Evaluating the Effects of Dithiothreitol and Fructose on Cell Viability and Function of Cryopreserved Primary Rat Hepatocytes and HepG2 Cell Line.

Evaluating the Effects of Dithiothreitol and Fructose on Cell Viability and Function of Cryopreserved Primary Rat Hepatocytes and HepG2 Cell Line.

Hepat Mon. 2013 Jan; 13(1): e7824
Aghdai MH, Jamshidzadeh A, Nematizadeh M, Behzadiannia M, Niknahad H, Amirghofran Z, Esfandiari E, Azarpira N

Hepatocytes are used as an in vitro model to evaluate drug metabolism. Human hepatocyte transplant has been considered as the temporary treatment of acute liver failure. Optimization freezing methods is very important to preserve both cell viability and function which are achieved by cryopreservation mostly always.The present study aimed to investigate the cryoprotective effect of DTT and fructose on primary rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells.Both fresh rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cell line were incubated with fructose (100 and 200 mM) and dithiothreitol (DTT) (25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 ?M) at 37°C for 1 and 3 hours, respectively. The preincubated hepatocytes were cryopreserved for two weeks. Hepatocytes viability and function were determined post thawing and the results were compared with the control group.The viability of both rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells were significantly increased after one hour preincubation with fructose 200 mM. Preincubation with DTT (50 ?M, 100 ?M. 250 ?M and 500 ?M) improved the viability and function upon thawing in both cell types (P < 0.001). In rat hepatocytes, no significant change was observed in albumin, urea production, and LDH leakage after preincubation with fructose or DTT. In HepG2 cells, albumin and urea production were significantly increased after preincubation with DTT (500 ?M, 1 hour). The GSH content was significantly increased in DTT (250 and 500 ?M, 1 hour) groups in both rat hepatocyte and HepG2 cells.Incubation of hepatocytes with fructose and DTT prior to the cryopreservation can increase the cell viability and function after thawing. HubMed – drug

Curcumin, the main part of turmeric, prevents learning and memory changes induced by sodium metabisulfite, a preservative agent, in rats.

Exp Neurobiol. 2013 Mar; 22(1): 23-30
Noorafshan A, Asadi-Golshan R, Karbalay-Doust S, Abdollahifar MA, Rashidiani-Rashidabadi A

Sodium metabisulfite is used as a disinfectant, antioxidant, and preservative agent in the food, beverage, and drug industries. Neurons are highly sensitive to sulfite toxicity. Curcumin is the main part of turmeric and has neuroprotective effects on a variety of nervous system damages. The present study aimed to investigate the possible protective role of curcumin in learning and memory after exposure to sulfite in rats. The rats were divided into five groups receiving distilled water (solvent of the sulfite), olive oil (solvent of the curcumin), sodium metabisulfite (25 mg/kg/day), curcumin (100 mg/kg/day), and sulfite + curcumin. All the animals received daily gavages for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8(th) week, learning and memory were assessed in a partially-baited eight arm radial maze. The animals treated with sulfite showed fewer correct choices and more reference and working memory errors during the learning phase, at the end of the learning phase, and during the retention testing (p<0.001). The study results demonstrated that sulfite-exposure was associated with impaired learning and memory in rats. Adding curcumin to the rat nutrition plays a protective role in learning and memory after exposure to sulfite. HubMed – drug

Memantine reverses social withdrawal induced by ketamine in rats.

Exp Neurobiol. 2013 Mar; 22(1): 18-22
Uribe E, Landaeta J, Wix R, Eblen A

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of memantine on schizophrenia-like symptoms in a ketamine-induced social withdrawal model in rats. We examined therapeutic effects of memantine, an NMDA antagonist, and haloperidol, a classic antipsychotic drug, on this behavioral model. Administration of memantine (10 or 15 mg·kg(-1)) significantly reduced ketamine-induced social withdrawal, and this effect was more effective than that of haloperidol (0.25 mg·kg(-1)) by restoring the social interaction between rats with no modification in general motor activity. These results suggest that memantine could have a therapeutic potential for schizophrenia. HubMed – drug