• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.16-27
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• 2004

In the traditional Chinese medicine, Drynariae Rhizoma (DR) has been reported as a good enhancer for bone healing. DR, a plant widely used in the traditional medicinal systems of Korea, has been reported to possess antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Modulation of immune response to alleviate disease has been of interest for a long time. Plant extracts have been widely investigated for possible immunomodulatory properties. Thus, I have evaluated the anticellular and immunomodulatory properties of ethanolic extract of DR. DR extract inhibited proliferation of mitogen (phytohaemagglutinin; PHA) and antigen (purified protein derivative; PPD)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). In addition, DR inhibited growth of several cell lines of mouse and human origin. It also inhibited production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$. Intracytoplasmic $interferon-{\gamma}\;(IFN-{\gamma})$ and expression of cell surface markers, CD16 and HLA-DR, on human PBMC, were not affected on treatment with DR but CD25 expression was down regulated. This study demonstrates the antiproliferative and immunosuppressive potential of ethanolic extract of DR in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 1987

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) was known to play a key role in the regulation of cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation of mammalian cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC's) in vivo and in vitro. The present experiments were conducted to know how intracellular level of cAMP in these cells is controlled. Intracellular cAMP level was modulated by culturing mouse CGC's with an adenylate cyclase stimulator, forskolin, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methyixanthine (IBMX), human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG), or follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). The rate of cumulus expansion and germinal vesicle break-down (GVBD) was checked after culture and used as a biological end point. Forskolin in the medium began to stimulate the expansion of the complexes at 1 nM and induced maximum expansion (80~90%) at 0 1~10 $\mu$M. The expansion rate was reduced to 60% when forskolin concentration was increased to 100 $\mu$M. Oocyte GVBD occurred normally (75~82%) in the presence of 10 $\mu$M of forskolin, but partial suppression was appeared at 100 pM of the drug (40%). IBMX also stimulated the expansion from the concentration of 0.01 pM and induced full expansion (81~89%) between the concentration of 1-1000 $\mu$M. Meiotic resumption was occurred normally under 10 $\mu$M of IBMX, but suppressed drastically from the concentration of 100 $\mu$M. The minimum exposing time to hormone or drugs required to trigger cumulus expansion was two minutes with HCG, 15~30 minutes with FSH and fors kolin, and two hours with IBMX. The data presented here seemed to imply that intracellular cAMP level in cumulus cells is regulated by both adenylate cyclase and phosphodiesterase and cumulus expansion is induced by a peak of cAMP while meiotic arrest is maintained by continuous presence of cAMP.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2011

Target herbal ingredient (THI) is an extract made from two herbs, Scutellariae Radix and Platycodi Radix. It has been developed as a treatment for metabolic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypertension. One component of these two herbs has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-obesity activities. However, there have been no reports about the effects of the mixed extract of these two herbs on metabolic diseases. In this study, we investigated the metabolic effects of THI using a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. High-fat diet (HFD) mice were orally administered daily with 250 mg/kg of THI. After 10 weeks of treatment, the THI-administered HFD mice showed reduction of body weights and epididymal white adipose tissue weights as well as improved glucose tolerance. In addition, the level of total cholesterol in the serum was markedly reduced. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of the metabolic effects of THI in vitro, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with THI, after which the mRNA levels of adipogenic transcription factors, including C/$EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, were measured. The results show that the expression of these two transcription factors was down regulated by THI in a dose-dependent manner. We also examined the combinatorial effects of THI and swimming exercise on metabolic status. THI administration simultaneously accompanied by swimming exercise had a synergistic effect on serum cholesterol levels. These findings suggest that THI could be developed as a supplement for improving metabolic status.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2010

The roots and leaves of Angelica keiskei (AK) have been used for the treatment of various diseases including coronary heartdisease, hypertension, and cancer in the Korean folk medicine. However, the mechanism by which methylenechloride fraction (MF) from AK exerts anti-tumorigenic activity in human prostate cancer cells has not been fully understood. In the present study, we report the MF exerted the highest cytotoxicity against prostate cancer DU145 cells compared with other fractions. Especially, MF caused the accumulation of sub-G1 DNA contents of cell cycle and increased annexin V-positive apoptotic bodies and DNA fragmentation. MF down-regulated several proliferative (Cyclin D1) and anti-apoptotic (Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, IAP-1/2, and survivin)gene products in these cells. Hence, MF induced apoptosis through the caspase-3 activation in DU145 cells. We further confirmed that caspase-3 plays an importance role in MF-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells by using caspase-3 inhibitor. Additionally, we observed that MF potentiated Dox-induced apoptosis in DU145 cells. Taken together, our data demonstrate the evidence that MF induces apoptosis depend on caspase-3 activation of and overcomes resistance to chemotherapy in human prostate cancer cells.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation of vitamin C or E on the expressions of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, lipid and glucose metabolism associated genes in broiler chickens. A total of 216 one-day-old male broilers was randomly alloted to 4 treatments with 6 replicate pens per treatment and 9 broilers per pen for 35 days. The dietary treatments were control, vitamin C (control diet + ascorbic acid 200 mg/kg diet), vitamin E (control diet + ${\alpha}$-tocopherol 100 mg/kg diet), vitamin C + E (control diet + vitamin C 200 mg/kg + vitamin E 100 mg/kg), respectively. To evaluate gene expressions by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, total RNA was extracted from the liver of the chicken at 35 days of age. Dietary supplementation of vitamins was significantly down-regulated the expression of stress marker genes including HSP70, HSP90, and HMGCR, as compared to the control (p<0.05). The expressions of ER stress associated genes also inhibited by supplementation of vitamins as well (p<0.05). Vitamin C supplementation suppressed the expression of lipid associated genes such as FASN, FATP1 and ACSL1. Vitamin supplementation did not affect the glucose transporters, GLUT2 and GLUT8, in the liver. The results of the present study indicated that dietary supplementation of vitamin C or E could be beneficial for the alleviating physiological stress in broiler chickens.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.431-436
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• 2013

Bone homeostasis is maintained by co-ordination of bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts. Imbalance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts leads to many bone diseases such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis. Taxillus chinensis is a herb that has been widely used to improve bone health. However, the effect and mechanism of Taxillus chinensis extract on osteoclast differentiation and bone resportion has been unknown. Thus, We investigated the effect of Taxillus chinensis on expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Also, the action of Taxillus chinensis on mechanisms relating to osteoclast differentiation was studied. In this results, we identified that Taxillus chinensis significantly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resportion. Moreover, Taxillus chinensis was suppressed the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in bone marrow macrophage treated RANKL and M-CSF. Taxillus chinensis was down-regulated the mRNA expression of c-Fos, nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT)c1, osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). The cell adhesion-related molecules such as integrin ${\alpha}v$ and integrin ${\beta}3$, and the filamentous actin (F-actin) rings of mature osteoclasts-related molecules such as dendritic cell-specific transmembrane preotein (DC-STAMP) and cathepsin K are also suppressed. Taken together, these results indicated that Taxillus chinensis will be a good candidate to treat osteoclast-mediated bone diseases.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.83-89
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• 2020

In the study, we investigated the effect of Taurine-F^TM, which is a commercially available fishery nutritional supplements complex, on anti-hepatotoxicity stressed with thioacetamide (TAA) and innate immune responses in olive flounder. To investigate the change in liver toxicity, firstly, TAA (30 ppm/100 g of fish) was intraperitoneally (i.p.) administered 12 hr after the intramuscular (i.m.) injection of Taurine-F^TM (0.02 ml/100 g of fish)(Taurine/TAA). Secondly, Taurine-F^TM was i.m. injected 24 hr after the administration of TAA (TAA/Taurine). Finally, TAA was administered simultaneously with Taurine-F^TM (TAA+Taurine). All blood samples were collected 24 hr after injection. GOT level in group Taurine/TAA appeared similar to the control, whereas group TAA/Taurine and TAA+Taurine showed significantly increased (p<0.05) levels compared to the control. In GPT level, group Taurine/TAA and TAA/Taurine showed elevated levels compared to the control, whereas no significant difference was observed between group TAA+Taurine and the control. Serum ACH₅₀ activity was significantly (p<0.05) augmented 24 hr after Taurine-F^TM injection compared to the control group, whereas no significant increase was observed 48 hr after Taurine-F^TM injection. On the other hand, serum lysozyme activity elevated in an acute stressed condition appeared significantly down-regulated 24 and 48 hr after Taurine-F^TM injection compared to the control. In conclusion, i.m. injected Taurine-F^TM augmented flounder serum complement activity and decreased a possible handling stress resulting in reducing a serum lysozyme activity and recovering hepatotoxicity. Thus, it is assumed that i.m. injection of Taurine-F^TM mixed with antibiotics or available vaccines could be utilized as an anti-hepatotoxic recipe in fish culture industry.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2016

Resveratrol is a non-flavonoid polyphenol which belongs to the stilbenes group and is naturally generated in several plants in response to damage or fungal invasion. It has been shown in published studies that resveratrol has an anti-adipogenic effect. A good consensus regarding the involvement of a down-regulation of $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ in this effect has been reached. In addition, different metabolic pathways involved in triacylglycerol metabolism in white adipose tissue have been shown to be regulated by resveratrol. Concerning lipolysis, though this compound in itself seems to be unable to cause lipolysis, it increases lipid mobilization stimulated by ${\beta}-adrenergic$ agents. The increase in brown adipose tissue thermogenesis, and accordingly the associated energy dissipation, can attribute to accounting for the body-fat reducing effect of resveratrol. Besides its effects on adipose tissue, resveratrol can also acts on other organs and tissues. Therefore, it increases mitochondrial biogenesis and accordingly fatty acid oxidation in skeletal muscle and liver. This effect can also attribute to the body-fat reducing effect of this molecule. The present review purposes to collect the evidence concerning the potential mechanisms of action which underlie the anti-obesity effects of resveratrol, acquired either in cultured cells lines and animal models.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.710-713
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• 2017

This study evaluates the ability of corn silk (Zea mays L.) extract to function as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic therapeutic agent. The anti-inflammatory effects of corn silk were evaluated by measuring the inhibitory activities of nitric oxide (NO) and production of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$. Anti-atopic effects were assessed by measuring the repression of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC). These results indicated that NICS-1 (corn silk ethanol extract) and NICS-3 (high maysin corn silk ethanol extract) functioned as anti-inflammatory agents by down-regulating LPS-induced NO and TNF-${\alpha}$. Additionally, two extracts showed weak repression of TARC expression levels in tumor necrosis factor TNF-${\alpha}$ plus IFN-${\gamma}$ induced HaCaT cells, respectively. These results suggest that corn silk extracts have anti-inflammatory and anti-atopic activities, and thus have the potential to reduce and alleviate the symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.127-132
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• 2015

To overcome the hyperacute immune rejection during pig-to-non-human primates xenotranasplantation, we have produced and bred ${\alpha}$-1,3-galactosyltransferase knock-out ($GalT^{-/-}$) pigs. In this study, the somatic cells and tissues from the $GalT^{-/-}$ pigs were characterized by an analysis of the expression of Gal${\alpha}$-1,3-Gal (${\alpha}-Gal$) epitope. Briefly, ear fibroblast cell lines of 19 homozygous $GalT^{-/-}$ pigs were established and cryopreserved. The expression of ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope in the cells was measured by fluorescence activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis using BS-I-B4 lectin. Also, the homozygous ($GalT^{-/-}$) cells and tissues samples were immunostained with BS-I-B4 lectin for analysis of ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope expression. The results showed that the expression of ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope in $GalT^{-/-}$ cells (0.2 %) were significantly (p<0.05) down-regulated to the range of cynomolgus monkey fibroblast (0.2 %) cells compared to heterozygous ($GalT^{-/+}$) (9.3 %) and wild type ($GalT^{+/+}$) (93.7 %) fibroblast cells. In the immunostaining results, while the expression of ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope was detected a partly in $GalT^{-/+}$ cells and mostly in $GalT^{+/+}$ cells, it was almost not detected in the $GalT^{-/-}$ cells. Also, immunostaining results from various tissues of the $GalT^{-/-}$ pig showed that the expression of ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope was not detectable, whereas various tissues from $GalT^{+/+}$ pig showed a strong expression of ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope. Our results demonstrated that ${\alpha}-Gal$ epitope expressions from $GalT^{-/-}$ pigs were successfully knocked out to prevent hyperacute immune rejection for further study of xenotransplantation.