• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.5
• /
• pp.489-497
• /
• 2019

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus at the larval stage, predominantly develops in the liver and lungs of intermediate hosts and eventually results in organ malfunction or even death. The interaction between E. granulosus and human body is incompletely understood. Exosomes are nanosized particles ubiquitously present in human body fluids. Exosomes carry biomolecules that facilitate communication between cells. To the best of our knowledge, the role of exosomes in patients with CE is not reported. Here, we isolated exosomes from the sera of patients with CE (CE-exo) and healthy donors and subjected them to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Proteomic analysis identified 49 proteins specifically expressed in CE-exo, including 4 proteins of parasitic origin. The most valuable parasitic proteins included tubulin alpha-1C chain and histone H4. And 8 proteins were differentially regulated in CE-exo (fold change>1.5), as analyzed with bioinformatic methods such as annotation and functional enrichment analyses. These findings may improve our understanding about the interaction between E. granulosus and human body, and may contribute to the diagnosis and prevention of CE.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.60-68
• /
• 2022

In this study, we developed and validated a sensitive analytical method to quantify baphicacanthin A in mouse plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The standard calibration curves for baphicacanthin A ranged from 0.5 to 200 ng/mL and were linear, with an r² of 0.985. The inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision and the stability fell within the acceptance criteria. Besides, we investigated the pharmacokinetics of baphicacanthin A following its intravenous (5 mg/kg) and oral administration (30 mg/kg). Intravenously injected baphicacanthin A showed biphasic elimination kinetics with high clearance and volume of distribution values. Furthermore, baphicacanthin A showed a rapid absorption but low aqueous solubility (182.51±0.20 mg/mL), resulting in low plasma concentrations and low oral bioavailability (2.49 %). Thus, we successfully documented the pharmacokinetic properties of baphicacanthin A using this newly developed sensitive LC-MS/MS quantification method, which could be used in future lead optimization and biopharmaceutic studies.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.6
• /
• pp.543-551
• /
• 2022

There has been increased interest in lignans due to their potential effect in reducing the risk of developing several diseases. To evaluate lignan contents, sensitive and accurate methods should be developed for their quantification in food. The present study aimed to validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of 5 lignans: lariciresinol (Lar), matairesinol (Mat), pinoresinol (Pin), secoisolariciresinol (Seco), and syringaresinol (Syr). The validation included selectivity, linearity, recovery, accuracy, and precision. The method was proved to be specific, with a linear response (R²≥0.99). The limits of detection were 0.040~0.765 ㎍/100 g and the limits of quantification were 0.114~1.532 ㎍/100 g. Recoveries were 90.588~109.053% for black sesame powder. Relative standard deviations of repeatability and reproducibility were below 5%. Total lignan contents of roasted coffee bean, oat, and blacksoy bean were 105.702 ㎍/100 g, 78.965 ㎍/100 g, and 165.521 ㎍/100 g, respectively. These results showed that LC-MS/MS analysis would be effective in producing acceptable sensitivity, accuracy, and precision in five lignan analyses.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.64 no.5
• /
• pp.911-921
• /
• 2022

Maximum residue limits (MRL) for pesticides in feed have been set to protect public health and produce safe livestock products. In vivo experiments to establish MRL are essential, as livestock are commonly used to obtain reliable in vivo quantitative information. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether small laboratory animals can replace or reduce monogastric livestock in experiments to quantify pesticide residues in vivo after oral consumption through feed. First, 24 pigs and rats were randomly assigned to four groups and fed 0, 3, 9, or 30 mg/kg of sulfoxaflor. After four weeks, serum, muscle, fat, liver, kidney, and small intestine samples were collected, and sulfoxaflor residues were analyzed using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. Sulfoxaflor residues in pig tissues were significantly correlated with those in rat tissues. Model equations were formulated based on the residual sulfoxaflor amount in pig and rat tissues. The calculated and measured sulfoxaflor residues in pigs and rats showed more than 90% similarity. Sulfoxaflor did not affect body weight gain, feed intake, or the feed conversion ratio. Therefore, we concluded that pesticide residue quantification in vivo to establish MRL could be performed using small laboratory animals instead of livestock animals. This would contribute to obtaining in vivo pesticide residue information and reducing large-scale livestock animal experiments.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.6
• /
• pp.341-346
• /
• 2023

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a multifaceted syndrome influenced by the functions of various extrinsic and intrinsic pathways and pathological processes, which can be detected in circulation using biomarkers. In this study, we investigated the secretome protein profile of induced-hypertrophy cardiomyocytes to identify next-generation biomarkers for AMI diagnosis and management. Hypertrophy was successfully induced in immortalized human cardiomyocytes (T0445) by 200 nM ET-1 and 1 μM Ang II. The protein profiles of hypertrophied cardiomyocyte secretomes were analyzed by nano-liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry and differentially expressed proteins that have been identified by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The levels of 32 proteins increased significantly (>1.4 fold), whereas 17 proteins (<0.5 fold) showed a rapid decrease in expression. Proteomic analysis showed significant upregulation of six 14-3-3 protein isoforms in hypertrophied cardiomyocytes compared to those in control cells. Multi-reaction monitoring results of human plasma samples showed that 14-3-3 protein-zeta levels were significantly elevated in patients with AMI compared to those of healthy controls. These findings elucidated the role of 14-3-3 protein-zeta in cardiac hypertrophy and cardiovascular disorders and demonstrated its potential as a novel biomarker and therapeutic strategy.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2022.09a
• /
• pp.104-104
• /
• 2022

Dendropanax morbiferus H. Lev has been reported to have some pharmacologic activities and also interested in functional cosmetics. We found that the water extract of D. morbiferus leaves significantly inhibited tyrosinase activity and melanin formation in α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)-induced B16-F10 cells. D. morbiferus reduced melanogenesis-related protein levels, such as microphthalmia? associated transcription factor (MITF), TRP-1, and TRP-2, without any cytotoxicity. Two active ingredients of D. morbiferus, (10E)-9,16-dihydroxyoctadeca-10,17-dien-12,14-diynoate (DMW-1) and (10E)-(?)-10,17-octadecadiene-12,14-diyne-1,9,16-triol (DMW-2) were identified by testing the anti-melanogenic effects and then by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis. DMW-1 and DMW-2 significantly inhibited melanogenesis by the suppression of protein kinase A (PKA)/cyclic AMP (cAMP)-responsive binding protein (CREB) and p38 MAPK phosphorylation. DMW-1 showed a better inhibitory effect than DMW-2 in α-MSH-induced B16-F10 cells. D. morbiferus and its active component DMW-1 inhibited melanogenesis through the downregulation of cAMP, p-PKA/CREB, p-p38, MITF, TRP-1, TRP-2, and tyrosinase. These results indicate that D. morbiferus and DMW-1 may be useful ingredients for cosmetics and therapeutic agents for skin hyperpigmentation disorders.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.515-520
• /
• 2010

This research investigated benzimidazole residues (albendazole, fenbendazole, flubendazole, thiabendazole, oxibendazole) in livestock products. A total of 270 samples of livestock products (beef, pork and chicken) were purchased from local markets in Korea. Ethyl acetate was used to extract analytes from the sample, after which ethyl acetate extracts were purified using a MCX cartridge. Analytes were detected using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of detection was 0.01-0.04 ppb, the limit of quantification was 0.03-0.13 ppb, the linearity ($r^2$) was 0.9992-1.0000, and the recovery was 70-85%. Residues of benzimidazoles, except for fenbendazole in pork, were not found in any of the 270 livestock samples. Fenbendazole was detected in the range of 1.2 to 3.1 ppb in 12 samples of pork.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2015

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) are persistent environmental pollutants, extremely stable, and possibly adversely affect human health. They are widely used in many industries and consumer goods, including sunscreen products. These substances are stable chemicals made of long carbon chains, having both lipid- and water-repellent qualities. The research objectives are (1) to find the most effective method for the preparation of semi-liquid samples by comparing solid phase extraction (SPE) and centrifugation after Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE), and (2) to determine the contamination levels of PFOS and PFOA in waterproof sunscreen samples. All sunscreen samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Sunscreen samples were purchased from domestic and international brands sold in Thailand. Special chemical properties were considered for the selection of samples, e.g., those found in waterproof, sweat resistant, water resistant, and non-stick products. Considering the factors of physical properties, e.g., operation time, chemical consumption, and recovery percentage for selecting methods to develop, the centrifugation method using 2 mL of extracted sample with the conditions of 12,000 rpm and $5^{\circ}C$ for 1 hour after PLE was chosen. The highest concentrations of PFOS and PFOA were detected at 0.0671 ng/g and 21.0644 ng/g, respectively. Even though present concentrations are found at ng/g levels, the daily use of sunscreen products is normally several grams. Therefore, a risk assessment of PFOS and PFOA contamination in sunscreen products is an important concern, and more attention needs to be paid to the long-term effects on human health.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.31 no.5
• /
• pp.319-326
• /
• 2016

Colistin is a last resort antimicrobial agent against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This study was conducted to develop an analytical method to determine colistin in fish and shrimp. The analytes were confirmed and quantified via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in the positive ion mode using multiple reaction monitoring (MRM). The sample was extracted with acidified 5% methanol (containing 0.5% formic acid). Then, solid phase extraction (SPE) was used for cleanup. Matrix-matched calibration curves were linear over the calibration ranges (0.05-1.2 mg/kg) for all the analytes into blank sample with $r^2$ > 0.99. All the values fulfilled the criteria requested by the Codex guidelines. Average recoveries ranged from 85.9% to 107.9%. The repeatability of measurements, expressed as the coefficient of variation (CV, %), was less than 15%. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.02 mg/kg, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.05 mg/kg. This improved method showed higher accuracy and acceptable sensitivity to meet the CAC guideline requirements and is applicable for the analysis of residual colistin (A+B) in fish and shrimp.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.114-126
• /
• 2014

Objectives: We aimed to develop a measurement method of five metabolites of trichloroethylene (TCE) in a concurrent biological sample, e.g., trichloroacetic acid (TCA), dichloroacetic acid (DCA), S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl) glutathione (DCVG), S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC), and N-Acetyl-S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (NAcDCVC) and to validate the method before application to pharmacokinetic study. Methods: TCE metabolites were simultaneously analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) with as little as 50 ${\mu}L$ of serum and urine. DCA, TCA and NAcDCVC were extracted with diethyl ether, while DCVC and DCVG were extracted by solid phase extraction. This method was validated according to the guidelines for bioanalytical method validation of the Korean National Institute of Toxicological Research. Then, we determined the five metabolites in five strains of mice at 24 hr after exposure to 1 g TCE /kg body weight. Results: The limits of detection for the five metabolites in biological samples ranged from 0.001 to 0.076 nmol/mL, which is comparable to or better than those previously reported. Most calibration curves showed good linearity ($R^2=0.99$), and between-batch variation was less than 20% expressing acceptable robustness and reproducibility. Using this method, we found TCA and DCA were detected in all test mice at 24 hr after the oral administration while NAcDCVC and DCVC were detected in some strains, which showed strain-dependent metabolism of TCE. Conclusions: The present method could provide robust and accurate measurements of major key metabolites of TCE in biological media, which allowed concurrent analysis of TCE metabolism for limited amounts of biospecimens.