• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.126-135
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• 2001

Quinacrine (QU), a phospholipase-A2 (PLA-2) inhibitor has been used clinically as a chemotherapeutic adjuvant. To understand the mechanisms leading to its chemotherapeutic effect, we have investigated QU-induced apoptotic signaling pathways in human cervical squamous carcinoma HeLa cells. In this study, we found that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling. The release of pro-apoptotic cytochrome c was QU concentration- and time-dependent, and preceded activation of caspase-9 and -3. Flow cytometric FACScan analysis using fluorescence intensities of $DiOC_6$/ demonstrated that QU-induced cytochrome c release was independent of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), since the concentrations of QU that induced cytochrome c release did not alter mitochondrial membrane potential (${\blacktriangle}{\Psi}_m$). Moreover, kinetic analysis of caspase activities showed that cytochrome c release led to the activation of caspase-9 and downstream death effector caspase-3, Caspase-3 inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO) partially blocked QU-induced apoptosis, suggesting the importance of caspase-3 in this apoptotic signaling mechanism. Supplementation with arachidonic acid (AA) sustained caspase-3 activation induced by QU. Using inhibitors against cellular arachidonate metabolism of lipooxygenase (Nordihydroxyguaiaretic Acid, NDGA) and cyclooxygenase (5,8,11,14-Eicosatetraynoic Acid, ETYA) demonstrated that QU-induced apoptotic signaling may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. Interestingly, NDCA attenuated QU-induced cytochrome c release, caspase activity as well as apoptotic cell death. The blockade of cytochrome c release by NDCA was much more effective than that attained with cyclosporin A (CsA), a MPT inhibitor. ETYA was not effective in blocking cytochrome c release, except under very high concentrations. Caspase inhibitor z-VAD blocked the release of cytochrome c suggesting that this signaling event is caspase dependent, and caspase-8 activation may be upstream of the mitochondrial events. In summary, we report that QU induced cytochrome c-dependent apoptotic signaling cascade, which may be dependent on its role as a PLA-2 inhibitor. This apoptotic mechanism induced by QU may contribute to its known chemotherapeutic effects.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.530-537
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• 2004

This study was conducted to determine the inactivation effect of electrolyzed water and organic acids either alone or in combination on L. monocytogenes or natural microflora on lettuce. Acidic electrolyzed water completely inactivated L. monocytogenes in broth system within 60 sec, but alkalin electrolyzed water caused approximate 1.7 log CFU/g reduction. However, acidic electrolyzed water reduced only 2.5 log CFU/g of L. monocytogenes on lettuce, and similar antimicrobial effect was observed with alkalin electrolyzed water. In the meantime, acidic and alkaline electrolyzed water caused approximately 2 log CFU/g reduction compared to control, whereas both electrolyzed water combined with $1\%$ organic acids ranged from 2.6 to 3.7 log CFU/g reduction. Among the organic acids, both electrolyzed water combined with $1\%$ citric acid showed the strongest synergistic antimicrobial effect to reduce L. monocytogenes on lettuce as well as total counts, yeast and molds. When antimicrobials, alone or in combination were treated into L. monocytogenes inoculated lettuce at $5^{\circ}C\;and\;15^{\circ}C$ for designed periods, the combined alkalin electrolyzed water with $1\%$ citric acid showed the greatest potential to inhibit growth of the bacteria. According to Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), the treatment of electrolyzed alkali water in combination with $1\%$ citric acid highly reduced the growth of the L. monocytogenes compared to single treatment and resulted in causing the destruction of cell membrane.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.313-319
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• 2008

The ultrastructure of oocytes during oogenesis and oocyte degeneration associated with follicle cells in female Sinonovacula constricta(Lamarck, 1818) were investigated by electron microscope observations. Ovarian follicles are surrounded by a matrix of vesicular connective tissue cells(VCT cells). VCT cells contain large quantities of glycogen particles and several lipid droplets in their cytoplasm. It is suggested that VCT cells act as a source of nutrients for vitellogenesis during oogenesis. In early vitellogenic oocytes, several coated vesicles, which appear at the basal region of the oocyte, lead to the formation of membrane-bound vesicles via endocytosis. The uptake of nutritive materials in coated vesicles formed by endocytosis appears through the formation of coated pits on the oolemma during vitellogenesis. During the late stage of oogenesis, yolk precursors(yolk granules), mitochondria and lipid droplets are present in the cytoplasm of late vitellogenic oocytes. In particular, proteinaceous yolk granules containing several different components are intermingles and form immature yolk granules. In the mature oocyte, small immature yolk granules are intermingled and form large mature yolk granules. Vitellogenesis occurs through a process of autosynthesis, involving combined activity of the Golgi complex, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm of vitellogenic oocytes. The process of heterosynthesis is where extraovarian precursors are incorporated into oocytes by endocytosis at the basal region of early vitellogenic oocytes before the formation of the vitelline coat. Follicle cells appear to play an important role in vitellogenesis and oocyte degeneration. The functions of attached follicle cells to the oocyte during oocyte degeneration are phagocytosis and digestion of phagosomes originating from oocyte degeneration. After digestion of phagosomes, it is assumed that the function of follicle cells can permit a transfer of yolk precursors necessary for vitellogenesis and allows for the accumulation of glycogen and lipid during oocyte degeneration, which can be employed by vitellogenic oocytes. Follicle cells of S. constricta may possess a lysosomal system for induction of oocyte breakdown and might resorb phagosomes in the cytoplasm for nutrient accumulation during oocyte degeneration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.56-63
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• 2007

Insulin stimulates the fusion of intracellular vesicles containing glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) with plasma membrane in adipocytes and muscle cells. Here we show that adipocyte differentiation results in enhanced insulin sensitivity of glucose uptake. On the other hand, glucose uptake in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation was markedly reduced by adipocyte differentiation. Expression level of insulin receptor and caveolin-1 was dramatically increased during adipocyte differentiation. Adipocyte differentiation caused :ilightly enhanced activation of acutely transforming retrovirus AKT8 in rodent T cell lymphoma (Akt) by insulin stimulation. However, activation of Akt by PDGF stimulation was largely reduced. Activation of ERK was not detected in both fibroblasts and adipocytes after stimulation with insulin. PDGF-dependent activation of ERK was reduced by adipocyte differentiation. Insulin-dependent glucose uptake was abrogated by LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, in both fibroblasts and adipocytes. Also disassembly of caveolae structure by $methyl-\beta-cyclodextrin$ caused impairment of Akt activation and glucose uptake. Finally, insulin receptor, Akt, SH2-domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase 2 (SHIP2), and regulatory subunit of PI3K are localized at lipid raft domain and the translocation was facilitated upon insulin stimulation. Given these results, we suggest that lipid raft provide proper site for insulin action for glucose uptake.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.7
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• pp.748-756
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• 2015

The report explores the possibility that the single extract of natural substances and the mixture of single extracts of natural substances create a synergy effect to increase the antimicrobial activity. It also compares the previous researches to find out if the natural medicinal herbs’ extract has antimicrobial activity on dandruff causative organism, Malassezia furfur. For the experiment on the mixture of single extracts of natural substances, the results are like following: 1. Staphylococcus aures’s antibacterial activity is resistant to mixture of three natural substances. 2. Escherichia coil’s antibacterial activity is resistant to mixture with Coptidis rhizoma. 3. Candida albicans’ antifungal activity is resistant to mixture with Chinese galls, which means the different results may be expected when tested with each germ. 4. On the other hand, Malassezia furfur has no antifungal activity on the single extract of natural substances and shows weak antifungal activity, whose diameter is 3.20 mm when tested with the mixture of 50% of Coptidis rhizoma and 50% of Phytoncide. The result is totally different from the one on the same eumycetes, C. albicans. That is because M. furfur has more lipophilic chemicaled cell walls than C. albicans does and it also consists of lamella layer, inner plasma membrane and intermediate multiple layers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.471-475
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• 2017

Freezing pretreatment can destroy the cell membrane of garlic and may improve some food-quality of garlic. Therefore we investigated the effect of freezing pretreatment at $-20^{\circ}C$ and $-70^{\circ}C$ on quality of aged black garlic, compared with traditional processing methods. Our results showed that freezing pretreatment at $-70^{\circ}C$ had the greatest impact on qualities and antioxidant activities of black garlic. Browning degree and pH of black garlic after both the freezing pretreatment and aging process were 3.14 and 3.55, respectively. Furthermore, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity and reducing power of aged black garlic can be enhanced by pre-freezing processing. Reducing sugar and 5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde (5-HMF) contents of freezing pretreated and aged black garlic were increased by 1.69 and 1.14 fold, respectively, compared with the control samples. The results indicated that freezing pretreatment had improved the overall qualities (such as browning degree, pH, reducing sugar) and functional materials of black garlic.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.235-240
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• 2005

Extracts of pine needles (Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc.) have diverse physiological and pharmacological actions. In this study we show that pine needle extract alters pacemaker currents in interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) by modulating ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels and that this effect is mediated by prostaglandins. In whole cell patches at $30^{\circ}C$, ICC generated spontaneous pacemaker potentials in the current clamp mode (I = 0), and inward currents (pacemaker currents) in the voltage clamp mode at a holding potential of -70 mV. Pine needle extract hyperpolarized the membrane potential, and in voltage clamp mode decreased both the frequency and amplitude of the pacemaker currents, and increased the resting currents in the outward direction. It also inhibited the pacemaker currents in a dose-dependent manner. Because the effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were the same as those of pinacidil (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channel opener) we tested the effect of glibenclamide (an ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels blocker) on ICC exposed to pine needle extract. The effects of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents were blocked by glibenclamide. To see whether production of prostaglandins (PGs) is involved in the inhibitory effect of pine needle extract on pacemaker currents, we tested the effects of naproxen, a non-selective cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) inhibitor, and AH6809, a prostaglandin EP1 and EP2 receptor antagonist. Naproxen and AH6809 blocked the inhibitory effects of pine needle extract on ICC. These results indicate that pine needle extract inhibits the pacemaker currents of ICC by activating ATP-sensitive $K^+$ channels via the production of PGs.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.389-397
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• 2010

This work was to improve antimicrobial activities of horseradish by encapsulated with edible biopolymers such as lecithin and gelatin since it has been difficult to directly use horseradish extracts into foods and food containers due to its strong and undesirable flavors. It was shown that most of the nanoparticles containing the extracts were well formed in round shape with below 400 nm diameter as well as fairly stable and less odd flavors in various pH ranges by measuring zeta potentials. The encapsulation efficiencies of nanoparticles were estimated as 66.6% and 53.4% for lecithin and gelatin, respectively. Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of both nanoparticles against G(+), Listeria monocytogenes and G(-), Salmonella typhimurium were also measured as 79 ppm based on AIT concentrations in the extracts, whose activities were about 65% higher than the case of adding crude extract. It was also found that the nanoparticles efficiently penetrated into the cell membrane and started to destruct the cells after 6 hours cultivation under Transmision Electron Microscopy observation. These results prove that the nano-encapsulation of the horseradish extracts can be employed to directly treat into the foods and food containers for antimicrobial purposes with the aids of aerosolization system, by using small amounts of the extracts and having less flavors due to masking effects of nanoparticles.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.101-117
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• 1999

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative neuromuscular disease of unknown etiology in which the upper and lower motor neurons are progressively destroyed. Recent evidences support the role of autoimmune mechanisms in the pathogenesis of ALS. This study investigated the effects of sera from ALS patients on neuromuscular transmission in phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm preparations and on calcium currents of single isolated dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells in mice. Mice were injected with either control sera from healthy adults or ALS sera from 18 patients with ALS of sporadic form, for three days. Miniature end plate potential (MEPP) and nerve-evoked end plate potential (EPP) were measured using intracellular recording technique and the quantal content was determined. Single isolated DRG cells were voltage-clamped with the whole-cell configuration and membrane currents were recorded. Sera from 14 of 18 ALS patients caused a significant increase in MEPP frequency in normal Ringer's solution $(4.62{\pm}0.14\;Hz)$ compared with the control $(2.18{\pm}0.15\;Hz).$ In a high $Mg^{2+}/low\;Ca^{2+}$ solution, sera from 13 of 18 ALS patients caused a significant increase in MEPP frequency, from $2.18{\pm}0.31$ Hz to $6.09{\pm}0.38$ Hz. Sera from 11 of 18 patients produced a significant increase of nerve-evoked EPP amplitude, from $0.92{\pm}0.05$ mV to $1.30{\pm}0.04$ mV, while the other seven ALS sera did not alter EPP amplitude. In the ALS group, EPP quantal content was also elevated by the sera of 14 patients (from $1.49{\pm}0.07$ to $2.35{\pm}0.07).$ MEPP frequency and amplitude in wobbler mouse were $4.03{\pm}0.53$ Hz and $1.37{\pm}0.18$ mV, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of wobbler controls (wobblers without the symptoms of wobbler). Sera from ALS patients significantly reduced HVA calcium currents of DRG cells to 42.7% at -10 mV. Furthermore, the inactivation curve shifted to more negative potentials with its half-inactivation potential changed by 6.98 mV. There were, however, significant changes neither in the reversal potential of $I_{Ca}$ nor in the I-V curve. From these results it was concluded that: 1) The serum factors of sporadic ALS patients increase neuromuscular transmission and can alter motor nerve terminal presynaptic function. This suggests that ALS serum factors may play an important role in the early stage of ALS, and 2) Calcium currents in DRG cells were reduced and rapidly inactivated by ALS sera, suggesting that in these cells, ALS serum factors may exert interaction with the calcium channel.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.424-430
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• 2002

Vas deferens is a long tube and could be divided into four regions as its morphological characters: a short and slender proximal region, a convoluted region, a straight and more thick distal region, and an ejaculatory duct, It is connected with the posterior outer horns of the testis and runs to the gonopores opened on the coxa of the fifth walking legs, The proximal region consists almost entirely of simple cuboidal epithelial cells, $12\~28{\mu}$m in height, surrounded by a thin basal membrane. A small aggregation of high cuboidal epithelium is obsened from one side of the proximal region. The convoluted and distal region is composed of two kinds of epithelial cells; high cuboidal epithelial cells, $40\~120{\mu}m$ in height located in dorsal portion and simple cuboidal epithelial cells of $12\~28{\mu}$m in height located in ventral and lateral portion. The ejaculatory duct is surrounded with two kinds of muscle layers, inner longitudinal and outer circular muscle fibers, The lumen is lined with high and simple cuboidal epithelium in almost equal proportions. The proximal region contains mature sperm and basophilic substances. The eosinophilic substances appeared newly going toward the convoluted region and are laid along simple cuboidal epithelial cell layer. Tube-like content (spermatophore) of the vas deferens is ejaculated from a pair of genital pores at mating. Two masses of the content fuse together side by side and are usually deposited on the female thorax between the second and fourth or fifth pereiopods, The spermatophore formed measures $2.7\~4.0$ mm in length and $1.5\~2.7$ mm in width.