• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.97-108
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• 1997

The drugs or xenobiotics introduced to the body, are detoxified through the process of biotransformation in the body. In this process, most of the insoluble compounds become more polar, soluble and easily excretable. But, parts of introduced materials are metabolized to highly reactive electrophilic carcinogens through activation pathways. These metabolites are toxic and can react with DNA, RNA and proteins which are nucleophilic compounds. The objective of this study is to illustrate the aleactivation pathways of two highly reactive epoxide compounds, vinyl carbamate epoxide (VCO) and 2'-(4-nitrophenoxy)oxirane (NPO). They are the ultimate electrophilic carcinogens of ethyl carbamate(urethane) and 4-nitrophenyl vinyl ether, respectively. In this research, we studied the inhibition of the mutagenic activities of VCO or NPO by nuchieophiles [glutahione(GSH) and N-acetylcysteine(NAC)], detoxifying enzymes[epoxide hydrolase and glutathione-S-transferase(GST)] and intracellular organelles (microsomes and cytosol). In addition we also tested the suppression of DNA adducts formation by GSH and NAC. The results are summerized as follow. 1. The microsomes and cytosol which contain epoxide hydrolase and GST, respectively, decreased the mutagenicity of VCO (74% and 95%, respecfivel), and NPO (35% and 93%, respectively). The nucleophilic GSH and NAC decreased the mutagenicity by 86% (VCO) and 80% (NPO), 76% (VCO) and 40% (NPO), respectively. 2. The purified epoxide hydrolase decreased the mutagenicity of two epoxides in a dose-dependent manner, and GSH also decreased the mutagenicity in the presence of GST. 3. Formation of two DNA adducts, 7-(2'-oxoethyi)guanine (OEG) and N2,3-ethenoguanine(EG), were compared in the presence of calf thymus DNA and epoxide (VCO or NPO) in vitro system. The amounts of DNA adducts were decreased in the presence of GSH (25% and 29% in VCO, 32% and 29% in NPO), and NAC (14% and 16% in VCO, 21% and 11% in NPO), respectively. From these results, it is concluded that the ultimate carcinogenic metabolites, VCO and NPO, can be made in the body, but much of them may be inactivated and detoxified by the nucleophilic GSH, NAC and detoxifying enzymes (epoxide hydrolase and GST). Therefore, by these mechanism, the formation of DNA adducts and mutagenic activities of these two epoxides may be lowered in vivo.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.298-300
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• 2007

This study investigated the hepatoprotective effects of an ethanol extract of Petasites japonicus S. et. Z. Max. (PJ) on alcohol-induced liver-damaged rats. Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $100{\sim}150\;g$ were divided into 5 groups; normal diet group (NOR), alcohol (35%, 10 mL/kg/day) treated group (CON), PJ 200 mg/kg/day treated group (PJ1), PJ 200 mg/kg/day and alcohol treated group (PJ2), and PJ 400 mg/kg/day and alcohol treated group (PJ3). The growth rate of the control group was higher than that of normal group, whereas the group administered PJ concomitantly was significantly increased. Also, feed efficiency ratio decreased by alcohol administration was gradually increased to the adjacent level of the normal group by administering PJ. The AST activity in serum elevated by alcohol was significantly decreased by administering the high dosage of PJ, but exerted no significant change on serum ALT activity. It was also observed that the hepatic activities of catalase and GSH-Px increased by alcohol were markedly decreased in PJ2 and PJ3, but not in the activities of XO and SOD as compared with the control group. The depleted content of GSH by alcohol was increased to the level of normal group by administering PJ in a dose-dependant manner. In conclusion, these results suggest that PJ may have a possible protective effect on liver function in hepatotoxicity-induced rat by alcohol administration.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.254-259
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• 1996

The biochemical factors responsible for parathion resistance in a ethyl fenitrothion-selected Yumenoshima I11 (EF-30) strain of the housefly were examined. Great difference (167-fold) in the Iso was observed between the resistant EF-30 (R) and susceptible SRS (S) strains in vitro, suggesting that altered acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the housefly strain was an important factor in the resistance. The in vitro degradative activity of parathion and paraoxon in both strains was associated with the microsomal and soluble fractions and required NADPH and reduced glutahione (GSH), respectively. The R strain possessed higher activity for GSH S-transferase than the S strain, and this enzyme appears to be important in the resistance mechanism. The R strain was highly resistant to parathion (101,487-fold), but substitution of the methoxy group for ethoxy group decreased the resistance level (25,914-fold) and parathion could be a substrate of GSH S-transferase. It is concluded that the combination of some factors (altered AChE, and enhanced activity of cytochrome P450 dependent monooxygenase and GSH S-transferase) could be sufficient to account for the extremely high level of resistance to parathion and parathion-methyl, although a possible involvement of other factor(s) can not be excluded.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.71-78
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• 2004

To investigate the antioxidative effects of Prunus mume ethanol extract on the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver, Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 120∼160 g were divided into 5 groups; normal group(NOR), Prunus mume ethanol extract 200mg/kg treated group(PME), ethanol(10 mL/kg, 35％) treated group(ETH), Prunus mume ethanol extract 200 mg/kg and ethanol treated group (PML) and Prunus mume ethanol extract 400 mg/kg, and ethanol treated group(PMF), respectively. The antioxidative activity in vitro was reduced in order of EtOAC＞n-hexane＞water＞ chloroform fraction. The growth rate and feed efficiency ratio decreased by ethanol administration were gradually increased to the adjacent level of NOR by administering Prunus mume ethanol extract. It was observed that activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase(SOD), xanthine oxidase and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px) of liver and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and asparate aminotransferase(AST) of serum were elevated by ethanol administration. Besides, Prunus mume ethanol extract markedly decreased elevated activites of catalase, GSH-Px, ALT and AST, except in activites of SOD and xanthine oxidase compared to ETH. Also, the depleted content of GSH by ethanol was increased similar to NOR level by administering Prunus mume ethanol extract. These results suggested that Prunus mume ethanol extract has a possible protective effect on the ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in rat liver.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.227-229
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• 1996

The effects of phenthyl isothiocyanate(PEIFTC) on xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes and cell kinetics in the target organs for Ν-nirtosobis(2-oxopropyl) amine(BOP)-tumorigenicity were investigated in female Syrian golden hamsters in order to gain the mechanistic insigths into the chemopreventive action of PEITS against BOP-initiated lung and pancreatic carcinogenesis in hamsters. Hamsters were given BOP subcuteneo-usly(s.c.) and/or PEITC by gavage 2h prior to the BOP treatment. Eight and 24h after the PEITC administration, animals were sacrificed for analyzing P450 isoenzymes, glutathine(GSH), glutathione S-transferase(GST) and cell kinetics. The PEITC pretreatment significantly reduced the hepatic P450 isoenzume levels such as CYP2B1 and DYP1A1 which were significantly increased by the BOP treatment. However, PEITC did not affect the CYP levels in the pancreas and lung. Interestingly, the PEITC pretreatment rather lowered the heparic GST and GSH levels, regradless of BOP administration. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)- labeling indices were dose dependently decreased by PEITC in the pancreas acini and ducts, bronchioles, and renal tubules in which the cell replication was significantly affected by BOP. These results thus suggest that PEITC exerts the chemopreventive effects in hamsters by influencing xenobiotic matabolizing phase I enzymes in the liver and regulating cell kinetics in the target organs.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 1995

Microsomes from human liver sample HL 110 oxidized aflatoxin $B_1$ $(AFB_1)$ to $AFB_1$ exo-8, 9-epoxide which was detected as a glutathione (GSH) conjugate with excess GSH S-transferase and to aflatoxin $Q_1$ ($AFB_1$; 3$\alpha$-hydroxyafiatoxin $B_1$), and testosterone to 6$\beta$-hydroxytestosterone. Anti-P450 3A4 nearly completely inhibited all of the reactions. Some fiavonoids inhibited all of the reactions. While other fiayonolds stimulated 8, 9-epoxidation and inhibited 3$\alpha$-hydroxylation. Gestodene inhibited all of the reactions when gestodene was metabolized by human liver microsomal P450 3A4 prior to adding substrate. But, ges-todene was added in the enzyme mixtures in the presence of $AFB_1$, it could not inhibit 8, 9-epoxidation of $AFB_1$. Nifedipine and troleandomycin inhibited both of the reactions of $AFB_1$ but only 3$\alpha$-hydroxylation was inhibited by the oxidation product of nifedipine. Although, troleandomycin was known as a mechanism-based inhibitor, the chemical did not show any detectable inhibitory effect on 6$\beta$-hydroxylation of testosterone. The results suggest that there are several different substrate-binding sites on P450 3A4.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2009

The protective activity of seolitae chungkukjang added with green tea against oxidative stress was investigated under the cellular systems using LLC-$PK_1$ cells. The treatment of 2,2'-azobis(2-aminopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) showed increase in lipid peroxidation, and decrease in endogenous antioxidant enzymes activity and cell viability. However, the methanol extract of seolitae chungkukjang inhibited lipid peroxidation by 58.3%, and increased cell viability up to more than 60%. In addition, it enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities. Seolitae chungkukjang improved oxidative stress-induced cellular injury through the radical scavenging activities. In particular, the addition of green tea in seolitae chungkukjang showed stronger effect against oxidative stress induced by AAPH. The more addition of green tea resulted in the greater antioxidative effect through elevation in activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation, eventually leading to increase in cell viability. Theses results suggested that seolitae chungkukjang added with green tea have protective effects from cellular oxidative damage and could be considered as an application for the development of chungkukjang with functionality.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.54-58
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• 2015

The protective effect of EtOAc fraction of Limonium tetragonum extract (EALT) against alcohol-induced hepatotoxicity was assessed following acute ethanol intoxication in Spraque-Dawley rats. EALT (200 mg/kg p.o.) was administrated once before alcohol intake (8 g/kg, p.o.). Blood ethanol concentration, and the activities of alcohol metabolic enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) in the liver were measured. Also, the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), catalase were determined after acute alcohol exposure. Pretreatment of rats received ethanol with EALT significantly decreased blood ethanol concentration and elevated the activities of ADH and ALDH in liver. The increased MDA level was decreased, and the reduced activities of SOD, GSH-px and catalase were markedly preserved by the treatment with EALT. This study suggests that EALT prevent hepatic injury induced by acute alcohol which is likely related to its modulation on the alcohol metabolism and antioxidant enzymes activities.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.996-1003
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• 2004

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin induce severe gastric mucosal damage in humans and rodents. In the present study, the in vivo protective effect of astaxanthin on indomethacin-induced gastric lesions in rats was investigated. The test groups were injected with indomethacin (25 mg/kg) after the oral administration of astaxanthin (25 mg/kg) for 1, 2, and 3 days, while the control group was treated only with indomethacin. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the gastric mucosa, as an index of lipid peroxidation, increased significantly after indomethacin administration and this increase was inhibited by oral administration of astaxanthin. In addition, pretreatment with astaxanthin resulted in a significant increase of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px). Histologic examination clearly revealed acute gastric mucosal lesions induced by indomethacin in the stomach of the control group, but were not observed in that of the test group. These results indicate that astaxanthin activates SOD, catalase, and GSH-px, and removes the lipid peroxides and free radicals induced by indomethacin. It is evident that astaxanthin acts as a free radical quencher and antioxidant, and is an effective molecule in the remedy of gastric mucosal lesions.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.201-209
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate the efficacy of selective $ET_A$ receptor antagonist, ambrisentan on hyperhomocysteinemia-induced experimental vascular dementia. L-methionine was administered for 8 weeks to induce hyperhomocysteinemia and associated vascular dementia in male rats. Ambrisentan was administered to L-methionine-treated effect rats for 4 weeks (starting from $5^{th}$ to $8^{th}$ week of L-methionine treatment). On $52^{nd}$ day onward, the animals were exposed to the Morris water maze (MWM) for testing their learning and memory abilities. Vascular endothelial function, serum nitrite/nitrate levels, brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), brain reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity were also measured. L-methionine-treated animals showed significant learning and memory impairment, endothelial dysfunction, decrease in/serum nitrite/nitrate and brain GSH levels along with an increase in brain TBARS levels and AChE activity. Ambrisentan significantly improved hyperhomocysteinemia-induced impairment of learning, memory, endothelial dysfunction, and changes in various biochemical parameters. These effects were comparable to that of donepezil serving as positive control. It is concluded that ambrisentan, a selective $ET_A$ receptor antagonist may be considered as a potential pharmacological agent for the management of hyperhomocysteinemia-induced vascular dementia.