, 2010 Jun;20(3):216-23.
    PMID: 20601739
    The purpose of the study was to investigate whether a combination of sago and soy protein ingested during moderate-intensity cycling exercise can improve subsequent high-intensity endurance capacity compared with a carbohydrate in the form of sago and with a placebo. The participants were 8 male recreational cyclists with age, weight, and VO2max of 21.5 +/- 1.1 yr, 63.3 +/- 2.4 kg, and 39.9 +/- 1.1 ml . kg(-1) . min(-1), respectively. The design of the study was a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled crossover comprising 60 min of exercise on a cycle ergometer at 60% VO2max followed by a time-to-exhaustion ride at 90% VO2max. The sago feeding provided 60 g of carbohydrate, and the sago-soy combination provided 52.5 g of carbohydrate and 15 g of protein, both at 20-min intervals during exercise. Times to exhaustion for the placebo, sago, and sago-soy supplementations were 4.09 +/- 1.28, 5.49 +/- 1.20, and 7.53 +/- 2.02 min, respectively. Sago-soy supplementation increased endurance by 84% (44-140%; p < .001) and by 37% (15-63%; p < .05) relative to placebo and sago, respectively. The plasma insulin response was elevated above that with placebo during sago and sago-soy supplementations. The authors conclude that a combination of sago and soy protein can delay fatigue during high-intensity cycling.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soybean Proteins/pharmacology*
  8. Solubilized antigen of Blastocystis hominis facilitates the growth of human colorectal cancer cells, HCT116
    Chandramathi S, Suresh K, Kuppusamy UR
    Parasitol Res, 2010 Mar;106(4):941-5.
    PMID: 20165878 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-010-1764-7
    Blastocystis hominis is one of the most common intestinal protozoan parasites in humans, and reports have shown that blastocystosis is coupled with intestinal disorders. In the past, researchers have developed an in vitro model using B. hominis culture filtrates to investigate its ability in triggering inflammatory cytokine responses and transcription factors in human colonic epithelial cells. Studies have also correlated the inflammation by parasitic infection with cancer. The present study provides evidence of the parasite facilitating cancer cell growth through observing the cytopathic effect, cellular immunomodulation, and apoptotic responses of B. hominis, especially in malignancy. Here we investigated the effect of solubilized antigen from B. hominis on cell viability, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT116). The gene expressions of cytokines namely interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, nuclear factor kappa light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (a gene transcription factor), and proapoptotic genes namely protein 53 and cathepsin B were also studied. Results exhibited favor the fact that antigen from B. hominis, at a certain concentration, could facilitate the growth of HCT116 while having the ability to downregulate immune cell responses (PBMCs). Therefore, there is a vital need to screen colorectal cancer patients for B. hominis infection as it possesses the ability to enhance the tumor growth.
    Matched MeSH terms: Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/pharmacology*
  9. Fulltext Characterisation of potential antidiabetic-related proteins from Pleurotus pulmonarius (Fr.) Quél. (grey oyster mushroom) by MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry
    Wahab NA, Abdullah N, Aminudin N
    Biomed Res Int, 2014;2014:131607.
    PMID: 25243114 DOI: 10.1155/2014/131607
    Pleurotus pulmonarius has been reported to have a potent remedial effect on diabetic property and considered to be an alternative for type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment. This study aimed to investigate the antidiabetic properties of ammonium sulphate precipitated protein fractions from P. pulmonarius basidiocarps. Preliminary results demonstrated that 30% (NH4)2SO4 precipitated fraction (F30) inhibited Saccharomyces cerevisiae α-glucosidase activity (24.18%), and 100% (NH4)2SO4 precipitated fraction (F100) inhibited porcine pancreatic α-amylase activity (41.80%). Following RP-HPLC purification, peak 3 from F30 fraction demonstrated inhibition towards α-glucosidase at the same time with meagre inhibition towards α-amylase activity. Characterisation of proteins using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS demonstrated the presence of four different proteins, which could be implicated in the regulation of blood glucose level via various mechanisms. Therefore, this study revealed the presence of four antidiabetic-related proteins which are profilin-like protein, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-like protein, trehalose phosphorylase-like (TP-like) protein, and catalase-like protein. Hence, P. pulmonarius basidiocarps have high potential in lowering blood glucose level, reducing insulin resistance and vascular complications.
    Matched MeSH terms: Fungal Proteins/pharmacology*
  10. An overview of antifungal peptides derived from insect
    Faruck MO, Yusof F, Chowdhury S
    Peptides, 2016 06;80:80-88.
    PMID: 26093218 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2015.06.001
    Fungi are not classified as plants or animals. They resemble plants in many ways but do not produce chlorophyll or make their own food photosynthetically like plants. Fungi are useful for the production of beer, bread, medicine, etc. More complex than viruses or bacteria; fungi can be destructive human pathogens responsible for various diseases in humans. Most people have a strong natural immunity against fungal infection. However, fungi can cause diseases when this immunity breaks down. In the last few years, fungal infection has increased strikingly and has been accompanied by a rise in the number of deaths of cancer patients, transplant recipients, and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients owing to fungal infections. The growth rate of fungi is very slow and quite difficult to identify. A series of molecules with antifungal activity against different strains of fungi have been found in insects, which can be of great importance to tackle human diseases. Insects secrete such compounds, which can be peptides, as a part of their immune defense reactions. Active antifungal peptides developed by insects to rapidly eliminate infectious pathogens are considered a component of the defense munitions. This review focuses on naturally occurring antifungal peptides from insects and their challenges to be used as armaments against human diseases.
    Matched MeSH terms: Insect Proteins/pharmacology*
  11. Cytokinetic study of MCF-7 cells treated with commercial and recombinant bromelain
    Fouz N, Amid A, Hashim YZ
    Asian Pac J Cancer Prev, 2014 Jan;14(11):6709-14.
    PMID: 24377593
    BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a leading cause of death in women. The available chemotherapy drugs have been associated with many side effects. Bromelain has novel medicinal qualities including anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic, fibrinolytic and anti-cancer functions. Commercially available bromelain is obtained through tedious methods; therefore, recombinant bromelain may provide a cheaper and simpler choice with similar quality.

    MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study aimed to assess the effects of commercial and recombinant bromelain on the cytokinetic behavior of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and their potential as therapeutic alternatives in cancer treatment. Cytotoxic activities of commercial and recombinant bromelain were determined using (sulforhodamine) SRB assay. Next, cell viability assays were conducted to determine effects of commercial and recombinant bromelain on MCF-7 cell cytokinetic behavior. Finally, the established growth kinetic data were used to modify a model that predicts the effects of commercial and recombinant bromelain on MCF-7 cells.

    RESULTS: Commercial and recombinant bromelain exerted strong effects towards decreasing the cell viability of MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 5.13 μg/mL and 6.25 μg/mL, respectively, compared to taxol with an IC50 value of 0.063 μg/mL. The present results indicate that commercial and recombinant bromelain both have anti-proliferative activity, reduced the number of cell generations from 3.92 to 2.81 for commercial bromelain and to 2.86 for recombinant bromelain, while with taxol reduction was to 3.12. Microscopic observation of bromelain-treated MCF-7 cells demonstrated detachment. Inhibition activity was verified with growth rates decreased dynamically from 0.009 h-1 to 0.0059 h-1 for commercial bromelain and to 0.0063 h-1 for recombinant bromelain.

    CONCLUSIONS: Commercial and recombinant bromelain both affect cytokinetics of MCF-7 cells by decreasing cell viability, demonstrating similar strength to taxol.

    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology*
  12. Gamma-tocotrienol acts as a BH3 mimetic to induce apoptosis in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells
    Tan JK, Then SM, Mazlan M, Raja Abdul Rahman RN, Jamal R, Wan Ngah WZ
    J Nutr Biochem, 2016 May;31:28-37.
    PMID: 27133421 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.12.019
    Bcl-2 family proteins are crucial regulators of apoptosis. Both pro- and antiapoptotic members exist, and overexpression of the latter facilitates evasion of apoptosis in many cancer types. Bcl-2 homology domain 3 (BH3) mimetics are small molecule inhibitors of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members, and these inhibitors are promising anticancer agents. In this study, we report that gamma-tocotrienol (γT3), an isomer of vitamin E, can inhibit Bcl-2 to induce apoptosis. We demonstrate that γT3 induces cell death in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells by depolarising the mitochondrial membrane potential, enabling release of cytochrome c to the cytosol and increasing the activities of caspases-9 and -3. Treatment of cells with inhibitors of Bax or caspase-9 attenuated the cell death induced by γT3. Simulated docking analysis suggested that γT3 binds at the hydrophobic groove of Bcl-2, while a binding assay showed that γT3 competed with a fluorescent probe to bind at the hydrophobic groove. Our data suggest that γT3 mimics the action of BH3-only protein by binding to the hydrophobic groove of Bcl-2 and inducing apoptosis via the intrinsic pathway in a Bax- and caspase-9-dependent manner.
    Matched MeSH terms: Proto-Oncogene Proteins/pharmacology*
  13. Effect of recombinant human erythropoietin and doxorubicin in combination on the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells
    Radwan EM, Abdullah R, Al-Qubaisi MS, El Zowalaty ME, Naadja SE, Alitheen NB, et al.
    Mol Med Rep, 2016 May;13(5):3945-52.
    PMID: 26987078 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2016.4989
    Patients with cancer often exhibit signs of anemia as the result of the disease. Thus, cancer chemotherapies often include erythropoietin (EPO) in the regime to improve the survival rate of these patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of EPO on doxorubicin-treated breast cancer cells. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin alone or in combination with EPO against the MCF-7 and MDA-MB‑231 human breast cancer cells were determined using an MTT cell viability assay, neutral red (NR) uptake assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. The estimated half maximal inhibitory concentration values for doxorubicin and the combination of doxorubicin with EPO were between 0.140 and 0.260 µg/ml for all cells treated for 72 h. Treatment with doxorubicin in combination with EPO led to no notable difference in cytotoxicity, compared with treatment with doxorubicin alone. The antiproliferative effect of doxorubicin at a concentration of 1 µg/ml on the MDA‑MB‑231 cells was demonstrated by the decrease in viable cells from 3.6x10(5) at 24 h to 2.1x10(5) at 72 h of treatment. In order to confirm apoptosis in the doxorubicin-treated cells, the activities of caspases-3/7 and ‑9 were determined using a TBE assay. The results indicated that the activities of caspases-3/7 and ‑9 were significantly elevated in the doxorubicin-treated MDA-MB-231 cells by 571 and 645%, respectively, and in the MCF 7 cells by 471 and 345%, respectively, compared with the control cells. EPO did not modify the effect of doxorubicin on these cell lines. The results of the present study suggested that EPO was safe for use in combination with doxorubicin in the treatment of patients with breast cancer and concurrent anemia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology
  14. Antimicrobial activity and immunomodulation of four novel cathelicidin genes isolated from the tiger frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus
    Huang D, Gao F, Huang Y, Zheng R, Fang C, Huang W, et al.
    Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol, 2025 Mar;289:110091.
    PMID: 39710086 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.110091
    Cathelicidin is a family of antimicrobial peptides in vertebrates that plays an important role in resistance and immunization against pathogenic microorganisms. In the present study, the full-length cDNA sequences of four novel cathelicidins (cathelicidin-1 to cathelicidin-4) in the tiger frog Hoplobatrachus rugulosus, encoding 153, 188, 132, and 160 amino acids, respectively, were firstly cloned by rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE) technique. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic tree analysis indicated that the structures of the four cathelicidins are highly diverse. Afterwards, the tissue distribution profiles and antimicrobial patterns of cathelicidins in H. rugulosus were determined by real-time PCR. The four cathelicidins showed tissue-specific distribution patterns in the healthy frogs, and the transcriptional levels of cathelicidins exhibited a tissue- and time-dependency profile in the frogs challenged with pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila for 72 h. The synthetic peptides of cathelicidin-1 and cathelicidin-2 exhibited broad-spectrum in vitro antimicrobial activity, and cathelicidins exerted antimicrobial activities through excessive induction of reactive oxygen species and direct disruption of the microbial membrane structure. In addition, the intraperitoneal injection of cathelicidin proteins significantly increased the marine medaka Oryzias melastigma resistance to bacterial challenges. The existence of multiple cathelicidins, their distinct tissue distribution patterns, and the inducible expression profiles suggest a sophisticated, highly redundant, and multilevel network of antimicrobial defense mechanisms in tiger frogs. This study provides evidence that cathelicidins have antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities, and cathelicidins derived from H. rugulosus have potential therapeutic applications against pathogenic infections in aquaculture.
    Matched MeSH terms: Amphibian Proteins/pharmacology
  15. High angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity of Alcalase-digested green soybean (Glycine max) hydrolysates
    Hanafi MA, Hashim SN, Chay SY, Ebrahimpour A, Zarei M, Muhammad K, et al.
    Food Res Int, 2018 04;106:589-597.
    PMID: 29579964 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2018.01.030
    As a protein-rich, underutilized crop, green soybean could be exploited to produce hydrolysates containing angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides. Defatted green soybean was hydrolyzed using four different food-grade proteases (Alcalase, Papain, Flavourzyme and Bromelain) and their ACE inhibitory activities were evaluated. The Alcalase-generated green soybean hydrolysate showed the highest ACE inhibitory activity (IC50: 0.14 mg/mL at 6 h hydrolysis time) followed by Papain (IC50: 0.20 mg/mL at 5 h hydrolysis time), Bromelain (IC50: 0.36 mg/mL at 6 h hydrolysis time) and Flavourzyme (IC50: 1.14 mg/mL at 6 h hydrolysis time) hydrolysates. The Alcalase-generated hydrolysate was profiled based on its hydrophobicity and isoelectric point using reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and isoelectric point focusing (IEF) fractionators. The Alcalase-generated green soybean hydrolysate comprising of peptides EAQRLLF, PSLRSYLAE, PDRSIHGRQLAE, FITAFR and RGQVLS, revealed the highest ACE inhibitory activity of 94.19%, 99.31%, 92.92%, 101.51% and 90.40%, respectively, while their IC50 values were 878 μM, 532 μM, 1552 μM, 1342 μM and 993 μM, respectively. It can be concluded that Alcalase-digested green soybean hydrolysates could be exploited as a source of peptides to be incorporated into functional foods with antihypertensive activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Soybean Proteins/pharmacology*
  16. The TRAIL to cancer therapy: Hindrances and potential solutions
    Wong SHM, Kong WY, Fang CM, Loh HS, Chuah LH, Abdullah S, et al.
    Crit Rev Oncol Hematol, 2019 Nov;143:81-94.
    PMID: 31561055 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2019.08.008
    Apoptosis is an ordered and orchestrated cellular process that occurs in physiological and pathological conditions. Resistance to apoptosis is a hallmark of virtually all malignancies. Despite being a cause of pathological conditions, apoptosis could be a promising target in cancer treatment. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), also known as Apo-2 ligand (Apo2L), is a member of TNF cytokine superfamily. It is a potent anti-cancer agent owing to its specific targeting towards cancerous cells, while sparing normal cells, to induce apoptosis. However, resistance occurs either intrinsically or after multiple treatments which may explain why cancer therapy fails. This review summarizes the apoptotic mechanisms via extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, as well as the apoptotic resistance mechanisms. It also reviews the current clinically tested recombinant human TRAIL (rhTRAIL) and TRAIL receptor agonists (TRAs) against TRAIL-Receptors, TRAIL-R1 and TRAIL-R2, in which the outcomes of the clinical trials have not been satisfactory. Finally, this review discusses the current strategies in overcoming resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in pre-clinical and clinical settings.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology
  17. Fulltext Antidepressant-like effects of fish, krill oils and Vit B12 against exposure to stress environment in mice models: current status and pilot study
    Zadeh-Ardabili PM, Rad SK, Rad SK, Movafagh A
    Sci Rep, 2019 Dec 27;9(1):19953.
    PMID: 31882885 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56360-8
    Oxidative stress has significant role in pathophysiology of any kind of depression through actions of free radicals, non-radical molecules, and unbalancing antioxidant systems in body. In the current study, antidepressant responses of fish oil (FO), Neptune krill oil (NKO), vitamin B12 (Vit B12), and also imipramine (IMP) as the reference were studied. Natural light was employed to induce stress in the animals followed by oral administration of the drugs for 14 days. The antidepressant effect was assessed by tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST), antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress markers were then measured in the brain tissue of the animals. The administration of FO and NKO could significantly reduce the immobility of the animals; while, increasing climbing and swimming time compared to the normal saline in CUS-control group in TST and FST, similarly to IMP but not with Vit B12. Vit B12 could not effect on SOD activity and H2O2 level, but, cause decrease of the malondialdihydric (MDA) level and CAT activity, as well as increased the GPx and GSH activities. The rest treatments led to decrease of MDA, H2O2 levels and CAT activity and increase of GPx, SOD, GSH activities.
    Matched MeSH terms: Dietary Proteins/pharmacology
  18. Toxicity study and blood pressure-lowering efficacy of whey protein concentrate hydrolysate in rat models, plus peptide characterization
    Hussein FA, Chay SY, Ghanisma SBM, Zarei M, Auwal SM, Hamid AA, et al.
    J Dairy Sci, 2020 Mar;103(3):2053-2064.
    PMID: 31882211 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17462
    We evaluated the acute (single-dose) and subacute (repeated-dose) oral toxicity of alcalase-hydrolyzed whey protein concentrate. Our acute study revealed no death or treatment-related complications, and the median lethal dose of whey protein concentrate hydrolysate was >2,500 mg/kg. In the subacute study, when the hydrolysate was fed at 3 different concentrations (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg), no groups showed toxicity changes compared with controls. Then, whey protein concentrate hydrolysate was orally administered to spontaneously hypertensive rats. Results revealed significant reductions in blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner, and dosing at 400 mg/kg led to significant blood pressure reduction (-47.8 mm Hg) compared with controls (blood pressure maintained) and the findings of previous work (-21 mm Hg). Eight peptides-RHPEYAVSVLLR, GGAPPAGRL, GPPLPRL, ELKPTPEGDL, VLSELPEP, DAQSAPLRVY, RDMPIQAF, and LEQVLPRD-were sequentially identified and characterized. Of the peptides, VLSELPEP and LEQVLPRD showed the most prominent in vitro angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibition with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations of 0.049 and 0.043 mM, respectively. These findings establish strong evidence for the in vitro and in vivo potential of whey protein concentrate hydrolysate to act as a safe, natural functional food ingredient that exerts antihypertensive activity.
    Matched MeSH terms: Whey Proteins/pharmacology*
  19. A New Plant Expression System for Producing Pharmaceutical Proteins
    Abd-Aziz N, Tan BC, Rejab NA, Othman RY, Khalid N
    Mol Biotechnol, 2020 Apr;62(4):240-251.
    PMID: 32108286 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-020-00242-2
    In the past decade, interest in the production of recombinant pharmaceutical proteins in plants has tremendously progressed because plants do not harbor mammalian viruses, are economically competitive, easily scalable, and capable of carrying out complex post-translational modifications required for recombinant pharmaceutical proteins. Mucuna bracteata is an essential perennial cover crop species widely planted as an underground cover in oil palm and rubber plantations. As a legume, they have high biomass, thrive in its habitat, and can fix nitrogen. Thus, M. bracteata is a cost-efficient crop that shows ideal characteristics as a platform for mass production of recombinant protein. In this study, we established a new platform for the transient production of a recombinant protein in M. bracteata via vacuum-assisted agro-infiltration. Five-week-old M. bracteata plants were vacuum infiltrated with Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring a plasmid that encodes for an anti-toxoplasma immunoglobulin (IgG) under different parameters, including trifoliate leaf positional effects, days to harvest post-infiltration, and the Agrobacterium strain used. Our results showed that vacuum infiltration of M. bracteata plant with A. tumefaciens strain GV3101 produced the highest concentration of heterologous protein in its bottom trifoliate leaf at 2 days post-infiltration. The purified anti-toxoplasma IgG was then analyzed using Western blot and ELISA. It was demonstrated that, while structural heterogeneity existed in the purified anti-toxoplasma IgG from M. bracteata, its transient expression level was two-fold higher than the model platform, Nicotiana benthamiana. This study has laid the foundation towards establishing M. bracteata as a potential platform for the production of recombinant pharmaceutical protein.
    Matched MeSH terms: Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology
  20. Anti-bacterial activity of inorganic nanomaterials and their antimicrobial peptide conjugates against resistant and non-resistant pathogens
    Pardhi DM, Şen Karaman D, Timonen J, Wu W, Zhang Q, Satija S, et al.
    Int J Pharm, 2020 Aug 30;586:119531.
    PMID: 32540348 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.119531
    This review details the antimicrobial applications of inorganic nanomaterials of mostly metallic form, and the augmentation of activity by surface conjugation of peptide ligands. The review is subdivided into three main sections, of which the first describes the antimicrobial activity of inorganic nanomaterials against gram-positive, gram-negative and multidrug-resistant bacterial strains. The second section highlights the range of antimicrobial peptides and the drug resistance strategies employed by bacterial species to counter lethality. The final part discusses the role of antimicrobial peptide-decorated inorganic nanomaterials in the fight against bacterial strains that show resistance. General strategies for the preparation of antimicrobial peptides and their conjugation to nanomaterials are discussed, emphasizing the use of elemental and metallic oxide nanomaterials. Importantly, the permeation of antimicrobial peptides through the bacterial membrane is shown to aid the delivery of nanomaterials into bacterial cells. By judicious use of targeting ligands, the nanomaterial becomes able to differentiate between bacterial and mammalian cells and, thus, reduce side effects. Moreover, peptide conjugation to the surface of a nanomaterial will alter surface chemistry in ways that lead to reduction in toxicity and improvements in biocompatibility.
    Matched MeSH terms: Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/pharmacology*
Related Terms
Filters
Contact Us

Please provide feedback to Administrator (afdal@afpm.org.my)

External Links