The Effect of the BEPC22 and BELP53 Combination (BN-202M) on Body Fat Percentage Loss in Overweight Individuals: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

BN-202M is derived from humans and consists of two strains, BEPC22 and BELP53. Body fat reduction effect and safety of BN-202M were assessed in overweight participants. A total of 150 participants were randomly assigned to the BN-202M and placebo groups at a 1:1 ratio.

Combination of BEPC22 and BELP53 attenuates fat accumulation and alters the metabolome and gut microbiota in mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity.

This study evaluated the effects of formulations with BEPC22 and BELP53 on adiposity, the alteration of microbiota, and the metabolome in high-fat diet-fed mice. The strains were selected based on their fat and glucose absorption inhibitory activities and potential metabolic interactions. The optimal ratio of the two strains in the probiotic formulation was determined based on their adipocyte differentiation inhibitory activities.

Lactobacillus fermentum attenuates the alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis in mice.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of Lactobacillus fermentum BELF11 on periodontitis in mice (LIP).

Methods: Sixty mice were randomly assigned to a control group (CTL), LIP/PBS group (LIP and PBS applied), or LIP/BELF11 group (LIP and L. fermentum BELF11 applied).

Humanized anti-hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) antibody suppresses innate irinotecan (CPT-11) resistance induced by fibroblast-derived HGF.

The growth factors derived from the microenvironment create an environment conducive to tumor growth and survival. HGF deprivation using neutralizing antibody enhanced chemosensitivity in colorectal cancer cells (CRC). We determined secreted HGF in fibroblast conditioned medium (CM).

Porcine aortic endothelial cell genes responsive to selected inflammatory stimulators.

Use of porcine tissues has been suggested as a promising solution for severe shortage of transplantable human organs. The immediate hurdle for xenotransplantation is acute immune/inflammatory vascular rejection of the transplant. Because endothelial cells play a key role in the initiation and the amplification of inflammation, alteration of gene expression in human endothelial cells, by various inflammatory stimulators has been studied extensively.

Splicing variants of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor GPR56 regulate the activity of transcription factors associated with tumorigenesis.

Purpose: GPR56 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor of the adhesion family involved in brain development. In some cancer cells and tissues, GPR56 is highly expressed and may contribute to tumorigenesis phenotypes such as cell adhesion and metastasis. Although the ligand for GPR56 is unknown, the overexpression of the receptor induces the activity of several transcription factors.

Gene expression profiling of light-induced retinal degeneration in phototransduction gene knockout mice.

Exposure to light can induce photoreceptor cell death and exacerbate retinal degeneration. In this study, mice with genetic knockout of several genes, including rhodopsin kinase (Rhok-/-), arrestin (Sag-/-), transducin (Gnat1-/-), c-Fos (c-Fos-/-) and arrestin/transducin (Sag-/-/Gnat1-/-), were examined. We measured the expression levels of thousands of genes in order to investigate their roles in phototransduction signaling in light-induced retinal degeneration using DNA microarray technology and then further explored the gene network using pathway analysis tools.

A sensitive enzyme immunoassay for amygdalin in food extracts using a recombinant antibody.

Amygdalin (laterile) is a cyanogenic glycoside commonly found in the pits of many fruits and raw nuts. When amygdalin-containing seeds are crushed and moistened, free cyanide is formed. Pits and nuts containing unusually high levels of amygdalin can therefore cause cyanide poisoning, and detection of amygdalin in food extracts can be a life-saving measure.

GbetaL regulates TNFalpha-induced NF-kappaB signaling by directly inhibiting the activation of IkappaB kinase.

The transcriptional activation of NF-kappaB, a critical player in both physiological and pathological cellular responses to diverse cytokines, is dependent on IKK activation. Although molecular mechanisms underlying IKK activation have been well elucidated, the processes that negatively regulate IKK activity are still largely unknown. Using yeast two-hybrid screening, we have identified GbetaL as an interacting partner of IKKbeta.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling through LPA receptor subtype 1 induces colony scattering of gastrointestinal cancer cells.

Purpose: Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a multifunctional lipid mediator involved in triggering tumor cell invasion and metastasis, as well as malignant cell growth. LPA is also known to modulate the colony scattering of epithelial cancers, which is a prerequisite for cell invasion. However, the underlying details of how this is accomplished are not clear.

Cancer cell-derived IL-1alpha induces IL-8 release in endothelial cells.

Purpose: Cancer cells release a multitude of cytokines and growth factors that influence neighboring cells and help establish a favorable environment for tumor development. As part of our studies designed to elucidate the complex cellular interactions within the tumor microenvironment that facilitate tumor development, we investigated cancer cell-induced changes in gene expression in endothelial cells.

Methods: After treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with conditioned medium (CM) of SNUC5 colon cancer cells, gene expression profile in HUVEC was analyzed using cDNA microarray.

A single lentiviral vector platform for microRNA-based conditional RNA interference and coordinated transgene expression.

RNAi is proving to be a powerful experimental tool for the functional annotation of mammalian genomes. The full potential of this technology will be realized through development of approaches permitting regulated manipulation of endogenous gene expression with coordinated reexpression of exogenous transgenes. We describe the development of a lentiviral vector platform, pSLIK (single lentivector for inducible knockdown), which permits tetracycline-regulated expression of microRNA-like short hairpin RNAs from a single viral infection of any naïve cell system.

Novel compound 2-methyl-2H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid (2-methyl-4-o-tolylazo-phenyl)-amide (CH-223191) prevents 2,3,7,8-TCDD-induced toxicity by antagonizing the aryl hydrocarbon receptor.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a widespread environmental pollutant with many toxic effects, including endocrine disruption, reproductive dysfunction, immunotoxicity, liver damage, and cancer. These are mediated by TCDD binding to and activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. In this regard, targeting the AhR using novel small molecule inhibitors is an attractive strategy for the development of potential preventive agents.

Phospholipase C-beta3 mediates the thrombin-induced Ca2+ response in glial cells.

Phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) hydrolyses phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and generates inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in response to activation of various G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Using glial cells from knock-out mice lacking either PLC-beta1 [PLC-beta1 (-/-)] or PLC-beta3 [PLC-beta3 (-/-)], we examined which isotype of PLC-beta participated in the cellular signaling events triggered by thrombin. Generation of inositol phosphates (IPs) was enhanced by thrombin in PLC-beta1 (-/-) cells, but was negligible in PLC-beta3 (-/-) cells.

G2 arrest and apoptosis by 2-amino-N-quinoline-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (QBS), a novel cytotoxic compound.

We screened a library of 11,000 small molecular weight chemicals, looking for compounds that affect cell viability. We have identified 2-amino-N-quinoline-8-yl-benzenesulfonamide (QBS) as a potent cytotoxic compound that induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Treatment of Jurkat T cells with QBS increased the levels of cyclin B1 as well as phosphorylated-cdc2, which was accompanied by reduced activity of cdc2 kinase, suggesting that QBS may induce cell cycle arrest at G2 phase.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel phospholipase C, PLC-eta.

PLC (phospholipase C) plays an important role in intracellular signal transduction by hydrolysing phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, a membrane phospholipid. To date, 12 members of the mammalian PLC isoforms have been identified and classified into five isotypes beta, gamma, delta, epsilon and zeta, which are regulated by distinct mechanisms. In the present study, we describe the identification of a novel PLC isoform in the brains of human and mouse, named PLC-eta, which contains the conserved pleckstrin homology domain, X and Y domains for catalytic activity and the C2 domain.

2,2',4,6,6'-Pentachlorobiphenyl-induced apoptosis is limited by cyclooxygenase-2 induction.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a group of persistent and widespread environmental pollutants, are considered to be immunotoxic, carcinogenic, and to induce apoptosis. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the action of PCBs have not been established. Here, we investigated the effects of PCBs on the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

2,2',4,6,6'-Pentachlorobiphenyl induces mitotic arrest and p53 activation.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a class of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), have been considered to be involved in cancers, but the underlying mechanisms are not known well. Various cancers are closely related to genetic alteration; therefore, we investigated the effect of PCBs on genetic stability, through p53, a guardian of genome, in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Among several congeners examined, 2,2',4,6,6'-pentachlorobiphenyl (PeCB) specifically activated p53-dependent transcription.

Luteolin inhibits the nuclear factor-kappa B transcriptional activity in Rat-1 fibroblasts.

Flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds that have anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective and anticarcinogenic effects. In this study, we investigated the effects of several flavonoids on nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) activation by using luciferase reporter gene assay. Among the flavonoids examined, luteolin showed the most potent inhibition on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated NF-kappa B transcriptional activity in Rat-1 fibroblasts.

Thiram and ziram stimulate non-selective cation channel and induce apoptosis in PC12 cells.

The neurotoxicity of dithiocarbamates has been previously reported, however, the detailed mechanism underlying the neurotoxicity is still not fully understood. Among the dithiocarbamates, we investigated thiram and ziram in a neuronal-like pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Thiram and ziram strongly induced cell death in both dose- and time-dependent manners with the LC(50) of 0.

Phospholipase A2-mediated Ca2+ influx by 2,2',4,6-tetrachlorobiphenyl in PC12 cells.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of persistent and widespread environmental pollutants, and known to affect signaling molecules. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) mediates cellular destructive processes as well as normal physiological responses in neuronal cells. In this study, we examined whether PLA2 can be activated by PCBs in PC12 cells.