• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.113-125
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• 2023

It has been reported that stressful events in early life influence behavior in adulthood and are associated with different psychiatric disorders, such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorder. Maternal separation (MS) is a representative animal model for reproducing childhood stress. It is used as an animal model for depression, and has well-known effects, such as increasing anxiety behavior and causing abnormalities in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This study investigated the effect of MS on anxiety or aggression-like behavior and the number of GABAergic neurons in the hippocampus. Mice were separated from their dams for four hours per day for 19 d from postnatal day two. Elevated plus maze (EPM) test, resident-intruder (RI) test, and counted glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD67) or parvalbumin (PV) positive cells in the hippocampus were executed using immunohistochemistry. The maternal segregation group exhibited increased anxiety and aggression in the EPM test and the RI test. GAD67-positive neurons were increased in the hippocampal regions we observed: dentate gyrus (DG), CA3, CA1, subiculum, presubiculum, and parasubiculum. PV-positive neurons were increased in the DG, CA3, presubiculum, and parasubiculum. Consistent with behavioral changes, corticosterone was increased in the MS group, suggesting that the behavioral changes induced by MS were expressed through the effect on the HPA axis. Altogether, MS alters anxiety and aggression levels, possibly through alteration of cytoarchitecture and output of the ventral hippocampus that induces the dysfunction of the HPA axis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.564-572
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• 2015

Nutritional compositions, volatile compounds, and sensory attributes of Cynanchi wilfordii Radix were analyzed in order to examine its practical utilization as a food resource. In the proximate analysis, protein and lipid contents were shown to be 14.6 and 5.0 mg/100 g, respectively, in C. wilfordii Radix. Potassium was the most predominant mineral (809 mg/100 g), as determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry in parallel with microwave acid digestion. Total phenolic content was found to be 410 mg/100 g. Further, arginine and linoleic acid were the most abundant amino acid and fatty acid of C. wilfordii Radix, respectively. To examine its functional properties, classical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) analysis was performed. As a result, the concentration of C. wilfordii Radix required to scavenge 50% of DPPH radicals was 1.16 mg of dried material. Lastly, in olfactory and sensory tests, ${\beta}$-eudesmol (woody odor) was the major flavor compound responsible for the bitter taste and sensory attributes of C. wilfordii Radix. Taken altogether, the above results provide important preliminary results for utilization of C. wilfordii Radix as a food resource.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.823-831
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• 2015

Evaluation of biological activity and analysis of functional constituents from water and ethanol extracts of four different parts of mulberry (Morus alba L.) tree were carried out to develop functional ingredients and foods using extracts of mulberry tree. The water and ethanol extracts of four different parts of mulberry tree were prepared and their biological activities and functional constituents determined by in vitro assays and HPLC, respectively. In general, ethanol extracts showed stronger biological activities and higher functional constituents than water extracts. Ethanol extracts of mulberry fruit, root bark, and twig showed stronger antioxidant ($IC_{50}=128.4{\mu}g/mL$), ${\alpha}$-glucosidase ($IC_{50}=12.0{\mu}g/mL$), and lipoxygenase ($IC_{50}=36.3{\mu}g/mL$) and tyrosinase ($IC_{50}=410.3{\mu}g/mL$) inhibitory activities, respectively, than those of other parts. Mulberry fruit and leaf showed the highest contents of anthocyanin (cyanidin 3-glucoside: 213.20 mg/100 g) and chlorogenic acid (514.97 mg/100 g), and especially ethanol extract of mulberry leaf contained higher quercetin 3-O-(6-O-malonyl)glucoside (143.25 mg/100 g) and kaempferol 3-O-(6-O-malonyl)glucoside (30.25 mg/100 g) contents without water extract of mulberry leaf. Meanwhile, mulberry twig contained both oxyresveratrol glycoside (48.90 mg/100 g) and its aglycone (21.88 mg/100 g), whereas mulberry root bark contained mostly oxyresveratrol glycoside (724.05 mg/100 g). Additionally, mulberry root bark and leaf contained much higher ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (223.90 mg/100 g) and 1-deoxynojirimycin (86.07 mg/100 g) contents, respectively, than other parts of mulberry tree. These results suggest that high quality processed foods and functional foods using mixtures of mulberry fruits, leaves, twigs, and root barks should be developed for prevention and inhibition of several pathological disorders.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.196-203
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• 1992

Intramolecular excimer formation of 1, 3-di(1-pyrenyl)propane (Py-3-Py) and fluorescence polarization of 1, 6-diphenyl-1, 3, 5-hexatriene (DPH) were used to investigate the effects of barbiturates on the fluidity of model membranes of phosphatidycholine (SPMVPC), phosphatidylserine (SPMVPS), and phosphatidylinositol (SPMVPI) fractions of synaptosomal plasma membrane vesicles (SPMV) isolated from bovine cerebral cortex. In a dose-dependent manner, barbiturates decreased the excimer to monomer fluorescence intensity ratio (I'/I) of Py-3-Py and increased the anisotropy(r), rotational relaxation time (P), limiting anisotropy $(r_infty)$, and order parameter (S) of DPH in SPMVPC, SPMVPS and SPMVPI. This indicates that barbiturates decreased both the lateral and rotational diffusion of the probes in SPMVPC, SPMVPS and SPMVPI. The relative potencies of barbiturates in ordering the membranes were in the order: pentobarbital > hexobarbital > amobarbital > phenobarbital. This order correlates well with the anesthetic potencies of barbiturates and the potencies for enhancement of $\gamma$-aminobutyric acid-stimulated chloride uptake. Thus, it is strongly suggested that a close relationship might exist between the membrane ordering effects of barbiturates and the chloride fluxes across SPMV.

• Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2006

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of air-phase germination with water-spraying and anion stimuli on germination ratio, sprout growth and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid (GABA) of brown rice. Air-phase germination method with intermittent spraying water improved germination ratio and sprout growth by about 100% compared with the conventional water-soaking method. Anion radiation was applied during the germination process and improved the germination ratio, sprout growth and color quality of the germinated brown rice. Germination ratio and sprout growth were improved up to 9% with anion radiation, and its brightness was higher than brown rice germinated with no anion radiation. The air-phase germination with water-spraying improved the GABA content of germinated brown rice by about 8-9 times compared with that of brown rice.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.163-174
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• 1993

Vertebrate retinal neurons, like brain tracts farm complex synaptic relations in the enter and inner plexiform layers which ape equivalent to the central nervous system nuclei. The effects of $\gamma-aminobutyric$ acid(GABA) and glycine on retinal neurons were explored to discern the mechanisms of action of neurotransmitters. Experiments were performed in the superfused retina-eyecup preparation of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, using intracellular electrophysiological techniques. The roles of GABA and glycine as inhibitory neurotransmitters are well established in the vertebrate retina. But, we found that the depolarizing action of GABA and glycine on third-order neurons in the catfish retina. GABA and glycine appeared to act on retinal ueurons based on the observations that (1) effects on photoreceptors were not observed, (2) horizontal cells were either hyperpolarized $({\sim}33%)$ or depolarized $({\sim}67%)$, (3) bipolar cells were all hyperpolarized (4) amacrine and ganglion cells were either hyperpolarized $({\sim}37%)$ or depolarized $({\sim}63%)$, (5) GABA and glycine may be working to suppress presynaptic inhibition. The results suggest that depolarization of third-order neurons by GABA and glycine is due to at least two mechanisms; a direct postsynaptic effect and an indirect effect. Therefore, in the catfish retina, a mechanism of presynaptic inhibition or disinhibition including the direct postsynaptic effect may exist in the third-order neurons.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.105-112
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• 2001

Insect pests can be controlled through direct application of insecticides. Insect control by residual protectants is relatively inexpensive and has an advantage of destroying all stages of infestations. The efficacy of control is largely determined by the concentration of insecticides to which the pest species is exposed. A reduction in the period of control in the field afforded by a specific level of a protectant indicates that resistance has developed. An increase in the level of protectant is required to maintain control, and the efficacy of currently used insecticides has been severely reduced by insecticide resistance in pest species. Development of resistance to particular insecticide varies with species because insecticide resistance is often correlated with increased levels of certain enzymes, which are cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferases and esterases. Some sections of insecticide molecules can be modified by one or more of these primary enzymes. A reduction in the sensitivity of the action site of a xenobiotic also constitutes a mechanism of resistance. Acetylcholinesterase is a major target site for insecticide action, as are axonal sodium ion channels and ${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid receptors. Development of reduced sensitivity of these target sites to insecticides usually occurs. This review not only may contribute to a better understanding of insecticide resistance, but also illustrates the gaps still present for a full biochemical understanding of the resistance.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.696-703
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• 2015

A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing microorganism was isolated from jeot-gal (anchovy), a Korean fermented seafood. The isolate, A156, produced GABA profusely when incubated in MRS broth with monosodium glutamate (3% (w/v)) at 37℃ for 48 h. A156 was identified as Lactobacillus sakei by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The GABA conversion yield was 86% as determined by GABase enzyme assay. The gadB gene encoding glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) was cloned by PCR. gadC encoding a glutamate/GABA antiporter was located immediately upstream of gadB. The operon structure of gadCB was confirmed by RT-PCR. gadB was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) and recombinant GAD was purified. The purified GAD was 54.4 kDa in size by SDS-PAGE. Maximum GAD activity was observed at pH 5.0 and 55℃ and the activity was dependent on pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. The K_m and V_max of GAD were 0.045 mM and 0.011 mM/min, respectively, when glutamate was used as the substrate.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.351-357
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• 2015

The aims of this study were to develop $macaron{\grave{e}}$ with Korean red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) and GABA (${\gamma}$-aminobutyric acid) rice powder and analyze their physico-chemical and physiological characteristics. Korean red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) was added to $macaron{\grave{e}}$ at a weight percentage of 0, 2.5 and 4.5%. Color values (L-value, redness, and yellowness), total sugar content, total phenolics, total carotenoids, ABTS radical scavenging activity, textures, and sensory characteristics with varying various Korean red pepper were measured. As the ratio of the powders in the $macaron{\grave{e}}s$ increased, total phenolic content, total carotenoid content, and radical scavenging activity increased. There were significant differences in total phenolic and total carotenoid content of $macaron{\grave{e}}s$ (p<0.05). Sensory evaluation indicated significant differences (p<0.05) in color, sweetness, texture, and overall acceptability depending on the addition of Korean red pepper. KR30 $macaron{\grave{e}}$, showed higher overall acceptability, as compared to other $macaron{\grave{e}}$.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.647-655
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• 1997

The purpose of present study is to investigate the influence of a spinal gamma-aminobutyric acid B($GABA_B$) receptor on a central regulation of blood pressure(BP) and heart rate(HR), and to define its mechanism in the spinal cord. In urethane-anesthetized, d-tubocurarine-paralyzed and artificially ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats, intrathecal administration of drugs were carried out using injection cannula(33-gauge stainless steel) through the guide cannula(PE 10) which was inserted intrathecally at lower thoracic level through the puncture of a atlantooccipital membrane. Intrathecal injection of an $GABA_B$ receptor agonist, baclofen(30, 60, 100 nmol) decreased both BP and HR dose-dependently. Pretreatment with 8-bromo-cAMP(50 nmol), a cAMP analog, or glipizide(50 nmol), a ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel blocker, attenuated the depressor and bradycardic effects of baclofen(100 nmol), but not with 8-bromo-cGMP(50 nmol), a cGMP analog. These results suggest that the $GABA_B$ receptor in the spinal cord plays an inhibitory role in central cardiovascular regulation and that this depressor and bradycardic actions are mediated by the decrease of cAMP via the inhibition of adenylate cyclase and the opening of $K^+$ channel.