• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2016

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a natural, hydrophilic nontoxic bile acid, is clinically effective for treating cholestatic and chronic liver diseases. We investigated the chronic effects of UDCA on age-related lipid homeostasis and underlying molecular mechanisms. Twenty-week-old C57BL/6 male and female mice were fed a diet with or without 0.3% UDCA supplementation for 25 weeks. UDCA significantly reduced weight gain, adiposity, hepatic triglyceride, and hepatic cholesterol without incidental hepatic injury. UDCA-mediated hepatic triglyceride reduction was associated with downregulated hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and of other genes involved in lipogenesis (Chrebp, Acaca, Fasn, Scd1, and Me1) and fatty acid uptake (Ldlr, Cd36). The inflammatory cytokines Tnfa, Ccl2, and Il6 were significantly decreased in liver and/or white adipose tissues of UDCA-fed mice. These data suggest that UDCA exerts beneficial effects on age-related metabolic disorders by lowering the hepatic lipid accumulation, while concurrently reducing hepatocyte and adipocyte susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2016

Trichomonas vaginalis causes the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Trichomonads have been detected in prostatic tissues from prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer. Chronic prostatic inflammation is known as a risk factor for prostate enlargement, benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, and acute urinary retention. Our aim was to investigate whether T. vaginalis could induce inflammatory responses in cells of a benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell line (BPH-1). When BPH-1 cells were infected with T. vaginalis, the protein and mRNA of inflammatory cytokines, such as CXCL8, CCL2, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6, were increased. The activities of TLR4, ROS, MAPK, JAK2/STAT3, and NF-${\kappa}B$ were also increased, whereas inhibitors of ROS, MAPK, PI3K, NF-${\kappa}B$, and anti-TLR4 antibody decreased the production of the 4 cytokines although the extent of inhibition differed. However, a JAK2 inhibitor inhibited only IL-6 production. Culture supernatants of the BPH-1 cells that had been incubated with live T. vaginalis (trichomonad-conditioned medium, TCM) contained the 4 cytokines and induced the migration of human monocytes (THP-1 cells) and mast cells (HMC-1 cells). TCM conditioned by BPH-1 cells pretreated with NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor showed decreased levels of cytokines and induced less migration. Therefore, it is suggested that these cytokines are involved in migration of inflammatory cells. These results suggest that T. vaginalis infection of BPH patients may cause inflammation, which may induce lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.921-934
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• 2020

Lck-interacting transmembrane adaptor 1 (LIME) has been previously identified as a raft-associated transmembrane protein expressed predominantly in T and B lymphocytes. Although LIME is shown to transduce the immunoreceptor signaling and immunological synapse formation via its tyrosine phosphorylation by Lck, a Src-family kinase, the in vivo function of LIME has remained elusive in the previous studies. Here we report that LIME is preferentially expressed in effector T cells and mediates chemokine-mediated T cell migration. Interestingly, in LIME^-/- mice, while T cell receptor stimulation-dependent proliferation, differentiation to effector T cells, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) function and regulatory T lymphocyte (Treg) function were normal, only T cell-mediated inflammatory response was significantly defective. The reduced inflammation was accompanied by the impaired infiltration of leukocytes and T cells to the inflammatory sites of LIME^-/- mice. More specifically, the absence of LIME in effector T cells resulted in the reduced migration and defective morphological polarization in response to inflammatory chemokines such as CCL5 and CXCL10. Consistently, LIME^-/- effector T cells were found to be defective in chemokine-mediated activation of Rac1 and Rap1, and dysregulated phosphorylation of Pyk2 and Cas. Taken together, the present findings show that LIME is a critical regulator of inflammatory chemokine-mediated signaling and the subsequent migration of effector T cells to inflammatory sites.

• BMB Reports
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.394-399
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• 2018

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (Tat) is an important viral factor in neuro-inflammation. Hindsiipropane B, present in Celastrus hindsii, possesses various biological mechanisms including anti-inflammatory activity. In this report, we explored the regulatory activity of hindsiipropane B on HIV-1 Tat-mediated chemokine production and its mode of action in astrocytes. Hindsiipropane B significantly alleviated HIV-1 Tat-mediated production of inflammatory chemokines, CCL2, CXCL8, and CXCL10. Hindsiipropane B inhibited expression of HDAC6, which is important regulator in HIV-1 Tat-mediated chemokine production. Hindsiipropane B diminished HIV-1 Tat-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and NADPH oxidase activation/expression. Furthermore, hindsiipropane B inhibited HIV-1 Tat-mediated signaling cascades including MAPK, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and AP-1. These data suggest that hindsiipropane B exerts its inhibitory effects on HIV-1 Tat-mediated chemokine production via down-regulating the HDAC6-NADPH oxidaseMAPK-$NF-{\kappa}B$/AP-1 signaling axis, and could serve as a therapeutic lead compound against HIV-1 Tat-associated neuro-inflammation.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.185-193
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• 2010

Histone deacetylation and demethylation are epigenetic mechanisms implicated in cancer. Studies regarding the role of modulation of gene expression utilizing the histone deacetylase inhibitor scriptaid and the demethylating agent 5-azacytidine in HL-60 leukemia cells have been limited. We studied the possibility of recovering epigenetically silenced genes by scriptaid and 5-azacytidine in human leukemia cells by DNA microarray analysis. The first group was leukemia cells that were cultured with 5-azacytidine. The second group was cultured with scriptaid. The other group was cultured with both agents. Two hundred seventy newly developed genes were expressed after the combination of 5-azacytidine and scriptaid. Twenty-nine genes were unchanged after the combination treatment of 5-azacytidine and scriptaid. Among the 270 genes, 13 genes were differed significantly from the control. HPGD, CPA3, CEACAM6, LOC653907, ETS1, RAB37, PMP22, FST, FOXC1, and CCL2 were up-regulated, and IGLL3, IGLL1, and ASS1 were down-regulated. Eleven genes associated with oncogenesis were found among the differentially expressed genes: ETS1, ASCL2, BTG2, BTG1, SLAMF6, CDKN2D, RRAS, RET, GIPC1, MAGEB, and RGL4. We report the results of our leukemia cell microarray profiles after epigenetic combination therapy with the hope that they are the starting point of selectively targeted epigenetic therapy.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.937-949
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• 2008

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to investigate the anti-hepatotoxic effect of ginseng in rats induced with CC14 or TCDD, the toxicities that cause liver damages. Primary studies were collected from the ScienceDirect database, the DBpia, and the KISS. The data on the effect factors in plasma and in enzyme are listed as many as possible: The effect factors were alanine transaminase(ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST), liver aminopyrine N-demethylase(AD), liver aniline hydroxylase(AH), liver 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine(liver MDA), cytochrome P450(P450), serum alkaline phosphatase(ALP), serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cytochrome b5(Cyto b5), glutathione reductase (GR), Liver glutathione S-transferase(GST), liver glutamyltransferase (GT), Liver($\gamma$-GCS), serum liver 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine(serum MDA), serum sorbitol dehydrogenase(SDH), serum total protein(TP), and serum $\gamma$-glutamyltransferase($\gamma$-GT). In order to investigate the effect of ginseng, the standard mean difference(HG) between the group of rats induced with toxicity(RH) and the group of rats induced with ginseng(RHG) were combined, and the significance of HGs were tested. The combined HGs checked the biases caused by heterogeneity among studies and the publication biases. Then they were adjusted by using the random effect model and trim and fill method. Although the publication biases were assumed, among all plasma factors the HGs of ALT, AST, serum MDA, SDH, TP, and $\gamma$-GT were significant, and among all enzyme factors the HGs of liver MDA, Cyto b5, GR, GST, and GT were significant. The treatment with ginseng significantly affected the plasma and enzyme levels in rats induced with toxicity.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.225-229
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• 1999

Enzymatic resolution reactions were investigated using Candida rugosa lipase for the production of potically pure S-(+)-Ketoprofen. When the enzymatic hydroysis (and esterification) of recemic ketoprofen esters (and recemic ketoprofen with alcohol) was investigated comparatively, aqueous media was more specific for S-enantiomer than organic media. In the enzymatic hydrolysis of racemic ketoprofen ethyl ester in aqueous media, optimal temperature and pH for enantioselectivity were $37^{\circ}C$ and 4, respectively. The stereoselectivity of the enzyme was enhanced by adding dialcohols such as ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The enantiomeric ratio obtained in the 40 %(v/v) ethylene glycol was 2-fold higher than that without the additive. By adding $CH_2Cl_2$, $CHCl_3$ and $CCl_4$ (5%,v/v), the enantioselectivity was reversed. A dramatic increase in the stereoselectivity was achieved using lipase purified by anion exchange chromatography. The type A lipase(the first eluted lipase fraction) showed an enantiomeric ratio of >100, whereas the type B lipase(the second eluted lipase fraction) exhibited enantimomer ratio of 9.0 in the hydrolysis of racemic ketoprofen ethyl ester.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.239-244
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• 2003

Recently, we reported (J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr, 31(3): 516-520, 2002) that Semisulcospira libertina (Marsh Snail) pretreatment has a hepatoprotective effect on $CCl_4$-induced liver damage in rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible mechanisms of hepatoprotection by S. libertina (SL) on liver injury induced by acetaminophen (AA). Male ICR mice were pretreated with dehydrated powder of SL once daily for three consecutive days, given a single toxic dose of AA (450 mg/kg) and liver function determined 24 h later. Liver damage was assessed by quantifying serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) activities, and by measuring hepatic lipid peroxidation. To confirm possible mechanism(s), the content of hepatic glutathione (GSH) and gene expression of tumor necrosis factor a (TNF $\alpha$) mRNA by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) were also measured. Pretreatment with SL dramatically lowered AA-elevated ALT, AST and SDH activities. SL pretreatment decreased AA-produced lipid peroxidation by 11% and restored the AA-depleted hepatic GSH by 27%. Furthermore, SL markedly suppressed the expression of TNF $\alpha$ mRNA induced by AA. Our findings revealed that the possible hepatoprotective mechanisms of SL could be attributed, at least in part, to the glutathione-mediated detoxification as well as the regulation of TNF $\alpha$ mRNA expression.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 1983

Aucubin, an iridoid glucoside which was previously reported to exhibit liver-protective activities against $CCl_4$ and ${\alpha}-amanitin$ induced liver damages, was subject to toxicological studies. To measure the lethal dose, the doses of 100mg/kg, 300mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 900mg/kg were administered intraperitoneally to experimental mice. No death was observed 24 hrs later, but serum GOT and alkaline phosphatase activities were deceased slightly at the doses of 300mg to 900mg/kg, and the triglyceride contents were slightly increased. To investigate acute toxicity of aucubin itself, multiple dosages(20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg for four times a week) were injected intraperitoneally into mice, then serum enzymes activities and chemistries were assayed; no significant change of the enzyme activities of alkaline phosphatase, GPT, GOT in the test groups were observed in comparison with those of the control group, and the contents of triglyceride, glucose, urea nitrogen and total proteins in the test group serums appeared to be almost same levels as those of the control group were. Histological examiation on liver biopsy samples indicated no gross changes between the control group and the test group were noted. Therefore, aucubin appears to be apparently low toxic substance and its minimum lethal dose in mouse seems to be more than 0.9 g.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.172-183
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• 2020

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) is considered as a promising therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its involvement in inflammatory processes. However, limited studies have reported the involvement of PI3KC2γ in RA, and the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of PI3KC2γ as a novel therapeutic target for RA and the effect of its selective inhibitor, PBT-6. In this study, we observed that PI3KC2γ was markedly increased in the synovial fluid and tissue as well as the PBMCs of patients with RA. PBT-6, a novel PI3KC2γ inhibitor, decreased the cell growth of TNF-mediated synovial fibroblasts and LPS-mediated macrophages. Furthermore, PBT-6 inhibited the PI3KC2γ expression and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in both synovial fibroblasts and macrophages. In addition, PBT-6 suppressed macrophage migration via CCL2 and osteoclastogenesis. In CIA mice, it significantly inhibited the progression and development of RA by decreasing arthritis scores and paw swelling. Three-dimensional micro-computed tomography confirmed that PBT-6 enhanced the joint structures in CIA mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that PI3KC2γ is a therapeutic target for RA, and PBT-6 could be developed as a novel PI3KC2γ inhibitor to target inflammatory diseases including RA.