• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.248-255
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• 2012

Potential antioxidant effect of processed ginseng (sun ginseng, SG) on oxidative stress generated by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) was investigated in HepG2 cells. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage test demonstrated that SG dose-dependently prevents a loss of cell viability against t-BHP-induced oxidative stress. Also, SG treatment dose-dependently relieved the increment of activities of hepatic enzymes, such as aspartate aminotrasferase and alanine aminotransferase, and lipid peroxidation mediated by t-BHP treatment in HepG2 cells. SG increased the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, high dose of SG treatment caused decrease in mRNA level of glutathione peroxidase as compared to low dosage of SG-treated cells. The gene expression of glutathione reductase was found to be slightly increased by SG treatment. In addition, SG extract attributed its hepaprotective effect by inducing the mRNA level of bcl-2 and bcl-xL but reducing that of bax. But, the gene expression of bad showed no significant change in SG-treated HepG2 cells. These findings suggest that SG has hepatoprotective effect by showing reduction of LDH release, activities of hepatic enzymes and lipid peroxidation and regulating the gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and apoptosis-related molecules against oxdative stress caused by t-BHP in HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2004

Objective : The present experiments were designed to study on the immune-enhancing effect of Mountain grown ginseng, Mountain cultivated ginseng, and Panax ginseng Method : In order to compare the immune-enhancing effect of moutain grown ginseng, moutain cultivated ginseng and Panax ginseng, the study was done through the forced swimming test (FST), measurement of T helper Th1, Th2 cytokines and fatigue related factors. Result : Moutain grown ginseng and panax ginseng decreased the immobility time in the FST compared to the control. Glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and Total-protein (T-protein) in serum were investigated. The serum achieved from ginseng administered mouse showed higher BUN, T-protein than the control. moutain grown ginseng administered group showed lower LDH than the control group. moutain grown ginseng administered mouse showed higher glucose than the control. Creatinine was same in either experimental or control group. Ginseng-induced cytokine production in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages were compared. Moutain cultivated ginseng (10-4 dilution) and panax ginseng (10-3 dilution) were increased the interferon $IFN-{\gamma}$ production compared with media control (about 1.6-fold P<0.05) at 48 h. Moutain grown ginseng (10-4 dilution) was increased the $IFN-{\gamma}$ and interleukin IL-4 production compared with media control (about l.4-fold for $IFN-{\gamma}$ and 1.6-fold for IL-4 P<0.05) at 48 h. Moutain grown ginseng (10-3 dilution) and moutain cultivated ginseng (10-4 dilution) were increased the turmor necrosis factor $TNF-{\alpha}$ production compared with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ treated cells (about 1.9-fold for $TNF-{\alpha}$ P<0.05), respectively. Moutain cultivated ginseng (10-3 dilution) was increased the IL-12 production compared with $rIFN-{\gamma}$ treated cell (about 1.7-fold for IL-12 P<0.05). Conclusion : These data suggest that three different three kinds of ginseng act on immune responses in different aspects.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.409-428
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• 1994

Endodontic surgery is performed when conventional endodontic therapy fails or is contraindicated. In such cases, retrograde filling materials including amalgam, composite resin, and various cements have been used. Biocompatibilty and margin sealing ability of retrograde filling materials are important for the long term success of endodontic surgery. In vitro cell culture is frequently used as the method of measuring the biocompatibilty of dental materials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity of six kinds of retrograde filling materials including newly developed light curing glass ionomer cements. Each material was mixed according to. the manufacture's instruction and evaluated as : freshly mixed, 24-hour after mixing, and 168-hour after mixing respectively. The elution solution was extracted after 24-hour contact with materials using media. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by direct contact, or elution contact. Test results of radiochromium($^{51}Cr$) release, cell viability using tetrazolium dye (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl dimethyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) test and lactate dehydrogenase(LD) of damaged L929 cells were analyzed. In the $^{51}Cr$ release of direct contact, all experimental retrograde filling materials except amalgam and glass ionomer cement showed increased cytotoxicity compared to control. In the $^{51}Cr$ release of elution solution, the released $^{51}Cr$ was so minimal that it was impossible. to evlauate the cytotoxicity exactly. The elution solutions of glass ionomer cement and IRM showed marked cytotoxicity in MTT test. LD enzyme activity was highest in tests of direct contact with composite, light curing composite, and light curing glass ionomer cement and IRM. Amalgam revealed least cytotoxicity while IRM showed cytotoxicity using all three methods. Composite, light curing composite and light curing glass iomomer cement were cytotoxic in the tests of $^{51}Cr$ release and LD activity. Glass ionomer cement showed cytotoxic effect only in the MTT method. From these results it is suggested that the standardization and optimization of cytotoxicity testing, especially using elution solutions, should be strongly advised.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.195-201
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• 2010

We studied on the proteomic characteristics of Toxoplasma gondii KI-1 tachyzoites which were originally isolated from a Korean patient, and compared with those of the well-known virulent RH strain using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE), mass spectrometry, and quantitative real-time PCR. Two-dimensional separation of the total proteins isolated from KI-1 tachyzoites revealed up to 150 spots, of which 121 were consistent with those of RH tachyzoites. Of the remaining 29 spots, 14 showed greater than 5-fold difference in density between the KI-1 and RH tachyzoites at a pH of 5.0-8.0. Among the 14 spots, 5 from the KI-1 isolate and 7 from the RH strain were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and database searches. The spots from the KI-1 tachyzoties were dense granule proteins (GRA 2,3,6, and 7), hypoxanthine-guanine-xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGRPTase), and uracil phosphoribosyltransferase (UPRTase). The spots from the RH strain were surface antigen 1 (SAG 1), L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), actin, chorismate synthase, peroximal catalase, hexokinase, bifunctional dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (DHTR-TS), and nucleosidetriphosphatases (NTPases). Quantitative real-time PCR supported our mass spectrometric results by showing the elevated expression of the genes encoding GRA 2,3, and 6 and UPRTase in the KI-1 tachyzoites and those encoding GRA 7, SAG 1, NTPase, and chorismate synthase in the RH tachyzoites. These observations demonstrate that the protein compositions of KI-1 and RH tachyzoites are similar but differential protein expression is involved in virulence.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.162-169
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• 2014

Purpose: To study temporal pattern of serum liver enzymes levels in newborns with hepatic injury associated with birth asphyxia (BA). Methods: Singleton term newborns with BA and ${\leq}72$ hours of age admitted to neonatal intensive care unit were prospectively enrolled. Term newborns with physiological jaundice and without BA were studied as controls. Serum liver enzymes were measured at <24 hours, 24-72 hours, and at 6-12 days of age for cases and at 1-6 days of age for controls. BA was defined by 1 minute Apgar score <7 or delayed or absent cry with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. BA-associated liver injury was defined as serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation beyond +2 standard deviation (ALT > +2 SD) above the mean of control subjects at any of the three time points. Results: Sixty controls and 62 cases were enrolled. Thirty-five cases (56%) developed BA-associated liver injury (ALT>81 IU/L). They had higher serum levels of ALT, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase than the control infants, with peak at 24-72 hours. In controls, serum liver enzyme levels were significantly higher in appropriate-for-date (AFD) babies than small-for-date (SFD) babies. Serum enzyme pattern and extent of elevation were comparable between SFD and AFD babies. Degree of serum liver enzyme elevation had no relationship with severity of hypoxic encephalopathy. Conclusion: Serum liver enzyme elevation is common in BA; it peaks at 24-72 hours followed by a sharp decline by 6-12 days of age. Pattern and extent of enzyme elevation are comparable between SFD and AFD babies.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.965-972
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of Cheonggukjang extract in in-vitro and in-vivo models. T98G-human glioblastoma cells were pretreated with various concentrations (1~10 mg/mL) of Cheonggukjang extract for 24 h and then exposed to $H_2O_2$ (1 mM) for 3 h. The neuroprotective effects of Cheonggukjang extract were measured using a CCK-8 kit assay, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. The early stage focal ischemia rodent model was used as the in-vivo neurotoxicity model. Various concentrations (10~200 mg) of Cheonggukjang extract were administered to the animal models for 1 week. Peripheral blood was analyzed for glutathione peroxidase (GPx) expression by ELISA, and infarct volume reduction was analyzed by TTC staining. Cheonggukjang extract significantly (p<0.05) increased cell viability in T98G cells against $H_2O_2$ as well as against the induced neurotoxicity. Indeed, treatment with the Cheonggukjang extract induced a decrease in ROS and LDH expression and increased TAC significantly (p<0.05). However, Cheonggukjang extract did not induce a decrease in infarct volume or an increase in GPx expression in the in-vivo model. Despite the limitation in neuroprotection, Cheonggukjang extract may be useful for treating ROS injury.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.61-69
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• 2018

Objective: In this study, the effects of saffron stigma against subacute diazinon (DZN) toxicity on enzymes levels, biochemical, hematological, histopathological and genotoxicity indices were studied in rats. Methods: Vitamin E (200 IU/kg) and the aqueous extract of saffron (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally three times per week alone or with DZN (20 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. The hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated at the end of 4 weeks. Results: Reticulocytes counts, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase, CPK-MB, gama glutamyl transferase (GGT), uric acid and micronucleus indices were increased significantly but total protein and RBC cholinesterase activity were decreased in the DZN-treated group. Saffron prevented the effect of DZN on GGT (50 mg/kg), LDH, CPK and CPK-MB (100 and 200 mg/kg) levels. An increased uric acid and reduced protein levels by DZN were prevented by vitamin E and some doses of saffron. A significant reduction was observed in platelets, RBC, hemoglobin and hematocrit indices in the DZN group. Saffron and vitamin E prevented this reduction. Vitamin E and saffron did not reduce the effect of DZN on RBC cholinesterase activity. The extract and vitamin E could not prevent DZN genotoxicity in the micronucleus assay. Other biochemical parameters and pathological evaluation did not show any abnormality in tissues of all groups. Conclusion: This study shows that vitamin E and saffron reduce DZN induced hematological and biochemical toxicity. However, they do not prevent the genotoxicity induced by DZN.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.874-881
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• 2014

A laboratory experiment was conducted to determine chronic effects of waterborne copper exposure on rock bream Oplegnathus fasciatus using a panel of enzymes. The activities of the following biochemical biomarkers were determined at different concentrations of $CuSO_4$ for 10 and 20 days: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in plasma; antioxidant enzymes including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in liver and gills; and acethylcholinesterase (AChE) in brain and muscle. After exposure to two $CuSO_4$ concentrations (200 and $400{\mu}g/L$), the activities of plasma ALT in the fish showed a tendency to increase with AST and LDH, depending on $CuSO_4$ concentration. Additionally, GSH levels and SOD activities significantly increased, depending on $CuSO_4$ concentrations in liver and gills. This involved the inactivation of reactive molecules formed during oxidative stress, which could provide protection against oxidative damage induced by $CuSO_4$. However, GPx and AChE activities significantly decreased with $CuSO_4$ in liver and gills. In conclusion, these enzymes may represent convenient biomarkers for monitoring heavy metal pollution in coastal areas. Such chronic exposure studies are necessary for improving our understanding of complementary or deleterious effects of pollutants, and for developing metal toxicity biomarkers.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.68-77
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• 2012

In this study, we investigated the protective effects of processed Panax ginseng, sun ginseng (SG) against the UVB-irradiation on epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Pretreatment of SG in HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts reduced UVB-induced cell damage as seen by reduced lactate dehydrogenase release. We also found that SG restored the UVB-induced decrease in anti-apoptotic gene expression (bcl-2 and bcl-xL) in these cells, indicating that SG has an anti-apoptotic effect and thus can protect cells from cell death caused by strong UVB radiation. In addition, SG inhibited the excessive expression of c-jun and c-fos gene by the UVB in HeCaT cells and human dermal fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that SG may exert an anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA synthesis in HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. This was further supported by its inhibitory effects on the elevated cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ transcription which was induced by UVB-irradiation in HaCaT cells. In addition, SG may have anti-aging property in terms of induction of procollagen gene expression and inhibition of the matrix metalloprotease-1 gene expression caused by UVB-exposure. These findings suggest that SG can be a potential agent that may protect against the dermal cell damage caused by UVB.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.83-91
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• 2019

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been recognized as both useful tools and potentially toxic materials in various industrial and medicinal fields. Previously, we found that zinc oxide (ZnO) NPs that are neurotoxic to human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells are mediated by lipoxygenase (LOX), not cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Here, we examined whether human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which are different from neuroblastoma cells, might exhibit COX-2- and/or LOX-dependent cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs. Additionally, changes in annexin V expression, caspase-3/7 activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) induced by ZnO NPs and ZnO were compared at 12 hr and 24 hr after exposure using flow cytometry. Cytotoxicity was measured based on lactate dehydrogenase activity and confirmed by trypan blue staining. Rescue studies were executed using zinc or iron chelators. ZnO NPs and ZnO showed similar dose-dependent and significant cytotoxic effects at concentrations ${\geq}15{\mu}g/mL$, in accordance with annexin V expression, caspase-3/7 activity, and MMP results. Human MSCs exhibited both COX-2 and LOX-mediated cytotoxicity after exposure to ZnO NPs, which was different from human neuroblastoma cells. Zinc and iron chelators significantly attenuated ZnO NPs-induced toxicity. Conclusively, these results suggest that ZnO NPs exhibit both COX-2- and LOX-mediated apoptosis by the participation of mitochondrial dysfunction in human MSC cultures.