Publications by authors named "Ching-Shu Lai"

The global production and use of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, including 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), have been substantially curtailed in recent decades. However, BDE-47 remains ubiquitously detectable in environmental matrices and human tissues worldwide. In this study, we investigated whether prenatal exposure to BDE-47 disrupts sperm function and DNA methylation in rat offspring.

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Associations exist between fine particulate matter (PM) exposure and impaired kidney function. However, the specific mechanisms and components causing renal damage remain unclear. PM was collected from an industrial and a rural area.

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Widespread exposure to endocrine disruptors is associated with metabolic dysfunction and reproductive toxicity. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) has attracted attention as it offers protection against obesity and metabolic disorders due to its potent antioxidative and diverse biological properties but its influence and underlying mechanism of action on adipose tissue function and DEHP-induced testicular injury remain unknown. Our results showed that THC (100 mg kg day) administration for 27 weeks enlarged adipocytes while attenuating macrophage infiltration and IL-6 expression in the adipose tissue of male C57BL/6J mice exposed to 5 mg kg day of DEHP.

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The increased incidence of obesity, which become a global health problem, requires more functional food products with minor side and excellent effects. Calebin A (CbA) is a non-curcuminoid compound, which is reported to be an effective treatment for lipid metabolism and thermogenesis. However, its ability and mechanism of action in improving obesity-associated hyperglycemia remain unclear.

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Liver fibrosis occurs due to injury or inflammation, which results in the excessive production of collagen and the formation of fibrotic scar tissue that impairs liver function. Despite the limited treatment options available, freshwater clams may hold promise in the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this study, we demonstrated the effects of ethanol extract of freshwater clam (FCE), ethyl acetate extract of FCE (EA-FCE), and trans-2-nonadecyl-4-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-dioxolane (TNHD) on liver fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN).

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During respiration, particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM) suspended in the atmosphere enters the terminal alveoli and blood. PM particles can attach to toxic substances, resulting in health problems.

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Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a plasticizer that is widely used to enhance the flexibility and durability of various products. As an endocrine disruptor, DEHP can interfere with normal hormonal functions, posing substantial health risks to organisms. Given the critical role of the liver in DEHP metabolism, we investigated potential liver damage in offspring induced by prenatal exposure to low doses of DEHP in Sprague Dawley rats.

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Background: Exposure to fine particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 μm (PM) is associated with adverse health effects. This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effects of the constituents of PM on mouse kidneys.

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Decabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-209), a congener of polybrominated diphenyl ethers, is a commonly used brominated flame retardant and a known endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). Knowledge about the effects of prenatal BDE-209 exposure on male reproduction and whether transgenerational effects occur in subsequent generations are scant. Therefore, in this study, we tested the hypothesis that prenatal exposure to BDE-209 disrupted sperm function in the F1, F2, and F3 generations of male rats.

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Impairment of adiponectin production and function is closely associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, which are linked to obesity. Studies in animal models have documented the anti-diabetic effects of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC). Although several possible mechanisms have been proposed, the contribution of adiponectin signaling on THC-mediated antihyperglycemic effects remains unknown.

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Background: Fine particulate matter (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of ≦2.5 µm, PM) exposure cause adverse health effects, including lung inflammation. Through intra-tracheal instillation of PM components, the study aimed to evaluate the inflammatory and proliferative effects on mice liver.

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Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are biocompatible nanomaterials with potential application in the food industry. The safety of AuNPs oral consumption remains inconclusive, and information on possible long-term toxicity is limited. The current study aimed to evaluate the subchronic oral toxicity of AuNPs in male and female Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice.

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Type II collagen is an important component of cartilage; however, little is known about its effect on skin wound healing. In this study, type II collagen was extracted from the cartilage of and its effect on in vitro and in vivo wound healing was compared to type I collagen derived from tilapia skin. Sturgeon cartilage collagen (SCC) was composed of α1 chains and with a thermal denaturation (T) at 22.

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In recent decades, cancer has been one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Despite advances in understanding the molecular basis of tumorigenesis, diagnosis, and clinical therapies, the discovery and development of effective drugs is an active and vital field in cancer research. Tetrahydrocurcumin is a major curcuminoid metabolite of curcumin, naturally occurring in turmeric.

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Adipocyte-macrophage interaction in obesity can cause adipose tissue inflammation and contribute to insulin resistance. Here, we investigated the effect of SlimTrym®-a formulated product containing citrus polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), green tea extract, and lychee polyphenols-on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and obesity-induced inflammation. SlimTrym® inhibited mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) of 3T3-L1 adipocytes by inducing G1 cell cycle arrest via upregulation of p21 and p53.

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High blood glucose in diabetic patients often causes cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) that threats to human life. Curcumin (Cur) is known as an antioxidant agent, possesses anti-inflammatory activity, and prevents CVDs. However, the clinical application of curcumin was limited due to its low bioavailability.

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Diet-induced obesity is strongly associated with nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease (NAFLD) and insulin resistance. We aimed to investigate the in vivo therapeutic value of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) intervention in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity and hepatic steatosis. C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 10 weeks, and then they received 20 or 100 mg/kg THC along with the HFD for another 10 weeks.

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Macrophages can polarize into two different states (M1 and M2), which play contrasting roles during pathogenesis or tissue damage. M1 polarized macrophages produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators resulting in inflammation, while M2 macrophages have an anti-inflammatory effect. Secretion of appropriate cytokines and chemokines from macrophages can lead to the modification of the microenvironment for bridging innate and adaptive immune responses.

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Elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) in the liver, resulting from either increased lipolysis or imbalanced FFAs flux, is a key pathogenic factor of hepatic steatosis. This study was conducted to examine the therapeutic effect of tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), a naturally occurring curcuminoid and a metabolite of curcumin, on oleic acid (OA)-induced steatosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. HepG2 cells were incubated with OA to induce steatosis, and then treated with various concentrations of THC.

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Obesity is a current global epidemic that has led to a marked increase in metabolic diseases. However, its treatment remains a challenge. Obesity is a multifactorial disease, which involves the dysfunction of neuropeptides, hormones, and inflammatory adipokines from the brain, gut, and adipose tissue.

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Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widespread environmental carcinogenic pollutants and they have become an important issue in food contamination. Dietary intake of PAHs has been recognized as a major route of human exposure. However, the mechanisms behind dietary PAH-induced colorectal cancer (CRC) remain unclear.

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3'-Hydroxypterostilbene (trans-3,5-dimethoxy-3',4'-hydroxystilbene) presents in Sphaerophysa salsula, Pterocarpus marsupium, and honey bee propolis and has been reported to exhibit several biological activities. Herein, we aimed to explore the chemopreventive effects of dietary 3'-hydroxypterostilbene and underlying molecular mechanisms on colitis-associated cancer using the azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) model. 3'-Hydroxypterostilbene administration effectively ameliorated the colon shortening and number of tumors in AOM/DSS-treated mice (3.

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Amorpha fruticosa L. is a Chinese folk medicine and rich in polyphenols. Fifteen known compounds were isolated and identified from the leaves of A.

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Contaminants (or pollutants) that affect human health have become an important issue, spawning a myriad of studies on how to prevent harmful contaminant-induced effects. Recently, a variety of biological functions of natural dietary compounds derived from consumed foods and plants have been demonstrated in a number of studies. Natural dietary compounds exhibited several beneficial effects for the prevention of disease and the inhibition of chemically-induced carcinogenesis.

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