• Toxicological Research
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.193-201
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• 2010

Hepatic fibrosis represents the main complication of most chronic liver disorders and, regardless of its etiology, is characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix components. In this study, we examined that 1-O-Hexyl-2,3,5-Trimethylhydroquinone (HTHQ), a potent anti-oxidative agent, could prevent experimental hepatic fibrosis induced by dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) in male SD rats. Except for vehicle control group, other groups were induced hepatic fibrosis by intraperitoneal injection with DMN (10 mg/ml/kg) on 3 consecutive days weekly for 4 weeks. During the same 4 weeks, control and DMN groups were given vehicle and HTHQ 50, 100 and 200 groups were orally administered HTHQ (50, 100, 200 mg/kg respectively). In HTHQ 100 and 200 groups, relative liver weight and serum chemistry level improved significantly. HTHQ reduced hydroxyproline (p < 0.05) and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05) level in the liver. Histopathological examination of H&E, Masson's trichrome stain showed the reduced fibrotic septa in HTHQ 100 and 200 groups. HTHQ administration showed reduced mRNA level of PDGF (Platelet-derived growth factor), $\alpha$-SMA ($\alpha$-smooth muscle actin) and TGF-$\beta$ (transforming growth factor-$\beta$) than DMN-induced hepetic fibrosis animals in the liver tissue. In this study, we showed that HTHQ improves against DMN-induced liver fibrosis in male SD rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.261-265
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• 2007

Hydroxyproline (HYP) is a post-translational product of proline hydroxylation catalyzed by an enzyme prolyl 4-hydroxylase (P4H) which plays a crucial role in the synthesis of all collagens. Considering the role of collagen and its significance in many clinically important diseases such as liver fibrosis, a great deal of attention has been directed toward the development of an assay at cell-based system. The reason is that cell-based assay system is more efficient than enzyme-based in vitro system and takes much less time than in vivo system. Several assay procedures developed for P4H are laborious, time-consuming and not feasible for the massive-screening. Here, we report the cell-based assay method of prolyl 4-hydroxylase in immortalized rat hepatic stellate HSC-T6 cells. To optimize the cell culture condition to assay for HYP content, various concentrations of reagents were treated for different times in HSC-T6 cells. Our data showed that the treatment with ascorbate in a hypoxic condition for 24 h resulted in the maximal increase of HYP by 1.8 fold. Alternatively, cobalt chloride ($5\;{\mu}M$) and ascorbate ($50\;{\mu}M$) in normoxic states exhibited similar effect on the production of HYP as in a hypoxic condition. Therefore, cobalt chloride can be substituted for a hypoxic condition when an anaerobic chamber is not available. Rosiglitazone and HOE077, known as inhibitors of collagen, synthesis decreased P4H enzyme activity by 32.3% and 15%, respectively, which coincided with previous reports from liver tissues. The level of the smooth muscle ${\alpha}$-actin, a marker of activated stellate cells, was significantly increased under hypoxia, suggesting that our experimental condition could work for screening the anti-fibrotic compounds. The assay procedure took only 3 days after treatment with agents, while assays from the primary stellate cells or liver tissues have taken several weeks. Considering the time and expenses, this assay method could be useful to screen the compounds for the inhibitor of prolyl 4-hydroxylase.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.707-714
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• 2004

How to improve the cell culture method on scaffolds is important in the tissue engineering fileld. In this study, we optimized seeding and culture methods to vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) on biodegradable polymer scaffold. The primary culture of VSMCs obtained from canine external jugular vein was accomplished by applying the explant-derived method. The primary cultured VSMCs were seeded into scaffolds and then cultured by using various different methods; static or dynamic seeding, static or dynamic culture. The difference in proliferative response of VSMCs was analyzed with an alamar blue assay. Cell-polymer construct was examined by histochemical method and scanning electron microscopy. Mesh type scaffold ($10 \times 10 \times0.4 mm$) was made of polyglycolic acid (PGA) suture thread. The PGA mesh type scaffold was 45% in porosity, and 0.03 g in weight. The primary cultured VSMCs were confirmed with immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal anti-$\alpha$-smooth muscle actin. The density and distribution of proliferated VSMCs within the scaffold and cellular adherence on the surface of the scaffold showed better results in the static seeding condition than in the dynamic condition. Under the same condition of seeding method as the static condition, the dynamic culture condition showed enhanced proliferation rates of the VSMCs when compared to the static culture condition. In conclusion, to improve the VSMCs proliferation in vitro, static seeding is better than the dynamic condition. In the culture condition, however, culture under the dynamic status is better than the static condition. This was a pilot study to manufacture artificial vascular vessel by tissue engineering.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.167-182
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• 2010

Cervi parvum cornu (Deer Antler) and Carthami tinctorii fructus (Also known as Carthami seed) are widely used for treating osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this study, We found out that the water extract of Cervi parvum cornu(WECPC), Carthami tinctorii fructus(WECTF) and their combination have effects of suppressing the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. We assayed mRNA expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP and GAPDHS from bone marrow macrophages(BMMs) by means of RT-PCR. Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, MAPKs and $\beta$-actin in cell lysates were analyzed by means of Western blotting. then we determined the anti-osteoporotic effects of WECPC, WECTF and their combination using Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone-loss mouse. WECPC, WECTF and their combination showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-treated osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. WECPC suppressed degradation of I-${\kappa}B$. WECPC, WECTF and their combination down-regulated the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 by RANKL. Lastly, in vivo data showed that WECPC, WECTF and their combination rescued the bone erosion by LPS treatment. Thus, these results demonstrate that WECPC, WECTF and their combination can be efficacious remedies for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2023

This study aimed to observe the protective effect of momordicine I, a triterpenoid compound extracted from momordica charantia L., on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced hypertrophy in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes and investigate its potential mechanism. Treatment with 10 μM ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy as evidenced by increased cell surface area and protein content as well as pronounced upregulation of fetal genes including atrial natriuretic peptide, βmyosin heavy chain, and α-skeletal actin; however, those responses were markedly attenuated by treatment with 12.5 ㎍/ml momordicine I. Transcriptome experiment results showed that there were 381 and 447 differentially expressed genes expressed in comparisons of model/control and momordicine I intervention/model, respectively. GO enrichment analysis suggested that the anti-cardiomyocyte hypertrophic effect of momordicine I may be mainly associated with the regulation of metabolic processes. Based on our transcriptome experiment results as well as literature reports, we selected glycerophospholipid metabolizing enzymes group VI phospholipase A₂ (PLA2G6) and diacylglycerol kinase ζ (DGK-ζ) as targets to further explore the potential mechanism through which momordicine I inhibited ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Our results demonstrated that momordicine I inhibited ISO-induced upregulations of mRNA levels and protein expressions of PLA2G6 and DGK-ζ. Collectively, momordicine I alleviated ISO-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, which may be related to its inhibition of the expression of glycerophospholipid metabolizing enzymes PLA2G6 and DGK-ζ

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.292-298
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• 2023

Objective: Ovarian torsion is a gynecological disorder that causes ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the ovary. Our study investigated berberine's short- and long-term effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Methods: This study included 28 Wistar albino female rats weighing 180 to 220 g, which were divided into four groups: sham (S), torsion/detorsion (T/D), torsion/ detorsion+single dose berberine (T/D+Bb), and torsion/detorsion+15 days berberine (T/D+15Bb). The torsion and detorsion model was applied in all non-sham groups. In the T/D+Bb group, a single dose of berberine was administered, while in the T/D+15Bb group, berberine was administered over a period of 15 days. After the rats were euthanized, their ovaries were excised. The left ovaries were used for histopathologic evaluation, which included ovarian injury scoring and follicle count, while the right ovaries were used for biochemical analyses (tissue transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] levels). Results: The histopathologic evaluation scores for the ovaries were significantly lower in the T/D+B group (p<0.05) and the T/D+15B group (p<0.005) than in the T/D group. The follicle counts in the T/D group were lower than those in both the sham and treated groups (p<0.005). The TGF-β levels were significantly lower in the T/D+15B group (p<0.005), whereas the α-SMA levels did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: Both short- and long-term berberine use could potentially have therapeutic effects on ovarian torsion. Long-term berberine use exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TGF-β levels, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Therefore, we suggest that long-term berberine use could be beneficial for ovarian torsion.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.23-40
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to examine the effects of extracts of Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) on the lipid lowering, anti-oxidation and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines and was investigated on hyperlipidemic rats. Methods: Male rats weighing $182.39{\pm}4.71g$ were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks and 36 rats(above 400 g) were divided into 4 groups. Each of 9 rats was divided a control group and experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline(100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And we fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) extracts(100 mg/kg, 200mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflmmatory cytokines, anti-oxidative activity and $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B, Apo-E and leptin gene expression. Results: 1. Concentration of plasma free fatty(FFA) showed no significant difference in all the treatment groups. Concentration of plasma triglyceride(TG) showed a significant decrement in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. 2. Concentration of plasma total cholesterol showed a significant decrement in the 200 and 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. Concentration of plasma low density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol showed a Significant decrement in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. Concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein(HDL)-cholesterol showed a significant increment in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) group. 3. Concentration of liver total cholesterol showed a tendence to decrease in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups. Concentration of liver TG showed a significant decrement in all Ojeoksangamibang groups than that of control group. 4. Concentration of plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS) showed a tendence to decrease in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups. 5. The values of glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and catalase(CAT) activity showed a significant increment in all Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups than that of control group. 6. The values of plasma aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) activity showed no significant different in all treatment group. 7. Concentration of plasma $interleukin(IL)-1{beta}$ showed no significant difference in all the treatment groups. Concentration of plasma IL-6 showed a significant decrement in the 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) group than that of control group. Concentration of plasma tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$ a siginifant decrement in the 200 and 300 mg/kg in Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) group than that of control group. However the concentration of plasma IL-10 in the 300 mg/kg Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups showed a significant increment than that of control group. 9. In the analysis of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR), gene expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B and Apo-E in the Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups showed a lower expression than that of control group. However the gene expression of leptin showed no difference in the treatment groups. 10. The ratio of $TNF-{\alpha}$, Apo-B, and Apo-E per ${\beta}-actin$ expression in the Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) groups showed a significant decrement than that of control group. However The ratio of leptin expression per ${\beta}-actin$ expression showed no significant difference among all the treatment groups. Conclusions: According to above results, in lowering lipid effect, anti-oxidation and control of pro-inflammatory cytokines production, Ojeoksangamibang($W{\check{u}}j\bar{i}s\check{a}nji\bar{a}w\grave{e}if\bar{a}ng$) gives effect.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.469-489
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• 2008

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) on alcoholic liver damaged by applying proteomics. Materials and Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experiment the rats were divided into the normal group, the control group(alcohol) and the sample group(CGHJT +alcohol). The ethanol was orally administered twice a day for 6 weeks in the control and sample groups. Water instead of ethanol was orally administered twice a day for 6 weeks in the normal group. CGHJT extract was orally administered once a day for 6 weeks in the sample group. The livers of each group were processed and assessed by histology, Western Blot, $Oxyblot^{TM}$, CBB and 2-dimensional electrophoresis. Results : In the histological findings of the liver, CGHJT inhibited hepatic fibrogenesis induced by alcohol. TIMP-1 decreased in the sample group assessed by western blot and statistical significance was noted by dot blotting(p<0.05). In the $Oxyblot^{TM}$, protein oxidation induced by alcohol treatment decreased with CGHJT. In the 2-dimensional electrophoresis finding, increased proteins alcohol such as HSP 60, 60kDa heat shock protein, 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase were normalized by CGHJT. CGHJT was considered to normalize the anti-oxidation activity elevated by alcohol. In the 2-dimensional electrophoresis finding, increased oxidized proteins such as actin, prolyl 4-hydroxylase beta polypeptide, 94kDa glucose regulated protein(GRP94), heat shock protein 90-alpha(HSC86), calreticulin precursor(CRP55), ATP synthase beta chain mitochondrial precursor, caspase-8 precursor, and dihydrolipoamide succinyltransferase(E2) decreased with CGHJT. CGHJT was considered to reduce the oxidative stress of alcohol. Conclusion : Chungganhaeju-tang(Qingganjiejiu-tang) exerts an inhibitory effect against the fibrosis and protein oxidation induced by alcohol treatment of rat liver. CGHJT was considered to normalize the elevated anti-oxidation activity by alcohol and to reduce the level of oxidative stress due to alcohol.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.402-417
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• 2023

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound-healing response and the final common pathway of chronic inflammatory injury. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract (RW) and silymarin in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: The liver fibrosis mouse model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of TAA (1 week 100 mg/kg, 2-3 weeks 200 mg/kg, 4-8 weeks 400 mg/kg) three times per week for eight weeks. Animal experiments were conducted in five groups; Normal, Control (TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice), Sily (silymarin 50 mg/kg), RSL (RW 50 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg), and RSH (RW 100 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were measured in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ammonia levels. Liver inflammatory cytokines and fibrous biomarkers were measured by Western blot analysis, and liver histopathology was evaluated through tissue staining. Results: A significant decrease in the liver function markers AST and ALT and a reduction in ammonia and total bilirubin were observed in the group treated with RSL and RSH. Measurement of reactive oxygen species and MDA revealed a significant decrease in the RSL and RSH administration group compared to the TAA induction group. The expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins, such as transforming growth factor β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1, was likewise significantly decreased. All drug-administered groups had increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 but a decreasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. RSL and RSH exerted a significant upregulation of NADPH oxidase 2, p22^phox, and p47^phox, which are oxidative stress-related factors. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin-1β were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation. Conclusions: The administration of RW and silymarin suppressed the NADPH oxidase factor protein level and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation-related enzymes. These results suggest that the combined administration of RW and silymarin improves acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.47-65
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• 2023

Objectives We evaluated the wound healing effects of Dangguijakyak-san (DJ) using C57BL/6 mice that were generated open wound. Methods The study was conducted with seven C57BL/6 mice assigned to each group, divided into the normal group, control group, vitamin E group, DJ low-dose group, DJ high-dose group. We measured total polyphenol, flavonoid contents, the size of the wound, liver function, pro-inflammatory cytokine activity in serum, inflammation-related proteins, adhesion molecules and chemokine proteins, collagen-related proteins in skin tissue and histopathological changes by H&E and Masson's staining. Results DJ treatment significantly reduced the area of the wound compared to the control group. Also, inflammatory cytokines were reduced and the expression of anti-inflammatory-related factors (interleukin-4 [IL-4] and IL-10) was significantly increased in the DJ treatment group. We identified that DJ treatment inhibits both pathways of inflammation, the mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor-κB pathway. Moreover, the protein expressions of Sirt1 (sirtuin 1), MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein 1), ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule 1), and VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule 1) were decreased by DJ administration. Also, the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type I alpha 1, collagen-related proteins, that help skin recovery was significantly increased in the DJ treatment group. Histopathologically, a relatively thin epithelial layer could be observed in the DJ administration group, as well as an increase in fibroblasts and collagen fibers. Conclusions These data suggest that DJ treatment is effective in wound healing, suppressing inflammatory proteins, increasing skin repair factors and improving histopathological changes caused by wounds.