The phthalate plasticizer, di(2-ethyl-hexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and its derived metabolites are common anthropogenic environmental toxins, which are known to act as endocrine disruptors. Numerous studies have associated DEHP with disruption of sex hormones, abnormal development of reproductive organs, allergies, and inflammation. Its role in promoting inflammation has been reported by both human epidemiological and animal studies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHelicobacter pylori has been identified as one of the major causes of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a major component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, and H. pylori LPS might play an exclusively important role in activating inflammatory pathways in monocytes and macrophages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe number of ketamine abusers has increased significantly recently. Ketamine abusers exhibit urinary frequency, urgency, and at times urinary incontinence. Our aim was to investigate the role of transcription factor NF-κB and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 in ketamine-induced cystitis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Calcium signaling is an important intracellular pathway. Increased intracellular calcium is associated with cytokine regulation and inflammatory signals secretion. The purpose of this study is to understand the molecular mechanisms by which calcium signaling controls IL-8 activation in human RPE cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe metal nickel (Ni(2+)) is found everywhere in our daily lives, including coins, costume jewelry, and even nuts and chocolates. Nickel poisoning can cause inflammatory reactions, respiratory diseases, and allergic contact dermatitis. To clarify the mechanism by which nickel induces mediators of inflammation, we used the human acute monocytic leukemia THP-1 cell line as a model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDivalent lead (Pb(2+) ) is a common industrial pollutant epidemiologically associated with gastric cancers. Pb(2+) was found to promote tumorigenesis, which may include interleukin (IL)-8, a pro-inflammatory chemokine that promotes angiogenesis and tumor metastasis. Given that the gastrointestinal tract is a major route of Pb(2+) exposure, we investigated the ability of Pb(2+) to induce IL-8 expression in gastric carcinoma cells and its underlying mechanism.
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