• 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.

• The Korean Journal of Mycology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.179-183
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• 2010

This study is to characterize the postulated anti-inflammatory effect of the hot water extracts from the Phellinus baumii. RAW264.7, macrophage cell line, was activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and, further, treated with Phellinus baumii's aqueous extract. When the cultured macrophage cells were treated with LPS, they show typical signs of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and an increment in secretion of inflammatory cytokine compared to the non-treated control: The expression of glucose-regulated protein78 (Grp78), Grp94, and C/EBP homologous protein/GADD 153 (CHOP) increased along with augmented secretion of interlukin-6. Cellular nitric oxide content also significantly went up in comparison to the non-LPS treatment. When the LPS-treated RAW264.7 was treated with the aqueous Phellinus baumii extracts, however, the expression of ERS markers markedly reduced and the release of nitric oxide declined. Also, the expression of induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) notably diminished similarly as the NO content. In conclusion, this study strongly indicated that aqueous Phellinus baumii extract can be utilized directly as anti-inflammation agent and serves as a source of functional ingredient to lessen the inflammation.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.191-212
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• 2000

Objective: This study was perfomled to examine the therapeutic effect of aqua-acupuncture solution of Hominis Placenta(HP) on kidney and liver intoxicated by $HgCI_2$ in rats. Methods: $10\%$ and $25\%$ HP aqua-acupuncture were carried out everyday for 8 days on corresponding bilateral loci of Shinsu(BL23) and Kansu(BL18), respectively, after mercuric chloride intoxication in rats. Thereafter BUN, creatinine, GOT, GPT, ALP, ${\gamma}$-GT, albumin and total bilirubin were measured before intoxication, and at the 4th and the 8th experimental day. Histopathological and immunochemical observation were also carried out. Results: 1. It showed significant decreases of BUN in the group of $10\%$ HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu on the 4th experimental day as compared with the control group. 2. It showed significant decreases of creatinine in the group of $10\%$ HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu on the 4th and the 8th experimental days as compared with the control group. 3. There were not any significant changes of GOT, GPT, ALP,${\gamma}$-GT, albumin and total bilirubin in the HP aqua-acupuncture groups compared with the control group. 4. By the histopathological observations on kidney under a light microscope, alt the $10\%$ and $25\%$ HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu showed the preventive effect on tubulo-interstitial necrosis and muItifocal calcification in tubular lumen respectively compared with the control group. 5. By the histopathological observations on liver under a light mIcroscope, the groups $10\%$ and $25\%$ HP aqua--acupuncture into Kansu did not show any significant changes in the liver compared with the control group. 6. By the immunochemical analysis of heat shock protein(hsp) and glucose-regulated protein(grp) in rat renal cortex, the expressions of hsp70 and grp78 were decreased in the $10\%$ and $25\%$ HP aqua-acupuncture into Shinsu respectively compared with the control group. Conclusion: These results suggest that Hominis Placenta aqua-acupuncture have an effect on prevention and protection of renal intoxication by $HgCI_2$ in rats.