Early stage ultraviolet irradiation damage to skin collagen can be suppressed by HPA axis control via controlled CYP11B.

UV rays constitute an extremely important environmental factor known to operate adaptative mechanisms that maintain biological homeostasis in the skin, adrenal glands, and the brain. The skin is extremely vulnerable to UV rays. UV rays deform collagen, the main component of elastic fibers, decreasing its normal function, and ultimately reducing skin's elasticity.

Enhanced Nrf2 up-regulation by extracellular basic pH in a human skin equivalent system.

Extracellular basic pH regulates cellular processes in wounds, and consequently influenced wound healing. Oxidative defence system modulation in the skin helps heal wounds, inhibits skin ageing and improves the skin condition. Moreover, the role of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in antioxidant systems has been reported in various skin models.

Melatonin inhibits attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder caused by atopic dermatitis-induced psychological stress in an NC/Nga atopic-like mouse model.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with the hallmark characteristics of pruritus, psychological stress, and sleep disturbance, all possibly associated with an increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, the etiology of the possible association between AD and ADHD is still not well understood. 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene or corticosterone was used to evaluate the atopic symptom and its psychologic stress in the atopic mice model.

Acceleration of Apoptosis by Extracellular Basic pH in a 3D Human Skin Equivalent System.

Previously, we have shown that extracellular basic pH plays a significant role in both the direct and indirect regulation of cellular processes in a wound; this in turn affects the wound-healing process. Several studies have demonstrated the importance of apoptosis modulation in the wound-healing process, especially in removing inflammatory cells and in inhibiting scar formation. However, the effects of extracellular basic pH on wound healing-related skin damage are yet to be examined.

Acceleration of Collagen Breakdown by Extracellular Basic pH in Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Background/aims: Wound healing is a complex regeneration process involving the degradation and reassembly of connective tissues and skin layers. Previous studies have shown that pH plays a significant role in both the direct and indirect regulation of cellular processes in the wound, which, in turn, affect the wound healing process. However, the effects of pH on the collagen breakdown component of wound healing have yet to be investigated.

Anti-inflammatory Steroid from Phragmitis rhizoma Modulates LPS-Mediated Signaling Through Inhibition of NF-κB Pathway.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) strongly stimulate immune cells, and unabated activation of immune system by LPS may lead to an exacerbation of sickness and depression. In this study, stigmasta-3,5-dien-7-one (ST) was isolated from Phragmitis rhizoma as a negative regulator of LPS-induced inflammation in macrophages. ST effectively reduced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, which were markedly raised by LPS treatment.

Isoliquiritigenin isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis protects neuronal cells against glutamate-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.

Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, which is associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), is hypothesized to be a major contributor to pathological cell death in the mammalian central nervous system, and to be involved in many acute and chronic brain diseases. Here, we showed that isoliquiritigenin (ISL) isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gu), one of the most frequently prescribed oriental herbal medicines, protected HT22 hippocampal neuronal cells from glutamate-induced oxidative stress. In addition, we clarified the molecular mechanisms by which it protects against glutamate-induced neuronal cell death.

Proteomic biomarkers for diagnosis in acute myocardial infarction.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is considered the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in many industrialized nations. AMI is defined currently by detection of a rise and/or fall of cardiac biomarkers at least above the 99th percentile of the upper limit. Early detection of AMI could conceivably provide important information for understanding the molecular functions of heart disease, and would enable more effective diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Microglial peroxiredoxin V acts as an inducible anti-inflammatory antioxidant through cooperation with redox signaling cascades.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) actively participate in microglia-mediated pathogenesis as pro-inflammatory molecules. However, little is known about the involvement of specific antioxidants in maintaining the microglial oxidative balance. We demonstrate that microglial peroxiredoxin (Prx) 5 expression is up-regulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through activation of the ROS-sensitive signaling pathway and is involved in attenuation of both microglial activation and nitric oxide (NO) generation.

Efficacy on anaplastic thyroid carcinoma of valproic acid alone or in combination with doxorubicin, a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative, or lactacystin.

The present study investigated the mechanism underlying the antitumor activity of the histone deacetylases inhibitor valproic acid (VPA), alone and in combination with doxorubicin, a synthetic chenodeoxycholic acid derivative (HS-1200), or the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin on cultured anaplastic thyroid carcinoma KAT-18 cells. Cell viability was evaluated by trypan-blue exclusion. Western blotting determined caspase and histone deacetylase activities and expression of poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase.

Concentration dependent dual effect of thrombin in endothelial cells via Par-1 and Pi3 Kinase.

Disruption of endothelial barrier is a critical pathophysiological factor in inflammation. Thrombin exerts a variety of cellular effects including inflammation and apoptosis through activation of the protease activated receptors (PARs). The activation of PAR-1 by thrombin is known to have a bimodal effect in endothelial cell permeability with a low concentration (pM levels) eliciting a barrier protective and a high concentration (nM levels) eliciting a barrier disruptive response.

A new cytotoxic guaianolide from Chrysanthemum boreale.

A new cytotoxic guaianolide was isolated from Chrysanthemum boreale Makino. The structure of guaianolide was elucidated as 8-acetoxy-4,10-dihydroxy-2,11(13)-guaiadiene-12,6-olide (1). Compound 1 exhibited cytotoxic activity (IC(50)< or =4 microg/ml) against all five human cancer cell lines tested.

Culture pH affects exopolysaccharide production in submerged mycelial culture of Ganoderma lucidum.

In submerged culture of Ganoderma lucidum, the pH optimum for cell growth has been shown to be lower than that for exopolysaccharides (EPS) formation. Therefore, in the present study, a two-stage pH-control strategy was employed to maximize the productions of mycelial biomass and EPS. When compared, a batch culture without pH control had a maximum concentration of EPS and endopolysaccharides, which was much lower than those with pH control.

Sorption of the fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene on soil.

The fumigant 1,3-dichloropropene (1,3-D) is considered a major replacement to methyl bromide, which is to be phased out of use in the United States by 2005. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate soil-water partitioning of 1,3-D in two California agricultural soils (Salinas clay loam and Arlington sandy loam). The partition coefficients (Kd and Kf) were determined by directly measuring the concentration of 1,3-D in the solid phase (Cs) and aqueous phase (Cw) after batch equilibration.