Pirfenidone inhibits the induction of iNOS stimulated by interleukin-1beta at a step of NF-kappaB DNA binding in hepatocytes.

Background/aims: Pirfenidone has antiinflammatory effects in animals with endotoxemia. We reported that pirfenidone inhibits the enhancement of inflammatory cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in liver of endotoxin-treated rats, leading to the prevention of hepatic injury. However, the mechanisms involved in suppression of these gene inductions are obscure.

Cycloprodigiosin up-regulates inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression in hepatocytes stimulated by interleukin-1beta.

The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta stimulates inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in hepatocytes via activation of a transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Nitric oxide has diverse cytoprotective and toxic effects. Cycloprodigiosin is an anticancer drug that induces apoptosis through NF-kappaB-dependent mechanisms.

Up-regulation of IL-1 receptor through PI3K/Akt is essential for the induction of iNOS gene expression in hepatocytes.

Background/aims: Nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB is essential, as interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) stimulates the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression in hepatocytes. However, recent evidence indicates that the activation of NF-kappaB is not sufficient to induce the NF-kappaB-dependent transcription, and the existence of a second signaling is postulated.

Methods: Primary cultured hepatocytes were treated with IL-1beta, and the expression of iNOS and type 1 IL-1 receptor (IL-1R1) was analyzed in the presence of antisense of IL-1R1, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, proteasome inhibitor and hypoxia.

Promotive effects of far-infrared ray on full-thickness skin wound healing in rats.

The biological effects of far-infrared ray (FIR) on whole organisms remain poorly understood. The aim of our study was to investigate not only the hyperthermic effect of the FIR irradiation, but also the biological effects of FIR on wound healing. To evaluate the effect of FIR on a skin wound site, the speed of full-thickness skin wound healing was compared among groups with and without FIR using a rat model.

Hepatocyte growth factor inhibits insulin-stimulated glycogen synthesis in primary cultured hepatocytes.

Background/aims: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) plays an important role as a mitogen in liver regeneration. However, little is known about the metabolic effects of HGF in the liver. Studies were performed to examine whether HGF influences carbohydrate metabolism, which is drastically changed in the early course of the regeneration.

Regulation of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene expression in regenerating mouse liver.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most commonly used agents in treatment of the cancer. The administered 5-FU is degraded mainly in the liver by dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD), which is the initial rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolic pathway of pyrimidine. This enzyme activity in the tumors has been shown to correlate with the effectiveness of 5-FU against tumors.