• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.107-114
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• 2007

Radiation at very low doses frequently has a stimulating or hermetic effect on growth of organism. Effects of growth and survival rate on various dose of gamma irradiation in the farm culture of juvenile abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) were determined in Hallim (Jeju) from February 2004 to January 2005. The initial shell length of abalone juveniles in this study was average $3.45{\pm}0.4cm$. A change of growth after irradiation $(0{\sim}20Gy)$ was observed for 48 weeks. The highest growth rate was observed in 4 Gy-irradiated group and the lowest growth rate was observed in 20 Gy-irradiated group. The additional research about biochemical changes on juvenile abalone after irradiation should be accomplished. Continuous study for gamma radiation-induced hormesis on growth and metabolism of juvenile abalone will further induce the creation of value in ocean industry.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.63-72
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• 2000

Chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd) results in an inhibition of protein endocytosis in the renal proximal tubule, leading to proteinuria. In order to gain insight into the mechanism by which Cd impairs the protein endocytosis, we investigated the effect of Cd on the acidification of renal cortical endocytotic vesicles (endosomes). The endosomal acidification was assessed by measuring the pH gradient-dependent fluorescence change, using acridine orange or FITC-dextran as a probe. In renal endosomes isolated from Cd-intoxicated rats, the $V_{max}$ of ATP-driven fluorescence quenching ($H^+-ATPase$ dependent intravesicular acidification) was significantly attenuated with no substantial changes in the apparent $K_m,$ indicating that the capacity of acidification was reduced. When endosomes from normal animals were directly exposed to free Cd in vitro, the $V_{max}$ was slightly reduced, whereas the $K_m$ was markedly increased, implying that the biochemical property of the $H^+-ATPase$ was altered by Cd. In endosomes exposed to free Cd in vitro, the rate of dissipation of the transmembrane pH gradient after $H^+-ATPase$ inhibition appeared to be significantly faster compared to that in normal endosomes, indicating that the $H^+-conductance$ of the membrane was increased by Cd. These results suggest that in long-term Cd-exposed animals, free Cd ions liberated in the proximal tubular cytoplasm by lysosomal degradation of cadmium-metallothionein complex (CdMT) may impair endosomal acidification 1) by reducing the $H^+-ATPase$ density in the endosomal membrane, 2) by suppressing the intrinsic $H^+-ATPase$ activity, and 3) possibly by increasing the membrane conductance to $H^+$ ion. Such effects of Cd could be responsible for the alterations of proximal tubular endocytotic activities, protein reabsorption and various transporter distributions observed in Cd-exposed cells and animals.

• Proceedings of the KAIS Fall Conference
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• 2004.06a
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• pp.253-257
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• 2004

Platelet aggregation is a complex phenomenon that probably involves several intracellular biochemical pathways. When activated, platelets change shape, aggregate and release the contents of their intracellular granules. The interactions between platelets and blood vessel walls are important in the development of thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases. When blood vessels are damaged, platelet aggregation occurs rapidly to form haemostatic Plugs or arterial thrombi at the sites of vessel injury or in regions where blood flow is disturbed. These thrombi are the source of thromboembolic complications of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. Therefore, the inhibition of platelet function represents a promising approach for the prevention of thrombosis. Plants constitute a rich source of bioactive chemicals such as phenolics, terpenoids and alkaloids. Plant extracts may be an alternative to currently used medicinal source because they constitute a rich source of bioactive chemicals. This study was performed to investigate the antiplatelet activity of extract of Tabebuia impetiginosa Martius ex DC (Taheebo) and find out which fractions to this activity in rabbit platelet. Taheebo was methanol extracted and solvent fractionated in to five fractions (hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water). And each fractions were investigated inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by various agonists using washed rabbit platelets in vitro.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.127-137
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• 1993

Carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) has been used to treat a variety of parasitic infection in both large and small animals, including Fasciola hepatica. Recently, we can easily contest with carbon tetrachloride in air, food, water, rain and Industry area etc. and it is using in order to induce liver injury in laboratory. In this study. we investigated activitis of LDH, ALP, AST and ALT and amount of cholesterol, triacylglycerol, glucose and BUN in mice serum exposed to $CCl_4.$ The mice divided Into a Naive control(A), corn oil control(B) and experimental group(C, D). Naive control group(A) was given feed and water only. Corn oil control group(B) was given corn oil 1ml /100g of body weight(B.W). Experimental group(C) was given carbon tetrachloride 1ml /100g B.W. ($CCl_4$： corn oil=1：20(V /V) ), Experimental group(D) was given carbon teterachloride 1ml /100g B.W. ($CCl_4$: corn oil=1：10(V /V) ). The results obtained were summarized as follows : 1) The body weight was declined after the l0th day In mice exposed to carbon tetra-chloride. 2) The total protein level in serum was significantly in mice exposed to carbon tetra-chloride($P{\leq}0.05$). The albumin and A /G ratio was decresed significantly in mice exposed to carbon tetrachloride($P{\leq}0.01$) 3) All of the activity of LDH, AST, ALT and ALP in mice serum exposed to carbon tetra chloride inclosed significantly activity of LDH ($P{\leq}0.05$), inclosed significantly activity of AST($P{\leq}0.05, \;p {\leq}0.01$), inclosed significantly activityof ALT 3nd ALP($P {\leq}0.05,\;p {\leq}0.01$). 4) The amount of cholesterol and triacylglycerol, lipid metabolite products in serum was inclosed in case of cholesterol but did not change in case of triacylglycerol.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.1584-1592
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• 2006

Houttuynia cordata Thunb, well known as 'E-Sung-Cho' in Korea, is traditional medicinal plant generally used in Oriental medicine therapy. We previously reported that the water extract of H. cordata inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cells. In the present study, we investigated the biochemical mechanisms of anti-proliferative effects by the methanol extract of H. cordata (MEHC) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. It was found that MEHC could inhibit the cell growth in a dose-dependent manner, which was associated with morphological change and apoptotic cell death as determined by formation of apoptotic bodies, DNA fragmentation and increased populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase cells. Apoptosis of A549 cells by MEHC was also connected with a down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) expression. MEHC treatment induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and a concomitant inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), ${\beta}$-catenin and phospholipase (PLC)-${\gamma}$1 protein expression. Taken together, these findings provide important new insights into the possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of H. cordata.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.288-293
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• 1995

In the present study, we tested whether lead intoxication could change the thiamine content and the activity of transketolase, one of thiamine-dependent enzymes, in the brain of rats. It was also tested whether administration of excessive thiamine can reverse the toxic manifestation of lead in the lead intoxicated rats. Four groups of Wistar rats were prepared: 1) control group, 2) lead treated group, 3) lead plus thiamine treated group and 4) thiamine deficient group. Each group of animals was divided into three subgroups based on ages: 3, 7 and 16 weeks. Lead concentration, thiamine content and the activity of transketolase in three different brain regions, i.e.,, telencephalon, brain stem and cerebellum, were measured in each group. Lead concentrations in brain regions of the lead treated group were significantly higher than those of the control group, and those of the lead plus thiamine treated group were significantly decreased from those of the lead treated group. Thiamine contents in the brain regions of the lead treated group were significantly lower than those of the control group, and those of the lead plus thiamine treated group were recovered back to those of the control group. Activities of transketolase in the brain regions of the lead treated group and the thiamine deficient group were significantly lower than those of the control group, while those of the lead plus thiamine treated group were higher than the lead treated group. The results from the present study suggest that neurotoxicity following lead intoxication in rats may be mediated, at least in part, through the changes of thiamine status and consequently thiamine-dependent biochemical reactions such as theactivity of transketolase.

• Korean Journal of Plant Tissue Culture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 1997

The embryogenic callus (EC), from which somatic embryos could be induced, was compared with nonembryogenic callus(NE) to study the origin and features of totipotent cell in water dropwort (Oenanthe stolonifera DC). To induce and maintain of EC and the NE, meristematic stem and immature floret were inoculated in MS media supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-D, and with 2.5 mg/L NAA and 5mg/L BA, respectively, The EC was not induced from the NE even after subculturing in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 2,4-D. Plantlets were not regenerated from the NE in hormone-free medium. In histochemical comparison of the EC with the NE by light microscopy, the EC had smaller cells in size, dense cytoplasm, and more starch granules of cells compared to the NE cells. The cell from the EC, as observed by transmission electron microscopy, had smaller vaculoes, well developed ribosomes, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum, whereas the cells from the NE had larger vacuoles and underdeveloped organelles. In protein pattern from NE, EC and Somatic embryo (SE), as analyzed by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, different proteins specific for tissue were observed: 17 and 28 KD for NE, 50, 52, 57, 66, 68 KD for EC and 20 KD for SE. DNA polymorphism was also observed between EC and NE as analyzed by RAPD (randomly amplified polymorphic DNA) method. The origin of totipotent stem cell and the relationship between irreversible genomic change arose in differentiation and the loss of totipotency in plant were discussed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.503-510
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increased serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been reported to be related to the occurrence of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. High serum Hcy levels are also related to the development of secondary stroke and all-cause mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of high serum homocysteine level and relating factors, and the change over the 10 month period post-stroke. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to the Asan Medical Center were enrolled. Ten months after the onset of stroke, an interview with a structured questionnaire was performed and blood samples were obtained for the biochemical parameters. Nutritional status was determined using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score and dietary nutrient intakes were also obtained using a 24 hour recall method. RESULTS: Out of 203 patients, 84% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and 26% had high homocysteine levels at 10 months post-stroke. Using logistic regression, the factors related with high homocysteine levels at 10 months post-stroke included heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.020), low MNA scores (P = 0.026), low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ (P = 0.021) and low serum folate levels (P = 0.003). Of the 156 patients who had normal homocysteine levels at admission, 36 patients developed hyperhomocysteinemia 10 months post-stroke, which was related to heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.013). Persistent hyperhomocysteinemia, observed in 22 patients (11%), was related to male sex (P = 0.031), old age (P = 0.042), low vitamin $B_6$ intake (P = 0.029), and heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is common in post-stroke, and is related to malnutrition, heavy alcohol drinking and low serum level of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. Strategies to prevent or manage high homocysteine levels should consider these factors.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2021

In marine ecosystems, the biosynthesis and catabolism of dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) by marine bacteria is critical to microbial survival and the ocean food chain. Furthermore, these processes also influence sulfur recycling and climate change. Recent studies using emerging genome sequencing data and extensive bioinformatics analysis have enabled us to identify new DMSP-related genes. Currently, seven bacterial DMSP lyases (DddD, DddP, DddY, DddK, DddL, DddQ and DddW), two acrylate degrading enzymes (DddA and DddC), and four demethylases (DmdA, DmdB, DmdC, and DmdD) have been identified and characterized in diverse marine bacteria. In this review, we focus on the biochemical properties of DMSP cleavage enzymes with special attention to DddD, DddA, and DddC pathways. These three enzymes function in the production of acetyl coenzyme A (CoA) and CO₂ from DMSP. DddD is a DMSP lyase that converts DMSP to 3-hydroxypropionate with the release of dimethylsulfide. 3-Hydroxypropionate is then converted to malonate semialdehyde by DddA, an alcohol dehydrogenase. Then, DddC transforms malonate semialdehyde to acetyl-CoA and CO₂ gas. DddC is a putative methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase that requires nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and CoA cofactors. Here we review recent insights into the structural characteristics of these enzymes and the molecular events of DMSP degradation.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.75-83
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• 2019

Objectives Previous animal studies have shown that mixtures of Cynanchum wilfordii and Phlomis umbrosa extract (IPLUS-CWPU) increases femur length and insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) secretion. IPLUS-CWPU may thus be a promising ingredient in functional foods aimed at growing child's height. The purpose of the study is to investigate the effect of IPLUS-CWPU on height growth in children with short stature. Methods For this purpose, we recruited 90 children aged 4 to 12 years who had heights ranging from the 5th to 25th percentiles of Korean children's growth curve and randomized to either the IPLUS-CWPU or the placebo group. Results The IPLUS-CWPU group showed a significant increase in the change of the height growth compared to the placebo group after 20 weeks of administration (p=0.02). The height growth velosity also showed a statistically significant difference in the test group compared to the placebo group at 10 weeks (p=0.04). The IGF-1 levels showed a tendency to increase in the IPLUS-CWPU group (p=0.08). Moreover, the IPLUS-CWPU significantly increased IGF-1/IGFBP-3 ratio (p=0.02). However, there were no significant differences in blood biochemical parameters including growth hormone, bone age, thyroid stimulating hormone, and osteocalcin levels. Conclusions In conclusion, the data of this trial indicate that IPLUS-CWPU is effective and safe, generally well-tolerated without severe adverse events, in the treatment of children with short stature over a 20 weeks period.