Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) arises in a setting of chronic inflammation induced by inflammatory cytokines, such as nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB). HCC is a male-predominant cancer that can be attenuated by estradiol (E2) in vitro and in vivo. Although 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 4 (HSD17B4) has been implicated as an estradiol-inactivating enzyme, and its promoter sequence contains two pu...

Thyroid hormone (T3) and retinoic acid (RA) play important roles in erythropoiesis. We found that the hematopoietic cell-specific bZip protein p45/NF-E2 interacts with T3 receptor (TR) and RA receptor (RAR) but not retinoid X receptor. The interaction is between the DNA-binding domain of the nuclear receptor and the leucine zipper region of p45/NF-E2 but is markedly enhanced by cognate ligand. ...

The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause oxidative stress to biomolecules such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, leading neurodegenerative disorders. Sasa borealis (SB) has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-obesity effects. We evaluated the neuroprotective activity SB on hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced stress. investigated antioxidant effects water e...

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic studies show that exposure to ambient particulate matter leads to asthma exacerbation. Diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), a model pollutant, act as an adjuvant for allergic sensitization. Increasing evidence shows that this effect could be mediated by an effect on dendritic cells (DCs). OBJECTIVE Our aim was to elucidate the mechanism by which pro-oxidative DEP chemical...

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Portulaca oleracea L. (Purslane) (PL) on N-nitrosodiethylamine- (NDEA-) induced hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) and explore its potential mechanism. Mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control group, NDEA group, NDEA + Purslane (100 mg/kg) group, and NDEA + Purslane (200 mg/kg) group. The animal of each grou...

Excessive microglial stimulation has been recognized in several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotropic lateral sclerosis (ALS), HIV-associated dementia (HAD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and stroke. When microglia are stimulated, they produce proinflammatory mediators and cytokines, including nitric oxide (NO) derived from inducible NO ...