ScienceDirect Publication: Life Sciences
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Extracellular matrix roles during cardiac repair
27 Jul 2010 at 2:02pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 27 July 2010
Claude, Jourdan-LeSaux , Jianhua, Zhang , Merry L., Lindsey
The cardiac extracellular matrix (ECM) provides a platform for cells to maintain structure and function, which in turn maintains tissue function. In response to injury, the ECM undergoes remodeling that involves synthesis, incorporation, and degradation of matrix proteins, with the net outcome determined by the balance of these processes. The major goals of this review are a) to serve as an initial resource for students and investigators new to the cardiac ECM remodeling field, and b) to highlight a few of the key exciting avenues and methodologies that have recently been explored. While we focus on cardiac injury and responses...
C-reactive protein triggers inflammatory responses partly via TLR4/IRF3/NF-?B...
26 Jul 2010 at 1:56pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 26 July 2010
Na, Liu , Jun-Tian, Liu , Yuan-Yuan, Ji , Pei-Pei, Lu
 Aims: C-reactive protein (CRP) plays an important role in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) participates in atherogenesis by mediating the inflammatory responses. The aim of this experiment was to investigate the pro-inflammatory effects and mechanisms of CRP in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), especially focusing on the effects of CRP on IL-6 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?), and TLR4-dependent signal pathway. Main methods: Rat VSMCs were cultured, and CRP was used as a stimulant for IL-6 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ? (PPAR?). IL-6 level in the culture supernatant was measured by ELISA, and mRNA and protein expressions...
L-NAME-treatment alters ectonucleotidase activities in kidney membranes of rats
24 Jul 2010 at 1:59pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 23 July 2010
Cristina Ribas, Fürstenau , Denise Barbosa, Ramos , Fernanda Cenci, Vuaden , Emerson André, Casali , Priscilla de Souza, Monteiro , ...
 Aims: To investigate the effect of N?-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) treatment, known to induce a sustained elevation of blood pressure, on ectonucleotidase activities in kidney membranes of rats. Main methods: L-NAME (30mg/kg/day) was administered to Wistar rats for 14days in the drinking water. Enzyme activities were determined colorimetrically and their gene expression patterns were analyzed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The metabolism of ATP and the accumulation of adenosine were evaluated by HPLC in kidney membranes from control and hypertensive rats. PKC phosphorylation state was investigated by Western blot. Key findings: We observed an increase in systolic blood pressure from 115±12mmHg (control group) to 152±18mmHg (L-NAME-treated group)....
Parenteral 17beta-estradiol decreases fasting blood glucose levels in non-obe...
24 Jul 2010 at 1:59pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 23 July 2010
Ju-Young, Kim , Kyung-Jin, Jo , Ok-Soon, Kim , Byung-Joon, Kim , Dong-Wook, Kang , ...
 Aims: Long-term ovariectomy-induced metabolic changes such as insulin resistance and glucose intolerance might be caused directly by estrogen deficiency and may occur partly as secondary effects of obesity arising due to the orexigenic effects of estrogen deficiency. Long-term estrogen treatment prevented those by exerting anorexigenic and metabolic actions in ovariectomized mice. However, the effect of short-term estrogen treatment on glucose metabolism in mice with short-term ovariectomy, during which ovariectomy-induced obesity does not develop, is not yet clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term parenteral 17beta-estradiol treatment on glucose metabolism and blood glucose levels in mice...
Editorial Board
23 Jul 2010 at 1:57pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, Volume 87, Issues 5-6, 31 July 2010, Page IFC
[No author name available]
Regulation of the human CHOP gene promoter by the stress response transcripti...
21 Jul 2010 at 2:01pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 21 July 2010
Takashi, Yamazaki , Asako, Ohmi , Haruka, Kurumaya , Kenji, Kato , Takanori, Abe , ...
 Aims: Activating transcription factor (ATF) 5 is a member of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)/ATF family of transcription factors. We have shown that ATF5 is a stress response transcription factor that responds to amino acid limitation, arsenite exposure, or cadmium exposure. In this study we investigated whether ATF5 is involved in the regulation of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) homologous protein (CHOP) gene expression. Main methods: We used a transient transfection system to express ATF5 and analysed the regulation of CHOP gene promoter in human hepatoma, HepG2 cells. We also studied the effect of ATF5 knockdown on arsenite-induced CHOP protein expression and arsenite-induced...
Quercetin: A potential drug to reverse multidrug resistance
16 Jul 2010 at 2:18pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 15 July 2010
Chen, Chen , Jane, Zhou , Chunyan, Ji
This review centers on recent findings with respect to modulating cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) with the well-known flavonoid quercetin. After a short introduction of quercetin, major in vitro and in vivo findings are summarized showing that quercetin is a MDR modulator and thus a potential chemosensitizer. Finally, we contemplate future prospects of modulating MDR in the clinic.
Time-dependent increases in ouabain-sensitive Na+, K+-ATPase activity in aort...
16 Jul 2010 at 2:18pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 15 July 2010
Luana C., Gallo , Ana Paula C., Davel , Fabiano E., Xavier , Luciana V., Rossoni
 Aims: Na+, K+-ATPase activity contributes to the regulation of vascular contractility and it has been suggested that vascular Na+, K+-ATPase activity may be altered during the progression of diabetes; however the mechanisms involved in the altered Na+, K+-ATPase activity changes remain unclear. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate ouabain-sensitive Na+, K+-ATPase activity and the mechanism(s) responsible for any alterations on this activity in aortas from 1- and 4-week streptozotocin (50mg.kg-1, i.v.)-pretreated rats. Main methods: Aortic rings were used to evaluate the relaxation induced by KCl (1-10mM) in the presence and absence of ouabain (0.1mmol/L) as an index of ouabain-sensitive...
Cytoprotective effects of silymarin on epithelial cells against arsenic-induc...
16 Jul 2010 at 2:18pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 15 July 2010
Elio A., Soria , Aldo R., Eynard , Guillermina A., Bongiovanni
 Aim: To establish the differential cytoprotective activity against arsenic (As) toxicity of the flavonoids silymarin (S), without protective effects on cancer cells, and quercetin (Q), given the paradoxical biomedical role of arsenic (As), which causes oxidative damage to normal cells leading to death or malignant transformation, but can be used, for the same reason, as an anticancer pro-apoptotic agent at high doses. Main methods: Aqueous hydroperoxides (AHP), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinase) activation, caspase activity and death phenotype were assessed in CHO-K1 cells treated with As, S, Q, As+S and As+Q (p
Actin-sequestering protein, thymosin beta-4, induces paclitaxel resistance th...
15 Jul 2010 at 2:06pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 14 July 2010
Jin-Mi, Oh , Eun-Yi, Moon
 Aims: We investigated whether actin-sequestering protein, thymosin beta-4 (TB4)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) affect the stabilization of hypoxia inducible transcription factor (HIF)-1??and paclitaxel-resistance induction.?? Main methods: HeLa human cervical tumor cells were used. The percentage of cell survival was determined by MTT assay. ROS production, cell cycle and hypodiploid cell formation were assessed by flow cytometry analysis. HIF-1? stabilization and molecular changes were analyzed by western blotting or RT-PCR. NF-?B activation was assessed by EMSA and western blotting. Key findings: TB4 protein (TB4P) significantly increased intracellular ROS level and HIF-1?. The increased level of HIF-1? by TB4P was reduced by the treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC),...
New antifibrotic mechanisms of n-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline in silic...
11 Jul 2010 at 2:03pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 10 July 2010
Ying, Sun , Fang, Yang , Jingbo, Yan , Qian, Li , Zhongqiu, Wei , ...
 Aims: We previously reported that tetrapeptide N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) inhibited pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in SiO2-induced silicosis. This study aimed to explore the precise mechanism involved. Main methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups: 1) sham (saline), 2) silicosis+vehicle, and 3) silicosis+Ac-SDKP [800?g/(kg.d)]. SiO2 particles or saline were administered by tracheal instillation and Ac-SDKP or vehicle (saline) via a miniosmotic pump planted into the abdominal cavity 48h before instillation. Animals were observed for 4weeks. Silicotic nodules fraction (SNF) and macrophage infiltration (ED-1 positive cells) were measured by hematoxylin and eosin (H.E.) and immunohistochemical staining respectively. Collagen I and III, transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1) proteins...
C2-ceramide sensitized Paclitaxel-induced premature senescence of human lung ...
11 Jul 2010 at 2:03pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 10 July 2010
Jeff Yi-Fu, Chen , Chi-Ching, Hwang , Wei-Yi, Chen , Jing-Ching, Lee , Tzu-Fun, Fu , ...
 Aims: The aim of the study is to investigate the additive effect of exogenous short-carbon chain phospholipids, C2-ceramide, on an anticancer drug Paclitaxel (Taxol)-induced senescence of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells deficient in functional p53 and p16, and whether there is a role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in ceramide-sensitized senescence of NSCLC cells. Main methods: To determine whether exogenous C2-ceramide renders lung cancer cells more sensitive to Paclitaxel treatment, we used a flow cytometry-based cell cycle analysis and acidic ?-galactosidase staining for senescent cells. Furthermore, to elucidate the role of MAPK proteins in modulating senescence, we assayed protein levels of...
Antitumor properties of aloe-emodin and induction of transglutaminase 2 activ...
11 Jul 2010 at 2:03pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 10 July 2010
Claudio, Tabolacci , Alessandro, Lentini , Palma, Mattioli , Bruno, Provenzano , Serafina, Oliverio , ...
 Aims: Aloe-emodin (AE), a natural hydroxyanthraquinone compound, has been reported as a potential anticancer agent. We studied the antineoplastic properties of AE on highly metastatic B16-F10 melanoma murine cells. Main methods: Cell proliferation was assessed by cell counting and viability was investigated using MTT and Trypan Bleu exclusion tests. As a growth marker, we determined intracellular polyamine levels by high performance liquid chromatography. Then, we evaluated transglutaminase 2 (TG2) activity, protoporphyrin IX accumulation and melanin content as differentiative markers. Tyrosinase activity was checked by DOPA-staining assay. The antimetastatic effect of AE was evaluated by means of a series of in vitro metastatic assays,...
Functional characterization of human and cynomolgus monkey UDP-glucuronosyltr...
9 Jul 2010 at 2:03pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 8 July 2010
Nobumitsu, Hanioka , Natsuko, Tanabe , Hideto, Jinno , Toshiko, Tanaka-Kagawa , Kenjiro, Nagaoka , ...
 Aims: UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1) plays important roles in the glucuronidation of various drugs and endogenous substances. Cynomolgus monkeys are regarded as experimental animals closer to humans in studies on safety evaluation and biotransformation for drug development. In this study, the similarities and differences in the enzymatic properties of UGT1A1 between humans and cynomolgus monkeys were precisely identified. Main methods: Human and cynomolgus monkey UGT1A1s (humUGT1A1 and monUGT1A1, respectively) were cloned, and the corresponding proteins were heterologously expressed in insect cells. The enzymatic properties of UGT1A1 proteins were characterized by kinetic analysis of 7-hydroxy-4-trifluoromethylcoumarin (7-HFC), estradiol at 3-hydroxy position (E-3OH) and 7-ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN-38) glucuronidation. Key...
?1-Adrenergic receptor activation decreases ANP release via cAMP-Ca2+ signali...
7 Jul 2010 at 3:04pm
Publication year: 2010
Source: Life Sciences, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 6 July 2010
He Xiu, Quan , Jing Yu, Jin , Jin Fu, Wen , Kyung Woo, Cho
 Aims: Although a ?-adrenoceptor (?-AR) blockade-induced increase in plasma atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) levels is implicated in the therapeutic significance of ?-AR antagonists, the role of ?-AR in the regulation of ANP release is not clearly defined. The purpose of the present study was to define the role of ?-AR subtypes and the mechanisms responsible for regulation of atrial ANP release. Main methods: Experiments were performed in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria, including measurement of atrial contractile response, cAMP efflux, and atrial myocyte ANP release. Key findings: ?-AR activation with (?)-isoproterenol decreased ANP release concomitantly with increases in cAMP efflux concentration, atrial dynamics, stroke volume...

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