• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2000

Cancer development and the efficiency of chemotherapy relies on the patients calcium-related pathological status such as hyper- or hypocalcemica. In the present study, we investigated the effect of extracellular cations such as calcium and magnesium on the therapeutic efficacy of antitumor drugs. The analytic parameters used were cellular drug uptake/excretion and the chemosensitivity of the human breast cancer cell lines, MCF7 and MCF7/ADR. Both calcium and magnesium ions decreased the membrane permeability of cancer cells, which was determined bycell size analysis. These divalent ions also lowered the drug uptake and the cytoplasmic levels of rhodamine 123 and adriamycin, suggesting that they might interfere with the diffusion of these drugs by modifying the physical properties of the cytoplasmic membrane. The acute cytotoxicity of adriamycin after a short period of incubation correlated with changes in its cytoplasmic level. Our results indicate that these extracellular cations might play an important role in the therapeutic activities of anticancer drugs in cancer patients. These results also provide insight a new aspect of chemotherapy, because they suggest that the therapeutic dose of anti-cancer drugs should be modified in cancer-bearing patients presenting with abnormal blood calcium levels.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.764-770
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• 2013

Stevia rebaudiana is a traditional herb used as a sweetener in Brazil and Paraguay as well as Korea and China. This study investigated the efficacy of Stevia rebaudiana methanol extract (SRE) to protect cells against the mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in hepatocyte. To determine the effects of SRE on oxidative stress, we used the human derived hepatocyte cell line, HepG2 cell. Treatment of arachidonic acid (AA)+iron in HepG2 cells synergistically amplified cytotoxicity, as indicated by the excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial permeability transition by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) and immunoblot analysis. Treatment with SRE protected hepatocytes from AA+iron-induced cellular toxicity, as shown by alterations in the protein levels related with cell viability such as procaspase-3. SRE also prevented the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by AA+iron, and showed anti-oxidant effects as inhibition of $H_2O_2$ production and GSH depletion. Moreover, we measured the effects of SRE on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a key regulator in determining cell survival or death. Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC), a direct downstream target of AMPK. SRE increased phosphorylation of ACC, and prevented the inhibition of ACC phosphorylation by AA+iron. These results indicated that SRE has the ability to protect cells against AA+iron-induced $H_2O_2$ production and mitochondrial impairment, which may be mediated with AMPK-ACC pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1163-1170
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• 2017

Clostridium difficile releases two exotoxins, toxin A and toxin B, which disrupt the epithelial cell barrier in the gut to increase mucosal permeability and trigger inflammation with severe diarrhea. Many studies have suggested that enteric nerves are also directly involved in the progression of this toxin-mediated inflammation and diarrhea. C. difficile toxin A is known to enhance neurotransmitter secretion, increase gut motility, and suppress sympathetic neurotransmission in the guinea pig colitis model. Although previous studies have examined the pathophysiological role of enteric nerves in gut inflammation, the direct effect of toxins on neuronal cells and the molecular mechanisms underlying toxin-induced neuronal stress remained to be unveiled. Here, we examined the toxicity of C. difficile toxin A against neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y). We found that toxin A treatment time- and dose-dependently decreased cell viability and triggered apoptosis accompanied by caspase-3 activation in this cell line. These effects were found to depend on the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the subsequent activation of p38 MAPK and induction of $p21^{Cip1/Waf1}$. Moreover, the N-acetyl-$\text\tiny L$-cysteine (NAC)-induced down-regulation of ROS could recover the viability loss and apoptosis of toxin A-treated neuronal cells. These results collectively suggest that C. difficile toxin A is toxic for neuronal cells, and that this is associated with rapid ROS generation and subsequent p38 MAPK activation and $p21^{Cip1/Waf1}$ up-regulation. Moreover, our data suggest that NAC could inhibit the toxicity of C. difficile toxin A toward enteric neurons.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.37-43
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• 2007

Adenosine has been reported to provide cytoprotection in the central nervous systems as well as myocardium by activating cell surface adenosine receptors. However, the exact target and mechanism of its action still remain controversial. The present study was performed to examine whether adenosine has a protective effect against $A{\beta}$-induced injury in neuroglial cells. The astrocyte-derived human neuroglioma cell line, A172 cells, and $A{\beta}_{25{\sim}35}$ were employed to produce an experimental $A{\beta}$-induced glial cell injury model. Adenosine significantly prevented $A{\beta}$-induced apoptotic cell death. Studies using various nucleotide receptor agonists and antagonists suggested that the protection was mediated by $A_1$ receptors. Adenosine attenuated $A{\beta}$-induced impairment in mitochondrial functional integrity as estimated by cellular ATP level and MTT reduction ability. In addition, adenosine prevented $A{\beta}$-induced mitochondrial permeability transition, release of cytochrome c into cytosol and subsequent activation of caspase-9. The protective effect of adenosine disappeared when cells were pretreated with 5-hydroxydecanoate, a selective blocker of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel. In conclusion, therefore we suggest that adenosine exerts protective effect against $A{\beta}$-induced cell death of A172 cells, and that the underlying mechanism of the protection may be attributed to preservation of mitochonarial functional integrity through opening of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2013

Podocytopathy is glomerular lesions characterized by podocyte injury. It is observed in various glomerular diseases, but minimal change disease and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are the prototypes. In this review, morphologic features of podocyte injury and subtypes of FSGS will be reviewed briefly. Effacement of podocyte foot processes is the most common feature of podocyte injury. As podocytic injury progresses, intracytoplasmic vacuoles, subpodocytic cyst, detachment of podocytes from the glomerular basement membrane and apoptosis develop. Glomerular capillary loops in epithelium-denuded area undergo capillary collapse. Synechia and hyalinosis may accompany this lesion. To manifest segmental sclerosis, podocyte loss above a threshold level may be required. Injured podocytes can injure neighboring intact podocytes, and thereby spread injury within the same lobule. FSGS can be categorized into five subtypes by morphologic characteristics; not otherwise specified (NOS), perihilar, cellular, tip, and collapsing types. Each subtype has been reported to show different clinical courses and associated conditions, but there are controversies on its significance. With recent progress in the discovery of genetic abnormalities causing FSGS and plasma permeability factors, we expect to unravel pathophysiology of FSGS and to understand histological sequences leading to FSGS in near future.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.41-53
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• 1968

Studies on the carbohydrate metabolism of yeast as influenced by gamma-irradiation from cobalt-60 have been carried, then the mechanisms of radiation effect on respiration and fermentation were discussed under considerations of permeable changes of irradiated cell membrane. The cells of baker's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) which had been gamma-irradiated of 240 k.r. doses for an hour, then were put into aerobic oxidation and anaerobic fermentation without substrate. Total and fractionated carbohydrates of irradiated yeast cells were determined by calorimetric method with anthrone and orcinol reagents, the amounts of total carbohydrate, trehalose, RNA-ribose, PCA-soluble glycogen, alkali-soluble glycogen, acetic acid-soluble glycogen, mannan and glucan were determined according to the course of aerobic oxidation and anaerobic fermentation. It is found that the carbohydrates of irradiated cells leak out and amount of the losses teaches eleven times more than that of control, the volume of losses are seems to be replaced by water, it can be suggested the damage of gamma-irradiation occurs in the site of passive transport of cell membrane. The endogeneous aerobic respiration of irradiated cells are increased much more than control, the synthesis of reserve glycogen, glucan and RNA-ribose promoted much more than control. The anaerobic fermentation of irradiated cells are also increased than that of control, but the breakdown of carbohydrate is less than endogeneous respiration of irradiated cells. The synthetic rate is also less than that of aerobic oxidation. In irradiated yeast cells, trehalose is revealed to be primary substrate for endogeneous carbohydrate metabolism, so it is proved that the enzymic patterns are not changed but the activities of enzymes relating endogeneous respiration and autofermentation is activated. It is to be considerable to distiguish endogeneous respiration and autofermentation from exogeneous respiration and fermentation on irradiation, for membrane permeability changes and loses out carbohydrate by ionizing radiation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.151-156
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• 1967

Outward movement of hemoglobin and $K^+$ ion across rabbit erythrocyte membrane after heating, cooling and in acid medium was studied. One milliliter of rabbit blood was centrifuged and packed red cells were obtained. Packed red cells were resuspended by addition of 4 ml of 0.9% NaCl solution and were subjected to heating $(57^{\circ}C\;for\;5\;minutes)$ or cooling $(-4^{\circ}C{\sim}-8^{\circ}C\;of\;-10^{\circ}C{\sim}-11^{\circ}C\;for\;10\;minutes) $. For acid medium experiment packed ref cells were resuspended by addition of 4 ml of acid medium of PH 4.5 consisting of 0.01% glacial acetic acid in 0.85% NaCl solution and kept standing for 10 minutes. All red cell suspensions were centrifuged again and packed red cells were separated. This packed red cells were again suspended in 4 ml of NaCl solution of 0.8%, 0.7%, 0.6%, and 0.5% concentration respectively and kept standing for 20 minutes. The concentration of hemoglobin and $K^+$ in the supernatant of the above red cell suspensions were measured and the following results were obtained. 1. Outward movement of hemoglobin and $K^+$ was greatest in red cells subjected to heating. The movement paralled to the osmolal concentration gradient between extra- and intra-cellular phase of red cells. 2. In acid medium the outflux of hemoglobin and $K^+$ increased as compared to the control. 3. In red cells subjected to the cold of $-10^{\circ}C{\sim}-11^{\circ}C$ the outflux of hemoglobin and $K^+$ increased. Whereas in the environment of $-4^{\circ}C{\sim}-8^{\circ}C$ there was no change in the outflux of $K^+$. The he-moglobin outflux showed rather a decreased as compared to tile control.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.70-83
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• 2005

By supplying air intermittently in various mode, the effects of oxic/anoxic time ratio and air scrubbing in aeration condition on the membrane flux and permeability were investigated. When suction pump stops, vacuum pressure remains inside the suction pump. Therefore, the effect of remaining vacuum pressure in the suction pump on fouling of membrane was investigated. The effect of EPS (Extra cellular Polymeric Substance) which is generated due to the long SRT and high concentration of MLSS and the dose of coagulant on the membrane were also investigated. The suitable oxic/anoxic time ratio for the best removal efficiency of organic matter and nitrogenous matter was 40 minutes (Oxic) : 20 minutes (Anoxic). At this time ratio, alum was dosed into the aeration tank. The result of dosing alum was that the concentration of alum solution might affect nitrification and denitrification. To remove 1 mg/L of phosphorus in MBR process, it needs 0.75 mg/L of alum solution.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.11-17
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• 2016

Appropriate control of diet and water intake is important for maintaining normal blood pressure, fluid and electrolyte homeostasis in the body. It is relatively understood that the amount of sodium and potassium intake directly affects blood pressure and regulates ion transporters; Na and K channel functions in the kidney. However, little is known about whether diet and water intake regulates Aquaporin (AQP) function. AQPs, a family of aquaporin proteins with different types being expressed in different tissues, are important for water absorption by the cell. Water reabsorption is a passive process driven by osmotic gradient and water permeability is critical for this process. In most of the nephron, however, water reabsorption is unregulated and coupled to solute reabsorption, such as AQP1 mediated water absorption in the proximal tubule. AQP2 is the only water channel founded so far that can be regulated by hormones in the kidney. AQP2 expressed in the apical membrane of the principal cells in the collecting tubule can be regulated by vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) controlling the final volume of urine excretion. When vasopressin binds to its receptor on the collecting duct cells, it stimulates the translocation of AQP2 to the membrane, leading to increased water absorption via this AQP2 water channel. However, some studies also indicated that the AQP2 is also been regulated by vasopressin independent mechanism. This review is focused on the regulation of AQP2 by diet and the amount of water intake on salt and water homeostasis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.461-472
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• 2004

Objectives : For the screening of neuroprotective effects of medicinal herbs, the complex system of animal models suffer some disadvantages in controlling critical parameters such as blood pressure and body temperature. Additionally, application of drugs to the appropriate brain area sometimes is difficult, due to poor permeability though the blood brain barrier, and so potential protective effects might be masked. Methods : Organotypic hippocampal slice culture (OHSC) method has the advantages of being relatively easy to prepare and of maintaining the general structure, including tissue integrity and the connections between cells. Drugs can easily be applied and neuronal damage can easily be quantified by using tissues and culture media. This study demonstrates neuroprotective effects of Puerariae radix (葛根, PR), Salviae miltiorrhizae radix (丹蔘, SR), Rhei rhizoma (大黃, RR), and Bupleuri radix (柴胡, BR). These were screenedand compared to MK-801, antagonist of NMDA receptors, by using OHSC of 1 week-old Sprague-Dawley rats. Oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) were conducted in an anaerobic chamber $(85%\;N_2,\;10%\;CO_2\;and\;5%\;H_2)$ in a deoxygenated glucose-free medium for 60 minutes. Water extracts of each herbs were treated to culture media with $5\;{\mu}g/ml$ for 48 hours. Results : Neuronal cell death in the cultures was monitored by densitometric measurements of the cellular uptake of propidium iodide (PI). PI fluorescence images were obtained at 48 hours after the OGD and medicinal herb treatment. Also TUNEL-positive cells in the CAI and DG regions and LDH concentrations in culture media were measured at 48 hours after the OGD. According to measured data, MK-801, PR, SR and BR demonstrated significant neuroprotective effect against excessive neuronal cell death and apoptosis induced by the OGD insult. Especially, PR revealed similar neuroprotective effect to MK-801 and RR demonstrated weak neuroprotective effect. Conclusions : These results suggest that OHSC can be a suitable method for screening of neuroprotective effects of medicinal herbs. (This work was supported by the research program of Dongguk University and Grant 01-PJ9-PG1-01CO03-0003 from Ministry of Health & Welfare.)