• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.165-170
• /
• 2008

In the present study, we aimed to identify the synergistic effects of concurrent treatment of low concentrations of cilostazol and probucol to inhibit the oxidative stress with suppression of inflammatory markers in the cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Combination of cilostazol (0.3${\sim}3{\mu}$M) with probucol (0.03${\sim}0.3{\mu}$M) significantly suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-stimulated NAD(P)H-dependent superoxide, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and TNF-${\alpha}$ release in comparison with probucol or cilostazol alone. The combination of cilostazol (0.3${\sim}3{\mu}$M) with probucol (0.1${\sim}0.3{\mu}$M) inhibited the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) more significantly than did the monotherapy with either probucol or cilostazol. In line with these results, combination therapy significantly suppressed monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Taken together, it is suggested that the synergistic effectiveness of the combination therapy with cilostazol and probucol may provide a beneficial therapeutic window in preventing atherosclerosis and protecting from cerebral ischemic injury.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.55-65
• /
• 1974

The effect of ginseng on the ATPase activity of rabbit ref cell membrane has been investigated. The experiments were also designed to determine whether the components of ginseng could be attributed to the effect on ATPase activity which dependent upon sodium plus potassium and is sensitive to ouabain. The following results were observed. 1. The activity of the $Na^{+}-K^{+}-ATPase$ from red cell membrane is stimulated by ginseng, and the concentration of ginseng for half-maximal activity is about 15 mg%. The pH optimum for the ginseng sensitive component is 7.6. 2. The portion of the enzyme activity stimulated by ginseng is completely abolished by ouabain. 3. The activating effect of ginseng on the ATPase, with a given concentration of sodium in the medium, is increased by raising the potassium concentration but activity ratio is decreased. 4. The activating effect of ginseng on the ATPase, with a given concentration of potassium in the medium, is increased by raising the sodium concentration but the activity ratio is decreased. 5. The ATPase activity is increased by small amounts of calcium but inhibited by larger amounts and the rate of activity by ginseng is constant. 6. The action of ginseng on the ATPase activity was not related to the sulfhydryl group of cysteine, the amino group of lysine, the imidazole group of histidine, the quanidinium group of arginine, the carboxyl group of aspartic acid, or the hydroxyl group of threonine. 7. The activating effect of ginseng on the ATPase activity may be not due to a saponin which is contained in ginseng.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.1591-1595
• /
• 2012

We previously isolated a novel compound, HY251, with the molecular structure of 3-propyl-2-vinyl-1,2,3,3a,3b,6,7,7a,8,8a-decahydrocyclopenta[a]indene-3,3a,7a,8a-tetraol from the roots of Aralia continentalis. The current study was designed to evaluate the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the apoptotic induction by HY251 in human ovarian cancer PA-1 cells. TUNEL assay and Western blot analyses revealed an appreciable apoptotic induction in PA-1 cells treated with $60{\mu}M$ of HY251 for 24 h. This apoptotic induction was associated with caspase-8-dependent Bid cleavage, which in turn resulted in the formation of pro-apoptotic truncated Bid (tBid), and activation of caspase-9 and -3, as well as the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Moreover, we found that this death event was also associated with the significant up-regulation and activation of the p53 tumor-suppressor protein through phosphorylation at Ser15. Therefore, we suggest that HY251 may be a potent cancer chemotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of ovarian cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.22 no.11
• /
• pp.1557-1567
• /
• 2012

Glutathione reductase (GR, E.C. 1.6.4.2) is an important enzyme that reduces glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to a sulfydryl form (GSH) in the presence of an NADPH-dependent system. This is a critical antioxidant mechanism. Owing to the significance of GR, this enzyme has been examined in a number of animals, plants, and microbes. We performed a study to evaluate the molecular properties of GR (OsGR) from rice (Oryza sativa). To determine whether heterologous expression of OsGR can reduce the deleterious effects of unfavorable abiotic conditions, we constructed a transgenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain expressing the GR gene cloned into the yeast expression vector p426GPD. OsGR expression was confirmed by a semiquantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (semiquantitative RT-PCR) assay, Western-blotting, and a test for enzyme activity. OsGR expression increased the ability of the yeast cells to adapt and recover from $H_2O_2$-induced oxidative stress and various stimuli including heat shock and exposure to menadione, heavy metals (iron, zinc, copper, and cadmium), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), ethanol, and sulfuric acid. However, augmented OsGR expression did not affect the yeast fermentation capacity owing to reduction of OsGR by multiple factors produced during the fermentation process. These results suggest that ectopic OsGR expression conferred acquired tolerance by improving cellular homeostasis and resistance against different stresses in the genetically modified yeast strain, but did not affect fermentation ability.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.87-91
• /
• 2002

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of $Ca^{2+}-channel$ blockers in norepinephrine (NE) release from rat hippocampus. Slices and synaptosomes were incubated with $[^3H]-NE$ and the releases of the labelled products were evoked by 25 mM KCl stimulation. Nifedipine, diltiazem, nicardipine, flunarizine and pimozide did not affect the evoked and basal release of NE in the slice. But, diltiazem, nicardipine and flunarizine decreased the evoked NE release with a dose-related manner without any change of the basal release from synaptosomes. Also, a large dose of pimozide produced modest decrement of NE release. ${\omega}-conotoxin$ (CTx) GVIA decreased the evoked NE release in a dose-dependent manner without changing the basal release. And ${\omega}-CTxMVIIC$ decreased the evoked NE release in the synaoptosomes without any effect in the slice, but the effect of decrement was far less than that of ${\omega}-CTxGVIA.$ In interaction experiments with ${\omega}-CTxGVIA,\;{\omega}-CTxMVIIC$ slightly potentiated the effect of ${\omega}-CTxGVIA$ on NE release in the slice and synaptosomal preparations. These results suggest that the NE release in the rat hippocampus is mediated mainly by N-type $Ca^{2+}-channels,$ and that other types such as L-, T- and/or P/Q-type $Ca^{2+}-channels$ could also be participate in this process.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.87-99
• /
• 2011

Purpose- The purpose of this study was to compare the fit of two prototype liquid cooled vests using a 3D body scanner and accompanying software. The objectives of this study were to obtain quantitative measurements of ease values, and to use these data to evaluate the fit of two cooling vests in active positions and to develop methodological protocol to resolve alignment issues between the scans using software designed for the alignment of 3D objects. Design/methodology/approach- Garment treatments and body positions were two independent variables with three levels each. Quantitative dataset were dependent variables, and were manipulated in 3x3 factorial designs with repeated measures. Scan images from eight subjects were used and ease values were obtained to compare the fit. Two different types of analyses were conducted in order to compare the fit using t-test; those were radial mean distance value analysis and radial distance distribution rate analysis. Findings- Overall prototype II achieved a closer fit than prototype I with both analyses. These were consistent results with findings from a previous study that used a different approach for evaluation. Research limitations/implications- The main findings can be used as practical feedback for prototype modification/selection in the design process, making use of 3D body scanner as an evaluation tool. Originality/value- Methodological protocols that were devised to eliminate potential sources of errors can contribute to application of data from 3D body scanners.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.43-50
• /
• 2001

The effects of cardiac ischemia-reperfusion and $\beta$-adrenergic stimulation on metabolic function and energetics were investigated in Lan gendorff-perfused spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) hearts. Sarcoplasmic reticulum {TEX}$Ca^{2+}${/TEX}-dependent ATPase and cardiac lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) are additionally studied. The perfusion medium (1.0 mM {TEX}$Ca^{2+}${/TEX}) contained 5 mM glucose(+5 U/L insulin) and 2 mM pyruvate as substrates. Global ischemia was induced by reducing perfusion pressure of 100 to 40 cm {TEX}$H_{2}${/TEX}O, followed by 20 min reperfusin. Isoproterenol (ISO, 1$\mu$M) was infused for 10 min. Coronary vascular resistance and myocardial oxygen consumption ({TEX}$MVO_{2}${/TEX}) of SHR were increased in parallel with enhanced venous lactate during ischemia and reperfusion compared to those of Sprague Dawley (SD) hearts. Although ischemia-induced increase in venous lactate and combined adenosine plus inosine was abolished, coronary vasodilation produced in SD during reperfusion. In SHR, depressed reactive hyperemia was associated with a fall in cardiac ATP and CrP/Pi ratio and a rise in intracellular lactate/Pyruvate ratio. On the other hand, ISO produced coronary functional hyperemia and an increase in {TEX}$MVO_{2}${/TEX}. However, these responses were less than those in SHR hearts. The ATPase activity of SHR was attenuated in free {TEX}$Ca^{2+}${/TEX} concentrations used under basal condition and with ISO compared to that of SD. Venous lactate output and cardiac LDH activity were augmented in SHR as influenced by ISO. These results demonstrate that coronary reactive and functional hyperemia was dpressed in SHR, which cold be explained by alterations in the cytosolic phosphorylation potential and the cytosolic redox state manipulated by LDH, and by abnormal free calcium handling.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
• /
• 2008.11a
• /
• pp.429-429
• /
• 2008

Li$[Ni_{1/2}Co_{1/2}]O_2$ powder were synthesized from co-precipitation spherical metal oxide, $[Ni_{1/2}Co_{1/2}](OH)_2$. The preparation of metal hydroxide was significantly dependent on synthetic conditions, such as pH, amount of chelating agent, stirring speed, etc. The optimized condition resulted in $[Ni_{1/2}Co_{1/2}](OH)_2$, of which the particle size distribution was uniform and the particle shape was spherical, as observed by scanning electron microscopy. Calcination of the uniform metal hydroxide with LiOH at higher temperature led to a well-ordered layer-structured Li$[Ni_{1/2}Co_{1/2}]O_2$, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction pattern. Also these materials have ${\alpha}-NaFeO_2$ ($R\bar{3}m$) structure. Due to the homogeneity of the metal hydroxide, $[Ni_{1/2}Co_{1/2}](OH)_2$, the final product, Li$[Ni_{1/2}Co_{1/2}]O_2$, was also significantly uniform, i.e., the average particle size was of about 10 to 15 ${\mu}m$ in diameter and the distribution was relatively narrow. As a result, the corresponding tap-density was also high approximately 2.41 $gcm^{-3}$, of which the value is comparable to that of commercialized $LiCoO_2$.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.34-40
• /
• 2007

The present study was carried out to elucidate the potential of Muntingia (M.) calabura leaves chloroform extract (MCCE) as antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic agents using various animal models. The dried powdered leaves of M. calabura (20 g) were soaked in chloroform for 72 h and the supernatant obtained was then evaporated to dryness. The crude dried extract (0.912 g), dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (1:20; w/v) and considered as a stock solution (100% concentration/strength), was then diluted to the concentrations of 10 and 50% and used together in all experimental models. The MCCE was found to show significant (P < 0.05) antinociceptive and antipyretic activities, but less remarkable anti-inflammatory activity. Only the antinociceptive activity of MCCE measured using the abdominal constriction test and in the first phase of the formalin test occurred in a concentration-dependent manner. The anti-inflammatory activity of 50 and 100% concentrations MCCE was observed only at the range of time interval of 60 - 120 and 60 min, respectively. Based on the results, we conclude that the M. calabura leaves chloroform extract possessed remarkable antinociceptive and antipyretic, but less effective anti-inflammatory, activities and thus justifies the Peruvian folklore claims of its medicinal values.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.244-247
• /
• 2006

Neuronal cell death significantly contributes to neuronal loss in neurological injury and disease. Typically, neuronal loss or destruction upon exposure to neurotoxins, oxidative stress, or DNA damage causes neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 from red ginseng has a neuroprotective effect via an anti-apoptotic role induced by S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) at the molecular level. We also investigated the antioxidant effect of Rg3 using a metal-catalyzed reaction with $Cu^{2+}/H_2O_2$. Our results showed that Rg3 ($40-100\;{\mu}g/mL$) protected SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells under cytotoxic conditions and effectively protected DNA from fragmentation. In the signal pathway, caspase-3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) were kept at an inactivated status when pretreated with Rg3 in all ranges. In particular, the important upstream p-Akt signal pathway was increased in a dose-dependent manner, which indicates that Rg3 may contribute to cell survival. We also found that oxidative stress can be mitigated by Rg3. Therefore, we have concluded that Rg3 plays a certain role in neurodegenerative pathogenesis via an anti apoptotic, antioxidative effect.