• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1270-1274
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• 2005

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in angiogenesis, which is a process where new blood vessels develop from the endothelium of a pre-existing vasculature. VEGF exerts its activity by binding to its receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR/Flk-1, which is expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. A methanol extract and organic solvent (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, aqueous) fractions from Rubus coreanus were examined for their inhibitory effects on VEGF binding to the VEGF receptor. The methanol extract from the crude drug were found to significantly inhibit VEGF binding to the VEGF receptor ($IC_{50}$$\thickapprox$27 $\mu$g/mL). Among the fractions examined, the aqueous fraction from the medicinal plant showed potent inhibitory effects against the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized $VEGF_{165}$ in a dose­dependent manner ($IC_{50}$$\thickapprox$11 $\mu$g/mL). Sanguiin H-6 was isolated as an active principle from the aqueous fraction, and inhibited the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized $VEGF_{165}$ in a dose­dependent manner ($IC_{50}$$\thickapprox$0.3 $\mu$g/mL). In addition, sanguiin H-6 efficiently blocked the VEGF­induced HUVEC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner ($IC_{50}$$\thickapprox$7.4 $\mu$g/mL) but had no effect on the growth of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. This suggests that sanguiin H-6 might be a potential anti-angiogenic agent.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.128-131
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• 2007

Tumor angiogenesis is a critical step f3r the growth and metastasis of solid tumors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important angiogenic molecule associated with tumor-induced neovascularization. VEGF exerts its activity through binding to its receptor tyrosine kinase, KDR/Flk-1, expressed on the surface of endothelial cells. This study was carried out to investigate inhibitory effect of extracts from root cortex of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews on VEGF binding to VEGF receptor. The MeOH extract from P. suffrutiocosa Andr. inhibited the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized VEGF$_{165}$ more than 45% at the concentration of 100 ${\mu}$g/mL. The MeOH extract was further fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-BuOH, and aqueous fractions. Among the four fractions, the ethyl acetate fraction from the root cortex of P. suffruticosa Andr. exhibited highly effective inhibition (${\approx}$ 79% inhibition) and then n-BuOH fraction (${\approx}$ 45% inhibition) on the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized VEGF$_{165}$ at the concentration of 100 ${\mu}$g/mL. The ethyl acetate fraction from the root cortex of P. suffruticosa Andr. more efficiently blocked VEGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation, than the growth of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma. Our results suggest that P. suffruticosa Andr. may be used as a candidate fur developing anti-angiogenic agent.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.750-761
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• 2021

This study was performed to observe the responses of angiogenesis-related protein expression in skeletal muscle of aged rats by regular resistance exercise training with aerobic exercise. For the purpose of the study, naturally aged SD rats (20-24 months, N=18) were used and divided into control (CON, n=6), resistance exercise (RE, n=6), and resistance + aerobic exercise (RE + AE, n=6) groups. RE group performed 3 sets × 4 exercises each session using a ladder for laboratory animals, and RE +AE group performed 2 sets × 3 times of ladder climbing and additional treadmill running (30 min) each session. After 8 weeks of exercise training, soleus muscle and extensor digitorum longus muscle (EDL) were extracted and used for analysis. Western blot was performed to analyze the expression levels of angiogenesis-related proteins (HIF-1α, VEGF, FLK-1, Ang-1, Ang-2) in skeletal muscle. As a result of the study, the expression of HIF-1α, VEGF, FLK-1, Ang-1, and Ang-2 proteins in soleus muscle (type I muscle) was higher in RE +AE than in CON group, and HIF-1α, VEGF, Ang-1, Ang-2 protein expression of RE group was higher than that of CON group. Furthermore, Ang-2 to Ang-1 ratio of RE + AE group was higher than that of RE group, showing differences by exercise type. In EDL muscle (type II muscle), HIF-1α was increased only by RE group, whereas VEGF and FLK-1 protein expressions were increased in both training types, and no difference was observed between the types of exercise training. In addition, there was no difference in angiopoieitin protein expressions in EDL muscle by exercise training. Therefore, in aging, regular exercise training induces skeletal muscle angiogenic response regardless of exercise type, and in particular, the combination of aerobic exercise with resistance exercise may have an additional positive effect on angiogenesis in type I muscle.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.307-313
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• 2008

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, fetal liver kinase 1 (Flk-1), play an important role in vascular permeability and tumor angiogenesis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of $^{131}I$ labeled anti-Flk-1 monoclonal antibody (DC101) on the growth of melanoma tumor, which is known to be very aggressive in vivo. Materials and Methods: Balb/c nude mice were injected subcutaneously with melanoma cells in the right flank. Tumors were allowed to grow up to $200-250\;mm^3$ in volume. Gamma camera imaging and biodistribution studies were performed to identify an uptake of $^{131}I$-DC101 in various organs. Mice with tumor were randomly divided into five groups (10 mice per group) and injected intravenously; control PBS (group 1), $^{131}I$-DC101 $50\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 2), non-labeled DC101 $50\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 3), $^{131}I$-DC101 $30\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 4) and $15\;{\mu}g/mouse$ (group 5) every 3 or 4 days for 20 days. Tumor volume was measured with caliper twice a week. Results: In gamma camera images, the uptake of $^{131}I$-DC101 into tumor and thyroid was increased with time. Biodistribution results showed that the radioactivity of blood and other major organ was gradually decreased with time whereas tumor uptake was increased up to 48 hr and then decreased. After 4th injection of $^{131}I$-DC101, tumor volume of group 2 and 4 was significantly smaller than that group 1. After 5th injection, the tumor volume of group 5 also significantly reduced. Conclusion: These results indicated that delivery of $^{131}I$ to tumor using FlK-1 antibody, DC101, effectively blocks tumor growth in aggressive melanoma xenograft model.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.153-162
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• 2009

목적 : 한의학 분야에서 육계(CCE: Cinnamomum cassia)는 혈류 순환이 저하된 상태에 널리 쓰이는 약재이다. 이 연구에서는 CCE와 그 활성 혼합물인 cinnamic acid가 in vitro와 in vivo에서 발휘하는 신생혈관 형성 작용에 대해 알아보고자 한다. 방법 : CCE와 CA의 신생혈관형성 작용을 알아보기 위하여 Human unbilical endothelial cells(HUVECs)와 Bovine arterial endothelial cells(BAECs) 그리고 Matrigel assay를 이용하였다. 결과 : In vitro에서 CCE와 그 활성 혼합물은 HUVEC 증식, 이동, 모세혈관-유사 관 형성을 유도한다. CCE에서의 25-50% 증가(1 또는 10ng/ml 용량에서)는 CA에서 증식과 유사하게 나타났다. HUVEC에서는 증식이 뚜렷하게 나타났으나 BAEC에서는 증식이 뚜렷하게 나타나지 않아 증식 효과는 내피세포의 기원에 따라 다른 것으로 나타났다. BAEC는 CCE와 CA에서 증식은 보이지 않았지만 이동과 모세혈관-유사 관 형성 또는 분화를 보였다. 또한 CCE와 CA는 HUVEC에서 VEGF 발현과 Flk-1/KDR 발현을 각각 2.2배와 2.5배 증가시켰다. 결론 : CCE와 그 활성 혼합물은 in vivo와 in vitro에서 혈관 내피세포의 VEGF 발현을 통하여 신생혈관 형성 작용을 유도하며 이는 앞으로 다른 한약 추출물의 신생혈관형성 촉진 작용 연구에 모델을 제시할 것으로 보인다.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.311-314
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• 2007

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) are the most important angiogenic molecules associated with tumor-induced neovascularization. This study was carried out to investigate inhibitory effect of extracts from root of Rehmannia glutinosa LIBOSCHITZ (Rehmannia Radix and Rehmannia Radix Preparata) on endothelial cell proliferation. The methanol extracts from the medicinal herb were fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, n-butanol and aqueous fractions. Among the four fractions, the n-butanol fraction from R. Radix on exhibited highly effective inhibition (${\approx}79%$ inhibition) on the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized $VEGF_{165}$ and then ethyl acetate fraction from R. Radix (${\approx}45%$ inhibition) at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$. The n-butanol fraction efficiently blocked the VEGF- and bFGF-induced HUVEC proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, but did not affect the growth of HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells. The n-butanol fraction more efficiently blocked the binding of KDR/Flk-1-Fc to immobilized $VEGF_{165}$ and VEGF- and bFGF-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation than the fraction from R. Radix Preparata. Our results suggest that Rehmannia Radix may be used as a candidate for developing anti-angiogenic agent.

• The Journal of Korean Society for Radiation Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.165-174
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• 2002

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been identified as a peptide growth factor specific for vascular endothelial cells. In this study, we examined the effect of VEGF on radiation induced apoptosis and receptor/second messenger signal transduction pathway for VEGF effect in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). VEGF was found to protect HUVECs against the lethal effects of ionizing radiation by inhibiting the apoptosis induced in these cells by radiation exposure. VEGF (1-30 ng/ml) dose dependently inhibited apoptosis by irradiation. Pre-treatment with Flt-1 and Flk-l/KDR receptor blocked the VEGF-in duced antiapoptotic effect. Phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3-kinase) specific inhibitor, Wortman in and LY294002, blocked the VEGF-induced antiapoptotic effect. These data suggest that VEGF may play an important role in survival of HUVECs due to the prevention of apoptotic cell death caused by some stresses such as ionizing radiation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.10-18
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• 2013

Oil spills have occurred throughout the years of industrialization and represent a global challenge as they affect vast areas of the ocean. The toxicity of crude oil to aquatic organisms has been extensively investigated, but the potential impacts of crude oil on vertebrate development remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of dispersants used in treating a recent oil spill, as well as that of crude oil, on vertebrates by using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) model species, which has been widely used in empirical studies of both early embryonic development and adult physiology. Chronic exposure to crude oil resulted in marked developmental abnormalities, including pericardial edema, abnormal trunk vessel development, retardation of axonal branching, and abnormal jaw development. Embryonic development was affected more severely by exposure to the oil-dispersant combination than to the oil alone. Thus, the zebrafish in vivo model system suggests that dispersant treatment can have detrimental developmental effects on vertebrates and its potential impact on marine life, as well as humans, should be carefully considered in clean-up efforts at the site of an oil spill.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.73-80
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• 2006

This study compared cell expansion and colony forming ability in human cord blood stem cells cultured ex vivo with two kinds of cytokine combinations, two kinds of media, presence or absence of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and two or three dimensional (2D or 3D) culture environments. Purified $CD34^+$ cells were cultured in the IMDM (Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium) and SFM (Serum Free Medium) containing a cytokine cocktail-I (coc-I) (EPO, GMCSF, SCF, and IL-3) or a cytokine cocktail-II (coc-II) (TPO, G-CSF, SCF, IL-6, and Flt3/Flk-2 ligand) with or without FBS. Generally, higher cellular and clonogenic expansion were observed in the coc-I cytokine condition, compared to coc-II cytokine condition. 3D (Methocult) and 2D (IMDM + coc-I + FBS) conditions gave the greatest cell ($2,258{\pm}456$ fold) and CFU (BFU-E: $652{\pm}19$, CFU-GM: $520{\pm}58$, CFU-GEMM: $339{\pm}100$ fold) expansions, respectively. In aspect of medium, IMDM was better than SFM, except for coc-II condition without FBS. In conclusion, 'IMDM + coc-I + FBS' and 'IMDM + coc-I' were the best CFU expansions on the occasion of all culture conditions. FBS and 2D conditions had affirmative effect on CFU expansion, generally. These data might provide a variety of notions about ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem cells.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.176-182
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• 2022

Norflurazon is widely used on agricultural lands and has a high potential to pollute water sources. However, its effects on fish have not been fully elucidated. The purpose of our study was to determine whether norflurazon adversely affects the developmental stage of zebrafish, which are frequently used as a model system to evaluate the environmental impact of pollutants. Norflurazon interfered with the hatching of zebrafish embryos and induced several sublethal deformities including body length reduction, increased yolk sac volume, and enlargement of the pericardial region. We further examined the cardiotoxicity of norflurazon in the flk1:eGFP transgenic zebrafish line. The vascular network, mainly in the brain region, was significantly disrupted in norflurazon-exposed zebrafish. In addition, due to the failure of cardiac looping, norflurazon-exposed zebrafish had an abnormal cardiac structure. These developmental abnormalities were related to the apoptotic process triggered by norflurazon. Overall, the present study demonstrated the non-target toxicity of norflurazon by analyzing the hazardous effects of norflurazon on developing zebrafish.