Dimethylthiourea ameliorates carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in ovariectomized mice.

AIMS: In order to clarify hepato-protective actions of estrogen, we examined the progress of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in sham and ovariectomized (ovx) mice and the effects of dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a hydroxyl radical scavenger, and meloxicam (Melo), a selective cox-2 inhibitor, on the development of CCl4-induced ALI. MAIN METHODS: Female C57BL/6 J mice weighing 15-20 g were performed sham or ovx operation at 8 weeks of age. Blood and liver samples were collected 15 and 24 h after CCl4 administration. Sham and ovx mice were given DMTU, Melo or saline intraperitoneally 30 min before CCl4 or corn oil administration. KEY FINDINGS: ALT levels in ovx mice were significantly increased compared to those in sham mice. DMTU reduced ALT levels in ovx mice to the same levels as those in sham mice after CCl4 injection. CCl4 upregulated TNF-α, IL-6, cox-2 and iNOS expression in ovx mice compared to the levels in sham mice. DMTU significantly reduced cox-2 and iNOS expression levels upregulated by CCl4 in ovx mice. However, pretreatment with Melo had no effects on ALT levels and the gene expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and HO-1 in either sham or ovx mice, indicating that cox-2 may not participate in increase of CCl4-induced ALI caused by estrogen deficiency. SIGNIFICANCE: Ovariectomy accelerated the development of CCl4-induced acute liver injury, and DMTU reduced liver injury. These results suggest that estrogen may act as an antioxidant in the development CCl4-induced acute liver injury.

A novel hydroxyapatite ceramic bone substitute transformed by ostrich cancellous bone: characterization and evaluations of bone regeneration activity.

Various biomaterials have been used for bone repair and reconstruction of bone defects. Inorganic xenogenic bone substitutes have been intensively studied because they possesses favorable regenerative properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the properties of a novel inorganic xenogenic bone substitute, sintered ostrich cancellous bone (SOCB). Bone regeneration capability was also comparing to that of other bone substitutes in rabbit calvarial defects. Biochemical and biomechanical properties of the SOCB ceramic closely resembled those of human bone. Bone regeneration was evaluated by radiograph, histology, and histomorphometry. Bone regeneration was significantly enhanced in defects treated with SOCB when compared with other bone substitutes. The biochemical and biomechanical properties of SOCB are favorable for bone regeneration. SOCB might be a promising biomaterial for the repair of bone defects.

A new phenolic glycoside syringate from the bark of Juglans mandshurica MAXIM. var. sieboldiana MAKINO.

A new phenolic glycoside syringate, 4'-hydroxy-2',6'-dimethoxyphenol 1-O-beta-D: -(6-O-syringoyl) glucopyranoside (1), together with two known ones, 2'-hydroxy-4'-methoxyphenol 1-O-beta-D: -(6-O-syringoyl) glucopyranoside (2) and 4'-hydroxy-2'-methoxyphenol 1-O-beta-D: -(6-O-syringoyl) glucopyranoside (3), were isolated from the bark of Juglans mandshurica MAXIM. var. sieboldiana MAKINO. Their structures were established on the basis of spectral and chemical data.