• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.239-245
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• 1997

Trimetoquinol (TMQ) and its analogs are known to have thromboxane $A_2$ antagonistic action. We also reported that GS389, chemically similar to TMQ, has competitive antagonistic action in rat aorta and human platelets. In the present study, we investigated the pharmacological characteristics of GS283 and GS 386, analogs of GS389, using vascular smooth muscle, human platelets and rat brain homogenates. In isolated pig coronary artery (PCA), both of GS283 and GS386 relaxed U46619-contracted rings in concentration dependent manner. Pretreatment with several concentrations of GS283 and GS386 shifted the dose-response curves to the right, and reduced of maximum contration dose-dependently. Furthermore, GS283 and GS386 strongly inhibited $Ca^{2+}$ -induced contraction in the PCA. In human platelets, U46619- and A23187-induced platelet aggregation was inhibited by GS283 and GS386, concentration-dependently. Anti-platelet aggregation was related to the compound\`s ability to inhibit ATP release at each stimulation. In rat brain homogenates, receptor-binding assay resulted that both GS283 and GS386 have a relative affinity to $\alpha$-adrenergic receptor. Taken together. we concluded that the mechamism of action of GS283 and GS86 is not related with in TXA$_2$ receptor but concerned with calcium antagonistic action and a-blocking action.n.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.237-245
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• 2023

Background: Ginsenoside Rg2 (Rg2) has a variety of pharmacological activities and provides benefits during inflammation, cancer, and other diseases. However, there are no reports about the relationship between Rg2 and atherosclerosis. Methods: We used 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) to detect the cell viability of Rg2 in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The expression of inflammatory factors in HUVECs and the expression of phenotypic transformation-related marker in VSMCs were detected at mRNA levels. Western blot method was used to detect the expression of inflammation pathways and the expression of phenotypic transformation at the protein levels. The rat carotid balloon injury model was performed to explore the effect of Rg2 on inflammation and phenotypic transformation in vivo. Results: Rg2 decreased the expression of inflammatory factors induced by lipopolysaccharide in HUVECs-without affecting cell viability. These events depend on the blocking regulation of NF-κB and p-ERK signaling pathway. In VSMCs, Rg2 can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and phenotypic transformation of VSMCs induced by platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-which may contribute to its anti-atherosclerotic role. In rats with carotid balloon injury, Rg2 can reduce intimal proliferation after injury, regulate the inflammatory pathway to reduce inflammatory response, and also suppress the phenotypic transformation of VSMCs. Conclusion: These results suggest that Rg2 can exert its anti-atherosclerotic effect at the cellular level and animal level, which provides a more sufficient basis for ginseng as a functional dietary regulator.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.126-136
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• 2022

Liver fibrosis is part of the wound healing process to help the liver recover from the injuries caused by various liver-damaging insults. However, liver fibrosis often progresses to life-threatening cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To overcome the limitations of current in vivo liver fibrosis models for studying the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and establishing effective treatment strategies, we developed a new mouse model of liver fibrosis using polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a humidifier sterilizer known to induce lung fibrosis in humans. Male C57/BL6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with PHMG-p (0.03% and 0.1%) twice a week for 5 weeks. Subsequently, liver tissues were examined histologically and RNA-sequencing was performed to evaluate the expression of key genes and pathways affected by PHMG-p. PHMG-p injection resulted in body weight loss of ~15% and worsening of physical condition. Necropsy revealed diffuse fibrotic lesions in the liver with no effect on the lungs. Histology, collagen staining, immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and collagen, and polymerase chain reaction analysis of fibrotic genes revealed that PHMG-p induced liver fibrosis in the peri-central, peri-portal, and capsule regions. RNA-sequencing revealed that PHMG-p affected several pathways associated with human liver fibrosis, especially with upregulation of lumican and IRAK3, and downregulation of GSTp1 and GSTp2, which are closely involved in liver fibrosis pathogenesis. Collectively we demonstrated that the PHMG-p-induced liver fibrosis model can be employed to study human liver fibrosis.

• 대한두경부종양학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.19-22
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• 2024

Angioleiomyoma is benign smooth muscle tumor originating from the vascular wall. While they can occur in various anatomical locations, they are rarely reported in the vallecula region of the oropharynx. We present a case of a 58-year-old female patient with a five-year history of progressive dysphagia and throat discomfort. Laryngoscopy revealed a large, soft, mobile mass located on the right side of the vallecula. Radiological imaging further characterized the lesion as a well-circumscribed, heterogeneous mass. Surgical intervention in the form of Transoral Videolaryngoscopic Surgery (TOVS) was performed, leading to the successful removal of the mass. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of angioleiomyoma.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.292-298
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• 2023

Objective: Ovarian torsion is a gynecological disorder that causes ischemia-reperfusion injuries in the ovary. Our study investigated berberine's short- and long-term effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Methods: This study included 28 Wistar albino female rats weighing 180 to 220 g, which were divided into four groups: sham (S), torsion/detorsion (T/D), torsion/ detorsion+single dose berberine (T/D+Bb), and torsion/detorsion+15 days berberine (T/D+15Bb). The torsion and detorsion model was applied in all non-sham groups. In the T/D+Bb group, a single dose of berberine was administered, while in the T/D+15Bb group, berberine was administered over a period of 15 days. After the rats were euthanized, their ovaries were excised. The left ovaries were used for histopathologic evaluation, which included ovarian injury scoring and follicle count, while the right ovaries were used for biochemical analyses (tissue transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β] and alpha-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA] levels). Results: The histopathologic evaluation scores for the ovaries were significantly lower in the T/D+B group (p<0.05) and the T/D+15B group (p<0.005) than in the T/D group. The follicle counts in the T/D group were lower than those in both the sham and treated groups (p<0.005). The TGF-β levels were significantly lower in the T/D+15B group (p<0.005), whereas the α-SMA levels did not show a significant difference. Conclusion: Both short- and long-term berberine use could potentially have therapeutic effects on ovarian torsion. Long-term berberine use exhibited anti-inflammatory effects by reducing TGF-β levels, thereby preventing ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Therefore, we suggest that long-term berberine use could be beneficial for ovarian torsion.

• 대한영상의학회지
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• 제84권4호
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• pp.946-951
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• 2023

평활근종은 평활근세포에서 발생할 수 있는 흔한 양성종양으로, 주로 자궁에서 발생한다. 복막평활근종은 매우 드물며 대부분 복막성 평활근증으로 보고되었다. 저자들이 아는한 단일 복막평활근종의 영상의학적 소견은 영문으로 아직까지 보고된 바가 없다. 전산화단층촬영에서 비균질한 조영증강, 자기공명영상에서 점진적 조영증강 및 확산제한을 보여 영상의학적으로 간의 변성된 혈관종, 간선종, 혹은 염증성 근섬유아세포종 등을 감별하였으나 수술 후 병리학적으로 복막평활근종으로 진단된 34세 여성의 증례 및 영상의학적 소견을 보고하고자 한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.405-416
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• 2024

Background: Hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (HPH) is the main pathological change in vascular remodeling, a complex cardiopulmonary disease caused by hypoxia. Some research results have shown that ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) can improve vascular remodeling, but the effect and mechanism of Rg1 on hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension are not clear. The purpose of this study was to discuss the potential mechanism of action of Rg1 on HPH. Methods: C57BL/6 mice, calpain-1 knockout mice and Pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) were exposed to a low oxygen environment with or without different treatments. The effect of Rg1 and calpain-1 silencing on inflammation, fibrosis, proliferation and the protein expression levels of calpain-1, STAT3 and p-STAT3 were determined at the animal and cellular levels. Results: At the mouse and cellular levels, hypoxia promotes inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation, and the expression of calpain-1 and p-STAT3 is also increased. Ginsenoside Rg1 administration and calpain-1 knockdown, MDL-28170, and HY-13818 treatment showed protective effects on hypoxia-induced inflammation, fibrosis, and cell proliferation, which may be associated with the downregulation of calpain-1 and p-STAT3 expression in mice and cells. In addition, overexpression of calpain 1 increased p-STAT3 expression, accelerating the onset of inflammation, fibrosis and cell proliferation in hypoxic PASMCs. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg1 may ameliorate hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling by suppressing the calpain-1/STAT3 signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제28권4호
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• pp.345-359
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• 2024

Deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the trabecular meshwork (TM) increases aqueous humour outflow resistance leading to elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in primary open-angle glaucoma, which remains the only modifiable risk factor. Resveratrol has been shown to counteract the steroid-induced increase in IOP and increase the TM expression of ECM proteolytic enzymes; however, its effects on the deposition of ECM components by TM and its associated pathways, such as TGF-β-SMAD signalling remain uncertain. This study, therefore, explored the effects of trans-resveratrol on the expression of ECM components, SMAD signalling molecules, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and tissue plasminogen activator in dexamethasone-treated human TM cells (HTMCs). We also studied the nature of molecular interaction of trans-resveratrol with SMAD4 domains using ensemble docking. Treatment of HTMCs with 12.5 µM trans-resveratrol downregulated the dexamethasone-induced increase in collagen, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin at gene and protein levels through downregulation of TGF-β1, SMAD4, and upregulation of SMAD7. Downregulation of TGF-β1 signalling by trans-resveratrol could be attributed to its effect on the transcriptional activity due to high affinity for the MH2 domain of SMAD4. These effects may contribute to resveratrol's IOP-lowering properties by reducing ECM deposition and enhancing aqueous humour outflow in the TM.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.237-252
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• 1989

고양이 회장 종주근에서 세포막 소포를 분리하여 $Na^+$의 농도 경사에 의존하여 일어나는 $Ca^{2+}$ 이동의 특성에 대하여 연구하였다. 막소포 내부에서 외부로 향하는 $Na^+$의 농도 경사 존재시 $Ca^{2+}$의 축적이 현저히 증가하여 $Na^+$ 의존성 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적을 보였으며, 이는 외부용액에 $Na^+$ ionophore인 monensin을 처리시 소실되었다. 한편 이러한 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적의 증가 작용은 $Na^+$에 특이적이었으며 $K^+$, $Li^+$, $Rb^+$, $Cs^+$ 및 choline이온은 $Na^+$의 작용을 대치하지 못하였다. $Ba^{2+}$, $Sr^{2+}$, $Mn^{2+}$ 및 $Cd^{2+}$ 등의 2가 양이온들은 0.5 mM의 농도에서 $Na^+$ 의존성 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적을 억제하였으나 $Mg^{2+}$은 이 농도에서 억제 효과를 보이지 않았다. 막소포 외부의 pH를 pH 6.0에서 8.5까지 증가시 $Na^+$ 의존성 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적이 증가하였다. Amiloride는 0.5 mM 이상의 농도에서 $Na^+$ 의존성 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적을 유의하게 억제하였으나 diltiazem 및 vanadate는 이 농도에서 유의한 억제효과를 보이지 않았다. 동력학적으로 분석하여 측정한 $Na^+$ 의존성 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적의 $Ca^{2+}$에 대한 $K_m$ 값은 $18.2\;{\mu}M$이었으며 5초에서 측정한 $V_{max}$값은 689.7 pmole/mg protein이었다. $Ca^{2+}$ 축적에 대한 $Na^+$ 농도 경사의 효과를 동력학적으로 분석한 결과 막소포 외부에서의 $Ca^{2+}$에 대한 친화도에는 변화없이 최고 이동치만 증가시켜 전형적인 비상경적 작용 양상을 보였다. $Ca^{2+}$ 축적에 대한 $Na^+$ 농도 경사의 효과를 $Na^+$ 농도에 따라 측정하여 Hill plot을 시행한 결과 Hill coefficient가 2.52로 나타났다. 막소포 내부로 향하는 $K^+$ 농도 경사하에서 valinomycin을 처리하여 막소포 내부에 양전위를 발생시킨 결과 $Na^+$ 의존성 $Ca^{2+}$ 축적이 증가하였다. 이와 같은 결과들은 고양이 회장 평활근에서 분리한 세포막에 $Na^{+}-Ca^{2+}$ 교환기전이 존재하고 이는 다른 조직에서 밝혀진 것과 유사한 특성을 지녔으며 electrogenic한 기전으로 작용할 가능성을 시사하였다.