Impact of the Oral Administration of Polystyrene Microplastics on Hepatic Lipid, Glucose, and Amino Acid Metabolism in C57BL/6Korl and C57BL/6-Lepem1hwl/Korl Mice.

The impact of microplastics (MPs) on the metabolic functions of the liver is currently unclear and not completely understood. To investigate the effects of the administration of MPs on the hepatic metabolism of normal and obese mice, alterations in the lipid, glucose (Glu), and amino acid regulation pathways were analyzed in the liver and adipose tissues of C57BL/6Korl (wild type, WT) or C57BL/6-Lepem1hwl/Korl mice (leptin knockout, Lep KO) orally administered polystyrene (PS) MPs for 9 weeks. Significant alterations in the lipid accumulation, adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis pathways were detected in the liver tissue of MP-treated WT and Lep KO mice compared to the vehicle-treated group. These alterations in their liver tissues were accompanied by an upregulation of the serum lipid profile, as well as alterations in the adipogenesis, lipogenesis, and lipolysis pathways in the adipose tissues of MP-treated WT and Lep KO mice. Specifically, the level of leptin was increased in the adipose tissues of MP-treated WT mice without any change in their food intake. Also, MP-induced disruptions in the glycogenolysis, Glu transporter type 4 (GLUT4)-5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, levels of lipid intermediates, and the insulin resistance of the liver tissues of WT and Lep KO mice were observed. Furthermore, the levels of seven endogenous metabolites were remarkably changed in the serum of WT and Lep KO mice after MP administrations. Finally, the impact of the MP administration observed in both types of mice was further verified in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 cells. Thus, these results suggest that the oral administration of MPs for 9 weeks may be associated with the disruption of lipid, Glu, and amino acid metabolism in the liver tissue of obese WT and Lep KO mice.

Complement C3-Deficiency-Induced Constipation in FVB/N-C3em1Hlee/Korl Knockout Mice Was Significantly Relieved by Uridine and Liriope platyphylla L. Extracts.

Complement component 3 (C3) deficiency has recently been known as a cause of constipation, without studies on the therapeutic efficacy. To evaluate the therapeutic agents against C3-deficiency-induced constipation, improvements in the constipation-related parameters and the associated molecular mechanisms were examined in FVB/N-C3em1Hlee/Korl knockout (C3 KO) mice treated with uridine (Urd) and the aqueous extract of Liriope platyphylla L. (AEtLP) with laxative activity. The stool parameters and gastrointestinal (GI) transit were increased in Urd- and AEtLP-treated C3 KO mice compared with the vehicle (Veh)-treated C3 KO mice. Urd and AEtLP treatment improved the histological structure, junctional complexes of the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB), mucin secretion ability, and water retention capacity. Also, an improvement in the composition of neuronal cells, the regulation of excitatory function mediated via the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), and the regulation of the inhibitory function mediated via the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and inducible NOS (iNOS) were detected in the enteric nervous system (ENS) of Urd- and AEtLP-treated C3 KO mice. Therefore, the results of the present study suggest that C3-deficiency-induced constipation can improve with treatment with Urd and AEtLP via the regulation of the mucin secretion ability, water retention capacity, and ENS function.

Dysbiosis of Fecal Microbiota in Tg2576 Mice for Alzheimer's Disease during Pathological Constipation.

Tg2576 transgenic mice for Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibited significant phenotypes for neuropathological constipation, but no research has been conducted on the association of the fecal microbiota with dysbiosis. The correlation between fecal microbiota composition and neuropathological constipation in Tg2576 mice was investigated by examining the profile of fecal microbiota and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in 9-10-month-old Tg2576 mice with the AD phenotypes and constipation. Several constipation phenotypes, including stool parameters, colon length, and histopathological structures, were observed prominently in Tg2576 mice compared to the wild-type (WT) mice. The fecal microbiota of Tg2576 mice showed decreases in Bacteroidetes and increases in the Firmicutes and Proteobacteria populations at the phylum level. The FMT study showed that stool parameters, including weight, water content, and morphology, decreased remarkably in the FMT group transplanted with a fecal suspension of Tg2576 mice (TgFMT) compared to the FMT group transplanted with a fecal suspension of WT mice (WFMT). The distribution of myenteric neurons and the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), as well as the enteric nervous system (ENS) function, remained lower in the TgFMT group. These results suggest that the neuropathological constipation phenotypes of Tg2576 mice may be tightly linked to the dysbiosis of the fecal microbiota.

Broadband light treatment using static operation and constant motion techniques for skin tightening in Asian patients.

BACKGROUND: Broadband light (BBL) devices irradiate photons of different wavelength to induce photothermal reactions on various aging-related chromophores. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate three BBL treatment settings for skin tightening in Asian patients. METHODS: A total of 27 patients underwent three sessions of BBL treatment via (1) an 800-nm cutoff filter using a static operation technique and a 695-nm cutoff filter using a constant motion technique (group 1, N = 9), (2) an 800-nm cutoff filter using a constant motion technique (group 2, N = 9), and (3) a 590-nm cutoff filter using a constant motion technique (group 3, N = 9). RESULTS: The patients in group 1 presented marked clinical improvements in zygomatic wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines, with a median overall global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) score of 3. Meanwhile, patients in group 2 exhibited noticeable improvements in zygomatic wrinkles, nasolabial folds, perioral expression wrinkles at the cheek, and marionette lines, with a median GAIS score of 3. Patients in group 3 experienced improvement in skin tone and texture, zygomatic wrinkles, nasolabial folds, and marionette lines, with a median GAIS score of 2. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrated that BBL treatment for nonablative, noninvasive skin tightening elicits satisfactory clinical outcomes.

Novel Therapeutic Effects of Euphorbia heterophylla L. Methanol Extracts in Macular Degeneration Caused by Blue Light in A2E-Laden ARPE-19 Cells and Retina of BALB/c Mice.

Natural products with high antioxidant activity are considered as innovative prevention strategies to effectively prevent age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the early stage because the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to the development of drusen is reported as an important cause of this disease. To investigate the prevention effects of the methanol extracts of Euphorbia heterophylla L. (MEE) on AMD, its effects on the antioxidant activity, inflammatory response, apoptosis pathway, neovascularization, and retinal tissue degeneration were analyzed in N-retinylidene-N-retinylethanolamine (A2E)-landed spontaneously arising retinal pigment epithelia (ARPE)-19 cells and BALB/c mice after exposure to blue light (BL). The MEE contained 10 active components and showed high free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and nitric oxide (NO) radicals. The pretreatments of high-dose MEE remarkably suppressed the production of intracellular ROS (88.2%) and NO (25.2%) and enhanced (SOD) activity (84%) and the phosphorylation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in A2E + BL-treated ARPE-19 cells compared to Vehicle-treated group. The activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) mediated pathway, inflammasome activation, and expression of inflammatory cytokines was significantly inhibited in A2E + BL-treated ARPE-19 cells after the MEE pretreatment. The activation of the apoptosis pathway and increased expression of neovascular proteins (36% for matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9) were inhibited in the MEE pretreated groups compared to the Vehicle-treated group. Furthermore, the thickness of the whole retina (31%), outer nuclear layer (ONL), inner nuclear layer (INL), and photoreceptor layer (PL) were significantly increased by the MEE pretreatment of BALB/c mice with BL-induced retinal degeneration. Therefore, these results suggest that the MEE, with its high antioxidative activity, protects against BL-induced retinal degeneration through the regulation of the antioxidative system, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and neovascularization in the AMD mouse model.

Predictive factors of relapse in adult with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) is an IgA-mediated small vessel vasculitis with a predominant cutaneous involvement. We assessed adult patients with HSP to identify the clinical and histopathological features and evaluate predictive factors of relapse. We reviewed the records of 29 adult patients with HSP who presented at our department between 2002 and 2009. Adult HSP was confirmed by skin biopsy showing leukocytoclastic vasculitis and direct immunofluorescence showing IgA deposit. Among the 29 patients (15 men, 14 women; mean age 36.2 years old), renal involvement was initially found in 22 patients (75.9%). They were divided into 2 groups according to the presence or absence of relapse. We compared clinical and histopathologic differences between 15 patients with relapse and 14 patients without relapse. By univariate analysis, older age at onset, persistent rash, abdominal pain, hematuria, and underlying disease at the onset of HSP are significantly related to relapse. Among the histopathological variables, severity of leukocytoclasis and absence of IgM deposit on the vessel walls are significantly associated to relapsing disease (P < 0.05). Our results are significant, because, they may help to understand the predictive factors related to relapses of HSP in adults. Further studies are necessary to identify whether more aggressive treatment in adults with HSP with these predictive factors can prevent relapse and severe renal sequelae.

Cutaneous nontuberculous mycobacterial infection: a clinicopathological study of 7 cases.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are human opportunistic pathogens with an environmental source of infection. The reports of cutaneous NTM infections has increased, and NTM have been regarded as important pathogens in recent years. This study aimed to identify characteristic clinical and histological features of cutaneous NTM infections. We evaluated the medical records and histopathologic slides of 7 cases of NTM infections that were confirmed by polymerase chain reaction between 2003 and 2007. The results showed that cutaneous NTM infections occurred in various aged people independent of their immune states and were associated with fish-related jobs or intramuscular medicinal injection. The main clinical feature was a painful erythematous nodule. Histopathologically, the most common findings were diffuse infiltration of mixed inflammatory cells and small vessel proliferation in the dermis (100%). Epidermal proliferation (71%) and dermal granuloma (71%) were also very common. Suppurative granuloma was found in 43% of the cases, and eosinophil infiltration was uncommon (14%). The lesions disappeared after a mean of 7 months (range, 1.5-12 months) with treatment by oral clarithromycin alone or in combination with other antimycobacterial agents. These clinical and histopathological data should assist clinicians in the diagnosis of NTM.

Atypical acute graft-versus-host disease.

Acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is a life-threatening complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. It is important to recognize the dermatologic manifestations of acute GVHD, as skin is often the initial organ of involvement. We present a case of acute GVHD characterized by rare clinical and histopathologic findings as only two erythematous nodules clinically and abrupt follicular wall necrosis histopathologically.