Immune-Enhancing Effect of Sargassum horneri on Cyclophosphamide-Induced Immunosuppression in BALB/c Mice and Primary Cultured Splenocytes.

Sargassum horneri (SH) is a seaweed that has several features that benefit health. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effect of SH, focusing on the role of spleen-mediated immune functions. Chromatographic analysis of SH identified six types of monosaccharide contents, including mannose, rhamnose glucose, galactose xylose and fucose. SH increased cell proliferation of primary cultured naïve splenocytes treated with or without cyclophosphamide (CPA), an immunosuppression agent. SH also reversed the CPA-induced decrease in Th1 cytokines. In vivo investigation revealed that SH administration can increase the tissue weight of major immune organs, such as the spleen and thymus. A similar effect was observed in CPA-injected immunosuppressed BALB/c mice. SH treatment increased the weight of the spleen and thymus, blood immune cell count and Th1 cytokine expression. Additionally, the YAC-1-targeting activities of natural killer cells, which are important in innate immunity, were upregulated upon SH treatment. Overall, our study demonstrates the immune-enhancing effect of SH, suggesting its potential as a medicinal or therapeutic agent for pathologic conditions involving immunosuppression.

Chondroprotective Effects of 4,5-Dicaffeoylquinic Acid in Osteoarthritis through NF-κB Signaling Inhibition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by cartilage degradation, inflammation, and pain. The dicaffeoylquinic acid (diCQA) isomer, 4,5-diCQA, exhibits antioxidant activity and various other health-promoting benefits, but its chondroprotective effects have yet to be elucidated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the chondroprotective effects of 4,5-diCQA on OA both in vitro and in vivo. Primary rat chondrocytes were pre-treated with 4,5-diCQA for 1 h before stimulation with interleukin (IL)-1ß (5 ng/mL). The accumulation of nitrite, PGE2, and aggrecan was observed using the Griess reagent and ELISA. The protein levels of iNOS, COX-2, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADMATS-4, MAPKs, and the NF-κB p65 subunit were measured by Western blotting. In vivo, the effects of 4,5-diCQA were evaluated for 2 weeks in a destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)-surgery-induced OA rat model. 4,5-diCQA significantly inhibited IL-1ß-induced expression of nitrite, iNOS, PGE2, COX-2, MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4. 4,5-diCQA also decreased the IL-1ß-induced degradation of aggrecan. It also suppressed the IL-1ß-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit to the nucleus. These findings indicate that 4,5-diCQA inhibits DMM-surgery-induced cartilage destruction and proteoglycan loss in vivo. 4,5-diCQA may be a potential therapeutic agent for the alleviation of OA progression. In this study, diclofenac was set to be administered once every two days, but it showed an effect on OA. These results may be used as basic data to suggest a new dosing method for diclofenac.

Comments on one- versus two-stage procedure for transposed brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulae.

The maturation and long-term patency of transposed brachio-basilic arteriovenous fistulae can best be achieved not by adopting a two-stage construction procedure, but by using a loop configuration and an anastomosis angle that allows for the most favorable flow dynamics.

Extraction of volatile organic compounds from leaves of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Artemisia annua L. by headspace-solid phase micro extraction and simultaneous distillation extraction and analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

This study was designed to analyze the volatile organic compounds in the leaves of Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. and Artemisia annua L. from Korea. For extraction of volatile compounds, headspace-solid phase micro extraction (HS-SPME) and simultaneous distillation extraction (SDE) were applied and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). From the results, SDE extraction was found to give the highest concentration of volatile compounds with an average concentration of 1,237.79 mg/kg for A. annua L. leaves compared to 1,122.73 mg/kg by HS-SPME technique. A total of 116 volatile organic compounds were identified, including 76 similar volatile organic compounds detected by both the methods of extraction in leaves of subject species at varying concentrations. Among these 33 volatile organic compounds were reported for the first time from the subject plant species. Thus the present research findings extend the characterization of volatile organic compounds from leaves of A. annua L. and A. artemisiifolia L. species and reported some distinguishing compounds which may be used for their discrimination.

Reduction of Excessive Arteriovenous Fistula Flow Using a Stent Graft.

The excessive flow of arteriovenous fistulas is usually reduced by banding, plication or tapering of the inflow lumen with a suture or various external devices. However, these procedures are often associated with unpredictable outcomes. Presented here is an easy, safe and reliable method that deploys and constrains a stent graft in the inflow segment of the fistula in order to achieve long-lasting flow reduction.

Chondroprotective Effect of Cynaroside in IL-1ß-Induced Primary Rat Chondrocytes and Organ Explants via NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Inhibition.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation and inflammation. Interleukin-1ß is the key player in the pathogenesis of OA, which induces the expression of various catabolic factors that contribute to cartilage degradation. Cynaroside (luteolin-7-O-glucoside or luteoloside) is a flavonoid that has various pharmacological properties, such as antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the chondroprotective effects of cynaroside on IL-1ß-stimulated chondrocytes and organ explants. The production of nitrite, PGE2, collagen type II, and aggrecan was measured by a Griess reagent and ELISAs, and the production of ROS was measured by H2DCF-DA fluorescence. The protein levels of iNOS, Cox-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS-4, MAPKs, and the NF-κB p65 subunit were measured by western blot. Proteoglycan analysis was performed by Alcian Blue staining (in vitro) and Safranin O staining (ex vivo). Cynaroside inhibited IL-1ß-induced expression of catabolic factors (nitrite, iNOS, ROS, PGE2, Cox-2, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS-4) and degradation of anabolic factors (collagen type II and aggrecan). Furthermore, cynaroside suppressed IL-1ß-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit into the nucleus. Collectively, these results suggest that cynaroside may be a potential candidate for the development of new therapeutic drugs for the alleviation of OA progression.

Deployment Failure of a Stent-Graft During Arteriovenous Access Procedure.

Endovascular stents are widely utilized in the management of vascular diseases. Although extremely rare, deployment failure of a self-expanding stent-graft can occur during the arteriovenous access procedure with dire consequence. A case of deployment failure of a self-expanding covered stent-graft is presented in a patient with multiple pseudoaneurysms of arteriovenous access.

A percutaneous endovascular technique for reducing arteriovenous fistula flow.

Reduction of arteriovenous access flow is usually performed by tightening the inflow lumen through an open surgical procedure. A percutaneous endovascular approach can provide a precise and effective reduction of access flow without making a skin incision. After placing a vascular introducer sheath toward the inflow direction of an arteriovenous fistula, a small stent (5 mm diameter × 25 mm length) was deployed in the target area near the anastomosis. A second stent (10 mm × 60 mm) was then deployed inside the first stent, making a corset-shape constraint on the access flow. This newly described endovascular procedure was utilized to reduce the excessive flow of arteriovenous fistula in three patients. Deployment of the constrained stent-graft resulted in reducing the estimated access flow from 1900, 1600, and 1500 mL/min to 1100, 900, and 900 mL/min, respectively. Percutaneous endovascular placement of a constrained stent-graft can narrow the inflow lumen of arteriovenous access to a desired precise diameter of 5 mm and effectively reduce access flow over a long-term period.

Origin discrimination of defatted pork via trace elements profiling, stable isotope ratios analysis, and multivariate statistical techniques.

This study verified the origin of 346 defatted Korean and non-Korean pork samples via trace elements profiling, and C and N stable isotope ratios analysis. The analyzed elements were 6Li, 7Li, 10B, 11B, 51V, 50Cr, 52Cr, 53Cr, 55Mn, 58Ni, 60Ni, 59Co, 63Cu, 65Cu, 64Zn, 66Zn, 69Ga, 71Ga, 75As, 82Se, 84Sr, 86Sr, 87Sr, 88Sr, 85Rb, 94Mo, 95Mo, 97Mo, 107Ag, 109Ag, 110Cd, 111Cd, 113Cd, 112Cd, 114Cd, 116Cd, 133Cs, 206Pb, 207Pb, and 208Pb. Content (mg/kg) of 51V (0.012), 50Cr (0.882), 75As (0.017), 85Rb (57.7), and 87Sr (46.3) were high in Korean pork samples whereas 6Li, 7Li, 59Co, 55Mn, 58Ni, 84Sr, 86Sr, 88Sr, 111Cd, and 133Cs were found higher in non-Korean samples. The results of discriminant analysis showed that the trace elements content and stable isotope ratios were significant for the discrimination of geographical origins with a perfect discrimination rate of 100%.

Oleamide suppresses inflammatory responses in LPS-induced RAW264.7 murine macrophages and alleviates paw edema in a carrageenan-induced inflammatory rat model.

Oleamide compounds purified from green algae have been used for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis, thrombosis, arthritis, and cancer. They function through their metabolic conversion into prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes. However, the actual mechanism of action has not been well characterized. To investigate the underlying anti-inflammatory activity and associated mechanisms, oleamide purified from Codium fragile was studied using RAW264.7 murine macrophages and a carrageenan-induced inflammatory rat model. Our results indicate that pre-treatment of RAW264.7 cells with oleamide significantly suppressed LPS-induced nitrite production and PGE2 secretion. Oleamide inhibited LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 mRNA and protein expression. It also inhibited the LPS-induced production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6. In addition, oleamide prevented the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by suppressing the phosphorylation of the inhibitor of kappa B (IκB)-α. Oleamide also suppressed the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases such as ERK1/2 and JNK. Furthermore, inhibition of paw swelling (%) was suppressed 2 h after the intraperitoneal injection of oleamide (20 mg/kg, body weight) in a carrageen-induced rat model. Therefore, our results suggest that oleamide can be used as a single ingredient treatment for inflammatory diseases.

In Vivo and In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aqueous Extract of Anthriscus sylvestris Leaves.

Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. is a common perennial herb that is widely distributed in Europe, Korea, and New Zealand. The root of A. sylvestris has been used in Korean traditional medicine as an antitussive and cough remedy. However, the physiologically active function of A. sylvestris leaves is not yet known. In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms of an aqueous extract of A. sylvestris leaves (AE-ASL) in vitro and in vivo. Our results indicated that pretreatment with AE-ASL significantly inhibited the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced secretion of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 in RAW264.7 cells, without showing cytotoxicity. In addition, the LPS-induced mRNA and protein expression of inducible NO synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha interleukin (IL)-1ß, and IL-6 was attenuated by pretreatment with AE-ASL in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, we investigated the activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB, a transcription factor regulating the expression of inflammation-related genes. AE-ASL inhibited the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit by suppressing the phosphorylation and degradation of the inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBα). Further, AE-ASL inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in RAW264.7 cells. Orally administered AE-ASL (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of body weight [BW]) suppressed the development of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema by 15%, 31%, and 40%, respectively, after 4 h. Altogether, our results suggest that AE-ASL possesses anti-inflammatory activity, based on the suppression of NF-κB and MAPK pathways in vitro and inhibition of the carrageenan-induced paw edema in vivo.

Determination of Volatile Flavour Profiles of Citrus spp. Fruits by SDE-GC-MS and Enantiomeric Composition of Chiral Compounds by MDGC-MS.

INTRODUCTION: Citrus fruits are known to have characteristic enantiomeric key compounds biosynthesised by highly stereoselective enzymatic mechanisms. In the past, evaluation of the enantiomeric ratios of chiral compounds in fruits has been applied as an effective indicator of adulteration by the addition of synthetic compounds or natural components of different botanical origin. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the volatile flavour compounds of Citrus junos Sieb. ex Tanaka (yuzu), Citrus limon BURM. f. (lemon) and Citrus aurantifolia Christm. Swingle (lime), and determine the enantiomeric ratios of their chiral compounds for discrimination and authentication of extracted oils. METHODOLOGY: Volatile flavour compounds of the fruits of the three Citrus species were extracted by simultaneous distillation extraction and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The enantiomeric composition (ee%) of chiral camphene, sabinene, limonene and ß-phellandrene was analysed by heart-cutting multidimensional gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Sixty-seven (C. junos), 77 (C. limon) and 110 (C. aurantifolia) volatile compounds were identified with limonene, γ-terpinene and linalool as the major compounds. Stereochemical analysis (ee%) revealed 1S,4R-(-) camphene (94.74, 98.67, 98.82), R-(+)-limonene (90.53, 92.97, 99.85) and S-(+)-ß-phellandrene (98.69, 97.15, 92.13) in oil samples from all three species; R-(+)-sabinene (88.08) in C. junos; and S-(-)-sabinene (81.99, 79.74) in C. limon and C. aurantifolia, respectively. CONCLUSION: The enantiomeric composition and excess ratios of the chiral compounds could be used as reliable indicators of genuineness and quality assurance of the oils derived from the Citrus fruit species. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Identification and quantification of adulteration in Garcinia cambogia commercial products by chromatographic and spectrometric methods.

Species of genus Garcinia are rich sources of bioactive constituents with antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective and anti-HIV activities. Commercial products of Garcinia cambogia are used as anti-obesity drugs with increasing market demand. Because of the high price of its products, it can be adulterated with similar lower-priced species. This study was designed to develop and validate an accurate and efficient method for the detection of any adulteration (G. indica) in G. cambogia products. For this purpose, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used to analyse the ethanolic fruit rind extracts of G. cambogia and G. indica, their formulations of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 95% G. indica with G. cambogia, and 11 G. cambogia commercial products. The analytical methods were validated by quality assurance parameters of linearity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy. Two marker peaks were detected in G. indica fruit extract, whereas G. cambogia did not show these peaks. The detected peaks were identified as anthocyanins; cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside. In the study to determine the effect of pH and temperature on the stability of its anthocyanin content, HPLC analysis of G. indica extract showed the highest content at pH 1 and 50°C. Using two different mobile phases, the limits of detection (LOD) for cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside were 0.036 and 0.059, and 0.022 and 0.033 mg kg-1, respectively. Furthermore, the inter-day precision (< 3.2%) confirmed that the applied analytical method fulfils the required criteria of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC). From this study, it was found that the HPLC method used for the detection of adulteration in G. cambogia products is rapid and accurate.