The expression of COX-2 in VEGF-treated endothelial cells is mediated through protein tyrosine kinase.

Cyclooxygenase (COX), existing as the COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms, converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2, which is then further metabolized to various prostaglandins. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to play important roles in inflammation and is upregulated by the prostaglandin E series through COX-2 in several cell types. Here, we have investigated the effects of VEGF on the COX isoform expressed in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The signalling mechanism of the COX isoform expressed in endothelial cells activated with VEGF will be also investigated using the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein, and protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine. The activity of COX-2 was assessed by measuring the production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F1alpha in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acids (10 microM, 10 min) by enzyme immunoassay. The expression of COX isoform protein was detected by immunoblot using specific antibodies. Untreated HUVEC contained no COX-2 protein. In HUVEC treated with VEGF (0.01-50 ng/ml), COX-2 protein, but not COX-1, and COX activity were increased in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the increased COX-2 protein and activity in response to VEGF (10 ng/ml) was inhibited by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein (0.05-5 microg/ml), but not by the protein kinase C inhibitor, staurosporine (0.1-10 ng/ml). Thus, the induction of COX-2 by VEGF in endothelial cells was mediated through protein tyrosine kinase, and the uses of specific COX-2 inhibitors in these conditions, in which VEGF was involved, might have a role

The induction of cyclooxygenase-2 in IL-1beta-treated endothelial cells is inhibited by prostaglandin E2 through cAMP.

Prostaglandins (PGs) have numerous cardiovascular and inflammatory effects. Cyclooxygenase (COX), which exists as COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms, is the first enzyme in the pathway in which arachidonic acid is converted to PGs. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) exerts a variety of biological activities for the maintenance of local homeostasis in the body. Elucidation of PGE2 involvement in the signalling molecules such as COX could lead to potential therapeutic interventions. Here, we have investigated the effects of PGE2 on the induction of COX-2 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) treated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta 1 ng/ml). COX activity was measured by the production of 6-keto-PGF1alpha, PGE2, PGF2alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acids (10 microM for 10 min) using enzyme immunoassay (EIA). COX-1 and COX-2 protein was measured by immunoblotting using specific antibody. Untreated HUVEC contained only COX-1 protein while IL-1beta treated HUVEC contained COX-1 and COX-2 protein. PGE2 (3 microM for 24h) did not affect on COX activity and protein in untreated HUVEC. Interestingly, PGE2 (3 microM for 24h) can inhibit COX-2 protein, but not COX-1 protein, expressed in HUVEC treated with IL-1beta. This inhibition was reversed by coincubation with forskolin (100 microM). The increased COX activity in HUVEC treated with IL-1beta was also inhibited by PGE2 (0.03, 0.3 and 3 microM for 24h) in a dose-dependent manner. Similarly, forskolin (10, 50 or 100 microM) can also reverse the inhibition of PGE2 on increased COX activity in IL-1beta treated HUVEC. The results suggested that (i) PGE2 can initiate negative feedback regulation in the induction of COX-2 elicited by IL-1beta in endothelial cells, (ii) the inhibition of PGE2 on COX-2 protein and activity in IL-1beta treated HUVEC is mediated by cAMP and (iii) the therapeutic use of PGE2 in the condition which COX-2 has been involved may have different roles

In vitro protective effects of plants frequently used traditionally in cancer prevention in Thai traditional medicine: An ethnopharmacological study

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Thai traditional medicine (TTM) has been used widely in cancer management in Thailand. Although several Thai medicinal plants were screened for pharmacological activities related to cancer treatment, such evidence still suffers from the lack of linking with TTM knowledge. AIM OF THE STUDY: To document knowledge and species used in cancer prevention in TTM and to preliminary investigate pharmacological activities related to the documented knowledge of twenty-six herbal drugs used in cancer/mareng prevention. METHODS: Fieldwork gathering data on TTM concept and herbal medicines used in cancer prevention was performed with TTM practitioners across Thailand. Later, water and ethanol extracts from twenty-six herbal drugs mentioned as being used in cancer prevention were screened for their protective effect against tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced cell death in HepG2 cells. Then active extracts were investigated for their effects on NQO1 activity, glutathione level, and safety in normal rat hepatocytes. RESULTS: The fieldwork helped in the development of TTM cancer prevention strategy and possible experimental models to test the pharmacological activities of selected medicinal plants. Fifteen plant extracts showed significant protective effect by restoring the cell viability to 40-59.3%, which were comparable or better than the positive control EGCG. Among them, ethanol extracts from S. rugata and T. laurifolia showed the most promising chemopreventive properties by significantly increased NQO1 activity, restored GSH level from oxidative damage, as well as showed non-toxic effect in normal rat hepatocytes. CONCLUSION: TTM knowledge in cancer prevention was documented and used in the planning of pharmacological experiment to study herbal medicines, especially in cancer, inflammation, and other chronic diseases. The proposed strategy should be applied to in vivo and clinical studies in order to further confirm the validity of such a strategy. Other traditional medical systems that use integrated approaches could also apply our strategy to develop evidence that supports a more rational uses in traditional medicine

Untargeted Metabolomics Analysis using LC-MSQTOF for Metabolite Profile Comparison between Patients with Myofascial Pain of Upper Trapezius Muscle versus Controls

Objective: This study aims to identify different biomarkers of Myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) using untargeted metabolomics screening. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, serum samples from MPS patients (n = 19) and healthy controls (n = 10) were analyzed using reverse-phase liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry quadrupole time-of-flight (MS-QTOF). The resulted raw data was processed with Progenesis QI data analysis software. The HMBD database was used to identify the metabolites based on their fold change (>1.2), variable importance plot (>1) with P < 0.05. MetaboAnalyst 5.0 was used to generate metabolic network analysis for all identified metabolites. Results: The MPS group reported significantly higher pain on visual analog scale when compared with control while most of the other routine blood chemical profiles were not different. Twenty-seven metabolites were analyzed and identified with untargeted metabolomics analysis which could distinguish MPS patients from healthy controls. Inosine and chenodeoxycholic acid were abundant in the MPS group, whereas the others were low. Metabolites were divided into three categories: lipids, nucleotides, and organic compounds. Possible MPS metabolites included lysoSM (sphingomyelin), lysoPC (lysophosphatidylcholine), lysoPE (lysophosphatidylethanolamine), triglyceride, and inosine. Conclusion: These metabolite profiles, including glycerophospholipids mechanism and purine metabolism, indicate that the inflammatory process might be related to the mechanisms of MPS. A larger sample size, a different trigger point location, and modifications in therapy afterward should all be further explored

Upregulation of CYP 450s expression of immortalized hepatocyte-like cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells by enzyme inducers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The strenuous procurement of cultured human hepatocytes and their short lives have constrained the cell culture model of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) induction, xenobiotic biotransformation, and hepatotoxicity. The development of continuous non-tumorous cell line steadily containing hepatocyte phenotypes would substitute the primary hepatocytes for these studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The hepatocyte-like cells have been developed from hTERT plus Bmi-1-immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells to substitute the primary hepatocytes. The hepatocyte-like cells had polygonal morphology and steadily produced albumin, glycogen, urea and UGT1A1 beyond 6 months while maintaining proliferative capacity. Although these hepatocyte-like cells had low basal expression of CYP450 isotypes, their expressions could be extensively up regulated to 80 folds upon the exposure to enzyme inducers. Their inducibility outperformed the classical HepG2 cells.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The hepatocyte-like cells contained the markers of hepatocytes including CYP450 isotypes. The high inducibility of CYP450 transcripts could serve as a sensitive model for profiling xenobiotic-induced expression of CYP450.</p

Effects of Different Durations of 9-Square Dance Exercise Versus Treadmill Exercise on the Physical Fitness and Quality of Life of Healthy Volunteers: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the impact of 9-square dance exercise (9SDE) on physical fitness and quality of life compared to traditional treadmill exercise (TME). Materials and Methods: In total, 33 healthy volunteers (10 men, 23 women) were recruited and randomly assigned into three groups: 9 square dance exercise for 8 minutes (9SDE-8), 9 square dance exercise for 30 minutes (9SDE-30), or treadmill exercise (TME). Exercises were done three times a week for 12 weeks and physical fitness tests were performed for all the groups at weeks 0, 6, and 12. Participants were assessed using the European Quality of Life Measure 5 Domains and 5 Levels questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Results: Significant improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance, leg strength, and flexibility were demonstrated in the 9SDE-30 group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in physical fitness between the 9SDE-30 and TME groups. The 9SDE-8 group showed a significant improvement in utility in the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire (p<0.05), while the TME group showed a significant improvement in directly evaluated health status (p<0.05). 9SDE-30 and TME showed similar improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance and leg strength. Conclusion: Considering its low-resource requirement and overall utility, coupled with its effectiveness in promoting cardiovascular fitness and leg strength, 9SDE represents a viable exercise alternative for those with limited time and resources

Identification of Apigenin and Luteolin in Artemisia annua L. for the Quality Control

Objective: To identify active compounds and establish the chemical fingerprint of Artemisia annua L. for the quality control. Methods: Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) conditions were developed to screen for 2 common flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin). Three mobile phases were used to isolate these flavonoids in 80% ethanolic extract of A. annua. Hexane : ethyl acetate : acetic acid (31:14:5, v/v) and toluene : 1,4-dioxane : acetic acid (90:25:4, v/v) were used in normal phase TLC (NP-TLC), and 5.5% formic acid in water : methanol (50:50, v/v) were used in reverse phase TLC (RP-TLC). Chromatograms were visualized under visible light after spraying with Fast Blue B Salt. Apigenin and luteolin bands were checked by comparing their Rf values and UV-Vis absorption spectra with reference markers. Results: Apigenin and luteolin were simultaneously detected with good specificity in RP-TLC condition, while only apigenin was detected in NP-TLC condition. Apigenin band intensity was higher than luteolin band intensity in both conditions. Conclusion: This knowledge can be applied to the development of quality control assessments to ensure product efficacy and consistency

Effect of Kao-Ta (9-Square Step Exercise) and Kao-Ten (9-Square Dance Exercise) on Balance Rehabilitation in Patients with Balance Disorders

Objective: To study the effect of Kao-ta (9-square step exercise) and Kao-ten (9-square dance exercise) on balance improvement in patients with balance disorders. Methods: This prospective pilot study in patients with balance disorders was conducted at the outpatient clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand from December 2015 to December 2016. Patients diagnosed by clinical symptoms and at least one abnormal condition on posturography were taught how to perform Kao-ta and Kao-ten exercise. Participants were provided with the equipment necessary to create a nine square grid at home. They were instructed to perform 3 minutes of Kao-ta followed by 2 minutes of Kao-ten twice per day for at least 45 days in an 8-week period. Posturography and visual analogue scale (VAS) of balance symptom severity were compared between before and after exercise program.  Results: Eleven patients with balance disorders were included. The mean age was 57.2±12.9 years (range: 33-70), and all patients were women. The average composite equilibrium score at baseline was 64.4±8.1. After 8 weeks of Kao-ta and Kao-ten, the average composite equilibrium score increased to 73.8±10.2 (p<0.01). The median (P25, P75) of the abnormal equilibrium score condition decreased from 2 (1, 3) at baseline to 1 (0, 2) after 8 weeks (p=0.016). The median VAS of balance symptom severity decreased from 4 (3, 6) at baseline to 2 (0.2, 5.5) after 8 weeks (p=0.028). Conclusion: Kao-ta and Kao-ten exercise can improve symptoms in patients with balance disorders after 8 weeks of exercise

Identification of Apigenin and Luteolin in Artemisia annua L. for the Quality Control

Objective: To identify active compounds and establish the chemical fingerprint of Artemisia annua L. for the quality control. Methods: Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) conditions were developed to screen for 2 common flavonoids (apigenin and luteolin). Three mobile phases were used to isolate these flavonoids in 80% ethanolic extract of A. annua.Hexane : ethyl acetate : acetic acid (31:14:5, v/v) and toluene : 1,4-dioxane : acetic acid (90:25:4, v/v) were used in normal phase TLC (NP-TLC), and 5.5% formic acid in water : methanol (50:50, v/v) were used in reverse phase TLC (RP-TLC). Chromatograms were visualized under visible light after spraying with Fast Blue B Salt. Apigenin and luteolin bands were checked by comparing their Rf values and UV-Vis absorption spectra with reference markers. Results: Apigenin and luteolin were simultaneously detected with good specificity in RP-TLC condition, while only apigenin was detected in NP-TLC condition. Apigenin band intensity was higher than luteolin band intensity in both conditions. Conclusion: This knowledge can be applied to the development of quality control assessments to ensure product efficacy and consistenc