• Molecules and Cells
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• 제20권3호
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• pp.429-434
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• 2005

Lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) induces vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation and migration, which has been proposed to initiate the intimal thickening in coronary atherosclerotic lesions. Berberine is an alkaloid in Berberis aquifolium and many other plants. Recently, it has been shown to have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, such as anti-hyperglycemic and cholesterol-lowering activity. In this study, we investigated its effects on lysoPC-induced VSMC proliferation and migration. Berberine inhibited lysoPC-induced DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in VSMCs, as well as migration of the lysoPC-stimulated VSMCs. It also inhibited the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and reduced transcription factor AP-1 activity and the lysoPC-induced increases in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). These results indicate that the inhibitory effects of berberine on lysoPC-stimulated VSMC proliferation and migration are attributable to inhibition of ROS generation and hence of activation of the ERK1/2 pathway. This suggests that berberine has potential in the prevention of atherosclerosis and restenosis.

• 대한생식의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한불임학회 2000년도 제39차 춘계 학술대회
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• pp.29-35
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• 2000

The imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seminal fluid indicates oxidative stress and is correlated with male infertility. A composite ROS-TAC score may be more strongly correlated with infertility than ROS or TAC alone. We measured ROS, TAC, and ROS-TAC scores in semen from 127 patients and 24 healthy controls. Of the patients, 56 had varicocele, eight had varicocele with prostatitis, 35 had vasectomy reversals, and 28 had Idiopathic infertility. ROS levels were higher among infertile men, especially those with varicocele with prostatitis (mean ${\pm}$ SE, 3.25 ${\pm}$ 0.89) and vasectomy reversals (2.65 ${\pm}$ 1.01). All infertility groups had significantly lower ROS-TAC scores than control. ROS-TAC score identified 80% of patients and was significantly better than ROS at identifying varicocele and idiopathic infertility. The 13 patients whose partners later achieved pregnancies had a mean ROS-TAC score of 47.7 ${\pm}$ 13.2, similar to controls but significantly higher than the 39 patients who remained infertile (35.8 ${\pm}$ 15.0; P < 0.01). ROS-TAC score is a novel measure of oxidative stress and Is superior to ROS or TAC alone in discriminating between fertile and infertile men. Infertile men with male factor or idiopathic diagnoses had significantly lower ROS-TAC scores than controls, and men with male factor diagnoses that eventually were able to initiate a successful pregnancy had significantly higher ROS-TAC scores than those who failed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.96-104
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• 2020

Objectives: Oleanolic acid, a minor element of ginsenosides, and its derivatives have been shown to have cytotoxicity against some tumor cells. The impact of cytotoxic effect of oleanolic acid 3-acetate on ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells and endometrial cancer HEC-1A cells were examined both in vivo and in vitro to explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cytotoxic effects of oleanolic acid 3-acetate were assessed by cell viability, phosphatidylserine exposure on the cell surface, mitochondrial release of cytochrome C, nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor, depolarization of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (∆Ψ_m), and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In vivo inhibition of tumor growth was also assessed with xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Results: Oleanolic acid 3-acetate exhibited potent cytotoxicity toward SKOV3 and HEC-1A cells by decreasing cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner. Importantly, oleanolic acid 3-acetate effectively suppressed the growth of SKOV3 cell tumor xenografts in immunocompromised mice. Furthermore, oleanolic acid 3-acetate induced apoptotic cell death as revealed by loss of ∆Ψ_m, release of cytochrome c, and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor with a concomitant activation of many proapoptotic cellular components including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, Bcl-2, and caspases-8, caspase-3, and caspase-7. Oleanolic acid 3-acetate, however, caused a decrease in ROS production, suggesting the involvement of an ROS-independent pathway in oleanolic acid 3-acetate-induced apoptosis in SKOV3 and HEC-1A cells. Conclusion: These findings support the notion that oleanolic acid 3-acetate could be used as a potent anticancer supplementary agent against ovarian and endometrial cancer. Oleanolic acid 3-acetate exerts its proapoptotic effects through a rather unique molecular mechanism that involves an unconventional ROS-independent but mitochondria-mediated pathway.

• 약학회지
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• 제50권6호
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• pp.372-380
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• 2006

Farnesol in fruits, vegetables, herbs and leaves acts as bioactive component related with prevention of cancer and psychological malaise. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of farnesol on human leukemic cell, HL-60 cells, by MTT assay using 3- (4,5-Oirnethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide. Farnesol (0.1${\sim}$50 ${\mu}$g/ml) exhibited cytotoxicities against HL-60 cells in concentration and culture period dependent manner, In the cytotoxic condition induced by farnesol against HL-60 cells, the generation of reactive oxygen species such as O$_2$ and H$_2$O$_2$ were found to be considerably increased. The most prominent augmentations of O$_2$ and H$_2$O$_2$ were over five folds of controls. In an attempt to explore the response of HL-60 cells to the increased O$_2$ and H$_2$O$_2$, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and catalase activities of HL-60 cells treated with farnesol were measured. SOD and GPx activities were found to be remarkably elevated by addition of farnesol showing the best results of 273% and 167% of controls, respectively: All data suggest that farnesol may have played as an apoptosis inducer in HL-60 cells via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and HL-60 cells may have failed to overcome the damage of ROS on account of still defcient ROS scavengers including SOD and GPx.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.48-53
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• 2019

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are widely generated in biological processes such as normal metabolism and response to xenobiotic exposure. While ROS can be beneficial or harmful to cells and tissues, generation of ROS by diverse anti-cancer drugs or phytochemicals plays an important role in the induction of apoptosis. We recently identified a derivative of naphthalene, MS-5, that induces apoptosis of an ovarian cell, CAOV-3. Interestingly, MS-5 induced apoptosis by down-regulating the ROS. Cell viability was evaluated by water-soluble tetrazolium salt (WST-1) assay. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Intracellular ROS ($H_2O_2$), mitochondrial superoxide, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and effect on cycle were determined by flow cytometry. Protein expression was assessed by western blotting. The level of ATP was measured using ATP Colorimetric/Fluorometric Assay kit. MS-5 inhibited growth of ovarian cancer cell lines, CAOV-3, in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. MS-5 also induced G1 cell cycle arrest in CAOV-3 cells, while MS-5 decreased intracellular ROS generation. In addition, cells treated with MS-5 showed the decrease in MMP and ATP production. In this study, we found that treatment with MS-5 in CAOV-3 cells induced apoptosis but decreased ROS level. We suspect that MS-5 might interfere with the minimum requirements of ROS for survival. These perturbations appear to be concentration-dependent, suggesting that MS-5 may induce apoptosis by interfering with ROS generation. We propose that MS-5 may be a potent therapeutic agent for inducing apoptosis in ovarian cancer cell through regulation of ROS.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.203-210
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• 2011

Cilostazol is a selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 3 that increases intracellular cAMP levels and activates protein kinase A, thereby inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation. We investigated whether AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation induced by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is a mediator of the beneficial effects of cilostazol and whether cilostazol may prevent cell proliferation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by activating AMPK in VSMC. In the present study, we investigated VSMC with various concentrations of cilostazol. Treatment with cilostazol increased HO-1 expression and phosphorylation of AMPK in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cilostazol also significantly decreased platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-induced VSMC proliferation and ROS production by activating AMPK induced by HO-1. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of HO-1 and AMPK blocked the cilostazol-induced inhibition of cell proliferation and ROS production.These data suggest that cilostazol-induced HO-1 expression and AMPK activation might attenuate PDGF-induced VSMC proliferation and ROS production.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제26권5호
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• pp.503-511
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• 2018

Triclosan (TCS) and bisphenol A (BPA) are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with the hormone or endocrine system and may cause cancer. Kaempferol (Kaem) and 3,3'-diindolylmethane (DIM) are phytoestrogens that play chemopreventive roles in the inhibition of carcinogenesis and cancer progression. In this study, the influence of TCS, BPA, Kaem, and DIM on proliferation and apoptotic abilities of VM7Luc4E2 breast cancer cells were examined. MTT assay revealed that TCS ($0.1-10{\mu}M$), BPA ($0.1-10{\mu}M$) and E2 ($0.01-0.0001{\mu}M$) induced significant cell proliferation of VM7Luc4E2 cells, which was restored to the control (0.1% DMSO) by co-treatment with Kaem ($30{\mu}M$) or DIM ($15{\mu}M$). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production assays showed that TCS and BPA inhibited ROS production of VM7Luc4E2 cells similar to E2, but that co-treatment with Kaem or DIM on VM7Luc4E2 cells induced increased ROS production. Based on these results, the effects of TCS, BPA, Kaem, and DIM on protein expression of apoptosis and ROS production-related markers such as Bax and Bcl-xl, as well as endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-related markers such as $eIF2{\alpha}$ and CHOP were investigated by Western blot assay. The results revealed that TCS, and BPA induced anti-apoptosis by reducing ROS production and ER stress. However, Kaem and DIM effectively inhibited TCS and BPA-induced anti-apoptotic processes in VM7Luc4E2 cells. Overall, TCS and BPA were revealed to be distinct xenoestrogens that enhanced proliferation and anti-apoptosis, while Kaem and DIM were identified as natural chemopreventive compounds that effectively inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation and increased anti-apoptosis induced by TCS and BPA.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.229-234
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• 2015

Nafamostat mesilate (NM) is a serine protease inhibitor with anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. NM has been used in Asia for anticoagulation during extracorporeal circulation in patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy and extra corporeal membrane oxygenation. Oxidative stress is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease and is associated with vascular endothelial function. We investigated whether NM could inhibit endothelial dysfunction induced by tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$ ). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with TNF-${\alpha}$ for 24 h. The effects of NM on monocyte adhesion, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) protein expression, p38 mitogenactivated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, and intracellular superoxide production were then examined. NM ($0.01{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect HUVEC viability; however, it inhibited the increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and p66shc expression elicited by TNF-${\alpha}$ (3 ng/mL), and it dose dependently prevented the TNF-${\alpha}$ -induced upregulation of endothelial VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. In addition, it mitigated TNF-${\alpha}$ -induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation and the adhesion of U937 monocytes. These data suggest that NM mitigates TNF-${\alpha}$ -induced monocyte adhesion and the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules, and that the anti-adhesive effect of NM is mediated through the inhibition of p66shc, ROS production, and p38 MAPK activation.

• 한국식품과학회지
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.498-504
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• 2014

본 연구에서는 3T3-L1 지방전구세포를 이용하여 Allium속 식물의 하나인 두메부추(ASL) 메탄올 추출물의 ROS 생성 저해 및 지질축적 억제 효과를 확인하고자 하였다. 먼저 ASL 메탄올 추출물 $100-2,000{\mu}g/mL$의 모든 농도에서 유의적인 DPPH 라디칼 소거능을 나타내었으며, ASL 메탄올 추출물을 처리하였을 때 유의적인 세포 독성을 나타내지 않은 $10-100{\mu}g/mL$ 농도에서 실험을 진행하였다. 지방세포 내 ROS 관련 효소와 분화관련 전사인자의 조절로 인한 중성지방 축적 저해 활성을 확인하기 위하여 지방전구세포의 분화를 분화 유도하면서 추출물을 농도별(10, 50 및 $100{\mu}g/mL$)로 처리하였다. 그 결과, ASL 메탄올 추출물은 대조군에 비해 ROS 생성량과 ROS 관련 효소인 G6PDH mRNA 발현을 농도 의존적으로 감소시켰다. 또한 ASL 메탄올 추출물 처리로 인하여 지방세포 내 중성지방 축적이 유의적으로 감소되었으며, adipogenic transcription factor인 SREBP1c, $PPAR{\gamma}$ 및 $C/EBP{\alpha}$ mRNA 발현도 농도 의존적으로 억제되었다. 이상의 결과들로 볼 때, ASL 메탄올 추출물로 인한 ROS 생성 저해와 지질축적 억제는 ROS 생성 및 ROS 관련 유전자의 발현 감소로 인한 지방 생성 주요 전사인자의 유전자 발현 억제로 인한 것으로 보이며, ASL이 항비만에 우수한 효능을 가지는 기능성 식품 소재로서의 개발 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제28권12호
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• pp.1982-1991
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• 2018

Ethanol accumulation inhibited the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during wine fermentation. Autophagy and the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also induced under ethanol stress. However, the relation between autophagy and ethanol stress was still unclear. In this study, expression of the autophagy genes ATG1 and ATG8 and the production of ROS under ethanol treatment in yeast were measured. The results showed that ethanol stress very significantly induced expression of the ATG1 and ATG8 genes and the production of hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) and superoxide anion (${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$). Moreover, the atg1 and atg8 mutants aggregated more $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$ than the wild-type yeast. In addition, inhibitors of the ROS scavenging enzyme induced expression of the ATG1 and ATG8 genes by increasing the levels of $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$. In contrast, glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcystine (NAC) decreased ATG1 and ATG8 expression by reducing $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$ production. Rapamycin and 3-methyladenine also caused an obvious change in autophagy levels and simultaneously altered the release of $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$. Finally, inhibitors of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (mtETC) increased the production of $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$ and also promoted expression levels of the ATG1 and ATG8 genes. In conclusion, ethanol stress induced autophagy which was regulated by $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$ derived from mtETC, and in turn, the autophagy contributed to the elimination $H_2O_2$ and ${O_2}^{{\cdot}_-}$.