• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.169-179
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• 2010

The pistil of nelumbo nucifera (PNN) is used in the treatment of nocturnal pollution, hematemesis, epistaxis, metrorrhagia and diarrhoea in traditional medicine. The present study was examined to evaluate the effects of PNN on the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in vitro. After the treatment of PNN, cell viability was measured by MTT assay, nitric oxide (NO) production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. The protein bands were determined by immunoblot analysis and levels of cytokines were analyzed by sandwich immunoassays. In the MTT assay, the doses of PNN extract (0.03, 0.10 mg/ml) had no significant cytotoxicity. The increases of NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression were detected in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells compared with control, in contrast, these increases were significantly attenuated by pre-treatment with PNN. In cytokine assay, the massive pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were induced in LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells, but pre-treatment of Raw 264.7 cells with PNN caused inhibition (TNF-$\alpha$=14.17%, IL-$1{\beta}$=107.43%, IL-6=46.27%) the production of cytokines by LPS. In addition, PNN reduced prostaglandin E2 productions in a dose-dependent manner (0.03mg/ml=37.52%, 0.10 mg/ml=83.77%) as a consequence of the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 expression. Taken together, our data indicates that PNN can regulate the inflammatory response in macrophage cells activated by Gram-negative infection.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.492-501
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• 2006

Since differentiation therapy is one of the promising strategies for treatment of leukemia, universal efforts have been focused on finding new differentiating agents. In that respect, we used guanosine 5'-triphosphate (GTP) to study its effects on K562 cell line. GTP, at concentrations between 25-200 ${\mu}M$, inhibited proliferation (3-90%) and induced 5-78% increase in benzidine-positive cells after 6-days of treatments of K562 cells. Flow cytometric analyses of glycophorine A (GPA) showed that GTP can induce expression of this marker in more mature erythroid cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. These effects of GTP were also accompanied with inhibition of DNA synthesis (measured by [$^3H$]-thymidine incorporation) and early S-phase cell cycle arrest by 96 h of exposure. In contrast, no detectable effects were observed when GTP administered to unstimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). However, GTP induced an increase in proliferation, DNA synthesis and viability of mitogen-stimulated PBL cells. In addition, growth inhibition and differentiating effects of GTP were also induced by its corresponding nucleotides GDP, GMP and guanosine (Guo). In heat-inactivated medium, where rapid degradation of GTP via extracellular nucleotidases is slow, the anti-proliferative and differentiating effects of all type of guanine nucleotides (except Guo) were significantly decreased. Moreover, adenosine, as an inhibitor of Guo transporter system, markedly reduced the GTP effects in K562 cells, suggesting that the extracellulr degradation of GTP or its final conversion to Guo may account for the mechanism of GTP effects. This view is further supported by the fact that GTP and Guo are both capable of impeding the effects of mycophenolic acid. In conclusion, our data will hopefully have important impact on pharmaceutical evaluation of guanine nucleotides for leukemia treatments.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.161-164
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• 2012

To evaluate the efficacy of ronidazole for treatment of Tritrichomonas foetus infection, 6 Tritrichomonas-free kittens were experimentally infected with a Korean isolate of T. foetus. The experimental infection was confirmed by direct microscopy, culture, and single-tube nested PCR, and all cats demonstrated trophozoites of T. foetus by day 20 post-infection in the feces. From day 30 after the experimentally induced infection, 3 cats were treated with ronidazole (50 mg/kg twice a day for 14 days) and 3 other cats received placebo. Feces from each cat were tested for the presence of T. foetus by direct smear and culture of rectal swab samples using modified Diamond's medium once a week for 4 weeks. To confirm the culture results, the presence of T. foetus rRNA gene was determined by single-tube nested PCR assay. All 3 cats in the treatment group receiving ronidazole showed negative results for T. foetus infection during 2 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks follow-up by all detection methods used in this study. In contrast, rectal swab samples from cats in the control group were positive for T. foetus continuously throughout the study. The present study indicates that ronidazole is also effective to treat cats infected experimentally with a Korean isolate of T. foetus at a dose of 50 mg/kg twice a day for 14 days.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.32 no.3 s.126
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• pp.226-232
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• 2001

To explore the possible cancer therapeutic application of "Bo-yang-hwan-oh-tang" (BH), a herbal medicinal recipe used for improvement of blood stasis, we have examined its direct cytotoxicity against tumor cell, and induction of cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes. Water extract of BH alone did not exhibit direct cytotoxicity to Yac-1 target cells even with high concentrations (10 mg/ml). By exposure for 3 days, BH did not induce any nonspecific cytotoxic activity of mouse spleen cells, either, when assessed in a 4 hr $^{51}Cr-release$ assay. However, when BH was added during CD3 stimulation of non-adherent spleen cells, non-specific CTL activity was markedly promoted in a dose dependent manner. In contrast, BH did not alter activated NK cell activity following IL-2 stimulation. These data suggest that BH does not induce but upregulates non-specific CTL effecter function and that activated NK cell does not respond to BH. For elucidation of the mechanism underlying this function of BH, time kinetic study for IL-2 production using ELISA was undertaken. IL-2 production following CD3 stimulation was significantly augmented and higher level of IL-2 is sustained over 3 days in the culture medium by BH treatment. Moreover, addition of exogenous IL-2 during CD3 stimulation resulted in a similar level of cytotoxicity between control and BH-treated culture. These data indicate that the BH-mediated upregulation of non-specific CTL activity is contributed by augmentation of IL-2 production. Our data imply the possible application of BH for combination therapy of cancer with non-specific activator.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.399-407
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• 2021

This study discussed the validity and necessity of compulsory recording of radiographic examination performed by radiological technologist on patients in medical institutions related to radiation exposure. Also, this study provided reasonable evidence of radiographic examination related medical records can contribute to the improvement of public health. Based on overseas cases of implementing a radiographic examination record system, the essential items to be included in medical record are the exposure date, exposure time, exposure method, exposure conditions that is tube voltage, tube current. Name and license number of the radiological technologist who performed the examination should be include in medical record. It is expected that the medical record of the total amount of radiation exposure per year would be in giving the maximum benefit with the minimum exposure to the medical radiation examination of the patient. In addition, interventional radiography medical record should also include exposure time, type and dose of the contrast medium.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1 s.28
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• pp.9-15
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• 1981

Aconiti tuber butanol fraction, which is isolated from the chloroform insoluble and water soluble extract of Aconitum volubile, has been recently known to have a potent positive inotropic effect in the isolated cardiac muscle preparations of various animals. The positive inotropic mechanism of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction, in relation with the external calcium, was studied using the isolated cat papillary muscle. The positive inotropic effect was dependent on the calcium concentration in the nutrient medium, and a synergistic relation could be demonstrated between Aconiti tuber butanol fraction and the external calcium. The inotropic effect of $10^{-4}g/ml$ of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction was equivalent to that of 0.06mM of calcium in the medium. After the treatment with a calcium influx inhibitor, Verapamil$(2{\pm}10^{-7}-10^{-6}M)$, the contractile force of the papillary muscle was markedly inhibited. In these preparations, Aconiti tuber butanol fraction restored the decreased contractility in a dose-dependent manner. It was suggested that the positive inotropic effect of Aconiti tuber butanol fraction might be related with the stimulating action on the calcium influx through the slow inward calcium channels in the cardiac cell membrane. In contrast with digitalis cardiac glycoside, Aconiti tuber butanol fraction infused intravenously into the anesthetized rabbit decreased the systemic arterial blood pressure and increased the carotid blood flow, but produced no prominent changes in the heart rate.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.135-142
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• 1997

As it has been reported that the depolarization-induced norepinephrine (NE) release is modulated by activation of presynaptic $A_1$-adenosine heteroreceptor and various lines of evidence indicate that $A_2$-adenosine receptor also presents in hippocampus, and that the adenosine effect is magnesium dependent, the present study was undertaken to delineate the role of adenosine receptors in the modulation of hippocampal NE release. Slices from the rat hippocampus were equilibrated with $[^3H]-NE$ and the release of the labelled product, $[^3H]-NE$, was evoked by electrical stimulation (3 Hz, 5 V $cm^{-1}$, 2 ms, rectangular pulses), and the influence of various agents on the evoked tritium outflow was investigated. $N^6-cyclo-pentyladenosine$ (CPA), in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 10 ${\mu}M$, decreased the $[^3H]-NE$ release in a dose-dependent manner without changing the basal rate of release, and these effects were significantly inhibited by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX, 2 ${\mu}M$) treatment. When the magnesium concentration was reduced to 0.4 mM or completely removed, the evoked NE release increased along with decreased basal rate of release. In contrast, increasing the magnesium concentrations to 2.4 and 4 mM, decreased the evoked NE release. The CPA effects on evoked NE release were reducedby magnesium removal, but potentiated by 2.4 mM magnesium in the medium. 5-(N-cyclopropyl)-carboxamodiadenosine (CPCA, 1 & 10 ${\mu}M$), an $A_2$-agonist, decreased the evoked tritium outflow, and this effect was also abolished by DPCPX pretreatment. CGS, a powerful $A_2$-agonist, did not affect the evoked NE release. However, the effects of CPCA and CGS on evoked NE release were significantly increased by pretreatment of DPCPX in the magnesium-free medium. These results indicate that inhibitory effect of $A_1$-adenosine receptor on NE release is magnesium-dependent, and $A_2$-receptor may be present in the rat hippocampus.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 2005

Purpose : Early detection of small brain metastases is important. The purpose of this study was to compare the detectability of brain metastases according to the size between 1.5 T and 3.0 T MRI. Materials and Methods : We reviewed 162 patients with primary lung cancer who were examined for TNM staging. After administration of double dose of Gd-DTPA, MR imaging was performed with SPGR by 3.0 T MRI and then with T1 SE sequence by 1.5 T MRI. In each patient, three readers performed qualitative assessment. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy were calculated in 3.0 T and 1.5 T MRI according to size. Using the signal intensity (SI) measurements between the metastatic nodules and adjacent tissue, nodule-to-adjacent tissue SI ratio was calculated. Results : Thirty-one of 162 patients had apparent metastatic nodules in the brain at either 1.5 T or 3.0 T MR imaging. 143 nodules were detected in 3.0 T MRI, whereas 137 nodules were detected at 1.5 T MRI. Six nodules, only detected in 3.0 T MRI, were smaller than 3.0 mm in dimension. Sensitivity, positive predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy in 3.0 T MRI were 100 %, 100 %, and 100 % respectively, and in 1.5 T MRI were 95.8%, 88.3%, and 85.1% respectively. SI ratio was significantly higher in the 3.0 T MRI than 1.5 T MRI (p=0.025). Conclusion : True positive rate of 3.0 T MRI with Gd-DTPA was superior to 1.5 T MRI with Gd-DTPA in detection of metastatic nodules smaller than 3.0 mm.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.192-200
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• 2002

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for positional and geometric isomers of octadecadienoic acid in which the double bonds are conjugated. CLA has anticancer activity in a variety of animal cancer models, and cis-9, trans-11 (c9t11) and trans-10, cis-12(t10c12) CLA are the most predominant isomers present in the synthetic preparations utilized in these animal studies. To compare the ability of c9t11, t10c12 and an isomeric mixture of CLA to inhibit TSU-Prl cell growth, cells were incubated in a serum-free medium with various concentrations of these fatty acids. The isomeric mixture inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner (1-3 $\mu$M) with a 41 $\pm$ 1% inhibition observed at 3 $\mu$M concentration after 48 hours. T10c12 also inhibited cell proliferation in a dote-dependent manner, However, the efficacy and potency of this isomer was much greater than that of the isomeric mixture with a 49 $\pm$ 2% inhibition observed at 0.3 $\mu$M concentration after 48 hours. By contrast, c9t11 slightly increased cell proliferation. To determine whether the growth-inhibiting effect of CLA is related to the changes in production of insulin-like growth factors (IGF) and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) by these cells, serum-free conditioned media were collected. Immunoblot analysis of conditioned media using a monoclonal anti-IGF-II antibody showed that both the isomeric mixture and t10c12 inhibited secretion of both mature 7,500 Mr and higher Mr forms of pro IGF-II, whereas c9t11 had no effect. Ligand blot analysis with 125I-IGF-II revealed the presence of two types of IGFBPs : 24,000 Mr IGFBP-4 and 30,000 Mr IGFBP-6. The production of IGFBP-4 slightly decreased at the highest concentrations of the isomeric mixture and t10c12. These results indicate that CLA inhibits human prostate cancer cell growth, an effect largely due to the action of t10c12. The growth inhibition may result, at least in part, from decreased production of IGF-II and IGFBP-4 by these cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1126-1133
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• 2002

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a class of positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid (LA) and has anti-cancer activity in experimental animals. We have previously observed that an isomeric mixture of CLA and trans-10,cis-12 (t10c12) inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent manner whereas LA and cis-9,trans-11 (c9t11) had no effect. The present study examined whether the CLA mixture and t10c12 induce apoptotic cell death. TSU-Prl cells were incubated for three days in serum-free medium in the absence or presence of individual fatty acids, and the DNA fragmentation assay was performed. Cells treated with the CLA mixture or t10c12 produced a distinct oligonucleosomal ladder with different sizes of DNA fragments, a typical characteristic of cells undergoing apoptosis. By contrast, LA and c9t11 had no effect. Western immunoblot analysis of total lysates revealed that t10c12 reduced anti-apoptotic, 26 kDa, Bcl-2 protein levels by 49$\pm$8% compared with controls, whereas this CLA isomer did not alter pro-apoptotic,21 kDa, Bax protein levels. These results suggest that growth inhibitory effect of the t10c12 CLA isomer may, at least in part, be attributed to Increased apoptotic death in TSU-Prl cells.