• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.395-404
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• 2017

Fungal cell walls and cell membranes are the main targets of antifungals. In this study, we report on the antifungal activity of an ethanol extract from Paeonia lactiflora against Candida albicans, showing that the antifungal activity is associated with the synergistic actions of preventing cell wall synthesis, enabling membrane depolarization, and compromising permeability. First, it was shown that the ethanol extract from P. lactiflora was involved in damaging the integrity of cell walls in C. albicans. In isotonic media, cell bursts of C. albicans by the P. lactiflora ethanol extract could be restored, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the P. lactiflora ethanol extract against C. albicans cells increased 4-fold. In addition, synthesis of $(1,3)-{\beta}-{\small{D}}-glucan$ polymer was inhibited by 87% and 83% following treatment of C. albicans microsomes with the P. lactiflora ethanol extract at their $1{\times}MIC$ and $2{\times}MIC$, respectively. Second, the ethanol extract from P. lactiflora influenced the function of C. albicans cell membranes. C. albicans cells treated with the P. lactiflora ethanol extract formed red aggregates by staining with a membrane-impermeable dye, propidium iodide. Membrane depolarization manifested as increased fluorescence intensity by staining P. lactiflora-treated C. albicans cells with a membrane-potential marker, $DiBAC_4(3)$ ((bis-1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol). Membrane permeability was assessed by crystal violet assay, and C. albicans cells treated with the P. lactiflora ethanol extract exhibited significant uptake of crystal violet in a concentration-dependent manner. The findings suggest that P. lactiflora ethanol extract is a viable and effective candidate for the development of new antifungal agents to treat Candida-associated diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.419-428
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• 2018

Background: Despite the large number of studies on ginseng, pharmacological activities of ginseng seed oil (GSO) have not been established. GSO is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, mostly oleic and linoleic acids. Unsaturated fatty acids are known to exert a therapeutic effect in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we investigated the protective effect and underlying mechanisms of GSO against NAFLD using in vitro and in vivo models. Methods: In vitro lipid accumulation was induced by free fatty acid mixture in HepG2 cells and by 3 wk of high fat diet (HFD)-feeding in Sprague-Dawley rats prior to hepatocyte isolation. The effects of GSO against diet-induced hepatic steatosis were further examined in C57BL/6J mice fed a HFD for 12 wk. Results: Oil Red O staining and intracellular triglyceride levels showed marked accumulation of lipid droplets in both HepG2 cells and rat hepatocytes, and these were attenuated by GSO treatment. In HFD-fed mice, GSO improved HFD-induced dyslipidemia and hepatic insulin resistance. Increased hepatic lipid contents were observed in HFD-fed mice and it was lowered in GSO (500 mg/kg)-treated mice by 26.4% which was evident in histological analysis. Pathway analysis of hepatic global gene expression indicated that GSO increased the expression of genes associated with ${\beta}$-oxidation (Ppara, Ppargc1a, Sirt1, and Cpt1a) and decreased the expression of lipogenic genes (Srebf1 and Mlxipl), and these were confirmed with reverse transcription and quantitative polymerase-chain reaction. Conclusion: These findings suggest that GSO has a beneficial effect on NAFLD through the suppression of lipogenesis and stimulation of fatty acid degradation pathway.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.276-282
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• 2004

Marginal Zn deficiency is prevalent through the world and yet human zinc status has not been properly assessed due to the lack of a reliable diagnostic indicator. One potential possibility for zinc status assessment using Zn-binding protein, metallothionein (MT)-mRNA, has been proposed. The purpose of the present study was aimed to show whether measurement of mononuclear cell (MNC) MT mRNA, using a competitive-reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (competitive-RT-PCR) assay, could indicate zinc status in human subjects. In this study, MNC MT-mRNA expression was measured using a competitive-RT-PCR to compare before and after 14 days of zinc supplementation (50 mg Zn/das zinc gluconate). RT-PCR oligonucleotide primers which were designed to amplify both a 278 bp segment of the human MT-2A cDNA and a 198 bp mutant competitor cDNA template from MNCs, were prepared. MT-2A mRNA was normalized by reference to the housekeeping gene, $\beta$-actin, mRNA for which was also measured by competitive-RT-PCR. There was considerable inter-individual variation in MT-mRNA concentration and yet, the mean MT-2A mRNA level increased 4.7-fold after Zn supplementation, as compared to before Zn supplementation. This MT-2A mRNA level was shown as the same pattern and, even more sensitive assay, compared to the conventional plasma and red blood cells (RBCs) Zn assessment in which plasma and RBCs zinc levels increased 2.3- and 1.2-fold, respectively (p<0.05). We suggest that MT competitive-RT-PCR can be a useful assessment tool for evaluating human zinc status.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.17.1-17.10
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• 2019

Objectives: Root resorption is an unexpected complication after replantation procedures. Combining anti-osteoclastic medicaments with retrograde root filling materials may avert this resorptive activity. The purpose of this study was to assess effects of a cathepsin K inhibitor with calcium silicate-based cements on osteoclastic activity. Methods: MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured for biocompatibility analyses. RAW 264.7 cells were cultured in the presence of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B and lipopolysaccharide, followed by treatment with Biodentine (BIOD) or ProRoot MTA with or without medicaments (Odanacatib [ODN], a cathepsin inhibitor and alendronate, a bisphosphonate). After drug treatment, the cell counting kit-8 assay and Alizarin red staining were performed to evaluate biocompatibility in MC3T3-E1 cells. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed in RAW 264.7 cells to determine the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: Biocompatibility results showed that there were no significant differences among any of the groups. RAW 264.7 cells treated with BIOD and ODN showed the lowest levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and PGE2. Treatments with BIOD + ODN were more potent suppressors of inflammatory cytokine expression (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The cathepsin K inhibitor with calcium silicate-based cement inhibits osteoclastic activity. This may have clinical application in preventing inflammatory root resorption in replanted teeth.

• 대한의용생체공학회:의공학회지
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• 제41권6호
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• pp.235-246
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• 2020

This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of micro-current stimulation(MCS) on adipogenesis regarding with Wnt/β-catenin pathway using the ob/ob mouse and 3T3-L1 cell line. 6-week old ob/ob male mice were equally assigned to four groups: obese group(ob), obese with MCS groups(50 μA, 200 μA, and 400 μA). 6-week old C57BL/6J male mice were assigned to the control group(CON). We analyzed abdominal adipose tissue volume by using in vivo micro-CT and measured the body weight, feed intake, liver weight and triglycerides in serum. All the MCS groups showed that significantly reduced body weight and triglycerides in serum. In the case of liver weight and abdominal adipose tissue volume, the inhibitory effect of adipogenesis was shown in the 200 μA and 400 μA groups. To elucidate the anti-obesity effect of MCS, β-catenin, C/EBPα and FAS protein expressions were analyzed by western blotting. β-catenin expression was upregulated, C/EBPα and FAS expression were down-regulated in the relatively high-intensity groups(200 μA and 400 μA). Thus, the 200 μA and 400 μA for the intensity of MCS were chosen for cell experiments. In the 3T3-L1 cell line, Wnt/β-catenin pathway including Wnt10b, Wnt3a, β-catenin and Cyclin D1 was activated in all MCS groups. Accordingly, the expression level of C/EBPα was decreased during the differentiation and lipid droplet was significantly reduced in Oil red O staining results. These results suggest that the Wnt/β-catenin signaling might be activated by MCS with current intensities between 200-400 μA and it may lead to anti-obesity effects.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.4.1-4.15
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• 2022

Background: Flavonoids are natural polyphenols found widely in citrus fruit and peel that possess anti-adipogenic effects. On the other hand, the detailed mechanisms for the antiadipogenic effects of flavonoids are unclear. Objectives: The present study observed the anti-adipogenic effects of five major citrus flavonoids, including hesperidin (HES), narirutin (NAR), nobiletin (NOB), sinensetin (SIN), and tangeretin (TAN), on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in palmitate (PA)-treated HepG2 cells. Methods: The intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) contents were quantified by Oil-red O staining and TG assay, respectively. The glucose uptake was assessed using 2-[N-(7-Nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) assay. The levels of AMPK, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β) phosphorylation, and levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) expression were analyzed by Western blot analysis. The potential interaction between the flavonoids and the γ-subunit of AMPK was investigated by molecular docking analysis. Results: The flavonoid treatment reduced both intracellular lipid accumulation and TG content in PA-treated HepG2 cells significantly. In addition, the flavonoids showed increased 2-NBDG uptake in an insulin-independent manner in PA-treated HepG2 cells. The flavonoids increased the AMPK, ACC, and GSK3β phosphorylation levels and decreased the SREBP-2 and HMGCR expression levels in PA-treated HepG2 cells. Molecular docking analysis showed that the flavonoids bind to the CBS domains in the regulatory γ-subunit of AMPK with high binding affinities and could serve as potential AMPK activators. Conclusion: The overall results suggest that the anti-adipogenic effect of flavonoids on PA-treated HepG2 cells results from the activation of AMPK by flavonoids.

• 생물환경조절학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.392-399
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• 2013

본 연구는 식물공장에서 인공광원에 따른 서로 다른 파장이 'Seneca RZ'와 'Gaugin RZ' 반결구 상추의 광합성 특성, 생육 및 기능성물질 함량에 미치는 영향을 밝히고자 수행하였다. 본 실험에서는 FL(fluorescent lamp), 적색LED와 청색LED 및 백색LED(RBW; red : blue : white = 5 : 4 : 1)와 MH(metalhalide lamp)를 사용하였다. 두 품종 모두 생육 중기에는 RBW에서 광합성속도가 높고 생육 후기에는 'Seneca RZ' 품종은 RBW에서, 'Gaugin RZ' 품종은 MH에서 그 생육이 좋았다. 반결구 상추의 생육은 광원에 따라 생육 차이를 보였으나 각각의 광원의 영향은 품종에 따라 서로 다른 결과를 보였다. 'Seneca RZ' 품종은 생육 중기에는 MH에서, 생육 후기에는 FL에서 생육이 좋았고, 'Caugin RZ' 품종은 생육 중기와 후기 모두 MH에서 생육이 좋은 결과를 보였다. 그러나 수확시기에 'Seneca RZ' 품종은 모든 광원 처리에서, 'Gaugin RZ' 품종은 FL을 제외한 나머지 광원에서 반결구 상추의 잎끝마름증이 발생하는 결과를 보였다. 생육 단계별로 두 품종 모두 생육 중기가 후기에 비해 전반적으로 생육속도가 빠른 결과를 보였다. 'Gaugin RZ' 품종에서 생육 중기에만 광원 종류에 대한 생육속도의 차이를 보였고 생육후기에는 광원의 종류와 품종의 영향을 받지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 인공광원에 따른 두 품종의 반결구 상추의 영양학적 특성은 대부분의 성분에서 광원의 종류에 따른 통계적 유의성이 인정되어 광질이 반결구 상추의 영양학적 품질에 미치는 것으로 판단하였다. 두 품종 모두 RBW에서 4종의 비타민 함량이 높은 결과를 보였으며, 특히 ${\beta}$-Carotene의 함량이 'Gaugin RZ' 품종의 MH에서 가장 높은 결과를 보였다. 이상의 결과에서 인공광원의 종류에 따라 반결구 상추의 생육, 광합성 특성 및 영양학적 품질이 차이가 있으나 품종과 기능성 물질에 따라 각 광원의 영향이 서로 다른 결과를 보여 식물공장 내에서 재배하는 품종과 증진시키고자 하는 기능성 물질에 따라 광원의 선택을 고려해야 할 것으로 판단하였다.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.640-658
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to examine the mechanism of improving acid resistance of Nd-YAG laser irradiated tooth enamel and determine the most effective energy density for improving acid resistance. The bovine tooth enamel were lased with a pulsed Nd-YAG laser. The energy densities of exposed laser beam were varied from 10 to $70\;J/cm^2$. To investigate the degree of improving acid resistance by irradiation, all the samples were submerged to demineralize in 0.5 N $HClO_4$ solution for 1 minute. After 1 minute, 0.05 % $LaCl_3$ was added to the solution for interrupting the demineralization reaction. The amounts of dissolved calcium and phosphate in the solution were measured by using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and the UV/VIS spectrophotometer, respectively. To examine the mechanism of improving acid resistance, X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were taken. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the samples were obtained in the $10^{\circ}{\sim}80^{\circ}2{\theta}$ range with $Cu-K{\alpha}$ radiation using M18HF(Mac Science Co.) with X-ray diffractometer operating at 40 KV and 300 mA. The infra-red spectra of the ground samples in 300 mg KBr pellets 10 mm diameter were obtained in the $4000cm^{-1}\;to\;400cm^{-1}$ range using JASCO 300E spectrophotometer. The scanning electron microscopy was carried out using JSM6400(JEOL Co.) with $500{\sim}2000$ times magnification. The results were as follow 1. The concentration of calcium dissolved from laser irradiated enamel with $50J/cm^2$ was significantly lesser than that of unlased control group (p<0.05) 2. From the result of the X-ray diffraction analysis, $\beta$-TCP, which increases acid solubility, was identified in lased enamel but the diffraction peaks of (002) and (004) became sharp with increasing energy density of laser irradiation. This means that the crystals in lased samples were grown through the c-axis and subsequently, the acid solubility of enamel decreased. 3. The a-axis parameter was slightly increased by laser irradiation, whereas the c-axis parameter was almost constant except for a little decrease at $50J/cm^2$. 4. In the infra-red spectra of lased enamels, phosphate bands ($600{\sim}500cm^{-1}$), B-carbonate bands (870, $1415{\sim}1455cm^{-1}$), and A-carbonate band ($1545cm^{-1}$) were observed. The amounts of phosphate bands and the B-carbonate bands were reduced, on the other hand, the amount of the A-carbonate band was increased by increase the energy density. 5. The SEM experiments reveal that the surface melting and recrystallization were appeared at $30J/cm^2$ and the cracks were observed at $70J/cm^2$. From above results, It may be suggested that the most effective energy density for improving acid resistance of tooth enamel with the irradiation of Nd-YAG laser was $50J/cm^2$. The mechanism of improving acid resistance were reduction of permeability due to surface melting and recrystallization of lased enamel and reduction of acid solubility of enamel due to decrease of carbonate content and growth of crystal.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.456-463
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• 2017

본 연구는 3종의 한약재(감초(Glycyrrhizae radix), 황기(Astragali radix) 및 산약(Dioscorea rhizome)) 추출물의 에스트로겐 유사활성 및 조골세포 증식과 분화에 미치는 영향을 검토하고자 실험을 진행하였다. 에스트로겐 유사활성 측정을 위하여 인체 유방암 세포주인 MCF7 세포를 luciferase 유전자를 리포터로 사용하는 에스트로겐 반응성 리포터 시스템을 가지는 세포로 형질전환하여 사용하였다. 상기 세포를 이용하여 추출물의 에스트로겐 유사활성을 측정한 결과, 한약재 추출물이 음성대조군과 비교하여 1.11배~5.73배 높은 에스트로겐 유사활성을 나타내었다. 그 중 감초 추출물이 가장 높은 에스트로겐 유사활성을 보였다. 감초 추출물의 에스트로겐 유사활성은 추출물의 농도가 $50{\mu}g/ml$ 및 $500{\mu}g/ml$ 일 때 각각 $10^{-8}M$ 및 $10^{-7}M$ $17{\beta}-estradiol$과 거의 유사한 활성을 나타내었다. 조골세포주인 MC3T3-E1 세포를 이용한 실험에서는 감초 추출물의 농도가 $1{\sim}1,000{\mu}g/ml$ 범위일 때 독성을 나타내지 않았다. 황기 추출물은 조골세포에 있어서 유의적인 세포 증식률을 보이지 않았다. 그러나, 감초 및 산약 추출물은 각각 148% 및 133%의 최대 증식률을 보였다. 또한, 감초 추출물은 대조군과 비교하여 alkaline phosphatase(ALP) 활성이 증가하였으며, 추출물의 농도가 $100{\mu}g/ml$ 일 때 최대 122%의 ALP 활성을 나타내었다. 또한, Alizarin red S 염색법을 이용한 석회화 형성능 측정에서도 대조군과 비교하여 석회화가 증가하였다. 이러한 결과로 미루어 보아 감초 추출물이 골 형성 및 골다공증 예방 효과가 우수한 식품 소재인 것으로 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.155-163
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• 2017

상엽은 뽕나무 잎을 건조한 약재로서 항염증, 항당뇨, 미백, 항산화, 항박테리아, 항알러지 및 면역조절 등과 같은 여러 가지 약리작용을 하는 것으로 알려져 있으나 항비만 효능에 대한 연구는 부족한 실정이다. 본 연구에서는 상엽 에탄올 추출물(ethanol extracts of Mori Folium, EEMF)이 유발하는 항비만 효능을 확인하기 위하여 3T3-L1 지방전구세포가 지방세포로 분화되는 과정에서 EEMF가 어떠한 영향을 미치는 지를 조사하였다. 3T3-L1 지방전구세포의 분화유도 시 EEMF를 처리하였을 경우 지방세포의 특징인 지방방울의 수 및 지방함량이 농도의 존적으로 감소하였으며, triglyceride의 생성도 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. 또한 EEMF는 pro-adipogenic transcription factors인 SREBP-1c, $PPAR{\gamma}$, $C/EBP{\alpha}$ 및 $C/EBP{\beta}$ 의 발현억제와 함께 adipocyte-specific genes인 aP2 및 Leptin의 발현억제도 유발하는 것으로 조사되었다. 특히 EEMF는 AMPK 및 ACC의 인산화를 억제하는 것으로 나타났지만 AMPK 억제제인 compound C를 이용하여 AMPK의 활성을 억제하였을 경우 EEMF에 의하여 유발되는 pro-adipogenic transcription factors 및 adipocyte-specific genes의 억제현상이 회복되었다. 이상의 결과에서 EEMF가 유발하는 adipogenesis의 억제는 AMPK signaling pathway의 활성화를 통하여 유발된다는 것을 알 수 있었으며, 추가적인 연구를 통하여 상엽에 함유되어 있는 유효성분에 대한 분석이 필요할 것으로 생각된다.