Short term effect of tetrahydrocurcumin on adipose angiogenesis in very high-fat diet-induced obesity mouse model

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) has been shown to possess anti-angiogenic activities. This study aims to investigate the effects of THC on adipose angiogenesis and expression of angiogenic factors that occurs in 60% high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Male ICR mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: mice fed with a low-fat diet (LFD group); mice fed with very high fat diet (VHFD group), and mice fed with VHFD supplemented with THC (300 mg/kg/day orally) (VHFD+THC treated group) for 6 weeks. Body weight (BW), food intake, fasting blood sugar (FBS), lipid profiles and visceral fats weight (VF) were measured. The microvascular density (MVD), TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 expressions were evaluated. The VHFD group had significantly increased total cholesterol, triglyceride, food intake, BW, VF, VF/BW ratio, adipocyte size and the number of crown-liked structures as compared to LFD group. THC supplementation markedly reduced these parameters and adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammation in white adipose tissues. MVD, TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 were over-expressed in the VHFD group. However, THC supplementation decreased MVD and reduced expression of TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. In conclusion, THC suppressed angiogenesis in adipose tissue by the downregulation of TNF-α, VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9. With its effects on lipid metabolism as well as on food consumption, THC could contribute to lower visceral fat and body weight. Overall, our study demonstrated the potential benefit of THC in mitigating obesity and associated metabolic disorders along with elucidated the suppression of adipose angiogenesis as one of its underlying mechanisms.

Combined effects of whole-body vibration and dynamic squats on cardiovascular and salivary biomarker responses in healthy adults

This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of combining whole-body vibration with dynamic squats on cardiovascular and salivary bio-marker responses in healthy adults. A randomized crossover design was conducted with 20 healthy adults. Each participant underwent three exercise sessions, with a 2-week washout period between each session. The sessions consisted of: (1) whole-body vibration (VB) at 25 Hz for 2 minutes, with an amplitude of 2 mm, and 2 minutes of rest between sets, for a total of 5 sets; (2) dynamic squats (SQ) performed 15 times within 2 minutes, with a 2-minute rest between sets, for a total of 5 sets; and (3) a combination of whole-body VB and SQ (VB+SQ). The cardiovascular variables and salivary biomarkers related to exercise intensity were assessed. Only the VB+SQ session significantly decreased the unstimulated salivary flow rate, and caused greater changes in heart rate, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, rate-pressure product, and heart rate variability compared to VB or SQ alone. Moreover, the VB+SQ session significantly increased the salivary total protein concentration from 0.56±0.05 mg/mL (baseline) to 0.74± 0.06 mg/mL (postexercise condition) and the salivary alpha-amylase activity from 33.83±5.56 U/mL (baseline) to 63.63±12.33 U/mL (postexercise condition) (P<0.05). These changes were recovered at 1-hr postexercise condition. Our findings provide information for designing exercise programs that incorporate VB+SQ to enhance hemodynamic and cardiac autonomic responses in healthy adults and for application during rehabilitation periods.

Combinational Treatment Effect of Tetrahydrocurcumin and Celecoxib on Cervical Cancer Cell-Induced Tumor Growth and Tumor Angiogenesis in Nude Mice

BACKGROUND

Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) demonstrated an anti-cancer and anti-angiogenic effects in cervical cancer. Celecoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor, have also shown anticancer effect. However, the combinational treatment effect of THC and celecoxib on tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis, especially, using cervical cancer (CaSki)-implanted nude mice has yet not been reported.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the combinational treatment effect of THC and celecoxib on tumor progression and tumor angiogenesis in cervical cancer (CaSki)-implanted nude mice.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

CaSki cells were inoculated in mice to establish subcutaneous tumors. One month after inoculation, vehicle, THC100 mg/kg, Celecoxib100 mg/kg, or THC50 + Celecoxib50 mg/kg was orally administered every day for 28 consecutive days. The tumor volume was measured every 3-4 days. The microvascular density (MVD) was evaluated using the CD31 expression. VEGF, COX-2, and EGFR expression were also detected by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

THC, celecoxib, and the combination treatments statistically retarded the tumor volume by 70.40, 65.11 and 77.04%, respectively. The MVD was significantly increased in CaSki + vehicle group, but THC, celecoxib, and the combination treatments markedly attenuated the MVD. VEGF, COX-2, and EGFR were up-regulated in CaSki + vehicle group; however, they were attenuated by THC, celecoxib, and the combination treatments.

CONCLUSION

The combinational treatment effect of THC and celecoxib causing inhibition of tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis via down-regulation of VEGF, COX-2 and EGFR expression. However, this combined treatment did not show the synergistic effect on inhibiting the tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in cervical cancer (CaSki)-implanted nude mice model.