• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.229-238
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• 2012

Cyclooxygenase(COX-2) is an inducible enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) from arachidonic acid. Over-expression of COX-2 has been reported to be associated with progressive hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatic C infection and rat liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride($CCl_4$). Recently, it is well known that mast cell products can stimulate the proliferation of hepatic stellate cells and key players in liver fibrosis. But little is known regarding their role in $CCl_4$-induced liver fibrosis in rat. Our aim was to investigate the relation between COX-2 expression and mast cells during liver fibrosis after $CCl_4$ treatment. Thirty Wistar rats were divided into five groups (non-treated 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-week after $CCl_4$-treatment). Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to assess the expression of ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$-SMA), collagen-1 and COX-2 in liver tissue from $CCl_4$-treated rats. The density of collagen and mast cells were determined using a computerized image analysis system in liver sections stained with picrosirius red and toluidine blue, respectively. The expression levels of ${\alpha}$-SMA, collagen-1 and COX-2 mRNA were significantly higher at 2 wk in $CCl_4$-treated groups than non-treated group. The number of mast cells in liver tissues increased gradually from 2 wk to 6 wk depending on the fibrosis severity but decreased abruptly at 8 wk. The significant increase of collagen-1 and ${\alpha}$-SMA mRNA expression in $CCl_4$-treated rats was continued until 6 wk while the COX-2 mRNA was significantly decreased at 8 wk. These results suggest that increased mast cells are closely associated with COX-2 over-expression during hepatic fibrogenesis of $CCl_4$-treated rats.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.218-223
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• 2018

The liver is an essential organ for the detoxification of exogenous xenobiotics, drugs and toxic substances. The incidence rate of non-alcoholic liver injury increases due to dietary habit change and drug use increase. Our previous study demonstrated that Ecklonia stolonifera (ES) formulation has hepatoprotective effect against alcohol-induced liver injury in rat and tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity in HepG2 cells. This present study was designated to elucidate hepatoprotective effects of ES formulation against carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced liver injury in Sprague Dawley rat. Sixty rats were randomly divided into six groups. The rats were treated orally with ES formulation and silymarin (served as positive control, only 100 mg/kg/day) at a dose of 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day for 21 days. Seven days after treatment, liver injury was induced by intraperitoneal injection of $CCl_4$ (1.5 ml/kg, twice a week for 14 days). The administration of $CCl_4$ exhibited significant elevation of hepatic enzymes (like AST and ALT), and decrease of antioxidant related enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) and glutathione. Then, it leaded to DNA damages (8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine) and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde). Administration of ES formulation inhibited imbalance of above factors compared to $CCl_4$ induced rat in a dose dependent manner. Real time PCR analysis indicates that CYP2E1 was upregulated in $CCl_4$ induced rat. However, increased gene expression was compromised by ES formulation treatment. These findings suggests that ES formulation could protect hepatotoxicity caused by $CCl_4$ via two pathways: elevation of antioxidant enzymes and normalization of CYP2E1 enzyme.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.171-180
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• 2016

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent liver diseases associated with an altered lifestyle, besides genetic factors. The control and management of NAFLD mostly depend on lifestyle modifications, due to the lack of a specific therapeutic approach. In this context, we assessed the effect of carrot juice on the development of high fructose-induced hepatic steatosis. For this purpose, male weanling Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups, fed either a control (Con) or high fructose (HFr) diet of AIN93G composition, with or without carrot juice (CJ) for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, plasma biochemical markers, such as triglycerides, alanine aminotransferase, and ${\beta}$-hydroxy butyrate levels were comparable among the 4 groups. Although, the liver injury marker, aspartate aminotransferase, levels in plasma showed a reduction, hepatic triglycerides levels were not significantly reduced by carrot juice ingestion in the HFr diet-fed rats (HFr-CJ). On the other hand, the key triglyceride synthesis pathway enzyme, hepatic stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), expression at mRNA level was augmented by carrot juice ingestion, while their protein levels showed a significant reduction, which corroborated with decreased monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), particularly palmitoleic (C16:1) and oleic (C18:1) acids. Notably, it also improved the long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6) content of the liver in HFr-CJ. In conclusion, carrot juice ingestion decreased the SCD1-mediated production of MUFA and improved DHA levels in liver, under high fructose diet-fed conditions. However, these changes did not significantly lower the hepatic triglyceride levels.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.124-131
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• 2021

Objective: Approximately 30% of preeclamptic pregnancies exhibit abnormal liver function tests. We assessed liver injury-associated enzyme levels and circulating transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) levels in an arginine vasopressin (AVP)-induced pregnant Sprague-Dawley rat model. Methods: Pregnant and non-pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats (n=24) received AVP (150 ng/hr) subcutaneously via mini-osmotic pumps for 18 days. Blood pressure was measured, urine samples were collected, and all animals were euthanized via isoflurane. Blood was collected to measure circulating levels of TGF-β1-3 isomers and liver injury enzymes in pregnant AVP (PAVP), pregnant saline (PS), non-pregnant AVP (NAVP), and non-pregnant saline (NS) rats. Results: The PAVP group showed significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure than both saline-treated groups. The weight per pup was significantly lower in the AVP-treated group than in the saline group (p<0.05). Circulating TGF-β1-3 isomer levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats than in the NS rats. However, similar TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 levels were noted in the PS and PAVP rats, while TGF-β2 levels were significantly higher in the PAVP rats. Circulating liver-type arginase-1 and 5'-nucleotidase levels were higher in the PAVP rats than in the saline group. Conclusion: This is the first study to demonstrate higher levels of TGF-β2, arginase, and 5'-nucleotidase activity in PAVP than in PS rats. AVP may cause vasoconstriction and increase peripheral resistance and blood pressure, thereby elevating TGF-β and inducing the preeclampsia-associated inflammatory response. Future studies should explore the mechanisms through which AVP dysregulates liver injury enzymes and TGF-β in pregnant rats.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2003

Tectorigenin has an apoptosis-inducing ability and immunosuppressive activity. We investigated the effect of tectorigenin on Phase I and II enzyme activities to elucidate the pharmacological action of the immunosuppressive tectorigenin in the diabetic rat. This compound was obtained from the hydrolysis of tetoridin isolated from the flower of Pueraria thumbergiana (Leguminosae). This crude drug (Puerariae Flos) has been used as a therapeutic for diabetes mellitus in traditional Korean medicine. Tecotrigenin inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy radicals in serum and liver but promoted superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Low MDA contents and low xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase activities were observed in the tectorigenin-treated rats, suggesting that such Phase I enzyme activities are the major source of lipid peroxidation. However, tectorigenin increased Phase II enzyme activities such as SOD, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, suggesting the activation of free radical-scavenging enzymes. The activities of tectorigenin were comparable to those of glibenclamide, which was employed as a positive control. These results suggest that tectorigenin may share some biological properties with glibenclamide in insulin-dependent-diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.257-264
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• 2015

A 10-week feeding trial was carried out to investigate the feasibility of using spent coffee ground (CG) as a potential feed ingredient for olive flounder. Growth, feed utilization, body composition and antioxidant enzyme activity were examined. A control diet was formulated and three other diets were prepared to contain 5, 10 or 15% CG (designated as Con, CG5, CG10 and CG15, respectively) by replacing for wheat flour. Two hundred forty fish ($104{\pm}0.7g/fish$) were allotted to 12 circular tanks of 400 L capacity at a density of 20 fish per tank and fed the experimental diets twice daily. At the end of the feeding trial, fish fed the CG5 diet exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher growth performance than those fed the control diet. Also, fish fed the CG10 diet had a comparable growth to that of the control group, but further increase of dietary CG inclusion level to 15% resulted in significant decrease of growth performance. Fish fed the CG15 diet showed significantly lower feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio than other treatments. Significantly lower muscle protein content was observed in fish fed CG15 diet compared to the control. Significant reduction in plasma cholesterol concentration was found in fish fed CG15 diet compared to control. No significant changes were found in alkyle and superoxide radicals scavenging activities of plasma, muscle and liver among dietary treatments. Also, liver total protein, total antioxidant capacity, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were not significantly influenced by dietary inclusion of CG. According to these results, we concluded that CG can be included up to 10% in the diet for olive flounder without any adverse effects on growth, feed utilization and antioxidant enzyme activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.1036-1041
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• 2008

Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase extract was obtained from mouse liver and purified via $30{\sim}70%$ ammonium sulfate fractionation, Fast Q anion exchange and phenyl agarose chromatography. HPLC gel chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis experiments showed that the enzyme is a monomer with molecular weight of 23 kDa. Optimum temperature and pH were $35^{\circ}C$ and 6.5, respectively. The enzyme was chemically modified only by tetranitromethane and 1-ethyl-3- (3-dimethyl aminopropyl)-carbodiimide (EDC), indicating that tyrosine and carboxylate are in the active site. pH studies showed that 2 tyrosines are involved in the binding of the substrates and a carboxylate in catalysis. Therefore, the chemical mechanism of the enzyme is likely that 2 tyrosines bind to ATP and 5-formylTHFand a carboxylate acts as a general base.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.899-907
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• 1994

Accumulation of peroxidized lipid, fed or injected in the body of rats was investigated and the effect of peroxidized lipid on the antioxidative system was studied also. Three groups each having six of Sprague-dawley rats were raised for 8 weeks. the peroxide value(POV) of diet fed to the control and the peroxidized group was 5.47 and 22.14meq/kg , respectively. Injected group was given the control diet and peroxidized linoleic acid(POV 31.81meq/kg) was injected into the peritoneal area three times a week. The POV, MDA, and protein carbonyl values of the peroxidized and the injected group (experimental groups) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the control group. Cu, Zn-SOD and M-SOD activity of the experimentla groups increased 1.6 times that of control group at 4 th week. and decreased by 60% of their activityafter 8 weeks of feeding (p<0.05) . Catalase activity, glutathione and Vt, E contents of the experimental groups were significantly lower (p<0.05) than those of the control group during 8 weeks. The accumulation of peroxidcized lipid in liver were ovserved both in the fed or the injected group. The increased of enzyme activity of the experimental group during 4 weeks suggests ianadaptation of antioxidative system to get rid of the peroxidized lipid. Decrease of enzyme activity and glutathione observed as the peroxidized lipid lipid accumulation proceeded further, however, seems to indicate the oxdiative damage of enzyme and protein . Determination of the protein carbonyl content may be used as a method for measuring the oxidative damaging effect of peroxidized lipid.

• BMB Reports
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.370-377
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• 1997

A novel assay method is described for rapid quantitation of reaction rate of sterol ${\Delta}^7$-reductase (${\Delta}^7$-SR) which catalyzes reduction of the ${\Delta}^7$-double bond of sterols. Of six different organ tissues-liver, small intestine, brain, lung, kidney, and testis-. ${\Delta}^7$-SR activity was detected only in liver (2.30 nmol/min/mg protein) and testis (0.11 nmol/min/mg protein). Using a newly developed method which employs diet-induced enzyme proteins and ergosterol as substrate, we assessed both kinetics ($K_m=210\;{\mu}M$, $V_{max}=1.93\;nmol/min/mg$) and inhibition of the rat hepatic ${\Delta}^7$-SR against well-studied cholesterol lowering agents such as triparanol ($IC_{50}=16\;{\mu}M$). 3-$\beta$-[2-(diethylamino)ethoxy]androst-5-en-17-one (U18666A) ($IC_{50}=5.2\;{\mu}M$), and trans-1.4-bis(2-chlorobenzylaminomethyl)cyclohexane dihydrochloride (AY-9944) ($IC_{50}=0.25\;{\mu}M$). Of the three well-known AY-9944-sensitive cholesterogenic enzymes (i.e., ${\Delta}^7$-SR, sterol ${\Delta}^8$-isomerase, and sterol ${\Delta}^14$-reductase). ${\Delta}^7$-SR was found to be the most sensitive enzyme with a noncompetitive inhibition of this compound ($K_i=0.109\;{\mu}M$). Substrate specificity studies of the microsomal ${\Delta}^7$-SR indicate that the relative reaction rate for 7-dehydrocholesterol and ergosterol are 5.6-fold and 1.6-fold higher than that for lathosterol. ${\Delta}^7$-SR activity was also modulated by feeding rats a diet supplemented with 0.5% ergosterol (>2.6-fold) in addition to 5.0% cholestyramine plus 0.1% lovastatin ($\simeq$5.0-fold). Finally, microsomal ${\Delta}^7$-SR was solubilized by 1.5% 3-[3-(cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (CHAPS) and enriched on PEG (0~10%) precipitation, which should be suitable for further purification of the enzyme.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.722-727
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• 2005

Cytosolic sialidase (Neu2), a member of the sialidase family that is responsible for hydrolysis of sialic acid from the terminal position of sialoglycoconjugates, is poorly expressed in skeletal muscle and not detected in any other adult tissues. Thus, we isolated Neu2 cDNA using splicing by overlap extension (SOEing). In order to further characterize this enzyme, a His-tagged derivative was expressed in the bacterial expression system and purified by $Ni^{2+}$-affinity chromatography. A recombinant product of approximately 42 kDa had sialidase activity toward 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-$\alpha$-D-N-acetylneuraminic acid (4MU-NeuAc). The optimal pH and temperature of the recombinant Neu2 for 4MU-NeuAc was 6.0 and $37.5^{\circ}C$, respectively. The metal ions, such as $Cu^{2+}\;and\;Cd^{2+}$, showed strong inhibitory effect on the activity of the enzyme. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzed the gangliosides GM3 and GD3 and had relatively low activities on ganglioside GD1a and GD1b, $\alpha$2-3 sialyllactose, and sialylated glycoproteins such as fetuin, transferrin, and orsomucoid, but had hardly any activities on $\alpha$2-6 sialyllactose and ganglioside GM1 and GM2. We concluded that the recombinant Neu2 has a sialidase activity toward glycoproteins as well as gangliosides.