• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1985

The effects of feeding indole, indole-3-carbinol and benzofuran (all at 5 mmole/kg body wt./day) on various hepatic microsomal and cytosolic enzyme activities involved in xenobiotic metabolism have been compared. Benzofuran was found to elevate the activities of many enzymes both in microsomes (e.g., aniline hydroxylase, 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, p-nitrophenol UDPGA-transferase and epoxide hydrolase) and in cytosol (e.g., glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, NADH:quinone reductase and UDP-glucose dehydrogenase). The structures of indole and indole-3-carbinol are similar to benzofuran except for the substitution of nitrogen with oxygen atom within the furan ring. Results showed that the activities of UDPGA-transferase and NADH:quinone reductase were not elevated by these indole compounds. While the chemical structure of these two indole compounds are identical except for the presence of the carbinol (methanol) group in indole-3-carbinol, there were marked differences in the types and activities of microsomal enzymes that were enhanced. Among the microsomal enzyme activities determined, indole elevated only the NADPH:cytochrome c reductase, while indole-3-carbinol increased several mixed function oxidase and particularly the epoxide hydrolase activities. Based on the chemical structures of tested compounds and the observed results, possible explanations for the mechanisms involved in elevating epoxide hydrolase activity by benzofuran and indole-3-carbinol are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.699-704
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• 2010

Rapeseed oil was stored under different conditions such as in the dark, with UV treatment, and with prooxidantscytochrome C and copper ion. The rapeseed oils stored at different temperatures were analyzed by a mass spectrometrybased electronic nose and discriminant function analysis (DFA). Volatile components in the rapeseed oil increased with storage time, and the discriminant function first score (DF1) moved from a positive position to a negative position as storage time increased. Changes in DF1 were higher under UV treatment than under the dark condition (DF1: $r^2$=0.9481, F=307.03). The different DF1 values (F1) under the dark condition were 0.099, 0.187, and 0.278 as storage temperature increased. The different values under UV treatment were 0.554, 0.588, and 0.542, as storage temperature increased from 4 to $26^{\circ}C$. As concentrations of prooxidants copper ion and cytochrome C increased, amounts of volatile components also increased. These were confirmed by DFA. Furthermore, changes in responses at each ion fragment agreed with reported results for GC/MS, which formed after rancidity of the oil, including pentane, pentanal, 1-pentanol, hexanal, n-octane, 2-hexenal, heptanal, 2-heptenal, decane, 2-octenal, undecane, and dodecane.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.65-80
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• 1997

Cytochrome P450 is an oxidase involved in oxidation of alcohol and is known to be an activator of carcinogen. The present study was perfomed to analyze the effect of diabetes and cold stress on the expression of Cytochrome P450 IIE1(CYPIIE1) in the liver and salivary glands in rats by an immunoblot analysis. Sixty three divided into 4 groups; 1) 20 rats belonging to group I were allowed diabetes (40mg/kg. I.V.) 2) 20 rats of group II were bathed in cold water for 30 seconds twice a day 3) 20 rats comprising group III were received diabetes and cold stress as described above 4) 3 rats of group IV were selected as a control. The rats were sacrificed at the end of the same day 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks experiment. The liver and parotid glands were removed and stored at $-70^{\circ}C$ until use. The stored organs were homogenized for 10 seconds and the supernatants were obtained by centrifugation. The proteins of the supernatants were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subjected to Western blotting. The blotted membranes were incubated with polyclonal antibodies to CYPIIE1. And sepimens were observed with light microscope also under the Hematoxillin-Eosin staining. The obtained results were as follows : 1. In diabetes group, acini had changed to degeneration severely 1 week experiment, but repaired gradually in lapse of time. 2. In diabetes group, septal connective tissue had changed to degeneration little by little from 1 week after experiment, and progressed severely in lapse of time. 3. In stress group, acini had not changed remarkably, but slightly separated each other 3 weeks after experiment. 4. In diabetes and stress group, histological feature had changed remarkably campare with in the group of diabetes only. 5. In all experimental group, CTPIIE1 had expressed remarkably in the liver tissue, but not in the parotid gland tissues. 6. In diabetes and stress group, CYPIIE1 had expressed remarkably campare with in the group of diabetes only.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.476-480
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• 2005

Immunosuppressive therapy in pediatric renal transplant recipients is changing consequence of the increasing number of available immunosuppressive agents. The optimal use of immunosuppressive agents requires a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetic characteristics, but the information on the pharmacokinetic characteristics of these drugs in pediatric transplant recipients is still limited. In general, patients younger than 5 years old show higher clearance rates, therefore the need for higher dosages in younger patients seems evident. By the therapeutic drug monitoring, trough($C_{min}$) and peak level($C_{max}$) are measured and the area under the blood concentration-time curve(AUC), which is taken as being representative of total systemic exposure can be calculated. Cyclosporine A (CSA) has poor bioavailability, which contributes to high inter- and intra-patient pharmacokinetic variability. CSA concentration measured 2 hours after administration($C_2$) has better correlation with the AUC than $C_{min}$ and is an alternative technique that predicts the AUC. Tacrolimus(Tac) has a great deal of inter-individual variability like CSA but intra-individual variability in systemic exposure is considered to be low. Both CSA and Tac are metabolized by a cytochrome P-450 enzyme isoform(CYP3A4). We should consider changing the dosages when CSA or Tac is used in combination with the medicines that inhibit or induce the CYP3A4. In case of steroid-free immunosuppressive therapy, the blood concentration of Tac should be frequently checked and dosage adjustment may be needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.984-992
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• 2015

Sanguinarine is a benzophenanthridine alkaloid originally isolated from the roots of Sanguinaria canadensis. It has multiple biological activities (e.g., antioxidant and antiproliferative) and immune-enhancing potential. In this study, we explored the proapoptotic properties and modes of action of sanguinarine in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells. Our results revealed that sanguinarine inhibited HepG2 cell growth and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The induction of apoptosis by sanguinarine was associated with the up-regulation of Fas and Bax, the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, and the loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, sanguinarine activated caspase-9 and -8, initiator caspases of the intrinsic and death extrinsic pathways, respectively, and caspase-3, accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. Sanguinarine also triggered the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The elimination of ROS by N-acetylcysteine reversed sanguinarine-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, sanguinarine induced the dephosphorylation of Akt and the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38. The growth inhibition was enhanced by the combined treatment of sanguinarine with a phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor and an ERK inhibitor but not JNK and p38 inhibitors. Overall, our data indicate that the proapoptotic effects of sanguinarine in HepG2 cells depend on ROS production and the activation of both intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways, which is mediated by blocking PI3K/Akt and activating the ERK pathway. Thus, our data suggest that sanguinarine may be a natural compound with potential for use as an antitumor agent in liver cancer.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.63 no.6
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• pp.497-506
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• 2007

Background: The present investigation was performed in rats and isolated human neutrophils in order to confirm the presumptive role of the positive feedback loop of cytosolic phospholipase $A_2$ ($cPLA_2$) activation by plateletactivating factor (PAF). Methods: The possible formation of the positive feedback loop of the $cPLA_2$ activation and neutrophilic respiratory burst was investigated in vivo and in vitro by measurement of the parameters denoting acute lung injury. In addition, morphological examinations and electron microscopic cytochemistry were performed for the detection of free radicals in the lung. Results: Five hours after intratracheal instillation of PAF ($5{\mu}g/rat$), the lung leak index, lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the number of neutrophils and the concentration of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were increased by PAF as compared with those of control rats. The NBT assay and cytochrome-c reduction assay revealed an increased neutrophilic respiratory burst in isolated human neutrophils following exposure to PAF. Lung and neutrophilic $cPLA_2$ activity were increased following PAF exposure and exposure to hydrogen peroxide increased $cPLA_2$ activity in the lung. Histologically, inflammatory findings of the lung were observed after PAF treatment. Remarkably, as determined by $CeCl_3$ cytochemical electron microscopy, increased production of hydrogen peroxide was identified in the lung after PAF treatment. Conclusion: PAF mediates acute oxidative lung injury by the activation of $cPLA_2$, which may provoke the generation of free radicals in neutrophils.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2004

Effect of the depletion or oxidation of GSH on mitomycin c (MMC)-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death was assessed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. MMC induced cell death and the decrease in the GSH contents in SCLC cells, which were inhibited by z-LEHD.fmk (a cell permeable inhibitor of caspase-9), z-DQMD.fmk (a cell permeable inhibitor of caspase-3) and thiol compound, N-acetylcysteine. MMC caused nuclear damage, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3, which were reduced by N-acetylcysteine. The depletion of GSH due to L-butionine-sulfoximine enhanced the MMC-induced cell death and formation of reactive oxygen species in SCLC cells, whereas the oxidation of GSH due to diamide or $NH_2Cl$ did not affect cytotoxicity of MMC. The results show that MMC may cause cell death in SCLC cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to activation of caspase-9 and -3. The MMC-induced change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, followed by cell death, in SCLC cells may be significantly enhanced by the depletion of GSH. In contrast, the oxidation of GSH may not affect cytotoxicity of MMC.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Acori Graminie Rhizoma Pharmacopuncture (PA-AG) at GV20 on cerebral ischemia-induced dementia in Mice. Methods : Mice were divided into the five following groups: normal, control, acupuncture, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-AG (34 mg/kg). All groups, except the normal group, had cerebral ischemia induced by occlusion of middle cerebral artery. The control group was not treated. The acupuncture, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-GA (34 mg/kg) groups were treated every other day with a total of 6 treatments. The effect of treatment was observed by Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, cytochrome c, cresyl violet, and choline acetyltransferase staining. Results : In the PA-AG (34 mg/kg) group, the intensity of Bax was decreased and the intensity of Bcl-2 was increased. The Bax/Bcl-2 ratio also decreased in the PA-AG (34 mg/kg) group. The intensity of cytochrome c protein stain was decreased in the PA-AG (17 mg/kg) group. The density of neurons stained by cresyl violet and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was increased in the AT, PA-AG (17 mg/kg), and PA-AG (34 mg/kg) groups when compared with that of the control group. Conclusion : PA-AG at GV20 was effective on cerebral ischemia-induced dementia in mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1322-1329
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• 2008

Mulberry has been reported to contain wide range of polyphenols and have chemopreventive activity. However, little has been known regarding the effect of mulberry fruits on cell viability in human glioma cells. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of mulberry fruit (Mar; Fructus) on cell viability and to determine its underlying mechanism in human glioma cells. Cell viability and cell death were estimated by MTT assay and trypanblue exclusion assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured using the fluorescence probe DCFH-DA. The mitochondrial transmembrane potential was measured with $DiOC_6$(3). Bax expression and cytochrome c release were measured by Western blot analysis. Caspase activity was estimated using colorimetric kit. Mori Fructus resulted in apoptotic cell death in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Mori Fructus increased ROS generation and the Mori Fructus-induced cell death was also prevented by antioxidants, suggesting that ROS generation plays a critical role in Mari Fructus-induced cell death. Western blot analysis showed that Mori Fructus treatment caused an increase in Bax expression, which was inhibited by the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Mori Fructus induced depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and its effect was inhibited by the antioxidants NAC and catalase. Mori Fructus induced cytochrome c release, which was inhibited by NAC. Caspase activity was stimulated by Mori Fructus and caspase inhibitors prevented the Mori Fructus-induced cell death. These findings suggest that Mori Fructus results in human glioma cell death through ROS-dependent mitochondrial pathway in human glioma cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.323-327
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• 2006

DNA barcoding, an inventory of DNA sequences from a standardized genomic region, provides a bio-barcode for identifying and discovering species. Several recent studies suggest that the sequence diversity in a 648 bp region of the mitochondrial gene for cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) might serve as a DNA barcode for identifying animal species such as North American birds, insects and fishes. The present study tested the effectiveness of a COI barcode in discriminating Korean bird species. We determined the 5' terminus of the COI barcode for 92 species of Korean birds and found that species identification was unambiguous; the genetic differences between closely related species were, on average, 25 times higher than the differences within species. We identified only one misidentified species out of 239 specimens in a genetic resource bank, so confirming the accuracy of species identification in the banking system. We also identified two potential composite species, calling for further investigation using more samples. The finding of large COI sequence differences between species confirms the effectiveness of COI barcodes for identifying Korean bird species. To bring greater reliability to the identification of species, increased intra- and interspecies sampling, as well as supplementation of the mitochondrial barcodes with nuclear ones, is needed.