Min-Kyung Kang

Dietary Ellagic Acid Attenuates Oxidized LDL Uptake and Stimulates Cholesterol Efflux in Murine Macrophages

Foam cell formation is the hallmark of early atherosclerosis. Lipid uptake by scavenger receptors (SR) in macrophages initiates chronic proinflammatory cascades linked to atherosclerosis. It has been reported that the upregulation of cholesterol efflux may be protective in the development of atherosclerosis. Ellagic acid, a polyphenolic compound mostly found in berries, walnuts, and pomegranates, possesses antioxidative, growth-inhibiting and apoptosis-promoting activities in cancer cells. However, the antiatherogenic actions of ellagic acid are not well defined. The current study elucidated oxidized LDL handling of ellagic acid in J774A1 murine macrophages. Noncytotoxic ellagic acid suppressed SR-B1 induction and foam cell formation within 6 h after the stimulation of macrophages with oxidized LDL, confirmed by Oil red O staining of macrophages. Ellagic acid at ≤5 μmol/L upregulated PPARγ and ATP binding cassette transporter-1 in lipid-laden macrophages, all responsible for cholesterol efflux. In addition, 5 μmol/L ellagic acid accelerated expression and transcription of the nuclear receptor of liver X receptor-α highly implicated in the PPAR signaling. Furthermore, ellagic acid promoted cholesterol efflux in oxidized LDL-induced foam cells. These results provide new information that ellagic acid downregulated macrophage lipid uptake to block foam cell formation of macrophages and boosted cholesterol efflux in lipid-laden foam cells. Therefore, dietary and pharmacological interventions with berries rich in ellagic acid may be promising treatment strategies to interrupt the development of atherosclerosis.

Astragalin inhibits airway eotaxin-1 induction and epithelial apoptosis through modulating oxidative stress-responsive MAPK signaling

BackgroundEotaxin proteins are a potential therapeutic target in treating the peribronchial eosinophilia associated with allergic airway diseases. Since inflammation is often associated with an increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress is a mechanistically imperative factor in asthma. Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-glucoside) is a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory activity and newly found in persimmon leaves and green tea seeds. This study elucidated that astragalin inhibited endotoxin-induced oxidative stress leading to eosinophilia and epithelial apoptosis in airways.MethodsAirway epithelial BEAS-2B cells were exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the absence and presence of 1–20xa0μM astragalin. Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to determine induction of target proteins. Cell and nuclear staining was also performed for ROS production and epithelial apoptosis.ResultsWhen airway epithelial cells were exposed to 2xa0μg/ml LPS, astragalin nontoxic at ≤20xa0μM suppressed cellular induction of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and ROS production enhanced by LPS. Both LPS and H2O2 induced epithelial eotaxin-1 expression, which was blocked by astragalin. LPS activated and induced PLCγ1, PKCβ2, and NADPH oxidase subunits of p22phox and p47phox in epithelial cells and such activation and induction were demoted by astragalin or TLR4 inhibition antagonizing eotaxin-1 induction. H2O2-upregulated phosphorylation of JNK and p38 MAPK was dampened by adding astragalin to epithelial cells, while this compound enhanced epithelial activation of Akt and ERK. H2O2 and LPS promoted epithelial apoptosis concomitant with nuclear condensation or caspase-3 activation, which was blunted by astragalin.ConclusionsAstragalin ameliorated oxidative stress-associated epithelial eosinophilia and apoptosis through disturbing TLR4-PKCβ2-NADPH oxidase-responsive signaling. Therefore, astragalin may be a potent agent antagonizing endotoxin-induced oxidative stress leading to airway dysfunction and inflammation.

Osteoblastogenesis and Osteoprotection Enhanced by Flavonolignan Silibinin in Osteoblasts and Osteoclasts

Bone‐remodeling imbalance induced by decreased osteoblastogenesis and increased bone resorption is known to cause skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis. Silibinin is the major active constituent of silymarin, the mixture of flavonolignans extracted from blessed milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Numerous studies suggest that silibinin is a powerful antioxidant and has anti‐hepatotoxic properties and anti‐cancer effects against carcinoma cells. This study investigated that silibinin had bone‐forming and osteoprotective effects in in vitro cell systems of murine osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells and RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. MC3T3‐E1 cells were incubated in osteogenic media in the presence of 1–20u2009µM silibinin up to 15 days. Silibinin accelerated cell proliferation and promoted matrix mineralization by enhancing bone nodule formation by calcium deposits. In addition, silibinin furthered the induction of osteoblastogenic biomarkers of alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 1, connective tissue growth factor, and bone morphogenetic protein‐2. Differentiated MC3T3‐E1 cells enhanced secretion of receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) essential for osteoclastogenesis, which was reversed by silibinin. On the other hand, RAW 264.7 cells were pre‐incubated with 1–20u2009µM silibinin for 5 days in the presence of RANKL. Non‐toxic silibinin markedly attenuated RANK transcription and intracellular adhesion molecule‐1 expression elevated by RANKL, thereby suppressing the differentiation of macrophages to multi‐nucleated osteoclasts. It was also found that silibinin retarded tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase and cathepsin K induction and matrix metalloproteinase‐9 activity elevated by RANKL through disturbing TRAF6‐c‐Src signaling pathways. These results demonstrate that silibinin was a potential therapeutic agent promoting bone‐forming osteoblastogenesis and encumbering osteoclastic bone resorption. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 247–259, 2012.

Anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract inhibit diabetes-associated glomerular angiogenesis.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major diabetic complications and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Abnormal angiogenesis results in new vessels that are often immature and play a pathological role in DN, contributing to renal fibrosis and disrupting glomerular failure. Purple corn has been utilized as a daily food and exerts disease-preventive activities. This study was designed to investigate whether anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCE) prevented glomerular angiogenesis under hyperglycemic conditions. Human endothelial cells were cultured in conditioned media of mesangial cells exposed to 33 mM high glucose (HG-HRMC-CM). PCE decreased endothelial expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α induced by HG-HRMC-CM. Additionally, PCE attenuated the induction of the endothelial marker of platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM)-1 and integrin β3 enhanced in HG-HRMC-CM. Endothelial tube formation promoted by HG-HRMC-CM was disrupted in the presence of PCE. In the in vivo study employing db/db mice treated with 10 mg/kg PCE for 8 weeks, PCE alleviated glomerular angiogenesis of diabetic kidneys by attenuating the induction of VEGF and HIF-1α. Oral administration of PCE retarded the endothelial proliferation in db/db mouse kidneys, evidenced by its inhibition of the induction of vascular endothelium-cadherin, PECAM-1 and Ki-67. PCE diminished the mesangial and endothelial induction of angiopoietin (Angpt) proteins under hypeglycemic conditions. The induction and activation of VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2) were dampened by treating PCE to db/db mice. These results demonstrate that PCE antagonized glomerular angiogenesis due to chronic hyperglycemia and diabetes through disturbing the Angpt-Tie-2 ligand-receptor system linked to renal VEGFR2 signaling pathway. Therefore, PCE may be a potent therapeutic agent targeting abnormal angiogenesis in DN leading to kidney failure.

Chrysin inhibits diabetic renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis through blocking epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Renal fibrosis is a crucial event in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The process known as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to the accumulation of matrix proteins in kidneys, in which renal tubular epithelial cells play an important role in progressive renal fibrosis. The current study investigated that chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) present in bee propolis and herbs, inhibited renal tubular EMT and tubulointerstitial fibrosis due to chronic hyperglycemia. Human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (RPTEC) were incubated in media containing 5.5xa0mM glucose, 27.5xa0mM mannitol (as an osmotic control), or 33xa0mM glucose (HG) in the absence and presence of 1–20xa0μM chrysin for 72xa0h. Chrysin significantly inhibited high glucose-induced renal EMT through blocking expression of the mesenchymal markers vimentin, α-smooth muscle actin, and fibroblast-specific protein-1 in RPTEC and db/db mice. Chrysin reversed the HG-induced down-regulation of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and the HG-enhanced N-cadherin induction in RPTEC. In addition, chrysin inhibited the production of collagen IV in tubular cells and the deposition of collagen fibers in mouse kidneys. Furthermore, chrysin blocked tubular cell migration concurrent with decreasing matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity, indicating epithelial cell derangement and tubular basement membrane disruption. Chrysin restored the induction of the tight junction proteins Zona occludens protein-1 (ZO-1) and occludin downregulated in diabetic mice. Chrysin inhibited renal tubular EMT-mediated tubulointerstitial fibrosis caused by chronic hyperglycemia. Therefore, chrysin may be a potent renoprotective agent for the treatment of renal fibrosis-associated DN.Key messages• Glucose increases renal tubular epithelial induction of vimentin, α-SMA and FSP-1.• Glucose enhances renal EMT by blocking tubular epithelial E-cadherin expression.• Chrysin inhibits tubular EMT-mediated tubulointerstitial fibrosis in mouse kidneys.• Chrysin restores renal tubular induction of ZO-1 and occludin downregulated in diabetic mice.• Chrysin blocks glucose-induced renal tubular cell migration with reducing MMP-2 activity.

Purple corn anthocyanins inhibit diabetes-associated glomerular monocyte activation and macrophage infiltration

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the major diabetic complications and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. In early DN, renal injury and macrophage accumulation take place in the pathological environment of glomerular vessels adjacent to renal mesangial cells expressing proinflammatory mediators. Purple corn utilized as a daily food is rich in anthocyanins exerting disease-preventive activities as a functional food. This study elucidated whether anthocyanin-rich purple corn extract (PCA) could suppress monocyte activation and macrophage infiltration. In the in vitro study, human endothelial cells and THP-1 monocytes were cultured in conditioned media of human mesangial cells exposed to 33 mM glucose (HG-HRMC). PCA decreased the HG-HRMC-conditioned, media-induced expression of endothelial vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, E-selectin, and monocyte integrins-β1 and -β2 through blocking the mesangial Tyk2 pathway. In the in vivo animal study, db/db mice were treated with 10 mg/kg PCA daily for 8 wk. PCA attenuated CXCR2 induction and the activation of Tyk2 and STAT1/3 in db/db mice. Periodic acid-Schiff staining showed that PCA alleviated mesangial expansion-elicited renal injury in diabetic kidneys. In glomeruli, PCA attenuated the induction of intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and CD11b. PCA diminished monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 transcription in the diabetic kidney, inhibiting the induction of the macrophage markers CD68 and F4/80. These results demonstrate that PCA antagonized the infiltration and accumulation of macrophages in diabetic kidneys through disturbing the mesangial IL-8-Tyk-STAT signaling pathway. Therefore, PCA may be a potential renoprotective agent treating diabetes-associated glomerulosclerosis.

Novel antiosteoclastogenic activity of phloretin antagonizing RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of murine macrophages.

SCOPEnBone-remodeling imbalance resulting in more bone resorption than bone formation is known to cause skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis. Phloretin, a natural dihydrochalcone compound largely present in apple peels, possesses antiphotoaging, and antiinflammatory activity.nnnMETHODS AND RESULTSnPhloretin inhibited receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced formation of multinucleated osteoclasts and diminished bone resorption area produced during the osteoclast differentiation process. It was also found that ≥ 10 μM phloretin reduced RANKL-enhanced tartrate-resistance acid phosphatase activity and matrix metalloproteinase-9 secretion in a dose-dependent manner. The phloretin treatment retarded RANKL-induced expression of carbonic anhydrase II, vacuolar-type H(+) -ATPase D2 and β3 integrin, all involved in the bone resorption. Furthermore, submicromolar phloretin diminished the expression and secretion of cathepsin K elevated by RANKL, being concurrent with inhibition of TRAF6 induction and NF-κB activation. RANKL-induced activation of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor was also suppressed by phloretin.nnnCONCLUSIONnThese results demonstrate that the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption by phloretin entail a disturbance of TRAF6-NFATc1-NF-κB pathway triggered by RANKL. Therefore, phloretin may be a potential therapeutic agent targeting osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis.

Purple corn anthocyanins retard diabetes-associated glomerulosclerosis in mesangial cells and db/db mice.

PurposeDiabetic glomerulosclerosis is the hardening of the renal glomeruli that can lead to kidney failure. In the early stage of glomerulosclerosis occur renal mesangial expansion and renal filtration dysfunction. Purple corn has been classified as a functional food and is rich in anthocyanins exerting potential disease-preventive activities. The in vitro study using human renal mesangial cells examined that anthocyanin-rich purple corn butanol fraction (PCB) can attenuate high glucose (HG)-promoted mesangial cell proliferation and matrix accumulation.MethodsCells were cultured for 3xa0days in media containing 33xa0mM glucose in the presence of 1–20xa0μg/mL PCB. In the in vivo animal study, db/db mice were treated with 10xa0mg/kg anthocyanin-rich polyphenolic extracts of purple corn (PCE) for 8xa0weeks.ResultsHG enhanced mesangial production of the fibrosis biomarkers of collagen IV and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), which was markedly attenuated by adding PCB. Such mesangial fibrosis entailed interleukin-8 activation via eliciting Tyk2-STAT signaling pathway. PCB dampened HG-promoted mesangial hyperplasia that appeared to be attributed to increased expression of platelet-derived growth factor. The 8-week administration of PCE lowered plasma glucose level of db/db mice and ameliorated severe albuminuria. Moreover, PCE lessened collagen fiber accumulation in kidney glomeruli and CTGF expression via retarding TGF-β signaling. Protein expressions of nephrin and podocin, key proteins for filtration barrier function of the glomerular capillary wall, were repressed by treating mice with PCE.ConclusionPurple corn may be a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment for diabetes-associated glomerulosclerosis accompanying proteinuria and kidney filtration dysfunction.

Astragalin inhibits autophagy-associated airway epithelial fibrosis.

BackgroundFibrotic remodeling of airway and lung parenchymal compartments is attributed to pulmonary dysfunction with an involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in chronic lung diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and asthma.MethodsThe in vitro study elucidated inhibitory effects of astragalin, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside from leaves of persimmon and green tea seeds, on oxidative stress-induced airway fibrosis. The in vivo study explored the demoting effects of astragalin on epithelial to mesenchymal transition in BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA).ResultsThe exposure of 20 μM H2O2 for 72 h accelerated E-cadherin loss and vimentin induction in airway epithelial BEAS-2B cells, which was reversed by non-toxic astragalin at 1–20 μM. Astragalin allayed the airway tissue levels of ROS and vimentin enhanced by OVA challenge. Collagen type 1 production increased in H2O2–exposed epithelial cells and collagen fiber deposition was observed in OVA-challenged mouse airways. This study further investigated that the oxidative stress-triggered autophagic regulation was responsible for inducing airway fibrosis. H2O2 highly enhanced the expression induction of the autophagy-related beclin-1 and light chains 3A/B (LC3A/B) within 4 h and astragalin blocked such induction by H2O2. This compound deterred the ROS-promoted autophagosome formation in BEAS-2B cells. Consistently, in OVA-sensitized mice the expression of beclin-1 and LC3A/B was highly induced, and oral administration of astragalin suppressed the autophagosome formation with inhibiting the induction of these proteins in OVA-challenged airway subepithelium. Induction of autophagy by spermidine influenced the epithelial induction of E-cadherin and vimentin that was blocked by treating astragalin.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that astragalin can be effective in allaying ROS-promoted bronchial fibrosis through inhibiting autophagosome formation in airways.

Antiosteoclastic Activity of Milk Thistle Extract after Ovariectomy to Suppress Estrogen Deficiency-Induced Osteoporosis

Bone integrity abnormality and imbalance between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts are known to result in metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis. Silymarin-rich milk thistle extract (MTE) and its component silibinin enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity of osteoblasts but reduced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity of osteoclasts. The osteoprotective effects of MTE were comparable to those of estrogenic isoflavone. Low-dose combination of MTE and isoflavone had a pharmacological synergy that may be useful for osteogenic activity. This study attempted to reveal the suppressive effects of MTE on bone loss. C57BL/6 female mice were ovariectomized (OVX) as a model for postmenopausal osteopenia and orally administered 10u2009mg/kg MTE or silibinin for 8 weeks. The sham-operated mice served as estrogen controls. The treatment of ovariectomized mice with nontoxic MTE and silibinin improved femoral bone mineral density and serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio, an index of osteoclastogenic stimulus. In addition, the administration of MTE or silibinin inhibited femoral bone loss induced by ovariectomy and suppressed femoral TRAP activity and cathepsin K induction responsible for osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Collectively, oral dosage of MTE containing silibinin in the preclinical setting is effective in preventing estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss.