• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.272-281
• /
• 2019

Background: Diabetic sensorineural damage is a complication of the sensory neural system, resulting from long-term hyperglycemia. Red ginseng (RG) has shown efficacy for treatment of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus; however, there is little research about its benefit for treating sensorineural damage. Therefore, we aim to evaluate RG efficacy in alloxan-induced diabetic neuromast (AIDN) zebrafish. Methods: In this study, we developed and validated an AIDN zebrafish model. To assess RG effectiveness, we observed morphological changes in live neuromast zebrafish. Also, zebrafish has been observed to have an ultrastructure of hair-cell cilia under scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we recorded these physiological traits to assess hair cell function. Finally, we confirmed that RG promoted neuromast recovery via nerve growth factor signaling pathway markers. Results: First, we established an AIDN zebrafish model. Using this model, we showed via live neuromast imaging that RG fostered recovery of sensorineural damage. Damaged hair cell cilia were recovered in AIDN zebrafish. Furthermore, RG rescued damaged hair cell function through cell membrane ion balance. Conclusion: Our data suggest that RG potentially facilitates recovery in AIDN zebrafish, and its mechanism seems to be promotion of the nerve growth factor pathway through increased expression of topomyosin receptor kinase A, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily type 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.101-107
• /
• 2010

Metal ions are essential to life. However, some metals such as mercury are harmful, even when present at trace amounts. Toxicity of mercury arises mainly from its oxidizing properties. Ionizing radiation (IR) is an active tool for destruction of cancer cells and diagnosis of diseases, etc. IR induces DNA double strand breaks in the nucleus, In addition, it causes lipid peroxidation, ceramide generation, and protein oxidation in the membrane, cytoplasm and nucleus. Yeasts have been a commonly used material in biological research. In yeasts, the physiological response to changing environmental conditions is controlled by the cell types. Growth rate, mutation and environmental conditions affect cell size and shape distributions. In this work, the effect of IR and mercury chloride (II) on the morphology of yeast cells were investigated. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells were treated with IR, mercury chloride (II) and IR combined with mercury chloride (II). Non-treated cells were used as a control group. Morphological changes were observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The half-lethal condition from the previous experimental results was used to the IR combined with mercury. Yeast cells were exposed to 400 and 800 Gy at dose rates of 400Gy $hr^{-1}$ or 800 Gy $hr^{-1}$, respectively. Yeast cells were treated with 0.05 to 0.15 mM mercury chloride (II). Oxidative stress can damage cellular membranes through a lipidic peroxidation. This effect was detected in this work, after treatment of IR and mercury chloride (II). The cell morphology was modified more at high doses of IR and high concentrations of mercury chloride(II). IR and mercury chloride (II) were of the oxidative stress. Cell morphology was modified differently according to the way of oxidative stress treatment. Moreover, morphological changes in the cell membrane were more observable in the frequently stress treated cells than the temporarily stress treated cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.138-150
• /
• 2004

Objectives : Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a geriatric dementia that is widespread in old age. In the near future AD will be the biggest problem in public health service. Although a variety of oriental prescriptions, including Sesim-tang, have been traditionally utilized for the treatment of AD, their pharmacological effects and action mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of Sesim-tang on apoptotic cell death induced by CT105 (carboxy terminal 105 amino acid peptide fragment of APP) overexpression in SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cell lines. Methods: We studied the regenerative and inhibitory effects on Alzheimer's disease in CT105-induced SK-N-SH cell lines by Sesim-tang water extract. We examined for cell morphological pattern, DNA fragmentation, LDH activity assay, zymography assay, and immunohistochemistric analysis. Additionally, we investigated the association between the CT105 and neurite degeneration caused by CT105-induced apoptotic response in neurone cells. Results: Findings from our experiments have shown that Sesim-tang inhibits the synthesis or activities of CT105, which has neurotoxicities and apoptotic activities in the cell line. In addition, pretreatment with Sesim-tang ($>50\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ for 12 hours) partially prevented CT105-induced cytotoxicity in SK-N-SH cell lines. SK-N-SH cell lines overexpressed with CT105 exhibited remarkable apoptotic cell damage. Based on morphological observations by phase-contrast microscope and LDH activity measurements in the culture media, the CT105-induced cell death was significantly inhibited by Sesim-tang water extract. Sesim-tang was found to reduce the expression of APP and caspase-3 induced by CT105 in SK-N-SH cell lines and in rat hippocampus. Conclusions: As the result of this study, in the Sesim-tang group, apoptosis in the nervous system is inhibited, the repair against the degeneration of SK-N-SH cell lines by CT105 expression is promoted. Hence, Sesim-tang may be beneficial for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.1030-1041
• /
• 2016

Objectives: This study investigated the administration of Jeungmiyijin-tang (JYT) to rats with reflux esophagitis (RE) induced by pylorus and forestomach ligation operations. Methods: Twenty laboratory rats were divided into three groups with 5~7 rats in each group. The control group consisted of rats with no inflammation (CON). The RE group had rats with gastroesophageal reflux elicited by pylorus and forestomach ligation operations. The JYT group had rats that were orally administered Jeungmiyijin-tang (1.5 ml/day/300 g) once a day for 14 days before reflux esophagitis was induced by the pylorus and forestomach ligation operations. Six hours after the operations, the rats were sacrificed, morphological changes were observed, and histological examinations were done in the stomach and esophagus lesion areas. If apoptosis was observed, the apoptotic cells in the esophagus lesion areas were counted. Results: The morphological and histochemical changes consisted of various injuries from hemorrhagic erosion in the RE group, while there were significantly fewer in the JYT group. The RE group marked increases of gastric mucosa erosion and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the submucosa, as well as cell division in the epithelial layer, the proliferation and degranulation of mast cells, and increases in the IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and MMP-9 expressions in the esophagus of the rats. The JYT group was inhibited above expression compared with the RE group. Apoptosis was statistically significantly decreased in the JYT group compared with the RE group. Conclusions: According to the above results, it appears that Jeungmiyijin-tang inhibits the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and MMP-9) and apoptosis in the esophagus mucosa, thereby preventing esophageal mucosal damage from esophageal reflux.

• Applied Microscopy
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.49-56
• /
• 2009

In this study, we investigated tensile properties and ultrastructural changes of straight permed hair using the rheometer and the scanning electron microscopy. First, we compared the morphological characteristic between the virgin hair and the straight permed hair after testing tensile strength. Cuticle cells were heavily lifted off in straight permed hair than in the virgin hair. Cuticle cells were separated by the destruction of intercellular membrane complex and no destruction or damage were found in cytoplasm. In the comparative test for tensile characteristic between the virgin hair and the straight permed hair, tensile distance of the straight permed hair was decreased by 24.5% or 3.05 mm than the virgin hair. The tensile strength was decreased by 34.63% or $5.62\;g/cm^2$ and the maximum stress by 34.59% or 56.12 g. As a result, the tensile property dropped to the lowest level with the straight permed hair than with the bleached hair or the permanent dyed hair of previous studies.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.125-130
• /
• 2006

The number of the living endothelial cells and the shape of those are very import clinical parameters for the evaluation of the quality of cornea. In this paper, we developed the automated endothelial cell counting and shape analysis algorithm for a confocal microscope. Since, the endothelial images from the confocal microscope has a non-uniform illumination and low contrast between cell boundaries and cell bodies, it is very difficult to segment the cells from the endothelial images. To cope with these difficulties, we proposed the new two stage image processing algorithm. At first stage algorithm, we used a high-pass filter and histogram equalization to compensate the non-uniform brightness pattern and a morphological filter and a watershed method are applied to detect the boundary of cells. From this stage, we could count the number of cells in an endothelial image. At second stage algorithm, we used a Voronoi diagram method to classify the shape of cells. This cell shape analysis and the percent of hexagonal cells are very sensitive in detecting the early endothelium damage. To evaluate the performance of the proposed system, we p개cessed seven endothelial images obtained using a confocal microscope. The proposed system correctly counted 95.5% cells and classified 92.0% of hexagonal cell shapes. This result is better than any others in this research area.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.84-92
• /
• 1983

In order to investigate the effect of autoxidized oil on the enzyme activity in the mouse liver, we administered the fixed dosage of autoxidized methyl linoleate (AOML) to mice once per day for 20 days by using stomach tube and investigated the enzyme activity with the histochemical staining method and biochemical analysis. The following results were obtained: The POV, COV and TBA value in the liver of AOML group were significantly increased than those of normal group. The phospholipid, triglyceride and total cholesterol in the liver of AOML group were slightly increased than those of normal group. The activities of acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the liver of AOML group were increased than those of normal group but ATPase activity was decreased in the AOML group. The decrease of RNA, accumulation of fat and damage of liver cells were observed as the morphological changes in the liver of AOML group. From the results obtained we conclude that the autoxidized methyl linoleate influenced upon the various enzyme activity and the morphological changes in the mouse liver.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.213-218
• /
• 2015

In the study for a differentiation and development of spermatogonial cells, the researchers should commonly require a simple, fast and reasonable method that could evaluate the developmental stage of male germ cells without any damage and also relentlessly culture them so far as a cell stage aiming at experimental applications. For developing the efficient method to identify the stage of sperm cells, the morphological characteristics of sperm cells were investigated by staining the cells with blue fluorescent dye Hoechst 33258, and a criterion for male germ cell classification was elicited from results of the previous investigation, then the efficiency of the criterion was verified by applying it to assort the germ cells recovered from male mice in age from 6 to 35 days. As morphological characteristics, spermatogonia significantly differed from spermatocytes in size, appearance and fluorescent patches of nucleus, and spermatids could also be distinguished from spermatozoa by making a difference in the volume and shape of nucleus and the shape and fluorescence of tail. Aforesaid criterion was applicable for classifying in vitro cultured sperm cells by verifying its efficiency and propriety for assorting the stages of testicular germ cells. However, the fluorescent staining showed that germ cells in mouse testis should be dramatically differentiated and developed at 21 days and 35 days of age, which were known as times of sexual puberty and maturity in male mice, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicated that this simple criterion for sperm cell classification using fluorescence staining with Hoechst 33258 may be highly efficient and reasonable for spermatogenesis study.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1015-1022
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to examine the effects of dietary xylooligosaccharides on hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity and morphological exchange of liver in rats fed high fat diet. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100 $\pm$ 10 g were randomly divided into four groups, two normal diets and two high fat diets containing 1% cholesterol and 10% lard. Two normal diets were classified into a basal diet (normal group) and 10% xylooligosaccharide diet (NX group). The high fat diet groups were classified into a HF group without xylooligosaccharides diet and HFX group supplemented 10% xylooligosacchride diet. Experimental diets were fed ad libidum to the rats for 4 weeks and then they were sacrificed. The body weight of high fat diet (HF group) was increased more than that of normal group, but it was significantly decreased by xylooligosacchrides supplementation. The food intake was not significantly different among the all groups. The weight of liver, small intestine and cecum of all xylooligosaccharide supplemented groups were significantly heavier than those of normal and HF groups. The activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase, a rate limiting enzyme of cholesterol biosynthesis, in xylooligosaccharide supplemented groups was higher than that of HF group. Light micrographs revealed that the structures of hepatocytes in xylooligosaccharide supplemented groups were preserved well, compared to HF group. The xylooligosaccharide supplementation exerted a lipid-lowering action by decreasing cholesterol and triglycerides contents in hepatic tissue. In conclusion, the activity of hepatic HMG-CoA reductase and damage of liver in rats fed high fat diets were improved by dietary xylooligosaccharides.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.163-170
• /
• 2020

Background: Gut microflora contributes to the nutritional metabolism of the host and to strengthen its immune system. However, if the intestinal barrier function of the living body is destroyed by radiation exposure, the intestinal bacteria harm the health of the host and cause sepsis. Therefore, this study aims to trace short-term radiation-induced changes in the mouse gut microflora-dominant bacterial genus, and analyze the degree of intestinal epithelial damage. Materials and Methods: Mice were irradiated with 0, 2, 4, 8 Gy X-rays, and the gut microflora and intestinal epithelial changes were analyzed 72 hours later. Five representative genera of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were analyzed in fecal samples, and the intestine was pathologically analyzed by Hematoxylin-Eosin and Alcian blue staining. In addition, DNA fragmentation was evaluated by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results and Discussion: The small intestine showed shortened villi and reduced number of goblet cells upon 8 Gy irradiation. The large intestine epithelium showed no significant morphological changes, but the number of goblet cells were reduced in a radiation dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the small intestinal epithelium of 8 Gy-irradiated mice showed significant DNA damaged, whereas the large intestine epithelium was damaged in a dose-dependent manner. Overall, the large intestine epithelium showed less recovery potential upon radiation exposure than the small intestinal epithelium. Analysis of the intestinal flora revealed fluctuations in lactic acid bacteria excretion after irradiation regardless of the morphological changes of intestinal epithelium. Altogether, it became clear that radiation exposure could cause an immediate change of their excretion. Conclusion: This study revealed changes in the intestinal epithelium and intestinal microbiota that may pave the way for the identification of novel biomarkers of radiation-induced gastrointestinal disorders and develop new therapeutic strategies to treat patients with acute radiation syndrome.