RESUMEN

Neutrophils have a critical role in inflammation. Recent studies have identified their distinctive presence in certain types of atopic dermatitis (AD), yet their exact function remains unclear. This review aims to compile studies elucidating the role of neutrophils in AD pathophysiology. Proteins released by neutrophils, including myeloperoxidase, elastase, and lipocalin, contribute to pruritus progression in AD. Neutrophilic oxidative stress and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps may further worsen AD. Elevated neutrophil elastase and high-mobility group box 1 protein expression in AD patients' skin exacerbates epidermal barrier defects. Neutrophil-mast cell interactions in allergic inflammation steer the immunological response toward Th2 imbalance and activate the Th17 pathway, particularly in response to allergens or infections linked to AD. Notably, drugs alleviating pruritic symptoms in AD inhibit neutrophilic inflammation. In conclusion, these findings underscore that neutrophils may be therapeutic targets for AD symptoms, emphasizing their inclusion in AD treatment strategies.

RESUMEN

The present study was aimed to determine the immunomodulatory effects of dietary supplementation of the antimicrobial peptide (AMP) plectasin on broiler chickens. The experiment involved 300-day-old Ross chicks reared in a conventional housing system and subjected to ambient temperature and relative humidity. The birds were randomly allocated to five treatment groups: the non-supplemented negative control group (T1), enramycin-supplemented group (T2), and groups supplemented with varying doses of plectasin at 150 ppm, 300 ppm, and 450 ppm (T3, T4, and T5, respectively) from day 1 to 35. The results indicated that plectasin supplementation increased jejunal and ileal goblet cell (GC) counts, serum interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels at neonatal age, and serum immunoglobulin Y (IgY) titer on days 7, 21, 28, and 35. These findings confirmed that plectasin induces positive immunomodulatory responses by specifically enhancing gut mucosal barriers, early innate immunity, and humoral immune response. Specifically, supplementation at 150 ppm may be considered as the optimal dose for inclusion in broiler chicken feeds.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Glehnia littoralis has been reported to have several pharmacological properties but no reports describing the antiadipogenic effect of this plant have been published. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Glehnia littoralis root hot water extract (GLE) and its underlying mechanism on 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis and in high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced obese mice. We measured intracellular lipid accumulation using oil red O staining in vitro. For in vivo study, twenty-eight C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into four groups, Control, HFD, HFD + 1% GLE, and HFD + 5% GLE, which was performed for eight weeks. We determined the expression levels of the adipogenesis-related proteins by RT-PCR and western blotting in HFD-induced obese mice. The GLE dose-dependently inhibited 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and intracellular lipid accumulation in differentiated adipocytes. Further, body weight gain and fat accumulation were significantly lower in the GLE-treated HFD mice than in the untreated HFD mice. GLE treatment suppressed the expression of adipogenic genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, fatty acid synthase (aP2), and fatty acid synthase (FAS). These results suggest that the GLE inhibits adipocyte differentiation and intracellular lipid accumulation by downregulating the adipogenic gene expression both in vitro and in vivo.

RESUMEN

There is a high association of heat shock on the alteration of energy and lipid metabolism. The alterations associated with thermal stress are composed of gene expression changes and adaptation through biochemical responses. Previous study showed that Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract promoted adipogenic differentiation in murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes under the normal temperature condition. However, its effect in heat shocked 3T3-L1 cells has not been established. In this study, we investigated the effect of AGN root hot water extract in the adipogenic differentiation of murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes following heat shock and its possible mechanism of action. Thermal stress procedure was executed within the same stage of preadipocyte confluence (G0) through incubation at 42°C for one hour and then allowed to recover at normal incubation temperature of 37°C for another hour before AGN treatment for both cell viability assay and Oil Red O. Cell viability assay showed that AGN was able to dose dependently (0 to 400 µg/mL) increase cell proliferation under normal incubation temperature and also was able to prevent cytotoxicity due to heat shock accompanied by cell proliferation. Confluent preadipocytes were subjected into heat shock procedure, recovery and then AGN treatment prior to stimulation with the differentiation solution. Heat shocked preadipocytes exhibited reduced differentiation as supported by decreased amount of lipid accumulation in Oil Red O staining and triglyceride measurement. However, those heat shocked preadipocytes that then were given AGN extract showed a dose dependent increase in lipid accumulation as shown by both evaluation procedures. In line with these results, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis showed that AGN increased adipogenic differentiation by upregulating heat shock protection related genes and proteins together with the adipogenic markers. These findings imply the potential of AGN in heat shock amelioration among 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through heat shock factor and proteins augmentation and enhanced adipogenic marker expression.

RESUMEN

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400 ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

Saussurea involucrata is a Mongolian medicinal plant well known for its effects in promoting blood circulation, and anti-inflammation and analgesic functions. Earlier studies reported that Saussurea involucrata has anti- cancer activity. The purpose of this study was to confirm the anticancer activity of an ethanol extract of Saussurea involucrata against hepatic cancer and elucidate its mechanisms of action. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, AO/EB staining for apoptotic cells, apoptotic DNA fragmentation and cell cycle distribution in response to Saussurea involucrata extract (SIE). The mRNA expression of caspase-3,-9 and Cdk2 and protein expression of caspase-3,-9, PARP, XIAP, Cdk2 and p21 were analyzed through real time PCR and Western blotting. Treatment with SIE inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation dose- and time-dependently, but SIE only exerted a modest cytotoxic effect on a viability of Chang human liver cells. Cells exposed to SIE showed typical hallmarks of apoptotic cell death. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SIE caused G1-phase arrest in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, Saussurea involucrata ethanol extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G1) arrest and apoptosis induction through up-regulation of the protein expressions of caspase-3,-9 and p21, degradation of PARP and down-regulation of the protein expression of Cdk2 and XIAP.

Asunto(s)