Caffeine-Stimulated Intestinal Epithelial Cells Suppress Lipid Accumulation in Adipocytes

Caffeine is a methylxanthine derived from plant foods such as coffee beans and tea leaves, and has multiple biological activities against physiological response and several diseases. Although there are some reports about the direct effect of caffeine against anti-lipid accumulation in vitro, the effect of caffeine on lipid accumulation in adipocytes through stimulating intestinal epithelial cells is unknown. Since direct treatment with caffeine to 3T3-L1 cells did not affect lipid accumulation, we determined whether caffeine-stimulated intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells influence the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Caco-2 cells were cultured on a transwell insert with or without caffeine for 24 h. Subsequently, the basolateral component of the Caco-2 cell culture on the transwell was collected and termed caffeine-conditioning medium (CCM). When 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated with CCM, CCM decreased lipid accumulation and suppressed gene expression of proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, CCM decreased the expression of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ at the protein level, but not at the mRNA level. We observed that a proteasome inhibitor, MG132, inhibited CCM-caused down-expression of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ proteins, and that CCM promoted the ubiquitination level of C/EBPβ and C/EBPδ proteins. Protein microarray analysis showed caffeine suppresses the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-8 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 from Caco-2 cells. These results suggest that caffeine indirectly suppresses lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through decreasing secretion of inflammatory cytokines from Caco-2 cells.ArticleJournal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology. 63(5): 331-338. (2017)journal articl

IRE1-XBP1 Pathway of the Unfolded Protein Response Is Required during Early Differentiation of C2C12 Myoblasts

ArticleInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences. 21(1): 182. (2019)journal articl

AMH Concentrations in Peritoneal Fluids of Women With and Without Endometriosis

Background: As its name indicates, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) is primarily found as an inhibitor of the Mullerian duct in male fetus. On the other hand, AMH may act as a mediator of Mullerian duct-derived female tissue, such as endometrium in normal and pathological conditions. However, the role of AMH in the functional regulations of endometriosis is not well understood. It can be hypothesized that AMH in peritoneal fluids may affect the activity of peritoneal endometriosis. In this study, we investigated the levels of AMH in peritoneal fluids (PF) in women with and without endometriosis. Methods: PF were collected during laparoscopy from 90 women diagnosed as having advanced endometriosis (rASRM stage III, n = 30; stage IV, n = 60), and 32 women without endometriosis were served as control. Paired serum samples were also collected before the surgery. AMH in PF and serum were measured by ELISA. Individual clinical information was collected. AMH levels were compared according to the presence of endometriosis. The expression of AMHR2 in peritoneal endometriotic lesions obtained during laparoscopy was examined by immunohistochemistry. Results: AMH levels in PF were positively and significantly correlated with serum AMH levels in both women with and without endometriosis (R2 = 0.17, P < 0.0001; R2 = 0.30, P = 0.001, respectively). Serum AMH levels were inversely and significantly correlated with age in women with endometriosis (R2 = 0.092, P = 0.004) and in control women without statistical significance (R2 = 0.078, P = 0.12). AMH levels in PF were also inversely but not significantly correlated with age in women with and without endometriosis (R2 = 0.029, P = 0.11 and R2 = 0.027, P = 0.37, respectively). Mean age and serum AMH levels were not significantly different between two groups. On the other hand, AMH levels in PF were significantly lower in women with endometriosis compared to those of control women [2.15 ± 2.13 (mean ± SD) vs. 4.40 ± 4.77 ng/mL, P = 0.0001]. AMHR2 are localized at glandular epithelium and stromal cells in the ectopic endometrium of peritoneal endometriosis. Conclusions: Women with endometriosis may present lower PF AMH levels even if they retain serum levels similar to women without disease. As peritoneal endometriosis expresses a specific receptor for AMH, lower AMH levels in PF of women with advanced endometriosis may be involved in the pathophysiology of peritoneal endometriosis

Accumulation of fibrosis and altered perifollicular stromal differentiation in vitrified‐thawed human ovarian tissue xenografted to nude mice.

Purpose: Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and its auto-transplantation is promising technique in fertility preservation. Longevity of grafted tissue is limited though mechanism of follicle reduction is not fully understood. We evaluated histological alteration of vitrified-thawed ovarian tissue that grafted to nude mice. Materials and Methods: Human ovarian tissue was cryopreserved by vitrification. After thawing, they were grafted to mesentery of nude mice. Twelve weeks after transplantation, the implants were removed and histologically examined. The presence of follicles, the degree of fibrosis, and TUNEL staining in surrounding cortex were evaluated. The stromal expressions of alpha-smooth muscle actin (aSMA) were determined.Results: Normal ovarian cortex was decreased, and fibrotic area were significantly increased after grafting. The distributions of developmental stage of follicles shifted toward activation of follicular growth. Stromal TUNEL staining was increased in frozen/thawed tissue. The expression of aSMA were found in perifollicular stroma of growing follicles, which were decreased in grafted tissue associated with reduction of cortical stroma.Conclusions: Fibrosis, reduced cortical stroma, and activation of dormant follicleswere concomitantly observed in grafted ovarian cortex, which may relate to limited longevity. Perifollicular aSMA expression can be regarded as a marker of the competence of cortical stroma that regulate follicular development

AMH producing purely cystic virilizing adult granulosa cell tumor in 17 years old girl: a case report and review of literatures

Background: Androgen-producing granulosa cell tumor in adolescent girl is rare condition and clinical characteristics are not fully elucidated. Case presentation: Seventeen years old girl complained of secondary amenorrhea was referred to our out-patient consultation. Markedly elevated serum testosterone, LH, and AMH levels were noted. Mild hirsutism and clitoromegaly were presented. Transabdominal ultrasonography and MRI revealed cystic mass occupied pelvic cavity probably originated from left ovary. Right ovary showed polycystic appearance. Laparoscopic left ovarian cystectomy was performed. After the surgery, her menstruation resumed along with normalized hormonal parameters, and clinical hyperandrogenism were improved. Since the scarcity of cellular lining of inner cyst wall, definitive pathological diagnosis was difficult. After the consultation with gynecological pathologist, the tumor was diagnosed as sex cord stromal tumor, highly suspicious for adult granulosa cell tumor. Residual left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed by additional laparoscopic surgery. Her serum testosterone and AMH levels were remained low with regular menstrual cycles and no evidence of recurrence. Conclusions: Androgen-producing cystic granulosa cell tumor is rare gynecological disorders, which need both gynecologic oncological and endocrinological approach. Its clinical manifestations may bring some clues to the pathogenesis of ovulatory dysfunctions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome

Reproducibility and validity of food group intake in a short food frequency questionnaire for the middle-aged Japanese population

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility and validity of a short food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for food group intake in Japan, the reproducibility and partial validity of which were previously confirmed for nutrients. Methods: A total of 288 middle-aged healthy volunteers from 11 different areas of Japan provided nonconsecutive 3-day weighed dietary records (DRs) at 3-month intervals over four seasons. We evaluated reproducibility based on the first (FFQ1) and second (FFQ2) questionnaires and their validity against the DRs by comparing the intake of 20 food groups. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients (SRs) were calculated between energy-adjusted intake from the FFQs and that from the DRs. Results: The intake of 20 food groups estimated from the two FFQs was mostly equivalent. The median energy-adjusted SRs between the FFQ1 and FFQ2 were 0.61 (range 0.38–0.86) for men and 0.66 (0.45–0.84) for women. For validity, the median de-attenuated SRs between DRs and the FFQ1 were 0.51 (0.17–0.76) for men and 0.47 (0.23–0.77) for women. Compared with the DRs, the proportion of cross-classification into exact plus adjacent quintiles with the FFQ1 ranged from 58 to 86% in men and from 57 to 86% in women. According to the robust Z scores and the Bland–Altman plot graphs, the underestimation errors in the FFQ1 tended to be greater in individuals with high mean levels of consumption for meat for men and for other vegetables for both men and women. Conclusion: The FFQ demonstrated high reproducibility and reasonable validity for food group intake. This questionnaire is short and remains appropriate for identifying associations between diet and health/disease among adults in Japan

Coincidental detection of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the inner inguinal lymph node of a woman undergoing laparoscopic pelvic lymph node dissection for uterine endometrial cancer

Simultaneous occurrence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and solid carcinomas, such as colon, lung, and breast cancers,is relatively rare. We report a case of coincidental detection of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) in the inner inguinal lymph node of a patient with uterine endometrial cancer FIGO stage IA. The patient was a 69-year-old woman and she visited a primary care doctor presenting with increased vaginal discharge. She was diagnosed as having uterine endometrial carcinoma. Laparoscopic hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed. The final pathologic examination revealed uterine endometrial carcinoma (endometrioid carcinoma grade 1) and DLBCL was detected in the inner inguinal lymph node. No other malignant lymphoma legions were detected by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT). She was diagnosed as having uterine endometrial carcinoma FIGO stage IA (pT1apN0pM0) and malignant lymphoma stage I according to the Ann Arbor clinical staging system. She was treated with six cycles of chemotherapy comprising rituximab, cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) for the malignant lymphoma. The patient remains in complete remission 8 months after completing chemotherapy

Accumulation of fibrosis and altered perifollicular stromal differentiation in vitrified‐thawed human ovarian tissue xenografted to nude mice.

Abstract Purpose Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and its auto‐transplantation is promising technique in fertility preservation. Longevity of grafted tissue is limited though mechanism of follicle reduction is not fully understood. We evaluated histological alteration of vitrified‐thawed ovarian tissue that grafted to nude mice. Materials and Methods Human ovarian tissue was cryopreserved by vitrification. After thawing, they were grafted to mesentery of nude mice. Twelve weeks after transplantation, the implants were removed and histologically examined. The presence of follicles, the degree of fibrosis, and TUNEL staining in surrounding cortex were evaluated. The stromal expressions of alpha‐smooth muscle actin (aSMA) were determined. Results Normal ovarian cortex was decreased, and fibrotic area were significantly increased after grafting. The distributions of developmental stage of follicles shifted toward activation of follicular growth. Stromal TUNEL staining was increased in frozen/thawed tissue. The expression of aSMA were found in perifollicular stroma of growing follicles, which were decreased in grafted tissue associated with reduction of cortical stroma. Conclusions Fibrosis, reduced cortical stroma, and activation of dormant follicles were concomitantly observed in grafted ovarian cortex, which may relate to limited longevity. Perifollicular aSMA expression can be regarded as a marker of the competence of cortical stroma that regulate follicular development