• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.159-164
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• 1993

The tissue levels of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) during the estrous cycle and pregnancy were investigated in the pig. Sexually mature female cycling pigs were used. One animal was sacrificed on estrous cycle days 3, 10, 17, 18, 19, 20 and during pregnancy on day 11. 12, B. 14, 18, 19, 20, 48, 50 and 52. Tissues from the hypothalamus, pituitary, uterus, ovary and skeletal muscle were removed. They were homogenized in buffer, and supernatants were used for measurement of protein concentration and ODC activity. The release of $^14$CO$_2$ from radiolabeled ornithine was proportional to the amout of protein added over the range of 0.125~4mg and to the incubation time. ODC appered to have some relationship with the biological functions of the pituitary, ovary and uterus during the reproductive period, especially on day 19 of the estrous cycle, while it showed no such activities in hypothalamus and skeletal muscle of mature pigs. Uterine tissues had significantly more ODC activity than other tissues tested(p < 0.05).

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.114-121
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• 2012

The potential for ochratoxin A (OTA) degradation by swine intestinal microbiota was assessed in the current study. Intestinal content that was collected aseptically from swine was spiked with 100 ppb OTA and incubated for 6 and 12 h at $39^{\circ}C$. An OTA assay was conducted using the incubated samples, and it was found that 20% of the OTA toxin was detoxified, indicating the presence of microbes capable of OTA degradation. Twenty-eight bacterial species were isolated anaerobically in M 98-5 media and 45 bacterial species were isolated using nutrient broth aerobically. Screening results showed that one anaerobic bacterial isolate, named MM11, detoxified more than 75% of OTA in liquid media. Furthermore, 1.0 ppm OTA was degraded completely after 24 h incubation on a solid 'corn' substrate. The bacterium was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing as having 97% sequence similarity with Eubacterium biforme. The isolation of an OTA-degrading bacterium from the swine natural flora is of great importance for OTA biodegradation and may be a valuable potential source for OTA-degradation enzymes in industrial applications.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.149-154
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• 2008

Objective: The aim of this study is to elucidate the effects of transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$)1 and L-ascorbic acid on proteoglycan synthesis, and the relationship between Sox9, proteoglycan, and TGF-${\beta}1$ in intervertebral disc cells. Methods: Human intervertebral disc tissue was sequentially digested to 0.2% pronase and 0.025% collagenase in DMEM/F-12 media and extracted cells were cultured in $37^{\circ}C$, 5% $CO_2$ incubator. When intervertebral disc cells were cultured with TGF-${\beta}1$ or L-ascorbic acid, the production level of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) was estimated by dimethyl methyleneblue (DMMB) assay. The changes of Sox9 mRNA and protein levels via TGF-${\beta}1$ were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis in each. Results: The amount of sGAG was increased with the lapse of time during incubation, and sGAG content of pellet cultured cells was much larger than monolayer culture. When primary cultured intervertebral disc cells in monolayer and pellet cultures were treated by TGF-${\beta}1$ 20 ng, sGAG content of experimental group was increased significantly compared to control group in both cultures. L-Ascorbic acid of serial concentrations (50-300 ug/ml) increased sGAG content of mono layer cultured intervertebral disc cells significantly in statistics. The co-treatment of TGF-${\beta}1$ and L-ascorbic acid increased more sGAG production than respective treatment. After treating with TGF-${\beta}1$, Sox9 mRNA and protein expression rates were significantly increased in disc cells compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that TGF-${\beta}1$ would increase sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) and other proteoglycans such as versican by elevating Sox9 mRNA and protein expressions in order.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.385-389
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• 1986

Both hydrogenase and nitrogenase were found to be involved in hydrogen evolution independently in Rhodopseudomonas sp. KCTC 1437. The hydrogen formation in this bacterium was independent on light illumination and presence of N $H_4^{+}$ After establishment of conditions to measure the amount of hydrogen evolved by each of the enzymes in vivo, the several factors affecting on the hydrogen evolution, e.g. presence of gases ( $C_2$ $H_2$, $H_2$, $O_2$ or $N_2$), C/N ratio, were investigated, Hydrogenase was less inhibited than nitrogenase under $O_2$ and was active independent on the presence of $N_2$ or $C_2$ $H_2$ which were the strong inhibitor of nitrogenase. Besides, the hydrogenase activity was increased after incubation with $H_2$. And it was verified that this bacterium consume hydrogen and photoreduce $CO_2$ by hydrogenase. From above results, it is concluded that hydrogenase in Rhodopseudomonas sp. KCTC 1437 can produce hydrogen under more favorable condition that nitrogenase.e.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.100-107
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• 2013

This study examined the effect of fermented ginseng (FG) on memory impairment and ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) reduction in models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in vitro and in vivo. FG extract was prepared by steaming and fermenting ginseng. In vitro assessment measured soluble $A{\beta}42$ levels in HeLa cells, which stably express the Swedish mutant form of amyloid precursor protein. After 8 h incubation with the FG extract, the level of soluble $A{\beta}42$ was reduced. For behavioral assessments, the passive avoidance test was used for the scopolamine-injected ICR mouse model, and the Morris water maze was used for a transgenic (TG) mouse model, which exhibits impaired memory function and increased $A{\beta}42$ level in the brain. FG extract was treated for 2 wk or 4 mo on ICR and TG mice, respectively. FG extract treatment resulted in a significant recovery of memory function in both animal models. Brain soluble $A{\beta}42$ levels measured from the cerebral cortex of TG mice were significantly reduced by the FG extract treatment. These findings suggest that FG extract can protect the brain from increased levels of $A{\beta}42$ protein, which results in enhanced behavioral memory function, thus, suggesting that FG extract may be an effective preventive or treatment for AD.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.46 no.9
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• pp.563-573
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• 2008

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Simvastain, which is HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast. Materials & Methods : Twenty-four cell culture plates containing essential medium were seeded with UMR-106 cell lines, at density of 5 x $10^4$ cells per plate. Each plates were incubated with 5% $CO^2$incubator $37^{\circ}C$. Starting from 2 days after incubation, cell culture medias were replaced with Osteogenesis induction media every 2 days, for 12 days. In some plates, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, $100\muM$ of Simvastatin were added with Osteogenesis induction media, and classified as "test group". Those not added with Simvastatin were classified as "control group". Results : 1. When Alrizarin Red staining was observed with naked eye, control group showed normal deep red color, but test group show rapid decrease of red color as Simvastatin concentration increased more than $0.1\muM$. 2, When observed with microscope, compared to control group, amount of osteo matrix stained with Alrizarin Red decreased rapidly in Simvastatin concentration more than $0.1\muM$. 3. In optical density analysis, regarding control group as a basis, mineral deposition decreased rapidly when Simvastatin concentration increased more than $0.1\muM$. 4. In flow cytometry analysis, survival rate of UMR-106 cell showed no changes in both control group and test group. Conclusion : From the above results, we were able to identify that Simvastatin inhibited osteogenesis without effecting survival or cell number of osteoblasts.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.331-339
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• 2002

Phenoxy compounds, 2,4-Dichlorophenol acetoxy acid (2,4-D) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), are widely used as a hormonal herbicide and intermediate for pesticide manufacturing, respectively. In order to assess the potential of these compounds as endocrine disruptors, we studied the androgenicity of them wing in vivo and in vitro androgenicity assay system. Administration of 2,4-D (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or DCP (100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) to rats caused an increase in the tissue weight of ventral prostate, Cowpers gland and glands penis. These increase of androgen-dependent tissues were additively potentiated when rats were simultaneously treated with low dose of testosterone (1 g/kg, s.c.). 2,4-D increased about 350% of the luciferase activity in the PC cells transiently cotransfected phAR and pMMTV-Luc at concentration of $10^{-9}$ M. In 2,4-D or DCP-treated castrated rats, testosterone 6$\beta$-hydroxylase activity was not significantly modulated even when rats were co-treated with testosterone. In vitro incubation of 2,4-D and DCP with microsomes at 50 $\mu$M inhibited testosterone 6$\beta$-hydroxylase activity about 27% and 66% in rat liver microsomes, about 44% and 54% in human liver microsomes and about 50% and 45% in recombinant CYP3A4 system, respectively. The amounts of total testosterone metabolites were reduced about 33% and 75% in rat liver microsomes, 69% and 73% in human liver microsomes and 54% and 64% in recombinant CYP3A4 by 2,4-D or DCP, respectively. Therefore, the additive androgenic effect of 2,4-D or DCP by the co-administration of the low dose of testosterone may be due to the increased plasma level of testosterone by inhibiting the cytochrome P450-mediated metabolism of testosterone. These results collectively suggested that 2,4-D and DCP may act as androgenic endocrine disrupter by binding to the androgen receptor as well as by inhibiting the metabolism of testosterone.

• Korean Journal of Soil Science and Fertilizer
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.166-171
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• 1982

A laboratiory experiment incubated at about $30^{\circ}C$ for 34 days was conducted in order to learn the effect of liming materials and rice straw on the volatilization of ammonia from flooded soils applied with urea. 1. The application of calcium hydroxide and calcium silicate increased buffer action of flood soil, though it resulted in increase in the volatilization of ammonia through raising flooded soil pH containing bicarbonate. 2. The mixing of rice straw powder to soil lowered pH of flooded soil, and decreased the volatilization of ammonia. The effect was particulary large when noliming material was used. 3. Calcium hydroxide depressed the evolution of $CO_2$ in the early days of incubation after flooding, while calcium silicate promoted the ammonification of soil nitrogen from the begining of flooding giving slow change in soil chemical properties. The rice straw was also effective in providing a favorable soil condition for the ammonification rather quickly.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.484-488
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• 1988

Two forms of extracellular endo-inulinase, designated as PIand P II were resolved from a species of Pseudomonas isolated from soil. Both enzymes were glycoproteins with their carbohydrate content of 15% for PIand 2.4% for P II inulinase. Tryptophan residue was proved to be an essential amino acid for their catalytic activity. The molecular weights of PIand P II were estimated to be 210, 000 and 170, 000, respectively. The activity of the two enzymes was strongly inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoate but the inhibition was nearly completely offset by the addition of the reducing agents such as cysteine or dithiothreitol. On the other hand, the two enzymes were activated about 50-60% of their activities by the presence of Co$^{+2}$ ion, and quite stable at pH values ranging from pH 4.0 to 1.5. They also appeared to be relatively thermostable, and no appreciable inactivation was observed after incubation at 55$^{\circ}C$ for 2 hours. About 70 % hydrolysis rate with PIand 56 % with P II were achieved when inulin was hydrolyzed at 5$0^{\circ}C$ for 12 hours with 60 units of the enzymes in 2 % inulin solution.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.65-74
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• 2003

Objective : The aim of present study is to evaluate the inhibitory potential of licorice extract and glycyrrhizin on cytochrome P450(CYP) in human liver microsomes. Methods : Using human liver microsomes, water extract of licorice and glycyrrhizin as an inhibitor were co-incubated with each probe drug representing selective CYP isoform activity. We measured relative metabolic activity in incubation condition compared to that with no extract of licorice using HPLC system. Results : Both water extracts of licorice and glycyrrhizin showed inhibitory effect on CYP-catalyzed reactions. CYP2C19 $(IC_{50}=126.7{\mu}g/ml)$ is most potently inhibited by water extract than other tested CYP isoforms$(IC_{50}>450{\mu}g/ml)$, but glycyrrhizin exhibited potent inhibition on CYP1A2$(IC_{50}=106.9{\mu}g/ml)$ followed by CYP2C9 and CYP2D6. Conclusion: These results indicate that water extract of licorice and glycyrrhizin have inhibitory potential on CYP-catalyzed reaction in human liver microsomes. But the mechanism of inhibition was slightly different between them Water extract of licorice mainly inhibited CYP2C19, and glycyrrhizin primarily inhibited CYP1A2. The inhibition by water extract of licorice and glycyrrhizin on CYP isoforms may cause drug interaction with co-administered drug leading to toxicity or treatment failure.