The Effect of Juingong Meditation on the Theta to Alpha Ratio in the Temporoparietal and Anterior Frontal EEG Recordings.

(1) Background: The effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns has not been explored yet. This study aimed to study the changes in brainwave patterns produced by Juingong meditation, through electroencephalography (EEG) measurements. (2) Methods: The study included 23 participants from the Hanmaum Seon Center in Korea. EEG measurements were performed using InteraXon's four-channel EEG measurement equipment, Muse. It measures EEG patterns in the temporoparietal and anterior frontal lobes. Brainwaves were measured in two different states: when Juingong meditation was practiced and when instructed mind wandering (IMW) was practiced. The EEG recordings were analyzed using the theta/alpha index. (3) Results: In the Juingong meditation state, the power of alpha was relatively higher than that of theta and these results were valid in the temporal parietal lobe channel. This indicates that relatively more alpha waves were induced in the temporal parietal lobe when Juingong meditation was practiced. (4) Conclusions: When Juingong meditation is practiced, the theta/alpha ratio changes without delay, which means that the practical effect of Juingong meditation on brainwave patterns is immediately apparent.

Loperamide-induced Constipation Activates Inflammatory Signaling Pathways in the Mid Colon of SD Rats Via Complement C3 and its Receptors.

BACKGROUND: Complement component 3 (C3) receptors play an important role as inflammatory mediators in the innate immune system, although their mechanisms were not well studied during constipation. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory role of C3 and its receptors' downstream signaling during constipation. METHODS: Alterations in the C3, C3a receptor (C3aR), and C3b receptor (C3bR) expressions, PI3K/AKT pathway, RhoA/MLC pathway, MAP kinase pathway, and inflammatory cytokine expressions were measured in the mid colon of loperamide (Lop) treated SD rats. RESULTS: Lop treatment successfully induced constipation phenotypes, including decreased stool parameters and histological structure alterations. The expression levels of C3 were significantly increased, whereas expressions of C3aR and C3bR were decreased during Lop-induced constipation. Moreover, significant upregulation was observed in the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and GSK3ß in mid colons of Lop treated SD rats. The expression of RhoA and phosphorylation of MLC were also enhanced in the Lop treated group. Furthermore, a similar pattern was detected in the MAP kinase pathway and inflammatory cytokine expressions. Subsequent to the Lop treatment, the phosphorylation of ERK and p38, as well as the mRNA levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α were remarkably increased in the mid colon. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that Lop-induced constipation is tightly linked to the downregulation of C3aR and C3bR expressions, and upregulation of the C3 and C3Rs downstream signaling pathway, including PI3K/AKT, RhoA/MLC, and MAP kinase pathways as well as inflammatory cytokine expressions in the mid colon of SD rats.

Mori Cortex Radicis Attenuates High Fat Diet-Induced Cognitive Impairment via an IRS/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Present study was conducted to investigate ameliorating effects of Mori Cortex radicis on cognitive impair and neuronal defects in HFD-induced (High Fat Diet-Induced) obese mice. To induce obesity, C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 8 weeks, and then mice were fed the HFD plus Mori Cortex radicis extract (MCR) (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks. Prior to sacrifice, body weights were measured, and Y-maze test and oral glucose tolerance test were performed. Serum lipid metabolic biomarkers (TG, LDL, and HDL/total cholesterol ratio) and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase), malondialdehyde (MDA), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels were measured in brain tissues. The expressions of proteins related to insulin signaling (p-IRS, PI3K, p-Akt, and GLUT4) and neuronal protection (p-Tau, Bcl-2, and Bax) were examined. MCR suppressed weight gain, improved serum lipid metabolic biomarker and glucose tolerance, inhibited AChE levels and MDA production, and restored antioxidant enzyme levels in brain tissue. In addition, MCR induced neuronal protective effects by inhibiting p-Tau expression and increasing Bcl-2/Bax ratio, which was attributed to insulin-induced increases in the expressions p-IRS, PI3K, p-Akt, and GLUT4. These indicate MCR may reduce HFD-induced insulin dysfunction and neuronal damage and suggest MCR be considered a functional material for the prevention of T2DM-associated neuronal disease.

Phenolic components rich ethyl acetate fraction of Orostachys japonicus inhibits lipid accumulation by regulating reactive oxygen species generation in adipogenesis.

In this study, Orostachys japonicus was extracted with ethyl alcohol and fractionated by a serial of organic solvents. The ethyl acetate fraction was found to be the most effective among the tested five fractions. High-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis of the ethyl acetate fraction presented epicatechin gallate, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside. Treatment with O. japonicus inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. The gene expression of enzymes involved in the antioxidant system increased in O. japonicus-treated cells. messeanger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of the pro-oxidant enzymes such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen oxidase4 and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase suppressed in O. japonicus-treated cells. O. japonicus also inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of adipogenic transcription factors (including proliferator activated receptor-γ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α) and their target gene (adipocyte protein 2). These results suggest that O. japonicus inhibits adipogenesis by controlling pro-/anti-oxidant enzyme responses and adipogenic transcription factors. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: ROS generation is markedly related to the pathogenesis and development of metabolic disorders. Treatment with O. japonicus inhibited ROS generation and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. This result indicates that O. japonicus inhibit adipogenesis by controlling pro-/anti-oxidant enzyme responses and adipogenic mediators.