• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
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• v.59 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2015

We have discovered that quercetin, once coated on the CdSe and CdSe-CdS quantum dots (QDs), becoming highly water soluble. In the present work, we have successfully synthesized CdSe/CdS/N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine(NAC)/Quercetin nano-composites in the aqueous solution. The products were characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, fluorescence spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tests indicated that our nano-composite products are highly stable with homogeneous particle size and great monodispersity. Quercetin coated nano-composite CdSe/CdS/NAC/Quercetin showed different fluorescence behavior from that of CdSe/CdS/NAC. Most amazingly, the synthesized CdSe/CdS/NAC/Quercetin nano-composite exhibits strong antibacterial activity. The combination of the strong fluorescence and its antibacterial activity makes the quercetin modified quantum dots as a potential candidate for cancer targeted therapy and other cancer treatments.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.2
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• pp.79-83
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• 2020

Fenbendazole (FBZ) is a benzimidazole anthelmintic that has been widely used in treatments for gastrointestinal parasites including pinworms and roundworms in animals. Recently, some studies demonstrated that FBZ has anti-cancer effects related to disruption of microtubule polymerization. In this study, we investigated whether FBZ has anti-cancer activity in HL-60 cells, a human leukemia cell line, and assessed its relationship with the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). FBZ treatment at 0.25-1 μM significantly decreased the metabolic activity of HL-60 cells. The mitochondrial membrane potential of FBZ-treated HL-60 cells decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. Apoptosis analysis using annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide staining demonstrated that 1 μM FBZ increased the percentages of cells in apoptosis and necrosis. In addition, Hoechst 33342 staining showed the presence of broken nuclei in HL-60 cells treated with 0.5 and 1 μM FBZ. To investigate the anti-cancer mechanism of FBZ, HL-60 cells were treated with FBZ in the absence or presence of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), an inhibitor of ROS production. NAC significantly recovered the decreased metabolic activity of HL-60 induced by 0.5 and 1 μM FBZ treatments. This study provides evidence that FBZ has anti-cancer activity in HL-60 cells provided, in part, via ROS production.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.316-321
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• 2021

Objective: Amino acids can protect sperm structure in cryopreservation due to their antioxidant properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on motility parameters, plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), DNA damage, and human sperm intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) during vitrification. Methods: Twenty normal human sperm samples were examined. Each sample was divided into six equal groups: LC (1 and 10 mM), NAC (5 and 10 mM), and cryopreserved and fresh control groups. Results: The groups treated with LC and NAC showed favorable findings in terms of motility parameters, DNA damage, and MMP. Significantly higher levels of intracellular ROS were observed in all cryopreserved groups than in the fresh group (p≤0.05). The presence of LC and NAC at both concentrations caused an increase in PMI, MMP, and progressive motility parameters, as well as a significant reduction in intracellular ROS compared to the control group (p≤0.05). The concentrations of the amino acids did not show any significant effect. Conclusion: LC and NAC are promising as potential additives in sperm cryopreservation.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.545-553
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity of Nexus RMGIC, an indirect restorative cement, on cell survival rate and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in periodontal stem cells (PDSCs). Methods: PDSCs were incubated with serially diluted Nexus RMGIC eluates with and without the addition of N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC). Cell survival was determined using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The ROS generation was determined by measuring the fluorescence intensity for 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate. Results: Nexus RMGIC exposure decreased cell proliferation and cell survival rate in a dose-dependent manner (1:8, 1:4, 1:2, 1:1) in PDSCs. The cytotoxicity of Nexus RMGIC was inhibited by treatment with 10-mM NAC. In addition, the production of ROS was detected by immunofluorescence after PDSCs were exposed to Nexus RMGIC. However, ROS generation was significantly suppressed in the NAC pretreatment compared with the Nexus RMGIC group. Conclusions: Nexus RMGIC increased the cytotoxicity and ROS generation. ROS was involved in Nexus RMGIC-induced cell toxicity.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.97-110
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• 2006

Purpose : To address the ability of Myrrha (MY) to induce cell death, we investigated the effect of MY on apoptosis. In human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells, apoptosis occurred following MY exposure in a dose-dependent manner. Methods : We have tested several kinds of anti-oxidants to investigate the MY-induced apoptotic mechanism. Among the anti-oxidants, N-acetyl cysteine(NAC) or reduced glutathione (GSH) protects MY-induced apoptosis. NAC is an aminothiol and synthetic precursor of intracellular cysteine and GSH. To confirm the role of GSH in MY-induced apoptosis, methionine and cystathionine-glutathione extrusion inhibitors were treated in the presence of MY. Results : NAC, GSH, methionine or cystathionine led to protective effect against MY-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. The GSH and GSH-associated reagents regulate MY-induced cytochrome c release and the resultant caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, the two specific inhibitors of carrier-mediated GSH extrusion, methionine and cystathionine demonstrate GSH extrusion occurs via a specific mechanism. While decreasing GSH extrusion and protecting against MY-induced apoptosis, methionine and cystathionine failed to exert anti-apoptotic activity in cells previously deprived of GSH. Conclusion : the target of the protection is indeed GSH extrusion. This shows that the protective effect is achieved by forcing GSH to stay within the cells during apoptogenic treatment. All this evidence indicates the extrusion of GSH precedes andis responsible for the apoptosis, probably by altering the intracellular redox state, thus giving a rationale for the development of redox-dependent apoptosis in MY-treated human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.235-245
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• 2016

Objectives: This study estimated the adult Korean daily intake of acrylamide (AA) and investigated its relationship with demographic, lifestyle and dietary habits by using urinary concentrations of N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-cysteine (AAMA). Methods: Human data (n=1870) was collected in a nationwide cross-sectional biomonitoring program representing the population (18-69 years) residing in South Korea. Urinary AAMA was analyzed with a LC-MS/MS system. Daily intakes of AA were estimated using mass daily AAMA, which was calculated through urinary AAMA concentration and daily creatinine excretion. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS procedures for calculating geometric means, confidence intervals and the exponentiated beta coefficient of multiple linear regressions. Results: Daily intake of AA was estimated at $0.475{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW) per day (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.447-0.503). In the case of current smokers, AA intake was $0.957{\mu}g/kg$ BW per day (95% CI: 0.847-1.067), which was significantly higher than that of former smokers and never smoked (p<0.0001). The strong affecting factors were age (95% CI: 0.68-1.14; p=0.0180), education level (95% CI: 1.05-1.42; p=0.0163), body mass index (BMI) (95% CI: 1.00-1.82; p<0.0001), and smoking status (95% CI: 0.97-3.05; p<0.0001). Korean dietary habits increasing AA intake were coffee (p=0.0005), cup noodles (p=0.0010) and canned foods (p=0.0005). Meanwhile, foods decreasing AA intake were fresh fruit (p=0.0076), cooked beef (p=0.0335) and cooked pork (p=0.0147). Conclusion: The Korean daily intake of AA in adults was estimated to be similar with those found in developed countries. The factors increasing daily AA intake were coffee, cup noodles and canned foods, and decreasing factors were fresh fruit, cooked beef and cooked pork.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 2013

A biofertilizer, BIOACTIVE, was manufactured by N-acetyl-thioproline (ATCA) and mineral phosphate solubilizing bacteria. The growth promoting effect of the biofertilizer on lettuce was evaluated under three different pot conditions, and its stability was assessed in the field. According to the results of the pot experiments, plant growth was improved compared with that of control: 128%, 122%, and 153% for the leaf number, leaf length, and leaf mass, respectively. Applying the manufactured biofertilizer increased the concentration of phosphate: 118% and 132% in the cultivation soil and plant cells, respectively. These show that BIOACTIVE may have potential as an effective biofertilizer in agriculture.

• Psychiatry investigation
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.1130-1134
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• 2018

Objective Trichotillomania is a relatively common illness whose neurobiology is poorly understood. One treatment for adult trichotillomania, n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), has antioxidative properties, as well as effects on central glutamatergic transmission. Preclinical models suggest that excessive oxidative stress may be involved in its pathophysiology. Methods Adults with trichotillomania provided a blood sample for analysis of compounds that may be influenced by oxidative stress [glutathione, angiotensin II, ferritin, iron, glucose, insulin and insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1), and hepcidin]. Participants were examined on symptom severity, disability, and impulsivity. The number of participants with out-of-reference range oxidative stress measures were compared against the null distribution. Correlations between oxidative stress markers and clinical measures were examined. Results Of 14 participants (mean age 31.2 years; 92.9% female), 35.7% (n=5) had total glutathione levels below the reference range (p=0.041). Other oxidative stress measures did not have significant proportions outside the reference ranges. Lower levels of glutathione correlated significantly with higher motor impulsiveness (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale sub-score) (r=0.97, p=0.001). Conclusion A third of patients with trichotillomania had low levels of glutathione, and lower levels of glutathione correlated significantly with higher motor impulsiveness. Because NAC is a precursor for cysteine, and cysteine is a rate limiting step for glutathione production, these results may shed light on the mechanisms through which NAC can have beneficial effects for impulsive symptoms. Confirmation of these results requires a suitable larger follow-up study, including an internal normative control group.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.387-396
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• 2001

The effects of ascorbic acid, thiols such as cysteine, n-acetyl-ι-cyteine, glutathione, thiourea, 2-mercaptoethanol and dithiotreithol and organic acids such as magic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, taurine and kojic acid on polyphenol oxidate (PPO) activity were studied in order to establish if it reacts with oxidized product and/or directly inhibits the enzyme. To investigate the mechanism, the quantification of t-butylcatechol and 4-methylcatechol (phenolic compounds) as substates, their oxidized product and sulphydryl colorless additional compounds were determined by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) method. Chromatographic results indicate that ascorbic acid, organic acids and lower level of cysteine reduced oxidized product of substrates back to their respective positions uf ο-diphenols. On the other hand, other thiols and high level of cysteine reacted with oxidative product of ο-diphenols and then produced sulphydryl colorless compounds. Cysteine apperars to have two types of mechanism of actions in the formation of oxidative products of substrates depending on its concentration; ascorbic acid-type and other thiols-types. The effect of ascorbic acid with thiols on polyphenol oxidase was determined by same method. Chromatographic results indicate that ascorbic acid was more reactive with oxidized product of substrates than thiols.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.268-273
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• 2014

The induction of detoxification enzymes by benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and its synthetic N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) conjugate (NAC-BITC) was examined in Hepa1c1c7 murine hepatoma cells. BITC and NAC-BITC inhibited Hepa1c1c7 cell growth in a dose-dependent manner. Cell growth was 4.5~57.2% lower in Hepa1c1c7 cells treated with $0.1{\sim}1.0{\mu}M$ BITC than in control-treated Hepa1c1c7 cells. The NAC-BITC treatment had a similar inhibitory pattern on Hepa1c1c7 cell growth; $0.5{\mu}M$ and $10{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC decreased cell growth by 13.6% and 47.4%, respectively. Treatment of Hepa1c1c7 cells with $0.1{\sim}2.0{\mu}M$ BITC also elicited a dose-response effect on the induction of quinone reductase quinone reductase (QR) activity and QR mRNA expression. Treatment with $1{\mu}M$ and $2{\mu}M$ BITC caused 1.8- and 2.8-fold inductions of QR mRNA, respectively. By comparison, treatment with $1{\mu}M$ and $2{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC caused 1.6-and 1.9-fold inductions of QR mRNA, respectively. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1 and CYP2E1 induction were lower in $0.1{\sim}2{\mu}M$ BITC-treated cells than in control-treated cells. CYP2E1 activity was 1.2-fold greater in $0.1{\mu}M$ NAC-BITC-treated cells than in control-treated cells. However, the CYP2E1 activity of cells treated with higher concentrations (i.e., $1{\sim}2{\mu}M$) of NAC-BITC was similar to the activity of control-treated cells. Considering the potential of isothiocyanatesto prevent cancer, these results provide support for the use of BITC and NAC-BITC conjugates as chemopreventive agents.