agar and Inflammation

Topics: Abscess; Agar; Aminoglycosides; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anti-Infective Agents; Diffusion; Inflammation; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Glomerulus; Kinetics; Leukocytes; Liver; Membranes; Polyenes; Polymyxins; Protein Binding; Solubility; Sulfonamides

Topics: Agar; Amino Acids; Brain Neoplasms; Carbohydrates; Central Nervous System Diseases; Cerebrospinal Fluid; Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins; Cytodiagnosis; Electrophoresis; Humans; Immunoelectrophoresis; Inflammation; Lipids; Methods; Microscopy, Electron; Multiple Sclerosis; Syphilis

Bacterial infection is one of the most critical obstacles in wound healing, and severe bacterial infections can lead to inflammatory conditions and delay the healing process. Herein, a novel hydrogel based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), agar, and silk-AgNPs was prepared using a straightforward one-pot physical cross-linking method. The in situ synthesis of AgNPs in hydrogels exploited the reducibility of tyrosine (Tyr tyrosine) in silk fibroin, which endowed the hydrogels with outstanding antibacterial qualities. In addition, the strong hydrogen bond cross-linked networks of agar and the crystallites formed by PVA as the physical cross-linked double network of the hydrogel gave it excellent mechanical stability. The PVA/agar/SF-AgNPs (PASA) hydrogels exhibited excellent water absorption, porosity, and significant antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Furthermore, in vivo experimental results confirmed that the PASA hydrogel significantly promoted wound repair and skin tissue reconstruction by reducing inflammation and promoting collagen deposition. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the PASA hydrogel enhanced CD31 expression to promote angiogenesis while decreasing CD68 expression to reduce inflammation. Overall, the novel PASA hydrogel showed great potential for bacterial infection wound management.

Topics: Agar; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Infections; Escherichia coli; Humans; Hydrogels; Inflammation; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Staphylococcus aureus; Wound Healing

Murine models of acute and chronic lung infection have been used in studying Pseudomonas aeruginosa for assessing in vivo behavior and for monitoring of the host response. These models provide an important resource for studies of the initiation and maintenance of bacterial infection, identify bacterial genes essential for in vivo maintenance and for the development and testing of new therapies. The rat has been used extensively as a model of chronic lung infection, whereas the mouse has been a model of acute and chronic infection. Intratracheal administration of planktonic bacterial cells in the mouse provides a model of acute pneumonia. Bacteria enmeshed in agar beads can be used in the rat and mouse to reproduce the lung pathology of cystic fibrosis patients with advanced chronic pulmonary disease. Here, we describe the methods to assess virulence of P. aeruginosa using prototype and clinical strains in the Sprague-Dawley rat and the C57BL/6NCrlBR mouse by monitoring several measurable read-outs including weight loss, mortality, in vivo growth curves, the competitive index of infectivity, and the inflammatory response.

Topics: Acute Disease; Agar; Animals; Biological Assay; Chronic Disease; Colony Count, Microbial; Disease Models, Animal; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Inflammation; Kinetics; Lung; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Respiratory Tract Infections; Survival Analysis; Virulence

North American ginseng is known to have immunomodulatory and antipseudomonal properties in vitro. In this study we investigated the effects of aqueous ginseng extract, either alone or in a combination with the antibiotic tobramycin, in an animal model of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infection. The lungs of male rats (n = 5) were infected with P. aeruginosa (2 × 10(8) cfu/mL) in agar-beads by intratracheal instillation. Starting on day 7 post-infection, animals were treated daily for 3 consecutive days with saline, tobramycin (300 μg/kg body mass, intratracheal), and (or) ginseng (100 mg/kg body mass, subcutaneous); animals were sacrificed 24 h after the third drug treatment. Lung bacteria counts, cytokine levels in sera, and lung histopathology were examined. The treatment of infected animals with tobramycin [6.6 × 10(4) colony forming units (cfu)], ginseng (5.3 × 10(4) cfu), or tobramycin plus ginseng (2.0 × 10(3) cfu) lessened the lung infection compared with the control group (saline treated) (6.0 × 10(6) cfu). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12p70, IFN-γ, GM-CSF, TNF-α) in infected animals were significantly increased with co-treatment of ginseng plus tobramycin. These data suggest that co-administration of aqueous ginseng extract and tobramycin stimulated the pro-inflammatory response and promoted the killing of P. aeruginosa.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacterial Load; Body Weight; Chemokines; Culture Media; Cytokines; Inflammation; Lung; Lung Diseases; Male; Organ Size; Panax; Plant Extracts; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Pseudomonas Infections; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tobramycin

To improve the mechanical properties of polymers used in bone repair, it has been suggested to incorporate single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs). However, concern exists about the biosafety of the CNTs in vivo. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a magnetic resonance imaging technique to examine the distribution pattern of CNTs after release from a degrading poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffold in vivo. Five rats received a PLGA scaffold with incorporated gadolinium-labeled single-walled CNTs ("gadonanotubes") subcutaneously. The rats were analyzed up to 5 weeks, subsequently euthanized, followed by histological evaluation of the explanted scaffolds with their surrounding tissue. A significant increase in intensity of the scaffold surrounding tissue was shown in the time period around 3 weeks, as compared to internal control areas. The intensity declined soon thereafter. This is suggested to be caused by the release of gadonanotubes from the degrading scaffold into the surrounding tissue. Histological imaging showed encapsulation by connective fibrous tissue and some mild inflammation around the scaffolds. In conclusion, magnetic resonance imaging is an excellent technique to study the biological fate of gadonanotubes. However, to formulate solid conclusions on the distribution pattern of gadonanotubes in vivo the experimental setup requires further optimization.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Artifacts; Biocompatible Materials; Gadolinium; Inflammation; Lactic Acid; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Nanotechnology; Nanotubes; Nanotubes, Carbon; Phantoms, Imaging; Polyglycolic Acid; Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds

We investigated whether agaro-oligosaccharides have any immunological effects on RAW264.7 mouse macrophages and human monocytes in vitro. We demonstrate that agaro-oligosaccharides suppressed the elevated levels of nitric oxide, prostaglandin E(2), and such pro-inflammatory cytokines as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta and interleukin-6 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated monocytes and macrophages. We also demonstrate that those effects of agaro-oligosaccharides on activated monocytes and macrophages may have been caused by heme oxygenase-1 induction. It is therefore proposed that agaro-oligosaccharides might be a good candidate for a functional food to prevent inflammatory diseases.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Cytokines; Functional Food; Heme Oxygenase-1; Humans; Inflammation; Inflammation Mediators; Interleukin-1beta; Interleukin-6; Lipopolysaccharides; Macrophages; Mice; Monocytes; Nitric Oxide; Oligosaccharides; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Various standardized and/or validated models exist to test wound healing products. This article discusses their usefulness in clinical practice.. Major barriers to wound healing have been identified after intense interaction of research and practitioners. Although extensively tested, wound healing products are still associated with trial and error due to the high variability and complexity associated with the treatment of wounds. Therefore, the results of preclinical testing are compared and contrasted with clinical observations of a liposomal hydrogel containing 3% povidone-iodine (Repithel, PVP-ILH) to assess their expressiveness and to give the practitioner more guidance in application.. Testing of PVP-ILH included physicochemical testing according to ISO norms, testing in in vitro and in vivo models. The obtained results are compared to the clinical profile of the obtained product in randomized controlled trials and ultimately expressive case studies.. PVP-ILH displays good local tolerance, the basis for use in sensitive and predamaged tissue. As observed in laboratory testing, it readily provides moisture and takes up limited amounts of moisture. This was also seen in the clinical testing, as the ability to keep wounds moist and incorporate a certain -- but not large -- amount of exudates. Clinical results also show clean, well-debrided wounds, an effect that (in the absence of an established model for wound cleansing) was traced to the hydrogel component carbomer.. Recent consensus advocates the concept of wound bed preparation as a systematic approach to removing barriers to healing (TIME). Based on the results, tissue (removing non-viable tissue and debris) and moisture (balance) can now be better understood, and infection/inflammation (control) and edge (progressing, non-advancing or undermining wound edges) are reviewed together with previously published data to assess all aspects potentially impeding wound healing.. PVP-ILH successfully removes barriers to wound healing, thus laying the foundation to high-quality wound closure. Results from many scientific disciplines can help the user to better understand a product, standardization of testing is the only way of making results comparable.

Topics: Absorption; Administration, Topical; Agar; Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local; Debridement; Dermatologic Agents; Gelatin; Humans; Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; In Vitro Techniques; Inflammation; Liposomes; Povidone-Iodine; Rabbits; Skin Tests; Water; Wound Healing; Wound Infection

Pin loosening is a major complication in external fixation. Biological and mechanical conditions play an important role in the maintenance and enhancement of the implant-bone interface in fracture fixation. It is thought that biodegradable coatings may be capable of preventing pin track infection and pin loosening. The goal of this study was therefore to analyze the influence of a biodegradeable coating on the osseous integration of Schanz' screws during fracture treatment. Standardized osteotomies (3-mm fracture gap) of the right tibiae were performed on 16 sheep and stabilized by an AO mono-lateral external fixator. Additional, mechanically less loaded Schanz' screws were also mounted. All screws were randomly coated with biodegradable poly(D,L-lactide). The sheep were sacrificed after 9 weeks. All screws were removed and rolled on blood agar plates for microbiological analysis. Histological sections of the pin tracks were histochemically and morphometrically analyzed. Clinically, no signs of severe infection were visible. Microbiological analysis revealed 14.8% colonization by Staphylococcus aureus in the coated and 29% in the uncoated screws. Histomorphometry of the bone surrounding the Schanz' screws revealed that significantly more osseous integration had occurred on poly(D,L-lactide)-coated screws in the absence of bacterial colonization. Significantly more bone remodeling and a higher osteoclastic activity was seen near the screw-bone interface in the uncoated screw group. Up to a threefold increase in new bone formation and more severe remodeling was observed around the screw entry compared to the pin exit in all groups. Loaded screws showed significantly more callus formation around the exit sites than their less loaded counterparts. In the present study, poly(D,L-lactide) coating of Schanz' screws was found to enhance osseous integration in the absence of bacterial colonization in sheep by causing less cortical remodeling and less osteoclastic activity in the cortices compared to uncoated screws. Additionally, the coating appeared to reduce the instances of pin track infections. Mechanical loading showed an adverse effect on bone formation and remodeling. It has been shown that both biological and mechanical factors play an important role in the maintenance of osseous integrity of the pin-bone interface. Poly(D,L-lactide) coating of Schanz' screws does not prevent osseous destruction and severe bacterial colonization along the pin tracts, but c

Topics: Agar; Animals; Bone Screws; Coated Materials, Biocompatible; External Fixators; Fracture Fixation; Inflammation; Methylmethacrylate; Osseointegration; Osteoclasts; Osteotomy; Polyesters; Sheep; Staphylococcus aureus; Time Factors

Burkholderia cenocepacia is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause severe lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. To understand the contribution of B. cenocepacia flagella to infection, a strain mutated in the major flagellin subunit, fliCII, was constructed in B. cenocepacia K56-2 and tested in a murine agar bead model of lung infection. C57/BL6 mice infected with approximately 10(8) wild-type K56-2 bacteria exhibited 40% mortality after 3 days, whereas no mortality was noted in mice infected with the fliCII mutant. Among the mice surviving the infection with either strain, there was no significant difference in the bacterial loads in the lungs and spleen, bacteremia, weight loss, or infiltration of immune effector cells at 3 days postinfection. Similar results were observed at 24 h, prior to expression of the lethality phenotype. KC, a murine interleukin-8 (IL-8) homolog, was elevated in both the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum of mice infected with the wild type compared to the fliCII mutant at 24 h, suggesting that flagella stimulated host cells. To demonstrate that flagella contributed to these responses, the interaction between B. cenocepacia and Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) was investigated. Infection of HEK293 cells with heat-killed wild-type K56-2, but not infection with the fliCII mutant, resulted in both NF-kappaB activation and IL-8 secretion that was dependent upon expression of TLR5. Together, these results demonstrate that B. cenocepacia flagella contribute to virulence in an in vivo infection model, and that induction of host immune responses through interaction with TLR5 may contribute to its overall pathogenic potential.

Topics: Agar; Animals; Burkholderia cepacia; Burkholderia Infections; Cell Line; Disease Models, Animal; Female; Flagella; Flagellin; Humans; Inflammation; Interleukin-8; Lung Diseases; Membrane Glycoproteins; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microspheres; Mutation; Receptors, Cell Surface; Toll-Like Receptor 5; Toll-Like Receptors; Virulence

Topics: Agar; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Carpal Bones; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Edema; Fibrin; Histological Techniques; Inflammation; Injections, Intra-Articular; Joints; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma mycoides; Radius; Synovial Fluid; Synovitis; Tarsal Joints; Time Factors

Topics: Agar; Ascariasis; Child; Eye Diseases; Female; Fluorescence; Fundus Oculi; Gels; Granuloma; Humans; Inflammation; Larva; Macula Lutea; Precipitin Tests

Topics: Agar; Cell Membrane; Cell Nucleus; Chlorides; Fibroblasts; Histocytochemistry; Humans; Inflammation; Mercury; Methods; Microscopy, Electron; Mitochondria; Photography; Radioisotopes; Silver; Skin; Skin Absorption; Suspensions

Topics: Agar; Albumins; Arthritis; Cathepsins; Eosinophils; Fibrinogen; Fibrinolysin; Fibrinolysis; Humans; Inflammation; Leukocytes; Peptide Hydrolases; Plasminogen; Synovial Fluid

Topics: Adult; Agar; Aged; Anemia; Blood Proteins; Breast Neoplasms; Bronchitis; Colitis; Electrophoresis; Female; Gels; Humans; Infections; Inflammation; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms; Orchitis; Pneumonia; Testicular Neoplasms

Topics: Agar; Granuloma; Inflammation; Peptide Hydrolases