• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2008

Berberine is an isoquinoline alkaloid used in traditional Chinese medicine and has been isolated from a variety of plants, such as Coptis chinensis and Phellodendron amurense. It has a wide spectrum of clinical applications such as in anti-tumor, anti-microbial, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, it is still unknown that berberine related with reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated apoptosis pathway in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. In the present study, we are examined the molecular mechanism of ROS- and p38 MAP kinase-mediated apoptosis by berberine in HepG2 cells. Berberine increased cytotoxicity effects by time- and does-dependent manner. $LD_{50}$ was detected 50 ${\mu}M$ at 48h of exposure to berberine. Nuclei cleavage and apoptotic DNA fragmentation were observed in cells treated with 50 ${\mu}M$ of berberine for 48h. Moreover, berberine induced the activating of caspase-3, p53, p38 and Bax expression, whereas the expression of anti-apoptotic signaling pathways, Bcl-2, was decreased. Additionally, berberine-treated cells had an increased level of generation of ROS and nitric oxide (NO). These results indicated that berberine induces apoptosis of HepG2 cells may be mediated oxidative injury acts as an early and upstream change, triggers mitochondrial dysfunction, Bcl-2 and Bax modulation, p38 and p53 activation, caspase-3 activation, and consequent leading to apoptosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.13-19
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• 2011

Semen cryopreservation induces the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the ROS cause sperm damage. We aimed to investigate the effects of the antioxidative enzyme catalase (CAT) on sperm quality and ROS during cryopreservation. Sperm rich fractions collected from five Duroc boars were cryopreserved in freezing extender with (200 or 400 U/mL) or without CAT (control). After thawing, sperm motility, viability, normal morphology, plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial function and intracellular ROS were evaluated. CAT significantly improved total sperm motility at a concentration of 400 U/mL (P < 0.05), but didn't improve progressive sperm motility, viability, morphological defects, plasma membrane integrity and mitochondrial function in frozen-thawed boar sperm. In evaluation of ROS, CAT had no effect on reduction in ${\cdot}O_2$, but scavenged $H_2O_2$ in viable frozen-thawed boar sperm at concentrations of 200 and 400 U/mL (P < 0.05). In conclusion, CAT was not enough to improve quality of frozen-thawed sperm, but can reduce $H_2O_2$ generation in viable boar sperm during cryopreservation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.443-455
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• 2020

The thioredoxin (Trx) system plays critical roles in regulating intracellular redox levels and defending organisms against oxidative stress. Recent studies indicated that Trx reductase (TrxR) was overexpressed in various types of human cancer cells indicating that the Trx-TrxR system may be a potential target for anti-cancer drug development. This study investigated the synergistic effect of auranofin, a TrxR-specific inhibitor, on sulforaphane-mediated apoptotic cell death using Hep3B cells. The results showed that sulforaphane significantly enhanced auranofin-induced apoptosis by inhibiting TrxR activity and cell proliferation compared to either single treatment. The synergistic effect of sulforaphane and auranofin on apoptosis was evidenced by an increased annexin-V-positive cells and Sub-G1 cells. The induction of apoptosis by the combined treatment caused the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and upregulation of Bax. In addition, the proteolytic activities of caspases (-3, -8, and -9) and the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, a substrate protein of activated caspase-3, were also higher in the combined treatment. Moreover, combined treatment induced excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, treatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS scavenger, reduced combined treatment-induced ROS production and apoptosis. Thereby, these results deduce that ROS played a pivotal role in apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane. Furthermore, apoptosis induced by auranofin and sulforaphane was significantly increased through inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Taken together, the present study demonstrated that down-regulation of TrxR activity contributed to the synergistic effect of auranofin and sulforaphane on apoptosis through ROS production and inhibition of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.242.2-243
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• 2002

We have previously reported that activation of $K^{+}$-$Cl^{-}$-cotransport (KCC) by N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) induces apoptosis through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HepG2 human hepatoblastoma cells. In this study we investigated the possible role of phospholipase $A_2$($PLA_2$)-arachidonic acid (AA) signals in the mechanism of the NEM actions. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2002.05a
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• pp.93-93
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• 2002

Oxidative stress has been associated with a number of diseases in humans. Among the sources that can generate oxidative stress, it has been reported that iron can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) with thiol. In iron overload state, increased thiol levels in plasma appeared to be associated with human mortality.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Life Science Conference
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• 2008.10a
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• pp.87.2-87.2
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• 2008

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Toxicology Conference
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• 2001.10a
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• pp.114-114
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• 2001

Tetrahydropapaveroline (THP), a dopamine-derived 6, 7-dihydroxy-1-(3' ,4'-dihydroxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, has been suspected as a possible dopaminergic neurotoxin to elicit Parkinsonism. Autooxidation or enzymatic oxidation of THP and subsequent generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may contribute to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by this isoquinoline alkaloid.(omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.232.2-232.2
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• 2003

Many neurodegenerative disorders such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease have been known to be associated with an excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress. Therefore, the antioxidants have recently received much attention as therapeutic agent for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. (omitted)

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.290.1-290.1
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• 2002

The surgically ovariectomized rat induces aging by reactive oxyyen species(ROS) generation. Free oxygen radicals have been proposed as important causative agents of aging. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Chondroitin Sulfate(CS) to prevent ovariectomy(OVX) induced oxidative stress and atherosclerosis. The OVX rats were given intraperitoneally CS at dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg daily for fifteen weeks. (omitted)

• Medical Lasers
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.195-200
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• 2021

Evidence shows that nerve injury triggers mitochondrial dysfunction during axonal degeneration. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in axonal regeneration. Therefore, normalizing mitochondrial energy metabolism may represent an elective therapeutic strategy contributing to nerve recovery after damage. Photobiomodulation (PBM) induces a photobiological effect by stimulating mitochondrial activity. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that PBM improves ATP generation and modulates many of the secondary mediators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and calcium ions (Ca²⁺)], which in turn activate multiple pathways involved in axonal regeneration.