• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.55-65
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• 2010

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a reactive free radical gas and a messenger molecule. NO has many physiological functions, but excessive NO production induces neurotoxicity. Objective: The present study investigated whether the aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow possesses a protective effect on NO-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC. Method: For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, DNA fragmentation assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed. Result: Sodium nitroprusside (SNP) exposure significantly decreased the viability of cells. The cells treated with SNP exhibited several apoptotic features such as increasing of Bax expression, caspase-3 enzyme activity and inhibiting of Bcl-2 expression. On the other hand, the viability of cells pre-treated with the aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow was increased dose-dependently. The cells pre-treated for 1 h with the aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow followed by treatment with SNP showed a decreased occurrence of apoptotic features like decreasing Bax expressions, caspase-3 enzyme activity and increasing Bcl-2 expressions. The aqueous extract of Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow reduced apoptotic cell death in neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-MC through the inhibition of Bax-dependent caspase-3 activation and the increasing of Bcl-2 expression. Conclusion: Based on the present results, it is possible that Polygala tenuifolia Willdenow has therapeutic value for the treatment of a variety of NO-induced brain diseases.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-12
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was carried out in order to examine the effects of Gastrodiae rhizoma(GR) ethanol extract on neuronal apoptosis in intracerebral hemorrhage(ICH)-induced rats. Methods: ICH was induced by the stereotaxic intrastriatal injection of bacterial collagenase type VII in Sprague-Dawley rats. GR was orally given once a day for 3 days after ICH. Histological changes of the peri-hematoma regions were observed by cresyl vioIet staining. Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), B-cell blastoma 2(BcI-2) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) expressions in the affected regions were performed by immunohistochemistry. Results: 1. GR reduced apoptotic bodies and swelling neurons in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. 2. GR significantly reduced TUNEL positive cells in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. 3. GR significantly reduced Bax positive cells in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. 4. GR did not influence Bcl-2 expression in the peri-hematoma regions of ICH-induced rats. Conclusions: These results suggest that GR has neuroprotective effects against ICH-induced apoptosis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.243-249
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• 2011

Korean red ginseng (KRG), the steamed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, has a variety of biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer effects. Aflatoxin $B_1$ ($AFB_1$) produced by the Aspergillus spp. causes acute hepatotoxicity by lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage, and induces liver carcinoma in humans and laboratory animals. This study was performed to examine the protective effects of KRG against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ using liver-specific serum marker analysis, histopathology, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling. In addition, to elucidate the possible mechanism of hepatoprotective effects, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were analyzed. Rats were treated with 250 mg/kg of KRG (KRG group) or saline ($AFB_1$ group) for 4 weeks and then received 150 ${\mu}g/kg$ of $AFB_1$ intraperitoneally for 3 days. Rats were sacrificed at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, or 1 wk after $AFB_1$ treatment. In the KRG pre-treatment group, serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde levels were low, but superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase activities were high as compared to the $AFB_1$ alone group. Histopathologically, $AFB_1$ treatment induced necrosis and apoptosis in hepatocytes, and led to inflammatory cells infiltration in the liver. KRG pre-treatment ameliorated these changes. These results indicate that KRG may have protective effects against hepatotoxicity induced by $AFB_1$ that involve the antioxidant properties of KRG.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.282-286
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to isolate a specific DNA probe for the strain ATTC 25611 of the species Prevotella intermedia by using a new rapid screening mothod. The whole-genomic DNA of P. intermedia ATCC 25611 was isolated and purified. The HindIII-digested genomic DNAs from the strain were cloned by the random cloning method. To screen the strain-specific DNA probe, inverted dot blot hybridization tests were performed. In this assay, 20 ng of recombinant plasmids containing the HindIII-digested genomic DNA fragment were boiled and blotted onto a nylon membrane, and hybridized with digoxigenin-dUTP labeled genomic DNAs in a concentration of 100 ng/ml. Southern blot analysis was performed in order to confirm the results of the inverted dot blot hybridization tests. The data showed that a Pi34 probe (2.1 kbp; 1 out of 32 probes) was specific for P. intermedia strain ATCC 25611 and could be useful for the detection and identification of the strain, particularly in epidemiological studies of periodontal disease.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.12
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• pp.935-940
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• 2000

배경: 폐혈관 손상에 관한 기전은 여러 보고에도 불구하고 자세히 밝혀지지는 않았다. 최근 산화성 스트레스 질환에 관여하는 과산화 수소($H_2O$$_2$) 등의 활성 산소족(reactive oxygen species)은 세포손상과 세포자사(apoptosis)에 중요한 역할을 한다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 $H_2O$$_2$에 의하여 유발된 산화성 스트레스가, 폐혈관 손상 기전의 하나로 추측되고 있는 세포자사를 야기하는지를 연구하였다. 대상 및 방법: 소의 폐동맥에서 유래된 calf pupmonary artery endothelial cell line(CPAE)를 이용하였다. $H_2O$$_2$에 의한 세포 독성을 측정하기 위하여, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay를 시행하였다. $H_2O$$_2$에 의한 세포의 형태학적 변화는 도립 현미경으로 분석하였다. 세포자사를 확인하기 위하여 terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling(TUNEL) assay와 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole(DAPI) staining 방법 및 flow cytometry 분석를 시행하였다. 결과: $H_2O$$_2$에 의한 세포 생존율은, 대조군(100%)과 비교하여 3시간 실험군에서 10$\mu$M에서 약 70%, 50 $\mu$M에서 약 33%, 100 $\mu$M에서 약 26%, 500 $\mu$M에서 약 28%이였다. $H_2O$$_2$투여시 세포돌기 감소, 세포 축소, 세포질 응축과 불규칙한 형태 등의 세포자사에 나타나는 형태학적 변화를 나타내었다. TUNEL assay와 DAPI staining에서도 세포자사에 특징적으로 나타나는 핵응축과 핵분절 등의 소견을 나타내었다. Flow cytometry 분석 시에도 $H_2O$$_2$투여시 sub G$_1$분절의 증가와 G$_1$분절의 감소 등의 세포자사 양상이 확인되었다. 결론: 형태학적 분석과 생화학적 분석을 통하여, $H_2O$$_2$는 CPAE에서 세포자사를 야기함을 확인하였다. 이러한 결과는 폐혈관 손상의 기전에 $H_2O$$_2$에 의한 세포자사가 부분적으로 관여할 가능성을 제시한다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.8
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• pp.422-429
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• 2021

Background: Carnosine has antioxidative and neuroprotective properties against hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury. Hypothermia is used as a therapeutic tool for HI encephalopathy in newborn infants with perinatal asphyxia. However, the combined effects of these therapies are unknown. Purpose: Here we investigated the effects of combined carnosine and hypothermia therapy on HI brain injury in neonatal rats. Methods: Postnatal day 7 (P7) rats were subjected to HI brain injury and randomly assigned to 4 groups: vehicle; carnosine alone; vehicle and hypothermia; and carnosine and hypothermia. Carnosine (250 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally administered at 3 points: immediately following HI injury, 24 hours later, and 48 hours later. Hypothermia was performed by placing the rats in a chamber maintained at 27℃ for 3 hours to induce whole-body cooling. Sham-treated rats were also included as a normal control. The rats were euthanized for experiments at P10, P14, and P35. Histological and morphological analyses, in situ zymography, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assays, and immunofluorescence studies were conducted to investigate the neuroprotective effects of the various interventional treatments. Results: Vehicle-treated P10 rats with HI injury showed an increased infarct volume compared to sham-treated rats during the triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining study. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that vehicle-treated P35 rats with HI injury had decreased brain volume in the affected hemisphere. Compared to the vehicle group, carnosine and hypothermia alone did not result in any protective effects against HI brain injury. However, a combination of carnosine and hypothermia effectively reduced the extent of brain damage. The results of in situ zymography, TUNEL assays, and immunofluorescence studies showed that neuroprotective effects were achieved with combination therapy only. Conclusion: Carnosine and hypothermia may have synergistic neuroprotective effects against brain damage following HI injury.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Objectives: Amygdalin is abundant in the seeds of bitter almond and apricots of the Prunus genus and other rosaceous plants. Amygdalin is known to have antitussive and anticancer activities. Apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death, is an important mechanism in cancer treatment. Methods: In the present study, we investigated whether the aqueous extract of Amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death in ME-180 cervical cancer cells. For this study, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, terminal deoxynuclotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) assay, 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining, flow cytometric analysis, DNA fragmentation assay, Western blot, and caspase-3 enzyme assay were performed on ME-180 cervical cancer cells. Results: Through morphological and biochemical analyses, it was demonstrated that ME-180 cells treated with Amygdalin exhibit several apoptotic features. The treatment of Amygdalin increased the Bax expression and caspase-3 enzyme activity and decreased Bcl-2 expression. Here, we have shown that Amygdalin induces apoptotic cell death in ME-180 cervical cancer cells through Bax-dependent caspase-3 activation. These results suggest the possibility that Amygdalin exerts anti-tumor effect on human cervical cancer.

• 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.

• Ocean and Polar Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.141-148
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• 2021

Microplastic contamination in waterbodies is a growing source of concern for researchers and other stakeholders. We investigated oxidative stress and toxicity in goldfish (Carassius auratus) in response to exposure to 1-㎛ diameter micro-polystyrene (MP) at concentrations of 0, 10, 100, and 1000 beads/mL (MP 0, MP 10, MP 100, and MP 1000 groups) for 7 d (at day 0, 1, 3, 5, and 7). We analyzed the survival rates; superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) mRNA expression levels in the liver; SOD and CAT activity in the plasma; caspase-3 mRNA expression in the liver; and the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in plasma. Terminal transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays were also conducted to determine apoptosis levels in the liver. All fish in the MP 1000 group died by day 7 and the MP 100 group had a lower survival rate than the MP 10 and MP 0 groups. The mRNA expression as well as SOD, CAT, and caspase-3 activity levels were increased significantly with increases in MP concentration and exposure time. Finally, according to the TUNEL assay, more apoptosis was observed in the MP 1000 group at day 5 than in other groups. In summary, MP concentrations above 100 beads/mL caused death and oxidative stress to goldfish. We conclude that MP can cause oxidative stress and apoptosis in goldfish, which leads to death.

• 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.