Antiobesity Effects of Lactobacillus paracasei Subsp. paracasei, L. casei 431 on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats.

Obesity is currently regarded as a global concern, and the key objectives of the global health strategy include its prevention and control. Probiotic supplementation can help achieve these objectives. This study aimed to assess whether a probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, Lactobacillus casei 431 (henceforth, L. casei 431) possesses antiobesogenic properties. High-fat diet-induced obese Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with L. casei 431 for 10 weeks, and the outcomes were compared with those of rats treated with the antiobesity medication orlistat. Body weights, epididymal fat, and tissues from mice were assessed. Furthermore, serological and histological analyses were performed. Epididymal fat accumulation was significantly reduced in groups administered L. casei 431 and orlistat. Furthermore, L. casei 431 and orlistat treatments lowered serum alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and triglyceride (TG) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of the liver and epididymal adipose tissues showed that the L. casei 431-treated groups exhibited reduced lipid buildup and adipocyte size. Furthermore, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, adipose TG lipase, and lipoprotein lipase messenger RNA (mRNA) levels were upregulated, leading to lipid oxidation and degradation, in L. casei 431-supplemented groups. Furthermore, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1, a major factor in lipolysis, was consistently upregulated at the protein level after L. casei 431 administration. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential of L. casei 431 in alleviating obesity in rats through optimizing lipid metabolism and some related biomarkers.

Effects of Pear Extracts on Microbiome and Immunocytokines to Alleviate Air Pollution-Related Respiratory Hypersensitivity.

Pears are ancient functional foods for modern times. Particularly, Korean pears (Pyrus pyrifolia cv.) have been used as folk medicine for respiratory diseases and have strong potential for the treatment of hazardous aerosol-related diseases. Thus, the effects of pear ethanol extracts on air pollution-related respiratory hypersensitivity were studied by toxicokinetics, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and microbiomics in preclinical and randomized double-blind clinical studies. The mild-asthma subjects, who lived in the same city, Seoul, Korea, were separated into the placebo and the treatment (pear extracts, as brix 55; arbutin 5.01 mg and chlorogenic acid 0.18 mg/3 mL per day) groups for 4 weeks (n = 20). As results, there were positive associations between urinary 2-naphthol (NT) or 1-hydroxypyrene (OHP), exposure biomarkers for polyaromatic hydrocarbons in PM2.5, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-4 or IgE, respectively, in the human subjects. The pear extracts somewhat reduced 2-NT and 1-OHP levels. The proportions of fiber-degrading bacteria that stimulate growth of beneficial microflora for immune defense, that is, Bifidobacterium and Eubacterium, were significantly higher in the pear consuming group than in the placebo group. Moreover, pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IgE, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13, were significantly suppressed by the pear extracts in the preclinical tests of the ovalbumin-induced asthma mice. Thus, we suggest that air pollution-related respiratory hypersensitivity can be alleviated by Korean pear extracts by modulation of microbiome and immunocytokines.

Semi-quantitative analysis of periventricular gray-white matter ratio on CT in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.

To investigate alterations in the periventricular gray-white matter ratio (GWR) on computed tomography (CT) in patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH), a total of 140 patients with INPH and 52 age-and sex-matched controls were included by using Japanese guidelines published in 2021: possible, probable, and definite INPH for a retrospective case-control study. The non-enhanced brain CT was reviewed, and the Hounsfield unit (HU) was semi-quantitatively measured using the region of interest (ROI). The size (40 mm2) and location of the ROI were standardized within the periventricular white matter (WM) and thalamus. Bilateral anterior (ant) and posterior (post) periventricular WMs were measured using the ROI. The GWR was calculated using the HU on ROI at the thalamus and ant or post-periventricular WMs: GWR = HU at thalamus/HU at periventricular WM. There was a significant difference in the GWRs between patients with INPH and controls at the group level. A significant difference in the GWRs was found only in the ant part of the periventricular area; the bilateral GWRs ant were significantly higher in patients with INPH than in controls (p < 0.0001 with multiple corrections). The ROC analysis clearly showed a cut-off value of GWRs (>1.17) for diagnosing INPH. The diagnostic accuracy was satisfactory: >90% with specificity and>93% with a positive predictive value. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) were acceptable: >57% with sensitivity and>50% NPV. The GWR ant on CT could be a useful and reliable diagnostic tool in patients with INPH.

Postbiotics Enhance NK Cell Activation in Stress-Induced Mice through Gut Microbiome Regulation.

Recent studies have revealed that probiotics and their metabolites are present under various conditions; however, the role of probiotic metabolites (i.e., postbiotics in pathological states) is controversial. Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we examined NK cell activation influenced by a postbiotics mixture in response to gut microbiome modulation in stress-induced mice. In vivo activation of NK cells increased in the postbiotics mixture treatment group in accordance with Th1/Th2 expression level. Meanwhile, the Red Ginseng treatment group, a reference group, showed very little expression of NK cell activation. Moreover, the postbiotics mixture treatment group in particular changed the gut microbiome composition. Although the exact role of the postbiotics mixture in regulating the immune system of stress-induced mice remains unclear, the postbiotics mixture-induced NK cell activation might have affected gut microbiome modulation.

Phenolic acids and flavonoids from Salvia plebeia and HPLC-UV profiling of four Salvia species.

We isolated and purified phenolic acids and flavonoids from the ethanolic extract of Salvia plebeia using silica gel and a Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Spectroscopy revealed the isolated compounds were caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, hispidulin, luteolin, jaceosidin, nepitrin, homoplantaginin, 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-glucoside, 6-methoxynaringenin 7-O-glucoside, naasanone, and cosmosiin. Quantitative analyses, using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV (HPLC-UV), revealed that the major flavonoid from S. plebeia was 6-hydroxyluteolin 7-O-glucoside (100.63 mg/g) and the most abundant phenolic acid was rosmarinic acid (47.73 mg/g). Furthermore, among four other Salvia species, S. officinalis contained the highest overall phenolic acid and flavonoid level but these were still lower than S. plebeia. These results can help assess the potential of phenolic acids and flavonoids as potent sources of pharmacological ingredients from different Salvia species extracts.

PG102 Upregulates IL-37 through p38, ERK, and Smad3 Pathways in HaCaT Keratinocytes.

IL-37 is an immunomodulatory cytokine that suppresses inflammation in various cell types and disease models. However, its role in keratinocytes has not been clearly understood, and there has been no report on the agents that can increase the expression of IL-37 in keratinocytes. In this study, we investigated the effects of silencing IL37 in HaCaT keratinocytes and the molecular mechanisms involved in the upregulation of IL-37 by PG102, a water-soluble extract from Actinidia arguta. It was found that knockdown of IL37 resulted in the augmented expression of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in response to cytokine stimulation. PG102 increased the expression of IL-37 at both mRNA and protein levels presumably by enhancing the phosphorylation of Smad3, ERK, and p38. Indeed, when cells were treated with specific inhibitors for these signaling molecules, the expression level of IL-37 was reduced. PG102 also promoted colocalization of phospho-Smad3 and IL-37. Our results suggest that IL-37 inhibits the expression of AMPs and that PG102 upregulates IL-37 through p38, ERK, and Smad3 pathways in HaCaT cells.

A Water-Soluble Extract from Actinidia arguta Ameliorates Psoriasis-Like Skin Inflammation in Mice by Inhibition of Neutrophil Infiltration.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease with complex etiology involving multiple factors. Current treatment methods are highly limited and there is a strong need for the development of safer and efficacious agents. We have previously shown that a water-soluble extract derived from hardy kiwifruit Actinidia arguta, called PG102, shows potent anti-inflammatory effects. Based on its reported biological activities, the effects of PG102 were examined on imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. Our results showed that topical application of PG102 ameliorates clinical symptoms of psoriasis, reducing skin thickness and Interleukin (IL)-17A level in draining lymph nodes without causing any adverse effects. Treatment with PG102 on cytokine-stimulated HaCaT cells suppressed hyperproliferation and downregulated the expression of various chemokines and antimicrobial peptides known to induce neutrophil infiltration. These anti-inflammatory activities of PG102 were mediated via inhibition of NF-κB and signal transducer of activation (STAT) signaling. We also found decreased neutrophil chemotaxis both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, PG102 has potential as a safe and effective reagent for the treatment of psoriasis.

PG201 protects mice from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis via suppression of effector T cell activation.

BACKGROUND: PG201 is a botanical formulation, approved as an ethical drug (ETC) phytomedicine for treatment of patients with osteoarthritis in Korea, following satisfactory phase II and phase III studies. This phytomedicine was previously been shown to possess significant anti-inflammatory activities, presumably via the control of Th1 and Th17 cells in animal models and in vitro cell culture systems. PURPOSE: In this study, the possibility of using PG201 to treat multiple sclerosis was explored. METHODS: In vitro, the effect of PG201 on the differentiation of CD4+ T cells was investigated. To test the effects of PG201 in vivo, a mouse experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model was used. RESULTS: It was found that PG201 treatment decreased the frequency of both CD4+T-bet+ and CD4+RORγt+T cells. In addition, the production of interferon- gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) from respective Th cells was highly reduced. The data from western blots showed that the amount of phosphorylated c-Jun, but not that of p65, was decreased by PG201. Consistently, the level of luciferase activity was downregulated by PG201 in activator protein 1 (AP-1) reporter plasmid assays. In mice pretreated with PG201, the day of onset was delayed and clinical symptoms of EAE were significantly improved in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with these results, the number of infiltrated cells and the expression level of pro-inflammatory molecules were decreased. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that PG201 may exert strong immunomodulatory effects in the EAE model via suppression of T cell activation, and that PG201 is a therapeutic reagent for the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Catechol Groups Enable Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging-Mediated Suppression of PKD-NFkappaB-IL-8 Signaling Pathway by Chlorogenic and Caffeic Acids in Human Intestinal Cells.

Chlorogenic acid (CHA) and caffeic acid (CA) are phenolic compounds found in coffee, which inhibit oxidative stress-induced interleukin (IL)-8 production in intestinal epithelial cells, thereby suppressing serious cellular injury and inflammatory intestinal diseases. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanism of CHA and CA, both of which inhibited hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced IL-8 transcriptional activity. They also significantly suppressed nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) transcriptional activity, nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit, and phosphorylation of IκB kinase (IKK). Additionally, upstream of IKK, protein kinase D (PKD) was also suppressed. Finally, we found that they scavenged H2O2-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the functional moiety responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects of CHA and CA was the catechol group. Therefore, we conclude that the presence of catechol groups in CHA and CA allows scavenging of intracellular ROS, thereby inhibiting H2O2-induced IL-8 production via suppression of PKD-NF-κB signaling in human intestinal epithelial cells.

Baicalein induces CD4(+)Foxp3(+) T cells and enhances intestinal barrier function in a mouse model of food allergy.

The incidence of food allergy, which is triggered by allergen permeation of the gastrointestinal tract followed by a T-helper (Th) 2-mediated immune response, has been increasing annually worldwide. We examined the effects of baicalein (5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone), a flavonoid from Scutellaria baicalensis used in oriental herbal medicine, on regulatory T (Treg) cell induction and intestinal barrier function through the regulation of tight junctions in a mouse model of food allergy. An allergic response was induced by oral challenge with ovalbumin, and the incidence of allergic symptoms and T cell-related activity in the mesenteric lymph nodes were analyzed with and without the presence of baicalein. Our results demonstrated that the administration of baicalein ameliorated the symptoms of food allergy and attenuated serum IgE and effector T cells. However, Treg-related factors were up-regulated by baicalein. Furthermore, baicalein was shown to enhance intestinal barrier function through the regulation of tight junctions. We also found that baicalein treatment induced the differentiation of Treg cells via aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhRs). Thus, the action of baicalein as an agonist of AhR can induce Treg differentiation and enhance barrier function, suggesting that baicalein might serve as an effective immune regulator derived from foods for the treatment of food allergy.

Water soluble extracts from Actinidia arguta, PG102, attenuates house dust mite-induced murine atopic dermatitis by inhibiting the mTOR pathway with Treg generation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Actinidia arguta is widespread in northeastern Asia, being found in Siberia, Korea, Japan, and northern China. These fruits have been documented to regulate the uncontrolled heat of body resulting in various allergic diseases in the Korean traditional medicine. PG102, a water-soluble extract from an edible fruit, A. arguta, has been previously shown to control various factors involved in allergic pathogenesis. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we investigated whether PG102 prevents chronic allergic reactions via the generation of Tregs, which play a preventive role in the pathogenesis of allergic disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: In dust mite extract-induced chronic atopic dermatitis, orally administered PG102 inhibited symptoms of dermatitis, including ear swelling and erythema, and decreased lymphocyte infiltration into the inflamed region. Moreover, PG102 reduced inflammatory T cell responses and increased the expression levels of Foxp3 and other Treg-related genes. PG102 treatment enhanced the induction of CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs from naive CD4+CD62L+ T cells, probably via the inhibition of mTOR activation and the phosphorylation of STAT5 rather than using the TGF-ß signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: PG102 may have potential as an orally active immunosuppressor for preventing chronic inflammatory diseases.

Regulatory T Cell Induced by Poria cocos Bark Exert Therapeutic Effects in Murine Models of Atopic Dermatitis and Food Allergy.

The prevalence of allergic disorders including atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA) has increased dramatically in pediatric populations, but there is no effective drug available for their management. Therefore, trials are required for the development of safe therapeutic agents such as herbal medicines. We determined whether orally administered Poria cocos bark (PCB) extract could exert immunosuppressive effects on allergic and inflammatory symptoms of AD and FA. For both AD, which was induced using house dust mite extract, and FA, which was induced by exposure to ovalbumin, model mice were orally treated with PCB extract for 62 days and 18 days, respectively. We also investigated the inductive effect of PCB extract on the generation and maintenance of Foxp3(+)CD4(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs). The symptoms of AD and FA were ameliorated by the administration of PCB extract. Furthermore, PCB extract inhibited the Th2-related cytokines and increased the population of Foxp3(+)CD4(+) Tregs in both AD and FA models. In ex vivo experiments, PCB extract promoted the functional differentiation of Foxp3(+)CD4(+) Tregs, which is dependent on aryl hydrocarbon receptor activation. Thus, PCB extract has potential as an oral immune suppressor for the treatment of AD and FA through the generation of Tregs.

High prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer in Korean women with insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine if hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin resistance are/is associated with the prevalence of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) in Korean women. METHODS: This study included 735 female patients with PTC and 537 female non-PTC control subjects. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the associations between hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance and the occurrence of PTC. RESULTS: The prevalence of PTC was significantly correlated with increased insulin, glucose levels, and a high homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The multivariate adjusted odds ratios for the prevalence of PTC in the highest quartile groups for insulin, glucose, and HOMA-IR were 2.88, 9.32, and 4.07 (all p < .001), respectively, compared with the lowest quartile groups. Pathological analyses revealed that increased serum glucose, insulin levels, and a higher HOMA-IR were associated with the multifocality of PTC. CONCLUSION: Hyperinsulinemia and/or insulin resistance may be associated with the development of PTC, but not disease severity in Korean women.

Comparison of two- and three-dimensional sonography for the prediction of the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid carcinomas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study was to compare the diagnostic validity of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonography (US) when predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer. METHODS: All 2D data were interpreted in real time and 3D data were stored, rendered using tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI), and then reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: Extrathyroidal extension was present in 17 papillary thyroid cancers(24.3%) on pathology reports. The presence of contact was significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on both 2D and 3D US (p = 0.007 and p = 0.003), and the sensitivity and specificity were not significantly different between 2D and 3D US (p = 1.000 and p = 0.754). The coexistence of protrusion and contact was not significantly associated with extrathyroidal extension on either 2D or 3D sonogram. CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional images rendered with TUI algorithms alone do not seem to be markedly superior to real-time 2D US in predicting the extrathyroidal extension of papillary thyroid cancer.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) attenuates food allergy symptoms by regulating type 1/type 2 helper T cells (Th1/Th2) balance in a mouse model of food allergy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Turmeric (Curcuma longa) has traditionally been used to treat pain, fever, allergic and inflammatory diseases such as bronchitis, arthritis, and dermatitis. In particular, turmeric and its active component, curcumin, were effective in ameliorating immune disorders including allergies. However, the effects of turmeric and curcumin have not yet been tested on food allergies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice were immunized with intraperitoneal ovalbumin (OVA) and alum. The mice were orally challenged with 50mg OVA, and treated with turmeric extract (100mg/kg), curcumin (3mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) for 16 days. Food allergy symptoms including decreased rectal temperature, diarrhea, and anaphylaxis were evaluated. In addition, cytokines, immunoglobulins, and mouse mast cell protease-1 (mMCP-1) were evaluated using ELISA. RESULTS: Turmeric significantly attenuated food allergy symptoms (decreased rectal temperature and anaphylactic response) induced by OVA, but curcumin showed weak improvement. Turmeric also inhibited IgE, IgG1, and mMCP-1 levels increased by OVA. Turmeric reduced type 2 helper cell (Th2)-related cytokines and enhanced a Th1-related cytokine. Turmeric ameliorated OVA-induced food allergy by maintaining Th1/Th2 balance. Furthermore, turmeric was confirmed anti-allergic effect through promoting Th1 responses on Th2-dominant immune responses in immunized mice. CONCLUSION: Turmeric significantly ameliorated food allergic symptoms in a mouse model of food allergy. The turmeric as an anti-allergic agent showed immune regulatory effects through maintaining Th1/Th2 immune balance, whereas curcumin appeared immune suppressive effects. Therefore, we suggest that administration of turmeric including various components may be useful to ameliorate Th2-mediated allergic disorders such as food allergy, atopic dermatitis, and asthma.

Enhancing Effect of Trachelogenin from Trachelospermi caulis Extract on Intestinal Barrier Function.

Trachelospermi caulis is used widely as an herbal medicine in oriental countries to attenuate fever and pain. We wished to reveal the novel function of this herb and its active component on barrier function in intestinal epithelial cells. Monolayers of intestinal epithelial cells (Caco-2) were used to evaluate the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and quantity of permeated ovalbumin (OVA) as indices of barrier function. T. caulis increased TEER values on cell monolayers and decreased OVA permeation across cell monolayers. To ascertain the active component of T. caulis, the extract was isolated to five fractions, and the effect of each of these fractions on intestinal barrier function examined. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed increased TEER values and decreased OVA flux. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions contained mainly trachelogenin and its glycoside, tracheloside. Trachelogenin increased TEER values and decreased OVA flux by enhancing the tight-junction protein occludin (but not tracheloside) in Caco-2 monolayers. These findings demonstrated that trachelogenin, an active component of T. caulis, might help to attenuate food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease through inhibition of allergen permeation or enhancement of the intestinal barrier.

Association between Serum Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 and Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of plasma fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-21 with angiographically significant coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Serum FGF-21 was measured in 120 patients undergoing coronary angiography. Patients were divided into 4 groups based on the presence/absence of type 2 diabetes mellitus and of significant CAD. The atherosclerotic burden was obtained by two angiographic scores: Gensini score (GS) and Extent score (ES). FGF-21 levels were higher in type 2 diabetes mellitus than in non-diabetic patients (P = 0.014). FGF-21 levels were significantly correlated with GS (r = 0.358, P < 0.001) and ES (r = 0.324, P < 0.001) in univariate analysis with all patients. After adjusting for several confounding factors, both GS and ES were associated with FGF-21 in all patients (r = 0.271, P = 0.014; r = 0.217, P = 0.041, respectively). However, FGF-21 lost significant correlation with both GS and ES with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the final model. The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and CAD feature had elevated FGF-21 levels. Despite of a limited role in diabetic patients, FGF-21 levels are independently associated with angiographic severity and extent of CAD.

Anti-inflammatory effect of chlorogenic acid on the IL-8 production in Caco-2 cells and the dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis symptoms in C57BL/6 mice.

Chlorogenic acid (CHA) is an antioxidant polyphenol prevalent in human diet, with coffee, fruits, and vegetables being its main source. Effects of CHA and CHA metabolites were evaluated on the IL-8 production in human intestinal Caco-2 cells induced by combined stimulation with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and H2O2. CHA and caffeic acid (CA) inhibited TNFα- and H2O2-induced IL-8 production. We also examined the in vivo effects of CHA and CA using dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. CHA attenuated DSS-induced body weight loss, diarrhea, fecal blood, and shortening of colon and dramatically improved colitis histological scores. Furthermore, increases in the mRNA expression of colonic macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and IL-1ß, which were induced by DSS, were significantly suppressed by CHA supplementation. These results suggest that dietary CHA use may aid in the prevention of intestinal inflammatory conditions.

Expression of Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor during Osteogenic Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), an incretin hormone well known for its glucose-lowering effect, was recently reported to exert an anabolic effect on bone. Although the exact mechanism is not known, it likely involves the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), which is expressed in some osteoblastic cell lines. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have mesenchymal stem cell-specific characteristics, including osteoblastic differentiation potential. We evaluated the expression of GLP-1R during osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. METHODS: ADSCs were isolated from subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained from three male donors during plastic surgery and were subjected to osteogenic induction. Mineralization was assessed by Alizarin Red staining on day 21. Expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), and GLP-1R was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction in triplicate for each patient on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. Target mRNA expression levels were normalized to that of ß-actin. RESULTS: ADSCs were fibroblast-like in morphology, adhered to plastic, and had multipotent differentiation potential, as assessed using specific antigen markers. The osteogenic markers ALP and OC were notably upregulated at 21 days. Osteogenic differentiation resulted in a time-dependent increase in the expression of GLP-1R (P=0.013). CONCLUSION: We demonstrated upregulation of GLP-1R gene expression during osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs. This finding suggests that GLP-1 may induce osteogenic differentiation in bone tissue.

Preventive effects of skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) extract in a mouse model of food allergy.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Food allergy, which accompanies acute symptoms such as pruritus, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethal anaphylactic shock is an increasing clinical problem. Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi) has been widely used as a traditional herbal medicine to treat inflammation, cancer, and allergy, but its effects in treating food allergy are not yet known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To examine the effect of skullcap on food allergy, female BALB/c mice were sensitized with 20 µg OVA and 2mg alum by intraperitoneal injection on day 0. From day 17, mice were orally challenged with OVA (50 mg) in saline every 3 days, for a total of six times. To investigate the preventive effect, skullcap (25 mg/kg) was orally administered every day from day 17 to 34. RESULTS: Food allergy symptoms were evaluated by the criteria for diarrhea, anaphylactic response, and rectal temperature. Severe symptoms of food allergy were observed in the sham group (diarrhea, 3 points; anaphylactic response, 2.6 points; rectal temperature, -8.36 °C. In contrast, the skullcap treatment group had a significantly suppressed OVA-induced anaphylactic response (1.3 points) and rectal temperature (-4.76°C). Moreover, both OVA-specific IgE, Th17 cytokine (IL-17), and Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13), which increased with food allergy, were significantly inhibited by skullcap treatment. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that the administration of skullcap attenuates OVA-induced food allergy symptoms through regulating systemic immune responses of Th cells. These results indicate that skullcap may be a potential candidate as a preventive agent for food allergy.