• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.669-676
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• 2019

Zanthoxylum piperitum D.C. (ZP) peels has been used as a natural spice and herb medicine for hypertension reduction, for strokes, and for its anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant activity. However, the anti-inflammatory mechanisms employed by ZP have yet to be completely understood. In this study, we elucidate the anti-inflammatory mechanism of ZP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 cells. We evaluated the effects of ZP in LPS-induced levels of inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), and caspase-1 using ELISA. The expression levels of inflammatory-related genes, including cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), were assayed by Western blot analysis. We elucidated the effect of ZP on nuclear factor (NF)-κB activation by means of a luciferase activity assay. The findings of this study demonstrated that ZP inhibited the production of inflammatory cytokine and PGE₂ and inhibited the increased levels of COX-2 and iNOS caused by LPS. Additionally, we showed that the anti-inflammatory effect of ZP arises by suppressing the activation of NF-κB and caspase-1 in LPS- induced RAW264.7 cells. These results provide novel insights into the pharmacological actions of ZP as a potential candidate for development of new drugs to treat inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.61-69
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• 2019

Purpose : Human gingival fibroblast cell is one of the the main cell types in periodontal tissue, which they can show anti-inflammatory activity through the production of numerous lines of inflammatory mediators such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and interleukins. Porphyromonas gingivalis, one of the oral pathogens, has reported to play a critical role in the development of periodontal diseases. This study aimed to investigate anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of Gracilaria textorii ethanol extract (GTEE) in P. gingivalis derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS-PG) stimulated human gingival fibroblast (HGF)-1 cell line. Methods : In order to analyze anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activities of GTEE in HGF-1 cell line, NOS enzyme activity, expression levels of iNOS, COX-2, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)1 and their transcription factors were estimated by Griess reaction and western hybridization. Results : LPS-PG induced overexpression of iNOS and COX-2, which was significantly attenuated by GTEE treatment in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. In addition, intracellular NOS activity was in accordance with the result of iNOS expression. Due to important role in the regulation of inflammatory responses, phosphorylated status of p65 and c-jun, each subunit of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and activator protein (AP)-1, was also dose-dependently ameliorated by GTEE treatment. One of phase II enzymes, NQO1, and its transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), were analyzed since elevated phase II enzyme expression inhibited inflammatory response, which was significantly elevated by GTEE treatment in HGF-1 cell line. Conclusion : In conclusion, GTEE mitigated LPS-PG-stimulated inflammatory responses by attenuating NF-κB and AP-1 activation as well as accelerating NQO1 and Nrf2 expression in HGF-1 cell line. These results indicate that GTEE might be utilized a promising strategy for potential anti-inflammatory agent in periodontal diseases.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.746-754
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• 2019

Vitrification of radioactive liquid waste (RLW) provides a feasible solution for isolating radionuclides from the biosphere for an extended period. In vitrification, base glass and radioactive waste are added simultaneously into the melter. Determination of heat and mass transfer rates is necessary for rational design and sizing of melter. For obtaining an assured product quality, knowledge of reaction kinetics associated with the thermal decomposition of waste constituents is essential. In this study Thermogravimetry (TG) - Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG) of eight kinds of nitrates and two oxides, which are major components of RLW, is investigated in the temperature range of 298-1273 K in the presence of base glasses of five component (5C) and seven component (7C). Studies on thermal behavior of constituents in RLW were carried out at heating rates ranging from 10 to $40\;K\;min^{-1}$ using TG - DTG. Thermal behavior and related kinetic parameters of waste constituents, in the presence of 5C and 7C base glass compositions were also investigated. The activation energy, pre-exponential factor and order of the reaction for the thermal decomposition of 24% waste oxide loaded glasses were estimated using Kissinger method.

• BMB Reports
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• v.50 no.9
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• pp.454-459
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• 2017

Tumor suppressor candidate 2 (Tusc2, also known as Fus1) regulates calcium signaling, and $Ca^{2+}$-dependent nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathways, which play roles in osteoclast differentiation. However, the role of Tusc2 in osteoclasts remains unknown. Here, we report that Tusc2 positively regulates the differentiation of osteoclasts. Overexpression of Tusc2 in osteoclast precursor cells enhanced receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. In contrast, small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of Tusc2 strongly inhibited osteoclast differentiation. In addition, Tusc2 induced the activation of RANKL-mediated $NF-{\kappa}B$ and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV)/cAMP-response element (CRE)-binding protein CREB signaling cascades. Taken together, these results suggest that Tusc2 acts as a positive regulator of RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.316-326
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• 1999

Purpose: We evaluated the feasibility of extracting pure left ventricular blood pool and myocardial time-activity curves (TACs) and of generating factor images from human dynamic N-13 ammonia PET using factor analysis. The myocardial blood flow (MBF) estimates obtained with factor analysis were compared with those obtained with the user drawn region-of-interest (ROI) method. Materials and Methods: Stress and rest N-13 ammonia cardiac PET imaging was acquired for 23 min in 5 patients with coronary artery disease using GE Advance tomograph. Factor analysis generated physiological TACs and factor images using the normalized TACs from each dixel. Four steps were involved in this algorithm: (a) data preprocessing; (b) principal component analysis; (c) oblique rotation with positivity constraints; (d) factor image computation. Area under curves and MBF estimated using the two compartment N-13 ammonia model were used to validate the accuracy of the factor analysis generated physiological TACs. The MBF estimated by factor analysis was compared to the values estimated by using the ROI method. Results: MBF values obtained by factor analysis were linearly correlated with MBF obtained by the ROI method (slope = 0.84, r = 0.91), Left ventricular blood pool TACs obtained by the two methods agreed well (Area under curve ratio: 1.02 ($0{\sim}1min$), 0.98 ($0{\sim}2min$), 0.86 ($1{\sim}2min$)). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrates that MBF can be measured accurately and noninvasively with dynamic N-13 ammonia PET imaging and factor analysis. This method is simple and accurate, and can measure MBF without blood sampling, ROI definition or spillover correction.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.551-556
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• 2023

Ginsenosides, among the most active components of ginseng, exhibit several therapeutic effects against cancer, diabetes, and other metabolic diseases. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the anti-osteoporotic activity of ginsenoside Rg2, a major ginsenoside, has not been clearly elucidated. This study aimed to determine the effects of ginsenoside Rg2 on receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation. Results indicate that ginsenoside Rg2 inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) without cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with ginsenoside Rg2 significantly reduced the RANKL-induced gene expression of c-fos and nuclear factor of activated T-cells (Nfatc1), as well as osteoclast-specific markers tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP, Acp5) and osteoclast-associated receptor (Oscar). Moreover, RANKL-induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) was decreased by ginsenoside Rg2 in BMM. Therefore, we suggest that ginsenoside Rg2 suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation through the regulation of MAPK signaling-mediated osteoclast markers and could be developed as a therapeutic drug for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.317-322
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• 2016

Mitochondrial biogenesis is a complex process requiring coordinated expression of nuclear and mitochondrial genomes. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1-alpha (PGC-$1{\alpha}$) is a key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, and it controls mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication within diverse tissues, including muscle tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on mtDNA copy number and PGC-$1{\alpha}$ promoter activity in $C_2C_{12}$ muscle cells. mtDNA copy number and mRNA levels of genes related to mitochondrial biogenesis such as PGC-$1{\alpha}$, nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1) and mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam) were assayed by quantitative real-time PCR. The PGC-$1{\alpha}$ promoter from -970 to +412 bp was subcloned into the pGL3-basic vector, which includes a luciferase reporter gene. Both EPA and DHA significantly increased mtDNA copy number, dose and time dependently, and up-regulated mRNA levels of PGC-$1{\alpha}$, NRF1, and Tfam. Furthermore, EPA and DHA stimulated PGC-$1{\alpha}$ promoter activity in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that EPA and DHA may modulate mitochondrial biogenesis, which was partially associated with increased mtDNA replication and PGC-$1{\alpha}$ gene expression in $C_2C_{12}$ muscle cells.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.12
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• pp.81-88
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• 2018

Human gingival fibroblast (HGF) is the main cell type existed in periodontium and produces a variety of inflammatory mediators by external stimuli. In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of Porphyra yezoensis ethanol extract (PYEE) on LPS-PG lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis activated HGF-1 cell. Up-regulated iNOS and COX-2 expressions by LPS-PG were significantly attenuated by PYEE treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, activated nuclear factor $(NF)-{\kappa}B$ was also dose-dependently inhibited by PYEE treatment. Among upstream signaling molecules, PYEE treatment inhibited phosphorylation of c-Jun $NH_2$-terminal kinase (JNK) but did not give any effect on other molecules. On the other hand, one of phase II enzymes, NAD(P)H:quinone dehydrogenase (NQO)-1, was analyzed due to its anti-inflammatory activity, which was upregulated by PYEE treatment. Consequently, PYEE could be candidates for the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases.

• Journal of agriculture & life science
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2016

Inflammatory cytokines play a major role in osteoclastogenesis, leading to the bone resorption that is frequently associated with osteoporosis. Sulforaphane, isolated from the Broccoli(Brassica oleracea var. italia) florets, inhibits the production of inflamatory cytokine. In the present study, we determined inhibitory effect of sulforaphane on Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast formation. Sulforaphane inhibited the expression of osteoclast marker genes, such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP), cathepsin K, matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9), and calcitonin receptor in RANKL-induced RAW 264.7 macrophage. Also, sluforaphane inhibited the expression of osteoclast protein, such as TRAP, MMP-9, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6) and transcription factor nuclease factor of activated T cells(NFAT)c1. Sulforaphane inhibited RANKL-induced activiation of nuclear factor kappaB(NF-kappaB) by suppression RANKL-mediated NF-kappaB transcriptional acitivation. We are confirmed that sulforaphane inhibits not only transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB but also expressions of the osteoclastogenesis factors(TRAP, cathepsin K, MMP-9, calcitonin, TRAF6) and trranscription factor NFATc1.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.10
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• pp.1614-1625
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• 2018

Periodontitis, which is a severe inflammatory disease caused by endotoxins secreted from oral pathogens, destructs gingival tissue and alveolar bone. Curcuma xanthorrhiza, commonly called Java turmeric, has been shown to possess anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study evaluated the inhibitory effect of C. xanthorrhiza supercritical extract (CXS) standardized with xanthorrhizol on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced periodontitis in an animal model. LPS was topically injected into the periodontium of Sprague-Dawley rats to induce periodontitis and CXS (30 and $100mg{\cdot}kg^{-1}{\cdot}day^{-1}$) was orally administered after day 12. Histologically, CXS inhibited the collapse of gingival tissue by preventing cell infiltration. CXS significantly downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) and inflammation-related biomarkers, such as nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and interleukin-1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$) in gingival tissue. CXS also improved bone remodeling by downregulating osteoclastic transcription factors, such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells c1 (NFATc1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and cathepsin K. In addition, CXS upregulated osteoblast differentiation-related markers, alkaline phosphate (ALP) and collagen type I alpha (COLA1). Thus, CXS can ameliorate periodontitis by inhibiting inflammation and improving bone remodeling.