• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.745-754
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• 2000

Effects of oral taurine supplementation (6g/day)for 2-4 weeks on activities of red blood cell(RBC)total superoxide dismutase (SOD) and plasma glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) and the level of malondialdehyde(MDA) were evaluated in healthy female adults (23.6$\pm$0.3 years old). Compared to the value for 0 week plasma GSH-Px activity of the subjects was significantly lower after 2 weeks of taurine supplementation(p<0.05) and recovered to the value similar to 0 week after 4 weeks of taurine supplementation. RBC total SOD activity tended to be decreased after 2 weeks of taurine supplmentation compared to the values for 0 week although the difference between the means of the two group was not statistically significant. Plasma MDA level was not significantly decreased by taurine supplementation most probably due to the fact that the subjects participated in the present study were healthy and their antioxidant defense system had been in the 'normal' range. Plasma MDA concentration was negatively correlated with plasma taurine concentration(r=-0.2003m p<0.05) but tended to be positively correlated with plasma cholesterol concentration(r=0.2465, p=0.0645) as expected Plasma GSH-Px activity was positively associated with the percentage of 22:0 (r=0.2892, p<0.05) or 20:4w6(r=0.2939, p<0.05). On the other hand plasma MDA concentration was positively correlated with the percentage of 20:5w3 in plasma total lipids(r=0.2635 p<0.05) and negatively correlated with $\Delta$5 desaturation index of w6 fatty acids(20:3w6⇒20:4w6) in plamsa total lipids(r=-0.2714, p<0.05) as well as in phospholipids(r=-0.2864, p<0.05). From these results protective effect of taurine supplementation against lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense system in humans appears to be minimal when the subjects are in a relatively healthy state. Further studies concerning the antioxidant efficacy of taurine should be conducted in human subjects under various disease states related to oxidative stress such as diabetes and artheroxclerosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.59-70
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• 2013

Objectives : Hyangsayangyi-tang (香砂養胃湯) is a polyherbal formula, has been used as one of the representative So-eumin (少陰人) prescriptions in Sasang-medicine (四象醫學), a famous Korean medicinal theory. The aqueous extract of Hyangsayangyi-tang (HSYYT) was evaluated for its possible ameliorative effect in the regulation of hypothyroidism related reproductive organ damages in propylthiouracil (PTU)-induced rat model. Methods : HSYYT aqueous extracts were administered, once day for 42 days from 2 weeks before start of PTU treatment as an oral dose of 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg (bodyweight), and hypothyroidism was induced by daily subcutaneous treatment of PTU 10 mg/kg for 28days. Results : PTU induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ (testis, epididymis and prostate) damages were favorably and dose-dependently inhibited by treatment of HSYYT 500 and 250 mg/kg, and they also effectively regulated the PTU-induced abnormal antioxidant defense system changes in the testis. No effective or any harmful changes on the PTU induced hypothyroidism and related male reproductive organ damages were observed in HSYYT 125 mg/kg treated rats as compared with PTU control in this experiment. Conclusions : The results obtained in this study suggest that oral administration of 500 and 250 mg/kg of HSYYT showed favorable effects on the hypothyroidism and related reproductive organ damages through augmentation of antioxidant defense system in the testis, and it is considered that HSYYT may be help to ameliorate the hypothyroidism and related organ damages in clinics.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.92-99
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• 2016

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the representative neurodegenerative movement disorders with the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) is widely used as an experimental model system to mimic PD and has been reported to cause neuronal cell death via oxidative and/or nitrosative stress. Therefore, daily intake of dietary or medicinal plants which fortifies cellular antioxidant capacity can exert neuroprotective effects in PD. In the present study, we have investigated the protective effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) against 6-OHDA-induced nitrosative death in C6 glioma cells. Treatment of C6 cells with 6-OHDA decreased cell viability and increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase, production of nitric oxide as well as peroxynitrite, and formation of nitrotyrosine. 6-OHDA led to apoptotic cell death as determined by decreased Bcl-2/Bax, phosphorylation of JNK, activation of caspase-3, and cleavage of PARP. Conversely, pretreatment of C6 cells with KRG attenuated 6-ODHA-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and nitrosative damages. To further elucidate the molecular mechanism of KRG protection against 6-OHDA-induced nitrosative cell death, we have focused on the cellular self-defense molecules against exogenous noxious stimuli. KRG treatment up-regulated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a key antioxidant enzyme essential for cellular defense against oxidative and/or nitrosative stress via activation of Nrf2. Taken together, these findings suggest KRG may have preventive and/or therapeutic potentials for the management of PD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.133-141
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• 2023

Transcription factor NRF2 (NF-E2-related factor 2) is a master regulator of cellular responses against environmental stresses. NRF2 induces expression of detoxification and antioxidant enzymes and suppresses inductions of pro-inflammatory cytokine genes. KEAP1 (Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1) is an adaptor subunit of CULLIN 3 (CUL3)-based E3 ubiquitin ligase. KEAP1 regulates the activity of NRF2 and acts as a sensor for oxidative and electrophilic stresses. NRF2 has been found to be activated in many types of cancers with poor prognosis. Therapeutic strategies to control NRF2-overeactivated cancers have been considered not only by targeting cancer cells with NRF2 inhibitors or NRF2 synthetic lethal chemicals, but also by targeting host defense with NRF2 inducers. Understanding precise molecular mechanisms how the KEAP1-NRF2 system senses and regulates the cellular response is critical to overcome intractable NRF2-activated cancers.

• BMB Reports
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.467-472
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• 2015

Heat shock increases skin temperature during sun exposure and some evidence indicates that it may be involved in skin aging. The antioxidant response mediated by the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a critically important cellular defense mechanism that serves to limit skin aging. We investigated the effects of heat shock on collagenase expression when the antioxidant defense system was downregulated by knockdown of Nrf2. GSH and collagenases were analyzed, and the expression of inducible Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 was measured. HS68 cells were transfected with small interfering RNA against Nrf2. Heat shock induced the downregulation of Nrf2 in both the cytosol and nucleus and reduced the expression of HO-1, GSH, and NQO1. In addition, heat-exposed Nrf2-knockdown cells showed significantly increased levels of collagenase protein and decreased levels of procollagen. Our data suggest that Nrf2 plays an important role in protection against heat shock-induced collagen breakdown in skin. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(8): 467-472]

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2004

The current study examined the effects of mulberry fruit on the antioxidative defense systems and oxidative stress in the erythrocytes of diabetes-induced rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to one normal and three streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic groups. 1be diabetic groups were fed a mulberry fruit-free diet (DM-group), 0.3% mulberry fruit diet (DM-F group) or 0.6% mulberry fruit diet (DM-2F group). Diabetes was induced with STZ after three weeks of the experimental diets. 1be rats were sacrificed 9 days later for examination of the antioxidative defense systems and oxidative stress in the erythrocytes. Means of cy-3-Ο-glucopyranoside, cy-3-Ο-rutinoside, rutin, isoquercitrin, quercetin, morin and dehydroquercetin contents were 230.45, 131.5, 142.5, 10.3, 5.8, 1.6 and 3.83mg per l00g dry weight, respectively, in the mulberry fruit. Mulberry fruit strengthened the antioxidative defense systems through increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) and catalase (CAT), in the erythrocytes of the diabetes-induced rats. Accrdingly, mulberry fruit was found to reduce the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (WARS). Therefore, mulberry fruit was found to be excellent for strengthening the antioxidative defense system and reducing damaging oxidative substances in the erythrocytes of the diabetes-induced rats.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.449-453
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• 2004

Effect of pre-treatment with hot water extract of marine brown alga Sargassum polycystum C.Ag. (100 mg/kg body wt, orally for period of 15 days) on HCI-ethanol (150 mM of HCI-etha-not mixture containing 0.15 N HCI in $70\%$ v/v ethanol given orally) induced gastric mucosal injury in rats was examined with respect to lipid peroxides, antioxidant enzyme status, acid/pepsin and glycoproteins in the gastric mucosa. The levels of lipid peroxides of gastric mucosa and volume, acidity of the gastric juice were increased with decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes and glycoproteins were observed in HCI-ethanol induced rats. The rats pre-treated with seaweed extract prior to HCI-ethanol induction reversed the depleted levels of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the elevated levels of lipid peroxides when compared with HCI-ethanol induced rats. The levels of glycoproteins and alterations in the gastric juice were also maintained at near normal levels in rats pre-treated with seaweed extract. The rats given seaweed extract alone did not show any toxicity, which was confirmed by histopathological studies. These results suggest that the seaweed extract contains some anti-ulcer agents, which may maintain the volume/acidity of gastric juice and improve the gastric mucosa antioxidant defense system against HCI-ethanol induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cranberry power on antioxidant defense system in rats fed an atherogenic diet and injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following 5 groups: normal diet+saline (NS), atherogenic diet+saline (AS), atherogenic diet+LPS (AL), atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C5), and atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry powder+LPS (AL-C10). Total antioxidant status measured by ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) was significantly reduced by LPS injection (24%) and was restored by the cranberry powder treatment (P<0.05). In addition, the mean level of plasma total phenolics was significantly decreased by LPS injection (P<0.05) and tended to be increased when cranberry powder was incorporated in to the diet. Activity of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) tended to be lowered by LPS injection and declined further in cranberry powder fortified groups. Overall results indicate that dietary cranberry powder may provide appropriate antioxidants to counter the diminished antioxidant status induced by exposing hypercholesterolemic rats to LPS.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.383-395
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• 2016

This study investigated the effect of exogenous hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) on the antioxidant responses and growth of warm-season turfgrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) and cool-season turfgrass (Poa pratensis L.) subjected to drought stress. Compared with control plants that were not pretreated with $H_2O_2$, plants pretreated with $H_2O_2$ had significantly greater fresh and dry weights of shoots and roots, and increased water content. $H_2O_2$ pretreatments before drought stress significantly decreased the concentrations of malondialdehyde and $H_2O_2$. DPPH radical scavenging and glutathione activities were significantly increased. The responsive activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and peroxidase were also significantly enhanced. Our results suggest that exogenous $H_2O_2$ could improve the growth of warm-season and cool-season turfgrass under drought stress by increasing the activity of their antioxidant enzymes, while decreasing lipid peroxidation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.432-443
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• 2000

Smoking can increase oxidative stress and thereby change the antioxidant defense system in the body. Supplementation of antioxidant vitamins might improve antioxidant status in the body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation and smoking cessation education on changes of antioxidant status and psychosocial factors related to smoking. To obtain above purposes, we investigated the effectiveness of intervention for male adolescent smokers were evalnate by assessing changes in dietary intakes, plasma antioxidant vitamin concentration, and psychosocial factors related to smoking after program completion. Subjects, male adolescent smokers, were assigned into four groups : Control group(19 students), Educ. group(19 students), Vit. C supple. group(19 students), and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group(19 students). The Educ. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group received nutrition and smoking cessation education once a week for 5 weeks. Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group received 500 mg per day of ascorbic acid for 35 days. All data were collected before and after intervention. Vit. B$_2$and Vit. C intakes of all groups were increased, but the only Ca intake was increased in the Educ. group. Plasma Vit. C concentration and Ratio(plasma Vit. C/Vit. C intakes) were increased in the Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group, and the Vit. C deficiency status of these groups(Vit. C suppl. group and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group) disappeared. Showing the effects of Vit. C supplementation, plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol was increased in the Educ. and Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group, and especially high increases were seen in the Educ.+Vit. C suppl. group. Psychosocial factors related to smoking changed after the education a little. This intervention program had an impact on nutrition intakes, plasma antioxidant vitamins, and some beliefs related to smoking in male adolescent students. Various programs of nutrition and smoking cessation education and vitamin supplementation for quitting smoking must be implemented for adolescent smokers, and further studies are needed regarding sorts and amount of antioxidant nutrients and supplementation periods.