• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 2013

Leishmania tropica is one of the causative agents of leishmaniasis in humans. Routes of infection have been reported to be an important variable for some species of Leishmania parasites. The role of this variable is not clear for L. tropica infection. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of route of L. tropica infection on the disease outcome and immunologic parameters in BALB/c mice. Two routes were used; subcutaneous in the footpad and intradermal in the ear. Mice were challenged by Leishmani major, after establishment of the L. tropica infection, to evaluate the level of protective immunity. Immune responses were assayed at week 1 and week 4 after challenge. The subcutaneous route in the footpad in comparison to the intradermal route in the ear induced significantly more protective immunity against L. major challenge, including higher delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, more rapid lesion resolution, lower parasite loads, and lower levels of IL-10. Our data showed that the route of infection in BALB/c model of L. tropica infection is an important variable and should be considered in developing an appropriate experimental model for L. tropica infections.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2014

This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of silkworm hemolymph against ${\gamma}-irradiation$ induced damage in the liver of mice. Female Balb/C mice (6 weeks old) were exposed to ${\gamma}-irradiation$ (6 Gy) and administered orally to silkworm hemolymph ($5ml\;kg^{-1}$ BW) for 7 days post-irradiation. The body weight, spleen index, plasma aspartate transaminase (AST), plasma alanine transaminase (ALT), and liver malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined. Compared with irradiated control mice, the activity of plasma AST and the level of MDA were significantly decreased in mice treated silkworm hemolymph. These results show that silkworm hemolymph is found to have a protective effect against ${\gamma}-irradiation$ induced damage in mice.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.175-183
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• 2004

To evaluate the role of nitric oxide (NO) in $IFN-{\gamma}$ production and apoptosis of splenocytes in genetically different strains of mice with toxoplasmosis, BALB/c (a toxoplasmosis resistant strain) and C57BL/6 (a toxoplasmosis susceptible strain) mice were infected with Toxoplasma gondii cysts orally and subsequently injected intraperitoneally with aminoguanidine, an iNOS inhibitor (AG; 35 mg/kg per mouse daily for 14 days). When BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice were infected with T. gondii without AG treatment, number of brain cysts, NO and IFN-y production by splenocytes, and percentages of apoptotic splenocytes were increased compared to uninfected control mice without AG treatment. AG treatment increased the number of brain cysts, and reduced NO and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production in T. gondii-infected C57BL/6 mice. In contrast, in T. gondii-infected BABL/c mice, the number of brain cysts, and NO and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production of splenocytes was not altered by treatment with AG. However, the percentages of apoptotic splenocytes in T. gondii-infected BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice were not affected by AG treatment. These results suggest that NO modulates $IFN-{\gamma}$ production in T. gondii-infected C57BL/6 mice, and that NO is involved in mediating a protective response in toxoplasmosis susceptible, but not resistant, mice strain during acute infection.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.383-388
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• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effects of varying concentrations of $CdCl_2$ on the enzyme activities such as LDH and SOD related with the accumulations of cadmium(Cd) in liver and kidney of BALB/c mice. 1. Cd accumulations in liver and kidey were increased in a dose dependent fashion. And also, this pattern was more conspicuous in kidney than that in liver. 2. LDH activities of liver and kidney were increased in a dose dependent fashion except for that of liver in 200 ppm Cd group which was similar to that of 25 ppm Cd group. 3. SOD activities of Cd exposed liver and kidney in Cd-fed mice similar to those of controls except for elevation of SOD activity of liver in 25 ppm Cd group. The results of this study suggest that the activities of various enzymes can be modulated by Cd intoxication. Acknowledgement: This study was financially supported in part by a Research Grant from Bio-Safty Research Institute, Chonbuk National University in 1997(CNU-BSRI, No. 97-03).

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.123-130
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• 2013

Purpose: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a neurodegerative disease due to persistent measles virus infection. We investigated the role of programmed death-1 (PD-1) molecule which is related with chronic viral infection in developing SSPE in mouse. Methods: We adopt the $PD-1^{-/-}$, $PD-1^{-/+}$, and wild type BALB/c 3 week old mice to make an animal model of SSPE by injecting measles virus (SSPE strain) intraventricularly. Three months after infusion of virus, the mice were sacrificed and examined if the typical pathologic lesions had been progressed. The sera were collected from each group of mice and the serum level of IL-21 was measured with ELISA kit. Results: The necrotic lesions on white matter and gliosis were found in focal areas in wild type BALB/c. The extent of lesion was smaller in heterotype BALB/c. Scanty lesions were found in $PD-1^{-/-}$ mice. The sera level of IL-21 was not elevated in all three groups. Conclusion: Our data suggest that the PD-1 molecule may play a role in persistent viral infection.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.1444-1450
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• 2009

The number of patients with immune- mediated dermatitis such as contact dermatitis is increasing year by year. Allergic contact dermatitis is a complex phenomenon that involves resident epidermal cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, as well as invading leukocytes that interact with each other under the control of a network of cytokines and lipid mediators. It is a cell-mediated immune reaction, which occurs after susceptible individuals are exposed to sensitizing chemicals, and characteristic eczematous reaction is seen at the point of contact with an allergen. In this study, we investigated the allergy prevention effects of quercetin on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized with 40 ${\mu}l$ of 1.5% picryl choloride (PCL) to the left and right ear each. Total serum IgE levels and histamine levels were measured by the sandwich ELISA method using mouse IgE, histamine measuring kit. For histopathological examination, paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE) or toluidine blue(TB). Ear swelling responses were much weaker in the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) than the control group (0 mg/kg). The number of mast cells showed a significant decrease in the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) compared to the control group (0 mg/kg). Degranulation of mast cells was also confirmed by Toluidine Blue (TB) staining method. Both total serum IgE and histamine levels were significantly decreased in the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) compared to other groups. These findings suggest a certain relationship between the elevation of IgE, histamine levels and the degranulation of mast cells. These results show that the pharmacological actions of quercetin indicate its potential activity for prevention of allergic inflammatory diseases through the down-regulation of mast cell activation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.467-474
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• 2015

Allergic rhinitis is a growing tendency to increase. Following this tendency, allergic rhinitis is lively studied also in Korean oriental medicine. Bupleuri Radix (BR) has been used for many inflammatory diseases, but experimental backgrounds are not enough to treat allergic rhinitis. So in this study, effects of BR on OVA-induced allergic rhinitis model of BALB/c mice were examined. Thirty two BALB/c mice are equally devided into four groups; control group, OVA group, OVA+BR group, OVA+Cet group. The OVA, OVA+BR and OVA+Cet groups were induced allergic rhinitis by sensitizing to OVA. And then saline solution included BR (10.6 mg/kg body weight) was administered to the OVA+BR group orally. The number of nasal rubbing and nasal sneezing was evaluated for 10 days and later serological and histological changes were analyzed. Serological analysis included the serum levels of cytokines and chemokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-12, MCP-1, MIP-2), total IgE and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum. Histological analysis included thickness of nasal septum, eosinophil counts changes of nasal mucosa, infiltration of eosinophil in nasal mucosa and histological changes of nasal mucosa. The number of nasal rubbing and nasal sneezing was significantly decreased in the OVA+BR group. The serum levels of IL-4, IL-5, MCP-1, MIP-2 were significantly decreased in the OVA+BR group but the serum levels of IL-1β had not significance. Total IgE and OVA-specific IgE levels in serum were decreased in the OVA+BR group, but total IgE levels in serum had only significance. Thickness of nasal septum, eosinophil counts of nasal mucosa and infiltration of eosinophil in nasal mucosa were significantly decreased in the OVA+BR group. From the results of this study, we think that BR has an effect on improvement of allergic rhinitis by improving nasal rubbing and nasal sneezing, reducing histological changes of nasal mucosa and infiltration of eosinophil in nasal mucosa, inhibiting increasing of the serum levels of cytokines, chemokines and total IgE.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.839-844
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• 1996

This study was designed to investigated the effects of cadmium(Cd) feeding on the humoral immune responses such as PFC-responses and production of immunoglobulins in BALB/c mice. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. Total PFCs of direct IgM antibody response were significantly decreased in all Cd-fed goups, whereas total PFCs of IgG antibody response were slightly increased. 2. In secondary immunization, total HA titers were increased in all Cd groups as compared with control, especially in 100ppmm group and also IgG titers were slightly increased except for 50ppm group. 3. The levels of $IgG_1$ were increased to 5.5% 18.7%, 17.4% and 7.2% in 25, 50, 100 and 200ppm groups as compared with control, respectively. And also the levels of IgE were increased to 5.7%, 7.3%, 8.7% and 0.4% in those of Cd groups, in order. Conclusively, concentrations of $IgG_1$, and IgE were increased in all Cd groups. Based on the results of this study and previous report, it was shown that Cd might affect humoral immune responses by modifying the distribution and function of cells playing in the cellular immune response.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.127-135
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• 2009

Objectives : Gagam-Gongjin-dan (GGD) composited with Cervi parvum Cornu, Corni Fructus, Angelica gigantis Radix, Lycii Fructus, Dioscoreae Rhizoma, Citri Pericarpium, Gastrodiae Rihzoma, Agastachis Herba, Cassiae cortkex, Scutellariae Radix, Schisandrae Fructus has been traditionally used for chronic diseases or weakness after illness in oriental countries. However, little is known about the effects of methanol extract of GGD on immune responses to ovalbumin (OVA) plus alum. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of GGD on immune responses to ovalbumin plus alum in Balb/c mice. Methods : In this study, the extract of GGD was prepared by extracting with methanol for 7 days. The extract was freeze-dried following filtration through vacuum distillation system. Mice were orally administrated with or without GGD extract of different doses (50-200 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. We examined the effects of GGD extract on the serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, and CTACK/CCL27 production and CCR10 expression in lymph node cells and body weight change and foot pad swelling responses in ovalbumin treated Balb/c. Results : The oral administration of GGD dose-dependently reduced the serum levels of total IgE, OVA-specific immunoglobulin (IgE, IgG1 and IgG2b) and CTACK/CCL27 production in ovalbumin treated BALB/c mice. The levels of CCR10 expression from lymph node cells of OVA treated mice were markedly suppressed by treatment with GGD in a concentration dependent manner. Furthermore, foot pad swelling responses were also markedly suppressed by GGD. However, body weight were significantly increased dose dependently by GGD treatment. Conclusions : These results suggest that GGD treatment suppresses immune responses to ovalbumin, and these properties may contribute to allergic disease care.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.231-241
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• 1997

The purpose of this research was to investigate effect of water extract of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis on the proliferation of human cancer cell-lines. The effects of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis on the proliferation of A431, HeLa, MOLT-4, K562 cells, Balb/c 3T3 cells, mouse thymocytes, splenocytes and human lymphocytes were estimated by MTT colorimetric assay. The results were as follows; 1. In proliferation of A431, HeLa, MOLT-4 and K562 cell-lines, Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis inhibited the proliferation of K562 cells. 2. In the combined effect of Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and mitomycin C, Moutan Cortex Radicis and mitomycin C, all herbs stimulated the proliferation of MOL T-4 cells. 3. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis did not inhibited the proliferation of Balb/c 3T3 cells. 4. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis stimulated the proliferation of mouse thymocytes. 5. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis stimulated the proliferation of mouse splenocytes. 6. Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix and Moutan Cortex Radicis stimulated the proliferation of human lymphocytes.