Int J Med Sci
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Long-term tooth loss is associated with the suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis and impairment of hippocampus-dependent cognition with aging. The morphologic basis of the hippocampal alterations, however, remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether tooth loss early in life affects the hippocampal ultrastructure in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice, using transmission electron microscopy. ⋯ Tooth loss early in life induced mitochondrial damage and lipofuscin accumulation in the hippocampal neurons. A thinner myelin sheath and decreased postsynaptic density length were also observed. Our results revealed that tooth loss early in life may lead to hippocampal ultrastructure remodeling and subsequent hippocampus-dependent cognitive impairment in SAMP8 mice with aging.
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Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a severe complication of the wet form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of different ocular neovascular diseases. To identify the function and therapeutic potential of lncRNAs in CNV, we assessed lncRNAs and mRNA expression profile in a mouse model of laser-induced CNV by microarray analysis. ⋯ GO and KEGG analyses suggested that altered mRNAs, as well as those lncRNA-interacted mRNAs were enriched in immune system process and chemokine signaling pathway. Thus, lncRNAs are significantly altered in this mouse model of CNV and are involved in immunological regulation, suggesting that lncRNAs may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of CNV. Thus, dysregulated lncRNAs and their target genes might be promising therapeutic targets to suppress CNV in AMD.
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Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) is a most dangerous breast cancer subtype. The naturally occurring sesquiterpene lactone, arnicolide D (AD), has proven effective against a variety of tumors, however, the inhibitory effects of AD against TNBC and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, two TNBC cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) and an MDA-MB-231 xenograft mouse model were employed to investigate the anti-TNBC effects of AD in vitro and in vivo. ⋯ In vivo assays showed that oral administration of 25 or 50 mg/kg AD for 22 days led to a reduction of tumor weights by 24.7% or 41.0%, without appreciable side effects. Mechanistically, AD inhibited the activation of Akt/mTOR and STAT3 signaling pathways. Based on our findings, AD is a promising candidate for development as an adjunctive therapeutic drug for TNBC.
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Introduction: This study was designed to assess the effect of repetitive exposure to intravenous anesthetic agents on the immunity in mice. Materials and Methods: The mice were divided into six groups: three intravenous anesthetic agents groups (dexmedetomidine, midazolam and propofol groups), and three corresponding control groups (CD, CM, and CP groups). The intravenous injections were administered once per day for 5 days. ⋯ Histopathological findings of liver and kidneys did not show any specific differences of any of three intravenous anesthetic agents groups with their corresponding control groups, although immunohistochemical examination indicated significantly lower expression of Toll-like receptor-4 from liver and kidneys in dexmedetomidine and propofol groups. The cytokine levels were not different between the groups. Conclusion: Repetitive exposure to dexmedetomidine and propofol reduced the expression of CD4+ T cells but did not induce any significant liver or kidney injuries.
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Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to a serious extent. It is a chronic disease that can lead to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Sicyos angulatus (SA) extract on a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J obese mice. ⋯ In white adipose tissue and muscle, the administration of SA activated AMPK pathway, leading to the inhibition of the development of pathophysiological conditions associated with obesity, including lipogenesis and inflammation. These findings suggest that SA may prevent obesity through inhibiting fat accumulation in HFD-induced obese mice. Therefore, SA is able to exert metabolic benefits in the prevention of obesity and insulin resistance.