• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.445-451
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is positively associated with atherosclerosis via elevating macrophage cell death and plaque formation, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects of kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable, have been established, wherein capsaicin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, and lactic acids were identified. In this study, mechanisms of action of kimchi methanol extracts (KME) on fatty streak formation via suppression of ER stress and apoptosis in aorta were examined in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a high cholesterol diet with an oral administration of KME (KME group, $200 mg{\cdot}kg-bw^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) or distilled water (control group) for 8 weeks (n = 20 for group). Plasma lipid and oxidative stress levels were evaluated. Protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Fatty streak lesion size and the degree of apoptosis were examined in the aorta. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, in the KME group, plasma lipids levels were decreased and oxidative stress was alleviated (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated antioxidants in aorta were increased whereas those for ER stress markers, glucose regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit ${\alpha}$, X-box binding protein 1, and C/EBP homologous protein were decreased in the KME group (P < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis was suppressed via downregulation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, caspases-9, and -3 with a concomitant upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (P < 0.05). Fatty streak lesion size was reduced and the degree of apoptosis was less severe in the KME group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, antioxidant activity of KME might prevent fatty streak formation through, in part, inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis in aortic sinus where macrophages are harbored.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.223-226
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• 2014

In the fermented soybean product known as "chungkookjang", diverse bioactive compounds are produced when the soybean proteins are degraded during fermentation. Vascular endothelial cells (EC) are crucial in vein function and the formation of new vessels. A treatment to stimulate formation of new blood vessels is needed in cerebrovascular diseases that lead to ischaemic stroke and heart attack, as well as for diabetic ulcers. VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) simulates EC formation. The effect of Chungkookjang ethanol extract (CEE) on the proliferation of EC was studied. CEE (100, $1000{\mu}g/ml$) and boiled CEE were as effective as VEGF (10 ng/ml) for the proliferation of human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC). The effect of CEE on the migration of HUVEC was investigated using sprout analysis. CEE ($100{\mu}g/ml$) was as effective as VEGF (10 ng/ml) for the migration of HUVEC. Isolation of specific peptides influencing the growth and migration of EC is needed.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2018.04a
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• pp.99-99
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• 2018

본 연구는 4종의 산야초 추출물(개느삼, 엄나무, 참취, 60가지 산야초혼합 - 모두 원 식물재료를 설탕과 혼합하여 추출한 발효추출물을 15년 숙성시킨 원액의 3% 수용액으로 처리)과 8종의 허브 정유(베르가모트, 클라리세이지, 휀넬, 제라니움, 마조람, 타임, 로즈우드, 스페어민트 원액의 0.3% 농도로 처리) 및 2종의 호르몬(지베렐린, 카이네틴, 0.3%)을 2종의 보리종자(1998년산 새올보리, 2016년산 찰쌀보리) 발아율 향상에 영향을 미치는지를 알아보고자 수행하였다. 특히 새올보리 묵은 종자의 발아력 증진에 효과가 있는지 알아볼 목적으로 수행하였다. 묵은 종자 새올보리의 무처리구에서 8%와 43%의 낮은 발아세와 발아율을 보인 반면, 산야초 추출물 처리구에서 84~93%와 86~100%의 높은 발아세와 발아율을 보였다. 호르몬처리구는 새올보리에서 발아세와 발아율은 각각 43~87%와 55~95%였다. 또한, 찰쌀보리의 경우 무처리의 발아세와 발아율은 각각 54%와 91%였다. 반면, 산야초 추출물 처리구에서 92~100%의 발아세와 95~100%의 높은 발아율을 보였고, 호르몬 처리구에서는 각각 77~85%와 87%의 발아세와 발아율을 보였다. 무처리(증류수)와 2종의 호르몬 및 8종의 허브 정유에 비해 산야초 추출물의 발아 증진 효과가 현저하게 높았다. 특히 냉장고($4^{\circ}C$)에서 20년 보관한 묵은 보리종자에 대해서도 유의한 발아율 향상을 보였다. 정유는 대체로 발아를 억제하는 것으로 나타나 잡초 종자에 대한 발아억제(제초제 대용) 가능성을 시사한다.