• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.358-363
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• 2005

We have studied the interaction of 3-nitrotyrosine with peroxynitrite using three different methods; chemiluminescence, spectrophotometry and HPLC. Peroxynitrite-induced luminol or lucigenin chemiluminescence were significantly decreased by 3-nitrotyrosine, in concentration­dependent manners. The intensity of the peroxynitrite spectrum was also markedly reduced in the presence of 3-nitrotyrosine in the spectrophometric assay. However, there was no attenuation of the 3-nitrotyrosine signal in the HPLC assay after mixing with peroxynitrite. The interaction of 3-nitrotyrosine and hypochlorous acid (HOCI) was also studied via the chemilumines-cence assay, where the HOCI-induced responses were markedly inhibited by 3-nitrotyrosine. These results suggest that caution should be taken when studying the levels or interactions of 3-nitrotyrosine.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.189-196
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• 2006

Alterations in the amino acid structure or sequence can generate neo-epitopes from self-proteins causing autoaggressive immune attack. Reactive nitrogen species are an important factor that induces post-translational modification of proteins by cellular reduction and oxidation mechanism; cysteinyl-nitrosylation or tyrosine nitration leading to potentially pathogenic pathways. It was thought of interest to investigate the immunogenicity of nitrated poly L-tyrosine vis-$\`{a}$-vis its possible role in the induction of antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Commercially available poly L-tyrosine was exposed to nitrating species and the damage was monitored by UV spectroscopy and alkaline gel electrophoresis. The results indicated the formation of 3-nitrotyrosine. Nitrated poly L-tyrosine induced higher titre antibodies as compared to the native form. Nitrated poly L-tyrosine was recognized by the autoantibodies present in the sera of patients suffering from SLE by enzyme immunoassays and band shift assay. The possible role of nitrated self-proteins has been discussed in the production of circulating anti-DNA antibodies in SLE.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2001

It has been proposed that nitirc oxide is involved in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion. Because superoxide production is also enhanced during reperfusion, the cytotoxic oxidant peroxynitrite could be formed, but it is not known if this occurs following global forebrain ischemia-reperfusion. We examined whether peroxynitrite generation is increased in the vulnerable regions after forebrain ischemia-reperfusion. Transient forebrain ischemia was produced in the conscious rat by four-vessel occlusion. Rats were subjected to 10 or 15 min of forebrain ischemia. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of peroxynitrite production. 3-Nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was enhanced in the hippocampal CA1 area 3 days after reperfusion. Furthermore, in rats subjected to ischemia for 15 min, this change was also observed in the lateral striatal region and the lateral septal nucleus $2{\sim}3$ days after reperfusion. The cresyl violet staining of adjacent sections showed that neuronal cell death was induced in parallel with the nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity in the hippocampal CA1 area and the lateral striatal region. Our findings suggest that oxygen free radical accumulation and consequent peroxynitrite production play a role in neuronal death caused by cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2014

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an important cause of occupational mortality in miners exposed to coal mine dust. Although the inflammatory mediators involved in COPD have not been defined, many studies have shown that inflammatory mediators such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are involved in orchestrating the complex inflammatory process in COPD. Methods: To investigate the relevance of exhaled biomarkers of oxidative and nitrosative stress in participants with COPD, we determined the levels of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde (MDA), and 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in 90 retired elderly coal miners (53 non-COPD and 37 COPD participants). Results: Mean levels of MDA (4.64 nMvs. 6.46 nM, p = 0.005) and 3-NT (3.51 nMvs. 5.50 nM, p = 0.039) in EBC were significantly higher in participants with COPD. The median level of MDA did show statistical difference among the COPD severities (p = 0.017), and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve forMDA (0.67) for the diagnostic discrimination of COPD indicated the biomarker. The optimal cutoff values were 5.34 nM (64.9% sensitivity and 64.2% specificity) and 5.58 nM (62.2% sensitivity and 62.3% specificity) forMDA and 3-NT, respectively. The results suggest that high levels ofMDA and 3-NT in EBC are associated with COPD in retired elderly miners. Conclusion: These results showed that the elevated levels of EBC MDA and EBC 3-NT in individuals with COPD are biomarkers of oxidative or nitrosative stress.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.31 no.9
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• pp.2581-2587
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• 2010

Nitration of tyrosine and tryptophan residues is common in cells under nitrative stress. However, physiological consequences of protein nitration are not well characterized on a molecular level due to limited availability of the 3D structures of nitrated proteins. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation can be an alternative tool to probe the structural perturbations induced by nitration. In this study we developed molecular mechanics parameters for 3-nitrotyrosine (NIY) and 6-nitrotryptophan (NIW) that are compatible with the AMBER-99 force field. Partial atomic charges were derived by using a multi-conformational restrained electrostatic potential (RESP) methodology that included the geometry optimized structures of both $\alpha$- and $\beta$-conformers of a capped tripeptide ACE-NIY-NME or ACE-NIW-NME. Force constants for bonds and angles were adopted from the generalized AMBER force field. Torsional force constants for the proper dihedral C-C-N-O and improper dihedral C-O-N-O of the nitro group in NIY were determined by fitting the torsional energy profiles obtained from quantum mechanical (QM) geometry optimization with those from molecular mechanical (MM) energy minimization. Force field parameters obtained for NIY were transferable to NIW so that they reproduced the QM torsional energy profiles of ACE-NIW-NME accurately. Moreover, the QM optimized structures of the tripeptides containing NIY and NIW were almost identical to the corresponding structures obtained from MM energy minimization, attesting the validity of the current parameter set. Molecular dynamics simulations of thioredoxin nitrated at the single tyrosine and tryptophan yielded well-behaved trajectories suggesting that the parameters are suitable for molecular dynamics simulations of a nitrated protein.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2004

Transient forebrain ischemia results in the delayed neuronal death in the CA1 area of the hippo-campus. The present study was performed to determine effects of aminoguanidine, a selective iNOS inhibitor, on the generation of peroxynitrite and delayed neuronal death occurring in the hippocampus following transient forebrain ischemia. Transient forebrain ischemia was produced in the conscious rats by four-vessel occlusion for 10 min. Treatment with aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg, i.p.) or saline (0.4 ml/100 g, i.p.) was started 30 min following ischemia-reperfusion and the animals were then injected twice daily until 12 h before sacrifice. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of peroxynitrite production. Posttreatment of aminoguanidine (200 mg/kg) significantly attenuated the neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 area 3 days, but not 7 days, after ischemia-reperfusion. 3-Nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity was enhanced in the hippocampal CA1 area 3 days after reperfusion, which was prevented by the treatment of aminoguanidine (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg). Our findings showed that (1) the generation of peroxynitrite in the hippocampal CA1 area 3 days after ischemia-reperfusion was dependent on the iNOS activity; (2) the postischemic delayed neuronal death was attenuated in the early phase through the prevention of peroxynitrite generation by an iNOS inhibitor.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

Objective : Citri Unshius Pericarpium (Citrus unshiu peel) has been used in Korean medicine to treat indigestion, vomiting, coughing and phlegm. This study investigated the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of Citrus unshiu peel (CEE) in cadmium (CdCl2)-treated mouse model. Methods : CEE was dissolved in water and administered orally to mice once a day for 7 consecutive days. The mice were then exposed to a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cadmium (4 mg/kg body weight) to induce acute hepatotoxicity. At the end of the experiment, blood and liver tissue samples were collected, analyzed for alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and histopathological evaluation. Liver damage was assessed as the percentage of degenerative areas of the hepatic parenchyma, the number of degenerative hepatocytes, and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. Results : In cadmium-treated rats, pretreatment with CEE significantly reduced the serum ALT and AST levels associated with liver damage. Histopathologically, CEE prevented degenerative changes on the hepatic tissues including confluent necrosis, congestions and infiltration of inflammatory cells. CEE also reduced the elevation of oxidative stress markers (nitrotyrosine and 4-hydroxynonenal) and apoptosis markers (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP) positive cells. PARP protein expression in liver tissue was also restored by CEE. Conclusion : This study showed that CEE exerted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects against cadmium-induced liver injury. Thus, it can be concluded that CEE can be used to prevent liver damage caused by cadmium.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-53
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• 2014

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by a progressive loss of cartilage. And, increased oxidative stress plays a relevant role in the pathogenesis of OA. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is a used drug for liver diseases known for its free radical-scavenging property. The objectives of this study were to investigate the in vivo effects of UDCA on pain severity and cartilage degeneration using an experimental OA model and to explore its mode of actions. OA was induced in rats by intra-articular injection of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) to the knee. Oral administration UDCA was initiated on the day of MIA injection. Limb nociception was assessed by measuring the paw withdrawal latency and threshold. Samples were analyzed macroscopically and histologically. Immunohistochemistry was used to investigate the expression of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-6, nitrotyrosine and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in knee joints. UDCA showed an antinociceptive property and attenuated cartilage degeneration. OA rats given oral UDCA significantly exhibited a decreased number of osteoclasts in subchondral bone legion compared with the vehicle-treated OA group. UDCA reduced the expression of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, nitrotyrosine and iNOS in articular cartilage. UDCA treatment significantly attenuated the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), -13, and ADAMTS5 in IL-$1{\beta}$-stimulated human OA chondrocytes. These results show the inhibitory effects of UDCA on pain production and cartilage degeneration in experimentally induced OA. The chondroprotective properties of UDCA were achieved by suppressing oxidative damage and inhibiting catabolic factors that are implicated in the pathogenesis of cartilage damage in OA.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.363-374
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• 2017

Dried fruits of Schizandra chinensis Baillon, Fructus Schisandrae, have been widely used for many years to prevent and treat various diseases in Asian countries including Korea and Russia. It has recently been reported that extracts of Fructus Schisandrae are effective for controlling muscle and skeletal diseases. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of ethanol extract of Fructus Schisandrae (EEFS) on apoptosis and inflammatory response in gastrocnemius muscle of dexamethasone-induced catabolic muscle atrophy mice as part of natural substance discovery and functional analysis for improving muscle function. According to the results of this study, EEFS supplementation attenuated body weight gains and suppressed calf thickness loss in dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophic mice. Gastrocnemius muscle immunohistochemistry showed that expression of caspase-3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, which are representative apoptotic markers, was markedly increased in dexamethasone control mice; however, their expression was effectively reduced in the EEFS-fed mice. EEFS supplementation also prevented dexamethasone-induced increases in immunoreactivity of muscle fibers for myostatin, an important negative regulator of skeletal muscle mass. In addition, EEFS significantly normalized the increased numbers of nitrotyrosine, 4-hydroxynonenal and inducible nitric oxide synthase-positive muscle fibers compared to that found in dexamethasone control mice. These results suggest that EEFS protects dexamethasone-induced muscular atrophy by decreasing apoptosis and inflammatory responses, and EEFS is more likely to be developed as a muscle strengthening agent.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.317-325
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• 2017

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent liver disease in parallel with worldwide epidemic of obesity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contributes to the development and progression of NAFLD. Peroxisomes play an important role in fatty acid oxidation and ROS homeostasis, and catalase is an antioxidant exclusively expressed in peroxisome. The present study examined the role of endogenous catalase in early stage of NAFLD. 8-week-old male catalase knock-out (CKO) and age-matched C57BL/6J wild type (WT) mice were fed either a normal diet (ND: 18% of total calories from fat) or a high fat diet (HFD: 60% of total calories from fat) for 2 weeks. CKO mice gained body weight faster than WT mice at early period of HFD feeding. Plasma triglyceride and ALT, fasting plasma insulin, as well as liver lipid accumulation, inflammation (F4/80 staining), and oxidative stress (8-oxo-dG staining and nitrotyrosine level) were significantly increased in CKO but not in WT mice at 2 weeks of HFD feeding. While phosphorylation of Akt (Ser473) and $PGC1{\alpha}$ mRNA expression were decreased in both CKO and WT mice at HFD feeding, $GSK3{\beta}$ phosphorylation and Cox4-il mRNA expression in the liver were decreased only in CKO-HF mice. Taken together, the present data demonstrated that endogenous catalase exerted beneficial effects in protecting liver injury including lipid accumulation and inflammation through maintaining liver redox balance from the early stage of HFD-induced metabolic stress.