Sun Hyo Kim

Escin Suppresses Migration and Invasion Involving the Alteration of CXCL16/CXCR6 Axis in Human Gastric Adenocarcinoma AGS Cells

Escin, a natural mixture of triterpene saponins isolated from horse chestnut, has been reported to possess anticancer activity in many human cancer cells. However, the effect of escin on the metastasis has not been studied. The present study examined the effect of escin on the migration and invasion of AGS human gastric cancer cells. To examine the effects of escin on metastatic capacities of gastric cancer cells, AGS cells were cultured in the presence of 0–4 μmol/L escin. Escin inhibited cell migration and invasion in AGS cells. However, escin did not affect the viability of these cells at these concentrations. The chemokine receptor and its ligands play an important role in cancer metastasis. Escin decreased the production of soluble C-X-C motif chemokine (CXCL)16 but increased the expression of trans-membranous CXCL16. The expression of C-X-C chemokine receptor (CXCR)6 was not affected by escin treatment. Exogenous CXCL16 reversed escin-induced migration inhibition. In addition, escin inhibited the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase and Akt. These results demonstrate that escin inhibited the migration and invasion of AGS cells, which is associated with altered CXCL16/CXCR6 axis. These findings suggest that escin has potential as an antimetastatic agent in gastric cancer.

Ethanol extract of Innotus obliquus (Chaga mushroom) induces G1 cell cycle arrest in HT-29 human colon cancer cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Inonotus obliquus (I. obliquus, Chaga mushroom) has long been used as a folk medicine to treat cancer. In the present study, we examined whether or not ethanol extract of I. obliquus (EEIO) inhibits cell cycle progression in HT-29 human colon cancer cells, in addition to its mechanism of action. MATERIALS/METHODS To examine the effects of Inonotus obliquus on the cell cycle progression and the molecular mechanism in colon cancer cells, HT-29 human colon cancer cells were cultured in the presence of 2.5 - 10 µg/mL of EEIO, and analyzed the cell cycle arrest by flow cytometry and the cell cycle controlling protein expression by Western blotting. RESULTS Treatment cells with 2.5 - 10 µg/mL of EEIO reduced viable HT-29 cell numbers and DNA synthesis, increased the percentage of cells in G1 phase, decreased protein expression of CDK2, CDK4, and cyclin D1, increased expression of p21, p27, and p53, and inhibited phosphorylation of Rb and E2F1 expression. Among I. obliquus fractions, fraction 2 (fractionated by dichloromethane from EEIO) showed the same effect as EEIO treatment on cell proliferation and cell cycle-related protein levels. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate that fraction 2 is the major fraction that induces G1 arrest and inhibits cell proliferation, suggesting I. obliquus could be used as a natural anti-cancer ingredient in the food and/or pharmaceutical industry.

A Survey on the Consumption of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements as Health Functional Foods and Related Factors by Korean Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to estimate the consumption prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplements as health functional foods (VM-HFF) and to examine the factors associated with VM-HFF consumption behaviors in adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attending middle or high schools from various cities and rural communities in Korea participated in this study. The prevalence of VM-HFF consumption was 41.7%, with boys showing a higher consumption than girls (p

A Survey on the Usage Patterns of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements as Over-The-Counter Drugs among Korean Adolescents

Abstract The purpose of this study was to estimate usage of vitamin and mineral supplements as over-the-counter (VM-OTC) drugsas well as examine factors associated with VM-OTC usage in Korean adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attendingmiddle or high school in all parts of country were included in the analysis. Prevalence of VM-OTC usage was 56.1%, andit was higher as monthly income, father’s education level, and socioeconomic status of family increased (p<0.001). VM-OTC intake was higher in middle school students than in high school students as well as in rural areas or small & medium-sized city residents than big city residents (p<0.01). Subjects mainly received information on VM-OTC mainly from ‘familyand relatives’ (46.6%), whereas only 20.3% received information from experts. Subjects took VM-OTC ‘when they arehealthy’ (49.1%), ‘when they feel sick’ (17.7%), ‘when they are on a diet’ (17.3%), and ‘when they are stressful’ (15.9%).The effectiveness of taking VM-OTC were mainly ‘fatigue recovery’ (35.0%), ‘health improvement’ (30.6%), and ‘nutritionalstatus improvement’ (13.2%). The most frequently used VM-OTC was vitamin C (49.1%), multi-vitamins (18.6%), multivitamins & minerals (13.2%), and calcium (9.2%). Among VM-OTC users, only 21.9% replied that they usually check thenutrition facts when they buy products, 62.4% follow the recommended dosage, and 9.7% fully understand the nutritionlabels of the products. According to logistic regression analysis, the most influential factor affecting VM-OTC use was parents ’and siblings’ VM-OTC consumption (p<0.001). In addition, school type (middle or high school) (p<0.01), residence(p<0.05), self-concerns about health (p<0.05), father’s education level (p<0.05), and socioeconomic status of family(p<0.05) all influenced VM-OTC use. These results show that VM-OTC use is widespread among adolescents, few usersactually check and fully understand the nutrition labels when they purchase VM-OTC, and they are highly dependent onunprofessional advice and information. Therefore, it is necessary to educate adolescents to help them select proper VM-OTCand read nutrition labels.Key Words: Vitamin and mineral supplements, over-the-counter drugs, adolescents