In Vitro Antioxidant and Fibroblast Migration Activities of Fractions Eluded from Dichloromethane Leaf Extract of .

(1) The complexity of diabetes and diabetic wound healing remains a therapeutic challenge because proper and systematic wound care and management are essential to prevent chronic microbial infection and mechanical damage to the skin. , locally known as 'Kacip Fatimah', is an herb that has been previously reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive and antipyretic properties. The current study aims to assess the antioxidant and fibroblast cell migration activities of the fractions eluded from the dichloromethane extract of leaves.

In vitro study of Nigella sativa and thymoquinone activity on endothelial activation and monocyte adhesion.

Introduction: Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the bioactive compounds in Nigella sativa (NS). Also known as black seeds/cumin, it has been postulated to possess anti-atherogenic properties. However, research on the effects of NS oil (NSO) and TQ on atherogenesis remain scarce.

Induction of a single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg) in rat model causes insulin resistance with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Streptozotocin (STZ) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is toxic to the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreatic islets. STZ is currently used clinically for the treatment of metastatic islet cell carcinoma of the pancreas and the induction of diabetes mellitus (DM) in rodents. So far, there has been no previous research to show that STZ injection in rodents causes insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Osteoblast Demineralization Induced by Oxidized High-Density Lipoprotein via the Inflammatory Pathway Is Suppressed by Adiponectin.

Low mineralization activity by human osteoblast cells (HOBs) indicates abnormal bone remodeling that potentially leads to osteoporosis. Oxidation, the most prominent form of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) modification, is suggested to affect bone mineralization through the inflammatory pathway. Adiponectin, which possesses anti-inflammatory activity, is postulated to have the ability to suppress the detrimental effects of oxidized HDL (oxHDL).

Spirulina supplementation improves bone structural strength and stiffness in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Spirulina (blue-green algae) contains a wide range of nutrients with medicinal properties which include β-carotene, chromium, and moderate amounts of vitamins B. This study aims to determine the preventive effect of spirulina against bone fragility linked to type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (n = 6) and diabetes was induced using streptozocin.

Phytoestrogens by inhibiting the non-classical oestrogen receptor, overcome the adverse effect of bisphenol A on hFOB 1.19 cells.

Objectives: Since bisphenol A (BPA) induces bone loss and phytoestrogens enhance the osteoblastogenesis by binding to the non-classical and classical oestrogen receptors, respectively, the present study was aimed to observe the osteoprotective effect of phytoestrogens on BPA-induced osteoblasts in hFOB 1.19 cells.

Materials And Methods: All groups of hFOB 1.

Palmatine Inhibits Up-Regulation of GRP78 and CALR Protein in an STZ-Induced Diabetic Rat Model.

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is characterized by hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels) which is due to the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. It is associated with oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress. The plant alkaloid Palmatine has been previously reported to possess antidiabetic and antioxidant properties as well as other protective properties against kidney and liver tissue damage.

Inflammation and Vascular Calcification Causing Effects of Oxidized HDL are Attenuated by Adiponectin in Human Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells.

The role of oxidized high- density lipoprotein (oxHDL) and the protective effects of adiponectin in terms of vascular calcification is not well-established. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of oxHDL with regard to inflammation and vascular calcification and to determine the protective role of adiponectin in attenuating the detrimental effects of oxHDL. Cell viability, mineralization, and calcification assays were conducted to optimize the concentration of oxHDL.

Does Vitamin K Intake Influence High Phosphate Induced Vascular Pseudo-ossification: An Underappreciated Therapeutic Prospect in General Population?

Increasing interest in vascular pseudo-ossification has alarmed the modern atherosclerotic society. High phosphate is one of the key factors in vascular pseudo ossification, also known as vascular calcification. The active process of deposition of the phosphate crystals in vascular tissues results in arterial stiffness.

IOP lowering effect of topical trans-resveratrol involves adenosine receptors and TGF-β2 signaling pathways.

Trans-resveratrol was earlier shown to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) in rats; however, its mechanisms of action remain unclear. It has been shown to modulate adenosine receptor (AR) and TGF-β2 signaling, both of which play a role in regulating IOP. Hence, we investigated effects of trans-resveratrol on AR and TGF-β2 signaling.

Employing different types of phytoestrogens improve bone mineralization in bisphenol A stimulated osteoblast.

Aims: Phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens act as agonists/antagonists in bone formation and differentiation. Strong bones are depending of the ability of osteoblasts to form new tissue and to mineralize the newly formed tissue. Dysfunctional or loss of mineralization leads to weak bone and increased fracture risk.

Bisphenol A exposure disturbs the bone metabolism: An evolving interest towards an old culprit.

Bisphenol A (BPA) (2,2,-bis (hydroxyphenyl) propane), a well-known endocrine disruptor (ED), is the exogenous chemical that mimic the natural endogenous hormone like oestrogen. Due to its extensive exposure to humans, BPA is considered to be a major toxicological agent for general population. Environmental exposure of BPA results in adverse health outcomes including bone loss.

Delta- and gamma-tocotrienol isomers are potent in inhibiting inflammation and endothelial activation in stimulated human endothelial cells.

Background: Tocotrienols (TCTs) are more potent antioxidants than α-tocopherol (TOC). However, the effectiveness and mechanism of the action of TCT isomers as anti-atherosclerotic agents in stimulated human endothelial cells under inflammatory conditions are not well established.

Aims: 1) To compare the effects of different TCT isomers on inflammation, endothelial activation, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

Involvement of CELSR3 Hypermethylation in Primary Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Background: Promoter hypermethylation is a frequent epigenetic mechanism for gene transcription repression in cancer and is one of the hallmarks of the disease. Cadherin EGF LAG seven-pass G-type receptor 3 (CELSR3) contributes to cell contact-mediated communication. Dysregulation of promoter methylation has been reported in various cancers.

Orbital fluid shear stress promotes osteoblast metabolism, proliferation and alkaline phosphates activity in vitro.

Prolonged disuse of the musculoskeletal system is associated with reduced mechanical loading and lack of anabolic stimulus. As a form of mechanical signal, the multidirectional orbital fluid shear stress transmits anabolic signal to bone forming cells in promoting cell differentiation, metabolism and proliferation. Signals are channeled through the cytoskeleton framework, directly modifying gene and protein expression.

In vitro degradation and cell viability assessment of Zn-3Mg alloy for biodegradable bone implants.

This article reports the in vitro degradation and cytotoxicity assessment of Zn-3Mg alloy developed for biodegradable bone implants. The alloy was prepared using casting, and its microstructure was composed of Mg2Zn11 intermetallic phase distributed within a Zn-rich matrix. The degradation assessment was done using potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectrometry.

Cytotoxicity evaluation of biodegradable Zn-3Mg alloy toward normal human osteoblast cells.

The recent proposal of using Zn-based alloys for biodegradable implants was not supported with sufficient toxicity data. This work, for the first time, presents a thorough cytotoxicity evaluation of Zn-3Mg alloy for biodegradable bone implants. Normal human osteoblast cells were exposed to the alloy's extract and three main cell-material interaction parameters: cell health, functionality and inflammatory response, were evaluated.

Tocotrienol preserves ovarian function in cyclophosphamide therapy.

Introduction: Cyclophosphamide (CPA) chemotherapy leads to ovarian failure and infertility. Tocotrienol (T3) is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. The role of T3 in ovarian protection throughout chemotherapy remains unclear.

Screening of differential promoter hypermethylated genes in primary oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Promoter hypermethylation leads to altered gene functions and may result in malignant cellular transformation. Thus, identification of biomarkers for hypermethylated genes could be useful for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Objectives: To screen hypermethylated genes with a microarray approach and to validate selected hypermethylated genes with the methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSPCR).

ACE2 activation by xanthenone prevents leptin-induced increases in blood pressure and proteinuria during pregnancy in Sprague-Dawley rats.

This study investigates the effect of ACE2 activation on leptin-induced changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), proteinuria, endothelial activation and ACE2 expression during pregnancy in Sprague-Dawley rats. Pregnant rats were given subcutaneous injection of either saline, or leptin, or leptin plus xanthenone (ACE2 activator), or xanthenone (XTN) alone. SBP, serum ACE, ACE2, endothelin-1, E-selectin and ICAM-1 levels were estimated; also their gene expressions were determined in the kidney and aorta respectively.

Effects of ranibizumab on the extracellular matrix production by human Tenon's fibroblast.

Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors (Anti-VEGF) agents have received recent interest as potential anti-fibrotic agents for their concurrent use with trabeculectomy. Preliminary cohort studies have revealed improved bleb morphology following trabeculectomy augmented with ranibizumab. The effects of this humanized monoclonal antibody on human Tenon's fibroblast (HTF), the key player of post trabeculectomy scar formation, are not fully understood.

Short-term moderate hypothermia stimulates alkaline phosphatase activity and osteocalcin expression in osteoblasts by upregulating Runx2 and osterix in vitro.

Exposure of Normal Human Osteoblast cells (NHOst) to a period of hypothermia may interrupt their cellular functions, lead to changes in bone matrix and disrupt the balance between bone formation and resorption, resulting in bone loss or delayed fracture healing. To investigate this possibility, we exposed NHOst cells to moderate (35 °C) and severe (27 °C) hypothermia for 1, 12, 24 and 72 h. The effects of hypothermia with respect to cell cytoskeleton organization, metabolic activity and the expression of cold shock chaperone proteins, osteoblast transcription factors and functional markers, were examined.

Morphological and phenotypical characteristics of human osteoblasts after short-term space mission.

Morphological and phenotypical signs of cultured readaptation osteoblasts were studied after a short-term space mission. The ultrastructure and phenotype of human osteoblasts after Soyuz TMA-11 space flight (2007) were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, laser confocal microscopy, and ELISA. The morphofunctional changes in cell cultures persisted after 12 passages.

Interleukin-6 and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 expression remains elevated in revived live endothelial cells following spaceflight.

The effects of spaceflight on cardiovascular health are not necessarily seen immediately after astronauts have returned but can be delayed. It is important to investigate the long term effects of spaceflight on protein and gene expression of inflammation and endothelial activation as a predictor for the development of atherosclerosis and potential cardiovascular problems. The objectives of this study were to investigate the (a) protein and gene expression of inflammation and endothelial activation, (b) expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) 3 months post-space flight travel compared to ground controls.