• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to inquire into the protective effects of acupuncture on oxidative stress caused by cadmium accumulation in the kidney. Methods : Sprague-Dawley male($150{\pm}30g$) rats were stabilized for 1 week and divided into 5 groups: normal, control, $LR_3$ acupuncture, $BL_{23}$ acupuncture and sham acupuncture. For three days experimental groups received oral doses of cadmium 2 mg/kg twice a day. Acupuncture was applied bilaterally at each point 10 times for two weeks. The depth of stimulation was 1 mm at right angles and torsion of acupuncture was produced 2 times per second for 1 minute. The kidneys were extracted and weighed after two weeks, and renal function was confirmed through blood urea nitrogen(BUN). We measured reactive oxygen species of the serum and kidney, and compared expression levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase(Gpx), nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-related factor 2(Nrf-2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$(NF-${\kappa}B)$, cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Bax and Cytochrome c. Results : The $LR_3$ acupuncture group and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group experienced significantly increased kidney weight, and decreased BUN compared to control group. In terms of oxidative stress, the $LR_3$ acupuncture group and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced reactive oxygen species compared to the control group. Conclusions : The $LR_3$ acupuncture group and $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group experienced showed the effects of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and apoptosis protection. The $BL_{23}$ acupuncture group was more effective than $LR_3$ acupuncture group.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 2024

Background: Recently, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PDENs) have been isolated, and active research was focusing on understanding their properties and functions. In this study, the characteristics and molecular properties of ginseng root-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GrDENs) were examined in terms of skin protection. Methods: HPLC-MS protocols were used to analyze the ginsenoside contents in GrDENs. To investigate the beneficial effect of GrDENs on skin, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with GrDENs (0-2 × 10⁹ particles/mL), and followed by UVB irradiation or H₂O₂ exposure. In addition, the antioxidant activity of GrDENs was measured using a fluorescence microscope or flow cytometry. Finally, molecular mechanisms were examined with immunoblotting analysis. Results: GrDENs contained detectable levels of ginsenosides (Re, Rg1, Rb1, Rf, Rg2 (S), Gyp17, Rd, C-Mc1, C-O, and F2). In UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells, GrDENs protected cells from death and reduced ROS production. GrDENs downregulated the mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes, including BAX, caspase-1, -3, -6, -7, and -8 and the ratio of cleaved caspase-8, -9, and -3 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GrDENs reduced the mRNA levels of aging-related genes (MMP2 and 3), proinflammatory genes (COX-2 and IL-6), and cellular senescence biomarker p21, possibly by suppressing activator protein-1 signaling. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the protective effects of GrDENs against skin damage caused by UV and oxidative stress, providing new insights into beneficial uses of ginseng. In particular, our results suggest GrDENs as a potential active ingredient in cosmeceuticals to promote skin health.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.462-473
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• 2024

The anti-inflammatory effect of beluga lentil extract (BLE) and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Treatment with BLE significantly decreased nitric oxide (NO) production and protein and mRNA expressions of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in LPS-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Down-regulation of this inflammatory gene expression was not associated with NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways, and further mechanistic studies demonstrated that BLE decreased LPS-induced iNOS expression through upregulation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. These results suggest that beluga lentil represent a potential source of natural anti-inflammatory agents, and further studies will be necessary to determine its anti-inflammatory effects in vivo.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.223-227
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• 2008

Human embryonic stem (ES) cells retain the capacity for self-renewal, are pluripotent and differentiate into the three embryonic germ layer cells. The regulatory transcription factors Oct4, Nanog and Sox2 play an important role in maintaining the pluripotency of human ES cells. The aim of this research was to identify unknown genes upregulated in human ES cells along with Oct4, Nanog, and Sox2. This study characterizes an unknown gene, named chromosome 1 open reading frame 31 (C1orf31) mapping to chromosome 1q42.2. The product of C1orf31 is the hypothetical protein LOC388753 having a cytochrome c oxidase subunit VIb (COX6b) motif. In order to compare expression levels of C1orf31 in human ES cells, human embryoid body cells, vascular angiogenic progenitor cells (VAPCs), cord-blood endothelial progenitor cells (CB-EPCs) and somatic cell lines, we performed RT-PCR analysis. Interestingly, C1orf31 was highly expressed in human ES cells, cancer cell lines and SV40-immortalized cells. It has a similar expression pattern to the Oct4 gene in human ES cells and cancer cells. Also, the expression level of C1orf31 was shown to be upregulated in the S phase and early G2 phase of synchronized HeLa cells, leading us to purpose that it may be involved in the S/G2 transition process. For these reasons, we assume that C1orf31 may play a role in on differentiation of human ES cells and carcinogenesis.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.89-102
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was carried out to understand the immunity responses and anti-oxidation effect of the Gamidaeganghwal-tang(GDT) on rheumatoid arthritis by using the THP-1 cells and the serum of CIA mice. Methods : For this purpose, GDT was orally administerd to mice with rheumatoid arthritis induced by collagen II. To investigate the immunity responses, value of cytokine and gene expression in the THP-1 cell, levels of cytokines in the serum of CIA(collagen type II induced arthritis) mice, number of immunocyte in PBMC of CIA mice were measured. Then, anti-oxidant activity, scavenging activity on DHHP(2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical and SOD(Superoxide dismutae)-like activity of GDT was observed. Results : 1. The levels of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 at 100, $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GDT were significantly reduced in the THP-1 cell. 2. The levels of TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 mRNA expression at 100, $50{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GDT and IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 at $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GDT were significantly reduced in the THP-1 cell line. 3. The levels of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ were significantly reduced in the serum of CIA mice. 4. The absolute number of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8+ cells were significantly induced, CD3+/CD69+, CD3+/CD49+, CD19+, B220+/CD23+ cells were significantly reduced in PBMC. 5. Scavenging activity on DPPH free radical and SOD-like activity were significantly induced in a concentration dependent manner. Conclusions : Taking all these observations, GDT considered to be effective in treating rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore we have to survey continuously in looking for the effective substance and mechanism in the future.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.1-20
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• 2004

This study is to examine relationships of several socioeconomic position indicators with mortality risk in a nationwide longitudinal study of South Korea. The Korea Labor & Income Panel Study, conducted on a probability sample of urban South Korean households by Korea Labor Institute, contains date of death information for the decedents which were used to estimate relative risks of mortality and their $95\%$ confidence intervals (CI) with Cox regression analysis. A total of 125 men and women among 8,415 subjects died between 1998 and 2002. Socioeconomic differentials in mortality were observed after adjustment for sex and age. Those with less than 12-year education had 1.90 times $(95\%\;CI=1.25-2.91)$ greater mortality risk than those with 12-year education or more. Greater mortality risks were also found among those with low occupational class and manual occupation. The magnitude of differentials in mortality risks between occupational class were similar in two different approaches to measuring women's occupational class: (1) approach 1 where women, married or not, retain their own occupational class, and (2) approach 2 where married women are assigned their husbands' occupational class. Relative risks of dying among those with low household Income were 1.62 $(95\%\; CI=1.08-2.42)$ compared with the counterparts. Those who reported economic hardship at the time of survey in 1998 had greater risk of mortality $(RR=1.83,\;95\%\;CI=1.21-2.78)$ than those who did not. In conclusion, increased social discourse and policy discussions about these health inequalities are needed in Korean society. Future studies should explore the causes and mechanisms of socioeconomic mortality inequalities.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2019.10a
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• pp.65-65
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• 2019

In this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of extracts of leaves (LCLE) and branches (LCBE) from L. caerulea in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Inhibitory effect of LCLE and LCBE against LPS-induced overproduction of NO, iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ was higher than LCFE. Furthermore, LCLE and LCBE significantly inhibited the overexpression of COX-2, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. LCLE and LCBE did not inhibited LPS-induced degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$, but blocked the nuclear accumulation of p65. LCLE did not inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38, while LCBE significantly attenuated phosphorylation level of p38. LCLE and LCBE increased HO-1 protein level and decrease of iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ expression by LCLE and LCBE was inhibited by HO-1 knockdown. The inhibition of p38 by SB203580 and ROS by NAC blocked HO-1 expression by LCLE and LCBE. LCLE and LCBE increased p38 phosphorylation and the inhibition of ROS by NAC blocked p38 phosphorylation LCLE and LCBE. LCLE and LCBE induced nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, but this was significantly reversed by the inhibition of p38 and ROS. In addition, LCLE and LCBE increased ATF3 expression and decrease of iNOS and $IL-1{\beta}$ expression by LCLE and LCBE was inhibited by ATF3 knockdown. Collectively, LCLE and LCBE inhibited LPS-induced $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation by blocking p65 nuclear accumulation, increased HO-1 expression by ROS/p38/Nrf2 activation, and increased ATF3 expression. Furthermore, LCBE inhibited LPS-induced p38 phosphorylation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.158-170
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• 2019

Purpose: This study investigated the association between health status and tooth loss based on data from the National Health Insurance Service-Health Examinee Cohort in 2002-2015. Methods: Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were applied to a longitudinal retrospective database, which was updated and newly released in 2018, to assess the association between health status and tooth loss while adjusting for potential confounders among sociodemographic and economic factors (sex, age, household income, insurance, and presence of disability), general and oral health status (body mass index [BMI], smoking and drinking status, periodic dental visits and scaling, and brushing before sleep), and comorbid disease (hypertension, diabetes mellitus [DM], and Charlson comorbidity index [CCI]). Results: Among 514,866 participants from a South Korean population, 234,247 (45.5%) participants satisfying the inclusion criteria were analyzed. In the adjusted multivariate analysis, sex, age, household income, insurance, presence of disability, BMI, smoking and drinking status, periodic scaling, tooth brushing before sleep, DM, and CCI showed statistically significant associations with the loss of at least 1 tooth. The risk of experiencing a loss of ${\geq}4$ teeth was associated with an increase in age (in those 50-59 years of age: hazard ratio [HR], 1.98; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.93-2.03; in those 60-69 years of age: HR, 2.93; 95% CI, 2.85-3.02; and in those 70-79 years of age: HR, 2.93; 95%, CI 2.81-3.05), smoking (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.65-1.73), and DM (HR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.38-1.48). Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the risk of experiencing tooth loss was related to multiple determinants. DM and smoking were especially significantly associated with tooth loss.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2018

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of joint disease, characterized by articular cartilage, osteonecrosis, and osteochondral bone erosion. It is an early, progressive disease that combines joint stiffness and joint pain and reduces cartilage function and condition. Interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) is thought to be important to the pathogenesis of OA and significantly increases the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which play an important role in cartilage degradation in OA. Sparassis crispa (Wulf.) is an edible / medicinal mushroom that has been reported to variety of biological activities. In this study, investigated the Anti-inflammatory effect of Sparassis crispa (Wulf.) ethanol extract (SCE) on $IL-1{\beta}$ stimulated SW1353 chondrocytes. SCE decreased the expression and activity of MMPs by $IL-1{\beta}$ and decreased the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin E2($PGE_2$) in $IL-1{\beta}$ stimulated SW-1353 chondrocytes. In addition, SCE inhibits the expression of MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and $NF-{\kappa}B$ (nuclear factor-kappa B) signaling in $IL-1{\beta}$ stimulated SW-1353 cells, and SCE inhibits the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression. Thus, it is suggested that SCE has a potential as an anti-inflammatory agent in osteoarthritis treatments.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.534-538
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the biological benefits of apple peel. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of a 70% ethanol extract of apple peel were examined. The total phenolic compound and flavonoid contents of apple peel were $6.8{\pm}0.5mg$ gallic acid equivalent/g of fresh weight and $3.3{\pm}0.3mg$ catechin equivalent/g of fresh weight, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity. The DPPH radical scavenging activity of apple peel was $18.9{\pm}1.6$, $46.3{\pm}2.3$ and $58.1{\pm}3.9%$ at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively (p<0.05). The anti-inflammatory effect was investigated by measuring the inhibition of inflammatory enzymes. Apple peel significantly inhibited secretory phospholipase, cyclooxygenase-1, cyclooxygenase-2, and lipoxygenase activity by up to $53.5{\pm}2.3$, $13.4{\pm}1.8$, $64.8{\pm}5.4$ and $44.4{\pm}4.5%$, respectively (p<0.05). Taken together, these findings suggest that apple peel may act as an antioxidant by radical scavenging and may possess potential anti-inflammatory properties for suppressing the activity of inflammatory enzymes. These results also suggest that apple peel can be utilized as a health functional food ingredient possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.