• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.735-742
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• 2013

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) that bind to complementary nucleic acid sequences with extraordinarily high affinity and sequence specificity can be used as antisense oligonucleotides against microRNAs, namely antagomir PNAs. However, methods for efficient cellular delivery must be developed for effective use of PNAs as therapeutic agents. Here, we demonstrate that antagomir PNAs can be delivered to hepatic cells by complementary DNA oligonucleotide and cationic liposomes containing galactosylated ceramide and a novel cationic lipid, DMKE (O,O'-dimyristyl-N-lysyl glutamate), through glycoprotein-mediated endocytosis. An antagomir PNA was designed to target miR-122, which is required for translation of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome in hepatocytes, and was hybridized to a DNA oligonucleotide for complexation with cationic liposome. The PNA-DNA hybrid molecules were efficiently internalized into hepatic cells by complexing with the galactosylated cationic liposome in vitro. Galactosylation of liposome significantly enhanced both lipoplex cell binding and PNA delivery to the hepatic cells. After 4-h incubation with galactosylated lipoplexes, PNAs were efficiently delivered into hepatic cells and HCV genome translation was suppressed more than 70% through sequestration of miR-122 in cytoplasm. PNAs were readily released from the PNA-DNA hybrid in the low pH environment of the endosome. The present study indicates that transfection of PNA-DNA hybrid molecules using galactosylated cationic liposomes can be used as an efficient non-viral carrier for antagomir PNAs targeted to hepatocytes.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.298-306
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• 2011

Purpose: To analyze the differences of the Body Mass Index (BMI), blood biochemical indices (TC, TG, HDL, PP2) among college faculty members depending on their life styles and thereupon, provide for some basic data useful for healthcare education. Methods: 163 faculty members were sampled for a questionnaire survey and a medical checkup, both conducted from Jan. 20 to Jan. 26, 2010. Results: First, such blood biochemical indicesas BMI, TG, HDL and PP2 differed significantly depending on gender, while TC, TG and HDL differed significantly depending on age. Second, BMI differed significantly depending on drinking. Third, smokers showed significantly lower BMI and PP2 than non-smokers. Among the smokers, those smoking for 1-10 years showed a significantly lower level of TG. Fourth, those exercising as hard as sweating 3 times a week showed significantly lower BMI, TC and TG. Fifth, BMI was correlated positively with TC and TG, while being correlated negatively with HDL. On the other hand, TC was correlated positively with the TG which was correlated negatively with the HDL which was correlated positively with PP2. Conclusion: In order to prevent chronic diseases and live a healthy life, it must be necessary to control drinking, stop smoking and exercise regularly.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1509-1519
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• 2011

The protective effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the antioxidant system under paraquat(PQ) stress was investigated in leaves of 8-week-old lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) plants. PQ stress caused a decrease of leaf growth including leaf length, width and weight. Application of NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly alleviated PQ stress induced growth suppression. SNP permitted the survival of more green leaf tissue preventing chlorophyll content reduction and of higher quantum yield for photosystem II than in non-treated controls under PQ exposure, suggesting that NO has protective effect on chloroplast membrane in lettuce leaves. Flavonoids and anthocyanin were significantly accumulated in the leaves upon PQ exposure. However, the rapid increase of these compounds was alleviated in the SNP treated leaves. PQ treatment resulted in lipid peroxidation and induced accumulation of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) in the leaves, while SNP prevented PQ induced increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and $H_2O_2$. These results demonstrate that SNP serves as an antioxidant agent able to scavenge $H_2O_2$ to protect plant cells from oxidative damage. The activities of two antioxidant enzymes that scavenge reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in lettuce leaves in the presence of NO donor under PQ stress were higher than those under PQ stress alone. Application of 2-(4-carboxyphenyl)-4, 4, 5, 5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide (PTIO), a specific NO scavenger, to the lettuce leaves arrested SNP mediated protective effect on leaf growth, photosynthetic pigment and antioxidant systems. However, PTIO had little effect on lettuce leaves under PQ stress compared with that of PQ stress alone. The obtained data suggest that the damage caused by PQ stress is in part due to increased generation of active oxygen by maintaining increased antioxidant enzyme activities and SNP protects plants from oxidative stress. From these results it is suggested that NO might act as a signal in activating active oxygen scavenging system that protects plants from oxidative damage induced by PQ stress and thus confer PQ tolerance.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.141-149
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• 2006

Tamoxifen (TAM), a non-steroidal anti estrogen anticancer drug and chemopreventive agent for breast cancer, have caused cholestasis in liver. The potent hepatocarcinogenicity of this drug has been reported. Methotrexate (MTX) is dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor which interfaces with the synthesis for urine nucleotide and dTMP. And it may cause atrophy, necrosis and steatosis in liver. These two anticancer drug have well-known hepatotoxicity. So, in this study we compare the gene expression pattern of antitumor agent TAM and MTX, using the cDNA microarray. We have used 4.8 K cDNA microarray to identify hepatotoxicity-related genes in 5-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Confirm the pattern of gene expression, we have used Real time PCR for targeted gene. In the case of MTX, Protease related gene (Ctse, Ctsk) and Protein kinase (Pctk 1) have shown specific expression pattern. And in the case of TAM, apoptosis related gene (Pdcd 8) and signal transduction related gene (kdr) have significantly up regulated during treatment time. Gene related with growth factor, lipid synthesis, chemokins were significantly changed. From the result of this study, the information about influence of TAM and MTX to hepatoxicity will provide.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.462-468
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the effects of three exercise types on anthropometric and serum lipids and physiological index factors, which are known to be the three risk factors of cardiovascular disease in male workers. Methods : The experimental study period was 12 weeks. In this study, 30-40's males (N=31) were assigned to 3 experimental groups: regular aerobic(treadmill walking) exercise group, regular anaerobic(muscular endurance) exercise group, irregular aerobic & anaerobic exercise group and a control group using a stratified random assignment method. Results : In relation to anthropometric factors, the regular aerobic & anaerobic exercise groups showed significant decreases in Weight, Broca's index, WC, BMI, WHtR, WHpR and HRrest. With regard to the serum lipid factors, the TC was decreased, but the HDL-c increased among the regular aerobic & anaerobic exercise groups. However, no significant difference was found between the other groups in respect to the LDL-c and TG. Considering the physiological factors, the TC/HD-c, TC-HDL/HDL-c, LDL-C/HDL-c and NON-HDL-c ratios were decreased, but the HDL-c/TC ratio increased among the regular aerobic & anaerobic exercise groups. The TG/HDL-c and HDL-c/LDL-c ratios showed no significant differences between the groups. These results indicated that the positive change for each factor is much larger in the regular exercise groups, especially in the anaerobic exercise group. Conclusions : The results indicate that not only regular aerobic exercise, but also regular anaerobic(muscular endurance) exercise could be utilized in lessening the deleterious effects of the risk index factors for cardiovascular disease.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.190-195
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• 2006

Obesity is associated with a number of pathological disorders such as non-insulin-dependent diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Bangpoongtongsungsankamibang (BTSK) has been widely used in the oriental medicine for the treatment of several diseases associated with inflammatory abnormalities in cardiovascular and nervous system. The BTSK is the modified prescription of Bangpoongtongsungsankamibang in which sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) were added. This study was carried out to detemine the anti-obestic effects of BTSK. Pretreatment with the BTSK at daily dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg (p.o.) far 4 weeks reduced serum triglyceride, total cholesterol contents in rat induced by Poloxamer-407 or Triton WR-1339, respectively. Furthermore, post-treatment with BTSK far four weeks also inhibited body weight gain, adipose tissue mass and hyperlipidemia induced by the high fat diet for six weeks. The BTSK shifted serum total-, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels toward the values of normal group, suggesting that BTSK has hypolipldemlc effects. The rats fed BTSK reduced lipid peroxide and hydroxy radical in the rat blood and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity compared to the control group. Taken together, these results superoxide that BTSK improve hyperlidemia and obesity via the upregulation of anti-oxidative mechanism.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.747-751
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• 2004

The effect of yogurt containing Hamcho (Salicornia herbacea) extract (Hamcho yogurt: HY) on the lipid concentrations in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a cholesterol diet were studied. Rats were assigned three groups in the experiment; cholesterol diet (the CHOL group), cholesterol diet plus yogurt by lactic acid bacteria (the Y group) or cholesterol diet plus yogurt supplemented Hamcho extract by lactic acid bacteria (the HY group). Fermented milk with or without Hamcho extract in the diet supplemented at the levels 5.0% for 3 weeks. The concentrations of total cholesterol and bile acid in serum was significantly lower in the HY group than the CHOL group. This effect was also observed in rats fed a diet supplemented fermented milk. This cholesterol-lowering effect was more pronounced in the HY group compared to the Y group. The atherogenic index was significantly lower in the HY or Y groups than the CHOL group. The concentration of non esterified fatty acid in serum was significantly lower in the HY group than the CHOL and the Y groups. These results suggested that Hamcho yogurt exert the hypocholesterolemic effect in cholesterol fed rats.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.1499-1505
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• 2007

Peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$) is a reactive oxidant formed from superoxide anion radical (${\cdot}\;O_2-$) and nitric oxide (NO), which can oxidize cellular components such as essential protein, non-protein thiols, DNA, low-density lipoproteins and membrane phospholipids. ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$ have contributed to the pathogenesis of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Because of damaging effects of ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$ oxidants, Vespae Nidus, which has been known to strengthen the kidneys to preserve the vital energy. was tested as a potential specific scavenger of those oxidants. In this study, the viability of Vespae Nidus (1, 10, 50 g/ml) to scavenge ${\cdot}\;O_2-$, NO, $ONOO^-$ and so to protect cells against tert-butylhydroxyperoxide (t-BHP) induced cell death was tested. The levels of ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$ were detected by staining with DCFH-DA and DHR 123, respectively. Protein expression levels of COX-2, iNOS and $NF{-\kappa}B$ were assayed by western blot. Vespae Nidus blocked t-BHP-induced cell death in a dose-dependent fashion. Vespae Nidus inhibited t-BHP-induced production of ${\cdot}\;O_2-$, NO and $ONOO^-$ in YPEN cells. The lipid peroxide level was increased and glutathione level was decreased in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated ICR mouse, whereas the ones in the Vespae Nidus-administered group were regulated beneficially. Vespae Nidus inhibited the expression of COX-2, iNOS and NF-κB (p65 and p50) genes in LPS-treated ICR mouse. The present study suggests that Vespae Nidus is a powerful antioxidant and promotes cellular defense activity by scavenging the toxic oxidants such as ${\cdot}\;O_2-$ and $ONOO^-$.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.837-844
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• 2014

This study was carried out to analyze the differences in p-hydroxylbenzyl alcohol (HBA) content, antitumor and anti-obesity activities and tyrosinase inhibitory activity between non-fermented G. elata (NFGP) and fermented G. elata powder. The HBA content, which is an index-component of G. elata decreased from 1.58 mg/g before fermentation to 1.07, 0.32, and 0.13 mg/g after the $1^{st}$ fermentation ($1^{st}$ FGP), $2^{nd}$ fermentation ($2^{nd}$ FGP) and $3^{rd}$ fermentation ($3^{rd}$ FGP), respectively. The anti-proliferation effects on the cell lines HT29 and AGS were significantly higher for the fermented G. elata than the NFGP. The antitumor activity was also increased in a fermentation number-dependent manner. During adipocyte differentiation, the ethanol extract of the $3^{rd}$ FGP inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells significantly better than NFGP and the $1^{st}$ FGP, treated at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$. The tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the $2^{nd}$ FGP at $600{\mu}g/mL$ over was higher than that of kojic acid. At the concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, the tyrosinase inhibitory activity was increased in a fermentation number-dependent manner. From these results, the fermented G. elata, especially the $3^{rd}$ FGP, is expected to be good candidate for the development of functional food and agents with antitumor, anti-obesity, and tyrosinase inhibitory potential.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2010

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a rare disorder that's characterized by accumulation of surfactant components in the alveolar space. Idiopathic PAP is recognized as an autoimmune disease that's due to impaired alveolar macrophage function and this caused by autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). We report here a case of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis that was deemed interstitial lung disease at the initial diagnosis. A 61-year-old man presented with intermittent blood tinged sputum and dyspnea on exertion. The man was a painter for 30 years and he had a 10 pack-years smoking history. Chest computerized tomography (CT) revealed multifocal ground-glass opacity with interstitial thickening at both lungs. His pulmonary function tests and methacholine test revealed non specific results. He was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease on the basis of the chest CT finding and occupational history. However, seven months later, his symptoms progressed. Follow-up chest CT was performed. Wedge resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (the anterior basal segment of the left lower lobe) was done. Microscopic examination showed large groups of alveoli with excessive amounts of surfactant and a complex mixture of protein and lipid (fat) molecules. Finally, he was diagnosed as having pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.