• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권6호
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• pp.539-545
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• 2018

4-Hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenethyl)isoindoline-1,3-dione (PD1) is a synthetic phthalimide derivative of a marine compound. PD1 has peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$ agonistic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PD1 on allergic asthma using rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells and an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. In vitro, PD1 suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase activity in RBL-2H3 cells. In the OVA-induced allergic asthma mouse model, increased inflammatory cells and elevated Th2 and Th1 cytokine levels were observed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue. PD1 administration decreased the numbers of inflammatory cells, especially eosinophils, and reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the Th2 cytokines including interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-13, in BALF and lung tissue. The severity of inflammation and mucin secretion in the lungs of PD1-treated mice was also less. These findings indicate that PD1 could be a potential compound for anti-allergic therapy.

• 약학회지
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.155-162
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• 1996

Hyperkeratinization is a dermatologic disorder, which is due to the increase of corneocyte cohesion force. Glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid(AHA), has been used to breakdown the hyperkeratinization processes. However, it has a problem of skin irritation when applied topically, due to the strong acidity especially in high concentration. A molecular optimization of glycolic acid has been tried to reduce the skin irritation by the way of prodrug formation. Ethyl glycolate was synthesized by the esterification of glycolic acid with ethanol in acidic conditions in the presence of sulfuric acid, and examined under the spectroscopic trials, such as UV, IR, $^1H$-NMR, and GC-MS. The physicochemical and biopharmaceutical properties of the prodrug were also evaluated. Through the toxicological tests of both skin irritation and eye mucous irritation, it has been proved that ethyl glycolate was less irritant than glycolic acid, since the pH value of synthetic prodrug was higher than that of glycolic acid. In the penetration test through nude mouse skin by diffusion cell, ethyl glycolate was continuously hydrolyzed to glycolic acid, which was assayed form the receptor compartment. It was obtained that the penetrated amount of ethyl glycolate was five times higher than that of glycolic acid. These results suggest that ethyl glycolate might be a successful prodrug of glycolic acid to reduce the skin irritation and to increase the skin penetration as well.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2015

Synthetic pyrethroids (SPs) are the most common pesticides which are recently used for indoor pest control. The widespread use of SPs has resulted in the increased exposure to wild animals and humans. Recently, some SPs are suspected as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and have been assessed for their potential estrogenicity by adopting various analyzing assays. In this study, we examined the estrogenic effects of lambda-cyhalothrin (LC) and cypermethrin (CP), the most commonly used pesticides in Korea, using BG-1 ovarian cancer cells expressing estrogen receptors (ERs). To evaluate the estrogenic activities of two SPs, LC and CP, we employed MTT assay and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in LC or CP treated BG-1 ovarian cancer cells. In MTT assay, LC ($10^{-6}M$) and CP ($10^{-5}M$) significantly induced the growth of BG-1 cancer cells. LC or CP-induced cell growth was antagonized by addition of ICI 182,720 ($10^{-8}M$), an ER antagonist, suggesting that this effect appears to be mediated by an ER-dependent manner. Moreover, RT-PCR results showed that transcriptional level of cyclin D1, a cell cycle-regulating gene, was significantly up-regulated by LC and CP, while these effects were reversed by co-treatment of ICI 182,780. However, p21, a cyclin D-ckd-4 inhibitor gene, was not altered by LC or CP. Moreover, $ER{\alpha}$ expression was not significantly changed by LC and CP, while down-regulated by E2. Finally, in xenografted mouse model transplanted with human BG-1 ovarian cancer cells, E2 significantly increased the tumor volume compare to a negative control, but LC did not. Taken together, these results suggest that LC and CP may possess estrogenic potentials by stimulating the growth of BG-1 ovarian cancer cells via partially ER signaling pathway associated with cell cycle as did E2, but this estrogenic effect was not found in in vivo mouse model.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제28권3호
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• pp.177-183
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• 1998

Low toxicity, reverse thermal gelation and high drug loading capabilities suggest that poloxamer 407 gels have great potential as a topical drug delivery system. Kojic acid (KA) is an antimelanogenic agent which has been widely used in cosmetics to whiten the skin color. However, it has the drawbacks of skin irritancy due to its acidic pH. Poloxamer gels of different polymer contents were formulated to overcome the problem and compared to the cream type formulations of either w/o/w multiple emulsion cream or o/w type emulsion cream. Using Franz diffusion cells mounted with a synthetic cellulose membrane (MWCO 12,000), drug release characteristics of the formulations were evaluated by the HPLC assay of KA concentration in the receptor compartment of pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline solutions. Drug release from w/o/w multiple emulsion cream was controlled by oil membrane, showing the apparent zero order release kinetics. The KA release from the poloxamer gels was also controlled by the gel matrix, showing that drug release increased linearly as KA contents increase, but decreased exponentially as the polymer contents increase. In the skin irritancy test, the primary irritancy index(PII) of poloxamer gel base was lower than those of multiple emulsion cream base and o/w cream. Depending on KA contents or polymer contents in the gel. PH values in poloxamer gels were ranged from 1.3 to 2.0, which are interpreted as low or negligible irritation on skin. There was a good correlation between the log value of flux in drug release and PII value in skin irritation. It was possible to conclude that the poloxamer gels containing KA might be a good candidate for an antimelanogenic topical delivery system by virtue of the controlled release of the drug and the reduced skin irritancy.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.345-349
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• 2009

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are synthetic organic compounds with two benzene rings and well known environmental pollutants. This study examined the effect of persistent exposure to 2,$3^{\prime}$,4,$4^{\prime}$,5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB118) on the proinflammatory and proapoptotic factors in male rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats were administered weekly intraperitoneal injections of either PCB118 (20 mg/kg) dissolved in corn oil or corn oil alone. One week after 2 and 5 administrations, the rats were sacrificed by a pentobarbital injection. The effect of PCB118 on the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, Bcl and Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) was investigated. The level of COX-2 and cPLA2 expression was higher in the PCB118-treated rats than the control. These results suggest that PCB118 has a proinflammatory effect in rats.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제41권10호
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• pp.900-908
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• 2018

Insulin resistance is closely associated with metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension and atherosclerosis. Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) have been developed to ameliorate insulin resistance by activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$. Although TZDs are synthetic ligands for $PPAR{\gamma}$, metabolic outcomes of each TZD are different. Moreover, there are lack of head-to-head comparative studies among TZDs in the aspect of metabolic outcomes. In this study, we analyzed the effects of three TZDs, including lobeglitazone (Lobe), rosiglitazone (Rosi), and pioglitazone (Pio) on metabolic and thermogenic regulation. In adipocytes, Lobe more potently stimulated adipogenesis and insulin-dependent glucose uptake than Rosi and Pio. In the presence of pro-inflammatory stimuli, Lobe efficiently suppressed expressions of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages and adipocytes. In obese and diabetic db/db mice, Lobe effectively promoted insulin-stimulated glucose uptake and suppressed pro-inflammatory responses in epididymal white adipose tissue (EAT), leading to improve glucose intolerance. Compared to other two TZDs, Lobe enhanced beige adipocyte formation and thermogenic gene expression in inguinal white adipose tissue (IAT) of lean mice, which would be attributable to cold-induced thermogenesis. Collectively, these comparison data suggest that Lobe could relieve insulin resistance and enhance thermogenesis at low-concentration conditions where Rosi and Pio are less effective.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.87-92
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• 1998

Kojic acid (KA) is an antimelanogenic agent which has been widely used in cosmetics to whiten the skin color. However, it has the drawbacks of the skin irritancy and the instability against the pH, temperature, and light. In order to overcome these problems, various topical gels and multiple emulsion creams which can control the release of active ingredient, KA, were formulated employing cream bases of mineral oil with caprylic capric triglyceride and hydrophilic polymers such as chitosan, carbopol. and pluronics. Using Franz diffusion cells mounted with a synthetic cellulose membrane (MWCO 12,000), drug release characteristics of the formulations were evaluated by the HPLC assay of KA concentration in the receptor compartment of pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline solution. Drug release from chitosan-based gels (ChitoGel) obeyed to the first order kinetics with a rapid release especially in the initial period. However, pluronic-based gels (PluGel) and carbopol-based gels (CarboGel) revealed controlled release of drug to some extent, followed by the square root-time kinetics. Moreover, the release of KA was further controlled with the W/O/W multiple emulsion creams (MultiCream), showing the apparent zero order release kinetics by virtue of dynamic ratecontrolling membrane of the oil layer. The flux $(J,\;{\mu}g/cm^2/hr)$ of ChitoGel. CarboGel. PluGel. and MultiCream in the initial period of 6hr were 73.30, 28.67. 24.04 and 7.72, respectively. On the other hand, the skin irritancy score of ChitoGel and MultiCream were observed as 2.5 and 2.3 respectively, in the rabbit skin irritation test. Although there were insignificant differences at p<0.05 between those formulations, it was possible to conclude that the W/O/W multiple emulsion creams containing KA might be a good candidate for an antimelanogenic drug delivery system due to the controlled release of acidic drug molecules.

• Animal cells and systems
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• 제1권1호
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• pp.115-121
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• 1997

To precisely analyze the role of ovarian steroids in the regulation of laminin chain gene expression in mouse uterine tissues, the ovariectomized mouse model was used. Ovariectomized mice received a single injection of steroid hormones and total RNA was isolated from whole uterine tissues. Messenger RNA levels of each laminin chain (A, 81, and 82) were determined by competitive RT-peR procedures. Estradiol decreased mRNA levels of laminin 81 chain about two-fold, and 82 chain rather moderately. Estradiol-induced inhibition of laminin 81 and 82 chain mRNA levels were completely blocked by pretreatment with estrogen receptor antagonist tamoxifen. Estriol, a short acting estrogen which cannot induce hyperplastic responses of rodent uterine tissues, also showed an inhibitory effect on 81 and 82 chain mRNA levels, while estrone, an inactive estrogen, failed to influence either 8 chain mRNA levels. Effects of steroids on A chain mRNA level were quite different from those on 8 chains. Laminin A chain mRNA level was slightly increased by estradiol treatment, but negatively affected by progesterone. Progesterone treatment greatly increased both 8 chain mRNA levels, but slightly decreased A chain mRNA level compared to the control. The effect of progesterone on laminin chain-specific mRNA levels was further increased by co-injection of estradiol in a time-dependent manner. Progesterone-induced 81 and 82 chain mRNA transcription was inhibited by RU486, a synthetic anti-progesterone /anti-glucocorticoid. The present study demonstrates for the first time that steroids are able to regulate laminin gene expression in mouse uterine tissues, indicating that steroid-regulated laminin gene expression is involved in uterine growth and probably differentiation.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제11권1호
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• pp.49-52
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• 2013

Fentanyl, a synthetic, highly selective opioid ${\mu}$-receptor agonist, is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The low molecular weight, high potency, great transdermal permeation rate and lipid solubility of fentanyl make it very suitable for transdermal administration. Durogesic is a novel matrix transdermal system providing continuous systemic delivery of fentanyl. In recently, there are many reports that misused or overused fentanyl transdermal patches result in severe intoxication of fentanyl. We present a case of fentanyl toxicity with misused durogesic transdermal patch and discuss the safe and appropriate application of the patches. In conclusion, fentanyl patches should be used in opioid tolerant patients and prescribed at the lowest possible dose and titrated upward as needed. All patients and their caregivers should be educated safe application of fentanyl patches and advised to avoid exposing the patches application site to direct external heat sources, such as heating pads, or electric blankets, heat lamps, sauna, hot tubs, and others. In addition, concomittant medications that affect fentanyl's metabolism should be avoided.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제24권2호
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• pp.185-193
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• 2007

Symbiotic nitrogen fixation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the root nodules is a distinctly beneficial metabolic process in legume plants. Legumes control the nodule number and nodulation zone through a systemic negative regulatory system between shoot and root. Mutation in the soybean NTS gene encoding GmNARK, a CLAVATA1-like serine/threonine receptor-like kinase, causes excessive nodule development called hypernodulation. To examine the effect of nts mutation on the gene expression profile in the leaves, suppression subtractive hybridization was performed with the trifoliate leaves of nts mutant 'SS2-2' and the wild-type (WT) parent 'Sinpaldalkong2', and 75 EST clones that were highly expressed in the leaves of the SS2-2 mutant were identified. Interestingly, the expression of jasmonate (JA)-responsive genes such as vspA, vspB, and Lox2 were upregulated, whereas that of a salicylate-responsive gene PR1a was suppressed in the SS2-2 mutant. In addition, the level of JA was about two-fold higher in the leaves of the SS2-2 mutant than in those of the WT under natural growth conditions. Moreover, the JA-responsive gene expression persists in the leaves of SS2-2 mutant without rhizobia infection in the roots. Taken together, our results suggest that the nts mutation increases JA synthesis in mature leaves and consequently leads to constitutive expression of JA-responsive genes which is irrelevant to hypernodulation in the root.