• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.159-166
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• 2021

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NOXs) are the major enzymatic source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NOX2 and NOX4 are expressed in the heart but its role in hypoxia-induced atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion is unclear. This study investigated the effect of NOX on ANP secretion induced by hypoxia in isolated beating rat atria. The results showed that hypoxia significantly upregulated NOX4 but not NOX2 expression, which was completely abolished by endothelin-1 (ET-1) type A and B receptor antagonists BQ123 (0.3 μM) and BQ788 (0.3 μM). ET-1-upregulated NOX4 expression was also blocked by antagonists of secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2; varespladib, 5.0 μM) and cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2; CAY10650, 120.0 nM), and ET-1-induced cPLA2 expression was inhibited by varespladib under normoxia. Moreover, hypoxia-increased ANP secretion was evidently attenuated by the NOX4 antagonist GLX351322 (35.0 μM) and inhibitor of ROS N-Acetyl-D-cysteine (NAC, 15.0 mM), and hypoxia-increased production of ROS was blocked by GLX351322. In addition, hypoxia markedly upregulated Src expression, which was blocked by ET receptors, NOX4, and ROS antagonists. ET-1-increased Src expression was also inhibited by NAC under normoxia. Furthermore, hypoxia-activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and protein kinase B (Akt) were completely abolished by Src inhibitor 1 (1.0 μM), and hypoxia-increased GATA4 was inhibited by the ERK1/2 and Akt antagonists PD98059 (10.0 μM) and LY294002 (10.0 μM), respectively. However, hypoxia-induced ANP secretion was substantially inhibited by Src inhibitor. These results indicate that NOX4/Src modulated by ET-1 regulates ANP secretion by activating ERK1/2 and Akt/GATA4 signaling in isolated beating rat hypoxic atria.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.291-301
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• 2023

Introduction: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients are particularly vulnerable to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). Currently, no anti-NSCLC/COVID-19 treatment options are available. As ginsenoside Rg3 is beneficial to NSCLC patients and has been identified as an entry inhibitor of the virus, this study aims to explore underlying pharmacological mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 for the treatment of NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Methods: Based on a large-scale data mining and systemic biological analysis, this study investigated target genes, biological processes, pharmacological mechanisms, and underlying immune implications of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Results: An important gene set containing 26 target genes was built. Target genes with significant prognostic value were identified, including baculoviral IAP repeat containing 5 (BIRC5), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB), glucagon receptor (GCGR), interleukin 2 (IL2), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PADI4), and solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 1B1 (SLCO1B1). The expression of target genes was significantly correlated with the infiltration level of macrophages, eosinophils, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes. Ginsenoside Rg3 may benefit NSCLC patients with COVID-19 by regulating signaling pathways primarily involved in anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cell cycle, cell fate, carcinogenesis, and hemodynamics. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive strategy for drug discovery in NSCLC and COVID-19 based on systemic biology approaches. Ginsenoside Rg3 may be a prospective drug for NSCLC patients with COVID-19. Future studies are needed to determine the value of ginsenoside Rg3 for NSCLC patients with COVID-19.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제50권2호
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• pp.182-195
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• 2001

연구배경 : IPF에 의한 유병률과 사망률은 점차 증가하는 추세이나 좋은 치료는 없는 상태이다. 폐 섬유화 과정에서 TGF-${\beta}_1$, TNF-$\alpha$, ET-1, IFN-$\gamma$등의 사이토카인이 중요한 역할을 함이 알려져 있다. 본 실험은 파라콰트를 기관지 내로 주입하여 섬유화가 유발되는 과정의 백서의 폐 조직 내에서 ET-1과 TGF-${\beta}_1$의 발현을 살펴보고, 또한 비선택적 ET-1 receptor blocker인 Bosentan이 폐 섬유화의 치료에 효과가 있는지를 보고자 하였다. 방 법 : 웅성 7-8 주령의 백서 120 마리를 세 그룹으로 나누고 제 1그룹은 대조군으로 하여 기관지 내로 생리 식염수를 투여하였고, 제2그룹은 파라콰트를 투여하였으며, 제3그룹은 첫날 파라콰트를 투여한 후 매일 gastric gavage 방법으로 보센탄을 투여하였다. 파라콰트 혹은 생리식염수를 투여한 지 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14일째 각각 세 그룹의 일정 수를 희생하여 폐의 병리조직을 보고 면역세포화학염색으로 ET-1과 TGF-${\beta}_1$의 발현 율을 조사하여 분석하였다. 폐 섬유화의 정도는 H&E 염색과 Masson trichrome 염색을 하여 컴퓨터 영상분석을 시행하였고, 면역세포화학염색은 염색정도에 따라 반정량화하여 분석하였다. 결 과 : 파라콰트를 투여한 군이 대조군에 비해 콜라겐의 침착이 실험 3일째부터 현저히 증가하였고, ET-1과 TGF-${\beta}_1$의 발현이 주로 실험 초기에 증가하였다. 그러나 보센탄을 투여한 경우 콜라겐이 침착된 양에는 유의한 변화가 없었고 파라콰트군과 비교해서 ET-1과 TGF-${\beta}_1$의 발현에 뚜렷한 변화는 없었다. 결 론: 파라콰트를 투여한 경우 폐 섬유화가 증가하였다. 그리고 ET-1과 TGF-${\beta}_1$의 발현이 증가하였다. 그러나 ET-1 에 대한 receptor blocker인 보센탄이 폐 섬유화를 막지는 못하였다. 파라콰트에 의한 폐 섬유화에 ET-1이 연관성이 있으나 그 역할에 대해서는 추후 더 연구가 필요할 것으로 사료된다.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.178-183
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• 2008

To investigate the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) treatment on regions remote from the application, we measured cellular, enzymatic, and transcriptional activities in various internal tissues of healthy rats. The EA was applied to the well-identified acupoint ST36 of the leg. After application, we measured the activity of natural killer cells in the spleen, gene expression in the hypothalamus, and the activities of antioxidative enzymes in the hypothalamus, liver and red blood cells. The EA treatment increased natural killer cell activity in the spleen by approximately 44%. It also induced genes related to pain, including 5-Hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) receptor 3a (Htr3a) and Endothelin receptor type B (Ednrb) in the hypothalamus, and increased the activity of superoxide dismutase in the hypothalamus, liver, and red blood cells. These findings indicate that EA mediates its effects through changes in cellular activity, gene expression, and enzymatic activity in multiple remote tissues. The sum of these alterations may explain the beneficial effects of EA.