The aim of this study was to provide a basis for the molecular mechanism underlying the pharmacological action of ethanol. We studied the effects of 1-propanol on the location of n-(9-anthroyloxy)palmitic acid or stearic acid (n-AS) within the phospholipids of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV). The SPMV were isolated from the bovine cerebral cortex and liposomes of total lipids (SPMVTL) and phospholipids (SPMVPL). 1-Propanol increased the rotational mobility of inner hydrocarbons, while decreasing the mobility of membrane interface, in native and model membranes. The degree of rotational mobility varied with the number of carbon atoms at positions 16, 12, 9, 6 and 2 in the aliphatic chain of phospholipids in the neuronal and model membranes. The sensitivity of increasing or decreasing rotational mobility of hydrocarbon interior or surface by 1-propanol varied with the neuronal and model membranes in the following order: SPMV, SPMVPL and SPMVTL.
1-Propanol* ; Carbon ; Cell Membrane ; Cerebral Cortex ; Ethanol ; Hydrocarbons ; Liposomes ; Membranes* ; Neurons* ; Phospholipids

OBJECTIVES: To examine the effect of extracts of Korean native Cimicifuge species on cell proliferation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). METHODS: VSMC were isolated from rat aorta. Cell proliferation was assessed by measure of bromodeoxyuridine incorporation into the cells. Differences in Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined after exposure to the extracts of Korean native Cimicifuge species using the detection reagents dichlorofluorecin diacetate. The rhizomes/roots were air-dried and milled with a commercial food mixer. Milled rhizomes/roots of each Cimicifuga species were separately extracted by 80% ethanol, absolute methanol, and 40% 2-propanol using homogenizer and evaporated under reduced pressure at low temperatures. Effects of extracts dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (0.3 mg/mL) were examined. RESULTS: Ethanolic, methanolic or propanolic extracts of 4 Korean native Cimicifuge species (Cimicifuga [C] davurica, C. japonica, C. heracleifolia var. bifida Nakai, C. simplex) were screened. The addition of extracts of each Korean native Cimicifuge species to cells in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) potently inhibited cell proliferation. Significant decrease of 23%-30% was observed. Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, inhibited 10% FBS-stimulated cell proliferation of VSMC. We also demonstrated that extracts of each Korean native Cimicifuge species decreased intracellular ROS generation induced with 10% FBS. The effect of Korean native Cimicifuge species was not species-specific and solvent-specific. CONCLUSION: TExtracts of Korean native Cimicifuge species inhibit VSMC proliferation via inhibition of intracellular ROS. These findings suggest that Cimicifuge species used for reducing menopause symptoms might be cardioprotective in women.
1-Propanol ; 2-Propanol ; Animals ; Aorta ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cell Proliferation ; Cimicifuga ; Estrogens ; Ethanol ; Female ; Humans ; Indicators and Reagents ; Menopause ; Methanol ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins

BACKGROUND: Cordyceps militaris have been reported to modify the immune and inflammatory responses both in vivo and in vitro. Macrophages play important roles in the innate immunity through the phagocytosis of antigens. This study examined the effects of Cordyceps militaris on the activation of murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and primary macrophages. METHODS: The components contained in culture broth of Cordyceps militaris were purified by propyl alcohol extraction and HP 20 column chromatography to CMDB, CMDBW, CMDB5P, and CMDB25P. The amounts of nitric oxide (NO) were determined by using ELISA, Griess reagent respectively. The amounts of some cytokines were determined by using ELISA, western blot, and RT-PCR. The expression levels of cell surface molecules (ICAM-1, B7-1 and B7-2) were measured by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: All the components of Cordyceps militaris produced significant amounts of NO. In particular, CMDB produced much more NO in RAW 264.7 cells and primary macrophages than other fractions of Cordyceps militaris. CMDB increased significantly the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6 dose-dependently in RAW 264.7 cells. Examination of the gene expression level also showed that the enhanced production of cytokines was correlated with the up-regulation of i-NOS expression, cycloxygenase (COX)-2 expression, IL-1beta and IL-6 expression, and TNF-alpha expression on the expression of mRNAs by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Western blot analysis also confirmed that CMDB enhances the expression level of these cytokines. CONCLUSION: These results show that CMDB stimulates the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines and can also up-regulate the gene expression levels in macrophages.
1-Propanol ; Blotting, Western ; Chromatography ; Cordyceps* ; Cytokines ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gene Expression ; Immunity, Innate ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Macrophages* ; Nitric Oxide ; Phagocytosis ; RNA, Messenger ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) are neither destroyed nor produced in human body and may infiltrated into air, water, soil, food, human body and redistributed by biological and geographical circulation. With advent of recent industrialization detrimental heavy metal poisoning in human body is increased by industrial pollution. We aimed to establish the relative abilities of chelators to mobilized liver cadmium contents in chronic cadmium intoxication rats. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley albino male rats weighing 200 to 250 mg were used. All animals were loaded with 3 intraperitoneal injections of cadmium chloride (1.5 mg/kg) given at % hourly interval. Intraperitoneal injection of chelators commenced 1 week after the last loading injection and continued every 72 hour for a total of 10 injections. Chelators were given at a level of 1 mmole/kg (except 0.01 mmol/kg of BAL). The chelators used in present experiment are 1,2-diaminocyclohexane tetra acetate (CDTA), disodium calcium ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA), sodium 2.3-dimer capto propane sulfonate (DMPS), sodium di ethyl dithio carbamate (DDTC), dimercapto succinate (DMSA), 2,3-dimer capto propanol (BAL), diethylene triamine penta acetate (DTPA), triethylene tetr amine hexa acetate (TTHA), D-penicillamine(DPA), Nacetyl penicillamine (NAPA). RESULTS: 1) The residual liver cadmium content was reduced in rats administered DPA, EDTA, NAPA, CDTA, DDTC and DMSA (32%, 23%, 19%, 17%, 16% and 15% respectively) compared with control group. 2) The residual kidney cadmium content was reduced in rats administered DPA, DDTC, CDTA and EDTA (33%, 21%, 18% and 17% respectively) 3) The summation of residual cadmium content in liver and kidney was reduced in rats administered DPA, EDTA, DDTC and CDTA (33%, 20%, 18% and 17% respectively) compared with control group. CONCULUSIONS: We suggested that DPA, EDTA, CDTA and DDTC might have protective role against the toxic effects of cadmium.
1-Propanol ; Animals ; Cadmium Chloride ; Cadmium* ; Calcium ; Characidae ; Chelating Agents* ; Edetic Acid ; Human Body ; Humans ; Injections, Intraperitoneal ; Kidney ; Liver* ; Male ; Metals, Heavy ; Penicillamine ; Poisoning ; Propane ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium ; Soil ; Succimer ; Succinic Acid