• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.46-53
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• 2014

Inorganic arsenic (iAs) is a toxic metalloid found ubiquitously in the environment. In humans, exposure to iAs can result in toxicity and cause toxicological manifestations. Arsenic trioxide ($As_2O_3$) has been used in the treatment for acute promyelocytic leukemia. The kidney is the critical target organ of trivalent inorganic As ($iAs^{III}$) toxicity. We examine if oral administration of astaxanthin (AST) has protective effects on nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress induced by $As_2O_3$ exposure (via intraperitoneal injection) in rats. Markers of renal function, histopathological changes, $Na^+-K^+$ ATPase, sulfydryl, oxidative stress, and As accumulation in kidneys were evaluated as indicators of $As_2O_3$ exposure. AST showed a significant protective effect against $As_2O_3$-induced nephrotoxicity. These results suggest that the mechanisms of action, by which AST reduces nephrotoxicity, may include antioxidant protection against oxidative injury and reduction of As accumulation. These findings might be of therapeutic benefit in humans or animals suffering from exposure to $iAs^{III}$ from natural sources or cancer therapy.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.97-103
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• 2009

L-trans-pyrrolidine-2,4-dicarboxylate (PDC) is a potent inhibitor of glutamate transporters. In our current study, we investigated whether the neuronal death induced by PDC involves mechanisms other than excitotoxicity in mixed mouse cortical cultures. Cortical cultures at 13-14 days in vitro were used and cell death was assessed by measuring the lactate dehydrogenase efflux into bathing media. Glutamate and PDC both induced neuronal death in a concentration-dependent manner but the neurotoxic effects of glutamate were found to be more potent than those of PDC. Treatment with 10, 100 and 200 ${\mu}$M PDC equally potentiated 50 ${\mu}$M glutamate-induced neuronal death. The neuronal death induced by 75 ${\mu}$M glutamate was almost abolished by treatment with the NMDA antagonists, MK-801 and AP-5, but was unaffected by NBQX (an AMPA antagonist), trolox (antioxidant), BDNF or ZVAD-FMK (a pan-caspase inhibitor). However, the neuronal death induced by 200 ${\mu}$M PDC was partially but significantly attenuated by single treatments with MK-801, AP-5, trolox, BDNF or ZVAD-FMK but not NBQX. Combined treatments with MK-801 plus trolox, MK-801 plus ZVAD-FMK or MK-801 plus BDNF almost abolished neuronal death, whereas combined treatments with trolox plus ZVADFMK, trolox plus BDNF or ZVAD-FMK plus BDNF did not enhance the inhibitory action of any single treatment with these drugs. These results demonstrate that the neuronal death induced by PDC involves not only in the excitotoxicity induced by the accumulation of glutamate but also the oxidative stress induced by free radical generation. This suggests that apoptotic neuronal death plays a role in PDCinduced oxidative neuronal injury.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD), one of common neurodegenerative diseases, is caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. The loss of dopaminergic neurons in PD is associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Hyperoside (quercetin 3-O-${\beta}$-D-galactopyranoside) was reported to have protective properties against oxidative stress by reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and increasing antioxidant enzyme activity. In this study, we examined the neuroprotective effect of hyperoside against 1-methyl-4-phenyl pyridinium ($MPP^+$)-induced cell model of PD and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Hyperoside significantly decreased $MPP^+$-induced cell death, accompanied by a reduction in poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage. Furthermore, it attenuated $MPP^+$-induced intracellular ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), with the reduction of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Moreover, hyperoside significantly increased the phosphorylation of Akt, but it has no effects on $GSK3{\beta}$ and MAPKs. Pharmacological inhibitor of PI3K/Akt abolished the cytoprotective effects of hyperoside against $MPP^+$. Taken together, these results demonstrate that hyperoside significantly attenuates $MPP^+$-induced neurotoxicity through PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in SH-SY5Y cells. Our findings suggest that hyperoside might be one of the potential candidates for the treatment of PD.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.10
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• pp.728-733
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• 2016

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) effectively reduce airway inflammation and regenerate the alveolus in cigarette- and elastase-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) animal models. The effects of stem cells are thought to be paracrine and immune-modulatory because very few stem cells remain in the lung one day after their systemic injection, which has been demonstrated previously. In this report, we analyzed the gene expression profiles to compare mouse lungs with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke with non-exposed lungs. Gene expression profiling was also conducted in a mouse lung tissue with chronic exposure to cigarette smoke following the systemic injection of human cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hCB-MSCs). Globally, 834 genes were differentially expressed after systemic injection of hCB-MSCs. Seven and 21 genes, respectively, were up-and downregulated on days 1, 4, and 14 after HCB-MSC injection. The Hbb and Hba, genes with oxygen transport and antioxidant functions, were increased on days 1 and 14. A serine protease inhibitor was also increased at a similar time point after injection of hCB-MSCs. Gene Ontology analysis indicated that the levels of genes related to immune responses, metabolic processes, and blood vessel development were altered, indicating host responses after hCB-MSC injection. These gene expression changes suggest that MSCs induce a regeneration mechanism against COPD induced by cigarette smoke. These analyses provide basic data for understanding the regeneration mechanisms promoted by hCB-MSCs in cigarette smoke-induced COPD.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.63 no.2
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• pp.137-145
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• 2020

Oxidative stress is one of the pathogenic mechanisms of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Neuroglia, the most abundant cells in the brain, is thought to play an important role in the antioxidant defense system and neuronal metabolic support against neurotoxicity and oxidative stress. We investigated the protective effect of paeoniflorin (PF) against oxidative stress in C6 glial cells. Exposure of C6 glial cells to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 500 μM) significantly decreased cell viability and increased amounts of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, indicating H₂O₂-induced cellular damage. However, treatment with PF significantly attenuated H₂O₂-induced cell death as shown by increased cell survival and decreased LDH release. The H₂O₂-stimulated reactive oxygen species production was also suppressed, and it may be associated with improvement of superoxide dismutase activity by treatment with PF. In addition, an increase in ratio of Bcl-2/Bax protein expression was observed after treatment with PF. In particular, the down-stream of the apoptotic signaling pathway was inhibited in the presence of PF, mostly by reduction of cleaved-poly ADP ribose polymerase, cleaved caspase-3, and -9 protein expression. Furthermore, H₂O₂-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was attenuated by treatment with PF. Taken together, neuroprotective effect of PF against oxidative stress probably result from the regulation of apoptotic pathway in C6 glial cells. In conclusion, our findings suggest that PF may be a potent therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.544-549
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• 2012

To examine the neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside R0, we investigated the effects of ginsenoside R0 in PC12 cells under an anoxic or oxidative environment with Edaravone as a control. PC12 neuroendocrine cells were used as a model target. Anoxic damage or oxidative damage in PC12 cells were induced by adding sodium dithionite or hydrogen peroxide respectively in cultured medium. Survival ratios of different groups were detected by an AlamarBlue assay. At the same time, the apoptosis of PC12 cells were determined with flow cytometry. The putative neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside R0 is thought to be exerted through enhancing the activity of antioxidant enzymes Superoxide dismutases (SOD). The activity of SOD and the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), were measured to evaluate the protective and therapeutic effects of ginsenoside R0. Ginsenoside R0 treated cells had a higher SOD activity, lower MDA level and lower ROS, and their survival ratio was higher with a lower apoptosis rate. It is suggested that ginsenoside R0 has a protective effect in the cultured PC12 cells, and the protection efficiency is higher than Edaravone. The protective mechanisms of these two are different. The prevent ability of ginsenoside R0 is higher than its repair ability in neuroprotection in vitro.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.157-166
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• 2018

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a common clinical syndrome of diffuse lung inflammation with high mortality rates and limited therapeutic methods. Diosmetin, an active component from Chinese herbs, has long been noticed because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of diosmetin on LPS-induced ALI model and unveil the possible mechanisms. Our results revealed that pretreatment with diosmetin effectively alleviated lung histopathological changes, which were further evaluated by lung injury scores. Diosmetin also decreased lung wet/dry ratios, as well as total protein levels, inflammatory cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine (eg. $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and IL-6) overproduction in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Additionally, increased MPO, MDA and ROS levels induced by LPS were also markly suppressed by diosmetin. Furthermore, diosmetin significantly increased the expression of Nrf2 along with its target gene HO-1 and blocked the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in the lung tissues, which might be central to the protective effects of diosmetin. Further supporting these results, in vitro experiments also showed that diosmetin activated Nrf2 and HO-1, as well as inhibited the NLRP3 inflammasome in both RAW264.7 and A549 cells. The present study highlights the protective effects of diosmetin on LPS-induced ALI via activation of Nrf2 and inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome, bringing up the hope of its application as a therapeutic drug towards LPS-induced ALI.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.81-94
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• 2018

This review discusses the characteristics of major lignans and related studies and provides a basis for future studies. Lignans are present in various food products consumed daily, such as flaxseed and other seeds, vegetables, fruits, and beverages including coffee, tea, and wine. Lignans are natural phytoestrogens with a structure similar to that of secoisolariciresinol (Seco), mataireinol (Mat), pinoresinol (Pin), medioresinol (Med), lariciresinol (Lari), and syringaresinol, which is then converted to enterodiol (END) and enterolactone (ENL), which are mammalian lignans and the primary biologically active enterolignans, by the intestinal microflora. The associations between lignans and a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease are promising; however, they are not yet well-established, probably owing to low lignan intake in habitual Western diets. Nonetheless, these associations were more prominent at the higher doses in interventional studies. Many studies on humans and animals have reported the benefits of lignan consumption in protecting against CVD and metabolic syndrome by reducing lipid and glucose concentrations. END and ENL reportedly exert protective effects including phytoestrogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects through various mechanisms. Moreover, lignans reportedly exert beneficial effects in breast, colon, and prostate cancer and osteoporosis have reported that. However, future studies are required to confirm the association between lignan and disease.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-64
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• 2012

Peroxiredoxin II (Prdx II; a typical 2-Cys Prdx) has been originally isolated from erythrocytes, and its structure and peroxidase activity have been adequately studied. Prdx II has been reported to protect a wide range of cellular environments as antioxidant enzyme, and its dysfunctions may be implicated in a variety of disease states associated with oxidative stress, including cancer and aging-associated pathologies. But, the precise mechanism is still obscure in various aspects of aging containing ovarian aging. Identification and relative quantification of the increased proteins affected by Prdx II deficiency may help identify novel signaling mechanisms that are important for oxidative stress-related diseases. To identify the increased proteins in Prdx $II^{-/-}$ mice, we performed RBC comparative proteome analysis in membrane fraction and cytosolic fractions by nano-UPLC-$MS^E$ shotgun proteomics. We found the increased 86 proteins in membrane (32 proteins) and cytosolic (54 proteins) fractions, and analyzed comparative expression pattern in healthy RBCs of Prdx $II^{+/+}$ mice, healthy RBCs of Prdx $II^{-/-}$ mice, and abnormal RBCs of Prdx $II^{-/-}$ mice. These proteins belonged to cellular functions related with RBC lifespan maintain, such as cellular morphology and assembly, cell-cell interaction, metabolism, and stress-induced signaling. Moreover, protein networks among the increased proteins were analyzed to associate with various diseases. Taken together, RBC proteome may provide clues to understand the clue about redox-imbalanced diseases.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.428-436
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• 2010

Sea-urchins (Anthocidaris crassispina) are widely distributed in the East Sea of Korea. The aim of this study was to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of sea-urchin roe on bromobenzene (BB)-induced liver damage in rats. The antioxidative and detoxifying properties of sea-urchin roe in BB-poisoned rat liver was examined by chemical analysis of serum aminotransferase (AST, ALT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), $\gamma$-glutamylcystein synthetase, glutathione reductase, epoxide hydrolase, amino-N-demethylase (AD), aniline hydrolase (AH) enzyme activity, as well as lipid peroxide and glutathione contents. Sea-urchin roe inhibited the increase of serum AST, ALT enzyme activity. Increasing lipid peroxide contents and AD and AH activities were significantly decreased in ethanol extract of sea-urchin roe. GST, $\gamma$-glutamylcystein synthetase, glutathione reductase and epoxide hydrolase enzyme activities increased in sea-urchin roe-fed group, compared with the BB-treated group. These results suggest that sea-urchin roe facilitates recovery from liver damage by enhancing antioxidative defense mechanisms and hepatic detoxication metabolism.