Characterization and applications of biomacromolecule structurally similar to glycogen as a dispersion aid and skin protection agent.

Glycogen is a naturally occurring or metabolically synthesized biological macromolecule found in a wide range of living organisms, including animals, microorganisms, and even plants. However, naturally sourced glycogen poses challenges for industrial use. This study focused on a biological macromolecule referred to as glycogen-like particles (GLPs), detailing the production methods and biological properties of these particles. In vitro enzymatic production of GLPs was successfully achieved. GLPs synthesized through a simultaneous enzymatic reaction using sucrose had significant changes in their structure and functionality based on the branching enzyme (BE) to amylosucrase (ASase) ratio. As this ratio increased, the GLPs developed higher molecular weights and greater density, solubility, and branching degree while reducing size and turbidity. Structural changes in these enzymes were not observed beyond a critical BE/ASase ratio. Uniformly dispersed curcumin powder was generated in 50 % (w/v) aqueous GLP solution, and the GLPs were non-toxic to human skin keratinocytes at a concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. GLPs with lower branching inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis, while those with more long chains displayed effective UV-blocking. By manipulating the BE/ASase ratio, GLPs were shown to display diverse chemical structures and physical characteristics, suggesting their potential application in the food and cosmetics industries.

Differentiated structure of synthetic glycogen-like particle by the combined action of glycogen branching enzymes and amylosucrase.

Glycogen-like particles (GLPs) were built up from sucrose by applying de novo one-pot enzymatic process of amylosucrase (ASase; 6 U·mL-1) and glycogen branching enzymes (GBEs; 0.001 and 0.005 U·mL-1). Due to different chain-length transferring patterns of GBEs, structurally differentiated GLPs were synthesized. Yields of GLPs synthesized at pH 7.0 and 30 °C were improved by increasing the GBE/ASase ratio. Branching degrees of GLPs obviously was increased along with the ratio of GBEs, of which result was directly supported by shortened branch-chain length with greater GBE activity. Long branch chains seemed to play as efficient acceptor molecules to bind newly transferred branch chains especially at lower ratio of GBE/ASase, resulting in greater molecular weight and size of GLP with higher proportion of them. Molecular weight, size, and density of GLPs were ranged from 7.37 × 105 to 1.94 × 108 g·mol-1, from 23.70 to 52.65 nm, and from 7.99 to 374.32 g·mol-1·nm-3, respectively. By increasing GBE/ASase ratio, more compact GLP architecture was fabricated due to increased weight and reduced size with exception of a unique GBE. GLPs were efficiently synthesized by two different glycosyltransferases, and their chemical structures were controllable by source and ratio of GBEs due to their different branch-chain transferring specificity.

Inhibition of mouse osteoblast proliferation and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae).

Ulmus davidiana Planch (Ulmaceae) (UD) is a widely used Korean herbal medicine that has been used historically in anti-inflammatory and anticancer therapy. Since UD has been known to have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on damaged tissue, inflammation and bone among other functions, this study was undertaken to address whether the water extract of the bark of UD could modulate proliferation of mouse osteoblasts in vitro and to investigate its effect on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), which converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Mouse osteoblasts were tested in vitro for growth inhibition, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression, and COX-2 activity and expression after treatment with UD extract. Its effects were compared with those of indomethacin (a nonselective COX inhibitor) and celecoxib (a selective COX-2 inhibitor). UD demonstrated a strong growth inhibition in tested mouse osteoblasts. The IC50s were 10microg/ml for UD, 6microM for celecoxib and 42microM for indomethacin. UD, as well as celecoxib and indomethacin, suppressed PCNA expression and PGE2 synthesis in osteoblasts. UD inhibited COX-2 expression, whereas celecoxib inhibited COX-2 activity directly. UD selectively and effectively inhibits osteoblasts cell growth in vitro. Inhibition of PGE2 synthesis via suppression of COX-2 expression may be responsible for its anti-inflammatory activity.

Effect of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe on protease activities, antioxidant and free radical damages in rheumatis arthritis rats.

The effect of deer antler extracts (DAA) of Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe on protease activities, oxidant and free radical damages in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis in rats was studied. Rats were i.p. administered with DAA. We have compared (using the same series of experimental samples) the levels of activity of a comprehensive range of cytoplasmic, lysosomal and matrix protease types, together with the levels of free radical induced protein damage (determined as protein carbonyl derivative) and total antioxidant in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and DAA-treated rats. Many proteases activities were shown to be significantly increased in RA compared to normal rats. Protease activities (including those enzyme types putatively involved in the immune response, such as dipeptidyl aminopeptidase IV) in plasma were not significantly different between RA and normal rats. DAA treatment at dose of 100 microg/kg suppressed the production of the proteases of cytoplasmic, lysosomal and matrix protease types. The level of free radical induced damage to synovial fluid proteins was approximately 2-fold lower in DAA rats compared to RA rats, although there was no significant difference in total antioxidant status in synovial fluid or plasma between RA and DAA rats. It was concluded that DAA treatment reduces the activation of proteolytic enzymes and free radicals, which are likely to be of equal potential importance as protein damaging agents in the pathogenesis of RA.

Acupuncture stimulation for motor cortex activities: a 3T fMRI study.

The acupoint, GB34, located in the back of the knee, is known to be effective in recovering motor function after a stroke. This study uses a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study with 3T scanner to investigate whether or not acupuncture of GB34 produces a significant response of the modulation of somatomotor areas. A fMRI of the whole brain was performed in ten normal healthy subjects during two task stimulations of acupuncture manipulation on GB34 and sham points, inserting and twisting the needle for 25 seconds at a rate of approximately 120 times per minute; the needle manipulation was paused for a duration of 25 seconds as a control state. The process was repeated four times to have four epochs of stimulation. Bilateral sensorimotor areas (BA 3, 4, 6 and 7) showed approximately 6% of stimulation-related BOLD signal contrast, whereas very few areas were activated when sham stimulation was given. Acupuncture stimulation in GB34 modulates the cortical activities of the somatomotor area in humans. The present findings may shed light on the CNS mechanism of motor function by acupuncture, and form a basis for future investigations of motor modulation circuits in stroke patients.