• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.350-361
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• 2018

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The use of lactobacilli probiotics to reduce blood cholesterol levels have been extensively reported. However, more information is needed to evaluate the possible mechanisms involved and to identify possible targets for further therapeutic development. In this study, strains of lactobacilli were screened based on the ability to assimilate cholesterol, and prevention of cholesterol accumulation in hepatic (HepG2) and intestinal (HT-29) cells. Cell free supernatant (CFS) from Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 showed a higher ability to assimilate cholesterol, reduction in cholesterol accumulation in both HepG2 and HT-29 cells, accompanied by reduced mRNA expression of HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) in HepG2 (p<0.05), compared to other lactobacilli. The reduction of HMGCR expression was also diminished in the presence of an AMPK inhibitor (Compound C), suggesting that L. plantarum DR7 exerted its effect via the AMPK pathway, typically via the phosphorylation of AMPK instead of the AMPK mRNA expression in HepG2 (p<0.05). Altogether, our present study illustrated that lactobacilli could exert cholesterol lowering properties along the AMPK pathway, specifically via phosphorylation of AMPK that led to reduced expression of HMGCR.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.152-162
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• 2020

Cerebral ischemia exhibits a multiplicity of pathophysiological mechanisms. During ischemic stroke, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentration rises to a peak during reperfusion, possibly underlying neuronal death. Recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO) supplementation is one method of treating neurodegenerative disease by reducing the generation of ROS. We investigated the therapeutic effect of PEGylated EPO (P-EPO) on ischemic stroke. Mice were administered P-EPO (5,000 U/kg) via intravenous injection, and middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by reperfusion was performed to induce in vivo ischemic stroke. P-EPO ameliorated MCAO-induced neurological deficit and reduced behavioral disorder and the infarct area. Moreover, lipid peroxidation, expression of inflammatory proteins (cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase), and cytokine levels in blood were reduced by the P-EPO treatment. In addition, higher activation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was found in the brain after MCAO, but NF-κB activation was reduced in the P-EPO-injected group. Treatment with the NF-κB inhibitor PS-1145 (5 mg/kg) abolished the P-EPO-induced reduction of infarct volume, neuronal death, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Moreover, P-EPO was more effective than EPO (5,000 U/kg) and similar to a tissue plasminogen activator (10 mg/kg). An in vitro study revealed that P-EPO (25, 50, and 100 U/mL) treatment protected against rotenone (100 nM)-induced neuronal loss, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and NF-κB activity. These results indicate that the administration of P-EPO exerted neuroprotective effects on cerebral ischemia damage through anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting NF-κB activation.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.250-261
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• 2006

Diabetes mellitus, as a major health problem for the elderly, is associated with an extensive list of complications involving nearly every tissue in the body and has been shown to alter the properties of bone and impair fracture healing in both human and animals. The objective of this study was to examine the healing process of a mandibular fracture in the streptozotocin-induced rats histomorphometrically and histologically. A standardized fracture model was chosen and based on blood-glucose value at the time of surgery. A total of 11-weeks old 36 rats were divided into 2 groups; One is a streptozotocin-induced diabetic group and the other is a non-diabetic group. All was fractured experimentally. Three animals from each group were killed 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 weeks after fracture and specimens were processed undecalcified for quantitative bone histomorphometric and histologic studies. The diabetic group showed a significant decrease of histomorphometry-based parameter including trabecular bone volume, trabecular thickness in comparison to the non-diabetic rat. This was confirmed histologically. In conclusion, this study suggests that in streptozotocin-induced diabetics, the healing process of bone fracture was impaired and delayed about 2-3 weeks comparing to non-diabetics.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.1 s.124
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• pp.31-38
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• 2001

A lectin was purified from Allomyrina dichotoma (ADL) by physiological saline extraction, ammonium sulfate fractionation, anion exchange column chromatography on DEAE Sephadex A-50 and gel filtration column chromatography on Sephadex G-200. Several biochemical properties of ADL were characterized as follows: ADL from gel filtration column chromatography showed single band on SDS-PAGE. ADL agglutinated the erythrocytes of rabbit and human A, B, O, AB. Agglutinability was relatively stable at basic pH, and was stable at temperature below $40^{\circ}C$. Agglutinability was not affected by metal ions and EDTA. This lectin was proved to be a glycoprotein which contains 0.47% of sugars. The molecular weight of ADL was estimated to be 97,000 dalton by SDS-PAGE. By amino acid analysis, ADL exhibited high amounts of aspartic acid. The lectin's immunomodulating effect was measured as cytokine production. The productions of 5 cytokines $(IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-2,\;IL-6,\;IFN{\gamma}\;and\;TNF{\alpha})$ from peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured by ELISA. The lectin induced the highest secretion of IL-2 at 8 hr, $TNF{\alpha}$ at 4 hr, and $IFN{\gamma}$ at 24hr, respectively. These results suggest that ADL can elicit the production of detectable cytokines from PBMC.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.16 no.1 s.29
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• pp.475-498
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• 1995

For the purpose of developing Korean Herbalogy with the plants of Urticaceae which grow wild and is planted in Korea, the these and writings on herbalogy, from literature of successive generations, have been thoroughly investigative and the results obtained were as follows: 1. There were totaled 11 genera and 44 species in Korea and among them medecinal plants are 9 genera, 19 species, some 43% in total but the number of species may be added because of similar plants. 2. According to the oriental name which can be used for medical purpose, the medicinal plants beloning to the Urticaceae were classified as Herba 10, Radix 8, Folium 3, Cortex 1, Flos 1, Rhizoma 1. Thus it was noticed that Herba was the main kind. 3. According to sum of 44 species in Urticaceae they were classified into Boehemeria genera 18, Urtica genera 9, Pliea genera 5, Elastosma genera 3, Parietaria genera 2, Pellionia genera 2, Achudemia 1, Debregeasia genera 1, Girardinia genera 1, Laportea genera 1, Nanocnide genera 1 etc. Thus it was noticed that Boehemeria genera was the main kind, some 41% in total. 4. According to nature and flavour of medicinal plants, they were classified into cold, cool; 6 each, wormth, heat; 4 each, balance 3. Thus it was noticed that cold and cool is the main in nature and flavour of medicinal plants. 5. According to the Properties and Principal Curative action, they were classified into, clearing up heat and toxin 9, drugs for urination an removing abscess 7, drugs for circulating blood and hemostasis 7, drugs for expelling wind 5, drugs for comporting embryo 4, 6. Comparing to whole medicinal plants 44 kinds, toxic durgs include minor toxin were 2 kinds, 5% of the whole. Thus toxic durgs were rare. From this result, It was revealed that the plants for medical purpose in Urticaceae was 43% kinds of the whole, in which Herba was mostly abundunt, toxic plants were so rare that it will be used for clinical treatments more easily. It is considered that many clinical experiments and approaches must be continued to use widely.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.47-52
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• 2011

Periodontal disease is a common inflammatory disorder that is being considered as a risk factor for atherosclerotic complication. Recent epidemiological evidence also supports that its potential association with increased blood pressure levels and hypertensive prevalence. Data from cross-sectional studies suggest that in hypertensive patients periodontal disease may enhance the risk and degree of target organ damage. So dental infections have been associated with cardiovascular diseases. There are potential pathophysiologic links between hypertension and periodontits. The role of the inflammatory pathway include C-reactive protein(CRP). CRP is an inflammatory mediator that has been shown to predict the development of hypertension independently of baseline BP and traditional risk factors, has been consistently reported as at least mildly elevated in patients with periodontal disease. Reactive oxygen species produced by locally infiltrating neutrophils participate in periodontal tissue destruction. Periodontits can lead to inflammatory responses in the atrial myocardium, which disturbs the structural and electrophysiologic properties of the atrium and facilitates atrial fibrillation in the animal experiment.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Red grape seeds as functional food are a good source of important bioactive components such as phenolics and antioxidants, which decrease oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of hepatotoxicity. The current study was conducted in order to evaluate the protective effect of red grape dried seeds (RGDS) on antioxidant properties, lipid metabolism, and liver and kidney functions of rats with paracetamol (750 mg/kg) induced hepatotoxicity. MATERIALS/METHODS: RGDS was added to the basal diet at 5, 10, and 20%. Thirty five adult male rats were assigned to five groups (n = 7) for a six-week feeding period; group (1) normal control, group (2) induced control, groups (3, 4, and 5) fed a diet with RGPS at different levels, 5, 10, and 20%, respectively. At the end of the feeding period, animals' blood and tissues were collected for estimation of serum lipid profile, serum liver, and kidney biomarkers. The protection was measured by detecting lipid peroxidation (LPO), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) (in liver tissues), and liver histological examination. RESULTS: The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in levels of serum cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), with a significant increase in level of high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) for RGDS groups compared to induced control. Rats administered a diet containing RGDS levels produced significant (P < 0.05) hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of liver enzymes, kidney parameters, and lipid peroxidation, while levels of GSH, SOD, and CAT were increased significantly to near the normal levels. CONCLUSION: The RGDS 20% group was more effective than others against hepatotoxicity of paracetamol, which may be attributed to RGDS total phenols and antioxidant contents, which were 1.438 mg and 1.231 mg, respectively.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 2003

General pharmacological properties of DA-8159, a new pyrazolopyrimidinone derivative were examined in laboratory animals to investigate its safety profile. The oral administration of DA-8159 (1, 5 or 30 mg/kg) in mice and rats had no effect on general behaviors and central nervous system of the animals in test systems, such as hexobarbital-induced sleeping time, motor coordination, normal body temperature, writhing syndromes induced by 0.75% acetic acid solution, chemo-shock produced by pentetrazole solution and rotar rod test. Anesthetized cats treated intravenously with DA-8159 (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg) showed transient and mild decrease in blood pressure. However, heart rate, respiration rate and tidal volume were not changed by intravenous DA-8159. In the isolated organs including ileum, heart (sinus rate of atria and contractility of papillary muscle), trachea of guinea pigs and phrenic nerve of rats, DA-8159 ($10^{-8}$ ∼$10^{-5}$ mg/L) did not elicit any effect or inhibitory action on the chemically or electrically stimulated contraction. DA-8159 did not influence gastric secretion, pH and total acid output in rats and intestinal propulsion in mice. The administration of DA-8159 in rats had no effect on the platelet aggregation induced by ADP in rabbit plasma, urinary volume and electrolyte ion ($Na^{+}$, $K^{+}$, $Cl^{-}$) excretion in rats. Prothrombin time (PT) of the rats showed a mild but significant increase after administration of DA-8159. Activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), however, was not affected by DA-8159. These results indicate that DA-8159 does not exert any of serious pharmacological effects.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.114-121
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• 2004

This study was undertaken to evaluate the general pharmacological properties of CJ-11828, an amlodipine adipate, in experimental animals and in vitro system. CJ-11828 had no effects on general behavior, motor coordination, writhing syndromes, pentetrazol-induced chemoshock and electric shock in mice at dose levels of 3,10, anti 30 mg/kg, po. But there were decrease of body temperature, prolongation of sleeping time, and inhibition of intestinal activity in mice treated with CJ-11828 at doses of 10 and 30 mg/kg, po. CJ-11828 decreased the blood pressure in coscuous fog at the dose level of 2mg/kg, po, but it was expected as a result of pharmacological activity of CJ-11828. Any effect on respiratory system was not observed in conscious rat at doses of 3,10, and 30 mg/kg, po. The slight decrease in spontaneous motor activity was observed in mice treated with CJ-11828 at high dose, 30 mg/kg. In vitro experiments, CJ-11828 had no effect on agonists-induced contraction of isolated guinea pig ileum at 0.1, 1, and 10 ${\mu}$M. Based on these results, it was concluded that CJ-11828 had no pharmacological effect ill these studies even up to the 36-fold anticipated clinical dose, 3 mg/kg.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.305-312
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• 2015

Paeonol is a major component found in the Paeoniaceae family such as Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews. Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews has traditionally been used to enhance blood flow and relieve joint pain in east Asian countries including China, Korea and Japan. Current research has shown that paeonol blocked the voltage-gated sodium channel and L-type calcium channel. However, there is a lack of research to reveal the relation between cardiac function and blockade of ion channels by paeonol. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate whether paeonol has anti-arrhythmic effects via modulating cardiac ion channels. It is collected that the effects of paeonol on multiple ion channels such as the fast sodium channel and L-type calcium channel from published papers. To incorporate the information on multi-channel block, we computed the effects using the mathematical cardiac model of the guinea-pig and rat ventricular cells (Noble 1998 and 1991 model) and induced early after-depolarizations (EADs) to generate an arrhythmia in the whole heart. Paeonol slightly shortened the action potential duration in the normal cardiac ventricular action potential by the inhibition of sodium channel and L-type calcium channel. Paeonol presented the protective effect from EADs by the inactivation of sodium channel but not L-type calcium channel. Paeonol did not show any changes when it treated on normal ventricular cells through the inhibition of sodium channel, but the protective effect of paeonol through sodium channel on EADs was dose-dependent. These findings suggest that paeonol and its original plant may possess anti-arrhythmic activity, which implies their cardioprotective effects.