• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.78-84
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• 2020

Purpose: In acute acetaminophen poisoning, the administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) can effectively treat the main complications, such as kidney injury and liver failure. In the current situation, measurements of the acetaminophen concentration are not checked in the usual medical facilities. Therefore, this study examined the factors of determining the administration of NAC in addition to the stated amount of intake. Methods: The medical records of patients who visited Ajou University Hospital emergency center with acetaminophen poisoning from January 2015 to December 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. One hundred and seventy-nine patients were initially included. Among these patients, 82 patients were finally selected according to the inclusion criteria in the study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: patients who were 15 years of age or older; those whose ingested dose, ingested time, and body weight were clearly identified; and patients whose acetaminophen sampling time was within 24 hours. Patients were divided into two groups: NAC administered vs. non-NAC administered. The following variables were compared in these two groups: ingested dose, ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, psychiatric disease history, classification of toxic/non-toxic groups, duration of hospitalization, and laboratory results. Results: Univariate analysis revealed the ingested dose per body weight, hospital arrival time after ingestion, suicide attempt history, and psychiatric disease history to be the determining factors in administering NAC. Logistic regression analysis confirmed that the ingested dose per body weight was the only significant factor leading to an NAC treatment decision. (Odds ratio=1.039, 95% Confidential interval=1.009-1.070, p=0.009) Conclusion: The ingested dose per body weight was the only determining factor for administering NAC in patients with acute acetaminophen poisoning. On the other hand, additional criteria or indicators for the NAC administration decision will be necessary considering the inaccuracy of the ingested dose per body weight and the efficiency of NAC administration.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.92-100
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• 2004

Effect of the depletion or oxidation of GSH on mitomycin c (MMC)-induced mitochondrial damage and cell death was assessed in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells. MMC induced cell death and the decrease in the GSH contents in SCLC cells, which were inhibited by z-LEHD.fmk (a cell permeable inhibitor of caspase-9), z-DQMD.fmk (a cell permeable inhibitor of caspase-3) and thiol compound, N-acetylcysteine. MMC caused nuclear damage, release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase-3, which were reduced by N-acetylcysteine. The depletion of GSH due to L-butionine-sulfoximine enhanced the MMC-induced cell death and formation of reactive oxygen species in SCLC cells, whereas the oxidation of GSH due to diamide or $NH_2Cl$ did not affect cytotoxicity of MMC. The results show that MMC may cause cell death in SCLC cells by inducing mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to activation of caspase-9 and -3. The MMC-induced change in the mitochondrial membrane permeability, followed by cell death, in SCLC cells may be significantly enhanced by the depletion of GSH. In contrast, the oxidation of GSH may not affect cytotoxicity of MMC.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• 제9권3호
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• pp.195-203
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• 2018

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been widely used as an initial mucolytic agent and is generally used as an antioxidant to help alleviate various inflammatory symptoms. NAC reduces bacterial extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production, bacterial adhesion to the surface and strength of mature biofilm. The efficacy has been shown to inhibit proliferation of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. In membrane bioreactor (MBR) processes, which contain a variety of gram negative bacteria, biofilm formation has become a serious problem in stable operation. In this study, use of NAC as an inhibitor of biofilm contamination was investigated using the center for disease control (CDC) reactors with MBR sludge. Biomass reduction was confirmed with CLSM images of membrane surfaces by addition of NAC, which was more efficient as the concentration of NAC was increased to 1.5 mg/mL. NAC addition also showed decreases in EPS concentrations of the preformed biofilm, indicating that NAC was able to degrade EPS in the mature biofilm. NAC addition was also effective to inhibit biofilm formation by MBR sludge, which consisted of various microorganisms in consortia.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제20권2호
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• pp.165-170
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• 2012

Cell migration plays a role in many physiological and pathological processes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced in mammalian cells influence intracellular signaling processes which in turn regulate various biological activities. Here, we investigated whether melanoma cell migration could be controlled by ROS production under normoxia condition. Cell migration was measured by wound healing assay after scratching confluent monolayer of B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Cell migration was enhanced over 12 h after scratching cells. In addition, we found that ROS production was increased by scratching cells. ERK phosphorylation was also increased by scratching cells but it was decreased by the treatment with ROS scavengers, N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Tumor cell migration was inhibited by the treatment with PD98059, ERK inhibitor, NAC or DPI, well-known ROS scavengers. Tumor cell growth as judged by succinate dehydrogenase activity was inhibited by NAC treatment. When mice were intraperitoneally administered with NAC, the intracellular ROS production was reduced in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, B16F10 tumor growth was significantly inhibited by in vivo treatment with NAC. Collectively, these findings suggest that tumor cell migration and growth could be controlled by ROS production and its downstream signaling pathways, in vitro and in vivo.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.1029-1034
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• 2007

Curcumin (diferuloyl methane), originated rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. has been suggested as an anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic agent. In the present study, modulation of cytotoxic effects of curcumin on HeLa cells by different types of antioxidants was investigated. Cytotoxic effects of curcumin were significantly enhanced in the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD) by decreasing $IC_{50}$ to 15.4 from $26.0\;{\mu}M$ after 24 hr incubation; the activity was not altered by catalase. The effect of curcumin was significantly less pronounced in the presence of 4 mM N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Low concentration (<1 mM) of NAC, however, increased the efficacy of curcumin. Cysteine and ${\beta}$-mercaptoethanol that have a thiol group, showed the similar biphasic patterns as NAC for modulating curcumin cytotoxicity, which was, however, constantly enhanced by ascorbic acid, a non-thiol antioxidant. In the presence of SOD, ascorbic acid, and 0.5 mM NAC, cellular levels of curcumin were significantly increased by 31-66%, whereas 4 mM NAC decreased the level. The present results indicate that thiol reducing agents showed a biphasic effect in modulating cytotoxicity of curcumin; it is likely that their thiol group is reactive with curcumin especially at high concentrations.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.18-25
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• 2008

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) can affect many biological functions such as apoptosis and differentiation in various cells. We investigated the involvement of ROS and GSH in ATO-induced HeLa cell death using ROS scavengers, especially N-acetylcysteine (NAC). ATO increased intracellular ${O_2}^{{\cdot}-}$ levels and reduced intracellular GSH content. The ROS scavengers, Tempol, Tiron and Trimetazidine, did not significantly reduce levels of ROS or GSH depletion in ATO-treated HeLa cells. Nor did they reduce the apoptosis induced by ATO. In contrast, treatment with NAC reduced ROS levels and GSH depletion in the ATO-treated HeLa cells and prevented ATO-induced apoptosis. Treatment with exogenous SOD and catalase reduced the depletion of GSH content in ATO-treated cells. Catalase strongly protected the cells from ATO-induced apoptosis. In addition, treatment with SOD, catalase and NAC slightly inhibited the G1 phase accumulation induced by ATO. In conclusion, NAC protects HeLa cells from apoptosis induced by ATO by up-regulating intracellular GSH content and partially reducing the production of ${O_2}^{{\cdot}-}$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제41권5호
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• pp.475-483
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• 1994

연구배경 : N-acetylcysteine(ACE)은 임상에서는 객담용해제로 널리 쓰이고 있으나 시험관내 실험 또는 동물실험에서 ACE는 염증세포에서의 산소유리기를 감소시키고, 세포내 강력한 항산화기능을 갖고있는 glutathione(GSH)의 합성을 촉진한다고 알려졌다. 저자들은 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자에게 통상 투여용량인 매일 600mg씩 1주일간 ACE를 투여했을때 말초혈액내 호중구의 superoxide 분비, chemotaxis 등의 기능에 변화가 오는지 또는 혈장의 GSH 농도가 증가되는지를 살펴보고 동시에 시험관내 실험으로 정상인의 호중구에 ACE를 가했을때 ACE의 농도에 따라 superoxide나 GSH의 양에 변화가 오는지를 관찰하였다. 방법 : ACE 투여 전, 후에 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자의 말초혈액에서 호중구를 분리하여 PMA로 자극하거나 안했을때의 superoxide 분비를 분광광도계로, luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence를 luminometer로, 혈장의 GSH 농도를 분광광도계로 각각 측정하였다. 한편 정상인의 호중구를 분리하여 $10^{-2}-10^{-5}$ mole의 ACE와 혼합배양시의 superoxide, chemiluminescence 및 GSH를 각각 같은 방법으로 측정하였다. 결과 : ACE를 투여하기 전, 후의 말초혈액내 호중구의 superoxide 분비는 $1.97{\pm}1.75nM/1.4{\times}10^6\;cells/15min$, $2.75{\pm}2.14nM$이었고 PMA로 자극하였을때는 $67.52{\pm}13.41nM$, $67.99{\pm}13.54\;nM$로서 각각 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 호중구의 chemiluminescence도 ACE 투여전, 후에 $2.64{\pm}2.29mV$, $2.91{\pm}3.58mV$이었고 PMA로 자극하였을때는 $40.76{\pm}30.09mV$, $37.33{\pm}30.03mV$로서 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 호중구의 chemotaxis를 chemotactic index로 비교하였을때 ACE투여전, 후에 $55.71{\pm}16.34$, $59.68{\pm}11.57$이었고 혈장의 GSH는 $0.37{\pm}0.17nM/4{\times}10^5cells$, $0.39{\pm}0.18nM$로서 역시 유의한 차이가 없었다(p>0.05). 정상인의 호중구를 분리하여 $10^{-5}-10^{-2}$ mole의 ACE와 동시배양하며 PMA로 자극하였을때 superoxide는 ACE를 가하지 않은 대조군에서의 $56.54nM/1.4{\times}10^6\;cells/15min$에 비해 ACE의 $10^{-2}$ mole에서 37.0nM로서 유의하게 감소하였고 ACE의 농도에 따라 감소하는 양상을 보였다(r=-0.269, p<0.05). 호중구의 GSH 농도는 대조군의 $0.27nM/4{\times}10^5\;cells$에 비하여 ACE의 $10^{-3}$ mole에서 0.35nM, $10^{-2}$ mole 에서 1.15 nM로서 유의하게 증가하여 ACE의 농도에 따라 증가하였다(r=0.72, p<0.01). 결론 : ACE를 만성폐쇄성폐질환 환자에게 매일 600mg씩 1주일간 투여하였을때 말초혈액내 호중구의 superoxide 분비, chemotaxis에 영향을 주지 않았고 혈장의 glutathione 농도에도 변화가 없었다. 그러나 정상인의 호중구를 분리하여 ACE와 같이 배양한 실험에서 ACE는 농도에 비례하여 호중구의 superoxide 분비를 억제하였고 GSH를 증가시켰다. 이상으로 미루어 ACE는 염증세포에서의 superoxide 분비를 억제하고 GSH를 증가시킴으로서 oxidant-antioxidant 간의 불균형으로 야기되는 ARDS, 폐기종, 간질성폐질환등의 치료에 이용될수 있을것으로 생각되나 폐기종을 포함한 만성폐쇄성폐질환의 치료에 이용되기 위해서는 ACE의 혈중농도 또는 폐포세척액내의 농도를 충분히 증가시키는 방법이 강구되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.398-405
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• 2016

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A 환원효소의 억제제로 알려진 statin은 고지혈증 치료제로 널리 사용되고 있고, 또한 다양한 암에서 항암효과를 나타낸다고 알려져 있다. 최근 연구에서는 reactive oxygen species (ROS)가 세포사멸 신호에 중요한 역할을 한다고 보고하였지만, rosuvastatin에 의한 ROS 생성의 정확한 기전은 아직 밝혀지지 않았다. 인간 전립선암 세포주인 PC-3 세포를 이용하여 rosuvastatin에 의한 세포사멸 경로를 확인하였다. 세포독성, 세포사멸과 ROS의 생성을 측정하기 위해서 MTT assay, annexin V/PI 염색과 DCFH-DA염색을 통해 flow cytometry에 의해 측정하였다. 본 연구의 결과에서, rosuvastatin은 농도와 시간 의존적으로 세포 생존율 감소와 세포형태변화를 확인할 수 있었다. Flow cytometry 분석을 통해 세포주기와 apoptosis를 확인하였고 Western blotting assay를 통하여 PARP와 procaspase-3가 감소되는 것을 통해 apoptosis를 재확인 할 수 있었다. 또한 rosuvastatin은 농도 의존적으로 ROS 생산을 증가하였고, ROS 생성 저해제인 N-acetylcysteine (NAC) 처리를 통해 ROS와 apoptosis가 회복되었다. 따라서 rosuvastatin이 ROS 생성을 통해 apoptosis를 유도한다는 것을 알 수 있었고, 이는 인간 전립선 암세포에 대한 항암치료제로서의 가능성을 제시한다.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제33권9호
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• pp.1444-1454
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• 2020

Objective: Cold stress induces oxidative damage and impairs energy status of broilers. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) exhibits antioxidant properties and modulates energy metabolism of animals. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of NAC on energy status and antioxidant capacity of heart and liver in the cold-stressed broilers. Methods: The experiment consisted of 4 treatments in a 2×2 factorial arrangement with two diets (basal diet or plus 0.1% NAC) and two ambient temperatures (thermoneutral [conventional ambient temperature] or cold stress [10℃±1℃ during days 15 to 42]). Results: No ascites were seen in cold-stressed broilers. NAC did not attenuate the impaired growth performance of stressed birds. However, NAC decreased plasma asparagine but increased aspartate levels in cold-stressed birds (p<0.05). NAC reduced hepatic adenosine triphosphate (ATP) but elevated adenosine diphosphate contents in unstressed birds (p<0.05). The hepatic ratio of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to ATP was increased in birds fed NAC (p<0.05). NAC decreased plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level and cardiac total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) activity in unstressed birds, but increased hepatic activities of T-SOD, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in stressed birds (p<0.05). NAC down-regulated hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase but up-regulated cardiac heme-oxigenase mRNA expression in stressed birds, and decreased expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor coactivator-1α as well as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in liver and heart of birds. Conclusion: Dietary NAC did not affect energy status but enhanced the hepatic antioxidant capacity by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes in cold-stressed broilers.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.43-52
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• 2013

Zearalenone (ZEN) is a non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin produced by several species of Fusarium that are found in cereals and agricultural products. ZEN has been implicated in mycotoxicosis in farm animals and in humans. The toxic effects of ZEN are well known, but the ability of an alkaline Comet assay to assess ZEN-induced oxidative DNA damage in Chang liver cells has not been established. The first aim of this study was to evaluate the Comet assay for the determination of cytotoxicity and extent of DNA damage induced by ZEN toxin, and the second aim was to investigate the ability of N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) to protect cells from ZEN-induced toxicity. In the Comet assay, DNA damage was assessed by quantifying the tail extent moment (TEM; arbitrary unit) and tail length (TL; arbitrary unit), which are used as indicators of DNA strand breaks in SCGE. The cytotoxic effects of ZEN in Chang liver cells were mediated by inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of oxidative DNA damage. Increasing the concentration of ZEN increased the extent of DNA damage. The extent of DNA migration, and percentage of cells with tails were significantly increased in a concentration-dependent manner following treatment with ZEN toxin (p < 0.05). Treatment with a low concentration of ZEN toxin (25 ${\mu}M$) induced a relatively low level of DNA damage, compared to treatment of cells with a high concentration of ZEN toxin (250 ${\mu}M$). Oxidative DNA damage appeared to be a key determinant of ZEN-induced toxicity in Chang liver cells. Significant reductions in cytolethality and oxidative DNA damage were observed when cells were pretreated with NACA prior to exposure to any concentration of ZEN. Our data suggest that ZEN induces DNA damage in Chang liver cells, and that the antioxidant activity of NACA may contribute to the reduction of ZEN-induced DNA damage and cytotoxicity via elimination of oxidative stress.