Butein suppresses ICAM-1 expression through the inhibition of IκBα and c-Jun phosphorylation in TNF-α- and PMA-treated HUVECs.

Butein (3,4,2',4'-tetrahydroxychalcone), a flavonoid derivative, has been reported to show several biological actions, including anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer. However, the possible molecular mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Treatment of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with butein significantly inhibited cell surface intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression, ICAM-1 protein synthesis, and mRNA expression induced by tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) and/or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA).

Acotiamide hydrochloride (Z-338) enhances gastric motility and emptying by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity in rats.

In clinical trials, acotiamide hydrochloride (acotiamide: Z-338) has been reported to be useful in the treatment of functional dyspepsia. Here, we investigated the effects of acotiamide on gastric contraction and emptying activities in rats in comparison with itopride hydrochloride (itopride) and mosapride citrate (mosapride). We also examined in vitro the compound's inhibitory effect on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity derived from rat stomach.

Gastric relaxation induced by electrical and chemical stimulation of the area postrema in the rat.

Area postrema (AP) is considered to be an important neural center for emesis in carnivores. However, it is also known that AP mediates motor responses induced by apomorphine in rats which do not have an emetic reflex. To shed more light on the possible role of AP in the control of gastric motility in physiological or pathophysiological conditions, we observed the effects of electrical or chemical (apomorphine) stimulation of AP neurons on intragastric pressure (IGP) or intragastric volume (IGV) in rat.

Immunolocalization of multispecific organic anion transporters, OAT1, OAT2, and OAT3, in rat kidney.

Recently, a family of multispecific organic anion transporters has been identified, and several isoforms have been reported. However, the physiologic and pharmacologic roles of each isoform, except OAT1, in the transepithelial transport of organic anions in the kidney remain to be elucidated. To address this issue, it is essential to determine the intrarenal distribution and membrane localization of each OAT isoform along the nephron.