7-Ketocholesterol Induces Lipid Metabolic Reprogramming and Enhances Cholesterol Ester Accumulation in Cardiac Cells.

7-Ketocholesterol (7KCh) is a major oxidized cholesterol product abundant in lipoprotein deposits and atherosclerotic plaques. Our previous study has shown that 7KCh accumulates in erythrocytes of heart failure patients, and further investigation centered on how 7KCh may affect metabolism in cardiomyocytes. We applied metabolomics to study the metabolic changes in cardiac cell line HL-1 after treatment with 7KCh.

Characteristic of Metabolic Status in Heart Failure and Its Impact in Outcome Perspective.

Metabolic alterations have been documented in peripheral tissues in heart failure (HF). Outcomes might be improved by early identification of risk. However, the prognostic information offered is still far from enough.

Enhancement of the stability of chlorophyll using chlorophyll-encapsulated polycaprolactone microparticles based on droplet microfluidics.

Chlorophyll is a valuable bioactive compound, which is used as a natural food coloring agent and a photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy because of its antioxidant properties, antimutagenic ability, and near-infrared fluorescence. However, chlorophyll is unstable when it comes to retaining its antioxidant activity, when exposed to oxygen, high temperature, or light environments. To enhance the stability of chlorophyll, a polymer encapsulation method was proposed.

Sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphospate Accumulation and Metabolic Anomalies in Hepatoma Cells Exposed to Oxidative Stress.

We have previously shown that GSH depletion alters global metabolism of cells. In the present study, we applied a metabolomic approach for studying the early changes in metabolism in hydrogen peroxide- (HO-) treated hepatoma cells which were destined to die. Levels of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate and an unusual metabolite, sedoheptulose 1,7-bisphosphate (S-1,7-BP), were elevated in hepatoma Hep G2 cells.

Disturbance of Plasma Lipid Metabolic Profile in Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory disease of the peripheral nervous system. Given that plasma metabolic profiles in GBS patients have never been explored, plasma samples of 38 GBS patients, 22 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and 40 healthy controls were analyzed by using untargeted and targeted metabolomics analysis. The untargeted analysis showed that levels of a set of plasma lipid metabolites were significantly decreased in GBS patients compared to the controls.

Increased p-cresyl sulfate level is independently associated with poor outcomes in patients with heart failure.

Amino acid-derived metabolites, including protein-bound uremic toxins, may have prognostic value for patients with heart failure (HF). The aim of this study was to investigate whether p-cresyl sulfate (PCS), indoxyl sulfate (IS), and arginine metabolites provided prognostic values in addition to the traditional biomarker, B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), in patients with HF. Chromatography mass spectrometry was performed to measure tyrosine, tryptophan, arginine, PCS, IS, and asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) in the plasma from 51 normal controls and 136 HF patients.

Metabolic disturbances identified in plasma are associated with outcomes in patients with heart failure: diagnostic and prognostic value of metabolomics.

Background: Identification of novel biomarkers is needed to improve the diagnosis and prognosis of heart failure (HF). Metabolic disturbance is remarkable in patients with HF.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the diagnostic and prognostic values of metabolomics in HF.

The role of heat shock protein 70 in the protective effect of YC-1 on β-amyloid-induced toxicity in differentiated PC12 cells.

Neurodegenerative brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been well investigated. However, significant methods for the treatment of the progression of AD are unavailable currently. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) plays important roles in neural protection from stress by assisting cellular protein folding.

Retrospectively comparative evaluation of the first- and second-line chemotherapy with campto and oxaliplatin combined with oral tegafur/uracil (UFT)/leucovorin (LV) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Oral tegafur/uracil (UFT), like an intravenous drip with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)/leucovorin (LV), has been regarded as an active regimen in the treatment of advanced colorectal cancer. In this clinical trial, we evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of regimens containing oral UFT/LV, instead of an intravenous drip with 5-FU/LV, in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. A phase II study involving 39 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) who received UFT/LV plus irinotecan (Group A)/oxaliplatin (Group B) alternated with UFT/LV plus oxaliplatin (Group A)/irinotecan (Group B) was evaluated.

Clinical relevance of plasma homocysteine levels in Taiwanese patients with coronary artery disease.

Homocysteine (Hcy) has recently been considered as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the third most common cause of mortality in Taiwan. The objective of our present study is to delineate the relationship between the plasma Hcy level and CAD in Taiwanese using an improved enzymatic method.

Use of gain-of-function study to delineate the roles of crumbs in Drosophila eye development.

The cell polarity gene, crumbs (crb)), has been shown to participate in the development and degeneration of the Drosophila retina. Mutations in CRB1, the human homologue of Drosophila crb, also result in retinitis pigmentosa and Leber congenital amaurosis. In this study, we used the gain-of-function approach to delineate the roles of CRB in developing Drosophila eye.