These results suggest that DA-6034 accelerates not only tear secretion but also mucin production and may be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of dry eye disease.
Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) regulates the expression of multiple cytokines, chemokines, and cell adhesion molecules that are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. We investigated the anti-asthmatic effects and the mechanism of action of DA-9201, an extract of the black rice, in a mouse model of asthma. Mice immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) were administered with DA-9201 (30, 100 or 300 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (DEXA, 3 mg/kg) for 2 weeks and challenged with aerosolized OVA during the last 3 days. Anti-asthmatic effects were assessed by means of enhanced pauses, level of total IgE and Th2 cytokines in plasma or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the percentage of eosinophils in BALF, and histopathological examination. The expression of NF-kappaB in nuclear and cytoplasmic fraction and its DNA-binding activity in lung tissues were analyzed by means of Western blotting and electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA), respectively. DA-9201 significantly reduced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), total IgE level in plasma and BALF, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 levels in BALF, and the percentage of eosinophils in BALF. Tissue inflammation was significantly improved by DA-9201 treatment. In addition, DA-9201 dramatically suppressed the expression of NF-kappaB and its DNA-binding activity. These results suggest that DA-9201 may be useful for the treatment of asthma and its efficacy is related to suppression of NF-kappaB pathway.
α-Tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) is one of the main reactants of the powder phase of
several bioactive calcium phosphate bone cements. After preparing TCP, the TCP was determined
by the measurement of X-ray diffraction, particle size, and scanning electron microscopy. Cements
were characterized using viscosity measurements, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy,
and compressive and tensile strengths etc. When citric acid was added as dispersant at different
concentration to α-tricalcium phosphate bone cements, it was found to act as a fluidizing agent
during the first stages of cement mixing. The setting time for cement without citric acid was 300
min, while setting times for cements prepared with 0.5-2.5 M citric acid were at a minimum of 4
min and a maximum of 35 min, respectively. The dissolution-precipitation reaction of α-tricalcium
phosphate was accelerated by adding citric acid and compressive and diametral tensile strength
increased.
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