Protective effect of Tremella fuciformis Berk extract on LPS-induced acute inflammation via inhibition of the NF-κB and MAPK pathways.

Tremella fuciformis Berk (TFB) has long been used as a traditional medicine in Asia. Although TFB exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, the mechanisms of action responsible have remained unknown. We confirmed the anti-inflammatory effects of Tremella fuciformis Berk extract (TFE) in RAW 264.7 cells and observed significantly suppressed LPS-induced iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE2 production. TFE also suppressed LPS-induced IKK, IkB, and p65 phosphorylation, as well as LPS-induced translocation of p65 from the cytosol. Additionally, TFE inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs. In an acute inflammation study, oral administration of TFE significantly inhibited LPS-induced IL-1ß, IL-6 and TNF-α production and iNOS and COX-2 expression. The major bioactive compounds from TFB extract were identified as gentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and coumaric acid. Among these compounds, protocatechuic acid showed the strongest inhibitory effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. Overall, these results suggest that TFE is a promising anti-inflammatory agent that suppresses iNOS/NO and COX-2/PGE2 expression, as well as the NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

Influence of surface energy of modified surfaces on bacterial adhesion.

There are a number of contrary reports on the effect of surface energy of substrates on bacterial adhesion. Some reports showed that bacterial adhesion decreased with decreasing surface energy of substrates; while other reports showed that bacterial adhesion decreased with increasing surface energy of substrates. In this study Escherichia coli adhesion on the Ni--P--PTFE coatings with various surface energies was investigated and the extended DLVO theory was used to calculate the interaction energy between bacteria and the substrates in water. The theory explained the effect of surface energy of substrates on bacterial adhesion.

Fine particles of widely different composition have an adjuvant effect on the production of allergen-specific antibodies.

Diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are reported to increase the specific IgE response to allergens, and results from our laboratory suggest that the particle core of DEP contribute to this adjuvant activity. The purpose of the present study was to explore further the adjuvant effect of particles per se, that is particles by themselves. NIH/Ola mice were given two intraperitoneal injections with ovalbumin (OVA; 10 microg) alone or OVA in combination with PSP, polytetrafluoroethylene (teflon), titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) or amorphous silica particles (2.8x10(10)-2.8x10(12)). Blood samples were drawn 7 days after the last injection, and serum levels of allergen-specific and total IgE and IgG2a were measured. All types of particles gave increased levels of allergen-specific IgE and IgG2a. Similar results were obtained after intranasal or intratracheal instillation with OVA plus PSP or silica. Our results indicate that fine particles of widely different composition may have an adjuvant effect on the production of allergen-specific antibodies.

A study of the reaction of human tissue to proplast.

The femoral stems of Thompson prostheses coated with a polytetrafluoroethylene/carbon fiber composite (proplast) were studied using conventional histological examination, scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis in "successful" firm implants and in a "loose" clinically unsuccessful implant. Ingrowth was found throughout the coatings of the successful prostheses. In the most firmly fixed prosthesis the ingrowth consisted of fibrous tissue with abundant giant cells; however, no bone ingrowth was detected. There was less composite pore infilling in the unsuccessful implant. From both clinical, radiological and the studies described above, it is concluded that fibrous tissue ingrowth was a secondary stabilizing phenomenon in the proplast-coated prostheses studied.