Pterostilbene pre-treatment reduces LPS-induced acute lung injury through activating NR4A1

CONTEXT

Pterostilbene (PTE), a common polyphenol compound, exerts an anti-inflammatory effect in many diseases, including acute lung injury (ALI).

OBJECTIVE

This study explores the potential mechanism of PTE pre-treatment against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control, ALI, 10 mg/kg PTE + LPS, 20 mg/kg PTE + LPS, and 40 mg/kg PTE + LPS groups. At 24 h before LPS instillation, PTE was administered orally. At 2 h before LPS instillation, PTE was again administered orally. After 24 h of LPS treatment, the rats were euthanized. The levels of inflammatory cells and inflammatory factors in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 group A member 1 (NR4A1), and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway-related protein levels were detected. NR4A1 agonist was used to further investigate the mechanism of PTE pre-treatment.

RESULTS

After PTE pre-treatment, the LPS induced inflammation was controlled and the survival rate was increased to 100% from 70% after LPS treatment 24 h. For lung injury score, it decreased to 1.5 from 3.5 after treating 40 mg/kg PTE. Compared with the control group, the expression of NR4A1 in the ALI group was decreased by 20-40%. However, the 40 mg/kg PTE pre-treatment increased the NR4A1 expression by 20-40% in the lung tissue. The results obtained with pre-treatment NR4A1 agonist were similar to those obtained by pre-treatment 40 mg/kg PTE.

CONCLUSIONS

PTE pre-treatment might represent an appropriate therapeutic target and strategy for preventing ALI induced by LPS.

Phase 3 Trials of Tapinarof Cream for Plaque Psoriasis

BACKGROUND

Tapinarof cream is a topical aryl hydrocarbon receptor-modulating agent under investigation for the treatment of psoriasis. Tapinarof modulates the expression of interleukin-17 and the skin-barrier proteins filaggrin and loricrin.

METHODS

We conducted two identical phase 3 randomized trials of tapinarof in patients with mild-to-severe plaque psoriasis. Adults with a baseline Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score of 2 (mild) to 4 (severe) (on a scale from 0 to 4, with higher scores indicating more severe psoriasis) and a percent of total body-surface area affected of 3 to 20% were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to use tapinarof 1% cream or vehicle cream once daily for 12 weeks. The primary end point, PGA response, was a PGA score of 0 (clear) or 1 (almost clear) and a decrease from baseline of at least 2 points at week 12. Secondary efficacy end points at week 12 were a reduction of at least 75% in the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score, a PGA score of 0 or 1, the mean change from baseline in the percent of body-surface area affected, and a reduction of at least 90% in the PASI score. Patient-reported outcomes were the mean changes from baseline to week 12 in the proportion of patients who had a decrease of at least 4 points in the Peak Pruritus Numeric Rating Scale (PP-NRS) score (range, 0 [no itch] to 10 [worst imaginable itch]), the PP-NRS total score, the Dermatology Life Quality Index total score, and the Psoriasis Symptom Diary score.

RESULTS

In trials 1 and 2, a total of 692 and 674 patients, respectively, were screened, with 510 and 515 patients being enrolled. A PGA response occurred in 35.4% of the patients in the tapinarof group and in 6.0% of those in the vehicle group in trial 1 and in 40.2% and 6.3%, respectively, in trial 2 (P<0.001 for both comparisons). Results for secondary end points and patient-reported outcomes were generally in the same direction as those for the primary end point. Adverse events with tapinarof cream included folliculitis, nasopharyngitis, contact dermatitis, headache, upper respiratory tract infection, and pruritus.

CONCLUSIONS

Tapinarof 1% cream once daily was superior to vehicle control in reducing the severity of plaque psoriasis over a period of 12 weeks but was associated with local adverse events and headache. Larger and longer trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tapinarof cream as compared with existing treatments for psoriasis. (Funded by Dermavant Sciences; PSOARING 1 and 2 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT03956355 and NCT03983980, respectively.).

Trans-ε-Viniferin Encapsulation in Multi-Lamellar Liposomes: Consequences on Pharmacokinetic Parameters, Biodistribution and Glucuronide Formation in Rats

Trans-ε-viniferin (εVin) is a resveratrol dimer exhibiting promising biological activities for human health. Its bioavailability being low, the development of encapsulation methods would be used to overcome this issue. The aim of this study was to measure the consequences of the encapsulation of εVin in multilamellar liposomes on its pharmacokinetic parameters, metabolism and tissue distribution in rats. After oral administration of εVin (20 mg/kg body weight), either as free or encapsulated forms, plasmas were sequentially collected (from 0 to 4 h) as well as liver, kidneys and adipose tissues (4 h after administration) and analyzed by LC-HRMS. The glucuronide metabolites (εVG) were also produced by hemisynthesis for their quantification in plasma and tissues. The encapsulation process did not significantly modify the pharmacokinetic parameters of εVin itself. However, a significant increase of the T1/2 was noticed for εVG after administration of the encapsulated form as compared to the free form. An accumulation of εVin and εVG in adipose tissues was noticed, and interestingly a significant increase of the latter in the mesenteric one after administration of the encapsulated form was highlighted. Since adipose tissues could represent storage depots, and encapsulation allows for prolonging the exposure time of glucuronide metabolites in the organism, this could be of interest to promote their potential biological activities.

Pterostilbene Coupled with Physical Exercise Effectively Mitigates Collagen-Induced Articular Synovial by Correcting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Signal Pathway

Studies have revealed that a novel anti-inflammatory mediator─maresin-1 (MaR1)─can reduce the level of inflammatory factors. There is evidence that physical exercise (PE) promotes the biosynthesis of MaR1, leading to the prevention of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previously, we have proven that resveratrol can mitigate the formation of RA. Pterostilbene (Pte) is an analogue of resveratrol, but it is around four times more bioavailable. Hence, we hypothesize that Pte could be more effective in preventing RA, in particular, when accompanied by moderate PE. Based on this hypothesis, we explored the preventive effect of Pte combined with PE on a bovine type II collagen (BIIC)-stimulated rat RA model and its underlying molecular mechanism. Compared with the BIIC-stimulated group, the serum content of MaR1 with continuous intervention of Pte plus PE for 8 weeks was significantly increased to 46.3 pg/mL from 7.2 pg/mL in BIIC-treated alone. Besides, the variation in the relative expression levels of p-NF-κB and p-Akt was reversed with the administration of Pte plus PE. More importantly, the in vitro results confirmed that the treatment of Pte plus MaR1 inhibited proliferation and apoptosis and promoted the autophagy of the interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated primary rat synovial cells through the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signal pathway. Collectively, the oral administration of Pte plus moderate PE helped to ameliorate the pathological process of RA by correcting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signal pathway.

Dual-Ligand-Modified Liposomes Co-Loaded with Anti-Angiogenic and Chemotherapeutic Drugs for Inhibiting Tumor Angiogenesis and Metastasis

BACKGROUND

Tumor angiogenesis has been proven to potentiate tumor growth and metastasis; therefore, the strategies targeting tumor-related angiogenesis have great potentials in antitumor therapy.

METHODS

Here, the GA&Gal dual-ligand-modified liposomes co-loaded with curcumin and combretastatin A-4 phosphate (CUCA/GA&Gal-Lip) were prepared and characterized. A novel "BEL-7402+HUVEC" co-cultured cell model was established to mimic tumor microenvironment. The cytotoxicity and migration assays were performed against the novel co-cultured model. Angiogenesis ability was evaluated by tube formation test, and in vivo metastatic ability was evaluated by lung metastasis test.

RESULTS

The result demonstrated that dual-ligand-modified liposomes showed greater inhibition of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis in comparison with other combined groups. Significantly, the mechanism analysis revealed that curcumin and combretastatin A-4 phosphate could inhibit tumor angiogenesis and metastasis via down-regulation of VEGF and VEGFR2 expression, respectively, and that GA&Gal-Lip could improve antitumor effect by GA/Gal-mediated active-targeting delivery.

CONCLUSION

CUCA/GA&Gal-Lip hold great potentials in hepatoma-targeting delivery of antitumor drugs and can achieve anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic effects by simultaneously blocking VEGF/VEGFR2 signal pathway, therefore exhibiting superior anti-hepatoma efficacy.

Oxyresveratrol Inhibits R848-Induced Pro-Inflammatory Mediators Release by Human Dendritic Cells Even When Embedded in PLGA Nanoparticles

Oxyresveratrol, a stilbene extracted from the plant Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb., has been reported to provide a considerable anti-inflammatory activity. Since the mechanisms of this therapeutic action have been poorly clarified, we investigated whether oxyresveratrol affects the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-α by human dendritic cells (DCs). We found that oxyresveratrol did not elicit per se the release of these cytokines, but inhibited their secretion induced upon DC stimulation with R848 (Resiquimod), a well-known immune cell activator engaging receptors recognizing RNA viruses. We then investigated whether the inclusion of oxyresveratrol into nanoparticles promoting its ingestion by DCs could favor its effects on cytokine release. For this purpose we synthesized and characterized poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles, and we assessed their effects on DCs. We found that bare PLGA nanoparticles did not affect cytokine secretion by resting DCs, but increased IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-α secretion by R848-stimulated DCs, an event known as “priming effect”. We then loaded PLGA nanoparticles with oxyresveratrol and we observed that oxyresveratrol-bearing particles did not stimulate the cytokine release by resting DCs and inhibited the PLGA-dependent enhancement of IL-12, IL-6, and TNF-α secretion by R848-stimulated DCs. The results herein reported indicate that oxyresveratrol suppresses the cytokine production by activated DCs, thus representing a good anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive agent. Moreover, its inclusion into PLGA nanoparticles mitigates the pro-inflammatory effects due to cooperation between nanoparticles and R848 in cytokine release. Therefore, oxyresveratrol can be able to contrast the synergistic effects of nanoparticles with microorganisms that could be present in the patient tissues, therefore overcoming a condition unfavorable to the use of some nanoparticles in biological systems.

CCL4-mediated targeting of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitor using nanoparticles alleviates inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has emerged a global disease and the ascending incidence and prevalence is accompanied by elevated morbidity, mortality, and substantial healthcare system costs. However, the current typical one-size-fits-all therapeutic approach is suboptimal for a substantial proportion of patients due to the variability in the course of IBD and a considerable number of patients do not have positive response to the clinically approved drugs, so there is still a great, unmet demand for novel alternative therapeutic approaches. Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a cytoplasmic nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase, plays crucial roles in signal transduction and there are emerging data implicating that Syk participates in pathogenesis of several gut disorders, such as IBD. In this study, we observed the Syk expression in IBD patients and explored the effects of therapeutic Syk inhibition using small-molecule Syk inhibitor piceatannol in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). In addition, due to the poor bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitors and superiority of targeting nanoparticles-based drug delivery system, we herein prepared piceatannol-encapsulated poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles that conjugated with chemokine C-C motif ligand 4 (P-NPs-C) and studied its therapeutic effects in vitro in BMDMs and in vivo in experimental colitis model. Our results indicated that in addition to alleviating colitis, oral administration of P-NPs-C promoted the restoration of intestinal barrier function and improved intestinal microflora dysbiosis, which represents a promising treatment for IBD.

3'-Hydroxypterostilbene Inhibits 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-Acetate (TPA)-Induced Mouse Skin Carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND

A natural pterostilbene analogue isolated from the herb Sphaerophysa salsula, 3'-hydroxypterostilbene (HPSB), exhibits antiproliferative activity in several cancer cell lines; however, the inhibitory effects of HPSB on skin carcinogenesis remains unclear.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of HPSB on two-stage skin carcinogenesis in mice and its potential mechanism.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This study investigated the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects of HPSB in the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-stimulated acute skin inflammation and 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)/TPA-induced two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. In addition, the effects of HPSB on the modulation of the phase I and phase II metabolizing enzymes in the DMBA-induced HaCaT cell model were investigated.

RESULTS

The results provide evidence that topical treatment with HPSB significantly inhibits TPA-induced epidermal hyperplasia and leukocyte infiltration through the down-regulation of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), matrix metalloprotein-9 (MMP-9), and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) protein expression in mouse skin. Furthermore, HPSB suppresses DMBA/TPA-induced skin tumor incidence and multiplicity via the inhibition of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Cyclin B1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) expression in the two-stage skin carcinogenesis model. In addition, pretreatment with HPSB markedly reduces DMBA-induced cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) and cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) gene expression in human keratinocytes; however, HPSB does not significantly affect the gene expression of the phase II enzymes.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to show that topical treatment with HPSB prevents mouse skin tumorigenesis. Overall, our study suggests that natural HPSB may serve as a novel chemopreventive agent capable of preventing carcinogen activation and inflammation-associated tumorigenesis.

The protective effect of stilbenes resveratrol and pterostilbene individually and combined with mycotoxin citrinin in human adenocarcinoma HT-29 cell line in vitro

This study was focused to determine an individual and combined effect of mycotoxin citrinin (CIT) and two compounds of the stilbene family- resveratrol (RES) and his dimethyl ether analogue pterostilbene (PTE) which have many health benefits. As a model the human adenocarcinoma cell line HT-29 was used which may exhibits the properties of small intestine cells. Viability, plasma membrane integrity, lysosomal functionality, intracellular production of superoxide anions and superoxide dismutase activity were examined. The results indicate that concentrations of 50 and 100 μg/mL of the tested compounds were cytotoxic in mostly monitored parameters and probably caused apoptosis. HT-29 cells were more sensitive to PTE than to RES with a higher antioxidant effect of PTE than RES, which may be caused by its chemical structure. Both stilbenes at medium doses act as effective superoxide anions scavengers leading to reduction of oxidative stress and consequent cell damage. The nontoxic concentration of RES (25 µg/mL) protects the HT-29 cell line faced to the toxicity of CIT at 25 µg/mL by increasing viability of cells and by reducing the superoxide production induced by CIT concentrations of 12.5 µg/mL and 25 µg/mL.

Antioxidant Activity with Increased Endogenous Levels of Vitamin C, E and A Following Dietary Supplementation with a Combination of Glutathione and Resveratrol Precursors

The effects of two different dietary supplements on the redox status of healthy human participants were evaluated. The first supplement (GluS, Glutathione Synthesis) contains the precursors for the endogenous synthesis of glutathione and the second (GluReS, Glutathione and Resveratrol Synthesis) contains in addition polydatin, a precursor of resveratrol. To assess the influence of GluS and GluReS on the redox status, ten thiol species and three vitamins were measured before (t0) and after 8 weeks (t1) of dietary supplementation. An inflammatory marker, neopterin, was also assessed at the same time points. Both supplements were highly effective in improving the redox status by significantly increasing the reduced-glutathione (GSH) content and other reduced thiol species while significantly decreasing the oxidized species. The positive outcome of the redox status was most significant in the GluRes treatment group which also experienced a significant reduction in neopterin levels. Of note, the endogenous levels of vitamins C, E and A were significantly increased in both treatment groups, with best results in the GluReS group. While both dietary supplements significantly contributed to recognized antioxidant and anti-inflammatory outcomes, the effects of GluReS, the combination of glutathione and resveratrol precursors, were more pronounced. Thus, dietary supplementation with GluReS may represent a valuable strategy for maintaining a competent immune status and a healthy lifespan.

Polydatin Attenuates 14.1 MeV Neutron-Induced Injuries via Regulating the Apoptosis and Antioxidative Pathways and Improving the Hematopoiesis of Mice

With more powerful penetrability and ionizing capability, high energetic neutron radiation (HENR) often poses greater threats than photon radiation, especially on such occasions as nuclear bomb exposure, nuclear accidents, aerospace conduction, and neutron-based radiotherapy. Therefore, there emerges an urgent unmet demand in exploring highly efficient radioprotectants against HENR. In the present study, high-throughput 14.1 MeV neutrons were generated by the high-intensity D-T fusion neutron generator (HINEG) and succeeded in establishing the acute radiation syndrome (ARS) mouse model induced by HENR. A series of preclinical studies, including morphopathological assessment, flow cytometry, peripheral complete blood, and bone marrow karyocyte counting, were applied showing much more serious detriments of HENR than the photon radiation. In specific, it was indicated that surviving fraction of polydatin- (PD-) treated mice could appreciably increase to up to 100% when they were exposed to HENR. Moreover, polydatin contributed much in alleviating the HENR-induced mouse body weight loss, spleen and testis indexes decrease, and the microstructure alterations of both the spleen and the bone marrow. Furthermore, we found that the HENR-damaged hematopoiesis was greatly prevented by PD treatment in such aspects as bone marrow hemocytogenesis, splenocytes balancing, or even the peripheral blood cellularity. The additional IHC investigations revealed that PD could exert potent hematopoiesis-promoting effects against HENR via suppressing apoptosis and promoting the antioxidative enzymes such as HO-1.

3'-Hydroxypterostilbene Potently Alleviates Obesity Exacerbated Colitis in Mice

Epidemiological surveys show that obesity and the western diet increase the risk of colitis. Studies have also confirmed that the high-fat-diet (HFD) promoted the deterioration of colitis-related indicators in mice. Compared with stilbenoids, the results showed that 3'-hydroxypterostilbene (HPSB) was found to be the most effective inhibitor for the antiadipogenesis and anti-inflammation. However, its role in ameliorating obesity-promoted colitis is still unknown. We intend to investigate the protective effect and related molecular mechanisms of HPSB on HFD promoted dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. The results indicate that colitis in the HFD+DSS group tends to be more apparent in the DSS-only group, while feeding 0.025% of HPSB at different stages can improve the colitis induced by HFD+DSS. HPSB significantly reduced the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) induced by HFD+DSS in mice. Furthermore, the Western blotting revealed that the administration of HPSB significantly downregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein-1 (PV-1), and phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) expressions in HFD+DSS treated mice. Presented results reveal that HPSB is a novel functional agent capable of preventing HFD exacerbated colitis.

Isorhapontigenin Improves Diabetes in Mice via Regulating the Activity and Stability of PPARγ in Adipocytes

Isorhapontigenin is a natural bioactive stilbene isolated from various plants and fruits. It has been reported to exhibit several physiological activities including anticancer and anti-inflammation activity in vitro and in experimental animal models. This study aimed to investigate whether isorhapontigenin exerts antidiabetic effects in vivo. To this end, diabetic db/db mice were treated with either 25 mg kg^-1 of isorhapontigenin or vehicle intraperitoneally for a period of 5 weeks. The results show that isorhapontigenin treatment significantly reduced postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, as well as free fatty acid, three markers of diabetes. Further studies show that isorhapontigenin treatment markedly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance of db/db mice as shown by ITT and GTT. Together, these physiological results show that isorhapontigenin possesses antidiabetic properties in vivo. Mechanistically, the isorhapontigenin-mediated antidiabetic effect is caused by favorable changes in adipose tissue, including reductions in adipocyte diameter and improved adipose insulin sensitivity. Further studies with 3T3-L1 cells show that isorhapontigenin treatment promotes preadipocyte differentiation by upregulation of the activity of the master adipogenic regulator PPARγ and deceleration of its proteasomal degradation. Together, our results establish for the first time an important role of isorhapontigenin as a potential nutraceutical agent for diabetes treatment.

Pazopanib and Fosbretabulin in recurrent ovarian cancer (PAZOFOS): A multi-centre, phase 1b and open-label, randomised phase 2 trial

OBJECTIVE

Vascular co-option is a resistance mechanism to anti-angiogenic agents, but combinations of anti-vascular agents may overcome this resistance. We report a phase 1b and randomised phase 2 trial to determine the safety and efficacy of pazopanib with fosbretabulin.

METHODS

Eligible patients had recurrent, epithelial ovarian cancer with a platinum-free interval (PFI) of 3 to 12 months. Patients were stratified according to PFI (>6 versus ≤6 months) and prior bevacizumab use.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were treated in the phase 1b. Commonest grade ≥ 2 adverse events (AEs) were hypertension (100%), neutropenia (50%), fatigue (50%), vomiting (50%). There was one DLT (grade 3 fatigue). The recommended phase 2 dose level was fosbretabulin 54 mg/m2 on days 1, 8 and 15 and pazopanib 600 mg once daily (od), every 28 days, which was then compared to pazopanib 800 mg od in a randomised phase 2 trial. Twenty-one patients were randomised (1:1) in the phase 2 trial. In phase 1b and phase 2, four patients treated with pazopanib and fosbretabulin developed reversible, treatment-related cardiac AEs, leading to premature discontinuation of the study. In the phase 2 trial, the median PFS was 7.6 months (95% CI 4.1-not estimated) versus 3.7 months (95% CI 1.0-8.1) in favour of the experimental arm (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.09-1.03, P = .06).

CONCLUSIONS

It remains unclear whether pazopanib with with fosbretabulin is an efficacious regimen to treat epithelial ovarian cancer. Effective cardiac risk mitigation is needed to increase the tolerability and maximize patient safety in future trials.

Pterostilbene Improves Hepatic Lipid Accumulation via the MiR-34a/Sirt1/SREBP-1 Pathway in Fructose-Fed Rats

High fructose intake promotes hepatic lipid accumulation. Pterostilbene, a natural analogue of resveratrol found in diet berries, exhibits a hepatoprotective property. Here, we studied the protection by pterostilbene against fructose-induced hepatic lipid accumulation and explored its possible mechanism. We observed a high expression of microRNA-34a (miR-34a, P < 0.05) and a low expression of its target, sirtuin1 (Sirt1, mRNA: P < 0.01; protein: P < 0.001), with the overactivation of downstream sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) lipogenic pathway (nuclear SREBP-1 protein: P < 0.05; FAS and SCD1 mRNA: P < 0.01), in rat livers, as well as BRL-3A and HepG2 cells, stimulated by fructose. More interestingly, pterostilbene recovered the fructose-disturbed miR-34a expression (0.3-0.5-fold vs fructose control, P < 0.05), Sirt1 protein level (1.2- to 1.5-fold vs fructose control, P < 0.05), and SREBP-1 lipogenic pathway, resulting in significant amelioration of hepatocyte lipid accumulation in animal [hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol (TG&TC) mg/g·wet tissue: 4.90 ± 0.19, 5.23 ± 0.16, 5.20 ± 0.29 vs fructose control 9.73 ± 1.06, P < 0.001; 3.18 ± 0.30, 3.31 ± 0.39, 3.37 ± 0.47 vs 5.67 ± 0.28, P < 0.001] and cell models (BRL-3A TG&TC mmol/g·protein: 0.123 ± 0.011 vs 0.177 ± 0.004, P < 0.001; 0.169 ± 0.011 vs 0.202 ± 0.008, P < 0.05; HepG2: 0.257 ± 0.005 vs 0.303 ± 0.016, P < 0.05; 0.143 ± 0.004 vs 0.201 ± 0.008, P < 0.001). These results provide the experimental evidence supporting the anti-lipogenic effect of pterostilbene against fructose-induced hepatic lipid accumulation via modulating the miR-34a/Sirt1/SREBP-1 pathway.

Biotransformation of Piceatannol, a Dietary Resveratrol Derivative: Promises to Human Health

SCOPE

To evaluate the health-promoting potentials of piceatannol (PIC), a dietary resveratrol derivative, its biotransformation is examined.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The biotransformation is tested in human/rat hepatic microsomes and cytosols; its pharmacokinetic profiles are assessed in rats. Although limited phase I metabolism exists in microsomes, PIC is rapidly converted to two pharmacologically active metabolites, namely rhapontigenin (RHA) and isorhapontigenin (ISO) in cytosols. Such biotransformation is completely blocked by entacapone, a well-known catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, demonstrating that the O-methylation is mediated by COMT. Moreover, PIC is identified as a substrate inhibitor of COMT, suggesting its potential benefits in Alzheimer's disease. Due to extensive phase II metabolism including glucuronidation, sulfation, and O-methylation, PIC displays rapid clearance and at least 4.02% ± 0.61% and 17.70% ± 0.91% of PIC is converted to RHA and ISO, respectively, in rats after intravenous administration. Similarly, PIC serves as an effective precursor of ISO upon oral administration.

CONCLUSION

Since PIC and its metabolites possess pleiotropic health-promoting activities, it has emerged as a promising nutraceutical candidate for further development. This study also reinforces the importance of in vivo testing in nutritional researches as the active metabolite(s) may be absent from the in vitro system.

Dietary pterostilbene supplementation attenuates intestinal damage and immunological stress of broiler chickens challenged with lipopolysaccharide

The present study explored the potential effect of pterostilbene as a prophylactic treatment on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury of broiler chickens by monitoring changes in mucosal injury indicators, redox status, and inflammatory responses. In total, 192 one-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly divided into four groups. This trial consisted of a 2 × 2 factorial design with a diet factor (supplemented with 0 or 400 mg/kg pterostilbene from 1 to 22 d of age) and a stress factor (intraperitoneally injected with saline or LPS at 5.0 mg/kg BW at 21 da of age). The results showed that LPS challenge induced a decrease in BW gain (P < 0.001) of broilers during a 24-h period postinjection; however, this decrease was prevented by pterostilbene supplementation (P = 0.031). Administration of LPS impaired the intestinal integrity of broilers, as indicated by increased plasma diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P = 0.014) and d-lactate content (P < 0.001), reduced jejunal villus height (VH; P < 0.001) and the ratio of VH to crypt depth (VH:CD; P < 0.001), as well as a decreased mRNA level of jejunal tight junction protein 1 (ZO-1; P = 0.002). In contrast, pterostilbene treatment increased VH:CD (P = 0.018) and upregulated the mRNA levels of ZO-1 (P = 0.031) and occludin (P = 0.024) in the jejunum. Consistently, pterostilbene counteracted the LPS-induced increased DAO activity (P = 0.011) in the plasma. In addition, the LPS-challenged broilers exhibited increases in nuclear accumulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 (P < 0.001), the protein content of tumor necrosis factor α (P = 0.033), and the mRNA abundance of IL-1β (P = 0.042) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3; P = 0.019). In contrast, pterostilbene inhibited the nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 (P = 0.039) and suppressed the mRNA expression of IL-1β (P = 0.003) and NLRP3 (P = 0.049) in the jejunum. Moreover, pterostilbene administration induced a greater amount of reduced glutathione (P = 0.017) but a lower content of malondialdehyde (P = 0.023) in the jejunum of broilers compared with those received a basal diet. Overall, the current study indicates that dietary supplementation with pterostilbene may play a beneficial role in alleviating the intestinal damage of broiler chicks under the conditions of immunological stress.

Pterostilbene Attenuates Experimental Atherosclerosis through Restoring Catalase-Mediated Redox Balance in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Atherosclerosis, the major risk of cardiovascular events, is a chronic vascular inflammatory disease. Pterostilbene is a naturally occurring dimethylated analogue of resveratrol and has recently been demonstrated to be beneficial against cardiovascular diseases. However, the underlying mechanisms of pterostilbene on atherosclerosis remain elusive. Experimental atherosclerosis was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) in apolipoprotein E knockout (ApoE^-/-) mice. Pterostilbene was administered intragastrically for 16 weeks. We found that pterostilbene significantly attenuated thoracic and abdominal atherosclerotic plaque formation in HFD-fed ApoE^-/-mice, accompanied by modulated lipid profiles and reduced production of proinflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α). In addition, pterostilbene restored vascular redox balance in thoracic and abdominal aorta, evidenced by enhanced catalase (CAT) expression and activities, and decreased malondialdehyde and H₂O₂ production. Notably, pterostilbene specifically induced CAT expression and activities in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) of thoracic and abdominal aorta. In vitro, pterostilbene markedly promoted the expression and activity of CAT and decreased ox-low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-mediated VSMC proliferation and intracellular H₂O₂ production, which was abolished by CAT siRNA knockdown or inhibition. Pterostilbene-induced CAT expression was associated with inhibition of Akt, PRAS40, and GSK-3β signaling activation and upregulation of PTEN. Our data clearly demonstrated that pterostilbene exerted an antiatherosclerotic effect by inducing CAT and modulating the VSMC function.

Combretastatin A4 Nanoparticles Combined with Hypoxia-Sensitive Imiquimod: A New Paradigm for the Modulation of Host Immunological Responses during Cancer Treatment

Vascular disrupting agents (VDAs) have great potential in cancer treatment. However, in addition to their direct tumoral vascular collapse effect, VDAs activate host immunological responses, which can remarkably impair their anticancer efficacy. Here, a VDA nanomedicine, poly(l-glutamic acid)-graft-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/combretastatin A4 (CA4-NPs), is found to induce the intratumor infiltration of immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), thereby curtailing anticancer immunity. To overcome this problem, hypoxia-sensitive imiquimod (hs-IMQ) is developed, which is selectively activated into imiquimod (IMQ) in treated tumors following the catalysis of CA4-NPs-induced nitroreductase (NTR). The combination of hs-IMQ and CA4-NPs causes a 6.3-fold enhancement of active IMQ concentration in tumors, as compared to hs-IMQ treatment alone. The in situ-generated IMQ alters the tumor microenvironment from a state of immunosuppression to immune activation. Hs-IMQ achieves this effect through the conversion of immature pDCs into their active form, leading to the robust infiltration and priming of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in treated tumors. Thus, the CA4-NPs and hs-IMQ combination treatment synergistically inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. This work offers new approaches to harness intratumor pDCs to reverse the immune suppression resulting from VDA treatment. These findings additionally provide a mechanistic rationale for the use of VDAs in combination with TLR agonists to trigger in situ immune activation and enhance anticancer efficacy.

Plasma pharmacokinetics of isorhapontigenin, a novel derivative of stilbenes, in mice by LC-MS/MS method

Isorhapontigenin (ISO), a novel derivative of stilbene compound, possessess good pharmacological activities such as antiviral, antioxidant, and anticancer. The purpose of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetic of ISO in mice plasma, after oral administration of three doses (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg). Isorhapontigenin was detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and a reliable LC-MS/MS assay for ISO in mice plasma was developed. The method was linear over a concentration range of 5-2000 ng/ml, and the lower limit of quantification was 5 ng/ml. The results indicated that there was a linear relationship between AUC_(0-t), AUC_(0-∞), and C_max of ISO and dosages. ISO underwent quick absorption and elimination in mice.

Co-administration of combretastatin A4 nanoparticles and sorafenib for systemic therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma

Effective systemic therapy is highly desired for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, a combination of nanoparticles of poly(L-glutamic acid)-graft-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/combretastatin A4 sodium salt (CA4-NPs) plus sorafenib is developed for the cooperative systemic treatment of HCC. The CA4-NPs leads to the disruption of established tumor blood vessels and extensive tumor necrosis, however, inducing increased expression of VEGF-A and angiogenesis. Sorafenib reduces the VEGF-A induced angiogenesis and further inhibits tumor proliferation, cooperating with the CA4-NPs. A significant decrease in tumor volume and prolonged survival time are observed in the combination group of CA4-NPs plus sorafenib compared with CA4-NPs or sorafenib monotherapy in subcutaneous and orthotopic H22 hepatic tumor models. Seventy-one percent of the mice are alive without residual tumor at 96 days post tumor inoculation for the subcutaneous models treated with CA4-NPs 30 or 35 mg·kg^-1 plus sorafenib 30 mg·kg^-1. Our findings suggest that co-administration of sorafenib and CA4-NPs possesses significant antitumor efficacy for HCC treatment. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Effective systemic therapy is highly desired for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we demonstrate that a combination of nanoparticles of poly(L-glutamic acid)-graft-methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)/combretastatin A4 sodium salt (CA4-NPs) plus sorafenib is a promising synergistic approach for systemic treatment of HCC. The CA4-NPs leads to the disruption of established tumor blood vessels and extensive tumor necrosis, however, inducing increased expression of VEGF-A and angiogenesis. Sorafenib reduces the VEGF-A induced angiogenesis and further inhibits tumor proliferation, cooperating with the CA4-NPs.

Immunomodulatory and Metabolic Changes after Gnetin-C Supplementation in Humans

Gnetin-C is a naturally occurring stilbene derived from the seeds of Gnetum gnemon L., an edible plant native to Southeast Asia that is called melinjo. Although the biological properties and safety of G. gnemon extract, which contains nearly 3% Gnetin-C, have been confirmed in various human studies, whether or not pure Gnetin-C is safe for humans is unclear at present. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Healthy subjects were randomly divided into two groups. The interventional group (n = 6) was given Gnetin-C, and the control group (n = 6) was provided a placebo, for 14 days. Lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress and circulating blood cells were assessed before and after the intervention. All subjects completed the study, with no side effects reported across the study duration. Gnetin-C supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the absolute number of circulating natural killer (NK) cells expressing the activating receptors NKG2D and NKp46. NK cells derived from subjects who received Gnetin-C for two weeks showed higher cytotoxicity against K562 target cells than those before receiving Gnetin-C. In addition, Gnetin-C also resulted in a significant decrease in the absolute neutrophil count in the blood compared with the placebo. Furthermore, Gnetin-C significantly reduced the levels of uric acid, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total adiponectin, and high-molecular-weight adiponectin. These data indicate that Gnetin-C has biological effects of enhancing the NK activity on circulating human immune cells. The immunomodulatory effects are consistent with a putative improvement in cancer immunosurveillance via the upregulation of the NKG2D receptor. The study was registered with UMIN-CTR, number 000030364, on 12 December 2017.

Comparison of the Hepatoprotective Effects of the Three Main Stilbenes from Mulberry Twigs

The purpose of this study was to compare the hepatoprotective effects of Oxy (oxyresveratrol), Res (resveratrol), and MulA (mulberroside A) (80 mg/kg body weight/d, i.g.) on acute liver injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/d-galactosamine (d-GalN) in mice. After 7 h of LPS (50 μg/kg body weight, i.p.) and d-GalN (500 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) exposure, the activities of serum transaminases and antioxidant enzymes were determined. The expressions of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signal pathway, the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathway related proteins were evaluated by Western blot assays. Histopathological analysis was performed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining on the separated livers of mice. The results showed that treatment with Oxy, Res, and MulA could significantly decreases the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) ( P < 0.01). MulA was the most effective ingredient among the three, and the ALT and AST levels were reduced at 90.3 ± 1.3% and 93.9 ± 1.1% compared with the LPS/D-GalN treated group ( P < 0.01). Meanwhile, the stilbenes curbed the expression of inflammatory factors, NF-κB pathway activation, and MAPKs phosphorylation and upregulated antioxidant enzymes, Nrf2, NAD (P) H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression levels. Stilbenes might protect the ALI caused by LPS/d-GalN through inhibiting the negative effectiveness of oxidation stress and inflammation. The protective performance of MulA was better than those of Oxy and Res, and we hypothesize that it might be due to the mediation of the specific metabolic pathway of the MulA in vivo. All of these results implied that stilbenes in mulberry twigs might be promising as natural additives.

Pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion study of trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucoside and its two metabolites in rats

BACKGROUND

Trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucoside (TRG), isolated from the Chinese traditional herbal medicine Huzhang, has been shown to have a wide range of pharmacological benefits.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to investigate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion of TRG and its metabolites, (TRN (trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucuronide) and TR (trans-resveratrol)), following a single intragastric (i.g.) administration of TRG in rats.

STUDY DESIGN

To evaluate the pharmacokinetic properties of TRG, TRN and TR, groups of rats were administrated a single i.g. dose of either 75, 150 or 300 mg/kg TRG. The absolute bioavailability of TRG was estimated from the ratios of AUC_0-∞ values for oral and intravenous administration. Tissue distributions of TRG, TRN and TR in rats were investigated following a single i.g. administration to four groups at 150 mg/kg dosage of TRG. For urinary, fecal and biliary excretion study, TRG, TRN and TR excretions were recovered from a group of rats administered a single i.g. dose of 150 mg/kg TRG.

METHODS

The levels of TRG, TRN and TR in plasma, tissues, bile, urine and feces were measured by a rapid and sensitive LC-UV method. The precision was below 10.0%, and the accuracy was within ±9.9% for TRG, TRN and TR.

RESULTS

The concentrations of TRN were markedly higher than those of TRG and TR in plasma, urine and bile. TRG, TRN and TR showed linear dynamics in dose range of 75-300 mg/kg TRG. TRG had poor absolute bioavailability in rats. The major distribution tissues of TRG, TRN, and TR in rats were in the digestive tract. TRG, TRN and TR were all eliminated from tissues quickly. TRG was mostly excreted via the renal route in the form of TRN, which accounted for 52.8% of the administered dose up to 72 h.

CONCLUSION

Following a single i.g. administration to rats TRG was easily absorbed and rapidly converted to the metabolites TR and TRN. These metabolites were found to be mainly excreted by the kidneys.

Pterostilbene Reduces Liver Steatosis and Modifies Hepatic Fatty Acid Profile in Obese Rats

Excessive fat accumulation within the liver is known as “simple hepatic steatosis”, which is the most benign form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of the present study was to determine whether pterostilbene improves this hepatic alteration in Zucker (fa/fa) rats. Animals were distributed in two experimental groups (n = 10) and fed a standard laboratory diet. Rats in the pterostilbene group were given a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight/d for six weeks. After sacrifice, serum glucose, transaminase, and insulin concentrations were quantified and the liver triacylglycerol content and fatty acid profile was analyzed. Different pathways of triacylglycerol metabolism in liver were studied, including fatty acid synthesis and oxidation, triglyceride assembly, fatty acid uptake, and glucose uptake. With pterostilbene administration, a reduction in insulin concentrations (consequently in the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR)) and hepatic triacylglycerol content were observed. No effects were observed in pterostilbene-treated rats in the activity of de novo lipogenesis enzymes. An improvement in the fatty acid profile was observed in pterostilbene-treated rats. In conclusion, pterostilbene is a useful molecule to reduce liver steatosis. Its delipidating effect is due, at least in part, to reduced fatty acid availability and triacylglycerol synthesis, as well as to an increased very low-density lipoprotein assembly and fatty acid oxidation.

Resveratroloside Alleviates Postprandial Hyperglycemia in Diabetic Mice by Competitively Inhibiting α-Glucosidase

The regulation of postprandial blood glucose (PBG) levels is an effective therapeutic method to treat diabetes and prevent diabetes-related complications. Resveratroloside is a monoglucosylated form of stilbene that is present in red wine, grapes, and several traditional medicinal plants. In our study, the effect of resveratroloside on reducing PBG was studied in vitro and in vivo. In comparison to the starch treatment alone, the oral administration of resveratroloside-starch complexes significantly inhibited the PBG increase in a dose-dependent pattern in normal and diabetic mice. The PBG level treated with resveratrol (30 mg/kg) was not lower than that of resveratroloside. Further analyses demonstrated that resveratroloside strongly and effectively inhibited α-glucosidase, with an 50% inhibitory concentration value of 22.9 ± 0.17 μM, and its inhibition was significantly stronger than those of acarbose and resveratrol (264 ± 3.27 and 108 ± 2.13 μM). Moreover, a competitive inhibition mechanism of resveratroloside on α-glucosidase was determined by enzyme kinetic assays and molecular docking experiments. The molecular docking of resveratroloside with α-glucosidase demostrated the competitive inhibitory effect of resveratroloside, which occupies the catalytic site and forms strong hydrogen bonds with the residues of α-glucosidase. Resveratrol was also determined to be a competitive inhibition mechanism on α-glucosidase by enzyme kinetic assays and molecular docking experiments. This study suggested that resveratroloside had the ability to regulate PBG levels and can be considered a potential agent for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Ultra-Low-Dose 18F-Florbetaben Amyloid PET Imaging Using Deep Learning with Multi-Contrast MRI Inputs

Purpose To reduce radiotracer requirements for amyloid PET/MRI without sacrificing diagnostic quality by using deep learning methods. Materials and Methods Forty data sets from 39 patients (mean age ± standard deviation [SD], 67 years ± 8), including 16 male patients and 23 female patients (mean age, 66 years ± 6 and 68 years ± 9, respectively), who underwent simultaneous amyloid (fluorine 18 [18F]-florbetaben) PET/MRI examinations were acquired from March 2016 through October 2017 and retrospectively analyzed. One hundredth of the raw list-mode PET data were randomly chosen to simulate a low-dose (1%) acquisition. Convolutional neural networks were implemented with low-dose PET and multiple MR images (PET-plus-MR model) or with low-dose PET alone (PET-only) as inputs to predict full-dose PET images. Quality of the synthesized images was evaluated while Bland-Altman plots assessed the agreement of regional standard uptake value ratios (SUVRs) between image types. Two readers scored image quality on a five-point scale (5 = excellent) and determined amyloid status (positive or negative). Statistical analyses were carried out to assess the difference of image quality metrics and reader agreement and to determine confidence intervals (CIs) for reading results. Results The synthesized images (especially from the PET-plus-MR model) showed marked improvement on all quality metrics compared with the low-dose image. All PET-plus-MR images scored 3 or higher, with proportions of images rated greater than 3 similar to those for the full-dose images (-10% difference [eight of 80 readings], 95% CI: -15%, -5%). Accuracy for amyloid status was high (71 of 80 readings [89%]) and similar to intrareader reproducibility of full-dose images (73 of 80 [91%]). The PET-plus-MR model also had the smallest mean and variance for SUVR difference to full-dose images. Conclusion Simultaneously acquired MRI and ultra-low-dose PET data can be used to synthesize full-dose-like amyloid PET images. © RSNA, 2018 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Catana in this issue.

Protective effects of resveratrol against high ambient temperature-induced spleen dysplasia in broilers through modulating splenic redox status and apoptosis

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol has been shown to prevent high ambient temperature (HT)-induced spleen dysplasia, but the mechanisms of action are not clear. This study aims to examine the hypothesis that HT-induced spleen dysplasia may be associated with HT-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis, and resveratrol may activate the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway, thus reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

RESULTS

Results showed that HT caused spleen dysplasia in broilers, reflecting the lower relative weight of the spleen (P < 0.05). Compared with birds in a normal ambient temperature group, birds in the HT group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax) content, higher Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 mRNA levels, and caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity, and a higher Bax/B-cell lympoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) ratio, but they exhibited lower (P < 0.05) glutathione (GSH) and Bcl-2 content, and lower Nrf2, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), MnSOD, heme oxygenase 1, glutathione reductase (GR) and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and lower total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), T-SOD and catalase and maganese superoixide dismutase (CAT) activity, indicating HT-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Compared with birds in the HT group, birds in the HT + Res group exhibited higher (P < 0.05) GSH and Bcl-2 content, higher Nrf2, CAT, MnSOD, GR and Bcl-2 mRNA levels, and higher T-AOC, T-SOD and CAT activity, but lower (P < 0.05) MDA content, and Bax and caspase-3 mRNA levels, lower caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities, and Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, indicating that resveratrol activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and decreased apoptosis in the spleen.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol was effective in ameliorating HT-induced spleen dysplasia in broilers through the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby decreasing apoptosis, suggesting that resveratrol may offer a potential nutritional strategy to protect against some HT-induced detriments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Efficacy of chronic BACE1 inhibition in PS2APP mice depends on the regional Aβ deposition rate and plaque burden at treatment initiation

Beta secretase (BACE) inhibitors are promising therapeutic compounds currently in clinical phase II/III trials. Preclinical [18F]-florbetaben (FBB) amyloid PET imaging facilitates longitudinal monitoring of amyloidosis in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models. Therefore, we applied this theranostic concept to investigate, by serial FBB PET, the efficacy of a novel BACE1 inhibitor in the PS2APP mouse, which is characterized by early and massive amyloid deposition. Methods: PS2APP and C57BL/6 (WT) mice were assigned to treatment (PS2APP: N=13; WT: N=11) and vehicle control (PS2APP: N=13; WT: N=11) groups at the age of 9.5 months. All animals had a baseline PET scan and follow-up scans at two months and after completion of the four-month treatment period. In addition to this longitudinal analysis of cerebral amyloidosis by PET, we undertook biochemical amyloid peptide quantification and histological amyloid plaque analyses after the final PET session. Results: BACE1 inhibitor-treated transgenic mice revealed a progression of the frontal cortical amyloid signal by 8.4 ± 2.2% during the whole treatment period, which was distinctly lower when compared to vehicle-treated mice (15.3 ± 4.4%, p<0.001). A full inhibition of progression was evident in regions with <3.7% of the increase in controls, whereas regions with >10% of the increase in controls showed only 40% attenuation with BACE1 inhibition. BACE1 inhibition in mice with lower amyloidosis at treatment initiation showed a higher efficacy in attenuating progression to PET. A predominant reduction of small plaques in treated mice indicated a main effect of BACE1 on inhibition of de novo amyloidogenesis. Conclusions: This theranostic study with BACE1 treatment in a transgenic AD model together with amyloid PET monitoring indicated that progression of amyloidosis is more effectively reduced in regions with low initial plaque development and revealed the need of an early treatment initiation during amyloidogenesis.

Resveratrol as a Novel Anti-Herpes Simplex Virus Nutraceutical Agent: An Overview

The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common human virus affecting many people worldwide. HSV infections manifest with lesions that occur in different parts of the body, including oral, ocular, nasal, and genital skin and mucosa. In rare cases, HSV infections can be serious and lethal. Several anti-HSV drugs have been developed, but the existence of mutant viruses resistant to these drugs led to the individuation of novel antiviral agents. Plant-derived bioactive compounds, and more specifically polyphenols, have been demonstrated to exert marked anti-HSV activity and, among these, resveratrol (RSV) would be considered a good candidate. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the available literature elucidating the efficacy of RSV against HSV and the main demonstrated mechanisms of action.

Resveratrol and/or exercise training counteract aging-associated decline of physical endurance in aged mice; targeting mitochondrial biogenesis and function

Mitochondrial dysfunction and decreased mitochondrial content are hallmarks of aging that leads to decreased physical endurance. Our aim was to explore the anti-aging effect of resveratrol (RSVT) supplementation, a polyphenol, and/or exercise training, started at an older age, on improving physical activity, therefore, help in frailty avoidance and promotion of healthy aging in elderly. Eighteen-month-old aged mice received RSVT (15 mg/kg/day) and/or exercise trained for 4 weeks showed significant longer time to exhaustion with decreased blood lactate and free fatty acids levels associated with improved oxidative stress evidenced by decreased gastrocnemius muscle lipid peroxidation and increased antioxidant enzymes activities, catalase and superoxide dismutase, when compared to aged mice control group. These changes were accompanied by over-expression of skeletal muscle peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) mRNA, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, and increased muscle citrate synthase activity, a marker for mitochondrial function. These findings may provide evidence for improved physical endurance by RSVT supplementation or exercise training with better results of their combination, even at an older age, through increasing mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Increased muscle PGC-1α mRNA expression and citrate synthase enzyme activity in addition to improved aging-associated oxidative damage were among the mechanisms involved in this protection.

The Dietary Antioxidant Piceatannol Inhibits Adipogenesis of Human Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Limits Glucose Transport and Lipogenic Activities in Adipocytes

Phenolic compounds are among the most investigated herbal remedies, as is especially the case for resveratrol. Many reports have shown its anti-aging properties and the ability to reduce obesity and diabetes induced by high-fat diet in mice. However, such beneficial effects hardly translate from animal models to humans. The scientific community has therefore tested whether other plant phenolic compounds may surpass the effects of resveratrol. In this regard, it has been reported that piceatannol reproduces in rodents the anti-obesity actions of its parent polyphenol. However, the capacity of piceatannol to inhibit adipocyte differentiation in humans has not been characterized so far. Here, we investigated whether piceatannol was antiadipogenic and antilipogenic in human preadipocytes. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), isolated from adipose tissues of lean and obese individuals, were differentiated into mature adipocytes with or without piceatannol, and their functions were explored. Fifty µM of piceatannol deeply limited synthesis/accumulation of lipids in both murine and hMSC-derived adipocytes. Interestingly, this phenomenon occurred irrespective of being added at the earlier or later stages of adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, piceatannol lowered glucose transport into adipocytes and decreased the expression of key elements of the lipogenic pathway (PPARγ, FAS, and GLUT4). Thus, the confirmation of the antiadipogenic properties of piceatanol in vitro warrants the realization of clinical studies for the application of this compound in the treatment of the metabolic complications associated with obesity.

Nanoliposomal Resveratrol as a Novel Approach to Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease and the subgroup of DM is called type II which is the most common form. The incidence of type II is increasing worldwide and it focuses on several new approaches to efficiently treatment of diabetes. Resveratrol (RSV) is known to be strong antioxidant and has an insulin-like effect in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic cells. It plays an active role at treatment of diabetes with reducing the oxidative stress, lowering glucose levels and protection of beta cells which are responsible for insulin secretion. In our study, we prepared two different RSV-loaded nanoliposomes (LPs), characterized in vitro and evaluated efficiencies of LPs on diabetes and related oxidative stress. Release and transport studies of RSV through dialyse membrane and pancreatic beta TC (β TC) cells were investigated from its solution and LPs. Stability studies were performed at two different conditions (4 °C and 25 °C ± 60% relative humidity) for 3 months. Particle size (PS), zeta potential (ZP), polydispersity index (PDI), encapsulation efficiency (EE) and type of the formulations were determined. β TC cell line was used in cell culture studies and cell viability was measured with using 3-(4,5-dimethyldiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity test. The antidiabetic effects of RSV LPs were investigated on β TC cell induced with glucose and STZ and we evaluated relationship between glucose and insulin concentration before and after incubation with LPs containing RSV. Antioxidant and preventive effects of RSV-loaded LPs against diabetes-associated oxidative stress were determined with superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) enzyme assay. When all results were evaluated together, these new developed liposomal formulations significantly decreased high glucose levels in diabetic cell groups synchronous with increasing insulin levels and they showed prolonged antioxidant activity against oxidative stress for 24 hours compared to RSV solution.

Cerebral Blood Flow Measurements in Adults: A Review on the Effects of Dietary Factors and Exercise

Improving cerebrovascular function may be a key mechanism whereby a healthy lifestyle, of which a healthy diet combined with increased physical activity levels is a cornerstone, protects against cognitive impairments. In this respect, effects on cerebral blood flow (CBF)—a sensitive physiological marker of cerebrovascular function—are of major interest. This review summarizes the impact of specific dietary determinants and physical exercise on CBF in adults and discusses the relation between these effects with potential changes in cognitive function. A limited number of randomized controlled trials have already demonstrated the beneficial effects of an acute intake of nitrate and polyphenols on CBF, but evidence for a relationship between these effects as well as improvements in cognitive functioning is limited. Moreover, long-term trans-resveratrol supplementation has been shown to increase CBF in populations at increased risk of accelerated cognitive decline. Long-term supplementation of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may also increase CBF, but related effects on cognitive performance have not yet been found. Significant decreases in cerebral perfusion were observed by commonly consumed amounts of caffeine, while alcohol intake was shown to increase CBF in a dose-dependent way. However, the long-term effects are not clear. Finally, long-term exercise training may be a promising approach to improve CBF, as increases in perfusion may contribute to the beneficial effects on cognitive functioning observed following increased physical activity levels.

Mechanism of resveratrol-induced relaxation of the guinea pig fundus

BACKGROUND

Resveratrol is a polyphenolic compound that can be isolated from plants and also is a constituent of red wine. Resveratrol induces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle and may prevent cardiovascular diseases.

PURPOSE

Impaired gastric accommodation plays an important role in functional dyspepsia and fundic relaxation and is a therapeutic target of functional dyspepsia. Although drugs for fundic relaxation have been developed, these types of drugs are still rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relaxant effects of resveratrol in the guinea pig fundus.

STUDY DESIGN

We studied the relaxant effects of resveratrol in the guinea pig fundus. In addition, we investigated the mechanism of resveratrol-induced relaxation on the guinea pig fundus by using tetraethylammonium (a non-selective potassium channel blocker), apamine (a selective inhibitor of the small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel), iberiotoxin (an inhibitor of large conductance calcium-activated potassium channels), glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive potassium channel blocker), KT 5720 (a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A inhibitor), KT 5823 (a cGMP-dependent protein kinase G inhibitor), NG-nitro-L-arginine (a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase), tetrodotoxin (a selective neuronal Na⁺ channel blocker), ω-conotoxin GVIA (a selective neuronal Ca²⁺ channel blocker) and G-15 (a G-protein coupled estrogen receptor antagonist).

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that resveratrol has potent and dose-dependent relaxant effects on the guinea pig fundic muscle. In addition, the results showed that resveratrol-induced relaxation of the guinea pig fundus occurs through nitric oxide and ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

CONCLUSION

This study provides the first evidence concerning the relaxant effects of resveratrol in the guinea pig fundic muscle strips. Furthermore, resveratrol may be a potential drug to relieve gastrointestinal dyspepsia.

Impact of sirtuin-1 expression on H3K56 acetylation and oxidative stress: a double-blind randomized controlled trial with resveratrol supplementation

AIMS

Sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1) down-regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been associated with epigenetic markers of oxidative stress. We herein aim to evaluate whether an increase in SIRT-1 expression affects histone 3 acetylation at the 56 lysine residue (H3K56ac) in T2DM patients randomly selected to receive either resveratrol (40 mg or 500 mg) or a placebo for 6 months. The primary outcome is changes in the H3K56ac level by variation in SIRT-1 expression and the secondary outcome is the evidence of association between SIRT-1 level, antioxidant markers (TAS), and metabolic variables.

METHODS AND RESULTS

At baseline, peripheral blood mononuclear cell H3K56ac values among the SIRT-1 tertiles did not differ. At trial end, SIRT-1 levels were significantly higher in patients receiving 500 mg resveratrol. At follow-up, patients were divided into tertiles of delta (trial end minus baseline) SIRT-1 value. Significant reductions in H3K56ac and body fat percentage were found in the highest tertile as were increased TAS levels. A multiple logistic regression model showed that the highest delta SIRT-1 tertile was inversely associated with variations in H3K56ac (OR = 0.66; 95% CI 0.44-0.99), TAS (OR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.00-1.02), and body fat percentage (OR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.58-0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

We provide new knowledge on H3K56ac and SIRT-1 association in T2DM. These data suggest that boosting SIRT-1 expression/activation may impact redox homeostasis in these patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02244879.

Tanshinol alleviates impaired bone formation by inhibiting adipogenesis via KLF15/PPARγ2 signaling in GIO rats

Glucocorticoid (GC)-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is characterized by impaired bone formation, which can be alleviated by tanshinol, an aqueous polyphenol isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. In this study we investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying GC-induced modulation of osteogenesis as well as the possibility of using tanshinol to interfere with GIO. Female SD rats aged 4 months were orally administered distilled water (Con), prednisone (GC, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1), GC plus tanshinol (Tan, 16 mg·kg-1·d-1) or GC plus resveratrol (Res, 5 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 14 weeks. After the rats were sacrificed, samples of bone tissues were collected. The changes in bone formation were assessed using Micro-CT, histomorphometry, and biomechanical assays. Expression of Kruppel-like factor 15 (KLF15), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ 2 (PPARγ 2) and other signaling proteins in skeletal tissue was measured with Western blotting and quantitative RT-PCR. GC treatment markedly increased the expression of KLF15, PPARγ2, C/EBPα and aP2, which were related to adipogenesis, upregulated FoxO3a pathway proteins (FoxO3a and Gadd45a), and suppressed the canonical Wnt signaling (β-catenin and Axin2), which was required for osteogenesis. Thus, GC significantly decreased bone mass and bone quality. Co-treatment with Tan or Res effectively counteracted GC-impaired bone formation, suppressed GC-induced adipogenesis, and restored abnormal expression of the signaling molecules in GIO rats. We conclude that tanshinol counteracts GC-decreased bone formation by inhibiting marrow adiposity via the KLF15/PPARγ2/FoxO3a/Wnt pathway.

Brain targeting of resveratrol by nasal administration of chitosan-coated lipid microparticles

Lipid microparticles (LMs) uncoated or coated with chitosan and containing the neuroprotective polyphenol resveratrol were developed for its targeting to the brain via nasal administration. The lipid microparticles loaded with resveratrol (LMs-Res) were produced by melt emulsification, using stearic acid as lipid material and phosphatidylcholine as the surfactant. The chitosan coated particles LMs-Res-Ch (1.75% w/v chitosan solution) and LMs-Res-Ch-plus (8.75% w/v chitosan solution) were prepared by adding a chitosan solution to the formed particles. The mean diameter of the particles were 68.5 ± 3.1 μm, 76.3 ± 5.2 μm and 84.5 ± 8.1 μm for LMs-Res, LMs-Res-Ch and LMs-Res-Ch-plus respectively, suitable for nasal delivery. Chitosan coating changed the particle surface charge from a negative zeta potential value (-12.7 ± 2.1 mV) for the uncoated particles to a higher positive values respectively, 24.0 ± 4.7 and 44.6 ± 3.1 mV for the chitosan coated LM-Res-Ch and LM-Res-Ch-plus. Permeation studies across human NCM460 cell monolayers demonstrated that their transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) values were not modified in the presence of free resveratrol, unloaded LMs, loaded LMs-Res or LMs-Res-Ch. On the other hand, the TEER values decreased from 150 ± 7 to 41 ± 3 Ω cm² in the presence of LMs-Res-Ch-plus, which corresponded to a significant increase in the apparent permeability (P_app) of resveratrol from 518 ± 8 × 10^-4 cm/min to 750 ± 98 × 10^-4 cm/min. In vivo studies demonstrated that no resveratrol was detected in the rat cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after an intravenous infusion of the polyphenol. Conversely, the nasal delivery of resveratrol in a chitosan suspension or encapsulated in uncoated LMs-Res dispersed in water achieved the uptake of resveratrol in the CSF with C_max after 60 min of 1.30 ± 0.30 μg/ml and 0.79 ± 0.15 μg/ml, respectively. However, a dramatic increase in the levels of resveratrol reaching the CSF was attained by the administration of an aqueous suspension of LMs-Res-Ch-plus with a C_max after 60 min of 9.7 ± 1.9 μg/ml. This marked increase in the CSF bioavailability was achieved without any distribution in the systemic circulation, demonstrating a direct and specific nose to brain delivery.

Protective effects and immunomodulation on piglets infected with rotavirus following resveratrol supplementation

Rotavirus (RV), belonging to Reoviridae family, is the leading cause of acute severe viral diarrhea in children (under 5 years old) and infant animals worldwide. Although vaccines are commonly used to prevent infection, episodes of diarrhea caused by RV frequently occur. Thus, this study was conducted to determine whether resveratrol had protective effects against RV infection in piglets. Following pretreatment with resveratrol dry suspension through adding into the basal diet for 3 weeks, the piglets were orally challenged with RV. We found that resveratrol could alleviate diarrhea induced by RV infection. Resveratrol-treatment inhibited the TNF-α production, indicating that the anti-RV activity of resveratrol may be achieved by reducing the inflammatory response. The IFN-γ level was elevated in 10mg/kg/d resveratrol-treated group and 30mg/kg/d resveratrol-treated group after RV infection. The ratios of CD4+/CD8+ in resveratrol-treated groups were the same as that in mock infected group, suggesting that resveratrol could maintain the immune function in RV-infected piglets. It was found that resveratrol could alleviate diarrhea induced by RV infection. These results revealed that resveratrol dry suspension could be a new control measure for RV infection.

Resveratrol supplementation improves lipid and glucose metabolism in high-fat diet-fed blunt snout bream

Here, we aimed to investigate whether resveratrol (RSV) can ameliorate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic disorder in fish. Blunt snout bream (Megalobrama amblycephala) with average weight 27.99 ± 0.56 g were fed a normal fat diet (NFD, 5% fat, w/w), a HFD (11% fat), or a HFD supplemented with 0.04, 0.36, or 1.08% RSV for 10 weeks. As expected, fish fed a HFD developed hepatic steatosis, as shown by elevated hepatic and plasma triglycerides, raised whole body fat, intraperitoneal fat ratio and hepatosomatic index, and increased plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). RSV supplementation lessened increases in body mass, whole body fat, and intraperitoneal fat, and alleviated development of hepatic steatosis, elevations of plasma triglyceride and glucose, and abnormalities of ALT and AST in HFD-fed fish. RSV supplementation increased SIRT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and consequently hepatic mRNA expression of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT1a), and microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTTP), implying upregulation of lipolysis, β-oxidation, and lipid transport, respectively, in the liver. Conversely, hepatic lipoprotein lipase (LPL), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) mRNA expression were decreased, implying suppression of fatty acid uptake, lipogenesis, and fatty acid synthesis. Additionally, RSV downregulated glucokinase (GCK) and sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) and upregulated glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2) mRNA expression, thus restoring normal glucose fluxes. Thus, RSV improves lipid and glucose metabolisms in blunt snout bream, which are potentially mediated by activation of SIRT1.

Systemic Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Preliminary Efficacy of Topical AhR Agonist Tapinarof: Results of a Phase 1 Study

Tapinarof cream is a novel topical nonsteroidal agent that represents a unique class of anti-inflammatory molecules targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. Study 201851 was an open-label, 2-cohort sequential study that assessed the systemic pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy of tapinarof in adults with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis. A total of 11 participants were enrolled: 5 received 2% cream, and 6 received 1% cream. Tapinarof was systemically absorbed, and measurable amounts were detected in both cohorts. Generally, plasma exposure was greater with the 2% cream and decreased from day 1 to day 21. Median T_max ranged from 1 to 4 hours. Preliminary efficacy results were similar between the 1% and 2% concentrations, with the 1% cream showing better tolerability based on 3 subjects in the 2% cohort who discontinued treatment because of systemic AEs. The efficacy and safety of 1% tapinarof support results of previous positive studies that used a different formulation. However, conclusions in the present study are limited because of the open-label design and small number of participants. The 1% cream was selected as the concentration for use in future studies because of its lower AE incidence and efficacy comparable to the 2% cream.

Beneficial Properties of Phytochemicals on NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Gout and Complication

Gouty arthritis is characterized by the precipitation of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals in the joint. Pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β is a critical manifestation in response to MSU crystals attack. IL-1β secretion is dependent on the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Abnormal activation of the NLRP inflammasome is related to cellular oxidative stress. However, recent studies have illustrated that phytochemicals with potent antioxidant activity exert inhibitory effects on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated diseases. This review focuses on the current findings of studies on the NLRP3 inflammasome and the proposed mechanisms that MSU crystals trigger inflammation via activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. We also summarized the potential use of phytochemicals on NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated diseases, suggesting that phytochemicals can further prevent acute gout attack.

Dietary Resveratrol Does Not Affect Life Span, Body Composition, Stress Response, and Longevity-Related Gene Expression in Drosophila melanogaster

In this study, we tested the effect of the stilbene resveratrol on life span, body composition, locomotor activity, stress response, and the expression of genes encoding proteins centrally involved in ageing pathways in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. Male and female w¹¹¹⁸ D. melanogaster were fed diets based on sucrose, corn meal, and yeast. Flies either received a control diet or a diet supplemented with 500 µmol/L resveratrol. Dietary resveratrol did not affect mean, median, and maximal life span of male and female flies. Furthermore, body composition remained largely unchanged following the resveratrol supplementation. Locomotor activity, as determined by the climbing index, was not significantly different between control and resveratrol-supplemented flies. Resveratrol-fed flies did not exhibit an improved stress response towards hydrogen peroxide as compared to controls. Resveratrol did not change mRNA steady levels of antioxidant (catalase, glutathione-S-transferase, NADH dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase 2) and longevity-related genes, including sirtuin 2, spargel, and I'm Not Dead Yet. Collectively, present data suggest that resveratrol does not affect life span, body composition, locomotor activity, stress response, and longevity-associated gene expression in w¹¹¹⁸ D. melanogaster.

Ameliorative potential of sitagliptin and/or resveratrol on experimentally-induced clear cell renal cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of sitagliptin with or without resveratrol on carcinogen-induced clear cell renal cell carcinoma. Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into 6 equal groups as follows: control; clear cell renal cell carcinoma group; clear cell renal cell carcinoma+sitagliptin group; clear cell renal cell carcinoma+resveratrol group; clear cell renal cell carcinoma+carboxymethyl cellulose group and clear cell renal cell carcinoma+sitagliptin+resveratrol group. Blood urea, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, urinary N-acetyl beta-d-glucosaminidase (NAG), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) were determined. Renal tissue antioxidant enzymes, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and signal transducers and activators of transcription-3 (STAT3) were determined. Parts of the kidneys were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination for nuclear factor kappa B (p65). Sitagliptin and/or resveratrol induced significant improvement of the renal functions with significant increase in tissue antioxidant defenses and Nrf2/HO-1 content associated with significant decrease in tissue LDH, TGF-β1, TNF-α, IL-6 and STAT3 and alleviated the histopathological and immunohistochemical changes compared to the untreated clear cell renal cell carcinoma group. These effects were significant in sitagliptin/resveratrol combination group compared to the use of each of these drugs alone. In conclusion, sitagliptin/resveratrol combination might represent a beneficial therapeutic modality for amelioration of experimentally-induced clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Nocturnal resveratrol administration inhibits chemically induced breast cancer formation in rats

Resveratrol (RES) is well known natural polyphenol with proven antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties. Since mode of application may be important for cancer-preventive effects of RES, the aim of this study was to evaluate a possible delay in the initiation and progression of chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis in female Sprague-Dawley rats after the nocturnal administration of RES. Application of a high dose of RES (100 mg/kg body weight), starting 2 weeks before the first N-methyl-N-nitrosourea dose (NMU) (50 mg/kg body weight), reduced tumor incidence and markedly prolonged latency period (P < 0.01) in the NMU + RES group in comparison to NMU tumor bearing animals. In addition, the tumor volume decreased significantly (P < 0.05) together with tumor frequency (P < 0.05). We also observed that food but not water intake was significantly reduced by 17% between weeks 4 and 12 in the NMU + RES group leading to a pronounced reduction in the body mass of about 25% as compared to untreated controls. In addition to direct effects of RES in tumor tissues, this polyphenol did also improve metabolic functions in RES-treated animals since it normalizes hypoproteinemia and urea levels and increases the number of lymphocytes when compared with NMU. Higher level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in leukocytes and the elevation of proinflammatory plasma cytokines IL-1 and IL-2 may contribute to the observed reduction in tumor development. These results indicate for the first time that nocturnal administration of a high dose of RES significantly affects tumor development in vivo. Therefore, we conclude that RES is a promising candidate for cancer chemoprevention. However, it should be noted that the mode of application might significantly affect RES ability to fight cancer.

3'-Hydroxypterostilbene Suppresses Colitis-Associated Tumorigenesis by Inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 Signaling in Mice

3'-Hydroxypterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-3',4'-hydroxystilbene) presents in Sphaerophysa salsula, Pterocarpus marsupium, and honey bee propolis and has been reported to exhibit several biological activities. Herein, we aimed to explore the chemopreventive effects of dietary 3'-hydroxypterostilbene and underlying molecular mechanisms on colitis-associated cancer using the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model. 3'-Hydroxypterostilbene administration effectively ameliorated the colon shortening and number of tumors in AOM/DSS-treated mice (3.2 ± 1.2 of the high-dose treatment versus 13.8 ± 5.3 of the AOM/DSS group, p < 0.05). Molecular analysis exhibited the anti-inflammatory activity of 3'-hydroxypterostilbene by a significant decrease in the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) (p < 0.05). Moreover, dietary 3'-hydroxypterostilbene also significantly diminished IL-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling and restored colonic suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 levels in the colonic tissue of mice (p < 0.05). Collectively, these results demonstrated for the first time the in vivo chemopreventive efficacy and molecular mechanisms of dietary 3'-hydroxypterostilbene against colitis-associated colonic tumorigenesis.

Resveratrol Ameliorates Tau Hyperphosphorylation at Ser396 Site and Oxidative Damage in Rat Hippocampal Slices Exposed to Vanadate: Implication of ERK1/2 and GSK-3β Signaling Cascades

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of resveratrol (a natural polyphenolic phytostilbene) on tau hyperphosphorylation and oxidative damage induced by sodium orthovanadate (Na₃VO₄), the prevalent species of vanadium (vanadate), in rat hippocampal slices. Our results showed that resveratrol significantly inhibited Na₃VO₄-induced hyperphosphorylation of tau at the Ser396 (p-S396-tau) site, which is upregulated in the hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains and principally linked to AD-associated cognitive dysfunction. Subsequent mechanistic studies revealed that reduction of ERK1/2 activation was involved in the inhibitory effect of resveratrol by inhibiting the ERK1/2 pathway with SL327 mimicking the aforementioned effect of resveratrol. Moreover, resveratrol potently induced GSK-3β Ser9 phosphorylation and reduced Na₃VO₄-induced p-S396-tau levels, which were markedly replicated by pharmacologic inhibition of GSK-3β with LiCl. These results indicate that resveratrol could suppress Na₃VO₄-induced p-S396-tau levels via downregulating ERK1/2 and GSK-3β signaling cascades in rat hippocampal slices. In addition, resveratrol diminished the increased extracellular reactive oxygen species generation and hippocampal toxicity upon long-term exposure to Na₃VO₄ or FeCl₂. Our findings strongly support the notion that resveratrol may serve as a potential nutraceutical agent for AD.

Skin targeting of resveratrol utilizing solid lipid nanoparticle-engrossed gel for chemically induced irritant contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is a chronic and relapsing skin disease with severe eczematous lesions. Despite its growing prevalence, therapeutic treatments remain limited. Long-term topical corticosteroid treatment can induce skin atrophy, hypopigmentation, and increase in transepidermal water loss. An innovative dermal treatment is essential to reduce the side effects of corticosteroids. Topical resveratrol (RES), although effective for ICD, is a challenging molecule due to low solubility and poor bioavailability. The objective of this work was to build RES-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (RES-SLNs) with skin targeting. For this purpose, RES-SLNs were prepared using the probe ultrasonication method utilizing Precirol ATO 5 and Tween 20. The RES-SLNs were evaluated for particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies. Further, RES-SLNs were incorporated into Carbopol gel and investigated for ex vivo skin permeation, deposition study on human cadaver skin, and finally skin irritation study on New Zealand White rabbits. It was further assessed for possible beneficial effects on ICD using BALB/c mice. RES-SLN showed mean size below 100 nm and 68-89% EE. TEM studies confirmed spherical particles in the nanometer range. An ex vivo study of RES-SLN-loaded gel exhibited controlled drug release up to 24 h; similarly, in vitro drug deposition studies showed potential of skin targeting with no skin irritation. RES-SLN gel confirmed competent suppression of ear swelling and reduction in skin water content in the BALB/c mouse model of ICD when compared to marketed gel. Thus, the formulated RES-SLN gel would be a safe and effective alternative to conventional vehicles for treatment of ICD.

The Effect of Piceatannol from Passion Fruit (Passiflora edulis) Seeds on Metabolic Health in Humans

Animal studies have shown the beneficial effects of piceatannol on metabolic health; however, there is a lack of human studies designed to examine these effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of piceatannol on metabolic health in humans. This randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 39 subjects, including 10 overweight men and 9 overweight women (BMI ≥ 25), as well as 10 non-overweight men and 10 non-overweight women (BMI < 25). Subjects received piceatannol (20 mg/day) or placebo capsules for eight weeks in a random order. The primary outcome was the effect of piceatannol on glucose-metabolism, including insulin sensitivity. The secondary outcomes were the effects on other parameters, including blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), endothelial function, lipids, inflammation, oxidative stress, mood status, and Sirt1 and phospho-AMP-activated kinase (p-AMPK) expression in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs). Supplementation with piceatannol in overweight men reduced serum insulin levels, HOMA-IR, BP and HR. Other groups, including non-overweight men, as well as overweight and non-overweight women, showed no beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, BP and HR. Furthermore, piceatannol is not associated with other data, including body weight (BW), body composition, endothelial function, lipids, inflammation, oxidative stress, mood status, and Sirt1/p-AMPK expression in PBMNCs. In conclusion, supplementation with piceatannol can improve metabolic health, including insulin sensitivity, BP and HR, in overweight men.

Evolution of pain at 3 months by oral resveratrol in knee osteoarthritis (ARTHROL): protocol for a multicentre randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Osteoarthritis (OA) pathophysiology is driven in part by joint inflammation. Resveratrol has in vitro anti-inflammatory properties. We aim to assess the efficacy of oral resveratrol for knee pain at 3 months in people with knee OA.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We will conduct a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Overall, 164 individuals with knee OA fulfilling 1986 American College of Rheumatology criteria will be recruited in three tertiary care centres in France and randomised to receive oral resveratrol, 40 mg (two caplets) two times per day for 1 week, then 20 mg (one caplet) two times per day or a matching placebo for a total of 6 months. Randomisation will be centralised and stratified by centre. The allocation ratio of assignments will be 1:1. The primary outcome will be the mean change from baseline in knee pain on a self-administered 11-point pain Numeric Rating Scale at 3 months. Secondary outcomes will be the mean change in knee pain at 6 months, the function subscore of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score, patient global assessment, proportion of responders according to the Osteoarthritis Research Society International-Outcome Measures in Rheumatology criteria at 3 and 6 months, and self-reported number of intra-articular injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid and consumption of analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs since the last contact. Other interventions will be allowed and self-reported. Adherence will be monitored by capsule counts and a booklet and adverse events recorded at 3 and 6 months. Statisticians, treating physicians and participants will be blinded to the allocated treatment.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The oral resveratrol in knee osteoarthritis (ARTHROL) trial has been authorised by the AgenceNationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé and ethics were approved by the Comité deProtection des Personnes Île-de-France III. The findings of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated at conferences. The design of ARTHROL will warrant the translation of its findings into clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02905799. Pre-results. First received: 14 September 2016. Last updated: 16 September 2016. Status: not yet recruiting.