• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.403-411
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• 2015

Plasmodium falciparum can invade all stages of red blood cells, while Plasmodium vivax can invade only reticulocytes. Although many P. vivax proteins have been discovered, their functions are largely unknown. Among them, P. vivax reticulocyte binding proteins (PvRBP1 and PvRBP2) recognize and bind to reticulocytes. Both proteins possess a C-terminal hydrophobic transmembrane domain, which drives adhesion to reticulocytes. PvRBP1 and PvRBP2 are large (>326 kDa), which hinders identification of the functional domains. In this study, the complete genome information of the P. vivax RBP family was thoroughly analyzed using a prediction server with bioinformatics data to predict B-cell epitope domains. Eleven pvrbp family genes that included 2 pseudogenes and 9 full or partial length genes were selected and used to express recombinant proteins in a wheat germ cell-free system. The expressed proteins were used to evaluate the humoral immune response with vivax malaria patients and healthy individual serum samples by protein microarray. The recombinant fragments of 9 PvRBP proteins were successfully expressed; the soluble proteins ranged in molecular weight from 16 to 34 kDa. Evaluation of the humoral immune response to each recombinant PvRBP protein indicated a high antigenicity, with 38-88% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Of them, N-terminal parts of PvRBP2c (PVX_090325-1) and PvRBP2 like partial A (PVX_090330-1) elicited high antigenicity. In addition, the PvRBP2-like homologue B (PVX_116930) fragment was newly identified as high antigenicity and may be exploited as a potential antigenic candidate among the PvRBP family. The functional activity of the PvRBP family on merozoite invasion remains unknown.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.597-603
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• 2016

This study aimed to explore the protective effect of Gastrodia elata (GE) in an HCl/ethanol induced acute gastritis model by differing the steaming time. The samples GE1 (GE by steaming for 1 time) and GE9 (GE by steaming for 9 times), were selected based on the results of HPLC analysis, free radical scavenging activities, and total phenol and flavonoid contents. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GE, ICR mice were divided into 5 groups; normal mice (Nor), gastritic mice with distilled water (Con), gastritic mice with 100 mg/kg GE1, gastritic mice with 100 mg/kg GE9 and gastritic mice with 10 mg/kg sucralfate (SC). HCl/ethanol-induced gastric mucosal injury was markedly improved by GE9 treatment as observed during histological evaluation. The increased reactive oxygen species levels in the serum were diminished by GE9 treatment. Furthermore, peroxynitrite levels of the stomach tissue were decreased in the GE9-treated group. The analyses of stomach proteins indicated that GE9 treatment effectively reduced inflammatory cytokine levels as compared to that by GE1 treatment. These results suggest that GE9 improves health during acute gastritis.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.141-147
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• 2004

In this study, we investigated the effect of Teminalia Chebula (TC) water extract on liver in Rat. Treatment of TC water extract was orally administered 200, 300 mg/kg daily for one week and two weeks. The clinical parameters of serum, values of AST, ALT showed significantly higher than in normal group. Xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase activities were significantly increased comparison with normal group. Microsomal enzymes, aminopyrine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase were not affected. Water extract of TC also increased hepatic rnalondialdehyde formation and reduced glutathione content. We also found that water extract of TC decreased activities of glutathione S-transferase and glutathione reductase but was not affected activities of $\gamma$-glutamylcysteine synthetase Thus, it seems that the water extract of TC induced decrease of oxygen free radical scavenger, glutathione content by inhibition of glutathione reductase which may reform oxidized glutathione to reduced glutathione.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.365-374
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• 2004

Inhalation toxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity tests were performed using a smoke generation system to investigate the safety of Herbrette, a tobacco substitute made with the leaves of Perilla frutescens. ICR mice were exposed to nicotine-free Herbrette smoke with concentrations of 0 (control), 4.08 $\pm$ 1.32 mg/$m^3$ (low dose), 7.72 $\pm$ 2.14 mg/$m^3$ (medium dose) and 12.83 $\pm$ 1.69 mg/$m^3$ (high dose) total particulate matters (TPM) for 4 weeks. When compared to the control group, the body weights, organ weights in the exposed groups did not show any significant differences. However, certain change of several serum chemical data and biochemical parameters were observed, however, the changes were within normal physiological ranges. Moreover, no changes in organ weight, and no gross/microscopic changes were observed between the exposed and control groups. Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation, in vivo chromosomal aberration and micronucleus assays revealed that Herbrette did not induce mutagenicity. Upon evaluation of peripheral cellular immunity of mice through in vitro lymphocyte proliferation assay, no significant difference was observed in mean stimulation index between the exposed and control groups. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that Herbrette may not cause toxicity on mice under current condition.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.217-233
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• 1992

This study was performed to determine the toxic effects of graded dose levels of SKI 2053R after repeated administration. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats(10M and 10F per group) were given a total of 25 i.v. injections of SKI 2053R (1.50,3.75,9.38mg/kg/day). In order to compare the toxic effects of SKI 2053R with those of cisplatin, one group of Sprague-Dawley rats (10M and 10F per group) were given a total of 25 i.v.injections of cisplatin (1.70mg/kg/day). The dosing schedule was divided into five courses of 5 consecutive days with 16-day dose-free intervals between each course. No drug-related toxicity occurred in low dose level group (1.50mg/kg/day) of SKI2053R. From the results of hematological examination, peripheral WBC counts, RBC counts and hemoglobin of high dose level group(9.38mg/kg/day)of SKI 2053R were significantly lower than those of no-treated group. Other toxicities including reduced final body weight, proteinuria and hematuria were observed in high dose level group of SKI 2053R. But, no change was detected in serum biochemical values of SKI 2053R treated groups. All of the rats in cisplatin treated group were died between 3 and 13 weeks, while rats treated with SKI2053R survived to the end except one rat of middle dose level group(3.75mg/kg/day). In histopathological examinations, rats that received cisplatin manifested severe tubular damage in kidney and hemosiderosis in spleen, but no critical pathological lesion was observed in rats of other groups. Considering the results of this study, it was concluded that non-toxic dose of SKI 2053R in this treatment schedule was estimated to be 3.75 mg/kg/day and the maximum tolerated dose was to be higher than 9.38mg/kg/day. The toxic profiles fo SKI 2053R were different from those of cisplatin, and its toxicity was considerably lower than that of cisplatin.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.235-253
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• 1992

A subacute toxicity study of cis-Malonato[(4R,5R)-4,5-bis(aminomethyl)-2-isopropyl-1,3-dioxolane]platinum(II)(SKI 2053R) was carried out to obtain information on its toxicological profiles, and to determine the maximum tolerated dose in beagle dogs. Four groups of beagle dogs (2M and 2F per group, 0,0.5,1.0,2.0mg/kg/day)were given 15 i.v. injections of SKI 2053R. In order to compare the toxic effects of SKI 2053R with those of cisplatin, one group was treated with cisplatin(0.7mg/kg/day)according to the same treatment schedule. The dosing schedule was divided into 3 courses of 5 consecutive days with 23-day dose-free intervals between each course. After completion of the treatments, remaining dogs were necropsied under established guidelines. Three of four dogs in the high dose group and one of four dogs in the middle dose group treated with SKI 2053R died of hypovolemic shock secondary to hemorrhagic and ulcerative enterocolitis. No toxicity-related mortality occurred in the low dose group of SKI 2053R. No survivor was observed in the group of cisplatin. Clinical signs including vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia and loss body weight were apparent in dogs given either cisplatin or high and middle doses of SKI 2053R. Severe thrombocytopenia and leukocytopenia were observed in the high dose group of SKI 2053R and cisplatin-treatment group, while toxicities as bone marrow suppression were reversible. The significant elevation of serum ALP values in group of SKI 2053R(2.0 mg/kg/day and 1.0mg/kg/day) and cisplatin(0.7mg/kg/day)was observed. Slight proteinuria waa observed in high and middle dose level groups of SKI 2053R. In histopathological examinations, pathological alterations of liver, kidney and spleen were noted dose-dependantly in dogs treated with SKI 2053R, and there was no overt sign of toxicity in low dose group of SKI 2053R. Compared to SKI 2053R, more severe durg-related toxicities occurred in dogs treated with cisplatin. It waw estimated that maximum tolerated dose of SKI 2053R in this treatment schedule was 0.5~0.7mg/kg/day. In conclusion, overall toxic potential of SKI 2053R was approximately 3 times lower than that of cisplatin with respect of lethality.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.15-22
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• 1989

To observe antibody changes after praziquantel treatment in paragonimiasis, a total of 46 serum samples from 13 serologically diagnosed patients was collected for 4~28 months. The specific antibody (IgG) levels were measured by enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All but one patient who needed retreatment became symptom-free within a week. Antibody levels were dropped near to or below a cut-off absorbance (abs.) of 0.25 in varying intervals from 4 to 18 months. Of 9 patients who were retested within 3 months, 5 revealed temporary elevation of antibody level. After the elevation, the levels be낙an to decline slowly to negative ranges. If treated earlier after symptoms developed, the temporary elevation did not occur and intervals to negative conversion were shorter. By sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) /immunoblot, antigen-antibody reactions in individual patient faded gradually without significant changes in reacting antigen bands.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.158-164
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• 2012

Inhibiting the bioactivities of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) results in significant inhibition of neovessel formation during tumor angiogenesis. To investigate the potential effect of phloroglucinol as an EPC inhibitor, we performed several in vitro functional assays using $CD34^+$ cells isolated from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB). Although a high treatment dose of phloroglucinol did not show any cell toxicity, it specifically induced the cell death of EPCs under serum free conditions through apoptosis. In the EPC colony-forming assay (EPC-CFA), we observed a significant decreased in the small EPC-CFUs for the phloroglucinol group, implying that phloroglucinol inhibited the early stage of EPC commitment. In addition, in the in vitro expansion assay using $CD34^+$ cells, treatment with phloroglucinol was shown to inhibit endothelial lineage commitment, as demonstrated by the decrease in endothelial surface markers of EPCs including $CD34^+$, $CD34^+/CD133^+$, $CD34^+/CD31^+$ and $CD34^+/CXCR4^+$. This is the first report to demonstrate that phloroglucinol can inhibit the functional bioactivities of EPCs, indicating that phloroglucinol may be used as an EPC inhibitor in the development of biosafe anti-tumor drugs that target tumor angiogenesis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.337-343
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• 1993

To determine the test conditions to enhance the use of hamster test in dogs, semen were collected from four dogs which had been proven to be fertile in the past and then preserved in BWW (Biggers, Whitten, Whittingham) medium for about 20 hours. The semen were given each different treatment according to the experimental design and coincubated with zona-free hamster ova for 5 hours. The ova were stained by lacmoid and examined under phase contrast microscope to investigate the rates of ova bound with sperm(sperm binding) and ova penetrated by sperm (penetration), and also numbers of both bound and penetrated sperm per ovum. In comparison of different concentrations of canine sperm, the rate of sperm binding was higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$, $1{\times}10^8$, and $5{\times}10^7$ sperm concentrations than $5{\times}10^5$ concentration(p<0.01), and also than $5{\times}10^6$ concentration(p<0.05), respectively. The number of bound sperm per ovum was considerably higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$ sperm concentration than $5{\times}10^7$, $1.5{\times}10^6$, and $5{\times}10^5$ concentrations(p<0.01). The rate of penetration was considerably higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$ and $1{\times}10^8$ sperm concentrations than $5{\times}10^5$ concentration,(p<0.01), and also the higher result of penetration was shown in $5{\times}10^7$ than $5{\times}10^5$ (p<0.05). The number of penetrated sperm per ovum was considerably higher in $1.5{\times}10^8$ sperm concentrations than $5{\times}10^5$(p<0.01), and also the higher number was shown in $1{\times}10^8$ than $5{\times}10^5$ (p<0.05). In comparison of the different preincubation period of canine spermatozoa, no difference was obtained in the results of hamster test among the preincubation periods of 4 hours, 18~24 hours and 48 hours. The canine spermatozoa in BWW medium with $Ca^{2+}$(1.3mM) and without FCS(fetal calf serum), with both $Ca^{2+}$(1.3mM) and FCS, with $Ca^{2+}$(2.6mM) and without FCS, and with both $Ca^{2+}$(2.6mM) and FCS showed no difference in the results of hamster test.These results indicated that the appropriate concentration of sperm should be given in hamster test for dog sperm.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.249-264
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• 1995

Although liposome has many advantages as a pharmaceutical dosage form, its application in the industrial field has been limited because of some problems such as preparation method, reproducibility, scale-up, stability and sterilization etc. Liposomes prepared by microemulsification method had defined size, narrow size distribution, reproducibility and high entrapment efficiency. For enhancing the stability, the dry form of liposome was recommended. These types of liposome are proliposome and freeze-dried liposome. The liposome must have some properties for preparing of freeze-dried liposome; small size $(50{\sim}200\;nm)$, narrow size distribution and cryoprotectant. In this experiment, the liposomes containing 5-Fluorouracil(5-FU) and its prodrug(pentyl-5-FU-1-acetate; PFA, hexyl-5-FU-1-acetate; HFA) were made with soybean phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol, stearylamine(SA) and dicetyl phosphate(DCP) employing hydration method or microemulsification method using $Microfluidizer^{TM}$. Both or liposome types were MLV and MEL. After preparation, freeze drying and rehydration were performed. In the process of freezing, trehalose(Tr) was added as a cryoprotectant. Their evaluation methods were as follows; entrapment efficiency, mean particle size and size distribution, dissolution test, retain of entrapment efficiency and turbidity after freeze-drying. The results are summarized as belows. The entrapment efficiency of 5-FU was dependent on total lipid concentration and cholesterol content but that of PFA and HFA was decreased when cholesterol was added. When DCP and SA were added, entrapment efficiency was decreased. As the partition coefficient of drug was increased, entrapment efficiency was increased. Under the same condition, entrapment efficiency of MEL is similar to that of MLV. The mean particle size and size distribution of MEL were smaller than those of MLV. Dissolution rates of drug from both liposome types were comparatively similar. Dissolution rates of drugs with serum and liver homogenate were faster than without these material. After preparation of liposome, free drug was removed efficiency by Dowex 50W-X4. When liposome was freeze-dried and then rehydrated in the presence of Tr, characteristics of liposome were maintained well in MEL than MLV. Tr Was used successfully as a cryoprotectant in the process of freeze drying and the optimal ratio of Tr:Lipid was 4:1(g/g).