• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.377-389
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• 2013

Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) is a kind of pharmacological and biological component and its application is wide and useful in Korea specially, becoming aging society in the near feature. GABA is request special dose for the purposed biological effect but the production of concentrated GABA is very difficult due to low concentration of glutamic acid existed in the fermentation broth. To increase GABA concentrate using fermentation technology, high content of glutamic acid is required. For this reason, various strains which have the glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and can convert glutamic acid to GABA, were isolated from various fermented foods. Most of GABA producing strains are lactic acid bacteria isolated from kimchi, especially added monosodium glutamate (MSG) as a taste enhancer. Optimizing the formulation of culture media and the culture condition, GABA conversion yield and amounts were increased. Finally GABA concentration of fermentation broth in batch or fed batch fermentation reached 660 mM or 1000 mM, respectively. Furthermore formulation of culture media for GABA production developed commercially. Many studies about GABA-rich product have been continued, so GABA-rich kimchi, cheese, yogurt, black raspberry juice and tomato juices has been also developed. In Korea many biological effects of GABA are evaluated recently and GABA will be expected to be used in multipurpose.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.23 no.3 s.99
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• pp.409-412
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to examine the content of bioactive component, ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in 7 commercial green teas. The teas were grown in different regions in Sourhtern Korea, and were picked during the middle of the season. The green tea extracts were each derivatized with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxy-succinimidyl carbamate(AccQ${\cdot}$Fluor), and GABA was detected by a fluorescence detector at arf excitation of 250 nm and emission of 395 nm. The GABA contents varied depending on the regions where the green tea samples were produced. There was no significant difference in GABA contents between samples A and C, where it ranged from from 45.21${\pm}$0.99 (nmol/g) to 63.83${\pm}$0.61 (nmol/g): however, a significantly different amount of GABA was found in the green tea produced in B. The highest GABA content was 210.67${\pm}$0.85 (nmol/g), whereas the lowest content was 3.88${\pm}$0.71 (nmol/g). This variation in GABA contents was probably due to the regional differences, even within the same location, as well as the processing technology, which may retain or develop more GABA components in the final green tea.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.91-98
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• 2005

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is known as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the neurons of the central nervous system. However, its detailed action mechanisms in the rostral gustatory zone of the nucleus tractus solitarius (rNTS) have not been established. The present study was aimed to investigate the distribution, role and action mechanisms of GABA in rNTS. Membrane potentials were recorded by whole cell recordings in isolated brain slices of the rat medulla. Superfusion of GABA resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in input resistance in the neurons in rNTS. The change in input resistance ws accompanied by response to a depolarizing pulse were diminished by GABA. Superfusion of the slices with either $GABA_A$ agonist, muscimol, $GABA_B$ agonist, baclofen or $GABA_C$ agonist, TACA, decreased input resistance and reduced the nerve activity in association with membrane hyperpolarization. It is suggested that inhibitory signals playa role in sensory processing by the rNTS, in that GABA actions occur through activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptor. These results suggest that GABA has an inhibitory effect on the rNTS through an activation of $GABA_A,\;GABA_B\;and\;GABA_C$ receptors and that the GABAergic inhibition probably plays an important role in sensory processing by the rNTS.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-51
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• 2009

$\gamma$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a ubiquitous nonprotein amino acid that is produced primarily by $\alpha$-decarboxylation of L-glutamic acid (Glu) catalyzed by the enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD). It is well known as a neurotransmitter that regulates inhibitory neurotransmission in the mammalian central nervous system. In addition, GABA has been proved to be effective for lowering blood pressure in mammals. This paper is intended to provide basic information about GABA, including the functional and biological activity of GABA, GABA production by lactic acid bacteria, and the utilization of GABA in the production of dairy products.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.69-76
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• 2008

${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, and its actions are mediated by subtypes of GABA receptors named as $GABA_A$, $GABA_B,\;and\;GABA_C,\;GABA_A$, receptor consisting of ${\alpha},\;{\beta},\;{\gamma}\;and\;{\delta}$ subunits is a heterooligomeric ligand-gated chloride channel. This study was performed to investigate regulation of $GABA_A$ receptor by protein kinase C(PKC). Ion currents were recorded using gramicidine-perforated patch and whole cell patch clamp. mRNA encoding the subunits of PKC expressed in major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons was detected by using RT-PCR. The GABA-induced inward current was increased by PKC activators and decreased by PKC inhibitors, respectively. These effects were not associated with intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and GAG (1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol), a membrane permeable diacylglycerol (DAG) analogue. These results mean that the subfamily of PKC participating in activation of $GABA_A$ receptor would be an atypical PKC (aPKC). Among theses, ${\xi}$ isoform of aPKC was detected by RT-PCR. Taking together, we suggest that excitable $GABA_A$ receptor in sympathetic MPG neuron seemed to be regulated by aPKC, particular in ${\xi}$ isoform. The regulatory roles of PKC on excitatory $GABA_A$ receptors in sympathetic neurons of MPG may be an important factor to control the functional activity of various pelvic organs such as bowel movement, micturition and erection.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2003

Ginsenosides, major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, are known to regulate excitatory ligand-gated ion channel activity such as nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptor channel activity. However, it is not known whether ginsenosides affect inhibitory ligand-gated ion channel activity. We investigated the effect of ginsenosides on human recombinant $GABA_A$ receptor (${\alpha}_1{\beta}_1{\gamma}_{2s}$) channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique. Among the eight individual ginsenosides examined, namely, $Rb_1$, $Rb_2$, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, $Rg_1$ and $Rg_2$, we found that Rc most potently enhanced the GABA-induced inward peak current ($I_{GABA}$). Ginsenoside Rc alone induced an inward membrane current in certain batches of oocytes expressing the $GABA_A$ receptor. The effect of ginsenoside Rc on $I_{GABA}$ was both dose-dependent and reversible. The half-stimulatory concentration ($EC_{50}$) of ginsenoside Rc was 53.2$\pm$12.3 $\mu$M. Both bicuculline, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, and picrotoxin, a $GABA_A$ channel blocker, blocked the stimulatory effect of ginsenoside Rc on $I_{GABA}$. Niflumic acid (NFA) and 4,4'-diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), both $CI^{-1}$ channel blockers, attenuated the effect of ginsenoside Rc on I$I_{GABA}$. This study suggests that ginsenosides regulated $GABA_A$ receptor expressed in Xenopus oocytes and implies that this regulation might be one of the pharmacological actions of Panax ginseng.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.347-352
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• 2005

The effects of nitric oxide (NO) on inhibitory neurotransmitter receptors and some types of inhibitory receptors in dissociated rod bipolar cell (RBC) were investigated. In the whole cell voltage-clamping mode, the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) activated current showed both sustained and transient components. GABA activated transient current was fully blocked by bicuculine, a $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist. The cis-4-aminocrotonic acid (CACA), a $GABA_C$ receptor agonist, evoked the sustained current that was not blocked by bicuculline (BIC). Glycine activated the transient current. These results indicate that the RBCs possess $GABA_A$, $GABA_C$, and glycine inhibitory receptors. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO analogue, reduced the currents activated by $GABA_A$ receptor only, however, did not reduce the currents activated by either $GABA_C$ or glycine receptors. This study signifies further that only NO depresses the fast inhibitory response activated by $GABA_A$ receptor in RBC. We, therefore, postulate that NO might depress the light-on/off transient inhibitory responses in RBCs in the rat retina.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.73-81
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• 2024

The substantia gelatinosa (SG) within the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc) is recognized as a pivotal site of integrating and modulating afferent fibers carrying orofacial nociceptive information. Although naringenin (4',5,7-thrihydroxyflavanone), a natural bioflavonoid, has been proven to possess various biological effects in the central nervous system (CNS), the activity of naringenin at the orofacial nociceptive site has not been reported yet. In this study, we explored the influence of naringenin on GABA response in SG neurons of Vc using whole-cell patch-clamp technique. The application of GABA in a bath induced two forms of GABA responses: slow and fast. Naringenin enhanced both amplitude and area under curve (AUC) of GABA-mediated responses in 57% (12/21) of tested neurons while decreasing both parameters in 33% (7/21) of neurons. The enhancing or suppressing effect of naringenin on GABA response have been observed, with enhancement occurring when the GABA response was slow, and suppression when it was fast. Furthermore, both the enhancement of slower GABA responses and the suppression of faster GABA responses by naringenin were concentration dependent. Interestingly, the nature of GABA response was also found to be sex-dependent. A majority of SG neurons from juvenile female mice exhibited slower GABA responses, whereas those from juvenile males predominantly displayed faster GABA responses. Taken together, this study indicates that naringenin plays a partial role in modulating orofacial nociception and may hold promise as a therapeutic target for treating orofacial pain, with effects that vary according to sex.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.517-526
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to enhance the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production of sea tangle extracts, through techniques based on enzymatic hydrolysis and the addition of mixed fermentative lactic acid bacteria. GABA production in the strains was qualitatively confirmed via detection of colored spots using thin layer chromatography. L. plantarum KCTC 21004, L. acidophilus KCTC 3164 and L. sakei subsp. sakei KCTC 3598 were selected as the suitable strains for GABA production. As for the characteristics of fermentation of lactic acid bacteria using the selected strain, as the fermentation time increased, the titrated acidity increased and the pH showed a tendency to decrease. Among the three strains with excellent GABA production ability, L. plantarum KCTC 21004 showed excellent GABA production of 136.4 mg/100g. These research results are expected to be provided a basis for the utilization of lactic acid bacteria in GABA production using a sea tangle extract.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.142-146
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• 2010

Relatively large amounts of GABA can be produced by the fermentation of rice bran. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of GABA on the secretion of melatonin and serotonin for the development of a sleep inductive compound. The secretion levels of melatonin and serotonin from mice were found to be $3.425{\pm}0.182\;pg/mL$ and $5.37{\pm}0.963\;ng/mL$, respectively, in response to feeding 120 mg/mL of GABA while they were $2.607{\pm}0.41\;pg/mL$ in the control. The secretion of both melatonin and serotonin was increased up to the 13.51% and 34.99%, respectively, when compared to the negative control. However, the feeding of milk alone did not have a great effect on the melatonin and serotonin secretions. Conversely, feeding of milk with GABA enhanced the secretion of serotonin. The amounts of both melatonin and serotonin secreted increased with respect to the increase in GABA concentrations during feeding. Interestingly, the induction level of melatonin was relatively higher than that of serotonin in response to feeding 120 mg/mL of GABA. This is the first study to report that GABA has an ability to induce sleep related hormones in mice; therefore, it has the potential for use as a natural sleep aid.