• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.367-373
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• 2010

The study was established to compare fruit qualities and antioxidant compounds in 'Niitaka' pear (Pyrus pyriforia) trees grown in the organic and conventional farming systems. Fruits in the organic system appeared to have dark red color on the fruit surface. Fruit weight, soluble solids, acidity, firmness, and stone cells were not different between the farming systems. Organic fruits had a greater potassium concentration than the conventional fruits, but phosphorous, calcium, and magnesium concentrations in fruits were not different between the treatments. Peel, flesh, and juice parts in the organic fruits had greater phenolic compounds compared to the conventional fruits. Peel parts had much greater antioxidant compounds than the flesh parts, regardless of the treated-fruits. All fruits grown in the conventional and organic systems had a similar DPPH ($\alpha$, $\alpha$-diphenyl-$\beta$-picryl-hydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity in the peel, but flesh parts in organic fruits had a greater DPPH than the conventional fruits. Phenol and flavonoid compounds in the peel and flesh were positively related to the DPPH radical-scavenging activity. There were no significant differences for the nitrite scavenging activity in the peel and flesh parts between the treatments.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.1031-1037
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• 2007

Changes in red ginseng fusion cheonggukjang properties under various hydrolytic conditions were investigated for its possible application to different types of food products. Among the four types of protease that were analyzed, protease (KMF -G) produced the highest hydrolysis rate, calcium binding capacity, and total phenolic compound content. In addition, the highest fibrinolytic activity and ACE inhibitory activity were also exhibited at 87.10 units and 67.17%, respectively. Among a number of different protease concentrations, a 0.02% concentration of protease (KMF-G) was found to be appropriate for the purposes of the study. The best results for red ginseng cheonggukjang hydrolysis were observed at the 60 and 90 min intervals. However, there was not a significant difference between the results at the two time points. The unpleasant odor and bitter taste associated with red ginseng fusion cheonggukjang improved with hydrolytic activity exceeding 60 min. Thus, the optimal hydrolysis time was determined to be 60 min. The total ginsenoside content of red ginseng cheonggukjang was 9.197 mg/g and the hydrolysate content was 11.707 mg/g. Based on the results, it was determined that the addition of 0.02% protease (KMF -G) and treatment for 60 min are the optimal hydrolytic conditions for red ginseng cheonggukjang to improve its biochemical characteristics, including fibronolytic activity and ACE inhibitory activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.548-555
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• 2017

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used for several decades to treat many diseases, enhancing both immunity and physical strength. Previous studies have documented the therapeutic effects of ginseng, including its anticancer, antiaging, and anti-inflammatory activities. These activities are mediated by ginsenosides present in the ginseng plant. Ginsenoside Rg3, an effective compound from red ginseng, has been shown to have antiplatelet activity in addition to its anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Platelets are important for both primary hemostasis and the repair of the vessels after injury; however, they also play a crucial role in the development of acute coronary diseases. We prepared ginsenoside Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) to examine its role in platelet physiology. Methods: To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vitro, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, intracellular calcium ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) mobilization, flow cytometry, and immunoblot analysis were carried out using rat platelets. To examine the effect of Rg3-RGE on platelet activation in vivo, a collagen plus epinephrine-induced acute pulmonary thromboembolism mouse model was used. Results: We found that Rg3-RGE significantly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in a dose-dependent manner in addition to reducing ATP release from collagen-stimulated platelets. Furthermore, using immunoblot analysis, we found that Rg3-RGE markedly suppressed mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation (i.e., extracellular stimuli-responsive kinase, Jun N-terminal kinase, p38) as well as the PI3K (phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase)/Akt pathway. Moreover, Rg3-RGE effectively reduced collagen plus epinephrine-induced mortality in mice. Conclusion: These data suggest that ginsenoside Rg3-RGE could be potentially be used as an antiplatelet therapeutic agent against platelet-mediated cardiovascular disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.349-360
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• 2024

Oxidative stress contributes to the onset of chronic diseases in various organs, including muscles. Morroniside, a type of iridoid glycoside contained in Cornus officinalis, is reported to have advantages as a natural compound that prevents various diseases. However, the question of whether this phytochemical exerts any inhibitory effect against oxidative stress in muscle cells has not been well reported. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate whether morroniside can protect against oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in murine C2C12 myoblasts. Our results demonstrate that morroniside pretreatment was able to inhibit cytotoxicity while suppressing H₂O₂-induced DNA damage and apoptosis. Morroniside also significantly improved the antioxidant capacity in H₂O₂-challenged C2C12 cells by blocking the production of cellular reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide and increasing glutathione production. In addition, H₂O₂-induced mitochondrial damage and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were effectively attenuated by morroniside pretreatment, inhibiting cytoplasmic leakage of cytochrome c and expression of ER stress-related proteins. Furthermore, morroniside neutralized H₂O₂-mediated calcium (Ca²⁺) overload in mitochondria and mitigated the expression of calpains, cytosolic Ca²⁺-dependent proteases. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that morroniside protected against mitochondrial impairment and Ca²⁺-mediated ER stress by minimizing oxidative stress, thereby inhibiting H₂O₂-induced cytotoxicity in C2C12 myoblasts.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.166-178
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• 2024

Objectives: The 12 occupational exposure limits(OELs) for chromium and its compounds in Korea were set by applying the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). However, this is significantly different from the TLVs after the existing TLVs were integrated and withdrawn in 2018, so it is necessary to review the revision. Methods: Various documents related to chromium OELs were reviewed, including the ACGIH TLV Documentations for chromium and its compounds. A field survey was conducted targeting workplaces handling chromium and its compounds. Based on this, a revised OELs were proposed and a socio-economic evaluation was conducted. Results: The OELs for chromium compounds in Korea was first enacted in 2002, and in 2007, the OELs for chromium (hexavalent) compounds (insoluble) was lowered from 0.05 mg/m³ to 0.01 mg/m³. In 2008, the OELs for strontium chromate was newly established as 0.0005 mg/m³, and in 2018, the OELs for calcium chromate was newly established as 0.001 mg/m³. Total chromium and hexavalent chromium were measured for each of 6 samples at 2 welding sites, 4 plating sites, and 2 spray coating sites. When omparing the average of the results measured by ICP, a total chromium analysis method, and the analysis results by IC, a hexavalent chromium analysis method, only workplace 4 was the same, and total chromium was evaluated more, and total chromium was evaluated at 0.0004 to 0.0027 mg/m³. And hexavalent chromium was evaluated as non-detection ~ 0.0014 mg/m³. Amendment ①: The exposure standard for hexavalent chromium is not divided into water soluble, insoluble, chromium ore processing, and other hexavalent chromium compounds, and is integrated into 0.01 mg/m³, which is the level of chromium (hexavalent) compound (insoluble)., OELs for chromium (metal) and chromium (trivalent) compounds are integrated into chromium (trivalent) compounds, and the exposure level is maintained. Amendment ②: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.005 mg/m³, which is the OELs of OSHA, and there is a grace period of 4 years. Amendment ③: As in the amendment ①, the OELs are integrated, but the level is lowered to 0.0002 mg/m³, which is the exposure standard of ACGIH, and there is a grace period of 5 years. Conclusions: Amendment ①: The change in the OELs is insignificant, so the cost required is small, and the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so there is no problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ②: In all scenarios except chromium 6(insoluble), the benefit/cost ratio is greater than 1, so it is thought that there will be no major problem in applying the amendment. Amendment ③: Since the benefit/cost ratio is less than 1 in all scenarios, it is thought that the total social benefit that can be obtained when applying the amendment is not large.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.106-115
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• 1977

In order to study the baking properties of various composite flours, naked barley flour, corn flour, potato flour, and sweet potato flour were added to the hard wheat flour respectively in a ratio of 3 : 7. Using above composite flours, effects of glyceryl monosterate (GMS), sodium stearyl lactylate (SSL), calcium stearyl lactylate (CSL), xanthan gum (XG) and polysaccharide (PS) were also examined in terms of sedimentation test, viscosity by amylograph and baking test. The results are as follows: 1) Sedimentation value decreased in the order of hard wheat flour (58), corn flour (47), potato flour (46), sweet potato flour (33). and barley flour (23). Significant effects of additives were observed for all of flours as well as for the composite flours. The most prominant result of additives was obtained with the composite flour of barley and wheat. Among the additives, mixtures of GMS and SSL at 1% final concentration and that of GMS and SSL at the same concentration increased the sedimentation value considerably. No sedimentation measurement, however, was possible for XG since the compound was precipitated by acid during experiment of sedimentation. 2) Effects of additives on the viscosity were determined by amylograph. The mixtures of GMS 1%+SSL 1% and GMS 1%+CSL 1% increased gelatinization point,maximum viscosity and cooling viscosity. GMS 1%+XG 1% or GMS 1%+PS 1% showed less effects. 3) GMS 1%+CSL 0.5% increased the specific loaf volume of bread produced from the composite flour of naked barley and wheat, and appearance, taste and texture of the product were very similar to those of the standard bread produced from wheat flour. GMS 1%+SSL 0.5%, however, increased the loaf volume of bread produced from the composite flours of corn, potato and sweet potato, and wheat. No effects were obtained with XG and PS, except slight improvement of the texture of bread. 4) No specific loaf volume of bread produced from the composite flour of barley and wheat was increased when 1% of SSL, CSL, XG or PS was used separately.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1991

The inhibitory effects of GS354 and GS389 on cytosolic $Ca^{2+}$ level ($[Ca^{2+}]_{1}$; measured with fura-2 fluorescence) and muscle tension in vascular smooth muscle of rat thoracic aorta were investigated. Both GS354 and GS389 inhibited the contractions induced by high $K^+$ or by norepinephrine. The vasodilator effect of GS354 was accompanied by a decrease in $[Ca^{2+}]_{1}$. The inhibitory effect on high $K^+-stimulated$ $[Ca^{2+}]_{1}$ was antagonized by a $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, Bay K8644. However, the inhibitory effect on muscle tension was not antagonized by Bay K8644. These results suggest that GS354 inhibits $Ca^{2+}$ channels to decrease $[Ca^{2+}]_{1}$ and also decreases $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile elements. The inhibitory effects of GS389 was accompanied by the increase in tissue fluorescence. This increment was not due to fura-2 fluorescence but to endogeneous pyridine nucleotides, suggesting that GS389 has an effect to inhibit mitochondrial function. Because of this interference, effects of GS389 on $[Ca^{2+}]_{1}$ was obscured. However, since sequential addition of Bay K8644 in the presence of GS389 further increased the fluorescence but not muscle tension, this compound seems to have the effects to inhibit $Ca^{2+}$ channels and to decrease $Ca^{2+}$ sensitivity of contractile elements.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1 s.28
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• pp.17-25
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• 1981

No evidence has accumulated that lead compound is an essential component for biological function in animals. Lead is absorbed primarily through the epithelial mucosal cells in duodenum and the absorption can be enhanced by the substances which bind lead and increase its solubility. Iron, zinc and calcium ions, however, decrease the absorption of lead without affecting its solubility, probably by competing for shared absorptive receptors in the intestinal mucosa. Therefore, the absorption of lead is increased in iron deficient animals. Lead shows a strong affinity for ligands such as phosphate, cysteinyl and histidyl side chains of proteins, pterins and porphyrins. Hence lead can act on various active sites of enzymes, inhibiting the enzymes which has functional sulfhydryl groups. lead inhibits the activity of ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase for the biosynthesis of hemoproteins and cytochrome, which catalyzed the synthesis of monopyrrole prophobilinogen from ${\delta}$-aminolevulinic acid. Accordingly lead decrease hepatic cytochrome p-450 content, resulting an inhibition of the activity of demethylase and hydroxylase in liver. Little informations are available on the effect of lead on digestive system although the catastrophic effects of lead intoxication are well documented. The present study was, therefore, attempted to investigate the effect of lead on pancreaticobiliary secretion in rats. Albino rats of both sexes weighing $170{\sim}230g$ were used for this study. The animals were divided into one control and three treated groups, i.e., control (physiologic saline 1.5ml/kg i.p.), lead acetate $(l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and EDTA$(each\;10{\mu}mole/kg/day\;i.p.)$, $Pb(Ac)_2$ and $FeSO_4(each\;l0{\mu}mole/kg/day\;hp)$. The pancreatico-biliary juice was collected under urethane anesthesia, and activities of amylase and lipase were determined by employing Sumner's and Cherry and Crandall's methods. The summarized results are follows. 1) In the experiment for acute toxicity of lead acetate, 20% of mortality was observed in rat treated with lead acetate as well as inhibition of the activity of amylase in the juice at the 3 rd day of the treatment. 2) No increases in body weight were observed in rats treated with lead acetate, while in control group the significant increases were observed. However, the body weights of animals were increased in the group lead acetate plus EDTA or $FeSO_4$. 3) Lead acetate decreased significantly the volume of pancreatico-biliary juice whereas additional treatment of EDTA and $FeSO_4$ prevented it. 4) Total activity of amylase was markedly reduced due to lead acetate treatment, but no change was showed following additional treatment with EDTA and $FeSO_4$. 5) No changes in the cholate and lipase output were observed in rats treated with lead acetate as compared with that of control rats. 6) Increase in bilirubin output in rats treated with lead acetate was shown on the 2nd and 3rd weeks treatment. 7) In the case of in vitro experiment, lead acetate also markedly inhibited release of amylase from pancreatic fragment. 8) Histologic finding indicated that acini vacuolation was induced in the pancreatic tissue of rat treated with lead acete. From the above results, it might be concluded that lead acetate decreases the volume of pancreatico-biliary secretion and inhibits the amylase activity, by acting directly on pancreatic cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.10
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• pp.1140-1146
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• 2009

Purpose:The pathophysiology of magnesium, the second highest common compound in humans, is still unclear, especially in preterm babies. We accessed the association between total magnesium (tMg), ionized Mg (iMg), and gestational age (GA) and that between serum magnesium (sMg) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm babies. Methods:In all, 119 inborn preterm infants admitted between July 2006 and February 2008 were divided into the IVH group (19) and the control group (100) and were prospectively analyzed. TMg, iMg, pH, total calcium (tCa), and ionized Ca (iCa) levels were determined immediately after delivery or within 3 hours after birth, and their correlation with GA were investigated. Results:TMg was not correlated with GA, tCa, iCa, and pH. IMg was correlated with tMg (r=0.288, P=0.002) and iCa (r=0.212, P=0.021); however, it was not correlated with GA and pH. Mean GA and birth weight were significantly lower (P=0.002) and smaller (P=0.030) in the IVH group. Mean sMg was higher in the IVH group ($2.5{\pm}0.9mg/dL$) than in the control group ($2.1{\pm}0.6mg/dL$) (P=0.021). SMg was a risk factor even after logistic regression analysis (OR, 2.798; 95% C.I., 1.265-6.192; P=0.011). Conclusion:In less than 37-week-old preterm babies, tMg and iMg were similar, regardless of GA. High sMg may be a risk factor for IVH in premature babies, regardless of their exposure to antenatal magnesium.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.23-30
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• 2016

This study was conducted for comparison of ingredients, phytochemical compounds and antioxidant activity of Wofiporia extensa cultured in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsang-do, and Jeolla-do. Three contents of Wofiporia extensa were analyzed as oxygen (46~48%), carbon (38~39%), hydrogen (6.05~6.1%) and nitrogen (0.17~0.21%). The mineral contents of 50% ethanol Wofiporia extensa extracts were measured as sulfur (S) 145~149 ppm, Magnesium (Mg) 69~72 ppm, phosphorus (P) 122~154 ppm and calcium (Ca) 210.61~509.98 ppm. Wofiporia extensa from Gyeongsang-do (509.98 ppm) contained a significantly higher quantity of Ca than that from Gangwon-do (210.62 ppm) and Jeolla-do (223.88 ppm). In the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, oleic acid was identified in three 50% ethanol Wofiporia extensa extracts. In the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay for antioxidant activity, the $IC_{50}$ values of Wofiporia extensa cultured in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsang-do and Jeolla-do were calculated as 2.966 mg/mL, 23.03 mg/mL, and 4.16 mg/mL and 3.521 mg/mL, 12.17 mg/mL, and 7.40 mg/mL. In the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, the $IC_{50}$ values of Wofiporia extensa cultured in Gangwon-do, Gyeongsang-do, Jeolla-do were 6.585 mg/mL, 19.06 mg/mL, and 18.97 mg/mL, respectively. In summary, Wofiporia extensa cultured in Gangwon-do had stronger antioxidant activity and higher concentration of oleic acid than that of Geyongsang-do and Jeolla-do. However, Wofiporia extensa cultured in Geyongsang-do contained a much higher concentration of Ca than that of Gangwon-do and Jeolla-do.