Improving Upper Limb Spasticity in Patients with Stroke by Electroacupuncture Therapy: a Pre- and Post-Treatment Study.

Background: : Post-stroke upper limb spasticity (PS-ULS) causes a decline in the quality of life of patients by reducing their ability to perform normal daily activities. Objectives: : We performed pre- and post-treatment analyses of the changes in stroke patients with ULS following constant electroacupuncture therapy (EAT). Methods: : Thirty patients with PS-ULS underwent 12 sessions of EAT over 4 weeks. After performing acupuncture therapy at four acupoints on the affected arm (LI11, LI10, LI4, and TE5), electrostimulation (60 Hz) was performed for 20 min. The modified Ashworth scale (MAS) and the Fugl-Meyer assessment of the upper extremity (FMA-UE) were measured as the outcome variables. Results: : Following EAT, there was a significant decrease in the elbow MAS score (p < 0.001), a significant decrease in the wrist MAS score (p < 0.01), and a significant increase in the FMA-UE score (p < 0.001). Adverse events related to EAT were not reported. Conclusion: : EAT decreased upper limb spasticity and improved functional recovery at the elbow and wrist. Large-scale and rigorous clinical trials are needed to verify the efficacy of EAT.

The Economic Burden of Brain Disability in Korea, 2008-2011.

This study estimated the economic burden of people with brain disability in Korea during 2008-2011 using nationally representative data and was conducted to use the results as an evidence for determining the resources allocation of people with brain disability. We used a prevalence-based approach to estimate the economic burden, classified by direct costs (medical costs and nonmedical costs) and indirect costs (productivity loss of morbidity and premature death). Data from the National Health Insurance Service, the National Disability Registry, the National survey on persons with disabilities, the Korea National Statistical Office's records of causes of death, and the Labor Statistics were used to calculate direct and indirect costs. The treated prevalence of brain disability increased from 0.26% (2008) to 0.35% (2011). Total economic burden of brain-related diseases was US$1.88 billion in 2008 and increased to US$2.90 billion in 2011, with a 54% rate of increase. The economic burden of all diseases, which was 1.2 to 1.4 times higher than that of brain-related diseases, accounted for US$2.61 billion in 2008 and US$3.62 billion in 2011, increasing by 39%. Owing to the growing occurrence of brain disability, the annual prevalence and related costs are increasing. Health management programs are necessary to reduce the economic burden of brain disability in Korea.

MRI T2 and T2* relaxometry to visualize neuromelanin in the dorsal substantia nigra pars compacta.

Visualizing gradual changes in neuromelanin distribution within the substantia nigra is an important metric used to monitor the progression of Parkinsonism. This study aimed to identify the origin of the mismatch region between magnetic resonance transverse relaxation times (T2 and T2*) in the substantia nigra and investigate its feasibility and implications for in vivo detection of neuromelanin as a clinical biomarker. The relationships between neuromelanin distribution assessed by histological staining and the area of T2 and T2* mismatch determined by high- and low-resolution magnetic resonance relaxometry at 7T were directly compared in two normal and one depigmented substantia nigra collected at postmortem. In vivo feasibility of assessing T2 and T2* mismatch, clinically, was investigated using 3T magnetic resonance imaging. In the normal postmortem substantia nigra tissue, the T2 and T2* mismatch region exhibiting a linear pattern was strongly colocalized with neuromelanin distribution along the dorsal substantia nigra pars compacta, but a negligible amount of dorsal mismatch was observed in the depigmented brain. The regions of T2 and T2* mismatch from MRI, neuromelanin pigments from histology, and elevated iron signals from mass spectrometry were spatially overlapped for a normal postmortem brain. In preliminary in vivo studies, a similar, linear T2 and T2* mismatch region was observed in the dorsal area of the substantia nigra in eight normal subjects; this mismatch was significantly obscured in eight Parkinson's disease patients. The length of the dorsal linear mismatch line based on the T2*-T2 mask was significantly shorter in the Parkinson's disease patients compared to normal controls; this result was corroborated by reduced striatal uptake of [18F] FP-CIT dopamine transporters assessed by positron emission tomography scans. In conclusion, the measurement of T2 and T2* mismatch could serve as a complementary imaging biomarker to visualize the dorsal region of the substantia nigra pars compacta, which contains large amounts of neuromelanin.

Piperine inhibits adipocyte differentiation via dynamic regulation of histone modifications.

Previously, we reported that piperine, one of the major pungent components in black pepper, attenuates adipogenesis by repressing PPARγ activity in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying this activity remain unexplored. Here, gene set enrichment analysis using microarray data indicated that there was significant downregulation of adipogenesis-associated and PPARγ target genes and upregulation of genes bound with H3K27me3 in response to piperine. As shown by Gene Ontology analysis, the upregulated genes are related to lipid oxidation and polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2). Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that PPARγ (and its coactivators), H3K4me3, and H3K9ac were less enriched at the PPAR response element of three adipogenic genes, whereas increased accumulation of H3K9me2, H3K27me3, and Ezh2 was found, which likely led to the reduced gene expression. Further analysis using three lipolytic genes revealed the opposite enrichment pattern of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 at the Ezh2 binding site. Treatment with GSK343, an Ezh2 inhibitor, elevated lipolytic gene expression by decreasing the enrichment of H3K27me3 during adipogenesis, which confirms that Ezh2 plays a repressive role in lipolysis. Overall, these results suggest that piperine regulates the expression of adipogenic and lipolytic genes by dynamic regulation of histone modifications, leading to the repression of adipocyte differentiation.

Acer okamotoanum Nakai Leaf Extract Inhibits Adipogenesis Via Suppressing Expression of PPAR γ and C/EBP α in 3T3-L1 Cells.

The genus Acer contains several species with various bioactivities including antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. However, Acer okamotoanum Nakai, one species within this genus has not been fully studied yet. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the anti-adipogenic activities of leaf extract from A. okamotoanum Nakai (LEAO) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Adipogenesis is one of the cell differentiation processes, which converts preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. Nowadays, inhibition of adipogenesis is considered as an effective strategy in the field of anti-obesity research. In this study, we observed that LEAO decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets during adipogenesis and down-regulated the expression of key adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBP α). In addition, LEAO inactivated PI3K/Akt signaling and its downstream factors that promote adipogenesis by inducing the expression of PPAR γ. LEAO also activated ß-catenin signaling, which prevents the adipogenic program by suppressing the expression of PPAR γ. Therefore, we found that treatment with LEAO is effective for attenuating adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Consequently, these findings suggest that LEAO has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for preventing obesity.

Effects of Relaxation Therapy on Anxiety Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

AIM: To explore the effect of relaxation therapy applied to people with anxiety disorders. METHODS: Systematic review with meta-analysis. RESULTS: Sixteen Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) were included for meta-analysis to determine the effect of relaxation therapy. The overall effect of relaxation therapy on symptom of anxiety was significant with Hedges' g=0.62 (95% CI: 0.42-0.81), which indicates a medium-high effect; heterogeneity was statistically significant with I2=48.84. Subgroup analysis exploring the possible causes of heterogeneity found that types of comparison of TAU and CBT was significant (Q=4.20, p=0.04). The effect of relaxation therapy on symptoms of depression, phobia, and worry was significant; Hedges' g=0.44 (95% CI: 0.30-0.59), 0.40 (95% CI: 0.06-0.75), 0.54 (95% CI: 0.28-0.79), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide evidence for the effectiveness of relaxation therapy for people with anxiety disorders. Therefore, relaxation therapy can be selected as a useful intervention for reducing negative emotions in people with anxiety disorders.

The moderating effect of religiosity on caregiving burden and depressive symptoms in caregivers of patients with dementia.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored whether religiosity/spirituality has a protective role against negative caregiving outcomes, in a large multicenter nationwide sample of caregivers of patients with dementia in South Korea. Additionally, this study was the first to examine whether religiosity/spirituality could affect caregiving outcomes according to the various religious affiliations of caregivers. METHODS: The study was conducted on a sample of 476 caregivers of patients with dementia participated in the Clinical Research Center for Dementia of South Korea (CREDOS). We examined the moderating effect of each of the three dimensions of religiosity/spirituality (organizational religious activity, ORA; non-organizational religious activity, NORA; intrinsic religiosity, IR) on the relationship between activities of daily living (ADL) of patients with dementia and caregiving burden and depressive symptoms of caregivers, using a series of hierarchical regression analyses. In addition, these analyses were conducted according to the religious affiliations of the caregivers. RESULTS: ORA, NORA, and IR of religiosity/spirituality alleviated the effect of ADL of patients on caregiving burden. ORA and IR moderated the relationship between ADL of patients and depressive symptoms of caregivers. These moderating effects of religiosity on caregiving outcomes were different according to various religious groups. CONCLUSION: We have identified religiosity/spirituality as a protective factor for caregivers of patients with dementia. The sub-dimensions of religiosity as moderators were different by religious affiliations of caregivers. Further studies are needed to investigate the specific religiosity-related factors which could positively impact the mental health of the caregivers of patients with dementia by religions.

Toxicological evaluation of neoagarooligosaccharides prepared by enzymatic hydrolysis of agar.

Agar, a heterogeneous polymer of galactose, is the main component of the cell wall of marine red algae. It is well established as a safe, non-digestible carbohydrate in Oriental countries. Although neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) prepared by the hydrolysis of agar by ß-agarase have been reported to exert various biological activities, the safety of these compounds has not been reported to date. For safety evaluation, NAOs containing mainly neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose were prepared from agar by enzymatic hydrolysis using ß-agarase DagA from Streptomyces coelicolor. Genotoxicity tests such as the bacterial reverse mutation assay, eukaryotic chromosome aberration assay, and in vivo micronucleus assay all indicated that NAOs did not exert any mutational effects. The toxicity of NAOs in rat and beagle dog models was investigated by acute, 14-day, and 91-day repeated oral dose toxicity tests. The results showed that NAO intake of up to 5,000 mg/kg body weight resulted in no significant changes in body weight, food intake, water consumption, hematologic and blood biochemistry parameters, organ weight, or clinical symptoms. Collectively, a no-observed-adverse-effect level of 5,000 mg/kg body weight/day for both male and female rats was established for NAO. These findings support the safety of NAO for possible use in food supplements and pharmaceutical and cosmetic products.

Anti-Obesity and Anti-Diabetic Effect of Neoagarooligosaccharides on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice.

Neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs), mainly comprising neoagarotetraose and neoagarohexaose, were prepared by hydrolyzing agar with ß-agarase DagA from Streptomyces coelicolor, and the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of NAOs on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in mice were investigated after NAOs-supplementation for 64 days. Compared to the HFD group, the HFD-0.5 group that was fed with HFD + NAOs (0.5%, w/w) showed remarkable reduction of 36% for body weight gain and 37% for food efficiency ratios without abnormal clinical signs. Furthermore, fat accumulation in the liver and development of macrovesicular steatosis induced by HFD in the HFD-0.5 group were recovered nearly to the levels found in the normal diet (ND) group. NAOs intake could also effectively reduce the size (area) of adipocytes and tissue weight gain in the perirenal and epididymal adipose tissues. The increased concentrations of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and free fatty acid in serum of the HFD group were also markedly ameliorated to the levels found in serum of the ND group after NAOs-intake in a dose dependent manner. In addition, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance induced by HFD were distinctly improved, and adiponectin concentration in the blood was notably increased. All these results strongly suggest that intake of NAOs can effectively suppress obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndromes, such as hyperlipidemia, steatosis, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance, by inducing production of adiponectin in the HFD-induced obese mice.

Development of education program for physical therapy assistant in Quang Tri province of Vietnam.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to develop an education program for physical therapy assistants in order to provide high quality physical therapy for the province of Quang Tri in Vietnam. [Subjects and Methods] Subjects consisted of 9 professors in Quang Tri medical college and 1 physical therapist in Quang Tri General hospital. The survey research to lecturer for education of physical therapy assistant in Quang Tri medical college was conducted as pre-analysis of demand for the physical therapy assistant curriculum development. The priority rank of expectation and consciousness were measured in curriculum subjects. [Results] Results of educational expectation of the curriculum total educational expectation were presented as minimum 4 to maximum 5. In the result of educational expectation according to background variable, the differences of educational expectation on scores according to the educational experience were significant. Among the consciousness priority of each curriculum subject, the priority rank of basic kinesiology and physical therapy for international medicine & surgery were 9, the highest first rank frequency. [Conclusion] The curriculum for physical therapy assistant was developed to 5 main subjects including a total of 420 hours (120 hours of theory and 300 hours of practice).

[Stimulation-Oriented Interventions for Behavioral Problems among People with Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis].

PURPOSE: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis designed to investigate the effects of stimulation-oriented interventions for behavioral problems among people with dementia. METHODS: Based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA), a literature search was conducted using seven electronic databases, gray literature, and other sources. Methodological quality was assessed using the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data were analyzed using R with the 'meta' package and the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA 2.0) program. RESULTS: Sixteen studies were included for meta-analysis to investigate the effect of stimulation-oriented interventions. The quality of individual studies was rated as '++' for eight studies and '+' for the rest. The effect sizes were analyzed according to three subgroups of interventions (light, music, and others); Hedges' g=0.04 (95% CI: -0.38~0.46), -0.23 (95% CI: -0.56~0.10), -0.34 (95% CI: -0.34~0.00), respectively. To explore the possible causes of heterogeneity (I²=62.8%), meta-regression was conducted with covariates of sample size, number of sessions, and length of session (time). No moderating effects were found for sample size or number of sessions, but session time showed a significant effect (Z=1.96, 95% CI: 0.00~0.01). Finally, a funnel plot along with Egger's regression test was performed to check for publication bias, but no significant bias was detected. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, stimulation-oriented interventions seem to have a small effect for behavioral problems among people with dementia. Further research is needed to identify optimum time of the interventions for behavioral problems among dementia pateints.

Postmorbid learning of saxophone playing in a patient with frontotemporal dementia.

Some patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) show an artistic enhancement of musical abilities. However, no patients with FTD, to date, have been reported to be able to learn how to play a musical instrument after disease onset. Herein we describe a patient (J. K.) who had never played any musical instruments premorbidly, but who learned to play the saxophone after being diagnosed with a behavioral variant of FTD. He mastered a repertoire that consisted of 10 pieces of Korean folk songs over a period of three years. Furthermore, his saxophone skills were high enough to outperform other students in his class.

Determination of platycodin D and platycodin D3 in rat plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Platycodon grandiflorum has long been used as a traditional oriental medicine for respiratory disorder. Platycodin D (PD) is known as the main component isolated from the root of PG. A simple and rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method has been developed and validated for the quantitation of PD in rat plasma. Quantitation was performed on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer employing electrospray ionization and multiple reaction monitoring in positive ion mode. The total chromatographic run time was 4.0 min, and the calibration curves of PD were linear over the concentration range of 50-10,000 ng/mL in rat plasma. The coefficient of variation and relative error at five QC levels were 1.0 to 8.8% and 0.7 to 8.7%, respectively. After a single oral administration of 500 mg/kg and a single intravenous administration of 25 mg/kg of 3% PD extract (a PG extract including 3% of PD), platycodin D and platycodin D3 were detected and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated. The oral bioavailability of platycodin D and platycodin D3 was 0.29% and 1.35% in rats at 500 mg/kg of 3% PD extract of PG, respectively. The present method can be applied to pharmacokinetic analysis of platycodins and platycosides of the PG.

Identification of sake extract as a new anti-melanogenic ingredient by in vitro and clinical trials.

Overproduction of melanin is the cause of skin hyperpigmentation, which is related to several skin diseases and cosmetic concerns. Sake is a Japanese alcoholic beverage produced from rice and water by fermentation, but is little known for its effect on melanogenesis. To identify the effect of sake extract on melanin synthesis, a melanin assay was performed in melan-A murine melanocytes. Sake extract treatment significantly inhibited melanin production in a dose-dependent manner, and tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme of melanogenesis, decreased significantly at the protein level. Further investigations were performed with multiple assay systems; a sake extract reduced melanin production in melan-A/SP-1 murine cell co-culture, and also in MelanoDerm, a skin equivalent model of human keratinocytes-melanocytes. Finally, subjects were treated with a formula containing the sake extract. Topical application of the sake extract product improved skin lightness (L*) significantly within 7 days. We identified sake extract as a new anti-melanogenic ingredient through in vitro and in vivo experiments. These results suggest that a sake extract can be used to improve skin hyperpigmentation.

Evaluation of hepatotoxicity of chemicals using hepatic progenitor and hepatocyte-like cells derived from mouse embryonic stem cells: effect of chemicals on ESC-derived hepatocyte differentiation.

Embryonic stem cell testing is an alternative model system to assess drug and chemical toxicities because of its similar developmental characteristics with in vivo embryogenesis and organogenesis. This study evaluated the toxicity of chemicals at specific developmental stages of mouse embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived hepatic differentiation; hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs), and hepatocyte-like cells (HCs). The toxic effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)), 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), and arsanilic acid (Ars) were evaluated by measuring the expressions of Cytokeratin (CK18) and GATA binding protein 4 (GATA-4) and the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) during the hepatic differentiation process. Non-toxic doses of three chemicals at a range of 25 to 500 µM for CCl(4), 12.5 to 800 nM for 5-FU and 6.25 to 400 mM for Ars were treated. In the CCl(4)-treated group, significant decreases (P < 0.05) of the marker expression were observed by more than 300 µM from day 10 in CK18 and by more than 400 µM of CCl(4) from day 22 in GATA-4, respectively. However, both markers were decreased (P < 0.01) by treatments of all doses at day 40. In the 5-FU-treated group, the expressions of two proteins were not affected by any of the doses at day 10 and 22, whereas the GATA-4 expression was decreased (P < 0.05) by more than 400 nM of 5-FU at days 28 and 40. In the Ars-treated group, the CK18 expression was inhibited (P < 0.05) by more than 100 mM of Ars at day 22 but showed a tendency to recover. Although the GATA-4 was inhibited by all doses at day 22, the inhibition of GATA-4 recovered at days 28 and 40. ALP activities of three chemicals were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by a dose-dependent manner. The activities of AST and LDH were prone to be increased by more than 300 µM of CCl(4,) but not affected by all doses of 5-FU except for 800 nM of 5-FU in AST activities. In the Ars, the enzyme activities were significantly increased (P < 0.05) by more than 50 µM of Ars in AST and more than 6.25 µM of Ars in LDH. The present results indicate that CCl(4) has a more toxic effect on HCs, whereas Ars is more toxic to HPCs. Additionally, in vitro alternative testing using ESC-derived HPCs and HCs could provide useful information on chemical toxicity during the hepatic differentiation process and could be a useful model system for assessing chemical hepatotoxicity.

Onion (Allium cepa) extract attenuates brain edema.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential beneficial effects of onion extract on brain ischemia-induced edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. The possible underlying mechanisms are investigated, especially those linked to the antioxidant effects of the onion extract. METHODS: Brain ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion in mice. Mice were treated intravenously with onion extract 30 min before MCAO. Brain edema and BBB hyperpermeability were evaluated by the measurement of the brain water content and Evans blue extravasation, respectively. The disruption of tight junction proteins was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The level of malondialdehyde was determined using the thiobarbituric acid method. The activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were determined by spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: Brain water content in the ischemic hemisphere was significantly reduced by treatment with onion extract. Onion extract also had a significant effect on both the decrease in Evans blue extravasation and the inhibition of zonula occludens-1 and occludin disruption caused by brain ischemia. In addition, onion extract significantly prevented brain ischemia-induced reduction in catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and elevation of malondialdehyde level in the brain tissue. CONCLUSION: The results from this study demonstrate that onion extract prevents brain edema, BBB hyperpermeability, and tight junction proteins disruption, possibly through its antioxidant effects in the mouse MCAO model. This study suggests that onion extract may be a beneficial nutrient for the prevention of BBB function during brain ischemia.

Platycodon grandiflorus alleviates DNCB-induced atopy-like dermatitis in NC/Nga mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of crude extract from Platycodon grandiflorum (PG) roots on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To develop atopic dermatitis-like lesions, 200 µl of 0.3% 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitro benzene (DNCB) in acetone/olive oil (3:1) was applied 3 times a week for 2 weeks on the shaved skin of their backs. PG extract was dissolved in saline and orally administrated at concentrations of 300 and 500 mg/kg every day for 2 weeks. The therapeutic effect of PG on AD-like skin lesions was assessed by measuring skin severity scores and epithermal thickness, serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) E, histopathological findings for inflammatory cells including mast cells, macrophage and T cells, and mRNA expression of various cytokines related to the inflammatory and allergic response. The significance of inter-group differences was analyzed using the ANOVA test. Data were considered to be significant when P < 0.05 or P < 0.01. RESULTS: Oral treatment of PG suppressed AD-like skin lesions according to the assessment of skin severity and epithermal thickness in the DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice. This alleviation was further correlated with a reduction of elevated serum total IgE or cytokine mRNA in the PG-treated group compared with vehicle-treated positive group. In addition, infiltrated inflammatory cells decreased on the skin lesions compared with vehicle-treated group. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that PG may have a potential therapeutic effect for AD via the inhibition of both inflammatory and allergic reaction.

Negative regulation of adipogenesis by kaempferol, a component of Rhizoma Polygonati falcatum in 3T3-L1 cells.

Rhizoma Polygonati falcatum (RPF) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia, because of its anti-hyperglycemic, anti-triglycemic, and anti-tumor activity. In this study, we determined the anti-adipogenic potential of RPF extract and its component kaempferol in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the underlying molecular mechanism(s) using microarray analysis. Adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells was significantly impaired by RPF extract and kaempferol as monitored by Oil Red O staining and quantitative measurement of lipid accumulation. Additionally, the mRNA expression of adipogenesis genes decreased on treatment with kaempferol. The role of kaempferol at the genome-wide level was further assessed by a microarray approach. Our analysis indicated that kaempferol decreased the expression of adipogenic transcription factors (Pparγ, Cebpß, Srebp1, Rxrß, Lxrß, Rorα) and genes involved in triglyceride biosynthesis (Gpd1, Agpat2, Dgat2), while increasing lipolysis-related genes, such as Tnfα, Lsr, and Cel. Finally, co-transfection assays using luciferase reporter gene and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis using peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) target genes indicated that kaempferol significantly repressed rosiglitazone-induced PPARγ transcriptional activity. Overall, our data suggests that kaempferol, a major component of RPF, may be beneficial in obesity, by reducing adipogenesis and balancing lipid homeostasis partly through the down-regulation of PPARγ.

Piperine, a component of black pepper, inhibits adipogenesis by antagonizing PPARγ activity in 3T3-L1 cells.

This study investigated the antiadipogenic activity of black pepper extract and its constituent piperine in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. Both black pepper extract and piperine, without affecting cytotoxicity, strongly inhibited the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. The mRNA expression of the master adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ, SREBP-1c, and C/EBPß, was markedly decreased. Intriguingly, mRNA levels of PPARγ target genes were also down-regulated. Moreover, a luciferase reporter assay indicated that pipierine significantly represses the rosiglitazone-induced PPARγ transcriptional activity. Finally, GST-pull down assays demonstrated that piperine disrupts the rosiglitazone-dependent interaction between PPARγ and coactivator CBP. Genome-wide analysis using microarray further supports the role of piperine in regulating genes associated with lipid metabolism. Overall, these results suggest that piperine, a major component of black pepper, attenuates fat cell differentiation by down-regulating PPARγ activity as well as suppressing PPARγ expression, thus leading to potential treatment for obesity-related diseases.

Predictors of Successful Aging in Korean Older Women Based on Successful Aging Theory (SAT).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore predictors of successful aging in older Korean women based on a recent mid-range nursing theory, the Successful Aging Theory (SAT). METHODS: This study utilized a descriptive correlational design. The convenience sample was composed of 174 older women living in the community. Successful aging was measured using the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI). Transcendence was measured using the Self-transcendence Scale (STS). Adaptation was measured using the Coping behavior scale. Stepwise multiple regression was used to identify significant predictors of successful aging. RESULTS: Transcendence, adaptation, and religion were shown to be predictive of successful aging. This regression model explained 56% of the variance in successful aging. The factor with the highest influence was transcendence which explained 52% of the variance. CONCLUSION: Gerotranscendence-promoting interventions can be an important consideration in caring for older Korean women. Adaptation and spirituality should be included in a holistic aging care.