• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.197-202
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• 2006

어류의 체내에서 성분화를 유도하는 물질이 성스테로이드호르몬(sex steroid hormone)이라는 사실이 잘 밝혀져 있으며, 성스테로이드 생합성 효소의 하나인 aromatase도 성분화에 직접적인 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 유전적으로 암컷인 틸라피아 자어(larvae) 집단을 aromatase 저해제(aromatase inhibitor, AI)인 Fadrozole로 침지 처리하여 초기 발생단계 중 어느 시기에 aromatase가 성분화 유도 작용을 하는 지를 조사하였다. Fadrozole 처리 유무 및 처리 농도의 차이는 부화 자어의 생존율에 유의한 차이를 유발하지 않았다. 하지만, 부화후 11일과 13일째에 고농도의 Fadrozole로 처리한 실험군의 자어는 유전적인 성이 암컷임에도 불구하고 유의하게 높은 비율의 자어가 수컷으로 분화하였다. 이 결과는 틸라피아 부화 자어가 스테로이드 생합성 효소의 저해에 아주 민감하게 반응하며, 이 종에서 aromatase의 주된 작용시기가 예상보다 훨씬 빠른 부화 후 11일 전후라는 사실을 보여준다. 또한 이상의 결과는 단 3시간의 AI 침지 처리가 유전적으로 설정되어 있는 성과 반대방향으로의 성분화를 유도하기에 충분할 정도로 강력함을 의미한다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제10권5호
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• pp.289-295
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• 2006

Sodium fluoride (NaF) has been shown to be cytotoxic and elicit inflammatory response in human. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NaF-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues have not yet been elucidated. This study is aimed to investigate the mechanisms of NaF-induced apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast (HGF). NaF decreased the cell viability of HGF in a dose- and time-dependent manner. NaF gave rise to apoptotic morphological changes including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. However, NaF did not affect the production of ROS. In addition, NaF augumented cytochrome c release from mitochondria into the cytosol, and enhanced caspase -9 and -3 activities., cleavage (85 kDa fragments) of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and upregulation of voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC) 1. These results demonstrated that NaF-induced apoptosis in HGF may be mediated with mitochondria. Furthermore, NaF elevated caspase-8 activity and upregulated Fas-ligand (Fas-L), suggesting involvement of death receptor mediated pathway in NaF-induced apoptosis. Expression of Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated, whereas expression of Bax, a pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was not affected in NaF-treated HGF. These results suggest that NaF induces apoptosis in HGF through both mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated pathway mediated by Bcl-2 family.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.129-134
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although several recent studies have reported the anti-cancer effects of extracts or components of Citrus unshiu peel, which has been used for various purposes in traditional medicine, the molecular mechanisms for their effects remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-cancer activity of a water-soluble extract of C. unshiu peel (WECU) in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells at the level of apoptosis induction was investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining and flow cytometry analyses. Mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, caspase activity and Western blotting were used to confirm the basis of apoptosis. RESULTS: The results indicated that WECU-induced apoptosis was related to the activation of caspase-8, and -9, representative initiator caspases of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and down-regulation of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family members. WECU also increased the pro-apoptotic BAX to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Furthermore, WECU provoked the generation of ROS, but the reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis by WECU were prevented when ROS production was blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that WECU suppressed proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by activating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in a ROS-dependent manner.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.103-111
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• 2014

A1E is an extract from traditional Asian medicinal plants that has therapeutic activities against cancers, metabolic disease, and other intractable conditions. However, its mechanism of action on cervical cancer has not been studied. In order to ascertain if A1E would have pronounced anti-cervical cancer effect, cervical cancer cells were incubated with A1E and apoptosis was detected by nuclear morphological changes, annexin V-FITC/PI staining, cell cycle analysis, western blotting, Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Expression of human papiloma virus E6 and E7 oncogenes was down-regulated in A1E-treated cervical cancer cells, while p53 and retinoblastoma protein levels were enhanced. A1E also perturbed cell cycle progression at sub-G1 and altered cell cycle regulatory factors in SiHa cervical cancer cells. A1E activated apoptotic intrinsic pathway markers such as caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase, and down-regulated expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl. A1E induced mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and cytochrome c release, and inhibited phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt, key factors involved in cell survival signaling. Taken all these results, A1E induced apoptosis via activation of the intrinsic pathway and inhibition of the PI3K/Akt survival-signaling pathway in SiHa cervical cancer cells. In conclusion, A1E exerts anti-proliferative action growth inhibition on cervical cancer cells through apoptosis which demonstrates its anti-cervical cancer properties.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.1082-1091
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• 2003

To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) on nerve cells damaged by hypoxia, the cytotoxic effects of exposure to hypoxia were determined by XTT, NR, MTT and SRB asssay. The activity of catalase and SOD was measured by spectrophometry, and TNF-α and PKC activity was measured after exposure to hypoxia and treatment of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) water extract(KJHWE). Also the neuroprotective effect of KJHWE was researched for the elucidation of neuroprotective mechanism. The results were as follows ; Hypoxia decreased cell viability measured by XTT, NR assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 95% N2/5% CO₂ for 2～26 minutes in these cultures and KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. H₂O₂ treatment decreased cell viability measured by MTT, and SRB assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 1-80 uM for 6 hours, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. Hypoxia decreased catalase and SOD activity, and also TNF-α and PKC activity in these cultured cerebral neurons, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of the catalase and SOD activity in these cultures. Hypoxia triggered the apoptosis via caspase activation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Also hypoxia stimulate the release of cytochrome c form mitochondria. KJHWE inhibited the apoptosis via caspase activation induced by hypoxia. From these results, it can be suggested that brain ischemia model induced hypoxia showed neurotoxity on cultured mouse cerebral neurons, and the KJHWE has the neuroprotective effect in blocking the neurotoxity induced by hypoxia in cultured mouse cerebral neurons.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제57권6호
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• pp.639-645
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• 2019

In the present study, a Spirometra species of Tanzania origin obtained from an African leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) was identified based on molecular analysis of cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit I (nad1) as well as by morphological observations of an adult tapeworm. One strobila and several segments of a Spirometra species were obtained from the intestine of an African male leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) in the Maswa Game Reserve of Tanzania. The morphological characteristics of S. theileri observed comprised 3 uterine loops on one side and 4 on the other side of the mid-line, a uterine pore situated posterior to the vagina and alternating irregularly either to the right or left of the latter, and vesicular seminis that were much smaller than other Spirometra species. Sequence differences in the cox1 and nad1 genes between S. theileri (Tanzania origin) and S. erinaceieuropaei were 10.1% (cox1) and 12.0% (nad1), while those of S. decipiens and S. ranarum were 9.6%, 9.8% (cox1) and 13.0%, 12.6% (nad1), respectively. The morphological features of the Tanzania-origin Spirometra specimens coincided with those of S. theileri, and the molecular data was also consistent with that of S. theileri, thereby demonstrating the distribution of S. theileri in Tanzania. This places the leopard (Panthera pardus) and spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) as new definitive hosts of this spirometrid tapeworm.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.91-103
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• 1972

Zinc is one of the essential trace elements in the living organism for growth and health. The first identified metalloenzyme, carbonic anhydrase, is a zinc compound and several others have been described since. Among zinc deficiency syndromes in animals porcine parakeratosis has been successfully treated with zinc supplements, and in man a syndrome of anemia, hypogonadism, hepatosplenomegaly, and dwarfism, prevalent in parts of Iran and Egypt, has been ascribed to lack of zinc in the diet. Dietary zinc excess in the rat is manifested by a hypochromic, microcytic anemia, poor growth, reduction in liver catalase and cytochrome oxidase. The present study is an attempt to delineate the changes of tissue contents of trace elements, especially of iron, copper and zinc in liver and kidneys of the rats. Weanling albino rats, weighing 60 to 80gm. were used in this experiments. The rats were housed in cages with aluminum floors and received feed and distilled water ad libitum. Animals were divided into three groups, control, low zinc diet and high zinc diet groups. The high zinc diet group was subdivided into 0.5% Zn and 0.7%Zn groups. The supplementary copper or iron was added to the high dietary zinc groups. The animals were sacrificed and the tissues were washed several times with deionized water. The wet digested samples were analyzed by Hitachi Model 207 atomic absorption spectro-photometer for the determination of iron, copper and zinc in the liver and kidney. Hemoglobin level in the blood was measured by cyanmethemoglobin method. The results of this study are as follows: 1) All rats fed high zinc diets and low zinc diets gained less weight than control. Weight gain was not improved by the supplementary copper or iron and both. 2) Hemoglobin concentration was decreased significantly in the rats fed high zinc diets and less in the low zinc diet. Supplementary copper and iron to the higher zinc diet appeared to give some improvement of anemia. 3) The iron contents of the liver and kidneys were significantly decreased in the high zinc groups and the reduction was more significantly in the rats receiving higher zinc diet (0.7%). The supplementary copper caused a further depression of liver iron. On the other hand, the iron, added to the high zinc diet lessoned the severity of the decrease in liver iron and caused kidney iron to be maintained almost at the level found in the rats fed by zinc and supplementary copper diet. 4) High zinc diets did not change copper content of the liver and kidney. Supplementary copper elevated the concentration in the liver and kidney and added iron had no effect on the accumulation of copper in the liver and kidneys. 5) The high zinc diets caused marked increases of zinc content in the liver and kidney. Supplementary iron to the high zinc diet caused increases of zinc contents of liver and kidneys.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.675-681
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• 1997

체내에서 영양소의 흡수에 영향을 미치는 에탄올과 섬유소 및 단백질의 급여수준에 따른 이 들 상호작용을 구명하기 위해 에탄올을 투여한 횐쥐에게 단백질 급여 수준을 7%와 20%로 달리 하고 섬유소를 5%와 10% 첨가한 실험식이를 5주간 급여하므로써 이들 영양소가 에탄을 대사효소와 항산화 물질에 미치는 영향을 관찰하였다. Aldehyde dehydrogenase(ADH)와 microsomal ethanol oxidizing system(MEOS) 활성은 에탄을 투여시 대조군에 비해 유의적으로 증가하였으며, 특히 MEOS 활성은 단백질 정상 급여와 정상섬유소 급여시 그 증가가 현저하였다. 에탄을 투여로 감소된 aldehyde de-hydrogenase(AIDH) 활성은 정상섬유소군의 경우 단백질 적정 급여시 유의적인 감소를 나타내었다. Cytoch-rome P-450(P-450) 활성은 에탄을 투여로 증가되었으며 에탄을 투여군에서 단백질 정상급여와 과량의 섬유소 급여로 유의하게 감소되었다. Xanthine oxidase (XO) 활성은 에탄을 투여로 증가하는 경향이었으며, 저 단백군에 비하여 단백질 적정 급여시 유의적인 증가를 나타내었다. 또한 섬유소 급여수준에 따른 XO 활성은 에탄올 투여군 중 단백질 정상군에서만 유의적인 차이가 관찰되었다. 에탄을 투여는 간조직 중의 글루타티온 함량을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며, 단백질 결핍에 따른 영향이 현저하게 나타났다. 간조직 중의 지질과 산화 함량은 단백질 결핍시 에탄올 투여로 증가하였다. 이상의 결과에서 에탄올을 해독키 위하여 간의 ADH와 MEOS 활성이 증가되었으며 이로 인해 생성된 아세트알데히드는 AIDH 보다 XO를 통해 해독된 것으로 나타났다. 또한 에탄올 대사효소 활성에 요구되는 단백질 공급과 10% 즉, 과량의 섬유소 급여 보다 5% 섬유소 급여시 에탄올성 간손상을 경감시킬 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• 제50권11호
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• pp.8.1-8.14
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• 2018

We previously demonstrated that the direct transplantation of human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) into the dentate gyrus ameliorated the neurological symptoms of Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1)-mutant mice. However, the clinical presentation of NPC1-mutant mice was not fully understood with a molecular mechanism. Here, we found 14,15-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET), a cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolite, from hUCB-MSCs and the cerebella of NPC1-mutant mice and investigated the functional consequence of this metabolite. Our screening of the CYP2J family indicated a dysregulation in the CYP system in a cerebellar-specific manner. Moreover, in Purkinje cells, CYP2J6 showed an elevated expression level compared to that of astrocytes, granule cells, and microglia. In this regard, we found that one CYP metabolite, 14,15-EET, acts as a key mediator in ameliorating cholesterol accumulation. In confirming this hypothesis, 14,15-EET treatment reduced the accumulation of cholesterol in human NPC1 patient-derived fibroblasts in vitro by suppressing cholesterol synthesis and ameliorating the impaired autophagic flux. We show that the reduced activity within the CYP system in the cerebellum could cause the neurological symptoms of NPC1 patients, as 14,15-EET treatment significantly rescued cholesterol accumulation and impaired autophagy. We also provide evidence that the intranasal administration of hUCB-MSCs is a highly promising alternative to traumatic surgical transplantation for NPC1 patients.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제46권1호
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• pp.81-88
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• 2020

Diesel particulate matter (DPM)은 피부각질세포에서 염증을 일으킨다. 또 aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)을 통한 xenobiotic response element (XRE) promoter activity에 영향을 주어 cytochromeP (CYP) family의 발현을 촉진시킨다. 이 연구에서는 LG-HMC의 미세먼지 유발 피부 염증완화 및 XRE 발현 조절기능에 대하여 연구를 진행하였다. 먼저, HaCaT에서 DPM이 XRE promoter를 과활성화 시켜주는 것을 확인하였고, 이를 LG-HMC가 완화 시켜주는 것을 확인하였으며 이들 원료 중, 상백피추출물, 황금추출물이 XRE promoter의 과활성화 억제에 관여하는 것을 확인하였다. 이어, HaCaT에서 DPM에 의해 발현이 증가하는 염증성 사이토카인에 대해 LG-HMC 및 상백피추출물, 황금추출물이 염증성 사이토카인의 발현을 줄여주는 것을 확인하였다. 추가적으로 상백피추출물과 황금추출물이 DPPH 라디컬을 효과적으로 줄여줌으로써 미세먼지에 의한 라디컬 손상도 효과적으로 방어할 수 있는 소재임을 확인하였다. 결과적으로 LG-HMC가 미세먼지에 의한 피부염증완화와 피부방어효과를 갖는 것을 확인하였고, LG-HMC를 구성하는 상백피추출물과 황금추출물이 미세먼지에 의한 손상방어에 중요한 역할을 하는 것을 확인하였다.