• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.445-451
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is positively associated with atherosclerosis via elevating macrophage cell death and plaque formation, in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role. Antioxidative, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic effects of kimchi, a Korean fermented vegetable, have been established, wherein capsaicin, ascorbic acid, quercetin, 3-(4'-hydroxyl-3',5'-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid, and lactic acids were identified. In this study, mechanisms of action of kimchi methanol extracts (KME) on fatty streak formation via suppression of ER stress and apoptosis in aorta were examined in low-density lipoprotein receptor knockout mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mice fed a high cholesterol diet with an oral administration of KME (KME group, $200 mg{\cdot}kg-bw^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) or distilled water (control group) for 8 weeks (n = 20 for group). Plasma lipid and oxidative stress levels were evaluated. Protein expression was measured by western blot assay. Fatty streak lesion size and the degree of apoptosis were examined in the aorta. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, in the KME group, plasma lipids levels were decreased and oxidative stress was alleviated (P < 0.05). Protein expression levels of nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2-mediated antioxidants in aorta were increased whereas those for ER stress markers, glucose regulated protein 78, phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase, phospho-eukaryotic initiation factor 2 subunit ${\alpha}$, X-box binding protein 1, and C/EBP homologous protein were decreased in the KME group (P < 0.05). Moreover, apoptosis was suppressed via downregulation of phospho-c-Jun N-terminal kinase, bcl-2-associated X protein, caspases-9, and -3 with a concomitant upregulation of anti-apoptotic protein, B-cell lymphoma 2 (P < 0.05). Fatty streak lesion size was reduced and the degree of apoptosis was less severe in the KME group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, antioxidant activity of KME might prevent fatty streak formation through, in part, inhibition of ER stress and apoptosis in aortic sinus where macrophages are harbored.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제23권4호
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• pp.518-528
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• 2013

꿀풀과(Labiatae)에 속하는 황금(黃芩, S. baicalensis)은 한국, 중국, 몽골 및 시베리아 동부 등지에 분포하는 여러해살이 초본식물로서 예로부터 민간처방 약재로 사용되었으며, 한방에서는 뿌리 말린 것을 이질, 발열 및 황달의 치료제로 사용되고 있다. 또한 최근 연구에 따르면 황금 추출물은 항염증, 항당뇨, 항균, 항알레르기, 항바이러스, 항고혈압, 항산화 및 항암 효능을 가지는 것으로 알려져 있으나 신세포암에서의 항암효능 및 분자생물학적 기전에 대해서는 명확히 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 인체 신세포암 Caki-1 세포에서 황금 에탄올 추출물(ethanol extract of S. baicalensis, EESB)이 유발하는 항암효과 및 항암기전을 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 EESB 처리에 의한 Caki-1 세포의 증식억제는 apoptosis 유발과 밀접한 연관이 있었으며, 이는 DR4 Fas ligand 및 Bax 단백질의 발현 증가와 Bid, XIAP 및 cIAP-1의 발현 억제와 관련이 있었다. EESB는 또한 미토콘드리아의 기능 손상과 caspase-3의 기질단백질인 PARP, ${\beta}$-catenin 및 $PLC{\gamma}$-1 단백질의 단편화를 유발하였다. 그러나 EESB 처리에 의하여 유발되었던 apoptosis가 pan-caspases inhibitor인 z-VED-fmk를 이용하여 caspases의 활성을 억제하였을 경우 현저하게 감소되어, EESB에 의한 apoptosis 과정에 caspase의 활성 증대가 중요한 역할을 한다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들은 황금의 항암작용을 이해하는데 중요한 자료가 될 것이고 나아가 향후 수행될 추가 실험을 위한 기초 자료로서 그 가치가 매우 높을 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제26권7호
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• pp.847-854
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• 2016

Nucleoside adenosine 유도체의 하나인 cordycepin (3′-deoxyadenosine)은 Cordyceps 속에서 유래된 활성 물질 중의 하나로서 항염증, 항산화 및 항암활성을 포함한 다양한 약리학적 효능이 있는 것으로 잘 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 AGS 인체 위암세포의 증식에 미치는 cordycepin의 영향과 관련 기전 연구를 시도하였다. Cordycepin의 처리에 따라 AGS 세포의 생존율이 처리 농도 의존적으로 감소되었으며, DNA 단편화 및 flow cytometery 분석에 따른 apoptosis 유발 또한 유의적으로 증가하였음을 확인하였다. 이러한 cordycepin 처리에 따른 AGS 세포의 apoptosis 유도에는 TRAIL, DR5 및 FasL의 mRNA 및 단백질의 발현 증가가 연관되어 있었다. 아울러 cordycepin은 Bcl-2 family 중 pro-apoptotic 인자인 Bax의 발현은 증가시켰으며, anti-apoptotic 인자인 Bcl-2 및 Bcl-xL의 발현은 전사 및 번역 수준에서 억제시켰다. 이러한 현상들은 extrinsic 및 intrinsic apoptosis의 initiator caspase (caspase-8 및 -9) 뿐만 아니라 effector caspase인 caspase-3의 활성과 PARP 단백질의 절단 증가와 연관성이 있었다. 따라서 AGS 세포에서 cordycepin에 의한 apoptosis의 유발은 death receptor 활성과 mitochondria 기능 손상을 포함한 multiple apoptotic pathway가 관여할 것으로 생각된다. 비록 좀 더 세심한 기전 연구의 결과가 뒤따라야 되겠지만, 본 연구의 결과는 cordycepin의 항암작용을 이해하는데 중요한 자료가 될 것이며 향후 수행될 추가 실험을 위한 기초 자료로서 그 가치가 매우 높을 것으로 생각된다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제34권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2009

Nitric oxide (NO) acts as an intracellular messenger at the physiological level but can be cytotoxic at high concentrations. The cells within periodontal tissues, such as gingival and periodontal fibroblasts, contain nitric oxide syntheses and produce high concentrations of NO when exposed to bacterial lipopolysaccharides and cytokines. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying NO-induced cytotoxicity in periodontal tissues are unclear at present. In our current study, we examined the NO-induced cytotoxic mechanisms in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). Cell viability and the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined using a MTT assay and a fluorescent spectrometer, respectively. The morphological changes in the cells were examined by Diff-Quick staining. Expression of the Bcl-2 family and Fas was determined by RT-PCR or western blotting. The activity of caspase-3, -8 and -9 was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a NO donor, decreased the cell viability of the HGF cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. SNP enhanced the production of ROS, which was ameliorated by NAC, a free radical scavenger. ODQ, a soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, did not block the SNP-induced decrease in cell viability. SNP also caused apoptotic morphological changes, including cell shrinkage, chromatin condensation, and DNA fragmentation. The expression of Bax, a member of the proapoptotic Bcl-2 family, was upregulated in the SNP-treated HGF cells, whereas the expression of Bcl-2, a member of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family, was downregulated. SNP augmented the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol and enhanced the activity of caspase-8, -9, and -3. SNP also upregulated Fas, a component of the death receptor assembly. These results suggest that NO induces apoptosis in human gingival fibroblast via ROS and the Bcl-2 family through both mitochondrial- and death receptor-mediated pathways. Our data also indicate that the cyclic GMP pathway is not involved in NO-induced apoptosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제28권11호
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• pp.1268-1276
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• 2018

Cytidine analog decitabine (DEC)은 핵산 합성의 억제제로서 골수이형성 증후군 및 급성 골수성 백혈병 치료제로 사용되고 있다. 산화질소 합성에서 번역 단계를 억제하는 것으로 알려진 ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC)는 $NF-{\kappa}B$의 대표적인 억제제이다. 본 연구에서는 인체 위암 AGS 세포를 대상으로 DEC와 PDTC의 병용 처리에 따른 세포증식 억제 기전을 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 따르면 PDTC에 의한 AGS 세포의 증식 억제 효과는 DEC에 의해 농도 의존적으로 유의하게 증가하였으며, 이는 G2/M기의 세포주기 정지 및 apoptosis 유도와 관련이 있었다. PDTC와 DEC의 병용 처리에 의한 세포 사멸의 유도는 DNA 손상 유도와 관련이 있음을 H2AX의 인산화 증가로 확인하였다. 아울러 PDTC와 DEC의 병용 처리는 미토콘드리아 막 전위의 파괴를 유도하고, 세포 내 활성산소종(ROS)의 생성과 Bax의 발현을 향상시키고, Bcl-2 발현을 감소시켰으며 미토콘드리아에서 세포질로의 cytochrome c 유출을 증가시켰다. 또한 PDTC과 DEC의 병용 처리는 외인성 및 내인성 apoptosis 개시 caspase에 해당하는 caspase-8과 caspase-9의 활성뿐만 아니라 caspase-3의 활성화와 PARP 단백질의 분해를 유도하였다. 결론적으로 본 연구의 결과는 PDTC와 DEC의 병용 처리가 DNA 손상을 유발하고, ROS 증가와 연계된 외인성 및 내인성 apoptosis 사멸 경로를 활성화시킴으로써 AGS 세포의 증식을 억제하였음을 의미한다.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제53권2호
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• pp.158-164
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• 2021

고중성지방혈증은 죽상동맥경화증의 주요한 위험 요인 중 하나이다. 중성지방은 대식세포의 세포 사멸을 유도하여 죽상동맥경화증 발생에 기여하는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구팀은 앞선 연구에서 대식세포의 중성지방-유도 세포 사멸이 pannexin-1 활성화에 의한 세포 외 ATP 농도 증가, caspase-2와 caspase-1 활성화, caspase-8을 포함한 apoptotic caspase 활성화 경로로 일어나는 것을 보고하였다. 한편 다른 연구들에서는 세포 내 다른 여러 기전에서 caspase-8이 caspase-1과 -2의 상위 단백질이라 보고하고 있다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 caspase-8이 중성지방-유도 대식세포 사멸 과정에서 상위단백지로 영향을 미치는지 여부를 조사하기 위해 수행되었다. 본 연구진은 caspase-8이 중성지방-유도 대식세포 사멸 과정에서 caspase-3 활성화 및 PARP 절단을 유도하였다. 다음으로 중성지방이 처리된 대식세포에서 caspase-8 억제 시, caspase-8의 상위 단백질로 보고한 caspase-1 및 -2의 활성이 감소하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 ATP 처리 시 caspase-8 억제제 처리에 의해 감소된 caspase-2의 활성이 회복되는 것을 확인하였다. 위의 결과를 통해 caspase-8이 중성지방-유도 대식세포 사멸 과정에서 세포 외부 ATP 농도 증가에 관여하는 단백질 또는 그 상위 기전에 양성피드백 방식으로 영향을 미쳐 caspase-1과 -2를 활성화하여 중성지방-유도 대식세포 사멸을 증진시킴을 알 수 있다.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.231-238
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• 2005

Neuronal apoptotic events, which result in cell death, are occurred in hypoxic/ischemic conditions. Estradiol is a female sex hormone with steroid structure known to provide neuroprotection through multiple mechanisms in the central nervous system. This study was aimed to investigate the signal transduction pathway of $CoCl_2$-induced neuronal cell death and the inhibitory effects of estradiol. Administration of $CoCl_2$ decreased cell viability in both a dose- and time-dependent manner in PC12 cells. $CoCl_2$-induced cell death produced genomic DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes such as cell shrinkage and condensed nuclei. It was found that $CoCl_2$-treated cells increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as caspase-8, -9 and -3 activities. However, pretreatment with estradiol before exposure to $CoCl_2$ prevented the reduction in cell viability reduction and attenuated DNA fragmentation and morphologic changes caused by $CoCl_2$. Furthermore, the $CoCl_2$-induced increases of ROS levels and caspases activities were attenuated by estradiol. Gene expression analysis revealed that estradiol blocked the underexpression of the Bcl-2 and ameliorated the increase in the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytoplasm and Fas-ligand (Fas-L) upregulated by $CoCl_2$. These results suggest that $CoCl_2$ induce apoptosis in PC12 cells through both mitochondria- and death receptor-mediated cell death pathway. Estradiol was found to have a neuroprotective effect against $CoCl_2$-induced apoptosis through the inhibition of ROS production and by modulating apoptotic effectors associated with the mitochondria- and death-dependent pathway in PC12 cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.41-55
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• 2004

Objective : To investigate the possible molecular mechanism (s) of melittin as a candidate of anti-cancer drug, we examined the effects of the compound on the growth of human lung carcinoma cell line A549. Methods : Growth inhibitory study, flow cytometry analysis, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and in vitro caspases activity assay were performed. Results : Melittin treatment declined the cell viability of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, which was associated with induction of apoptotic cell death. Melittin treatment down-regulated the levels of Bcl-XS/L mRNA and protein expression of A549 cells, an anti-apoptotic gene, however, the those of Bax, a pro-apoptotic gene, were up-regulated. Melittin induced the proteolytic cleavage and activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 protease in a dose-dependent manner without alteration of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins family and Akt expression. Western blot analysis and RT-PCR data revealed that the levels of tumor suppressor p53 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 were also remained unchanged. Conclusions : Taken together, these findings suggest that melittin-induced inhibition of human lung cancer cell growth is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death via regulation of several major growth regulatory gene products, and melittin may have therapeutic potential in human lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권10호
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• pp.6115-6120
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• 2013

Introduction: Some non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumor cells are insensitive to tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) -based therapy. This study was conducted to examine the effect of embelin on the sensitivity of the A549 NSCLC cell line to TRAIL receptor2 (TRAILR2) monoclonal antibodies and to investigate the potential mechanisms. Materials and Methods: A549 cells were treated with embelin, TRAILR2 mAb or a combination of both. Cell viability was measured using ATPlite assay and apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry with AnnexinV-FITC and propidium iodide staining, with the expression levels of proteins analyzed by Western blotting. Results: The cell survival rate of separate treatments with 100 ng/ml TRAILR2 antibody or 25 uM embelin were $81.5{\pm}1.57%$ and $61.7{\pm}2.84%$, respectively. Their combined use markedly decreased cell viability in A549 cells to $28.1{\pm}1.97%$ (P<0.05). The general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK could inhibit the embelin-enhanced sensitivity of A549 cells to TRAILR2 mAb ($75.97{\pm}3.17%$)(P<0.05). Both flow cytometry and cell morphological analysis showed that embelin was able to increase TRAIL-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. Combined treatment with embelin and TRAILR2 mAb augmented the activation of initiator caspases and effector caspase. In addition, A549 cells showed increasing levels of TRAILR2 protein and decreasing levels of Bcl-2, survivin and c-FLIP following the treatment with embelin+TRAILR2 mAb. Conclusions: Embelin could enhance TRAIL-induced apoptosis in A549 cells. The synergistic effect of the combination treatment might be due to modulation of multiple components in the TRAIL receptor-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway, including TRAILR2, XIAP, survivin, Bcl-2 and c-FLIP.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권10호
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• pp.5291-5298
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• 2012

Beta-asarone is one of the main bioactive constituents in traditional Chinese medicine Acorus calamu. Previous studies have shown that it has antifungal and anthelmintic activities. However, little is known about its anticancer effects. This study aimed to determine inhibitory effects on LoVo colon cancer cell proliferation and to clarify the underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. Dose-response and time-course anti-proliferation effects were examined by MTT assay. Our results demonstrated that LoVo cell viability showed dose- and time-dependence on ${\beta}$-asarone. We further assessed anti-proliferation effects as ${\beta}$-asarone-induced apoptosis by annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assay usinga flow cytometer and observed characteristic nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation of apoptosis by microscopy. Moreover, we found the apoptosis to be induced through the mitochondrial/caspase pathway by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reducing the Bcl-2-to-Bax ratio, in addition to activating the caspase-9 and caspase-3 cascades. Additionally, the apoptosis could be inhibited by a pan-caspase inhibitor, carbobenzoxy-valyl-alanyl-aspartyl-[O-methyl]-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK). When nude mice bearing LoVo tumor xenografts were treated with ${\beta}$-asarone, tumor volumes were reduced and terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays of excised tissue also demonstrated apoptotic changes. Taken together, these findings for the first time provide evidence that ${\beta}$-asarone can suppress the growth of colon cancer and the induced apoptosis is possibly mediated through mitochondria/caspase pathways.