ABSTRACT
Quercetin is a flavonoid usually found in fruits and vegetables. Aside from its antioxidative effects, quercetin, like other flavonoids, has a various neuropharmacological actions. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside (Rham1), quercetin-3-O-rutinoside (Rutin), and quercetin-3-(2(G)-rhamnosylrutinoside (Rham2) are mono-, di-, and tri-glycosylated forms of quercetin, respectively. In a previous study, we showed that quercetin can enhance α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR)-mediated ion currents. However, the role of the carbohydrates attached to quercetin in the regulation of α7 nAChR channel activity has not been determined. In the present study, we investigated the effects of quercetin glycosides on the acetylcholine induced peak inward current (I(ACh)) in Xenopus oocytes expressing the α7 nAChR. I(ACh) was measured with a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. In oocytes injected with α7 nAChR copy RNA, quercetin enhanced I(ACh), whereas quercetin glycosides inhibited I(ACh). Quercetin glycosides mediated an inhibition of I(ACh), which increased when they were pre-applied and the inhibitory effects were concentration dependent. The order of I(ACh) inhibition by quercetin glycosides was Rutin≥Rham1>Rham2. Quercetin glycosides-mediated I(ACh) enhancement was not affected by ACh concentration and appeared voltage-independent. Furthermore, quercetin-mediated I(ACh) inhibition can be attenuated when quercetin is co-applied with Rham1 and Rutin, indicating that quercetin glycosides could interfere with quercetin-mediated α7 nAChR regulation and that the number of carbohydrates in the quercetin glycoside plays a key role in the interruption of quercetin action. These results show that quercetin and quercetin glycosides regulate the α7 nAChR in a differential manner.
Subject(s)
Humans , Acetylcholine , Carbohydrates , Flavonoids , Fruit , Glycosides , Oocytes , Quercetin , Receptors, Nicotinic , RNA , Rutin , Vegetables , XenopusABSTRACT
Pigmentation of ascospore-derived isolates from seven different natural specimens of Cordyceps militaris EFCC C-5888, EFCC C-7159, EFCC C-7833, EFCC C-7991, EFCC C-8021, EFCC C-8023 and EFCC C-8179 was observed on the plates of Sabouraud Dextrose agar plus Yeast Extract at 25degrees C under continuous illumination (500 lux). Pigmentation of the wild-type isolates of C. militaris was diverse ranging from yellowish white to orange, while white color was believed as a mutant. Inheritance of pigmentation was found to be controlled by both parental isolates when F1 progeny were analyzed. Pigmentation and mating type were shown to be either independent or distantly linked each other due to the high percentage of non-parental phenotypes among F1 progeny. Crosses between white mutant isolates of C. militaris yielded progeny with wild type pigmentations, indicating that the albino mutations in the parents were unlinked to each other.
Subject(s)
Humans , Agar , Citrus sinensis , Cordyceps , Glucose , Lighting , Parents , Phenotype , Pigmentation , Wills , YeastsABSTRACT
The authors present a case of post-traumatic tension pneumocephalus of delayed onset. A 23-year-old man fell down and was admitted to our hospital with initial diagnosis of basal skull fracture associated with small amounts of pneumocephalus on brain computerized tomography(CT). At admission, the consciousness was alert without focal neurological deficit. During conservative therapy, headache was slowly progressive and consciousness became drowsy on 13th day after admission. The brain follow-up CT showed huge low air density lesion in the right frontal area. We performed unilateral subfrontal craniotomy with duroplasty for removal of air and dural repair with galea aponeurotica and abdominal fat. Postoperatively, the condition was recovered.
Subject(s)
Humans , Young Adult , Abdominal Fat , Brain , Consciousness , Craniocerebral Trauma , Craniotomy , Diagnosis , Follow-Up Studies , Headache , Pneumocephalus , Skull FracturesABSTRACT
The authors present a case of solitary dural plasmacytoma. A 43-year-old woman was admitted our department due to headache. Brain magnetic resonance(MR) image showed homogeneous enhanced lesion at the left occipital area. We performed surgical excision and it was confirmed plasmacytoma, histologically. The solitary dural plasmacytomas are exceedingly rare. Before this case report, only 17 cases had been reported in the literature
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Brain , Dura Mater , Headache , Multiple Myeloma , PlasmacytomaABSTRACT
Very little is known about the relation between isoflavone intake and menopausal symptoms in Korean woman To find the effects and correlations between these factors, questionnaires(maternal factors, menopausal symptoms) anthropometric measurement, 24hr dietary recalls, and urinary isoflavones analysis were conducted in 100 postmenopausal women residing in the Kyunggi-do rural area. The average age hight and weight of the subject were 61.5 years, 153.6 cm and 56.2kg. The average age at menarche, menopause, and menstrual cycle were 16.7 years, 47.2 years, 29.8 years, respectively. Most of the postmenopausal women experienced mildly menopausal symptoms. The mean calorie, protein and calcium intake were 1417.6 kcal(74.7% of the Korean RDA) 53.2 g(88.6% of the Korean RDA) and 454.0mg(65.6% of the Korean RDA) respectively. The ration of energy from carbohydrate, protein, and fat was 68: 15: 17 The average isoflavone intake from soy foods was 27.27 mg. The major food source of the isoflavone were soybeans and soybean curd. The average urinary isoflavone excretion was 2. 78nmol/mg Cr and showed significant positive correlation with isoflavone intake. Isoflavone intake from soy foods had a negative correlation with the severity of menopausal symptoms. Therefore, soy foods which contain isoflavone may have a protective effect on menopausal symptoms of women in Korea.