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Background: Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit very unique physiochemical and optical properties, which now are extensively studied in a range of medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. AuNPs can be used for cancer clinical treatment with minimal invasion. On the other hand, curcumin is a polyphenol derived from turmeric which is used for medical purposes due to its anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite these potential properties of curcumin, its usage is limited in medicine due to low solubility in water. Conjugation of curcumin to AuNPs (Au-Cur nanostructure) can be increasing its solubility. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a novel kind of cancer treatment which involves two major components: laser and photo-thermoconversion agents. Materials and Methods: Here, diode lasers emitting 808 nm and 650 nm were utilized as light sources, and synthesized Au-Cur nanostructure was applied as a photo-thermo conversion agent. UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were applied to study the maximum absorption of particles, size stability of the samples and their zeta potential. The synthesized Au-Cur nanostructure under irradiation of laser is used for PPT on 4T1 cells. The cytotoxicity activity of Au-Cur nanostructure and laser irradiation on 4T1 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Results: Synthesized Au-Cur nanostructure showed λmax at 540 nm and a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 25.8 nm. 4T1 cells were exposed to an 808 nm diode laser (1.5 W cm2 , 10 min) in the presence of different concentrations of Au-Cur nanostructure. Next, 4T1 cells with Au-Vur nanostructure were exposed to diode laser beam (650 nm, 1.5 W cm2 ) for 10 min. The results revealed that Au-Cur nanostructure under laser irradiation of 808 nm more decreased cell viability of 4T1 cells compared to laser irradiation of 650 nm. Conclusion: It was concluded that combining an 808-nm laser at a power density of 1.5W/cm2 with Au-Cur nanostructure has a destruction effect on 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro experiments compared to laser irradiation of 650 nm. Citation: Rahimi-Moghaddam F, Sattarahmady N, Azarpira N. Gold-Curcumin Nanostructure in Photo-thermal Therapy on Breast Cancer Cell Line: 650 and 808 nm Diode Lasers as Light Sources. J Biomed Phys Eng. 2019;9(4):473-482. https://doi.org/10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.906.

Mojtaba Shafiekhani,1,2 Mohammad Mehdi Ommati,3 Negar Azarpira,4 Reza Heidari,3 Amir Ahmad Salarian1 1Toxin Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Aja University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran; 2Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 3Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; 4Department of Pathology, Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Purpose: Lead (Pb) is an environmental pollutant responsible for various organ damages including renal injury. It seems that OS and associated events are crucial mechanisms of lead-induced renal dysfunction. The current study aimed to explore the potential protective effects of glycine against renal injury caused by lead in mice.Materials and methods: Mature male mice (n=32) were allocated into four groups. The following treatment regimens were the control (vehicle-treated); Pb-acetate (20 mg/kg/day, gavage); Pb-acetate + glycine (500 mg/kg/day, IP); and Pb-acetate + glycine (1,000 mg/kg/day, IP). Pb-acetate + glycine was administered for 14 consecutive days, Pb-acetate was given first and then glycine at least 6 hours later. On day 15, the subjects were anesthetized, and samples were collected. Serum biomarkers such as BUN and serum creatinine were monitored along with formation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, kidney GSH level, and histopathological changes.Results: Based on the results, BUN and serum creatinine levels significantly increased ­following exposure to lead. Glycine supplementation (500 and 1,000 mg/kg, IP) decreased BUN and ­creatinine serum levels (P

Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has ameliorative effects for treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA) disease. Moreover, there is a growing interest in using MSCs-derived secretome (Sec) containing trophic factors secreted by MSCs for KOA treatment. Recently, some studies have suggested that the combination of MSCs and Sec has the potential to treat the diseases. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of combined administration of infrapatellar fat pad (IPFP)-derived MSCs, a type of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), for treating degenerated cartilage in a rat model of KOA. Methods: IPFP-ASCs were isolated from the IPFP of male rats. Sec was obtained from IPFP-ASCs in the fourth passage. Eight weeks after the induction of KOA by collagenase II, the rats were divided into 5 groups (n=5), including a control group with no treatment, and four experimental groups that received sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan®, Hya), ASCs, Sec, and IPFP-ASCs+Sec, respectively by an infrapatellar injection. To perform the pathological and radiological evaluations, the animals were sacrificed 8 weeks later. Results: Our findings indicated that combined administration of the IPFP-ASCs and Sec statistically (P<0.05) improved scores of medial tibial and femoral condyles and medial fabella osteophytes. Also, it statistically (P<0.05) enhances the cartilage surface, matrix, cell distribution and population viability, and subchondral bone indices. No statistical difference was observed between IPFP-ASCs+Sec and IPFP-ASCs. Conclusion: Administration of IPFP-ASCs+Sec has a therapeutic potential to treat KOA in rats. However, there is no difference in the combined administration of IPFP-ASCs and Sec with IPFP-ASCs alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decellularized livers could provide an environment for liver-specific cell migration and can be a cell or drug delivery vehicle. Synthetic glucocorticoids can be loaded on the decellularized liver to induce hepatocyte differentiation and development. Although decellularized scaffolds provide a promising approach for liver regeneration, their transplantation to the partial hepatectomized liver may have a detrimental impact on the recipients' liver function. Objective: This study investigated the impact of the transplanted decellularized liver with/without prednisolone preloading on liver histopathology and functions. Methods: Decellularized rat liver scaffolds were prepared by the perfusion method. After scaffold characterization, they were grafted to partially hepatectomized rats in prednisolone-free and -loaded groups. After 2 and 4 weeks, the liver and grafts were removed and evaluated by Periodic acid Schiff staining and immunohistochemistry. Serological assessments were also performed on blood sera and compared with the untreated control. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD. Results: Both grafts were invaded by hepatocytes. No histopathological symptom was detected in the recipients' liver; however, oval cells were observed within the epithelium of the bile duct and in the surrounding connective tissue. No significant variation was observed in the levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), but the levels of albumin and total protein were significantly reduced in both groups that received the grafts after two weeks; however, after four weeks, total protein and albumin reached the average level. Conclusion: Decellularized liver transplantation with/without the drug is safe enough for liver recipients to be considered a promising technique in regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autophagy is an intracellular self-degradative homeostasis process which eliminates undesirable and harmful macromolecules and organelles. Autophagy is also involved in self-renewal and differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs). Objective: In this study, we investigated the expression profile of autophagy marker genes in human iPSCs during their differentiation induction toward insulin producing ß-like cells. Methods: Human iPSC line, R1-hiPSC1, was used for differentiation induction toward ß-like cells. The mRNA expression of Nanog, OCT4 (pluripotency markers), SOX17, FOXA2 (endodermic markers), PTF1A, NKX6.1 (exocrine/endocrine determinants), and PDX1 were measured during differentiation stages. Autophagy was monitored by genes expression study of four autophagy markers, MAP1LC3B, BECN1, SQSTM1/P62 and ATG5, along with protein expression profile of LC3b-II during differentiation stages. Results: The mRNA expression measurement of pluripotency, endoderm and exocrine/endocrine marker genes confirmed that hiPSCs skipped pluripotency, differentiated into endoderm, passed through the pancreatic lineage commitment stage and successfully generated insulin producing ß-like cells. Expression profile of autophagy genes during differentiation stages indicated the decreased expression levels at the early stages (EB and MEI) and then increased at the definitive endoderm stages (DEI 1, DEI 2 and DE) followed by a subtractive pattern toward the end of differentiation. The results of protein expression of LC3b-II were consistent with gene expression data. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the high contribution of key autophagy genes/proteins during the differentiation of hiPSC toward ß-like cells. The enhanced autophagy levels were a prominent feature of early stages of differentiation and DE rather than the later stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatocyte transplantation using isolated human hepatocytes is an alternative source that can be used for the treatment of metabolic diseases and acute liver failure as a time bridge to liver transplantation. These cells can also be used for bioartificial liver systems and in vitro study of drug toxicity. Objective: To determine which cold preservation solution is better maintain the liver function. Methods: We prepared 4 cold preservation solutions made of different combination of antioxidants, chelating, membrane protective, and anti-apoptotic agents as well as inhibitor of cyclophilin D. For hepatocyte isolation, we used livers obtained from unused deceased donor livers and the liver of patients with Crigler-Najjar syndrome who were candidates of partial liver transplantation. After culture and cold preservation, the level of albumin, and urea production were measured as indices of liver functionality. Results: We found that albumin production significantly decreased after cold preservation in solution 1. There was no significant difference in urea production after cold preservation in solution 1 compared with control 24 h. No significant differences in albumin production were found after cold storage in solution 2 and solution 4 compared with control 24 h. Urea production significantly decreased after cold storage in solutions 2 and 4 compared with control 24 h. As a whole albumin and urea production were significantly decreased after cold preservation. Although albumin and urea production were decreased after cold preservation, but the results of albumin production of two solutions were not significantly different from that of the control group (p=0.109 and 0.951). Conclusion: Cold preservation of cultured human hepatocytes in solution 2 and solution 4 could maintain the function of albumin production better than other cold preservation solutions in our experiments; solution 1 was more effective on urea production of cultured human hepatocytes at 4 °C for 24 h. To determine if these hepatocytes are suitable candidates for transplantation, further studies should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cytokines have regulatory crosstalk with CMV infection leading to manage of post-liver transplantation virus-related outcomes. Objective: To investigate the link between IL-21, IL-23 and IL-27 mRNA and protein level with active CMV infection, which was evaluated in reactivated and non-reactivated liver transplant recipients. Methods: Two groups of liver transplant recipients were enrolled in this study-54 without and 15 with active CMV infection. 3 EDTA-treated blood samples were taken on day 1, 4, and 7 post-liver transplantation. Plasma and buffy coats of all samples were separated. All samples were analyzed for CMV reactivation using antigenemia technique. The separated plasma of positive samples was used for viral DNA extraction and protein evaluation. For evaluating the mRNA expression level by real-time PCR, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were done for all samples. Also, the protein level of studied genes was estimated by ELISA. Results: The expression level of IL-21, IL-23A and IL-27A cytokine genes was increased in CMV reactivated liver transplant recipients in comparison with CMV non-reactivated ones; IL-27A expression pattern was significant (p=0.001) at all sampling times. IL-21 significantly increased on the 2nd and 3rd (p=0.028 and 0.01, respectively) sampling days in CMV reactivated compared with non-reactivated patients. The expression level of IL-23A cytokine significantly increased on the 3rd (p=0.017) sampling day in CMV reactivated compared with non-reactivated liver transplant recipients. Conclusion: Elevation in the expression level of IL-21, IL-23A and IL-27A mRNA and protein level in CMV reactivated patients emphasized on the antiviral role of these cytokines in CMV reactivated liver transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit very unique physiochemical and optical properties, which now are extensively studied in a range of medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. AuNPs can be used for cancer clinical treatment with minimal invasion. On the other hand, curcumin is a polyphenol derived from turmeric which is used for medical purposes due to its anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite these potential properties of curcumin, its usage is limited in medicine due to low solubility in water. Conjugation of curcumin to AuNPs (Au-Cur nanostructure) can be increasing its solubility. Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a novel kind of cancer treatment which involves two major components: laser and photo-thermoconversion agents. Materials and Methods: Here, diode lasers emitting 808 nm and 650 nm were utilized as light sources, and synthesized Au-Cur nanostructure was applied as a photo-thermo conversion agent. UV-vis absorbance spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were applied to study the maximum absorption of particles, size stability of the samples and their zeta potential. The synthesized Au-Cur nanostructure under irradiation of laser is used for PPT on 4T1 cells. The cytotoxicity activity of Au-Cur nanostructure and laser irradiation on 4T1 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Results: Synthesized Au-Cur nanostructure showed λmax at 540 nm and a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 25.8 nm. 4T1 cells were exposed to an 808 nm diode laser (1.5 W cm2, 10 min) in the presence of different concentrations of Au-Cur nanostructure. Next, 4T1 cells with Au-Vur nanostructure were exposed to diode laser beam (650 nm, 1.5 W cm2) for 10 min. The results revealed that Au-Cur nanostructure under laser irradiation of 808 nm more decreased cell viability of 4T1 cells compared to laser irradiation of 650 nm. Conclusion: It was concluded that combining an 808-nm laser at a power density of 1.5W/cm2 with Au-Cur nanostructure has a destruction effect on 4T1 breast cancer cells in vitro experiments compared to laser irradiation of 650 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage and genetic liver diseases. The main burden of this treatment is the shortage of both living and cadaveric liver donors. An alternative treatment is using liver cell transplantation, which can be obtained from unused livers for transplantation. These hepatocytes should be kept ready in viable and functional situation in a frozen state to be instantly used when they would be needed. In our previous experience, we had isolated hepatocytes from unused livers. Objective: To find a preserving solution for increasing viability and function of the isolated hepatocytes that are stored to be transplanted. Methods: 9 cadaveric donor livers, which were not used for transplantation due to various causes such as severe steatosis, were selected to isolate hepatocytes. Various cold storage solutions were tried to find the best temperature for more viability and functionality for preservation of hepatocytes. University of Wisconsin (UW) solution and Williams E media were used as control media. 2 anti-apoptotic and antioxidative solutions, i.e., a-lipoic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), were used as cold preservatives solutions. The numbers of viable hepatocytes were estimated by trypan blue method; the functionality was assessed by the cells ability to produce urea. Results: The highest number of viable and functional hepatocytes was obtained from freshly isolated cells. However, after preservation, the number of these viable hepatocytes and their functionality were not significantly different in cold storage solutions comparing to the control media used. Functionality of the isolated hepatocytes stored in UW with and without UCDA solution was similar to freshly isolated hepatocytes. Conclusion: Preservatives with anti-apoptotic and antioxidant activity could not increase the number of viable hepatocytes. Functionality of cold storing hepatocytes could be preserved similar to freshly isolated hepatocytes by UW solution with and without UCDA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells are one of the most interesting cell sources used in regenerative medicine. Objective: In the present study, we isolated and characterized the mesenchymal stem cells from various compartments of human adipose tissue and tunica adventitia layer of the arteries. Methods: Tissue explant culture was done from various compartments of the human adipose tissue and tunica adventitia layer of the arteries, including adipose tissue far from the vessels, perivascular tissues that are completely attached to the vessels, and tunica adventitia layer of the arteries. After the cell culture, characterization of the cells was determined at 3rd-5th passages. Flow cytometry was performed for antigen expression analysis of CD34, CD45, CD44, CD90, CD29, CD73, and CD105. For the evaluation of cell differentiation potential, adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation was conducted under appropriate protocols. Results: The cells were positive for CD44, CD90, CD29, and CD73 and negative for CD34, CD45, and CD105. Adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potentials were different among the cells from various compartments. The cells derived from perivascular tissue demonstrated better adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion: It is essential to characterize the cells from different tissues and compartments for different purposes in regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]