Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acids Suppress Experimental Autoimmune Uveitis in Association with Inhibition of Th1 and Th17 Cell Function.

Omega (ω)-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) inhibit the production of inflammatory mediators and thereby contribute to the regulation of inflammation. Experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) is a well-established animal model of autoimmune retinal inflammation. To investigate the potential effects of dietary intake of ω-3 LCPUFAs on uveitis, we examined the anti-inflammatory properties of these molecules in comparison with ω-6 LCPUFAs in a mouse EAU model. C57BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing ω-3 LCPUFAs or ω-6 LCPUFAs for 2 weeks before as well as after the induction of EAU by subcutaneous injection of a fragment of human interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein emulsified with complete Freund's adjuvant. Both clinical and histological scores for uveitis were smaller for mice fed ω-3 LCPUFAs than for those fed ω-6 LCPUFAs. The concentrations of the T helper 1 (Th1) cytokine interferon-γ and the Th17 cytokine interleukin-17 in intraocular fluid as well as the production of these cytokines by lymph node cells were reduced for mice fed ω-3 LCPUFAs. Furthermore, the amounts of mRNAs for the Th1- and Th17-related transcription factors T-bet and RORγt, respectively, were reduced both in the retina and in lymph node cells of mice fed ω-3 LCPUFAs. Our results thus show that a diet enriched in ω-3 LCPUFAs suppressed uveitis in mice in association with inhibition of Th1 and Th17 cell function.

Utility of peppermint oil for endoscopic diagnosis of gastric tumors.

We investigated whether peppermint oil (PO) is useful for endoscopic diagnosis of gastric tumors without magnifying endoscopy. Twenty-six patients diagnosed with gastric tumors were examined. Endoscopic images were recorded by white light (WL) and narrow band imaging (NBI) without magnifying endoscopy. After PO administration, images were recorded again by WL and NBI (PO+WL and PO+NBI). The clarity of tumor margins and the effect of PO on the clarity of tumor margins were scored. The mean scores for clarity of tumor margins were 3.6 points in WL, 4 in NBI, 4.3 in PO+WL, and 4.3 in PO+NBI. The scores of WL and NBI showed a tendency to rise by PO. The mean scores for the effect of PO on the clarity of tumor margins were 2.7 in WL and 2.5 in NBI. Therefore, we conclude that PO is useful for endoscopic diagnosis of the margin of gastric tumors.

Angiotensin II receptor blocker inhibits abnormal accumulation of advanced glycation end products and retinal damage in a rat model of type 2 diabetes.

The effects of an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) on the accumulation of one of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), pentosidine, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and retinal function were investigated in Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rats. Candesartan, an ARB, was administered to SDT rats from 10 to 44 weeks of age and the results compared with untreated SDT rats and SD rats. Electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded to evaluate retinal function. At 44 weeks of age, pentosidine was quantified in the vitreous, lens and plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Real-time reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis was also performed in order to measure VEGF mRNA expression in the retina. Histological changes were examined and immunohistochemistry for pentosidine performed on the retina and retinal microvasculature. In untreated SDT rats, the amplitudes of a- and b-waves, oscillatory potentials were reduced significantly at 44 weeks of age compared with the 10-week levels, whereas they remained unchanged in SDT rats treated with candesartan. The concentration of pentosidine in the vitreous and lens did not change in treated SDT rats but increased in untreated SDT rats. Retinal VEGF mRNA expression was inhibited in treated SDT rats. Histologically, proliferative tissue was detected around the optic disc, with pentosidine being detected only in untreated SDT rats. Our findings indicate the ARB may inhibit the development of diabetic retinopathy by reducing the accumulation of pentosidine, one of AGEs and expression of VEGF in the retina.