• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.495-509
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• 2003

Background : Neutrophil-mediated inflammation is usually self-limiting, because neutrophils have a remarkably short life span. Prolonged neutrophil survival, which is caused by decreased spontaneous apoptosis, leads to persistent inflammation in sepsis. Because many inflammatory cytokines, which generate signals that delay apoptosis, are regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ transcription factor, we hypothesized that nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ might be related to the reduced neutrophil apoptosis observed in sepsis. Methods : Neutrophils of healthy volunteers and sepsis patients were freshly isolated from venous blood. Neutrophil apoptosis was assayed with two approaches : by counting apoptotic cells under a microscope and by flow cytometry using Annexin V. The activity of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was assessed by immunofluorescent staining or electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Expression of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis was measured by western blot assay. Results : We confirmed reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in patients with sepsis. The number of apoptotic neutrophils in patients with sepsis increased to the level of that in healthy controls after cycloheximide treatment, suggesting that decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis is dependent on de novo protein synthesis. In patients with sepsis, basal neutrophil nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ was activated compared to the level in healthy controls. Moreover, a blockade of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ activity reversed the decreased spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis in sepsis patients. Meanwhile, X-linked inhibition of apoptosis expression, which is regulated by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, decreased 24 hours after incubation in healthy persons, but persisted for 24 hours in patients with sepsis. Conclusion : These observations suggest that the reduced spontaneous neutrophil apoptosis observed in patients with sepsis may be related to the induction of survival protein by nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.190-197
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• 2010

To develop the safe and natural antimicrobial agents, the 68 ethanol extracts from the 61 different kinds of oriental herbal medicine were prepared and their antimicrobial activities were evaluated. The herbal medicine used were from China (46 kinds), South Korea (14 kinds), North Korea (5 kinds) and Vietnam (3 kinds), respectively, and the root (27 species) was popular part in this study. The average water content and extraction ratio for ethanol were 7.10% and 6.75%, respectively. Determination of antimicrobial activity by disc-diffusion assay at 0.5 mg/disc concentration showed that the extract of Angelica tenuissima Nakai (china), Illicium verum, Junci medulla, Rhus javanica L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Syzygium aromaticum has strong antimicrobial activities against different food spoilage and pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Determination of MIC and MBC/MFC further showed that the extract of Syzygium aromaticum has MIC of 1.25 mg/mL and MBC/MFC of 1.25~5.00 mg/mL against Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Proteus vulgaris, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. And, the extract of Junci medulla, Rhus javanica L. and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge showed strong antibacterial activities with MIC of 0.08~0.63 mg/mL and MBC/MFC of 0.08~2.50 mg/mL against the tested bacteria except E. coli and P. aeruginosa. In a while, the results of hemolytic activity of 68 different herbal extracts against human red blood cells showed that the extract of Angelica tenuissima Nakai has hemolytic activity at 0.5 mg/mL concentration. Therefore, Illicium verum, Junci medulla, Rhus javanica L., Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and Syzygium aromaticum were finally selected for natural antimicrobial resources. Further research on active substances and the mode of action of the selected herbal medicine is necessary.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.407-419
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• 2002

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the arterial wall characterized by progressive accumulation of lipids, cells, and extracellular matrix. Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases(TIMPS) contribute to vascular matrix remodeling in atherosclerosis, and some cytokines may play role in the synthesis or activation of MMPs or TIMPs. Material and Method： We produced experimental atherosclerotic plaques in 9 rabbits by atherogenic hypercholesterol diet for 12 weeks, and 10 other rabbits were used as control group with standard laboratory chow, At that time, 19 rabbits were sacrificed and aorta, coronary arteries and blood specimens were prepared. The expressions of MMP-9, TIMP-2 and interleukin(IL)-18, and the bioactivity of IL-6 were investigated with H&E stain, immunohistochemical stain, immunoblotting(Western blot analysis), and bioassay. Result： Serum cholesterol in the experimental group increased up to 1258$\pm$262 mg/dL(control group： 41$\pm$7 mg/dL). All experimental group showed well-developed atherosclerotic plaques in aorta and coronary artery. The expression of MMP-9 in aorta and coronary artery of the experimental group showed significant increase than that of the control group by immunohistochemistry. Among the experimental group, complicated lesions with intimal rupture or complete luminal occlusion, demonstrated stronger expression of MMP-9. Interestingly, there was no difference in expression of TIMP-2 between the experimental and the control group. These findings were confirmed by Western blot analysis. The bioassay revealed significant up-regulation of serum bioactivity of IL-6 in the experimental group(4819.60$\pm$2021.25 IU/$m\ell$) compared to that of IL-6 in the control group(27.20 $\pm$ 12.19 IU/$m\ell$). IL-18 was expressed in all atherosclerotic plaques, whereas little or no expression was detected in the control group. Conclusion： The increased MMP-9 expression along with the unchanged TIMP-2 expression seem to be contributory factors in extracellular matrix degradation in atherosclerosis. Focal overexpression of MMP-9 may promote plaque destabilization and cause complications of atherosclerotic plaques such as thrombosis with/without acute coronary syndrome. Elevation of IL-6 and IL-18 may be more than just markers of atherosclerosis but actual participants in lesion development. Identification of critical regulatory pathway is important to improve the understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of atherosclerosis and may open the way for novel therapeutic strategies.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.30-37
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• 2007

It is well-known that Korean mistletoe (Viscum album) extract has an immune activity and anticancer effect. In this study, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C (non-lectin components), was used to examine whether this extract might activate human peripheral monocyte to produce tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha$ $(TNF-\alpha)$. To examine the effect of M11C on the production of $TNF-\alpha$ from monocyte, the monocyte were stimulated by the M11C, and then collected the supernatant (M11C stimulated monocyte-conditioned media; MCM). MCM was treated to the $TNF-\alpha$ sensitive L929 cells, and then L929 cytotoxicity was measured by means of MTT. MCM had cytotoxic effect on L929. And the cytotoxic effect of MCM on L929 was almost abolished by $anti-TNF-\alpha$ antibody. These data indicated that MCM contained $TNF-\alpha$, suggesting the $TNF-\alpha$ generation from M11C-stimulated monocyte. This suggestion was confirmed from the data that $TNF-\alpha$ was highly detected in MCM by immunoblotting technique. M11C effect on $TNF-\alpha$ production from monocyte was in the dose and stimulating time dependent manners. Also the effect of M11C on the expression of $TNF-\alpha$ mRNA from monocyte was shown in the dose and stimulating time dependent manners. As a result, Korean mistletoe extract, M11C, could be used for an immunostimulator.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.204-209
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-diabetic activity of Kocat-D1, which is widely used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes in Shandong, China. Sprague Dawley rats (8 weeks of age) were separated into 4 groups: a normal control, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat group (DM control), Kocat-D1-1 (diabetic rat treated with 0.25 g/kg/day hot water extract), and Kocat-D1-2 (diabetic rat treated with 1 g/kg/day hot water extract). After eight weeks of treatment, the fasting blood glucose levels of the Kocat-D1-1 ($334.3{\pm}32.9\;mg/dL$) and Kocat-D1-2 group ($259.5{\pm}35.0\;mg/dL$) were significantly lower when compared to the DM control group ($451{\pm}42.6\;mg/dL$). Furthermore, the levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), albumin and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in the serum of the Kocat-D1-2 group were significantly normalized when compared to the DM control group. However, significant differences were not observed between the Kocat-D1-1 group and the DM control group. Histochemical staining of the liver of the Kocat-D1-2 group revealed no fat accumulation. The insulin level was significantly upregulated in the Kocat-D1-2 group ($0.13{\pm}0.02\;ng/mL$) when compared to the DM control group ($0.05{\pm}0.04\;ng/mL$). The relative volume of $\beta$-cells in the pancreas of the Kocat-D1-2 group ($49.4{\pm}4.2%$) also increased significantly when compared to the DM control group ($12.9{\pm}7.9%$). These results suggest that Kocat-D1 exerts an anti-hyperglycemic effect through the enhancement of insulin secretion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-18
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• 2005

Ginseng Radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer has been used in Eastern Asia for 2000 years as a tonic and restorative, promoting health and longevity. Two varieties are commercially available: white ginseng(Ginseng Radix Alba) is produced by air-drying the root, while red ginseng(Ginseng Radix Rubra) is produced by steaming the root followed by drying. These two varieties of different processing have somewhat differences by heat processing between them. During the heat processing for preparing red ginseng, it has been found to exhibit inactivation of catabolic enzymes, thereby preventing deterioration of ginseng quality and the increased antioxidant-like substances which inhibit lipid peroxide formation, and also good gastro-intestinal absorption by gelatinization of starch. Moreover, studies of changes in ginsenosides composition due to different processing of ginseng roots have been undertaken. The results obtained showed that red ginseng differ from white ginseng due to the lack of acidic malonyl-ginsenosides. The heating procedure in red ginseng was proved to degrade the thermally unstable malonyl-ginsenoside into corresponding netural ginsenosides. Also the steaming process of red ginseng causes degradation or transformation of neutral ginsenosides. Ginsenosides $Rh_2,\;Rh_4,\;Rs_3,\;Rs_4\;and\;Rg_5$, found only in red ginseng, have been known to be hydrolyzed products derived from original saponin by heat processing, responsible for inhibitory effects on the growth of cancer cells through the induction of apoptosis. 20(S)-ginsenoside $Rg_3$ was also formed in red ginseng and was shown to exhibit vasorelaxation properties, antimetastatic activities, and anti-platelet aggregation activity. Recently, steamed red ginseng at high temperature was shown to provide enhance the yield of ginsenosides $Rg_3\;and\;Rg_5$ characteristic of red ginseng Additionally, one of non-saponin constituents, panaxytriol, was found to be structually transformed from polyacetylenic alcohol(panaxydol) showing cytotoxicity during the preparation of red ginseng and also maltol, antioxidant maillard product, from maltose and arginyl-fructosyl-glucose, amino acid derivative, from arginine and maltose. In regard to the in vitro and in vivo comparative biological activities, red ginseng was reported to show more potent activities on the antioxidant effect, anticarcinogenic effect and ameliorative effect on blood circulation than those of white ginseng. In oriental medicine, the ability of red ginseng to supplement the vacancy(허) was known to be relatively stronger than that of white ginseng, but very few are known on its comparative clinical studies. Further investigation on the preclinical and clinical experiments are needed to show the differences of indications and efficacies between red and white ginsengs on the basis of oriental medicines.

• The Korean Journal of Zoology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.68-74
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• 1970

In the previous studies, the present author found that high proportion of the follicular oocytes from mouse and rabbit ovaries are able to resume their maturation division in the anterior chamber of the eye in which they have been incubated by auto- or homoplastic transplantation. Especially in the case of the homoplastic transplantation, it was known that no trouble has been detected in the process of resumption of the oval maturation in particular connection with the antigen-antibody reaction between donor and recipient. These findings provide a possibility that the follicular oocytes from various animals would be matured in the eye even after the xenoplastic transplantation. Under such an assumption, the present studies were performed to examine the behavior of the follicular oocytes in the eye chamber of the animals of different species. For the donor of the follicular oocytes, domestic rabbits, albino rats of Sprague-Dowley strain, and albino mice of A-strain bred in our laboratory were used. The oocytes obtained from the ovarian follicules were introduced to the anterior chamber of the eye of different species of animals, with an exception of rabbit in which only the female animals were used as a recipient. The procedures of collection of ova, introduction to the eye, harvest from the eye ball, fixation, and staining were the same as mentioned in the previous reports (Cho, 1967b; Cho and Kim, 1968). The conclusions obtained are summarized as below. 1. The rabbit follicular oocytes are able to mature in the eye chambers of both male mouse and rat, although the proportion of the maturation is lower than when they are incubated autoplastically in the eye. When the ova were incubated in the male mouse eye for 24 hours, 21 per cent of them showed chromosomes at metaphase I and II, whereas the rate was 32 per cent when they were incubated in the eye of the male rat. These are apparently low comparing to the rate of 52 per cent of autoplastic transplantation. 2. When rat follicular oocytes were transferred into the mouse eye chamber and recovered after 24 hours, 43 per cent of them produced the mataphase I and II chromosomes. This proportion was higher than the result of the homoplastic transplantation which yielded 23 per cent of the ova on maturation. 3. The most striking result was found in the experiment with mouse follicular oocytes. Seventy-six per cent of the oocytes resumed their maturation division within 24 hours after they were transferred into the male rat eye chamber, and this figure was significantly high compared to the result o 55 per cent obtained by the homoplastic transplantation. In the rat eye, the induction of the degenerative ova also was low (19%). On the other hand, the proportion of the oval maturation decreased to 45 per cent, while that of degeneration increased 33 per cent when they were incubated in the eye of the female rabbit. 4. It was apparent from the present experiments that the follicular oocytes can reveal their activation to maturation in the eye chamber which contains aqueous humor which is known to be composed of low protein content and of very little gamma-globulin which acts as an antibody(Oser, 1965), and that it shows higher osmolarity than blood serum(Levene, 1958). Taking these properities into consideration the humor may provide unfavourable environment to the cells and tissues incubated in. However, it could be noteworthy finding that only the follicular oocytes in the eye of the different species can grow in healthy condition although the maturation rates are varied with the animal species. The fact that the rabbit follicular oocytes show the lower proportion in maturation may be due to the greater amount of the yolk granules in the egg cytoplasm than those in the mouse and rat oocytes. That the mouse oocytes incubated in the eye of the rat mouse and rat oocytes. That the mouse oocytes incubated in the eye of the rat resumed their maturation process in greater proportion would e explained by the fact that the rat eye chamber particularly provides the better environment to the mouse oocytes than the eye chamber of mouse does.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.516-524
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• 1998

Purpose: Radiolabeled CEA79.4 antibody has a possibility to be used in radioimmunoscintigraphy or radioimmunotherapy of cancer. We investigated the in vitro properties and biodistribution of CEA79.4 antibody labeled with Re-188 or Tc-99m. Materials and Methods: CEA79.4 was reduced by 2-mercaptoethanol to produce-SH residue, and was labeled with Re-188 or Tc-99m. For direct labeling of Tc-99m, methylene-diphosphonate was used as transchelating agent. CEA79.4 in 50 mM Acetate Buffered Saline (ABS, pH 5.3) was labeled with Re-188, using stannous tartrate as reducing agent. In order to measure immunoreactivity and the affinity constant of radiolabeled antibody, cell binding assay and Scatchard analysis using human colon cancer cells SNU-C4, were performed. Biodistribution study of labeled CEA79.4 was carried out at 1, 14 and 24 hr in ICR mice. Results: Labeling efficiencies of Tc-99m and Re-188 labeled antibodies were $92.4{\pm}5.9%$ and $84.7{\pm}4.6%$, respectively, In vitro stability of Tc-99m-CEA79.4 in human serum was higher than Re-188-CEA79.4. Immunoreactivity and affinity constant of Tc-99m-CEA79.4 were 59.2% and $6.59{\times}10^9\;M^{-1}$, respectively, while those of Re-188-CEA79.4 were 41.6% and $4.2{\times}10^9\;M^{-1}$, respectively. After 24 hr of administrations of Re-188 and Tc-99m labeled antibody, the remaining antibodies in blood were 6.32 and 9.35% ID/g respectively. The biodistribution of each labeled antibody in other organs was similar because they did not accumulate in non-targeted organs. Conclusion: In vitro properties and biodistribution of Re-188-CEA79.4 were similar to those of Tc-99m-CEA79.4. It appears that Re-188-CEA79.4 can be used as a suitable agent for radioimmunotheraphy.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.8
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• pp.545-558
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• 2003

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is of particular interest because of its severity of the associated lung injury and its high mortality. However, the pathophysiologies of ARDS in infant and childhood groups are still not well clarified inspite of many previous investigations. To investigate the time course of pathophysiology of ARDS in infant and childhood groups, this study was designed with experimental endotoxin-induced ARDS model using young rabbits (8 week-old). Material and Method: Rabbits were divided into the control group (n=8) and the endotoxin-treated group (n=32). The endotoxin group was subdivided into 4 groups by the sampling times as 3, 6, 12 and 24 hr-groups (G- $E_{3,6,12,24,}$ each n=8). The experimental ARDS was made by a bolus injection of endotoxin (Escherichia coli serotype 055 : B5, 0.50 mg/kg) via rabbit ear vein. For evaluation of the hematologic and inflammatory markers, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentrations, the blood samples were taken from the heart. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were obtained for analysis of the leukocytes and protein concentration. With biopsy of the lung, histopathologic changes of the lung were also evaluated. Result: In the endotoxin groups, significant leukopenia (owing to pancytopenia) occurred in 3 and 6-hr groups, which was followed by significant leukocytosis (owing to neutrophilia) in the 12 and 24-hr groups (p<0.05). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin-1 $\beta$ (IL-1 $\beta$) in the endotoxin groups were higher than those of control group (p<0.05). Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) of G- $E_{3}$ and G- $E_{6}$ were higher than those of control group, whereas those of G- $E_{12}$ were lower than those of control groups (p<0.05). Total leukocyte counts and protein con-centrations in BALF were significantly elevated in the endotoxin groups compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The hemorrhagic pattern of BALF showed occurred in the endotoxin groups. The endotoxin groups (in G- $E_{6}$) had severe infiltration of inflammatory cells (lymphocyte and monocyte) in the pulmonary interstitium and parenchyma, migrations of neutrophil and eosinophil into alveolar spaces and interstitial widening, which are the evidences of acute lung injury. In the endotoxin groups, there were significant positive correlations between the BALF findings and the immunologic markers (TNF-$\alpha$, IL-1$\beta$, SOD) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Severe acute lung injury occurred in all the endotoxin-treated rabbits. The pathophysiologic findings were so progressive until 6-hr by time dependant pattern, and then recovered slowly, Variable hematologic, immuno-logic, and pathologic factors were well correlated in the development and progression of endoxin-induced lung injury. The pathophysiologic responses were sensitive and rapid in young rabbit Young rabbit seemed to be a useful experimental animal model for infant and childhood groups.roups.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.449-458
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• 2003

Background : The poor prognostic factors of far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis(FAPTB) are lymphocytopenia in the peripheral blood(PB)(< $1,000/mm^3$) and $T_4$-cell count ${\leq}500/mm^3$. However, the cause of PB lymphocytopenia in FAPTB is unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the lymphocyte proportion and cytokines of the bone marrow(BM) in FAPTB patients with peripheral lymphocytopenia in order to clarify whether the limiting step of the lymphocytopenia occurs in production, differentiation, or circulation. Methods : This study included patients with FAPTB between August 1999 and August 2002 who visited Gachon Medical School Gil Medical Center. The exclusion criteria were old age(${\geq}65years$), cachexia or a low body weight, shock, hematologic diseases, or BM involvement of tuberculosis. The distributions of cells in PB and BM were analyzed and compared to the control group. The interleukin(IL)-2, IL-7, IL-10, TNF-${\alpha}$, Interferon-${\gamma}$, and TGF-${\beta}$ levels in the BM were measured by ELISA. Result : Thirteen patients(male : female=9:4) were included and the mean age was $42{\pm}12$years. The proportion and count of the lymphocytes in the PB were significantly lower in the FAPTB group ($7.4{\pm}3.0%$, $694{\pm}255/mm^3$ vs. $17.5{\pm}5.8%$, $1,377{\pm}436/mm^3$, each p=0.0001 and 0.002). The proportion of immature lymphocyte in the BM showed a decreasing trend in the FAPTB group($9{\pm}4%$ vs. $12{\pm}3%$, p=0.138). The IL-2($26.0{\pm}29.1$ vs. $112.2{\pm}42.4pg/mL$, p=0.001) and IL-10($3.4{\pm}4.7$ vs. $12.0{\pm}8.0pg/mL$, p=0.031) levels in the BM were significantly lower in the FAPTB group than those in control. The levels of the other cytokines in FAPTB group and control were similar. Conclusion : These results suggest that the cause of lymphocytopenia in PB is associated with a abnormality IL-2 and IL-10 production in the BM. More study will be needed to define the mechanism of a decreased reservoir in BM.