• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.302-310
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• 2019

Melanoma cells have been shown to respond to BRAF inhibitors; however, intrinsic and acquired resistance limits their clinical application. In this study, we performed RNA-Seq analysis with BRAF inhibitor-sensitive (A375P) and -resistant (A375P/Mdr with acquired resistance and SK-MEL-2 with intrinsic resistance) melanoma cell lines, to reveal the genes and pathways potentially involved in intrinsic and acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. A total of 546 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 239 up-regulated and 307 down-regulated genes, were identified in both intrinsic and acquired resistant cells. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the top 10 biological processes associated with these genes included angiogenesis, immune response, cell adhesion, antigen processing and presentation, extracellular matrix organization, osteoblast differentiation, collagen catabolic process, viral entry into host cell, cell migration, and positive regulation of protein kinase B signaling. In addition, using the PAN-THER GO classification system, we showed that the highest enriched GOs targeted by the 546 DEGs were responses to cellular processes (ontology: biological process), binding (ontology: molecular function), and cell subcellular localization (ontology: cellular component). Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) network analysis showed a network that was common to two BRAF inhibitorresistant cells. Taken together, the present study may provide a useful platform to further reveal biological processes associated with BRAF inhibitor resistance, and present areas for therapeutic tool development to overcome BRAF inhibitor resistance.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.23-35
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• 1997

Physiological effects in SAM P6 and Rl by administration of Cervus cornu, Astragali Radix, Rehmanniae Radix, and Angelicae Radix extracts were screened to know in vivo activities of each extracts. We measured complete blood cells (CBC) such as aBC, HGB, and HCT using coulter's method. Plasma concentrations of albumin, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, calcium, creatinine, inorganic phosphate, urea and total iron ere also analyzed using biochemical clinical autoanalyzer. Plasma concentrations of cortisol, total T$_3$, and total T$_4$ were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay methods. At 12 weeks after birth, Cervus conu or Astragali Radix or Rehmanniae Radix extracts were given 5 g/Kg.day p.o. for 0,7,14,21, and 30 days each in both SAM Rl and SAM P6. Angelicae Radix study was done the same as the others except the mice were 16 weeks after birth. The RBC, HGB, and HCT levels after administration of Astragali and Rehmanniae were elevated in SAM Rl, but those in Cervi study were increased in SAM P6 the most. Decreases in alkaline phosphatase concentration of SAM Rl and P6 after Cervi administration were detected. Total plasma iron concentration was decreased by Angelicae administration in SAM P6. In general, Angelicae and Rehmanniae stimulate increases in cortisol, but total T$_3$ and T$_4$ levels were also elevated by all these extracts. In conclusion, these herval medicine extracts help hematopoiesis in SAMs through probably different mechanisms.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.56-64
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• 2010

Pentoxifylline (PTX) has been used for the local reduction of fat tissue in the clinical setting. However, its safety and efficacy have not been proven. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of PTX on cell lines established from fat tissue. Newly cultured human preadipocytes and adipocytes from subcutaneous abdominal fat in addition to purchased human lung fibroblasts and keratinocytes were treated with PTX at different concentrations. Cell viability was determined using the Cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay and lipolysis was evaluated using an Elisa kit. DNA fragmentation, Western blot analysis, Hoechst and Propidium Iodide (PI) staining and fluorescence activated cell scanning analysis were performed to confirm apoptosis. The viability of adipocytes, preadipocytes, keratinocytes and fibroblasts was markedly decreased at concentrations of PTX above 20 mM. Apoptosis was induced at concentrations of PTX over 40 mM in all cell lines. Lipolysis was increased by 60% at concentrations of PTX of 20 mM compared to the control. In conclusion, the results of this study showed that 20 mM of PTX induced lipolysis. At concentrations over 20 mM, PTX reduced the viability of all cells studied including: adipocytes, preadipocytes, fibroblasts and keratinocytes, in a non-specific manner.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2004

The present study was conducted to investigate the potential subacute toxicity of CKD-602 by a 5-day repeated intravenous administration in Sprague-Dawley rats. CKD-602 was administered intravenously to male rats at dose levels of 0, 0.08, 0.2, and 0.5 mg/kg for 5 days. Studies included general observation, body weight changes, ophthalmoscopic examination, hematology, se겨m biochemistry, gross findings at necropsy and organ weight measurement. There were no deaths in any treatment group and treatment related clinical sign was depilation in the 0.5 mg/kg groups. The decrease or suppression of body weight was also observed dose-dependently in all treatment groups. Decreased leukocyte in all treatment groups, decreased platelet in the above 0.2 mg/kg groups and increase in the serum levels of total cholesterol in the 0.5 mg/kg group were considered as a treatment related toxic effects. Decreased weight of thymus in all treatment groups anti decreased weight of spleen in the above 0.2 mg/kg group were observed. The intravenous administration of CKD-602 caused depilation and decreased weight and had toxic effect on the leukocyte, platelet, spleen and thymus. In the condition of this study, the target organs were spleen and thymus and the toxic effect level was determined to be 0.2 mg/kg, but no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be lower than 0.08 mg/kg.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.562-569
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• 2022

Etretinate, an acitretin metabolite, has a long retention duration in adipose tissues with a teratogenic potential. FDA advises a contraceptive period of at least three years after discontinuing acitretin. However, the effect of accumulated etretinate in adipose tissues on fetus is unknown. Although the teratogenic threshold for serum concentration of etretinate has been presented as higher than 2 ng/mL, that of acitretin is unknown. To examine factors affecting body retention of acitretin and etretinate, effects of acitretin dosage, acitretin-taking duration, elapsed time after stopping acitretin, age, sex, concomitant alcohol consumption, and foods and supplements rich in vitamin A intake on serum concentrations of acitretin and etretinate were analyzed in 14 acitretin-taken patients and 58 controls without taking acitretin or etretinate. Serum concentrations of acitretin, but not etretinate, tended to be inversely related to the discontinuation duration. They were also related to old age. Different from a published result that alcohol consumption could promote the metabolism of acitretin into etretinate, alcohol intake did not affect serum concentrations of etretinate. Unexpectedly, more frequent intake of vitamin A or provitamin A-rich food and supplements was associated with higher serum acitretin, whereas less frequent intake of vitamin A or provitamin A-rich food and supplements was associated with higher serum levels of etretinate in acitretin-taken patients. Despite preliminary data, inter-individual variations in serum retention of etretinate suggest the necessity of further research before applying the same guidelines to everyone to minimize unnecessary contraception.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.438-444
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• 2014

Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold. (B. kazinoki) has long been used in the manufacture of paper in Asian countries. Although B. kazinoki leaves (BK) have been employed in dermatological therapy, use of BK has not been tested in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). Using Nc/Nga mice, which are genetically predisposed to develop AD-like skin lesions, we confirmed the efficacy of BK in AD treatment. BK extract was applied topically to Dermatophagoides farinae-induced AD-like lesions in Nc/Nga mice, and the effects were assessed both clinically and by measuring skin thickness on the back and ears. We measured the effects of BK extract on plasma levels of IgE and IL-4. We also measured the ability of BK extract to inhibit the secretion of hTARC in HaCaT cells after stimulation by TNF-${\alpha}$ and IFN-${\gamma}$. We found that BK extract significantly reduced ear and dorsal skin thickness and the clinical signs of AD, as well as significantly down-regulating the plasma levels of IgE and IL-4 (p<0.01 for each comparison). Moreover, $500{\mu}g/mL$ of BK extract inhibited hTARC secretion in HaCaT cells by activated TNF-${\alpha}$/IFN-${\gamma}$ by about 87%. These findings suggest that topical application of BK extract has excellent potential in the treatment of AD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.389-394
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• 1998

Cyclosporine (CsA) is a major immunosuppressive drug used widely to prevent organ allograft rejection. fits potential organotoxicity by prolonged use is known to cause both direct tissue damage and indirect pharmacokinetic interactions with other drugs. This study was performed to determine the effect of nicardipine (NCP) on the pharmacokinetic parameters of CsA in Sprague-Dawley rats. Each rat was administered with CsA in saline-treated group or in NCP-treated group which was pretreated with NCP (5 mg/kg/12 hours, i.p.) for 6 days. The plasma CsA concentration were analyzed by reversed HPLC: UV system at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours after bolus injection of CsA (10 mg/kg). Pharmacokinetic parameters (mean$\pm$ SD, n=7) such as initial plasma concentration (C(0)), mean residence time (MRT), steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss), terminal half-life (t$\frac{1}{2}$($\beta$)) and plasma clearance (CLp) of CsA in each groups (saline-group vs NCP-group) were determined as follows: C(0) (5.66$\pm$ 1.98 vs 17.98$\pm$2.36, p<0.01); Vdss (2.68$\pm$ 1.6 vs 0.94 $\pm$ 0.25, p<0.01); CLp (0.53 $\pm$0.18 vs 0.21 $\pm$0.06, p<0.01). Therefore, Our results indicate that nicardipine significantly affects the pharmacokinetic parameters of cyclosporme, especially C(0), Vdss, and CLp in NCP-treated group. We suggest that the significant pharmacokinetic interaction between cyclosporine and nicardipine should be considered and cyclosporine level should be closely monitored and dosage reduction made as necessary in clinical situation that was coadministered with CsA and NCP.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.102-108
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• 2011

We examined the effects of essential oil from Thujopsis dolobrata Sieb. et Zucc. var. hondai Makino (EOTD) (Cupressaceae) on atopic dermatitis (AD)-like skin lesions in NC/Nga mice. Treatment with EOTD twice daily for two weeks ameliorate AD-like skin lesions induced by DNCB (2,4 dinitrochlorobenzene), and clinical scores were reduced to 7.29, 7.07, and 4.5 points in the groups treated with 1.5%, 3.0%, and 6.0% extract (p<0.01) respectively, from the 15.0 score obtained using vehicle. EOTD inhibited the infiltration of mast cells into the AD-like skin lesion in NC/Nga mice (p<0.01) and also reduced serum histamine and IgE levels (p<0.05). Furthermore, it dose-dependently inhibited the release of beta-hexosaminidase from rat basophilic leukemia RBL 2H3 cells. These results indicate that EOTD reduces AD-like skin lesions by inhibiting the production of IgE and histamine, and, thus, IgE-mediated degranulation.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.474-480
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• 2018

Most angiogenesis assays are performed using endothelial cells. However, blood vessels are composed of two cell types: endothelial cells and pericytes. Thus, co-culture of two vascular cells should be employed to evaluate angiogenic properties. Here, we developed an in vitro 3-dimensional angiogenesis assay system using spheroids formed by two human vascular precursors: endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). ECFCs, MSCs, or ECFCs+MSCs were cultured to form spheroids. Sprout formation from each spheroid was observed for 24 h by real-time cell recorder. Sprout number and length were higher in ECFC+MSC spheroids than ECFC-only spheroids. No sprouts were observed in MSC-only spheroids. Sprout formation by ECFC spheroids was increased by treatment with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or combination of VEGF and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Interestingly, there was no further increase in sprout formation by ECFC+MSC spheroids in response to VEGF or VEGF+FGF-2, suggesting that MSCs stimulate sprout formation by ECFCs. Immuno-fluorescent labeling technique revealed that MSCs surrounded ECFC-mediated sprout structures. We tested vatalanib, VEGF inhibitor, using ECFC and ECFC+MSC spheroids. Vatalanib significantly inhibited sprout formation in both spheroids. Of note, the $IC_{50}$ of vatalanib in ECFC+MSC spheroids at 24 h was $4.0{\pm}0.40{\mu}M$, which are more correlated with the data of previous animal studies when compared with ECFC spheroids ($0.2{\pm}0.03{\mu}M$). These results suggest that ECFC+MSC spheroids generate physiologically relevant sprout structures composed of two types of vascular cells, and will be an effective pre-clinical in vitro assay model to evaluate pro- or anti-angiogenic property.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.236-243
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• 1993

Immunologic potential of DA-125, a new anthracycline antitumor antibiotic, was investigated using guinea pigs and mice. In antigenicity experiments, guinea pigs were sensitized subcutaneously with DA-125 or DA-125 incorporated in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) once a week for three weeks. No systemic anaphylaxis was induced by intravenous injection of DA-125 or DA-125 incubated with guinea pig serum after 3 weeks from the last sensitization. None of sera of these animals showed any passive cutaneous anaphylactic reaction (PCA) when DA-125 or DA-125 incubated with guinea pig serum was used as a challenging antigen in homologous PCA experiment. On the other hand the treatment of guinea pigs with ovalbumin Incorporated in CFA induced systemic anaphylactic reaction when challenged by intravenous injection of 5 mg/body of ovalbumin. Immunodiffusion test revealed no precipitating antibodies as detected in guinea pigs sensitized with DA-125. In 24-hour heterologous PCA reaction with sera of C57BL/6 mice immunized with DA-125 or DA-125 mixed with aluminum hydroxide gel (Alum), None of sera showed positive reaction when DA-125 or DA-125 incubated with rat serum was used as a challenging antigen. Sera of animals immunized with a mixture of ovalbumin and alum showed positive PCA reaction when 5 mg/body of ovalbumin was injected as a challenging antigen. In lymphocyte proliferation tests, spleen lymphocyte proliferation to PHA and LPS was similarly impaired by 12 mg/kg of DXR or 36 mg/kg of DA-125, and the immunodepressive activity of DA-125 showed a dose-dependent manner. From these results, it could be concluded that immunosupression of DA-125 would be comparable to that of DXR and that DA-125 would not induce systemic allergic reaction in its clinical use.