Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that characterized by hyperplasia of the synovial fibroblasts, which partly result decreased apoptosis. This study investigated mechanisms through curcumin, polyphenolic compound from rhizome Curcuma longa, exerts its anti-proliferative action in fibroblasts obtained patients with RA. Exposure to curcumin resulted growth inhibition and induction apoptosis, as measured MTT assay, fluorescent microscopy Annexin-V-based assay. RT-PCR...

The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) transduces binding of nerve-released ACh into opening an intrinsic ion channel, yet the intraprotein interactions behind transduction remain to be fully elucidated. Attention has focused on region AChR in which β1–β2 and Cys-loops from extracellular domain project a cavity framed by residues preceding first transmembrane (pre-M1) linker spanning domains M2 M3. Previous studies identified principal pathway pre-M1 is coupled M2–M3 through loop. Here...

Evidence suggests that phytochemicals can safely modulate cancer cell biology and induce apoptosis. Here, we investigated the anti-cancer activity of morin, a flavone originally isolated from members Moraceae family in human leukemic cells, focusing on An effect morin was screened with several lines. U937 cells were most sensitive to where it induced caspase-dependent apoptosis dose-dependent manner. It also loss MMP (ΔΨm) along cytochrome c release, down-regulated Bcl-2 protein,...

Background: By genetic analysis, the CAG repeat expansion has been established in spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) types 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Despite differentiation of SCA, characterization phenotypes various SCAs challenging for better clinical diagnosis.Objective: To analyze frequencies manifestations SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7 Korean patients. Patients Methods:We performed analysis 253 unrelated patients with progressive cerebellar ataxia.We compared frequencies, inheritance patterns,...

Abstract Parkinson's disease (PD) with autonomic dysfunction is difficult to differentiate from Parkinsonism‐predominant multiple system atrophy (MSA‐p). This study aimed analyze the validity of MIBG scintigraphy for PD and MSA‐p. Thirty‐nine patients (PD: 27 patients, MSA‐p type: 12) 12 age‐matched controls were prospectively enrolled underwent function test (AFT). We separately calculated early delayed heart‐to‐mediastinal ( H / M ) ratio washout rates (WRs). AFT was composed sympathetic...

Adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells plays an important role in neuroinflammation. Therefore, suppression the expression adhesion molecules brain may inhibit Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxyflavone) is a flavonoid component propolis, blue passion flowers, and fruits. In present study, we examined effects chrysin on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced vascular cell molecule-1 (VCAM-1) mouse cerebral (bEnd.3) cells. bEnd.3 cells, LPS increased mRNA VCAM-1 time-dependent manner, significantly...

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been used as a potential therapeutic tool in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the value and/or placebo effect of rTMS on PD remain to be elucidated. To investigate PD, we compared motor section unified rating scale (UPDRS III) and amount extracellular dopamine concentration using [(11)C] raclopride PET before after two sessions 9 patients. During consecutive 2 days while off-medication, series 15 trains 5 Hz-frequency (intensity, 90%...

Transcranial sonography (TCS) is potentially useful for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, studies on TCS have so far been restricted to European populations. To investigate efficacy in Korean PD patients and its correlation with clinical features, we carried out midbrain 43 35 normal controls evaluated area substantia nigra (SN) hyperechogenicity ratio whole midbrain. In 16 subjects (21%), was unsuccessful due insufficient acoustic temporal bone windows. The mean bilateral...

Poncirin, a natural bitter flavanone glycoside abundantly present in many species of citrus fruits, has various biological benefits such as anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. The mechanism Poncirin remains elusive to date. In this study, we investigated the effects AGS human gastric cancer cells (gastric adenocarcinoma). results revealed that could inhibit proliferation dose-dependent manner. It was observed induced accumulation sub-G1 DNA content,...

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) mediate rapid excitatory synaptic transmission throughout the peripheral and central nervous systems. They transduce binding of nerve-released ACh into opening an intrinsic channel, yet structural basis underlying transduction is not fully understood. Previous studies revealed a principal pathway in which αArg 209 pre-M1 domain αGlu 45 β1–β2 loop functionally link two regions, positioning αVal 46 cavity formed by αPro 272 through αSer 269 M2–M3 loop....

Background and Purpose: Blepharospasm (BSP) apraxia of eyelid opening (AEO) have been reported as dystonia related with parkinsonism.However, systematic analysis clinical characteristics BSP AEO in parkinsonism has seldom reported.To investigate the to find out significance differentiate parkinsonism.Methods: We enrolled 35 patients who had or without 1113 (913 IPD, idiopathic Parkinson's disease; 190 MSA, multiple system atrophy, 134 MSA-p, 56 MSA-c 10 PSP, progressive supranuclear...

Valvular heart disease, associated with ergot derivative dopamine agonists, has been reported in patients Parkinson's disease (PD). There are few comparative studies on the frequency, severity, and dose dependency of valvular derivatives. We analyzed these factors 58 PD who were taking derivatives (22 bromocriptine 36 pergolide) compared them 20 age-matched controls based two-dimensional echocardiographic findings. Aortic, mitral, tricuspid thicknesses, as well tenting areas distance mitral...

Interstitial cystitis (IC), often referred to in combination with painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bladder. Current therapies primarily focus on replenishing urothelial glycosaminoglycan (GAG) layer using GAG analogs and managing pain supportive therapies. However, elusive etiology IC lack animal models study have been major hurdles developing more effective therapeutics. Previously, we showed an increased urinary concentration antimicrobial peptide LL-37...

Medical therapy in Parkinson's disease (PD) is limited by the short-duration response and development of dyskinesia that result from chronic L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) therapy. These problems occur partly because loss dopamine storage sites leads to erratic delivery. Vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT-2) plays a critical role packaging into synaptic vesicles regulating sustained release dopamine. To restore capacity produce store parkinsonian rats, primary skin fibroblast...

We examined functional contributions of interdomain contacts within the nicotinic receptor ligand binding site using single channel kinetic analyses, site-directed mutagenesis, and a homology model major extracellular region. At principal face site, invariant αD89 forms highly conserved contact near αT148, αW149, αT150. Patch-clamp recordings show that mutation αD89N markedly slows acetylcholine (ACh) to receptors in resting closed state, but does not affect rates opening closing. Neither...

Background Periodontitis is characterized by microbial infection, inflammation, tissue breakdown, and accelerated loss of alveolar bone matrix. Treatment targeting these multiple stages the disease provides ways to treat or prevent periodontitis. Certain glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) block inflammatory mediators as well suppress bacterial growth, suggesting that GAGs may be exploited a therapeutic for Methods We investigated effects synthetic GAG, GM-0111, on various molecular events associated...