• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.1214-1222
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• 1998

Background : The intrapleural hypofibrinolysis is caused by mainly excessive concentration of pleural plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 antigen(PAI-1 Ag), which binds tissue type plasminogen activator. In pleural inflammation induced by sclerosing agents for pleurodesis, levels of pleural PAI-1 antigen increase in relation to decreasing D-dimer levels. It has been known that the pleural mesothelial cells have the capability of secreting PAI-1 Ag in response to inflammation in vivo. Therefore, we estimated whether pleural inflammation changes the balance between fibrinolytic and coagulative properties in exudative pleural effusions. Method : The thirty cases was included in our study. We determined the pleural levels of glucose, lactic dehydrogenase(LDH), pH and the counts of white blood cell(WBC), polymorpho leukocyte(PMN), lymphocyte as the parameters of pleural inflammation and cellular components of pleural fluid. The plasma level of fibrinogen in fluid and the neutrophil count in blood were determined. The levels of D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and thrombinantithrombin III complex(TAT) were determined by ELISA(Behring, Marburg, Germany). Result : The causes of pleural effusion were as following : tuberculous in 14 cases, malignant in 10 cases and parapneumonic in 6 cases. The levels of pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag and TAT was significantly higher than that of plasma(p<0..001). The severity of pleural inflammation did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and their plasma levels. But the level of pleural TAT correlated with pleural WBC and lymphocyte count. Conclusion : We found that the severity of pleural inflammations did not correlated with pleural D-dimer, PAI-1 Ag, TAT and the possibility of local production of PAI-1 antigen is present.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.540-548
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• 2001

Backgrounds : Because ventilator-induced lung injury is partly dependent on the intensity of vascular flow, we hypothesized that hypothermia may attenuate the degree of such an injury through a reduced cardiac output. Methods : Twenty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to normothermia ($37{\pm}1^{\circ}C$)-injurious ventilation (NT-V) group (n=10), hypothermia ($27{\pm}1^{\circ}C$)-injurious ventilation (HT-V) group (n=10), or nonventilated control group (n=7). The two thermal groups were subjected to injurious mechanical ventilation for 20 min with peak airway pressure 30 cm $H_2O$ at zero positive end-expiratory pressure, which was translated to tidal volume $54{\pm}6\;ml$ in the NT-V group and $53{\pm}4\;ml$ in the HT-V group (p>0.05). Results : Pressure-volume (P-V) curve after the injurious ventilation was almost identical to the baseline P-V curve in the HT-V group, whereas it was shifted rightward in the NT-V group. On gross inspection, the lungs of the HT-V group appeared smaller in size, and showed less hemorrhage especially at the dependent regions, than the lungs of the NT-V group. [Wet lung weight (g)/body weight (kg)] ($1.6{\pm}0.1$ vs $2.4{\pm}1.2$ ; p=0.014) and [wet lung weight/dry lung weight] ($5.0{\pm}0.1$ vs $6.1{\pm}0.8$ ; p=0.046) of the HT-V group were both lower than those of the NT-V group, while not different from those of the control group($1.4{\pm}0.4$, $4.8{\pm}0.4$, respectively). Protein concentration of the BAL fluid of the HT-V group was lower than that of the NT-V group($1,374{\pm}726\;ug/ml$ vs $3,471{\pm}1,985\;ug/ml$;p=0.003). Lactic dehydrogenase level of the BAL fluid of the HT-V group was lower than that of the NT-V group ($0.18{\pm}0.10\;unit/ml$ vs $0.43{\pm}0.22\;unit/ml$;p=0.046). Conclusions : Hypothermia attenuated pulmonary hemorrhage, permeability pulmonary edema, and alveolar cellular injuries associated with injurious mechanical ventilation, and preserved normal P-V characteristics of the lung in rats.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.443-450
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• 2012

Recently, NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proposed to accelerate adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cell. We have previously shown that Cheonnyuncho (Opuntia humifusa) extract significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation via downregulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma) gene expression. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanism(s) of NOX4, G6PDH (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and antioxidant enzymes in anti-oxidative activities of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that Cheonnyuncho extracts markedly inhibits ROS production during adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Cheonnyuncho extracts suppressed the mRNA expression of the pro-oxidant enzyme such as NOX4 and the NADPH-producing G6PDH enzyme. In addition, treatment with Cheonnyuncho extract was found to upregulate mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes such as Mn-SOD (manganese-superoxide dismutase), Cu/Zn-SOD (copper/zinc-SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathion reductase (GR), and catalase, all of which are important for endogenous antioxidant responses. These data suggest that Cheonnyuncho extract may be effective in preventing the rise of oxidative stress during adipocyte differentiation through mechanism(s) that involves direct down regulation of NOX4 and G6PDH gene expression or via upregulation of endogenous antioxidant responses.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 1998

Background: It is sometimes difficult to differentiate tuberculous pleural effusion from malignant pleural effusion by clinical symptoms, signs, by routine tests of pleural fluid, and by pathologic studies. And recently, it was discovered that cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$ are elevated in tuberculous pleural fluid, and there have been several attempts to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion by using these immunological mediators. There are several studies regarding the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$, and there are two studies in Korea. But the diagnostic values of IFN-$\gamma$ in these studies were slightly lower than those in other countries. To compare the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$ with those of CEA and ADA, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of IFN-$\gamma$ in Korean, we mesured IFN-$\gamma$, CEA level and ADA activity in pleural effusions. Methods: ADA activity, IFN-$\gamma$ level and CEA level as well as cell count, differential count, and biochemical assays such as protein content and lactate dehydrogenase were measured in 40 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and 42 cases of malignant pleural effusion. Results: Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of IFN-$\gamma$ and ADA ($832.6{\pm}357.2$ pg/ml and $82.5{\pm}25.9$ U/L, respectively) than those of malignant pleural effusion ($2.6{\pm}8.0$ pg/ml and $19.2{\pm}10.9$ U/L, respectively) (p<0.01). Malignant pleural effusions showed higher median value (102.2 ng/ml) than tubercalous pleural effusions (1.8 ng/ml) (p<0.01). The sensitivities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 0.97, 0.87, 0.67 and the specificities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 1.0, 0.97, 1.0, respectively. There was no significant correlation between ADA activity and IFN-$\gamma$ level. Conclusion: This study showed that IFN-$\gamma$ test would be a very useful clinical test for differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis and malignant pleural effusion because it is very sensitive and specific, although it is an expensive test.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.782-788
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• 2010

The protective effects of a powder mixed with solid-cultured and liquid-cultured Lentinus edodes mycelia (2 : 1, w/w) (designate LED) with different doses of carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$) on induced hepatotoxicity in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was investigated. The rats were divided into seven groups (6 rats/group) and the following substances were administered orally to each group: Vehicle (0.2 ml distilled water), Control (0.2 ml distilled water), LED (LED 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water), and Silymarin (200 mg/Kg BW in 0.2 ml distilled water). After two weeks of daily administration, all groups except for the Vehiclegroup were subjected to abdominal injection with $CCl_4$ ($CCl_4$ : corn oil, 1 : 1 v/v; 0.5 ml/kg BW). One day later, blood and liver samples were collected to analyze biomarkers. All LED treatments elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH peroxidase) activities, and reduced thiobarbituric reactive substances (TBARS), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), resulting in the reduction of glutamate-oxalate transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activities in plasma. These results indicate that LED effectively protected SD rat hepatotoxicity induced by $CCl_4$ through its antioxidative activity and reduction of some cytokines. The highest efficacy was found in LED 200 mg/kg BW, showing potential as a useful material for protection from hepatotoxicity in humans.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1533-1543
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• 2016

The anti-stress effects of Punica granatum L. (family Lythraceae, PG) on $H_2O_2$/corticosterone (CORT)-induced stress in cells and sleep-deprived rats were investigated. The PG extract showed neuroprotective effects in SH-SY5Y cells against $H_2O_2$/CORT-induced stress. Sleep deprivation led to behavioral, hormonal, and biochemical alterations in the animal model. The effects of P. granatum on physiological, behavioral, and biochemical parameters aggravated by sleep deprivation were investigated. Sleep deprivation impaired physiological (survival, body weight, and drowsiness scores) and behavioral (rotarod, passive avoidance, hot hyperalgesia, and Y maze) parameters as well as biochemical factors (cortisol, serotonin, dopamine, testosterone, and growth factor I contents in serum). These parameters were significantly recovered by PG extract in a concentration-dependent manner. The PG extract also enhanced catalase, superoxide dismutase, and non-enzymatic antioxidative activities such as glutathione compared to sleep-deprived rats. On the basis of these results, our findings suggest that Punica granatum prevents impairment of body functions induced by sleep deprivation and related oxidative damage.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 2006

We have recently discovered that mycelium of Phellinus linteus, popular medical mushrooms in Korea, possess alcohol dehydrogenase and produce alcohol. In the present study, it was examined that the effect of fermented rice wine made by using mycelium of P. linteus (FLMP) on the expression of in-flammation-related proteins in both $HepG_2$ cells and rats. To examine the effect of FLMP on the morphology and expression of inflammatory proteins in $HepG_2$ cells, the cells were incubated with ethanol, and FLMP for 24 hours, and then analyzed by microscopic observation and Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). While ethanol induced the morphological change accompanied with cell debris formation and scattering on $HepG_2$ cells, FLMP had no effect. The results of Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the level of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 was induced by ethanol, however, FLMP inhibited the expression of these proteins and its mRNAs. In the animal model, the value of flutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase was significantly increased by administration with ethanol. But the group administrated with FLMP showed lower levels on the changes of these markers compared with ethanol-administrated group. Besides, the results of Western blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the expression of inflammatory proteins such as iNOS, COX-1 and COX-2 was not affected by FLMP administration in rat liver. About histopathological and immunohistochemical observations, inflammatory loci were markedly decreased in the FLMP-administrated rat compared to ethanol-administrated rats and showed weaker COX-2 and iNOS jmmunoreactions. These results suggested that FLMP showed slight changes on the inflammatory proteins expression compared to ethanol and FLMP may be used as a functional alcoholic beverage.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2012

The anti-obese, hypolipidemic and hepatoprotective effects of post-fermented green tea by Monascus pilosus was tested with mice fed with high-fat diet for 7 weeks. The body weight gain and feed efficiency ratio (FER) in normal control group (NC), CHA (2% non-fermented green tea powder supplemented high-fat diet group) and mCHA (2% green tea powder post-fermented by M. pilosus supplemented high fat diet group) groups were significantly lower than those of high fat diet control group (HC). Epididymal fat weight in mCHA and NC were significantly lower than HC. The hepatic lipid peroxide was dramatically higher in HC than that of NC and was significantly lower in CHA and mCHA. In addition, dehydrogenase type activity of xanthine oxidoreductase in HC was lower than that of NC, but significantly higher than CHA and mCHA. In histopathological findings, hepatic fat accumulation in HC was higher than that of NC, CHA and mCHA. Antiobese, hypolipidemic and antifatty liver effect of green tea powder post-fermented by M. pilosus was slightly higher than that of non-fermented green tea. In conclusion, the constituents of green tea fermented by M. pilosus has been proven to not only inhibit obesity and hyperlipidemia but also decrease the hepatic fat accumulation in high fat diet-induced obese mice.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.430-437
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• 2017

The protective effect of Pteridium aquilinum on high glucose-induced cytotoxicity was examined in vitro to investigate the relationship between diabetic condition and neuronal dysfunction. The ethyl acetate fraction of P. aquilinum (EFPA), with total phenolic content of 265.08 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, showed higher 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)/2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activities and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effect than any other fraction. In addition, EFPA showed a significant reduction in the inhibitory effect on ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity ($IC_{50}$ value=$205.26{\mu}g/mL$) compared to the acarbose positive control. The anti-oxidative effect in PC12 cells, protective effects on high glucose-induced oxidative stress in neuronal cells, and neurotoxicity were measured using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazoliumbromide, and lactate dehydrogenase assays, respectively. EFPA showed conspicuous inhibitory effect on cellular reactive oxygen species production and neuronal cell apoptosis. Finally, kaempferol-3-glucoside was identified as the main phenolic compound of EFPA using high performance liquid chromatography.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.9
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• pp.1178-1184
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of antler velvet (EAV) on common serum chemistry panels and histopathological change in rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). Administration of TCDD ($50{\mu}g/kg$ body weight) induced significant decrease in platelet count (p<0.01), creatine phosphokinase (CPK, p<0.01), lactatate dehydrogenase (LDH, p<0.05) and glucose (p<0.05) levels and increase in hemoglobin (p<0.05), aspartate aminotransferase (AST, p<0.01), alanine amino transferase (ALT, p<0.05) and lipase activities (p<0.05), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN, p<0.05), triglyceride (p<0.01) and low density lipoptotein cholesterol (LDL-C, p<0.05) levels. However, pretreatment of EAV at daily dose of 20 mg/kg b.w. from 1 wk before TCDD exposure for 5 wks attenuated the abnormality of the overall serum chemistry panels but statistical difference between TE and TA groups was observed only in testicular weight (p<0.01), LDH activity (p<0.05), glucose (p<0.05) and lipase activity (p<0.01). In addition, TCDD induced significant histopathological changes including swelling, fatty metamorphosis, and vacuolar degeneration in liver; edema in proximal and distal convoluted tubules, and glomerulus in kidney; severe atrophy of red purple and appearance of significant number of macrophage in spleen; prominent atrophy and decrease in immune cells in thymus. On the other hand, administration of EAV attenuated histopathological damage induced by TCDD. These results further suggest that administration of EAV attenuates TCDD induced testicular, liver, pancreatic, hematopoietic and nephrotic toxicities in rats.