• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.223-228
• /
• 2021

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is widely used in cancer and lymphoma treatments and as an immunosuppressant drug. CP is a DNA alkylating agent that metabolizes into 4-hydrocyclophosphamide (4H-CYP) and aldophosphamide in hepatocytes. However, its metabolites cause DNA synthesis disorder, leading to apoptosis and toxic side effects. The development of technology to minimize this side effect is essential to improve CP's clinical application. Various bioactive compounds have been reported to have anti-cancer and antioxidant functions and preventive or therapeutic roles in metabolic diseases. Many researchers have attempted to minimize the side effects and improve the efficacy of these drugs together with the use of bioactive compounds. Ulmus macrocarpa Hance has been used for the treatment of edema, mastitis, stomach pain, tumors, cystitis, and other inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate at the histological level the protective function of U. macrocarpa Hance against CP's side effects and any potential toxic effect of U. macrocarpa Hance in the liver and kidney. Water extracts of U. macrocarpa Hance reduced CP-induced toxicity and did not induce any histological damage in the liver and kidney. Therefore, U. macrocarpa Hance would be applicable in the pharmaceutical industry.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.404-414
• /
• 2015

Taurine is one of the most abundant free ${\beta}$-amino acids in the human body that accounts for 0.1% of the human body weight. It has a sulfonic acid group in place of the more common carboxylic acid group. Mollusks and meat are the major dietary source of taurine, and mother's milks also include high levels of this amino acid. The leukocytes, heart, muscle, retina, kidney, bone, and brain contain more taurine than other organs. Furthermore, taurine can be synthesized in the brain and liver from cysteine. There are no side effects of excessive taurine intake in humans; however, in case of taurine deficiency, retinal abnormalities, reduced plasma taurine concentration, and other abnormalities may occur. Taurine enters the cell via a cell membrane receptor. It is excreted in the urine (approximately 95%) and feces (approximately 5%). Taurine has a number of features and functions, including conjugation with bile acid, reduction of blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, promotion of neuron cell differentiation and growth, antioxidant effects, maintenance of cell membrane stability, retinal development, energy generation, depressant effects, regulation of calcium level, muscle contraction and relaxation, bone formation, anti-inflammatory effects, anti-cancer and anti-atherogenic effects, and osmotic pressure control. However, the properties, functions, and effects of taurine require further studies in future.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.10 no.1
• /
• pp.113-129
• /
• 2002

The present study designed to investigate whether hwangryunhaedok-tang show an anti-hypertensive effect and elucidate its possible mechanism in spontaneously hypertensive rats. The systolic blood pressures (SBP) were significantly decreased as an oral administration of hwangryunhaedok-tang compared with their control group. The urine volume was significantly increased by administration of hwangryunhaedok-tang but urinary sodium (UNaV), potassium (UKV), chloride excretion (UCIV) were not remarkably affected. The urinary creatinine excretion rate (UcrV) was significantly increased in rats administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang in association with increase of creatinine clearance (Ccr). The urine osmolality (Uosmol) was significantly decreased in SHR administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang without being changed in solute-free water reabsorption ( TcH20). The expressions of Aquaporin 2 (AQP-2). 3 and ${\alpha}\;1$, ${\beta}\;1$ subunits of Na.K-ATPase were determined by Western blot analysis to assess the role of these proteins in association with changes of renal functions in SHR administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang. The expression of AQP-2 and 3 protein was significantly down-regulated in the kidney of SHR administered with hwangryunhaedok-tang compared with those in control rats without being altered expression of ${\alpha}\;1$, ${\beta}\;1$ subunits of Na,K-ATPase. In the in vitro assay, Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) was inhibited by hwangryunhaedok-tang in a dose-dependent manner. Berberine and/or palmatine, which are well known as a main components of hwangryunhaedok-tang, also have an ACE inhibitory effects in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that hwangryunhaedok-tang lowered blood pressure through the increase of diuresis caused by down-regulation of water channels and the inhibition of Angiotensin converting enzyme.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.480-488
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by deficits in memory and cognitive functions. The accumulation of amyloid beta peptide ($A{\beta}$) and oxidative stress in the brain are the most common causes of AD. MATERIALS/METHODS: Caffeic acid (CA) is an active phenolic compound that has a variety of pharmacological actions. We studied the protective abilities of CA in an $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-injected AD mouse model. CA was administered at an oral dose of 10 or 50 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks. Behavioral tests including T-maze, object recognition, and Morris water maze were carried out to assess cognitive abilities. In addition, lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide (NO) production in the brain were measured to investigate the protective effect of CA in oxidative stress. RESULTS: In the T-maze and object recognition tests, novel route awareness and novel object recognition were improved by oral administration of CA compared with the $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-injected control group. These results indicate that administration of CA improved spatial cognitive and memory functions. The Morris water maze test showed that memory function was enhanced by administration of CA. In addition, CA inhibited lipid peroxidation and NO formation in the liver, kidney, and brain compared with the $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-injected control group. In particular, CA 50 mg/kg/day showed the stronger protective effect from cognitive impairment than CA 10 mg/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that CA improves $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced memory deficits and cognitive impairment through inhibition of lipid peroxidation and NO production.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.173-186
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Due to the increased incidence of dementia, there is a corresponding increase concerning the importance of AD. In this study, we investigated the protective effects conferred by Zizyphus jujuba (Zj) and Zizyphus jujuba fermented by yeast (Zj-Y), on cognitive impairment in an AD mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: AD was induced by injecting amyloid beta25-35 (Aβ25-35) in ICR mice, and subsequently 200 mg/kg Zj or Zj-Y was administered daily for 14 days. The cognitive ability of AD mice was observed through behavioral experiments in T-maze, novel object recognition, and Morris water maze tests. We subsequently measured the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase in either tissues or serum. RESULTS: In behavioral tests, deterioration was revealed in the short- and long-term learning and memory functions in the Aβ25-35-injected control group compared to the normal group, indicating that Aβ25-35 injection impairs cognitive functions. However, administration of Zj and Zj-Y improved cognitive function in mice, as compared to the Aβ25-35-injected control mice. In addition, the Aβ25-35 induced elevations of MDA and NO in the brain, kidney, and liver were suppressed after exposure to Zj and Zj-Y. Especially, Zj-Y showed stronger scavenging effect against MDA and NO, as compared to Zj. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study indicate that Zj-Y exerts a protective effect on cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction, which is exerted by attenuating the oxidative stress induced by Aβ25-35.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.276-282
• /
• 2012

High-intensive endurance exercises induce cell changes in body, changes in structures and functions of the heart, the muscles, the cartilages, and the liver, as well as increase of inflammatory cytokine. The purpose of this study was to estimate the biochemical changes in the liver and muscles during ultra-marathon race (100 km) by sections. The blood of the subjects was collected before the marathon as a control in order to analyze serum creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), asprtate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total(T)-bilirubin, direct(D)-bilirubin, total protein, albumin, uric acid, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (${\gamma}$-GTP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations. The CK, LDH, D-bilirubin, AST and ALT concentrations at 50 km and 100 km were significantly increased compared to the control (P<0.05). The markers at 100 km were higher than those at 50 km (P<0.05). The T-bilirubin and hs-CRP concentrations showed no difference among the groups, whereas the markers at 100 km were higher than those of the control and at 50 km (P<0.05). In conclusion, this study shows that the ultra-marathon race (100 km) may induce the damage of the skeletal muscle, liver and kidney, intravascular hemolysis and inflammatory responses.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.78-91
• /
• 1997

Peroxisome is a single membrane-bounded organelle found in hepatic parenchymal cells and kidney tubular epithelial cells. A number of enzymes exist in peroxisome contributing to anabolic and catabolic peroxisomal functions. Extramitochontriai $\beta$-oxidation of fatty acid is a major function of peroxisome. Peroxisomes can be proliferated by many structually unrelated compounds such as hypolipidemic drugs, plasticizers, pesticides, some pharmaceutical agents and high fat diet. These chemicals, called peroxisome proliferators, act via the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor, to induce peroxisome proliferation, hepatomegaly and hepatocellular carcinoma in rodent. The clear mechanisms of peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis have been not demonstrated. Since they are not genotoxic, biochemical changes or changes in gene expressions may be involved. A free radical theory has been suggested based on the finding of oxidative damages of macromolecules by hydrogen peroxide released in the peroxisomal $\beta$-oxidation of fatty acid. Increased cell proliferation by a peroxisome proliferator has been also thought to be an important factor in the hepatocarcinogenesis as suggested in other cases of nongenotoxic carcinogenesis. The alternation of eicosanoid concentrations by peroxisome proliferators may be important in the peroxisome proliferator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis since peroxisome proliferators decrease the concentration of eicosanoids, and the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate-eicosanoid combination is comitogenic and costimulates some mitogenic signals in hepatocytes. All of proposed mechanisms should be considered in the peroxisome prolifrator-induced hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.22-27
• /
• 2018

Purpose: Podocytes are important architectures that maintain the crucial roles of glomerular filtration barrier functions. Despite this structural importance, however, the mechanisms of the changes in podocytes that can be an important pathogenesis of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) are not clear yet. The aim of this study was to investigate whether apoptosis is induced by interleukin (IL)-13 in cultured human podocytes. Methods: Human podocytes were treated with different IL-13 doses and apoptotic cells were analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL assay) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results: The IL-13 increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in a dose-dependent manner at 6 and 18 hours (P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). The apoptosis rate was appeared to be increased slightly in the IL-13-stimulated podocytes (8.63%, 13.02%, and 14.46%; 3, 10 and 30 ng/mL, respectively) than in the control cells (7.66%) at 12 hours by FACS assay. Conclusion: Our study revealed that IL-13 expression may increase podocyte apoptosis. Blocking the IL-13 signal pathway can potentially play an important role in regulating the apoptosis of podocytes.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.519-523
• /
• 2004

This study sought to investigate the ameliorating effects of a Korean medicinal herb (KMH) complex on the impacts of alcohol consumption in rat hepatocytes and in reducing the total cholesterol levels and the total lipid levels in the serum. We compared the body weight gain and ratio of the liver, the kidney to body weight, and also the serum biochemistry of the rats administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex to the control rats treated with alcohol alone. The clinically important enzyme markers (Aspartate Aminotransferase, AST, and Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT) of rats, administered with both the alcohol and the KMH complex treatments, were compared with those in the control group. The treatment regimen (KMH complex) significantly reduced the serum AST and ALT levels, indicating the hepato-protective effects of the KMH complex. Furthermore, total cholesterol and total lipid levels were significantly reduced. These results indicate that the KMH complex may positively mediate the effects of alcohol on hepatocytes and the general liver functions.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Bioinformatics Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.5-5
• /
• 2003

The purple acid phosphatases comprise a family of binuclear metal-containing enzymes. The metal centre contains one ferric ion and one divalent metal ion. Spectroscopic studies of the monomeric, ${\sim}$36 kDa mammalian purple acid phosphatases reveal the presence of an Fe(III)Fe(II) centre in which the metals are weakly antiferromagnetically coupled, whereas the dimeric, ${\sim}$110 000 kDa plant enzymes contain either Fe(III)Zn(II) or Fe(III)Mn(II). The three dimensional structures of the red kidney bean and pig enzymes show very similar arrangements of the metal ligands but some significant differences beyond the immediate vicinity of the metals. In addition to the catalytic domain, the plant enzyme contains a second domain of unknown function. A search of sequence databases was undertaken using a sequence pattern which includes the conserved metal-binding residues in the plant and animal enzymes. The search revealed the presence in plants of a 'mammalian-type' low molecular weight purple acid phosphatase, a high molecular weight form in some fungi, and a homologue in some bacteria. The catalytic mechanism of the enzyme has been investigated with a view to understanding the marked difference in specificity between the Fe-Mn sweet potato enzyme, which exhibits highly efficient catalysis towards both activated and unactivated phosphate esters, and other PAPs, which hydrolyse only activated esters. Comparison of the active site structures of the enzymes reveal some interesting differences between them which may account for the difference. The implications fur understanding the physiological functions of the enzymes will be discussed.