Cheuk-Sing Choy

Brazilin Ameliorates High Glucose-Induced Vascular Inflammation via Inhibiting ROS and CAMs Production in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Vascular inflammatory process has been suggested to play a key role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have shown that brazilin exhibits antihepatotoxic, antiplatelet, cancer preventive, or anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, we investigated whether brazilin suppresses vascular inflammatory process induced by high glucose (HG) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). HG induced nitrite production, lipid peroxidation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species formation in HUVEC cells, which was reversed by brazilin. Western blot analysis revealed that brazilin markedly inhibited HG-induced phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Besides, we investigated the effects of brazilin on the MAPK signal transduction pathway because MAPK families are associated with vascular inflammation under stress. Brazilin blocked HG-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and transcription factor NF-κB. Furthermore, brazilin concentration-dependently attenuated cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1 and VCAM-1) expression induced by various concentrations of HG in HUVEC. Taken together, the present data suggested that brazilin could suppress high glucose-induced vascular inflammatory process, which may be closely related with the inhibition of oxidative stress, CAMs expression, and NF-κB activation in HUVEC. Our findings may highlight a new therapeutic intervention for the prevention of vascular diseases.

Enhancement of Transdermal Delivery of Indomethacin and Tamoxifen by Far-Infrared Ray-Emitting Ceramic Material (BIOCERAMIC): A Pilot Study

BIOCERAMIC have been found to modulate various biological effects. Our earlier published research on various cell lines demonstrated that BIOCERAMIC promoted microcirculation, upregulated calcium-dependent nitric oxide and calmodulin, and exerted an antioxidant effect by increasing hydrogen peroxide scavenging ability. The development of pain relief systems requires most possible minimum doses and methods for effective local control of pain, so as to protect liver and renal function. There is also clinical necessary to develop targeted delivery of estrogen inhibitor in the breast using a local drug release system, to protect the breast from the increased cancer risk associated with the use of estrogen therapy. We compared the viscosity of BIOCERAMIC irradiated water and control water, and found that BIOCERAMIC might weaken the hydrogen bonds. Such breaks are caused by the loss of hydrogen bond covalence resulting from electron rearrangement. The purposes of this study were thus to investigated a transdermal drug delivery model using Franz cell apparatus for Indomethacin and Tamoxifen. The results showed that BIOCERAMIC enhanced the diffusion and permeability of the drugs. Therefore, we suggest that BIOCERAMIC might enhance the penetration performed by hydrogen bond weakening due to physical induction, and may facilitate local drug delivery in transdermal systems.

Wave-induced flow in meridians demonstrated using photoluminescent bioceramic material on acupuncture points

The mechanisms of acupuncture remain poorly understood, but it is generally assumed that measuring the electrical conductivity at various meridians provides data representing various meridian energies. In the past, noninvasive methods have been used to stimulate the acupuncture points at meridians, such as heat, electricity, magnets, and lasers. Photoluminescent bioceramic (PLB) material has been proven to weaken hydrogen bonds and alter the characteristics of liquid water. In this study, we applied the noninvasive PLB technique to acupuncture point irradiation, attempting to detect its effects by using electrical conductivity measurements. We reviewed relevant literature, searching for information on meridians including their wave-induced flow characteristics.

Sanguis draconis, a Dragon’s Blood Resin, Attenuates High Glucose-Induced Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Hyperglycaemia, a characteristic feature of diabetes mellitus, induces endothelial dysfunction and vascular complications by limiting the proliferative potential of these cells. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of an ethanolic extract of Sanguis draconis (SD), a kind of dragons blood resin that is obtained from Daemonorops draco (Palmae), on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) under high-glucose (HG) stimulation and its underlying mechanism. Concentration-dependent (0–50 μg/mL) assessment of cell viability showed that SD does not affect cell viability with a similar trend up to 48 h. Remarkably, SD (10–50 μg/mL) significantly attenuated the high-glucose (25 and 50 mM) induced cell toxicity in a concentration-dependent manner. SD inhibited high glucose-induced nitrite (NO) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation in HUVEC. Western blot analysis revealed that SD treatments abolished HG-induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 1/2), nuclear transcription factor, κB (NF-κB), VCAM-1, and E-selectin, and it also blocked the breakdown of PARP-116 kDa protein in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we found that SD increased the expression of Bcl-2 and decreased Bax protein expression in HG-stimulated HUVEC. Thus, these results of this study demonstrate for the first time that SD inhibits glucose induced oxidative stress and vascular inflammation in HUVEC by inhibiting the ERK/NF-κB/PARP-1/Bax signaling cascade followed by suppressing the activation of VCAM-1 and E-selectin. These data suggest that SD may have a therapeutic potential in vascular inflammation due to the decreased levels of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and PARP-1 activation.

Photoluminescence of Bioceramic Materials (PLB) as a Complementary and Alternative Therapy for Diabetes

The rapid rise of diabetes in Asia and Africa is surpassing that of western countries. Diabetes incurs a significant financial burden on patients and national economies. Consequently, factors such as a miserable life-long treatment of hypoglycemic therapy and the possibility of drug intolerance necessitate a search for non-pharmacological alternatives to reduce the requirement of anti-diabetic drugs. Photoluminescence refers to materials that absorb light energy and then release that energy in the form of light. In this study, Photoluminescence of Bioceramic Materials (PLB) was applied to control hyperglycemia and glycosuria in diabetes from the bench to the clinical bedside examination. The PLB treatments resulted in a tendency to promote glucose diffusion into C2C12 cell line and show a significant decrease in glycosuria in STZ (streptozotocin) induced diabetic rats. The possible mechanisms of the PLB effects on hyperglycemia also correlate with our previous publication and include molecular diffusion, calcium dependent nitric oxide, suppression of oxidative stress and autonomous nervous system regulation. In the future, PLB may have the role of clinical applications on ameliorating hyperglycemia and improving diabetes-related complications.

Translating Laboratory Research of BIOCERAMIC Material, Application on Computer Mouse and Bracelet, to Ameliorate Computer Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

We investigated the effects of a room temperature-emitting far infrared ray ceramic material (BIOCERAMIC) on computer work-related pain and coldness. Thirty-two computer users reporting complaints in upper extremities and shoulders were assigned to play 30-cycles of specially-designed computer game. Each subject was provided with a normal and BIOCERAMIC-made mouse for the game on two different days. When using BIOCERAMIC mouse for the computer game, the most significant improvements among the upper extremity complaints were for wrist, finger, forearm, and partially shoulder soreness. Greater differences in surface temperatures of mouse and hand in BIOCERAMIC group were seen. The most significant difference occurred when using both the BIOCERAMIC cover and bracelet were found to reduce pain sensations. It was concluded that pain intensity and disability were significantly reduced after using BIOCERAMIC mouse for the game. The effect remained during follow-up when using BIOCERAMIC mouse cover and bracelet during their usual computer work.

Using Topical Applications of Tamoxifen and a Combination of Phytonutrients Based on Breast MRI to Inhibit Estrogen-Related Proliferation of Human Breast Tissue

Objective: In January of 2013, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence of United Kingdom have announced that taking tamoxifen for five years could reduce breast cancer risk, include positive family history or chronic estrogen and phytoestrogen users. However, routinely oral intake of tamoxifen for breast cancer prophylaxis on high risk women is occasionally difficult because of its potential side effects. The intention of this study is to prove transdermal delivery by using minimal dose of tamoxifen and phytonutrients for breast protection. Methods: We retrospectively studied 2795 breast MRI images from Taiwanese women and classified them as either healthy or unhealthy according to BI-RADS categories. A subgroup of the study patients had received estrogen supplements containing estrogen components or phytoestrogen for at least 3 months. Based on breast MRI analysis, these 2 groups were compared and found significant different. The overuse of estrogen or phytoestrogen supplements can increase breast glandular tissue proliferation, as reflected in MRI images. Such proliferation may increase the risk of future breast cancer. We also studied the efficacy of tamoxifen and the phytonutrients to inhibit proliferation of mammary glandular cell, as well as their transdermal absorption in animal models. Results: We demonstrated cell proliferative change of normal breast cells (MCF-10a) under estrogen treatment. For studied of transdermal absorption by topical application, we used Franz cell with artificial skin membrane to demonstrate positive transdermal diffusion using animal urine/feces, blood samples and subcutaneous skin retention for HPLC analysis. Conclusion: We successful demonstrate the transdermal absorption of topical application of tamoxifen and phytonutrients; it may help to reduce breast cancer development in regular estrogen and phytoestrogen users.

Hinokitiol Exerts Anticancer Activity through Downregulation of MMPs 9/2 and Enhancement of Catalase and SOD Enzymes: In Vivo Augmentation of Lung Histoarchitecture

Melanoma is extremely resistant to chemotherapy and the death rate is increasing hastily worldwide. Extracellular matrix promotes the migration and invasion of tumor cells through the production of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9. Evidence has shown that natural dietary antioxidants are capable of inhibiting cancer cell growth. Our recent studies showed that hinokitiol, a natural bioactive compound, inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and platelets aggregation. The present study is to investigate the anticancer efficacy of hinokitiol against B16-F10 melanoma cells via modulating tumor invasion factors MMPs, antioxidant enzymes in vitro. An in vivo mice model of histological investigation was performed to study the patterns of elastic and collagen fibers. Hinokitiol inhibited the expression and activity of MMPs-2 and -9 in B16-F10 melanoma cells, as measured by western blotting and gelatin zymography, respectively. An observed increase in protein expression of MMPs 2/9 in melanoma cells was significantly inhibited by hinokitiol. Notably, hinokitiol (1–5 μM) increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) from the reduction in melanoma cells. Also, hinokitiol (2–10 µM) concentration dependently reduced in vitro Fenton reaction induced hydroxyl radical (OH·) formation. An in vivo study showed that hinokitiol treatment increased elastic fibers (EF), collagens dispersion, and improved alveolar alterations in the lungs of B16/F10 injected mice. Overall, our findings propose that hinokitiol may be a potent anticancer candidate through down regulation of MMPs 9/2, reduction of OH· production and enhancement of antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT.

Change of Scaling-Induced Proinflammatory Cytokine on the Clinical Efficacy of Periodontitis Treatment

Proinflammatory cytokines are key inflammatory mediators in periodontitis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between proinflammatory cytokines in saliva and periodontal status. To investigate the usefulness of cytokines in the therapeutic approach for periodontal disease, the relationship between stimulated cytokine changes and the periodontitis treatment outcome was investigated in this study. Saliva was obtained from 22 patients diagnosed by dentists as having chronic periodontitis. The proinflammatory cytokine (interleukin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and tumor necrosis factor β (TNF-β)) levels were determined using a commercially available kit. The IL-1β and IL-6 levels increased, whereas the TNF-β levels decreased with the severity of periodontitis (4 mm pocket percentage). Poststimulation IL-1α, IL-6, and IL-8 levels were higher in patients who had an improved treatment outcome. The differences of IL-6 levels (cut point: 0.05 μg/g) yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 90.0% and 81.82%, respectively, for predicting the periodontitis treatment outcome. Among the proinflammatory cytokines, stimulated IL-6 was an excellent marker for predicting the periodontitis treatment outcome.

Using Breast MRI to Evaluate Complications of Autologous Fat Grafting

Introduction: During the past few years in Taiwan, there has been a rapid growth of autologous fat grafting procedures performed for cosmetic reasons. We retrospectively demonstrate Complications of Autologous Fat Grafting in the breast, based on clinical presentations and breast MRI imaging. We also discuss the possible method of early detection of complications. Material and method: Twenty-one ethnic Chinese (Taiwanese) women were transferred for delicate breast MRI study in the past year. These patients had suffered different signs and symptoms following the procedure. Clinical and image information were collected from the hospital database. Results: Breast MRI successfully detected all viable fat tissues and complicated lesions of the breasts. The image findings corresponded to the clinical presentation and were used in therapeutic decision making. Fat necrosis with granuloma formations caused by graft rejection was the main complications. The most severe complication was an abscess formation and impending sepsis. Management procedures included operation or drainage; received oral antibiotics; and received clinical observation. Discussion and Conclusion: MRI is capable of detecting the surviving fat graft tissues, and to distinguish degree of malignancy from benign lesions. In complicated cases, the highest incidences showed granuloma formations and fat necrosis. However, laboratory data such as CRP, IgE and complement (C3 &C4) levels only reflected some of the infectious cases and could not be used as monitoring parameters. Breast MRI is an ideal tool for early detection of autologous fat complications without causing indistinguishable conclusions from malignancy. Breast MRI should be performed as early as possible for this complication, so that help for early treatment can be planned.