• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.40-48
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• 2016

The pregnane X receptor (PXR), a liver and intestine specific receptor,, has been reported to be related with the repression of inflammation as well as activation of cytochromosome P450 3A (CYP3A) expression. We examined the effect of PXR on tetrachloromethane (CCl4)-induced mouse liver inflammation in this work. Ginkgolide A, one main component of Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE), activated PXR and enhanced PXR expression level, displayed both significant therapeutic effect and preventive effect against $CCl_4$-induced mouse hepatitis. siRNA-mediated decrease of PXR expression significantly reduced the efficacy of Ginkgolide A in treating $CCl_4$-induced inflammation in mice. Flavonoids, another important components of GBE, were shown anti-inflammatory effect in a different way from Ginkgolide A which might be independent on PXR because flavonoids significantly inhibited CYP3A11 activities in mice. The results indicated that anti-inflammatory effect of PXR might be mediated by enhancing transcription level of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ through binding of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$. Inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ activity by NF-${\kappa}B$-specific suppressor $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ is one of the potential mechanisms of Ginkgolide A against CCl4-induced liver inflammation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.370-378
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• 2018

Background: Ginseng has been the subject of many experimental and clinical studies to uncover the diverse biological activities of its constituent compounds. It is a traditional medicine that has been used for its immunostimulatory, antithrombotic, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Ginseng may interact with concomitant medications and alter metabolism and/or drug transport, which may alter the known efficacy and safety of a drug; thus, the role of ginseng may be controversial when taken with other medications. Methods: We extensively assessed the effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) in rats on the expression of enzymes responsible for drug metabolism [cytochrome p450 (CYP)] and transporters [multiple drug resistance (MDR) and organic anion transporter (OAT)] in vitro and on the pharmacokinetics of two probe drugs, midazolam and fexofenadine, after a 2-wk repeated administration of KRG at different doses. Results: The results showed that 30 mg/kg KRG significantly increased the expression level of CYP3A11 protein in the liver and 100 mg/kg KRG increased both the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1 in the kidney. Additionally, KRG significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of OAT1, OAT3, and MDR1 in the liver. Although there were no significant changes in the metabolism of midazolam to its major metabolite, 1'-hydroxymidazolam, KRG significantly decreased the systemic exposure of fexofenadine in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Because KRG is used as a health supplement, there is a risk of KRG overdose; thus, a clinical trial of high doses would be useful. The use of KRG in combination with P-glycoprotein substrate drugs should also be carefully monitored.

• 한국균학회지
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• 제42권3호
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• pp.191-200
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• 2014

다양한 경로를 통하여 수집된 누룩 11종에 들어 있는 효모와 곰팡이의 함량 및 다양성을 조사하였다. 누룩 현탁액을 DRBC 고체배지에서 배양한 후 고체배지상 곰팡이균들의 수를 콜로니형성단위(CFU)로 측정한 결과, MS4, MS8, MS10등 3종의 누룩에서 각각 $1,278.9{\pm}21.6$ (${\times}10^4$), $1,868.0{\pm}27.7$ (${\times}10^4$), $775.1{\pm}19.2$ (${\times}10^4$) CFU (20 mg 누룩당)로 가장 높은 곰팡이 밀도를 보였으며, 이들의 대부분은 Pichia anomala, P. kudriavzevii, Kluyveromyces marxianus 및 Saccharomycopsis fibuligera 등 효모가 차지하고 있었다. MS2, MS5, MS11등 3종의 누룩에서만 곰팡이인 Aspergillus oryzae, A. niger와 Rhizopus oryzae들이 우점균이었다. 각 곰팡이의 누룩에서의 역할을 알기 위하여, 곰팡이의 배양상등액을 취하여 amylase 및 ${\beta}$-glucanase 활성을 조사였다. Amylase 활성은 A. niger와 A. luchuensis 등 A. niger clade에 속하는 균이 가장 높았으며, 특이하게도 효모균인 S. fibuligera가 A. niger에 근접하는 amylase 활성을 보였다. A. oryzae와 R. oryzae는 당화능면에서 위 세가지 곰팡이에 비하여 뒤쳐지는 것으로 평가되었다. 한편 ${\beta}$-glucanase 활성은 주로 R. oryzae에서만 나타나서 R. oryzae가 전분의 당화 외에 곡류의 주성분 중 하나인 ${\beta}$-glucan의 분해하는 역할을 하는 것으로 추정되었다. 누룩의 안전성 평가를 위하여 분리된 Aspergillus 균들의 aflatoxin 생산능을 norB-cypA, aflR 및 omtA 유전자마커로 조사한 결과, 모든 A. oryzae 분리균들은 aflatoxin 생산능이 없는 균주들로 예측되었으며, 이는 배양액의 TLC 분석을 통해서 확인되었다.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.195-203
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• 2004

4-Tert-Octylphenol (OP) is a surfactant additive widely used in the manufacture of a variety of detergents and plastic products. OP can disrupt endocrine function in humans and animals. This study was carried out to obtain toxicokinetic parameters of OP in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Male rats were administered with OP by single oral application of 200 mg/kg body weight. Blood, urine and tissues samples were taken at several time intervals after administration. Analysis of samples for OP was performed by column-switching high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, we exam-ined tissue distribution and accumulation of OP after single oral application of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, single intravenous injection of 1, 5 and 10 mg/kg or daily application of 50 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. After single oral administration of 200 mg/kg, Cmax of 213 $\pm$ 123 ng/ml was reached within the first 1.3 hr (Tmax) in the plasma. AUC was calculated for 1,333$\pm$484 ngㆍhr/ml. The final elimination half-life of plasma was longer than that of urine, but urinary clearance was lower than oral. A very small fraction of OP (Fe < 0.0017%) was excreted in urine within 24 hr. These results indicated that the major excretion route of OP was not urine. The mean maximal tissue distribution of OP was obserbed at 6 hr after treatment and slowly decreased time-dependently. High OP concentrations were detected in fat at 24 hr. The OP in fat was slowly released with longer elimination half-life and lower clearance than that of other tissues. OP was not accumulated in the liver following single oral application but 14-day oral treatments resulted in two-fold accumulation. It was probably due to the saturation of detoxification pathways. On the other hand, the mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 isoforms except CYP2C11 was not affected by OP at any dose. The expression of CYP2C11 mRNA decreased in a dose-dependent manner. This result suggests that OP changes expression of the male-specific cytochrome P450 isoforms in rat liver, and these changes are closely related to the toxic and estrogenic effect of OP.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2000

There are among the most relevant toxic emissions from incinerators such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Induction of cytochrome P4501A1 catalyzed 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase(EROD) activity in mammalian cell culture(EROD bioassay) is thought to be a selective and sensitive parameter used for the quantification of dioxin-like components. In this study, the toxic emissions from several school waste incinerators were evaluated by determination of CYPIA catalytic activity and cytotoxicity using cell culture microbioassay. The incinerator residue and soil samples were collected from the schools located in Kyunggi province from April to June 1999. The samples were extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus using toluene for 20 hours. In order to clean-up, concentrated crude extracts were applied to basic alumina column. The EROD activities of extracts in the H4IIE cells were from 1.91$\pm$0.32 ng-TEQ/g to 24.54$\pm$3.48 ng-TEQ/g of biochemical-TEQ value. In soil samples, CYP1A catalytic activity was 0.09~0.64 ng-TEQ/g. EROD bioassay, seems to be a useful short-term bioassay when information about the biological response of complex environmental samples is needed. Although further study is needed, these results indicate that the potent toxic emissions are produced from school waste semi-incinerators.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.199-205
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• 2010

A neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) has been widely used to create animal model for Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study was undertaken to examine whether depletion of brain dopamine (DA) stores with 6-OHDA can make alteration in the activities of the testicular steroidogenesis in adult rats. Young adult male rats (3 months old) were received a single dose of 6-OHDA (200 ${\mu}g$ in 10 ${\mu}{\ell}$/animal) by intracerebroventricular (icv) injection, and sacrificed after two weeks. The mRNA levels of steroidogenesis-related enzymes were measured by qRT-PCRs. Serum testosterone levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Single icv infusion of 6-OHDA significantly decreased the mRNA levels of CYP11A1 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.68{\pm}0.14$ AU, p<0.05), CYP17 (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.13$ AU, p<0.05). There were no changes in the mRNA levels of $3{\beta}$-HSD (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.84{\pm}0.08$ AU) and $17{\beta}$-HSD (control: 6-OHDA group=$1:0.63{\pm}0.20$ AU), though the levels tended to be decreased in the 6-OHDA treated group. Administration of 6-OHDA decreased significantly the mRNA level of StAR when compared to the level of saline-injected control animals (control:6-OHDA group=$1:0.72{\pm}0.08$ AU, p<0.05). Treatment with single dose of 6-OHDA remarkably lowered serum testosterone levels compared to the levels of control group (control:6-OHDA group=$0.72{\pm}0.24:0.13{\pm}0.03ng/m{\ell}$, p<0.05). Taken together with our previous study, the present study demonstrated that the activities of hypothalamus-pituitary-testis hormonal axis could be negatively affected by blockade of brain DA biosynthesis, and suggested the reduced reproductive potential might be resulted in the animals. More precise information on the testicular steroidogenic activities in PD patients and PD-like animals should be required prior to the generalization of the sex steroid hormone therapy to meet the highest standards for safety and efficacy.

• 한국해양생명과학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2020

17β-estradiol (E₂)는 난소로부터 방출되는 호르몬으로 가정 및 축산 오폐수에 포함되어 환경으로 지속적으로 유출된다. E₂는 높은 에스트로겐 활성을 가지고 있어 갑각류의 발달과 생식에 영향을 미치는 내분비계교란물질로 알려져 있다. 갑각류의 발달은 탈피호르몬(ecdysteroid)의 신호 전달 과정에 의해 이루어지지만 E₂가 소형 갑각류의 탈피호르몬 경로 유전자를 어떻게 조절하는지에 대한 연구는 매우 미흡하다. 본 연구에서는 기수산 물벼룩 Diaphanosoma celebensis에서 E₂에 대한 급성 독성 시험을 통해 24-h LC_x 값을 도출하였고, E₂ 노출에 따른 탈피호르몬 경로에 관여하는 7개의 유전자(CYP314a1, EcRA, EcRB, USP, ERR, Vtg, VtgR)의 시간별 발현 변화를 quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)을 이용하여 분석하였다. D. celebensis의 24-h LC₅₀ 값은 9.581 mg/l (95% C.I.: 7.697~11.927 mg/l), 24 h-LC₁₀ 값은 4.842 mg/l(95% C.I.: 3.683~6.366 mg/l)로 나타났다. CYP314a1, EcRA, USP, VtgR 유전자의 발현이 12시간 또는 24시간에 유의하게 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 E₂가 D. celebensis의 탈피호르몬 경로에 관련하는 유전자의 발현을 조절함으로써 탈피와 생식에 영향을 미칠 수 있을 것임을 시사한다. 본 연구는 소형 갑각류에서 내분비계교란물질이 탈피 경로에 미치는 영향에 대한 분자 기전을 이해하는데 도움이 될 것이다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제54권5호
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• pp.224-227
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• 2011

A sclerosing stromal tumor of the ovary is an extremely rare benign tumor; it usually is found during the second and third decades of life. Patients present with pelvic pain or a palpable abdominal mass. Hormonal effects such as masculinization are uncommon. Here, an 11-year old premenarchal girl presented with deepening of the voice. In addition, clitoromegaly and hirsutism with a male suprapubic hair pattern were observed. The laboratory findings showed that the testosterone level was elevated to 3.67 ng/ml, andostenedione to above 10 ng/ml, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate to 346 ${\mu}g$/dl and 17-hydroxy progesterone (17-OHP) to 11.28 ng/ml. The chromosome evaluation revealed a 46,XX female karyotype. An adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test was performed. The 17-OHP to cortisol ratio in 30 minutes was 0.045, which suggested a heterozygote for the 21-hydroxylase deficiency. However, the CYP21A2 gene encoding steroid 21-hydroxylase showed normal. The pelvic ultrasound showed a heterogeneous mass consisting of predominantly solid tissue in the pelvic cavity. The pelvic magnetic resonance imaging revealed an $8.9{\times}6.2{\times}6.6$ cm mass of the left ovary. A left oophrectomy was performed and microscopic examination confirmed a sclerosing stromal tumor. Immunohistochemical studies showed that the tumor was positive for smooth muscle actin and vimentin, but negative for S-100 protein and cytokeratin. Following surgery, the hormone levels returned to the normal range and the hirsutism resolved.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제19권11호
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• pp.1348-1354
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• 2009

Bioconversion of the isoflavonoid genistein to 2'-hydroxygenistein (2'-HG) was performed using isoflavone 2'-hydroxylase (CYP81E1) heterologously expressed in yeast. A monohydroxylated product was analyzed by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) and NMR spectrometry and was identified as 2'-HG. An initial bioconversion rate of 6% was increased up to 14% under optimized conditions. After recovery, the biological activity of 2'-HG was evaluated. Bioconverted 2'-HG showed higher antioxidant activity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazine (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals than did genistein. Furthermore, 2'-HG exhibited greater antiproliferative effects in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells than did genistein. These results suggest that 2'-hydroxylation of genistein enhanced its antioxidant activity and cell cytotoxicity in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.239-247
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• 2022

Objective: Asafoetida is a gum derived from Ferula assa-foetida, which is used in traditional Iranian medicine to treat some reproductive system disorders. The effects of asafoetida on ovarian tissue, expression of certain genes associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and levels of liver, kidney, and blood cell factors after treatment in a rat model were investigated. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups: normal, polycystic, and treatment with three doses of asafoetida (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg for 3 weeks after PCOS induction). PCOS was induced by letrozole at a dose of 1 mg/kg administered orally for 3 weeks. Blood samples were taken, and the ovaries were removed and prepared for histomorphometric examination. Liver and kidney parameters were measured. The mRNA expression levels of luteinizing hormone receptor, CYP11A1, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, adiponectin, and adiponectin receptors 1 and 2 were also measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The levels of liver, kidney, and blood parameters did not significantly differ between the treatment groups and the control group. At doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg, ovarian histopathology, especially the thicknesses of the theca and granulosa layers, was significantly improved relative to the PCOS group. The expression of target genes also improved in the 25 and 50 mg/kg treatment groups. Conclusion: Asafoetida can be used to treat PCOS as a complementary approach to conventional therapies. Asafoetida appears to act by regulating and activating metabolic and ovarian cycle enzymes.