Anti-Stress Effects of Berk. Enzymatic Extracts: A Preclinical Study.

Chronic stress disrupts neurochemical balance, triggers inflammation, and compromises neuronal integrity, contributing to the development of stress-related disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the preventative effects of Berk (TF) enzymatic extracts on chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced behavioral, neurochemical, and inflammatory dysfunctions in mice. Male C57BL/6N mice were administered TF at doses of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg daily via oral gavage for 21 days during CRS exposure.

The antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effect of natto in hypercholesterolemia rats.

Antithrombotic and fibrinolytic activity of natto was evaluated on platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Natto showed inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by adenosine 5'diphosphate (ADP) and collagen. Orally administered natto also showed fibrinolytic activity in hypercholesterolemia rats.

Insulin sensitization of MAP kinase signaling by fibroin in insulin-resistant Hirc-B cells.

Fibroin has been shown to enhance insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and the mechanism underlying the fibroin effect focused on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-K) pathway has been reported. In the present study, for defining the insulin-sensitizing effects of fibroin synthetically, we have used the Hirc-B cells which are rat fibroblasts over-expressing wild-type human insulin receptors to investigate the insulin-stimulation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase signaling cascades. Cultivation of Hirc-B cells in high-glucose medium for 6 days led to an insulin-resistant state in which insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis was blocked completely.