• 대한본초학회지
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.21-28
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• 2020

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the improvement effect of Sprout of Coix lacryma-jobi var. mayuen Stapf water extract (SC) on the dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis mice. Methods : The antioxidant activity of SC was measured through total polyphenol and total flavonoid content in vitro. The experiment was conducted with seven-week-old male Balb/c mice. After 1 week adaptation, acute colitis was induced by oral administration of 5% DSS dissolved in drinking water, for 7 days. And normal mice received drinking water without DSS throughout the entire experimental period. For each experiment, the mice were divided into 4 groups and 24 colitis mice were arbitrarily allocated into 3 groups (n = 8/group); Normal group, Control group, SC 100 mg/kg treated group (SCL), SC 200 mg/kg treated group (SCH). Serum and colon tissues were collected after one weeks of drug administration. Results : ROS levels, ONOO^- levels, AST, and ALT in serum were decreased in SC treated groups compared to the control group. Western blotting measurements of Nrf2, HO-1, SOD, catalase, GPx-1/2, IL-4, IL-10, and Bcl2 showed that the SC treated groups was increased compared to the Control group. Also, western blot measurements of NF-κBp65, p-IκBα, COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1β, Bax, and Caspase-3 showed that the SC treated groups was reduced compared to the Control group. Conclusion : Taken together, these results suggest that SC treatment can attenuate the DSS-induced colitis though inhibiting NF-κB pathway and enhancing Nrf2 pathway. Therefore, SC was the potential to be used as a natural therapeutic drug.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권11호
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• pp.1355-1363
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• 2009

In the present study, the neuroprotective effects of astaxanthin on $H_2O_2$-mediated apoptotic cell death, using cultured mouse neural progenitor cells (mNPCs), were investigated. To cause apoptotic cell death, mNPCs were pretreated with astaxanthin for 8 h and followed by treatment of 0.3 mM $H_2O_2$. Pretreatment of mNPCs with astaxanthin significantly inhibited $H_2O_2$-mediated apoptosis and induced cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. In Western blot analysis, astaxanthin-pretreated cells showed the activation of p-Akt, p-MEK, p-ERK, and Bcl-2, and the reduction of p-P38, p-SAPK/JNK, Bax, p-GSK3b, cytochrome c, caspase-3, and PARP. Because $H_2O_2$ triggers caspases activation, this study examined whether astaxanthin can inhibit caspases activation in $H_2O_2$-treated mNPCs. After $H_2O_2$ treatment, caspases activities were prominently increased, but astaxanthin pretreatment significantly inhibited $H_2O_2$-mediated caspases activation. Astaxanthin pretreatment also significantly recovered the ATP production ability of $H_2O_2$-treated cells. These findings indicate that astaxanthin inhibits $H_2O_2$-mediated apoptotic features in mNPCs. Inhibition assays with SB203580 ($10\;{\mu}M$, a specific inhibitor of p38) and PD98059 ($10\;{\mu}M$, a specific inhibitor of MEK) clearly showed that astaxanthin can inhibit $H_2O_2$-mediated apoptotic death via modulation of p38 and MEK signaling pathways.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권8호
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• pp.1325-1335
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• 2018

Objective: This study investigated whether spermine supplementation could regulate cell cycle, apoptosis, and amino acid transporter-related genes expression in the thymus and spleen of early weaned piglets. Methods: Eighty female piglets were randomly distributed to receive adequate nutrients supplemented with spermine (0.4 mmol/kg body weight/24 h) or to be provided with restricted nourishment supplemented with normal saline for 7 h or 3, 6, or 9 d in pairs. Results: Regardless of administration time, spermine supplementation significantly up-regulated cyclin A2 gene expression but down-regulated p21 and cyclin D3 mRNA levels in the thymus and spleen and reduced cyclin E2 gene expression in the thymus of piglets (p<0.05). Irrespective of the treatment period, the reduced Bax and caspase-3 gene expressions and improved Bcl-2 mRNA level were observed in the thymus and spleen of spermine-administrated piglets (p<0.05). Regardless of supplementation time, spermine intake significantly enhanced the expressions of amino acid transporter-related genes (SLC1A1, SLC1A5, SLC7A1, SLC7A7, and SLC15A1) in both thymus and spleen, as well as SLC7A9 in the spleen of piglets (p<0.05). In addition, extended spermine administration also markedly promoted cell proliferation, depressed apoptosis and modulated amino acid transport (p<0.05), and such effects were the greatest during prolonged spermine supplementation (6 d) compared to the other time periods (p<0.05). Conclusion: Spermine supplementation may regulate cell cycle during the G1/S phase, suppress apoptosis and modulate amino acid transport. A period of 6 d of spermine supplementation is required to produce the optimal effects on nutritional implications.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.111-119
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• 2014

Objectives : I investigated whether Bee Venom can synergistically strengthen the cytotoxic effects of NK-92 cells, enhancing the inhibition of the growth of Lung Cancer Cells including A549 and NCI-H460 through induction of death receptor dependent extrinsic apoptosis and NO generation in the Nitro-oxide pathway. Methods : Bee Venom inhibited cell proliferation of A549 or NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells as well as NK-92 Cells. Moreover, when they were co-punctured with NK cells and concomitantly treated by 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, more influence was exerted on inhibition of proliferation of A549 or NCI-H460 Human Lung Cancer Cells than BV or NK cell co-culture alone. Results : The expression of Fas, TNFR2, DR3, DR6 in A549 Lung Cancer Cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells and treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, compared to co-culture of NK-92 cells alone, whereas the expression of Fas, TNFR2, DR6 in NCI-H460 Lung Cancer Cells was significantly increased by co-culture of NK-92 cells, representing no synergistic effects in the co-culture of NK-92 cell and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom. Coincidently, caspase-8, a expression of pro-apoptotic proteins in the extrinsic apoptosis pathway demonstrated same results as the above. Meanwhile, In NO generation, there is little change of NO generation in co-culture of NK-92 cells with A549 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cell with them and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, whereas increase of NO generation was shown in co-culture of NK-92 cells with NCI-H460 cells as well as the co-culture of NK-92 cell with them and concomitant treatment of 3 ${\mu}g/ml$ of Bee Venom, although synergistic effects by Bee Venom was not found. Conclusions : These present data provide that Bee Venom could be useful candidate compounds to enhance lung cancer growth inhibiting ability of NK-92 cells through DR expression and the related apoptosis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.269-279
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• 2013

Low efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is attributed to incomplete reprogramming of transfered nuclei into oocytes. Trichostatin A (TSA), histone deacetylase inhibitor and 5-aza-2'deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), DNA methylation inhibitor has been used to enhance nuclear reprogramming following SCNT. However, it was not known molecular mechanism by which TSA and 5-aza-dC improve preimplantation embryo and fetal development following SCNT. The present study investigates embryo viability and gene expression of cloned porcine preimplantation embryos in the presence and absence of TSA and 5-aza-dC as compared to embryos produced by parthenogenetic activation. Our results indicated that TSA treatment significantly improved development. However 5-aza-dC did not improve development. Presence of TSA and 5-aza-dC significantly improved total cell number, and also decreased the apoptotic and autophagic index. Three apoptotic-related genes, Bak, Bcl-xL, and Caspase 3 (Casp3), and three autophagic-related genes, ATG6, ATG8, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2), were measured by real time RT-PCR. TSA and 5-aza-dC treatment resulted in high expression of anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-xL and low pro-apoptotic gene Bak expression compared to untreated NT embryos or parthenotes. Furthermore, LC3 protein expression was lower in NT-TSA and NT-5-aza-dC embryos than those of NT and parthenotes. In addition, TSA and 5-aza-dC treated embryos displayed a global acetylated histone H3 at lysine 9 and methylated DNA H3 at lysine 9 profile similar to the parthenogenetic blastocysts. Finally, we determined that several DNA methyltransferase genes Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b. NT blastocysts showed higher levels Dnmt1 than those of the TSA and 5-aza-dC blastocysts. Dnmt3a is lower in 5-aza-dC than NT, NTTSA and parthenotes. However, Dnmt3b is higher in 5-aza-dC than NT and NTTSA. These results suggest that TSA and 5-aza-dC positively regulates nuclear reprogramming which result in modulation of apoptosis and autophagy related gene expression and then reduce apoptosis and autophagy. In addition, TSA and 5-aza-dC affects the acetylated and methylated status of the H3K9.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.443-455
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• 2020

The thioredoxin (Trx) system plays critical roles in regulating intracellular redox levels and defending organisms against oxidative stress. Recent studies indicated that Trx reductase (TrxR) was overexpressed in various types of human cancer cells indicating that the Trx-TrxR system may be a potential target for anti-cancer drug development. This study investigated the synergistic effect of auranofin, a TrxR-specific inhibitor, on sulforaphane-mediated apoptotic cell death using Hep3B cells. The results showed that sulforaphane significantly enhanced auranofin-induced apoptosis by inhibiting TrxR activity and cell proliferation compared to either single treatment. The synergistic effect of sulforaphane and auranofin on apoptosis was evidenced by an increased annexin-V-positive cells and Sub-G1 cells. The induction of apoptosis by the combined treatment caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and upregulation of Bax. In addition, the proteolytic activities of caspases (-3, -8, and -9) and the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a substrate protein of activated caspase-3, were also higher in the combined treatment. Moreover, combined treatment induced excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS scavenger, reduced combined treatment-induced ROS production and apoptosis. Thereby, these results deduce that ROS played a pivotal role in apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane. Furthermore, apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane was significantly increased through inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that down-regulation of TrxR activity contributed to the synergistic effect of auranofin and sulforaphane on apoptosis through ROS production and inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제27권5호
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• pp.546-552
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• 2010

대부분 척수손상 모델에서의 척수 손상 정도 평가는 자기공명 영상 등을 통한 유발 후 평가를 실시하고 있으며, 유발 전 평가를 위해 풍선 카테타에 주입된 공기 양을 기준한 예가 있으나 종 특이성과 개체 차이를 고려하지 못하는 단점이 있다. 이러한 단점을 극복한 척수손상 기준모델을 제시하기 위해 본 실험을 실시하였다. 방사선 평가를 통해 요추 1 번 척수강 높이가 8 mm로 측정된 임상적으로 건강한 비글견 8 마리를 풍선카테타의 직경과 척수 압박시간을 기준으로 4개 군 (4 mm/3 시간, 4 mm/6 시간, 4 mm/12 시간 그리고 6 mm/3 시간)으로 구분하였다. 손상 정도는 행동 관찰, 자기공명영상 해석, 체성감각유발전위평가 그리고 병리조직검사를 실시하여 평가하였다. 실험결과, 행동평가와 체성감각유발전위평가는 단지 손상 유발 여부만 지시할 뿐 정도 평가에는 유용하지 못하였다. 자기공명영상 평가에서 척수손상 부위는 단시간반전회복영상과 T2강조영상에서 불균질한 고신호강도 영역으로 관찰되었다. 고신호강도 영역은 삽입된 풍선 직경과 압박시간 증가에 따라 보다 확장되어 관찰되었으며, 이러한 소견은 공포화 등의 손상부위 증가와 카스파제-3 및 PARP 면역반응 세포의 수적 증가로 나타난 병리조직검사 결과와 일치하였다. 이러한 결과로 미루어 정형화된 척수손상 모델 유발을 위한 척수강 직경과 풍선카테타 직경 그리고 압박시간의 변수 이용과 손상 정도 평가를 위해 자기공명영상은 매우 유용할 것으로 판단된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.376-386
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• 2016

에폽토시스에 의한 세포자멸사는 암세포에 대한 항암제 효능의 핵심적 기전이다. 항암제의 대표적인 두 종류로 알려진 DNA-손상 약제(DNA-damaging agents, DDAs)와 미세소관-손상 약제(microtubule-damaging agents, MDAs)가 암세포에 야기하는 초기 항암신호전달 기전은 다르지만, 최종적으로는 대부분 미토콘드리아 의존-에폽토시스를 통해 암세포를 사멸시킨다. 한편, DDAs에 의한 에폽토시스 유도에는 wild-type 종양억제 단백질 p53의 역할이 매우 중요하다. 그러나 인체 암의 약 50% 이상이 p53유전자의 돌연변이 때문에 종양억제 단백질로서의 p53 기능이 불활성화 되어 있다. 따라서 p53과 무관하게 에폽토시스를 유도할 수 있는 MDAs를 이용한 항암치료는 돌연변이 p53을 지닌 암세포에 대해 유리한 화학요법으로 이해된다. 최근 본 연구진은 인체 급성 백혈병 세포주인 Jurkat T 세포를 모델로 하여, MDAs (nocodazole, 17-α-estradiol, 혹은 2-methoxyestradiol)의 항암작용과 관련된 세포주기 정지 및 에폽토시스 유도 기전을 구명하였다. 그 결과, Jurkat T 세포를 MDAs로 처리할 경우, 유사분열방추사의 결함에 의한 세포주기(전중기, prometaphase) 정지, 장시간에 걸친 Cdk1의 활성화, 활성화된 Cdk1에 의한 에폽토시스 조절인자들(Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, Mcl-1 및 Bim)의 인산화, 이에 따른 Bak 활성화, 미토콘드리아막 손상 및 카스파아제 연쇄 활성화에 의해 에폽토시스가 유도됨을 밝혔다. 또한 동일한 MDA 처리 조건하에서 Bcl-2 혹은 Bcl-xL의 과발현시켜 에폽토시스 진행을 차단할 경우, Jurkat T 세포는 약제처리 후에 전중기 정지된 4N 상태에 도달하지만, 이어서 유사분열 불이행(mitotic slippage) 및 내재복제(endoreduplication)가 진행되어 다배수체들(polyploids; 8N, 16N)을 생성하게 됨을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 MDAs처리에 따른 다배수체들의 생성을 차단하는 세포 내 기전으로서, 전중기 정지된 4N 세포의 에폽토시스에 의한 제거가 매우 중요함을 보여준다. 특히, 다배수체는 유전적으로 매우 불안정하여 암세포의 항암제 내성 획득 및 암 재발과 직접 연관되는 것으로 알려져 있으므로, 에폽토시스 기전에 결함이 있는 암세포를 대상으로 MDAs를 이용한 항암 화학요법을 시행할 경우에는 다배수체 세포의 생성을 차단하기 위한 새로운 수단이 반드시 병행되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.56-66
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• 2003

목 적 : 제대정맥은 모체의 혈액을 태아로 운반하여 산소와 영양물질을 공급하는 유일한 통로이다. 이러한 제대 혈류의 장애가 있을 시 자궁내 성장제한, 임신성 고혈압 등을 초래할 수 있다. 제대-태반 혈관의 내피세포 손상을 유발하는 원인 중 amiloride 유도체들을 중심으로 내피세포에 미치는 amiloride 유도체들의 작용을 밝히고, 세포 내 이온농도 변화와 apoptosis 간의 관계를 규명하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 인간 제대정맥 내피세포는 Clonetics로부터 구입하였으며, 내피세포 성장에 필요한 여러 성장인자가 포함된 배지에서 배양하였다. MTT 방법과 flow cytometry 방법을 이용하여 세포독성 효과 및 apoptosis를 확인하였다. 세포 내 이온농도 변화를 측정하기 위해서는 각각의 목적에 적합한 형광염료들을 세포 내에 부하시켜 놓은 뒤, 형광 현미경과 연결된 영상분석장치를 이용하여 관찰하였다. 결 과 : 1) Amiloride 유도체들은 농도 의존적으로 HUVEC의 사멸을 나타내었으며, 각각의 정도는 HMA($IC_{50}$; $11.2{\mu}M$), MIA($13.6{\mu}M$)>EIPA($30.8{\mu}M$)>>amiloride($106{\mu}M$) 순이었다. 2) 세포주기 분석결과 apoptosis의 특징적인 sub $G_0/G_1$ ploidy peak를 나타냈으며, 이러한 작용은 caspase 억제제에 의해 감소되었다. 3) Annexin-V와 propidium iodide 이중 염색 결과 apoptosis로 진행된 세포의 비율(73.0%)을 대조군(11.3%)에 비해 현저히 증가시켰다. 4) HMA에 의한 apoptosis 효과는 세포외액의 pH를 높이거나, $NH_4Cl$을 투여하여 세포내액의 pH를 높일 경우 크게 증가하였다. 5) HMA는 농도 의존적으로 세포내 주요 이온인 $K^+$ 및 $Cl^-$의 세포내 농도를 감소시켰으며, 이러한 효과 역시 세포외액의 pH를 높일수록 현저하게 증가하였다. 결 론 : 이상의 결과들로 미루어 볼 때, HUVEC에서 amiloride 유도체들에 의한 apoptosis 과정에 세포내 주요 이온 농도 감소가 일부 관여하고 있을 것이라 생각된다.