• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 2017

Previously, we have shown that Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. (S. chinensis) has a protective effect against endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced hepatic steatosis. Gomisin A is a bioactive phytoestrogen derived from S. chinensis. In the present study, the in vitro and in vivo effects of gomisin A on ER stress and hepatic steatosis were investigated. We quantified the expression of markers of ER stress, including glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homolog protein (CHOP), and X-box-binding protein-1 (XBP-1), in HepG2 cells treated with tunicamycin or palmitate. Tunicamycin treatment in HepG2 cells induced the expression of markers of ER stress, including GRP78, CHOP, and XBP-1c. However, treatment with gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress. These inhibitory effects were also observed in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells. The in vivo inhibitory effects of gomisin A were assessed in mice injected with tunicamycin or fed with a high fat diet (HFD). Gomisin A reduced the expression of markers of ER stress and decreased triglyceride levels in the livers of mice after tunicamycin injection or HFD feeding. Furthermore, gomisin A decreased the expression of inflammatory genes in palmitate-incubated HepG2 cells and the liver of HFD-fed obese mice. These results suggest that gomisin A inhibits ER stress and ameliorates hepatic steatosis induced by ER stress.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.419-432
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• 2016

The aim of this study is to assess the influence of effluent discharge from a sewage treatment plant by evaluating oxidative stress and histopathological alterations in freshwater crucian carp Carassius auratus collected from the Eungcheon stream, located in Korea. Catalase activity in the gills, liver, and kidneys of C. auratus was collected from mixing zones; the downstream site was notably higher of fish than that of the upstream site. In addition, the activity of glutathione-S-transferase in the gills and liver was significantly higher in samples from the mixing zone than in those from the upstream site (p < 0.05). In addition, significantly elevated lipid peroxidation levels were observed in fish livers sampled from the mixing zone than in those from the upstream site (p < 0.05). Significant histopathological alternations were also observed in C. auratus, with the order of magnitude changes being liver > kidney > gills. These findings suggest that the liver is most affected by effluent discharge. The degree of tissue changes (DTC) indicate that the highest level occurred in samples from the mixing zone (30.98 ± 5.40) followed by those from the downstream site (19.28 ± 4.31) and was the lowest in samples from the upstream site (4.83 ± 2.67). These findings indicate that fish collected from the mixing zone are most affected by effluent discharge and both oxidative stress and histopathological indices are useful tools for monitoring contaminated rivers and streams.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1679-1683
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the effects of Cheonggukjang (traditional soybean food, CK) and Cheonggukjang added with Phellinus linteus myceria (CKP) on the lipid metabolism, growth, food intake, and food efficiency ratio(FER) in adult female rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high fat diet (control diet: 0.1% cholesterol, 10% Lard) for 4 weeks. The rats were randomly assigned to each treatment group: control, and two kinds of CK and CKP (powders of CK and CKP as dietary protein sources). After 4 weeks of experimental diet consumption, the body weights and the uterine fat pad weights of the CK and CKP diet groups were more significantly decreased than those of the control diet group. The hepatic cholesterol, triglyceride and total lipid levels were significantly lower in both the CK and CKP diet fed groups than those in the control group. The concentrations in serum triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased in the CK and CKP diet groups compared to those in the control group. Fecal total lipid, moisture and wet weight excretion in the CK and CKP diet groups were more increased than those in the control group. These results showed that feeding of cheonggukjang and cheonggukjang added with Phellinus linteus myceria both the triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol in serum, as well as the triglyceride and cholesterol in the livers of the rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.108-109
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• 2013

Mitochondria play key roles in the production of cell's energy. Their dominant function is the synthesis of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) from adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and phosphate (Pi) through the oxidative phosphorylation. Evaluation of drug-induced mitochondrial toxicity has become increasingly important since mitochondrial dysfunction has recently been implicated in numerous diseases including cancer and diabetes mellitus. Mitochondrial functions have been monitored via oxygen consumption, mitochondrial membrane potential, and more importantly via ATP synthesis since ATP synthesis is the most essential function of mitochondria. Various analytical methods have been employed to investigate ATP synthesis in mitochondria, including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), bioluminescence technique, and pH measurement. However, most of these methods are based on destructive analysis or indirect monitoring through the enzymatic reaction. Infrared absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) is one of the useful techniques for real-time, label-free, and direct monitoring of biological reactions [1,2]. However, the strong water absorption requires very short path length in the order of several micrometers. Transmission measurements with thin path length are not suitable for mitochondrial assays because solution handlings necessary for evaluating mitochondrial toxicity, such as rapid mixing of drugs and oxygen supply, are difficult in such a narrow space. On the other hand, IRAS in the multiple internal reflection (MIR) geometry provides an ideal optical configuration to combine solution handling and aqueous-phase measurement. We have recently reportedon a real-time monitoring of drug-induced necrotic and apoptotic cell death using MIR-IRAS [3,4]. Clear discrimination between viable and damaged cells has been demonstrated, showing a promise as a label-free and real-time detection for cell-based assays. In the present study, we have applied our MIR-IRAS system to mitochondria-based assays by monitoring ATP synthesis in isolated mitochondria from rat livers. Mitochondrial ATP synthesis and hydrolysis were in situ monitored with MIR-IRAS, while dissolved oxygen level and solution pH were simultaneously monitored with O2 and pH electrodes, respectively. It is demonstrated that ATP synthesis and hydrolysis can be monitored by the IR spectral changes in phosphate groups in adenine nucleotides and MIR-IRAS is useful for evaluating time-dependent drug effects of mitochondrial toxicants.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.286-303
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• 2015

This paper aims at analyzing the role of Korean ethnic network in the settlement process of Korean immigrants, and elucidating their utilization measures, through the case Study of Korean Immigrants in LA. The main results of this study are as follows. Firstly, the majority of respondents used Korean ethnic networks and Korean town in the immigration process. According to the results of ANOVA test, Korean ethnic network are more importantly considered by the groups such as elderly, livers in Korean town, and people who the first settlement was LA. Secondly, respondents more frequently use Korean ethnic network in the activities such as church, shopping and business. Especially, the groups such as short immigration term, elderly, poor English ability are more frequently use Korean ethnic network. Thirdly, Viewing the cognition of respondents about the necessity of Korean ethnic networks, respondents want to use them for strengthening the ties of domination society. Finally, utilization of Korean ethnic churches, Korean ethnic business organizations and Korean ethnic web-site portal are proposed for activating Korean ethnic networks.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 1985

This study was conducted to examine the pharmacological effect of water soluble extract of Lichens (Parmelia, Physcia and Cladonia species) on liver-damaged rat by $CCl_4$ injection. Rat livers were damaged acutely and chronically by one-time injection of $CCl_4$ just prior to five days of experimental period and continuous injections in every three days for eight weeks of experimental period, respectively. During each period the experimental group was fed Lichens extract(5.5 mg of dry wt/ml) instead of water given to the control group. For both acute and chronic liver damage, the experimental group showed higher oxidative activity of hepatic mitochondria measured by state 3 respiration, P/O ratio, respiratory control and ATP synthesized, compard to the control group. Serum glucose was slightly higher in the experimental group but liver glycogen showed no significant difference between experimental and control groups. In experimental group, liver glucose-6-phosphatase activity was increased during first two days after acute liver damage, but not significantly different from control group during chronic damage. Liver lactate, malate plus fumarte and glutamate tended to be higher in the experimental group, especially for chronic liver damaged rat. It is concluded that Lichens extract stimulate cytoplasmic and mitochondrial oxidative activities and the possible mechanism of the latter is supposed to involve the preservation of membrane integrity by certain component(s) of water-soluble Lichens extract.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.10
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• pp.911-920
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• 2006

Phenolic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) is a commonly used food preservative with broad biological activities, including protection against chemical-induced carcinogenesis, acute toxicity of chemicals, modulation of macromolecule synthesis and immune response, induction of phase II detoxifying enzymes, as well as its undesirable potential tumor-promoting activities. Understanding the molecular basis underlying these diverse biological actions of BHA is thus of great importance. Here we studied the pharmacokinetics, activation of signaling kinases and induction of phase II/III drug metabolizing enzymes/transporter gene expression by BHA in the mice. The peak plasma concentration of BHA achieved in our current study after oral administration of 200 mg/kg BHA was around $10\;{\mu}M$. This in vivo concentration might offer some insights for the many in vitro cell culture studies on signal transduction and induction of phase II genes using similar concentrations. The oral bioavailability (F) of BHA was about 43% in the mice. In the mouse liver, BHA induced the expression of phase II genes including NQO-1, HO-1, ${\gamma}-GCS$, GST-pi and UGT 1A6, as well as some of the phase III transporter genes, such as MRP1 and Slco1b2. In addition, BHA activated distinct mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), as well as p38, suggesting that the MAPK pathways may play an important role in early signaling events leading to the regulation of gene expression including phase II drug metabolizing and some phase III drug transporter genes. This is the first study to demonstrate the in vivo pharmacokinetics of BHA, the in vivo activation of MAPK signaling proteins, as well as the in vivo induction of Phase II/III drug metabolizing enzymes/transporters in the mouse livers.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.117-122
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• 2011

Endothelial cells are a vital constituent of most mammalian organs and are required to maintain the integrity of these tissues. These cells also play a major role in angiogenesis, inflammatory reactions, and in the regulation of thrombosis. Angiogenesis facilitates pulp formation and produces the vessels which are essential for the maintenance of tooth homeostasis. These vessels can also be used in bone and tissue regeneration, and in surgical procedures to place implants or to remove cancerous tissue. Furthermore, endothelial cell regeneration is the most critical component of the tooth generation process. The aim of the present study was to stimulate endothelial regeneration at a site of acute cyclophosphamide (CP)-induced endothelial injury by treatment with human umbilical cord-derived endothelial/mesenchymal stem cells (hEPCs). We randomly assigned 16 to 20-week-old female NOD/SCID mice into three separate groups, a hEPC ($1{\times}10^5$ cells) transplanted, 300mg/kg CP treated and saline (control) group. The mice were sacrificed on days 5 and 10 and blood was collected via the abdominal aorta for analysis. The alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alkaline phosphatase (s-ALP), and albumin (ALB) levels were then evaluated. Tissue sections from the livers and kidneys were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for microscopic analysis and were subjected to immunohistochemistry to evaluate any changes in the endothelial layer. CP treatment caused a weight reduction after one day. The kidney/body weight ratio increased in the hEPC treated animals compared with the CP only group at 10 days. Moreover, hEPC treatment resulted in reduced s-ALP, AST, ALT levels compared with the CP only group at 10 days. The CP only animals further showed endothelial injuries at five days which were recovered by hEPC treatment at 10 days. The number of CD31-positive cells was increased by hEPC treatment at both 5 and 10 days. In conclusion, the CP-induced disruption of endothelial cells is recovered by hEPC treatment, indicating that hEPC transplantation has potential benefits in the treatment of endothelial damage.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.78-87
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• 2002

This study investigated the production of insoluble dietary fiber using forest waste and the dietary effect of manufactured insoluble fiber on physiological function in rat fed high cholesterol duets. Insoluble dietary fiber was prepared from the wood chips of oak (Quercus mongolica). The best condition for steam-explosion treatment for the preparation of insonuble dietary fiber was 25 kg/cm$^3$pressure for 6 minutes. In the chemical analysis of insoluble dietary fiber pretreated by 1% sodium hydroxide solution with steam-exploded wood, $\alpha$-cellulose content was 61.7% in the insoluble dietary fiber which contained 7.6% residual lignin. In order to compare insoluble dietary fiber with commercial $\alpha$-cellulose of physiological function, Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10 g were randomly assigned to one normal diet and five high cholesterol diet containing 1% cholesterol. The high cholesterol diet groups were classified as fiber free diet (FF group), 5% commercial $\alpha$-cellulose diet (5C group), 10% commercial $\alpha$-cellulose (l0C group), 5% insoluble dietary fiber dict (5M group), and 10% insoluble dietary fiber (10M group). The rats were fed ad libidum for 4 weeks. Food intake, weights gain, and food efficiency ratio in high cholesterol groups were higher than those of normal group, but there were no significant differences between the experimental groups. There were not any significant differences in the weights of livers, kidneys and small intestine of insoluble dietary fiber supplemented groups, but weight of cecum in all insolube dietary fiber group were significantly higher than those of FF group. A gstrointestinal transit time was decreased by supplementation of insoluble dietary fiber. Weight and water contents of feces in the insoluble dietary fiber supplemented groups were significantly higher than those of the FF group. There were not any significant differences in the activities of the glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) between the experimental groups. In conclusion, the manufactured insoluble dietary fiber and commercial insoluble fiber have the same physiological effects. The preparation method of the insoluble dietary fiber from the oak chips suited its purpose.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.261-269
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• 2015

This study was performed to verify the effects of corn husk powder on serum lipid levels of high-fat diet-induced mice from a nutritional viewpoint. Powder of corn husks has been used as a folk remedy from ancient times in Korea. In the case of corn husk measurement of TPC (p<0.05), ABTS+ radical scavenging activity of trolox (p<0.05), DPPH radical scavenging activity (p<0.05), and measured value of FRAP (p<0.0001) were higher in ethanol extract than water extract. Weight of livers was significantly higher in the control group and high-fat diet group compared to groups fed 10% and 20% corn husk powders with high-fat diet (p<0.0001). For blood HDL-cholesterol concentration, mice fed 10% corn husk powder with high-fat diet ($160.00{\pm}16.17mg/dL$) showed significantly higher levels compared with the other three groups (p<0.05). Mice fed 10% and 20% corn husk powders with high-fat diet showed high numerical values of $13.50{\pm}2.51$ and $11.25{\pm}2.87mg/dL$, respectively. For triglyceride concentration in blood, mice fed 10% ($83.50{\pm}19.30mg/dL$) and 20% ($88.50{\pm}22.25$) corn husk powder with high-fat diet showed very low levels compared to the control group and high-fat diet group. In the case of leptin, the high-fat diet group showed a significantly high level of $5.88{\pm}3.53ng/dL$. Groups fed 10% and 20% corn husks with high-fat diet showed low numerical values of $2.72{\pm}2.34ng/dL$ and $1.10{\pm}0.62ng/dL$, respectively (p<0.05). Corn husk powder increased high HDL-cholesterol concentration in blood while lowering triglyceride concentration and leptin secretion. Therefore, powder of corn husks has utility in the food industry and food processing.