• Mycobiology
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.96-102
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• 2011

We investigated diet supplementation with shiitake mushroom fruiting bodies on biochemical and histological changes in hypercholesterolemic rats. Six-wk old female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. A diet containing 5% Lentinus edodes fruiting bodies given to hypercholesterolemic rats reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total lipid, phospholipids, and the LDL/high-density lipoprotein ratio by 34.33, 53.21, 75.00, 34.66, 25.73, and 71.43%, respectively. Feeding mushroom also significantly reduced body weight in hypercholesterolemic rats. However, it had no detrimental effects on plasma albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, glucose, total protein, calcium, sodium, potassium, chloride, inorganic phosphate, magnesium, or enzyme profiles. Feeding mushroom increased total lipid and cholesterol excretion in feces. The plasma lipoprotein fraction, separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, indicated that L. edodes significantly reduced plasma ${\beta}$ and pre-${\beta}$-lipoprotein but increased ${\alpha}$-lipoprotein. A histological study of hepatic cells by conventional hematoxylin-eosin and oil red-O staining showed normal findings for mushroom-fed hypercholesterolemic rats. These results suggest that shiitake mushrooms could be recommended as a natural cholesterol lowering substance in the diet.

• Mycobiology
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.283-289
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• 2011

The wild edible mushroom, Lentinus lepideus has recently been cultivated for commercial use in Korea. While the mushroom has been widely used for nutritional and medicinal purposes, the possible anti-hyperlipidemic action is unclear. The effects of dietary L. lepideus on plasma and feces biochemical and on the liver histological status were investigated in hypercholesterolemic rats. Six-wk-old female Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each. Biochemical and histological examinations were performed. A diet containing 5% L. lepideus fruiting bodies reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, total lipid, phospholipids, and the ratio of low-density to high-density lipoprotein. Body weight was reduced. The diet did not adversely affect plasma biochemical and enzyme profiles. L. lepideus reduced significantly plasma ${\beta}$- and pre-${\beta}$-lipoprotein, while ${\alpha}$-lipoprotein content was increased. A histological study of hepatic cells by conventional hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O staining revealed normal findings for mushroom-fed hypercholesterolemic rats. The present study suggests that a diet supplemented with L. lepideus can provide health benefits by acting on the atherogenic lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic rats.

• 한국지구과학회지
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.1-10
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• 2017

공생별 AG Peg는 적색거성(GS)과 백색왜성(WD)으로 구성된 성운으로 둘러싸인 쌍성계이다. AG Peg의 분광자료는 1998년, 2001년, 그리고 2002년의 세 시기에 미국 Lick 천문대에서 관측한 자료로 HI 발머 방출선 자료를 분석하였다. AG Peg의 선세기와 폭은 각 시기에 따라 변하는데, $H{\alpha}$와 $H{\beta}$ 선에서 모두 청색편이, 적색편이, 넓은 폭 성분이 나타났다. 가스 성운의 운동학적 특성을 보여주는 방출선은 WD주변에 형성된 강착원반의 반경이 매우 큼을 보여준다. 관측자의 시선 방향을 고려하면, 1998년 관측은 AG Peg의 GS와 WD가 나란히 하늘에 있는 반면, 2002년에는 WD가 GS의 전면에, 2001년에는 WD가 GS의 뒷면에 위치하였다. 이러한 상대적인 위치와 분광선의 변화를 고려하여, 우리는 GS에서 WD로의 가스유입이 지속적으로 이루어지고, 그 결과 형성된 두꺼운 원반의 회전이 관측된 분광선 윤곽의 형성을 가져온 것으로 결론지었다.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.99-109
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• 2006

Objectives : To investigate whether cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 has any immune-enhancing effect in normal rats. Methods : Effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 on blood cell counts, cell composition, cytokine and plasma protein levels were investigated in normal rats. Results : Red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels significantly increased in cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups compared with those of the normal group. There was, however, no significant difference in white blood cell (WBC) count and WBC differential count between the normal group and the pharmacopuncture groups. Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the normal group while no significant difference between groups was found in interleukin-$1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ level. Total protein and albumin levels were not different between groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 may have no immune-enhancing effect in normal rats.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제30권4호
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• pp.970-975
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• 1998

약용 식물로부터 여러 효소의 저해제를 탐색 하였다. 한국산 우롱차엽으로부터 80%의 아세톤 추출물을 Sephadex LH-20, MCI-gel, Fuji gel 등을 사용하여 분리하였고 이 화합물은 Anisaldehyde 및 $FeCl_3$에 붉은색과 청색을 나타내었다. 이 화합물의 유도체화에 의한 기기분석 결과에서 상부는 -(-)epicatechin로 하부는 -(-)epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate 결합된 dimeric proanthocyanidin 종류인, $epicatechin-(4{\beta}{\rightarrow}8)-epigallocatechin{\;}3-O-gallate$로 화학 구조가 결정되었다. Xanthin oxidase 저해 효과에서는 $50{\;}{\mu}mole$에서 62%의 저해를 보여주어 앞으로 통풍 예방 기능성 식품 신소재로서의 이용이 가능하다는 것을 확인하였다.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.288-294
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• 2006

In this study, the effects of smoking cessation and relative antioxidant activities on the oxidative stress were determined by using in vitro method. Thirty healthy smokers who were free of any disease and smoked more than 1 pack per day for the past 10 years participated in this study. For smoking cessation, smokers were asked to wear nicotine patch (21mg nicotine/ patch) everyday for 30 days and then to replace at the same time of the day. Smoking cessation program in conjunction with nicotine patch replacement was also conducted every week, one hour/each session, for 4 weeks. Canthaxanthin, $\beta-carotene$, and $\alpha-tocopherol$ were added into red blood cells at pre and post smoking cessation. As indicators of oxidative stress, hemoglobin degradation, lipid peroxidation, and percent hemolysis were determined at both pre and post smoking cessation. After 30 days of smoking cessation, the subjects gained an average of 5 pounds, varying 2 to 8 pounds, by suggesting that behavioral problems rather than nicotine itself are more important for gaining weight in ex-smokers. The total hemoglobin concentrations in blood were similar in pre and post smoking cessation, but smoking cessation resulted in a decrease in the percentage of methemoglobin from 0.96% to 0.85% Smoking cessation also caused to decease malondialdehyde (MDA) values ($26.7{\pm}7.8$ vs. $23.6{\pm}4.5$ (without oxidation), $179.3{\pm}21$ vs. $161.2{\pm}28$ nmol/ml (with oxidation) (p<0.05)), not percent hemolysis. Various antioxidants with smoking cessation significantly decreased MDA values(p<0.05), in contrast to marginal decrease of MDA in smoking cessation only. Three antioxidants used in this stu study were similarly effective in inhibiting MDA production, but relative effectiveness of canthaxanthin or $\alpha-tocopherol$ was greater than that of $\beta-carotene$ (p<0.05), in case of oxidation induced. The percent hemolysis was greatly decreased when antioxidants were added into the blood of ex-smokers (p<0.05) but no statistical significance in relative effectiveness of antioxidants was observed.

• 한국키틴키토산학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.185-193
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• 2017

Red tide Heterosigma akashiwo (H. akashiwo), a microscopic alga of the class Raphidophyceae, causes extensive damage to all marine ecosystems. It is essential to reduce the damage to marine ecosystems for them to be used as a resource. In this study, we used organic solvent fractionation to obtain an ethyl acetate-methanol extract from H. akashiwo (HAEM80) and then evaluated its anti-inflammatory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and a zebrafish model. HAME80 markedly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). It also down-regulated the protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and decreased the secretion of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. HAME80 reduced yolk edema and improved the survival rate of LPS-stimulated zebrafish embryos; in addition, the extract significantly reduced the production of ROS and NO and attenuated cell death in this model. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the extract was used to confirm the identity of peaks 1-20. Taken together, our data suggest that H. akashiwo is a beneficial anti-inflammatory agent.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• 제59권9호
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• pp.1064-1071
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• 2018

Purpose: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Materials and Methods: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. Results: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory ($TGF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines ($TGF-{\beta}1$, COL1A1, ${\alpha}-SMA$) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. Conclusion: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.121-129
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• 2022

Despite considerable efforts, cancer remains an aggressive killer worldwide. Chemotherapeutic drugs that are currently in use lead to destructive side effects and have not succeeded in fulfilling expectations. For centuries, medicinal plants are used for treating various diseases and are also known to have anticancer activity. The main aim of this research was to evaluate antiproliferative activity of saffron, clove, fenugreek, and green tea on Vero and MDA-MB-231 cell lines and to subsequently analyze the effect of these extracts on IRAK-4, TAK1, IKK-alpha, IKK-beta, NF-Kappa B, IRF3, IRF7 genes in Toll Like Receptors (TLRs) pathway. Antiproliferative assay was done by Neutral Red Dye uptake assay. Methanolic extract of green tea was found to be most effective against both cell lines as IC₅₀ was achieved at least concentration of the extract. For molecular studies, MDAMB-231 cells were sensitized with methanolic extract of green tea at same IC₅₀, and RT-PCR was performed to determine the relative expression of genes. Expression of IRAK-4, TAK1, IKK-beta, NF-Kappa B, IRF3 genes was down regulated and IRF7 and IKKalpha was upregulated. Green tea has a potential cytotoxic effect on both cell lines which was demonstrated by its effect on the expression of (TLRs) pathway genes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권5호
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• pp.515-525
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• 2023

The most common heart valve disorder is calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), which is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve. Treatment with the drug molecule, in addition to surgical and transcatheter valve replacement, is the primary focus of researchers in this field. The purpose of this study is to determine whether niclosamide can reduce calcification in aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs). To induce calcification, cells were treated with a pro-calcifying medium (PCM). Different concentrations of niclosamide were added to the PCM-treated cells, and the level of calcification, mRNA, and protein expression of calcification markers was measured. Niclosamide inhibited aortic valve calcification as observed from reduced alizarin red s staining in niclosamide treated VICs and also decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of calcification-specific markers: runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteopontin. Niclosamide also reduced the formation of reactive oxygen species, NADPH oxidase activity and the expression of Nox2 and p22^phox. Furthermore, in calcified VICs, niclosamide inhibited the expression of β-catenin and phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3β), as well as the phosphorylation of AKT and ERK. Taken together, our findings suggest that niclosamide may alleviate PCM-induced calcification, at least in part, by targeting oxidative stress mediated GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway via inhibiting activation of AKT and ERK, and may be a potential treatment for CAVS.