Effect of 635 nm irradiation on high glucose-boosted inflammatory responses in LPS-induced MC3T3-E1 cells.

Hyperglycemia occurs in patients with poorly controlled diabetes mellitus and contributes to bone resorption and increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. Hyperglycemia can incite low-grade inflammation that can contribute to the resorption of bone, especially the periodontal bone. The increased susceptibility to periodontal infections can contribute to bone resorption through the activation of osteoclasts. In this study, the osteoblastic, clonal cell line, MC3T3-E1, was used in an in vitro model of hyperglycemia and lipopolysaccharide-induced reactive oxygen species generation to determine the potential anti-inflammatory effect of 635 nm light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation or whether 635 nm LED irradiation can be a potential anti-inflammatory treatment. LED irradiation of MC3T3-E1 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide in a high glucose-containing medium decreased the level of cyclooxygenase gene and protein expression and reduced the level of prostaglandin E2 expression by decreasing the amount of reactive oxygen species generation. LED irradiation also inhibited the osteoclastogenesis in MC3T3-E1 cells by regulating the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and osteoprotegerin. These findings reveal the mechanisms which are important in the pathogenesis of diabetic periodontitis and highlight the beneficial effects of 635 nm LED irradiation in reducing the adverse effects of diabetic periodontitis.

The effects of cadmium on VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in HUVECs.

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic element that causes morphologic alterations and dysfunction in blood vessels. The altered vascular function caused by cadmium has been implicated in a range of chronic diseases, including hypertension. The effects of cadmium are a multisystem phenomenon involving inflammation, hypertrophy, apoptosis, angiogenesis and important processes involved in vascular remodeling systems. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a major role in cell growth and angiogenesis under pathologic conditions. VEGF secretion is related to anti-apoptosis protein expression and attenuates apoptosis in endothelial cells. This study examined the VEGF-dependent mechanisms of angiogenesis and apoptosis in cadmium-treated endothelial cells (HUVECs). The effects and mechanisms of cadmium in endothelial cells (HUVECs) were examined by exposing the cells to different doses of cadmium chloride (2.5-40 µ m). After the cadmium treatment, the angiogenesis and apoptosis mechanisms related to VEGF in cadmium-treated HUVECs were examined. As a result, the low concentration of cadmium increased the tube formation in HUVECs. In addition, cadmium at concentrations of 5 and 10 µ m increased VEGF secretion and VEGFR2 activity, which suggest that cadmium affects the growth of blood vessels. All three MAPK pathways, namely ERK, JNK and p38, were activated by cadmium in HUVECs. However, high concentrations of cadmium caused cell damage, disrupted tube formation and inhibited VEGF expression and the activities of VEGFR2 and MAPK in HUVECs. Cadmium has dual functions through VEGF-dependent mechanisms in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, the dual effects of cadmium might alter angiogenesis and induce apoptosis through VEGF pathways in HUVECs.

Inflammatory cytokines are suppressed by light-emitting diode irradiation of P. gingivalis LPS-treated human gingival fibroblasts: inflammatory cytokine changes by LED irradiation.

Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) play an important role in the inflammatory reaction to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from P. gingivalis, which infects periodontal connective tissue. In addition, although light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation has been reported to have biostimulatory effects, including anti-inflammatory activity, the pathological mechanisms of these effects are unclear. This study examined the effects of 635-nm irradiation of P. gingivalis LPS-treated human gingival fibroblasts on inflammatory cytokine profiles and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is involved in cytokine production. Gingival fibroblasts treated or not treated with P. gingivalis LPS were irradiated with 635-nm LED light, and cytokine profiles in the supernatant were assessed using a human inflammation antibody array. Expression of cyclooxyginase-2 (COX-2) protein and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), p38, and c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK) were assessed by Western-blot analysis to determine the effects on the MAPK pathway, and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the supernatant was measured using an enzyme-linked immunoassay. COX-2 protein expression and PGE(2) production were significantly increased in the LPS-treated group and decreased by LED irradiation. LPS treatment of gingival fibroblasts led to the increased release of the pro-inflammatory-related cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8, whereas LED irradiation inhibited their release. Analysis of MAPK signal transduction revealed a considerable decrease in p38 phosphorylation in response to 635-nm radiation either in the presence or absence of LPS. In addition, 635-nm LED irradiation significantly promoted JNK phosphorylation in the presence of LPS. LED irradiation can inhibit activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, mediate the MAPK signaling pathway, and may be clinically useful as an anti-inflammatory tool.

Effects of 635nm light-emitting diode irradiation on angiogenesis in CoCl(2) -exposed HUVECs.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is recognized that hypoxic/ischemic conditions leading to production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important mediator of angiogenesis in the wound-healing process. Recently, low level light irradiation at 635 nm, which is used in many clinical fields, was found to decrease intracellular ROS levels, and consequently alleviate oxidative stress. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of 635 nm light-emitting diode (LED) irradiation on angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells, in an in vitro CoCl(2) -induced severe hypoxia model. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects were assessed on cell viability, tube formation, hypoxia-inducible factor-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), VEGF-1 and -2 protein expression, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, and ROS dissociation. RESULTS: The results showed that, under hypoxic/ischemic conditions, irradiation with 635 leads to reduced production and increased scavenging of intracellular ROS, which results in alleviation of VEGFR-1 suppression, enhanced VEGF expression and ERK MAPK activation, and subsequent acceleration of angiogenesis with improved cell viability and tube formation. CONCLUSION: Taken together, irradiation with 635 nm was shown to reduce intracellular ROS production, which results in increased angiogenesis. Thus, we suggest that irradiation with 635 nm accelerate angiogenesis under hypoxic/ischemic conditions, and may prove to be a useful alternative tool in wound healing.

Dichloromethane fraction from Gardenia jasminoides: DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibition and oral cancer cell death induction.

CONTEXT: A growing body of evidence shows that compounds of plant origin have the ability to prevent cancer. The fruit of gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae), has long been used as a food additive and herbal medicine, and its pharmacological actions, such as protective activity against oxidative damage, cytotoxic effect, and anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activity, have already been reported. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the presence of DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibitor in various solvent fractions of Gardenia extract and examine the induction of oral cancer cell death upon treatment with Gardenia extract. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The methanol extract of Gardenia was partitioned with n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, and water. RESULTS: In the DNA topoisomerase 1 assay, n-hexane and dichloromethane fractions inhibited topoisomerase 1 and led to a decrease in the cell viability of KB cells. The dichloromethane fraction (0.1 mg/mL) also showed 77% inhibition of cell viability in KB cells compared with HaCaT cells. Treatment with dichloromethane fraction led to apoptotic cell death as evidenced by flow cytometric analysis and morphological changes. In addition, treatment with Gardenia extract dichloromethane fraction led to the partial increase of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 activities and the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that the dichloromethane fraction from Gardenia extract induces apoptotic cell death by DNA topoisomerase 1 inhibition in KB cells. These findings suggest the possibility that Gardenia extract could be developed as an anticancer modality.

High-grade oncocytic mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the minor salivary gland origin: a case report with immunohistochemical study.

An oncocytic mucoepidermoid carcinoma arising from the minor salivary gland origin is extremely rare. We report on a 44-year-old man with a high-grade oncocytic mucoepidermoid carcinoma originating in the minor salivary gland of the posterior mandible. All tumor cells showed the expected pattern of immunoreactivity, with positive results for the antimitochondrial antibody and p63, and negative results for the androgenic receptor antibody. Microscopically, the tumor was considered to be a high-grade carcinoma in the grading systems of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology and Brandwein. The patient underwent a partial mandibulectomy, and the lesion was reconstructed with a right fibula osteofasciocutaneous flap under general anesthesia. The patient is currently under long-term follow-up.