Valerenic Acid Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation, Adiponectin Production, and Glucose Uptake Its PPARγ Ligand Activity.

Although valerenic acid (VA) is an important marker compound for quantitative assessment of products, little is known about its potential effects on adipocytes. We investigated the effects of VA on adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin production, and glucose uptake using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results showed that VA promoted adipocyte differentiation and increased the gene expression of adipogenesis and glucose uptake-related proteins, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), adiponectin, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4).

Effect of short-time treatment with TNF-α on stem cell activity and barrier function in enteroids.

Unlabelled: Although tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a known major inflammatory mediator in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and has various effects on intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) homeostasis, the changes in IECs in the early inflammatory state induced during short-time treatment (24 h) with TNF-α remain unclear. In this study, we investigated TNF-α-induced alterations in IECs in the early inflammatory state using mouse jejunal organoids (enteroids). Of the inflammatory cytokines, i.

Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol Has Different Impacts on Intestinal Barrier and Stem Cells by Its Route of Exposure.

The different effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) on intestinal barrier and stem cells by its route of exposure remain less known. We explored the toxic effects of DON on intestinal barrier functions and stem cells after DON microinjection (luminal exposure) or addition to a culture medium (basolateral exposure) using three-dimensional mouse intestinal organoids (enteroids). The influx test using fluorescein-labeled dextran showed that basolateral DON exposure (1 micromolar (µM) disrupted intestinal barrier functions in enteroids compared with luminal DON exposure at the same concentration.

Anorexic action of fusarenon-x in the hypothalamus and intestine.

There is a lack of information available on the anorexic action of fusarenon-x (FX), which is a sesquiterpenoid mycotoxin. In this study, we investigated the changes in the hypothalamus and small intestine related to appetite after oral FX exposure. The time-course change of food intake after oral FX exposure (0.

Interleukin-4 suppresses the proliferation and alters the gene expression in enteroids.

Interleukin (IL)-4 is known as a cytokine mainly involved in allergy and inflammation, but recent studies have suggested that IL-4 plays a part in the differentiation process of various cells. Since the effect of IL-4 on intestinal epithelial cells, particularly cryptic cells including stem cells, is poorly understood, we investigated IL-4-induced changes in intestinal epithelial cells using mouse jejunal organoids called enteroids. IL-4 treatment decreased cell proliferation, the expression of the stem cell markers leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptor 5 (Lgr5) and olfactomedin 4 (Olfm4), and Lgr5-positive cells in enteroids.

The Effect of Methanolic Valeriana officinalis Root Extract on Adipocyte Differentiation and Adiponectin Production in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ and its endocrine function is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) exerts some physiological effects; however, its influence on adipocytes remains unclear. We investigated the effect of methanolic Valerian root extract (Vale) on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Identification of Reg3β-producing cells using IL-22-stimulated enteroids.

Reg3β, a lectin, displays antibacterial activity. This study investigated Reg3β-expressing cells using IL-22-stimulated enteroids. IL-22 stimulation elevated the mRNA and protein levels of Reg3β.

Adenosine stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis via adrenal glands-liver crosstalk in mice.

Adenosine signaling is involved in glucose metabolism in hepatocytes and myocytes in vitro. However, no information is available regarding the effect of adenosine on glucose metabolism in vivo. Thus, we examined how extracellular adenosine acts on glucose metabolism using mice.

Antidiabetic-Like Effects of Naringenin-7-O-glucoside from Edible Chrysanthemum 'Kotobuki' and Naringenin by Activation of the PI3K/Akt Pathway and PPARγ.

Obesity is directly associated with cancer, cardiovascular injury, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. To date, Yamamoto identified that hot water extracts of edible Chrysanthemum (EC) induced cell size reduction, up-regulation of adiponectin expression, and glucose absorption inhibition in 3T3-L1 cells during adipocyte differentiation. Furthermore, EC showed antidiabetic effects such as improvement in insulin resistance and the down-regulation of the blood glucose level and liver lipid content in type 2 diabetes model mice.

A Method for Identifying Mouse Pancreatic Ducts.

Proper identification of pancreatic ducts is a major challenge for researchers performing partial duct ligation (PDL), because pancreatic ducts, which are covered with acinar cells, are translucent and thin. Although damage to pancreatic ducts may activate quiescent ductal stem cells, which may allow further investigation into ductal stem cells for therapeutic use, there is a lack of effective techniques to visualize pancreatic ducts. In this study, we report a new method for identifying pancreatic ducts.

Effect of essential amino acids on enteroids: Methionine deprivation suppresses proliferation and affects differentiation in enteroid stem cells.

We investigated the effects of essential amino acids on intestinal stem cell proliferation and differentiation using murine small intestinal organoids (enteroids) from the jejunum. By selectively removing individual essential amino acids from culture medium, we found that 24 h of methionine (Met) deprivation markedly suppressed cell proliferation in enteroids. This effect was rescued when enteroids cultured in Met deprivation media for 12 h were transferred to complete medium, suggesting that Met plays an important role in enteroid cell proliferation.

mTOR inhibition by rapamycin increases ceramide synthesis by promoting transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signaling in the skin.

Although mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) mediates a wide variety of biological functions, little information is available on the effect of mTOR on the functions of skin cells. In this study, we investigated effects of mTOR inhibition by rapamycin on ceramide synthesis in the skin of rats and human keratinocytes and its regulatory mechanisms. The phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase, which indicates mTOR activation, was induced in the skin of rats fed a high-fat diet, but this abnormality was reversed by supplementation with rapamycin.

Anorexic action of deoxynivalenol in hypothalamus and intestine.

Although deoxynivalenol (DON) suppresses food intake and subsequent weight gain, its contribution to anorexia mechanisms has not been fully clarified. Thus, we investigated the anorexic actions of DON in the hypothalamus and intestine, both organs related to appetite. When female B6C3F1 mice were orally exposed to different doses of DON, a drastic anorexic action was observed at a dose of 12.

Transforming growth factor-β1 induces cholesterol synthesis by increasing HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression in keratinocytes.

In this study, we investigated the effect of TGF-β1 on cholesterol synthesis in human keratinocytes. TGF-β1 increased the level of cholesterol and the mRNA level of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase in human keratinocytes. These results show that TGF-β1 induces cholesterol synthesis by increasing HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression in human keratinocytes.

Effects of Various 5,7-Dihydroxyflavone Analogs on Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells.

We studied the effects of twelve 5,7-dihydroxyflavone analogs on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Among the compounds, luteolin, diosmetin, and chrysoeriol partly inhibited adipogenesis by blocking the accumulation of triacylglycerol in the cells. Conversely, tricetin facilitated triacylglycerol accumulation in the cells.

Hydrocellular foam dressing increases the leptin level in wound fluid.

Hydrocellular foam dressing (HCF) absorbs excessive wound fluid, which contains various cytokines and growth factors, and ensures a moist environment to promote wound healing. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the wound fluid component changes induced by HCF are poorly understood. In the present study, we examined the effect of HCF on wound healing and the associated regulatory mechanisms in relation to variations in cytokine levels in the wound fluid.

Chrysanthemum promotes adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin secretion and glucose uptake.

The adipose tissue is an endocrine organ, and its endocrine function is closely related to type 2 diabetes. Edible Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (ECM) possesses several biological properties; however, its effect on adipocytes remains unclear.

Hot water extracts of edible Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. exert antidiabetic effects in obese diabetic KK-Ay mice.

In this study, the antidiabetic effects of a hot water extract of edible Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (HW-ECM) were investigated in type 2 diabetic mice. HW-ECM improved blood glucose levels and insulin resistance and increased adiponectin mRNA expression in adipose tissues and protein concentrations in the plasma.

Perfluorooctanoic acid binds to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and promotes adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

We examined the effect of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on adipose cells using 3T3-L1 adipocytes and found that PFOA increased adipocyte differentiation, triglyceride accumulation, and the mRNA level of factors related to adipocyte differentiation. In addition, PFOA bound to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR γ). These results suggest that PFOA promotes adipocyte differentiation as a PPAR γ ligand.

Hydrocellular foam dressings promote wound healing associated with decrease in inflammation in rat periwound skin and granulation tissue, compared with hydrocolloid dressings.

The effects of modern dressings on inflammation, which represent the earliest phase of wound healing, are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of modern hydrocellular foam dressings (HCFs) on wound healing and on the gene expression levels of the inflammatory markers--interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10--in rat periwound skin and granulation tissue by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. HCF absorbed significantly higher volume of water than hydrocolloid dressing (HCD) and increased the contraction of wounds.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide regulates mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway to decrease transforming growth factor β1-induced hepatic plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells.

Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1-induced plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 is one of factors associated with the development of hepatic fibrosis. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) shows hepatoprotective effect during hepatic injuries, including fibrosis. However, the effects of CGRP on PAI-1 expression induced by TGFβ1 are unknown.

Ultraviolet B irradiation reduces the expression of adiponectin in ovarial adipose tissues through endocrine actions of calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced serum amyloid A.

Ultraviolet (UV) B irradiation decreases blood adiponectin levels, but the mechanism is not well understood. This study investigated how UVB irradiation reduces adiponectin expression in ovarial adipose tissues. Female Hos:HR-1 hairless mice were exposed to UVB (1.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide upregulates serum amyloid A synthesis through activation of interleukin-6.

We found that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) enhanced the expression of levels of serum amyloid A (SAA) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in HepG2. In addition, CGRP-induced SAA1/2 mRNA expression was blocked by an anti-IL-6 neutralizing antibody in HepG2. These results suggest that CGRP promotes SAA synthesis through activation of IL-6 in human hepatocytes.

The hypocholesterolemic activity of Momordica charantia fruit is mediated by the altered cholesterol- and bile acid-regulating gene expression in rat liver.

Although many studies have demonstrated the hypocholesterolemic activity of Momordica charantia, also called bitter gourd fruit (BGF), the relative hypocholesterolemic mechanism is not fully understood. In the present study, we hypothesized that BGF alters hepatic gene expression of cholesterol- and bile acid-regulating proteins to improve blood cholesterol profiles. To clarify the mechanism, we fed 7-week-old male Wistar rats a high-cholesterol (HC) diet containing 5% BGF for 4 weeks and determined the cholesterol levels in the serum, liver and feces, concentrations of the fecal total bile acid, and the expression level of cholesterol- and bile acid-regulating genes.

Accelerating effect of soy peptides containing collagen peptides on type I and III collagen levels in rat skin.

Two weeks of feeding soy peptides containing 2% collagen peptides increased the levels of type I and III tropocollagen and their mRNAs. In contrast, the diet did not increase the mRNA levels of rat hyaluronan synthases, serine palmitoyltransferase (the rate-limiting enzyme of ceramide synthesis), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (the key enzyme of cholesterol synthesis). These results suggest that feeding of soy peptides with collagen peptides specifically enhanced the tropocollagen level in the skin.