• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.140-146
• /
• 2000

Recently, we reported that immunostimulation of primary rat cortical astrocyte caused stimulation of glucose deprivation induced apoptotic cell death. To enhance the understanding of the mechanism of the potentiated cell death of clucose-deprived astrocyte by immunostimulation, we investigated the effect of immunostimulation on the glucose deprivation induced cell death of rat C6 glioma cells. Co-treatment of C6 glioma cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $1\;{\mu}\textrm{g}/ml$) and interferon ${\gamma}(IFN{\gamma},\;100U/ml)$ is serum free condition caused marked elevationo f nitric oxide production ($>50\;{\mu}M$). In this condition, glucose deprivation caused significant release of lactate dehdrogenase (LDH) from C6 glioma cells while control cells did not show LDH release. To investigate whether elevated level of nitric oxide is responsible for the enhanced LDH release in glucose-deprived condition, C6 glioma cells were treated with 3-morphorinosydnonimine (SIN-1) and it was observed that SIN-1 caused increase in LDH release from glucose-deprived C6 glioma cells. Treatment of C6 glioma cells with $25\;{\mu}M$ of pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) which inhibit Nuclear factor kB (NF-kB) activation, caused complete inhibition of nitric oxide production. Treatment of C6 glioma cells with NO synthase inhibitors, $N^{G}$-nitro-L-arginine (NNA) or L-$N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), caused inhibition of nitric oxide production and also glucose deprivation induced cell death of cytokine-stimulated C6 glioma cells. In addition, diaminohydroxypyrimidine (DAHP, 5 mM) which inhibits the synthesis of tetrahydrobiopterine (BH4), one of essential cofactors for iNOS activity, caused complete inhibition of NO production from immunostimulated C6 glioma cells. The results from the present study suggest that immunostimulation causes potentiation of glucose deprivation induced death of C6 glioma cells which is mediated at least in part by the increased production of nitric oxide. The vulnerability of immunostimulated C6 glioma cells to hypoglycemic insults may implicate that the elevated level of cytokines in various ischemic and neurodegenerative diseases may play a role in their pathogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.323-326
• /
• 2006

Suaeda (S.) asparagoides $M_{IQ}$, one of the halophyte groups, has been used as a folk remedy for digestive disturbances in Korea. However, its pharmacological activity on gastrointestinal motility has not been reported yet. In this study, the effects of this halophyte extracts with various solvent fractions (ethanol, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol, and water) on mice ileal spontaneous motility was examined. All solvent fractions at the concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$ showed inhibitory actions on spontaneous motility of ileum with the potency order of water > 70% ethanol > hexane ${\gg}$ chloroform ${\geq}$ butanol ${\geq}$ ethyl acetate, respectively. In addition, the water fraction of extracts from S. asparagoides $M_{IQ}$ (WFSA) dose-dependently ($1-100{\mu}g/ml$) inhibited the amplitude of spontaneous phasic contraction and area under the contractile curve (AUC). The inhibitory effect of water fraction at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ was not affected by tetrodotoxin (TTX), $Na^+$ channel blocker ($1{\mu}M$), and $N^w$-nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME), nitric oxide synthase inhibitor ($100{\mu}M$). However, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, $10{\mu}M$), inhibitor of sarcoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase, almost blocked the inhibitory effects of WFSA ($10{\mu}g/ml$) on the spontaneous phasic contraction of mouse ileum. But, CPA did not inhibit the lowering basal tone effects of WFSA. The result of this study showed that various extracts of S. asparagoides $M_{IQ}$ induce inhibitory effects on spontaneous contraction of mice ileal segments. More over, the polar solvent fractions were shown to be more potent than non-polar solvent fractions. The effects of S. asparagoides $M_{IQ}$ extracts are not mediated by nerve or nitric oxide. The inhibitory effects of WFSA at least partially mediated by sarcoplasmic reticulum $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase. However, further study is required to determine the exact pharmacological mechanisms of this halophyte on its gastrointestinal motility inhibitory effects.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.492-497
• /
• 2015

In the present study, vasorelaxant effect of the extract of seeds of Oenothera odorata (SOO) and its possible mechanism responsible for this effect were examined in vascular tissues isolated from rats. Changes in vascular tension, 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) levels were measured in thoracic aorta rings from rats. Methanol extract of seeds of Oenothera odorata relaxed endothelium-intact thoracic aorta in a dose-dependent manner. A dose-dependent vascular relaxation was also revealed by treatment of ethylacetate, n-butanol, and H₂O (aqua extract of seeds of Oenothera odorata , ASOO) extracts partitioned from methanol, but not by hexane extract. However, the vascular relaxation induced by ASOO were abolished by removal of endothelium of aortic tissues. Pretreatment of the endothelium-intact vascular tissues with N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or ¹H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazole-[4,3-α]-quinoxalin-1- one (ODQ) significantly inhibited vascular relaxation induced by ASOO. Moreover, incubation of endothelium-intact aortic rings with ASOO increased the production of cGMP. However, ASOO-induced increases in cGMP production were blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ. The vasorelaxant effect of ASOO was attenuated by tetraethylammonium (TEA), 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide attenuated. On the other hand, the ASOO-induced vasorelaxation was not blocked by verapamil, and diltiazem. Taken together, the present study demonstrates that ASOO dilate vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent NO-cGMP signaling pathway, which may be closely related with the function of K⁺ channels.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.487-494
• /
• 1996

The neurogenic responses of tracheal smooth muscles to electrical field stimulation (EFS) is biphasic, consisting firstly of cholinergic contraction followed by a slow and sustained relaxation. It is well known that a sustained relaxation involves the inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic systems. This study was done to Investigate the relaxing agents and their action mechanisms by use of an organ bath with plati- ilum . The tracheal smooth muscle relaxation due to EFS was suppressed by L-NAME, the WO (Nitric Oxide) synthase inhibitor, and these effects were reversed by L-arginine, the precursor of NO. Also, L-WAME (HG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester) increased the basal tension. Nitroprusside, the NO-donor, suppressed the tracheal basal tension greatly. Methylene blue, the inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, decreased EFS-induced relaxations and increa ed basal tension. Forskolin and isoprenaline, which are activators of adenylate cyclase, suppressed tracheal basal tension in the same way as nitroprusside. TEA (tetraethylammonium), the non-specific K'channel blocker, and apamin, the Ca"-activated K'channel blocker, increased tracheal basal tension and EFS-induced relaxations. Our results indicate that Pr3 Is released upon stimulation of the NANC (Won Adrenergic Won Cholinergic) nerves in guinea-pig tracheal smooth muscle and that the release of NO related with the K+ channel, as well as the release of other inhibitory agents< e. g.)VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide), PHI (Peptide Histidine Isoleusine) > mediated via CAMP (cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate) may be Involved In sustained relaxation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.182-198
• /
• 2005

Object : This study was designed to research whether the protection and inhibitory effects of cardiovascular diseases in L-NAME induced rat or ECV 304 cell lines through the Cell morphological pattern, Tunel assay, LDH activity, heart rate, blood pressure and immunohistochemistric analysis by Boonsimgieum water extract Methods : Nitric oxide(NO) play an important role in normal and pathophysiological cells including as a messenger molecule, neurotransmitter, microbiocidal agent, or dilator of blood vessels and artheriosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial infarction, respectively. Endothelial cell products can modulate the magnitude of a response to a vasoconstrictor, as evinced by the greater constriction after endothelium removal or NO synthesis blockade. To investigate that Boonsimgieum in the potential contribution of the levels of nitric oxide generated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and the mechanisms of protection against NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), human ECV 304 cells, which normally do not express eNOS, were expressed by L-NAME. L-NAME stimulated rat or cells were found to be resistant to injury and delayed death following the Boonsimgieum. Inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis abolished the protective effect against L-NAME, thrombin and collagen exposure. Interestingly, such effects have been observed during stimulation with agents such as phenylephrine and KCl on L-NAME mediate rats, were damaged by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME. Result : As the result of this study, In group, the anti-apoptosis and necrosis in the cardiovascular system have a potential capacity for prevented, protected and treating the diseases of cardiovascular system, against the necrosis of rat and ECV 304 cells with Caspase 3 and calpain expression by L-NAME is promoted. Conclusion : these results demonstrate neuroprotective and memory enhancing effects of ZIBU, suggesting its beneficial actions for the treatment of AD.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 1998

The authors attempted utilization of fatty acid composition of vibrios as a tool for identification of the strains. Fatty acid of 49 strains of Vibrio cholerae non-O1, V. cholerae O1, V mimicus, V vulinificus and V parahaemolyticus was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography column. According to the statistical analysis of the fatty acid data, the relationship between the Vibrio species and serotypes of the strains was discussed. Forty one kinds of fatty acid were detected from the tested strains and 35 kinds of fatty acids among the detected fatty acids were significant factors to identify the vibrios. The predominant fatty acids were 16:0, 16:1 cis 9, 18:1 trans 9/6/cis 11 and 15:0 iso 2OH/16:1 cis 9 as above about 20% in total. Fatty acid compositions of the Vibrio species were an important factor in identifying their subspecies either predominant fatty acids or minor ones. According to the analysed results by a conventional statistical processing method (UPGMA) and prepared dendrogram, V cholerae non-01 had more closer relationship with V. mimicus compared with V. cholerae 01. Moreover, the distribution of hydroxy acid was a significant factor for identifying V cholerae subspecies. Comprising all the 10 serotypes detected from V. cholerae non-01 examined such as O2, O5, O8, O10, O14, O27, O37, O39, O45 and O69, we could group them into seven subspecies by cluster analysis with the similarity value of fatty acid composition as above 92%. It means that there is a significant relationship between serotypes and fatty acid composition of V. cholerae. These results indicated that numerical analysis of fatty acid composition data of V cholerae non-01 could classifY them into subspecies, and also which may provide a useful epidemiologic information or a basis for further analysis such as PCR and DNA probe analysis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.148-160
• /
• 2002

배 경 : 쥐를 고농도의 산소에 60시간 이상 노출시켰을 때 급성 폐손상이 유발되지만 내독소를 저용량으로 투여시에는 이러한 폐손상이 경감된다고 알려져 있으나 그 기전에 대하여는 확실히 밝혀지지 않고 있다. 산화질소(nitric oxide, NO)는 내독소나 염증성 사이토카인(cytokine) 등의 자극에 의해서 폐내 여러 염증세포에서 만들어지며 이 산화질소는 경우에 따라 우리 몸에 이롭거나 해로운 양면성을 지니고 있다. 저자들은 쥐에서 고농도의 산소에 의한 폐손상이 저농도의 내독소 투여로 경감되는 기전에, 산화질소가 중요한 역할을 하는지 또는 황산화효소나 다른 항염증성 사이토카인이 중요한 역할을 하는지를 규명하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 총 120마리의 쥐 (Sprague-Dawley rat)를 24마리씩 5군으로 나누어 대조군은 실내 공기를, 고농도 산소군은 100%의 산소를 100%의 산소를 60시간 투여하였고 내독소군은 100% 산소 투여시 2일간 저용량의 내독소를 투여하였다. 다른 두 군은 산화질소 합성 억제물인 aminoguanidine(AG)과 N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME)를 각각 2일간 고농도 산소와 내독소에 더하여 투여하였다. 각각의 군에서 폐손상의 정도와 사망률을 관찰하고 superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase, nitric oxide, IL-6, IL-11을 기관지폐포세척액에서 측정하고, 고농도산소 투여군의 폐조직에서 iNOS synthase rnRNA의 발현을 비교하였다. 결 과: 1. 100%의 산소에 60시간 노출시켰을 때 쥐의 사망률은 8.3% 이었고 내독소 투여군은 4.2%, NAME 투여군이 37.5%, AG 투여군이 25%로 산화질소 합성 억제제에 의하여 사망률의 증가가 관찰되었다. 2. 폐의 손상 정도를 나타내는 폐의 wet/dry 중량비와 늑막액도 100%의 산소에 노출된 군에서 증가되었고 내독소 투여에 의하여 감소되었으며 NAME나 AG 투여군에서는 오히려 증가되었다. 3. 이러한 내독소에 의한 폐손상 억제효과가 항산화효소인 SOD나 catalase, 또는 protective cytokine인 IL-6나 IL-11등의 증가와 관련이 있는지를 관찰하였으나 이들 모두에서 유의한 변화를 관찰하지 못하였다. 4. 산화질소는 100% 산소에 노출시킨 군에서도 증가하였으나 내독소 투여군에서 유의하게 더욱 증가하였고 이는 L-NAME 나 aminoguanidine의 투여시 감소하였다. 5. iNOS mRNA의 발현도 내독소 투여군에서 유의하게 증가하였다. 결 론 : 쥐의 고농소 산소 투여에 의한 폐손상은 저용량의 내독소 투여로 경감되며, 이는 주로 내독소 투여에 의한 iNOS mRNA의 발현을 유도하여 생성된 산화질소의 증가에 기인하는 것으로 생각된다.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.205-210
• /
• 2015

In this paper, microalgae lipid extractions were performed using conventional organic solvent and supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-$CO_2$) for biodiesel-convertible lipid fractions. The highest levels (58.31%) of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content in the lipid extracted by SC-$CO_2$ was obtained, and 18.0 wt.% crude lipid yield was achieved for Bligh-Dyer method. In the SC-$CO_2$ extraction, methanol as a co-solvent was applied to increase the polarity of extract. The experimental results indicated that crude lipid yield, FAME content and yield extracted by combination of SC-$CO_2$ with methanol were 12.5 wt.%, 56.32% and 7.04 wt.%, respectively, and this method could reduce the extraction time from 2 hour to 30 min when compared to SC-$CO_2$ extraction. Therefore, SC-$CO_2$ extraction is proven to be an environmentally-friendly and an effective method for lipid extraction from microalgae.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.15-21
• /
• 2013

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important intra-intercellular signaling molecule that regulates many physiological processes and participates in the development some pathological conditions in animals. In this study, we compared different methods for determining NO concentration in the hemocytes of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum. For measuring the intracellular NO levels, we used the specific fluorescent probe 4,5-diaminofluorescein diacetate (DAF-2 DA), and the quantification methods that were compared were based on image analysis, spectrophotometry, and flow cytometry. NO concentration could be determined using all the 3 methods, and the concentration varied significantly depending upon the presence of NO regulators in the hemocytes; NO concentration increased in the presence of L-arginine, while it decreased in the presence of N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester. In particular, it is found that estimation of NO using a flowcytometry is more economical, reliable and accurate compared to image analysis and spectrophotometry. Accordingly we believe that determining NO concentration by using flowcytometry will be useful in evaluating physiological and pathological conditions in marine bivalves.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.505-512
• /
• 2014

A new donor-accepter-donor-accepter-donor (D-A-D-A-D) type 2,1,3-benzothiadiazole-thiophene-based acceptor unit 2,5-di(4-(5-bromo-4-octylthiophen-2-yl)-2,1,3-benzothiadiazol-7-yl)thiophene ($DTBTTBr_2$) was synthesized. Copolymerized with fluorene and indeno[1,2-b]fluorene electron-rich moieties, two alternating narrow band gap (NBG) copolymers PF-DTBTT and PIF-DTBTT were prepared. And two copolymers exhibit broad and strong absorption in the range of 300-700 nm with optical band gap of about 1.75 eV. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energy levels vary between -5.43 and -5.52 eV and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy levels range from -3.64 to -3.77 eV. Potential applications of the copolymers as electron donor material and $PC_{71}BM$ ([6,6]-phenyl-$C_{71}$ butyric acid methyl ester) as electron acceptors were investigated for photovoltaic solar cells (PSCs). Photovoltaic performances based on the blend of PF-DTBTT/$PC_{71}BM$ (w:w; 1:2) and PIF-DTBTT/$PC_{71}BM$ (w:w; 1:2) with devices configuration as ITO/PEDOT: PSS/blend/Ca/Al, show an incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 2.34% and 2.56% with the open circuit voltage ($V_{oc}$) of 0.87 V and 0.90 V, short circuit current density ($J_{sc}$) of $6.02mA/cm^2$ and $6.12mA/cm^2$ under an AM1.5 simulator ($100mA/cm^2$). The photocurrent responses exhibit the onset wavelength extending up to 720 nm. These results indicate that the resulted narrow band gap copolymers are viable electron donor materials for polymer solar cells.