• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.659-670
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• 2017

Oxidative stress and inflammation are key factors responsible for progression of liver injury. A variety of functions of oyster hydrolysate (OH) are affected by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However, little is known regarding the effects of OH on a liver injury model. This study was performed to evaluate the effects of OH on acute liver injury induced by lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine (LPS/D-GalN) in mice. Experimental groups were divided into six groups as follows (each group, n=10): control (saline), LPS/D-GalN, LPS/D-GalN+OH (100 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (200 mg/kg), LPS/D-GalN+OH (400 mg/kg), and LPS/D-GalN+silymarin (25 mg/kg, positive control). The experimental acute liver injury model was induced with LPS ($1{\mu}g/kg$) and D-GalN (400 mg/kg). We first analyzed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities in OH. OH showed high DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities and reduced ROS generation in Chang cells in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, OH showed anti-inflammatory activities, such as inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipooxygenase. Treatment with OH down-regulated tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6, and $IL-1{\alpha}$ expression levels in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. OH significantly reduced LPS/D-GalN-induced increases in the concentrations of alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum. In the LPS/D-GalN group, liver tissues exhibited apoptosis of hepatocytes with hemorrhages. These pathological alterations were ameliorated by OH treatment. Consistently, hepatic catalase activity was low in the LPS/D-GalN group compared to the control group, and catalase activity was significantly restored by OH treatment (P<0.05). Furthermore, OH markedly reduced the LPS/D-GalN-induced increase in $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 levels in liver tissue. Taken together, these results show that OH has hepatoprotective effects on LPS/D-GalN-induced acute liver injury via inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting that OH could be used as a health functional food and potential therapeutic agent for acute liver injury.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.373-383
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• 2011

Tributyltin (TBT) is one of endocrine disrupters which are known as having similar function to sex steroid hormone inducing apoptosis in various tissues of rodents. Recently, it has been reported that TBT induces apoptosis in thymus causing the decreased thymic function, but little is known about the mechanism. To elucidate the mechanism, three-week-old SD female rats were orally administrated with TBT 1, 10, and 25 mg per body weight (kg) and sesame oil as a control for 7 days. On day 8, the thymi were obtained and weighed, and then the number of thymocytes was counted. We also performed H&E staining, TUNEL assay, and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis to examine the apoptosis rates and the structure in the thymus. Next, we investigated the adipogenesis and apoptosis-related mRNA expression levels in the thymi by real-time PCR. The thymic weight and the number of thymocytes were decreased by TBT in a dose-dependent manner. As a result of the H&E staining, the boundary between cortical and medullary area was blurred in the thymi of TBT treated rats compared to those of controls. In the results of TUNEL assay and Annexin V flow cytometric analysis, apoptosis rates in the thymus were increased after TBT treatment. The expression levels of thymic epithelial cell marker genes such as EVA, KGF, AIRE, and IL-7 were significantly decreased in the thymi of TBT treated rats, but $PPAR{\gamma}$, aP2, PEPCK, and CD36 were significantly increased. The expression of $TNF{\alpha}$ and TNFR1 as apoptosis-related genes also was significantly increased after TBT treatment. The present study demonstrates that TBT can increase the expression of adipogenesis and apoptosis-related genes leading to apoptosis in the thymus. These results suggest that the increased adipogenesis of thymus by TBT exposure might induce apoptosis in the thymus resulting in a loss in thymic immune function.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.961-969
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• 2015

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the main catechin in green tea, has been shown to have some beneficial effects against various human diseases, including diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, cardiovascular disease and obesity. To investigate the mechanism of the suppressive effects of EGCG on inflammatory response in macrophages, alterations on the levels of nitric oxide (NO) regulatory factors and inflammatory cytokines were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW264.7 cells. No significant toxicity was detected in RAW264.7 cells treated with 100–400 μM EGCG. Moreover, the optimal concentration of LPS was determined to be 1 μg/ml based on the results of cell viability assay, NO assay and IL-6 enzyme-linked immunsorbent assay (ELISA). Furthermore, NO levels decreased significantly by 68.2% in the 400 μM EGCG/LPS treated group, while the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression decreased by 12-17% in the 200 and 400 μM EGCG/LPS treated group. A significant decrease in transcription of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF- α and IL-1β) and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) was also detected in the EGCG/LPS treated group. However, IL-6 transcript and protein was maintained at a constant level when in the LPS treated group relative to the EGCG/LPS treated group. Overall, these results suggest that the differential regulation of inflammatory cytokines is an important factor influencing the suppressive effects of EGCG against LPS-activated inflammatory response in RAW264.7 cells.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.641-648
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• 2008

There has been great success for making transgenic animals using somatic cell nuclear transfer(SCNT) up to this time. However, the success rates of the production of live transgenic animals are still very low. The current research has been carried out for delineation of differentially expressed genes between SCNT and normal placenta in cattle. In the present observations, high expression has been observed for CTSZ, LOC509426 and ELF1 genes in normal placenta. On the other hand, TIMP2, PAG1B, PAG-21, LOC782894, SERPINB6 and mKIAA2025 protein were highly expressed in SCNT placenta. Five genes, which were highly expressed in SCNT placenta, have been further investigated using semi-quantitative real-time PCR. The results were similar to that we observed using ACP. In the future, all genes affecting the SCNT and normal placenta have to be discovered and their networks will be fully investigated. The genes were identified in this study would be great help for identifying differential gene expressions in SCNT placenta.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2016

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), is a protein mainly secreted by a liver. The PCSK9 plays an important role in low density lipoprotein (LDL) metabolism acting as a repressor of LDL receptor through transportation of the LDLR to the lysosome for degradation. Thus, the PCSK9 inhibitor suppresses PCSK9-regulated degradation of the LDL receptor as a LDL-lowering medicine. However, little is known about the role of PCSK9 in the reproductive system. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated Pcsk9 expression in male reproductive tracts including penises, prostates and testes using rats in response to their diets between a normal diet and a high-fat diet with cholesterol. Based on our previous study, the high-fat diet elevates concentration of total cholesterol and LDL in serum whereas it reduces the concentration of plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL). In addition, it dramatically affects to morphological changes of the male reproductive organs. Consistent with these results, the expression of Pcsk9 was substantially decreased in the penile tissues (P < 0.001) from rats fed a high fat diet as compared to a normal diet. Moreover, it slightly reduced in the prostate and testes (P < 0.05) of rats in response to a high fat diet. Localization of Pcsk9 was predominantly detected in urethral epithelium of penises, cylinder-shaped cells of prostate glands, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatid of testes of rats. Collectively, results of current study provide invaluable insights into the Pcsk9 gene with respect to its tissue- and cell-specific expression by a high fat diet with cholesterol.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.623-632
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• 2011

To increase the anti-carcinogens phenylethylisothiocyanate (PEITC), myrosinase (MYR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), genes related to PEITC pathway were isolated and the gene expressions were regulated by Agrobacterium transformation. Isolated cDNAs, MYR, and GST genes were 1,647 bp and 624 bp, respectively, and the protein expression was confirmed through pET system. Thereafter, we constructed a sense-oriented over-expressing myrosinase (pBMY) and RNAi down-regulated GST (pJJGST) binary vectors for the Chinese cabbage transformation. After the transformation, thirteen over-expressing transgenic Chinese cabbage plants (IMS) with pBMY and five down-regulated ones (IGA) with pJJGST were selected by PCR analysis. Selected $T_0$ transgenic plants were generated to $T_1$ plants by self-pollination. Based on the Southern blot analysis on these $T_1$ transgenic plants, 1-4 copies of T-DNA were transferred to Chinese cabbage genome. Thereafter, RNA expression level of myrosinase gene or GST gene was analyzed through real-time RT PCR of IMS, IGA, and non-transgenic inbred lines. In case of IMS lines, myrosinase gene was increased 1.03-4.25 fold and, in IGA lines, GST gene was decreased by 26.42-42.22 fold compared to non-transgenic ones, respectively. Analysis of PEITC concentrations using GC-MS it showed that some IMS lines and some IGA lines increased concentrations of PEITC up to 4.86 fold and up to 3.89 fold respectively compared to wild type. Finally in this study IMS 1, 3, 5, 12, and 15 and IGA 1, 2, and 4 were selected as developed transgenic lines with increasing quantities of anti-carcinogen PEITC.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.245-251
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• 2006

Objective: We analyzed quantification of mitochondria DNA (mtDNA) to investigate the relationship of mitochondria and pathogenesis of PCOS. Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 28 patients with PCOS who were under the inclusion criteria for PCOS and from 28 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was used to analyze real-time PCR for mtDNA copy number quantification. The mtDNA copy number was compared between the control and PCOS groups. All data was expressed as mean ${\pm}$ SD. Statistical analysis was assessed by t-test. Results: In this study, the mtDNA $C_T$ was $11.67{\pm}0.422$ in PCOS patients and $11.51{\pm}0.722$ in control group, respectively. The mtDNA copy number was $1726410.71{\pm}407858.591$ the patients of in PCOS and $2167887.51{\pm}252459.28$ in control group (p=0.08), respectively. Conclusion: In our study, using real-time PCR, there was a tendency of lower mtDNA copy number in the patients of PCOS when comparing to the control group even though statistical difference was not significant. However, more extensive analysis is required to clarity relationship between mtDNA copy number and pathogenesis of PCOS.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.761-767
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• 2007

This study was conducted to determine the effects of exogenous zinc-metallothionein (Zn-MT) on anti-oxidative function and pork quality. After feeding a corn-soybean meal-based diet for two weeks, 48 pigs ($Duroc{\times}Landrace{\times}Chinese\;Black Pig$) were assigned randomly to four groups. Pigs in Group 1 were maintained under non-stress conditions, whereas pigs in Groups 2, 3 and 4 were aggressively handled for 25 min to produce stress. Pigs in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 received intramuscular administration of saline (control group; CON), 0 (negative control group; NCON), 0.8 (low dose group; LOW), and 1.6 (high dose group; HIGH) mg rabbit liver Zn-MT per kg body weight, respectively. Pigs were slaughtered at 3 and 6 h post-injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PX) while decreasing the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) in liver. These responses were greater (p<0.05) at 6 h than at 3 h post Zn-MT injection. Zn-MT treatment increased (p<0.05) hepatic SOD mRNA levels in a time and dose-dependent manner and decreased (p<0.05) serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities (indicators of tissue integrity). Zn-MT administration decreased (p<0.05) lactate concentration and increased (p<0.05) pH and water-holding capacity in the longissimus thorasis meat. Collectively, our results indicate that intramuscular administration of Zn-MT to pre-slaughter stressed pigs improved tissue anti-oxidative ability and meat quality.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.203-213
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• 2018

Tumor undergo uncontrolled, excessive proliferation leads to hypoxic microenvironment. To fulfill their demand for nutrient, and oxygen, tumor angiogenesis is required. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been known to the main source of angiogenesis because of their potential to differentiation into endothelial cells. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of EPC-mediated angiogenesis in hypoxia is critical for development of cancer therapy. Recently, mitochondrial dynamics has emerged as a critical mechanism for cellular function and differentiation under hypoxic conditions. However, the role of mitochondrial dynamics in hypoxia-induced angiogenesis remains to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission accelerates EPCs bioactivities. We first investigated the effect of hypoxia on EPC-mediated angiogenesis. Cell migration, invasion, and tube formation was significantly increased under hypoxic conditions; expression of EPC surface markers was unchanged. And mitochondrial fission was induced by hypoxia time-dependent manner. We found that hypoxia-induced mitochondrial fission was triggered by dynamin-related protein Drp1, specifically, phosphorylated DRP1 at Ser637, a suppression marker for mitochondrial fission, was impaired in hypoxia time-dependent manner. To confirm the role of DRP1 in EPC-mediated angiogenesis, we analyzed cell bioactivities using Mdivi-1, a selective DRP1 inhibitor, and DRP1 siRNA. DRP1 silencing or Mdivi-1 treatment dramatically reduced cell migration, invasion, and tube formation in EPCs, but the expression of EPC surface markers was unchanged. In conclusion, we uncovered a novel role of mitochondrial fission in hypoxia-induced angiogenesis. Therefore, we suggest that specific modulation of DRP1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics may be a potential therapeutic strategy in EPC-mediated tumor angiogenesis.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-61
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• 1999

The purpose of this article is to investigate Lee Je-rna'os viewpoint of Morpho-Image. In the first place, I will define the viewpoint of Morpho-Image as the the structure of recognition and study it through bibliographic study on Lee Je-ma's work. The conclusions summarized as follows; 1. The structure of recognition, represented in "Gyukchigo(格致藁)" "Dongyi Soose Bowon Sasang Chobonkyon(東醫壽世保元四象草本卷)", is based on Taigi(太極), Liangyi(兩儀), Sasang(四象). There are the mind of Taigi(太極), the mind of Liangyi(兩儀) separated from Taigi(太極), the mind of Sasang(四象) separated from Liangyi(兩儀). The mind of Taigi(太極) is the mind of center, the mind of Liangyi(兩儀) is the mind of the mind and body(or the wisdom and action). Two axis, the mind(or wisdom) and the body(or action), cross and make Sasang(四象), affair-mind-body-object which classifies all affairs and objects of humans, society, and the universe as four types. 2. Lee Je-ma summarized everything in view of Sasang(四象), Sasang(四象) in view of Liangyi(兩儀), Liangyi(兩儀) in view of Taigi(太極). 3. The procedure of recognition above is described in , , . Such is transformed in terms of human body and described in .