• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.9
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• pp.1229-1236
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• 2012

Our previous studies showed that kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10) injected in vivo can markedly increase lipid anabolism in liver of quails. In order to investigate the direct effect of Kp-10 on lipid metabolism of hepatocytes in birds, cells were separated from embryos livers and cultured in vitro with 0, 100 and 1,000 nM Kp-10, respectively. The results showed that after 24 h treatment, cells viability was not affected by 100 nM Kp-10, but showed a mild decrease with 1,000 nM Kp-10 compared to the control cells. Based on the results of the cell viability, 100 nM dosage of Kp-10 was selected for the further study and analysis. Compared with control cells, total cholesterol (Tch) contents in 100 nM treated cells were increased by 51.23%, but did not reach statistical significance, while the level of triglyceride (TG), high density of lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density of lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) were significantly increased. Real-time PCR results showed that ApoVLDL-II mRNA expression had a tendency to increase, genes including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase ${\alpha}$ ($ACC{\alpha}$), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1), 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductases (HMGCR) and stearyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase-1 (SCD1) mRNA in hepatocytes were significantly down-regulated by 100 nM Kp-10. However, contrary to its gene expression, SREBP-1 protein expression was significantly up-regulated by 100 nM Kp-10. Some of the significant correlations in mRNA expression were found between genes encoding hepatic factors or enzymes involved in lipid metabolism in liver of birds. These results indicate that Kp-10 stimulates lipid synthesis directly in primary cultured hepatocytes of chickens.

• The Korean Journal of Cytopathology
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.61-66
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• 1999

Angiosarcomas are rare tumors, seen most commonly in the skin and soft tissue of head and neck legion. But it has been described in numerous body sites including thyroid, breast, liver, spleen, bone, etc.. Their biological behaviors depend on the microscopic grade, site of origin, and multifocality. We report the unique cytological features of an angiosarcoma in pleural fluid. A 61-year-old woman presented with a 6 month history of dyspnea on exertion and chest pain. Chest computerized tomography(CT) revealed multiple subpleural small nodules in the right lung and widespread all space consolidation and pleural effusion in the left lung. CT of liver revealed multiple small low attenuated lesion. The smears obtained from pleural fluid showed hypocellularity with a hemorrhagic background. The tumor cells were highly pleomorphic oval or spindle in shape and presented singly, in loose groups, in knitted syncytial aggregates, and in acinar pattern. Their nuclei had vesicular chromatin with delineated, thick nuclear membranes and occasionally a large eosinophilic, prominent nucleolus. The cytoplasm was plump, thin or protected in spindly fashion. Almost ail tumor cells showed variable sized intracytoplasmic vacuoles and their nuclei were sometimes crescentic by a huge vacuole. Occasional binucleated tumor cells and mitotic figures were present. Cellular debris and streaky materials were identified. Needle biopsy specimen from the pleura revealed anastomosing slit-like spaces lined by pleomorphic tumor cells. The tumor cells showed a strong reactivity for CD31 and vimentin and focal weak reactivity for factor VIII-related antigen.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5849-5854
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• 2013

Background: Apoptosis may be induced after Bcl-2 expression is inhibited in proliferative cancer cells. This study focused on the effect of autophagy activation by ABT737 on anti-tumor effects of epirubicin. Methods: Cytotoxic effects of ABT737 on the HepG2 liver cancer cell line were assessed by MTT assay and cell apoptosis through flow cytometry. Mitochondrial membrane potential was measured by fluorescence microscopy. Monodansylcadaverin (MDC) staining was used to detect activation of autophagy. Expression of p53, p62, LC3, and Beclin1, apoptotic or autophagy related proteins, was detected by Western blotting. Results: ABT737 and epirubicin induced growth inhibition in HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Both ABT737 and epirubicin alone could induce cell apoptosis with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential as well as increased apoptotic protein expression. Further increase of apoptosis was detected when HepG2 cells were co-treated with ABT373 and epirubicin. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that ABT373 or epirubicin ccould activate cell autophagy with elevated autophagosome formation, increased expression of autophagy related proteins and LC3 fluorescent puncta. Conclusions: ABT737 influences cancer cells through both apoptotic and autophagic mechanisms, and ABT737 may enhance the effects of epirubicin on HepG2 cells by activating autophagy and inducing apoptosis.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.4311-4316
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• 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary liver cancer with high global incidence and mortality rates. Current candidate drugs to treat HCC remain lacking and those in use possess undesirable side effects. In this investigation, the antiproliferative effects of dentatin (DTN), a natural coumarin, were evaluated on HepG2 cells and DTN's probable preliminary molecular mechanisms in apoptosis induction were further investigated. DTN significantly (p<0.05) suppressed proliferation of HepG2 cells with an $IC_{50}$ value of $12.0{\mu}g/mL$, without affecting human normal liver cells, WRL-68 ($IC_{50}$ > $50{\mu}g/mL$) causing $G_0/G_1$ cell cycle arrest via apoptosis induction. Caspase colorimetric assays showed markedly increased levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities throughout the treatment period. Western blotting of treated HepG2 cells revealed inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ that triggers the mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic signaling pathway by up-regulating cytoplasmic cytochrome c and Bax, and down-regulating Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. The current findings suggest DTN has the potential to be developed further as an anticancer compound targeting human HCC.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.215-223
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• 2001

Cadmium is an ubiquitous toxic metal and chronic exposure to cadmium results in the accumulation of cadmium in the liver and kidneys. In contrast, acute exposure leads to damage mainly in the liver. Apoptosis induced by cadmium has been shown in many tissues in vivo and in cultured cells in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism of cadmium-induced apoptosis is not clear in hepatocyte. To investigate the induction of apoptosis in the hepatocyte, we used mouse hepatoma cell line, Hepalclc7 cells, and analysed the molecules that involved in cadmium-induced apoptosis. Cadmium induced the genomic DNA fragmentation, PARP cleavage, and activation of caspase-3 like protease. Caspase-9 cysteine protease was activated in a time-dependent manner but caspase-8 cysteine protease was not significantly activated in cadmium-treated Hepalclc7 cells. Cadmium also induced mitochondrial dysfunction including cytochrome c release from mitochondria, change oj mitochondrial membrane potential tranition, and tranlocation of Bax Protein into mitochondria. These results strong1y indicated that the signal Pathway of apoptotic death in cadmium-treated Hepalclc7 cells is modulated by caspase cascade via mitochondria.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.102-106
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• 2009

We exposed ICR mice to low-dose (0.2 Gy) and low-dose-rate (0.7 mGy/h) $\gamma$-radiation ($^{137}Cs$) in the Low-dose-rate Irradiation Facility at the Radiation Health Research Institute to evaluate systemic effects of low-dose radiation. We compared the body and organ weights, number of blood cells (white and red blood cells and platelets), levels of biochemical markers in serum, and frequency of micronuclei in polychromatic erythrocytes between low-dose irradiated and non-irradiated control mice. The ICR mice irradiated with total doses of 0.2 and 2 Gy showed no changes in body and organ weights, number of blood cells (white and red blood cells), or frequency of micronuclei in the polychromatic erythrocytes of peripheral blood. However, the number of platelets (P = 0.002) and the liver weight (P < 0.01) were significantly increased in mice exposed to 0.2 and 2 Gy, respectively. These results suggest that a low-dose-rate of 0.7 mGy/h does not induce systemic damage. This dose promotes hematopoiesis in the bone marrow microenvironment and the proliferation of liver cells. In the future, the molecular biological effects of lower doses and dose rates need to be evaluated.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.261-266
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• 2014

Environmental pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been implicated in cancer development and progression. However, the effects of PAHs on carcinogenesis are still poorly understood. Here, we characterized a mouse cancer cell line BNL 1ME A. 7R.1 (1MEA) derived by transformation of non-tumorigenic liver cell line BNL CL.2 (BNL) using 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), a carcinogenic PAH. RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis were used to determine the expression level of mRNA and proteins, respectively. To determine functionality, cell motility was assessed in vitro using a transwell migration assay. Both mRNA and protein levels of E-cadherin were significantly decreased in 1MEA cells in comparison with BNL cells. While the expression levels of mesenchymal markers and related transcription factors were enhanced in 1MEA cells, which could lead to increase in cell motility. Indeed, we found that 7-day exposure of BNL cells to 3-MC reduced the level of the adhesion molecule and epithelial marker E-cadherin and increased reciprocally the level of the mesenchymal marker vimentin in a dose-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) may be activated during premalignant transformation induced by 3-MC. A mechanism study to elucidate the relation between 3-MC exposure and EMT is underway in our laboratory.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.3 no.1_2
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• pp.43-54
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• 1988

Experiment was performed to investigate the immunotoxicity of cadmium administered orally and the effect of ginseng petroleum ether fraction on it. Mice were given 3, 30, or 300 ppm cadmium as cadmium chloride orally in the drinking water and injection of ginseng petroleum ether fraction intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Mice were sensitized and challenged with sheep red blood cells (S-RBC). Humoral immune response was evaluated by antibody production and Arthus reaction. Body weight gain, spleen weight, thymus weight, and liver weight were also measured. In the present study, cadmium generally suppressed the humoral immunity. There was decrease in the rate of body weight gain and liver weight to body weight by cadmium-administration. Ginseng petroleum ether fraction showed restoring effect, to some extent, on the decrease in PFC and in the rate of liver weight to body weight by cadmium-administration. But it more suppressed Arthus reaction.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.121-128
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• 2010

Objectives : This study purposed to research the inhibitory effect of Berberidis Ramulus on the liver cancer. Methods : A total extract of Berberidis Ramulus decoction were prepared. Through the measurement of the cell proliferation, apoptosis, morphology and cytokine level from the extracts, the influence on HepG2 cell were compared. Results : Berberidis Ramulus extract significantly inhibited the proliferation, increased the apoptosis, decreased the TGF-${\beta}$ gene expression and the K-RAS gene expression, significantly increased the level of TNF-${\alpha}$ secretion and increased the rates of IFN-${\gamma}$ secretory cells. Conclusion : It is suggested that Berberidis Ramulus extract turned out to have anti-cancer effects on HepG2 cell.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-3
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• 1978

When frozen sandeel Ammodytes personatus which had been stored for a long time, was given to yellowtail for 70 to 80 days, some mortality of the rearing fish began to appear. The liver of the diseased fish showed some yellowish brown discoloration and histopathological study revealed that fatty degeneration of the liver cells was obvious, and this degeneration was especially heavy around bile-duct. The cell nuclei showed atrophy.