Radmila Novakovic

Phenylpropiophenone derivatives as potential anticancer agents: synthesis, biological evaluation and quantitative structure-activity relationship study.

Series of twelve chalcone and propafenone derivatives has been synthesized and evaluated for anticancer activities against HeLa, Fem-X, PC-3, MCF-7, LS174 and K562 cell lines. The 2D-QSAR and 3D-QSAR studies were performed for all compounds with cytotoxic activities against each cancer cell line. Partial least squares (PLS) regression has been applied for selection of the most relevant molecular descriptors and QSAR models building. Predictive potentials of the created 2D-QSAR and 3D-QSAR models for each cell line were compared, by use of leave-one-out cross-validation and external validation, and optimal QSAR models for each cancer cell line were selected. The QSAR studies have selected the most significant molecular descriptors and pharmacophores of the chalcone and propafenone derivatives and proposed structures of novel chalcone and propafenone derivatives with enhanced anticancer activity on the HeLa, Fem-X, PC-3, MCF-7, LS174 and K562 cells.

Effect of Wine Polyphenol Resveratrol on the Contractions Elicited Electrically or by Norepinephrine in the Rat Portal Vein

We investigated the effects of resveratrol on rat portal vein (RPV) contractility without endothelium. Contractions were produced by electrical field stimulation of perivascular nerves (EFS), norepinephrine (NE), adenosine 5′‐triphosphate (ATP), high K+ solution and by calcium chloride (CaCl2) in Ca2+‐free and high K+, Ca2+‐free solution. The EFS‐evoked contractions were more sensitive to resveratrol and to NS1619‐selective openers of big calcium‐sensitive (BKCa) channels, than NE‐evoked contractions. Effects of resveratrol on the ATP‐evoked contractions were weak. Blockers of BKCa channels partly inhibited the effect of resveratrol only in EFS‐contracted preparations. Western blotting showed that RPV expressed KCa1.1 protein. Inhibitors of ATP‐ and voltage‐sensitive K+ channels did not modify the effects of resveratrol. None of the antagonists of K+ channels affected the resveratrol inhibition of NE‐evoked contractions and effect of high concentrations of resveratrol on the EFS‐evoked contractions. Resveratrol more potently inhibited CaCl2 than potassium chloride contractions of RPV. Thus, BKCa channels partly mediate the inhibitory effect of resveratrol on the neurogenic contractions of RPV. The smooth muscle Ca2+ channels and/or Ca2+ mobilizing through cells might be involved in the effects of resveratrol on the contractility of RPV. Our results are important for better understanding the impact of resveratrol on the portal circulation. Copyright

The differential effect of resveratrol on the renal artery of normal and diabetic rats

Results Resveratrol relaxed RA of normal rats more potently than RA of rats with diabetes (EC50 8 and 50 μM, respectively). L-NAME and methylene blue partly antagonized the relaxation of RA of normal animals only. A nonselective blocker of voltage-gated K (KV) channels, 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) partly inhibited the relaxation of RA of normal as well as of diabetic rats. However, margatoxin, a selective antagonist of KV1.x channels, completely antagonized the relaxation of RA of diabetic rats only. Glibenclamide, a highly selective blocker of ATP-sensitive K channels, did not block resveratrolinduced relaxation in both experimental models. Conclusions In conclusion, we have shown that resveratrol induces a strong endothelium-dependent relaxation of RA of normal rats, and that 4-AP-sensitive K channels are involved in this relaxation. In diabetic rats, resveratrol induced NO-independent relaxation and maragtoxinsensitive K channels are involved.

The Novel Phenylpropiophenone Derivates Induced Relaxation of Isolated Rat Aorta

Our aim was to define how different chemical properties of newly developed phenylpropiophenone derivates (PhPds) influenced their potency and efficacy to relax rat aorta. A contribution of ion channels in the PhPds and propafenone mechanism of vasodilatation was tested. PhPds were syntethysed by substitution in the benzyl moiety with -F, -CH3 or -CF3 groups on the ortho or para position. The vasodilatation by PhPds was examined on the rings of rat aorta precontracted with phenylephrine. In order to test involvement of voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels and L-type Ca2+ channels in a mechanism of action of PhPds, we used their blockers: lidocaine, nifedipine and 4-aminopiridine, respectively. Aorta was more sensitive to 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl derivate than to propafenone and other PhPds. The 5-para-methyl derivate had lower potency and efficacy than propafenone and other PhPds. Lidocaine did not influenced relaxation induced by PhPds, but slightly inhibited the effect of propafenone. The 4-aminopiridine only inhibited relaxation induced by 5-para-methyl derivate. Nifedipine inhibited relaxation of the rat aorta induced by 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl derivate and by propafenone. Introduction of 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl and 5-para-methyl group in the benzyl moiety of propafenone molecule changed its potency, efficacy and mechanism of action in the rat aorta. The 4-aminopiridine- and nifedipine sensitive ion channels are involved in mechanism of action of 5-para-methyl and 5-ortho-trifluoromethyl derivate. The introduction of other tested groups in the benzyl moiety does not affect pharmacological properties of the PhPds in relation to propafenone.

Differences in antimicrobial consumption, prescribing and isolation rate of multidrug resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii on surgical and medical wards

In order to provide guidance data for clinically rational use of an antibiotics consuption, prescribing and prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were monitored on the surgical (S) and medical (M) wards of the University Hospital Center “Dr. Dragisa Misovic-Dedinje” (Belgrade, Serbia), in the study period from 2012 to 2015. Appropriateness of antimicrobial use was evaluated using the Global-Prevalence Survey method designed by the University of Antwerp. The percentages of MDR pathogens relative to the total number of isolates of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa were higher on the S (86.2% and 49.1%) than on the M (63.2% and 36.9%) wards. The percentage of MDR A. baumannii was not different between S (93.7%) and M (79.5%) wards. An overall antibiotics consumption (defined daily doses/100 bed-days) during study was 369.7 and 261.5 on the S and M wards, respectively. A total of 225 prescriptions of antimicrobials were evaluated in138 adults admitted to wards on the day of the survey. The percentage of antimicrobials prescribed for prophylaxis on the M and S wards were 0% and 25%, respectively. Therapies were more frequently empiric (S, 86.8% and M, 80%). The percentages of medical errors on the S and M wards were 74.6% and 27.3%, respectively. The quality indicators for antibiotic prescribing on the S and M wards were as follows: the incorrect choice of antimicrobials (35.6% vs. 20.0%), inappropriate dose interval (70.6% vs. 16.9%) or duration of therapy (72.5% vs. 23.1%), a non-documented stop/review data (73.6% vs. 16.9%) and divergence from guidelines (71.9% vs. 23.1%). Treatment based on biomarkers was more common on the M wards as compared to the S wards. The increasing prevalence of MDR pathogens, a very high consumption and incorrect prescribing of antimicrobials need special attention, particularly on the S wards.

The role of potassium channels in the mechanism of vasodilatation of human umbilical vein induced by resveratrol

Background Resveratrol (RSV) is polyphenol present in various kinds of food which we consume on daily basis. In the last ten years there has been growing importance of RSV in the literature. It is well known that RSV has many different beneficial effects on human health. RSV is partly responsible for the cardiovascular benefits of red wine. However, the mechanism of vasodilatation induced by RSV is unclear. There are many target molecules of RSV which could play an important role in the mechanism of action of RSV. The aim of our study was to define the role of K channels in the RSV-induced vasodilatation of human umbilical vein (HUV) denuded of endothelium.

The relaxation of non-pregnant rat myometrium by resveratrol with participation of the NO–cGMP pathway

Background Resveratrol (RSV) is a phytoalexin produced by grapevines. The benefit of resveratrol to health is widely reported. Resveratrol has been found to promote vascular relaxation but its mechanism of action is unclear. Data about an influence of RSV on the contractility of smooth muscles of the uterus are not available. It has been claimed that NO promotes uterine relaxation by the elevation of cyclic GMP. It is generally accepted that NO increases the intracellular cGMP concentration through activation of solubile guanylate cyclase (sGC). The aim of our study were to investigate the effects of RSV on the contractility of rat uterus and to investigate the involvement of the NO–cGMP pathway in the relaxant effect of RSV on spontaneous rhythmic contractions (SRC) and phasic contractions provoked by oxytocin.

Potassium channels opener pinacidil have multiple effects on KCl-elicited contractions of isolated non-pregnant rat uterus.

The effects of K+ channel opener, pinacidil on contractions provoked by contraction-stimulating KCl were investigated on isolated uterus of non-pregnant rats in oestrus. Pinacidil produced a more potent inhibition of 20 mM KCl-elicited contractions (pD2 = 6.57 μM) than of 40 or 80mMKCl-elicited contractions (pD2=5.11 and 5.19 μM, respectively). Glibenclamide, a selective blocker of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive K+ (KATP) channels, antagonized the pinacidil-induced inhibition of contractions elicited by 20 mM KCl in a competitive manner. However, the pinacidil-induced inhibition of contractions provoked by 40 and 80 mM KCl glibenclamide was unable to prevent them. Pinacidil ability to completely relax the non-pregnant uterus pre-contracted with K+-rich solution suggests that K+ channelindependent mechanism(s) also plays a part in its relaxant effect.