Fucosterol Is a Selective Liver X Receptor Modulator That Regulates the Expression of Key Genes in Cholesterol Homeostasis in Macrophages, Hepatocytes, and Intestinal Cells

Hoang, Minh-Hien,Jia, Yaoyao,Jun, Hee-jin,Lee, Ji Hae,Lee, Boo Yong,Lee, Sung-Joon American Chemical Society 2012 Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol.60 No.46

<P>Fucosterol, a sterol that is abundant in marine algae, has hypocholesterolemic activity, but the mechanism underlying its effect is not clearly understood. Because data suggest that fucosterol can increase plasma high-density lipoprotein concentrations, we investigated whether it could activate liver X receptors (LXRs), critical transcription factors in reverse cholesterol transport. Fucosterol dose-dependently stimulated the transcriptional activity of both LXR-α and -β in a reporter gene assay, responses that were attenuated by the LXR antagonist As<SUB>2</SUB>O<SUB>3</SUB>. Fucosterol also activated co-activator recruitment in cell-free time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. In THP-1-derived macrophages, it induced the transcriptional activation of ABCA1, ABCG1, and ApoE, key genes in reverse cholesterol transport, and thereby significantly increased the efflux of cholesterol. Fucosterol also regulated intestinal NPC1L1 and ABCA1 in Caco-2 cells. Notably, fucosterol did not induce cellular triglyceride accumulation in HepG2 cells, primarily because of its upregulation of Insig-2a, which delays nuclear translocation of SREBP-1c, a key hepatic lipogenic transcription factor. These results suggest that fucosterol is a dual-LXR agonist that regulates the expression of key genes in cholesterol homeostasis in multiple cell lines without inducing hepatic triglyceride accumulation.</P><P><B>Graphic Abstract</B> <IMG SRC='http://pubs.acs.org/appl/literatum/publisher/achs/journals/content/jafcau/2012/jafcau.2012.60.issue-46/jf3019084/production/images/medium/jf-2012-019084_0006.gif'></P>

Down-Regulation of Zeaxanthin Epoxidation in Vascular Plant Leaves Under Normal and Photooxidative Stress Conditions

Minh Hien Hoang,Ho‑Seung Kim,Ismayil S. Zulfugarov,Choon‑Hwan Lee 한국식물학회 2020 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.63 No.5

The down-regulation of zeaxanthin (Zx) epoxidation is important for the regulation of Zx accumulation in xanthophyll cycle and for the development of non-photochemical quenching (NPQ). The NPQ development and Zx accumulation kinetics in rice, barley, and spinach leaves under light of different intensities were highly similar among the three plants. When the leaves were pre-treated with an inhibitor of Zx epoxidase (ZE), salicylaldoxime (SA), the two kinetics patterns in the leaves under low and moderately high light intensities became similar to those of high light intensity-treated leaves. Therefore, we propose that reversible down-regulation of Zx epoxidation plays an important role in plants, and this reversible down-regulation mechanism is a general mechanism in plants which occurs at room temperature under various light conditions as well as under different stress conditions in the presence of light. This reversible down-regulation is different from the irreversible down-regulation mechanism of ZE which involves ZE protein degradation together with D1 protein degradation under photooxidative conditions. There will be discussion on the mechanisms for the actual regulation of ZE activities involving phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of still unknown regulator(s) and/or by the redox regulation involving NADPH thioredoxin reductase C and thioredoxin m.

Barley Intake Induces Bile Acid Excretion by Reduced Expression of Intestinal ASBT and NPC1L1 in C57BL/6J Mice

Hoang, Minh-Hien,Houng, Soung-Jin,Jun, Hee-Jin,Lee, Ji-Hae,Choi, Jin-Woong,Kim, So-Hee,Kim, Yong-Ro,Lee, Sung-Joon American Chemical Society 2011 Journal of agricultural and food chemistry Vol.59 No.12

<P>To investigate the hypocholesterolemic mechanism of barley <I>in vivo</I>, six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or high-fat diet containing barley (HFD-B) for seven weeks. Total and LDL cholesterol concentrations were significantly reduced in the HFD-B group while fecal cholesterol and bile acid was increased. Real-time PCR and immunoblot analysis revealed the induction of FXR expression, which in turn suppressed the expression of ASBT and NPC1L1 in the HFD-B group compared with the controls. In the liver, the expression of HMG-CoA reductase was significantly reduced while LDL receptor expression was unaltered in the HFD-B group compared with the controls. Our data suggest that the hypocholesterolemic effects of barley are primarily the result of reduced dietary cholesterol uptake and bile acid resorption. Reduced expression of intestinal ASBT and NPC1L1 may play a key role in the regulation of dietary cholesterol and bile acid metabolism in mice consuming a diet containing barley.</P>

Antioxidative, Hypolipidemic, and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Monostroma nitidum

Minh Hien Hoang,김지영,이지혜,유상권,이성준 한국식품과학회 2015 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.24 No.1

Polysaccharides from seaweed have different biological activities. Two types of sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) were purified from Monostroma nitidum (MF1 and MF2) and investigated for biological activities in vitro. The MF1 and MF2 fractions exhibited strong antioxidant activities assessed using superoxide dismutase (SOD) assays. Stimulation of lipid-loaded hepatocytes by the MF1 and MF2 fractions significantly (p<0.05) reduced cellular lipid concentrations, compared with controls. Quantitative PCR analysis revealed that reductions in cellular lipid concentrations accompanied reduced expressions of cholesterol synthesis genes, and induced gene expressions for cholesterol degradation, LDL uptake, and peroxisomal β-oxidation. Gene expressions related to inflammation, including inducible NO synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and visfatin, were suppressed in lipid-loaded hepatocytes stimulated with MF1 and MF2. SPs from M. nitidum exhibited hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Source apportionment of ambient PM2.5 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Ngoc Tran,Yusuke Fujii,Md Firoz Khan,To Thi Hien,Tran Hoang Minh,Hiroshi Okochi,Norimichi Takenaka 한국대기환경학회 2024 Asian Journal of Atmospheric Environment (AJAE) Vol.18 No.1

The emission sources of fine particulate matter ( PM2.5) have not yet been fully identified in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam, presenting difficulties to authorities in controlling air pollution efficiently. To address this issue, this study explores the source apportionment of PM2.5 by the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model and identifies potential regional sources through the weighted concentration-weighted trajectory (WCWT) model based on the field observation data of PM2.5 in HCMC. 24-h PM2.5 samples were collected in central HCMC for a year (September 2019–August 2020). Herein, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy was used to analyze trace elements, in addition to identifying PM2.5 mass and other chemical species, such as water-soluble ions and carbonaceous species, reported in our former study. The PMF results showed that PM2.5 in HCMC was dominated by anthropogenic-rich sources comprising biomass burning, coal combustion, transportation, and crustal origins (36.4% of PM2.5 mass), followed by secondary ammonium sulfate (18.4%), sea salt (13.7%), road dust (9.6%), and coal and crude oil combustion (9.4%). WCWT results suggested that the geological sources of PM2.5 were mainly from local areas and scattered to the northeast/southwest of HCMC. In addition, the long-range transport of PM2.5 from surrounding countries was revealed during the assembly restriction and lockdown period in 2020.

Raman spectroscopy of Cu doping in Zn_1−xCo_xO diluted magnetic semiconductor

Hoang, Luc Huy,Hien, Nguyen Thi Minh,Hai, Nguyen Hoang,Hai, Pham Van,Khoi, Nguyen The,Yang, In-Sang John Wiley Sons, Ltd. 2009 JOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY - Vol.40 No.11

<P>The room-temperature ferromagnetism and the Raman spectroscopy of the Cu-doped Zn<SUB>1−x</SUB>Co<SUB>x</SUB>O powders prepared by the sol–gel method are reported. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) data confirmed that the wurtzite structure of ZnO is maintained for ZnO doped with Co below 10 at%. The magnetization–field curves measured at room temperature demonstrated that all Co-doped ZnO powders were paramagnetic. Ferromagnetic ordering is observed for the samples doped with Cu in Zn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Co<SUB>0.02</SUB>O and strongly depends on the concentration of Cu. The relative strength of the second-order LO peak to the first-order one in the Raman spectra, which is related to the carrier concentration, of the Cu-doped Zn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Co<SUB>0.02</SUB>O powder is strongly correlated with the saturation magnetic moment of the system. This seems to be in favor of the Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY) or double exchange mechanism of the ferromagnetism in this system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</P> <B>Graphic Abstract</B> <P>The room-temperature ferromagnetism and the Raman spectroscopy data of Cu-doped Zn<SUB>1−x</SUB>Co<SUB>x</SUB>O powders prepared by the sol–gel method are reported. The relative strength of the second-order LO peak to the first-order one in the Raman spectra, which is related to the carrier concentration, of Cu-doped Zn<SUB>0.98</SUB>Co<SUB>0.02</SUB>O powder is strongly correlated with the saturation magnetic moment of the system. <img src='wiley_img/03770486-2009-40-11-JRS2295-gra001.gif' alt='wiley_img/03770486-2009-40-11-JRS2295-gra001'> </P>

Chemical constituents of the Annona glabra fruit and their cytotoxic activity.

Hien, Nguyen Thi Thu,Nhiem, Nguyen Xuan,Yen, Duong Thi Hai,Hang, Dan Thi Thuy,Tai, Bui Huu,Quang, Tran Hong,Tuan Anh, Hoang Le,Kiem, Phan Van,Minh, Chau Van,Kim, Eun-Ji,Kim, Seung Hyun,Kang, Hee Kyoun Swets Zeitlinger 2015 PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY Vol.53 No.11

<P>Traditional Chinese medicines have attracted increasing interest as potential sources of novel drugs with a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities. Annona glabra Linn (Annonaceae) is used in traditional medicine as an anticancer drug. Phytochemical investigation of this plant led to the isolation of acetogenins, ent-kauranes, peptides, and alkaloids. In addition, compounds exhibited anticancer, anti-HIV-reserve, and antimalaria.</P>

Whole-exome sequencing identifies two novel missense mutations (p.L111P and p.R3048C) of RYR3 in a Vietnamese patient with autism spectrum disorders

Thu Hien Nguyen,Thi Thanh Ngan Nguyen,Bac Viet Le,Ngoc Minh Thanh,Thi Kim Lien Nguyen,Van Hai Nong,Huy Hoang Nguyen 한국유전학회 2017 Genes & Genomics Vol.39 No.3

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by ritualistic- repetitive behaviors and impaired verbal and non-verbal communication. Boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ASD than girls. Genetics have been shown to play a key role in the etiology of autism. Many genes were found to be implicated in the inheritance of idiopathic autism. Analysis of mutation abnormalities associated with autism contributes significantly to the identification of autism candidate genes. Whole-exome sequencing has been shown as an application of the next generation sequencing technology used to determine the variations of all coding regions, or exons of the known genes. In the present study, we have found two novel heterozygous missense mutations (p.L111P and p.R3048C) on the RYR3 gene, which was located in the autism susceptibility region (15q14-q15) in a 9-year-old boy with ASD. Therefore, the sequence missense mutations provide the first suggestive link between a genetic abnormality in the RYR3 gene and a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Differential Down-regulation of Zeaxanthin Epoxidation in Two Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Cultivars with Different Chilling Sensitivities

김호승,Minh Hien Hoang,전영아,Guangxi Wu,이춘환 한국식물학회 2017 Journal of Plant Biology Vol.60 No.4

When the leaf segments of rice (Oryza sativa L.)plants were subjected to chilling in the moderate light,zeaxanthin (Zx) formation was faster in a chilling-tolerantDongjin-byeo (DJ) than in a chilling-sensitive IR841. Althoughthe rate of Zx formation was accelerated by the treatment of5 mM salicylaldoxime, an inhibitor of Zx epoxidase (ZE),there was almost no changes in DJ. A similar result wasobserved when leaf segments were treated with 50 mMsodium fluoride, a potent inhibitor of chloroplast phosphatase. The slow Zx epoxidation in IR841 during light-chilling wasconfirmed in leaf segments treated with 10 mM dithiothreitol,an inhibitor of violaxanthin de-epoxidase (VDE). However,the differences between the two cultivars were not observedat 25oC. These results suggest that compared with IR841 thehigher rate of Zx formation in DJ is not due to the higherVDE activity in DJ but is due to more rapid down-regulationof ZE in DJ, possibly by its phosphorylation. Compared withDJ, IR841 accumulated more superoxide with PSI inactivationduring light-chilling, which eliminates the possibility of increasedZE down-regulation in DJ leaves by photo-oxidation. Invitro study with alkaline phosphatase supports the idea ofdown-regulation of ZE by phosphorylation under light-chillingcondition. We propose that this reversible down-regulation ofZx epoxidation possibly by the phosphorylation of ZE is animportant regulation mechanism of violaxanthin cycle thatconfers chilling tolerance of a rice cultivar under chillingstress in the light with moderate intensities.

Chemical constituents of Trichosanthes kirilowii and their cytotoxic activities

Chau Van Minh,Nguyen Xuan Nhiem,Hoang Thi Yen,Phan Van Kiem,Bui Huu Tai,Hoang Le Tuan Anh,Truong Thi Thu Hien,박선주,김나영,김승현 대한약학회 2015 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.38 No.8

One new lignan, trichobenzolignan (1), and seven known compounds, ligballinol (2), (-)-pinoresinol (3), ehletianol C (4), luteolin 7-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (5), chrysoeriol-7- O-b-D-glucopyranoside (6), 10a-cucurbita5,24-dien-3b-ol (7), and arvenin I (8). Their structures were established on the basis of spectral and chemical evidence, which were in agreement with those reported in literature. The cytotoxic activities of these compounds were evaluated on four cancer cell lines such as A-549 (human lung cancer), HT-29 (human colon adenocarcinoma), OVCAR (human ovarian carcinoma), and MCF-7 (human breast cancer). As the results, compound 7 showed significant activity on HT-29 and OVCAR cancer cell lines with IC50 of 4.1 and 6.5 lM, respectively. Compounds 1, 5, 6, and 8 exhibited moderate activities in all cancer cell lines with IC50 ranging from 11.3 to 42.8 lM.