UNLABELLED Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a key role in the development of atherosclerosis and its complications. In vivo detection and quantification of MMP activation can help track the propensity to complications and response to therapy. We sought to establish an in vivo imaging approach for monitoring MMP activation in atherosclerotic mouse aorta and use it to assess the response to ...

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic triglyceride accumulation, ranging from steatosis to steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. NAFLD is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and is associated with metabolic syndrome. Antihyperlipidemic drugs are recommended as part of the treatment for NAFLD patients. Although fibrates activate peroxisome proliferator-activated re...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to assess whether feeding a diet containing fish oil was efficacious in reducing tumor- and subsequent chemotherapy-associated myosteatosis, and improving tumor response to treatment. METHODS Female Fischer 344 rats were fed either a control diet for the entire study (control), or switched to a diet containing fish oil (2.0 g /100 g of diet) one week prior to tumor...

Isolation of rat islets of Langerhans was carried out by using collagenase and the destruction of exocrine tissue was performed through the injection of Hanks' solution into the common bile duct. The identification of the islets was done by techniques including the use of a stereomicroscope against a black background. Vital staining was done by an injection of neutral red solution through t...

Background: In humans, CYP3A drug-metabolizing enzyme subfamily is the most important. Numerous pathophysiological factors, such as diabetes and obesity, were shown to affect CYP3A activity. Often considered a precursor state for type II diabetes, metabolic syndrome exerts a modulating role on CYP3A, in our hypothesis. Objective: To evaluate the effect of metabolic syndrome on CYP3A drug-metabo...

Antioxidative flavonoids are used to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in humans. However, the precise mechanism for the anti-atherosclerotic actions of flavonoids remains to be elucidated. In the present study, to assess the mechanism for the action of antioxidative flavonoids on atherosclerosis, we investigated the effect of flavangenol, one of the most potent antioxidants currently ...

The resorption of the transplanted fat over time limited the use of autologous fat for the reconstruction of soft tissue defect. Tissue engineering (TE) adipose with silk fibroin scaffold could be a promising substitute for soft tissue filling. In this study, we try to develop a tissue engineering adipose in vitro by seeding silk fibroin scaffold with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells...

BACKGROUND Centipede grass (CG) originates from China and South America and is reported to contain several C-glycosyl flavones and phenolic constituents, including maysin and luteolin derivatives. This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the antiobesity activity of CG and its potential molecular mechanism in 3T3-L1 cells. METHODS To study the effect of CG on adipogenesis, differen...

AIMS Myospherulosis is a rare condition characterised by sac-like structures containing spheroid bodies in cysts or cystic spaces in the tissue. This condition has not previously been reported in the liver. The association with previous portal vein embolisation using a mixture of butyl 2-cyanoacrylate and ethiodised oil and the proposed mechanism of pathogenesis are discussed. METHODS Samples...

background: tumor associated tissue eosinophilia is believed to play a significant role in the biological behavior of the carcinoma. eosinophil infiltrate in association with the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (scc) have been reviewed from time-to-time. the significance of such an association has been variably thought to be either a potential diagnostic tool for stromal invasion or as a ...