• 대한본초학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.33-40
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• 2016

Objectives : Liver is one of the largest organs in the human, and has a function of detoxification and energy sensing to prevent severe disease. Paeoniae radix has been used to treat a variety of liver diseases such as hepatitis and chronic hepatic failure. Although P. radix has been used as an medicinal herb for a long time, the effects of P. radix on severe oxidative stress and its action mechanism on the liver was not clearly verified.Methods : This study investigated the protective effects of P. radix extract (PRE), and the underlying mechanism of its action in the liver. tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) and carbon tetrachlroride (CCl₄) were used to induce oxidative stress in the HepG2 hepatocyte cell line and Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively.Results : t-BHP significantly induced cell death and ROS production in HepG2 cell, as indicated by MTT and FACS analysis. However, pretreatment of PRE inhibited a decrease in cell viability and H₂O₂ production in the HepG2 cells. PRE also blocked the ability of t-BHP to damage in mitochondrial membrane transition. More importantly, PRE induced Nrf2 activation and antioxidant Phase II enzyme, which may have a role in the effects of PRE. In mice, PRE inhibited the liver damage induced by CCl₄.Conclusions : PRE inhibited oxidative stress and hepatic damages as mediated with Nrf2 activation. This study unveil, in part, the effect and mechanism of old medicinal herb, P. radix.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제25권11호
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• pp.1235-1243
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• 2015

황흑산은 동의보감의 복강과 장옹의 처방을 위해 기록된 처방전으로 오랫동안 사용되어 왔으나, 항암 효능에 대한 구체적인 연구는 전혀 이루어진 바 없다. 본 연구에서는 AGS 인체 위암세포를 대상으로 황흑산 처리에 의한 증식억제와 연관된 apoptosis 유발 및 관련 기전 연구를 수행하였다. AGS 위암세포에 황흑산 추출물을 처리함에 처리 농도 의존적으로 증식이 억제되었으며, 이는 apoptosis 유발과 연관성이 있음을 핵의 형태적 변형과 sub-G1기 세포의 축적 등으로 확인하였다. 황흑산 추출물에 의한 apoptosis 유도에는 pro-apoptotic Bax 단백질의 발현 증가와 anti-apoptotic Bcl-2의 발현 감소 및 미토콘드리아에서 세포질로의 cytochrome c 유리와 연관성이 있었으며, 세포 내 활성산소종(reactive oxygen species, ROS)의 축적을 증가시켰다. 또한 황흑산 추출물에 의한 apoptosis 유발은 caspases (caspase-3, -8 및 -9)의 활성을 증가시켰으며, poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase 단백질의 단편화를 초래하였다. 그러나 ROS scavenger 및 pan-caspases inhibitor는 황흑산 추출물에 의한 apoptosis의 유발을 거의 완벽하게 억제하였으며, 암세포의 증식억제도 차단하였다. 이상의 결과는 황흑산 추출물에 의한 apoptosis가 ROS 생성 및 caspase 활성 의존적으로 일어남을 의미하는 것으로 황흑산의 항암기전 해석을 이해하고 향후 지속적인 연구를 위한 유용한 자료로 사용될 것이다.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제18권12호
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• pp.521-528
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• 2017

과도한 음주는 치매 및 알츠하이머 병과 같은 여러 신경계 질환을 일으키는 주요원인 중 하나로 알려져 있으며 이를 해결하기 위한 많은 노력인 진행 중이다. 또한, 홍삼은 신경 세포의 생존, 세포 자멸사의 억제 및 신경 세포의 신경 재생을 향상시키는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 Rg3 풍부 고려홍삼 추출액(KRG)이 알코올 유발성 신경독성으로 인하여 일어나는 PC12 세포의 세포 사멸을 억제 할 수 있는지, 그리고 KRG가 caspase 매개 경로와 관련된 몇 가지 인자들을 어떻게 조절하는지 확인하는 것이다. 그 방법으로, 우리는 PC12 세포에서의 세포 생존율과 세포 사멸율은 EZ-Cytox 세포 생존율 측정 kit와 유세포 분석기로 측정하였고, 세포 자멸 관련 단백질(Bcl-2, Bax, caspase-3)의 발현 정도를 Western blot기법으로 측정하였으며, 측정된 결과의 유의성을 ANOVA 분석법으로 확인하였다. 그 결과, KRG는 Bcl-2의 발현을 증가시키고, Bid와 Bax 및 caspase-3 발현을 저해하였고, 이를 통해 알코올로 유도된 PC12 세포의 세포 사멸을 억제하였다. 이러한 결과를 통해, KRG에 의해 유도된 Bcl-2 발현의 증가와 Bid 및 Bax 발현의 하향 조절이 caspase-3 발현을 하향 조절하고, 결국 미토콘드리아 세포 사멸 경로를 억제한다는 것을 결론내릴 수 있었다. 본 연구는 향 후, KRG가 신경 보호제 후보로서 개발할 가치가 있음을 제시하였다.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.479-483
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of E. coli isolated from porcine semen on sperm viability, motility, and semen pH. Semen samples were prepared using commercial extender, $Seminark^{Pro}$ (Noahbio Tech, Korea) that did not contain antibiotics. And 4 different levels of E. coli were artificially innoculated to semen with following concentrations; 4,000 of sperms with 1 of E. coli (T1), 400 with 1 (T2), 40 with 1 (T3), and 4 with 1 (T4). Semen samples were preserved at $17^{\circ}C$ for 5 days in semen storage box until analyzed by flowcytometer. Aliquots were subjected to measure the sperm viability (Live/$Dead^{(R)}$ stain), motility (mitochondrial function), and semen acidity (pH) from day 0 (day of semen collection) to day 5. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased (p<0.05) on day 0 (4 hrs after preservation at $17^{\circ}C$) in T3 and T4 compared to control groups and were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in all groups from day 3. Sample pH was acidic in T3 (6.90~6.86) and T4 (6.86~6.65) from day 3 to day 5 (p<0.05). On the other hand, sample pH was maintained 7.0~7.1 in control, T1, and T2 during the experimental period. Sperm motility and viability were significantly decreased from day 0 to day 5 compared to control in samples contaminated with E. coli above a value of 40:1 ($20{\times}10^6$ sperm cells/ml : $5{\times}10^5$ cfu/ml). Even on day 1 in T4 and on day 3 in T3, semen pH was acidic probably due to the acidification of dead spermatozoa. These results suggest that E. coli contamination has a concentration-dependent detrimental effect on extended porcine semen quality.

• 한국균학회소식:학술대회논문집
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• 한국균학회 2015년도 추계학술대회 및 정기총회
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• pp.41-41
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• 2015

Oomycetes belong to the kingdom Straminipila, a remarkably diverse group which includes brown algae and planktonic diatoms, although they have previously been classified under the kingdom Fungi. These organisms have evolved both saprophytic and pathogenic lifestyles, and more than 60% of the known species are pathogens on plants, the majority of which are classified into the order Peronosporales (includes downy mildews, Phytophthora, and Pythium). Recent phylogenetic investigations based on DNA sequences have revealed that the diversity of oomycetes has been largely underestimated. Although morphology is the most valuable criterion for their identification and diversity, morphological species identification is time-consuming and in some groups very difficult, especially for non-taxonomists. DNA barcoding is a fast and reliable tool for identification of species, enabling us to unravel the diversity and distribution of oomycetes. Accurate species determination of plant pathogens is a prerequisite for their control and quarantine, and further for assessing their potential threat to crops. The mitochondrial cox2 gene has been widely used for identification, taxonomy and phylogeny of various oomycete groups. However, recently the cox1 gene was proposed as a DNA barcode marker instead, together with ITS rDNA. To determine which out of cox1 or cox2 is best suited as universal oomycete barcode, we compared these two genes in terms of (1) PCR efficiency for 31 representative genera, as well as for historic herbarium specimens, and (2) in terms of sequence polymorphism, intra- and interspecific divergence. The primer sets for cox2 successfully amplified all oomycete genera tested, while cox1 failed to amplify three genera. In addition, cox2 exhibited higher PCR efficiency for historic herbarium specimens, providing easier access to barcoding type material. In addition, cox2 yielded higher species identification success, with higher interspecific and lower intraspecific divergences than cox1. Therefore, cox2 is suggested as a partner DNA barcode along with ITS rDNA instead of cox1. Including the two barcoding markers, ITS rDNA and cox2 mtDNA, the multi-locus phylogenetic analyses were performed to resolve two complex clades, Bremia lactucae (lettuce downy mildew) and Peronospora effuse (spinach downy mildew) at the species level and to infer evolutionary relationships within them. The approaches discriminated all currently accepted species and revealed several previously unrecognized lineages, which are specific to a host genus or species. The sequence polymorphisms were useful to develop a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for detection of airborne inoculum of B. lactucae and P. effusa. Specificity tests revealed that the qPCR assay is specific for detection of each species. This assay is sensitive, enabling detection of very low levels of inoculum that may be present in the field. Early detection of the pathogen, coupled with knowledge of other factors that favor downy mildew outbreaks, may enable disease forecasting for judicious timing of fungicide applications.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.376-384
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• 2023

Background: Hepatic lipid disorder impaired mitochondrial homeostasis and intracellular redox balance, triggering development of non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD), while effective therapeutic approach remains inadequate. Ginsenosides Rc has been reported to maintain glucose balance in adipose tissue, while its role in regulating lipid metabolism remain vacant. Thus, we investigated the function and mechanism of ginsenosides Rc in defending high fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD. Methods: Mice primary hepatocytes (MPHs) challenged with oleic acid & palmitic acid were used to test the effects of ginsenosides Rc on intracellular lipid metabolism. RNAseq and molecular docking study were performed to explore potential targets of ginsenosides Rc in defending lipid deposition. Wild type and liver specific sirtuin 6 (SIRT6, 50721) deficient mice on HFD for 12 weeks were subjected to different dose of ginsenosides Rc to determine the function and detailed mechanism in vivo. Results: We identified ginsenosides Rc as a novel SIRT6 activator via increasing its expression and deacetylase activity. Ginsenosides Rc defends OA&PA-induced lipid deposition in MPHs and protects mice against HFD-induced metabolic disorder in dosage dependent manner. Ginsenosides Rc (20mg/kg) injection improved glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, oxidative stress and inflammation response in HFD mice. Ginsenosides Rc treatment accelerates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α, 19013)-mediated fatty acid oxidation in vivo and in vitro. Hepatic specific SIRT6 deletion abolished ginsenoside Rc-derived protective effects against HFD-induced NAFLD. Conclusion: Ginsenosides Rc protects mice against HFD-induced hepatosteatosis by improving PPAR-α-mediated fatty acid oxidation and antioxidant capacity in a SIRT6 dependent manner, and providing a promising strategy for NAFLD.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.51-61
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• 2024

Objectives : This study induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by treating them with AA+iron and investigated the effects of forsythia suspensa extract on this stress, as well as elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying its hepatoprotective effects. Methods : To confirm the antioxidative effects of FSE, HepG2 cells were induced with AA+iron to induce oxidative stress, followed by MTT assay. Additionally, the effect of FSE in reducing the increased ROS levels and mitochondrial damage induced by AA+iron in HepG2 cells was confirmed using FACS. Furthermore, western blot analysis were conducted to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the hepatoprotective effects of FSE. Results : FSE increased the decreased cell viability induced by AA+iron. Additionally, FSE normalized the expression of apoptosis-related proteins induced by AA+iron. The elevated ROS levels in HepG2 cells induced by AA+iron were reduced by FSE, and the increase in Rh123-negative cells induced by AA+iron was attenuated by FSE. Moreover, FSE activated the protein expression of AMPK and its related phosphorylating enzymes, LKB1 and ACC. Furthermore, FSE activated YAP and its upstream phosphorylating enzyme, LATS1. Conclusions : These results demonstrate that FSE has an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress induced by AA+iron and may have potential hepatoprotective effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제17권9호
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• pp.4517-4525
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• 2016

Background: Sperm DNA damage is underlying aetiology of poor implantation and pregnancy rates but also affects health of offspring and may also result in denovo mutations in germ line and post fertilization. This may result in complex diseases, polygenic disorders and childhood cancers. Childhood cancer like retinoblastoma (RB) is more prevalent in developing countries and the incidence of RB has increased more than three fold in India in the last decade. Recent studies have documented increased incidence of cancers in children born to fathers who consume alcohol in excess and tobacco or who were conceived by assisted conception. The aetiology of childhood cancer and increased disease burden in these children is lin ked to oxidative stress (OS) and oxidative DNA damage( ODD) in sperm of their fathers. Though several antioxidants are in use to combat oxidative stress, the effect of majority of these formulations on DNA is not known. Yoga and meditation cause significant decline in OS and ODD and aid in regulating OS levels such that reactive oxygen speues meditated signal transduction, gene expression and several other physiological functions are not disrupted. Thus, this study aimed to analyze sperm ODD as a possible etiological factor in childhood cancer and role of simple life style interventions like yoga and meditation in significantly decreasing seminal oxidative stress and oxidative DNA damage and thereby decreasing incidence of childhood cancers. Materials and Methods: A total of 131 fathers of children with RB (non-familial sporadic heritable) and 50 controls (fathers of healthy children) were recruited at a tertiary center in India. Sperm parameters as per WHO 2010 guidelines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation index (DFI), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and telomere length were estimated at day 0, and after 3 and 6 months of intervention. We also examined the compliance with yoga and meditation practice and smoking status at each follow-up. Results: The seminal mean ROS levels (p<0.05), sperm DFI (p<0.001), 8-OHdG (p<0.01) levels were significantly higher in fathers of children with RB, as compared to controls and the relative mean telomere length in the sperm was shorter. Levels of ROS were significantly reduced in tobacco users (p<0.05) as well as in alcoholics (p<0.05) after intervention. DFI reduced significantly (p<0.05) after 6 months of yoga and meditation practice in all groups. The levels of oxidative DNA damage marker 8-OHdG were reduced significantly after 3 months (p<0.05) and 6 months (p<0.05) of practice. Conclusions: Our results suggest that OS and ODD DNA may contribute to the development of childhood cancer. This may be due to accumulation of oxidized mutagenic base 8OHdG, and elevated MDA levels which results in MDA dimers which are also mutagenic, aberrant methylation pattern, altered gene expression which affect cell proliferation and survival through activation of transcription factors. Increased mt DNA mutations and aberrant repair of mt and nuclear DNA due to highly truncatred DNA repair mechanisms all contribute to sperm genome hypermutability and persistant oxidative DNA damage. Oxidative stress is also associated with genome wide hypomethylation, telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction leading to genome hypermutability and instability. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report decline in OS and ODD and improvement in sperm DNA integrity following adoption of meditation and yoga based life style modification.This may reduce disease burden in next generation and reduce incidence of childhood cancers.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제18권1호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2018

목적: 유기산 대사이상 질환은 신경학적 증상과 증후를 포함하여 다양한 임상증상으로 나타날 수 있으며 때로는 생명을 위협할 수 있는 급성 악화로 발현될 수 있다. 따라서 이환된 환자들의 예후는 조기 진단과 치료에 의해 좌우된다. 탠덤매스검사의 도입 후 본원에 의뢰된 검체들을 분석하여 유기산 대사이상 질환의 진단율의 변화 및 연령별 분포와 임상양상을 알아보기 위해 본 연구를 시행하였다. 방법: 2007년 1월부터 2015년 9월까지 약 8년 9개월간 전국에 있는 대학병원에서 의뢰된 2,794례의 검체들을 이용하여 소변 유기산검사를 실시하였고 임상증상과 성별 및 연령군별 분포를 분석하여 정리하였다. 불확실한 결과를 보였던 환자들은 24시간 이상의 고단백 식사 후와 24시간 이상의 단백질 제한식사 후에 소변 유기산 분석을 재시행 하였다. 결과: 총 20가지 질환, 626례의 환자들이 진단되었는데, 사립체 질환이 482례로 가장 많이 진단되었고 그 뒤를 이어 케톤분해이상질환군 67례, 3-히드록시이소부티르산뇨증 32례, EPEMA 증후군 8례, 3-메틸크로토닐 글리신뇨증 7례, 글루타르산뇨증 II형 6례와 I형 4례, 메틸말론산뇨증, 이소발레린산뇨증, 중쇄 acyl-CoA 탈수소효소 결핍증이 각 3례 등이 진단되었다. 결론: 탠덤매스를 이용한 신생아 선별검사가 점차 보편화되고 의료환경의 변화로 인해, 이전의 보고와 비교했을 때 본 연구 기간동안의 유기산 대사이상 질환의 진단율은 다소 감소하였다. 유기산 대사이상 질환들은 다양한 증상들이 나타나고 종종 생명을 위협하는 상태로 발현되는 경우가 많다. 조기 진단과 처치를 통해 이런 급성 악화의 발현을 예방할 수 있기 때문에 진료현장에서 비특이적인 증상 및 신경학적 장애를 보이는 환자를 진료할 때 주의가 필요하다고 할 수 있겠다.

• 대한유전성대사질환학회지
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.20-25
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• 2019

Very-long-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (VLCAD) 결핍증은 상염색체 열성으로 유전되는 유전성대사질환으로 미토콘드리아에서 장쇄지방산의 산화 장애이다. VLCAD 결핍증의 임상증상은 중증도 및 발현 시기에 따라 심각한 심장 이상을 동반하는 신생아기 발현형, 소아기 발현형, 지발형의 세 가지로 분류할 수 있다. 저자들은 혈장 아실카르니틴 분석과 유전자패널 염기서열분석 방법으로 확진된 성인기 발현형 VLCAD 결핍증 1례를 경험하였기에 보고하고자 한다. 34세 여자가 반복되는 근육통증과 간헐적 횡문근융해증의 병력을 주소로 내원하였다. 환자는 12세에 처음으로 운동 후 횡문근융해증으로 급성 신부전이 발생하여 혈액 투석을 받고 회복하였다. 이후 환자는 장시간의 운동이나 금식 후에 반복적으로 근육통증과 횡문근융해증이 발생하였다. 내원 시 신체 검진과 신경학적 검진은 정상이었다. 내원시 혈장 AST/ALT, Creatinine kinase (CK)는 약간 상승해있었으나, 이전 의무기록에 의하면 횡문근융해증이 있을 당시 AST/ALT, CK는 매우 상승하였다. 환자의 병력을 토대로 지방산대사장애 의심하에 감별진단을 위하여, 유전자 패널 염기서열 분석과 혈장 아실카르니틴 분석을 시행하였다. 혈장 아실카르니틴 분석결과 C14:1 ($1.453{\mu}mol/L$; 참고치, 0.044-0.285)와 C14:2 ($0.323{\mu}mol/L$; 0.032-0.301)가 증가였고, C14 ($0.841{\mu}mol/L$; 0.065-0.920)는 높은 정상이었다. 유전자패널 염기서열분석에서는 ACADVL 유전자에서 두 개의 병원성변이가 이형접합으로 발견되었으며, 이는 Sanger 염기서열 분석으로 확진되었다: c.[1202G>A(;)1349G>A] (p.[(Ser401Asn)(;)(Arg 450His)]). 환자는 생화학적, 유전학적 검사결과를 바탕으로 지발형 VLCAD 결핍증으로 확진되어 저지방식이와 급성 대사장애를 예방하기 위한 영양 교육을 받았다. 경증의 지발형 지방산 대사장애는 임상증상과 생화학적 검사 이상이 간헐적으로 발생하기 때문에 진단이 어렵다. 유전자패널 염기서열 분석은 지방산대사 장애와 같이 임상증상과 원인 유전자 이상이 다양한 대사 이상질환에서 유용한 진단법이 될 수 있다.