• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.315-323
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• 2013

Ginseng is known to have antistress effects. Previously, red ginseng (RG) was shown to repress stress-induced peptidyl arginine deiminase type IV (PADI4) via estrogen receptor ${\beta}$ ($ER{\beta}$) in the brain, thus inhibiting brain cell apoptosis. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ plays a critical role in immobilization (IMO) stress. However, the signaling pathway of RG-mediated repressesion of inflammation is not completely understood. In this study, we determined how RG modulated gene expression in stressed brain cells. Since secretion of TNF-${\alpha}$ is modulated via TNF-${\alpha}$ converting enzyme (TACE) and nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$, we examined the inflammatory pathway in stressed brain cells. Immunohistochemistry revealed that TACE was induced by IMO stress, but RG repressed TACE induction. Moreover, PADI4 siRNA repressed TACE expression compared to the mock transfected control suggesting that PADI4 was required for TACE expression. A reporter assay also revealed that $H_2O_2$ oxidative stress induced NF-${\kappa}B$ in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells, however, RG pretreatment repressed NF-${\kappa}B$ induction. These findings were supported by significant induction of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species (ROS) by oxidative stress, which could be repressed by RG administration. Taken together, RG appeared to repress stress-induced PADI4 via TACE and NF-${\kappa}B$ in brain cells thus preventing production of ROS and subsequently protecting brain cells from apoptosis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.905-913
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• 2018

Objective: To evaluate the effects of L-lysine (Lys)/L-arginine (Arg) on lipid and protein oxidation of emulsion sausage during storage and its possible mechanism. Methods: Four samples were prepared based on the presence or absence of additional sodium isoascorbate, Lys, or Arg: sample A (control), sample B (0.05 g of sodium isoascorbate), sample C (0.4 g of Lys), and sample D (0.4 g of Arg). Peroxide value (POV), thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), protein carbonyls and thiols were measured. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical-scavenging, ferrous ion-chelating ability were also measured. Results: Compared with the control, the sample treated with sodium isoascorbate, Lys or Arg had significantly lower POV during the initial 20 days, TBARS during the initial 15 days. Protein carbonyls were significantly lower compared Sample B, C, and D with A during the later storage (10 to 25 days); basically, protein thiols became lower during storage when the samples were treated with sodium isoascorbate, Lys, or Arg. Both Lys and Arg had weak reducing power but strong ferrous ion-chelating activity and DPPH radical- and hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity. Conclusion: Both Lys and Arg effectively inhibited the oxidation of lipids and proteins in emulsion sausage by scavenging free radicals and chelating ferrous ions. The results obtained may be favorable for the prevention of lipid and protein oxidation during processing and storage of meat products.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.233-239
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• 1998

Stimulated alveolar macrophages and neutrophils produce nitric oxide, a free radical by an inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), which reacts with superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite, a more highly reactive toxic species. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate acute inflammatory lung injury and to determine iNOS mRNA induction and nitric oxide production by rat broncho-alveolar lavage cells following intratracheal treatment of silica. After 4 h exposure to silica, differential counts of broncho-alveolar lavage cells and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) activity as well as total protein in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid were determined. Broncho-alveolar lavage cells were also assayed for iNOS mRNA and the productions of nitrite and nitrate measured in the cells cultured. Differential analysis of broncho-alveolar lavage cells showed that the number of alveolar macrophages slightly decreased following silica treatment; however, red blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils significantly were increased by 9-, 14-, and 119-fold following silica treatment, respectively, compared with the saline control. It was also found significant increases in the LDH activity and total protein in the lavage fluid obtained from silica-treated rats, indicating silica-induced acute lung injury. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that the steady state levels of iNOS mRNA in broncho-alveolar lavage cells were increased following silica treatment. The productions of nitrite and nitrate in the cultured cells were significantly increased by 2-fold following silica treatment, respectively, which were attenuated by the NOS inhibitor $N{\omega}-nitro-L-arginine-methyl$ ester(L-NAME) and partially reversed by L-arginine. These findings suggest that nitric oxide production in alveolar macrophages and recruited neutrophils is increased in response to silica. Nitric oxide may contribute in part to acute inflammatory lung injury.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2006

We investigated the effects of Ginsenoside $R_e$ on human sperm motility in fertile and asthenozoospermic infertile individuals in vitro and the mechanism by which the Ginsenosides play their roles. The semen samples were obtained from 10 fertile volunteers and 10 asthenozoospermic infertile patients. Spermatozoa were separated by Percoll and incubated with 0, 1, 10 or $100\;{\mu}M$ of Ginsenoside $R_e$. Total sperm motility and progressive motility were measured by computer-aided sperm analyzer (CASA). Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was determined by the $^{3}H$-arginine to $^{3}H$-citrulline conversion assay, and the NOS protein was examined by the Western blot analysis. The production of sperm nitric oxide (NO) was detected using the Griess reaction. The results showed that Ginsenoside $R_e$ significantly enhanced both fertile and infertile sperm motility, NOS activity and NO production in a concentration-dependent manner. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 100 nM), a NO donor, mimicked the effects of Ginsenoside $R_e$. And pretreatment with a NOS inhibitor $N^{w}$-Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, $100\;{\mu}M$) or a NO scavenger N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (LNAC, 1 mM) completely blocked the effects of Ginsenoside $R_e$. Data suggested that Ginsenoside $R_e$ is beneficial to sperm motility, and that induction of NOS to increase NO production may be involved in this benefit.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.119-128
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• 1997

The relaxation of gastric fundus smooth muscles is the primary physiological event which induces the receptive relaxation of monogastric animals. L-arginine/Nitric oxide(L-arg/NO) system is known to mediate the inhibitory non-adrenergic non-cholinergic(NANC) neurotransmission in various tissues including gastrointestinal smooth muscles. The longitudinal smooth muscles of porcine gastric fundus showed fast relaxation during electrical field stimulation(EFS) and rebound contraction after EFS in NANC condition. So, the purpose of present study was elucidation of the neurotrasmitters related to the NANC relaxation and explanation of the relation between NANC relaxation and L-arg/NO system. The longitdinal smooth muscles of porcine gastric fundus were hung in the organ bath and under the presence of guanethidine($5{\times}10^{-5}M$), precontraction was induced by carbachol($1{\times}10^{-6}M$). The muscle responses to EFS and drugs were isomerically recorded. The rusults were summarized as follows. 1. The longtudinal muscles of porcine gastric fundus showed frequency-dependent relaxation and rebound contraction to electrical field stimulaton(1ms, 8V, 1~16Hz, 20sec, EFS). These responses were blocked by tetrodotoxin($1{\times}10^{-6}M$). 2. The relaxation and rebound contraction of the longitudinal muscles of porcine gastric fundus to EFS were inhibited by L-NAME($2{\times}10^{-5}M$). The inhibitory effect of L-NAME was antagonized by L-arginine($1{\times}10^{-3}M$), but not by D-arginine($1{\times}10^{-3}M$). 3. Exogenous NO($NaNO_2$, $1{\times}10^{-5}{\sim}1{\times}10^{-4}M$, pH=2.0) caused concentration-dependent relaxation as EFS did. 4. Methylene Blue($2{\times}10^{-5}M$), a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, inhibited the relaxation and rebound contraction of the longitudinal muscles of porcine gastric fundus induced by EFS, but N-ethlmaleimide, a adenylate cyclase inhibitor, did not. 5. 8-Br-cGMP($1{\times}10^{-6}{\sim}3{\times}10^{-6}M$), permeable cGMP analogue, induced dose-dependent relaxation. but 8-Br-cAMP($1{\times}10^{-6}{\sim}3{\times}10^{-6}M$), permeable cAMP analogue, did not. Both did not evoked rebound contraction. 6. ${\alpha}$-chymotrypsin did not affect the relaxation of the longitudinal muscles of porcine gastric fundus. 7. Reactive blue 2($1{\times}10^{-4}M$, 40min) siginificantly inhibited the rebound contraction induced by EFS and inhibited contraction caused by exogenous ATP($1{\times}10^{-4}{\sim}1{\times}10^{-3}M$). These results suggests that NANC relaxation of the longitudinal muscles of porcine gastric fundus mainly mediated by NO and the rebound contraction is related to NO and other neurotransmitters.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.347-354
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• 2005

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces synthesis of several inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide (NO). NO in brain is involved not only in the regulation of important metabolic pathways via intracellular cyclic GMP-dependent path­ways, but also in neurotoxic damage by reacting with superoxide ion leading to form peroxynitrite radical. Oxidative stress has suggested to be related to the inhibition of NO synthase/cyclic GMP pathway. OQ21 is a new fluorinated quinone compound that is recently known to have inhibitory effects on both NO synthase (NOS) and guanylyl cyclase (GC). In this study, we examined effects of OQ21, other known NOS or GC inhibitors, or an antioxidant, melatonin, on the oxidative stress produced by LPS in rat brain. Oxidative stress was observed by using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate to measure intra-cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and by measuring the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances to measure lipid peroxidation. LPS induced significant increase in both ROS produdction and lipid peroxidation in all brain regions tested (striatum, hippocampus and cortex), which were dissected 6hr after intraperitoneal administration of LPS to rats. Direct striatal injection of two NOS inhibitors, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester and diphenyleneiodonium, or a GC inhibitor, IH-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxaline-l-one, produced no significant ROS increase. However, OQ21 enhanced ROS formation in striatal tissues from LPS-treated rats. Melatonin decreased LPS-induced ROS formation and decreased ROS formation increased by OQ21 in striatum of LPS-treated rats.

• BMB Reports
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.116-126
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• 2002

Nitric oxide (NO), synthesized from L-arginine by NO synthases, is a small, lipophilic, diffusible, highly reactive molecule with dichotomous regulatory roles in many biological events under physiological and pathological conditions. NO can promote apoptosis (pro-apoptosis) in some cells, whereas it inhibits apoptosis (anti-apoptosis) in other cells. This complexity is a consequence of the rate of NO production and the interaction with biological molecules such as metal ion, thiol, protein tyrosine, and reactive oxygen species. Long-lasting overproduction of NO acts as a pro-apoptotic modulator, activating caspase family proteases through the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c into cytosol, up-regulation of the p53 expression, and alterations in the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins, including the Bcl-2 family. However, low or physiological concentrations of NO prevent cells from apoptosis that is induced by the trophic factor withdrawal, Fas, $TNF{\alpha}$/ActD, and LPS. The anti-apoptotic mechanism is understood on the basis of gene transcription of protective proteins. These include: heat shock protein, hemeoxygenase, or cyclooxygenase-2 and direct inhibition of the apoptotic executive effectors caspase family protease by S-nitrosylation of the cysteine thiol group in their catalytic site in a cell specific way. Our current understanding of the mechanisms by which NO exerts both pro- and anti-apototic action is discussed in this review article.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.141-147
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• 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are both important signaling molecules involved in pain transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a well-known enzyme for the generation of superoxide anions ($O_2^{\bullet-}$), while S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) is a representative nitric oxide (NO) donor. In this study, we used patch clamp recording in spinal slices of rats to investigate the effects of $O_2^{\bullet-}$ and NO on the excitability of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. We also used confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure XO- and SNAP-induced ROS and RNS production in live slices. We observed that the ROS level increased during the perfusion of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound and SNAP after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF-DA$), which is an indicator of intracellular ROS and RNS. Application of ROS donors such as X/XO, ${\beta}-nicotinamide$ adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and 3-morpholinosydnomimine (SIN-1) induced a membrane depolarization and inward currents. SNAP, an RNS donor, also induced membrane depolarization and inward currents. X/XO-induced inward currents were significantly decreased by pretreatment with phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN; nonspecific ROS and RNS scavenger) and manganese(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP; superoxide dismutase mimetics). Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME; NO scavenger) also slightly decreased X/XO-induced inward currents, suggesting that X/XO-induced responses can be involved in the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$). Our data suggest that elevated ROS, especially $O_2^{\bullet-}$, NO and $ONOO^-$, in the spinal cord can increase the excitability of the SG neurons related to pain transmission.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.67-72
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• 2006

Nitric oxide(NO) is a labile, uncharged, reactive radical that functions as a sensitive mediator of intercellular communication in diverse tissues. It has been reported that NO is produced by osteoblast and these results may suggest that NO is integrally involved in the regulation of osteoclast formation and osteoclast resorption activity by osteoblastic cells. We examined the effect of cytokines on NO release by mouse bone marrow cell. We also examined the effects of cytokines and sodium nitroprusside(SNP) on the formation of osteoclast-like cell from mouse bone marrow cells in culture. Cytokines stimulated NO production of mouse bone marrow cells, and N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, a specific inhibitor of NO synthase, suppressed the cytokine-induced NO production. SNP showed dual action in the generation of osteoclasts. The addition of $30{\mu}M$ SNP inhibited the formation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)(+) multinucleated cell, whereas lower concentration($3{\mu}M$) of SNP enhanced it. Although the precise action of NO remains to be elucidated in detail, the action of NO in osteoclast generation in our studies seems to be associated, at least in part, with bone metabolism and bone pathophysiology.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.168-174
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• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the feeding effect of wild grape wine by-products on pork qualities. The chemical composition, volatile basic nitrogen, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and pH were not significantly different between control and wild grape pork, but the cholesterol and roast loss of wild grape polk. were lower than those of the control, and 1l1e salt soluble protein extractability of the control was lower than that of the wild grape pork. The Hunter's $a^{\ast}$ and $b^{\ast}$ value of wild grape polk. meat were higher than the control, the $a^{\ast}$ value of wild grape polk. meat was higher than the control, but the $L^{\ast}$ value of meat and fat were not significantly different between control and wild grape pork. The cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness of control(respectively $66.2\%$ 428kg and 189g) were higher than wild grape polk. (respectively $61.4\%$ 357 kg and 154 g). The total amino acid composition of polk. were not significantly different between control and wild grape wine, The glutamic acid, leucine, arginine and aspartic acid were major amino acids in control and wild grape pork. The arachidonic acid $(C_{20:4})$, EPA $(C_{20:5})$ and DHA $(C_{22:6})$ of wild grape polk. were higher than those of the control. The taste (p<0.001), aroma (p<0.05), flavor (p<0.001), juiciness (p<0.01) and palatability (p<0.01) of wild grape polk. were higher than those of the control, but the texture between control and wild grape polk. were not significantly different.