The mechanisms of carnosic acid attenuates tumor necrosis factor-α-mediated inflammation and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Scope: Insulin resistance has been linked to a low-grade chronic inflammatory response. Carnosic acid (CA), which is found in rosemary, has been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammation, and anti-adipogenic properties. Here, we examined the effects of CA on inflammation and insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Simultaneous production of fatty acid methyl esters and diglycerides by four recombinant Candida rugosa lipase's isozymes.

In this study, the catalytic efficiency of four recombinant CRL (Candida rugosa lipase) isozymes (LIP1-LIP4) towards the production of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) was compared and evaluated as an alternative green method for industrial applications. The results indicated that the recombinant C. rugosa LIP1 enzyme exhibited the highest catalytic efficiency for FAME production compared to the recombinant C.

Associations of cyclooxygenase 2 polymorphic genotypes with bladder cancer risk in Taiwan.

Aim: Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and its incidence is particularly high in southwestern Taiwan. However, the genetic contribution to its etiology is not well-understood. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association of cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) polymorphic genotypes with Taiwan bladder cancer patients.

Significant association of caveolin-1 (CAV1) genotypes with upper urothelial tract cancer.

Aim: Upper urothelial tract cancer is unusually of high incidence in Taiwan and it is valuable to study the specificity of this disease in Taiwan and compare the corresponding findings with those of Western countries. In the literature, it has been reported that single nucleotide variation of caveolin-1 gene (CAV1) plays an important role in risk of several types of cancer, such as hepatoma, leukemia, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, oral, breast, bladder and prostate cancer, but we are not aware of any reports on upper urothelial tract cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of six polymorphic genotypes of CAV1 with upper urothelial tract cancer within a Taiwanese population.

The joint effect of hOGG1 genotype and smoking habit on endometriosis in Taiwan.

This study has two aims: [1] to evaluate the association between hOGG1 genotypic polymorphism and endometriosis risk, and [2] to investigate the joint effects of hOGG1 genotype and smoking habit on endometriosis susceptibility in Taiwan. For this purpose, the well-known polymorphic variants of hOGG1, codon 326, was genotyped and analyzed of its association with the risk of endometriosis. In total, 153 patients with endometriosis and 636 non-endometriosis healthy controls were recruited and genotyped.

Effects of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) genotypes and smoking habits on lung cancer risk in Taiwan.

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the association and interaction of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) genetic polymorphisms with lung cancer risk in Taiwan, where lung cancer is the primary cause of cancer-related death.

Materials And Methods: In this hospital-based matched case-control study, associations of up to seven ATM single nucleotide polymorphisms (rs600931, rs652311, rs227060, rs228589, rs227092, rs624366 and rs189037) with lung cancer risk were investigated among Taiwanese. In this study, 358 lung cancer patients and 716 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were genotyped and the genetic-lifestyle interaction were analyzed.

Association of interleukin-10 (IL10) promoter genotypes with nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk in Taiwan.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a multifactorial type of cancer, and cytokines driving the immune response seem to be disturbed in patients with NPC. Interleukin-10 (IL10) is an immunosuppressive cytokine which may facilitate carcinogenesis by down-regulating interferon-gamma production and supporting tumor escape from the immune response. We propose that differential expression levels of IL10 among individuals due to polymorphisms within the promoter of IL-10 gene, may be associated with NPC susceptibility.

Anti-atherosclerotic potential of gossypetin via inhibiting LDL oxidation and foam cell formation.

Gossypetin, a flavone originally isolated from Hibiscus species, has been shown to possess antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antimutagenic activities. Here, we investigated the mechanism(s) underlying the anti-atherosclerotic potential of gossypetin. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity assay showed that the addition of >50μM of gossypetin could scavenge over 50% of DPPH radicals.

Isothiocyanates protect against oxidized LDL-induced endothelial dysfunction by upregulating Nrf2-dependent antioxidation and suppressing NFκB activation.

Scope: Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a key contributor to atherogenesis through multiple mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the protection by three structurally related isothiocyanates, i.

Indigofera suffruticosa Mill extracts up-regulate the expression of the π class of glutathione S-transferase and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 in rat Clone 9 liver cells.

Because induction of phase II detoxification enzyme is important for chemoprevention, we study the effects of Indigofera suffruticosa Mill, a medicinal herb, on the expression of π class of glutathione S-transferase (GSTP) and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in rat Clone 9 liver cells. Both water and ethanolic extracts of I. suffruticosa significantly increased the expression and enzyme activities of GSTP and NQO1.

The contribution of DNA apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease genotype and smoking habit to Taiwan lung cancer risk.

To evaluate the association and interaction of genotypic polymorphism the gene for DNA-apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (APEX1) with personal smoking habit and lung cancer risk in Taiwan, the polymorphic variants of APEX1, Asp(148)Glu (rs1130409), were analyzed in association with lung cancer risk, and their joint effect with personal smoking habits on lung cancer susceptibility was discussed. In this hospital-based case-control study, 358 patients with lung cancer and 716 cancer-free controls, frequency-matched by age and sex, were recruited and genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The results showed that the percentages of TT, TG and GG APEX1 Asp(148)Glu genotypes were not significantly different at 43.

Osthole Improves Spatial Memory Deficits in Rats via Hippocampal α 1-Adrenergic and D 1 /D 2 Receptors.

The present study evaluated the effect of osthole, an active ingredient isolated from Cnidium monnieri L. Cusson, on spatial memory deficits caused by central neurotoxins using the Morris water maze in rats. The involvement of catecholaminergic receptors on the memory-enhancing effect of osthole in rat hippocampus was further investigated by intrahippocampal injection of catecholaminergic receptor antagonists.

The contribution of caveolin-1 genotype and phenotype to hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common types of malignant tumors worldwide, for which the prevalence and mortality rates are very high in Taiwan. Caveolin-1 (CAV-1) is a main structural protein of caveolae and plays a regulatory role in signaling pathways and tumorigenesis. High expression of Cav-1 in mouse HCC is positively correlated with higher cell invasive capacity, but the contribution of CAV-1 genetic variants during HCC progression is still largely unknown.

The contribution of XRCC6/Ku70 to hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a neoplasm for which the prevalence and mortality rates are very high in Taiwan. The DNA non-homologous end-joining repair gene XRCC6/Ku70 plays an important role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) induced by both exogenous and endogenous DNA-damaging agents. Defects in overall DSB repair capacity can lead to genomic instability and carcinogenesis.

The role of XRCC6 T-991C functional polymorphism in renal cell carcinoma.

Background: The DNA non-homologous end-joining repair gene XRCC6 (Ku70) plays a key role in both the DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair and cell cycle arrest. Defects in DSB repair capacity can lead to genomic instability. We hypothesized that a variant in the XRCC6 gene was associated with susceptibility to renal cell carcinoma (RCC).

The joint effect of smoking and hOGG1 genotype on oral cancer in Taiwan.

This study aimed at evaluating the association and interaction among human 8-oxoguanine DNA N-glycosylase 1 (hOGG1) genotypic polymorphism, smoking status and oral cancer risk in Taiwan. For this purpose, the well-known polymorphic variants of hOGG1, codon 326, was analyzed for its association with oral cancer susceptibility, and its joint effect with individual smoking habits on oral cancer susceptibility. In total, 620 patients with oral cancer and 620 healthy controls were recruited from the China Medical Hospital and genotyped.

Carnosic acid prevents 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cell death in SH-SY5Y cells via mediation of glutathione synthesis.

Understanding the neuroprotective effects of the rosemary phenolic diterpene carnosic acid (CA) has attracted increasing attention. We explored the mechanism by which CA modulates the neurotoxic effects of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in SH-SY5Y cells. Cells were pretreated with CA for 12 h followed by treatment with 100 μM 6-OHDA for 12 or 24 h.

Activation of Nrf2 is required for up-regulation of the π class of glutathione S-transferase in rat primary hepatocytes with L-methionine starvation.

Numerous genes expression is regulated in response to amino acid shortage, which helps organisms adapt to amino acid limitation. The expression of the π class of glutathione (GSH) S-transferase (GSTP), a highly inducible phase II detoxification enzyme, is regulated mainly by activates activating protein 1 (AP-1) binding to the enhancer I of GSTP (GPEI). Here we show the critical role of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in up-regulating GSTP gene transcription.

Microfluidic synthesis of microfibers for magnetic-responsive controlled drug release and cell culture.

This study demonstrated the fabrication of alginate microfibers using a modular microfluidic system for magnetic-responsive controlled drug release and cell culture. A novel two-dimensional fluid-focusing technique with multi-inlets and junctions was used to spatiotemporally control the continuous laminar flow of alginate solutions. The diameter of the manufactured microfibers, which ranged from 211 µm to 364 µm, could be well controlled by changing the flow rate of the continuous phase.

Association of cyclin D1 genotypes with nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk.

Aim: The cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 (CCND1) is a critical regulator of the G1/S phase transition and plays an important part in several tumor types. This study aimed at investigating the association of CCND1 with and examining the interaction among CCND1 genotype and individual smoking habit in nasopharyngeal carcinoma susceptibility.

Patients And Methods: A total of 352 native Taiwanese consisting of 176 cases and 176 controls were enrolled in this hospital-based study, and CCND1 A870G (rs9344) and C1722G (rs678653) genotyping were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and partially verified by direct sequencing.

Association of DNA double-strand break gene XRCC6 genotypes and lung cancer in Taiwan.

Aim: The DNA repair gene X-ray repair complementing defective repair in Chinese hamster cells 6 (XRCC6) is thought to play an important role in the repair of DNA double-strand breaks. It is known that defects in double-strand break repair capacity can lead to irreversible genomic instability. However, the association of polymorphic variants of XRCC6 with lung cancer susceptibility has never been reported.

Association of cyclooxygenase 2 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a worldwide neoplasm for which early diagnosis is difficult and the prognosis is usually poor. Overexpression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) has been suggested to be associated with hepatocarcinogenesis. Although several COX-2 inhibitors have been used in hepatoma therapy, the genetic background between COX-2 and HCC remains largely unknown.

Predictive role of XRCC5/XRCC6 genotypes in digestive system cancers.

Cancers are a worldwide concern; oral, esophageal and gastrointestinal cancers represent important causes of cancer-related mortality and contribute to a significant burden of human health. The DNA repair systems are the genome caretakers, playing a critical role in the initiation and progression of cancers. However, the association between the genomic variations of DNA repair genes and cancer susceptibility is not well understood.