• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.25-33
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• 2023

The liver, a multifunctional organ, plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being by regulating metabolism, detoxification, nutrient storage, hormone balance, and immune function. Liver diseases, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, and liver cancer, have significant clinical implications and remain a global health concern. This article reviews the therapeutic potential of silkworm larvae (Bombyx mori) and explores their underlying molecular mechanisms in protecting against liver diseases. Silkworm larvae are rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and n-3 fatty acids, making them a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. The anti-inflammatory mechanisms of silkworm larvae involve modulating the production of cytokine such as TNF-α and interleukins, inflammatory enzymes including cyclooxygenase-2 and macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating liver inflammation. Silkworm larvae also exhibit anti-oxidative effects by scavenging free radicals, reducing intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhancing the liver's antioxidant defense system. Moreover, silkworms have been reported to decrease the serum alcohol concentration and lipid accumulation. Understanding the therapeutic properties of silkworm larvae contributes to the development of innovative strategies for liver injury prevention and treatment. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise signaling pathways involved in the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of silkworm larvae, paving the way for potential therapeutic interventions in liver diseases.

• BMB Reports
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• 제56권7호
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• pp.385-391
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• 2023

Aspartate-glutamate carrier 2 (AGC2, citrin) is a mitochondrial carrier expressed in the liver that transports aspartate from mitochondria into the cytosol in exchange for glutamate. The AGC2 is the main component of the malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS) that ensures indirect transport of NADH produced in the cytosol during glycolysis, lactate oxidation to pyruvate, and ethanol oxidation to acetaldehyde into mitochondria. Through MAS, AGC2 is necessary to maintain intracellular redox balance, mitochondrial respiration, and ATP synthesis. Through elevated cytosolic Ca²⁺ level, the AGC2 is stimulated by catecholamines and glucagon during starvation, exercise, and muscle wasting disorders. In these conditions, AGC2 increases aspartate input to the urea cycle, where aspartate is a source of one of two nitrogen atoms in the urea molecule (the other is ammonia), and a substrate for the synthesis of fumarate that is gradually converted to oxaloacetate, the starting substrate for gluconeogenesis. Furthermore, aspartate is a substrate for the synthesis of asparagine, nucleotides, and proteins. It is concluded that AGC2 plays a fundamental role in the compartmentalization of aspartate and glutamate metabolism and linkage of the reactions of MAS, glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, amino acid catabolism, urea cycle, protein synthesis, and cell proliferation. Targeting of AGC genes may represent a new therapeutic strategy to fight cancer.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권4호
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• pp.45.1-45.11
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• 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common type of chronic liver disease, with severity levels ranging from nonalcoholic fatty liver to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The extent of liver fibrosis indicates the severity of NASH and the risk of liver cancer. However, the mechanism underlying NASH development, which is important for early screening and intervention, remains unclear. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) is a useful method for identifying hub genes and screening specific targets for diseases. In this study, we utilized an mRNA dataset of the liver tissues of patients with NASH and conducted WGCNA for various stages of liver fibrosis. Subsequently, we employed two additional mRNA datasets for validation purposes. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to analyze gene function enrichment. Through WGCNA and subsequent analyses, complemented by validation using two additional datasets, we identified five genes (BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2) as hub genes. GSEA analysis indicated that gene sets associated with liver metabolism and cholesterol homeostasis were uniformly downregulated. BICC1, C7, EFEMP1, LUM, and STMN2 were identified as hub genes of NASH, and were all related to liver metabolism, NAFLD, NASH, and related diseases. These hub genes might serve as potential targets for the early screening and treatment of NASH.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제24권12호
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• pp.1674-1680
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• 2011

This study was conducted to examine the effects of glucose, chromium picolinate (CrP), and vitamin C (Vit C) on lipid metabolism in Korean native steers fitted with indwelling catheters. A total of 12 Korean native steers were randomly allocated to the following treatments: 1) normal control diet, 2) same as 1) +250 g of glucose by intravenous (IV) infusion, 3) same as 2)+13.5 g CrP administered orally, and 4) same as 3)+2.52 g Vit C by IV infusion. Glucose, Vit C, and CrP treatments were administered for five days. At days 1 and 3, serum insulin was higher in treated animals than in those fed the control diet (p<0.05). Serum non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentration in the steers on treatment 2), control+13.5 g CrP, was lower than those on other treatments at 90 min post-infusion on days 1 and 3 (p<0.05). The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR${\gamma}$)2, stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and glucose transporter type 4 (Glut 4) in the longissimus muscle of steers on treatment 2 was higher than those on other treatments. In conclusion, the results suggest that CrP is associated with the regulation of gene expression involved in adipogenesis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권6호
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• pp.509-516
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• 2014

Radiation therapy for variety of human solid tumors utilizes mechanism of cell death after DNA damage caused by radiation. In response to DNA damage, cytochrome c was released from mitochondria by activation of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins, and then elicits massive $Ca^{2+}$ release from the ER that lead to cell death. It was also suggested that irradiation may cause the deregulation of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis and trigger programmed cell death and regulate death specific enzymes. Thus, in this study, we investigated how cellular $Ca^{2+}$ metabolism in RKO cells, in comparison to radiation-resistant A549 cells, was altered by gamma (${\gamma}$)-irradiation. In irradiated RKO cells, $Ca^{2+}$ influx via activation of NCX reverse mode was enhanced and a decline of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via forward mode was accelerated. The amount of $Ca^{2+}$ released from the ER in RKO cells by the activation of $IP_3$ receptor was also enhanced by irradiation. An increase in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ via SOCI was enhanced in irradiated RKO cells, while that in A549 cells was depressed. These results suggest that ${\gamma}$-irradiation elicits enhancement of cellular $Ca^{2+}$ metabolism in radiation-sensitive RKO cells yielding programmed cell death.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.337-352
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• 1999

The effects of dried leaf powders and ethanol extract of persimmon, green tea and pine needle on lipid metabolism, lipid peroxidation and antioxidative activity were investigated in rats. Forty-nine male Spargue-Dawley rats weighing 107.8$\pm$1.8g were blocked into seven groups according to body weight. Rats were raised for four weeks with diets containing either 5%(w/w) dried leaf powders of one of three different Korea traditional teas, persimmon(Diospyros kaki Thunb), green tea(Camellia Sinensis O.Ktzc)or pine needle(pinus Koreansis Sieb. Et Zucc), or ethanol from equal amounts of each dried tea powder. Food intake, weight gain, food efficiency ratio, and weights of liver, kidney and epididymal fat were significantly higher in the green-tea-powder group, and significantly lower in the pine-needle-powder and pine-needle-extract groups. Persimmon-leaf powder was found to decrease plasma total lipid, triglyceride and cholesterol concentration by increasing fecal total lipid triglyceride and cholesterol excretions. Liver cholesterol concentration was significantly lower in the green-tea and pine-needle-extract groups. Red-blood-cell superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-px) activities were significantly increased in rats fed green-tea extract. Liver SOD activity was increased in rats fed pine-needle powder or extract, and liver GSH-px activity was increased in rats fed greentea powder. Plasma and liver thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS) concentration were both decreased in rats fed dried leaf posers or extracts of persimmon or green tea. It is believed that high vitamin E levels in persimmon leaf, and high flavonoid, beta-carotene and vitamin C levels in green tea effectively inhibited lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, persimmon and green tea leaves were effective in lowering lipid levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in animal tissue, while pine needles were effective and lowering body weight gain. From these results, persimmon and green tea leaves can be recommended in the treatment and prevention of chronic discorders such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and aging. As ethanol extracts from these teas were also effecitive in lowering tissue lipid levels and inhibiting lipid peroxidation, we recommend the use of discarded tea grounds for this.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권15호
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• pp.6783-6787
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• 2015

Background: Despite consistent pharmacogenetic effects of CYP2D6 on tamoxifen exposure, there is considerable controversy regarding the validity of CYP2D6 as a predictor of tamoxifen outcome. Understanding the current state of evidence in this area and its limitations is important for the care of patients who require endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Materials and Methods: A total of 101 patients with breast cancer who received tamoxifen therapy for at least 3 years, were genotyped for common alleles of the CYP2D6 gene by nested-PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR. Patients were classified as extensive or poor metabolizers (PM) based on CYP2D6*4 alleles in 3 different groups according to the menopause, Her2-neu status, and stage 3. Results: The mean age of the patients with the disease recurrence was $50.8{\pm}6.4$ and in non recurrent patients was $48.2{\pm}6.8$. In this study 63.3% (n=64) patients were extensive metabolizers and 36.6% (n=37) were poor metabolizers. Sixty four of the 101 patients (63.3%) were Her2-neu positive. For tamoxifen-treated patients, no statistically significant difference in rate of recurrence observed between CYP2D6 metabolic variants in stage 3 and post-menopausal patients. However, there was a significant association between CYP2D6 genotype and recurrence in tamoxifen-treated Her2-neu positive patients. Compared with other women with breast cancer, those with Her2-neu positive breast cancer and extensive metabolizer alleles had a decreased likelihood of recurrence. Conclusions: This study for the first time demonstrated significant effects of CYP2D6 extensive metabolizer alleles on risk of recurrence in Her2-neu positive breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen therapy. Therefore, CYP2D6 metabolism, as measured by genetic variation, can be a predictor of breast cancer outcome in Her2-neu positive women receiving tamoxifen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권12호
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• pp.5089-5094
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• 2015

FADS1 (fatty acid desaturase 1) plays a crucial role in fatty acid metabolism, and it was recently reported to be involved in tumorigenesis. However, the role of FADS1 expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unknown. In the current study, we investigated the expression and clinical pathologic and prognostic significance of FADS1 in ESCC. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that 58.2% (146/251) of the ESCC tissues had low levels of FADS1 expression, whereas 41.8% (105/251) exhibited high levels of FADS1 expression. In positive cases, FADS1 expression was detected in the cytoplasm of cells. Correlation analyses demonstrated that FADS1 expression was significantly correlated with tumor location (p=0.025) but not with age, gender, histological grade, tumor status, nodal status or TNM staging. Furthermore, patients with tumors expressing high levels of FADS1had a longer disease-free survival time (p<0.001) and overall survival time (p <0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that, along with nodal status, FADS1 expression was an independent and significant predictive factor (p<0.001). In conclusion, our study suggested that FADS1 might be a valuable biomarker and potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.427-442
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• 2002

이상의 연구 결과들을 요약해보면 CLA는 생체내외에서 다양한 생리활성 효과를 가지는 것을 알 수 있다. CLA의 주요 효과는 유방암, 췌장암, 피부암 및 대장암을 억제하는 효과, 동물체내에서의 면역력증강 효과, 동맥경화증에 대한 효과, 지방축적 억제효과, 체내 지방분해 촉진효과 및 식육에서의 항산화 효과와 육색안정 효과 등으로 요약된다. 그러므로 CLA는 건강보조식품으로 혹은 축산식품을 비롯한 다양한 식품의 기능성 첨가제로써의 충분한 가능성을 가지고 있는 것으로 사료된다. 그러나 이러한 CLA의 효과는 실험에 따라 다소간의 차이를 나타내고 또한 CLA의 생리활성 기작에 대한 정확한 이해가 부족한 실정이다. 따라서 향후 CLA와 관련하여 다음과 같은 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다. 1) 새로운 CLA 이성체의 발견 및 CLA 합성방법에 대한 연구 2) CLA가 가지는 각각의 생리활성 효과에 대한 정확한 기작을 밝히는 연구 3) CLA 이성체간의 생리활성 효과 차이에 대한 연구 4) CLA의 생리활성 효과를 극대화 할 수 있는 이성체간의 비율에 대한 연구 5) 기능성 식품첨가제로써의 CLA를 효과적으로 이용하는 방법 연구 6) CLA를 식용가축 및 축산물에 효과적으로 축적시키는 방법 연구 7) CLA를 이용한 육제품 및 유제품 개발 연구 8) 사람에 있어 CLA 효과에 대한 임상 연구.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2013

Beta-lapachone (${\beta}$-Lap; 3,4-dihydro-2, 2-dimethyl-2H-naphthol[1, 2-b]pyran-5,6-dione) is a novel anti-cancer drug under phase I/II clinical trials. ${\beta}$-Lap has been demonstrated to cause apoptotic and necrotic death in a variety of human cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms underlying the ${\beta}$-Lap toxicity against cancer cells has been controversial. The most recent view is that ${\beta}$-Lap, which is a quinone compound, undergoes two-electron reduction to hydroquinone form utilizing NAD(P)H or NADH as electron source. This two-electron reduction of ${\beta}$-Lap is mediated by NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1), which is known to mediate the reduction of many quinone compounds. The hydroquinone forms of ${\beta}$-Lap then spontaneously oxidizes back to the original oxidized ${\beta}$-Lap, creating futile cycling between the oxidized and reduced forms of ${\beta}$-Lap. It is proposed that the futile recycling between oxidized and reduced forms of ${\beta}$-Lap leads to two distinct cell death pathways. First one is that the two-electron reduced ${\beta}$-Lap is converted first to one-electron reduced ${\beta}$-Lap, i.e., semiquinone ${\beta}$-Lap $(SQ)^{{\cdot}-}$ causing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which then causes apoptotic cell death. The second mechanism is that severe depletion of NAD(P)H and NADH as a result of futile cycling between the quinone and hydroquinone forms of ${\beta}$-Lap causes severe disturbance in cellular metabolism leading to apoptosis and necrosis. The relative importance of the aforementioned two mechanisms, i.e., generation of ROS or depletion of NAD(P)H/NADH, may vary depending on cell type and environment. Importantly, the NQO1 level in cancer cells has been found to be higher than that in normal cells indicating that ${\beta}$-Lap may be preferentially toxic to cancer cells relative to non-cancer cells. The cellular level of NQO1 has been found to be significantly increased by divergent physical and chemical stresses including ionizing radiation. Recent reports clearly demonstrated that ${\beta}$-Lap and ionizing radiation kill cancer cells in a synergistic manner. Indications are that irradiation of cancer cells causes long-lasting elevation of NQO1, thereby sensitizing the cells to ${\beta}$-Lap. In addition, ${\beta}$-Lap has been shown to inhibit the repair of sublethal radiation damage. Treating experimental tumors growing in the legs of mice with irradiation and intraperitoneal injection of ${\beta}$-Lap suppressed the growth of the tumors in a manner more than additive. Collectively, ${\beta}$-Lap is a potentially useful anti-cancer drug, particularly in combination with radiotherapy.