• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.32-42
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• 2021

Objectives : In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of ethanol extract of Lonicera japonica flower buds (EELJ) on glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus-derived neuronal HT22 cells. Methods : After analyzing the cytoprotective effect of EELJ on glutamate in HT22 cells, the inhibitory effect of apoptosis was studied using flow cytometry. In order to analyze the antioxidant efficacy of EELJ, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and glutathione (GSH) were investigated, and the effects on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also analyzed. Furthermore, the effect of EELJ on the expression of apoptosis regulators such as Bax and Bcl-2 in glutamate-treated HT22 cells was investigated. Results : According the current results, pretreatment with EELJ significantly reduced glutamate-induced loss of cell viability and release of lactate dehydrogenase. EELJ also markedly attenuated glutamate-induced generation of intracellular ROS, which was associated with increased levels of GSH, and activity of SOD and CAT in glutamate-stimulated HT22 cells. In addition, EELJ was strikingly inhibited glutamate-induced apoptosis in HT22 cells. Furthermore, the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax was increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 was decreased in glutamate-treated HT22 cells, while in the presence of EELJ, their expressions were maintained at the control levels. Conclusions : These findings indicate that EELJ protects glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in HT22 hippocampal neurons through antioxidant activity. Therefore, although identification of biologically active substances of EELJ and re-evaluation through animal experiments is necessary, this natural substance is a promising candidate for further research in preventing and treating oxidative stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.1269-1284
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• 2021

Objectives: Phragmitis Rhizoma is the fresh or dried rhizome of Phragmites communis Trin., which has been prescribed in traditional Korean medicine to relieve fever and vomiting and to nourish the body fluids. Recently, the protective effect of Phragmitis Rhizoma extract or its components on myelotoxicity and inflammatory responses have been reported, but no study has yet been conducted on oxidative stress. Methods: The present study investigated whether an ethanol extract of Phragmitis Rhizoma (PR) could protect against cellular damage induced by oxidative stress in Chang liver cells. Results: Pretreatment with PR significantly suppressed the hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced reduction of Chang cell viability and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby deferring apoptosis. PR also markedly inhibited H₂O₂-induced comet tail formation and phospho-γH2AX expression, suggesting that PR protected against oxidative stress-mediated DNA damage. PR also effectively prevented the inhibition of ATP synthesis in H₂O₂-treated Chang cells by inhibiting the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating that PR maintains energy metabolism through preservation of mitochondrial function while eliminating ROS generated by H₂O₂. Immunoblotting results indicated that PR attenuated the H₂O₂-induced downregulation of Bcl-2 and upregulation of Bax expression. Conclusions: PR protects against oxidative injury in Chang liver cells by regulating energy homeostasis via ROS generation blockade, which is at least partly mediated through inactivation of the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.21-30
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• 2023

Objective : Gardeniae Fructus (GF) has bitter and cold nature. Thus, it has been traditionally prescribed in processed form roasted with ginger juice for patients with a weak stomach. This study investigated the effects of processed GF in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tBHP)-treated gastric epithelial cells. Methods : Processed GF was made by applying 40% ginger juice or 10% ethanol for 24 h and then roasting at 150℃ for 5 minutes. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was monitored by flow cytometry using the membrane permeable fluorescent dye Rh123. Protein expression was measured by Western blot analysis. Results : Cell viability was reduced by tBHP and restored by ethanol extract of GF (GFE). In the TUNEL assay, it was found that cell death by tBHP was due to apoptosis, and GFE had an anti-apoptotic effect. Processed GF roasted with ginger juice showed the best anti-apoptotic effect. Processed GF also inhibited MMP loss and restored tBHP-induced changes in expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins. Increased ROS production and GSH depletion after tBHP treatment were significantly reduced by processed GF. In addition, tBHP-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was inhibited by processed GF. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that the processed GF is able to protect gastric epithelial cells from oxidative stress-induced cell death with antiapoptotic and antioxidant activity. In addition, it shows that the processing of GF, which have been traditionally used for gastrointestinal protection, partially have scientific validity.

• 대한의생명과학회지
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.237-246
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• 2022

Ischemia-reperfusion results in excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) that affect myocardial cell damage. ROS production inhibition is effectively proposed in treating cardiovascular diseases including myocardial hypertrophy. Studies have shown that oxidizing cultured cells in in vitro experiments gradually decreases the permeability of mitochondrial membranes time- and concentration-dependent, resulting in increased mitochondrial membrane damage due to secondary ROS production and cardiolipin loss. However, recent studies have shown that 5-iodo-6-amino-1,2-benzopyrone (INH₂BP), an anticancer and antiviral drug, inhibited peroxynitrite-induced cell damage in in vitro and alleviated partial or overall inflammation in animal experiments. Therefore, in this paper, we studied the preventive effect of INH₂BP on H9c2 cells derived from mouse heart damaged by oxidative stress using 700 μM of hydrogen peroxide. As a result of oxidative stress to H9c2 cells by hydrogen peroxide whether the treatment of INH₂BP or not, hydrogen peroxide caused serious damage in H9c2 cells. These results were confirmed with cell viability and Hoechst 33342 assays. And this damage was through cell death. However, it was confirmed that H9c2 cells pretreated with INH₂BP significantly reduced cell death by hydrogen peroxide. In addition, measurements with DCF-DA assay to determine whether ROS is produced in H9c2 cells treated with only hydrogen peroxide produced ROS significantly, but H9c2 cells pretreated with INH₂BP significantly reduced ROS production by hydrogen peroxide. Taken together, it is believed that INH₂BP can be useful for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases induced through oxidative stress such as heart damage caused by ischemia/reperfusion.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.133-144
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• 2023

Auranofin is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved anti-arthritis medication that functions as a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor. Spermidine, a polyamine present in marine algae, can exert various physiological functions. Herein, we examined the synergistic anticancer activity of auranofin and spermidine in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Combined treatment with auranofin and spermidine suppressed cell viability more efficiently than either treatment alone in HCC Hep3B cells. The isobologram plotted by calculating the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of each drug indicated that the two drugs exhibited a synergistic effect. Based on the analysis of annexin V and cell cycle distribution, auranofin and spermidine markedly induced apoptosis in Hep3B cells. Moreover, auranofin and spermidine increased mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by promoting mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) loss. Auranofin and spermidine significantly increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Hep3B cells, and the blocking ROS suppressed apoptosis induced by spermidine and auranofin. In addition, auranofin and spermidine reduced the expression of phosphorylated phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt), and PI3K inhibitor accelerated auranofin- and spermidine-induced apoptosis. Using ROS scavenger and PI3K inhibitor, we revealed that ROS acts upstream of auranofin- and spermidine-induced apoptosis. Collectively, our study suggests that combination treatment with auranofin and spermidine could afford synergistic anticancer activity via ROS overproduction and reduced PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.655-668
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• 2023

In radiography, an antiscatter grid is a well-known device for eliminating unexpected x-ray scatter. We investigate a new stationary grid artifact suppression method based on a nonsubsampled contourlet transform (NSCT) incorporated with Gaussian band-pass filtering. The proposed method has an advantage that extracts the Moiré components while minimizing the loss of image information and apply the prior information of Moiré component positions in multi-decomposition sub-band images. We implemented the proposed algorithm and performed a simulation and an experiment to demonstrate its viability. We did this experiment using an x-ray tube (M-113T, Varian, focal spot size: 0.1 mm), a flat-panel detector (ROSE-M Sensor, Aspenstate, pixel dimension: 3032 × 3800 pixels, pixel size: 0.076 mm), and carbon graphite-interspaced grids (JPI Healthcare, 18 cm × 24 cm, line density: 103 LP/inch and 150 LP/inch, ratio: 5:1, focal distance: 65 cm). Our results indicate that the proposed method successfully suppressed grid artifacts by reducing them without either reducing the spatial resolution or causing negative side effects. Consequently, we anticipate that the proposed method can improve image acquisition in a stationary grid x-ray system as well as in extended x-ray imaging.

• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.55-70
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• 2024

The loss of biodiversity poses a significant threat not only to business sustainability and investment risk but also to societal well-being. Nature serves as a crucial driver for long-term business viability and economic prosperity. The Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), established in September 2023, mandates that companies assess and disclose their impacts on nature. Despite this, many businesses lack a full understanding of their reliance on and impact upon natural capital and ecosystem services, leading to insufficient disclosures. This study evaluates the applicability of TNFD's assessment methodologies and indicators within a domestic context, highlighting the condition of nature and ecosystem services, and exploring potential synergies with national biodiversity policies. Our analysis suggests that TNFD necessitates a unique approach to the spatial and temporal data and methodologies traditionally employed in environmental impact assessments. This includes assessing the reciprocal influences of corporate activities on natural capital and ecosystem services via the LEAP framework. Moreover, in industries where the choice of specific indicators depends on unique sectoral traits, developing a standardized strategy for data and assessment indicators-adapted to local conditions-is crucial due to the variability in the availability of assessment tools and data. The proactive engagement of the private sector in ecosystem restoration projects is particularly promising for contributing towards national biodiversity objectives. Although TNFD is in its nascent phase, its global adoption by numerous companies signifies its potential impact. Successful implementation of TNFD is anticipated to deepen businesses' and financial institutions' understanding of natural capital and ecosystem services, thereby reinforcing their commitment to sustainable development.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.494-507
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• 2023

Vascular dementia (VaD) is characterized by progressive memory impairment, which is associated with microglia-mediated neuroinflammation. Polyphenol-rich natural plants, which possess anti-inflammatory activities, have attracted scientific interest worldwide. This study investigated whether Rubus fruticosus leaf extract (RFLE) can attenuate VaD. Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into five groups: SO, sham-operated and treated with vehicle; OP, operated and treated with vehicle; RFLE-L, operated and treated with low dose (30 mg/kg) of RFLE; RFLE-M, operated and treated with medium dose (60 mg/kg) of RFLE; and RFLE-H, operated and treated with high dose (90 mg/kg) of RFLE. Bilateral common carotid artery and hypotension were used as a modeling procedure, and the RFLE were intraorally administered for 5 days (preoperative 2 and postoperative 3 days). The rats then underwent memory tests including the novel object recognition, Y-maze, Barnes maze, and passive avoidance tests, and neuronal viability and neuroinflammation were quantified in their hippocampi. The results showed that the OP group exhibited VaD-associated memory deficits, neuronal death, and microglial activation in hippocampi, while the RFLE-treated groups showed significant attenuation in all above parameters. Next, using BV-2 microglial cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we evaluated the effects of RFLE in dynamics of proinflammatory mediators and the upstream signaling pathway. RFLE pretreatment significantly inhibited the LPS-induced release of nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6 and upregulation of the MAPKs/NF-κB/iNOS pathway. Collectively, we suggest that RFLE can attenuate the histologic alterations and memory deficits accompanied by VaD, and these roles are, partly due to the attenuation of microglial activation.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.13-24
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• 2006

신경세포자멸사는 저산소 및 허혈환경에서 일어나며 이러한 세포죽음은 reactive oxident species (ROS) 생성을 동반함이 알려져있다. 그러나, 저산소 및 허혈환경에서 일어나는 세포자멸사의 기전 및 그 치료방법은 아직 정립되어 있지 않다. $CoCl_2$는 ROS를 생성하는 등 저산소환경과 유사한 조건을 초래하는 것으로 알려져 있다. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)는 녹차의 polyphenol성분으로서 세포성장과 죽음에 다양한 약리학적 효과를 나타냄이 알려져 있다. 본 연구는 PC12세포에서 $CoCl_2$에 의한 세포자멸사기전을 밝히고 이에 미치는 EGCG의 효과를 조사하는데 목적이 있다. Cell viability는 MTT 측정으로 조사되었고, DNA fragmentation은 DNA laddering으로 조사되었다 Bcl-2와 Bax발현 정도는 RT-PCR로, caspase-3와 -9의 활성은 spectrophotometer, caspase-8의 활성은 flow cytometry에 의해 측정되었다. 미토콘드리아에서 세포질로 분비된 cytochrome c는 western blot으로, -분해된 DNA양과 미토콘드리아 세포막전위 $({\Delta}{\psi}_m)$는 FACScan으로 조사되었다. $CoCl_2$ 투여로 PC12 세포수는 용량 및 시간 의존형태로 감소하였고, genomic DNA fragmentation이 발생하였다. $CoCl_2$ 투여로 야기된 cell viability의 감소와 DNA fragmentation은 EGCG 전처치에 의해 억제되었다. $CoCl_2$는 세포용적팽창과 condensed nuclei 같은 형태적 변화를 일으켰으며, apoptotic peak, ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ 감소 및 cytochrome c 유리를 야기하였다. EGCG는 $CoCl_2$에 의한 세포형태변화, apoptotic peak, ${\Delta}{\psi}_m$ 소실 및 cytochrome c유리를 억제시켰다. $CoCl_2$는 Bcl-2 발현을 감소시켰지만, Bax 발현에는 영향을 미치지 않았다. EGCG는 $CoCl_2$에 의해 야기된 Bcl-2 발현 감소를 억제시켰다. $CoCl_2$는 caspase-3, -8, 그리고 -9의 활성을 증가시켰으며, EGCG는 그 정도를 감약시켰다. ROS 제거제인 NAC (N-acetyl-cysteine)은 EGCG의 결과와 같은 양상으로 $CoCl_2$에 의 한 세포자멸사를 억제시켰다. 본 실험결과는 PC12 세포에서 $CoCl_2$가 미토콘드리아 의존 및 death receptor 의존 기전으로 세포자멸사를 일으키며, EGCG는 세포자멸사기 전을 억제시킴으로 신경보호기능을 가짐을 시사하였다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제17권3호
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• pp.181-191
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• 2013

목적: 급성 신부전 쥐 모델에서 상자성 철 산화물 (superparamagnetic iron oxide(SPIO)로 표지한 인간탯줄혈관내피 세포를 자기공명영상으로 추적할 수 있는지 그 유용성을 평가하고자 하였다. 대상과 방법: 인간탯줄혈관내피 세포를 SPIO와 poly-L-lysine (PLL) 혼합물로 표지 하였다. SPIO 농도에 따라서 이완율, 세포 생존율, 표지 안정성을 SPIO 농도의 변화에 따라 평가하였다. 인간탯줄혈관내피 세포를 급성 신부전 쥐 모델에서 꼬리정맥을 통하여 주사하였다. MR을 이용한 추적 검사는 $T2^*$ 경사에코 MR 영상을 이용하였다. 1, 3, 5, 7일째 추적한 MR 영상 소견을 조직 소견과 서로 견주어 보았다. 결과: SPIO-PLL 혼합물을 표지 한 후 Prussian blue 염색에서 평균 $98.4{\pm}2.4%$ 세포가 양성반응을 보였다. 3일과 5일 후 측정한 이완율은 1일에 비해 큰 차이가 없었다. 인간탯줄혈관내피 세포를 SPIO로 표지 한 후 안정성이 유지됨을 알 수 있었다. 추적 MR 영상에서 급성신부전을 유도한 왼쪽 신장 외곽 신 수질에서 신호강도 소실을 보였으나 오른쪽은 정상이었다. 3, 5, 7일 후 촬영한 영상에서 왼쪽 신 수질에서 보인 신호강도 소실이 점차 사라졌으나 오른쪽 신장에서는 여전히 특별한 변화를 보이지 않았다. 조직학 검사에서도 MR 영상의 신호강도 소실이 Prussian blue 염색을 보인 부분과 일치하였다. 면역화학적 분석에서 신 수질에서 보인 세포들이 인간탯줄혈관내피 세포임을 확인하였다. 결론: MR 영상은 급성 신부전 치료의 한 방법인 세포 치료의 경우 세포 추적 검사에 유용하게 사용될 수 있음을 확인하였다.