Extraction conditions of white rose petals for the inhibition of enzymes related to skin aging / 한국실험동물학회지

In order to assess inhibitory potentials of white rose petal extracts (WRPE) on the activities of enzymes related to dermal aging according to the extraction conditions, three extraction methods were adopted. WRPE was prepared by extracting dried white rose (Rosa hybrida) petals with 50% ethanol (WRPE-EtOH), Pectinex(R) SMASH XXL enzyme (WRPE-enzyme) or high temperature-high pressure (WRPE-HTHP). In the inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-1, although the enzyme activity was fully inhibited by all 3 extracts at 100 microg/mL in 60 min, partial inhibition (50-70%) was achieved only by WRPE-EtOH and WRPE-enzyme at 50 microg/mL. High concentrations (> or =250 microg/mL) of all 3 extracts markedly inhibited the elastase activity. However, at low concentrations (15.6-125 microg/mL), only WRPE-EtOH inhibited the enzyme activity. Notably, WRPE-EtOH was superior to WRPE-enzyme and WRPE-HTHP in the inhibition of tyrosinase. WRPE-EtOH significantly inhibited the enzyme activity from 31.2 microM, reaching 80% inhibition at 125 microM. In addition to its strong antioxidative activity, the ethanol extract of white rose petals was confirmed to be effective in inhibiting skin aging-related enzymes. Therefore, it is suggested that WRPE-EtOH could be a good candidate for the improvement of skin aging such as wrinkle formation and pigmentation.

Erratum: Synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of Laminaria japonica fucoidan and Cistanche tubulosa extract / 한국실험동물학회지

As the request of the authors, one paragraph has been changed.

Comparative analysis of anti-Helicobacter pylori activities of FEMY-R7 composed of Laminaria japonica and Oenothera biennis extracts in mice and humans / 한국실험동물학회지

Helicobacter pylori-eliminating effects of FEMY-R7, composed of Laminaria japonica and Oenothera biennis extracts, were investigated in mice and humans. Male C57BL/6 mice were infected with the bacteria by intragastric inoculation (1x10(9) CFU/mouse) 3 times at 2-day intervals, and simultaneously, orally treated twice a day with total 20, 64 or 200 mg/kg/day FEMY-R7 for 2 weeks. In Campylobcter-like organism (CLO)-detection tests on gastric mucosa and feces, FEMY-R7 reduced the urease-positive reactivity in a dose-dependent manner; i.e., the positivity ratios were decreased to 70, 20, and 10% for gastric mocosa and to 80, 50, and 20% for feces. In a clinical sudy, human subjects, confirmed to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, were orally administered twice a day with capsules containing total 100, 320 or 1,000 mg/man/day FEMY-R7 (matching doses for 20, 64 or 200 mg/kg/day, respectively, in mice from a body surface area-based dose translation) for 8 weeks. FEMY-R7 decreased the positivity ratios in feces to 70, 40, and 30%, respectively. In bacterial culture, H. pylori was identified from the CLO-positive stools of mice and humans. The bacterial identification ratios exhibited a good correlation between the matching doses in mice and humans. It is suggested that FEMY-R7 could be a promising functional food without tolerance as an adjunct to reduce the dosage of antibiotics for the treatment of recurrent H. pylori infection.

Synergistic anti-inflammatory effects of Laminaria japonica fucoidan and Cistanche tubulosa extract / 한국실험동물학회지

The anti-inflammatory effects of fuciodan and Cistanche tubulosa (CT) extract were investigated in vitro macrophage culture system and in vivo carrageenan-induced air pouch inflammation model. CT extract inhibited nitric oxide production from activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells, while fucoidan was inactive. In vivo air pouch inflammation model, carrageenan-induced vascular exudation and increased nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 concentrations in the exudates were synergistically suppressed by co-administration of fucoidan or CT extract. Moreover, tissue inflammation was substantially attenuated by the combinational therapy. However, there was no synergistic effect against the inflammatory cell infiltration, although fucoidan and CT extract each markedly reduced the cell numbers. Therefore, it is suggested that fucoidan blocks infiltration of inflammatory cells, while CT extract inhibits activation of the cells, and that their combinational treatment could be a promising candidate for the relief of various types of inflammation.

Anti-inflammatory effects of Houttuynia cordata supercritical extract in carrageenan-air pouch inflammation model / 한국실험동물학회지

Anti-inflammatory effects of Houttuynia cordata supercritical extract (HSE) were investigated in rat carrageenan-air pouch model. Oral administration of HSE (50-200 mg/kg) suppressed carrageenan-induced exudation and albumin leakage, as well as inflammatory cell infiltration at a high dose (200 mg/kg). Intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) only decreased exudation and cell infiltration, while indomethacin (2 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced exudate volume and albumin content without influence on the cell number. HSE lowered tumor-necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO), as well as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Dexamethasone only reduced TNF-alpha and NO, while indomethacin decreased PGE2. The results indicate that HSE exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting both TNF-alpha-NO and cyclooxygenase-2-PGE2 pathways.

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) expressional changes in the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats / 대한해부학회지

Arginine vasopressin (AVP) is a neuropeptide with vasoconstrictive, antidiuretic, cardiovascular regulative and hepatic glycogenolysis effects, that also affects other behaviors including modulating learning. A number of studies on AVP regulation have been conducted in various metabolic diseases (disorders). In this study, the immunoreactivities of AVP in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) and mRNA expressions in the hypothalamus were investigated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats at different ages (i.e., at postnatal months [PM] 1, 8, and 12). Blood glucose levels in the PM 8 group were higher than in the other groups. However, cresyl violet positive neurons were detected in the PVN and SON of all animals, and numbers of cresyl violet positive neurons were similar in all aged groups. In addition, AVP immunoreactivity was detected in the PVN and SON of all age groups, and AVP immunoreactivity and mRNA expression levels were found to be increased in proportion to age by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR. These results suggest that the diabetic condition is temporally generated after hypertension has developed. Furthermore, our findings suggest that increased AVP expressions in the hypothalamic PVN and SON are associated with hypertension by age.

Exposure to genistein does not adversely affect the reproductive system in adult male mice adapted to a soy-based commercial diet

Genistein, a soybean-originated isoflavone, is widely consumed by humans for putative beneficial health effects but its estrogenic activity may affect adversely the development of male reproductive system. Five-week-old ICR mice were purchased and fed with a soybean-based Purina Chow diet until 6 months of age. The animals were exposed by gavage to genistein (2.5 mg/kg/day) or 17beta-estradiol (7.5 microgram/kg/day) for five weeks. Corn oil was used for the negative control. The animals were fed the caseinbased AIN-76A diet throughout the experimental periods. There were no significant differences in body and organ weights of mice among experimental groups. No significant differences in sperm counts and sperm motile characteristics were found between the control and the genistein groups. Treatment of 17beta-estradiol caused a significant decrease in epididymal sperm counts compared to the control (p<0.05). The level of phospholipid hydroxide glutathione peroxidase in the epididymis of mice exposed to genistein was significantly higher than that of the control mice (p<0.05). 17beta-estradiol treatment caused a reduction of germ cells in the testis and hyperplasia of mucosal fold region in the prostate of mice. Genistein treatment did not cause any lesion in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. These results suggest that dietary uptake of genistein at adult stage of life may not affect male reproductive system and functions.

Spontaneous Rupture of the Esophagus (Boerhaave's Syndrome): A review of 10 cases

BACKGROUND: Boerhaave's syndrome is a spontaneous rupture of the esophagus. The classic symptom triad, vomiting, chest pain, and subcutaneous emphysema, rarely develop together. It is diagnosed by using plain chest film, an esophagogram with a water soluble contrast media, and computerized tomography, but it is somewhat difficult to make an early diagnosis. It is generally treated with a surgical procedure, but the most frequent complication is suture line leakage, which leads to a pyothorax, pneumonia, mediastinitis, and eventually an irreversible septic condition. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 10 cases of patients with spontaneous esophageal rupture treated by various surgical methods during the recent 6 years at the Department of Surgery and Internal Medicine, the Catholic University of Korea. RESULTS: The results of the clinical reviews are as follows: There were 9 males and 1 female, and the mean age was 53 years old. The main symptom was chest pain (70%), and that developed after severe vomiting in 6 cases (60%). Abnormal findings were revealed on the chest PA films of 6 cases. Esophagogram were used in 8 cases, and a combined chest CT in 5 cases. Seven (70%) received an operation in less than 24 hours after the attack and 3 cases after 72 hours. The lower one-third of the esophagus was perforated in 9 cases (90%), and the left side of the esophagus was perforated in 8 cases (80%). The methods of operation were primary repair (6 cases), an esophagectomy and esophagogastrostomy (3 cases), and a cardial ligation, proximal esophagostomy, gastrostomy, and feeding jejunostomy (1 case). Anastomosis leakage and empyema developed in each of 4 cases. The overall mortality rate was 20%; only two patients died due to a delayed hospital visit (surgery 72 hours after first attack of symptoms). CONCLUSIONS: We recommand that the most important factor affecting the prognosis for spontaneous rupture of the esophagus is early diagnosis and immediate surgical intervention.