• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

Auranofin is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-arthritis medication that functions as a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor. Spermidine, a polyamine present in marine algae, can exert various physiological functions. Herein, we examined the synergistic anticancer activity of auranofin and spermidine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Combined treatment with auranofin and spermidine suppressed cell viability more efficiently than either treatment alone in HCC Hep3B cells. The isobologram plotted by calculating the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of each drug indicated that the two drugs exhibited a synergistic effect. Based on the analysis of annexin V and cell cycle distribution, auranofin and spermidine markedly induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells. Moreover, auranofin and spermidine increased mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by promoting mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) loss. Auranofin and spermidine significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Hep3B cells, and the blocking ROS suppressed apoptosis induced by spermidine and auranofin. In addition, auranofin and spermidine reduced the expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and PI3K inhibitor accelerated auranofin- and spermidine-induced apoptosis. Using ROS scavenger and PI3K inhibitor, we revealed that ROS acts upstream of auranofin- and spermidine-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our study suggests that combination treatment with auranofin and spermidine could afford synergistic anticancer activity via ROS overproduction and reduced PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• 대한청각학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Background and Objectives: The antioxidant ebselen will be able to limit or prevent the ototoxicity arising from 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD). Niemann-Pick Type C (NPC) disease is a disorder of lysosomal storage manifested in sphingolipidosis. Recently, it was noted that experimental use of HPβCD could partially resolve the symptoms in both animals and human patients. Despite its desirable effect, HPβCD can induce hearing loss, which is the only major side effect noted to date. Understanding of the pathophysiology of hearing impairment after administration of HPβCD and further development of preventive methods are essential to reduce the ototoxic side effect. The mechanisms of HPβCD-induced ototoxicity remain unknown, but the resulting pathology bears some resemblance to other ototoxic agents, which involves oxidative stress pathways. To indirectly determine the involvement of oxidative stress in HPβCD-induced ototoxicity, we tested the efficacy of an antioxidant reagent, ebselen, on the extent of inner ear side effects caused by HPβCD. Materials and Methods: Ebselen was applied prior to administration of HPβCD in mice. Auditory brainstem response thresholds and otopathology were assessed one week later. Bilateral effects of the drug treatments also were examined. Results: HPβCD-alone resulted in bilateral, severe, and selective loss of outer hair cells from base to apex with an abrupt transition between lesions and intact areas. Ebselen co-treatment did not ameliorate HPβCD-induced hearing loss or alter the resulting histopathology. Conclusions: The results indirectly suggest that cochlear damage by HPβCD is unrelated to reactive oxygen species formation. However, further research into the mechanism(s) of HPβCD otopathology is necessary.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.374-386
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• 2023

Thermal stress induces dynamic changes in nuclear proteins and relevant physiology as a part of the heat shock response (HSR). However, how the nuclear HSR is fine-tuned for cellular homeostasis remains elusive. Here, we show that mitochondrial activity plays an important role in nuclear proteostasis and genome stability through two distinct HSR pathways. Mitochondrial ribosomal protein (MRP) depletion enhanced the nucleolar granule formation of HSP70 and ubiquitin during HSR while facilitating the recovery of damaged nuclear proteins and impaired nucleocytoplasmic transport. Treatment of the mitochondrial proton gradient uncoupler masked MRP-depletion effects, implicating oxidative phosphorylation in these nuclear HSRs. On the other hand, MRP depletion and a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger non-additively decreased mitochondrial ROS generation during HSR, thereby protecting the nuclear genome from DNA damage. These results suggest that suboptimal mitochondrial activity sustains nuclear homeostasis under cellular stress, providing plausible evidence for optimal endosymbiotic evolution via mitochondria-to-nuclear communication.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.383-398
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• 2023

Dihydroaustrasulfone alcohol (DA), the synthetic precursor of a natural compound (austrasulfone) isolated from the coral species Cladiella australis, has shown cytotoxic effects against cancer cells. However, it is unknown whether DA has antitumor effects on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). In this study, we determined the antitumor effects of DA and investigated its mechanism of action on human NPC cells. The MTT assay was used to determine the cytotoxic effect of DA. Subsequently, apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) analyses were performed by using flow cytometry. Apoptotic and PI3K/AKT pathway-related protein expression was determined using Western blotting. We found that DA significantly reduced the viability of NPC-39 cells and determined that apoptosis was involved in DA-induced cell death. The activity of caspase-9, caspase-8, caspase-3, and PARP induced by DA suggested caspase-mediated apoptosis in DA-treated NPC-39 cells. Apoptosis-associated proteins (DR4, DR5, FAS) in extrinsic pathways were also elevated by DA. The enhanced expression of proapoptotic Bax and decreased expression of antiapoptotic BCL-2 suggested that DA mediated mitochondrial apoptosis. DA reduced the expression of pPI3K and p-AKT in NPC-39 cells. DA also reduced apoptosis after introducing an active AKT cDNA, indicating that DA could block the PI3K/AKT pathway from being activated. DA increased intracellular ROS, but N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, reduced DA-induced cytotoxicity. NAC also reversed the chances in pPI3K/AKT expression and reduced DA-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that ROS-mediates DA-induced apoptosis and PI3K/AKT signaling inactivation in human NPC cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권2호
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• pp.92-97
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• 2024

Elevated blood glucose is associated with an increased risk of atherosclerosis. Data from the current study showed that glucosamine (GlcN), a normal glucose metabolite of the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBP), promoted lipid accumulation in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Oleic acid- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced lipid accumulation was further enhanced by GlcN in RAW264.7 cells, although there was no a significant change in the rate of fatty acid uptake. GlcN increased acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS), scavenger receptor class A, liver X receptor, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA expression, and; conversely, suppressed ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA-1) and ABCG-1 expression. Additionally, GlcN promoted O-GlcNAcylation of nuclear SREBP-1 but did not affect its DNA binding activity. GlcN stimulated phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and S6 kinase. Rapamycin, a mTOR-specific inhibitor, suppressed GlcN-induced lipid accumulation in RAW264.7 cells. The GlcN-mediated increase in ACC and FAS mRNA was suppressed, while the decrease in ABCA-1 and ABCG-1 by GlcN was not significantly altered by rapamycin. Together, our results highlight the importance of the mTOR signaling pathway in GlcN-induced macrophage lipid accumulation and further support a potential link between mTOR and HBP signaling in lipogenesis.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.194-209
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High levels of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol are an important determinant of atherosclerotic lesion formation. The disruption of cholesterol efflux or reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) in peripheral tissues and macrophages may promote atherogenesis. The aim of the current study was to examine whether bioactive ellagic acid, a functional food component, improved RCT functionality and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) function in diet-induced atherogenesis of apolipoproteins E (apoE) knockout (KO) mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Wild type mice and apoE KO mice were fed a high-cholesterol Paigen diet for 10 weeks to induce hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, and concomitantly received 10 mg/kg ellagic acid via gavage. RESULTS: Supplying ellagic acid enhanced induction of apoE and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter G1 in oxidized LDL-exposed macrophages, facilitating cholesterol efflux associated with RCT. Oral administration of ellagic acid to apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet improved hypercholesterolemia with reduced atherogenic index. This compound enhanced the expression of ABC transporters in peritoneal macrophages isolated from apoE KO mice fed on Paigen diet, indicating increased cholesterol efflux. Plasma levels of cholesterol ester transport protein and phospholipid transport protein involved in RCT were elevated in mice lack of apoE gene, which was substantially reduced by supplementing ellagic acid to Paigen diet-fed mice. In addition, ellagic acid attenuated hepatic lipid accumulation in apoE KO mice, evidenced by staining of hematoxylin and eosin and oil red O. Furthermore, the supplementation of 10 mg/kg ellagic acid favorably influenced the transcriptional levels of hepatic LDL receptor and scavenger receptor-B1 in Paigen diet-fed apoE KO mice. CONCLUSION: Ellagic acid may be an athero-protective dietary compound encumbering diet-induced atherogenesis though improving the RCT functionality.

• International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.125-134
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• 2019

Mutations in myelin protein zero (MPZ) cause inherited peripheral neuropathies, including Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) and Dejerine-Sottas neuropathy. Mutant MPZ proteins have previously been reported to cause CMT via enhanced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and Schwann cell (SC) death, although the pathological mechanisms have not yet been elucidated. In this study, we generated an in vitro model of rat SCs expressing mutant MPZ (MPZ V169fs or R98C) proteins and validated the increase in cell death and ER stress induced by the overexpression of the MPZ mutants. Using this model, we examined the efficacy of 3 different aminosalicylic acids (ASAs; 4-ASA, sodium 4-ASA and 5-ASA) in alleviating pathological phenotypes. FACS analysis indicated that the number of apoptotic rat SCs, RT4 cells, induced by mutant MPZ overexpression was significantly reduced following treatment with each ASA. In particular, treatment with 4-ASA reduced the levels of ER stress markers in RT4 cells induced by V169fs MPZ mutant overexpression and relieved the retention of V169fs mutant proteins in the ER. Additionally, the level of an apoptotic signal mediator (p-JNK) was only decreased in the RT4 cells expressing R98C MPZ mutant protein following treatment with 4-ASA. Although 4-ASA is known as a free radical scavenger, treatment with 4-ASA in the in vitro model did not moderate the level of reactive oxygen species, which was elevated by the expression of mutant MPZ proteins. On the whole, the findings of this study indicate that treatment with 4-ASA reduced the ER stress and SC death caused by 2 different MPZ mutants and suggest that ASA may be a potential therapeutic agent for CMT.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.181-191
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• 2024

Objective : Inulae Flos(IF) has been used to treat arthritis, sever furuncle, fear and palpitation, vomiting, stroke, asthma and cough in Korean Medicine. Although the anticancer activity of IF has been reported, the molecular mechanism is still not well understood. In this study, we investigated the growth inhibitory activity of an ethanol extract of IF in HT-1080 human fibrosarcoma cells and its underlying mechanisms using two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) cell culture system. Methods : HT-1080 cells were cultured with IF for 9 days in 3D cell culture. To check an inhibition of cell prolifelation by IF, MTT assay was performed. DNA contents were measured using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to evaluate the regulation of cell cycle- and autophagy-related proteins. Acridine orange staining was performed to confirm autophagy, and DCF-DA staining was performed to confirm the occurrence of ROS. Results : IF controlled a spheroid formation and decreased a cell viability in 3D cell culture. IF-induced cell proliferation inhibition was associated with a distinct increase of S and G2/M phase cell distribution in 2D cell cultre. In addition, IF significantly induced autophagy and generated reactive oxygen species(ROS). Interestingly, IF-induced cell cycle arrest and autophagy were recovered after pre-treatment of N-acetyl-L-cysteine, ROS scavenger. Conclusion : Our results indicate that IF induced ROS-mediated cell cycle arrest and autophagy and it may potentially useful for human fibrosarcoma treatment.

• 대한핵의학회지
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• 제37권5호
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• pp.308-316
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• 2003

목적: 녹차 추출물(GTPP)은 암 예방과 암세포 성장억제 효과 외에 항산화제의 효능이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이번 연구에서는 암세포에 감마 방사선을 이용하여 치료하는 경우 GTPP를 첨가함으로써 암세포 억제 증폭 효과와 정상세포에서의 방사선방호 효과가 함께 나타나는지 여부를 확인하고자 하였다. 대상 및 방법: GTPP (EGCG > 45%, catechin 80% 포함)를 사람 백혈병 세포주인 HL60과 사람 림프구 모세포인 NC37에 방사선을 쪼이기 전에 미리 첨가한 후 실험을 하였다. 두 세포주에서 각각의 GTPP 농도와 방사선양에 따라서 생존능을 평가하여 GTPP 농도와 방사능 양을 결정하였으며, 이를 이용하여 GTPP농도에 따른 NC37에서 방사선방호 효과와 HL60에서의 암세포 억제 효과에 대한 실험을 시행하였다. 결과: NC37과 HL60 세포주에서 암세포 억제효과를 보이면서 정상세포에 큰 영향을 미치지 않는 방사선 조사량은 1 Gy와 3 Gy정도이고, GTPP의 농도는 $10{\mu}g/ml$와 $20{\mu}g/ml$였다. NC37 세포주에서 GTPP를 농도별로 첨가하고 1 Gy와 3 Gy의 방사선을 각각 조사하였을 때 $10{\mu}g/ml$의 경우에는 3 Gy를 조사한 경우에만 대조군에 비해 유의한 차이를 보였으며(1 Gy;P=0.126, 3 Gy;P=0.010), $20{\mu}g/ml$를 첨가한 경우는 1 Gy와 3 Gy를 조사한 군 모두 대조군과 비교하여 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다(1 Gy;P=0.946, 3 Gy;P=0.096). HL60 세포주에서는 방사선 조사량에 큰 상관없이 GTPP의 농도의 증가에 따라 암세포 성장이 크게 억제됨을 알 수 있었다($1\;Gy;\;10{\mu}g/ml;\;69.0{\pm}1.7%\;vs\;20{\mu}g/ml;\;42.4{\pm}1.3%,\;3\;Gy;\;10{\mu}g/ml;\;66.9{\pm}3.9%\;vs\;20{\mu}g/ml;\;44.2{\pm}1.6%$). 결론: 시험관 내 실험을 통하여 내부 방사선 치료를 시행하는 경우 GTPP를 첨가함으로써 정상세포에서 방사선방호 효과와 암세포에서 성장 억제 효과를 동시에 나타낼 수 있음을 확인할 수 있었다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 추후 생체 내 실험을 통한 녹차 추출물의 정상 세포에 대한 방사선방호 작용을 확인할 필요가 있을 것으로 사료된다. 녹차 추출물을 제공하여 주신 태평양 녹차 연구소의 소정 박사님께 감사드립니다.

• 한국수산과학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.608-613
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• 1997

해양오염의 진단을 위한 생화학적 오염지표 설정의 기초연구의 일환으로서, 오염이 심각한 서해 (또는 황해)산 넙치(Paralichthys olivaceus)에 이어 서해산 도다리 (Pleuronichthys cornutus)의 혈액 및 뇌중의 활성산소종 및 그들의 제거효소의 활성을 동해안의 포항의 자연산 도다리를 대조군으로 하여 분석 평가하였다. 이들 넙치의 혈청중의 단백질의 함량은 해역이나 서식환경에 따라 뚜렷한 차이를 발견할 수 없었지만, 서해안 자연산 도다리의 뇌 및 근육중의 단백질의 함량은 동해안의 포항산 도다리 대비 뇌는 $15\~45\%$, 근육은 $35\~45\%$나 현저히 감소되고 있었다. 서해안의 자연산 도다리의 혈청중의 과산화지질 (MDA)의 함량은 포항의 자연산 도다리의 대조군 대비 $30\~70\%$나 현저히 높았다. 서해안의 자연산 도다리의 혈청중의 히드록시 라디칼의 생성이 동해안 포항의 자연산 도다리의 혈청중의 히드록시 라디칼의 생성 대비 $15\~90\%$ 정도나 유의적으로 높았다. 서해안의 자연산 도다리의 혈청중의 SOD의 활성은 동해안 포항의 자연산 도다리의 혈청중의 SOD의 활성 대비 $20\~40\%$나 SOD의 활성이 유의적으로 낮았을뿐만 아니라 서해안의 자연산 도다리의 뇌중의 GSHPx의 활성도 동해안 포항의 자연산 도다리의 뇌중의 GSHPx의 활성 $10\~60\%$정도나 유의적으로 낮았다. 이러한 사실도 도다리의 SOD의 활성과 마찬가지로 해양오염에 의해 활성산소의 제거효소로서 생체의 방어효소가 그 만큼 활성이 저하되고 있다는 사실을 입증하고 있다. 이상의 실험결과에서 볼 때 뇌나 근육중의 단백질 함량의 감소, 혈청중의 SOD 및 뇌중의 GSHPx 활성의 저하, 그리고 혈청중의 과산화지질의 함량이 서해안의 도다리가 동해안의 대조군 대비 유의적인 변화를 나타낸다는 사실은 생화학적 오염지표로서의 가능성을 검토할 가치가 있다고 판단된다.