Glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits ICAM-1 expression via blocking JNK and NF-KB pathways in TNF-α-activated endothelial cells

Aim:

To investigate the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), an active component extracted from the root of Glycyrrhizae glabra, on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-activated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).

Methods:

ICAM-1 mRNA and protein levels were detected using RT-PCR and cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The adherence of human monocytic THP-1 cells labeled with [³H]thymidine to HUVEC was determined by counting radioactivity with a scintillation counter. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases as well as the degradation of IκB and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) or phospho-c-Jun in the nucleus were detected by western blots. NF-κB binding activity was detected using electrophoretic mobility shift assay.

Results:

GA (50 and 100 μmol/L) significantly inhibits TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 mRNA and protein expressions, as well as THP-1 cell adhesiveness in HUVEC. GA selectively inhibited TNF-α-activated signal pathway of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), without affecting extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and p38. Furthermore, GA apparently inhibited IκB/NF-κB signaling system by preventing IκB degradation, NF-κB translocation, and NF-κB/DNA binding activity. Finally, pretreatment with GA or the inhibitors of NF-κB, JNK, and p38 reduced the ICAM-1 protein expression induced by TNF-α.

Conclusion:

GA inhibits TNF-α-stimulated ICAM-1 expression, leading to a decrease in adherent monocytes to HUVEC. This inhibition is attributed to GA interruption of both JNK/c-Jun and IκB/NF-κB signaling pathways, which decrease activator protein-1 (AP-1) and NF-κB mediated ICAM-1 expressions. The results suggest that GA may provide a beneficial effect in treating vascular diseases associated with inflammation, such as atherosclerosis.     

The Association between health-related quality of life and prosthetic status and prosthetic needs in Taiwanese adults

Summary  The objective of this study was to describe aspects of prosthetic statuses and needs and to evaluate their relationship with health-related quality of life in Taiwan. The study participants, aged 18 years and above, were recruited from a community survey, and each of the total 2469 participants received a dental examination and completed a questionnaire. Multivariable analysis was used to assess the adjusted means of health-related quality of life (SF-36) in both prosthetic status and need. The results showed that 12·6% of those aged 65 years and above were edentulous. The proportion of prosthetic need increased as age increased (39·7% to 61·3%). Multivariate analysis revealed that participants with 'removable prosthesis' had higher physical health scores than those with 'non-removable prosthesis'. The scores of mental health measurement decreased in people with need for full prostheses in relation to people without need for any prosthesis. Therefore, fulfilling prosthetic needs is not only about recovering oral masticatory function, but also concerns improvement of both physical and mental health-related quality of life.     

The use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment for the relief of pain associated with post-operative nasal packing

Packing of the nasal cavity remains a common routine precautionary measure following septal surgery. The nasal pack and its removal 24 h later are often cited by patients as the most painful aspects of septal surgery. We present the results of a randomized, prospective controlled trial of the use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment as a method of pain relief following post-operative nasal packing. Post-operative pain as measured using a visual analogue scale at 3 h post-operatively was halved in patients receiving a lignocaine impregnated nasal pack compared with those having a standard vaseline gauze pack (P < 0.05). Pain scores at 6 h post-operatively and at pack removal were also reduced, but these failed to reach significance. No patients suffered reactionary haemorrhage. The use of topical lignocaine ointment is safe and may have a place in the relief of pain due to post-operative nasal packing.     

Correlation between white blood cell count and metabolic syndrome in adolescence

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased risk for diabetes and coronary heart disease. Data suggest that MetS starts even in children. Thus, it is important to understand the role of MetS and the risks related to it. Furthermore, white blood cell count (WBCC) is available in routine examination and it has been proved to be related to risks of MetS. METHODS: A total of 1657 subjects aged 14-19 years were enrolled, with normal WBCC (< or =10 x 10(9) cells/L). The subjects were divided into four quartiles according to WBCC (WBCC1-4, from the lowest to highest WBCC) in both genders. RESULTS: The female subjects had significantly lower systolic blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), body mass index (BMI) and higher high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) than the male subjects. When comparing the risks of the quartiles of WBCC, WBCC4 had significant higher BMI than WBCC1 and WBCC2 in both genders; and lower HDL-C than WBCC3 in male subjects. On multiple regression WBCC was positively related with BMI and TG and negatively related to HDL-C in male subjects. In female subjects only BMI was positively correlated with WBCC. Subjects with MetS did not have significant higher WBCC than those without MetS. CONCLUSIONS: In adolescents with normal WBCC, BMI is significantly related to the levels of WBCC and is the earliest component of MetS to be noted in adolescents. Elevated TG and decreased HDL-C could also be important markers for future risk factors only in male subjects.