• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.212-216
• /
• 2006

The effect of aqueous extracts of medicinal plants $AMP-365^{TM}$ was tested for immune system regulating activity based on anti-inflammatory activity, anti-oxidant, macrophage proliferation and T-lymphocyte proliferation activity. $AMP-365^{TM}$ dose-dependently increased proliferation of RAW264.7 macrophage cells and its nitric oxide production as well as DPPH radical scavenging activity. On the other hand, T-lymphocyte proliferation activity was decreased on dose-dependent manner. Passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction was alleviated by 49% by administering 250 mg/kg of $AMP-365^{TM}$. The results suggest that $AMP-365^{TM}$ can be beneficial in the treatment of immediate allergic reactions as an adjuvant supplement material.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2022

Styrene is the precursor of polystyrene. Human exposure to styrene could occur in occupational and residential settings and via food intake. Styrene is metabolized to styrene-7,8-oxide by cytochrome P450 enzyme. In the present study, we investigated the cytotoxicity mediated by styrene and styrene-7,8-oxide in TM3 testicular Leydig cells in vitro. We first monitored the nuclear fragmentation in Leydig cells after exposure to styrene or styrene-7,8-oxide. Hoechst 33258 cell staining showed that styrene exposure in TM3 Leydig cells did not exhibit nuclear fragmentation at any concentration. In contrast, nuclear fragmentation was seen in styrene-7,8-oxide-exposed cells. These results indicate that cytotoxicity-mediated cell death in Leydig cells is more susceptible to styrene-7,8-oxide than to styrene. Following styrene treatment, procaspase-3 and XIAP protein levels did not show significant changes, and cleaved (active) forms of caspase-3 were not detected. Consistent with the western blot results, the active forms of caspase-3 and XIAP proteins were not prominently altered in the cytoplasm of cells treated with styrene. In contrast to styrene, styrene-7,8-oxide induced cell death in an apoptotic fashion, as seen in caspase-3 activation and increased the expression of XIAP proteins. Taken together, the results obtained in this study demonstrate a fundamental idea that Leydig cells are capable of protecting themselves from cytotoxicity-mediated apoptosis as a result of styrene exposure in vitro. It remains unclear whether the steroid-producing function, i.e., steroidogenesis, of Leydig cells is also unaffected by exposure to styrene. Therefore, further studies are needed to elucidate the endocrine disrupting potential of styrene in Leydig cells.

• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.115-121
• /
• 2005

The present report aimed at evaluating the effect of bisphenol A(BPA) and diethylstilbestrol(DES) on Leydig or Sertoli cell-lines. To identify the differences in the susceptibility to BPA upon different cell-types, assay of the cell viability was done on TM3(Leydig cells) and TM4(Sertoli cells) cell-lines. The result indicates that Sertoli cells are more sensitive to low dose of BPA than Leydig cells. Also, the BPA- or DES-treated Sertoli cells showed a reduction of phospholipase D(PLD) activity identically. According to the confirmation of the mRNA expression of fas receptor and fas ligand in the BPA-treated cells, fas/fasL system activated by BPA will deliver the apoptosis signal onto Sertoli TM4 cells. However, Fas/FasL system was not activated in the DES-treated cells unlike the BPA-treated cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.216-220
• /
• 1995

cDNA for human cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP), a potent atherogenic plasma protein that redistributes the neutral lipids among lipoproteins, was expressed in recombinant vaccinia virus-infected cells (CV-1). Two insertion vectors regulated by different promoters were constructed. The vectors were introduced into human thymidine kinase-negative ($TK^-$) 1438 cells infected with wild-type vaccinia virus (WR strain). Recombinant viruses were selected with 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) and X-gal and identified with DNA dot blot analysis (vSC11-CETP and vTM1-CETP). The CETP cDNA insert in the recombinant vaccinia virus genome was identified by Southern blot analysis. Transcription of CETP cDNA in CV-1 cells infected with recombinant vaccinia virus was monitored by Northern blot analysis using the CETP cDNA as a probe. Positive signals were detected at 1.8 kb in cells infected with vSC11-CETP and at 2.3 kb in cells infected with vTM1-CETP. The recombinant vaccinia virus-infected CV-1 cells were shown to produce functional CETP when the culture medium was subjected to the CETP assay.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.103-111
• /
• 2018

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the antioxidant effects of the extract of Rubi Fructus on TM4 Sertoli cells. Methods : The extract was studied for diphenyl-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and cell viability assays on Sertoli cells. In addition, hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress on Sertoli cells were examined by MTT assay. The antioxidant enzyme of Cu/Zn SOD, Mn SOD, catalase protein expression on Sertoli cells were also measured. Results : The results showed that the extract scavenged DPPH radical dose-dependent manner. The extract showed no cytotoxicity at concentration of 1, 5, 10, 50, $100{\mu}g/ml$. The hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity of Sertoli cells was protected to 88.3% by the extract at concentration of $100{\mu}g/ml$. Cu/Zn SOD and Mn SOD protein expression were significantly increased on Sertoli cells, but catalase protein expression was not significantly changed. Conclusions : In conclusion, the extract of Rubi Fructus has antioxidant effects on Sertoli cells and protect male reproductive system against oxidative stress.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.293-304
• /
• 2005

As the eye irritant test of lens washing agent, ReNu$^{TM}$ was analysed using Draize methods (1959) according to KFDA Guidelines. In addition, to test the potential toxicity of test articles the ratio of inflammatory cells and non-inflammatory epitheloid cells were also observed using smear cytology methods against ocular discharge. At test, the histopathological changes on the cornea, iris, retina and sclera were also observed in all animals. Slight irritancy of the cornea and conjunctiva were observed at 1, 2 and 3 days after dropping in non-washing group. The Mean Index of Ocular Irritation(MIOI) of these points are detected as 4.17, 3.00 and 1.33, respectively. In washing group, slight irritancy of the cornea and conjunctiva were observed at 1 and 2 days after dropping with MIOI as 0.67 and 1.33, respectively. Therefore, ReNu$^{TM}$ was considered as non-irritating materials because the MIOI is detected below 5.00 throughout the whole experimental periods in both washing and non-washing groups. The Index of Acute Ocular Irritation(IAOI) is also detected as 4.17(1 day after dropping). Except of the somewhat increase trend of the inflammatory cell ratios in ocular discharge at 1 day after dropping of non-washing group, but significances are not detected, on the other hand, no meaningful changes on smear cytology of ocular discharges are observed in this study. In addition, no abnormal histopathological changes on the cornea, iris, retina and sclera were also not detected in ReNu$^{TM}$ dropping group compared to that of non-treated control eyes.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.299-310
• /
• 2006

The eye irritant test of lens washing agent, $SOLOCARE^{TM}$ was conducted using Draize methods according to KFDA Guidelines 1999-61. In addition, to test the potential toxicity of test articles the ratio of inflammatory cells and non-inflammatory epitheloid cells were also observed using smear cytology methods against ocular discharge. At sacrifice, the histopathological changes on Cornea, Iris, Retina and Sclera were also observed in all animals. Slight (1~2 degrees) irritancy of cornea and conjunctiva were observed at 1, 2 and 3 days after dropping in non-washing group. The MIOI of these points are detected as 4.33, 3.33 and 2.00, respectively. In washing group, slight irritancy of cornea and conjunctiva were restricted to 1 and 2 days after dropping with MIOI as 3.00 and 1.33, respectively. Therefore, $SOLOCARE^{TM}$ was also considered as non-irritating materials because the MIOI is detected below 5.00 throughout the whole experimental periods in both washing and non-washing groups and the IAOI is also detected as 4.33 (1 day after dropping). No meaningful changes on smear cytology of ocular discharges are observed in this study compared to that of non-treated intact eyes. In addition, no abnormal histopathological changes on the cornea, iris, retina and sclera were also detected in $SOLOCARE^{TM}$ dropping group compared to that of non-treated intact eyes.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.21 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2006

Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa-interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) is a mitochondrial pro-apoptotic protein that has a single Bcl-2 homology 3 (BH3) domain and a COOH-terminal transmembrane (TM) domain. Although it belongs to the Bcl-2 family and can heterodimerize with Bcl-2, its pro-apoptotic activity is distinct from those of other members of the Bcl-2 family. For example, cell death mediated by BNIP3 is independent of caspases and shows several characteristics of necrosis. Furthermore, the TM domain, but not the BH3 domain, is required for dimerization, mitochondrial targeting and pro-apoptotic activity. BNIP3 plays an important role in hypoxia-induced death of normal and malignant cells. Its expression is markedly increased in the hypoxic regions of some solid tumors and appears to be regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), which binds to a site on the BNIP3 promoter. Silencing, followed by methylation, of the BNIP3 gene occurs in a significant proportion of cancer cases, especially in pancreatic cancers. BNIP3 also has a role in the death of cardiac myocytes in ischemia. Further studies of BNIP3 should provide insight into hypoxic cell death and may contribute to improved treatment of cancers and cardiovascular diseases.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.22-32
• /
• 2000

Purpose : Histopathologic observation was performed in order to determine which type of suture material is superior in microvascular anastomoses. Materials & Methods : The interrupted end to end anastomosis of the transected carotid arteries of 105 Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 180 to 200g, were performed using 9-0 polypropylene ($Prolene^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.), 9-0 polyglactin 910 monofilament($Vicryl^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.), and 9-0 polyamide($Ethilon^{TM}$, Ethicon, U.K.) under intramuscular Ketamine and Xylazine anesthesia(5mg/100g). In all cases, 10 to 12 sutures were placed to complete the anastomoses. The specimens were obtained at 1, 2, 3 days, and 1, 2, 4 and 6 weeks after the surgery and prepared with H&E and Van-Gieson stains and investigated the histologic changes in anastomotic sites under light microscope. The histologic changes we were concerned about were followings- thrombus formation, intimal edema, infiltration of inflammatory cells in media and adventitia, proliferation of endothelial cells and subintimal hyperplasia. Results : 1. All of the anastomosed arteries were patent when they were exposed for examination. 2. Thrombus formation and intimal edema were most severe in Vicryl group, followed by Ethilon, Prolene group in order. 3. The inflammatory cells infiltrated to the media and the adventitia most severely in Ethilon group, followed by Vicryl, Prolene group in order. 4. There was little difference in proliferation of endothelial cells in each group. 5. Subintimal hyperplasia was greater in Vicryl group than the others, but there was no significant difference between the Prolene and Ethilon groups. Conclusions : On the basis of these observations, we could conclude that Prolene may be the better suture material for microvascular anastomoses regarding the tissue responses than Ethilon and Vicryl.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.63 no.4
• /
• pp.451-455
• /
• 2020

Testosterone deficiency syndrome (TDS), also known as late-onset hypogonadism, is a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advanced age and characterized by deficient serum testosterone levels. The Elaeagnus multiflora fruit (EMF) and Cynanchum wilfordii (CW) have been used in traditional herbal medicine. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of EMF and CW mixtures (at the ratios of 3:7, 5:5, and 7:3) on TDS using TM3 cells and aging male rats. EMF, and mixtures of EMF and CW (at the ratios of 3:7, 5:5, and 7:3) significantly increased testosterone levels in TM3 cells (p <0.05). The rats were orally administered EMCW (EMF and CW mixed at the ratio of 3:7 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks consecutively. After 4 weeks of EMCW administration, latency time on the rotarod test, and serum testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels were significantly increased (p <0.05 and p <0.01). Moreover, the levels of globulin-bound sex hormones were decreased in the EMCW-fed groups. However, prostate-specific antigen levels did not differ among the groups. These results suggest that EMCW can be effectively used to alleviate TDS.