• Endocrinology and Metabolism
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.9-25
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• 2022

Evidence for involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in the regulation of glucose metabolism dates back to the 19th century, although the majority of the research on glucose metabolism has focused on the peripheral metabolic organs. Due to recent advances in neuroscience, it has now become clear that the CNS is indeed vital for maintaining glucose homeostasis. To achieve normoglycemia, specific populations of neurons and glia in the hypothalamus sense changes in the blood concentrations of glucose and of glucoregulatory hormones such as insulin, leptin, glucagon-like peptide 1, and glucagon. This information is integrated and transmitted to other areas of the brain where it eventually modulates various processes in glucose metabolism (i.e., hepatic glucose production, glucose uptake in the brown adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, pancreatic insulin and glucagon secretion, renal glucose reabsorption, etc.). Errors in these processes lead to hyper- or hypoglycemia. We here review the current understanding of the brain regulation of glucose metabolism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.127-133
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• 1997

Lithium remains the most widely used therapeutic agent for bipolar affective disorder, particularly mania. Although many investigators have studied the effects of lithium on abnormalities in monoamine neuro-transmitter as a pathophysiological basis of affective disorder, the action mechanism of lithium ion remains still unknown. To explore the action mechanism of lithium in the brain, we examined the effects of lithium on the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of catecholamines and their metabolites. Synaptosomes were prepared from the rat forebrains and assays of catecholamines and metabolites were made using HPLC with an electrochemical detector. Lithium of 1mM decreased the extrasynaptosomal concentrations of NE from the control group of $3.07{\pm}1.19$ to the treated group of $0.00{\pm}0.00$ (ng/ml of synaptosomal suspension) but not that of DHPG. It can be suggested that lithium increases synaptosomal uptake of NE. Increased intraneuronal uptake of NE would decrease neurotransmission and extraneuronal metabolism of NE. Because increased brain NE metabolism and neurotransmission have been suggested as important components in the pathophysiology of bipolar affective disorder, especially mania, lithium-induced increase of intraneuronal NE uptake can be suspected as an action mechanism of therapeutic effect of lithium in manic patient, possibly in bipolar affective disorder.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-105
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• 2023

Cu(II) diacetyl-di(N⁴-methylthiosemicarbazone), also known as Cu(II)-ATSM, is a popular copper-complexed thiosemicarbazone derivative that has been widely studied for hypoxia. [⁶⁴Cu]Cu-ATSM has emerged as an effective tracer for positron emission tomography imaging to functionally characterize hypoxic tumors. However, understanding the precise mechanism of cellular uptake and metabolism of Cu(II)-ATSM remains a controversial task in which different hypotheses have been proposed. Herein, we will elucidate the current findings regarding the hypoxic uptake mechanism of Cu(II)-ATSM. Particularly, we will investigate the cell internalization mechanism and intracellular reduction of Cu(II)-ATSM.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.180-189
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recent living condition improvements, changes in dietary habits, and reductions in physical activity are contributing to an increase in metabolic syndrome symptoms including diabetes and obesity. Through such societal developments, humankind is continuously exposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and the number of the victims is increasing. This study investigated Cordyceps militaris water extract (CMW)-induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells and the effect of CMW treatment on glucose metabolism. MATERIALS/METHODS: Colorimetric assay kits were used to determine the glucokinase (GK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities, glucose uptake, and glycogen content. Either RT-PCR or western blot analysis was performed for quantitation of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha ($HNF-1{\alpha}$), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, GK, PDH, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta ($GSK-3{\beta}$) expression levels. The ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activities of acarbose and CMW were evaluated by absorbance measurement. RESULTS: CMW induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells by increasing GLUT2 through $HNF-1{\alpha}$ expression stimulation. Glucose in the cells increased the CMW-induced phosphorylation of AMPK. In turn, glycolysis was stimulated, and glyconeogenesis was inhibited. Furthermore, by studying the mechanism of action of PI3k, Akt, and $GSK-3{\beta}$, and measuring glycogen content, the study confirmed that the glucose was stored in the liver as glycogen. Finally, CMW resulted in a higher level of ${\alpha}-glucosidase$ inhibitory activity than that from acarbose. CONCLUSION: CMW induced the uptake of glucose into HepG2 cells, as well, it induced metabolism of the absorbed glucose. It is concluded that CMW is a candidate or potential use in diabetes prevention and treatment.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2007

Zinc plays indispensable roles in metabolism, including cell growth, apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation. Kidneys are target organs for various regulators of mineral metabolism, and play a key role in zinc balance. To investigate the zinc uptake efficiency, we examined the zinc uptake and accumulation level in vivo and in vitro study. Plasma zinc concentration was peaked out at 1 hr after oral zinc administration. The renal zinc level was peaked out at 12 hr after oral zinc administration, and it was the highest in 40 mg/kg Zn-Asp administrated group in comparison with other groups. In addition, the m-RNA expression level of zinc transporter-1 (ZnT-1), zinc transporter-2 (ZnT-2) and high-affinity L-aspartate transporter (EAAT-3) in Zn-Asp administered group were increased compared with control groups and $ZnSO_4$ group. In order to investigate the intracellular zinc uptake mechanism, we performed the in vitro study by using human embryonic kidney cell line, HEK 293. Intracellular zinc level was peaked out at 3 hr after zinc treatment. In the same way, the mRNA expression level of ZnT-1 and EAAT-3 were increased compared with control group. This study showed that Zn-Asp is effective the zinc uptake into the kidney by increasing the zinc transporter expression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.192-197
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• 2010

Recent studies have indicated that $\beta$-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance are important factors in the development of type 2 diabetes. The present study investigated the effect of extracts from different parts of white, Taegeuk, and red ginseng root on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in muscle cells and proliferation of $\beta$-cells. Extracts of the fine roots of Taegeuk ginseng significantly enhanced glucose uptake compared with the control. White ginseng lateral root extracts enhanced insulin-induced glucose uptake. Proliferation of $\beta$-cells was significantly increased by Taegeuk ginseng main and lateral root extracts and by red ginseng lateral and fine root extracts. In conclusion, different root parts of white, Taegeuk, and red ginseng differentially affect glucose uptake and pancreatic $\beta$-cell proliferation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.231-240
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• 2001

Purpose: Normal aging results in detectable changes in the brain structure and function. We evaluated the changes of regional cerebral glucose metabolism in the normal aging process with FDG PET. Materials and Methods: Brain PET images were obtained in 44 healthy volunteers (age range 20-69 'y'; M:F = 29:15) who had no history of neuropsychiatric disorders. On 6 representative transaxial images, ROIs were drawn in the cortical and subcortical areas. Regional FDG uptake was normalized using whole brain uptake to adjust for the injection dose and correct for nonspecific declines of glucose metabolism affecting all brain areas equally. Results: In the prefrontal, temporoparietal and primary sensorimotor cortex, the normalized FDG uptake (NFU) reached a peak in subjects in their 30s. The NFU in the prefrontal and primary sensorimotor cortex declined with age after 30s at a rate of 3.15%/decade and 1.93%/decade, respectively. However, the NFU in the temporoparietal cortex did not change significantly with age after 30s. The anterior (prefrontal) posterior (temporoparietal) gradient peaked in subjects in their 30s and declined with age thereafter at a rate of 2.35%/decade. The NFU in the caudate nucleus was decreased with age after 20s at a rate of 2.39%/decade. On the primary visual cortex, putamen, and thalamus, the NFU values did not change significantly throughout the ages covered. These patterns were not significantly different between right and left cerebral hemispheres. Of interest was that the NFU in the left cerebellar cortex was increased with age after 20s at a rate of 2.86%/decade. Conclusion: These data demonstrate regional variation of the age-related changes in the cerebral glucose metabolism, with the most prominent age-related decline of metabolism in the prefrontal cortex. The increase in the cerebellar metabolism with age might reflect a process of neuronal plasticity associated with aging.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.331-338
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to investigate the cardiopulmonary function and the energy metabolism of stroke patients and normal persons of graded load exercise using lower ergometer. Targeting 11 normal persons(male: 6, female: 5) and 9 stroke patients (male: 4, female: 5), an graded load exercise was performed with the use of lower ergometer by increasing 25 watts every 6 minute and Quark $b_2$ were used for the cardiopulmonary function and the energy metabolism. With respect to normal persons, there were significant increases in the phase of graded load exercise, maximum oxygen uptake time, exercise time with respect to the cardiopulmonary function. In addition, there was a significant correlation between cardiopulmonary function and energy metabolism, but there was no significant difference energy metabolism. As a result, there were no significant differences between stroke patients and normal persons of the cardiopulmonary function and the energy metabolism within 18 minutes, but it had significant differences between maximum oxygen uptake and exercise time. Moreover, it was possible to identify that the cardiopulmonary function and the energy metabolism of stroke patients and normal persons are related with maximum oxygen uptake.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 1998

In this research, the removal or uptake of heavy metals such as coppers by using oxalic acid metabolism of wood rot fungi, Tyromyces palustris were endeavored. As results, the addition of oxalic acid to copper containing culture did not cause the mycelium growth, but Tyromyces palustris was able to grow in this culture without inhibition. Tyromyces palustris grew with the cicular halo type in copper containing culture, and this type was formed as collectives after examining by microscope, and considered as copper oxalates by analyzing FT-IR comparison experiment with standards. According to this result, Tyromyces palustris has secreted oxalic acid during incubation, this secreted oxalic acid was combined with coppers, and formed copper oxalates by chelating reactions. In other words, the oxalic acid was might be as non-toxifying agent of coppers in medium. By using this copper removal mechanisms, Tyromyces palustris immobilized sawdust was used in bench scale air lift system for removing coppers. The added coppers were almost removed from the system within 72hrs. Therefore, this nonenzymatic wood degradation mechanism may give a possibility for removing coppers from copper containing waste water.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.255-259
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• 1992

The effect of nitrate, nitrite and ammonia as inorganic nitrogen sources on the modulation of nitrogen metabolism of Botryococcus braunii UTEX.-572 has been studied under aeration. The primary process in the regulation of nitrogen metabolism by this alga has the nitrate uptake system. This uptake of nitrate operation was immediately inhibited by the presence of 0.5 mM of ammonium and reversed by 0.2∼0.3 mM ammonium. When cell were exposed to 5 mM of ammonium for 24 hours the activity of nitrate reductase became inactive.