• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.61-76
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• 2006

Purpose : This study examined the non-toxic and the anti-oxidative effect of Dioscoreae Rhizoma on PC12 cells. Sanyak(Dioscoreae Rhizoma; chinese yam, shan yao) is well-known for its curing power for kidney, lung, spleen. Tonifies and augments the spleen and stomach. Tonifies the lung gi and augments the kidney yin. Tonifies the kidneys and also stabilizes and binds. it also binds the essence and treats spermatorrhea, frequent urination, and vaginal discharge. We are therefore interested in whether Dioscoreae Rhizoma is capable of causing abnormal apoptosis processes, and whether this condition can be rectified through Dioscoreae Rhizoma herb treatment. Methods : We used aqueous extract to treat PC12 cells with different concentrations treated with a water or a MeOH extract of Dioscoreae Rhizoma (0, x10, x20, x40, x80). The MTT (3, (4, 5-dimethyl-thiazol) 2, 5-diphenyl-tetraxolium bromide) reduction assay was employed to quantify the differences in cell activity and viability. The Bax expression level was monitored using western-blotting techniques. The patterns of the changes in expression were scanned and analyzed. Results : Bax and GSK-3${\beta}$ promotes cell death and down-regulated during the development of the PC12 cells. This is indicated that Dioscoreae Rhizoma is capable of inducing apoptosis in PC12 cells. The induced cell death and significantly inhibited by Dioscoreae Rhizoma, which can be explained by the increase in the inhibition of Bax and GSK-3${\beta}$ expression. It was also shown that Dioscoreae Rhizoma inhibits the release of $H_2O_2$ and prevents lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the accumulation of wild type Bax protein significantly downregulated in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment with Dioscoreae Rhizoma. Conclusion : In conclusion, Dioscoreae Rhizoma can induce apoptosis via a Bax-dependent pathway or GSK-3${\beta}$ dependent pathway in PC12 cells into anti-oxidant and protective effect.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.70-77
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• 1999

Purpose : The expression of p53, P211WAF/CIP, Bcl-2, and Bax underlying the radiation-induced apoptosis in different pH environments using SCK mammary adenocarcinoma cell line was investigated. Materials and Methods Mammary adenocarcinoma cells of hi) mice (SCK cells) in exponential growth phase were irradiated with a linear accelerator at room temperature. The cells were irradiated with 12 Gy and one hour later, the media was replaced with fresh media at a different pHs. After Incubation at 37Microbioiogy, College of Medicine Dong A University for 0$\~$48 h, the extort of apoptosis was determined using agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometry. The progression of cells through the cell cycle after irradiation in different pHs was also determined with flow cytometry. Western blot analysis was used to monitor p53, p211WAFfCIP, Bcl-2, and Bu protein levels. Results : The induction of apoptosis by irradiation in pH 6.6 medium was markedly less than that in pH 7.5 medium. The radiation-induced G2IM arrest in pH 6.6 medium lasted markedly longer than that in pH 7.5 medium. Considerable amounts of p53 and p21 proteins already existed at pH 7.5 and increased the level of p53 and p21 significantly after 12 Gy X-irradiation. An incubation at pH 6.6 after 12 Gy X-irradiation did not change the level of p53 and p21 protein levels significantly. Bcl-2 proteins were not significantly affected by radiation and showed no correlation with cell susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis in different pHs. An exposure to 12 Gy of X-rays increased the level of Bax protein at pH 7.5 but at pH 6.6, it was slight. Conclusions : The molecular mechanism underlying radiation-induced apoptosis in dinerent pH environments using SCK mammary adenocarcinoma cell line was dependent of the expression p53 and P211YVAF/CIP proteins. We may propose following hypothesis that an acidic stress augments the radiation-induced G2iM arrest, which inhibiting the irradiated cells undergo post-mitotic apoptosis. The effects of environmental acidity on anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic function of Bcl-2 family was unclear in SCK mammary adenocarcinoma cell line.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.418-428
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• 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of resistance exercise(RE) on beta-amyloid(Aβ) metabolism, neuronal cell death, and cognitive function in the transgenic mice model of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Fourteen transgenic(tg) mice and fourteen non-transgenic(non-tg) mice were divided into four groups: (1)non-tg-control(NTC, n=7) (2)non-tg-RE(NTRE, n=7) (3)tg-control(TC, n=7), and (4)tg-RE(TRE, n=7). The groups with RE were performed to progressive RE on ladder equipment for 8 weeks. The groups with RE were performed to progressive RE on ladder equipment for 8 weeks. After then, the cognitive function was measured by using the water maze test, and Aβ metabolism-related proteins, neuronal cell death, and SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway were also measured. Here, we found escape latency and time were significantly increased in the TC compared to the NTC group, but it was significantly reduced in the TRE group, indicating RE may ameliorate cognitive dysfunction. Next, we found an increased in Aβ protein of TC compared to NTC, but it was significantly reduced in the TRE group following RE. In neuronal cell death, Bcl-2 was also significantly decreased and Bax was significantly increased in the TC compared to the NTC group, but RE can increase Bcl-2 and reduce Bax, which may elevate the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax. We further found a decrease in the level of ADAM10 and RARβ protein was significantly increased whereas increased in ROCK1 and BACE1 expression level was significantly reduced following RE in the TRE compared to the TC group. In addition, the level of SIRT1/PGC-1α proteins was decreased in the TC group compared to NTC group, but, these markers were significantly increased in the TRE group following RE. Therefore, our finding indicated that RE may ameliorate cognitive deficits by reducing Aβ protein and neuronal cell death via regulating SIRT1/PGC-1α, amyloidogenic pathway, and non-amyloidogenic pathway, which may play a role in an effective strategy for AD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2005

The effects of different concentrations of estrogen supplementation to mature female rats or estrogen supplementation to ovariectomized rats on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, PGE$_2$ production and mapkinases expression were investigated in experimentally induced atherogenic rats with feeding a high fat. high cholesterol diet. In the first experiment using 48-week old mature rats, the supplementation of three different levels of estrogen was compared to the basal diet. The high concentration of estrogen supplementation induced the marked up-regulation of COX-2 protein and the increase in plasma PGE$_2$ production and this seems to be followed by the up-regulation of p38 among mapkinases. The regulation of bax showed in a reverse trend of COX-2 in heart tissues of mature female rats. In the second ex-perimental system, female Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized; sham-operated animals were used as controls. Three weeks later, the animals were supplied with basal diet to sham-operated control group and ovariectomized control group, and estrogen supplemented diet to ovariectomized group for an eight-week experimental period. In a group supplemented with a medium dose of estrogen, COX-2 expression was up-regulated. This up-regulation was accompanied by the elevated expression of pERK1/2. Bax was increased in estrogen-fed animals indicating bax might be involved in estrogen feeding state in ovariectomized rats. Further investigations on the relationship between COX-2 and biological activities such as vasodilation by estrogen are required in in vivo system of female rats at the various physiological states.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.617-624
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• 2007

Insulin-like growth factor(IGF) is the most abundant growth factor in bone matrix. Recent studies have shown that it can sensitize apoptotic cell death of osteoblasts. Thus, this study investigated whether IGF-II aggravates irradiation-induced cell death of osteoblasts. Cultured MC3T3 osteoblasts were irradiated and IGF-II was added at the concentration of 50 ng/ml immediately after the irradiation. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Changes in cell death and cell cycle were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of proapoptotic gene bax and antiapoptotic gene bcl-2 was quantified by real time RT-PCR and Western blot. A dose of 30 Gy caused G2/M arrest and increased cell death through both necrosis and apoptosis, while irradiation from 4 to 10 Gy little affected cell cycle and death. IGF-II treatment reduced cell viability without stimulating cell proliferation and changing cell cycle. Combined treatment of IGF-II with irradiation decreased cell viability and proliferation and increased cell death along with G2/M arrest. These effects were not different from those of irradiation only. At transcriptional and protein levels, IGF-II treatment did not affect bax and bcl-2 expression, whereas irradiation increased the expression ofbax without changes in bcl-2. IGF-II in combination with irradiation showed similar findings. These results suggest that IGF-II could modulate apoptotic cell death through mechanisms other than an imbalance between bax and bcl-2 gene expression, although its effect was overridden by irradiation.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.3211-3217
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• 2014

Background: The current study investigated the effects of Piper longumine on radio-sensitization of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and underlying mechanisms. Materials and Methods: Human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured in vitro and those in logarithmic growth phase were selected for experiments divided into four groups: control, X-ray exposed, Piper longumine, and Piper longumine combined with X-rays. Conogenic assays were performed to determine the radio-sensitizing effects. Cell survival curves were fitted by single-hit multi-target model and then the survival fraction (SF), average lethal dose ($D_0$), quasi-threshold dose ($D_q$) and sensitive enhancement ratio (SER) were calculated. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Western blot assays were employed for expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Bc1-2 and Bax) after treatment with Piper longumine and/or X-ray radiation. The intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was detected by FCM with a DCFH-DA probe. Results: The cloning formation capacity was decreased in the group of piperlongumine plus radiation, which displayed the values of SF2, D0, Dq significantly lower than those of radiation alone group and the sensitive enhancement ratio (SER) of D0 was1.22 and 1.29, respectively. The cell apoptosis rate was increased by the combination treatment of Piper longumine and radiation. Piper longumine increased the radiation-induced intracellular levels of ROS. Compared with the control group and individual group, the combination group demonstrated significantly decreased expression of Bcl-2 with increased Bax. Conclusions: Piper longumine at a non-cytotoxic concentration can enhance the radio-sensitivity of MDA-MB-231cells, which may be related to its regulation of apoptosis-related protein expression and the increase of intracellular ROS level, thus increasing radiation-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.548-555
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• 2008

Rubiae radix belonging to the family Rubiaceae have been used in traditional medicine to blood stasis and hemostasis. In this study, we reported that methanol extract of Rubiae radix (RRME) induced apoptotic cell death through MAPKs activation in human promylocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. The cytotoxic activity of activity of RRME in HL-60 cells was increased in a dose-dependent manner. RRME was cytotoxic to HL-60 cells, with IC50 of $8{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment of RRME to HL-60 cells showed apoptotic bodies, and the fragmentation of DNA, suggesting that these cells underwent apoptosis. Caspase-3 activity and PARP cleavage were time-dependently increased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax. And ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression. Activation of p38 and JNK were increased 6 hr after RRME treatment in HL-60 cells, but activation of ERK was reduced 24 hr after treatment. Taken together, these results suggest that RRME induces apoptotic cell death through activation of p38 and JNK in HL-60 cells.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was carried out in order to examine the effects of Gastrodiae rhizoma(GR) ethanol extract on neuronal apoptosis in intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)-induced rats. Methods: ICH was induced by the stereotaxic intrastriatal injection of bacterial collagenase type VII in Sprague-Dawley rats. GR was orally given once a day for 3 days after ICH. Histological changes of the peri-hematoma regions were observed by cresyl vioIet staining. Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), B-cell blastoma 2(BcI-2) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) expressions in the affected regions were performed by immunohistochemistry. Results: 1. GR reduced apoptotic bodies and swelling neurons in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. 2. GR significantly reduced TUNEL positive cells in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. 3. GR significantly reduced Bax positive cells in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. 4. GR did not influence Bcl-2 expression in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. Conclusions: These results suggest that GR has neuroprotective effects against ICH-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.9
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• pp.1363-1369
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• 2013

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) can selectively induce apoptosis by targeting cancer cells. However, some cancer cells are resistant to TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity. One method of overcoming TRAIL resistance is combination treatment with reagents to sensitize cells to TRAIL. Luteolin, a flavonoid, has been shown to have anti-cancer effects by inducing apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in various cancer cell lines in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effects of combination treatment with non-toxic concentration of TRAIL and luteolin in T24 human bladder cancer cells. Combined treatment with luteolin and TRAIL significantly inhibits cell proliferation via activation of caspases by inducing Bid truncation, up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). However, the apoptotic effects of combination treatment with luteolin and TRAIL were significantly inhibited by specific caspases inhibitors. Taken together, these results indicate that combination treatment with TRAIL and luteolin can induce apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant cancer cells through down-regulation of XIAP and modulation of tBid and Bax expression.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.473-481
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• 2020

Axl receptor tyrosine kinase has been implicated in cancer progression, invasion, and metastasis in various cancer types. Axl overexpression has been observed in many cancers, and selective inhibitors of Axl, including R428, may be promising therapeutic agents for several human cancers, such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Here, we examined the cell growth inhibition mediated by R428 and auranofin individually as well as in combination in the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 to identify new advanced combination treatments for human breast cancer. Our data showed that combination therapy with R428 and auranofin markedly inhibited cancer cell proliferation. Isobologram analyses of these cells indicated a clear synergism between R428 and auranofin with a combination index value of 0.73. The combination treatment promoted apoptosis as indicated by caspase 3 activation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Cancer cell migration was also significantly inhibited by this combination treatment. Moreover, we found that combination therapy significantly increased the expression level of Bax, a mitochondrial proapoptotic factor, but decreased that of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein. Furthermore, the suppression of cell viability and induction of Bax expression by the combination treatment were recovered by treatment with N-acetylcysteine. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that combined treatment with R428 and auranofin synergistically induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and may thus serve as a novel and valuable approach for cancer therapy.