NF-κB activation via MyD88-dependent Toll-like receptor signaling is inhibited by trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol.

Macrophages induce the innate immunity by recognizing pathogens through Toll-like receptors (TLRs), which sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), which is an essential adaptor molecule for most TLRs, mediates the induction of inflammatory cytokines through nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) shows immunotoxic effects by interrupting inflammatory mediators produced by activated macrophages.

Inhibitory effect of citrinin on lipopolisaccharide-induced nitric oxide production by mouse macrophage cells.

The present study evaluated the immunotoxicity of citrinin (CIT), a mycotoxin produced by several Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Monascus species. Because nitric oxide (NO), a pro-inflammatory mediator, plays an important role in the protection from pathogens, we addressed the effect of CIT on NO production by a mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW264 activated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). LPS-induced NO release from RAW264 cells was inhibited by CIT.

Thioredoxin-1 contributes to protection against DON-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells.

Leucocytes are susceptible to the toxic effects of deoxynivalenol (DON), which is a trichothecene mycotoxin produced by a number of fungi including Fusarium species. One mechanism of action is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). The liver is an important target for toxicity caused by foreign compounds including mycotoxins.

Effect of monochromatic visible light on intracellular superoxide anion production and mitochondrial membrane potential of B16F1 and B16F10 murine melanoma cells.

We have investigated the effect of visible light on animal cells using light-emitting diodes to emit monochromatic visible light (red, yellow, green and blue light). To explore the relevant mechanism of apoptosis, we assessed the intracellular superoxide anion production and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of B16F1 and B16F10 murine melanoma cells after monochromatic light irradiation. Blue light caused ΔΨm depolarization subsequent to elevation of intracellular superoxide production.

(-)-Epigallocatechin gallate suppresses the cytotoxicity induced by trichothecene mycotoxins in mouse cultural macrophages.

Trichothecene mycotoxins are toxic secondary metabolites produced by a number of fungi including Fusarium species, which adversely affect lymphocytes. Deoxynivalenol (DON) and HT-2 toxin (HT-2) belong to the trichothecene group of mycotoxins and the occurrence of cereals and foodstuffs with these compounds are serious health problems. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), one of the main components in green tea catechins, on DON- or HT-2-induced cytotoxicity in mouse macrophages.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) regulates shedding of TNF-alpha receptor 1 by the metalloprotease-disintegrin ADAM8: evidence for a protease-regulated feedback loop in neuroprotection.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent cytokine in neurodegenerative disorders, but its precise role in particular brain disorders is ambiguous. In motor neuron (MN) disease of the mouse, exemplified by the model wobbler (WR), TNF-alpha causes upregulation of the metalloprotease-disintegrin ADAM8 (A8) in affected brain regions, spinal cord, and brainstem. The functional role of A8 during MN degeneration in the wobbler CNS was investigated by crossing WR with A8-deficient mice: a severely aggravated neuropathology was observed for A8-deficient WR compared with WR A8(+/-) mice, judged by drastically reduced survival [7 vs 81% survival at postnatal day 50 (P50)], accelerated force loss in the forelimbs, and terminal akinesis.

Association of the suckling-weaning transition with development of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neurons in rat pups.

Feeding behavior is regulated by feeding-related peptides in the hypothalamus. The neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARC), which produces feeding-related peptides, develop and function by three weeks of age in rodents. Because rodents are weaned at three weeks, we studied whether the process of weaning is involved in the development of ARC neurons using monosodium glutamate.

Impaired growth of small intestinal epithelium by adrenalectomy in weaning rats.

Functional maturation of the small intestine occurs during the weaning period in rats. It is known that this development is facilitated by glucocorticoid. However, the effect of glucocorticoid on morphological development of small intestine has yet to be clarified.

[Survival of Salmonella in spices and growth in cooked food].

Contamination of spices with pathogens has been reported worldwide, and Salmonella might result in foodborne infections. In this study, we investigated the survival of Salmonella in black pepper and red pepper, and the growth of the surviving Salmonella in cooked food. Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Weltevreden and Salmonella Senftenberg were inoculated into spices, and their survival during storage was examined.