• Development and Reproduction
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.435-440
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• 2013

Previous studies, including our own, have demonstrated that the intratesticular injection of hypertonic saline (20%) decreased serum testosterone level which was similar to the surgical castration in the rat, showing the state of chemical castration. In the present study, we further verify the efficacy of this less invasive method as an alternative of surgical orchidectomy in the andrological field. Sterilized 20% saline was directly injected into the adult male rats (750 ${\mu}l$ per testis). The tested rats were divided into 3 groups including intact group (intact), orchidectomy group (ORX) and saline injection group (SAL) after bilateral orchidectomy was performed at the same day of injection. All rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks after injection. The reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, seminal vesicles and prostates) were collected and used for DNA and protein pattern analyses. Also, patho-histological studies on the testes were performed. In contrast to the intact group, similar DNA damages of testis and seminal vesicle were appeared in ORX group and SAL group. The DNA degradations seemed to be the results of necrosis rather than apoptosis. In the protein pattern analysis, all the testing tissues exerted similar patterns in the ORX group and the SAL group compared to the those of intact group. Patho-histological studies revealed that severe degenerative changes in testicular seminiferous tubules and massive infiltration of immune cells in SAL group. The present study confirmed that direct injection of hypertonic saline into the testis caused the equivalent biochemical changes in the accessory sex organs as shown in the orchidectomized animals. These results suggest that hypertonic saline injection model could be a useful castration model which can substitute for surgical castration when its safety is secured through further study in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-23
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• 2007

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gone expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In audition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusion: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.257-266
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• 2008

Purpose: These experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effect of Onpoeum on ovarian functions and differential gene expressions related with cell viabilities caspase-3, MAPK and MPG in female mice. Methods: We administered the Onpoeum to 6-week-old female ICR mice for 4, 8, or 12 days. With different concentration of Onpoeum, the female mice were injected PMSG and hCG for ovarian hyperstimulation. The mice divided into 3 different groups for each experiment. We chose the Caspase-3 for cell apoptosis, MAPK and MPG genes for cell viability and DNA repair. Results: In case of 4, 8, 12 day of Onpoeum, we were examined the mean number of total ovulated oocytes and the number of morphologically normal oocytes. We were also examined the embryonic developmental competence in vitro. In addition we were examined the differential expression of cell apoptosis, viability and DNA repair related genes, Caspase-3, MAPK and MPG according to concentration and duration of Onpoeum. From these results showed that the administration of Onpoeum played a role of prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damages and also increased cell proliferation resulted in ovarian functions. Conclusions: It is suggested that the medication of Onpoeum may have beneficial effect on reproductive functions of female mice via prevention of cell apoptosis and DNA damaging and promotion of cell proliferation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1071-1076
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• 1999

This study was carried out to isolate the colonies of dominant fermented bacteria from Kimchi (Korean native fermented foodstuffs) and investigate their inhibitory potentials on mutagenesis and carcinogenesis induced by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) as direct carcinogen. For this purpose, single cell gel electrophoresis technique (SCGE assay, or comet assay) which is a sensitive and rapid technique for detecting the presence of DNA strand breaks in individual cells was used. DNA damages of Kimchi isolates were compared with that of the positive control, MNNG. Among 3 isolates from Tongbaechu Kimchi, two isolates B-1 and B-2 showed antigenotoxicities (p<0.01). All 4 isolates from Yulmu Kimchi had antigenotoxicities (p<0.05). Also, 3 of 5 isolates from Chonggak Kimchi and 2 of 9 isolates from Kaktugi were antigenotoxic (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively).

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.150-155
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• 2004

The free radical scavenging activities and the protective effects of Rhus javanica extracts against oxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) were investigated. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and water fractions were prepared from a methanol extract. DPPH radical, superoxide anion and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities were estimated. Intracellular ROS formation was quantified using fluorescent probes, 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (DCFH-DA) for hydroxyl radical and dihydroethidium (DHE) for superoxide anion. The oxidative DNA damage was investigated by the comet assay in HepG$_2$ cells exposed either to $H_2O$$_2$ or to menadione. The highest $IC_{50}$/ values for DPPH radical scavenging activity was found in the ethyl acetate fraction with a value of 5.38 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. Cells pretreated with $\geq$ 1 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL of the ethyl acetate extract had significantly increased cell viability compared to control cells, which were not pretreated with the extract. Intracellular ROS formation and DNA damage in HepG$_2$ cells, which were pretreated with the various concentrations of Rhus javanica ethyl acetate extract and then incubated either with $H_2O$$_2$ or with menadione, reduced in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that Rhus javanica might have biologically active components which have strong protective effects against ROS induced oxidative damages to the biomolecules, such as cell membranes and DNA.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.117-124
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• 2001

The main constituent of green tea, catechins have been reported to have numberous biological anti-vites including antimutagenic, antibacterial, hypocholesterolemic, antioxidant and antitumor properties. In the present study, we examined the protective effect of catechin on UVB-induced skin damage. Catechin (3 mg/mouse) was topically treated to dorsal area of SHK-1 hairless mouse daily for 2 weeks. UVB (100 mJ/$\textrm{cm}^2$) was also treated soon after application of catechin alone or with catechin for 2 weeks. Catechin reduced UVB-induced infiltration of inflammatory cells, fibrosis of cells and collagen-fiber formation. In addition, catechin also prevented UVB-induced DNA fragmentation and apoptosis cell number, but not changed p53 level. Furthermore catechin inhibited UVB-induced cell proliferation. There results showed that catechin have preventive effect aganinst UVB-induced skin damages. and these effects could contribute to the antitumor promoters activity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2007

Ascorbic acid has been reported to extend replicative life span of human embryonic fibroblast (HEF). Since the detailed molecular mechanism of this phenomenon has not been investigated, we attempted to elucidate. Continuous treatment of HEF cells with ascorbic acid at ($200{\mu}M$) from 40 population doubling (PD) increased maximum PD numbers by 18% and lowered $SA-{\beta}-gal$ positive staining, an aging marker, by 2.3 folds, indicating that ascorbic acid extends replicative life span of HEF cells. Ascorbic acid treatment lowered DCFH by about 7 folds and Rho123 by about 70%, suggesting that ascorbic acid dramatically decreased ROS formation. Ascorbic acid also increased aconitase activity, a marker of mitochondrial aging, by 41%, indicating that ascorbic acid treatment restores age-related decline of mitochondrial function. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry revealed that ascorbic acid treatment decreased G1 population up to 12%. Further western blot analysis showed that ascorbic acid treatment decreased levels of p53, phospho-p53 at ser 15, and p21, indicating that ascorbic acid relieved senescence-related G1 arrest. Analysis of AP (apurinic/apyrimidinic) sites showed that ascorbic acid treatment decreased AP site formation by 35%. We also tested the effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment, as an additional oxidative stress. Continuous treatment of $20{\mu}M$ of hydrogen peroxide from PD 40 of HEF cells resulted in premature senescence due to increased ROS level, and increased AP sites. Taken together, the results suggest that ascorbic acid extends replicative life span of HEF cells by reducing mitochondrial and DNA damages through lowering cellular ROS.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.339-343
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• 2011

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are well known environmental carcinogens. PAH metabolites, especially BaP-7,8- dihydrodiol, 9,10 epoxide, initiate carcinogenesis via high specificity binding to DNA to form DNA adducts. The Korean red ginseng (KRG) from Panax ginseng has been suggested to protect against damages due to PAH exposure but the mechanism is unknown. Therefore, we investigated effects of KRG on PAH exposure using toxicokinetic methods and changes of PAH-induced oxidative damage during a 2 week-clinical trial (n=21 healthy young female, $23.71{\pm}2.43$ years). To analyze antioxidative effects of KRG, we measured changes in the levels of urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) before and after KRG treatment. We observed a significant positive association between levels of urinary MDA and 1-hydroxypyrene, a biomarker of PAH exposures (slope=1.47, p=0.03) and confirmed oxidative stress induced by PAH exposures. A reverse significant correlation between KRG treatment and level of urinary MDA was observed (p=0.03). In summary, results of our clinical trial study suggest that KRG plays a significant role in antioxidative as well as toxicokinetic pathways against PAHs exposure.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-78
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• 2002

Jowiseungcheongtang(JST) has been in Sasang constitution medicine for many years as a therapeutic agent for cerebral disease. But the effect of Jowiseungcheongtang(JST) on neurotoxicity is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Jowiseungcheongtang(JST) on the hippocampal cell injured by Xanthine Oxidase/Hypoxanthine. The results were as follows: 1. XO/HX decreased the survival rate of the cultured hippocampal cells on NR assay and MTT assay. 2. JST water extract have efficacy of decreasing a amount of lipid peroxidation increased by XO/HX in cultured hippocampal cells. 3. JST water extract have efficacy of increasing DNA synthesis decreased by XO/HX in cultured hippocampal cells. From the above results, It is concluded that JST has marked efficacy in preventing cultured hippocampal cells from the damages by XO/HX.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.123-130
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• 2005

Hydrogen-donating capacity, scavenging activity of reactive oxygen including superoxide anion radical and hydrogen peroxide, metal-chelating activity, and reducing power of garlic extracts were investigated. All tested garlic extracts exhibited in vitro antioxidant activities, with Uiseong extract showing highest hydrogen-donating and hydrogen peroxide-scavenging activities, and reducing power, followed by Seosan and Samchek extracts, in proportion to total thiosulfinate contents. Higher scavenging activity of superoxide anion radical was observed in Uiseong than Seosan and Samchek extracts. Metal-chelating activity increased in order of Uiseong < Seosan < Samchek, showing inverse relations to total thiosulfinate content. Garlic extracts of Uiseong and Seosan showed weak prooxidant activities and that of Samchek showed strong antioxidant activity against $Cu^{+2}$-induced human LDL oxidation. Protective effects on peroxyl and hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand damages were observed in all tested garlic cloves. These results indicate growing conditions of garlic cloves affect total thiosulfinate content and antioxidant activities.