Impetigo herpetiformis with gestational hypertension: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Impetigo herpetiformis (IH) is a rare skin disorder that occurs during pregnancy. It was previously associated with high maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, but now has a better prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a pregnant woman with IH who presented with generalized erythematous pustular eruptions in the 32nd week of gestation. The IH progressed rapidly, and gestational hypertension was observed in the 36th week. The lesions did not subside, despite treatment with corticosteroids and phototherapy. She delivered a healthy male baby via cesarean section in the 37th week. One month after her delivery, her skin returned to normal, except for residual pigmentation, with complete recovery 3 months postpartum. CONCLUSION: An experienced medical team comprising obstetricians, dermatologists, perinatologists and neonatologists is critical to aggressively treat this life-threatening specific dermatosis of pregnancy and to prevent ensuing complications, such as fluid and electrolyte imbalance, secondary infection and placental insufficiency.

Targeted inhibition of mitochondrial Hsp90 suppresses localised and metastatic prostate cancer growth in a genetic mouse model of disease.

BACKGROUND: The molecular chaperone heat shock protein-90 (Hsp90) is a promising cancer drug target, but current Hsp90-based therapy has so far shown limited activity in the clinic. METHODS: We tested the efficacy of a novel mitochondrial-targeted, small-molecule Hsp90 inhibitor, Gamitrinib (GA mitochondrial matrix inhibitor), in the Transgenic Adenocarcinoma of the Mouse Prostate (TRAMP) model. The TRAMP mice receiving 3-week or 5-week systemic treatment with Gamitrinib were evaluated for localised or metastatic prostate cancer, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) or localised inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging, histology and immunohistochemistry. Treatment safety was assessed histologically in organs collected at the end of treatment. The effect of Gamitrinib on mitochondrial dysfunction was studied in RM1 cells isolated from TRAMP tumours. RESULTS: Systemic administration of Gamitrinib to TRAMP mice inhibited the formation of localised prostate tumours of neuroendocrine or adenocarcinoma origin, as well as metastatic prostate cancer to abdominal lymph nodes and liver. The Gamitrinib treatment had no effect on PIN or prostatic inflammation, and caused no significant animal weight loss or organ toxicity. Mechanistically, Gamitrinib triggered acute mitochondrial dysfunction in RM1 cells, with loss of organelle inner membrane potential and release of cytochrome-c in the cytosol. CONCLUSIONS: The Gamitrinib has pre-clinical activity and favourable tolerability in a genetic model of localised and metastatic prostate cancer in immunocompetent mice. Selective targeting of mitochondrial Hsp90 could provide novel molecular therapy for patients with advanced prostate cancer.

A standardized aqueous extract of Anoectochilus formosanus modulated airway hyperresponsiveness in an OVA-inhaled murine model.

Anoectochilus formosanus HAYATA, a Chinese herb, is a valued folk medicine for fever, pain, and diseases of the lung and liver. Allergic asthma is characterized by increased serum IgE level and inflammation of the airways with high levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF). Constriction of airway smooth muscle and development of airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) are the most important symptoms of allergic asthma. In our previous study, a standardized aqueous extract of A. formosanus (SAEAF) was used to modulate innate immunity of normal mice. In this study, airway inflammatory infiltrations, including T cell differentiation, cytokine modulation, allergic antibodies estimation, pulmonary pathology, and enhanced pause (Penh) of AHR were used to evaluate SAEAF treatment of an ovalbumin (OVA)-inhaled airway allergic murine model. The resulting cytokine profiles demonstrated that SAEAF can significantly reduce Th2 polarization after administration of SAEAF in OVA inhalation. These results also suggest that SAEAF modulates cytokine secretion in allergic asthma. Modulated natural T regulatory cells (CD25+/CD4+, Treg) were also shown to increase immuno-suppression in the allergic lung inflammation and further down-regulate airway inflammatory infiltration in eosinophils and macrophages. Finally, decreased airway anti-OVA IgE secretion and reduced AHR were observed. Our results indicate that the administration of SAEAF can modulate cytokines and T cell subpopulation by regulating inflammatory cell infiltration and modulating the allergic response.

Effects of xiao-qing-long-tang (XQLT) on bronchoconstriction and airway eosinophil infiltration in ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs: in vivo and in vitro studies.

BACKGROUND: Xiao-qing-long-tang (XQLT sho-seiru-to), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used to treat patients with bronchial asthma in Oriental countries for several centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this Chinese medicine remain a matter of considerable debate. Therefore, a series of experiments using ovalbumin-sensitized guinea pigs was performed to elucidate the possible antiasthmatic effect of XQLT. METHODS: The effect of XQLT on ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation in a guinea pig model of allergic asthma was examined, and early and late asthmatic responses were measured in terms of airway resistance and extent of eosinophil infiltration. Furthermore, the bronchorelaxing effect of XQLT was measured in isolated guinea pig trachea. RESULTS: XQLT significantly inhibited the antigen-induced immediate asthmatic response (IAR) and late asthmatic response (LAR) in actively sensitized guinea pigs. Cumulative administration of XQLT caused concentration-dependent relaxation of the carbachol-precontracted guinea pig trachea. The bronchorelaxing effect of XQLT was reversed by ICI-118551, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist. Furthermore, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed that XQLT significantly suppressed the increase in eosinophils (24 h after antigen challenge) in the airway. In addition, XQLT significantly attenuated the increase in eosinophils at 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h after antigen challenge when it was administered once daily from the day of sensitization to the day of challenge. Histopathologic examination results showed that XQLT suppressed eosinophil infiltration into lung tissue. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the antiasthmatic effects of XQLT appear to be partly mediated by stimulation of beta2-adrenoceptors, leading to bronchorelaxation, and that XQLT inhibits the infiltration of eosinophils into the airway. Thus, XQLT may be useful for the prevention or treatment of asthma.

The effects of Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang on respiratory resistance and airway leukocyte infiltration in asthmatic guinea pigs.

Ma-Xing-Gan-Shi-Tang (MXGST), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used in treatment of the bronchial asthma for several centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this Chinese medicine are still far from clear. To understand the mechanism of anti-asthmatic property of MXGST, a guinea pig model of allergic asthma was used to investigate the effects of MXGST on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-induced early and late asthmatic responses and airway inflammation, and examine direct beta2-adrenoceptor agonist activity in guinea-pig isolated trachea. Administration of MXGST (10 g/kg) extracts significantly inhibited the antigen induced immediate asthmatic responses (IAR) in actively sensitized guinea pig. MXGST caused concentration-dependent relaxation in strips of guinea pig trachea contracted with carbachol, and ICI-118551, a selective beta2-adrenoceptor antagonist, significantly inhibit the relaxation caused by MXGST. Furthermore, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed that MXGST significantly inhibited the increase in neutrophil in the airway at 1, 6 and 24 hr after antigen challenge. Histopathologic examination results showed that MXGST suppressed the neutrophil infiltration into lung tissue. In conclusion, we suggest that the anti-asthmatic effects of MXGST are mainly due to its stimulation of beta2-adrenoceptors on bronchial smooth muscle and its anti-inflammatory ability to inhibit the neutrophil into the airway. The precise mechanism of action of MXGST in asthma remains to be elucidated.

The Chinese medicine Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang inhibited proliferation of hepatoma cell lines by inducing apoptosis via G0/G1 arrest.

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT), a Chinese herbal medicine, inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma cell lines (Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T) dose-dependently. The IC50s of BZYQT on the proliferation of Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T were 432.5+/-31.8 microg/ml, 455.4+/-24.2 microg/ml, and 2284.3+/-77.2 microg/ml respectively on day 3. However, BZYQT did not significantly inhibit the proliferation of normal human hepatocytes (Chang liver, CCL-13) at the concentration under 5,000 microg/ml. Major compounds of BZYQT, including astragaloside IV, ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1, saikosaponin a and c, and glycyrrhizin, have been identified. To investigate the key inhibitors of BZYQT. Hep3B cells were treated with BZYQT, individual major compounds of BZYQT, and mixture of major compounds in the same ratio as present in BZYQT. Significant inhibition of proliferation was detected in BZYQT and its major compounds mixture in a comparable level. Not any individual major compound examined could suppress the proliferation of Hep3B cells. This data indicated that there could be synergistic or additive effects of the ingredients in BZYQT. BrdU incorporation, cell cycle analysis and DNA fragmentation assay revealed that BZYQT suppressed the proliferation of hepatoma cells via G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inhibition of DNA synthesis followed by apoptosis.

The effectiveness of Tsu-San-Li (St-36) and Tai-Chung (Li-3) acupoints for treatment of acute liver damage in rats.

This study investigated the effects of acupuncture on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) induced acute liver injury in male rats (n=36). The experimental groups were injected with CCl4 before, during, or after acupuncture therapy. Acupoints similar to the human Tsu-San-Li (St-36) and Tai-Chung (Li-3) were needled bilaterally. Rats treated with CCl4 had higher levels of serum glutamate-oxalate-transaminase (sGOT) and serum glutamate-pyruvate-transaminase (sGPT). Comparing the experimental groups, biochemical and pathological parameters of liver injury were significantly reduced when rats were acupunctured after, not before, CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. Acupuncture at the Tsu-San-Li and Tai-Chung acupoints cannot prevent acute liver injury but may be effective in treating liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in rats.

Protective effect of green tea on the risks of chronic gastritis and stomach cancer.

Despite the declining trend, stomach cancer remains the second most common cancer worldwide. We examined the role of green tea consumption on chronic gastritis and stomach cancer risks. A population-based case-control study was conducted in Yangzhong, China, with 133 stomach cancer cases, 166 chronic gastritis cases, and 433 healthy controls. Epidemiologic data were collected by standard questionnaire and odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using logistic regression models in SAS. Inverse association was observed between green tea drinking and chronic gastritis and stomach cancer risks. After adjusting for age, gender, education, body mass index, pack-years of smoking and alcohol drinking, ORs of green tea drinking were 0.52 (95% CI: 0.29-0.94) and 0.49 (95% CI: 0.31-0.77) for stomach cancer and chronic gastritis, respectively. In addition, dose-response relationships were observed with years of green tea drinking in both diseases. The results provide further support on the protective effect of green tea against stomach cancer. This is the first time that green tea drinking was found to be protective against chronic gastritis, which may be of importance when designing intervention strategies for stomach cancer and its pre-malignant lesions in the high-risk population.

Reversal caused by n-butylidenephthalide from the deficits of inhibitory avoidance performance in rats.

The present study was designed to investigate the mechanism of action of n-butylidenephthalide on the deficits of inhibitory avoidance performance induced by drugs in rats with piracetam as a positive control. n-Butylidenephthalide attenuated the scopolamine-induced and mecamylamine-induced acquisition impairment, and also attenuated the acquisition impairment induced by scopolamine plus mecamylamine. Furthermore, scopolamine methylbromide, a peripheral cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist, did not block the counteracting effect of n-butylidenephthalide on the scopolamine-induced acquisition impairment. n-Butylidenephthalide attenuated the impairment of inhibitory avoidance performance induced by the central acetylcholinergic neurotoxin AF64A administered intracisternally. From the above results, we suggest that n-butylidenephthalide attenuated the deficits of inhibitory avoidance performance induced by drugs, which are the effects related to activating the central but not the peripheral cholinergic neuronal system via muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.

Green tea and the risk of gastric cancer in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Although laboratory experiments and case-control studies have suggested that the consumption of green tea provides protection against gastric cancer, few prospective studies have been performed. METHODS: In January 1984, a total of 26,311 residents in three municipalities of Miyagi Prefecture, in northern Japan (11,902 men and 14,409 women 40 years of age or older), completed a self-administered questionnaire that included questions about the frequency of consumption of green tea. During 199,748 person-years of follow-up, through December 1992, we identified 419 cases of gastric cancer (in 296 men and 123 women). We used Cox regression to estimate the relative risk of gastric cancer according to the consumption of green tea. RESULTS: Green-tea consumption was not associated with the risk of gastric cancer. After adjustment for sex, age, presence or absence of a history of peptic ulcer smoking status, alcohol consumption, other dietary elements, and type of health insurance, the relative risks associated with drinking one or two, three or four, and five or more cups of green tea per day, as compared with less than one cup per day, were 1.1 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.8 to 1.6), 1.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.7 to 1.4), and 1.2 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.9 to 1.6), respectively (P for trend=0.13). The results were similar after the 117 cases of gastric cancer that were diagnosed in the first three years of follow-up had been excluded, with respective relative risks of 1.2 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.8 to 1.8) 1.0 (95 percent confidence interval, 0.7 to 1.5), and 1.4 (95 percent confidence interval, 1.0 to 1.9) (P for trend=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based, prospective cohort study in Japan, we found no association between green-tea consumption and the risk of gastric cancer.

Immunomodulation of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang on in vitro granulocyte colony-stimulating-factor and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) is a Chinese medicine, and has been used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. At present, we still do not fully understand the effects of BZYQT on the cellular physiology. Present in vitro study demonstrated that BZYQT is capable of increasing granulocyte colony-stimulating-factor (G-CSF) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in healthy volunteers and patients with HCC. The productions of G-CSF and TNF-alpha by PBMC of volunteers were significantly stimulated by more than 125 microg/ml of BZYQT. G-CSF levels stimulated by PBMC of healthy volunteers were higher than in PBMC of the HCC patients when more than 625 microg/ml of BZYQT was administrated. The reason may be due to the impaired immunologic reactivity of mononuclear cells in HCC patients. However, the production levels of TNF-alpha in HCC patients can be stimulated to levels as high as those in healthy volunteers. When adding high concentration (3.125 mg/ml) of BZYQT to the cultured PBMC, the increments of G-CSF and TNF-alpha production decreased although there were no obvious changes in the number of metabolic active PBMC changed. TNF-alpha andG-CSF are known to play important roles in the biological defensive mechanism. These findings show that BZYQT is a unique formula for the stimulation of PBMC to produce G-CSF and TNF-alpha. Administration of BZYQT may be beneficial for patients with HCC to modulate these cytokines.

Fraction of prostate cancer incidence attributed to diet in Athens, Greece.

Diet appears to be a major determinant in the incidence of prostate cancer. In a case-control study conducted in Athens, Greece, we found that dairy products, butter and seed oils were positively associated with risk of prostate cancer, whereas cooked and raw tomatoes were inversely associated. We utilized the data from this study to calculate the population attributable fractions under alternative assumptions of feasible dietary changes. For each subject, a dietary score was calculated and categorized into approximately quintiles, representing increasing levels of prostate cancer risk as a function of the intake of the five discriminatory food groups or items. Population attributable fractions in terms of this dietary score were calculated taking into account multivariate adjustment. We observed that, if all individuals were shifted to the baseline category, the incidence of prostate cancer in this study population would be reduced by 41% (95% confidence interval 23-59%). However, if all individuals were shifted to the adjacent lower risk quintile, the expected incidence reduction would be a more modest 19%. The incidence of prostate cancer in Greece could be reduced by about two-fifths if the population increased the consumption of tomatoes and reduced the intake of dairy products, and substituted olive oil for other added lipids.

Effect of San-Ao-Tang on immediate and late airway response and leukocyte infiltration in asthmatic guinea pigs.

San-Ao-Tang (SAT), a traditional Chinese medicines, has been used to treat patients with the bronchial asthma for several centuries. However, the therapeutic mechanisms of this Chinese medicine are still far from clear. To understand the mechanism of antiasthmatic property of SAT, a guinea pig model of allergic asthma was used to investigate the effects of SAT on Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus-induced immediate and late asthmatic responses and airway inflammation. Our results showed that administration of SAT (10 g/kg) extracts significantly inhibited the antigen induced immediate asthmatic responses (IAR) in actively sensitized guinea pig. Examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed that SAT significantly inhibited the increase in neutrophil in the airway at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 hr after antigen challenge. Histopathologic examination showed SAT suppressed the neutrophil infiltration into lung tissue. These results suggest that the antiasthmatic effect of SAT be mainly due to its bronchodilator effect and its ability to inhibit the neutrophil into the airway. The precise mechanism of action of SAT in asthma remains to be elucidated.

Tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption and their interaction in the causation of hepatocellular carcinoma.

During a 4-year period from January 1995 to December 1998, blood samples and questionnaire data were obtained from 333 incident cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as from 360 controls who were hospitalized for eye, ear, nose, throat or orthopedic conditions in Athens, Greece. Coded sera were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by third-generation enzyme immunoassays, and information on smoking habits and beverage consumption was obtained. We found a significant dose-response, positive association between smoking and HCC risk [>/= 2 packs per day, odds ratio (OR)=2.5]. This association was stronger in individuals without chronic infection with either HBV or HCV (>/= 2 packs per day, OR=2.8). Consumption of alcoholic beverages above a threshold of 40 glasses per week increased the risk of HCC (OR=1.9). We also found evidence of a strong, statistically significant and apparently super-multiplicative effect of heavy smoking and heavy drinking in the development of HCC (OR for both exposures=9.6). This interaction was particularly evident among individuals without either HBsAg or anti-HCV (OR for both exposures=10.9). Coffee intake was not positively associated with HCC risk, but the reverse could not be excluded for the subgroup of chronically infected individuals. In conclusion, tobacco smoking and heavy alcohol consumption are associated with increased risk of HCC, especially when these 2 exposures occur together.

Tea consumption: fluid intake and bladder cancer risk in Southern Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether tea consumption and intake of other beverages increases bladder cancer risk. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted in Kaohsiung, Taiwan between August 1996 and June 1997. Index patients studied were consecutive patients with histologically confirmed, newly diagnosed bladder cancer in two major hospitals. For each patient, 4 controls were selected from patients with non-neoplastic and nonurologic diseases undergoing surgical operations in the same hospital and individually matched by sex, age, and date of admission. Using a structured questionnaire, a trained interviewer interviewed 40 patients and 160 controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis adjusting for ethnicity, family history, and smoking status and matching variables were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Tea consumption overall was associated with increased bladder cancer risk (OR 3.29, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.05). Compared with non-tea drinkers, the odds ratios of bladder cancer for oolong tea drinkers was 3.00 (95% CI 1.20 to 7.47); for non-oolong tea drinkers (black and/or other green tea), it was 14.86 (95% CI 2.13 to 103.83). The risk was greater among those who began to drink tea before age 40 (OR 9.50, 95% CI 2.39 to 37.75) and those who had been drinking tea for more than 30 years (OR 17.75, 95% CI 3.00 to 105.17). Coffee, tap water, and alcohol consumption were associated with a slightly increased risk, and both soy juice and rice juice consumption were associated with reduced risk; none of these odds ratio estimates were statistically significant, however. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that tea consumption is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer.

Risk factors for prostate cancer: a case-control study in Greece.

A case-control study of prostate cancer (PC) was undertaken in Athens, Greece. Cases were 320 patients with histologically confirmed incident disease, whereas controls were 246 patients without history or symptomatology of benign prostatic hyperplasia, treated in the same hospitals as the cases for minor diseases or conditions. Cases and controls had similar distributions with respect to height, body mass index, sibship size and birth order in the parental family, marital status and number of offspring in the subject's own family and a long series of previous surgical operations and medical diagnoses, including diabetes mellitus, hepatitis and sexually transmitted diseases. There was also no evidence for a positive association between vertex baldness, tobacco smoking and drinking of coffee or alcoholic beverages, on the one hand, and PC, on the other. There was evidence, however, that some aspect of urban life may increase the risk for PC and a suggestion that sexual activity in early adulthood may be inversely associated with this risk.

Effects of areca nut, inflorescence piper betle extracts and arecoline on cytotoxicity, total and unscheduled DNA synthesis in cultured gingival keratinocytes.

Betel quid (BQ) chewing has a strong correlation with oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. For elucidation of its pathogenesis, we investigated the effects of areca nut (AN) and inflorescence piper betle (IPB) extracts and arecoline on the growth, total DNA synthesis (TDS) and unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) of cultured human gingival keratinocytes (GK). Arecoline and AN extract suppressed the growth of GK over 5 days of incubation in a dose-dependent fashion. At concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 microg/ml, AN extract suppressed the growth of GK by 31%, 46% and 90%, respectively. The IPB extracts exerted less inhibitory effect on the growth of GK. IPB extract (200-400 microg/ml) decreased cell numbers by 20-40% over 5 days of incubation. Moreover, at a concentration of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mM, arecoline suppressed cell growth by 44%, 77% and 96%, respectively. However, only AN extract induced TDS and UDS in cultured GK within 6 h of exposure. Induction of UDS by AN extract was concomitant with the presence of apparent intracellular vacuolization. Arecoline was also toxic to GK, but did not induce intracellular vacuolization. At a concentration range of 200-1600 microg/ml, AN extract induced TDS by 2.1- to 6.5-fold. Furthermore, at a concentration of 400-1600 microg/ml, AN extract elevated the UDS by 2.4- to 5.5-fold more than that of untreated control. On the contrary, IPB extract (200-1600 microg/ml) and arecoline (0.2-1.6 mM) inhibited the TDS and UDS of GK to a different extent. Simultaneous exposure of confluent GK to AN extract, IPB extract and arecoline for 1 to 5 days led to different degrees of cytotoxicity that was dose- and time-dependent. These results indicate that AN, IPB and arecoline take part in the pathogenesis of BQ chewing-related oral mucosal lesions, possibly through both genotoxic and non-genotoxic mechanisms.

Areca nut extract inhibits the growth, attachment, and matrix protein synthesis of cultured human gingival fibroblasts.

Betel quid chewing is a popular oral habit in India, South Africa, and many Southeast Asian countries. The effects of areca nut (AN) extract on the growth, attachment, and protein synthesis of healthy human gingival fibroblasts (GF) were investigated to determine why betel quid (BQ) chewers have higher prevalence of periodontal disease than non-chewers. Twenty-four hour exposure of human GF to AN extract (> 200 microg/ml) in culture led to the formation of numerous intracellular vacuoles. As analyzed by modified MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide] assay, AN extract significantly suppressed the growth of GF over 5 days of incubation in a dose-dependent manner. At concentrations of 50 and 300 microg/ml, AN extract suppressed the growth of GF with 30% and 57% (P < 0.05), respectively. AN extract also significantly suppressed the synthesis of [3H]proline incorporation into trichloroacetic acid (TCA) precipitated proteins. At concentrations of 200, 400, and 600 microg/ml, AN extract suppressed the protein synthesis with 33%, 58%, and 63% of inhibition (P < 0.05), respectively. Preincubation of cells in a medium containing AN extract for 2 hours inhibits the subsequent attachment of cultured GF to type I collagen at the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) which is about 720 to 798 microg/ml. Considering the frequent consumption of BQ throughout the day, impairment of sequential fibroblast functions by BQ ingredients is a potential mechanism through which BQ chewing exert a deleterious effect to the gingival tissues.

Induction of a subgroup of acute phase protein genes in mouse liver by hyperthermia.

We have demonstrated that two members of the acute phase reactant family of positively regulated genes, alpha 1-acid glycoprotein (AGP-1 and AGP-2) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are induced by hyperthermia, while two others, the serum amyloid A (SAA) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (AT) genes, are not. Albumin (ALB), a negative acute phase reactant gene, is also induced by hyperthermia. The AGP-1, AGP-2, and CRP genes require glucocorticoids, but not IL-6, IL-1 beta or TNF alpha in response to hyperthermia. As with LPS, the C/EBP beta mRNA levels increased, while the C/EBP alpha mRNA levels decreased in response to LPS. In contrast to the LPS response, C/EBP delta was unchanged. Protein pool levels and DNA-binding activities of the 35 and 20 kDa C/EBP beta isoforms increase, whereas protein pool levels of the 42 kDa C/EBP alpha decrease and the 30kDa remained high. These studies suggest that the synthesis of specific C/EBP alpha and C/EBP beta isoforms is induced by hyperthermia, and that the regulation of the AGP-1 and AGP-2 genes during heat stress may involve one of these isoforms. The difference between the responses to hyperthermia and LPS is that the former, may not involve the participation of cytokines. Furthermore, since cis-acting heat shock elements (HSE) are located in the promoter regions of the ALB, CRP, and C/EBP beta genes, these regulatory sequences may be involved in the in vivo activation of these genes by hyperthermia.