Associations between the type of help after sexual harm and adolescents' suicidal ideation.

INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between receiving external help after sexual harm and suicidal ideation among Korean adolescents. The help received was classified into professional and nonprofessional to test the strength of the association according to the type of help. METHODS: Using data from the 2017-2019 Korean children and youth rights study, we analyzed a total of 18,740 middle and high school students. The dependent variable was suicidal ideation; the primary and secondary independent variable was experience of sexual harm and receiving help after sexual harm, respectively. Data were analyzed using χ2  tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Experience of sexual harm was significantly associated with higher suicidal ideation, and receiving help after sexual harm was significantly associated with lower suicidal ideation compared with not receiving help, regardless of gender. Furthermore, lower suicidal ideation was more strongly associated with receiving professional help in female adolescents, and receiving nonprofessional help in male adolescents. CONCLUSIONS: Receiving help after sexual harm was negatively associated with suicidal ideation, and the strength of this association varied with gender and the type of help received. These results can aid the development of evidence-based crisis intervention for victims of sexual harm.

Associations between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and oral health symptoms in adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Oral health condition in adolescence impacts the oral well-being throughout life. This study aimed to determine the association between environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure and oral health in adolescents, using nationally representative data. METHODS: Using data from the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, we assessed self-reported data on ETS exposure and oral health symptoms in 37,591 non-smoking adolescents. The dependent variables were self-reported oral health symptoms of adolescents (tooth fracture, dental pain, and gum bleeding). ETS exposure was the primary independent variable. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine these relationships. RESULTS: ETS exposure was positively associated with oral symptoms compared to no-ETS exposure in adolescents [boys, odds ratio (OR) 1.56, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.46-1.66; girls, OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.41-1.60]; individuals with good oral health habits such as frequent tooth brushing [boys, three times or more a day, OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.24-1.53] and less soda consumption [girls, less than once a day, OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.29-2.33] had a weaker association. ETS exposure was positively associated with dental pain [boys, OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.45-1.66; girls, OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.41-1.60] and gum bleeding [boys, OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.29-1.58; girls, OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21-1.44]; however, tooth fracture was significantly associated only in girls [OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.13-1.45]. CONCLUSIONS: ETS in various environments is negatively associated with oral health in adolescents. This association could vary depending on health habits. Sophisticated policies to protect South Korean adolescents from ETS can be developed from these findings.

Amino Acid Composition, Antioxidant, and Cytoprotective Effect of Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis) Hydrolysate through the Inhibition of Caspase-3 Activation in Oxidative Stress-Mediated Endothelial Cell Injury.

Enhanced oxidative stress plays a central role in promoting endothelial dysfunction, leading to the development of atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of the hydrolysates derived from blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) against H2O2-mediated oxidative injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The blue mussel hydrolysates were prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis with eight proteases, and blue mussel-α-chymotrypsin hydrolysate (BMCH) showed the highest antioxidant activities in DPPH radical scavenging, ABTS⁺ radical scavenging, and ORAC value compared to those of the other hydrolysates. BMCH also inhibited Cu2+-mediated low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation. Treatment of H2O2 resulted in the decreased HUVEC viability whereas pre-treatment with BMCH increased HUVEC viability and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. BMCH pre-treatment increased cellular antioxidant capacities, including levels of glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) against H2O2-mediated oxidative stress in HUVECs. Flow cytometry and western blot analysis revealed that BMCH pre-treatment significantly reduced H2O2-mediated HUVEC apoptosis through inhibition of caspase-3 activation. Real-time-qPCR analysis showed that BMCH down-regulated expression of p53 and caspase-3 genes, as well as decreased the bax/bcl-2 ratio. Taken together, these results indicate that BMCH may be useful as functional food ingredients for protecting endothelial dysfunction or related disease.

Impaired permeability and antimicrobial barriers in type 2 diabetes skin are linked to increased serum levels of advanced glycation end-product.

The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing rapidly, and the disease has become a serious sociomedical problem. Many skin problems, such as xerosis, pruritus, skin infections and delayed wound healing, that might be related to chronic impairment of skin barrier function decrease the quality of life in patients with DM. However, the status of the permeability and antimicrobial barrier of the skin in DM remains unknown. This study aimed to elucidate skin barrier impairment in patients with type 2 DM and its pathomechanisms using classic animal models of type 2 DM. Functional studies of the skin barrier and an analysis of stratum corneum (SC) lipids were compared between patients with type 2 DM and age- and sex-matched non-diabetes controls. Also, functional studies on the skin barrier, epidermal lipid analyses, and electron microscopy and biomolecular studies were performed using type 2 DM animal models, db/db and ob/ob mice. Patients with type 2 DM presented with epidermal barrier impairments, including SC hydration, which was influenced by blood glucose control (HbA1c level). In the lipid analysis of SC, ceramides, fatty acids and cholesterol were significantly decreased in patients with type 2 DM compared with controls. Type 2 DM murine models presented with severe hyperglycaemia, impairment of skin barrier homeostasis, decreases in epidermal proliferation and epidermal lipid synthesis, decreases in lamellar body (LB) and epidermal antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), an increase in receptors for advanced glycation end-product (AGE) in the epidermis and an increase in serum AGE. Impairment of the skin barrier was observed in type 2 DM, which results in part from a decrease in epidermal proliferation. Serum AGE and its epidermal receptors were increased in type 2 diabetic mice which display impaired skin barrier parameters such as epidermal lipid synthesis, LB production, epidermal AMP and SC lipids.

Early Prediction of the Severity of Acute Pancreatitis Using Radiologic and Clinical Scoring Systems With Classification Tree Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to develop a decision tree model for the early prediction of the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP) using clinical and radiologic scoring systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this retrospective study, 192 patients with AP who underwent CT 72 hours or less after symptom onset were divided into two cohorts: a training cohort (n = 115) and a validation cohort (n = 77). Univariate analysis was performed to identify significant parameters for the prediction of severe AP in the training cohort. For early prediction of disease severity, a classification tree analysis (CTA) model was constructed using significant scoring systems shown by univariate analysis. To assess the diagnostic performance of the model, we compared the area under the ROC curve (AUC) with each selected single parameter. We also evaluated the diagnostic performance in the validation cohort. RESULTS: The Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE)-II score, bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score, extrapancreatic inflammation on CT (EPIC) score, and Balthazar grade were included in the CTA model. In the training cohort, our CTA model showed a trend of a higher AUC (0.853) than the AUC of each single parameter (APACHE-II score, 0.835; BISAP score, 0.842; EPIC score, 0.739; Balthazar grade, 0.700) (all, p > 0.0125) while achieving specificity (100%) higher than and accuracy (94.8%) comparable to each single parameter (both, p < 0.0125). In the validation cohort, the CTA model achieved diagnostic performance similar to the training cohort with an AUC of 0.833. CONCLUSION: Our CTA model consisted of clinical (i.e., APACHE-II and BISAP scores) and radiologic (i.e., Balthazar grade and EPIC score) scoring systems and may be useful for the early prediction of the severity of AP and identification of high-risk patients who require close surveillance.

The Suppressive Activity of Fucofuroeckol-A Derived from Brown Algal Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura on UVB-Induced Mast Cell Degranulation.

UV light, especially UVB, is known as a trigger of allergic reaction, leading to mast cell degranulation and histamine release. In this study, phlorotannin Fucofuroeckol-A (F-A) derived from brown algal Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura was evaluated for its protective capability against UVB-induced allergic reaction in RBL-2H3 mast cells. It was revealed that F-A significantly suppress mast cell degranulation via decreasing histamine release as well as intracellular Ca2+ elevation at the concentration of 50 µM. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of F-A on IL-1ß and TNF-α productions was also evidenced. Notably, the protective activity of F-A against mast cell degranulation was found due to scavenging ROS production. Accordingly, F-A from brown algal E. stolonifera was suggested to be promising candidate for its protective capability against UVB-induced allergic reaction.

Anti-cancer effect of N-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]furan-2-carboxamide, a novel synthetic compound.

Naphthofuran compounds have been known to regulate HNF 4α which is associated with proliferation, progression and metastasis of HCC. In this study, we investigated whether N-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-5-chloro-2,3-dihydronaphtho[1,2-b]furan-2-carboxamide (NHDC), a novel synthetic naphthofuran compound inhibits liver tumor growth through activation of HNF 4α. Treatment with different concentrations (1-10.8 µM) of NHDC for various periods (0-72 h) inhibited liver cancer cells (HepG2, Hep3B) growth as well as colony formation followed by induction of apoptosis in a concentration dependent manner. NHDC also induced expression of the apoptosis regulating genes as well as inhibiting the action of STAT3. These inhibitory effects were associated with enhancement of expression and DNA binding activity of HNF 4α. In vivo study confirmed that liver tumor growth was prevented with NHDC (5 mg/kg), and its effect was also related with inhibition of STAT3 pathway through enhancement of expression and DNA binding activity of HNF 4α. Moreover, siRNA of HNF 4α abolished NHDC-induced cell growth inhibition as well as DNA binding activity and phosphorylation of STAT3. Pull down assay docking prediction analysis proved that NHDC directly binds to hydrophobic fatty acid ligand binding site of HNF 4α. A novel naphthofuran compound, NHDC inhibited liver tumor growth by inactivating of STAT3 through direct biding to HNF 4α.

Skin Barrier Function Is Not Impaired and Kallikrein 7 Gene Polymorphism Is Frequently Observed in Korean X-linked Ichthyosis Patients Diagnosed by Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization.

X-linked ichthyosis (XLI) is a recessively inherited ichthyosis. Skin barrier function of XLI patients reported in Western countries presented minimally abnormal or normal. Here, we evaluated the skin barrier properties and a skin barrier-related gene mutation in 16 Korean XLI patients who were diagnosed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and array comparative genomic hybridization analysis. Skin barrier properties were measured, cytokine expression levels in the stratum corneum (SC) were evaluated with the tape stripped specimen from skin surface, and a genetic test was done on blood. XLI patients showed significantly lower SC hydration, but normal basal trans-epidermal water loss and skin surface pH as compared to a healthy control group. Histopathology of ichthyosis epidermis showed no acanthosis, and levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines in the corneal layer did not differ between control and lesional/non-lesional skin of XLI patients. Among the mutations in filaggrin (FLG), kallikrein 7 (KLK7), and SPINK5 genes, the prevalence of KLK7 gene mutations was significantly higher in XLI patients (50%) than in controls (0%), whereas FLG and SPINK5 prevalence was comparable. Korean XLI patients exhibited unimpaired skin barrier function and frequent association with the KLK7 gene polymorphism, which may differentiate them from Western XLI patients.

Topical acidic cream prevents the development of atopic dermatitis- and asthma-like lesions in murine model.

Long-standing or repeated skin barrier damage followed by atopic dermatitis (AD) is the initial step of the atopic march that eventually progresses to respiratory allergies. Maintenance of an acidic pH in the stratum corneum (SC) is an important factor for normal skin barrier function. We performed this study to determine whether an oxazolone (Ox)-induced AD murine model can develop airway inflammation by topical application and nasal inhalation of a house dust mite, Dermatofagoides pteronyssinus (Dp), which is a novel 'atopic march animal model', and whether an acidic SC environment, made by repeated application of acidic cream, can interrupt this atopic march. During repeated treatment with Ox and Dp to make an atopic march murine model, acidic cream (pH 2.8) and neutral cream (pH 7.4) adjusted by citric acid and sodium hydroxide mixed with vehicle were applied twice daily. Repeated treatment with Ox and Dp to hairless mice induced AD-like skin lesions followed by respiratory allergy, defining it as an atopic march model. Acidic cream inhibited the occurrence of respiratory allergic inflammation as well as AD-like skin lesions. These results indicate that a novel atopic march animal model can be developed by repeated topical and nasal treatments with house dust mite on Ox-induced AD mice and that the acidification of SC could be a novel intervention method to block the atopic march.

Anti-inflammatory effects of sargachromenol-rich ethanolic extract of Myagropsis myagroides on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV-2 cells.

BACKGROUND: Excessive pro-inflammatory cytokine production from activated microglia contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, thus, microglial inactivation may delay the progress of neurodegeneration by attenuating the neuroinflammation. Among 5 selected brown algae, we found the highest antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory activities from Myagropsis myagroides ethanolic extract (MME) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. METHODS: The levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and enzyme linked immunesorbent assay. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt were measured using Western blot. Nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were determined by immunefluorescence and reporter gene assay, respectively. RESULTS: MME inhibited the expression of iNOS and COX-2 at mRNA and protein levels, resulting in reduction of NO and PGE2 production. As a result, pro-inflammatory cytokines were reduced by MME. MME also inhibited the activation and translocation of NF-κB by preventing inhibitor κB-α (IκB-α) degradation. Moreover, MME inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs). Main anti-inflammatory compound in MME was identified as sargachromenol by NMR spectroscopy. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of sargachromenol-rich MME on LPS-stimulated microglia is mainly regulated by the inhibition of IκB-α/NF-κB and ERK/JNK pathways.

In vitro antibacterial activity and synergistic antibiotic effects of phlorotannins isolated from Eisenia bicyclis against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Six phlorotannins, isolated from Eisenia bicyclis, were evaluated for antibacterial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the compounds were in the range 32 to 64 µg/mL. Phlorofucofuroeckol-A (PFF) exhibited the highest anti-MRSA activity, with an MIC of 32 µg/mL. An investigation of the interaction between these compounds and the ß-lactam antibiotics ampicillin, penicillin, and oxacillin revealed synergistic action against MRSA in combination with compound PFF. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the anti-MRSA activity of phlorotannins from E. bicyclis. The results obtained in this study suggest that the compounds derived from E. bicyclis can be a good source of natural antibacterial agents against MRSA.

Association between Asthma and Oral Health Symptoms in Adolescents.

Oral health is an indicator of patients' overall quality of life. Poor oral health among adolescents with asthma can affect their health in adulthood. This study researched the association between asthma and oral health symptoms in South Korean adolescents. Data from the 2020 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey were used. A total of 44,940 students participated in this study. The dependent variables were self-reported oral health symptoms. Asthma was the primary independent variable based on diagnosis in the past 12 months. The chi-squared test and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used. Students with asthma were associated with oral health symptoms, compared with those without asthma (boys, odds ratio (OR): 1.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01-1.66; girls, OR: 1.94, 95% CI = 1.40-2.69). Poor health habits, such as low physical activity, higher sweetened beverage consumption, and fewer sleeping hours, were associated with oral health symptoms. Students who did not receive asthma treatment also had higher oral health symptoms (boys, OR: 1.29, 95% CI = 1.13-1.48, girls, OR: 1.34, 95% CI = 1.15-1.57). Students with absence due to asthma had a higher risk of oral health than those without asthma (boys, OR: 1.31, 95% CI = 1.17-1.46, girls OR: 1.28, 95% CI = 1.12-1.46). Students with asthma had a high risk of poor oral health among South Korean adolescents, suggesting more attention be given to regular dental check-ups and maintaining oral hygiene.

Association between changes in having of cancer patients in the family and depression: A longitudinal panel study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer diagnosis can cause considerable stress among patients and their families. Both may experience clinical depression and severe anxiety. Therefore, this study investigated the association between the occurrence of cancer patients in the family and the depression among family members. METHODS: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006-2020) were used. A total of 6251 participants who completed the short-form Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10-D) questionnaire were included. General estimating equations were used to assess the temporal effects of changes on depression in the presence of cancer patients in the family. RESULTS: Having cancer patients in the family was associated with a high risk of depression among both men and women (men, Odds Ratio (OR):1.78, 95 % Confidence Intervals (CI) 1.13-2.79; women, OR:1.53, 95 % CI 1.06-2.22). Depressive symptoms were particularly high in women, especially when cancer symptoms were more severe than previous surveys (OR: 2.48, 95 % CI 1.18-5.20). LIMITATIONS: First, non-responders were excluded but this could be affected by underestimation bias. Second, depression was defined as the CESD-10-D score, and the biological risk factors of depression could not be identified because of survey-based database. Third, due to the retrospective design study, confirming the causal relationship clearly is difficult. Finally, residual scheming effects of unmeasured variables could not be eliminated. CONCLUSION: Our findings support efforts to diagnose and manage depression in the families of cancer patients. Accordingly, healthcare services and supportive interventions to reduce the psychological factors of cancer patients' families are needed.

Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract from Myagropsis myagroides on murine macrophages and mouse ear edema.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract of Myagropsis myagroides (EMM) in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced ear edema in mice, and to clarify its underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: The levels of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured by Griess assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and Akt were measured using Western blotting. Nuclear translocation and transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) were determined by immunocytochemistry and reporter gene assay, respectively. PMA-induced mouse ear edema was used as the animal model of inflammation. Anti-inflammatory compounds in EMM were isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography and identified by nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: EMM significantly inhibited the production of NO, PGE2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependent manner and suppressed the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. EMM strongly suppressed nuclear translocation of NF-κB by preventing degradation of inhibitor of κB-α as well as by inhibiting phosphorylation of Akt and MAPKs. EMM reduced ear edema in PMA-induced mice. One of the anti-inflammatory compounds in EMM was identified as 6,6'-bieckol. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of EMM are associated with the down-regulation of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines through the inhibition of NF-κB pathway in LPS-stimulated macrophages.

α-Glucosidase- and α-amylase-inhibitory activities of phlorotannins from Eisenia bicyclis.

BACKGROUND: In an effort to develop alternative therapeutic agents, strong inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase was detected in Eisenia bicyclis methanolic extract. RESULTS: In this study, two phlorotannins were isolated from E. bicyclis and characterised by chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance. The active substances were identified as fucofuroeckol A (FF) and dioxinodehydroeckol (DD). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of the identification of these substances in E. bicyclis. However, to date, no antidiabetic activity of FF and DD has been reported. Both phlorotannins demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase. FF showed potent antidiabetic activity, with IC(50) values of 131.34 nmol L(-1) against α-glucosidase and 42.91 µmol L(-1) against α-amylase. The corresponding IC(50) values of DD were 93.33 nmol L(-1) and 472.7 µmol L(-1) . Furthermore, kinetic analysis revealed that FF and DD exhibited non-competitive inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that FF and DD may be candidates for the development of an antidiabetic pharmaceutical agent or food additive.

Ethanol Extract of Sargassum siliquastrum Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Nitric Oxide Generation by Downregulating the Nuclear Factor-Kappa B Signaling Pathway.

Sargassum siliquastrum (SS) is an edible brown seaweed widely consumed in Korea and considered a functional food source. Previous studies have reported various biological activities of SS extracts, including antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. In the present study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of the SS extract and assessed the underlying mechanism of action. The SS extract significantly inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner (% of NO production at 500 µg/mL: 60.1 ± 0.9%), with no obvious toxicity. Furthermore, the SS extract inhibited mRNA and protein expression levels of inducible NO synthase, as well as LPS-induced expression and production of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1ß, IL-6, or TNF-α (IL-6 production (ng/mL) : LPS-: 0.7 ± 0.3; LPS+: 68.1 ± 2.8; LPS + SS extract: 51.9 ± 1.2; TNF-α production (ng/mL) : LPS-: 0.3 ± 0.1; LPS+: 23.0 ± 0.1; LPS + SS extract: 18.2 ± 10.8). Mechanistically, the SS extract attenuated LPS-induced activation of the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (nuclear factor-kappa B, NF-κB) signaling pathway such as phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 and degradation of IκB-α, thereby blocking LPS-induced activation of NF-κB transcriptional activity. The SS extract also enhanced LPS-induced heme oxygenase-1 expression and attenuated LPS-induced cellular reactive oxygen species production (% of ROS production at 500 µg/mL: 52.2 ± 1.3%). Collectively, these findings suggest that the SS extract elicits anti-inflammatory effects in mouse macrophage cells.

Anti-Osteoporotic Effects of Antioxidant Peptides PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK from Mytilus edulis on Ovariectomized Mice.

Numerous amounts of evidence suggest that bioactive peptides with diverse physiological activities can be nutraceuticals or potential drug candidates. In this study, blue mussel-derived antioxidant peptides PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK were subjected to evaluate their osteogenic effect in mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMMSCs) followed by an in vivo anti-osteoporotic effect. Treatment of PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK on mBMMSCs stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity and calcification. Western blot results revealed that PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK increased the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2/4 (BMP-2/4) followed by upregulating p-Smad1/5, type I collagen, and transcription factors including Runx2 and osterix in mBMMSCs. Two peptides also activated the phosphorylation of MAPKs (p-p38, p-ERK, and p-JNK). Treatment of MAPK inhibitors significantly inhibited the BMP signaling pathway, indicating that PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK stimulated osteoblast differentiation of mBMMSCs through the MAPK-dependent BMP signaling pathway. The anti-osteoporotic effect of PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK in ovariectomized (OVX) mice was investigated. Treatment of PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK for ten weeks showed a notable anti-osteoporotic effect in OVX mice via increasing bone mineral density and other bone parameters compared to OVX mice without peptides. Serum analysis also showed that treatment of PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK completely reduced osteocalcin and ALP (alkAline phosphatase) activity. Taken together, these results suggest that PIISVYWK and FSVVPSPK could be health-promoting functional food ingredients against osteoporosis.

Inhibitory effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaves on rat lens aldose reductase, advanced glycation endproducts formation, and oxidative stress.

The preventive and therapeutic potency against oxidative stress and diabetic complications of Nelumbo nucifera were evaluated via the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) assays, as well as the rat lens aldose reductase (RLAR) and advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) assays. The leaf extract of N. nucifera exerted potent antioxidant effects as well as marked inhibitory effects for RLAR and AGE formation, corresponding to high values for total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Among several solvent fractions, the EtOAc and n-BuOH fractions, having prominent TPC and TFC values, showed significant antioxidant effects in the DPPH and TEAC assays. Moreover, the EtOAc fraction exhibited superior inhibitory effects in the total ROS, RLAR, and AGE assays, with IC(50) values of 9.4, 2.4, and 28.2microg/ml, respectively. Also, the HPLC profiles of the active EtOAc fraction indicated that quercetin 3-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside (Qc-3-Glc) and Qc 3-O-beta-d-glucuronopyranoside (Qc-3-Gln) were two of its major components, as well as Qc 3-O-beta-d-galactopyranoside (Qc-3-Gal) as a minor compound. Therefore, the results suggest that two key antioxidant flavonoids, Qc-3-Glc and Qc-3-Gln, may play important roles in the antioxidant and RLAR inhibitory effects of N. nucifera leaves. Also, the leaves, and the flavonoids contained within them, would clearly have potential uses in the development of therapeutic or preventive agents for diabetic complications and oxidative stress-related diseases.

Inhibitory activities of prenylated flavonoids from Sophora flavescens against aldose reductase and generation of advanced glycation endproducts.

Important targets for the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications include aldose reductase (AR) inhibitors (ARIs) and inhibitors of advanced glycation endproduct (AGE) formation. Here we evaluate the inhibitory activities of prenylated flavonoids isolated from Sophora flavescens, a traditional herbal medicine, on rat lens AR (RLAR), human recombinant AR (HRAR) and AGE formation. Among the tested compounds, two prenylated chalcones--desmethylanhydroicaritin (1) and 8-lavandulylkaempferol (2)--along with five prenylated flavanones--kurarinol (8), kurarinone (9), (2S)-2'-methoxykurarinone (10), (2S)-3beta,7,4'-trihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-(gamma,gamma-dimethylally)-flavanone (11), and kushenol E (13) were potent inhibitors of RLAR, with IC50 values of 0.95, 3.80, 2.13, 2.99, 3.77, 3.63 and 7.74 microM, respectively, compared with quercetin (IC50 7.73 microM). In the HRAR assay, most of the prenylated flavonoids tested showed marked inhibitory activity compared with quercetin (IC50 2.54 microM). In particular, all tested prenylated flavonols, such as desmethylanhydroicaritin (1, IC50 0.45 microM), 8-lavandulylkaempferol (2, IC50 0.79 microM) and kushenol C (3, IC50 0.85 microM), as well as a prenylated chalcone, kuraridin (5, IC50 0.27 microM), and a prenylated flavanone, (2S)-7,4'-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-8-(gamma,gamma-dimethylally)-flavanone (12, IC50 0.37 microM), showed significant inhibitory activities compared with the potent AR inhibitor epalrestat (IC50 0.28 microM). Interestingly, prenylated flavonoids 1 (IC50 104.3 microg mL(-1)), 2 (IC50 132.1 microg mL(-1)), 3 (IC50 84.6 microg mL(-1)) and 11 (IC50 261.0 microg mL(-1)), which harbour a 3-hydroxyl group, also possessed good inhibitory activity toward AGE formation compared with the positive control aminoguanidine (IC50 115.7 microg mL(-1)). Thus, S. flavescens and its prenylated flavonoids inhibit the processes that underlie diabetic complications and related diseases and may therefore have therapeutic benefit.

Anti-hyperlipidemic effect of an edible brown algae, Ecklonia stolonifera, and its constituents on poloxamer 407-induced hyperlipidemic and cholesterol-fed rats.

We conducted this study to isolate novel anti-hyperlipidemic agents derived from natural marine products. To accomplish this, we investigated the effects of ethanolic (EtOH) extracts of Ecklonia stolonifera and its phlorotannin constituents, eckol and dieckol, on serum lipid levels in rats with hyperlipidemia that was induced by a high-cholesterol diet or poloxamer 407. Treatment with the EtOH extracts of E. stolonifera and its phlorotannin-rich ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (n-BuOH) fractions induced a significant reduction in triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, as well as a significant increase in the high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) level in hyperlipidemic rats. However, treatment with the water (H(2)O) fraction did not exert any significant effects on the serum levels of hyperlipidemic rats. In addition, eckol and dieckol isolated from the active EtOAc fraction induced a significant reduction in serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels, as well as in the atherogenic index (A.I.). Furthermore, treatment with dieckol induced a greater decrease in the serum TG, TC, and LDL-C levels of hyperlipidemic rats than eckol or lovastatin, as well as an increase in the serum HDL-C levels. Taken together, these results suggest that phlorotannins such as eckol and dieckol have the potential for use for the prevention of hyperlipidemic atherosclerosis.