• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2014

Purpose: Although vitamin D deficiency is more commonly found in cancer patient than in non-cancer patients, there have been little data regarding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in cancer patients at the very end of life. We examined vitamin D deficiency in terminally ill cancer patients and related factors. Methods: This study was based on a retrospective chart review of 133 patients in a hospice ward. We collected data regarding age, sex, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level, cancer type, physical performance, current medications and various laboratory findings. We investigated factors related to serum vitamin D levels after multivariate adjustment for potential confounders. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/mL was considered deficient and <10 ng/mL severely deficient. Results: Ninety-five percent of the patients were serum vitamin D deficient. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, non-lung cancer patients, $H_2$ blocker users and non-anticonvulsant users. Elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were also associated with low serum vitamin D levels. Multiple regression analysis showed that severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with male gender (aOR 3.82, 95% CI: 1.50~9.72, P=0.005), $H_2$ blocker users (aOR 3.94, 95% CI: 1.61~9.65, P=0.003) and elevated serum ALT levels (aOR 4.52, 95% CI: 1.35~15.19, P=0.015). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was highly prevalent among terminally ill cancer patients. Severe vitamin D deficiency was more common in male patients, $H_2$ blocker users, and patients with elevated ALT levels.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.297-304
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• 2016

The seed of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) has been reported to suppress human cancer cell proliferation. However, the mechanisms by which safflower seed inhibits cancer cell proliferation have remained nuclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect of the safflower seed (SS) on the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells and the potential mechanism of action were examined. SS inhibited markedly the proliferation of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116, SW480, LoVo and HT-29). In addition, SS suppressed the proliferation of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7). SS treatment decreased cyclin D1 protein level in human colorectal cancer cells and breast cancer cells. But, SS-mediated downregulated mRNA level of cyclin D1 was not observed. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated cyclin D1 downregulation by SS and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in SS-treated cells. In addition, SS increased cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated SS-mediated cyclin D1 degradation. Inhibition of ERK1/2 by PD98059 suppressed cyclin D1 phosphorylation and downregulation of cyclin D1 by SS. In conclusion, SS has anti-proliferative activity by inducing cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation through ERK1/2-dependent threonine-286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1. These findings suggest that possibly its extract could be used for treating colorectal cancer.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.682-689
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• 2015

Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai (A. distichum) has been reported to exert the inhibitory effect on angiotensin converting enzyme and aldose reductase. Recently, our group found that branch extracts of A. distichum (EAFAD-B) induce apoptosis through ATF3 activation in human colon cancer cells. However, anti-cancer reagents exert their activity through the regulation of various molecular targets. Therefore, the elucidation of potential mechanisms of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity may be necessary. To elucidate the potential mechanism of EAFAD-B for anti-cancer activity, we evaluated the regulation of cyclin D1 in human colon cancer cells. EAFAD-B decreased cellular accumulation of cyclin D1 protein. However, cyclin D1 mRNA was not changed by EAFAD-B. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with EAFAD-B. In addition, EAFAD-B induced cyclin D1 phosphorylation at threonine-286 and the point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 proteasomal degradation. Inhibitions of both ERK1/2 by PD98059 and NF-κB by a selective inhibitor, BAY 11-7082 suppressed cyclin D1 downregulation by EAFAD-B. From these results, we suggest that EAFAD-B-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through its threonine-286 phosphorylation via ERK1/2-dependent NF-κB activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between EAFAD-B and anti-cancer activity in human colon cancer cells.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 2015

Naringenin (NAR) as one of the flavonoids observed in grapefruit has been reported to exhibit an anti-cancer activity. However, more detailed mechanism by which NAR exerts anti-cancer properties still remains unanswered. Thus, in this study, we have shown that NAR down-regulates the level of cyclin D1 in human colorectal cancer cell lines, HCT116 and SW480. NAR inhibited the cell proliferation in HCT116 and SW480 cells and decreased the level of cyclin D1 protein. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation by MG132 blocked NAR-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation and the half-life of cyclin D1 was decreased in the cells treated with NAR. In addition, NAR increased the phosphorylation of cyclin D1 at threonine-286 and a point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine blocked cyclin D1 downregulation by NAR. p38 inactivation attenuated cyclin D1 downregulation by NAR. From these results, we suggest that NAR-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation may result from proteasomal degradation through p38 activation. The current study provides new mechanistic link between NAR, cyclin D1 downregulation and cell growth in human colorectal cancer cells.

• Research in Plant Disease
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.148-156
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• 2024

Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, a plant pathogenic bacterium that can survive for a long time in soil and water, causes lethal wilt in the Solanaceae family. Sigma S is a part of the RNA polymerase complex, which regulates gene expression during bacterial stress response or stationary phase. In this study, we investigated the role of sigma S in R. pseudosolanacearum under stress conditions using a rpoS-defective mutant strain of R. pseudosolanacearum and its wild-type strain. The phenotypes of rpoS-defective mutant were complemented by introducing the original rpoS gene. There were no differences observed in bacterial growth rate and exopolysaccharide production between the wild-type strain and the rpoS mutant. However, the wild-type strain responded more sensitively to nutrient deficiency compared to the mutant strain. Under the nutrient deficiency, the rpoS mutant maintained a high bacterial viability for a longer period, while the viability of the wild-type strain declined rapidly. Furthermore, a significant difference in pH was observed between the culture supernatant of the wild-type strain and the mutant strain. The pH of the culture supernatant for the wild-type strain decreased rapidly during bacterial growth, leading to medium acidification. The rapid decline in the wild-type strain's viability may be associated with medium acidification and bacterial sensitivity to acidity during transition to the stationary phase. Interestingly, the rpoS mutant strain cannot utilize acetic acid, D-alanine, D-trehalose, and L-histidine. These results suggest that sigma S of R. pseudosolanacearum regulates the production or utilization of organic acids and controls cell death during stationary phase under nutrient deficiency.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2024

This study compared the results of hemolyzed samples and re-collected samples to investigate a hemolysis influence and an acceptable hemolysis index (HI). Before and after hemolysis, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), amylase (Amy), direct bilirubin (D-bil), total bilirubin (T-bil), creatine phosphokinase (CK), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), iron, potassium (K), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (Phos), total protein (TP), and uric acid (UA) showed significant results in the paired t-test. LDH, K, iron, AST, CK, GGT, TP, Amy and Phos had a high correlation between the degree of hemolysis and the results of samples. When comparing Roche's cut-off HI with HI^QChigh obtained using quality control (QC) high standard deviation (SD), AST, D-bil, CK, and LDH were similar, but Amy, GGT, K, iron, Phos, and TP were lower than the cut-off HI of Roche, while ALP and ALT were higher. Some analytes which showed no significant results in the paired t-test, were found to have significant results in HI>200. Hence, it is suggested that the hemolyzed sample should be rejected if HI>200. Based on this study that some analytes were affected when HI<100, we recommend to set the standard of hemolysis starting from HI>50.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.218-227
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• 2018

In this study, we investigated the effect of the extracts from Vaccinium oldhamii on cell proliferation and the regulatory mechanisms of cyclin D1 protein level in human cancer cells. The branch extracts from Vaccinium oldhamii (VOB) showed higher inhibitor effect against the cell growth than leave extracts (VOL) and fruit extracts (VOF) in human colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, non-small lung cancer, pancreatic cancer and liver cancer cells. In addition, VOB decreased cyclin D1 level at both protein and mRNA level. MG132 treatment attenuated VOB-mediated cyclin D1 downregulation. A point mutation of threonine-286 to alanine attenuated cyclin D1 degradation by VOB. In addition, the inhibition of nuclear export by leptomycin B (LMB) attenuated cyclin D1 degradation by VOB. But, the treatment of PD98059 (ERK1/2 inhibitor), SB203580 (p38 inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor), LiCl ($GSK3{\beta}$ inhibitor), LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) or BAY 11-7082 ($I{\kappa}K$ inhibitor) did not affect VOB-induced cyclin D1 degradation. In conclusion, VOB induced cyclin D1 degradation through redistribution of cyclin D1 from the nucleus to cytoplasm via T286 phosphorylation of cyclin D1, which resulted in the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.210-217
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• 2006

This study was performed to investigate effects of the experimental mixture containing soybean peptides, L-carnitine and Garcinia Cambogia extract on body weight and lipid metabolism in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40) of eight weeks old were raised for four weeks with high fat diet (40% fat as calorie) to induce obesity. After induction of obesity, rats were feed control (C) diet, containing either 0.16% (+1D), 1.6% (+10D), 8% (+50D) of experimental mixture for eight weeks. Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and total protein and albumin concentration were not different among groups. The Body weight gain was significantly lower in experimental mixture diet group compared to control group. Weights of perirenal fat pad and epididymal fat pad in the +50D group were significantly lower than those in the +1D and +10D groups. Plasma total lipid and liver total cholesterol levels in the experimental groups were significantly lower than those in the control group. Fecal total lipid and total cholesterol excretions were highest in +50D group. These results suggest that the experimental mixture containing peptides, L-carnitine and Garsinia Canbogia extract is effective for reducing the body weight and adipose tissue weight which may be due to the modulation of lipid metabolism and the increased fecal excretion of lipid.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.17-23
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• 2013

Objectives : To investigate the hepatoprotective effect of Gardeniae Fructus (Ga) and Glycine semen preparatum (Gl) aqueous extract against D-galactosamine (D-GalN, 300mg/kg body weight) was administered to the male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Materials and Methods : The study was carried out on male SD rats (age matched, weight $250{\pm}10$ g). Experimental groups (Exp) divided four : Normal group (Nor) was administered saline, Control (Con) group was only received D-GalN (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Exp was orally administered Ga (200 mg/kg; Ga group), Gl (700 mg/kg; Gl group), and Chizadochi-Tang (200 mg/kg+700 mg/kg, GG group) after D-GalN treatment during 14 days (n=6). Results : D-GalN administration induced hepatotoxicity in rats which was manifested by increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) but decreased total cholesterol (HDL C) and triglyceride (TG). The serum TG concentrations were significantly increased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the Ga group compared with Con. AST and ALP activities were significantly decreased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the all experimental groups compared with Con. ALT activities were significantly decreased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the Ga group compared with Con. LDH activities were significantly decreased ($^{\sharp}p$ <0.05) in the GG group compared with Con. On the light microscopic study, a number of vacuole were observed in the Con, but decreased in experimental groups. Conclusion : Ga aqueous extract and Chizadochi-Tang extract possesses hepatoprotective potential, thus validating its use in alleviating toxic effects of D-GalN.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of Taraxacum herba extract on the hepatic xanthine oxidase activity as a oxygen free radical generating enzyme in vitro and in vivo. It was observed that partial purified hepatic xanthine oxidase (type O) activity was strongly inhibited by the addition of Taraxacum herba n-butanol extract in vitro. The Km value of xanthine oxidase without affecting the Vmax value for xanthine was significantly increased by the addition of ta-dase (type O) activity was significantly inhibited by the treatment of Taraxacum gerba n-butanol ex-tract for 5days(over 40mg/kg, i.p), whereas, xanthine oxidase (type D) activity was not changed by the injection of Taracacum herba n-butanol extract. Meanwhile, liver weight / body weight(%), serum alanine aminotransferase activity and hepatic lipid peroxide content in Taraxacum herba n-buta-nol extract-treated rat were not changed. These findings led us to conclude that Taraxacum herba n-butanol extract may regulate the hepatic xanthine oxidase type O activity to prevent toxic effect of oxidative stress by the oxygen free radicals.