Integrating COVID-19 vaccination into a cyclophosphamide-based regimen provides an attractive immunomodulatory approach. By exploiting the vaccine's ability to enhance robust immune protection, this combination balances chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression and promotes a synergistic antitumor response, this combination demonstrates improved targeting of breast cancer cells and promising enhanced therapeutic outcomes. The objective of this study is to investigate the ability of COVID-19-induced immune activation to enhance the ability of the immune system to target tumor cells. Solid breast cancer was established in adult female Swiss albino mice (CD1 strain) by subcutaneous (s.c.) inoculation in their back with a number (5 x 106 cells /mouse) of fresh viable Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell line. The mice were treated with cyclophosphamide (CTX) followed by Sinopharm®. CBC, and spleen cell count were assessed. The WBCscount, spleen count, and MID in the group which treated with Sinopharm® were significantly higher compared to other groups. The Sinopharm treatment resulted in a GRA intermediate between the control and CTX groups. LYM percentage was greater in the CTX group than in the other treatment group. Our data indicated that Sinopharm® can promote anti-tumor efficacy, which is associated with the development of anti-tumor immunological memory. Co-treatment with chemotherapy didn’t interfere with this memory response.
The antimicrobial properties of extracts from shells, egg masses, and soft tissues of the freshwater snail Helisoma duryi were assessed using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value against specific bacterial and fungal pathogens. In certain instances, the extracts' potent antibacterial and antifungal properties outperformed those of conventional antimicrobial agents. The egg mass extract showed the highest inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, while the soft tissue extract was most active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Both egg mass and soft tissue extract also displayed significant inhibition of Klebsiella pneumoniae, with E. coli being the most susceptible bacterium. Regarding antifungal activity, the shell extract demonstrated the strongest effect against Aspergillus niger (MIC = 0.33 μg/mL), surpassing flucytosine (0.42 μg/mL). All extracts showed activity equivalent to fluconazole in opposition to Candida albicans with an MIC of 2.67 μg/mL. The egg mass and soft tissue extracts exhibited superior inhibition of Fusarium keratitis (MIC = 2.33 and 1.5 μg/mL, respectively), outperforming flucytosine and voriconazole (4.67 μg/mL). In general, the most vulnerable species were A. niger and E. coli, and soft tissue extract displayed the broadest antimicrobial spectrum, indicating that H. duryi possesses promising bioactive compounds with potential pharmaceutical applications.
Cardiotoxicity is one of the negative effects of doxorubicin (DOX), an anthracycline treatment that works well. Beyond decreasing cholesterol, atorvastatin (ATOR) has shown pleiotropic benefits, including cardioprotective qualities. There were four groups used: control, ATOR-treated, DOX-treated, and DOX/ATOR-treated. For a month, DOX (4 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally once a week, and ATOR (20 mg/kg) was administered daily in addition to DOX injections. Biochemical analysis of serum cardiac biomarkers and inflammatory mediators were used to evaluate heart function and injury. Elevated cardiac biomarkers show that the DOX treatment caused severe heart damage. In the rats given DOX, treatment with the ATOR considerably decreased cardiotoxicity and enhanced cardiac functioning. a notable reduction in the cardiac expression levels of the p53 and TGF-β1 genes in the DOX-injected group receiving ATOR treatment. Rats given DOX were treated with ATOR, which significantly increased the expression of the Smad-7 and Mdm-2 genes in the heart. According to these results, ATOR may be a useful supplemental treatment to lessen the cardiotoxic side effects of DOX.
Nanoparticles are materials with at least one dimension ranging from 1–100 nm, exhibiting unique physicochemical properties due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio. Nanotoxicology evaluates their potential effects on human health and the environment. Nanomedicine leverages diagnostic and therapeutic applications, particularly in cancer. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have gained significant attention owing to their wide-ranging biomedical and industrial uses. In the present study, ZnO-NPs were synthesized chemically as a fine white powder and subsequently dispersed in citrate buffer using sonication to ensure homogenous suspension. Two dosage levels (3.1 and 7.75 mg/kg body weight) were selected to investigate their ability to cross the placental barrier. A pregnant Sprague Dawley rat model was employed. On gestational day 19, animals received a single intravenous injection of ZnO-NPs via the tail vein, while control animals were administered the vehicle alone. Animals were sacrificed at 12 and 24 hours post-administration. Fetal outcomes were assessed through embryonic examination. Histopathological analyses of maternal liver, kidney, spleen, and placenta were conducted using light microscopy, while splenic tissues were further examined by transmission electron microscopy to determine the localization of ZnO-NPs. The results proved the metal nanoparticles reached placenta. They penetrated cellular membranes of maternal vital organs (liver, kidney, spleen and placenta) and interacted with key intracellular components causing pathological alterations. Splenic ultrastructural showed evident signs of subcellular injury beside nanoparticles’ localization. According to findings ZnO-NPs are capable of penetrating cellular membranes and interacting with critical intracellular components, potentially mediating their biological and toxicological effects.
