• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.167-179
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• 2021

Objectives : Oxidative stress is a important cause of liver disease, and regulation of oxidative stress is essential to maintain the normal metabolic function of the liver. Until a recent date, there has been no studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Ikwiseungyang-tang (IWSYT). Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of IWSYT and its related molecular mechanisms on arachidonic acid (AA) + iron induced oxidative stress model in HepG2 cells. Methods : To determine the cytoprotective effect of IWSYT against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress, cell viability, apoptosis-related proteins, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), GSH, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was analyzed by immunoblot analysis. In addition, Nrf2 transcription activation through ARE binding was measured by reporter gene assays, and the expression of the Nrf2 target antioxidant genes were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Results : IWSYT increased cell viability from cell death induced by AA + Iron, and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis-related proteins. Furthermore, IWSYT protected cells by inhibiting intracellular ROS production, GSH depletion, and MMP degradation. Nrf2 activation was increased by IWSYT, and Nrf2 target genes were activated by IWSYT too. Conclusions : These results suggest that IWSYT can protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation and can be potentially applied in the prevention and treatment of liver damage.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.265-273
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• 2022

Resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs is a significant problem in the treatment of colorectal cancer, resulting in low response rates and decreased survival. Recent studies have shown that shikonin, a naphthoquinone derivative, promotes apoptosis in colon cancer cells and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cells, raising the possibility that this compound may be effective in drug-resistant colorectal cancer. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular mechanisms underpinning shikonin-induced apoptosis, with a focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in a 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer cell line, SNU-C5/5-FUR. Our results showed that shikonin significantly increased the proportion of sub-G₁ cells and DNA fragmentation and that shikonin-induced apoptosis is mediated by mitochondrial Ca²⁺ accumulation. Shikonin treatment also increased the expression of ER-related proteins, such as glucose regulatory protein 78 (GRP78), phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (PERK), phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 (eIF2α), phospho-phosphoinositol-requiring protein-1 (IRE1), spliced X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), cleaved caspase-12, and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP). In addition, siRNA-mediated knockdown of CHOP attenuated shikonin-induced apoptosis, as did the ER stress inhibitor TUDCA. These data suggest that ER stress is a key factor mediating the cytotoxic effect of shikonin in SNU-C5/5-FUR cells. Our findings provide an evidence for a mechanism in which ER stress leads to apoptosis in shikonin-treated SNU-C5/5-FUR cells. Our study provides evidence to support further investigations on shikonin as a therapeutic option for 5-fluorouracil-resistant colorectal cancer.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.518-525
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• 2023

Septin4 belong to a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins that are required for many cellular functions, such as membrane compartmentalization, vesicular trafficking, mitosis, and cytoskeletal remodeling. Since, Septin4 is expressed specifically in the testis, we aimed to determine the association between Septin4 gene expression with sperm quality, DNA damage, and stress oxidative level in infertile patients. The present study included 60 semen samples that grouped into three groups: normozoospermia (n=20), asthenozoospermia (n=20), astheno-teratozoospermia (n=20). Initially, semen parameters were analyzed by using the World Health Organization protocol. The mRNA expression of Septin4 in sperm was examined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Oxidative stress markers, i.e., total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde, were determined by ELISA kit. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). However, it showed significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels. In conclusion, Septin4 gene expression provides clinical useful information for the diagnosis of male infertility. It might be a marker for discrimination between fertile and infertile patients. The current study showed a statistically significant highly positive correlation in Septin4 gene expression with sperm motility, normal morphology, viability, capacity, and sperm MMP. However, it shows significant negative correlation with sperm DNA fragmentation. Septin4 had a significant correlation with stress oxidative factor and antioxidant enzyme levels.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권5호
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• pp.430-434
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Chronic hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress via accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and contributes to diabetic complications. Hyperglycemia induces mitochondrial superoxide anion production through the increased activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase. This study aimed to determine whether fisetin and luteolin treatments suppress the oxidative stress by modulating the expression of sirtuins (SIRTs) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) under hyperglycemic conditions in human monocytes. MATERIALS/METHODS: Human monocytic cells (THP-1) were cultured under osmotic control (14.5 mmol/L mannitol), normoglycemic (NG, 5.5 mmol/L glucose), or hyperglycemic (HG, 20 mmol/L glucose) conditions, in the absence or presence of fisetin and luteolin for 48 h. To determine the effect of fisetin and luteolin treatments on high glucose-induced oxidative stress, western blotting and intracellular staining were performed. RESULTS: Hyperglycemic conditions increased the ROS production, as compared to normoglycemic condition. However, fisetin and luteolin treatments inhibited ROS production under hyperglycemia. To obtain further insight into ROS production in hyperglycemic conditions, evaluation of p47phox expression revealed that fisetin and luteolin treatments inhibited p47phox expression under hyperglycemic conditions. Conversely, the expression levels of SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6, and FOXO3a were decreased under high glucose conditions compared to normal glucose conditions, but exposure to fisetin and luteolin induced the expression of SIRT1, SIRT3, SIRT6, and FOXO3a. The above findings suggest that fisetin and luteolin inhibited high glucose-induced ROS production in monocytes through the activation of SIRTs and FOXO3a. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study supports current researches that state fisetin and luteolin as potential agents for the development of novel strategies for diabetes.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.99-109
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• 2024

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the cytoprotective effect of Eriobotrya japonica L. (EJ) extract against Arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced oxidative stress. Methods : To confirm the cytoprotective effect of EJ against AA+iron-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells, it was evaluated by MTT assay, immunoblot anaylsis, and Calcein-AM/propidium iodide (PI) staining. Additionally, the mechanism of action of the cytoprotective effect was evaluated through molecular mechanisms. Results : EJ (100 ㎍/mL) inhibited Arachidonic acid (AA)+iron-induced cell death in a concentration-dependent manner. It also inhibited AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS production. EJ activated the LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway. Conclusions : In conclusion, EJ has the ability to protect liver cells from oxidative stress, indicating that it is related to AMPK-LKB1 signaling pathways.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.207-221
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• 2018

Objectives : Present study investigated hepatoprotective effect of Haegan-jeon extract (HE) and tried to elucidate molecular mechanism involved. According to molecular mechanism, present study optimized herbal composition of HE (op-HE) and compared in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of op-HE to HE. Methods : For in vitro experiments, HepG2 cells were exposed to arachidonic acid (AA, $10{\mu}M$) and iron ($5{\mu}M$) for inducing oxidative stress. Cell viability, GSH contents, $H_2O_2$ production, mitochondrial membrane potential, immunoblot and reporter gene assay were performed to investigate cytoprotective effects and responsible molecular mechanisms. For in vivo experiments, hepatoprotective effect of HE and op-HE were assessed on $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury mice model. Results : HE pretreatment prevented AA+iron-mediated hepatocytes apoptosis. In addition, AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, $H_2O_2$ production, glutathione depletion were reduced by HE pretreatment. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation, antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven reporter gene activity, and antioxidant genes expression were increased by HE. Based on reporter gene and MTT assays, we found that op-HE consisting three medicinal herbs also significantly increased transactivation of Nrf2 and reduced the AA+iron-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, in $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury mice model, HE-op had an ability to ameliorate $CCl_4-mediated$ increases in serum alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity, hepatic degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition. Hepatoprotective effects of op-HE were comparable to those of HE. Conclusions : Present study suggests that op-HE as well as HE exhibit hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-mediated liver injury via Nrf2 activation.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.287-294
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• 2011

Autophagy is a process of intracellular bulk protein degradation, in which the accumulated proteins and cytoplasmic organelles are degraded. It plays important roles in cellular homeostasis, apoptosis, and development, but its role during early embryo development remains contentious. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on early embryonic development in pigs, we also investigated several indicators of developmental potential, including mitochondrial distribution, genes expressions (autophagy-, apoptosis- related genes), apoptosis and ER-stress, which are affected by 3-MA. After in vitro maturation and fertilization, presumptive pig embryos were cultured in PZM-3 medium supplemented with 3-MA for 2 days at $39^{\circ}C$ 5% $CO_2$ in air. Developmental competence to the blastocyst stage in the presence of 3-MA was gradually decreased according to increasing concentration. Thus, all further experiments were performed using 2 mM 3-MA. Blastocysts that developed in the 3-MA treated group decreased LC3-II intensity and expressions of autophagy related genes than those of the untreated control, resulting in down-regulates the autophagy. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) showed that the number of containing fragmented DNA at the blastocyst stage increased in the 3-MA treated group compared with control ($6.0{\pm}1.0$ vs $3.3{\pm}0.6$, p<0.05). Also, the expression of the pro-apoptotic gene Bax increased in 3-MA treated group, whereas expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-XL decreased. Mito Tracker Green FM staining showed that blastocysts derived from the 3-MA treated group had lower mitochondrial integrity than that of the untreated control, resulting in decrease the embryonic qualities of preimplantation porcine blastocysts. Then, the expression of the spliced form of pXBP-1 product (pXBP-1s) increased in 3-MA treated group, resulting increase of ER-stress. Taken together, these results indicate that inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA is closely associated with apoptosis and ER-stress during preimplantation periods of porcine embryos.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제7권6호
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• pp.325-331
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• 2003

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP) inhibits electron transport in mitochondria, leading to a metabolic failure. In order to elucidate the mechanism underlying this toxicity, we examined a few biochemical changes possibly involved in the process, such as metabolic inhibition, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA strand breakage, and activation of Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Exposure of SK-N-BE(2)C neuroblastoma cells to 3-NP for 48 h caused actual cell death, while inhibition of mitochondrial function was readily observed when exposed for 24 h to low concentrations (0.2${\sim}$2 mM) of 3-NP. The earliest biochemical change detected with low concentration of 3-NP was an accumulation of ROS (4 h after 3-NP exposure) followed by degradation of DNA. PARP activation by damaged DNA was also detectable, but at a later time. The accumulation of ROS and DNA strand breakage were suppressed by the addition of glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), which also partially restored mitochondrial function and cell viability. In addition, inhibition of PARP also reduced the 3-NP-induced DNA strand breakage and cytotoxicity. These results suggest that oxidative stress and activation of PARP are the major factors in 3-NP-induced cytotoxicity, and that the inhibition of these factors may be useful in protecting neuroblastoma cells from 3-NP-induced toxicity.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제33권5호
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• pp.591-599
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• 2023

Fisetin is a bioactive flavonol molecule and has been shown to have antioxidant potential, but its efficacy has not been fully validated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective efficacy of fisetin on C2C12 murine myoblastjdusts under hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced oxidative damage. The results revealed that fisetin significantly weakened H₂O₂-induced cell viability inhibition and DNA damage while blocking reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Fisetin also significantly alleviated cell cycle arrest by H₂O₂ treatment through by reversing the upregulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 expression and the downregulation of cyclin A and B levels. In addition, fisetin significantly blocked apoptosis induced by H₂O₂ through increasing the Bcl-2/Bax ratio and attenuating mitochondrial damage, which was accompanied by inactivation of caspase-3 and suppression of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Furthermore, fisetin-induced nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of Nrf2 were related to the increased expression and activation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 myoblasts. However, the protective efficacy of fisetin on H₂O₂-mediated cytotoxicity, including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, were greatly offset when HO-1 activity was artificially inhibited. Therefore, our results indicate that fisetin as an Nrf2 activator effectively abrogated oxidative stress-mediated damage in C2C12 myoblasts.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권11호
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• pp.851-858
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• 2023

Unique cartilage matrix-associated protein (UCMA)은 γ-카르복실화(Gla) 잔기가 풍부한 간외 비타민 K 의존 단백질이다. UCMA는 조골세포 분화를 촉진하고 뼈 형성을 강화한다고 보고되고 있지만 고혈당 스트레스 하에서 조골세포에 미치는 영향에 대해서는 아직 알려진 바가 없다. 본 연구에서는 고혈당 조건하에서의 MC3T3-E1 조골세포에서 UCMA 효과를 조사하기 위해 MC3T3-E1 조골세포를 높은 포도당에 노출한 후 재조합 UCMA 단백질을 처리하였다. MC3T3-E1 세포에서 활성 산소종(ROS)의 생성은 고혈당 조건하에서 증가했으나 UCMA 단백질 처리 후 감소했음을 CellROX 및 MitoSOX 염색으로 확인하였다. 또한 고혈당 조건에서 UCMA 단백질을 함께 처리한 MC3T3-E1 세포에서 정량적 중합효소 연쇄반응 결과, 항산화 유전자인 nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 와 superoxide dismutase 1 발현이 증가하였다. 동일 조건하에서 UCMA 단백질 처리에 의해 heme oxygenase-1 발현 감소와 함께 세포질에서 핵으로의 전위가 감소되었고, 미토콘드리아 분열에 관여하는 dynamin-related protein 1 발현이 증가하였으며, AKT 신호 활성은 억제되었다. 종합적으로 UCMA는 고혈당에 노출된 조골세포에서 ROS 생성을 완화하고, 항산화 유전자 발현을 증가시키고, 미토콘드리아 역학에 영향을 미치며, AKT 신호를 조절하는 것으로 보인다. 본 연구는 UCMA의 세포 메커니즘에 대한 이해를 돕고, 대사 장애 관련한 골 합병증에 대한 새로운 치료제로서의 잠재적 사용 가능성을 제시하고 있다.