• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.47 no.3
• /
• pp.203-209
• /
• 2010

Objective : The purpose of study was to evaluate the feasibility of brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of the rat obtained using a 1.5T MR machine in several blood-brain barrier (BBB) experiments. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. MR images were obtained using a clinical 1.5T MR machine. A microcatheter was introduced via the femoral artery to the carotid artery. Normal saline (group 1, n = 4), clotted autologous blood (group 2, n = 4), triolein emulsion (group 3, n = 4), and oleic acid emulsion (group 4, n = 4) were infused into the carotid artery through a microcatheter. Conventional and diffusion-weighted images, the apparent coefficient map, perfusion-weighted images, and contrast-enhanced MR images were obtained. Brain tissue was obtained and triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed in group 2. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran images and endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) studies were performed in group 4. Results : The MR images in group 1 were of good quality. The MR images in group 2 revealed typical findings of acute cerebral infarction. Perfusion defects were noted on the perfusion-weighted images. The MR images in group 3 showed vasogenic edema and contrast enhancement, representing vascular damage. The rats in group 4 had vasogenic edema on the MR images and leakage of dextran on the FITC-labeled dextran image, representing increased vascular permeability. The immune reaction was decreased on the EBA study. Conclusion : Clinical 1.5T MR images using a rat depicted many informative results in the present study. These results can be used in further researches of the BBB using combined clinical MR machines and immunohistochemical examinations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.1201-1207
• /
• 1999

To utilize the leaves of broccoli, the shape of which was similar with that of kale leaves, as a vegetable juice, the extracts from two types of vegetable leaves were subjected to the analyses of proximate com ponents, volatile sulfur compounds, vitamin C and minerals. The sensory evaluation of the juices, prepared from kale and broccoli leaves, were performed by duo trio test and scoring test. Among eight varieties of broccoli, four varieties('Pilgrim', 'Greenbelt', 'Salinas' and 'Shasta')were not significantly different from kale(p<0.05), based on the duo trio sensory test. Sulfur and nitrogen compounds present in the dichloromethane extracts of kale and broccoli leaves 'Pilgrim' were identified as 3 butenyl, allyl, butyl and 4 methylsulfinylbutyl isothiocyanate(sulforaphane), 4,5 epithiovalero, 4,5 epithio 3 hydroxyvalero, benzenepropane, 3 hydroxy 4 propene, 4 methylthio butane, 3 hydroxy 3 phenylpropane, 5 methy lsulfinylpentane, 4 methoxyphenyl 3 hydroxypropane nitrile and dimethyl trisulfide by GC/MSD analysis. Proximate components were observed to be relatively similar between kale and broccoli leaves. Vitamin C and sugar content were higher in broccoli leaves(125∼180mg% and 8∼12°Brix) than in kale(101mg% and 7oBrix). In mineral analysis by AA and ICP Mass, 'Pilgrim' showed a higher content of K, Fe, Mn, Zn and Se. In separate experiment, sensory scores of bitter taste and astringent taste were lower and scores of over all taste and over all acceptability, higher in broccoli('1243') juice than those in kale juice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.295-300
• /
• 2014

The actin cytoskeleton plays an important role in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses by modulating the activation of Src and subsequently inducing nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ translocation. In spite of its critical functions, few papers have examined how the actin cytoskeleton can be regulated by the activation of toll-like receptor (TLR). Therefore, in this study, we further characterized the biological value of the actin cytoskeleton in the functional activation of macrophages using an actin cytoskeleton disruptor, cytochalasin B (Cyto B), and explored the actin cytoskeleton's involvement in morphological changes, cellular attachment, and signaling events. Cyto B strongly suppressed the TLR4-mediated mRNA expression of inflammatory genes such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and inducible nitric oxide (iNOS), without altering cell viability. This compound also strongly suppressed the morphological changes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a TLR4 ligand. Cyto B also remarkably suppressed NO production under non-adherent conditions but not in an adherent environment. Cyto B did not block the co-localization between surface glycoprotein myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD2), a LPS signaling glycoprotein, and the actin cytoskeleton under LPS conditions. Interestingly, Cyto B and PP2, a Src inhibitor, enhanced the phagocytic uptake of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran. Finally, it was found that Cyto B blocked the phosphorylation of vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) at 1 min and the phosphorylation of heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) at 5 min. Therefore, our data suggest that the actin cytoskeleton may be one of the key components involved in the control of TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses in macrophages.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.18
• /
• pp.7611-7615
• /
• 2014

Aims: To prepare 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) nanoparticles with higher encapsulation efficiency and drug loading, and then investigate interaction with the SGC-7901 gastric cancer cell line. Materials and Methods: Prescription was optimized by orthogonal experiments, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity were tested by high-performance liquid chromatography, and inhibition of proliferation by 5-Fu nanoparticles and 5-Fu given to cells for 24, 48 and 72 hours was investigated by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay (MTT). In addition, 5-Fu nanoparticles were labeled by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), and absorption into cells was tested by flow cytometry. Results: The optimal conditions for preparation were concentrations of 5-Fu of 5mg/ml, of $CaCl_2$ of 60 mg/ml and of chitosan of 2 mg/ml. With a stirring speed of 1200rpm, encapsulation efficiency of 5-Fu nanoparticles was $55.4{\pm}1.10%$ and loading capacity was $4.22{\pm}0.14%$; gastric cancer cells were significantly inhibited by 5-Fu nanoparticles in a time and concentration dependent manner, and compared to 5-Fu with slower drug release, in a certain concentration range, inhibition with 5-Fu nanoparticles was stronger. 5-Fu nanoparticles were absorbed by the cells in line with the concentration. Conclusions: 5-Fu nanoparticles can inhibit growth of gastric cancer cells in vitro to a greater extent than with 5-Fu with good adsorption characteristics, supporting feasibility as a carrier.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.10
• /
• pp.5905-5910
• /
• 2013

Background: To investigate the preventive and therapeutic potential of garlic oil on human pancreatic carcinoma cells. Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was performed to study the effects of garlic oil on three human pancreatic cancer cell lines, AsPC-1, Mia PaCa-2 and PANC-1. Cell cycle progression and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry (FCM), staining with PI and annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI), respectively. Morphologic changes of pancreatic cancer cells were observed under transmission electron microscopy (TEM) after treatment with garlic oil at low inhibitory concentrations ($2.5{\mu}M$ and $10{\mu}M$) for 24 hours. Results: Proliferation of the AsPC-1, PANC-1, and Mia PaCa-2 cells was obviously inhibited in the first 24 hours with the MTT assay. The inhibition effect was more significant after 48 hours. When cells were exposed to garlic oil at higher concentrations, an early change of the apoptotic tendency was detected by FCM and TEM. Conclusion: Garlic oil could inhibit the proliferation of AsPC-1, PANC-1, and Mia PaCa-2 cells in this study. Moreover, due to programmed cell death, cell cycle arrest, or both, pro-apoptosis effects on AsPC-1 cells were induced by garlic oil in a dose and time dependent manner in vitro.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.7
• /
• pp.3289-3294
• /
• 2016

Naringin, a bioflavonoid found in Citrus seeds, inhibits proliferation of cancer cells. The objectives of this study were to investigate the mode and mechanism(s) of hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell death induced by naringin. The cytotoxicity of naringin towards HepG2 cells proved dose-dependent, measured by MTT assay. Naringin-treated HepG2 cells underwent apoptosis also in a concentration related manner, determined by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and propidium iodide (PI) employing flow cytometry. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) measured using 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide ($DiOC_6$) and flow cytometer was reduced concentration-dependently, which indicated influence on the mitochondrial signaling pathway. Caspase-3, -8 and -9 activities were enhanced as evidenced by colorimetric detection of para-nitroaniline tagged with a substrate for each caspase. Thus, the extrinsic and intrinsic pathways were linked in human naringin-treated HepG2 cell apoptosis. The expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and Bak proteins were increased whereas that of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein was decreased, confirming the involvement of the mitochondrial pathway by immunoblotting. There was an increased expression of truncated Bid (tBid), which indicated caspase-8 proteolysis activity in Bid cleavage as its substrate in the extrinsic pathway. In conclusion, naringin induces human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cell apoptosis via mitochondria-mediated activation of caspase-9 and caspase-8-mediated proteolysis of Bid. Naringin anticancer activity warrants further investigation for application in medical treatment.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.174-178
• /
• 2007

The aim of this study was to identifyisothiocyanates (ITCs) from wasabi (Wasabi japonica Matsum) using supercritical carbon dioxide ($SCO_2$) and to compare the composition in the extracts between $SCO_2$ and organic solvents extraction. A semi-continuous high pressure apparatus was used to extract wasabi (roots, stems and leaves) at following conditions pressure 80$\sim$120 bar, temperature $40\sim50^{\circ}C$. Ether, ethanol, chloroform and dichloromethane were used as organic solvents. The ITCs extracted by means of both separation technologies were analyzed by a gas chromatography system. As the results of study, AITC and ITCs were highly extracted at 40$^{\circ}C$ and 80 bar. To extract AITC from wasabi, $SCO_2$ extraction is more effective than organic solvents extraction, resulted in thermal degeneration and remaining of organic solvents.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.6-13
• /
• 2013

Purpose: Sulforaphane is a naturally-occurring isothiocyanate abundant in broccoli. It has been suggested as a promising antioxidant. In this study, the therapeutic effect of sulforaphane in paraquat intoxication was investigated. Methods: Paraquat was administered via the tail vein, after which sulforaphane or a vehicle (4% DMSO) was administered intraperitoneally 15 minutes after paraquat administration. Histological injury, lipid peroxidation, plasma cytokine (IL-6, IL-10), and nitric oxide were measured. In addition, the effect of sulforaphane on survival in paraquat-intoxication was observed. Results: Regarding histological injury, lipid peroxidation, and plasma cytokine and nitric-oxide response, sulforaphane administration showed no protective effects in paraquat-intoxicated rats. Rather, it increased mortality (log rank p=0.03) and caused lipid peroxidation, as well as plasma cytokine and nitric-oxide production, to be increased. Conclusion: Sulforaphane had no therapeutic effect on paraquat-intoxicated rats; rather, it increased mortality.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2011

Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables that has been reported to be an effective cancer preventive agent inducing growth arrest and/or cell death in cancer cells of various organs. This paper reports that sulforaphane exerts immunomodulatory activity on the MHC-restricted antigen presenting function. Sulforaphane efficiently increased the class II-restricted presentation of an exogenous antigen, ovalbumin (OVA), in both dendritic cells (DCs) and peritoneal macrophages in vitro. The class II-restricted OVA presentation-enhancing activity of sulforaphane was also confirmed using mice that had been injected with sulforaphane followed by soluble OVA. On the other hand, sulforaphane did not affect the class I-restricted presentation of exogenous OVA at concentrations that increase the class II-restricted antigen presentation. At a high concentration ($20\;{\mu}M$), sulforaphane inhibited the class I-restricted presentation of exogenous OVA. Sulforaphane did not affect the phagocytic activity of the DCs, and the cell surface expression of total H-$2K^b$, B7-1, B7-2 and CD54 molecules, even though it increased the expression of I-$A^b$ molecules to a barely discernable level. These results show that sulforaphane increases the class II-restricted antigen presenting function preferentially, and might provide a novel insight into the mechanisms of the anti-cancer effects of sulforaphane.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
• /
• v.20 no.6
• /
• pp.632-637
• /
• 2009

Poly(${\varepsilon}-caprolacton$)/ethyl cellulose (PCL/EC) microcapsules containing pluronic F127 were prepared by a spray drying method. The aqueous phase, 20% of pluronic F127 was dissolved in distilled water, and the organic phase, 5% of PCL and EC were dissolved in dichloromethane. The microcapsules were obtained by spray drying the water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion. According to the data of scanning electron microscopy and particle analyzer, tens of micro size microcapsules were observed. On a differential scanning calorimeter, the phase transition temperatures of microcapsules were observed and they were found around those of pluronic F127 and poly(${\varepsilon}-caprolacton$), which were the main components of the microcapsules. At the range of $30{\sim}45^{\circ}C$, temperature-dependent release properties were investigated using fluorescein isothicyanate-dextran (FITC-dextran) and blue dextran as a model drug. When the temperature was increased, the degree of release of microcapsule was also increased. FITC-dextran, the relative low molecular weight, was more released than blue-dextran.