• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.19-26
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• 2015

Objectives: Quercetin, a flavonoid compound, has been reported to induce apoptosis in cancer cells, but its anti-inflammatory effects, which are also closely linked with apoptosis, if any, on non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have not so far been critically examined. In this study, we tried to determine if quercetin had any demonstrable anti-inflammatory potential, which also could significantly contribute to inducing apoptosis in a NSCLC cell line, A549. Methods: In this context, several assays, including cytotoxicity, flow cytometry and fluorimetry, were done. Gene expression was analyzed by using a western blot analysis. Results: Results revealed that quercetin could induce apoptosis in A549 cells through mitochondrial depolarization by causing an imbalance in B-cell lymphoma 2/Bcl2 Antagonist X (Bcl2/Bax) ratio and by down-regulating the interleukine-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (IL-6/STAT3) signaling pathway. An analysis of the data revealed that quercetin could block nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity at early hours, which might cause a down-regulation of the IL-6 titer, and the IL-6 expression, in turn, could inhibit p-STAT3 expression. Down-regulation of both the STAT3 and the NF-${\kappa}B$ expressions might, therefore, cause down-regulation of Bcl2 activity because both are major upstream effectors of Bcl2. Alteration in Bcl2 responses might result in an imbalance in the Bcl2/Bax ratio, which could ultimately bring about mitochondria mediated apoptosis in A549 cells. Conclusion: Overall, the finding of this study indicates that a quercetin induced anti-inflammatory pathway in A549 cells appeared to make a significant contribution towards induction of apoptosis in NSCLC and, thus, may have a therapeutic use such as a strong apoptosis inducer in cancer cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.395-402
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• 2020

This study has investigated the effect of a potent bioflavonoid, troxerutin, on diabetes-induced changes in pro-inflammatory mediators and expression of microRNA-146a and nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway in aortic tissue of type-I diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6/each): healthy, healthy-troxerutin, diabetic, and diabetic-troxerutin. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (60 mg/kg; intraperitoneally) and lasted 10 weeks. Troxerutin (150 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for last month of experiment. Inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, as well as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM), cyclooxygenase-II (COX-II), and inducible-nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured on aortic samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Gene expressions for transcription factor NF-κB, interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1), TNF receptor-associated factor-6 (TRAF-6), and microRNA-146a were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Ten-week diabetes significantly increased mRNA levels of IRAK-1, TRAF-6, NF-κB, and protein levels of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, adhesion molecules ICAM-1, VCAM, and iNOS, COX-II, and decreased expression of microRNA-146a as compared with healthy rats (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). However, one month treatment of diabetic rats with troxerutin restored glucose and insulin levels, significantly decreased expression of inflammatory genes and pro-inflammatory mediators and increased microRNA level in comparison to diabetic group (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01). In healthy rats, troxerutin had significant reducing effect only on NF-κB, TNF-α and COX-II levels (p < 0.05). Beside slight improvement of hyperglycemia, troxerutin prevented the activation of NF-κB-dependent inflammatory signaling in the aorta of diabetic rats, and this response may be regulated by microRNA-146a.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.473-479
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• 2020

Endothelial cell injury is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. The 2,3,5,4'-Tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-Glucoside (TSG) contributes to alleviate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) injury through mechanisms still know a little. This study aims to clarify the TSG effects on gene expression (mRNA and microRNA) related to oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress induced by H₂O₂ in HUVECs. We found that TSG significantly reduced the death rate of cells and increased intracellular superoxide dismutase activity. At qRT-PCR, experimental data showed that TSG significantly counteracted the expressions of miR-9-5p, miR-16, miR-21, miR-29b, miR-145-5p, and miR-204-5p. Besides, TSG prevented the expression of ATF6 and CHOP increasing. In contrast, TSG promoted the expression of E2F1. In conclusion, our results point to the obvious protective effect of TSG on HUVECs injury induced by H₂O₂, and the mechanism may through miR16/ATF6/ E2F1 signaling pathway.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.599-606
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• 2005

Clinical application of the cartilage formed by tissue engineering is of no practical use due to the failure of long-term structural integrity maintenance. One of the important factors for integrity maintenance is the biomaterial for a scaffold. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the difference between polylactic-co-glycolic acids (PLGA) and chitosan as scaffolds. Human auricular chondrocytes were isolated, cultured, and seeded on the scaffolds, which were implanted in the back of nude mice. Eight animals were sacrificed at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 weeks after implantation respectively. In gross examination and histological findings, the volume of chondrocyte-PLGA complexes was decreased rapidly. The volume of chondrocyte-chitosan complexes was well maintained with a slow decrease rate. The expression of type II collagen protein detected by immunohistochemistry and western blots became weaker with time in the chondrocyte-PLGA complexes. However, the expression in the chondrocyte-chitosan complexes was strong for the whole period. Collagen type II gene expressions using RT-PCR showed a similar pattern. In conclusion, these results suggest that chitosan is a superior scaffold in cartilage tissue engineering in terms of structural integrity maintenance. It is expected that chitosan scaffold may become one of the most useful scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.696-702
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• 2017

Metabolic syndrome, including obesity, glucose intolerance and elevated blood pressure, is related to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have reported the anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects of purple corn extract. We investigated the efficacy of purple corn extract (PC) against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and glucose intolerance, and examined the underlying mechanisms by analyzing expression of proteins and genes involved in glucose regulation and macrophage infiltration. C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal chow diet (ND), or HFD treated with distilled water (DW, control) or PC, for 10 weeks. Although body weights were similar in the HFD-fed groups, we observed a decrease in the liver and epididymal adipose tissue (EAT) weights, and enhanced glucose tolerance test (GTT) results in the PC group, as compared with DW group. Liver showed increased Akt phosphorylation in the PC-treated mice; however, no changes were observed in the EAT, for all groups. In PC-treated mice, decreased macrophage infiltration was seen in the EAT, with a reduced expression of macrophage marker genes. Finally, proinflammatory cytokine gene expressions were decreased by PC in the EAT, and a modest trend for downregulation was observed in the liver. Hence, we conclude that PC may decrease glucose intolerance by increasing the phosphorylation of Akt and reducing the macrophage infiltration into the EAT.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.12-27
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Guibi-tang water extract (GB) on osteoporosis. Methods: We examined the effect of GB on osteoclast differentiation using murine pre-osteoclastic RAW 264.7 cells treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL). The effect of GB on osteoclast was measured by counting TRAP (+) multinucleated cells and measuring TRAP activity. The mRNA expressions of osteoclastogenesis-related genes (Cathepsin K, MMP-9, TRAP, NFATc1, MITF, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, COX-2) were measured by real-time PCR. We examined the effect of GB on osteoblast proliferation, ALP activity, bone matrix protein synthesis and collagen synthesis using murine calvarial cell. Results: GB decreased the number of TRAP (+) multinucleated cells and inhibited TRAP activity in RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell. GB decreased the expression of genes related osteoclastogenesis such as Cathepsin K, MMP-9, TRAP, NFATc1, MITF, COX-2 in RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell. But GB did not decrease the expression of iNOS and increased the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 in RANKL-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell. These genes (iNOS, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6) are thought to be related with the inflammatory bone destruction. GB increased cell proliferation of rat calvarial cell and also increased ALP activity in rat calvarial cell. GB did not increase bone matrix protein synthesis but increased collagen synthesis in rat calvarial cell. Conclusions: This study suggests that GB may be effective in treating osteoporosis by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and its related gene expression and by increasing osteoblast proliferation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.555-567
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abeliophyllum distichum is a plant endemic to Korea, containing several beneficial natural compounds. This study investigated the effect of A. distichum leaf extract (ALE) on adipocyte differentiation. MATERIALS/METHODS: The cytotoxic effect of ALE was analyzed using cell viability assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated using induction media in the presence or absence of ALE. Lipid accumulation was confirmed using Oil Red O staining. The mRNA expression of adipogenic markers was measured using RT-PCR, and the protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR𝛾) were measured using western blot. Cell proliferation was measured by calculating the incorporation of Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) into DNA. RESULTS: ALE reduced lipid accumulation in differentiated adipocytes, as indicated by Oil Red O staining and triglyceride assays. Treatment with ALE decreased the gene expression of adipogenic markers such as Ppar𝛾, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/ebp𝛼), lipoprotein lipase, adipocyte protein-2, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase. Also, the protein expression of PPAR𝛄 was reduced by ALE. Treating the cells with ALE at different time points revealed that the inhibitory effect of ALE on adipogenesis is higher in the early period treatment than in the terminal period. Furthermore, ALE inhibited adipocyte differentiation by reducing the early phase of adipogenesis and mitotic clonal expansion. This was indicated by the lower number of cells in the Synthesis phase of the cell cycle (labeled using BrdU assay) and a decrease in the expression of early adipogenic transcription factors such as C/ebp𝛽 and C/ebp𝛿. ALE suppressed the phosphorylation of MAPK, confirming that the effect of ALE was through the suppression of early phase of adipogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the results of the present study revealed that ALE inhibits lipid accumulation and may be a potential agent for managing obesity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.624-633
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• 2021

This study was conducted to determine the supplemental effects of two insect meals, mealworm (MW) and black soldier fly (BSF), with high or low lipid levels in diets, on Pacific white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. Sardine and tuna by-product meals were used as the fish meal source in a control (Con) diet. The fish meals were replaced with MW, defatted MW (deMW), BSF or defatted BSF (deBSF), respectively. The shrimp (body weight: 0.47 g) were stocked into 20 acryl tanks (215 L) and fed the diets six times a day. After 45 days of the feeding trial, the shrimp that were fed insect meals had significantly higher phenoloxidase and superoxide dismutase activities than the shrimp fed Con diet. The gene expressions of prophenoloxidase, crustin and penaeidine-3c in shrimp hepatopancrease were also higher in shrimp that were fed the insect diets, regardless of defatting than those in shirmp that were fed Con diet. The survival against Vibrio parahaemolyticus was higher in shrimp that were fed the diets containing defatted insect meals than in shrimp that were fed Con diet. These results indicate that MW and BSF, regardless of lipid levels, could be good protein sources for the enhancement of innate immunity and anti-oxidant capacity of the shrimp.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2019

Despite increased evidence of bio-activity following far-infrared (FIR) radiation, susceptibility of cell signaling to FIR radiation-induced homeostasis is poorly understood. To observe the effects of FIR radiation, FIR-radiated materials-coated fabric was put on experimental rats or applied to L6 cells, and microarray analysis, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and wound healing assays were performed. Microarray analysis revealed that messenger RNA expressions of rat muscle were stimulated by FIR radiation in a dose-dependent manner in amount of 10% and 30% materials-coated. In 30% group, 1,473 differentially expressed genes were identified (fold change [FC] > 1.5), and 218 genes were significantly regulated (FC > 1.5 and p < 0.05). Microarray analysis showed that extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, and cell migration-related pathways were significantly stimulated in rat muscle. ECM and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-mediated cell migration-related genes were increased. And, results showed that the relative gene expression of actin beta was increased. FIR radiation also stimulated actin subunit and actin-related genes. We observed that wound healing was certainly promoted by FIR radiation over 48 h in L6 cells. Therefore, we suggest that FIR radiation can penetrate the body and stimulate PDGF-mediated cell migration through ECM-integrin signaling in rats.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.95-101
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• 2019

Purpose: Increased apoptosis was recently found in the hypertrophied left ventricle of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Although the available evidence suggests that apoptosis can be induced in cardiac cells by various insults including pressure overload, cardiac apoptosis appears to result from an exaggerated local production of angiotensin in adult SHRs. Altered expressions of Bcl associated X (Bax), Bcl-2, chemokine receptor (CCR)-2, monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}1$, phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases (PERK), and connexin 43 proteins, and kallikrein mRNA were investigated to explore the effects of losartan on the SHR model. Methods: Twelve-week-old male rats were grouped as follows: control (C), SHR (hypertension: H), and losartan (L; SHRs were treated with losartan [10 mg/kg/day] for 5 weeks). Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assays were performed. Results: Expression of Bax, CCR-2, MCP-1, $TGF-{\beta}1$, PERK, and connexin 43 proteins, and kallikrein mRNA was significantly increased in the H group compared to that in the C group at weeks 3 and 5. Expression of Bax, CCR-2, MCP-1, $TGF-{\beta}1$, and connexin 43 proteins and kallikrein mRNA was significantly decreased after losartan treatment at week 5. PERK protein expression was significantly decreased after losartan treatment at weeks 3 and 5. Bcl-2 protein expression was significantly decreased in the H group compared to that in the C group at weeks 3 and 5. Conclusion: Losartan treatment reduced expression of Bax, CCR-2, MCP-1, $TGF-{\beta}1$, PERK, and connexin 43 proteins, and kallikrein mRNA in SHRs, along with decreased inflammation and apoptosis.