Polydeoxyribonucleotide ameliorates alcoholic liver injury though suppressing phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway in mice.

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), which is adenosine A2A receptor agonist, facilitates healing and inhibits inflammation and apoptosis. The effect of PDRN on alcoholic liver injury (ALI) was evaluated focusing on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. The mice were given daily oral administration of 50% ethanol at a dose of 4 g/kg during 8 weeks. After 4 weeks of alcohol intake, 200 µL of normal saline containing 8-mg/kg PDRN was intraperitoneally administered 3 times a week for 4 weeks. To determine whether the action of PDRN occurs through the adenosine A2A receptor, 8-mg/kg 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX) with PDRN was treated. The concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was detected. For liver histopathological score, hematoxylin and eosin staining was conducted. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure cyclic adenosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) concentration. PI3K and Akt expression was determined using Western blot analysis. In the results, PDRN treatment suppressed AST and ALT level in serum and liver tissue, and improved damaged liver tissue and decreased histological score. PDRN application inhibited the expression of phosphorylated PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The increasing effect of PDRN on cAMP level ats as a mechanism for ALI treatment. Co-treatment of DMPX with PDRN did not reduce apoptosis, causing no improvement in liver function. As a result of this experiment, PDRN has the potential to be selected as a therapeutic agent for ALI.

Determination of polyphenols in three Capsicum annuum L. (bell pepper) varieties using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry: their contribution to overall antioxidant and anticancer activity.

A mixture of polyphenol components was isolated from the fruits of C. annuum L. cv. Cupra, C. annuum L. cv. Orange glory, and C. annuum L. cv. ST4712 (CLST), via 70% methanol extraction followed by column chromatography over silica gel. The polyphenol components of the mixture were analyzed via HPLC-MS/MS and compared with the reported data. Three cinnamic acid derivatives and five flavonoid components in the fruits of the three varieties were identified for the first time in this study. The antioxidant activity and anticancer effect of the polyphenol mixtures of the three fruits were determined. The antioxidant and anticancer activities of CLST were substantially higher than those of C. annuum L. cv. Cupra and C. annuum L. cv. Orange glory. The high activities of CLST were attributed to the much higher concentration of quercetin derivatives in CLST.

Polydeoxyribonucleotide Attenuates Airway Inflammation Through A2AR Signaling Pathway in PM10-Exposed Mice.

PURPOSE: Inhalation of air containing high amounts of particular matter (PM) causes various respiratory disorders including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. The changes of expression of inflammatory factors by polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) administration in the PM10-exposed trachea inflammation model were evaluated. METHODS: PM10 was administered to mouse trachea to induce acute inflammatory damage, and changes in inflammatory factors were observed after administration of PDRN and 3,7-dimethyl-1-propargylxanthine (DMPX) for 3 days daily. Expression of inflammatory cytokines, adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR), protein kinase A (PKA), 3΄,5΄-cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element binding protein (CREB) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, and western blot assay. RESULTS: PM-exposed trachea showed increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß expression, and expression of TNF-α and IL-1ß was inhibited by PDRN treatment in PM-exposed mice. PM-exposed trachea showed increased nuclear factor (NF)-κB phosphorylation, and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-kappa B was inhibited by PDRN treatment in PM-exposed mice. PM-exposed trachea showed increased expression of A2AR, but PDRN treatment more enhanced A2AR expression in PM-exposed mice. PKA phosphorylation was not changed and CREP phosphorylation was decreased, however PDRN treatment increased phosphorylation of PKA and CREB in PM-exposed mice. DMPX treatment blocked all the effects of PDRN on PM-exposed mice, demonstrating that the action of PDRN occurs via A2AR. CONCLUSION: PDRN treatment attenuated inflammation in the trachea of the PM10-exposed mice. This improving effect of PDRN can be ascribed to the activation of A2AR through the cAMP-PKA pathway.

Traumatic experiences and mental health of north korean refugees in South Korea.

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted at Hanawon-a government sponsored educational facility for the settlement of North Korean refugees during their initial phase in South Korea-in 2004 to explore their mental health status and traumatic experiences in North Korea and during their escape period. METHODS: A survey was conducted in November 2004 with 62 North Korean refugees at Hanawon, and the Trauma Checklist was used to measure their traumatic experiences. To measure their psychological-mental health status, the Personality Assessment Inventory was administered. RESULTS: In comparison with the traumatic experiences of the North Korean refugees found in the study conducted in 2001 at Hanawon using the same methods, the current study showed a relatively lower frequency of traumatic experiences among the participants. The Personality Assessment Inventory results revealed that the study participants scored higher than average South Koreans in all clinical scales. Particularly, their mania (62.51) and schizophrenia (61.75) scores were above 60, a clinically meaningful score. In the gender comparison, the males exhibited meaningfully higher levels of alcohol problem, non-support, and warmth scale scores. CONCLUSION: Compared to the 2001 study, the overall traumatic experiences among North Korean refugees participated in this study. But continous support is necessary for their successful adaptation to South Korean Society have declined. The North Korean refugees at Hanawon experienced difficulties maintaining their mental health and the men in particular requested more intensive care and support for this purpose.