• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.92-103
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• 2021

Lactobacillus casei, one of the most widely used probiotics, has been reported to alleviate multiple diseases. However, the effects of this species on intestinal diseases are strain-specific. Here, we aimed to screen L. casei strains with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)-alleviating effects based on in vitro physiological characteristics. Therefore, the physiological characteristics of 29 L. casei strains were determined, including gastrointestinal transit tolerance, oligosaccharide fermentation, HT-29 cell adhesion, generation time, exopolysaccharide production, acetic acid production, and conjugated linoleic acid synthesis. The effects of five candidate strains on mice with induced colitis were also evaluated. The results showed that among all tested L. casei strains, only Lactobacillus casei M2S01 effectively relieved colitis. This strain recovered body weight, restored disease activity index score, and promoted anti-inflammatory cytokine expression. Gut microbiota sequencing showed that L. casei M2S01 restored a healthy gut microbiome composition. The western blotting showed that the alleviating effects of L. casei M2S01 on IBD were related to the inhibition of the NF-κB pathway. A good gastrointestinal tolerance ability may be one of the prerequisites for the IBD-alleviating effects of L. casei. Our results verified the efficacy of L. casei in alleviating IBD and lay the foundation for the rapid screening of L. casei strain with IBD-alleviating effects.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.502-510
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• 2009

Although the Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit (LTB) has already been expressed in several different systems, including prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, studies regarding the synthesis of LTB into oligomeric structures of pentameric size in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been limited. Therefore, this study used a functional signal peptide of the amylase 1A protein from rice to direct the yeast-expressed LTB towards the endoplasmci reticulum to oligomerize with the expected pentameric size. The expression and assembly of the recombinant LTB were confirmed in both the cell-free extract and culture media of the recombinant strain using a Western blot analysis. The binding of the LTB pentamers to intestinal epithelial cell membrane glycolipid receptors was further verified using a GM1-ganglioside enzyme-linked inmmunosorbent assay (GM1-ELISA). On the basis of the GM1-ELISA results, pentameric LTB proteins comprised approximately 0.5-2.0% of the total soluble proteins, and the maximum quantity of secreted LTB was estimated to be 3 mg/l after a 3-day cultivation period. Consequently, the synthesis of LTB monomers and their assembly into biologically active aligomers in a recombinant S. cerevisiae strain demonstrated the feasibility of using a GRAS microorganism-based adjuvant, as well as the development of carriers against mucosal disease.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.55-62
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• 2009

Milk is called an almost complete food in terms of nutrition, especially for the younger generations because it contains a number of nutrients required for growth and development. Lactose intolerance is defined as a malabsorption of lactose in the intestine with some typical symptoms of abdominal pains and bloating, and occurred at 75% of global populations, which hampers milk consumption worldwide. Lacks of milk consumption in the underdeveloped countries frequently lead to many nutrients deficiencies, so that diseases including osteoporosis, hypertension, and colon cancer are more prevalent in the recent days. Lactose in foods needs to be hydrolyzed prior to intestinal absorption. The hydrolytic enzyme responsible for splitting lactose into its monomeric forms, glucose and galactose, is called as lactase or $\beta$-galactosidase. The former is primarily used as blood sugar and energy source and the latter used in glycolipid synthesis of brain tissues in infants. Lactose is clinically diagnosed with the breath hydrogen production test as well as intestinal biopsy. Reportedly, symptoms of lactose intolerance are widely prevalent at 25% of Europeans, 50 to 80% of Hispanics, South Indians, Africans, and Jews, almost 100% of Asians and native Americans. For the adults, phenotype of lactase persistence, which is able to hydrolyse lactose, is more common in the northern Europeans, but in the other area lactase non-persistence or adult-type hypolactasia is dominant. Genetic analysis on human lactase gene continued that lactase persistence was closely related to the err site of 1390 single nucleotide polymorphism from the 5'-end. To alleviate severity of lactose intolerance symptoms, some eating patterns including drinking milk a single cup or less, consumption along with other foods, whole milk rather than skimmed milk, and drink with live yogurt cultures, are highly recommended for the lactose maldigesters. Also, delay of gastric emptying is effective to avoid the symptoms from lactose intolerance. Frequency of lactose intolerance with conventional diagnosis is thought overestimated mainly because the subjects are exposed to too much lactose of 50 g rather than a single serving amount. Thus simple and accurate diagnostic method for lactose intolerance need to be established. It is thought that fermented milk products and low- or free lactose milks help improve currently stagnant milk consumption due to lactose intolerance which contributes to major barrier in milk marketing especially in Asian countries.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.244-251
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• 1997

The relationship between structure and biological activity was studied on the three neuropeptides (mammalian, trout- and goldfish-neuropeptide $\gamma$) that were syntheized by the solid-phase method. Circular dichroism spectra showed that mammalian, trout- and goldfish-neuropeptide $\gamma$ adopted an unordered structure in buffer solution. In the-presence of neutral and acidic liposomes, mammalian and trout-neuropeptioe $\gamma$ also took a random structure. However, goldfish-neuropeptide $\gamma$ took an $\alpha-helical$ structure in acidic liposomes. The intestinal motility response was investigated with carp intestines, guinea-pig ileums and rat duodenums. In case of carp intestine, contractile activity was as follows : goldfish-neuropeptide $\gamma\simeq$ trout-neuropeptide $\gamma>$ mammalian-neuropeptide $\gamma$, On the other hand, the contractile activity of mammalian-neuropeptide $\gamma$ was more potent than trout- and goldfish-neuropeptide $\gamma$ in the guinea-pig ileums and rat duodenums. These results suggest that neuropeptide $\gamma$ show the species-specific activity.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.60-65
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• 2005

The human solute carrier, SLC41Al, is a $Mg^{2}+$ transporter that is regulated by extracellular magnesium. Although intracellular magnesium plays a fundamental role in cellular metabolism, little is known about how $Mg^{2}+$ is taken up and controlled by cells. Magnesium plays a fundamental role in cellular metabolism so that its control within the body is critical. Magnesium homeostasis is principally a balance between intestinal absorption of dietary magnesium and renal excretion of urinary magnesium. The kidney, mainly the distal convoluted tubule, controls magnesium reabsorption. Although renal reabsorption is under the influence of many hormones, selective regulation of magnesium transport is due to intrinsic control involving transcriptional processes and synthesis of transport proteins. Using microarray analysis, identification of the genetic elements involved with this transcriptional control has been begun. SLC41A1(GenBank Accession No. AJ514402), comprises 10 putative transmembrane domains, two of which are highly homologous to the integral membrane part of the prokaryote transports $Mg^{2}+$ and other divalent cations $Sr^2+,\;Zn^2+,\;Cu^2+,\;Fe^2+,\;Co^2+,\;Ba^2+,\;and\;Cd^2+,\;but\;not\;Ca^2+,\;Mn^2+,\;and\;Ni^2+.$ Transport of $Mg^{2}+$ by SLC41Al is rheogenic, voltage dependent, and not coupled to Na or Cl. Expressed SLC41Al transports a range of other divalent cations: $Mg^{2+},\;Sr^{2+},\;Zn^{2+},\;Cu^{2+},\;Fe^{2+},\;Co^{2+},\;Ba^{2+},\;and\;Cd^{2+}$. The divalent cations $Ca^{2+},\;Mn^{2+},\;and\;Ni^{2+}$and the trivalent ion $Gd^{3+}$ did not induce currents nor did they inhibit $Mg^{2+}$ transport. The nonselective cation $La^{3+}$ abolishes $Mg^{2+}$ uptake. Computer analysis of the SLC41Al protein structure reveals that it belongs to MgtE protein family & suggested that the human solute carrier, SLC41Al, might be a eukaryotic $Mg^{2+}$ transporter closely related $(60-70\%)$ protein encoded by SLC41A2 is a $Mg^{2}+$ transporter that might be involved in magnesium homeostasis in epithelial cells also transports a range of other divalent cations: $Ba^2,\;Ni^2,\;CO^2,\;Fe^2,\;or\;Mn^2,\;but\;not\;Ca^2,\;Zn^2,\;or\;Cu^{2+}$ that may have related functional properties.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.197-211
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• 2000

The pineal body have been known to be affected by superior cervical ganglia, and most of its nerve fibers containing peptidergic neurotransmitters have been considered to be originated from this ganglia. To confirm this relationships, some peptidergic neurotransmitters were identified in both of pineal body and superior cervical ganglia of the Korean native goat, which were divided into two group; breeding season and non-breeding season. The localizations of two catecholamine-synthesizing enzymes; tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH), were investigated by immunohistochemistry in the superior cervical ganglia and the pineal body of adult Korean native goats. Substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and galanin (GAL) were also identified in these organs by immunohistochemical and double immunofluorescent methods. In superior cervical ganglia, immunoreactivities for TH and DBH were confirmed in the same ganglion cells. The immunoreactivites for SP, VIP(only in male), NPY and GAL were identified in both of ganglion cell bodies and nerve fibers in the ganglia. CGRP immunoreactivity, however, was observed only in nerve fibers. Most NPY- and VIP-immunoreactive(IR) ganglion cells also contained TH. SP and TH were colocalized in the cell bodies, but not in the nerve fibers. TH immunoreactivity was shown in almost all of ganglion cells in the superior cervical ganglia. The immunoreactivity for NPY had some seasonal variation and was stronger in breeding season than in non-breeding season. In pineal body, lots of TH-IR fibers were observed throughout the parenchyma including the pineal stalk and most of them also contained DBH. SP- and NPY-IR fibers were also immunostained with TH or DBH. But a few SP- and NPY-IR fibers were not colocalized with TH or DBH. Exceptionally, a bipolar neuron-like cell was observed to be immunostained with NPY in the pineal body. A few CGRP and GAL-IR fibers were observed, while VIP-IR fibers were not present. It is concluded that most TH- and DBH-IR fibers as well as the peptidergic immunoreactive fibers of the pineal body might be originated from the superior cervical ganglia. Some peptidergic immunoreactive fibers, however, might be come from other regions of brain. We also suggest that NPY in pineal body plays a important role for pineal function. The seasonal variation of NPY immunoreactivity indicates that the synthesis and use of NPY may be different between in breeding and non-breeding seasons.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.3-3
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• 2018

For centuries, Panax ginseng Meyer (Korean ginseng) has been widely used as a medicinal herb in Korea, China, and Japan. Ginsenosides are a class of triterpene saponins and recognized as the bioactive components in Korean ginseng. Ginsenosides, which can be classified broadly as protopanaxadiols (PPD), protopanaxatriols (PPT), and oleanolic acids, have been shown to flaunt a vast array of pharmacological activities such as immune-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant effects. In recent years, a number of ginseng and ginsenoside researches have increasingly gained wide attention owing to its unique pharmacological properties. Although good efficacies of ginsenosides have been reported, lack of target specific delivery into tumor sites, low solubility, and low bioavailability due to modifications in gastro-intestinal environments limit their biomedical application in clinical trials. As a result to this major challenge, nanotechnology and drug delivery techniques play a significant role to solve this problematic issue. Thus, we reported the preparation of poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) and glycol chitosan (GC) functionalized to ginsenoside (Compound K and PPD) conjugates via hydrolysable ester bonds with improved aqueous solubility and pH-dependent drug release. In vitro cytotoxicity assays revealed that PEG-CK, and PPD-CK conjugates exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared to bare CK and PPD in HT29 cells. However, GC-CK conjugates exhibited higher and similar cytotoxicity in HT29 and HepG2 cells. Furthermore, GC-CK-treated RAW264.7 cells did not exhibit significant cell death at higher concentration of treatment which supports the biocompatibility of the polymer conjugates. They also inhibited nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW64.7 cells. In addition to polymer-ginsenoside conjugates, silver (AgNps) and gold nanoparticles (AuNps) have been successfully synthesized by green chemistry using different m. The biosynthesized nanoparticles demonstrated antimicrobial efficacy, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity, biofilm inhibition, and anticoagulant effect. Special interest on the effective delivery methods of ginsenoside to treatment sites is the focus of metal nanoparticle research.In short, nano-sizing of ginsenoside results in an increased water solubility and bioavailability. The use of nano-sized ginsenoside and P. ginseng mediated metallic nanoparticles is expected to be effective on medical platform against various diseases in the future.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.952-961
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• 2024

Objective: Stocking density (SD) is an important issue in the poultry industry, which is related to the production performance, intestinal health and immune status. In the present study, the effects of SD on the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid as well as the related functions of the liver and kidney in ducks were examined. Methods: A total of 360 healthy 56-day-old Shan-ma ducks were randomly divided into the low stocking density (n = 60, density = 5 birds/m²), medium stocking density (n = 120, density = 10 birds/m²) and high stocking density groups (HSD; n = 180, density = 15 birds/m²). Samples were collected in the 3rd, 6th, and 9th weeks of the experiment for analysis. Results: The serum levels of uric acid, lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β [IL-1β], IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]) were increased significantly in the HSD group. Serious histopathological lesions could be seen in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group in the 9th week. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-8 and TNF-α) and related pathway components (toll-like receptor 4, myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88, and nuclear factor-κB) were increased significantly in both the livers and kidneys in the HSD group. The mRNA expression levels of enzymes (adenosine deaminase, xanthine oxidase, phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase, and phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase 1) related to the synthesis of uric acid increased significantly in the livers in the HSD group. However, the mRNA expression level of solute carrier family 2 member 9, which plays an important role in the excretion of uric acid by the kidney, was decreased significantly in the kidneys in the HSD group. Conclusion: These results indicated that a higher SD could cause tissue inflammatory lesions in the liver and kidney and subsequently affect the metabolism and homeostasis of uric acid, and is helpful for guiding decisions related to the breeding and production of ducks.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1 s.28
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• pp.17-25
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• 1981

No evidence has accumulated that lead compound is an essential component for biological function in animals. Lead is absorbed primarily through the epithelial mucosal cells in duodenum and the absorption can be enhanced by the substances which bind lead and increase its solubility. Iron, zinc and calcium ions, however, decrease the absorption of lead without affecting its solubility, probably by competing for shared absorptive receptors in the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the absorption of lead is increased in iron deficient animals. Lead shows a strong affinity for ligands such as phosphate, cysteinyl and histidyl side chains of proteins, pterins and porphyrins. Hence lead can act on various active sites of enzymes, inhibiting the enzymes which has functional sulfhydryl groups. lead inhibits the activity of ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase for the biosynthesis of hemoproteins and cytochrome, which catalyzed the synthesis of monopyrrole prophobilinogen from ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid. Accordingly lead decrease hepatic cytochrome p-450 content, resulting an inhibition of the activity of demethylase and hydroxylase in liver. Little informations are available on the effect of lead on digestive system although the catastrophic effects of lead intoxication are well documented. The present study was, therefore, attempted to investigate the effect of lead on pancreaticobiliary secretion in rats. Albino rats of both sexes weighing $170{\sim}230g$ were used for this study. The animals were divided into one control and three treated groups, i.e., control (physiologic saline 1.5ml/kg i.p.), lead acetate $(l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and EDTA$(each\;10{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and $FeSO_4(each\;l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;hp)$. The pancreatico-biliary juice was collected under urethane anesthesia, and activities of amylase and lipase were determined by employing Sumner's and Cherry and Crandall's methods. The summarized results are follows. 1) In the experiment for acute toxicity of lead acetate, 20% of mortality was observed in rat treated with lead acetate as well as inhibition of the activity of amylase in the juice at the 3 rd day of the treatment. 2) No increases in body weight were observed in rats treated with lead acetate, while in control group the significant increases were observed. However, the body weights of animals were increased in the group lead acetate plus EDTA or $FeSO_4$. 3) Lead acetate decreased significantly the volume of pancreatico-biliary juice whereas additional treatment of EDTA and $FeSO_4$ prevented it. 4) Total activity of amylase was markedly reduced due to lead acetate treatment, but no change was showed following additional treatment with EDTA and $FeSO_4$. 5) No changes in the cholate and lipase output were observed in rats treated with lead acetate as compared with that of control rats. 6) Increase in bilirubin output in rats treated with lead acetate was shown on the 2nd and 3rd weeks treatment. 7) In the case of in vitro experiment, lead acetate also markedly inhibited release of amylase from pancreatic fragment. 8) Histologic finding indicated that acini vacuolation was induced in the pancreatic tissue of rat treated with lead acete. From the above results, it might be concluded that lead acetate decreases the volume of pancreatico-biliary secretion and inhibits the amylase activity, by acting directly on pancreatic cells.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Biology Conference
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• 2005.12a
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• pp.38-45
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• 2005

The egg bags of Korean salamander(Hynobius leechii) were collected from farmlands in Gyeongsangnam-do area. The assumed breeding time, numerical variation of embryos in each egg bag, mortality and the rates of abnormalities were investigated. The toxicity of benomyl, the metabolite carbendazim and BIC which were frequently spread in agricultural area and caused spontaneous embryonic malformation was investigated. The assumed breeding time between the end of February and the end of March has the difference about a month because of a habitat and it takes about 2 or 3 weeks from laying eggs to hatching. The length of each egg bag and the number of embryos were very varied in each area. It is due to geographical variation. Among egg bags in total study area, only 406 of egg bags(17.70% of total egg bags) developed all of embryos to normal larvae, and 78.49% of total embryos were normally developed. The patterns of spontaneous embryonic malformation were 26 species from A to Z and the abnormal patterns in individual were 8 species and above. the geographical differences about the abnormal pattern were identified and 11 habitats categorized 4 groups. The most frequent abnormality in Gyeongsangnam-do area is the dysplasia of external gill. The caudal dysplasia, abdominal blister and dysplasia of fin were also frequently observed. Individuals showing severe external defect were histologically studied and they showed retinal hypo-pigmentation, thyroid carcinoma, somatic muscular dysplasia, degeneration of cephalic neuron and various organ dysplasia. Benomyl and carbendazim were treated by 10pM$^{\sim}$10uM and BIC was treated by 1$^{\sim}$40ppm to know the effect of toxicity about toxic substance of salamander. After benomyl was treated, a survival rate was sharply dropped from 2 to 8 days. $LC_{100}$ identified in $1{\mu}M$, $LC_{50}$ identified between 100nM and $1{\mu}M$. $EC_{50}$ was assumed between 10nM and 100nM. The prevalent external malformation was abdomen swelled abnormally and histo-pathological effects were abdomen, neural tube and lens hernia. This suggests that benomyl is the toxicitic substance which inhibits the development of digestive system and nervous system. The result of treated carbendazim was similar to that of the treated benomyl. The survival rate is sharply dropped between 2 and 6 days. $LC_{100}$ was identified $1{\mu}M$ and $LC_{50}$ was identified between 10nM and 100nM. This shows that cabendazim has stronger lethal toxicity than benomyl. Ventral blister, eye dysplasia and cephalic dysplasia in the individual of external malformation mean that cabendazim affected nervous system much more than benomyl. Because the toxicity of BIC affected less in the beginning but affected more in the near hatching period, the period causing toxicity is somewhat different. $LC_{100}$ identified near 40ppm and $LC_{50}$ identified near 25ppm. The external defect shows mainly ventral blister and histo-pathological results show intestinal deformities. This result suggests the BIC inhibited strongly the development of digestive system. These abnormal developments may be caused by antimitotic action, inhibition of tubulin complex, destruction of microtubule, inhibitions of neurulation and closing of neural fold, and by the inhibition of movement of neural crest cells of benomyl. These abnormal developments may be caused by the rupture of epithelium, the loss of microtubule, the reduction of spindle size, the inhibition of spindle assembly formation, the destruction of spindle poles of carbendazim. These abnormal developments may be caused cytotoxicity by inhibition of the synthesis of a number of macromolecules and similar reaction the inhibition of benomyl.