• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.32 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2008

In this study, we have investigated the effect of panaxatriol (PT) on phosphoinositides (PIS) breakdown and $Ca^{2+}$-elevation in thrombin-induced platelet aggregation. Thrombin (5U/ml), a potent platelet agonist which activates phospholipase $C_{\beta}$ via protease activated receptor (PAR), hydrolyzed PIS in platelet membrane. The phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate $(PIP_2)$ was hydrolyzed after 10 sec of the thrombin-stimulation, and both the phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate (PIP) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) were brokendown after 30 sec of the thrombin-stimulation. However, PT inhibited the thrombin-stimulated hydrolysis of $PIP_2$, PIP, and PI. On the other hand, thrombin increased the level of phosphatidic acid (PA) which is phosphorylated from diacylglycerol (DG) generated by PIS-hydrolysis. However, Pr inhibited the thrombin-increased PA level non-significantly. Thrombin increased cytosolic free $Ca^{2+}([Ca^{2+}])_i$) up to 72% as compared with control $(30.8{\pm}0.9 nM)$ in intact platelet. However, PT (100 ${\mu}g/ml$) inhibited the thrombin-elevated $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ to 100%. These results suggest that PT may have a beneficial effect on platelet aggregation-mediated thrombotic disease by inhibiting thrombin-induced platelet aggregation via suppression of the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ level and PIS breakdown.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.455-461
• /
• 2012

Obesity, a strong risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, is characterized by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from precursor cells, preadipocytes. Recent research suggests that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in 3T3-L1 adipocyte facilitates adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation. This study was to investigate whether reduced ROS production by Sargassum micracanthum extract (SME) could protect the development of obesity through inhibition of adipogenesis. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated SME for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. The extent of differentiation reflected by amount of lipid accumulation and ROS production was determined by Oil red O staining and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay. Treatment of SME significantly inhibited ROS production and adipocyte differentiation that is depend on down regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), a major ROS generator, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), a key adipogenic transcription factor. These results indicate that SME can inhibit adipogenesis through a reduced ROS level that involves down-regulation of NOX4 expression or via modulation of adipogenic transcription factor.

• Food Science and Preservation
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.744-750
• /
• 2015

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of hot water and ethanol extracts of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner flower on lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with both hot water and ethanol extracts for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. Regarding anti-adipogenic activity, compared with the control, the hot water and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited lipid accumulation (37.4 and 66.6%, respectively) and ROS production (46.4 and 46.8%, respectively) during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Treatment with hot water and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma ($PPAR{\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), thereby reducing the mRNA expression of adipocyte-specific fatty acid binding protein (aP2). Moreover, both the extracts significantly inhibited mRNA expression of NADPH oxidase (NOX4). Overall, our research suggests that N. nucifera Gaertner flower extracts might be a valuable source of bioactive compounds that exhibit anti-adipogenic activity and could have applications in the field of medicine and food industry.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.413-420
• /
• 2005

We previously demonstrated the ability of ginseng saponins (active ingredients of Panax ginseng) to enhance $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current. The mechanism for this ginseng saponin-induced enhancement was proposed to be the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from $IP_{3}-sensitive$ intracellular stores through the activation of PTX-insensitive $G\alpha_{q/11}$ proteins and PLC pathway. Recent studies have shown that calmodulin (CaM) regulates $IP_{3}$ receptor-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ release in both $Ca^{2+}-dependent$ and -independent manner. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current responses in Xenopus oocytes. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement, whereas co-injection of calmidazolium, a CaM antagonist, with CaM blocked CaM action. The inhibitory effect of CaM on ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement was dose- and time-dependent, with an $IC_{50} of 14.9\pm3.5 {\mu}M$. The inhibitory effect of CaM on saponin's activity was maximal after 6 h of intraoocyte injection of CaM, and after 48 h the activity of saponin recovered to control level. The half-recovery time was calculated to be $16.7\pm4.3 h$. Intraoocyte injection of CaM inhibited $Ca^{2+}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement and also attenuated $IP_{3}$-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. $Ca^{2+}$/CaM kinase II inhibitor did not inhibit CaM-caused attenuation of ginseng saponin-induced $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement. These results suggest that CaM regulates ginseng saponin effect on $Ca^{2+}$-activated $Cl^{-}$ current enhancement via $Ca^{2+}$-independent manner.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.37 no.2
• /
• pp.261-267
• /
• 2005

Phase II enzymes are transcriptionally induced by synthetic chemical agents and natural products, and such induction plays critical roles in protection against chemical carcinogens and other toxic xenobiotics. To discover natural products for use as cancer chemopreventive agents, the ability of Citrus aurantium Linn (Jikak) to induce activities of quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in wild-type murine hepatoma cell line (Hepa 1c1c7) and Ah-receptor-defective mutant of the same cell line (Bprcl) was investigated. Hexane and chloroform fractions of C. aurantium Linn (Jikak) at doses not exhibiting cytotoxicity were effective inducers of QR (${\sim}1.8-fold$) and GST (${\sim}1.5-fold$) in Hepa 1c1c7 cells, whereas showed low QR induction potency in Bprcl cells, which indicates they have weak monofunctional action. Results suggest C. aurantium Linn (Jikak) as potentially useful cancer chemopteventive agent.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
• /
• v.25 no.8
• /
• pp.423-428
• /
• 2015

Impedancemetric $NO_x$ (NO and $NO_2$) gas sensors were designed with a stacked-layer structure and fabricated using $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1) as the receptor material and $Li_{1.3}Al_{0.3}Ti_{1.7}(PO_4)_3$ plates as the solid-electrolyte transducer material. The $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ layers were prepared with a polymeric precursor method that used ethylene glycol as the solvent, acetyl acetone as the chelating agent, and polyvinylpyrrolidone as the polymer additive. The effects of the Co concentration on the structural, morphological, and $NO_x$ sensing properties of the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ powders were investigated with powder X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and its response to 20~250 ppm of $NO_x$ at $400^{\circ}C$ (for 1 kHz and 0.5 V), respectively. When the as-prepared precursors were calcined at $700^{\circ}C$, only a single phase was detected, which corresponded to a perovskite-type structure. The XRD results showed that as the Co concentration of the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$powders increased, the crystal structure was transformed from an orthorhombic phase to a rhombohedral phase. Moreover, the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$ powders with $0{\leq}x<0.8$ had a rhombohedral symmetry. The size of the particles in the $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3$powders increased from 0.1 to $0.5{\mu}m$ as the Co concentration increased. The sensing performance of the stack-structured $LaCr_xCo_{1-x}O_3/Li_{1.3}Al_{0.3}Ti_{1.7}(PO_4)_3$ sensors was found to divide the impedance component between the resistance and capacitance. The response of these sensors to NO gas was more sensitive than that to $NO_2$ gas. Compared to other impedancemetric sensors, the $LaCr_{0.8}Co_{0.2}O_3/Li_{1.3}Al_{0.3}Ti_{1.7}(PO_4)_3$ sensor exhibited good reversibility and reliable sensingresponse properties for $NO_x$ gases.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.78-83
• /
• 1994

Morphine, a $\mu$-receptor agonist, produces strong analgesic effect with some side effects such as nausea, vomiting, urinary retension, somnolence, and respiratory depression. Buprenorphine also provides strong analgesic effects, and hemodynamic changes after continuous infusion of morphine, or buprenorphine-ketorolac combination in gynecologic patients. Analgesic effect was assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS) and Prince Henry scale(PHS). Morphine group, initial 2 mg of bolus morphine was followed by 48 mg/96 ml of continuous infusion. Buprenorphine group, initial 0.1 mg of buprenorphine was followed up with infusion by 2.3 mg/100 ml. Half dose of both initial bolus and maintenance buprenorphine with ketorolac 15 mg for bolus and 60 mg for maintenance were infused in buprenorphine-ketorolac combination group. No significant hemodynamic changes were seen in any of the groups. VAS significantly decreased after 15 minutes of infusion in all three groups, and was significantly lower in morphine group than the other 2 groups, after 60 minutes. PHS was decreased significantly 15 minutes after infusion in the morphine group, and after 60 minutes in two other groups. The incidence of side effects were similar between morphine and buprenorphine groups, but significantly reduced in buprenorphine-ketorolac combination group. We concluded that buprenorphine could be an alternative to morphine for postoperative pain, and smaller dose of buprenorphine could be used if it is combined with ketorolac with less side effects.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.34 no.6
• /
• pp.521-527
• /
• 2004

Cimetidine is a histamine $H_2-receptor$ antagonist, used for the treatment of endoscopically or radiographically comfirmed duodenal ulcer, pathologic GI hypersecretory conditions, and active, benign and gastric ulcer. Simple method for determining cimetidine in human plasma has been developed and validated. The analytical procedure for cimetidine showed a linear relationship in the concentration ranges from $0.05\;to\;5\;{\mu}g/ml$. Coefficient of variance (CV, %) for intraday and interday validation and relative error (RE, %) were less than ${\pm}15%$. Based on this analytical method, the bioequivalence of two cimetidine 400 mg tablets, reference (Tagamet 400 mg) and test drug (Sinil CIMETIDINE 400 mg) was evaluated according to the guidelines set by the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Release of cimetidine from the tablets in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II with various dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solutions and water). Twenty-four healthy volunteers, $21.38{\pm}1.86$ years in age and $68.71{\pm}8.68\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was performed. After oral administration of a tablet containing 400 mg of cimetidine, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and concentrations of cimetidine in plasma were determined using HPLC equipped with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of the two tablet formulations were very similar at all dissolution media. In addition, pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA was employed for the statistical analysis of parameters. The results were revealed that the differences in $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$ between the two tablets were 4.17 % and 0.97% respectively. At 90% confidence intervals, the differences in these parameters were also within ${\pm}20%$. All of the above mentioned parameters have met the criteria of KFDA guidelines for bioequivalence, indicating that the test drug tablet (Sinil CIMETIDINE tablet) is bioequivalent to Tagamet 400 mg tablet.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.17-24
• /
• 2017

Ganglioside GD1a is specifically formed by the addition of sialic acid to ganglioside GM1a by ST3 ${\beta}$-galactoside ${\alpha}$-2,3-sialyltransferase 2 (ST3GAL2). Above all, GD1a are known to be related with the functional regulation of several growth factor receptors, including activation and dimerization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in tumor cells. The activity of EGF and EGFR is known to be a very important factor for meiotic and cytoplasmic maturation during in vitro maturation (IVM) of mammalian oocytes. However, the role of gangliosides GD1a for EGFR-related signaling pathways in porcine oocyte is not yet clearly understood. Here, we investigated that the effect of ST3GAL2 as synthesizing enzyme GD1a for EGFR activation and phosphorylation during meiotic maturation. To investigate the expression of ST3GAL2 according to the EGF treatment (0, 10 and 50 ng/ml), we observed the patterns of ST3GAL2 genes expression by immunofluorescence staining in denuded oocyte (DO) and cumulus cell-oocyte-complex (COC) during IVM process (22 and 44 h), respectively. Expression levels of ST3GAL2 significantly decreased (p<0.01) in an EGF concentration (10 and 50 ng/ml) dependent manner. And fluorescence expression of ST3GAL2 increased (p<0.01) in the matured COCs for 44 h. Under high EGF concentration (50 ng/ml), ST3GAL2 protein levels was decreased (p<0.01), and their shown opposite expression pattern of phosphorylation-EGFR in COCs of 44 h. Phosphorylation of EGFR significantly increased (p<0.01) in matured COCs treated with GD1a for 44 h. In addition, ST3GAL2 protein levels significantly decreased (p<0.01) in GD1a ($10{\mu}M$) treated COCs without reference to EGF pre-treatment. These results suggest that treatment of exogenous ganglioside GD1a may play an important role such as EGF in EGFR-related activation and phosphorylation in porcine oocyte maturation of in vitro.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 1984

The exocrine pancreatic secretion is controlled mainly by gastrointestinal hormones as well as cholinergic nerves. The adrenergic influence on exocrine pancreas is thought not to he important and the evidences supporting this contention are still contradictory. In an effort to elucidate the adrenergic influence on the exocrine pancreas, we have determined the amylase release from pancreatic slices of rats treated with adrenergic drugs. The albino rats of either sex, weighing $60{\sim}80\;g$, were decapitated and the uncinate pancreata were isolated and incubated in screw top vials containing 2 ml krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer solution gassed with 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. These vials were shaken continuously in a waterbath maintained at $37^{circ}C$, and enzyme release was stimulated with acetylcholine$(10^{-5}M)$. For chronic treatment methoxamine$(an\;{\alpha}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;5\;mg/kg)$, isoproterenol (a\;{\beta}-adrenergic\;agonist,\;10\;mg/kg) and reserpine (0.5 mg/kg) along with cholecystokinin octapeptide$(CCK-op,\;2{\mu}g/kg)$ were given i.p. in rats daily for 3, 5, 7, 9 or 12 days. For acute experiment these drugs were added directly to the incubation medium in a concentration of $10^{-5}M$ except CCK-OP $(10^{-9}M)$. The results are summarized as follows. 1) The addition of methoxamine, isoproterenol or reserpine to the incubation medium containing pancreatic slices augmented the release of amylase induced by acetylcholine and among them the effect of isoproterenol was most prominent. 2) Chronic treatment of methoxamine or reserpine caused enhancement of acetylcholine response in amylase release from pancreatic slice throughout the experimental period, but the amylase release was less than that of control by 12 days isoproterenol treatment. 3) In the pancreatic slices obtained from 12 days treatment of CCK-OP, the amylae release responding to acetylcholine was enhanced. By these finding it is suggested that methoxamine, isoproterenol and reserpine had marked influence on the exocrine pancreatic functions in rats and that these effects are due to their inherent actions rather than sympathetic nerve or adrenergic receptor function.