• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1801-1807
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• 2014

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) are widely distributed among the world's oceans in various habitats. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of freeze-drying on the antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities of blue mussels collected in the Gyeongnam coast area of Korea. Raw (RM) and freeze-dried blue mussel flesh (FRM) were extracted with ethanol, methanol, and water. Antioxidant activities were evaluated on the basis of DPPH radical scavenging activity, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), cellular antioxidant capacity (CAC), and antigenotoxic activity (comet assay). Except for the water extract, RM and FRM showed DPPH radical scavenging activities, which increased upon freeze-drying in MeOH extract. The highest ORAC value was observed in water extract of RM and MeOH extract of FRM. CAC was protected against AAPH-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells by both RM and FRM extracts. Freeze-drying lowered ORAC value of water extract, whereas it increased CAC activity, suggesting that antioxidant activities varied according to the generated radicals. All extracts from RM and FRM showed antigenotoxic activities by reducing $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage in human leukocytes. Freeze-drying had no effect on antigenotoxicity of blue mussels. Taken together, these results indicate that blue mussels possess antioxidant and antigenotoxic properties, and freeze-drying might be a useful processing method for blue mussels to retain their maximum physiological potential as a functional food.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.515-525
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• 2022

Background: The incidence of ischemic cerebrovascular disease is increasing in recent years and has been one of the leading causes of neurological dysfunction and death. Ginsenoside Rg1 has been found to protect against neuronal damage in many neurodegenerative diseases. However, the effect and mechanism by which Rg1 protects against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) are not fully understood. Here, we report the neuroprotective effects of Rg1 treatment on CIRI and its possible mechanisms in mice. Methods: A bilateral common carotid artery ligation was used to establish a chronic CIRI model in mice. HT22 cells were treated with Rg1 after OGD/R to study its effect on [Ca²⁺]_i. The open-field test and poleclimbing experiment were used to detect behavioral injury. The laser speckle blood flowmeter was used to measure brain blood flow. The Nissl and H&E staining were used to examine the neuronal damage. The Western blotting was used to examine MAP2, PSD95, Tau, p-Tau, NOX2, PLC, p-PLC, CN, NFAT1, and NLRP1 expression. Calcium imaging was used to test the level of [Ca²⁺]_i. Results: Rg1 treatment significantly improved cerebral blood flow, locomotion, and limb coordination, reduced ROS production, increased MAP2 and PSD95 expression, and decreased p-Tau, NOX2, p-PLC, CN, NFAT1, and NLRP1 expression. Calcium imaging results showed that Rg1 could inhibit calcium overload and resist the imbalance of calcium homeostasis after OGD/R in HT22 cells. Conclusion: Rg1 plays a neuroprotective role in attenuating CIRI by inhibiting oxidative stress, calcium overload, and neuroinflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.647-658
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• 2022

Particulate matter (PM) is known to be involved in the onset and progression of various diseases by promoting oxidative and inflammatory reactions as air pollutants containing various small particles that are harmful. In this study, the protective efficacy of herbal medicines was evaluated in human corneal epithelial cells (hCECs) to select natural products that can protect the eye, the primary organ directly exposed to external pollutants from PM. As a result, five candid ate herbal medicines [Cheonmundong, Asparagus Rhizome; Seokchangpo, Aciru Gramineri Rhizoma; Hwangryeon, Coptidis Rhizoma; Gamgug, Chrysanthemi Indici Flos; and Geumjanhwa (Marigold flower petals)] which showed inhibitory efficacy on PM_2.5-induced cytotoxicity, were selected from among 12 candidate herbal medicines. To evaluate the antioxidant activity of these candidate substances, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability was investigated, and it was found that the extracts of Seokchangpo, Cheonmundong and Hwangryeon showed a significant inhibitory effect on PM_2.5-induced ROS production, which was correlated with the preservation of mitochondrial activity. In addition, it was confirmed that they could block DNA damage caused by PM_2.5 through analysis of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine generation and phosphorylated-H2A histone family member X (γ- H2AX) expression. Furthermore, the increase in inflammasome activity and inflammatory response in PM_2.5-treated hCECs was also canceled in the presence of these extracts. Although additional studies are needed, the results of this study will be used as primary data to find novel natural compounds that protect hCECs from PM.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.171-179
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• 2022

The present study investigated the survival rate, respiration rate, plasma stress index, and histological changes according to exposure time of cultured red seabream (Pagrus major) and olive flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) exposed to Cochlodinium polykrikoides red tide. Fish cultured in natural seawater were used as the control group. Cochlodinium polykrikoides density was set to 5,500±200 cells·ml^-1 in the experimental groups. All red seabreams died within 1 hour of exposure to red tide, whereas all olive flounders died within 5 hours of exposure. Analysis of physiological response revealed that in red seabream, plasma glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) concentrations were increased; plasma glucose and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration were decreased. Meanwhile, in olive flounders, plasma cortisol, GOT, and GPT concentrations were increased; plasma glucose concentrations were increased during the first hour of exposure, followed by decrease after 5 hours; and plasma SOD, CAT, and GPx concentrations decreased during the first hour of exposure. Histological analysis revealed structural damage to the gills of both red seabream and olive flounder. In conclusion, the exposure of red seabream and olive flounder to Cochlodinium polykrikoides red tide at the density of 5,500 cells·ml^-1 induces oxidative stress, which activates antioxidant defense mechanisms, ultimately leading to liver and gill damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.183-190
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• 2023

Red yeast rice, also known as Hong Qu and red Koji, has been used for a long time in Asian functional food and traditional medicine. It consists of multiple bioactive substances, which can potentially be used as nutraceuticals. Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) can range from simple steatosis or inflammation to fibrosis and cirrhosis, possibly through leaky gut and systemic endotoxemia. This study examined the liver and gut effects of red yeast rice (RYR) (Monascus purpureus) ethanol extract against binge ethanol-induced liver injury in mice. RYR extract was orally administered to C57BL/6N mice at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight per day for 10 days. Then, mice were administered binge alcohol (5 g/kg/dose) three times at 12 hr intervals. Binge alcohol exposure significantly elevated the endotoxin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine transaminase (ALT) activity of plasma, as well as hepatic triglyceride levels; however, RYR treatments reduced these levels. In addition, RYR pretreatment significantly reduced the alcohol-induced oxidative maker protein and apoptosis maker in binge alcohol-induced gut and liver injuries. These results suggest that RYR may prevent alcohol-induced acute leaky gut and liver damage.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.371-385
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavone (SIF) and soy lecithin (SL) have beneficial effects on many chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Regretfully, there is little evidence to show the combined effects of these soy extractives on the impairment of cognition and abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study examined the optimal combination dose of SIF + SL to provide evidence for improving CBF and protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vivo study, SIF50 + SL40, SIF50 + SL80 and SIF50 + SL160 groups were obtained. Morris water maze, laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to detect learning and memory impairment, CBF, and damage to the cerebrovascular tissue in rat. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were detected. The anti-oxidative damage index of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum of an animal model was also tested. In vitro study, an immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line (bEND.3 cells) was used to confirm the cerebrovascular endothelial cell protection of SIF + SL. In this study, 50 µM of Gen were used, while the 25, 50, or 100 µM of SL for different incubation times were selected first. The intracellular levels of 8-OHdG, SOD, GSH, and GSSG were also detected in the cells. RESULTS: In vivo study, SIF + SL could increase the target crossing times significantly and shorten the total swimming distance of rats. The CBF in the rats of the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group was enhanced. Pathological changes, such as attenuation of the endothelium in cerebral vessels were much less in the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group. The 8-OHdG was reduced in the SIF50 + SL40 group. The GSSG showed a significant decrease in all SIF + SL pretreatment groups, but the GSH showed an opposite result. SOD was upregulated by SIF + SL pretreatment. Different combinations of Genistein (Gen)+SL, the secondary proof of health benefits found in vivo study, showed they have effective anti-oxidation and less side reaction on protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cell. SIF50 + SL40 in rats experiment and Gen50 + SL25 in cell test were the optimum joint doses on alleviating cognitive impairment and regulating CBF through protecting cerebrovascular tissue by its antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: SIF+SL could significantly prevent cognitive defect induced by β-Amyloid through regulating CBF. This kind of effect might be attributed to its antioxidant activity on protecting cerebral vessels.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.166-173
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• 2009

Cyclosporine(CsA) is an immunosupressant drug widely used in post-allogeneic organ transplant to reduce the activity of the patient's immune system and so the risk of organ rejection. It has been studied in transplants of skin, heart, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, bone marrow and small intestine. Initially isolated from a Norwegian soil sample, Both kidney and liver dysfunction are prominent side effects of CsA. The present study was designed to determine the possible protective effect of salidroside(Sal) isolated from the BuOH extract of Acer termentosum Max against oxidative damage in CsA-treated(50 mg/kg, ip) nephrotoxicity rats. Results showed oral administration of methanol and butanol extact of Acer termentosum Max(200 mg/kg, po) significantly reduced activities of marker enzymes(BUN, Creatinine) and LDH activity in serum to CsA induced experimental kidney injured rats. And significantly decrcease of protein amount level in urine and activities of free radical formation enzyme were significantly improved by the treatment of Sal. And significantly decrcease of MDA level in kidney and activities of calalase, glutathione peroxidation and SOD were significantly improved by the treatment of Sal(20 mg/kg, po). But glutathione concentration and glutathione S-transferase actitity was not affected. Results of this study revealed that Sal could afford a significant protection in the alleviation of CsA-induced nephrotoxicity injury.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.355-363
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• 2009

Increased oxidative stress by abnormal mitochondrial function can damage cell signal transduction and gene expression, and induce insulin resistance or diabetes. Autophagy, however, improve insulin resistance by clearance of malfunctioning mitochondria. Exercise also recovers the muscle dysfunction and degeneration by activating mitochondrial biogenesis. As it seems that exercise and autophagy might act as an orchestrated network to induce mitochondrial biogenesis, we investigated whether autophagy is involved in AMPK signal pathway stimulated by exercise or AICAR to increase mitochondrial biogenesis. And it showed that PGC-1 and mtTFA, but not autophagy marker LC3 mRNA expression were significantly increased by 6 hr of acute exercise. On the other hand, PGC-1 and mtTFA mRNA expression were upregulated by AICAR treatment to C2C12 myotube. However these genes were not inhibited by LC3 siRNA transfection. These results provide the evidence that autopahgy affects on mitochondrial biogenesis through different signal pathway from AMPK signal transduction.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.117-125
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• 2007

Neuronal ischemia is a pathological process caused by a lack of oxygen (anoxia) and glucose (hypoglycemia), resulting in neuronal death. It is believed that apoptosis is one of the mechanisms involved in ischemic cell death. Neuronal apoptosis is a process characterized by nuclear DNA fragmentation, changes of plasma membrane organization. To elucidate the mechanism of neuronal death following ischemic insult and to develop neuroprotective effects of Daebowonjeon(DBWJ) against ischemic damage, in vitro models are used. In vitro models of cell death have been devloped with pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell, which have become widely used as neuronal models of oxidative stress, trophic factor, serum deprivation and chemical hypoxia. Using a special ischemic device and PC12 cultures, we investigated an in vitro model of ischemia based on combined Oxygen and Glucose Deprivation (OGD) insult, followed by reoxygenation, mimicking the pathological conditions of ischemia. In this study, Daebowonjeon rescued PC12 cells from Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation (OGD)-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner The nuclear staining of PC12 cells clearly showed that DBWJ attenuated nuclear condensation and fragmentation which represent typical neuronal apoptotic characteristics. DBWJ also prevents the LDH release and induction of Hypoxia Inducing Factor (HIF)-1 by OGD-exposed PC12 cells. Furthermore, DBWJ reduced the activation of polyADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) by OGO-exposed PC12 cells. These results suggest that apoptosis is an important characteristic of OGD-induced neuronal death and that oriental medicine, such as DBWJ, may prevent PC12 cell from OG D-induced neuronal death by inhibiting the apoptotic process.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.450-458
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• 2015

The heat shock proteins (Hsps), one of the most highly conserved groups of proteins, play crucial roles in protecting cells against environmental stressors, such as temperature, salinity, heavy metals and pathogenic bacteria. The glutathione S-transferases (GST) have important role in detoxification of oxidative damage, environmental chemicals and environmental stress. The purpose of this study is to investigate the gene expression of Hsp70 and GST on change of temperature and salinity in Mytilus coruscus. The M. coruscus was cultured in incubator of separate temperature and salinity (8, 20, $30^{\circ}C{\times}20$‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 28 days. Ten individuals in each group were selected after each 14 and 28 days exposure. Results that the expression of Hsp70 mRNA was no significant changed in M. coruscus exposed to temperature ($8^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$) and salinity (20‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 14 days. Whereas the expression of Hsp70 mRNA was increased in exposure to temperature $30^{\circ}C$ and salinity (20‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 28 days. The expression of GST mRNA was increased in exposure to temperature $30^{\circ}C$, salinity (25‰, 30‰) for 14 days and temperature ($8^{\circ}C$, $20^{\circ}C$, $30^{\circ}C$), salinity (20‰, 25‰, 30‰) for 28 days. These results suggest that Hsp70 and GST were played roles in biomarker gene on the thermal and salinity stress.