• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2016

Background: Bone injury is common in many clinical situations, such as surgery or trauma. During surgery, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production decreases the quality and quantity of osteoblasts. Remifentanil decreases ROS production, reducing oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. We investigated remifentanil's protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in osteoblasts. Methods: To investigate the effect of remifentanil on human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cells, the cells were incubated with 1 ng/ml of remifentanil for 2 h before exposure to $H_2O_2$. For induction of oxidative stress, hFOB cells were then treated with $200{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ for 2 h. To evaluate the effect on autophagy, a separate group of cells were incubated with 1 mM 3-methyladenine (3-MA) before treatment with remifentanil and $H_2O_2$. Cell viability and apoptotic cell death were determined via MTT assay and Hoechst staining, respectively. Mineralized matrix formation was visualized using alizarin red S staining. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of bone-related genes. Results: Cell viability and mineralized matrix formation increased on remifentanil pretreatment before exposure to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. As determined via western blot analysis, remifentanil pretreatment increased the expression of bone-related genes (Col I, BMP-2, osterix, and $TGF-{\beta}$). However, pretreatment with 3-MA before exposure to remifentanil and $H_2O_2$ inhibited remifentanil's protective effects on hFOB cells during oxidative stress. Conclusions: We showed that remifentanil prevents oxidative damage in hFOB cells via a mechanism that may be highly related to autophagy. Further clinical studies are required to investigate its potential as a therapeutic agent.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2016

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia is the primary characteristic of diabetes and is associated with many complications. The role of hyperglycemia in the dysfunction of human cardiac progenitor cells that can regenerate damaged cardiac tissue has been investigated, but the exact mechanism underlying this association is not clear. Thus, we examined whether hyperglycemia could regulate mitochondrial dynamics and lead to cardiac progenitor cell dysfunction, and whether blocking glucose uptake could rescue this dysfunction. High glucose in cardiac progenitor cells results in reduced cell viability and decreased expression of cell cycle-related molecules, including CDK2 and cyclin E. A tube formation assay revealed that hyperglycemia led to a significant decrease in the tube-forming ability of cardiac progenitor cells. Fluorescent labeling of cardiac progenitor cell mitochondria revealed that hyperglycemia alters mitochondrial dynamics and increases expression of fission-related proteins, including Fis1 and Drp1. Moreover, we showed that specific blockage of GLUT1 improved cell viability, tube formation, and regulation of mitochondrial dynamics in cardiac progenitor cells. To our knowledge, this study is the first to demonstrate that high glucose leads to cardiac progenitor cell dysfunction through an increase in mitochondrial fission, and that a GLUT1 blocker can rescue cardiac progenitor cell dysfunction and downregulation of mitochondrial fission. Combined therapy with cardiac progenitor cells and a GLUT1 blocker may provide a novel strategy for cardiac progenitor cell therapy in cardiovascular disease patients with diabetes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2008

In our previous publication we compared the gene expression profiles on hepatotoxicants exposure to assess the comparability between in vivo and in vitro test systems. We investigated global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell line treated with thioacetamide (TAA) and identified several common genes. In this study, we selected genes to validate them as potential biomarkers for hepatotoxicity on the relevance of in vitro and in vivo system. Three up-regulated, aquaporin 8 (Aqp8), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), succinate-CoA ligase, GDP-forming, alpha subunit (Suclg1) and two down-regulated, DnaJ (Hsp40) homolog subfamily C member 5 (Dnajc5) and tumor protein D52 (Tpd52) genes were tested for their effects in vitro. For characterization of gene function, short interfering RNA (siRNA) for each gene was synthesized and transfected in mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2. Cell viability, mRNA expression level and morphological alterations were investigated. We confirmed siRNA transfection against selected five genes induced down-regulation of respective mRNA expression. siRNA transfection in general decreased cell viability in different degrees and induced morphological changes such as membrane thickening and alterations of intracellular structures. This suggests that these genes could be associated with TAA-induced toxicity. Furthermore, these genes may be used in the investigation of hepatotoxicity for better understanding of its mechanism.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• v.103 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2014

To examine the natural regeneration in the natural mixed-broadlived forest, flowering, fruiting, seed-fall, and seed viabilities of Acer ukurunduense Trautv. & C.A. Mey. (AU) were investigated in Mt. Jungwang, Gangwon-do, from 2009 to 2013. The flower of AU consisited many male and bisexual flowers on the raceme (unusual panicle) and the arrangement of two sex morphs are differed for each inflorescence. Flowering dates are differed between sex morph in the same inflorescence. Stamens are stop growing and disappeared after pollinated pistil begin to grow in bisexual flowers, and male flowers have vestial pistil. The flowers of AU might be pollinated by Apis mellifera, Thyris fenestrella seoulensis, Cerambycidae sp., Andrenidae sp. and Ctenophora sp., and had some mechanism to prevent feom self pollination. The number of flower buds per inflorescence is 189 on June 8, and that of young samaras per inflorescence is 41.2 on June 21. At last ripened samaras per inflorescence is reduced 33.4 on September 5. Mean annual seedfall of AU was 6,720 ea/ha (ranged 670~17,930). Rates of sound seeds are highest 43.2%, and those of damaged or decayed seeds are 41.8%,. Those of undeveloped and empty seeds are 10.2% and 4.8%, respectively. Successful regeneration of AU might be in masting year and on the gap sites with proper conditions to germinate and grow. To understand the natural regeneration of the species, Genus Acer, further study on the fruiting habit, pre- and post-dispersal seed viability, and annual variation on these factor should be needed.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2017

Background: In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production contributes to cellular dysfunction and initiates the apoptotic cascade. Autophagy is considered the mechanism that decreases ROS concentration and oxidative damage. Propofol shows antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol preconditioning (PPC) on oxidative injury remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether PPC protects against cell damage from hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress and influences cellular autophagy. Method: COS-7 cells were randomly divided into the following groups: control, cells were incubated in normoxia (5% $CO_2$, 21% $O_2$, and 74% $N_2$) for 24 h without propofol; $H_2O_2$, cells were exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($400{\mu}M$) for 2 h; $PPC+H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$; and 3-methyladenine $(3-MA)+PPC+H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$. Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide thiazolyl blue (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was determined using Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The relationship between PPC and autophagy was detected using western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability decreased more significantly in the $H_2O_2$ group than in the control group, but it was improved by PPC ($100{\mu}M$). Pretreatment with propofol effectively decreased $H_2O_2$-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol during apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that the level of autophagy-related proteins was higher in the $PPC+H_2O_2$ group than that in the $H_2O_2$ group. Conclusion: PPC has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis, which is mediated by autophagy activation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.338-346
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• 2015

This study was performed to elucidate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic mechanism of flavonoids in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. We investigated the anti-proliferative activity of flavonoids in HT-29 human colon cancer cells via cell viability assay (MTT assay), caspase-3 activity, RT-PCR, and western blotting. We cultured HT-29 cells in the presence of various flavonoids (apigenin, rutin, naringenin, and myricetin) at a concentration of $100{\mu}M$. In the MTT assay, naringenin showed the strongest effect on cell viability in HT-29 colon cancer cells. Caspase-3 activity, a marker of apoptosis, significantly increased upon naringenin treatment. For RT-PCR, myricetin significantly increased Bax protein levels, naringenin increased p53 protein levels, and rutin reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2. Western blotting of HT-29 colon cancer cells showed that myricetin increased cleaved caspase-3 protein levels, naringenin significantly increased poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase protein levels, and rutin increased E-cadherin protein levels. These results indicate that flavonoid exerts anticancer effects on human colon HT-29 cells through a caspase-dependent apoptotic pathway.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.272-283
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of protective effect of Jinmu-tang (JMT, Zhenwu-tang) extract on $H_2O_2$-induced cell death in C6 glial cells. Methods : Cultured C6 glial cells of white mice were pretreated with JMT extract and exposed to $H_2O_2$ for inducing cell death. We measure the cell viability by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and investigate the cell morphology using a light microscope after crystal violet (CV) staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was analyzed using a flow cytometer and a fluorescent microscope after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). DNA fragmentation was analyzed using a flow cytometer after propidium iodide (PI) staining and nuclei morphology was investigated using a fluorescent microscope after 2-[4-amidinophenyl]-6-indo-lecarbamidine dihydrochloride (DAPI) staining. We analyzed expression of Bax, processing of procaspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), and activation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) by western blot method. Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) secretion was analyzed using Quantikine kit. Results : We determined the elevated cell viability by JMT extract on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death. ROS formation, DNA fragmentation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, and secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ induced by $H_2O_2$ are inhibited by JMT extract pre-treatment. JMT extract inhibits Bax expression, processing of caspase-3 and PARP that are critical biochemical markers of apoptotic cell death. Conclusions : These results suggest that JMT extract has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced C6 glial cell death in various pathways.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.178-191
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• 2013

Objectives : In this study, we made an effort to investigate the protective mechanism of Ukgan-san (UGS) extracts on hypoxia-induced C6 glial cell death. Methods : The cell viability was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MMT) assay and cell morphological changes were analysed with microscope after staining with crystal violet (CV). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation was assessed by flow cytometer after staining with 2'7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA). We also analyzed expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) and p53, processing of procaspase-3 and procyclic acidic repetitive protein (PARP) by western blot method. Results : We estimated the elevated cell viability by UGS extract on $CoCl_2$-induced C6 glial cells. UGS attenuated $CoCl_2$-induced ROS formation in C6 glial cells and also showed a protective activity compared to antioxidants and exhibited abrogation of LDH-released by $CoCl_2$. UGS suppressed the typical apoptotic cell death markers, caspase-3 and PARP activation. UGS inhibited $CoCl_2$-induced HIF-1${\alpha}$ expression which is known as a major regulator for hypoxia-induced cell death, and suppressed p53 expression. Conclusions : These results suggest that UGS extract contains protective constituents for hypoxia-induced C6 glial cell death.

• 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.17 no.sup3
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• pp.219-224
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• 2016

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver making up more than 80 percent of cases. It is known to be the sixth most prevalent cancer and the third most frequent cause of cancer related death worldwide. Epigenetic regulation constitutes an important mechanism by which dietary components can selectively activate or inactivate target gene expression. The miR-34 family members including mir-34a, mir-34b and mir-34c are tumor suppressor micro RNAs, which are expressed in the majority of normal tissues. Several studies have indicated silencing of miR-34 expression via DNA methylation in multiple types of cancers. Bioactive nutrients like curcumin (Cur) have excellent anticarcinogenic activity and minimal toxic manifestations in biological systems. This compound has recently been determined to induce epigenetic changes. However, Cur is lipophilic and has a poor systemic bioavailability and poor absorption. Its bioavailability is increased through employing dendrosome nanoparticles. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of dendrosomal nanocurcumin (DNC) on expression of mir-34 family members in two HCC cell lines, HepG2 and Huh7. We performed the MTT assay to evaluate DNC and dendrosome effects on cell viability. The ability of DNC to alter expression of the mir-34 family and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A and 3B) was evaluated using semi-quantitative and quantitative PCR. We observed the entrance of DNC into HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Gene expression assays indicated that DNC treatment upregulated mir34a, mir34b and mir34c expression (P<0.05) as well as downregulated DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B expression (P<0.05) in both HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines. DNC also reduced viability of Huh7 and HepG2 cells through restoration of miR-34s expression. We showed that DNC could awaken the epigenetically silenced miR-34 family by downregulation of DNMTs. Our findings suggest that DNC has potential in epigenetic therapy of HCC.