Suppressive Effects of a Truncated Inhibitor K562 Protein-Derived Peptide on Two Proinflammatory Cytokines, IL-17 and TNF-α.

Inhibitor K562 (IK) protein was first isolated from the culture medium of K562 cells, a leukemia cell line, and is an inhibitory regulator of interferon-γ-induced major histocompatibility complex class II expression. Recently, exogenous truncated IK (tIK) protein showed potential as a therapeutic agent for inflammation-related diseases. In this study, we designed a novel putative anti-inflammatory peptide derived from tIK protein based on homology modeling of the human interleukin-10 (hIL-10) structure, and investigated whether the peptide exerted inhibitory effects against proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-17 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).

Insight into the bovine milk peptide LPcin-YK3 selection in the proteolytic system of Lactobacillus species.

Antimicrobial peptides are class of small, positively charged peptides known for their broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial activities for most antimicrobial peptides have largely remained elusive, particularly in the lactic acid bacteria. However, recently our investigation using LPcin-YK3, an antimicrobial peptide from bovine milk, suggests that in vitro antimicrobial activity was reduced over 100-fold compared with pathogenic bacteria.

Nanoemulsion Vehicles as Carriers for Follicular Delivery of Luteolin.

Luteolin (3',4',5,7-tetrahydroxyflavone), a type of flavonoid found in medicinal herbs and vegetables, has been of great interest due to its antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticarcinogenic effects. Despite these beneficial biological properties, the ease with which luteolin forms molecular crystals in conventional aqueous formulations has hampered much wider applications. In this study, we introduce an oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion vehicle system for enhanced follicular delivery of luteolin.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of arginyl-diosgenin conjugate as a potential bone tissue engineering agent.

Water-soluble arginyl-diosgenin (Arg-DG) conjugate was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for a biological activity. The Arg-DG conjugate was characterized using FT-IR, H NMR, C NMR, and HPLC-MS analyses, followed by a biological activity evaluation. Compared with DG, the Arg-DG conjugate showed a decreased cytotoxicity against L929 cells and an increased antiproliferative activity against hepatocellular cells.

Diffuse infiltrative hepatocellular carcinomas in a hepatitis B-endemic area: diagnostic and therapeutic impediments.

Background/aims: Clinical features of diffuse infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (D-HCC) are distinct from those of mass-forming HCCs, and also dependent on etiologic viruses. Moreover, despite a regular HCC-surveillance in those with chronic liver diseases, patients sometimes present with advanced D-HCCs. Thus, in the present study, we were to assess the risk factors, mode of diagnosis and prognosis of D-HCCs in a hepatitis B virus-endemic area.

[A case of infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma with main portal vein tumor thrombosis successfully treated by transarterial chemoembolization].

A 63-year-old HBsAg-positive male patient was admitted for the evaluation of a liver mass that was detected on ultrasonography. Spiral computed tomography (CT) revealed infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the right hepatic lobe with main portal vein tumor thrombosis. His liver function was Child-Pugh class A and the serum alpha fetoprotein level was 7,400 ng/mL.