• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.56-62
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• 2003

The liver progenitor cells could form a potential target cell population fore both tumor-initiating and -promoting chemicals. Induction of drug-metabolizing and antioxidant enzymes, including AhR-dependent CYP1A1, NQO-1 and AKR1C9, was detected in the rat liver epithelial WB-F344 "stem-like" cells. Additionally, WB-F344 cells express a functional, wild-type form of p53 protein, a biomarker of genotoxic events, and connexin 43, a basic structural unit of gap junctions forming an important type of intercellular communication. In this cellular model, two complementary assays have been established for detection of the modes of action associated with tumor promotion: inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and proliferative activity in confluent cells. We found that the PAHs and PCBs, which are AhR agonists, released WB-F344 cells from contact inhibition, increasing both DNA synthesis and cell numbers. Genotoxic effects of some PAHs that lead to apoptosis and cell cycle delay might interfere with the proliferative activity of PAHs. Contrary to that, the nongenotoxic low-molecular-weight PAHs and non-dioxin-like PCB congeners, abundant in the environment, did not significantly affect cell cycle and cell proliferation; however both groups of compounds inhibited GJIC in WB-F344 cells. The release from contact inhibiton by a mechanism that possibly involves the AhR activation, inhibition of GJIC and genotoxic events induced by environmental contaminants are three important modes of action that could play an important role in carcinogenic effects of toxic compounds. The relative potencies to inhibit GJIC, to induce AhR-mediated activity, and to release cells from contact inhibition were determined for a large series of PAHs and PCBs and their metabolites. In vitro bioassays based on detection of events on cellular level (deregulation of GJIC and/or proliferation) or determination of receptor-mediated activities in both ?$stem-like^{\circ}{\times}$ and hepatocyte-like liver cellular models are valuable tools for detection of modes of action of polyaromatic hydrocarbons. They may serve, together with concentration data, as a first step in their risk assessment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.9
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• pp.898-907
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• 2003

Antioxidative function of uncooked powdered food (Sangsik) was evaluated in rats consuming nutritionally unbalanced diet including 1％ cholesterol, high proportion of animal lipids (lard : soybean oil : 8 . 2) , sub-optimal levels of vitamin and mineral mixture along with 0.5% ethanol in drinking water. The uncooked powdered food tested in the present study was a mixture composed of 42 kinds of plant foods (cereals, legumes, seaweeds, vegetables, and fruits) supplemented with vitamins and minerals, and dietary fiber. Control rats were fed the semi-purified diet based on the AIN-93G composition, and nutritionally unbalanced rats were divided into 3 groups, and fed one of the following diets with 0.5% ethanol in drinking water for 5 weeks : unbalanced control diet (UC) ,20% Sangsik powder supplemented diet (S20), and 40% Sangsik powder supplemented diet (S40) . Food efficiency ratio was significantly higher in rats fed S40 compared to the value for rats fed UC (p < 0.05). Hepatic level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) was significantly lower in rats fed UC compared to that for control rats (p < 0.05) , and was not influenced by dietary supplementation of the Sangsik powder. Hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was significantly higher in rats fed UC compared to that for control rats (p < 0.05) , and significantly reduced in rats fed S20 or S40 compared to the value for unbalanced control rats. Feeding unbalanced control diet significantly reduced the ratio of hepatic GSH-Px ＋ catalase/SOD activities compared to the value for control rats, and this decrease in the ratio of antioxidant enzyme activities was reversed by adding the Sangsik powder to the diet at 20% (p <0.05) . Based on the results of antioxidant enzyme activities, feeding uncooked powdered diet appears to provide a favorable environment for body's antioxidative defense mechanism. Serum levels of Fe and Cu were significantly lower in rats fed the Sangsik powder supplemented diets compared to the value for unbalanced control rats (p < 0.05) , and levels of Se, Mn, and Zn were also tended to be decreased by dietary supplementation of the Sangsik powder. These results postulate the possibility that ingredients used in the uncooked powdered food may decrease the bioavailability of trace elements in rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.7
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• pp.728-736
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to improve and strengthen the function of eel extract prepared with 5 brix eel extract (EE), 5 brix eel and plant mix (black garlic, ginseng, black jujube) 0.35 ml extracts prepared and treated with the extract (EIM-1), and 0.7 ml (EIM-2) divided group. The extracts were administered to rats for five weeks during running training, and the lipid profiles and antioxidant enzyme activities were tested. The lipid content in liver and serum were lower than the normal group difference was not significant between groups. Serum total cholesterol was lower in the experimental group than the control group the mixed extract significantly lower level. HDL-cholesterol levels in the eel extract and eel mixed extract significantly increased by feeding the EIM-1 is 2.0 times, EIM-2 is increased by 2.3 times. Liver glycogen content in the experimental group performed the exercise group compared with the normal control group was significantly lower than in EIM is significantly higher than the control group. The TBARS content in the liver and serum was significantly higher than the normal group was lower than the control group. GOT and GPT were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Hepatic catalase activity was significantly increased in the EIM-1 group, and SOD and GSH-px activities were increased in the EIM-1 and EIM-2 groups. Supplementation with the eel and plant mix extract increased the activities of antioxidant enzymes. Thus, intake of the eel and plant mix extract could improve the antioxidant status and combat different types of oxidative stress.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2005

Ginseng Radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has been used in Eastern Asia for 2000 years as a tonic and restorative, promoting health and longevity. Two varieties are commercially available: white ginseng(Ginseng Radix Alba) is produced by air-drying the root, while red ginseng(Ginseng Radix Rubra) is produced by steaming the root followed by drying. These two varieties of different processing have somewhat differences by heat processing between them. During the heat processing for preparing red ginseng, it has been found to exhibit inactivation of catabolic enzymes, thereby preventing deterioration of ginseng quality and the increased antioxidant-like substances which inhibit lipid peroxide formation, and also good gastro-intestinal absorption by gelatinization of starch. Moreover, studies of changes in ginsenosides composition due to different processing of ginseng roots have been undertaken. The results obtained showed that red ginseng differ from white ginseng due to the lack of acidic malonyl-ginsenosides. The heating procedure in red ginseng was proved to degrade the thermally unstable malonyl-ginsenoside into corresponding netural ginsenosides. Also the steaming process of red ginseng causes degradation or transformation of neutral ginsenosides. Ginsenosides $Rh_2,\;Rh_4,\;Rs_3,\;Rs_4\;and\;Rg_5$, found only in red ginseng, have been known to be hydrolyzed products derived from original saponin by heat processing, responsible for inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was also formed in red ginseng and was shown to exhibit vasorelaxation properties, antimetastatic activities, and anti-platelet aggregation activity. Recently, steamed red ginseng at high temperature was shown to provide enhance the yield of ginsenosides $Rg_3\;and\;Rg_5$ characteristic of red ginseng Additionally, one of non-saponin constituents, panaxytriol, was found to be structually transformed from polyacetylenic alcohol(panaxydol) showing cytotoxicity during the preparation of red ginseng and also maltol, antioxidant maillard product, from maltose and arginyl-fructosyl-glucose, amino acid derivative, from arginine and maltose. In regard to the in vitro and in vivo comparative biological activities, red ginseng was reported to show more potent activities on the antioxidant effect, anticarcinogenic effect and ameliorative effect on blood circulation than those of white ginseng. In oriental medicine, the ability of red ginseng to supplement the vacancy(허) was known to be relatively stronger than that of white ginseng, but very few are known on its comparative clinical studies. Further investigation on the preclinical and clinical experiments are needed to show the differences of indications and efficacies between red and white ginsengs on the basis of oriental medicines.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.485-492
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• 2024

Sea cucumbers contain more than 50% protein in their solid content, and they also possess various bioactive substances such as saponins and mucopolysaccharides. This study analyzed the activities of various enzymes derived from Bacillus and lactic acid bacteria and determined to degrade the components of sea cucumbers. Among the analyzed strains, B. subtilis K26 showed the highest activities in protease and xylanase and relatively high activity in cellulase. Accordingly, samples of sea cucumber and water were mixed in equal proportions, sterilized, and then fermented by inoculating them with B. subtilis K26. Following this, a higher amino acid content was observed between 1.5 and 7.5 hr, a lower residual solid content in this time, and a lesser fermentation odor. The saponin content in fermented sea cucumber powder extracted with butanol was measured to be 1.12 mg/g. The chondroitin sulfate content was evaluated to be 5.11 mg/g in raw sea cucumber. The total polyphenol content, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activities were 6.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g, and 3.69 mg quercetin equivalent/g in raw sea cucumber, respectively. Moreover, the DNA damage protective effect of fermented sea cucumber extract was found to be concentration-dependent, with a very strong effect at very low concentrations. Overall, we suggest that sea cucumber fermented with B. subtilis K26 has a high potential as a food for inhibiting oxidation, enhancing immunity, and improving muscle function in the human body thanks to its high free amino acid content.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.409-417
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• 2010

Present study aimed to investigate morphological and physiological change in the tissues of Carassius auratus after exposure against Pb (lead) with various rearing condition. We measured the level of accumulated heavy metal and analyzed ultrastructure with transmission electron microscopy. The heavy metal, Pb, was accumulated in the gill, bone and integument increased drastically for exposure periods, the 40 days. The accumulation of Pb in the gill showed relatively higher than that in other tissues. And accumulated Pb amounts also were increased with exposure time dependent manner in the gill, bone and integument tissues. Also, specific activities of antioxidation enzymes in all tissue after exposure to Pb were increased in the course of exposure. And the activities of SOD from tissues exposed to Pb were increased 2 folds than those from the unexposed but GPX activities were maintained constant. The increased numbers of mucous cells in gill tissues exposed to Pb were determined and morphological changes, such as clubbing and fusion, were shown secondary lamella. Also, exposure of Pb for 40 days on gills tissues cause membrane damage in mitochondria and nucleus. In kidney tissues, the atrophied glomerulus was observed, and the empty space in Bowman's capsule was expanded. Based on the all results, it is suggested that the exposure to the high level of Pb for long period affect on the morphology of tissues, and change the enzymatic balance in C. auratus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.542-547
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• 2008

The anti-diabetic effects of water extracts (WE) from medicinal herbs on hepatic glucose-regulating enzymes, such as glucokinase (GCK), pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, were studied using the cytosol fraction in liver and mitochondia fraction in heart of a type II diabetic animal (GK rat, Goto-Kakizaki). The free radical scavenging activity of water extracts by DPPH method was also tested. We found that free radical scavenging activity was strong in Corni fructu (CF), Mokdan Bark (MDB), Chenhwabon (CHB) and Sanyack (SY), while that of Backbocreng (BBR), Shuckgihwang (SGH) and Taecsa (TS) was lower. For GCK activity in cytosol of liver, CF and CHB had a more effective activity than other extracts. PDH activity in mitochondria fraction of heart was higher in all of the extracts, expect for the TS extract, than in the control. ACC activity in cytosol fraction of liver was significantly higher in the CF, CHB, SGH, TS and SY extracts than in the control. CF, BBR and MDB led to a decrease in the ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity. Therefore, these results suggest that all of the extracts may be used as functional material in the development as anti-diabetic functional food and medicine.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.11
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• pp.1718-1724
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• 2010

Bioactive and chemical properties of silkworm powder (SP) degradation by fruit extract containing the proteolytic enzymes of kiwifruit, papaya, pineapple and pear were investigated. Silkworm powder was incubated with extracts from each fruit at $60^{\circ}C$ for 24 hr. Protein content was slightly higher in the SP treated with fruit extract than that in the control SP. Major minerals were K, Ca, Mg, and Zn. Major fatty acids were linolenic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. When total protein patterns were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), silkworm protein was strongly degraded by the treatment of fruit extract from pineapple, papaya, and pear, but little silkworm degradation was observed in kiwifruit extract treatment. Fibriolytic activity was only detected in the SP by the fruit extract treatments from papaya and pear. DPPH radical scavenging activity was slightly stronger in the SP treated with fruit extract than that in silkworm powder. However, all these samples exhibiteda relatively low activity compared with the butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). These results may provide the basic data for understanding the biological activities and chemical characteristics of SP treated with fruit extract for development of functional foods.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 1995

Paraquat, the representative bipyridilium herbicide, has high phytotoxic activity through generating toxic oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and hydroxy radical. The response patterns of plants to paraquat were various. It was assumed that the different response was derived from different antioxidative mechanisms including antioxidative enzymes and antioxidant. Paraquat treatment increased reducing sugar content and malondialdehyde formation at 35 days after treatment in a dose-dependent manner but chlorophyll content decreased. Glutathione content increased by paraquat treatment and tolerant species showed more glutathione content than susceptible species. Superoxide dismutase activity increased with the increase in paraquat concentration and that was higher in tolerant species than susceptible species. Photosynthetic activity(PSII activity) was affected by paraquat, so the susceptible species showed more reduced oxygen evolving capacity than tolerant species. Catalse, NADPH-cytochrome C reductase, and malate dehydrogenase, the enzymes tested in this study, showed that the activities decreased by paraquat treatment. Further studies are necessary to determine whether antioxidative system cause the tolerance to paraquat.

• Korean Journal of Weed Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2010

Differential tolerance to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox)-inhibiting herbicides, oxyfluorfen was observed between leaf ages in squash. Physiological responses to oxyfluorfen, including leaf injury, cellular leakage, accumulation of tetrapyrroles, and antioxidative enzymes activity, were investigated in leaf age classes of squash to identify mechanisms of oxyfluorfen tolerance. Leaf 1, 2, and 3 injuries for Joongangaehobak were >10,000, 1,286, and 1.6-fold higher than that of leaf 4, after treatment of oxyfluorfen. On the other hand, leaf 1, 2, and 3 injuries for Sintowjahobak were 725, 366, and >0.6-fold higher than that of leaf 4, after treatment of oxyfluorfen. However, in contrast to oxyfluorfen treatment results, leaf injury of squash leaf 4 treated with paraquat was much smaller than in leaves 1, 2 and 3. Electrolyte leakage from the tissues treated with oxyfluorfen was higher in the youngest leaf (Leaf 4) than in the older leaves 1, 2, and 3. Differential leaf response to oxyfluorfen of squash appears to be due in large part to differences in protoporphyrin IX (Proto IX), Mg-Proto IX, and Mg-Proto IX monomethyl ester accumulation in treated leaves. In contrast, leaf 4 had higher activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, and glutathione reductase than leaf 1 after treatment with oxyfluorfen. However, the induction in antioxidant activity in leaf 4 was not enough to overcome the toxic effects of a Protox inhibitor, oxyfluorfen, so the leaf eventually died.