• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.123-132
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• 2008

Objective: In this study, the author tried to investigate whether revised Seonbangpaedok-tang (SPT) and Sigyeongcheongpye-tang (SCT) significantly effects both PMA-induced mucin production and MUC5AC gene expression from airway epithelial cells. Objective: In this study, the author tried to investigate whether revised Seonbangpaedok-tang (SPT) and Sigyeongcheongpye-tang (SCT) significantly affects both PMA-induced mucin production and MUC5AC gene expression from airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of SPT and SCT and treated with PMA (10 ng/$m{\ell}$), to assess the effects of the agents on PMA-induced mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, the effects of the agents on PMA-induced MUC5AC gene expression from the same cells were investigated. Possible cytotoxicities of the agent were assessed by measuring the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells after treatment of agents during 48 hrs. Results: (1) SPT and SCT did not show significant cytotoxicity to NCI-H292 cells; (2) SPT significantly inhibitedthe expression levels of PMA-induced MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells. SCT slightly decreased the expression levels of PMA-induced MUC5AC gene; (3) SPT significantly decreased PMA-induced mucin production from NCI-H292 cells. However, SCT did not affect mucin production. Conclusion: Theseresults suggest that SPT can not only affect the production of mucin but also the expression of the mucin gene and this explains the traditional use of SPT in oriental medicine. The effects of SPT and SCT with their components should be further investigated using animal experimental models that reflect pathophysiology of airway diseases via ongoing studies.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.191-200
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• 2014

We investigated the anxiolytic-like activity of ${\alpha}$-asarone (AAS) from Acorus gramineus in an experimental rat model of anxiety induced by repeated administration of the exogenous stress hormone corticosterone (CORT). The putative anxiolytic effect of AAS was studied in behavioral tests of anxiety, such as the elevated plus maze (EPM) test and the hole-board test (HBT) in rats. For 21 consecutive days, male rats received 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg AAS (i.p.) 30 min prior to a daily injection of CORT. Dysregulation of the HPA axis in response to the repeated CORT injections was confirmed by measuring serum levels of CORT and the expression of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) in the hypothalamus. Daily AAS (200 mg/kg) administration increased open-arm exploration significantly in the EPM test, and it increased the duration of head dipping activity in the HBT. It also blocked the increase in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the locus coeruleus (LC) and decreased mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus. These results indicated that the administration of AAS prior to high-dose exogenous CORT significantly improved anxiety-like behaviors, which are associated with modification of the central noradrenergic system and with BDNF function in rats. The current finding may improve understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for changes in emotions induced by repeated administration of high doses of CORT or by elevated levels of hormones associated with chronic stress. Thus, AAS did exhibit an anxiolytic-like effects in animal models of anxiety.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.267-271
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Overproduction of nitric oxide (NO) by the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzyme can cause inflammation. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is also involved in the inflammatory response through regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B $NF-{\kappa}B$(). Areca catechu is one of the known fruit plants of the Palmaceae family. It has been used for a long time as a source of herbal medicine in Indonesia. In this study, we explored the effect of Indonesian Areca catechu leaf ethanol extract (ACE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation and carrageenan-induced paw edema models. Recently, this natural extract has been in the spotlight because of its efficacy and limited or no toxic side effects. However, the mechanism underlying its anti-inflammatory effect remains to be elucidated. MATERIALS/METHODS: We measured NO production by using the Griess reagent, and determined the expression levels of inflammation-related proteins, such as iNOS, COX2, and $NF-{\kappa}B$, by western blot. To confirm the effect of ACE in vivo, we used the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. RESULTS: Compared to untreated cells, LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells treated with ACE showed reduced NO generation and reduced iNOS and COX-2 expression. We found that the acute inflammatory response was significantly reduced by ACE in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results suggest that ACE can inhibit inflammation and modulate NO generation via downregulation of iNOS levels and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling in vitro and in vivo. ACE may have a potential medical benefit as an anti-inflammation agent.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2012

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the different patterns of bone loss between the lumbar spine and the femur after ovariectomy in rats. Methods : Twenty-four female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent a sham operation (the sham group) or bilateral ovariectomy (the ovariectomized group). Four and eight weeks after operation, six rats from each of the two groups were euthanized. Serum biochemical markers of bone turnover including osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which are sensitive biochemical markers of bone formation, and the telopeptide fragment of type I collagen C-terminus (CTX), which is a sensitive biochemical marker of bone resorption, were analyzed. Bone histomorphometric parameters of the 4th lumbar vertebrae and femur were determined by micro-computed tomography. Results : Ovariectomized rats were found to have higher osteocalcin, ALP and CTX levels than sham controls. Additionally, 8 weeks after ovariectomy in the OVX group, serum levels of osteocalcin, ALP and CTX were significantly higher than those of 4 weeks after ovariectomy. Bone loss after ovariectomy was more extensive in the 4th lumbar spine compared to the femur. Bone loss in the 4th lumbar spine was mainly caused by trabecular thinning, but in the femur, it was mainly caused by trabecular elimination. Conclusion : The present study demonstrates different patterns of bone loss between the 4th lumbar spine and the femur in ovariectomized rats. Therefore, when considering animal models of osteoporosis, it is important that bone sites should be taken into account.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.356-368
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• 2020

Purpose: Histidine-containing dipeptides, which are rich in chicken, have been reported to reduce the risk of metabolic abnormalities via anticarbonylation mechanism in animal models. To determine the effect of dietary histidine-containing dipeptides on metabolic risk factors in humans, the relation between chicken consumption and insulin resistance were determined in a population consuming high carbohydrate and low protein. Methods: A total of 7,183 subjects (2,929 men and 4,254 women) aged ≥ 50 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were divided into three groups according to chicken consumption (rarely, monthly, and weekly), and evaluated for the metabolic risk factors using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in this cross-sectional study. The fourth and fifth (IV-1-3 & V-1) KNHANES, which had blood insulin data, were chosen for the current study. Results: The chicken consumption was significantly associated with insulin (p for trend = 0.018) and HOMA-IR (p for trend = 0.023) in men. In particular, the 'weekly' chicken consuming men in the lowest tertile (< 65.0%) of carbohydrate intake group had significantly lower HOMA-IR (p for trend = 0.033) and higher QUICKI (p for trend = 0.043) than the 'rarely' intake group. In addition, the odds ratio for abnormal HOMA-IR was 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.99) and QUICKI was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.26-0.86) for the 'weekly' chicken consuming group. Conclusion: The 'weekly' chicken consumption had a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and it may partially be due to the major bioactive components in chicken, histidine-containing dipeptides.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.204-210
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• 2014

The brown alga Saccharina japonica is consumed as a foodstuff in many countries. Carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) is a potent hepatotoxin that is used to assess hepatotoxicity in animal models. This study assessed the protective effect of S. japonica extract (SJE) on $CCl_4$-induced acute liver injury in rats. Experimental rats were divided into the following three groups: control, $CCl_4$, and $CCl_4$+SJE; the latter two groups were given 150 or 300 mg SJE/kg orally for 10 days. Three hours after the final treatment, all rats-except for those in the control group-were administered intraperitoneal injections of $CCl_4$. One day later, blood and liver samples were collected for evaluation biomarker of levels. Aspartate transaminase (APT; GPT) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT; GOT) levels were markedly lower in the $CCl_4$+SJE group than the $CCl_4$ group. The hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of the $CCl_4$+SJE group was significantly lower than that of the $CCl_4$ group. In comparison, glutathione S-transferase (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels were significantly higher in the $CCl_4$+SJE group. Western blotting revealed that SJE attenuated the $CCl_4$-induced EGFR and MAPK activity in the liver. Thus, we conclude that SJE protects against $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.750-755
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• 2005

Hepcidin, a peptide hormone synthesized mainly by the liver, has been implicated as a key regulator of iron homeostasis. Results from studies with experimental animal models suggested that hepcidin levels are related with body iron status, but little data is available in human subjects. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum pro-hepcidin levels, blood indexes of anemia, and dietary iron intake in female college students. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in eighty-two women with $22.1\pm0.2$ years old. Dietary intake data were collected by using the 24-hour recall method for 3 days. Mean concentrations of serum pro-hepcidin were 85.1 ng/ml$\pm$6.1(s.d.) with the range of 13.6-295.7 ng/ml. The median value of serum pro-hepcidin in the study subjects was 70.3 ng/ml. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were positively correlated with hemoglobin concentrations (r=0.273, p=0.013), and also with hematocrit (r=0.291, p=0.008). To examine whether the level of dietary iron intake affects serum pro-hepcidin levels, study subjects were divided into two groups according to the amounts of daily iron intake. Serum pro-hepcidin concentrations were $22\%$ lower in groups with low iron intake (${\leq}10.1$ mg/day), compared to high-iron intake group (>10.1 mg/day) . In conclusion, these data, as in agreement with findings in mice, suggest that hepcidin plays an important role in regulating iron metabolism in the human body.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.425-436
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• 2003

The present study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of common Korean legumes as a high-fiber supplement in therapeutic diets for diabetic patients. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used as animal models and four kinds of legumes, black soybean (BS), yellow soybean (YS), green pea (GP) and soybean curd residue (SCR) were tested as high-fiber supplements. Seven groups of normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were fed isocaloric experimental diets containing 8％ dietary fiber from one of four legumes or purified cellulose and pectin for 6 weeks. The effects of the legumes on the glucose and lipid metabolism of diabetic rats was examined and compared with the effects of cellulose and pectin. The legume supplementation did not show any beneficial effect on glucose tolerance, however, it exhibited a plasma cholesterol-lowering effect in diabetic rats. The cholesterol-lowering action was especially strong in BS and the degree of the effect was comparable to that of pectin. The levels of total lipids, cholesterol, and triglyceride in the hepatic tissues of rats fed legume diets were similar to those of the pectin group. All legume supplements induced an increase in fecal steroid excretion. The fecal cholesterol contents were significantly high following the supplementations of YS and SCR (p < 0.05). The excretion of fecal bile acids in the BS and YS groups was significantly higher than it was in the pectin group (p < 0.05). Concentration of lipid peroxidation products in the blood and urine of diabetic animals was lower in the legume groups than in the cellulose group. The levels of hepatic lipid peroxidation products were significantly lower in the BS and YS groups than in the pectin group (p < 0.05). From the results of this study, the plasma cholesterol-lowering effect of BS is possibly due to the significant (p < 0.05) in-crease in fecal steroid excretion, which suggests that BS could be beneficial in improving abnormal lipid metabolism in diabetic rats. (Korean J Nutrition 36(5): 425∼436, 2003)

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.287-292
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• 2005

Objective: Recent clinical studies have demonstrated that intracisternal administration of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rt-PA) can facilitate the normal clearing of blood from the subarachnoid space. Urokinase, a first generation fibrinolytic agent, has been used to liquify such clots with some success. Therefore, recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, a second generation fibrinolytic drug that may be safer and more effective, is studied to evaluate its dosage to lyse clots in vitro and reactivity in the brain parenchyme. Methods: Intracerebral hematomas were created by stereotactically injecting 2ml of clotted autogenous blood into the brain parenchyme of total 28 anesthetized adult cats (weighting 3.8 to 4.1 kg). The control animals (group A) received 1 ml of normal saline injected into the clots and the experimental animals received each 0.1 mg of rt-PA (group B), 0.5mg of rt-PA (group C) and 1 mg of rt-PA (group D) at 6 hours after the clot injection. Results: 1. The amount of remained clots after lysing the hematomas were as follows: $1.80{\pm}0.17ml$ in group A, $1.65{\pm}0.23ml$ in group B, $0.61{\pm}0.37ml$ in group C and $0.52{\pm}0.34$ in group D. The result indicated that hematomas in rt-PA treated groups (C & D) were lysed better than the control group. 2. At least 0.5mg of rt-PA should be required for the lysis of 2ml of hematomas. 3. Light microscopic examination revealed no histological evidence of hemorrhage in tissue sections from each brain. Conclusion: Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator may be safely and effectively employed for the lysis of intracerebral hematomas in animal model.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.482-486
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• 2016

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom with a variety of biological activities. It has reported to have strong anti-cancer, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. EBV+ gastric carcinoma is one of the most common EBV-associated cancers that were caused by latent EBV infection. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of ethanol extract of I. obliquus using in vivo xenograft animal models implanted with EBV+ human gastric carcinoma (SNU719). We also explored the molecular mechanisms responsible for its anti-cancer activity. The result indicated that the extract of I. obliquus had an anti-cancer effect in in vivo xenograft mice with EBV+ gastric carcinoma (SNU719). Extract of I. obliquus also showed a great effect on inducing the expression of p53, p21 and Bax in tumor tissue derived from EBV+ human gastric carcinoma, and these were correlated with increased expressions of the cleaved forms of caspase-9 and Parp. Also, I. obliquus attenuated the expression of viral proteins, BZLF-1 and LMP-2 in tumor tissue from EBV+ human gastric carcinoma.