Characterization of the innate immune signalling pathways in hepatocyte cell lines

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have recently been recognized to play an important role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B (CH-B). Furthermore, manipulation of TLR signalling pathways shows potential as an antiviral therapeutic strategy. Whether hepatocytes themselves possess intact TLR signalling pathways remains controversial. It is critical that cell culture models be developed to allow investigation of the interaction between HBV and the TLR signalling pathways. We have screened three hepatocyte cell lines for the integrity of pro-inflammatory responses and antiviral cytokines following stimulation with interleukin-1 (IL-1) and different TLR ligands. We observed that Huh-7, HepG2 and PH5CH8 cells selectively responded to IL-1 and TLR2 ligands, leading to the activation of NF-kappaB. In addition, the PH5CH8 cell lines were able to induce type 1 interferon (IFN) via both TLR3 and RIG-I following stimulation with poly I:C, HepG2 cells mounted an IFN response via RIG-I only, whereas Huh-7 cells were unresponsive. We conclude that the hepatocyte cell lines investigated display a repertoire of TLR signalling, albeit limited, suggesting that hepatocytes may themselves play an active role in innate immune responses to viruses such as HBV. Furthermore, particular hepatoma cell lines are suitable for investigating the interaction between HBV and hepatocyte-expressed pattern recognition receptors.

Nutrition, nutritional behavior, and obesity

THE PURPOSE

Of this investigation is to explore the effect of several alimentary factors--such as diet, nutritional habits, and personal preferences--upon the occurrence of obesity.

SUBJECTS

Of the study were 264 workers (203 men and 61 women) from the ammonium production department of a fertilizer plant, divided into two age groups: under 30 years and over 30 years.

METHODS

The data are collected by means of a questionnaire about daily nutrition, including the types and average quantity of food (Food Frequency Questionnaires--FFQ). All collected information is analyzed by means of a computer program with a database that includes the chemical structure of food products and takes into account the losses in their nutritional value that occurs in the course of preservation and thermal processing. The nutritional status is assessed on the basis of a Body Mass Index (BMI): group I--normal body mass--BMI 18.5-25 kg/m2; group II--overweight--BMI 25.1-30 kg/m2; group III--obesity--BMI > 30 kg/m2.

RESULTS

The assessment of the individual energy intake shows that hyper-energetic nutrition is typical for 67% of the individuals examined. There is no significant age and/or gender difference. This is the result of extra-intake of fat (over 30 E%), which is observed for 87.9% of all workers, and over 40 E% for almost half of the women examined. All age and gender groups display hyper-protein nutrition with pronounced cellulose (fiber) deficit, high daily intake of sodium, and disbalance of mineral salts as well as a relative deficit of vitamin A, B1, and PP. The frequency of overweight individuals is 43.9%, while that of obese individuals is 23.1%. The majority of workers (70.1% of group I, 63.2% of group II, and 79% of group III) have three meals a day. For 43% of group III individuals dinner is the largest meal. A significantly higher percentage of group III individuals (21.3%) think that they overeat.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyper-energetic, disbalanced nutrition, and incorrect nutritional-behavioral model are factors that determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the workers examined.

Memory effects of standardized extracts of Panax ginseng (G115), Ginkgo biloba (GK 501) and their combination Gincosan (PHL-00701)

In experiments on young (aged 3 months) and old (aged 26 months) rats, using some conditioned-reflex methods with punishment or positive reinforcement for active and passive avoidance (shuttle-box, step-down, step-through, and water maze), we studied the effects of the standardized extracts of Panax ginseng (G115), Ginkgo biloba (GK501) and their combination Gincosan (PHL-00701). The extracts were administered orally for 7 days before training at three increasing doses: 17, 50, and 150 mg/kg for G115; 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg for GK501; and 27, 80, and 240 mg/kg for PHL-00701. The two extracts and their combination improved the retention of learned behavior. This effect varied considerably with the extracts, with the dose and with the behavioral method used. The results suggest that the Panax ginseng G115 and the Ginkgo biloba GK501 extracts possess properties similar in every respect to those of nootropic drugs. The favorable effects on learning and memory of the combination of G115 plus GK501 and the other pharmacological activities inherent in the extracts characterize this combination, offered as Gincosan as a particularly promising drug in geriatric practice.

[The nutritional characteristics and the eating regimen of students]

A study is performed on the state of the daily nutrition of 82 students (40 men and 42 women). There are considerable deviations from the requirements for rational nutrition in both groups. The input of energy in men (2748 kcal) (11.5 MJ) responds to the physiological norm, while in women it is insufficient (1907 kcal) (7.97 MJ). The balance of the basic nutritive substances is disturbed. The relative part of the energy of proteins is an average 12.8%, of fats--43.5% and of carbohydrates--43.8%. The ratio calcium-phosphorus is 1:1.8 in men and 1:1.7 in women. The deficit of vitamins from group B and especially from group C is significant. The index for consistency of nourishing nutrients used by the authors gives possibility for evaluating the qualitative side of nutrition on different energy levels. It is of special importance in the low energy regimen of nutrition. Recommendation is given for further investigations of nutrition and the health status of students in the specific conditions in our country at present.