• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1163-1170
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• 2017

Clostridium difficile releases two exotoxins, toxin A and toxin B, which disrupt the epithelial cell barrier in the gut to increase mucosal permeability and trigger inflammation with severe diarrhea. Many studies have suggested that enteric nerves are also directly involved in the progression of this toxin-mediated inflammation and diarrhea. C. difficile toxin A is known to enhance neurotransmitter secretion, increase gut motility, and suppress sympathetic neurotransmission in the guinea pig colitis model. Although previous studies have examined the pathophysiological role of enteric nerves in gut inflammation, the direct effect of toxins on neuronal cells and the molecular mechanisms underlying toxin-induced neuronal stress remained to be unveiled. Here, we examined the toxicity of C. difficile toxin A against neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y). We found that toxin A treatment time- and dose-dependently decreased cell viability and triggered apoptosis accompanied by caspase-3 activation in this cell line. These effects were found to depend on the up-regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the subsequent activation of p38 MAPK and induction of $p21^{Cip1/Waf1}$. Moreover, the N-acetyl-$\text\tiny L$-cysteine (NAC)-induced down-regulation of ROS could recover the viability loss and apoptosis of toxin A-treated neuronal cells. These results collectively suggest that C. difficile toxin A is toxic for neuronal cells, and that this is associated with rapid ROS generation and subsequent p38 MAPK activation and $p21^{Cip1/Waf1}$ up-regulation. Moreover, our data suggest that NAC could inhibit the toxicity of C. difficile toxin A toward enteric neurons.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2001

Although extracorporeal circulation (ECC) has been routinely used for cardiovascular surgery, hyperoxemia during ECC may produce oxygen toxicity and cellular injury. This study was performed to investigate the clinical influences of hyperoxemic ECC during cardiovascular operation. 40 adult patients scheduled for elective cardiovascular surgery were classified into normoxemic (arterial oxygen tension: 115 mmHg, n＝20) and hyperoxemic (arterial oxygen tension: 380 mmHg, n＝20) ECC. At preoperative and postoperative period, total leukocyte and neutrophil counts, platelet counts, iron, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine in peripheral arterial blood, malondialdehyde (MDA) and troponin-T concentration (TnT) in coronary sinus blood, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), and postoperative blood loss volume (BLS) were measured and compared between groups. Hyperoxemic group had postoperatively higher total leukocyte and neutrophil counts, MDA, TnT, PVR total BLS, iron, glucose, AST, ALT, BUN, and creatinine than normoxemic group (p<0.05).0 conclusion, hyperoxemic ECC results in greater inflammatory response and oxidative damaging effects on the heart lung, liver and kidney, probably being adverse to postoperative patient recovery. For reducing these deleterious effects and improving postoperative outcomes, management lowering oxygen tension during ECC is recommended.

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.1-9
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• 2004

The history of studies in biology regarding reactive oxygen species (ROS) is approximately 40 years. During the initial 30 years, it appeared that these studies were mainly focused on the toxicity of ROS. However, recent studies have identified another action regarding oxidative signaling, other than toxicity of ROS. Basically, it is suggested that ROS are reactive, and degenerate to biomolecules such as DNA and proteins, leading to deterioration of cellular functions as an oxidative stress. On the other hand, recent studies have shown that ROS act as oxidative signaling in cells, resulting in various gene expressions. Recently ROS emerged as critical signaling molecules in cardiovascular research. Several studies over the past decade have shown that physiological effects of vasoactive factors are mediated by these reactive species and, conversely, that altered redox mechanisms are implicated in the occurrence of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases ROS is a collective term often used by scientist to include not only the oxygen radicals($O2^{-{\cdot}},\;{^{\cdot}}OH$), but also some non-radical derivatives of oxygen. These include hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and ozone (O3). The superoxide anion ($O2^{-{\cdot}}$) is formed by the univalent reduction of triplet-state molecular oxygen ($^3O_2$). Superoxide dismutase (SOD)s convert superoxide enzymically into hydrogen peroxide. In biological tissues superoxide can also be converted nonenzymically into the nonradical species hydrogen peroxide and singlet oxygen ($^1O_2$). In the presence of reduced transition metals (e.g., ferrous or cuprous ions), hydrogen peroxide can be converted into the highly reactive hydroxyl radical (${^{\cdot}}OH$). Alternatively, hydrogen peroxide may be converted into water by the enzymes catalase or glutathione peroxidase. In the glutathione peroxidase reaction glutathione is oxidized to glutathione disulfide, which can be converted back to glutathione by glutathione reductase in an NADPH-consuming process.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.280-290
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• 2017

Several lines of evidence suggest that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is known to regulate the ER stress signaling pathway, but its role in neuronal systems in terms of ER stress remains largely unknown. Here, we showed that rotenone-induced toxicity in human neuroblastoma cell lines and mouse primary cortical neurons was ameliorated by PTP1B inhibition. Moreover, the increase in the level of ER stress markers ($eIF2{\alpha}$ phosphorylation and PERK phosphorylation) induced by rotenone treatment was obviously suppressed by concomitant PTP1B inhibition. However, the rotenone-induced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was not affected by PTP1B inhibition, suggesting that the neuroprotective effect of the PTP1B inhibitor is not associated with ROS production. Moreover, we found that MG132-induced toxicity involving proteasome inhibition was also ameliorated by PTP1B inhibition in a human neuroblastoma cell line and mouse primary cortical neurons. Consistently, downregulation of the PTP1B homologue gene in Drosophila mitigated rotenone- and MG132-induced toxicity. Taken together, these findings indicate that PTP1B inhibition may represent a novel therapeutic approach for ER stress-mediated neurodegenerative diseases.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2001

To evaluate the skin toxicity oj topical toluene application, toluene (35 mg/$cm^2$) was sequentially applied to the portion rat skin for five days. The topical toluene application resulted in increased xanthine oxidase activity and CYP content, and significantly decreased superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities at five days in rat skin. Especially catalase activity was remarkably decreased in toluene-applied rat skin. And benzylalcohol dehydrogenase activity showed also a significant decrease in toluene-applied skin. On the other hand, histopathological ultrastructural examination revealed disrupted epidermal basement membrane, rared intercellular adhensions and degenerated keratin layer due to topical toluene application. Increased deposit of cerrous perhydroxide resulted from reaction with $H_2O_2$was abserved in toluene-treated animals. These results indicate that oxygen free radical may be responsible for ultrastructural changes in skin tissue by toluene application to rat skin.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.223-228
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• 1997

Quinones have been reported to undergo nonenzymatic reaction with thiols to generate reactive oxygens. It is therefore possible that the nonenzymatic reaction of quinones with thiols in plasma could lead to potentJared cellular toxicity or disease. When 1 mM menadione was added in plasma under pH 11.2, 7.4 and 5.0, the increase in oxygen consumption rate was the order of pH 11.2 > pH 7.4 > pH 5.0. In addition, oxygen consumption rates under plasma anticoagulated with trisodium citrate solution (pH 7.85) was significantly higher than those with acid-citrate-dextrose solution (pH 6.87). SOD and catalase reduced the rate of oxygen consumption induced by menadione in plasma. Taken together, these results suggest that the menadione-induced increased oxygen consumption was due to nonenzymatic reaction of menadione with thiols in the plasma. The presence of plasma has an additive effect on the increased oxygen consumption rates induced by the menadione treatments on our model tissue, platelets, as compared between washed platelet (WP) and platelet rich plasma (PRP). Cytotoxicity, as determined by LDH release, are well correlated with the oxygen consumption rates observed in each system and strongly suggest that menadione-induced cytotoxicity can be increased with the presence of blood plasma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.33 no.2 s.95
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• pp.123-131
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• 2007

Many environmental contaminants including several metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and pharmaceuticals, have been identified to be phototoxic in the water environment. Concerns regarding photo-enhancement of toxicity of several environmental contaminants have been increasing because of the increased level of ultraviolet irradiation on the earth surface. However, there exist arguments that there might be certain defense mechanisms taking place in the aquatic ecosystem, which may include behavioral characteristics or genetic acclimation. This study was conducted to understand the potential responses of aquatic receptors to several phototoxic metals in the real environment, where long-term acclimation of such organisms to low dose UV-B may take place. For this purpose, water flea Daphnia magna was acclimated to environmentally relevant dose of UV-B (12 to $18uW/cm^2$) for >11 generations. The differences in developmental and life history characteristics, and toxicity responses were evaluated. Acclimation did not affect the daphnids' growth, longevity, and reproduction characteristics such as time to first brood, and brood size: After 21 d, survival of D. magna was not influenced by UV-B acclimation. When the number of young per female was compared. the daphnids acclimated for 11 generations tend to produce less number of neonates than the un-acclimated individuals but with no statistical significance (p>0.05). Four metals that were reported to be phototoxic elsewhere were employed in this evaluation, that include As, Cd. Cu, and Ni. UV-B level being applied in acclimation did increase the toxicity of Cd and Cu, significantly (p<0.05). However, the toxicities of As and Ni were not affected by irradiation of UV-B. Phototoxic responses were evaluated between the acclimated and the un-acclimated daphnids. For Cu, UV-B acclimation led to reduction of the photo-induced toxicity $(p\approx0.1)$ in daphnids. Non-acclimated Daphnia were affected by 50% at 4.18 ug/l Cu. but UV-B acclimated individuals exhibited $EC_{50}$ of 5.89 ug/l. With Cd, UV-B acclimation appeared to increase phototoxicity (p>0.05). With As and Ni, UV-B acclimation did not influence photo-induced toxicity. This observation may be in part explained by the type of reactive oxygen species that were generated by each metal. Similar to UV-B light, Cu is known to generate superoxide anion by acting as redox cycling toxicant. This is one of the first studies that employed_laboratory based UV-B acclimated test species for photoenhanced toxicity evaluation.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.34-48
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• 1985

In vitro effects of nitrofurantoin, an antimicrobial agent for acute and chronic urinary tract infection, on the lung microsomal lipid peroxidation and the generation of reactive oxygen radicals were investigated to elucidate the biochemical mechanisms of its in vivopulmonary toxicity. The interaction of nitrofurantoin with porcine lung microsome resulted in significant lipid peroxidation. In addition, nitrofurantoin stimulated the generation of reactive oxygen radicals, $O^{-}_{2}{\cdot},\;H_2O_2$ as well as a highly reactive secondary oxygen species, $OH{\cdot}$. The stimulation of lipid peroxidation was inhibited not only by superoxide dismutase and catalase, but also by hydroxyl radical scavengers, mannitol and thiourea. Neither singlet oxygen $({^1}O_{2})$ was detected during the incubation of microsome with nitrofurantoin, nor lipid peroxidation was inhibited by singlet oxygen scavengers. When incubated anaerobically under the nitrogen atmosphere, the ability of nitrofurantoin to stimulatle lipid peroxidation was abolished. It appears that NADPH-dependent metaboliam of nitrofurantoin in pulmonary microsome under aerobic condition is accompanied by the stimulation of lipid peroxidation through the mediation of reactive oxygen radicals, particularly hydroxyl radical. It is strongly suggested from these results that the stimulation of pulmonary microsomal lipid peroxidation by the reactive oxygen radical may be a in vivo mechanism of pulmonary toxicity caused by nitrofurantoin.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.32-35
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• 1996

SKI306X is a herbal extract prepared from three herbs Clematis mandshurica, Trichosanthes kirilowii and Prunella vulgaris. It showed strong antiinflammatory actions on carrageenan-induced edema, acetic acid-induced pain, adjuvant-induced arthritis, and oxygen radical-generated reactions. In this study, the acute toxicity of SKI306X was evaluated in rats by a single oral administration. Thirty male and thirty female rats were divided into 6 groups according to the dose levels, respectively. After oral administration of SKI306X with several doses (5.0 g/kg, 3.3 g/kg, 2.2 g/kg, 1.5 g/kg, 1.0 g/kg), mortality, clinical signs, body weight, and gross findings in organs were examined. No toxic effect was shown in terms of mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes and gross findings. It is suggested the LD$_{50}$ of SKI306X would be more than 5.0 g/kg in rats.s.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

The cold shock of spermatozoa is associated with oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species. This study was conducted to evaluate the toxicity of natural antioxidant green tea extract (GTE) in lactose-egg yolk (LEY) extender during boar sperm cooling prior to freezing. Spermatozoa were cooled to $5^{\circ}C$ for 3 h in LEY extender containing 0 (control), 1, 10, 100 or 1,000 mg/l of GTE, re-suspended with LEY-glycerol-Equex extender and cooled at $5^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Sperm progressive motility, viability and phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation were evaluated. PS translocation was assayed by flow cytometry using Annexin V-FITC apoptosis detection kit. The sperm function including progressive motility, viability and PS translocation was not significantly different regardless of GTE concentrations (P>0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrated non-toxicity of GTE supplement in LEY extender during sperm cooling.