Pork Liver Decomposition Product May Improve Frontal Lobe Function in Humans-Open Trial.

Porcine Liver Decomposition Product (PLDP) was obtained by treating pig liver homogenate with protease and filling it into capsules. We have already confirmed from three clinical trials that PLDP enhances visual memory and delays memory recall, and we believe that its activity is due to various phospholipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC). In this study, we clinically evaluated PLDP for depressive symptoms caused by a decline in cognitive function.

Three-Dimensional Modeling with Osteoblast-like Cells under External Magnetic Field Conditions Using Magnetic Nano-Ferrite Particles for the Development of Cell-Derived Artificial Bone.

The progress in artificial bone research is crucial for addressing fractures and bone defects in the aging population. However, challenges persist in terms of biocompatibility and structural complexity. Nanotechnology provides a promising avenue by which to overcome these challenges, with nano-ferrite particles (NFPs) exhibiting superparamagnetic properties.

Lysophospholipids transport across blood-brain barrier in an in vitro reconstruction model.

This study builds on our previous study, which highlighted the need for further research on the potential use of lysophospholipid (LPL) supplementation to prevent chronic and age-related diseases. We aimed to evaluate the transmembrane transport of LPL across rat and monkey blood-brain barrier (BBB) models. An in vitro monkey BBB model is required to elucidate the differences between rat and primate BBB-related data and to measure the permeability of LPLs being researched in relation to the human BBB.

Biocompatibility Evaluation of Carbon Nanohorns in Bone Tissues.

With the advent of nanotechnology, the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery system (DDS) has attracted great interest. We aimed to apply carbon nanohorns (CNHs) as DDS in the development of new treatments for bone diseases. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo cellular responses of CNHs in bone-related cells compared with carbon blacks (CBs), which are similar in particle size but differ in surface and structural morphologies.

Lysophospholipids: A Potential Drug Candidates for Neurodegenerative Disorders.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) commonly present misfolded and aggregated proteins. Considerable research has been performed to unearth the molecular processes underpinning this pathological aggregation and develop therapeutic strategies targeting NDs. Fibrillary deposits of α-synuclein (α-Syn), a highly conserved and thermostable protein, are a critical feature in the development of NDs such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Lysophospholipids-potent candidates for brain food, protects neuronal cells against α-Synuclein aggregation.

Accumulation and aggregation of α-Synuclein (α-Syn) are the hallmarks of the incidence of α-Synucleinopathies, which comprises dementia with Lewy bodies (LBs). Aggregation inhibitors are anticipated to reduce α-Syn toxicity and serve as therapeutic agents. As a result, α-Syn is regarded as the potential and priority target for drug development.

Future Prospects for Clinical Applications of Nanocarbons Focusing on Carbon Nanotubes.

Over the past 15 years, numerous studies have been conducted on the use of nanocarbons as biomaterials towards such applications as drug delivery systems, cancer therapy, and regenerative medicine. However, the clinical use of nanocarbons remains elusive, primarily due to short- and long-term safety concerns. It is essential that the biosafety of each therapeutic modality be demonstrated in logical and well-conducted experiments.

Current Methods in the Study of Nanomaterials for Bone Regeneration.

Nanomaterials show great promise as bone regeneration materials. They can be used as fillers to strengthen bone regeneration scaffolds, or employed in their natural form as carriers for drug delivery systems. A variety of experiments have been conducted to evaluate the osteogenic potential of bone regeneration materials.

Biokinetic Evaluation of Contrast Media Loaded Carbon Nanotubes Using a Radiographic Device.

Considerable progress has been made in various fields of applied research on the use of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Because CNTs are fibrous nanomaterials, biosafety of CNTs has been discussed. The biokinetic data of CNTs, such as using the radioisotope of carbon and surface labeling of CNTs, have been reported.

Antitumor Effect of Sclerostin against Osteosarcoma.

Various risk factors and causative genes of osteosarcoma have been reported in the literature; however, its etiology remains largely unknown. Bone formation is a shared phenomenon in all types of osteosarcomas, and sclerostin is an extracellular soluble factor secreted by osteocytes that prevents bone formation by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway. We aimed to investigate the antitumor effect of sclerostin against osteosarcoma.

Evaluation of MC3T3-E1 Cell Osteogenesis in Different Cell Culture Media.

Many biomaterials have been evaluated using cultured cells. In particular, osteoblast-like cells are often used to evaluate the osteocompatibility, hard-tissue-regeneration, osteoconductive, and osteoinductive characteristics of biomaterials. However, the evaluation of biomaterial osteogenesis-inducing capacity using osteoblast-like cells is not standardized; instead, it is performed under laboratory-specific culture conditions with different culture media.

The Combined Effects of Lysophospholipids against Lipopolysaccharide-induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Microglial Cells.

Lysophospholipids (LPLs) are small bioactive lipid molecules characterized by a single carbon chain and a polar head group. LPLs have recently shown to be involved in many physiological and pathological processes such as nervous system regulation. In our previous studies, a porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP) has been identified as a substance that improves cognitive function at old ages.

Abundant oleoyl-lysophosphatidylethanolamine in brain stimulates neurite outgrowth and protects against glutamate toxicity in cultured cortical neurons.

Lysophosphatidylethanolamines (LPEs) are bioactive lysophospholipids that have been suggested to play important roles in several biological processes. We performed a quantitative analysis of LPE species and showed their composition in mouse brain. We examined the roles of oleoyl-LPE (18:1 LPE), which is one of the abundant LPE species in brain.

Multiwall Carbon Nanotube Composites as Artificial Joint Materials.

Because ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is susceptible to frictional wear when used in sliding members of artificial joints, it is common practice to use cross-linked UHMWPE instead. However, cross-linked UHMWPE has low impact resistance; implant breakage has been reported in some cases. Hence, sliding members of artificial joints pose a major trade-off between wear resistance and impact resistance, which has not been resolved by any UHMWPE.

Structurally different lysophosphatidylethanolamine species stimulate neurite outgrowth in cultured cortical neurons via distinct G-protein-coupled receptors and signaling cascades.

Neurite outgrowth is important in neuronal circuit formation and functions, and for regeneration of neuronal networks following trauma and disease in the brain. Thus, identification and characterization of the molecules that regulate neurite outgrowth are essential for understanding how brain circuits form and function and for the development of treatment of neurological disorders. In this study, we found that structurally different lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE) species, palmitoyl-LPE (16:0 LPE) and stearoyl-LPE (18:0 LPE), stimulate neurite growth in cultured cortical neurons.

Therapeutic Potential of Porcine Liver Decomposition Product: New Insights and Perspectives for Microglia-Mediated Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases.

It is widely accepted that microglia-mediated inflammation contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases; however, the precise mechanisms through which these cells contribute remain to be elucidated. Microglia, as the primary immune effector cells of the brain, play key roles in maintaining central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Microglia are located throughout the brain and spinal cord and may account for up to 15% of all cells in the brain.

Carbon nanotube-based biomaterials for orthopaedic applications.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are cylindrical tubular nanomaterials made of carbon with excellent electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and mechanical strength. The material is applied to improve performance in various industrial products. CNTs have been widely researched and developed as biomaterials that can offer high function, performance, and durability in orthopedic applications.

Carbon fibers for treatment of cancer metastasis in bone.

When cancer metastasizes to bone, the resulting pain and functional disorders due to bone destruction adversely affect the patient's quality of life. We have developed a new cancer metastasis control system consisting of anticancer agents conjugated to carbon fibers (CFs), which are nonbiodegradable, carriers of a wide variety of molecules with extremely high affinity for bone. In the evaluation of cancer suppression effects on Walker 256 cancer cells, cisplatin (CDDP)-conjugated CFs (CF-CDDP) were found to be as effective in cancer suppression as CDDP.

Oral administration of porcine liver decomposition product for 4 weeks enhances visual memory and delayed recall in healthy adults over 40 years of age: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background And Objectives: Porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP) contains neurofunctional phospholipids. We previously reported that PLDP enhances cognitive function in healthy adult humans, based on clinical evaluations using Hasegawa's Dementia Scale-Revised. In this study, we evaluated the effect of PLDP on memory indicators of the Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R), an internationally recognized battery for memory assessment.

Cellular Responses of Human Lymphatic Endothelial Cells to Carbon Nanomaterials.

One of the greatest challenges to overcome in the pursuit of the medical application of carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) is safety. Particularly, when considering the use of CNMs in drug delivery systems (DDSs), evaluation of safety at the accumulation site is an essential step. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of carbon nanohorns (CNHs), which are potential DDSs, using human lymph node endothelial cells that have been reported to accumulate CNMs, as a comparison to fibrous, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and particulate carbon black (CB).

Applications of Carbon Nanotubes in Bone Regenerative Medicine.

Scaffolds are essential for bone regeneration due to their ability to maintain a sustained release of growth factors and to provide a place where cells that form new bone can enter and proliferate. In recent years, scaffolds made of various materials have been developed and evaluated. Functionally effective scaffolds require excellent cell affinity, chemical properties, mechanical properties, and safety.

The Use of Electrospun Organic and Carbon Nanofibers in Bone Regeneration.

There has been an increasing amount of research on regenerative medicine for the treatment of bone defects. Scaffolds are needed for the formation of new bone, and various scaffolding materials have been evaluated for bone regeneration. Materials with pores that allow cells to differentiate into osteocytes are preferred in scaffolds for bone regeneration, and porous materials and fibers are well suited for this application.

Porcine liver decomposition product-derived lysophospholipids promote microglial activation in vitro.

Cognitive impairments such as dementia are common in later life, and have been suggested to occur via a range of mechanisms, including oxidative stress, age-related changes to cellular metabolism, and a loss of phospholipids (PLs) from neuronal membranes. PLs are a class of amphipathic lipids that form plasma membrane lipid bilayers, and that occur at high concentrations in neuronal membranes. Our previous study suggested that a porcine liver decomposition product (PLDP) produced via protease treatment may improve cognitive function at older ages, by acting as a rich source of PLs and lysophospholipids (LPLs); however, its specific composition remains unclear.

Anti-PD-1 antibody decreases tumour-infiltrating regulatory T cells.

Background: There are many types of therapies for cancer. In these days, immunotherapies, especially immune checkpoint inhibitors, are focused on. Though many types of immune checkpoint inhibitors are there, the difference of effect and its mechanism are unclear.