scholarly journals Association between Equol Production Status and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 11904
Author(s):  
Takemi Akahane ◽  
Daisuke Kaya ◽  
Ryuichi Noguchi ◽  
Kosuke Kaji ◽  
Haruna Miyakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Histological Features ◽  
Porcine Serum ◽  
The Status ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Nafld Activity Score

Equol is a metabolite of daidzein, a major soybean isoflavone with estrogenic and antioxidant activities. As the production of equol depends on the presence of certain members of the intestinal microflora, not all individuals can produce equol. We examined the relationship between NASH histological features and equol production. In an animal model, obese OLETF rats were intraperitoneally injected with a porcine serum to augment liver fibrogenesis. Equol-rich soy product, SE5-OH was orally administered during the experimental period. Treatment with SE5-OH markedly attenuated the development of liver fibrosis and expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin. In clinical research, 38 NAFLD patients (13 men and 25 women) were included. The degree of fibrosis and ballooning in equol-nonproducers was significantly higher than in equol-producers in women. The percentage of nonproducers with NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥5 was significantly higher than that of producers. None of the histological features were significantly different between nonproducers and producers in men. Decision tree analysis identified predictors for NAS ≥5 in women. The status of equol production was the strongest predictor, followed by fasting glucose. Since equol can be noninvasively detected in urine, it can be applied as a screening tool for the progression of NASH in women.

scholarly journals Equol Production Status is An Effective Predictor of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Women

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takemi Akahane ◽  
Daisuke Kaya ◽  
Ryuichi Noguchi ◽  
Kosuke Kaji ◽  
Haruna Miyakawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis ◽  
Intestinal Microflora ◽  
Fasting Glucose ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver ◽  
Histological Features ◽  
Menopausal Women ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Nafld Activity Score

Abstract Equol is a metabolite of daidzein, a major soybean isoflavone with estrogenic and antioxidant activities. As the production of equol depends on the presence of certain members of the intestinal microflora, not all individuals can produce equol. The incidence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) increases in menopausal women, and estrogen is associated with the progression of NAFLD/NASH. Therefore, the status of equol production might also be related to the pathogenesis of NAFLD/NASH in women. We, thus, examined the relationship between NASH histological features and equol production. Thirty-eight NAFLD patients who underwent liver biopsy were included in this study. In women, the degree of fibrosis and ballooning in nonproducers was significantly higher than that in producers. The percentage of nonproducers with NAFLD activity score (NAS) ≥5 was significantly higher than that of producers. None of the histological features were significantly different between nonproducers and producers in men. Decision tree analysis identified the predictors of NAS ≥5 in women. The status of equol production was the strongest predictor, followed by fasting glucose. Equol can be noninvasively detected in urine, suggesting its application as a screening test for predicting the diagnosis and progression of NASH in women.

scholarly journals PASS-Predicted Hepatoprotective Activity ofCaesalpinia sappanin Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farkaad A. Kadir ◽  
Normadiah M. Kassim ◽  
Mahmood Ameen Abdulla ◽  
Behnam Kamalidehghan ◽  
Fatemeh Ahmadipour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽  
Hepatoprotective Activity ◽  
Nuclear Antigen ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Liver Fibrogenesis

The antifibrotic effects of traditional medicinal herbCaesalpinia sappan(CS) extract on liver fibrosis induced by thioacetamide (TAA) and the expression of transforming growth factorβ1 (TGF-β1),α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in rats were studied. A computer-aided prediction of antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities was primarily performed with the Prediction Activity Spectra of the Substance (PASS) Program. Liver fibrosis was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by TAA administration (0.03% w/v) in drinking water for a period of 12 weeks. Rats were divided into seven groups: control, TAA, Silymarin (SY), and CS 300 mg/kg body weight and 100 mg/kg groups. The effect of CS on liver fibrogenesis was determined by Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemical analysis, and western blotting.In vivodetermination of hepatic antioxidant activities, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and matrix metalloproteinases (MPPS) was employed. CS treatment had significantly increased hepatic antioxidant enzymes activity in the TAA-treated rats. Liver fibrosis was greatly alleviated in rats when treated with CS extract. CS treatment was noted to normalize the expression of TGF-β1,αSMA, PCNA, MMPs, and TIMP1 proteins. PASS-predicted plant activity could efficiently guide in selecting a promising pharmaceutical lead with high accuracy and required antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties.

Isoliquiritigenin inhibits TGF-β1-induced fibrogenesis through activating autophagy via PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway in MRC-5 cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 810-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinjuan He ◽  
Hao Peng ◽  
Meifang Wang ◽  
Ying Liu ◽  
Xingrong Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Mtor Pathway ◽  
Type I ◽  
Akt Inhibitor ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Human Lung Fibroblast ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Tgf Β1 ◽  
Proliferation And Migration

Abstract Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a natural flavonoid derived from the root of liquorice, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Previous studies have found that ISL plays a crucial role in anti-fibrosis of adipose tissue and renal tissue; however, its effect on pulmonary fibrogenesis has not been demonstrated. In this study, we aimed to explore the roles and the underlying mechanisms of ISL in TGF-β1-induced fibrogenesis using human lung fibroblast-derived MRC-5 cells. Cell proliferation and migration were determined by MTT and wound healing assay, respectively. The expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen type I alpha 1 (COLIA1) and fibronectin (FN), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3) and related signaling molecules were detected by quantitative real-time PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence assay, correspondingly. EGFP-LC3 transfection was used for autophagy analysis. The results showed that ISL inhibited the TGF-β1-induced proliferation and migration, and down-regulated the expressions of α-SMA, COLIA1 and FN. ISL treatment led to up-regulation of LC3 in TGF-β1-treated MRC-5 cells, accompanied by significant decrease in the phosphorylation levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In addition, the inhibitory effects of ISL on TGF-β1-induced fibrogenic features in MRC-5 cells were enhanced by pretreatment with autophagy activator Rapmycin and PI3K/AKT inhibitor LY294002 and reversed by autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine and PI3K/AKT activator IGF-1. Taken together, our results demonstrated that ISL could attenuate the fibrogenesis of TGF-β1-treated MRC-5 cells by activating autophagy via suppressing the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Therefore, ISL holds a great potential to be developed as a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

scholarly journals Range of Motion Exercise Suppresses Myofibroblast Proliferation in the Joint Capsule in a Rat Joint Contracture Model

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Taro Matsuzaki ◽  
Shinya Yoshida ◽  
Masahiro Hoso
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Exercise Group ◽  
Joint Capsule ◽  
Joint Contracture ◽  
Alpha Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Male Wistar Rats

Abstract This study aimed to perform range of motion exercises on a rat knee joint contracture model and clarify changes in the joint range of motion and number of myofibroblasts in the joint capsule. Eighteen male Wistar rats were used and randomly divided into the following three groups: control, immobilized, and exercise. The right hindlimb knee joints of rats in the immobilized and exercise groups were immobilized, and the animals in the exercise group started the range of motion exercises the day after the joint immobilization. After the two weeks experimental period, the range of knee joint extension angle was measured, and the knee joint was collected. To observe the posterior joint capsule of the rat knee joint, hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunostaining were performed. Differences in knee extension restriction angles were significant between all groups, and differences in the number of alpha smooth muscle actin-positive cells were significant between the control and immobilization groups. These results indicate that joint immobilization leads to myofibroblast proliferation, whereas gentle exercise that does not maintain sufficient range of motion in the joint may inhibit myofibroblast proliferation.

Contemporary Qur'anic Studies in Iran and its Relationship with Qur'anic Studies in the West

2012 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-72
Author(s):  
Morteza Karimi-Nia
Keyword(s):  
Islamic Law ◽  
Human Sciences ◽  
The West ◽  
Communications Technologies ◽  
Religious Learning ◽  
The Status ◽  
Islamic Republic Of Iran ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

The status of tafsīr and Qur'anic studies in the Islamic Republic of Iran has changed significantly during recent decades. The essay provides an overview of the state of Qur'anic studies in Iran today, aiming to examine the extent of the impact of studies by Western scholars on Iranian academic circles during the last three decades and the relationship between them. As in most Islamic countries, the major bulk of academic activity in Iran in this field used to be undertaken by the traditional ʿulamāʾ; however, since the beginning of the twentieth century and the establishment of universities and other academic institutions in the Islamic world, there has been increasing diversity and development. After the Islamic Revolution, many gradual changes in the structure and approach of centres of religious learning and universities have occurred. Contemporary advancements in modern sciences and communications technologies have gradually brought the institutions engaged in the study of human sciences to confront the new context. As a result, the traditional Shīʿī centres of learning, which until 50 years ago devoted themselves exclusively to the study of Islamic law and jurisprudence, today pay attention to the teaching of foreign languages, Qur'anic sciences and exegesis, including Western studies about the Qur'an, to a certain extent, and recognise the importance of almost all of the human sciences of the West.

Moderating Role of Gender in the Relationship between Cognitive Errors and Anxiety among Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-102
Author(s):  
Tasnim Rehna ◽  
Rubina Hanif ◽  
Muhammad Aqeel
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Adolescent Psychopathology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Errors ◽  
Adolescent Anxiety ◽  
Study Results ◽  
The Status ◽  
Manifest Anxiety ◽  
The Relationship

Background: Widespread social paradigms on which the status variances are grounded in any society, gender plays pivotal role in manifestation of mental health problems (Rutter, 2007). A hefty volume of research has addressed the issue in adults nonetheless, little is vividly known about the role of gender in adolescent psychopathology. Sample: A sample of 240 adolescents (125 boys, 115 girls) aging 12-18 years was amassed from various secondary schools of Islamabad with the approval of the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), relevant authorities of the schools and the adolescents themselves. Instruments: Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (Taylor & Spence, 1953) and Children’s Negative Cognitive Errors Questionnaire (CNCEQ) by Leitenberg et al., (1986) were applied in present study. Results: Multiple regression analysis revealed that cognitive errors jointly accounted for 78% of variance in predicting anxiety among adolescents. Findings also exhibited that gender significantly moderated the relationship between cognitive errors and adolescent anxiety. Implications of the findings are discoursed for future research and clinical practice.

Devotional Transformation

2005 ◽  
Vol 1 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 237-257
Author(s):  
Ravi Vasudevan
Keyword(s):  
Religious Belief ◽  
Film Genre ◽  
Narrative Structures ◽  
The Status ◽  
Film Spectatorship ◽  
The Relationship

This article focuses on the specific Indian cinematic form of the Hindu devotional film genre to explore the relationship between cinema and religion. Using three important early films from the devotional oeuvre—Gopal Krishna, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and Sant Tukaram—as the primary referent, it tries to understand certain characteristic patterns in the narrative structures of these films, and the cultures of visuality and address, miraculous manifestation, and witnessing and self-transformation that they generate. These three films produced by Prabhat Studios between the years 1936 and 1940 and all directed by Vishnupant Damle and Syed Fattelal, drew upon the powerful anti-hierarchical traditions of Bhakti, devotional worship that circumvented Brahmanical forms. This article will argue that the devotional film crucially undertakes a work of transformation in the perspectives on property, and that in this engagement it particularly reviews the status of the household in its bid to generate a utopian model of unbounded community. The article will also consider the status of technologies of the miraculous that are among the central attractions of the genre, and afford a reflection on the relation between cinema technology, popular religious belief and desire, and film spectatorship.

Statistical Analysis of the Relationship Between Antioxidant Activity and the Structure of Flavonoid Compounds

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 3103-3107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioana Glevitzky ◽  
Gabriela Alina Dumitrel ◽  
Mirel Glevitzky ◽  
Bianca Pasca ◽  
Pavel Otrisal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antioxidant Activity ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Basic Structure ◽  
Oh Groups ◽  
Flavonoid Compounds ◽  
Chi Squared ◽  
Potential Link ◽  
Van Der Waals Surface ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Phenolic Oh Groups

Using different methods of statistics, this paper aims to highlight the potential link between the antioxidant activity of flavonoids and the corresponding molecular descriptors. By calculating the descriptors (van der Waals surface (A), molar volume (V), partition coefficient (LogP), refractivity (R), polarizability (a), forming heat (Hformation), hydration energy (Ehidr), the dipole moment (mt)), together with antioxidant activities (RSA) calculated or taken from the literature, number of phenolic -OH groups and the presence (2) or absence (1) of C2=C3 double bond) for 29 flavonoid compounds and by intercorrelation between the studied parameters, the link between the number of phenolic groups grafted to the basic structure of flavonoids and their antioxidant activity was confirmed. Simultaneously, by using the chi-squared test and the intercorrelations matrix, a satisfactorily correlation coefficient (r2=0.5678; r=0.7536) between the structure of the flavonoids and their activity was obtained, fact that confirms the correlation of the antioxidant activity with the number of -OH phenolic groups.

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