• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.3 s.83
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• pp.305-311
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• 2007

Glucocorticoids (GCs) alter metabolism, synaptogenesis, apoptosis, neurogenesis, and dendritic morphology in the hippocampus. To better understand how glucocorticoids regulate these aspects of hippocampal biology, we studied gene expression patterns in the CA3 (Hippocampal pyramidal cell field CA3) and dentate gyrus (DG). Litter-matched Lewis inbred rats treated for 20 days with either 9.5 mg per day sustained-release corticosterone or placebo pellets were compared with high-density oligonucleotide microarray analysis (Rat Neurobiology U34 Arrays, Affymetrix). In placebo-treated rats, 32 genes were expressed at greater levels in CA3 than DG, whereas 3 genes were expressed at great levels in DC than CA3. Regional differences were also apparent in corticosterone-induced changes in the hippocampal transcriptome. Six genes in CA3 and 41 genes in DC were differentially regulated by corticosterone. As per the glucocorticoid effects on gene transcription in the brain, forty three of these genes were upregulated, and 4 genes were downregulated. Genes differentially expressed in hippocampus included those for 13 neurotransmitter proteins, 5 ion channel related proteins, 4 transcription factors, 3 neurotrophic factors, 1 cytokine, 1 apoptosis related protein, and 5 genes involved in synaptogenesis. Interestingly, GCs can have suppressive effects on brain BDNF mRNA transcription, one of the neurotrophic factors. These results indicate the diversity of targets affected by chronic exposure to corticosterone and highlight important regional differences in hippocampal neurobiology.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.252-258
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• 1998

A feeding experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of deletion of P, Ca, Zn, Mg, Fe, K, Mn, or Se from mineral premix in the diets containing $40\%$ fish meal on growth performance of juvenile Korean rockfish. Three replicate groups of the fish initially averaging 5.4 g were fed the experimental diets deleted one ot each mineral (P, Ca, Zn, Mg, Fe, K, Mn, Se or all) in the mineral premix for 9 weeks. A basal diet with fish meal ($40\%$), meat meal ($9\%$), soybean meal ($5\%$), corngluten meal ($3\%$), and leather meal ($3\%$) as protein sources were included. Weight gain in fish fed diets deleted Ca, Zn, K, or Se was lower than that of control diet ( P<0.05). Daily feed intake, condition factor, hepatosomatic index and liver chemical composition were not affected by dietary mineral premixes (P>0.05). Apparent skeletal deformities were not observed in the diets deleted each mineral, The data obtained in this study indicate that each of the Ca, Zn, K, or Se should be added in the diet contained $40\%$ fish meal for normal growth of Korean rockfish.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.133-138
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• 1998

Plasma and milk samples of 24 periparturient Holstein cows were collected from 1 week prepartum to 10 week postpartum to measure the effects of parity on mineral status in periparturient cows. Cows were fed mainly mixed ration with the concentrate supplement during the experimental period to meet nutrient requirement of dairy cattle for TDN, protein, and minerals, Plasma Ca of cows decrease as parity increased, but plasma Mg, K, Fe and Zn were lowest in the first lactation cows. Plasma inorganic P, Na, and alkaline phosphatase were not affected by the parity. Plasma Ca, Fe and Zn of cows decreased at parturition, but plasma Mg increase. Plasma Ca of the first, second and third and more lactation cows at parturition were 9.65, 8.96, and 8.92 mg/dl, respectively. Colostral Ca, P, Mg, Na, and Zn were highest in the first lactation cows, although colostrum yield was lower. Milk yield from 1 to 10 weeks postpartum was lowest in the first lactation cows, but mineral concentrations in milk were not affected by the parity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.240-248
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• 2024

We observed that treatment with dimethyl α-ketoglutarate (DMK) increased the amount of intracellular α-ketoglutarate significantly more than that of α-ketoglutarate in HaCaT cells. DMK also increased the level of intracellular 4-hydroxyproline and promoted the production of collagen in HaCaT cells. In addition, DMK decreased the production of collagenase and elastase and down-regulated the expression of selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such as MMP-1, MMP-9, MMP-10, and MMP-12, via transcriptional inhibition. The inhibition of MMPs by DMK was mediated by the suppression of the IL-1 signaling cascade, leading to the attenuation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and AP-1 transactivation. Our study results illustrate that DMK, an alkylated derivative of α-ketoglutarate, increased the level of 4-hydroxyproline, promoted the production of collagen, and inhibited the expression of selected MMPs by affecting the IL-1 cascade and AP-1 transactivation in HaCaT cells. The results suggest that DMK might be useful as an anti-wrinkle ingredient.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.89-102
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• 1982

The $Na^+-and\;K^+-induced\;Ca^{++}$ release was measured isotopically by millipore filter technique in pig heart mitochondria. With EGTA-quenching technique, the characteristics of mitochondrial $Ca^{++}-pool$ and the sources of $Ca^{++}$ released from mitochondria by $Na^+\;or\;K^+$ were analyzed. The mitochondrial $Ca^{++}-pool$ could be distinctly divided into two components: internal and external ones which were represented either by uptake through inner membrane, or by energy independent passive binding to external surface of mitochondria, respectively. In energized mitochondria, a large portion of $Ca^{++}$was transported into internal pool with little external binding, while in de-enerigzed state, a large portion of transported $Ca^{++}$ existed in the external pool with limited amount of $Ca^{++}$ in the internal pool which was possibly transported through the $Ca^{++}-carrier$ present in the inner membrane. $Na^+$ induced the $Ca^{++}$ release from both internal pool and external pool and external binding pool of mitochondria. In contrast, $K^+$ did not affect $Ca^{++}$ of the internal pool, but, displaced $Ca^{++}$ bound to external surface of the mitochondria. When the $Ca^{++}-reuptake$ was blocked by EGTA, the $Ca^{++}$ release from the internal pool by $Na^+$ was rapid; the rate of $Ca^{++}-efflux$ appeared to be a function of $[Na^+]^2$ and about 8mM $Na^+$ was required to elicit half-maximal velocity of $Ca^{++}-efflux$. So it was revealed that $Ca^{++}-efflux$ velocity was particulary sensitive to small changes of the $Na^+$ concentration in physiological range. Energy independent $Ca^{++}-binding$ sites of mitochondrial external surface showed unique characteristics. The total number of external $Ca^{++}-binding$ sites of pig heart mitochondria was 29 nmoles per mg protein and the dissociation constant(Kd) was $34{\mu}M$. The $Ca^{++}-binding$ to the external sites seemed to be competitively inhibited by $Na^+\;and\;K^+$; the inhibition constant(Ki) were 9.7 mM and 7.1 mM respectively. Considering the intracellular ion concentrations and large proportion of $Ca^{++}$ uptake in energized mitochondria, the external $Ca^{++}-binding$ pool of the mitochondria did not seem to play a significant role on the regulation of intracellular free $Ca^{++}$ concentration. From this experiment, it was suggested that a small change of intracellular free $Na^+$ concentration might play a role on regulation of free $Ca^{++}$ concentration in cardiac cell by influencing $Ca^{++}-efflux$ from the internal pool of mitochondria.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1042-1048
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• 1996

In order to investigate heating rate of commercial milk products in korean market, lactulose content and availability of calcium and ascorbic acid were measured. The pH range for raw and commercial milk was 6.5-6.75, and protein content was 2.5-3.13%. The acid degree value (。SH)showed between 5.3 and 7.1. There were no differences in pH, protein and acid degree among 3 types of milk. The portion ionic Ca content in UHT-milk(32.4%) and pasteurized milk (27%) increased significantly in comparison with raw milk (4.6%). Pasteurization led to loss of 20% ascorbic acid, and losses of UHT-treatment are approximately twice as high. Significant differences of lactulose content between UHT milk and pasteurized milk were observed. Some of UHT milk products showed very high value of lactulose content like sterilized milk. It is well known that the stress caused by indirect UHT treatment is slightly higher compared with the direct process. The results in this experiment suggested that most of UHT milk in korean market may be treated by indirect UHT method. In oder to keep the adventages of milk component, the heating methods of milk have to be reconsidered.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.613-618
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• 1995

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of extracting pH on the components and color of seasame protein concentrate(SPC). The protein contents of SPC by extracted at pH 2.0, 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0 were 60.57, 67.72, 79.50 and 83.44%, respectively. Most of the phytates were removed in SPC extracted at pH 7.0, 9.0 and 11.0, but the phytate content of SPC extracted at pH 2.0 was about the same as that of defatted sesame flour. The highest decrease of phytate was found in SPC extracted at pH 11.0(94.80%). SPC extracted at pH 2.0 contained the highest amount of Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn than those in other SPC prepared, while highest amount of Cu was found in SPC extracted at pH 11.0. Sodium content was similar among all the SPC prepared. SPC extracted at pH 7.0 resulted in brighter clor, but SPC extracted at pH 11.0 showed a little darker in appearance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1013-1020
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrient intake and bone status in rural postmenopausal women in Korea. Ten postmenopausal women in An-Sung area participated in this study and they were divided into two groups ; women in group I had been postmenopausal for 4 years or less and those in group II had been postmenopausal for 5 years or more before the present study began. Their environmental factors and dietary intakes were surveyed through the personal interviews. Serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone(PTH), estradiol and urinary Ca, P, creatinine, hydroxyproline levels were measured from December 4 to December 27 in 1993. The reults of this study are summarized as follows : Average ages of group I and II were 54.8 and 57.2 years. Average menopausal ages of group I and II were 50.8 and 47.3 years. The nutrient intakes of subjects were higher than recommended dietary allowances(RDA) except calorie, protein, calcium, and vitamin A. The nutrient status did not show any significant difference between group I and II. Serum levels of Ca, P, PTH, estradiol and urinary P, creatinine excretion did not show any significant difference between group I and II, and all levels were in normal range. Urinary Ca excretion(p<0.05) and hydroxyproline excretion(p<0.01) were significantly lower in group I than in group II. Urinary Ca/creatinine(Ca/cr) and hydroxyproline/creatinine(Hpr/cr) rations were significantly higher in group II than in group I(p<0.01. And Hpr/cr levels of group I were in normal range, but most of subjects in group II were higher than 0.017 indicating sign of osteoporosis. Correlations between parameters showed that serum PTH adn urinary Ca, Ca/cr levels were positive related (p<0.01), and the years of the after menopausal year and urinary Hpr/cr was also positive related(p<0.05). The present results suggests that it is difficult to protect postmenopausal women's bone destruction having Korean usual diets. Therefore, to prevent osteoporosis with aging, minimizing the hormonal changes in postmenopausal women is needed as well as Ca supplementation and proper exercise before menopause begins.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.17-31
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• 2000

In order to investigate the effects of emitted-qi therapy(EQT) and cold water therapy(CWT) on the inhibition of the blood loss, the protein loss and the electrolyte loss in burned rats. The white blood cell, hematocrit and hemoglobin values in blood, and the total protein, albumin, globulin, $Na^+,\;Cl^-,\;K^+\;and\;Ca^{2+}$ values in serum were measured. The results were obtained as follows; 1. White blood cell count in blood was significantly increased in CWT group compared with control group. 2. Hematocrit value in bolld was significantly increase in EQT and CWT group compared with control group. 3. Hemoglobin value in blood was significantly increased in CWT group compared with control group. 4. Total protein value in serum was significantly increased in CWT group compared with control group. 5. Albumin value in serum was significantly increased in EQT and CWT group compared with control group. 6. Globulin value in serum tended to be increase in EQT and CWT group compared with control group, but it was not significant. 7. A/G ratio in serum was significantly increased in EQT and CWT group compared with contort group. 8. $Na^+$, value in serum was significantly increased in EQT and CWT group compared with ontrol group. 9. $K^+$, value in serum tended to be increased in EQT group compared with control group, but it was not significant. 10. $Cl^-$ value in serum was significantly increased in EQT and CWT group compared with control group. 11. $Ca^{2+}$ value in serum tended to be increased in EQT and CWT compared with control group, but it was not significant. According to the above results, the EQT and CWT inhibited the blood loss, the protein loss and the electrolyte loss. Therefore, it is considered that the EQT and CWT can be applied to the burn therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.293-298
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• 2001

Tryptic activation of the 130-kDa Bacillus thuringiensis Cry4B $\delta$-endotoxin produced protease-resistant products of ca. 47 kDa and ca. 21 kDa. The 21-kDa fragment was identified as the N-terminal five-helix bundle (${\alpha}1-{\alpha}5$,) which is a potential candidate for membrane insertion and pore formation. In this study, we constructed the recombinant clone over-expressing this putative pore-forming (PPF) fragment as inclusion bodies in Escherichia coli. The partially purified inclusions were composed of a 23-kDa protein, which cross-reacted with Cry4B antibodies, and whose N-terminus was identical to that of the 130-kDa protein. Dissimilar to protoxin inclusions, the PPF inclusions were only soluble when the carbonate buffer, pH 9.0, was supplemented with 6 M urea. After renaturation via a stepwise dialysis, the refolded PPF protein appeared to exist as an oligomer and was structurally stable upon trypsin treatment. Unlike the 130kDa protoxin, the refolded protein was able to release entrapped glucose from liposomes, and showed comparable activity to the full-length activated toxin, although it lacks larvicidal activity These results, therefore, support the notion that the PPF fragment that consists of ${\alpha}1-{\alpha}5$ of the activated Cry4B toxin is involved in membrane pore-formation.