The current study was designed to evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine (X) and xanthine oxidase system (XO) on sperm function and DNA fragmentation in porcine spermatozoa. ROS were produced by a combination of 1,000 μM X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) (200 U/ml) and catalase (CAT) (500 U/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without antioxidants at 37℃ under 5% CO2 incubator. Ca-ionophore-induced acrosome reaction, the proportion of swollen spermatozoa under hypo-osmotic condition, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, and the proportion of DNA fragmentation were determined after 2 hours incubation. The action of ROS on porcine spermatozoa resulted in decreased Ca-ionophore-induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, increased the formation of malondialdehyde, and the proportion of sperm with DNA fragmentation(p<0.05). The toxic effects caused by ROS were completely alleviated by CAT in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD did not serve the same scavenger effect as CAT. To conclude, the ROS can cause significant damage to porcine sperm functions and characteristics, which can be minimized by the use of antioxidants.

Agaricus blazei is well known as a traditional medicinal mushroom and it has been shown to exhibit immunostimulatory and anti-cancer activity. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism of apoptosis of cancer cells is poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated whether A. blazei extract (ABE) exerts anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on human leukemia THP-1 cells. It was found that ABE induced a time- and dose-dependent increase in leukemia cells apoptosis through caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage. Activation of caspase- 9 induced by ABE suggested that ABE-induced signaling was mediated through a mitochondrial death pathway. In addition, we observed an elevation of ROS and a consequent loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, further suggesting that ABE-induced death signaling was mediated through a mitochondrial oxygen stress pathway. The antioxidant Nacetylcysteine, however, opposed ABE-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, caspase activation, and apoptosis, supporting the role of ROS in the apoptotic process. We conclude that ABE induces apoptosisin human leukemia cells through a reactive oxygen species and caspase-dependent mitochondrial pathway.

Intracellular pathogens must maintain redox homeostasis against the antimicrobial actions of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced by host cells. This study proves that glutathione is required to promote survival of an enteric pathogen Salmonella under the conditions producing reactive oxygen or nitrogen species. Glutathione is the non-protein thiol compound distributed in a variety of organisms and possesses strong electron-donating capability to reduce intracellular redox environment. To examine the role of glutathione on Salmonella redox homeostasis under oxidative and nitrosative stress conditions, gshB gene encoding glutathione synthetase was mutated by the one-step PCR inactivation method. The growth of gshB mutant Salmonella producing virtually no glutathione was greatly impaired in the culture media containing either hydrogen peroxide or nitric oxide donors. The results suggest that physiological levels of glutathione can provide a fundamental capability to maintain redox homeostasis for Salmonella in surviving oxidizing conditions of host cells.

EGCG [(-)-epigallocatechin gallate], is a major component of green tea has been considered as a major antioxidant constituent. It has been considered as potential chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents. However, very little is known about the cellular actions by which EGCG mediates its therapeutic effects. Various aspects of antioxidant activity of EGCG were evaluated in this study. EGCG itself did not show significant cytotoxicity. Significant 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity was observed in all ranges of concentration (0.8-100μ/mℓ used in this study. Protective effect of EGCG against hydrogen peroxide induced cell death was observed. Relatively high lipid peroxidation inhibitory activity were detected ( IC50was about 20μg/mℓ). EGCG also dose-dependently enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in V79-4 cells. In concentrations of 100μ/mℓ of EGCG, activities of SOD, CAT and GPX were measured as 36.9 U/mg of protein, 22.9 U/mg of protein and 17.8 U/mg of protein, respectively. When these values were compared with those of the control groups (24.9 U/mg of protein, 14.9 U/mg of protein and 11.7 U/mg of protein), the relative increases were calculated as 48, 54 and 52%, respectively. Taken together, our findings suggest that EGCG can act as an antioxidant by scavenging radicals and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities.

Particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μM (PM2.5) is one of the major environmental pollutants. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), an endocrine disrupting chemical in PM2.5, has been utilized for the manufacturing of polyvinyl chloride to increase the flexibility of final products. In the present study, we investigated the ecotoxicological effect of DEHP on the viability of skin keratinocytes (HaCaT). DEHP induced apoptotic cell death mediated by phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase through the production of intracellular Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Interestingly, we found that DEHP induces the phosphorylation of the nuclear factor-kappa B responsible for the expression of cleaved caspase-3 as an executional cell death protease in HaCaT cells. On the basis of these results, we suggest that DEHP in PM2.5 induces the apoptotic death of human keratinocytes via ROS-mediated signaling events.

직경 10 μm 미만의 대기 미립자 물질(particulate matter, PM10)은 다양한 신체기관에서 산화 스트레 스와 염증반응을 유발한다. 본 연구의 목적은 인간 표피 각질형성세포(HEK)에서 PM10에 의해 유도되는 반응 성 산소종(ROS) 생성의 메커니즘을 알아보는 것이다. 배양된 HEK를 PM10에 노출시켰을 때 ROS가 증가하였으며, 이는 항산화제 apocynin에 의해 저해되었다. PM10에 의해 유도되는 ROS 생성에서 NADPH oxidase (NOX) family의 역할을 규명하기 위하여 이들의 mRNA 발현을 분석하였다. PM10은 NOX1, NOX2, dual oxidase (DUOX)1 및 DUOX2의 mRNA 발현을 증가시켰다. 다른 NOX들에 비교하여 DUOX1 및 DUOX2의 발현 수준이 높았으며, 이들 효소의 maturation factors, 즉 DUOXA1와 DUOXA2의 mRNA 발현도 PM10에 의하여 증가하였다. 칼슘 의존성 효소인 DUOX1과 DUOX2가 PM10에 의해 유도되는 ROS의 생성을 매개하는 지 조사하였다. 선택적인 세포내 칼슘 킬레이터인 BAPTA-AM은 PM10 및 칼슘 ionophore A23187에 유도된 ROS 생성을 감소시켰다. 작은 간섭 RNA (siRNA)에 의한 DUOX2의 하향 조절은 PM10에 의해 유도된 ROS의 생성을 감소시켰고 DUOX1 siRNA는 영향이 없었다. PM10은 interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8 및 interferon (IFN)-γ 등 사이토카인의 발현을 증가시켰다. siRNA에 의한 DUOX2의 하향 조절은 IFN-γ의 발현을 저해하였지만 다른 사이토카인의 발현은 저해하지 않았다. 본 연구는 PM10에 노출된 HEK의 ROS 생성 및 염증 반응에서 DUOX2가 중요한 역할을 함을 시사한다.

Background : Osteoclasts as multinucleated cells originate from hematopoietic monocyte/ macrophage precursor cell, shows the bone absorption through the commitment, differentiation, fusion, and bone resorption stages by regulation of M-CSF and RANKL. It has been reported a significant negative correlation between the increase of oxidative stress and the bone density, and when RANKL reaction to the osteoclasts precursor cells is mainly generated ROS is due to increased activity of NADPH oxidase1 (NOX1), and these ROS act as a factor which promotes osteoclasts differentiation. Thus, RANKL signaling process is important that excessive osteoclast formation and differentiation inhibited through the regulation of each step. Methods and Results : F3570 ethanol extract showed relatively high activity at in-vitro antioxidant activity. F3570 water extract inhibited ROS generation in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with H2O2 and RANKL, even at low concentrations. The inhibitory effect of osteoclast differentiation on F3570 water extract was confirmed that shown through NF-κB pathway, MAPK pathway including ERK and JNK. F3570 ethanol extract is considered to be regulated by the p38 MAPK and the other signaling pathway. Also, F3570 both water and ethanol extract were significantly reduced gene expression such as TRAP, calcitonin receptors and integrin β3 of RANKL-induced mature osteoclast in the bone resorption stage. Conclusion : Through this study, F3570 extract revealed an outstanding inhibitory effect and signaling mechanisms in osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL. These results suggest that F3570 is bone diseases associated with aging or osteoporosis caused by menopause in an aging society is expected to be a superior candidate for the treatment or the prevention

본 연구는 4종의 별의별간(SS) 음료의 간보호 소재로서 의 이용 가능성을 조사하고자 항산화능 평가, t-BHP 와 CCl4로 산화적 손상 및 급성 간독성 유도한in vitro, in vivo 모델을 활용하여 간보호능을 평가하였다. 실험결과, 별의별간 01~04는 50 μM vitamin C 와 유사한 항산화 효과를 나타내었다. HepG2 세포에 t-BHP로 산화 스트레스를 유도한 뒤 나타나는 세포독성에 대해 별의별간 01 및 04에서 농도 의존적인 세포 보호효과를 보였으며, ROS 생성 억제에서 별의별간 01, 03, 04에서 농도의존적인 억제를 나타내었다. 미나리가 혼합된 별의별간 04에 대한 급성 간손상in vivo 모델을 활용하여 간보호능 검증 결과, 별의별간 04는 CCl4로 증가된 혈중 ALT, AST의 유의적 감소, 간 조직중 증가된 MDA 함량 감소 및 감소된 GSH의 유의적 증가를 나타내었다. 또한, 혈청 및 간 조직에서 증가 된 중성지방과 콜레스테롤을 유의적으로 감소시켰다. 이러 한 결과를 종합하며, 별의별간 04는in vitro 및in vivo 모델 에서 산화적 손상에 대해 간보호 효과를 나타내었다

본 연구에서는 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물의 3T3-L1 지방세포 분화 및 ROS생성 저감효과를 구명하기 위하여 3T3-L1 전지방세포 분화과정 중 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출 물에 의한 지방축적과 ROS 생성을 관찰하였다. 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물은 XTT assay에서 100, 200 및 400 μg/mL 농도에서 세포 독성을 보이지 않았다. 지방세포 분화 중 세포 내 지방축적 및 ROS 생성량을 비교한 결과, 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리한 지방세포의 경우 지방축적량과 ROS 생성량 모두 유의적으로 억제되는 것으로 나타났다. 특히 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물을 처리함으로써 지방세포 분화와 관련된 전사인자인 PPARγ, C/EBPα 및 aP mRNA의 발현을 유의적으로 감소시켰으며, ROS의 생성과 관련이 있는 주요 유전자인 NOX4 및 catalase의 유전자발현 또한 유의적으로 감소하였다. 이 결과를 통해 연화 열수 및 에탄 올 추출물이 3T3-L1 지방세포 내 중성지방의 축적 억제 효과와 더불어 ROS 생성 억제에 효과적으로 작용함을 확인 하였다. 따라서 연화 열수 및 에탄올 추출물은 비만과 같은 대사증후군 관련 질환의 개선을 위한 천연물 기능성 소재로 의 활용이 기대된다.

본 연구에서는 명월초 추출물의 메탄올 분획물과 아글리콘 분획물을 제조하였고, 이들에 대한 항산화 활성을 측정하였다. 항산화 활성 측정은 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil (DPPH) radical을 이용한 프리 라디칼 소거활성, 루미놀 발광법을 이용한 활성산소 소거활성(총 항산화능) 및 활성산소(1O2 등)로 유도된 세포손상에 있어서 세포 보호 효과를 측정하였다. 명월초 추출물의 프리 라디칼 소거활성(FSC50)은 메탄올 분획이 90.25 μg/mL이고, 당을 제거한 아글리콘 분획은 81.38 μg/mL를 나타내었다. 총 항산화능(OSC50)은 메탄올 분획 16.96 μg/mL, 아글리콘 분획 12.30 μg/mL로, 프리 라디칼 소거활성 및 활성산소 소거활성 모두 아글리콘 분획에서 큰 활성을 나타내었다. 1O2로 유도된 사람 적혈구의 세포손상에 대한 보호 효과는 τ50 값으로 확인하였다. 5 μg/mL 농도에서 메탄올 분획 및 아글리콘 분획의 τ50이 각각 36.7 및 76.1 min으로, 비교 물질인 (+)-α-tocopherol (35.4 min)과 비교했을 때 아글리콘 분획이 약 2배 더 큰 세포 보호 효과를 나타내었다. 이러한 결과들은 명월초 추출물의 아글리콘 분획물이 항노화 관련 화장품에 있어서 항산화소재로서 응용가능성이 있음을 시사하였다.

Obesity, a strong risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, is characterized by an increase in the number and size of adipocytes differentiated from precursor cells, preadipocytes. Recent research suggests that increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in 3T3-L1 adipocyte facilitates adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation. This study was to investigate whether reduced ROS production by Sargassum micracanthum extract (SME) could protect the development of obesity through inhibition of adipogenesis. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated SME for up to 8 days following standard induction of differentiation. The extent of differentiation reflected by amount of lipid accumulation and ROS production was determined by Oil red O staining and nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) assay. Treatment of SME significantly inhibited ROS production and adipocyte differentiation that is depend on down regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4), a major ROS generator, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), a key adipogenic transcription factor. These results indicate that SME can inhibit adipogenesis through a reduced ROS level that involves down-regulation of NOX4 expression or via modulation of adipogenic transcription factor.

Recently, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proposed to accelerate adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cell. We have previously shown that Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) extract significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation via downregulation of PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) gene expression. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism(s) of NOX4, G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant enzymes in anti-oxidative activities of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that Cheonnyuncho extracts markedly inhibits ROS production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Cheonnyuncho extracts suppressed the mRNA expression of the pro-oxidant enzyme such as NOX4 and theNADPH-producing G6PDH enzyme. In addition, treatment with Cheonnyuncho extract was found to upregulate mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Mn-SOD (manganese-superoxide dismutase), Cu/Zn-SOD (copper/zinc-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathion reductase (GR), and catalase, all of which are important for endogenous antioxidant responses. These data suggest that Cheonnyuncho extract may be effective in preventing the rise of oxidative stress during adipocyte differentiation through mechanism(s) that involves direct down regulation of NOX4 and G6PDH gene expression or via upregulation of endogenous antioxidant responses.

활성산소종(reactive oxygen species, ROS)인 glucose oxidase(GO)의 산화적 손상이 배양 C6glioma 세포에 미치는 영향 및 이에 대한 연꽃(Nelumbo nucifera GAERTN, NNG) 추출물의 항산화 효과를 세포생존율(cell viability)을 비롯한 DPPH-radical scavenging activity, lipid peroxidation에 의하여 분석하였다. 본 연구에서 H2O2는 배양 C6 glioma세포에 처리한 농도에 비례하여 유의한 세포생존율의 감소를 나타냈다. 한편, GO의 산화적 손상에 대한 NNG추출물의 방어효과를 조사하기 위하여 세포생존율을 조사한 결과 NNG 추출물은 GO의 산화적 손상으로 감소된 세포생존율을 유의하게 증가시켰다. 또한, NNG 추출물은 DPPH-radical scavenging activity의 분석에서 유의한 자유라디칼 소거능을 보였으며, 동시에 지질과산화에 대한 억제능을 보였다. 위의 결과로 부터 GO는 배양 C6 glioma세포에 고독성인 것으로 나타났으며 NNG추출물은 GO와 같은 ROS의 산화적 손상을 방어하는데 효과적인 것으로 나타났다.