Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Fermented Cabbage Extract Containing Nitric Oxide Metabolites with Silica.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of fermented cabbage extract (FC) containing nitric oxide metabolites with silica (FCS) on 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in BALB/c mice. Atopic dermatitis-like allergic contact dermatitis was induced by DNFB challenge in the ear after DNFB sensitization on the dorsal skin of mice. FCS alleviated the severity of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. In addition, epidermis thickness of the ear and penetration of inflammatory cells in atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions were decreased after topical application of FCS. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-4 were measured in atopic dermatitis mice using ELISA kits, which were observed to be significantly decreased after topical application of FCS. This study demonstrates that the FCS can be used as a potential therapeutic for the treatment and prevention of AD.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Fermented Soybean-Lettuce Powder for Improving Menopausal Symptoms.

Menopause syndrome causes a decline in the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Hormone therapy is recommended for the treatment of menopausal syndromes. However, it has several side effects. Soybean has been safely used to relieve the symptoms of menopause. Lettuce has antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects and improves sleep quality. Natural nitric oxide metabolites are produced through fermentation, which increases the effectiveness of the functional substances. This study assessed the alleviation of menopausal syndrome symptoms by natural nitric oxide-containing soybean lettuce extract using the Kupperman index. This study included adult women with menopausal syndrome and a Kupperman index of ≥15. After a four-week study with 40 participants, the final analysis included 39 participants in the experimental group (n = 19) and the placebo group (n = 20). Body mass index, waist circumference, and the total cholesterol, low-density and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were not altered before and after treatment in both groups. There was a significant decrease in the Kupperman index after treatment in the experimental group, but no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Soybean lettuce extract alleviates menopause syndrome without any special side effects.

Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress under endotoxin tolerance increases inflammatory responses and decreases Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia.

Endotoxin tolerance develops in the late phase of sepsis to protect cells from an early hyperinflammatory response. Nonetheless, because it induces an immunosuppressive environment, patients with sepsis in its late phase are affected by secondary infections, particularly bacterial pneumonia. Here, we showed that induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress leads to activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) and X-box-binding protein 1 (XBP-1) in an inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)-mediated manner, which in turn restores the inflammatory response in endotoxin-tolerant macrophages. Animal and in vitro models of endotoxin tolerance were studied along with a model of LPS-induced endotoxin tolerance and a model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced endotoxin tolerance. To detect the suppressed inflammatory response during endotoxin tolerance, inflammatory-cytokine expression levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR and an ELISA. Our research revealed that induction of ER stress alleviated lung injury in a septic host infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa via the activation of GSK-3ß and XBP-1 in an IRE1α-mediated manner. Consequently, in the lungs of the septic host infected with P. aeruginosa, symptoms of pneumonia improved and the infecting bacteria were cleared. Thus, for septic patients, determination of immune status may guide the selection of appropriate immunomodulation, and ER stress can be a novel therapeutic strategy restoring the immune response in patients with endotoxin tolerance.

Phosphorylation of eIF2α suppresses cisplatin-induced p53 activation and apoptosis by attenuating oxidative stress via ATF4-mediated HO-1 expression in human renal proximal tubular cells.

Cisplatin is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of human cancers. However, the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin limits its use as a therapeutic agent. It has been suggested that oxidative stress and p53 activation play important roles in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. It has been demonstrated that the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) may protect HK-2 human renal proximal tubular cells against cisplatin-induced apoptosis through inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS)­mediated p53 activation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of siRNA­mediated knockdown of the PKR-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) gene, which induces the phosphorylation of eIF2α, or Sal003, a selective inhibitor of eIF2α dephosphorylation, on cisplatin­induced apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Cisplatin induced eIF2α phosphorylation as well as p53 activation. In particular, inhibition of p53 by pifithrin­α, and upregulation of eIF2α phosphorylation by Sal003, reduced cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Of note, Sal003­mediated upregulation of eIF2α phosphorylation suppressed cisplatin­induced p53 activation. Furthermore, reduction of eIF2α phosphorylation by PERK knockdown enhanced cisplatin-induced p53 activation and apoptosis. In addition, the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibited eIF2α phosphorylation as well as p53 activation in HK-2 cells treated with cisplatin, suggesting that oxidative stress induced by cisplatin may lead to apoptosis through p53 activation; furthermore, this stress may confer resistance to apoptosis via eIF2α phosphorylation, which was further supported by the finding that cisplatin­induced ROS generation was attenuated by Sal003, whereas it was enhanced by PERK knockdown. Furthermore, cisplatin induced the expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) that were enhanced by Sal003 and reduced by PERK knockdown. Taken together, these results suggest that phosphorylation of eIF2α suppresses cisplatin­induced p53 activation and apoptosis by attenuating oxidative stress via ATF4-mediated HO-1 expression in HK-2 cells, as ATF4 expression is usually dependent on the phosphorylation of eIF2α and may also transcriptionally induce the expression of HO-1 in response to oxidative stress. Therefore, regulation of eIF2α phosphorylation may play an important role in alleviating cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

Both nitric oxide and nitrite prevent homocysteine-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and subsequent apoptosis via cGMP-dependent pathway in neuronal cells.

Growing evidence indicates that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and/or ER stress-mediated apoptosis may play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The present study investigated the effects of non-cytotoxic concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrite, a metabolite of NO, on ER stress and ER stress-mediated apoptosis in Neuro-2a cells exposed to homocysteine (Hcy), an endogenous ER stress inducer. Hcy induced ER stress, as confirmed by inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) phosphorylation and X-box-binding protein-1 (Xbp1) mRNA splicing as well as C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression, and apoptosis, as verified by Annexin V-positive cells. Surprisingly, non-cytotoxic NO (S-nitrosoglutathione) and nitrite markedly reduced Hcy-induced IRE1α phosphorylation, Xbp1 mRNA splicing, CHOP expression, and Annexin V-positive cells, indicating the cytoprotection of NO and nitrite against Hcy-induced ER stress and apoptosis. Moreover, inhibition of sGC/cGMP pathway abolished the cytoprotective effects of NO and nitrite, whereas cellular elevation of cGMP levels mimicked the cytoprotective actions of NO and nitrite. These findings provide the first evidence showing that both NO and nitrite can reduce ER stress and subsequent apoptosis via NO-sGC-cGMP pathway in neuronal cells and suggesting that NO and/or nitrite may have therapeutic value in the treatment of ER stress-associated neurodegenerative diseases.

Oral administration of lactobacilli isolated from Jeotgal, a salted fermented seafood, inhibits the development of 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene-induced atopic dermatitis in mice.

Certain strains of lactobacilli have been reported to exert favorable effects on atopic dermatitis (AD). Jeotgal, a traditional Korean food, is a salted fermented seafood known to harbor many lactic acid bacteria. In the present study, two novel lactobacillus strains were isolated from Jeotgal, and their anti-AD effects were investigated. Lactobacilli isolated from Jeotgal were identified, according to conjugated linoleic acid-producing activity, as Lactobacillus plantarum (JBCC105645 and JBCC105683). AD-like skin lesions were induced in BALB/c mice using dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). Ear swelling, histological analysis and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in mice were evaluated to investigate the anti-AD effects of lactobacilli. Cytokine production of ex vivo cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ T cells, and interleukin (IL)-12 production of in vitro macrophages were also evaluated to establish a putative mechanism of the action of lactobacilli. Administration of JBCC105645 or JBCC105683 suppressed ear swelling and serum IgE levels in DNFB-treated mice (P<0.05). Notably, JBCC105645 was more effective than JBCC105683 (P<0.05). Treatment with the lactobacilli also induced a significant decrease in IL-4 production with concomitant increase in interferon (IFN)-γ production in DNFB-exposed CD4+ T cells, and an increase in IL-12 production in macrophages (P<0.05). Taken together, the lactobacilli isolated from Jeotgal may suppress the development of AD-like skin inflammation in mice by modulating IL-4 and IFN-γ production in CD4+ T cells, presumably via enhancing IL-12 production by macrophages.

Piceatannol attenuates homocysteine-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress and endothelial cell damage via heme oxygenase-1 expression.

A growing body of evidence implicates endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-induced cellular dysfunction and apoptosis as important factors to a variety of diseases. In endothelial cells (ECs), the sulfur-containing amino acid homocysteine (Hcy) causes EC apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation through induction of ER stress. Here, we have investigated whether piceatannol (Pic), a resveratrol analog, could protect ECs against Hcy-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and ER stress, with specific emphasis on heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In human ECs, we determined the effects of Hcy and Pic on annexin V positivity, glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression, X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp-1) mRNA slicing, and ROS-sensitive dihydroethidium (DHE) oxidation. Hcy increased annexin V-positive cells, DHE oxidation, GRP78 and CHOP expression and Xbp-1 mRNA splicing, indicating that Hcy induces apoptosis, oxidative stress and ER stress. Pretreatment of ECs with Pic significantly inhibited Hcy-induced apoptosis, ROS generation and ER stress. Pic also increased HO-1 expression via activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Interestingly, the inhibitory effects of Pic on Hcy-induced apoptosis, ROS generation and ER stress were abolished by down-regulation of HO-1 expression, while mimicked by treatment of ECs with the HO-1 inducer hemin. Overall, these results suggest that Pic may protect ECs against Hcy-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress and ER stress via Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression.

IRG1 induced by heme oxygenase-1/carbon monoxide inhibits LPS-mediated sepsis and pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

The immunoresponsive gene 1 (IRG1) protein has crucial functions in embryonic implantation and neurodegeneration. IRG1 promotes endotoxin tolerance by increasing A20 expression in macrophages through reactive oxygen species (ROS). The cytoprotective protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which generates endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), is expressed in the lung during Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tolerance and cross tolerance. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms and functional links between IRG1 and HO-1 in the innate immune system remain unknown. In the present study, we found that the CO releasing molecule-2 (CORM-2) and chemical inducers of HO-1 increased IRG1 expression in a time- and dose-dependent fashion in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, inhibition of HO-1 activity by zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) and HO-1 siRNA significantly reduced expression of IRG1 under these conditions. In addition, treatment with CO and HO-1 induction significantly increased A20 expression, which was reversed by ZnPP and HO-1 siRNA. LPS-stimulated TNF-α was significantly decreased, whereas IRG1 and A20 were increased by CORM-2 application and HO-1 induction, which in turn were abrogated by ZnPP. Interestingly, siRNA against IRG1 and A20 reversed the effects of CO and HO-1 on LPS-stimulated TNF-α production. Additionally, CO and HO-1 inducers significantly increased IRG1 and A20 expression and downregulated TNF-α production in a LPS-stimulated sepsis mice model. Furthermore, the effects of CO and HO-1 on TNF-α production were significantly reversed when ZnPP was administered. In conclusion, CO and HO-1 induction regulates IRG1 and A20 expression, leading to inhibition of inflammation in vitro and in an in vivo mice model.

The Flavonoid Apigenin Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity through Reduction of p53 Activation and Promotion of PI3K/Akt Pathway in Human Renal Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cells.

Apigenin is a member of the flavone subclass of flavonoids present in fruits and vegetables. Apigenin has long been considered to have various biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumorigenic properties, in various cell types. Cisplatin was known to exhibit cytotoxic effect to renal cells by inducing apoptosis through activation of p53. The present study investigated the antiapoptotic effects of apigenin on the cisplatin-treated human renal proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells. HK-2 cells were pretreated with apigenin (5, 10, 20 µM) for 1 h and then treated with 40 µM cisplatin for various times. Apigenin inhibited the cisplatin-induced apoptosis of HK-2 cells. Interestingly, apigenin itself exerted cytostatic activity because of its ability to induce cell cycle arrest. Apigenin inhibited caspase-3 activity and PARP cleavage in cisplatin-treated cells. Apigenin reduced cisplatin-induced phosphorylation and expression of p53, with no significant influence on production of ROS that is known to induce p53 activation. Furthermore, apigenin promoted cisplatin-induced Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that enhanced Akt activation may be involved in cytoprotection. Taken together, these results suggest that apigenin ameliorates cisplatin-induced apoptosis through reduction of p53 activation and promotion of PI3K/Akt pathway in HK-2 cells.

Pterostilbene, an Active Constituent of Blueberries, Stimulates Nitric Oxide Production via Activation of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Endothelial dysfunction, a key process in development of cardiovascular diseases, is largely due to reduced nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Resveratrol has been reported to stimulate NO production via estrogen receptor α (ERα) activation in endothelial cells. Here, we investigated whether two natural methylated analogs of resveratrol, pterostilbene (Pts) and trans-3,5,4'-trimethoxystilbene (TMS), similarly to resveratrol, could influence endothelial NO release in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In HUVECs exposed to Pts or TMS, NO production and phosphorylation of eNOS, protein kinase B (Akt), and ERα were measured by using a fluorimetric NO assay kit and Western blot analysis, respectively. Dimethylated Pts, but not trimethylated TMS, stimulated dose-dependent NO production via eNOS phosphorylation. Pts also stimulated dose-dependent phosphorylation of Akt, but not of ERα. NO production and eNOS phosphorylation in response to Pts were significantly abolished by the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor LY294002, but not by the ERα antagonist ICI182780. Our results suggest that Pts, but not TMS, is capable of inducing eNOS phosphorylation and the subsequent NO release, presumably, by activating PI3K/Akt pathway. The potential efficacy of Pts, an active constituent of blueberries, may aid in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases characterized by endothelial dysfunction.

Carbon monoxide protects against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury by modulating the miR-34a/SIRT1 pathway.

Hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can arise as a complication of liver surgery and transplantation. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, modulates inflammation and apoptosis in response to oxidative stress. SIRT1, which is regulated by p53 and microRNA-34a (miR-34a), can modulate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Since carbon monoxide (CO) inhalation can protect against hepatic I/R, we hypothesized that CO could ameliorate hepatic I/R injury by regulating the miR-34a/SIRT1 pathway. Livers from mice pretreated with CO, or PFT, a p53 inhibitor, displayed reduced production of pro-inflammatory mediators, including TNF-α, iNOS, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1ß after hepatic I/R injury. SIRT1 expression was increased by CO or PFT in the liver after I/R, whereas acetylated p65, p53 levels, and miR-34a expression were decreased. CO increased SIRT1 expression by inhibiting miR-34a. Both CO and PFT diminished pro-inflammatory cytokines production in vitro. Knockdown of SIRT1 in LPS-stimulated macrophages increased NF-κB acetylation, and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines. CO treatment reduced miR-34a expression and increased SIRT1 expression in oxidant-challenged hepatocytes; and rescued SIRT1 expression in p53-expressing or miR-34a transfected cells. In response to CO, enhanced SIRT1 expression mediated by miR-34a inhibition protects against liver damage through p65/p53 deacetylation, which may mediate inflammatory responses and hepatocellular apoptosis. The miR-34a/SIRT1 pathway may represent a therapeutic target for hepatic injury.

Resveratrol analog piceatannol restores the palmitic acid-induced impairment of insulin signaling and production of endothelial nitric oxide via activation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidative heme oxygenase-1 in human endothelial cells.

Growing evidence suggests that the elevation of free fatty acids, including palmitic acid (PA), are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, which may be involved in endothelial dysfunction, characterized by the reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) synthesized from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is important in the preservation of NO bioavailability. Piceatannol (Pic), with similar chemical structure to resveratrol, is suggested to possess similar protective effects as resveratrol. In the present study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), stimulated with PA, were used to examine the endothelial protective effects of Pic. Pic increased the expression of HO-1 via nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor-2 activation in the HUVECs, and decreased the PA-induced secretions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, and the formation of reactive oxygen species ROS via inhibition of NF-κB activation. Notably, following inhibition of HO-1 activity by tin protoporphryin-IX, Pic did not prevent cytokine secretion, ROS formation, and NF-κB activation in the PA-stimulated HUVECs. PA attenuated insulin-mediated insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) tyrosine phosphorylation, leading to decreased glucose uptake, and phosphorylation of eNOS, leading to a reduction in the production of NO. Pic effectively mitigated the inhibitory effects of PA on the insulin-mediated phosphorylation of IRS-1 and eNOS, which was not observed following inhibition of HO­1 activity. The results of the present study suggested that Pic may have the potential to prevent PA-induced impairment of insulin signaling and eNOS function, by inducing the expression of the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, HO-1.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced IRE1α activation mediates cross-talk of GSK-3ß and XBP-1 to regulate inflammatory cytokine production.

IL-1ß and TNF-α are important proinflammatory cytokines that respond to mutated self-antigens of tissue damage and exogenous pathogens. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and unfolded protein responses are related to the induction of proinflammatory cytokines. However, the detailed molecular pathways by which ER stress mediates cytokine gene expression have not been investigated. In this study, we found that ER stress-induced inositol-requiring enzyme (IRE)1α activation differentially regulates proinflammatory cytokine gene expression via activation of glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß and X-box binding protein (XBP)-1. Surprisingly, IL-1ß gene expression was modulated by IRE1α-mediated GSK-3ß activation, but not by XBP-1. However, IRE1α-mediated XBP-1 splicing regulated TNF-α gene expression. SB216763, a GSK-3 inhibitor, selectively inhibited IL-1ß gene expression, whereas the IRE1α RNase inhibitor STF083010 suppressed only TNF-α production. Additionally, inhibition of GSK-3ß greatly increased IRE1α-dependent XBP-1 splicing. Our results identify an unsuspected differential role of downstream mediators GSK-3ß and XBP-1 in ER stress-induced IRE1α activation that regulates cytokine production through signaling cross-talk. These results have important implications in the regulation of inflammatory pathways during ER stress, and they suggest novel therapeutic targets for diseases in which meta-inflammation plays a key role.

Nardostachys chinensis induces granulocytic differentiation with the suppression of cell growth through p27(Kip1) protein-related G0/G1 phase arrest in human promyelocytic leukemic cells.

CONTEXT: Nardostachys chinensis Batalin (Valerianaceae) has been used in Korean traditional medicine to elicit stomachic and sedative effects. However, the anti-leukemic activities of N. chinensis have not been well examined. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of N. chinensis on differentiation and proliferation in the human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dried roots and stems of N. chiensis are extracted using hot water and then freeze-dried. The yield of extract was 12.82% (w/w). The HL-60 cells were treated with 25-200 µg/ml of N. chinensis for 72 h or 100 µg/ml of N. chinensis for 24-72 h. RESULTS: Nardostachys chinensis significantly inhibited cell viability dose dependently with an IC50 of 100 µg/ml in HL-60 cells. Nardostachys chinensis induced differentiation of the cells as measured by reduction activity of NBT and expression of CD11b but not of CD14 as analyzed by flow cytometry, which indicates a differentiation toward the granulocytic lineage. Nardostachys chinensis also induced growth inhibition through G0/G1 phase arrest in the cell cycle of HL-60 cells. Among the G0/G1 phase in the cell cycle-related protein, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p27(Kip1) was increased in N. chinensis-treated HL-60 cells, whereas the expression levels of CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, cyclin D1, cyclin D3, cyclin E, and cyclin A were decreased. Interestingly, N. chinensis markedly enhanced the binding of p27(Kip1) with CDK2 and CDK6. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that N. chinensis is capable of inducing cellular differentiation and growth inhibition through p27(Kip1) protein-related G0/G1 phase arrest in HL-60 cells.

Differential effects of resveratrol and its natural analogs, piceatannol and 3,5,4'-trans-trimethoxystilbene, on anti-inflammatory heme oxigenase-1 expression in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Resveratrol (Res) and its two natural analogs that are also related to Res metabolism, piceatannol (Pic) and 3,5,4'-trans-trimethoxystilbene (TMS), were compared in their ability to suppress lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of proinflammatory tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and to induce anti-inflammatory heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. At non-cytotoxic concentrations, they differentially suppressed LPS-induced production of TNF-α and IL-1ß; the relative potency for suppression of TNF-α and IL-1ß production was Pic > Res > TMS. Res and Pic differentially induced HO-1 expression; Pic, which possesses four hydroxyl groups, was more active in inducing HO-1 expression than Res that contains three hydroxyl groups. TMS, which has none of hydroxyl groups, failed to induce HO-1 expression. These findings suggest that the hydroxyl groups of Res analogs are important for suppression of TNF-α and IL-1ß production and HO-1 expression. Interestingly, protoporphyrin-IX, a competitive inhibitor of HO-1 activity, partly attenuated the inhibitory effects of Res and Pic (but not TMS) on TNF-α and IL-1ß production, suggesting that suppression of TNF-α and IL-1ß production correlates at least in part with HO-1 expression. Overall, the ability of Res analogs to induce HO-1 expression may provide one of possible mechanisms of their anti-inflammatory action.

Nardostachys chinensis induces the differentiation of human promyelocytic leukemic cells through the activation of the protein kinase C-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway.

The underground parts of Nardostachys chinensis (N. chinensis), which belongs the genus Valerianaceae, have been used as sedative and analgesic agents in traditional Korean medicine for centuries. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are serine/threonine kinases involved in the regulation of various cellular responses, such as cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. Protein kinase C (PKC) plays a key role in the regulation of proliferation and differentiation. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathways involved in the differentiation of the HL-60 human leukemic cells induced by N. chinensis extract. Treatment with N. chinensis extract resulted in the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and induced the differentiation of HL-60 cells into granulocytes. The activation of p38 MAPK was also observed 24 h after treatment; however, the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was unaffected. Treatment with an inhibitor of ERK (PD98059) blocked the nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) reducing activity and CD11b expression in the N. chinensis-treated HL-60 cells, whereas treatment with an inhibitor of p38 MAPK (SB203580) had no significant effect on NBT reducing activity and CD11b expression. In addition, N. chinensis extract increased PKC activity and the protein levels of PKCα, PKCßI and PKCßII isoforms, without a significant change in the protein levels of the PKCγ isoform. PKC inhibitors (GF 109203X, chelerythrine and H-7) inhibited the differentiation of HL-60 cells into granulocytes, as well as ERK activation in the N. chinensis-treated HL-60 cells. These results indicate that the PKC and ERK signaling pathways may be involved in the induction, by N. chinensis extract, of the differentiation of HL-60 cells into granulocytes.

Antidiabetic potential of the heme oxygenase-1 inducer curcumin analogues.

Although there is a therapeutic treatment to combat diabetes, the identification of agents that may deal with its more serious aspects is an important medical field for research. Diabetes, which contributes to the risk of cardiovascular disease, is associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammatory stress), oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Because the integration of these stresses is critical to the pathogenesis of diabetes, agents and cellular molecules that can modulate these stress responses are emerging as potential targets for intervention and treatment of diabetic diseases. It has been recognized that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role in cellular protection. Because HO-1 can reduce oxidative stress, inflammatory stress, and ER stress, in part by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, HO-1 has been suggested to play important roles in pathogenesis of diabetes. In the present review, we will explore our current understanding of the protective mechanisms of HO-1 in diabetes and present some emerging therapeutic options for HO-1 expression in treating diabetic diseases, together with the therapeutic potential of curcumin analogues that have their ability to induce HO-1 expression.

Therapeutic roles of heme oxygenase-1 in metabolic diseases: curcumin and resveratrol analogues as possible inducers of heme oxygenase-1.

Metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and obesity, are associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation (inflammatory stress), oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Because the integration of these stresses is critical to the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases, agents and cellular molecules that can modulate these stress responses are emerging as potential targets for intervention and treatment of metabolic diseases. It has been recognized that heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) plays an important role in cellular protection. Because HO-1 can reduce inflammatory stress, oxidative stress, and ER stress, in part by exerting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects, HO-1 has been suggested to play important roles in pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. In the present review, we will explore our current understanding of the protective mechanisms of HO-1 in metabolic diseases and present some emerging therapeutic options for HO-1 expression in treating metabolic diseases, together with the therapeutic potential of curcumin and resveratrol analogues that have their ability to induce HO-1 expression.

Reactive oxygen species in the activation of MAP kinases.

There are three well-defined subgroups of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs): the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), the c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and the p38 MAPKs. Three subgroups of MAPKs are involved in both cell growth and cell death, and the tight regulation of these pathways, therefore, is paramount in determining cell fate. MAPK pathways have been shown to be activated not only by receptor ligand interactions but also by different stressors placed on the cell. MAPK phosphatases (MKPs) dephosphorylate and deactivate MAPKs. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hydrogen peroxide, have been reported to activate ERKs, JNKs, and p38 MAPKs, but the mechanisms by which ROS can activate these kinases are unclear. Oxidative modifications of MAPK signaling proteins and inactivation and/or degradation of MKPs may provide the plausible mechanisms for activation of MAPK pathways by ROS, which will be reviewed in this chapter.

Involvement of heme oxygenase-1 expression in neuroprotection by piceatannol, a natural analog and a metabolite of resveratrol, against glutamate-mediated oxidative injury in HT22 neuronal cells.

Neuronal cell death caused by oxidative stress is common in a variety of neural diseases and can be investigated in detail in cultured HT22 neuronal cells, where the amino acid glutamate at high concentrations causes glutathione depletion by inhibition of the glutamate/cystine antiporter system, intracellular accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and eventually oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death. Using this paradigm, we have previously reported that resveratrol (3,5,4'-trans-trihydroxystilbene) protects HT22 neuronal cells from glutamate-induced oxidative stress by inducing heme oxygenase (HO)-1 expression. Piceatannol (3,5,4',3'-trans-trihydroxystilbene), which is a hydroxylated resveratrol analog and one of the resveratrol metabolites, is estimated to exert neuroprotective effect similar to that of resveratrol. The aim of this study, thus, is to determine whether piceatannol, similarly to resveratrol, would protect HT22 neuronal cells from glutamate-induced oxidative stress. Glutamate at high concentrations induced neuronal cell death and ROS formation. Piceatannol reduced glutamate-induced cell death and ROS formation. The observed cytoprotective effect was much higher when HT22 neuronal cells were pretreated with piceatannol for 6 or 12 h prior to glutamate treatment than when pretreated for 0.5 h. Piceatannol also increased HO-1 expression and HO activity via its activation of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Interestingly, neuroprotective effect of piceatannol was partly (but not completely) abolished by either down-regulation of HO-1 expression or blockage of HO-1 activity. Taken together, our results suggest that piceatannol, similar to resveratrol, is capable of protecting HT22 neuronal cells against glutamate-induced cell death, at least in part, by inducing Nrf2-dependent HO-1 expression.