A metabolic constraint in the kynurenine pathway drives mucosal inflammation in IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with perturbed metabolism of the essential amino acid tryptophan (Trp). Whether increased degradation of Trp directly fuels mucosal inflammation or acts as a compensatory attempt to restore cellular energy levels via nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD ) synthesis is not understood. Employing a systems medicine approach on longitudinal IBD therapy intervention cohorts and targeted screening in preclinical IBD models, we discover that steady increases in Trp levels upon therapy success coincide with a rewiring of metabolic processes within the kynurenine pathway (KP).

Nitrogen-15 dynamic nuclear polarization of nicotinamide derivatives in biocompatible solutions.

Dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (dDNP) increases the sensitivity of magnetic resonance imaging by more than 10,000 times, enabling in vivo metabolic imaging to be performed noninvasively in real time. Here, we are developing a group of dDNP polarized tracers based on nicotinamide (NAM). We synthesized 1-N-NAM and 1-N nicotinic acid and hyperpolarized them with dDNP, reaching (13.

Cambogin suppresses dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis by enhancing Treg cell stability and function.

Background And Purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, and an impaired immune response plays a critical role in IBD. The current drugs and therapies for IBD treatment are of limited use, therefore, there is a need to find novel drugs or therapies for this disease. We investigated the effect of cambogin in a mouse model of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and whether cambogin attenuates inflammation via a Treg-cell-mediated effect on the immune response.

Torilin Inhibits Inflammation by Limiting TAK1-Mediated MAP Kinase and NF-B Activation.

Torilin, a sesquiterpene isolated from the fruits of has shown antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, data on the mechanism of torilin action against inflammation is limited. This study aimed at determining the anti-inflammatory property of torilin in LPS-induced inflammation using in vitro model of inflammation.

Effects of fluoroquinolone eye solutions without preservatives on human corneal epithelial cells in vitro.

Aims: To evaluate the biologic effects of fluoroquinolone eye solutions without preservatives on cultured human corneal epithelial cells in vitro.

Methods: We studied the effect of diverse generations of topical fluoroquinolones such as ofloxacin 0.3%, levofloxacin 0.

A randomised controlled trial comparing a thermal massager with artificial teardrops for the treatment of dry eye.

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a thermal massager for the treatment of dry eye syndrome.

Methods: Ninety-five patients with dry eye syndrome were randomly assigned to receive either the thermal massager or artificial tears treatment. Thermal massage consisted of vibration, massage and thermotherapy and was carried out twice daily.

Torilin ameliorates type II collagen-induced arthritis in mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis.

Advancements in rheumatoid-arthritis-(RA) therapies have shown considerable progresses in the comprehension of disease. However, the development of new potential agents with relative safety and efficacy continues and natural compounds have been considered as alternatives to identify new entities. Since previous in-vivo data and our in-vitro findings showed that torilin has a strong anti-inflammatory property, we further investigated its effect against collagen-induced-arthritis-(CIA) in mice.

Photoreceptor layer assessed in tissue layer image using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography after surgical closure of macular hole.

Purpose: To investigate changes in the photoreceptor layer in tissue layer images using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography after macular hole surgery.

Methods: Visual acuity and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography scans were obtained in 24 eyes with surgically closed macular holes prospectively at 1, 2, 4, and 6 months after surgery. The scanned data were processed to generate tissue layer images of the photoreceptor layer, namely, photoreceptor layer map.

The effect of epiblepharon surgery on visual acuity and with-the-rule astigmatism in children.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of epiblepharon surgery on visual acuity and with-the-rule astigmatism in children compared to patients without surgical treatment.

Methods: We undertook a retrospective case control study and reviewed the charts of 202 eyes treated with epiblepharon surgery and of 142 eyes without surgery. The surgical procedure for epiblepharon correction used rotating suture techniques.

Production of Ginsenoside-Rg3 from Lipomyces starkeyi Grown on Ginseng-Steaming Effluent.

To produce ginsenoside-Rg3 enriched yeast from ginseng-steaming effluent (GSE), Lipomyces starkeyi, which tends to grow well in GSE, was cultured in sterilized GSE and its growth and production of ginsenoside-Rg3 were determined. Growth of L. starkeyi was 86.

Red ginseng root extract mixed with Torilus fructus and Corni fructus improves facial wrinkles and increases type I procollagen synthesis in human skin: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Red ginseng contains many bioactive constituents, including various ginsenosides that are believed to have antioxidant, immunostimulatory, and anti-aging activities. Yet, no controlled human study has explored its effects on photoaged skin. This study determined whether long-term intake of a red ginseng extract-containing Torilus fructus and Corni fructus mixture reduces facial wrinkles and increases collagen synthesis in human skin.

Stimulatory effect of dietary red ginseng on epidermal hydration and ceramide levels in ultraviolet-irradiated hairless mice.

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induces skin dryness, largely by disruption of the epidermal barrier. In a search for dietary and plant compounds that would protect against skin dryness, we investigated the dietary effect of red ginseng (the steamed root of Panax ginseng C.A.

Physiological Functionality and Enzyme Activity of Biomass from Pichia anomala Grown on Ginseng-Steaming Effluent.

A novel biomass was prepared from Pichia anomala KCCM 11473, which grew well in ginseng-steaming effluent (GSE), and its physiological functionalities and enzyme activities were determined. When the strain was cultured in the GSE (pH 6.0) at 30℃ for 48 h, 1.

Effect of ginseng mixture on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

In this study, the authors have characterized the effect of HER-S (red ginseng, Angelicae gigantis Radix, Phyllostachys folium, and soybean extracts) on osteoporosis-associated phenomena in ovariectomized (OVX) rats by measuring body weights and bone histomorphometries in control, sham, OVX, OVX(beta-estradiol-treated), and OVX(HER-S-treated) rats. Light microscopic analyses showed a porous or eroded appearance on the femoral trabecular bone surface in OVX rats, whereas the femoral trabecular bone surfaces of the other groups (control, sham, OVX(17beta-estradiol-treated), and OVX(HER-S-treated) rats) were composed of fine particles. The femoral trabecular bone area and number were decreased in OVX rats, but these reductions were significantly prevented by the administration of HER-S for 7 weeks, similar to estrogen.

Production of Antihypertensive Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor from Malassezia pachydermatis G-14.

To produce a novel antihypertensive angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor from yeast, a yeast isolate, designated G-14 showing the highest ACE inhibitory activity was obtained and identified as Malassezia pachydermatis based on morphological, biochemical and cultural characteristics. The maximal extracellular ACE inhibitor production was obtained from M. pachydermatis G-14 when the strain was cultured in YEPD medium containing 0.