• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.223-230
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• 2001

Melatonin, a pineal gland hormone, is believed to act as an antioxidant via the stimulation of radical detoxifying enzymes and scavenging of free radicals. In this study, effects of in vitro and in vivo treatments of melatonin on the cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation, LDH release and plasma creatinine were determined in rabbit renal cortical cells. The level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was assayed as an index of lipid peroxidation and the level of LDH release as an indicator of cellular damage. In in vitro studies, cisplatin increased the levels of MDA and LDH release in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Melatonin inhibited the cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and LDH release in a concentration-dependent manner. The minimal effective concentration of melatonin that significantly reduced the $300\;{\mu}M$ cisplatin-induced lipid peroxidation and LDH release was 1 mM. In in vivo studies, the levels of lipid peroxidation and LDH release in renal cortical cells increased significantly 24 or 48 hours after a single injection of cisplatin (6 mg/kg). When the cisplatin-injected rabbits were pretreated with 10 mg/kg of melatonin, a significant reduction in both lipid peroxidation and LDH release was observed. The plasma creatinine level increased from $0.87{\pm}0.07$ mg/dl in control to $6.33{\pm}0.54$ mg/dl in cisplatin-injected rabbits (P＜0.05). Melatonin partially prevented the increase in serum creatinine level $(1.98{\pm}0.11\;mg/dl)$ by cisplatin (P＜0.05). In the proximal tubules from cisplatin-treated group, tubular cells had microvilli of variable heights. Necrotic debris was seen in tubular lumens. In most of cells, the mitochondria and lysosomes were increased in frequency. The endocytic vacuoles were not prominent and distribution of the brush border was irregular and shortened. These cisplatin-induced morphological changes were moderate in the melatonin-pretreated group. These results suggest that the toxicity of cisplatin is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen free radicals and that melatonin is a powerful antioxidant, which prevents some of the adverse effects of cisplatin.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although several recent studies have reported the anti-cancer effects of extracts or components of Citrus unshiu peel, which has been used for various purposes in traditional medicine, the molecular mechanisms for their effects remain unclear. In the present study, the anti-cancer activity of a water-soluble extract of C. unshiu peel (WECU) in MDA-MB-231 human breast carcinoma cells at the level of apoptosis induction was investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using DAPI staining and flow cytometry analyses. Mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, caspase activity and Western blotting were used to confirm the basis of apoptosis. RESULTS: The results indicated that WECU-induced apoptosis was related to the activation of caspase-8, and -9, representative initiator caspases of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways, respectively, and caspase-3 accompanied by proteolytic degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and down-regulation of the inhibitors of apoptosis protein family members. WECU also increased the pro-apoptotic BAX to anti-apoptotic BCL-2 ratio, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and cytochrome c release from mitochondria to cytoplasm. Furthermore, WECU provoked the generation of ROS, but the reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis by WECU were prevented when ROS production was blocked by antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that WECU suppressed proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells by activating extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis pathways in a ROS-dependent manner.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.277-283
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• 1984

In the forward reaction (ADP formation) of the adenylate kinase from baker's yeast, dissociation constants from binary complexes are higher by a factor of about 4 times then those from at ternary complexes. In the reverse reaction, dissociation constants from the binary complexes are 2 times higher then those from the ternary complexes. The enzyme showed activities against various nucleotide triphospate in following orders; ATP 100, UTP 18, ITP 9 and GTP 5, of the necleotide monophosphate. only dAMP showed 33% activity of that AMP as phosphate acceptor. Divalent cations were required in enzyme reaction in following orders; $Mg^{2＋}$ 100, Co$^{2＋}$ 57, Mn$^{2＋}$ 54, $Ca^{2＋}$ 51, Ni$^{2＋}$ 10 and Sn$^{2＋}$ 6. AMP, as a substrate inhibitor, competitively inhibited the adenylate kinase at pH 7.2 or 8.0. Inhibition constants of the enzyme showed greater dependence on the pH of the reaction mixture, which was the lower Ki values under higher pH. Adenosine pentaphospho adenosine was competive inhibitor to the enzyme against all substrate, and it showed the same Ki values, 2.9mM. Further, PEP was competive inhibitor with respect to AMP and non-competive inhibitor with respect to MgATP. Adenylate kinase from bakers yeast was similar to mitochondrial type of animal in the contents of aianine, leucine and asparagine or asparatic acid differing from muscle type enzyme. Based on the results and observation, characteristic of yeast adenylate kinase resembled the adenylate kinase of mitochondrial type from animals. Further, difference of characteristics in adenylate kinasa depending upon the workers might be due to the difference of strain used.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-44
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• 2002

During the phloem development from parenchyma cells in a suspension culture of Streptanthus induced sucrose carrier and glucose carrier disappeared. Sieve element area and sieve pore induced suspension culture of Streptanthus were formed almost at the last period of the synthesis of sieve endoplasmic reticulum (SER) and p-protein. The new synthesized cell wall begann to digeste only after the new cell wall was surrounded by SER. The digested region of the cell wall and the formed region of sieve pore were regular comparatively. The completed sieve pore was an oval form, and the outer portion of sieve pore varied, ca 1.2 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$~1.6 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in longitudinal, 0.8 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$~1.3 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in tangential, and the inner size of sieve pore was irregular form of a star-like shape. The number of sieve pore between sieve cells was ca 2~7 per ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$$^2$ and the sieve pore wall with callose was 0.05 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$~0.07 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in thickness. The energy for the formation of sieve element area and sieve pore might be supplied by mitochondria near the new cell wall and the role of SER remains to be illucidated.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1082-1091
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• 2003

To elucidate the neuroprotective effect of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) on nerve cells damaged by hypoxia, the cytotoxic effects of exposure to hypoxia were determined by XTT, NR, MTT and SRB asssay. The activity of catalase and SOD was measured by spectrophometry, and TNF-α and PKC activity was measured after exposure to hypoxia and treatment of Kamijihwang-hwan(KSH) water extract(KJHWE). Also the neuroprotective effect of KJHWE was researched for the elucidation of neuroprotective mechanism. The results were as follows ; Hypoxia decreased cell viability measured by XTT, NR assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 95% N2/5% CO₂ for 2～26 minutes in these cultures and KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. H₂O₂ treatment decreased cell viability measured by MTT, and SRB assay when cultured cerebral neurons were exposed to 1-80 uM for 6 hours, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of cell viability. Hypoxia decreased catalase and SOD activity, and also TNF-α and PKC activity in these cultured cerebral neurons, but KJHWE inhibited the decrease of the catalase and SOD activity in these cultures. Hypoxia triggered the apoptosis via caspase activation and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation. Also hypoxia stimulate the release of cytochrome c form mitochondria. KJHWE inhibited the apoptosis via caspase activation induced by hypoxia. From these results, it can be suggested that brain ischemia model induced hypoxia showed neurotoxity on cultured mouse cerebral neurons, and the KJHWE has the neuroprotective effect in blocking the neurotoxity induced by hypoxia in cultured mouse cerebral neurons.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.301-314
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• 1993

An electron microscopic study was performed to observe the ultrastructure of the tegument of U seoulensis. The outer surface of the tegument was covered with a tnlaminated plasma membrane. The electron-dense cytoplasmic layer was $2.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ wide In the anterior portion and contained numerous vacuoles, mitochondriae and granular materials in its matrix. The basement layer was 330 nm wade or so, and Its numerous extensions protruded into the cytoplasmic layer. The sensory organ was composed of a small vesicle of $1.7{\;}{\times}{\;}1.1{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ in dimensions, which possessed a cilium of $1.2{\;}{\times}{\;}0.19{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ in size. The pharynx was composed of the epithelial layer of about $0.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ wide, well developed muscle layer and basement layer. The tegument of the oral sucker was composed of a cytoplasmic layer of $0.4-0.5{\;}\mu\textrm{m}$ width, a narrow basement layer, a well developed muscle layer and tegumental cells. Some kinds of secretory granules that seemed to be originated from the cells of the oral sucker were observed In the parenchymal portions of the adjacent cells. The tribocytic organ consisted of numerous microvilli. The microvilli were 5 nm wide and heptalaminated. Two types of secretory granules originated from the gland cells of tribocytic organ were observed In the tegument and parenchyme. The tegumental cells were irregular in shape, and of which nuclei were multifarious.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 1995

A transmission electron microscopic study was performed on the ultrastructure of the tegumental layer of GymophoLloines seoi (Digenea: Gymnophallidae) metacercarlae and adults. The metacercariae were obtained from naturally infected oysters, Crcssosoea gigas, and the adults from experimentally infected C3H mice. The tegumental layer generally revealed a small number of foldings, numerous small vacuoles, sines, and muscle bundles. Beneath the muscle layer, nuclei of the tegumental cells were located. There was little difference in the structure of the tegument between the metacercariae and adults. The oral sucker, having well-developed muscle layers, showed a similar structure to the ventral sucker except numerous foldlngs in the ventral sucker. The ventral pit was surrounded by a thin spcpiu layer, where a number of microtubules and mitochondria were seen. Around the ventral pit located well-developed circular and longitudinal muscles. The results showed that the ultrastructure of the tegumental layer of G. seoi metacercariae and adults revealed little difference from other trematodes in general. The ventral pit, a peculiar structure of this trematode, seems to function as a sphincter or an accessory adhesive organ.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.406-414
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• 2012

This study was designed to investigate the effect of fucoidan on the activation of macrophage and on induction of apoptosis in AGS cell. To measure the activity of macrophages, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ assays were performed in Raw 264.7 cell. Treatment with fucoidan significantly increased production of NO and TNF-${\alpha}$, indicating activation of macrophages. The result of MTT assay shows that cell viability was significantly decreased in a dose and time-dependent manner. Fucoidan increased to enhance mitochondrial membrane permeability, as well as the cytochrome c release from the mitochondria. Fucoidan decreased Bcl-2 and XIAP expression, whereas the expression of Bax was increased in a time-dependent manner compared to the control. In addition, the active forms of caspase-9 were increased, and the inactivation of Akt was decreased in a time-dependent manner. Caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-FMK, canceled the apoptosis of fucoidan, expression of Bax and caspase-9 were decrease. These results indicate that fucoidan induces activation of macrophage and apoptosis through activation of caspase on AGS cell.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.91-99
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of mulberry fruit, mulberry leaves and silkworm powder with different mixing ratios on hepatic antioxidative system and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing $100{\pm}10g$ were induced diabetic by 50 mg/kg bw streptozotocin and randomly assigned to following experimental groups; normal diet group (DM), 0.3% and 0.6% mulberry fruit diet groups (F and 2F), 0.3% mulberry leaves diet group (M), 0.3% silkworm powder diet group (S), 0.15% mulberry fruit+0.15% mulberry leaves diet group (FM), 0.15% mulberry fruit+0.15% silkworm powder diet group (FS), 0.1 % mulberry fruit+0.1 % mulberry leaves+0.1% silkworm powder diet group (FMS). The experimental diets were fed for 4 weeks. Hepatic SOD activity was not changed significantly by any of single or combined supplementations of mulberry fruit, leaves and silkworm powder but GSH-px and catalase activities were increased by the groups supplemented with two or three of the test ingredients (FM, FS, FMS) as compared with the DM group. Hepatic TBARS value was not reduced significantly by any of the supplementations but lipofuscin contents were significantly reduced in the FM, FS and FMS groups as compared with the DM group. Hepatic mitochondria and microsomal carbonyl values were reduced by the single and combined supplementations of the test ingredients. Hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activities were increased in the all supplementation groups as compared with the DM group. Hepatic total lipid and triglyceride contents were increased but cholesterol contents reduced in the supplemented groups. The effects on the enzyme activities, peroxide or its products and lipid contents were most remarkable in the FMS group. In conclusion, mulberry fruit, mulberry leaves and silkworm powder have the favorable effects on antioxidative system and lipid metabolism in the diabetic liver and the mulberry fruit, leaves and silkworm powder with equal ratio exert the synergistic effect expectedly to prevent diabetic complications.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.5.1-5.14
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• 2018

Oxidative stress-induced mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), a sirtuin family protein located in mitochondria, is essential for mitochondrial homeostasis; however, the role of SIRT3 in the process of IVDD has remained elusive. Here, we explored the expression of SIRT3 in IVDD in vivo and in vitro; we also explored the role of SIRT3 in senescence, apoptosis, and mitochondrial homeostasis under oxidative stress. We subsequently activated SIRT3 using honokiol to evaluate its therapeutic potential for IVDD. We assessed SIRT3 expression in degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues and oxidative stress-induced nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). SIRT3 was knocked down by lentivirus and activated by honokiol to determine its role in oxidative stress-induced NPCs. The mechanism by which honokiol affected SIRT3 regulation was investigated in vitro, and the therapeutic potential of honokiol was assessed in vitro and in vivo. We found that the expression of SIRT3 decreased with IVDD, and SIRT3 knockdown reduced the tolerance of NPCs to oxidative stress. Honokiol ($10{\mu}M$) improved the viability of NPCs under oxidative stress and promoted their properties of anti-oxidation, mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy in a SIRT3-dependent manner. Furthermore, honokiol activated SIRT3 through the AMPK-PGC-$1{\alpha}$ signaling pathway. Moreover, honokiol treatment ameliorated IVDD in rats. Our study indicated that SIRT3 is involved in IVDD and showed the potential of the SIRT3 agonist honokiol for the treatment of IVDD.