• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• 제10권3호
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• pp.141-149
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• 2010

A concern of safety issue for traditional herbal medicine is the possibility of some herbs containing heavy metals responsible for several cases of metal poisoning. In our previous study, the physiological levels of heavy metals, such as Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb, were examined to evaluate a potential risk in patients taking herbal medicine. In this study, the levels of 12 heavy metals, including non-metallic element, Se, were analyzed in hair and compared to the results from the previous study. In the previous study, the levels of Cd, Cu, Hg and Pb in hair showed a significantly lower odds ratio than 1. In this study, however, all metals did not show any significant odds ratio higher or lower than 1 even if 5 of 12 metals showed lower odds ratio than 1. In addition, the levels of metal concentrations, especially for Cu, Fe, Pb and Zn, exceeding the WHO reference values were observed in hair. However, any evidence for metal accumulation in hair caused by taking herbal medicines for long duration was not observed in analysis of multiple regression and odds ratio from case-control study. This result would show another possibility for a role of herbs as a non-enzymatic chelator inhibiting the gastrointestinal absorption of heavy metals.

• BMB Reports
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• 제37권2호
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• pp.239-245
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• 2004

We have previously demonstrated that the redox reactant pyruvate prevents apoptosis in the oxidant model of bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC), and that the anti-apoptotic mechanism of pyruvate is mediated in part via the mitochondrial matrix compartment. However, cytosolic mechanisms for the cytoprotective feature of pyruvate remain to be elucidated. This study investigated the pyruvate protection against endothelial cytotoxicity when the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) was applied to BPAEC. Millimolar 2DG blocked the cellular glucose uptake in a concentration- and time-dependent manner with >85% inhibition at $\geq$5 mM within 24 h. The addition of 2DG evoked BPAEC cytotoxicity with a substantial increase in lipid peroxidation and a marked decrease in intracellular total glutathione. Exogenous pyruvate partially prevented the 2DG-induced cell damage with increasing viability of BPAEC by 25-30%, and the total glutathione was also modestly increased. In contrast, 10 mM L-lactate, as a cytosolic reductant, had no effect on the cytotoxicity and lipid peroxidation that are evoked by 2DG. These results suggest that 2DG toxicity may be a consequence of the diminished potential of glutathione antioxidant, which was partially restored by exogenous pyruvate but not L-lactate. Therefore, pyruvate qualifies as a cytoprotective agent for strategies that attenuate the metabolic dysfunction of the endothelium, and cellular glucose oxidation is required for the functioning of the cytosolic glutathione/NADPH redox system.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.506-510
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• 2012

Bone homeostasis is regulated by the balance between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts. Osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease are related with up-regulated osteoclast formation and its activity. Gol-Swae-Bo(Drynariae Rhizoma) is widely used on skeletal disease. In this study, we sought to examine the effect of Drynariae Rhizoma in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. The extract of Drynariae Rhizoma inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in a dose dependent manner without cytotoxicity. receptor activator of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ ligand(RANKL) mediated $I{\kappa}B$ degradation in bone marrow macrophages(BMMs). However, the extract of Drynariae Rhizoma inhibited RANKL induced $I{\kappa}B$ degradation in BMMs. And mRNA expression of OSCAR, TRAP, c-Fos and NFATc1 was suppressed by the extract of Drynariae Rhizoma. Moreover, the extract of Drynariae Rhizoma inhibited the protein expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos induced by RANKL. After all the analysis, these results suggest that Drynariae Rhizoma may be good candidate of medicine in the treatment of bone-related disease.

• 한국발생생물학회지:발생과생식
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.159-165
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• 2020

Previously, we reported adverse effects of low-dose nonylphenol (NP) exposure on the reproductive parameters of F1 female mice. In the present study we further investigated the pathohistological effect of NP exposure on the reproductive organs in F1 female mice. NP exposures were continuously conducted from parental pre-mating period until the postnatal day (PND) 33 of F1 offspring for vaginal examination. Mice were sacrificed on PND 30 and the reproductive tissue weights were measured. The initial (at PND 21) body weights of the NP-50 group animals were significantly lower than those of control group animals, and the weight deficit were recovered when the terminal (PND 33) body weights were measured. Early vaginal opening was found in NP group animals (p<0.05). Pathohistological studies revealed that NP-treated F1 animals showed prominent increase in the ovarian follicle numbers (p<0.01), and decrease in the diameter of uterine myometrium (p<0.01), and increase in the diameter of luminal epithelium (p<0.05). The present study demonstrated that the subchronic low-dose NP exposure induced early beginning of puberty and pathohistological abnormalities in ovary and uterus of F1 mice. Further studies are needed to achieve a better understanding on the action mechanism of NP in pubertal onset and to find a way to avoid a hazardous situation provoked by NP exposure.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제16권6호
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• pp.469-476
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• 2012

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD) is an environmental toxicant with a polyhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbon structure and is one of the most toxic man-made chemicals. Exposure to 2,3,7,8-TCDD induces reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity. In this study, we evaluated how 2,3,7,8-TCDD-induced hepatotoxicity affect the expression of heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes using the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in rat. 2,3,7,8-TCDD increased heat shock protein (Hsp27, ${\alpha}$-B-crystallin, Mortalin, Hsp105, and Hsp90s) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD-3, GST and catalase) expression after a 1 day exposure in livers of rats, whereas heat shock protein (${\alpha}$-B-crystallin, Hsp90, and GRP78) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1, SOD-3, catalase, GST, and GPXs) expression decreased on day 2 and then slowly recovered back to control levels on day 8. These results suggest that heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes were induced as protective mechanisms against 2,3,7,8-TCDD induced hepatotoxicity, and that prolonged exposure depressed their levels, which recovered to control levels due to reduced 2,3,7,8-TCDD induced hepatotoxicity.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.389-397
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• 2005

This experimental Study was designed to investigate the effects of Acanthopanacis Cortex Extract(ACE) on the immunity, anti-cancer and obesity in mice. The results were as follows; ACE was significantly increased in the proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes, and NO production from peritoneal macrophages in normal mice. ACE was significantly increased in the proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes, and NO production from peritoneal macrophages in L1210 cells transplanted mice. ACE was significantly decreased in the proliferation of L1210 cells in L1210 cells transplanted mice. ACE was significantly inhibited body weight and tumor weight in S-180 cells transplanted mice. ACE was significantly increased in the mean survival days in S-180 cells transplanted mice. ACE was significantly decreased in the body weight in rats fed high fat diet. ACE was significantly decreased in the serum total cholesterol level, free fatty acid level, total lipid level, phospholipid level in rats fed high fat diet. According to above results, the authors suggest that ACE is able to be used for the herb of physiological-action.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권3호
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• pp.736-740
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• 2007

Acanthopanax sessiliflorus SEEM extracts(AS) have been used to treat patient with diseases including cancer in Oriental countries. Recently, AS was known to have anti-cancer and immuno-stimulating activites. For these reasons, we investigated the effects of AS following gamma-ray irradiation on cytotoxicity for solid tumor cell line (S-180) and immune-potentiating ability such as proliferation of thymocytes and splenocytes. Finally we also investigated tumor weight and survival rate in tumor bearing mice. In our results, Treatment with AS suppressed proliferation of solid tumor cells (S-180) effectively. Treatment with AS accelerated thymocyte and splenocyte proliferation in tumor bearing mice. In addition, Treatment with AS reduced tumor weight and prolonged life of tumor bearing mice. In conclusion, we demonstrate that AS following gamma-ray irradiation is useful to treat patients with cancer, and also demonstrate that AS have both direct cytotoxic ability for cancer cells and indirect immune-stimulating action for thymocytes and splenocytes.

• Journal of the korean society of oceanography
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• 제38권2호
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• pp.68-79
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• 2003

Although seagrasses are relatively abundant, few studies have been conducted on seagrass physiology and ecology in Korea. Zostera marina is the most abundant seagrass species, widely distributed throughout all coastal areas of the Korean peninsula. To examine seasonal dynamics and spatial variations of eelgrass, Zostera marina distributed on the coast of Korea, morphological characteristics, biomass, tissue nutrient constituents, leaf productivity and environmental factors were monitored monthly from the eelgrass beds in Kabae Bay and Kosung Bay on the south coast of the Korean peninsula from June 2001 to June 2002. Eelgrass density, biomass, morphological characteristics, leaf productivities, and tissue nutrient constituents exhibited clear seasonal variations, and these seasonal trends reflected seasonal changes in water temperature. Eelgrass shoot density and biomass at Kabae Bay site showed more obvious seasonal trends than Kosung Bay. No strong seasonality in Kosung Bay site appeared to be caused by high water temperature ($>30{\circ}C$) during summer months at this site. Despite differences in nutrient availabilities between two study sites, eelgrass biomass and leaf productivities were not significantly different between study sites, and this lack of spatial variations implies that the ambient nutrient availabilities at the present study sites are in excess of seagrass nutrient demand. Eelgrass tissue N content and sediment pore water DIN concentrations exhibited reverse relationship at the present study. This reverse relationship suggests in situ nutrient concentrations are not good indicator of nutrient availabilities, and regeneration and turnover rates of sediment nutrients are also important factors to determine nutrient availabilities at the site.

• ALGAE
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• 제33권4호
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• pp.305-318
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• 2018

In Trachelomonas hispida, the adult envelope that surrounds the monad is oval in shape and covered with spines. Development of the lorica is an interesting, but poorly known phenomenon. We observed in detail the formation of spineless envelopes of T. hispida using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that young cells formed delicate and net-like envelopes. The structure changed with age, and mature specimens had solid, thick loricae with small pores. As the loricae aged, they changed their shape, and rope-like fibres from the external layer started to unwind, progressing from the apical pore, exposing the underlying net-like structure. X-ray spectrometry showed that Fe was the major mineral component in young and mature loricae, whereas old loricae did not contain Fe salts, although they did contain a high number of Mn compounds. We also noticed a different pattern of mineralization process in the envelopes. Apart from the even distribution of mineral deposition over the entire lorica, we observed that it started from the apical pore and ended at the posterior end. There was considerable morphological variation in envelope shape and ornamentation, which had collars and folds around the apical pore and process at the posterior end. This suggested that many varieties of T. hispida should be taxonomically reappraised. We also discuss a hypothetical role for the spines on lorica surfaces in aquatic ecosystems.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제35권3호
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• pp.257-270
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• 2019

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in a variety of applications in innovative development; consequently, people are more exposed to this particle. Growing concern about toxicity from AgNP exposure has attracted greater attention, while questions about nanosilver-responsive genes and consequences for human health remain unanswered. By considering early detection and prevention of nanotoxicology at the genetic level, this study aimed to identify 1) changes in gene expression levels that could be potential indicators for AgNP toxicity and 2) morphological phenotypes correlating to toxicity of HepG2 cells. To detect possible nanosilver-responsive genes in xenogenic targeted organs, a comprehensive systematic literature review of changes in gene expression in HepG2 cells after AgNP exposure and in silico method, connection up- and down-regulation expression analysis of microarrays (CU-DREAM), were performed. In addition, cells were extracted and processed for transmission electron microscopy to examine ultrastructural alterations. From the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) Series database, we selected genes that were up- and down-regulated in AgNPs, but not up- and down-regulated in silver ion exposed cells, as nanosilver-responsive genes. HepG2 cells in the AgNP-treated group showed distinct ultrastructural alterations. Our results suggested potential representative gene data after AgNPs exposure provide insight into assessment and prediction of toxicity from nanosilver exposure.