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The epithelial cytokine response, associated with reactive oxygen species (ROS), is important in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-induced inflammation. H. pylori induces the production of ROS, which may be involved in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (Jak/Stat), and oxidant-sensitive transcription factor, nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), and thus, expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) in gastric epithelial cells. α-lipoic acid, a naturally occurring thiol compound, is a potential antioxidant. It shows beneficial effects in treatment of oxidant-associated diseases including diabetes. The present study is purposed to investigate whether α-lipoic acid inhibits expression of inflammatory cytokine IL-8 by suppressing activation of MAPK, Jak/Stat, and NF-κB in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells. Gastric epithelial AGS cells were pretreated with or without α-lipoic acid for 2 h and infected with H. pylori in a Korean isolate (HP99) at a ratio of 300:1. IL-8 mRNA expression was analyzed by RT-PCR analysis. IL-8 levels in the medium were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. NF-κB-DNA binding activity was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Phospho-specific and total forms of MAPK and Jak/Stat were assessed by Western blot analysis. ROS levels were determined using dichlorofluorescein fluorescence. As a result, H. pylori induced increases in ROS levels, mRNA, and protein levels of IL-8, as well as the activation of MAPK [extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), p38], Jak/Stat (Jak1/2, Stat3), and NF-κB in AGS cells, which was inhibited by α-lipoic acid. In conclusion, α-lipoic acid may be beneficial for prevention and/or treatment of H. pylori infection-associated gastric inflammation.

BackgroundOxidative stress occurs in white adipose tissue and dysregulates the expression of adipokines secreted from adipocytes. Since adipokines influence inflammation, supplementation with antioxidants might be beneficial for preventing oxidative stress-mediated inflammation in adipocytes and inflammation-associated complications. β-Carotene is the most prominent antioxidant carotenoid and scavenges reactive oxygen species in various tissues. The purpose of this study was to determine whether β-carotene regulates the expression of adipokines, such as adiponectin, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with glucose/glucose oxidase (G/GO).Methods3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured with or without β-carotene and treated with G/GO, which produces H2O2. mRNA and protein levels in the medium were determined by a real-time PCR and an ELISA. DNA binding activities of transcription factors were assessed using an electrophoretic mobility shift assay.ResultsG/GO treatment increased DNA binding affinities of redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as NF-κB, activator protein-1 (AP-1), and STAT3. G/GO treatment reduced the expression of adiponectin and increased the expression of MCP-1 and RANTES. G/GO-induced activations of NF-κB, AP-1, and STAT3 were inhibited by β-carotene. G/GO-induced dysregulation of adiponectin, MCP-1, and RANTES were significantly recovered by treatment with β-carotene.Conclusionsβ-Carotene inhibits oxidative stress-induced inflammation by suppressing pro-inflammatory adipokines MCP-1 and RANTES, and by enhancing adiponectin in adipocytes. β-Carotene may be beneficial for preventing oxidative stress-mediated inflammation, which is related to adipokine dysfunction.

Integrin expression in cancer tissues demonstrates its possible contribution to tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is related to gastric cancer and gastric inflammation. H. pylori induced upregulation in expression of integrin in gastric epithelia cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are considered as an important regulator in the pathogenesis of H. pylori-induced gastric ulceration and carcinogenesis. Integrin expression may be regulated by oxidant-sensitive transcription factors, nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1). The present study aims to investigate whether H. pylori in a Korean isolate (HP99) induces the expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta1, and whether H. pylori-induced expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta1 are inhibited in the cells transfected with mutant genes for Ras (ras N-17), c-Jun (TAM-67), and IkappaBalpha(MAD-3) or treated with DPI, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. As a result, H. pylori induced the expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta1 in gastric adenocarcinoma (AGS) cells time-dependently. Treatment of DPI or transfection with mutant genes for Ras (ras N-17), c-jun (TAM67), and IkappaBalpha(MAD3) inhibited H. pylori-induced expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta1 in AGS cells. In conclusion, H. pylori activates Ras, NF-kappaB, and AP-1 and thus induces the expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta1 in gastric epithelial cells. Inhibition of ROS production by DPI suppressed the expression of integrin alpha5 and integrin beta1 in gastric epithelial cells. The results suggest the possible involvement of NADPH oxidase for ROS production in H. pylori-infected gastric epithelial cells.