• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.733-737
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• 2018

Cucurbitacin-I, a natural triterpenoid derived from Cucurbitaceae family plants, exhibits a number of potentially useful pharmacological and biological activities. Indeed, the previous study demonstrated that cucurbitacin-I reduced the proliferation of colon cancer cells by enhancing apoptosis and causing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. CD44, a type I transmembrane protein with the function of adhering to cells, mediates between the extracellular matrix and other cells through hyaluronic acid. Recent studies have demonstrated that an overexpression of the CD44 membrane receptor results in tumor initiation and growth, specific behaviors of cancer stem cells, the development of drug resistance, and metastasis. The aim was to examine the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression human ovarian cancer cells because the effect of cucurbitacin-I on CD44 expression has not been reported. The expressions of CD44 mRNA and protein were detected using a quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and a Western blot analysis, respectively. Treatment with cucurbitacin-I inhibited the expression of CD44 mRNA and protein. A subsequent analysis revealed that cucurbitacin-I blocked the phosphorylation of activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor kappa-B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), which are key regulators of CD44 expression. Taken together, the data demonstrate that cucurbitacin-I regulates the AP-1 and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways, leading to decreased CD44 expression.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1695-1704
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• 2014

Maternal malnutrition during pregnancy may give rise to female offspring with disrupted ovary functions in adult age. Neonatal ovary development predisposes adult ovary function, yet the effect of maternal nutrition on the neonatal ovary has not been described. Therefore, here we show the impact of maternal protein restriction on the expression of folliculogenic and steroidogenic genes, their regulatory microRNAs and promoter DNA methylation in the ovary of neonatal piglets. Sows were fed either standard-protein (SP, 15% crude protein) or low-protein (LP, 7.5% crude protein) diets throughout gestation. Female piglets born to LP sows showed significantly decreased ovary weight relative to body weight (p<0.05) at birth, which was accompanied with an increased serum estradiol level (p<0.05). The LP piglets demonstrated higher ratio of bcl-2 associated X protein/B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 mRNA (p<0.01), which was associated with up-regulated mRNA expression of bone morphogenic protein 4 (BMP4) (p<0.05) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) (p<0.05). The steroidogenic gene, cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A1) was significantly down-regulated (p<0.05) in LP piglets. The alterations in ovarian gene expression were associated with a significant down-regulation of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor mRNA expression (p<0.05) in LP piglets. Moreover, three microRNAs, including miR-423-5p targeting both CYP19A1 and PCNA, miR-378 targeting CYP19A1 and miR-210 targeting BMP4, were significantly down-regulated (p<0.05) in the ovary of LP piglets. These results suggest that microRNAs are involved in mediating the effect of maternal protein restriction on ovarian function through regulating the expression of folliculogenic and steroidogenic genes in newborn piglets.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.9
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• pp.4983-4988
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• 2013

Objectives: To establish a taxol-resistant cell line of human ovarian carcinoma (A2780/Taxol) and investigate its biological features. Methods: The drug-resistant cell line (A2780/Taxol) was established by continuous stepwise selection with increasing concentrations of Taxol. Cell morphology was assessed by microscopy and growth curves were generated with in vitro and in vivo tumor xenograft models. With rhodamine123 (Rh123) assays, cell cycle distribution and the apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry (FCM). Drug resistance-related and signal associated proteins, including P-gp, MRPs, caveolin-1, PKC-${\alpha}$, Akt, ERK1/2, were detected by Western blotting. Results: A2780/Taxol cells were established with stable resistance to taxol. The drug resistance index (RI) was 430.7. Cross-resistance to other drugs was also shown, but there was no significant change to radioresistance. Compared with parental cells, A2780/Taxol cells were significantly heteromorphous, with a significant delay in population doubling time and reduced uptake of Rh123 (p<0.01). In vivo, tumor take by A2780 cells was 80%, and tumor volume increased gradually. In contrast, with A2780/Taxol cells in xenograft models there was no tumor development. FCM analysis revealed that A2780/Taxol cells had a higher percentage of G0/G1 and lower S phase, but no changes of G2 phase and the apoptosis rate. Expression of P-gp, MRP1, MRP2, BCRP, LRP, caveolin-1, PKC-${\alpha}$, Phospho-ERK1/2 and Phospho-JNK protein was significantly up-regulated, while Akt and p38 MARK protein expression was not changed in A2780/Taxol cells. Conclusion: The A2780/Taxol cell line is an ideal model to investigate the mechanism of muti-drug resistance related to overexpression of drug-resistance associated proteins and activation of the PKC-${\alpha}/ERK$ (JNK) signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.153-153
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• 2003

Reproductive cycle with the ovarian developmental phases, first sexual maturity of the female venus clam, Cyclina sinensis, was investigated by a histological study, and the number of spawned eggs and spawning frequency by artificial spawning induction of the clams were estimated. Samples were collected from the intertidal zone of Simpo, Gimje city, Korea between January and December, 2001. The reproductive cycle of this species can be classified into five successive stages; early active (February to April), late active (March to June), ripe (May to August), spent (July to September), and spent and inactive (September to February). The spawning period was once a year between July and August, a spawning peak was seen in July and August. Percentages of first sexual maturity of female clams of 25.1-30.0 mm in shell length were 64.3%, and 100% for the clams > 40.1 mm. The number of the eggs released from each clam by spawning induction increased as the size of clam in terms of shell length increased. The mean number of the eggs released from the second induction of spawning was 76.87% of the number of the eggs released in the first spawning. Our data indicated that the interval of each spawning was estimated to be approximately 15-17 (average 16.5) days.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.93-102
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• 1996

Platinum coordination complexes are currently one of the most compounds used in the treatment of solid tumors. However, its use is limited by severe side effects such as nephrotoxicity. Our platinum-based drug discovery program is aimed at developing drugs capable of diminishing toxicity and broadening the clinical spectrum of activity of cisplatin. We synthesized new Pt(II) complex analogue containing 1,2-diaminocyclohexane (dach) as carrier ligand and 1,3-bis(diphenyl phosphino)propane (DPPP) as a leaving group. Furthermore, nitrate was added to improve the solubility. A new series of PC-1 [Pt(cis-dach) (DPPP)]. $2NO_3_2$ was synthesized and characterized by their elemental analysis and by various spectroscopic techniques [infrared (IR), $^{13}carbon$ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)]. PC-1 was demonstrated acceptable antitumor activity aganist SKOV -3, OVCAR-3 human ovarian adenocarcinomacells and significant activity as compared with that of cisplatin. The toxicity of PC-1 was found quite less than that of cisplatin using MTT, $[^3H]thymidine$ uptake and glucose consumption tests in rabbit proximal tubule cells, human kidney cortical cells and human renal cortical tissues. Based on these results, this novel platinum compound represent a valuable lead in the development of a new anticancer chemotherapeutic agent capable of improving antitumor activity and low toxicity.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.211-218
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• 2010

The mammalian ovary is innervated by sympathetic and sensory neurons which contribute to regulating several aspects of ovarian function, including blood flow, steroidogenesis and follicular development. The existence of a neural connection between central neurons and the ovary has been rarely reported, but the mechanism underlying integration of ovarian activity to broader neuroendocrine responses has not been reported. We have now used a viral transneuronal tracing technique combined with a conventional retrograde labeling procedure of CT-HRP to demonstrate that oxytocin-producing neurons of the hypothalamus are synaptically connected to the ovary. Since ovarian activity is suppressed but the activity of oxytocin neurons is increased during breast feeding. Our finding that the oxytocinergic neural connection is likely to provide a direct transsynaptic mechanism by which the central nervous system maintains the state of infertility that accompanies lactation in mammals.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.523-530
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• 1995

Specific affinity binding sites for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were Investigated in the pig ovarian tissues by in vitro autoradiographic techniques. In the pig ovary, the highest binding sites for 12514abeiled rANP(l~28) were localized in the granulosa cell layer of the forncles. The binding sies on theca layer of the ovarian follicles were mainly localized in the external layer, but none was observed In the Internal layer. In the corpus luteum, the binding site was not observed. The specific bindings of 200 pM of l2Sl4abelled rANP(l~28) to granulosa and theca externa layers were reversed completely by excess concentration (1 ~4) of unlabelled rANP(l~28) but not by 10 ~ of unrelated peptides, human angiotensin II and arginine vasopressin. The binding was also displaced by 1 ~ of desiGIn18, Ser19, Gly2O, leu21, Gly22I ANP(4~2g) (C- ANF) as a spedfic ligand of the ANP clearance receptor. Therefore these results indicate ~hat the biological and the clearance ANP receptors exist in the theca externa and granulosa layer of the pig ovary, and suggest that the ANP receptors may be related with the regulatory lundion of the ovarian follicular development including oocyte maturation.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.183-187
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• 2008

This study was conducted to analyze the expression pattern of inhibitor of DNA binding proteins (Id)1 and Id2 mRNA on folliculogenesis in rat ovary. The ovaries were obtained from 27 days old Sprague-Dawley rat, fixed, dehydrated, and paraffin embedded. For in situ hybridization, anti-sense and sense Idl and Id2 cRNA probes were prepared and applied to the ovarian section. The ovarian sections were coated with NTB-2 emulsion. After that, the slides were developed and counterstained with hematoxylin and eosin staining. In oocytes, the hybridizational signals of Id1 mRNA were strong in primordial and primary follicles, however, there were no signals in that of atretic or preovulatory follicles. The Id2 mRNA signals were also strong in the oocytes of primordial, primary and secondary follicles. Interestingly, the Id2 mRNA was expressed specifically granulosa cells, but nor in oocyte or theca cells in dominant and preovulatory follicles. Based on these results, Id1 and Id2 mRNA was expressed specifically at follicle stages and follicular tissue and might be closely related with follicle development.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 1995

The effects of sperific inhibitors of $3\beta-hydroxy-\Delta^5-steroid\;dehydrogenase$ $(3\beta-HSD;\;an\;enzyme\;catalyzing\;conversion\;of \Delta^5\;steroids\;to\;\Delta^4 steroids),$ cyanoketone and trilostane, on $^3H-pregnenolone$ metabolism in isolated ovarian thecal layers have been investigated in vitro. At all doses of cyanoketone $(10^{-5}\;and\;10^{-4}\;M)$ and trilostane $(10^{-5}\;and\;10^{-4}\;M)$ $(3\beta-HSD$ enzyme activity that transforms pregnenolone to $17\alpha-hydroxyprogesterone$ was inhibited in the thecal layers. Trilostane appeared to be more efficient than cyanoketone. Trilostane at doses of $10^{-8},\;10^{-7},\;10^{-6},\;and\;10^{-5},\;M/ml$ caused a dose-response inhibition of $\Delta^4$ steroids accumulation in the medium from pregnenolone, but not completely blocked the conversion of $\Delta^5\;to\;\Delta^4$ steroids.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.1-16
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• 2008

Purpose: In this rearch, we made a plan to investigate the effects of Changbuyeukgun-Tang(CET) on the polycystic ovary(PCOS) induced by estradiol valerate(EV) in rats. PCO was induced by single intramuscular injection with EV(4㎎) in female rats. Rats(n=8) in normal group were injected with sesame oil and orally administrated distilled water for 8weeks Rats in PCO control group(n=8) were injected with EV and orally administrated distilled water for 8weeks. Rats in CET treated group(n=8) were injected with EV and orally administrated CET for 8weeks. Methods: We measured the weights of the body, the ovary, the uterus and the adrenal gland. And also, we analyzed ovarian histopathology, NGF and CRF immunohistochemistry. Results: The results were as follows1. the weights(㎎) of the ovaries in CET treated group were significantly increased(p<0.001) compared with PCO control group. 2. the number of the mature follicles in CET treated group were significantly increased(p<0.01) compared with PCO control. 3. the number of the atresia follicles in CET treated group were significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with PCO control. 4. the number of the corpora in CET treated group were significantly increased(p<0.05) compared with PCO control. 5. the expressions of NGF-immunoreactive cells in the ovarian granulosa cells of rats in CET treated group were less observed than PCO control group. Conclusion: According to these results, we finally concluded that Changbuyeukgun-Tang(CET) has the inhibitory effect on the development of EV-induced polycystic ovary. And we deduced that the effect of it may be related to the decreased NGF activities in the ovary.