• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-191
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• 2021

Euglena gracilis is a microalga of great biotechnological interest that can create high levels of bioactive compounds, such as tocopherol, paramylon, and folic acid. The objective of this study was to investigate the biological activities of extracts from E. gracilis, especially those focused on immunological activity. E. gracilis biomass was extracted with hot water (HWE) and the remaining pellet was continuously extracted with methanol (HWME). First, we examined the effect of two extracts from E. gracilis on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of pro-inflammation cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. HWE treatment dose-dependently increased the production of IL-1β and TNF-α. On the other hand, treatment with HWME significantly decreased the generation of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cells. In addition, other biological activities of the extracts were further analyzed: α-glucosidase inhibition, protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP1B) inhibition, tyrosinase inhibition, xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Analysis of these biological activities showed that HWE has more inhibitory effects than HWME against α-glucosidase, tyrosinase, and XO agents. However, the inhibition of PTP1B and ACE with HWME were higher than with HWE. Taken together, the results suggested that E. gracilis possesses various biological activities―especially immunological capabilities―through regulation of cytokine production. Therefore, E. gracilis extract may be potentially useful for food material with immune-regulating effects.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.269-284
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• 1985

The metabolism of Entamoeba histolytica would be affected by various environmental factors, and alteration of the environment was known to afEect the fine structure of 5. histolytica. The present study was designed electronmicroscopically to investigate the ultrastructure and enzyme activities in the aEonic and conventional strains of 5. histolytica. The trophozoites of axenically cultivated HK-9 strain and conventional YS-27 and YS-49 strains of 5. histolytica were collected and liKed with 4% paraformaldehyde/0.1M cacodylate buffier(pH 74), After washing them by centrifugation, 1% warm agar was added in the sediment. Solidified agar with the trophozoites was cut into $lmm^3$ cubes, and incubated in the various substrates to observe enzyme activities. Then, the specimen was post-fixed with 3% glutaraldehyde/0.1M cacodylate buffer (PH 7.4) and 1% osmium tetroBide/0.1M cacodylate buffier (pH 7.4) , dehydrated in ascending ethanol series and embedded in epoxy resin. These were sectioned on an ultramicrotome and observed with a transmission electronmicroscope. The procedures for the observation of the fine structure were same as the above, except for the incubation in the substrate. The sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate. For the observation of the surface of the amoebae, scanning-electronmicroscopy was carried out. The results obtained in the present study are summarized as follows: 1. The fuzzy coat around double-layered plasma membrane of 5. histolytica was more irregularly and densely distributed in the conventional strains (YS-27, YS-49 strains) than in the axonic strain (HK-9 strain). 2. The endosomes, button bodies and chromatin material were surrounded by a double-layered nuclear membrane having scattered nuclear fores. The paranuclear body, mono- or double-layered vacuoles, vacuolar membrane whorls, rosette-like cylindrical bodies, aggregation of cylindrical bodies and helical bodies were found in the cytoplasm of the amoebae. Helical bodies and glycogen granules were generally abundant, while a few smooth endoplasmic reticula were observed in the cytoplasm. 3. Alkaline phosphatase activity was mainly demonstrated in the plasma membrane, limiting membranes of vacuoles and smooth endoplasmic reticula. ATPase activity was observed in the nucleus, limiting membranes of vacuoles and vacuolar membrane whorls. 4. Acid phosphatase activity was commonly demonstrated in the limiting membranes an contents of vacuoles, Iysosome-like organelles, plasma membrane and the button bodies in the nucleus. The activity was more weakly demonstrated in the HK-9 strain than in the other conventional strains of 5. histolytica. No peroBidase activity was observed in the amoeba strains employed in the present study. 5. With a scanning electron-microscope, no distinct structural differences were observed between the amoeba strains. All the trophozoite forms of the amoebae showed crater-like depressions and rugged features on the outer surface.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.907-915
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• 2014

Alpha-lipoic acid (${\alpha}$-LA) is not only involved in energy metabolism, but is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect against hepatic oxidative stress induced by some drugs, toxins, or under various physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Here, we investigated the effect of ${\alpha}$-LA against liver oxidative damage in broilers exposed to aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$). Birds were randomly divided into four groups and assigned different diets: basal diet, 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA supplementation in basal diet, diet containing 74 ${\mu}g/kg$ $AFB_1$, and 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA supplementation in diet containing 74 ${\mu}g/kg$ $AFB_1$, for 3 weeks. The results revealed that the addition of 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA protected against the liver function damage of broilers induced by chronic low dose of $AFB_1$ as estimated by a significant (p<0.05) change in levels of plasma total protein, albumin, alkaline phosphatase and the activities of liver glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase. The histopathological analysis also showed that liver tissues were injured in the $AFB_1$ diet, but this effect was alleviated by the addition of 300 mg/kg ${\alpha}$-LA. Additionally, $AFB_1$ induced a profound elevation of oxidative stress in birds, as indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde level, a decrease in glutathione peroxidase activity and a depletion of the glutathione content in the liver. All of these negative effects were inhibited by treatment with ${\alpha}$-LA. Our results suggest that the inhibition of $AFB_1$-induced excess production of lipid peroxides and the maintenance of intracellular antioxidant status may play important roles in the protective effects of ${\alpha}$-LA against $AFB_1$-induced oxidative damage in the liver.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.113 no.1
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• pp.73-87
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• 2024

Wolfiporia hoelen (Fr.) Y.C.Dai & V. Papp, commonly known as Poria cocos, is a significant traditional herb used for medicinal and culinary purposes Asian and European countries. Many studies have confirmed that the main components of W. hoelen have pharmacological activities and thatits extract has been shown to affect bone metabolism. This study aimed to the potential of a 50% ethanol extract of the sclerotium of W. hoelen for preventing and treating bone diseases. The ethanol extract was systematically fractionated using n-hexane, dichloromethane, and ethyl acetate. The dichloromethane fraction caused an approximately 29% increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) differentiation activity in C2C12 cells compared to the control. Four compounds isolated from this active dichloromethane fraction were identified through instrumental analysis and literature references as 3α-dehydrotrametenolic acid, ergosterol, pachymic acid, and dehydrotumulosic acid. All four compounds were evaluated at increasing concentrations (1, 3, 10, 30, and 100 μM) to determine their effects on ALP differentiation activity in C2C12 cells and RANKL-induced inhibition activity in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), with a concurrent assessment of cytotoxicity at these concentrations. At a concentration of 3 μM, dehydrotumulosic acid caused a 160% increase in ALP activity, 24% higher than in the BMP-2 control. BMMs treated with dehydrotumulosic acid at concentrations between 10 and 100 μM showed a substantial 15-86% decrease in RANKL-induced inhibition activity compared to the control, with distinct patterns of RANKL inhibition and cytotoxicity observed at 10 μM. These findings suggest that the ethanol extract from the sclerotium of W. hoelen has potential to modulate bone-cell differentiation, while highlighting the possible benefits of dehydrotumulosic acid isolated from the dichloromethane fraction of W. hoelen for preventing and treating osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.311-328
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• 2017

This study was carried out to investigate the changes in soil microorganisms and soil enzymes by split irrigation and organic matter application under no-tillage green house conditions. Soil bacteria and fungi abundances were higher in soybean cake fertilizer than in the soil without the soybean cake fertilizer under whole quantity irrigation. Bacteria and fungi abundances in soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer application rate. Bacteria and fungi amount in the soil increased at half division irrigation in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer compared with whole quantity irrigation. Actinomycete amount in the soil decreased with increasing soybean cake fertilizer with whole quantity irrigation while clearly increased in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Actinomycete amount in soil clearly increased with increasing organic fertilizer input at half division irrigation. Chitinase activity in the soil decreased in soybean cake fertilizer with increasing organic fertilizer input, while increased in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Chitinase activity in the soil increased at half division irrigation compared with whole quantity irrigation regardless of soybean cake fertilizer input. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in the soil was higher in soybean cake fertilizer than in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer with whole quantity irrigation. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in the soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer input, but decreased in above the standard level 66%. ${\beta}$-Glucosidase activity in the soil clearly increased in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer at half division irrigation compared with whole quantity irrigation. N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase activity was higher in soybean cake fertilizer than in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer with whole quantity irrigation. N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase activity in the soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer input, but decreased in above the standard level 66%. N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase activity in the soil was not significantly different at half division irrigation and whole quantity irrigation in organic fertilizer input, while increased at half division irrigation in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Acid phosphatase activity increased at standard level 66% in soybean cake fertilizer, while was not significantly different in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer. Spore density of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the soil increased with increasing organic fertilizer input at whole quantity irrigation in no-treatment of soybean cake fertilizer, while decreased above the standard level 66% in organic fertilizer input. However, spore density of AMF in the soil was not significantly different in soybean cake fertilizer regardless of input amount of organic fertilizer. Root colonization rate of AMF in red pepper roots was not significant difference at two irrigations regardless of soybean cake input.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 1997

Male rats of Albino strain were divided into four groups, control group, X-irradiated group, WR-2721 treatment group and X-irradiated group treated with WR-2721. The radioprotective effect of treatment with S-2 (3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721) in the dose of 200mg/kg by intraperitonial injection on rats 20min prior to wholebody X-irradiation (8Gy) was studied. Each group determined serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (ASI), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and contents of serum glucose after 1, 3, 7 and 10 days. The ALP and AST activities of X-irradiated group were significantly decreased (p<0.05) compared with that of control group, but X-irradiated group treated with WR-2721 less decreased those enzyme activities compared with the X-irradiated group. X-irradiated group was significantly increased (p＜0.05) ALT and LDH activities compared with that of control group, but X-irradiated group treated with WR-2721 less increased those enzyme activities compared with the X-irradiated group. The concentration of serum glucose of X-irradiated group was significantly increased (p<0.05) compared with that of control group, but X-irradiated group treated with WR-2721 less increased compared with that of X-irradiated group. It may be considered that WR-2721 provided radioprotective effect of organs of body from X-irradiation.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.10 no.3_4
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• pp.29-40
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• 1995

To investigate and evaluate the scavenging and antioxidative effects of various ftavonoids on paraquat induced pulmonary toxicity, in vivo and vitro tests of eight flavonoids(catechin, epicatechin, flayone, chrysin, apigenin, quercetin, morin and biochanin A) were carried out. In vitro test, inhibitory and antioxidative effects of lipoxygenase dependent lipidperoxidation, NADPH dependent cytochrome p-450 reductase to liver and lung microsome and superoxide anion production in rat peritoneal exudated macrophage were studied. In vivo test, biochemical parameters and cell population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) in mouse and rats after administration of paraquat and flavonoids were tested. The results are summerized as follows; 1. All flavonoids tested inhibited on NADPH dependent cytochrome p-450 reductase in liver and lung microsome. 2. All flavonoids tested showed the inhibitory effects on the superoxide anion production in rat peritoneal exudated macropharge. 3. Lactate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase and total protein in BALF of mouse which increased by the administration of paraquat, decreased significantly by catechin, chrysin, morin and biochanin A. 4. Numbers of alveolar macropharge and PMN in BALF of rats which increased by the administration of paraquat decreased by all the tested flavonoids. Therefore, all flavonoids tested showed the useful compounds for scavenger and antioxidant on paraquat induced pulmonary toxicity.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 1994

We have studied the iron uptake by the purified brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMVs) to determine the effect of fructose on the absorption of iron. BBMVs were prepared by the modified calcium precipitation method, The degree of purification was routinely assessed by the marker enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, and the functional integrity was tested by $D-[1-^3H]glucose$ uptake. The appearance of membrane vesicles was shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The uptakes of complexes of labeled iron $[^{59}Fe]$ with fructose and ascorbate were measured with a rapid filtration technique, The uptake rate and pattern of the two iron-complexes, Fe(III)-fructose and Fe(III)-ascorbate, were also observed. A typical overshooting uptake of D-glucose was observed with peak value of $2{\sim}3$ times higher concentration than that at equilibrium. This result was similar to other studies with BBMVs. TEM showed that the size of BBMVs was uniform and we can hardly find any contaminants, Fe(III)-fructose has the higher value of $V_{max}$ and the lower value of Km than those of Fe(III)-ascorbate, respectively. It may be concluded that D-fructose is more effective in promoting the iron absorption than ascorbate.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 1986

Earlier studies have shown that the administration of Na-alginate, a water-soluble, non absorbable acidic polysaccharide, effectively reduces the absorption of radioactive strontium, cadmium and other bivalent metals. In this study the effects of Na-alginate on the Toxicity induced by Lead and Cadmium were examined in rats and the following results were obtained. 1. The elevations of the activities of serum GOT, GPT by Pb and Cd administration in the experimental animals. However, the administration of Na-alginate significantly inhibited the elevation of serum GOT, GPT. 2. Generally serum TBA values were significantly elevated in Pb and Cd group in comparison with the control group. However, the administration of Na-alginate inhibited the elevation of serum TBA values. 3. The activity of Alkaline phosphatase was also significantly elevated in Cd group in comparison with the control group. However, the administration of Na-alginate significantly inhibited the elevation of serum alkaline phsphatase. 4. Furthermore, the activity of $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase in red blood cells was also significantly inhibited by Pb and this inhibition was stimulated by the administration of Na-alginate. 5. The concentrations of Pb in liver and Cd in kidney were markedly increased by Pb and Cd. However, the administration of Na-alginate significantly inhibited the elevation of them.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1594-1600
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• 2010

A study was conducted to determine the dietary effects of a clay mineral (sodium bentonite, NaB) on manure gas emission, health, production, and meat characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Two diets fed to steers included a control diet (concentrate mix and rice straw) and a treatment diet (control diet+1.0% clay mineral/concentrate mix). Dietary NaB addition considerably reduced concentrations of gases ($H_2S$, $SO_2$ and $NH_3$) in the manure of Hanwoo steers. Growing steers fed NaB had similar blood profiles with the exception of lower (p<0.05) concentrations of blood alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase. Dietary NaB addition tended to increase (p = 0.10) live weight by 30 kg at slaughtering and did not affect carcass yield and quality traits. Dietary NaB addition increased concentrations of P (p<0.01), Mg (p<0.01), Na (p<0.01), Zn (p<0.005), K (p = 0.08), Fe (p = 0.08) and Cu (p = 0.07) in the longissimus muscle compared to the control but did not affect (p>0.05) fatty acid composition. The study demonstrated that the dietary addition of a clay mineral could be effective in improving mineral bioavailability to Hanwoo steers, which could be one of the reasons for their improved performance.