• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• 제23권3호
• /
• pp.619-630
• /
• 2009

To investigate the hair growth activity of fractions and extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma in the hair removed skin of normal and spontaneous alopecia areata model in C57B/6N mice. These experiments were performed with the macroscopic, microscopic, immunohistochemical(VEGF, c-kit, PKC-${\alpha}$, TGF and FGF) and RT-PCR(TGF-${\beta}$, IGF, prolactin and placenta lactogen) methods. The results were as follows: Macroscopic observation after topical application of vehicle, 50% EtOH as control and extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma to the hair removed skin of C57BL/6N mice on the 9th, 11th and 15th day. Extensive hair growth activity was observed in treated group with extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma on the 9th, 11th and 15th day. In Arisaematis Rhizoma extracts treated group, hair follicles of middle stage of anagen was observed and it were grown down to subcutaneous tissue of skin in all the normal mice on 15th day. But in control group, most of hair follicles of telogen phase was observed in skin. The treatment of extract of Arisaematis Rhizoma increased expression of IGF(145%) and placenta lactogen(108%) in the skin of normal C57BL/6N mice on the 11th day compared to control group(100%). But expression of TGF-${\beta}$(90%) and prolactin(91%) decreased in the skin of normal C57B/6N mice on the 11th day compared to control group(100%). After application of fractions(chloroform, ethyl acetate and water fractions) of Arisaematis Rhizoma extract for 9th day, hair growth effect was observed in whole skin area in 50% of normal mice. But in control group, hair growth effect was not observed in whole skin area of normal mice. Immunoreactive density of VEGF, c-kit, PKC-${\alpha$ and FGF in skin of fractions of Arisaematis Rhizoma extracts was strongly stained in epidermis, bulge, secondary hair germ cells, cutaneous trunci m., subcutaneous tissue, root sheath compare to control group on the 9th day. In spontaneous alopecia areata model, The hair growth activity of Arisaematis Rhizoma extrat treated group(75%) was observed to be strong compared to control group(O%) on 7th day. These experiments suggest that fractions and extracts of Arisaematis Rhizoma may stimulate the topical hair growth activity. Thus it can be useful for treatment of alopecia areata.

• Biomedical Science Letters
• /
• 제24권3호
• /
• pp.213-220
• /
• 2018

Triglyceride (TG) is known to be associated with inflammatory disease including atherosclerosis. In a variety of atherosclerosis models, T lymphocytes are localized in the earliest lesions of atherosclerosis. T cell associated cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ have pre-dominant inflammatory effects in chronic vascular diseases. In our previous study, we found that the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and its receptor, $TNF-{\alpha}R$ was increased when Jurkat T lymphocyte cell lines were exposed to TGs. Therefore, experiments were conducted to determine which cell signaling pathway are involved in the increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}R$ expression by TGs. To identify signal transduction pathways involved in TG-induced upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$, we treated TG-exposed Jurkat T cells with specific inhibitors for MEK1, PI3K, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and PKC. We found that inhibition of the MEK1 pathway blocked TG-induced upregulation of $TNF-{\alpha}$. However, the expression level of $TNF-{\alpha}R$ did not change with any signal transduction inhibitor. Based on this observation, we suggest that increase of exogenous TG induces increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ expression through MEK1 pathway in Jurkat T cells. In addition, it was confirmed that the increase of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}R$ expression by TGs occurs via different pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제1권2호
• /
• pp.185-193
• /
• 1997

The characteristics of $Na^+$-dependent cycloleucine uptake was investigated in OK cells with regard to substrate specificity and regulation by protein kinase C (PKC). Inhibition studies with different synthetic and natural amino acids showed a broad spectrum affinity to neutral amino acids regardless of their different side chains including branched or aromatic, indicating that the $Na^+$-dependent cycloleucine uptake in OK cells is mediated by System $B^o$ or System $B^o$-like transporter rather than the classical System A or ASC. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate, but not $4{\alpha}-PMA$ elicited a time-dependent biphasic stimulation of $Na^+$-dependent cycloleucine uptake, which produced early transient peak at 30 min and late sustained peak at 180min. Both the early and late stimulations by PMA were due to an increase in Vmax and not due to a change in Km. PKC inhibitors blocked both the early and late stimulation by PMA, while protein synthesis inhibitors blocked the late stimulation only. These results suggest the existence and regulation by PKC of System $B^o$ or System $B^o$-like broad spectrum transport system for neutral amino acids in OK cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• 제47권1호
• /
• pp.45-50
• /
• 2014

Aspirin has been demonstrated to be effective in inhibiting COX-2 and $PGE_2$ in Alveolar macrophages (AMs). However, the mechanisms have not been fully understood. In the present study, we found that pretreatment with aspirin inhibited LPS-induced COX-2 and$PGE_2$ upregulation, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation, NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and the increase of PKC activity, but elevated LPS-induced the decrease of PTP activity. The PKC inhibitor calphostin C dramatically reduced the COX-2 mRNA and $PGE_2$ levels, but the PTP inhibitor peroxovanadium (POV) significantly increased the COX-2 mRNA and$PGE_2$ levels. Furthermore, the PTP inhibitor mitigated the inhibitory effect of aspirin on COX-2 and$PGE_2$ upregulation and NF-${\kappa}B$ activation, whereas the PKC inhibitor enhanced the inhibitory effects of aspirin on the production of COX-2 and$PGE_2$. Our data indicate a novel mechanism by which aspirin acts as a potent anti-inflammatory agent in alveolus macrophages and ALI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• 제45권7호
• /
• pp.929-937
• /
• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Acanthopanax senticosus extract (ASE) (ethanol : DW=1:1, v/v) on inhibition of type 2 diabetes using an OLETF rat model via regulation of HbA1c and AGEs levels. Supplementation with ASE 0.1% and 0.5% effectively lowered levels of glucose, insulin, oral glucose tolerance test, and Homa-insulin resistance, suggesting reduced insulin resistance. Blood levels of HbA1c and AGEs were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. As oxidative stress plays a key role in accelerating production of HbA1c and AGEs, which worsen symptoms of type 2 diabetes, levels of malonaldehyde and pro-inflammatory cytokines were measured. Lipid peroxidation in both blood and liver tissues was significantly reduced, and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-${\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, which elevate production of HbA1c and AGEs, was inhibited (P<0.05). To evaluate the possible cellular events after AGEs receptor activation, genetic expression of protein kinase C (PKC)-${\delta}$ and transforming growth factor (TGF)-${\beta}$ was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Supplementation with both ASE 0.1% and 0.5% significantly inhibited mRNA expression of PKC-${\delta}$ and TGF-${\beta}$, indicating that ASE may have beneficial effects on preventing insulin-resistant cells or tissues from progressing to diabetic complications. Taken together, ASE has potential to improve type 2 diabetes by inhibiting insulin resistance and protein glycosylation, including production of HbA1c and AGEs. Anti-oxidative activities of ASE are a main requisite for reducing production of HbA1c and AGEs and are also related to regulation of the PKC signaling pathway, resulting in suppression of TGF-${\beta}$, which increases synthesis of collagen, prostaglandin, and disease-related proteins.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• 제32권3호
• /
• pp.218-228
• /
• 2010

Components of dental resin-based restorative materials are reported to leach from the filling materials even after polymerization. Hydroquinone (HQ) is one of the major monomers used in the dental resin and is known as a carcinogen. Thus, carcinogenic risk of HQ leaching from the dental resin becomes a public health concern. The present study attempted to examine the carcinogenic potentials of HQ on the human epithelial cell, which is the target cell origin of the most of oral cancers. Cytotoxicity of HQ was observed above 50${\mu}M$ as measured by LDH assay, indicating a relatively low toxicity of this substance in human epithelial cells. The parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation such as cell saturation density, soft agar colony formation and cell aggregation were analyzed to examine the carcinogenic potential of HQ. The study showed that 2-week exposure of HQ showed the tendency of increase in the saturation density and the significant enhancement of soft agar colony formation at the highest dose, 50 ${\mu}M$ only. It is suggested that HQ has a weak potential of carcinogenicity. When cells were treated with HQ and TPA, a well-known tumor promoter, the parameters of neoplastic cellular transformation was significantly increased. This result indicates that the potential risk of carcinogenicity from HQ is largely dependent upon the presence of promoter. Exposure of 50 ${\mu}M$ HQ increased the time-dependent apoptosis as measured by the ELISA kit. This concentration coincides with a dose of neoplastic transformation, indicating a possible link between apoptosis and HQ-induced cellular transformation. Hydroquinone generated Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) which was evidenced by the treatment of antioxidants such as trolox and N-acetyl cysteine and the GSH depleting agent, BSO. Antioxidants blocked the generation of ROS and the GSH depleting agent, BSO dramatically increased the ROS production. Since HQ is known to increase ROS production thru activation of transcriptional factor such as c-Myb and Pim-1, it is speculated that ROS generation by HQ plays a role in the activation of oncogene, which may lead to neoplastic transformation. In addition, ROS is involved in the alteration of signal transduction, which regulates the apoptosis in many cellular systems. Thus, ROS-mediated apoptosis may be involved in the HQ-induced carcinogenic processes. Protein kinase C (PKC) is known to play pivotal roles in neoplastic transformation of cells and its high expression is often found in a variety of types of tumors including oral cancer. PKC translocation of PKC-${\alpha}$ was observed following HQ exposure. Altered signaling system may also play a role in the transformation process. Taken together, HQ leached from the dental resin does not pose a significant threat as a cancer causing agent, but its carcinogenic potential can be significantly elevated in the presence of promoter. The mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis involved ROS generation, apoptosis and altered signaling pathway. The present study will provide a valuable data to estimate the potential risk of HQ as a carcinogen and understand mechanism of HQ-induced carcinogenesis in human epithelial cells.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제21권1호
• /
• pp.41-45
• /
• 1998

Hypericin, a photosensitizing plant pigment, was found to be a potent inducer of differentiation of human myeloid leukemia U-937 cells. At a concentration of $0.2{\mu}M$, hypericin exhibited 50% growth inhibition. An effect on cell differentiation by hypericin was assessed by its ability to induce phagocytosis of latex particles, and to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). Approximately 51% of $0.2{\mu}M$ hypericin-treated cells were stained with NBT and 63% showed phagocytic activity. In order to establish whether hypericin induces differentiation of U-937 cells to macrophage or granulocyte, esterase activities and cell sizes were measured. When U-937 cells were treated with $0.2{\mu}M$ and $0.15{\mu}M$ of hypericin, the .alpha.-naphthyl acetate esterase activity was increased by 38.4% and 48.1%, respectively, but naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase activity was not influenced. The size of hypericin-treated cells in terms of cell mass was larger than that observed in untreated cells as determined by flow cytometry. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, NA-382, decreased the NBT reducing activity of hypericin, whereas a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H-89, did not show any influence on the differentiations. These results indicate that hypericin triggers differentiation toward monocyte/macrophage lineage by PKC stimulation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.119-123
• /
• 1999

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) treatment of bone and kidney-derived cells not only activates adenyly cyclase buy also increases intracellular free calcium, and translocates protein kinase C (PKC) from cytosol to plasma membranes. We have found that acute phorbol ester pretreatment significantly decreases PTH-induced calcium transients and the effect of phorbol ester was antagonized by staurosporine (ST). Although the major effect of ST in that study was the reversal of the action of phorbol ester, it appeared that ST may also have promoted the effect of PTH directly. To further investigate the observation, we examined the effect of ST on the intracellular calcium transients induced by PTH and $\alpha$-thrombin ($\alpha$-TH). For calcium transient experiments, UMR-106 cells were loaded with 2 mM fluo-acetoxymethylester for 30 min at room temperature. The cells were then washed and suspended in buffer containing 1 mM calcium. Fluorescence was detected at 530 nm, with excitation at 505 nm. ST alone did not cause calcium transients, but enhanced the transients elicited by PTH response. added 5 min before the hormone. Another protein kinase inhibitor H-7 likewise enhanced the calcium responses elicited by PTH, while genistein did not affect PTH response. Calcium transients elicited by $\alpha$-TH were also enhanced by ST. The results suggest that there might be tonically activated endogenous protein kinase(s) which inhibit calcium signaling of some calcemic agents.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• 제27권4호
• /
• pp.396-401
• /
• 2004

The effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and several cytokines or the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression were examined in primary cultured astrocytes. Either LPS (500 ng/mL) or inter-feron-$\gamma$ (IFN-$\gamma$ 5 ng/mL) alone increased the level of c-fos mRNA (1 h). However, tumor necro-sis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$; 10 ng/mL) or interleukin-4 (IL-1$\beta$: 5 ng/mL) alone showed no significant induction of the level of c-fos mRNA. TNF-$\alpha$ showed a potentiating effect in the regulation of LPS-induced c-fos mRNA expression, whereas LPS showed an inhibitory action against IFN-Y-induced c-fos mRNA expression. LPS, but not TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$ and IFN-$\gamma$, increased the level of c-jun mRNA (1 h). TNF-$\alpha$ and IFN-$\gamma$ showed an inhibitory action against LPS-induced c-jun mRNA expression. Both phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA; 2.5 mM) and forskolin (FSK, 5 mM) increased the c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions. In addition, the level of c-fos mRNA was expressed in an antagonistic manner when LPS was combined with PMA. When LPS was co-treated with either PMA or FSK, it showed an additive interaction for the induction of c-jun mRNA expression. Our results suggest that LPS and cytokines may be actively involved in the regulation of c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions in primary cultured astrocytes. Moreover, both the PKA and PKC pathways may regulate the LPS-induced c-fos and c-jun mRNA expressions in different ways.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.279-283
• /
• 2008

A 12.6-year-old, male Shitzu was diagnosed with perianal adenocarcinoma. The presented mass was brown to black, $4{\times}3{\times}3cm$ in size, and yellowish on cut section. Microscopic findings revealed that the mass composed of variable sized clusters of hepatoid cells with inconspicuous distinct. The tumor cells were polyhedral and pyknotic and exhibited high mitotic activity. Tumor cells intermingled with basaloid cells and primitive cells invaded the adjacent normal tissues. Basaloid cells exhibited positive immunoreactivity for Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER-2/neu), matrix metallopnateinase 9 (MMP-9), and perianal adenocarcinoma, protein kinase C alpha (PKC ${\alpha}$). Generally, tumors of the perianal gland are common and benign 4.5 times more often than carcinoma in the dog, particularly in males. In the present report, we examined histopathological and immunohistochemical characteristics of a rare perianal adenocarcinoma in association with proteins involved tumor metastasis and adenocarcinoma development.