• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.361-367
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• 2012

Diabetes-related complications in human and veterinary medicine have been shown to be associated with hyperglycemia-induced inflammation. It has been recently suggested that the onset of insulin resistance may be caused by over-production of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ from immune cells. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) regulates inflammatory response through modulation of TNF-${\alpha}$ expression. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of CLA on nuclear factor kappaB (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65 binding activity, inhibitory kappaB ($I{\kappa}B$)-${\alpha}$ expression, and TNF-${\alpha}$ production from high glucose-treated RAW 264.7 cells. CLA was added to RAW cells that had been previously cultured with low or high concentration of glucose. The levels of TNF-${\alpha}$ protein in the culture supernatant of RAW cells exposed to high concentrations of glucose were higher than those of cells exposed to low concentrations of glucose. The treatment with the high concentration of glucose in RAW cells increased levels of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 binding activity and the decreased $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ expression when compared with those of low glucose. The treatments in combination with CLA and glucose (low and high) glucose in RAW cells increased TNF-${\alpha}$ production when compared with that glucose alone. These treatments with CLA increased TNF-${\alpha}$ production in high glucose-treated RAW cells than those with low glucose. These treatments of CLA also showed higher NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 binding activity and lower $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ expression in high glucose than those in low glucose condition. This suggests that CLA can increase NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 binding activity and TNF-${\alpha}$ production from high glucose-treated RAW 264.7 cells and is likely to promote hyperglycemia-induced inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.11
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• pp.855-864
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• 2022

The pharmacological efficacy of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. has been verified in only several fields including photoaging, inflammation, hepatotoxicity, acute gastritis and osseointegration. To identify the novel functions of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. on anti-obesity, inhibitory effect on lipid accumulation and stimulatory effect on lipolysis were investigated in MDI (3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin) stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with methanol extracts of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus Roxb. (MED). Lipogenic targets, including lipid accumulation, level of lipogenic transcription factors, and expression of lipogenic regulators, were downregulated in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with MED without any significant cytotoxicity. Also, MED treatment inhibited the mRNA levels of adipogenic targets including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and CCAAT-enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) α, as well as lipogeic targets including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein 2 (aP2) and fatty acid synthetase (FAS) in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. A similar decrease patterns were detected in Oil red O stained lipid droplets of MED treated MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, several lipolytic targets, such as cAMP concentration, concentration of free glycerol, expression level of lipases, including ATGL, perilipin and HSL, were upregulated in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with MED. These results show that MED has a novel role as a lipogenesis inhibitor and lipolysis stimulator in MDI-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.175-182
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• 2008

DNA-dependent protein kinase(DNA-PK) is involved in joining DNA double-strand breaks induced by ionizing radiation or V(D)J recombination and is activated by DNA ends and composed of a DNA binding subunit, Ku, and a catalytic subunit, DNA-PKcs. It has been suggested that DNA-PK might be $2^{nd}$ upstream kinase for protein kinase B(PKB). In this report, we showed that Ser473 phosphorylation in the hydrophobic-motif of PKB is blocked in DNA-PK knockout mouse embryonic fibroblast cells(MEFs) following insulin stimulation, while there is no effect on Ser473 phosphorylation in DNA-PK wild type MEF cells. The observation is further confirmed in human glioblastoma cells expressing a mutant form of DNA-PK(M059J) and a wild-type of DNA-PK(M059K), indicating that DNA-PK is indeed important for PKB activation. Furthermore, the treatment of cells with doxorubicin, DNA-damage inducing agent, leads to PKB phosphorylation on Ser473 in control MEF cells while there is no response in DNA-PK knockout MEF cells. Together, these results proposed that DNA-PK has a potential role in insulin signaling as well as DNA-repair signaling pathway.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.551-562
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• 2003

Background : NF-${\kappa}B$ is a characteristic transcriptional factor which has been shown to regulate production of acute inflammatory mediators and to be involved in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory lung diseases. There has been some evidence that PI3K/Akt pathway could activate NF-${\kappa}B$ in human cell lines. However, the effect of PI3K/Akt pathway on the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ varied depending on the cell lines used in the experiments. In this study we evaluated the effect of PI3K/Akt pathway on the activation of NF-${\kappa}B$ in human respiratory epithelial cell lines. Methods : BEAS-2B, A549 and NCI-H157 cell lines were used in this experiment. To evaluate the activation of Akt activation and I${\kappa}B$ degradation, cells were analysed by western blot assay using phospho-specific Akt Ab and $I{\kappa}B$ Ab. To block PI3K/Akt pathway, cells were pretreated with wortmannin or LY294002 and transfected with dominant negative Akt (DN-Akt). For IKK activity, immune complex kinase assay was performed. To evaluate the DNA binding affinity and transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and luciferase assay were performed, respectively. Results : In BEAS-2B, A549 and NCI-H157 cell lines, Akt was activated by TNF-$\alpha$ and insulin. Activation of Akt by insulin did not induce $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation. Blocking of PI3K/Akt pathway via wortmannin/LY294002 or DN-Akt did not inhibit TNF-$\alpha$-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation or IKK activation. Inhibition of PI3K/Akt did not affect TNF-$\alpha$-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Overexpression of DN-Akt did not block TNF-$\alpha$-induced transcriptional activation of NF-${\kappa}B$, but wortmannin enhanced TNF-$\alpha$-induced in NF-${\kappa}B$ transcriptional activity. Conclusion : PI3K/Akt was not involved in TNF-$\alpha$-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation or transcriptional activity of NF-${\kappa}B$ in human respiratory epithelial cell lines.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.7
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• pp.779-788
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• 2005

Purpose : Echinacea, a traditional plant medicine has been used as immune-stimulant. Recent studies have revealed that extract of Echinacea has immunostimulatory effects on human blood mononuclear cells. This study was designed for the purpose of screening the genes associated with immunologic effects of Echinacea on monocytes and dendritic cells using a cDNA microarray chip. Methods : $CD14^+$ monocyte cells were cultured for one day with Echinacea extract(final concentration : $50{\mu}g/mL$) in experiment 1, but were cultured without Echinacea in experiment 2. The gene expression of these cultured monocytes was analyzed using the cDNA microarray chip. Dendritic cells produced from $CD14^+$ monocyte were cultured for five days with GM-CSF and IL-4, and then cultured for one day with Echinacea in experiment 3, but were done without Echinacea in experiment 4. Results : In experiments 1 and 2, there were 17 significantly expressed genes with average expression ratios above 2.5, including interferon gamma-inducible protein 30(IFI 30), CDC(cell-division-cylcle)-like kinase 2(CLK 2), syndecan binding protein(syntenin), superoxide dismutase 2, etc. In experiments 3 and 4, there were 24 gene, with significantly expressed genes were 24 genes, which were insulin-like growth factor 2(somatomedin A), methyl-CpG binding domain protein 3, IFI 30, small inducible cytokine subfamily A, member 22, etc. The genes encoding CD44, IFI 30, mannose receptor C type 1(MRC 1), chemokine receptor 7(CCR 7), CLK 2, syntenin and cytochrome C oxidase subunit VIII were significantly expressed in both monocytes and dendritic cells cultured with Echinacea. Conclusion : This study employed a cDNA microarray chip to elicit the immune-associated gene profile; the expression was enhanced by Echinacea in CD14+ monocytes and dendritic cells. Thus we laid the basis for the quantitative and functional analysis of genes induced by Echinacea in monocytes and monocyte-derived dendritic cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.865-870
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• 2005

Purpose : The use of growth hormone(GH) to promote growth in normal short children without classical GH deficiency is controversial. Numerous foreign studies have shown the effects of GH therapy in children with idiopathic short stature(ISS) whereas few has been interested in Korea. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effects of GH therapy on ISS by observing correlations and changes among various growth parameters such as, insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3). Methods : This study was conducted retrospectively with 15 children with ISS in Chungbuk National University Hospital in Korea. Mean age was $11.44{\pm}2.81$ and the children were treated with 0.66 IU/kg/wk dosage of GH for 1 or 2 years. Also, the growth parameters before and after the GH therapy were observed. Results : Height standard deviation score(HT-SDS) was increased from $-1.85{\pm}0.70$ to $-1.58{\pm}0.56$ at 1 year and to $-1.21{\pm}0.37$ at 2 years after GH therapy. Predicted adult height standard deviation score(PAH-SDS) was also increased from $-2.10{\pm}0.52$ to $-1.67{\pm}0.59$ at 1 year, and to $-0.96{\pm}0.60$ at 2 years. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly increased after 1 year and marginally increased after 2 years of GH therapy. Conclusion : It is concluded that GH therapy has growth promoting effect. The significant increase in IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels during the GH therapy suggests that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 are useful predictors of response to the use of GH therapy. It is expected that larger patient samples would provide more reliable information about the effect of GH therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.93-98
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• 2006

Purpose : Ghrelin stimulates the secretion of growth hormone and other pituitary hormones, and has orexigenic effects. It may have a physiologic role in fetal and neonatal growth. Leptin secreted by the adipocytes reflects fat mass in infants as well as adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation of cord blood ghrelin and leptin levels to body weight(BW), body mass index(BMI), insulin-like growth factor-I(IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3(IGFBP-3) levels in appropriate for gestational age(AGA) newborns. Methods : Sixty healthy AGA newborns(31 males and 29 females, gestational age[GA] 34-42 weeks) were included in this study, whose BW and BMI were measured at delivery. Umbilical cord venous blood samples were withdrawn, and ghrelin and leptin were measured by radioimmunoassay. Cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were determined by immunoradiometric assay. Results : The mean levels of ghrelin were inversely correlated with BW(r=-0.29, P<0.05) and GA (r=-0.28, P<0.05), but were not affected by gender. The mean levels of leptin levels showed positive correlation with BW(r=0.44, P<0.01), GA(r=0.36, P<0.01), and BMI(r=0.28, P<0.05). The leptin levels of females were higher than those of males. There was no gender difference in leptin levels in neonates under GA 37 weeks. However, the leptin levels of females were higher than those of males (P<0.01) in newborns with GA 37 weeks or over. There was no correlation between ghrelin and leptin levels. Ghrelin and leptin levels showed no relations to cord blood IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels. Conclusion : These data suggest that cord blood ghrelin may have an inverse correlation with BW in AGA newborns, and leptin levels are positively correlated with BW and fat mass. Further study of ghrelin concentrations in cord blood is necessary to elucidate the physiological and pathological roles of ghrelin during the fetal and neonatal periods.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.7
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• pp.678-685
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• 2007

Purpose : Recent reports pointed out that gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) therapy alone is not so promising for improving adult height in precocious puberty. So, that we studied the growth promoting effect of combined therapy with GnRHa and growth hormone (GH) in early pubertal girls. Methods : Twenty three early pubertal girls ($9.73{\pm}1.59yr$) with predicted adult heights (PAH) below-2 standard deviation score (SDS) were included. They were divided into two groups as follows; Group I before menarche (n=19) and Group II after menarche (n=4). After combined therapy, various growth parameters were compared between two groups and between the before and after therapy. Results : Between the two groups before therapy, chronologic age (CA), growth velocity (GV), body mass index (BMI), target height (TH), PAH and serum insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 were not different, but BA, height and difference between bone age (BA) and CA were significantly higher and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) was marginally higher in group II. After therapy, BA still remained higher in group II, but other parameters were not different. In both groups, after therapy, the difference between BA and CA, the ratio of BA over CA, and GV were significantly decreased, but PAH, height SDS and BMI were significantly increased. Regarding IGF-1 level, a significant increase was noted in group I, but not in group II. Conclusion : With combined therapy of GnRHa and GH, PAH in early pubertal girls might be improved significantly and even approach TH. Among them, those who were before menarche might have greater potential for the height gain than those after menarche in view of IGF-1 changes during therapy.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.198-204
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• 2007

Purpose : The hope that arresting pubertal developement might increase final adult height has led to an attempt to use GnRH agonist (GnRHa) in children with early puberty and poor growth prognosis. We investigated the growth-promoting effect of GnRH agonists with or without growth hormone (GH) in girls with early puberty and decreased predicted adult height (PAH). Methods : Thirty five girls with advanced bone age and early pubertal signs were randomized for treatment for about 1 year with monthly GnRHa in group 1 (n=18), or with a combination of GH and GnRHa in group 2 (n=17). The following growth parameters were compared between groups, and the difference ($\Delta$) before and after treatment : chronological age (CA), bone age (BA), $\Delta$(BA-CA), height (HT), target height (TH), predicted adult height (PAH), $\Delta$ (TH-PAH), serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP-3). Results : Before treatment, BA, TH, PAH Standard deviation scores (SDS), $\Delta$(TH-PAH) were not different between the two groups, but CA was higher in group 2 and $\Delta$(BA-CA) were higher in group 1 (P<0.05). After $1.06{\pm}0.93$ year of treatment, $\Delta$ (BA-CA) decreased and there were significant changes in PAH and $\Delta$ (TH-PAH), especially in group 2 (P<0.05 in group 1, and P<0.001 in group 2). In both groups, IGF-1 and IGFBP-3 were not different before and after treatment, but after treatment, IGF-1 level in group 2 was marginally higher than IGF-1 in group 1 (P<0.1). Conclusion : Compromised predicted adult height in girls with early puberty and advanced bone age was significantly improved with GnRH with/without GH treatment in the short-term period. The addition of GH to GnRHa results in a significant increase in PAH compared to GnRHa alone because GnRHa suppressed growth hormone-IGF-1 axis. For comparison of final adult height, further longitudinal follow-up will be needed.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1575-1581
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• 2005

This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of IGFBPs in plasma of steers, and to profile the relationship between growth and plasma IGF-1 and IGFBPs with aging in Holstein steers. Four blots of IGFBP at molecular weights of 38-43, 34, 29-32 and 24 kDa bands were detected by western ligand blot assay using $^{125}I-IGF-1$. On the basis of immunoblotting with anti-bovine IGFBP-2 and -3 antiserums, we observed the band for IGFBP-2 at approximately 34 kDa, and the IGFBP-3 band was detected at 38-43 kDa and 34 kDa in adult steers and calves. The IGFBP-3 antiserum used on the blots exhibited significant cross-reactivity with 34 kDa IGFBP-2. Furthermore, the 38-43 kDa IGFBP-3 bands were reduced to a 36 kDa band after deglycosylation, whereas the 34 kDa IGFBP-2 was intact. The plasma IGF-1, IGFBP-3 and other IGFBPs showed stability throughout a whole day. The change in live weight was found to be positively correlated to the plasma IGF-1 concentration (r = 0.6801, n = 64, p<0.05) and plasma IGFBP-3 (r = 0.6321, n = 64, p<0.05), while inversely correlated to plasma IGFBP-2 (r = -0.2919, n = 64, p<0.05). Furthermore, plasma IGF-1 was positively correlated to plasma IGFBP-3 (r = 0.6191, p<0.001), but was not correlated to plasma IGFBP-2. The portion of IGFBP-2 for total IGFBPs in calves was higher than in adult steers (p<0.05) and was decreased with growth, whereas that of IGFBP-3 was increased with increased live weight (p<0.05). The ratio IGFBP-3 for IGFBP-2 (BP-3/BP-2) was increased with growing of liveweight. Therefore, the changes in plasma IGF-1 level with increased liveweight may be related to the changes in plasma IGFBP-3 level and IGFBP-2 may give an important role in anabolic action of IGF-1 with the growth of body during calfhood in Holstein steers.