• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권1호
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• pp.44-52
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• 2023

Objective: The DNA integrity of spermatozoa that attach to fallopian tube (FT) cells is higher than spermatozoa that do not attach. FT epithelial cells can distinguish normal and abnormal sperm chromatin. This study investigated the effects of sperm with a high-DNA fragmentation index (DFI) from men with unexplained repeated implantation failure (RIF) on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway in human FT cells in vitro. Methods: Ten men with a RIF history and high-DFI and 10 healthy donors with low-DFI comprised the high-DFI (>30%) and control (<30%) groups, respectively. After fresh semen preparation, sperm were co-cultured with a human FT epithelial cell line (OE-E6/E7) for 24 hours. RNA was extracted from the cell line and the human innate and adaptive immune responses were tested using an RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. Results: The PCR array data showed significantly higher TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-6, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, interferon α (IFN-α), IFN-β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), CXCL8, GM-CSF, G-CSF, CD14, ELK1, IRAK1, IRAK2, IRAK4, IRF1, IRF3, LY96, MAP2K3, MAP2K4, MAP3K7, MAP4K4, MAPK8, MAPK8IP3, MYD88, NFKB1, NFKB2, REL, TIRAP, and TRAF6 expression in the high-DFI group than in the control group. These factors are all involved in the TLR-MyD88 signaling pathway. Conclusion: The MyD88-dependent pathway through TLR-1, TLR-2, and TLR-6 activation may be one of the main inflammatory pathways activated by high-DFI sperm from men with RIF. Following activation of this pathway, epithelial cells produce inflammatory cytokines, resulting in neutrophil infiltration, activation, phagocytosis, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and apoptosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.103-113
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to evaluate effect of suppressing the expression of cyclo-oxygenase-type-2 (COX-2) as a consequence of inhibition macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) activation by $Sambucus$ $williamsii$ $Hance$ (SWH) pharmacopunctureon rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods : In vitro test, synoviocytes extracted from type II collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse's knee joint were cultivated After that, each well of synoviocytes was mixed with the extract of SWH at the dosage of $0.4mg/m{\ell}$, $0.6mg/m{\ell}$, $0.8mg/m{\ell}$, and $1.0mg/m{\ell}$ respectively, and cultivated for 24 hours after the addition. Reverse transcriptase - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is used to investigate the expression of MIF, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, COX-2 mRNA. $In$ $vivo$ test, thirty DBA female mice were used, and each ten mice were allocated into three group; normal group, CIA-elicitated group, and group treated with SWH pharmacopuncture on it's the point of $ST_{35}$ after CIA elicitation. It is investigated that change of mice foot thickness, histologic change of sliced synovial joint of mouse, and extent change of MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 in synovial membrane. Results : $In$ $vitro$ test, the expressions of cytokine(MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2) mRNAs related to RA were dose-dependent decreased. In the SWH pharmacopuncture group, foot thickness and histologic change of sliced synovial joint were decreased comparing with CIA-elicitated group's change. In the SWH pharmacopuncture group, the suppression of MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$, COX-2 in synovial membrane was clearly shown comparing with CIA-elicitated group's change. Conclusions : It might be suggested that SWH pharmacopuncture mitigate tissue damage originated from rheumatoid arthritis by suppressing the expression of COX-2 as a consequence of inhibition MIF activation.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제42권1호
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

Background: BIOGF1K, a compound-K-rich fraction, has been shown to display anti-inflammatory activity. Although Panax ginseng is widely used for the prevention of photoaging events induced by UVB irradiation, the effect of BIOGF1K on photoaging has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of BIOGF1K on UVB-induced photoaging events. Methods: We analyzed the ability of BIOGF1K to prevent UVB-induced apoptosis, enhance matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, upregulate anti-inflammatory activity, reduce sirtuin 1 expression, and melanin production using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, melanin content assay, tyrosinase assay, and flow cytometry. We also evaluated the effects of BIOGF1K on the activator protein-1 signaling pathway, which plays an important role in photoaging, by immunoblot analysis and luciferase reporter gene assays. Results: Treatment of UVB-irradiated NIH3T3 fibroblasts with BIOGF1K prevented UVB-induced cell death, inhibited apoptosis, suppressed morphological changes, reduced melanin secretion, restored the levels of type I procollagen and sirtuin 1, and prevented mRNA upregulation of MMP-1, MMP-2, and cyclo-oxygenase-2; these effects all occurred in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, BIOGF1K markedly reduced activator-protein-1-mediated luciferase activity and decreased the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases (extracellular response kinase, p38, and C-Jun N-terminal kinase). Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that BIOGF1K has anti-photoaging activity and that BIOGF1K could be used in anti-aging cosmeceutical preparations.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제42권6호
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• pp.837-843
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• 2013

본 연구에서는 3T3-L1 지방전구세포를 이용하여 조릿대조추출물(SBE)과 에틸아세테이트 분획물(SBEA)의 지방세포 내 중성지방 축적 저해 활성을 확인하고자 하였다. 먼저 SBE의한 지방세포 분화 저해 활성을 확인하기 위해 추출물을 3T3-L1 지방전구세포에 분화를 유도하면서 농도별(10, 50, 100 ${\mu}g/mL$)로 처리하였고, 그 결과 SBE가 지방세포의 분화를 억제시켜 지방세포 내 중성지방 축적을 저해시켰다. 또한 SBE를 용매 극성에 따른 분획한 분획물들의 항분화 효능을 확인하였다. 그중 항분화 효능이 가장 뛰어난 에틸아세테이트 분획물로 지방세포 분화에 따른 세포 내 중성지방축적이 억제 되었다. 그러나, 지방세포 분해를 통한 glycerol release의 증가는 나타나지 않았다. 이 같은 결과를 바탕으로 항분화 효능의 기전을 연구하기 위해 PPAR${\gamma}$, C/EBP${\alpha}$ 등 전사활성과 지방세포 분화에 관여하는 유전자들의 활성을 확인해 보았다. 실험 결과 SBEA는 PPAR${\gamma}$와 C/EBP${\alpha}$의 mRNA 발현을 농도 의존적으로 감소시켰다. 따라서 SBEA 항비만 효과는 지방 생성의 주요 전사인자인 PPAR${\gamma}$와 C/EBP${\alpha}$의 유전자 발현조절을 통해 지방 분화 억제 및 지방 축적을 효과적으로 감소시키는 것으로 보이며, 효과가 있는 농도가 100 ${\mu}g/mL$로 천연물질로써 비교적 낮은 농도에서 우수한 지방 분화억제 활성을 나타내어 경제적이며 효과적인 항비만 기능성식품으로서 개발 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.6165-6171
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• 2013

This study aimed to analyze the expression and clinical significance of cyclin G2 (CCNG2) in thyroid carcinoma and the biological effects of CCNG2 overexpression in a cell line. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to analyze CCNG2 protein expression in 63 cases of thyroid cancer and normal tissues to allow the relationship with clinical factors to be assessed. CCNG2 lentiviral and empty vectors were transfected into the thyroid cancer K1 cell line. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting were applied to detect the mRNA and protein levels of CCNG2. MTT assay and cell cycle were also conducted to assess the influence of up-regulated expression of CCNG2 on K1 cell biology. The level of CCNG2 protein expression was found to be significantly lower in thyroid cancer tissue than normal tissues (P<0.05). Western blot: The relative amount of CCNG2 protein in thyroid cancer tissue was respectively found to be significantly lower than in normal tissues (P<0.05), correlating with lymph node metastasis, clinic stage and histological grade (P<0.05), but not gender, age or tumor size (P>0.05). Loss of CCNG2 expression correlated significantly with poor overall survival time on Kaplan-Meier analysis (P<0.05). The results for biological functions showed that K1 cell transfected CCNG2 had a lower survival fraction, a greater percentage in the G0/G1 phases, and lower cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) protein expression compared with K1 cells non-transfected with CCNG2 (P<0.05). CCNG2 expression decreased in thyroid cancer and correlated significantly lymph node metastasis, clinic stage, histological grade and poor overall survival, suggesting that CCNG2 may play important roles as a negative regulator in thyroid cancer K1 cells by promoting degradation of CDK2.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.101-110
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• 2015

Purpose: Sclerostin, an inhibitor of Wnt/${\beta}$-catenin signaling, exerts negative effects on bone formation and contributes to periodontitis-induced alveolar bone loss. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum sclerostin levels are increased in diabetic patients and that sclerostin expression in alveolar bone is enhanced in a diabetic periodontitis model. However, the molecular mechanism of how sclerostin expression is enhanced in diabetic patients remains elusive. Therefore, in this study, the effect of hyperglycemia on the expression of sclerostin in osteoblast lineage cells was examined. Methods: C2C12 and MLO-Y4 cells were used in this study. In order to examine the effect of hyperglycemia, the glucose concentration in the culture medium was adjusted to a range of levels between 40 and 100 mM. Gene expression levels were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. Top-Flash reporter was used to examine the transcriptional activity of the ${\beta}$-catenin/lymphoid enhanced factor/T-cell factor complex. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF{\alpha}$) protein levels were examined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of reactive oxygen species on sclerostin expression was examined by treating cells with 1 mM $H_2O_2$ or 20 mM N-acetylcysteine. Results: The high glucose treatment increased the mRNA and protein levels of sclerostin. High glucose suppressed Wnt3a-induced Top-Flash reporter activity and the expression levels of osteoblast marker genes. High glucose increased reactive oxygen species production and $TNF{\alpha}$ expression levels. Treatment of cells with $H_2O_2$ also enhanced the expression levels of $TNF{\alpha}$ and sclerostin. In addition, N-acetylcysteine treatment or knockdown of $TNF{\alpha}$ attenuated high glucose-induced sclerostin expression. Conclusions: These results suggest that hyperglycemia increases sclerostin expression via the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and $TNF{\alpha}$.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제38권4호
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• pp.256-263
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• 2014

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is known to have antianxiety properties. This study was conducted to investigate the anxiolytic effects of KRG extract (KRGE) during ethanol withdrawal (EW) and the involvement of the mesoamygdaloid dopamine (DA) system in it. Methods: Rats were treated with 3 g/kg/d of ethanol for 28 d, and subjected to 3 d of withdrawal. During EW, KRGE (20 mg/kg/d or 60 mg/kg/d, p.o.) was given to rats once/d for 3 d. Thirty min after the final dose of KRGE, anxiety-like behavior was evaluated in an elevated plus maze (EPM), and plasma corticosterone (CORT) levels were determined by a radioimmunoassay (RIA). In addition, concentrations of DA and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The EPM test and RIA revealed KRGE inhibited anxiety-like behavior and the over secretion of plasma CORT during EW. Furthermore, the behavioral effect was blocked by a selective DA D2 receptor (D2R) antagonist (eticlopride) but not by a selective DA D1 receptor (D1R) antagonist (SCH23390). HPLC analyses showed KRGE reversed EW-induced decreases of DA and DOPAC in a dose-dependent way. Additionally, Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays showed that KRGE prevented the EW-induced reductions in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein expression in the CeA and TH mRNA expression in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Conclusion: These results suggest that KRGE has anxiolytic effects during EW by improving the mesoamygdaloid DA system.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.131-140
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• 2022

목적: 코로나바이러스감염증-19 (coronavirus disease 2019, 코로나19) 대유행이 시작된 이후 새로운 변이 바이러스들이 지속적 출현으로 반복되는 코로나19 유행이 장기간 지속되고 있다. 본 연구는 국내 코로나19 유행 제3기와 제4기 중반까지 소아 청소년 환자의 임상적, 역학적 특성을 파악하고자 하였다. 방법: 코로나19 확진으로 입원한 18세 이하 환자의 의무기록을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 연구기간은 제3기 유행(2020년 11월 13일-2021년 7월 6일)과 제4기 유행(2021년 7월 7일-10월 31일)로 구분하였다. 결과: 총 93명이 분석에 포함되었다(제3기 33명, 제4기 60명). 제3기에 비해 제4기 환자군의 중간 연령이 유의하게 높았다(6.7세 vs. 2.8세, P=0.014). 가정 내 전파가 전체 환자의 60.2%에서 보고되었고 두 시기에서 유사하였다(69.7% vs. 55.0%, P=0.190). 전체 환자 중 87.1% (81명)가 유증상 확인자였다. 이중 12.3%는 호흡기 증상이 없었다. 후각/미각 소실은 제4기 유행 환자군에 더 많이 관찰되었다(10.7% vs. 34.0%, P=0.032). 대부분의 호흡기 감염은 상기도 감염(94.4%, 67/71)이었고 4명 환자에서 폐렴이 동반되었다. 두 유행기 동안 진단 시 바이러스 수치의 유의한 차이는 없었다. 결론: 단일기관 후향적 연구의 제한점이 있으나 국내 코로나19 유행 제3기와 제4기 중반 동안 소아청소년 환자는 대체로 경증이었고 두 시기에서 임상적 특성 차이가 관찰되었다.

• 한국해양생명과학회지
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• 제5권2호
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• pp.35-42
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• 2020

17β-estradiol (E₂)는 난소로부터 방출되는 호르몬으로 가정 및 축산 오폐수에 포함되어 환경으로 지속적으로 유출된다. E₂는 높은 에스트로겐 활성을 가지고 있어 갑각류의 발달과 생식에 영향을 미치는 내분비계교란물질로 알려져 있다. 갑각류의 발달은 탈피호르몬(ecdysteroid)의 신호 전달 과정에 의해 이루어지지만 E₂가 소형 갑각류의 탈피호르몬 경로 유전자를 어떻게 조절하는지에 대한 연구는 매우 미흡하다. 본 연구에서는 기수산 물벼룩 Diaphanosoma celebensis에서 E₂에 대한 급성 독성 시험을 통해 24-h LC_x 값을 도출하였고, E₂ 노출에 따른 탈피호르몬 경로에 관여하는 7개의 유전자(CYP314a1, EcRA, EcRB, USP, ERR, Vtg, VtgR)의 시간별 발현 변화를 quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR)을 이용하여 분석하였다. D. celebensis의 24-h LC₅₀ 값은 9.581 mg/l (95% C.I.: 7.697~11.927 mg/l), 24 h-LC₁₀ 값은 4.842 mg/l(95% C.I.: 3.683~6.366 mg/l)로 나타났다. CYP314a1, EcRA, USP, VtgR 유전자의 발현이 12시간 또는 24시간에 유의하게 증가하는 양상을 보였다. 이러한 결과는 E₂가 D. celebensis의 탈피호르몬 경로에 관련하는 유전자의 발현을 조절함으로써 탈피와 생식에 영향을 미칠 수 있을 것임을 시사한다. 본 연구는 소형 갑각류에서 내분비계교란물질이 탈피 경로에 미치는 영향에 대한 분자 기전을 이해하는데 도움이 될 것이다.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제45권7호
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• pp.929-937
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 랫트를 이용한 제2형 당뇨 동물모델로 같은 혈당조절 효과가 나타나는지 검토하고 이러한 효과가 당화 혈색소를 포함한 최종당화산물(advanced glycation end products, AGEs)과 어떤 상관관계가 있는지 또한 단백질과 당화를 촉진해 당화혈색소 생성의 원인 중 하나인 산화적 스트레스와 관련된 기전을 규명하고자 하였다. 기존의 db/db 마우스에서 실험한 결과와 마찬가지로 랫트를 이용한 제2형 당뇨모델에서도 가시오가피 추출물의 섭취는 혈당을 강하시키고 homeostasis model assessment(Homa-IR)를 감소시켜 인슐린 저항성 개선에 도움을 주는 것으로 확인되었다. 특히 혈중 당화혈색소량의 감소가 두드러졌는데 이는 산화적 스트레스 감소로 인한 지질과산화물 생성의 억제가 중요한 원인으로 생각되며 이와 관련된 혈중 사이토카인 IL-$1{\beta}$와 TNF-${\alpha}$의 농도도 감소한 것으로 나타났다. 당화혈색소는 산화적 스트레스에 의해 최종당화산물로 전환이 되어 인슐린 저항성 세포의 protein kinase C(PKC)를 활성화하여 transforming growth factor(TGF)-${\beta}$를 생성하는데 가시오가피 추출물의 섭취는 최종당화산물의 농도, PKC 그리고 TGF-${\beta}$ 모두를 억제하는 것으로 확인되었으며, 이것은 가시오가피 추출물 성분이 PKC와 TGF-${\beta}$에 직접 작용하기보다는 신호전달체계의 상위에 존재하는 최종당화산물을 억제하여 나타난 결과로 생각한다. 향후 연구에서는 가시오가피 추출물을 분획화하여 어떤 성분에 의하여 당화혈색소와 최종당화산물 생성을 억제하는지에 대한 구체적인 실험이 이루어져야 할 것으로 여겨진다.