• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.29-44
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• 2005

To address the ability of Herba Portulacae(HP) to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of HP on cell viability. Twenty-four hours later, loss of viability occurred following HP exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of HP, a commonly used herb formulation in Korea, Japan and China, caused a decrease in cell viability. HP also resulted in apoptotic morphology a brightly blue-fluorescent condensed nuclei by Hoechst 33258-staining, and reduction of cell volume. Our results show that 2mg/ml HP induces mitochondria membrane potential collapse. Immunoblotting data also shows that the expression of Bcl-2, antiaoptotic protein, decrease by the addition of HP. This GFP-Bax overexpression system shows that an important pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-family protein, Bax is translocated to mitochondria by the addition of 2mg/ml HP. Inerestingly, MAPK inhibitor study shows that p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580 inhibits HP-induced cell death and caspase-3 activation in HP-treated HeLa cells. Furthermore, HP transiently but significantly induces p38 activation. But P38 MAPK inhibitor does not have any effect on the translocation of Bax. Considering these results, HP induces apoptosis via p38 MAPK activation. But the pathway does not involve the translocation of Bax.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.15-28
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• 2005

To address the ability of Kung-Kyung-Ilho-Jeon(KK) to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of KK on cell viability. Forty-eight hours later, loss of viability occurred following KK exposure in a dose-dependent manner. The treatment of KK, a commonly used herb formulation in Korea and China, caused a decrease in cell viability. KK also resulted in apoptotic morphology a brightly blue-fluorescent condensed nuclei by Hoechst 33258-staining, and reduction of cell volume. Our results show that KK induces caspase-3 and -9 activation in a time-dependent manner. In addtion, the translocation of cytochrome c release into cytoplasm has been observed under the presence of $5mg/m{\ell}$ KK. The subsequent loss of mitochondria membrane potential is collapsed by the addition of KK. Our immunoblotting data show that PARP, a well known caspase-3 and -6 substrate, is cleaved by KK. We show that a pro-apoptotic protein, Bax is increased in the presence of KK but that the amount of Bcl-2 is not changed. We suggest that Bax, a critical protein which can regulate channel of mitochondria to release cytochrome c, is a key protein in KK-induced apoptosis of Hela human cervical carcinoma cells

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.82-86
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• 2006

Leukemia arises in hematopoietic progenitor cells and is characterized by impaired or blocked differentiation, uncontrolled proliferation and resistance to apoptosis. Molecular mechanisms underlying cellular functions by $As_2O_3$, however, have been poorly investigated. The consensus of several reports is that $As_2O_3$ induces apoptosis in leukemia cells by activating genes for apoptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of $As_2O_3$ on the cell cycle and its morphological change and a relationship between the caspase-3 and $As_2O_3$-induced apoptosis. Caspase-3 is involved in $As_2O_3$-induced apoptosis in K562 cells. In this study, to address whether $As_2O_3$-induced apoptosis is mediated by caspase-3 activity, the same samples were probed with a specific antibody. The pretreatment of $25{\mu}M$ Z-VAD-fmk, a specific inhibitor of caspase, decreased $As_2O_3$-induced cytotoxicity. And $As_2O_3$ significantly increased the percentages of the cells accumulated in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Chromatin condensational changes were observed with Hoechst 33258 staining after treatment of $As_2O_3$. It was shown that $As_2O_3$-induced apoptosis is controlled through caspase-3 activation. These results may provide a useful rationale for CML treatment.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1358-1364
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• 2005

In this study, we investigated whether a novel anti-ischemic $K_{ATP}$ opener KR-31378 [(2S,3S,4R)­N'-cyano-N-(6-amino-3,4-dihydro-3-hydroxy-2 -methly-2-dimethoxymethly-2H-benzopyran-4-yl)­N'-benzylguanidine] has protective effect against oxidative stress-induced death in heart-derived H9c2 cells. Cell death was induced by BSO, butionine sulfoximine, which inhibits GSH synthesis and subsequently increases reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. Cell death was quantitatively determined by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and stained by Hoechst 33258. BSO-induced ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate oxidation and rhodamine 123, respectively. Both the LDH release and the ROS elevation induced by treatment of H9c2 cells with 10 mM BSO, were significantly decreased by KR-31378. These protective effect and antioxidant effect of KR-31378 appeared to be independent on $K_{ATP}$ channel opening. Cells exposed to BSO showed an early reduction in MMP, and this reduction in MMP was significantly reversed by treatment with KR-31378. Caspase-3 activity in BSO treated H9c2 cells was remarkably increased, and this increased caspase-3 activity was significantly reversed by KR-31378. In conclusion, our results suggest that KR-31378 can produce cardioprotective effect against oxidative stress-induced cell death through antioxidant mechanism.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Shinsuwisaengtang (SSWST) extracts on antioxidant activity and inhibition of phototoxicity as a medicine for skin damage due to ultra violet stimulation. Methods : To determine the cytotoxicity of Hs68 cells from SSWST extracts, we investigated cell viability by MTT assay. To determine the protective effect of phototoxicity, we investigated cell viability after UVB radiation. The DPPH radical scavenging activity was examined to determine the antioxidant effect of SSWST extracts. Hoechst 33258 staining was performed to observe the protective effect of SSWST on UVB. Results : The cytotoxicity of SSWST extracts in Hs68 cells was not appeared significantly in all concentration. SSWST extracts significantly increased the viability of UVB-stimulated Hs68 cells at a concentration of 25, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$. SSWST extract showed higher DPPH radical scavenging than the control group. It was observed that SSWST extracts inhibited the apoptosis of the UVB-stimulated Hs68 cells through a fluorescence microscope. Conclusions : It was observed that SSWST did not induce cytotoxicity at a constant concentration and had a protective effect on phototoxicity and an antioxidant effect. Thus, it is considered that it maybe used as a medicine to cure skin damage caused by UVB and photoaging changes in the future.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.735-743
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• 2018

We investigated the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 ($TGF-{\beta}1$) on equine hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene expression and hyaluronan (HA) synthesis in culture models of articular chondrocytes. Equine chondrocytes were treated with $TGF-{\beta}1$ at different concentrations and times in monolayer cultures. In three-dimensional cultures, chondrocyte-seeded gelatin scaffolds were cultured in chondrogenic media containing 10 ng/mL of $TGF-{\beta}1$. The amounts of HA in conditioned media and in scaffolds were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. HAS2 mRNA expression was analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The uronic acid content and DNA content of the scaffolds were measured by using colorimetric and Hoechst 33258 assays, respectively. Cell proliferation was evaluated by using the alamarBlue assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), histology, and immunohistochemistry were used for microscopic analysis of the samples. The upregulation of HAS2 mRNA levels by $TGF-{\beta}1$ stimulation was dose and time dependent. $TGF-{\beta}1$ was shown to enhance HA and uronic acid content in the scaffolds. Cell proliferation and DNA content were significantly lower in $TGF-{\beta}1$ treatments. SEM and histological results revealed the formation of a cartilaginous-like extracellular matrix in the $TGF-{\beta}1$-treated scaffolds. Together, our results suggest that $TGF-{\beta}1$ has a stimulatory effect on equine chondrocytes, enhancing HA synthesis and promoting cartilage matrix generation.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.99-105
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• 2022

Styrene is the precursor of polystyrene. Human exposure to styrene could occur in occupational and residential settings and via food intake. Styrene is metabolized to styrene-7,8-oxide by cytochrome P450 enzyme. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity mediated by styrene and styrene-7,8-oxide in TM3 testicular Leydig cells in vitro. We first monitored the nuclear fragmentation in Leydig cells after exposure to styrene or styrene-7,8-oxide. Hoechst 33258 cell staining showed that styrene exposure in TM3 Leydig cells did not exhibit nuclear fragmentation at any concentration. In contrast, nuclear fragmentation was seen in styrene-7,8-oxide-exposed cells. These results indicate that cytotoxicity-mediated cell death in Leydig cells is more susceptible to styrene-7,8-oxide than to styrene. Following styrene treatment, procaspase-3 and XIAP protein levels did not show significant changes, and cleaved (active) forms of caspase-3 were not detected. Consistent with the western blot results, the active forms of caspase-3 and XIAP proteins were not prominently altered in the cytoplasm of cells treated with styrene. In contrast to styrene, styrene-7,8-oxide induced cell death in an apoptotic fashion, as seen in caspase-3 activation and increased the expression of XIAP proteins. Taken together, the results obtained in this study demonstrate a fundamental idea that Leydig cells are capable of protecting themselves from cytotoxicity-mediated apoptosis as a result of styrene exposure in vitro. It remains unclear whether the steroid-producing function, i.e., steroidogenesis, of Leydig cells is also unaffected by exposure to styrene. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate the endocrine disrupting potential of styrene in Leydig cells.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.23
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• pp.10407-10412
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• 2015

Background: ${\beta}$-elemene, extracted from herb medicine Curcuma wenyujin has potent anti-tumor effects in various cancer cell lines. However, the activity of ${\beta}$-elemene against glioma cells remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed effects of ${\beta}$-elemene on human glioma cells and explored the underlying mechanism. Materials and Methods: Human glioma U87 cells were used. Cell proliferation was determined with MTT assay and colony formation assay to detect the effect of ${\beta}$-elemene at different doses and times. Fluorescence microscopy was used to observe cell apoptosis with Hoechst 33258 staining and change of glioma apoptosis and cell cycling were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western-blotting assay were performed to investigated the influence of ${\beta}$-elemene on expression levels of Fas/FasL, caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. The experiment was divided into two groups: the blank control group and ${\beta}$-elemne treatment group. Results: With increase in the concentration of ${\beta}$-elemene, cytotoxic effects were enhanced in the glioma cell line and the concentration of inhibited cell viability ($IC_{50}$) was $48.5{\mu}g/mL$ for 24h. ${\beta}$-elemene could induce cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. With Hoechst 33258 staining, apoptotic nuclear morphological changes were observed. Activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 was increased and the pro-apoptotic factors Fas/FasL and Bax were upregulated, while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was downregulated after treatment with ${\beta}$-elemene at both mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, proliferation and colony formation by U87 cells were inhibited by ${\beta}$-elemene in a time and does-dependent manner. Conclusions: Our results indicate that ${\beta}$-elemene inhibits growth and induces apoptosis of human glioma cells in vitro. The induction of apoptosis appears to be related with the upregulation of Fas/FasL and Bax, activation of caspase-3,-8 and -9 and downregulation of Bcl-2, which then trigger major apoptotic cascades.

• The Journal of the Korean bone and joint tumor society
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1999

A single fraction of 50 Gy extracorporeal irradiation, as a modality of limb-sparing operation, has been used to achieve tumor necrosis in osteosarcoma. Although this modality of radiation therapy preserving the mobility of a joint is commonly practiced, the precise knowledge on the radiobiological response of osteosarcoma cell has remained to be elucidated. We therefore observed whether a single high dose irradiation caused apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells and whether the commitment to apoptosis was associated with cell kinetics. We also investigated radiation dose response along the time course for development of apoptosis following single high dose irradiation. The morphologic change in apoptosis was observed by fluorescence with Hoechst 33258 and the degree and the fraction of cells by flow cytometry. Irradiation of osteosarcoma cells with 10, 30 and 50 Gy resulted in chromatin condensation and apoptotic body formation. The degree of apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells was $29.5{\pm}3.56%$, $39.9{\pm}4.83%$ at 24 and 48 hours after 10 Gy irradiation ; $41.1{\pm}3.93%$, $66.9{\pm}5.21%$ at 24 and 48 hours after 30 Gy irradiation ; and $48.0{\pm}3.69%$, $75.6{\pm}4.65%$ at 24 and 48 hours after 50 Gy irradiation. The fraction of cells in cell-cycle kinetic was $39.2{\pm}4.3%$ in G2/M, $22.1{\pm}4.65%$ in G1 at 24 hours after 10 Gy irradiation ; $51.0{\pm}4.3%$ in G2/M, $20.4{\pm}4.7%$ in G1 at 48 hours after 10 Gy irradiation ; $40.3{\pm}3.9%$ in G2/M, $26.1{\pm}4.7%$ in G1 at 24 hours after 30 Gy irradiation ; $59.2{\pm}3.9%$ in G2/M, $5.9{\pm}5.1%$ in G1 at 48 hours after 30 Gy irradiation ; and $44.3{\pm}4.2%$ in G2/M, $21.1{\pm}3.5%$ in G1 at 24 hours after 50 Gy irradiation. The fraction of cells at 48 hours after 50 Gy irradiation could not be observed because of irradiation induced cell death of most of cells. All values for irradiated cells showed accumulation in G2/M phase and reduction in G1 phase, irrespective of irradiation dose. The results suggest that a single fraction of high dose irradiation with 50 Gy results in accumulation of cells at G2/M phase, leading to apoptosis.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.399-406
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• 1986

This study was performed to establish human plasmacytoma cell line as the partner cells for producing human hybridoma. Bone marrow cells from a multiple myeloma patient from Seoul National University Hospital, Korea were cultured and established as the cell line, named as HMC-BM4. HMC-BM4 cells were cultivated in RPMI 1640 media containing 8-azaguanine(8-AG; gradually increasing concentration from $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ to $20\;{\mu}g/ml$). 8-AG resistant cells were collected and cloned by limiting dilution. Each clone was divided and tested to die in hypoxanthine, aminopterine and thymidine (HAT) selection media. Finally one clone was selected and named as HMC-AR, which was sensitive to HAT selection media. HMC-AR cells showed typical morphology of plamacytoma in Wright staining. No cell formed the rosette with sheep erythrocytes. Surface membrane $\mu$ heavy chain was detected in 20% of HMC-AR cells and cytoplasmic $\mu$ heavy chain in 90% of them by direct immunofluorescent staining. Ia-like antigen was found in 90% of HMC-AR cells by indirect immunofluorescent staining using anti-Ia-like antigen monoclonal antibody, 1BD9-2. And about $1.0\;{\mu}g/ml$ of human $\mu$ heavy chain was detected in the 3-day culture supernatant of HMC-AR cells. 88% of cells contained 46 chromosomes. Mycoplasma was not detected in HMC-AR cells by Hoechst 33258 staining. This cell line would be used for making hybridomas secreting human monoclonal antibody.