• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.8-14
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• 2023

Peroxidasin (PXDN), a multidomain heme peroxidase containing extracellular matrix (ECM) motifs, as well as a catalytic domain, catalyzes the sulfilimine crosslink of collagen IV (Col IV) to reinforce Col IV scaffolds. We previously reported that PXDN is required for endothelial cell (EC) survival and growth signaling through sulfilimine crosslink-dependent matrix assembly. In this study, we examined whether peroxidase activity is required for PXDN function in ECs. First, we constructed a mutant PXDN by point mutation of two highly conserved amino acids, Q823 and D826, which are present in the active site of the peroxidase domain. After isolation of HEK293 clones highly expressing the mutant protein, conditioned medium (CM) was obtained after incubating the cells in serum-free medium for 24 hours and then analyzed by Western blot analysis under nonreducing conditions. The results revealed that the mutant PXDN formed a trimer and that it was cleaved by proprotein convertase-like wild-type (WT) PXDN. However, peroxidase activity was not detected in the CM containing the mutant PXDN, in contrast to that of WT PXDN. In addition, the sulfilimine crosslink ability of the mutant PXDN was lost. Moreover, the CM containing the mutant PXDN failed to promote the growth of PXDN-depleted ECs, unlike the CM containing WT PXDN. These results suggest that the peroxidase activity of PXDN affects EC growth by forming a sulfilimine crosslink.

• PNF and Movement
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study were to overview the effect of exercise on neural plasticity and the proteins related to neural plasticity. Results: Exercise increased levels of BDNF(brain-derived neurotrophic factor), Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), Synapsin, Synaptophysin, VEGF(vascular endothelial growth factor) and other growth factors, stimulate neurogenesis, increase resistance to brain insult and improve learning and mental performance. These proteins improved synaptic plasticity by directly affecting synaptic structure and potentiating synaptic strength, and by strengthening the underlying systems that support plasticity including neurogenesis, metabolism and vascular function. Conclusion: Exercise-induced structural and functional change by these proteins can effect on functional movement, cognition in healthy and brain injured people and animals.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.208-213
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• 2006

Rat aortic ring preparations were mounted in organ baths, exposed to sodium cyanide $(0.01{\sim}1.0\;mM)$ for 10 min, and then subjected to contractile agents or relaxants such as acetylcholine, sodium nitroprusside and isoproterenol. Presence of low concentration of sodium cyanide did not affect the contractile response to KCl or phenylephrine in the aortic rings with intact endothelium or endothelium denuded. Sodium nitroprusside but not acetylcholine or isoproterenol augmented phenylephrine-induced intact or denuded vascular contraction in the presence of low concentration of sodium cyanide. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence concerning the potentiating effect of sodium nitroprusside on the contraction induced by phenylephrine in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.72-77
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• 2008

The present study was undertaken to determine whether pioglitazone treatment influences on the agonist-induced vascular smooth muscle contraction and, if so, to investigate the related mechanism. The measurement of isometric contractions using a computerized data acquisition system was combined with molecular experiments. Pioglitazone decreased Rho-kinase activating agonist-induced contraction but not phorbol ester-induced contraction suggesting the least involvement of $Ca^{2+}$-independent thin filament regulation of contractility. Furthermore, pioglitazone decreased thromboxane $A_2$ mimeticinduced phosphorylation of MYPT1 at Thr855, the newly-highlighted site, instead of Thr696. In conclusion, this study provides the evidence and possible related mechanism concerning the vasorelaxing effect of pioglitazone as an antihypertensive on the agonist-induced contraction in rat aortic rings regardless of endothelial function.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2017.05a
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• pp.82-82
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• 2017

It is a great challenge to design and develop biologically inspired hierarchical platforms composed of nano and sub-nanopatterned topography for cell and tissue engineering. In this work, we have developed the novel platforms as a synthetic extracellular matrix using graphene and nanopatterned substrates for promoting functions of cells. Monolayer graphene was coated on the nanopatterned matrix with various nanoscale parallel ridges and grooves as scaffolds with hierarchical structures. Strictly, it was found that graphene-matrix nanotopography platforms could promote the functions of cells including stem cells, osteoblast cells, and endothelial cells through the synergically controlled cell-substrate and cell-cell interactions. Our results proposed that the graphene-based nanopatterned scaffolds would allow us to set up an efficient strategy for designing advanced biomimetic engineering systems toward stem cell-based tissue regeneration.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.276-281
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• 2001

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of KST221085, a newly synthesized antidiabetic agent, on the hearts from streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In isolated diabetic hearts, left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), heart rate (HR) and coronary flow rate (CFR) were decreased compared to normal control, indicating cardiovascular dysfunction in diabetic heart. The treatment with 10 $\mu$M KST221085 remarkably improved the diabetes-induced contractile impairment, without any influence on HR. Reduced coronary flow in diabetic heart was also significantly increased by treatment with 10 $\mu$M KST221085. In isolated aorta from diabetic rat, treatment with 10 $\mu$M KST221085 increased endothelium-dependent relaxation, suggesting that KST221085 can improve the impaired endothelial function in diabetic aorta. Our results suggest that KST221085 treatment can improve the cardiovascular dysfunction in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.308.2-308.2
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• 2002

Tissue macrophages produce at least two groups of protein mediators of inflammation. interleukin 1(IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) when they were activated. Recent studies have emphasized that TNF and IL-1modulate the inflammatory function of endothelial cells. leukocytes. and fibroblasts, Aloe vera has been claimed to have several important therapeutic properties including acceleration of wound healing, immune stimulation, anti-cancer and anti-viral effects. (omitted)

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.530-539
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• 2001

Background : Bronchial asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways that is associated with airway remodeling. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent, multifunctional cytokine that contributes to angiogenesis and inflammation. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a major proteolytic enzyme that in duces bronchial remodeling in asthma. However, there is no data available on the possible role of the VEGF or on the potential relationship between the VEGF and MMP-9 in acute asthma. Therefore, the VEGF was studied to determine whether or not it participates in airway inflammation during acute asthma. An additional aim of this study was to determine whether or not the VEGF levels correlated with the MMP-9 levels in the sputum of acute asthma patients. Methods: Both the VEGF and MMP-9 levels were measured by an enzyme immunoassay and zymographic analysis in the sputum of patients with either stable asthma or with acute asthma. The VEGF and MMP-9 levels were also evaluated during a spontaneous asthma attack. Results : The VEGF levels were significantly higher in the sputum of acute asthmatic patients than in either the stable patients the control subjects. The VEGF levels in the sputum during asthma exacerbation were significantly higher than those on the remission days, and those levels decreased after asthma therapy. In acute asthmatic patients, the VEGF levels in the sputum correlated with the number of neutrophils and eosinophils. In addition, a significant correlation was established between the VEGF and MMP-9 levels in the sputum. Conclusion : These results suggest that VEGF overproduction is associated with airway inflammation during acute asthma and is related to the MMP-9 function.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.354-361
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of regular taekwondo training on neurotrophic factors and cognitive function in obese middle-aged women. Thirty-three middle-aged women with obesity were selected for this study and randomly assigned into a control group(CG, n=18) and an taekwondo group(TG, n=15). The TG performed taekwondo training 5 times weekly for 16 weeks, while the CG did not exercise training. Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), and insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) levels were analyzed and Stroop Color and Word tests were performed before and after the intervention. The serum BDNF and IGF-1 levels were significantly increased in the TG after the intervention(p<.05). On the other hand, no statistically significant differences were found in the serum VEGF levels, or in the Stroop Color and Word Test scores(p>.05). These results suggest that regular taekwondo training may be affects levels of peripheral neurotrophic factors but not cognitive function in obese middle-aged women.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2017

Objectives: Exercise with partially restricted blood flow is a low-load, low-intensity resistance training regimen which may have the potential to increase muscle strength in the obese, elderly and frail who are unable to do high-load training. Restricted blood flow exercise has also been shown to affect blood vessel function variably and can, therefore, contribute to blood vessel dysfunction. This pilot study tests the hypothesis that unilateral resistance training of the leg extensors with partially restricted blood flow increases muscle strength and decreases vascular autoregulation. Methods: The subjects were nine normotensive, overweight, young adult African-Americans with low cardiorespiratory fitness who underwent unilateral training of the quadriceps' femoris muscles with partially restricted blood flow at 30% of the 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) load for 3 weeks. The 1-RM load and post-occlusion blood flow to the lower leg (calf) were measured during reactive hyperemia. Results: The 1-RM load increased in the trained legs from $77{\pm}3$ to $84{\pm}4 kg$ (P < 0.05) in the absence of a significant effect on the 1-RM load in the contralateral untrained legs (P > 0.1). Post-occlusion blood flow decreased significantly in the trained legs from $19{\pm}2$ to $13{\pm}2mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P < 0.05) and marginally in the contralateral untrained legs from $18{\pm}2$ to $16{\pm}1mL{\cdot}min^{-1}{\cdot}dL^{-1}$ (P = 0.09). Changes in post-occlusion blood flow to the skin overlying the trained and the contralateral untrained muscles were not significant. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that restricted blood flow exercise, which results in significant gains in muscle strength, may produce decrements in endothelial dysfunction and vascular autoregulation. Future studies should determine whether pharmacopuncture plays a role in treatments for such blood vessel dysfunction.