Wen-pi-tang-Hab-Wu-ling-san, a Polyherbal Medicine, Attenuates ER Stress in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Promoting the Insulin Signaling Pathway

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that functions to synthesize, fold, and transport proteins. ER stress is a key link between type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the effect of WHW on the ER stress response and the insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes, and ER stress was then induced by treatment with tunicamycin. ER stress-induced adipocytes were treated with different concentrations of WHW for 24 h. The expression of ER stress-related molecules such as X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP-homologous protein 10 (CHOP10), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α) and signaling molecules such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), insulin receptor substrates-1 (IRS-1), and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) were investigated. WHW significantly inhibited the expression of XBP-1, GRP78, CHOP10, and eIF2α in ER stress-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WHW also increased the PI3K expression and the IRS-1 phosphorylation but decreased the phosphorylation of JNK in ER stress-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that WHW inhibits ER stress in adipocytes by suppressing the expression of ER stress-mediated molecules and the insulin signaling pathway, suggesting that WHW may be an attractive therapeutic agent for managing T2D

Wen-pi-tang-Hab-Wu-ling-san, a Polyherbal Medicine, Attenuates ER Stress in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Promoting the Insulin Signaling Pathway

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle that functions to synthesize, fold, and transport proteins. ER stress is a key link between type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and insulin resistance. In this study, we investigated the effect of WHW on the ER stress response and the insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes, and ER stress was then induced by treatment with tunicamycin. ER stress-induced adipocytes were treated with different concentrations of WHW for 24 h. The expression of ER stress-related molecules such as X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP-homologous protein 10 (CHOP10), and eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2 ) and signaling molecules such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), insulin receptor substrates-1 (IRS-1), and c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) were investigated. WHW significantly inhibited the expression of XBP-1, GRP78, CHOP10, and eIF2 in ER stress-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WHW also increased the PI3K expression and the IRS-1 phosphorylation but decreased the phosphorylation of JNK in ER stress-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that WHW inhibits ER stress in adipocytes by suppressing the expression of ER stress-mediated molecules and the insulin signaling pathway, suggesting that WHW may be an attractive therapeutic agent for managing T2D

Silver Nanowire–Conducting Polymer–ITO Hybrids for Flexible and Transparent Conductive Electrodes with Excellent Durability

Solution-processed silver nanowire (AgNW) films have attracted attention as transparent and conductive electrodes for flexible optoelectronic devices and touch screens, to replace sputtered indium–tin-oxide (ITO) films. However, the mechanical flexibility, environmental durability, and the optical (such as transparency and a haze) and electrical properties of the AgNW films should be improved for their practical application. In this work, high-performance and roll-to-roll processed AgNW-based hybrid electrodes comprising poly­(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly­(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) and/or ITO are introduced. The optical and electrical properties of the AgNW films combined with PEDOT:PSS, ITO, or both of them were systematically examined. Among the films, the AgNW–PEDOT:PSS–ITO hybrid film exhibits a high transmittance (88%) and a low sheet resistance (44 Ω sq^–1) with a small haze (1.9%). Moreover, the hybrid films show excellent durability to a variety of environmental stresses. By virtues of the high performance and durability, it is believed that the AgNW–PEDOT:PSS–ITO hybrid electrodes are highly suitable for practical use

Association of Reduced Folate Carrier-1 (RFC-1) Polymorphisms with Ischemic Stroke and Silent Brain Infarction

<div><p>Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world and in South Korea. Ischemic stroke and silent brain infarction (SBI) are complex, multifactorial diseases influenced by multiple genetic and environmental factors. Moderately elevated plasma homocysteine levels are a major risk factor for vascular diseases, including stroke and SBI. Folate and vitamin B12 are important regulators of homocysteine metabolism. Reduced folate carrier (RFC), a bidirectional anion exchanger, mediates folate delivery to a variety of cells. We selected three known <i>RFC-1</i> polymorphisms (-43C>T, 80A>G, 696T>C) and investigated their relationship to cerebral infarction in the Korean population. We used the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method to analyze associations between the three <i>RFC-1</i> polymorphisms, disease status, and folate and homocysteine levels in 584 ischemic stroke patients, 353 SBI patients, and 505 control subjects. The frequencies of the <i>RFC-1</i> -43TT, 80GG, and 696CC genotypes differed significantly between the stroke and control groups. The <i>RFC-1</i> 80A>G substitution was also associated with small artery occlusion and SBI. In a gene-environment analysis, the <i>RFC-1</i> -43C>T, 80A>G, and 696T>C polymorphisms in the ischemic stroke group had combined effects with all environmental factors. In summary, we found that the <i>RFC-1</i> -43C>T, 80A>G, and 696T>C polymorphisms may be risk factors for ischemic stroke.</p></div

The haplotype analysis of the <i>RFC-1</i> -43C>T, 80A>G, and 696T>C polymorphisms among the ischemic stroke patients, silent brain infarction (SBI) patients, and control subjects.

<p>The haplotype analysis of the <i>RFC-1</i> -43C>T, 80A>G, and 696T>C polymorphisms among the ischemic stroke patients, silent brain infarction (SBI) patients, and control subjects.</p

Comparison of genotype frequencies and AOR for the <i>RFC-1</i> -43C>T, 80A>G, and 696T>C polymorphisms between the ischemic stroke subgroups with small-artery occlusion, large-artery occlusion, cardio embolism, undetermined and control subjects.

<p>Comparison of genotype frequencies and AOR for the <i>RFC-1</i> -43C>T, 80A>G, and 696T>C polymorphisms between the ischemic stroke subgroups with small-artery occlusion, large-artery occlusion, cardio embolism, undetermined and control subjects.</p