• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제26권3호
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• pp.183-193
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• 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are biomarkers for coronary atherosclerosis (AS). A novel miRNA-mRNA regulation network of coronary AS still needs to be disclosed. The aim of this study was to analyze potential mRNAs in coronary AS patients and the role of their upstream miR-491-5p in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We first confirmed top ten mRNAs according to the analysis from Gene Expression Omnibus database (GSE132651) and examined the expression levels of them in the plaques and serum from AS patients. Five mRNAs (UBE2G2, SLC16A3, POLR2C, PNO1, and AMDHD2) presented significantly abnormal expression in both plaques and serum from AS patients, compared with that in the control groups. Subsequently, they were predicted to be targeted by 11 miRNAs by bioinformatics analysis. Among all the potential upstream miRNAs, only miR-491-5p was abnormally expressed in the plaques and serum from AS patients. Notably, miR-491-5p overexpression inhibited viability and migration, and significantly increased the expression of contractile markers (α-SMA, calponin, SM22α, and smoothelin) in VSMCs. While silencing miR-491-5p promoted viability and migration, and significantly suppressed the expression of α-SMA, calponin, SM22α, and smoothelin. Overall, miR-491-5p targeted UBE2G2, SLC16A3, and PNO1 and regulated the dysfunctions in VSMCs.

• 동의신경정신과학회지
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• 제33권3호
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• pp.277-285
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• 2022

Objectives: Gastrodia elata (GE) has been used to treat cognition impairment, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Korea. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of GE water extracts (GEE) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced AD model in mice. (Aβ). Methods: We classified six groups as follow; group 1: control (CON), group 2: LPS (0.5 mg/kg/day, four times), group 3: 4 mg/kg donepezil (DP), group 4: 100 mg/kg GEE+LPS, group 5: 200 mg/kg GEE+LPS, group 6: 500 mg/kg GEE+LPS. Results: We found that GEE has an effect that inhibits decrease of discrimination index in object recognition test, as well as spontaneous alteration in the Y-maze test by LPS. Treatment with LPS increased amlyloid-β (Aβ) concentration, and decreased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cerebral cortex of mice. However, GEE significantly protected against LPS-induced Aβ and BDNF changes. Our findings also showed that the inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)] mRNA and protein were up-regulated by the LPS injection. But GEE significantly suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines increase in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: This study suggests that the GEE may be an effective AD therapeutic agent, in treating neurodegenerative diseases including AD.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.2.1-2.14
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• 2023

Background: Hypothermia is a crucial environmental factor that elevates the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the underlying effect is unclear. Objectives: This study examined the role of cold stress (CS) in cardiac injury and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: In this study, a chronic CS-induced myocardial injury model was used; mice were subjected to chronic CS (4℃) for three hours per day for three weeks. Results: CS could result in myocardial injury by inducing the levels of heat shock proteins 70 (HSP70), enhancing the generation of creatine phosphokinase-isoenzyme (CKMB) and malondialdehyde (MDA), increasing the contents of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) interleukin1b (IL-1β), IL-18, IL-6, and triggering the depletion of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). Multiple signaling pathways were activated by cold exposure, including pyroptosis-associated NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3)-regulated caspase-1-dependent/Gasdermin D (GSDMD), inflammation-related toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-mediated nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), as well as oxidative stressinvolved thioredoxin-1/thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) signaling pathways, which play a pivotal role in myocardial injury resulting from hypothermia. Conclusions: These findings provide new insights into the increased risk of cardiovascular disease at extremely low temperatures.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제32권12호
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• pp.1589-1598
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• 2022

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is a valuable material with wide industrial applications, particularly for the food and cosmetics industries, owing to its excellent physiochemical properties. Here, we prepared high-solid microfibrillated cellulose (HMFC) from the centrifugation of Gelidium amansiiderived MFC right after fibrillation. Dispersion properties, morphology, and structural changes were monitored during processing. HMFC has a five-fold higher solid concentration than MFC without significant changes to dispersion properties. SEM images and FTIR spectra of HMFC revealed a stable surface and structure against centrifugal forces. HMFC exhibited 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging activity, although it could not scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Moreover, HMFC inhibited the generation of LPS-induced excessive nitrite and radial oxygen species in murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Additionally, HMFC suppressed LPS-induced Keap-1 expression in the cytosol but did not alter iNOS expression. HMFC also attenuated the UVB-induced phosphorylation of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 1/2, and extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, as well as the phosphorylation of c-Jun in the immortalized human skin keratinocyte HaCaT cells. Therefore, the application of centrifugation is suitable for producing high-solid MFC as a candidate material for anti-inflammatory and antioxidative marine cosmeceuticals.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.116-126
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• 2023

Mainly due to the slanted focus on the mechanism and regulation of neuronal aging, research on astrocyte aging and its modulation during brain aging is scarce. In this study, we established aged astrocyte culture model by long-term culturing. Cellular senescence was confirmed through SA-β-gal staining as well as through the examination of morphological, molecular, and functional markers. RNA sequencing and functional analysis of astrocytes were performed to further investigate the detailed characteristics of the aged astrocyte model. Along with aged phenotypes, decreased astrocytic proliferation, migration, mitochondrial energetic function and support for neuronal survival and differentiation has been observed in aged astrocytes. In addition, increased expression of cytokines and chemokine-related factors including plasminogen activator inhibitor -1 (PAI-1) was observed in aged astrocytes. Using the RNA sequencing results, we searched potential drugs that can normalize the dysregulated gene expression pattern observed in long-term cultured aged astrocytes. Among several candidates, minoxidil, a pyrimidine-derived anti-hypertensive and anti-pattern hair loss drug, normalized the increased number of SA-β-gal positive cells and nuclear size in aged astrocytes. In addition, minoxidil restored up-regulated activity of PAI-1 and increased mitochondrial superoxide production in aged astrocytes. We concluded that long term culture of astrocytes can be used as a reliable model for the study of astrocyte senescence and minoxidil can be a plausible candidate for the regulation of brain aging.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.161-167
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• 2023

Despite the various medications used in clinics, the efforts to develop more effective treatments for depression continue to increase in the past decades mainly because of the treatment-resistant population, and the testing of several hypotheses- and target-based treatments. Undesirable side effects and unresponsiveness to current medications fuel the drive to solve this top global health problem. In this study, we focused on neuroinflammatory response-mediated depression which represents a cluster of depression etiology both in animal models and humans. Several meta-analyses reported that proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were increased in major depressive disorder patients. Inflammatory mediators implicated in depression include type-I interferon and inflammasome pathways. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of neuroinflammatory cascades underlying the pathophysiology of depression, we introduced hycanthone, an antischistosomal drug, to check whether it can counteract depressive-like behaviors in vivo and normalize the inflammation-induced changes in vitro. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment increased proinflammatory cytokine expression in the murine microglial cells as well as the stimulation of type I interferon-related pathways that are directly or indirectly regulated by Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) activation. Hycanthone treatment attenuated those changes possibly by inhibiting the JAK-STAT pathway and inflammasome activation. Hycanthone also ameliorated depressive-like behaviors by LPS. Taken together, we suggest that the inhibitory action of hycanthone against the interferon pathway leading to attenuation of depressive-like behaviors can be a novel therapeutic mechanism for treating depression.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.420-428
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a minor component of Panax ginseng, has been reported to possess a wide variety of pharmacological activities. However, its effects on glucose metabolism have not yet been reported. Here, we investigated the underlying signaling pathways involved in its effects on hepatic glucose. Methods: HepG2 cells were used to establish insulin-resistant (IR) model and treated with GF2. Cell viability and glucose uptake-related genes were also examined by real-time PCR and immunoblots. Results: Cell viability assays showed that GF2 up to 50 μM did not affect normal and IR-HepG2 cell viability. GF2 reduced oxidative stress by inhibiting phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling components such as c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and p38 MAPK, and reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. Furthermore, GF2 activated PI3K/AKT signaling, upregulated the levels of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) and GLUT-4 in IR-HepG2 cells, and promoted glucose absorption. At the same time, GF2 reduced phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase expression as well as inhibiting gluconeogenesis. Conclusion: Overall, GF2 improved glucose metabolism disorders by reducing cellular oxidative stress in IR-HepG2 cells via MAPK signaling, participating in the PI3K/AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway, promoting glycogen synthesis, and inhibiting gluconeogenesis.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제65권1호
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• pp.33-41
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• 2022

Esculetin (also known as 6, 7-dihydroxycoumarin) a type of coumarin, has been exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effects. Biorenovation is the microbe-mediated enhancement of biological efficacies and structurally diversified compounds relative to their substrate compounds. The production of different kinds of esculetin derivatives using Bacillus sp. JD3-7 and their effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered inflammatory response in RAW 26.7 cells were assessed. One of the biorenovation products, identified as esculetin 6-O-phosphate (ESP), at concentrations of 1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM inhibited the LPS-stimulated production of inflammation markers of nitric oxide synthase 2 and cyclooxygenase 2 as well as their respective enzymatic reaction products of nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 in the order of increasing concentrations (1.25, 2.5, and 5 μM). Additionally, ESP treatment suppressed the LPS-stimulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor- α. Furthermore, these anti-inflammatory effect of ESP was associated with the downregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, that is, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. This study would therefore provide interesting insights into the biorenovation-assisted generation of a novel anti-inflammatory compound. ESP may be used to develop treatments for inflammatory disorders.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.434-445
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• 2023

We investigated whether FTY-720 might have an effect on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis through inhibiting TGF-β1 pathway, and up-regulating autophagy. The pulmonary fibrosis was induced by bleomycin. FTY-720 (1 mg/kg) drug was intraperitoneally injected into mice. Histological changes and inflammatory factors were observed, and EMT and autophagy protein markers were studied by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. The effects of bleomycin on MLE-12 cells were detected by MTT assay and flow cytometry, and the related molecular mechanisms were studied by Western Blot. FTY-720 considerably attenuated bleomycin-induced disorganization of alveolar tissue, extracellular collagen deposition, and α-SMA and E-cadherin levels in mice. The levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 cytokines were attenuated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, as well as protein content and leukocyte count. COL1A1 and MMP9 protein expressions in lung tissue were significantly reduced. Additionally, FTY-720 treatment effectively inhibited the expressions of key proteins in TGF-β1/TAK1/P38MAPK pathway and regulated autophagy proteins. Similar results were additionally found in cellular assays with mouse alveolar epithelial cells. Our study provides proof for a new mechanism for FTY-720 to suppress pulmonary fibrosis. FTY-720 is also a target for treating pulmonary fibrosis.

• 대한토목학회논문집
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• 제29권4D호
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• pp.545-553
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• 2009

본 연구는 구조물의 변위계측에 있어 비접촉방법인 디지털 카메라를 이용한 근접수치사진측량을 이용한 실험결과를 제시한 것이다. 근접수치사진측량을 구조물 변위계측에 적용하기 위하여 본 연구에서는 카메라 자체검정을 통하여 기하학적 해석 정확도를 저해하는 렌즈의 왜곡에 대한 보정을 실시한 후 구조물의 변위계측을 위하여 자체제작한 라멘구조물에 각각의 하중을 재하하여 변위계측을 실시하였다. 또한 변위계측시 현장 적용성을 높이기 위하여 구조해석 프로그램인 MIDAS를 이용하여 모델링한 후 비교분석하였다. 그 결과 현재 구조물 안전진단에 활용되고 있는 LVDT, 케이블식변위계등 접촉식변위계가 가지고 있는 단점인 현장접근의 어려움, 설치비 과다등의 단점을 극복할 수 있는 가능성을 제시하였으며, 특히 실측 시간의 단축으로 인한 경제성을 확보할 수 있었다. 따라서 디지털 카메라를 이용한 근접수치사진측량은 구조물의 변위계측 뿐만 아니라 구조물의 3차원 모델링, 구조물의 실측형상재현 등 시각적 분석이 필요한 분야에 다양하게 활용될 수 있을 것으로 판단된다.