Inhibitory effects of extracts from Eucalyptus gunnii on α-synuclein amyloid fibrils.

Amyloid fibril formation is associated with various amyloidoses, including neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Despite the numerous studies on the inhibition of amyloid formation, the prevention and treatment of a majority of amyloid-related disorders are still challenging. In this study, we investigated the effects of various plant extracts on amyloid formation of α-synuclein.

Genome editing in genes of tomatoes by non-selection method and of by one single guide RNA to edit two orthologs.

The CRISPR/Cas9 system is widely used for targeted mutagenesis in many organisms including plants. For application of this system, tissue culture methods need to be established. In this study, detailed methods for introduction of mutations in tomato and plants using the CRISPR/Cas9 system are described.

Genistein Suppresses v-Src-Driven Proliferative Activity by Arresting the Cell-Cycle at G2/M through Increasing p21 Level in Src-Activated Human Gallbladder Carcinoma cells.

Activated Src have been strongly implicated in the development, progression, and metastasis of many human cancers. Although soy isoflavones exhibit potential anticancer activity, effects of isoflavones on oncogenic activity of Src remains unknown. Using v-src-transfected human adenocarcinoma cells (HAG/src3-1), we investigated the functional role of Src in anti-proliferative activity of isoflavones including genistein, daidzein, glycitein and equol.

Food intake and dietary patterns that affect urinary sodium excretion in young women.

We aimed to clarify food intake and dietary patterns that affect urinary sodium excretion (urinary salt excretion) among young women. We used 2012 to 2018 data from the health and nutrition testing on admission, which is a part of ongoing epidemiological studies, for students enrolling in the Faculty of Nutrition Science, Nakamura Gakuen University. Fasting urine samples were collected from the participants, and their estimated daily salt excretion was calculated using the Tanaka equation.

Equol Enhances Apoptosis-inducing Activity of Genistein by Increasing Bax/Bcl-xL Expression Ratio in MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Anticancer activities of soy isoflavones, such as genistein and equol, a bioactive metabolite of daidzein, have been extensively studied because of possible involvement in the prevention of breast cancer. However, their interactions still remain unclear. We investigated here whether cytotoxic activity of genistein was enhanced by equol, using estrogen receptor positive MCF-7, HER2-positive SK-BR-3, and triple-negative MDA-MB-468 cell lines.

Differential Anticancer Activity of Pterostilbene Against Three Subtypes of Human Breast Cancer Cells.

Although pterostilbene, a natural analog of resveratrol, has potent antitumor activity against several human cancer types, the possible inhibitory mechanisms against subtypes of human breast cancer with different hormone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status remain unknown. We investigated the anticancer activity of pterostilbene using three subtypes of breast cancer cell lines. Pterostilbene treatment exhibited a dose-dependent antiproliferative activity, with the greatest growth inhibition observed in triple-negative MDA-MB-468 cells.

Mechanism of the Anticancer Effect of Lycopene (Tetraterpenoids).

Increasing evidence suggests that lycopene, a major carotenoid detected in human plasma, may be preventive against the formation and the development of different types of human cancers including prostate, breast, and lung cancer. Experimental studies demonstrated that lycopene inhibits the growth of various cancer cells of different organs and prevent chemically induced carcinogenesis in animal models. Although the excellent antioxidant property of lycopene is most likely the basis for its preventive role toward cancer, the direct anticancer activities of lycopene through multiple mechanisms are disclosed, including regulation of growth factor signaling, cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis induction, and changes in antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes.

Anti-proliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of lycopene against three subtypes of human breast cancer cell lines.

Although lycopene, a major carotenoid component of tomatoes, has been suggested to attenuate the risk of breast cancer, the underlying preventive mechanism remains to be determined. Moreover, it is not known whether there are any differences in lycopene activity among different subtypes of human breast cancer cells. Using ER/PR positive MCF-7, HER2-positive SK-BR-3 and triple-negative MDA-MB-468 cell lines, we investigated the cellular and molecular mechanism of the anticancer activity of lycopene.

Differential anti-tumor activities of curcumin against Ras- and Src-activated human adenocarcinoma cells.

Although curcumin has been studied as a potential anticancer drug targeting multiple signaling molecules, the role of oncogenic Src and Ras in curcumin sensitivity remains unknown. Using HAG-1 human adenocarcinoma cells transfected with either activated Src or Ras, we investigated here the functional role of these oncogenes in curcumin sensitivity. Activation of either Src or Ras did not confer resistance to curcumin, compared to vehicle-transfected cells.

Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of curcumin against human gallbladder adenocarcinoma cells.

Aim: Curcumin has potent antitumor activity against many types of human cancers. However, the inhibitory effects and possible mechanisms of curcumin on gallbladder cancer remains to be determined.

Materials And Methods: Using HAG-1 human gallbladder adenocarcinoma cells, we investigated the effects of curcumin on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell-cycle perturbation, and signal proteins for survival, proliferation, and apoptosis.

Effects of dietary genistein on hormone-dependent rat mammary carcinogenesis induced by ethyl methanesulphonate.

Genistein, a major soy isoflavone having weak estrogenic activities, has been suggested to reduce the risk of breast cancer incidence. However, many studies have yielded inconsistent results. We investigated the effects of dietary genistein on the development of breast cancer using ethyl methanesulphonate (EMS) chemically induced rat model of hormone-dependent mammary carcinoma.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in a Japanese returnee from West Africa successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B.

Leishmaniasis has been occasionally reported in returnees from endemic areas. Here, we report a case of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a 33-year-old Japanese man who presented with a skin nodule after returning from an 8-year stay in West Africa including Burkina Faso. He was successfully treated with liposomal amphotericin B with no significant adverse effects.

Regulatory sequence elements of mouse GLUT4 gene expression in adipose tissues.

Ablation of GLUT4 in adipose tissues results in whole body insulin resistance and high-fat feeding down-regulates GLUT4 mRNA in white adipose tissues. Previous studies demonstrated that adipose tissue specific element(s) (ASE) of the murine GLUT4 gene is located between -551 and -442 relative to transcription start site and that high-fat responsive element(s) (HFRE) for down-regulation of the GLUT4 gene is located between bases -1001 and -442. To further characterize these regulatory elements, the regulation of GLUT4 minigenes containing -701, -551, and -506 bp of 5(')-flanking region was studied in transgenic mice.

Overexpression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha down-regulates GLUT4 mRNA in skeletal muscles.

Exercise training increases mitochondria and GLUT4 in skeletal muscles. Recent studies indicate that an increased expression of the transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1alpha (PGC-1alpha) by exercise may promote mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid oxidation. To examine whether increased PGC-1alpha expression was also responsible for an increase of GLUT4 expression, transgenic mice that overexpress PGC-1alpha in skeletal muscles driven by a human alpha-skeletal actin promoter were made.