• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.9
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• pp.1270-1278
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• 2015

In vitro anticancer effects of black soybean doenjang on HT-29 human colon cancer cells were studied. SD (soybean doenjang prepared with nine-time baked bamboo salt) and BD (black soybean doenjang prepared with nine-time baked bamboo salt) were compared with CD (commercial doenjang). There were no significant differences between experimental groups in terms of pH, amino-type nitrogen, and ammonia-type nitrogen levels of the doenjang samples. BD showed the highest antioxidative effect, followed by SD and CD in that order. BD also showed the highest total polyphenol concentration of all samples. CD, SD, and BD extracts showed no toxic effects on normal RAW 264.7 cells at a concentration ranging from 0.1 to 0.5 mg/mL. BD exhibited anticancer effect on HT-29 cells by MTT assay. Also, BD manipulated mRNA expressions in certain factors; it suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6, and COX-2, promoted cell-cycle-related genes of p21, and p53, suppressed expression of cyclin D1, and suppressed anti-apoptotic Bcl-2; such manipulation by BD was the strongest, followed by SD and CD in order. From the results above, BD exhibited the highest anticancer effects by inhibiting growth of HT-29 cells, probably by regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines, cell cycling related genes, etc. These results might be due to using black soybeans containing high levels of polyphenol, including anthocyanins.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2002

Objectve : Okadaic acid is a specific inhibitor of serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 and 2A. In order to know the mechanism of apoptosis induced by okadaic acid, we treated FRTL-5 thyroid cells with okadaic acid and measured the changes of important proteins that are involved in apoptosis. Materials and Methods: We measured caspase 3 activity, $PLC-{\gamma}1$ degradation, the expression of XIAP, cIAP1, cIAP2, and cytochrome c release in okadaic acid-treated FRTL-5 thyroid cells. Results: Okadaic acid-induced caspase 3 activation and $PLC-{\gamma}1$ degradation and apoptosis were dose-dependent with a maximal effect at a concentration of 80 nmol and time-dependent with a maximal effect at 24 hours after treatment. The elevated caspase 3 activity in okadaic acid treated FRTL-5 thyroid cells are correlated with down-regulation of XIAP and cIAP1, but not cIAP2. General and potent inhibitor of caspases, z-VAD-fmk. abolished okadaic acid-induced caspase 3 activity and $PLC-{\gamma}1$ degradation. The release of cytochrome c in okadaic acid-induced FRTL-5 thyroid cells was dose-dependent with a maximal effect at a concentration of 80 nmol. Conclusions: These findings suggest that mechanism of okadaic acid-induced apoptosis is associated with cytochrome c release and increase of caspase 3 activation in FRTL-5 thyroid cells.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.263-271
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• 2016

Background: Bone injury is common in many clinical situations, such as surgery or trauma. During surgery, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production decreases the quality and quantity of osteoblasts. Remifentanil decreases ROS production, reducing oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. We investigated remifentanil's protective effects against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress in osteoblasts. Methods: To investigate the effect of remifentanil on human fetal osteoblast (hFOB) cells, the cells were incubated with 1 ng/ml of remifentanil for 2 h before exposure to $H_2O_2$. For induction of oxidative stress, hFOB cells were then treated with $200{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ for 2 h. To evaluate the effect on autophagy, a separate group of cells were incubated with 1 mM 3-methyladenine (3-MA) before treatment with remifentanil and $H_2O_2$. Cell viability and apoptotic cell death were determined via MTT assay and Hoechst staining, respectively. Mineralized matrix formation was visualized using alizarin red S staining. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression levels of bone-related genes. Results: Cell viability and mineralized matrix formation increased on remifentanil pretreatment before exposure to $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress. As determined via western blot analysis, remifentanil pretreatment increased the expression of bone-related genes (Col I, BMP-2, osterix, and $TGF-{\beta}$). However, pretreatment with 3-MA before exposure to remifentanil and $H_2O_2$ inhibited remifentanil's protective effects on hFOB cells during oxidative stress. Conclusions: We showed that remifentanil prevents oxidative damage in hFOB cells via a mechanism that may be highly related to autophagy. Further clinical studies are required to investigate its potential as a therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2017

Abnormal actin remodeling is a typical characteristic of tumor cells. Thymosin ${\beta}_{10}$ (TB10) and profilin-1 (PFN-1) are actin-binding proteins and essential regulators of actin polymerization. We previously showed that TB10 induced death in ovarian cancer cells by sequestering F-actin, but the underlying mechanisms of this induction have not been explored. In this study, we identified TB10 as a novel regulator of PFN-1 and demonstrated its novel function as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer cell lines. The present study investigated protein expression profiles through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) in SKOV3 cells, an ovarian cancer cell line, that were transiently transfected with TB10. PFN-1 was highly overexpressed in response to TB10, and overexpression of PFN-1 resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation and migration and promotion of cellular apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, transiently transfected PFN-1 appeared to deactivate the Erk signaling pathway, followed by decreased expression of Elk-1 and Egr-1 in human ovarian cancer cells. Interestingly, PFN-1 did not affect the activation of Akt. The results demonstrated that PFN-1 induced apoptotic cell death and inhibited proliferation and migration in ovarian cancer cells, suggesting that PFN-1 may be valuable in anti-cancer therapy.

• BMB Reports
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.237-243
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• 2001

Taxol, a natural product extracted from the Taxus brevifolia, is known to have significant anti-tumor activities against many common cancers, including ovarian and breast cancers. Despite the pronounced anti-tumor activity of this compound, its poor solubility in aqueous solutions hampers its clinical applications. We studied the anticancer mechanisms of the water-soluble taxol diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) used for radiolabeling, and compared it to that of taxol. In vitro cytotoxicities of taxol and taxol-DTPA conjugate were tested in HT29 human colorectal cancer cells by the MTT method. As the result, the $IC_{50}$ value of the taxol-DTPA conjugate was about three fold higher than that of taxol. When analyzed by an agarose gel electrophoresis, the DNA ladders became evident after the incubation of cells with the taxol-DTPA conjugate for 24 h. We also found morphological changes of the cells undergoing apoptosis with electron microscopy Next, we examined the signal pathway of taxol-DTPA conjugate-induced apoptosis in HT29 cells. The activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2) occurred at 10, 30, 60 and 120 min after 200 nM taxol-DTPA conjugate treatment. The pretreatment of the MEK inhibitor (PD98059) completely blocked the taxol-DTPA conjugate-induced ERK1/2 activation. The activated ERK1/2 translocated into the nucleus at the same time and phosphorylated its transcriptional factor, c-Jun. These results suggest that the taxol-DTPA conjugate has an apoptotic activity in HT29 cells, and that its proapoptic activity might be related with the signal transduction via ERK1/2 and c-Jun similar to that of taxol.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2251-2256
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• 2015

To study effects of cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-$1{\beta}$-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) inhibition by RNA interference (RNAi) on sensitivity of U2OS cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, plasmid pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was constructed and then transfected into U2OS cells. A stable transfection cell clone U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was screened from the c-FLIP-siRNA transfected cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to measure the expression of c-FLIP at the levels of mRNA and protein. The results indicated that the expression of c-FLIP was significantly suppressed by the c-FLIP-siRNA in the cloned U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA as compared with the control cells of U2OS/pSUPER. The cloned cell line of U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was further examined for TRAILinduced cell death and apoptosis in the presence of a pan-antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) AT406, with or without 4 hrs pretreatment with rocaglamide, an inhibitor of c-FLIP biosynthesis, for 24 hrs. Cell death effects and apoptosis were measured by the methods of MTT assay with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and flow cytometry, respectively. The results indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death in U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was increased compared with control cells U2OS/pSUPER in the presence or absence of AT406. Flow cytometry indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death effects proceeded through cell apoptosis pathway. However, in the presence of rocaglamide, cell death or apoptotic effects of TRAIL were similar and profound in both cell lines, suggesting that the mechanism of action for both c-FLIP-siRNA and rocaglamide was identical. We conclude that the inhibition of c-FLIP by either c-FLIP-siRNA or rocaglamide can enhance the sensitivity of U2OS to TRAIL-induced apopotosis, suggesting that inhibition of c-FLIP is a good target for anti-cancer therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2014

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as a mediator and regulator of inflammatory responses. NO is produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and NOS is abundantly expressed in the human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). NO produced by NOS can be cytotoxic at higher concentrations to HDPCs. However, the mechanism by which this cytotoxic pathway is activated in cells exposed to NO is not known. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanism in HDPCs. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, reduced the viability of HDPCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. We investigated the in vitro effects of nitric oxide on apoptosis of cultured HDPCs. Cells showed typical apoptotic morphology after exposure to SNP. Besides, the number of Annexin V positive cells was increased among the SNP-treated HDPCs. SNP enhanced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) ameliorated the decrement of cell viability induced by SNP. However, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor (ODQ) did not inhibited the decrement of cell viability induced by SNP. SNP increased cytochrome c release from the mitochondria to the cytosol and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 expression levels. Moreover, SNP-treated HDPCs elevated activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9. While pretreatment with inhibitors of caspase (z-VAD-fmk, z-DEVD-fmk) reversed the NO-induced apoptosis of HDPCs. From these results, it can be suggested that NO induces apoptosis of HDPCs through the mitochondria-dependent pathway mediated by ROS and Bcl-2 family, but not by the cyclic GMP pathway.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4353-4358
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• 2014

Background: PI3/AKT and NF-kB signaling pathways are constitutively active in acute myeloid leukemia and cross-talk between the two has been shown in various cancers. However, their role in acute myeloid leukemia has not been completely explored. We therefore used cell penetrating inhibitor peptides to define the contributions of AKT and NF-kB to survival and multi drug resistance (MDR) in HL-60 cells. Materials and Methods: Inhibition of AKT and NF-kB activity by AKT inhibitor peptide and NBD inhibitor peptide, respectively, resulted in decreased expression of mRNA for the MDR1 gene as assessed by real time PCR. In addition, treatment of HL-60 cells with AKT and NBD inhibitor peptides led to inhibition of cell viability and induction of apoptosis in a dose dependent manner as detected by flow cytometer. Results: Finally, co-treatment of HL-60 cells with sub-optimal doses of AKT and NBD inhibitor peptides led to synergistic apoptotic responses in AML cells. Conclusions: These data support a strong biological link between NF-kB and PI3-kinase/AKT pathways in the modulation of antiapoptotic and multi drug resistant effects in AML cells. Synergistic targeting of these pathways using NF-kB and PI3-kinase/AK inhibitor peptides may have a therapeutic potential for AML and possibly other malignancies with constitutive activation of these pathways.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.1281-1286
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• 2010

Gaucher disease (GD) is caused by glucocerebrosidase functional deficiency and the most prevalent lysosomal storage disorder (LSD), with an incidence of about 1 in 20,000 new births. Resveratrol, one kind of phytoalexin, is a produced naturally by several plants and has anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and neuro-protective effects. In this paper we provide the cellular protective effect of resveratrol in both type I and type II Gaucher disease cells. Resveratrol treatment did not show any significant change in the p21 and p53 mRNA expression level, however expression level of the p21 protein, a cell cycle arrest factor, shows significant increment in both types of Gaucher disease cells. These cell cycle arrest patterns were confirmed by both MTT assay measurement and microscopy detection. In comparison, expression level of poly ADP ribose polymerase (PARP), an apoptosis indicator protein, was significantly decreased in both type I and II Gaucher disease cells after treatment with resveratrol. This result indicates that resveratrol relievescellular apoptotic stress fromtype I and II Gaucher disease cells. Therefore, we demonstrate that resveratrol inhibits cell proliferation via p21 activity and activates cellular repair systems for Gaucher disease cells. Our results provide at least one of the molecular mechanisms of Gaucher disease and may allow the verification of potential drug targets for therapeutic trials.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2017

Background: In oxidative stress, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production contributes to cellular dysfunction and initiates the apoptotic cascade. Autophagy is considered the mechanism that decreases ROS concentration and oxidative damage. Propofol shows antioxidant properties, but the mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol preconditioning (PPC) on oxidative injury remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether PPC protects against cell damage from hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced oxidative stress and influences cellular autophagy. Method: COS-7 cells were randomly divided into the following groups: control, cells were incubated in normoxia (5% $CO_2$, 21% $O_2$, and 74% $N_2$) for 24 h without propofol; $H_2O_2$, cells were exposed to $H_2O_2$ ($400{\mu}M$) for 2 h; $PPC+H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$; and 3-methyladenine $(3-MA)+PPC+H_2O_2$, cells pretreated with 3-MA (1 mM) for 1 h and propofol were exposed to $H_2O_2$. Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide thiazolyl blue (MTT) reduction. Apoptosis was determined using Hoechst 33342 staining and fluorescence microscopy. The relationship between PPC and autophagy was detected using western blot analysis. Results: Cell viability decreased more significantly in the $H_2O_2$ group than in the control group, but it was improved by PPC ($100{\mu}M$). Pretreatment with propofol effectively decreased $H_2O_2$-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis. However, pretreatment with 3-MA inhibited the protective effect of propofol during apoptosis. Western blot analysis showed that the level of autophagy-related proteins was higher in the $PPC+H_2O_2$ group than that in the $H_2O_2$ group. Conclusion: PPC has a protective effect on $H_2O_2$-induced COS-7 cell apoptosis, which is mediated by autophagy activation.