• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Peucedani Radix herbal acupuncture(PR-HA) at St36(joksamni) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week) C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (3times a week). One of the two experimental groups was just treated with needle-prick on St36 and the other group was treated with 1% concentrations of PR-HAS at St36, for the later 8 weeks (3times /week). Results : 1. The weight and total cells of lung of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 2. Total Leukocytes and Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 3. Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA in Photomicrographs decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 4. According to Histological analysis of lung sections, it decreased significantly adhension of collagen in PR-HA than those of control group 5. The concentration of IgE, IL-4, IL-5, in BALF and IL-4, IL-5, Il-13 in serum of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The number of Gr-1+/CD11b+, CD11b+, CD3-/CCR3+, CD4+, CD3e+/CD69+ , CD23+B220+ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 7. The cytokine's manifestation of mRNA of the mice group treated with PR-HA with RT-PCR decreased significantly compared with that of control group. Conclusion : We conclude that PR-HA is effective on OVA-induced asthma of C57BL/6 mouse.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.125-134
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• 1992

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Ginseng saponin on the cadmium which is widely distributed in the environment, results in immune system alteration. For the experiments, 125 mice of ICR strain were used. The experimental groups were divided into 5 groups a control, a cadmium alone treatment group, three Cd and saponin (10, 50, 100 mg/kg) combined treatment groups. The mice were allocated 25 to each group and observed for 8 weeks. The results of experiment are as follows: 1. Body weight growth rates during 8 weeks were as this control group 36.47%, Cd alone group 32.48%, saponin combined treatment group (10, 50, 100 mg/kg) 32.49%, 39.17%, 24.27% respectively. 2. In all groups, the relative weights of liver and kidney were increased, compared with control group. In the case of spleen, saponin combined treatment group (50, 100 mg/kg) was high to the significant level compared with a control group (p<0.05). Thymus was not. 3. On blood lymphocyte count observation, Cd alone treament group has 25.6% less than control group, and saponin combined treatment group have increasing trends. but in thymus and spleen, there was no trends like blood. 4. On antibody titer, there was no difference among groups. 5. On total serum protein, saponin (100 mg/kg) combined treatment group was high to significant level compared with control group (p<0.05), and other treatment groups have increasing trends. 6. Cd accumulation in kidney was higher than in liver, and all treatment groups were high to the very significant level compared with the control group (p<0.05), but there was no difference among groups. From the results of this study, it can be concluded that the oral administration of Cd results in alteration of immune system and Ginseng saponin prevents this effect. But, Cd accumulation was not affected by saponin.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 2004

Chitosan is similar in structure to cellulose and are the second most abundant polysaccharides in nature, comprising the horny substance in the exoskeletons of crabs, shrimp and insects as well as fungi. This study was conducted to access the effect of immunomodulation responses of chitosan(N-acetyl-${\beta}$-D-glucosamine) chicken infected with in Fowl typhoid(Salmonella gallinarum). One-day-old broiler chicks were divided into eight groups: The 1st group was inoculated intra-peritoneally with chitosan and challenged intra-peritoneally with S. gallinarum. The 2nd group was inoculated intra-peritoneally with chitosan. The 3rd group was feeding with chitosan and intra-peritoneally inoculated with cyclophosphamide and challenged intra-peritoneally S. gallinarum. The 4th group was feeding with chitosan and intra-peritoneally with cyclophosphamide. The 5th group was feeding with chitosan and challenged intra-peritoneally with S. gallinarum. The 6th group was feeding with chitosan. The 7th group was challenged intra-peritoneally with S. gallinarum. The 8th group was nontreated-uninfected control group. The results shows that $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ and B lymphocyte in lymphoid organs of chickens treated with chitosan increased in especially $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ lymphocytes (p<0.05). The group of feeding chitosan showed the significantly increased $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ and B lymphocyte than inoculated intra-peritoneally with chitosan. As the result suggests that the feeding of chitosan induced immunostimulatant effect than the inoculation intra-peritoeally of chitosan.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.198-210
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• 2002

Background : Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder under immunological influence. Shinbi-tang and Gamishinbi-tang are herbal decoctions used for treating asthma in traditional herbal medicine. Objective : To evaluate the effects of Shinbi-tang and Gamishinbi-tang on immune cell & serum OA-specific IgE in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in rat asthma model. Material and Methods : Rats were sensitized with ovalbumin (OA); at day 1 sensitized group and Shinbi-tang and Gamishinbi-tang groups were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1mg OA and 300mg of Al(OH)$_3$ in a total volume of 2ml. At the same time, 1 ml of 0.9% saline containing 6 x 10$^{9}$ B. pertussis bacilli was injected by i.p. 14 days after the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2%(wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, HAL fluid was collected from the rats. Rats were orally administered with each of Shinbi-tang and Gamishinbi-tang extract for 14 days from the day after local immunization. Lymphocyte, CD4+ T cell CD8+ T cell counts, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in BALF, change of serum OA-specific IgE level, CD4+ T cell CD8+ T cell percentages in the peripheral blood were measured and evaluated. Results : Shinbi-tang and Gamishinbi-tang showed an alleviating effect on asthmatic responses of rats. Shinbi-tang decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+ T cell in BALF, serum OA-specific IgE level as compared with the control group. Gamishinbi-tang decreased total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+ T cell, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio in HALF as compared with the control group. CD4+/CD8+ ratio in HALF from Shinbi-tang group and serum OA-specific IgE level from Gamishinbi-tang group didn't show any significant variation from control group. CD8+ T cell in HALF, CD3+CD4+ T cell and CD3+CD8+ T cell percentages in peripheral blood showed no significant variation among groups. Conclusion : Shinbi-tang and Gamishinbi-tang alleviated asthmatic hypen-eactivity of the rat immune system through CD4+ T cell and serum IgE. Further the study of immune system modulating mechanism is expected.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.76-89
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• 2001

OMH which is known for its properties of recruiting vitality, is composed of Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. and Sesamum indicum DC.. This formula is known to possess the properties of recruiting vitality, blackening white hair and expanding life span. 16-week-old SD-Rats were treated with OMH for 16 days. After 24 hours, the rats were treated with MTX(Mthotrexate is oral administrated for 4 days(1mg/kg/day), in order to lower immunity. Then, These rats were classified in to groups, the N-16 group(not specially tested), the Control group(MTX), the OMH-L group(2.5% OMH+MTX)&the OMH-H group(10% OMH+MTX) and 6 rats were assigned to each group. After 18 hours from MTX treatment the organ index of the rats from each group Thymus and Spleen were measured. The percentage of CD+4, CD8+ T cell were measured and compared by flow cytometer. 1) Rats from the OHM-L&OMH-H group showed higher organ indexes of the Thymus and Spleen compared to the rats from the Control Group. This proves that OMH possesses the properties to mitigate degenerations of immunity($F_{thymus}=20.162,\;F_{spleen}=5.882$, ANDVA, p<0.05). 2) The rats from the two OMH groups showed higher rates of CD4+ T cell counts compared to the control group(F=26.906, ANOVA, p<0.05). CD8+ T cell showed lower rates compared to the Control group, but showed no differences within the two OMH groups(F=1.254, ANOYA, p>0.05). CD4+/CD8+ showed higher rates in the two OMH groups compared to the control group which can be thought as a proof that OMH prevents depression of immune response(F=10.554, ANOVA, p<0.05). In this test 16 week-old rats were used, which can be considered as the middle and prime age of the human being. These rats were treated with OMH which ended up showing properties of mitigating degeneration of immune responses and maintaining T-cell rates within the blood. It was possible to study that OMH possesses the properties to increase immune responses.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.140-155
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• 2002

Background: SBP(桑白皮)is an herbal medicine which has been used in oriental medicine as a traditional therapeutic agent of bronchial asthma. Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of SBP on the anti-hypersensitivity and immune response in the murine of type I hypersensitivity induced by the experiment. Materials and Methods: Laboratory rats were primary sensitized with OA(ovalbumin); on day 1, rats of a Control group and Sample group (SBP group) were systemically immunized by subcutaneous injection of 1 mg OA and 300mg of Al(OH)3 in a total volume of 2ml saline. The rats of the sample group were orally administered with an SBP water extract for 14 days after primary immunization. On day 14 after the systemic immunization, rats received local immunization by inhaling 0.9% saline aerosol containing 2%(wt/vol) OA. A day after local immunization, BAL fluid and serum were collected from the rats. Total cell, lymphocyte, CD4+ T cell, CD8+ T cell, CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the BALF, and IgE level in serum were measured and evaluated. Results: SBP showed a suppressive effect on the immune response in the rats. 1. Total cells in the BALF decreased in the SBP treated group in comparision to the control group, but statistic differences were not observed. 2. Total lymphocytes in the BALF were statistically decreased in SBP treated group in comparision to the control group. 3. CD4+ T cells in the BALF were statistically decreased in SBP treated group in comparision to the control group. 4. CD8+ T cells in the BALF were not statistically different in SBP treated group and the control group. 5. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ in the BALF was statistically decreased in SBP treated group in comparision to the control group. 6. The IgE level in serum decreased in the SBP treated group in comparision to the control group, but statistic differences were not observed.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.347-354
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• 1999

Objective: This paper examines the possible toxicity to immune system in farmers chronically exposed to pesticides. Methods : We compared 43 male farmers exposed to pesticides with 29 male residents who had neither past nor current pesticides exposure. The selected variables for studying immunotoxicity were WBC, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56, IgG, IgA, IgM, and IL-2. As part of the baseline questionnaires for the immunotoxicity, subjects were asked about kinds of farming, posticides exposure and medical history. Results : None of the variables for studying immunotoxicity showed statistically significant difference between the two groups. Although the results were not statistically significant, CD4 and the CD4/CD8 ratio decreased and CD8 increased. These effects showed a dose response change with exposure level. In the exposed group, the values of CD3, CD4, CD4/CD8 and CD19 decreased and those of the CD8 and CD56 increased compared to the non-exposed group. Also there was higher prevalence of self-reported disease in the exposed group compared to the non-exposed group. Conclusions: Although statistically significant differences in indices of immunotoxicity in farmers exposed to pesticides were not shown, the results suggest that pesticides may decrease immune function. More advanced test methods for immunotoxicity need to be developed and tested in larger population to detect immunotoxic effects of pesticides.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.156-163
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• 1993

This study was carried out to investigate accumulation of metallothionein(MT) in rat liver and kidney by cadmium administration. After male rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighing 60$\pm$5g were fed basal diet ad libitum for 4 weeks, two types of experiments were performed. In the first set of experiment, rats were divided into five groups. Control groups was fed basal diet without injection of cadmium. Dose groups of A, B, C and D were i.p. injected 0.625, 1.25, 2.5, 5mg Cd/Kg of body wt, once a day for two days. In the second set of experiment, rats were also divided into five groups. Control group was fed basal diet without injection of cadmium. Number groups of I, II, III and IV were i.p. injected 1, 2, 3, and 4 times every 24hrs, respectively and injection doses were 2.5mg Cd/Kg of body wt. in a day. In the first of experiment, hemoglobin contents in C, D groups were lower than control group. MT concentrations in liver and kidney were increased with increasing Cd injection doses to 2.5mg Cd/Kg of body wt. Liver - SH group values in C, D groups were higher than control group. Hematocrit values did not differ among groups. In the second of experiment, hemoglobin contents and hematocrit values were decreased. MT concentration in liver and kidney were progressively increased with increasing number of Cd injection. In both sets of experiments, liver MT concentrations were higher than kidney.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.456-464
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• 2002

This study was designed to investigates the effects of Korean pueraris radix water extract in Cd(cadmium) administered rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing $100{\pm}10g$ were used for this experiment and divided into following 4 groups; control group, 3% pueraria radix in water extract group, 50 ppm Cd group, 50ppm Cd group with 3% pueraria radix in water extract group. The Cd administered rats were given 50 ppm of $CdCl_2\;{\cdot}\;2H_2O$ disolved in the distilled water. The Cd content in the rats tissue of Cd administered group was lower than in the rats tissue of Cd group with 3% pueraria radix in water extract group. Plasma levels of renin activity was increased by Cd administration group, compared with 3% pueraria radix in water extract group and Cd administred group. Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase(GOT) and Glutamate pyruvate transaminase(GPT) were increased in Cd-administered group and lower in the 3% extracts of pueraria radix in water extract group. Lactate dehydrogenase(LDHase) was lower in the 3% extracts of pueraria radix-Cd group than in the Cd group. This results suggested that pueraria radix in water extract group, has a lowering effects on the accumulation of Cd and it is belived that the pueraria radix in water extract group has some protective effects to Cd administered in rats, but the mechanism of these effects was obscure.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2008

Objectives : The present study was carried out to investigate the effects of Astragali radix on the asthma treatment. EAR-I is an extract of astragali radix cultured for one year and EAR-III is an extract of astragali radix cultured for three years. Methods : Two asthma-induced groups mice group was treated respectively with EAR- I and EAR- III. The other group was not. Each group was analyzed in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results : In asthma-induced mice by OVA treatment, the weight of lung, total cell number of leukocyte and eosinophil in BALF, both EAR- I and EAR- III treated groups were significantly decreased compared to control group. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, histamine, IgE in BLAF of group treated with both EAR-I and EM-III were significantly decreased compared to control group. In FACS analyzing, granulocytes, $CD3e^-$/$CCR3^+$, $CD3^+$/$CD19^$, $CD3e^+$/$CD69^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$ and $GR-1^+$/$CD11b^+$ were significantly increased in asthma induced mice group by OVA treatment compared to control group, and decreased in group treated with both EAR- I and EAR-III. Conclusions : The present data proves that extract of astragali radix has an effect on the inhibiting asthma. Moreover, astragali radix cultured for three years was proved to be superior to the one cultured for one year.