Long Noncoding RNA 00472: A Novel Biomarker in Human Diseases.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in human diseases. They control gene expression levels and influence various biological processes through multiple mechanisms. Functional abnormalities in lncRNAs are strongly associated with occurrence and development of various diseases.

The efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in Asian patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis: A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor.

Objective: This study assessed tofacitinib efficacy and safety vs placebo in Asian patients with moderate to severe chronic plaque psoriasis.

Methods: Patients from China mainland, Taiwan, and Korea were randomized 2:2:1:1 to tofacitinib 5mg (N=88), tofacitinib 10mg (N=90), placebo→5mg (N=44), or placebo→10mg (N=44), twice daily (BID) for 52 weeks.

[In vitro metabolism of daphnetin in rat liver S9 fractions].

Daphnetin is quickly eliminated in rats after dosing, but the mechanism remains unclear. This study was aimed to investigate the in vitro metabolism of daphnetin using rat liver S9 fractions (RLS9). The metabolites formed in RLS9 were identified and the kinetic parameters for different metabolic pathways were determined.

Inhibition of human catechol-O-methyltransferase-mediated dopamine O-methylation by daphnetin and its Phase II metabolites.

1. Finding and developing inhibitors of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) from natural products is highly recommended. Daphnetin, a naturally occurring catechol from the family thymelaeaceae, has a chemical structure similar to several potent COMT inhibitors reported previously.

Characteristics of peripheral blood CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and related cytokines in severe atopic dermatitis.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, alterations in the ability of Tregs remain to be determined. To investigate the expression of various surface receptors on CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory T cells and to investigate their capacity for inhibiting the proliferation of CD4(+) CD25(-) effector T cells (Teffs).

Clinical Features of Adult/Adolescent Atopic Dermatitis and Chinese Criteria for Atopic Dermatitis.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic recurrent dermatitis with profound itching. Most patients have personal and/or family history of atopic diseases. Several criteria have been proposed for the diagnosis of AD.

In Vitro Evaluation of the Effect of 7-Methyl Substitution on Glucuronidation of Daphnetin: Metabolic Stability, Isoform Selectivity, and Bioactivity Analysis.

The C-8 phenol group is essential to exert the bioactivities of daphnetin, but it is readily conjugated with glucuronic acid prior to excretion. In this study, daphnetin-7-methylether (7M-DNP) was used to investigate the effect of 7-methyl substitution on daphnetin glucuronidation in human/rat liver (HLM/RLM) and intestine (HIM/RIM) microsomes, and recombinant UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs). Compared with daphnetin, the Vmax /Km values of 7M-DNP via 8-O-glucuronidation were 2.

Regulatory T cells from active non-segmental vitiligo exhibit lower suppressive ability on CD8+CLA+ T cells.

Background: Recent studies have shown that vitiligo is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease. Skin-homing cytotoxic T lymphocytes expressing cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) have been suggested to be responsible for the destruction of melanocytes in vitiligo. An aberration in the suppressive function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) has been reported in vitiligo patients.

No association between Y chromosomal haplogroups and severe acne in the Han Chinese population.

Severe acne presents sexual dimorphism in its incidence in Chinese population. It is more prevalent in males. To assess the possible Y chromosomal contribution to severe acne risk in Han Chinese males, we analyzed 2041 Y chromosomal SNPs (Y-SNPs) in 725 severe acne cases and 651 controls retrieved from our recent genome-wide association study data.

Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 Stimulate Melanogenesis in Human Epidermal Melanocytes via PKA/CREB/MITF Signaling.

Reduced or defective melanin skin pigmentation may cause many hypopigmentation disorders and increase the risk of damage to the skin triggered by UV irradiation. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 have many molecular targets including the cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB), which is involved in melanogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 on melanogenesis in human melanocytes and their related mechanisms.

Characterization of circulating CD8+T cells expressing skin homing and cytotoxic molecules in active non-segmental vitiligo.

Background: Vitiligo is caused by melanocyte depletion. Studies have suggested that skin-homing cytotoxic T lymphocytes that express cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen (CLA) are responsible for melanocyte depletion. The characteristics of these skin-homing cytotoxic T cells have not been well established yet.

Inhibitory effects of sanguinarine on human liver cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Sanguinarine (SAG) has been recognized as an anticancer drug candidate. However, the drug-drug interactions (DDI) potential for SAG via the inhibition against human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes remains unclear. In the present study, the inhibitory effects of SAG on seven major human CYP isoforms 1A2, 2A6, 2E1, 2D6, 2C8, 2C9 and 3A4 were investigated with human liver microsomes (HLM).

Association analyses identify three susceptibility Loci for vitiligo in the Chinese Han population.

To identify susceptibility loci for vitiligo, we extended our previous vitiligo genome-wide association study with a two-staged replication study that included 6,857 cases and 12,025 controls from the Chinese Han population. We identified three susceptibility loci, 12q13.2 (rs10876864, P(combined)=8.

Infliximab monotherapy for Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial.

Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α is a key mediator in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds to tumor necrosis factor-α. The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy and safety of 5 mg/kg infliximab therapy in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

Levels of TGF-β(1) in serum and culture supernatants of CD4(+)CD25 (+) T cells from patients with non-segmental vitiligo.

Compelling evidences support an autoimmune basis of non-segmental vitiligo, and dysregulation of CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cell (Treg) is assumed to contribute to the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Serum levels of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an important immunoregulatory cytokine produced by Treg cells, has been reported significantly decreased in patients with vitiligo. However, relation between the decrease in TGF-β and the dysfunction of Treg cells in pathogenesis of vitiligo was still undemonstrated.

Curcumin inhibits melanogenesis in human melanocytes.

Plant derived compounds, as potentially safe and effective skin lightening agents (SLAs), have attracted great attention from many researchers. Curcumin is a plant-derived polyphenol, which has been reported to suppress melanogenesis in B16 melanoma cells. However, little is known about whether curcumin affects melanogenesis in cultured human melanocytes.

Apigenin attenuates dopamine-induced apoptosis in melanocytes via oxidative stress-related p38, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase and Akt signaling.

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests that the occurrence of oxidative stress leads to melanocyte degeneration in vitiligo. Elevated level of dopamine (DA), an initiator of oxidative stress, reportedly is found in patients with vitiligo and induces melanocyte death in vitro. DA-treated melanocytes have been used as a model to search for antioxidants for treating vitiligo.

C5-hydroxylation of liquiritigenin is catalyzed selectively by CYP1A2.

Liquiritigenin (7,4'-dihydroxyflavone), the primary active component of a traditional Chinese medicine Glycyrrhizae radix, has a wide range of pharmacological activities. Six oxidative metabolites of liquiritigenin (7,3',4'-trihydroxyflavone, a hydroxyl quinine metabolite, two A-ring dihydroxymetabolites, 7,4'-dihydroxyflavone, and 7-hydroxychromone) have been detected in rat liver microsomes (RLMs), and one CYP3A4-catalyzed metabolite (7,4'-dihydroxyflavone) has been identified in human liver microsomes (HLMs) recently. In this study, a novel mono-hydroxylated metabolite was detected in reaction catalyzed by HLMs, and was identified as 4',5,7-trihydroxyflavanone by comparing the tandem mass spectra and the chromatographic retention time with that of the standard compound.

Rapid profiling and target analysis of principal components in Fuling Decoctions by UFLC-DAD-ESI-MS.

The traditional Chinese medicine formula Fuling Decoction (FD) has been clinically used for eczema treatment, but the unclear chemical distribution and the lack of quality control have strongly restricted its application. In this study, an analytical method incorporating ultra-fast liquid chromatography (UFLC) with MS and UV detection was developed for rapid profiling of the chemical constitutes from FD. Fourteen constitutes were identified by UFLC-ESI-MS, while four major components including genipingentiobioside, geniposide, paeoniflorin and liquiritin were quantified simultaneously by UFLC-DAD.

Exogenous N-acetylglucosamine increases hyaluronan production in cultured human dermal fibroblasts.

Application of hyaluronan (HA) containing cosmetic products to the skin is reported to moisturize and restore elasticity thereby achieving an antiwrinkle effect. In the skin, HA can be synthesized by dermal fibroblasts and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) is a precursor for HA biosynthesis in the body. To study the effects of exogenous NAG on HA production in human dermal fibroblasts, HA production and HA-synthesizing enzymes 1, 2 and 3 mRNA expression in cultured human dermal fibroblasts were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively.

Increased interleukin-6 and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor levels in the sera of patients with non-segmental vitiligo.

Background: Although the cause of vitiligo is unknown, an autoimmune theory has been proposed, and there is now convincing evidence that cytokines have an important role in pathogenesis of autoimmunity.

Objective: To study the possible role of interleukin-1, beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in the pathogenesis of vitiligo.

Methods: The authors measured the serum levels of the above-mentioned cytokines from 50 patients with the vitiligo compared with 20 healthy volunteers, employing the method of radioimmunoassay.