Sirt2 positively regulates muscle regeneration after Notexin-induced muscle injury.

Sirt2 regulates various biological processes by deacetylating target genes. Despite roles in regulating proliferation, cell cycle, and glucose metabolism, which are closely associated with skeletal muscle physiology, Sirt2 functions in this tissue remain unclear. In this study, genetic deletion of Sirt2 delayed muscle regeneration after Notexin-induced muscle injury.

Chronic effects of losartan on the muscles and the serologic profiles of mdx mice.

Aims: Losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, attenuates transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling, which inhibits myogenic regeneration. Although many researchers have demonstrated that losartan has anti-fibrotic and protective effects on cardiac and skeletal muscles, for long-term administration to treat dystrophic disorders, it is essential to demonstrate not only the therapeutic effects of losartan on muscles but also its effects on other organs and on blood biochemistry.

Main Methods: Mdx mice, an animal model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), were fed losartan dissolved in tap water.

Therapeutic effects of exon skipping and losartan on skeletal muscle of mdx mice.

Various attempts have been made to find treatments for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients. Exon skipping is one of the promising technologies for DMD treatment by restoring dystropin protein, which is one of the muscle components. It is well known that losartan, an angiotensin II type1 receptor blocker, promotes muscle regeneration and differentiation by lowering the level of transforming growth factor-beta1 signaling.

Role of vacuolating cytotoxin VacA and cytotoxin-associated antigen CagA of Helicobacter pylori in the progression of gastric cancer.

Helicobacter (H.) pylori strains that express the cagA and s1a vacA genes are associated with an increased risk for gastric cancer. Here, we examined the association between the products of these virulence genes with the development of gastric cancer by immunohistochemical staining of gastric biopsy specimens taken from 208 routine gastroscopies and 43 gastric cancer patients.

Alcohol induced hepatic degeneration in a hepatitis C virus core protein transgenic mouse model.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has become a major public health issue. It is prevalent in most countries. HCV infection frequently begins without clinical symptoms, before progressing to persistent viremia, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the majority of patients (70% to 80%).

ENA-A actimineral resource A extends lifespan associated with antioxidant mechanism in SMP30 knockout mice.

ENA-actimineral resource A (ENA-A) is an alkaline mineral water and has a few biological activities such as antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of ENA-A on lifespan in mice using senescence marker protein-30 knockout mice. The present study had groups of 18-week-old mice (n = 24), 26-week-old mice (n = 12), and 46-week-old mice (n = 20).

Therapeutic effects of mouse adipose-derived stem cells and losartan in the skeletal muscle of injured mdx mice.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are an attractive source of cells for stem cell therapy. Losartan has been reported to improve ASC transplantation in injured mouse muscles.

Vitamin C deficiency accelerates bone loss inducing an increase in PPAR-γ expression in SMP30 knockout mice.

Senescence marker protein (SMP) 30 knockout (KO) mice display symptoms of scurvy, including spontaneous bone fractures, and this was considered to be induced by a failure of collagen synthesis owing to vitamin C deficiency. However, low bone mineral density is also known to be associated with spontaneous bone fracture. Therefore, we investigated the effects of vitamin C deficiency on the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts in SMP30 KO mice as evidenced by histopathology.