• International Journal of Oral Biology
• /
• v.41 no.3
• /
• pp.141-147
• /
• 2016

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) are both important signaling molecules involved in pain transmission in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Xanthine oxidase (XO) is a well-known enzyme for the generation of superoxide anions ($O_2^{\bullet-}$), while S-nitroso-N-acetyl-DL-penicillamine (SNAP) is a representative nitric oxide (NO) donor. In this study, we used patch clamp recording in spinal slices of rats to investigate the effects of $O_2^{\bullet-}$ and NO on the excitability of substantia gelatinosa (SG) neurons. We also used confocal scanning laser microscopy to measure XO- and SNAP-induced ROS and RNS production in live slices. We observed that the ROS level increased during the perfusion of xanthine and xanthine oxidase (X/XO) compound and SNAP after the loading of 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate ($H_2DCF-DA$), which is an indicator of intracellular ROS and RNS. Application of ROS donors such as X/XO, ${\beta}-nicotinamide$ adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), and 3-morpholinosydnomimine (SIN-1) induced a membrane depolarization and inward currents. SNAP, an RNS donor, also induced membrane depolarization and inward currents. X/XO-induced inward currents were significantly decreased by pretreatment with phenyl N-tert-butylnitrone (PBN; nonspecific ROS and RNS scavenger) and manganese(III) tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin (MnTBAP; superoxide dismutase mimetics). Nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (NAME; NO scavenger) also slightly decreased X/XO-induced inward currents, suggesting that X/XO-induced responses can be involved in the generation of peroxynitrite ($ONOO^-$). Our data suggest that elevated ROS, especially $O_2^{\bullet-}$, NO and $ONOO^-$, in the spinal cord can increase the excitability of the SG neurons related to pain transmission.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2004.05a
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 2004

Permeation experiments of a commercial nanofiltration membrane (nominated as ESNA 1) were carried out with aqueous solutions of various single salts, that is, five chlorides (NH$_4$Cl, NaCl, KCl, MgCl$_2$ and $CaCl_2$), three nitrates $(NaNo_3,\;Mg(No_3)_2\;and\;Ca(NO_3)_2)\;and\;three\;sulfates\;((NH_4)_2SO_4,\;Na_2SO_4\;and\;MgSO_4)$. The experimental results showed that (1) the permeate volume flux of the ESNA 1 membrane increased and decreased with the growth of the applied pressure and the feed concentration of salts, respectively. The real rejection of ESNA 1 membrane to most single salts increased with the growth of the permeate volume flux. (2) The reflection coefficients of ESNA 1 membrane to chlorides, nitrates and sulfates are 0.97, 0.96 and 0.99, respectively. The solute permeability of most salts except for magnesium and calcium salts increased with the growth of feed concentration. (3) The sequence of the rejections of ESNA 1 membrane to anions is $R({SO_4}^{2-})>R(CI)>R(NO_3)$ at the same feed concentration. While the sequence of the rejections to cations is cataloged into two cases: $R(Na^+)>R(K^+)>R(Mg^{2+})>R(Ca^{2+})$ at the concentration of 10 mol/$m^3$ and $R(Mg^{2+})>R(Ca^{2+})>R(Na^+)>R(K^+)$ at the concentration of 100 mol/$m^3$. The separation capability of a NF membrane is usually affected by the electrostatic effect and the steric-hindrance effect. In this case, the electrostatic effect is the major factor at low concentration and the steric-hindrance effect is the major factor at high concentration. Both the specific sorption and the hydration also reasonably influenced the separation performance of NF membrane to salts.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.155-165
• /
• 2012

Objective : The object of this study is to confirm the immune enhancement effect of Rubus coreanus Miquel (RC) (30% EtOH extract) on RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cell line. Methods : RAW264.7 cells were treated with $10-500{\mu}g/mL$ RC for 24 hours. Cell viability was then measured using WST assays. Levels of intracellular NO and ROS were measured by Griess reagent and DCFH-DA staining respectively. Levels of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR. Secretion levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 cytokines were evaluated by sandwich ELISA assay. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the levels of intracellular molecules related to MAPKs pathways. Results : RC suppressed the growth of RAW264.7 cells. RC increased the production of NO and ROS. RC increased the mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 and iNOS. RC augmented the levels of secreted IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 cytokines. RC increased MAPKs phosphorylation. Conclusion : In summary, our result shows that RC has inflammatory effect increasing the levels of NO, ROS and secreted cytokines and activating MAPKs. Hence, RC seems to have an immune enhancement effect.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.1
• /
• pp.133-137
• /
• 2013

This study aimed to measure the levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and nitrite/nitrate ($NO_x$) in serum of dogs experimentally infected with Rangelia vitalii. Twelve female mongrel dogs were divided into 2 groups; group A (uninfected controls) composed by healthy dogs (n=5) and group B consisting of dogs inoculated with R. vitalii (n=7). Animals were monitored by blood smear examinations, which showed intraerythrocytic forms of the parasite on day 5 post-infection (PI). Blood samples were collected through the jugular vein on days 0, 10, and 20 PI to determine the serum levels of IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, IL-6, and $NO_x$. Cytokines were assessed by ELISA quantitative sandwich technique, and $NO_x$ was measured by the modified Griess method. Cytokine levels (IFN-${\gamma}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-1, and IL-6) were increased (P<0.01) in serum of infected animals. Serum levels of $NO_x$ were also increased on days 10 PI (P<0.01) and 20 PI (P<0.05) in infected animals. Therefore, the infection with R. vitalii causes an increase in proinflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide content. These alterations may be associated with host immune protection against the parasite.

• Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.144-151
• /
• 2016

Background: Immunoregulatory elements have emerged as useful immunotherapeutic agents against cancer. In traditional medicine, Mori folium, the leaf of Morus alba L. (Moraceae), has been used for various medicinal purposes; however, the immunomodulatory effects have not been fully identified. We evaluated the immunoenhancing potential of water extract of Mori folium (WEMF) in murine RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods: RAW264.7 cells were treated with WEMF for 24 hours and cell viability was detected by an MTT method. Nitric oxide (NO) levels in the culture supernatants were assayed using Griess reagent. The productions of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) and immune-related cytokines was measured using ELISA detection kits. The mRNA and protein expression levels of Inducible NO synthase, COX-2, and cytokines were assayed by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The effect of WEMF on phagocytic activity was measured using a Phagocytosis Assay Kit. Results: WEMF significantly stimulated the production of NO and $PGE_2$ as immune response parameters at noncytotoxic concentrations, which was associated with the increased expression of inducible NO synthase and COX-2. The release and expression of cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-10, were also significantly increased in response to treatment with WEMF. Moreover, WEMF promoted the macrophagic differentiation of RAW264.7 cells and the resulting phagocytosis activity. Conclusions: WEMF has the potential to modulate the immune function by regulating immunological parameters. Further studies are needed to identify the active compounds and to support the use of WEMF as an immune stimulant.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.473-480
• /
• 1999

Background: Early diagnosis of tuberculosis is critical, especially in Korea, an area where tuberculosis is endemic. Because antibody responses to some membrane proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are not comparable, and the policy of BCG vaccination and the prevalence of tuberculosis are different from country to country, the usefulness of the serological diagnostic tests is questionable in Korea, even though they have been confirmed to be useful in other countries. In the specific context of Korea, we tried to evaluate the validity of the ICT Tuberculosis Test (ICT), a membrane-based antibody kit that purports to detect the 5 M. tuberculosis complex-specific antigens including 38-kDa protein. Method: 68 patients with tuberculosis were tested : 37 had no history of previous tuberculosis, and 31 were reactivated cases. The control group comprised 77 subjects : 25 healthy adults, 35 hospital workers with frequent contact with tuberculosis patients, and 17 in-patients with non-tuberculous respiratory diseases. Results: The diagnostic sensitivities of the ICT were 87% and 73% in patients with versus without previous history of tuberculosis, respectively. The sensitivities of smear-positive and smear-negative patient groups were 81% and 73%, respectively. Both of the two patients with extrapulmonary tuberculosis tested positive through the ICT. The specificities of the ICT were 88%, 94%, and 94% in healthy adults, hospital workers, and non-tuberculous patients, respectively, with an overall specificity of 92%. Conclusion: It is suggested that when combined with traditional techniques, the ICT is an useful tool for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. The procedure is simple, easy to perform, rapid, and needs no equipment. It shows 73% sensitivity and 92% specificity for the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.183-188
• /
• 1996

Chinese crude drug 'Se Sin'(細辛)has been used to cure headache, cough and expectorant. To the botanical origin of 'Se Sin', Zhong-yao-zhi(中葯志) reported Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum. A. sieboldii and A. sieboldii var. seoulensis, and Zhong-yao-da-ci-dian(中葯大辭典) reported Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum and A. sieboldii of Aristolochiaceae. In Korea, this crude drug has been used as a Korean folk remedy for tothache and aromatic. The botanical origin of 'Se Sin' is considered to be Asarum species of Aristolochoaceae. But there has no pharmacognostical confirmation on it. To clarify the botanical origin of 'Se Sin', we studied on the anatomical characteristics of Asarum species growing wildly in Korea i.e. A. maculatum, A. sieboldii, A. sieboldii var. seoulensis, and of 'Se Sin' from Korea on Korean market. Through our studies, the botanical origin of 'Se Sin' from Korea was proved to be whole plant of Asarum sieboldii and A. sieboldii var. seoulensis.

• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.239-243
• /
• 2016

Propolis is a multicomponent, active, complex resinous substance collected by honeybees from a variety of plant sources. We have studied the effect of propolis on neurite outgrowth of SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells induced to differentiate by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). Propolis, at a concentration of $3{\mu}g/mL$, had no significant effect on the viability of differentiating SH-SY5Y cells. However, the neurite outgrowth of the differentiating SH-SY5Y cells treated with propolis ($0.3{\sim}3{\mu}g/mL$) for 48 hr was significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of RA-stimulated differentiating SH-SY5Y cells with 0.3 to $3{\mu}g/mL$ propolis resulted in decreased level of transglutaminase and 43-kDa growth-associated protein (GAP-43) in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that propolis is able to inhibit neurite outgrowth of differentiating SH-SY5Y cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.91-100
• /
• 2006

Objectives : The Comparative Study Of The Eight Extra Meridians And The Primitive Meridians Will Improve The Understanding Of The Relationship Between Meridians And The Eight Extra Meridians, Which Ultimately Will illuminate The Origins Of Meridians. Methods Books From The Pre-Han And Han Dynasty, As Well As Publications Concerning Meridians And The Eight Extra Meridians Were Utilized. Results : Pathways Of The Eight Extra Meridians And The Primitive Meridians Travel Independently Without Connection With Other Meridians, And Have No Obvious Link With The Five Vital Organs And The Six Viscera. Additionally, The Terminology Of Both Meridians Is Similar, And Travel From Bottom To Top. Conclusion : The Eight Extra Meridians Have Several Similarities With The Primitive Meridians. Therefore, The Eight Extra Meridians May Be An Important Area To Investigate In The Future.

• Communications for Statistical Applications and Methods
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.303-315
• /
• 2017

Yoo (2015, Statistics and Probability Letters, 99, 109-113) derives theoretical results in an optimal sufficient dimension reduction with singular inner-product matrix. The results are promising, but Yoo (2015) only presents one simulation study. So, an evaluation of its practical usefulness is necessary based on numerical studies. This paper studies the asymptotic behaviors of Yoo (2015) through various simulation models and presents a real data example that focuses on ordinary least squares. Intensive numerical studies show that the $x^2$ test by Yoo (2015) outperforms the existing optimal sufficient dimension reduction method. The basis estimation by the former can be theoretically sub-optimal; however, there are no notable differences from that by the latter. This investigation confirms the practical usefulness of Yoo (2015).