Genistein and daidzein, typical soy isoflavones, inhibit TNF-α-mediated downregulation of adiponectin expression via different mechanisms in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Scope: Previous reports suggest that soy isoflavones have multiple biological functions and may help to restore adiponectin expression and insulin sensitivity. However, little is known about whether soy isoflavones can inhibit the downregulation of adiponectin and their molecular mechanisms. In the present study, we demonstrate that genistein (Gen) or daidzein (Dai) can significantly inhibit the downregulation of adiponectin expression via unique and different molecular mechanisms.

Brazilian propolis-derived components inhibit TNF-α-mediated downregulation of adiponectin expression via different mechanisms in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Background: Previous reports suggest that Brazilian propolis has multiple biological functions and may help to restore adiponectin expression and insulin sensitivity. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms by which these compounds inhibit the downregulation of adiponectin.

Methods: The effect of various Brazilian propolis-derived components on inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated downregulation of adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and molecular mechanism was investigated.

6-Shogaol and 6-gingerol, the pungent of ginger, inhibit TNF-alpha mediated downregulation of adiponectin expression via different mechanisms in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

In this study, we demonstrated that the two ginger-derived components have a potent and unique pharmacological function in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via different mechanisms. Both pretreatment of 6-shogaol (6S) and 6-gingerol (6G) significantly inhibited the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) mediated downregulation of the adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study demonstrate that (1) 6S functions as a PPARgamma agonist with its inhibitory mechanism due to the PPARgamma transactivation, and (2) 6G is not a PPARgamma agonist, but it is an effective inhibitor of TNF-alpha induced c-Jun-NH(2)-terminal kinase signaling activation and thus, its inhibitory mechanism is due to this inhibitory effect.

Age-associated changes in arterial elastic properties in children.

Unlabelled: Age-associated changes in pulsatile components of the arterial system in normal children have not previously been studied. The purpose of the present study was to establish reference ranges for age-associated changes in arterial pulsatile properties in children. Arterial compliance (C(A)) and stiffness of the proximal aorta were estimated from data obtained by cardiac catheterisation in 112 paediatric patients (age range, 6 months to 20 years) who were considered to have normal systemic vascular beds.

Kawasaki disease before kawasaki at Tokyo university hospital.

Objective: Kawasaki disease (KD) was first reported by Tomisaku Kawasaki in 1967 in Japan. Large-scale nationwide epidemiologic surveys have been conducted continuously by the Japan Kawasaki Disease Research Committee; however, there were very few reports of KD before 1967. This study was performed to clarify when KD appeared in Japan.