Fenretinide ameliorates insulin resistance and fatty liver in obese mice.

Fenretinide (FEN), a ligand of retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4), has been suggested as a measure to reduce insulin resistance and its associated disorders such as obesity, and fatty liver by reducing serum RBP4. We investigated whether there is another possible mechanism by which fenretinide reduces insulin resistance and fatty liver in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice. Male obese mice fed a high-fat diet (45% of calories from fat) were divided into two groups (n=13 each).

High-fat diet stimulates IL-1 type I receptor-mediated inflammatory signaling in the skeletal muscle of mice.

Recently, substantial attention has been focused on the association between obesity and chronic inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity induces the activation of the IL-1 type I receptor (IL-1RI)-mediated inflammatory signaling cascade in the skeletal muscle of mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either an HFD or a normal diet (ND) for 12 wk.

Inhibitory effect of capsaicin on B16-F10 melanoma cell migration via the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/Rac1 signal pathway.

Capsaicin (trans-8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), the major pungent ingredient of red pepper, has been reported to possess anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic activities. In this study, the anti-migration activity of capsaicin on highly metastatic B16-F10 melanoma cells was investigated. Capsaicin significantly inhibited the migration of melanoma cells without showing obvious cellular cytotoxicity at low doses.

High-fat diet alters PP2A, TC10, and CIP4 expression in visceral adipose tissue of rats.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate a possible link between high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and the expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) and Cdc42-interacting protein 4 (CIP4) proteins, potential downstream components of the IRS/PI3K/AKT and CAP/Cbl/TC10 pathway, respectively, in the visceral adipose tissue.

Methods And Procedures: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups and were given either HFD or the normal diet (ND) for 8 weeks. The HFD-induced changes in the expression of the epididymal adipose tissue genes involved in the insulin-signaling pathways were evaluated using real-time reverse-transcription PCR and western blot analysis.

Capsaicin induced apoptosis of B16-F10 melanoma cells through down-regulation of Bcl-2.

Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide), a pungent ingredient of hot chili peppers, has been reported to possess substantial anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of capsaicin on induction of apoptosis in highly metastatic B16-F10 murine melanoma cells. Capsaicin inhibited growth of B16-F10 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.

Protective effect of soybean saponins and major antioxidants against aflatoxin B1-induced mutagenicity and DNA-adduct formation.

Saponins from various plant sources have been suggested as possible anticarcinogens. Major dietary sources of saponins include legumes such as soybeans. This study was performed to determine the effect of soybean saponins on aflatoxin B(1)(AFB(1))-induced mutagenicity and AFB(1)-DNA adduct formation using Salmonella typhimurium and human liver hepatoma (HepG2) cells, respectively.