Inhibitory Effect of Vitamin U (S-Methylmethionine Sulfonium Chloride) on Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Pre-adipocyte Cell Lines

BACKGROUND: S-methylmethionine sulfonium chloride was originally called vitamin U because of its inhibition of ulceration in the digestive system. Vitamin U is ubiquitously expressed in the tissues of flowering plants, and while there have been reports on its hypolipidemic effect, its precise function remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of vitamin U in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell lines. METHODS: We cultured the pre-adipocyte cell line 3T3L1 to overconfluency and then added fat differentiation-inducing media (dexamethasone, IBMX [isobutylmethylxanthine], insulin, indomethacin) and different concentrations (10, 50, 70, 90, 100 mM) of vitamin U. Then, we evaluated changes in the levels of triglycerides (TGs), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), adipocyte-specific markers (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [PPAR-gamma], CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha [C/EBP-alpha], adipocyte differentiation and determination factor 1 [ADD-1], adipsin, fatty acid synthase, lipoprotein lipase) and apoptosis-related signals (Bcl-2, Bax). RESULTS: There was a gradual decrease in the level of TGs, C/EBP-alpha, PPAR-gamma, adipsin, ADD-1 and GPDH activity with increasing concentrations of vitamin U. In contrast, we observed a significant increase in AMPK activity with increasing levels of vitamin U. The decrease in bcl-2 and increase in Bax observed with increasing concentrations of vitamin U in the media were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that vitamin U inhibits adipocyte differentiation via down-regulation of adipogenic factors and up-regulation of AMPK activity.

Expression of Cytokeratin 1, 10 and 14 in Fetal Skin

BACKGROUND: During the fetal stage, the epidermis and adnexal epithelium might express different types of cytokeratin (CK) by developmental stages. The objective of this study is to observe the expressions of CK1, CK10 and CK14 in the skin of human fetuses. METHODS: Immunohistochemical stains were applied to the skin of 42 fetuses ranging from 10 to 36 gestation weeks. Three different portions of the body (i.e., scalp, chest and sole) were sampled. Immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies against CK1, 10, 14 were done. RESULTS: We found that CK14 was expressed in the basal layer of the epidermis and adnexae of fetuses beween 10 to 36 gestation weeks. However, stronger expression in the middle than the basal layer was noted in the soles of 15-week fetuses followed by exclusive basal expression. The sebaceous gland, the outer root sheath of the hair follicle and the eccrine duct epithelium also showed CK14 expressions, while CK14 was negative in hair germ and acini. Both CK1 and CK10 were expressed in the epidermis of fetuses ranging between 10 to 36 gestation weeks at the suprabasal layer of the scalp, chest and sole; while they were negative in the basal layer and skin adnexae including sebaceous, hair and eccrine gland. CONCLUSIONS: Expression of cytokeratins in the fetal skin were noted at 10 weeks throughout the entire gestation period and were similar in the three different sites, except in the early stage of the sole. The main expression sites of K14 were the basal layer of the epidermis, the eccrine ducts and the outer root sheath cells of hair, suggesting the same origin, while those of K1 and K10 were in the suprabasal layer of epidermis.

Comparison of The Efficacy of the Fiberoptic Phototherapy and Conventional Phototherapy for Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia

PURPOSE: We performed this study in order to compare the feasibility and efficacy of the fiberoptic phototherapy with conventional phototherapy and double phototherapy with single phototherapy for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia while watching for any possible side effects of the system. METHODS: During the period of February 1994 till June 1995, randomized controlled study was performed. 130 healthy term infants with non-hemolytic hyperbilirubinemia were enrolled, 45 patients received fiberoptic phototherapy, 40 patients received conventional phototherapy and 45 patients received double phototherapy. Criteria for inclusion in the study were 1) after 37 weeks of gestation 2) negative result of a direct coombs test 3) normal hemoglobin and hematocrit 4) no Rh or ABO incompatibility 5) plasma total bilirubin concentration exceed 10mg/dl during the first 3 days of life. RESULTS: 1) The mean total bilirubin decline level after 24 hours was 0.03 2.03mg/dl and the mean indirect bilirubin decline level after 24 hours was 0.12+/-1.35mg/dl in conventional phototherapy group(p0.01). 2) The mean total bilirubin decline level after 48 hours was 1.25 2.71mg/dl and the mean indirect bilirubin decline level was 1.17+/-1.52mg/dl in conventional phototherapy group (p0.01). 3) The mean decline levels of 24 hours-total and indirect bilirubin were 0.01+/-1.23mg/dl and 0.09+/-1.13mg/dl, and the mean decline levels of 48hours-total and indirect bilirubin were 0.92+/-1.85mg/dl and 0.99+/-1.08mg/dl (p0.01) or diarrhea(p>0.01) among three groups. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fiberoptic phototherapy has less efficacy comparable to that of conventional phototherapy and double phototherapy has no significant differences in effectiveness compared with conventional phototherapy. So we hope further studies on the effects of the fiberoptic phototherapy in preterm infants and in after 48 hours will be done.