• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.601-605
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• 2019

As we learn more about parasites in ancient civilizations, data becomes available that can be used to see how infection may change over time. The aim of this study is to assess how common certain intestinal parasites were in China and Korea in the past 2000 years, and make comparisons with prevalence data from the 20th century. This allows us to go on to investigate how and why changes in parasite prevalence may have occurred at different times. Here we show that Chinese liver fluke (Clonorchis sinensis) dropped markedly in prevalence in both Korea and China earlier than did roundworm (Ascaris lumbricoides) and whipworm (Trichuris trichiura). We use historical evidence to determine why this was the case, exploring the role of developing sanitation infrastructure, changing use of human feces as crop fertilizer, development of chemical fertilizers, snail control programs, changing dietary preferences, and governmental public health campaigns during the 20th century.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.442-450
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• 1997

Conjugated dienoic derivatives of linoleic acid(CLA) are a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of linoleic acid(LA). We previously found that CLA changes the fatty acid profile in chicken eggs and serum by decreasing monounsaturated fatty acids. Studies were conducted to explore the effects of CLA on fatty acid composition. Rabbits were fed a semisynthetic diet with or without CLA(0.5g CLA/rabbit/day) for 22 weeks. Compared to the control, rabbits fed CLA had significantly lower monounsaturated fatty acid levels(palmitoleic acid Cl6 : 1 by 50% and oleic acid Cl8 : 1, by 20%) in plasma lipids. We found similar differences in fatty acid composition in the liver and the aorta. The inhibitory effect of CLA on $\Delta$9 desaturation was confirmed in a human hepatoma cell line, Hep G2. CLA significantly decreased $\Delta$9 desaturation in 4-5 hours as shown by an increase in the ratio of Cl6 : 0 to C 16 1, This is apparently due to a decrease in $\Delta$9 desaturase(stearoyl-CoA desaturase, SCD) activity ; it was decreased more than 50%. These results, along with our previous findings, indicate that CLA is an inhibitor of $\Delta$9 desaturase in the liver.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.158-170
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• 2018

Objectives: The objective of this study is Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album coloratum agglutinin, VCA) and bee venom (BV) to experimental prove comparative study of VCA and BV on the anti-cancer effect and mechanisms of action. Methods: In this study, it was examined in a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, Hep G2 cells. Cytotoxic effects of VCA and BV on Hep G2 cells were determined by 3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay in vitro. VCA and BV killed Hep G2 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Results: The apoptotic cell death was then confirmed by propidium iodide staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. The mechanisms of action was examined by the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases. Treatment of Hep G2 cells with VCA activated poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) known as a marker of apoptosis, and mitogen-activated protein kinases signaling pathways including SAPK/JNK, MAPK and p38. BV also activated PARP-1, MAPK, p38 but not JNK. The expression level of anti-apoptotic molecule, Bcl-X, was decreased by VCA treatment but not BV. Finally, the phosphorylation level of ERM proteins involved in the cytoskeleton homeostasis was decreased by both stimuli. Conclusion: We examined the involvement of kinase in VCA or BV - induced apoptosis by using kinase inhibitors. VCA-induced apoptosis was partially inhibited by in the presence.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2021

27-Hydroxycholesterol (27OHChol) exhibits agonistic activity for liver X receptors (LXRs). To determine roles of the LXR agonistic activity in macrophage gene expression, we investigated the effects of LXR inhibition on the 27OHChol-induced genes. Treatment of human THP-1 cells with GSK 2033, a potent cell-active LXR antagonist, results in complete inhibition in the transcription of LXR target genes (such as LXRα and ABCA1) induced by 27OHChol or a synthetic LXR ligand TO 901317. Whereas expression of CCL2 and CCL4 remains unaffected by GSK 2033, TNF-α expression is further induced and 27OHChol-induced CCL3 and CXCL8 genes are suppressed at both the transcriptional and protein translation levels in the presence of GSK 2033. This LXR antagonist downregulates transcript levels and surface expression of CD163 and CD206 and suppresses the transcription of CD14, CD80, and CD86 genes without downregulating their surface levels. GSK 2033 alone had no effect on the basal expression levels of the aforementioned genes. Collectively, these results indicate that LXR inhibition leads to differential regulation of 27-hydroxycholesterol-induced genes in macrophages. We propose that 27OHChol induces gene expression and modulates macrophage functions via LXR-dependent and -independent mechanisms.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.1265-1268
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• 2023

One important issue in using radiopharmaceuticals as therapeutic and imaging agents is predicting different organ absorbed dose following their injection. The present study aims at extrapolating dosimetry estimates to a female phantom from the animal data of ⁸⁹Zr radionuclide accumulation using the Sparks-Idogan relationship. The absorbed dose of ⁸⁹Zr radionuclide in different organs of the human body was calculated based on its distribution data in mice using both MIRD method and the MCNP simulation code. In this study, breasts, liver, heart wall, stomach, kidneys, lungs and spleen were considered as source and target organs. The highest and the lowest absorbed doses were respectively delivered to the liver (4.00E-02 and 3.43E-02 mGy/MBq) and the stomach (1.83E-03 and 1.66E-03 mGy/MBq). Moreover, there was a good agreement between the results obtained from both MIRD and MCNP methods. Therefore, according to the dosimetry results, [⁸⁹Zr] DFO-CR011-PET/CT seems to be a suitable for diagnostic imaging of the breast anomalies for CDX-011 targeting gpNMB in patients with TNBC in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.31-43
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• 2023

Objectives : The objective of this study was to investigate the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Cirsium setidens. Methods : Domestic and international articles about Cirsium setidens were investigated. A review was perfoemed via DB searching engine such as Sci.Direct, Springer, DBpia, KISS, Google scholar, Kipris, and so on. Total 73 listed literature were classified by compound analysis and pharmacological efficacy. Results : C. setidens contains pectolinarin and its glycoside, pectolinarigenin as index compounds, and linarin, apigenin, diosmetin, scopoletin, acacetin, cirsimarin, cirsimaritin, setidenosides A and B, silymarin, hispidulin, 92 volatile compounds, and 15 fatty acids. The Pharmacological activities of C. setidens has been reported to inhibit of platelet aggregation and fat accumulation in the liver, inhibit to hepatitis, anti-cancer, antibacterial, skin improvement, hair growth, liver protection, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, sedative. Also, It has been reported the effect of cholesterol-lowering and anti-obesity, neuroprotective effects, increasing human stem cell viability, inhibiting osteoclast formation and osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion : This reviews showed that C. setidens which has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammation and hypertension, has anticancer and river protective effect, as well as hair loss and diet. In order to maximize the efficacy of C. setidens, research has also begun on the effect of processing processes such as fermentation or fine powdering and combining natural plant resources.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.59-66
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• 2024

The mature Bombyx mori silkworm is recognized as a rich source of several nutrients. A unique steaming process has been developed to enhance the palatability of Bombyx mori silkworm and make it more convenient to consume. Additionally, it has also been freeze-dried into a powder form, which is recognized as a nutritional supplement with many health benefits. Steamed and Freeze-dried Mature Silkworm Powder (SMSP) is said to offer a wide range of benefits, including longevity, improved athletic performance, prevention of alcohol-induced liver fibrosis or tumors, amelioration of fatty liver, prevention of peptic ulcers, regulation of melanin production, and mitigation of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases by improving cognitive function. The nutritional composition of SMSP is particularly high in glycine, alanine and serine. This review aims to summarize the molecular mechanisms underlying the diverse effects induced by these key components of SMSP. Such elucidation will enhance the credibility of future studies on SMSP, which will require more comprehensive analyses. It appears that SMSP represents a natural health supplement that could have a positive impact on global human health while increasing income.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.170-178
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• 2005

An in silico approach was developed to survey the genes expressed in four internal organs of pig: liver, kidney, spleen and small intestine. The major procedures of the approach included: (1) BLAST searching against GenBank "est_others" database using human cDNA sequences as queries to screen the porcine orthologous expressed sequence tags (ESTs), (2) classifying the porcine ESTs records by resources according to certain criteria and (3) analyzing data for ESTs specifically expressed in each organ. In order to do so, four Java programs were developed. Based on the ESTs available in the GenBank database, it was found that there were at least 2,100 genes expressed in these four organs, including 128 in the liver, 81 in the kidney, 780 in the spleen, and 1,423 in the small intestine respectively (a few genes co-expressed in these tissues). Gene expression patterns, such as co-expressed genes, preferentially expressed genes and basic active genes were also compared and characterized among these organs. This study provides a comprehensive model on how to use the bioinformatics approach and Genbank databases to facilitate the discovery of new genes in livestock species.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.273-286
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• 2013

Objectives: The present study was conducted in order to investigate the reproductive toxicity in rats exposed to 1,4-dichlorobutane. Methods: The test chemical was administered orally at 0, 8.3, 50 and 300 mg/kg/day. Males were administered daily for 10 weeks prior to the mating period. Females were administered from between two weeks before mating to the 21stday of lactation. Results: In both sexes, a decrease in body weight and an increase in the weights of the liver and kidneys were observed. In males, discoloration of the liver, hepatocyte hypertrophy and mineralization in the kidneys were observed. In females, animal deaths, dystocia and pup deaths due to maternal dysfunction were observed. In F1 animals of both sexes, a decrease in body weight was observed at 300 mg/kg/day. An increase in the weights of the liver in both sexes, mineralization in the kidneys of males, animal deaths, hepatocyte hypertrophy and pup deaths due to maternal dysfunction were observed at 50 mg/kg/day. Mineralization in the kidneys of males was observed at 8.3 mg/kg/day. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect levels (NOAELs) of 1,4- dichlorobutane were considered to be under 8.3 mg/kg/day for males, 8.3 mg/kg/day for females, more than 300 mg/kg/day for fertility in both sexes, 8.3 mg/kg/day for maternal functions and 50 mg/kg/day for F1 offspring. The absolute toxic dose was believed to be 8.3 mg/kg/day for males, 50 mg/kg/day for females, 50 mg/kg/day for maternal functions and 300 mg/kg/day for F1 offspring. However NOAEL for fertility could not be determined since there were no treatment-related changes. Conclusions: Under the present experimental conditions, 1,4-dichlorobutane is a Category 1B Reproductive Toxicant (presumed human reproductive or developmental toxicant).

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.455-460
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• 2009

Foods of plant origin, especially fruits and vegetables, have attracted attention because of their potential benefits to human health. In this report, Rubi Fructus (RF), the dried unripe fruit of Rubus coreanus Miq (Rosaceae) and ellagic acid (EA) purified from RF were used to test their potential hepatoprotective effect against acetaminophen (AAP)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. RF extract (RFext) and EA reduced the elevated levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum and the content of lipid peroxide in liver by AAP administration, while the increment of the cellular glutathione (GSH) content and the induction of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) which were decreased by AAP administration. RFext and EA from RFext did not affect the two major form of cytochrome P450s, cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), but downregulated the cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) related to the conversion of AAP to N-acetyl-P-benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). These results suggest that RFext and EA from RF exhibit a hepatoprotective effect not only by increasing antioxidant activities but also by down-regulating CYP3A4 in the AAP-intoxicated rat.