Gene Deletion of Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase-1 Suppresses Chemically Induced Skin Carcinogenesis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Microsomal prostaglandin (PG) E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) is a terminal enzyme in PGE2 synthesis and highly expressed in several cancers. In this study, to reveal the involvement of mPGES-1 in skin carcinogenesis, the effect of mPGES-1 deficiency on two-stage skin carcinogenesis in mice was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A two-stage skin carcinogenesis model using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) as an initiator and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) as a promoter was applied on mPGES-1 knockout (KO) mice and littermate wild-type mice of a Balb/c genetic background. RESULTS: DMBA/TPA-induced skin carcinogenesis was suppressed in mPGES-1 KO mice. The induction of IL-17 and other inflammatory cytokines by TPA was also suppressed by mPGES-1 deficiency, although DMBA-induced apoptosis was not affected. CONCLUSION: mPGES-1 promotes chemically induced skin carcinogenesis and might play an important role in the TPA-induced promotion phase of the two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. mPGES-1 inhibition may be a therapeutic target for skin cancer.

Glucotoxicity induces abnormal glucagon secretion through impaired insulin signaling in InR1G cells.

The significance of glucagon in the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is widely recognized, but the mechanisms underlying dysregulated glucagon secretion are still unclear. Here, we explored the molecular mechanisms of glucagon dysregulation, using an in vitro model. Hamster-derived glucagon-secreting InR1G cells were exposed to high glucose (25 mM) levels for 12 h before analyzing glucagon secretion and the activity of components involved in insulin signaling. High-glucose treatment induced increased glucagon secretion in InR1G cells, which represents a hallmark of diabetes mellitus. This treatment reduced the phosphorylation of Akt, indicating the deterioration of insulin signaling. Simultaneously, oxidative stress and JNK activity were shown to be increased. The inhibition of JNK signaling resulted in the amelioration of high-glucose level-induced glucagon secretion. Abnormally elevated glucagon secretion in diabetes can be reproduced by high-glucose treatment of InR1G cells, and the involvement of high glucose-oxidative stress-JNK-insulin signaling pathway axis has been demonstrated. These data elucidate, at least partly, the previously unclear mechanism of abnormal glucagon secretion, providing insights into a potential novel approach to diabetes treatment, targeting glucagon.

Involvement of orexin-A neurons but not melanin-concentrating hormone neurons in the short-term regulation of food intake in rats.

In order to elucidate the involvement of melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and orexin-A (ORX-A) neurons of the perifornical/lateral hypothalamic areas (PF/LH) in the regulation of food intake induced by acutely reduced glucose availability, we examined the food intake response and c-Fos expression in the MCH and ORX-A neurons in the PF/LH during 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG)-induced glucoprivation (400 mg/kg; i.v.) and systemic insulin-induced hypoglycemia (5 U/kg; s.c.) in male Wistar rats. The administration of both 2DG and insulin stimulated food intake and induced c-Fos expression in the ORX-A neurons corresponding to food intake, but not in the MCH neurons. These data indicate that ORX-A neurons, but not MCH neurons, play a role in the short-term regulation of food intake, and that the input signals for the neurons containing MCH and ORX-A are different, and these neurons play different roles in the regulation of feeding behavior.