• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.44 no.3
• /
• pp.607-619
• /
• 2024

Probiotics are functional microorganisms that exhibit various biological activities, such as allergic reactions, inflammation, and aging. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of Bifidobacterium lactis CBT BL3 (BL) on the amyloid beta (Aβ)-mediated cognitive impairments. Oral administration of live BL to intracerebroventricularly Aβ-injected mice significantly attenuated short- and long-term memory loss estimated using the Y-maze and Morris water maze tests. We found that expression of apoptosisrelated proteins such as caspase-9, caspase-3, and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase was significantly elevated in the brain tissues of Aβ-injected mouse brains when compared to that of the control mouse group. Interestingly, these expression levels were significantly decreased in the brain tissue of mice fed BL for 6 wk. In addition, the abnormal over-phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) such as ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and JNK in the brain tissue of intracerebroventricularly Aβ-injected mice was significantly attenuated by oral administration of BL. Taken together, the results indicate that Aβ-induced cognitive impairment may be ameliorated by the oral administration of BL by controlling the activation of MAPKs/apoptosis in the brain. This study strongly suggests that BL can be developed as a functional probiotic to attenuate Aβ-mediated cognitive deficits.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.53 no.6
• /
• pp.595-611
• /
• 2002

Akt/PKB protein kinase B, ALI acute lung injury, ARDS acute respiratory distress syndrome, CREB C-AMP response element binding protein, ERK extracelluar signal-related kinase, fMLP fMet-Leu-Phe, G-CSF granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, IL interleukin, ILK integrin-linked kinase, JNK Jun N-terminal kinase, LPS lipopolysaccharide, MAP mitogen-activated protein, MEK MAP/ERK kinase, MIP-2 macrophage inflammatory protein-2, MMP matrix metalloproteinase, MPO myeloperoxidase, NADPH nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, NE neutrophil elastase, NF-kB nuclear factor-kappa B, NOS nitric oxide synthase, p38 MAPK p38 mitogen activated protein kinase, PAF platelet activating factor, PAKs P21-activated kinases, PMN polymorphonuclear leukocytes, PI3-K phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, PyK proline-rich tyrosine kinase, ROS reactive oxygen species, TNF-${\alpha}$ tumor necrosis factor-a.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.279-285
• /
• 2015

Background: Korean Red Ginseng has been used as a traditional oriental medicine to treat illness and to promote health for several thousand years in Eastern Asia. It is widely accepted that ginseng saponins, ginsenosides, are the major active ingredients responsible for Korean Red Ginseng's therapeutic activity against many kinds of illness. Although the crude saponin fraction (CSF) displayed antiplatelet activity, the molecular mechanism of its action remains to be elucidated. Methods: The platelet aggregation was induced by collagen, the ligand of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}{\beta}_I$ and glycoprotein VI. The crude saponin's effects on granule secretion [e.g., calcium ion mobilization and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) release] were determined. The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs), and p38 MAPK, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt was analyzed by immunoblotting. In addition, the activation of integrin ${\alpha}_{II}b{\beta}_{III}$ was examined by fluorocytometry. Results: CSF strongly inhibited collagen-induced platelet aggregation and ATP release in a concentration-dependent manner. It also markedly suppressed $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ mobilization in collagen-stimulated platelets. Immunoblotting assay revealed that CSF significantly suppressed ERK1/2, p38, JNK, PI3K, Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 phosphorylation. In addition, our fraction strongly inhibited the fibrinogen binding to integrin ${\alpha}_{IIb}{\beta}_3$. Conclusion: Our present data suggest that CSF may have a strong antiplatelet property and it can be considered as a candidate with therapeutic potential for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders involving abnormal platelet function.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 2011

To understand the roles of purinergic receptors and cellular molecules below the receptors in the vascular inflammatory response, we determined if extracellular nucleotides up-regulated chemokine expression in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Human aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) abundantly express $PSY_1$, $PSY_6$, and $PSY_{11}$ receptors, which all respond to extracellular nucleotides. Exposure of human AoSMCs to $NAD^+$, an agonist of the human $PSY_{11}$ receptor, and $NADP^+$ as well as ATP, an agonist for $PSY_1$ and $PSY_{11}$ receptors, caused increase in chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 gene (CCL2) transcript and CCL2 release; however, UPT did not affect CCL2 expression. CCL2 release by $NAD^+$ and $NADP^+$ was inhibited by a concentration dependent manner by suramin, an antagonist of P2-purinergic receptors. $NAD^+$ and $NADP^+$ activated protein kinase C and enhanced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt. $NAD^+$- and $NADP^+$-mediated CCL2 release was significantly attenuated by SP6001250, U0126, LY294002, Akt inhibitor IV, RO318220, GF109203X, and diphenyleneiodium chloride. These results indicate that extracellular nucleotides can promote the proinflammatory VSMC phenotype by up-regulating CCL2 expression, and that multiple cellular elements, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, Akt, protein kinase C, and mitogen-activated protein kinases, are involved in that process.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.404-410
• /
• 2017

Benzylideneacetophenone derivative (1E)-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) hept-1-en-3-one (JC3) elicited cytotoxic effects on MDA-MB 231 human breast cancer cells-radiation resistant cells (MDA-MB 231-RR), in a dose-dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $6{\mu}M$ JC3. JC3-mediated apoptosis was confirmed by increase in sub-G1 cell population. JC3 disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduced expression of anti-apoptotic B cell lymphoma-2 protein, whereas it increased expression of pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-associated X protein, leading to the cleavage of caspase-9, caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. In addition, JC3 activated mitogen-activated protein kinases, and specific inhibitors of these kinases abrogated the JC3-induced increase in apoptotic bodies. JC3 increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhanced oxidative macromolecular damage via lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and DNA strand breakage. Considering these findings, JC3 is an effective therapy against radiation-resistant human breast cancer cells.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.447-453
• /
• 2012

TLR6 forms a heterodimer with TLR2 and TLR4. While proinflammatory roles of TLR2 and TLR4 are well documented, the role of TLR6 in inflammation is poorly understood. In order to understand mechanisms of action of TLR6 in inflammatory responses, we investigated the effects of FSL-1, the TLR6 ligand, on expression of chemokine CCL2 and cytokine IL-$1{\beta}$ and determined cellular factors involved in FSL-1-mediated expression of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ in mononuclear cells. Exposure of human monocytic leukemia THP-1 cells to FSL-1 resulted not only in enhanced secretion of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$, but also profound induction of their gene transcripts. Expression of CCL2 was abrogated by treatment with OxPAPC, a TLR-2/4 inhibitor, while treatment with OxPAPC resulted in partially inhibited expression of IL-$1{\beta}$. Treatment with FSL-1 resulted in enhanced phosphorylation of Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases and activation of protein kinase C. Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors, including SB202190, SP6001250, U0126, Akt inhibitor IV, LY294002, GF109203X, and RO318220 resulted in significantly attenuated FSL-1-mediated upregulation of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$. Our results indicate that activation of TLR6 will trigger inflammatory responses by upregulating expression of CCL2 and IL-$1{\beta}$ via TLR-2/4, protein kinase C, PI3K-Akt, and mitogen-activated protein kinases.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2007

Background: It is generally accepted that skeletal muscle contraction is triggered by nerve impulse and intracellular $Ca^{2+}\;([Ca^{2+}]_i)$ released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Specifically, this process, called excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling, takes place at intracellular junctions between the plasma membrane, the transverse (T) tubule L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel (dihydropyridine-sensitive L-rype $Ca^{2+}$ channel, DHPR, also called tetrads), and the SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel (ryanodine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, RyR, also called feet) of internal $Ca^{2+}$ stores in skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, it has been reported that the $Ca^{2+-}$ dependent and -independent contraction determine the expression of skeletal muscle genes, thus providing a mechanism for tightly coupling the extent of muscle contraction to regulation of muscle plasticity-related excitation-transcription (E-T) coupling. Purpose: Expression and activity of plasticity-associated enzymes in gastrocnemius muscle strips have not been well studied, however. Methods: Therefore, in this study the expression and phosphorylation of E-C and E-T coupling-related mediators such as protein kinases, ROS(reactive oxygen species)- and apoptosis-related substances, and others in gastrocnemius muscles from rats was examined. Results: I found that expression and activity of MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinases, ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and SAPK/JNK), apoptotic proteins (cleaved caspase-3, cytochrome c, Ref-1, Bad), small GTP-binding proteins (RhoA and Cdc42), actin-binding protein (cofilin), PKC (protein kinase C) and $Ca^{2+}$ channel (transient receptor potential channel 6, TRPC6) was observed in rat gastrocnemius muscle strips. Conclusion: These results suggest that MAPKs, ROS- and apoptosis-related enzymes, cytoskeleton-regulated proteins, and $Ca^{2+}$ channel may in part functionally import in E-C and E-T coupling from rat skeletal muscles.

• Annals of dermatology
• /
• v.30 no.6
• /
• pp.645-652
• /
• 2018

Background: Adiponectin, an adipokine secreted from adipocytes, affects energy metabolism and also shows anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies have reported that adiponectin plays a role in regulating skin inflammation. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of adiponectin on the expression of filaggrin (FLG) in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs). Methods: NHEKs were serum-starved for 6h before being treated with adiponectin. Afterward, cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. We also treated with calcium, interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-13 to provide positive and negative comparative controls, respectively. Gene mRNA expression was quantified using real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was evaluated using Western blot. To evaluate the relationship among mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), activator protein 1 (AP-1), and FLG, we also treated cells with inhibitors for MAPKs JNK, p38, and ERK1/2. Results: FLG and FLG-2 mRNA expression in NHEKs significantly increased after treatment with $10{\mu}g/ml$ adiponectin. Adiponectin also restored FLG and FLG-2 mRNA expression that was otherwise inhibited by treatment with IL-4 and IL-13. Adiponectin induced FLG expression via AP-1 and MAPK signaling. Conclusion: Adiponectin positively regulated the expression of FLG and could be useful as a therapeutic agent to control diseases related to disrupted skin barrier function.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.176-184
• /
• 2021

Background: Diabetes-related neuropathic pain frequently occurs, and the underpinning mechanism remains elusive. The periaqueductal gray (PAG) exhibits descending inhibitory effects on central pain transmission. The current work aimed to examine whether inflammatory cytokines regulate mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia induced by diabetes through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the PAG. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ) was administered intraperitoneally to mimic allodynia and hyperalgesia evoked by diabetes in rats. Behavioral assays were carried out for determining mechanical pain and thermal hypersensitivity. Immunoblot and ELISA were performed to examine PAG protein amounts of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), as well as their corresponding receptors in STZ rats, and the expression of PI3K/protein kinase B (Akt)/mTOR signaling effectors. Results: Increased PAG p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-mTOR protein amounts were observed in STZ-induced animals, a PI3K-mTOR pathway inhibition in the PAG attenuated neuropathic pain responses. Moreover, the PAG concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α and their receptors (namely, IL-1R, IL-6R, and tumor necrosis factor receptor [TNFR] subtype TNFR1, respectively) were increased in the STZ rats. Additionally, inhibiting IL-1R, IL-6R, and TNFR1 ameliorated mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia in STZ rats, alongside the downregulation of PI3K-mTOR signaling. Conclusions: Overall, the current study suggests that upregulated proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the PAG activate PI3K-mTOR signaling, thereby producing a de-inhibition effect on descending pathways in modulating pain transmission, and eventually contributing to neuropathic pain.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.159-169
• /
• 2023

Purpose : Though other Citrus spp. have reported their anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities in previous studies, the biological activity of Kiyomi (Citrus unshiu × C. sinensis) has not been reported yet. Therefore, this study attempted to analyze the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of Kiyomi leaf ethanol extract (KLEE) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Methods : The cytotoxic effect of KLEE in RAW 264.7 cells was determined by WST-1 assay. Bacterial endotoxin, the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) was analyzed by the Griess reaction. In addition, Western blot analysis was applied to measure the protein expression level of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). The phosphorylated status of the critical inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF)-𝜅B, and its upstream signaling molecules, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt as well as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), were also measured by Western blot analysis. Results : KLEE was not cytotoxic up to a concentration of 200 ㎍/㎖, and protein expression levels of iNOS and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, enzymes that counteract NO and prostaglandin (PG) E2 production, were inhibited by KLEE treatment. The phosphorylated status of PI3K/Akt as well as MAPKs including extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-jun NH2kinase (JNK), and p38, were significantly attenuated by KLEE treatment in LPS stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 which has known for its anti-inflammatory capacity, was strongly induced by KLEE treatment. Conclusion : Consequently, KLEE treatment significantly attenuated the production of NO as well as the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2 in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. The inflammatory transcription factor, NF-𝜅B, as well as its upstream signaling molecules, PI3K/Akt and MAPKs, were also diminished by KLEE treatment with statistical significance in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that KLEE might be a promising candidate for the attenuation of inflammatory disorders.