scholarly journals Zebrafish Model for Studying Dexamethasone-Induced Muscle Atrophy and Preventive Effect of Maca (Lepidium meyenii)

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2879
Author(s):  
Bomi Ryu ◽  
Jun-Geon Je ◽  
You-Jin Jeon ◽  
Hye-Won Yang
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Muscle Atrophy ◽  
Exploratory Behavior ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Lepidium Meyenii ◽  
Vertebrate Model ◽  
Pharmaceutical Agents ◽  
Optimized Conditions ◽  
Hematoxylin Eosin

Loss of myofibers during muscle atrophy affects functional capacity and quality of life. Dexamethasone, an inducer of rapid atrophy of skeletal myofibers, has been studied as a glucocorticoid receptor in muscle atrophy or motor neurodegeneration. In this study, we examined dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy using zebrafish (Danio rerio), a vertebrate model, and assessed whether administration of Lepidium meyenii (maca) as a dietary supplement can prevent muscle atrophy. Changes in skeletal myofibers in zebrafish were evaluated after exposure to dexamethasone for different periods and at different concentrations. Under optimized conditions, zebrafish pre-fed with maca for 3 days were exposed to 0.01% dexamethasone for 1 h/day for 7 days. Thereafter, myofiber loss, damaged muscle contractile proteins, and abnormal exploratory behavior due to the structural and functional impairment of skeletal muscle associated with muscle atrophy were investigated using hematoxylin–eosin, immunofluorescence staining, and behavioral analyses. Our findings suggest that dexamethasone induces muscle atrophy in zebrafish, inhibiting exploratory behavior by inducing myofiber loss, inhibiting muscle contraction, and causing changes in endurance and velocity. Thus, the zebrafish model can be used to screen pharmaceutical agents and to study muscle atrophy. Furthermore, maca is a potential dietary supplement to prevent muscle atrophy, as it protects muscle fibers.

Effect of new dietary supplement on sperm quality

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (45) ◽  
pp. 1787-1792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mária Horváth ◽  
Endre Czeizel
Keyword(s):  
Adverse Effect ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Male Fertility ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
Sperm Count ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Usa ◽  
New Treatments

Introduction: There is a decline in male fertility thus new treatments are needed. Aims: To test the efficacy of a new dietary supplement developed in the USA and registered as a curing drug in Hungary (OGYI). Methods: In a clinical trial 100 men with low sperm quality (spermium count 5–20 M/ml, good motility 10–40%, and adverse shape 30–50%) were examined. Results: Sperm parameters were measured before and after a 3-month treatment and after another 3-month without treatment. This dietary supplement statistically and clinically significantly improved sperm count and motility. In 74 cases this dietary supplement demonstrated a beneficial effect on sperm quality (more than 10% increase in sperm count, or quality of motility, or shape); in 16 cases the improvement exceeded 30%. No adverse effect could be accounted for this treatment. Conclusions: This new dietary supplement may contribute to the treatment of male infertility. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1787–1792.

scholarly journals Nutraceutical Screening in a Zebrafish Model of Muscular Dystrophy: Gingerol as a Possible Food Aid

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 998
Author(s):  
Rosario Licitra ◽  
Maria Marchese ◽  
Letizia Brogi ◽  
Baldassare Fronte ◽  
Letizia Pitto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Muscular Dystrophy ◽  
Genomic Medicine ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Dystrophin Gene ◽  
Neuromuscular Disorder ◽  
Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Screening Study

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, is an inherited neuromuscular disorder that causes loss of muscle mass and motor skills. In the era of genomic medicine, there is still no known cure for DMD. In clinical practice, there is a growing awareness of the possible importance of nutrition in neuromuscular diseases. This is mostly the result of patients’ or caregivers’ empirical reports of how active substances derived from food have led to improved muscle strength and, thus, better quality of life. In this report, we investigate several nutraceutical principles in the sapje strain of zebrafish, a validated model of DMD, in order to identify possible natural products that, if supplemented in the diet, might improve the quality of life of DMD patients. Gingerol, a constituent of fresh ginger, statistically increased the locomotion of mutant larvae and upregulated the expression of heme oxygenase 1, a target gene for therapy aimed at improving dystrophic symptoms. Although three other compounds showed a partial positive effect on locomotor and muscle structure phenotypes, our nutraceutical screening study lent preliminary support to the efficacy and safety only of gingerol. Gingerol could easily be proposed as a dietary supplement in DMD.

Oxy+ (arthrospira) and its medicinal importance: an appraisal

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Anzar Alam ◽  
Mohd Aleemuddin Quamri ◽  
Muzafar Din Ahmad Bhat ◽  
Siddiqui Aafreen ◽  
Ghulamuddin Sofi
Keyword(s):  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Autoimmune Disorders ◽  
Natural Source ◽  
Sulfated Polysaccharides ◽  
Active Ingredients ◽  
Pharmacological Activities ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
Obesity Hypertension

AbstractOxy+ is a natural source of arthrospira found in nature, used as a dietary supplement and manufactured in Aruba for lifefactors. Arthrospira contains good quality of proteins, sulfated polysaccharides, γ-linoleic acid, along with an array of carotene and phytopigments, vitamins, and minerals which are reported to be antioxidant, immunomodulator, antihyperglycemic, antidyslipidemic, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antiviral, anticancerous, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, neuroprotective and renoprotective activities. Several studies have shown arthrospira, and active ingredients of it revealed various pharmacological activities. It can be used for the management of various ailments such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, cancer, arthritis, osteoarthritis, autoimmune disorders, etc. This review attempts to explore the hidden benefits of Oxy+ (arthrospira).

scholarly journals Zebrafish Model in Ophthalmology to Study Disease Mechanism and Drug Discovery

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 716
Author(s):  
Yiwen Hong ◽  
Yan Luo
Keyword(s):  
Drug Discovery ◽  
Behavioral Assessment ◽  
Age Related Macular Degeneration ◽  
Disease Mechanism ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Eye Disorders ◽  
Vertebrate Model ◽  
Drug Treatments ◽  
Novel Drug

Visual impairment and blindness are common and seriously affect people’s work and quality of life in the world. Therefore, the effective therapies for eye diseases are of high priority. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an alternative vertebrate model as a useful tool for the mechanism elucidation and drug discovery of various eye disorders, such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, photoreceptor degeneration, etc. The genetic and embryonic accessibility of zebrafish in combination with a behavioral assessment of visual function has made it a very popular model in ophthalmology. Zebrafish has also been widely used in ocular drug discovery, such as the screening of new anti-angiogenic compounds or neuroprotective drugs, and the oculotoxicity test. In this review, we summarized the applications of zebrafish as the models of eye disorders to study disease mechanism and investigate novel drug treatments.

scholarly journals Melanogenic Inhibition and Toxicity Assessment of Flavokawain A and B on B16/F10 Melanoma Cells and Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (15) ◽  
pp. 3403
Author(s):  
Nurshafika Mohd Sakeh ◽  
Nurliyana Najwa Md Razip ◽  
Farah Idayu Mohd Ma’in ◽  
Mohammad Nazri Abdul Bahari ◽  
Naimah Latif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Toxicity Assessment ◽  
Tyrosinase Activity ◽  
The Other ◽  
Quantitative Real Time Pcr ◽  
Melanin Content ◽  
Melanin Production ◽  
Zebrafish Model ◽  
Vertebrate Model ◽  
Toxicity Effects

Excessive production of melanin implicates hyperpigmentation disorders. Flavokawain A (FLA) and flavokawain B (FLB) have been reported with anti-melanogenic activity, but their melanogenic inhibition and toxicity effects on the vertebrate model of zebrafish are still unknown. In the present study, cytotoxic as well as melanogenic effects of FLA and FLB on cellular melanin content and tyrosinase activity were evaluated in α-MSH-induced B16/F10 cells. Master regulator of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (Mitf) and the other downstream melanogenic-related genes were verified via quantitative real time PCR (qPCR). Toxicity assessment and melanogenesis inhibition on zebrafish model was further observed. FLA and FLB significantly reduced the specific cellular melanin content by 4.3-fold and 9.6-fold decrement, respectively in α-MSH-induced B16/F10 cells. Concomitantly, FLA significantly reduced the specific cellular tyrosinase activity by 7-fold whilst FLB by 9-fold. The decrement of melanin production and tyrosinase activity were correlated with the mRNA suppression of Mitf which in turn down-regulate Tyr, Trp-1 and Trp-2. FLA and FLB exhibited non-toxic effects on the zebrafish model at 25 and 6.25 µM, respectively. Further experiments on the zebrafish model demonstrated successful phenotype-based depigmenting activity of FLA and FLB under induced melanogenesis. To sum up, our findings provide an important first key step for both of the chalcone derivatives to be further studied and developed as potent depigmenting agents.

Transport in a Methanol Steam Reformer as the Fuel Processor for Fuel Cell Systems

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyung Gyu Park ◽  
Ming-Tsang Lee ◽  
Frank K. Hsu ◽  
Costas P. Grigoropoulos ◽  
Ralph Greif ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Processing System ◽  
Reacting Flow ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel Cells ◽  
Catalytic Reactor ◽  
Hydrogen Fuel ◽  
Fuel Processing ◽  
Fuel Processor ◽  
Optimized Conditions

An experimental and analytical study of the reacting flow in a catalytic reactor is presented. Methanol-steam reforming may be utilized in the fuel processing system for hydrogen fuel cells. Understanding the flow and transport phenomena as well as the reaction mechanisms is essential for improving the efficiency of the reforming process as well as the quality of the processed fuel. Utilizing the results obtained, optimized conditions for fuel processing are discussed.

Recycle of Spent Potlining with Low Carbon Grade by Floatation

2014 ◽  
Vol 881-883 ◽  
pp. 1660-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Li ◽  
Gang Xie ◽  
Zu Xu Wang ◽  
Yan Qing Hou ◽  
Rong Xing Li
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Content ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Agitation Speed ◽  
Pulp Density ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Comparative Experiment ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Carbon Product ◽  
Optimized Conditions

Spent potlining (SPL) from Hall-Heroult cells is a kind of toxic solid waste with recyclable carbon and electrolyte. The recycle of SPL by floatation, which can meet environment requirements and bring economic profits, is focused on presently because of its great potential to be industrialized and spread. However, it is difficult to get a good floatation index in floatation of SPL with carbon content lower than 50%. Therefore, the dressing of SPL with 36.1% of carbon has been investigated in the paper with the interesting potential to improve the quality of floatation products by optimizing floatation conditions, such as grinding size, pulp density and agitation speed of floatation machine. And the comparative experiment has been performed. The results show that quality of both carbon product and electrolyte product were improved under optimized conditions of grinding size of 90% of the particle sizes less than 0.74mm, pulp density of 25% and agitation speed of 1700r/min. The carbon content in carbon product was raised by 5.40 and carbon content in electrolyte product decreased by 0.26 while electrolyte recovery of electrolyte product increased by 4.58.

scholarly journals Histological Inflammation in Human Ureter either Healthy or Fitted with Double-Pigtail Stent or a Thin 0.3 F Suture Thread: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Benoît Vogt ◽  
Ilham Chokri
Keyword(s):  
Histological Section ◽  
Muscle Layer ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Suture Thread ◽  
Preliminary Study ◽  
Pigtail Stent ◽  
Hematoxylin Eosin ◽  
Human Ureter ◽  
Inflammation Score

Background. Ureteral stent intolerance reduces patients’ quality of life. It has been suggested that changes in the shape of stents could decrease discomfort. In previous studies, the innovative pigtail-suture stent (i.e., JFil® or MiniJFil®) with a thin 0.3 F suture thread significantly decreased stent-related symptoms. Fortuitously, a dilation of the ureter containing the sutures was discovered. In addition, no inflammation was seen on the ureter wall around the suture in endoscopy. In this preliminary study, we assessed ureteral inflammation in the human ureter when it was healthy or when fitted with a double-pigtail stent or a thread. Materials and Methods. After consent and inclusion of patients in the protocol, fifteen segments of ureters were collected during cystectomy procedures for bladder tumors. Ureteral inflammation was assessed on the histological section stained with hematoxylin-eosin. Histological grading (cumulative range of 0 to 6) assessing inflammation was performed on the ureter section for mucosa inflammation and inflammation in the muscle layer. Results. A marked ureteral inflammatory reaction was observed in all cases of ureters fitted with a double-pigtail stent with a mean inflammation score of 4.8 ± 0.4. The ureter fitted with the thin suture thread showed inflammation in only one case with a mean inflammation score of 1.8 ± 1.3 p=0.001. Conclusion. Although the study was limited by the small number of patients, it confirmed that the double-pigtail stent induced ureteral inflammation in all cases and the thin 0.3 F suture thread caused less ureteral inflammation than the double-pigtail stent. The concept of material reduction within the urinary tract seems necessary in order to decrease mucosal irritation. The JFil® or the MiniJFil® thread could meet this requirement.

scholarly journals Use of Herbal Dietary Supplement Si-Wu-Tang and Health-Related Quality of Life in Postpartum Women: A Population-Based Correlational Study

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Jen Chang ◽  
Ching-Chun Lin ◽  
Yi Chun Chen ◽  
Chao-Hua Chuang ◽  
Yu-Ching Tseng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Dietary Supplement ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Postpartum Women ◽  
Correlational Study ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related

Objective. The aim of the study was to explore the association between women’s use of herbal dietary supplement Si-Wu-Tang during the postpartum period and their health-related quality of life.Methods. This is a population-based correlational study. We used multistage, stratified, systematic sampling to recruit 24,200 pairs of postpartum women and newborns from the Taiwan National Birth Registry in 2005. A structured questionnaire was successfully administered to 87.8% of the sampled population. Trained interviewers performed home interviews 6 months after the women’s deliveries between June 2005 and July 2006. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) was used to measure the quality of life of the women along with the frequency of Si-Wu-Tang use.Results. Si-Wu-Tang use after delivery improved women’s score for bodily pain and also improved their score for mental health when used more than 10 times. In addition, there were increases in general health and vitality scores in the group who continuously used Si-Wu-Tang more than 10 times after using Sheng-Hua-Tang.Conclusion. Use of Si-Wu-Tang after delivery may be associated with women’s health-related quality of life especially for those who previously used Sheng-Hua-Tang. These results are exploratory and need to be replicated.

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