• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.295-302
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• 2021

Microglial priming is the process of microglial proliferation and activation in response to neurodegeneration and abnormal protein accumulation. Priming makes microglia susceptible to secondary inflammatory stimuli and causes exaggerated inflammatory responses. In the present study, we established a microglial priming model in mice by administering a single injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP, 20 mg/kg). MPTP induced microglial activation without dopaminergic degeneration; however, subsequent treatment with a sub-toxic dose of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induced an amplified inflammatory response and caused nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration. These pathological and inflammatory changes, including microglial activation and dopaminergic cell loss in the substantia nigra (SN) area were reversed by papaverine (PAP) administration. In addition, MPTP/LPS enhanced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) expression and processing via nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome activation in the SN region of mice. However, PAP treatment suppressed inflammasome activation and subsequent IL-1β maturation. Moreover, PAP inhibited nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and enhanced cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) activity in the SN of MPTP/LPS mice. These results suggest that PAP inhibits the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome by modulating NF-κB and CREB signaling pathways, which results in reduced microglial activation and neuronal cell death. Thus, PAP may be a potential candidate for the treatment of Parkinsons's disease, which is aggravated by systemic inflammation.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.120-132
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• 2021

Objectives: The prevalence of Parkinson's disease is on an upward trend along with an increase in the aging population but there is no available treatment that halts the progression of neurodegeneration. This study reports a numerical analysis on Donguibogam and suggests novel herbal drugs, which have never been researched before but found to be deemed effective in this study. Methods: Referring to 71 Korean medicine symptom terms that represent the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, 4170 prescriptions described in Donguibogam were classified into two groups based on whether their main effects were effective for Parkinson's disease or not. Comparing the two groups, the chi-square test was performed to select statistically significant herbs, while the t-test, Wilcoxon test, and descriptive statistics were performed to determine the appropriate dose. Results: One hundred and twenty-seven prescriptions effective for Parkinson's disease were identified. The chi-square test determined 17 herbs that are effective for symptomatic treatment. Among the medicinal herbs, the authors suggest Osterici seu Notopterygii Radix et Rhizoma, Ephedrae Herba, Aconiti Tuber, Myrrha, Sinomeni Caulis et Rhizoma, and Aconiti Kusnezoffii Tuber as herbal candidates that have never been studied for Parkinson's disease. Through the statistical tests, it was judged that the mean value of the dose of the entire prescription was the appropriate dose for each herb. Conclusions: Seventeen herbs were selected for Parkinson's disease and the appropriate daily dose were calculated. Furthermore, this study presented a new process that applies a statistical method to traditional medical literature and preselecting herbs deemed effective for specific diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.285-297
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• 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with progressive memory loss and the cognitive decline. AD is mainly caused by abnormal accumulation of misfolded amyloid β (Aβ), which leads to neurodegeneration via a number of possible mechanisms such as down-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor-tropomyosin-related kinase B (BDNF-TRKB) signaling pathway. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF), a TRKB agonist, has demonstrated potential to enhance BDNF-TRKB pathway in various neurodegenerative diseases. To expand the capacity of flavones as TRKB agonists, two natural flavones quercetin and apigenin, were evaluated. With tryptophan fluorescence quenching assay, we illustrated the direct interaction between quercetin/apigenin and TRKB extracellular domain. Employing Aβ folding reporter SH-SY5Y cells, we showed that quercetin and apigenin reduced Aβ-aggregation, oxidative stress, caspase-1 and acetylcholinesterase activities, as well as improved the neurite outgrowth. Treatments with quercetin and apigenin increased TRKB Tyr516 and Tyr817 and downstream cAMP-response-element binding protein (CREB) Ser133 to activate transcription of BDNF and BCL2 apoptosis regulator (BCL2), as well as reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic BCL2 associated X protein (BAX). Knockdown of TRKB counteracted the improvement of neurite outgrowth by quercetin and apigenin. Our results demonstrate that quercetin and apigenin are to work likely as a direct agonist on TRKB for their neuroprotective action, strengthening the therapeutic potential of quercetin and apigenin in treating AD.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.23.1-23.9
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• 2023

The mammalian sirtuin family, consisting of SIRT1-SIRT7, plays a vital role in various biological processes, including cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, cellular metabolism, and cellular homeostasis maintenance. Due to their involvement in these biological processes, modulating sirtuin activity seems promising to impact immuneand aging-related diseases, as well as cancer pathways. However, more understanding is required regarding the safety and efficacy of sirtuin-targeted therapies due to the complex regulatory mechanisms that govern their activity, particularly in the context of multiple targets. In this study, the interaction landscape of the sirtuin family was analyzed using a systems biology approach. A sirtuin protein-protein interaction network was built using the Cytoscape platform and analyzed using the NetworkAnalyzer and stringApp plugins. The result revealed the sirtuin family's association with numerous proteins that play diverse roles, suggesting a complex interplay between sirtuins and other proteins. Based on network topological and functional analysis, SIRT1 was identified as the most prominent among sirtuin family members, demonstrating that 25 of its protein partners are involved in cancer, 22 in innate immune response, and 29 in aging, with some being linked to a combination of two or more pathways. This study lays the foundation for the development of novel therapies that can target sirtuins with precision and efficacy. By illustrating the various interactions among the proteins in the sirtuin family, we have revealed the multifaceted roles of SIRT1 and provided a framework for their possible roles to be precisely understood, manipulated, and translated into therapeutics in the future.

• 대한임상독성학회지
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.81-91
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• 2023

Purpose: Edible insect extracts have been used as an alternative source for medicinal supplements due to their significant antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activity. Recent studies have reported that anti-microbial peptides from insects have neuroprotective effects on dopamine toxins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective functions of mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) extract (MWE) on N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced cellular toxicity in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Methods: Cellular toxicity induced by the MPTP toxin and the impact of MWE on cell survival were analyzed using MTT assays. DAPI staining was performed to observe apoptotic phenomena caused by MPTP. Changes in caspase-3 activity and protein expression were observed using enzyme activity assays and western blot assays, respectively. Results: MWE exerted significant antioxidant activity, which was measured by both DPPH and ABTS radical assays, with a dose-dependent relationship. Furthermore, MWE resulted in cellular proliferation in SHSY5Y cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, MWE pretreatment significantly inhibited MPTP-induced cytotoxicity, with a dose-dependent relationship. The morphological characteristics of apoptosis and increased reactive oxygen species induced by MPTP were also significantly reduced by MWE pretreatment. Conclusion: MWE treatment significantly attenuated MPTP-induced changes in the levels of proteins associated with apoptosis, such as caspase-3 and PARP. These findings suggest that MWE exerts neuroprotective effects on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells subject to MPTP-induced dopaminergic neurodegeneration.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.70-84
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• 2024

Methamphetamine (METH) can potentially disrupt neurotransmitters activities in the central nervous system (CNS) and cause neurotoxicity through various pathways. These pathways include increased production of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species, hypothermia, and induction of mitochondrial apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the long-term effects of METH addiction on the structural changes in the amygdala of postmortem human brains and the involvement of the brain- cAMP response element-binding protein/brain-derived neurotrophic factor (CREB/BDNF) and Akt-1/GSK3 signaling pathways. We examined ten male postmortem brains, comparing control subjects with chronic METH users, using immunohistochemistry, real-time polymerase chain reaction (to measure levels of CREB, BDNF, Akt-1, GSK3, and tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α]), Tunnel assay, stereology, and assays for reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione disulfide (GSSG), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). The findings revealed that METH significantly reduced the expression of BDNF, CREB, Akt-1, and GPX while increasing the levels of GSSG, ROS, RIPK3, GSK3, and TNF-α. Furthermore, METH-induced inflammation and neurodegeneration in the amygdala, with ROS production mediated by the CREB/BDNF and Akt-1/GSK3 signaling pathways.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제71권4호
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• pp.525-536
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• 2020

Transcellular calcium transport is an essential activity in mineralized tissue formation, including that in nervous systems. Dysregulation of Ca²⁺ homeostasis can induce excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in the central nervous system. Nckx3, a potassium-dependent Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger, is most abundant in the brain and has a critical role in the transport of intracellular calcium across the cell membrane. However, the roles of Nckx3 in neuron development and function remain unreported. Herein, we examined the behaviors of Nckx3-knock-out mice at the age of six weeks. Detailed behavioral analyses showed Nckx3^-/- mice exhibited an increase in moving distances in the open field test. Additionally, the rotarod test revealed motor learning defects in Nckx3^-/- mice. Both Nckx3^+/- and Nckx3^-/- mice also exhibited deficits in sociability and social novelty preference. Furthermore, Nckx3^-/- mice displayed increased depression-related behavior. However, there was no significant change in cognition function detected in Nckx3^-/- mice. This study demonstrates that NCKX3 is involved in behavior and neuronal function

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.73-88
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• 2009

목 적 : 규칙적인 운동이 신경보호 효과와 도파민성 신경원의 재구축, 운동기능 향상에 영향을 미친다는 실험실적 연구결과에도 불구하고, 아직까지 파킨슨병 질환자의 트레드밀 운동이 뇌신경 변화에 영향을 미치는지에 대해서는 논란이 되고 있는 상황이다. 더군다나, 증상의 진전이 흑질선조체의 뇌신경 변화에 의한 것인지, 운동에 의한 전반적인 효과인지, 의욕에 영향을 받은 것이지 또한 확실치 않은 상황이다. 이에 본 연구자는 트레드밀 운동이 파킨슨 유발 실험쥐의 뇌신경 변화를 유발하는 것을 밝히고자 본 실험을 수행하였다. 방 법 : 본 실험에서는 파킨슨 모델을 만들기 위해 수컷 C57BL/6 쥐에 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP) 30 mg/kg과 프로베네시드 20 mg/kg을 매 12시간마다 10회 투여(총 5일)하여 파킨슨병을 유발하였다. 이후 운동군을 경사도 $0^{\circ}$, 18 m/min의 속도로, 하루 40분의 트레드밀 운동을 수행하였다. 운동수행의 마지막에는 모든(염류 비교군, 비운동 비교군) 동물의 뇌를 적출하여 신경원성, 신경화학적 변화가 어떤지 비교군, 비운동군과 비교분석하였다. 본 실험에서 Synphilin 단백질은 알파시누크린의 발현 징후로 사용되었다. 흑질과 선조체의 뇌세포를 western blotting에 의해 염색하여 분석하였다. 결 과 : 염류 비교군의 경우 synphilin 단백질의 발현이 발견되지 않았다. 파킨슨 유발을 위한 MPTP(1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) 투여는 알파시누크린의 응집을 의미하는 synphilin 단백질의 발현이 급증하였다. 하지만, 트레드밀 운동군에서는 synphilin 단백질의 발현이 비운동군에 비해 유의하게 낮았다. 이는 트레드밀 운동이 알파시누크린의 응집도를 낮추는데 영향을 미친다는 것으로 사료된다. 결 론 : 본 연구에는 트레드밀 운동이 파킨슨 모델의 뇌에서 알파시누크린 응집체의 제거를 촉진하고, 병의 진행, 세포사멸을 억제하는 것으로 밝혀졌다.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제48권5호
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• pp.508-514
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• 2016

본 연구에서는 곰취(Ligularia fischeri)의 in vitro 혈당 억제 가능성과 고당으로 인한 산화적 스트레스에 대한 신경세포 보호효과 및 대표적 생리활성물질을 분석하였다. 곰취 아세트산에틸 분획물은 다른 분획물들보다 뛰어난 총 페놀 함량(223.33 mg GAE/g)을 나타내었으며, 또한 인체에서 당을 흡수하기 위해 필요한 효소인 알파글루코시데이스 억제효과에 의해 당뇨에 의한 고혈당을 줄여줄 수 있을 것으로 기대된다. 유의적 ABTS 라디칼 소거활성 및 말론다이알데하이드(MDA) 생성 억제효과를 갖는 곰취 아세트산에틸 분획물은 과산화수소 및 고당으로 유발시킨 산화적 스트레스 감소 및 이로 인한 신경세포 보호효과를 나타내었다. 곰취 아세트산에틸 분획물의 주요 생리활성 물질을 확인하기 위해 HPLC분석을 실시한 결과, 대표적인 페놀성 화합물은 클로로겐산의 이성질체인 3,5-DCQA가 존재하는 것으로 확인되었다. 본 연구 결과를 바탕으로 고려할 때, 곰취는 고당으로 유도되는 산화적 스트레스로부터 신경퇴행성 질환 예방 소재로서의 활용가능성이 있을 것으로 추정된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권3호
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• pp.251-260
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• 2015

Propofol is an anesthetic agent that gained wide use because of its fast induction of anesthesia and rapid recovery post-anesthesia. However, previous studies have reported immediate neurodegeneration and long-term impairment in spatial learning and memory from repeated neonatal propofol administration in animals. Yet, none of those studies has explored the sex-specific long-term physical changes and behavioral alterations such as social (sociability and social preference), emotional (anxiety), and other cognitive functions (spatial working, recognition, and avoidance memory) after neonatal propofol treatment. Seven-day-old Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats underwent repeated daily intraperitoneal injections of propofol or normal saline for 7 days. Starting fourth week of age and onwards, rats were subjected to behavior tests including open-field, elevated-plus-maze, Y-maze, 3-chamber social interaction, novel-object-recognition, passive-avoidance, and rotarod. Rats were sacrificed at 9 weeks and hippocampal protein expressions were analyzed by Western blot. Results revealed long-term body weight gain alterations in the growing rats and sex-specific impairments in spatial (female) and recognition (male) learning and memory paradigms. A markedly decreased expression of hippocampal NMDA receptor GluN1 subunit in female- and increased expression of AMPA GluR1 subunit protein expression in male rats were also found. Other aspects of behaviors such as locomotor activity and coordination, anxiety, sociability, social preference and avoidance learning and memory were not generally affected. These results suggest that neonatal repeated propofol administration disrupts normal growth and some aspects of neurodevelopment in rats in a sex-specific manner.