• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.89-94
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• 2001

Recently, single cell gel electrophoresis, also known as comet assay, is widely used for the detection and measurement of DNA strand breaks in vitro and in vivo in many toxicological fields such as radiation exposure, human monitoring and toxicity evaluation. As well defined, comet assay is a sensitive, rapid and visual method for the detection of DNA strand breaks in individual cells. Briefly, a small number of damaged cells suspended in a thin agarose gel on a microscope slide were lysed, unwinded, electrophoresed, and stained with a fluorescent DNA binding dye. The electric current pulled the charged DNA from the nucleus such that relaxed and broken DNA fragments migrated further. The resulting images which were subsequently named for their appearance as comets, were measured to determine the extent of DNA damages. However, some variations could be occurred in procedures, laboratories's conditions and kind of cells used. Hence, to overcome and to harmonize these matters in comet assay, International Workshop on Genotoxicity Test Procedure (IWGTP) was held with several topics including comet assay at Washington D.C. on March, 1999. In spite of some consensus in procedures and conditions in IWGTP, there are some problems still remained to be solved. In this respect, we attempted to set the practical optimal conditions in the experimental procedures such as lysis, unwinding, electrophoresis and neutralization conditions and so on. First of all, we determined optimal lysis and unwinding time by using 150 $\mu$M methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) which is usually used concentration. And then, we determined optimal positive control concentrations of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and MMS in the presence and absence of S9 metabolic activation system, respectively.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.1061-1073
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• 2022

Receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) is known to play a major role in bone metabolism and the immune system, and its recombinant form has been expressed in bacterial systems for research since the last two decades. However, most of these recombinant forms are used after purification or directly using living cells. Here, there were cell extracts of recombinant Lactococcus lactis expressing mouse RANKL (mRANKL) used to evaluate its biological activity in mice. Mice were divided into three groups that were fed phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), wild-type L. lactis IL1403 (WT_CE), and recombinant L. lactis expressing mRANKL (mRANKL_CE). The small intestinal transcriptome and fecal microbiome were then profiled. The biological activity of mRANKL_CE was confirmed by studying RANK-RANKL signaling in vitro and in vivo. For small intestinal transcriptome, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the mRANKL_CE group, and no DEGs were found in the WT_CE group. In the PBS vs. mRANKL_CE gene enrichment analysis, upregulated genes were enriched for heat shock protein binding, regulation of bone resorption, and calcium ion binding. In the gut microbiome analysis, there were no critical changes among the three groups. However, Lactobacillus and Sphingomonas were more abundant in the mRANKL_CE group than in the other two groups. Our results indicate that cell extracts of mRANKL_CE can play an effective role without a significant impact on the intestine. This strategy may be useful for the development of protein drugs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3559-3567
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• 2016

Background: In recent years, there has been considerable research on recycling of agro-industrial waste for production of bioactive compounds. The food processing industry produces large amounts of citrus peels that may be an inexpensive source of useful agents. Objective: The present work aimed to explore the phytochemical content, antioxidant, anticancer, antiproliferation, and antigenotxic activities of lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin peels. Materials and Methods: Peels were extracted using 98% ethanol and the three crude extracts were assessed for their total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl). Their cytotoxic and mitogenic proliferation activities were also studied in human leukemia HL-60 cells and mouse splenocytes by CCK-8 assay. In addition, genotoxic/antigenotoxic activity was explored in mouse splenocytes using chromosomal aberrations (CAs) assay. Results: Lemon peels had the highest of TPC followed by grapefruit and mandarin. In contrast, mandarin peels contained the highest of TFC followed by lemon and grapefruit peels. Among the extracts, lemon peel possessed the strongest antioxidant activity as indicated by the highest DPPH radical scavenging, the lowest effective concentration 50% ($EC_{50}=42.97{\mu}g\;extract/mL$), and the highest Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC=0.157). Mandarin peel exhibited moderate cytotoxic activity ($IC_{50}=77.8{\mu}g/mL$) against HL-60 cells, whereas grapefruit and lemon peels were ineffective anti-leukemia. Further, citrus peels possessed immunostimulation activity via augmentation of proliferation of mouse splenocytes (T-lymphocytes). Citrus extracts exerted non-cytotoxic, and antigenotoxic activities through remarkable reduction of CAs induced by cisplatin in mouse splenocytes for 24 h. Conclusions: The phytochemical constituents of the citrus peels may exert biological activities including anticancer, immunostimulation and antigenotoxic potential.

• Proceedings of the KSAR Conference
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• 2003.06a
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• pp.76-76
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• 2003

Pluripotent embryonic stem cells can differentiate into beating cardiomyocytes with proper culture conditions and stimulants via embryo-like aggregates. We describe here the use of mouse embryonic stem (mES03) cells as a reproducible differentiation system for cardiomyocyte. mES03 cells growing in colonies were dissociated and allowed to re-aggregated in suspension [embryoid body (EB) formation〕. To induce cardiomyocytic differentiation, cells were exposed to 0.75% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) during EB formation for 4 days and then another 4 days without DMSO (4+/4-). Thus treated EB was plated onto gelatin-coated dishes for differentiation. Spontaneously contracting colonies which appeared in approximately 4~5 days upon differentiation were mechanically dissected, enzymatically dispersed, plated onto coverslips, and then incubated for another 48~72 hrs. By RT-PCR, robust expression of cardiac myosin heavy chain $\alpha$, cardiac muscle heavy polypeptide 7 $\beta$($\beta$-MHC), cardiac transcription factor GATA4, and skeletal muscle-specific $\alpha$$_1$-subunit of the L-type calcium channel ($\alpha$$_1$CaC $h_{sm}$ ) were detected as early as 8 days after EB formation, but message of cardiac muscle-specific $\alpha$$_1$-subunit of the L-type calcium channel ($\alpha$$_1$CaCh) were reveled at a low level. In contrast, expression of myosin light chain (MLC-2V) and atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) were not detected during EB formation for 8 days. However, a strong expression of the atrial-specific ANF gene was expressed from day 8 onward, which were remained constant in EB. (cardiac specialization and terminal differentiation stage). Electrophysiological examination of spontaneously contracting cells showed ventricle-like action potential 17 days after the EB formation. This study indicates that mES03 cell-derived cardiomyocytes via 4+/4- protocol displayed biochemical and electrophysiological properties of subpopulation of cardiomyocytes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3569-3573
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• 2013

Aim: Pendulous monkshood root is traditionally used for the treatment of several inflammatory pathologies such as rheumatisms, wounds, pain and tumors in China. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities and the mechanism of crude ethanol extract of pendulous monkshood root (EPMR) were evaluated and investigated in vitro. Materials and Methods: The cytotoxic effects of EPMR on different tumor cell lines were determined by the MTT method. Cell apoptosis and cell nucleus morphology were assessed by Hoechst 33258 staining. Moreover, nitric oxide (NO) levels and intracellular oxidative stress in peritoneal macrophages were determined to further elucidate mechanisms of action. Results: The data showed that EPMR could produce significant dose-dependent toxicity on three kinds of tumor cells. Furthermore, EPMR displayed obvious anti-inflammatory effects on LPS-induced mouse peritoneal macrophages at the dosage of 4 - 200 ${\mu}g/mL$. The results demonstrated the therapeutic potential of Pendulous Monkshood Root on cancer and inflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our results indicate that EPMR has anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, suggesting that pendulous monkshood root may be a useful anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory reagent in the clinic.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.173-179
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro developmental promoting effect of human amniotic fluid (AF) on pronucleate 1-cell mouse embryos. The AF was obtained from five patients undergoing amniocentesis for the routine diagnosis of fetal abnormality. The supernatant was filtered ($0.22{\mu}m$) after centrifugation and stored at $-20^{\circ}C$. One-cell embryos were cultured in four study groups (10% AF, 0.4% BSA, 10% AF+0.4% BSA & no-supplement in Ham's F10) for 6 days (EXP. 1). Significantly more embryos hatched in 10% AF (P<0.0l), although no difference was found among other three groups. The embryos were also cultured in varous concentration of AF (0, 10, 50 & 100%) for 7 days (EXP. 2). The rate of hatched blastocysts was significantly higher in 10%- and 50% group than in 0% and 100%- one at day 6 (P<0.05) and day 7 (P<0.005), although no difference was found between 10% and 50%- group.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.294-299
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate effects of Red Ginseng-Ejung-tang (RE) on nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide production in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cell viability was measured by modified MTT assay. NO production was measured by Griess reagent assay. Hydrogen peroxide production was measured by dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR) assay. RE did not show cell toxicity against RAW 264.7 for 24 hr incubation at the concentrations of 10, 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ in RAW 264.7. RE significantly inhibited NO production for 24 hr incubation at the concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/mL$ in RAW 264.7 (P < 0.05). RE significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of NO for 24 hr incubation at the concentrations of 10, 25, 50, and $100{\mu}g/mL$ in RAW 264.7 (P < 0.05). RE significantly inhibited the LPS-induced production of hydrogen peroxide for 16, 24, 40, 48, 64, and 72 hr incubation at the concentrations of 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ in RAW 264.7 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that RE has anti-inflammatory property related with its inhibition of NO and hydrogen peroxide production in LPS-induced macrophages.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.317-321
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• 2020

Pumpkin sweet potato (Ipomoea batas L.) has been known as a traditional remedy and food source, not only in South Korea but worldwide. It is rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and other minerals and vitamins, making it a nutritional food loved by many. showed that pumpkin sweet potato had antioxidant biological effects. The in vitro study showed that both splenocytes and cytokine production byactivated peritoneal macrophages increased when water extracts were supplemented at 100 and 250 μL/mL. Notably, the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ by splenocytes was significantly increased at 100 μL/mL. The results suggest that supplementation with pumpkin sweet potato (Ipomoea batas L.) water extract may enhance immune function by stimulating splenocyte proliferation and improving cytokine production, activating macrophages in vitro.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.71-81
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• 2005

Objective : Dear antler (Cervus korean TEMMINCK var. mantchuricus Swinhoe) used for traditional immunosuppressive and immuno-activating action. The effect of deer antler herbal-acupuncture(DAH) solution, prepared by water extract method, on cathepsin activities in bone tissues (cartilage and synovial) cells from mouse rheumatoid arthritis (RA) model was studied. The cysteine endoprotease cathepsin mediates degradation of the MHC class II invariant chain (Ii) in human and mouse antigen-presenting cells. The studies described here examine the functional significance of cathepsin inhibition on autoantigen presentation and organ-specific autoimmune diseases in a murine model for RA. Methods : An animal model for RA in BALB/c mice thymectomized 3 days after birth (3d-Tx) was constructed All 3d-Tx BALB/c mice developed autoimmune lesions in the bone tissue cells, starting at 3 weeks of age, and the disease mediated by CD4+ T cells was chronic and progressive. Significant inhibitory effects of DAH solution on cathepsin S and L were observed in each organ in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we confirmed that cathepsin S and L activity in each organ were clearly inhibited by DAB solution. When we examined the inhibitory effects of DAH solution against autoantigen-specific T cell responses in vitro, in regional lymph node cells, but not in spleens, from model mice, a significant inhibitory effect of DAB solution was observed in a dose-dependent manner. DAH solution do not block T cell proliferation to Con A, indicated that the dose of DAB solution 10 to $20\;{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ was sufficient to inactivate the autoantigen-specific T cell responses in vitro. In vivo therapeutic effects of DAB solution were examined in a murine model for RA, autoantigen-specific (C-II-specific) T cell response were significantly inhibited in LNCs from DAH solution-treated mice. Results : Iinhibition of cathepsin S and L in vivo alters autoantigen presentation and development of organ-specific autoimmunity in RA model. Conclusion : These data identify selective inhibition of cysteine protease cathepsin S and L as a potential therapeutic strategy for autoimmune disease process such RA. Thus, DAH solution will served as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic agents for treatment of human RA.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.101-109
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• 2013

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Polygoni Multiflori Radix Water Extract (PM) on the production of inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Method : We examined effect of PM Extract on the cell viability of RAW 264.7 cells. Futhermore, we investigated anti-inflammatory effect of PM Extract by the production of proinflammatory cytokines such as NO, intracellular calcium, interleukin(IL)-$1{\alpha}$, IL-3, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, interferon inducible protein-10(IP-10), keratinocyte-derived chemokine(KC) and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). Result : No significant changes have been found in the mouse macrophge cell viability by the PM Extract at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. The water extract of PM significantly inhibited the production of NO and intracellular calcium in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of 25, 50, 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. The water extract of PM significantly inhibited the production of IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-${\beta}$, IL-3, IP-10, KC, VEGF in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$; IL-6 at the concentration of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$ ; and IL-17 at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : The water extract of PM significantly inhibited the production of NO, intracellular calcium, IL-$1{\alpha}$, IL-3, IL-${\beta}$, IP-10, KC, VEGF at the concentration of 50 ㎍/mL or higher in the LPS-induced macrophages with no changes in the cell viability of them. These results suggest that water extract of Polygoni Multiflori Radix has anti-inflammatory effect regulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the LPS-induced macrophages.