Effects of statins on the secretion of human serum albumin in cultured HepG2 cells

Statins reduce cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase and thereby lower total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in serum, which in turn lower the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Statins are also known to modulate various cellular functions such as gene expression, cell proliferation, and programmed cell death through inhibition of downstream intermediates in cholesterol synthesis. In this study, we have investigated the possible effects of statins on the secretion of serum albumin from cultured HepG2 cells since high levels of serum albumin are associated with reduced risks for CVD and statins are effective in lowering the risk of CVD through other effects in addition to their effects on serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, known as pleiotropic effects. Our results showed that simvastatin increased HSA secretion up to 32.3% compared to the control group. Among 3 statin analogs we tested, simvastatin exhibited the highest stimulatory effects on HSA secretion compared to the control group. Our study also showed that the increased HSA secretions from HepG2 cells by simvastatin treatments were due to the increased rate of HSA synthesis, not due to the reduced posttranslational degradation rate of HSA. Our finding suggests another added benefit of statins' treatments in preventing CVD through stimulation of HSA biosynthesis

Redirecting an Anticancer to an Antibacterial Hit Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

YM155 is a clinically evaluated anticancer with a fused naphthoquinone-imidazolium scaffold. In this study, we demonstrated that based on weak or cryptic antibacterial activity of YM155 against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (MIC of 50 μg/ml), some congeneric compounds with short alkyl chains (e.g., c5 with a hexyl chain) at the N3 position of the scaffold, displayed more potent antibacterial activity against MRSA (MIC of 3.13 μg/ml), which is in a clinically achievable range. Their antibacterial activity was evident against Gram-negative bacteria, only in the presence of the outer membrane-permeabilizing agent, polymyxin B. The antibacterial efficacy of c5 was confirmed using the Drosophila systemic infection model. We also characterized five spontaneous c5-resistant MRSA mutants that carry mutations in the ubiE gene, for quinone metabolism and respiratory electron transfer, and subsequently exhibited reduced respiration activity. The antibacterial activity of c5 was compromised either by an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine, or in an anaerobic condition. These suggest that the antibacterial mechanism of c5 involves the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), presumably during respiratory electron transport. This study provides an insight into “drug redirecting,” through a chemical modification, based on an ROS-generating pharmacophore

Multiple Psoas Abscess Formation after Pharmacopuncture -A Case Report-

Acupuncture has been widely used in alternative medicine for pain relief but may have many complications due to lack of appropriate cares. Pharmacopuncture is a sort of acupuncture that injects a herbal ingredient through a thin tube for the purpose of combining the effects of the herb and acupuncture and it has many pitfalls. The agents used in pharmacopuncture are not refined for a desired effect and not produced by sterile standard processes under strict medical surveillance. We report a case of a 44-yr-old male patient who had multiple abscesses in the psoas region with fever, right low back and hip pain that began after the pharmacopuncture treatment. This case shows that although pharmacopuncture has been practiced widely, it is important that the appropriate aseptic technique should be used to prevent severe infections and other complications

Hypoglycemic effects of vanadium on alloxan monohydrate induced diabetic dogs

The hypoglycemic effects after oral administration of vanadium have been studied previously in many species such as rats, mice and even humans. However, there has been no prior report on the glucose lowering effect of vanadium on diabetic dogs. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypoglycemic effects of oral vanadium on diabetic dogs. Diabetes mellitus in the dogs studied was induced by alloxan monohydrate intravenous injection. The dogs were divided into two groups, one was the diabetic control (DC) group (n = 4) and the other was the vanadium treated (DV) group (n = 6). Fresh water was supplied to the dogs in the DC group, but sodium metavanadate solution (0.1~0.2 mg/ml) was given to the dogs in DV group from one week after the alloxan injection. The fasting glucose levels, fructosamine and serum chemistry profiles were compared between the two groups weekly for three weeks. The fasting blood glucose levels in DV group were significantly lower than those in the DC group (p < 0.01). Fructosamine levels in the DV group were also lower than those in the DC group (p < 0.05). The serum chemistry profiles were not significantly different in comparisons between the two groups. However, the cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the DV group compared to the DC group (p < 0.05). Our findings showed that oral vanadium administration had a hypoglycemic effect on chemically induced diabetic dogs

Safety, efficacy, and response predictors of anticoagulation for the treatment of nonmalignant portal-vein thrombosis in patients with cirrhosis: a propensity score matching analysis

Background/AimsPortal-vein thrombosis (PVT) develops in 10-25% of cirrhotic patients and may aggravate portal hypertension. There are few data regarding the effects of anticoagulation on nonmalignant PVT in liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to elucidate the safety, efficacy, and predictors of response to anticoagulation therapy in cirrhotic patients.MethodsPatients with liver cirrhosis and nonmalignant PVT were identified by a hospital electronic medical record system (called BESTCARE). Patients with malignant PVT, Budd-Chiari syndrome, underlying primary hematologic disorders, or preexisting extrahepatic thrombosis were excluded from the analysis. Patients were divided into two groups (treatment and nontreatment), and propensity score matching analysis was performed to identify control patients. The sizes of the thrombus and spleen were evaluated using multidetector computed tomography.ResultsTwenty-eight patients were enrolled in this study between 2003 and 2014: 14 patients who received warfarin for nonmalignant PVT and 14 patients who received no anticoagulation. After 112 days of treatment, 11 patients exhibited significantly higher response rates (complete in 6 and partial in 5) compared to the control patients, with decreases in thrombus size of >30%. Compared to nonresponders, the 11 responders were older, and had a thinner spleen and fewer episodes of previous endoscopic variceal ligations, whereas pretreatment liver function and changes in prothrombin time after anticoagulation did not differ significantly between the two groups. Two patients died after warfarin therapy, but the causes of death were not related to anticoagulation.ConclusionsWarfarin can be safely administered to cirrhotic patients with nonmalignant PVT. The presence of preexisting portal hypertension is a predictor of nonresponse to anticoagulation

Primary Malignant Teratoma with a Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor Component in Thyroid Gland : A Case Report

Teratomas comprise the most common extragonadal germ cell tumors in childhood. Most teratomas involving the thyroid are benign and occur in children. However, the adult cases reported are mostly malignant and commonly arise in the thyroid. We report a case of a 31-yr-old female with a huge neck mass. Pathologic examination revealed it to be malignant teratoma composed of primitive neuroepithelial tissue with primitive neural tubes and loose myxoid to fibrous immature mesenchymal stroma. The patient underwent extensive evaluation of the thyroid gland with computed tomography (CT) scan and positron emission tomography (PET) scan, which revealed no evidence of metastatic disease. She underwent total thyroidectomy with bilateral modified radical neck dissection, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy. At 22-months of follow-up, the patient has remained euthyroid and showed no evidence of recurrence. This is the first case, to our knowledge, of malignant thyroid teratoma with a exuberant primitive neuroectodermal tumor component in Korea

Atopic Dermatitis-Like Skin Lesions Reduced by Topical Application and Intraperitoneal Injection of Hirsutenone in NC/Nga Mice

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. The increasing prevalence and severity of AD have prompted the developments of safer, more effective drugs. Although topical corticosteroids have been used as first line therapy for AD, their potential side effects limit their clinical applications. To investigate the effect of hirsutenone (HIR), a diarylheptanoid compound, on AD-like skin lesions and other factors related to immune response is the aim of this paper Th2-related cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), eosinophil, IgE inflammatory factors (COX-2, iNOS) levels were reduced in blood, lymphocytes, and tissue after HIR treatment. These results suggest that HIR might be an effective treatment for AD

Is Electrical Stimulation Beneficial for Improving the Paralytic Effect of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Children with Spastic Diplegic Cerebral Palsy?

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether electrical stimulation (ES) improves the paralytic effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) and evaluate the differences between low frequency (LF) and high frequency (HF) ES in children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy (CP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-three children with spastic diplegia CP who had BTX-A injections into both gastrocnemius muscles were assessed. Following the toxin injection, electrical stimulation was given to 1 side of the injected muscles and a sham-stimulation to the other side for 30 min a day for 7 consecutive days [HFES (25Hz) to 11 children, LFES (4Hz) to 12 children]. The compound motor action potentials (CMAP) from the gastrocnemius muscle were assessed before injection and at 5 time points (days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 30) after injection. The clinical assessments of spasticity were performed before and 30 days after injection. RESULTS: The CMAP area became significantly lower in both LFES and HFES sides from 3 days after injection compared to baseline values. In other words, the CMAP area of the sham-stimulated side showed a significant decrease at 7 or 14 days after injection. However, there were no significant differences in clinical assessment of spasticity between the stimulated and sham-stimulated sides. CONCLUSION: Short-term ES in both LF and HF to the spastic muscles injected with BTX-A might induce earlier denervating action of BTX-A. However, it does not necessarily lead to clinical and electrophysiological benefits in terms of reduction of spasticity.ope