• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Developmental Biology Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.83-83
• /
• 2003

The lutropin/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHR) is a member of the rhodopsin-like subfamily of G protein coupled receptor (GPCRs), that has been shown to mediate the internalization of its two naturally occurring agonist, lutropin and choriogonadotropin (CG). The clustered agonist-receptor complex is internalized by a dynamin-dependent pathway and traverses the endosomal compartment without agonist dissociation Dissociation of the agonist-receptor complex occurs in the lysosomes, where both the agonist and receptor are degrade. Recently, constitutively activating mutations of the receptor have been identified that are associated with familial male-precocious puberty (FMPP). A FMPP is a form of sexual precocious puberty in boys in which testosterone levels are elevated independent of changes in luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone and serum luteinizing hormone levels, We have now analyzed two naturally occurring, constitutively active mutants of the human LHR. These mutations were introduced into the rat LHR (rLHR) and are designated L435R and D556Y. Cells expressing rLHR-D556Y bind human choriogonadotropin (hCG) with normal affinity, exhibit a 25-fold increase in basal cAMP and respond to hCG with a normal increase in cAMP accumulation. Cells expressing rLHR-L435R also bind hCG with normal affinity, exhibit a 47-fold increase in basal cAMP, and do not respond to hCG with a further increase in cAMP accumulation. This mutation enhances the internalization of the free and agonist-occupied receptors ~2- and ~17- fold, respectively We conclude that the state of activation of the rLHR can modulate its basal and/or agonist-stimulated internalization. Since the internalization of hCG is involved in the termination of hCG actions, we suggest that the lack of responsiveness detected in cells expressing rLHR-L435R is due to the fast rate of internalization of the bound hCG. The finding that membranes expressing rLHR-L435R respond to hCG with an increase in adenylyl cyclase activity supports this suggestion. Autonomous Leydig cell activity in FMPP is caused by a constitutively activating LH/CGR.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 2003.11a
• /
• pp.63-63
• /
• 2003

Opuntia ficus-indicavar. saboten Makino (Cactaceae) is a tropical or subtropical plant that has been widely used as folk medicine for the treatment of diabetes, asthma, burn, edema and gastritis. The purposes of the present study were to identify antioxidant constituents from fruits and stems of the plant cultivated in Cheju island, Korea, and examine their in vitro neuroprotective activities. Using a chromatographic fractionation method, ten chemical constituents were isolated from ethyl acetate extracts. By means of chemical and spectroscopic methods, those were identified as eight flavonoids such as kaempherol (a), quercetin (b), kaempferol 3-methyl ether (c), quercetin 3-methyl ether (d), narcissin (e), dihydrokaernpferol (f), dihydroquercetin (g) and erioclictyol (h), and two terpenoids such as 3-oxo-${\alpha}$-ionol-${\beta}$-d-glucopyranoside (i) and roseoside (j). Among the isolated compounds, comrounds c~e and h~j were those reported for the first titre from the plant. Compounds b, d and g showed DPPH free radical scavenging activities with IC$\sub$50/ values of 28, 19 and 31, ${\mu}$M respectively. Compounds d and g also inhibited iron-dependent lipid peroxidation with IC$\sub$50/ values of 2.4 and 3.5 ${\mu}$M. In a primary rat cortical neuronal cell culture system, compounds b, d and g inhibited xanthine/xanthine oxidase-induced (IC$\sub$50/ values of 18.2, 2.1 and 54.6 ${\mu}$M) and H$_2$O$_2$-induced (IC$\sub$50/ values of 13.6, 1.9 and 25.7 ${\mu}$M) cytotoxicities. In addition, compounds d and g inhibited NMDA-induced excitotoxicity by 21 and 33%, and only compound d inhibited growth factor withdrawal-induced apoptosis by 31% at a tested concentration of 3 ${\mu}$M. The results suggest that the antioxidant constituents with in vitroneuroprotective activities may serve as lead chemicals for the development of neuroprotective agent.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.179-189
• /
• 2009

Objectives : Coptidis Rhizoma (Coptis japonica MAKINO; CR) is a well known crude drug as antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant activity. However, there is no study of the effect of CR on brain infarction and it's mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects on ischemic stroke induced by photothrombotic infarction by evaluating the functional & neuronal recovery after brain infarction. Materials & Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were induced photothrombotic brain infarction on sensorimotor cortex, and brain infarction volume by image J software (NIH, USA) after Nissl stain, also single pellet reaching task as a functional motor recovery were observed. After orally pretreated by CR (500 mg/kg) or normal saline as a sham control before 7 days from the time of photothrombotic infarction, rats were sacrificed. After then we analysed anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-1$\beta$), by RT-PCR and ELISA method, and immunohistochemistry (GFAP, connexin-43) as a marker of neural plasticity. Results : CR (100, 250, 500 mg/kg) decreased the infarction volume dose-dependently, however the effect of 500mg/kg of CR (CR 500) showed the best (P=0.051). Also, CR 500 decreased the infarction volume time-dependently, the most effective time was 3-7 days after stroke. Photothrombosis increased inflammatory cytokines after infarction, CR 500 suppressed significantly mRNA expression of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$. In serum, CR 500 decreased the amount of IL-1$\beta$, 12h, 24h and 48h respectively (p < 0.05), also decreased that of IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$, 12h respectively (p < 0.05) after infarction. The more astrocytes were observed and neural plasticity was facilitated in the rat brain of CR 500 than that of sham control in immunohistochemistry. Conclusions : This results suggest that CR decrease infarction volume and improve functional motor recovery in acute stage in photothrombotic ischemic infarction model in the mechanism of anti-inflammation and promoting neural plasticity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.371-385
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavone (SIF) and soy lecithin (SL) have beneficial effects on many chronic diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases. Regretfully, there is little evidence to show the combined effects of these soy extractives on the impairment of cognition and abnormal cerebral blood flow (CBF). This study examined the optimal combination dose of SIF + SL to provide evidence for improving CBF and protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: In vivo study, SIF50 + SL40, SIF50 + SL80 and SIF50 + SL160 groups were obtained. Morris water maze, laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to detect learning and memory impairment, CBF, and damage to the cerebrovascular tissue in rat. The 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were detected. The anti-oxidative damage index of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) in the serum of an animal model was also tested. In vitro study, an immortalized mouse brain endothelial cell line (bEND.3 cells) was used to confirm the cerebrovascular endothelial cell protection of SIF + SL. In this study, 50 µM of Gen were used, while the 25, 50, or 100 µM of SL for different incubation times were selected first. The intracellular levels of 8-OHdG, SOD, GSH, and GSSG were also detected in the cells. RESULTS: In vivo study, SIF + SL could increase the target crossing times significantly and shorten the total swimming distance of rats. The CBF in the rats of the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group was enhanced. Pathological changes, such as attenuation of the endothelium in cerebral vessels were much less in the SIF50 + SL40 group and SIF50 + SL160 group. The 8-OHdG was reduced in the SIF50 + SL40 group. The GSSG showed a significant decrease in all SIF + SL pretreatment groups, but the GSH showed an opposite result. SOD was upregulated by SIF + SL pretreatment. Different combinations of Genistein (Gen)+SL, the secondary proof of health benefits found in vivo study, showed they have effective anti-oxidation and less side reaction on protecting cerebrovascular endothelial cell. SIF50 + SL40 in rats experiment and Gen50 + SL25 in cell test were the optimum joint doses on alleviating cognitive impairment and regulating CBF through protecting cerebrovascular tissue by its antioxidant activity. CONCLUSIONS: SIF+SL could significantly prevent cognitive defect induced by β-Amyloid through regulating CBF. This kind of effect might be attributed to its antioxidant activity on protecting cerebral vessels.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.363-370
• /
• 2023

In order to use Cudrania tricuspidata extract for the development of health-functional food, biological changes in normal rodents, such as changes in blood constituent cells, blood lipids, and anti-inflammatory activity, were measured after the rodents had been drinking the substance for 2 weeks. A 30 mg daily dose of the extract taken for 2 weeks produced no change in body weight or renal function, and no toxicity was observed. Increased red blood cell levels and white blood cell levels were confirmed, and platelet counts tended to increase; thus, the extract seems to cause an overall increase in blood cells. In the case of blood lipids, it was confirmed that the extract-treated group exhibited an effect of improved blood-lipid levels, demonstrated through an increase in HDL-C of 21%, with a decrease in triglyceride of 27% compared to the control group. In addition, the decreases in both GOT and GPT led to improved liver function through use of the extract. Therefore, this study suggests that drinking Cudrania tricuspidata extract can have various effects, such as promoting blood cell production, improving blood lipids profile, improving liver function, and improving inflammatory action. The extract would be useful in the future in developing high-value industrial products such as functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2009

Purpose: Oxidative stress was thought to play a critical role in neurodegenerative disease. Many in vivo and in vitro reports explained the possible pathway of human aging. But in therapeutic aspects, there was no clear answers to prevent aging associated with neural diseases. In this study, we investigated the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of the Insamyangyung-tang (IYT). Methods: To estimate the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and measurement of total polyphenolic content. To evaluate neuroprotective effect of IYT in vitro. We performed thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation in SH-SY5Y. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and TNF-${\alpha}$ assay in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results: The $IC_{50}$ values were $571.6{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $202.3{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in DPPH and ABTS assay respectively. Total polyphenolic content was 1.05%. In SH-SY5Y culture, IYT significantly increased the decreased cell viability by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in pre-treatment group, $10-100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in post-treatment group, and $100{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ in co-treatment group. The production of ROS induced by 6-OHDA was significantly inhibited in IYT treated group. In mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture, the IYT group reduced the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity and the production of No and TNF-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of $0.2{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Conclusion: These results showed that IYT has antioxidant and neuroprotectctive effects in the dopaminergic cells through decreasing the production of ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ which can cause many neurodegenerative changes in brain cell.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.119-131
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The depression accompanied with menopuase shows the relation with the dopamine secretion. These studies were undertaken to evaluate the anti- oxidative and neuroprotective effects of Bunsimgieum(BSGE) on dopaminergic neurons. Methods: To estimate the antioxidant effects, we carried out 1.1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline -6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical cation decolorization assay, and measurement of total polyphenolic content. To evaluate neuroprotective effect of BSGE in vitro, We performed thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) creation in SH-SY5Y. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunocytochemistry, nitric oxide (NO) assay, and TNF-${\alpha}$ assay in primary rat mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Results: The DPPH free radical and the ABTS radical cation inhibition activities were increased at a dose dependent manner. Total polyphenolic content was 0.83%. In SH-SY5Y culture, BSGE significantly increased the decreased cell viability by 6-OHDA at the concentrations of 10${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ in pre-treatment group, 0.1-200${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$ in post-treatment group. The production of ROS induced by 6-OHDA was significantly inhibited in BSGE treated group. In mesencephalic dopaminergic cell culture, the BSGE group reduced the dopaminergic cell loss against 6-OHDA toxicity and the production of No and TNF-${\alpha}$ at the concentration of 5${\mu}$g/m${\ell}$. Conclusion: These results shows that BSGE has antioxidant and neuroprotective effects in the dopaminergic cells through decreasing the production of ROS, NO and TNF-${\alpha}$ which can cause many neurodegenerative changes in brain cell. We suggest that BSGE could be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal depression related with the decrease of dopamine.

• Journal of Korean Port Research
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.3-33
• /
• 1989

The amount of the Korean export & import in 1987 reached $88.3 billion which was 1.75% of the total world trade and the proportion of foreign dependence to G.N.P was 74.5%. From these facts, we can infer that the development of national economy is largely dependent upon trade. Therefore the role of transportation, especially Ocean transportation, as a basis of economic development through trade is one of the main factors that can not be passed over. Here, We can define that a port as a subsystem of transportation determines the efficiency of the total transportation system. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to contribute in improvement of the efficiency in port, reinforcement of the international competitiveness for exporting goods by the analysis of the cargo handling charges. In order to do this, this paper deals the case of B.C.T.O.C. Furthermore, this study gives some important informations related to the level of tariffs for establishing an autonomous port administration. The Summary of the conclusions of this paper is as follows ; 1) The object of port administration in Korea has been emphasized on the maximization of efficiency in using the port facilities. Nowadays, however, it should be moved to a direction that port is operated under the compound aims considering the public interests and economy. 2) For a criterian of tariff calculation, A tariff system based on the cost accounting is desirable. In general it is recommended that the cost for construction, management, and operation of port is compensated by the revenue from port operation. Therefore, it is necessary for the administration bodies of each port to establish a tariff system on the basis of the independent profit system. 3) For the investigation of actors of tariff adjustment by the Break-even point analysis, (1) When we conducted the B.E.P analysis using total cost as cost term, we got 3.8% discount in tariff at 12% of target profit rate and 1.5% discount at 15% of rate. when we set the target profit rate as 17% we could have the proper tariff level. (2) When using operating cost as cost term, we got 13.1% discount in tariff at 12% of target profit rate and 10.9% discount at 15% of rate. When setting the target profit rat as 28%, we could have the proper tariff level. 4) Comparing with the tariffs of foreign ports for the basic terminal rate, The tariff level of B.C.T.O.C showed 33% of stevedoring charge and 80% of marshalling charge incurred at Kobe port. The comparison with Singapore port gave 50% of transhipment charge and 17% - 20 % of stevedoring charge. 5) We found that the financial structure of B.C.T.O.C was better than those of other companies and the worth fixed assets ratio was too low. The fact of low worth fixed assets ratio implies that the cargo handling facilities should be increased. Moreover, The return of assets for B.T.T.O.C was good but non-operating expenses were still contained too much in. Therefore, we think that it is necessary for B.C.T.O.C. to rationalize business management. Although the present cargo handing charge for B.C.T.O.C is a proper level in terms of a public corporation, for the final recommendation in connection to the results, It is required to take the rationalization process for business management.

• Analytical Science and Technology
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.149-154
• /
• 2006

A gas chromatography-mass spectrometric method was developed for the determination of formaldehyde in urine and saliva. In a 20 mL glass tube, 0.2 mL of urine or saliva was taken. Further, 1.8 mL of 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 mL of 2,000 mg/L 2,4-dinitrophenyl hydrazine and $20{\mu}l$ of 500 mg/L acetone-$d_6$ as internal standard were added in the tube and sealed tightly with cap. The solution was shaken for 20 min at room temperature and extracted using 4 mL of toluene. The extract was concentrated and redissolved with $100{\mu}l$ of acetonitrile, and then measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (selected ion monitoring). The detection limit was 2.0 ng/mL and 0.5 ng/mL in saliva and urine, respectively. The calibration curves showed good linearity with r = 0.997 and 0.998 for saliva and urine, respectively. The method was used to analyze formaldehyde in rat urine after oral exposure. The developed method may be use ful to the monitoring for formaldehyde exposure in human.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.44-50
• /
• 1970

This experiment was made in order to observe the change in contents of the total cholesterol, free cholesterol and ester cholesterol in the liver and serum by the feeding of glucose and sucrose. The animals used for the experiment were adult male albino rat from a pure strain, weighing 285-332g. The animals were divided into standard, glucose and sucrose diet groups. The glucose and sucrose diet groups were redivided into 10%, 25% and 40% diet groups. Their liver and serum were used as sample after they were fed with the corresponding diets, respectively, for two months. 1. In the liver, the total cholesterol and ester cholesterol contents in the 40% glucose diet group were significantly increased and the free cholesterol contents in all diets were respectively increased, compared with the standard diet group. 2. In the serum, the total cholesterol contents in both diet groups, the 10% glucose and 10% sucrose, were decreased but the content in the 40% sucrose diet group was increased, compared with the standard diet group. The free cholesterol contents in the 10 and 40% glucose diet and 10% sucrose diet group were decreased, compared with the standard diet group. The ester cholesterol contents in the 10% glucose and 10% sucrose diet groups were decreased but the content in the 40% sucrose diet group was increased, compared with the standard diet group. Being taken into consideration of the above facts it was acquired that the cholesterol contents are affected by the amounts and kinds of dietary carbohydrate when the protein contents in each diet were constant.