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Background: Hepatic steatosis is characterized by lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. Cheong-sang-gyeon-tong-tang is a major prescription for all types of headaches in traditional East Asian medicine. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of Cheong-sang-gyeon-tong-tang extract (CG) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis in mice and to explore the underlying mechanism. Results: Treatment with CG significantly reduced body weight, liver weight, and epididymal fat mass, as well as improved the serum and hepatic lipid profiles in the HFD-induced fatty liver mouse model. Further, CG alleviated lipid accumulation in HFD-fed mice by controlling lipid metabolism, including triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis, and fatty acid oxidation at the mRNA level. CG also regulated the expression of cholesterol regulatory proteins in HFD-induced fatty liver mice. Conclusions: These results indicate that CG alleviates hepatic steatosis by regulating cholesterol homeostasis in HFD-induced fatty liver mice, thus improving our understanding of the mechanisms by which CG improves hepatic steatosis. Therefore, we propose CG as a therapeutic candidate for lipid metabolic disorders such as fatty liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cholesterol is a component of cell membranes and a precursor of hormones, and excess levels are associated with disease development; therefore, it must be maintained within the normal range. Silkworm cocoons are known to contain bioactive substances. Therefore, we compared the bioactivities of pigmented and white silkworm cocoons. Sericin extract of the Yeonnokjam (YN) variety, which contained a high flavonoid content, showed the highest antioxidant activity and inhibited cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme activity. YN-fed mice showed a 26% reduction in serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. In addition, a 27% decrease in cholesterol accumulation in the liver was observed. Mechanistically, YN reduced the expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 2 proteins by 34 and 13%, respectively. In conclusion, YN suppresses cholesterol synthesis in the liver and stimulates bile acid secretion, which contributes to reduction in cholesterol levels, suggesting its potential as a cholesterol-lowering agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: Atopic dermatitis (AD) frequently affects both infants and adults, impacting on the quality of life of the individual and imposing a significant psychosocial burden. The efficacy against AD-like skin lesions of the fermented form of Korea red ginseng (FRG), that contains ginsenoside metabolites, has not been investigated. Methods: FRG was prepared after fermentation of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extract in the presence of yeast and probiotics. The effects of FRG on skin allergic inflammation were then investigated by examining the frequency of scratching, and assessing the levels of representative allergic markers in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-challenged Balb/c mice. After two weeks of DNCB challenge, vehicle, dexamethasone (positive control), and FRG (10 and 50 μg/mL) were applied topically on skin lesions for 2 weeks. At the end of the experiment, scratching behavior, immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interleukin 4 (IL-4) levels were measured. The status of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were determined by immunoblot analysis in DNCB-treated primary splenocytes. Results: Topical administration of FRG significantly suppressed scratching behavior, serum IgE, and IL-4 levels (P<0.05, n=5/group). In addition, FRG treatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in DNCB-exposed splenocytes (P<0.05, n=6/group). Moreover, FRG suppressed DNCB-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and activation of NF-κB. Conclusion: FRG could ameliorate skin allergic inflammation via suppression of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Therefore, FRG may be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and/or treatment of atopic-like dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelets primarily mediate hemostasis and thrombosis, whereas leukocytes are responsible for immune responses. Since platelets interact with leukocytes at the site of vascular injury, thrombosis and vascular inflammation are closely intertwined and occur consecutively. Recent studies using real-time imaging technology demonstrated that platelet-neutrophil interactions on the activated endothelium are an important determinant of microvascular occlusion during thromboinflammatory disease in which inflammation is coupled to thrombosis. Although the major receptors and counter receptors have been identified, it remains poorly understood how heterotypic platelet-neutrophil interactions are regulated under disease conditions. This review discusses our current understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of platelet-neutrophil interactions in thromboinflammatory disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrins have a critical role in thrombosis and haemostasis. Antagonists of the platelet integrin αIIbβ3 are potent anti-thrombotic drugs, but also have the life-threatening adverse effect of causing bleeding. It is therefore desirable to develop new antagonists that do not cause bleeding. Integrins transmit signals bidirectionally. Inside-out signalling activates integrins through a talin-dependent mechanism. Integrin ligation mediates thrombus formation and outside-in signalling, which requires Gα13 and greatly expands thrombi. Here we show that Gα13 and talin bind to mutually exclusive but distinct sites within the integrin β3 cytoplasmic domain in opposing waves. The first talin-binding wave mediates inside-out signalling and also ligand-induced integrin activation, but is not required for outside-in signalling. Integrin ligation induces transient talin dissociation and Gα13 binding to an EXE motif (in which X denotes any residue), which selectively mediates outside-in signalling and platelet spreading. The second talin-binding wave is associated with clot retraction. An EXE-motif-based inhibitor of Gα13-integrin interaction selectively abolishes outside-in signalling without affecting integrin ligation, and suppresses occlusive arterial thrombosis without affecting bleeding time. Thus, we have discovered a new mechanism for the directional switch of integrin signalling and, on the basis of this mechanism, designed a potent new anti-thrombotic drug that does not cause bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study which assessed the effectiveness of a proposed poly(vinylchloride) (PVL) thin-film waveguide on ion sensor with high sensitivity which is based on polymer matrix to measure the concentration of various biochemical ions. Methodology of the study; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

A simple method for determining the absorption coefficient of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin in human blood is proposed. The method is based on a variation of the complex propagation constant of guided wave in a thin-film optical waveguide. On the waveguide layer, a serial multi-channel sample chamber is constructed to vary the interaction length between the evanescent field and the sample, and the dependence of the sensor response on the interaction length is investigated for various concentrations of two hemoglobins. The response of this sensor is linearly proportional to the interaction length and the concentration of the two hemoglobins. The attenuation constant due to the evanescent field absorption between the channels is experimentally obtained with the designed sensor, and the absorption coefficient is determined by the proposed method. The determined absorption coefficients coincided with those obtained by conventional transmission measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]