• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.700-709
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• 2023

Mucus hyperproduction and hypersecretion are observed often in respiratory diseases. MUC8 is a glycoprotein synthesized by epithelial cells and generally expressed in the respiratory track. However, the physiological mechanism by which extracellular nucleotides induce MUC8 gene expression in human airway epithelial cells is unclear. Here, we show that UTP could induce MUC8 gene expression through P2Y2-PLCβ3-Ca²⁺ activation. Because the full-length cDNA sequence of MUC8 has not been identified, a specific siRNA-MUC8 was designed based on the partial cDNA sequence of MUC8. siRNA-MUC8 significantly increased TNF-α production and decreased IL-1Ra production, suggesting that MUC8 may downregulate UTP/P2Y2-induced airway inflammation. Interestingly, the PDZ peptide of ZO-1 protein strongly abolished UTP-induced TNF-α production and increased IL-1Ra production and MUC8 gene expression. In addition, the PDZ peptide dramatically increased the levels of UTP-induced ZO proteins and TEER (trans-epithelial electrical resistance). These results show that the anti-inflammatory mucin MUC8 may contribute to homeostasis, and the PDZ peptide can be a novel therapeutic candidate for UTP-induced airway inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.284-292
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• 2018

The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), a cyclic hypothalamic peptide composed of 17 amino acids, was initially identified in chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) as a regulator of pigmentation. Mammalian MCHs are cyclic hypothalamic peptides composed of 19 amino acids that regulate food intake and energy homeostasis. The present study examined not only MCH expression of different tissues but also the melanohore aggregation and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx of fMCH and the other MCH. Real-time qPCR showed that MCH expressed specially in the brain, gonad, and ovary, and expression of MCH was observed during the developmental stages. In the application of synthetic fMCH and both types of synthetic fMCH, dN-fMCH and dC-fMCH, scale melanophore induced significant changes in aggregation activity with various concentrations of MCH. Also, compared to hMCH and sMCH, fMCH exhibited a 36~99.85% increase in relative potency (%), whereas aggregation of dN-fMCH and dC-fMCH remained in a high concentration. However, dispersion was induced rapidly according to be low concentration of dN-fMCH and dC-fMCH. We show that fMCH and its derivates were bound human MCHR1 and rat MCHR expressed in HEK293T cells with nano-molar affinity and are likely to be ligand-induced to mobilize intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. These results may provide new ligands for binding assay with MCHew ligands, as a structure similar to the mammalian MCH structure was discovered in fish. Once the fMCH receptor system is in place, it can be compared to the MCH system of mammals in terms of MCH function.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.458-468
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• 2023

Background: As a complication of Type II Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of cognitive dysfunction are still undefined. Recent studies demonstrated that Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has promising neuroprotective properties, but the effect and mechanism in diabetes-associated cognitive dysfunction (DACD) deserve further investigation. Methods: After establishing the T2DM model with a high-fat diet and STZ intraperitoneal injection, Rg1 was given for 8 weeks. The behavior alterations and neuronal lesions were judged using the open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze (MWM), as well as HE and Nissl staining. The protein or mRNA changes of NOX2, p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, NFAT1, APP, BACE1, NCSTN, and Ab1-42 were investigated by immunoblot, immunofluorescence or qPCR. Commercial kits were used to evaluate the levels of IP3, DAG, and calcium ion (Ca²⁺) in brain tissues. Results: Rg1 therapy improved memory impairment and neuronal injury, decreased ROS, IP3, and DAG levels to revert Ca²⁺ overload, downregulated the expressions of p-PLC, TRPC6, CN, and NFAT1 nuclear translocation, and alleviated Aβ deposition in T2DM mice. In addition, Rg1 therapy elevated the expression of PSD95 and SYN in T2DM mice, which in turn improved synaptic dysfunction. Conclusions: Rg1 therapy may improve neuronal injury and DACD via mediating PLC-CN-NFAT1 signal pathway to reduce Aβ generation in T2DM mice.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on biochemical factors in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. The abalone were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ${\mu}g/L$ Cd for 4 weeks. The phenoloxidase (PO) activity was decreased in hemolymph of abalone exposed to 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ for 4 weeks compared to the control (P < 0.05). The hemolymph enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were markedly elevated in 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ after 4 weeks. The hemolymph calcium concentrations were significantly decreased in 20 and 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ for 4 weeks. Hepatopancreas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased by Cd. SOD was increased in both 20 and 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ and CAT, in 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ after 2 weeks (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the abalone SOD and CAT including PO may serve as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress by Cd. We conclude that a Cd concentration, 40 ${\mu}g/L$ in water may curtail hemolymph homeostasis and anti-oxidative reactions in abalone hepatopancreas. From these results, these biochemical factors may represent a convenient method of monitoring heavy metal pollution in coastal areas.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.112-114
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• 2015

Purpose Vitamin D to Anti- Rickets both steroid compounds showing activity, By acting on bone tissue secretary and the key to maintain serum Ca homeostasis. The blood level of vitamin D is the largest in D3 that the concentration of the metabolite is reflected in the holding state of vitamin D in vivo. Sunlight to change the 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin and through the skin to D3, In the liver in combination with the D2 and D3 D4 changes. The Radioimmunoassay(RIA) method is measuring the D 3, the sensitivity can be measured also difficult trace substance to measure the normal test because it is very sensitive, but recently, a check is possible, for the Total D3 in Chemimicroparticle immunoassay(CMIA) or Chemiluminescent immunoassay(CLIA) measuring using microparticle RIA and CMIA(Architect i2000SR) / use the CLIA(DXI-800) method to compare and evaluate the correlation between the tests in the same test items. Materials and Methods Commissioned from January 2014 to March 2015 patients were enrolled in a total of 273 people. 29 out of 273 people conducted by RIA were compared with CMIA, 244 patients were compared with CLIA. Using reagents and equipment were used RIA(Diasource), CMIA(Architect i2000SR, Abbott Diagnostics) / CLIA( Unicel DXi-800, Beckman coulter). Results Correlation of the RIA and CLIA was a R2 = 0.1844 (y = 0.7303x + 3.9005), and the correlation of RIA CMIA is R2 = 0.2762 (y = 0.8862x + 4.56) respectively. (According to statistics, during the same period RIA is Deficiency 4.31%, Insufficiency 90.53%, Sufficiency 5.16%, was Excess 0%, CLIA / CMIA is Deficiency 17.02%, Insufficiency 75.91%, Sufficiency 7.03%, indicating the distribution of 0.03 % Excess) Conclusion Serum vitamin D and parathyroid hormone that show an inverse relationship, the level above which are not parathyroid hormone and vitamin D reduced the increase. The density is different for each study, at most 20 is reported to be the maximum between 30 ng / ml. In Korea it requires a proposed standard of vitamin D deficiency, reference to the WHO lack the case more than 10ng/ml, 20ng/ml and defined by the lack of, if not more than, the IOM, but looking at 12ng/ml or less to the normal to lack, at least 20ng/ml, the reference do not match the deficit under 20ng/ml, 21-29ng/ml relative lack between, was also defined as a sufficient condition for more than 30ng/ml. Although not statistically is between RIA and CLIA two ways to vitamin D levels change according to season match, when seasonally seen in summer as commonly known (April to September), winter (October to March) relative to the increase measured than it was found. Finally, the study on the correlation between the two methods have been expected to result in a consistent and apply the same view high reference value on the graph is difficult. However, there may be differences between the test equipment and methods, and could be especially the case of RIA method using an organic solvent is difficult to compare different methods and correlated view similar trend in vitamin D deficiency and quarterly aspect ratio.