• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.359-363
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• 2010

The miniature pig is a very suitable donor species in xenotransplantation of human organs. Intestine ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and apoptosis has been associated with the onset of diverse diseases. Thus, we examined the effect of intestine I/R on the expression of ER stress and apotptosis related molecules. In the present study, I/R induced phosphorylation of protein kinase-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), IRE, and ATF-4. I/R also increased the expression of the proapoptotic transcription factor CAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). In addition, I/R decreased the expression of Bcl-2, but increased the expression of Bax, cleaved PARP, and cleaved caspase-3. Moreover, I/R increased splicing form of XBP-1 mRNA and the expression of caspase-6 and caspase-3 mRNA. In conclusion, intestine I/R induced ER stress and apoptosis in miniature pig.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.67-72
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• 2003

Cholestatic liver injury results from the accumulation of toxic bile salts within the liver. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the changes in expression and cellular localization of apoptosis related proteins in the liver of bile duct-ligated (BDL) rat. Extrahepatic cholestasis was induced by double ligation of the common bile duct and cut between the ligatures. Animals were sacrificed at day 3 and at week 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 after BDL. The number of TUNEL positive cells was increased significantly after 3 days of BDL, decreased over 2 weeks and remained constant thereafter. Fas expression was not changed and activation of caspase 8 did not occur. Fas immunoreactivity was exclusively observed in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, indicating that Fas expressed in rat hepatocytes is a soluble form. Hepatocyte apoptosis was associated with Bax expression, which showed a peak at day 3 and decreased over time gradually. Immnunostaining of Bax was observed in hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells (BEC) of control and BDL rats. Bcl-2 was increased over time in BDL rats. These results suggest that apoptosis of hepatocytes in BDL rats is independent of Fas and controlled by Bax expression.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Postharvest Science and Technology of Agricultural Products Conference
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• 2007.11a
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• pp.27-31
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• 2007

This study relates to low and medium molecular weight isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan produced by submerged liquid culture of Agaricus blazei, a method of producing the isoflavone-B-D-glucan using autolysis enzyme of Agaricus blazei mycelia, and use of the isoflavone-B-D-glucan for anti-cancer and immunoenhancing effect. In acordance with one aspect of the present study, it deals with a method of producing isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan, which comprises the followings; 1) culturing and separating mushroom mycelia, 2) producing low-medium molecular weight isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan from high molecular weight one. The cytotoxicity on human cnacer cell line (Caco-2, MCF-7), the expression of Cyclin D, Bcl-2, Bax protein, p21 protein, p53 protein in MCF-7 cells assessed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting, and other immuno related factors such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-1B activities were examined. Structural identification of isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan which showed cytotoxicity against cancer cell and immunoenhancing effects was carried by separation with DEAE-cellulose column chromatography, TLC, HPLC, IR, NMR. Clinical test for the cancer patients (n=119) for 6 month was carried out, and immunoenhancing factors (NK. cell number, ratio of T4/T8) were checked. We concluded the identified isoflavone-${\beta}$-D-glucan has immuno enhancing effects and could be useful for cancer chemoprevention.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1513-1519
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• 2007

Yukwool-tang (YWT) is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has been used for patients suffering from a uterine disease in Oriental medicine. In the present study, it was examined the biochemical mechanisms of apoptosis by YWT in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells. It was found that YWT could inhibit the cell growth of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with apoptotic cell death such as formation of apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation. Flow cytometry analysis confirmed that YWT treatment increased populations of apoptotic-sub-G1 phase of the cell cycle. We observed the p53-independent induction of p21 proteins, down-regulation of anti apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and proteolytic activation of caspase-3 in YWT-treated HeLa cells. YWT treatment also concomitant degradation and/or inhibition of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), phospholipase C-1 ($PLC{\gamma}1$), ${\beta}-catenin$ and DNA fragmentation factor 45/inhibitor of caspase-activated DNase (DFF45/ICAD). Taken together, these findings partially provide novel insights into the possible molecular mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of YWT.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.1977-1981
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• 2012

Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HCT) is a native herb found in Southeast Asia which features various pharmacological activities against allergy, inflammation, viral and bacterial infection, and cancer. The aims of this study were to determine the cytotoxic effect of 6 fractions obtained from silica gel column chromatography of alcoholic HCT extract on human leukemic Molt-4 cells and demonstrate mechanisms of cell death. Six HCT fractions were cytotoxic to human lymphoblastic leukemic Molt-4 cells in a dose-dependent manner by MTT assay, fraction 4 exerting the greatest effects. Treatment with $IC_{50}$ of HCT fraction 4 significantly induced Molt-4 apoptosis detected by annexinV-FITC/propidium iodide for externalization of phosphatidylserine to the outer layer of cell membrane. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential was reduced in HCT fraction 4-treated Molt-4 cells. Moreover, decreased expression of Bcl-xl and increased levels of Smac/Diablo, Bax and GRP78 proteins were noted on immunoblotting. In conclusion, HCT fraction 4 induces Molt-4 apoptosis cell through an endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.53-68
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• 2009

Objectives: This study demonstrates the neurological effects of Bojungikki-tang and Bojungikki-tang-gamibang on the focal cerebral ischemia of rats with ischemic damage caused by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods: Rats were treated with Bojungikki-tang and Bojungikki-tang-gamibang extracts for about five days after MCAO, and the size and volume of cerebral infarction and the ratio of cerebral edema were observed. From the immunohistochemical view, significant changes of outbreak of Bax, Bcl-2, c-Fos, HSP72, and iNOS were observed in the brain tissues. Results: Bojungikki-tang repressed only brain edema and iNOS revelation led by focal cerebral ischemia, when considering significance. In contrast, Bojungikki-tang-gamibang demonstrated significant suppression of cerebral infarction, brain edema, Bax, c-Fos, HSP72, and iNOS induced by focal cerebral ischemia. Conclusions: Bojungikki-tang is considered functional treatment for cerebral ischemic damage; it can be effective to relieve secondary brain edema and immune response. Bojungikki-tang-gamibang can have a direct function to alleviate brain infarct and to control the natural death of nerve cells which cerebral ischemic damage brings about.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.218-222
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• 2005

Transferrin-conjugated liposomes ($T_f$-liposomes) were made and formulated with pCMVluc DNA to form a lipoplex. Among the various formulations studied, the $T_f$-liposome: pCMVluc DNA complex at a ratio of 5: 1 (wt/wt) showed the highest transfection efficiency, which was twice that of $Lipofectin^{TM}$ on HeLa cells. The maxi-mum tolerated dose (MTD) of this lipoplex formulation from a single intravenous injection was over 10 mg/kg in healthy ICR mice. The RT-PCR results showed that the highest level of luciferase mRNA was detected in the lungs, followed by the liver, spleen, heart and kidneys, after an intravenous injection into mice. Two weeks after the injection, the levels of luciferase mRNA decreased gradually in the liver, spleen, heart, and kidney, but not in the lungs. The micro-array study showed that the cancer-related genes, including the bcl 6 gene, were highly up-regulated by the treatment with $T_f$-liposome/ pCMVluc DNA complex on HeLa cells, indicating that there were possible interactions between the host chromosomal DNA and the $T_f$-liposome within the cells. The results obtained from this study are expected to be useful for designing a safe and efficient gene delivery system using transferrin-conjugated liposomes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.49-56
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• 2016

To determine the protective effect of aloe-emodin (AE) from high glucose induced toxicity in RIN-5F (pancreatic ${\beta}$-cell) cell and restoration of its function was analyzed. RIN-5F cells have been cultured in high glucose (25 mM glucose) condition, with and without AE treatment. RIN-5F cells cultured in high glucose decreased cell viability and increased ROS levels after 48 hr compared with standard medium (5.5 mM glucose). Glucotoxicity was confirmed by significantly increased ROS production, increased pro-inflammatory (IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-$1{\beta}$,) & decreased anti-inflammatory (IL-6&IL-10) cytokine levels, increased DNA fragmentation. In addition, we found increased Bax, caspase 3, Fadd, and Fas and significantly reduced Bcl-2 expression after 48 hr. RIN-5F treated with both high glucose and AE ($20{\mu}M$) decreased ROS generation and prevent RIN-5F cell from glucotoxicity. In addition, AE treated cells cultured in high glucose were transferred to standard medium, normal responsiveness to glucose was restored within 8hr and normal basal insulin release within 24 hr was achieved when compared to high glucose.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.436-441
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• 2009

The final bio-metabolites of lipid peroxidation (LPO) such as 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and malondialdehyde (MDA) have been suggested to mediate the oxidative stress-linked pathological incidences. Natural phytochemicals such as polyphenolic compounds in green tea have been known in preventing the LPO induced cellular growth inhibition and apoptosis. We investigated that green tea ethanol extracts (GTE) inhibit LPO-induced apoptosis in ECV 304 cells. GTE had time- or dose-dependent anti-apoptotic effects as evidenced by changes in cell morphology, MTT assay, DNA fragmentation, LPO production, and the Western blotting for apoptotic expression. In the 4-HNE-induced apoptosis model, GTE $10-20{\mu}g/mL$ decreased cell death through decreasing LPO production. GTE protected 4-HNE induced apoptosis, as evidence with down regulation of mitochondrial signaling such as cytochrome C and caspase-3 activity. GTE increased bcl2, survival signaling protein, compared to 4-HNE alone within 6 hr incubation. Since polyphenols in GTE are effective antioxidants in endothelial ECV 304 cells, we suggested that natural polyphenols might be anti-atherosclerotic.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.765-769
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• 2014

We examined the protective effects of Pyropia yezoensis glycoprotein (PYGP) against ethanol-induced gastric damage. The experimental animals were divided into four groups. They were treated with distilled water (control), ethanol alone (EtOH), ethanol + PYGP 150 mg/kg BW (EtOH+150), or ethanol + PYGP 300 mg/kg BW (EtOH+300). The groups were treated for 4 weeks. We measured mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), the apoptotic signaling pathway, and PARP activity in gastric tissues obtained from the rats. Ethanol consumption increased apoptotic signal activity and ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation. PYGP reduced the apoptotic signaling pathway activity and ERK, JNK, and p38 phosphorylation. Furthermore, PYGP regulated Bcl-2 family expression. In light of these findings, PYGP appears to prevent ethanol-induced gastric injury and oxidative stress.