• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.55-60
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• 2012

In a previous report, we demonstrated that ginsenoside Rc, one of major ginsenosides from Panax ginseng, enhances ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) $receptor_A$ ($GABA_A$)-mediated ion channel currents. However, little is known about the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on $GABA_A$ receptor channel activity. The present study investigated the effects of ginsenoside metabolites on human recombinant $GABA_A$ receptor (${\alpha}_1{\beta}_1{\gamma}_{2s}$) channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes using a two-electrode voltage clamp technique. M4, a metabolite of protopanaxatriol ginsenosides, more potently inhibited the GABA-induced inward peak current ($I_{GABA}$) than protopanaxadiol (PPD), a metabolite of PPD ginsenosides. The effect of M4 and PPD on $I_{GABA}$ was both concentration-dependent and reversible. The half-inhibitory concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of M4 and PPD were 17.1${\pm}$2.2 and 23.1${\pm}$8.6 ${\mu}M$, respectively. The inhibition of $I_{GABA}$ by M4 and PPD was voltage-independent and non-competitive. This study implies that the regulation of $GABA_A$ receptor channel activity by ginsenoside metabolites differs from that of ginsenosides.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2020

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), one of the most abundant protopanaxadiol-type ginsenosides, exerts excellent neuroprotective effects even though it has low intracephalic exposure. Purpose: The present study aimed to elucidate the apparent contradiction between the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Rb1 by studying the mechanisms underlying neuroprotective effects of Rb1 based on regulation of microflora. Methods: A pseudo germ-free (PGF) rat model was established, and neuroprotective effects of Rb1 were compared between conventional and PGF rats. The relative abundances of common probiotics were quantified to reveal the authentic probiotics that dominate in the neuroprotection of Rb1. The expressions of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, including GABAA receptors (α2, β2, and γ2) and GABAB receptors (1b and 2), in the normal, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), and I/R+Rb1 rat hippocampus and striatum were assessed to reveal the neuroprotective mechanism of Rb1. Results: The results showed that microbiota plays a key role in neuroprotection of Rb1. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus helveticus (Lac.H) increased 15.26 fold after pretreatment with Rb1. I/R surgery induced effects on infarct size, neurological deficit score, and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were prevented by colonizing the rat gastrointestinal tract with Lac.H (1 × 10⁹ CFU) by gavage 15 d before I/R surgery. Both Rb1 and Lac.H upregulated expression of GABA receptors in I/R rats. Coadministration of a GABA_A receptor antagonist significantly attenuated neuroprotective effects of Rb1 and Lac.H. Conclusion: In sum, Rb1 exerts neuroprotective effects by regulating Lac.H and GABA receptors rather than through direct distribution to the target sites.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.441-450
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• 1998

The medullospinal tract cells are known to play an important role in the control of the cardiovascular activities. To clarify the modes of action of the neurotransmitters on these cells, glutamate, GABA(${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid) and bicuculline were applicated iontophoretically into the rostral ventrolateral medulla in adult cats anesthetised with ${\alpha}$-chloralose. Followings are the results obtained : 1. The spontaneous activities of the cardiac-related neurons in rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM) were increased by the glutamate and decreased by the GABA. 2. Bicuculline, an antagonist of GABA, alone didn't increase the frequency of the action potentials, but could reverse the cellular response to the GABA, simultaneously applicated. 3. GABA seemed to decrease the peak as well as the basal discharge of the neurons in RVLM, but hardly changed their periodicities. 4. The cellular responses of RVLM evoked by the peripheral nerve stimulation could be inhibited by the iontophoretically released GABA. In conclusion, GABA seemed to act as an inhibitory neurotransmitter on the cardiac- related neurons in RVLM of the cats anesthetized with ${\alpha}$-chloralose. But the maintenance of the periodicities of these cells after the application of bicuculline suggested that the afferent activity of the baroreceptor didn't play a key role in the spontaneous activities of the RVLM neurons.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.4
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• pp.453-463
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• 2021

This study investigated that comparison of the nutrients (including fatty acids, amino acids, and minerals) and ginsenoside, total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid (TF) contents and antioxidant activities in 5-year-old cultivated ginseng (CG), mountain-cultivated ginseng (MCG), and whole plant parts of MCG (WPMCG). The contents of total fatty acids and unsaturated fatty acids were determined highest in MCG (1215.9 and 751.2 mg/100 g), and saturated fatty acid was determined highest in WPMCG (486.4 mg/100 g) respectively. Characteristically, the α-linolenic acid content was detected up to 10 times higher in MCG (139.3 mg/100 g) and WPMCG (194.4 mg/100 g) compared to CG (18.1 mg/100 g). Total free and essential amino acid contents were high with CG < MCG < WPMCG (1006.35 mg/100 g and 839.46 mg/100 g). Notably, γ-aminobutyric acid and arginine were detected as the main non-essential amino acids with highest levels detected in WPMCG (163.10 mg/100 g) and MCG (305.23 mg/100 g), respectively. Total mineral content was high in CG (30.36 mg/100 g) and WPMCG (29.82 mg/100 g). Particularly, Calcium (Ca) was detected more than twice as high in WPMCG (6.68 mg/100 g) as compared to CG and MCG. TP and TF contents were 5.12 gallic acid mg/g and 3.04 RE mg/g respectively. Ginsenoside content was the highest in WPMCG (42.44 mg/g) in general and the highest antioxidant activity was also observed in WPMCG.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Torulaspora delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as pure fermenters and mixed fermenters (simultaneous and sequential culture), on the production of non-volatiles and volatiles, and on the antioxidant activity in Golden Dried Longan juice and Golden Dried Longan wines. Alanine, arginine, glutamic acid, leucine, proline, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were the most prominent amino acids that were found in these wines. The Golden Dried Longan Wine fermented with monocultures of S. cerevisiae and T. delbrueckii produced a total volatile aroma content of 393.21 mg/l and 383.20 mg/l, respectively. Simultaneous culture of the two organisms produced the highest total volatile aroma content, that affected most volatile compounds including isobutanol, ethyl acetate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl heptanoate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl pentanoate, isoamyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate. Of the four treatments, the sequential culture possessed the highest total phenolic content (5.80 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/ml). In addition, the total phenolic content significantly correlated with the antioxidant activity of the Golden Dried Juice and Golden Dried Longan Wine. These results suggest that co-cultures of the two organisms used in the production of the Golden Dried Longan Wine may improve the intensity and complexity of its aroma.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.523-531
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• 2015

Serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] regulates synaptic plasticity in the visual cortex. Although the effects of 5-HT on plasticity showed huge diversity depending on the ages of animals and species, it has been unclear how 5-HT can show such diverse effects. In the rat visual cortex, 5-HT suppressed long-term potentiation (LTP) at 5 weeks but enhanced LTP at 8 weeks. We speculated that this difference may originate from differential regulation of neurotransmission by 5-HT between the age groups. Thus, we investigated the effects of 5-HT on apha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR)-, ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABAAR)-, and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR)-mediated neurotransmissions and their involvement in the differential regulation of plasticity between 5 and 8 weeks. AMPAR-mediated currents were not affected by 5-HT at both 5 and 8 weeks. GABAAR-mediated currents were enhanced by 5-HT at both age groups. However, 5-HT enhanced NMDAR-mediated currents only at 8 weeks. The enhancement of NMDAR-mediated currents appeared to be mediated by the enhanced function of GluN2B subunit-containing NMDAR. The enhanced GABAAR- and NMDAR-mediated neurotransmissions were responsible for the suppression of LTP at 5 weeks and the facilitation of LTP at 8 weeks, respectively. These results indicate that the effects of 5-HT on neurotransmission change with development, and the changes may underlie the differential regulation of synaptic plasticity between different age groups. Thus, the developmental changes in 5-HT function should be carefully considered while investigating the 5-HT-mediated metaplastic control of the cortical network.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2011

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of soaking time (6, 12 and 24 hr) and steeping temperature (25, 30 and $35^{\circ}C$) on germination time, germination percentage and weight loss of wheat and barley. Changes in chemical composition (such as protein, fat, and ash), reducing sugar content, enzyme activity and pasting profile and GABA ($\gamma$-animobutyric acid) content of germinated wheat and barley were also evaluated. The results clearly suggest that the short soaking time and lower steeping temperature significantly decreased germination time and weight loss, while germination percentage increased. Regarding the chemical composition, the protein content of wheat and barley was slightly increased after germination but there was no significant difference in content of crude fat and ash of both germinated cereals. The reducing sugar content of both germinated cereals decreased as the steeping temperature increased from $25^{\circ}C$ to $35^{\circ}C$. Increasing soaking time and steeping temperature led to increased amylase activity, and also corresponded to reduced paste viscosity. The highest GABA content that occurred with soaking times of 6 and 12 hr and a steeping temperature of $35^{\circ}C$ was 1,467.74 and 1,474.70 ${\mu}g/g$ for germinated wheat and 2,108.13 and 1,691.85 ${\mu}g/g$ for germinated barley. This study indicated that the optimum germination process for wheat and barley is a low steeping temperature and a short soaking time.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.496-505
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• 1992

The correlation between GABA receptors($GABA_A$ and $GABA_B$ receptor) and benzodiazepine receptor on the saline infusion-induced micturition reflex contraction was studied in the female rat. To investigate the effect of ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid(GABA) on the micturition reflex, exogenous GABA(10 mg/kg) and GABA transaminase inhibitor(aminooxyacetic acid; AOAA $1\;{\mu}g$) were administered intravenously(i.v.) and intracerebroventriculary(i.c.v.), respectively. In result, both GABA and AOAA inhibited the saline induced micturition reflex contraction. This AOAA induced inhibition of micturition reflex was blocked by both bicuculine. $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist, and Ro 15-1788, benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. Muscimol, $GABA_A$ receptor antagonist($0.1\;{\mu}g$ i.c.v., $3\;{\mu}g$ intrathecal; i.t., 1 mg/kg i.v.) and baclofen, $GABA_A$ receptor agonist($1\;{\mu}g$ i.c.v., $3\;{\mu}g$ i.t., 1 mg/kg i.v.) also inhibited the bladder contraction. Pretreatment of bicuculline($1\;{\mu}g$ i.c.v.), but not of 5-aminovaleric acid(AVA, $1\;{\mu}g$ i.c.v.), $GABA_B$ receptor antagonist blocked the central inhibition of muscimol. These inhibitory effects were reversed by Ro15-1788 but were potentiated by flurazepam, benzodiazepine receptor antagonist. On the other hand, the inhibitory effects of baclofen were not affected by Ro 15-1788. Diazepam and flurazepam also inhibited the micturition reflex contraction when they were administered $3\;{\mu}g$ i.c.v., $10\;{\mu}g$ i.t., $10\;{\mu}M$, $30\;{\mu}M$ transurethrally, respectively. In conclusion, these results suggest that the micturition reflex is mediated by $GABA_A$, $GABA_B$ receptor and benzodiazepine receptor. The bezodiazepines increase the receptor binding of GABA to the $GABA_A$ receptor, so that the benzodiiazepines show the synergistic effect on the inhibition of the micturition reflex contraction, but not to the $GABA_B$ receptor.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.498-506
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• 2016

A croquette added with heat-treated kimchi at 20% showing higher sensory preferences was analyzed for its physicochemical properties and antioxidant activity using a croquette without kimchi as a control. Compared with the control, kimchi-added croquette had 3.3-fold higher organic acids content (p<0.001), resulting in a significant reduction of pH (p<0.001) and higher metal chelating activity (p<0.001). Upon addition of kimchi, total reducing capacity increased from 109.4 to $139.4{\mu}g/g$ gallic acid equivalents (p<0.01), and DPPH radical scavenging activity also increased 2-fold, which corresponded to 54% of the electron-donating ability of 0.35 mM gallic acid. In addition, contents of free amino acids and ${\gamma}-aminobutyric$ acid (GABA) appreciably increased by 1.6-fold (p<0.01) and 10-fold (p<0.001), respectively. This could be attributed to the ingredients of kimchi and/or enzymatic transformation of precursors by microorganisms during kimchi fermentation. Kimchi-added croquette was determined to be a good source of dietary fiber relative to its calorie content. Texture profile analysis showed no significant differences in hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness between the two croquettes with or without kimchi. Taken together, this study shows that utilization of heat-treated kimchi as a filling for croquette could be a good strategy to improve both the nutritional quality and antioxidant activity of croquette.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.213-222
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• 2022

Sprouts have various health benefits. Specifically, wheat sprouts are rich in bioactive compounds, such as vitamins and polyphenols. Elicitation induces and enhances secondary metabolite biosynthesis in plants. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) treatments on the growth profile, free amino acid content, and antioxidant activity of germinated wheat (Triticum aestivum). Wheat seeds were germinated at 20℃ for 10 days and treated with 0, 2, 4, 7.5, and 10 mM of NaCl 10 days before harvesting. Treating the soil bed with NaCl increased the nutritional component amounts, such as free amino acids and γ-aminobutyric acid. The chlorophyll a and b concentrations were the highest in the hydroponic system treated with 7.5 mM NaCl. In addition, the polyphenol and flavonoid contents of sprouts treated with 2 and 7.5 mM NaCl were 1.94 and 1.34 times higher than that of the control sprouts (0 mM NaCl, water only), respectively. These results suggest that 2 to 4 mM NaCl treatments improve the nutritional and food quality of wheat sprouts more than water only.