Fucoidan induces apoptosis of human HS-sultan cells accompanied by activation of caspase-3 and down-regulation of ERK pathways.

Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide in brown seaweed, was found to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in human lymphoma HS-Sultan cell lines. Fucoidan-induced apoptosis was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and was partially prevented by pretreatment with a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-FMK. The mitochondrial potential in HS-Sultan cells was decreased 24 hr after treatment with fucoidan, indicating that fucoidan induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway.

Cloning of Mongolian gerbil cDNAs encoding inflammatory proteins, and their expression in glandular stomach during H. pylori infection.

Mongolian gerbils are considered to be a good animal model for understanding the development of Helicobacter pylori-associated diseases. However, limitations regarding the genetic information available for this animal species hamper the elucidation of underlying mechanisms. Thus, we have focused on identifying the nucleotide sequences of cDNAs encoding Mongolian gerbil inflammatory proteins, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

Carcinogenicity of aminophenylnorharman, a possible novel endogenous mutagen, formed from norharman and aniline, in F344 rats.

A novel mutagenic compound, 9-(4'-aminophenyl)-9H- pyrido[3,4-b]indole (aminophenylnorharman, APNH), is shown to be formed by the in vitro enzymatic reaction of 9H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole (norharman) and aniline. APNH generates DNA adducts (dG-C8-APNH), and is potently genotoxic to bacteria and mammalian cells. APNH has also been demonstrated to be formed in vivo from norharman and aniline, and suggested to be a new type of endogenous mutagenic compound.

Suppression of Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis by green tea extract in Mongolian gerbils.

Since urease of Helicobacter pylori is essential for its colonization, we focused attention on foodstuffs which inhibit the activity of this enzyme. Among plant-derived 77 foodstuff samples tested, some tea and rosemary extracts were found to clearly inhibit H. pylori urease in vitro.

Preventive effects of Cladosiphon fucoidan against Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils.

Background: Recently, the acquisition by Helicobacter pylori of resistance to antibiotics has become a serious problem. Therefore, nonantibiotic substances are required to diminish H. pylori-induced gastric lesions.

Suppressive effects of garlic extract on Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils.

Helicobacter pylori infection is intimately involved in stomach cancer development and recent epidemiological studies have indicated that the consumption of allium vegetables reduces the risk of gastric neoplasia. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of a garlic extract on H. pylori-induced gastritis in Mongolian gerbils.