Translation and validation of traditional Chinese version of the pediatric eating assessment Tool-10.

BACKGROUND: /Purpose: The Pediatric Eating Assessment Tool-10 (Pedi-EAT-10) is a caregiver-administrated subjective questionnaire for evaluating swallowing and feeding disorders among children. This study translated the Pedi-EAT-10 into Traditional Chinese and tested the translated version's reliability and validity. METHODS: Pedi-EAT-10 was translated into Traditional Chinese by experts and finalized after discussion and testing. A total of 168 participants, consisting of 32 children with dysphagia from a tertiary medical center and 136 healthy controls from its Children Care Center for Employees, were recruited. All participants were assessed by an otolaryngologist and speech-language pathologist. The reliability, validity, and efficacy of the translated Pedi-EAT-10 were analyzed to ensure it could be used to identify pediatric dysphagia and feeding problems. RESULTS: The Traditional Chinese version of the Pedi-EAT-10 had significant clinical discriminative validity between the dysphagia group and the control group (total score = 9.6 vs. 2.6, P < 0.001), acceptable test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation = 0.63), and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.91 for the entire cohort). The overall performance of the test for distinguishing children with dysphagia from normal controls was acceptable, and the area under the curve was 74.8% (sensitivity = 71.9%; specificity = 69.9%). The optimal cutoff score was ≥3 on the Youdex index. CONCLUSIONS: The Traditional Chinese version of the Pedi-EAT-10 has fair reliability and validity and can be quickly and easily completed by caregivers. The translated Ped-EAT-10 can be used as a first-line tool for assessing the need for further referral and instrumental examination.

Dietary Exposure to Oxidized Frying Oil from Fetus to Adulthood Suppresses Male Reproductive Development by Altering Testicular Cholesterol and Testosterone Homeostasis in Sprague Dawley Rats.

BACKGROUND: Dietary frying oil may have endocrine-disrupting effects, as a feminization effect was observed in cohorts of C57BL/6J male mice fetuses from dams consuming oxidized frying oil (OFO) during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to test the hypothesis that OFO is an anti-androgen. METHODS: In experiment 1, male progeny of Sprague Dawley female rats fed fresh oil or an OFO diet (10 g fat/100 g, from fresh or 24-h-fried soybean oil; [control diet (C) and OFO groups, respectively] from midgestation through lactation were studied. Pups were weaned at 3 wk of age and then consumed their mothers' diet until 9 wk of age. In addition, a group of dams and pups that consumed a high-fat diet (HF; 10 g fried and 20 g fresh soybean oil/100 g) was included to counteract body-weight loss associated with OFO ingestion. Indices of male reproductive development and testosterone homeostasis were measured. In experiment 2, male rats were allocated to C and OFO groups (treated as above) and indices of male fertility compared at 9-10 wk of age. RESULTS: In experiment 1, final body weights of the HF group were lower (17%) than the C group but higher (14%) than the OFO group (P < 0.0001 for each). In addition to abnormalities in seminiferous tubules, HF and OFO groups did not differ from one another, but, compared with the C group, had delayed preputial separation (4.9 d) and reductions in serum testosterone concentrations (17-74%), anogenital distance (8-20%), weights of androgen-dependent tissues (8-30%), testicular testosterone and cholesterol concentrations (30-40%), and mRNA levels of genes involved in steroidogenesis and cholesterol homeostasis (30-70%). In experiment 2, OFO-exposed males had 20% lower sperm motility (P < 0.05); however, when mated to normal females, pregnancy rates and litter sizes did not differ between OFO and C groups. CONCLUSIONS: The anti-androgenic effect of OFO in Sprague Dawley rats was attributed to decreased testicular concentrations of cholesterol (testosterone precursor) and not body-weight loss.

Predictors and associating factors of nasogastric tube removal: Clinical and brain imaging data analysis in post-stroke dysphagia.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Post-stroke dysphagia is a frequent complication. Although most patients with dysphagia recover after the acute phase, some patients require long-term enteral feeding, either through a nasogastric (NG) or gastrostomy tube; the effectiveness of using either tube is still under debate. This study elucidated the natural course of NG tube installation and removal and examined the predictors and associating factors based on clinical and brain imaging data. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study with medical record reviews recruited patients received NG tube installation after their acute stroke events between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2016. Inclusion criteria were subjects above 20 years of age and with a diagnosis of a newly onset stroke except SAH whose comprehensive clinical and imaging data were available. Survival analysis was performed for the right-censored data because some patients were lost to follow-up after discharge or transferal. RESULTS: In total we recruited 135 patients. Among these patients, the timing of their NG tube removal reached a plateau at 12-16 weeks after stroke. The modified Rankin score on discharge, representing the overall subacute disease status, was the most significant factor. Other clinical variables could be divided into 2 categories: baseline patient characteristics and stroke event severity. Moreover, semi-quantitative brain imaging scores corresponding to the aforementioned 3 categories were correlated significantly. CONCLUSION: In Taiwan, the NG tube removal rate reached a plateau at around 12-16 weeks after stroke onset. Variables related to long-term NG tube use were divided into baseline characteristics of patient and stroke event severity.

Is frying oil a dietary source of an endocrine disruptor? Anti-estrogenic effects of polar compounds from frying oil in rats.

The objective was to investigate endocrine-disrupting effects of polar compounds from oxidized frying oil. Estrogenicity of polar compounds was tested with a rat uterotrophic bioassay. Dietary oxidized frying oil (containing 51% polar compounds) or polar compounds isolated from it were incorporated into feed (in lieu of fresh soybean oil) and fed to ovariectomized rats, with or without treatment with exogenous ethynyl estradiol. Exogenous estrogen restored uterine weight, and caused histological abnormalities (stratified epithelia and conglomerate glands) as well as proliferation of uterine epithelial cells. However, tamoxifen or polar compounds reduced these effects. Furthermore, tamoxifen or polar compounds down-regulated uterine mRNA expression of estrogen receptor (ER)-target genes, implicating reduced ER activity in this hypo-uterotrophic effect. Inhibition of ER signaling and mitosis by polar compounds were attributed to reduced MAPK and AKT activation, as well as a reduced ligand binding domain-transactivity of ERα/ß. We concluded polar compounds from frying oil are potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals, with implications for food and environmental safety.

Neurosteroid Allopregnanolone Suppresses Median Nerve Injury-induced Mechanical Hypersensitivity and Glial Extracellular Signal-regulated Kinase Activation through γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Modulation in the Rat Cuneate Nucleus.

BACKGROUND: Mechanisms underlying neuropathic pain relief by the neurosteroid allopregnanolone remain uncertain. We investigated if allopregnanolone attenuates glial extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in the cuneate nucleus (CN) concomitant with neuropathic pain relief in median nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model rats. METHODS: We examined the time course and cellular localization of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) in CN after CCI. We subsequently employed microinjection of a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (ERK kinase) inhibitor, PD98059, to clarify the role of ERK phosphorylation in neuropathic pain development. Furthermore, we explored the effects of allopregnanolone (by mouth), intra-CN microinjection of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor antagonist (bicuculline) or γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor antagonist (phaclofen) plus allopregnanolone, and allopregnanolone synthesis inhibitor (medroxyprogesterone; subcutaneous) on ERK activation and CCI-induced behavioral hypersensitivity. RESULTS: At 7 days post-CCI, p-ERK levels in ipsilateral CN were significantly increased and reached a peak. PD98059 microinjection into the CN 1 day after CCI dose-dependently attenuated injury-induced behavioral hypersensitivity (withdrawal threshold [mean ± SD], 7.4 ± 1.1, 8.7 ± 1.0, and 10.3 ± 0.8 g for 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 mM PD98059, respectively, at 7 days post-CCI; n = 6 for each dose). Double immunofluorescence showed that p-ERK was localized to both astrocytes and microglia. Allopregnanolone significantly diminished CN p-ERK levels, glial activation, proinflammatory cytokines, and behavioral hypersensitivity after CCI. Bicuculline, but not phaclofen, blocked all effects of allopregnanolone. Medroxyprogesterone treatment reduced endogenous CN allopregnanolone and exacerbated nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain. CONCLUSIONS: Median nerve injury-induced CN glial ERK activation modulated the development of behavioral hypersensitivity. Allopregnanolone attenuated glial ERK activation and neuropathic pain via γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Reduced endogenous CN allopregnanolone after medroxyprogesterone administration rendered rats more susceptible to CCI-induced neuropathy.

Chemical Constituents of Phaius mishmensis.

The partitioned n-hexane, CHCl3, and EtOAc extracts from the crude MeOH extract of Phaius mishmensis showed considerable cytotoxicities against the human breast carcinoma (MCF-7), lung carcinoma (NCI-H460), and central nervous system carcinoma (SF-268) cell lines. Four new compounds, phaindole (1), (7'R,8'R)-phaithrene (2), methyl 3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethoxypropiophenone (3), and methyl hematinate (4), as well as 44 known compounds were isolated from the MeOH extract of Phaius mishmensis. The structures of the compounds were determined using spectroscopic methods.

Isolation and cytotoxicity evaluation of the chemical constituents from Cephalantheropsis gracilis.

Cephalantheropsis gracilis afforded five new compounds: cephalanthrin-A (1), cephalanthrin-B (2), cephathrene-A (3), cephathrene-B (4), methyl 2-(aminocarbonyl) phenylcarbamate (5), and 52 known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic analysis. Among the compounds isolated, tryptanthrin (6), phaitanthrin A (7), cephalinone D (19), and flavanthrin (30) showed significant cytotoxicity against MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 cell lines.

Synthesis, anticonvulsant, sedative and anxiolytic activities of novel annulated pyrrolo[1,4]benzodiazepines.

Four new pentacyclic benzodiazepine derivatives (PBDTs 13-16) were synthesized by conventional thermal heating and microwave-assisted intramolecular cyclocondensation. Their anticonvulsant, sedative and anxiolytic activities were evaluated by drug-induced convulsion models, a pentobarbital-induced hypnotic model and an elevated plus maze in mice. PBDT 13, a triazolopyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepin-8-one fused with a thiadiazolone ring, exhibited the best anticonvulsant, sedative and anxiolytic effects in our tests. There was no significant difference in potency between PBDT 13 and diazepam, and we proposed that the action mechanism of PBDT 13 could be similar to that of diazepam via benzodiazepine receptors.

Integrated analysis identifies GABRB3 as a biomarker in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treatment failure following androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) presents a significant challenge in the management of advanced prostate cancer. Thus, understanding the genetic factors influencing this process could facilitate the development of personalized treatments and innovative therapeutic strategies. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in controlling cell growth and tumorigenesis. We hypothesized that genetic variants within this pathway may affect the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing ADT for prostate cancer. METHODS: We genotyped 399 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across 28 core PI3K/AKT pathway genes in a cohort of 630 patients with prostate cancer undergoing ADT. We assessed the potential association of the SNPs with patient survival. Functional analyses of the implicated genes were also performed to evaluate their effects on prostate cancer. RESULTS: After multivariate Cox regression analysis and multiple testing correction, GABRB3 rs12591845 exhibited the most significant association with both overall and cancer-specific survivals (P < 0.003). A comprehensive pooled analysis of 16 independent gene expression datasets revealed elevated expression of GABRB3 in prostate cancer tissues compared to that in normal tissues (P < 0.001). Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis unveiled differential enrichment of pathways such as myogenesis, interferon γ and α responses, and the MYC proto-oncogene pathway in tumors with elevated GABRB3 expression, implying a role for GABRB3 in prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that rs12591845 could potentially serve as a valuable prognostic indicator for patients undergoing ADT. The potential role of GABRB3 in promoting prostate tumorigenesis is also highlighted.

Common variants in IGF1 pathway genes and clinical outcomes after radical prostatectomy.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) pathway plays a critical role in malignant transformation, and epidemiology studies have also shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGF1 pathway genes are associated with prostate cancer risk. However, the clinical significance of these SNPs on prostate cancer aggressiveness and prognosis after radical prostatectomy (RP) has not been determined. METHODS: We evaluated the associations of 4 common SNPs in IGF1 and IGF1R with age at diagnosis, preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, pathologic Gleason score, pathologic stage, surgical margin, lymph node metastasis, and PSA recurrence in a cohort of 320 localized prostate cancer patients receiving RP. The prognostic significance on time to PSA recurrence was also assessed by Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: IGF1 rs2946834 alleles/genotypes and an IGF1 specific haplotype AT, containing the minor allele of rs2946834, were associated (P ≤ 0.028) with a 1.49- to 2.22-fold higher risk of having advanced-stage prostate cancer. In addition, a genetic interaction profile consisting of IGF1 rs2946834 and IGF1R rs2016347 was significantly associated with PSA recurrence (P = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to evaluate the impact of SNPs in IGF1 pathway genes on PSA recurrence. A genetic interaction between IGF1 rs2946834 and IGF1R rs2016347 might be a predictor of outcomes following RP.

Voice Change After Adenotonsillectomy in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Adenotonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed on children. Caregivers are often concerned about voice change after the procedure, and such concerns remain unsettled. This meta-analysis analyzed voice change in children after adenotonsillectomy. DATA SOURCES: The PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases. REVIEW METHODS: The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Two authors independently searched for articles using keywords "adenoidectomy," "tonsillectomy, "voice," "nasalance,"and "speech." English articles specifying voice changes after adenotonsillectomy were pooled with standardized mean difference (SMD) using random-effects model. Evaluation methods were computerized acoustic voice analysis, aerodynamic analysis, nasometer, rhinomanometry, evaluations from a speech-language pathologist or otolaryngologist, and a caregiver assessment questionnaire. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies with 2154 children were analyzed (mean age: 8.0 y; 58% boys; mean sample size: 94 children). Due to insufficient data for other outcome variables, this meta-analysis only summarized changes in the computerized acoustic voice analysis 1 month and 3 months after surgery. The computerized acoustic analysis revealed significant changes in jitter (SMD = -0.36; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.60 to -0.11), shimmer (SMD = -0.34; 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.11), and soft phonation index (SMD = -0.36; 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.15) at 1 month after surgery. Parameters including fundamental frequency, jitter, noise-to-harmonics ratio, and shimmer were not significantly changed at 3 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis observed small improvements in jitter, shimmer, and soft phonation index 1 month after surgery. No significant effects were observed in voice outcomes 3 months after surgery. Laryngoscope, 2023.

CYBA as a Potential Biomarker for Renal Cell Carcinoma: Evidence from an Integrated Genetic Analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Oxidative stress plays an important role in various pathogenic processes, and disruption in the coordinated production of NADPH oxidase (NOX)-derived reactive oxygen species has been associated with carcinogenesis. However, little is known about whether genetic variants in NOX can contribute to the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study aimed to bridge this knowledge gap by analysing the association of 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the phagocyte NOX genes, CYBA and CYBB, with RCC risk and tumour characteristics in 630 RCC patients and controls. Differential gene expression and patient prognosis analyses were performed using gene expression data obtained from public databases. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis and multiple testing corrections revealed the A allele of rs7195830 in CYBA to be a significant risk allele for RCC, compared to the G allele [odds ratio (OR)=1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.27-2.26, p<0.001]. A pooled analysis of 17 renal cancer gene expression datasets revealed a higher CYBA expression in RCC than in normal tissues. Moreover, high CYBA expression was associated with advanced tumour characteristics and worse patient prognosis. CONCLUSION: CYBA might play an oncogenic role in RCC and serve as a predictive indicator of patient prognosis.

The effect of papain hydrolysis on tropomyosin levels in shrimp.

Shrimp allergy is a serious public health problem. Epidemiological studies indicated the main cause of food allergy is the ingestion of shrimp and crab. Consequently, reducing the risk of shrimp and crab allergy is a major research focus. Few studies have demonstrated the effect of enzyme hydrolysis on reduction of shrimp allergens in food. In this study, we used papain, a commonly used enzyme in the food industry, as an ingredient to decrease levels of allergen tropomyosin in shrimp. 0-50U of papain was used to treat the shrimp meat, and then heated to measure the levels of tropomyosin, and determined the change of the protein secondary structure. The results showed that 20U of papain decrease the tropomyosin levels up to 80 %, which was further enhanced when combined with 3 min of heating. Furthermore, the result of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed alteration of secondary protein structure after the processing. The processing developed in this study may be an effective method used to change the levels and structure of tropomyosin.

The lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells is attenuated by an unsaturated fatty acid-bovine serum albumin complex and enhanced by a saturated fatty acid-bovine serum albumin complex.

OBJECTIVE: A 1:1 ratio of fatty acid (FA)-albumin complex was chosen to mimic physiological conditions, and the effects of FA-bovine serum albumin (BSA) complexes were tested in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. METHODS: Nitric oxide (NO) and various proteins/factors in RAW264.7 cells were quantified as follows: NO by the Griess assay; prostaglandin (PG) E(2), interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by ELISA; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 by Western blotting; and NF-κB and CD14/TLR4 by Western blotting or flow cytometry. RESULTS: BSA- or FA-BSA-treated RAW264.7 cells without LPS stimulation did not show any significant changes in NO or the tested proteins/factors and thus did not have any pro-inflammatory responses. Pre-treatment with unsaturated FA-BSA complexes significantly decreased the production of LPS-induced NO, PGE(2), IL-6 and TNF-α, the expression of iNOS, COX-2 and CD14, IκB degradation and NF-κB translocation. On the contrary, pre-treatment with saturated FA-BSA complexes enhanced these LPS-induced pro-inflammatory factors and the subsequent responses. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that unsaturated FA-BSA complexes, but not saturated FA-BSA complexes, exert an inhibitory effect on the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response and that this effect may be partially mediated through suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway. We suggest that an increase of unsaturated FA-BSA complexes may enhance the host's defense against bacterial infection.

Synthesis and cytotoxicity testing of new amido-substituted triazolopyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBDT) derivatives.

A series of amido-substituted triazolopyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine (PBDT) derivatives was synthesized from isatoic anhydride, and their cytotoxicity against the MRC-5 and Mahlavu cell lines was evaluated. The results suggest that compound PBDT-7i with the meta-trifluoromethylbenzoyl substituent can selectively inhibit the growth of Mahlavu cells and has low toxicity towards MRC-5 cells.

Genetic Analysis Implicates Dysregulation of SHANK2 in Renal Cell Carcinoma Progression.

SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains (SHANK) is a family of scaffold proteins that were first identified to be involved in balancing synaptic transmission via regulation of intracellular signalling crosstalk and have been linked to various cancers. However, the role of the SHANK genes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remains to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether genetic variants in SHANK family genes affect the risk of RCC and survival of patients. A genetic association study was conducted using logistic regression and Cox regression analyses, followed by the correction for a false discovery rate (FDR), in 630 patients with RCC and controls. A pooled analysis was further performed to summarise the clinical relevance of SHANK gene expression in RCC. After adjustment for known risk factors and the FDR, the SHANK2 rs10792565 T allele was found to be associated with an increased risk of RCC (adjusted odds ratio = 1.79, 95% confidence interval = 1.32-2.44, p = 1.96 × 10-4, q = 0.030), whereas no significant association was found with RCC survival. A pooled analysis of 19 independent studies, comprising 1509 RCC and 414 adjacent normal tissues, showed that the expression of SHANK2 was significantly lower in RCC than in normal tissues (p < 0.001). Furthermore, low expression of SHANK2 was correlated with an advanced stage and poor prognosis for patients with clear cell and papillary RCC. This study suggests that SHANK2 rs10792565 is associated with an increased risk of RCC and that SHANK2 may play a role in RCC progression.

The Role of Mitochondrial Metabolism, AMPK-SIRT Mediated Pathway, LncRNA and MicroRNA in Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage and causes severe joint pain, physical disability, and impaired quality of life. Recently, it was found that mitochondria not only act as a powerhouse of cells that provide energy for cellular metabolism, but are also involved in crucial pathways responsible for maintaining chondrocyte physiology. Therefore, a growing amount of evidence emphasizes that impairment of mitochondrial function is associated with OA pathogenesis; however, the exact mechanism is not well known. Moreover, the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-Sirtuin (SIRT) signaling pathway, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), and microRNA (miRNA) are important for regulating the physiological and pathological processes of chondrocytes, indicating that these may be targets for OA treatment. In this review, we first focus on the importance of mitochondria metabolic dysregulation related to OA. Then, we show recent evidence on the AMPK-SIRT mediated pathway associated with OA pathogenesis and potential treatment options. Finally, we discuss current research into the effects of lncRNA and miRNA on OA progression or inhibition.

Organic cation transporter 2 activation enhances sensitivity to oxaliplatin in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Oxaliplatin, a third-generation platinum derivative, has become one of the main chemotherapeutic treatments for esophagus, gastric and colorectal cancer; however, it is still unclear the potential effectiveness for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with gemcitabine resistance. Here, we observed that PDAC tumors have low level of organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2, also known as SLC22A2) compared with non-tumor tissues and identified that OCT2 expression is positively correlated with oxaliplatin sensitivity in PDAC cells. Treatment of OCT2 inhibitors or knockdown of OCT2 expression significantly decreased the sensitivity to oxaliplatin in PANC-1 cells. In addition, bisulfite sequencing polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that higher methylation frequency represses OCT2 expression in gemcitabine-resistant PANC-1 (PANC-1/GR) cells. Moreover, we found that treatment of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors, decitabine or 5-azacytidine recover OCT2 expression and oxaliplatin sensitivity in PANC-1/GR cells, and DNMT1 level has inverse correlation with OCT2 expression in PDAC cells and tumors. Our findings jointly suggest that OCT2 expression is a potential and predictive marker for evaluating oxaliplatin sensitivity and developing alternative treatments for PDAC patients with gemcitabine resistance.

Raloxifene Ameliorates Glucosamine-Induced Insulin Resistance in Ovariectomized Rats.

Osteoarthritis (OA) and osteoporosis (OP) are common among older women, especially postmenopausal women. Glucosamine (GlcN) is a common medication for OA, but it may induce insulin resistance and ß-cell dysfunction, especially if ovarian hormones are lacking. Raloxifene (RLX) is a selective estrogen receptor modulator and also an OP drug. Previously, we found that estrogen could improve GlcN-induced insulin resistance in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Here, we further hypothesized that RLX, similarly to estrogen, can ameliorate GlcN-induced insulin resistance in OVX rats. We used GlcN to induce insulin resistance in OVX rats as a model for evaluating the protective effects of RLX in vivo. We used a pancreatic ß-cell line, MIN-6, to study the mechanisms underlying the effect of RLX in GlcN-induced ß-cell dysfunction in vitro. Increases in fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessments of insulin resistance in OVX Sprague Dawley rats treated with GlcN were reversed by RLX treatment (n = 8 in each group). Skeletal muscle GLUT-4 increased, liver PEPCK decreased, pancreatic islet hypertrophy, and ß-cell apoptosis in OVX rats treated with GlcN was ameliorated by RLX. The negative effects of GlcN on insulin secretion and cell viability in MIN-6 cells were related to the upregulation of reticulum (ER) stress-associated proteins (C/EBP homologous protein, phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase, phospho-c-JunN-terminal kinase), the expression of which was reduced by RLX. Pretreatment with estrogen receptor antagonists reversed the protective effects of RLX. GlcN can induce insulin resistance, ß-cell dysfunction, and apoptosis in OVX rats and increase ER stress-related proteins in ß-cells, whereas RLX can reverse these adverse effects. The effects of RLX act mainly through estrogen receptor α; therefore, RLX may be a candidate drug for postmenopausal women with OA and OP.

Intra-Articular Injection of (-)-Epigallocatechin 3-Gallate (EGCG) Ameliorates Cartilage Degeneration in Guinea Pigs with Spontaneous Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease that causes an enormous burden of disease worldwide. (-)-Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) has been reported to reduce post-traumatic OA progression through its anti-inflammatory property. Aging is the most crucial risk factor of OA, and the majority of OA incidences are related to age and not trauma. In this study, we assess whether EGCG can ameliorate cartilage degradation in primary OA. In an in-vitro study, real-time PCR was performed to assess the expression of genes associated with human articular chondrocyte homeostasis. A spontaneously occurring OA model in guinea pigs was used to investigate the effect of EGCG in vivo. OA severity was evaluated using Safranin O staining and Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores, as well as by immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis to determine the protein level of type II collagen (Col II), matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), and p16 ink4a in articular cartilage. In the in-vitro study, EGCG increased the gene expression of aggrecan and Col II and decreased the expression of interleukin-1, cyclooxygenase 2, MMP-13, alkaline phosphatase, Col X, and p16 Ink4a; EGCG treatment also attenuated the degraded cartilage with a lower OARSI score. Meanwhile, IHC results showed that EGCG exerted an anti-OA effect by reducing ECM degradation, cartilage inflammation, and cell senescence with a less-immunostained Col II, MMP-13, and p16 Ink4a. In conclusion, these findings suggest that EGCG may be a potential disease-modifying OA drug for the treatment of primary OA.