• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.111-124
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• 2002

A line of study reported that electroacupuncture(EA) modulate natural killer cell(NK Cell) activities. One report suggested that EA enhanced splenic interferon-gamma($IFN-{\gamma}$), interleukin-2(IL-2), and NK cell activity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Another study suggested that $IFN-{\gamma}$ mediates the up-regulation of NK cell activity, and endogenous ${\beta}$-endorphin secretion also play a role in the up-regulation of NK cell activity induced by EA stimulation. In order to better understand the molecular regulation underlying the activation of NK cell induced by EA, we have utilized cDNA microarray to elucidate how EA alters program of gene expression of spleen in rats. First, we divided three groups, group I was EA group treated with EA in restriction holder, group II was sham group with only holder stress, and last group III was control group with no treatment. We measured NK cell activity after EA stimulation three times for 2 days using $^{51}Cr$ release assay. Second, Biotin-labeled cDNA probes synthesized from EA group and sham group, were competitively hybridized to the microarray that contained variable genes. Such high-throughput screening has identified a number of EA-responsive gene candidates. Of these, we found that EA induced a subset of genes of genes that functionally could modulatory effects on NK cell activity. Genes(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, protein-tyrosine kinase, CD94 mRNA) related to boost NK cell activity, were increased by EA And, genes(protein-tyrosine-phospatase mRNA, protein-tyrosine phosphatase(SHP-1) mRNA) related to inhibit NK cell activity, were decreased by EA. These EA-responsive genes may provide key insights from which to understand mechanisms of activation of NK cell induced by EA.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.1453-1461
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• 2007

This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with an herbal extract of Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) enhances the immune response in weaned piglets. Sixty piglets weaned at 21 days of age were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups representing the addition of 0 or 1 g/kg of the AS extract or 0.2 g/kg of colistin (an antibiotic) to maize- and soybean meal-based diets (n = 20 per group). On days 7, 14 and 28 after initiation of the addition, total and differential counts of leucocytes, proliferating activity of peripheral lymphocytes, serum levels of immunoglobulins (Ig) and cytokines and the spleen index were determined. The AS extract decreased (p<0.05) the number of neutrophils on days 7 and 28 in comparison with the control group and reduced (p<0.05) serum interleukin-$1{\beta}$ level on day 28 compared with the other 2 groups. Dietary supplementation with the AS extract increased (p<0.05) the lymphocyte/leukocyte ratio on day 28 compared with the control group and increased the proliferating activity of lymphocytes on days 14 and 28 compared with the other 2 groups. The AS extract increased (p<0.05) the serum content of IgG on day 7 and of IgG and IgM on day 28 compared with the other 2 groups, as well as increasing the serum content of tumor necrosis factor on day 7 and spleen index on days 7 and 28 compared with the control group. Collectively, these findings suggest that the AS extract as a dietary additive enhances the cellular and humoral immune responses of weaned piglets by modulating the production of immunocytes, cytokines and antibodies.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.382-392
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• 2012

This study evaluated the effects of dietary anticoccidial drugs plus antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) on parameters of immunity in commercial broiler chickens. Day-old chicks were raised on used litter from a farm with endemic gangrenous dermatitis to simulate natural pathogen exposure and provided with diets containing decoquinate (DECX) or monensin (COBN) as anticoccidials plus bacitracin methylene disalicylate and roxarsone as AGPs. As a negative control, the chickens were fed with a non-supplemented diet. Immune parameters examined were concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated spleen cell proliferation, intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) and spleen cell subpopulations, and cytokine/chemokine mRNA levels in IELs and spleen cells. ConA-induced proliferation was decreased at 14 d post-hatch in DECX-treated chickens, and increased at 25 and 43 d in COBN-treated animals, compared with untreated controls. In DECX-treated birds, increased percentages of $MHC2^+$ and $CD4^+$ IELS were detected at 14 d, but decreased percentages of these cells were seen at 43 d, compared with untreated controls, while increased $TCR2^+$ IELs were evident at the latter time. Dietary COBN was associated with decreased fractions of $MHC2^+$ and $CD4^+$ IELs and reduced percentages of $MHC2^+$, $BU1^+$, and $TCR1^+$ spleen cells compared with controls. The levels of transcripts for interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-6, IL-17F, IL-13, CXCLi2, interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), and transforming growth factor${\beta}$4 were elevated in IELs, and those for IL-13, IL-17D, CXCLi2, and IFN-${\gamma}$ were increased in spleen cells, of DECX- and/or COBN-treated chickens compared with untreated controls. By contrast, IL-2 and IL-12 mRNAs in IELs, and IL-4, IL-12, and IL-17F transcripts in spleen cells, were decreased in DECX- and/or COBN-treated chickens compared with controls. These results suggest that DECX or COBN, in combination with bacitracin and roxarsone, modulate the development of the chicken post-hatch immune system.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1204-1211
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• 2009

Hericium erinaceus is an edible mushroom used as a medicinal food in Asian countries. In this study, the chemopreventive effects of H. erinaceus mycelia hot water extract (HEW) were evaluated. HEW remarkably induced the luciferase activity of the antioxidant response element (ARE), located in the promoter region of phase 2 and antioxidant genes and regulated by nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). The up-regulation of ARE activity by HEW corresponded with the induction of Nrf2 and the antioxidant enzyme, hemeoxygenase-1. The inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity is a promising effective approach in cancer chemoprevention, and HEW prominently suppressed COX-2 protein expression in HepG2 cells. Furthermore, HEW showed anti-inflammatory activity by modulating inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and the transcription factor, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that H. erinaceus possessed anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory effects via the modulation of Nrf2/ARE and inflammatory signaling pathways, and may therefore have potential use as a natural chemopreventive agent.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.151-158
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• 2017

Background: Chong-Myung-Tang (CMT) extract is widely used in Korea as a traditional herbal tonic for increasing memory capacity in high-school students and also for numerous body ailments since centuries. The use of CMT to improve the learning capacity has been attributed to various plant constituents, especially black ginseng, in it. Therefore, in this study, we have first investigated whether black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts affected spatial learning using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Their molecular mechanism of action underlying improvement of learning and memory was examined in vitro. Methods: We used two types of black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, designated as CM-1 and CM-2, and evaluated their efficacy in the MWM test for spatial learning behavior and their anti-inflammatory effects in BV2 microglial cells. Results: Our results show that both black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts improved the learning behavior in scopolamine-induced impairment in the water maze test. Moreover, these extracts also inhibited nitric oxide production in BV2 cells, with significant suppression of expression of proinflammatory cytokines, especially inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, and $interleukin-1{\beta}$. The protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ pathway factors was also diminished by black ginseng-enriched CMT extracts, indicating that it not only improves the memory impairment, but also acts a potent anti-inflammatory agent for neuroinflammatory diseases. Conclusion: Our research for the first time provides the scientific evidence that consumption of black ginseng-enriched CMT extract as a brain tonic improves memory impairment. Thus, our study results can be taken as a reference for future neurobehavioral studies.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.8
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• pp.742-752
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• 2018

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons, particularly in the substantia nigra (SN). Although circadian dysfunction has been suggested as one of the pathophysiological risk factors for PD, the exact molecular link between the circadian clock and PD remains largely unclear. We have recently demonstrated that $REV-ERB{\alpha}$, a circadian nuclear receptor, serves as a key molecular link between the circadian and DAergic systems. It competitively cooperates with NURR1, another nuclear receptor required for the optimal development and function of DA neurons, to control DAergic gene transcription. Considering our previous findings, we hypothesize that $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ may have a role in the onset and/or progression of PD. In the present study, we therefore aimed to elucidate whether genetic abrogation of $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ affects PD-related phenotypes in a mouse model of PD produced by a unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the dorsal striatum. $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ deficiency significantly exacerbated 6-OHDA-induced motor deficits as well as DAergic neuronal loss in the vertebral midbrain including the SN and the ventral tegmental area. The exacerbated DAergic degeneration likely involves neuroinflammation-mediated neurotoxicity. The $REV-erb{\alpha}$ knockout mice showed prolonged microglial activation in the SN along with the over-production of interleukin $1{\beta}$, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, in response to 6-OHDA. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates for the first time that genetic abrogation of $REV-ERB{\alpha}$ can increase vulnerability of DAergic neurons to neurotoxic insults, such as 6-OHDA, thereby implying that its normal function may be beneficial for maintaining DAergic neuron populations during PD progression.

• Mycobiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.297-311
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• 2017

Saprolegniasis is one of the most devastating oomycete diseases in freshwater fish which is caused by species in the genus Saprolegnia including Saprolegnia parasitica. In this study, we isolated the strain of S. parasitica from diseased rainbow trout in Korea. Morphological and molecular based identification confirmed that isolated oomycete belongs to the member of S. parasitica, supported by its typical features including cotton-like mycelium, zoospores and phylogenetic analysis with internal transcribed spacer region. Pathogenicity of isolated S. parasitica was developed in embryo, juvenile, and adult zebrafish as a disease model. Host-pathogen interaction in adult zebrafish was investigated at transcriptional level. Upon infection with S. parasitica, pathogen/antigen recognition and signaling (TLR2, TLR4b, TLR5b, NOD1, and major histocompatibility complex class I), pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin $[IL]-1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, interferon ${\gamma}$, IL-12, and IL-10), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP9 and MMP13), cell surface molecules ($CD8^+$ and $CD4^+$) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase) related genes were differentially modulated at 3- and 12-hr post infection. As an anti-Saprolegnia agent, plant based lawsone was applied to investigate on the susceptibility of S. parasitica showing the minimum inhibitory concentration and percentage inhibition of radial growth as $200{\mu}g/mL$ and 31.8%, respectively. Moreover, natural lawsone changed the membrane permeability of S. parasitica mycelium and caused irreversible damage and disintegration to the cellular membranes of S. parasitica. Transcriptional responses of the genes of S. parasitica mycelium exposed to lawsone were altered, indicating that lawsone could be a potential anti-S. parasitica agent for controlling S. parasitica infection.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.115-133
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• 2019

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture on the monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rats. Methods Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA ($50{\mu}L$ with 80 mg/mL) into knee joint cavity of rats. Rats were divided into 6 groups. Normal group was injected by normal saline into knee joint cavity only. Control group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and orally administered with distilled water. Normal Saline group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and injected with normal saline $100{\mu}L$. Positive comparison group was injected with MIA and orally administered with indomethacin 5 mg/kg. Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture low concentration (CL) group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and injected with Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture low concentration $100{\mu}L$. Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture high concentration (CH) group was induced for osteoarthritis by MIA and injected with Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture high concentration $100{\mu}L$. Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture was injected at ST35 and EX-LE4 each group (CL, CH). After that, hind paw weight distribution was measured and oxidative stress biomarker in serum, liver function biomarker in serum, western blot analysis were measured. Histological analysis of knee joint tissue was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining, Safranin-O staining and Masson's trichrome staining. Results Hind paw weight distribution was significantly improved in both group. alanine aminotransferanse and aspartate aminotransferase were decreased significantly in CH group compare with Indomethacin threated group. Antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, Catalase and heme oxygenase-1 were increased in CH group compare with control group. Inflammatory cytokine cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin-1 beta were decreased significantly in CH group. Histological analysis result shows that protective effects of joint and cartilage were observed in both CH and CL groups in a concentration-dependent. Conclusions The result suggest that Curcumae Longae Rhizoma pharmacopuncture has anti-oxidation effect, anti-inflammatory effect and also can prevent progression of osteoarthritis and protect joint cartilage.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2018

Rebaudioside A is a natural sweetener isolated from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, one of the glycosides based on steviol. Recent studies have shown that rebaudioside A inhibits the inflammatory response by inhibiting cytokines secretion such as interleukin-$1{\alpha}/1{\beta}$ in activated RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells by LPS. However, the inhibitory mechanism of inflammation by rebaudioside A in the presence of LPS has not been fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, we tried to investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of rebaudioside A at the protein level when RAW264.7 cells were stimulated by LPS. The inducible nitric oxide synthase protein expression level was reduced in the group treated with $250{\mu}M$ rebaudioside A compared to the LPS-treated group. In addition, the mRNA expression level of $NF-{\kappa}B$, which is a representative nuclear transcription factor by inflammatory signal, was also decreased as compared with that of LPS-treated group. In addition, $NF-{\kappa}B$ and inhibitor-${\kappa}B$ ($I-{\kappa}B$) complexes that are known to be dissociated by $I-{\kappa}B$ phosphorylation and ubiquitination were less phosphorylated than LPS treated group in the presence rebaudioside A. Finally, we could find that rebaudioside A was involved in the $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway through reducing extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 phosphorylation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rebaudioside A might suppress inflammatory reaction through MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ regulation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.491-496
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immuno-enhancing effects of Daebong persimmon (DP) and Bansi (BS) in vivo. Two types of astringent persimmons (DP and BS) were used for this experiment. C57BL/6J mice were assigned to the following groups: 1) lean control, 2) high-fat diet control (HF), 3) A region DP (3% wt/wt) with HF diet (A-DP), 4) B region DP with HF diet (B-DP), 5) C region DP with HF diet (C-DP), 6) D region BS with HF diet (D-BS), and 7) E region BS with HF diet (E-BS). All mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks of treatment, after which blood and tissues were collected. Antioxidant enzyme activities, inflammatory markers, and immune factors were evaluated. DP and BS treatments did not alter food intake or body weight, compared with HF. Administration of B-DP increased catalase activities in serum. Hepatic levels of malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, were significantly lower in A-DP mice than in the HF group. A-DP had down-regulatory effects against inflammation induced by high-fat diet feeding, as shown by significant reduction of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. Additionally, A-DP treatment exerted an immuno-stimulatory effect, as shown by increasing levels of immunoglobulin G. DP treatment improved the level of insulin-like growth factor-1. These results indicate that DP has beneficial health effects on oxidative stress, inflammation, and immunity in vivo.