• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제45권6호
• /
• pp.734-743
• /
• 2021

Background: The underlying mechanisms of the potential tumor-suppressive effects of ginsenoside Rh2 are complex. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is usually dysregulated in cancer. This study explored the regulatory effect of ginsenoside Rh2 on m6A RNA methylation in cancer. Methods: m6A RNA quantification and gene-specific m6A RIP-qPCR assays were applied to assess total and gene-specific m6A RNA levels. Co-immunoprecipitation, fractionation western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect protein interactions and distribution. QRT-PCR, dual-luciferase, and ChIP-qPCR assays were conducted to check the transcriptional regulation. Results: Ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation and KIF26B expression in a dose-dependent manner in some cancers. KIF26B interacts with ZC3H13 and CBLL1 in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and enhances their nuclear distribution. KIF26B inhibition reduces m6A RNA methylation level in cancer cells. SRF bound to the KIF26B promoter and activated its transcription. SRF mRNA m6A abundance significantly decreased upon KIF26B silencing. SRF knockdown suppressed cancer cell proliferation and growth both in vitro and in vivo, the effect of which was partly rescued by KIF26B overexpression. Conclusion: ginsenoside Rh2 reduces m6A RNA methylation via downregulating KIF26B expression in some cancer cells. KIF26B elevates m6A RNA methylation via enhancing ZC3H13/CBLL1 nuclear localization. KIF26B-SRF forms a positive feedback loop facilitating tumor growth.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• 제63권5호
• /
• pp.1142-1158
• /
• 2021

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are metabolic products produced during the microbial fermentation of non-digestible fibers and play an important role in metabolic homeostasis and overall gut health. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with multispecies probiotics (MSPs) containing Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Limosilactobacillus reuteri, and Levilactobacillus brevis on the gut microbiota, and fecal SCFAs and lactate levels of weaned pigs. A total of 38 pigs weaned at 4 weeks of age were fed either a basal diet or a diet supplemented with MSPs for 6 weeks. MSP administration significantly increased the fecal concentrations of lactate (2.3-fold; p < 0.01), acetate (1.8-fold; p < 0.05), and formate (1.4-fold; p < 0.05). Moreover, MSP supplementation altered the gut microbiota of the pigs by significantly increasing the population of potentially beneficial bacteria such as Olsenella, Catonella, Catenibacterium, Acidaminococcus, and Ruminococcaceae. MSP supplementation also decreased the abundance of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia and Chlamydia. The modulation of the gut microbiota was observed to be strongly correlated with the changes in fecal SCFAs and lactate levels. Furthermore, we found changes in the functional pathways present within the gut, which supports our findings that MSP modulates the gut microbiota and SCFAs levels in pigs. The results support the potential use of MSPs to improve the gut health of animals by modulating SCFAs production.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제41권1호
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2019

Right after the 2007 Hebei Spirit Oil Spill phytoplankton ecosystems were investigated for 11 years based on the seasonal monitoring of the composition and abundance of phytoplankton species. Comparable time-series data from the 1989 Exxon Valdez or the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill sites were not available. It was suggested that the ecological healthiness of phytoplankton ecosystems at EVOS sites had recovered after 10 years following the oil spill based on chlorophyll concentrations even though these concentrations only represented phytoplankton communities in most cases. Chlorophyll concentrations can only reflect limited aspects of highly complex phytoplankton ecosystems. During the last 11 years following the 2017 HSOS, extreme variabilities were met in the seasonally averaged ratios of diatoms to phototrophic flagellates including dinoflagellates based on the microscopic cell countings. Summer phytoplankton communities exhibited some cyclic interannual changes in dominant groups every 2-4 years. During the early years (2008-2010) cryptophytes or raphidophytes (Chattonella spp.) dominated alternately each year, which was repeated again in 2014, 2015 and 2017. Two thecate dinoflagellates, Tripos fusus and Tripos furca, together accounted for 52.5% and 50.0% of all organisms in the summers of 2011 and 2012, respectively, which was repeated again in 2018. Summer occurrence and dominance by the phototrophic flagellates including HABs (Harmful Algal Blooms) species as well as their interannual variabilities in the oil spill sites could be utilized as markers for the stable and long-term management of healthy ecosystems. For this type of scientific ecosystem management monitoring of chlorophyll concentrations may sometimes be insufficient to gain a proper and comprehensive understanding of phytoplankton communities located in areas where oil spills have occurred and harmed the ecosystem.

• 한방비만학회지
• /
• 제18권2호
• /
• pp.96-105
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Asparagus cochinchinensis (AC) and fermented AC (fAC) on microorganisms and efficacies. Methods: AC was fermented for four weeks without using any bacterial strains. Then we investigated fermentation characteristics including potential of hydrogen (pH), total sugar, microbial profiling and antioxidant compound contents such as total polyphenol and total flavonoid. The anti-obesity effects of AC and fAC were evaluated by using Oil Red O staining in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. Also anti-diabetic effects of them were evaluated by using 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in C2C12 skeletal muscle cell. Results: Both pH and total sugar of fAC were decreased significantly compared to unfermented AC. And the abundance of total bacteria and lactic acid bacteria increased during fermentation, especially Lactobacillus plantarum. Also fermentation of AC increased the content of total polyphenol. On the metabolic aspects, we found that AC and fAC suppressed fat accumulation. Conclusions: After four weeks of fermentation, AC increased concentrations of active compounds, altered microbial composition, and inhibited fat accumulation such as triglyceride. These results indicate that fermentation of AC might be a beneficial therapeutic approach for obesity.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• 제35권2호
• /
• pp.192-198
• /
• 2018

Background: Chronic inflammation can lower the seizure threshold and have influence on epileptogenesis. The components of red ginseng (RG) have anti-inflammatory effects. The abundance of peripherally derived immune cells in resected epileptic tissue suggests that the immune system is a potential target for anti-epileptogenic therapies. The present study used continuous electroencephalography (EEG) to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of RG in intrahippocampal kainic acid (IHKA) animal model of temporal lobe epilepsy. Methods: Prolonged status epilepticus (SE) was induced in 7-week-old C57BL/6J mice via stereotaxic injection of kainic acid (KA, 150 nL; 1 mg/mL) into the right CA3/dorsal hippocampus. The animals were implanted electrodes and monitored for spontaneous seizures. Following the IHKA injections, one group received treatments of RG (250 mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks (RG group, n=7) while another group received valproic acid (VPA, 30 mg/kg/day) (VPA group, n=7). Laboratory findings and pathological results were assessed at D29 and continuous (24 h/week) EEG monitoring was used to evaluate high-voltage sharp waves on D7, D14, D21, and D28. Results: At D29, there were no differences between the groups in liver function test but RG group had higher blood urea nitrogen levels. Immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that RG reduced the infiltration of immune cells into the brain and EEG analyses showed that it had anticonvulsant effects. Conclusion: Repeated treatments with RG after IHKA-induced SE decreased immune cell infiltration into the brain and resulted in a marked decrease in electrographic seizures. RG had anticonvulsant effects that were similar to those of VPA without serious side effects.

• Animal Bioscience
• /
• 제36권8호
• /
• pp.1285-1292
• /
• 2023

Objective: The objective of this study was to develop a novel endolysin (PanLys.1) for the specific killing of the ruminal hyper-ammonia-producing bacterium Peptostreptococcus anaerobius (P. anaerobius). Methods: Whole genome sequences of P. anaerobius strains and related bacteriophages were collected from the National Center for Biotechnology Information database, and the candidate gene for PanLys.1 was isolated based on amino acid sequences and conserved domain database (CDD) analysis. The gene was overexpressed using a pET system in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). The lytic activity of PanLys.1 was evaluated under various conditions (dosage, pH, temperature, NaCl, and metal ions) to determine the optimal lytic activity conditions. Finally, the killing activity of PanLys.1 against P. anaerobius was confirmed using an in vitro rumen fermentation system. Results: CDD analysis showed that PanLys.1 has a modular design with a catalytic domain, amidase-2, at the N-terminal, and a cell wall binding domain, from the CW-7 superfamily, at the C-terminal. The lytic activity of PanLys.1 against P. anaerobius was the highest at pH 8.0 (p<0.05) and was maintained at 37℃ to 45℃, and 0 to 250 mM NaCl. The activity of PanLys.1 significantly decreased (p<0.05) after Mn²⁺ or Zn²⁺ treatment. The relative abundance of P. anaerobius did not decrease after administration PanLys.1 under in vitro rumen conditions. Conclusion: The application of PanLys.1 to modulate P. anaerobius in the rumen might not be feasible because its lytic activity was not observed in in vitro rumen system.

• 한국해양학회지:바다
• /
• 제19권4호
• /
• pp.287-301
• /
• 2014

냉수대 발생 전 후의 해양 환경과 식물플랑크톤 군집 구조 및 크기를 파악을 위해 여름철 빈번하게 냉수대가 발생되는 동해 남부 해역(울산 정자~부산 일광) 18개 정점에서 2013년 5월부터 8월까지 냉수대 발생 환경 및 식물플랑크톤 군집 구조를 조사하였다. 냉수대는 7월과 8월에 연안 정점(A1, B1, C1)에서 발생하였고, 표층에서 저온 고염의 특성을 보였다. 이 시기에 영양염은 수온과 유의한 음의 상관관계(DIP, r=-0.218, p<0.01; DIN, r=-0.306, p<0.01; silicate, r=-0.274, p<0.01)를 보여, 찬 해수가 분포하는 표층에 영양염이 풍부함을 알 수 있었다. 출현한 식물플랑크톤은 총 186종이었고, 현존량은 5월(C1, $726{\times}10^3cells\;L^{-1}$)과 7월(A1, $539{\times}10^3cells\;L^{-1}$)에 높았다. 또한, 연안 정점에서 총 chl. a 와 소형플랑크톤 chl. a ($&gt;20{\mu}m$)의 농도가 냉수대 발생 시기인 7, 8월에 뚜렷하게 증가한 반면, 수온약층이 형성된 6월에는 현저하게 낮았다. 6월의 우점종은 Pseudo-nitzschia spp.이었고, 그 세포 크기는 $309{\mu}m^3$로 다른 시기의 식물플랑크톤의 1/10 수준에 머무는 작은 크기였다. 이러한 결과는 7월과 8월에 총 chl. a의 증가와 식물플랑크톤의 크기 증가가 냉수대 발생 시에 표층으로 공급된 영양염의 영향임을 시사한다. 이러한 해양 환경 특성과 식물플랑크톤 출현양상은 연안 정점에서 뚜렷하게 보였고, 외측 정점에서는 관찰되지 않았다. 이 연구에서는 동해 남부 해역에서 냉수대가 발생하면 식물플랑크톤의 현존량 증가와 더불어 비교적 크기가 큰 식물플랑크톤의 출현 빈도가 증가하는 현상을 확인하였다. 결과적으로 하계에도 불구하고 동해 남부 연안 해역에서 냉수대 발생에 따른 영양염 공급은 식물플랑크톤 군집조성과 현존량에 상당한 영향을 미치는 것으로 판단된다.

• 생태와환경
• /
• 제37권3호통권108호
• /
• pp.319-331
• /
• 2004

본 연구는 실험적으로 조성된 인공연못(2 m ${\times}$ 2 m ${\times}$ 2 m)에서 패류의 여과 섭식이 수체 내 물질순환과 플랑크톤 군집에 미치는 영향을 평가하기 위해 이루어졌다. 실험의 초기에는 처리구와 대조구 enclosure 모두에서 남조류인 Microcystis viridis와 M. aeruginosa 등이 우점하였고, 세포밀도와 생물량의 큰 차이는 없었다. 패류 100개체 투입 이후에 처리구에서 세포밀도의 감소와 수중 내 N/P의 증가와 더불어 우점종은 Microcystis에서 Scenedesmus로 바뀌었다. 반면에, 대조구에서의 세포밀도는 증가와 더불어 Oscillatoria spp.가 우점하였다. 패류 600개체 투입 이후에는 처리구와 대조구 모두에서 Selenastrum spp.와 Cryptomonas sp.가 우점하였다. 실험 초기 대조구에서의 동물플랑크톤 밀도는 처리구에 비해 높았으나 100개체 투입 이후에는 처리구에서 높았다. 패류 600개체 투입 이후에는 처리구에서 크기가 작은 윤충류와 요각류 유생들의 밀도가 감소하였으나, Bosmina longirostris, Diacyclops thomasi와 같은 크기가 큰 동물플랑크톤의 밀도와 생물량은 대조구에 비해 높았다. 실험기간 동안 엽록소 a농도의 증가는 처리구에서 수체 내 DIP농도가, 대조구에서는 암모니아농도가 상승한 직후에 나타났다. 처리구에서 600개체 투입 전후 시기동안 대조구에서는 TSI (Chl. a-TN)과 TSI (Chl. a-TP)가 모두 증가하였으나 처리구에서는 암모니아 농도의 증가로 인하여 질소 제한에 대한 변화가 나타나지 않았다. 이러한 결과들은 패류의 여과섭식이 수체내 영양염 이용율을 변화시키고, 동물플랑크톤과의 동일한 먹이원에 대한 경쟁 혹은 직접적인 섭식을 통해 수환경에서 물질 순환과 플랑크톤 군집 변화에 중요한 영향을 미칠 수 있음을 의미한다.

• Ocean and Polar Research
• /
• 제33권1호
• /
• pp.21-34
• /
• 2011

We determined potential meso-scale benthic-pelagic ecosystem coupling in the north equatorial Pacific by comparing surface chl-a concentration with sediment bacterial abundance and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentration (indication of active biomass). Water and sediment samples were latitudinally collected between 5 and $11^{\circ}N$ along $131.5^{\circ}W$. Physical water properties of this area are characterized with three major currents: North Equatorial Current (NEC), North Equatorial Count Current (NECC), and South Equatorial Current (SEC). The divergence and convergence of the surface water occur at the boundaries where these currents anti-flow. This low latitude area ($5{\sim}7^{\circ}N$) appears to show high pelagic productivity (mean phytoplankton biomass=$1266.0\;mgC\;m^{-2}$) due to the supplement of high nutrients from nutrient-enriched deep-water via vertical mixing. But the high latitude area ($9{\sim}11^{\circ}N$) with the strong stratification exhibits low surface productivity (mean phytoplankton biomass=$603.1\;mgC\;m^{-2}$). Bacterial cell number (BCN) and ATP appeared to be the highest at the superficial layer and reduced with depth of sediment. Latitudinally, sediment BCN from low latitude ($5{\sim}7^{\circ}N$) was $9.8{\times}10^8\;cells\;cm^{-2}$, which appeared to be 3-times higher than that from high latitude ($9{\sim}11^{\circ}N$; $2.9{\times}10^8\;cells\;cm^{-2}$). Furthermore, sedimentary ATP at the low latitude ($56.2\;ng\;cm^{-2}$) appeared to be much higher than that of the high latitude ($3.3\;ng\;cm^{-2}$). According to regression analysis of these data, more than 85% of the spatial variation of benthic microbial biomass was significantly explained by the phytoplankton biomass in surface water. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that benthic productivity in this area is strongly coupled with pelagic productivity.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.288-298
• /
• 2016

Resveratrol acts as a free radical scavenger and a potent antioxidant in the inhibition of numerous reactive oxygen species (ROS). The function of resveratrol and resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles in protecting human lung cancer cells (A549) against hydrogen peroxide was investigated in this study. The 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assay was performed to evaluate the antioxidant properties. Resveratrol had substantially high antioxidant capacity (trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity value) compared to trolox and vitamin E since the concentration of resveratrol was more than $50{\mu}M$. Nanoparticles prepared from ${\beta}$-lactoglobulin (${\beta}$-lg) were successfully developed. The ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticle showed 60 to 146 nm diameter in size with negatively charged surface. Non-cytotoxicity was observed in Caco-2 cells treated with ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles. Fluorescein isothiocynate-conjugated ${\beta}$-lg nanoparticles were identified into the cell membrane of Caco-2 cells, indicating that nanoparticles can be used as a delivery system. Hydrogen peroxide caused accumulation of ROS in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles restored $H_2O_2$-induced ROS levels by induction of cellular uptake of resveratrol in A549 cells. Furthermore, resveratrol activated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-Kelch ECH associating protein 1 (Nrf2-Keap1) signaling in A549 cells, thereby accumulation of Nrf2 abundance, as demonstrated by western blotting approach. Overall, these results may have implications for improvement of oxidative stress in treatment with nanoparticles as a biodegradable and non-toxic delivery carrier of bioactive compounds.