• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.633-639
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• 2012

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of ethanolic extract from the fruit of Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum (EN) on $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity. Orally provided daily for 7 days were 250-mg/kg or 500-mg/kg EN or vehicle, while $CCl_4$ (40 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected the day after the last treatment of EN. Twenty-four hours after injection of $CCl_4$, we measured serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels, malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activity of the liver. The antioxidant activities were measured with the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation. The EN showed a strong DPPH radical scavenging activity and inhibitory effect of lipid peroxidation. The ALT and AST levels in serum were greatly enhanced by the $CCl_4$ injection. However, in the EN treatment group, the levels of ALT and AST in serum were significantly reduced. Moreover, $CCl_4$ significantly increased the MDA contents and decreased the SOD and CAT activity in liver homogenates. The EN recovered MDA contents, close to that in the normal group, while the EN increased the SOD and CAT activity. These results suggest that ethanolic extract from the fruit of Empetrum nigrum var. japonicum has significant antioxidant activity and hepatic protection potential.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.165-170
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• 2007

Purpose: To estimate the shape of root and pulp canal using a dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to evaluate the accuracy of imaging reformation. Materials and Methods: CBCT images were obtained with incisors, premolars, and molars as the destination by using PSR $9000N^{TM}$ Dental CT system (Asahi Roentgen Ind. Co., Ltd, Kyoto, Japan) and i-CAT (Imaging Sciences International, Inc, USA) cone beam CT unit that have different kind of detector and field of view, and compared these with the shape and the size of actual root and root canal. Results: When the measuring value of cone beam computed tomography concerning to each root's bucco-lingual diameter and mesio-distal diameter was compared with the value of the actual root, it reveals an error range $-0.49{\sim}+0.63$ mm at PSR900N and $-0.97{\sim}+1.14$ mm at i-CAT (P>0.05). It was possible to identify and measure PSR$9000N^{TM}$ Dental CT system to the limit $0.48{\pm}0.06mm$ (P>0.05) and i-CAT CBCT to the limit $0.86{\pm}0.09mm$ (P<0.05) on estimating the size and the shape of root canal. Two kinds of CBCT images revealed the useful reproducibility to estimate the shape of root, but there was the difference to estimate the shape of root according to apparatus. The reproducibility of root shape in the image of three-dimensions at PSR 900N is low such as 0.65 mm in a case of minute root canal. Conclusions: CBCT images revealed higher accuracy of the imaging reformation for root and pulp and clinically CBCT is a useful diagnostic tool for the assessment of root and canal. However, there are different qualities of imaging reformation according to CBCT apparatus and limitation of reproducibility for minute root canals.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.292-300
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• 2012

We report the expression, purification, and characterization of L-asparaginase (AnsA) from Rhizobium etli. The enzyme was purified to homogeneity in a single-step procedure involving affinity chromatography, and the kinetic parameters $K_m$, $V_{max}$, and $k_{cat}$ for L-asparagine were determined. The enzymatic activity in the presence of a number of substrates and metal ions was investigated. The molecular mass of the enzyme was 47 kDa by SDS-PAGE. The enzyme showed a maximal activity at $50^{\circ}C$, but the optimal temperature of activity was $37^{\circ}C$. It also showed maximal and optimal activities at pH 9.0. The values of $K_m$, $V_{max}$, $k_{cat}$, and $k_{cat}/K_m$ were $8.9{\pm}0.967{\times}10^{-3}$ M, $128{\pm}2.8$ U/mg protein, $106{\pm}2s^{-1}$, and $1.2{\pm}0.105{\times}10^4M^{-1}s^{-1}$, respectively. The L-asparaginase activity was reduced in the presence of $Mn^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, $Ca^{2+}$, and $Mg^{2+}$ metal ions for about 52% to 31%. In addition, we found that $NH_4{^+}$, L-Asp, D-Asn, and ${\beta}$-aspartyl-hydroxamate in the reaction buffer reduced the activity of the enzyme, whereas L-Gln did not modify its enzymatic activity. This is the first report on the expression and characterization of the L-asparaginase (AnsA) from R. etli. Phylogenetic analysis of asparaginases reveals an increasing group of known sequences of the Rhizobial-type asparaginase II family.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 1991

An immunohistochemical study was performed to demonstrate comparative antigenicity of each body structure of the liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis, such as the digestive tract, reproductive organs, excretory system, tegument and suckers. Indirect immunoperoxidase technique was applied, rising formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections of C. sinensis as the antigen. Pooled cat sera obtained 10 weeks after an experimental infection with C. sinensis and peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-cat IgG were used as the primary and secondary antibodies, respectively. The intensity of immunohistochemical stain was very sensitive upon the titers of the primary and secondary antibodies, and their optimum dilutions were found to be 1:1,000∼1:2,000 and 1:1,000, respectively. The intestinal epithelial cells, intestinal content and excretory bladder showed strong positive coloring reactions even at lower titer (1 : 2,000) of the primary antibody, whereas the uterine wall and eggs, vitelline glands, and male reproductive organs showed only weak positive reactions despite an increase in the antibody titer (1:1,000). On the other hand, the suckers, tegument, subtegumental cells and other parenchyme portions did not reveal any positive immunoperoxidase reaction at the same antibody titers. From the above results, it is highly suggested that the most potent antigenicity of C. sinensis occur from their excretory-secretory substances originated from the digestive and excretory organs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.369-375
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• 2010

To evaluate the skin aging inhibition effect of fermented Reynoutria elliptica, skin aging model was produced by the irradiation of UVB to hairless mice for 5 weeks. The skin erythema index for the positive control (PC), not fermented Reynoutria elliptica extract (NFR), and fermented Reynoutria elliptica extract (FR-500, 1000, 2000) groups were lower than that of the control group. However, both lipid and water capacity for the PC and FR groups were higher than those of the control group. Collagen fibers in dermis of the FR groups were almost intact with a regular arrangement which were similar to the normal (NO) group. Also, relatively much less number of mast cells and inflammatory cells were found in FR groups. The skin TBARS contents and XO activity in the FR group were significantly lower than the control group. The activities of GSH, SOD and CAT for the FR groups were significant higher than the control group. Therefore, fermented Reynoutria elliptica extract can be practically useful for the prevention or improvement of skin aging in terms of health promotion and beauty for the people.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.11
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• pp.1293-1299
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• 2017

Obesity contributes to the development of diseases, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and cancer. In addition, oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is recognized widely as a contributing factor in the development of chronic diseases. This study was examined the antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated with or without EGCG for 6 days. The production of glutathione (GSH) and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured. EGCG inhibited significantly the lipid accumulation and the expression of adipogenic specific proteins including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein. The production of intracellular ROS was decreased significantly by EGCG in 3T3-L1 cells. EGCG increased the GSH production and the activities of GPx, GR, CAT, and SOD. Moreover, EGCG increased the protein expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase and heme oxygenase-1 in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest that EGCG increased the activity and expression of antioxidant enzymes and suppressed the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, the use of phytochemicals that can maintain the GSH redox balance in adipose tissue could be promising for reducing obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.670-681
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by reactive oxygen species and free radicals that accelerate inflammatory responses and exacerbate fatigue. Tormentic acid (TA) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, the aim of present study is to determine the fatigue-regulatory effects of TA in H₂O₂-stimulated myoblast cell line, C2C12 cells and treadmill stress test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) animal models. MATERIALS/METHODS: In the in vitro study, C2C12 cells were pretreated with TA before stimulation with H₂O₂. Then, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK) activity, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glycogen, and cell viability were analyzed. In the in vivo study, the ICR male mice were administered TA or distilled water orally daily for 28 days. FST and TST were then performed on the last day. In addition, biochemical analysis of the serum, muscle, and liver was performed. RESULTS: TA dose-dependently alleviated the levels of MDA, LDH, CK activity, TNF-α, and IL-6 in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 cells without affecting the cytotoxicity. TA increased the SOD and CAT activities and the glycogen levels in H₂O₂-stimulated C2C12 cells. In TST and FST animal models, TA decreased the FST immobility time significantly while increasing the TST exhaustion time without weight fluctuations. The in vivo studies showed that the levels of SOD, CAT, citrate synthase, glycogen, and free fatty acid were increased by TA administration, whereas TA significantly reduced the levels of glucose, MDA, LDH, lactate, CK, inflammatory cytokines, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, blood urea nitrogen, and cortisol compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: TA improves fatigue by modulating oxidative stress and energy metabolism in C2C12 cells and animal models. Therefore, we suggest that TA can be a powerful substance in healthy functional foods and therapeutics to improve fatigue.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.4 s.71
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• pp.626-632
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• 2005

The polyamines are essential components of all eukaryotic cells and absolutely necessary for cell growth. In the present study, the cytoprotective role of polyamine was characterized. When $Ac_2F$ rat liver cells were treated with 1M 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dehydrochloride (AAPH), a water soluble free radical initiator, viability of the cells was noticeably decreased due to the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The cytotoxic effect of AAPH as well as ROS generation were significantly inhibited by the treatment of polyamines. Among polyamines, especially spermine at $20{\mu}M$ concentration exerted over $45\%$ inhibition of AAPH-induced ROS generation. Western blotting was performed to determine whether superoxide dismutase(SOD) or catalase (CAT) expression was involved in oxidative stress. The AAPH treatment blocked both SOD and CAT protein expressions. Spermine could recover those protein expressions to the untreated control levels. According to the result of cycline E measurement, AAPH might block the entry of the cells into S phase of the cell cycle. The reduced expression of cyclin E protein could be fully recovered by the addition of spermine. The antioxidative effects of spermine was also further proved by the apopotitic morphological analysis using ethidium bromide and acridine orange.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2013

This study was designed to examine the effect of sea buckthorn (SBT) leaves on hepatic antioxidative enzyme levels in diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by an injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Sprague-Dawley rats were then fed for four weeks, with experimental groups receiving a modified diet containing 10% or 20% powder derived from SBT leaves. The experimental groups were divided into six groups: a normal (N)-control group, N-SBT 10% and N-SBT 20% treated groups, STZ-control, STZ-SBT 10% and STZ-SBT 20% treated groups. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and xanthine oxidase (XOD) levels were measured in liver cytosol. The results showed that the level of SOD was significantly increased in the N-SBT 20% group but not statistically different in the diabetic group. The level of CAT was significantly higher in the N-SBT 20% group compared to the control group. The level of GPX was significantly increased in the N-SBT 20% group and the diabetic supplementary group. In contrast, the level of XOD was significantly decreased in the diabetic group supplemented with SBT leaves.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2014

The liver is vulnerable to alcohol-related injury because it is the primary site of alcohol metabolism. Additionally, a number of potentially dangerous by-products are generated as alcohol is broken down in the liver. However, dietary supplements may prevent or relieve some of alcohol's deleterious effects. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of aqueous extract of Sesamum indicum (SI) on ethanol induced toxicity in rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into control, ethanol, pre-treatment, simultaneous and post-treatment groups. In the prophylactic experiment, Sesamum indicum, (200 mg/kg body weight) was administered by oral gavage for 28 days; two hours before, simultaneously with or two hours after ethanol exposure. Toxicity was induced by administering 45% ethanol (4.8 g/kg bw) by oral gavage. Lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and gluthathione-S-transferase (GST) activities were then determined in the liver, serum triglyceride (TG) levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities were monitored and histological examination was carried out. The results revealed that ethanol administration led to significant elevation of TBARS level while depleting in the level of GSH as well as CAT, GPx, SOD and GST activities. Similarly, TG level and ALT and AST activities were elevated. The SI pre-treated group significantly inhibited TBARS, restored GSH level, enhanced CAT, GPx, SOD and GST activities and significantly decreased the elevated level of serum TG, ALT and AST activities. SI treatment (simultaneously with ethanol) exhibited similar effects to those of the SI pre-treated groups, while the SI post-treated group did not show the same protection as the Pre-treated group. S. indicum possesses antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties, that eliminate the deleterious effects of toxic metabolites of ethanol.