• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.133-140
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• 1977

The results of electron microscopic studies on the cell fine structure of Nocardia sp the location of tellurite-reducing enzyme and the reduction part of T. T. C. (Triphenyl tetrazonium chloride) were summarized as follows. As the fine structure of the cell, the membrane-like structure with unit membrane was distributed in the cytoplasm. The membrane-like structure had complicate forms: some of membrane-like structure appeared spiral form. As the metal tellurium salt appeared in the cytoplasm, it is obvious that tellurite and tellurate-reducing enzymes are present in the cytoplasm. Reduction of T. T. C. took place in the cell membrane and the intracellular membrane-like structure. Therefore, it was thought that reduction of tellurate and T. T. C. took place in different parts. T. T. C. formazane formed in the cell was reoxidized by osmic acid which was used as a fixation reagent for the electron microscopic specimen preparation. As 95％ T. T. C. formazane was soluble in ethanol and embedding materials and removed out of the cell, an originally formed formazane appeared as electron light part on the electron microscopic image.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.202-207
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• 2004

This study was performed to investigate the inhibitory effect of the water-extract from fermented compositions containing Inonotus obliquus with added Houttuynia cordata on the growth of either human AGS gastric and HCT-15 colon cancer cells or NIH3T3 normal mouse fibroblast cells. Cytotoxic activity on cancer cells was investigated by viable cell count, MTT assay and morphological observation. Mixtures of Inonotus obliquus with added Houttuynia cordata were fermented at $30{\sim}37^{\circ}C$, $50{\sim}60%$ humidity for 30 days, extracted with water, freeze dried, powered, and then dissolved in water for the experiment. In MTT assay, the fermented compositions exhibited inhibitory effects of 13, 25, 40, 67 and 78% for AGS and 22, 40, 50, 69 and 76% for HCT-15 at 0.16, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 and 4.0 mg/ml, respectively. However, normal NIH3T3 cells were exhibited 86% survival under the same experimental condition. Fermented compositions showed highly inhibitory effect against human cancer cell line HCT-15 and AGS, but not on normal cell line NIH3T3.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.383-388
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• 2020

Elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum L.) has been reported to have several pharmacological effects. However, its anti-adipogenic effect and the possible molecular mechanisms have not yet been reported. In this study, we demonstrate that elephant garlic extracts suppress adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Raw and steamed elephant garlic extracts (REG and SEG, respectively) suppressed the differentiation of adipocytes and cellular lipid accumulation. Of note, the anti-differentiation effect of REG treatment on 3T3-L1 cells resulted in cytotoxicity, whereas SEG-treated cells displayed no such cytotoxicity. Additionally, SEG treatment significantly reduced the adipogenesis-related gene expression of PPAR γ, C/EBPα, adiponectin, Ap2, and LPL. To our knowledge, these results are the first evidence of the anti-adipogenic effects of elephant garlic extracts on 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.8
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• pp.951-957
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• 2017

To understand the cytotoxic activity of Machilus thunbergii, which has been used as a traditional oriental medicine, the mechanism underlying the cytotoxic effect of its extract on human acute Jurkat T cells was investigated. The methanol extract of roots (3 kg) of M. thunbergii was evaporated, dissolved in, and then extracted by water. The water-extracted active substance was designated MTWE. When Jurkat T cells were treated with MTWE at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/ml$, the apoptotic phenomenon of cells accompanying several subsequent biochemical reactions, such as mitochondrial cytochrome c release, activation of caspase-3, and ICAD degradation, was detected in the Jurkat T cells. Moverover. the expression of Bcl-xL, which is a suppressor for mitochondrial cytochrome c release pathway, was reduced in the Jurkat T cells. As DUSP6, a growth suppressor of cancer cells, ranged from 0, 25, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$ of MTWE, the expression level was elevated in the Jurkat T cells. The apoptotic morphological change of the nuclei was observed by DAPI staining. Although the potential involvement of the other factors and DUSP6 is currently being investigated in more detail, these findings support the notion that MTWE is able to achieve the apoptosis of Jurkat T cells, and it seems that MTWE is useful as a method of evaluating a chemotherapeutic agent or tonic materials for human acute leukemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.12
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• pp.1532-1540
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• 2013

T-box transcription factor 2 (Tbr2) is a member of the T-box family of transcription factors and it plays an important role in brain development, progenitor cell proliferation, and the modulation of differentiation and function in immune cells, such as CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells. This study aims to elucidate the involvement of Tbr2 in the pathophysiological events following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus in mice. Status epilepticus resulted in prominent neuronal cell death in discrete brain regions, such as CA3, the hilus, and the piriform cortex. Interestingly, when the immunoreactivity of Tbr2 was examined two days after status epilepticus, it was transiently increased in CA3 and in the piriform cortex. Tbr2-positive cells in CA3 and the piriform cortex were double-labeled with CD11b, a marker of microglia and a subset of white blood cells, such as monocytes, CD8+ T cells, and natural killer cells. Moreover, the double-labeled cells with Tbr2 and CD11b showed amoeboid morphology, and this data indicates that Tbr2-expressing cells may be reactive microglia or infiltrating white blood cells. Furthermore, clustered Tbr2-positive cells were observed in the platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1)-positive blood vessels near the CA3 area, which suggests that Tbr2-positive cells may be infiltrating the white blood cells. Based on this data, this study is the first to indicate the involvement of Tbr2 in neuropathophysiology in status epilepticus.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.851-858
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• 2023

Unique cartilage matrix-associated protein (UCMA) is an extrahepatic vitamin K-dependent protein rich in γ-carboxylated (Gla) residues. UCMA has been recognized for its ability to promote osteoblast differentiation and enhance bone formation; however, its impact on osteoblasts under hyperglycemic stress remains unknown. In this paper, we investigated the effect of UCMA on MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells under hyperglycemic conditions. After exposure to high glucose, the MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with recombinant UCMA proteins. CellROX and MitoSOX staining showed that the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which initially increased under high-glucose conditions in MC3T3-E1 cells, decreased after UCMA treatment. Additionally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed increased expression of antioxidant genes, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and superoxide dismutase 1, in the MC3T3-E1 cells exposed to both high glucose and UCMA. UCMA treatment downregulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1, which reduced its translocation from the cytosol to the nucleus. Moreover, the expression of dynamin-related protein 1, a mitochondrial fission marker, was upregulated, and AKT signaling was inhibited after UCMA treatment. Overall, UCMA appears to mitigate ROS production, increase antioxidant gene expression, impact mitochondrial dynamics, and modulate AKT signaling in osteoblasts exposed to high-glucose conditions. This study advances our understanding of the cellular mechanism of UCMA and suggests its potential use as a novel therapeutic agent for bone complications related to metabolic disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.859-867
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• 2023

Lupeol is a type of pentacyclic triterpene that has been reported to have therapeutic effects for treating many diseases; however, its effect on insulin resistance is unclear clear. This study examined the inhibitory effect of lupeol on the serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 in insulin resistance-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were cultured and treated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) for 24 hours to induce insulin resistance. Cells treated with different concentrations of lupeol (15 μM or 30 μM) or 100 nM of rosiglitazone were incubated. Then, lysed cells underwent western blotting. Lupeol exhibited a positive effect on the negative regulator of insulin signaling and inflammation-activated protein kinase caused by TNF-α in adipocytes. Lupeol inhibited the activation of protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B (PTP-1B)-a negative regulator of insulin signaling-and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK); it was also an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase (IKK) and inflammation-activated protein kinases. In addition, Lupeol downregulated serine phosphorylation and upregulated tyrosine phosphorylation in insulin receptor substrate-1. Then, the downregulated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway was activated, the translocation of glucose transporter type 4 was stimulated to the cell membrane, and intracellular glucose uptake increased in the insulin resistance-induced 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Lupeol may improve TNF-α-induced insulin resistance by downregulating the serine phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 by inhibiting negative regulators of insulin signaling and inflammation-activated protein kinases in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

• Bulletin of Food Technology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2002

보리를 도정할 때 부산물로 생성되는 겨층인 대맥강으로부터 추출한 폴리페놀추출물(BPE)은 인체유래의 백혈병성 혈액암세포인 HL60 세포에서 세포분화의 지표가 되는nitro blue tetrazolin(NBT)을 환원시키는 활성과 $\alpha$-naphthyl butyrate esterase 활성을 유도하는 것으로 보고되었다. 본 논문에서는 보리의 폴리페놀추출물(BPE)에서 정제한 프로안토시아니딘이 HL60 세포주의 세포분화에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 프로델피니딘 B-3, T1, T2 및 T3는 26-40%의 NBT -환원활성을 유도하였고, 22-32%의 $\alpha$-naphthyl butyrate esterase 활성을 유도하는 것으로 나타났다. 프로안토시아니딘은 또한 HL 60 세포주에서 retinoic acid가 유발시킨 과립구 세포분화와 sodiumbutyrate가 유발시킨 단립구 세포분화를 더욱 촉진시키는 것으로 나타났다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.7
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• pp.1015-1021
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• 2013

Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, an important species of licorice, is one of the most widely used medicinal plants for over 4000 years. Glycyrrhiza plant species has been well known for its various therapeutic activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-ulcer. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal ethanol extracts (GBE) on adipocyte and osteoblast differentiation. Mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells were treated with sub-cytotoxic doses of GBE, and its effects on adipocyte differentiation were assessed. We found that GBE dose-dependently increased lipid accumulation and also induced the expression of adipocyte markers, such as $PPAR{\gamma}$ and its target genes, aP2, and adiponectin, in C3H10T1/2 cells. Consistently, similar effects of GBE on lipid accumulation were also observed in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells that further supports the pro-adipogenic activities of GBE. We also investigated the effects of GBE on osteoblast differentiation of mesenchymal C3H10T1/2 cells. As a results, we found that GBE increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase in a dose-dependent manner and also promoted the expression of osteoblast markers, such as ALP and RUNX2, during osteoblast differentiation of C3H10T1/2 cells. Similar pro-osteogenic effects of GBE were also observed in preosteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. Finally, our data show that a major bioactive compound found in Glycyrrhiza inflata Batal, licochalcone A (LA) but not glycyrrhizic acid (GA), can mediate the pro-adipogenic and pro-osteogenic effects of GBE. Taken together, this study provides data to show the possibility of GBE and its bioactive component LA as putative strategies for type 2 diabetes and bone diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1564-1570
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• 2016

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan on macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and T cell-mediated factors. Effect of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan on cytotoxicity in macrophages was investigated. Using macrophages, cytotoxicity of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan was evaluated by MTT assay. We treated high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan at concentrations of 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, and $250{\mu}g/mL$ in macrophages. High-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan did not affect macrophage viability. Phagocytic activity was assessed using zymosan. Activity of high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan on macrophages significantly increased as compared with zymosan. We treated high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan to murine NK cells co-incubated with YAC-1 cells. High-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan resulted in significantly increased activity of NK cells as compared with the control. In addition, treatment of macrophages with high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan resulted in significantly increased activity of T cell-mediated cytokine (IL-2, IL-12, $IFN-{\gamma}$, and $TNF-{\alpha}$) levels and CD4+/CD8+ T cells as compared with the control. In conclusion, high-purity ${\beta}$-1.3/1.6-glucan could enhance the immune response through activation of macrophages, NK cells, and T cell-mediated factors.