Efficacy and safety of Gelidium elegans intake on bowel symptoms in obese adults: A 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Gelidium elegans (GE) is known to have antiobesity effects and beneficial effects on functional bowel symptoms in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of GE intake on bowel symptoms in obese human adults.

METHODS

This 12-week single-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed from September 2016 to May 2017. Consecutive obese subjects were randomly assigned (1:1) to either GE (1 g) or placebo (1 g) once daily group for 12 weeks. Patients' bowel symptoms were evaluated using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, Constipation Scoring System (CSS), and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire.

RESULTS

The stool symptom score of PAC-SYM significantly improved in the GE group compared with the placebo group after the 12-week treatment (P = .041). Abdominal discomfort score of CSS significantly decreased at 12 weeks compared to that at baseline in the GE group (P = .003), but not in the placebo group (P = .398). In addition, abdominal discomfort score of CSS slightly decreased in the GE group compared with the placebo group after the 12-week treatment (P = .060). However, stool consistency, total CSS score, and PAC-SYM score did not change significantly in both GE group and the placebo group over the 12-week treatment period.

CONCLUSIONS

GE treatment for 12 weeks improved the stool symptom score on the PAC-SYM and abdominal discomfort score on the CSS in obese adults. However, further research is needed in large-scale human studies.

Hair greying is associated with active hair growth

BACKGROUND

Hair greying is an obvious sign of ageing in humans. White (nonpigmented) hair is thicker than black (pigmented) hair. The growth rate of white hair is also significantly higher than that of black hair. However, the mechanism underlying this is largely unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between hair greying and hair growth patterns by evaluating expression of the genes or proteins related to hair growth in white and black hairs.

METHODS

Morphological characteristics were observed in eyebrow and scalp hairs. The differential expression of genes was analysed in black and white hairs from human scalp by a microarray analysis. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry for genes and proteins related to hair growth were performed in black and white hairs.

RESULTS

Keratin and keratin-associated protein (KRTAP) genes in white hair were upregulated at least two-fold in comparison with black hair in a microarray analysis. Upregulation of selected keratin genes and KRTAP4 isoform genes in white hair was validated by RT-PCR. Immunoreactivity for KRT6, KRT14/16 and KRT25 was increased in the hair follicle of white hair compared with black hair. Gene expression of fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) was downregulated in white hair compared with black hair. However, gene expression of FGF7 was upregulated in white hair compared with black hair.

CONCLUSIONS

Expression of genes and proteins associated with active hair growth is upregulated in white (nonpigmented) hair compared with black (pigmented) hair. These results suggest that hair greying is associated with active hair growth.

Callus formation is associated with hyperproliferation and incomplete differentiation of keratinocytes, and increased expression of adhesion molecules

BACKGROUND

A callus is a local thickening of skin, characterized by accelerated keratinization and a reduced rate of desquamation. However, the mechanism of callus formation is not fully understood.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the expression patterns, in callused skin, of genes that are implicated in keratinization and adhesion/desquamation.

METHODS

Samples of skin from the dorsum of the foot (DF), centre of the plantar arch (CP) and anterior aspect of the heel (AH) were obtained from fresh cadavers, and protein and gene expression were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

RESULTS

The stratum corneum in the DF showed a splitting phenotype by conventional haematoxylin and eosin staining, while the stratum corneum was normal in the AH. Cells of the stratum corneum in the AH were nonsquamous. Expression of cornification-related molecules including involucrin, filaggrin, caspase 14 and calcium-sensing receptor was higher in the AH. Similarly, expression of adhesive proteins such as corneodesmosin, desmoglein 1 and desmocollin 1 was increased in the AH. However, protease-activated receptor 2 expression was reduced in the stratum granulosum in the AH. The number of proliferating cells in the stratum basale was significantly increased in the AH, compared with the DF and CP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that calluses form as a result of hyperproliferation and incomplete differentiation of epidermal keratinocytes, and increased expression of adhesion molecules.

The complete genome sequence of freesia mosaic virus and its relationship to other potyviruses

We have completed the genomic sequence of a potyvirus, freesia mosaic virus (FreMV), and compared it to those of other known potyviruses. The full-length genome sequence of FreMV consists of 9,489 nucleotides. The large protein contains 3,077 amino acids, with an AUG start codon and UAA stop codon, containing one open reading frame typical of a potyvirus polyprotein. The polyprotein of FreMV-Kr gives rise to eleven proteins (P1, HC-pro, P3, PIPO, 6K1, CI, 6K2, VPg, NIa, NIb and CP), and putative cleavage sites of each protein were identified by sequence comparison to those of other known potyviruses. Phylogenetic analysis of the polyprotein revealed that FreMV-Kr was most closely related to PeMoV and was related to BtMV, BaRMV and PeLMV, which belong to the BCMV subgroup. This is the first information on the complete genome structure of FreMV, and the sequence information clearly supports the status of FreMV as a member of a distinct species in the genus Potyvirus.

p38 MAPK and NF-κB on IL-6 Release in Human Gingival Fibroblasts

The induction of interleukin-6 (IL-6) using a proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1beta) was studied in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) in relation to p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB transcription factor. When added to HGFs, IL-1beta had a stimulatory effect on the production of IL-6, and this effect was significantly reduced by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor. In addition, the stimulation of IL-6 release also was reduced by the addition of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or NF-kappaB SN50, which has been reported as potent NF-kappaB inhibitor. Both the NF-kappaB inhibitors in the presence of SB203580 had more inhibitory effect on IL-6 release. IL-13 stimulated NF-kappaB binding affinity as well as p38 MAP kinase activation, leading to the release of IL-6. However, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, SB203580, had no effect on the NF-kappaB activation, and both the NF-kappaB inhibitors failed to reduce the p38 MAPK activation in the IL-1beta-stimulated HGFs. These results strongly suggest that both p38 MAPK and NF-kappaB are required in IL-1beta-induced IL-6 synthesis and that these two IL-1beta-activated pathways can be primarily dissociated.

Neuroprotective effect of Buddleja officinalis extract on transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in rats

The flower buds of Buddleja officinalis MAXIM (Loganiaceae) are used to treat headache and inflammatory diseases in traditional Korean medicine. In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of the methanolic extract of B. officinalis (BOME) and of its hexane fraction (BOHF) were investigated in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo, 120 min occlusion, 24 h reperfusion) Sprague-Dawley rat model. BOME or BOHF (100 mg/kg, p.o.) was twice administered 30 min before the onset of MCAo and 2 h after reperfusion. BOME and BOHF treated groups showed infarct volumes reduced by 33.9% and 68.2%, respectively, at 2 h occlusion. In BOHF treated animals, cyclooxygenase-2 and iNOS inductions were inhibited in ischemic hemispheres at both the mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that BOME and BOHF both inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide production in BV-2 mouse microglial cells. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory and the microglial activation inhibitory effects of B. officinalis extract may contribute to its neuroprotective effects in brain ischemia.

Placenta hominis protects osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats

In China, Japan, and Korea, placenta hominis extracts (PHEs) are used clinically for the treatment of osteoporosis. The anti-osteoporotic effect of PHEs was studied. The trabecular bone area and thickness in OVX rats decreased by 50% from those in sham-operated rats; these decreases were completely inhibited by administration of PHEs for 7 weeks. Osteoclast numbers and the osteoblast surface were enhanced in OVX rats, but PHEs had no effect on these phenomena. Serum phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase in OVX rats increased compared to those in sham-operated rats, but the increases were not affected by the administration of PHEs. Thyroxine (T4) level was stimulated in OVX rats. The extracts inhibited the T4 level in the OVX rats. These results strongly suggest that PHEs be effective in preventing the development of bone loss induced by OVX in rats.

Purification and biochemical properties of an alkaline pullulanase from alkalophilic Bacillus sp. S-1

A novel extracellular pullulanase (PUL-E, pullulan 6-glucanohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.41) has been purified from the alkalophilic Bacillus sp. S-1. The purified enzyme had a molecular mass of about 140 kDa on denaturated and natural conditions. The pI was 5.5. The pullulanase, when resolved by SDS-PAGE, was negative for Schiff staining, suggesting that the enzyme is not a glycoprotein. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme was Phe-Leu-Asn-Met-Ser-(Trp-Phe). The enzyme displayed a temperature optimum of around 60 degrees C and a pH optimum of around pH 9.0. The enzyme was stable to incubation from pH 4.0 to pH 11.0 at 4 degrees C for 24 h. The presence of pullulan protected the enzyme from heat inactivation, the extent depending upon the substrate concentration. The activity of the enzyme was stimulated by Mn2+ ions. Ca2+ ions and EDTA did not inhibit the enzyme activity. The enzyme hydrolyzed the alpha-1,6-linkages of amylopectin, glycogens, alpha,beta-limited dextrin, and pullulan. The enzyme had an apparent Km of 7.92 mg/ml for pullulan, a Km of 1.63 mg/ml for amylopectin, and a Km of 3.1 mg/ml for alpha,beta-limited dextrin, when measured at pH 9.0 and 50 degrees C. The enzyme caused the complete hydrolysis of pullulan to maltotriose. The activity was not inhibited by alpha, beta, or gamma-cyclodextrins. The western blotting analysis with mouse anti-serum against PUL-E showed that PUL-E is produced as a single enzyme form during bacterial cultivation.