• 한국환경복원기술학회지
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.35-45
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• 2003

This study was performed to suggest growth status data of the large old trees as the natural monuments of Korea. Field investigation of 70 large old trees as the natural monuments of Korea was carried out in Seoul, Inchon, Kyungki, Chungbuk, Chungnam, Chonbuk, Chonnam. The main field of this study is classified into the growth condition, soil state and management situation. The results of this study are below : The age distribution of the large old trees as the natural monuments of Korea is as follows : above l00years in 5.9%, above 200years in 8.9%, above 300 years in 11.8%, above 400 years in 16.2%, above 500 years in 16.2% and above 600years in 41.1%. Location types of the large old trees as the natural monuments of Korea are found in 11 types; the types are hill side(22.9%), historical monument area(15.7%), field(l4.3%) and building area(12.9%), etc. Also, growth type of the trees is individually placed. In the aspect of soil environment, the acidification of soils has been appearing in all surveyed areas, and the soil of Seoul area has much acidum phosphoricum because of excessive fertilizer. Finally, in management situation. major factors inhibiting growth of the large old trees as the natural monuments of Korea are soil covering of protruded root above ground, soil hardening by human, embankments, small area that has been surrounded fence. Continuous monitoring and accumulation of status data are necessary to preserve the large old trees as the natural monuments of Korea.

• 원예과학기술지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.275-281
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• 2013

Low temperature is one of the major environmental factors that affect productivity including reduced growth and budding of vines, and changes of metabolic processes in grape (Vitis spp.). To screen the specific expression of abiotic stress-related genes against cold treatment in 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early' grapevines, expression of various defense-related genes was investigated by RT-PCR and real-time PCR. Among the 67 genes analyzed by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, 17 and 16 types of cDNA were up-regulated, while 5 and 6 types were down-regulated in cold-treated 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early' grapevines, respectively. Genes encoding carotene (Cart3564 and Cart4472), chalcone isomerase (CHI), cytochrome P450 (CYP), flavonol synthase (FLS), endo-${\beta}$-glucanase precursor (Glu), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), leucine-rich repeats (LRR), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein (PGIP), proline rich protein 2 (PRP2), small heat shock protein (sHSP), temperature induced lipocalin (TIL), and thaumatin-like protein (TLP) were up-regulated, while those encoding CBF like transcription factor (CBF1), chitinase-like protein (CLP), cold induced protein (CIP), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) were down-regulated by low temperature treatment in both in 'Kyoho' and 'Campbell Early'.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.573-587
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• 2014

혈관신생은 모든 조직의 성장과 발달, 그리고 상처회복 등에 매우 중요하다. 지방조직은 우리 몸에서 가장 혈관이 발달된 조직으로서 각 지방세포들은 모세혈관에 둘러싸여 있으며 신생혈관들은 지방세포에 영양분과 산소를 공급한다. 혈관의 내피세포들은 파라크린 신호경로, 세포외 성분, 세포들 간의 직접적인 작용을 통해 지방세포와 교류한다. 활성화된 지방세포들은 VEGF, FGF-2, leptin, HGF와 같은 혈관신생인자들을 생성하며, 이들은 단독으로 혹은 협력하여 혈관신생을 증가시키고 지방조직의 성장과 대사를 촉진한다. 따라서 혈관신생 억제제들은 비만과 비만관련 질환을 치료하는데 유용할 것으로 생각된다.

• 한국가축번식학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.111-116
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• 1997

We determined the effects of follicular fluid fractions in the maturation medium on bovine oocyte maturation, fertilization and subsequent development, as well as on number of cells in blastocysts following culture. Follicular fluid and oocytes from bovine follicles less than 5 mm in diameter were collected from the ovaries of slaughtered cows. Follicular fluid was separated into different molecular weight fractions by untrafiltration through a membrane using a centrifuge at 500$\times$g, for 2h. For the maturation medium, follicular fluid fractions (30%, v/v), whole fluid (30%) or PVP(3mg/ml) were added to TCM 199(0.1$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml estradiol-17$\beta$, 100IU hCG). After maturation for 24h, oocytes were fertilized in vitro with bull frozen-thawed spermatozoa and cultured on a monolayer of granulosa cells for 9 days after fertilization. There were no differences in maturation rates or fertilization rates among any maturation conditions. The rates of development to >2-cell stage of the oocytes were significantly decreased when fraction of follicular fluid below 10,000 MW were added into maturation medium, compared with control and fraction above 10,000 MW(26.0% vs 40.8% to 64.0%, respectveily. p<0.01). Likewise, the rates of development to blastocysts of fertilized oocytes were significantly decreased in maturation medium containing fraction of follicular fluid (<10,000 MW). The average cell number of blastocysts derived from oocytes that matured in the fraction(>10,000 MW) of follicular fluid was 154.7$\pm$13.7. These embryos contained more cells than those matured in whole follicular fluid, or the fraction(<10, 000 MW) of follicular fluid or control(107.0$\pm$8.4, 91.8$\pm$11.8 and 95.8$\pm$6.2, respectively). In conclusion, we found that fractions of follicular fluid contained factors stimulating or inhibiting oocyte cytoplasmic matruation. These suggest that a factor(s) inducing cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes may exist in >10,000 MW fraction of follicular fluid.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.24-29
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• 2020

In this study, we investigated the inhibition effects of mixtures of Atractylodes macrocephala (AM) and Amomum villosum (AV) water extracts on adipocyte differentiation. Treatment with mixtures of AM and AV extracts in a ratio of 3:1 for 24 and 48 hours did not show any cytotoxicity in OP9 cells. Mixtures of AM(3) and AV(1) extracts inhibited adipocyte differentiation, expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), the major transcription factors of differentiation. It also inhibited the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), which are PPARγ-target genes in adipocyte. We also checked the inhibition effects on cell proliferation during the early stage of differentiation by treatment with mixtures of AM(3) and AV(1) extracts. It markedly inhibited adipocyte proliferation after 48 hours, and also the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and Akt after 10 min or 3 hour. These results identify a possible mechanism of action of mixtures of AM(3) and AV(1) extracts, suggesting that the mixtures of AM(3) and AV(1) extracts-induced inhibition of ERK and Akt phosphorylation suppresses adipogenesis by inhibiting other signaling cascades that include PPARγ and C/EBPα during the process of OP9 adipocyte differentiation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.689-696
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• 2018

Increasing evidence implicates changes in $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and oxidative stress as causative factors in amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced neuronal cell death. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a component of anthocyanin, has been reported to protect against glutamate-induced neuronal cell death by inhibiting $Ca^{2+}$ and $Zn^{2+}$ signaling. The present study aimed to determine whether C3G exerts a protective effect against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced neuronal cell death in cultured rat hippocampal neurons from embryonic day 17 fetal Sprague-Dawley rats using MTT assay for cell survival, and caspase-3 assay and digital imaging methods for $Ca^{2+}$, $Zn^{2+}$, MMP and ROS. Treatment with $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ ($20{\mu}M$) for 48 h induced neuronal cell death in cultured rat pure hippocampal neurons. Treatment with C3G for 48 h significantly increased cell survival. Pretreatment with C3G for 30 min significantly inhibited $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced $[Zn^{2+}]_i$ increases as well as $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ increases in the cultured rat hippocampal neurons. C3G also significantly inhibited $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced mitochondrial depolarization. C3G also blocked the $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced formation of ROS. In addition, C3G significantly inhibited the $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced activation of caspase-3. These results suggest that cyanidin-3-glucoside protects against amyloid ${\beta}$-induced neuronal cell death by reducing multiple apoptotic signals.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.596-602
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• 2016

Staphylococcus aureus, like other gram-positive pathogens, has evolved a large repertoire of virulence factors as a powerful weapon to subvert the host immune system, among which alpha-hemolysin (Hla), a secreted pore-forming cytotoxin, plays a preeminent role. We observed a concentration-dependent reduction in Hla production by S. aureus in the presence of sub-inhibitory concentrations of isorhamnetin, a flavonoid from the fruits of Hippophae rhamnoides L., which has little antibacterial activity. We further evaluate the effect of isorhamnetin on the transcription of the Hla-encoding gene hla and RNAIII, an effector molecule in the agr system. Isorhamnetin significantly down-regulated RNAIII expression and subsequently inhibited hla transcription. In a co-culture of S. aureus and lung cells, topical isorhamnetin treatment protected against S. aureus-induced cell injury. Isorhamnetin may represent a leading compound for the development of anti-virulence drugs against S. aureus infections.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.137-147
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• 2020

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is associated with intestinal immune imbalance and inflammatory response. Because dehydrolovastatin (DLVT), a derivative of lovastatin, has been recently shown to inhibit inflammation and relieve immune arthritis induced by chemical stimuli, we studied its effect and possible mechanism on UC induced by dextran sulfate sodium. The BALB/c mice were classified into six groups: normal control group, model group, DLVT high dose group, DLVT low dose group, salazosulfapyridine (SASP) group and lovastatin (LVT) group. The disease activity indices of UC and pathological changes were investigated. The myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in colon tissue and inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, and TNF-α in the serum were analyzed by ELISA, while the expression of NF-κB p65 protein in colon tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and western blot. DLVT relieved the disease activity indices and pathological damage of the UC mice. Furthermore, DLVT significantly decreased MPO activity and improved the imbalance of inflammatory cytokines through inhibiting the expression of NF-κB p65. Meanwhile, the positive drug of SASP has a similar effect to DLVT, but the effect of DLVT in both decreasing IL-17, TNF-α, and increasing IL-10 was significantly stronger than that of SASP. These results suggest that DLVT may ameliorates the symptoms of UC.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.343-349
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermentation of dietary fiber results in production of various short chain fatty acids in the colon. In particular, butyrate is reported to regulate the physical and functional integrity of the normal colonic mucosa by altering mucin gene expression or the number of goblet cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether butyrate modulates mucin secretion in LS174T human colorectal cells, thereby influencing the adhesion of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and subsequently inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. In addition, possible signaling pathways involved in mucin gene regulation induced by butyrate treatment were also investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mucin protein content assay and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were performed in LS174T cells treated with butyrate at various concentrations. Effects of butyrate on the ability of probiotics to adhere to LS174T cells and their competition with E. coli strains were examined. Real time polymerase chain reaction for mucin gene expression and Taqman array 96-well fast plate-based pathway analysis were performed on butyrate-treated LS174T cells. RESULTS: Treatment with butyrate resulted in a dose-dependent increase in mucin protein contents in LS174T cells with peak effects at 6 or 9 mM, which was further confirmed by PAS staining. Increase in mucin protein contents resulted in elevated adherence of probiotics, which subsequently reduced the adherent ability of E. coli. Treatment with butyrate also increased transcriptional levels of MUC3, MUC4, and MUC12, which was accompanied by higher gene expressions of signaling kinases and transcription factors involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, butyrate is an effective regulator of modulation of mucin protein production at the transcriptional and translational levels, resulting in changes in the adherence of gut microflora. Butyrate potentially stimulates the MAPK signaling pathway in intestinal cells, which is positively correlated with gut defense.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.203-217
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Centella asiatica, also known as Gotu kola, is a tropical medicinal plant native to Madagascar, Southeast Asia, and South Africa. It is well known to have biological activities, including wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of extracts of C. asiatica against age-related eye degeneration and to examine their physiological activities. MATERIALS/METHODS: To determine the effects of CA-HE50 (C. asiatica 50% EtOH extract) on retinal pigment cells, we assessed the cytotoxicity of CoCl₂ and oxidized-A2E in ARPE-19 cells and observed the protective effects of CA-HE50 against N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU)-induced retinal damage in C57BL/6 mice. In particular, we measured factors related to apoptosis and anti-oxidation and the protein levels of rhodopsin/opsin. We also measured glucose uptake to characterize glucose metabolism, a major factor in cell protection. RESULTS: Induction of cytotoxicity with CoCl₂ and oxidized-A2E inhibited decreases in the viability of ARPE-19 cells when CA-HE50 was administered, and promoted glucose uptake under normal conditions (P < 0.05). In addition, CA-HE50 inhibited degeneration/apoptosis of the retina in the context of MNU-induced toxicity (P < 0.05). In particular, CA-HE50 at 200 mg/kg inhibited the cleavage of pro-caspase-3 and pro-poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase and maintained the expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 similar to normal control levels. Rhodopsin/opsin expression was maintained at a higher level than in normal controls. CONCLUSION: A series of experiments confirmed that CA-HE50 was effective for inhibiting or preventing age-related eye damage/degeneration. Based on these results, we believe it is worthwhile to develop drugs or functional foods related to age-related eye degeneration using CA-HE50.