Trichostatin A Protects Liver against Septic Injury through Inhibiting Toll-Like Receptor Signaling

Sepsis, a serious clinical problem, is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response to infection and leads to organ failure. Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is intimately implicated in hyper-inflammatory responses and tissue injury during sepsis. Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective mechanisms of trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC inhibitor, associated with TLR signaling pathway during sepsis. The anti-inflammatory properties of TSA were assayed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Polymicrobial sepsis was induced in mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), a clinically relevant model of sepsis. The mice were intraperitoneally received TSA (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg) 30 min before CLP. The serum and liver samples were collected 6 and 24-h after CLP. TSA inhibited the increased production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. TSA improved sepsis-induced mortality, attenuated liver injury and decreased serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels. CLP increased the levels of TLR4, TLR2 and myeloid differentiation primary response protein 88 (MyD88) protein expression and association of MyD88 with TLR4 and TLR2, which were attenuated by TSA. CLP increased nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B and decreased cytosolic inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) protein expression, which were attenuated by TSA. Moreover, CLP decreased acetylation of IκB kinase (IKK) and increased association of IKK with IκB and TSA attenuated these alterations. Our findings suggest that TSA attenuates liver injury by inhibiting TLR-mediated inflammatory response during sepsis.

Protective Effects of Chlorogenic Acid against Experimental Reflux Esophagitis in Rats

Esophageal reflux of gastric contents causes esophageal mucosal damage and inflammation. Recent studies show that oxygen-derived free radicals mediate mucosal damage in reflux esophagitis (RE). Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an ester of caffeic acid and quinic acid, is one of the most abundant polyphenols in the human diet and possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-oxidant activities. In this context, we investigated the effects of CGA against experimental RE in rats. RE was produced by ligating the transitional region between the forestomach and the glandular portion and covering the duodenum near the pylorus ring with a small piece of catheter. CGA (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and omeprazole (positive control, 10 mg/kg) were administered orally 48 h after the RE operation for 12 days. CGA reduced the severity of esophageal lesions, and this beneficial effect was confirmed by histopathological observations. CGA reduced esophageal lipid peroxidation and increased the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio. CGA attenuated increases in the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein. CGA alleviates RE-induced mucosal injury, and this protection is associated with reduced oxidative stress and the anti-inflammatory properties of CGA.

Quality Characteristics and Optimization of Rice Muffin Containing Chinese Artichoke (Stachys sieboldii MIQ) Powder Using Response Surface Methodology

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal composite recipe of rice muffin using three different amounts of Chinese artichoke (Stachys sieboldii MIQ) powder, brown sugar, and egg. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to obtain 16 experimental points (including three replicates of Chinese artichoke powder, brown sugar, and egg), and the Chinese artichoke rice muffin formulation was optimized using rheology. The results of the sensory evaluation showed very significant values for color, texture, sweetness, and overall quality (P<0.05). The results of the color, texture, and chemical analyses showed significant values for crumb redness (P<0.01), crumb yellowness (P<0.05), crust redness (P<0.05), crust yellowness (P<0.001), crust lightness (P<0.05), adhesiveness (P<0.01), springiness (P<0.001), gumminess (P<0.01), cohesiveness (P<0.05), moisture content (P<0.05), and sweetness (P<0.05). As a result, optimum formulations obtained by numerical and graphical methods were found to be 8.28 g of Chinese artichoke powder, 66.20 g of brown sugar, 111.72 g of sticky rice powder, 30 g of rice powder, and 59.37 g of egg.

Protective Effects of Geniposide and Genipin against Hepatic Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Mice

Geniposide is an active product extracted from the gardenia fruit, and is one of the most widely used herbal preparations for liver disorders. This study examined the cytoprotective properties of geniposide and its metabolite, genipin, against hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. C57BL/6 mice were subjected to 60 min of ischemia followed by 6 h of reperfusion. Geniposide (100 mg/kg) and genipin (50 mg/kg) were administered orally 30 min before ischemia. In the I/R mice, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and hepatic lipid peroxidation were elevated, whereas hepatic glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio was decreased. These changes were attenuated by geniposide and genipin administration. On the other hand, increased hepatic heme oxygenase-1 protein expression was potentiated by geniposide and genipin administration. The increased levels of tBid, cytochrome c protein expression and caspase-3 activity were attenuated by geniposide and genipin. Increased apoptotic cells in the I/R mice were also significantly reduced by geniposide and genipin treatment. Our results suggest that geniposide and genipin offer significant hepatoprotection against I/R injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

A study on the model of homebound senior's meal satisfaction related to the quality of life

This study was conducted to develop a construct model regarding the daily activities, emotional security provided by food, enjoyment of food, level of satisfaction with delivered food, and the quality of life of homebound seniors who benefitted from meal delivery programs. The data were analyzed by SAS 9.2 and the Structural Equation Model (SEM), which was created by Analysis of Moment Structure (AMOS) 5.0 packages. The reliability of the data was confirmed by an exploratory factor analysis and through a Cronbach's alpha coefficient, and the measurement model proved to be appropriate by a confirmatory factor analysis of the measurement model in conjunction with AMOS. The results of the correlations between all the variables showed significant positive correlations (P < 0.05). The path analysis demonstrated that the daily activities (P < 0.01) and the emotional security created by food (P < 0.05) had positive correlations with the foodservice satisfaction (P < 0.05), while the daily activities (P < 0.05), the sense of emotional security made by food (P < 0.05), and food enjoyment (P < 0.05) also presented significant positive correlations with the quality of life. However, the food service satisfaction was shown to directly, but not significantly, affect the quality of life. This revealed that the current meal delivery programs needed to be improved in several directions.

Characterization and Immunopotentiating Effects of the Glycoprotein Isolated from Dioscorea Batatas

We demonstrate that glycoprotein isolated from Dioscorea batatas (GDB) has immunostimulatory effects including macrophage activation. Analysis of infiltration of inflammatory cells into peritoneal cavity showed GDB treatment significantly increased the recruitment of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes into the peritoneal cavity. Treatment of spleen cells isolated from C57BL/6 mice with GDB significantly increased the proliferation of B cells and T cells induced by LPS and ConA, respectively. Treatment with GDB significantly increased the cytolytic capacity of NK cells and macrophages against YAC-1 and B16 cells, respectively. In order to further confirm and investigate the mechanism of GDB on macrophage activation, we analyzed the effects of GDB on the cytokine expression including iNOS, IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha in mouse macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7 cells. RT-PCR and ELISA showed that GDB increased the expression of IL-1beta, and TNF-alpha, whereas iNOS was not induced by GDB. Collectively, this series of experiments indicates that GDB stimulates immune system including macrophage activation.

The Optimization of Muffin with the Addition Dried Sweet Pumpkin Powder

This study was conducted to develop a optimal composite recipe of a functional muffin including Sweet pumpkin powder and to have the high preference to all age groups. Wheat flour was partically substituted by Sweet pumpkin powder to reduce the content of wheat flour. This study has produced the sensory optimal composite recipe by making muffin, respectively, with each 5 level of Sweet pumpkin powder(X1), sugar(X2), butter(X3), by C.C.D(Central Composite Design) and conducting sensory evaluation and instrumental analysis by means of RSM(Response Surface Methodology). Sensory items showed very significant values in appearance, flavor, texture, overall quality(p<0.05), color(p<0.01), and instrumental analysis showed significant values in lightness, redness(p<0.01), yellowness(p<0.001), hardness, gumminess(p<0.05). Also sensory optimal ratio of Sweet pumpkin muffin was calculated as Sweet pumpkin powder 29.5g, sugar 72.6g, butter 79.3g, and it was revealed that the factors of influencing muffin aptitude were in order of Sweet pumpkin powder, butter, sugar.

Ethanol prevents from acetaminophen inducible hepatic necrosis by inhibiting its metabolic activation in mice

Concomitant administration of a single acute dose of ethanol (4 g/kg) protected mice from the hepatocellular injury observed upon administration of a large dose of acetaminophen (400 mg/kg). This was evidenced by the normal histological appearances of liver sections and by the lowered serum aminotransferase activities in mice treated with ethanol and acetaminophen together. In the mice treated with acetaminophen alone, along with the hepatic necrosis, the hepatic microsomal aminopyrine N-demethylase activity was decreased. However, co-administration of ethanol prevented this acetaminophen dependent inhibition on the microsomal mixed function oxidase activity. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that the concentration of un-metabolized drug in the blood was increased in the ethanol treated mice. Furthermore, upon co-administration of ethanol, although the biliary levels of acetaminophen metabolites (glucuronide, sulfate and cysteine conjugates) were decreased, the level of unmetabolized acetaminophen was increased. Our findings suggest that co-administration of an acute dose of ethanol reduces the degree of hepatocellular necrosis produced by a large dose of acetaminophen and this ethanol dependent protection is, in major part, afforded by suppression of the hepatic microsomal mixed function oxidase activity catalyzing the metabolic activation of acetaminophen.