• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.135-140
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• 2006

Temperature signaling can be initiated by members of transient receptor potential (thermo-TRP) channels. Hot and cold substances applied to teeth usually elicit pain sensation. Since odontoblasts constitute a well-defined layer between the pulp and the mineralized dentin, being first to encounter thermal stimulation from oral cavity, they may be involved in sensory transduction process, in addition to their primary function as formation of dentin. We investigated whether thermo-TRP channels are expressed in a odontoblast cell line, MDPC-23. The expressions of thermo-TRP channels were examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry, fluorometric calcium imaging. Analysis of RT-PCR revealed mRNA expression of TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV4 and TRPM8, but no TRPV3, TRPA1. Immunohistochemical approach failed to detect TRPV1 expression. Whereas the application of 4-phorbol-12,13-didecanoate($10\;{\mu}M$, a TRPV4 agonist), menthol(1 mM, a TRPM8 agonist) and icilin($10\;{\mu}M$, a TRPM8 agonist) produced the enhancement of intracellular calcium concentration, capsaicin($1\;{\mu}M$, a TRPV1 agonist) did not. Our results suggest that subfamily of thermo-TRP channels expressed in odontoblasts may serve as thermal or mechanical transducer in teeth.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.229-238
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• 2022

Severe bacterial infections are frequently accompanied by depressed neutrophil functions. Thus, agents that increase the microbicidal activity of neutrophils could add to a direct antimicrobial therapy. Lysophosphatidylcholine augments neutrophil bactericidal activity via the glycine (Gly)/glycine receptor (GlyR) α2/TRPM2/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. However, the direct effect of glycine on neutrophil bactericidal activity was not reported. In this study, the effect of glycine on neutrophil bactericidal activity was examined. Glycine augmented bactericidal activity of human neutrophils (EC₅₀ = 238 μM) in a strychnine (a GlyR antagonist)-sensitive manner. Glycine augmented bacterial clearance in mice, which was also blocked by strychnine (0.4 mg/kg, s.c.). Glycine enhanced NADPH oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and TRPM2-mediated [Ca²⁺]_i increase in neutrophils that had taken up E. coli. Glycine augmented Lucifer yellow uptake (fluid-phase pinocytosis) and azurophil granule-phagosome fusion in neutrophils that had taken up E. coli in an SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor)-sensitive manner. These findings indicate that glycine augments neutrophil microbicidal activity by enhancing azurophil granule-phagosome fusion via the GlyRα2/ROS/calcium/p38 MAPK pathway. We suggest that glycine could be a useful agent for increasing neutrophil bacterial clearance.

• Journal of the Korean Burn Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.30-33
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• 2019

Purpose: Wound healing and scar management of donor site after skin graft should not be overlooked. Patients continue to complain of dryness, itching sensation. Such discomfort can cause irritation to the patients and lead to delayed healing or secondary infection. Thus, the author predicted Eucalyptus Oil, which acts on Transient Receptor Potential Melastatin 8 would be effective in regulating scar by reducing itching sensation in donor site when combining conventional silicone materials. Methods: The study was performed on 30 patients who underwent split thickness skin graft with lateral thigh as donor site between January 2017 and August 2018. First, primary evaluation of fully epithelized donor site scar three weeks after surgery was conducted. Control group (n=15) applied silicone gel (Kelo-cote, USA) solely two times a day. study group (n=15) applied Eucalyptus oil, combined with silicone gel. After 3 months of follow up, donor scar was evaluated using Vancouver scar scale and VAS scores of subjective patient reports regarding pain and itching sensation. Results: It was confirmed that both groups showed stable scar improvement comparing scar quality for 3 months. After 3 months, scar quality in study group showed superiority in pigmentation, pliability and pruritus compared to control group. Conclusion: Application of Eucalyptus Oil combined with conventional silicone gel is favorable to scar management and may give additional benefit of alleviating pruritis symptoms.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.63-71
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• 2016

Objective : To suggest a scientific evidence of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata: ALRP) as one of cooling and heating medicines on the regulation of body temperature, we investigated the effects of ALRP water extract on hypothyroidism. Methods : Hypothyroidism was induced by intradermal injection with PTU for 4 weeks in SD rats. ALRP extract or L-thyroxine as a control drug was orally administrated for 2 weeks with PTU injection in rats. The physiological and serological parameters were measured in rats. The histological change of thyroid tissues was observed by H&E staining, and also the expression of thermo-regulating proteins was determined by Western blot in dorsal root ganglia and brain tissues of rats. Results : The administration of ALRP extract in PTU-induced hypothyroidism rats was significantly increased body temperature, but did not changes on body weight, food and water intake. ALRP extract did not effect on the levels of TSH and T4 in the hypothyroidism rats. ALRP extract significantly decreased the levels of GPT, glucose, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and total cholesterol in the hypothyroidism rats. In histological observation, the enlarged epithelium and atrophic follicles with higher concentration of follicular cells on hypothyroidism were improved by ALRP extract. In addition, ALRP extract increased the expression of TRPV1 and TRPM8 ion channel proteins in hypothyroidism rats. Conclusion : These results indicate that ALRP extract can improve PTU-induced hypothyroidism through regulation of body temperature and lipid accumulation. The action mechanism of ALRP extract is related with body temperature control by thermoregulation with TRP ion channels.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.65 no.4
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• pp.735-747
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• 2023

The composition of fatty acids determines the flavor and quality of meat. Flavor compounds are generated during the cooking process by the decomposition of volatile fatty acids via lipid oxidation. A number of research on candidate genes related to fatty acid content in livestock species have been published. The majority of these studies focused on pigs and cattle; the association between fatty acid composition and meat quality in chickens has rarely been reported. Therefore, this study investigated candidate genes associated with fatty acid composition in chickens. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed on 767 individuals from an F2 crossbred population of Yeonsan Ogye and White Leghorn chickens. The Illumina chicken 60K significant single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotype data and 30 fatty acids (%) in the breast meat of animals slaughtered at 10 weeks of age were analyzed. SNPs were shown to be significant in 15 traits: C10:0, C14:0, C18:0, C18:1n-7, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, C20:0, C20:2, C20:3n-6, C20:4n-6, C20:5n-3, C24:0, C24:1n-9, monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). These SNPs were mostly located on chromosome 10 and around the following genes: ACSS3, BTG1, MCEE, PPARGC1A, ACSL4, ELOVL4, CYB5R4, ME1, and TRPM1. Both oleic acid and arachidonic acid contained the candidate genes: MCEE and TRPM1. These two fatty acids are antagonistic to each other and have been identified as traits that contribute to the production of volatile fatty acids. The results of this study improve our understanding of the genetic mechanisms through which fatty acids in chicken affect the meat flavor.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2018

Objective : This study was intended to examine the effects of water extract of Prunellae Spica (PS), which is a herb with 'cold' nature based on hot and cold theory of traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Hyperthyroidism was induced in SD rats by LT4 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for four weeks. After 2 weeks of LT4 injection, rats were divided randomly into four groups; normal, LT4-induced hyperthyroid control, PS extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.)-treated group, and propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg/kg, s.c.)-treated positive group. After 2 weeks of drug treatment, all rats were sacrificed and harvested blood samples and thyroid tissues. The changes of body weight, food and water intake, and body temperature were measured weekly. Serological markers were analyzed in sera using an enzyme-based assay, and thyroid tissues were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E). Brain and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues were isolated and analyzed the expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by Western blot. Results : PS extract administration attenuated the loss of body weight and the increase of body temperature in LT4-induced hyperthyroidism rats. PS extract increased the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreased tiiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4). In action mechanism, PS extract regulated the expression of transient receptor potential channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and transient Receptor Potential channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8), the thermoregulators. Conclusion : To conclude, PS extract can improve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism through regulation of the thyroid hormones imbalance and thermoregulation via TRP channels.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2023

Ion channels regulate a large number of cellular functions and their functional role in many diseases makes them potential therapeutic targets. Given their diverse distribution across multiple organs, the roles of ion channels, particularly in age-associated transcriptomic changes in specific organs, are yet to be fully revealed. Using RNA-seq data, we investigated the rat transcriptomic profiles of ion channel genes across 11 organs/tissues and 4 developmental stages in both sexes of Fischer 344 rats and identify tissue-specific and age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression. Organ-enriched ion channel genes were identified. In particular, the brain showed higher tissue-specificity of ion channel genes, including Gabrd, Gabra6, Gabrg2, Grin2a, and Grin2b. Notably, age-dependent changes in ion channel gene expression were prominently observed in the thymus, including in Aqp1, Clcn4, Hvcn1, Itpr1, Kcng2, Kcnj11, Kcnn3, and Trpm2. Our comprehensive study of ion channel gene expression will serve as a primary resource for biological studies of aging-related diseases caused by abnormal ion channel functions.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.347-352
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• 2000

Programmed cell death, apoptosis, is a mechanism to maintain tissue homeostasis. Although the apoptotic process in rodent mammary tissues has been known to occur at the onset of involution, little is known about programmed cell death in the bovine tissues. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of apoptotic process in bovine mammary cells. Mammary tissues were obtained at different lactational and involurional stages. By apoptosis in situ endlabeling assay, apoptotic cells were found around the acinar celt lining in regressing bovine mammary tissues. The apoptosis-related genes bel-2 and bax were detected throughout involution by Northern blotting assay. The level of bax mRNA was dominantly expressed during involution. On the other hand, the bel-2 RNA transcripts were constantly expressed by 14 of post-lactation and declined thereafter. The expression of the testosterone-repressed prostate message-2 (TRPM-2) RNA transcripts, a marker for tissue remodeling, was increased as involution progressed. TNF a, were induced the DNA fragmentation and enhanced the expression of bax mRNA. In addition, milk protein secretion and amino acid uptake were decreased in mammary acinar culture treated with TNF $\alpha$. These results indicate that bovine mammary cells undergo apoptotic process after the cessation of milking and that TNF $\alpha$ may trigger apoptosis in lactating bovine mammary acini.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.237-244
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• 2019

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Carthami flos on pacemaker potentials of small intestinal and colonic Interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC). Methods : To dissociate the ICC, we used enzymatic digestions from the small intestine and colon in mice. In the ICC, the electrophysiological whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials in the cultured ICC. Results : 1. The ICC generated pacemaker potentials in the murine small intestine and colon. 2. Pretreatment with a Ca²⁺ free solution and thapsigargin, a Ca²⁺-ATPase inhibitor in the endoplasmic reticulum, stopped the pacemaker potentials. In the case of Ca²⁺-free solutions, Carthami flos did not induce membrane depolarizations in the murine small intestine and colon. However, when thapsigargin in a bath solution was applied, Carthami flos induced membrane depolarizations only in the murine colon. 3. Pretreatment with 2-APB (transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) channel inhibitor) abolished the pacemaker potentials and suppressed Carthami flos-induced effects in the murine small intestine and colon. 4. However, pretreatment with T16Ainh-AO1 (Ca²⁺ activated Cl- channel; anoctamin 1 (ANO1) inhibitor) did not affect the pacemaker potentials and induced Carthami flos-induced effects only in the murine small intestine. Conclusions : These results suggest that Carthami flos can modulate the pacemaker activity of ICC and the mechanisms underlying pacemaking in ICC might be different in the small intestine and the colon.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2024

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of insurance herbal medicines on colonic interstitial Cells of Cajal (ICC) in mice. Methods : Among the insurance herbal medicines, we chose Gamisoyo-san (GSS), Banhasasim-tang (BHSST) and Bojungikki-tang (BGIKT). We made the ICC culture in large intestine in mice and used the electrophysiological method to record pacemaker potentials. Also we used MTT assay to check cell viability and examined the ICC protein expression by western blot. Results : 1. GSS (1-10 mg/ml) induced the pacemaker potential depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners in colonic ICC. EC50 is 2.99 mg/ml. BHSST (1-10 mg/ml) induced the pacemaker potential depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners in colonic ICC. EC50 is 2.76 mg/ml. BGIKT (1-10 mg/ml) induced the pacemaker potential depolarization and decreased frequency with concentration-dependent manners in colonic ICC. EC50 is 4.49 mg/ml. 2. GSS, BHSST and BGIKT had no effects on cell viability in colonic ICC. 3. GSS and BGIKT increased the Anoctamin-1 (ANO1) protein expression and BHSST increased the transient receptor potential melastatin-subfamily member 7 (TRPM7) protein expression in colonic ICC. Conclusions : These results suggest that GSS, BHSST, and BGIKT have shown the potential to regulate gastrointestinal (GI) motility by regulating colonic ICC and may show the potential to treat colon-derived GI diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).