Anti-apoptotic effect of banhasasim-tang on chronic acid reflux esophagitis

AIM To evaluate the anti-apoptotic effect of banhasasimtang(BHSST) on chronic acid reflux esophagitis(CARE) using a rat model.METHODS A surgically-induced CARE model was established in Sprague-Dawley rats. The modeled rats were divided into a treatment group or untreated group, and given BHSST(1 g/kg body weight per day) or water, respectively, for 15 consecutive days(n = 7 each group). Changes in expression of proteins related to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH) oxidase and apoptosis were assessed by western blotting. Changes in esophageal pathology were analyzed by gross and histological examinations.RESULTS The CARE exposure modeled rats showed increased levels of the NADPH oxidase subunit, NOX4 and p47 phox in the esophagus. The BHSST treatment completely resolved these CARE-related increases. The CARE rats also showed markers of cytokine stress, including elevated levels of TNF-α and reactive oxygen species as well as of the consequent increase in JNK activation, and subsequent decrease in pro-survival gene expression, such as of Bcl-2. BHSST treatment resolved the CARE-related changes. BHSST also exerted an antiapoptotic effect, as evidenced by altered expression of the apoptosis-related genes for bax, cytochrome c,and caspase 3. Finally, the BHSST treatment markedly ameliorated the CARE-related esophageal mucosal ulcerations. CONCLUSION In the rat model of CARE, BHSST can suppress development of esophageal mucosal ulceration via regulation of reactive oxygen species-dependent apoptosis.

Effects of acupuncture stimulation on brain activation induced by cue-elicited alcohol craving

Acupuncture has been shown to be effective on alcohol use disorder.However,the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood.To investigate the effects of Shenmen(HT7)acupoint on brain activation induced by cue-elicited alcohol craving,30 right-handed healthy light to moderate alcohol drinkers were recruited from the community.They were randomly assigned to undergo acupuncture either at HT7(experimental acupoint,n=15)or Jingqu(LU8,control acupoint,n=15)acupoints.This randomized controlled study was performed in Daegu Haany University and Daegu-Gyeongbuk Medical Innovation Foundation,Republic of Korea.Recruitment and data collection were conducted from December 2018 to May 2019.The results showed that after acupuncture at HT7 acupoint,the activation of orbitofrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was greatly increased,while the activation of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was obviously reduced,and subject's craving for alcohol was reduced when he/she seeing alcohol-related video clips involving various alcohols(beer,wine,or soju)or drinking scenarios.Acupuncture at HT7 more greatly reduced subject's alcohol cravings than acupuncture at LU8 acupoint.These findings suggest that acupuncture can improve the self-control of mild to moderate social drinkers through the activation of the orbitofrontal cortex and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex,thereby reducing the craving for alcohol.The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board of Daegu Haany University Korean Medicine Hospital,Republic of Korea(approval No.DHUMC-D-18026-PRO-02)on November 30,2018.

Artificial Nanoscale Erythrocytes from Clinically Relevant Compounds for Enhancing Cancer Immunotherapy

Because of enhanced e cacy and lower side e ects,cancer immunotherapies have recently been extensively investigated in clinical trials to overcome the limitations of conventional cancer monotherapies.Although engineering attempts have been made to build nanosystems even including stimulus nanomaterials for the e cient delivery of antigens,adjuvants,or anticancer drugs to improve immunogenic cancer cell death,this requires huge R&D e orts and investment for clinically relevant findings to be approved for translation of the nanosystems.To this end,in this study,an air–liquid two-phase electrospray was developed for stable bubble pressing under a balance between mechanical and electrical parameters of the spray to continuously produce biomimetic nanosystems consisting of only clinically relevant compounds[paclitaxel-loaded fake blood cell Eudragit particle(Eu-FBCP/PTX)]to provide a conceptual leap for the timely development of translatable chemo-immunotherapeutic nanosystems.This was pursued as the e cacy of systems for delivering anticancer agents that has been mainly influenced by nanosystem shape because of its relevance to transporting behavior to organs,blood circulation,and cell–membrane interactions.The resulting Eu-FBCP/PTX nanosystems exhibiting phagocytic and micropinocytic uptake behaviors can confer better e cacy in chemo-immunotherapeutics in the absence and presence of anti-PD-L1 antibodies than similar sized PTX-loaded spherical Eu particles(Eu-s/PTX).

Fermented rice bran prevents atopic dermatitis in DNCB-treated NC/Nga mice

The fermentation of natural plants has a favorable effect on the functional and biological activities of living systems. These include anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-platelet aggregation activities. This is attributed to the chemical conversion of the parent plants to functional constituents, which show more potent biological activity. In our study, rice bran along with oriental medicinal plants （Angelicae gigantis, Cnidium officinale, Artemisia princeps, and Camellia sinensis） was fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Pichia deserticola （FRBE）. We evaluated the effects of oral administration of FRBE on atopic dermatitis in 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene （DNCB）-treated NC/Nga mice. FRBE significantly ameliorated the macroscopic and microscopic appearance of skin lesions in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis and reduced levels of serum immunoglobulin E and the differential white blood cell count. In addition, it reduced skin thickness compared to that of atopic dermatitis-affected skin. FRBE treatment also reduced mast cell incorporation in skin lesions of atopic dermatitis. The total cell number in dorsal skin tissue and the axillary lymph node increased following DNCB application, and this was normalized by FRBE treatment. Moreover, it decreased the levels ofCD8＋ helper T cells and Gr-1 ＋/CD1 lb＋ B cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and skin lesions in DNCB-induced atopic dermatitis. Using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, we demonstrated that FRBE significantly inhibited mRNA expression of cytokines （e.g., interleukin-5 and interleukin-13） and cyclooxygenase-2 in AD skin lesions. These results suggest that FRBE could be a valuable herbal remedy for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Mitochondria-targeting multi-metallic ZnCuO nanoparticles and IR780 for efficient photodynamic and photothermal cancer treatments

Chemo-resistance has pushed cancer treatment to the boundary of failure.This challenge has encouraged scientists to look for nanotechnological solutions.In this study,we have taken this goal one step further without depending on chemotherapy.Specifically,hybrid metal,polymer,and lipid nanoparticles that formed an IR780-a photosensitizer and Zinc copper oxide incorporated nanoparticle(ZCNP)nanoparticles were utilized in a combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy.Through the mediation of triphenylphosphonium(TPP)as a mitochondria-targeting moiety,TPP-conjugated polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles containing ZCNP/IR-780 significantly enhanced cellular uptake by cancer cells and selectively targeted the mitochondria,which improved the induction of apoptosis.In tumor-bearing mice,the nanoparticles were detected predominantly in tumors rather than in the other principle organs,which did not show notable signs of toxicity.Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrated a great improvement in photothermal and photodynamic efficacy in combination when compared to either one individually,and a significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed with the combined therapies.In summary,this study describes an effective mitochondria-targeting nanocarrier for the treatment of cancer using combined photothermal and photodynamic therapies.