• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.22-28
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• 2014

Flos Sophorae, the dried flower bud of Sophora japonica L, possesses anti-inflammatory properties, prevents and treats blood capillary and hypertension diseases and can also be used as a hemostat. However, the effect of Flos Sophorae on breast cancer invasion is unknown. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix, is a major component in cancer cell invasion. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of Flos Sophorae extract (FSE) on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression and cell invasion, as well as the molecular mechanisms involved in Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells. FSE inhibited the TPA-induced transcriptional activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$). These results indicate that FSE-mediated inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion involves the suppression of NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway in MCF-7 cells. Thus, FSE may have therapeutic potential for controlling breast cancer invasiveness.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.13
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• pp.5417-5421
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• 2014

Objectives: The identification of cutaneous T cell lymphoma (CTCL) biomarkers may serve as a predictor of disease progression and treatment response. The aim of this study was to map potential biomarkers in CTCL plasma. Design and Methods: Plasma metabolic perturbations between CTCL cases and healthy individuals were investigated using metabolomics and ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QTOF/MS). Results: Principal component analysis (PCA) of the spectra showed clear metabolic changes between the two groups. Thirty six potential biomarkers associated with CTCL were found. Conclusions: Based on PCA, several biomarkers were determined and further identified by LC/MS/MS analysis. All of these could be potential early markers of CTCL. In addition, we established that heparin as a nticoagulant has better pre-treatment results than EDTA with the UHPLC-QTOF/MS appraoch.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.74-79
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• 2005

Metabonomic analysis has been recognized as a powerful approach for characterizing metabolic changes in biofluids due to toxicity, disease process or environmental influences. To investigate the possibility of relating metabolic changes with $^{1}H-NMR$ spectra, urine samples from Sprague-Dawley rats treated with various dietary restrictions or toxic substances (nicotine) were analysed using $^{1}H-NMR$ spectroscopy and pattern recognition techniques. Dietary restrictions-given to male rats were normal diet and high fat diet and fasting. The nicotine urine samples were collected from SD rats administered with nicotine (25 mg/kg) at the various time intervals. $^{1}H-NMR$ spectra of all urine samples were acquired at 400 MHz on a VARIAN spectrometer. To establish the presence of any intrinsic class-related patterns or clusters in each NMR data, methods of PCA (principal component analysis) and soft independent modeling of class analogy (SIMCA) analysis were used, and the results from these analyses were compared to each other. In all cases of dietary conditions and nicotine treatment, SIMCA analysis gave better results for the discrimination of NMR spectra of urine samples than PCA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.1257-1267
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• 2023

Although rational genetic engineering is nowadays the favored method for microbial strain improvement, building up mutant libraries based on directed evolution for improvement is still in many cases the better option. In this regard, the demand for precise and efficient screening methods for mutants with high performance has stimulated the development of biosensor-based high-throughput screening strategies. Genetically encoded biosensors provide powerful tools to couple the desired phenotype to a detectable signal, such as fluorescence and growth rate. Herein, we review recent advances in engineering several classes of biosensors and their applications in directed evolution. Furthermore, we compare and discuss the screening advantages and limitations of two-component biosensors, transcription-factor-based biosensors, and RNA-based biosensors. Engineering these biosensors has focused mainly on modifying the expression level or structure of the biosensor components to optimize the dynamic range, specificity, and detection range. Finally, the applications of biosensors in the evolution of proteins, metabolic pathways, and genome-scale metabolic networks are described. This review provides potential guidance in the design of biosensors and their applications in improving the bioproduction of microbial cell factories through directed evolution.

• Proceedings of the SCSK Conference
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• 2003.09a
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• pp.192-202
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• 2003

The wrinkles correspond to the most obvious expression of skin ageing and are manifested by changes on the organization and dermal structure. In the extracellular matrix, decreased quantities of collagens and glycosaminoglycans as well as a deterioration of the fibrillary network is noted, result in a reduction of dermal thickness. In addition, the activity of the collagenases increases in contrast to the synthesis of collagen fibers. Nor are cells spared during the aging process. We thus studied and compared the contractile capacity as well as the synthesis capacity of normal human fibroblasts and human fibroblasts obtained from biopsies of forehead wrinkles. The capacity of the fibroblasts to be adhered to the collagen network and to maintain a three-dimensional structure of dermis was studied on a model of equivalent dermis. The metabolic activity was studied by evaluating the capacities of synthesis of collagen I, main component of dermis. Human fibroblasts resulting from the forehead wrinkle contract less the gel of collagen than the normal human fibroblasts and present an activity of biosynthesis of collagen I less important than normal human fibroblasts. These results show that fibroblasts with aging present a deceleration of their metabolic activity and lose their capacity of adhesion to collagen fibers thus limiting the possibility of organizing the dermal tissue. We investigated the potential of an active ingredient able to compensate for the reduction of the metabolic activity and to restore the contractile capacity of fibroblasts obtained from forehead wrinkles. This effect was compared with a reference molecule: the vitamin C.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.419-424
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• 2012

High-fat diets (HFD) and high-carbohydrate diets (HCD)-induced obesity through different pathways, but the metabolic differences between these diets are not fully understood. Therefore, we applied proton nuclear magnetic resonance ($^1H$ NMR)-based metabolomics to compare the metabolic patterns between C57BL/6 mice fed HCD and those fed HFD. Principal component analysis derived from $^1H$ NMR spectra of urine showed a clear separation between the HCD and HFD groups. Based on the changes in urinary metabolites, the slow rate of weight gain in mice fed the HCD related to activation of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (resulting in increased levels of citrate and succinate in HCD mice), while the HFD affected nicotinamide metabolism (increased levels of 1-methylnicotineamide, nicotinamide-N-oxide in HFD mice), which leads to systemic oxidative stress. In addition, perturbation of gut microflora metabolism was also related to different metabolic patterns of those two diets. These findings demonstrate that $^1H$ NMR-based metabolomics can identify diet-dependent perturbations in biological pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.249-253
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• 2011

Cetecol has been known as a component of melanin in teliospores of the corn smut fungus Ustilago maydis. Its metabolic precursor has been assumed to be benzoic acid but it has not been proven yet. This study was carried out to verify the synthesis of benzoic acid and to chase its metabolic origin in U. maydis. For this aim, the catabolic process of phenylalanine was investigated by culturing the fungus in the complete medium containing L-$^{14}C$-phenylalanine and $^{14}C$-trans-cinnamic acid. We detected trans-cinnamic acid, benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives from the extracts of the fungus cells and cultural filtrates by thin layered chromatography analysis. We also observed that the fungus could completely catabolize L-$^{14}C$-phenylalanine and produce $^{14}CO_2$ in the air. Conclusively, this study provided an evidence that U. maydis could produce benzoic acid through catabolic process of phenylalanine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.646-656
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• 2022

Background: In addition to its use as a health food, ginseng is used in cosmetics and shampoo because of its extensive health benefits. The ginsenoside, Rh2, is a component of ginseng that inhibits tumor cell proliferation and differentiation, promotes insulin secretion, improves insulin sensitivity, and shows antioxidant effects. Methods: The effects of Rh2 on cell survival, extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression, and cell differentiation were examined. The antioxidant effects of Rh2 in UV-irradiated normal human dermal fibroblast (NHDF) cells were also examined. The effects of Rh2 on mitochondrial function, morphology, and mitophagy were investigated in UV-irradiated NHDF cells. Results: Rh2 treatment promoted the proliferation of NHDF cells. Additionally, Rh2 increased the expression levels of ECM proteins and growth-associated immediate-early genes in ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated NHDF cells. Rh2 also affected antioxidant protein expression and increased total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, treatment with Rh2 ameliorated the changes in mitochondrial morphology, induced the recovery of mitochondrial function, and inhibited the initiation of mitophagy in UV-irradiated NHDF cells. Conclusion: Rh2 inhibits mitophagy and reinstates mitochondrial ATP production and membrane potential in NHDF cells damaged by UV exposure, leading to the recovery of ECM, cell proliferation, and antioxidant capacity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2023

Objective: Polycystic ovary (PCO), a diagnostic component of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), requires either an ovarian volume (OV) criterion or a follicle number per ovary (FNPO) criterion. This study investigated the association of OV and FNPO criteria with various manifestations of PCOS. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university hospital among 100 patients newly diagnosed with PCOS (according to the revised Rotterdam criteria). Fasting blood samples were collected to measure glucose, total testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), lipid, insulin, and hemoglobin A1c levels. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed. Transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound of the ovaries was done, depending on patients' marital status. All investigations were conducted in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. OV >10 mL and/or FNPO ≥12 indicated PCO. A homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (IR) value ≥2.6 indicated IR, and metabolic syndrome (MS) was defined according to the international harmonization criteria. Results: Seventy-six participants fulfilled the OV criterion, 70 fulfilled the FNPO criterion, and 89 overall had PCO. Both maximum OV and mean OV had a significant correlation with TT levels (r=0.239, p=0.017 and r=0.280, p=0.005, respectively) and the LH/FSH ratio (r=0.212, p=0.034 and r=0.200, p=0.047, respectively). Mean OV also had a significant correlation with fasting insulin levels (r=0.210, p=0.036). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that IR (odds ratio [OR], 9.429; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.701 to 52.271; p=0.010) and MS (OR, 7.952; 95% CI, 1.821 to 34.731; p=0.006) had significant predictive associations with OV alone, even after adjustment for age and body mass index. Conclusion: OV may be more closely related to the androgenic and metabolic characteristics of PCOS than FNPO.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1063-1074
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the Sasang constitution (SC) and cold and heat pattern identification (CHPI). Methods: SC, CHPI, MetS, and component data were obtained from 2,561 participants in 26 Korean medical clinics from 2007 to 2013. SC, diagnosed by Korean medicine doctors, was confirmed by positive responses to herbal medicines administered according to that constitution. The CHPI was verified by a questionnaire about thermal sensitivity and drinking habits. The diagnosis criteria for MetS were: 1) waist circumference (WC) ≥90 cm (male) and ≥80 cm (female); 2) triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; 3) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) <40 mg/dL (male) and <50 mg/dL (female); 4) blood pressure ≧130/85 mmHg; and 5) fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL. Odds ratios (ORs) and differences in MetS and its components were compared using logistic regression and ANCOVA. Results: The MetS prevalence rates were 54.1%, 22.0%, and 33.3% for Taeeumin (TE), Soeumin (SE), and Soyangin (SY), respectively, and 30.5% and 44.5% for the cold and heat patterns, respectively. ANCOVA for MetS components showed significantly higher WC in TE than in SE or SY, and all components except HDL were higher in the heat pattern group than in the cold pattern group. Logistic regression for MetS prevalence showed a significant association between TE and the heat pattern group (OR=1.653) but not for non-TE and the cold pattern group. Conclusions: Considering SC and CHPI together may be more effective in managing MetS than considering SC alone.