• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 1998

Pathophysiological mechanism of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) is not fully understood. Major clinical findings of HFRS patients are widespread hemorrhage, acute renal failure and shock. Basic lesion is vascular injury with microvascular hemorrhage and relatively little inflammation. According to autopsy findings, renal medulla shows focal hemorrhage, tubular necrosis and interstitial mononuclear infiltrates. The predominant cell type in the renal and pulmonary interstitium is a fibroblast and it participates in the healing process at the injury site by secreting a large amount of extracellular matrix proteins. Cultured human lung fibroblasts and Mongolian gerbil fibroblasts were known to be good host cells for the hantaan virus. It is possible that not only the endothelial cell but also the fibroblast is a target of Hantaan virus and the fibroblast might be involved in the pathogenesis and the healing process in HFRS. Integrins are adhesion molecules, and act as receptors for many extracellular matrix proteins. Recently, there are many reports that cell surface integrins influence on some viral infections or reversely viruses influence on the expression of integrins. The ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin is a major receptor for the fibronectin which is an important extracellular matrix protein secreted by fibroblasts. In this study, the role of ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin in the infection of Hantaan virus was examined by using anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin, anti-${\alpha}_5$ integrin and anti-${\beta}_1$, integrin antibodies in chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEF) and Mongolian gerbil fibroblasts(MGF). The treatment of anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$, integrin antibody in CEF reduced the virion titers 26.8% and the amount of nucleocapsid N protein 32.6% when compared with control CEF. When MGF were treated with anti-${\alpha}_5$, anti-${\beta}_1$ and anti-${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin antibodies, virion titers were reduced by 26.5%, 29.4% and 28.7% and the amount of nucleocapsid N protein were reduced by 65.2%, 59.7% and 72.6%. These results suggested that ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin might act as a receptor for the Hantaan virus or blocking of ${\alpha}_5{\beta}_1$ integrin influences on the viral replication in CEF and MGF. It is also possible that the blocking of only one subunit of integrin represents similar results in that of whole molecule.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.128-139
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• 2003

Juglans sinensis Dode has been reported to have antioxidant activity. However, the effect of Juglans sinensis Dode aquacupuncture(JS) on reactive oxygen species(ROS)-induced alterations in membrane transport function in renal tubular cells. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of JS on the organic hydroperoxide t-butylhydroperoxide(tBHP)-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-dependent phosphate($Na^+$-Pi) uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established renal proximal epithelial cell line. tBHP inhibited $Na^+$-Pi uptake in a time-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of tBHP was prevented by JS over concentration range of 0.05-1mg/100ml in a dose-dependent manner. Kinetic studies showed that tBHP caused an decrease in Vmax for $Na^+$-Pi uptake without any a significant change in Km. $Na^+$-dependent phosphonoformic acid binding, a irreversible inhibitor of renal $Na^+$-Pi uptake, was decreased by tBHP treatment. The reduction in Vmax and phosphonoformic acid binding by tBHP was prevented by JS. tBHP induced lipid peroxidation and its effect was completely inhibited by JS and antioxidant N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine. These data suggest that the oxidant inhibits phosphate uptake by a reduction in the number of active carrier across the membrane. JS may prevent oxidant-induced inhibition of membrane transport function by a mechanism similar to antioxidants in renal epithelial cells. Although the precise constituents remain to be explored, JS may be employed as a useful candidate herb for drug development to prevent and treat oxidant-mediated renal failure.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.224-231
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• 2002

Photoperiod (length of light per day) is a major factor in regulating reproductive function in golden hamsters. The information of photoperiod is transmitted to the reproductive endocrine system by melatonin. Thus the effects of melatonin aye investigated in male golden hamsters exposed to photoperiods. Paired testicular weights were markedly reduced in the animals housed in short photoperiod $(SP,\le{12\;hours\;day^{-1})$ and injected with melatonin in the evening, but not in long photoperiod $(LP,\le{12.5}\;hours\;day^{-1})$ and injected with melatonin in the morning. The histological examination of regressed testes showed reduction of tubular lumen diameter including the numbers of cells and Leydig cell number. The mean values of both follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also lowered in the sexually inactive animals than in the sexually active animals. Melatonin receptor was identified by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and its expression was examined in various tissues to scrutinize the action site of melatonin. It turned out 309 nucleotides and was definitely expressed in hypothalamus and pituitary including spleen, retina, and epididymis. And gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) gene, which is a key element in regulating reproduction, was identified by RT-PCR but the expression of GnRH was not modified by the treatment of melatonin. Taken together, photoperiod via melatonin indirectly affects reproductive endocrine system, possibly through the release of GnRH, not the synthesis of GnRH.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.89-100
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• 2000

We observed the salivary ducts of two species of snails, Achatina fulica and Incilaria fruhstoferi with an electron microscope, and obtained the following results. The intralobular and interlobular ducts of Achatina fulica assume the forms of round or ellipsoidal doughnuts. The boundaries between the endothelial cells are not clear. It is also found that the cytoplasm of the endothelial cells consists of the membrane infolded in interdigital form, and there are well -developed microvilli at the apical portion of the cytoplasm. On the other hand, the intralobular and interlobular ducts of Incilaria fruhtoferi consist of the irregular simple columnar epithelia. The high electron dense cytoplasm is filled with the irregular round granules. The microvilli at the apical portion of the cytoplasm are not so well-developed as those in Achatina fulica. In the salivary duct of Achatina fulica, the lumen has narrow and long tubular structure. The boundaries between the endothelial cells are not clear. The cytoplasm is full of many vacuoles and electron lucent granules. At the apical portion of the cytoplasm, lots of short and thin microvilli are found. The salivary duct of Incilaria fruhstorferi is wider ($65\times250{\mu}m$ in diameter) than that of Achatina fulica, and consists of endothelial cells of the same structures. At the apical portion of those endothelial cells, a lot of junction apparatus such as desmosomes are observed. The vessels in the salivary ducts of Achatina fulica and Incilaria fruhstoferi are observed mainly in the connective tissues between the salivary glands. The endothelial cell of the vessel has the irregular structure and looks dark due to the high electron density. These cells protrude their filopodia and phagocytosize foreign bodies.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2020

Purpose: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important diabetic complications prompted by chronic hyperglycemia, characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubular fibrosis, and it eventually causes kidney failure. Nobiletin is a polymethoxyflavone present in tangerine and other citrus peels, and has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the effects of nobiletin on glomerular fibrosis through inhibition of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-Src-caveolin-1 pathway. Methods: Human renal mesangial cells (HRMC) were incubated in media containing 33 mM glucose with or without 1-20 uM nobiletin for 3 day. The cellular expression levels of fibrogenic collagen IV, fibronectin, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), TGF-β1, Src and caveolin-1 were all examined. In addition, TGF-β1, Src and caveolin-1 proteins were screened to reveal the relationship among TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 signaling in glomerular fibrosis. Results: High glucose promoted the production of collagen IV, fibronectin and CTGF in HRMC, which was inhibited in a dose dependent manner by 1-20 uM nobiletin. The Western blot data showed that high glucose elevated the expression of TGF-β1, Src, caveolin-1 and Rho GTPase. When nobiletin was treated to the HRMC exposed to high glucose, the expression of TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 was dampened. Finally, TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 signaling pathway was activated in high glucose-exposed HRMC, and such activation was encumbered by nobiletin. Conclusion: These result demonstrated that nobiletin blunted high glucose-induced extracellular matrix accumulation via inhibition of the TGF-β1-Src-caveolin-1 related intracellular signaling pathway. Nobiletin may be a potent renoprotective agent to counteract diabetes-associated glomerular fibrosis that leads to kidney failure.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.190-194
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• 2007

Gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) is a major tumor type of gastric cancers and subdivides into several different tumors such as papillary, tubular mucinous, signet-ring cell and adenosquamous carcinoma according to histopatholigical determination. In other hand, GA is also subdivided into intestinal and diffuse type of adenocarcinoma by the Lauren?fs classification. In this study, we have examined differential gene expression pattern analysis of three histologically different GAs of 24 samples by using DNA microarray containing approximately 19000 genetic elements. The hierarchical clustering analysis of 24 gastric adenocarcinomas (12 of intestinal type, 7 of diffuse type and 5 of mixed type) resulted in two major subgroup on dendrogram, and two subgroups included most of intestinal and diffused type of GAs respectively. Supervised analysis of 19 intestinal and diffuse type GAs by using Wilcoxon rank T-test (P<0.01) resulted in 100 outlier genes which exactly separated intestinal and diffuse type of GA by differential gene expression. In conclusion, genome-wide analysis of gene expression of GAs suggested that GAs may subclassify as intestinal and diffused type of GA by their characteristic molecular expression. Our results also provide large-scale genetic elements which reflect molecular differences of intestinal and diffuse type of GAs, and this may facilitate to understand different molecular carcinogenesis of gastric cancer.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.12-47
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• 2005

First, mice were dosed with 50mg/kg of streptozotocin(STZ) twice every 24 hours to cause high blood-sugar. Then, after three days, mice were injected with 100mg/kg of STZ again. Two different dosages of Saengjihwangeumja-gami were given to the experiment groups: SA group, 15mg/kg/day, and SB group, 90mg/kg/day, in order to determine the effects of Saengjihwangeumja-gami, which has been known to be good for DM(Diabetes Mellitus). By observing weight and blood-sugar level changes, blood tolerance, the numerical value of BUN(Blood Urea Nitrogen) and creatinine in blood, and through light-electronicmicroscopic and immunohistologic investigations of pancreas and kidneys, the following results were obtained: 1. The experiment groups showed a high suppressive effect of weight-loss. 2. The experiment groups' blood-sugar and blood tolerance showed an effective lowering of blood-sugar levels. 3. The experiment groups did not show any noticeable change in the numerical value of BUN and creatinine in blood compared with that of the control groups. 4. The experiment groups showed a higher Insulin positive reaction of pancreatic islets ${/beta}-cell$ than the control groups. 5. The experiment groups showed a higher immuno-reaction against IGF- II than the control groups. 6. Observation of apoptosis of the pancreatic islets showed that the cells of experiment groups were less injured compared with those of the control groups, and fewer apoptag-positive reaction cells were seen in experiment groups than in the control groups. 7. Uunder electron-microscopy, the insulin-containing granules in pancreatic islets ${/beta}-cells$ had increased more in the experiment groups than in the control groups. 8. Under light microscopy, the injury on the inner & outer membrane of the glomerulus and epithelial cells of capillaries and cells among vessels were fewer in the experiment groups than in the control groups. 9. More apoptag-positive reaction cells in the kidney were seen in the control groups than in the experiment groups. 10. PAS-positive reaction substances had increased more in the substrate among the vessels of a glomerulus belonging to the control group than those of the experiment group. 11. Uunder electron-microscopy, the nucleonic membrane, nucleoplasm and mitochondria of proximal and distal renal tubular were more injured in the control groups than in the experiment groups. In conclusion, strong evidence for the efficacy of Saengjihwangeumja-gami in lowering blood-sugar, and in recovery and generation of pancreatic tissues injured by DM was observed. Results suggest Saengjihwangeumja-gami is an effective treatment for DM. Further study of the principles of blood-sugar dropping effects of Saengjihwangeumja-gami are needed, as well as further study of recovery and regeneration of pancreatic tissues injured by DM.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.437-450
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• 1999

Bile canaliculi are the structure delivering bile secreted by hepatocytes into the bile passage. Bile secretion is mainly controlled by the cytoskeletal elements, mainly of actin in the microvilli, pericanalicular web. Most studies on the bile secretion have been done in viva situation, however, to control the various parameters in vitro culture system seem to be more useful. To set up an in vitro experimental system, the investigator isolated hepatocytes with an enzymatic method using a mixture of collagenase and hyaluronidase from normal Sprague-Dawley rat liver and cultured. Isolated hepatocytes were round and formed cords in culture. Microvilli covered the whole surface of hepatocytes. Bile canaliculi were formed between hepatocytes and were characterized by the presence of microvilli of various lengths and shapes mainly arising from small surface mounds. Actin filament core in the microvilli and pericanalicular actin web were incomplete. After cytochalasin D treatment, cultured hepatocytes were round but the surface were irregular with surfacen blebs, folds and grooves. Microvilli on the surface were scarce. Bile canaliculi were markedly dilated often with the detached junctional complexes. Bile canaliculi lacks microvilli almost completely and extended into the pericanalirular cytoplasm showing complex vacuolar and tubular structures by transmission electron mciroscopy. Pericanalicular actin web, intermediate filaments were hardly identified. Subsurface actin filaments were scattered scarcely under the cell membranes. These results suggest that hepatocytes isolated from rats can survive and form bile canaliculi in culture and the actin filaments are involved in the formation and/or maintenance of the bile canaliculi.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.183-194
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• 2006

The threadlike structures of fascia were examined by tight and electron microscopy. In order to distinguish its tissue organization, we used staining methods including hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichrome, Van Gieson's collagen fiber stain and Kluver-Barrera's luxol fast blue for nerve stain. Under the light microscope, the threadlike structures were composed of many collagen fibers and nerve. In higher magnification, they looked like as the bundle of tubular structures. Many myoid cell-spindle nuclei were observed in the tissue, which were taken from the fascia. It was identical with Bonghan duct known as one of meridian network theory. In the early 1960's the North Korean Bong-Han Kim showed the anatomical structures of the acupuncture points, and explained the meridian system as the concrete duct network system. According to Bonghan theory the Bonghan ducts spread throughout the body Because it is believed that the duct could have the role of signal pathway, the theory was reinvestigated in these days. All of the threadlike structures isolated from fascia shows the abundance of collagen fibers. The electron microscope examination (TEM) could confirm the well arranged collagen fiber and nerve. This investigation reveals that superficial Bohghan duct are nerve fiber parallel running with collagen fibers. We conjectured that the intermingled structure of collagen fiber, blood vessel and nerve fiber might have the role of meridian system. And the more, regardless of histological research, the study on collagen fiber as response transmitter in acupuncture treatment are in need.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.373-389
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• 1997

Morphological difference of the renal glomerulus at different age groups have been studies in one week-old, five weeks-old, eight weeks-old, six months-old, twelve months-old, eighteen months-old, twenty-four months-old, and thirty months-old ICR mice. Pieces of the tissue taken from the renal corticies were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde solution (0.1 Millonig's phosphate buffer pH 7.3), and 1% osmium tetroxide solution (0.1 M Millonig's phosphate buffer, pH 7.3), and were embedded in araldite mixture. The ultrathin sections were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate solution, and were observed under a JEM 100CX-II electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1 In the one week-old mouse, thicknesses of the three layers of the glomeluar basal lamina (lamina densa, lamina rara interna and lamina rara externa) are similar, but in the five weeks-old mouse, thick lamina densa becomes a greater portion of the thickness of whole glomerular basal lamina. 2. No difference was noticed between thickness of the renal glomerular basal lamina of the five weeks-old mouse compare with that of the one week-old one, but basal lamina of the eight weeks-old one is thickened considerably and thicknesses were maintained through twelve months-old one. After eighteen months, the thickness of the glomerular basal lamina is increased remarkably. 3. After eighteen months, electron dense deposits within the basal lamina of the renal glomeruli are observed frequently. 4. Amount of the microfilaments in the mesangial cells and the mesangial matrices are increasing during aging. 5. The thicknesses of the basal laminae of the Bowman's capsule are increasing during aging. 6. After twenty four months, the proximal tubular cell-like parietal cells with well developed microvilli are observed frequently. From the above results, it was suggested that the renal glomerulus matures structurally in five weeks, and the function of the glomerulus is suppressed after eighteen months.