• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.63-69
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of present study was to investigate the vasorelaxant activities and mechanisms of action of the ethanol extract of P. yedoensis leaf (PYL) on isolated rat aortic rings. Methods : Dried P. yedoensis leaves were extracted 3 times with 100% ethanol for 3 h in a reflux apparatus. Isolated rat aortic rings were suspended in organ chambers containing 10 ml Krebs-Henseleit (K-H) solution. The rings were maintained at $37^{\circ}C$ and aerated with a mixture of 95% $O_2$ and 5% $CO_2$. Changes in their tension were recorded via isometric transducers connected to a data acquisition system. Results : PYL relaxed the contraction of aortic rings induced by phenylephrine (PE, 1 ${\mu}M$) or KCl (60 mM) in a concentration dependent manner. However, the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-denuded aortic rings were lower than endothelium-intact aortic rings. And the vasorelaxant effects of PYL on endothelium-intact aortic rings were reduced by pre-treatment with $N{\omega}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (10 ${\mu}M$), methylene blue (10 ${\mu}M$), 1-H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-${\alpha}$]-quinoxalin-1-one (10 ${\mu}M$), tetraethylammonium (5 mM). In addition, PYL inhibited the contraction induced by extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in endothelium-denuded aortic rings pre-contracted by PE or KCl in $Ca^{2+}$-free K-H solution. Conclusions : These results suggest that PYL exerts its vasorelaxant effects via the activation of Nitric Oxide (NO) formation by means of L-arginine and NO-cGMP pathways and via the blockage of receptor operated calcium channels, voltage dependent calcium channels and calcium-activated potassium channels.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.979-988
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• 2022

Halophytes have been reported to possess a variety of physiological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity. Studies on the roots of the halophyte Rosa rugosa, in particular, have shown a variety of physiological activities and are known to be effective for nursing diabetic complications in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, the effect of R. rugosa on adipogenesis was investigated in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes treated with crude extract and solvent fractions (H₂O, n-BuOH, 85% aq. MeOH, and n-Hex) obtained from R. rugosa roots. Treatment with extract and the solvent fractions inhibited the formation of intracellular lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to the untreated group. In particular, n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions effectively decreased the expression of adipogenic transcription factors: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) in both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, these results suggest that R. rugosa contains anti-adipogenic molecules that can be utilized as a nutraceutical against obesity. Further refining of n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions and analysis of their action mechanisms could yield potential therapeutic agents with anti-adipogenic effects.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.11
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• pp.1649-1656
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• 2015

Gene expression profiling has offered new insights into postmortem molecular changes associated with meat quality. To acquire reliable transcript quantification, high quality RNA is required. The objective of this study was to analyze integrity of RNA isolated from chicken skeletal muscle (pectoralis major) and its capability of serving as the template in quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) as a function of postmortem intervals representing the end-points of evisceration, carcass chilling and aging stages in chicken abattoirs. Chicken breast muscle was dissected from the carcasses (n = 6) immediately after evisceration, and one-third of each sample was instantly snap-frozen and labeled as 20 min postmortem. The remaining muscle was stored on ice until the next rounds of sample collection (1.5 h and 6 h postmortem). The delayed postmortem duration did not significantly affect $A_{260}/A_{280}$ and $A_{260}/A_{230}$ ($p{\geq}0.05$), suggesting no altered purity of total RNA. Apart from a slight decrease in the 28s:18s ribosomal RNA ratio in 1.5 h samples (p<0.05), the value was not statistically different between 20 min and 6 h samples ($p{\geq}0.05$), indicating intact total RNA up to 6 h. Abundance of reference genes encoding beta-actin (ACTB), glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT), peptidylprolylisomerase A (PPIA) and TATA box-binding protein (TBP) as well as meat-quality associated genes (insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase isozyme 4 (PDK4), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPARD) were investigated using qPCR. Transcript abundances of ACTB, GAPDH, HPRT, and PPIA were significantly different among all postmortem time points (p<0.05). Transcript levels of PDK4 and PPARD were significantly reduced in the 6 h samples (p<0.05). The findings suggest an adverse effect of a prolonged postmortem duration on reliability of transcript quantification in chicken skeletal muscle. For the best RNA quality, chicken skeletal muscle should be immediately collected after evisceration or within 20 min postmortem, and rapidly preserved by deep freezing.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.973-983
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• 2018

Objectives: We report a case of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) treatment for skin side effects after taking afatinib (Giotrif$^{(R)}$). Methods: A 62-year-old female who was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer stage 4 (T4N2M1b) and was on treatment with afatinib (29.56 mg/day for 4 months) complained of skin toxicity as a side effect. For 16 admission days, the patient was treated with acupuncture, moxibustion, and herbal medicine (oral decoction and external ointment). Results: Improvement of skin toxicity was measured by a numeric rating scale. In addition, Quality of life (QOL) was measured using EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire, 13-item lung cancer-specific module (EORTC QLQ-LC13) Developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Tumor size and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were also examined during follow up. Conclusions: After a combined TKM treatment, skin toxicity symptoms and quality of life scales were significantly improved with no side effects. The tumor size was not changed on computed tomography during follow-up period. CEA levels were decreased.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.309-316
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• 2003

연구목적: 스테로이드 계통의 에스트로겐 호르몬은 막 수용체와 결합하고 DNA에 부착되어, 자궁조직에서 발현되는 많은 유전자들의 발현 양상을 조절하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 난소를 제거한 생쥐 모델을 이용하여 에스트로겐에 의해 조절되는 전사 관련 유전자(transcription factor)들을 동정하고, early up-regulation gene으로 확인된 Fos related antigen (Fra1과 Fra2) 유전자의 발현 양상을 RT-PCR과 면역염색방법으로 살펴보았다. 연구재료 및 방법: 난소 절제술을 시행한 생쥐에 에스트로겐을 피하주사하고 2, 4, 6, 12시간 간격으로 자궁조직을 적출하였다. 대조군으로는 sesame oil만을 주사한 후 2시간째에 수획한 자궁조직을 사용하였으며, 시간대별로 채취한 자궁조직(n=4)에서 RT-PCR을 수행하였다. RT-PCR을 통해 early response gene으로 확인된 Fra1과 Fra2에 대한 에스트로겐의 영향을 살펴보기 위해 estrogen receptor antagonist인 ICI 182, 780을 주사하여 유전자 발현 양상의 변화를 살펴보았다. 또한, 자궁조직내에서의 단백질 발현 부위를 관찰하기 위해 면역조직화학염색을 실시하였다. 결 과: 생쥐 자궁조직에서 에스트로겐에 의해 발현 양상의 변화가 확인된 유전자는 early up-regulation genes (CREB2, Fra-1, 2, GATA5), late up-regulation gene (E2F1), no response genes (CREB1, ATF1, GLI3, E2F3), down-regulation genes (GLI2, E2F5, GATA-2, 3, 6) 등으로 구분할 수 있었다. 그 중 early up-regulation genes에 해당하는 Fra1과 Fra2 유전자는 ICI 182, 780에 의해 그 발현이 유의하게 감소되는 것을 확인하였다(p < 0.01). 이들 단백질은 생쥐 자궁조직의 상피세포층, 기질층, 근육층에서 고루 발현되었으며, 특히 근육층에서 강한 염색정도를 관찰할 수 있었다. 결 론: 이상의 결과를 통해 Fra1과 Fra2 유전자의 발현은 에스트로겐에 의해 조절됨을 알 수 있었으며, 이들의 강한 발현이 자궁조직의 근육층에서 관찰되어 이들의 기능에 대한 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2003

Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disease involving acetylcholine receptor and its autoantibody on neuromuscular junction. The methods of treatment are medical treatment and surgical thymectomy. In this paper we analyzed the result of thymectomy and the factors affecting the postoperative symptom improvement. Material and method : This study obtained medical records of 37 patients who received the thymectomy for myasthenia gravis from March 1986 to December 1998. Result Out of 37 cases, 21 cases(57%) showed improvement, of which 8 cases (50%) in the group of thymoma(n=16), and 13 cases (62%) in the group of thymic hyperplasia(n=21) showed the improvement of symptoms. Postoperative complications were respiratory insufficiency due to aggravation of symptoms after operation, including tracheal intubation for ventilator support in 9 cases, pneumonia in 3 cases, pneumothorax in 2 cases and left vocal cord palsy in 1 case. There was one postoperative mortality. The relation between postoperative improvement and sex(P=0.3222), age(P=0.7642), thymic pathologic variants,(P=0.4335) and classification of thymoma(P=0.20) showed no statistically significant correlation. However, the lower grade of preoperative symptoms can predict the lower grade of postoperative symptoms significantly(P=0.0032). Follow up study to 36 postoperative survivors was performed in October 2002 based on the out-patient records and call with patients. Out of 36 cases, 33 cases(91.7%) could be investigated and 3 cases could not. Mean follow up period was 83.2 months. Out of 33 cases, 25 cases(75.8%) showed symptomatic improvement, of which 8 cases(53.3%) in the group of thymoma(n=15) and 17 cases(94.4%) in the group of thymic hyperplasia(n=18) showed the improvement of$\boxUl$ symptoms. Conclusion : In myasthenia gravis, thymectomy showed the good improvement, and more important factor affecting the improvement of symptoms was the grdae of preoperative symptoms. Also midterm and long term follow up results showed good symptomatic improvement.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.175-182
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• 1993

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced ACh release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor in hippocampus and various lines of evidence indicate the adenosine effect is magnesium dependent, the present study was undertaken to delineate the role of endogenus adenosine as a modulator of hippocampal acetylcholine release in this study. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]-choline$ and the release of the labelled product, $[^3H]-ACh$, was evoked by electrical stimulation(3Hz, $5\;V\;cm^{-1},$ 2ms, rectangular pulses), and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium outflow was investigated. Adenosine, in concentrations ranging from $0.3\;to\;100\;{\mu}M$, decreased the $[^3H]-ACh$ release in a dose-dependent manner without changing the basal rate of release. $DPCPX(1{\sim}10{\mu}M)$, a selective $A_1-receptor$ antagonist, increased the $[^3H]-ACh$ release in a dose-related fashion with slight increase of basal tritium release. And the effects of adenosine were significantly inhibited by $DPCPX(2{\mu}M)$ treatment. CPCA, a specific $A_2-agonist$, in concentration ranging from $0.3\;to\;30\;{\mu}M$ decreased evoked tritium outflow with increase of basal rate of tritium release, and these effects were also abolished by $DPCPX(2{\mu}M)$ pretreatment. But, $CGS(0.1{\sim}10{\mu}M)$, a recently introduced potent $A_2-agonist$, did not alter the evoked tritium outflow. When the magnesium concentration of the medium was reduced to 0 mM, there was no change in evoked ACh release by adenosine. In contrast, increasing the magnesium concentration to 4 mM, the inhibitory effects of adenosine were significantly potentiated. These results indicate that $A_1-adenosine$ heteroreceptor is involved in ACh-release in the rat hippocampus and the inhibitory effects of adenosine mediated by $A_1-receptor$ is magnesium-dependent.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.43-48
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• 2005

To search of a new porcine pheromonal odorants for biostimulation control system technologies to offer a potentially useful and practical way to improve reproductive efficiency in livestock species, the holographic quantitative structure activity relationship (HQSAR) model between odorants, 2-phenoxytetrahydrofurane (A), 2-cyclohexyl-oxytetrahydrofurane (B), derivatives and binding affinity constants (p[Od.]/sub 50/) for porcine odorant-binding protein (pOBP) as receptor of pig pheromones were derivated and disscused. The binding affinity constants of cyclohexyl substituents (A) for pOBP were higher (A>B) than that of phenyl substituents (B). It was revealed that the optimum HQSAR model XI using PLS analyses had a fragment length (5∼8) with chirality at 5 components and hologram length 97 bin, which had a cross-validated q²(predictablities) of 0.916, and a conventional correlation coefficient r² (fitness) of 0.988, respectively. From the atomic contribution, the C3 and C5 atom in 2-oxyfuryl group contributed to binding affinity constants, whereas the central carbon atom in tert-butyl group on the cyclohexyl ring and the C4 atom of furyl group parts showed no contribution.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1161-1170
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• 2000

Objective : The transverse hippocampal slice is one of the most commonly studied in vitro models of mammalian brain physiology. However, despite its broad usage, there has been no standardization of slice preparation techniques or recording condition. It is well known that variations in recording conditions can result in profound different effects to neuronal responses. Evoked field potentials, recorded extracellularly, were used to investigate the effects of variations in hippocampal slice preparation protocol on hypoxia responses of CA1 neurones. Material & Methods : Before hypoxic injury, hippocampal slices were incubated for 4 hours. During incubation period, the slices were placed in a incubation chamber($21^{\circ}C$) for recovery from preparation injury and then transferred to recording chamber($34^{\circ}C$) for more recovery and baseline electric recording with current stimulation(0.1Hz). Various time periods in incubation chamber and recording chamber were applied to each experimental group(group 1=60min : 180min, group 2=90min : 150min, group 3=180min : 60min, time in incubation chamber : time in recording chamber) before 10 min hypoxia produced by replacing 95% $O_2$+5% $CO_2$ mixed gas to 95% $N_2$+5% $CO_2$ gas. Calcium, Magnesium ions and several drugs effecting on glutamate receptor also were studied. Recoveries from hypoxic injury of hippocampal slices were estimated by percent recovery of population spike(PS). Statistic analysis of study were performed using paired t-test. Results : The percent recovery of PS after 10min hypoxia was considerably enhanced by increasing the period of current stimulation during incubation period before hypoxic injury. Temperature effect on the result of this experiment was also studied(group 4) but the result from this showed no statistic significance. Low magnesium ion concentration of artificial CSF(Mg-free aCSF) during incubation period enhanced the recovery of PS but low calcium (calcium-free) and high magnesium ion concentration(2mM) reduced it after hypoxic injury. L-glutamate($100{\mu}M$) and AP-5($50{\mu}M$) had no effect on the recovery of PS but CNQX($10{\mu}M$) in artificial CSF during incubation period markedly enhanced the recovery of PS. Co-treatment of AP-5($50{\mu}M$), CNQX($10{\mu}M$) and high magnesium concentration(2mM) enhanced recovery of PS in immediate following period of hypoxic injury but the effect of cotreatment after then decayed rapidly and lost statistic significance. Conclusions : Judging from above results, the condition of baseline recording is important in observing the recovery of population spike after hypoxia, and the time and the condition should be controled more strictly to obtain reliable results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1495-1499
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• 2015

Background: c-Kit is a proto-oncogene that encodes a tyrosine kinase receptor (CD117). Mean platelet volume (MPV) is a useful marker for demonstrating thrombocyte function. We aimed to investigate whether c-kit is expressed in benign, preneoplastic and neoplastic endometrial tissues and whether MPV has a relation with c-kit expression and its intensity. Materials and Methods: c-Kit expression was investigated immunohistochemically in 10 samples of normal endometrium (n=10), simple endometrial hyperplasia (5 cases with atypia and 10 cases without atypia), complex endometrial hyperplasia (10 cases with atypia and 10 cases without atypia) and endometrial cancer (EC) (10 cases grade I and 10 cases grade II) and MPV of all cases was checked. Results: c-Kit expression was observed at very low rates in cases with normal endometrial tissues (NE) and in hyperplasia without atypia. c-Kit expression and immunostaining were strong in endometrial atypia and EC. MPV levels of complex atypical endometrial hyperplasia (CAEH) (p:0.002), EC grade I (ECG I) (p<0.001) and EC grade II (ECG II) (p<0.001) were significantly elevated when compared with the NE group. Both c-kit expression and intensity of immunostaining had a positive correlation with MPV level. Conclusions: While c-kit expression and intensity of immunostaining were mildly positive in NE and hyperplasia without atypia, they were clearly observed in EC and hyperplasia with atypia. As c-kit expression is related to the mutagenesis a long-term followup may be needed in these cases. A high MPV level may be a good test for demonstrating c-kit expression and intensity of immunostaining.