• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.273-280
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• 2021

Lung cancer despite advancement in the medical field continues to be a major threat to human lives and accounts for a high proportion of fatalities caused by cancers globally. The current study investigated vanillin oxime, a derivative of vanillin, against lung cancer cells for development of treatment and explored the mechanism. Cell viability changes by vanillin oxime were measured using MTT assay. Vanillin oxime-mediated apoptosis was detected in A549 and NCI-H2170 cells at 48 h of exposure by flow cytometry. The CEBP homologous protein (CHOP) and death receptor 5 (DR5) levels were analysed by RT-PCR and protein levels by Western blotting. Vanillin oxime in concentration-dependent way suppressed A549 and NCI-H2170 cell viabilities. On exposure to 12.5 and 15 μM concentrations of vanillin oxime elevated Bax, caspase-3, and -9 levels in A549 and NCI-H2170 cells were observed. Vanillin oxime exposure suppressed levels of Bcl-2, survivin, Bcl-xL, cFLIP, and IAPs proteins in A549 and NCI-H2170 cells. It stimulated significant elevation in DR4 and DR5 levels in A549 and NCI-H2170 cells. In A549 and NCI-H2170 cells vanillin oxime exposure caused significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in CHOP and DR5 mRNA expression. Vanillin oxime exposure of A549 and NCI-H2170 cells led to significant (p < 0.05) enhancement in levels of phosphorylated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. Thus, vanillin oxime inhibits pulmonary cell proliferation via induction of apoptosis through tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) mediated pathway. Therefore, vanillin oxime may be studied further to develop a treatment for lung cancer.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.435-449
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cheonggukjang is a traditional fermented soybean paste with significant health-promoting effects. On the other hand, there have been insufficient studies on the safety and efficacy of Cheonggukjang, which is produced using traditional methods containing toxins and biogenic amines (BAs). This study compared the laxative effect of Cheonggukjang, containing high or low levels of toxins and BAs (HTBC or LTBC) in a loperamide (Lop)-induced constipation mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: To induce constipation, Lop (5 mg/kg) was administered orally to ICR mice twice a day for 4 days, and the dose was increased to 8 mg/kg after a 3-day rest period. Cheonggukjang (500 mg/kg, HTBC, or LTBC respectively) was administered for four weeks before the Lop treatment. RESULTS: The number of stools, fecal weight, water contents, gastrointestinal transit, and histological alterations were recovered significantly in the HTBC or LTBC groups. HTBC and LTBC administration did not induce significant changes in body weight, dietary intake, and behavior. The opioid-receptor downstream signaling pathway in colon tissues was also evaluated. The c-Kit, stem cell kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases subfamilies, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38, were all downregulated in the HTBC or LTBC-administered mice colon compared to the Lop group. CONCLUSION: These results show that Cheonggukjang, containing high levels of toxins and BAs, have a similar laxative effect in a mouse model of Lop-induced constipation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.78-83
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• 2005

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin(TCDD) has previously shown to induce neurotoxicity through intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ increase in rat neurons. In this study we investigated the role and signaling pathway of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in TCDD-induced inhibition of neuronal cell proliferation in SK-N-SH human neuronal cells. We found that TCDD(10nM) rapidly increased the level of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$, which was completely blocked by the extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelation with EGTA (1 mM) or by pretreatment of the cells with the non-selective cation channel blocker. flufenamic acid (200 ${\mu}M$). However, pretreatment of the cells with dantrolene (25 ${\mu}M$) and TMB-8(10 ${\mu}M$), intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-release blockers, or a voltage-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker, varapamil (100 ${\mu}M$), failed to block the TCDD-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase in the cells. In addition, TCDD induced a rapid and transient activation of phatidvlinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), which was ingnificantly blocked by the pretreatment with BAPTA, an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, and LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. Furthermore, inhibitors of PI3K, ERK, or an intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator further potentiated the anti-proliferative effect of TCDD in the cells. Collectively, the results suggest that intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and PI3K-dependent activation of ERK 1/2 may be involved in the TCDD-induced inhibition of cell proliferation in SK-N-SH human neuronal cells.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.27-37
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• 2007

Objectives: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver worldwide. In-Jin-Ho-Tang(IJHT) has been used as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine since ancient time. and today it is widely applied as a medication for jaundice which is associated with inflammation in liver. In this study, I investigated whether methanol extract of IJHT induced HepG2 cancer cell death. Methods: Cytotoxic activity of IJHT on HepG2 cells was using XTT assay. Apoptosis induction by Ros A in HCT116 cells was verified by the induction of cleavage of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). and activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9. The release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. the level of Bcl-2 and Bax and the expression of p53 and p21 were examined by western blotting analysis. Furthermore, MAPKs activation was analyzed by western blotting analysis. Results: IJHT induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. And treatment of IJHT resulted in the release of cytochrome c into cytosol, decreased anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, and increased pri-apoptotic Bax expression. IJHT markedly inactivated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2), and activated p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. Sodium orthovanadate (SOV), a phosphatase inhibitor, to reverse IJHT-induced ERK1/2 inactivation and SB203580, a specific p38 MAP Kinase inhibitor efficiently blocked apoptosis of HepG2. Thus, IJHT induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells via MAP kinase modulation. Conclusion: These results indicated that IJHT has some potential for use as an anti-cancer agent.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.77-85
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• 2017

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the unknown mechanisms behind the anti- inflammatory activity of Hyeonto-dan(HT) 70% ethanol extract on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : Cells were treated with Hyeonto-dan 1 h prior to addition of 200 ng/mL of LPS. Cell viability was measured by the MTS assay. Nitric oxide levels were determined by the Griess assay. $PGE_2$ were measured using EIA kit. Pro-inflammatory cytokine production was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of COX-2, iNOS, and MAPKs was investigated by Western blot, qRT-PCR. $NF-{\kappa}B$/p65 localization and interaction of the TLR-4 receptor with LPS was examined by immunofluorescence assays. Results : Hyeonto-dan had no cytotoxicity at the measured concentration. Hyeonto-dan inhibited NO production and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and PGE2 as well as the protein and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Moreover, Hyeonto-dan inhibited the interaction between LPS and TLR-4 in murine macrophages. It suppressed phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK 1/2) and p38. Finally, it inhibited translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$ in response to competitive LPS. Conclusions : Based on the results of this study, Hyeonto-dan inhibited the binding of TLR-4 receptor to LPS and inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular signaling pathway MAPKs. These inhibitory effects are thought that the amount of $NF-{\kappa}B$ delivered to the nucleus was decreased and the inflammatory reaction was prevented by decreasing the production of LPS-induced $PGE_2$, NO, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권2호
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• pp.212-219
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• 2016

다형성 신경교모세포종은 사람의 원발성 뇌종양 중 가장 흔하면서 악성이 높은 종양의 하나로 수술과 방사선치료, 화학치료 등 집중적 치료에도 불구하고 사망률이 높은 종양이다. 레스베라트롤은 다양한 자연산 물질에 포함되어 있는 폴리페놀의 일종으로 여러 종류의 암세포들에서 항암 작용이 있음이 보고되어 있으나 그 기전은 명확하게 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 사람의 신경교모세포종 기원 세포인 A172 세포에서 레스베라트롤에 의한 세포 사멸 효과와 그 기전을 확인하고자 하였다. 레스베라트롤은 A172세포에서 활성산소종의 생성을 촉진하였으며 N-acetylcystein 혹은 catalase 등의 항산화제들을 전처치시 레스베라트롤의 세포 사멸 효과가 차단되었다. 레스베라트롤은 ERK와 p38 kinase, JNK 등의 인산화를 촉진하였으며 이들 인산화 효소의 억제제들을 전처치하면 레스베라트롤의 세포 사멸 효과가 차단되었다. Caspase 억제제를 전처치시 레스베라트롤에 의한 caspase-3의 활성화와 세포 사멸이 차단되었으며, N-acetylcystein을 전처치시 레스베라트롤에 의한 ERK의 활성화와 caspase-3의 활성화가 차단되었다. 이들 결과를 종합하면 레스베라트롤은 A172 세포에서 활성산소종의 생성을 촉진하며 이는 ERK와, p38 kinase, JNK 등의 활성화를 통해 caspase-의존성 기전으로 세포사멸을 유도하는 것으로 사료된다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.9-14
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• 2016

Adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) participates in the regulation of numerous cellular functions, including the $Na^+-K^+$-ATPase (sodium pump). Ouabain, used in the treatment of several heart diseases, is known to increase cAMP levels but its effects on the atrium are not understood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of ouabain on the regulation of atrial cAMP production and its roles in atrial endothelin-1 (ET-1) secretion in isolated perfused beating rabbit atria. Our results showed that ouabain ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$) significantly increased atrial dynamics and cAMP levels during recovery period. The ouabain-increased atrial dynamics was blocked by KB-R7943 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor for reverse mode of $Na^+-Ca^{2+}$ exchangers (NCX), but did not by L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocker nifedipine ($1.0{\mu}mol/L$) or protein kinase A (PKA) selective inhibitor H-89 ($3.0{\mu}mol/L$). Ouabain also enhanced atrial intracellular cAMP production in response to forskolin and theophyline ($100.0{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, potentiated the ouabain-induced increase in cAMP. Ouabain and 8-Bromo-cAMP ($0.5{\mu}mol/L$) markedly increased atrial ET-1 secretion, which was blocked by H-89 and by PD98059 ($30{\mu}mol/L$), an inhibitor of extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) without changing ouabain-induced atrial dynamics. Our results demonstrated that ouabain increases atrial cAMP levels and promotes atrial ET-1 secretion via the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ERK signaling pathway. These findings may explain the development of cardiac hypertrophy in response to digitalis-like compounds.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제20권5호
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• pp.655-661
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• 2010

흑색종세포주 SK-MEL-2에서 레티노이드에 의한 GD3합성효소(hST8Sia I)의 발현억제기작을 규명하게 위하여 hST8Sia I의 프로모터 활성을 조사해 본 결과 -1146에서 -646영역에서 레티노이드에 의한 활성억제를 나타내었다. 또한 부위특이적 변이와 ChIP분석은 -731에서 -722영역에 위치한 전사인자NF-kB 결합부위가 hST8Sia I의 레티노이드에 의한 활성억제에 중요하게 관여하고 있음을 나타내었다. 이러한 발현 억제는 PKC/ERK 신호전달경로를 통하여 일어난다는 것을 신호전달경로 저해제를 이용한 RT-PCR과 프로모터 활성조사에 의해 규명하였다.

• 한방안이비인후피부과학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.12-21
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• 2018

Objectives : Inflammation is one of the self-protective abilities against tissue injury, and it has clinical symptoms like redness, heat, swelling, pain, and loss of function. The purpose of this study is to examine inhibitory effects of Naetakchunkeum-san (NTCKS) on nitric oxide (NO), Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible NOS (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), which play a major role in inflammatory response. Methods : The experiment was performed using Raw 264.7 cells pretreated with NTCKS extracts. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. To evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of NTCKS, we examined NO and $PGE_2$ production in LPS-induced macrophages. We also investigated effects of NTCKS on iNOS, Cox-2, and ERK1/2 expression using western blot. Results : In MTT assay, no cytotoxicity of NTCKS (50, 100, 150, $200{\mu}g/ml$) on RAW 264.7 cell was found. LPS-induced NO production was decreased after treatment with NTCKS (150, $200{\mu}g/ml$)(p<0.05). $PGE_2$ was decreased after treatment with NTCKS (150, $200{\mu}g/ml$)(p<0.05). NTCKS inhibited LPS-induced expressions of iNOS and COX-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by LPS was decreased by NTCKS in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions : According to above experiments, NTCKS may be applied to inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제20권1호
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• pp.57-65
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• 2008

Purpose: Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of proteins that are activated when cells are exposed to a variety of environmental stresses, such as infection, inflammation, exposure to toxins, starvation, hypoxia, brain injury, or water deprivation. The activation of HSPs by environmental stress plays a key role in signal transduction, including cytoprotection, molecular chaperone, anti-apoptotic effect, and anti-aging effects. However, the precise mechanism for the action of small HSPs, such as HSP27 and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs: extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38MAPK, stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), is not completely understood, particularly in application of cell stimulators including platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), angiotensin II (AngII), tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$ (TNF$\alpha$), and $H_2O_2$. This study examined the relationship between stimulators-induced enzymatic activity of HSP27 and MAPKs from rat smooth and skeletal muscles. Methods: 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) and matrix assisted laser desorption ionizationtime-of-flight/time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF/TOF) analysis were used to identify HSP27 from the intact vascular smooth and skeletal muscles. Three isoforms of HSP27 were detected on silver-stained gels of the whole protein extracts from the rat aortic smooth and skeletal muscle strips. Results: The expression of PDGF, AngII, TNF$\alpha$, and $H_2O_2$-induced activation of HSP27, p38MAPK, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK was higher in the smooth muscle cells than the control. SB203580 (30${\mu}$M), a p38MAPK inhibitor, increased the level of HSP27 phosphorylation induced by stimulators in smooth muscle cells. Furthermore, the age-related and starvation-induced activation of HSP27 was higher in skeletal muscle cells (L6 myoblast cell lines) and muscle strips than the control. Conclusion: These results suggest, in part, that the activity of HSP27 and MAPKs affect stressors, such as PDGF, AngII, TNF$\alpha$, $H_2O_2$, and starvation in rat smooth and skeletal muscles. However, more systemic research will be needed into physical therapy, including thermotherapy, electrotherapy, radiotherapy and others.