• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.71-85
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• 2014

Objectives In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Samhwangsasim-tang (S.H) on the allergic response caused by ovalbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge in BALB/c mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups; 1) normal as negative control, 2) OVA-sensitized mice, 3) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 200 mg/kg of S.H 200, 4) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 400 mg/kg of S.H 400, and 5) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 5 mg/kg of Dexamethasone (Dex). Antigen sensitization for allergic mouse model was performed with twice injection of OVA for 2 weeks. After secondary injection, S.H was administrated orally into mice every day for 13 days and the inhibitory effect of S.H on allergic responses was evaluated. Results Treatment of S.H into allergic mice reduced significantly ear edema and infiltration of immune cells in ear tissues induced with OVA challenge in a dose-dependent manner. S.H reduced significantly the serum levels of Total Immunoglobulin(Ig)G and IgE, and particularly inhibited the production of OVA-specific IgE, but not OVA-specific IgG. The serum level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and Th2-associated cytokine IL-4 also were significantly decreased by S.H adminstration in a dose denpendent manner. S.H attenuated OVA-induced secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$, but not IL-12 which is a cytokine inducing the development of Th1 cells. It also reduced significantly the secretion of IL-4, which is a cytokine inducing the development of Th2 cells, after splenocytes were stimulated with OVA. However the secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 was influenced weakly or a little. Conclusions These results indicate that S.H could reduce the allergic response through inhibition of antigen-specific IgE and Th2-inducing cytokines. It suggest that S.H may be available clinically for the treatment of allergic patients.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.9
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• pp.1606-1612
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• 2008

Interleukin (IL)-32 is a recently identified proinflammatory cytokine that is one of the IL-18 inducible genes, and plays an important role in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. We produced antibodies against IL-32 and studied the expression of IL-32 in human stomach cancer. We detected IL-32 secreted from K-562 cells which were stably transfected with IL-32 and in the sera of stomach cancer patients by a sandwich ELISA using a monoclonal antibody KU32-52 and a polyclonal antibody. In order to optimize a sandwich immunoassay, recombinant IL-32a was added, followed by the addition of a biotinylated KU32-52 into microtiter plate wells precoated with a goat anti-IL-32 antibody. The bound biotinylated KU32-52 was probed with a streptavidin conjugated to HRP. This sandwich ELISA was highly specific and had a minimal detection limit of 80 pg/ml (mean${\pm}$SD of zero calibrator) and measuring up to 3,000 pg/ml. This ELISA showed no cross-reaction with other cytokines such as hIL-1$\alpha$, hIL-1$\beta$, hIL-2, hIL-6, hIL-8, hIL-10, hIL-18, and hTNF-$\alpha$. Intra-assay coefficients of variation were 18.5% to 4.6% (n=10), and inter-assay coefficients were 23% to 9% (n=10). The average IL-32 level in the sera of 16 stomach cancer patients (189 pg/ml) was higher than that of 12 healthy control men (109 pg/ml). Our results indicate that serum IL-32 level can be detected by using an established ELISA, and that this immunoassay and mAb KU32-09 specific for immunohistochemistry can be used in the detection of expressed and secreted IL-32 in stomach cancer patients.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.64-70
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• 2010

Soybean is of particular interest as a food supplement of isoflavones for inhibiting bone resorption in postmenopausal woman. These beneficial effects of isoflavones are caused by functioning as partial agonists or antagonists of estrogen, of which anti-resorptive effect is mediated indirectly through paracrine factors produced by osteoblasts that act on osteoclasts. In this study, the indirect effect of soybean on osteoclastic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells were investigated. The conditioned medium was collected from MC3T3-E1 osbeoblasts treated with 0.001 mg/mL~0.1 mg/mL soybean extracts for 6 days, mixed in 1:1 ratio with osteoclast medium, and then added into RAW264.7 cells with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), a differentiation inducer for 3 days. Of paracrine factors in the conditioned medium, the protein expression of osteoprotegerin (OPG) with soybean extract was specifically higher in a dose dependent manner than with $10^{-9}$ M~$10^{-6}$ M of estrogen, genistein or daidzein standards. In RAW264.7 cells, the conditioned medium with soybean inhibited RANKL induced osteoclastic differentiation as total number of multinucleated tartrateresistant alkaline phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts and protein expression of MMP-9 were significantly decreased. Coupled with the low expression of estrogen receptor $\alpha$ and $\beta$ proteins in RANKL treated RAW264.7 cells, we demonstrate that the conditioned medium of soybean treated osteoblasts inhibits RANKL induced differentiation of osteoclasts with the selective expression of OPG in osteoblasts.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.345-360
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was examined to investigate the effects of Cheonmagudeng-um gagam (CGG) extract on spontaneous hypertension. Methods : For the study of CGG, we divided rats into three groups. The normal group was Wister Kyoto rats (WKY). The control group was spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The treatment group was SHR which were administered CGG extract (SHR-CGG). SHR-CGG were orally administered CGG extract that was diluted in distilled water at the various concentrations for 4 weeks (234.5 mg/kg) and SHR were orally administered the same dosage of plain distilled water as SHR-CGG. Then we measured anti-oxygen effects, ACE inhibitory activity, weight of heart and kidney, blood pressure, heart rate, plasma aldosterone, electrolyte, creatinine, uric acid, BUN, and observed the cortex of the cardiac muscle, kidney, and adrenal gland. Results : CGG increased DPPH scavenging activity and SOD similar activity depending on the concentration. CGG significantly decreased ROS, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-$1{\beta}$, heart weight, blood pressure, heart rate, aldosterone, and BUN in SHR. CGG increased ACE inhibition activity depending on the concentration. CGG inhibited the heart, kidney and adrenal gland tissue injury that is caused by hypertension. Conclusions : These results suggest that CGG is effective in treatment and prevention of hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.607-616
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• 2018

The effect of melatonin on juveniles with cardio fibrosis is poorly understood. We investigated whether HDACs participate in the anti-fibrotic processes regulated by melatonin during hypertrophic remodeling. Abdominal aortic constriction (AAC) was employed in juvenile rats resulting in pressure overload-induced ventricular hypertrophy and melatonin was subsequently decreased via continuous light exposure for 5 weeks after surgery. AAC rats displayed an increased cross-sectional area of myocardial fibers and significantly elevated collagen deposition compared to sham-operated rats, as measured by HE and Masson Trichrome staining. Continuous light exposure following surgery exacerbated the increase in the cross-sectional area of myocardial fibers. The expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 and HDAC6 genes were all significantly enhanced in AAC rats with light exposure relative to the other rats. Moreover, the protein level of $TNF-{\alpha}$ was also upregulated in the AAC light exposure groups when compared with the sham. However, Smad4 protein expression was unchanged in the juveniles' hearts. In contrast, beginning 5 weeks after the operation, the AAC rats were treated with melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection every evening) or vehicle 4 weeks, and sham rats were given vehicle. The changes in the histological measures of cardio fibrosis and the gene expressions of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 and HDAC6 were attenuated by melatonin administration. The results reveal that melatonin plays a role in the development of cardio fibrosis and the expression of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3, HDAC4 and HDAC6 in cardiomyocytes.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 2009

TIAF1 is a TGF-${\beta}$1-induced anti-apoptotic factor that plays a critical role in blocking TNF (tumor necrosis factor) cytotoxicity in mouse fibroblasts and participates in TGF-${\beta}$-mediated growth regulation. In this study, we obtained the full-length cDNA sequence of the porcine TIAF1 gene. Real-time PCR further revealed that the TIAF1 gene was expressed at the highest level in liver and kidney with prominent expressions detected in uterus, and lower levels detected in heart, spleen, lung, stomach, small intestine, skeletal muscle and fat of Large White pigs. Sequence analysis indicated that a 6 base-pair deletion mutation existed in the exon of the TIAF1 gene between Meishan and Large White pigs. This mutation induced deletion of Gln and Val amino acids. PCR-RFLP was used to detect the polymorphism in 394 pigs of a "Large White${\times}$Meishan" $F_{2}$ resource population and four purebred pig populations. The frequencies of the A allele (with a 6 bp deletion) were dominant in Chinese Meishan and Bamei pigs, and the frequencies of the B allele (no 6 bp deletion) were dominant in Large White and Landrace pigs. Association analyses revealed that the deletion mutation had highly significant associations (p<0.01) with meat marbling score of the thorax-waist longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle (MM1) and intramuscular fat percentage (IMF), and significant associations (p<0.05) with carcass length (CL). The results presented here supply evidence that the 6 bp deletion mutation in the TIAF1 gene affects porcine meat quality and provides useful information for further porcine breeding.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2251-2256
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• 2015

To study effects of cellular FLICE (FADD-like IL-$1{\beta}$-converting enzyme)-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) inhibition by RNA interference (RNAi) on sensitivity of U2OS cells to tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced apoptosis, plasmid pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was constructed and then transfected into U2OS cells. A stable transfection cell clone U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was screened from the c-FLIP-siRNA transfected cells. RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to measure the expression of c-FLIP at the levels of mRNA and protein. The results indicated that the expression of c-FLIP was significantly suppressed by the c-FLIP-siRNA in the cloned U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA as compared with the control cells of U2OS/pSUPER. The cloned cell line of U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was further examined for TRAILinduced cell death and apoptosis in the presence of a pan-antagonist of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) AT406, with or without 4 hrs pretreatment with rocaglamide, an inhibitor of c-FLIP biosynthesis, for 24 hrs. Cell death effects and apoptosis were measured by the methods of MTT assay with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide and flow cytometry, respectively. The results indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death in U2OS/pSUPER-c-FLIP-siRNA was increased compared with control cells U2OS/pSUPER in the presence or absence of AT406. Flow cytometry indicated that TRAIL-induced cell death effects proceeded through cell apoptosis pathway. However, in the presence of rocaglamide, cell death or apoptotic effects of TRAIL were similar and profound in both cell lines, suggesting that the mechanism of action for both c-FLIP-siRNA and rocaglamide was identical. We conclude that the inhibition of c-FLIP by either c-FLIP-siRNA or rocaglamide can enhance the sensitivity of U2OS to TRAIL-induced apopotosis, suggesting that inhibition of c-FLIP is a good target for anti-cancer therapy.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2000

This study was conducted to compare probiotic activities and physiological functions of Bifidobacterium longum Mk-G7 with weveral commercial and type strains of bifidobacteria. bif. longum MK-G7 showed the highest acid tolerance against HCl and acetic acid, whereas bif. infantis Y-1 showed the lowest acid tolerance and more than 4 log cycles of viable cell count decreased due to acid injuty. Viable cell counts of bifidobacteria strains decreased more than 1.5 log cycles owing to oxygen toxicity, with the exception of Bif. longum MK-G7, Bif. infantis Y-2, Bif. longum Y-3, Bif. longum Y-6, and Bif. longum RD-13 showed the highest bile tolerance, whereas Bif. longum MK-G7 showed a medium level of bile tolerance. Only Bif. longum MK-G7 howed much higher antibiotic resistance against both tetracycline and penicillin-G in the MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration) level of 24.8 mg/I and 0.52mg/I, respectively. Bif longum Y-6, and Bif. bifidum ATCC 29539 showed more than 80% of anti-mutagenicity against NQO(4-nitroquinolinel-oxide). Since the production of cytokines such as $TNF(tumor necrosis factor)-{\alpha}$ and IL (interleukin)-6, and NO(nitric oxide) in the macrophage cell line Raw 264.7 cells increased as Bif. longum MK-G7 cell concentration increased, ti was suggested that Bif. longum MK-G7 is able to enhance immunopotentiating activity in vitro. When freeze-dred Bif. longum MK-G7 was administered to mice at the dose of 1,2,4, and 6 g/kg of body weight, all of the mice survived in all feeding groups, proving the GRAS(generally recognized as safe) status of Bif. longum MK-G7. When fermented milk containing Bif. longum MK-G7 was administered to human volunteers, viable cell count of total bifidobacteria and anaerobes in the feces increased up to 0.5 log cycles more than before the administration. In particular, Bif. logum MK-G7 ingibited the growth of Bacteroides at the level of 1.0-1.5 log cycles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.25-55
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of the present study was to observe the effect of Astragali Radix Herbal-Acupuncture Solution(AR-HAS) at $ST_{36}$(jok-samni, $Z\acute{u}s\bar{a}n$ Li) on collagen- II -induced arthritis(CIA) in mice. Methods : DBA/1J mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen(CII) on days 0 and 21 to induce arthritis. The mice were divided into 5 groups : normal group(no CIA), control group(CIA+no treatment), needle prick group(CIA+single prick with an injection needle), saline group(CIA+saline injection) and ARHA group(CIA+ R-HA treatment). The needle prick, saline injection, and AR-HA groups were injected on the right $ST_{36}$(jok-samni) of mice for 9 weeks, 3 times a week, beginning 4 weeks after the booster immunization. Results : 1. The incidence of arthritis, AI(arthritis index), and joint edema decreased in the AR-HA group. 2. Weight gain, hypertrophy of the spleen, adhesion of the tissues, and transformation of the joint were restrained in the AR-HA group. 3. The concentrations of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$ in CIA mouse serum and $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-10 in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the AR-HA group. 4. Total cell counts increased significantly, and the ratio of $CD3e^+$ to $CD45R^+$, $CD4^+$ to $CD8^+$, and $CD4^+$ to $CD25^+$ cells decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse spleen cell culture of the AR-HA group. 5. Total cell counts decreased significantly, and $CD4^+/CD25^+$ and $CD45R^+/CD69^+$ decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse lymph nodes of the AR-HA group. 6. $CD3e^+/CD69^+$ and $CD11b^+/Gr-1^+$ cells decreased significantly at $ST_{36}$ in the CIA mouse joints of the AR-HA group. 7. The histological examination showed that cartilage destruction and synoviocyte proliferation decreased in the CIA mouse joints of the AR-HA group, and collagen fiber was expressed similar to that seen in the normal group. Conclusions : Our experiments show that at $ST_{36}$, an anti-inflammatory mechanism of AR-HA controls synovial cell proliferation and protects against cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.81-88
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• 2015

Objectives : The aim of present study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of Scutellariae Radix (SR) and Scutellariae Radix EtOH-heated at 200℃ (SR200) using lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treated intestine of mice.Methods : Extract of SR and SR200 were orally administrated. Their effects were compared with vehicletreated LPS and normal groups. Subsequently, we measured reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide in the serum and western blotting in the intestine.Results : The average weight in LPS treated (Vehicle) group was lowered significantly compare to that in non-treated normal group and this weight loss in the vehicle group was effectively prevented by the administration of SR and SR200 respectively. The increased oxidative stress biomarker levels such as reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the serum was markedly decreased by treated with SR200. The decreased levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) induced by LPS injection were significantly restored by both SR and SR200 treatment. Moreover, increased inflammatory mediators and cytokines such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the LPS treated vehicle mice were significantly decreased through down-regulation c-JUN through reduction of oxidative stress.Conclusions : SR and SR200 could have benefit effect through down-regulation of abnormal oxidative stress in LPS induced intestine injury mice. Moreover, The anti-inflammatory activity of SR200 extract was better than SR extract in the LPS induced intestine injury mice.