• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.3-10
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Previously, Sasa quelpaertensis leaves have been shown to mediate anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects, although it remains unclear whether Sasa leaves are able to attenuate inflammation-related intestinal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) using an in vitro co-culture model of the intestinal epithelial environment. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro co-culture system was established that consisted of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation. RESULTS: Treatment with SQE significantly suppressed the secretion of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), IL-6, and IL-$1{\beta}$ in co-cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were down-regulated in response to inhibition of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation by SQE. Compared with two bioactive compounds that have previously been identified in SQE, tricin and P-coumaric acid, SQE exhibited the most effective anti-inflammatory properties. CONCLUSIONS: SQE exhibited intestinal anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting various inflammatory mediators mediated through nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kB) activation. Thus, SQE has the potential to ameliorate inflammation-related diseases, including IBD, by limiting excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권5호
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• pp.416-425
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• 2015

NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), a basic leucine zipper transcription factor, has recently received a great deal of attention as an important molecule that enhances antioxidative defenses and induces resistance to chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing and Nrf2- upregulating effects of quercetin on malignant mesothelioma (MM) MSTO-211H and H2452 cells. Quercetin treatment inhibited cell growth and led to upregulation of Nrf2 at both the mRNA and protein levels without altering the ubiquitination and extending the half-life of the Nrf2 protein. Following treatment with quercetin, analyses of the nuclear level of Nrf2, Nrf2 antioxidant response element-binding assay, Nrf2 promoter-luc assay, and RT-PCR toward the Nrf2-regulated gene, heme oxygenase-1, demonstrated that the induced Nrf2 is transcriptionally active. Knockdown of Nrf2 expression with siRNA enhanced cytotoxicity due to the induction of apoptosis, as evidenced by an increase in the level of proapoptotic Bax, a decrease in the level of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 with enhanced cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP proteins, the appearance of a sub-$G_0/G_1$ peak in the flow cytometric assay, and increased percentage of apoptotic propensities in the annexin V binding assay. Effective reversal of apoptosis was observed following pretreatment with the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD. Moreover, Nrf2 knockdown exhibited increased sensitivity to the anticancer drug, cisplatin, presumably by potentiating the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. Collectively, our data demonstrate the importance of Nrf2 in cytoprotection, survival, and drug resistance with implications for the potential significance of targeting Nrf2 as a promising strategy for overcoming resistance to chemotherapeutics in MM.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제17권4호
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• pp.660-669
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect and regulatory mechanism of resveratrol supplementation on the mitochondrial energy metabolism of rats with exercise-induced fatigue. MATERIALS/METHODS: Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided randomly into a blank control group (C), resveratrol group (R), exercise group (E), and exercise and resveratrol group (ER), with 12 rats in each group. Group ER and group E performed 6-wk swimming training with 5% wt-bearing, 60 min each time, 6 days a wk. Group ER was given resveratrol 50 mg/kg by gavage one hour after exercise; group R was only given resveratrol 50 mg/kg by gavage; group C and group E were fed normally. The same volume of solvent was given by gavage every day. RESULTS: Resveratrol supplementation could reduce the plasma blood urea nitrogen content, creatine kinase activity, and malondialdehyde content in the skeletal muscle, increase the total superoxide dismutase activity in the skeletal muscle, and improve the fatigue state. Resveratrol supplementation could improve the activities of Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase, succinate dehydrogenase, and citrate synthase in the skeletal muscle. Furthermore, resveratrol supplementation could up-regulate the sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)-nuclear respiratory factor 1 pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Resveratrol supplementation could promote mitochondrial biosynthesis via the SIRT1/PGC-1α pathway, increase the activity of the mitochondrial energy metabolism-related enzymes, improve the antioxidant capacity of the body, and promote recovery from exercise-induced fatigue.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제24권6호
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• pp.481-492
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• 2020

The present study aimed to examine the effect of allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and to investigate whether upregulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1) associated with the activation of the PARK7 (DJ-1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) axis. Lung function indexes and histopathological changes in mice were assessed by lung function detection and H&E staining. The expression levels of Nrf2, MRP1, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and DJ-1 were determined by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Next, the expression of DJ-1 in human bronchial epithelial (16HBE) cells was silenced by siRNA, and the effect of DJ-1 expression level on cigarette smoke extract (CSE)-stimulated protein degradation and AITC-induced protein expression was examined. The expression of DJ-1, Nrf2, HO-1, and MRP1 was significantly decreased in the wild type model group, while the expression of each protein was significantly increased after administration of AITC. Silencing the expression of DJ-1 in 16HBE cells accelerated CSE-induced protein degradation, and significantly attenuated the AITC-induced mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and MRP1. The present study describes a novel mechanism by which AITC induces MRP1 expression by protecting against CS/CSE-mediated DJ-1 protein degradation via activation of the DJ-1/Nrf2 axis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.216-222
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• 2018

Desmodium heterocarpon은 콩과에 속하는 덩굴식물로 주로 한국, 일본 등의 아시아 국가에 분포되어 있다. 본 연구에서는 식물에 존재하는 신규 기능성 소재 개발의 일환으로 Desmodium heterocarpon 에탄올 추출물(DHEE)의 항산화 및 항염증 생리활성을 DPPH 라디칼 소거능, ROS 소거능, NO 생성 억제능 및 관련 단백질 발현을 통해 분석하였다. 먼저 DHEE의 항산화능을 DPPH 라디칼 소거능을 통해 분석한 결과 높은 소거활성을 보여 DHEE가 매우 강한 항산화능을 보유함을 확인하였다. 또한 RAW 264.7 세포주에서 H2O2에 의해 유도된 ROS에 대한 DHEE의 소거능을 분석한 결과 농도의존적인 강한 ROS 소거능을 보였다. 뿐만 아니라 대표적인 항산화 효소 중 하나로 항산화능 보유 천연물에 의해 발현이 유도되는 HO-1 및 그 전사 인자인 Nrf2의 단백질 발현이 DHEE의 처리에 의해 유의적으로 증가됨을 보였다. 한편 DHEE가 LPS에 의해 유도된 NO 생성에 미치는 영향을 분석한 결과 농도 의존적인 NO 생성 저해능을 보였으며 이는 NO 생성 단백질인 iNOS의 발현 저해에서 기인함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 통해 DHEE의 높은 항산화능과 항염증 활성을 확인하였으며 향후 잠재적인 기능성 소재로서 유용하게 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. 추후 계속적인 연구를 통해 활성 물질의 규명이 필요할 것으로 보인다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권8호
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• pp.1310-1317
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• 2018

The stems of Dendrobium moniliforme have been used in traditional herbal medicine for the treatment of fever and lack of body fluid in Korea. In this study, we investigated anti-inflammatory effects of the aqueous extract of D. moniliforme stems (DM) in response to lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a major constituent of the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria. DM inhibited LTA-induced expression of a pro-inflammatory mediator inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the murine macrophages. And DM induced expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) at the transcriptional level. Conversely, the knockdown of HO-1 expression by siRNA markedly reversed the inhibitory effects of DM on LTA-induced iNOS expression. We also demonstrated that nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was increased following treatment with DM. In addition, DM-mediated Nrf2 activation and HO-1 expression were suppressed by PI3K/Akt and p38 inhibitors; treatment with DM also resulted in phosphorylation of Akt and p38. These results suggest that DM inhibits the expression of iNOS in LTA-stimulated macrophages, and that these effects are mediated by the upregulation of HO-1 expression via PI3K/Akt/p38-Nrf2 signaling.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.313-320
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• 2014

The study was conducted to investigate the role of vitamin E in the high altitude hypoxia-induced damage to the intestinal barrier in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (Control), high altitude hypoxia (HH), and high altitude hypoxia + vitamin E (250 mg/kg $BW^*d$) (HV) groups. After the third day, the HH and HV groups were placed in a hypobaric chamber at a stimulated elevation of 7000 m for 5 days. The rats in the HV group were given vitamin E by gavage daily for 8 days. The other rats were given equal volume saline. The results showed that high altitude hypoxia caused the enlargement of heart, liver, lung and kidney, and intestinal villi damage. Supplementation with vitamin E significantly alleviated hypoxia-caused damage to the main organs including intestine, increased the serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p< 0.05), diamino oxidase (DAO) (p< 0.01) levels, and decreased the serum levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) (p< 0.01), interleukin-4 (IL-4) (p<0.001), interferon-gamma ($IFN-{\gamma}$) (p<0.01) and malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), and decreased the serum erythropoietin (EPO) activity (p<0.05). Administration of vitamin E significantly increased the S-IgA (p<0.001) in ileum and significantly improved the expression levels of occludin and $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, and decreased the expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha and 2 alpha ($HIF-1{\alpha}$ and $HIF-2{\alpha}$), Toll-like receptors (TLR4), P-$I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ p65(NF-${\kappa}B$ P65) in ileum compared to the HH group. This study suggested that vitamin E protectis from intestinal injury caused by high altitude hypoxia environment. These effects may be related to the HIF and TLR4/NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling pathway.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제30권1호
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• pp.13-29
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• 2020

Objectives This study was performed to decide the bone union effect of Hwaweo-jeon on tibia fractured mice. Methods In this study, laboratory experiments were implemented by the stage of in vitro and in vivo. In in vitro, MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with various concentration of Hwaweo-jeon extract (HWJ). To investigate effect of HWJ for osteoblast, relative mRNA expression of 5 substances (alkaline phosphatase [ALP], runt-related transcription factor 2 [Runx2], osteocalcin [OCN], osterix [OSX] and collagen type II alpha 1 chain [Col2a1]) was used as a marker of osteogenesis. In order to determine HWJ's effect for fracture healing, relative gene expression level of ALP, Runx2, OCN, OSX and Col2a1 were used to find out the influence to osteoblast. Furthermore, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand and osteoprotegerin relative mRNA expression were used to estimate the impact to osteoclast. Also, X-ray was used for the purpose of identifying bone union in tibia-fracture mouse model. Results In in vitro experiment, most part of relative mRNA expression were increased compared to control group. In in vivo and in vitro experiment, HWJ induced osteoblast activitation by verifying relative mRNA expression of 5 substances. And in vivo experiment, we can also identify that HWJ triggered osteoclast activation during early stage of tibia fracture. Furthermore, X-ray pictures show noticeable recovery of tibia fracture. Conclusions HWJ extract promotes bone union by facilitating the osteoblast. But, HWJ may occur liver & kidney toxicity over specific concentration. Therefore, when HWJ is applied to human body, doctors have to follow up the liver function test & renal function test of patient.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권7호
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• pp.783-789
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• 2017

Malus melliana (Hand.-Mazz.) Rehder (M. melliana)는 장미과에 속하는 중국 자생 식물 중 하나로 현재까지 보고된 생리활성은 전무하다. 본 연구에서는 M. melliana 에탄올 추출물(MMEE)의 항산화 및 항염증 생리활성을 DPPH 라디칼 소거능, ROS 소거능, NO 생성 저해능 및 Western blot hybridization을 통한 연관 단백질 발현분석을 통해 평가하였다. MMEE의 항산화능을 DPPH 라디칼 소거능을 통해 분석한 결과 양성 대조군으로 사용한 대표적인 항산화제인 아스코르빈산과 유사한 정도의 높은 소거활성을 보여 MMEE가 매우 강한 항산화능을 보유함을 확인하였다. 또한 RAW 264.7 세포주에서 $H_2O_2$에 의해 유도된 ROS에 대한 MMEE의 소거능을 분석한 결과, 농도의존적인 강한 ROS 소거능을 보였다. 뿐만 아니라 대표적인 항산화 효소인 HO-1 및 그 전사 인자인 Nrf2의 단백질 발현에 미치는 영향을 분석한 결과 MMEE에 의해 HO-1 및 Nrf2의 발현이 증가됨을 보였다. 한편 MMEE가 LPS에 의해 유도된 NO 생성에 미치는 영향을 분석한 결과 농도의존적인 NO 생성 저해능을 보였으며 이는 NO 생성 단백질인 iNOS의 발현 저해에서 기인함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과를 통해 MMEE의 높은 항산화능과 항염증 활성을 확인하였으며 향후 잠재적인 기능성 소재로서 유용하게 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다. 추후 계속적인 연구를 통해 활성 물질의 규명이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제20권9호
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• pp.1331-1338
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the potentially protective effects of Curcuma longa Linn. extract (CLE) on carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with 50 or 100mg/kg of CLE or 100mg/kg of butylated hydroxytoluene(BHT) for 14 days before $CCl_4$ administration. In addition, the CLE control group was pretreated with 100mg/kg CLE for only 14 days. Three hours after the final treatment, a single dose of $CCl_4$ (20mg/kg) was administrated intraperitoneally to each group. After the completion of this phase of the experiment, food and water were removed 12 h prior to the next step. The rats were then anesthetized by urethane and their blood and liver were collected. It was observed that the aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities of the serum, and the hepatic malondialdehyde levels had significantly decreased in the CLE group when compared with the $CCl_4$-treated group. The antioxidant activities, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities, in addition to glutathione content, had increased considerably in the CLE group compared with the $CCl_4$-treated group. Phase II detoxifying enzymes, such as glutathione S-transferase, were found to have significantly increased in the CLE group as opposed to the $CCl_4$-treated group. The content of Nrf2 was determined by Western blot analysis. Pretreated CLE increased the level of nuclear translocated Nrf2, and the Nrf2 then increased the activity of the antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes. These results indicate that CLE has protective effects against $CCl_4$-induced hepatotoxicity in rats, via activities of antioxidant and phase II detoxifying enzymes, and through the activation of nuclear translocated Nrf2.