Nutrition
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The identification of the active phenolic compounds in the mixed extract of sea cucumber (Holothuria atra) body wall by high-performance liquid chromatography and an assessment of its hepatoprotective activity against thioacetamide-induced liver fibrosis in rats. ⋯ Sea cucumber mixed extract contains physiologically active phenolic compounds with antioxidant activity, which afforded a potential hepatoprotective activity against thioacetamide-induced liver injury in a rat model.
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Resistant sugars, which have several desirable properties, are often used in food production and the pharmaceutical industry. We evaluated the effects of mannitol on the absorption and retention of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in growing rats. ⋯ Absorption and retention of Ca and Mg are promoted by mannitol feeding through the fermentation of mannitol in the cecum.
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This study investigated the potential beneficial effects of onion extract on brain ischemia-induced edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. The possible underlying mechanisms are investigated, especially those linked to the antioxidant effects of the onion extract. ⋯ The results from this study demonstrate that onion extract prevents brain edema, BBB hyperpermeability, and tight junction proteins disruption, possibly through its antioxidant effects in the mouse MCAO model. This study suggests that onion extract may be a beneficial nutrient for the prevention of BBB function during brain ischemia.
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Although there is a large amount of data on the role of preadipocytes in promoting the release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in response to macrophage-derived cytokines, the direct role of insulin and saturated fatty acids in modulating the release of inflammatory cytokines by cells differentiating along the adipocytic lineage is less understood. ⋯ Taken together, these data show that a restricted common group of cytokines/chemokines (KC/CXCL1, MCP-1, and RANTES) is upregulated in proliferating and differentiating 3T3-L1 adipocytes in response to insulin and palmitic acid and that differentiating adipocytes respond with an increased range of cytokines with respect to proliferating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.
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Endovascular injury induced by balloon withdrawal leads to the increased activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the vascular wall allowing the proliferated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to digest the surrounding extracellular matrix and migrate from the media into the intima leading to the intimal thickening. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of Nelumbo nucifera leaf extract (NL) on intimal thickening of rat carotid artery injured by balloon catheter and on the proliferation and migration of cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by tumor necrosis factor-α. ⋯ Thus, the results suggest that NL can be considered of therapeutic value in the prevention of atherosclerosis because restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty can be considered a model of "accelerated atherosclerosis."