• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.40-59
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos in vitro, which has been frequently used in inflammatory diseases. Methods: In this experiment, the anti-inflammatory effects of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos were evaluated by checking the following substances of LPS-activated Raw264.7 cell: Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), Nitric oxide (NO), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible Nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Interlukine-1β (IL-1β), Interlukine-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Inhibitor of kappa B-α (IκBα), Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). And additionally measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) and free radicals to check the antioxidant effect of ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos which affect inflammatory responses. Results: As a result of measuring anti-inflammatory efficacy, PGE2, NO, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α production amounts were reduced in the ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos groups compared with the control group, and decreased the amount of COX-2 mRNA, iNOS mRNA gene expression. Expression of MAPK (ERK, JNK, p38) pathway was decreased. Expression of IκBα was increased and NF-κB was decreased. It is demonstrated that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos, by reducing NF-κB, regulate the expression of the inflammatory genes and reduce the inflammatory mediators. Ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos also decreased ROS production and free radicals, which shown to have antioxidant efficacy and influence anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: These data suggest that ethanol extracts from Forsythia viridissima Lindley's fructus and Lonicera japonica Thunberg's flos can be used to treat various inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1500-1508
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• 2008

The author investigated whether Chwiyeon-tang(PC), Haengso-tang(PH), Jawanchihyo-san(PJ) and Gamisocheongryong-tang(PS) significantly affect both PMA-induced mucin production and MUC5AC gene expression in airway epithelial cells and sulfur-dioxide-induced airway goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion animal model using rat. Possible cytotoxicity of each herbal medicine was assessed by measuring the survival and proliferation rate of NCI-H292 cells. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of PC, PH, PJ and PS, respectively, and treated with PMA(10 $ng/m{\ell}$), to assess the effect of each herbal medicine on PMA-induced mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Effects of each herbal medicine on PMA-induced MUC5AC gene expression from the same cells were investigated. Also, hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia were induced by exposure of rats to $SO_2$ during 3 weeks. Effects of orally-administered PC, PH, PJ and PS during 1 week on intraepithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of goblet cells were examined using histological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with PAS-alcian blue. (1) PC, PJ, PS and PH did not show significant effects on the survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells ; (2) PC, PJ and PS significantly decreased PMA-induced mucin production from NCI-H292 cells ; (3) PC, PJ and PS significantly inhibit the expression levels of PMA-induced MUC5AC gene in NCI-H292 cells ; (4) Among PC, PJ, PS and PH, only PS decreased $SO_2$-induced hyperplasia of airway goblet cells and intraepithelial mucosubstances. This result suggests that PC, PJ and PS can not only affect the production of mucin but also affect the expression of mucin gene and this can explain, at least in part, the traditional use of PC, PJ and PS for controlling airway diseases showing hypersecretion of mucus in oriental medicine.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.783-796
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• 1997

The relaxation induced by stimulation of the inhibitory non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (iNANC) nerve is mediated by the release of iNANC neurotransmitters such as nitric oxide (NO), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The mechanisms of NO, VIP or ATP-induced relaxation have been partly determined in previous studies, but the detailed mechanism remains unknown. We tried to identify the nature of iNANC neurotransmitters in the smooth muscle of guinea pig ileum and to determine the mechanism of the inhibitory effect of nitric oxide. We measured the effect of NO-donors VIP and ATP on the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration$([Ca^{2+}]_i)$, by means of a fluorescence dye(fura 2) and tension simultaneously in the isolated guinea pig ileal smooth muscle. Following are the results obtained. 1. Sodium nitroprusside $(SNP:10^{-5}\;M)$ or S -nitro-N-acetyl-penicillamine $(SNP:10^{-5}\;M)$ decreased resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ I and tension of muscle. SNP or SNAP also inhibited rhythmic oscillation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension. In 40mM $K^+$ solution or carbachol ($(CCh:10^{-6}\;M)$-induced precontracted muscle, SNP decreased muscle tension. VIP did not change $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension in the resting or precontracted muscle, but ATP increased resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension in the resting muscle. 2. 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazol(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one $(ODQ:1\;{\mu}M)$, a specific inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase, limited the inhibitory effect of SNP 3. Glibenclamide $(10\;{\mu}M)$, a blocker of $K_{ATP}$ channel, and 4-aminopyridine (4-AP:5 mM), a blocker of delayed rectifier K channel, apamin $(0.1\;{\mu}M)$, a blocker of small conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel had no effect on the inhibitory effect of SNP. Iberiotoxin $(0.1\;{\mu}M)$, a blocker of large conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel, significantly increased the resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$, and tension, and limited the inhibitory effect of SNP. 4. Nifedipine $(1\;{\mu}M)$ or elimination of external $Ca^{2+}$ decreased not only resting $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension but also oscillation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension. Ryanodine $(5\;{\mu}M)$ and cyclopiazonic acid $(10\;{\mu}M)$ decreased oscillation of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension. 5. SNP decreased $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile protein. In conclusion, these results suggest that 1) NO is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the guinea pig ileum, 2) the inhibitory effect of SNP on the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and tension of the muscle is due to a decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ by activation of the large conductance $K_{Ca}$ channel and a decrease in the sensitivity of contractile elements to $Ca^{2+}$ through activation of G-kinase.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.91-97
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the mechanism of inhibition of chondrogenic differentiation by X-irradiation. Cultures of chick limb bud mesenchymal cells were exposed to various dose of X-ray and chondrogenesis was examined. X-irradiation inhibited accumulation of proteoglycan based on the observation of alcian blue staining and expression of chondorcyte specific-type II collagen. X-irradiation also inhibited expression of protein kinase $C{\alpha}$ while expression of $PKC{\lambda}({\iota}),\;{\varepsilon}$ was not altered. Expression of Erk-1 was not changed by X-irradiation but phosphorylation of Erk-1 was increased. In addition, inhibition of Erk-1 phosphorylation by PD98059 overcame inhibitory effect of X-irradiation on the chondrogenic differentiation. PNA staining data showed that X-irradiation inhibited cellular aggregation. Taken together, these results suggest that X-irradiation inhibits chondrogenic differentiation by inhibiting cellular aggregation and suppressing expression of $PKC{\alpha}$ and promoting phosphorylation of Erk-1. In addition to above pathway, our results also suggest that X-irradiation may exerts its inhibitory effect by another signaling pathways.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.41-55
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• 2004

Objective : To investigate the possible molecular mechanism (s) of melittin as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, we examined the effects of the compound on the growth of human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Methods : Growth inhibitory study, flow cytometry analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and in vitro caspases activity assay were performed. Results : Melittin treatment declined the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Melittin treatment down-regulated the levels of Bcl-XS/L mRNA and protein expression of A549 cells, an anti-apoptotic gene, however, the those of Bax, a pro-apoptotic gene, were up-regulated. Melittin induced the proteolytic cleavage and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease in a dose-dependent manner without alteration of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family and Akt expression. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR data revealed that the levels of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 were also remained unchanged. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that melittin-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products, and melittin may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.47-57
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• 2005

Leptin, the product of the obese gene, is a circulating hormone secreted primarily from adipocytes. Several results suggest that leptin is important mediators of bone metabolism. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of leptin on anti-osteoclastogenesis using murine precursors cultured on Ca-P coated plates and on the production of osteoprotegerin (OPG) in osteoblastic cells. Additionally, this study examined the possible involvement of prostaglandin $E_2\;(PGE_2)$/protein kinase C (PKC)-mediated signals on the effect of leptin on anti-osteoclastogenesis to various culture systems of osteoclast precursors. Osteoclast generation was determined by counting tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase positive [TRAP (+)] multinucleated cells (MNCs). Osteoclastic activity was determined by measuring area of resorption pits formed by osteoclasts on Ca-P coated plate. The number of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol $(1,25[OH]_2D_3)$- or $PGE_2$-induced TRAP (+) MNCs in the mouse bone marrow cell culture decreased significantly after treatment with leptin. The number of receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL)-induced TRAP (+) MNCs in M-CSF dependent bone marrow macrophage (MDBM) cell or RAW264.7 cell culture decreased significantly with leptin treatment. Indomethacin inhibited osteoclast generation induced by $1,25[OH]_2D_3$ and dexamethasone, however, no significant differences were found in the leptin treated group when compared to the corresponding indomethacin group. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a PKC activator, inhibited osteoclast generation induced by $1,25[OH]_2D_3$. The number of TRAP (+) MNCs decreased significantly with treatment by PMA at concentrations of 0.01 and $0.1{\mu}M$ in culture. Leptin inhibited PMA-mediated osteoclast generation. Isoquinoline-5-sulfonic 2-methyl-1-piperazide dihydrochloride (H7) had no effect on osteoclast generation induced by $1,25[OH]_2D_3$. Cell culture treatment with leptin resulted in no significant differences in osteoclast generation compared to the corresponding H7 group. Indomethacin showed no significant effect on TRAP (+) MNCs formation from the RAW264.7 cell line. PMA inhibited TRAP (+) MNCs formation induced by RANKL in the RAW264.7 cell culture. H7 had no effect on osteoclast generation from the RAW264.7 cell line. There was no difference compared with the corresponding control group after treatment with leptin. $1,25[OH]_2D_3$- or $PGE_2$-induced osteoclastic activity decreased significantly with leptin treatment at a concentration of 100 ng/ml in mouse bone marrow cell culture. Indomethacin, PMA, and H7 significantly inhibited osteoclastic activity induced by $1,25[OH]_2D_3$ in mouse bone marrow cell culture. No significant differences were found between the leptin treated group and the corresponding control group. The secretion of OPG, a substance known to inhibit osteoclast formation, was detected from the osteoblasts. Treatment by leptin resulted in significant increases in OPG secretion by osteoblastic cells. Taken these results, leptin may be an important regulatory cytokines within the bone marrow microenvironment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.704-711
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• 2020

Objective: Muscle fiber types, numbers and area are crucial aspects associated with meat production and quality. However, there are few studies of pig muscle fibre traits in terms of the detection power, false discovery rate and confidence interval precision of whole-genome quantitative trait loci (QTL). We had previously performed genome scanning for muscle fibre traits using 183 microsatellites and detected 8 significant QTLs in a White Duroc×Erhualian F₂ population. The confidence intervals of these QTLs ranged between 11 and 127 centimorgan (cM), which contained hundreds of genes and hampered the identification of QTLs. A whole-genome sequence imputation of the population was used for fine mapping in this study. Methods: A whole-genome sequences association study was performed in the F₂ population. Genotyping was performed for 1,020 individuals (19 F₀, 68 F₁, and 933 F₂). The whole-genome variants were imputed and 21,624,800 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified and examined for associations to 11 longissimus dorsi muscle fiber traits. Results: A total of 3,201 significant SNPs comprising 7 novel QTLs showing associations with the relative area of fiber type I (I_RA), the fiber number per square centimeter (FN) and the total fiber number (TFN). Moreover, one QTL on pig chromosome 14 was found to affect both FN and TFN. Furthermore, four plausible candidate genes associated with FN (kinase non-catalytic C-lobe domain containing [KNDC1]), TFN (KNDC1), and I_RA (solute carrier family 36 member 4, contactin associated protein like 5, and glutamate metabotropic receptor 8) were identified. Conclusion: An efficient and powerful imputation-based association approach was utilized to identify genes potentially associated with muscle fiber traits. These identified genes and SNPs could be explored to improve meat production and quality via marker-assisted selection in pigs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.474-483
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• 2016

Enzymatically modified isoquercitrin (EMIQ) is a mixture of quercetin glycodsides consisting of isoquercitrin and its ${\alpha}-glucosylated$ derivatives containing one to seven additional linear glucose moieties. The aim of this study was to assess whether or not EMIQ attenuates high-fat diet (HFD)-induced body weight gain and changes in plasma indices of obesity in mice. Male C57BL/6N mice were fed chow diet, HFD, and HFD containing 1.2% EMIQ for 10 weeks. EMIQ significantly (P<0.05) reduced body weight gain (-21%), total visceral fat-pad weights (-31%), and plasma levels of triglycerides (-17%), total cholesterol (-19%), and free fatty acids (-26%) in HFD-fed mice. EMIQ significantly increased protein kinase A (PKA) expression in the epididymal adipose tissue of HFD-fed mice. Expression of adipogenesis-related genes significantly decreased, whereas expression of fatty acid oxidation-related and thermogenesis-related genes increased in epididymal adipose tissue of EMIQ-fed mice compared with HFD-fed mice. These results suggest that the protective effects of EMIQ against HFD-induced adiposity in mice appear to be associated with PKA-mediated signaling cascades involved in adipogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and thermogenesis in adipose tissue.

• BMB Reports
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.339-344
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• 1999

We studied the effects of ginsenosides in immature rats based upon the previous results that ginseng has a suppressive or anticonvulsive activity. To examine the suppressive effect of ginsenosides on kainic acid-induced seizures, the severities and frequencies were observed for 4 h after injection of kainic acid (KA; i.p., 2 mg/kg b.w.) using 10-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats ($22{\pm}2\;g$). Protopanaxadiol saponins such as ginsenoside-Rb1 (Rb1), ginsenoside-Rb2 (Rb2), ginsenoside-Rc (Rc), and ginsenoside-Rd(Rd) generally reduced the seizure activities while protopanaxatriol saponins such as ginsenoside-Rg1 (Rg1) and ginsenoside-Re (Re) rather increased stereotypic "paddling-like" movements. When vinyl-GABA (v-G) was injected together with Rb1 or Rc, KA-induced seizure severities were additionally reduced only by the injection of Rc, but not by Rb1. The level of gamma isozyme of protein kinase C (PKC-${\gamma}$) in the hippocampus increased about three times as much as that of normal rats at 4 h after KA injection. The increased level of PCK-${\gamma}$ by KA was significantly reduced to about 35% by the coinjection with v-G alone, but it was not changed by v-G together with Rb1 or Rc. The increased level of PKC-${\gamma}$ at 4 h after injection of KA was not consistent with the reduction of seizure severities between Rb1 and Rc. These results suggest that Rc and Rb1 may reduce seizure severity independent of PKC-${\gamma}$ levels, and Rc may additionally act with v-G regarding the GABA metabolism during the stage of KA-induced seizures in the immature rats.

• BMB Reports
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.196-204
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• 2007

Our previous study has shown that sodium selenite can cause apoptosis in acute promyelocytic leukemia-derived NB4 cells in a caspase-dependent manner, but the detailed mechanism is unknown. Here we demonstrate a requirement for extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in mediating sodium selenite -induced apoptosis in NB4 cell. Though no apparent elevation of ERK activity was observed during the apoptosis in NB4 cells caused by 20 μM sodium selenite treatment, PD98059 and U0126, specific chemical inhibitors of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, were shown to strongly prevent the apoptosis process, while ERK activator TPA enhanced the process. It is also known that p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 and JNK inhibitor SP600125 had slight effects on apoptosis. Further study indicated that ERK exerted its proapoptotic effect only at the early stage of apoptosis and played an antiapoptotic role at the later stages. Taken together, our findings suggest that ERK plays an active role in mediating sodium seleniteinduced apoptosis in NB4 cells .