Incorporation rates, stabilities, cytotoxicities and release of liposomal tetracycline and doxycycline in human serum. (9/2398)

Tetracycline and doxycycline were encapsulated in cationic, anionic and neutral liposomes. The amounts of antibiotic encapsulated, the stability of each preparation at 4 degrees C for 4 weeks, and the kinetics of the release of entrapped drug into human sera were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. The toxicities of the liposome preparations on human erythrocytes and HeLa 229 cells were evaluated in vitro. The results showed that doxycycline was entrapped more efficiently than tetracycline, and that doxycycline-entrapped liposomes were more stable at 4 degrees C and in human sera, and less cytotoxic than tetracycline-entrapped liposomes.  (+info)

Retardation of cell proliferation after expression of p202 accompanies an increase in p21(WAF1/CIP1). (10/2398)

p202 is an IFN-inducible, primarily nuclear, phosphoprotein (52-kDa) whose constitutive overexpression in transfected cells inhibits colony formation. To investigate the molecular mechanism(s) by which expression of p202 protein impairs colony formation, we established stable cell lines that inducibly express p202. Using this cell model, we demonstrate that the induced expression of p202 in asynchronous cultures of these cells was accompanied by: (a) an increase in steady-state levels of p21(WAF1/CIP1/SDI1) (p21) mRNA and protein; (b) a decrease in Cdk2 protein kinase activity; and (c) an increase in the functional form of retinoblastoma protein (pRb). Transient transfection of a p202-encoding plasmid in Saos-2 cells, which do not harbor a wild-type p53 protein, resulted in an increase in p21 protein, which indicated that p202 could regulate expression of p21 protein independent of p53 protein. Moreover, we demonstrate that expression of p202 in these cells increased cell doubling time without accumulation of cells in a particular phase of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results are consistent with the possibility that p202 protein contributes to the cell growth retardation activity of the IFNs, at least in part, by modulating p21 protein levels.  (+info)

Porcelain veneers: a challenging case. (11/2398)

A patient in his early 20s with teeth badly discoloured by tetracycline was seeking treatment to improve his esthetics. Because retreatment and cost were important considerations, porcelain veneers were the treatment of choice. The challenge in this case was to mask the underlying tetracycline stain before the final cementation and thus gain more control over the final shade of the veneers.  (+info)

Tetracycline up-regulates COX-2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production independent of its effect on nitric oxide. (12/2398)

Tetracyclines (doxycycline and minocycline) augmented (one- to twofold) the PGE2 production in human osteoarthritis-affected cartilage (in the presence or absence of cytokines and endotoxin) in ex vivo conditions. Similarly, bovine chondrocytes stimulated with LPS showed (one- to fivefold) an increase in PGE2 accumulation in the presence of doxycycline. This effect was observed at drug concentrations that did not affect nitric oxide (NO) production. In murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with LPS, tetracyclines inhibited NO release and increased PGE2 production. Tetracycline(s) and L-N-monomethylarginine (L-NMMA) (NO synthase inhibitor) showed an additive effect on inhibition of NO and PGE2 accumulation, thereby uncoupling the effects of tetracyclines on NO and PGE2 production. The enhancement of PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 cells by tetracyclines was accompanied by the accumulation of both cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA and cytosolic COX-2 protein. In contrast to tetracyclines, L-NMMA at low concentrations (< or = 100 microM) inhibited the spontaneous release of No in osteoarthritis-affected explants and LPS-stimulated macrophages but had no significant effect on the PGE2 production. At higher concentrations, L-NMMA (500 microM) inhibited NO release but augmented PGE2 production. This study indicates a novel mechanism of action of tetracyclines to augment the expression of COX-2 and PGE2 production, an effect that is independent of endogenous concentration of NO.  (+info)

Tightly regulated and inducible expression of rabbit CYP2E1 using a tetracycline-controlled expression system. (13/2398)

A tetracycline (Tc)-controlled gene expression system that quantitatively controls gene expression in eukaryotic cells () was used to express cytochrome P-450 2E1 (CYP2E1) in HeLa cells in culture. The rabbit CYP2E1 cDNA was subcloned into the Tc-controlled expression vector (pUHD10-3) and transfected into a HeLa cell line constitutively expressing the Tc-controlled transactivator, a positive regulator of expression in the absence of Tc. The expression of CYP2E1 was tightly regulated. There was a time-dependent induction of CYP2E1 after removal of Tc. In the absence of Tc, the enzyme was induced more than 100-fold and expressed about 18 pmol of CYP2E1/mg microsomal protein. At maximal levels of expression the enzyme catalyzed the formation of 158 pmol 6-hydroxychlorzoxazone/min/mg total cellular protein. In addition, the level of the enzyme could be modulated by the concentration of Tc in the media. In the absence of Tc, exposure of cells to N-nitrosodimethylamine caused a significant dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. In contrast, menadione, a redox cycling toxicant, was less toxic to the cells after induction of CYP2E1 when compared with noninduced cells. Pulse-chase studies conducted 72 h after removal of Tc indicated a rapid turnover of CYP2E1 with a half-life of 3.9 h. Addition of the ligand, 4-methylpyrazole, and the suicide substrate, 1-aminobenzotrizole, decreased the degradation of CYP2E1. This cell line offers a useful system to examine the role of CYP2E1 in the cytotoxicity of xenobiotics and to investigate post-translational regulation of the enzyme.  (+info)

The presence of the Rb c-box peptide in the cytoplasm inhibits p210bcr-abl transforming function. (14/2398)

In order to test if the carboxyl terminal polypeptide of the Retinoblastoma (Rb) tumor suppressor protein, could be used to suppress the growth factor-independent growth phenotype of p210bcr-abl positive myeloid cells, we introduced a truncated form of the 3' end of the Rb cDNA encoding its last 173 amino acid residues (Rb C-box) which localize into the cytoplasm where the p210bcr-abl transforming protein is found, into myeloid cells (32D) which depends on the p210bcr-abl protein for IL3 growth factor-independent growth (32D-p210). The expression of the plasmid vectors carrying the Rb C-box cDNAs was shown to inhibit the abl tyrosine specific protein kinase activity of the p210(bcr-abl) oncoprotein and to suppress the IL3-independent growth phenotype of the 32D-p210 cells. The Rb C-box polypeptides did not suppress the growth of the untransfected 32D parental cell line in methylcellulose in the presence of IL3-conditioned medium. These results suggest that the cytoplasmic localization of the p210(bcr-abl) allows it to escape the effect of intranuclear proteins such as Rb which negatively regulate the p145(c-abl) kinase.  (+info)

Ranitidine bismuth citrate, tetracycline, clarithromycin twice-a-day triple therapy for clarithromycin susceptible Helicobacter pylori infection. (15/2398)

BACKGROUND: Although many combination therapies have been proposed, there is still interest in identifying simple, inexpensive, effective protocols that have high rates of success. AIM: To investigate the role of the new soluble form of bismuth, ranitidine bismuth citrate, in twice-a-day therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection. METHODS: Patients with histologically and culture proven H. pylori infection received ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg, tetracycline HCl 500 mg, and clarithromycin 500 mg, each b.d. for 14 days, followed by 300 mg ranitidine once a day for 4 additional weeks. Outcome was assessed 4 or more weeks after the end of antimicrobial therapy by repeat endoscopy with histology and culture (49 patients) or urea breath testing (14 patients). RESULTS: Sixty-three patients completed the therapy, 59 men and four women (average age 56.7 years; range 31-75 years). All patients had clarithromycin-susceptible strains prior to therapy. H. pylori infection was cured in 94% (95% CI: 85-98%). There was a therapy failure in one patient who took the medicine for only 1 day and stopped because of side-effects. Three of the isolates from treatment failures were available post-failure; two were clarithromycin-resistant and one was susceptible. Side-effects were severe in two patients (3%) and moderate in three (primarily diarrhoea). CONCLUSIONS: Twice-a-day ranitidine bismuth citrate, tetracycline, clarithromycin triple therapy was well tolerated and effective for the treatment of H. pylori infection in patients with clarithromycin-susceptible H. pylori.  (+info)

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori infection after ranitidine bismuth citrate, metronidazole and tetracycline for 7 or 10 days. (16/2398)

BACKGROUND: We assessed the efficacy, tolerance, and compliance of twice-daily triple therapy for Helicobacter pylori with ranitidine bismuth citrate, metronidazole and tetracycline for 7 or 10 days. METHODS: 105 subjects with H. pylori infection documented by the 13C-urea breath test were randomly assigned to a 7 or 10-day course of ranitidine bismuth citrate 400 mg b.d., metronidazole 500 mg b.d. and tetracycline 500 mg b.d. Subjects returned at the end of therapy for assessment of side-effects and pill count. A repeat 13C-urea breath test was obtained 4 or more weeks after completion of therapy and cure of infection was defined as a negative test result. RESULTS: Poor compliance (< 80% of medications) was seen in 2% of subjects randomized to 7 days of therapy and in 10% randomized to 10 days of therapy (P = N.S.). Intention-to-treat eradication rates were 56% for 7-day and 60% for 10-day therapy (P = N.S.). Per protocol eradication rates were 58% for 7-day and 61% for 10-day therapy (P = N.S.). The 10-day intention-to-treat eradication rate for males was 78% and 32% for females (P < 0.01) and per protocol eradication rates were 79% and 31%, respectively (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Despite excellent compliance and tolerance, neither 7 nor 10 days of therapy with twice-daily ranitidine bismuth citrate, metronidazole and tetracycline are adequate as a treatment of H. pylori infection.  (+info)