• Applied Microscopy
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.67-80
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• 2002

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of deer antler extract on the regeneration of peripheral nerves. Sprague-Dawley male rats weighing about 300 gm were fed deer antler extract for 1, 2, and 3 weeks per oral (1.5 ml/100 gm B.W.), respectively, once a day and transected both sides of sciatic nerve of each leg. After keeping for 6 hours, sciatic nerves taken from proximal part of transected region were treated with conventional transmission electron microscopical method and then observed with electron microscope. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. Sciatic nerves of normal control group were not showing any sprouts and electron dense axolemmal projections were frequently observed. 2. Sciatic nerves of saline treated groups were showing axonal sprouts at the nodes of Ranvier. The length of them was usually short, and numerous vesicles, vacuoles and organelles including neurofilament were contained. The number of nodes of Ranvier containing sprouts from 100 longitudinal sectioned nerve fibers was 29 (29%) in 1 week treated group, 32 (32%) in 2 weeks treated group, and 30 (30%) in 3 weeks treated group, respectively. 3. Sciatic nerves of deer antler treated groups were showing axonal sprouts at the node of Ranvier as well. Although most of the sprouts were short, some sprouts of 2 weeks and 3 weeks treated groups were quite long. Sprouts usually contained numerous vesicles, vacuoles and cell organelles such as neurofilaments and mitochondria. The number of nodes of Ranvier containing sprouts from 100 longitudinal sectioned nerve fibers was 38 (38%) in 1 week treated group, 46 (46%) in 2 weeks treated group, and 48 (48%) in 3 weeks treated group respectively. The results described above explain pretreatment of deer antler extract improves the sprout formation of transected sciatic nerves, and then it suggests deer antler may be effective for the regeneration of peripheral nerves.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.331-337
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• 2015

Citrus and its peels, which are by-products from juice and/or jam processing, have long been used in Asian folk medicine. Citrus peels show an abundant variety of flavanones, and these flavanones have glycone and aglycone forms. Aglycones are more potent than glycones with a variety of physiological functions since aglycone absorption is more efficient than glycones. Bioconversion with cytolase converted narirutin and naringin into naringenin and hesperidin into hesperetin. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of bioconversion of Citrus unshiu (CU) peel extracts with cytolase (CU-C) in RAW264.7 cells. HPLC chromatograms showed that CU and CU-C had 23.42% and 29.39% total flavonoids, respectively. There was substantial bioconversion of narirutin to naringenin and of hesperidin to hesperetin. All citrus peel extracts showed DPPH scavenging activities in a dose-dependent manner, and CU-C was more potent than intact CU. RAW264.7 cells were pre-treated with $0{\sim}500{\mu}g/mL$ of citrus peel extracts for 4 h and then stimulated by $1{\mu}g/mL$ of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 8 h. All citrus peel extracts showed decreased mRNA levels and protein expression of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in a dose-dependent manner. Especially, CU-C markedly inhibited mRNA and protein expression of iNOS and COX-2 compared to intact citrus peel extracts. All citrus peel extracts showed decreased NO production by iNOS activity. This result suggests that bioconversion of citrus peel extracts with cytolase may provide potent functional food materials for prevention of chronic diseases attributable to oxidation and inflammation by boosting the anti-inflammatory effects of citrus peels.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.119-123
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• 2009

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) arising from epithelial cells of the renal tubules is a highly aggressive and malignant tumor in all ages; however, it rarely occurs in children. the standard treatment for RCC is radical nephrectomy with lymph node dissection when the tumor is localized and can be completely resected. Adjuvant chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy are used for pediatric patients with advanced RCC involving lymph nodes or metastatic lesions. Sorafenib is an oral, multikinase inhibitor that has recently been approved for use in metastatic RCC. Common toxicities that have been reported include dermatologic changes such as rash or desquamation and hand-foot skin reaction, diarrhea, fatigue, alopecia, and hypertension. In particular, hand-foot syndrome (HFS) an erythematous skin lesion of the palms and solesis most often caused by cytostatic chemotherapeutic agents. In this report, we have studied a 14-year-old female patient with hand-foot syndrome that occurred in association with sorafenib for the treatment of metastatic RCC. Furthermore, this case demonstrates that reversal of complications can be achieved by discontinuing the drug and intervention with topical steroids, vitamin E, and high-dose pyridoxine.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2014

Some bacterial metabolites of Xenorhabdus nematophila (Xn) inhibit phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$) activity to shutdown eicosanoid biosynthesis in target insects. However, little has been known about the target insect $PLA_2$ of these bacterial metabolites. Eight bacterial metabolites identified in Xn culture broth exhibited significant insecticidal activities against larvae of both lepidopteran species of Plutella xylostella and Spodoptera exigua. Moreover, these bacterial metabolites significantly enhanced insecticidal activities of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). To determine target $PLA_2$, we cloned and over-expressed cellular $PLA_2$ ($SecPLA_2$) of S. exigua. Purified $SecPLA_2$ catalyzed phospholipids derived from the fat body and released several polyunsaturated fatty acids. Most Xn metabolites significantly inhibited $SecPLA_2$ activity, but were different in their inhibitory activities. There was a positive correlation between the inhibition of $SecPLA_2$ and the enhancement of Bt insecticidal activity. These results indicate that $SecPLA_2$ is a molecular target inhibited by Xn metabolite.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.231-236
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• 2000

Benign metastasizing leiomyoma usually occurs in women and is associated with a past hysterectomy in 80% of the cases, which is a rare entity. The patient was a 39-year-old woman who complained of cough and sputum. She underwent hysterectomy because of benign leiomyoma ten years ago. Chest X-ray showed nodular lesion in the left lung field. Chest CT showed a 3cm sized round well defined mass at left hilum with mild indentation of segmental bronchi of left upper lobe and a small tiny nodule in right lower lung field. Nodular lesion of left upper 1000 was resected by thoracotomy. Pathological evaluation showed benign spindle-like cells having nuclei without cytotic atypia similar to those of benign leiomyoma. Immunohistochernical stainings for desmin and smooth muscle actin were positive. Therefore these nodules are considered as benign metastasizing leiomyoma from a uterine leiomyoma. We report this case with the review of literature.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.426-436
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• 2006

Background : Particulate matters (PM) when inhaled is known to induce pulmonary diseases including asthma and chronic bronchitis when inhaled. Despite the epidemiological proofevidence, the pathogenesis of PM-related pulmonary diseases is unclearremain poorly understood. Methods : Primary alveolar macrophages were harvested from the SPF and inflammatory rats by bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL). The cultured primary alveolar macrophages were treated with the medium only, PM only ($5{\sim}40{\mu}g/cm^2$), LPS (5ng/ml) only, and PM with LPS for 24 and 48 hours. The level of secreted nitric oxide (NO) was assayed from the cultured medium by using the Griess reaction. The cultured cells were utilized for the western blotting against the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) proteins. Immunocyto- chemical staining against the iNOS and NT-proteins were performed in cells that cultured in the $Lab-Tek^{(R)}$ chamber slide after treatments. Results : The PM that utilizein this experiments induced NO formation with iNOS expression in the cultured SPF and inflammatory rats alveolar macrophages, by itself. When the cells were co-treated with PM and LPS, there was a statistically significant synergistic effect on NO formation and iNOS expression over the LPS effect. The cells from the sham control showed minimal immunoreactivity for the NT-proteins. Significantly higher quantities of NT-proteins were detected in the PM and PM with LPS co-treated cells than from the sham control. Conclusion : Increased iNOS expression and NO formation with increased NT-proteins formation might be involved in the pathogenesis of PM-induced lung injury.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.420-427
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• 2010

A process for manufacturing virally-safe bovine amniotic membrane(BAM) has been developed for biological dressing. BAM was harvested from a healthy bovine placenta, and then the epithelium was removed. The remaining stromal layer was consecutively disinfected with 70% ethanol and 0.05% sodium hypochlorite. The stromal layer was incubated in a decellularization solution containing 0.25%(w/v) trypsin to remove the cellular components. The resulting acelluar BAM was lyophilized to preserve its biochemical and structural integrity. The BAM was packed and exposed to 25 kGy of gamma irradiation for sterilization purpose. Histological, electron microscopical, and biochemical observations showed that the acellualr BAM had intact structural integrity of three dimensional collagen fibers and contained several growth factors, accelerating wound healing, such as EGF (Epidermal growth factor), KGF (Keratinocyte growth factor), and FGF (Fibroblast growth factor). Bovine herpes virus (BHV), bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV-3), and bovine parvovirus (BPV) were chosen as the biological indicators for validation of viral safety of the acellular BAM. Samples from relevant stages of the production process were spiked with each virus and subjected to viral inactivation processes. Viruses were recovered from the samples and then titrated immediately. All the viruses tested were completely inactivated to undetectable levels within 1 h of 70% ethanol treatment. Enveloped viruses such as BHV, BVDV, and BPIV-3 were more effectively inactivated than BPV by 0.05% sodium hypochlorite treatment. BHV, BVDV, and BPIV-3 were completely inactivated to undetectable levels by 25 kGy of gamma irradiation. Also BPV was effectively inactivated by 25 kGy of gamma irradiation. The cumulative log reduction factors of BHV, BVDV, BPIV-3, and BPV were ${\geq}$13.30, ${\geq}$14.32, ${\geq}$15.22, and ${\geq}$7.57, respectively. These results indicate that the production process for acelluar BAM has a sufficient virus-reducing capacity to achieve a high margin of the virus safety.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.678-683
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• 2011

The objective of this study was to evaluate the skin inflammation effects of three herb mixture extracts, Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus, which are from Ullung island in Korea. Regulatory mechanisms of cytokines and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in the immunological activity of Raw 264.7 cells. Tested cells were pretreated with 70% acetone extracts of Ligularia fischeri, Solidago virga-aurea and Aruncus dioicus (LSA-A) and further cultured for an appropriated time after lipopolyssacharide (LPS) addition. During the entire experimental period, 1, 10, and 100 ${\mu}g/ml$ of LSA-A had no cytotoxicity. In these concentrations, LSA-A inhibited the production of NO and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), tumor necorsis factor-a (TNF-a), interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). LSA-A showed a 60% $PGE_2$ inhibition rate at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$. iNOS and COX-2 inhibition activities were 54%, and 65% at 100 ${\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, LSA-A extract reduced the release of inflammatory cytokines including TNF-a, IL-1${\beta}$ and IL-6. These results suggest that LSA-A may have significant effects on inflammatory factors, and may be a potential anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.465-471
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• 2018

Bee pollen is one of many types of alternative remedies, and it has been used for a long time throughout the world. It has numerous health effects, including antifungal, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties, immune modulation, enhanced cell proliferation, and even anti-carcinogenic effects. This study was designed to elucidate the effects of bee pollen on benign prostatic hyperplasia in rodents. For this experiment, we used nano-sized bee pollen produced through wet-grinding technology, thereby the extraction efficiency of the active ingredients in the bee pollen was significantly enhanced. First, We found that nano-sized bee pollen significantly reduced the size of prostates enlarged by chronic testosterone administration. In addition, nano-sized bee pollen significantly reduced the plasma concentration of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Interestingly, nano-sized bee pollen did not reduce the testosterone-induced increase in the plasma concentration of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$). The beneficial effects of nano-sized bee pollen in reducing both the size of the prostate and the plasma concentration of PSA was comparable to that of dutasteride. Finally, nano-sized bee pollen did not cause damage in LNCaP cells which are androgen-sensitive human prostate adenocarcinoma cells. Together, these data indicate that nano-sized bee pollen may be able to be used as a good alternative remedy for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.576-583
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• 2005

Tooth formation is a complex developmental process that is mediated through a series of reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Several signal pathways and transcription factors have been implicated in regulating molar crown development, but relatively little is known about the regulation of root development. It was reported that NFI-C knockout mice showed abnormal root formation with normal crown. The aims of this study are to elucidate how the NFI-C regulate the determine of root shape and odontoblasts differentiation. We carried out immunohistochemistry using cytokeratin to investigate the role of Hertwig's epithelial root sheath and DSPP mRNA in-situ hybridization to conform the nature of root dentin during root development in NFI-C knockout mice. Cytokeratin reacted with all the HERS cells and the continuity of cytokeratin positive cells between the HERS cells and enamel epithelium was lost in the cervical region both wild and K/O types. After root dentin deposition cytokeratin positive-HERS cells showed irregularity and loss of polarity in the cervical region in K/O type. DSPP mRNA was strongly expressed in odontoblasts of crown and root dentin in wild type mice, whereas expression of DSPP mRNA was restricted in odontoblast of crown dentin in the K/O type. During root formation in NFI-C knockout mice, HERS normally grow out of the crown but fail to induce odontoblast differentiation in root portion. These results suggest that NFI-C may play important roles in odontoblast differentiation during root dentin formation.