• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.265-271
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• 2019

In general, specific gravity (SG) and urinary creatinine (CR) have been used to adjust urinary cadmium (Cd) concentrations. However, the validity of correction methods has been controversial. We compared the two adjustments to evaluate associations between urinary Cd and various renal damage markers and to evaluate the relationship between urinary Cd concentration and renal disease markers, such as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), in a relatively large general population sample. Among the 1,086 volunteers who were enrolled in this study, 862 healthy volunteers who did not have kidney disease were included in the final analysis. Urinary Cd, malondialdehyde (MDA), and N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) concentrations were measured, the creatinine-based eGFR was calculated, and the relationships between these markers were subsequently analyzed. This study showed the use of urinary Cd concentration adjusted with SG rather than with urinary creatinine may be appropriate in studies evaluating renal function based on Cd exposure. Urinary Cd concentration adjusted with SG had a positive correlation with urinary MDA levels and a negative correlation with eGFR. This relationship was relatively stronger in women than in men. This study showed that urinary Cd level was associated with decreased eGFR in the general population, and oxidative stress was likely to act as an intermediator in this process. These results suggest that eGFR can be a very good indicator of kidney damage caused by Cd exposure in the general population.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.650-656
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• 2004

Oryza grandiglumis (CCDD, 2n=48), one of the wild rice species, has been known to possess fungal-,bacterial-, and insect-resistance against sheath blight, rice blast, bacterial leaf blight and brown plant hopper (Nilaparvata lugens). To rapidly isolate differentially expressed genes responding to fungal and wounding stress, wounding and yeast extract were treated to O. grandiglumis for 24 hrs. Suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) method was used to obtain differentially expressed genes from yeast extract and wounding treated plants. Seven hundreds and seventy six clones were obtained by subcloning PCR product, and colony array and screening were carried out using radio-isotope labeled cDNA probes prepared from the wounding and yeast extract treated plants. One hundred and fifteen colonies were confirmed as true positive ones. Average insert size of the clones were ranged from 400 bp to 700 bp and all the inserts were sequenced. To decide the identity of those clones, sequences were analyzed by sequence homology via GenBank database. The homology search result showed that 68 clones were matched to the genes with known function; 16 were related to primary metabolism, 5 to plant retrotransposons, 5 to defense related metallothionein-like genes. In addition to that, others were matched to various genes with known function in amino acid synthesis and processing, membrane transport, and signal transduction, so on. In northern blot analysis, induced expressions of ogwfi-161, ogwfi-646, ogwfi-663, and ogwfi-695 by wounding and yeast extract treatments were confirmed. The result indicates that SSH method is very efficient for rapid screening of differentially expressed genes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.354-361
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• 2019

The red pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is one of the most important vegetables in traditional Korean food, containing vitamins A, C, and E, polyphenol, and flavonoids. In addition, red peppers have high anti-oxidant ability and are known to be effective in preventing obesity, diabetes, hypertension, digestive disorders, stress, and aging. In this study, we investigated the effects against obesity and diabetes of both fermented and non-fermented red pepper. C57BL/6N mice with induced obesity from an eight-week 45% high fat diet (HFD) were then fed either an HFD or diets containing 2.5% non-fermented red pepper marc (NRM), 1.25% fermented red pepper marc (FRM), or 2.5% FRM for a further eight weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test was performed seven weeks after dietary intake, and body weight, liver, epididymal fat weight, serum insulin level, and HOMA-IR were measured and a lipid content test performed at eight weeks. The results show that the 2.5% FRM diet reduced body and tissue weight, lipid content, serum insulin levels, and HOMA-IR compared to the 2.5% NRM and HFD diets. These results suggest that fermented red pepper is effective against obesity and diabetes. We will use this information as the basic data for the development of health food materials using red pepper.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.699-708
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• 2010

This study looked into the obesity status, recognition of obesity, attitude towards obesity, eating and exercise habits, and lifestyles of Korean (n=101) and Japanese (n=123) female college students. All students were 21-years-of age, with an average height of 161 cm and the average weight of 54 kg. Korean female students responded that obesity complicated friendships, and hindered study and exercise. Japanese students did not express these opinions. Both Korean and Japanese students tended to over-consume their favorite food. Korean students ate breakfast about 24.8% everyday, while 48% of Japanese students did; both regularly ate dinner. Snack preference was mainly biscuits. The factor most influencing eating habits were TV advertisement for Korean students (57.4%) and parents for Japanese students (47.2%). Once-weekly exercise was done regularly by 34.7% of Korean students but only 20.3% of Japanese students. The main reason for Korean students to exercise was weight reduction (53.5%), while 78.2% did not exercise because it was tiring. Korean and Japanese students had similar life styles, although stress relief in Korean students was sought through conversations with friends and by reading books or listening to music for Japanese students.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.11
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• pp.1529-1537
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• 2012

In order to determine the effective concentration, 2, 7, and 14 brix black garlic extracts (BGE) were fed to restraint stressed rats and the lipid metabolism was analyzed. The dietary intake of the 14 brix BGE-fed group was $547.64{\pm}13.99$ g/4 weeks and it was significantly higher than that of the control group. The weight of all organs from the all BGE-fed groups showed no significant differences. While BGE concentration increased, BGE-fed groups tend to have low content of blood glucose. It was the lowest in the 14 brix BGE-fed group ($121.32{\pm}3.50$ mg/dl). Total cholesterol content was $54.54{\pm}1.63{\sim}65.84{\pm}2.61$ mg/dl. Total cholesterol content of the 14 brix BGE-fed group was the lowest and, in addition, lower than the normal group. Triglyceride content of serum showed the same tendency. HDL-cholesterol concentrations of the restraint stressed control (RSC) group were significantly higher than those of 7 and 14 brix BGE-fed groups. LDL and VLDL-cholesterol contents showed contrary results. GOT, GTP, and ALP activity of serum were lower when BGE concentration was higher. It is expected that BGE has a liver protective activity. In the liver, total lipids and triglyceride contents were significantly lower in BGE-fed groups than in the ISC group. However, total cholesterol content showed no significant difference between groups. TBARS content in liver of the 2 brix BGE-fed group was not significantly different than control, while 7 and 14 brix BGE-fed groups were lower than control. Glycogen content in the liver was only significantly lower in the 14 brix BGE-fed group than in the RSC group. Findings indicate that feed of BGE over 7 brix contributes to resolving the restraint-stressed rats by improving the lipid metabolism and liver protective activity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.648-655
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• 2018

Enhancement mechanistic actions of testosterone (TS) productions in mouse Leydig TM3 cells by the eritadenine (EA) and/or the Agaricus blazei mycelial liquid culture extract (ABMLCE). Productions of TS in TM3 cells were investigated in normal and oxidative-stressed culture conditions. In the normal culture condition, TM3 cells grown in a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) were treated with EA (0~100 ppm) and ABMLCE (10 ppm) + EA (0~50 ppm) for 24 hr, and in the oxidative-stressed culture condition, the cells grown in DMEM containing $50{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ to induce oxidative stress for 4 h were treated with the same as those in the normal culture condition. TS content, $3{\beta}$-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (HSD3B2) enzyme activity, $5{\alpha}$-reductase 2 ($5{\alpha}-R2$) enzyme activity, and free-radical nitric oxide (NO) content in the culture media were measured using their corresponding assay kits. EA, ABMLCE, and ABMLCE + EA significantly, p<0.05, enhanced TS productions in both cultural conditions, relative to control treatment. The activity of the HSD3B2 enzyme, which is involved in the production of precursors for TS production, was elevated by EA, ABMLCE, and ABMLCE + EA treatments in both culture conditions. The activity of the $5{\alpha}-R2$ enzyme, which converts TS to dihydroxytestosterone (DHT), was not significantly affected in either culture condition by EA, ABMLCE, or ABMLCE + EA treatments. The treatments included reduced NO content. These results indicate that EA, ABMLCE, and EA + ABMLCE treatments elevated TS in TM3 cells via the enhancements of HSD3B2 activity and the reduction of NO production, and also imply that EA and ABMLCE or EA + ABMLCE could be useful materials for the production of TS in humans.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.444-452
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of treadmill exercise on $A{\beta}$-42, cytochrome c, SOD-1, 2 and Sirt-3 protein expressions in brain cytosol and mitochondria in mutant (N141I) presenilin-2 transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The mice were divided into four groups (Non-Tg-sedentary, n=5; Non-Tg treadmill exercise, n=5; Tg-sedentary, n=5; Tg treadmill exercise, n=5). To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of treadmill exercise, Non-Tg and Tg mice were subjected to exercise training on a treadmill for 12 wk, after which their brain cytosol and mitochondria were evaluated to determine whether any changes in the cognitive performance, $A{\beta}$-42 protein, cytochrome c protein, anti-oxidant enzymes (SOD-1, SOD-2) and Sirt-3 protein had occurred. The results indicated that treadmill exercise resulted in amelioration in cognitive deficits of Tg mice. In addition, the expressions of mitochondrial $A{\beta}$-42 and cytosolic cytochrome c protein were decreased in the brains of Tg mice after treadmill exercise, whereas antioxidant enzymes, SOD-l and SOD-2 were significantly increased in response to treadmill exercise. Furthermore, treadmill exercise significantly increased the expression of Sirt-3 protein in Non-Tg and Tg mice. Taken together, these results suggest that treadmill exercise is a simple behavioral intervention which can sufficiently improve cognitive performance and inhibit $A{\beta}$-induced oxidative stress in AD.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.7
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• pp.983-993
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• 2009

The effects of Monascus-fermented Korean red ginseng (MFRG) on the contents of serum lipids and tissues lipid peroxidation was investigated in alcohol feeding rats (AC group). Serum contents of total lipid and free fatty acid in alcohol feeding rats were significantly increased, but these increases tended to decrease in the AMFRG group. Serum triglyceride content was also significantly decreased in the AMFRG group compared to other groups. Serum content of total-cholesterol was significantly increased in AC group compared to normal control (NC) group, whereas there was no significant difference between the AC and AMFRG groups. Content of HDL-cholesterol in serum was slightly increased in the AC group compared to the NC group, but this increase in the AC group was more significantly increased in the AMFRG group. At the same time, atherogenic index (AI) was also significantly decreased in the AMFRG group compared to the AC group. Contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver, heart, spleen and testes were significantly increased in the AC group compared to the NC group, but these increases were significantly less in the AMFRG group. Contents of liver nonheme ion was increased in the AC group and was significantly decreased in the AMFRG group, which suggested that lipid peroxidation contents are inversely correlated with liver nonheme ion content. Hepatic glutathione concentration was significantly decreased in the AC group, but this content was significantly increased in the AMFRG group and it showed the antioxidant abilities of glutathione. These results suggested that Monascus-fermented Korea red ginseng has anti-atherogenic index (AI) effects as well as antioxidative activities through reduced tissue oxidative stress in alcohol feeding rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.137-146
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• 2020

Calcium is one of the important secondary signaling molecules in plant cells. Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPK)-the sensor proteins of Ca²⁺ and phosphorylating enzymes-are the most abundant serine/threonine kinases in plant cells. They convert and transmit signals in response to various stimuli, resulting in specific responses in plants. In rice, 31 CDPK gene families have been identified, which are mainly involved in plant growth and development and are known to play roles in response to various stress conditions. However, little is known about the biochemical characteristics of CDPK proteins. In this study, OsCPK11-a CDPK in rice-was partially purified, and its biochemical characteristics were found. Partially purified OsCPK11 from rice seedlings was obtained by three-step column chromatography that involved anion exchange chromatography consisting of DEAE, hydrophobic interaction chromatography consisting of phenyl-Sepharose, and gel filtration chromatography consisting of Sephacryl-200HR. An in vitro kinase assay using partially purified OsCPK11 was also performed. This partially purified OsCPK11 had a molecular weight of 54 kDa and showed a strong hydrophobic interaction with the hydrophobic resin. In vitro kinase assay showed that the OsCPK11 also had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity. The OsCPK11 phosphorylated histone III-S, and the optimum pH for its kinase activity was found to be 7.5~8.0. The native OsCPK11 shared several biochemical characteristics with recombinant OsCPK11 studied previously, and both had Ca²⁺-dependent autophosphorylation activity and favored histone III-S as a substrate for kinase activity, which also had a Ca²⁺-dependence.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2001

Recently many studies have reported that total and bioavailable androgens reduced in male and female athletes and that physical exercise reduces the body weight and increases the reproductive abnormalities such as oligomenorrhea, anovulation, inadequate luteal phase, and delayed puberty in women by the inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis . In addition, high mileage endurance 겨nning, psychological stress, and military endurance training in men also reduce the secretion of reproductive hormones. To investigate the efffcts of physical endurance exercise on the secretion of reproductive hormones in men, androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis were measured in serum by the conventional radioimmunoassays after long-term (more than3 months), short-term (1 week), and acute (1${sim}$2 hours) physical exercises. Androgenic hormones from adrenal glands and testis such as total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (fT), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione (A) decreased after thesestrenuous endurance trainings, whereas ACTH, cortisol, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfetes (DHEAS) increased. Conadotropins (LH and FSH) were not idluenced by the physical exercises. Based upon the present results, we assume that the decrease in adrenal and testicular androgens by physical endurance exercises might be associated with the reproductive abnormalities in athletes by unknown factor(s) in addition to the HPG axis disturbance.