• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.31-38
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• 2024

Objectives : Ulcerative colitis is a chronic recurrent inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. However, there are some drawbacks to long-term drug therapy such as the risk of opportunistic infections. Recently, there was an increasing interest on the use of khorasan Kamut wheat because of their higher value of selenium and fiber than modern wheat. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of Kamut brand wheat enzyme (Kamut WE) diet on colon health in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice. Methods : Female C57BL/6J mice were divided into 6 groups. (1) normal (Water and AIN-93G diet), (2) control (1.25% DSS and AIN-93G diet), (3) Kamut WE (1.25% DSS and Kamut WE diet), (4) normal (Water and AIN-93G diet), (5) control (2.50% DSS and AIN-93G diet), (6) Kamut WE (2.50% DSS and Kamut WE diet). Dietary intake, body weight change, disease activity index (DAI), colon length and spleen weight were monitored. Results : Kamut WE group alleviated colitis symptom, including dietary intake loss, DAI (weight loss, loose stools, bleeding), colon length shortening and spleen swelling. Further, Kamut WE diets showed a significant effect against pathological damage by the increased colon length, decreased DAI and spleen weight in DSS 1.25% as well as DSS 2.50%. Conclusions : Our study provides evidence that Kamut WE diet increased colon length, decreased DAI and spleen weight in intestinal inflammation.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.11-30
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• 2024

Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of Ssanghwa-tang (SHT) on lung injury and muscle loss in a COPD mouse model. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were challenged with cigarette smoke extract and lipopolysaccharide, and then treated with two concentrations of SHT (250 and 500 mg/kg). After sacrifice, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) or lung tissue was analyzed by cytospin, ELISA, real-time PCR, flow cytometry analysis, and H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. The grip strength of COPD mice was measured using a grip strength meter. The running time of COPD mice was measured by a treadmill test. Muscle tissue of the quadriceps was stained with H&E and Masson's trichrome staining. Results: SHT significantly inhibited the increase in neutrophil numbers in BALF and significantly decreased immune cell activity in BALF and lung tissue. It also significantly inhibited the increase in TNF-α, IL-17, and MIP2 in BALF. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-17, MIP2, and TRPV1 in lung tissue showed a significant decrease compared with the control group. Lung tissue damage was significantly reduced in the histological analysis. The grip strength and running time of the COPD mice showed a significant decrease compared with the control group. In histological staining, SHT was found to reduce the damage to muscle tissue. Conclusions: This study indicates that SHT can be used as a therapeutic agent for COPD patients by inhibiting lung injury and muscle loss.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-227
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• 2024

Objectives: The pulp is the center of the tooth containing nerves and blood vessels. The condition in which the pulp becomes inflamed due to caries or periodontitis is called pulpitis. Pulpitis is a difficult-to-treat disease and causes peripheral nerve tissue changes and severe pain; however, the relationship between neuronal activity and voltage-gated sodium channel 1.7 (Nav1.7) expression in the trigeminal ganglion (TG) during pulpitis has not been well studied. In this study, we found that experimentally induced pulpitis activates Nav1.7 expression in the periphery, leading to neuronal overexpression in the TG. Thus, we sought to identify ways to regulate this process. Methods: Acute pulpitis was induced in rat maxillary molars by treating the pulp with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC). Three days later, in vivo optical imaging was used to record and compare neural activities in the TG. Western blotting was used to identify molecular changes in terms of the expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), c-Fos, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2) in the brain stem. Results: The results confirmed the neurological changes in the TGs of the pulpitis model, and histological and molecular biological evidence confirmed that increased Nav1.7 expression induced by pulpitis leads to pain. Furthermore, selective inhibition of Nav1.7 resulted in changes in neural activity, suggesting that pulpitis induces increased Nav1.7 expression, and that effective control of Nav1.7 could potentially reduce pain. Conclusions: The inhibition of overexpressed Nav1.7 channels may modulate nociceptive signal processing in the brain and effectively control pain associated with pulpitis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.34.1-34.16
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• 2021

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dryness of the mouth and eyes. The glandular dysfunction in SS involves not only T cell-mediated destruction of the glands but also autoantibodies against the type 3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor or aquaporin 5 (AQP5) that interfere with the secretion process. Studies on the breakage of tolerance and induction of autoantibodies to these autoantigens could benefit SS patients. To break tolerance, we utilized a PmE-L peptide derived from the AQP5-homologous aquaporin of Prevotella melaninogenica (PmAqp) that contained both a B cell "E" epitope and a T cell epitope. Repeated subcutaneous immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the PmE-L peptide efficiently induced the production of Abs against the "E" epitope of mouse/human AQP5 (AQP5E), and we aimed to characterize the antigen specificity, the sequences of AQP5E-specific B cell receptors, and salivary gland phenotypes of these mice. Sera containing anti-AQP5E IgG not only stained mouse Aqp5 expressed in the submandibular glands but also detected PmApq and PmE-L by immunoblotting, suggesting molecular mimicry. Characterization of the AQP5E-specific autoantibodies selected from the screening of phage display Ab libraries and mapping of the B cell receptor repertoires revealed that the AQP5E-specific B cells acquired the ability to bind to the Ag through cumulative somatic hypermutation. Importantly, animals with anti-AQP5E Abs had decreased salivary flow rates without immune cell infiltration into the salivary glands. This model will be useful for investigating the role of anti-AQP5 autoantibodies in glandular dysfunction in SS and testing new therapeutics targeting autoantibody production.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.40.1-40.15
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• 2020

The protein encoded by the Gene Associated with Retinoid-Interferon-Induced Mortality-19 (GRIM-19) is located in the mitochondrial inner membrane and is homologous to the NADH dehydrogenase 1-alpha subcomplex subunit 13 of the electron transport chain. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease that damages the brain and spinal cord. Although both the cause and mechanism of MS progression remain unclear, it is accepted that an immune disorder is involved. We explored whether GRIM-19 ameliorated MS by increasing the levels of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells; we used a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to this end. Six-to-eight-week-old male C57BL/6, IFNγ-knockout (KO), and GRIM-19 transgenic mice were used; EAE was induced in all strains. A GRIM-19 overexpression vector (GRIM19 OVN) was electrophoretically injected intravenously. The levels of Th1 and Th17 cells were measured via flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analysis. IL-17A and IFNγ expression levels were assessed via ELISA and quantitative PCR. IL-17A expression decreased and IFNγ expression increased in EAE mice that received injections of the GRIM-19 OVN. GRIM19 transgenic mice expressed more IFNγ than did wild-type mice; this inhibited EAE development. However, the effect of GRIM-19 overexpression on the EAE of IFNγ-KO mice did not differ from that of the empty vector. GRIM-19 expression was therapeutic for EAE mice, elevating the IFNγ level. GRIM-19 regulated the Th17/Treg cell balance.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.16-26
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• 2024

Purpose: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition marked by persistent elevated blood sugar levels resulting from insulin resistance. The effective management of diabetes mellitus involves strict regulation of the blood glucose levels. This study examined the effects of Autumn olive (Elaeagnus umbellata Thunb.) berry (AOB) on insulin resistance and hyperglycemia using a type 2 diabetes mellitus animal model. Methods: Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups. The control group received a basal diet, while the high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) group was fed a HFHS diet containing 27% sucrose and 33% lard for 12 weeks. The low AOB (LAOB) and high AOB (HAOB) groups were offered a HFHS diet with a 0.5% and 1.0% AOB extract, respectively. Results: The HAOB group showed significantly lower epididymal fat pad weight than the HFHS group. The LAOB and HAOB groups showed lower serum glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance values than the HFHS group, and the HAOB group has lower serum insulin levels than the HFHS group. Supplementation with HAOB decreased serum cholesterol levels significantly compared with the HFHS group. The consumption of LAOB and HAOB reduced the serum triglyceride and hepatic total lipids and triglyceride levels compared to the HFHS group. In addition, LAOB and HAOB consumption in mice fed a HFHS diet increased adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase protein expression. Insulin receptor substrate-2 protein expression in the HAOB group was significantly higher than the HFHS group. Conclusion: AOB can alleviate hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes mellitus partly by mitigating insulin resistance.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.333-344
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• 2024

Objective : Markers of neuroinflammation during ischemic stroke are well characterized, but additional markers of neural damage are lacking. The study identified associations of behavioral disorders after stroke with histologic neural damage and molecular biological change. Methods : Eight-week-old, 25 g male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce ischemic stroke. The control group was a healthy wild type (WT), and the experimental group were designed as a low severity MCAO1 and a high severity MCAO2 based on post-stroke neurological scoring. All groups underwent behavioral tests, realtime polymerase chain reaction, triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Results : In TTC staining, MCAO1 showed 29.02% and MCAO2 showed 38.94% infarct volume (p<0.0001). The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (WT 0.44 vs. MCAO1 2.69 vs. MCAO2 5.02, p<0.0001). From the distance to target in the Barnes maze test, WT had a distance of 178 cm, MCAO1 had a distance of 276 cm, and MCAO2 had a distance of 1051 (p=0.0015). The latency to target was 13.3 seconds for WT, 27.9 seconds for MCAO1, and 87.9 seconds for MCAO2 (p=0.0007). Prospero homeobox 1 (Prox1) was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (p=0.0004). Doublecortin (Dcx) was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (p<0.0001). Conclusion : The study demonstrated that histological damage to neural cells and changes in brain mRNA expression were associated with behavioral impairment after ischemic stroke. Prox1 and Dcx may be biomarkers of neural damage associated with long-term cognitive decline, and increased expression at the mRNA level was consistent with neural damage and long-term cognitive dysfunction.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.303-310
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• 2019

The purpose of the study was to compare the effect of either moderate or high intensity aerobic exercise on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte markers in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the high fat diet-induced obese mice. The 4 weeks male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: normal diet control (NC; n=10), high-fat diet control (HC; n=10), high fat diet with moderate intensity exercise (HME; n=10), or high fat diet with high intensity exercise (HIE; n=10) groups. The high fat diet was given 60% calories from fat whereas normal diet was given 18% calories from fat. The moderate intensity exercise group (HME) was set at 10m/min in the first 2 weeks, 12m/min in 3-5 weeks and 14m/min in 6-16 weeks and the high intensity exercise group (HIE) was set at 14m/min in the first 2 weeks, 17m/min in 3-5 weeks and 18m/min in 6-16 weeks. The semi quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) was used to analyze the gene expression. The moderate intensity exercise significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3, F480, CD11c and CD86. Further, the moderate intensity exercise significantly increased CD206 and $PGC1{\alpha}$, BMP7 and PRDM. The high intensity exercise significantly reduced NLRP3, CD11c and CD86. Further, the high intensity exercise significantly increased $PGC1{\alpha}$ and BMP7. In conclusion, moderate intensity exercise has more positive effects on inflammasome, M1, M2 macrophage infiltration and brown adipocyte maskers compared to high intensity exercise in high fat diet induced obese mice.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.163-169
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• 2001

OSBA(oocytes-sperm binding assay) is a tool developed for rapid test of optimal condition of IVF medium and protein source by binding ability of mouse sperm and egg. Mouse oocyte-cumulus complexes were prepared by removing of the cumulus cells with 0.1% hyaluronidase. 10$\pm$2 oocytes per 30 ${mu}ell$ medium drop were inseminated with 3 ${mu}ell$ sperm suspension and were cultured f3r 3 hours and 24 hours, respectively. And the oocytes were recovered gently and the No. of sperm bound on oocytes were counted. In the Exp. 1, the ratio of oocytes bound with one sperm at least were 60.2%(50/83), 2%(2/77) and 100%(79/79) in the medium with no protein, FBS(15%, v/v) and BSA(0.4%. w/v), respectively, Fetal bovine serum(FBS) seriously inhibited sperm binding on oocyte, although bovine serum albumin(BSA) promoted the binding ability. The inhibiting effect of FBS was dependent on the concentration of FBS. The sperm binding ability according to oocyte maturity was tested in the Exp. 2. There was no significant difference between Met. II (mature) and Met. I (intermediate mature) oocytes in the number of oocytes bound with sperm and the number of sperm bound on oocytes. Finally, in Exp. 3, two batches of Ham's F10 medium with good and poor quality by OSBA were tested (The ratios of embryos developed from PN 1-cell stage to hatched blastocyst; 25% vs. 70%). In the medium with good quality, sperm binding ability was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05). The ratio of oocytes bound with one sperm at least was 66% and 90% in the medium with poor and good quality, respectively. Conclusively, It was possible to test IVF medium condition rapidly and easily by OSBA.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.815-822
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• 2020

Background: Recently, beneficial roles of ginsenoside F2 (GF2), a minor constituent of Panax ginseng, have been demonstrated in diverse inflammatory diseases. However, its roles in alcoholic liver inflammation and injury have not been clearly understood. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism by which GF2 ameliorated alcoholic liver injury. Methods: To induce alcoholic liver injury, C57BL/6J wild type (WT) or interleukin (IL)-10 knockout (KO) mice were orally administered with ethanol (3 g/kg) or ethanol-containing GF2 (50 mg/kg) for 2 wk. Liver injury and infiltration of macrophages and neutrophils were evaluated by serum biochemistry and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The changes of hepatic immune cells were assessed by flow cytometry and polymerase chain reaction analysis. In vitro differentiation of naïve T cells was performed. Results: GF2 treatment significantly attenuated alcoholic liver injury, in which infiltrations of inflammatory macrophages and neutrophils were decreased. Moreover, the frequencies of Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells (Tregs) increased but IL-17-producing T (Th17) cells decreased in GF2-treated mice compared to controls. Furthermore, the mRNA expression of IL-10 and Foxp3 was significantly increased, whereas IL-17 mRNA expression was suppressed in GF2-treated mice. However, these beneficial roles of GF2 were not observed in GF2-treated IL-10 KO mice, suggesting a critical role of IL-10. Similarly, GF2 treatment suppressed differentiation of naïve T cells into Th17 cells by inhibiting RORgt expression and stimulating Foxp3 expression. Conclusion: The present study suggests that GF2 treatment attenuates alcoholic liver injury by increasing IL-10 expression and Tregs and decreasing IL-17 expression and Th17 cells.