• BMB Reports
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• 제52권9호
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• pp.554-559
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• 2019

Despite reports suggesting that tissue-resident natural killer (trNK) cells cause ischemic kidney injury, their contribution to the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis has not been determined. This study hypothesized that the depletion of trNK cells may ameliorate renal fibrosis by affecting transglutaminase 2/syndecan-4 interactions. Aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) was induced in C57BL/6 mice as an experimental model of kidney fibrosis. The mice were treated with anti-asialo GM1 (ASGM1) or anti-NK1.1 antibodies to deplete NK cells. Although both ASGM1 and NK1.1 antibodies suppressed renal $NKp46^+DX5^+$ NK cells, renal $NKp46^+DX5^-$ cells were resistant to suppression by ASGM1 or NK1.1 antibodies during the development of tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the AAN-induced mouse model. Western blot analysis showed that both antibodies increased the expression of fibronectin, transglutaminase 2, and syndecan-4. These findings indicate that trNK cells played an exacerbating role in tubulointerstitial fibrosis by activating transglutaminase 2 and syndecan-4 in the AAN-induced mouse model.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제49권2호
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• pp.275-284
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• 2022

Background Population aging has led to an increased incidence of pressure ulcers, resulting in a social burden and economic costs. We developed a three-dimensional knitted fabric (3-DKF) with a pressure-reducing function that can be applied topically in the early stages of pressure ulcers to prevent progression. Methods We evaluated the effects of the 3-DKF in a streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus pressure ulcer mouse model, and the fabric was preliminarily applied to patients. Twelve-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were used for the animal experiments. In the pressure ulcer mouse model, an ischemia-reperfusion injury was created using a magnet on the dorsa of the mice. Pressure was measured with BodiTrak before and after applying the 3-DKF to 14 patients at risk of sacral pressure ulcers. Results In the 3-DKF-applied mice group, the ulcers were shallower and smaller than those in the control group. Compared with the mice in the control group, the 3-DKF group had lower platelet-derived growth factor-α and neutrophil elastase expression, as parameters related to inflammation, and increased levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, TGF-β3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and α-smooth muscle actin, which are related to growth factors and proliferation. Additionally, typical normal tissue staining patterns were observed in the 3-DKF group. In the preliminary clinical analysis, the average skin pressure was 26.2 mm Hg before applying the 3-DKF, but it decreased to an average of 23.4 mm Hg after 3-DKF application. Conclusion This study demonstrated that the newly developed 3-DKF was effective in preventing pressure ulcers through testing in a pressure ulcer animal model and preliminary clinical application.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제56권4호
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• pp.349-360
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• 2023

Purpose: Ketogenic diets (KDs) have anti-obesity effects that may be related to glucose control and the gut microbiota. This paper hypothesizes that KD reduces body weight and changes the insulin sensitivity and gut microbiota composition in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity. Methods: In this study, C57BL/6 male mice were assigned randomly to 3 groups. The assigned diets were provided to the control and high-fat (HF) diet groups for 14 weeks. The KD group was given a HF diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity, followed by feeding the KD for the next 6 weeks. Results: After the treatment period, the KD group exhibited a 35.82% decrease in body weight gain compared to the HF group. In addition, the KD group demonstrated enhanced glucose control, as shown by the lower levels of serum fasting glucose, serum fasting insulin, and the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, compared to the HF group. An analysis of the gut microbiota using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing revealed a significant decrease in the proportion of Firmicutes when the KD was administered. In addition, feeding the KD reduced the overall alpha-diversity measures and caused a notable separation of microbial composition compared to the HF diet group. The KD also led to a decrease in the relative abundance of specific species, such as Acetatifactor_muris, Ligilactobacillus_apodemi, and Muribaculum_intestinale, compared with the HF group. These species were positively correlated with the body weight, whereas the abundant species in the KD group (Kineothrix_alysoides and Saccharofermentans_acetigenes) showed a negative correlation with body weight. Conclusion: The current study presents supporting evidence that KD reduced the body weight and altered the insulin sensitivity and gut microbiota composition in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제30권2호
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• pp.126-136
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• 2022

Liver fibrosis is part of the wound healing process to help the liver recover from the injuries caused by various liver-damaging insults. However, liver fibrosis often progresses to life-threatening cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. To overcome the limitations of current in vivo liver fibrosis models for studying the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis and establishing effective treatment strategies, we developed a new mouse model of liver fibrosis using polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG-p), a humidifier sterilizer known to induce lung fibrosis in humans. Male C57/BL6 mice were intraperitoneally injected with PHMG-p (0.03% and 0.1%) twice a week for 5 weeks. Subsequently, liver tissues were examined histologically and RNA-sequencing was performed to evaluate the expression of key genes and pathways affected by PHMG-p. PHMG-p injection resulted in body weight loss of ~15% and worsening of physical condition. Necropsy revealed diffuse fibrotic lesions in the liver with no effect on the lungs. Histology, collagen staining, immunohistochemistry for smooth muscle actin and collagen, and polymerase chain reaction analysis of fibrotic genes revealed that PHMG-p induced liver fibrosis in the peri-central, peri-portal, and capsule regions. RNA-sequencing revealed that PHMG-p affected several pathways associated with human liver fibrosis, especially with upregulation of lumican and IRAK3, and downregulation of GSTp1 and GSTp2, which are closely involved in liver fibrosis pathogenesis. Collectively we demonstrated that the PHMG-p-induced liver fibrosis model can be employed to study human liver fibrosis.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제27권8호
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• pp.937-944
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• 2017

본 연구에서는 한천식이섬유(Diet fiber of agar)가 지방과 포도당대사에 미치는 효과를 연구하고자, 고지방사료(High fat diet, HFD)를 급여한 C57BL/6 마우스에 한천함유음료(beverage contained agar, BCA)를 9주 동안 투여하고 지방축적, 지질농도, 인슐린농도 등의 변화를 분석하였다. 식이섭취효율은 HFD+BCA 처리그룹에서 유의적으로 감소하였지만, 체중과 식이섭취량은 HFD+BCA 처리그룹에서 일정하게 유지되었다. 또한, 지방조직과 간조직에서 지방의 축적은 HFD+Vehicle처리그룹에 비하여 HFD+BCA 처리그룹에서 낮게 관찰되었다. 더불어, BCA 처리후에 유의적인 변화는 total cholesterol (TC)과 LDL에서 관찰되었지만, HDL의 농도는 BCA처리에 의해 변화가 없었다. 인슐린의 농도는 HFD+BCAMi 처리그룹과 비교하여 HFD+BCALo과 HFD+BCAMi 처리그룹에서 유의적으로 감소하였다. 따라서 이러한 결과는 한천식이섬유의 장기간 투여는 고지방사료를 급여한 동물에서 지방축적, 혈청내 지방프로파일, 인슐린농도의 개선을 유도할 수 있음을 제시하고 있다. 또한, 이러한 결과는 한천식이 섬유를 함유하는 음료는 혈청내 지질과 인슐린 작용을 유도할 수 있음을 제시하고 있다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제21권5호
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• pp.647-655
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• 2011

Amyloid ${\beta}$ ($A{\beta}$)의 신경독성은 알츠하이머병의 주된 원인이 되고 이러한 신경독성은 일련의 신경세포 사멸반응에 의해 일어난다고 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 알츠하이머병의 실험모델로 mouse primary neuronal cell에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 처리하여 세포독성을 유도하는 세포실험모델과 C57BL/6J mouse 뇌실에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 주입하여 인지장애를 일으키는 동물실험모델을 이용하여 phosphodiesterase III 억제제인 cilostazol의 신경보호 효과에 대해 조사하였다. $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 신경세포에 처리하면 세포생존율이 감소되었고, 세포사멸이 일어난 세포의 수도 증가되었다. 이러한 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$에 의한 세포독성이 cilostazol처리에 의해 회복되었으며, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR)-${\gamma}$ 항진제인 rosiglitazone 또한 동일한 회복효과를 나타내었다. Cilostazol과 rosiglitazone에 의한 이러한 회복효과가 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 길항제인 GW9662에 의해 다시 억제되는 결과를 통해 cilostazol의 효과는 PPAR-${\gamma}$가 매개하는 신호전달이 관여함을 알 수 있었다. 직접 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 활성화 정도를 측정한 결과, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ 처리에 의해 감소된 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 활성화 정도가 cilostazol과 rosiglitazone에 의해 증가함을 관찰할 수 있었고, 이는 GW9662에 의해 다시 억제됨을 확인하였다. 게다가, cilostazol은 세포사멸이 일어난 세포의 수와 세포사멸 조절단백질인 Bax/Bcl-2의 비율도 감소시켰다. Cilostazol (20 mg/kg, 구강투여)을 C57BL/6J mice 뇌실에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$를 주입하기 2주 동안 전처리하고, $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ 주입 후 4주 동안 처리하면, 기억력과 학습능력을 증진시킨다는 결과를 water maze 실험을 통해 알 수 있었으며, rosiglitazone (10 mg/kg)을 먹인 동물에서도 동일한 결과를 얻을 수 있었다. 본 연구를 통해서 cilostazol이 PPAR-${\gamma}$ 활성화를 통해 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$로 인한 신경세포 손상과 세포사멸을 약화시켜, 신경세포의 생존을 증진시키고, 알츠하이머에서 인지장애를 개선할 것으로 생각된다. 따라서, phosphodiesterase III 억제제인 cilostazol은 알츠하이머 질병 치료에 새로운 전략이 될 수 있을 것이다.

• 한방재활의학과학회지
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• 제19권4호
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• pp.95-113
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• 2009

Objectives : Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) is a hair care product which is composed of ten plant extracts used in oriental medicine. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) on hair regrowth and cytokine changes in a shaving model of C57BL/6 mice. Materials and Methods : Five-week-old mice were acclimated for 1 week at a temperature between $21-23^{\circ}C$, 40-60% relative humidity, and 12h of a light/dark cycle before beginning of the experiment. There were three experimental groups including 50% ethanol (EtOH, control), a positive control of 3% Minoxidil, and 30% Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) in 50% ethanol in 18 female mice. The test compounds were topically treated once a day over 12 days. The hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period of 12 days. Revelation of EGF, $TGF-{\beta}1$ and IL-6 in hair follicle were also determined using immunohistochemistry. In addition to that, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in skin tissue were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results : Hair regrowth in 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups was promoted earlier and faster than the control group. Concentrations of hairs and thick-hair ratio in 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups were promoted than the control group. EGF was moderately positive in hair follicle of 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups, but negative in the control group. $TGF-{\beta}1$ was not significantly difference between the groups. IL-6 in hair follicle of Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) group was negative, but weakly positive in 3% Minoxidil and control group. IL-6 and $IL-1{\beta}$ in skin tissue were significantly decreased in Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) group, but there was not significantly decreased in 3% Minoxidil and control group. $TNF-{\alpha}$ in skin tissue was significantly decreased in 3% Minoxidil and Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) groups. Conclusions : These results suggest that Saengbal-eum-II($Sh{\bar{e}}ngf{\grave{a}}-y{\breve{i}}n-ll$) has hair growth promoting activity and it can be used for treatment of alopecia. And these effects relate to EGF revelation of hair follicle and a decrease IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$ in skin tissue.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제14권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 2009

Control of hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia is strongly correlated with decreased risk for cardiovascular disease, the most common and fatal diabetic complication. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of garlic and aged black garlic on glycemic control and blood lipid profile in animal model of type 2 diabetes. Three week-old db/db mice (C57BL/Ks, n=21) were fed AIN-93G semipurified diet or diet containing 5% freeze-dried garlic or aged black garlic for 7 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol and blood glycated hemoglobin were measured. Body weight and food intake of garlic and aged black garlic group were not significantly different from those of the control group. Fasting serum glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin levels were significantly decreased and insulin level was significantly increased in garlic group compared with control group (p<0.05). Consumption of aged black garlic significantly decreased homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and tended to decrease serum glucose. Garlic consumption significantly decreased total cholesterol, while aged black garlic significantly reduced serum total cholesterol and triglyceride and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. These results suggest that garlic exerts hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic effect and aged black garlic improved insulin sensitivity and dyslipidemia in db/db mice.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제38권6호
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• pp.891-901
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the anti-asthmatic effect of alismatis rhizoma and alisol acetate B combination therapy in a murine asthma model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were sensitized to and challenged with a mixture of ragweed, dust mite, and aspergillus to induce an asthma animal model. Alismatis rhizoma extract and alisol acetate B combination therapy was co-administered only in the experimental group. To evaluate the anti-asthmatic effect of the combination therapy, inflammatory cell counts in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were determined, and tissue was examined histologically with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of IgE, IL-4, and IL-5, and with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of IL-5, IL-33, MUC5AC. Results: Alismatis rhizoma and alisol acetate B combination therapy reduced the number of inflammatory cells, alleviated histologic features, and down-regulated all the investigated asthma mediators, IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-33, and MUC5AC. Conclusions: According to the above results, alismatis rhizoma and alisol acetate B combination therapy may have therapeutic potential for asthma.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제57권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

Objective : Cerebral vessels, such as intracerebral perforating arterioles isolated from rat brain, have been widely used as an ex vivo model to study the cerebrovascular function associated with cerebrovascular disorders and the therapeutic effects of various pharmacological agents. These perforating arterioles, however, have demonstrated differences in the vascular architecture and reactivity compared with a larger leptomeningeal artery which has been commonly implicated in cerebrovascular disease. In this study, therefore, we developed the method for studying cerebrovascular function utilizing the olfactory artery isolated from the mouse brain. Methods : The olfactory artery (OA) was isolated from the C57/BL6 wild-type mouse brain. After removing connective tissues, one side of the isolated vessel segment (approximately $-500{\mu}m$ in length) was cannulated and the opposite end of the vessel was completely sealed while being viewed with an inverted microscope. After verifying the absence of pressure leakage, we examined the vascular reactivity to various vasoactive agents under the fixed intravascular pressure (60 mm Hg). Results : We found that the isolated mouse OAs were able to constrict in response to vasoconstrictors, including KCl, phenylephrine, endothelin-1, and prostaglandin $PGH_2$. Moreover, this isolated vessel demonstrated vasodilation in a dose-dependent manner when vasodilatory agents, acetylcholine and bradykinin, were applied. Conclusion : Our findings suggest that the isolated olfactory artery would provide as a useful ex vivo model to study the molecular and cellular mechanisms of vascular function underlying cerebrovascular disorders and the direct effects of such disease-modifying pathways on cerebrovascular function utilizing pharmacological agents and genetically modified mouse models.