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Development of an Effective Psoriasis Treatment by Combining Tacrolimus-Encapsulated Liposomes and Iontophoresis
In this study, we analyzed the effect of ItP on the expression of various inflammatory cytokines in the skin, and subsequently examined the therapeutic effect of ItP using negatively-charged liposomes encapsulating FK506 (FK-Lipo) in a rat psoriasis model induced by imiquimod. We found that ItP (0.34 mA/cm2, 1 h) did not affect mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines or epidermis thickness, indicating that ItP is a safe technology for psoriasis treatment. ItP of FK-Lipo suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines induced by imiquimod treatment to a greater extent than skin treated with FK506 ointment for 1 h. Further...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 21, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Seiko Nakamura Mizune Ozono Karen Yanagi Kentaro Kogure Source Type: research

Effect of Anagliptin on Vascular Injury in the Femoral Artery of Type 2 Diabetic Rats
This study aimed to investigate the impact of long-term (6 weeks) anagliptin treatment at a dose of 200 mg/kg/d against oxidative stress in the femoral artery of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats using a well-established animal model for type 2 DM. Serum toxic advanced glycation end-products concentrations and blood glucose levels after glucose loading were significantly elevated in OLETF rats compared to Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats but were significantly suppressed by anagliptin administration. Plasma glucagon-like peptide-1 concentrations after glucose loading were significantly increased in anag...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 21, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Masato Noda Chigusa Kikuchi Eisei Hori Takahiro Iwao Chie Nagami Masayoshi Takeuchi Tamihide Matsunaga Source Type: research

Molecular Mechanism of SLC6A8 Dysfunction with c.1699T   & gt;  C (p.S567P) Mutation in Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes
This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of SLC6A8 dysfunction caused by the c. 1699T > C missense mutation, which is thought to induce dysfunction through an unidentified mechanism. A study on SLC6A8-expressing oocytes showed that the c.1699T > C mutation decreased creatine uptake compared to that in wild-type (WT) oocytes. In addition, a kinetics study of creatine uptake revealed that the c.1699T > C mutation reduced the maximum uptake rate but not Michaelis-Menten constant. In contrast, the c.1699T > C mutation did not attenuate SLC6A8 protein levels or alter its cellular localization. Based on ...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 17, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Ryuta Jomura Masaru Sawada Yuma Tega Shin-Ichi Akanuma Masanori Tachikawa Ken-Ichi Hosoya Source Type: research

Phosphatidylcholine-Plasmalogen-Oleic Acid Reduces BACE1 Expression in Human SH-SY5Y Cells
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):192-195. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00787.ABSTRACTPlasmalogens are a family of glycerophospholipids containing one vinyl-ether bond at the sn-1 position in the glycerol backbone, and play important roles in cellular homeostasis including neural transmission. Therefore, reductions of plasmalogens have been associated with neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). To evaluate the potential protective effects of plasmalogens against the pathology of AD, protein expression levels of key factors in amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolic processes were examined using human neuroblast...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 17, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Haruka Okabayashi Miki Yasuda Chinatsu Nii Ryo Sugishita Keijo Fukushima Kouki Yuasa Satoshi Kotoura Hiromichi Fujino Source Type: research

Icariin Regulates EMT and Stem Cell-Like Character in Breast Cancer through Modulating lncRNA NEAT1/TGF β/SMAD2 Signaling Pathway
In conclusion, ICA can potentially inhibit the metastasis of BC via affecting the NEAT1/TGFβ/SMAD2 pathway, which provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the mechanisms involved in potential application of ICA for BC therapy.PMID:38220208 | DOI:10.1248/bpb.b23-00668 (Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin)
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 14, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Bo Song Fuxia Wei Jiehao Peng Xiuhong Wei Mingran Liu Zhongbiao Nie Yanmiao Ma Tao Peng Source Type: research

NRP1 Induces Enhanced Stemness and Chemoresistance in Glioma Cells via YAP
In this study, we observed the effects of NRP1 on the stemness and chemoresistance of glioma cells and the mediating role of Yes-associated protein (YAP). We constructed NRP1 overexpressing LN-229 glioma cells. Cells were treated with recombinant NRP1 protein (rNRP1) and the YAP inhibitor Super-TDU when necessary. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to detect the sensitivity of cells to temozolomide (TMZ). Sphere and clone formation assays were performed to detect the sphere- and clone-forming abilities of cells. Western blotting was performed to detect cellular CD133, CD44, p-...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 14, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Liang Jin Ai Jin Ling Wang Xiaoru Qi Yan Jin Chunhe Zhang Mengya Niu Source Type: research

Loureirin A Promotes Cell Differentiation and Suppresses Migration and Invasion of Melanoma Cells via WNT and AKT/mTOR signaling Pathways
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024 Jan 10. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00415. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTResina Draconis is a traditional Chinese medicine, with the in-depth research, its medicinal value in anti-tumor has been revealed. Loureirin A is extracted from Resina Draconis, however, research on the anti-tumor efficacy of Loureirin A is rare. Herein, we investigated the function of Loureirin A in melanoma. Our research demonstrated that Loureirin A inhibited the proliferation of and caused G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in melanoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Further study showed that the melanin content and tyrosinase acti...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 10, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Zi-Yi Xia Ling Liu Chiu-Fai Kuok Xue-Li Wang Dan Shi Quan Ma Xiao-Yang Cheng Guo-Li Wang Min-Jing Li Qiu-Sheng Zheng Xiao-Na Liu De-Fang Li Bo-Han Li Source Type: research

Physiological and Pathological Significance of Chloride Channels
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):1-13. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00820.ABSTRACTCl- influx and efflux through Cl- channels play a role in regulating the homeostasis of biological functions. Therefore, the hyperfunction or dysfunction of Cl- channels elicits pathological mechanisms. The Cl- channel superfamily includes voltage-gated Cl- (ClC) channels, Ca2+-activated Cl- channels (ClCa; TMEM16A/TMEM16B), cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channels, and ligand-gated Cl- channels. These channels are ubiquitously expressed to regulate ion homeostasis, muscle tonus, membrane excitability, cell volume, survival, neurotrans...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Hisao Yamamura Source Type: research

Ethoxyquin, a Lipid Peroxidation Inhibitor, Has Protective Effects against White Matter Lesions in a Mouse Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion
In this study, we investigated lipid peroxidation, which has recently been pointed out to be associated with cerebrovascular disease and vascular dementia, as a therapeutic target for chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. We used ethoxyquin, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, in a neuronal cell line and mouse model of the disease. The cytoprotective effect of ethoxyquin on glutamate-stimulated HT-22 cells, a mouse hippocampal cell line, was comparable to that of a ferroptosis inhibitor. In addition, the administration of ethoxyquin to bilateral common carotid artery stenosis model mice suppressed white matter lesions, blood-brain barr...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Masami Abe Marie Sou Yuta Matsuoka Kazushi Morimoto Ken-Ichi Yamada Source Type: research

New Maintenance Culture Method for Intestinal Stem Cells Derived from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):120-129. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00573.ABSTRACTMost orally administered drugs exert their effects after being absorbed in the small intestine. Therefore, new drugs must undergo nonclinical pharmacokinetic evaluations in the small intestine. Enterocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are expected to be used in the evaluation system, as they reflect human intestinal characteristics more accurately; moreover, several differentiation protocols are available for these cells. However, enterocytes derived from hiPSCs have drawbacks such as time, cost, and lot-to-lot differences...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Shota Mizuno Yumi Jinnoh Ayaka Arita Shimeng Qiu Tadahiro Hashita Eisei Hori Takahiro Iwao Tamihide Matsunaga Source Type: research

Goji Berry Juice Prevents Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Xerostomia in Human Salivary Gland Cells
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):138-144. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00456.ABSTRACTSjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by oral dryness that is primarily attributed to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-mediated reduction in saliva production. In traditional Chinese medicine, goji berries are recognized for their hydrating effect and are considered suitable to address oral dryness associated with Yin deficiency. In the present study, we used goji berry juice (GBJ) to investigate the potential preventive effect of goji berries on oral dryness caused by SS. Pretreatment of human salivary gland cells with G...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Masatoshi Takakura Ayano Mizutani Mizuki Kudo Airi Ishikawa Takuya Okamoto Tong Xuan Fu Shin-Ichiro Kurimoto Yuka Koike Kenji Mishima Junichi Tanaka Tomio Inoue Kazuyoshi Kawazoe Source Type: research

Oleic Acid Activates Mitochondrial Energy Metabolism and Reduces Oxidative Stress Resistance in the Pancreatic β-Cell Line INS-1
In this study, we examined the effects of oleic acid (OA), a monounsaturated fatty acid, on mitochondrial function, which is important for insulin secretion, using INS-1 cells, a pancreatic β-cell line derived from rats. Observations of mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular ATP concentration showed that the electron transport chain was enhanced and ATP production increased in cells treated with OA, indicating that the response that occurs from sensing an increase in glucose concentration to the production of ATP was accelerated. Measurements of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) indicated that the ra...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Mariko Suzuki Kaoruko Endo Riko Nagata Naoko Iida-Tanaka Source Type: research

Regulation of Chloride Channels by Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Induced α-Defensin 5
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):159-165. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00672.ABSTRACTEpidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are used to treat non-small cell lung cancer with EGFR mutations. However, first-generation erlotinib and second-generation afatinib often cause diarrhea, which may develop because of the association between EGFR-TKIs and the chloride channel or abnormalities in the intestinal microbiota due to disruption of the intestinal immune system. As reports on the effects of EGFR-TKIs on intestinal immunity are lacking, we aimed to determine whether the intestinal immune system is involved ...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Ippei Uemura Natsuko Takahashi-Suzuki Fumiya Kita Masaki Kobayashi Takehiro Yamada Ken Iseki Takashi Satoh Source Type: research

Unique Behavior of Bacterially Expressed Rat Carnitine Palmitoyltransferase 2 and Its Catalytic Activity
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):23-27. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00612.ABSTRACTMammalian type 2 carnitine parmitoyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.21), abbreviated as CPT2, is an enzyme involved in the translocation of fatty acid into the mitochondrial matrix space, and catalyzes the reaction acylcarnitine + CoA = acyl-CoA + carnitine. When rat CPT2 was expressed in Escherichia coli, its behavior was dependent on the presence or absence of i) its mitochondrial localization sequence and ii) a short amino acid sequence thought to anchor it to the mitochondrial inner membrane: CPT2 containing both sequences behaved as a hydrophobic protein, whi...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Kiri Akieda Kazuto Takegawa Takeshi Ito Gaku Nagayama Naoshi Yamazaki Yuka Nagasaki Kohei Nishino Hidetaka Kosako Yasuo Shinohara Source Type: research

Identification of Azalamellarin N as a Pyroptosis Inhibitor
Biol Pharm Bull. 2024;47(1):28-36. doi: 10.1248/bpb.b23-00569.ABSTRACTPyroptosis is a form of regulated cell death that promotes inflammation; it attracts much attention because its dysregulation leads to various inflammatory diseases. To help explore the precise mechanisms by which pyroptosis is regulated, in this study, we searched for chemical compounds that inhibit pyroptosis. From our original compound library, we identified azalamellarin N (AZL-N), a hexacyclic pyrrole alkaloid, as an inhibitor of pyroptosis induced by R837 (also called imiquimod), which is an agonist of the intracellular multiprotein complex nucleot...
Source: Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin - January 3, 2024 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Jun Takouda Moeka Nakamura Akane Murasaki Waka Shimosako Aoi Hidaka Shino Honda Susumu Tanimura Fumito Ishibashi Norihiko Kawasaki Jun Ishihara Tsutomu Fukuda Kohsuke Takeda Source Type: research