• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.701-707
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• 2008

Antidiabetic effect of Korean red ginseng (RG) processed by puffing in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic (DM) rats was investigated. Five week-old SD rats were divided into four groups; normal control (NC) group, DM group, red ginseng (RG) group and puffed red ginseng (PG) group. The RG and PG groups were orally provided with RG or PG dissolved in water (500 mg/kg) respectively for seven weeks after single injection of STZ (50 mg/kg, i.v.) followed by identification of DM. NC group received saline vehicle instead of STZ. At the end of feeding of RG or PG, the changes of fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and amylase level and serum lipid profiles were evaluated. Also, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), comet assay and histopathological examination were performed. At 7th week, the fasting blood glucose levels of the RG and PG groups were reduced compared to the DM group by 11.54% and 20.22%, respectively. The result of OGTT did not show significant differences among DM and two red ginseng groups. While serum insulin and TG levels were predominantly improved in PG group (p<0.05), serum amylase level was increased in RG group. Alkaline comet assay for checking the oxidative damage of DNA showed that TL (tail length, ${\mu}m$) and TM (tail moment) in the blood lymphocyte of PG group significantly decreased in contrast with DM group. Histopathological results of pancreas showed that destruction of exocrine as well as endocrine might be cured by the administration of RG and PG. These results suggest that PG could exert more protection against STZ-induced toxicity than RG group.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1370-1377
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• 2013

Rice is widely grown in Asia and is one of the major dietary staples in the world. Also, rice contains antioxidants which can prevent from oxidative stress related diseases, including cancer, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Because the rice is consumed cooked, the effect of the cooking process on the antioxidative and antigenotoxic properties of rice is lacking. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of cooking on the antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of white rice (WR), brown rice (BR), and germinated brown rice (GBR). The antioxidant activities were measured for total phenolic content (TPC), DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH RSA), total antioxidant capacity (TRAP), and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). The highest TPC was found in uncooked BR (18.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g). After cooking, the TPC of WR significantly increased, while the TPC of BR and GBR were reduced by 47.7% and 36.7%, respectively. The $IC_{50}$ for DPPH RSA was not significantly different in uncooked rice, while the DPPH RSA of WR and GBR decreased after cooking and the DPPH RSA of BR significantly increased. TRAP values in BR and GBR increased after cooking, while the value of WR decreased. The ORAC values of uncooked WR, BR, and GBR were 5.3, 4.3, and $3.9{\mu}M$ trolox equivalent at the concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$. After cooking, the ORAC value of BR remained unchanged, while the value of GBR increased and the value of WR decreased. The antigenotoxic activities of WR, BR, and GBR were determined by measuring the inhibitory effects of $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage on human leukocytes using the comet assay. The results showed that all rice tested showed a significant antigenotoxic effect against oxidative stress, except for the cooked white rice. Overall, our results indicate the addition of brown rice and/or germinated brown rice to cooked white rice is a good option for improving the benefits of rice.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.63-71
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• 2004

The human skin is constantly exposed to environmental irritants such as ultraviolet, smoke, chemicals. Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by these environmental facts play critical roles in cellular damage. These irritants are in themselves damaging to the skin structure but they also participate the immensely complex inflammatory reaction. The purpose of this study was to investigate the skin cell protective effect of Juniperus chinensis xylem extract on the UV and SLS-induced skin cell damages. We tested free radical and superoxide scavenging effect in vitro. We found that Juniperus chinensis xylem extracts had potent radical scavenging effect by 98％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Fluorometric assays of the proteolytic activities of matrix metalloproteinase-l(MMP-1, collagenase) were performed using fluorescent collagen substrates. UV A induced MMP-1 synthesis and activity were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gelatin-based zymography in skin fibroblasts. The extract of Juniperus chinensis showed strong inhibitory effect on MMP-1 activities by 97％ at 100 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL and suppressed the UVA induced expression of MMP-1 by 79％ at 25 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. This extract also showed strong inhibition on MMP-2 activity in UVA irradiated fibroblast by zymography. We also examined anti-inflammatory effects by the determination test of proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 in HaCaT keratinocytes. In this test Juniperus chinensis decreased expression of interleukin 6 about 30％. Expression of prostaglandin E$_2$, (PGE$_2$) after UVB irradiation was measured by competitive enzyme immunoassay (EIA) using PGE$_2$ monoclonal antibody. At the concentrations of 5-50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of the extracts, the production of PGE$_2$ by HaCaT keratinocytes (24 hours after 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ UVB irradiation) was significantly inhibited in culture supernatants (p〈0.05). The viability of cultured HaCaT keratinocytes was significantly reduced at the doses of above 10 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$ of UVB irradiation, but the presence of these extracts improved cell viability comparing to control after UVB irradiation. We also investigated the protective effect of this extract in sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)-induced irritant skin reactions from 24 hour exposure. Twice a day application of the extract for reducing local inflammation in human skin was done. Irritant reactions were assessed by various aspects of skin condition, that is, erythema (skin color reflectance) and transepidermal water loss (TEWL). After 5 days the extract was found to reduce SLS-induced skin erythema and improve barrier regeneration when compared to untreated symmetrical test site. In conclusion, our results suggest that Juniperus chinensis can be effectively used for the prevention of UV and SLS-induced adverse skin reactions such as radical production, inflammation and skin cell damage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.708-719
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• 2007

Glutathione S-transferase genotypes GSTT1, GSTM1 and GSTP1 were characterized in 104 healthy male and female subjects and compared with parameters of oxidative stress at the level of DNA and lipids, with antioxidant enzymes, and with plasma antioxidants in smokers and non.smokers. Of the 104 subjects studied, 57.4% were GSTT1 present and 47.6% were GSTM1 present. The GSTP1 polymorphisms a and b were represented as follows: a/a, 75.5%; a/b, 21.6%; b/b type, 2.9%. The GSTT1 null genotype was associated with decreased glutathione in erythrocytes and elevated lymphocytes DNA damage. GST-Px was higher in GSTT1 null compared with GSTT1 present type. The homozygous GSTP1 genotype was not associated with any antioxidant status or DNA damage. The difference in plasma ${\alpha}$-carotene and erythrocytes GSH-Px and GST activities between smokers and non-smokers was detected in the GSTT1 null genotype. Plasma ${\gamma}$-tocopherol and ${\beta}$-carotene decreased significantly in smokers having GSTM1 null genotype. When GSTT1 and GSTM1 were combined, plasma lycopene and erythrocyte GST were reduced in smokers in both null types of these genes. As for GSTP1 genotype, plasma ${\alpha}$-carotene and erythrocytes GSH-Px decreased significantly in smokers with GSTP1 b/b, while erythrocytes GSH-Px activities decreased in smokers with GSTP1 a/b. The different ${\beta}$-carotene level between smokers and non-smokers was seen with both GSTP1 a/a and a/b genotype. It seems that polymorphisms in the phase II metabolizing enzyme glutathione S-transferase may be important determinants of commonly measured biomarkers.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.650-659
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• 1999

Background/Aims: It is well recognized that all aerobic cells have the protective mechanisms in order to minimize the tissue damage induced by various reactive oxygen species(ROS). Thioredoxin peroxidase(TPX) which has been recently identified and characterized functions to convert peroxide to water. The protein is also found in various subtypes(TPX-A & B, MER5, HS22 and HORF-06) and is known to be ubiquitous in most human cells. Especially, ischemic brain injuries, partial hepatectomy and radiation induced DNA damages. In treating lung cancer, radiation therapy has a major place in the local control and the relief of symptoms, but radiation induced free radical injury and resulting pulmonary fibrosis has been the major drawback of the therapy. However, little is known about the protective mechanisms and biologic modulations against radiation-induced tissue damages. Methods: Eighteen mice were divided into six groups, 3 in each group, and fifteen had received 900cGy of radiation. The mice were sacrificed according to the pre determined time schedule; immediate, 1, 2, 3 and 6 weeks after irradiation. Extracts were made from the lungs of each mice, Western blot analysis of various subtypes of TPX were done after SDS-P AGE. Examination of H & E stained slides from the same irradiated specimens and the control specimens were also performed. Results: No difference in the intensity of the immunoreactive bands in the irradiated lung samples of the mice compared to the unirradiated control was observed regardless of the time intervals, although H & E examination of the sample specimens demonstrated progressive fibrotic changes of the irradiated lung samples. Conclusion: In conclusion, according to our data, it is suggested that various thioredoxin peroxidase subtypes and catalase which are known to be increased in many repair processes may not be involved in the repair of the radiation injury to the lung and subsequent fibrosis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.710-720
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• 2013

Radiotherapy is commonly used in treating many kinds of cancers which cannot be cured by other therapeutic strategies. However, radiotherapy also induces the damages on the normal tissues. Radiation-induced fibrosis is frequently observed in the patients undergoing radiotherapy, and becomes a major obstacle in the treatment of intrahepatic cancer. Hedgehog (Hh) that is an essential in the liver formation during embryogenesis is not detected in the healthy liver, but activated and modulates the repair process in damaged livers in adult. The expression of Hh increases with the degree of liver damage, regulating the proliferation of hepatic progenitors and hepatic stellate cells (HSC). In addition, Hh induces epithelial-to-mesencymal transition (EMT) and activation of myofibroblasts. In the irradiated livers, up-regulated expression of Hh signaling was associated with proliferation of progenitors, EMT induction, and increased fibrosis. Female-specific expression of Hh leaded to the expansion of progenitors and the accumulation of collagen in the irradiated livers of female mice, indicating that gender disparity in Hh expression may be related with radiation-susceptibility in female. Hence, Hh signaling becomes a novel object of studies for fibrogenesis induced by radiation. However, the absence of the established experimental animal models showing the similar physiopathology with human liver diseases and fibrosis-favorable microenvironment hamper the studies for the radiation-induced fibrosis, providing a few descriptive results. Therefore, further research on the association of Hh with radiation-induced fibrosis can identify the cell and tissue-specific effects of Hh and provides the basic knowledge for underlying mechanisms, contributing to developing therapies for preventing the radiation-induced fibrosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.215-221
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• 1994

Background: It is well known that oxygen free radicals(OFR) play a vital role in the various type of acute lung injury. Among various antioxidant defense mechanisms, the superoxide dismutases(SOD) are thought to be the first line of antioxidant defense by catalyzing the dismutation of two superoxide radicals to yield hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Eukaryotic cells contain two types of intracellular SOD : cytosolic, dimeric copper/zinc- containing enzyme(CuZnSOD) and mitochondrial, tetrameric manganese-containing enzyme(MnSOD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the time-dependent gene expression of MnSOD and CuZnSOD in the endotoxin-treated rats, and to compare with the manifestations of LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats. Methods: Total RNA from rat lung was isolated using single step phenol extraction 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after E. coli endotoxin injection(n=3, respectively). RNA was separated by formaldehyde-containing 1.2% agarose gels elctrophoresis, transblotted, baked, prehybridized, and hybridized with $^{32}P$-labeled cDNA probes for rat MnSOD and CuZnSOD, which were kindly donated by Dr. Ho(Duke University, Durham, NC, USA). The probes were labeled by nick translation. Blots were washed and autoradiography were quantitated using laser densitometry. Equivalent amounts of total RNA/gel were assessed by monitoring 28S and 18S rRNA. Results: Endotoxin caused a rise in steady-state MnSOD mRNA levels by 4h with peak mRNA accumulation by 6h. Continued MnSOD mRNA expression was observed at 12h. CuZnSOD mRNA expression was observed from 1h to 24h with peak levels by 18h. Conclusion: These results suggest that SOD palys an important defensive role in the endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.178-183
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• 2007

Neutrons are high LET (linear energy transfer) radiation and cause more damage to the target cells than x-rays or gamma rays. The damage from neutrons is generally considered fatal to a cell and neutrons have a greater tendency to cause cell death through direct interaction on DNA. We performed experiments to measure growth delay ratio and oxygen enhancement ratio (OER) in mouse model system. We inoculated EMT-6 cells to the right hind leg of BALB-c mouse and X-rays and neutron beams were given when the average volume of tumors reached $200-300mm^3$. We irradiated 0, 11, 15.4 Gy of X-ray and 0, 5, 7 Gy of fast neutron beam at normoxic and hypoxic condition. The volume of tumors was measured 3 times per week. In x-ray experiment, growth delay ratio was 1.34 with 11 Gy and 1.33 with 15.4 Gy in normoxic condition compared to in hypoxic condition, respectively. In neutron experiment, growth delay ratio was 0.94 with 5 Gy and 0.98 with 7 Gy, respectively. The OER of neutron beam was 0.97. The neutron beam was more effective than X-ray in the control of hypoxic tumors.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.109-116
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• 2007

Environmental stress is the major limiting factor in plant productivity. As an effort to solve the global food and environmental problems using the plant biotechnology, we have developed transgenic tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) plants via Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer method. To develop transgenic tall fescue plants with enhanced tolerance to the environmental stresses, both CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) genes were incorporated in a pIG121 binary vector and the both of the genes were controlled separately by an oxidative stress-inducible sweet potato peroxidase 2 (SWPA2) premoter expressed in chloroplasts. Leaf discs of transgenic plants showed 10-30% less damage compared to the wild-type when they exposed to a wide range of environmental stresses including methyl viologen (MV), $H_2O_2$ and heavy metals. In addition, when $200{\mu}M$ MV was sprayed onto the whole plants, transgenic plants showed a significant reduction of visible damage compared to wild-type plants that were almost damaged. These results suggest that over expression of CuZnSOD and APX genes in transgenic plants might be a useful strategy to protect the crops against a wide range of environmental stresses.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.184-192
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• 2012

The present study was designed to examine the potential antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of ethanol extract from $Prunus$ $mume$ fruit (PME) against alloxan-induced oxidative stress in pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells, HIT-T15. To evaluate the antidiabetic effect of PME, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliu bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay, $NAD^+$/NADH ratio and insulin secretion were assessed. We also measured its antioxidant effect against alloxan-induced oxidative stress in the cells by assessing the levels of the antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). The results of this analysis showed that alloxan significantly decreased cell viability, increased LDH leakage, and lowered $NAD^+$ /NADH ratio and insulin secretion in HIT-T15 cells. However, PME significantly increased the viability of alloxan-treated cells and lowered LDH leakage. The intracellular $NAD^+$ /NADH ratio and insulin secretion were also increased by 1.5~1.9-fold and 1.4-fold, respectively, after treatment with the PME. The HIT-T15 cells treated with alloxan showed significant decreases in the activities of antioxidant enzymes, while PME significantly elevated the levels of antioxidant enzymes. Based on these results, we suggest that PME could have a protective effect against the cytotoxicity and dysfunction of pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells in the presence of alloxan-induced oxidative stress.