• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.170-176
• /
• 2020

Palmijihwang-tang is an herbal formula frequently used to treat many symptoms, such as lumbago, pollakiuria, cold hands and feet, nephritis, sterilitas virilis, and prostatic disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Palmijihwang-tang on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in rat kidney proximal tubular NRK-52E cells. NRK-52E cells were treated with Palmijihwang-tang in absence or presence of 30 µM cisplatin for 12 or 24 h. Palmijihwang-tang at concentrations of 50-800 ㎍/ml did not change the cell viability in NRK-52E cells, and showed no significant toxicity. Palmijihwang-tang at concentrations of 400 and 800 ㎍/ml significantly increased the cell viability and reduced apoptotic cells in NRK-52E cells exposed to cisplatin. Also, Palmijihwang-tang markedly inhibited cisplatin-induced caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage, ROS production and p53 activation in NRK-52E cells. Furthermore, Palmijihwang-tang did not interfere with the antitumor activity of cisplatin in AGS and A549 cancer cells. Particularly, Palmijihwang-tang enhanced antitumor activity of cisplatin in A549 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that Palmijihwang-tang ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through reduction of ROS production and p53 activation, and did not interrupt antitumor efficacy of cisplatin against cancer cells.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.51-57
• /
• 2016

The epidemiology of pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PNENs) in Asia has been clarified through epidemiological studies, including one conducted in Japan, and subsequently another in South Korea. As endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) has become more widely accessible, endoscopic ultrasound-fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has been performed in pancreatic tumors for which the clinical course was only monitored previously. This has enabled accurate diagnosis of pancreatic tumors based on the 2010 WHO classification; as a result, the number of patients with an accurate diagnosis has increased. Although surgery has been the standard therapy for PNENs, new treatment options have become available in Japan for the treatment of advanced or inoperable PNENs; of particular note is the recent introduction of molecular target drugs (such as everolimus and sunitinib) and streptozocin. Treatment for progressive PNENs needs to be selected for each patient with consideration of the performance status, degree of tumor differentiation, tumor mass, and proliferation rate. Somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-2 is expressed in many patients with neuroendocrine tumor. Somatostatin receptor scintigraphy (SRS), which can visualize SSTR-2 expression, has been approved in Japan. The SRS will be a useful diagnostic tool for locating neuroendocrine neoplasms, detecting distant metastasis, and evaluating therapy outcomes. In this manuscript, we review the latest diagnostic methods and treatments for PNENs.

• Journal of the Korean Wood Science and Technology
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.68-77
• /
• 2014

A compound has been isolated from the methanol extract of Styrax japonica bark using conventional chromatographic methods including silica gel chromatography, TLC and HPLC. The molecular formula of Styraxlignolide F analyzed by spectrometric analyses using FAB-MS, NMR was found to be $C_{27}H_{34}O_{11}Na$. The cytotoxicity of the styralignolide F was showed 15.2% in $1.0mg/m{\ell}$ on human kidney cell (HEK 293). As anticancer activity of $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction, over 60% of AGS and MCF-7 cells were inhibited in concentration of $1.0mg/m{\ell}$. In the results of anticancer test using quantification of Bcl-2, $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed lower Bcl-2 and p53 expression than those of styraxlignolide F and other fractions. In apoptosis of human lung carcunoma cancer cell (A549), $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed the highest inhibition rate (46.9%) and styralignolide F was the next (43.5%). The $CH_2Cl_2$ fraction showed higher anti-cancer activities than isolated substance (styraxlignolide F), probably due to the crude extract showing synergic effects by other components.

• Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.209-217
• /
• 2007

Purpose: Multidrug resistance (MDR) of the cancer cells related to mdr1 gene expression can be effectively treated by selective short hairpin RNA for mdr1 gene (shMDR). Sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) gene is well known to have both reporter and therapeutic gene characteristics. We have co-transfected both shMDR and NIS gene into colon cancer cells (HCT15 cell) expressing MDR and Tc-99m sestamibi and I-125 uptake were measured. In addition, cytotoxic effects of doxorubicin and I-131 therapy were also assessed after transfection. Material and Methods: At first, shMDR was transfected with liposome reagent into human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293) and HCT cells. shMDR transfection was confirmed by RT-PCR and western blot analysis. Adenovirus expressing NIS (Ad-NIS) gene and shMDR (Ad-shMDR) were co-transfected with Ad-NIS into HCT15 cells. Forty-eight hours after infection, inhibition of P-gycoprotein (Pgp) function by shMDR was analyzed by a change of Tc-99m sestamibi uptake and doxorubicin cytotoxicity, and functional activity of induced NIS gene expression was assessed with I-125 uptake assay. Results: In HEK293 cells transfected with shMDR, mdr1 mRNA and Pgp protein expressions were down regulated. HCT15 cells infected with 20 MOI of Ad-NIS was higher NIS protein expression than control cells. After transfection of 300 MOI of Ad-shMDR either with or without 10 MOI of Ad-NIS, uptake of Tc-99m sestamibi increased up to 1.5-fold than control cells. HCT15 cells infected with 10 MOI of Ad-NIS showed approximately 25-fold higher I-125 uptake than control cells. Cotransfection of Ad-shMDR and Ad-NIS resulted in enhanced cytotoxic by doxorubicin in HCT15 cells. I-131 treatment on HCT15 cells infected with 20 MOI of Ad-NIS revealed increased cytotoxic effect. Conclusion: Suppression of mdr1 gene expression, retention of Tc-99m sestamibi, enhanced doxorubicin cytotoxicity and increases in I-125 uptake were achieved in MDR expressing cancer cell by co-transfection of shMDR and NIS gene. Dual therapy with doxorubicin and radioiodine after cotransfection shMDR and NIS gene can be used to overcome MDR.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.8
• /
• pp.1152-1158
• /
• 2009

For the toxicological pathologic study of amanita muscaria, we have investigated single and repeated dose toxicity in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Single dose toxicity study was identified as catalepsy, incline and tail pinch methods (control 0 mg/kg, low 3.3 mg/kg, middle 16.5 mg/kg, high 33.0 mg/kg). Repeated dose toxicity study was carried out in blood tests, serum tests and histopathological methods. Neurotoxicity - muscle paralysis, and convulsion and loss of movement - was observed at 33.0 mg/kg group in the single dose toxicity study. Dysfunction of liver and kidney were shown in the repeated oral administration of the amanita muscaria at 3${\sim}$4 weeks. Serum chemistry results revealed a marked increase of LDH [Lactate Dehydrogenase (3181.5 IU/L; normal 230-460 IU/l)], ALT [Alanine transaminase (124.0 IU/l; normal <40 IU/l)] but the kidney was normal. Histopathological results show interstitial edema and tubular epithelial necrosis in the kidney. These results suggest that amanita muscaria has a neurotoxic effect and causes dysfunction of liver and kidney in the SD rat.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.409-415
• /
• 2007

The retinoblastoma (Rb) gene is one of the most important genes in cell cycle regulation and tumorigenesis. Homozygosity for a germ-line Rb mutation results in embryonic lethality and evokes developmental defects associated with inappropriate S-phase entry and high levels of apoptosis. Although Rb has been extensively studied, more target genes need to be identified and characterized to unravel the precise mechanism of Rb function. In order to identify Rb-regulated genes, we analyzed the gene expression profile of Rb-deficient mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs), and identified an unknown gene, RbEST47, that is transcriptionally upregulated in Rb-deficient MEFs. This gene is conserved from fruitfly to human. It is expressed in brain, lung, kidney, and testis, and is located on mouse chromosome 2. This region is syntenic to human chromosome 9q34.3, which frequently exhibits loss of heterozygosity in neoplastic diseases. RbEST47 was considerably down-regulated in immortalized cells, and showed cell cycle-dependent expression, suggesting important roles in S and/or G2.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.4 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2004

Transplantation would be the only way to cure the end-stage organ failure involving heart, lung, liver, kidney and pancreas. The replacement of the parts of the body damaged to lose its function or lost to trauma must be a dream of human-being. Human history is replete with chimeras, from sphinxes to mermaids, making one wonder if the ancients might actually have dreamed of what now is called 'xenotransplantation'. In the 20th century, the transplantation of organs and tissues to cure disease has become a clinical reality. The development in the fields of surgical techniques, physiology and immunology attributed to the successful transplantation in human. In the center of the successful transplantation lies the progress in understanding the cellular and molecular biology of immune system which led to the development of immunosuppressive drugs and the invention of the concept of immunological tolerance. The mandatory side effects of immunosuppressive drugs including infection and cancer forced us to search alternative approaches along with the development of new immunosuppressive agents. Among the alternative approaches, the induction of a state of immunologic tolerance would be the most promising and the most generic applicability as a future therapy. Recent reports documenting long-term graft survival without immunosuppression suggest that tolerance-based therapies may become a clinical reality. Last year, we saw the epoch making success of overcoming hyperacute rejection in porcine to primate xenotransplantation which will lead porcine to human xenotransplantation to clinical reality. In this review, I dare to summarize the development of transplantation immunology from the perspective of history.

• Carbon letters
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.45-52
• /
• 2016

The attachment of 2-aminobenzamide to carboxylated multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-COOH was achieved through the formation of amide bonds. Then, the functionalized MWCNTs, MWCNT-amide, were treated by phosphoryl chloride to produce MWCNT-quin. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, derivative thermogravimetric, steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy, and solubility testing. MWCNT-quin showed photo-electronic properties, which is due to the attachment of the 4-hydroxyquinazoline groups to them as proved by steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy. This suggests intramolecular interactions between the tubes and the attached 4-hydroxyquinazoline. The toxicity of the samples was evaluated in human embryonic kidney HEK293 and human breast cancer SKBR3 cell lines, and the viable cell numbers were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) after the cells were cultured for 24 h. Cellular investigations showed that the modified MWCNTs, particularly MWCNT-quin, have considerably significant toxic impact on SKBR3 as compared to HEK293 at the concentration of 5 µg/mL.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.50 no.3
• /
• pp.160-165
• /
• 2006

Germanium is found in a range of minerals and ores and is present in foods including beans, tomato juice, oysters, tuna and garlic. Germanium is a non-metallic element, which can exist in valence states of 2 and 4. Clinical trials and use in private practices for more than a decade have demonstrated organic germanium's efficacy in treating serious disease including cancer, arthritis and senile osteoporosis. But it was rarely reported that inorganic germanium has biological properties. STB-BM contains mineral complex, rare earth elements and a little amount of Inorganic germanium. The experiment was carried out the anti-obesity effect. To investigate anti-obesity effect of STB-BM, we measured the effect of body weight, fat weight (subcutaneous fat, epididymal fat, visceral fat, kidney fat and total fat) and serum biochemical level in rats fed high fat diets. STB-BM 35 mg/kg suppressed the increasing ratio of body weight, epididymal fat weight, visceral fat weight, total fat weight, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol (p<0.05).

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.25-31
• /
• 1988

Studies on the clinical significance with Amerlex $FT_{4}$ RIA kit observing the determination of $FT_{4}$ were investigated using a tracer as $^{125}I-T_{4}$ derivative which is not almostly bound to thyroxine binding globulin, etc. The results are followed; 1. $FT_{4}$ value($1,55{\pm}0.38ng/100ml$) of normal group was not accorded that of hyperthyroidism with Amerlex $FT_{4}$ RIA kit, and was higher than that of hypothyroidism. 2. $FT_{4}$ value was lower level in chronic-kidney disfunction syndrome whereas, it was normal in a cancer patient, a woman in pregnancy and a patient in TBG disfunction. 3. The value of this method is a good corelationship at that of equilibrium dialysis method. (r=0.931) 4. $FT_{4}$ value by this kit was linear relationship to those of the other kit (Gamma Coat and Liquisol), and the normal value of each methods was also similar. As mentioned above, this method is more simple and rapid, compared to the other method. Therefore, it was thought that this method is a very useful clinically.