ABSTRACT
A promoting effect of Na2SiO3 on hair regrowth was investigated using an animal model of C57BL/6 mice. There were four experimental groups including distilled water (DW, a negative control), 5% minoxidil (MXD, a positive control), 50% Na2SiO3, and 100% Na2SiO3 solution. The animals were shaved with an electric clipper and then test solutions applied daily with a volume of 0.2 ml per to the dorsal skin of mice for 3 weeks. Body weight and food and water consumption were measured weekly. Photographs of hair regrowth were taken at experimental day 0, 4, 7, 10, 14, 17, and 21. Activities of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as well as expressions of growth factors were also determined in the dorsal skin of mice. The animal body weight were not significantly changed among the experimental groups. The MXD and Na2SiO3 accelerated hair regrowth compared with DW. The elongation of hair follicles were evidently observed in MXD and 50 or 100% Na2SiO3 groups. MXD significantly increased gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase at day 14, compared with DW (P<0.05). But the activities of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase were not significantly increased in Na2SiO3 groups, compared with DW. The expression of epidermal growth factor was significantly increased in MXD and Na2SiO3 groups, compared with DW (P<0.05). The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor was not significantly changed by MXD or Na2SiO3 treatments. The expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 was clearly decreased in MXD and Na2SiO3 groups, compared with DW. These results indicate that Na2SiO3 may have a hair growth-promoting activity and it can be used for treatment of alopecia or boldness in humans.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Mice , Alkaline Phosphatase , Alopecia , Body Weight , Drinking , Epidermal Growth Factor , gamma-Glutamyltransferase , Hair , Hair Follicle , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins , Minoxidil , Models, Animal , Silicates , Skin , Sodium , Transforming Growth Factors , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A , WaterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We analyzed the data obtained from regular health checkups performed in a university hospital and investigated the effect of serum gamma-GT on hypertension for both Korean males and females. METHODS: A total of 3,288 adult males and females over 20 years of age were selected for this study who visited a health promotion center from April, 2004 to April, 2005. Patients with HBs Ag (+) or anti-HCV Ab (+) and those currently on medication that could affect hepatic function were excluded. The subjects' history of illness and their present health and medication status were examined through questionnaires and history taking. Also, basic physical examinations and laboratory tests were performed on these subjects. RESULTS: Classifying the serum gamma-GT into quartiles, as the gamma-GT classification stage increased, there was an increase in the amount of smoking, alcohol, body mass index, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein for males or female (respectively, P for trend <0.01). When odd ratio (95% CI) for hypertension in the highest quartile of gamma-GT was compared to that of the lowest quartile, there was an increased risk of hypertension with an odd ratio of 1.6 (95% CI, 1.0~2.3) and 1.6 (95% CI, 1.0~2.4) for males and females, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the risk of hypertension was increased according to serum gamma-GT, even though the variable index affecting cardiovascular diseases was adjusted.
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Blood Pressure , Body Mass Index , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cholesterol , Classification , Fasting , Glucose , Health Promotion , Hypertension , Lipoproteins , Physical Examination , Smoke , Smoking , Triglycerides , Waist Circumference , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Serum gamma-GT is one of the biliary enzymes with the only enzymatic activity capable of cleaving extracellular glutathione, thus originating precursor amino acids for the intracellular resynthesis of glutathione. Several population-based studies have shown a strong cross-sectional association between serum gamma-GT concentration and cardiovascular risk factors. And prospective studies showed that serum gamma-GT concentration had a prognostic impact on cardiovascular mortality. But, the mechanism by which gamma-GT is associated with cardiovascular disease is not elucidated. We hypothesized that there was an association between serum gamma-GT and ferritin, a marker of oxidative stress. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum gamma-GT and serum ferritin. METHODS: By reviewing the medical records of 288 healthy adults, we determined the serum levels of gamma-GT and ferritin according to age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, hs-CRP, serum ferritin, AST, ALT, uric acid and smoking history. We studied the relationship between the variables by Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple stepwise regression analysis. Mean values of serum gamma-GT according to the smoking history were compared using t-test. RESULTS: Serum gamma-GT correlated positively with serum ferritin (r=0.42; P<0.001). BMI, triglycerides, total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, AST and ALT also showed statistically significant correlation. Smokers showed significantly higher serum gamma-GT. Serum gamma-GT correlated with serum ferritin, ALT, current smoking and triglycerides by multiple stepwise regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Serum gamma-GT correlated positively with serum ferritin.
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Amino Acids , Blood Glucose , Blood Pressure , Body Mass Index , Cardiovascular Diseases , Cholesterol , Fasting , Ferritins , gamma-Glutamyltransferase , Glutathione , Medical Records , Mortality , Oxidative Stress , Risk Factors , Smoke , Smoking , Triglycerides , Uric AcidABSTRACT
Asymptomatic intrahepatic early-stage bile duct carcinoma without jaundice is difficult to diagnose because it does not have any characteristic clinical signs and symptoms. The clinical implication of early-stage intrahepatic ductal cholangiocarcinoma is great, because it allows curative resection and excellent long-term survival. Recently we experienced early-stage intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma which was incidentally detected by a clue of elevated serum alkaline phosphatase and gamma-GT without jaundice and any symptoms. Abdominal US showed focal intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. ERCP could not demonstrate the lesion, while MRCP revealed the obstructed duct (S6) with proximal dilatation. For evaluation of a focal intrahepatic stricture, PTCS examination and biopsy were done. With the help of MRCP and PTCS, the lesion was diagnosed as papillary adenocarcinoma preoperatively. The patient was underwent right liver lobectomy and confirmed early-stage intrahepatic ductal adenocarcinoma and she is well-being without cancer recurrence for a follow-up period of 1 year.