• Horticultural Science & Technology
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.564-577
• /
• 2016

Salinity stress limits plant cultivation in many areas worldwide; however, persimmon (Diospyros spp.) has high tolerance to salt. Five accessions of Diospyros [three of Diospyros lotus (accession numbers 824, 846, and 847); one of Diospyros kaki var. sylvestris (869); and one of Diospyros virginiana (844)] were chosen for analysis of salinity stress. We compared the effects of salt stress on plant growth, relative water content (RWC), malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide content ($H_2O_2$), and antioxidative enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; peroxidase, POD; and ascorbate peroxidase, APX) in leaves of healthy potted seedlings from each of the five accessions after salt treatment for 25 days. Salt stress affected the growth of plants in all five accessions, with all three D. lotus accessions showing the most severe effect. Salt stress increased membrane lipid peroxidation in all accessions, but a stronger increase was observed in the three D. lotus accessions. Moreover, accumulation of $H_2O_2$ was faster in salt-sensitive D. lotus compared to salt-tolerant D. virginiana 844. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes increased in D. virginiana 844 and in D. kaki var. sylvestris 869; the activities of SOD, CAT, and APX were at similar levels in D. virginiana 844 and D. kaki var. sylvestris 869, but POD activity was stimulated to a greater extent in D. virginiana 844. The activities of all antioxidant enzymes (except POD) decreased in D. lotus 824 and increased (except for SOD) in D.lotus 846. The activities of SOD and APX decreased in D. lotus 847, whereas POD and CAT activities both increased. Relative water content decreased significantly in D. lotus. No significant changes in lipid peroxidation or relevant antioxidant parameters were detected in any of the accessions in controls treated with 0.0% NaCl. D. virginiana 844 had higher antioxidant capacity in response to salinity compared to other persimmon rootstocks. These results indicate that changes of these key physiological variables are related to salinity resistance in different accessions of persimmon.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.191-197
• /
• 2005

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein transduction domain (PTD) is responsible for highly efficient protein transduction across plasma membranes. In a previous study, we showed that Tat-Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD) can be directly transduced into mammalian cells across the lipid membrane barrier. In this study, we fused the human SOD gene with a Tat PTD transduction vector at its N- and/or C-terminus. The fusion proteins (Tat-SOD, SOD-Tat, Tat-SOD-Tat) were purified from Escherichia coli and their ability to enter cells in vitro and in vivo compared by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The transduction efficiencies and biological activities of the SOD fusion protein with the Tat PTD at either terminus were equivalent and lower than the fusion protein with the Tat PTD at both termini. The availability of a more efficient SOD fusion protein provides a powerful vehicle for therapy in human diseases related to this anti-oxidant enzyme and to reactive oxygen species.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.33 no.3
• /
• pp.139-147
• /
• 2018

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) is a useful biotechnological tool for animal cloning. Until now, SCNT has been inefficient, especially in dog. It is believed that an embryo developmental block in SCNT embryos is cause of low production efficiency. However, no studies have been performed on canines for embryo developmental block. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the beneficial role of EDTA in canine parthenogenic (PA) embryos development to overcome embryo developmental block. The PA embryos were divided into 0.01 mM EDTA treated and non-treated groups. Embryo developmental efficiency was measured by activating chemically parthenote. After EDTA induction, PA embryos were evaluated for embryonic development, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) activity, mitochondrial integrity, ATP production and genomic activation. The EDTA treated PA embryos showed significantly higher survival rate and improved cavity formation compared to non-treated. Furthermore, cytoplasmic ROS level was mitigated and mitochondrial membrane potential was found significantly higher in EDTA treated group followed by higher ATP production. Moreover, major embryonic genomic activation specific markers/factors were also elevated in EDTA treated group. Conclusively, we elucidated that EDTA showed substantially positive effect to overcome embryo developmental block in canine.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.624-630
• /
• 2004

Functionality changes by germination of giant embryonic rice and pigmented rice were evaluated with focusing on antioxidative activities of 70% ethanolic extracts. Overall, reducing power of giant embryonic rice and pigmented rice was higher than that of normal brown rice, and the germination of rices tend to enhance their reducing powers. In vitro and ex vivo experiments employing linoleic acid peroxidation and rabbit erythrocyte membrane peroxidation systems, respectively, revealed inhibitory effect on lipid peroxidation was highest in pigmented rice, followed by giant embryonic rice, and normal brown rice from high to low order. Superoxide radical-scavenging activity decreased in order of pigmented rice > giant embryonic rice > normal brown rice, and germination also enhanced their superoxide scavenging ability compared to non-germinated controls. Hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability was highest in pigmented rice, followed by giant embryonic rice, and normal brown rice. Despite marked enhancement in hydroxyl radical-scavenging ability of normal brown rice by germination, order of scavenging ability was not altered among germinated rices. Same trend as with in vitro ROS scavenging was observed for ex vivo scavenging potency on ROSs generated by TPA stimulation in HL-60 cells. Germination-associated differential increase in ROS scavenging ability of pigmented rice and giant embryonic rice, characterized by no induction of cytotoxicity, was observed.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.9
• /
• pp.1613-1619
• /
• 2008

It has been reported that Tat-SOD can be directly transduced into mammalian cells and skin and acts as a potential therapeutic protein in various diseases. To isolate the compound that can enhance the transduction efficiency of Tat-SOD, we screened a number of natural products. 3-O-[$\beta$-D-Glucopyranosyl(1$\rightarrow$4)-$\alpha$-L-arabinopyranosyll-hederagenin (OGAH) was identified as an active component of Fatsia japonica and is known as triterpenoid glycosides (hederagenin saponins). OGAH enhanced the transduction efficiencies of Tat-SOD into HeLa cells and mice skin. The enzymatic activities in the presence of OGAH were markedly increased in vitro and in vivo when compared with the controls. Although the mechanism is not fully understood, we suggest that OGAH, the active component of Fatsia japonica, might change the conformation of the membrane structure and it may be useful as an ingredient in anti-aging cosmetics or as a stimulator of therapeutic proteins that can be used in various disorders related to reactive oxygen species (ROS).

• Journal of Korean Society of Environmental Engineers
• /
• v.31 no.12
• /
• pp.1113-1122
• /
• 2009

In order to find the way to solve the problem of sewage sludge discharge into the ocean, the sludge solubilization by ultrasonic and the improvement methods of wastewater treatment process were studied. In the membrane bioreactor the sludge retention time was stepwise increased from 5.1 day to 442 days where the biomass average concentration has been increased from $c_B$=3.4 $gTSSL^{-1}$ to $c_B$=14.5 $gTSSL^{-1}$ respectively. At the same time, the biomass yield coefficients were reduced from 0.5-0.7 at SRT=5.1 day to 0.005-0.007 at SRT=442 days which means the reduction of sludge production. Oxygen mass transfer coefficients and ${\alpha}$-factor were investigated with changing stirrer speed to find the relation between the high biomass concentration and aeration efficiency in the propeller loop reactor. As a result of sludge solubilization, the solubilization of sludge by ultrasound was increased with increasing energy input and it led to improved anaerobic digestion rate with more biogas production than that of nonsolubilized sewage sludge.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.288-298
• /
• 2016

Resveratrol acts as a free radical scavenger and a potent antioxidant in the inhibition of numerous reactive oxygen species (ROS). The function of resveratrol and resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles in protecting human lung cancer cells (A549) against hydrogen peroxide was investigated in this study. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay was performed to evaluate the antioxidant properties. Resveratrol had substantially high antioxidant capacity (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value) compared to trolox and vitamin E since the concentration of resveratrol was more than $50{\mu}M$. Nanoparticles prepared from ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin (${\beta}$-lg) were successfully developed. The ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticle showed 60 to 146 nm diameter in size with negatively charged surface. Non-cytotoxicity was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles. Fluorescein isothiocynate-conjugated ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles were identified into the cell membrane of Caco-2 cells, indicating that nanoparticles can be used as a delivery system. Hydrogen peroxide caused accumulation of ROS in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles restored $H_2O_2$-induced ROS levels by induction of cellular uptake of resveratrol in A549 cells. Furthermore, resveratrol activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-Kelch ECH associating protein 1 (Nrf2-Keap1) signaling in A549 cells, thereby accumulation of Nrf2 abundance, as demonstrated by western blotting approach. Overall, these results may have implications for improvement of oxidative stress in treatment with nanoparticles as a biodegradable and non-toxic delivery carrier of bioactive compounds.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2018.10a
• /
• pp.103-103
• /
• 2018

Oenothera biennis, commonly known as evening primrose, a potential source of natural bioactive substances: flavonoids, steroids, tannins, fatty acids and terpenoids responsible for a diverse range of pharmacological functions. However, whether extract prepared from aerial part of O. biennis (APOB) protects skin against oxidative stress remains unknown. To investigate the protective effects of APOB against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in the HaCaT human skin keratinocytes. Our results revealed that treatment with APOB prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) exposure significantly increased viability, and the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activities and reducing power of HaCaT cells. APOB also effectively attenuated H2O2-induced comet tail formation and inhibited the $H_2O_2$-induced phosphorylation levels of the histone ${\gamma}H2AX$, as well as the number of apoptotic bodies and Annexin V-positive cells. In addition, APOB exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and restored the mitochondrial membrane potential loss by $H_2O_2$. Moreover, $H_2O_2$ enhanced the cleavage of caspase-3 and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3, as well as DNA fragmentation; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with APOB. Furthermore, APOB increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). According to our data, APOB is able to protect HaCaT cells from $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage and cell death through blocking cellular damage related to oxidative stress through a mechanism that would affect ROS elimination and activating the Nri2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2015

Objectives : Oxidative stress is one of the most causes of hepatocyte injury. Gleditsia spina, the thorns ofGleditsia sinensisLam., has been known for its anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects in Korean medicine. The present study investigated hepatoprotective effect of Gleditsia spina water extract (GSE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA) + iron in HepG2 cells.Methods : To investigate cytoprotective effect of GSE, cells were pretreated with GSE and then subsequently exposed to 10 μM AA for 12 h, followed by 5 μM iron. Cell viability was monitored by MTT assay, and expression of apoptosis-related proteins was examined by immunoblot analysis. To identify responsible molecular mechanisms, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, GSH contents, and mitochondrial membrane potential were measured. In addition, effect of GSE on nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was determined by immunoblot and antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven reporter gene assays.Results : GSE pretreatment prevented AA + iron-mediated cytotoxicity in concentration dependent manner. In addition, ROS production, glutathione depletion, and mitochondrial impairment by AA + iron were significantly inhibited by GSE. Furthermore, GSE promoted translocation of Nrf2 to nucleus, which acts as essential transcription factor for induction of antioxidant genes. Increased nuclear Nrf2 that caused by GSE treatment promoted transcriptional activity of ARE. Finally, GSE up-regulated sestrin-2 which was widely recognized as target gene of Nrf2.Conclusions : This study demonstrates that GSE protects hepatocytes from oxidative stress via activation of Nrf2 signaling pathway.

• Journal of Electrochemical Science and Technology
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.41-51
• /
• 2016

In the stratosphere, the air is stable and a photovoltaic (PV) system can produce more solar energy compared to in the atmosphere. If unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) fly in the stratosphere, the flight stability and efficiency of the mission are improved. On the other hand, the weakened lift force of the UAV due to the rarefied atmosphere can require more power for lift according to the weight and/or wing area of the UAV. To solve this problem, it is necessary to minimize the weight of the aircraft and improve the performance of the power system. A regenerative fuel cell (RFC) consisting of a fuel cell (FC) and water electrolysis (WE) combined PV power system has been investigated as a good alterative because of its higher specific energy. The WE system produces hydrogen and oxygen, providing extra energy beyond the energy generated by the PV system in the daytime, and then saves the gases in tanks. The FC system supplies the required power to the UAV at night, so the additional fuel supply to the UAV is not needed anymore. The specific energy of RFC systems is higher than that of Li-ion battery systems, so they have less weight than batteries that supply the same energy to the UAV. In this paper, for a stratospheric long-endurance hybrid UAV based on an RFC system, three major design factors (UAV weight, wing area and performance of WE) affecting the ability of long-term flight were determined and a simulation-based feasibility study was performed. The effects of the three design factors were analyzed as the flight time increased, and acceptable values of the factors for long endurance were found. As a result, the long-endurance of the target UAV was possible when the values were under 350 kg, above 150 m² and under 80 kWh/kg H₂.