• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.2
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• pp.186-195
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• 2022

Objective : To explore the histological feature of the cervical disc degeneration in patients with degenerative ossification (DO) and its potential mechanisms. Methods : A total of 96 surgical segments, from cervical disc degenerative disease patients with surgical treatment, were divided into ossification group (group O, n=46) and non-ossification group (group NO, n=50) based on preoperative radiological exams. Samples of disc tissues and osteophytes were harvested during the decompression operation. The hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson trichrome staining and Safranin O-fast green staining were used to compare the histological differences between the two groups. And the distribution and content of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, p-Smad2 and p-Smad3 between the two groups were compared by a semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry (IHC) method. Results : For all the disc tissues, the content of disc cells and collagen fibers decreased gradually from the outer annulus fibrosus (OAF) to the central nucleus pulposus (NP). Compared with group NO, the number of disc cells in group O increased significantly. But for proteoglycan in the inner annulus fibrosus (IAF) and NP, the content in group O decreased significantly. IHC analysis showed that TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 were detected in all tissues. For group O, the content of TGF-β1 in the OAF and NP was significantly higher than that in group NO. For p-Smad2 in IAF and p-Smad3 in OAF, the content in group O were significantly higher than group NO. Conclusion : Histologically, cervical disc degeneration in patients with DO is more severe than that without DO. Local higher content of TGF-β1, p-Smad2, and p-Smad3 are involved in the disc degeneration with DO. Further studies with multi-approach analyses are needed to better understand the role of TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway in the disc degeneration with DO.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2023

Hypothyroidism alone can lead to myocardial fibrosis and result in heart failure, but traditional hormone replacement therapy does not improve the fibrotic situation. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a new gas signaling molecule, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-fibrotic capabilities. Whether H₂S could improve hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis are not yet studied. In our study, H₂S could decrease collagen deposition in the myocardial tissue of rats caused by hypothyroidism. Furthermore, in hypothyroidism-induced rats, we found that H₂S could enhance cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE), not cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), protein expressions. Finally, we noticed that H₂S could elevate autophagy levels and inhibit the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signal transduction pathway. In conclusion, our experiments not only suggest that H₂S could alleviate hypothyroidism-induced myocardial fibrosis by activating autophagy and suppressing TGF-β1/SMAD family member 2 (Smad 2) signal transduction pathway, but also show that it can be used as a complementary treatment to conventional hormone therapy.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.66
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• pp.359-368
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• 2023

This study aims to explore the impact of Krill Oil (KO, Superba^TM Boost) on skin moisturization regulation. The research involved five groups: an intact control, a reference group (L-AA 100 mg/kg), and KO groups (400, 200, and 100 mg/kg), each comprising ten mice. Oral administration was conducted for 8 weeks (56 days), during which changes in body weight, hyaluronan, collagen type 1 (COL1), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), ceramide, and water contents were analyzed in dorsal back skin tissue. Real-time PCR was employed to assess gene expression related to hyaluronic acid synthesis (HAS1, HAS2, HAS3), COL1 synthesis (COL1A1 and COL1A2), and TGF-β1. Results demonstrated that KO administration significantly increased hyaluronan content, hyaluronic acid synthesis (HAS1, HAS2, HAS3), COL1 content, COL1 synthesis (COL1A1 and COL1A2), TGF-β1 content, TGF-β1 mRNA expression, ceramide content, and water content in a concentration-dependent manner compared to the intact control. Importantly, no discernible disparities were noted between the KO and L-AA groups, even though they received equivalent oral dosages. This study accentuates the potential utility of exogenous KO in the regulation of skin moisture, thus positioning it as a promising avenue for the development of nutricosmetics. Future research endeavors should delve into the role of KO in safeguarding against both intrinsic and extrinsic aging-related skin manifestations, as well as its potential to ameliorate skin wrinkles, in conjunction with its moisturizing attributes.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2023

Objective: Ovarian torsion is a gynecological disorder that causes ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the ovary. Our study investigated berberine's short- and long-term effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Methods: This study included 28 Wistar albino female rats weighing 180 to 220 g, which were divided into four groups: sham (S), torsion/detorsion (T/D), torsion/ detorsion+single dose berberine (T/D+Bb), and torsion/detorsion+15 days berberine (T/D+15Bb). The torsion and detorsion model was applied in all non-sham groups. In the T/D+Bb group, a single dose of berberine was administered, while in the T/D+15Bb group, berberine was administered over a period of 15 days. After the rats were euthanized, their ovaries were excised. The left ovaries were used for histopathologic evaluation, which included ovarian injury scoring and follicle count, while the right ovaries were used for biochemical analyses (tissue transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] levels). Results: The histopathologic evaluation scores for the ovaries were significantly lower in the T/D+B group (p<0.05) and the T/D+15B group (p<0.005) than in the T/D group. The follicle counts in the T/D group were lower than those in both the sham and treated groups (p<0.005). The TGF-β levels were significantly lower in the T/D+15B group (p<0.005), whereas the α-SMA levels did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: Both short- and long-term berberine use could potentially have therapeutic effects on ovarian torsion. Long-term berberine use exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TGF-β levels, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Therefore, we suggest that long-term berberine use could be beneficial for ovarian torsion.

• BMB Reports
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.373-378
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• 2019

The nucleotide-binding and oligomerization domain (NOD) is an innate pattern recognition receptor that recognizes pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns. The 29-kDa amino-terminal fibronectin fragment (29-kDa FN-f) is a matrix degradation product found in the synovial fluids of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated whether NOD2 was involved in 29-kDa FN-f-induced pro-catabolic gene expression in human chondrocytes. The expression of mRNA and protein was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qrt-PCR) and Western blot analysis. Small interfering RNAs were used for knockdown of NOD2 and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2). An immunoprecipitation assay was performed to examine protein interactions. The NOD2 levels in human OA cartilage were much higher than in normal cartilage. NOD1 and NOD2 expression, as well as pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1beta (IL-$1{\beta}$) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), were upregulated by 29-kDa FN-f in human chondrocytes. NOD2 silencing showed that NOD2 was involved in the 29-kDa FN-f-induced expression of TLR-2. Expressions of IL-6, IL-8, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -3, and -13 were also suppressed by TLR-2 knockdown. Furthermore, NOD2 and TLR-2 knockdown data demonstrated that both NOD2 and TLR-2 modulated the expressions of their adaptors, receptorinteracting protein 2 (RIP2) and myeloid differentiation 88, in 29-kDa FN-f-treated chondrocytes. 29-kDa FN-f enhanced the interaction of NOD2, RIP2 and transforming growth factor beta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), an indispensable signaling intermediate in the TLR-2 signaling pathway, and activated nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$), subsequently leading to increased expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cartilage-degrading enzymes. These results demonstrate that 29-kDa FN-f modulated pro-catabolic responses via cross-regulation of NOD2 and TLR-2 signaling pathways.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.136-144
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• 2014

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Platycarya strobilacea S. et Z. (PSE) extract on mouse hair growth and to determine the mechanism of action of PSE. PSE was purchased and its antioxidant activities, such as electron donating ability, total polyphenol content, and flavonoid content were tested. Toxicity during topical treatment was determined by the CCK-8 assay, a cell viability test. Fifteen 4-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to receive one of three treatments: dimethyl sulfoxide (negative control), minoxidil (positive control) or PSE. Test materials were topically applied to the shaved dorsal skin of each mouse daily for 3 weeks. After 21 days, we observed skin tissue hair follicle morphology and length, mast cell number, and stem cell factor (SCF) expression using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), toluidine blue, and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Furthermore, the expression of cytokines involved in hair growth [i.e., insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}1$] was determined by PCR. PSE was found to have very high antioxidant activity. The cell viability rate of PSE-treated mice was markedly higher than that of mice in the control group. We also observed an increase in hair follicle length, strong SCF staining, and a decrease in mast cell number in the PSE group. In addition, PSE-treated mice had higher IGF-1 and KGF expression and lower TGF-${\beta}1$ expression than mice in the minoxidil-treated group. These results suggest that topical application of PSE promotes hair growth by intensifying SCF, suppressing mast cell production, and increasing hair growth-promoting cytokine expression.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.4045-4048
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• 2014

Effects of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-${\beta}$) were investigated in human colorectal cancer, and the influence of cantharidinate in inhibiting TGF-${\beta}1$ expression was explored. Relationships among TGF-${\beta}1$ and sex, age, tumor size, tumor location, tumor stage were also analyzed. H&E and immunohistochemistry staining were employed to assess colorectal cancer and TGF-${\beta}1$ expression, respectively. Then, HCT-116 CRC cells were randomly divided into four groups, controls, no serum-treated, chemotherapy and cantharidinate-treated. Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were employed to assess the expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ in CRC cells. Our data showed that the expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ might be associated with tumor size and tumor location (P<0.05). The expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ in CRC groups was higher than in adjacent groups (P<0.05). In addition, the expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ in cantharidinate-treated group was much lower than in CRC group (P<0.05). Taken together, these results suggest that TGF-${\beta}1$ plays an important role in CRC development. Cantharidinate might inhibit the expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ and control the development of colorectal cancer.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.78-78
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• 1995

Increasing evidence indicates that the production of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (NOS) is tightely regulated. Transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) is a homodimeric protein secreted during macrophage activation, but several lines of evidence suggest that TGF-${\beta}$ is selectively suppressive for macrophage NO production. We therefore reasoned that a strategy employing oligodeoxynucleotides(ODNs) complemently to TGF-${\beta}$ mRNA (antisense ODNs) might increase NO production in IFN-${\gamma}$-treated murine peritoneal macrophages. To evaluate this concept, we tested the effects of antisense ODNs targeted to TGF-${\beta}$ mRNA (25-mer ODNs complemently to TGF-${\beta}$mRNA sequences) by introducing it into the medium of cultured macrophages. Phosphorothiolation of ODNs were employed to retard their degradation. Antisense ODNs had no effect on NO production by itself, whereas IFN-${\gamma}$ alone had modest effect. When antisense ODNs were used in combination with IFN-${\gamma}$, there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production, These effects of antisense ODNs were associated with decreased TGF-${\beta}$ expression in activated macrophages. ODNs with the same nucleotides but a scrambled sequence had no effect. Adding anti-TGF-${\beta}$ antibodies to the IFN-${\gamma}$-treated macrophages mimicked the positive effect of antisense ODNs on NO production. In addition, the effects of either antisense ODNs or anti-TGF-${\beta}$ antibodies were blocked by adding TGF-${\beta}$ in cultured macrophages. These results indicate that the generation of TGF-${\beta}$ by activated macrophages provides a self-regulating mechanism by which the temporal and perhaps spatial production of NO, a reactive and potentially toxic mediator, can be finely regulated.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.120-125
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the effect of mesenchymal stem cell proliferation on recombinant human transforming growth factor-beta (rhTGF-${\beta}2$) / poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) treated titanium discs by electrospray. Materials and methods: Anodized titanium surface coated with PLGA was used for a control group to compare anodized titanium surface coated with 125 ng/ml and 500 ng/ml rhTGF-${\beta}2$ as test groups. Atomic force microscope (AFM) test was utilized to determine the difference in coating surface roughness, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was taken to visualize even distribution of coating particles on titanium discs. The mesenchymal stem cell proliferation was tested by using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5 diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide) assay on 1st, 4th, 7th days. Results: According to AFM results, there was no statistically significant difference in titanium discs treated with PLGA and with rhTGF-${\beta}2$/PLGA (P>.05). MTT assay test results showed that there was statistically significant difference in mesenchymal stem cell proliferation on test groups compared to control groups at 7th day, and cell viability on discs coated with rhTGF-${\beta}2$ was significantly higher than control groups (P<.05). Conclusion: Titanium surface coated with rhTGF-${\beta}2$/PLGA shows statistically significant higher cell proliferation and the titanium surface coated with the higher concentration of rhTGF-${\beta}2$ presents faster cell growth activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.110-117
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• 2013

Cirsium japonicum (CJ) leaf (L) alcoholic extracts were investigated for analysis their active components (flavonoids and flavanolignans; silymarins) and inhibitory effect on transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ induced hepatic stellate cells (HSCs, LX-2 cells) activation. The CJ root (R) extracts were also analyzed and compared with leaf extracts. Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of the leaf extracts showed higher than those of the root extracts. The content of each flavonoid compound, which was analyzed by HPLC, in CJ-L extracts was also higher than in CJ-R extracts. The results of flavanolignans content in CJ-L and CJ-R extracts were consistent in flavonoid and polyphenol. We studied inhibitory effect of two extracts against TGF-${\beta}1$ induced HSCs activation. The CJ-L extracts significantly suppressed overexpression of profibrogenic factor, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin and collagen-${\alpha}1$(I). The CJ-R extract also showed inhibitory effect on TGF-${\beta}1$ induced HSCs activation, but the efficacy was lower than in CJ-L extract. These results suggest that CJ-L may contribute to the fibrotic liver treatment.