Antarctic Krill Oil from Euphausia superba Ameliorates Carrageenan-Induced Thrombosis in a Mouse Model.

FJH-KO obtained from Antarctic krill, especially Euphausia superba, has been reported to contain high amounts of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) and to exhibit anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its antithrombotic effects have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the antithrombotic effects of FJH-KO in carrageenan-induced thrombosis mouse models and human endothelial cells. Thrombosis was induced by carrageenan injection, whereas the mice received FJH-KO pretreatment. FJH-KO attenuated carrageenan-induced thrombus formation in mouse tissue vessels and prolonged tail bleeding. The inhibitory effect of FJH-KO was associated with decreased plasma levels of thromboxane B2, P-selectin, endothelin-1, ß-thromboglobulin, platelet factor 4, serotonin, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. Meanwhile, FJH-KO induced plasma levels of prostacyclin I2 and plasminogen. In vitro, FJH-KO decreased the adhesion of THP-1 monocytes to human endothelial cells stimulated by TNF-α via eNOS activation and NO production. Furthermore, FJH-KO inhibited the expression of TNF-α-induced adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway. Taken together, our study demonstrates that FJH-KO protects against carrageenan-induced thrombosis by regulating endothelial cell activation and has potential as an antithrombotic agent.

Puerarin attenuates hepatic steatosis via G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-mediated calcium and SIRT1 signaling pathways.

Puerarin, the major bioactive ingredient isolated from the root of Pueraria lobata (Willd.), attenuates body weight gain and reduces lipid levels in high-fat diet-induced obese mice; however, the underlying mechanism responsible for regulating lipid metabolism remains unclear. This study investigated the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the role of puerarin in regulating lipogenesis and lipolysis in human HepG2 cells. In this study, puerarin strongly inhibited the expression of fatty acid synthase (FASN) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c). Moreover, puerarin significantly induced the expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), which is responsible for triacylglycerol hydrolase activity in cells. Puerarin enhanced 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity, which is a central regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism. Furthermore, this AMPK activation could be mediated by sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and calcium signaling pathways involved in G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) signaling. GPER blockage significantly reversed the effect of puerarin on lipid accumulation and the related signaling pathways. Docking studies showed that puerarin could bind in the GPER in a similar manner as GPER agonist G1. Our results suggest that puerarin can improve hepatic steatosis by activating GPER; it's signaling cascade sequentially induced calcium and SIRT1 signaling pathways. Thus, puerarin may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The Pilot Survey of the Perception on the Practice Pattern, Diagnosis, and Treatment on Korean Medicine Insomnia: Focusing on the Difference between Korean Medical Neuropsychiatry Specialists and Korean Medical General Practitioners.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to investigate the clinical practice states on the diagnosis and treatment for insomnia between Korean medical general practitioners (KMGPs) and Korean medical neuropsychiatry specialists (KMNPSs). METHODS: We distributed questionnaires via email or in person to 1,017 KMGPs and via email to 165 KMNPSs. We collected and analyzed responses from 305 (30.00%) KMGPs and 53 (32.12%) KMNPSs. RESULTS: Most KMGPs and KMNPSs responded that the number of new patients visiting the clinic for treatment of insomnia was less than 10 per month (78.2%). Frequently utilized therapies for insomnia are acupuncture and herbal decoctions. Particularly acupoint GV20 and Guipi decoction were chosen with the highest response rate. There was no difference between KMNPSs and KMGPs in the traditional Korean medical diagnosis methods. However, KMNPSs utilized more various methods to diagnose, treat, and evaluate insomnia and educated more actively sleep hygiene compared to KMGPs. CONCLUSIONS: This survey showed how insomnia is currently diagnosed and treated in Korean medical care settings. Moreover, we identified some differences between KMNPSs and KMGPs. Further research is required to explore the underlying reasons for these discrepancies among KMDs and to improve the quality of Korean medical clinical practice in treating insomnia.

Beverage Consumption Patterns and Micronutrient and Caloric Intake from Beverages in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

The purpose of this study was to determine total water intake and patterns of beverage consumption, and its contribution to total daily micronutrients and calories in older adults with mild memory decline. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was used with 60 independent community-dwelling older adults (71.7 ± 5.4 years) with mild cognitive impairment, who were mostly female, well-educated, and white. Three-day food records were analyzed using the Nutrition Data Systems for Research. Descriptive statistics were conducted for a summary of demographics, the average intakes of beverages, and the contribution of beverages to total calorie and micronutrient intakes. Total daily water intake was 53.6 ± 26.7 fl oz and milk, plain water, and tea/coffee were beverages consumed most frequently. Beverage consumption contributed substantially to the intake of vitamin D (29.4%), calcium (26.4%), riboflavin (22.0%), magnesium (18.9%), and vitamin C (18.1%), but constituted only ∼12.5% of total energy. These findings suggest that nutrient-dense beverages play a fundamental role in overall micronutrient intake, despite comprising a small component of daily caloric intake. Incorporating adequate amounts of such beverages in meals and snacks may help older adults meet their nutrient recommendations.

Longitudinal study of nutrient intakes in infants aged 12 to 18 months.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the nutrient intakes in young children and to compare their intakes with the dietary reference intakes (DRIs). DESIGN: Longitudinal study observing the child's food and beverage intakes as he or she grows from 12 to 18 months. METHODS: Three interviewer-administered 24-hour dietary recalls over 1 week were collected from the mother to assess the child's intakes at 12 and 18 months of age. Intakes were calculated at the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles and compared with the DRIs to determine the proportions below and above cutoff values. RESULTS: Nutrient intakes met or exceeded energy and nutrient requirements, with some exceptions. Diets were deficient in healthy fats, iron, fiber, and potassium and excessive in calories, synthetic folate, preformed vitamin A, zinc, and sodium. CONCLUSIONS: Health professionals should emphasize foods that are nutrient dense while decreasing highly processed foods for children.

Esterification of used vegetable oils using the heterogeneous WO3/ZrO2 catalyst for production of biodiesel.

Tungsten oxide zirconia, sulfated zirconia and Amberlyst-15 were examined as a catalyst for a conversion of used vegetable oils (VOs) to fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). Among them, tungsten oxide zirconia was a promising heterogeneous catalyst for the production of biodiesel fuels from used VOs because of high activity in the conversion over 93% and no leaching WO(3) in the esterification reaction. The reaction conditions were optimized. A study for optimizing the reaction parameters such as the reaction temperature, stirring speed, WO(3) loading over ZrO(2) and reaction time, was carried out. The catalyst was characterized by BET, XRD, FT-IR, and NH(3)-TPD. With increasing WO(3) loading over ZrO(2), the triclinic phase of WO(3) increased and the tetragonal phase of zirconia was clearly generated. The highest acid strength of 20 wt% tungsten oxide zirconia catalyst was confirmed by NH(3)-TPD analysis and the result was correlated to the highest catalytic activity of the esterification reaction.

Effect of aged garlic extract on wound healing: a new frontier in wound management.

Successful wound healing depends upon angiogenesis, and impaired angiogenesis is a hallmark of the chronic wounds encountered with diabetes and venous or arterial insufficiency. To intervene and improve wound closure, it is essential to investigate the effects of different natural remedies in wound healing. The chicken dorsum skin excisional wound assay was used to investigate the influence of different concentrations of aged garlic solution (AGS) on wound healing. Gross, histopathology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and computer-based three-dimensional (3D) image-probing techniques were utilized to determine the effects of AGS on wound closure, re-epithelialization, dermal matrix regeneration, and angiogenesis. Ninety chicks, aged 1 week and divided in 6 groups, were topically exposed to different concentrations of AGS for 6 days: control (group A), 1% (group B), 5% (group C), 10% (group D), 15% (group E), and skin lotion (group F). Different patterns, ranging from incomplete to almost complete wound closure, were observed among different groups with highly significant results (P < 0.001) in group E. Histological investigations revealed a positive augment in the re-epithelialization of all AGS exposed wounds. An increase in the number of new loosely packed collagen and maturation of collagen bundles was observed in all treated wounds at days 4 and 6 post-wounding, respectively. Similar results were achieved through SEM of treated wounds. Histological investigations revealed the profuse dose-dependent neovascularization among AGS-treated wounds. Abbott curve, angular spectrum, and different parameters of 3D surface roughness of wounds were also measured for the precise quantification of angiogenesis. A very highly significant (P < 0.001) increase in angiogenesis was observed among all treated groups. No significant change was observed among control and skin lotion-treated groups. These observations substantiate the beneficial use of AGS in the treatment of wounds. Additional studies are needed to study the specific wound-healing mechanisms of chemical, or group of chemicals, present in AGS.

Predictors of nutritional adequacy in mother-toddler dyads from rural families with limited incomes.

OBJECTIVE: To predict the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) scores of mothers and toddlers from intakes of fruits, vegetables, and dairy group foods and being seated during mealtimes. DESIGN/SUBJECTS: This was a regression analysis of cross-sectional data of the diet quality and being seated during mealtimes of 100 rural mother-toddler dyads from limited-income families using two 24-hour dietary recalls. Children were 11 to 25 months of age and at or below 100% of the poverty index. MEASURES OF OUTCOME: Dietary quality for mothers and toddlers was assessed using a MAR score for eight different nutrients (vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, folate, calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium), and a score of 85 or above was considered nutritionally adequate. The main food groups of interest were servings from the fruits, vegetables, and dairy group foods. Mealtime sitting behavior was the percentage of times the toddler remained seated while eating. RESULTS: Servings of fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods predicted 0.62 of the variance in the mother's MAR score, whereas vegetable and dairy intakes along with being seated while eating indicated nutritional adequacy for toddlers. Mothers with low MAR scores were most likely to have toddlers with poor diets, although few toddlers had poor diet quality. CONCLUSIONS: Adequate intakes of dairy, vegetables, and whole fruits along with being seated while eating could be quick assessment tools to screen toddlers for nutritional risk. Mothers with poor diet quality were likely to have toddlers with poor diets; low intakes of fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods were markers for poor diet quality in mothers.

Seungma-galgeun-tang attenuates proinflammatory activities through the inhibition of NF-kappaB signal pathway in the BV-2 microglial cells.

Seungma-galgeun-tang (SGT) has been used for treatment of chronic diseases in the folk medicine recipe. Since nitric oxide (NO) is one of the major inflammatory parameters, we first studied the effects of SGT on NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglia. SGT inhibited the secretion of NO in BV-2 microglia, without affecting cell viability. The protein level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was decreased by SGT and SGT also inhibited production of PGE(2) and expression of Cox-2. Proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-12, were inhibited by SGT in a dose-dependent manner and SGT blocked the activation of NF-kappaB, which was considered to be a potential transcription factor for the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines. SGT also blocked the degradation of IkappaB and activation (decrease of cytosolic p65) of NF-kappaB, p65. These results suggest that SGT could exert its anti-inflammatory actions by suppressing the synthesis of NO through inhibition of NF-B activity.

Induction of apoptosis by Chan Su, a traditional Chinese medicine, in human bladder carcinoma T24 cells.

Chan Su is a traditional Chinese medicine prepared from the dried white secretion of the auricular and skin glands of toads, and has been used as an Oriental drug. However, little is known about the effect of Chan Su on the growth of human cancer cells. This study was undertaken to investigate the underlying mechanism of Chan Su-induced apoptosis in a human bladder carcinoma cell line, T24. The effects of this compound were also tested on cyclooxygenase (COX) activity. Treatment of T24 cells with Chan Su resulted in the inhibition of viability and induction of apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner, which was proved by trypan blue counts, DAPI staining, agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometric analysis. Apoptosis of T24 cells by Chan Su was associated with a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-X(S/L) expression and an up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax expression. Chan Su treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9, and a concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase and beta-catenin protein. Furthermore, Chan Su decreased the levels of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression without significant changes in the levels of COX-1, which was correlated with an inhibition in prostaglandin E(2) synthesis. Taken together, these findings partially provide novel insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of Chan Su.