• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.169-177
• /
• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Epimedium koreanum Nakai(EK) in phenylephrine(PE) treated isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of phenylephrine(PE, $1{\times}10^{-6}M$)-precontracted strips to EK at $0.01-3.0mg/m{\ell}$ were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation using organ bath. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of EK-induced relaxation, $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), indomethacin(IM) were pretreated before EK extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of EK extract on EA.hy926 cells, mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity(MTT) assay and nitric oxide detection kit were used. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by EK extract at $0.3mg/m{\ell}$, $1.0mg/m{\ell}$, $3.0mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses of PE-precontracted strips denuded endothelium also inhibited in comparison with intact endothelium. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA reduced EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of IM didn't affect EK extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When EK extract was applicated on EA.hy926 cells, the NO concentration was increased. Our findings have shown that EK extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.11
• /
• pp.6245-6248
• /
• 2013

Aims: To study effects of down-regulation of pituitary tumor-transforming gene (PTTG) on proliferation and metastasis ability of the SCL-1 cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) cell line and explore related mechanisms. Methods: SCL-1 cells were divided into 3 groups (untreated, siRNA control and PTTG siRNA). Cell proliferation assays were performed using a CCK-8 kit and proliferation and metastasis ability were analyzed using Boyden chambers. In addition, expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was detected by r-time qPCR and Western blotting. Results: Down-regulation of PTTG could markedly inhibit cell proliferation in SCL-1 cells, compared to untreated and control siRNA groups (P < 0.05). Real-time qPCR demonstrated that expression levels of PTTG, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the PTTG siRNA group were 0.8%, 23.2% and 21.3% of untreated levels. Western blotting revealed that expression of PTTG, MMP-2 and MMP-9 proteins in the PTTG siRNA group was obviously down-regulated. The numbers of migrating cells ($51.38{\pm}4.71$) in the PTTG siRNA group was obviously lower than that in untreated group ($131.33{\pm}6.12$) and the control siRNA group ($127.72{\pm}5.20$) (P < 0.05), suggesting that decrease of proliferation and metastasis ability mediated by PTTG knock-down may be closely correlated with down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. Conclusion: Inhibition of PTTG expression may be a new target for therapy of CSCC.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.2493-2496
• /
• 2010

Erythropoietin (EPO) is mainly produced in kidney and stimulates erythropoiesis. The use of recombinant EPOs for doping is prohibited because of its performance enhancing effect. This study investigated whether biosimilar EPOs could be differentiated from endogenous one by iso-electro-focusing plus double blotting and SDS-PAGE for antidoping analysis. The established method was validated with positive control urine. The band patterns were reproducible and meet the criteria, which was made by world anti doping agency (WADA). Isoelectric focusing was conducted in pH range 2 to 6. Recormon (La Roche), Aropotin (Kunwha), Epokine (CJ Pharm Co.), Eporon (Dong-A), Espogen (LG Life Sciences), and Dynepo (Shire Pharmaceuticals) were detected in basic region. All biosimilars showed discriminative isoelectric profiles from endogenous EPO profiles, but they showed different band patterns with the reference one except Epokine (CJ Pharm Co.). Next, SDS-PAGE of biosimilar EPOs resulted in different molecular weight patterns which were distributed higher than endogenous EPO. Commercial immune assay kit as an immune affinity purification tool and immobilized antibody coated magnetic bead were tested for the purification and concentration of EPO from urinary matrix. The antibody-coated magnetic bead gave better purification yield. The IEF plus double blotting and SDS-PAGE with immunoaffinity purification method established can be used to discriminate biosimilar EPOs from endogenous EPO.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.20 no.2 s.33
• /
• pp.77-88
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This experimental study was performed to investigate the effects of Yeouigeumhwang-san(YUGHS) on anti-inflammation and anti-Propionibacterium acnes. Methods : The cytotoxicity of YUGHS about viability of Raw 264.7 cell was tested by using a colorimetric tetrazolium assay(MTT assay). To investigate the anti-inflammatory effets of YUGHS on LPS-induced macrophage Raw 264.7 cell, we used ELISA kit and Western blots. Inhibitory effects of YUGHS on Propionibactrium acnes were investigated by using paper disk diffusion method. Results : 1. YUGHS has no cytotoxicity under 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ concentration but over 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ has a little cytotoxicity in Raw 264.7 cell. 2. Concentration of 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ YUGHS inhibited the production of NO in the Raw 264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. 3. All concentrations of YUGHS did not inhibit the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ in the Raw 264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. 4. All concentrations of YUGHS significantly inhibited the production of $PGE_2$ in the Raw 264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. 5. YUGHS did not inhibit the expression of COX-2 but concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/ml$ YUGHS inhibited iNOS expression in the Raw 264.7 cell stimulated with LPS. 6. YUGHS has the effect of blocking $NF-{\kappa}B$ into nucleus in LPS-induced macrophage Raw 264.7 cell 7. YUGHS did not have the inhibitory effect of Propionibactrium acnes. Conclusions : These results indicate that Yeouigeumhwang-san has anti-inflammatory effets. If further study is performed, the use of Yeouigeumhwang-san will be valuable and benificial in the therapy of acnes.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.19-24
• /
• 1996

To investigate the genes which is related to immune reaction of Bombyx mori, differential screening was carried out using naive and induced B. mori mRNA probe. To begin with, we constructed the cDNA library with mRNA isolated from fifth instar larvae injected with E. coli(4 X 106 cells/larva) using Uni ZAP XR vector kit. Thirty-two inducible cDNAs showing higher intensity on the induced mRNA probing membranes were selected. Partial nucleotide sequences of 29 clones were determined and their expessed sequence tags (ESTs) were produced. Nineteen ESTs in 29 ESTs were matched in GenBank database and the rest of them were found to be unknown. These unmatched ESTs were presumed to be novel genes. The nineteen ESTs contained variable genes related to biological process in Bombyx mori and four classes immune genes. Four clones, BmInc 6, 8, 18 and 27 were similar to two antibacterial peptide genes, hemolin gene and transferrin gene, respectively.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.48 no.12
• /
• pp.893-918
• /
• 2010

This article is purposed of reviewing the development history of Japanese dental devices and instrument, and their related advertisement activities during the Japanese colonized period in Korea in early 20th century. Japanese dental devices and instrument were redesigned to accommodate their ergonomic shape above the simple imitation, and it implies the excessive desires brought them frustrations. The tragic earthquake on Sep. l, 1923, medical insurance law enforcement on Jan. 1, 1927, celebration of "Cavity prevention Day" started on Jun. 4, 1928, and the attack of Manchuria and China by Japan after 1931, all of these historical incidents become the preliminary requirement for the development of dental devices. On Nov. 1, 1937, Japanese government started to control dental materials, driving the campaigns for excluding foreign products and encourging the use of local products. In 1939, Nakajima dental manufacturers used this political and social atmosphere on their advertisement as saying "Our Nakajima's products have no compromise with the short raw materials, but only commitment to our quality". Since after 1940, the price and supply have been strongly under control, and the control group was appeared to manage all of supply and distribution of raw materials, regular price system, and specifications. At last, the Japanese national power were devastated in its production and distribution capacities, and get to the frustrated period. The main advertised dental devices and instruments in Korea during the Japanese colonized period were 1) dental chair, unit and cabinet, 2) dental x-ray, 3) compressors, 4) dental needles, 5) small instrument and carryon medical(emergency) kit, 6) oral hygiene and pyorrhea alveolaris, infrared rays, sunlight lamp, ultrashort wave treatment devices, 7)crown former, electric furnace, casting machine, articulator, electric lathe, and laboratory equipments, etc.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.17 no.sup3
• /
• pp.119-123
• /
• 2016

Thyroid cancer, the most common endocrine neoplasia, consists of four main types of carcinomas: papillary, follicular, and anaplastic, all with thyroid follicular origin, and medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) related to para-follicular cells. Cronic diseases such as diverse cancers may be associated with cachexia, especially at advanced stage. Cancer-induced cachexia is associated with diminished quality of life, functional performance, reduced response to antitumor therapy, and increased morbidity and mortality. Myostatin (Mst) is one of the outstanding molecules in the skeletal muscle loss process in cancer and it may be released by both skeletal muscle and cachexia-inducing tumors. Recently changes in serum levels of Mst have been identified as an important factor of cancer-induced cachexia. The goal of this study was to assessserum Mst levels in MTC patients. In this descriptive and case-control study, 90 participants were selected, comprising 45 MTC patients (20 males, $29{\pm}13.9years$, 25 females, $29{\pm}14.5years$) and 45 control individuals (25 males, $23.1{\pm}11.6years$, 20 females, $31.5{\pm}14.4years$). Serum Mst was determined using an ELISA kit and body mass index (BMI) was calculated by weight and height measurements. The Kolmogorov Simonov test showed a normal distribution for log transformed Mst serum levels in both case and control groups. Geometric means were 5.9 and 8.2 ng/ml respectively, and a significant difference was found according to the independent t-test results (P<0.01). There was also a significant difference mean of Mst between females in control and MTC groups, but not for the males. Pearson correlation test showed no correlation between age and BMI with Mst serum levels. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that Mst serum levels may have a potential ability for early diagnosis of cachexia in MTC patients, especially in females.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.65-82
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was verification of the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects of Odukhwan(ODH) and Sasinhwan(SSH) in mouse macrophage, RAW264.7 cells. Methods : To investigate the anti-oxidative effect and scavenging activities of DPPH radical, superoxide anions, nitric oxide and peroxynitrite were measured. Cytotoxic activity of extract of ODH and SSH on RAW264.7 cells was measured using MTS assay. To proof the reductive activity of intracellular oxidation, DCFH-DA assay was performed. The nitric oxide(NO) production was measured and pro-inflammatory cytokines and $PGE_2$ were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 expression were detected by western blot. Results : After those analyses, we bring to a conclusion as follows. Both herbal formulations scavenged DPPH radical and nitric oxide. But ODH had no scavenging activity of superoxide anions and SSH had low scavenging activity in peroxynitrite. And the results indicated that ODH and SSH inhibited the LPS-induced NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 production in RAW264.7 cells. They also have suppression effects of LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Conclusions : ODH and SSH have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and they may be a part of database for development of new anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory drugs.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.24 no.8
• /
• pp.1086-1091
• /
• 2011

This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of lerak extract on the dynamic of rumen microbes in the in vitro fermentation of diet with different ratios of forage and concentrate. In vitro fermentation was conducted according to the method of Tilley and Terry (1963). The design of experiment was a factorial block design with 2 factors. The first factor was the ratio of forage and concentrate (90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 w/w) and the second factor was the level of lerak extract (0, 0.6, and 0.8 mg/ml). Total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, proportional VFA and NH3 concentration were measured at 4 h incubation. Protozoal numbers in the buffered rumen fluid after 4 and 24 h of incubation were counted under a microscope. Bacterial DNAs of buffered rumen fluid were isolated from incubated samples after 24 h of incubation using a QiaAmp kit. Total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus albus, and Prevotella ruminicola were quantified using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Lerak extract markedly reduced protozoal numbers in buffered rumen fluid of all diets after 24 h of incubation. Total bacteria did not change with lerak extract addition. While no difference in F. succinogenes was found, there was a slight increase in R. albus number and a significant enhancement in P. ruminicola number by increasing the level of lerak extract in all diets. Propionate concentration significantly increased in the presence of lerak extract at level 0.8 mg/ml. It was concluded that the addition of lerak extract could modify rumen fermentation and had positive effects on rumen microbes.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.121-134
• /
• 2008

Objectives: Melia toosendan(MT) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine, and today it is used as a medication for colic, side aches, heartache and other disorders of liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether fractionated extracts of MT inhibit free radical generation such as DPPH radical, superoxide radical and nitric oxide, production of nitrite, an index of NO, PGE2, iNOS, COX-2 and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods: MT extract prepared with methanol, and then fractionated with hexane, dichloromethane, ethylacetate, n-butanol and water. Inhibitory effect of MT onto free radical generation was determined by measuring DPPH, superoxide anions and nitric oxide scavenging activities in vitro. Cytotoxic activity of extracts on RAW 264.7 cells was measured using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt(MTS) assay. Intracelluar oxidation was analysed by DCF-DA assay. The nitric oxide(NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. The levels of iNOS and COX-2 expression were confirmed by western blot. And pro inflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. Results: Our results indicated that fractionated extracts, especially dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts, significantly inhibited free radical generation, the LPS-induced $H_2O_2$, NO, $PGE_2$ production and iNOS, COX-2 expression accompanied by an attenuation of TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6 formation in macrophages. Conclusions: These results indicate that dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts of MT have potential as an agent of chronic inflammatory diseases.