DOI： 10.20632/vso.97.2_79

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c06791

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Thermoregulation is a process by which core body temperature is maintained in mammals. Males typically have a lower body temperature than females. However, the effects of androgens, sex hormones that show higher levels in males, on adrenergic receptor-mediated thermogenesis remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that androgen-androgen receptor (AR) signaling suppresses the β-adrenergic agonist-induced rise of core body temperature using castrated and AR knockout (ARKO) male mice. Furthermore, in vitro mechanistic studies show that activated AR inhibits cAMP response element (CRE)-mediated transcription by suppressing cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation. The elevation of body temperature induced by the β-adrenergic agonist CL316243 was higher in ARKO and castrated mice than in control mice. Similarly, CL316243 induced a greater increase in Uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression and CREB phosphorylation in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of ARKO mice than in that of controls. We determined that activation of AR by dihydrotestosterone suppressed β3-agonist- or forskolin-induced CRE-mediated transcription, which was prevented by AR antagonist bicalutamide. AR activation also suppressed CREB phosphorylation induced by forskolin. Moreover, we found AR nuclear localization, but not transcriptional activity, was necessary for the suppression of CRE-mediated transcription. Finally, modified mammalian two-hybrid and immunoprecipitation analyses suggest nuclear AR and CREB form a protein complex both in the presence and absence of dihydrotestosterone and forskolin. These results suggest androgen-AR signaling suppresses β-adrenoceptor-induced UCP1-mediated BAT thermogenesis by suppressing CREB phosphorylation, presumably owing to a protein complex with AR and CREB. This mechanism explains sex differences in body temperature, at least partially.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102619

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Physical inactivity due to prolonged sedentary behavior induces obesity. Therefore, we investigated whether housing mice in small cages to mimic sedentary behavior induced obesity and whether dietary oleamide (cis-9,10-octadeceneamide) suppressed the induced obesity. A single oral administration of oleamide (50 mg/kg) to mice resulted in the accumulation of the exogenous oleamide in abdominal visceral fat. Next, mice were housed in small cages and oleamide (50 mg/kg/d) was orally administered for 12 weeks. Housing mice in small cages impaired glucose tolerance and increased food efficiency. It also increased body weight and abdominal fat mass. Dietary oleamide improved the impairment and inhibited their increases in mice housed in small cages. Furthermore, dietary oleamide suppressed the mRNA expression of inflammation-related factors in abdominal fat of mice housed in small cages. Hence, these results indicate that although housing mice in small cages induces obesity and increases abdominal fat mass, dietary oleamide suppresses the obesity.

DOI： 10.1093/bbb/zbac082

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Pectolinarigenin (PG) and its glycoside pectolinarin (PN) were reported to have various health beneficial functions such as anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic activities. It has also been reported that PG and PN have radical scavenging ability as direct antioxidant activity. However, the indirect antioxidant activity of PG and PN by inducing antioxidant enzymes in hepatocytes is not fully understood yet. In this study, we investigated whether PG and PN increase expression of antioxidant enzymes through the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and the liver of male ICR mice. PG, but not PN, induced antioxidant enzymes, namely heme oxigenase-1, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, and aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10, in HepG2 cells. As for the induction mechanism of these enzymes, PG-induced nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 increased antioxidant response element (ARE)-mediated transcriptional activity and suppressed degradation of Nrf2 through modification of Kelch-like EXH-associated protein 1. Oral administration of PG also induced nuclear accumulation Nrf2 and expression of antioxidant enzymes in the liver of mice. Therefore, PG, but not PN, exhibits the indirect antioxidant activity by inducing antioxidant enzymes through the Nrf2/ARE pathway and may protect liver from oxidative stress.

DOI： 10.3390/antiox11040675

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Curcumin is a yellow pigment in turmeric (Curcuma longa) with various physiological effects in the body. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which bioactive compounds exert their function, identification of their molecular targets is crucial. In this study, we show that curcumin activates G protein-coupled receptor 97 (GPR97). Curcumin dose-dependently activated serum-response element-, but not serum-response factor-response element-, nuclear factor of activated T-cell-response element-, or cAMP-response element-, mediated transcription in cells overexpressed with GPR97. The structure-activity relationship indicated that (i) the double-bonds of the central 7-carbon chain were essential for activation; (ii) a methoxy group on the aromatic ring was required for maximal activity; (iii) the addition of glucuronic acid moiety or a methoxy group to the aromatic ring, but not the methylation of the aromatic p-hydroxy group, eliminated the activity; (iv) the stability of curcumin would be related to receptor activation. Both mutant GPR97(T250A) lacking the cleavage at GPCR proteolysis site and mutant GPR97(ΔN) lacking the N-terminal extracellular region were activated by curcumin and its related compounds similar to wild-type GPR97. In contrast, the synthetic glucocorticoid beclomethasone dipropionate and l-Phe activated wild-type GPR97 and GPR97(T250A), but not GPR97(ΔN). Moreover, curcumin exerted an additive effect on the activation of wild-type GPR97 with beclomethasone dipropionate, but not with l-Phe. Taken together, these results indicate that curcumin activates GPR97 coupled to Gi/Go subunit, and suggest that curcumin and glucocorticoid activate GPR97 in a different manner.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.01.075

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

The identification of molecular targets of bioactive food components is important to understand the mechanistic aspect of their physiological functions. Here, we have developed a screening system that enables us to determine the activation of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) by food components and have identified GPR55 as a target for curcumin. Curcumin activated GPR55 and induced serum-response element- and serum-response factor-mediated transcription, which were inhibited by Rho kinase and GPR55 antagonists. Both the methoxy group and the heptadienone moiety of curcumin were required for GPR55 activation. The F1905.47 residue of GPR55 was important for the interaction with curcumin. The curcumin-induced secretion of glucagon-like peptide-1 in GLUTag cells was inhibited by a GPR55 antagonist. These results indicate that expression screening is a useful system to identify GPCRs as targets of food components and strongly suggest that curcumin activates GPR55 as an agonist, which is involved in the physiological function of curcumin.

DOI： 10.1038/s41538-021-00119-x

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its advanced stage, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), are a major health issue throughout the world. Certain food components such as polyphenols are expected to possess preventive effects on NAFLD and NASH. In this study, the preventive effects of black soybean polyphenols were examined by using three NAFLD/NASH animal models. In a choline-deficient and L-amino acid-defined high-fat diet-induced NASH model, the intake of black soybean polyphenols decreased oxidative stress, but failed in attenuating liver injury and decreasing the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). In a Western diet with sucrose and fructose containing sweetened water-induced NAFLD model, black soybean polyphenols suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, aminotransferase activities in the plasma, inflammatory cytokine expression, and α-SMA expression accompanied by modulation of lipid metabolism. In a combination of Western diet and carbon tetrachloride model, black soybean polyphenols also suppressed hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, aminotransferase activities in the plasma, and α-SMA expression. In conclusion, black soybean is an attractive food for the prevention of NAFLD and NASH due to its strong antioxidant activity.

DOI： 10.1039/d1fo03541j

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

<p>Toxicological effects of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are mediated mainly by the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Therefore, reduction of AhR activity is a promising strategy for prevention of xenobiotic-induced toxicity. Activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) results in enhanced antioxidant capacity and protection against environmental stressors by inducing phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. The author revealed that luteolin and kaempferol coordinately prevent AhR-induced phase I drug-metabolizing enzyme, and a physiological concentration of luteolin, achievable from dietary consumption, activated Nrf2. Moreover, B[a]P-induced AhR activation caused lipid accumulation in the liver through circadian disruption; however, luteolin and kaempferol inhibited the circadian disruption caused by AhR activation. These results indicate that luteolin and kaempferol enhance biological defense function against xenobiotic-induced toxicity through the regulation of the drug metabolism system.</p>

DOI： 10.4327/jsnfs.75.291

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)  

DOI： 10.3164/jcbn.21-163

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Skeletal muscle atrophy causes decreased physical activity and increased risk of metabolic diseases. We investigated the effects of oleamide (cis-9,10-octadecanamide) treatment on skeletal muscle health. The plasma concentration of endogenous oleamide was approximately 30 nM in the male ddY mice under normal physiological conditions. When the stable isotope-labelled oleamide was orally administered to male ddY mice (50 mg/kg), the plasma concentration of exogenous oleamide reached approximately 170 nM after 1 h. Male ddY mice were housed in small cages (one-sixth of normal size) to enforce sedentary behaviour and orally administered oleamide (50 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks. Housing in small cages decreased tibialis anterior (TA) muscle mass and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the myofibres in TA muscle. Dietary oleamide alleviated the decreases in TA muscle and resulted in plasma oleamide concentration of approximately 120 nM in mice housed in small cages. Housing in small cages had no influence on the phosphorylation levels of Akt, mTOR, and p70S6K in TA muscle; nevertheless, oleamide increased the phosphorylation levels of the proteins. Housing in small cages increased the expression of LC3-II and p62, but not LC3-I, in TA muscle, and oleamide reduced LC3-I, LC3-II, and p62 expression levels. In C2C12 myotubes, oleamide increased myotube diameter at ≥ 100 nM. Furthermore, the mTOR inhibitor, Torin 1, suppressed oleamide-induced increases in myotube diameter and protein synthesis. These results indicate that dietary oleamide rescued TA muscle atrophy in mice housed in small cages, possibly by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and restoring autophagy flux.

DOI： 10.1017/S0007114520004304

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Kaempferol possesses various health-promoting functions including antihyperglycemic activity, but its underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. Glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) plays an important role in the uptake of blood glucose into muscle cells after its translocation to the plasma membrane. In this study, we demonstrated that kaempferol at 1.0 nM or more significantly increased the uptake of 2-[3H]- deoxy-d-glucose by 1.3-1.4-fold in L6 myotubes. Kaempferol at 10 pM or more also significantly increased GLUT4 translocation by 1.3-1.6-fold. Kaempferol at 1.0 nM significantly increased the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) by 2.9-fold, liver kinase B1 and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) by 1.9-fold, and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 by 3.7-fold. In addition, kaempferol increased phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) by 1.8-fold but not the insulin receptor. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) for AMPK, JAK2, or PI3K canceled kaempferol-induced glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation. Furthermore, siRNA for JAK2 canceled kaempferol-induced phosphorylation of AMPK and PI3K. These results indicate that a JAK2-depdendent pathway regulates kaempferol-induced glucose uptake and GLUT4 translocation in L6 myotubes and that kaempferol may be an effective compound for the prevention of hyperglycemia.

DOI： 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05236

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

We investigated the effects of β-cryptoxanthin on skeletal muscle atrophy in senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 1 (SAMP1) mice. For 15 weeks, SAMP1 mice were intragastrically administered vehicle or β-cryptoxanthin. At 35 weeks of age, the skeletal muscle mass in SAMP1 mice was reduced compared with that in control senescence-accelerated mouse-resistant 1 (SAMR1) mice. β-cryptoxanthin increased muscle mass with an increase in the size of muscle fibers in the soleus muscle of SAMP1 mice. The expressions of autophagy-related factors such as beclin-1, p62, LC3-I, and LC3-II were increased in the soleus muscle of SAMP1 mice; however, β-cryptoxanthin administration inhibited this increase. Unlike in SAMR1 mice, p62 was punctately distributed throughout the cytosol in the soleus muscle fibers of SAMP1 mice; however, β-cryptoxanthin inhibited this punctate distribution. The cross-sectional area of p62-positive fiber was smaller than that of p62-negative fiber, and the ratio of p62-positive fibers to p62-negative fibers was increased in SAMP1 mice. β-cryptoxanthin decreased this ratio in SAMP1 mice. Furthermore, β-cryptoxanthin decreased the autophagy-related factor expression in murine C2C12 myotube. The autophagy inhibitor bafilomycin A1, but not the proteasome inhibitor MG132, inhibited the β-cryptoxanthin-induced decrease in p62 and LC3-II expressions. These results indicate that β-cryptoxanthin inhibits the p62 accumulation in fibers and improves muscle atrophy in the soleus muscle of SAMP1 mice.

DOI： 10.3390/nu12082180

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：Domestic journal  

The patients of type I allergic diseases were increased in the developed countries. Recently, many studies have focused on food factors with anti-allergic activities. Enzymatically synthesized glycogen, a polysaccharide with a multi-branched α-1,4 and α-1,6 linkages, is a commercially available product from natural plant starch, and has immunostimulation activity. However, effect of enzymatically synthesized glycogen on the anti-allergic activity was unclear yet. In this study, we investigated that enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited allergic and inflammatory responses using a co-culture system consisting of Caco-2 and RBL-2H3 cells. Enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited antigen-induced β-hexosaminidase release and production of TNF-α and IL-6 in RBL-2H3 cells in the co-culture system. Furthermore, enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited antigen-induced phosphorylation of tyrosine kinases, phospholipase C γ1/2, mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt. Anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities of enzymatically synthesized glycogen were indirect action through stimulating Caco-2 cells, but not by the direct interaction with RBL-2H3 cells, because enzymatically synthesized glycogen did not permeate Caco-2 cells. These findings suggest that enzymatically synthesized glycogen is an effective food ingredient for prevention of type I allergy through stimulating the intestinal cells.

DOI： 10.3164/jcbn.20-33

PubMed

酵素合成グリコーゲン(ESG)の抗アレルギー効果を共培養システムで調べた。Caco-2細胞付着トランズウェルインサートプレートをRBL-2H3またはBMMC細胞プレートウェルに挿入した。ESGを上部に加えて培養後、RBL-2H3またはBMMC細胞の側底部を抗DNP-IgEに感作させ、DNP-BSAで攻撃した。ESG添加により、用量依存的にCaco-2/RBL-2H3共培養のRBL-2H3細胞からのβヘキソサミニダーゼ放出が抑制された。共培養のBMMC細胞からのβヘキソサミニダーゼ放出も同様に抑制された。RBL-2H3細胞からのβヘキソサミニダーゼ放出に及ぼすESGの直接的抑制効果は共培養の場合より低かった。ESGの直接処理はBMMC細胞からのβヘキソサミニダーゼ放出に影響を与えなかった。ESG処理により、共培養のRBL-2H3細胞におけるLyn、Syk、PLCγ1/2のリン酸化、TNF-αとIL-6の産生、JNK/p38/Aktのリン酸化が有意に抑制された。ESGはCaco-2細胞を浸透しないことが示唆された。CaCo-2/RBL-2H3共培養へのESG添加により、Caco-2細胞から分泌された未知因子の刺激を介して、RBL-2H3細胞における脱顆粒マーカーの放出と炎症性サイトカイン産生のシグナル伝達に必須のSykの活性化が抑制されることが推測された。

紫外線B(UVB)照射による正常ヒト表皮角化細胞(NHEK)内の活性酸素種(ROS)蓄積とアポトーシスに対する酵素合成グリコーゲン(ESG)の抑制作用を調べた。ESG、ESG代謝物(RG)、カキ由来グリコーゲン(OG)を試験に用いた。UVB照射によりNHEK内のROS蓄積量が増加した。ESGとRGはUVBが誘導したROS蓄積を用量依存的に阻害したが、OGには阻害作用はみられなかった。ESGとRG処理はHO-1、NQO1、Nrf2の蛋白質発現レベルを上昇させたが、OGには上昇作用はみられなかった。ESGとRGはNrf2遺伝子発現に影響を及ぼさなかった。Nrf2は時間依存的にシクロヘキシミド処理により分解されたが、ESGとRGはNHEK内のNrf2分解を阻害した。ESGとRG処理はNrf2のセリン残基のリン酸化を促進した。RNA干渉によるHO-1とNQO1両方のノックダウンは、UVBが誘導したROS蓄積に対してESGが惹起した抗酸化作用を完全に無効にした。蛍光発生ペプチド基質を用いた酵素活性アッセイにより、UVB照射はNHEK内のカスパーゼ3および9の活性を上昇させたが、カスパーゼ8は活性化されなかった。ESGとRGはUVBにより上昇したカスパーゼ3および9活性を阻害したが、OGは阻害しなかった。ESGとRGはUVBに起因する細胞毒性とDNA断片化を阻害した。

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：Domestic journal  

Turmeric and its components have various health beneficial functions. However, little is known about function of bisacurone, which is one of the sesquiterpenes in turmeric, at the compound level. In this study, we investigated the preventive effect of bisacurone on hepatic lipid accumulation and its mechanism in HepG2 cells and ICR mice. In HepG2 cells, bisacurone significantly inhibited fatty acid-induced intracellular lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner. Bisacurone at 10 µM increased protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A accompanied by phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase. In the liver of ICR mice, bisacurone decreased total lipids, triglyceride, and cholesterol contents. Bisacurone at 10 mg/kg body weight increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, and its downstream acetyl-CoA carboxylase as a rate-limiting enzyme for lipogenesis, while it decreased the nuclear translocation level of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 and carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein as the major transcription factors for lipogenesis. On the other hand, bisacurone promoted lipolysis by up-expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1A. Thus, bisacurone might be a valuable food factor for preventing hepatic lipid accumulation by inhibiting lipogenesis and promoting lipolysis through phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase.

DOI： 10.3164/jcbn.20-16

PubMed

化合物レベルのビサクロンによる肝臓の脂肪蓄積の減少作用を調べた。HepG2細胞を脂肪酸混合物、ビサクロン、クルクミンで処理した。5週齢雄性ICRマウス36匹を6群に割り付け、ビサクロン、クルクミン、陽性/陰性コントロールを7日間連続経口投与した。細胞内では、脂肪酸誘導性脂質蓄積がビサクロン処理で阻害された。ビサクロンは、脂肪酸の存在下AMPKαのリン酸化を有意に促進した。ビサクロンはACCαのリン酸化を増加させた。ビサクロンはPPARαとCPT1の発現を用量依存的に増加させた。マウスでは、ビサクロンの経口投与(10mg/kg体重)により肝臓の総脂質含量が減少した。ビサクロン投与によりトリグリセリド(1.0と10mg/kg体重投与群)と総コレステロール(全投与群)レベルが低下した。ビサクロン投与群(1.0と10mg/kg体重)では肝臓のAMPKα、ACCα、LKB1のリン酸化レベルが有意に上昇し、SREBP-1とChREBPの核内レベルが低下した。ビサクロンは肝臓のFASとC/EBPα発現レベルを有意に減少させた。ビサクロンは、AMPKα/ACCα経路のリン酸化調節だけでなく転写因子SREBP-1とChREBPの核内移行抑制により、肝臓の脂質生成を阻害していることが示唆された。ビサクロンは、肝臓の脂肪分解因子PPARαとCPT1の発現レベルを有意に上昇させた。

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：Domestic journal  

Quercetin and its glycosides possess various health beneficial functions, but comparative study of them on energy metabolism in different tissues are not well studied. In this study, we investigated AMP-activated protein kinase regulated glucose metabolism in the skeletal muscle and lipid metabolism in the white adipose tissue and liver to compare the effectiveness of quercetin and its glycosides, namely isoquercitrin, rutin, and enzymatically modified isoquercitrin, in male ICR mice. The mice were fed a standard or high-fat diet supplemented with 0.1% quercetin and its glycosides for 13 weeks. Quercetin glycosides, but not quercetin, decreased body weight gain and fat accumulation in the mesenteric adipose tissue in high-fat groups. All compounds decreased high-fat diet-increased plasma glucose and insulin levels. Moreover, all compounds significantly increased AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in either standard or high-fat diet-fed mice in all tissues tested. As its downstream events, all compounds induced glucose transporter 4 translocation in the muscle. In the white adipose tissue and liver, all compounds increased lipogenesis while decreased lipolysis. Moreover, all compounds increased browning markers and decreased differentiation markers in adipose tissue. Therefore, quercetin and its glycosides are promising food components for prevention of adiposity and hyperglycemia through modulating AMP-activated protein kinase-driven pathways.

DOI： 10.3164/jcbn.20-47

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：Domestic journal  

Urban particulate matters (PM) exposure is significantly correlated with extrinsic skin aging signs and skin cancer incidence. PM contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and they act as the agonists of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Activation of AhR promotes generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation. Enzymatically synthesized glycogen (ESG), which is synthesized from starch, possesses various functions, such as anti-tumor, anti-obesity and antioxidant. However, the effects of ESG on PM-induced skin inflammation remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether ESG has a protective effect on PM-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in human epidermal keratinocytes. ESG inhibited PM-induced expression of inflammatory cytokines IL6, TNFA and PTGS2. ESG also inhibited PM-induced phosphorylation of MAPKs and ROS accumulation. However, ESG had no effect on PM-induced expression of CYP1A1, one of the target proteins of AhR. On the other hand, ESG increased nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and expression of antioxidant proteins, HO-1 and NQO1. These results suggest that ESG suppressed PM-induced inflammation by decreasing ROS accumulation through the Nrf2 pathway.

DOI： 10.3164/jcbn.20-43

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：Domestic journal  

Enzymatically synthesized glycogen is a product from starch. Enzymatically synthesized glycogen has been reported to possess various health beneficial effects such as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of enzymatically synthesized glycogen on ultraviolet B-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Treatment with enzymatically synthesized glycogen suppressed ultraviolet B-induced reactive oxygen species, caspase-3 activity, and DNA fragmentation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. Furthermore, enzymatically synthesized glycogen increased in the expression level of heme oxygenase-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1, and NF-E2-related factor 2, a transcriptional factor for heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1. Although enzymatically synthesized glycogen did not increase in its mRNA expression level of NF-E2-related factor 2, enzymatically synthesized glycogen retained its protein degradation. Knockdown of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 canceled enzymatically synthesized glycogen-suppressed reactive oxygen species accumulation in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. It is, therefore, concluded that enzymatically synthesized glycogen inhibited ultraviolet B-induced oxidative stress through increasing the expression level of heme oxygenase-1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 through the NF-E2-related factor 2 pathway in normal human epidermal keratinocytes.

DOI： 10.3164/jcbn.20-44

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

In the body, alcohol dehydrogenase rapidly converts ethanol to its toxic metabolite, acetaldehyde, which is further metabolized to non-toxic acetic acid by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). 6-(methylsulfinyl)hexyl isothiocyanate (6-MSITC), a major bioactive compound in Wasabi (Wasabia japonica) has various physiological effects such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. However, the effect of 6-MSITC on alcohol metabolism has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the effects of 6-MSITC on hepatic ALDH activity and protein expression both in vitro and in vivo. 6-MSITC inhibited ethanol- and acetaldehyde-induced cytotoxicity. Treatment with 6-MSITC to HepG2 cells enhanced ALDH activity through the induction of mitochondrial ALDH2 expression, but not cytosolic ALDH1A1. Knockdown of Nrf2 canceled the 6-MSITC-induced ALDH2 expression, indicating that Nrf2 regulated ALDH2 expression. Moreover, 6-MSITC increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 and the expression levels of HO-1 and SOD2, Nrf2-regulated phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes. Oral administration of 6-MSITC increased the mitochondrial ALDH2 activity and its expression in the liver of C57BL/6J mice. These results suggested that 6-MSITC is possible to protect acetaldehyde toxicity in hepatocytes by induction of mitochondrial ALDH2 expression through Nrf2/ARE pathway.

DOI： 10.1016/j.abb.2020.108329

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

The expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes is deeply involved in chemical-induced cancer progression and prevention. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) induces phase I, and certain phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes after the binding of ligands, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). We have previously demonstrated that luteolin inhibited TCDD-induced AhR transformation, and modulated the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes through not only the AhR, but also the nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). We have examined the effect of kaempferol on the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes through modulation of the AhR- and Nrf2-pathways, and the effect of co-treatment with kaempferol and luteolin. Kaempferol dose-dependently inhibited not only the TCDD-induced expression of phase I and phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, but also the tertiary butylhydroquinone (t-BHQ)-induced expression of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, by modulating the AhR- and Nrf2-pathways. Co-treatment with kaempferol and luteolin enhanced the inhibitory effect on the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes, compared with either kaempferol or luteolin alone. Moreover, co-treatment with kaempferol and luteolin increased the cellular levels of kaempferol without affecting the levels of luteolin. An in vivo study was also performed and the results demonstrated that co-treatment with kaempferol and luteolin enhanced the inhibition of benzo[a]pyrene-induced drug-metabolizing enzymes compared with either kaempferol or luteolin alone, in the liver of ICR mice. These results suggest that luteolin promoted the incorporation of kaempferol into hepatocytes and enhanced the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on chemical-induced drug-metabolizing enzymes. Thus, luteolin enhances the kaempferol-inhibited expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes.

DOI： 10.1039/c9fo02951f

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

The gut microbiota is involved in metabolic disorders induced by androgen deficiency after sexual maturation in males (late-onset hypogonadism). However, its role in the energy metabolism of congenital androgen deficiency (e.g., androgen-insensitive syndrome) remains elusive. Here, we examined the link between the gut microbiota and metabolic disease symptoms in androgen receptor knockout (ARKO) mouse by administering high-fat diet (HFD) and/or antibiotics. HFD-fed male, but not standard diet-fed male or HFD-fed female, ARKO mice exhibited increased feed efficiency, obesity with increased visceral adipocyte mass and hypertrophy, hepatic steatosis, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and loss of thigh muscle. In contrast, subcutaneous fat mass accumulated in ARKO mice irrespective of the diet and sex. Notably, all HFD-dependent metabolic disorders observed in ARKO males were abolished after antibiotics administration. The ratios of fecal weight-to-food weight and cecum weight-to-body weight were specifically reduced by ARKO in HFD-fed males. 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal microbiota from HFD-fed male mice revealed differences in microbiota composition between control and ARKO mice. Several genera or species (e.g., Turicibacter and Lactobacillus reuteri, respectively) were enriched in ARKO mice, and antibiotics treatment spoiled the changes. Furthermore, the life span of HFD-fed ARKO males was shorter than that of control mice, indicating that androgen deficiency causes metabolic dysfunctions leading to early death. These findings also suggest that AR signaling plays a role in the prevention of metabolic dysfunctions, presumably by influencing the gut microbiome, and improve our understanding of health consequences in subjects with hypogonadism and androgen insensitivity.

DOI： 10.1152/ajpendo.00461.2019

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Skeletal muscle secretes biologically active proteins that contribute to muscle hypertrophy in response to either exercise or dietary intake. The identification of skeletal muscle-secreted proteins that induces hypertrophy can provide critical information regarding skeletal muscle health. Dietary provitamin A, β-carotene, induces hypertrophy of the soleus muscle in mice. Here, we hypothesized that skeletal muscle produces hypertrophy-inducible secretory proteins via dietary β-carotene. Knockdown of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) γ inhibited the β-carotene-induced increase soleus muscle mass in mice. Using RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, and literature searching, we predicted transglutaminase 2 (TG2) to be an all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)-induced secretory protein in cultured C2C12 myotubes. Tg2 mRNA expression increased in ATRA- or β-carotene-stimulated myotubes and in the soleus muscle of β-carotene-treated mice. Knockdown of RARγ inhibited β-carotene-increased mRNA expression of Tg2 in the soleus muscle. ATRA increased endogenous TG2 levels in conditioned medium from myotubes. Extracellular TG2 promoted the phosphorylation of Akt, mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and ribosomal p70 S6 kinase (p70S6K), and inhibitors of mTOR, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and Src (rapamycin, LY294002, and Src I1, respectively) inhibited TG2-increased phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K. Furthermore, extracellular TG2 promoted protein synthesis and hypertrophy in myotubes. TG2 mutant lacking transglutaminase activity exerted the same effects as wild-type TG2. Knockdown of G protein-coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) inhibited the effects of TG2 on mTOR signaling, protein synthesis, and hypertrophy. These results indicated that TG2 expression was upregulated through ATRA-mediated RARγ and that extracellular TG2 induced myotube hypertrophy by activating mTOR signaling-mediated protein synthesis through GPR56, independent of transglutaminase activity.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2019.118563

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

A flavone luteolin has various health-promoting activities. Several studies reported that high dose of luteolin activates the Nrf2/ARE pathway in the liver. However, the effect of the low dose of luteolin that can be taken from a dietary meal on the Nrf2 activation remain unclear. It is expected that the flavonoid metabolism possesses a circadian rhythm, since nutritional metabolism processes daily cycle. In this study we investigated whether an administration affects the Nrf2 activation. ICR mice were orally administered 0.01-10 mg/kg body weight of luteolin once a day for 7 days at two time-points: at the start of active phase (ZT12) or at that of inactive phase (ZT0). Luteolin increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, resulting in the increases in its target gene products HO-1 and NQO1 at ZT12 but not at ZT0. The expression level of Nrf2 was lower at ZT12 than at ZT0 in the liver. We also found that the level of luteolin aglycon in the plasma is higher at ZT12 than at ZT0. These results suggest that the low dose of luteolin can activate Nrf2 pathway and the aglycon form of luteolin may mainly contribute to activate the Nrf2 pathway at ZT12 in the liver.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0231403

PubMed

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

The flavon luteolin has various health-promoting activities including cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammatory activity and anticancer activity. A serum concentration of about 100 nM luteolin is reached by dietary habit. However, little is known about the function of luteolin over its physiological concentration range. In this study, we investigated whether a physiological concentration of luteolin could activate nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated expression of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Interestingly, less than 1 nM of luteolin could induce phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes, such as GSTs, HO-1, and NQO1. Both 1 and 100 nM luteolin increased expression and activity of ALDH2, which metabolized toxic acetaldehyde into nontoxic acetic acid. Luteolin increased nuclear accumulation of Nrf2 and enhanced the ARE-binding complex through increasing the stability of the Nrf2 protein. Luteolin increased phosphorylation of Nrf2 at Ser40, and MEK inhibitors (U0126 and PD98059) canceled luteolin-induced phosphorylation of Nrf2. Furthermore, luteolin increased modified Keap1. In conclusion, a physiological concentration of luteolin induces the expression of phase II drug-metabolizing enzymes by enhancement of Nrf2 nuclear accumulation through MEK1/2-ERK1/2-mediated phosphorylation of Nrf2, increasing Nrf2 stability and inducing a conformational change of Keap1.

DOI： 10.1016/j.abb.2019.01.012

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   International / domestic magazine：International journal  

Skeletal muscle plays a critical role in locomotion and energy metabolism. Maintenance or enhancement of skeletal muscle mass contributes to the improvement of mobility and prevents the development of metabolic diseases. The extracts from Kaempferia parviflora rhizomes contain at least ten methoxyflavone derivatives that exhibit enhancing effects on ATP production and glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ten K. parviflora-derived methoxyflavone derivatives (six 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) derivatives and four 5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (HMF) derivatives) on skeletal muscle hypertrophy. Murine C2C12 myotubes and senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 1 (SAMP1) mice treated with methoxyflavones were used as experimental models to determine the effects of HMF derivatives on myotube diameter and size and muscle mass. The four HMF derivatives, but not the six DMF derivatives, increased myotube diameter. The 5-hydroxyflavone, 7-methoxyflavone, and 5,7-dihydroxyflavone had no influence on myotube size, a result that differed from HMF. Dietary administration of the mixture composed of the four HMF derivatives resulted in increase in the soleus muscle size and mass in SAMP1 mice. HMF derivatives also promoted protein synthesis in myotubes, and treatment with the intracellular Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM, which depletes intracellular Ca2+ levels, inhibited this promotion. Furthermore, BAPTA-AM inhibited HMF-promoted protein synthesis even when myotubes were incubated in Ca2+-free medium. These results indicate that HMF derivatives induce myotube hypertrophy and that both the 5-hydroxyl group and the 7-methoxy group in the flavones are necessary for myotube hypertrophy. Furthermore, these results suggest that HMF-induced protein synthesis requires intracellular Ca2+, but not extracellular Ca2+.

DOI： 10.1002/fsn3.891

PubMed

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Kind of work：Joint Work  

Presentation type：Symposium, workshop panel (nominated)