• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2000

Hydroxybenzoic acids are the most important intermediates in the degradative pathways of various aromatic compounds. Microorganisms catabolize aromatic compounds by converting them to hydroxylated intermediates and then cleave the benzene nucleus with ring dioxygenases. Hydroxylation of the benzene nucleus of an aromatic compound is an essential step for the initiation and subsequent disintegration of the benzene ring. The incorporation of two hydroxyl groups is essential for the labilization of the benzene nucleus. Monohydroxybenzoic acids such as 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid, and 4-hydrosybenzoic acid, opr pyrocattechuic acid that are susceptible for subsequent oxygenative cleavage of the benzene ring. These terminal aromatic intermediates are further degraded to cellular components through ortho-and/or meta-cleavage pathways and finally lead to the formation of constituents of the TCA cycle. Many groups of microorganisms have been isolated as degraders of hydroxybenzoic acids with diverse drgradative routes and specific enzymes involved in their metabolic pahtway. Various microorganisms carry out unusual non-oxidative decarboxylation of aromatic acids and convert them to respective phenols which have been documented. Futher, Pseudomonas and Bacillus spp. are the most ubiquitous microorganisms, being the principal components of microflora of most soil and water enviroments.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.36-39
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• 2003

Many defined cell culture media were formulated over 3() years ago and may be deficient in certain micronutrients whose essentiality has only subsequently been recognised. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether alpha-minimal essential medium (MEM) supplemented with 10% foetal bovine serum contained sufficient selenium for optimal activity of the selenium containing enzymes cytosolic glutathione peroxidase (cGPx) and phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase (PHGPx) in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Additionally, the effect of zinc deficiency and metallothionein (MT) overexpression on cGPx and PHGPx activity was studied. The addition of 100 nM of selenous acid to the culture medium increased cGPx expression by 10-fold and PHGPx by about 2-fold in both wild-type CHO-K1 cells and CHO-K1 cells overexpressing mouse MT-1. Zinc deficiency had no significant effect on enzyme activity, but cells overexpressing mouse MT-1 had higher levels of cGPx activity. Zinc deficiency decreased cell survival but overexpression of MT-1 was partially protective, probably because its presence in quantity favoured the uptake, sequestration and cellular retention of any remaining zinc. This study demonstrates that selenium in complete alpha-MEM is insufficient for optimal cGPx and PHGPx activity and may compromise the cellular response to oxidative stress.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.60-64
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• 2016

Inflammation is a pathophysiological response to infection or tissue damage during which high levels of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are produced by phagocytes to kill microorganisms. Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species serve also in the complex regulation of inflammatory processes. Recently, it has been proposed that peroxiredoxins may play key roles in innate immunity and inflammation. Indeed, peroxiredoxins are evolutionarily conserved peroxidases able to reduce, with high rate constants, hydrogen peroxide, alkyl hydroperoxides and peroxynitrite which are generated during inflammation. In this minireview, we point out different possible roles of peroxiredoxins during inflammatory processes such as cytoprotective enzymes against oxidative stress, modulators of redox signaling, and extracellular pathogen- or damage-associated molecular patterns. A better understanding of peroxiredoxin functions in inflammation could lead to the discovery of new therapeutic targets.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

Ginseng is described as the "King of all herbs, "Man-root" or "Root of heaven" and regarded as the most powerful herbal remedy, particularly grown in Korea, China, Japan, Vietnam, and North America. It has been in existence for a long time. The most demanded herbal cure, Ginseng, principally the root, has long been employed in traditional Asian medicine. The extent of availability of bioactive combinations and their impact on the body differs between American and Asian ginseng. Asian ginseng, also known as Panax ginseng, has a more calming influence and is more advantageous than American ginseng, such as Panax quinquefolius. The pharmaceutical aspect of development and extraction with diverse morphological properties is examined. Saponins, glycosides, carbohydrates, polyacetylenes, amino acids, vitamins, volatile oil, enzymes are all present in the Phyto-content of Ginseng. Ginsenosides are saponins that are constituents of the triterpenoid dammarane and have anticancer, anti-cardiovascular, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Ginseng, in particular, has the possibility to help with microbial invasion, inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and diabetes. It developed nanoparticles and nanocomposite film technologies as novel drug delivery platforms for cancer, inflammation, and neurological illnesses. Furthermore, it offers a range of applications that will be vital for future growth.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.69-71
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• 2023

The Korean field mouse, Apodemus peninsulae mitochondrial genome has previously been reported for mice obtained from mainland Korea and China. In this investigation the complete mitochondrial genome sequence for a mouse obtained from Baengnyeong Island (BI) in South Korea was determined using high-throughput whole-genome sequencing for the first time. The circular genome was determined to be 16,268 bp in length. It was found to be composed of a typical complement gene that encodes 13 protein subunits of enzymes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs, and one control region. Phylogenetic analysis involved 13 amino acid sequences and demonstrated that the A. peninsulae genome from BI was more closely grouped with two Korean samples (HQ660074 and JN546584) than the Chinese (KP671850) sample. This study verified the evolutionary status of A. peninsulae inhabiting the BI at the molecular level, and could be a significant supplement to the genetic background.

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.11
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• pp.575-583
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• 2023

Mitochondria, fundamental cellular organelles that govern energy metabolism, hold a pivotal role in cellular vitality. While consuming dioxygen to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the electron transfer process within mitochondria can engender the formation of reactive oxygen species that exert dual roles in endothelial homeostatic signaling and oxidative stress. In the context of the intricate electron transfer process, several metal ions that include copper, iron, zinc, and manganese serve as crucial cofactors in mitochondrial metalloenzymes to mediate the synthesis of ATP and antioxidant defense. In this mini review, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the coordination chemistry of mitochondrial cuproenzymes. In detail, cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) reduces dioxygen to water coupled with proton pumping to generate an electrochemical gradient, while superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) functions in detoxifying superoxide into hydrogen peroxide. With an emphasis on the catalytic reactions of the copper metalloenzymes and insights into their ligand environment, we also outline the metalation process of these enzymes throughout the copper trafficking system. The impairment of copper homeostasis can trigger mitochondrial dysfunction, and potentially lead to the development of copper-related disorders. We describe the current knowledge regarding copper-mediated toxicity mechanisms, thereby shedding light on prospective therapeutic strategies for pathologies intertwined with copper dyshomeostasis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.437-442
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• 2012

Red yeast rice (RER) has been used in China for centuries for its medicinal properties and is an increasingly popular alternative lipid-lowering treatment. This study was carried out to estimate the antioxidant properties of RER extracts. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited the DPPH radical scavenging activity of 85% at 0.2 mg/mL and $IC_{50}$ 0.13 mg/mL. A significant proportion of hydroxyl radicals in a cuvette were scavenged: 44.2% at 2.5 ${\mu}g$/mL, 74.1% at 5.0 ${\mu}g$/mL, and >100% at 10 ${\mu}g$/mL. The $HepG_2$ cells pre-treated with RER ethyl acetate extract reduced the hydroxyl radicals significantly compared to the control cells. Oxidative DNA damage was measured using a Comet assay. The RER ethyl acetate extract did not induce any DNA damage per se, and appeared to enhance the resistance to DNA damage caused by an oxidant challenge with $H_2O_2$, whereas lovastatin increased the level of DNA damage in the cells in both the unstressed (no oxidant) and those stressed with $H_2O_2$. The relative gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes in $HepG_2$ cells were also affected by the RER ethyl acetate extract. The $HepG_2$ cells were pre-incubated with the RER ethyl acetate extract, and then stressed with $H_2O_2$ or left unstressed (no oxidant). In the unstressed cells, superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were increased significantly 3.25-fold and 2.67-fold, respectively, whereas in the stressed cells, the catalase (CAT) level was increased by 4.64-fold and 7.0-fold at 5 ${\mu}g$/mL and 10 ${\mu}g$/mL, respectively, compared to those of the control. From these results, RER appears to be effective in suppressing oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.555-560
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• 2010

The objective of this study was to investigate levels of serum creatinine, CuSOD and MnSOD protein expression in the kidney after renal ischemic reperfusion with pre-exercise using heat shock protein 70.1 in knock-out mice (KO). The C57/BL6 strain (Wild type: WT) and KO were divided into 4 groups as follows: Sham control group (Sham), pre-exercise group (Ex), pre-exercise +ischemia group (Ex+IR), and ischemia group (IR). CuSOD and MnSOD expression were significantly decreased (p<0.01, p<0.05) and blood creatinine concentration was significantly increased (p<0.01) in the IR group of KO. In contrast, CuSOD and MnSOD expression in the Ex+IR group of KO were higher than the IR group, while creatinine concentration was significantly lower. These results suggest that Hsp70 is directly correlated to renal ischemic reperfusion injury. Pre-exercise in renal ischemia might prevent or inhibit positive oxidative stress inhibitory effects by increasing anti-oxidative enzymes (CuSOD, MnSOD) within the kidney and improve to prevent renal function. Thus, pre-exercise may have a protective role against renal injury after renal ischemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.693-699
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• 2011

Spermidine is a ubiquitous polycation that is synthesized from putrescine, which serves as a precursor of spermine. In recent years, spermidine was found to be a polyamine that plays an important role in longevity. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl radical, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide have been shown to be involved in various pathogenic processes as well as aging. The direct scavenging effect of spermidine on DPPH radical, $H_2O_2$ and hydroxyl radical, and its protective effect against DNA oxidation related to oxidative stress were evaluated in vitro. It was observed that spermidine exhibits scavenging activities on DPPH radical and H2O2 above 500 ${\mu}M$. Spermidine was especially effective in exerting a scavenging activity on hydroxyl radical. In addition, spermidine at 1000 ${\mu}M$ showed a clear protective effect against DNA oxidation. Furthermore, the expression level of anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase in humam dermal fibroblasts increased in the presence of spermidine compared with blank group. These results suggest that spermidine can be used as an antioxidant to prevent ROS-related diseases including inflammation, cancer and aging.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.3-10
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• 2010

This study was performed to investigate the effect of desalinated underground seawater (named as 'magma seawater', MSW) of Jeju Island in Korea on lipid metabolism and antioxidant activity. MSW was collected from underground of Han-Dong in Jeju Island, and freely given to high fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice for 10 weeks. Although there were no significant differences in the body weight changes and plasma lipid levels, hepatic triglyceride levels were significantly lower in the MSW group than in the normal tap water (TW)-drunken control group. Furthermore, the activity of fatty acid synthase (FAS) was significantly decreased and carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT) activity was increased in MSW group compared to TW group. Similarly, real-time PCR analysis revealed that mRNA expressions of lipogenic genes were lowered in MSW groups compared to the control group. In a morphometric observation on the liver tissue, accumulation of fats was remarkably reduced in MSW group. Meanwhile, in vitro assay, tree radical scavenging activity measured by using diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was increased in MSW group. The 2'-7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) staining followed with fluorescent microscopy showed a low intensity of fluorescence in MSW-treated HepG2 cells, compared to TW-treated HepG2 cells, which indicated that the production of reactive oxygen species by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) in HepG2 cells was decreased by MSW treatment. The antioxidant effect of MSW on t-BHP-induced oxidative stress in HepG2 cells was supported by the increased activities of intracellular antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and glutathione reductase. From these results, we speculate that MSW has an inhibitory effect on lipogenesis in liver and might play a protective role against cell damage by t-BHP-induced oxidative stress.