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Background/aim Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) is highly expressed in gastric cancer but the role of MMP9 is unclear. This study aimed at revealing the association of MMP9 promoter rs3918242 genotypes with gastric cancer risk. Materials and methods MMP9 rs3918242 genotypes of 121 patients with gastric cancer and 363 healthy individuals were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology using serum samples. Results MMP9 rs3918242 TT genotype carriers had an elevated gastric cancer risk compared to wild-type CC carriers (odds ratio=3.92, 95% confidence interval=1.28-11.99; p=0.0103). Patients with CT/TT genotypes were at higher risk of metastasis (p=0.0178) than those with CC. No correlation was found between MMP9 rs3918242 genotype and gastric cancer risk with smoking or alcohol behavior, nor Helicobacter pylori infection. No correlation was observed for MMP9 rs3918242 genotypic distributions with age, gender, or body mass index. Conclusion Carrying a T allele for MMP9 rs3918242 may be predictive for higher gastric cancer risk, and as a predictor for higher risk of metastasis.

Background We previously showed the efficacy of bi-anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the prefrontal cortex (PFC) regions with extracephalic reference placement in improving negative symptoms in schizophrenia. In this ancillary investigation, the effects of this intervention on insight levels, other clinical outcomes, and cardio-respiratory and autonomic functions were examined and the potential of biomarkers for treatment response was explored. Methods Schizophrenia patients were randomly allocated to receive 10 sessions of bi-anodal tDCS over the PFC regions with extracephalic reference placement (2 mA, 20 minutes, twice daily for 5 weeks) or sham stimulation. We examined, in 60 patients at baseline, immediately after stimulation and at follow-up visits, the insight levels, other clinical outcomes, blood pressure, respiratory rate, heart rate, and heart rate variability. Results Insight levels as assessed by the abbreviated version of the Scale to Assess Unawareness in Mental Disorder in schizophrenia awareness of the disease, positive and negative symptoms dimensions, and beliefs about medication compliance as assessed by Medication Adherence Rating Scale were significantly enhanced by active stimulation relative to sham. No effects were observed on cognitive insight, other clinical outcomes, or cardio-respiratory and autonomic functions. Heart rate variability indices as biomarkers were not associated with the clinical response to the intervention. Conclusions Our results provide evidence for bi-anodal tDCS over the PFC regions with extracephalic reference placement in heightening the levels of insight into the disease and symptoms, as well as beliefs about medication compliance in schizophrenia, without impacting other clinical outcomes and cardio-respiratory/autonomic functions.

Little is known about the impact of fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on attitudes toward mental illness, psychosocial and autonomic functioning, life quality, and medication adherence among schizophrenia patients.Sixty schizophrenia patients were randomly allocated to receive 10 sessions of active (2 mA, 20 min, 2 sessions/day for five weekdays) or sham fronto-temporal tDCS. Self-Appraisal of Illness Questionnaire (SAIQ), Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS), World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and indices of heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at baseline, immediately after tDCS and at one-month follow-up visit.There were significant group-by-time interactions for scores of SAIQ presence/outcome subscale, total MARS and its subscale of subjective response to taking medication, WHOQOL-BREF psychological domain. Relative to sham, tDCS significantly improved self-awareness of presence/outcome of schizophrenia (Cohen's d = 0.465, p = 0.0011), subjective response to taking medication (Cohen's d = 0.639, p 0.001) and psychological domain of life quality (Cohen's d = 0.459, p = 0.00114). These effects lasted for less than one month. The group-by-time interactions were non-significant for clinician-rated psychosocial functioning, mean RR intervals, and all HRV indices.Fronto-temporal tDCS briefly optimizes self-reported insight levels, beliefs about treatment adherence, and psychological domain of life quality in patients with schizophrenia. Further studies are required to confirm whether patients treated with 5-day, 10-session tDCS in combination with multisession "maintenance" stimulation every month would attain favourable outcomes.We provide novel evidence for the potential utility of tDCS in schizophrenia.

Background/aim The roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumorigenesis have attracted a lot of attention. The current study aimed at examining the association of the miR-196a-2 rs11614913 genotypes with susceptibility to childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in Taiwan. Materials and methods This case-control investigation recruited 266 patients with childhood ALL and 266 healthy controls, and the miR-196a-2 rs11614913 genotypes of each participant were examined via the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methodology. Results The frequency of miR-196a-2 C allele in controls was 0.440 compared with 0.423 in ALL patients. In addition, there was no significant association between CT or CC genotypes with susceptibility to childhood ALL (OR=0.89 and 0.89, 95%CI=0.60-1.30 and 0.54-1.45, p=0.5427 and 0.6302). Furthermore, the frequencies of miR-196a-2 polymorphisms were not associated with age, gender and clinical outcomes in ALL cases. Conclusion The miR-19a-2 genotypes are not associated with susceptibility to childhood ALL in Taiwan.

Background/aim Interleukin-16 (IL-16) is reported to play an important role in inflammation, carcinogenesis and tumoricidal processes, however, the contribution of IL-16 genotype to oral carcinogenesis is still largely unrevealed. Thus, the study aimed to investigate the contribution of IL-16 genotypes to Taiwan oral cancer risk. Materials and methods The genotypes of IL-16 rs4778889, rs11556218, and rs4072111 were revealed among 958 oral cancer cases and 958 control subjects by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results First, the distributions of genotypic (p=0.0004) and allelic (p=0.0001) frequencies of IL-16 rs11556218 were significantly different between the case and control groups. In detail, the frequencies of IL-16 rs11556218 TG and GG were 28.1 and 5.8%, respectively, among oral cancer patients, significantly higher compared to those among controls (25.0% and 2.7%, respectively). Second, no difference was observed regarding IL-16 rs4778889 or IL-16 rs4072111. Last, there was a synergistic effect of betel quid chewing behavior and risky IL-16 rs11556218 genotype on oral cancer risk. Conclusion The study indicates that the IL-16 rs11556218 G allele synergistically interacts with betel quid chewing behavior, contributing to increased risk of oral cancer in Taiwanese.

Background/aim Solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma (SEP) is a rare, malignant plasma-cell tumor, which mainly occurs in the head and neck regions. Globally the disease has been rarely happening up to 2019, with only about ten papers focused on SEP cases reported in English. Thus, a literature collectively reviewing the characteristics of the patients would be valuable. Patients and methods We enrolled 10 SEP patients, and recorded their primary sites and the treatment modality, and analyzed their survival rates and outcomes. We also reviewed previous studies and compared their findings with ours. Results No gender or age disparity has been observed, and younger patients had a better local control with RT compared to surgery among our patients. Conclusion Further investigations with more patients and long-time follow-up may provide more information for treatment determination and the recurrence and progression from SEP to MM.

Background/aim Rs3824129 is a functional six-nucleotide insertion(I)/deletion(D) polymorphism in the promoter region of caspase 8, an essential apoptosis gene. We aimed to examine the association of this polymorphism with the risk of bladder cancer in the Taiwanese population. Materials and methods Caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes were determined and their associations with bladder cancer risk were evaluated among 375 patients and 375 controls by the PCR-RFLP methodology. In addition, the interaction of caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes with personal behaviors and clinicopathological features were examined. Results The frequencies of II, ID and DD genotypes for caspase-8 rs3834129 were non-differentially distributed between the two groups (p for trend=0.7187). Analysis of allelic frequency distribution also indicated that the D variant allele was not associated with a risk of bladder cancer. There was no obvious joint interaction between caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes and smoking, alcohol consumption, and clinical stage and grade. Conclusion Caspase-8 rs3834129 genotypes play a minor role in the personal susceptibility to bladder cancer in Taiwan.

No studies have examined the effects of fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on cognitive insight and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia patients and the dynamic interplay between tDCS-induced changes in these two outcomes. In this double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled study, we investigated the effects of fronto-temporal tDCS [anode corresponding to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cathode to left temporo-parietal junction; 2-mA, twice-daily sessions for 5 days] on illness severity, psychosocial functioning, cognitive insight and neurocognitive function in schizophrenia patients (N = 60). The authors observed significant trends that tDCS ameliorated the severity of total and general psychopathology as measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale. No significant effects were observed for other psychopathological symptoms and psychosocial functioning. Cognitive insight as measured by the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS) was rapidly enhanced by 10-session tDCS (F = 10.80, Cohen's d = 0.44, p = 0.002) but the beneficial effect became borderline significant 1 month after stimulation. A trend-level improvement with tDCS of planning ability (F = 6.40, Cohen's d = 0.339, p = 0.014) as measured by the accuracy in Tower of London task was also observed. In the active tDCS group, the change in cognitive insight from baseline to immediately after tDCS assessment was positively correlated with that in planning ability (r = 0.46, p = 0.015), which was independent of the corresponding change in illness severity. The promising results regarding the fast-acting beneficial effects of tDCS on cognitive insight and planning ability in schizophrenia require confirmation in future replication studies.

Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP2) has been reported to be overexpressed in various types of cancer. However, the contribution of various genotypes of MMP2 to lung cancer is controversial and not yet been examined in Taiwan. Therefore, in the current study, we investigated the association of MMP2 genotypes with lung cancer risk among Taiwanese. In this hospital-based, case-control study, 358 lung cancer patients and 716 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were recruited, and the genotypic distributions of MMP2-1306 and MMP2- 735 were determined. Then, their association with lung cancer was evaluated, and their interaction with personal smoking status was also examined via stratification analysis. The results showed that the percentages of variant CT and TT at MMP2-1306 were 17.3% and 1.7% among the lung cancer patients, respectively, much lower than those of 28.7% and 2.4%, respectively, among the healthy controls (P for trend = 0.0001). The allelic frequency distribution analysis showed that the variant T allele at MMP2-1306 conferred a statistically significantly lower lung cancer risk than the wild-type C allele (adjusted odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval = 0.41-0.72, P = 0.0001). There was an obvious effect of MMP2-1306 genotype on lung cancer risk among the subpopulations of ever smokers but not nonsmokers. As for the genotypes of MMP2-735, there was no such differential distribution in the aspects of genotypic or allelic frequencies, or combinative effects with smoking status. The genotypes of MMP2-1306 may act as a biomarker in determining personal susceptibility to lung cancer in Taiwan. The contribution of MMP2 genotypes alone and its joint effects with personal cigarette smoking habit on lung cancer susceptibility should be taken into consideration of the clinical practices for early detection and prediction of lung cancer in Taiwan.

Human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a deadly cancer type with a very high mortality rate. Inflammatory cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor- alpha (TNF-α) plays a pivotal role in the progression of PDAC. Recently, suppression of cell invasion by preventive agents has received considerable attention in the prevention of metastatic tumors. Several clinical studies suggested that natural forms or analogues of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin D can work as anti-cancer agents to inhibit the development of cancer. In this study, our results demonstrated that co-treatment of 13-cis retinoic acid (13-cis RA) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-VD3) significantly inhibited TNF-α mediated cell invasion in PDAC in vitro. Cotreatment of 13-cis RA and 1,25-VD3 also inhibited TNF-α mediated expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) protein through blocking c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Our results demonstrated that treatment of TNF-α lead to a decreased expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase- 3 (TIMP-3) protein and an induction of MMP-9 protein and cell invasion through an upregulation of microRNA-221 (miR-221) in human PDAC cells. Moreover, treatment of SP600125 (a specific inhibitor of JNK pathway) or cotreatment of 13-cis RA and 1,25-VD3 significantly induced a decreased expression of miR-221 and an increased expression of TIMP-3 protein. These results suggest that 13-cis RA and 1,25-VD3 significantly suppress TNF-α mediated cell invasion and therefore potentially act as preventive agents against PDAC.

Background: Nowadays, as technology and medical treatment improvements contribute to extending the lives of human beings, it also causes many diseases like noninfectious chronic and neurodegenerative with an aging population. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. It almost always occurs in older adults whose age is above 65 years old. AD is clinically characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive abilities. Pathologically, it is defined by the appearance of senile plaques-extracellular insoluble, congophilic protein aggregates composed of amyloid β (Aβ), resulting in oxidative stress, mitochondrial disorders, synaptic atrophy, leading to function degradation of the brain. The scientific name of adlay is Coix lacryma-jobi L., which is an annual botanical.Methods: This research uses the adlay hull, as a test sample in the experiment. The 95% ethanol extract of adlay hull (AHEE) was partitioned by ethyl acetate (AHEAE), n-butanol (AHBUE) and water (AHWE) subsequently, and the test of extracts by LPSinduce a RAW264.7 inflammatory response and Aβ25-35-induces dPC12 cells which cause neurotoxicity as an experimental model, respectively. Investigate the inflammatory and anti-apoptosis related protein expression.Results: The results shown that the AHEE, AHEAE and AHWE exert antiinflammatory effects, AHWE also have anti-apoptosis effects. Through mouse macrophages inflammatory protein expression experiments, as well as inhibition of iNOS expression, resulted in inhibited nitrite production. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of AHWE against the Aβ25-35-induced neurotoxicity in dPC12 cells and explored the underlying mechanism. The results showed that pretreatment with AHWE significantly attenuated cell death and the elevated Bax/Bcl-2 ratio evoked by Aβ25-35. Moreover, AHWE significantly inhibited Aβ25-35 and enhanced the protein levels of Akt in dPC12 cells. These observations unambiguously suggested that the protective effect of AHWE against Aβ25-35-induced apoptosis in dPC12 cells was associated with the enhancement of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Conclusion: The results showed that adlay hull extracts have the anti-oxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective property. These results suggest that adlay hull extracts may have a preventive therapeutic potential in the management of AD.

The treatment of human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells through suppressing the abnormal survival signaling pathways has recently become a significant area of focus. In this study, our results demonstrated that decyl caffeic acid (DC), one of the novel caffeic acid derivatives, remarkedly suppressed the growth of CRC cells both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effects of DC on CRC cells were investigated in an in vitro cell model and in vivo using a xenograft mouse model. CRC cells were treated with DC at various dosages (0, 10, 20 and 40 μM), and cell survival, the apoptotic index and the autophagy level were measured using an MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The signaling cascades in CRC were examined by Western blot assay. The anti-cancer effects of DC on tumor growth were examined by using CRC HCT-116 cells implanted in an animal model. Our results indicated that DC differentially suppressed the growth of CRC HT-29 and HCT-116 cells through an enhancement of cell-cycle arrest at the S phase. DC inhibited the expression of cell-cycle regulators, which include cyclin E and cyclin A proteins. The molecular mechanisms of action were correlated to the blockade of the STAT3 and Akt signaling cascades. Strikingly, a high dosage of DC prompted a self-protection action through inducing cell-dependent autophagy in HCT-116 cells. Suppression of autophagy induced cell death in the treatment of DC in HCT-116 cells. DC seemed to inhibit cell proliferation of CRC differentially, and the therapeutic advantage appeared to be autophagy dependent. Moreover, consumption of DC blocked the tumor growth of colorectal adenocarcinoma in an experimental animal model. In conclusion, our results suggested that DC could act as a therapeutic agent through the significant suppression of tumor growth of human CRC cells.

The treatment of cancer cells obtained by blocking cellular metabolism has received a lot of attention recently. Previous studies have demonstrated that Kras mutation-mediated abnormal glucose metabolism would lead to an aberrant cell proliferation in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells. Previous literature has suggested that consumption of fish oil is associated with lower risk of pancreatic cancer. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in human PDAC cells in vitro and in vivo. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) such as DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) significantly inhibited the proliferation of human PDAC cells. The actions of DHA were evaluated through an induction of cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and noticed a decreased expression of cyclin A, cyclin E and cyclin B proteins in HPAF-II cells. Moreover, it was found that co-treatment of DHA and gemcitabine (GEM) effectively induced oxidative stress and cell death in HPAF-II cells. Interestingly, DHA leads to an increased oxidative glutathione /reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH) ratio and induced cell apoptosis in HPAF-II cells. The findings in the study showed that supplementation of GSH or N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) could reverse DHA-mediated cell death in HPAF-II cells. Additionally, DHA significantly increased cellular level of cysteine, cellular NADP/NADPH ratio and the expression of cystathionase (CTH) and SLCA11/xCT antiporter proteins in HPAF-II cells. The action of DHA was, in part, associated with the inactivation of STAT3 cascade in HPAF-II cells. Treatment with xCT inhibitors, such as erastin or sulfasalazine (SSZ), inhibited the cell survival ability in DHA-treated HPAF-II cells. DHA also inhibited nucleotide synthesis in HPAF-II cells. It was demonstrated in a mouse-xenograft model that consumption of fish oil significantly inhibited the growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and decreased cellular nucleotide level in tumor tissues. Furthermore, fish oil consumption induced an increment of GSSG/GSH ratio, an upregulation of xCT and CTH proteins in tumor tissues. In conclusion, DHA significantly inhibited survival of PDAC cells both in vitro and in vivo through its recently identified novel mode of action, including an increment in the ratio of GSSG/GSH and NADP/NADPH respectively, and promoting reduction in the levels of nucleotide synthesis.

Background The efficacy of fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation in treating auditory verbal hallucinations and other psychopathological symptoms of schizophrenia patients has been examined in a small number of clinical trials with limited sample sizes, but the results are mixed. Fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation has also been demonstrated to enhance patients’ insight into their mental illness in an open-label pilot study. The current investigation aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation on the severity of auditory verbal hallucinations, other schizophrenia symptoms, and insight in a large double blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Methods Sixty patients with medication-refractory auditory verbal hallucinations were randomized over 2 conditions: transcranial direct current stimulation with 2-mA, twice-daily sessions for 5 consecutive days, with anodal stimulation to the left prefrontal cortex and cathodal stimulation to the left temporo-parietal junction, and sham treatment. Results Fronto-temporal transcranial direct current stimulation failed to cause significant changes in the severity of auditory verbal hallucinations and other schizophrenia symptoms. The levels of insight into illness (effect size=0.511, P

Alpinumisoflavone (AIF) is a plant-derived pyranoisoflavone that exhibits a number of pharmacological activities, but the protective effects of AIF against pulmonary inflammation are still unknown. This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and possible molecular mechanisms of AIF in both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages and mice. The results revealed that AIF dramatically suppressed the production of pro-inflammatory mediators [including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-17, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and nitric oxide (NO)] and increased the levels of anti-oxidative enzymes [including catalase (CAT), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)] both in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, pre-treatment with AIF could not only significantly prevent histopathological changes and neutrophil infiltration but also decreased the expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), and the nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as well as IL-17 production in LPS-induced lung tissues. The anti-inflammatory effects of AIF were mediated by up-regulating anti-oxidative enzymes and suppressing the NF-κB, MAPK, NLRP3 inflammasome and IL-17 signaling pathways. This is the first study to reveal that AIF has a protective effect against LPS-induced lung injury in mice.

Hyperglycemia is associated with a reduced number of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) that impairs vascular function. Circulating EPCs play important roles in postnatal neovasculogenesis and the prevention of ischemic injury. Frequent consumption of fish oil (FO) that is abundant with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)/docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is reportedly associated with an alleviation of diabetic complications and a lowered incidence of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as EPA and DHA would reverse the high glucose-mediated dysfunction of EPCs in vitro and thereby prevent the ischemic injury that occurs under the hyperglycemic conditions in Type 2 diabetes (T2D) db-/- mice. The results demonstrate that EPA and DHA alleviate high glucose-mediated impairment of tubular formation in EPCs through a rescue of neovasculogenic capability. The molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of EPA and DHA include the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling cascades as well as the phosphorylation of the downstream FOXO3a protein in EPCs. Moreover, EPA and DHA up-regulate the expression of c-kit, erythroid 2-related factor and heme oxygenase-1 proteins. Daily consumption of FO at dosages of 4% and 6% (wt/wt) significantly increased the level of bone marrow-derived and circulating EPCs, induced a recovery of blood flow and prevented ischemic injuries in a T2D db-/- mouse model. The effects of FO consumption were exerted the activation of Akt/eNOS and AMPK signaling cascades without any effect on the plasma VEGF level in vivo.

No studies have examined the efficacy of bi-anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) coupled with bilateral extracephalic references in treating negative symptoms of non-acute schizophrenia patients. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of the new approach of tDCS on negative symptoms, other schizophrenia symptoms, cognitive deficits and psychosocial functioning in a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial. Patients with non-acute schizophrenia (N = 60) in randomized order received sham treatment or bilaterally provided tDCS (2 mA, twice-daily sessions for five consecutive days) with the anode over the DLPFC and the reference (cathode) over the ipsilateral forearm. The negative symptoms as measured by a dimensional approach of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) were rapidly reduced by bimodal tDCS relative to sham stimulation (F = 24.86, Cohen's d = 0.661, p = 6.11 × 10−6). The beneficial effect on negative symptoms lasted for up to 3 months. The authors also observed improvement with tDCS of psychosocial functioning as measured by the global score of Personal and Social Performance scale (PSP) and psychopathological symptoms especially for disorganization and cognitive symptoms as measured by the PANSS. No effects were observed on other schizophrenia symptom dimensions and the performance on a series of neurocognitive tests. Our results show promise for bi-anodal tDCS over bilateral DLPFC using bilateral extracephalic references in treating negative symptoms and other selected manifestations of schizophrenia. Further studies with electrophysiological or imaging evaluation help unravel the exact mechanism of action of this novel stimulation parameter of tDCS in schizophrenia patients. ( ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT03701100 ).

Aim: Accumulating evidence suggests that DNA damage and repair play a role in asthma etiology, however, little is known about the contribution of genotypes of DNA repair genes to asthma susceptibility. This study aimed to examine the contribution of genotypes of DNA double-strand break repair gene X-ray repair cross complementing protein 3 (XRCC3) and its polymorphisms to asthma risk in the Taiwanese. Materials and Methods: Associations of seven XRCC3 genotypes, namely rs1799794, rs45603942, rs861530, rs3212057, rs1799796, rs861539 and rs28903081, with the risk of asthma were investigated among 198 patients with asthma and 453 non-asthma controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping methodology. Results: Unlike Caucasian populations, no polymorphic genotypes at XRCC3 rs3212057 or rs28903081 were found among the Taiwanese. For the genotypes of XRCC3 rs1799794, rs45603942, rs861530, rs1799796 and rs861539, the percentages of hetero-and homo-variant genotypes were not differentially represented between the asthma patient and the non-asthma control groups. In addition, there was no differential distribution of allelic frequencies for these XRCC3 polymorphic sites between the two groups. No interaction of these genotypes with gender or age were found. Conclusion: Although XRCC3 plays a role in asthma etiology, the variant XRCC3 genotypes do not serve as practicable predictive markers for asthma risk in Taiwanese.

Introduction Endoscopic total extraperitoneal herniorrhaphy (TEP) has emerged as a recognized surgical method for adult inguinal hernia. To reduce port-site-related morbidity and improve postoperative convalescence, a novel surgical approach known as laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) TEP repair has been developed. Aim To compare the clinical efficiency of a novel commercial single port with a homemade single port in TEP groin hernia repair. Methods Sixty consecutive patients undergoing LESS TEP repair were enrolled in this trial with 31 in the homemade port group and 29 in the commercial single-port group. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors were recorded. The patients were interviewed postoperatively at outpatient clinics. Results The demographic data were comparable between the two groups. The median operative time was longer in the homemade port group than in the commercial port group (59.4 vs. 51.4 minutes, respectively, p = 0.04). The homemade port group was significantly associated with more port-related malfunctions than the commercial port group (19% vs. 0, respectively, p = 0.02). The postoperative results were comparable between the groups in pain scores, analgesic requirements, complications, and postoperative convalescence. Conclusion The novel commercial single port studied is associated with less intraoperative malfunctions and improved the procedural efficiency of LESS TEP for groin hernia repair. Thus, a well-designed commercial port will be of significant benefit in overcoming the existing procedural inefficiencies of single-port surgery performed using a homemade port, which requires relatively time-consuming procedures and significant experience of the surgeon.

BACKGROUND/AIM Up-regulation of metallo-proteinase (MMP) proteins has been shown in various types of solid cancers and the genotype of MMP1 has been associated with the risk of solid cancers. The contribution of MMP1 genotype to lung cancer has been investigated in various countries, though, to our knowledge, not in Taiwan. Therefore, in this study, we focused on the contribution of a polymorphism in the promoter region of MMP1 to lung cancer risk in Taiwan population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 358 patients with lung cancer and 716 healthy individuals (non-cancer patients). MMP1 rs1799750 polymorphic genotypes of each sample were determined using the typical methodology of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS The percentages of 2G/2G, 1G/2G, and 1G/1G for MMP1 -1607 genotypes were 34.4%, 41.3% and 24.3% in the disease group and 33.9%, 44.0%, and 22.1% in the control group (p trend=0.6298), respectively. The results of carrier comparisons in dominant and recessive models also support the findings that 1G or 2G appears not to be a determinant allelic biomarker for Taiwan lung cancer. CONCLUSION The MMP1 -1607 1G allele is a non-significant protective biomarker for lung cancer in Taiwan.

Studies suggest that a low level of circulating human endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) is a risk factor for ischemic injury and coronary artery disease (CAD). Consumption of S-allylcysteine (SAC) is known to prevent CAD. However, the protective effects of SAC on the ischemic injury are not yet clear. In this study, we examined whether SAC could improve blood flow recovery in ischemic tissues through EPC-mediated neovasculogenesis. The results demonstrate that SAC significantly enhances the neovasculogenesis of EPCs in vitro. The molecular mechanisms for SAC enhancement of neovasculogenesis include the activation of Akt/endothelial nitric oxide synthase signaling cascades. SAC increased the expression of c-kit, β-catenin, cyclin D1, and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) proteins in EPCs. Daily intake of SAC at dosages of 0.2 and 2 mg/kg body weight significantly enhanced c-kit protein levels in vivo. We conclude that dietary consumption of SAC improves blood flow recovery and prevents ischemic injury by inducing neovasculogenesis in experimental models.

Background/Introduction: At present, human diet is replete with sugar and fat. Abnormal metabolism and hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia in the body induces the development of an overactive and continuous inflammatory response, resulting in obesity and metabolic syndromes, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. Torenia concolor Lindley var. formosana Yamazaki (TC), a perennial creeping herbaceous plant, is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb widely used for the treatment of heat stroke, aching muscles and bones, cold, dysentery, and ambustion. Purpose: This study evaluated the influence of TC on inflammation responses and lipid metabolism. Methods: In this study, ground TC powder was extracted with 95% ethanol. The ethanol was removed by vacuum concentration, and the resulting extract was further extracted with a number of solvents of different polarity to produce four final extracts: an ethanol extract (TCEE), an ethyl acetate extract (TCEAE), an n-butanol extract (TCBUE), and a water extract (TCWE). The anti-inflammatory efficacy of the extracts and their capability for lipid metabolism regulation was then explored. Results: TCEE, TCEAE, and TCBUE exhibited good anti-inflammatory efficacy; TCEAE also simultaneously regulated lipid metabolism. In RAW264.7 cells, these three extracts suppressed the expression of iNOS and IL-6 via the signaling pathway activation of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and thereby showed anti-inflammatory efficacy. In 3T3-L1 cells, these three extracts promoted lipid metabolism and reduced lipid accumulation through the activation of PPARα and the increased expression of adiponectin, thus demonstrating regulation of lipid metabolism. Conclusion: These results indicate that TC possesses anti-inflammatory efficacy and can regulate lipid metabolism through the activation of transcription factor PPARs. We speculate that these nutraceutical effects are attributable to betulin, an active ingredient in this herbal medicine.

BACKGROUND/AIM Accumulated evidence has supported the hypothesis that the functional polymorphisms of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) were associated with the risk of various types of cancer. However, few reports have studied the contribution of MMP-8 genotypes to either diagnostic or prognostic potential in lung cancer. In this study, we focused on the contribution of a polymorphism in the promoter region of MMP-8 (C-799T) and two non-synonymous polymorphisms (Val436Ala and Lys460Thr) to lung cancer risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 358 patients with lung cancer and 716 non-cancer healthy individuals. MMP-8 C-799T (rs11225395), Val436Ala (rs34009635) and Lys460Thr (rs35866072) polymorphic genotypes of each subject were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). RESULTS The results showed that the three polymorphisms were not significantly associated with increased risk of lung cancer in the overall investigated population. Furthermore, when the analyses were stratified according to age, sex, status of smoking and drinking, pack-years of smoking and family history of lung cancer, there was also no significant association between these genotypes and increased lung cancer risk. CONCLUSION The polymorphisms MMP-8 C-799T, Val436Ala and Lys460Thr may not play a major role in mediating personal susceptibility to lung cancer in Taiwan.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease and interleukin 12 (IL-12) may play a regulatory role in allergen-induced inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of polymorphisms in IL-12A/IL-12B with asthma. The asthma group included 198 adult patients and the control group included 453 individuals without asthma that were frequency-matched by gender and age. The distribution of genotypic and allelic frequencies of IL-12A rs568408 demonstrated significant differences between case and control groups. Specifically, the percentages of AA genotype of IL-12A rs568408 was significantly higher among asthmatic patients in Taiwan than healthy controls, compared to GG genotype. No significant difference was observed among the IL-12A rs2243115 and IL-12B rs3212227 genotypes between case and control groups. In addition, the A allele at IL-12A rs568408 was associated with more severe symptoms (P = 0.0085) among asthmatic patients. These results suggest that IL-12A rs568408 may contribute to the etiology and symptoms severity of asthma, indicating its usefulness as a predictive and diagnostic biomarker of asthma.

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiology of pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and diabetes. Studies have shown that chlorella could be important in health promotion or disease prevention through its antioxidant capacity. However, whether chlorella has a cytoprotective effect in pancreatic β-cells remains to be elucidated. We investigated the protective effects of chlorella on H2O2-induced oxidative damage in INS-1 (832/13) cells. Chlorella partially restored cell viability after H2O2 toxicity. To further investigate the effects of chlorella on mitochondria function and cellular oxidative stress, we analyzed mitochondria membrane potential, ATP concentrations, and cellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Chlorella prevented mitochondria disruption and maintained cellular ATP levels after H2O2 toxicity. It also normalized intracellular levels of ROS to that of control in the presence of H2O2. Chlorella protected cells from apoptosis as indicated by less p-Histone and caspase 3 activation. In addition, chlorella not only enhanced glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), but also partially restored the reduced GSIS after H2O2 toxicity. Our results suggest that chlorella is effective in amelioration of cellular oxidative stress and destruction, and therefore protects INS-1 (832/13) cells from H2O2-induced apoptosis and increases insulin secretion. Chlorella should be studied for use in the prevention or treatment of diabetes.

Wild bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviate Seringe), a common vegetable in Asia, is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, including inflammation. Extant literature indicates that wild bitter gourds have components that activate PPARα and PPARγ. This research probed the influence of adding wild bitter gourd to diets on inflammation responses in mice with sepsis induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. Male BALB/c mice were divided normal, sepsis, positive control, and three experimental groups. The latter ate diets with low (1%), moderate (2%), and high (10%) ratios of wild bitter gourd lyophilized powder. Before mice were sacrificed, with the exception of the normal group, intraperitoneal injection of LPS induced sepsis in each group; positive control group was injected with LPS after PDTC. This experiment revealed starkly lower weights in groups with added wild bitter gourd than those of the remaining groups. Blood lipids (TG, cholesterol, and NEFA) were also lower in comparison to the sepsis group, and blood glucose concentrations recovered and approached normal levels. Blood biochemistry values related to inflammation reactions indicated GOT, GPT, C-RP, and NO concentrations of groups with added wild bitter gourd were all lower than those of the sepsis group. Secretion levels of the spleen pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α tallied significantly lower in comparison to the sepsis group, whereas secretion levels of IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine increased. Expression level of proteins NF-κB, iNOS, and COX-2 were significantly inhibited. Results indicate wild bitter gourd in diets promoted lipid metabolism, reducing fat accumulation, and improving low blood glucose in sepsis. Addition of wild bitter gourd can reduce inflammation biochemical markers or indicators and pro-inflammatory cytokines in the body, hence improving the inflammation responses in mice with sepsis.

One lignanoid compound, isoamericanol B (1), along with four triterpenoid compounds—cis-3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoyloleanolic acid (2), trans-3-O-p-hydroxy cinnamoyloleanolic acid (3), cis-3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoylursolic acid (4), trans-3-O-p-hydroxycinnamoylursolic acid (5) have been isolated for the first time from the leaves of Elaeagnus oldhamii Maxim. Compounds 1–4 significantly inhibited the expression of NO (nitric oxide) produced in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The IC50 value for inhibition of nitrite production of compound 1 was about 10.3 ± 0.4 μg/mL. In the cell viability test, however, among compounds 1–4 compound 1 did not significantly change cell viability. Therefore, in this study compound 1 possessed anti-inflammatory effects. The result suggests compound 1 as a potential lead compound for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays a critical role in cancer metastasis. Andrographolide (AP) is a diterpene lactone in the leaves and stem of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f) Ness that has been reported to possess anticancer activity. In this study, we investigated the effect of AP on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the possible mechanisms involved. The results showed that AP dose-dependently inhibited TPA-induced MMP-9 protein expression, enzyme activity, migration and invasion. In addition, AP significantly induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression. Transfection with HO-1 small interfering RNA knocked down the HO-1 expression and reversed the inhibition of MMP-9 expression by AP. HO-1 end products, such as carbon monoxide, free iron and bilirubin, suppressed the TPA-induced MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression, enzyme activity, migration and invasion in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, TPA-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and Akt phosphorylation and the DNA binding activity of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were attenuated by pretreatment with AP and HO-1 end products. In conclusion, these results suggest that AP inhibits TPA-induced cell migration and invasion by reducing MMP-9 activation, which is mediated mainly by inhibition of the ERK1/2 and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt signaling pathways and subsequent AP-1 and NF-κB transactivation. Additionally, induction of HO-1 expression is at least partially involved in the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 activation and cell migration in MCF-7 cells by AP.

Three new benzenoids, 3-isopropenyl-2-methoxy-6-methyl-4,5-methylenedioxy- phenol (1), 2-hydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy-3,3'-dimethyl-5,6,5',6'-bimethylenedioxybiphenyl (2), 4,4'-dihydroxy-3,3'-dimethoxy-2,2'-dimethyl-5,6,5',6'-bimethylenedioxybiphenyl (3), together with two known benzenoids, 2,3,6-trimethoxy-5-methylphenol (4) and 2,3-methylenedioxy- 4-methoxy-5-methylphenol (5), were isolated from Antrodia camphorata. Our results support that compounds 1–5 potently inhibited LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values of compounds 1, 3 and 5 were 1.8 ± 0.2, 18.8 ± 0.6 and 0.8 ± 0.3 μg/mL, respectively.

Several lines of evidence indicate that inflammation and endothelial cell dysfunction are important initiating events in atherosclerosis. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, induces the expression of cell adhesion molecules and results in monocyte adherence and atheromatous plaque formation. Andrographolide (AP) is a major bioactive diterpene lactone in Andrographis paniculata that has anti-inflammatory activity. A previous study demonstrated the role of heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the inhibition of TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression by AP. The present study investigated the effect of AP on the IKK/NF-κB signaling pathway, which mediates TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression in EA.hy926 cells. Similar to the previous study, AP inhibited TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 mRNA and protein levels, its expression on the cell surface, and subsequent adhesion of HL-60 cells to EA.hy926 cells. AP inhibited TNF-α-induced κB inhibitor (IκB) kinase (IKK) and IκBα activation, p65 nuclear translocation, NF-κB and DNA binding activity, and promoter activity of ICAM-1. Although AP increased the intracellular cAMP concentration and induced the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), knocking down CREB protein expression by transfecting the cells with CREB-specific small interfering RNA did not relieve the inhibition of ICAM-1 expression by AP. Taken together, these results suggest that AP down-regulates TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression at least in part via attenuation of activation of NF-κB in EA.hy926 cells rather than through activation of CREB. The results suggest that AP may have potential as a cardiovascular-protective agent.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Wild bitter gourd (Momordica charantia Linn. var. abbreviata ser.) was commonly used as a medicinal herb in Asia, Africa, and South America because of its anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anti-viral, and chemopreventive functions. Materials and methods C57BL/6J mice were orally administered with 250, 500 or 1000 mg/kg BW of WBGE in 0.2 mL/mouse of olive oil daily for 2 weeks. Results Compared to control (vehicle treated) mice, mice receiving WBGE showed significantly higher PPARα, ACO (acyl-CoA oxidase) and L-FABP (liver-fatty acid binding protein) mRNA expression, ACO activity and protein in the liver (P

Diabetes is an important chronic disease and the 4th leading cause of death in Taiwan. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative and inflammatory damage are the main causes of chronic complications in diabetic patients. The red guava (red-fleshed guava cultivar of Psidium guajava L.) is a tropical fruit belonging to the Myrtaceae family and an important commercial crop in Taiwan. In this study, the protective effects of a diet containing red guava on inflammation and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were examined. The experimental group was divided into seven subgroups: normal (N), diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetes + red guava 1% (L), 2% (M), and 5% (H), diabetes + 5% red guava + anti-diabetic rosiglitazone (HR), and diabetes + anti-diabetic rosiglitazone (R). The mice were fed for 8 weeks and sacrificed by decapitation. Compared with the DM group, the experimental groups with diets containing red guava as well as rosiglitazone all showed significant improvements in blood glucose control, insulin resistance, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, triglycerides, non-esterified fatty acids, cholesterol, c-reactive protein, TNF-α, and IL-10. Furthermore, the expression of inflammatory proteins, such as iNOS and NF-κB, was suppressed via activated PPARγ, and the expression levels of GPx3 and ACO increased. In summary, red guava can significantly suppress inflammatory and oxidative damage caused by diabetes and alleviate diabetic symptoms, thus, it exerts protective effects and has potential applications for the development of a dietary supplement.

Background/Introduction: Wild bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. var. abbreviate Seringe) common vegetable in Asia, is used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases, including inflammation. Extant literature indicates that wild bitter gourds have components that activate PPARα and PPARγ. This research probed influence of adding wild bitter gourd to diets on inflammation responses in mice with sepsis. Purpose: This study evaluated influence of eating wild bitter gourd on inflammation responses in mice with sepsis. Methods: We injected intraperitoneal LPS to induce sepsis. Male BALB/c mice were divided normal, sepsis, positive control, and three experimental groups. The latter ate diets with low (1%), moderate (2%), and high (10%) ratios of wild bitter gourd lyophilized powder. Before mice were sacrificed, with the exception of the normal group, intraperitoneal injection of LPS induced sepsis in each group; positive control group was injected with LPS after PDTC. Results: This experiment revealed weights in groups with added wild bitter gourd starkly lower than those of the remaining groups. Blood lipids (TG, cholesterol, and NEFA) were also lower in comparison to the sepsis group, and blood glucose concentrations recovered and approached normal levels. Blood biochemistry values related to inflammation reactions indicated GOT, GPT, C-RP, and NO concentrations of groups with wild bitter gourd added all lower than that of the sepsis group. Secretion levels of the spleen pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α tallied significantly lower in comparison to the sepsis group, whereas secretion levels of IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokine increased. Expression level of proteins NF-κB, iNOS, and COX-2 were inhibited significantly. Conclusion: Wild bitter gourd in diets promoted lipid metabolism, improved low blood glucose in sepsis, and attenuated inflammatory stress. These findings suggested that this plant food might provide medical benefits for certain persons.

Andrographolide (1), an active constituent of Andrographis paniculata, decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and adhesion of HL-60 cells onto human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), which are associated with inflammatory diseases. Moreover, 1 abolished TNF-α-induced Akt phosphorylation. Transfection of an activated Akt1 cDNA vector increased Akt phosphorylation and ICAM-1 expression like TNF-α. In addition, 1 and LY294002 blocked TNF-α-induced IκB-α degradation and nuclear p65 protein accumulation, as well as the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB. Compound 1 exhibits anti-inflammatory properties through the inhibition of TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression. The anti-inflammatory activity of 1 may be associated with the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway and downstream target NF-κB activation in HUVEC cells.

Preventive or therapeutic effects of caffeic acid in brain of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treated mice against inflammatory injury were examined. Caffeic acid at 0.5, 1 or 2% was supplied either pre-intake or post-intake for 4 weeks. Brain caffeic acid content was increased by caffeic acid pre-intake at 1 and 2%, and post-intake at 2% (P

The effects of histidine, alanine and carnosine on activity and/or mRNA expression of lipogenic enzymes and sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs) in liver and adipose tissue from high fat diet treated mice were examined. Histidine, alanine or carnosine, each agent at 1g/l was added into drinking water for 8-wk supplement. Histidine or carnosine supplement increased hepatic levels of alanine, histidine and carnosine. High fat diet evoked lipogenesis via raising the activity and mRNA expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, malic enzyme, fatty acid synthase (FAS), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, SREBP-1a, -1c and -2 in liver and adipose tissue (P

Protective effects of caffeic acid (CA) and ellagic acid (EA) in kidney of diabetic mice were examined. CA or EA at 2.5 and 5% was mixed in diet and supplied to diabetic mice for 12 wk. Results showed that the intake of CA or EA increased renal content of these compounds, alleviated body weight loss, decreased urine output, increased plasma insulin and decreased blood glucose levels at weeks 6 and 12 (p

Aim: Attention-deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) continues to be among the most frequently missed of psychiatric diagnoses in adults because its presentation in adulthood so often mimics those of better-known disorders. The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between ADHD symptoms, depression/anxiety symptoms, and life quality in young men. Methods: Nine hundred and twenty-nine draftees into the Taiwanese army completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS), the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life–Brief Version, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the second edition of the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Beck Anxiety Scale. Based on high ASRS scores, a total of 328 adults (35.3%) were identified as having ADHD: 65 (7.0%) with definite ADHD and 263 (28.3%) with probable ADHD. Results: The 328 subjects in the ADHD group had more severe depressive, anxiety symptoms and daytime sleepiness, and had poorer quality of life than the 601 controls (all P

Topiramate, a newer anticonvulsant, has a modulating effect on voltage-dependent sodium and calcium ion channels, potentiates GABA neurotransmitters and blocks kainite/AMPA glutamate receptors. We describe the use of topiramate in the treatment of fetishism, a paraphilic sexual disorder. A 23-year-old male had developed sexual fantasies and urges towards women's feet and shoes from childhood onwards. The patient would masturbate with women's shoes, which he had bought or stolen from others. He would feel sexually excited by seeing and/or smelling female feet and shoes. He had received individual psychotherapy because of his unusual sexual expressions, marked distress and interpersonal difficulty. However, the psychotherapy was not effective and his symptoms of fetishism did not abate until he had been treated with topiramate (200 mg per day). He has been on the dose of this medication for more than 6 months and his symptoms of fetishism have since diminished. In addition, he has not experienced any significant side-effect with this medication. Experience with our patient suggests that topiramate may be effective in treating paraphilic sexual disorders. Further controlled studies are required to confirm its efficacy in patients of this type.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of preinfusion with total parenteral nutrition (TPN) using fish-oil (FO) versus safflower-oil (SO) emulsion as fat sources on hepatic lipids, plasma amino-acid profiles, and inflammatory-related mediators in septic rats. Normal rats, with internal jugular catheters, were assigned to two different groups and received TPN. TPN provided 300 kcal · kg −1 · d −1 , with 40% of the non-protein energy as fat. All TPN solutions were isonitrogenous and identical in nutrient composition except for the fat emulsion, which was made of SO or FO. After receiving TPN for 6 d, each group of rats was further divided into control and sepsis subgroups. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture; control rats received sham operation. All rats were classified into four groups as follows: FO control group (FOC; n = 7), FO sepsis group (FOS; n = 8), SO control group (SOC; n = 8), and SO sepsis group (SOS; n = 9). The results of the study demonstrated that plasma concentrations of triacylglycerol and non-esterified fatty acids did not differ between the FO and SO groups, regardless of whether the animals were septic. SOS had significantly higher total lipids and cholesterol content in the liver than did the SOC group. The FOS group, however, showed no difference from the FOC group. Plasma leucine and isoleucine levels were significantly lower in the SOS group than in the SOC group, whereas no difference in these two amino acids was observed between the FOC and FOS groups. Plasma arginine levels were significantly lower in both septic groups than in the groups without sepsis when either FO or SO was infused. Plasma glutamine levels, however, did not differ across groups. No differences in interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, or leukotriene B 4 concentrations in peritoneal lavage fluid were observed between the two septic groups. These results suggest that catabolic reaction in septic rats preinfused with FO is not as obvious as those preinfused with SO. Compared with SO emulsion, TPN with FO emulsion prevents liver fat accumulation associated with sepsis. However, parenterally administered FO had no beneficial effect in lowering cytokines and LTB 4 levels in peritoneal lavage fluid in septic rats induced by cecal ligation and puncture.