• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.245-252
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and Allium tuberosum intake on blood lipids, MDA and antioxidant enzyme in rats. Twenty four male Sprague-Dawley rats, 4 weeks old, were used. Experimental groups were aerobic exercise with Allium tuberosum intake group (A, n=6), aerobic exercise group (B, n=6), Allium tuberosum intake group (C, n=6), and the control group (D, n=6). Aerobic exercise was administered through a treadmill running program (14~15 m/min, $0^{\circ}$ grade, 25~30 min/day, 5 day/wk) and these rats were given 5% Allium tuberosum for 2 wk. The results of this study are as follows: TC and TG didn't show change; groups A, B, C showed a significant increase in HDL-C compared to the D group; groups A, B, and C showed a significant decrease in LDL-C compared to the D group; groups B and C showed a significant decrease in MDA level compared to the D group; groups B and C showed a significant increase in SOD activity compared to the D group; and the A group showed a significant increase in CAT activity compared to the D group. In conclusion, low intensity aerobic exercise and intake of the natural antioxidant Allium tuberosum seem to have the health promoting effect of retarding oxidative stress by decreasing lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Korean Medical Ki-Gong Academy
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.236-261
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• 2009

'Jeom-hyeol-gigong(點穴氣功)' gives a drill, Gi(氣) as a place to jam. This pathogen(邪氣) is removed. Given the low places and supplement it energy to flow up the well is the cure. This is an internal organ and muscular Gi allows a natural flow. Blood, one that moves and guides Gi is Gi I still feel that it makes any blood, making you feel good in life is flowing with vitality. Gi driving our whole body, while supplying vital energy and blood circulation, helping to defend the body is functioning. 'Jeom-hyeol-gigong' principle of Gi where the blockages to flow naturally energy is to let the flow. Aura of the voluntary and proactive action will be to have healthy bodies. Gi as a whole-body blood circulation leading to the cells in each tissue to supply energy and nutrients to every cell as the original principles of free activities that will maximize your life. Gi to prevent the three causes Internal causes: 5 greed and 7 emotions External causes: climate, food, pathogens, stress, etc. The internal nor the external causes: internal and external factors that cause the complex elements, incorrect position of the bone caused by an imbalance Heart disease will be police officers and raise their resistance to disease than the body, what jung-gi(正氣) have to develop. Beneficial to human body's resistance to raise the jung-gi people young-gi(營氣) and wi-gi(衛氣) should be enhanced. If the form is perfectly possible, Gi cycle itself should not have to breathe. Abdominal diagnosis 'bok-su-ap-an-beop(伏手壓按法)', 'sam-ji-tam-an-beop(三指探按法)' hands are like this, which outlined five viscera in order to understand the problem, the lower side of the clavicle (lung), the pit of stomach (Heart), both the lower ribs (liver), navel below (kidney) can be diagnosed at such areas. In each area of the skin, abdominal muscle tension, aching, or pressing a fuss about, beating the ruling of the state and the problem is a clue. And mo-hyeol(募穴) and certain Acupressure group, the chest, back, belly, so that scattered around each' book 'of the problem can be found. This is also the target of such a diagnosis, such as shape, color of skin, muscle Mostly the scope of the pitch in the cervical spine is broad across the hips. sugi(手氣) method that 'an method(按法) and 'ma method(摩法), bak method(拍法) is.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.314-320
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• 2010

As the nature of triathlons is competition in three successive sports, triathletes experience elevated levels of stress on the body that are absent in single-sport athletic events, and consequently there are more potential medical problems to prepare for. Triathletes can also experience problems such as hypothermia, heat illness, excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation, musculoskeletal injuries and trauma, immunosuppression, and haemolysis. Depending on the potentiality of such above-listed problems occurring in any given race, race organizers will prepare preventative measures and treatments accordingly. Olympic distance is not the only triathlon racing distance. Sprints, which are normally around half the Olympic distance, are common distances, as well as Long (2 km swim, 80 km bike, 20 km run), Ironman (3.8 km swim, 180 km bike, 42 km run), and ultra-distance events varying in length. Races of longer duration normally result in a higher percentage of athletes experiencing the above-mentioned medical problems, as well as inducing additional health risks such as hyponatraemia. Minimizing the occurrences of serious health issues is possible through the following means: carefully preparing for the probable race-day weather conditions; proper management and organization of the race; preparing an extensive water-safety and ground-course safety plan; distributing necessary nutrition along the course; and stressing the importance for athletes to have proper knowledge concerning race nutrition, biomechanical technique, physical preparation, and utilization of safe equipment. While risks of competing in triathlon are many, the instances of such medical problems are not excessive, and the triathlon has a reputation of being a reasonably safe sport as long as athletes with high risk take added precautions.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.339-345
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• 2017

Carotenoids are natural lipid-soluble pigments, which are produced primarily by bacteria, algae, and plants. Many studies have focused on the identification, production, and utilization of natural sources of astaxanthin from algae, yeast, and crustacean byproducts as an alternative to the synthetic pigment, which is mostly used today. The aim of the present study was to identify a mutant of Paracoccus haeundaensis by exposure to UV and ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS). The mutant was then exposed to nutrient stress conditions to isolate an astaxanthin-hyperproducing strain, followed by characterization of the mutant. The survival rate decreased in accordance with an increase in the UV exposure time and an increase in the EMS concentration. A mutant of the original P. haeundaensis strain was identified that showed hyperproduction of astaxanthin following exposure to UV irradiation (20 min) and EMS treatment (0.4 M concentration). The optimal culture conditions for the PUE mutant were $25^{\circ}C$, pH 7-8, and 3% NaCl. The effects of various carbon and nitrogen sources on the growth and astaxanthin production of PUE were examined. The addition of 1% raffinose and 3% potassium nitrate influenced cell growth and astaxanthin production. The selected mutant exhibited an increase of 1.58 folds in astaxanthin content compared to initial wild type strain. A genetically stable mutant strain obtained using mutagen (UV irradiation and EMS treatment) may be a suitable candidate for further industrial scale production of astaxanthin.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.310-317
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• 2017

Mammalian cells control cellular homeostasis using a variety of defensive enzymes in order to combat against environmental oxidants and electrophiles. NF-E2-related factor-2 (NRF2) is a transcription factor that, in response to an exposure to oxidative stress, translocates into the nucleus and modulates the inducible expression of various phase II cytoprotective enzymes by binding to the antioxidant response element (ARE). In the present study, we have acquired 400 ethanol extracts of traditional medicinal plants and attempted to find out possible extract(s) that can increase the NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes. As a result, we have identified that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica strongly activated the ARE-dependent luciferase activity in HaCaT- ARE-luciferase cells. Exposure of ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica increased the viability and activated transcription and translation of NRF2-dependent phase II cytoprotective enzymes in HaCaT cells, such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD[P]H:quinone oxidorecutase-1 (NQO1). In addition, ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica suppressed 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby inhibiting the formation of 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in HaCaT cells. Together, our results demonstrate that ethanol extracts of Rheum undulatum and Inula japonica exert anti-oxidant effects via the induction of NRF2/ARE-dependent gene expression in human keratinocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.488-495
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• 2018

The p53 gene plays a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of cellular response to stress, DNA damage, hypoxia, and tumor development. Keeping in mind the recently discovered manifold physiological functions of p53, its involvement in the regulation of cancer is not surprising. In about 50% of all human cancers, inactivation of p53's protein function occurs either through mutations in the gene itself or defects in the mechanisms that activate it. This disorder plays a crucial role in tumor evolution by allowing the evasion of a p53-dependent response. Many recent studies have focused on directly targeting p53 mutants by identifying selective, small molecular compounds to deplete them or to restore their tumor-suppressive function. These small molecules should effectively regulate various interactions while maintaining good drug-like properties. Among them, the discovery of the key p53-negative regulator, MDM2, has led to the design of new small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between p53 and MDM2. Some of these small molecule compounds have now moved from proof-of-concept studies into clinical trials, with prospects for further, more personalized anti-carcinogenic medicines. Here, we review the structural and functional consequences of wild type and mutant p53 as well as the development of therapeutic agents that directly target this gene, and compounds that inhibit the interaction between it and MDM2.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.708-725
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• 2017

Ionizing radiation is enough energy to interact with matter to remove orbital electrons, neutrons, and protons in the atom. Ionizing radiation like this leads to oxidizing metabolism that alter molecular structure through direct and indirect interactions of radiation with the deoxyribonucleic acid in the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles or via products of cytoplasm radiolysis. These ionization can result in tissue damage and disruption of cellular function at the molecular level. Consequently, ionizing radiation-induced modifications of ion channels and transporters have been reported. When the harmful effects exceed those of homeostatic biochemical processes, induced biological changes persist and may be propagated to progeny cells. Also, Reactive oxygen species formed on the effect of ionizing radiation can get across into neighboring cells through the cell junctions that are responsible for intercellular chemical communication, and may there bring about changes characteristic to radiation damage. Depending on radiation dose, dose-rate and quality, these protective mechanisms may or may not be sufficient to cope with the stress. This paper briefly reviewed reports on ionization radiation effects on cellular level that support the concept of radiation biology. A better understanding of the biological effects of ionizing radiation will lead to better use of and better protection from radiation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2018

Chrysoeriol is a widespread flavone, and it is usually found in alfalfa, which has been used as a traditional medicine to treat dyspepsia, asthma, and urinary system disorders. Recently, analysis has been conducted on the anti-inflammatory activity of chrysoeriol, but information on its antioxidative capacity is limited. In this study, the antioxidative potential of chrysoeriol against oxidative damage and its molecular mechanisms were evaluated by analysis of the cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, and Western blots in the RAW 264.7 cell line. Chrysoeriol significantly scavenged lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intracellular ROS formation in a dose-dependent manner, without any cytotoxicity. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), a phase II enzyme that exerts antioxidative activity, was also potently induced by chrysoeriol treatment, which corresponded to the translocation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) into the nucleus. Moreover, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) were analyzed due to their important role in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative stress. As a result, chrysoeriol-induced HO-1 upregulation was mediated by extracellular signal - regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 phosphorylation. To identify the antioxidative potential exerted by HO-1, tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage was applied and mitigated by chrysoeriol treatment, which was confirmed by the HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer, respectively. Consequently, chrysoeriol strongly strengthened the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the regulation of the Nrf2/MAPK signaling pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.661-671
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• 2020

The resistance of cancer cells to anti-cancer drugs is the leading cause of chemotherapy failure. The clinical use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been gradually extended to cancer treatment through combination with anti-cancer drugs. In the current study, we investigated whether NSAIDs including celecoxib (CCB), 2,5-dimethyl celecoxib (DMC), and ibuprofen (IBU) could enhance the cytotoxic effects of imatinib and TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) on human cancer cells. We found that the NSAIDs potentiated TRAIL and imatinib cytotoxicity against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines SNU-354, SNU-423, SNU-449, and SNU-475/TR and against leukemic K562 cells with high level of CD44 (CD44^highK562), respectively. More specifically, CCB induced endoplasmic reticulum stress via up-regulation of ATF4/CHOP which is associated with the induction of autophagy against HCC and CD44^high K562 cells. NSAID-induced autophagic activity accelerated TRAIL cytotoxicity of HCC cells through up- and down-regulation of DR5 and c-FLIP, respectively. The NSAIDs also potentiated imatinib-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis through down-regulation of markers in CD44^highK562 cells that express a stemness phenotype. Our results suggest that the ability of NSAIDs to induce autophagy could enhance the cytotoxicity of TRAIL and imatinib, leading to a reverse resistance to these drugs in the cancer cells. In conclusion, NSAIDs in combination with low-dose TRAIL or imatinib may constitute a novel clinical strategy that maximizes therapeutic efficacy of each drug and effectively reduces the toxic side effects.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.536-547
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• 2008

Anthocyanidin synthase (ANS, leucoanthocyanidin oxygenase), a 2-oxoglutarate iron-dependent oxygenase, catalyzed the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of the anthocyanin class of flavonoids, from the colorless leucoanthocyanidins to the colored anthocyanidins. The full-length cDNA and genomic DNA sequences of ANS gene (designated as GbANS) were isolated from Ginkgo biloba for the first time. The full-length cDNA of GbANS contained a 1062-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 354-amino-acid protein. The genomic DNA analysis showed that GbANS gene had three exons and two introns. The deduced GbANS protein showed high identities to other plant ANSs. The conserved amino acids (H-X-D) ligating ferrous iron and residues (R-X-S) participating in 2-oxoglutarate binding were found in GbANS at the similar positions like other ANSs. Southern blot analysis indicated that GbANS belonged to a multi-gene family. The expression analysis by real-time PCR showed that GbANS expressed in a tissue-specific manner in G. biloba. GbANS was also found to be up-regulated by all of the six tested abiotic stresses, UV-B, abscisic acid, sucrose, salicylic acid, cold and ethylene, consistent with the promoter region analysis of GbANS. The recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli strain with pET-28a vector. The in vitro enzyme activity assay by HPLC indicated that recombinant GbANS protein could catalyze the formation the cyanidin from leucocyanidin and conversion of dihydroquercetin to quercetin, suggesting GbANS is a bifunctional enzyme within the anthocyanidin and flavonol biosynthetic pathway.