Submerzni uzgoj i karakterizacija polisaharida iz gljive Grifola frondosa – primjena u kozmetičkoj industriji

Grifola frondosa (maitake) is traditionally called \u27the king of mushrooms\u27 and \u27the hen of the woods\u27. Both the fruiting bodies and the mycelium of maitake have been reported to have antitumor and antiviral activities. Recently, submerged culture processes have been developed, with the intention of providing opportunities for increased economic exploitation of maitake. Commonly the aim of these processes is to produce extracellular polysaccharides (EPS), mostly glucans, and to explore their applications, particularly in the cosmetic industry. A wide variety of EPS with different molecular chain length and chemical compositions are produced under different culture conditions. In this article, various biological and physicochemical properties of the EPS of G. frondosa (GF-EPS) are described, with a view to applications in the area of functional cosmeceuticals. The GF-EPS, together with GF mycelial extract (GF-MPS), showed antioxidative activity, stimulation of collagen biosynthetic activity, cell proliferation activity, and inhibitory activity of melanogenesis, without significant cytotoxicity. These diverse functionalities suggest that both GF-EPS and GF-MPS can be promising cosmetic ingredients.Gljivu Grifola frondosa (maitake) u Koreji tradicionalno zovu kraljicom gljiva i šumskim bogatstvom. Dokazano je da plodište i micelij gljiva maitake imaju antitumorski i antivirusni učinak. Ekonomsko iskorištenje te gljive omogućeno je submerznim uzgojem. Uobičajeni je cilj uzgoja proizvodnja ekstracelularnih polisaharida (EPS), uglavnom glukana i istraživanje mogućnosti njihove primjene u kozmetičkoj industriji. Pri raznim uvjetima proizvodnje dobivaju se ekstracelularni polisaharidi različitih duljina lanaca i kemijskoga sastava. U ovom su radu opisana razna biološka i fizikalno-kemijska svojstva ekstracelularnih polisaharida gljive Grifola frondosa (GF-EPS), te primjena u proizvodnji kozmetičkih preparata s povoljnim utjecajem na ljudsko zdravlje. Ekstracelularni polisaharidi i ekstrakt micelija gljive Grifola frondosa (GFMPS) imaju antioksidativni učinak, stimuliraju biosintezu kolagena, bujanje stanica, sprečavaju nastanak melanoma i nemaju jače citotoksično djelovanje, zbog čega su prikladni za primjenu u kozmetičkoj industriji

Suvremena primjena gljive Phellinus baumii – od fermentacije do proteomike

Phellinus baumii is a mushroom used as a folk medicine for a variety of human diseases in several Asian countries. Recently we have reported for the first time about the antidiabetic effect of the crude exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced from submerged mycelial culture of P. baumii in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The diabetic rats study revealed that orally administrated P. baumii EPS lowered the blood glucose levels and stimulated insulin excretion in diabetic rats, and consequently restored the functions of pancreas, liver, and kidney, suggesting that the EPS might be useful for the management of human diabetes mellitus. We undertook proteomic analyses for plasma, pancreas, liver, and kidney of the rats to search for novel biomarkers for monitoring diabetes before and after EPS treatments. In this article, we describe the production of EPS in submerged culture of P. baumii and studies of their hypoglycemic activity. We also explore the issue of proteomic analyses for mining biomarkers of diabetes.Phellinus baumii je gljiva koja se koristi kao narodni lijek za liječenje raznih bolesti u nekoliko azijskih zemalja. Nedavno smo po prvi put objavili da nerafinirani egzopolisaharidi (EPS), dobiveni submerznim uzgojem micelija gljive P. baumii, smanjuju razinu šećera u krvi štakora s dijabetesom induciranim streptozotocinom (STZ). Istraživanje je pokazalo da egzopolisaharidi gljive P. baumii, dodani oralnim putem, snizuju razinu šećera u krvi štakora, stimuliraju lučenje inzulina i time obnavljaju funkcije gušterače, jetre i bubrega. Zaključeno je da bi se mogli primjenjivati i u liječenju ljudi od dijabetesa. Autori su proveli proteomsku analizu plazme, gušterače, jetre i bubrega štakora za određivanje novih biomarkera za praćenje dijabetesa prije i nakon obrade egzopolisaharidima. U ovom je radu opisana proizvodnja egzopolisaharida u submerznoj kulturi gljive P. baumii i studija njihova utjecaja na razinu šećera u krvi. Također je provedena proteomska analiza radi određivanja biomarkera dijabetesa

An autoregulatory loop controlling orphan nuclear receptor DAX-1 gene expression by orphan nuclear receptor ERRγ

The estrogen receptor-related receptor gamma (ERRγ/ERR3/NR3B3) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that activates transcription in the absence of ligand. However, the detailed mechanism of gene regulation by ERRγ is not fully understood. In this study we have found that the orphan nuclear receptor ERRγ activates the DAX-1 promoter, which, in turn, represses transactivation by ERRγ. Serial deletions of mouse DAX-1 (mDAX-1) gene promoter have revealed that the region responding to ERRγ is located between −129 and −121 bp and −334 and −326 bp. Gel shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays demonstrated that ERRγ binds directly to the mDAX-1 promoter. Site-directed mutagenesis results demonstrated that ERRE1 (−129 to −121 bp) is more important than ERRE2 (−334 to −326 bp) which is not conserved in the human DAX-1 promoter. In addition, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of ERRγ induced DAX-1 gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells that co-expressed ERRγ and DAX-1. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid and glutathione S-transferase (GST)-pull down assays demonstrated that DAX-1 physically interacted with ERRγ and inhibited ERRγ transactivation, and that this interaction was dependent on the AF-2 domain of ERRγ. In addition, in vitro competition assays showed that DAX-1 inhibited PGC-1α mediated ERRγ transactivation, via competition between these two factors for the AF-2 binding domain. We thus propose a novel autoregulatory loop that controls DAX-1 gene expression by ERRγ

Differential effect of corn oil-based low trans structured fat on the plasma and hepatic lipid profile in an atherogenic mouse model: comparison to hydrogenated trans fat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Trans </it>fat are not desirable in many aspects on health maintenance. Low <it>trans </it>structured fats have been reported to be relatively more safe than <it>trans </it>fats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the effects of low <it>trans </it>structured fat from corn oil (LC), compared with high <it>trans </it>fat shortening, on cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in apo E deficient mice which is an atherogenic animal model. The animals were fed a high <it>trans </it>fat (10% fat: commercial shortening (CS)) or a low <it>trans </it>fat (LC) diet for 12 weeks.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LC decreased apo B and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride concentration compared to the CS group but significantly increased plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration and fecal lipids with a simultaneous increase in HDL-cholesterol level, apo A-I, and the ratio of HDL-cholesterol to total cholesterol (HTR). Reduction of hepatic lipid levels by inclusion of LC intake was observed alongside modulation of hepatic enzyme activities related to cholesterol esterification, fatty acid metabolism and fecal lipids level compared to the CS group. The differential effects of LC intake on the plasma and hepatic lipid profile seemed to be partly due to the fatty acid composition of LC which contains higher MUFA, PUFA and SFA content as well as lower content of <it>trans </it>fatty acids compared to CS.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We suggest that LC may exert a dual effect on plasma and hepatic lipid metabolism in an atherogenic animal model. Accordingly, LC, supplemented at 10% in diet, had an anti-atherogenic effect on these <it>apo E</it>^{<it>-/- </it>}mice, and increased fecal lipids, decreased hepatic steatosis, but elevated plasma lipids. Further studies are needed to verify the exact mode of action regarding the complex physiological changes and alteration in lipid metabolism caused by LC.</p

Cell type–dependent variation in paracrine potency determines therapeutic efficacy against neonatal hyperoxic lung injury

AbstractBackground aimsThe aim of this study was to determine the optimal cell type for transplantation to protect against neonatal hyperoxic lung injury. To this end, the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic efficacies and paracrine potencies of human umbilical cord blood–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (HUMs), human adipose tissue–derived mesenchymal stromal cells (HAMs) and human umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (HMNs) were compared.MethodsHyperoxic injury was induced in vitro in A549 cells by challenge with H2O2. Alternatively, hyperoxic injury was induced in newborn Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo by exposure to hyperoxia (90% oxygen) for 14 days. HUMs, HAMs or HMNs (5 × 105 cells) were given intratracheally at postnatal day 5.ResultsHyperoxia-induced increases in in vitro cell death and in vivo impaired alveolarization were significantly attenuated in both the HUM and HAM groups but not in the HMN group. Hyperoxia impaired angiogenesis, increased the cell death and pulmonary macrophages and elevated inflammatory cytokine levels. These effects were significantly decreased in the HUM group but not in the HAM or HMN groups. The levels of human vascular endothelial growth factor and hepatocyte growth factor produced by donor cells were highest in HUM group, followed by HAM group and then HMN group.ConclusionsHUMs exhibited the best therapeutic efficacy and paracrine potency than HAMs or HMNs in protecting against neonatal hyperoxic lung injury. These cell type-dependent variations in therapeutic efficacy might be associated or mediated with the paracrine potency of the transplanted donor cells

Involvement of mTOR signaling in sphingosylphosphorylcholine-induced hypopigmentation effects

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC) acts as a potent lipid mediator and signaling molecule in various cell types. In the present study, we investigated the effects of SPC on melanogenesis and SPC-modulated signaling pathways related to melanin synthesis.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Melanin production was measured in Mel-Ab cells. A luciferase assay was used to detect transcriptional activity of the MITF promoter. Western blot analysis was performed to examine SPC-induced signaling pathways.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SPC produced significant hypopigmentation effects in a dose-dependent manner. It was found that SPC induced not only activation of Akt but also stimulation of mTOR, a downstream mediator of the Akt signaling pathway. Moreover, SPC decreased the levels of LC3 II, which is known to be regulated by mTOR. Treatment with the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin eliminated decreases in melanin and LC3 II levels by SPC. Furthermore, we found that the Akt inhibitor LY294002 restored SPC-mediated downregulation of LC3 II and inhibited the activation of mTOR by SPC.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data suggest that the mTOR signaling pathway is involved in SPC-modulated melanin synthesis.</p

Perfusion parameters as potential imaging biomarkers for the early prediction of radiotherapy response in a rat tumor model

PURPOSEWe aimed to compare various tumor-related radiologic morphometric changes and computed tomography (CT) perfusion parameters before and after treatment, and to determine the optimal imaging assessment technique for the prediction of early response in a rat tumor model treated with radiotherapy.METHODSAmong paired tumors of FN13762 murine breast cancer cells implanted bilaterally in the necks of eight Fischer rats, tumors on the right side were treated with a single 20 Gy dose of radiotherapy. Perfusion CT studies were performed on day 0 before radiotherapy, and on days 1 and 5 after radiotherapy. Variables based on the size, including the longest diameter, tumor area, and volume, were measured. Quantitative perfusion analysis was performed for the whole tumor volume and permeabilities and blood volumes (BVs) were obtained. The area under the curve (AUC) difference in the histograms of perfusion parameters and texture analyses of uniformity and entropy were quantified. Apoptotic cell density was measured on pathology specimens immediately after perfusion imaging on day 5.RESULTSOn day 1 after radiotherapy, differences in size between the irradiated and nonirradiated tumors were not significant. In terms of percent changes in the uniformity of permeabilities between tumors before irradiation and on day 1 after radiotherapy, the changes were significantly higher in the irradiated tumors than in the nonirradiated tumors (0.085 [−0.417, 0.331] vs. −0.131 [−0.536, 0.261], respectively; P = 0.042). The differences in AUCs of the histogram of voxel-by-voxel vascular permeability and BV in tumors between day 0 and day 1 were significantly higher in treated tumors compared with the control group (permeability, 21.4 [−2.2, 37.5] vs. 9.5 [−8.9, 33.8], respectively, P = 0.030; BV, 52.9 [−6186.0, 419.2] vs. 11.9 [−198.3, 346.7], respectively, P = 0.049). Apoptotic cell density showed a significantly positive correlation with the AUC difference of BV, the percent change of uniformity in permeability and BV (r=0.202, r=0.644, and r=0.706, respectively).CONCLUSIONBy enabling earlier tumor response prediction than morphometric evaluation, the histogram analysis of CT perfusion parameters appears to have a potential in providing prognostic predictive information in an irradiated rat model

Lung function, coronary artery calcification, and metabolic syndrome in 4905 Korean males

SummaryBackgroundImpaired lung function is an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. We assessed the relationships of lung function with insulin resistance (IR), metabolic syndrome (MetS), systemic inflammation and coronary artery calcification score (CACS) measured by computed tomography (CT) scan an indicator of coronary atherosclerosis.MethodsWe identified 4905 adult male patients of the Health Promotion Center in Samsung Medical Center between March 2005 and February 2008 and retrospectively reviewed the following data for these patients: pulmonary function, CT-measured CACS, anthropometric measurement, fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). MetS was defined according to the AHA/NHLBI criteria.ResultsWhen the subjects were divided into four groups according to quartiles of FVC or FEV1 (% pred), serum CRP level, HOMA-IR, prevalence of MetS and CACS significantly increased as the FVC or FEV1 (% pred) decreased. The odds ratios (ORs) for MetS in the lowest quartiles of FVC and FEV1 (% pred) were 1.85 (95% CI, 1.49–2.30; p<0.001) and 1.47 (95% CI, 1.20–1.81; p<0.001) respectively. The ORs for the presence of coronary artery calcification in the lowest quartiles of FVC and FEV1 (% pred) were 1.31 (95% CI, 1.09–1.58; p=0.004) and 1.22 (95% CI, 1.02–1.46; p=0.029) respectively. Obesity, CRP, HOMA-IR, and the presence of coronary artery calcium were independent risk predictors for impaired lung function.ConclusionMetabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, coronary atherosclerosis, and systemic inflammation are closely related to the impaired lung function

Idiopathic severe hypermagnesemia in an extremely low birth weight infant on the first day of life

A preterm female infant born at 27 weeks of gestation with a birth weight of 990 g developed acute hypotonia, apnea, hypotension and bradycardia mimicking septic shock syndrome at 14h after birth. Laboratory tests indicated a severe hypermagnesemia of 45 mg/dL. The renal function, complete blood count and maternal blood concentrations of magnesium were normal, and the blood cultures were negative. The patient recovered with treatment including exchange transfusion. However, the etiology of the severe hypermagnesemia remains unknown