• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.137-142
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• 2000

The physiological roles of brain angiotensin II in mediating water deprivation-induced drinking and in regulating renal renin release were assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Specific $AT_1$ receptor antagonists, losartan and SK 1080, and antisense oligonucleotide (AS-ODN) directed to $AT_1$ receptor mRNA were intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) administered in conscious unrestrained rats. When water was given 20 min after i.c.v. injection of $AT_1$ receptor antagonists in 48-h water-deprived rats, losartan and SK 1080 produced approximatly 20% and 50% decrease in 1-h water intake, respectively. In contrast, i.c.v. treatment of the AS-ODN to $AT_1$ receptor mRNA for 24-h did not alter 1-h water intake in 24-h water-deprived rats, but prevented the increase in overnight water intake after 24-h water-deprivation. Six-day i.c.v. treatment of AS-ODN did not alter either the basal plasma renin concentration or renal cortical levels of renin and renin mRNA. The present results suggest that endogenous brain Ang II plays an important role in thirst and water intake through $AT_1$ receptors, but further studies are required to elucidate its regulatory role in renal renin synthesis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.574-580
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• 2009

Melanogenesis is induced mainly by ultraviolet radiation of sunlight and ${\alpha}$-Melanocyte stimulation hormone (${\alpha}$-MSH) which binds to a specific G protein coupled receptor. ${\alpha}$-MSH and cAMP-elevating agents are known to melanin syntheisis and dendrite outgrowth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism of melanogenesis inhibition in B16/F10 cells by ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba. In the present study, ${\alpha}$-MSH led to a stimulation of melanin synthesis that appeared to result from an increased tyrosinase activity and melanin content. However, the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba inhibited the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced tyrosinase activity and melanin content. In control conditions, B16/F10 cells displayed a fibroblastic appearance while ${\alpha}$-MSH treatment promoted the emergence of small and numerous dendrites from the plasma membrane. The ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba abolished the ${\alpha}$-MSH-induced dendricity. Regarding protein levels of the melanogenic enzymes, the amounts of tyrosinase were increased after incubation with ${\alpha}$-MSH. The treatment of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba ethanol extract decreased the ${\alpha}$-MSH expression levels of tyrosinase. Based on these findings, it is likely that the ethanol extract of Artemisiae Capillaris Herba exerts its depigmenting effects in B16/F10 cells through the suppression of tyrosinase expression, which are key enzymes for melanogenesis.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Heat Treatment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.127-132
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• 2011

The silicon-containing Diamond-like Carbon (Si-DLC) film as an low friction coefficient coating has especially treated a different silicon content by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process at $500^{\circ}C$ on nitrided-STD 11 mold steel with (TMS) gas flow rate. The effects of variable silicon content on the Si-DLC films were tested with relative humidity of 5, 30 and 85% using a ball-on-disk tribometer. The wear-tested and original surface of Si-DLC films were analysed for an understanding of physical and chemical characterization, including a changing structure, via Raman spectra and nano hardness test. The results of Raman spectra have inferred a changing intra-structure from dangling bonds. And high silicon containing DLC films have shown increasing carbon peak ratio ($I_D/I_G$) values and G-peak values. In particular, the tribological tested surface of Si-DLC was shown the increasing hardness value in proportional to TMS gas flow rate. Therefore, at same time, the structure of the Si-DLC film was changed to a different intra-structure and increased hardness film with mechanical shear force and chemical reaction.

• Journal of Surface Science and Engineering
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.357-363
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• 2003

The aim of this work is the synthesis of a-C:H films from methane gas using surface spark discharge at the atmospheric pressure. Properties of these films have been investigated as functions of energy W delivered per a methane molecule in the discharge. The method enables the coatings to be deposited with high growth rates (up to $100 \mu\textrm{m}$/hour) onto large-area substrates. It is shown that the films consist of spherical granules with diameter of 20∼50 nm formed in the spark channel and then deposited onto the substrate. The best film characteristics such as minimum hydrogen-to-carbon atoms ratio H/C=0.69, maximum hardness $H_{v}$ =3 ㎬, the most dense packing of the granules and highest scratch resistance has been obtained under the condition of highest energy W of 40 eV. The deposited a-C:H coatings were found to be more soft and hydrogenated compared to the diamond-like hydrogenated (a-C:H) films which obtained by traditional plasmaenhanced chemical vapor deposition methods at low pressure (＜10 Torr). Nevertheless, these coatings can be potentially used for scratch protection of soft plastic materials since they are of an order harder than plastics but still transparent (the absorption coefficient is about $10^4$∼$10^{5}$ $m^{-1}$ At the same time the proposed method for fast deposition of a-C:H films makes this process less expensive compared to the conventional techniques. This advantage can widen the application field of. these films substantially.y.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.437-442
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• 2011

The present study focused on the synthesis of Bi-Te-Se-based powder by an oxide-reduction process, and analysis of the thermoelectric properties of the synthesized powder. The phase structure, chemical composition, and morphology of the synthesized powder were analyzed by XRD, EPMA and SEM. The synthesized powder was sintered by spark plasma sintering. The thermoelectric properties of the sintered body were evaluated by measuring its Seebeck coefficient, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity. $Bi_2Te_{2.7}Se_{0.3}$ powder was synthesized from a mixture of $Bi_2O_3$, $TeO_2$, and $SeO_2$ powders by mechanical milling, calcination, and reduction. The sintered body of the synthesized powder exhibited n-type thermoelectric characteristics. The thermoelectric properties of the sintered bodies depend on the reduction temperature. The Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of the sintered body were increased with increasing reduction temperature. The sintered body of the $Bi_2Te_{2.7}Se_{0.3}$ powder synthesized at $360^{\circ}C$ showed about 0.5 of the figure of merit (ZT) at room temperature.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.121-129
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• 1976

A high concentration of myo-Inositol in rat's milk was observed (61-91mg. of myo-Inositol per 100g of milk) by gas-liquid chromatographic method, using a 3% SE-52 column. Feeding experiments showed that approximately 85% of myo-Inositol in milk was from dietary origin: the rest was considered to be synthesized by 1L-myo-Inositol-1-phosphate lyase. Results suggested that the biosynthesis was not sufficiently high to permit the maintenance of its myo-Inositol level in milk. However, study $using(^{14}C)-glucose$ injection into lactating female rats confirmed biosynthesis of myo-Inositol from glucose in mammary gland. This biosynthesis reached a maximum within an hour after $(^{14}C)-glucose$ injection intraperitoneally as lactose biosynthesis did. Study using $(^3H)-myo-Inositol$ confirmed that most of the myo-Inositol in milk was transported from blood plasma myo-Inositol against a concentration gradient. About four hours after the beginning of the injection of $(^{14}C)-glucose$, the specific radioactivity of myo-Inositol in milk was 8% of that of glucose in the blood. When $(^3H)-myo-Inositol$ was injected, the specific radioactivity of myo-Inositol in milk was about 26% of that of blood six hours after injection.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.258-264
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• 2002

Zinc plays an important role in immunobiological responses, while excessive zinc attenuates immune functions in a dose-dependent manner. Zinc excess has been reported to increase levels of plasma prostaglandin E$_2$ (PGE$_2$), which is known to inhibit production of Th (helper T) 1-associated cytokines and to induce inflammatory responses. Thus, this study was investigated the effects of indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of PGE$_2$ synthesis, on the proinflammatory cytokine and lymphokine production in ICR mice exposed to excessive zinc. Indomethacin at doses of 5 mg/kg was administered i.p. 30 minutes before zinc chloride (Zn) 30 mg/kg orally daily for 10 days. Excessive Zn remarkedly increased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and interleukin (IL)-1$\beta$ levels in both serum and splenic supernatants compared with those in controls, while indomethacin significantly reduced the excessive Zn-induced levels of IL-1$\beta$. In serum, excessive Zn significantly decreased the levels of IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ compared with those in controls, whereas indomethacin significantly enhanced the excessive Zn-decreased levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ but did not affect the Zn-decreased levels of serum IL-2. In splenic supernatants, All of excessive Zn, indomethacin, and combination of Zn and indomethacin significantly enhanced IL-2 levels compared with those in controls, but indomethacin didn't affect the Zn-induced production of IL-2. These data, therefore, suggest that indomethacin significantly attenuated the in vivo and ex vivo IL-1$\beta$ production increased by excessive zinc and remarkedly enhanced the in vivo excessive zinc-suppressed production of IFN-${\gamma}$ but not IL-2.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.279-292
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• 1996

To assess their stability as a prodrug of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), four N-acyloxycarbonyl derivatives (1-(N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl)glycyloxymethyl-5-FU :BGFU, 1-(N-tert-butyloxycar bonyl)-leucyloxymethyl-5-FU:BLFU, 1-(N-tert-carbobenzyloxymethyl) glycyloxymethyl-5-FU:CGFU and 1-(N-tert-carbobenzlyoxymethyl)leucyloxymethyl-5-FU:CLFU) possessing differently protected amino acids, and two acetic acid derivatives (5FU-1-acetylpentane:FUAP and 5-FU-1-acetylhexane:FUAH) were synthesized and their physicochemical properties, hydrolysis kinetics, acute toxicity and antitumor activity were evaluated. The lipid-water partition coefficients of six 5-FU prodrugs were higher than that of 5-FU and their aqueous solubilities were in the following rank order; BGFU>FUAP>CGFU>BLFU>CLFU${\simeq}$FUAH. The hydrolysis of N-acyloxycarboyl derivatives, greater at higher pH, was enhanced in presence of liver homogenate or human plasma. Meanwhile, acetic acid ester derivatives, very stable, were hydrolyzed by liver homogenate. Absorption rate constants were 0.181, 0.121, 0.111, 0.168, 0.168, 0.116 and 0.125 $hr^{-1}$ for 5-FU, BGFU, BLFU, CGFU, CLFU, FUAP and FUAH, respectively. The cytotoxicity of N-acyloxycarbonyl derivatives was 4 to 5 times lower than that of 5-FU, but that of acetic acid ester derivatives was negligeble. The $LD_{50}$ values were 204, 325.97 (133.59, amount as 5-FU), 708.16 (262.13), 663.50 (211.77), 382.33 (192.54) and 272.33 (130.09) mg/kg for 5-FU, BGFU, CGFU, CLFU, FUAP and FUAH, respectively. While N-acyloxycarbonyl derivatives showed enhanced antitumor activity and therapeutic ratio (3.30, 3.06, 4.19, 3.11 and 1.81 for BGFU, BLFU, CGFU, CLFU and 5-FU, respectively), FUAH and FUAP showed a smaller therapeutic ratio (0.79 and 0.83).

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.2005-2011
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• 2012

Nopp140 is a highly phosphorylated protein that resides in the nucleolus of mammalian cell and is involved in the biogenesis of the nucleolus. It interacts with a variety of proteins related to the synthesis and assembly of the ribosome. It also can bind to a ubiquitous protein kinase CK2 that mediates cell growth and prevents apoptosis. We found that Nopp140 is an intrinsically unfolded protein (IUP) lacking stable secondary structures over its entire sequence of 709 residues. We discovered that mitoxantrone, an anticancer agent, was able to enhance the interaction between Nopp140 and CK2 and maintain suppressed activity of CK2. Surface plasma resonance studies on different domains of Nopp140 show that the C-terminal region of Nopp140 is responsible for binding with mitoxantrone. Our results present an interesting example where a small chemical compound binds to an intrinsically unfolded protein (IUP) and enhances protein-protein interactions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.273-277
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• 2011

Nitric oxide (NO) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) may induce vascular relaxation by increasing the production of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), an important mediator of vascular tone during sepsis. This study aimed to determine whether regulation of NO and the ANP system is altered in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced kidney injury. LPS (10 $mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) was injected in the tail veins of male Sprague-Dawley rats; 12 hours later, the kidneys were removed. Protein expression of NO synthase (NOS) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) was determined by semiquantitative immuno-blotting. As an index of synthesis of NO, its stable metabolites (nitrite/nitrate, NOx) were measured using colorimetric assays. mRNA expression of the ANP system was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. To determine the activity of guanylyl cyclase (GC), the amount of cGMP generated in response to sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and ANP was calculated. Creatinine clearance decreased and fractional excretion of sodium increased in LPS-treated rats compared with the controls. Inducible NOS protein expression increased in LPS-treated rats, while that of endothelial NOS, neuronal NOS, and NEP remained unchanged. Additionally, urinary and plasma NOx levels increased in LPS-treated rats. SNP-stimulated GC activity remained unchanged in the glomerulus and papilla in the LPS-treated rats. mRNA expression of natriuretic peptide receptor (NPR)-C decreased in LPS-treated rats, while that of ANP and NPR-A did not change. ANP-stimulated GC activity reduced in the glomerulus and papilla. In conclusion, enhancement of the NO/cGMP pathway and decrease in ANP clearance were found play a role in the pathogenesis of LPS-induced kidney injury.