• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.183-192
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• 2023

p38 MAPK has been implicated in the pathogenesis of asthma as well as pro-allergic Th2 cytokines, orosomucoid-like protein isoform 3 (ORMDL3), regulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis, and regulatory T cell-derived IL-35. To elucidate the role of p38 MAPK in the pathogenesis of asthma, we examined the effect of NJK14047, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, against ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma; we administrated NJK14047 before OVA sensitization or challenge in BALB/c mice. As ORMDL3 regulation of sphingolipid biosynthesis has been implicated in childhood asthma, ORMDL3 expression and sphingolipids contents were also analyzed. NJK14047 inhibited antigen-induced degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells. NJK14047 administration both before OVA sensitization and challenge strongly inhibited the increase in eosinophil and lymphocyte counts in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In addition, NJK14047 administration inhibited the increase in the levels of Th2 cytokines. Moreover, NJK14047 reduced the inflammatory score and the number of periodic acid-Schiff-stained cells in the lungs. Further, OVA-induced increase in the levels of C16:0 and C24:1 ceramides was not altered by NJK14047. These results suggest that p38 MAPK plays crucial roles in activation of dendritic and mast cells during sensitization and challenge periods, but not in ORMDL3 and sphingolipid biosynthesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.100-105
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• 2008

The sphingolipid metabolites act as lipid mediator for cell proliferation and apoptosis in mammalian cells. In bacteria, sphingolipid metabolism remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether sphingolipid metabolism is potential target for fumonisin $B_1$($FB_1$) and desipramine in Sphingomonas chungbukensis, Gram-negative bacteria, by comparing the intracellular contents of bacterial sphingolipids with ones of HIT-T15 ${\beta}$-cells, hamster pancreatic cells. The concentrations of ceramide and dihydroceramide were 18.0 ${\pm}$ 12.0 and 0.025 ${\pm}$ 0.018 nmol/mg protein, respectively, in HIT-T15 cells. However, the concentrations of ceramide and dihydroceramide in the bacterial culture were 2.0 ${\pm}$ 1.2 and 10.6 ${\pm}$ 5.5 nmol/mg protein, respectively. $FB_1$ decreased the level of ceramide from 18.0 to 3.8 nmol/mg protein in HIT-T15 ${\beta}$-cells. However, dihydroceramide content in $FB_1$-treated HIT-T15 cells was slightly decreased compared with the control culture. When S. chungbukensis was treated with either $FB_1$ or desipramine, dihydroceramide level was increased by 5- and 4-fold, respectively, compared with the control bacteria. These results indicate that $FB_1$ and desipramine may act as an activator in bacterial sphingolipid biosynthetic pathway, and bacterial sphingolipid metabolism pathway appears to be different from the pathway of mammalian cells.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.152-157
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• 2005

Strain Kw07$^T$, a Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, was isolated from granules in an Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) bioreactor used in the treatment of brewery waste­water. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain Kw07T belongs to the a-4 subclass of the Proteobacteria, and the highest degree of sequence similarity was determined to be to Sphingopyxis macrogoltabida IFO 15033T (97.8%). Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain Kw07T possesses a quinone system with the predominant compound Q-I0, the predominant fatty acid C,s:, OJ7c, and sphingolipids, aU of which corroborated our assignment ofthe strain to the Sphingopyxis genus. The results of DNA-DNA hybridization and physiological and biochemical tests clearly demonstrated that strain Kw07T represents a distinct species. Based on these data, Kw07T (= KCTC 12209T = NBRC 100800T) should be classified as the type strain for a novel Sphingopyxis species, for which the name Sphingopyxis granuli sp. novo has been proposed.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.9-17
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• 2016

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive brain disease, for which there is no effective drug therapy at present. Ginsenoside Rg1 (G-Rg1) and G-Rg2 have been reported to alleviate memory deterioration. However, the mechanism of their anti-AD effect has not yet been clearly elucidated. Methods: Ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem MS (UPLC/MS)-based metabolomics was used to identify metabolites that are differentially expressed in the brains of AD mice with or without ginsenoside treatment. The cognitive function of mice and pathological changes in the brain were also assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: The impaired cognitive function and increased hippocampal $A{\beta}$ deposition in AD mice were ameliorated by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. In addition, a total of 11 potential biomarkers that are associated with the metabolism of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs), hypoxanthine, and sphingolipids were identified in the brains of AD mice and their levels were partly restored after treatment with G-Rg1 and G-Rg2. G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment influenced the levels of hypoxanthine, dihydrosphingosine, hexadecasphinganine, LPC C 16:0, and LPC C 18:0 in AD mice. Additionally, G-Rg1 treatment also influenced the levels of phytosphingosine, LPC C 13:0, LPC C 15:0, LPC C 18:1, and LPC C 18:3 in AD mice. Conclusion: These results indicate that the improvements in cognitive function and morphological changes produced by G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 treatment are caused by regulation of related brain metabolic pathways. This will extend our understanding of the mechanisms involved in the effects of G-Rg1 and G-Rg2 on AD.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.657-665
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• 2006

We recently reported that dimethylsphingosine (DMS), a metabolite of sphingolipids, increased intracellular pH and $Ca^{2+}$ concentration in U937 human monocytes. In the present study, we found that dimethylphytosphingosine (DMPH) induced the above responses more robustly than DMS. However, phytosphingosine, monomethylphytosphingosine or trimethylsphingosine showed little or no activity. Synthetic C3 deoxy analogues of sphingosine did show similar activities, with the C16 analogue more so than C18. The following structure-activity relationships were observed between DMS derivatives and the intracellular pH and $Ca^{2+}$ concentrations in U937 monocytes; 1) dimethyl modification is important for the DMS-induced increase of intracellular pH and $Ca^{2+}$, 2) the addition of an OH group on C4 enhances both activities, 3) the deletion of the OH group on C3 has a negligible effect on the activities, and 4) C16 appears to be more effective than C18. We also found that W-7, a calmodulin inhibitor, blocked the DMS-induced pH increase, whereas, KN-62, ML9, and MMPX, specific inhibitors for calmodulin-dependent kinase II, myosin light chain kinase, and $Ca^{2+}$-calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase, respectively, did not affect DMS-induced increases of pH in the U937 monocytes.

• Journal of Sericultural and Entomological Science
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.25-30
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate active constituents of Bombysis corpus on the neurite outgrowth from PC 12 cells led to isolate three new and a known sphingolipids from the n-hexane soluble portion and five amines from the butanol soluble portion of its methanol extract. On the basis of spectroscopic data, their structures have been elucidated as (4E,6E,2S,3R)-2-N-eicosanoyl-4,6-tetradecasphingadienine, (4E,2S,3R)-2-N-eicosanoyl-4-tetradecasphingenine,(4E,6E,2S,3R)-2-N-docosanoyl-4,6-tetradecasphingadienine,(4E,6E,2S,3R)-2-N-docosanoyl-4,6-tetradecasphingadienine,(4E,2S,3R)-2-N-octadecanoyl-4-tetradecasphingenine, 1,7-dimethyl-xanthine, uracil, urea, betaine and tyrosine, respectively. The neurite outgrowth activities of these compounds were examined in PC12 cells by measuring the length of neurites. These compounds promoted neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells significantly.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.140-150
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• 2022

A method of ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) was established for characterization of the lipid profile of Skipjack tuna. Over 300 lipid molecular species were identified through cross-acquisition in both positive and negative ion mode. Phospholipids (PLs) were dominant in Skipjack tuna. Lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LPE), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) were the main lipid molecular species in PLs, accounting for 89.24% of the total PLs. The ratio of sphingolipids (SLs) and glycerolipids (GLs) were considerable, accounting for 12.30% and 13.60% of the total lipids respectively. Ceramide (Cer) was the main lipid molecular species of SLs, accounting for 64.96% of total SLs, followed by sphingomyelin (SM), accounting for 25.45% of total SLs. Ether diglycerides (ether DG) were the main lipid molecular species of GLs (97.83%). The main fatty acids (FAs) are unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) in Skipjack tuna. Besides, a new FAs class branched fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFA) was detected, together with the FA. The active lipids identified in this study can be used to evaluate the nutritional value of Skipjack tuna.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 1999

Butyrate is one of the short-chain fatty acids that are present in the colon of mammals in millimolar concentration as a result of microbial anaerobic fermentation of dietary fiber, undigested starch, and proteins. In this study, sodium butyrate was examined in HT29 cell, human colonic cancer cell line, on cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, PLC-${\gamma}$1 expression and complex sphingolipid biosynthesis. Treatment with butyrate showed that the decrease of cell adhesion and viability was time-dependent. Sodium butyrate also induced to increase the activity of alkaline phosphatase which is a differentiation marker enzyme and decrease the expression of PLC-${\gamma}$1. Biosynthesis of sphingomyelin and galactosylceramide by butyrate treatment were decreased so fast but ceramide was increased 680dpm/mg protein% more than untreated group on first day and then decreased fast. In addition, acid ceramidase and neutral ceramidase activity were inhibited early stage by sodium butyrate. These results suggest that sodium butyrate causes cell differentiation or cell growth arrest of HT29 cell accompanied by early increase of ceramide content and alkaline phosphatase activity and decrease of galactosylceramide content and PLC-r1 expression.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.5
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• pp.396-403
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• 2011

Ceramides (Cer) comprise the major constituent of sphingolipids in the epidermis and are known to play diverse roles in the outermost layers of the skin including water retention and provision of a physical barrier. In addition, they can be hydrolyzed into free sphingoid bases such as $C_{18}$ sphingosine (SO) and $C_{18}$ sphinganine (SA) or can be further metabolized to $C_{18}$ So-1-phosphate (S1P) and $C_{18}$ Sa-1-phosphate (Sa1P) in keratinocytes. The significance of ceramide metabolites emerged from studies reporting altered levels of SO and SA in skin disorders and the role of S1P and Sa1P as signaling lipids. However, the overall metabolism of sphingoid bases and their phosphates during keratinocyte differentiation remains not fully understood. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed these Cer metabolites in the process of keratinocyte differentiation. Three distinct keratinocyte differentiation stages were prepared using 0.07 mM calcium (Ca$^{2+}$) (proliferation stage), 1.2 mM Ca$^{2+}$ (early differentiation stage) in serum-free medium, or serum-containing medium with vitamin C (50 ${\mu}L$/mL) (late differentiation stage). Serum-containing medium was also used to determine whether vitamin C increases the concentrations of sphingoid bases and their phosphates. The production of sphingoid bases and their phosphates after hydrolysis by alkaline phosphatase was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography. Compared to cells treated with 0.07 mM Ca$^{2+}$, levels of SO, SA, S1P, and SA1P were not altered after treatment with 1.2 mM Ca$^{2+}$. However, in keratinocytes cultured in serum-containing medium with vitamin C, levels of SO, SA, S1P, and SA1P were dramatically higher than those in 0.07- and l.2-mM Ca$^{2+}$-treated cells; however, compared to serum-containing medium alone, vitamin C did not significantly enhance their production. Taken together, we demonstrate that late differentiation induced by vitamin C and serum was accompanied by dramatic increases in the concentration of sphingoid bases and their phosphates, although vitamin C alone had no effect on their production.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.167-172
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• 2004

In the human skin, vitamin C (L -ascorbic acid) that is well known as the activated materials has effects that is skin anti-aging and wrinkle repair by giving impetus to collagen biosynthesis and anti-oxidation, and that is the sun screen, a wound recovering, inhibition melanogenesis and so on. In spite of its effects, vitamin C has the defects of the skin stimulation and easily oxidized instability by water, air, heat and light. For solving their matters, many investigation is advanced and its results are synthesized the various vitamin C derivatives. And yet they have not solved the unstable property of vitamin C and were still insufficient for the comparing with the effect of the pure vitamin C itself. In this study, in order to prepare vitamin C derivative of being improved the stability and to apply vitamin C effect in the skin, we prepared new vitamin C derivative, phytosphingosine ascorbate, by using phytosphingosine, one of sphingolipids, which have a distinguished skin affinity. Phytosphingosine ascorbate can be prepared as the ionic bond between amine group (-NH$_2$) of phytosphingosine and hydroxy group (-OH) of vitamin C by way of the relatively simple reaction. So the structure and properties of the synthesized phytosphingosine ascorbate was confirmed the use of elemental analysis (C 58.3 : H 9.3 : N 2.8 : O 29.5), MALDI TOF-MS (Mw=492.58), Ultraviolet spectra (268.5nm), lH NMR, FT-IR spectra, thermal analysis (m.p=l54$^{\circ}C$), HPLC and so on. And we could confirm the anti-bacterial and anti-oxidation effects. Based on these results, we could confirm to prepare a new material that was expected of both effects of vitamin C and phytosphingosine and that is improved properties of vitamin C.