Hyung-Jin Kim

Wonkwang University School of Medicine and Hospital, Iksan, North Jeolla, South Korea

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Publications (22)72.19 Total impact

  • Article: Different uptake of gentamicin through TRPV1 and TRPV4 channels determines cochlear hair cell vulnerability.
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    ABSTRACT: Hair cells at the base of the cochlea appear to be more susceptible to damage by the aminoglycoside gentamicin than those at the apex. However, the mechanism of base-to-apex gradient ototoxicity by gentamicin remains to be elucidated. We report here that gentamicin caused rodent cochlear hair cell damages in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Hair cells at the basal turn were more vulnerable to gentamicin than those at the apical turn. Gentamicin-conjugated Texas Red (GTTR) uptake was predominant in basal turn hair cells in neonatal rats. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and 4 (TRPV4) expression was confirmed in the cuticular plate, stereocilia and hair cell body of inner hair cells and outer hair cells. The involvement of TRPV1 and TRPV4 in gentamicin trafficking of hair cells was confirmed by exogenous calcium treatment and TRPV inhibitors, including gadolinium and ruthenium red, which resulted in markedly inhibited GTTR uptake and gentamicin-induced hair cell damage in rodent and zebrafish ototoxic model systems. These results indicate that the cytotoxic vulnerability of cochlear hair cells in the basal turn to gentamicin may depend on effective uptake of the drug, which was, in part, mediated by the TRPV1 and TRPV4 proteins.
    Experimental & molecular medicine. 01/2013; 45:e12.
  • Article: 2',4',6'-Tris(methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC) attenuates the severity of cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis and associated lung injury.
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    ABSTRACT: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease involving acinar cell injury and rapid production and release of inflammatory cytokines, which play a dominant role in local pancreatic inflammation and systemic complications. 2',4',6'-Tris (methoxymethoxy) chalcone (TMMC), a synthetic chalcone derivative, displays potent anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether TMMC might affect the severity of AP and pancreatitis-associated lung injury in mice. We used the cerulein hyperstimulation model of AP. Severity of pancreatitis was determined in cerulein-injected mice by histological analysis and neutrophil sequestration. The pretreatment of mice with TMMC reduced the severity of AP and pancreatitis-associated lung injury and inhibited several biochemical parameters (activity of amylase, lipase, trypsin, trypsinogen, and myeloperoxidase and production of proinflammatory cytokines). In addition, TMMC inhibited pancreatic acinar cell death and production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 by inhibiting NF-κB and extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation. Neutralizing antibodies for TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 inhibited cerulein-induced cell death in isolated pancreatic acinar cells. Moreover, pharmacological blockade of NF-κB/ERK1/2 reduced acinar cell death and production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 in isolated pancreatic acinar cells. In addition, posttreatment of mice with TMMC showed reduced severity of AP and lung injury. Our results suggest that TMMC may reduce the complications associated with pancreatitis.
    AJP Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology 07/2011; 301(4):G694-706. · 3.43 Impact Factor
  • Article: Cisplatin ototoxicity involves cytokines and STAT6 signaling network.
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    ABSTRACT: We herein investigated the role of the STAT signaling cascade in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cisplatin ototoxicity. A significant hearing impairment caused by cisplatin injection was observed in Balb/c (wild type, WT) and STAT4(-/-), but not in STAT6(-/-) mice. Moreover, the expression levels of the protein and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were markedly increased in the serum and cochlea of WT and STAT4(-/-), but not STAT6(-/-) mice. Organotypic culture revealed that the shape of stereocilia bundles and arrays of sensory hair cell layers in the organ of Corti from STAT6(-/-) mice were intact after treatment with cisplatin, whereas those from WT and STAT4(-/-) mice were highly distorted and disarrayed after the treatment. Cisplatin induced the phosphorylation of STAT6 in HEI-OC1 auditory cells, and the knockdown of STAT6 by STAT6-specific siRNA significantly protected HEI-OC1 auditory cells from cisplatin-induced cell death and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine production. We further demonstrated that IL-4 and IL-13 induced by cisplatin modulated the phosphorylation of STAT6 by binding with IL-4 receptor alpha and IL-13Rα1. These findings suggest that STAT6 signaling plays a pivotal role in cisplatin-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production and ototoxicity.
    Cell Research 02/2011; 21(6):944-56. · 8.19 Impact Factor
  • Article: Activation of lipopolysaccharide-TLR4 signaling accelerates the ototoxic potential of cisplatin in mice.
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    ABSTRACT: Dysfunction in immune surveillance during anticancer chemotherapy of patients often causes weakness of the host defense system and a subsequent increase in microbial infections. However, the deterioration of organ-specific function related to microbial challenges in cisplatin-treated patients has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we investigated cisplatin-induced TLR4 expression and its binding to LPS in mouse cochlear tissues and the effect of this interaction on hearing function. Cisplatin increased the transcriptional and translational expression of TLR4 in the cochlear tissues, organ of Corti explants, and HEI-OC1 cells. Furthermore, cisplatin increased the interaction between TLR4 and its microbial ligand LPS, thereby upregulating the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, via NF-κB activation. In C57BL/6 mice, the combined injection of cisplatin and LPS caused severe hearing impairment compared with that in the control, cisplatin-alone, or LPS-alone groups, whereas this hearing dysfunction was completely suppressed in both TLR4 mutant and knockout mice. These results suggest that hearing function can be easily damaged by increased TLR expression and microbial infections due to the weakened host defense systems of cancer patients receiving therapy comprising three to six cycles of cisplatin alone or cisplatin combined with other chemotherapeutic agents. Moreover, such damage can occur even though patients may not experience ototoxic levels of cumulative cisplatin concentration.
    The Journal of Immunology 01/2011; 186(2):1140-50. · 5.79 Impact Factor
  • Article: Nucleotide changes related to hepatocellular carcinoma in the enhancer 1/x-promoter of hepatitis B virus subgenotype C2 in cirrhotic patients.
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    ABSTRACT: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely known to develop more frequently in cirrhotic patients with a high expression of Hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx), which is controlled by the enhancer 1 (Enh1)/X-promoter. To examine the effect of the mutations in the Enh1/X-promoter region in hepatitis B virus (HBV) genomes on the development of HCC, we investigated the differences in HBV isolated from cirrhotic patients with or without HCC along with the promoter activities of certain specific mutations within the Enh1/X-promoter. We examined 160 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive cirrhotic patients (80 HCC patients, 80 non-HCC patients) by evaluating the biochemical, virological, and molecular characteristics. We evaluated the functional differences in certain specific mutations within the Enh1/X-promoter. The isolated sequences included all of the subgenotypes C2. The sites that showed higher mutation rates in the HCC group were G1053A and G1229A, which were found to be independent risk factors through multiple logistic analysis (P < 0.05). Their promoter activities were elevated 2.38- and 4.68-fold, respectively, over that of the wild type in the HepG2 cells. Similarly, both the mRNA and protein levels of HBx in these two mutants were much higher than that in wild type-transfected HepG2 cells. Mutated nucleotides of the Enh1/X-promoter, especially G1053A and G1229A mutations in the HBV subgenotype C2 of patients with cirrhosis, can be risk factors for hepatocarcinogenesis, and this might be due to an increase in the HBx levels through the transactivation of the Enh1/X-promoter.
    Cancer Science 08/2010; 101(8):1905-12. · 3.33 Impact Factor
  • Article: Roles of NADPH oxidases in cisplatin-induced reactive oxygen species generation and ototoxicity.
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    ABSTRACT: In our previous study, we clearly demonstrated the roles of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6, and subsequent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation on the pathogenesis of cisplatin ototoxicity in vitro and in vivo. ROS generation in cisplatin-treated HEI-OC1 auditory cells was also correlated with changing mitochondrial membrane potential. However, the roles of NADPH oxidase in cisplatin-induced ROS generation and ototoxicity have not been fully elucidated. Herein, immunohistochemical studies demonstrated that treatment of cisplatin induced the expression of NADPH oxidase isoforms NOX-1 and NOX-4 in HEI-OC1 auditory cells. Expression of mRNA for NOX-1, NOX-4, NOXO1, NOXA1, p47(phox), and p67(phox) was also increased. Inhibition of NADPH oxidase with diphenyleniodonium chloride or apocynin abolished ROS production and the subsequent apoptotic cell death in cisplatin-treated cells. Furthermore, suppression of NOX1 and NOX4 expression by small interfering RNA transfection markedly abolished the cytotoxicity and ROS generation by cisplatin. Together, our data suggest that ROS generated, in part, through the activation of NADPH oxidase plays an essential role in cisplatin ototoxicity.
    Journal of Neuroscience 03/2010; 30(11):3933-46. · 7.11 Impact Factor
  • Article: Berberine-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma T98G cells is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress accompanying reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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    ABSTRACT: Berberine has a wide range of biochemical and pharmacologic effects, including antitumor activity, but the mechanisms involved in berberine-induced apoptosis remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes in oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-related molecules, which are closely associated with cell death-signaling transduction pathways, in human glioblastoma T98G cells treated with berberine. Berberine significantly decreased the cell viability of T98G cells in a dose-dependent manner. Berberine increased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and level of intracellular Ca(2+). Berberine induced ER stress as evidenced by the detection of ER stress-associated molecules such as phosphorylated protein kinase-like ER kinase, eukaryotic translation initiation factor-2α, glucose-regulated protein 78/immunoglobulin heavy chain-binding protein, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-homologous protein/growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible gene 153, which was associated with the activation of caspase-3. Furthermore, the administration of the antioxidants, N-acetylcysteine and glutathione, reversed berberine-induced apoptosis. Berberine also markedly enhanced apoptosis in T98G cells through the induction of a higher ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 proteins, disruption of the mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9 and -3, and cleavage of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). The inhibition of ER stress using salubrinal led to an increased the level of Bcl-2, whereas the level of Bax, cleavage of procaspase-9 and -3, and PARP were decreased when compared with cells treated with berberine alone, indicating that berberine-induced apoptosis is associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. These results demonstrate that berberine induces apoptosis via ER stress through the elevation of ROS and mitochondrial-dependent pathway in human glioblastoma T98G cells.
    Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 01/2010; 33(10):1644-9. · 1.66 Impact Factor
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    Article: Selective GSK-3beta inhibitors attenuate the cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity of auditory cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis. However, the role of GSK-3 in the auditory system remains unknown. Here we examined whether the GSK-3-specific inhibitors, SB 216763 and LiCl, could protect against cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity of auditory cells. GSK-3 was activated by cisplatin treatment of HEI-OC1 cells. SB 216763 or LiCl treatments inhibited cisplatin-induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and activated caspase-9, -8 and -3. In rat primary explants of the organ of Corti, SB 216763 or LiCl treatments completely abrogated the cisplatin-induced destruction of outer hair cell arrays. Administration of SB 216763 or LiCl inhibited cochlear destruction and the production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and IL-6 in cisplatin-injected mice. Furthermore, administration of SB 216763 or LiCl reduced the thresholds of the auditory brainstem response (ABR) in cisplatin-injected mice. Collectively, these results suggest that cisplatin-induced ototoxicity might be associated with modulation of GSK-3 activation.
    Hearing research 09/2009; 257(1-2):53-62. · 2.18 Impact Factor
  • Article: Sulforaphane protects against cytokine- and streptozotocin-induced beta-cell damage by suppressing the NF-kappaB pathway.
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    ABSTRACT: Sulforaphane (SFN) is an indirect antioxidant that protects animal tissues from chemical or biological insults by stimulating the expression of several NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2)-regulated phase 2 enzymes. Treatment of RINm5F insulinoma cells with SFN increases Nrf2 nuclear translocation and expression of phase 2 enzymes. In this study, we investigated whether the activation of Nrf2 by SFN treatment or ectopic overexpression of Nrf2 inhibited cytokine-induced beta-cell damage. Treatment of RIN cells with IL-1beta and IFN-gamma induced beta-cell damage through a NF-kappaB-dependent signaling pathway. Activation of Nrf2 by treatment with SFN and induction of Nrf2 overexpression by transfection with Nrf2 prevented cytokine toxicity. The mechanism by which Nrf2 activation inhibited NF-kappaB-dependent cell death signals appeared to involve the reduction of oxidative stress, as demonstrated by the inhibition of cytokine-induced H(2)O(2) production. The protective effect of SFN was further demonstrated by the restoration of normal insulin secreting responses to glucose in cytokine-treated rat pancreatic islets. Furthermore, pretreatment with SFN blocked the development of type 1 diabetes in streptozotocin-treated mice.
    Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology 12/2008; 235(1):57-67. · 4.45 Impact Factor
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    Article: Role of proinflammatory cytokines in cisplatin-induced vestibular hair cell damage.
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    ABSTRACT: Cisplatin causes the impairment of inner ear functions, including hearing and balance, through the involvement of a number of mechanisms. However, no laboratory studies have been performed on involvement of inflammation-related events in cisplatin-mediated vestibular dysfunction. We evaluated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation in cisplatin-treated UB/UE-1 utricular epithelial cells. We also employed immunohistochemistry to detect proinflammatory cytokines and NF-kappaB expression in cisplatin-injected mice. Productions of proinflammatory cytokines significantly caused the death of UB/UE1 cells by cisplatin. Pharmacologic inhibition of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/ERK kinase-1 (MEK1) or extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) significantly attenuated the death of UB/UE1 cells caused by cisplatin and proinflammatory cytokines. Immunohistochemical studies revealed an increase in the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and NF-kappaB in both the cristae ampullae and utricle of cisplatin-injected mice. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cisplatin-mediated vestibulo-toxicity.
    Head & Neck 11/2008; 30(11):1445-56. · 2.40 Impact Factor
  • Article: Sasim attenuates LPS-induced TNF-alpha production through the induction of HO-1 in THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Sasim, a traditional prescription composed of seven herbal mixtures, has been widely used as an oriental medicine for the treatment of cerebral infarction in Korea. However, the regulatory mechanisms by which the formula affects immune processing in cerebral infarction patients remain unknown. The levels of secretory protein of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were determined in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like (THP-1/M) cells and Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarction patients. Also, the levels of protein and mRNA of TNF-alpha and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were detected in THP-1/M cells under our experimental condition. Sasim markedly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha at the levels of secretory protein and mRNA in both PBMCs from cerebral infarction patients and THP-1/M cells. Interestingly, Sasim strongly induced HO-1, the rate-limiting enzyme of heme catabolism, at both the protein and mRNA levels in THP-1/M cells. Treatment with tin protoporphyrin IX (SnPP), an inhibitor of the catalytic activity of HO, significantly abolished the suppressive effect of Sasim on LPS-induced TNF-a production in THP-1/M cells. These data indicate that Sasim may be beneficial in the cessation of inflammatory processes associated with cerebral infarction through the induction of HO-1 expression.
    Journal of Ethnopharmacology 07/2008; 119(1):122-8. · 3.01 Impact Factor
  • Article: Berberine, a natural product, combined with cisplatin enhanced apoptosis through a mitochondria/caspase-mediated pathway in HeLa cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Berberine, a main component of Coptidis Rhizoma, has been extensively studied and is known to exhibit multiple pharmacologic activities. In this study, we investigated whether the combination of berberine and cisplatin exhibited significant cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. Apoptosis was evaluated based on DNA fragmentation and cytofluorometrically with the annexin-V/propidium iodide labeling method. Combined treatment with berberine and cisplatin acted in concert to induce loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Delta Psi m), release of cytochrome-c from mitochondria, and decreased expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-x/L, resulting in activation of caspases and apoptosis. Further study showed that cell death induced by the combined treatment was associated with increased reactive oxygen species generation and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, we discovered that the combined treatment-induced apoptosis was mediated by the activation of the caspase cascade. These results indicated that the potential of cytotoxicity mediated through the mitochondria-caspase pathway is primarily involved in the combined treatment-induced apoptosis.
    Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin 06/2008; 31(5):789-95. · 1.66 Impact Factor
  • Article: Hibiscus sabdariffa L. water extract inhibits the adipocyte differentiation through the PI3-K and MAPK pathway.
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    ABSTRACT: Hibiscus sabdariffa L., a tropical beverage material and medical herb, is used commonly as in folk medicines against hypertension, pyrexia, inflammation, liver disorders, and obesity. This report was designed to investigate the inhibitory mechanisms of hibiscus extract on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The possible inhibitory pathways that regulate the adipocyte differentiation contain the adipogenic transcription factors, C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma, PI3-kinase, and MAPK pathway. In this study, we examined whether hibiscus extract affected the adipogenesis via these three pathways. To differentiate preadipocyte in adipocyte, confluent 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with the hormone mixture including isobutylmethylxanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin (MDI). Hibiscus extract inhibited significantly the lipid droplet accumulation by MDI in a dose-dependent manner and attenuated dramatically the protein and mRNA expressions of adipogenic transcriptional factors, C/EBPalpha and PPARgamma, during adipogenesis. The increase of phosphorylation and expression of PI3-K/Akt during adipocytic differentiation was markedly inhibited by treatment with hibiscus extract or PI3-K inhibitors. Furthermore, the phosphorylation and expression of MEK-1/ERK known to regulate the early phase of adipogenesis were clearly decreased with the addition of hibiscus extract. Taken together, this report suggests that hibiscus extract inhibits the adipocyte differentiation through the modulation of PI3-K/Akt and ERK pathway that play pivotal roles during adipogenesis.
    Journal of Ethnopharmacology 12/2007; 114(2):260-7. · 3.01 Impact Factor
  • Article: Anti-inflammatory effect of Sasim extracts in PHA-stimulated THP-1 and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from cerebral infarction patients.
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    ABSTRACT: Sasim, a prescription composed of seven herbal mixtures, has been widely used for the treatment of cerebral infarction as an oriental medicine in Korea. However, the mechanisms by which the formula affects on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in cerebral infarct patients remain unknown yet. The levels of secretory protein and mRNA of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interlukin (IL)-1beta, and IL-6, were significantly increased in both THP-1 differentiated macrophage-like cells (T/M) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from cerebral infarct patients at 24h after stimulation with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (p<0.05). However, pretreatment of Sasim strongly suppressed the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PHA-stimulated T/M cells and PBMCs. Moreover, Sasim significantly suppressed the transcriptional levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PHA-stimulated THP-1/M cells. These data indicate that Sasim may be beneficial in the cessation of inflammatory processes of cerebral infarction through suppression on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines via inhibition of mRNA expression.
    Journal of Ethnopharmacology 05/2007; 112(1):32-9. · 3.01 Impact Factor
  • Article: Tanshinone IIA inhibits LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation in RAW 264.7 cells: possible involvement of the NIK-IKK, ERK1/2, p38 and JNK pathways.
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    ABSTRACT: Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation by NF-kappaB-inducing kinase (NIK)-IkappaB alpha kinase (IKK) pathway and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway are important in inflammation. We recently found that the tanshinone IIA, a diterpene isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza (S. miltiorrhiza), reduced the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). However, little is known about the inhibitory mechanisms of tanshinone IIA on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators. To investigate the inhibitory mechanism, we determined the inhibitory effects of tanshinone IIA on the activation of NF-kappaB and IkappaB alpha phosphorylation, and also examined phosphorylation of NIK and IKK as well as the activation of MAPKs such as p38 MAPK (p38), extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. Tanshinone IIA inhibited NF-kappaB-DNA complex, NF-kappaB binding activity, and the phosphorylation of IkappaB alpha in a dose dependent manner. Tanshinone IIA also inhibited the translocation of NF-kappaB from cytosol to nucleus. Moreover, the phosphorylation of NIK and IKK as well as the phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in the LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were suppressed by the tanshinone IIA in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that tanshinone IIA may inhibit LPS-induced IkappaB alpha degradation and NF-kappaB activation via suppression of the NIK-IKK pathway as well as the MAPKs (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) pathway in RAW 264.7 cells and these properties may provide a potential mechanism that explains the anti-inflammatory activity of tanshinone IIA.
    European Journal of Pharmacology 09/2006; 542(1-3):1-7. · 2.52 Impact Factor
  • Article: Heme oxygenase-1 attenuates the cisplatin-induced apoptosis of auditory cells via down-regulation of reactive oxygen species generation.
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    ABSTRACT: Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the rate-limiting enzyme of heme catabolism, is known to modulate various cellular functions, including cytokine production, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, in stress-related conditions. However, the role of HO-1 in the auditory system remains elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that pharmacologic induction of HO-1 along with catalytic activation significantly suppressed apoptosis of HEI-OC1 cells induced by cisplatin. Studies of ectopic expression of pcDNA3-HO-1 and siRNA of HO-1 further revealed the protective role of HO-1 against cisplatin in HEI-OC1 cells. Among the catabolic metabolites of HO-1, both carbon monoxide (CO) and bilirubin were directly involved in the protective role of HO-1 against cisplatin through inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation. Furthermore, pharmacological induction of HO-1 completely prevented the destruction of outer hair cell arrays by cisplatin through a CO-dependent mechanism in organotrophic culture of the rat primary organ of Corti explants. These results suggest that HO-1 may serve as a safeguard of auditory sensory hair cells against a variety of challenges of oxidative stress, including noise trauma, presbycusis, and ototoxic drugs, respectively.
    Free Radical Biology and Medicine 06/2006; 40(10):1810-9. · 5.42 Impact Factor
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    Article: Protective effect of T-type calcium channel blocker flunarizine on cisplatin-induced death of auditory cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Changes in intracellular Ca2+ level are involved in a number of intracellular events, including triggering of apoptosis. The role of intracellular calcium mobilization in cisplatin-induced hair cell death, however, is still unknown. In this study, the effect of calcium channel blocker flunarizine (Sibelium), which is used to prescribe for vertigo and tinnitus, on cisplatin-induced hair cell death was investigated in a cochlear organ of Corti-derived cell line, HEI-OC1, and the neonatal (P2) rat organ of Corti explant. Cisplatin induced apoptotic cell death showing nuclear fragmentation, DNA ladder, and TUNEL positive in both HEI-OC1 and primary organ of Corti explant. Flunarizine significantly inhibited the cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Unexpectedly, flunarizine increased the intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels of HEI-OC1. However, the protective effect of flunarizine against cisplatin was not mediated by modulation of intracellular calcium level. Treatment of cisplatin resulted in ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in HEI-OC1. Flunarizine did not attenuate ROS production but inhibited lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial permeability transition in cisplatin-treated cells. This result suggests that the protective mechanism of flunarizine on cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity is associated with direct inhibition of lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial permeability transition.
    Hearing Research 07/2005; 204(1-2):127-39. · 2.70 Impact Factor
  • Article: Scopoletin suppresses pro-inflammatory cytokines and PGE2 from LPS-stimulated cell line, RAW 264.7 cells.
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    ABSTRACT: Scopoletin (1-50 microg/ml) inhibited the release of PGE2, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 and suppressed the expression of COX-2 in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that scopoletin might suppress the production of such pro-inflammatory cytokines and exert inhibitory activity on LPS-induced PGE2 production through the depression of COX-2 expression.
    Fitoterapia 07/2004; 75(3-4):261-6. · 1.85 Impact Factor
  • Article: 4-Acetyl-12,13-epoxyl-9-trichothecene-3, 15-diol from Isaria japonica mediates apoptosis of rat bladder carcinoma NBT-II cells by decreasing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression and increasing pro-apoptotic Bax expression.
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    ABSTRACT: We studied the effect of 4-acetyl-12,13-epoxyl-9-trichothecene-3, 15-diol (AETD) isolated from Isaria japonica, one of the most popular Chinese fungal medicines, on the induction of apoptosis in rat bladder carcinoma NBT-II cells. AETD was cytotoxic to NBT-II cells, and this cytotoxic effect appears to be attributed to its induction of apoptotic cell death, as AETD induced nuclear morphological changes and internucleosomal DNA fragmentation, and increased the proportion of hypodiploid cells and activity of caspase-3. AETD treatment also decreased the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. These results provide important information in understanding the mechanism(s) of AETD-induced apoptosis.
    The American Journal of Chinese Medicine 02/2004; 32(3):377-87. · 1.98 Impact Factor
  • Article: Association between glutathione S-transferase M1 and T1 polymorphisms and increased risk for bladder cancer in Korean smokers.
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    ABSTRACT: We evaluated the relationship between polymorphisms in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes and smoking status in a case-controlled study of a Korean population. The GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes were determined using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based method and prognostic factors, such as staging and grading were evaluated for 126 bladder cancer patients, and 204 control subjects. Smoking represented a high-risk factor (odds ratio (OR)=4.8, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.9-8.0) for the patients with bladder cancer. The frequency of GSTM1 null individuals was higher than in the controls, but the differences were not statistically significant (OR=1.56, 95% CI=2.9-8.0). For Korean subjects who smoked more than 1 pack of cigarettes per year (PPY), the increased risk of bladder cancer was associated with the GSTM1 null genotype (OR=0.5, 95% CI=0.3-0.9). Low-stage bladder tumors were more common among the GSTM1 null genotypes (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.1-5.5). This study suggests that in Korean subjects the GSTM1 null genotype may be associated with increased risk for bladder cancer, in a manner that appears to depend upon smoking status. And also, in bladder cancer patients the GSTM1 null genotype appears to be associated with a poorer prognosis with low stage bladder tumors.
    Cancer Letters 01/2004; 202(2):193-9. · 4.24 Impact Factor