• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.1392-1397
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• 2016

Guanine nucleotide-binding protein subunit alpha-s ($Gn{\alpha}s$) is a small subunit of the G protein-couple signaling pathway, which is involved in the formation of coat color. The expression level and distribution of $Gn{\alpha}s$ were detected by quantitative real-time-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), western blot, and immunohistochemistry to investigate the underlying mechanisms of coat color in white and black skin tissues of mice. qPCR and western blot results suggested that $Gn{\alpha}s$ was expressed at significantly higher levels in black mice compared with that of white mice, and transcripts and protein possessed the same expression in both colors. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated $Gn{\alpha}s$ staining in the root sheath and dermal papilla in hair follicle of mice skins. The results indicated that the $Gn{\alpha}s$ gene was expressed in both white and black skin tissues, and the expression level of $Gn{\alpha}s$ in the two types of color was different. Therefore, $Gn{\alpha}s$ may be involved in the coat color formation in mice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.74-88
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• 2002

Objectives : This study is aimed to investigate the effects of bee venom and melittin on cell death in synovial cell line. Methods : It was evaluated by using MTT assay, morphologic method, DNA fragmenation, NO generation, flow cytometry, immunocytochemistry analysis, RT-PCR, Western blot. Results : The obtained results are summarized as follows: 1. The MTT assay demonstrated that synovial cell viability was significantly inhibitted dose-dependently by treatment with bee venom and melittin in comparison with control. 2. The morphologic study demonstrated that synovial cell showed apoptosis after treatment with bee venom and melittin for 6 hours using microscope. 3. In case of NO generation bee venom group and melittin group showed significant inhibition in comparison with control. 4. The Flow cytometry demonstrated that apoptosis of synovial cell treated with bee venom and melittin was related with stop of cell cycle in stage of $G_0/G_1$. 5. DNA fragmenation demonstrated that synovial cell treated with bee venom and melittin showed DNA ladder below l Kbp. 6. Immunocytochemistry assay demonstrated that COX-II and PLA2 were strongly down-regulated by treatment with bee venom and melittin whereas iNOS was almostly not expressed by bee venom treatment and slightly expressed by melittin treatment. 7. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that iNOS were strongly down-regulated by treatment with bee venom and melittin whereas COX-II was almostly not expressed by bee venom treatment and slightly expressed by melittin treatment. 8. Western blot demonstrated that iNOS were strongly down-regulated by treatment with $15{\mu}g/ml$ bee venom whereas COX-II was strongly down-regulated from $5{\mu}g/ml$ bee venom. Conclusions : These results suggest that bee venom and melittin have significant effect on cell death in synovial cell line and further study is needed in vivo.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.17-24
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• 2007

Objectives : Licorice has been commonly used as a detoxification agent. We previously reported that licorice and its component, liquiritigenin, exhibits cytoprotective activity against Pb-induced toxicity. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of liquiritigenin on the lead-induced cytotoxicity in PC-12 cells. Methods : PC-12 cells were pre-treated with liquiritigenin, and further incubated with lead 100 ${\mu}M$ for $12^{\sim}48$ hours. The viability of PC-12 cells was measured by MTT assay, and the levels of proteins were analysed by western blot. Results : Severe cytotoxicity was induced and nitric oxide (NO) production was augmented by the exposure of lead. Liquiritigenin protected cells from lead-induced cytoxicity and reduced NO production in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of NO production was due to the suppression of iNOS protein via the inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation, determined by western blot analysis. Conclusions : These results suggest that liquiritigenin may exert cytoprotective effect against lead toxicity by inhibiting NO production.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.221-226
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• 2008

To produce human ferritins in yeast, human H-chain and L-chain ferritins were amplified from previously cloned vectors. Each amplified ferritin gene was inserted into the pYES2.1/V5-His-TOPO yeast expression vector under the control of the GAL1promoter. Western blot analysis of the recombinant yeast cells revealed that H-and L-chain subunits of human ferritin were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) analysis demonstrated that the intracellular content of iron in the ferritin transformant was 1.6 to 1.8-fold higher than that of the control strain. Ferritin transformants could potentially supply iron-fortified nutrients for food and feed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.181-188
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• 2012

Dioscoreae Rhizome (DR) has been used in traditional medicine to treat numerous diseases and is reported to have anti-diabetes and anti-tumor activities. To identify a bioactive traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory activity of a water extract of DR (EDR), we determined the mRNA and protein levels of proinflammatory cytokines in macrophages through RT-PCR and western blot analysis and performed a FACS analysis for measuring surface molecules. EDR dose-dependently decreased the production of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and $PGE_2$, as well as mRNA levels of iNOS, COX-2, and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as determined by western blot and RT-PCR analysis, respectively. The expression of co-stimulatory molecules such as B7-1 and B7-2 was also reduced by EDR. Furthermore, activation of the nuclear transcription factor, NF-${\kappa}B$, but not that of IL-4 and IL-10, in macrophages was inhibited by EDR. These results show that EDR decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$-dependent inflammatory protein level, suggesting that EDR could be a useful immunomodulatory agent for treating immunological diseases.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.181-187
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• 2001

스트레스가 인체의 항상성에 영향을 미쳐 다양한 질병 및 동통을 일으킬 수 있다는 것은 선학들의 연구에 의해 증명되어 왔다. 특히 정서적으로 중요한 구강안면영역에는 스트레스와 관련된 질병 및 동통이 많이 존재하는데, 이에대한 병리적 기전은 아직 뚜렷하게 밝혀져 있지 않다. 이에 저자는 스트레스와 말초 및 중추신경과의 병리적 관계를 알아보고자, 구속스트레스하에서 구강안면영역의 감각과 운동에 중요한 역할을 하는 삼차신경의 집합체인 삼차신경절과 뇌간조직의 단백질 변화를 western blot을 통해 살펴보았다. 실험동물은 생후 8주된 Sprague-Dawley계 웅성 백서 (323-367 g/bw)를 대조군 3마리, 실험군 15마리로 배정하였고 실험군은 실험 전기간에 걸쳐 구속스트레스를 부여하였다. 실험동물의 삼차신경절과 뇌간은 희생 즉시 적출되었으며, western blot을 시행하여 다음과 같은 결론을 얻었다. 1. 삼차신경절의 모든 군에서 약 18 KDa의 단백질이 균일하게 나타났다. 2. 뇌간의 모든 군에서 약 18 KDa 단백질이 발현되었으며, 정상 대조군, 실험 즉일, 1일, 3일, 7일에서는 뚜렷한 변화가 없었으나 실험 5일군에서는 현저한 감소를 보였다. 구속스트레스에 의해 뇌간의 5일군에서 약 18 KDa의 특수한 단백질이 뚜렷이 감소된 후 7일 군에서 다시 증가되었던 것은 스트레스에 의한 뇌간세포의 반응으로 생각되며, 뇌간에서와 다르게 삼차신경절에서는 그 변화가 나타나지 않았던 것은 스트레스에 대한 조직의 반응 차이라고 생각된다. 따라서 이를 명확하게 확인하기 위해서는 향후 수종의 스트레스와 관련된 단백질 변화에 대한 추가적인 연구가 필요하리라 사료된다.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.148-160
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• 1991

Localization of isoenzyme of glutathione transferase Pi class was compared in different human tissues by immunohistochemical analysis. Strong enrich-ment of GST-Pi in the epithelial tissues was observed in the granular layer of skin, nipple and esophagus which are vulnerable to exogenous chemicals and in the duct epithelium such as pancreatic, biliary, salibvary, renal tubules as well as in the steroid biosynthesis organs such as theca and granulosa of ovary, leydig cell of testis and zona reticularis of adrenal glands.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1694-1698
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• 2004

We hope to evaluate the effects of Sabaek-san for the bronchial asthma using assesment on the metrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) after Sabaek-san was intravenously administered OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice. Seventy-two female mice, 8-10 weeks of age and free of murine specific pathogens, were used. Of the seventy-two mice, twenty-four mice were not sensitized and forty-eight mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Of the sensitized mice, twenty-four mice didn't administrate Sabaek-san and twenty-four administrated Sabaek-san. Mice were sensitized on days 1 and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of 20 fig OVA. On days 21, 22 and 23 after the initial sensitization, the mice were challenged for 30 minutes with an aerosol of 1% OVA in saline. Sabaek-san administered 200㎎/㎏ in the tail of the mouse, one time per day, for 7 days, beginning 14 days after first sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 72 hours after the last challenge, and total cell numbers in the BAL fluid were count. Also, level of MMP-9 in the BAL fluid were measured by Enzyme immunoassays and Western blot analysis. Enzyme immunoassay revealed that MMP-9 levels in the BAL fluids significantly increased 72 h after OVA inhalation compared with levels in the control group. After administration of the Sabaek-san, the levels of the MMP-9 in BAL fluids 72 h after OVA inhalation reduced dramatically. Western blot analysis revealed that MMP-9 levels increased in the all mice which were challenge with OVA without administered Sabaek-san compared the normal mouse. However, in the groups of the administered Sabaek-san, the MMP-9 level markedly decreased. Sabaek-san might be effect the treatment of the bronchial asthma as a inhibition of the MMP-9.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1475-1478
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• 2003

Purpose : We hope to evaluate the effectiveness of Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium for the bronchial asthma using assesment on the vascular endothelial growth factor after Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium was intravenously administered OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice. Material and methods: Eleven female mice, 8-10 weeks of age and free of murine specific pathogens, were used. Of the eleven mice, one mouse was not sensitized and ten mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA. Of the sensitized mice, three mice didn't administrate Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium and seven mice administrated Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium. Mice were sensitized on days 1 and 14 by intraperitoneal injection of 20 ㎍ OVA. On days 21, 22, and 23 after the initial sensitization, the mice were challenged for 30 minutes with an aerosol of 1 % OVA in saline. Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium administered 200mg/kg in the tail of the mouse, one time per day, for 7 days, beginning 14 days after first sensitization. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 72 hours after the last challenge, and level of VEGF in the BAL fluid were measured by Western blot analysis. Results: Western blot analysis revealed that VEGF protein levels were increased in the all three mice which were challenge with OVA without administered Chung-pi compared the normal mouse. However, in the groups of the administered Chung-pi, the VEGF protein level markedly decreased in six of seven mice. Conclusion : Citri Reticulatae Viride Pericarpium might be effect the treatment of the bronchial asthma as a inhibition of the VEGF.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2008

Objective: Bee venom (BV) has been used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and relief of pain in Oriental medicine. The two main components of BV are melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2). Of these, melittin, the major active ingredient of BV, has been reported to induce apoptosis and to possess anti tumor effects. Several studies have established that the agents inducing apoptosis in target organs suppress tumorigenesis. As the other component, PLA2 has been reported to induce neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells. However, there was no report about proliferative effect of BV in neuronal cells. In order to examine the effect of BV on glioma cell, human glioma cell line, U87 was used. Methods: Analysis of proliferation was confirmed by MTT assay. BV increased cell number through dose and duration dependent manner and these effects are apparent at a concentration of 10 ug/ml. To observe which signaling molecules will be activated by BV, phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK, PYK2 or CREB were examined by Western blot analysis. To study the long term effect of BV in U87 cells, the image of cells treated with BV for 4 days were obtained. Results: The phosphorylation levels of PYK2 and Akt were increased at 5 min after addition of 10 ug/ml of BV and sustained to 2 hours. On the other hand, phosphorylation of MAPK and CREB were increased at 5 min, maximum at 10 min, and returned to 30 min. These imply that BV may activate two different signaling pathways, PYK2/Akt and MAPK/CREB. BV treated cells showed increased neurite number and length. Conclusion: These results propose that BV may induce differentiation as well as proliferation of U87 cells through the activation of PYK2/ Akt and MAPK/ CREB.