• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.227-233
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• 2013

This study investigated the protective effect of the butanol (BuOH) fraction from fermented Laminaria japonica extract (BFLJ) on AAPH-induced oxidative stress in porcine kidney epithelial cells (LLC-PK1 cells). L. japonica was fermented by Aspergillus oryzae at $35{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ for 72 h. Freeze-dried fermented L. japonica was extracted with distilled water, and the extracted solution was mixed with ethanol and then centrifuged. The supernatant was subjected to sequential fractionation with various solvents. The BuOH fraction was used in this study because it possessed the strongest antioxidant activity among the various solvent fractions. The BuOH fraction of fermented L. japonica had a protective effect against the AAPH-induced LLC-PK1 cells damage and increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation formation and increased activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. The inhibitory effect of BFLJ on lipid peroxidation formation had a higher value of $0.11{\pm}0.01nmol$ MDA at $100{\mu}g/mL$ concentration in comparison with intact BuOH fraction showing $0.22{\pm}0.08nmol$ MDA at the same concentration. Furthermore, BFLJ treatment increased glutathione concentration. GSH concentration in the cell treated with BFLJ of $100{\mu}g/mL$ was $1.80pmol/L{\times}10^5cells$. These results indicate that BFLJ protects the LLC-PK1 cells against AAPH-induced cell damage by inhibiting lipid peroxidation formation and increasing antioxidant enzyme activities and glutathione concentration.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.87-106
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• 2010

Objective & Methods: The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-oxidative and immuneregulative effects of electro-acupouncture(EA) at SP6(Sameumgyo) in aged rats. The author performed several experimental items including blood cell counts, blood chemistry, measurement of various oxidants and antioxidants in liver and spleen, analysis of various cytokines in spleen. The results are as follows. Results: 1. EA at SP6 significantly reduced the number of platelets in blood. 2. EA at SP6 significantly reduced NO concentration and significantly increased catalase activity in liver. 3. EA at SP6 significantly reduced NO concentration and significantly increased SOD activity, catalase activity and glutathione concentration in spleen. 4. EA at SP6 restored the increase of IL-4, IL-6 and the decrease of IFN-$\gamma$ in aged rat spleen. Conclusion: According to these results, it is postulated that EA at SP6 has an antioxidative effect through increasing the activities of antioxidative enzymes and inhibiting production of oxidized substances, as well as an immune regulative effect in aging process. In consequence, it is presumed that EA at SP6 may have an anti-aging effect.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.210-216
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• 2021

Pollution of agricultural soil by alkaline salts, such as Na₂CO₃, is a critical and long-lasting problem in cultivable land. The aim of the study was to examine the putative role of citric acid (CA) in alleviating Na₂CO₃-stress in alfalfa. In this study, Na₂CO₃ significantly induced leaf chlorosis, inhibited plant growth and photosynthesis related parameters, increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and reduced major antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAD, APX) in alfalfa. However, the presence of CA these negative effects of Na₂CO₃-stress largely recovered. Interestingly, expression of antioxidant and ion transporter genes (Fe-SOD, CAT, APX, DHAR and NHX1) involved in Reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis and oxidative stress tolerance in alfalfa. These findings suggest that CA-mediated Na₂CO₃ stress alleviation is an ecofriendly approach that would be useful to local farmer for alfalfa and other forage crop cultivation in alkaline soils.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.70-84
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• 2022

Purpose: Skeletal muscles display significant heterogeneity in metabolic responses, owing to the composition of metabolically distinct fiber types. Recently, numerous studies have reported that in skeletal muscles, suppression of genes related to fatty acid channeling alters the triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis and switches the energy substrates. However, such responses may differ, depending on the type of muscle fiber. Hence, we conducted in vitro and animal studies to compare the metabolic responses of different types of skeletal muscle fibers to the deficiency of fatty acyl-CoA synthetase (Acsl)6, one of the main fatty acid-activating enzymes. Methods: Differentiated skeletal myotubes were transfected with selected Acsl6 short interfering RNA (siRNA), and C57BL/6J mice were subjected to siRNA to induce Acsl6 deficiency. TAG accumulation and expression levels of insulin signaling proteins in response to acute glucose supplementation were measured in immortalized cell-based skeletal myotubes, oxidative muscles (OM), and glycolytic muscles (GM) derived from the animals. Results: Under conditions of high glucose supplementation, suppression of the Acsl6 gene resulted in decreased TAG and glycogen synthesis in the C2C12 skeletal myotubes. The expression of Glut4, a glucose transporter, was similarly downregulated. In the animal study, the level of TAG accumulation in OM was higher than levels determined in GM. However, a similar decrease in TAG accumulation was obtained in the two muscle types in response to Acsl6 suppression. Moreover, Acsl6 suppression enhanced the phosphorylation of insulin signaling proteins (Foxo-1, mTORc-1) only in GM, while no such changes were observed in OM. In addition, the induction ratio of phosphorylated proteins in response to glucose or Acsl6 suppression was significantly higher in GM than in OM. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that Acsl6 differentially regulates the energy metabolism of skeletal muscles in response to glucose supplementation, thereby indicating that the fiber type or fiber composition of mixed muscles may skew the results of metabolic studies.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.131-139
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• 2023

Ascorbic acid plays a crucial role in the regulation of neurotransmitters and enzymes in the central nervous system. Maintaining an optimal level of ascorbic acid, which is between 0.6-2 mg/dL, is vital for preventing oxidative stress and associated health conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and liver disease. Therefore, the detection of ascorbic acid is of the utmost importance. Electrochemical sensing has gained significant attention among the various detection methods, owing to its simplicity, speed, affordability, high selectivity, and real-time analysis capabilities. However, conventional electrodes have poor signal response, which has led to the development of modified electrodes with better signal response and selectivity. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their composites have emerged as promising materials for the electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid. CNTs possess unique mechanical, electrical, and chemical properties that depend on their structure, and their large surface area and excellent electron transport properties make them ideal candidates for electrochemical sensing. Recently, various CNT composites with different materials and nanoparticles have been studied to enhance the electrochemical detection of ascorbic acid. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the significance of CNTs and their composites for improving the sensitivity and selectivity of ascorbic acid detection. Specifically, it focuses on the use of CNTs and their composites in electrochemical sensing to revolutionize the detection of ascorbic acid and contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress-related health conditions. The potential benefits of this technology make it a promising area for future research and development.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.411-416
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• 2023

Methamphetamine (METH) is a powerful neurotoxic psychostimulant affecting dopamine transporter (DAT) activity and leading to continuous excess extracellular dopamine levels. Despite recent advances in the knowledge on neurobiological mechanisms underlying METH abuse, there are few effective pharmacotherapies to prevent METH abuse leading to brain damage and neuropsychiatric deficits. α-Pinene (APN) is one of the major monoterpenes derived from pine essential oils and has diverse biological properties including anti-nociceptive, anti-anxiolytic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of APN in a METH abuse mice model. METH (1 mg/kg/day, i.p.) was injected into C57BL/6 mice for four alternative days, and a conditioned place preference (CPP) test was performed. The METH-administered group exhibited increased sensitivity to place preference and significantly decreased levels of dopamine-related markers such as dopamine 2 receptor (D2R) and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum of the mice. Moreover, METH caused apoptotic cell death by induction of inflammation and oxidative stress. Conversely, APN treatment (3 and 10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly reduced METH-mediated place preference and restored the levels of D2R and tyrosine hydroxylase in the striatum. APN increased the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to pro-apoptotic Bax ratio and decreased the expression of inflammatory protein Iba-1. METH-induced lipid peroxidation was effectively mitigated by APN by up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes such as manganese-superoxide dismutase and glutamylcysteine synthase via activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2. These results suggest that APN may have protective potential and be considered as a promising therapeutic agent for METH-induced drug addiction and neuronal damage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.245-255
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• 2023

This study aimed to exploring the pathophysiological mechanism of 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol (7α,25-DHC) in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. 7α,25-DHC accelerated the proteoglycan loss in ex vivo organ-cultured articular cartilage explant. It was mediated by the decreasing extracellular matrix major components, including aggrecan and type II collagen, and the increasing expression and activation of degenerative enzymes, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 and -13, in chondrocytes cultured with 7α,25-DHC. Furthermore, 7α,25-DHC promoted caspase-dependent chondrocyte death via extrinsic and intrinsic pathways of apoptosis. Moreover, 7α,25-DHC upregulated the expression of inflammatory factors, including inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, nitric oxide, and prostaglandin E₂, via the production of reactive oxygen species via increase of oxidative stress in chondrocytes. In addition, 7α,25-DHC upregulated the expression of autophagy biomarkers, including beclin-1 and microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 via the modulation of p53-Akt-mTOR axis in chondrocytes. The expression of CYP7B1, caspase-3, and beclin-1 was elevated in the degenerative articular cartilage of mouse knee joint with OA. Taken together, our findings suggest that 7α,25-DHC is a pathophysiological risk factor of OA pathogenesis that is mediated a chondrocyte death via oxiapoptophagy, which is a mixed mode of apoptosis, oxidative stress, and autophagy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.17-28
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• 2024

Objectives : This study was conducted to reveal the scientific mechanism of the anti-skin aging activity of Kyung-Ok-Ko(KOK), which is highly useful as a Korean traditional medicine and functional food. Methods : The skin wrinkle and aging inhibitory activity of KOK was confirmed through in vitro experiments of human dermal fibroblast neonatal cell(HDFn) and in vivo of C. elegans, and hairless mouse(SKH-1). Results : The amount of the C-terminus of the collagen precursor in the HDFn cell culture medium treated with KOK using an enzymes-linked immunoassay kit. The group treated with KOK 200㎍/㎖ was a 28.3% increase of collagen precursor compared to the control group. KOK showed inhibitory activity of MMP-1 compared to the control group at a concentration of 200㎍/㎖. In addition, KOK 200㎍/㎖ showed significant inhibitory activity of thermal stress and an oxidative stress compared to the control group in C. elegans. Furthermore, KOK showed a concentration-dependent(100mg/kg and 500mg/kg) anti-wrinkle formation effect in UV-irradiated hairless mouse(SKH-1). Additionally, when KOK was administered to UV-irradiated hairless mice, an increase in procollagen -1 and -3 genes expression was observed, and mmp-1 and mmp-9 genes, which increase collagen decomposition, decreased with the administration of KOK. Conclusions : The skin aging inhibition mechanism of Kyung-Ok-Ko(KOK) is presumed to be achieved through suppressing thermal stress and oxidative stress, suppressing mmp-1 and mmp-9 genes, and increasing procollagen-1 and procollagen-3.

• Journal of Photoscience
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.430-432
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• 2002

The changes in expression of copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD), manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in light-damaged rat retinas were examined. Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 6-weeks-old) were maintained on a cyclic photoperiod (12 hours light and 12 hours darkness) for 2 weeks. The illumination intensity during the light period was 80 lux. To induce light damage to the retina, a high-intensity illumination (3000-lux) was applied to the animals for 24 hours. After light exposure, the animals were returned to cyclic lighting. Eyes were enucleated 12 and 24 hours after light exposure started or 1,3, and 7 days after light exposure ended. Eyes were fixed and embedded in paraffin wax. Tissues were cut into 4${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$-thick sections. Sections were immunostained using antibody against CuZn-SOD, Mn-SOD, GPX and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanocine (8-OHdG) as oxidative stress marker. 8-OHdG was observed in the outer nuclear layer (ONL) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) during light exposure. In light-damaged retinas CuZn-SOD labeling was up regulated in the ONL and RPE. Mn-SOD labeling was up regulated in rod inner segments (RIS) during light exposure and that in the RPE was up regulated after exposure. GPX labeling was observed in rod outer segments (ROS) during light exposure. GPX labeling was also observed in the RPE during and after light exposure. All three enzymes were observed in the outer retina, which suffered light damage, but occurred in defferent layers except within the RPE, in which case all three were expressed. These enzymes may play complementary roles as protective factors in light-damaged retinas.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2002

In order to investigate a pathogenesis of liver damage induced by skin burn, thermal injury was induced by scald burn on entirely dorsal surface in rats (total body surface area 30%) except for inhalated injury. At 5 and 24 h after scald burn, biochemical assay in skin tissue, serum and liver tissue were examined. The effects of burn injury on the levels of glutathione, lipid peroxide and on the activities of oxygen of histologic and ultrasound changes, measuring. the protein concentration in plasma, and counting the number of intravascular polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Post burn 24 h, the content of glutathione was decreased (47.50%), whereas that of lipid peroxide was increased (37.01%), and the activity of superoxide dismutase was diminished (p<0.001). Thus decreasing the capacity of oxygen free radical scavenging enzymes led to oxidative injury in skin tissue. In liver tissue, at 24 h after scald burn, both the content of glutathione and the activity of catalase were markedly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05), thus the imbalance between free radical generating and scavenging capacities has been induced.