• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.549-564
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between harmful free radicals and antioxidants. Long-term oxidative stress can lead to an "exhausted" status of antioxidant defense system triggering development of metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. Green perilla (Perilla frutescens) is commonly used in Asian cuisines and traditional medicine in southeast Asia. Green perilla possesses numerous beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. To investigate the potentials of green perilla leaf extract (PE) on oxidative stress, we induced oxidative stress by high-fat diet (HFD) in aging mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: C57BL/6J male mice were fed HFD continuously for 53 weeks. Then, mice were divided into three groups for 12 weeks: a normal diet fed reference group (NDcon), high-fat diet fed group (HDcon), and high-fat diet PE treated group (HDPE, 400 mg/kg of body weight). Biochemical analyses of serum and liver tissues were performed to assess metabolic and inflammatory damage and oxidative status. Hepatic gene expression of oxidative stress and inflammation related enzymes were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: PE improved hepatopathology. PE also improved the lipid profiles and antioxidant enzymes, including hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver. Hepatic gene expressions of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory related enzymes, such as SOD-1, CAT, interleukin 4 (IL-4) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) were significantly enhanced by PE. PE also reduced the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and liver; moreover, PE suppressed hepatic gene expression involved in pro-inflammatory response; Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitric oxide synthase (NOS), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). CONCLUSIONS: This research opens opportunities for further investigations of PE as a functional food and possible anti-aging agent due to its attenuative effects against oxidative stress, resulting from HFD and aging in the future.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2006

As the antioxidant and free radical scavenger, glutathione (GSH) participates in the preservation of cellular redox status and defense against reactive oxygen species and xenobiotics. Glutamate-cysteine ligase (GCL; also known as ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine synthetase, EC 6.3.2.2) is the rate limiting enzyme in GSH synthesis. In the present study, the accurate method for determination of GCL activity in crude liver extracts was developed by measuring both ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine and GSH from cysteine in the presence of glutamate, glycine and an ATP-generating system. We added glycine to promote the conversion of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine to GSH, and to minimize the possibility of ${\gamma}$-glutamylcysteine metabolism to cysteine and oxoproline by ${\gamma}$-glutamylcyclotransferase. We established optimal conditions and substrate concentrations for the enzyme assay, and verified that inhibition of GCL by GSH did not interfere with this assay. Therefore, this assay of hepatic GCL under optimal conditions could provide a more accurate measurement of this enzyme activity in the crude liver extracts.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

A unique biophysical membrane which surrounds the milk fat globules is called the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM). Various researches were studied about origin, composition, structure and bioactive components of MFGM. Bioactive protein components of MFGM play an important beneficiary function such as defense mechanism in new born. Among the bioactive lipid components from MFGM phospholipids showed health enhancing functions. The phospholipids also help in the production of certain dairy product from deterioration. MFGM phospholipids also showed antioxidant activity in some dairy products such as butter and ghee produced from milk of buffalo. Based on the beneficial effects, researchers developed MFGM as functional ingredients in various food products. This current review focuses on health enhancing function of MFGM and its components in various dairy products.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.144-151
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• 2012

The molecular mechanisms by which a variety of naturally-occurring dietary compounds exert chemopreventive effects have been a subject of intense scientific investigations. Induction of phase II detoxification and anti-oxidant enzymes through activation of Nrf2/ARE-dependent gene is recognized as one of the major cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative or xenobiotic stresses and currently represents a critical chemopreventive mechanism of action. In the present review, the functional significance of Keap1/Nrf2 protein module in regulating ARE-dependent phase II detoxification and anti-oxidant gene expression is discussed. The biochemical mechanisms underlying the phosphorylation and expression of Keap1/Nrf2 proteins that are controlled by the intracellular signaling kinases and ubiquitin-mediated E3 ligase system as well as control of nucleocytoplasmic translocation of Nrf2 by its innate nuclear export signal (NES) are described.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.264-280
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• 1993

The environmental pollutions were a serious problem in Korea recently. So many researcher have studied the effect of environmental pollution on plants and agro-ecosystem, but the basic mechanisms of environmental stresses were various. One of the important mechanisms was oxidative stress caused by active toxic oxygen. The toxic oxygen was generated by several stresses, abnormal temperature, many xenobiotics, air pollutants, water stress, fugal toxin, etc. In the species of toxic oxygen which is primary inducer of oxidative stresses, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen were representative species. The scavenging systems were divided into two groups. One was nonenzymatic system and the other enzymatic system. Antioxidants such as glutathione, ascorbic acid, and carotenoid, have the primary function in defense mechanisms. Enzymatic system divided into two groups; First, direct interaction with toxic oxygen(eg. superoxide dismutase). Second, participation in redox reaction to maintain the active antioxidant levels(eg. glutathione reductase, ascorbate peroxidase, etc.).

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2001.11b
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• pp.68-69
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• 2001

• The Plant Pathology Journal
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.146-158
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• 2022

Changes in physiological and biochemical patterns in lucerne plants caused by the presence of 'Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia', which is one of the significant pathogens causing yield losses in lucerne plants, were investigated. Significant differences were evident in total chlorophyll, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and protein amounts between 'Ca. Phytoplasma australasia'-positive and negative lucerne plants. Stress-related metabolites such as phenol, malondialdehyde, and proline accumulations in 'Ca. Phytoplasma australasia'-positive plants were remarkably higher than those of phytoplasma-negative plants. As a response to disease attack, phytoplasma-positive plants exhibited higher antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and catalase) and nonenzymatic metabolite responses such as jasmonic and salicylic acids. We state that partial disease responses were revealed for the first time to breed resistant lucerne lines infected by 'Ca. Phytoplasma australasia'.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.12-18
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• 2023

Propolis is a sticky natural product produced by honeybees. Research studies have discussed the effectiveness of propolis, directly or indirectly, for ameliorating reproductive toxicity in males; however, this research has not yet been reviewed. The current paper presents an integrative summary of all research studies in Scopus and PubMed that investigated the effects of propolis on semen quality, and hence on male fertility, in conditions of reproductive toxicity. The consensus indicates that propolis ameliorates reproductive toxicity and enhances semen quality in vivo in test animals. These effects may be attributable to the ability of propolis to reduce testicular oxidative damage, enhance testicular antioxidant defense mechanisms, increase nitric oxide production, reduce testicular apoptotic injury, and boost testosterone production. However, to generalize these effects in humans would require further research.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.7-11
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• 2024

Glutathione (GSH) is a vital compound composed of glutamic acid, cysteine, and glycine, crucial for cellular functions including oxidative stress defense and detoxification. It has widespread applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries due to its antioxidant properties and immune system support. Two primary methods for GSH synthesis are enzymatic and microbial fermentation. Enzymatic synthesis is efficient but costly, while microbial fermentation, particularly using yeast strains like Candida albicans, offers a cost-effective alternative. This study focuses on genetically modifying C. albicans mutants, specifically targeting glutathione reductase (GLR1) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (GCS1) genes, integral to GSH synthesis. By optimizing these mutants, the research aims to develop a model for efficient GSH production, potentially expanding its applications in the food industry.

• The Korean Journal of Pesticide Science
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.222-229
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• 2007

It is well known the functional foods are very useful to prevent serious diseases and promote health. Therefore, they are often called as nutraceuticals, designer foods, and pharmafoods, etc. Most of foods have diverse functions because they provide nutrients, energies and fibrinoid materials. When foods are taken in the body, they promote the biological defense system against diseases through the supply of the essential or healthy materials to human being's organs. The mode of action and functional foods in human body have not been clarified yet. Antioxidant is known as one of the therapeutic aids which can be reduced pesticide poisoning. Onion has a strong antioxidant effect. This study was carried out to elucidate an antioxidant function of onion by determination of superoxide dismutase in liver, lung, serum of male rat administered by intraperitonial injection of 0, 2, $4\;mg\;kg^{-1}$ cblorpyrifos after administrated orally with onion for 6 weeks. Damage of liver and kidney was also investigated by biochemical analysis of serum(AST, ALT, BUN/Creatine ratio). SOD(superoxide dismutase) activity of onion-administrated group is higher than control group. In liver and lung, SOD activity of onion+cblorpyrifos administrated group is higher than only chlorpyrifos administrated group. BUN/Creatinine ratio of onion+chlorpyrifos administrated group was decreased compared with only chlorpyrifos-administrated group.