• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.40 no.12
• /
• pp.1708-1714
• /
• 2011

This study investigated the possible anti-obesity effects of Hypsizigus marmoreus on high fat-fed mice. Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: a normal diet group (N), a high-fat diet group (HF), and a high-fat diet with 5% Hypsizigus marmoreus group (HF-H). After 8 weeks, the body weights in the HF group significantly increased, while those of the HF-H group decreased. Also, liver and adipose tissue weights in the HF-H group significantly decreased. Total serum cholesterol, leptin, and insulin levels were significantly higher in the HF group than those of the N group, but lower than those of the HF-H group. Accumulation of hepatic lipids was apparent in the HF group, as indicated by HE staining and hepatic lipid analysis, while these effects were improved by supplements with Hypsizigus marmoreus in the HF-H group. Also, a reduction in adipocyte size of the epididymal adipose tissue was observed in the HF-H group. $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c, and SCD-1 protein expressions were down-regulated in the epididymal adipose tissue of the HF-F group compared to the HF group. Taken together, these results suggest that Hypsizigus marmoreus may an effective anti-obesity treatment.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2010

South Korea's industrial injuries are decreasing overall in the last 32 years. Nevertheless, the fatal occupational injury rate is still higher than in developed countries. This study was conducted to help prevention strategies of occupational injuries for the Republic of Korea. Fatal occupational injury rates were obtained from "Industrial Accident Analysis"of the Korean Ministry of Labor. Poisson regression was used to assess time trends. Socioeconomic indicators were obtained from the Korea Labor Institute and the Statistics Korea. Fatal occupational injury rates were adjusted by year, and Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the socio-economic indicators and occupational injuries. In 1975, fatal occupational injury rate was 54.8 per 100,000 workers. With somewhat up and down, it was decreased to 21.0 in 2006. An annual rate of change for the years 1975-2006 was - 1.83%, and for the years 2002-2006 was -5.02%. As economic growth rate, paricipation rate for the age less than 25 and hours of work per week or year increased, fatal occupational injury rate also increased. Conversely, as GDP per capita, paricipation rate or employment rate for female, paricipation rate for the age 25 or more, hourly compensation costs for production workers and services output as percent of GDP increased, fatal occupational injury rate decreased. By the development of safety techniques and the adoption of more legislative constraints, developed economy reduce occupational injuries. Conversely, economic growth may raise occupational injuries. Therefore, prevention strategies are needed to manage both of them. We need to make an effort to prevent occupational injuries due to not only sexual differences, but also job differences between male and female. Preventive strategies are needed to consider the characteristics of younger workers. Addition to wage, other appropriate variables for work condition should be considered together. Extending work hours is need to be regulated with systemic methods.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.590-595
• /
• 2008

The aim of our study was to research the effect of overfeeding on plasma parameters and mRNA expression of genes associated with hepatic lipogenesis in the Sichuan white goose and Landes goose. Fifty-four male Landes geese and 57 male Sichuan white geese were hatched on the same day under the same feeding conditions. After overfeeding for 14 days, (1) extrahepatic adipose tissues grew greatly in the Sichuan white geese, while more lipid accumulated in liver tissue in the Landes geese. (2) Sichuan white geese had a higher plasma concentration of triacylglycerols (TG), lipoproteins and insulin than the Landes geese. However, the Landes geese exhibited higher increase of plasma concentrations of TG, lipoproteins and insulin, with greater decrease of the diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) activity and DGAT2 mRNA level and a smller decrease of plasma glucose concentration. In addition, the mRNA level of MTP and LPL in liver was down- and up- regulated by overfeeding, respectively. (3) The correlations between the activity of LPL and the proportions of subcutaneous adipose tissue, abdominal adipose tissue, and liver weight, and the plasma concentration of VLDL were different in the two breeds. (4) The proportion of fatty liver weight was positively correlated to plasma concentrations of VLDL and TG in the overfed Sichuan white geese. Such a relationship did not exist in the Landes geese. (5) The activity of DGAT2 and its mRNA abundance in liver had significant negative correlations with the TG content in liver lipid and plasma insulin level in the Landes geese, while in the Sichuan white geese they had negative correlation (p>0.05) with TG concentration in liver lipid and had significant positive correlation with VLDL and TG concentrations in plasma.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.29-37
• /
• 2008

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a novel pro-inflammatory cytokine which has been implicated to play a pathogenic role in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was undertaken to investigate the IL-23 inductive activity of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-17, $IL-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-${\alpha}$) in RA synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMC). Expression of IL-23p19, IL-17, $IL-1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in joint was examined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) of patients with RA and osteoarthritis (OA). The effects of IL-17 and $IL-1{\beta}$ on expression of IL-23p19 in human SFMC from RA patients were determined by reverse transcriptase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IL-23p19 was expressed in the RA fibroblast like synoviocyte (FLS), but not from OA FLS. Similar to the protein expression, IL-23p19 mRNA could be detected by RT-PCR in RA SFMC. IL-17 and $IL-1{\beta}$ could induce RA SFMC to produce the IL-23p19. The effects of IL-17 were much stronger than $IL-1{\beta}$ or TNF-${\alpha}$. These responses were observed in a doseresponsive manner. In addition, IL-17 or $IL-1{\beta}$ neutralizing antibody down-regulated the expression of IL-23p19 induced by LPS in RA-SFMC. Our results demonstrate that IL-23p19 is overexpressed in RA synovium and IL-17 and $IL-1{\beta}$ appears to upregulate the expression of IL-23p19 in RA-SFMC.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.473-477
• /
• 2012

Introduction: The esophagus squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most deadly malignances, and a current challenge is the development of effective therapeutic agents. Our present work addressed the effect of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA alone or in combination with cisplatin on the growth of ESCC in nude mice. Materials and Methods: Xenografts were established by inoculating ESCC TE-1 cells in nude mice, and transplanted tumors were treated with HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA, cisplatin alone or together. Growth was assessed by measuring tumor volume. HIF-$1{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein expression were detected using RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Apoptosis of ESCC TE-1 cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: In our nude mice model, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA effectively inhibited the growth of transplanted ESCC, downregulating HIF-$1{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein expression, and inducing ESCC TE-1 cell apoptosis. Notably when combinated with cisplatin, HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA showed synergistic interaction in suppressing tumor growth. Furthermore, the proportion of apoptotic cells in HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA plus cisplatin group was significantly higher than that in cisplatin or HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA-treated groups (P<0.05). Conclusions: Down-regulated HIF-$1{\alpha}$ expression induced by siRNA could effectively suppress the growth of transplanted ESCC $in$ $vivo$. HIF-$1{\alpha}$ siRNA could enhance the cytotoxicity of cisplatin, which suggests that a combination of these two agents may have potential for therapy of advanced ESCC.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.65-72
• /
• 2017

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain is characterized by persistent jaw pain associated with dysfunction and tenderness of the temporomandibular muscles and joints. The aim of this study was to investigate whether treatment with red or black ginseng extract helps in the modulation of inflammatory TMJ pain. Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 220~260 g were used. The experimental group was subdivided into 4 groups based on the treatment method (n=6, each group): formalin (5%, $30{\mu}l$), formalin after distilled water (vehicle), formalin after red or black ginseng extract (per oral, single or repeated, respectively). To induce TMJ pain, $30{\mu}l$ of formalin was injected into the articular cavity under ether inhalation anesthesia. The number of noxious behavioral responses of scratching the facial region proximal to the injection site was recorded for 9 successive 5-min intervals following formalin injection. Repeated treatment with red or black ginseng extract reduced the nociceptive responses in the second phase (11~45 min). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is an oxidative stress-mediated transcription factor. Both ginsengs significantly down-regulated the increased Nrf2 level compared to the vehicle group. In the test for liver and kidney functions, repeated treatment with red or black ginseng was not different compared to the vehicle group. These results indicate that red and black ginseng extract might be promising analgesic agents in the treatment of inflammatory TMJ pain.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.253-260
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is characterized by breakdown of blood vessels within the brain parenchyma. Fundamental therapeutic strategies for ICH, particularly those aimed at neuroprotection, have to be established. So in this experiment, the effects of Woowhangchongshim-won, a traditional prescription formula for treating Cerebral Apoplexy in Asian countries, were investigated. Methods : After intraperitoneal injection of chloralhydrate, rats were placed in a stereotaxic frame. ICH was induced by injection of 1 U collagenase type IV and drug was administered orally for 10 days. The molecular profile of cerebral hemorrhage in rat brain tissue was measured using micro array technique to identify up- or down- regulated genes in brain tissue. These genes induced by brain damage were mainly concerned with general metabolic process such as primary metabolic process, cellular metabolic process, macromolecule metabolic process, and biosynthetic process. Results : The number of genes increased in control and not-changed in experiment was 374, and decreased in control and not-changed in experiment was 527. We are concerned with genes that can be recovered by treatment with medicine, it is especially interesting to above types of genes. Conclusions : Upon medicine treatment to the rat having cerebral hemorrhage, expressions of some genes were restored to normal level. Further analysis using protein interaction database identified some key molecules that can be used for elucidation of therapeutical mechanism of medicine in future.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 2008

We evaluated the response to salt stress of two different ginseng lines, STG3134 and STG3159, which are sensitive and tolerant, respectively, to salt treatment. Plants were exposed to a 5 dS/m salt solution, and chlorophyll fluorescence was measured. STG3134 ginseng was more sensitive than STG3159 to salt stress. To characterize the cellular response to salt stress in the two different lines, changes in protein expression were investigated using a proteomic approach. Total protein was extracted from detached salt-treated leaves of STG3134 and STG3159 ginseng, and then separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(2-DE). Approximately 468 protein spots were detected by 2-DE and Coommassie brilliant blue staining. Twenty-two proteins were found to be reproducibly up- or down-regulated in response to salt stress. Among these proteins, twelve were identified using MALDI-TOF MS and ESI-Q-TOF and classified into several functional groups: photosynthesis-related proteins(oxygen-evolving enhancer proteins 1 and 2, rubisco and rubisco activase), detoxification proteins(polyphenol oxidase) and defense proteins($\beta$-1,3-glucanase, ribonuclease-like storage protein, and isoflavone reductase-like protein). The protein levels of ribonuclease-like storage protein, which was highly induced in STG3159 ginseng as compared to STG3134, correlated tightly with mRNA transcript levels, as assessed by reverse-transcription(RT)-PCR. Our results indicate that salinity induces changes in the expression levels of specific proteins in the leaves of ginseng plants. These changes may, in turn, playa role in plant adaptation to saline conditions.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.16-22
• /
• 2005

Background: IL-18 was originally cloned as a IFN-${\gamma}$ inducing factor in primed T cells. In synergy with IL-12, IL-18 has been shown to induce strikingly high levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ production by T cells and to enhance Th1 development. Also this cytokine exerts induction of Th2 development through IL-4 induction. Methods: Resting $CD4^+$ T cells were sorted by negative selection and activated by anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 Ab. Expression of IL-12 binding sites, IL-18 binding sites, IL-18R ${\alpha}$, and GATA-3 mRNA were analysed by FACS and RT-PCR, respectively. Results: Resting $CD4^+$ T cells expressed IL-18R ${\alpha}$ chain but not IL-18 binding sites, suggesting a lack of IL-18R ${\beta}$ expression. IL-18R ${\alpha}$ was maintained on the Th1 and Th2 committed cells. IL-18 binding sites were induced on the Th1 but not Th2 cells. Exposure of these cells to IL-18 led to up-regulation of GATA-3 mRNA expression only in Th2 committed cells. To elucidate the relationship between IL-18R ${\alpha}$ expression and GATA-3 induction by IL-18, Th1 and Th2 committed cells were further cultured in medium with or without IL-12 for 2 days. IL-12 binding sites were maintained on the Th1 and Th2 cells regardless of IL-12 treatment, but IL-18R a expression was rapidly down-regulated on the IL12-untreated Th2 cells which did not induce GATA-3 mRNA expression followed by IL-18 stimulation. Conclusion: IL-12 supports expression of IL-18R ${\alpha}$ and GATA-3 mRNA expression was induced by IL-18 through IL-18R ${\alpha}$ without expression of IL-18 binding site in Th2 cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.61-76
• /
• 2006

Purpose : This study examined the non-toxic and the anti-oxidative effect of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on PC12 cells. Sanyak(Dioscoreae Rhizoma; chinese yam, shan yao) is well-known for its curing power for kidney, lung, spleen. Tonifies and augments the spleen and stomach. Tonifies the lung gi and augments the kidney yin. Tonifies the kidneys and also stabilizes and binds. it also binds the essence and treats spermatorrhea, frequent urination, and vaginal discharge. We are therefore interested in whether Dioscoreae Rhizoma is capable of causing abnormal apoptosis processes, and whether this condition can be rectified through Dioscoreae Rhizoma herb treatment. Methods : We used aqueous extract to treat PC12 cells with different concentrations treated with a water or a MeOH extract of Dioscoreae Rhizoma (0, x10, x20, x40, x80). The MTT (3, (4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol) 2, 5-diphenyl-tetraxolium bromide) reduction assay was employed to quantify the differences in cell activity and viability. The Bax expression level was monitored using western-blotting techniques. The patterns of the changes in expression were scanned and analyzed. Results : Bax and GSK-3${\beta}$ promotes cell death and down-regulated during the development of the PC12 cells. This is indicated that Dioscoreae Rhizoma is capable of inducing apoptosis in PC12 cells. The induced cell death and significantly inhibited by Dioscoreae Rhizoma, which can be explained by the increase in the inhibition of Bax and GSK-3${\beta}$ expression. It was also shown that Dioscoreae Rhizoma inhibits the release of $H_2O_2$ and prevents lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the accumulation of wild type Bax protein significantly downregulated in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment with Dioscoreae Rhizoma. Conclusion : In conclusion, Dioscoreae Rhizoma can induce apoptosis via a Bax-dependent pathway or GSK-3${\beta}$ dependent pathway in PC12 cells into anti-oxidant and protective effect.