Current Drug Discovery Technologies - Volume 5, Issue 4, 2008

The last few decades have seen significant advancement in the therapy of Ischemic Heart Diseases (IHD). This is a direct outcome of the increasing knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved during an ischemic insult of the myocardium. Even then there is still a major unmet need for better strategies or drug therapies to reduce ventricular remodeling and improve post-ischemic myocardial function. The ex-vivo isolate Read More

There is compelling evidence that airway smooth muscle cells may function as inflammatory cells in the airway system by producing multiple inflammatory cytokines in response to a large array of external stimuli such as acetylcholine, bradykinin, inflammatory cytokines, and toll-like receptor activators. However, how multiple extracellular stimuli interact in the regulation of inflammatory gene expression in an airway Read More

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex polysaccharides, which play important roles in cell growth, differentiation, morphogenesis, cell migration, and bacterial/viral infections. Major GAGs include heparin (Hep)/heparan sulfate, and chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS). Hep has been used for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders for more than 75 years, and has an established position in therapy today. CS/DS ha Read More

Acute hypoxia is induced during coronary occlusion or when oxygen supply does not meet demand and can trigger cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac ion channels shape the action potential and excitability of the heart. Acute hypoxia regulates the function of cardiac ion channels including the L-type Ca2+ channel that is the main route for Ca2+influx into cardiac myocytes and shapes the plateau phase of the action potential. This arti Read More

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are major drug targets and are organized in dimeric/oligomeric complexes. These dimers may be composed of identical (homodimer) or different (heterodimer) receptors. GPCR dimerization provides new opportunities for drug design. Different strategies have been developed to specifically target GPCR dimers. Bivalent ligands, which are composed of two functional pharmacophores linked Read More

This paper details an in-vitro study using human adipose tissue-derived precursor/stem cells (ADSCs) in three-dimensional (3D) tissue culture systems. ADSCs from 3 donors were seeded onto NaOH-treated medical grade polycaprolactone-tricalcium phosphate (mPCL-TCP) scaffolds with two different matrix components; fibrin glue and lyophilized collagen. ADSCs within these scaffolds were then induced to differentiate alo Read More

In this review, we will give a critical update of published studies using ultrasound for targeted therapeutic use. We will briefly discuss the interaction mechanisms and their effects in non-invasive delivery of therapeutic agents. Moreover, the mechanisms by which ultrasonic contrast agents facilitate the delivery of drugs and genes into tissue will be discussed, together with recent applications and perspectives of targeted-mi Read More

The development of new delivery systems for the controlled release of drugs is one of the most interesting fields of research in pharmaceutical sciences. Microparticles can be used for the controlled release of drugs, vaccines, antibiotics, and hormones. To prevent the loss of encapsulated materials, the microcapsules should be coated with another polymer that forms a membrane on the surface. In addition there are sever Read More