• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.270-276
• /
• 2013

Fucoxanthin is an important carotenoid derived from edible brown seaweeds and is used in indigenous herbal medicines. The aim of the present study was to examine the cytoprotective effects of fucoxanthin against hydrogen peroxide-induced cell damage. Fucoxanthin decreased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species, as assessed by fluorescence spectrometry performed after staining cultured human HaCaT keratinocytes with 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. In addition, electron spin resonance spectrometry showed that fucoxanthin scavenged hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction in a cell-free system. Fucoxanthin also inhibited comet tail formation and phospho-histone H2A.X expression, suggesting that it prevents hydrogen peroxide-induced cellular DNA damage. Furthermore, the compound reduced the number of apoptotic bodies stained with Hoechst 33342, indicating that it protected keratinocytes against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptotic cell death. Finally, fucoxanthin prevented the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. These protective actions were accompanied by the down-regulation of apoptosis-promoting mediators (i.e., B-cell lymphoma-2-associated ${\times}$ protein, caspase-9, and caspase-3) and the up-regulation of an apoptosis inhibitor (B-cell lymphoma-2). Taken together, the results of this study suggest that fucoxanthin defends keratinocytes against oxidative damage by scavenging ROS and inhibiting apoptosis.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2014

This study investigated the anthropometric characteristics of US women 26 to 45 years of age to classify their body shapes into different categories. Research data was obtained from 2950 women 26 to 45 years of age who participated in the SizeUSA study. A 26 to 35 years of age group and a 36 to 45 years of age group were selected from the data pool. A total of 26 measurements important for body shape classification and for apparel product development was used for the data analysis. Five factors accounted for the US women's body measurements. The body shapes of women were categorized into 4 types: Obese A-Shape, Overweight Y-Shape, Obese H-Shape, and Normal S-Shape. Normal S-Shape was the most common body shape type. More women in the 26 to 35 years of age group had Normal S-Shape type than women in the 36 to 45 years of age group. More women in the 36 to 45 years of age group had Obese A-Shape, Overweight Y-Shape, and Obese H-Shape than women in the 26 to 35 years of age group. Younger US women, 26 to 35 years of age had slimmer body sizes with more balanced body shapes; however, older US women, 36 to 45 years of age had larger body sizes with more various body shapes.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.233-237
• /
• 2003

It has been known that ATM plays a central role in response of cells to ionizing radiation by enhancing DNA repair. We have investigated the feasibility of increasing radiosensitivity of tumor cells with the use of ATM inhibitors such as caffeine, pentoxifylline and wortmannin. Human colorectal cancer RKO.C cells and RKO-ATM cells (RKO cells overexpressing ATM) were used in the present study. The clonogenic cell survival in vitro indicated that RKO-ATM cells were markdely radioresistant than RKO.C cells. Treatment with 3 mM of caffeine significantly increased the radiosensitivity of cells, particulary the RKO-ATM cells, so that the radiosensitivity of RKO.C cells and RKO-ATM cells were almost similar. The radiation induced G2/M arrest in RKO-ATM cells was noticeably longer than that in RKO.C cells and caffeine treatment significantly reduced the length of the radiation induced G2/M arrest in both RKO.C and RKO-ATM cells. Pentoxifylline and wortmannin were also less effective than caffeine to radiosensitize RKO.C or RKO-ATM cells. However, wortmannin was more effective than caffeine against human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells indicating the efficacy of ATM inhibitor to increase radiosensitivity is cell line dependent. For in vivo study, RKO.C cells were injected s.c. into the hind-leg of BALB/C-nuslc nude mice, and allowed to grow to 130mm3 tumor. The mice were i.p. injected with caffeine solution or saline and the tumors irradiated with 10 Gy of X-rays. The radiation induced growth delay was markedly increased by 1-2 mg/g of caffeine. It was concluded that caffeine increases radiosensitivity of tumor cells by inhibiting ATM kinase function, thereby inhibiting DNA repair, that occurs during the G2/M arrest after radiation.

• Resources Recycling
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.3-11
• /
• 2004

Basic studies have been conducted regarding the crystal formation of hydroxyapatite which was produced in the treatment process of phosphate-containing wastewater using calcium ions as the precipitating agent for its employment as the material for artificial bones. The precipitation of hydroxyapatite were conducted in the synthetic solution which simulating human body fluid for its increased applicability. Ca($NO_3$)$_2$$.$$4H_2$O and ($NH_4$)$_2$$HPO_4$ were employed for the precipitation of hydroxyapatite and its composition was analyzed after drying at 80oC. The thermal behavior of precipitate was investigated by examining the change in its crystalline structure according to the sintering temperature. DTA/TG analysis showed that the escape of moisture from the precipitate occurred at ca. $100^{\circ}C$ and the decomposition of ammonia and the evaporation of lattice water were brought about at around $250^{\circ}C$. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the thermally treated precipitate consisted mainly of hydroxyapatite. For dried precipitate, the bonds in the component materials which used for the precipitate formation were observed by FT-IR, and after thermal treatment the major bonds in the precipitate were shown to be $OH^{-}$, $PO_4^{3-}$ , and $CO_3^{ 2-}$ , which were main comprising bonds of hydroxyapatite.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.50 no.6
• /
• pp.372-380
• /
• 2006

Farnesol in fruits, vegetables, herbs and leaves acts as bioactive component related with prevention of cancer and psychological malaise. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of farnesol on human leukemic cell, HL-60 cells, by MTT assay using 3- (4,5-Oirnethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide. Farnesol (0.1${\sim}$50 ${\mu}$g/ml) exhibited cytotoxicities against HL-60 cells in concentration and culture period dependent manner, In the cytotoxic condition induced by farnesol against HL-60 cells, the generation of reactive oxygen species such as O$_2$ and H$_2$O$_2$ were found to be considerably increased. The most prominent augmentations of O$_2$ and H$_2$O$_2$ were over five folds of controls. In an attempt to explore the response of HL-60 cells to the increased O$_2$ and H$_2$O$_2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities of HL-60 cells treated with farnesol were measured. SOD and GPx activities were found to be remarkably elevated by addition of farnesol showing the best results of 273% and 167% of controls, respectively: All data suggest that farnesol may have played as an apoptosis inducer in HL-60 cells via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and HL-60 cells may have failed to overcome the damage of ROS on account of still defcient ROS scavengers including SOD and GPx.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.201-216
• /
• 1990

A variety of surface pre-treatments have been advocated to prepare the dentin prior to placement of a bonding agent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various dentin conditioners upon the degree of resin impregnation to the dentinal tubules and the shear bond strength of a new dentinal bonding agent (Scotchbond 2) used in conjunction with a visible light cured composite (Silux). The healthy eighty human molars extracted due to periodontal or orthodontic reasons were used and randomly divided into five groups. All the grinded dentin surfaces were conditioned with 3% $H_2O_2$, Cavity Cleanser (Columbus/Bayer), Dentin Conditioner (GC Inter. Corp.), Scotchprep (3M Co.) according to the manufacturer's directions. The specimens were then demineralized in 10% HCl for 20 sec. and 24 hrs. in order to observe the resin tags in Hitachi X-450 scanning electron microscope at 25KV. Also, shear strengths were obtained using an Instron Testing Machine with a cross head speed of 1 mm/min. The following results were obtained ; 1. In group treating with Dentin Conditioner and Scotchprep, the resin strings were formed on most of the surfaces and penetrated more than $50{\mu}m$ into the tubules. 2. The inner surface of resin treated with Cavity Cleanser, indicating the resin strings formed partly and penetrated about in depth of $30{\mu}m$. 3. In control and experimental group treated with 3% $H_2O_2$, the resin tags were not formed, if any, penetrated shortly. 4. Shear bond strengths in groups treating with Dentin Conditioner and Scotchprep were statistically significant increase than with 3% $H_2O_2$. (P<0.01). 5. The Scotchprep treatment group was significantly higher in shear strength than groups treated with no conditioning and Cavity Cleanser.(P<0.01) 6. Shear bond strengths evaluated were gradually increase in proportion to the tag length of resin impregnation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.573-581
• /
• 2005

Flavonoids, a group of low molecular weight phenylbenzopyrones, have various pharmacological properties including antioxidant activity, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. In the present study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate/phytohemagglutinin (PMA/PHA) were used as stimulants for RAW 264.7 macrophages and human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (hPBMC), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-2 productions were measured. In addition, flavonoids were examined for their effects on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophages. The results showed that all compounds were not strongly cytotoxic at the tested concentrations on hPBMC and RAW 264.7 macrophages. On immunomodulatory properties, catechin, epigallocatechin (EGC), naringenin, and fisetin repressed NO production and TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion. Furthermore, catechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epicatechin (EC), luteolin, chrysin, quercetin, and galangin increased IL-2 secretion while EGC, apigenin, and fisetin inhibited the secretion. These results indicated that flavonoids have the capacity to modulate the immune response and have a potential anti-inflammatory activity. There was no obvious structure-activity relationship regard to the chemical composition of the flavonoids and their cell biological effects.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.285-291
• /
• 2007

The 5-HT6 antagonists are mainly related to the treatment of cognitive dysfunction or impairment associated with Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. There have been lots of efforts to develop 5-HT6 antagonists. As in our efforts, arylsulfonylpiperazine derivatives 1-3 were designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated against the human recombinant 5-HT6 serotonin receptor. Total 36 compounds were synthesized and the most active compound among the synthesized compounds is compound 2h with an IC50 value of 1.5 μM. The compound 2h is novel as 5-HT6 receptor ligand and could act as lead for the novel 5-HT6 receptor ligands.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.219-223
• /
• 2001

Effects of hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and degree of hydrolysis (DH) of Hgb on the separation of heme-iron were examined to produce highly enriched heme-iron from Hgb hydrolysate. Separation efficiency of Hgb hydrolysate with different DH was studied at wide pH range (pH $1.0{\sim}11.0$). Separation efficiency expressed as heme-iron/peptide ratio increased with decreasing Hgb concentration. When 5% Hgb (pH 10.0) was hydrolyzed using commercially available Esperase for 5 h at $50^{\circ}C$, DH was 25%. The precipitation of heme-iron-enriched peptides were remarkably high at pH range $3{\sim}6$. Optimal pH range for heme-iron with high heme-iron/peptide ratio shifted to acidic pH with increasing DHs of Hgb. The enriched heme-iron fraction in the precipitates showed a single band through urea-SDS-PAGE, with a molecular mass of 1 kDa. In the dry heme-iron product produced in a pilot bioreactor, content of heme-iron and heme-iron/peptide ratio were 27.1 and 38.7%, respectively, and production yield was 9.3%.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.31-38
• /
• 1990

Cryptosporidium, a coccidian parasite first described by Tyzzer (1907) from a laboratory mouse, has become an important human enteric pathogen causing overwhelming diarrhea especially in immunocompromised patients such as AIDS. This parasite has been reported from over 20 countries and is recognized as a cosmopolitan species. In Korea, however, thEre has been no report on human as well as animal cryptosporidiosis. This study was performed so as to verify the presence of Cryptosporidium in Korea by activating the parasite from laboratory mice by immunosuppression. Total 65 conventionally.bred ICR mice including a control (5 mice) and 3 experimental groups (20 each) were used for this study. Group I was immunosuppressed with Prednisolone injection (1 mg IM, every other day) for 7 weeks. Group II (prednisolone injection and tetracycline administration) and Group III. (prednisolone injection and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole administration) were prepared to observe the effect of antibacterial agents on the activation of cryptosporidiosis. In fecal examinations of mice Cryptosporidium oocysts($4-6{\mu\textrm{m}}$ in size) were detected from 1 week after the start of immunosuppression and the mice began to die. In H-E stained tissue sections of the lower jejunum, numerous very small ($2~4{\;}{\mu\textrm{m}}$), dense, ovoid or spherical, slightly basophilic bodies were seen attached on the free border of mucosal epithelial cells. In scanning and transmission electron microscopic observations, these organisms were identified as various developmental stages of Cryptosperidium. The species is considered to be C. parvum. Cryptosporidiosis was activated not only in Group I but also in Group II and III, indicating no protective effects of the antibacterial agents used, although the mice in Group II and III lived longer than those in Group I. The present study confirmed that Cryptosporidium exists in laboratory mice bred in Korea, and predicts possible occurrence of human cryptosporidiosis in Korea.