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Objectives : Tumor necrosis factor-(TNF-) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. This study was designed to investigate the relation between TNF- gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis in Korean population. Methods : This study was carried out on 103 rheumatoid arthritis patients who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology 1987 revised criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 208 healthy control subjects. Blood samples from all subjects were obtained for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was amplified by polymerse chain reaction(PCR). PCR products were visualized by 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. We investigated the genotyping of TNF- by using Pyrosequencing. Results : The genotypes of TNF- gene were GG, AG and AA. While the distribution of TNF- polymorphism in control subjects was 92.31%, 7.21%, 0.48% respectively, in rheumatoid arthritis patients was 93.20%, 6.80%, 0.00%(GG, AG. AA). There was no statistical significant allelic frequency difference between control and rheumatoid arthritis groups. Conclusion : We concluded that there was no significant association between TNF- gene polymorphism and rheumatoid arthritis. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients and further studies.

Objectives : Free radical metabolism seems to occupy a remarkably common position in the mechanisms of aging and aging related disease. Oxidative damage to DNA, lipids. proteins and other molecules may contribute to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease and possibly neurodegenerative disease. This study was designed to find out whether Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution can scavenge Nitric Oxide(NO) or not. SNAP is NO generator. NO concentration was estimated after 2,6, 12 and 24 hrs in no treatment group, after treatment with Vit. C or 1, 10, 100g/m1 of Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution. There was no significant scavenging effect of Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solutionon NO after 2 hrs. But there was a significant scavenging effect of Cafhami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution on NO in 10/m1 group after 6hrs. And there was a significant scavenging effect of carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution on NO in 1, 10g/ml group after 12, 24 hrs. These results suggest that Carhami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution has scavenging effect on NO. This study shows that Carthami Flos Herbal-Acupuncture Solution can be used for aging related disease and further studies are required to investigate the antioxidative effects of it.

Objective : It has long been known about the osteogenic effect of CPC-HAS on bone tissues. However, it has not been determined the effect of CPC-HAS on cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to screen the CPC-HAS mediated differentially expressed genes in cancer cells such as HepG2 hepatoma cells. Oligonucleotide microarray and proteomics approaches were employed to screen the differential expression genes. Methods : CPC-HAS was prepared by boiling and stored at -70℃ until use. Cells were treated with various concentrations of CPC-HAS (0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, 20mg/㎖) for 24 h. Cell toxicity was tested by MTT assay. To screen the differentially expressed genes in cancer cells, cells were treated with 1.5mg/㎖ of CPC-HAS. For oligonucleotide microarray assay, total RNA was used for gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide Genechip(Human genome U133 Plus 2.0., Affimatrix Co.). For proteomic analysis, total protein was analyzed by 2D gel electrophoresis and Q-TOF mass spectrometer. Results : It has no cytotoxic effects on both HepG2 cell in all concentrations(0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, 20mg/㎖). In oligonucleotide microarray assay, the number of more than twofold differentially regulated known genes was 23 with 5 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated genes in HepG2 cells. In proteomic analysis, three spots were identified by 2D-gel electrophoresis and Q-TOF analysis. Two down-regulated proteins were aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 and enolase 1, and up-regulated protein was fatty acid binding protein 1 by 1.5mg/㎖ of CPC-HAS. Discussion : This study showed the screening of CPC-HAS mediated differentially regulated genes using combined approaches of oligonucleotide microarray and proteomic analysis. The screened genes will be used for the better understanding of the therapeutic effects of CPC-HAS on cancer fields.

Objective : It has long been known about the anticancer effect of GRR-HAS, however, it has not been ystemically determined the differentially regulated genes by GRR-HAS in cancer cells. The purpose of this study is to screen the GRR-HAS mediated differentially expressed genes in cancer cells such as SNU484 gastric cancer cell lines. Oligonucleotide microarray approache was employed to screen the differential expression genes. Methods : GRR-HAS was prepared by boiling and stored at until use. Cells were treated with various concentrations of GRR-HAS(0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, 20mg/ml) for 24 h. Cell toxicity was tested by MTT assay. To screen the differentially expressed genes in cancer cells, cells were treated with 1.5mg/ml of GRR-HAS. For oligonucleotide microarray assay, total RNA was used for gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide Genechip (Human genome Ul33 Plus 2.0., Affimatrix Co.). Results : It has no cytotoxic effects on both HepG2 and SNU484 cells in all concentrations(0.1, 0.5, 1.5, 10, 20mg/ml). In oligonucleotide microarray assay, in SNU484 cells, the number of more than twofold up-regulated genes was 346. The number of more than twofold down-regulated genes was 9. Discussion : This study showed the comprehensive gene expression analysis using oligonucleotide microarray for the screening of GRR-HAS mediated differentially regulated genes. These results will provide a better application of GRR-HAS in cancer field and drug target development.