ABSTRACT The importance of gut microbiota in human health and pathophysiology is undisputable. Despite the abundance of metagenomics data, the functional dynamics of gut microbiota in human health and disease remain elusive. Urolithin A (UroA), a major microbial metabolite derived from polyphenolics of berries and pomegranate fruits displays anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-ageing activities. Here, weRead More
Trace organic contaminant removal in six full-scale integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) systems treating municipal wastewater
ABSTRACT Trace organic contaminants (TrOCs) often pass through conventional activated sludgewastewater treatment plants (CAS-WWTPs) and are discharged into surface waters, where they can threaten aquatic ecosystems and human health, largely due to the hormone disrupting effects of certain TrOCs. The integrated fixed-film activated sludge (IFAS) process is a cost-effective means of upgrading CAS-WWTPs by adding free-floating carrier media, which promotes biofilm formationRead More
Discovery of potent and selective PPARα/δ dual antagonists and initial biological studies Author links open overlay panel
ABSTRACT We previously published on the design and synthesis of novel, potent and selective PPARα antagonists suitable for either i.p. or oral in vivo administration for the potential treatment of cancer. Described herein is SAR for a subsequent program, where we set out to identify selective and potent PPARα/δ dual antagonist molecules. Emerging literature indicates that bothRead More
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor δ as a Novel Target for Covalent Modification by 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2
ABSTRACT PPARδ belongs to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) family of nuclear receptors. Upon activation by an agonist, PPARδ controls a variety of physiological processes via regulation of its target genes. 15-Deoxy-Δ12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) is a cyclopentenone prostaglandin that features an electrophilic, α,β-unsaturated ketone (an enone) in the cyclopentenone ring. Many of 15d-PGJ2’s biological effects resultRead More
Tetrahydro-Isohumulone Derivatives, Methods of Making and Using: Patent Application
ABSTRACT The present application provides novel tetrahydro – isohumulone ( THIAA ) derivatives and substantially enantiomerically pure compositions and pharmaceutical formulations thereof . The application further provides methods of using the disclosed compounds and compositions to activate PPARy , inhibit inflammation , and treat conditions associated with inflammation and conditions responsive to PPARY modulation suchRead More
Differential and Overlapping Effects of 20,23(OH)2D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3 on Gene Expression in Human Epidermal Keratinocytes: Identification of AhR as an Alternative Receptor for 20,23(OH)2D3
ABSTRACT A novel pathway of vitamin D activation by CYP11A has previously been elucidated. To define the mechanism of action of its major dihydroxy-products, we tested the divergence and overlap between the gene expression profiles of human epidermal keratinocytes treated with either CYP11A1-derived 20,23(OH)2D3 or classical 1,25(OH)2D3. Both secosteroids have significant chemical similarity with theRead More
Bergapten inhibits liver carcinogenesis by modulating LXR/PI3K/Akt and IDOL/LDLR pathways
ABSTRACT Oxysterol receptors LXRs (α and β) are recently reported to be one of the novel and potential therapeutic targets in reducing cell proliferation and tumor growth in different system model. Activation of LXRs is correlated with modification of PI3K/Akt pathway. LXRs are also found to play a critical role in maintaining lipid homeostatais byRead More
Synthesis and evaluation of 4-cycloheptylphenols as selective Estrogen receptor-β agonists (SERBAs)
ABSTRACT A short and efficient route to 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cycloheptanemethanol was developed, which resulted in the preparation of a mixture of 4 stereoisomers. The stereoisomers were separated by preparative HPLC, and two of the stereoisomers identified by X-ray crystallography. The stereoisomers, as well as a small family of 4-cycloheptylphenol derivatives, were evaluated as estrogen receptor-beta agonists. The lead compound, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cycloheptanemethanol was selective for activatingRead More
Accumulation of 8,9-unsaturated sterols drives oligodendrocyte formation and remyelination
ABSTRACT Regeneration of myelin is mediated by oligodendrocyte progenitor cells—an abundant stem cell population in the central nervous system (CNS) and the principal source of new myelinating oligodendrocytes. Loss of myelin-producing oligodendrocytes in the CNS underlies a number of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis and diverse genetic diseases. High-throughput chemical screening approaches have been usedRead More
Involvement of estrogen receptor α in pro-pruritic and pro-inflammatory responses in a mouse model of allergic dermatitis
ABSTRACT It has been reported that endogenous or exogenous estrogens can affect the immune system, resulting in immune disorders; however, their direct involvement in such conditions remains to be demonstrated. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether estrogen receptors (ER) are directly implicated in pro-pruritic and pro-inflammatory reactions in cutaneous allergy. Initially, enhancement of the pro-inflammatoryRead More