Zinc Supplementation with Polaprezinc Protects Mouse Hepatocytes against Acetaminophen-Induced Toxicity via Induction of Heat Shock Protein 70

Polaprezinc, a chelate compound consisting of zinc and l-carnosine, is clinically used as a medicine for gastric ulcers. It has been shown that induction of heat shock protein (HSP) is involved in protective effects of polaprezinc against gastric mucosal injury. In the present study, we investigated whether polaprezinc and its components could induce HSP70 and prevent acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity in mouse primary cultured hepatocytes. Hepatocytes were treated with polaprezinc, zinc sulfate or l-carnosine at the concentration of 100 µM for 9 h, and then exposed to 10 mM APAP. Polaprezinc or zinc sulfate increased cellular HSP70 expression. However, l-carnosine had no influence on it. Pretreatment of the cells with polaprezinc or zinc sulfate significantly suppressed cell death as well as cellular lipid peroxidation after APAP treatment. In contrast, pretreatment with polaprezinc did not affect decrease in intracellular glutathione after APAP. Furthermore, treatment with KNK437, an HSP inhibitor, attenuated increase in HSP70 expression induced by polaprezinc, and abolished protective effect of polaprezinc on cell death after APAP. These results suggested that polaprezinc, in particular its zinc component, induces HSP70 expression in mouse primary cultured hepatocytes, and inhibits lipid peroxidation after APAP treatment, resulting in protection against APAP toxicity

Polaprezinc Protects Mice against Endotoxin Shock

Polaprezinc (PZ), a chelate compound consisting of zinc and l-carnosine (Car), is an anti-ulcer drug developed in Japan. In the present study, we investigated whether PZ suppresses mortality, pulmonary inflammation, and plasma nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels in endotoxin shock mice after peritoneal injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and how PZ protects against LPS-induced endotoxin shock. PZ pretreatment inhibited the decrease in the survival rate of mice after LPS injection. PZ inhibited the increases in plasma NO as well as TNF-α after LPS. Compatibly, PZ suppressed LPS-induced inducible NO synthase mRNA transcription in the mouse lungs. PZ also improved LPS-induced lung injury. However, PZ did not enhance the induction of heat shock protein (HSP) 70 in the mouse lungs after LPS. Pretreatment of RAW264 cells with PZ suppressed the production of NO and TNF-α after LPS addition. This inhibition likely resulted from the inhibitory effect of PZ on LPS-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation. Zinc sulfate, but not Car, suppressed NO production after LPS. These results indicate that PZ, in particular its zinc subcomponent, inhibits LPS-induced endotoxin shock via the inhibition of NF-κB activation and subsequent induction of proinflammatory products such as NO and TNF-α, but not HSP induction

Geranylgeranylacetone Ameliorates Inflammatory Response to Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in Murine Macrophages: Inhibition of LPS Binding to The Cell Surface

We investigated whether pretreatment with geranylgeranylacetone (GGA), a potent heat shock protein (HSP) inducer, could inhibit proinflammatory cytokine liberation and nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated murine macrophages. The levels of NO and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) released from murine macrophage RAW 264 cells were increased dose- and time-dependently following treatment with LPS (1 µg/ml). GGA (80 µM) treatment 2 h before LPS addition significantly suppressed TNF-α and NO productions at 12 h and 24 h after LPS, respectively, indicating that GGA inhibits activation of macrophages. However, replacement by fresh culture medium before LPS treatment abolished the inhibitory effect of GGA on NO production in LPS-treated cells. Furthermore, GGA inhibited both HSP70 and inducible NO synthase expressions induced by LPS treatment despite an HSP inducer. When it was examined whether GGA interacts with LPS and/or affects expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and CD14 on the cell surface, GGA inhibited the binding of LPS to the cell surface, while GGA did not affect TLR4 and CD14 expressions. These results indicate that GGA suppresses the binding of LPS to the cell surface of macrophages, resulting in inhibiting signal transduction downstream of TLR4

瀬戸内国際芸術祭2013 沙弥島アートプロジェクト by 神戸芸術工科大学

本稿は、瀬戸内国際芸術祭2013 春の部（2013年3月20日[春分の日]～4月21日[日]）の一環として参加した「沙弥島アートプロジェクト by 神戸芸術工科大学」で行われた全ての活動について、成果物の画像を交えながらその内容を述べたものである。成果物として挙げられるのは、次の4つ、①香川県坂出市沙弥島内3カ所（西ノ浜、ナカンダ浜、旧沙弥小中学校）を舞台にした本学の教員（助手・実習助手含む）6名による作品展示・建築作品の公開、②準備期間中に行った地元の子供・親子を対象にしたワークショップ、③会期中に行った一般客及び地元住人を対象にしたイベント、④大学院の選択科目のひとつである大学院総合プロジェクト「沙弥島アートプロジェクト」において、担当教員の指導のもと、学生が行ったポスターや周辺地図などの印刷物およびスタッフ用パーカーなどのグッズ企画・制作である。This report assesses all the activities carried out in ‘Shamijima Art Project by Kobe Design University’ which was held as a part of Setouchi Triennale 2013 Spring term (20th March and 21st April 2013), together with the images of the project outcomes. The following four types of work have been completed in the project; ① Works of art and architecture created by six teachers of KDU(including assistants and a research assistant) in three different venues (Nishinohama Beach, Nakandahama Beach and Fomer-Shami Elementary and Junior High School), ②Workshops for the local people held in the preparation period, ③ Events for both the local and general visitors during the Triennale period, and ④ Poster, map and other graphic design works and goods productions such as staff costume created by students under the supervision in the one of the Kobe Design University graduate school’s optional subjects which is also called ‘Shamijima Art Project’

アートプロジェクトによるコミュニティ生成/瀬戸内国際芸術祭2013、沙弥島アートプロジェクトの実践による研究

2013 年、第2 回「瀬戸内国際芸術祭2013」が開催され、本学でも香川県坂出市沙弥島を会場とする「沙弥島アートプロジェクト by 神戸芸術工科大学」として参加した。このプロジェクトは2013 年3 月20 日から4 月21 日を会期としたもので、全容は昨年の紀要「芸術工学2013」において報告したが、沙弥島を対象とした研究は継続して行われ、秋季には「沙弥島・あの感動を再び」と題して、独自の展覧会を行った。プロジェクトは2012 年度と13 年度をまたいで実践されることになったが、2013 年度共同研究としての位置づけとしては、春季開催中の会場運営、夏期芸術祭期間の他会場での開催プロジェクトとの比較考察、秋季展覧会の企画・実践を担っている。また、この2013 年の成果をもとに沙弥島でのプロジェクトは2014 年度も継続することが決定している。‘Shamijima Art Project by Kobe Design University’ was held as a part of Setouchi Triennale 2013 Spring term (20th March to 21st April 2013). Complete works of the spring term project were reported on bulletin of last year ‘2013’. Since then the project was continued under the subvention of the University.In the summer term of the Trinnale, some member of research inspect the another area of Setouchi and consider the way of community formation by arts or architectural design.In autumn, we planned a second exhibition and workshop titled ‘we remember the Shamijima’. The main subject of the show is retrospect of spring term project. But then two particular programs are executed. ‘Possible futures Sakaide’ show the fictional cityscape. These works are represented by high-school students of Sakaide city. At the workshop for children, salt and shell of Shami-beach is the matter.At present, Shamijima Art Project progress to 2014’s new program