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Background: Protective effects of Gynura bicolor aqueous extract (GAE) at three concentrations upon nerve growth factor (NGF) differentiated-PC12 cells against H2O2 induced injury were examined. Methods: NGF differentiated-PC12 cells were treated with GAE at 0.25%, 0.5% or 1%. 100 μM H2O2 was used to treat cells with GAE pre-treatments. After incubating at 37 °C for 12 hr, experimental analyses were processed. Results: H2O2 exposure decreased cell viability, increased plasma membrane damage, suppressed Bcl-2 mRNA expression and enhanced Bax mRNA expression. GAE pre-treatments reversed these changes. H2O2 exposure reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, lowered Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and increased DNA fragmentation and Ca2+ release. GAE pre-treatments attenuated these alterations. H2O2 stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lowered glutathione content, and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase activities. GAE pretreatments maintained GPX and catalase activities; and concentration-dependently diminished the generation of ROS and inflammatory cytokines. H2O2 enhanced mRNA expression of nuclear factor kappa (NF-κ) B and p38. GAE pre-treatments decreased mRNA expression of NF-κB and p38. Conclusion: These findings suggested that GAE might be a potent neuronal protective agent.

The content of nitric oxide (NO), 3-nitrotyrosine, advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and trans fatty acids (TFAs) in 16 kinds of cured meat products was examined. Results showed that NO and 3-nitrotyrosine levels were in the range of non-detectable to 4.6 μM/mg protein, and non-detectable to 0.49 nmol/mg protein, respectively. Carboxymethyllysine could be detected in 13 kinds of cured meat products; its content was in the range of 48-306 μg/100 g meat. Pentosidine was found in 14 kinds of meat products, in the range of 109-631 μg/100 g meat. Furosine was presented in all test meat samples, in the range of 156-676 μg/100 g meat. Palmitelaidic acid was found in 3 kinds of meat product, and the content was in the range of 0.59-0.71%. Vaccenic acid was presented in 9 kinds of meat products; its content was in the range of 0.89-1.47%. Elaidic acid was detected in 5 kinds of meat products, and the content was in the range of 0.67-1.21%. Because NO, 3-nitrotyrosine and AGEs might have adverse impact upon health, people with certain healthy conditions should carefully consider the frequency and amount of consumption for these cured meat products.

Background: Protective effects of Gynura bicolor aqueous extract (GAE) at three concentrations upon nerve growth factor (NGF) differentiated-PC12 cells against H2O2 induced injury were examined. Methods: NGF differentiated-PC12 cells were treated with GAE at 0.25%, 0.5% or 1%. 100'μM H2O2 was used to treat cells with GAE pre-treatments. After incubating at 37''C for 12 hr, experimental analyses were processed. Results: H2O2 exposure decreased cell viability, increased plasma membrane damage, suppressed Bcl-2 mRNA expression and enhanced Bax mRNA expression. GAE pre-treatments reversed these changes. H2O2 exposure reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, lowered Na+-K+-ATPase activity, and increased DNA fragmentation and Ca2+ release. GAE pre-treatments attenuated these alterations. H2O2 stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, lowered glutathione content, and reduced glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase activities. GAE pretreatments maintained GPX and catalase activities; and concentration-dependently diminished the generation of ROS and inflammatory cytokines. H2O2 enhanced mRNA expression of nuclear factor kappa (NF-κ) B and p38. GAE pre-treatments decreased mRNA expression of NF-κB and p38. Conclusion: These findings suggested that GAE might be a potent neuronal protective agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]