Drinking Deep Seawater Decreases Serum Total and Low-Density Lipoprotein–Cholesterol in Hypercholesterolemic Subjects

Zhao-Yang Fu,Feili Lo Yang,Hsin-Wen Hsu,Yi-Fa Lu 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.6

Drinking deep seawater (DSW) with high levels of magnesium (Mg) decreased serum lipids in animal studies. Therefore the effects of drinking DSW on blood lipids and its antioxidant capacity in hypercholesterolemic subjects were investigated. DSW was first prepared by a process of filtration and reverse osmosis, and then the concentrated DSW with high levels of Mg was diluted as drinking DSW. Forty-two hypercholesterolemic volunteers were randomly divided into three groups: reverse osmotic (RO) water, DSW (Mg: 395 mg/L, hardness 1410 ppm), and magnesium-chloride fortified (MCF)water (Mg: 386 mg/L, hardness 1430 ppm). The subjects drank 1050mL of water daily for 6 weeks, and blood samples were collected and analyzed on weeks 0, 3, and 6. Drinking DSW caused a decrease in blood total cholesterol levels and this effect was progressively enhanced with time. Serum low-density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL-C) was also decreased by DSW. Further, total cholesterol levels of subjects in the DSW group were significantly lower than those in the MCF water or RO water groups. Compared with week 0, the DSW group had higher blood Mg level on weeks 3 and 6, but the Mg levels were within the normal range in all three groups. DSW consumption also lowered thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS)values in serum. In conclusion, DSW was apparently effective in reducing blood total cholesterol and LDL-C, and also in decreasing lipid peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic subjects.

HMGB1 regulates autophagy through increasing transcriptional activities of JNK and ERK in human myeloid Leukemia cells

( Ming Yi Zhao ),( Ming Hua Yang ),( Liang Chun Yang ),( Yan Yu ),( Min Xie ),( Shan Zhu ),( Rui Kang ),( Dao Lin Tang ),( Zhi Gang Jiang ),( Wu Zhou Yuan ),( Xiu Shan Wu ),( Li Zhi Cao ) 생화학분자생물학회(구 한국생화학분자생물학회) 2011 BMB Reports Vol.44 No.9

HMGB1 is associated with human cancers and is an activator of autophagy which mediates chemotherapy resistance. We here show that the mRNA levels of HMGB1 are high in leukemia cells and it is involved in the progression of childhood chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). HMGB1 decreases the sensitivity of human myeloid leukemia cells K562 to anti-cancer drug induced death through up-regulating the autophagy pathway, which is confirmed by the observation with an increase in fusion of autophagosomes and autophagolysosomes. When overexpressing HMGB1, both mRNA levels of Beclin-1, VSP34 and UVRAG which are key genes involved in mammalian autophagy and protein levels of p-Bcl-2 and LC3-II are increased. Luciferase assays document that over-expression of HMGB1 increases the transcriptional activity of JNK and ERK, which may be silenced by siRNA. The results suggest that HMGB1 regulates JNK and ERK required for autophagy, which provides a potential drug target for therapeutic interventions in childhood CML. [BMB reports 2011; 44(9): 601-606]

Association between Higher Blood Pressure and Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese Adults

Xue Yang,Jian Chen,An Pan,Jason H.Y. Wu,Fei Zhao,Yue Xie,Yi Wang,Yi Ye,Xiong-Fei Pan,Chun-Xia Yang 대한당뇨병학회 2020 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.44 No.3

Background: To examine the prospective association between higher blood pressure (BP) and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults. Methods: A total of 9,642 middle-aged and elderly Chinese adults (≥45 years old; 47.30% men) without diabetes from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were included for analyses. Participants were categorized into three groups: normal BP, prehypertension, and hypertension, according to the 2010 Chinese Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension. The incidence of T2DM was determined by self-reported physician diagnosis during two follow-up surveys conducted in 2013 to 2014 and 2015 to 2016. Results: During the 4-year follow-up, 429 participants (4.45%) developed T2DM, including 3.51% of the men and 5.29% of the women. The incidence rates of T2DM were 2.57%, 3.75%, and 6.71% in the normal BP, prehypertension, and hypertension groups, respectively. After adjustment for age, sex, education level, residence, smoking status, alcohol consumption, body mass index, waist circumference, and dyslipidemia, both prehypertension (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.77) and hypertension (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.64) were associated with increased risk of T2DM, compared to those with a normal BP. The ORs associated with T2DM were 1.08 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.13) for an increase of 10 mm Hg in systolic BP and 1.06 (95% CI, 1.01 to 1.10) for an increase of 5 mm Hg in diastolic BP. Conclusion: Higher BP is a risk factor for T2DM in middle-aged and elderly Chines. It may be a potential target for diabetes prevention.

rs10505474 and rs7837328 at 8q24 Cumulatively Confer Risk of Prostate Cancer in Northern Han Chinese

Zhang, Lin-Lin,Sun, Liang,Zhu, Xiao-Quan,Xu, Yong,Yang, Kuo,Yang, Fan,Yang, Yi-Ge,Chen, Guo-Qiang,Fu, Ji-Cheng,Zheng, Chen-Guang,Li, Ying,Mu, Xiao-Qiu,Shi, Xiao-Hong,Zhao, Fan,Wang, Fei,Yang, Ze,Wang, Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Aims: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several risk variants for prostate cancer (pCa) mainly in Europeans, which need to be further verified in other racial groups. We selected six previously identified variants as candidates and to define the association with PCa in Northern Han Chinese. Methods: 749 subjects from Beijing and Tianjin in Northern China were included. Six variants (rs10505474, rs7837328, rs4242384, rs7813, rs486907 and rs1058205) were genotyped by high resolution melting (HRM) assays. The individual and cumulative contribution for of the risk of PCa and clinical covariates were analyzed. Results: Among the six candidate variants, onlyrs10505474, and rs7837328, both locating at 8q24 region, were associated with PCa in our population.rs10505474 (A) was associated with PCa ($OR_{recessive}=1.56$, p=0.006); and rs7837328 (A) was associated with PCa ($OR_{dominant}=1.38$, p=0.042/$OR_{recessive}=1.99$, p=0.003). Moreover, we observed a cumulative effects between them ($p_{trend}=2.58{\times}10^{-5}$). The joint population attributable risk showed the two variants might account for 71.85% of PCa risk. In addition, we found the homozygotes of rs10505474 (A) and rs7837328 (A) were associated with PCa clinical covariants (age at onset, tumor stage, respectively) ($p_{age}=0.046$, $P_{tumorstage}=0.048$). Conclusion: rs10505474 (A) and rs7387328 (A) at 8q24 are associated with PCa and cumulatively confer risk, suggesting the two variations could determine susceptibility to PCa in the Northern Chinese Han population.

RhGLP-1 (7-36) protects diabetic rats against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via up-regulating expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and increasing the activities of SOD

Yi Fang,Xiaofang Liu,Libo Zhao,Zhongna Wei,Daoli Jiang,Hua Shao,Yannan Zang,Jia Xu,Qian Wang,Yang Liu,Ye Peng,Xiaoxing Yin 대한약리학회 2017 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.21 No.5

The present study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect and possible mechanisms of rhGLP-1 (7-36) against transient ischemia/reperfusion injuries induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in type 2 diabetic rats. First, diabetic rats were established by a combination of a high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Second, they were subjected to MCAO for 2 h, then treated with rhGLP-1 (7-36) (10, 20, 40 μg/kg i.p.) at the same time of reperfusion. In the following 3 days, they were injected with rhGLP-1 (7- 36) at the same dose and route for three times each day. After 72 h, hypoglycemic effects were assessed by blood glucose changes, and neuroprotective effects were evaluated by neurological deficits, infarct volume and histomorphology. Mechanisms were investigated by detecting the distribution and expression of the nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) in ischemic brain tissue, the levels of phospho-PI3 kinase (PI3K)/PI3K ratio and heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-l), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA). Our results showed that rhGLP-1 (7-36) significantly reduced blood glucose and infarction volume, alleviated neurological deficits, enhanced the density of surviving neurons and vascular proliferation. The nuclear positive cells ratio and expression of Nrf2, the levels of P-PI3K/PI3K ratio and HO-l increased, the activities of SOD increased and the contents of MDA decreased. The current results indicated the protective effect of rhGLP-1 (7-36) in diabetic rats following MCAO/R that may be concerned with reducing blood glucose, up-regulating expression of Nrf2/HO-1 and increasing the activities of SOD.

Genetic Effects of Polymorphisms in Myogenic Regulatory Factors on Chicken Muscle Fiber Traits

Yang, Zhi-Qin,Qing, Ying,Zhu, Qing,Zhao, Xiao-Ling,Wang, Yan,Li, Di-Yan,Liu, Yi-Ping,Yin, Hua-Dong Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2015 Animal Bioscience Vol.28 No.6

The myogenic regulatory factors is a family of transcription factors that play a key role in the development of skeletal muscle fibers, which are the main factors to affect the meat taste and texture. In the present study, we performed candidate gene analysis to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the MyoD, Myf5, MyoG, and Mrf4 genes using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism in 360 Erlang Mountain Chickens from three different housing systems (cage, pen, and free-range). The general linear model procedure was used to estimate the statistical significance of association between combined genotypes and muscle fiber traits of chickens. Two polymorphisms (g.39928301T>G and g.11579368C>T) were detected in the Mrf4 and MyoD gene, respectively. The diameters of thigh and pectoralis muscle fibers were higher in birds with the combined genotypes of GG-TT and TTCT (p<0.05). Moreover, the interaction between housing system and combined genotypes has no significant effect on the traits of muscle fiber (p>0.05). Our findings suggest that the combined genotypes of TT-CT and GG-TT might be advantageous for muscle fiber traits, and could be the potential genetic markers for breeding program in Erlang Mountain Chickens.

Neferine increase in vitro anticancer effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Yang, Dingyi,Zou, Xiaochuan,Yi, Ruokun,Liu, Weiwei,Peng, Deguang,Zhao, Xin The Korean Society for Applied Biological Chemistr 2016 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.59 No.4

This study was conducted to investigate the in vitro anticancer reinforcing effects of neferine (Nef) on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and the mechanism was also determined during the investigation. By the growth effects of Nef and DHEA on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, 8 mg/mL Nef was a non-virulent concentration in MCF-7 cells, and this concentration was used for further experiment. In 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay, 30 mg/mL DHEA showed 49.4 % growth inhibitory effect in MCF-7 cells, whereas Nef (8 mg/mL) + DHEA (30 mg/mL) treatment had the higher effect at 67.8 %. The flow cytometry analysis results showed that 15 and 30 mg/mL DHEA-treated MCF-7 cells had 12.2 and 21.6 % apoptotic cells, respectively, Nef + DHEA could raise the apoptotic cells to 36.7 %. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assay shows remarkable results according to which DHEA could significantly increase caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, Bax, p53, p21, E2F1, Fas, FasL mRNA expressions and decrease Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, HIAP-1, HIAP-2, survivin expressions as compared to the untreated control cancer cells. Moreover, these effects depend on the concentration of DHEA, and Nef which could further strengthen these effects. From these results, low concentration of Nef could not influence the growth of MCF-7 cells, but using its sensitization effect, Nef raised the in vitro effects of DHEA. Nef could be got easily. With these results we can accomplish that Nef + DHEA might be used as the new anticancer materials combination.

The embodiment of the strategy of “using active chemicals as excipients” in compound preparation

Yang Rizhao,Hong Yanlong,Wang Youjie,Zhao Lijie,Shen Lan,Feng Yi 한국약제학회 2022 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.52 No.1

Background “Using active chemicals as excipients” refers to a preparation strategy. It makes use of the drugs owning the special physical and chemical properties as the roles of excipients to assist the preparation forming or achieve some specific drug delivery function, especially in the compound preparation. Area Covered This paper proposed the concept of “using active chemicals as excipients”, expounded the advantages and potentials of “medicine as excipient’s use”, and analyzed the research status of “using active chemicals as excipients” from the aspects of chemical compound preparations and traditional Chinese medicine preparations. We classified the excipient function of drugs in formulations, and expounded the functional principles and characteristics of drugs as excipients from drug physical properties and drug dispersing forms in preparation. Expert Opinion This preparation strategy has the advantages of reducing the amount of excipients, improving drugs compliance and reducing production costs. It is an important development direction of modern pharmaceutical preparation research and production. In a word, “using active chemicals as excipients” is a potential preparation strategy, which should be paid attention to and be implemented in the process of preparation research and development.

Study on Micro-Grid Power Storage Converter

Yang Gao,Aoran Xu,Gang Wang,Di Bai,Yi Zhao 보안공학연구지원센터 2015 International Journal of Grid and Distributed Comp Vol.8 No.3

In the micro-grid, power storage converter is played as a interface between the battery pack and grid electricity storage device, to achieve a two-way exchange of energy. In this paper, the research and development of power storage converter can realize multiple sets of independent control of the battery, flexible configuration of the system capacity and flexible cutting of the battery pack. Structural design uses multi-level topology. It contains 15 non-isolated half-bridge parallel bi-directional DC / DC converter. Control strategy designed to be grid inverter adopts SVPWM control technology. DC / DC converter designed to improve the droop control strategy based on environmental design. The high-power energy storage converter product this paper designed have completed the charge and discharge related droop control and Full power grid experiment. The charge and discharge currents accurately track the current instruction and the grid efficiently is more than 95%. It verified the rationality and effectiveness of the design and is the important part of the optical storage and solar power generation systems.

Inotodiol Inhabits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis through Modulating Expression of cyclinE, p27, bcl-2, and bax in Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cells

Zhao, Li-Wei,Zhong, Xiu-Hong,Yang, Shu-Yan,Zhang, Yi-Zhong,Yang, Ning-Jiang Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.7

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom that has been used as an effective agent to treat various diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis and cancer. Inotodiol, an included triterpenoid shows significant anti-tumor effect. However, the mechanisms have not been well documented. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of inotodiol on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. HeLa cells were treated with different concentrations of inotodiol. The MTT assay was used to evaluate cell proliferating ability, flow cytometry (FCM) was employed for cell cycle analysis and cell apoptosis, while expression of cyclinE, p27, bcl-2 and bax was detected by immunocytochemistry. Proliferation of HeLa cells was inhibited by inotodiolin a dose-dependent manner at 24h (r=0.9999, p<0.01). A sub-$G_1$ peak (apoptotic cells) of HeLa cells was detected after treatment and the apoptosis rate with the concentration and longer incubation time (r=1.0, p<0.01), while the percentage of cells in S phase and $G_2$/M phase decreased significantly. Immunocytochemistry assay showed that the expression of cyclin E and bcl-2 in the treated cells significantly decreased, while the expression of p27 and bax obviously increased, compared with the control group (p<0.05). The results of our research indicate that inotodiol isolated from Inonotus obliquus inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis in vitro. The mechanisms may be related to promoting apoptosis through increasing the expression of bax and cutting bcl-2 and affecting the cell cycle by down-regulation the expression of cyclin E and up-regulation of p27. The results further indicate the potential value of inotodiol for treatment of human cervical cancer.