• Development and Reproduction
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2021

The Syrian (golden) hamsters are seasonal breeders whose reproductive functions are active in summer and inactive in winter. In experimental facility mimicking winter climate, short photoperiod (SP) induces gonadal regression. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) of the sexually involuted animals have been reported to be permeable, allowing developing germ cells to be engulfed or sloughed off the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules. The expressions of genes related to the tight junction composing of BTB were investigated in the reproductive active and inactive testes. Claudin-11, occludin, and junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) were definitely expressed in the active testes but not discernably detected in the inactive testes. And spermatozoa (sperm) were observed in the whole lengths of epididymides in the active testes. They were witnessed in only cauda region of the epididymides but not in caput and corpus regions in animals with the inactive testes. The results imply that the disorganization of BTB is associated with the testicular regression. The developing germ cells are swallowed into the Sertoli cells or travel into the lumen, as supported by the presence of the sperm delayed in the last region of the epididymis. These outcomes suggest that both apoptosis and desquamation are the processes that eliminate the germ cells during the regressing stage in the Syrian hamsters.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.580-586
• /
• 2014

Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) forming the barrier for the first-line of protection are interconnected by tight junction (TJ) proteins. TJ alteration results in impaired barrier function, which causes potentially excessive inflammation leading to intestinal disorders. It has been suggested that toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 ligands and some bacteria enhance epithelial barrier function in humans and mice. However, no such study has yet to be claimed in swine. The aim of the present study was to examine whether Bacillus subtilis could improve barrier integrity and protection against deoxynivalenol (DON)-induced barrier disruption in porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2). We found that B. subtilis decreased permeability of TJ and improved the expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin during the process of forming TJ. In addition, ZO-1 expression of IPEC-J2 cells treated with B. subtilis was up-regulated against DON-induced damage. In conclusion, B. subtilis may have potential to enhance epithelial barrier function and to prevent the cells from DON-induced barrier dysfunction.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.412-427
• /
• 2013

Objectives : This study was carried out to compare the effects of Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san extracts on indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal lesions in mice. Methods : Experimental mice were divided into six groups. The normal group had no gastro-inflammation. In the control group, gastro-inflammation was elicited by indomethacin. Misoprostol, Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san group were those in which misoprostol, Eejin-tang extract, Hyangsaeejin-tang extract and Naeso-san extract were administered after gastro-inflammation is elicited. This study examined the anti-inflammation effects and distribution of mucus secreting cells, zonula occludin-1 (ZO-1), heat shock protein (HSP) 70, periodic acid-schiff reaction stain (PAS), peanut agglutinin (PNA), cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results : 1. The hemorrhagic erosion and damaged mucus secreting cell, the positive reaction HSP70 increased in the control group, but decreased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. 2. The positive reaction of ZO-1, PAS, PNA, COX-1 and BrdU decreased in the control group, but increased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. 3. The positive reaction of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2 increased in the control group, but decreased in the Eejin-tang, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Naeso-san groups. Conclusions : Among the three extracts, the effects were in the order of Naeso-san, Hyangsaeejin-tang and Eejin-tang group, Naeso-san being the most effective.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.182-187
• /
• 2017

The purpose of the present study is a comparison of the antioxidant effects of Angelica gigas Korea (AG), Angelica sinensis of China (AS), and Angelica acutiloba of Japan (AA), and comparison of the effects of AG, AS and AA on tight-junction related genes in human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. All species showed a strong antioxidant effect, and AA was higher than AG and AS in antioxidant effects. The cytotoxicity was confirmed to be higher in AS than AG and AA at a concentration of $1,600{\mu}g/ml$ using the MTS assay in HaCaT cells. We analyzed the effects of AG, AS, and AA on mRNA expression levels of various tight-junction related genes in HaCaT cells. We found that no obvious changes in expression of Claudin 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, Occludin, JAM-A, ZO-1, ZO-2, and tricellulin by treatment of all species, suggesting that there is less possibility of side effects and skin moisturizing effects due to changes in tight-junction gene expression. Our results suggest that AG, AS, and AA are thought to be effective in reducing the oxidative stress of the skin and preventing the aging of the skin.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.134-141
• /
• 2016

To investigate the role of polysaccharide from Acanthopanax senticosus (ASPS) in preventing lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal injury, 18 mice (at 5 wk of age) were assigned to three groups with 6 replicates of one mouse each. Mice were administrated by oral gavage with or without ASPS (300 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days and were injected with saline or LPS at 15 days. Intestinal samples were collected at 4 h post-challenge. The results showed that ASPS ameliorated LPS-induced deterioration of digestive ability of LPS-challenged mice, indicated by an increase in intestinal lactase activity (45%, p<0.05), and the intestinal morphology, as proved by improved villus height (20.84%, p<0.05) and villus height:crypt depth ratio (42%, p<0.05), and lower crypt depth in jejunum (15.55%, p<0.05), as well as enhanced intestinal tight junction proteins expression involving occludin-1 (71.43%, p<0.05). ASPS also prevented intestinal inflammation response, supported by decrease in intestinal inflammatory mediators including tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (22.28%, p<0.05) and heat shock protein (HSP70) (77.42%, p<0.05). In addition, intestinal mucus layers were also improved by ASPS, as indicated by the increase in number of goblet cells (24.89%, p<0.05) and intestinal trefoil peptide (17.75%, p<0.05). Finally, ASPS facilitated mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor (100%, p<0.05) and its receptor (200%, p<0.05) gene. These results indicate that ASPS can prevent intestinal mucosal barrier injury under inflammatory conditions, which may be associated with up-regulating gene mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor and its receptor.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.95-103
• /
• 2016

Background: Excess energy supply induces chronic low-grade inflammation in association with oxidative stress in various tissues including intestinal epithelium. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of high-fat diet (HFD) on intestinal cell membrane integrity and intestinal tumorigenesis in $Apc^{Min/+}$ mice. Methods: Mice were fed with either normal diet (ND) or HFD for 12 weeks. The number of intestinal tumors were counted and biomarkers of endotoxemia, oxidative stress, and inflammation were determined. Changes in intestinal integrity was measured by fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran penetration and membrane gap junction protein expression. Results: HFD group had significantly higher number of tumors compared to ND group (P < 0.05). Blood total antioxidant capacity was lower in HFD group, while colonic 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine level, a marker of oxidative damage, was higher in HFD group compared to that of ND group (P < 0.05). The penetration of FITC-dextran was substantially increased in HFD group (P < 0.05) while the expressions of membrane gap junction proteins including zonula occludens-1, claudin-1, and occludin were lower in HFD group (P < 0.05) compared to those in ND group. Serum concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor (CD14) and colonic toll-like receptor 4 (a LPS receptor) mRNA expression were significantly higher in HFD group than in ND group (P < 0.05), suggesting that significant endotoxemia may occur in HFD group due to the increased membrane permeability. Serum interleukin-6 concentration and myeloperoxidase activity were also higher in HFD group compared to those of ND group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: HFD increases oxidative stress disrupting intestinal gap junction proteins, thereby accelerating membrane permeability endotoxemia, inflammation, and intestinal tumorigenesis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.31 no.9
• /
• pp.1295-1304
• /
• 2021

Modified Renshen Wumei decoction (MRWD), a famous traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used for treating persistent diarrhea. However, as the mechanism by which MRWD regulates diarrhea remains unknown, we examined the protective effects of MRWD on intestinal barrier integrity in a diarrhea model. In total, 48 male rats were randomly distributed to four treatment groups: the blank group (CK group), model group (MC group), Medilac-Vita group (MV group) and Chinese herb group (MRWD group). After a 21-day experiment, serum and colon samples were assessed. The diarrhea index, pathological examination findings and change in ᴅ-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) contents illustrated that the induction of diarrhea caused intestinal injury, which was ameliorated by MV and MRWD infusion. Metabolomics analysis identified several metabolites in the serum. Some critical metabolites, such as phosphoric acid, taurine, cortisone, leukotriene B4 and calcitriol, were found to be significantly elevated by MRWD infusion. Importantly, these differences correlated with mineral absorption and metabolism and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathways. Moreover, it significantly increased the expression levels of TLR4, MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 proteins and the contents of IL-1 and TNF-α, while the expression levels of occludin, claudin-1 and ZO-1 proteins decreased. These deleterious effects were significantly alleviated by MV and MRWD infusion. Our findings indicate that MRWD infusion helps alleviate diarrhea, possibly by maintaining electrolyte homeostasis, improving the intestinal barrier integrity, and inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB axis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.29 no.6
• /
• pp.863-876
• /
• 2019

Farm animals such as piglets are often affected by environmental stress, which can disturb the gut ecosystem. Antibiotics were commonly used to prevent diarrhea in weaned piglets, but this was banned by the European Union due to the development of antibiotic resistance. However, the use of probiotics instead of antibiotics may reduce the risk posed by pathogenic microorganisms and reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of Lactobacillus casei Zhang on the mechanical barrier and immune function of early-weaned piglets infected using Escherichia coli K88 based on histomorphology and immunology. Fourteen-day-old weaned piglets were divided into a control group and experimental groups that were fed L. casei Zhang and infected with E. coli K88 with or without prefeeding and/or postfeeding of L. casei Zhang. The L. casei Zhang dose used was $10^7CFU/g$ diet. Jejunum segments were obtained before histological, immunohistochemical, and western blot analyses were performed. In addition, the relative mRNA expression of toll receptors and cytokines was measured. Piglets fed L. casei Zhang showed significantly increased jejunum villus height, villus height-crypt depth ratio, muscle thickness, and expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin. The use of L. casei Zhang effectively reduced intestinal inflammation after infection. We found that L. casei Zhang feeding prevented the jejunum damage induced by E. coli K88, suggesting that it may be a potential alternative to antibiotics for preventing diarrhea in early-weaned piglets.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.165-173
• /
• 2021

One of the major sources of air pollution is urban particulate matter (UPM), which causes lung diseases involving oxidative stress, inflammation, and cancer. Codonopsis lanceolata (CL) has been used in East Asia as a traditional oriental medicinal ingredient for lung diseases (e.g., asthma and bronchitis). However, the connection between the impact of CL and UPM in the lungs has rarely been investigated. This study aimed to confirm the inhibitory activity of the ethanol extract of CL (ECL) against oxidative stress and disruption of tight cell junctions in human pulmonary epithelial cells after exposure to UPM. As the lung cells were pre-treated with ECL, the UPM-induced increase in cellular reactive oxygen species production suppressed tight junction proteins (e.g., N-cadherin, fibronectin, occludin, zonula occludens-1, and claudin-4). These results suggest that ECL prevents the possible effects of UPM toxicity on the lungs.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.354-360
• /
• 2021

Background: Protopanaxatriol (PPT) is a secondary intestinal metabolite of ginsenoside in ginseng. Although the effects of PPT have been reported in various diseases including cancer, diabetes and inflammatory diseases, the skin protective effects of PPT are poorly understood. Methods: HaCaT cells were treated with PPT in a dose-dependent manner. mRNA and protein levels which related to skin barrier and hydration were detected compared with retinol. Luciferase assay was performed to explore the relative signaling pathway. Western blot was conducted to confirm these pathways and excavated further signals. Results: PPT enhanced the expression of filaggrin (FLG), transglutaminase (TGM)-1, claudin, occludin and hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS) -1, -2 and -3. The mRNA expression levels of FLG, TGM-1, HAS-1 and HAS-2 were suppressed under NF-κB inhibition. PPT significantly augmented NF-κB-luc activity and upregulated Src/AKT/NF-κB signaling. In addition, PPT also increased phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) ERK, JNK and p38 and upstream MAPK activators (MEK and MKK). Furthermore, transcriptional activity of AP-1 and CREB, which are downstream signaling targets of MAPK, was enhanced by PPT. Conclusion: PPT improves skin barrier function and hydration through Src/AKT/NF-κB and MAPK signaling. Therefore, PPT may be a valuable component for cosmetics or treating skin disorders.