Association of Genotypes With Lung Cancer Risk in Taiwan.

Background/aim: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression is upregulated in various diseases, including lung cancer. However, the role of MMP-9 genotype in lung cancer susceptibility remains uncertain. This study aimed to clarify the contribution of MMP-9 promoter rs3918242 genotypes to the risk of lung cancer in Taiwan.

Associations of Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Genotypes to Renal Cell Carcinoma in Taiwan.

Background/aim: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) presents a formidable clinical challenge due to its aggressive behavior and limited therapeutic options. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) has recently emerged as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for various cancers. However, the genetic involvement of MMP-8 in RCC has remained largely obscure.

Steamed daylily flower (Hemerocallis fulva L.) protected cardiac and hepatic cells against ethanol induced apoptotic and oxidative damage.

Our previous study examined the phytochemical composition and bio-activities of raw daylily flower (Hemerocallis fulva L.). However, this plant food is usually served via heat process such as cooking in a soup.

The Contribution of DNA Ligase 4 Polymorphisms to Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aim: While numerous biomarkers associated with genetic susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) have been identified and validated through epidemiological studies, the specific influence of DNA ligase 4 (Lig4) genotypes remains unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the hitherto unexamined relationship between Lig4 genotypes and CRC risk.

Materials And Methods: The genotypes of Lig4 rs1805388 were determined applying the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology.

Impacts of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 Genotypes on Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Background/aim: The expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is elevated in various renal diseases, including renal cell carcinoma. However, the role of MMP9 genotype in this context remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between MMP9 promoter rs3918242 genotypes and the risk of renal cell carcinoma.

Ethanol Extracts of Rice Bran and Whole Grain Adlay Seeds Mitigate Colonic Inflammation and Damage in Mice with Colitis.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with frequent relapsing inflammation in the colon. Whole grains have been promoted as healthy and sustainable foods; however, the use of whole gains in UC is inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts of rice bran (RBE) and whole-grain adlay seeds (ADE) on inflammation, oxidative stress, and colonic damage in UC.

Polysaccharides of Grifola frondosa ameliorate oxidative stress and hypercholesterolaemia in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol diet.

Objectives: This study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-hypercholesterolaemia activities of Grifola frondosa in hamsters fed a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet.

Methods: G. frondosa, including fruiting bodies (FGF), fermented mycelia (MGF) and polysaccharides extracted from fruiting bodies (FPS), fermented mycelia (MIP) and fermented broth (BEP) were received intragastrically.

Effects of Multi-Strain Probiotics on Immune Responses and Metabolic Balance in -Infected Mice.

Chronic inflammation caused by infection increases the risk of developing gastric cancer. Even though the prevalence of infection has been decreased in many regions, the development of antibiotic resistance strains has increased the difficulty of eradicating . Therefore, exploring alternative approaches to combat infection is required.

Fruiting Bodies of Chinese Caterpillar Mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Ascomycetes) Alleviate Diabetes-Associated Oxidative Stress.

Hyperglycemia-induced complications, the major causes of death in diabetes, are closely related to the elevated oxidative stress. Our previous study indicated that fruiting bodies of Ophiocordyceps sinensis attenuated polydipsia and hyperglycemia in diabetic rats. In this study, we further investigated whether the protective effects of O.

Gynura bicolor aqueous extract attenuated HO induced injury in PC12 cells.

Background: Protective effects of Gynura bicolor aqueous extract (GAE) at three concentrations upon nerve growth factor (NGF) differentiated-PC12 cells against HO induced injury were examined.

Methods: NGF differentiated-PC12 cells were treated with GAE at 0.25%, 0.

Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Daylily Flower (Hemerocallis fulva L.) Protect HUVE Cells Against High Glucose.

The content of several phenolic acids and flavonoids in aqueous extract (AE) and ethanol extract (EE) of daylily flower (Hemerocallis fulva L.) was analyzed. The effects of AE or EE at 0.

Preventive Effects of Velvet Antler against Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice by Inhibiting MAPK/NF-B Activation and Inducing AMPK/Nrf2 Pathways.

Velvet antler () is a typical traditional animal medicine. It is considered to have various pharmacological effects including stimulation of the immune system, increase in the physical strength, and enhancement of sexual function. This paper aims to investigate the aqueous extract of velvet antler (AVA) in the mouse models of LPS-induced ALI.

Caffeic acid and resveratrol ameliorate cellular damage in cell and Drosophila models of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 through upregulation of Nrf2 pathway.

Polyglutamine (polyQ)-expanded mutant ataxin-3 protein, which is prone to misfolding and aggregation, leads to cerebellar neurotoxicity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), an inherited PolyQ neurodegenerative disease. Although the exact mechanism is unknown, the pathogenic effects of mutant ataxin-3 are associated with dysregulation of transcription, protein degradation, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, and antioxidant potency. In the present study we explored the protective role and possible mechanism of caffeic acid (CA) and resveratrol (Res) in cells and Drosophila expressing mutant ataxin-3.

The antioxidant activity and nitric oxide production of extracts obtained from the leaves of Chenopodium quinoa Willd.

Background: Most reports have indicated the antioxidant capacity of quinoa seeds. However, the leaves of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are usually worthless and little known about their biological activities.

Antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects of the aqueous extracts from Glycine species and its bioactive compounds.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the possible antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic effects of the aqueous extracts from three Glycine species. In HPLC analysis, the chromatograms of three Glycine species were established. Flavonoid-related compounds might be important bioactive compounds in Glycine species.

Fructo-oligosaccharide improved brain β-amyloid, β-secretase, cognitive function, and plasma antioxidant levels in D-galactose-treated Balb/cJ mice.

Objectives: Long-term d-galactose injection induces accelerated aging in experimental rodent models. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dietary fructo-oligosaccharide (FO) on the brain β-amyloid (Aβ), amyloid-associated enzymes, cognitive function, and plasma antioxidant levels in d-galactose-treated Balb/c mice.

Methods: The subcutaneous (s.

Effects of konjac glucomannan, inulin and cellulose on acute colonic responses to genotoxic azoxymethane.

Mice were fed low-fibre, or that supplemented with soluble fibre (konjac glucomannan, KGM; inulin), or insoluble fibre (cellulose) to determine how these three fibres modulated the acute colonic responses to an azoxymethane (AOM) treatment. Results indicated that KGM and inulin exerted greater anti-genotoxic effects compared to cellulose and up-regulated the gene expressions of glutathione S-transferase and antioxidant enzymes. The apoptotic index in the distal colon was the greatest and the expression of Bcl-2 was the lowest in the KGM group 24h after the AOM treatment.

Konjac glucomannan and inulin systematically modulate antioxidant defense in rats fed a high-fat fiber-free diet.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and inulin on the balance between pro-oxidative status and antioxidative defense systems in the colon, liver, and plasma of rats fed a high-fat fiber-free diet. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8 animals per group) were fed a high-fat (25% corn oil, w/w) fiber-free diet or that supplemented with KGM or inulin fiber (5%, w/w) for 4 weeks. The index of pro-oxidative status, malondialdehyde (MDA), and blood lymphocyte DNA damage; the antioxidative defense, that is, antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase) in the colonic mucosa and liver; and the plasma antioxidant levels were determined.

Effects of konjac glucomannan on putative risk factors for colon carcinogenesis in rats fed a high-fat diet.

The aim of this study was to determine effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) in a high fat corn oil diet on risk factors of colon carcinogenesis, that is, fecal β-glucuronidase, mucinase, and bile acids, and on preventive factors, that is, fecal microflora and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8 animals per group) were fed a normal-fat fiber-free (5% corn oil, w/w) or high-fat (25% corn oil, w/w) diet containing no fiber, KGM (5%, w/w), or inulin (5%, w/w, as a prebiotic control) for 4 weeks. Results indicated that the high-fat fiber-free diet significantly elevated the fecal β-glucuronidase and mucinase activities and total bile acid concentration and decreased cecal SCFA contents, as compared with its normal-fat counterpart.

Ameliorative effects of konjac glucomannan on human faecal β-glucuronidase activity, secondary bile acid levels and faecal water toxicity towards Caco-2 cells.

Konjac glucomannan (KGM) has been shown to increase human colon microbial ecology and reduce faecal toxicity in mice. The main goal of the present study was to assess the effects of a KGM supplement into a low-fibre diet on precancerous markers of colon cancer in a double-blind, placebo- and diet-controlled study. Adult volunteers consumed defined diets supplemented with konjac (4·5 g/d) or placebo (maize starch) for 4 weeks.