• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 고려인삼학회 1998년도 Advances in Ginseng Research - Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Ginseng -
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• pp.231-243
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• 1998

In the present study, we provide evidence that ginsenoside $Rh_2$ (G-$Rh_2$) as well as staurosporine induces apoptosis of human hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells by caspase 3-mediated processing of $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ in the early stage of apoptosls. Immunoblottings showed that G-$Rh_2$ as well as statrosporine induced the processing of caspase-3 to an active form, pl7. In stable Bcl-2 transfectants however, G-$Rh_2$ induced DNA fragmentation, while staurosporine did not. In the early stage of apoptosis, $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ was detected to undergo proteolytic processing specifically conducted by caspase-3. $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ translated in vitro was cleaved into a p14 fragment, when incubated with cell extracts obtained from either G-$Rh_2$- or staurosporine-treated cells. Cleavage was equally inhibited in both cases by adding Ac-DEVD-cho, a specific caspase-3 inhibitor, but not by Ac-YVkD-cho, a specific caspase-l inhibitor. Similarly, $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ was efficiently leaved by recombinant caspase-3 overexpressed in E. coli. Moreover, the endogenous $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ of untreated-cell extracts was also cleaved by recombinant caspase-3. Mutation analysis allowed identification of two caspase-3 cleavage sites, $DHVD^{112}$/L and $SMTD^{149}$/F, which are located within, or near the interaction domains for cyclins, Cdks, and PCNA. Taken together, these results show that G-$Rh_2$ as well as staurosporine increases caspase-3 activity, which in turn directly cleaves $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ resulting in elevation of Cdk kinase activity in the early stages of apoptosis. We propose that proteolytic cleavage of $p21^{WAFI/CIPI}$ is a functionally relevant event that allows unleashing the cyclin/Cdk activity from the inhibitor seen in the earlier stage of apoptosis, the event of which may be associated with the triggering mechanism for the execution of apoptosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권2호
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• pp.107-113
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• 2011

Background: Metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes and obesity, present major health risks in industrialized countries. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has become the focus of a great deal of attention as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated whether dietary aloe could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results: Aloe QDM complex downregulated fat size through suppressed expression of scavenger receptors on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) compared with HFD. Both white adipose tissue (WATs) and muscle exhibited increased AMPK activation through aloe supplementation, and in particular, the Aloe QDM complex. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$ and -6) and $HIF1{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration by the Aloe QDM complex. Further, the Aloe QDM complex decreased the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 from the cytosol in the WAT. Conclusion: Dietary aloe formula reduced obesity-induced inflammatory responses by activation of AMPK in muscle and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in the WAT. Additionally, the expression of scavenger receptors in the ATM and activation of AMPK in WAT led to reduction in the percent of body fat. Thus, we suggest that the effect of the Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and muscle are related to activation of AMPK and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.175-186
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• 2008

To diagnose acute myocardial infarction (MI), many cardiac markers have been used in hematologic and biochemical analysis, and many studies have been published for hematologic and biochemical analysis associated with human acute MI. However, after occurrence of acute MI, the serial investigation for values in hematologic and biochemical analysis including chronic MI has rarely been performed. To observe the change of the serial values in hematologic and biochemical analysis, we induced artificial MI. The left main descending artery (LMDA) of the left coronary artery was ligated during the progression (day 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 30) of MI. Total 66 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham group (n=24, thoracotomy without LMDA ligation) and the experimental (MI) group (n=42, with LMDA ligation). And all individual in each group was sacrified at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 30 for the hematologic and biochemical analysis. In comparison of hematologic analysis between the sham and MI groups, the mean values of red blood cell (RBCs), hemoglobin and hematocrit (HCT) showed a steady increase. In biochemical analysis, the mean values of glucose, cholesterol, total creatine kinase (CK) and isoenzyme MB, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were increased in all MI groups compared with the sham groups. The results of this study suggest that early hematologic and biochemical mean values occurred after acute MI are similar to those of human acute MI. In conclusion, we could observe the alterations and serial values in hematologic and biochemical analysis to the extent of chronic status after acute MI.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.11-15
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• 2007

Background: The term "overlap syndromes" designates a group of diseases in which polymyositis (PM) or dermatomyositis (DM) is associated with some other disorders of connective tissues. The aim of this study was to delineate the clinical features, laboratory findings, and outcome of treatment of "overlap syndromes" Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 16 patients (PM in 10, DM in 6) with well documented "overlap syndromes" between 1997 and 2004. The diagnosis was made when the criteria for two different disorders were fulfilled. Results: All patients were female. Age of onset ranged from 14 to 52 years (mean 29.8 years) with peak incidence in the third and fourth decades. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was associated in 10, systemic sclerosis in 7, and rheumatoid arthritis in 3 patients. Four of the patients had two different connective tissue diseases simultaneously. The characteristic clinical features were muscle weakness, arthralgia, Raynaud's phenomenon, and myalgia. In laboratory tests, creatine kinase (CK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and transaminases were usually abnormal. Positive antinuclear antibody (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), and cryoglobulin were found in 100%, 69%, and 67% of the patients, respectively. Needle electromyography (EMG) showed abnormal findings compatible with myopathy in 15 patients. The pathology of muscle biopsy from 14 patients revealed findings compatible with inflammatory myopathy. Glucocorticoids were administered to 15 patients. The muscle strength improved in all the treated patients, which was well correlated with repeat CK level and EMG findings. Conclusions: The presence of autoantibodies such as ANA, RF, and cryoglobulin in patients with PM or DM highly suggests the possibility of an overlap syndromes. These syndromes reveal a strong female predominance. The myositis associated with them usually shows a good response to glucocorticoids treatment.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.143-160
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• 2002

타이태늄은 뛰어난 생체적합성과 적절한 물리적 성질을 바탕으로 치과 및 정형외과 영역의 매식재로 널리사용되어져 왔으며, 골과 매식재 사이의 골 융합 정도를 증가시킬 목적으로 물리, 화학적인 방법을 이용한 타이태늄의 표면처리에 관한 많은 연구들이 진행되어 왔다. 최근에는 부착단백질 또는 성장인자를 이용한 생체재료의 표면개질을 통하여 조직적합성 및 치유 능의 개선을 위한 시도들이 있어왔다. Fibronectin(FN)은 주요 세포외기질중의 하나로 생체 내 널리 분포하여 세포의 부착, 이동 및 증식에 관여하는 거대 당단백으로, RGD및 PHSRN 펩타이드 서열이 세포의 인테그린과 결합하여 세포의 활성을 조절하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 이 연구에서는 FN으로 처리된 타이태늄이 조골세포의 부착, 증식 및 분화에 미치는 영향과 이에 따른 석회화 정도에 미치는 영향을 관찰하여 부착분자를 이용한 타이태늄 표면개질의 효과를 규명하고자 하였다. 상업용 순수 타이태늄을 gold thiol법을 이용하여 표면처리 후, 혈장 FN(plasma FN, pFN)과 유전자재조합법을 이용하여 얻은 FN조각(FN type III 7-10, FNIII 7-10)을 피복한 시편을 실험군으로, 아무런 처리를 하지 않은것(smooth surface, SS)과 산 부식(Sandblasted and acid etched, SLA)처리된것을 대조군으로 이용하였다. 배양된 조골세포주(MC3T3-E1)를 사용하여 타이태늄 표면 처리에 따른 세포의 증식, 형태변화, 알칼리성 인산분해효소(ALPase) 생산 및 세포면역형광법을 이용한 분화정도를 시간 경과에 따라 관찰하였다. 조골세포증식의 경우 FNIII 7-10 처리군에서 pFN 처리군 및 대조군에 비해 시간경과에 따라 유의성있는 세포수의 증식이 관찰되었으며(p<0.05), ALPase 생성의 경우에도 FNIII 7-10 처리 군에서 아무 처리도 하지 않은 군에 비해 유의성 있게 높은 효소의 생성이 관찰되었다(p<0.05). 주사전자현미경을 이용한 세포의 형태관찰결과 아무 처리도 하지 않은 군에서는 마름모형태를 나타내었으며, 산 부식 처리된 군에서는 세포가 가시모양의 형태를 보인 반면 FN으로 처리된 두 군에서는 세포의 부착 및 펴짐이 매우 발달되어 있는 모습이 관찰되었다. 세포의 분화정도를 관찰하기 위하여 국소부착키나제(focal adhesion kinase, FAK), 및 actin stress fiber의 분포양상을 세포면역형광법을 이용하여 관찰한 결과 FN으로 표면처리된 두 군에서 아무런 처리도 하지않은 군 및 산 부식처리 한 군에 비해 프라크의 발현이 높게 나타났으며 잘 발달된 actin stress fiber의 소견을 나타내었다. 이 실험의 결과들은 gold thiol 법을 이용한 표면처리 후 FN부착을 통한 타이태늄의 표면개질이 조골세포의 부착, 증식 및 분화에 중요한 역할을 담당하여 석회화 정도를 촉진시키는 것을 보여주었으며, 이런 결과들은 더 짧은 FN조각을 이용한 다른 생체재료의 표면개질에 폭 넓게 응용할 수 있으리라 생각된다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.401-408
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• 2017

Salvia plebeia R. Br. (Lamiaceae) has been used in folk medicines in Asian countries, including Korea and China, to treat inflammatory diseases. The focus of our research was on the anti-adipogenic activity of ethanol extract from Salvia plebeia R. Br. (SPE) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. This study investigated inhibition of differentiation and lipogenesis upon SPE treatment in 3T3-L1 cells. The results reveal that SPE at non-cytotoxic concentration significantly suppressed triglyceride accumulation and reduced expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein as adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to non-treated control cells. Inducible phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and hormone-sensitive lipase as well as carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 mRNA expression increased upon SPE treatment, which suppressed expression of fatty acid synthase. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SPE can inhibit expression of adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggests that SPE has potential anti-obesity effects and is a novel therapeutic functional agent with anti-adipogenic activity via reduction of lipogenesis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제72권1호
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• pp.15-23
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• 2012

Background: The survival of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with brain metastases is reported to be 3~6 months even with aggressive treatment. Some patients have very short survival after aggressive treatment and reliable prognostic scoring systems for patients with cancer have a strong correlation with outcome, often supporting decision making and treatment recommendations. Methods: A total of one hundred twenty two NSCLC patients with brain metastases who received gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) were analyzed. Survival analysis was calculated in all patients for thirteen available prognostic factors and four prognostic scoring systems: score index for radiosurgery (SIR), recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), graded prognostic assessment (GPA), and basic score for brain metastases (BSBM). Results: Age, Karnofsky performance status, largest brain lesion volume, systemic chemotherapy, primary tumor control, and medication of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor were statistically independent prognostic factors for survival. A multivariate model of SIR and RPA identified significant differences between each group of scores. We found that three-tiered indices such as SIR and RPA are more useful than four-tiered scoring systems (GPA and BSBM). Conclusion: There is little value of RPA class III (most unfavorable group) for the same results of 6-month and 1-year survival rate. Thus, SIR is the most useful index to sort out patients with poorer prognosis. Further prospective trials should be performed to develop a new molecular- and gene-based prognostic index model.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
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• 제104권1호
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• pp.67-75
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• 2015

This research is to investigate the four years growth mountain-cultivated ginseng ripened twenty-two weeks into four years fermented persimmon vinegar (tentatively: Sansamcho) ingestion on obese-related factors during dietary control. The Sansamcho was ingested orally, two times a day, after every meal for six weeks to the male rats. Groups were divided into the control (CON), the restricted diet (RD), and the weight cycling (WC). And, each groups has its own sub-groups as the -control (-CON), 2.5 times diluted Sansamcho ingestion (-MPV2.5), and 5.0 times diluted Sansamcho ingestion (-MPV5.0) groups, respectively. The number of rat was consisted of seven in each group. After six weeks rearing periods was done, abdominal fats (retroperitoneal fat, mesentery fat, and epididymal fat) and energy metabolic-related protein (AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; PPAR-${\alpha}$: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\alpha}$; and CPT-1: carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1) were weighed and analyzed. Amount of stored fat was significantly or tended to decrease by Sansamcho ingestion. In addition, sum of fats increasing were suppressed by the material. On the contrary, energy metabolism-related protein expression was significantly increased or tended to increase by Sansamcho ingestion. This results suggested that increased energy metabolism using Sansamcho was restrained effectively visceral fat store by high-fat diet and/or dietary control. In other words, it has a good function to suppress weight cycling which is the most insoluble problem. Therefore, the fusion material, Sansamcho, may expect to utilize as the obese-suppression-food.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.314-321
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• 2015

Background: Ginseng belongs to the genus Panax. Its main active ingredients are the ginsenosides. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. To understand the effects of ginsenoside Re (GRe) on GI motility, the authors investigated its effects on the pacemaker activity of ICCs of the murine small intestine. Methods: Interstitial cells of Cajal were dissociated from mouse small intestines by enzymatic digestion. The whole-cell patch clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs. Changes in cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content induced by GRe were investigated. Results: Ginsenoside Re ($20-40{\mu}M$) decreased the amplitude and frequency of ICC pacemaker activity in a concentration-dependent manner. This action was blocked by guanosine 50-[${\beta}-thio$]diphosphate [a guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP)-binding protein inhibitor] and by glibenclamide [an adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-sensitive $K^{+}$ channel blocker]. To study the GRe-induced signaling pathway in ICCs, the effects of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and RP-8-CPT-cGMPS (a protein kinase G inhibitor) were examined. Both inhibitors blocked the inhibitory effect of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity. L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester ($100{\mu}M$), which is a nonselective nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, blocked the effects of GRe on ICC pacemaker activity and GRe-stimulated cGMP production in ICCs. Conclusion: In cultured murine ICCs, GRe inhibits the pacemaker activity of ICCs via the ATP-sensitive potassium ($K^{+}$) channel and the cGMP/NO-dependent pathway. Ginsenoside Re may be a basis for developing novel spasmolytic agents to prevent or alleviate GI motility dysfunction.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.103-115
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• 2009

In vertebrates, the face is mainly formed with neural crest derived neural crest cells by the inherent programs and the interactive environmental factors. Extracellular signaling-regulated kinase (Erk) is one of such programs to regulate the various cellular functions. And retinoic acid (RA) also plays an important role as a regulator in differentiation process at various stages of vertebrate embryogenesis. We wanted to know that the segregation as well as the patterning of maxillary and mandibular structure is greatly influenced by the maxillomandibular cleft (MMC) and the failure of this development may result in the maxillomandibular fusion (syngnathia) or other patterning related disorder. It has been well documented that the epithelium at this cleft region has significant expression of Fibroblast growth factor (Fgf) 8, and it is essential for the patterning of the first arch derived structures. By the morphological, skeletal, cell proliferation and apoptotic, and hybridization analysis, we checked the effects of Erk inhibition and/or RA activation onto MMC and could observe that Erk and RA signaling is individually and synergically involved in the facial patterning in terms of FGF signaling pathway via Barx-l. So RA and Erk signaling work together for the MMC patterning and the segregation of maxilla-mandible by controlling the Fgf-related signaling pathways. And the abnormality in MMC brought by aberrant Fgf signaling may result in the disturbances of maxillary-mandibular segregation.