• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2009

Retinoic acids (RAs) modulate growth, differentiation, and apoptosis in normal, pre-malignant & malignant cells. In the present study, the effects of RA isomers (all-trans RA, 13-cis RA, and 9-cis RA) on the cell signal transduction of human breast cancer cells have been studied. The relationship between RAs and an enzymatic antioxidant system was also determined. Estrogen-receptor (ER) positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells were treated with different doses of each RA isomers, all-trans RA, 13-cis RA, or 9-cis RA. Treatment of RA isomers inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of MCF-7 cells as a result of increased caspase activity in cytoplasm and cytochrome C released from mitochondria. All-trans RA was the most effective RA isomer in both cell growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. However, no significant effect of RA isomers was observed on the cell growth or apoptosis in ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, activities of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione peroxidase were decreased effectively after treatment of RA in MCF-7 cells, whereas SOD activity was rarely affected. Thus, the present data suggest that all-trans RA is the most potential inducer of apoptosis and modulator of antioxidant enzymes among RA isomers in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.11-16
• /
• 2008

카드뮴은 환경과 인체 위해도에 큰 영향을 미치는 중요한 환경오염물질로 잘 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 토양선충인 Caenorhabditis elegans에 카드뮴을 12시간과 48시간으로 나누어 처리하여 시간에 따른 장, 단기적 독성영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 이때 생리학적 수준으로 성장 및 생식을 조사하고, 분자수준에서 스트레스 관련 유전자들의 시간에 따른 발현 정도를 관찰하였다. 생식에서는 단기노출(12시간) 시 그 영향이 대조군에 비해 크게 나타났으며, mtl-2의 스트레스 관련 유전자가 증가하였다 장기 노출(48시간) 시에는 cyp35a2, ape-1, sod-1, ctl-2 유전자가 대조군에 비해 약 $2{\sim}4$배 가량의 발현 증가 결과를 조사할 수 있었다. 본 연구결과들을 통해 스트레스 관련 유전자의 발현을 조사하는 것이 중요하고 민감한 생체지표가 된다는 것과 토양선충 C. elegans는 환경중 오염물질에 대한 장기, 단기적 영향을 평가하기 위한 좋은 생물학적 모델이 된다는 것을 알 수 있었다.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.3 no.3
• /
• pp.208-211
• /
• 2009

This study investigated the effect of vitamin $B_6$ deficiency on antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid profile in rats with exercise-induced oxidative stress. Forty eight rats were fed either a vitamin $B_6$ deficient diet (B6-) or a control diet (control) for 4 weeks and then subdivided into 3 groups: pre-exercise (PreE); post-exercise (PostE); recess after exercise (recessE). Compared to those of control group, plasma catalase and hepatic cytosol superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC 1.15.1.1) activities of B6- group were lower regardless of exercise. The ratio of reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) of B6 - group was lower in PreE and there was no difference between PostE and recessE. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) of B6- was significantly higher in PreE and PostE. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) level of B6- group was lower regardless of exercise. Atherosclerotic index of $B_6$- group was higher in PreE and there was no difference between PostE and recessE. It is suggested that a reduction in antioxidative status caused by vitamin $B_6$ deficiency may be aggravated under exercise-induced oxidative stress.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.633-640
• /
• 2007

The diurnal changes of chlorophyll fluorescence and antioxidative enzyme activity were investigated in the leaves from four subtropical plant species (Crinum asiaticum var. japonicum Bak., Osmanthus insularis Koidz., Asplenium antiquum Makino and Chloranthus glaber Makino) under the natural habitats in summer and winter. The intensity of chlorophyll fluorescence was lower in O-, I-, J-, P-steps of O-J-I-P transient in winter than summer, and prominent diurnal change was not found in the fluorescence intensity of four subtropical plant species in winter. The activity and isoenzyme pattern of SOD and catalase did irregularly change seasonally and diurnally in four subtropical plant species. In contrast, the peroxidase activity and isoenzyme pattern was different depending on plant species and growth seasons; The activity increased slightly more in winter than in summer in four subtropical plant species, and several isoenzymes appeared in the leaves from C. asiaticum var japonicum, O. insularis and A. antiquum in winter.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.153-162
• /
• 2009

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, Korean herb medicine, has been widely used in China and Japan for fatigue and enhancement of resistance to many diseases. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of Korean red ginseng and Fagopyrum esculentum extracts (RGFE) on dermal bioactive properties. RGFE treatment significantly increased electron donating ability, nitrite scavenging activity and collagenase inhibitory activity compared to red ginseng-treated group. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in RGFE-treated group was similar to that of red ginseng. However, tyrosinase activity as indicator of melanin synthesis was not affected by RGFE or red ginseng. The results indicate that RGFE has anti-oxidative property and inhibitory effect of collagenase, and it may serve as a effective ingredient for beauty food.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.241-262
• /
• 2009

Objectives This study is designed to investigate the effects of Jujadokseo-hwan on the brain ability and inducing oxidative stresses. Methods We measured the changes of regional cerebral blood flow and mean arterial blood pressure. Then we analyzed histological examination, immunohistochemistric response and anti-oxidant activity of Jujadokseo-hwan. Results 1. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan significantly increased regional cerebral blood flow but decreased mean arterial blood pressure. 2. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan-induced increase of regional cerebral blood flow was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with indomethacin (1 mg/kg, i.p.), an inhibitor of cyclooxygenase. 3. In histological examination through TTC stain, group I was no change, but group II showed that discolored in the most cortical part. Group III showed that decreased discolor in the cortical part. 4. In immunohistochemistric response of BDNF, group II showed that lower response effect. Group III showed that increase response effect. 5. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan increased proliferation rates of Glial cell effectively 6. Treatment of Jujadokseo-hwan accelerated proliferation rates of C6 cells in vitro. In addition, protective effects on cell death induced by paraquat, rotenone and hydrogen peroxide. In addition, activity of SOD were increased by treatment with Jujadokseo-hwan. Conclusions In conclusion, Jujadokseo-hwan can improve of the brain ability, learning ability, memory ability and induce ischemic brain injuries.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.357-364
• /
• 1995

A biochemical genetic study on blood enzyme/protein systems in some breeds/crosses of sheep in Malaysia was carried out using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. Blood samples were collected from 435 sheep, representing 8 breeds/crosses. These included 5 wool sheep breeds (Thai Longtail, wiltshire, Suffolk, Dorsimal and cMBLx), 1 hair sheep breed (Barbados Blackbelly) and 2 hybrids between wool sheep and hair sheep (Cameroon ${\times}$ Thai Longtail and Bali Bali ${\times}$ Malin). Twenty loci systems were examined. Of these, ten ($HB{\beta}$, ALB, TF, XP, CAT, DIA1, EsA, GPI, ME and NP) exhibited genetic variation whereas the other ten (AAT, CA, DIA2, ${\alpha}GLO$, ${\alpha}GLU$, LDH, MDH, PEP[leu-gly-gly], 6PGD and SOD) were monomorphic. The allelic frequencies which were obtained in 10 polymorphic markers are assessed and compared with the results obtained by previous workers. The estimations of inbreeding coefficient, intrabreed variation and breed relationships have been critically discussed and are used to reveal some important recommendations.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.12
• /
• pp.6441-6446
• /
• 2012

Background: Radiation therapy plays an important role in lung carcinoma treatment. However, the incidence of symptomatic radiation-induced lung injury is high. This study aimed to evaluate radioprotective effects of flavonoids extracted from Astragalus complanatus and mechanisms of action against radiation damage. Methods: Alteration in antioxidant status and levles of several cytokines were investigated in BABL/C mice treated with 4 mg/kg b.wt. flavonoids after exposure to 10Gy thoracic radiation. Results: Serum levels of SOD in the flavonoids+radiation group were significantly higher compared to the radiation control group, while TGF-${\beta}1$ and IL-6 were lower. Mice in the radiation control group displayed more severe lung damage compared with the flavonoids+radiation group. The expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the radiation control group was markedly increased in alveolar epithelial cells and macrophages of the alveolar septum. Conclusions: From the results of the present study, flavonoids could be excellent candidates as protective agents against radiation-induced lung injury.

• Plant Biotechnology Reports
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2011

The dehydration-responsive element binding proteins (DREB1)/C-repeat (CRT) binding factors (CBF) function as transcription factors and play an important role in agricultural biotechnology and molecular biology studies of drought and freezing stress tolerance. We generated transgenic Lolium perenne plants containing the PCR-cloned Arabidopsis DREB1A/CBF3 gene (AtDREB1A/CBF3) to study the function of this gene construct in drought and freezing tolerance in a species of turfgrass. Compared to the control, AtDREB1A/CBF3 transgenic L. perenne plants showed enhanced drought and freezing stress tolerance. The activities of the enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) were higher in transgenic plants than in the non-transgenic plant control. These results demonstrate that the expression of the AtDREB1A/CBF3 gene in transgenic L. perenne plants enhanced drought and freezing tolerance and that the increased stress tolerance was associated with the increased activities of antioxidant enzymes. These results are relevant to stress biology and biotechnology studies of turfgrass.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.23 no.6
• /
• pp.742-749
• /
• 2010

We investigated the antioxidant efficacy of quercetin (0% Diet 1, 0.25% Diet 2, and 0.5% Diet 3) pretreatment for 30 and 60 days in response to cadmium (Cd) toxicity in the olive flounder, and measured the plasma lysozyme activity to understand the immune effects of quercetin. The lysozyme activity with Diets 2 and 3 was higher than with Diet 1. Based on this result, to examine the immune ability and antioxidant role of quercetin, we exposed olive flounder fed quercetin to Cd and then measured the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)) and lipid peroxidation (LPO). With Diets 2 and 3, the expression and activity of antioxidant enzymes and the $H_2O_2$ concentration were lower than with Diet 1. In addition, the LPO levels were lower than with Diet 1, which protected the cell membrane. Therefore, quercetin removed the reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced by Cd, indicating that quercetin has antioxidant ability. In addition to its antioxidant ability, quercetin has immune effects.