• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2011

Background: Insulin resistance is an integral feature of metabolic syndromes, including obesity, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, we evaluated whether the aloe component could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and the occurrence of metabolic disorders such as blood glucose and insulin resistance. Methods: Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results: Aloe QDM lowered fasting blood glucose and plasma insulin compared with HFD. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokine (IL-$1{\beta}$, -6, -12, TNF-${\alpha}$) and chemokine (CX3CL1, CCL5) mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration and hepatic triglycerides by Aloe QDM. At the same time, Aloe QDM decreased the mRNA and protein of $PPAR{\gamma}/LXR{\alpha}$ and $11{\beta}$-HSD1 both in the liver and WAT. Conclusion: Dietary aloe formula reduces obesity-induced glucose tolerance not only by suppressing inflammatory responses but also by inducing anti-inflammatory cytokines in the WAT and liver, both of which are important peripheral tissues affecting insulin resistance. The effect of Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and liver are related to its dual action on $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $11{\beta}$-HSD1 ression and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation is suggested.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.368-374
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• 2020

BACKGROUND: The residual analysis of polar pesticides has remained a challenge. It is even more difficult to simultaneously analyze multiple polar pesticides. Diquat, paraquat, and chlormequat are typical examples of highly polar pesticides. The existing methods for the analysis of diquat, paraquat and chlormequat are complex and time consuming. Therefore, a simple, quick and effective method was developed in the represent study for simultaneous analysis of diquat, paraquat and chlormequat in animal products, meat and fat using UPLC-MS/MS. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sample extraction was carried out using acidified acetonitrile and water and re- extracted with acidified acetonitrile and combine the extracts followed by centrifugation. The extract was then cleaned up with a HLB cartridge after reconstitution with acidic acetonitrile and water. The method was validated in quintuplicate at three different concentrations. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 0.0015 and 0.005 mg/L, respectively. Matrix suppression effect was observed for all of the analytes. A seven point matrix matched calibration curve was constructed for each of the compound resulted excellent linearity with determination coefficients (R2) ≥ 0.991. Accuracy and precision of the method was calculated from the recovery and repeatability and ranged from 62.4 to 119.7% with relative standard deviation less than 18.8%. CONCLUSION: The recovery and repeatability of the developed method were in the acceptable range according to the Codex Alimentarius guideline. The developed method can be applied for the routine monitoring of diquat, paraquat, and chlormequat in animal products, meat and fat.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.165-174
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• 2022

As the mechanism underlying glucose metabolism regulation by oxymatrine is unclear, this study investigated the effects of oxymatrine on pyroptosis in INS-1 cells. Flow cytometry was employed to examine cell pyroptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Cell pyroptosis was also investigated via transmission electron microscopy and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. Protein levels were detected using western blotting and interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The caspase-1 activity and DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 protein (Nrf2) were also assessed. In the high glucose and high fat-treated INS-1 cells (HG + PA), the caspase-1 activity and LDH content, as well as Nod-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3, Gsdmd-N, caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels were increased. Moreover, P65 protein levels increased in the nucleus but decreased in the cytoplasm. Oxymatrine attenuated these effects and suppressed high glucose and high fat-induced ROS production. The increased levels of nuclear Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the HG + PA cells were further elevated after oxymatrine treatment, whereas cytoplasmic Nrf2 and Keleh-like ECH-associated protein levels decreased. Additionally, the elevated transcriptional activity of p65 in HG + PA cells was reduced by oxymatrine, whereas that of Nrf2 increased. The results indicate that the inhibition of pyroptosis in INS-1 cells by oxymatrine, a key factor in its glucose metabolism regulation, involves the suppression of the NF-κB pathway and activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2020

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) has been increasingly used in recent years for the assessment of peripheral neuropathies. Fat suppression T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) have typically been used to provide high contrast MRN. Isotropic 3-dimensional (3D) sequences with fast spin echo, post-processing imaging techniques, and fast imaging methods, among others, allow good visualization of peripheral nerves that have a small diameter, complex anatomy, and oblique course within a reasonable scan time. However, there are still several issues when performing high contrast and high resolution MRN including standard sequence; fat saturation techniques; balance between resolution, field of view, and slice thickness; post-processing techniques; 2D vs. 3D image acquisition; different T2 contrasts between proximal and distal nerves; high T2 signal intensity of adjacent veins or joint fluid; geometric distortion; and appropriate p-values on DWI. The proper understanding of these issues will help novice radiologists evaluate peripheral neuropathies using MRN.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1378-1382
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• 2004

Zinc (Zn) is a micromineral and functions as a cofactor of many enzymes and its deficiency induces retardation of growth and dysfunction of the immune system in animals. This study was conducted to determine lipogenic activity of Zn in bovine intramuscular adipocytes. Preadipocytes were isolated from intramuscular fat depots of 26 month old Korean (Hanwoo) steers and cultured in media containing Zn. At confluence, the cells were treated with insulin, dexamethasone, and 1-methyl-3-isobutyl-xanthine to induce differentiation (accumulation of lipid droplets in cells). The sources of Zn were zinc chloride (${ZnCl}_2$) and zinc sulfate (${ZnSO}_4$), and the final concentrations of both Zn sources were 0, 5, 25, 50 and 100 ${\mu}$M. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity, an index of adipocyte differentiation, was increased as the concentration of Zn in media increased showing the highest activity (25.74 ng/min/mg protein) at 25 ${\mu}$M of ${ZnSO}_4$. Supplementation of Zn during differentiation of bovine intramuscular adipocytes tended to decrease the production of nitric oxide (NO). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2(PPAR$\gamma$2) gene expression was increased 10 days after differentiation induction. The current results indicate that Zn has a strong lipogenic activity in cultured bovine intramuscular adipocytes with remarkable suppression of NO production.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.39-42
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• 2012

Phosphorylation and glycosylation are two of the most important and widespread post-translational modifications (PTMs) in an organism. Proteomics analysis of the PTMs has been challenged by low stoichiometry of the modified proteins and suppression effects by high abundance proteins, typically no-functional house-keeping proteins. In this study, a novel method was applied for not only isolating PTM peptides from intact peptides but also concurrently characterizing of glyco- and phosphoproteome using electrostatic repulsion hydrophilic interaction chromatography (ERLIC) packed with silica coated by crosslinked polyethyleneimine. For 2 mg tryptic digest of mouse proteome of epicardial adipose tissue with fat diet, 802 N-glycosylated peptides of 316 glycoproteins and 159 phosphorylated peptides of 75 phosphoproteins were identified using HPLC chip/quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-OF) tandem mass spectrometer.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.265-267
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• 2008

Angiolipomas in the lumbar spinal region are extremely rare. The present report describes the identification of such a tumor and its removal, and discusses the tumor characteristics and prognosis. A 74-year-old woman was presented with a 5-month history of lower back pain. Severe radiculopathy was experienced in the left leg for 5 days prior to the presentation, and there were no neurological deficits. Magnetic resonance (MR) images showed an approximately 3.5 cm heterogeneously enhanced and elongated mass at the left L5-S1 level. A portion of the mass appeared with high signal intensity on T2-weighted MR images, with low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and with high signal intensity on T1 fat suppression enhancement images. Resection of the tumor was approached via an L5 and S1 laminectomy. A fibrous sticky yellowish hypervascular tumor was identified. Histological study revealed the tumor as an angiolipoma. Symptoms were relieved after tumor excision, and there were no neurological sequelae. Although extremely rare, lumbar epidural angiolipoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lumbar spinal epidural lesions. The prognosis after surgical management of this lesion is favorable.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.377-380
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• 2017

An 8-year-old, shih-tzu female dog was referred due to neurological signs including paraparesis and back pain. On the complete blood count, hematologic analysis showed elevated leukocytosis. Serum biochemical analysis revealed elevated serum alkaline phosphatase concentration and C-reactive protein concentration. On the neurologic exam, the dog was suspected to have thoracolumbar myelopathy. On magnetic resonance imaging, there were masses within the spinal canal at L1-3 intervertebral disc space that were located dorsal to spinal cord. It was hyperintense on T1-, T2-weighted magnetic resonance images, Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery, and fat suppression images. The contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images showed no enhancement. The lesions were well circumscribed. The spinal cord was compressed and displaced ventrally by the mass. After removal of the masses via L1-L3 dorsal laminectomy, pyogranulomatous inflammation was confirmed by histopathological examination. Six months after surgery, the dog recovered uneventfully and remained fully ambulatory with no neurological deficits. This case demonstrates the utility of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of spinal canal pyogranulomatous inflammation.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.174-178
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• 2017

Traumatic neuromas are rare benign tumors that are common after trauma or surgery and are usually accompanied by obvious symptoms of pain. Most reports show neuromas in the face, neck, and limbs, and the traumatic neuroma of the medial plantar nerve has rarely been reported. We encountered a traumatic neuroma of the medial plantar nerve after a deep laceration mimicking a foreign body granuloma. A small mass lesion was found around plantar aponeurosis with heterogeneous high signal intensity in the T2 fat suppression view and slightly enhanced intensity in the magnetic resonance imaging that suggested a foreign body granuloma. The lesion was diagnosed pathologically as a traumatic neuroma. A satisfactory clinical result was obtained after excision of the traumatic neuroma and burial of the proximal and distal stumps to the adjacent muscle at the secondary operation.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1998.05a
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• pp.1-4
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• 1998

Impaired insulin action in Type 2 diabetes is thought to lead to hyperglycemia, with both environmental and complex genetic factors playing key roles. Although the primary lesion in Type 2 diabetes is unknown, a number of studies suggest that metabolic defects in the liver, skeletal muscle and fat, and pancreatic ${\beta}$-cells contribute to the disease. These metabolic abnormalities are characterized by the overproduction of hepatic glucose, impaired insulin secretion, and peripheral insulin resistance. In current pharmacological treatment of Type 2 diabetes, sulfonylurea (SU) drugs have mainly been used as oral hypoglycemic drugs to stimulate endogenous insulin secretion from ${\beta}$ cells. SU drugs, however, sometimes aggravate the disease by causing fatigue of the pancreatic ${\beta}$ cells, which leads to reduced drug efficacy after long-term treatment. This class of drugs also leads to enhanced obesity arising from the stimulation of endogenous insulin secretion in obese Type 2 diabetic patients, plus an increased incidence of SU-induced hypoglycemia. Since 1980, a major challenge has been made by us to develop a potential pharmacological therapy for the treatment of insulin resistance in peripheral tissues and/or suppression of abnormal hepatic glucose production in Type 2 diabetic patients. Such a drug would be expected to have fewer side effects and retain long-term efficacy.