Low lysine stimulates adipogenesis through ZFP423 upregulation in bovine stromal vascular cells

Joseph F. dela Cruz,Kevin Wayne Martinez Pacunla,Seong Gu Hwang 한국축산학회 2022 한국축산학회지 Vol.64 No.6

Adipogenesis is a complex process comprising commitment and a differentiation stages. Through research, many different transcriptional factors were found to mediate preadipocyte commitment and differentiation. Lysine has a potential of regulating the commitment and differentiation of preadipocytes. In the present study, intramuscular stromal vascular cells (SVC) isolated from Hanwoo beef cattle were used to elucidate the effects of low lysine level on adipogenesis. SVC were isolated and incubated with various concentrations of lysine (0, 37.5, 75, 150 and 300 μg/mL). No significant difference were observed in the proliferation of SVC after 24 and 48 h of incubation with different concentration of lysine. On preadipocyte determination, reducing the level of lysine significantly increased the expression of preadipocyte commitment gene Zinc finger protein 423 and Preadipocyte factor-1. Upon differentiation, Oil Red O staining revealed that lipid accumulation and triglyceride content significantly increased with the decreasing lysine levels in the media. Expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 and stearoyl CoA desaturase were upregulated by the decreased level of lysine. These data suggest the potential mechanism of action for the improved preadipocyte commitment and adipocyte differentiation in bovine intramuscular SVC upon treatment with low levels of lysine. These findings may be valuable in developing feed rations that promote deposition of intramuscular fat in beef cattle through lysine level modification.

Viscum Album Var Hot Water Extract Mediates Anti-cancer Effects through G1 Phase Cell Cycle Arrest in SK-Hep1 Human Hepatocarcinoma cells

Cruz, Joseph Flores dela,Kim, Yeon Soo,Lumbera, Wenchie Marie Lara,Hwang, Seong Gu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

Viscum album var (VAV) also known as mistletoe, has long been categorized as a traditional herbal medicine in Asia. In addition to its immunomodulating activities, mistletoe has also been used in the treatment of chronic hepatic disorders in China and Korea. There are numerous reports showing that VAV possesses anti-cancer effects, however influence on human hepatocarcinoma has never been elucidated. In the present study, hot water extracts of VAV was evaluated for its potential anti-cancer effect in vitro. SK-Hep1 cells were treated with VAV (50-400ug/ml) for both 24 and 48 hours then cell viability was measured by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8). Flow cytometry analysis was used to measure the proportion of SK-Hep1 in the different stages of cell cycle. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were conducted to measure expression of cell cycle arrest related genes and proteins respectively. VAV dose dependently inhibited the proliferation of SK-Hep1 cells without any cytotoxicity with normal Chang liver cell (CCL-13). Flow cytometry analysis showed that VAV extract inhibited the cell cycle of SK-Hep1 cells via G1 phase arrest. RT-PCR and Western blot analysis both revealed that cyclin dependent kinase 2 (Cdk2) and cyclin D1 gene expression were significantly down regulated while p21 was upregulated dose dependently by VAV treatment. Combined down regulation of Cdk2, Cyclin D1 and up regulation of p21 can result in cell death. These results indicate that VAV showed evidence of anti-cancer activity through G1 phase cell cycle arrest in SK-Hep1 cells.

Ethanol Extract of Ulmus pumila Ameliorates Heat Stress through the Induction of Heat Shock Proteins Expression in RAW264.7 Macrophage Cells

dela Cruz, Joseph,Byambaragchaa, Munkhzaya,Choi, Seok-Geun,Hwang, Seong-Gu The Korean Society of Animal Environmental Science 2014 한국축산시설환경학회지 Vol.20 No.4

Heat stress is a significant burden to animal production in most areas of the world. Improving our knowledge of physiological and metabolic mechanisms of acclimation may contribute to the development of procedures that may help to maintain health and production efficiency under hot temperature. The effect of Ulmus pumila (UP) extract in inducing Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) expression in heat-stressed RAW264.7 macrophage cells was investigated. Cell viability assay showed a dose dependent increase in cells after treatment with UP for 24 hours. RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that increasing concentrations of UP induce the expression of Heat Shock Factor 1 (HSF1) and dose dependently upregulated the expression of Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and Hsp90. LPS-induced nitric oxide was dose-dependently reduced while phagocytic activity greatly recovered with UP treatment. These data demonstrated that UP can be a potential candidate in the development of cytoprotective agent against heat stress.

Anticancer Potential of an Ethanol Extract of Saussurea Involucrata against Hepatic Cancer Cells in vitro

Byambaragchaa, Munkhzaya,Cruz, Joseph Dela,Kh, Altantsetseg,Hwang, Seong-Gu Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Saussurea involucrata is a Mongolian medicinal plant well known for its effects in promoting blood circulation, and anti-inflammation and analgesic functions. Earlier studies reported that Saussurea involucrata has anticancer activity. The purpose of this study was to confirm the anticancer activity of an ethanol extract of Saussurea involucrata against hepatic cancer and elucidate its mechanisms of action. Hepatocellular carcinoma cells were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, AO/EB staining for apoptotic cells, apoptotic DNA fragmentation and cell cycle distribution in response to Saussurea involucrata extract (SIE). The mRNA expression of caspase-3,-9 and Cdk2 and protein expression of caspase-3,-9, PARP, XIAP, Cdk2 and p21 were analyzed through real time PCR and Western blotting. Treatment with SIE inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation dose- and time-dependently, but SIE only exerted a modest cytotoxic effect on a viability of Chang human liver cells. Cells exposed to SIE showed typical hallmarks of apoptotic cell death. Cell cycle analysis revealed that SIE caused G1-phase arrest in HepG2 cells. In conclusion, Saussurea involucrata ethanol extract has potential cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Its mechanism of action might be associated with the inhibition of DNA synthesis, cell cycle (G1) arrest and apoptosis induction through up-regulation of the protein expressions of caspase-3,-9 a nd p21, degradation of PARP and down-regulation of the protein expression of Cdk2 and XIAP.

Tumorigenic Effects of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals are Alleviated by Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Root Extract through Suppression of AhR Expression in Mammalian Cells

Chu, Xiao Ting,Cruz, Joseph Dela,Hwang, Seong Gu,Hong, Heeok Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.13

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been reported to interfere with estrogen signaling. Exposure to these chemicals decreases the immune response and causes a wide range of diseases in animals and humans. Recently, many studies showed that licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root extract (LRE) commonly called "gamcho" in Korea exhibits antioxidative, chemoprotective, and detoxifying properties. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of action of LRE and to determine if and how LRE can alleviate the toxicity of EDCs. LRE was prepared by vacuum evaporation and freeze-drying after homogenization of licorice root powder that was soaked in 80% ethanol for 72 h. We used 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) as an EDC, which is known to induce tumors or cancers; MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used as a tumorigenic model. These were treated with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE (0, 50, 100, 200, $400{\mu}g/mL$) for 24, 48, and 72 h. As a result, TCDD stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, but LRE significantly inhibited TCDD-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Expression of TCDD toxicity-related genes, i.e., aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), AhR nuclear translocator, and cytochrome P450 1A1, were subsequently down-regulated by LRE in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cell cycle distribution after treatment of MCF-7 cells with TCDD and various concentrations of LRE showed that LRE inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells via G2/M phase arrest. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses also revealed that LRE dose-dependently increased the expression of the tumor suppressor genes p53 and p27 and down-regulated the expression of cell cycle-related genes. These data suggest that LRE can mitigate the tumorigenic effects of TCDD in breast cancer cells by suppression of AhR expression and cell cycle arrest. Thus, LRE can be used as a potential toxicity-alleviating agent against EDC-mediated disease.

Heat Shock Protein Augmentation of Angelica gigas Nakai Root Hot Water Extract on Adipogenic Differentiation in Murine 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Lumbera, Wenchie Marie L.,Cruz, Joseph dela,Yang, Seung-Hak,Hwang, Seong Gu Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2016 Animal Bioscience Vol.29 No.3

There is a high association of heat shock on the alteration of energy and lipid metabolism. The alterations associated with thermal stress are composed of gene expression changes and adaptation through biochemical responses. Previous study showed that Angelica gigas Nakai (AGN) root extract promoted adipogenic differentiation in murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes under the normal temperature condition. However, its effect in heat shocked 3T3-L1 cells has not been established. In this study, we investigated the effect of AGN root hot water extract in the adipogenic differentiation of murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes following heat shock and its possible mechanism of action. Thermal stress procedure was executed within the same stage of preadipocyte confluence (G0) through incubation at $42^{\circ}C$ for one hour and then allowed to recover at normal incubation temperature of $37^{\circ}C$ for another hour before AGN treatment for both cell viability assay and Oil Red O. Cell viability assay showed that AGN was able to dose dependently (0 to $400{\mu}g/mL$) increase cell proliferation under normal incubation temperature and also was able to prevent cytotoxicity due to heat shock accompanied by cell proliferation. Confluent preadipocytes were subjected into heat shock procedure, recovery and then AGN treatment prior to stimulation with the differentiation solution. Heat shocked preadipocytes exhibited reduced differentiation as supported by decreased amount of lipid accumulation in Oil Red O staining and triglyceride measurement. However, those heat shocked preadipocytes that then were given AGN extract showed a dose dependent increase in lipid accumulation as shown by both evaluation procedures. In line with these results, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis showed that AGN increased adipogenic differentiation by upregulating heat shock protection related genes and proteins together with the adipogenic markers. These findings imply the potential of AGN in heat shock amelioration among 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through heat shock factor and proteins augmentation and enhanced adipogenic marker expression.

Fabrication and Characterization of Electrospun Curcumin-Loaded Polycaprolactone-Polyethylene Glycol Nanofibers for Enhanced Wound Healing

Hieu Trung Bui,박준서,정옥희,Joseph Dela Cruz 한국고분자학회 2014 Macromolecular Research Vol.22 No.12

This study focused on the development of biomedicated electrospun nanofiber mats for preventing woundinfections and accelerating wound healing. Polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers-loaded curcumin (Cur) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) were generated by an electrospinning technique. The change in surface morphology of the electrospunnanofibers to porous surface after immersion was obtained by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM). The biological characteristics of the Cur-loaded PCL-PEG nanofiber mats such as cell viability, cellattachment, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and in vivo wound healing capability were examined. The blending of PEG with PCL resulted in the formation of pores on the nanofibers after immersion, which supportscell viability and proliferation. The mouse myoblast cell line C2C12 showed about 80% viability on the Cur-loadedPCL-PEG nanofiber mat. SEM images showed that the cells could extremely attach and spread out over the surfaceof the Cur-loaded PCL-PEG nanofiber mat. The inclusion of 0.5 wt% Cur (with respect to PCL) in both the PCLand PCL-PEG blended nanofiber mats inhibited excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) in RAW264.7 mousemacrophages and exhibited good antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). In vivo woundhealing showed that the treatment using Cur-loaded PCL-PEG nanofiber mat significantly increased the rate ofwound closure (99%) on day 10 as compared that using PCL nanofiber mat (59%). These results suggest that thePCL nanofiber matrix containing Cur and PEG can facilitate wound healing with cell proliferation and anti-inflammatoryproperties.

A study on health and hygiene needs, strategies, and well‐being of an Aeta indigenous community in the Philippines through photovoice methods

Yang Eun‐Mi,Kim Jwakyum,Biag Al,Mangulabnan Jefferson,Dela Cruz Arlan,Sarmiento Philip Joseph 한국사회복지학회 2020 Asian Social Work and Policy Review Vol.14 No.3

On a global scale, poor access to health and social welfare services for indigenous populations has threatened their overall well-being, especially those living in remote or peripheral areas. Academics from two higher education institutions in South Korea and the Philippines conducted a community-based research in an indigenous Aeta community in the highlands of Pampanga Province in the Philippines’ Central Luzon region. Using a photovoice method and community survey, they investigated family health and hygiene as well as the current strategies this indigenous community employs to address their concerns. Results revealed that the community lacks the basic human needs and services such as water, food, shelter, education, and health service. They demonstrated, however, resilience in managing their lives by making use of the available natural resources and by drawing strength from community spirit. This study provided insights on how higher education institutions and other concerned agencies craft initiatives intended to benefit vulnerable populations and underserved communities such as the indigenous peoples.

Screams in the Dark : The Odyssey of a Betrayed Knight (Experiences of Sexually Abused Males)

Roderick Rigor Ortega,Ma. Diana Pauline T. Aleta,Arman A. Bantasan,Julie Ann Marie B. Cardenas,Angeline Joy C. Cruz,Marycar Hope C. Dela Cruz,Roanne J Dominhguez,Shermaine S Drequito,Charles Joseph C. 한국간호과학회 2011 한국간호과학회 학술대회 Vol.2011 No.10