High-performance liquid chromatography with dual-wavelength ultraviolet detection for measurement of hinokitiol in personal care products.

Hinokitiol is found in the heartwood of several cupressaceous plants and is frequently added to cosmetic products such as hair restorers, skin lotions, and body soaps because of its potent and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. In this study, we established a simple method of hinokitiol determination by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with dual-wavelength ultraviolet detection at 240 and 345 nm, using a reversed-phase C4 column (RP-4). The retention time of hinokitiol was 7.

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and fibronectin on SPARC expression in cultures of human periodontal ligament cells.

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) increases synthesis of secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC), as well as fibronectin (FN) and type I collagen. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanism of SPARC expression. We examined the effect of FN on SPARC expression by TGF-beta(1) in cultures of human periodontal ligament cells (HPL cells).

SPARC stimulates the synthesis of OPG/OCIF, MMP-2 and DNA in human periodontal ligament cells.

Background: Osteonectin/secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is expressed in periodontal ligaments. Therefore, a better understanding of the action of SPARC on periodontal ligament cells could help to elucidate remodelling and repair mechanisms in periodontal tissue. In the present study, we examined the effects of human platelet-derived SPARC (hp-SPARC) on the expressions of SPARC and osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OPG/OCIF), alkaline phosphatase (ALPase) activity, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) production and DNA synthesis in cultures of human periodontal ligament (HPL) cells.

Osteoprotegerin levels increased by interleukin-1beta in human periodontal ligament cells are suppressed through prostaglandin E(2) synthesized de novo.

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a novel tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily that inhibits osteoclast differentiation, activity, and survival. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) increases OPG expression. IL-1beta also increases prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production and stimulates bone resorption.