• Title/Summary/Keyword: Reverse pharmacology

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Exendin-4 Improves Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Regulating Glucose Transporter 4 Expression in ob/ob Mice

  • Kim, Seok;Jung, Jaehoon;Kim, Hwajin;Heo, Rok Won;Yi, Chin-Ok;Lee, Jung Eun;Jeon, Byeong Tak;Kim, Won-Ho;Hahm, Jong Ryeal;Roh, Gu Seob
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.333-339
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    • 2014
  • Exendin-4 (Ex-4), a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist, has been known to reverse hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. Although many studies have evaluated molecular targets of Ex-4, its mechanism of action on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis has not fully been determined. In the liver, glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) is mainly expressed in hepatocytes, endothelial cells and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). In the present study, the effects of Ex-4 on GLUT4 expression were determined in the liver of ob/ob mice. Ob/ob mice were treated with Ex-4 for 10 weeks. Serum metabolic parameters, hepatic triglyceride levels, and liver tissues were evaluated for hepatic steatosis. The weights of the whole body and liver in ob/ob mice were reduced by long-term Ex-4 treatment. Serum metabolic parameters, hepatic steatosis, and hepatic fibrosis in ob/ob mice were reduced by Ex-4. Particularly, Ex-4 improved hepatic steatosis by enhancing GLUT4 via GLP-1R activation in ob/ob mice. Ex-4 treatment also inhibited hepatic fibrosis by decreasing expression of connective tissue growth factor in HSCs of ob/ob mice. Our data suggest that GLP-1 agonists exert a protective effect on hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

c-fos mRNA Expression in the Vestibular System following Hypergravity Stimulation in Rats

  • Jin Guang-Shi;Lee Jae-Hyo;Lee Jae-Hee;Lee Moon-Young;Kim Min-Sun;Jin Yuan Zhe;Song Jeong-Hoon;Park Byung-Rim
    • The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.1-7
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    • 2007
  • Altered environmental gravity, including both hypo- and hypergravity, may result in space adaptation syndrome. To explore the characteristics of this adaptive plasticity, the expression of immediate early gene c-fos mRNA in the vestibular related tissues following an exposure to hypergravity stimulus was determined in rats. The animals were subjected to a force of 2 g (twice earth's gravity) for 1, 3, or 12 h, and were examined poststimulus at 0, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) and real-time quantitative RT-PCR were adopted to analyze temporal changes in the expression of c-fos mRNA. The hypergravity stimulus increased the expression of c-fos mRNA in the vestibular ganglion, medial vestibular nucleus, inferior vestibular nucleus, hippocampus, cerebellum, and cortex. The peak expression occurred at 0 h poststimulation in animals stimulated with hypergravity for 1 h, and at 6 h poststimulus in those stimulated for 3 h. In contrast, those stimulated for 12 h exhibited dual peaks at 0 and 12 h poststimulus. Bilateral labyrinthectomy markedly attenuated the degree of c-fos mRNA expression. Glutamate receptor antagonist also dramatically attenuated the degree of c-fos mRNA expression. These results indicate that expression of c-fos mRNA in response to hypergravity occurs in the vestibular related tissues of the central nervous system, in which peripheral vestibular receptors and glutamate receptors play an important role. The temporal pattern of c-fos mRNA expression depended on the duration of the hypergravity stimulus.

Antinociceptive Effects of Alpinia katsumadai via Cyclooxygenase-2 Inhibition

  • Choi, Jin-Kyu;Kim, Kwang-Mi;Yeom, Myeong-Hoon;Cho, Hee-Yeong;Lee, Hye-Ja;Park, Mi-Kyung;Jeong, Kyung-Chae;Lee, Byung-Il;Noh, Min-Soo;Lee, Chang-Hoon
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.18 no.2
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    • pp.159-165
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    • 2010
  • Alpinia katsumadai has been widely used in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine to treat a variety of conditions including emesis and gastric disorders such as gastric pain and distended abdomen. To investigate the antinociceptive potential and mechanism of A. katsumadai, ethanolic extracts of A. katsumadai were assayed on cyclooxygenase-2 and evaluated for analgesic activity based on phenylbenzoquinone (PBQ)-induced writhing and carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia tests. A. katsumadai extracts inhibited the cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme activity in a dose-dependent fashion at an $IC_{50}$ value of 0.044 ${\mu}g$/ml. A. katsumadai extract (30-300 mg/kg, orally (p.o.) administered) significantly inhibited PBQ-induced writhing. This inhibition was judged not to be a false positive because a Rota-rod test revealed no difference in muscular coordination when compared to the controls. With regard to the carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, A. katsumadai extract (30-300 mg/kg, p.o.) produced a significant, dose-dependent increase in the withdrawal response latencies. Naloxone did not reverse the analgesic effect of A. katsumadai extract in the carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia. Taken together, these results suggest that the antinociceptive activity of A. katsumadai is not related to the opioid receptor. A. katsumadai extract has remarkable, non-opioidreceptor-mediated analgesic effects on PBQ-induced writhing and carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia that occur via cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition.

ERK mediated suppressive effects of Sophora flavescens on Tnf alpha production in BV2 microglial cells (BV2 microglial cells에서 ERK를 통한 고삼의 Tnf alpha 생성 억제효과)

  • Kim, Soo-Cheol;Han, Mi-Young;Park, Hae-Jeong;Jung, Kyung-Hee
    • The Korea Journal of Herbology
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    • v.22 no.2
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    • pp.147-153
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    • 2007
  • Objectives : Sophora flavescens (SF) is widely used in traditional herbal medicine in Korea and is well recognized for its anti-inflammatory effect. However, its effect on Tumornecrosis factor alpha (Tnf) production in BV2 microglial cell is not yet known. Methods : We investigated the effect of SF on the production and expression of Tnf, a well known inflammatory mediator, in lipopolysaccaride (LPS)-activated BV2 microglial cells. Results : The LPS-induced Tnf production was markedly reduced by treatment with SF (50 ${\mu}g/ml$). In reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, SF suppressed the LPS activated expression of Tnf mRNA. In addition, Western blot analysis confirmed that SF suppressed the expression of Tnf. Sophora flavescens also inhibited the LPS-induced phosphylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), which mediate the Tnfproduction signaling pathway whereas LPS-induced phosphylation of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK), and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNK) was not inhibited by SF, which implies that SF suppresses LPS-induced Tnf production via the ERK mediated pathway. Conclusion : Taken together, these findings indicated that SF inhibits LPS-induce Tnf production, and that this inhibitory effect is mediated via the ERK pathway.

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Preventive mechanisms of Artemisia capillaries extract on ethanol-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell line (균진약침액(菌蔯藥鍼液)이 에탄올로 유발된 신경아세포의 아폽토시스에 대한 보호 효과의 기전)

  • Kim, Ee-Hwa;Lee, Eun-yong;Jang, Mi-Hyun;Kim, Youn-Jung;Kim, Chang-Ju;Chung, Joo-Ho;Seo, Jung-Chul;Kim, Youn-hee
    • Journal of Acupuncture Research
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    • v.18 no.3
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    • pp.134-142
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    • 2001
  • 목적 : 인진(茵蔯)이 SK-N-MC 신경아세포주에서 에탄올에 의해 유발된 아폽토시스에 대한 보호작용의 기전을 연구하였다. 방법 : SK-N-MC cell line에서의 세포 보호 기전을 알아보기 위하여 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) 기법을 이용하여 bcl-2, bax 및 caspase-3의 변화를 관찰하였다. 결과 : RT-PCR을 이용하여 분석한 결과 SK-N-MC neuroblastoma에서 에탄올 처치는 bax, bcl-2 및 caspase-3 mRNA의 발현을 증가시켰다. 인진액의 전처치후 에탄올 처치한 신경 아세포에서는 에탄올에 의해서 증가된 bax와 caspase-3 mRNA 발현이 억제되었으나, bcl-2의 발현에는 유의한 증가를 나타내지 않았다. 결론 : 이상의 결과를 통하여 에탄올에 의해서 유발된 신경아세포의 아폽토시스에서 인진이 세포보호 효과가 있음이 확인되었고 그 기전은 bax와 caspase-3의 억제에 기인할 가능성을 시사한다고 할 수 있다.

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Cardamonin Suppresses TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition via Restoring Protein Phosphatase 2A Expression

  • Kim, Eun Ji;Kim, Hyun Ji;Park, Mi Kyung;Kang, Gyeung Jin;Byun, Hyun Jung;Lee, Ho;Lee, Chang Hoon
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.23 no.2
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    • pp.141-148
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    • 2015
  • Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the first step in metastasis and implicated in the phenotype of cancer stem cells. Therefore, understanding and controlling EMT, are essential to the prevention and cure of metastasis. In the present study, we examined, by Western blot, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and confocal microscopy, the effects of cardamonin (CDN) on transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$)-induced EMT of A549 lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. TGF-${\beta}1$ induced expression of N-cadherin and decreased expression of E-cadherin. CDN suppressed N-cadherin expression and restored E-cadherin expression. Further, TGF-${\beta}1$ induced migration and invasion of A549 cancer cells, which was suppressed by CDN. TGF-${\beta}1$ induced c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation during EMT, but CDN blocked it. Protein serine/threonine phosphatase 2A (PP2A) expression in A549 cancer cells was reduced by TGF-${\beta}1$ but CDN restored it. The overall data suggested that CDN suppresses TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT via PP2A restoration, making it a potential new drug candidate that controls metastasis.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Learning and Memory Impairments by Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Rats

  • Lee, Bombi;Sur, Bongjun;Park, Jinhee;Kim, Sung-Hun;Kwon, Sunoh;Yeom, Mijung;Shim, Insop;Lee, Hyejung;Hahm, Dae-Hyun
    • Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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    • v.21 no.5
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    • pp.381-390
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    • 2013
  • The purpose of this study was to examine whether ginsenoside Rg3 (GRg3) could improve learning and memory impairments and inflammatory reactions induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into the brains of rats. The effects of GRg3 on proinflammatory mediators in the hippocampus and the underlying mechanisms of these effects were also investigated. Injection of LPS into the lateral ventricle caused chronic inflammation and produced deficits in learning in a memory-impairment animal model. Daily administration of GRg3 (10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) for 21 consecutive days markedly improved the LPS-induced learning and memory disabilities demonstrated on the step-through passive avoidance test and Morris water maze test. GRg3 administration significantly decreased expression of pro-inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-1${\beta}$, and cyclooxygenase-2 in the hippocampus, as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemistry. Together, these findings suggest that GRg3 significantly attenuated LPS-induced cognitive impairment by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators in the rat brain. These results suggest that GRg3 may be effective for preventing or slowing the development of neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, by improving cognitive and memory functions due to its anti-inflammatory activity in the brain.

Pulmonary stenosis and pulmonary regurgitation: both ends of the spectrum in residual hemodynamic impairment after tetralogy of Fallot repair

  • Yoo, Byung Won;Park, Han Ki
    • Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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    • v.56 no.6
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    • pp.235-241
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    • 2013
  • Repair of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) has shown excellent outcomes. However it leaves varying degrees of residual hemodynamic impairment, with severe pulmonary stenosis (PS) and free pulmonary regurgitation (PR) at both ends of the spectrum. Since the 1980s, studies evaluating late outcomes after TOF repair revealed the adverse impacts of residual chronic PR on RV volume and function; thus, a turnaround of operational strategies has occurred from aggressive RV outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction for complete relief of RVOT obstruction to conservative RVOT reconstruction for limiting PR. This transformation has raised the question of how much residual PS after conservative RVOT reconstruction is acceptable. Besides, as pulmonary valve replacement (PVR) increases in patients with RV deterioration from residual PR, there is concern regarding when it should be performed. Regarding residual PS, several studies revealed that PS in addition to PR was associated with less PR and a small RV volume. This suggests that PS combined with PR makes RV diastolic property to protect against dilatation through RV hypertrophy and supports conservative RVOT enlargement despite residual PS. Also, several studies have revealed the pre-PVR threshold of RV parameters for the normalization of RV volume and function after PVR, and based on these results, the indications for PVR have been revised. Although there is no established strategy, better understanding of RV mechanics, development of new surgical and interventional techniques, and evidence for the effect of PVR on RV reverse remodeling and its late outcome will aid us to optimize the management of TOF.

Anti-inflammatory Effects of Water Extract of Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER on the LPS-induced RAW 264.7 Cells (대식세포 Raw 264.7에서 두충의 항염증효과)

  • Kim, Young-Ock;Lee, Sang-Won;Sohn, Sang-Hyun;Kim, Seung-Yu;Oh, Myung-Sook;Kim, Su-Kang
    • Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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    • v.20 no.5
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    • pp.381-386
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    • 2012
  • Eucommia ulmoides OLIVER (EU) is a traditional Korean herbal used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, the molecular pharmacology basis of its anti-inflammatory effect is revealed in this work, EU was studied in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophage cells (RAW 264.7) as an established inflammation model. After activation, nitric oxide (NO) production and iNOS mRNA were measured by using a colorimetric assay (Griess reagent), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. The change in the content of $PGE_2$, $TNF{\alpha}$, and IL-6 was concurrently monitored by ELISA. In results, we found that in the concentration range without showing cytotoxicity, EU produced a remarkable anti-inflammatory effect and showed a dose-dependent inhibition of LPSinduced NO production. Compared with indomethacin, EU has more potency and a specific action of NO inhibition, $PGE_2$, IL-6, and TNF-${\alpha}$ inhibition. These results suggest that EU may be a suitable herbal medicine to yield the greatest anti-inflammatory activity for food additives and medicine.

North American ginseng influences adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk regulation of inflammatory gene expression

  • Garbett, Jaime;Wilson, Sarah A.F.;Ralston, Jessica C.;Boer, Anna A. De;Lui, Ed M.K.;Wright, David C.;Mutch, David M.
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.40 no.2
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    • pp.141-150
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    • 2016
  • Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes. This study examined whether different ginseng extracts influence adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk, as well as WAT inflammatory gene expression. Methods: The effects of AQ and ethanol (EtOH) ginseng extracts ($5{\mu}g/mL$) on adipocyte and macrophage inflammatory gene expression were studied in 3T3-L1 and RAW264.7 cells, respectively, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipose tissue organ culture was also used to examine the effects of ginseng extracts on epididymal WAT (EWAT) and inguinal subcutaneous WAT (SWAT) inflammatory gene expression. Results: The AQ extract caused significant increases in the expression of common inflammatory genes (e.g., Mcp1, Ccl5, Tnf-${\alpha}$, Nos2) in both cell types. Culturing adipocytes in media from macrophages treated with the AQ extract, and vice versa, also induced inflammatory gene expression. Adipocyte Ppar-${\gamma}$ expression was reduced with the AQ extract. The AQ extract strongly induced inflammatory gene expression in EWAT, but not in SWAT. The EtOH extract had no effect on inflammatory gene expression in either both cell types or WAT. Conclusion: These findings provide important new insights into the inflammo-regulatory role of NA ginseng in WAT.