Antiferroptotic properties of allicin and related organosulfur compounds-diallyl disulfide and diallyl trisulfide-from Garlic.

Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is an abundant bioactive compound in garlic (Allium sativum L.) with broad-spectrum antiinflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, and antitumor properties. The bioactive compounds of garlic including allicin may also help reduce the incidence of various diseases, although the individual contributions and precise mechanisms are still largely unknown.

Age-related alteration of the involvement of CD36 for salivary secretion from the parotid gland in mice.

This in vivo mouse model study was conducted to investigate the temporal alteration of the function of CD36 in salivary secretion. CD36 was highly expressed in the parotid gland of BALB/c mice. No significant variations were shown in the CD36 levels in the 8-, 48-, and 72-week-old animals.

Reduced menthol sensitivity in a prodromal Parkinson's disease model induced by intranasal rotenone treatment.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor symptoms, and it is associated with several prodromal non-motor symptoms, including an impaired sense of smell, taste and touch. We previously reported that bitter taste impairments occur independently of olfactory impairments in an early-stage PD animal model using short-term intranasal rotenone-treated mice. Cool temperatures also affect bitter taste perception, but it remains unclear whether or not bitter taste impairments result from an altered sensitivity for intraoral cool stimuli.

Loss of Cdc42 in Exocrine Acini Decreases Saliva Secretion but Increases Tear Secretion-A Potential Model of Exocrine Gland Senescence.

Cdc42 is a small GTPase essential for the cell cycle, morphogenesis, and cell adhesion, and it is involved in the polarity of epithelial cells. However, the functional roles of Cdc42 in exocrine glands, such as the maintenance of acini and water secretion, are not yet well understood. In this study, we generated acinar-cell-specific conditional knockout () mice to assess their maintenance of acinar cells and physiological functions in the salivary glands (SGs) and lacrimal glands (LGs).

Review of genes potentially related to hyposecretion in male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a Sjögren's syndrome model.

Background: Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is known to cause dry eyes and mouth due to inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands. However, some reports imply that other factors trigger dry eyes and mouth. We previously investigated various factors using RNA-sequencing analysis of lacrimal glands from male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, an SS model.

Blueberry Stem Extract Prevents Lacrimal Hyposecretion in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Activation of AMPK.

Background/aim: Tears secreted from the lacrimal gland are essential for preserving the ocular surface. Thus, dysfunction of the lacrimal gland in Sjögren's syndrome (SS) can lead to dry eye, resulting in a reduced quality of life. We previously reported that blueberry 'leaf' water extract prevents lacrimal hyposecretion in male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice in a SS-like model.

Blueberry Leaf Extract Prevents Lacrimal Hyposecretion in Sjögren's Syndrome-like Model of Non-obese Diabetic Mice.

Background/aim: This study evaluated the effect of blueberry leaf hot water extract (BLEx) on Sjögren's syndrome (SS)-like lacrimal hyposecretion in male non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice.

Materials And Methods: NOD or BALB/c mice were fed 1% BLEx or control (AIN-93G) for 2 weeks from the age of 4 to 6 weeks. Pilocarpine-induced tear volume was measured using a phenol red-impregnated thread.

Novel Unsymmetric 3,5-Bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones That Display Tumor-Selective Toxicity.

Two series of novel unsymmetrical 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-4 piperidones - and - were designed as candidate antineoplastic agents. These compounds display potent cytotoxicity towards two colon cancers, as well as several oral squamous cell carcinomas. These compounds are less toxic to various non-malignant cells giving rise to large selectivity index (SI) figures.

Investigation of carbonic anhydrase inhibitory effects and cytotoxicities of pyrazole-based hybrids carrying hydrazone and zinc-binding benzenesulfonamide pharmacophores.

Pyrazole-based carbohydrazone hybrids have been considered to be a remarkable class of compounds in pharmaceutical chemistry. Here, we reported bioactivities of 4-(3-(2-(arylidene)hydrazin-1-carbonyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)benzenesulfonamides (1-27) towards CA isoenzymes (hCA I, hCA II, hCA IX) and human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell line. Compounds 19 (Ki = 10.

Taste Impairments in a Parkinson's Disease Model Featuring Intranasal Rotenone Administration in Mice.

Background: Taste impairments are often accompanied by olfactory impairments in the early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD). The development of animal models is required to elucidate the mechanisms underlying taste impairments in PD.

Objective: This study was conducted to clarify whether the intranasal administration of rotenone causes taste impairments prior to motor deficits in mice.

Dichloroacetyl Amides of 3,5-Bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones Displaying Greater Toxicity to Neoplasms than to Non-Malignant Cells.

A series of 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-1-dichloroacetyl-4-piperidones - was evaluated against Ca9-22, HSC-2, HSC-3, and HSC-4 squamous cell carcinomas. Virtually all of the compounds displayed potent cytotoxicity, with 83% of the CC values being submicromolar and several CC values being in the double digit nanomolar range. The compounds were appreciably less toxic to human HGF, HPLF, and HPC non-malignant cells, which led to some noteworthy selectivity index (SI) figures.

Effects of 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol on insulin secretion both in in vitro and ex vivo pancreatic preparations.

Organ bath experiments are conventionally used to investigate the physiological actions and effects of hormones and drugs on organ responses. We developed an experimental method to reproduce insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations, to investigate substances that promote insulin secretion ex vivo. 1,5-anhydro-D-glucitol (1,5-AG) is found in foods, and exists in humans and rodents; however, whether 1,5-AG stimulates insulin secretion remains unclear.

Retinal damage alters gene expression profile in lacrimal glands of mice.

Early detection of such retinal diseases as glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is important to prevent blindness. There have been reports of changes in some components in the tears of glaucoma and AMD patients, suggesting tears' potential usefulness in screening for retinal diseases. We hypothesized that retinal damage might alter gene expression in the lacrimal gland, leading to those changes in tear components.

Tumor-Specificity, Neurotoxicity, and Possible Involvement of the Nuclear Receptor Response Pathway of 4,6,8-Trimethyl Azulene Amide Derivatives.

Background: Very few papers covering the anticancer activity of azulenes have been reported, as compared with those of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. This led us to investigate the antitumor potential of fifteen 4,6,8-trimethyl azulene amide derivatives against oral malignant cells.

Methods: 4,6,8-Trimethyl azulene amide derivatives were newly synthesized.

Cytotoxic Tumour-Selective 1,5-Diaryl-3-Oxo-1,4-Pentadienes Mounted on a Piperidine Ring.

A series of 3,5-bis(benzylidene)-4-piperidones - were prepared as candidate cytotoxic agents. In general, the compounds are highly toxic to human gingival carcinoma (Ca9-22), human squamous carcinoma-2 (HSC-2) and human squamous carcinoma-4 (HSC-4) neoplasms, but less so towards non-malignant human gingival fibroblast (HGF), human periodontal ligament fibroblast (HPLF) and human pulp cells (HPC), thereby demonstrating tumour-selective toxicity. A further study revealed that most of the compounds in series were more toxic to the human Colo-205 adenocarcinoma cell line (Colo-205), human HT29 colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (HT-29) and human CEM lymphoid cells (CEM) neoplasms than towards non-malignant human foreskin Hs27 fibroblast line (Hs27) cells.

The Effects of Trypsin Inhibitor on Insulin Secretion Using Rat Pancreas in an Organ Bath.

Background/aim: We developed an experimental method to reproduce insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations using an organ bath system. However, secretion of trypsin, another pancreatic enzyme, interferes with insulin production in such systems. We aimed to ascertain the minimum trypsin inhibitor (TI), dose for obtaining a sustained, stable rate of insulin secretion.

Re-Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Potential of Pyoktanin Blue.

Pyoktanin blue (PB) is used for staining tissues and cells, and it is applied in photodynamic therapy due to its potent bactericidal activity. However, clinical application of PB as an antiviral and antitumor agent has been limited due to its potent toxicity. For clinical application, the antitumor and antiviral activity as well as the neurotoxicity of PB were re-evaluated with a chemotherapeutic index.

Comprehensive study on potent and selective carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Synthesis, bioactivities and molecular modelling studies of 4-(3-(2-arylidenehydrazine-1-carbonyl)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-yl) benzenesulfonamides.

In this research, rational design, synthesis, carbonic anhydrases (CAs) inhibitory effects, and cytotoxicities of the 4-(3-(2-arylidenehydrazine-1-carbonyl)-5-(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-1-yl)benzenesulfonamides 1-20 were reported. Compound 18 (Ki = 7.0 nM) was approximately 127 times more selective cancer-associated hCA IX inhibitor over hCA I, while compound 17 (Ki = 10.

Cryopreservation of Biologically Functional Submandibular Gland Rudiments from Fetal Mice.

Background/aim: Cryopreservation of cell lines has been widely used in the laboratory; however, cryopreservation of organs is still considered to be difficult. The submandibular gland (SMG) of fetal mice is one of the best-characterized organs. We investigated the conditions for cryopreserving SMG rudiments.

Arginase 1 is involved in lacrimal hyposecretion in male NOD mice, a model of Sjögren's syndrome, regardless of dacryoadenitis status.

Key Points: Few reports have explored the possibility of involvement of non-inflammatory factors in lacrimal hyposecretion in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). RNA-sequencing analysis revealed that only four genes, including arginase 1, were downregulated in the lacrimal gland of SS model male mice (NOD mice) after onset of lacrimal hyposecretion and dacryoadenitis. Even in non-dacryoadenitis-type NOD mice, tear secretion and arginase 1 expression remained low.

Rat mandibular condyle and fossa grew separately then unified as a single joint at 20 days old, which was the weaning age.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to observe growth of the mandibular condyle, mandibular fossa, and articular disc as a single unit. Changes in each component's relative position and size were observed using 7-tesla MRI. Mandibular condyle chondrocytes' growth was evaluated with immunohistochemistry, using the expression of zinc transporter ZIP13.

Development of an organ bath technique for isolated rat pancreas preparations to assess the effect of 1,5-AG on insulin secretion.

To investigate substances related to insulin secretion, we reported a convenient experimental method to reproduce insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations using an organ bath. While the method has experimental utility for investigating insulin secretion, optimization of the experimental design is still needed. The level of insulin outflow in the control decreased over time in our previous study.

MARCKS phosphorylation and amylase release in GLP-1-stimulated acini isolated from rat pancreas.

Little is known about the effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) on the pancreatic exocrine gland. In the gland, secretagogues induce amylase release. That signal transduction is evoked mainly by an increase in intracellular Ca levels and activation of protein kinase C (PKC).

Reproducible insulin secretion from isolated rat pancreas preparations using an organ bath.

Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle-related disease that is characterized by inappropriate or diminished insulin secretion. Ex vivo pharmacological studies of hypoglycemic agents are often conducted using perfused pancreatic preparations. Pancreas preparations for organ bath experiments do not require cannulation and are therefore less complex than isolated perfused pancreas preparations.