• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.25-39
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• 2021

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Lonicera Japonica Thunberg (LJT) on the inflammatory factor expression associated with atherosclerosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: After treatment with LJT in HUVEC which is treated with TNF-α, we measured the expression levels of biomarkers (MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, KLF2, and eNOS), mRNA (CCL2, ICAM1, VCAM1, KLF2, and NOS3), and the proteins (MCP-1, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, KLF2, eNOS, ERK, JNK, and p38). Results: 1. Compared to the control, LJT significantly reduced MCP-1 and VCAM-1 levels at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ㎍/ml and ICAM-1 expression at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml compared to the control. It increased KLF2 levels at all three concentrations, but not significantly, while eNOS expression was significantly increased at 400 ㎍/ml. 2. LJT was seen to significantly reduce the expression of CCL2, ICAM1, and VCAM1 mRNA at concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 ㎍/ml compared to the control. In contrast, significantly increased KLF2 and NOS3 mRNA levels were observed at 400 ㎍/ml and at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml, respectively. 3. Compared to the control, LJT significantly reduced the protein expression of MCP-1 and VCAM-1 at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml and of ICAM-1 at 400 ㎍/ml. In addition, it increased both KLF2 and eNOS protein levels at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml. Although LJT did not have an effect on ERK expression in comparison with the control, it significantly reduced JNK levels at 200 and 400 ㎍/ml and p38 levels at 400 ㎍/ml. Conclusions: These results suggest that LJT has an effect on the inhibition of inflammatory factor expression associated with atherosclerosis in HUVECs which could contribute to the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

• Archives of Hand and Microsurgery
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.301-305
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• 2018

Hemangiomas are benign neoplasms of endothelial cells origin, rarely found in hand region. Authors report a 62-year-old female with capillary hemangioma of right index finger causing a neuropathic symptom via nerve compression. A space-occupying vascular lesion surrounding the radial digital nerve was revealed in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was removed under microscopic assist. The digital nerve was decompressed consequently. The mass was firmly attached to both the digital nerve and digital artery, requiring a meticulous microscopic dissection to preserve the nerve and artery. Compression neuropathy caused by space-occupying lesions is rare and its diagnosis is often difficult. A microscopic surgical approach can be used to successfully relieve neuropathic pain after proper diagnosis established by diagnostic tools such as MRI as in this case.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.967-983
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• 2020

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of Acanthopanax sessiliflorum Cheonghyeol plus (ASCP) on NF-κB and MAPK signaling and vascular adhesion factors associated with dyslipidemia in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Methods: We measured the scavenging activity of DPPH radical and ABTS radical by ASCP in HUVECs. We measured the protein expression levels of NF-κB, IκBα, ERK, JNK, and p38 after treatment of HUVECs with TNF-α. We measured the expression levels of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 mRNA and of MCP-1, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 biomarkers after treatment of HUVECs with TNF-α. Results: The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of ASCP increased in a concentration-dependent manner. NF-κB, IκB, ERK, p38 protein expression levels decreased following ASCP treatment at all concentrations compared to untreated control HUVECs. JNK protein expression levels decreased in ASCP-treated HUVECs compared to untreated controls at concentrations of 100 ㎍/mL. MCP-1 mRNA expression level decreased with ASCP treatment ≥200 ㎍/mL compared to the control. ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 mRNA expression levels decreased at all concentrations compared to the control. MCP-1 protein expression level was reduced compared to the control at concentrations ≥200 ㎍/mL, ICAM-1 protein expression level was reduced compared to the control at concentrations ≥100 ㎍/mL, and VCAM-1 protein expression level was reduced at all concentrations. Conclusions: These results suggest that ASCP has an antioxidative and hypolipidemic effect and that ASCP could treat and prevent dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.533-547
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• 2022

This study investigated the hair growth effect of Schisandra chinensis extract (TS-SC) and TS-SC fermented by Lactobacillus plantarum (TS-SCLF) on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs). The production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), keratinocyte growth factor/fibroblast growth factor 7 (KGF/FGF-7) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) were examined. The secretion rates of VEGF and KGF/FGF-7 were high in TS-SC, and the secretion rates of IGF-1 and HGF were high in TS-SCLF. TGF-β1 was inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner in all samples. Gene expression of VEGF, IGF-1, KGF, HGF and alkaline phosphatase, relevant to hair growth, were examined. The data revealed that TS-SC and TS-SCLF successfully promoted hair growth in hDPCs. The IGF-1 gene was expressed in a dose-dependent manner in TS-SCLF. These results indicate that TS-SC and TS-SCLF fermented extract effectively promoted hair growth and gene expression relevant to hair growth in hDPCs. Used in clinical trials the test substance 'CMK-LPF01' showed a statistically significant increase in the number of hairs at 8 weeks, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks compared to before product use, and a change in hair growth, a secondary efficacy evaluation variable. Through additional research in the future, it is expected that "CMK-LPF01" can be developed as a functional material that can help alleviate symptoms of hair loss.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.65 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2022

Excessive activation and aggregation of platelets is a major cause of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, inhibition of platelet activation and aggregation is considered an attractive therapeutic target in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. In particular, strong platelet activation and aggregation by collagen secreted from the vascular endothelium are characteristic of vascular diseases. Artesunate is a compound extracted from the plant roots of Artemisia or Scopolia species, and has been reported to be effective in anticancer and Alzheimer's disease fields. However, the effect and mechanism of artesunate on collagen-induced platelet activation and aggregation have not been elucidated. In this study, the effect of artesunate on collagen-induced human platelet aggregation was confirmed and the mechanism of action of artesunate was clarified. Artesunate inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt and Mitogen-activated protein kinases, which are phosphoproteins that are known to act in the signal transduction process when platelets are activated. In addition, artesunate decreased TXA₂ production and decreased granule secretion in platelets such as ATP and serotonin release. As a result, artesunate strongly inhibited platelet aggregation induced by collagen, a strong aggregation inducer secreted from vascular endothelial cells, with an IC₅₀ of 106.41 µM. These results suggest that artesunate has value as an effective antithrombotic agent for inhibiting the activation and aggregation of human platelets through vascular injury.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2024

The cutaneous lymphatic system in humans plays a crucial role in draining interstitial fluid and activating the immune system. Environmental factors, such as ultraviolet light and natural aging, often affect structural changes of such lymphatic vessels, causing skin dysfunction. However, some limitations still exist because of no alternatives to animal testing. To better understand the skin lymphatic system, a biomimetic microfluidic platform, skin-lymph-on-a-chip, was fabricated to develop a novel in vitro skin lymphatic model of humans and to investigate the molecular and physiological changes involved in lymphangiogenesis, the formation of lymphatic vessels. Briefly, the platform involved co-culturing differentiated primary normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and dermal lymphatic endothelial cells (HDLECs) in vitro. Based on our system, Lymphanax^TM, which is a condensed Panax ginseng root extract obtained through thermal conversion for 21 days, was applied to evaluate the lymphangiogenic effect, and the changes in molecular factors were analyzed using a deep-learning-based algorithm. Lymphanax^TM promoted healthy lymphangiogenesis in skin-lymphon-a-chip and indirectly affected HDELCs as its components rarely penetrated differentiated NHEKs in the chip. Overall, this study provides a new perspective on Lymphanax^TM and its effects using an innovative in vitro system.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.211-223
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• 2001

Background : Rhinovirus infection of the airways results in increased permeability of the airway vascular endothelium with the influx of plasma proteins, including lipids such as LDL. In vitro studies on the effect of oxLDL on leukocytes has shown many pro inflammatory effects on multiple leukocytes. We hypothesized that oxLDL is one mechanism for recruiting granulocytes to the airways during a RV infection. Therefore, chemotaxis and transendothelial migration, in response to nLDL, was determined for these granulocytes. Methods : nLDL was oxidized with 5mM Cu2S04 for 20-24 hours. 3-5 105 cells were loaded into the Transwell filter while the chemotatic agonists were placed in the lower well for chemotaxis. Confluent monolayers on HPMEC were grown on Transwell filters for transendothelial migration. The filters were washed and eosinophils and neutrophils loaded on to the filter with the chemotatic agonist was were placed in the lower well. The wells were incubated for 3 hours. The number of migrating cells was counted on a hemocytometer. Results : OxLDL, but not nLDL, is chemotatic for eosinophils and neutrophils. The level of granulocytes chemotaxis was dependent on both the concentration of LDL and its degree of oxidation. OxLDL stimulates eosinophil and neutrophils migration across HPMEC monolayers (+/-IL-$1{\beta}$ preactivation) in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion : Increased vascular permeability during a RV infection may lead to the influx and oxidation of LDL. The resulting oxLDL. is one possible mechanism for the recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the airway interstitial matrix. Once in the airways, granulocytes can further interact with oxLDL to promote airway inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2012

Bee venom (BV) has been used in medicine to treat a variety of diseases including arthritis, rheumatism, and various cancers. Recent reports indicate that BV has anti-angiogenic effects, but the precise molecular mechanism underlying the effects of BV against colorectal cancer remains to be elucidated. We examined the effects of BV and its major components (melittin and apamin) on tumor angiogenesis and found that BV significantly decreased protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$ (HIF-$1{\alpha}$), an important factor involved in angiogenesis and tumor progression, in human colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells. BV also suppressed the transcription of HIF-$1{\alpha}$ under hypoxia, leading to a decrease in the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major target gene of HIF-$1{\alpha}$. We also found that these effects were mainly elicited by apamin, but not melittin. BV specifically inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 without changing the total levels of this protein, but had no effect on kinases of p38/JNK and AKT. Our results suggest that BV may inhibit human colorectal cancer progression and angiogenesis by inhibiting HIF-$1{\alpha}$ and VEGF expression, thereby providing a novel potential mechanism for the anticancer action of BV.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.77-97
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• 2001

Anti-angiogenesis is one of therapies which have been high-lightened on the research of cancer treatment. Anti-angiogenesis means that new blood vessels are created from a existing capillary tube and it is a important process on metastasis and permeation when cancer is created or formed. Since angiogenesis have been under research, a complete recovery oriented treatment against cancer have been suggested blocking metastasis, delaying the growth of cancer cell, and blocking the supply of oxygen and nutritive substance through the web of blood vessels. Until now, there are several anti-angiogenesis, which have been known to the public, such as thalidomide, angiostatin, endostatin, 2-methoxyestradiol, TNP-470, and marimastat, etc. Additionally, 17 clinical testing projects about anti-angiogenesis are on the process in NCI(National Cancer Institute). Especially, TNP-470 showed effectiveness against cancer on clinical testing after finishing animal testing. Based on existing researches showing that Yinsamyangwui-tang is effective to strengthening body resistance and Whallakhyolenyng-dan effects cells on the inside of blood vessel because Whallakhyolenyng- dan restrains cell adhesion during the restraining period of a blood vessel, I tried to research the effect of Whalakhyolenyng-dan plus Yinsamyangwui-tang on angiogenesis. I made a conclusion putting into operation through using SK-Hep-1 (KCLB 30052), A549(KCLB 10185), AGS(KCLB 21739), and BCE(Bovine Capillary Endothelial Cell). Followings are the results of my experimental research: 1. According to the researching results of anti-cancer activation against cancer cell, Whallkhyoleyng dan plus Yinsamyangwui-tang decreased the number of cancer cells -- While injecting $600{\mu}g/ml$, injected groups decreased 3.1% more comparing with the contrastive group of SK-Hep-1, 49.7% more comparing with the contrastive group of A549, and 31.0% more comparing with the contrastive group of AGS. 2. According to the researching results of DNA composition effect between BCE and cancer cell, Whallakhyoleyng-dan plus Yinsamyangwui-tang reduced the rate of SK-Hep-1 synthesis inhibition by 59.1% at $600{\mu}g/ml$ intensity comparing with contrastive group; for A549, 72.6%; for AGS, 6.1%, for BCE, 28.9%. 3. According to the researching results about the effect of BCE cell to angiogenesis, angiogenesis was restrained at $400{\mu}g/ml$ intensity during 18 hours observation. 4. In the case of aortic ring assay, the half level of angiogenesis was reduced comparing with the contrastive group while injecting with $400{\mu}g/ml$ intensity; with $800{\mu}g/ml$, under 10% comparing with contrastive group; and with $1600{\mu}g/ml$, complete restrain. According to the above results, Whallakhyoleyng-dan plus Yinsamyangwui-tang was proved to have an anti-angiogenetic effects.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.840-849
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• 2006

Severe brain injuries induced by toxin pose one of the most important problems on our health care because of their high morbidity and mortality, are implicated to leucocyte infiltration more premature or immature brain than mature brain. Chemokines are the induction meditators for infiltration of inflammatory cells to the inflammation sites. In order to study the mechanism of leucocyte infiltration, the expression of several chemokines, MCP-1, $MIP-1{\alpha}$ and MIP-2 was studied in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated neonatal and adult brain. One week old Sprague-Dawley rats or adult male rats weighing 300-350 g were used for the experiment. After anesthetization, $1\;{\mu}l$ LPS (0.5 mg/ml) subsequently was injected in the right caudate nucleus of the brain with stereotaxic frame. Animals were sacrificed at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 72 hours after injection. The present study was carried out using RT-PCR for the mRNA and immunohistochemistry for the expression of the proteins. In the neonatal rat brain, prominent interstitial edema with significant accumulation of leukocytes was detected at 24 and 72 hours after LPS injection. A semiquantitative analysis of RT-PCR revealed that the MCP-1, $MIP-1{\alpha}$, and MIP-2 mRNA expression peaked at 24 hours in neonatal and adult rat brain. Neonatal rats showed about 2.6, 1.4, and 1.2 times more expression of the MCP-1, $MIP-1{\alpha}$, and MIP-2 than that of the adult rats in the brain tissue. Immunohistochemical analysis also showed that MCP-1 immunoreactivity was paralleled with the RT-PCR results. MCP-1 protein was significantly detected at 24 and 72 hours in the brain parenchyma. $MIP-1{\alpha}$protein was highly expressed at 24 hours. The results of leukocyte infiltration in H&E stain was parallelled with that of the immunohistochemistry. Chemokine proteins were markedly detected at 24 hours after injection of LPS and neutrophil influx into intraparenchymal was prominent at 24 hours. These results suggest that the leukocyte infiltration in the intracranial infection may be controlled by mechanisms influenced by chemokine producing cells in the central nervous system such as microglia, astrocyte and endothelial cell.