• BMB Reports
• /
• 제36권4호
• /
• pp.373-378
• /
• 2003

Effects of L-arginine and NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on the renal dysfunction that is induced by cisplatin (CDDP) were investigated. A single dose of CDDP (7.5 mg/kg i.p.) induced renotoxicity, which was manifested by increasing the sensitivity of isolated urinary bladder rings to acetylcholine (ACh), together with a significant elevation of serum urea and creatinine, and a severe decrease in serum albumin. Moreover, renal dysfunction was further confirmed by a significant decrease of enzyme activities, such as glutathione peroxidase, GSH-Px (E.C 1.11.1.9), catalase (E.C 1.11.1.6), as well as a significant increase in lipid peroxides that were measured as malondialdhyde (MDA) in kidney tissue homogenates. The administration of L-arginine (70 mg/kg/d p.o in drinking water 5 d before and 5 d after the CDDP injection) significantly ameliorated the renotoxic effects of CDDP, as judged by restoring the normal responses of isolated bladder rings to Ach, and also by an improvement in a range of renal function indices, which included serum urea and creatinine concentrations and kidney weight. In addition, L-arginine prevents the rise of MDA, as well as a reduction of GSH-Px and catalase activities in kidney tissues homogenates. On the other hand, the administration of L-NAME (4 mg/kg/d p.o) resulted in no protection against renal dysfunction that was induced by CDDP treatment. The findings of this study suggest that L-arginine can attenuate kidney injury that is produced by CDDP treatment. In addition, L-arginine may be a beneficial remedy for CDDP-induced renal toxicity, and could be used to improve the therapeutic index of CDDP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권2호
• /
• pp.1101-1106
• /
• 2013

Background: Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in childhood and adolescence. Carboplatin, a platinum-derived agent, is used as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for pediatric osteosarcoma because of its anti-tumor activity and had low toxicity as compared to cisplatin. Objective: To determine demographic data, prognostic factors and outcome of childhood osteosarcoma treated with a carboplatin-based chemotherapeutic protocol at Chiang Mai University. Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 34 osteosarcoma patients aged less than 18 years and treated between 2003 and 2011. Results: Overall limb-salvage and amputation rates were 23.5% and 70.6%, respectively. With the mean follow-up time of 29.5 months (1.5-108.9), the Kaplan-Meier analysis for 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 3-year overall survival (OS) were $20.2{\pm}7.7%$ and $47.1{\pm}9.5%$ respectively. Patients who had initial pulmonary metastasis were at significantly greater risk for developing recurrence (p=0.02, OR=7; 1.2-40.1) and had a tendency to have lower 3-year OS compared to those without initial pulmonary metastasis ($28.1{\pm}13%$, $63.1{\pm}12.3%$, respectively, p=0.202). On univariate analysis, age at diagnosis >14 years and patients who were declined surgery were significantly associated with lower 3-year OS (p=0.008 and <0.05, respectively). However, age at diagnosis, sex, tumor size and histological subtypes were not found to significantly affect recurrence or survival. Conclusions: In our study, the survival rate was far lower than those reported from developed countries. These might indicate the ineffectiveness of carboplatin in combination with doxorubicin as frontline treatment of pediatric osteosarcoma, especially in those with initial pulmonary metastasis. Refinement in risk and treatment stratification and dose intensification for pediatric osteosarcoma constitutes a future challenge to improve outcomes, especially in metastatic patients who may need a more intensive regimen.

• 대한한의학방제학회지
• /
• 제17권2호
• /
• pp.123-132
• /
• 2009

Acetaminophen (AP) is widely used as an over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drug. AP-induced hepatotoxicity is a common consequence of AP overdose and may lead to acute liver failure. In this study, we investigated the liver damage in mice using single dose (300 mg/kg) of AP and the possible protective effects of administration (50-200 mg/kg body weight) of Joo-Juk on acetaminophen-induced liver damage in mice. The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were determined in the plasma of mice. The effect of Joo-Juk on lipid peroxidation product thiobarbituric reacting substances (TBARS) and some antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, d-aminolevulinate dehydratase ($\sigma$-ALA-D) activities, and gluthathione peroxidase (GPx), were also evaluated in the mouse liver homogenate. AP caused liver damage as evident by statistically significant increased in plasma activities of AST and ALT. There were statistically significant losses in the activities of SOD, catalase, $\sigma$-ALA-D, and GPx and an increase in TBARS in the liver of AP-treated group compared with the control group. However, Joo-Juk was able to counteract these effects. These results suggest that Joo-juk can act as hepato-protectant against AP toxicity and is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective chemotherapeutic agent.

• 대한본초학회지
• /
• 제26권3호
• /
• pp.47-56
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study investigated whether the water extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE) has the ability to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) in vitro and $CCl_4$ in vivo. Methods : In vitro, HepG2 cells pre-treated with Spatholobi Caulis water extract (1, 3, 10, $30{\mu}g$/ml) for 12h and further incubated with tBHP ($100{\mu}M$) for the next 12h. Cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. In vivo, rats were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of Spatholobi Caulis (SCE; 50, 100 mg/kg) for 4 days and then, injected with $CCl_4$ 1 mg/kg body weight to induce acute liver damage. Results : Treatment with SCE inhibited cell death induced by tBHP, as evidenced by alterations in the levels of the proteins associated with apoptosis:SCE prevented a decrease in $Bcl_2$, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase and pro-caspase-3. Moreover, SCE inhibited the ability of tBHP to generate $H_2O_2$ production, thereby restoring GSH content. Moreover, SCE treatments in rats effectively decreased liver injuries induced by a single dose of $CCl_4$, as evidenced by decreases in hepatic degeneration and inflammation as well as plasma alanine aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase activities. Consistently, treatments of SCE also protected liver in rats stimulated by $CCl_4$, as indicated by restoration GSH and prevention of MDA in the liver. Conclusions : SCE has the ability 1) to protect hepatocyte against oxidative stress induced by tBHP and 2) to prevent $CCl_4$-inducible acute liver toxicity. Present findings may be informative not only in elucidating the pharmacological mechanism of Spatholobi Caulis, but in determining its potential application for oxidative cellular damage in the liver.

• 대한의생명과학회지
• /
• 제26권2호
• /
• pp.66-74
• /
• 2020

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effect of crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum on Clinical chemical parameters in male rats acutely exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin (TCDD). Crude saponin was prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum with Diaion HP-20 adsorption chromatography after extraction of 80% ethanol at 75℃. The crude saponin was confirmed by thin layer chrmatography. When compared with ginseng saponins, the crude saponin had both a few number of saponins and a broad distribution. Forty male rats (200±20 g) were divided into 4 groups. Normal control (NC) group received vehicle and saline; TCDD-treated (TT) group received TCDD (40 ㎍/kg, single dose) intraperitoneally; Platycodon grandiflorum saponin (PG5 and PG10) groups received crude saponin 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg (p.o), respectively, for 2 weeks before 1 week of TCDD-exposure. Increase of body weight was retarded greatly by TCDD-exposure. Body weight of animals in TT group was significantly decrease after 2 days of TCDD-exposure. However, body weights of animals in PG groups increased through the experimental perimental period, although the increasing rate was slower than that of NC group. Increases in contents of blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) and activities of amylase, lipase, AST, ALT and LDH by toxic action of TCDD were significantly attenuated by crude saponin from Platycodon grandiflorum (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that crude saponin prepared from Korean Platycodon grandiflorum might be a member of useful protective agents against TCDD, which is one of the environmental hormones.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제26권6호
• /
• pp.1173-1180
• /
• 1997

Hepatotoxicity of caffeine and acetaminophen was investigated in this study. Special attention was paid to the effect of vitamins on the reduction of hepatotoxicity caused by the chemicals. Rat hepaocytes isolated by two-step perfusion method were cultured in two differents methods-suspension, monolayer cultures-, and exposed to caffeine and/or acetaminophen for 24hrs. Caffeine or acetaminophen exhibited no significant hepatotoxicity in terms of intracellular glutathione(GSH) level and lipid peroxidation(MDA), but GSH level was significantly decreased after administrated acetaminophen, and the toxicity caused by the chemicals showed a dose-dependent manner. The synergistic effect of caffeine and acetaminophen was observed when both caffeine and acetaminophen were supplemented to culture medium. At the concentration 1mM, caffeine enhanced the intracellular GSH depletion and MDA formation by 63% and 64%, respectively, compared to single supplementation of 10mM acetaminophen in culture medium. This hepatotoxicity induced membrane integrity loss was observed by lightmicroscope on the simultaneous administration of caffeine and acetaminophen in monolayer cultured hepatocytes. Co-supplementation of vitamins with caffeine/acetaminophen to culture medium results in the protection of hepatocytes from hepatotoxic attach by caffeine/acetaminophen. Especially, vitamin E was superior to vitamin C and $\beta$-carotene from the standpoints of GSH depletion and MDA formation. From this results, it has been speculated that vitamin E may play a role of antioxidant scavenging radicals produced from acetaminophen. Taken all together, in vitro culture system like monolayer culture of hepatocytes may be a useful tool for the evaluation of hepatotoxicity or protection ability of food ingredients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• 제31권9호
• /
• pp.1256-1261
• /
• 2021

Rubus coreanus Miquel (bokbunja), Korean black raspberry, is known to possess various phytochemicals that exert antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer effects. However, most studies on Rubus coreanus Miquel have been performed with the solvent extracts and/or a single component to demonstrate the efficacy, while studies evaluating the effect of the whole fructus of Rubus coreanus Miquel are limited. In this study, therefore, we employed the isoproterenol (IPN)-induced myocardial infarction model and investigated the effect of freeze-dried powder of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RCP) on oxidative stress and prevention of organ damage. Oral administration of RCP reduced the level of toxicity markers, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) without affecting body weight and diet intake. The oxidative stress marker glutathione (GSH) increased about 45% and malonaldehyde (MDA) decreased about 27% compared to the IPN group with RCP-H (3%) administration. By histological analysis, IPN induced significant myocardial damage in the heart and vascular injury in the liver, and RCP administration ameliorated the damages in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, RCP activated the antioxidant system leading to prevention of damage to organs by IPN in rats, making it possible to expect beneficial efficacies by consuming the whole fructus of Rubus coreanus Miquel.

• Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research
• /
• 제12권2호
• /
• pp.156-171
• /
• 2023

Purpose: The development of vaccines that confer protection against multiple avian influenza A (AIA) virus strains is necessary to prevent the emergence of highly infectious strains that may result in more severe outbreaks. Thus, this study applied reverse vaccinology approach in strategically constructing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine construct against avian influenza A (mVAIA) to induce cross-protection while targeting diverse AIA virulence factors. Materials and Methods: Immunoinformatics tools and databases were utilized to identify conserved experimentally validated AIA epitopes. CD8⁺ epitopes were docked with dominant chicken major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs) to evaluate complex formation. Conserved epitopes were adjoined in the optimized mVAIA sequence for efficient expression in Gallus gallus. Signal sequence for targeted secretory expression was included. Physicochemical properties, antigenicity, toxicity, and potential cross-reactivity were assessed. The tertiary structure of its protein sequence was modeled and validated in silico to investigate the accessibility of adjoined B-cell epitope. Potential immune responses were also simulated in C-ImmSim. Results: Eighteen experimentally validated epitopes were found conserved (Shannon index <2.0) in the study. These include one B-cell (SLLTEVETPIRNEWGCR) and 17 CD8⁺ epitopes, adjoined in a single mRNA construct. The CD8⁺ epitopes docked favorably with MHC peptidebinding groove, which were further supported by the acceptable ∆G_bind (-28.45 to -40.59 kJ/mol) and Kd (<1.00) values. The incorporated Sec/SPI (secretory/signal peptidase I) cleavage site was also recognized with a high probability (0.964814). Adjoined B-cell epitope was found within the disordered and accessible regions of the vaccine. Immune simulation results projected cytokine production, lymphocyte activation, and memory cell generation after the 1st dose of mVAIA. Conclusion: Results suggest that mVAIA possesses stability, safety, and immunogenicity. In vitro and in vivo confirmation in subsequent studies are anticipated.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.157-166
• /
• 1984

These biologic test procedures are designed to test the suitability of P.V.C. made in Korea intended for parenteral preparation, which were based on the U.S. Pharmacopeia XIX "Biologic Test-Plastic Container", Official from July 1, 1975. Healthy adult human blood and rabbits weighing 2\ulcorner.2Kg were used for test materials. Sample P.V.C. were sampled from the medical equipments made in Korea randomly and Control P.V.C. were sampled from the standardized Cobe and Polystan P.V.C. tubes. P.V.C. extract was prepared from a homogeneous P.V.C. samples by incubating 60 square centimeters of the sample per 20 millimeters of sterile pyrogen-free saline at 70\ulcorner for 72 hours or autoclaving at 120\ulcorner for 1 hour. The Implantation Test was designed to evaluate the reaction of living tissue to the plastic by the method of the implantation of the Sample itself into animal tissue. The Systemic Injection Test, the Intracutaneous Test, and the remainders were designed to determine the biological response of animals to plastics by the single-dose injection of specific extracts prepared from a Sample. The results are as follows; 1.Implantation Test - No significant difference for reactions was noted between the Sample treated animal and the Control after 72 hours of implantation. 2.Systemic Toxicity Injection Test - No sign of toxicity and/or death immediately after injection and at 4, 24, 48 hours respectfully after injection. 3.Intracutaneous Test - None of the animals treated with the Sample showed a significantly greater reaction than the observed in the animals treated with Blank. 4.Pyrogen Assay-Only one animal treated with the Sample showed the maximal rise of rectal temperature about 0.2\ulcorner after 3 hours of injection, but remainders showed no change. 5.Hemolytic Index - The positive Control tube of distilled water exhibited complete hemolysis while the negative Control tube and P.V.C. extract were negative demonstrating no hemolysis. 6.Cell Morphology of Erythrocytes and Leukocytes on Stored, Heparinized Human Blood -- There was no significant difference in the morphology of either the Control or Sample extract. 7.Clotting Mechanism of Human Blood in vitro - After allowing to the P.V.C. extract at room temperature for 5 Hours and at 10\ulcorner for 24 hours, there was no appreciable difference in Prothrombin Time under these conditions. 8.Clotting Mechanism of Rabbit in vivo - At the termination of 5 days after intraperitoneal injection of the P.V.C. extract, no significant changes in Clotting Time were observed. According to the above results, it could be concluded that the P.V.C. made in Korea was acceptable for parenteral preparation, especially treated with physiologic saline and/or human blood.man blood.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제23권6호
• /
• pp.908-915
• /
• 1994

수은($HgCl_2$) 중독 흰쥐에서 마늘즙의 antidotic effect를 검토하기 위한 4주간 실험에서 흰쥐 체중 kg당 주 1회 수은을 2.5mg 투여하고 아울러 마늘즙을 매일 식이의 2%를 투여한 흰주의 성장율이 수은만을 투여한 흰주 보다 약 30% 증가(개선)되었다. 마늘즙 단독 투여군은 오히려 대조군 보다 상장율이 15% 증가되어 마늘이 일반 tonic 효과를 나타냈다. 혈액검사에서 수은 투여군(M)은 GPT, GOT 상승과 cholesterol, triglyceride, Alk.p의 병적 감소를 보이고, 무기수은 중독 표기 기관인 신장에 대한 그의 기능검사 지표항목인 BUN과 uric산 creatinine의 측정값들이 수은 투여로 상승했으나 마늘즙을 투여(MG군)하여 이들 측정값이 유의적으로 감소하였다. 혈액과 신장의 수은 함량 조사에서 대조군(0.015, 0.02ppm)과 비교한 수은만 투여군이 각각 0.46, 0.51ppm로 높으나 수은과 함께 마늘즙 투여군은 각각 0.3, 0.33ppm으로 유의적인 감소를 보였다. 따라서 마늘즙의 non protein sulfur amino acid가 수은에 대하여 antidotic effect을 갖는 것으로 관찰되었다.