• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2001

Recently, the consumption of soy products has been associated with low rates of hormone-dependent and hormone-independent cancers. Asians, who consume $20{\sim}50times$ more soy per capita than Americans, have lower incidence and death rates from breast and prostate cancer. Because soy contains the isoflavones genistein and daidzein (present as their glycosidic conjugates) at mg/g concentrations, it has been suggested that isoflavones might be acting as natural chemopreventive agents. During the 1980s several groups of investigators carried out experiments to test the effectiveness of soy in the diet in animal models of cancer. These studies reported a protective effect of soy; none showed that soy increased cancer risk. Genistein was shown to inhibit the growth of a wide variety of tumor cell types in culture. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of genistein on the carcinogenesis induced by topical application of 0.5% 9, 10-dimethyl 1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) on the hamster buccal pouch. 48 syrian hamsters were employed in this study, divided into experimental group and control. 24 animals (DMBA topical application group) had the right buccal pouch painted 3times weekly with 0.5% DMBA in mineral oil, 24 animals (genistein group) were supplied with 0.1mg genistein with DMBA topical application. 3 animals in the experimental group and control were sacrificed at serially each other week after experiments. Their buccal pouches were removed and routinely processed for microscopic examination. The results were as follows: 1. In DMBA topical application and genistein group, they showed carcinogenesis as time goes by experimental stage. 2. Genistein group was retarded in carcinogenesis related to the acanthosis, hyperkeratosis, epithelial dysplasia. 3. p53 immunohistochemical study showed that the p53 protein of genistein group was less expressed than that of the control group. Thus, it seems that genistein has chemopreventive effect on the carcinogenesis in the oral cavity, but further study is required to elucidate the anticancer mechanism of genistein.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.21 no.1 s.52
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• pp.13-19
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• 2006

화학적 예방효과가 있는 식물성 에스트로젠은 다양한 환성을 나타내며 여러 세포 수용체와 상호작용한다. Genistein은 isoflavone의 주요물질 중의 하나로 콩류에 존재하며 대표적인 식물성 에스트로젠이다. 본 논문에서는 유방암 세포주인 MCF-7에서 aryl hydrocarbon receptor(AhR)에 의해 매개되는 발암물질 활성화 경로에 대한 genistein의 영향을 살펴보았다. 세포에 genistein을 처리할 경우 cytochrome P450 1A1(CYP1A1) 약물대사효소의 특이적인 효소반응인 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) 활성도와 CYP1A1의 유전자 발현이 genistein의 농도 의존적으로 증가하였다. Genistein과 발암물질인 방향족탄화 수소 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene(DMBA)를 동시 처리하였을 경우 DMBA에 의해 유도되어 증가된 EROD활성도와 CYP1A1의 유전자 발현이 genistein에 의해 감소하였다. 랫트의 간에서 분리한 세포질을 이용하여 genistein과 AhR의 대표적인 ligand인 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin과 경쟁적 결합에 대한 영향을 조사한 결과 genistein이 AhR에 경쟁적으로 결합함을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들은 genistein이 천연 AhR ligand임을 암시한다. 따라서, 식물성 에스트로젠인 genistein은 AhR경로의 길항제/항진제로 작용할 수 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.216-218
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• 2008

The present study was designed to determine how the phytochemical genistein activates caspase-3 to cause cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. When human ovarian cancer SK-OV-3 cells were treated with $200\;{\mu}M$ genistein for 24 hr, cell growth decreased significantly (p<0.05). Conversely, genistein treatment significantly increased cytotoxicity (measured as lactate dehydrogenase release) under the same conditions (p<0.05). To elucidate the mechanism behind the induction of apoptosis by genistein, we studied the cell cycle and caspase-3 activation. When cells were treated with genistein, the population of cells in sub-G1 phase increased by 44.2% compared to untreated cells. Genistein caused decrease in precursor caspase-3, increase in cleaved caspase-3 and a significant increase in caspase-3 activity (p<0.05). Therefore, genistein may induce apoptosis via caspase-3 activation. However, high-dose genistein treatment must be viewed with caution because of its potential cytotoxicity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.15-20
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• 2006

Genistein is a potent, plant-derived isoflavone that displays estrogenic activity at low concentrations but inhibits proliferation at high amounts. However, the molecular mechanism of genistein is not completely understood. In the present study, the biphasic effects (estrogenic and antiestrogenic activity) of genistein on the growth of MCF-7 cells were identified. Genistein within a low range of concentration, $1-10\;{\mu}M$, stimulated proliferation, while $50-100\;{\mu}M$ caused apoptotic cell death. Additionally, genistein at a low concentration induced estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated gene expression and ER phosphorylation. When pre-treated with PD98059, an MEK inhibitor, ER-mediated gene expression and ER phosphorylation by genistein were noticeably increased. However, the increased gene expression and phosphorylation did not enhance cell proliferation. Moreover, it was observed that ER-mediated signaling performs an important role in the MAPK pathway. The proliferation and apoptosis in genistein-treated MCF-7 cells were partially dependent on the Bcl-2 level. The addition of IC1 182, 780, an estrogen receptor antagonist, inhibited Bcl-2 expression induced by genistein. This study suggests that there is a close relationship between Bcl-2 and the ER signaling pathways in MCF-7 cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.9
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• pp.1126-1135
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• 2008

This study was carried out to investigate the anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions of genistein in BALB/c mice injected with lopopolysaccharide (LPS), called endotoxin. Mice (10 weeks of age) weighing approximately 20 g were divided into 4 groups. Endotoxin shock was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS (100 mg/kg BW). LPS and genistein+LPS groups were injected with LPS 30 min after phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution and genistein (200 mg/kg BW) injections, respectively. Genistein group was injected with genistein, followed by PBS, while PBS group received two injections of PBS. Superoxide anion generation of peritoneal macrophage cells was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the genistein+LPS group than in the LPS injection group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection, while SOD activity was significantly higher in genistien+LPS group than LPS group. Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ levels of plasma were significant lower (p<0.05) in the genistein+LPS injection group than LPS group at 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Plasma TBARS was lower in genistein+LPS group than LPS group, while hepatic TBARS were not different among groups. Hepatic glutathione concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities were ignificantly higher in the genistein+LPS group than in the LPS group at 1 h and 8 h after intraperitoneal injection. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) transactivation was significantly (p<0.05) inhibited in LPS group. These results demonstrate genistein may ameliorate inflammatory diseases through inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ transactivation and oxidative stress, which may be mediated partially by anti-oxidative effect of genistein.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.448-451
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• 2006

Chemopreventive and cytotoxic effect of genistein against human breast cancer cell lines was investigated. Genistein inhibited cell proliferation in estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and estrogen receptor-negative (MDA-MB-231) human breast carcinoma cell lines. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A1-mediated ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity was inhibited by genistein in a concentrationdependent manner. Genistein significantly inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced cyclooxy-genase-2 activity and protein expression at the concentrations of 10 (p < 0.05), 25 (p < 0.05) and 50 mM (p < 0.01). In addition, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity was reduced to 53.8 % of the control after 6 h treatment with 50 mM genistein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. These results suggest that genistein could be of therapeutic value in preventing human breast cancer.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2002

The effects of genistein on murine thymocytes for inducing apoptotic cell death and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage were studied in vitro. Addition of genistein (10 and 50$\mu$M) to cultured thymocytes from BALB/c mice definitely promoted DNA fragmentation. Also, cytofluorometric analysis of these cells demonstrated a reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential ($\Delta$Ψm). But, repeated administration of genistein (1 mg/mouse/day) to mice for 7 days did not cause any detectable DNA fragmentation. Genistein decreased lucigenin chemiluminescence and engulfment of fluorescein-conjugated E. coli particles in peritoneal macrophage. These results suggest that genistein induce an apoptosis of thymocyte via reduction in $\Delta$Ψm and decrease phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage in vitro.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2009

Genistein has been reported to potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Inhibitory activity on tyrosine kinase or activation of protein kinase A (PKA) was shown to play a role in the genistein-induced potentiation effect on GSIS. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the mechanism of genistein-induced potentiation of insulin secretion. Genistein augmented insulin secretion in INS-1 cells stimulated by various energygenerating nutrients such as glucose, pyruvate, or leucine/glutamine (Leu/Gln), but not the secretion stimulated by depolarizing agents such as KCl and tolbutamide, or $Ca^{2+}$ channel opener Bay K8644. Genistein at a concentration of $50{\mu}M$ showed a maximum potentiation effect on Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion, but this was not sufficient to inhibit the activity of tyrosine kinase. Inhibitor studies as well as immunoblotting analysis demonstrated that activation of PKA was little involved in genistein-induced potentiation of Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion. On the other hand, all the inhibitors of $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin kinase II tested, significantly diminished genistein-induced potentiation. Genistein also elevated the levels of $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ and phospho-CaMK II. Furthermore, genistein augmented Leu/Gln-stimulated insulin secretion in CaMK II-overexpressing INS-1 cells. These data suggest that the activation of CaMK II played a role in genistein-induced potentiation of insulin secretion.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2015

The seed of Vigna angularis has long been cultivated as a food or a folk medicine in East Asia. Genistein (4',5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone), a dietary phytoestrogen present in this plant, has been known to possess various biological properties. In this study, we investigated the possible lifespan-extending effects of genistein using Caenorhabditis elegans model system. We found that the lifespan of nematode was significantly prolonged in the presence of genistein under normal culture condition. In addition, genistein elevated the survival rate of nematode against stressful environment including heat and oxidative conditions. Further studies demonstrated that genistein-mediated increased stress tolerance of nematode could be attributed to enhanced expressions of stress resistance proteins such as superoxide dismutase (SOD-3) and heat shock protein (HSP-16.2). Moreover, we failed to find genistein-induced significant change in aging-related factors including reproduction, food intake, and growth, indicating genistein exerts longevity activity independent of affecting these factors. Genistein treatment also led to an up-regulation of locomotory ability of aged nematode, suggesting genistein affects healthspan as well as lifespan of nematode. Our results represent that genistein has beneficial effects on the lifespan of C. elegans under both of normal and stress condition via elevating expressions of stress resistance proteins.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.71-77
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• 2006

The goal of this study was to analyze the effects of genistein, a widely used tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on cloned Shaw-type $K^+$ currents, Kv3.1 which were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, using the whole-cell configuration of patch-clamp techniques. In whole-cell recordings, genistein at external concentrations from 10 to $100{\mu}M$ accelerated the rate of inactivation of Kv3.1 currents, thereby concentration-dependently reducing the current at the end of depolarizing pulse with an $IC_{50}$ value of $15.71{\pm}0.67{\mu}M$ and a Hill coefficient of $3.28{\pm}0.35$ (n=5). The time constant of activation at a 300 ms depolarizing test pulses from -80 mV to +40 mV was $1.01{\pm}0.04$ ms and $0.90{\pm}0.05$ ms (n=9) under control conditions and in the presence of $20{\mu}M$ genistein, respectively, indicating that the activation kinetics was not significantly modified by genistein. Genistein $(20{\mu}M)$ slowed the deactivation of the tail current elicited upon repolarization to -40 mV, thus inducing a crossover phenomenon. These results suggest that drug unbinding is required before Kv3.1 channels can close. Genistein-induced block was voltage-dependent, increasing in the voltage range $(-20\'mV{\sim}0\'mV)$ for channel opening, suggesting an open channel interaction. Genistein $(20{\mu}M)$ produced use-dependent block of Kv3.1 at a stimulation frequency of 1 Hz. The voltage dependence of steady-state inactivation of Kv3.1 was not changed by $20{\mu}M$ genistein. Our results indicate that genistein blocks directly Kv3.1 currents in concentration-, voltage-, time-dependent manners and the action of genistein on Kv3.1 is independent of tyrosine kinase inhibition.