• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.630-635
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• 2009

This study was performed to analyze various antioxidants, to evaluate the antioxidative activities, and to measure the protective effect for gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) to assess the functional potency of the cherry tomato. The ascorbic acid, lycopene, and ${\beta}-carotene$ were measured at $503.4{\pm}9.6$, $39.7{\pm}1.5$, and $7.4{\pm}0.3$ mg/100 g d.w., and ${\alpha}-$, ${\beta}+{\gamma}-$, ${\delta}-tocopherol$ contents were measured at $8.3{\pm}0.1$, $1.7{\pm}0.0$, and $0.1{\pm}0.0$ mg/100 g d.w., respectively. Cherry tomato extract using hexane/acetone/EtOH (2:1:1, CTE) exhibited a ABTS radical scavenging activity with an $IC_{50}$ value of $48.83{\pm}0.30\;{\mu}g/mL$. The cherry tomato protected against the inhibition of GJIC induced by $H_2O_2$ in WB-F344 rat liver epithelial cells, and the reduction in phosphorylated Cx43 was most clearly correlated with the concentration of CTE. These results demonstrated that the cherry tomato harbors a wealth of potent antioxidants and might be protect human body against the inhibition of the GJIC by toxic components.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.859-865
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• 2015

Most imprinted genes are concerned with embryonic development, especially placental development. Here, we identified a placenta-specific imprinted gene Qpct. Our results show that Qpct is widely expressed during early embryonic development and can be detected in the telecephalon, midbrain, and rhombencephalon at E9.5-E11.5. Moreover, Qpct is strikingly expressed in the brain, lung and liver in E15.5. Expression signals for Qpct achieved a peak at E15.5 during placental development and were only detected in the labyrinth layer in E15.5 placenta. ChIP assay results suggest that the modification of histone H3K4me3 can result in maternal activating of Qpct.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.196-205
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• 2010

This study evaluated the effects of carnitine and/or GABA supplementation on immune function, lipid profiles and some vitamins in mice chronically administered alcohol. BALB/c mice were fed with either AIN-76 diet (N), control diet plus alcohol (4 g/kg bw, E), E plus 0.5 g/kg bw carnitine (EC), E plus 0.5 g/kg bw GABA (EG), or E plus 0.5 g/kg bw carnitine plus 0.5 g/kg bw GABA (ECG) for 6 weeks. Administrations of the carnitine and/or GABA prevented alcohol-induced increases in triglyceride concentrations in serum and liver. However, there was no difference among the supplemented groups. Serum vitamin E concentration was higher in mice supplemented with EC and EG, but not in mice given ECG. Phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophages was increased in EG group compared with E group. The subpopulations of murine splenocyte's TH cells were increased significantly in EC and ECG groups. These data suggest that immune function, lipid profiles and some immune-related lipid soluble vitamins were positively changed by supplementation of carnitine or GABA, but do not show any synergistic effect of mixed supplementation.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.387-393
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• 2004

Experiments were carried out to investigate the lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and histopathological change of hepatic tissue for rockfish, Sebastes schlegeli after feeding sub-chronic dietary Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) in the concentration of 0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food of diet for 30 days. In 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food group, the significant increase of LPO was observed in all period, and SOD activity was incresed at 30 days significantly in the same concentration. In the histological investigation of liver, there was the swelling of hepatic cells at 10 days over the 1.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food concentration. At 30 days Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) positive granule was observed in the same group and at 20 days was observed in 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food group. And there was necrosis of hepatic cell in some fish of 2.0 mg $kg^{-1}$ dry food group at 30 days.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.711-714
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• 2011

Purpose: Angiosarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm of endothelial type cells that line vessel walls. It tends to occur in aged male and the prognosis of angiosarcoma is very poor because of frequent local recurrence and early metastasis. The treatment regimen is yet to be established from its rare occurrence but the wide excision in early stage is known to be the most effective. The authors report two cases of near totally excised angiosarcoma with more than a safety margin of 5 cm. Methods: The two subjects were aged male patients, one of the two was diagnosed with angiosarcoma from our institution confirmed by the biopsy. The other one went through the wide excision with a safety margin of 2 cm and split-thickness skin graft but local recurrence was observed. The two patients underwent near total excision with more than a safety margin of 5 cm, leaving only the periosteum. After confirming that the angiosarcoma had not infiltrated the excision margin, reconstruction with split-thickness skin graft was performed. Results: Based on 6 months and 24 months post-surgery assessment, no local recurrence or remote metastasis in the lungs, liver, bones, and lymph nodes at the neck, where remote metastasis is common, was reported by the two subjects who underwent near total excision with a safety margin of 5 cm. Conclusion: Angiosarcoma has very poor prognosis from its frequent recurrence and metastasis. To enhance the survival rate of angiosarcoma patients, early diagnosis, timely surgical treatment, and radiotherapy after surgery are critical. In addition, authors suggest that it is necessary to further study the efficacy of wide excision using a wider safety margin as much as possible, and to apply this to more cases.

• ALGAE
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 2017

Polysaccharides of marine algae exhibit different structural characteristics and interesting biological functions. In this study, crude polysaccharides (CP) of eleven Sri Lankan marine algae obtained through hot water extraction and ethanol precipitation were investigated for DPPH, alkyl, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activities using electron spin resonance spectrometry and for intracellular reactive oxygen species scavenging activity in the Chang liver cell line. Characterization of CPs was done by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and by analysis of the monosaccharide composition. Time-dependent density functional theory quantum-chemical calculations at the RB3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level for constructed dimeric units of the corresponding polysaccharides were used to resolve the FTIR spectra. CPs from Chnoospora minima showed the highest DPPH and alkyl radical scavenging activities and higher intracellular reactive oxygen species scavenging effects for both AAPH and $H_2O_2$ induced ROS production in "Chang" cells. The major polysaccharide constituent in C. minima CP was identified as fucoidan and it displayed a higher sulfate content. The degree of sulfation of these polysaccharides suggests a positive correlation with the observed antioxidant properties.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.677-687
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• 2006

Objective : Hypothyroidism is a common disease of the endocrinal system. characterized by fatigue, cold intolerance, bradycardia, and so on. Clinically, Levothyroxine(L-T4) has been usually used for replacement therapy, but it often has side effects. so many hypothyroidism patients wants oriental medical therapy. Zingiberis rhizoma, traditionally has been used in treatment of coldness, fatigue, and bradycardia. In this study. I investigated the therapeutic effects of Zingiberis rhizoma on PTU induced hypothyroidism in rats. Methods : I used two-month-old rats administered PTU and induced with hypothyroidism. After 2 weeks. Zingiberis rhizoma and thyroxine were daily administered, respectively. Body weights was measured every weeks. After 4 weeks, blood samples were taken and analyzed biochemically and T4 and TSH were measured by ELISA kits. Results : In comparison with normal groups, control groups showed hypothyroidism with low T4 and high TSH level. In Zingibris rhizoma administration groups were observed T4 level elevation, this elevation was dependent on the dose of Zingibris rhizoma. Between experimental groups and control groups, there was no difference in TSH level, statistically. Changes of biochemistry were not observed in any experimental groups. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Zingiberis rhizoma makes thyroid cells producing thyroid hormones. There is also a non-toxic effect on the cardiovascular system, liver and kidney function. So, Zingiberis rhizoma should be an effective agents for treating hypothyroidism.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.245-254
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• 2011

Many immune down-regulatory molecules have been isolated from parasites, including cystatin (cystain protease inhibitor). In a previous study, we isolated and characterized Type I cystatin (CsStefin-1) of the liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis. To investigate whether the CsStefin-1 might be a new host immune modulator, we induced intestinal inflammation in mice by dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) and treated them with recombinant CsStefin-1 (rCsStefin-1). The disease activity index (DAI) increased in DSS only-treated mice. In contrast, the DAI value was significantly reduced in rCsStefin-1-treated mice than DSS only-treated mice. In addition, the colon length of DSS only-treated mice was shorter than that of rCsStefin-1 treated mice. The secretion levels of IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) were significantly increased by DSS treatment, but the level of TNF-${\alpha}$ in MLNs was significantly decreased by rCsStefin-1 treatment. IL-10 production in both spleen and MLNs was significantly increased, and IL-$10^+F4/80^+$ macrophage cells were significantly increased in the spleen and MLNs of rCsStefin-1 treated mice after DSS treatment. In conclusion, rCsStefin-1 could reduce the intestinal inflammation occurring after DSS treatment, these effects might be related with recruitment of IL-10 secreting macrophages.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.498-503
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nisoldipine on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide in rats. The effect of nisoldipine on cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 activity and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) were evaluated. The pharmacokinetic parameters of repaglinide were also determined in rats after oral (0.5 $mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) and intravenous (0.2 $mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) administration of repaglinide to rats without or with nisoldipine (0.3 and 1.0 $mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}$). Nisoldipine inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity with a 50% inhibition concentration of 5.5 ${\mu}M$. In addition, nisoldipine significantly enhanced the cellular accumulation of rhodamine-123 in MCF-7/ADR cells overexpressing P-gp. Compared to the oral control group, nisoldipine significantly increased the $AUC_{0-{\infty}}$ and the $C_{max}$ of repaglinide by 46.9% and 24.9%, respectively. Nisoldipine also increased the absolute bioavailability (A.B.) of repaglinide by 47.0% compared to the oral control group. Moreover, the relative bioavailability (R.B.) of repaglinide was 1.16- to 1.47-fold greater than that of the control group. Nisoldipine enhanced the oral bioavailability of repaglinide, which may be attributable to the inhibition of the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism in the small intestine and/or in the liver and to inhibition of P-gp in the small intestine rather than to reduction of renal elimination of repaglinide by nisoldipine. The increase in the oral bioavailability of repaglinide should be taken into consideration of potential drug interactions when co-administering repaglinide and nisoldipine.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 1995

INTRODUCTION : Psoralens are planar tricyclic furocoumarins present in numerous plants and fungi found throughout the world.' Naturally occurring and synthesized psoralen derivatives(see Figure 1) are photosensitizers of UVA especially from 320 nm to 400 nm, a range at which cellular nucleic acids and proteins are weakly absorbing if any at all. Because of their skinphotosensitizing properties, these compounds have been used in the photochemotherapy of psoriasis and vitiligo. However, undesirable side effects such as carcinoma development in hairless mice as well as possible liver damage from the use of 8-methoxypsoralen(8-MOP) have been reported. The other photobiological effects include inactivation of DNA viruses, killing and mutagenesis of bacteria, inhibition of tumor transmitting capacity of various cells, and hyperpigmentation on human and guinea pig skin. PUVA(psoralen+UVA) photochemotherapy is in fact thousands of years old, having been used in Egypt and India since B.C. 1200-2000. Photochemotherapy for a common disfiguring disease, vitiligo, was practiced in the ancient world by physicians and herbalists who used boiled extracts of the fruits of certain umbelliferous plants, e.g. Ammi majus Linnaeus in Egypt or the leguminous plants, Psoralea corylifolia L. in India. It was first described by Kuske in 19388 that photosensitization of skin by plants was related to the presence of psoralen. He identified natural psoralens in plants as photosensitizers and isolated bergapten(5methoxypsoralen) from the oil of bergamot. The scientific interest in photosensitizing psoralens, however, has grown considerably after the introduction into clinics of the psoralen photochemotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis and of other skin (abbreviation)