Though hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) causes a deleterious effect to cells with its reactive oxygen species resulting in cell death, S-allyl cysteine (SAC, a bioactive organosulfur compound of aged garlic extract) has been known to have a cytoprotective effect. Few reported profiles of gene expression of H₂O₂ and SAC treated human cord blood derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). This study revealed changes in the profile of twenty-one genes grouped by oxidative stress, antioxidant, cell death, anti-apoptosis and anti-aging by quantitative real time PCR. A concentration of 100μM of SAC or 50μM of H₂O₂ was applied to MSC which show moderate growth and apoptosis pattern. H₂O₂ treatment enhanced expression of eleven genes out of twenty-one genes compared with that of control group, on the contrary SAC suppressed expression of eighteen genes out of twenty-one genes except C ros oncogene. SAC decreased expression of oxidative stress genes such as SOD1, CAT and GPX. These results seemed consistent with reports which elucidated over expression of NF-kB by H2O2, and suppression of it by SAC. This study will confer basic information for further experiments regarding the effects of SAC on gene levels.

• 박란숙 | Ran-Sook Park