• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2021

Objectives This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Danggwisu-san (Dangguixu-san, DG) on bone repair from femur fracture in mice. Methods Mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (normal, control, positive control and DG 300 mg/kg-treated group). In order to investigate the effects of DG on gene expressions in experimental animals with fracture, we measured the levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX2), Sox9, collagen type II alpha 1 chain (Col2a1), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osterix genes. After the cytotoxicity test, we analyzed the levels of expression of osteocalcin and Runx2, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. The process of fusion in the fracture was also investigated by gross examination. Results Through in vivo BMP2, COX2 gene expression significantly decreased. Sox9 significantly increased. Col2a1, Runx2, osterix gene expression also increased as well, but there was no statistical significance. The degree of unilateral fracture fusion investigated by gross examination was significantly faster than those of the other groups. Through in vitro the level of TNF-α in macrophages was increased by DG in a dose-dependent mannerand and 250 and 500 ㎍/mL showed statistical significance. Osteocalcin and Runx2 genes expressions increased when DG was treated in osteoblasts. Conclusions DG promotes the healing of the fracture through the expression of bone repair-related genes and TNF-α production. This study may set the foundation for the clinical application of DG to the patients with bone fractures.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.243-250
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• 2021

Background: Endodontic sealers or their toxic components may become inflamed and lead to delayed wound healing when in direct contact with periapical tissues over an extended period. Moreover, an overfilled sealer can directly interact with adjacent tissues and may cause immediate necrosis or further resorption. Therefore, the treatment outcome conceivably depends on the endodontic sealer's biocompatibility and osteogenic potential. This study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and osteogenic effects of four different sealers in osteoblastic cells. Methods: AH Plus (resin-based sealer), Pulp Canal Sealer EWT (zinc oxide-eugenol sealer), BioRoot RCS (calcium silicate-based sealer), and Well-Root ST (MTA-based calcium silicate sealer) were mixed strictly according to the manufacturer's instructions, and dilutions of sealer extracts (1/2, 1/5 and 1/10) were determined. Cell viability was measured using the water-soluble tetrazolium-8 (WST-8) assay. Differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralized nodule formation by Alizarin Red S staining. Results: The cell viability of the extracts derived from the sealers excluding Well-Root ST was concentration dependent, with sealer extracts having the least viability at a 1/2 dilution. At sealer extract dilution of 1/10, the test groups showed the same survival rate as that control group, with the exception of BioRoot RCS. Among all experimental groups, BioRoot RCS showed the highest cell viability after 48 hours. The ALP activity was significantly higher in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthemore, all four materials promoted ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation compared to the control at 1/10 dilutions. Conclusion: This is the first study to highlight the differences in biological activity of these four materials. These results suggest that the composition of root canal sealers appears to alter the form of biocompatibility and osteoblastic differentiation.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.259-268
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• 2023

Purpose: Hyaluronic acid (HA) affects angiogenesis and promotes the migration and differentiation of mesenchymal cells, thereby activating the osteogenic ability of osteoblasts. Although studies on the action of HA during bone regeneration are being actively conducted, the optimal dose of HA required for bone regeneration remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the most effective HA dose for bone formation using a rat critical-size defect model. Methods: Thirty rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 6 rats in each group. An absorbable collagen sponge soaked with HA or saline was used to fill an 8-mm defect, which was then covered with a collagen membrane. Different treatments were performed for each group as follows: (1) saline control, (2) 1 mg/mL HA, (3) 25 mg/mL HA, (4) 50 mg/mL HA, or (5) 75 mg/mL HA. After a healing period of 4 weeks, micro-computed tomography and histological analysis were performed. The obtained values were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey test (P<0.05). Results: At week 4, the 75 mg/mL HA group had the highest bone volume/total volume ratio, new bone, and bone fill among the 5 groups, and these values were significantly different from those observed in the control group (P<0.01) and 1 mg/mL HA group (P<0.001). More active bone formation was observed in the higher-dose HA groups (25 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, and 75 mg/mL HA), which included a large amount of woven bone. Conclusions: The 75 mg/mL HA group showed better bone formation than the other groups (1, 25, and 50 mg/mL HA and control).

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2022

In order to maintain bone homeostasis, it is necessary to balance bone resorption and remodeling through the differentiation of osteoclasts that absorb old bone and osteoblasts that form new bone. However, bone resorption due to excessive osteoclast differentiation is a major cause of osteoporosis and controlling excessive osteoclast differentiation has been known as a treatment strategy for osteoporosis. Therefore, in this study, the effect of an ethanol extract of Sphaerotylus antarcticus Kirkpatrick, 1907 (SAE), polar-derived sponge with unknown biological activity, on the osteoclast differentiation process of RANKL-induced RAW264.7 cells and the generated ROS was evaluated. In the study results, SAE down-regulated the formation and function of RANKL-induced osteoclasts and osteoclast differentiation specific proteins, genes in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, it was possible to confirm the result of restoring the lost antioxidant enzyme along with down-regulation of ROS generated by RANKL. Therefore, in this study, we propose the possibility of SAE as a potential regulator of osteoporosis due to excessive osteoclast differentiation and report the biological value of the diversity of marine-derived natural products by identifying the first biological activity against SAE that is not yet known.

• Advances in nano research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.301-317
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• 2022

Many studies have shown that Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr (abbreviated as JDBM) alloy has good biocompatibility and biodegradability as well as promotion of cell adhesion, proliferation and differentiation, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway may play a unique role in joint tissue by controlling the function of chondrocytes, osteoblasts and synoviocytes. However, it is not clear whether the JDBM alloy induces osteochondral repair through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study aims to verify that JDBM alloy can repair osteochondral defects in rats, which is realized by Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In this study, the osteochondral defect model of the right femoral condyle non-weight-bearing area in rats was established and randomly divided into three groups: Control group, JDBM alloy implantation group and JDBM alloy implantation combined with signaling pathway inhibitor drug ICRT3 injection. It was found that after JDBM alloy implantation, the bone volume fraction (BVF) became larger, the bone trabeculae were increased, the relative expression of osteogenesis gene Runx2, Bmp2, Opn, Ocn and chondrogenesis gene Collagen II, Aggrecan were increased, and the tissue repair was obvious by HE and Masson staining, which could be inhibited by ICRT3.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1197-1205
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• 2023

Osteoporosis, Greek for "porous bone," is a bone disease characterized by a decrease in bone strength, microarchitectural changes in the bone tissues, and an increased risk of fracture. An imbalance of bone resorption and bone formation may lead to chronic metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis. Wolfiporia extensa, known as "Bokryung" in Korea, is a fungus belonging to the family Polyporaceae and has been used as a therapeutic food against various diseases. Medicinal mushrooms, mycelium and fungi, possess approximately 130 medicinal functions, including antitumor, immunomodulating, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and antidiabetic effects, and are therefore used to improve human health. In this study, we used osteoclast and osteoblast cell cultures treated with Wolfiporia extensa mycelium water extract (WEMWE) and investigated the effect of the fungus on bone homeostasis. Subsequently, we assessed its capacity to modulate both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation by performing osteogenic and anti-osteoclastogenic activity assays. We observed that WEMWE increased BMP-2-stimulated osteogenesis by inducing Smad-Runx2 signal pathway axis. In addition, we found that WEMWE decreased RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by blocking c-Fos/NFATc1 via the inhibition of ERK and JNK phosphorylation. Our results show that WEMWE can prevent and treat bone metabolic diseases, including osteoporosis, by a biphasic activity that sustains bone homeostasis. Therefore, we suggest that WEMWE can be used as a preventive and therapeutic drug.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.552-561
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• 2023

The endocrinology of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its predisposing factors have been studied extensively while its skeletal effects have received negligible research despite this being a global disease. The cellular and molecular association between proximal humeral fractures and T2D has not been fully elucidated. We aimed to study bone cell quantities and immunolabel osteogenic and antiosteogenic cytokines. The study used 12-week-old rats (23 males) consisting of 8 Sprague Dawley (SD) and 15 Zucker Diabetic Sprague Dawley (ZDSD). Weekly mass measurements were taken while fasting blood glucose levels were recorded every 2 weeks with oral glucose tolerance tests conducted once every 4 weeks. Upon termination at the age of 28 weeks, humeri were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, prior to decalcification in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The bone samples were then processed in ascending grades of alcohol using an automatic processor before embedding in paraffin wax. Sections were cut at 5 ㎛ thickness in a series for Haematoxylin and Eosin stain, and immunohistochemistry was performed with the anti-tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), anti-alkaline phosphatase (ALP), anti-bone morphogenetic protein 3 (BMP3), anti-transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), anti-aged glycation end product (AGE) antibodies in the sequence. ZDSD rats had more adipocytes, BMP3 and AGEs expression with higher numbers of TRAP positive osteocytes and fewer ALP cells although no differences were found in TGFβ1 immunopositivity. We also found that T2D increases the number of AGEs immuno-positive cells, as well as its extracellular expression, thus providing a conducive environment for the interaction of the osteogenic cytokine and its antagonist to suppress osteoblastogenesis. ZDSD groups had higher adipocyte numbers therefore increased marrow adiposity in T2D.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.31.1-31.8
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• 2024

Background: Recently, there has been a growing interest in stem cells for human medicine. Limited feline endometrial mesenchymal stem cell (fEM-MSC) research in veterinary medicine necessitates reporting for future feline disease research and therapy. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate fEM-MSCs from feline endometrial tissues and evaluate their morphology, proliferative ability, differentiation ability, and immunophenotype. Methods: Feline endometrial tissues were obtained from the ovariohysterectomies of healthy cats and isolated using an enzymatic method. The morphology and proliferative ability of the isolated cells were assessed using a doubling time (DT) assay from passages 3 to 6 (P3 - P6). We measured pluripotency gene expressions of cells in P2 using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). To investigate MSC characteristics, a trilineage differentiation assay was conducted in P4, and cells in P4 were immunophenotyped using flow cytometry. Results: fEM-MSCs showed a typical spindle-shaped morphology under a microscope, and the DT was maintained from P3 to P6. fEM-MSCs could differentiate into adipocytes, osteoblasts, and chondrocytes, and expressed three pluripotency markers (OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG) by qRT-PCR. Immunophenotypic analysis showed that the fEM-MSCs were CD14 ^-, CD34 ^-, CD45 ^-, CD9⁺, and CD44⁺. Conclusions: In this study, the feline endometrium was a novel source of MSCs, and to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the isolation method and characteristics of fEM-MSCs.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.236-246
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• 2024

Objective: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is extensively utilized as an anti-aging agent and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activates Toll-like receptor 4, a process modulated by intracellular signaling pathways such as the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This study investigated the impact of NMN on osteogenesis in the presence of LPS. Methods: To elucidate the role of NMN in osteogenesis in the context of Gram-negative bacterial infection after LPS treatment, we cultured a mouse pre-osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1) and subsequently incubated it with NMN and/or LPS. We then evaluated osteogenic activity by measuring alkaline phosphatase activity, assessing gene expression and protein levels, and performing Alizarin Red S staining and immunocytochemistry. Results: MC3T3-E1 cells underwent successful differentiation into osteoblasts following treatment with osteogenic induction medium. LPS diminished features related to osteogenic differentiation, which were subsequently partially reversed by treatment with NMN. The restorative effects of NMN on LPS-exposed MC3T3-E1 cells were further substantiated by elucidating the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, as confirmed through immunocytochemistry. Conclusion: This study showed that infection with Gram-negative bacteria disrupted the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. This adverse effect was partially reversed by administering a high-dose of NMN. Drawing on these results, we propose that NMN could serve as a viable therapeutic strategy to preserve bone homeostasis in elderly and immunocompromised patients.

• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
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• v.19
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• pp.1099-1111
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• 2022

Background: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) have been studied for bone repair because they have regenerative potential to differentiate into osteoblasts. The development of injectable and in situ three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds to proliferate and differentiate BMSCs and deliver BMP-2 is a crucial technology in BMSC-based tissue engineering. Methods: The proliferation of mouse BMSCs (mBMSCs) in collagen/poly-γ-glutamic acid (Col/γ-PGA) hydrogel was evaluated using LIVE/DEAD and acridine orange and propidium iodide assays. In vitro osteogenic differentiation and the gene expression level of Col/γ-PGA(mBMSC/BMP-2) were assessed by alizarin red S staining and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. The bone regeneration effect of Col/γ-PGA(mBMSC/BMP-2) was evaluated in a mouse calvarial bone defect model. The cranial bones of the mice were monitored by micro-computed tomography and histological analysis. Results: The developed Col/γ-PGA hydrogel showed low viscosity below ambient temperature, while it provided a high elastic modulus and viscous modulus at body temperature. After gelation, the Col/γ-PGA hydrogel showed a 3D and interconnected porous structure, which helped the effective proliferation of BMSCs with BMP-2. The Col/γ-PGA (mBMSC/BMP-2) expressed more osteogenic genes and showed effective orthotopic bone formation in a mouse model with a critical-sized bone defect in only 3-4 weeks. Conclusion: The Col/γ-PGA(mBMSC/BMP-2) hydrogel was suggested to be a promising platform by combining collagen as a major component of the extracellular matrix and γ-PGA as a viscosity reducer for easy handling at room temperature in BMSC-based bone tissue engineering scaffolds.