• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.29 no.11
• /
• pp.1273-1280
• /
• 2019

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the leading causes of blindness in the elderly population, and damage to retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells due to oxidative stress contributes to the development of AMD. Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer is one of the most widely used herbal medicines for the treatment of various diseases in Asian countries. Although recent studies indicated that treatment with G. uralensis can protect cells from oxidative stress, its mechanisms in RPE cells remain unknown. We evaluated the effect of a G. uralensis ethanol extract (GU) on $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative injury in ARPE-19 RPE cells. The GU pretreatment attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation induced by $H_2O_2$, which was associated with induced expression of nuclear factor erythroid-derived-2-like 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). GU also suppressed $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The inhibitory effect of GU on $H_2O_2$-induced apoptosis was associated with the protection of caspase-3 activation. Overall, GU appeared to protect RPE cells from oxidative injury by inhibiting DNA damage and reducing apoptosis. Further studies are needed to determine the regulation of Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression, but our results suggest the possibility of using GU to reduce the risk of AMD.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
• /
• v.41 no.4
• /
• pp.189-224
• /
• 2010

Nowadays Korean society has a fast growing population of North Korean immigrant youth. Especially, North Korean immigrant youth, who are discontinuing formal education, experience difficulties in social exclusion and adaptation. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of adaptation and social support of North Korean immigrant youth discontinuing formal education, and to seek affirmative supporting plans and solutions for their adaptation. The methodology utilized for this study was a case study research. On the basis of the results and categorization, 'a network between overall categories and of early adaptation' was derived. The major findings of this study are summarized as follows. First, the participants of this study experienced major difficulties during 'economical adaptation', and their economical adaptation was strongly interrelated with their 'educational adaptation'. The discontinuing of their education resulting from their fleeing period caused 'academic differential and age disparity.' Thus they could not enroll in the formal education system, and their insufficient educational background resulted in low wages and overwork due to manual labor jobs. Second, participants recognized 'interpersonal relations' as the most essential factor in adaptation, and 'social support' from the interpersonal relations played an important role in adaptation to and comfort in Korean society. 'Interactions with South Koreans' was recognized as a significant resource for gaining informational and appraisal support, but was not activated satisfactorily. On the other hand, interaction with North Korean immigrants was avoided by the reason that 'there's nothing to learn', however emotional support from North Korean immigrants of close relationship played an important role in participants' adaptation, especially in all aspects of psychological adaptation. Third, participants experienced a lot of difficulties and stresses in their 'physical health and psychological adaptation'. Their chronic diseases worsened by remaining untreated, and female perceived symptoms were observed more often than in male. Meanwhile, excessive 'stresses' from the unfamiliar environment of South Korea negatively affected their psychological adaptation. However, they were satisfied with sense of liberty and security from living in a democratic society.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.102-107
• /
• 2009

Background : Constipation is one of the most common disorders in Korea and Western countries. It may be related with life style, diet, physical activity, age, stress and gender, and particularly premenopausal women experience constipation more often than men due to the significant prolongation of the mean colonic transit in women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a probiotic on constipation in loperamide-induced constipated rats. Materials and Methods : The rats were divided into 3 groups. Constipation was induced by administration of loperamide for 5 days, and the excreted amount as well as the number of feces was observed. Lactic acid bacteria as a probiotic were administered orally every day for 5 days. Results : The results showed that loperamide administration induced severe experimental constipation in rats. The amount of feces was decreased and the number of pellets was increased by loperamide. The water content in the feces as a parameter of constipation was also decreased by loperamide. On the other hand, the dry weights of feces were not significantly different among the groups. It represents that the amount of food consumption might have been similar among the groups, and constipation was caused by delayed intestinal movement. Conclusion : Probiotic administration for 5 days in rats partly alleviated or prevented the constipation induced by loperamide.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.361-367
• /
• 2009

This study was conducted to know oral maxillofacial symptoms accroding to dental fear and dental use behavior. 334 persons Older than junior high school students in Daegu, South Korea who visited to dental clinic were targeted From March 1.2008 to March 15, 2008. Statistics tool was SPSS 12.0 for Windows. General characteristics and response degree according to oral maxillofacial symptoms was analyzed by frequency study. Fear and difference according to oral maxillofacial symptoms we re conducted by T-test and One-Way ANOVA. Correlation analysis was used to verify relation between fear and oral maxillofacial symptoms. Results are followings. 1. Women felt fear higher than men did. Persons who were older felt fear higher and these were statistically related. 2. Extraoral external was 62.9%, hightest on the symptoms response degree according to oral maxillofacial symptoms. Feeling back side of the head on the strain and neck was stiff on the items were high. 3. Oral maxillofacial symptoms were high in the case when they had regular inspection, experience of scaling, experience of anesthesia and visited to the clinic often. And. Two cases(having regular inspection and visiting to the clinic often) were statistically related. Conclusion: Each pan of oral maxillofacial symptoms in the high fear group according to oral maxillofacial symptoms and it was all statistically related. And, fear and each oral maxillofacial pains were positively related and it was statistically related.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.11
• /
• pp.1727-1735
• /
• 2013

This study is carried out to investigate the analysis of nutrition and antioxidants of soybean Chungkukjang powder (SCP), Yak-Kong Chungkukjang powder (YCP) and Yak-Kong Chungkukjang powder added black foods (YCBP) for the management of Alzheimer's disease. The water content of YCBP was higher than that of SCP and YCP. The soluble and crude protein contents of YCP were the highest among three Chungkukjang powders. In SCP, YCP and YCBP, the ratios of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids were 5.17, 5.76, and 5.78, respectively. The mineral content of SCP was higher than that of YCP and YCBP. Antioxidants analysis showed that the content of diadzein was the highest in YCP and genistein, and anthocyanin contents were higher than the others in YCBP. In conclusion, YCP and YCBP had higher contents than SCP in soluble and crude proteins, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are needed for composition and function of the brain tissue. Also, it was found that the contents of diadzein, genistein and anthocyanin with outstanding antioxidative ability were high. Thus, this study suggests that Chungkukjang powder, which is made with Yak-Kong, black sesame, black rice and sea tangle, can be utilized for in vivo experiment for the control of oxidative stress, reported as cause and therapy for Alzheimer's Disease.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.700-705
• /
• 2009

Several studies have demonstrated that chlorophyll has many beneficial properties, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant properties. Chlorophyll has been also shown to have an excellent chemopreventive potential against skin tumor. Its preventive mechanism against skin tumor, however, has not been examined in detail. Furthermore, the effects of chlorophyll on UVB-induced cellular responses have not been investigated. Solar UV radiation, in particular its UVB component, is the primary cause of many adverse biological effects, which is responsible for the photoaging and skin cancer. We investigated the preventive effects of chlorophyll a on UVB-mediated responses in human immortalized HaCaT kerationocytes and normal human fibroblast. We found that treatment of chlorophyll a markedly inhibited UVB-induced generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation. Chlorophyll a also prevented UVB-induced MMP-1 expression and MMP-2 activation and increased Type I pN collagen synthesis. These results suggest that chlorophyll a is a potent candidate for the prevention and treatment of UVB-induced skin cancer and photoaging.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.712-716
• /
• 2009

In this study, the antioxidant and neuronal cell protective effects of methanol extract from Schizandra chinensis were evaluated. The proximate composition and total phenolics content of the extract were as follows: 64.88% nitrogen free extract, 10.56% crude fiber, 10.22% moisture, 8.33% crude protein, 5.05% ash, 0.96% crude fat, and 83.04 mg/g of total phenolics. In assays the methanol extract of Schizandra chinensis presented ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity in a dose-dependent manner. In a cell viability assay using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide (MTT), the methanol extract showed protective effect against $H_2O_2$-induced neurotoxicity, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release into medium was also inhibited by various concentrations of extracts (68-80%). Cell viability after treatment of the methanol extract was higher than that shown for vitamin C ($100\;{\mu}M$) using a neutral red uptake (NRU) assay. Therefore, these data suggest that the methanol extract of Schizandra chinensis may be useful for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.231-240
• /
• 1999

Regular exercise is effective in preventing coronary disease such as angina pectoris and infarction, inside it can lower the blood pressure and aids in weight control and release of stress. Risk factors of arteriosclerosis is hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity and excessive smoking. Arteriosclerosis begins at young age worsens with age, particulary in male. For people with risk factors of arteriosclerosis, it is important to prevent arteriosclerosis-related disease with dietary, living pattern and exercise prescription. Dietary fibers promote exercise of the digestive tract and shortens the time food remains inside the digestive tract. It can prevent obesity, hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis and colin cancer by blocking the absorption of cholesterol. Various vegetables and sea foods are lichen unsaturated fats and prevent the absorption of cholesterol inside the digestive tract. Essential fatty acids and unsaturated fats which are contained in vegetable oils, promotes metabolism while preventing absorption. In fruits, pectin water-soluble fiber, is present and lowers the level of cholesterol. By consuming foods that low in cholesterol and saturated fats, and rich in unsaturated fats, aliomentotherapy alone can reduce the plasma cholesterol by 10~l5$\%$. For ideal exercise, it should be aerobic with intensity of 60~80$\%$ HRmax, duration of 15~60min/day. The frequancy of 3~6/week is desirable the better exercise prescription is endurance aerobic exercise. To get more effect exercise, exercise consistency is very important.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.592-602
• /
• 2016

This study investigated the muscular dystrophin levels in freely moving Australian cattle mainly fed grass, freely moving Korean cattle fed mainly a grain diet, and Korean cattle fed a grain diet but housed in a relatively limited space of a cow house. The total skeletal muscle specimens of 244 cattle were collected and immediately fixed in 10% neutral formalin. The same area was biopsied from the cattle in both countries. The findings showed that fatty infiltration is highly correlated with membrane-associated protein degradation in skeletal muscle, and that among several membrane-associated proteins, dystrophin showed the most significant reduction in expression in the cattle with fatty infiltration. Similarly, CD36 was more highly expressed in the cattle with fatty infiltration of skeletal muscle. Various breeding factors, such as oxidative stress; the presence of oxidized lipids in the diet; and environmental factors such as exercise, temperature and amount of time spent, may have critical effects on the degradation of normal cytoskeleton proteins, which are required for maintaining normal skeletal muscle architecture. Among the sarcolemma membrane-associated proteins, dystrophin is the most sensitive membrane protein that is involved muscular dystrophy and muscular degeneration. Thus, the present findings may be useful for studies on muscular dystrophy in humans or the pathogenesis of muscular diseases in animal models.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.9
• /
• pp.1000-1006
• /
• 2015

α-Asarone is the main component of Acorus gramineus, which is a widely used oriental traditional medicine. A. gramineus is known to have a variety of medicinal effects, such as anti-gastric ulcer, antiallergy and antioxidant activity. It is also known to inhibit the release of histamine. However, the mechanism of its action remains unclear in humans. In this study, the effects of α-asarone on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and its antioxidant effect in a cell-free system were examined in HT1080 cells. In an MTT assay, the effect of α-asarone on cell viability showed no cytotoxicity below 16 μM. In an antioxidant assay, α-asarone increased reducing power in a dose-dependent manner but not the scavenging activity of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals. In addition, α-asarone exhibited the protective effect against DNA oxidation induced by hydroxyl radicals produced by the Fenton reaction. Furthermore, in a gelatin disk assay, α-asarone enhanced collagenase activity. It also increased the activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in a gelatin zymography. On the other hand, the activity of MMP-9 stimulated by phenazine methosulfate (PMS) but not that of MMP-2 was increased in the presence of α-asarone. These findings suggest that α-asarone could be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of pathological diseases related to oxidative stress and MMPs.