• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제34권3호
• /
• pp.246-253
• /
• 2010

Ginsenoside $Rg_3$ ($Rg_3$), one of the active ingredients in Panax ginseng, attenuates NMDA receptor-mediated currents in vitro and antagonizes NMDA receptors through a glycine modulatory site in rat cultured hippocampal neurons. In the present study, we examined the neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ on 24-hydroxycholesterol (24-OH-chol)-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. The results showed that $Rg_3$ treatment significantly and dose-dependently inhibited 24-OH-chol-induced cell death in rat cultured cortical neurons, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $28.7{\pm}7.5\;{\mu}m$. Furthermore, the $Rg_3$ treatment not only significantly reduced DNA damage, but also dose-dependently attenuated 24-OH-chol-induced caspase-3 activity. To study the mechanisms underlying the in vitro neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ against 25-OH-chol-induced cytotoxicity, we also examined the effect of $Rg_3$ on intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ elevations in cultured neurons and found that $Rg_3$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited increases in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $40.37{\pm}12.88\;{\mu}m$. Additionally, $Rg_3$ treatment dose-dependently inhibited apoptosis with an $IC_{50}$ of $47.3{\pm}14.2\;{\mu}m$. Finally, after confirming the protective effect of $Rg_3$ using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling assay, we found that $Rg_3$ is an active component in ginseng-mediated neuroprotection. These results collectively indicate that $Rg_3$-induced neuroprotection against 24-OH-chol in rat cortical neurons might be achieved via inhibition of a 24-OH-chol-mediated $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This is the first report to employ cortical neurons to study the neuroprotective effects of $Rg_3$ against 24-OH-chol. In conclusion, $Rg_3$ was effective for protecting cells against 24-OH-chol-induced cytotoxicity in rat cortical neurons. This protective ability makes $Rg_3$ a promising agent in pathologies implicating neurodegeneration such as apoptosis or neuronal cell death.

• 한국응용곤충학회지
• /
• 제51권4호
• /
• pp.469-477
• /
• 2012

본 연구에서는 팥의 꼬투리와 줄기를 가해하는 Ostrinia속 해충에 대해 종 동정 과정을 기술하였고, 사육하면서 관찰된 발육특성들을 보고하였다. 수컷의 생식기는 3-lobed uncus 형태였으며, 가운뎃다리 종아리마디에는 털을 많이 갖는 것으로 나타났다. 미토콘드리아 cytochrome oxidase I (COI)과 II (COII) 유전자의 부분 염기서열은 콩줄기명나방(O. scapulalis), 큰섬들명나방(O. zaguliaevi), 큰조명나방(O. zealis bipatrialis)들에 대해 일본과 중국에서 보고된 서열들과 100% 일치를 보이는 종은 없었다. 기주식물 범위는 국내외 보고들 간에 일치하지 않았다. 암컷 성페로몬샘 추출물의 가스크로마토그래피 분석에서 큰섬들명나방과 큰조명나방의 성페로몬 성분인 (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate는 검출되지 않았다. 이상의 결과들을 종합하여 고려하였을 때, 본 연구의 팥 해충을 가해하는 곤충 종은 콩줄기명나방(O. scapulalis)일 것으로 추정되었다. 가을 야외에서 채집된 유충들을 야외조건에서 보관하였을 때, 이듬해 6월과 7월 사이에 성충들이 우화하였는데, 이 결과로부터 본 곤충 종은 말령 유충 단계에서 겨울휴면을 하는 것으로 추정되었다. 이외에 반합성 인공사료를 이용하여 실내 사육이 가능하였다.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• 제47권1호
• /
• pp.54-60
• /
• 2020

Objective: Oxidative stress plays a key role in the pathogenesis of male infertility. But, the adverse effects of oxidative biomarkers on sperm quality remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxydesoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) oxidative biomarkers in seminal plasma and their relationship with sperm parameters. Methods: A total of 77 volunteers participated in the study, including fertile (n = 40) and infertile men (n = 37). NO, 8-OHdG, and TAC levels were measured using the ferric reducing ability of plasma, Griess reagent method and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, respectively. Results: The mean values of sperm parameters in the infertile group were significantly lower than those in the fertile group (p< 0.001). The mean 8-OHdG in the seminal plasma of infertile men was significantly higher (p= 0.013) than those of controls, while the mean TAC was significantly lower (p= 0.046). There was no significant difference in NO level between the two groups. The elevated seminal 8-OHdG levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p< 0.001, p= 0.001 and p= 0.052, respectively). NO levels were negatively correlated with semen volume, total sperm counts and morphology (p= 0.014, p= 0.020 and p= 0.060, respectively). Positive correlations between TAC and both sperm count and morphology (p= 0.043 and p= 0.025, respectively) were also found. Conclusion: These results suggested that increased levels of NO and 8-OHdG in seminal plasma could have a negative effect on sperm function by inducing damage to the sperm DNA hence their fertility potentials. Therefore, these biomarkers can be useful in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제17권6호통권86호
• /
• pp.778-782
• /
• 2007

Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI)는 NADPH oxidase 같은 flavoenzymes의 저해제로써 널리 사용되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 인간 대장암 세포주 HCT-116 (wild-type p53)와 HT-29 (p53 mutant) 및 인간 유방암 세포주인 MCF-7(wild-type p53)의 세포성장 과정에서의 DPI의 효과를 살펴보았다. DPI는 농도 및 시간 의존적으로 암세포주의성장을 막았으며 G2/M phase에서 cell cycle arrest를 일으켰다. Cell cycle arrest의 가장 높은 값은 DPI 처리후 12 시간에서 관찰할 수 있었다. 한편 DPI는 아폽토시스 그리고 cell cycle arres 에 관여하는 유전자 발현에 관여하는 p53의 표현을 크게 증가시켰으며, 이는 DPI처리 후 6시간 후 부터 관찰할 수 있었다. 그러나 NADPH oxidase의 조합을 억제하는 catechol 계인 apocynin은 p53의 발현을 유도하지 못하였다. 이것은 DPI에 의해 유도되는 p53의 발현증가는 NADPH oxidase활성의 저해와 관련되어 있지 않다는 것을 의미한다. 결론적으로 DPI는 HCT-116, HCT-15 및 MCF-7 암세포주에서 ROS에 비 의존적으로 wild-type p53 발현의 증가를 유도하며, 이 증가된 p53은 DPI에 의해 유도되는 성장 억제 및 C2/M phase에서의 cell cycle arrset과정의 조절기전에 관여한다는 것을 시사한다.

• 생명과학회지
• /
• 제24권6호
• /
• pp.700-706
• /
• 2014

본 연구에서는 anthracycline 계열 항암항생제인 doxorubicin의 암세포 전이 억제 여부를 LNCap 전립선 암세포를 이용하여 이동성 및 침윤성 억제 효능 측면에서 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 doxorubicin은 LNCap 세포의 이동성과 침윤성을 현저하게 억제시켰으며, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 및 -9의 발현과 활성을 저해함과 동시에 tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 및 -2의 발현은 증가시켰다. Doxorubicin은 또한 tight junctions (TJs)의 전기적 저항성을 증대시켰으며, 이는 TJs의 주요 구성인자인 claudin family 인자들의 발현 억제와 연관성이 있었다. 따라서 LNCap 세포에서 doxorubicin에 의한 전이의 억제에는 최소한 TJ의 견고성 증대와 MMPs의 활성 억제가 관여할 것으로 추정된다.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제41권5호
• /
• pp.413-422
• /
• 2018

Soybean transgenic plants with ectopically expressed AtABF3 were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and investigated the effects of AtABF3 expression on drought and salt tolerance. Stable Agrobacterium-mediated soybean transformation was carried based on the half-seed method (Paz et al. 2006). The integration of the transgene was confirmed from the genomic DNA of transformed soybean plants using PCR and the copy number of transgene was determined by Southern blotting using leaf samples from $T_2$ seedlings. In addition to genomic integration, the expression of the transgenes was analyzed by RT-PCR and most of the transgenic lines expressed the transgenes introduced. The chosen two transgenic lines (line #2 and #9) for further experiment showed the substantial drought stress tolerance by surviving even at the end of the 20-day of drought treatment. And the positive relationship between the levels of AtABF3 gene expression and drought-tolerance was confirmed by qRT-PCR and drought tolerance test. The stronger drought tolerance of transgenic lines seemed to be resulted from physiological changes. Transgenic lines #2 and #9 showed ion leakage at a significantly lower level (P < 0.01) than ${\underline{n}}on-{\underline{t}}ransgenic$ (NT) control. In addition, the chlorophyll contents of the leaves of transgenic lines were significantly higher (P < 0.01). The results indicated that their enhanced drought tolerance was due to the prevention of cell membrane damage and maintenance of chlorophyll content. Water loss by transpiration also slowly proceeded in transgenic plants. In microscopic observation, higher stomata closure was confirmed in transgenic lines. Especially, line #9 had 56% of completely closed stomata whereas only 16% were completely open. In subsequent salt tolerance test, the apparently enhanced salt tolerance of transgenic lines was measured in ion leakage rate and chlorophyll contents. Finally, the agronomic characteristics of ectopically expressed AtABF3 transgenic plants ($T_2$) compared to NT plants under regular watering (every 4 days) or low rate of watering condition (every 10 days) was investigated. When watered regularly, the plant height of drought-tolerant line (#9) was shorter than NT plants. However, under the drought condition, total seed weight of line #9 was significantly higher than in NT plants (P < 0.01). Moreover, the pods of NT plants showed severe withering, and most of the pods failed to set normal seeds. All the evidences in the study clearly suggested that overexpression of the AtABF3 gene conferred drought and salt tolerance in major crop soybean, especially under the growth condition of low watering.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
• /
• 제39권10호
• /
• pp.1565-1572
• /
• 2010

본 총설에서는 동물실험에 이어 인체중재연구에서 양파의 유효성을 검증하고 단편적인 효능 검색 외에 활성물질의 분리, 동정 및 작용기작에 대한 구명연구를 위해 양파의 심혈관계 질환 및 항산화 효과에 대한 기존 중재연구를 종합하여 제시하고자 하였다. 양파의 심혈관계 질환 개선 효과는 대부분의 인체중재연구에서 혈중 콜레스테롤과 중성지방 저하 또는 혈소판 응집 저해 및 혈전 용해 활성 촉진 작용을 통해 입증되었다. 특히 이러한 유효성은 이미 혈중 지질 농도가 높아 혈액 유동성이 낮아진 대상자에게 약 300 g의 양파를 최소 12주 이상 제공할 때 효과적인 것으로 사료된다. 또한 공급되는 양파의 산지, 시료 제조 방법, 공급되는 시료양 및 기간과 중재 기간 동안 개인의 식사 조정과 같은 다양한 실험 조건의 차이가 결과에 영향을 준 것으로 사료되므로 이에 대한 엄격한 기준 및 관리가 필요할 것으로 보인다. 한편 양파는 LDL 산화 억제에는 직접적으로 작용하지 못하는 것으로 보이며 이는 쿼세틴이 단백질과 친화성이 높은 특성에서 기인된 것으로 사료된다. 그러나 양파의 항산화 효과를 전적으로 부인하기보다는 항산화 효과를 반영할 수 있는 보다 효과적인 분석 지표 선정 혹은 항산화 관련 유전자의 발현을 확인하는 등 새로운 분석 기술의 적용이 고려되어야 할 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제4권1호
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2000

Transition metal ions including $Se^{2+},\;Cd^{2+},\;Hg^{2+}\;or\;Mn^{2+}$ have been thought to disturb the bone metabolism directly. However, the mechanism for the bone lesion is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that MC3T3E1 osteoblasts, exposed to various transition metal ions; selenium, cadmium, mercury or manganese, generated massive amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The released ROS were completely quenched by free radical scavengers-N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), reduced glutathione (GSH), or superoxide dismutase (SOD). First, we have observed that selenium $(10\;{\mu}M),$ cadmium $(100\;{\mu}M),$ mercury $(100\;{\mu}M)$ or manganese (1 mM) treatment induced apoptotic phenomena like DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation and caspase-3-like cysteine protease activation in MC3T3E1 osteoblasts. Concomitant treatment of antioxidant; N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), reduced-form glutathione (GSH), or superoxide dismutase (SOD), prevented apoptosis induced by each of the transition metal ions. Catalase or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) has less potent inhibitory effect on the apoptosis, compared with NAC, GSH or SOD. In line with the results, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) stain shows that each of the transition metals is a potent source of free radicals in MC3T3E1 osteoblast. Our data show that oxidative damage is associated with the induction of apoptosis in MC3T3E1 osteoblasts following $Se^{2+},\;Cd^{2+},\;Hg^{2+}\;or\;Mn^{2+}$ treatment.

• 동의생리병리학회지
• /
• 제17권4호
• /
• pp.1082-1091
• /
• 2003

To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) on nerve cells damaged by hypoxia, the cytotoxic effects of exposure to hypoxia were determined by XTT, NR, MTT and SRB asssay. The activity of catalase and SOD was measured by spectrophometry, and TNF-α and PKC activity was measured after exposure to hypoxia and treatment of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) water extract(KJHWE). Also the neuroprotective effect of KJHWE was researched for the elucidation of neuroprotective mechanism. The results were as follows ; Hypoxia decreased cell viability measured by XTT, NR assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 95% N2/5% CO₂ for 2～26 minutes in these cultures and KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. H₂O₂ treatment decreased cell viability measured by MTT, and SRB assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 1-80 uM for 6 hours, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. Hypoxia decreased catalase and SOD activity, and also TNF-α and PKC activity in these cultured cerebral neurons, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of the catalase and SOD activity in these cultures. Hypoxia triggered the apoptosis via caspase activation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Also hypoxia stimulate the release of cytochrome c form mitochondria. KJHWE inhibited the apoptosis via caspase activation induced by hypoxia. From these results, it can be suggested that brain ischemia model induced hypoxia showed neurotoxity on cultured mouse cerebral neurons, and the KJHWE has the neuroprotective effect in blocking the neurotoxity induced by hypoxia in cultured mouse cerebral neurons.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• 제37권3호
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2014

Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated from abnormal cellular process lead to various human diseases such as inflammation, ischemia, and Parkinson's disease (PD). Sensitive to apoptosis gene (SAG), a RING-FINGER protein, has anti-apoptotic activity and anti-oxidant activity. In this study, we investigate whether Tat-SAG, fused with a Tat domain, could protect SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) and dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) toxicity. Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis showed that, unlike SAG, Tat-SAG transduced efficiently into SH-SY5Y cells and into the brain, respectively. Tat-SAG remarkably suppressed ROS generation, DNA damage, and the progression of apoptosis, caused by $MPP^+$ in SH-SY5Y cells. Also, immunohistochemical data using a tyrosine hydroxylase antibody and cresyl violet staining demonstrated that Tat-SAG obviously protected DA neurons in the SN against MPTP toxicity in a PD mouse model. Tat-SAG-treated mice showed significant enhanced motor activities, compared to SAG- or Tat-treated mice. Therefore, our results suggest that Tat-SAG has potential as a therapeutic agent against ROS-related diseases such as PD.