• Applied Microscopy
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.243-252
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• 1996

The somata and boutons of the zinc-containing neurons in the spinal cord of the rats were labeled by intraperitoneal injection of sodium selenite and silver amplification. The labeled somata of the neurons were located in laminae V, VI, VII and X of the gray matter. The zinc selenium reaction products were retrogradely transported and precipitated into somata of the neuron with survival 8 hours. This observation suggest that all or part of the spinal cord zinc-containing neurons are interneurons. At survival 1 hour, the loaded axonal boutons with zinc precipitates of zinc-containing neurons were distributed in the gray matter and in the processes of lateral and ventral funiculi of the white matter. In particular, AMG stained boutons with huge form were appeared in the lamina IX. Ultrastructurally, the zinc precipitates were located in the cytoplasmic lysosomes or the vesicle within boutons of the zinc-containing neuron in accordance with survival times.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.448-462
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• 2020

Dietary nutrition is a critical lifestyle factor that can reduce the risk of future cognitive impairments caused by dementia. Accumulating evidence suggests that dietary supplementation with Sulforaphane may help the prevention of cognitive impairments and dementia. Thus, Sulforaphane-enriched broccoli extract would hold promise to improve cognitive impairments of dementia patients. Here, we have used broccoli extracts, prepared from broccoli cultivated in Magma Seawater, to test if the broccoli extracts can be dietary supplement to improve cognitive impairments. Magma Seawater originated from Jeju Island, Korea is unique in terms of containing high concentrations of usable minerals (Zinc, Vanadium and Germanium etc.). Broccoli, grown in Magma Seawater, would contain Sulforaphane and the extra amount of usable minerals. The chemical compositions of the broccoli extracts were analyzed using LC-Q-orbitrap to detect Sulforaphane and Glucoraphanin. Analysis method based on HPLC was developed for measurement of sulforaphane levels in the broccoli extracts. We have tested if the broccoli extracts have anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects on neuron-like SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, we examined if the broccoli extracts are able to upregulate expression of synaptic plasticity-associated proteins (BDNF and phospho-CREB) and to inhibit acetylcholine esterase (AchE) activity. We have shown that the broccoli extracts inhibited the apoptotic pathway and inflammatory responses. Finally, we present evidence showing that AchE activity was inhibited by the broccoli extracts, but expression of BDNF and phospho-CREB was upregulated. Taken together, these findings suggest that the broccoli extracts from Magma Seawater-grown broccoli would be a good source of dietary nutrition to improve cognitive impairments in the future.