• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.630-635
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• 2009

This study was performed to analyze various antioxidants, to evaluate the antioxidative activities, and to measure the protective effect for gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) to assess the functional potency of the cherry tomato. The ascorbic acid, lycopene, and ${\beta}-carotene$ were measured at $503.4{\pm}9.6$, $39.7{\pm}1.5$, and $7.4{\pm}0.3$ mg/100 g d.w., and ${\alpha}-$, ${\beta}+{\gamma}-$, ${\delta}-tocopherol$ contents were measured at $8.3{\pm}0.1$, $1.7{\pm}0.0$, and $0.1{\pm}0.0$ mg/100 g d.w., respectively. Cherry tomato extract using hexane/acetone/EtOH (2:1:1, CTE) exhibited a ABTS radical scavenging activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of $48.83{\pm}0.30\;{\mu}g/mL$. The cherry tomato protected against the inhibition of GJIC induced by $H_2O_2$ in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells, and the reduction in phosphorylated Cx43 was most clearly correlated with the concentration of CTE. These results demonstrated that the cherry tomato harbors a wealth of potent antioxidants and might be protect human body against the inhibition of the GJIC by toxic components.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.308-313
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• 2006

Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside compound which is commonly found in the pits of many fruits and raw nuts. Although amygdalin itself is not toxic, it can release cyanide (CN) after hydrolysis when the pits and nuts are crushed, moistened and incubated, possibly within the gastrointestinal tract. CN reversibly inhibits cellular oxidizing enzymes and cyanide poisoning generates a range of clinical symptoms. As some pits and nuts may contain unusually high levels of amygdalin such that there is a sufficient amount to induce critical CN poisoning in humans, the detection of abnormal content of amygdalin in those pits and nuts can be a life-saving measure. Although there are various methods to detect amygdalin in food extracts, an enzyme immunoassay has not been developed for this purpose. In this study we immunized New Zealand White rabbits with an amygdalin-KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) conjugate and succeeded in raising anti-sera reactive to amygdalin, proving that amygdalin can behave as a hapten in rabbits. Using this polyclonal antibody, we developed a competition enzyme immunoassay for determination of amygdalin concentration in aqueous solutions. This technique was able to effectively detect abnormally high amygdalin content in various seeds and nuts. In conclusion, we proved that enzyme immunoassay can be used to determine the amount of amygdalin in food extracts, which will allow automated analysis with high throughput.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.508-513
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• 2016

To investigate the potential therapeutic effects of polyphenols in treating Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication and to explore the detailed underlying mechanisms. Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control groups (CT), Pb exposure groups (Pb), Pb plus Polyphenols groups (Pb+PP) and Polyphenols groups (PP). Animals were kept for 60 days and sacrificed for tests of urea, serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine. Histological evaluations were then performed. In vitro studies were performed using primary kidney mesangial cells to reveal detailed mechanisms. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to evaluate cell viability. Pb induced cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and scavenging were tested by DCFH-DA. Expression level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-1-${\beta}$ (IL-1-${\beta}$) and IL-6 were assayed by ELISA. Western blot and qPCR were used to measure the expression of ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38. Polyphenols have obvious protective effects on Pb induced renal dysfunction and intoxication both in vivo and in vitro. Polyphenols reduced Pb concentration and accumulation in kidney. Polyphenols also protected kidney mesangial cells from Pb induced apoptosis. Polyphenols scavenged Pb induced ROS generation and suppressed ROS-mediated ERK/JNK/p38 pathway. Downstream pro-inflammatory cytokines were inhibited in consistency. Polyphenol is protective in Pb induced renal intoxication and inflammatory responses. The underlying mechanisms lie on the antioxidant activity and ROS scavenging activity of polyphenols.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 1995

The extract of Ginkgo bibloba (EGb) is a complex mixture of natural products from the Ginkgo leaves and clinically used for the treatment of cerebral and peripheral circulatory disturbances due to its combined activity of several vasoactive principles. In this study we investigated the action of EGb and its mechanism in isolated rabbit corporal smooth muscle to evaluate the possibility of using this material as a pharmacoerecting agent. Strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum were mounted in organ chambers to measure isometric tension. EGb began to exert an relaxing effect at 1 mg/ml in the submaximally precontracted muscle strips with phenylephrine $(PHE,\;5{\times}10^{-6}\;M)$; causing concentration-dependent relaxation with maximal effect at $3{\sim}5\;mg/ml$. That relaxation was partially inhibited by removal of the smooth muscle endothelium or by pretreatment with a NO scavenger, pyrogallol $(10^{-4}\;M)$ or the guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue $(10^{-4}\;M)$. Pretreatment with EGb (3 mg/ml) inhibited PHE- $(5{\times}10^{-6}\;M)$ or KCI- (20 and 40 mM) induced contraction of muscle strip. In calcium-free high potassium solution EGb depressed the basal tone of the depolarized muscle strip and inhibited calcium-induced contraction when $CaCl_2$ $(10^{-4}\;M)$ was added. These results suggest that EGb relaxes rabbit corpus cavernosal smooth muscle through multiple action mechanisms that include increasing the release of nitric oxide from the corporal sinusoidal endothelium, sequestration of intracytosolic calcium, and maybe a hyperpolarizing action.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.83-94
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• 2016

Performance of absorbent for post-combustion $CO_2$ capture was measured and discussed. Fully saturated fresh absorbent (P2-15F) and absorbents sampled from absorption and regeneration reactor of continuous $CO_2$ capture process, P2-15A, P2-15R, respectively, were used as representative absorbents. Small scale fluidized bed reactor (0.05 m I.D., 0.8 m high) which can measure exhaust gas concentration and weight change simultaneously was used to analyze regeneration characteristics for those absorbents. Exhausted moles of $CO_2$ and $H_2O$ were measured with increasing temperature. $H_2O/CO$ ratio and working capacity were determined and discussed to confirm reason of reactivity decay after continuous operation. Moreover, possibility of side reaction was checked based on the $H_2O/CO_2$ mole ratio. Finally, suitable regeneration temperature range was confirmed based on the trend of working capacity with temperature.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 1995

To collect and evaluate an aerosol acidity ($H^+$) in ambient air, the cyclone/annular denuder/filter pack sampling system (ADS) was used. Aerosol acidity was collected in Chicago using the ADS for 81 12-hr samples divided in spring/summer/fall 1990 and winter 1991. This study illustrated that the ADS was suitable for measuring aerosol acidity. The $10^{-5}N$ $HCIO_4$ extraction solution for pH determination provided more reliable scale than $10^{-4}N$ HClO4. NH3 should be removed prior to particle collection to accurately measure $H^+$ concentration on the filter. There was seasonal variation in aerosol acidity concertrations. Aerosols were more acidic in the summer. High correlations between $SO_4^{2+} and$NH_4^+$, and between TEX>$SO_4^{2+}$H^+$ were observed during the entire sampling period.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.235-243
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• 2017

Carbonation of concrete is being occurred due to interaction of atmospheric carbon dioxide with hydroxides. Reinforce concrete (RC) structure is getting collapse or accident due to corrosion of embedded steel rebar. The maintenance of reinforced concrete structure recently has the attention of researchers regarding durability of structure and its importance day by day is increasing. In order to study the carbonation progress of pre-repaired concrete, present study was carried out to measure the carbonation velocity for different repair materials up to 100% of carbonation. The obtained results have predicted the carbonation progress of repair materials in service condition. These results have been verified by FEM and FDM analysis. As a result, the carbonation depth can be predicted by using the carbonation prediction formula after the repair, and the analytical and the experimental values are almost similar when the initial $Ca(OH)_2$ concentration is assumed to be 40%.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.97-107
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• 2000

PCBs [Polychlorinated biphenyls] are halogenated aromatic compounds with the empirical formula C12H10-nCln(n=1~10), and are a mixture of possible 209 different chlorinated congeners. PCBs were widely used as dielectric fluids for capacitors, transformers, plasticizers, lubricant inks, and paint additives. once released into the environment, PCBs persist for years because they are so resistant to degradation. In addition to their high degree of lipophilicity. In 1970s, the worldwide production of PCBs seem to be still in use. The environmental load of PCBs was prohibited since 1983 in Korea. In spite of these actions, many PCBs seem to be still in use. The environmental load of PCBs will continue to be recycled through air, land, water, and the biosphere for decades to come. This study was conducted to measure the concentrations of PCBs I the serum samples of 112 women by GC/MSD(Hewlett Packard 5897 Gas Chromatography-Mass Chromatography Detector) and CG/ECD(Hewlett Packard 5890 series-II gas chromatography-Electron capture detector, U.S.A). The main results of this study were as follows; The mean and standard deviation of serum PCBs were 3.613, 0.759 ppb, respectively and median of it was 3.828 ppb. The correlation coefficients of the concentrations of 13 PCB congeners ranged from 0.7913 to 0..9985 and were significantly correlated between each items(p=0.0001). The PCB concentrations were positively associated with age(simple linear regression; R2=0.86, =0.08023, p<0.001) and with total lipids in serums(simple linear regression; R=0.7058, =0.00486, p<0.001). The age adjusted model (Y=$\beta$0+$\beta$1age+$\beta$2X) was applied for possible predictors of PCBs levels in serum. For BMI(Body Mass Index), major residential area, and fish, meat, and dairy consumption, there was no association with PCBs levels, Also there was negative association for the number of pregnancy and lactation period with PCBs levels.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.255-261
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• 2010

Ischemic stroke, a major cause of death and disability worldwide, is caused by occlusion of cerebral arteries that, coupled with or without reperfusion, results in prolonged ischemia (hypoxia and hypoglycemia) and, ultimately, brain damage. In this study, we examined whether methanol extract of the whole plant of Cassia mimosoides var. nomame Makino that grows naturally in Korea, as well as Japan and China, and some of its fractions obtained by partitioning with organic solvents could protect human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) under hypoxic condition by inhibiting apoptosis. We also investigated if these extracts could attenuate brain damage in a rat model of 2 hr of ischemia, generated by middle cerebral artery occlusion, and 22 hr of reperfusion. The whole extract ($100{\mu}g$/mL) maintained the cell number at more than half of that initially plated, even after 24 hr of cell culture under hypoxic condition (3% $O_2$). In the absence of the whole extract, almost all of the cells were dead by this time point. This improvement of cell viability came from a delay of apoptosis, which was confirmed by observing the timing of the formation of a DNA ladder when assessed by gel electrophoresis. Of fractions soluble in hexane, ethyl acetate (EA), butanol and water, EA extracts were selected for the animal experiments, as they improved cell viability at the lowest concentration ($10{\mu}g$/mL). The whole extract (200 mg/kg) and EA extract (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly reduced infarct size, a measure of brain damage, by 34.7, 33.8 and 45.2.0%, respectively, when assessed by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. The results suggest that intake of Cassia mimosoides var. nomame Makino might be beneficial for preventing ischemic stroke through inhibition of brain cell apoptosis.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.145-158
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• 2004

Experimental conditions for evaluating chitosan antibacterial activities were established. The chitosan antibacterial activities were measured against the Staphylococcus aureus and evaluated for their application to antibacterial textile finishing. The strain of Staphylococcus aureus used in this experiments was KCTC 1916. The chitosan antibacterial activities were estimated from the bacterial densities or ％reduction of bacteria in chitosan solutions and bacterial culture mixtures after incubation under specific conditions. Six parameters as follows were evaluated to optimize the experimental conditions for measuring antibacterial activities. The different combinations of mixtures according to the different ratios of chitosan solutions to the bacterial cultures showed different antibacterial activities. However, the chitosan antibacterial activities could be evaluated by comparing the data obtained from the same combinations of mixtures. The solvent influence on the chitosan solution antibacterial activities could be eliminated using control solution containing the same concentration of acetic acid. The initial pH of the chitosan -bacterial mixtures also affected the chitosan antibacterial activity; at a higher pH, higher activity in terms of ％reduction of bacteria was observed. In case of the bacterial solution without either the acetic acid or chitosan, the initial pH of the solution did not significantly affect bacterial growth. The ％ reduction of bacteria increased when contact times of bacteria with chitosan in the chitosan -bacterial mixture were expended upto 24 hours. However, the chitosan antibacterial activities could be successfully evaluated at contact time 0 where the chitosan-bacterial mixture was plated immediately after mixing and incubated to measure the bacterial number to 24 hours. Evaluating ％reduction of bacteria in the test mixtures after incubation were not changed when the inoculated bacterial concentrations were 2.3${\times}$10$\^$0/ml to 2.3${\times}$10$\^$6/ml. The optimal range of incubation time of the petri-Dish after plating the chitosan-bacterial mixture was 24 to 72 hours depending on the antibacterial activities of the test solutions.