• Applied Microscopy
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-118
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• 1989

The cardiotoxic effects of acute and chronic administration of adriamycin (ADR) were evaluated in A/J Swiss albino mice. In acute studies, male mice received intravenous ADR, 5mg or 15mg/kg per day for 3 or 1day and were sacrifice 12 hours later. Because the glutathione-glutathione peroxidase system is major pathway for free radical detoxication, glutathione levels and glutathione peroxidase activity was measured. In acute studies, ADR-treated mice exhibited significantly decreased levels(p<0.05) of total glutathione and unchanged levels of oxidized glutathione and percentage of oxidized glutathione. The earliest myocardial fine structural alterations included swelling and degeneration of mitochondria and dilatation of sarcoplasmic reticulum at all dosage of acute models. In chronic studies, mice received 5mg/kg ADR once a week for up to 16 weeks. Levels of total and reduced glutathione were decreased significantly(p<0.01) and oxidized glutathione and percentage of oxidized glutathione were increased significantly (p<0.05). Chronic myocardial lesions included perinuclear vacuolization, seperation of myofibrils and the fasciae adherens of intercalated disc and hypercontraction band within myocyte. Glutathione peroxidase activity reduced significantly (p<0.01) in any group of acute and chronic ADR-treated animals. Test for lipid peroxidation(malondialdehyde) was increased significantly(P<0.01). Thus, we conclude 1) ADR significantly lowers glutathione levels in heart tissue, and 2) cellular damage progress produced by alteration of this system in mouse models of ADR cardiotoxicity. These results suggest that the glutathione-glutathione peroxidase system may be involved in the modulation of ADR-induced cardiotoxicity.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.131-144
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• 1997

The present study was carried out to investigate the processes of the ultrastructural differentiation and the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities of the developing rat retina. The results are as follows. The retina of fetal rat on the 13th day of gestation showed the early stage of differentiation. Briefly, there appeared dividing chromosomes, the plentiful free ribosomes, and the high ratio of nucleus to cytoplasm. The reaction products by AChE were localized at the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum and on the outer membrane of nucleus. Ultrastructures and AChE activities in the retina of the fetal rats on the 18th day of gestation were similar to those of the prior stages, except the appearence of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. According to the ultrastructural observations, the rat retina was still in immature state at birth, but the pigment epithelial cells were fully differentiated, e. g. the increase of melanin granules, the development of mitochondria and Golgi apparatus. The AChE activity was weekly detected. The differentiated retinal layers and the outer segment of photoreceptor cells were observed on the 7th postnatal day. And the pigment epithelium appeared to be fully differentiated. On the 14th postnatal day, rat retina were completely differentiated. In other words, the rat retina was characterized by the prominent outer segments, phagocytosed residues in the pigment epithelium, and the localization of reaction products by AChE in the synapses. In conclusion, the differentiation of rat retina is charaterized by the changes of cell shape, the increase of retinal layers, and the alterations of AChE activities. It seems that rat retina is to be functional from 2 weeks of birth onward, coinciding with the eye opening of the juvenile rats.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2002.07a
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• pp.89-96
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• 2002

The importance of apoptosis in normal development and pathogenesis has been well recognized, and explosive progress towards dissecting its commitment step has been made during the past decade. Mitochondria, Apaf-1, caspase, and bcl-2 family members play central roles in the commitment step. However, it is still unclear how upstream cell survival pathways regulate apoptosis. It is also unknown whether the bcl-2 family members have any effect on the upstream survival pathways. We have demonstrated that the anti-apoptotic gene product bcl-2 greatly induces expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) in human breast epithelial cells. Surprisingly, we found that TIMP-1, like bcl-2, is a potent inhibitor of apoptosis induced by a variety of stimuli. Functional studies indicate that TIMP-1 inhibits a classical apoptotic pathway mediated by caspases, and that focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/Pl 3-kinase and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) are critical for TIMP- 1 -mediated cell survival. We also showed specific association of TIMP-1 with the cell surface. Consistently, a 150-H)a surface protein was identified in MCF10A cells that specifically binds TIMP-1. Taken together, we hypothesize that TIMP-I binding on the cell surface induces a cell survival pathway that regulates the common apoptosis commitment step. The results of these studies will address a new paradigm in the regulation of apoptosis by an extracellular molecule TIMP-1, and also greatly enhance our understanding of TIMP-1's pleiotropic activity in many physiological and pathological processes. This information may also be useful in designing more rational therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating the anti-apoptotic activity of TIMP-1 .

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.224-230
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• 1987

Effects Of organic compound, photosensitizer and $K^+$ ion influx. On the light-induced ATPase of mitochondria in L. edodes purified by linear sucrose density gradient centrifugation were studied. The mitochondrial ATPase activity was investigated by various wavelength illumination at dark state. The mitochondrial ATPase was activated 139% and 128% by 10m mol dithiothreitol and 0.1m mol quinacrine, respectively. This enzyme also was activated 36% by 0.1m mol phenazine methosulfate as photosensitizer. But, 100 mg oligomycin and 1m mol phlorizin inhibited activity of enzyme to 48% and 45%, respectively. Its optimum wavelength was 690 nm on the effect of $K^+$ ion influx, its optimum pH and temperature were found to be 7.2 and $55^{\circ}C$.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.137-147
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• 2007

Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of Carthami Flos extract. Methods : Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity(TAC) and total antioxidant response(TAR) against potent free radical reactions. The effect of Carthami Flos extract was examined far details of total phenolic content concentration at which 1,1-dipheny1-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity was inhibited, the inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation, and the effect on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation. Results : TAC of Carthami Flos extract at the concentration of 5 mg/ml was 1.84 mM Trolox equivalent. 2. TAR of Carthami Flos extract, on the other hand, couldn't be determined due to interference from unidentified compounds. 3. Total phenolic content of Carthami Flos extract at the concentration of 5 mg/ml was 2.01 mM gallic acid equivalent. 4. Concentration of Carthami Flos extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 6.43 mg/ml as compared to 100% by Pyrogallol solution as a reference. 5. The inhibitory effect of the extract on lipid peroxidation was examined using rat liver mitochondria induced by FeS04/ascorbic acid. Carthami Flos extract at the concentration of 10 ms/ml slightly but significantly decreased TBARS concentration. The extract continued to prevent lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent manner. 6. The effect of Carthami Flos extract on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was examined using a cell-free system induced by hydrogen peroxide/FeS04. Addition of 1 mg/ml of Carthami Flos extract significantly reduced dichlorofluorescein(DCF) fluorescence. Carthami Flos extract caused concentration-dependent attenuation of the increase in DCF fluorescence, indicating that the ektract significantly prevented ROS generation in vitro. Conclusion: : Antioxidant efffcts of Carffami ffor extract seem to be due, at least in part, to the prevention offree radical-induced oxidation, fellowed by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.148-158
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• 2007

Objective : The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of Mori Folium extract. Methods Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity(TAC) and total antioxidant response(TAR) against potent free radical reactions. The effect of Mori Folium extract was examined by measuring total phenolic content, concentration at which 1,1-dipheny1-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity was inhibited, inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation, and the effect on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation. Results : 1. TAC and TAR of Mori Folium extract at the concentration of 5 mg/ml were 1.61 and 1.24 mM Trolox equivalents, respectively. 2. Total phenolic content of Mori Folium extract at the concentration of 5 mg/Ml was 1.70 mM gallic acid equivalent. 3. Concentration of Mori Folium extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 2.29 m9/m4 as compared to 100% by Pyrogallol solution as a reference. 4. The inhibitory effect of the extract on lipid peroxidation was examined using rat liver mitochondria induced by FeSO$_4$/ascorbic acid. Mori Folium extract at the concentration of 10 mg/ml significantly decreased thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS) concentration. The extract prevented lipid peroxidation in a dose-dependent 5. The effect of Mori Folium extract on reactive oxygen species(ROS) generation was examined using a celt-free system induced by hydrogen peroxide FeSO$_4$. Addition of 1 mg/ml of Mori Folium extract significantly reduced dichlorofluorescein(DCf) fluorescence. The extract caused concentration-dependent attenuation of the increase in DCF fluorescence, indicating that the extract significantly prevented ROS generation in vitro. Conclusion ; The antioxidant effects of Mori Folium extract seem to be due, at least in part, to the prevention offree radical-induced oxidation, fllowed by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.10 no.2 s.23
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• pp.57-65
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidative effects of Ephedrae Herba extract. Methods : Total antioxidant status was examined by total antioxidant capacity(TAC), total antioxidant response(TAR) against potent free radical reactions, total phenolic content, DPPH radical scavenging activities, and the inhibitory effect of the extract on lipid peroxidation in rat liver mitochondria. Results : 1. TAC and TAR of Ephedrae Herba extract at the concentration of 5mg/ml were 3.76 and 1.65 mM Trolox equivalents , respectively. 2. Total phenolic content of Ephedrae Herba extract at the concenuation of 5mg/ml was 3.52 mM gallic acid equivalent. 3. Concentration of Ephedrae Herba extract at which DPPH radical scavenging activity was inhibited by 50% was 0.46mg/ml as compared to 100% by pyrogallol solution as a reference. 4. Ephedrae Herba extract at the concentration of 2mg/ml significantly decreased TBARS concentration by 97%, showing that Ephedrae Herba extract prevented lipid peroxidation at the low concentration. Conclusion : Thus antioxidant effects of Ephedrae Herba extract appear to be due to, at least in part, the prevention from free radicalsinduced oxidation, followed by inhibition of lipid peroxidation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.423-429
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• 2012

Brain ischemia leads to overstimulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, referred as excitotoxicity, which mediates neuronal cell death. However, less attention has been paid to changes in synaptic activity and morphology that could have an important impact on cell function and survival following ischemic insult. In this study, we investigated the effects of reperfusion after oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD) not only upon neuronal cell death, but also on ultrastructural and biochemical characteristics of postsynaptic density (PSD) protein, in the stratum lucidum of the CA3 area in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures. After OGD/reperfusion, neurons were found to be damaged; the organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, dendrites, and synaptic terminals were swollen; and the PSD became thicker and irregular. Ethanolic phosphotungstic acid staining showed that the density of PSD was significantly decreased, and the thickness and length of the PSD were significantly increased in the OGD/reperfusion group compared to the control. The levels of PSD proteins, including PSD-95, NMDA receptor 1, NMDA receptor 2B, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, were significantly decreased following OGD/reperfusion. These results suggest that OGD/reperfusion induces significant modifications to PSDs in the CA3 area of organotypic hippocampal slice cultures, both morphologically and biochemically, and this may contribute to neuronal cell death and synaptic dysfunction after OGD/reperfusion.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 1998

In this study, the effect of verapamil (VER) on cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in uninephrectomized rats. Male Wistar rats were administered CsA (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or VER (0.5 mg/kg/day, i.p.) with CsA (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.) for 20 days. The urinary N-acetyl-$\beta$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) activity along with BUN, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (CLcr), body weight, and 24 hr-urine output were measured and histopathologic changes of kidney were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. The results obtained from this study can be summarized as follows: While NAG activity, BUN and serum creatinine was progressively increased and CLcr significantly decreased in CsA group, VER almost signifi-cantly (p<0.05) suppressed and normalized CsA-induced changes in VER+CSA group. While urine output increased until 12th days and thereafter progressively decreased in CsA group, it gradually increased in control and VER+CSA group. While body weight progressively made a gain in control and VER+CSA groups, it significantly (p<0.05) lost in CsA group. On light microscopy, the glomerular hyperemia and proximal convoluted tubular (PCT) dilatation, focal tubular cell vacuolation and necrosis were clearly evident in CsA group, but, were not seen in other groups. Ultrastructural studies revealed thickened glomerular endothelium and basal lamina of capillary, irregular shaped pedicels of podocytes, indistinct slit pores and narrowed bowman's space. The large oval vacuoles with dense debris and phagosome were distributed in apical zone and deformed microvilli and mitochondria were seen in the PCT cell of CsA group. But, glomeruli and PCT cell were relatively preserved in normal apperance in other groups. In conclusion, it is suggested that verapamil has a protective effect on cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity in uninephrectomized rats.