• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.729-744
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) is a biomarker for oxidative stress to induce inflammation. Methionine is an essential sulfur-containing amino acid with antioxidative activity. On the other hand, the evidence on whether and how methionine can depress HNE-derived inflammation is lacking. In particular, the link between the regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway and methionine intake is unclear. This study examined the link between depression from HNE accumulation and the anti-inflammatory function of ⳑ-methionine in rats. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male Wistar rats (3-week-old, weighing 70-80 g) were administered different levels of ⳑ-methionine orally at 215.0, 268.8, 322.5, and 430.0 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. The control group was fed commercial pellets. The hepatic HNE contents and the protein expression and mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators were measured. The interleukin-10 (IL-10) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels were also estimated. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, hepatic HNE levels were reduced significantly in all groups fed ⳑ-methionine, which were attributed to the stimulation of GST by ⳑ-methionine. With decreasing HNE levels, ⳑ-methionine inhibited the activation of NF-κB by up-regulating inhibitory κBα and depressing phosphoinositide 3 kinase/protein kinase B. The mRNA levels of the inflammatory mediators (cyclooxygenase-2, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, tumor necrotic factor alpha) were decreased significantly by ⳑ-methionine. In contrast, the protein expression of these inflammatory mediators was effectively down regulated by ⳑ-methionine. The anti-inflammatory action of ⳑ-methionine was also reflected by the up-regulation of IL-10. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed a link between the inhibition of HNE accumulation and the depression of inflammation in growing rats, which was attributed to ⳑ-methionine availability. The anti-inflammatory mechanism exerted by ⳑ-methionine was to inhibit NF-κB activation and to up-regulate GST.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.27-33
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• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of extract of Thuja orientalis leaves (TOFE) against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity by inhibition of inflammation in in vitro and in vivo models of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods : We evaluated the effect of TOFE against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ($MPP^+$) toxicity using nitric oxide (NO) assay, inducible NO synthase and cyclooxygenase 2 western blot, tyrosine hydroxylase and microglia activation immunohistochemistry (IHC) in BV2 cell, primary rat mesencephalic neurons, or C57BL/6 mice. We also evaluated the effect of TOFE in mice PD model induced by MPTP. C57BL/6 mice were treated with TOFE 50 mg/kg for 5 days and were injected intraperitoneally with four administrations of MPTP on the last day. We conducted behavioral tests and IHC analysis to see how TOFE affect MPTP-induced neuronal loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and striatum (ST) of mice. To assess the anti-inflammation effects, we carried out glial fibrillary acidic protein and macrophage-1 antigen integrin alpha M in IHC in SNpc and ST of mice. Results : In an in vitro system, TOFE decreasesd NO generations in BV2 cells. TOFE protected dopaminergic cells against LPS or $MPP^+$-induced toxicity in primary mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. In vivo system, TOFE at 50 mg/kg treated group showed improved motor deteriorations than the MPTP only treated group and TOFE significantly protected striatal dopaminergic damage from MPTP-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Moreover, TOFE inhibited activation of astrocyte and microglia in SNpc and ST of the mice. Conclusions : We concluded that TOFE showed anti-parkinsonian effect by protection of dopaminergic neurons against MPTP toxicity through anti-inflammatory actions.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.63-70
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• 2018

Objective : Previous studies showed that water extract of Plantago asiatica (Plantaginis asiaticae Folium, PAF) significantly controlled in body weights, adipose tissue weights and blood lipid profiles in obese C57BL/6 mice. To investigate the mechanism of anti-obesity action of PAF, expressions of obesity-related proteins were identified such as p-AMPK and p-ACC in hypothalamus, UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue, p-AMPK, p-ACC, SREBP-1c, $PPAR{\gamma}$, HMGCR and CPT-1 in liver. Method : Five-weeks old male C57BL/6 mice were divided into 5 groups; ND (normal diet + 0.9% saline), HFD (high-fat diet + 0.9% saline), PC (high-fat diet+Garcinia cambogia 500 mg/kg), PAF 100 and 300 (high-fat diet + PAF 100 or 300 mg/kg). PAF was treated orally for 6 weeks. The protein expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, ACC, p-ACC, $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c, HMGCR, CPT-1 and UCP-1 were identified by expression levels of proteins through western blot analysis. Result : The results showed that protein expressions on hypothalamic p-AMPK and p-ACC did not differ between the HFD and PAF groups. In addition, PAF did not affect the increase of UCP-1 in brown adipose tissue. The protein expression levels of hepatic p-AMPK, p-ACC and CPT-1 increased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. And those of $PPAR{\gamma}$, SREBP-1c and HMG-CoA decreased in PAF groups compared to HFD group. Conclusion : These results suggest that the PAF administration induce weight loss via inhibition of lipid metabolism-related protein expressions in hepatic tissues. Therefore, PAF could be used as a potent material of anti-obesity products for prevention and treatment of obesity.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.77-85
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• 2018

Objective : This study was intended to examine the effects of water extract of Prunellae Spica (PS), which is a herb with 'cold' nature based on hot and cold theory of traditional Korean medicine. Methods : Hyperthyroidism was induced in SD rats by LT4 (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) daily for four weeks. After 2 weeks of LT4 injection, rats were divided randomly into four groups; normal, LT4-induced hyperthyroid control, PS extract (500 mg/kg, p.o.)-treated group, and propylthiouracil (PTU, 10 mg/kg, s.c.)-treated positive group. After 2 weeks of drug treatment, all rats were sacrificed and harvested blood samples and thyroid tissues. The changes of body weight, food and water intake, and body temperature were measured weekly. Serological markers were analyzed in sera using an enzyme-based assay, and thyroid tissues were stained with Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E). Brain and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues were isolated and analyzed the expression of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels by Western blot. Results : PS extract administration attenuated the loss of body weight and the increase of body temperature in LT4-induced hyperthyroidism rats. PS extract increased the level of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and decreased tiiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4). In action mechanism, PS extract regulated the expression of transient receptor potential channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) and transient Receptor Potential channel subfamily M member 8 (TRPM8), the thermoregulators. Conclusion : To conclude, PS extract can improve the symptoms of hyperthyroidism through regulation of the thyroid hormones imbalance and thermoregulation via TRP channels.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.19-29
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• 2022

Objectives : Although the pharmacological effects of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidzumi water extract (AM) have been proven from many studies, reports on the antioxidant effect of AM on ulcerative colitis (UC) are scarce. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the anti-oxidant effect of AM on the DSS-induced UC model. Methods : To induce ulcerative colitis, 8-week-old male Balb/c mice received 5% DSS in drinking water for 1 week. After 1 week of adaptation, mice were divided into four groups (n=8 each) for use as normal (Normal), DSS Control (Control), DSS + AM 100 mg/kg (AM100)-treatment, DSS + AM 200 mg/kg (AM200)-treatment. After 1 week of the experiment, the animals were sacrificed, and the extracted colon tissue was analyzed for protein through western blot. Results : As a result of confirming the macroscopic changes in colon tissues to confirm the therapeutic effects of AM, the decrease in colon length was suppressed in the AM treatment group compared to the control group. In addition, as a result of biochemical analysis, AM administration significantly reduced serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvate transaminase levels and tissue malondialdehyde levels. As a result of confirming the protein expression level through western blot, AM administration significantly decreased the expression of NADPH-related proteins such as NOX2, p22^phox, and iNOS, but significantly increased the expression of SOD, catalase, and GPx-1/2. Conclusions : AM may improve DSS-induced UC in mice by modulating NADPH and antioxidant-related proteins. In conclusion, AM showed an antioxidant effect through the improvement of oxidative stress on UC.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2023

The discovery of new antimalarial drugs can be developed using asynchronized Plasmodium berghei malaria parasites in vivo in mice. Studies on a particular stage are also required to assess the effectiveness and mode of action of drugs. In this report, we used endoperoxide 6-(1,2,6,7-tetraoxaspiro [7.11] nonadec-4-yl) hexan-1-ol (N-251) as a model antimalarial compound on P. chabaudi parasites. We examined the antimalarial effect of N-251 against ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich P. chabaudi parasites and asynchronized P. berghei parasites using the 4-day suppressive test. The ED₅₀ values were 27, 22, and 22 mg/kg, respectively, and the antimalarial activity of N-251 was verified in both rodent malaria parasites. To assess the stage-specific effect of N-251 in vivo, we evaluated the change of parasitemia and distribution of parasite stages using ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich P. chabaudi parasites with one-day drug administration for one life cycle. We discovered that the parasitemias decreased after 13 and 9 hours post-treatment in the ring-stage- and trophozoite-stage-rich groups, respectively. Additionally, in the ring-stage-rich N-251 treated group, the ring-stage parasites hindered trophozoite parasite development. For the trophozoite-stage-rich N-251 treated group, the distribution of the trophozoite stage was maintained without a change in parasitemia until 9 hours. Because of these findings, it can be concluded that N-251 suppressed the trophozoite stage but not the ring stage. We report for the first time that N-251 specifically suppresses the trophozoite stage using P. chabaudi in mice. The results show that P. chabaudi is a reliable model for the characterization of stage-specific antimalarial effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.363-370
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• 2023

In order to use Cudrania tricuspidata extract for the development of health-functional food, biological changes in normal rodents, such as changes in blood constituent cells, blood lipids, and anti-inflammatory activity, were measured after the rodents had been drinking the substance for 2 weeks. A 30 mg daily dose of the extract taken for 2 weeks produced no change in body weight or renal function, and no toxicity was observed. Increased red blood cell levels and white blood cell levels were confirmed, and platelet counts tended to increase; thus, the extract seems to cause an overall increase in blood cells. In the case of blood lipids, it was confirmed that the extract-treated group exhibited an effect of improved blood-lipid levels, demonstrated through an increase in HDL-C of 21%, with a decrease in triglyceride of 27% compared to the control group. In addition, the decreases in both GOT and GPT led to improved liver function through use of the extract. Therefore, this study suggests that drinking Cudrania tricuspidata extract can have various effects, such as promoting blood cell production, improving blood lipids profile, improving liver function, and improving inflammatory action. The extract would be useful in the future in developing high-value industrial products such as functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.620-632
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• 2022

In order to prepare for the Anthropocene, this study aims to provide basic data on the direction of the Anthropocene liberal arts education by sharing experiences on anthropocene perception for undergraduates using the FGI analysis method. Interviews were conducted on 14 people who participated in liberal arts tutoring for about four months from October 2021 to January 2022, and as a result of confirming meaningful concepts according to qualitative analysis methods, a total of three topics, eight subcategories, and 16 sub-units were derived. "The advent of the new geological age" recognized that the anthrop tax was close to our lives, and it was time to predict the future through the meaning, seriousness, and development potential of the anthrop tax, and "Anthropocene Reorganization and Responsibility" emphasized the reorganization and responsibility of individuals, companies, and governments. The Direction of Human Tax Liberal Education proposed future basic liberal arts education, action practice for climate change, measures to overcome the anthropology using ICT technology, and various liberal arts education contents for a positive anthropology. In this regard, this study raised perception of the survival of mankind by in-depth exploration of the anthropocene in terms of liberal arts education, suggested the direction of future liberal arts education necessary in the anthropocene era, and suggested implications for the educational content and method.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.135-148
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• 2010

Arab boycotts of Danish products, Australian boycotts of French products and Chinese consumer aversion toward Japanese products are all examples of how adverse actions at the country level might impact consumers' behavior. The animosity literature has examined how consumers react to the adverse actions of other countries, and how such animosity impacts consumers' attitudes and preferences for products from the transgressing country. For example, Chinese consumers are less likely to buy Japanese products because of Japanese atrocities during World War II and the unjust economic dealings of the Japanese (Klein, Ettenson and Morris 1998). The marketing literature, however, has not examined how consumers react to adverse actions committed by their own country against other countries, and whether such actions affect their attitudes towards purchasing products that originated from the adversely affected country. The social psychology literature argues that consumers will experience a feeling called collective guilt, in response to such adverse actions. Collective guilt stems from the distress experienced by group members when they accept that their group is responsible for actions that have harmed another group (Branscombe, Slugoski, and Kappenn 2004). Examples include Americans feeling guilty about the atrocities committed by the U.S. military at Abu Ghraib prison (Iyer, Schamder and Lickel 2007), and the Dutch about their occupation of Indonesia in the past (Doosje et al. 1998). The primary aim of this study is to examine consumers' perceptions of adverse actions by members of one's own country against another country and whether such perceptions affected their attitudes towards products originating from the country transgressed against. More specifically, one objective of this study is to examine the perceptual antecedents of collective guilt, an emotional reaction to adverse actions performed by members of one's country against another country. Another objective is to examine the impact of collective guilt on consumers' perceptions of, and preference for, products originating from the country transgressed against by the consumers' own country. If collective guilt emerges as a significant predictor, companies originating from countries that have been transgressed against might be able to capitalize on such unfortunate events. This research utilizes the animosity model introduced by Klein, Ettenson and Morris (1998) and later expanded on by Klein (2002). Klein finds that U.S. consumers harbor animosity toward the Japanese. This animosity is experienced in response to events that occurred during World War II (i.e., the bombing of Pearl Harbor) and more recently the perceived economic threat from Japan. Thus this study argues that the events of Word War II (i.e., bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki) might lead U.S. consumers to experience collective guilt. A series of three hypotheses were introduced. The first hypothesis deals with the antecedents of collective guilt. Previous research argues that collective guilt is experienced when consumers perceive that the harm following a transgression is illegitimate and that the country from which the transgressors originate should be responsible for the adverse actions. (Wohl, Branscombe, and Klar 2006). Therefore the following hypothesis was offered: H1a. Higher levels of perceived illegitimacy for the harm committed will result in higher levels of collective guilt. H1b. Higher levels of responsibility will be positively associated with higher levels of collective guilt. The second and third hypotheses deal with the impact of collective guilt on the preferences for Japanese products. Klein (2002) found that higher levels of animosity toward Japan resulted in a lower preference for a Japanese product relative to a South Korean product but not a lower preference for a Japanese product relative to a U.S. product. These results therefore indicate that the experience of collective guilt will lead to a higher preference for a Japanese product if consumers are contemplating a choice that inv olves a decision to buy Japanese versus South Korean product but not if the choice involves a decision to buy a Japanese versus a U.S. product. H2. Collective guilt will be positively related to the preference for a Japanese product over a South Korean product, but will not be related to the preference for a Japanese product over a U.S. product. H3. Collective guilt will be positively related to the preference for a Japanese product over a South Korean product, holding constant product judgments and animosity. An experiment was conducted to test the hypotheses. The illegitimacy of the harm and responsibility were manipulated by exposing respondents to a description of adverse events occurring during World War II. Data were collected using an online consumer panel in the United States. Subjects were randomly assigned to either the low levels of responsibility and illegitimacy condition (n=259) or the high levels of responsibility and illigitemacy (n=268) condition. Latent Variable Structural Equation Modeling (LVSEM) was used to test the hypothesized relationships. The first hypothesis is supported as both the illegitimacy of the harm and responsibility assigned to the Americans for the harm committed against the Japanese during WWII have a positive impact on collective guilt. The second hypothesis is also supported as collective guilt is positively related to preference for a Japanese product over a South Korean product but is not related to preference for a Japanese product over a U.S. product. Finally there is support for the third hypothesis, since collective guilt is positively related to the preference for a Japanese product over a South Korean product while controlling for the effect of product judgments about Japanese products and animosity. The results of these studies lead to several conclusions. First, the illegitimacy of harm and responsibility can be manipulated and that they are antecedents of collective guilt. Second, collective guilt has an impact on a consumers' decision when they face a choice set that includes a product from the country that was the target of the adverse action and a product from another foreign country. This impact however disappears from a consumers' decision when they face a choice set that includes a product from the country that was the target of the adverse action and a domestic product. This result suggests that collective guilt might be a viable factor for company originating from the country transgressed against if its competitors are foreign but not if they are local.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.565-569
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• 2007

Purpose : With a duration of action of approximately 24 hours and peakless levels, Lantus is a more physiologic basal insulin analogue compared with NPH. The aim of this study was to compare the glycemic control of Lantus plus Humalog with that of premixed insulin in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Methods : The subjects consisted of 25 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, aged 12-19 years, who changed their insulin regimen from premixed insulin to Lantus plus Humalog. Daily insulin doses, frequency of hypoglycemia, fasting blood glucose, C-peptide concentration and HbA1c before and 6 months after Lantus treatment were compared. 24 hour blood glucose of 11 patients among Lantus treatment group (n=25) and premixed insulin treatment group (n=10) were self-monitored and compared. Results : 6 months after Lantus treatment, the episodes of hypoglycemia were reduced by 50%(15.1 vs. 7.6 events/month), especially nocturnal hypoglycemia by 67%(6.7 vs. 2.5 events/month). HbA1c was reduced from 9.3% to 8.7% after Lantus treatment. Self-monitored blood glucose of Lantus treatment group at postbreakfast 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes were 171.1, 169.5, 171.0 and 154.1 mg/dL respectively and lower than those of premixed insulin treatment group (259.7, 282.7, 280.0 and 250.9 mg/dL respectively). Conclusion : Compared with premixed insulin, Lantus plus Humalog is more effective in glycemic control and reduction in nocturnal hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.