• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제65권4호
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• pp.397-403
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• 2022

청가시덩굴은 청미래덩굴속에 속하며 청미래덩굴속 식물들은 전세계적으로 열대 및 아열대 지역에 서식하며 전통 의학에서 오랫동안 사용되어 왔다. 본 연구의 목적은 수컷과 암컷 ICR 마우스를 이용하여 청가시덩굴의 안전성을 확인하기 위해 청가시덩굴 추출물을 4주 동안 경구 투여하여 최대무독성용량을 평가하였다. 청가시덩굴 추출물을 500, 1000 및 2000 MPK 용량으로 4주 동안 매일 경구 투여한 결과 투여한 모든군에서 사망률, 임상 증상, 체중 변화, 섭취량, 혈액학적 분석, 혈청 생화학 검사 및 상대 장기 중량에 유의한 차이가 없었다. 본 연구에서 청가시덩굴 추출물은 ICR 마우스에서 어떠한 독성 효과도 나타내지 않았으며 청가시덩굴 추출물의 최대무독성용량은 2000 MPK 이상으로 간주되었음을 시사한다.

• 한국미생물·생명공학회지
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.522-532
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• 2022

Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented food in Korea, which is known to exert beneficial effects on health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of cheonggukjang fermented by Bacillus subtilis SCGB 574 (B574) on high fat diet (HFD)-deteriorated large intestinal health. Rats were fed with HFD or HFD supplemented with 10.1% cheonggukjang (B574). Fecal microbiota was analyzed based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, and the fecal and serum metabolome were measured using GC-MS. Our results showed that SCGB574 intake significantly reduced body weight, restored tight junction components, and ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration. SCGB574 also shifted gut microbiota by increasing the abundance of short chain fatty acid producers such as Alistipes and Flintibacter, although it decreased the abundance of Lactobacillus. Serum and fecal metabolome analyses showed significantly different metabolic profiles between the groups. The top five metabolites increased by SCGB574 were i) arginine biosynthesis, ii) alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism; iii) starch and sucrose metabolism; iv) neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin biosynthesis; and v) galactose metabolism. These results showed that cheonggukjang fermented by SCGB574 ameliorates adverse effects of HFD through improving intestinal health.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.600-606
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• 2023

Dengue virus (DENV) is a widespread arbovirus. To efficiently establish infection, DENV evolves multiple strategies to hijack the host innate immune response. Herein, we examined the inhibitory effects of DENV serotype 2 (DENV2) nonstructural proteins on RIG-I-directed antiviral immune response. We found that DENV2 NS2A, NS2B, NS4A, and NS4B significantly inhibited RIG-I-mediated IFN-β promoter activation. The roles of NS2B in RIG-I-directed antiviral immune response are unknown. Our study further showed that NS2B could dose-dependently suppress RIG-I/MAVS-induced activation of IFN-β promoter. Consistently, NS2B significantly decreased RIG-I- and MAVS-induced transcription of IFNB1, ISG15, and ISG56. Mechanistically, NS2B was found to interact with MAVS and IKKε to impair RIG-I-directed antiviral response. Our findings demonstrated a previously uncharacterized function of NS2B in RIG-I-mediated antiviral response, making it a promising drug target for anti-DENV treatments.

• 한국자원식물학회지
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• 제36권4호
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• pp.282-289
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• 2023

본 연구를 통해 국내 감초 신품종인 G. korshinskyi Grig.가 cerulein으로 유도한 생쥐의 급성 췌장염시 증가하는 염증성 세포의 유입과 혈청 소화효소(Amylase, Lipase) 수치를 유의하게 억제함으로써 급성 췌장염에 대한 보호 효과를 나타낸다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이를 통해 급성 췌장염을 예방할 수 있는 의약품 소재로써 국내 감초 신품종의 가능성을 제기한다는 데 의의가 있지만, 치료 효과로써의 효능 및 억제 기전에 대한 보완연구가 뒷받침되어야 할 필요가 있다고 판단된다.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.347-355
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• 2023

Background: Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy has been reported to be very efficacious for treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety-related conditions. However, a review of the literature reveals the sparse use of this therapy in the field of pediatric dentistry. This study aimed to evaluate anxiety trends in pediatric dental patients during local anesthesia and extraction with and without EMDR therapy. Methods: Children in the age range of 8-12 years who required dental extractions were assigned randomly into two groups: an EMDR group (group 1) and a routine behavior management therapy group (group 2; receiving more traditional interventions such as tender love and care behavioral modeling, and distraction). Anxiety scores were recorded at four levels using the visual facial anxiety scale (VFAS) preoperatively, after therapy, after the administration of local anesthesia (LA), and after extraction. Results: Reduced anxiety was observed after the delivery of EMDR therapy, after LA administration, and post-extraction in the EMDR group compared to pre-operative anxiety scores of anxiety (P < 0.001; unpaired Student's t and Mann-Whitney U tests). In the control group, mild reductions in anxiety after routine behavior management therapy were observed, accompanied by spikes in anxiety levels after LA and extractions. Conclusion: EMDR therapy was found to be valuable for reducing anxiety among pediatric dental patients during tooth extraction procedures.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권6호
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• pp.1113-1127
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Excessive alcohol consumption has harmful health effects, including alcohol hangovers and alcohol-related liver disease. Therefore, methods to accelerate the alcohol metabolism are needed. Laurus nobilis is a spice, flavoring agent, and traditional herbal medicine against various diseases. This study examined whether the standardized aqueous extract of L. nobilis leaves (LN) accelerates the alcohol metabolism and protects against liver damage in single-ethanol binge Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: LN was administered orally to SD rats 1 h before ethanol administration (3 g/kg body weight [BW]) at 100 and 300 mg/kg BW. Blood samples were collected 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after ethanol administration. The livers were excised 1 h after ethanol administration to determine the hepatic enzyme activity. The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in the liver tissue were measured. RESULTS: LN decreased the serum ethanol and acetaldehyde levels in ethanol-administered rats. LN increased the hepatic ADH and ALDH activities but decreased the alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase activities in the ethanol-administered rats. In addition, LN inhibited lipid peroxidation and increased the activities of SOD and GPx. CONCLUSIONS: LN modulates the mediators of various etiological effects of excessive alcohol consumption and enhances the alcohol metabolism and antioxidant activity, making it a potential candidate for hangover treatments.

• 대한약침학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.123-130
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• 2024

Objectives: Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) is a frequent complication following surgical procedures, characterized by an acute inability to void, leading to additional complications and extended hospitalization. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in facilitating spontaneous urination and alleviating anxiety in patients experiencing poor urination. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in the management of POUR in patients who have undergone lumbar spine surgery. Methods: This retrospective study conducted at the National Hospital of Acupuncture in Vietnam and reviewed the medical records of patients over 18 years old who underwent lumbar spine surgery and were diagnosed with POUR between January to December 2019. Electroacupuncture was administered at five specific acupuncture points: Qugu (CV2), Zhongji (CV3), Zhibian (BL54), Pangguanshu (BL28), and Kunlun (BL60). This study monitored key parameters related to the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment, including the number of acupuncture treatment sessions required until a patient was successfully treated was recorded, with a maximum of three acupuncture treatment sessions per patient, the time elapsed until urination following the treatment (minutes), and urinary bladder volume before and after treatment (mL). Results: The study demonstrated a 93.3% success rate in treating POUR with electroacupuncture. A significant reduction in post-void residual volume was noted, and patients could void within 30 minutes post-treatment. No significant differences in treatment effectiveness were observed across difference genders and age groups. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture proved to be a highly effective treatment for POUR in patients post-lumbar spine surgery, with a rapid response time and substantial reduction in PVR. However, the retrospective nature of the study and single-center focus limit its generalizability. Future research incorporating randomized controlled trials or multi-center observational studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore the potential of acupuncture in POUR management on a broader scale.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.210-222
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is a complex pathological condition that lacks a cure. Certain Chinese medicines, such as melittin, a major component in bee venom, have shown efficacy in treating CRF patients. On the other hand, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of melittin are unclear. MATERIALS/METHODS: A 5/6 nephrectomy model (5/6 Nx) of renal failure was established on rats for in vivo assays, and mouse podocyte clone 5 (MPC5) mouse podocyte cells were treated with angiotensin II (AngII) to establish an in vitro podocyte damage model. The 24-h urine protein, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen levels were evaluated after one, 2, and 4 weeks. Hematoxylin and eosin staining, Masson staining, and periodic acid-Schiff staining were used to examine the pathological changes in kidney tissues. A cell counting kit 8 assay was used to assess the cell viability. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to assess the mRNA and protein levels in the cells, respectively. RESULTS: In the rat 5/6 Nx, melittin reduced the 24-h urinary protein excretion and the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Furthermore, the renal pathology was improved in the melittin-treated 5/6 Nx rats. Melittin promoted podocin, nephrin, Beclin 1, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio and inhibited phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)/mTOR in 5/6 Nx-induced rats and AngII-induced MPC5 mouse podocyte cells. Moreover, inhibiting autophagy with 3-MA weakened the effects of melittin on podocin, nephrin, and the LC3II/LC3I ratio in podocytes. CONCLUSION: Melittin may offer protection against kidney injury, probably by regulating podocyte autophagy. These results provide the theoretical basis for applying melittin in CRF therapy.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.11-28
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• 2024

Objectives : GunRyeong-Tang(GRT) is a traditional herbal prescription that combines Oryeongsan and Sagunja-tang. This study employed network analysis methods on the components of GRT and target genes related to diabetes complications to predict the improvement effects of GRT on diabetes complications. Methods : The collection of active compounds of GRT and related target genes involved the utilization of public databases and the PubChem database. We selected diabetes complication-related genes using GeneCards and confirmed their correlation through comparative analysis with the target genes of GRT. We constructed a network using Cytoscape 3.9.1 and conducted topological analysis. To predict the mechanism, we performed functional enrichment analysis based on Gene Ontology (GO) biological processes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Results : Through network analysis, 234 active compounds and 1361 related genes were collected from GRT. A total of 9,136 genes related to diabetes complications were collected, and 1,039 target genes overlapping with the components of GRT were identified. The core genes of this network were TP53, INS, AKT1, ALB, and EGFR. In addition, GRT significantly reduced the H9c2 cell size and the expression of myocardial hypertrophy biomarkers (ANP, BNP), which were increased by high glucose (HG). Conclusions : Through this study, we were able to predict the activity and mechanism of action of GRT on diabetes and diabetic complications, and confirmed the potential of GRT as a treatment for diabetes complications through the effect of GRT on improving myocardial hypertrophy for diabetic cardiomyopathy.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제66권1호
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• pp.204-218
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• 2024

Elsholtzia fruticosa (EF) is present in tropical regions throughout South Asian countries as well as the Himalayas. Although it has been used as a traditional medicine to treat digestive, respiratory, and inflammatory issues, its effect on preadipocyte differentiation is unknown. In this study, we examined the effects of a methanol extract prepared from EF on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Cell differentiation was assessed by microscopic observation and oil-red O staining. The expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, including PPARγ and C/EBPα, was measured by western blot analysis and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), to provide insight into adipogenesis and lipogenesis mechanisms. The results indicated that EF promotes the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, with elevated lipid accumulation occurring in a concentration-dependent manner without apparent cytotoxicity. EF enhances the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, including PPARγ, FABP4, adiponectin, and FAS, at the mRNA and protein levels. The effect of EF was more pronounced during the early and middle stages of 3T3-L1 cell differentiation. Treatment with EF decreased C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA and protein levels, while increasing C/EBPα and PPARγ expression. Treatment with EF resulted in the upregulation of cyclin E and CDK2 gene expression within 24 h, followed by a decrease at 48 h, demonstrating the early-stage impact of EF. A concomitant increase in cyclin-D1 levels was observed compared with untreated cells, indicating that EF modulates lipogenic and adipogenic genes through intricate mechanisms involving CHOP and cell cycle pathways. In summary, EF induces the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by increasing the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes, possibly through CHOP and cell cycle-dependent mechanisms.