• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.254-263
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• 2010

Objectives : The neuroprotective effects of bee venom (BV) have been demonstrated in many studies, but bee venom has many side effects. So we used sweet bee venom (SBV), which has high molecular elements removed to reduce the side effects. I examined the neuroprotective effect of sweet bee venom in 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridine ($MPP^+$)-induced human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Methods : To observe the possible toxicity of SBV itself, SH-SY5Y cells were treated with SBV in various concentrations for 3 h and $MPP^+$ in concentrations (1 and 5mM) for 24h. To investigate the protective effect of SBV against $MPP^+$ toxicity, SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with vehicle or nontoxic concentrations of SBV for 3h and the cells were not washed, followed by incubation with respective concentrations of SBV and 1 mM $MPP^+$ for 24h. To investigate the protective effect of SBV against $MPP^+$ toxicity, SH-SY5Y cells were pretreated with vehicle or nontoxic concentrations of SBV for 3h and the cells were not washed, followed by incubation with respective of SBV(0.5%), 1 mM $MPP^+$, 5uM AKT inhibitor(LY984002) and 10uM ERK inhibitor(PD98059) for 24 h. The protective effect was measured by cell viability assay. To investigate the degree of apoptosis, caspase-3 enzyme activity was measured in control, $MPP^+$, SBV+$MPP^+$. Results : SBV (0.5%) pretreatment protected the SH-SY5Y cells against $MPP^+$-induced apoptotic cell death. The cell viability was higher in the SH-SY5Y cells that were pretreated with vehicle or nontoxic concentrations of SBV than those not pretreated. The caspase-3 activity was lower in the pretreated groups than these not pretreated. ERK and AKT enzymes have a role in the neuroprotective effects of the sweet bee venom. Conclusions : The results demonstrate that SBV has a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons against $MPP^+$ toxicity. This data suggest that SBV could be a potential therapeutic tool for neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease(PD).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate accumulation of metallothionein(MT) in rat liver and kidney by cadmium administration. After male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 60$\pm$5g were fed basal diet ad libitum for 4 weeks, two types of experiments were performed. In the first set of experiment, rats were divided into five groups. Control groups was fed basal diet without injection of cadmium. Dose groups of A, B, C and D were i.p. injected 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5mg Cd/Kg of body wt, once a day for two days. In the second set of experiment, rats were also divided into five groups. Control group was fed basal diet without injection of cadmium. Number groups of I, II, III and IV were i.p. injected 1, 2, 3, and 4 times every 24hrs, respectively and injection doses were 2.5mg Cd/Kg of body wt. in a day. In the first of experiment, hemoglobin contents in C, D groups were lower than control group. MT concentrations in liver and kidney were increased with increasing Cd injection doses to 2.5mg Cd/Kg of body wt. Liver - SH group values in C, D groups were higher than control group. Hematocrit values did not differ among groups. In the second of experiment, hemoglobin contents and hematocrit values were decreased. MT concentration in liver and kidney were progressively increased with increasing number of Cd injection. In both sets of experiments, liver MT concentrations were higher than kidney.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.234-238
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• 2009

Effects of ginseng on in vivo antioxidant capacities with age were studied in rats. All rats were reared in the conventional system. Ginseng-treated rats were supplied with ginseng water extracts (25 mg/kg/day) continuously from 6 weeks of age to spontaneous death. None of the rats showed any discernible adverse effects of treatment with ginseng-containing water. There was no significant difference in body weight (BW) gains with age between treated and control groups. However, ginseng extracts did cause a decrease in the level of serum low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, glucose, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the treated rats. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in liver cytosol decreased with age in the control group. However, these enzyme activities were well maintained in the ginseng-treated rats and, especially, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were consistently higher than in control rats. The levels of total sulfhydryl group (T-SH) and glutathione reductase (GR) were unchanged, and glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity gradually decreased with age in both groups. There were no differences in T-SH, GR, or GST between the control and treatment groups. These results indicate that long-term administration of ginseng retards age-related deterioration in some biochemical parameters such as cholesterol, glucose, and lactate dehydrogenase in serum and it has an enhancing effect on antioxidant capacity in the liver.

• The Bulletin of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.51.2-51.2
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• 2010

We have investigated 63 intense geomagnetic storms (Dst $\leq$ -100 nT) that occurred from 1998 to 2006. Using these events, we compared Dst forecast models: Burton et al. (1975), Fenrich and Luhmann (1998), O'Brien and McPherron (2000a), Wang et al. (2003), and Temerin and Li (2002, 2006) models. For comparison, we examined a linear correlation coefficient, RMS error, the difference of Dst minimum value (${\Delta}$peak), and the difference of Dst minimum time (${\Delta}$peak_time) between the observed and the predicted during geomagnetic storm period. As a result, we found that Temerin and Li model is mostly much better than other models. The model produces a linear correlation coefficient of 0.94, a RMS (Root Mean Square) error of 14.89 nT, a MAD (Mean Absolute Deviation) of ${\Delta}$peak of 12.54 nT, and a MAD of ${\Delta}$peak_time of 1.44 hour. Also, we classified storm events as five groups according to their interplanetary origin structures: 17 sMC events (IP shock and MC), 18 SH events (sheath field), 10 SH+MC events (Sheath field and MC), 8 CIR events, and 10 nonMC events (non-MC type ICME). We found that Temerin and Li model is also best for all structures. The RMS error and MAD of ${\Delta}$peak of their model depend on their associated interplanetary structures like; 19.1 nT and 16.7 nT for sMC, 12.5 nT and 7.8 nT for SH, 17.6 nT and 15.8 nT for SH+MC, 11.8 nT and 8.6 nT for CIR, and 11.9 nT and 10.5 nT for nonMC. One interesting thing is that MC-associated storms produce larger errors than the other-associated ones. Especially, the values of RMS error and MAD of ${\Delta}$peak of SH structure of Temerin and Li model are very lower than those of other models.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.1450-1457
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• 2015

The anti-inflammatory effect of ethanol extracts from Hizikia fusiformis fermented with and without lactic acid bacteria was compared in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The fermentation was done using Weissella sp. SH-1 and Lactobacillus casei in a mixture of glucose and lactate source at $30^{\circ}C$ for 30 days. As a result, we confirmed that the fermentation of H. fusiformis with lactic acid bacteria inhibited LPS-stimulated nitric oxide (NO) production and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, and IL-$1{\beta}$ as important inflammatory factors. During a comparison analysis, we found that L. casei fermented groups significantly suppressed NO production by regulating iNOS and COX-2 expression. Also, the effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokine and LPS-induced activation of mitogen- activated protein kinase indicated that the fermentation using Weissella sp. SH-1 and L. casei may provide an increment towards the extraction of active components, which are effective anti-inflammatory agents.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.216-223
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• 2022

Objectives: Oxidative stress plays a key role in chronic and acute brain disorders and neuronal damage associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) and other neurodegeneration symptoms. The neuroprotective effects of berberine and Berberis vulgaris (barberry) root extract against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in the human SH-SY5Y cell line were studied. Methods: The methanolic extraction of barberry root was performed using a maceration procedure. Oxidative stress was induced in SH-SY5Y cells by H₂O₂, and an MTT assay was applied to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of berberine and barberry root extract. The cells were pretreated with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of each compound (including berberine, barberry root extract, and H₂O₂), and the anti-apoptotic effects of all components were investigated using RT-PCR. Results: The SH-SY5Y cell viability increased in both groups exposed to 75 and 150 ppm barberry extract compared with that in the H₂O₂-treated group. The data showed that exposing SH-SY5Y cells to 30 ppm berberine significantly increased the cell viability compared with the H₂O₂-treated group; treatment with 150 and 300 ppm berberine and H₂O₂ significantly decreased the SH-SY5Y cell viability and was associated with berberine cytotoxicity. The mRNA levels of Bax decreased significantly under treatment with berberine at 30 ppm compared with the control group. A significant increase in Bcl-2 expression was observed only after treatment with the IC₅₀ of berberine. The expression level of Bcl-2 in cells exposed to both berberine and barberry extracts was also significantly higher than that in cells exposed to H₂O₂. Conclusion: The outcomes of this study suggest that treatment of SH-SY5Y cells with barberry extract and berberine could suppress apoptosis by regulating the actions of Bcl-2 family members.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.657-661
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• 2001

Osteoporosis that is associated with ovarian hormone deficiency following menopause (postmenopausal osteoporosis) is by far the most common cause of age-related bone loss. Isoflavone has been reported as a natural substance that possibly minimizes bone loss in postmenopausal women. This study was conducted to investigate the preventing, treating effects of isoflavone on bone loss in ovariectomized rats. 120 Sprague Dawley rats of 13 week-old were devided into 2 groups, a treatment group and prevention group. Each group was consisted of six subgroups; control (CON), sham operated (SH) or ovariectomized (OVX) and isoflavone supplemented goups: OVX+0.25mg isoflavone/kg diet (OL), OVX+0.8mg isoflavone/kg diet(OM) and OVX+2.5mg isoflavone/kg diet(OH). to study the preventing effects of isoflavone on bone loss, OL, OM and OH groups were fed with isoflavone from 4 days after ovariectomization. Treating effects of isoflavone on bone metabolism were investigated with OL, OM, OH groups supplemented with isoflavone from 8 weeks after ovariectomization. Isoflavone supplementation continued for 8 weeks. At 8 weeks after ovariectomization significant increase in alkaline phosphatase occurred comparing with CON and SH group. By isoflavone supplementation from 4 days after ovariectomy alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline were lowered and bone mineral density, bone strength of the femur and tibia and bone dry weight were slightly enhanced with no significant difference. Isoflavone supplemented group at the level of 0.8mg/kg diet (OM group) had significantly lower serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline, and higher strength of femur than OVX group. Groups with isoflavone supplementation fro 8 weeks after ovariectomy had lower level of serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary hydroxyproline than OVX group. Bone mineral density, bone dry weight and bone strength of the femur and tibia were slightly enhanced by isoflavone supplementation. However there was no significanct difference between OVS ad isoflavone supplementation groups. The results suggest that isoflavone might have potential role for preventing postmenopausal bone loss. Isoflavone supplementation at early stage of postemenopause may be beneficial to age-related bone health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.433-446
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the consumer education program for reducing sodium intake based on social cognitive theory (SCT) and investigate consumer perceptions of environmental, cognitive and behavioral factors. Methods: Consumers (n=4,439) were recruited nationwide in Korea to participate in a nutrition education program for reducing sodium intake which was targeted on senior housewives (SH), parents (P), and office workers (OW). Questions regarding main factors of SCT were asked both before and after the education program. Results: SH and P recognized external social efforts and information to reduce sodium including nutrition labeling more than OW. The main barriers to practice reducing sodium intake were limited choice of low sodium food and menu, interference with social relationship when dining with others, and limited information, knowledge and skills. SH had lower barriers to practice reducing sodium intake and OW perceived 'preference to soup or stew' and 'preference to Kimchi, salted fish and fermented sauces' as barriers more than other groups at the baseline. Less than 50% of participants knew the relationship between sodium and salt, sodium in nutrition labeling, and recommended sodium intake. In addition, OW had little knowledge for capability to reduce sodium intake and lower self-efficacy to practice compared with SH and P. After education, positive outcome expectations such as lowering blood pressure, prevention of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis were increased and barriers to practice reducing sodium intake were decreased in all groups (p < 0.05). The knowledge for behavioral capability and self-efficacy to reduce sodium intake were also improved but OW had still lower scores compared with other groups. Conclusions: These results suggested that nutrition education programs could be an effective tool to impact general population by facilitating awareness and increased capability to reduce sodium intake.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.16
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• pp.7205-7210
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• 2015

Background: In this study, influence caused by expression plasmids of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) short hairpin RNA (shRNA) on mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII in hepatic tissue with hepatic fibrosis, a precancerous condition, in rats is analyzed. Materials and Methods: To screen and construct shRNA expression plasimid which effectively interferes RNA targets of CTGF and TIMP-1 in rats. 50 cleaning Wistar male rats are allocated randomly at 5 different groups after precancerous fibrosis models and then injection of shRNA expression plasimids. Plasmid psiRNA-GFP-Com (CTGF and TIMP-1 included), psiRNA-GFP-CTGF, psiRNA-GFP-TIMP-1 and psiRNA-DUO-GFPzeo of blank plasmid are injected at group A, B, C and D, respectively, and as model control group that none plasimid is injected at group E. In 2 weeks after last injection, to hepatic tissue at different groups, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PC III is tested by immunohistochemical method and,mRNA expression of CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII is measured by real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA is used to comparison between-groups. Results: Compared with model group, there is no obvious difference of mRNA expression among CTGF,TIMP-1,procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III and of protein expression among CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue at group injected with blank plasmid. Expression quantity of mRNA of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII at group A, B and C decreases, protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$, PC III in hepatic tissue is lower, where the inhibition of combination RNA interference group (group A) on procol-${\alpha}1$ mRNA transcription and procol-${\alpha}1$ protein expression is superior to that of single interference group (group B and C) (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Conclusions: RNA interference on CTGF and/or TIMP-1 is obviously a inhibiting factor for mRNA and protein expression of CTGF, TIMP-1, procol-${\alpha}1$ and PCIII. Combination RNA interference on genes of CTGF and TIMP-1 is superior to that of single RNA interference, and this could be a contribution for prevention of precancerous condition.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.938-943
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• 2004

A gene responsible for the chlorothalonil-biotransformation was cloned from the chromosomal DNA of Ochrobactrum anthropi SH35B, an isolated bacterium strain from soil. We determined the nucleotide sequences and found an open reading frame for glutathione S-transferase (GST). The drug-hypersensitive Escherichia coli KAM3 cells transformed with a plasmid carrying the GST gene can grow in the presence of chlorothalonil. The GST of O. anthropi SH35B was expressed in E. coli and purified by affinity chromatography. The fungicide chlorothalonil was rapidly transformed by the purified GST in the presence of glutathione. No significant difference in the chlorothalonil-biotransformation effect was observed among the thiol compounds (cysteine, reduced glutathione, and $\beta$-mercaptoethanol). Thus, the result reported here is the first evidence on the chlorothalonil-biotransformation by conjugation with the cellular free thiol groups, especially glutathione, catalyzed by the bacterial GST.