Effects of vitamin D3 on the expression of growth-related oncogene-α in THP-1 cells and human primary monocytes.

Asthma and many autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, have been reported to associate with vitamin D deficiency recently. Growth-related oncogene-α (GRO-α)/CXCL1, a neutrophil-related chemokine, have an important influence on the chronic inflammation of these diseases. It is unknown whether vitamin D has regulatory effects on GRO-α expression in human monocytes.

Suppressive effects of imidapril on Th1- and Th2-related chemokines in monocytes.

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) are used to control hypertension and are superior to other antihypertensive agents in protecting the progressive deterioration of autoimmune-related nephritis. An imbalance of T helper 1 (Th1)/Th2 is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases and their related glomerulonephritis. I-309 is a Th2-related chemokine involved in the recruitment of Th2 cells toward Th2-related inflammation.

Natural flavone kaempferol suppresses chemokines expression in human monocyte THP-1 cells through MAPK pathways.

There is increasing evidence that daily intake of flavonoids reduced severity and prevalence of allergic diseases. However, the mechanism of its antiinflammatory effects in allergic diseases remains uncertain. Kaempferol, which belongs to the flavone group, is a strong antioxidant among natural flavonoids and is the essential component of many beverages and vegetables.

Inhibitory effects of albuterol and fenoterol on RANTES and IP-10 expression in bronchial epithelial cells.

Short-acting β2-adrenoreceptor agonist (SABA) is the major asthma reliever as indicated in the GINA guidelines. Regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted (RANTES) is a chemokine that attracts eosinophils, mast cells, and basophils toward site of allergic inflammation. Interferon γ-inducible protein (IP)-10 is a Th1-related chemokine that is also important in asthmatic inflammation and also involved in our immune defense against pathogens.

Effects of PGI2 analogues on Th1- and Th2-related chemokines in monocytes via epigenetic regulation.

Chemokines play important roles in asthma. Prostaglandin I(2) (PGI(2)) analogue is recently suggested as a candidate for treating asthma. However, the effects of PGI(2) analogues on the expression of Th1- and Th2-related chemokines are unknown.

The natural flavonoid apigenin suppresses Th1- and Th2-related chemokine production by human monocyte THP-1 cells through mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

Dietary flavonoids have various biological functions, and there is increasing evidence that reduced prevalence and severity of allergic reactions are associated with the intake of flavonoids. Among natural flavonoids, apigenin is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. However, the mechanisms of apigenin's effect remain uncertain.

Suppressive effect on MDC and IP-10 expression in monocytes by endocrine disruptor chemicals.

The expression of chemokines is critical in leukocyte recruitment and inflammation, but the regulatory mechanisms involved remain incompletely defined. While endocrine disrupter chemicals (EDCs) are known to be ubiquitous in the environment and often associated with altered inflammatory response, their potential impact on chemokine expression in monocytes is at present unknown. To this end, the effects of EDCs on the expression of Th1- and Th2-related chemokines in a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, were investigated.

Toona sinensis Roem (Meliaceae) leaf extract alleviates liver fibrosis via reducing TGFbeta1 and collagen.

Toona sinensis Roem (TS) leaf tea as a health food for the improvement of blood sugar and hypertension has been demonstrated. Thioacetamide (TAA), a hepatotoxin, causes the progression of liver fibrosis. In this study, we tested the effects of TS leaf on TAA-induced liver injury.

Down-regulation of TGFbeta1 and leptin ameliorates thioacetamide-induced liver injury in lipopolysaccharide-primed rats.

Pretreatment with a low dose of bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) caused the reduction of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes and inflammatory factors which are capable of protecting the liver from a lethal LPS challenge. However, the effects of LPS pretreatment on the expression of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1) and leptin in thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis remain unknown. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated intraperitoneally with LPS (5 mg/kg body weight) for 24 h, and subsequently treated with TAA (200 mg/kg body weight/ 3 days) for 1 month to examine the effects of LPS on TAA-injured rats.