Humulus japonicus extract alleviates oxidative stress and apoptosis in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced PC12 cells

Objective: To explore the possible neuroprotective activities of Humulus japonicus extract against Parkinson's disease (PD) in a cellular model. Methods: PD was modeled in PC12 cells using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The cell activity, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects, and other related indicators and related signaling pathways were evaluated to elucidate the neuroprotective effects of Humulus japonicus extract. Results: Humulus japonicus extract exhibited anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects in 6-OHDA-stimulated PC12 cells. It also reduced oxidative stress-induced ROS accumulation; upregulated antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione, catalase, heme oxidase-1, and 8-oxguanine glycosylase 1; promoted cell survival by decreasing BAX and increasing Bcl-2 and sirtuin 1 expression via the MAPK and/or Nrf2 signaling pathways. Conclusions: Humulus japonicus extract has antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects and could be developed as a promising candidate for preventing and treating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Humulus japonicus extract alleviates oxidative stress and apoptosis in 6-hydroxydopamine-induced PC12 cells

Objective: To explore the possible neuroprotective activities of Humulus japonicus extract against Parkinson's disease (PD) in a cellular model. Methods: PD was modeled in PC12 cells using 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). The cell activity, intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects, and other related indicators and related signaling pathways were evaluated to elucidate the neuroprotective effects of Humulus japonicus extract. Results: Humulus japonicus extract exhibited anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects in 6-OHDA-stimulated PC12 cells. It also reduced oxidative stress-induced ROS accumulation; upregulated antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione, catalase, heme oxidase-1, and 8-oxguanine glycosylase 1; promoted cell survival by decreasing BAX and increasing Bcl-2 and sirtuin 1 expression via the MAPK and/or Nrf2 signaling pathways. Conclusions: Humulus japonicus extract has antioxidative and anti-apoptotic effects and could be developed as a promising candidate for preventing and treating oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Gingival absorption of α-tocopherol acetate and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid : in vitro evaluation in reconstructed gingival tissue / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: To assess the absorption of α-tocopherol acetate and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, which are used as active ingredients in toothpaste, into a reconstructed gingival tissue. METHODS: EpiGingival™ tissues were treated with a 25% slurry of toothpaste containing 2% α-tocopherol acetate and 0.3% 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid, for 2 minutes. The treatment was repeated up to 6 times, with 1 hour intervals. After completion of all treatments, the active ingredients in the tissue extracts and receiver solutions were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Although α-tocopherol acetate was not detected, α-tocopherol was detected in the tissue extracts, indicating that α-tocopherol acetate was bioconverted to α-tocopherol after absorption. We could detect 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid both in the tissue extracts and in the receiver solutions, with a positive correlation to the number of treatments. CONCLUSIONS: We found that our toothpaste effectively delivered α-tocopherol acetate and 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid to a reconstructed gingival tissue in vitro.

Serum leptin levels correlate with bronchial hyper-responsiveness to mannitol in asthmatic children

PURPOSE: Epidemiological data indicate that obesity is a risk factor in asthma, however effects related to obesity and adipokines on airway inflammation and bronchial hyper-responsiveness (BHR) have not yet been demonstrated in the human airway. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum adipokine levels and BHR to mannitol in asthmatic children. METHODS: Serum adipokine levels were measured and pulmonary function tests were perfomed: baseline, postbronchodilator inhalation, methacholine inhalation, and mannitol inhalation. The response to mannitol was expressed as the dose causing a 15% decrease in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) (PD15), and as the response-dose ratio (RDR) (% fall in FEV1/cumulative dose). RESULTS: Sixty-nine prepubertal children between the ages of 6 and 10 years were participated in the study. They comprised asthmatic children (n=40) and healthy (n=29). Twenty-two subjects (55.5%) with asthma had a positive mannitol bronchial provocation test (BPT) result. The body mass index (BMI) was higher in those asthmatics with positive mannitol BPTs than in asthmatics with negative mannitol BPTs and in the control group (19.30 kg/m2 vs. 17.60 kg/m2 vs. 17.93 kg/m2, P=0.035, P=0.046). Serum leptin levels were also significantly higher in asthmatics with positive mannitol BPTs than in asthmatics with negative mannitol BPTs and in the control group (10.58 ng/mL vs. 5.49 ng/mL vs. 6.75 ng/mL, P=0.002, P=0.016). Leptin values were significantly associated with a PD15 (r=-0.498, P=0.022) and RDR to mannitol (r=0.346, P=0.033) in asthmatic children after adjustment for BMI. CONCLUSION: Serum leptin levels were significantly associated with BHR to mannitol in asthmatic children.

Clinical Effect of Ureaplasma Urealyticum Colonization of Maternal Low Genital Tract and Premature Respiratory Tract on Neonatal Adverse Outcome

PURPOSE: Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) colonization in maternal low genitourinary tract can cause preterm labor, spontaneous abortion, and chorioamnionitis. Also preterm babies suffer from perinatal mortality and morbidity. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effect of UU colonization in maternal vaginal fluids and premature respiratory secretions on neonatal adverse outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective review were performed on preterm baby less than 35 weeks and their mother who were admitted at Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University from October, 2010 to June, 2012. Maternal vaginal specimen, preterm baby's tracheal fluid and nasopharynx secretion were collected and PCR and/or culture tests were done. The subjects were divided into 4 groups; both maternal and preterm colonization positive were 'UUA' group, only maternal colonization positive as 'UUB', only preterm colonization positive as 'UUC', and both maternal and preterm colonization negative as 'UUD'. Variable clinical outcome were investigated. RESULTS: A total of 170 data were collected from the preterm delivery mother and their babies. The overall prevalence of maternal UU was 51% (86/170) and the prevalence of neonatal colonization was 39% (66/170). Of those 4 groups, gestational age (28.5+/-3.0 week, P=0.000) and birth weight (1,208.8+/-451 g, P=0.000)were the smallest in UUA. Also, prevalence of histological chorioamnionitis (P=0.040) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P=0.000) were statistical higher in UUA. CONCLUSION: Maternal colonization of UU was associated with histological chorioamnionitis. Maternal UU colonization and preterm respiratory secretion was associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Psychologic Characteristics in Caregivers of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder / 대한소아신경학회지

PURPOSE: ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with three characteristics, such as impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity symptoms. This is a common disease that the prevalence reaches 4-7% of all children. There are a variety of hypothesis in the pathogenic mechanisms and etiology. Parental psychopathology influences directly and indirectly on the occurrence of ADHD in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and psychological characteristics of caregiver of child with ADHD using the MMPI (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory)-2. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 35 caregivers of patients with ADHD and 34 caregivers of children without neuropsychiatric disorders who visited to the pediatric neurology clinic of Kangnam sacred heart hospital from January 2009 to June 2011. We diagnosed ADHD according to DSM(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder)-IV criteria. We compared the psychologic characteristics between ADHD group and control group using T score of MMPI-2. RESULTS: MMPI T scores of caregivers of children with ADHD were significantly higher on the depression(D), psychasthenia(Pt), schizophrenia(Sc), social introversion (Si) scales than control group and most of scales were significantly higher in restructured clinical (RC) scale and personality psychopathology five (PSY-5) scales. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that psychopathology of caregivers might induce ADHD in the children. On the contrary, ADHD symptom of children might be associated with occurrence of psychopathology in the cargiver. In order to proper treatment of ADHD patient, we need to psychologic evaluation in the caregivers of patients with ADHD.

A Case of Ascending Colon Diverticulitis with Perforation in a Child / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

A diverticulum is a blind pouch communicating with the gut. The term "diverticulitis" indicates inflammation of a diverticulum or diverticula, which is commonly accompanied by gross or microscopic perforation. Acute diverticuitis is a rare disorder in early childhood. Itis difficult to diagnose acute right colon diverticulitis from common causes of RLQ pain. We report a case of acute diverticulitis in the right colon in a 6-year-old girl. She complained of typical RLQ pain mimicking acute appendicitis,but was diagnosed with acute diverticulitis by CT scanning. Conservative treatment failed because of peritonitis due to perforation of an inflamed diverticulum. After the diverticulcetomy, the symptoms resolved.

A Case of Ascending Colon Diverticulitis with Perforation in a Child / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

A diverticulum is a blind pouch communicating with the gut. The term "diverticulitis" indicates inflammation of a diverticulum or diverticula, which is commonly accompanied by gross or microscopic perforation. Acute diverticuitis is a rare disorder in early childhood. Itis difficult to diagnose acute right colon diverticulitis from common causes of RLQ pain. We report a case of acute diverticulitis in the right colon in a 6-year-old girl. She complained of typical RLQ pain mimicking acute appendicitis,but was diagnosed with acute diverticulitis by CT scanning. Conservative treatment failed because of peritonitis due to perforation of an inflamed diverticulum. After the diverticulcetomy, the symptoms resolved.