• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.993-999
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• 2008

Ischemic brain injury such as cerebral infarction is characterized by acute local inflammatory response mediated by cytokines. The mechanism of cytokines involved in cerebral infarction progression are uncompletely revealed yet. We investigated to find out the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of interleukin 4 receptor(IL4R) and Oriental Medicine therapy efficacy in patients with cerebral infarction for 2 weeks. Oriental Korean Medicine therapies (herbal medicine and acupuncture) were applied daily and motor functions of patients were assessed using the modified cerebral vascular accident (MCVA) scores. Genotyping for IL4R polymorphism was done by pyrosequencing analysis. In IL4R genotypes and the frequency of alleles, there was no significant difference between cerebral infarction patients (n=124) and controls group (n=175). And there was also no significant difference among good and bad responders in cerebral infarction patients. In this study the IL4R genotype might not be the risk factor or a good predictive genetic marker for good and bad responders in cerebral infarction patients in Korean. Further studies including different cytokine genes will be necessary for the exact genetic markers.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.275-284
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• 2000

The organ culture model of the whole mammary gland has many advantages for the study of branching morphogenesis and biological characteristics, including tumorigenesis. Prior to whole gland organ culture, rats were treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) or N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) for one week. The tramdorming effect and the morphological changes were assessed by the whole mount preparations and histopathological examination in terminal end buds (TEB), terminal ducts (TD), alveolar buds (AB), alveolar lobules (AL) and hyperplastic alveolar nodules (HAN) of the mammary gland. Grossfindings of the mammary glands at dissection were higher branching morphogenesis and larger volume in carcinogen-treated groups than in carcinogen-non-treated groups. Results of the whole mount method were coincided with those of the histopathological observations. Circular TEB, normally maintained AB, AL, and high cellular density were more frequently observed in carcinogen-treated groups than in carcinogen-nan-treated groups. Histopathologically, as a preneoplastic marker, HAN was maintained only in mammary organ culture of the carcinogen-treated groups. These findings suggest that in vivo trans-formation effects by carcinogens persisted during the mammary organ culture. These results were more characteristic in DMBA than in MNU-treated group. Ducts and terminal ducts appeared to have lost morphology during their growths in case of without diethylstilbestrol (DES). The fact that in vitro organ culture without DES was resulted in abnormal ductular morphogenesis confirms that DES is a physiological regulator of ductular epithelial cell growth.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.918-927
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• 2016

Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening pathogenic yeast that causes devastating meningoencephalitis. The mechanism of cryptococcal brain invasion is largely unknown, and recent studies suggest that its extracellular microvesicles may be involved in the invasion process. The 14-3-3 protein is abundant in the extracellular microvesicles of C. neoformans, and the 14-3-3-GFP fusion has been used as the microvesicle's marker. However, the physiological role of 14-3-3 has not been explored. In this report, we have found that C. neoformans contains a single 14-3-3 gene that apparently is an essential gene. To explore the functions of 14-3-3, we substituted the promoter region of the 14-3-3 with the copper-controllable promoter CTR4. The CTR4 regulatory strain showed an enlarged cell size, drastic changes in morphology, and a decrease in the thickness of the capsule under copper-enriched conditions. Furthermore, the mutant cells produced a lower amount of total proteins in their extracellular microvesicles and reduced adhesion to human brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro. Proteomic analyses of the protein components under 14-3-3-overexpressed and -suppressed conditions revealed that the 14-3-3 function(s) might be associated with the microvesicle biogenesis. Our results support that 14-3-3 has diverse pertinent roles in both physiology and pathogenesis in C. neoformans. Its gene functions are closely relevant to the pathogenesis of this fungus.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.9
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• pp.1244-1249
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• 2014

Goose fatty liver is one of the most delicious and popular foods in the world, but there is no reliable genetic marker for the early selection and breeding of geese with good liver-producing potential. In our study, one hundred and twenty-four 78-day-old Landes geese bred in Shunda Landes goose breeding farm, Jiutai, Jilin, China were selected randomly. The fatty livers were sampled each week after overfeeding during a three week period. Polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing were used to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of fatty acid synthase (FAS), which is an important enzyme involved in the synthesis of fat under both physiological and pathological conditions. Least-squares correlation was established between these SNPs and fatty liver weight, abdominal fat weight, and intestinal fat weight of the overfed Landes geese, respectively. The results showed that fatty liver weight of geese with EF and FF genotypes (amplified by primer P1) was significantly higher than that of the EE genotype (p<0.05), and liver weight of CD and DD genotypes (amplified by primer P2) was significantly higher than that of the CC genotype (p<0.05). Different genotype combinations showed different liver weights, and from highest to lowest were ABDD, DDEF, DDFF, DDEE, ABEF, ABFF, AADD, and CDEF. Further analysis of DNA sequencing showed that there were two SNPs within the 5' promoter region the FAS gene. The geese of EF and FF genotypes carried a change of T to C, and the geese of CD and DD genotypes carried a change of A to G. The changes of the bases could potentially influence the binding of some transcription factors to this region as to regulate FAS gene. To our knowledge, this is the first report of SNPs found within the 5' promoter region of the Landes goose FAS gene, and our data will provide an insight for early selection of geese for liver production.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.51-58
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• 2008

Cardiac fibroblasts constitute one of the largest cell populations in the heart, and contribute to structural, biochemical, mechanical and electrical properties of the myocardium. Nonetheless, their cardiac functions, especially electrophysiological properties, have often been disregarded in studies. $Ca^{2+}$-activated $K^+\;(K_{Ca})$ channels can control $Ca^{2+}$ influx as well as a number of $Ca^{2+}$-dependent physiological processes. We, therefore, attempted to identify and characterize $K_{Ca}$ channels in rat Cardiac fibroblasts. First, we showed that the cells cultured from the rat ventricle were cardiac fibroblasts by immunostaining for discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR-2), a specific fibroblast marker. Secondly, we detected the expression of various $K_{Ca}$ channels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and found all three family members of $K_{Ca}$ channels, including large conductance $K_{Ca}$ (BK-${\alpha}1-\;and\;-{\beta}1{\sim}4$subunits), intermediate conductance $K_{Ca}$ (IK), and small conductance $K_{Ca}$ (SK$1{\sim}4$ subunits) channels. Thirdly, we recorded BK, IK, and SK channels by whole cell mode patch clamp technique using their specific blockers. Finally, we performed cell proliferation assay to evaluate the effects of the channels on cell proliferation, and found that the inhibition of IK channel increased the cell proliferation. These results showed the existence of BK, IK, and SK channels in rat ventricular fibroblasts and involvement of IK channel in cell proliferation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.30-39
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• 2005

The effects of different concentrations of estrogen supplementation to mature female rats or estrogen supplementation to ovariectomized rats on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression, PGE$_2$ production and mapkinases expression were investigated in experimentally induced atherogenic rats with feeding a high fat. high cholesterol diet. In the first experiment using 48-week old mature rats, the supplementation of three different levels of estrogen was compared to the basal diet. The high concentration of estrogen supplementation induced the marked up-regulation of COX-2 protein and the increase in plasma PGE$_2$ production and this seems to be followed by the up-regulation of p38 among mapkinases. The regulation of bax showed in a reverse trend of COX-2 in heart tissues of mature female rats. In the second ex-perimental system, female Sprague-Dawley rats were bilaterally ovariectomized; sham-operated animals were used as controls. Three weeks later, the animals were supplied with basal diet to sham-operated control group and ovariectomized control group, and estrogen supplemented diet to ovariectomized group for an eight-week experimental period. In a group supplemented with a medium dose of estrogen, COX-2 expression was up-regulated. This up-regulation was accompanied by the elevated expression of pERK1/2. Bax was increased in estrogen-fed animals indicating bax might be involved in estrogen feeding state in ovariectomized rats. Further investigations on the relationship between COX-2 and biological activities such as vasodilation by estrogen are required in in vivo system of female rats at the various physiological states.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.61-66
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• 2020

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the process by which epithelial cells lose their characters and acquire the properties of mesenchymal cells. EMT has been reported to exert an essential role in embryonic development. Recently, EMT has emerged as a pivotal mechanism in the metastasis of cancer and the fibrosis of chronic diseases. In particular, EMT is drawing attention as a mechanism of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney diseases such as diabetic nephropathy. In this study, we developed an EMT model by treating TGF-β1 on the podocytes, which play a key role in the renal glomerular filtration. This study explored the effects of Hwanggeum-tang (HGT) recorded in Dongeuibogam as being able to be used for the treatment of Sogal whose concept had been applied to Diabetes Mellitus (DM), on the TGF-β1-induced podocyte EMT. HGT suppressed the expression of vimentin and α-SMA, the EMT marker, in the human podocytes stimulated by TGF-β1. However, HGT increased the expression of ZO-1 and nephrin. Interestingly, HGT selectively inhibited the mTOR pathway rather than the classical Smad pathway. HGT also activated the AMPK signaling. HGT's inhibitory effect on the podocyte EMT through regulation of the mTOR pathway was achieved through the activation of AMPK, which was confirmed by comparison with cells treated with compound C (CC), an inhibitor of AMPK signaling. In conclusion, HGT can be applied to the renal fibrosis by preventing TGF-β1-induced EMT of podocytes through AMPK activation and mTOR inhibition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.06a
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• pp.188-188
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• 2017

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the major crops that is seriously impacted by global soil salinization. Rice is among those crops where most of the high-yielding cultivars are highly sensitive to salinity. The key to a plant survival under NaCl salt stress is by maintaining a high $K^+/Na^+$ ratio in its cells. Selection for salinity tolerance genotypes of rice based on phenotypic performance alone is less reliable and will delay in progress in breeding. Recent advent of molecular markers, microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used to find out salt tolerant rice genotypes. In the current experiment phenotyping and genotyping studies were correlated to differentiate different rice accessions for salinity tolerance. Eight rice accessions along with check plant Dongjin were screened by physiological studies using Yoshida solution with 50mM NaCl stress condition. The physiology studies identified four tolerant and four susceptible accessions based on their potassium concentration, sodium concentration, $K^+/Na^+$ ratio and biomass. 17 SSR markers were used to evaluate these rice accessions for salt tolerance out of which five molecular markers were able to discriminate tolerant accessions from the susceptible accessions. Banding pattern of the accessions was scored comparing to the banding pattern of Dongjin. The study identifies accessions based on their association of $K^+/Na^+$ ratio with molecular markers which is very reliable. These markers identified can play a significant role in screening large set of rice accessions for salt tolerance; these markers can be utilized to improve salt tolerance of commercial rice varieties with marker-assisted selection (MAS) approach.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.187-193
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• 2004

Constipation is a common clinical problem that comprises of symptoms that include excessive straining, hard feces, feeling of incomplete evacuation and infrequent defecation. Although many conditions, such as metabolic problems, fiber deficiency, anorectal problem, an drug, can cause constipation. This study was examined the effects of Chilsun-Whan on intestinal mucosa and gastrointestinal transit time and plasma lipids in rats. Adult male rats were fed for weeks on diets containing no addition(basal diet group), 5% cellulose(cellulose group) and 2.5% . Chilsun-Whan group(Chilsun-Whan group). The results were as follows; 1. The fecal weght was significantly increased 2 times in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet group. 2. The gastrointestinal transit times was significantly decreased in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet. 3. Carmine red mixed with Chilsun-Whan, as a marker, was administered through a gastric tube for stomach or intracecally by a chronically implanted catheter for colon transit. Small intestinal transit and large intestinal transit time were significantly decreased in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet. 4. The height of jejunal villi was developed in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet The thickness of mucosa and muscle layer of colonic mucosa were significantly developed in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet group. 5. The change of goblet cell in colonic mucosa was increased acid mucin stained alcian blue in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet and cellulose group. 6. HDL-cholesterol of plasma lipid was increased in Chilsun-Whan administrated group compare to basal diet and cellulose groups. Theses results suggests that Chilsun-Whan may be used in prevention and treatment of constipation resulting in increase of fecal weight, decrease of gastrointestinal transit time. development of intestinal villi, intensify of stainability of acid mucin in colon.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.620-627
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• 2011

We evaluated the hepatoprotective activity of crude hot-water extracts of the traditional Korean medicinal herb, Phellodendri Cortex (PC; Bark of Phellodendron amurense RUPR.), in an experimental model of hepatic damage induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$). The serum marker of liver damage, sGOT, sGPT and sALP, were significantly decreased in the liver of the PC treated rats, compared with that of $CCl_4$ treated group. The histological observation of liver section of rats, showed the same protective effect of PC treatment. And the protective activity of PC was more significant in the post-treated group than pre-treated group. The significant decrease of malodialdehyde and increase of glutathion, catalase activity were observed in the liver homogenate of PC treated rats. Based on these findings, it is suggested that PC has potent hepatoprotective effects and the mechanism of the protection may be related to antioxidation pathways.