The Neuroprotective Effects of Peripheral Nerve Microcurrent Stimulation Therapy in a Rat Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

This study investigated the neuroprotective effects of peripheral nerve microcurrent stimulation therapy in a rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Twenty 8-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 300-330 g were categorised into group A, serving as the healthy control; group B, including rats subjected to MCAO; group C, including rats receiving microcurrent therapy immediately after MCAO, which was continued for one week; and group D, including rats receiving microcurrent therapy one week before and one week after MCAO. A gross morphological analysis, behavioural motion analysis, histological examination, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting were conducted.

Growth hormone promotes hepatic gluconeogenesis by enhancing BTG2-YY1 signaling pathway.

Growth hormone (GH) is one of the critical factors in maintaining glucose metabolism. B-cell translocation gene 2 (BTG2) and yin yang 1 (YY1) are key regulators of diverse metabolic processes. In this study, we investigated the link between GH and BTG2-YY1 signaling pathway in glucose metabolism.

Gluconeogenic signals regulate hepcidin gene expression via a CRBN-KLF15 axis.

Hepcidin (HAMP) is synthesized in the liver. It is a key ironregulatory hormone that controls systemic iron homeostasis. Cereblon (CRBN) and Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15) are known to regulate diverse physiological functions.

Short-term treatment with glucosamine hydrochloride specifically downregulates hypoxia-inducible factor-1α at the protein level in YD-8 human tongue cancer cells.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) is a tumor angiogenic transcription factor composed of an α and β subunit. We investigated the effect of glucosamine hydrochloride (GS-HCl) on the expression of HIF-1α and HIF-1β in serum‑treated YD-8 human tongue cancer cells. While long-term (24 h) treatment with GS-HCl strongly repressed the expression of HIF-1α and HIF-1β at both the protein and mRNA levels, short-term (4 h) GS-HCl treatment inhibited HIF-1α at the protein level.

Pinus densiflora leaf essential oil induces apoptosis via ROS generation and activation of caspases in YD-8 human oral cancer cells.

The leaf of Pinus (P.) densiflora, a pine tree widely distributed in Asian countries, has been used as a traditional medicine. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer activity of essential oil, extracted by steam distillation, from the leaf of P.

Anti-cancer properties of glucosamine-hydrochloride in YD-8 human oral cancer cells: Induction of the caspase-dependent apoptosis and down-regulation of HIF-1α.

Evidence suggests anti-tumor activities of glucosamine-hydrochloride (GS-HCl). In the present study, we investigated anti-proliferative, growth suppressive and/or pro-apoptotic effects of GS-HCl on YD-8 human oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. Fundamentally, treatment with GS-HCl strongly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in YD-8 cells, as determined by MTS and DNA fragmentation analyses.

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 in NCI-H292 human alveolar epithelial carcinoma cells: roles of p38 MAPK, ERK-1/2, and PI3K/PKB signaling proteins.

Evidence suggests overexpression of COX-2 and its role in many human cancers, including lung. However, the regulatory mechanism underlying COX-2 overexpression in lung cancer is not fully understood. We herein investigated whether COX-2 is overexpressed in human airway cancer cell lines, including A549 (lung), Hep-2 (bronchial), and NCI-H292 (alveolar).

Preparation of branched dextran microspheres of soluble interferon-alpha and its activity in vitro and in vivo.

The study objective was to prepare biodegradable branched dextran microspheres encapsulated with His-tagged interferon-alpha (BDM-hIFN-alpha) and evaluate its activity in vitro and in vivo. The glycidyl methacrylate derivatized dextrans (Dex-GMA) as precursor was primarily synthesized by substituting hydroxyl groups of either the branched or linear type of dextran with GMA. Dex-GMA microspheres loaded with hIFN-alpha was then prepared by the water-in-water emulsion technique.

Aspirin induces apoptosis in YD-8 human oral squamous carcinoma cells through activation of caspases, down-regulation of Mcl-1, and inactivation of ERK-1/2 and AKT.

NSAIDs and COX-2 inhibitors show anti-cancer activities in many cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of NSAIDs (aspirin or indomethacin) and COX-2 inhibitor (NS-398) on growth of YD-8 human oral squamous carcinoma cells. Interestingly, among drugs tested, aspirin showed strongest inhibitory effects on viability and survival of YD-8 cells.