• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.488-497
• /
• 2011

Oxygen is necessary to sustain life, yet cellular oxygen metabolism creates destructive elements called free radicals. Free radicals are chemically unbalanced and carrying free electrons that can damage molecules, potentially damaging the cell itself. For this reason, many antioxidant products, including supplements and functional foods, are being developed. In particular, natural products are rich sources of pharmacologically active compounds. The purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of target biomaterials in Korean traditional spices such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), capsaicin (CAP), and gingerol (GGR), and to investigate the response of the antioxidant defense system to oxidative stress by hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) compared to sulforaphane (SFN) in HepG2 cells. After the analysis of the cell viability using Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, we determined that the optimum levels were $200{\mu}M$ DAS, $25{\mu}M$ CAP, $50{\mu}M$ GGR, and $12.5{\mu}M$ SFN. Antioxidant enzymes were measured and protein expression was detected by Western blotting. All treatments showed a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity such as superoxide dismutase, catalse, and glutathione peroxidase in HepG2 cells. Additionally, DAS, CAP, GGR and SFN increased the antioxidant system-related transcription factor Nrf2 which was found to be regulated by the activation of MAPK-JNK in this study. In conclusion, these results indicate the protective effects of DAS CAP, GGR, and SFN against $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.591-603
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Unregulated inflammatory responses caused by hyperglycemia may induce diabetes complications. Hesperetin, a bioflavonoid, is a glycoside in citrus fruits and is known to have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. However, the effect of inflammation on the diabetic environment has not been reported to date. In this study, we investigated the effect of hesperetin on proinflammatory cytokine secretion and its underlying mechanistic regulation in THP-1 macrophages with co-treatment LPS and hyperglycemic conditions. MATERIALS/METHODS: THP-1 cells differentiated by PMA (1 µM) were cultured for 48 h in the presence or absence of hesperetin under normoglycemic (5.5 mM/L glucose) or hyperglycemic (25 mM/L glucose) conditions and then treated with LPS (100 ng/mL) for 6 h before harvesting. Inflammation-related proteins and mRNA levels were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses. RESULTS: Hesperetin (0-100 µM, 48 h) treatment did not affect cell viability. The tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 levels increased in cells co-treated with LPS under hyperglycemic conditions compared to normoglycemic conditions, and these increases were decreased by hesperetin treatment. The TLR2/4 and MyD88 activity levels increased in cells co-treated with LPS under hyperglycemic conditions compared to normoglycemic conditions; however, hesperetin treatment inhibited the TLR2/4 and MyD88 activity increases. In addition, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and Acetyl-NF-κB levels increased in response to treatment with LPS under hyperglycemic conditions compared to normoglycemic conditions, but those levels were decreased when treated with hesperetin. SIRT3 and SIRT6 expressions were increased by hesperetin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that hesperetin may be a potential agent for suppressing inflammation in diabetes.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.444-455
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adipocytes undergo angiogenesis to receive nutrients and oxygen needed for adipocyte' growth and differentiation. No study relating quercetin with angiogenesis in adipocytes exists. Therefore, this study investigated the role of quercetin on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, acting through matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MATERIALS/METHODS: After proliferating preadipocytes into adipocytes, various quercetin concentrations were added to adipocytes, and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays were performed to evaluate cell proliferation. Glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity was investigated as an indicator of fat accumulation. The mRNA expressions of transcription factors related to adipocyte differentiation, CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPs), peroxisomal proliferatoractivated receptors (PPAR)-γ, and adipocyte protein 2 (aP2), were investigated. The mRNA expressions of proteins related to angiogenesis, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-α, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9, were investigated. Enzyme activities and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also measured. RESULTS: Quercetin treatment suppressed fat accumulation and the expressions of adipocyte differentiation-related genes (C/EBPα, C/EBPβ, PPAR-γ, and aP2) in a concentration-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells. Quercetin treatments reduced the mRNA expressions of VEGF-α, VEGFR-2, MMP-2, and MMP-9 in 3T3-L1 cells. The activities and concentrations of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also decreased significantly as the concentration of quercetin increased. CONCLUSIONS: The results confirm that quercetin inhibits adipose tissue differentiation and fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells, which could occur through inhibition of the angiogenesis process related to MMPs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.1326-1331
• /
• 1999

In vitro anticancer effect of Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions was investigated by using human cancer cells, AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells and HT 29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. The Chinese cabbage kimchi(fermented for 4 days at 15oC) was fractionated into 7 groups, methanol extract, hexane fraction(fr.), methanol soluble fr., dichloromethane fr., ethylacetate fr., butanol fr. and aqueous fr.. Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions inhibited the growth of AGS and HT 29 cancer cells as dose dependent. In particular, the dichloromethane fr. showed the highest inhibitory effect among other fractions. When the dichloromethane fr.(0.2mg/ml) was treated, the number of AGS and HT 29 survival cancer cells reduced to 12$\times$104/ml and 11$\times$104/ml compared to 166$\times$104/ml and 50$\times$104/ml of the controls, respectively. Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions also inhibited the DNA synthesis of the cancer cells. They inhibited the DNA synthesis of AGS human gastric adenocarcinoma cells more efficiently than that of HT 29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells. These results indicate that Chinese cabbage kimchi fractions show in vitro anticancer activity and the dichloromethane fr. among them reveals the highest effect.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2013

Dietary inorganic sulfur is the minor component in our diet, but some studies suggested that inorganic sulfur is maybe effective to treat cancer related illness. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effects of inorganic sulfur on cell proliferation and gene expression in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured the absence or presence of various concentrations (12.5, 25, or 50 ${\mu}mol/L$) of inorganic sulfur. Inorganic sulfur significantly decreased proliferation after 72 h of incubation (P < 0.05). The protein expression of $ErbB_2$ and its active form, $pErbB_2$, were significantly reduced at inorganic sulfur concentrations of 50 ${\mu}mol/L$ and greater than 25 ${\mu}mol/L$, respectively (P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of $ErbB_2$ was significantly reduced at an inorganic sulfur concentration of 50 ${\mu}mol/L$ (P < 0.05). The protein expression of $ErbB_3$ and its active form, $pErbB_3$, and the mRNA expression of $pErbB_3$ were significantly reduced at inorganic sulfur concentrations greater than 25 ${\mu}mol/L$ (P < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression of Akt were significantly reduced at an inorganic sulfur concentration of 50 ${\mu}mol/L$ (P < 0.05), but pAkt was not affected by inorganic sulfur treatment. The protein and mRNA expression of Bax were significantly increased with the addition of inorganic sulfur concentration of 50 ${\mu}mol/L$ (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cell proliferation was suppressed by inorganic sulfur treatment through the ErbB-Akt pathway in MDA-MB-231 cells.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.53.1-53.13
• /
• 2021

Background: Canine adipose-derived stem cells (cADSCs) exhibit various differentiation properties and are isolated from the canine subcutaneous fat. Although cADSCs are valuable as tools for research on adipogenic differentiation, studies focusing on adipogenic differentiation methods and the underlying mechanisms are still lacking. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to establish an optimal method for adipogenic differentiation conditions of cADSCs and evaluate the role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in the adipogenic differentiation. Methods: To induce adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs, 3 different adipogenic medium conditions, MDI, DRI, and MDRI, using 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (M), dexamethasone (D), insulin (I), and rosiglitazone (R) were tested. Results: MDRI, addition of PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone to MDI, was the most significantly facilitated cADSC into adipocyte. GW9662, an antagonist of PPARγ, significantly reduced adipogenic differentiation induced by rosiglitazone. Adipogenic differentiation was also stimulated when 17β-estradiol was added to MDI and DRI, and this stimulation was inhibited by the ER antagonist ICI182,780. Conclusions: Taken together, our results suggest that PPARγ and ER signaling are related to the adipogenic differentiation of cADSCs. This study could provide basic information for future research on obesity or anti-obesity mechanisms in dogs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.1422-1429
• /
• 2016

Kombucha is a slightly sour beverage fermented by symbiotic micro-organisms, including bacteria and yeasts. In this study, we examined the biological activities of citrus Kombucha (CK) produced by addition of citrus extract to original Kombucha (K). After fermentation for 10 days, radical scavenging activity examined by ABTS and DPPH assays increased by approximately 20% compared to that of K. Moreover, content of total phenolic compounds significantly increased by 60% compared to that of K. Cell proliferation assays utilizing MTT showed that CK treatment significantly inhibited growth of bladder cancer cells, T-24 and 5637, in a dose-dependent manner with $IC_{50}$ values of 4 and 7 mg/mL, respectively. Annexin V staining showed that CK treatment led to apoptosis of cells in a dose-dependent manner. T-24 cells were more sensitive to CK treatment than 5637 cells, as 8 mg/mL of CK resulted in 97% apoptosis of T-24 cells. Western blotting showed that CK treatment led to up-regulation of apoptotic proteins, including caspases-3, -8, -9, and PARP, in bladder cells not in K-treated cells. Taken together, these results demonstrate that CK may be developed as a functional beverage.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.694-697
• /
• 2006

The initiation of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated allergic reactions requires binding of IgE antibody to its high-affinity receptor. Human basophilic KU812F cells express $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ on the cell surface and act as effector cells in the allergic response. In this study, we investigated the effects of Scutellaria radix extract on the expression of the $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ in human KU812F cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed that S. radix extract treatment caused a concentration-dependent decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ expression on the cell surface. Furthermore, the level of $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ ${\alpha}$, ${\beta}$, and ${\gamma}$ chain mRNA in KU812F cells was examined by RT-PCR. S. radix extract reduced total cellular $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$ $\alpha$ and ${\gamma}$ chain mRNA expression in a concentration-dependent manner. $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated histamine release was reduced from $21.75{\pm}1.34\;ng/10^6$ cells in non-treated cells to $16.46{\pm}1.98\;ng/10^6$ cells in S. radix extract treated cells. These results suggested that S. radix extract has the potential to down-regulate of FcRI expression and to inactivate basophils.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.849-855
• /
• 1994

Actively growin Excherichia coli(KCTC 1039) cells were treated with paraquat (1, 1'-dimethyl-4, 4'-bipyridili-um dichloride) by cultivating them in the presence of 1.0mM paraquat. The treatment was carried out with or without shaking to understand the effect of oxygen on paraquat action to thebacterial superoxide dismutase (SOd). By the treatment with vigorous shaking , population growth of the organism almostly stopped and specific activities of SOD of the cells drastically decreased. On contrast ot it, the herbicide showed only l limited inhibitory action on bacterial growth and SOD activity by stationary treatment. Proteins prepared from parquat-treated cells divided into two peaks by Sephacryl column chormatogrpahy, while proteins from the intact cells formed a single peak. Cytoplasmic proteins and plasma membrane proteins of intact cells formed separated three peaks by Sephadex G-75 column chormatography. respectively. Among them the second peak disappeared by paraquat treatment , while the third peak became more apparent. Fractions from the first and the third peak showed SOD activity. Paraquat was detected from the same fractions.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.29 no.4
• /
• pp.257-261
• /
• 2013

${\alpha}$-Curcumene is one of the physiologically active components of Curcuma zedoaria, which is believed to perform anti-tumor activities, the mechanisms of which are poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of the apoptotic effect of ${\alpha}$-curcumene on the growth of human overian cancer, SiHa cells. Upon treatment with ${\alpha}$-curcumene, cell viability of SiHa cells was inhibited > 73% for 48 h incubation. ${\alpha}$-Curcumene treatment showed a characteristic nucleosomal DNA fragmentation pattern and the percentage of sub-diploid cells was increased in a concentration-dependent manner, hallmark features of apoptosis. Mitochondrial cytochrome c activation and an in vitro caspase-3 activity assay demonstrated that the activation of caspases accompanies the apoptotic effect of ${\alpha}$-curcumene, which mediates cell death. These results suggest that the apoptotic effect of ${\alpha}$-curcumene on SiHa cells may converge caspase-3 activation through the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c.