• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.7 s.80
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• pp.1188-1194
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• 2006

Dementia is a progressive disease of increasing the dysfunction of intellectual and physical ability. In the aging society, many families are suffering from the caring the patients who are diagnosed with dementia. However, dementia is a complex disease affected by the genetic and environmental agents. In the present study, we investigated the transposable elements in relation to dementia. From the analysis of dementia EST (expressed sequence tag) sequences, we found dementia candidate genes, and analyzed expression profiles and repeat elements using bioinformatics tools. This analysis showed that 98 genes were affected in their mRNA sequences by transposable elements expression. Their expressions were affected by the integration of different transposable elements (SINE, LINE, LTR, DNA) during the primate evolution. We believe that our work will be of significant interest to genome scientists, and may help them gain insight into implication of transposable elements expression in dementia.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.38-45
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• 2018

Acne is an inflammatory skin disease that occurs in puberty and young people. Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) is known to be a major cause of inflammation in acne. P. acnes proliferates within hair follicles blocked by overproduced sebum in the skin, and thereby activates monocytic cells to promote the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In this study, we investigated the possibility of Cnestis palala (Lour.) Merr. extract to diminish P. acnes-mediated inflammatory responses. We found that C. palala extract significantly attenuated P. acnes-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, such as $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, iNOS, and COX-2 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, we observed that C. palala extract inhibited $NF-{\kappa}B$ transcriptional activation, which is the major transcription factor of inflammatory cytokine expression. Therefore, it is expected that C. palala extract has a potential as a therapeutic agent or supplement for the treatment P. acnes-induced inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.847-854
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• 2016

Cordycepin, a derivative of the nucleoside adenosine, is one of the active components extracted from fungi of genus Cordyceps, and has been shown to have many pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of cordycepin on proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer AGS cells, and its possible mechanism of action. Treatment of cordycepin resulted in significant decrease in cell viability of AGS cells in a concentration-dependent manner. A concentration-dependent apoptotic cell death was also measured by agarose gel electrophoresis and flow cytometery analysis. Molecular mechanistic studies of apoptosis unraveled cordycepin treatment resulted in an enhanced expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, death receptor 5 and Fas ligand. Furthermore, up-regulation of pro-apoptotic Bax, and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression were also observed in cordycepin-treated AGS cells. These were followed by activation of caspases (caspase-9, -8 and -3), subsequently leading to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage. Taken together, these findings indicate that cordycepin induces apoptosis in AGS cells through regulation of multiple apoptotic pathways, including death receptor and mitochondria. Although further mechanical studies are needed, our results revealed that cordycepin can be regarded as a new effective and chemopreventive compound for human gastric cancer treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.171-179
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• 2013

Arginine kinase (ArK) is known to play an important role in most invertebrates the level of ATP by phosphorylation of phosphagens in cell and immuninty in living organisms. ArK has been identified in many kinds of organisms ranging from invertebrate to vertebrate. However, no ArK gene has been cloned and investigated from N. samarangae. This leads us to identify ArK cDNA (NsArK) from the expressed sequence tag (EST) sequencing of N. samarangae. Sequence analysis indicated that the coding region of 1,065 bp contains 355 amino acid residues. Molecular phylogenetic analysis shows that NsArK had very high similarities with mollusca and arthropoda. In an attempt to investigate a potential role of NsArK in the digestive gland of N. samarangae, expression patterns were analyzed. RT-PCR analsysis shows that NsArK mRNA is induced in the rane of 1.2 fold at 6 hr by laminarin when compared with the control. The immunnologial and physiological role of NsArK remains to be further investigated in N. samarangae.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 2015

Acute and chronic ultraviolet (UV) irradiation triggers severe skin photoaging processes, which directly disrupt the normal three-dimensional integrity of skin. UV light stimulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) which degrade constituents of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. These MMPs reduce collagen synthesis and decrease skin elasticity and integrity, resulting in wrinkle formation. In this study, we identified Rosa multiflora hip extract (RME) as an effective anti-photoaging ingredient. First, cell proliferation activity of RME was verified using Hs68 human dermal fibroblast cell line. RME downregulated MMPs expression through the inhibition of activator protein (AP)-1. In addition, type I and IV collagen expressions were increased with RME treatment and UVB-induced inflammatory responses were also reduced after RME treatment. In conclusion, R. multiflora hip extract may effectively improve UVB-induced skin aging and wrinkle formation which may provide as an anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and anti-inflammation ingredient in cosmetic industry.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.178-186
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• 2016

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of whole wheat bread with added Lindera obtusiloba (LO) and Capsosiphon fulvescens (CF) ethanol extracts on serum glucose and lipid levels in Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were divided into five groups depending on the diet administered: normal bread (NC), whole wheat bread (W), whole wheat bread with LO leaves extract (WL), whole wheat bread with CF extract (WC), and whole wheat bread with freeze-drying CF (WDC). After 4 weeks of consuming the experimental diet, the blood glucose level and hemoglobin A1c contents were found to be significantly lower in the W, WL, WC, and WDC groups than in the NC group. The high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels increased in the WL group when compared to those in the NC group and triglycerides levels decreased in all wheat groups compared to those in the NC group. These results suggest that wheat breads containing LO and CF extracts are effective for preventing hypercholesterolemia and obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.509-518
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• 2016

Asparagus cochinchinensis is a medical plant that has long been used to treat fever, cough, kidney disease, breast cancer, inflammatory disease and brain disease in northeast Asian countries. Although several studies have been conducted on the anti-neuroinflammatory effects of A. cochinchinensis, the correlation between these effects and nerve growth factor (NGF) has not yet been examined. In this study, we investigated the effects of an aqueous extract of A. cochinchinensis (AEAC) on the secretion and action mechanism of NGF in neuronal cells. The concentration of the NGF protein in the supernatant collected from cultured cells increased significantly in B35 cells treated with AEAC in comparison with the vehicle-treated group without any specific cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of NGF showed a very similar pattern to its protein concentration. To examine the bioactivity of NGF secreted from B35 cells, undifferentiated PC12 cells were cultured in an AEAC-conditioned medium and neuritic outgrowth was observed. The dendrite length of PC12 cells in the AEAC-treated group was significantly higher than that in the vehicle-treated group. Moreover, the level of the downstream effectors p-TrkA and p-ERK of the high-affinity NGF receptor was significantly higher in the AEAC-treated group, while the expression of the downstream effectors of the low-affinity NGF receptor was significantly lower in the same group. These results suggest that AEAC may contribute to the regulation of NGF expression and secretion in neuronal cells; it is therefore an excellent candidate for further investigation as a therapeutic drug for neurodegenerative diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.307-314
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• 2008

Purpose : Capsaicin, the major pungent ingredient in red pepper, has long been used in spices and food additives. It has been recently shown to induce apoptosis in several cell lines through a not well known mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the apoptosis-inducing effect of capsaicin on gastric cancer cells, and to provide valuable information concerning the application of capsaicin for therapeutic purposes. Methods : Cultured SNU-668 cells were treated with capsaicin. We analyzed cell survival by trypan blue and crystal violet analysis, cell cytotoxicity by MTT assay, apoptosis by nuclear condensation and DNA fragmentation, bcl-2 and bax mRNA expression by RT-PCR, and the expression of apoptosis related proteins by Western immunoblot analysis. In order to assess whether the growth inhibitory effect of anticancer drugs is enhanced by capsaicin, we investigated the effects of cell cytotoxicity and the expression of apoptosis related proteins of etoposide and adriamycin treated with capsaicin in cells. Results : Capsaicin inhibited growth of SNU-668 cells in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect of capsaicin on cell growth was mainly due to the induction of apoptosis as evidenced by DNA fragmentation, nuclear condensation and the expression of apoptosis related proteins. Furthermore, capsaicin prominently reduced the ratio of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to pro-apoptotic Bax and consequently increased caspase-3 activity. The cells treated with capsaicin were more sensitive to death induced by etoposide and adriamycin than the cells without capsaicin. Conclusion : These results demonstrate that capsaicin efficiently induced apoptosis in SNU-668 cells through a caspase-3-dependent mechanism and sensitizes cancer cells to anticancer drugs toward apoptotic cell death, which may contribute to its anticancer effect and chemosensitizer function against gastric cancer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.687-694
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• 2008

Background: Although aortic valve sclerosis causes no significant hemodynamic alterations, it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction. However, the role of ${\beta}_3$ integrin in aortic valve sclerosis remains unclear. Material and Method: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. Group 1 rabbits (n=10) received a normal chow diet, while group 2 (n=10) rabbits received a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks. After the rabbits were euthanized, their aortic valves and ascending aortas were excised for analysis. Result: Total serum cholesterol ($2,148.3{\pm}1,012.5\;mg/dL$ versus $53.7{\pm}31.8\;mg/dL$, p<0.05), triglyceride ($240.4{\pm}218.3\;mg/dL$ versus $31.6{\pm}6.4\;mg/dL$, p<0.05), and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol($2,065.3{\pm}960.9\;mg/dL$ versus $29.1{\pm}30.9\;mg/dL$, p<0.05) levels were significantly higher in the cholesterol diet group compared with the normal diet group. Myofibroblasts and macrophages were more highly expressed in the aortic valve leaflets of rabbits in the cholesterol diet group than of those in the normal diet group. A real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed decreased ${\beta}_3$ integrin mRNA levels in the hypercholesterolemic aortic valves and aortas. Conclusion: The present study shows that hypercholesterolemia induces aortic valve sclerosis. These findings suggest that alterations in ${\beta}_3$ integrin may playa role in the development of aortic valve sclerosis.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.33 no.3 s.98
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• pp.199-210
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• 2003

Tooth movement is the result of bone metabolism in the periodontium, where various cytokines take important roles. Interleukin-6(II-6) and nitrous oxide (NO) were reported to be secreted from osteoblasts in the process of bone resorption. The mechanism of the process has not been clearly understood, but the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was known to be an important process in the release of the inflammatory cytotines in macrophages. In this regard, to prove the role of MAPK in the release of IL-6 and NO in MC3T3E-1 osteoblasts, Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis and immune complex kinase assay were used. As a result, the treatment of MC3T3E-1 osteoblast cultures with combined $interferon-\gamma(IFN-\gamma)$, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha(TNF-\alpha)$ induces expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-6, resulting in sustained releases of large amounts of NO and IL-6. However, $IFN-\gamma,\;LPS,\;and\;TNF-\alpha$ individually induce a non-detectable or small amount of NO and IL-6 in MC3T3E-1 osteoblasts. The role of MAPK activation in the early intracellular signal transduction involved in iNOS and IL-6 transcription in the combined agents-stimulated osteoblasts has been investigated. The p38 MAPK pathway is specifically involved in the combined agents-induced NO and IL-6 release, since NO and IL-6 release in the presence of a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-metylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-metylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole) (SB203580), were significantly diminished. In contrast, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK1, had no effect on NO and IL-6 release. Northern blot analysis showed that the p3a MAPK pathway controlled the iNOS and IL-6 transcription level. These data suggest that p38 MAPK play an important role in the secretion of NO and IL-6 in $LPS/IFN{\gamma}-or\;TNF-\gamma-treated\;MC3T3E-1$ osteoblasts.