• Applied Microscopy
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• 제25권1호
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• pp.1-14
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• 1995

The purpose of this study was to investigate the main sensory trigeminal nucleus in the aging rat brain by means of electron microscope. Male Sprague-Dawley rats, two (control group) and thirty six (aging group) months of age, were used. These animals were sacrificed by perfusion fixation with 2.5% glutaraldehyde-2.0% paraformaldehyde (0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4) under sodium pentobarbital. The objective area was punched out with a sharp-edged metal cylinder of 0.8 mm in diameter. These blocks of tissue were then washed in 0.1M phosphate buffer, postfixed in 2% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in a graded series of ethyl alcohol, and embedded in Epon 812. Thin sections were cut with Super Nova ultramicrotome, pick up on grids and double stained with lead citrate and uranyl acetate, and observed in JEOL 100B electron microscope. The results were as follows: 1. In the control group, the neuronal cell body of the main sensory trigeminal nucleus was filled with nucleus, Golgi complex, Nissl substance, mitochondria, microfilaments and microtubules. However, few Nissl substances are seen in neuronal cell body. Axoaxonic synapse, axodendritic synapse, axosomatic synapse, axospinous synapse, myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers were well organized around cell bodies. Neurons with abnormal changes were not seen. 2. In the aging group, the neuronal cell body of the main sensory trigeminal nucleus contained large number of lipofuscin granules, dense body and swollen mitochondria. Terminal boutons contained glycogen, crystal-like vesicle and membranous indicating first signs of degeneration. The dendrites were found to be in synaptic contact with altered axon terminals. Frequently axons filled with dark axoplasn and splitted myelin sheath were noticed.

• BMB Reports
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• 제49권10호
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• pp.529-535
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• 2016

The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated by a variety of external or host-derived stimuli and its activation initiates an inflammatory response through caspase-1 activation, resulting in inflammatory cytokine IL-1β maturation and secretion. The NLRP3 inflammasome activation is a kind of innate immune response, most likely mediated by myeloid cells acting as a host defense mechanism. However, if this activation is not properly regulated, excessive inflammation induced by overactivated NLRP3 inflammasome can be detrimental to the host, causing tissue damage and organ dysfunction, eventually causing several diseases. Previous studies have suggested that mitochondrial damage may be a cause of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and autophagy, which is a conserved self-degradation process that negatively regulates NLRP3 inflammasome activation. Recently, mitochondria-selective autophagy, termed mitophagy, has emerged as a central player for maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis through the elimination of damaged mitochondria, leading to the prevention of hyperinflammation triggered by NLRP3 inflammasome activation. In this review, we will first focus on the molecular mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and NLRP3 inflammasome-related diseases. We will then discuss autophagy, especially mitophagy, as a negative regulator of NLPP3 inflammasome activation by examining recent advances in research.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.530-539
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• 2019

Brain aging is an inevitable process characterized by structural and functional changes and is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Most brain aging studies are focused on neurons and less on astrocytes which are the most abundant cells in the brain known to be in charge of various functions including the maintenance of brain physical formation, ion homeostasis, and secretion of various extracellular matrix proteins. Altered mitochondrial dynamics, defective mitophagy or mitochondrial damages are causative factors of mitochondrial dysfunction, which is linked to age-related disorders. Etoposide is an anti-cancer reagent which can induce DNA stress and cellular senescence of cancer cell lines. In this study, we investigated whether etoposide induces senescence and functional alterations in cultured rat astrocytes. Senescence-associated ${\beta}$-galactosidase (SA-${\beta}$-gal) activity was used as a cellular senescence marker. The results indicated that etoposide-treated astrocytes showed cellular senescence phenotypes including increased SA-${\beta}$-gal-positive cells number, increased nuclear size and increased senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP) such as IL-6. We also observed a decreased expression of cell cycle markers, including PhosphoHistone H3/Histone H3 and CDK2, and dysregulation of cellular functions based on wound-healing, neuronal protection, and phagocytosis assays. Finally, mitochondrial dysfunction was noted through the determination of mitochondrial membrane potential using tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM) and the measurement of mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR). These data suggest that etoposide can induce cellular senescence and mitochondrial dysfunction in astrocytes which may have implications in brain aging and neurodegenerative conditions.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제18권3호
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• pp.774-782
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• 2004

The water extract of Dancheonhwan (DCH) has been used to treat ischemic brain and heart damage in oriental medicine. However, little is known about the mechanism by which the water extract of DCH rescues cells from ischemic damage. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the protective mechanisms of DCH on the H₂O₂-induced toxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. Treatment of H₂O₂ markedly decreased the viability of H9c2 cardiomyoblast in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner. The nature of H₂O₂-induced toxicity of H9c2 cells resulted from apoptotic death confirmed with genomic DNA fragmentation. DCH increased the viability of H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells by about 23%, and partially suppressed the genomic DNA fragmentation and PARP cleavage. H₂O₂ also activated caspase-3 protease and -9 protease, but not both caspase-6 protease and -8 protease. H₂O₂ induced the mitochondria dysfunction, including mitochondria membrane permeability transition (MPT) and cytosolic release of cytochrome c from mitochondria, which was prevented in part by pretreatment of DCH. N-acetylcystein (NAC), a free-radical scavenger, alone increased the viability of H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the combination of NAC with DCH significantly increased the viability of the H₂O₂-treated H9c2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. These data indicate that DCH has the protective effect on ROS-induced apoptosis of cadiomyoblast H9c2 cells.

• Applied Microscopy
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.55-68
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• 1982

The study on the nerve cells in the pars intercerebralis(IP) of 5-day-old cabbage butterfly Pieris rapae L. was performed to observe their ultrastructures and classify them on the basis. of the differences in size, shape and relative distribution cf cell organelles. The brain-subesophageal ganglion complex was fixed in 1% paraformaldehyde-1% gluaraldehyde mixture and embedded in araldite mixture. The transverse thin sections of IP were stained with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and examined by Hitachi 500 and ]EM 100B electron microscope. Five distinct types. of nerve cells are recognized and are arbitrarily designated as Type I, Type II Type III, Type IV and Type V. Type I neurone: These neurones are neurosecretory cells. Several neurosecretory cells are. recognized in the pars intercerebralis. They are roughly round or peach-shaped cells measuring $13{\sim}25{\mu}m$ in diameter. The rounded nucleus shows about $5{\sim}10{\mu}m$ in diameter. The chromatin is predominantly diffused with only occasional dense patches. The perikaryon contains numerous. mitochondria, free polyribosomes and neurosecretory granules. The neurosecretory granules are relatively uniform in electron density, and each one is about $100{\sim}400{\mu}m$ in diameter and surrounded by a single membrane. The granules are also observed mostly as in groups. In one group of neurones the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum are distended or in other group of neurones are not distended. Golgi saccules are slightly dilated at their lateral extremities and contains. frequenty dense rounded materials. Type II neurone: Thes have the largest soma in the pars intercerebralis about $30{\sim}35{\mu}m$ in diameter. They also show roughly polygonal in shape. The nucleus is elongated or sickle-shaped. The chromatin is mainly in the euchromatin form. The perikarya in these cells are well populated with populated with free ribosomes and contain numerous mitochondria and Golgi bodies. The cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum are also well distributed. Type III neurone: They are oval or spindle-shaped and also medium-sized. neurones approximately $15{\sim}17{\mu}m$ in length. The nucleus is oval or slightly elongated in shape and $8{\sim}9{\mu}m$ in length. The chromatin occurs in diffused form. The cytoplasm contains many filamentous or oval mitochondria. The perikaryon has also numerous free polyribosomes and cisternae of granular endoplasmic reticulum. Type VI neurone: They are roughly polygonal in shape probably due to the close approximation of the adjacent cells. The soma is about $7{\sim}8{\mu}m$ in diameter. The nucleus is round or oval in shape and $5.0{\sim}5.8{\mu}m$ in diameter. The necleus also occupies a large proprion of the cell body. The perikaryon is well populated with free ribosomes and contains several mitochondria and cistenae of granular endoplasmic reticulum. Type V neurone: These neurones are similar to Type VI neurones in various respects such as cell size and cell inclusion, but they differ from Type IV neurones in shape. The soma is oval or slightly elongated. The cell body contains several filamentous and oval mitochondria.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제33권10호
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• pp.1626-1633
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• 2004

$\omega$3계 지방산이 부족한 50군과 P/M/S 및$\omega$6/$\omega$3비율이 적절한 MO군으로 생후 9주까지 사육한 흰쥐의 적혈구와 뇌조직의 시냅토솜, 미토콘드리아 및 마이크로솜내 oleic acid 조성 비율은 생후 3주에는 두 군간에 유의한 차이를 보이지 않고 일정한 수준으로 유지되는 것으로 나타났으나 생후 9주에는 MO군에서 SO군보다 높게 나타났다. 실험식이내 oleic ac:인 조성은 SO군이 MO군보다 매우 낮으나, SO군의 모유에서 oleic acid 조성비율이 식이에 비해 크게 증가된 것으로 나타나, 모유가 뇌 성장$.$발달기간중의 뇌조직내 oleic acid의 주요 급원이 될 수 있음을 나타내주고 있다. 18:0에서 oleic acid의 de novo 합성 정도를 나타내는 간접지표인 -9 desaturation index는 생후 3주에는 실험군간(시냅토솜 예외)에 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았으나, 생후 9주에는 식이내 oleic acid가 풍부한 MO군의 시냅토솜에서 높게 나타났다. 한편 생후 9주 마이크로솜 분획 에서 olelc acid 수준은 실험군 간에 차이를 보이지 않았으나, -9 desaturation index는 SO군에서 MO군보다 높아 뇌조직 에서 oleic acid가 생합성될 수 있음을 간접적으로 설명 해주고 있다. 따라서 흰쥐 뇌조직의 oleic acid는 식이와 모유 등의 이미 합성된 oleic acid가 뇌로 우선적으로 유입되는 부분과 뇌조직 자체에서 합성되는 부분에 의한다고 생각된다. 그러나 식이중 oleic acid가 부족하면 뇌 세포분획내의 oleic acid수준이 유의하게 감소하였으므로, 식이중 적절한 수준의 oleic acid가 정상적인 뇌발달에 필수적임을 다시 한번 강조하게 한다. 

• Toxicological Research
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.267-279
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• 2018

Neurolathyrism is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by spastic paraplegia resulting from the excessive consumption of Lathyrus sativus (Grass pea). ${\beta}$-N-Oxalyl-L-${\alpha},{\beta}$-diaminopropionic acid (L-ODAP) is the primary neurotoxic component in this pea. The present study attempted to evaluate the proteome-wide alterations in chick brain 2 hr and 4 hr post L-ODAP treatment. Proteomic analysis of chick brain homogenates revealed several proteins involved in cytoskeletal structure, signaling, cellular metabolism, free radical scavenging, oxidative stress and neurodegenerative disorders were initially up-regulated at 2 hr and later recovered to normal levels by 4 hr. Since L-ODAP mediated neurotoxicity is mainly by excitotoxicity and oxidative stress related dysfunctions, this study further evaluated the role of L-ODAP in apoptosis in vitro using human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32. The in vitro studies carried out at $200{\mu}M$ L-ODAP for 4 hr indicate minimal intracellular ROS generation and alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential though not leading to apoptotic cell death. L-ODAP at low concentrations can be explored as a stimulator of various reactive oxygen species (ROS) mediated cell signaling pathways not detrimental to cells. Insights from our study may provide a platform to explore the beneficial side of L-ODAP at lower concentrations. This study is of significance especially in view of the Government of India lifting the ban on cultivation of low toxin Lathyrus varieties and consumption of this lentil.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권3호
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• pp.408-417
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• 2022

Background: Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) has been used as a health supplement and herbal medicine. Astrocytes are one of the key cells in the central nervous system (CNS) and have bioenergetic potential as they stimulate mitochondrial biogenesis. They play a critical role in connecting the brain vasculature and nerves in the CNS. Methods: Brain samples from KRGE-administered mice were tested using immunohistochemistry. Treatment of human brain astrocytes with KRGE was subjected to assays such as proliferation, cytotoxicity, Mitotracker, ATP production, and O₂ consumption rate as well as western blotting to demonstrate the expression of proteins related to mitochondria functions. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) was diminished utilizing siRNA transfection. Results: Brain samples from KRGE-administered mice harbored an increased number of GFAP-expressing astrocytes. KRGE triggered the proliferation of astrocytes in vitro. Enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis induced by KRGE was detected using Mitotracker staining, ATP production, and O₂ consumption rate assays. The expression of proteins related to mitochondrial electron transport was increased in KRGE-treated astrocytes. These effects were blocked by HIF-1α knockdown. The factors secreted from KRGE-treated astrocytes were determined, revealing the expression of various cytokines and growth factors, especially those related to angiogenesis and neurogenesis. KRGE-treated astrocyte conditioned media enhanced the differentiation of adult neural stem cells into mature neurons, increasing the migration of endothelial cells, and these effects were reduced in the background of HIF-1α knockdown. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that KRGE exhibits prophylactic potential by stimulating astrocyte mitochondrial biogenesis through HIF-1α, resulting in improved neurovascular function.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제46권9호
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• pp.545-557
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• 2023

Sphingomyelinase (SMase) catalyzes ceramide production from sphingomyelin. Ceramides are critical in cellular responses such as apoptosis. They enhance mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP) through self-assembly in the mitochondrial outer membrane to form channels that release cytochrome c from intermembrane space (IMS) into the cytosol, triggering caspase-9 activation. However, the SMase involved in MOMP is yet to be identified. Here, we identified a mitochondrial Mg²⁺-independent SMase (mt-iSMase) from rat brain, which was purified 6,130-fold using a Percoll gradient, pulled down with biotinylated sphingomyelin, and subjected to Mono Q anion exchange. A single peak of mt-iSMase activity was eluted at a molecular mass of approximately 65 kDa using Superose 6 gel filtration. The purified enzyme showed optimal activity at pH of 6.5 and was inhibited by dithiothreitol and Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions. It was also inhibited by GW4869, which is a non-competitive inhibitor of Mg²⁺-dependent neutral SMase 2 (encoded by SMPD3), that protects against cytochrome c release-mediated cell death. Subfractionation experiments showed that mt-iSMase localizes in the IMS of the mitochondria, implying that mt-iSMase may play a critical role in generating ceramides for MOMP, cytochrome c release, and apoptosis. These data suggest that the purified enzyme in this study is a novel SMase.

• 약학회지
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• 제46권6호
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• pp.433-440
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• 2002

The protective efficacy of Rheum palmatum water extract on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism was studied in C57BL/6 mice. In order to demonstrate neuroprotective effect of R. palmatum extract, animals were administered intraperitoneally with the water extract (100 or 200 mg/kg/day) for 14 days, and MPTP (10 mg/kg/day) was injected subcutaneously into the mice for the first 6 consecutive days from the beginning 1 hr before R. palmatum extract treatment. All animals were measured the several neurobiochemical markers such as dopamine level and monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity in various regions of brain. The treatment of mice with R. palmatum extract was confirmed recovery effect on MAO-B activity in the cerebellum and the cerebral cortex. R. palmatum extract was attenuated the MPTP-induced depletion of substantia nigra dopamine. The contents of MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation, in brain tissues (cerebellum and cerebral cortex mitochondria) were decreased significantly by R. palmatum extract. These results suggest that R. palmatum water extract plays an effective role in attenuating MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in mice. This protective effect of R. palmatum might be estimated the result from the inhibitory activity on monoamine oxidase B and the enhancement of antioxidant activity.