Effects of Haskap (Lonicera caerulea L.) Extracts against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in RAW 264.7 Cells.

This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Lonicera caerulea L. ethanol extract (LCEE) and water extract (LCWE) in vitro. We primarily evaluated the improvement effect of LCWE and LCEE on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory damage in RAW 264.7 cells by detecting oxidation-related indicators and inflammatory factors, respectively. Cellular studies showed that LCWE and LCEE increased superoxide dismutase and catalase antioxidant enzyme levels and decreased malondialdehyde and nitric oxide peroxide levels in H2O2-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, LCWE and LCEE decreased the secretion of inflammatory factors [e.g., interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß, and tumor necrosis factor-α] in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. In conclusion, LCWE and LCEE demonstrated excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. However, LCWE was superior to LCEE, which may be related to its chemical composition and requires further research.

A retrospective study of the relationship between postoperative urine output and one year transplanted kidney function.

BACKGROUND: Kidney transplantation (KT) is the most obvious method of treating a patient with end-stage renal disease. In the early stages of KT, urine production is considered a marker of successful reperfusion of the kidney after anastomosis. However, there is no clear conclusion about the relationship between initial urine output after KT and 1-year renal function. Thus, we investigated the factors that affect 1-year kidney function after KT, including urine output. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated the relationship between urine output in the 3 days after KT and transplanted kidney prognosis after 1-year. In total, 291 patients (129 living-donor and 162 deceased-donor transplant recipients) were analyzed; 24-h urine volume per body weight (in kilograms) was measured for 3 days postoperatively. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), determined by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease algorithm, was used as an index of renal function. Patients were grouped according to eGFR at 1-year after KT: a good residual function group, eGFR ≥60, and a poor residual function group, eGFR < 60. RESULT: Recipients' factors affecting 1-year eGFR include height (P = 0.03), weight (P = 0.00), and body mass index (P = 0.00). Donor factors affecting 1-year eGFR include age (P = 0.00) and number of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatches (P = 0.00). The urine output for 3 days after KT (postoperative day 1; 2 and 3) was associated with 1-year eGFR in deceased-donor (P = 0.00; P = 0.00 and P = 0.01). And, postoperative urine output was associated with the occurrence of delayed graft function (area under curve (AUC) = 0.913; AUC = 0.984 and AUC = 0.944). CONCLUSION: Although postoperative urine output alone is not enough to predict 1-year GFR, the incidence of delayed graft function can be predicted. Also, the appropriate urine output after KT may differ depending on the type of the transplanted kidney. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Research Information Service of the Korea National Institute of Health in the Republic of Korea (KCT0003571).

Ishige sinicola extract stimulates osteoblast proliferation and differentiation via the bone morphogenetic protein 2/runt-related gene 2 signalling pathway.

Osteoporosis is one of the most common bone diseases, occurring due to an imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Ishige sinicola, a brown alga, on osteoblast differentiation through the activation of the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)/runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) signalling pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells. A cell proliferation assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, alizarin red staining, and expression analysis of osteoblastic genes were carried out to assess MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and osteoblastic differentiation. We found that I. sinicola extract (ISE) increased cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Ishige sinicola extract markedly promoted ALP activity and mineralization. Alizarin red S staining demonstrated that ISE treatment tended to increase extracellular matrix calcium accumulation. Moreover, ISE up-regulated the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand ratio. Ishige sinicola extract also increased the protein expression levels of type 1 collagen, ALP, osteocalcin, osterix, BMP-2, and Runx2. Therefore, ISE showed potential in stimulating osteoblastic bone formation, and it might be useful for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.