• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.101-108
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• 2015

Recent breakthroughs in functional neuroimaging techniques have launched the quest of mapping the connections of the human brain, otherwise known as the human connectome. Imaging connectomics is an umbrella term that refers to the neuroimaging techniques used to generate these maps, which recently has enabled comprehensive brain mapping of network connectivity combined with graph theoretic methods. In this review, we present an overview of the key concepts in functional connectomics. Furthermore, we discuss articles that applied task-based and/or resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine network deficits in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These studies have provided important insights regarding the etiology of PTSD, as well as the overall organization of the brain network. Advances in functional connectomics are expected to provide insight into the pathophysiology and the development of biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.259-267
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• 2009

Curcumin (CMN) is known to have beneficial role in anorexia, coryza, cough, diabetic wounds, and hepatic disorders apart from its inherent antioxidant effects. Therefore, the present study was aimed to evaluate antioxidant effect of CMN in prevention of nephrolithiasis in rats-induced by ethylene glycol (EG) and Vitamin D3 (Vit. D3). Male Wistar rats (175 - 200 g) were randomized in groups like control, EG + Vit. D3 induced nephrolithiatiatic rats, CMN treated rats, CMN + EG + Vit. D3 treated rats, Vit. E + EG + Vit. D3 treated rats. Urine was collected weekly throughout the experimental protocol and estimated for calcium oxalate (CaO) count. After completion of experimental protocol serum was estimated for blood urea nitrogen and creatinine. Both the kidneys were excised and used to evaluate levels of biomarkers of oxidative stress and calcium oxalate crystal deposition by histopathological studies. Administration of EG and Vit. D3 to rats resulted in increased oxidative stress, hyperoxaluria and renal deposition of CaO crystals. Supplementation with CMN improves kidney function, reduces elevated oxidative stress, urinary oxalate level and renal deposition of CaO which shows its protective action in nephrolithiasis. The increased deposition of stone in the kidney and stone forming constituents of nephrolithiatic rats were effectively lowered by treatment of CMN.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.348-352
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• 2014

Black rice contains many biologically active compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of black rice extracts (whole grain extract, WGE and rice bran extract, RBE) on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), antioxidant enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were evaluated as biomarkers of cellular oxidative status. Cells pretreated with 50 and $100{\mu}g/mL$ of WGE or RBE were more resistant to oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. The highest WGE and BRE concentrations enhanced GSH concentrations and modulated antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione reductase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase) compared to TBHP-treated cells. Cells treated with RBE showed higher protective effect compared to cells treated with WGE against oxidative insult. Black rice extracts attenuated oxidative insult by inhibiting cellular ROS and MDA increase and by modulating antioxidant enzyme activities in HepG2 cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.58 no.11
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• pp.39.1-39.12
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• 2016

Background: The current study investigates the anti-stress effects of clove (Eugenia caryophyllus) extracts (0, 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg) on serum antioxidant biomarkers, immune response, immunological organ growth index, and expression levels of acute phase proteins (APPs); ovotransferrin (OVT), ceruloplasmin (CP), ceruloplasmin (AGP), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum amyloid-A (SAA) mRNA in the immunological organs of 63-d-old male black-meated Silkie fowls subjected to 21 d chronic heat stress at $35{\pm}2^{\circ}C$. Results: The results demonstrated that clove extract supplementation in the diet of Silkie fowls subjected to elevated temperature (ET) improve growth performance, immune responses, and suppressed the activities of glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thioredoxin reductase (TXNRD); reduced serum malonaldehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) concentrations when compared with fowls raised under thermoneutral condition (TC). Upon chronic heat stress and supplementation of clove extracts, the Silkie fowls showed a linear increase in GSH-Px, SOD, CAT, and TXNRD activities (P = 0.01) compared with fowls fed diets without clove extract. ET decreased (P < 0.05) the growth index of the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus. However, the growth index of the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus increased significantly (P < 0.05) which corresponded to an increase in clove supplemented levels. The expression of OVT, CP, AGP, CRP, and SAA mRNA in the liver, spleen, bursa of Fabricius and thymus were elevated (P < 0.01) by ET compared with those maintained at TC. Nevertheless, clove mitigates heat stress-induced overexpression of OVT, CP, AGP, CRP and SAA mRNA in the immune organs of fowls fed 400 mg clove/kg compared to other groups. Conclusions: The results showed that clove extracts supplementation decreased oxidative stress in the heat-stressed black-meated fowls by alleviating negative effects of heat stress via improvement in growth performance, antioxidant defense mechanisms, immunity, and regulate the expression of acute phase genes in the liver and immunological organs.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.12.1-12.7
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• 2018

The study was designed to assess antioxidant and antidyslipidaemic effects of terpenoid-rich extract from the root of Aristolochia ringens V. Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia were established in rats by single intraperitoneal administration of 65 mg/kg bw streptozotocin. Based on therapeutic dose determined in previous study, streptozotocin-induced rats were orally administered with 75 and 150 mg/Kg bw of A. ringens extract for 14 days. Total protein, serum lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in liver and kidney of the experimental rats were determined. Atherogenic and cardiovascular disease risk indices were computed. Streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia significantly (p < 0.05) decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione transferase as well as the amount of reduced glutathione in both tissues indicating oxidative stress induced kidney and liver injury due to glucotoxicity. In comparison to non-treated hyperglycaemic rats, activities of the antioxidant enzymes and concentration of glutathione-H were significantly (p < 0.0001) increased, whereas malondialdehyde was reduced in the tissues of rats treated with both 75 and 150 mg/Kg bw of the extract. The extract also caused significant (p < 0.001) reduction in elevated levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, whereas concentration of the attenuated high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was increased in serum of the treated rats. Reduced atherogenic and cardiac risk indices were projected for the A. ringens extract-treated groups. Results from this study showed that extract from A. ringens root was rich in terpenoids and may reduce risks of complications associated with hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and dyslipidemia.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of black rice extract (BRE) on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: Methanolic extract from black rice was evaluated for the protective effect on TBHP-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. Several biomarkers that modulate cell survival and death including reactive oxygen species (ROS), caspase-3 activity, and related cellular kinases were determined. RESULTS: TBHP induced cell death and apoptosis by a rapid increase in ROS generation and caspase-3 activity. Moreover, TBHP-induced oxidative stress resulted in a transient ERK1/2 activation and a sustained increase of JNK1/2 activation. While, BRE pretreatment protects the cells against oxidative stress by reducing cell death, caspase-3 activity, and ROS generation and also by preventing ERKs deactivation and the prolonged JNKs activation. Moreover, pretreatment of BRE increased the activation of ERKs and Akt which are pro-survival signal proteins. However, this effect was blunted in the presence of ERKs and Akt inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that activation of ERKs and Akt pathway might be involved in the cytoprotective effect of BRE against oxidative stress. Our findings provide new insights into the cytoprotective effects and its possible mechanism of black rice against oxidative stress.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 2012

Excessive oxidative stress and abnormal blood lipids may cause chronic diseases. This risk can be reduced by consuming an antioxidant- and fiber-rich vegetarian diet. We compared biomarkers of oxidative stress, antioxidant capacity, and lipid profiles of sex- and age-matched long-term vegetarians and omnivores in Korea. Forty-five vegetarians (23 men and 22 women; mean age, $49.5{\pm}5.3$ years), who had maintained a vegetarian diet for a minimum of 15 years, and 30 omnivores (15 men and 15 women; mean age, $48.9{\pm}3.6$ years) participated in this study. Their 1-day, 24-h recall, and 2-day dietary records were analyzed. Oxidative stress was measured by the levels of diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROM). Antioxidant status was determined by the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) and levels of endogenous antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. We observed that vegetarians had a significantly lower body fat percentage ($21.6{\pm}6.4%$) than that of omnivores ($25.4{\pm}4.6%$; $P$ < 0.004). d-ROM levels were significantly lower in vegetarians than those in omnivores ($331.82{\pm}77.96$ and $375.80{\pm}67.26$ Carratelli units; $P$ < 0.011). Additionally, total cholesterol levels in the vegetarians and omnivores were $173.73{\pm}31.42$ mg/dL and $193.17{\pm}37.89$ mg/dL, respectively ($P$ < 0.018). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was $101.36{\pm}23.57$ mg/dL and $120.60{\pm}34.62$ mg/dL ($P$ < 0.005) in the vegetarians and omnivores, respectively, indicating that vegetarians had significantly lower lipid levels. Thus, oxidative stress, body fat, and cholesterol levels were lower in long-term vegetarians than those in omnivores.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.44-51
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• 2010

This study aimed to develop analytical method for 8-isoprostanes as biomarkers for oxidative stress with LC/MS/MS technique and to apply the method for human urine samples. Analyzed compounds for urinary oxidative stress markers were 7 stereo-isomers of prostaglandins and the internal standard (iso-$PGF_{2{\alpha}}-d_4$) was used to adjust the recovery rate. The method for determining urinary iso-$PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ consisted of solid phase extraction and LC/MS/MS detection. Separation of isomers of prostaglandins completed by porous graphitic carbon column and buffer solution. Detection limits for urinary markers of oxidative stress, iso-$PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ with LC/MS/MS were 0.01 ng/ml by S/N ratio 3 and 0.028 ng/ml by calculated as to FDA method. The recovery (92.8~101.9%) and precision (8.8~20.7%) of analysis were feasible for detecting iso-$PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ in real human urine samples. We detected 4 isomers of prostaglandins in human urine samples. Mean (standard deviation) of urinary iso-$PGF_{2{\alpha}}$ concentration were 0.231 (0.117) ng/mg creatinine for smoking group and 0.154 (0.082) ng/mg creatinine for non-smoking group.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.34-40
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• 2010

Radiofrequency (RF) radiation might induce the transcription of a certain set of genes as other physical stresses like ionizing radiation and UV. To observe transcriptional changes upon RF radiation, we exposed WI-38, human lung fibroblast cell to 1763 MHz of mobile phone RF radiation at 60 W/kg of specific absorption rate (SAR) for 24h with or without heat control. There were no significant changes in cell numbers and morphology after exposure to RF radiation. Using quantitative RT-PCR, we checked the expression of three heat shock protein (HSP) (HSPA1A, HSPA6 and HSP105) and seven stress-related genes (TNFRSF11B, FGF2, TGFB2, ITGA2, BRIP1, EXO1, and MCM10) in RF only and RF/HS groups of RF-exposed cells. The expressions of three heat shock proteins and seven stress-related genes were selectively changed only in RF/HS groups. Based on the expression of ten genes, we could classify thermal and non-thermal effect of RF-exposure, which genes can be used as biomarkers for RF radiation exposure.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.360-370
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• 2009

Genetic factors clearly play a role in carcinogenesis, but migrant studies provide unequivocal evidence that environmental factors are critical in defining cancer risk. Therefore, one may expect that the lower availability of substrate for biochemical reactions leads to more genetic changes in enzyme function; for example, most studies have indicated the variant MTHFR genotype 677TT is related to biomarkers, such as homocysteine concentrations or global DNA methylation particularly in a low folate diet. The modification of a phenotype related to a genotype, particularly by dietary habits, could support the notion that some of inconsistencies in findings from molecular epidemiologic studies could be due to differences in the populations studied and unaccounted underlying characteristics mediating the relationship between genetic polymorphisms and the actual phenotypes. Given the evidence that diet can modify cancer risk, gene-diet interactions in cancer etiology would be anticipated. However, much of the evidence in this area comes from observational epidemiology, which limits the causal inference. Thus, the investigation of these interactions is essential to gain a full understanding of the impact of genetic variation on health outcomes. This report reviews current approaches to gene-diet interactions in epidemiological studies. Characteristics of gene and dietary factors are divided into four categories: one carbon metabolism-related gene polymorphisms and dietary factors including folate, vitamin B group and methionines; oxidative stress-related gene polymorphisms and antioxidant nutrients including vegetable and fruit intake; carcinogen-metabolizing gene polymorphisms and meat intake including heterocyclic amins and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; and other gene-diet interactive effect on cancer.