PMID: 

Int Immunopharmacol. 2003 Jun ;3(6):889-900. PMID: 12781705

Abstract Title: 

Protective effects of Chlorella vulgaris in lead-exposed mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes.

Abstract: 

Chlorella vulgaris extract (CVE) was examined for its chelating effects on the myelosuppression induced by lead in Listeria monocytogenes-infected mice. The reduction in the number of bone marrow granulocyte-macrophage progenitors (CFU-GM) observed after the infection was more severe in the groups previously exposed to lead. Extramedullar hematopoiesis, which was drastically increased after the infection, was not altered by the presence of lead. Treatment with CVE, given simultaneously or following lead exposure, restored to control values the myelosuppression observed in infected/lead-exposed mice and produced a significant increase in serum colony-stimulating activity. The benefits of the CVE treatment were also evident in the recovery of thymus weight, since the reduction produced by the infection was further potentiated by lead exposure. The efficacy of CVE was evident when infected and infected/lead-exposed mice were challenged with a lethal dose of L. monocytogenes after a 10-day treatment with 50 mg/kg CVE/day, given simultaneously to the exposure to 1300 ppm lead acetate in drinking water. Survival rates of 30% for the infected group and of 20% for the infected/lead-exposed groups were observed. Evidence that these protective effects of CVE are partly due to its chelating effect was given by the changes observed in blood lead levels. We have observed in the group receiving the CVE/lead simultaneous exposure a dramatic reduction of 66.03% in blood lead levels, when compared to lead-exposed nontreated control. On the other hand, CVE treatment following lead exposure produced a much less effective chelating effect. CVE treatments for 3 or 10 days, starting 24 h following lead exposure, produced a reduction in blood lead levels of 13.5% and 17%, respectively, compared to lead-exposed nontreated controls. The significantly better response observed with the simultaneous CVE/lead administration indicates that the immunomodulation effect of CVE plays an important role in the ability of this algae to reduce blood lead levels. In this regard, additional experiments with gene knockout C57BL/6 mice lacking a functional IFN-gamma gene demonstrated that this cytokine is of paramount importance in the protection afforded by CVE. The antibacterial evaluation measured by the rate of survival demonstrated that, in face of a 100% survival in the control group composed of normal C57BL/6 mice, which are resistant to L. monocytogenes, we observed no protection whatsoever in the IFN-gamma knockout C57BL/6 mice treated with CVE and inoculated with L. monocytogenes.

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PMID: 

Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2019 Oct 17. Epub 2019 Oct 17. PMID: 31620823

Abstract Title: 

Protective effects of vitamin E on cadmium-induced apoptosis in rat testes.

Abstract: 

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal that is involved in apoptosis. The present study was conducted to investigate the mechanism of Cd-induced apoptosis and the protective effects of vitamin E on rat testes. Thirty-two adult Wistar rats were divided into four groups. The control group was injected with saline and three other groups received Cd, Cd+vitamin E, and vitamin E. Intraperitoneal injection was performed for 28 days. On the 29th day, the rats were slaughtered, their peritoneum was opened, and their left testis removed and weighed. The mRNA expression of apoptosis and mitochondrial dynamics genes were assessed using real-time PCR, and caspase-3/7 activation using the caspase-3/7 Assay. The groups were not significantly different in terms of testicular weight. Compared with the control group, the mRNA expression levels of Bax and caspase-9 genes increased in the rats' testes receiving Cd, the mRNA expression levels of mitofusin 1 (Mfn1) and mitofusin2 (Mfn2) genes decreased, and those of Bcl-2 remained unchanged. Vitamin E was found to significantly decrease the mRNA expression of Bax and caspase-9 genes and increase the mRNA Mfn1, Mfn2, and Bcl-2 in the rats' testes receiving Cd. The ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3/7 activity increased in the Cd-exposed rats compared with the control. Vitamin E remarkably attenuated the Cd-induced effects. According to the obtained results, Cd exerts its apoptotic effects through the mitochondrial pathway by increasing the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and activating caspases in the rats' testes, and vitamin E plays a protective role against Cd-induced apoptosis.

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PMID: 

Toxicol In Vitro. 2019 Oct 17 ;62:104672. Epub 2019 Oct 17. PMID: 31629897

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin E protects against cisplatin-induced genotoxicity in human lymphocytes.

Abstract: 

Cisplatin is an anticancer drug that is widely used in treatments of human malignancies such as ovaries,' testes,' and solid tumors of the head and neck. However, the use of cisplatin in the treatments can be associated with DNA damage and high risk to the development of secondary malignancies. Vitamin E is a strong lipophilic antioxidant that has the ability to protect normal cells from chromosomal damage and promote the repair of the damaged DNA. In the current study, the possible protective effect of vitamin E on DNA damage induced by cisplatin was investigated. For that, chromosomal aberrations (CAs) frequency and the number of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) were measured in cultured human lymphocytes. Results showed that cisplatin statistically significant increases in the number of cells with CAs (P 

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PMID: 

Front Aging Neurosci. 2019 ;11:226. Epub 2019 Aug 29. PMID: 31555120

Abstract Title: 

Dietary Intake of Riboflavin and Unsaturated Fatty Acid Can Improve the Multi-Domain Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Elderly Populations: A 2-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Abstract: 

Objective: This study was aimed to explore the effects of dietary nutrients on cognitive function among the middle-aged and elderly populations.Methods: A prospective cohort study of 1,385 middle-aged and elderly people was conducted from January 2014 to December 2017. Dietary nutrients were assessed according to the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and China Food Composition Database (CFCD). Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the participants' global cognitive function. Six other neuropsychological measures [auditory verbal learning test-immediate recall (AVLT-IR), auditory verbal learning test-short recall (AVLT-SR), auditory verbal learning test-long recall (AVLT-LR), logical memory test (LMT), digit span forward (DST-F), and digit span backward (DST-B)] were used to assess the verbal memory domain and the attention domain by principal component analysis (PCA). Multiple linear regressions were conducted to explore associations between nutrients and cognition. Sensitivity analyses were performed to confirm the results.Results: Dietary riboflavin was protective for global cognitive function (β = 1.31, 95% CI: 0.26, 2.35) and the verbal memory domain (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.71). Unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) played a protective role in global cognitive function (β = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.16, 2.14). The protective effects of riboflavin and USFA on cognitive function were consistent and reliable when different confounders were adjusted during sensitivity analyses. During the follow-up, neuropsychological measure scores revealed a reduced decline in the high-riboflavin group (d-MoCA,= 0.025; d-AVLT-IR,= 0.001; d-DST-B,= 0.004; and d-composite score,= 0.004) and the high-USFA group (d-AVLT-IR,= 0.007; d-LMT,= 0.032; d-DST-B,= 0.002; and d-composite score,= 0.008).Conclusion: Higher intake of riboflavin and USFA can improve multi-dimensional cognitive functioning in middle-aged and elderly people. These findings were consistent in different models of sensitivity analyses.

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PMID: 

Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2019 Oct 3. Epub 2019 Oct 3. PMID: 31583741

Abstract Title: 

Periodontitis and intake of thiamine, riboflavin and niacin among Korean adults.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVES: Adequate intake of vitamin B complex could be prerequisite to health. However, few studies have been reported on the association of thiamine (vit B), riboflavin (vit B) and niacin (vit B) with periodontal health. This study described the association between periodontal health and dietary vit B, vit Band vit Bintake in the Korean population.METHODS: A total of 12 750 adults aged over 19 years were selected for this study as a sub-sample of the national data set from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (IV and V). Periodontitis and gingivitis were defined as Community Periodontal Index (CPI) scores of 3-4 and 1-2, respectively. Information on dietary vit B, vit Band vit Bintake was from 24-hour dietary recall method. Multivariable complex logistic regression analyses estimated association between vit B, vit Band vit Bintakes and periodontal health after adjusting for various potential confounders. Stratified analyses by age, sex, dyslipidemia and total energy intake were also undertaken.RESULTS: The overall estimated prevalence of periodontitis (CPI 3-4) and gingivitis (CPI 1-2) was 29.9% and 46.6%, respectively. Our data showed none of the inadequate intake of vit B, vit Band Bshowed significant association with gingivitis after adjusting for potential confounders. Inadequate intake of vit Bshowed higher prevalence odds of periodontitis by 1.25 times (adjusted odds ratio = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.07-1.46). The association of vit Bwith periodontitis was stronger in females and participants aged 40-59 years.CONCLUSIONS: Inadequate dietary intake of vit Bwas associated with periodontitis.

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PMID: 

AIDS. 2019 Oct 16. Epub 2019 Oct 16. PMID: 31651429

Abstract Title: 

Vitamin E is an effective treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in HIV mono-infected patients.

Abstract: 

OBJECTIVE: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients are at increased risk of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Vitamin E is recommended for treatment of NASH in the general population. However, its safety and efficacy among HIV-infected patients remain unknown.DESIGN: Single centre, phase IV, open-label, single arm clinical trial.METHODS: HIV mono-infected patients without significant alcohol intake or viral hepatitis coinfection were included. The diagnosis of NASH was based on the co-existence of fatty liver, diagnosed by controlled attenuation parameter (CAP)≥ 248 dB/m, and significant hepatocyte apoptosis, defined by the serum biomarker cytokeratin 18 (CK-18)>130.5 U/L. Participants were treated with 800 IU daily of oral vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) for 24 weeks, and followed for an additional 24 weeks post-discontinuation. Generalized linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate changes in ALT, CAP and CK-18 at the completion of treatment and end of follow-up, controlling for pre-treatment trends.RESULTS: A total of 27 patients were included. Four (15%) had a pretreatment liver biopsy, which confirmed the diagnosis of NASH in all cases. Compared to baseline, 24 weeks of vitamin E treatment improved ALT (-27 units/L; 95% confidence interval [CI] -37, –17), CAP scores (-22 dB/m; 95% CI -42, -1) and CK-18 (-123 units/L; 95% CI -201, -46). Conversely, there was no change in BMI. No serious adverse event was reported and no patient was lost to follow-up.CONCLUSION: In this first clinical trial, we showed that vitamin E is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for NASH in HIV-infected patients.

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PMID: 

Iran Biomed J. 2019 Oct 29. Epub 2019 Oct 29. PMID: 31677606

Abstract Title: 

Synergistic Effect of Vitamin C with Cisplatin for Inhibiting Proliferation of Gastric Cancer Cells

Abstract: 

Background: Ascorbic acid, known as vitamin C, has been used in combination with a number of cytotoxic agents in vitro and in vivo with contradictory results on its effectiveness. It is believed that vitamin C can sensitize different cancer cells to common therapy strategies such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. During current research, the combination effect of vitamin C with cisplatin was evaluated against gastric cancer cells.Methods: MTT-based proliferation assay, CI method, and flow cytometry technique were employed for the assessment of cell cycle and determination of apoptosis/necrosis on AGS cell line.Results: Co-treatment of gastric cancer cells with vitamin C in its IC50 dose in addition to cisplatin in both IC50 (10µg/ml) and five times less (2 µg/ml) doses could increase the cytotoxicity effect of cisplatin in a synergistic manner. Moreover, the pointed co-treatment approach could induce the cell count in sub-G0 phase while reducing it in the G0/G1, G2/M, and S phases. Further findings showed that the combined dose of vitamin C and cisplatin could increase the percentage of apoptotic and necrotic cells in comparison with single dose of cisplatin.Conclusion: This study introduces a possible approach for the treatment of gastric cancer with more potency and less amount of administered cisplatin to induce toxicity.

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PMID: 

J Oral Sci. 2019 Oct 5. Epub 2019 Oct 5. PMID: 31588098

Abstract Title: 

Histopathological and biochemical evaluation of paeoniflorin administration in an experimental periodontitis model.

Abstract: 

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of administered Paeoniflorin (Pae) on periodontal tissues within an experimental periodontitis model. Forty male Wistar rats were used in this study and experimental periodontitis was created in all rats except in the control group (n = 10, first group). In the periodontitis group, experimental periodontitis was created but no other application was performed (n = 10, second group). In the other groups created experimental periodontitis, systemic Pae (n = 10, third group) or saline (n = 10, fourth group) was applied. A biochemical analysis of the gingival vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels and a histomorphometric analysis (measurements of the area of alveolar bone, alveolar bone resorption, and attachment loss) were performed. In the Pae group, the area of the alveolar bone was increased, while alveolar bone resorption and attachment loss decreased. Gingival VEGF levels increased in all groups that created experimental periodontitis and the greatest increase seen in the Pae group. Histomorphometric and biochemical analyses in this study suggest that Pae has a curative effect on periodontal tissues. However, additional studies are needed to confirm these results.

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PMID: 

J Appl Microbiol. 2019 Oct 10. Epub 2019 Oct 10. PMID: 31602708

Abstract Title: 

Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of paeoniflorin against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Abstract: 

AIM: To evaluate the antimicrobial effect of paeoniflorin against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP).METHODS AND RESULTS: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of paeoniflorin against CRKP was determined by agar dilution method. Changes in intracellular ATP concentration, intracellular pH (pHin), cell membrane potential and membrane integrity were investigated to assess the influence of paeoniflorin on cell membrane damage. Additionally, alterations in cell structure of CRKP cells and cell damage within biofilms were examined. The results indicated that paeoniflorin was effective against CRKP at MIC of 1·2 mg ml. Paeoniflorin destroyed the integrity of CRKP cell membrane, as was confirmed by decrease of intracellular ATP, pHin, membrane potential, as well as distinctive alteration in cell morphology, resulting in leakage of CRKP intracellular components. Moreover, paeoniflorin displayed a markedly inhibitory influence on biofilm formation of CRKP and inactivated CRKP cells within biofilms.CONCLUSIONS: Paeoniflorin shows promise as an effective antibiotic against CRKP with the potential to be an alternative therapeutic agent.SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study provides information about the potential use of paeoniflorin to reduce the infection of CRKP in clinical practice and food production.

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PMID: 

Life Sci. 2019 Nov 15 ;237:116925. Epub 2019 Oct 11. PMID: 31610201

Abstract Title: 

A review for the anti-inflammatory effects of paeoniflorin in inflammatory disorders.

Abstract: 

Inflammatory disorders result from abnormal immune response and their incidence has increased recently. Thus, there is an urgent need to discover new treatments for inflammatory disorders. In recent years, the natural products contained in Chinese herbs have attracted much attention worldwide owing to their anti-inflammatory effects. Paeoniflorin (PF) is a bioactive compound purified from the Chinese herb Paeonia lactiflora and reports have recently emerged suggesting the great potential of P. lactiflora as an agent to counter inflammatory disorders. The anti-inflammatory effects of PF have been revealed by in vitro studies and in vivo animal experiments of different inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, and asthma. This review systematically describes the recent progress of studies on the mechanism of PF and its therapeutic potential in inflammatory disorders.

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