• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2019

Objective: The usual seminal profile has been customarily used for diagnosing male infertility based on an examination of semen samples. However, sperm DNA fragmentation has also been causally linked to reproductive failure, suggesting that it should be evaluated as part of male infertility assessments. To compare the ability of the five most widely utilized methodologies of measuring DNA fragmentation to predict male infertility and reactive oxygen species by Oxisperm kit assay. Methods: In this case-control study, which received ethical committee approval, the participants were divided into fertile and infertile groups (50 patients in each group). Results: The alkaline comet test showed the best ability to predict male infertility, followed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay, the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test, and the sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), while the neutral comet test had no predictive power. For our patient population, the projected cut-off point for the DNA fragmentation index was 22.08% using the TUNEL assay, 19.90% using SCSA, 24.74% using the SCD test, 48.47% using the alkaline comet test, and 36.37% using the neutral comet test. Significant correlations were found between the results of the SCD test and those obtained using SCSA and TUNEL (r = 0.70 and r = 0.68, respectively; p< 0.001), and a statistically significant correlation was also found between the results of SCSA and the TUNEL assay (r = 0.77, p< 0.001). Likewise, the results of the alkaline comet test showed significant correlations with those of the SCD, SCSA, and TUNEL tests (r = 0.59, r = 0.57, and r = 0.72, respectively; p< 0.001). Conclusion: The TUNEL assay, SCSA, SCD, and the alkaline comet test were effective for distinguishing between fertile and infertile patients, and the alkaline comet test was the best predictor of male infertility.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2000

When porcine primordial germ cells (PGCs) isolated from the genital ridge and placed in culture to establish EG cells, a large proportion of PGCs are lost during the early period of culture. To characterize the in vitro death of porcine PGCs, PGCs were cultured in suspension, and apoptosis analyzed using a fluorescent activated cell sorter-based DNA fragmentation assay. The results from flow cytometric analysis showed an increase in apoptosis in cultured cells. However, the cells isolated from the genital ridges are a mixture of PGCs and somatic cells. To detect apoptotic signals specific from porcine PGCs, quantitative TUNEL assay was performed at different time of culture (0 ∼ 24 h). The proportion of apoptotic porcine PGCs determined by double staining with alkaline phosphatase activity and in situ TUNEL assay increased as the time of culture progressed and continued at least 24 h. These results demonstrate that one of the causes of loss of porcine PGCs in vitro is apoptosis.

• Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 1999

The corneal epithelium is constantly shed and apoptosis may play an important role in this turn-over. We sought to define that serum-free medium was able to induce apoptosis of corneal epithelial cells. SV-40 transfected human corneal epithelial(HCE) cells were grown to 70% confluency in culture. Serum-free medium was added to cells and the cells incubated for 1, 2, 3, or 6 days. Apoptosis of cells at different times was assessed by staining cells with Giemsa or Hoechst 33342 and measuring DNA fragmentation using the TUNEL assay. HCE cells exposed to serum-free medium demonstrated a high incidence of apoptosis, which increased over time to $50{\pm}4%$ after 3 days. They also stained positively with TUNEL assay. Serum-free medium caused time dependent apoptosis of HCE cells. Thus, serum-like nutrient might be important in corneal epithelial cell homeostasis.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.332-340
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the viability of periodontal ligament cell in rat teeth using slow cryopreservation method with magnetic field through MTT assay and TUNEL test. For each group, 12 teeth of 4 weeks old white female Sprague-Dawley rat were used for MTT assay, and 6 teeth in TUNEL test. The Maxillary left and right, first and second molars were extracted as atraumatically as possible under tiletamine anesthesia. The experimental groups were group1 (immediately extraction), group 2 (cold preservation at 4$^{\circ}C$ for 1 week), group 3 (rapid cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen), group 4 (slow cryopreservation with magnetic field of 1 G), and group 5 (slow cryopreservation). F medium was used as preservation medium and 10% DMSO as cryoprotectant. After preservation and thawing, the MTT assay and TUNEL test were processed. One way ANOVA and Scheffe method were performed at the 95% level of confidence. The value of optical density obtained after MTT analysis was divided by the value of eosin staining for tissue volume standardization. In both MTT assay and TUNEL test, it had showed no significant difference among group 3, 4, and 5. And group 3 had showed higher viability of periodontal ligament cell than group 2. From this study, slow cryopreservation method with magnetic field can be used as one of cryopreservation methods.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.53-69
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• 2008

목적 : 이 연구는 Vipera lebetina turanica의 사독약침액(蛇毒藥鍼液)(Snake venom toxin, SVT)이 인간 신경아세포종의 암세포주인 SK-N-SH 세포에서 암세포성장의 억제 및 그 기전에 대하여 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : SVT를 처리한 후 SK-N-SH의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 CCK-8 assay와 LDH assay를 시행하였고, apoptosis 평가에는 세포형태의 관찰과 DAPI, TUNEL, Annexin V-PI double staining assay 및 cell detachment assay를 시행하였다. 세포자멸사 관련 세포기전을 보기 위하여 세포주기, 세포내 칼슘량, 세포내 활성산소량 및 미토콘드리아의 세포막전위 변화를 측정하였고, DNA fragmentation assay를 시행하였으며, 세포자멸사 조절 단백인 Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, -9의 발현 변화 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였다. 결과 : SK-N-SH 세포에 SVT를 처리한 후, 신경아세포종 세포의 성장, Apoptosis의 유발 및 기전의 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. SVT를 처리한 SK-N-SH 세포 관찰에서 세포독성은 농도의존적으로 증가하는 경향이 있는 반면 암세포성장의 유의한 억제는 $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SVT에 의해서만 나타났다. 2. 세포자멸사 평가에서 SVT를 처리한 SK-N-SH 세포는 세포자멸사의 특징적 형태를 나타내었다. TUNEL assay에서는 세포자멸사 활성세포가 미약하게 나타난 반면 cell detachment assay와 Annexin V-PI double staining에서는 각각 세포박리와 세포자멸사 활성세포의 유의한 증가를 나타내었다. 3. 세포자멸사 관련 세포기전연구에서 SVT를 처리한 SK-N-SH 세포의 세포주기, 세포 내 칼슘양 및 DNA fragmentation에는 유의한 변화가 관찰되지 않은 반면 세포내 활성산소 양은 유의한 증가를 나타내었고, 그에 따른 미토콘드리아 세포막 전위의 유의한 변동이 관찰되었다. 4. SVT를 처리한 SK-N-SH는 세포자멸사 관련 단백 발현에서 Bax에 대해 유의한 증가를 나타내지 않았으나 caspase-3 및 caspase-9의 유의한 증가와 Bcl-2의 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 SVT가 세포 내 활성산소를 증가시킴으로써 미토콘드리아의 세포막전위에 변화를 일으켜 인간 신경아세포종 세포주인 SK-N-SH의 세포박리와 유관한 세포자멸사를 유발함으로써 증식억제 효과가 있음을 입증한 것이다.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.41-57
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• 2008

목적 : 이 연구는 Vipera lebetina turanica의 사독약침액(蛇毒藥鍼液)(Snake venom toxin, SVT)이 인간 신경아세포종의 암세포주인 SK-N-MC 세포에서 암세포성장의 억제 및 그 기전에 대하여 살펴보고자 하였다. 방법 : SVT를 처리한 후 SK-N-MC의 성장억제를 관찰하기 위해 CCK-8 assay와 LDH assay를 시행하였고, apoptosis 평가에는 세포형태의 관찰과 DAPI, TUNEL, Annexin V-PI double staining assay 및 cell detachment assay를 시행하였다. 세포자멸사 관련 세포기전을 보기 위하여 세포주기, 세포내 칼슘량, 세포내 활성산소량 및 미토콘드리아의 세포막전위 변화를 측정하였고, DNA fragmentation assay를 시행하였으며, 세포자멸사 조절 단백인 Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, -9의 발현 변화 관찰에는 western blot analysis를 시행하였다. 결과 : SK-N-MC 세포에 SVT를 처리한 후, 신경아세포종 세포의 성장, Apoptosis의 유발 및 기전에 영향을 관찰하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. SVT를 처리한 SK-N-MC 세포 관찰에서 $20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ SVT 처리가 암세포성장의 유의한 억제를 나타내었다. 세포독성 관찰에서 SVT처리는 처리하지 않은 것에 비하여 증가를 나타내었다. 2. 세포자멸사 평가에서 SVT를 처리한 SK-N-MC 세포는 세포자멸사의 특징적 형태를 나타내었다. TUNEL assay에서는 세포자멸사 활성세포가 미약하게 나타난 반면 cell detachment assay와 Annexin V-PI double staining에서는 각각 세포박리와 세포자멸사 활성세포의 유의한 증가를 나타내었다. 3. 세포자멸사 관련 세포기전연구에서 SVT를 처리한 SK-N-MC 세포의 세포주기, 세포내 칼슘량 및 DNA fragmentation에는 유의한 변화가 관찰되지 않은 반면 세포내 활성산소 양은 유의한 증가를 나타내었고, 그에 따른 미토콘드리아 세포막 전위의 유의한 변동이 관찰되었다. 4. SVT를 처리한 SK-N-MC는 세포자멸사 관련 단백 발현에서 caspase-9에 대해 유의한 증가를 나타내지 않았으나 Bax 및 caspase-3의 유의한 증가와 Bcl-2의 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. 결론 : 이상의 결과는 SVT가 세포내 활성산소를 증가시키므로 미토콘드리아의 세포막전위에 변화를 일으켜 인간 신경아세포종 세포주인 SK-N-MC의 세포박리와 유관한 세포자멸사를 유발하므로 증식억제 효과가 있음을 입증한 것이다.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.290-295
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• 2008

The cytotoxic characteristics of Vitsin A isolated from Vitis amurensis L. were examined in human colorectal, breast, uterine and renal cancer cells. Vitsin A showed good cytotoxicity against various cancer cells with $IC_{50}$ of $1\;{\sim}\;30\;{\mu}M$. Among them, Vitisin A exhibited strongest cytotoxic effect against MES-SA cells with $IC_{50}$ of 1.11 ${\mu}M$ by SRB assay. To verify whether the cytotoxicity of Vitisin A may be associated with apoptosis, TdT-mediated-dUTP Nick-End Labeling (TUNEL) assay and cell cycle analysis were performed in MES-SA cells. Apoptotic bodies were observed in Vitisin A treated MES-SA cells by TUNEL assay. Also, Vitisin A effectively increased the portion of $sub-G_1$ DNA content by flow cytometric analysis. Taken together, these findings suggest that the cytotoxicity of Vitisin A against MES-SA cells is chiefly mediated by apoptosis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.93-99
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• 2021

Objective : Caryophylli Flos has been used in Korean medicine to relieve vomiting and pains caused by chills that make fluid circulation difficult. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of ethanol extract of Caryophylli Flos (CF) in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-induced apoptotic cell death in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Methods : CF was prepared by extracting 200 g of Caryophylli Flos in 2 L of ethanol for 48 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, and the protein expression was monitored by Western blot analysis. Apoptosis was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured using fluorescent dye, and reduced glutathione (GSH) was determined with a colorimetric commercial kit. Results : CF protected HaCaT cells from cell death caused by oxidative stress after H₂O₂ treatment. H₂O₂ amplified generation of ROS and induced depletion of GSH, whereas these changes in ROS and GSH were inhibited by GF treatment. In addition, H₂O₂ resulted in apoptosis as assessed by TUNEL assay and the expression of apoptosis regulator proteins. However, cells treated with CF showed a decrease in TUNEL-positive cells and restored the reduced expression of procaspase-9, -3 and PARP. Conclusion : This study showed cytoprotective effects of CF by anti-apoptotic activity while exerting antioxidative activity in H₂O₂-treated HaCaT cells. These results suggest that CF could be beneficial in skin damage caused by oxidative stress.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.291-298
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• 2013

On this study, we treated rats with restraint stress, and observed the changes with an optical microscope. Within the salivary gland tissue, we measured cell apoptosis cycle evaluation which show positive reaction on TUNEL assay, and compared within the groups. For this study, 18 rats were divided into 3 groups; 1) 2 rats of group I were selected as a normal control. 2) 2 rats of group II, as a experimental control were placed in the restraint cone for 2 hours 3) 14 rats of group III were placed in the restraint cone for 2 hours once a day. The rats were sacrificed immediately (group II, as a experimental control), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7days after application of the stress and the both parotid glands were excised. The conclusions follow. 1. 5 days after giving an confining stress to the parotid gland of Rats, we can observe the hypotropy and pus and inflammation of Rat parotid gland acinar cells, and after 7 days, we can see a cell apoptosis. 2. Through the In situ DNA end labeling assay and TUNEL dye, on serous glands, benign tumor cell increased with statistically significant result after 5 days from confining stress. And the index shows maximum value on 7th days, which is same result with histological opinion. Therefore, our study shows that a cell apoptosis can be induced by restraint stress on salivary gland tissue, and we think more study should be accomplished about the cell signaling pathway in the future.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.215-220
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• 2005

Objective : Many researchers believe that the hypothermia shows neuro-protective effect on brain injury. To understand the molecular mechanism of the hypothermic treatment, this study investigated its effects on the expression of cell death or survival related proteins such as p53, Bcl-2 and Bax in the rat traumatic brain injury[TBI] model. Methods : Twenty rats [Spraque Dawley, $200{\sim}250g$] were subjected to the brain injury of moderate severity [$2.4{\sim}2.6atm$] using the fluid percussion injury device and five rats were received only same surgery as controls. During 30minutes after the brain injury, the hypothermia group was maintained the body temperature around $34^{\circ}C$ while the control group were maintained that of $36^{\circ}C$. Five rats in each group were sacrificed 12h or 24h after brain injury and their brain sections was analyzed for physical damages by H-E stains and the extent of apoptosis by TUNEL assay and immunohistochemical stains. The tissue damage after TBI was mainly observed in the ipsilateral cortex and partly in the hippocampus. Results : Apoptosis was observed by TUNEL assay and the Bax protein was detected in both sample which harvested 12h and 24h after TBI. In the hypothermia treatment group, tissue damage and apoptosis were reduced in HE stains and TUNEL assay. In hypothermia treatment group rat shows more expression of the Bcl-2 protein and shows less expression of the Bax protein, at both 12h and 24h after TBI. Conclusion : These results show that the hypothermia treatment is an effective treatment after TBI, by reducing the apoptotic process. Therefore, it could be suggested that hypothermia has a high therapeutic value for treating tissue damages after TBI.