• The Korean Journal of Malacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2014

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of cadmium (Cd) exposure on biochemical factors in the hemolymph and hepatopancreas of the abalone, Haliotis discus hannai. The abalone were exposed to 0, 5, 10, 20 and 40 ${\mu}g/L$ Cd for 4 weeks. The phenoloxidase (PO) activity was decreased in hemolymph of abalone exposed to 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ for 4 weeks compared to the control (P < 0.05). The hemolymph enzymes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities were markedly elevated in 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ after 4 weeks. The hemolymph calcium concentrations were significantly decreased in 20 and 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ for 4 weeks. Hepatopancreas superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly increased by Cd. SOD was increased in both 20 and 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ and CAT, in 40 Cd ${\mu}g/L$ after 2 weeks (P < 0.05). These results suggested that the abalone SOD and CAT including PO may serve as a protective mechanism against oxidative stress by Cd. We conclude that a Cd concentration, 40 ${\mu}g/L$ in water may curtail hemolymph homeostasis and anti-oxidative reactions in abalone hepatopancreas. From these results, these biochemical factors may represent a convenient method of monitoring heavy metal pollution in coastal areas.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.351-359
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• 2009

Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role, Therefore, many efforts have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Mori Fructus extract has been known to be effective for the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antiobesitic prescription, and composed of four crude herbs, The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Mori Fructus extract in male ob/ob mouse with severe obesity, hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia. Mice were grouped and treated for 5 weeks as follows. Both the lean (C57BL/6J black mice) and diabetic (ob/ob mice) control groups received standard chow. The experimental groups were fed with a diet of chow supplemented with 7.5, 15 and 30 mg Mori Fructus extract per 1 kg of body weight for 14 days. The effects of Mori Fructus extract on the ob/ob mice were observed by measuring the serum levels of glucose, insulin, lipid components, and the kidney levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), MDA+HAE, GSH and also the enzyme activities involved in polyol pathway. Western blotting was performed using anti-AGE, anti-RAGE respectively. Mori Fructus extract lowered the levels of serum glucose and insulin in a dose dependent manner. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and free fatty acid levels were decreased, while the HDL-cholesterol level was increased, in Mori Fructus extract treated groups. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were inhibited in the Mori Fructus extract-administered groups. Mori Fructus extract inhibited the generation of ROS in the kidney. MDA+HAE level was increased and the GSH level was decreased in the ob/ob mice, whereas those were improved in the Mori Fructus extract-administered groups. Mori Fructus extract inhibited the expression of AGE, RAGE in the ob/ob mice. The results suggested that Mori Fructus exerted the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities by regulating the activities of polyol pathway enzymes, scavenging the ROS, decreasing the MDA+HAE level, increasing the GSH level and inhibiting the expression of AGE, RAGE in the ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.161-168
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• 2010

White-skinned sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) has been traditionally used for diabetes treatment and management in many countries. In this experiment, methanol extract of white-skinned sweet potato (WSPMe) at a dose of 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight was tested to evaluate its effect on renal damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Its efficacy was compared with that of insulin secretogogue, glimepiride ($50\;{\mu}g/kg$ body weight). Experimental diabetes was induced by a single dose of STZ (45 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. The WSPMe and glimepiride were administered orally for 14 days and the effects on glucose, renal markers including blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipid peroxide (LPO) level, antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathion-S-transferase (GST) activities in kidney were studied. An increase in BUN, creatinine, LDH, glucose, LPO levels and decrease in SOD, CAT, GPx and GST features were observed in diabetic control rats. Administration of WSPMe at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight caused a significant improvement in blood glucose, LPO level, renal markers, lipid peroxidation markers and increased antioxidant levels in diabetic kidney. In conclusion, the WSPMe was found to be effective in reducing oxidative stress, thus confirming the ethnopharmacological use of I. batatas L. in protecting diabetes and its complications.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.95-110
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• 1992

Much progress has been made in understanding the subcellular events of the human lung injuries after acute exposure to environmental air pollutants. Host of those events represent oxidative damages mediated by reactive oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the hydroxy, free radical. Recently, nitric oxide (NO) was found to be endogenously produced by endothelial cells and cells of the reticulo-endothelial system as endothelialderived relaxation factor (EDRF) which is a vasoactive and neurotransmitter substance. Together with superoxide, NO can form another strong oxidant, peroxonitrite. The relative importance of exogenous sources of $N0/N0_2$ and endogenous production of NO by the EDRF producing enzymes in the oxidative stresses to the heman lung has to be elucidated. The exact events leading to chronic irreversible damage are still yet to be known. From chronic exposure to oxidant gases, progressive epithelial and interstitial damages develop. Type I epithelial cells become thicker and cover a smaller average alveolar surface area while thee II cells proliferate instead. Under acute damages, the extent of loss of the alveolar epithelial cell lining, especially type II cells appears to be a good predictor of the ensuing irreversible damage to alveolar compartment. Interstitial matrix undergo remodeling during chronic exposure with increased collagen fibers and interstitial fibroblasts. However, Inany of these changes can be reversed after cessation of exposure. Among chronic lung injuries, genetic damages and repair responses received particular attention in view of the known increased lung cancer risks from exposure to several air pollutants. Heavy metals from foundry emission, automobile traffics, and total suspended particulate, especially polycystic aromatic hydrocarbons have been positively linked with the development of lung cancer. Asbestos in another air pollutant with known risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, but asbestos fibers are nonauthentic in most bioassays. Studies using the electron spin resonance spin trapping method show that the presence of iron in asbestos accelerates the production of the hydroxy, radical in vitro. Interactions of these reactive oxygen species with particular cellular components and disruption of cell defense mechanisms still await further studies to elucidate the carcinogenic potential of asbestos fibers of different size and chemical composition. The distribution of inhaled pollutants and the magnitude of their eventual effects on the respiratory tract are determined by pollutant-independent physical factors such as anatomy of the respiratory tract and level and pattern of breathing, as well as by pollutant-specific phyco-chemical factors such as the reactivity, solubility, and diffusivity of the foreign gas in mucus, blood and tissue. Many of these individual factors determining dose can be quantified in vitro. However, mathematical models based on these factors should be validated for its integrity by using data from intact human lungs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.1106-1111
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• 2012

It is shown that the risk of chronic disease is increased not only by the concentration of fat in the diet but also by the composition of dietary fatty acids. We investigated the anti-oxidant effects of vitamin E on dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid-fed mice. Ninety male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 9 groups: a normal diet group (C), 4 dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet groups (OA, LA, LNA, DHA), and 4 dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet with 0.05% vitamin E groups (OAE, LAE, LNAE, DHAE). The food efficiency in the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet groups was higher than in the normal diet groups. The concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly increased by LA and DHA fatty acids. Vitamin E significantly decreased LA and LHA-induced lipid peroxidation. The activity of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase was increased in the dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet groups compared to the control group, while these were decreased by supplements with vitamin E, except in the OAE group. Also, the protein expression of CYP2E1 was significantly increased in only the LNA group, while these were decreased by supplements with vitamin E. These results taken together indicate that vitamin E may have positive effects on a dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid diet-induced oxidative stress in brain tissue.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.231-239
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• 2018

Bisphenol A, an everywhere chemical, is applied as a plasticizer in polycarbonate plastics, which often used in our everyday products and in epoxy resins as protective coatings and linings for food and beverage cans for decades. Human exposure to BPA may lead to adverse effects by interfering with oestrogen receptors. Our present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (Vit E) on BPA-induced damage in the liver of male rats. Animals were randomly divided into four groups: the first group received olive oil and served as control. The second group received both (Se + Vit E) (0.5 mg/kg diet; 100 mg/kg of diet). The third one treated orally by (10 mg/kg b.w.) of BPA. The last group received (Se + Vit E) (0.5 mg/kg diet; 100 mg/kg of diet) concomitantly with (10 mg/kg b.w.) BPA. Exposure to BPA for three weeks engendered a hepatic disorder. An increased AST and ALT enzymatic activity was noticed in BPA-treated group as compared to other groups. Furthermore, a change in glucose, cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, albumin, and bilirubin level was remarkable. Moreover, exposure to BPA increased malondialdehyde levels while reduced gluthatione content was decreased in the liver homogenate. A decrease in glutathione peroxidase, glutathione s-transferase and catalase activities was observed in the same group. Administration of selenium and vitamin E through the diet in BPA treated rats ameliorated the biochemical parameters cited above. In addition, an improvement in activities of liver enzymes was recorded. The histological findings confirmed the biochemical results. The model of this study that we employed characterized the relationships between BPA-induced hepatotoxicity and its alleviation by natural antioxidants like selenium and vitamin E.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1 s.69
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• pp.237-248
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• 2007

Objectives : Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Etiological studies of diabetes and its complications showed that oxidative stress might play a major role. Therefore, many efforts have been tried to regulate free oxygen radicals for treating diabetes and its complications. Iksujisundan has been known to be effective for the treatment of diabetes. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Iksujisundan on renal function, peroxynitrite(ONOO-) scavenging activity and polyol pathway in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods : The crushed Iksujisundan was extracted 3 times, each time with 3 volumes of methyl alcohol at 60$^{\circ}C$ for 24 h. The extract was filtered and evaporated under a reduced pressure using a rotary evaporator to yield 87.8g. Iksujisundan extract was orally administreted at 100 mg per 1 kg of body weight for 20 days to the diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin(60mg/kg). The effects of Iksujisundan extract on the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were observed by measuring the serum level of glucose, insulin, lipid components, creatinine and BUN, and also the kidney levels of superoxide anion radical(${\cdot}$O2-), nitric oxide(NO) and ONOO-, and also the enzyme activities involved in the polyol pathway. Results : The effects of Iksujisundan on the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with regards to body weight, blood glucose and indulin levels, creatinine and BUN levels, total cholesterol and triglyceride lavels, and HDL-cholesterol levels were all shown to be good enough to prevent and cure the diabetes and its complications. Iksujisundan inhibited the generation of ${\cdot}$O2-,NO and ONOO- in the kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Renal aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were increased in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were reversed toward natural activities. Conclusions : Iksujisundan might inhibit the development of diabetes and its complications by scavenging reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thereby by reducing oxidative stresses and also by regulating the activities of polyol pathway enzymes, all of which could help to recover kidney function.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.544-552
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• 2021

This study investigated the anti-fibrotic and antioxidant effects of Paeonia Radix Alba water extract (PR) on thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis in a mouse model and its underlying mechanisms. Liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of TAA (three times a week) for 8 weeks. Furthermore, silymarin (50 mg/kg body weight) and PR (200 mg/kg body weight) were administered for 8 weeks. PR treatment downregulated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), ammonia, and myeloperoxidase levels. Moreover, PR treatment downregulated NOX2 and p47phox and upregulated antioxidant enzymes by activating the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway. Furthermore, PR inhibited the factors associated with fibrosis, such as α-SMA and collagen I. AMPK/SIRT1 was upregulated by PR treatment. Overall, these results suggest that PR attenuates liver fibrosis by regulating the Nrf2/Keap1 and AMPK/SIRT1/NF-κB signaling pathways through the inhibition of oxidative stress. Hence, PR has potential as a remedy for preventing and treating liver fibrosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.402-417
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• 2023

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound-healing response and the final common pathway of chronic inflammatory injury. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract (RW) and silymarin in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: The liver fibrosis mouse model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of TAA (1 week 100 mg/kg, 2-3 weeks 200 mg/kg, 4-8 weeks 400 mg/kg) three times per week for eight weeks. Animal experiments were conducted in five groups; Normal, Control (TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice), Sily (silymarin 50 mg/kg), RSL (RW 50 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg), and RSH (RW 100 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were measured in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ammonia levels. Liver inflammatory cytokines and fibrous biomarkers were measured by Western blot analysis, and liver histopathology was evaluated through tissue staining. Results: A significant decrease in the liver function markers AST and ALT and a reduction in ammonia and total bilirubin were observed in the group treated with RSL and RSH. Measurement of reactive oxygen species and MDA revealed a significant decrease in the RSL and RSH administration group compared to the TAA induction group. The expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins, such as transforming growth factor β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1, was likewise significantly decreased. All drug-administered groups had increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 but a decreasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. RSL and RSH exerted a significant upregulation of NADPH oxidase 2, p22^phox, and p47^phox, which are oxidative stress-related factors. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin-1β were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation. Conclusions: The administration of RW and silymarin suppressed the NADPH oxidase factor protein level and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation-related enzymes. These results suggest that the combined administration of RW and silymarin improves acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2000

To investigate the effects of different UV-B levels on growth and biochemical defense response in plants, cucumber plants were subjected to three levels of biologically effective ultraviolet-B $(UV-B_{BE})$ radiation [daily dose: 0.03 (No), 6.40 (Low) and $11.30\;(High)\;kJ{\cdot}m^{-2}$, $UV-B_{BE}$] in the growth chambers for 3 weeks during the early growth period. Enhanced UV-B radiation drastically decreased both dry weight and leaf area of cucumber. With increasing UV-B intensity, chlorophyll content was decreased, however the level of malondialdehyde was highly increased linearly. Total contents of ascorbic acid and glutathione were tended to increase by UV-B, while the ratios of dehydroascorbate/ascorbate and oxidized glutathione/reduced glutathione were significantly increased with increasing UV-B intensity in cucumber. All the enzyme activities investigated (superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, guaiacol peroxidase etc.) in cucumber were increased by the UV-B enhancement. These results suggested that enhanced UV-B irradiation caused photooxidative stress in cucumber plant and resulted in significant reduction in plant growth. Biochemical protection responses might be activated to prevent the leaves from damaging effects of oxidative stress generated by UV-B irradiation.