• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.442-451
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• 2016

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Sargassum miyabei Yendo ethanol extract (SMYEE) using RAW 264.7 cells and croton oil-induced Balb/c mice. SMYEE inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, and $IL-1{\beta}$] and nitric oxide in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response. In addition, SMYEE suppressed the expression of inducible nitric oxide, cyclooxygenase-2, and nuclear factor-kappa B. Further, SMYEE inhibited the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), such as extra cellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, p38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase. In ear edema test, edema formation in the SMYEE treatment was lower than that in the positive control and was similar to that in the prednisolone treatment group. Photomicrographs of mice ear tissue showed a reduction in dermal thickness and number of infiltrated mast cells. Therefore, our results indicate that SMYEE exerts an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of nuclear factor ${NF}-{\kappa}B$ and MAPK activation and can be used as a natural source of anti-inflammatory compounds.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1437-1443
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• 2016

Background: We investigated four factors, height, weight gain since age 20, physical activity, and alcohol drinking, for associations with risk of breast cancer (BC) according to menopausal status, using the latest data of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study (JACC Study). Materials and Methods: We confined the analysis to 24 areas available of cancer incidence information, excluding women with a previous diagnosis of BC. Baseline data were collected from 38,610 (9,367 premenopausal, and 29,243 postmenopausal) women during 1988 and 1990. The study subjects were followed-up at the end of 2009, and 273 (84 premenopausal, and 189 postmenopausal) cases of BC were newly diagnosed in 501,907 person-years. The Cox model was used to estimate a hazards ratio (HR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) of BC risk. Results: As a result of the multivariate analysis adjusting for age at baseline survey, age at menarche, number of live births, and, age at first delivery, weight gain since age 20 of 6.7 kg-9.9 kg, and ${\geq}10.0kg$ were significantly associated with increased risk for postmenopausal BC (HR=2.48, 95% CI 1.40-4.41, and, HR=2.94, 95% CI 1.84-4.70, respectively). Significantly increased trend of BC risk was also observed in weight gain since age 20 (p for trend, p<0.001). Amount of ethanol intake per day${\geq}15.0g$ was significantly associated with increased risk for postmenopausal BC in the multivariable-adjusted analysis (HR=2.74, 95% CI 1.32-5.70). Conclusions: Higher weight gain in adulthood and larger amounts of ethanol intake were significantly associated with increased risk of BC in Japanese postmenopausal women. None of the investigated factors were significantly associated with BC risk in Japanese premenopausal women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1763-1770
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• 2015

The effects of root of Taraxacum coreanum Nakai (TC), on the suppression of inflammation and oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in ICR mice were studied. LPS (10 mg/kg body weight) was injected into ICR mice in between two consecutive oral administrations. Hot water extract of fresh TC (HWETC) was administered to mice immediately before and 24 h after LPS injection. The animal groups used in this study were as follows: NOR group (PBS injection, DW administration), CON group (LPS injection, DW administration), and TC group (LPS injection, 1.4 g/kg bw of HWETC administration). Mice in the CON group lost weight due to inflammation induced by LPS, while the body weight of the TC group mice increased significantly, indicating that inflammation was inhibited by HWETC administration. Compare with the CON group, plasma and hepatic triglyceride, reactive oxygen species, peroxynitrite, and hepatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentrations of the TC group decreased significantly (P<0.05). The protein expression of a pro-inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and its target enzyme, cyclooxygenase 2, increased in response to LPS injection, but was suppressed by HWETC administration (P<0.05). In conclusion, HWETC appears to ameliorate the oxidative stress and inflammatory responses induced by LPS via inhibition of $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.138-143
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• 2020

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) has been suggested to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects due to its high polyphenol content. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of black chokeberry on the alterations of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in macrophages have not been thoroughly studied. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of polyphenol-rich black chokeberry extract (CBE) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages. CBE significantly attenuated the increase of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the nuclear translocation of NRF-2 in LPS-stimulated macrophages. The mRNA abundances of Nrf2 and its downstream antioxidant genes were significantly decreased in LPS-stimulated macrophages. The LPS-induced mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines was significantly inhibited by reducing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by CBE. These data suggest that black chokeberry may be used for the prevention of oxidative stress and inflammation-associated disease.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4637-4642
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• 2014

Background: Hypoxia-inducible factor $1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$) plays an important role in regulating cell survival and angiogenesis, which are critical for tumor growth and metastasis. Genetic variations of HIF1A have been shown to influence the susceptibility to many kinds of human tumors. Increased expression of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ has also been demonstrated to be involved in tumor progression. However, the prognostic value of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) inthe HIF1A gene remains to be determined in most cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we sought to investigate the predictive role of HIF1A SNPs in prognosis of CRC patients and efficacy of chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We genotyped two functional SNPs in HIF1A gene using the Sequenom iPLEX genotyping system and then assessed their associations with clinicopathological parameters and clinical outcomes of 697 CRC patients receiving radical surgery using Cox logistic regression model and Kaplan Meier curves. Results: Generally, no significant association was found between these 2 SNPs and clinical outcomes of CRC. In stratified analysis of subgroup without adjuvant chemotherapy, patients carrying CT/TT genotypes of rs2057482 exhibited a borderline significant association with better overall survival when compared with those carrying CC genotype [Hazard ratio (HR), 0.47; 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.29-0.76; P < 0.01]. Moreover, significant protective effects on CRC outcomes conferred by adjuvant chemotherapy were exclusively observed in patients carrying CC genotype of rs2057482 and in those carrying AC/CC genotype of rs2301113. Conclusions: Genetic variations in HIF1A gene may modulate the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery in CRC patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2007

Objectives : Chronic infections with hepatitis B or C and alcoholic cirrhosis are three well-known major risk factors for liver cancer. Diabetes has also been suggested as a potential risk factor. However, the findings of previous studies have been controversial in terms of the causal association. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the association between serum glucose levels and liver cancer development in a Korean cohort. Methods : Thirty-six liver cancer cases were identified in the Korean Multi-Center Cancer Cohort (KMCC). Baseline information on lifestyle characteristics was obtained via questionnaire. Serum glucose levels were measured at the study's enrollment. Relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a Cox proportional hazard regression model. The adjusting variables included age, gender, smoking history, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositivity. Results : The RRs of serum glucose for liver caner were 1.20 (95% CI = 0.48-2.99) for the category of 100 to 125 mg/dL of serum glucose and 2.77 (95% CI = 1.24-6.18) for the >126 mg/dL serum glucose category (both compared to the <100 mg/dL category). In a subgroup analysis, the RR of serum glucose among those who were both HBsAg seronegative and non-drinkers was 4.46 (95% CI = 1.09-18.28) for those with glucose levels >100 mg/dL. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that a high level of serum glucose can increase liver cancer risk independently of hepatitis infection and drinking history in Koreans. This study implies that glucose intolerance may be an independent risk factor for liver cancer.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.306-311
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• 2001

Purpose : In this retrospective study, we attempted to evaluate the treatment outcome and the prognostic factors of thymoma treated with surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Methods and materials : Between 1979 and 1998, 55 patients with thymoma were treated at the Seoul National University Hospital. Of these, 11 patients underwent surgery only, 33 patients received post-operative radiotherapy and 11 patients received radiotherapy only. Twenty-three patients had gross total resection and 21 patients subtotal resection. For postoperative radiotherapy, the radiation dose consisted of $41.4\~55.8\;Gy$. The average follow-up was 64 months, and ranged from 2 to 160 months. The sex ratio was 1:1 and the median age was 48 years $(15\~74\;years)$. Overall survival and disease-free survival were determined via the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank was employed to evaluate for differences in prognostic factor. Results : The five- and 10-year survivai rates were $87\%\;and\;65\%$ respectively, and the median survival was 103 months. By univariate analysis, only stage (p=0.0017) turned out to be significant prognostic factors of overall survival. Also, stage (p=0.0007) was significantly predictive for overall survival in mutivariated analysis. Conclusion : This study showed the stage was found to be important prognostic factors, which influenced survival. Especially, as incomplete resection is related with poor results, complete resection is important to cure the invasive thymoma.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.49-65
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the effects of Gagamsosokmyeong-tang(Jiajianxiaoxuming-tang) on the monosodium iodoacetate(MIA) induced early state osteoarthritis in rats. Methods: Osteoarthritis was induced by injection of MIA(0.25 mg) into knee joints of rats. Osteoarthritis rats were divided into control(n=8) and treated=8 group respectively, Control group was taken distilled water and treated group was taken extracts of Gagamsosokmyeong-tang(Jiajianxiaoxuming-tang) by orally for 20 days. Body weight was measured at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 days after MIA injection. At the end of experiment, gross and histopathological examination on the articular cartilages of the knee joints were performed. Proteoglycan(PG) content of articular cartilages were analysed by safranine O staining method. The content of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-{\alpha})$, $interleukin-1{\beta}(IL-1{\beta})$ in synovial fluids were analysed by enzyme-inked inmunosorbent assay(ELISA) method. And also cycloxygenase-2(COX-2), matrix metalloproteinase 3(MMP-3), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), calpain immunochistochemical examination on the knee joints were performed. Results: PG content in articular cartilages of the treated group was significantly increased compared with control group. Histopathological osteoarthritic score of the treated group was significantly decreased compared with control group. $TNF-{\alpha}$ content in synovial fluids, expression of iNOS and calpain in synovial membrane of the treated group were significantly decreased compared with control group. But body weight, $1L-1{\beta}$ content in synovial fluids, expression of iNOS and MMP-3 of the treated group were not significantly changed compared with control group. Conclusions: On the basis of these results, we conclude that Gagamsosokmyeong-tang(Jiajianxiaoxuming-tang) has anti-arthritic effects on the MIA induced early stage osteoarthritis in rats.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.1007-1017
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of our study was to investigate the predictive abilities of clinical and computed tomography (CT) features for outcome prediction in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Materials and Methods: The clinical and CT data of 238 patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in our two hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. One hundred sixty-six patients (103 males; age 43.8 ± 12.3 years) were allocated in the training cohort and 72 patients (38 males; age 45.1 ± 15.8 years) from another independent hospital were assigned in the validation cohort. The primary composite endpoint was admission to an intensive care unit, use of mechanical ventilation, or death. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to identify independent predictors. A nomogram was constructed based on the combination of clinical and CT features, and its prognostic performance was externally tested in the validation group. The predictive value of the combined model was compared with models built on the clinical and radiological attributes alone. Results: Overall, 35 infected patients (21.1%) in the training cohort and 10 patients (13.9%) in the validation cohort experienced adverse outcomes. Underlying comorbidity (hazard ratio [HR], 3.35; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.67-6.71; p < 0.001), lymphocyte count (HR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.04-0.38; p < 0.001) and crazy-paving sign (HR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.03-4.48; p = 0.042) were the independent factors. The nomogram displayed a concordance index (C-index) of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.76-0.88), and its prognostic value was confirmed in the validation cohort with a C-index of 0.89 (95% CI, 0.82-0.96). The combined model provided the best performance over the clinical or radiological model (p < 0.050). Conclusion: Underlying comorbidity, lymphocyte count and crazy-paving sign were independent predictors of adverse outcomes. The prognostic nomogram based on the combination of clinical and CT features could be a useful tool for predicting adverse outcomes of patients with COVID-19.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.217-222
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• 2014

Lonicerae Flos containing formulation, Geumeumyoungji-tang (GYT), is an herbal prescription prepared using 5 different herbal drugs, namely, Lonicerae Flos, Ganoderma, Lactucae Herba, Xanthii Fructus, and Smilacis Rhizoma. This study was focused on the investigation of the pharmacological effects of GYT on allergic reactions. As the first step of the study, GYT was administered BALB/c mice which were sensitized by 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB). As the result GYT ameliorated dermatitis provoked by DNFB. The serum IgE level of the DNFB sensitized-mouse was significantly decreased when GYT was administered. In order to confirm the moderating effect of this prescription on allergic reaction, GYT was pretreated to human mast cells (HMC-1) before they were stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI). GYT suppressed secretion of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8, from HMC-1. Additionally, pretreatment of GYT showed regulating effect on COX-2 expression. Collectively, these findings provide insights into the pharmacological actions of GYT as a potential agent for treatment of allergic dermatitis.