Effect of Achyranthes bidentata

The present study investigated the antiobesity effect of Achyranthes bidentata Blume root water extract in a 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation model and rats fed with a high-fat diet. To investigate the effect of Achyranthes bidentata Blume on adipogenesis in vitro, differentiating 3T3-L1 cells in adipocyte-induction media were treated every two days with Achyranthes bidentata Blume at various concentrations (1 to 25 μg/mL) for eight days. We found that Achyranthes bidentata Blume root inhibited 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation without affecting cell viability, and Western blot analysis revealed that phospho-Akt expression was markedly decreased, whereas there was no significant change in perilipin expression. Furthermore, administration of Achyranthes bidentata Blume root (0.5 g/kg body weight for six weeks) to rats fed with a high-fat diet significantly reduced body weight gain without affecting food intake, and the level of triglyceride was significantly decreased when compared to those in rats fed with only a high-fat diet. These results suggest that Achyranthes bidentata Blume root water extract could have a beneficial effect on inhibition of adipogenesis and controlling body weight in rats fed with a high-fat diet

The differential expression pattern of BMP-4 between the dentigerous cyst and the odontogenic keratocyst.

Background: Bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP-4) is widely expressed in oral cavity and involved in tooth morphogenesis, cellular differentiation and proliferation. The purpose of this study was to compare the difference in expression pattern of BMP-4 in odontogenic keratocysts (OKC) and dentigerous cysts (DC). Methods: We evaluated 77 cysts, OKC (n = 34) or DC (n = 43). The average age of patients with OKC was 29.5 ± 14.4 and that of patients with DC was 36.1 ± 19.4. The male to female ratio was 20:14 for OKC and 27:16 for DC. Ten cases of OKC were recurrences. Expression of BMP-4 was determined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. Results: The intensity scales were (−) for invisible or trace staining, (+) for visible staining, and (++) for dense, strong staining. OKCs exhibited the following staining patterns: the epithelium in 15/34 specimens and the mesenchymal cells in 17/34 specimens showed (++) stain. In contrast, the staining pattern of DC was (−) for epithelium in 37/43 specimens. The mesenchymal cells showed (−) degree staining in 30/43 specimens. The difference between the groups studied was significant (P < 0.001 in epithelium and mesenchymal cells). When recurrent and non-recurrent OKC were compared BMP-4 was expressed more intensely in the recurrent cases (P = 0.036 in epithelium). The difference in BMP-4 expression in mesenchymal cells was not significant. In situ hybridization demonstrated positive mRNA probes to BMP-4 were localized in epithelium and mesenchymal cells of OKCs and DCs. Conclusions: BMP-4 was expressed more intensely in OKC when compared with DC, and was more intensely expressed in recurrent cases.This work was supported by the Kyungpook National University Hospital Medical Research Institute in 1999

The Capability of Catabolic Utilization of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid, a Sialic Acid, Is Essential for Vibrio vulnificus Pathogenesis ▿

N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac, sialic acid) could provide a good substrate for enteropathogenic bacteria in the intestine, when the bacteria invade and colonize in human gut. In order to analyze the role of Neu5Ac catabolism in Vibrio vulnificus pathogenesis, a mutant with disruption of the nanA gene encoding Neu5Ac lyase was constructed by allelic exchanges. The nanA mutant was not able to utilize Neu5Ac as a sole carbon source and revealed an altered colony morphotype with reduced opacity in the presence of Neu5Ac. Compared to the wild type, the nanA mutant exhibited a low level of cytotoxicity toward INT-407 epithelial cells in vitro and reduced virulence in a mouse model. The disruption of nanA also resulted in a substantial decrease in histopathological damage in jejunum and colon tissues from the mouse intestine. These results indicated that NanA plays an important role in V. vulnificus pathogenesis. In addition, the nanA mutant was significantly diminished in growth with and adherence to INT-407 epithelial cells in vitro, and was defective for intestinal colonization, reflecting the impaired ability of the mutant to grow and survive with, persist in, and adhere to the intestine in vivo. Consequently, the combined results suggest that NanA and the capability of catabolic utilization of Neu5Ac contribute to V. vulnificus virulence by ensuring growth, adhesion, and survival during infection