• 한국수정란이식학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.149-154
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• 2007

임신의 성립 및 유지에 중요한 역할을 하는 자궁내막세포에 $K_{2P}$ 통로의 존재를 확인하기 위하여 본 연구를 수행하였다. $K_{2P}$ 통로는 일반적으로 중추신경계에 풍부하게 존재하면서 세포의 안정막 전압을 유지시킨다. 역전사 중합 효소 중합 반응과 면역 세포 화학 염색 방법을 이용하여 자궁내막세포에 존재하는 $K_{2P}$ 통로를 조사한 결과, TASK-1, TASK-3, TREK-1, TREK-2 및 TRAAK의 발현이 확인되었다. TASK-3와 TREK-1은 핵을 포함한 세포 전역에 발현하였고, TREK-2와 TRAAK은 핵을 제외한 세포 전역에 발현하였다. 그러나 자궁내막염이 있는 자궁내막세포와 정상 자궁내막세포에서 $K_{2P}$ 통로의 발현 변화를 비교한 결과, 두 군간의 mRNA 발현 수준이 변화하지 않았다. 본 연구는 한우의 자궁내막세포에서 $K_{2P}$ 통로의 존재를 처음으로 보고하는데, 이를 통하여 한우의 자궁내막세포에서 확인된 $K_{2P}$ 통로들은 자궁의 생리 작용과 자궁암 등과 같은 여러 자궁 관련 질병에 관여할 가능성이 높을 것으로 생각된다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.156-164
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• 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with progressive memory loss and neuronal cell death. Although numerous previous studies have been focused on disease progression or reverse pathological symptoms, therapeutic strategies for AD are limited. Alternatively, the identification of traditional herbal medicines or their active compounds has received much attention. The aims of the present study were to characterize the ameliorating effects of spinosin, a C-glucosylflavone isolated from Zizyphus jujuba var. spinosa, on memory impairment or the pathological changes induced through amyloid-${\beta}_{1-42}$ oligomer ($A{\beta}O$) in mice. Memory impairment was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of $A{\beta}O$ ($50{\mu}M$) and spinosin (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) was administered for 7 days. In the behavioral tasks, the subchronic administration of spinosin (20 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly ameliorated $A{\beta}O$-induced cognitive impairment in the passive avoidance task or the Y-maze task. To identify the effects of spinosin on the pathological changes induced through $A{\beta}O$, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses were performed. Spinosin treatment also reduced the number of activated microglia and astrocytes observed after $A{\beta}O$ injection. In addition, spinosin rescued the $A{\beta}O$-induced decrease in choline acetyltransferase expression levels. These results suggest that spinosin ameliorated memory impairment induced through $A{\beta}O$, and these effects were regulated, in part, through neuroprotective activity via the anti-inflammatory effects of spinosin. Therefore, spinosin might be a useful agent against the amyloid ${\beta}$ protein-induced cognitive dysfunction observed in AD patients.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제30권3호
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• pp.1-14
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• 2009

Objectives : Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and extracellular senile plaque. Moreover, the cellular actions of ${\beta}$-amyloid (A${\beta}$ play a causative role in the pathogenesis of AD. This study was designed to determine whether Woo-Gui-Um, a commonly used Korean herbal medicine, has the ability to protect cortical and hippocampal neurons against A${\beta}_{25-35}$ neurotoxicity Methods : In the present study, the authors investigated the preventative effects of the water extract of Woo-Gui-Um in a mouse model of AD. Memory impairment was induced by intraventricularly (i.c.v.) injecting A${\beta}_{25-35}$ peptides into mice. Woo-Gui-Um extract was then administered orally (p.o.) for 14 days. In addition, A${\beta}_{25-35}$ toxicity on the hippocampus was assessed immunohistochemically, by staining for Tau, MAP2, TUNEL, and Bax, and by performing an in vitro study in PC12 cells. Results : Woo-Gui-Um extract had an effect to improve learning ability and memory score in the water maze task. Woo-Gui-Um extract had significant neuroprotective effects in vivo against oxidative damage and apoptotic cell death of hippocampal neurons caused by i.c.v. A${\beta}_{25-35}$. In addition, Woo-Gui-Um extract was found to have a protective effect on A${\beta}_{25-35}$-induced apoptosis, and to promote neurite outgrowth of nerve growth factor (NGF)-differentiated PC12 cells. Conclusions : These results suggest that Woo-Gui-Um extract reduces memory impairment and Alzheimer's dementia via an anti-apoptotic effect and by regulating Tau and MAP2 in the hippocampus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제23권6호
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• pp.597-603
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• 2015

Synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-250 in 'herbal incense' also called 'spice' were first introduced in many countries. Numerous synthetic cannabinoids with similar chemical structures emerged simultaneously and suddenly. Currently there are not sufficient data on their adverse effects including neurotoxicity. There are only anecdotal reports that suggest their toxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the neurotoxicity of two synthetic cannabinoids (JWH-081 and JWH-210) through observation of various behavioral changes and analysis of histopathological changes using experimental mice with various doses (0.1, 1, 5 mg/kg). In functional observation battery (FOB) test, animals treated with 5 mg/kg of JWH-081 or JWH-210 showed traction and tremor. Their locomotor activities and rotarod retention time were significantly (p<0.05) decreased. However, no significant change was observed in learning or memory function. In histopathological analysis, neural cells of the animals treated with the high dose (5 mg/kg) of JWH-081 or JWH-210 showed distorted nuclei and nucleus membranes in the core shell of nucleus accumbens, suggesting neurotoxicity. Our results suggest that JWH-081 and JWH-210 may be neurotoxic substances through changing neuronal cell damages, especially in the core shell part of nucleus accumbens. To confirm our findings, further studies are needed in the future.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• 제13권2호
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• pp.159-172
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• 1996

대기오염물질이면서 동시에 생체내 화학반응의 산물이기도 한 nitric oxide(NO)는 그 생체내 분포가 광범위하고 생리적 역할이 다양하여, 최근의 생명과학 분야에서 가장 크게 주목받는 몇가지 연구대상 중 하나이다. 세포에서의 NO 산생은 nitric oxide synthase (NOS)에 의해 촉매되는데, 이들은 brain form (bNOS, neuronal; nNOS, NOS I), inducible form (iNOS), 및 endothelial form(eNOS)로 구분되는데, 이중 bNOS(nNOS)와 eNOS는 inducible form에 대비되는 constitutive form(cNOS)에 해당하므로 각각 ncNOS 와 ecNOS로도 불리운다. NOS는 아미노산인 L-arginine을 산소와 결합시켜 L-citrulline으로 변환시키면서 NO를 유리하고, 이 NO는 세포내의 guanylate cyclase를 활성화하여 cyclic GMP를 생산하거나, superoxide(O2-) 및 수소이온과 차례로 결합하여 반응성이 매우 높은 수산화기(-OH)를 발생시켜 세포독작용을 유발하기도 한다. 정상상태에서 뇌혈관내피세포의 ecNOS로 부터 유리된 NO는 혈관을 확장시켜 신경세포에 대한 산소공급을 원활히 유지해 주지만, 순환장애를 일으켰을 때는 뇌조직내의 iNOS로부터 대량의 NO가 유출되어 신경세포의 손상을 가져온다. 호흡기에서는 NO가 기도평활근을 이완시키고 폐혈류를 개선하므로, 미숙아나 성인의 호흡장애시에 소량의 NO를 흡입시키면 oxygenation을 호전시킬 수 있다. 그러나 대기오염이나 흡연 등으로 대량의 NO를 흡입할 경우 치명적인 폐부종이나 methemoglobin혈종을 일으킬 수 있다. 순환계에서는 cNOS가 혈관을 확장시켜 조직의 혈류를 유지하는데 일익을 담당한다. 세균내 독소(lipopolysaccharide; LPS)나 각종 명역조절물질들이 혈관내피세포와 혈관평활근세포로 부터 과다한 NO를 유리시키면 혈압이 급격히 떨어져 순환허탈상태에 빠지게 된다. 심장에서는 관상혈관 내피세포의 eNOS가 심근의 혈류를 유지해 주지만 허혈이나 세균내독소 또는 면역조절물질 등에 의하여 심근세포나 침윤된 대식세포의 iNOS로 부터 과량의 NO가 유리되면 심근세포의 손상이 초래된다. 신장에서는 내피세포의 cNOS에 의하여 사구체여과가 조절되고 있는데, 세균내독소나 면역 조절물질 등에 의하여 사구체관막세포(mesangial cell)등의 iNOS로 부터 과량의 NO가 유리되면 신조직과 사구체의 손상을 초래한다. 위와 같이 대부분의 장기에서 ecNOS는 조직의 혈류를 유지하는 역할을 하며, iNOS는 애초 세균 등 침입자에 대한 세포독작용이 그 존재 목적이라고 풀이할 수 있겠으나 일종의 부작용으로 자체조직의 손상을 초래하게 되는 것으로 본다. 따라서 NO와 관련된 각종 병변의 치료를 위해서는 NOS의 비선택성 억제제인 arginine 유도체 보다는 iNOS에 대한 선택적 억제제인 S-methylisothiourea(SMT), aminoethylisothiourea(AETU), aminoguanidine (AMG), agmatine, L-canavanine, transforming growth factor b1(TGF-b1) 등의 사용을 검토해 보는 것이 타당할 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권5호
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• pp.707-717
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• 2018

Leukocytes are reportedly the first line of the innate immune defense and essential for the control of common bacterial infections. Therefore, in this work, the antibacterial activity of crocodile leukocyte extract against Propionibacterium acnes was evaluated, and we also characterized the related activity of skin infection. The leukocyte extract showed the minimum inhibitory concentration to be $100{\mu}g/ml$ to P. acnes. SEM imaging demonstrated that the leukocyte extract adversely affected P. acnes cell permeability in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the crocodile leukocyte extract could significantly reduce proinflammatory markers and decrease inflammatory signs in infected mouse ears. The crude leukocyte extract was further purified using FPLC and RP-HPLC. The resulting fraction F5 was indicated as the anti-acne peptide-containing fraction. The molecular mass of the peptide contained in F5 was calculated to be 4,790.5 Da. N-Terminal sequencing revealed the amino acid sequence as GPEPVPAIYQ, which displays similarities to immunoglobulin A and leucine-rich repeat neuronal protein. This is the first reported amino acid sequence of a crocodile leukocyte extract that possesses anti-acne activity. To attempt to use it in a prototype cosmetic, an anti-acne gel containing crude crocodile leukocyte extract was formulated, resulting in seven gel formulations (G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, and G7). The formulations G5, G6, and G7 exhibited 2-fold higher anti-acne activity than G1-G4. Investigation of accelerating stability studies of anti-acne gel formulations G5, G6, and G7 demonstrated that a low storage temperature ($4^{\circ}C$) is suitable for maintaining the physical properties and biological activity of the anti-acne gel products.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제9권1호
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• pp.45-53
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• 2005

The present study was designed to examine the effect of d-amphetamine on CA release from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal gland, and to establish its mechanism of action. Damphetamine $(10{\sim}100{\mu}M$), when perfused into an adrenal vein of the rat adrenal gland for 60 min, enhanced the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh ($5.32{\times}10^{-3}$ M), excess $K^+$ ($5.6{\times}10^{-2}$ M, a membrane depolarizer), DMPP ($10^{-4}$ M, a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_n-receptor$ agonist) and McN-A-343 ($10^{-4}$ M, a selective $M_1-muscarinic$ agonist) only for the first period (4 min), although it alone has weak effect on CA secretion. Moreover, d-amphetamine ($30{\mu}M$) in to an adrenal vein for 60 min also augmented the CA release evoked by BAY-K-8644, an activator of the dihydropyridine L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channels, and cyclopiazonic acid, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$ ATPase only for the first period (4 min). However, in the presence of high concentration ($500{\mu}M$), d-amphetamine rather inhibited the CA secretory responses evoked by the above all of secretagogues. Collectively, these experimental results suggest that d-amphetamine at low concentrations enhances the CA secretion from the rat adrenal medulla evoked by cholinergic stimulation (both nicotininc and muscarinic receptors) as well as by membrane depolarization, but at high concentration it rather inhibits them. It seems that d-amphetamine has dual effects as both agonist and antagonist at nicotinic receptors of the isolated perfused rat adrenal medulla, which might be dependent on the concentration. It is also thought that these actions of d-amphetamine are probably relevant to the $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization through the dihydropyridine L-type $Ca^{2+}$ cha$N_n$els located on the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cell membrane and the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic store.

• 대한소아치과학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.55-66
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• 2005

천궁의 메탄올 수용액 추출물의 진정 작용을 밝히기 위하여 staircase test를 시행하였으며, 근육이완 효과를 검색하기 위하여 rotarod test를 시행하였다. 진정 작용의 기전 구명을 위하여 GABA 및 glycine 수용체에 작용하는 약물인 picrotoxin, yohimbine, isoniazid, strychnine 등의 약물을 이용하여 발작 유도에 걸리는 시간을 비교 관찰하였다. 또한 생체에서의 안전성을 검증하기 위하여 Irwin의 행동시험 및 신경세포에 대한 독성을 평가하기 위하여 MTT test를 실시하여 다음의 결과를 얻었다. 1. Staircase 실험에서 천궁 추출물을 10mg/kg 용량으로 경구 투여했을 때 climbing수는 대조군과 차이가 없었으나, rearing수에서는 대조군에 비하여 42%의 감소를 보였다. 2. 30mg/kg의 용량으로 경구 투여했을 때, climbing수는 대조군과 차이가 없었으나, rearing수에서는 51%의 감소를 유발하였다. 3. 근육이완 작용을 탐색하기 위한 rotarod 실험에서는 대조군과 차이를 나타내지 않았다. 4. 천궁 추출물의 투여는 picrotoxin, isoniazid, yohimbine에 의한 발작에서는 큰 변화를 유발하지 않았으나, strychnine에 의한 발작 유도시간은 41%의 증가를 유발하였다. 5. 일반 행동에서도 특이한 변화를 유발하지 않았으며, 신경세포에 적용했을 때 특이한 독성 반응을 나타내지 않았다. 천궁의 메탄을 수용액 추출물은 현저한 진정 작용을 유발하며, 그 작용 기전으로서 glycine의 작용을 증가시켜 chloride ion의 세포내 유입으로 인한 억제성 신경전도를 유도한다고 사료된다. 또한 근육이완 작용도 나타나지 않았으며, 특이한 생체독성도 유발되지 않은 것으로 보아, 향후 치과임상에서 진정요법의 한 수단으로서 사용될 수 있다는 가능성을 제시한다.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제32권2호
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• pp.51-57
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• 2007

Cyclosporin A (CsA) plays an important role in clinical medicine and basic biology as an immunosuppressant and a mitochondrial permeability blocker, respectively. It was reported that CsA has a protective role by preventing apoptosis and promoting the proliferation in severed neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms for CsA-induced neuronal cell proliferation are unclear. In this study, we examined the mechanisms underlying the CsA-induced proliferation of PC12 cells. CsA increased the viability of PC12 cells in a dose(over $0.1{\sim}10\;{\mu}M$)-and time-dependent manner. The level of ROS generation was decreased in the CsA-treated PC12 cells. Expression of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic molecule that inhibits the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria into the cytosol, was upregulated, whereas Bax, a proapototic molecule, was not changed in the CsA-treated PC12 cells. CsA downregulated the mRNA expression of VDAC 1 and VDAC 3, but VDAC 2 was not changed in the CsA-treated PC12 cells. The level of cytosolic cytochrome c released from the mitochondria and the caspase-3 activity were attenuated in the CsA-treated PC12 cells. These results suggest that the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic signal and Bcl-2 family may play an important role in CsA-induced proliferation in PC12 cells.

• BMB Reports
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• 제47권10호
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• pp.569-574
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• 2014

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) degrades heme to carbon dioxide, biliverdin, and $Fe^{2+}$, which play important roles in various biochemical processes. In this study, we examined the protective function of HO-1 against oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells and in a Parkinson's disease mouse model. Western blot and fluorescence microscopy analysis demonstrated that PEP-1-HO-1, fused with a PEP-1 peptide can cross the cellular membranes of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, the transduced PEP-1-HO-1 inhibited generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death caused by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion ($MPP^+$). In contrast, HO-1, which has no ability to transduce into SH-SY5Y cells, failed to reduce $MPP^+$-induced cellular toxicity and ROS production. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injected PEP-1-HO-1 crossed the blood-brain barrier in mouse brains. In a PD mouse model, PEP-1-HO-1 significantly protected against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced toxicity and dopaminergic neuronal death. Therefore, PEP-1-HO-1 could be a useful agent in treating oxidative stress induced ailments including PD.