• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.10
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• pp.1199-1206
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• 2017

The lymphotoxin ${\beta}$ receptor ($LT{\beta}R$), a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family, plays an important role in lymphoid tissue's architecture and organogenesis. We found that $LT{\beta}R$ stimulation induced changes in stress fibers (SFs) in fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs). MLCK and ROCK play critical roles in the regulation of SF formation in cells. The present study was performed to investigate the antifibrotic effects on SF regulation of $LT{\beta}R$ signaling, with a focus on MLCK inhibition. The effect of $LT{\beta}R$ on the SF change was analyzed using immunoblot and fluorescence assays and agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRCs. In addition, we checked the level of Rho-guanosine diphosphate (GDP)/guanosine triphosphate (GTP) exchange activity with FRC lysate. Phospho-ezrin proteins acting as membrane-cytoskeleton linkers completely de-phosphorylated in agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated FRCs. The actin bundles rearranged into SFs, where phospho-myosin light chain (p-MLC) co-localized in FRCs. ML7-treated FRCs completely blocked SFs and showed retraction and shrinkage processes comparable to those observed in agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody-treated cells. Inhibition of ROCK activity induced changes in the actin cytoskeleton organization; however, some SFs remained in the cells, while they were completely disrupted by MLCK inhibition with ML7. We showed that the phosphorylation of MLC was completely abolished with $LT{\beta}R$ stimulation in FRCs. When $LT{\beta}R$ was stimulated with the agonistic $anti-LT{\beta}R$ antibody, the Rho-GDP/GTP exchange activity was reduced, however, the activity was not completely abolished. Collectively, the results illustrated that MLCK was potently responsible for the SF regulation triggered via $LT{\beta}R$ signaling in FRCs.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.9-18
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• 2012

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate the effects of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture at Bi-Su($BL_{20}$) on weight change, food efficiency, concentration of serum lipid, liver function of rats fed high fat diet for 8 weeks. Methods : Subject groups were diveded into normal diet group(Normal), high fat diet group(Control), high fat diet and saline in $BL_{20}$ treated group(Saline), high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-1, 0.008mg/ml/g), high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-2, 0.021mg/ml/g), and high fat diet and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture in $BL_{20}$ treated group(PT-3, 0.042mg/ml/g). Pharmacopuncture was bilaterally treated at BL20 every 4 days, totally 14 times in 56 days. We observed the changes of body weight, food efficiency, ALT, AST, r-GTP, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL, LDL-cholesterol of each group. Results : 1. Body weight significantly decreased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1 from 2nd week to 8th week, in PT-2 from 4th week to 7th week. 2. Food efficiency decreased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1(0.05${\leq}$p<0.06). 3. HDL-cholesterol increased, as compared with the control group, in PT-1, PT-3, but not significantly. 4. In the changes of ALT, as compared with the control group, only in PT-1 group, the level of serum ALT decreased(0.05${\leq}$p<0.06). 5. As for the changes of r-GTP, as compared with control group, in every subject group, the levels of serum r-GTP significantly decreased. Conclusions : According to the above results, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture at $BL_{20}$ can act on body weight, food efficiency and liver function. It also does not seem to be injurious on liver function. To use Rhei Radix et Rhizoma pharmacopuncture for obesity, further studies on its underlying mechanism and optimal dosage might be needed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.834-840
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• 2003

To examine the effect of Saengshik on parameters related to hepatoprotective, anthropometric, blood pressure, serum lipid and blood related indices, nonalcoholic fatty liver subjects were treated with two meal portion of Saengshik in the replacement of meals for a period of three months. Weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and systolic blood pressure were significantly decreased after the treatment. Chronically elevated serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-Glutamyl transferase (r-GTP) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) levels showed reduction to the near normal range. Serum total triglyceride level were reduced following the treatment. Whereas, there were no changes of serum total cholesterol with Saengshik consumption. Also, additional study was conducted to investigate the effect of Saengshik supplementation to high cholesterol and fat diet on lipid metabolism in rats. Male Spraque-Dawley rats were administrated hyperlipidemiainducing diet containing 1% cholesterol and 10% lard to induce hyperlipidemia for 4 weeks and were fed on diet containing Saengshik (30%, w/w) for 7 weeks. The feeding of diet containing 30% Shaengshik significantly decreased total cholesterol (TC) contents and total triglyceride. These results demonstrate Saengshik may be beneficial for fatty liver patients in improving their lipid metabolism.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.561-568
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• 2009

To investigate the effects of garlic and medicinal plants extracts (GP) on liver function and lipid metabolism of rat administered with ethanol chronically, Sprague-Dawly male rats were fed with a basial diet (Normal), a basial diet plus ethanol (Control, 10 mL of 20% ethanol/kg b.w/day), a control diet plus 0.5% garlic and 1.0% medicinal plants extracts (GP-I), and a control diet plus 1.0% garlic and medicinal plants extracts (GP-II) for 4 weeks. Blood glucose in GP group was significantly decreased, but not significantly different between GP-I and GP-II group. Albumin content of serum was significantly increased in GP groups, while total lipid, cholesterol and triglyceride of serum were significantly decreased in GP group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantly different between GP-I and GP-II group. LDL-cholesterol in blood was decreased to 58% in GP-I group and 73% in GP-II group compared to the control group, it's contents were the lowest amounts among the normal, control and experimented groups. Lipid levels in liver of rat administered with alcohol were decreased in GP group and significantly different in GP-II group. GOT and r-GTP activities were significantly higher in control than normal group, while GPT and ALP activities were not significant in groups administered with alcohol. Activities of GOT, GPT and r-GTP were significantly lower in GP group than control group, while ALP activity was not significant in all groups. TBARS contents were not significant in serum, but it's contents in liver were significantly decreased in GP groups than control group. DPPH radical scavenging ability in serum and liver was significantly increased in GP groups. These results indicate that garlic and medicinal plants extracts were effective in improving and protecting liver disorder induced from long-term alcohol consumption.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.116-126
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• 1993

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effect of seleniumc (Se) and vitamin E on activity of enzyme relevant to lipid peroxidation in alcohol administrated rats. Seventy two male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing about 58~62g were divided into 12groups. The dietary Se levels were 0, 0.4 and 10mg and the dietary vitamin E levels were 0 and 150mg per kg diet, respectively. Alcohol-administrated groups received drinking water solution containing 10% of ethanol from the 3-weeks of experimental periods. The obtained experimental results are summarized as follow: The ${\gamma}$-GTP activity in plasma was higher in alcohol administrated groups and high selenium group (HSe) and low selenium group (LSe) than in control groups (CSe). The ${\gamma}$-GOT and GPT activities were higher in alcohol groups. The ${\gamma}$-GTP activity was significantly influenced by alcohol in LSe groups than in other groups. The glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of plasma was significantly lower in LSe groups than HSe and CSe groups. The GSH-Px activity of microsomal and cytosolic fraction was slightly lower in alcohol groups and was about a half value lower in HSe and LSe groups than CSe groups. There was negative correlation between plasma Se level and GSH-Px activity of cytosolic fraction in HSe groups (r=- 0.662, p<0.001) and positive correlation in LSe groups (r=0.640, p<0.001). The GSH S-transferase activity in microsomal and cytosolic fraction was slightly higher in alcohol administrated but vitamin E nonadministrated groups, and significantly higher in LSe groups than in other groups. The catalase activity in mitochondria was lower in HSe than CSe groups, but rather higher in LSe groups. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in cytosolic fraction of liver was not found any effect in all groups. The cytochrome P-450 was higher in alcohol groups, but significantly lower in HSe groups. In conclusion, the deficiency of Se and vitamin E develops the hyperoxidation of liver lipid through the increase of activity of enzyme related to the lipid peroxidation and alcohol administration appears to further increase of hyperoxidation of liver lipid.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1374-1381
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• 2009

This study was designed to investigate the differences of physiological variables by age group in alcohol-consuming men. The thirty year old-age group had the lowest waist-hip ratio (WHR), right and left cardio-ankle vascular index (R-CAVI and L-CAVI), right and left ankle-brachial index (R-ABI and L-ABI), amylase, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK) levels, and the highest body weight (BW), interleukin-6 (IL-6), right and left intraocular pressure (R-IP and L-IP), hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte, red blood cells distribution width (RDW), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TCH), triglyceride (TG), and ferritin levels. The forty year old-age group was the highest in hs CRp and CPK levels, but the lowest in ferritin level. The fifty year old-age group possessed the highest WHR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), R- and L-ABI, eosinophil, and amylase levels. The sixty year old-age group had the highest R- and L-CAVI, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), ALP, $\gamma$-glutamyltranspeptidase ($\gamma$-GTP), rheumatoid factor (RF), $\alpha$-fetoprotein (AFP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) levels and the lowest BW, DBP, R-IP, L-IP, Hct, Hb, leukocyte, platelet, RDW, eosinophil, monocyte, ALT, amylase, TG, and CPK levels. These findings indicate that there may be differences of physiological variables depending on age group in alcohol-consuming men. Further studies should be focused on the physiological differences between alcohol-consuming men and women.

• Transactions of the Korean hydrogen and new energy society
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.130-137
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• 2018

Now discusses the potential use and applications of coal bed methane (CBM) in various industries. One of the options for gas monetization is gas to power (GTP), sometimes called gas to wire (GTW). Electric power can be an intermediate product, such as in the case of mineral refining in which electricity is used to refine bauxite into aluminum; or it can be an end product that is distributed into a large utility power grid. For stranded gas, away from the regional markets, the integration of the ammonia and urea plants makes commercial sense. These new applications, if established, could lead to a surge in demand for methanol plants.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.336-340
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• 1988

This study was performed to investigate the influence of mixtures of 0(control), 1, 2 and 3% ethanol and water respectively on growth and various blood parameters of growing broiler chicks. At the end of the 7 weeks' experiment, body weight gain in 1% ethanol group and liver weight in 3% ethanol group were significantly higher than those of control group. It was found that the levels of red blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum protein were within normal ranges. Serum GOT and r-GTP activities were significantly increased in 2 and 3% ethanol groups compared with those in control group. But serum CPT activity was slightily decreased in all ethanol groups. Serum LDH activity was increased in all ethanol groups compared with that In control group. Serum alkaline phosphatase was not affected by the ethanol. Serum glucose concentration in 3% ethanol group was significantly lower than that in control group.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.113-131
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• 1996

This study was carried out to evaluate the relations among workers' general characteristics, work-related behaviors and health related behaviors in a steel industry with 1,134 workers in Pohang. The results were as follows; 1. The mean age of workers was 50 years old and working duration was 15 years and over. Most of them were married(94.5%) and had studied beyond high school (53.0%). They performed three shift work and most of them(63.0%) had experienced industial accidents. The frequency of noise and dust exposure was defined by a minimum of 6 hours per day, and workers complained about noise exposure(62.9%) and dust(55.6%). There were current smokers(67.7%), current drinkers(74.3%) and current exercising workers(32.3%) in the industry. The number of cigarette consumption in current drinkers was significantly high $(13.6{\pm}8.4\;pieces/day)$ and the alcohol consumption in current smokers was significantly high$(104.5{\pm}113.5\;g/wk)$. And the number of cigarette consumption of exercisers was significantly low and the alcohol consumption of exercisers was higher than non-exercisers. 3. The ratio of current smokers on frequent noise in exposed workers versus non-exposed workers was not significantly high but the current drinkers in frequent noise and dust exposed workers was significantly higher than non-exposed. 4. The normal levels of SGOT workers in non-smokers were significantly higher than in current smokers, and the normal levels of LFT (SGOT, SGPT, $\gamma-GTP$ workers in nondrinkers were significantly high. The normal levels of SBP and DBP workers in current smokers were not significantly high but were significantly high in non-drinkers. 5. The ratio of current smokers in voters unsatisfied with their job and working condition was higher than non-smokers, but the ratio of current drinkers in workers satisfied with their job and working condition were higher. 6. The significant factors for SGOT and $\gamma-GTP$ were age, the drinking amount and BMI. But the only significant factor for r-GTP was BMI. The significant factors for DBP were age, the alcohol consumption and BMI. And the significant factors for SBP were age, BMI.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.31 no.4 s.54
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• pp.311-321
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• 2005

Tea (Camellia sinenis) is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. Since green tea, mainly consumed in Asia, has various biological activities, green tea components became one of the most favorite candidates as a functional materials for cosmetics and functional foods. The biological activities of green tea for skin cue have been ranged from protection of epidermal cells to the stimulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) biosynthesis. Green tea polyphenols (GTPs), which are active ingredients of green tea, possess anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic and immune potentiation properties as well as antioxidant. They also modulate intracellular signal transduction pathways. GTPs decrease ultraviolet (UV)-induced oxidative stress, thus suppress mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and apoptosis in keratinocytes. In addition, GTPs prevent the Induction of inflammatory mediators, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by tumor necrosis factor alpha $(TNF{\alpha})$ or chemical treatment in keratinocytes. GTPs treatment protects from chemical-or UV-induced skin tumor incidence in animal experiment. Besides, GTPs stimulate keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation of normal and aged epidermal cells, resectively, and suppress matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) release. According to the progress of formulation study, green tea components will be guaranteed materials for the more effective skin cue products.