• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2014

Myogenesis is the formation process of multinucleated myofiber with a contractile capacity from muscle satellite cell (MSCs) during life. This process is tightly controlled by several transcription factors such as Pax3 and Pax7 (paired box protein 3 and 7), MEF2C (myocyte enhancer factor 2) and MRFs (myogenic regulatory factors) etc. On the contrary, myostatin (MSTN) is a transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ superfamily, which functions as a negative regulator of skeletal muscle development and growth. Carnosic acid (CA) is a major phenolic component in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and have been reported various biological activities such as anticancer, antioxidant, antimicrobial and therapeutic agents for amnesia, dementia, alzheimer's disease. This study was confirmed to effects of CA on muscle cell line and muscle tissue alteration of zebrafish by intramuscular injection or feeding methods. $10{\mu}M$ CA showed a non-cytotoxic on myoblast and a complete inhibition effect against myostatin activity on luciferase assay. In intramuscular injection experiment, the total protein and triglyceride amount of $10{\mu}M/kg$ of CA injected group increased by 11% and decreased by 13% compared to these of the no injected group. In histology analysis of muscle tissues by hematoxylin/eosin staining, the number of muscle fiber of $10{\mu}M/kg$ of CA injected group decreased by 29% and fiber area increased 40% compared to these of no injected group. In feeding experiment, the total protein and triglyceride amount no significance difference compared to these of the normal feeding group. In histology analysis, the number of muscle fiber of 1% CA fed group decreased by 35% and fiber area increased 56% compared to these of normal fed group. We identified that CA have an effect on hypertrophy of muscle fiber in adult zebrafish and the results of this study are considered as the basic data that can reveal the mechanisms of muscle formation via gene and protein level analysis.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.36-53
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of DOGO phreatic water containing sulphur on Atopic Dermatitis in NC/Nga mouse. Methods : We made DOGO phreatic water removed sulphur using Twin Alternating Sulfate Eater. After making atopic dermatitis caused by sensitizing NC/Nga mouse to DNCB(dinitrochlorobenzene), we made mouse swim in tanks each filled with distilled water, tap water, DOGO phreatic water(contain sulphur), DOGO phreatic water(remove sulphur) for 30minutes everyday. 3weeks later, we analyzed skin clinical score, total IgE levels(by ELISA), WBC differential counting(Neutrophils, Monocytes), absolute cell number of $Neutrophil^+Gr-1^+$, CCR3 mRNA expressions(by Real-time PCR), IL-4, IFN-${\gamma}$ production levels(by ELISA), histologic test(by H&E staining, toluidine blue staining). Results : The results of making NC/Nga mouse induced atopic dermatitis swim in tanks filled with DOGO phreatic water(contain sulphur) are as follows. 1. Skin clinical scores were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 2. Total IgG levels were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 3. WBC differential counting(Neutrophils, Monocytes) were decreased significantly in c.mparison to control group. 4. Absolute cell number of $Neutrophil^+Gr-1^+$ were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 5. CCR3 mRNA expressions were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 6. IL-4, IFN-${\gamma}$ production levels were decreased significantly in comparison to control group. 7. The epithelial tissue thickness, leucocytes infiltration, erythema, edema, excoriation, scaling, mast cells infiltrations in dorsal skin were decreased in comparison to control group. Conclusions : These results indicate that DOGO phreatic water(contain sulphur) can be used for helping treat atopic dermatitis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.788-798
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• 2009

Objective : This study was undertaken to investigate effects of Opuntia ficus-indica (OP)extract on an asthma murine model. Methods : The total number of cells and eosinophils in BALF and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into lung tissues were determined by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Results : The number of OVA-induced total cells and eosinophils, a phenomenon of asthma, were decreased by treatment of the animals with OP extract (200 mg/kg) (respectively, p < 0.001 and p<0.01). Furthermore, we showed that OP extract reduced the increased immune cell infiltration induced by ovalbumin (p < 0.01). The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 in BAL fluid were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, because the eosinophilia is associated with a T helper (Th) 2 response including IL-4. The level of OVA-induced IL-4 was decreased by OP extract in BAL fluid (p < 0.05). We investigated whether OP extract reduced nitrite (NO) production on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 sells, because asthma is an inflammatory disease. The level of LPS-induced NO production was decreased by OP extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/ml) on RAW 264.7 cells (respectively, p < 0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.05). Conclusions : Our results indicate that OP extract has an inhibitory effect on lung eosinophilia of asthma and suggest that OP extract is a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of inflammatory disease, including asthma.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2008

The effect of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and its metabolites like tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), and formaldehyde (FA) on microbial activity and diversity in tidal mud flat was studied. MTBE, TBA, and FA with different concentrations were added into microcosms containing tidal mud samples, and placed at room temperature for 30 days. Then the physico-chemical properties such as pH, moisture contents and organic matter contents in the microcosms were measured. In addition, the total viable cell number and dehydrogenase activity were measured. Bacterial communities in the microcosms were monitored using a 16S rRNA-PCR-DGGE (Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) fingerprinting method. As a result, the exposure concentrations of MTBE and its metabolites showed no correlation with the physico-chemical factors (P>0.05). Dehydrogenase activity and total viable cell number were decreased with increasing MTBE, TBA and FA concentrations (P<0.05). The toxic effect was higher the following order: FA > MTBE > TBA. Dominant species in the microcosms contaminated with MTBE and its metabolites were Sphingobacteria, Flavobacteria, delta-proteobacteria, gamma-proteobacteria. The diversity of bacterial community was not significantly influenced by MTBE and its metabolites.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.173-181
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• 2012

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) has a many function involved proliferation, differentiation and survival of many cells. In this study, to investigate whether S1P improve the developmental competence of porcine embryos, 50 nM of S1P were supplemented during in vitro maturation (with EGF or without EGF) medium and/or in vitro culture (IVC) medium. Addition of S1P was significantly increased the rate of oocytes reaching metaphase II (MII) compared to the control (83.5 vs. 64.1%) in without EGF medium, but not with EGF medium (89.5 vs. 84.6%). When treated with $1{\mu}M$ of N1N-dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a sphingosine kinase inhibitor which is blocked endogenous generation of S1P, the meiotic progression rates to MII stage (without EGF: 45.2 and with EGF: 66.7%) were significantly decreased and degeneration rates (without EGF: 51.2 and with EGF: 30.1%) were increased in both medium compared to control group during IVM periods. Also, the rates of blastocyst formation was significantly increased in the S1P treated group compared to control group (29.0 vs. 19.2%) of EGF supplemented medium, whereas there were no effect in the EGF free medium (9.0 vs. 10.5%). After 12 h IVM, the phosphorylation of ERK1 and ERK2, which is major signaling pathway of MAP kinase, were increased in the S1P group than that of control or DMS group. When supplemented of S1P during IVC, the rates of blastocyst formation and total cell number (30.2% and 40.6) were significantly increased in S1P-treated group compared with control (20.1% and 32.5), DMS (12.3% and 25.1), and S1P plus DMS group (24.7% and 33.6). The percentage of apoptosis nuclei in the S1P group was significantly decreased than other groups. Also, the rates of blastocyst formation (26.7 vs. 14%) and total cell number (42.8 vs. 32.5) were significantly increased in the S1P group than those of control group when S1P added during the entire IVM and IVC periods. Taken together, our results indicate that S1P supplementation in IVM and/or IVC medium affects beneficial effect of meiotic maturation and subsequent developmental competence of porcine embryos.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.145-170
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the anti inflammatory and anti allergy effects of Vitex rotundifolia Linne fil. extract(VRE). Results : 1. In vitro test, VRE was used to determine the modulation of cytokine secretion, the activation of inflammatory and allergic factor and the inhibition of gene expression. The cell survival rate of Raw 264.7 and Jurkat T cells didn't decrease and accordingly cytotoxicity wasn't observed. In anti-allergic assay, the secretion of IL-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were suppressed on Jurkat T cells induced by dust mites. And the gene expression of COX-2 was suppressed in HMC-1 stimulated by calcium ionophore A23187. In anti-inflammatory assay, the gene expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 were suppressed on LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells. And the secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 were suppressed on EoL-1 cells induced by dust mites. P38 and ERK activation of MAPK decreased generally. VRE showed potent inhibitory activity of NO production. 2. In vivo test, we used NC/Nga mouse induced by atopic dermatitis to observe the effects of VRE on the weight, water and feed, blood test, weight of organs, total IgE and histological change of main organs. Quantity of water and feed were not changed, therefore it didn't affect the weight directly, and no change was observed in related main organs, thus maybe there is no organ toxicity by test substances. And the symptoms were decreased significantly, and the thickness of epithelial cell layer and the number of mast cells were inhibited significantly by the difference of dosage. The number of total complete blood cells and IgE in serum were not changed significantly. Conclusion : These results suggest that VRE has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Therefore VRE could be used effectively on improvement or treatment of atopic dermatitis. However, further study is needed to prove which component of VRE indicates effective pharmacological action.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.81-114
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Jeseupwiryeongtang-gagam(JWTG) on atopic dermatitis by in vivo experiment using NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to the atopic dermatitis of human. Methods : To investigate the effect of JWTG on AD, we evaluated atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by clinical skin index and analyzed immunological parameters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs), splenocytes, draining lymph node(DLN) and performed skin histology in ears and dorsal skin of atopic dermatitis-like skin NC/Nga mouse in vivo. Results and Conclusions : In vivo, clinical skin severity score were significantly lower in JWTG group than control group. IgE, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b levels in serum were decreased remarkably in JWTG group than control group and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production, secreted in Th1 cell were increased by JWTG. After experiment ended, we analyzed immunological cells ($CD3^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3^+$$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$$CD25^+$ and $CD49b^+$) by flow cytometry. It resulted that total absolute number of $CD3^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ cells were recovered as normal and $CD3^+$$CD69^+$ were decreased significantly compared with control group in isolated DLN and PBMCs from NC/Nga mouse and total absolute number of $Gr-1^+$, $CD11b^+$ and $CD3^+$ in dorsal skin of NC/Nga mouse were decreased by JWTG. We analyzed ear, DLN, and neck-back skin after biopsy and dyeing by hematoxyline/eosin(H&E) and toluidine staining (mast cells marker) and obtained results that JWTG were effective to histological symptoms (dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell infiltration). Ear thickness was decreased significantly than the control group and the size of inflammatory lymphocytes cells(ILC) and plasma cells(PC) in DLN were also decreased.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.321-330
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• 2007

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) with the food supplement material and medicine was used traditionally in Asia and Europe. Epidemiological studies revealed that the intake of garlic reduced incidences of various cancer including digestive system. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of garlic ethanol extract on the development of colonic aberrant crypt foci (ACF) induced by 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) in male F344 rats. Five-week-old rats were given four times for two weeks to subcutaneous injections by DMH (30 mg/kg body weight) to induce ACF. The animals were divided into groups that fed diet containing garlic ethanol extract at five different doses (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 2, 5%), respectively, animals were evaluated for the total number of ACF and total aberrant crypts (AC) per colon detected from methylene blue-stained rat colon. ACF were formed in animals in DMH-treated group. The feeding suppressed potently the appearance ACF in the colon of rats. Especially, fed diet containing garlic ethanol extract at intermediate dose (0.5%) significantly reduced the number of ACF and AC per colon (p < 0.05). Garlic ethanol extract inhibited DMH-induced overexpression of Activator Protein-1 (AP-1) and ${\beta}-catenin$ genes related to cell proliferation that also upregulated the expression of p21Waf1/Cip1 mRNA, a cell cycle-regulating gene. These results suggested that garlic ethanol extract may inhibit ACF formation, ${\beta}-catenin$ gene as the early preneoplastic marker of malignant potential in the process of colon carcinogenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.698-705
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• 2016

This study aimed to evaluate the quality characteristics of Gastrodia elata Blume fermented by lactic acid bacteria after saccharifying by 3 methods including enzyme, malt, and rice-nuruk. The lactic acid bacteria (LAB), Pediococcus inopinatus BK-3, isolated from kimchi could reduce the unpleasant taste and odor of Gastrodia elata Blume. The total acidity value of Gastrodia elata fermented by LAB on the malt and rice-nuruk extract solution for 3 days was 2.23% and 2.33%, respectively. After saccharification by malt and rice-nuruk extract solution for 3 days, the viable cell number of fermented Gastrodia elata was 9.14 log cfu/mL and 9.27 log cfu/mL, respectively. The total acidity values were increased above 3.35% by malt and rice-nuruk extract solution for 8 days. Thus, the viable cell number was the highest by malt and rice-nuruk extract solution fermentation for 3 days. The amino acid content of Gastrodia elata fermented by LAB after saccharification by malt extract solution was higher than that of other saccharifying methods. The free sugar content and p-hydroxybenzyl derivatives induced by the enzyme method were higher than those of other saccharifying methods. The overall acceptability was the highest at 4.2 point in Gastrodia elata fermented by malt extract solution.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2009

This study was carried out to evaluate the nuclear, cytoplasmic maturation and developmental potential of bovine oocytes selected by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) as indirect measurement of oocytes growth phase. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from 2 to 8 mm follicles from slaughterhouse Hanwoo ovaries. The COCs were divided into stained cytoplasm to blue (BCB+) and unstained (BCB-) according to their ooplasm BCB coloration stained by $26{\mu}m$ of BCB after 90 min. Selected COCs were cultured in a TCM 199 for 18 to 26 h. Nuclear maturation and total cell number was evaluated after in vitro maturation (IVM) or in vitro culture (IVC) using $10{\mu}g/ml$ Hoechst 33342, and cytoplasmic maturation was evaluated by intracellular glutathione (GSH) assay before (0 h) and after (24 h) IVM. The oocyte diameters were not differed significantly between BCB+ ($157.4{\pm}5.8{\mu}m$) and BCB+ ($149.0{\pm}31.0{\mu}m$) groups (p>0.05). However, the proportion of metaphase II oocytes in BCB+ group was significantly higher than BCB- group after IVM (p<0.05). GSH content of BCB+ group oocytes was significantly higher than that of BCB- group just after collection ($7.3{\pm}0.6$ vs. $4.8{\pm}0.6\;pmol/oocyte$, p<0.05), but not varied after IVM($13.1{\pm}0.9$ and $12.6{\pm}2.5\;pmol/oocytes$ for BCB+ and BCB- respectively; p>0.05). The proportion of blastocyst formation and total cell number in BCB+ group (23.5% and $105.5{\pm}28.6$) was significantly higher than that in BCB- (9.8% and $72.4{\pm}26.1$; p<0.05). The results indicate that BCB+ group oocytes may provide a cellular and functional basis for the greater developmental competence in Korean Native Cow (KNC) oocytes.