Recirculating peritoneal dialysis system using urease-fixed silk fibroin membrane filter with spherical carbonaceous adsorbent.

The chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients are undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). However, there are some constraints, the frequent exchange of the dialysate and limitation of outside activity, associated with CAPD remain to be solved. In this study, we designed the wearable artificial kidney (WAK) system for peritoneal dialysis (PD) using urease-immobilized silk fibroin (SF) membrane and polymer-based spherical carbonaceous adsorbent (PSCA). We evaluated this kit's removal abilities of uremic toxins such as urea, creatinine, uric acid, phosphorus, and ß2-microglobulin from the dialysate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients in vitro. The uremic toxins including urea, creatinine, uric acid, and phosphorus were removed about 99% by immobilized SF membrane and PSCA filter after 24 h treatment. However, only 50% of ß2-microglobulin was removed by this filtering system after 24 h treatment. In vivo study result shows that our filtering system has more uremic toxins removal efficiency than exchanged dialysate at every 6 h. We suggest that recirculating PD system using urease-immobilized SF membrane with PSCA could be more efficient than traditional dialysate exchange system for a WAK for PD.

Shaofu Zhuyu decoction ameliorates obesity-mediated hepatic steatosis and systemic inflammation by regulating metabolic pathways.

Shaofu Zhuyu decoction (SFZYD, also known as Sobokchugeo-tang), a classical prescription drug in traditional East Asian medicine, has been used to treat blood stasis syndrome (BSS). Hepatic steatosis is the result of excess caloric intake, and its pathogenesis involves internal retention of phlegm and dampness, blood stasis, and liver Qi stagnation. To evaluate the effects of treatment with SFZYD on obesity-induced inflammation and hepatic steatosis, we fed male C57BL/6N mice a high fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and then treated them with SFZYD by oral gavage for an additional 4 weeks. The results of histological and biochemical examinations indicated that SFZYD treatment ameliorates systemic inflammation and hepatic steatosis. A partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) scores plot of serum metabolites showed that HFD mice began to produce metabolites similar to those of normal chow (NC) mice after SFZYD administration. We noted significant alterations in the levels of twenty-seven metabolites, alterations indicating that SFZYD regulates the TCA cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway and aromatic amino acid metabolism. Increases in the levels of TCA cycle intermediate metabolites, such as 2-oxoglutaric acid, isocitric acid, and malic acid, in the serum of obese mice were significantly reversed after SFZYD treatment. In addition to inducing changes in the above metabolites, treatment with SFZYD also recovered the expression of genes related to hepatic mitochondrial dysfunction, including Ucp2, Cpt1α, and Ppargc1α, as well as the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation, without affecting glucose uptake or insulin signaling. Taken together, these findings suggest that treatment with SFZYD ameliorated obesity-induced systemic inflammation and hepatic steatosis by regulating inflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels in the circulation and various tissues. Moreover, treatment with SFZYD also reversed alterations in the levels of metabolites of the TCA cycle, the pentose phosphate pathway and aromatic amino acid metabolism.

Tongqiaohuoxue decoction ameliorates obesity-induced inflammation and the prothrombotic state by regulating adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Tongqiaohuoxue decoction (THD), a water extract of a mixture of eight species of medicinal herbs, has been used for the treatment of blood stasis and hypercoagulation in traditional East Asian medicine since 18th century. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the in vivo efficacy of THD using high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice with chronic inflammation and a prothrombotic state as an early vascular model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: THD was prepared by hot water extraction and freeze-drying. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 (NC) mice were fed normal chow. Mice in group 2 (HFD) and 3 (HFD+THD) were fed with HFD for 12 weeks. In addition, Group 3 mice were administered with 100mg/kg body weight THD for 4 weeks after onset of obesity by HFD for 8 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests and histological tissue examinations were performed. The levels of adipokines, inflammatory markers, and prothrombotic markers were assessed. RESULTS: The oral administration of THD for 4 weeks had no effect on the liver, adipose tissue, or total body weight when the HFD and HFD+THD groups were compared. Nevertheless, mice treated in THD interestingly showed a significant increase in adiponectin in blood and adipose tissue. To verify the effect of THD on adiponectin, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with THD; it stimulated adiponectin production in a dose-dependent manner. In the HFD+THD group, pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly down-regulated in the blood, adipose tissue, and liver. Insulin resistance was also notably improved by THD. Simultaneously, THD significantly reduced plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels in serum, adipose tissue, and liver. Fibrin deposition and tPA activity, downstream targets of PAI-1, were also notably reduced in the HFD+THD group compared to the HFD group. CONCLUSIONS: THD improved obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance by increasing adiponectin production. Additionally, THD administration exerted an anti-thrombotic effect through the regulation of PAI-1 and fibrinolysis. This study demonstrates the efficacy of a traditional East Asian medicine by providing scientific evidence and suggesting a possible mechanism of action.

Effects of low-level laser therapy, electroacupuncture, and radiofrequency on the pigmentation and skin tone of adult women.

[Purpose] In this study, the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT), electroacupuncture (EA), and radiofrequency (RF), which are used in physical therapy, on the pigmentation and skin tone of adult women's faces were investigated to provide basic data for skin interventions. [Subjects and Methods] Thirty adult females were assigned to either an LLLT group (n=10), an EA group (n=10), or an RF group (n=10). The intervention was performed in two 15-minute sessions per week for six weeks. Subjects' skin tone and pigmentation were observed before and after the intervention. [Results] The EA group showed significant reductions in pigmentation in the left and right eye rims, as well as in the left cheek. The RF group showed significant post-intervention reductions in pigmentation under the left eye, as well as in the left and right eye rims and the left cheek. The LLLT group showed significant increases in skin tone in the forehead and both eye rims. The RF group showed significant increases in skin tone under both eyes. [Conclusion] The application of LLLT, EA, and RF had positive effects on pigmentation and skin tone of adult women's faces.

Biochanin A improves hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance by regulating the hepatic lipid and glucose metabolic pathways in diet-induced obese mice.

SCOPE: Natural compounds that regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) have been reported to have beneficial effects in obesity-mediated metabolic disorders. In this study, we demonstrated that biochanin A (BA), an agonist of PPAR-α, improved hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance by regulating hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: C57BL/6 mice were fed a normal chow diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), and an HFD supplemented with 0.05% BA for 12 weeks. Histological and biochemical examinations indicated that BA prevented obesity-induced hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. BA stimulated the transcriptional activation of PPAR-α in vitro and increased the expression of PPAR-α and its regulatory proteins in the liver. CE-TOF/MS analyses indicated that BA administration promoted the recovery of metabolites involved in phosphatidylcholine synthesis, lipogenesis, and beta-oxidation in the livers of obese mice. BA also suppressed the levels of gluconeogenesis-related metabolites and the expression of the associated enzymes, glucose 6-phosphatase and pyruvate kinase. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results showed that BA ameliorated metabolic disorders such as hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance by modulating lipid and glucose metabolism in diet-induced obesity. Thus, BA may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention of obesity-mediated hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance.

Self-assembled micellar nanocomplexes comprising green tea catechin derivatives and protein drugs for cancer therapy.

When designing drug carriers, the drug-to-carrier ratio is an important consideration, because the use of high quantities of carriers can result in toxicity as a consequence of poor metabolism and elimination of the carriers. However, these issues would be of less concern if both the drug and carrier had therapeutic effects. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), a major ingredient of green tea, has been shown, for example, to possess anticancer effects, anti-HIV effects, neuroprotective effects and DNA-protective effects. Here, we show that sequential self-assembly of the EGCG derivative with anticancer proteins leads to the formation of stable micellar nanocomplexes, which have greater anticancer effects in vitro and in vivo than the free protein. The micellar nanocomplex is obtained by complexation of oligomerized EGCG with the anticancer protein Herceptin to form the core, followed by complexation of poly(ethylene glycol)-EGCG to form the shell. When injected into mice, the Herceptin-loaded micellar nanocomplex demonstrates better tumour selectivity and growth reduction, as well as longer blood half-life, than free Herceptin.

Stilbene derivatives as human 5-HT(6) receptor antagonists from the root of Caragana sinica.

The 5-HT6 receptor (5-HT6R) is a member of the class of recently discovered 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptors. Due to the lack of selective 5-HT6R ligands, the cellular signaling mechanisms of the 5-HT6R are poorly understood. We previously developed a cell-based high-throughput screening (HTS) method for the 5-HT6R and screened synthetic chemical compounds. In the present study, we expanded our screening into natural products to find novel 5-HT6R ligands. We found that the ethyl acetate fraction from the root of Caragana sinica (537-18BE) produced the most potent antagonistic activity. After further isolation of 537-18BE, we found that three stilbene derivatives, (+)-α-viniferin, miyabenol C and pallidol, are active constituents of 537-18BE inhibiting the 5-HT6R. Among them, (+)-α-viniferin showed the most potent inhibition, and miyabenol C also produced a considerable inhibition. When examined effects on other neurotransmitters for selectivity, 537-18BE and three stilbene derivatives did not produce any notable effects on 5-HT4, 5-HT7, or muscarinic acetylcholine M1 (M(1)) receptors. Furthermore, 5-HT6R antagonistic effects of (+)-α-viniferin, miyabenol C and pallidol were confirmed on extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) which exerts effects in downstream pathways of 5-HT6R activation.

Ginsenoside Rc, an active component of Panax ginseng, stimulates glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes through an AMPK-dependent mechanism.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Panax ginseng and its major component, ginsenosides, are widely used for the prevention of various disorders in oriental medicine. AIM OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rc (Rc), one of the active constituents in Panax ginseng, on glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. RESULTS: Treatment of the C2C12 myotubes with Rc significantly increased glucose uptake. To determine the mechanism of Rc-induced glucose uptake, either insulin-dependent signaling or insulin-independent signaling pathway activities were measured using western blot analysis. We showed that Rc significantly activated an insulin-independent AMPK signaling pathway. However, Rc had no effect on the components of the insulin-dependent signaling pathway, such as receptor substrates (IRS)-1 and protein kinase B or Akt (PKB/Akt). Moreover, we found that treatment with an AMPK inhibitor abolished both glucose uptake and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. This result implies that AMPK activity is critical for the Rc-induced glucose uptake and that AMPK is situated upstream of p38 MAPK. In addition, we also showed that the activation of AMPK and p38 induced by ginsenoside Rc is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, suggesting that upstream regulators of AMPK- and p38 MAPK-mediated glucose uptake. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rc significantly enhances glucose uptake by inducing ROS generation, which leads to AMPK and p38 MAPK activation. Consequently, ginsenoside Rc can be used as a potent natural anti-diabetic agent.

Tissue specificity and developmental pattern of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) proved by ADS promoter-driven GUS expression in the heterologous plant, Arabidopsis thaliana.

Amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) of Artemisia annua L. is a sesquiterpene cyclase that catalyzes the conversion of farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene in the biosynthesis of the antimalarial artemisinin. To explore the mechanisms regulating the tissue-specific and developmental distributions of ADS, a full ADS promoter was generated using PCR, and fused to GUS for introduction into Arabidopsis thaliana. ADSpro::GUS fusion transcripts were organ-specific, mainly present in the anthers and trichomes of the green tissues of the juvenile leaves. This result was consistent with the ADS transcription pattern observed in A. annua as examined by RT-PCR. To determine the subcellular localization of ADS, an open reading frame (ORF) of ADS was fused to the green fluorescent protein (smGFP) gene and introduced into the A. thaliana protoplasts. GFP fluorescence was located exclusively in the cytosol, an indication that ADS is a cytosol-localized protein.

Cyclization mechanism of amorpha-4,11-diene synthase, a key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthesis.

Cyclization of farnesyl diphosphate into amorpha-4,11-diene by amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) initiates biosynthesis of artemisinin, a clinically important antimalarial drug precursor. Three possible ring-closure mechanisms, two involving a bisabolyl carbocation intermediate followed by either a 1,3-hydride shift or two successive 1,2-shifts, and one involving a germacrenyl carbocation, were proposed and tested by analyzing the fate of farnesyl diphosphate H-1 hydrogen atoms through (1)H and (2)H NMR spectroscopy. Migration of one deuterium atom of [1,1-(2)H(2)]farnesyl diphosphate to H-10 of amorpha-4,11-diene singled out the bisabolyl carbocation mechanism with a 1,3-hydride shift. Further confirmation was obtained through enzyme reactions with (1R)- and (1S)-[1-(2)H]farnesyl diphosphate. Results showed that deuterium of the 1R compound remained at H-6, whereas that of the 1S compound migrated to H-10 of amorpha-4,11-diene. Incorporation of one deuterium into amorphadiene in the cyclization process was observed when the reaction was performed in (2)H(2)O, as evidenced by an increase of 1 amu in the mass of the molecular ion.