• 대한한의학회지
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.137-148
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• 2010

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Gamipalmi-hwan (GPH) on elastase-induced lung cell injury. Materials and Methods: As an in vitro model of emphysema, the current study was performed to investigate potential activity of GPH in regulating injury responses of A549 human type II cell line mediated by elastase treatment. Results: GPH treatment increased the number of A549 cells which was reduced by elastase digestion. Elastin protein level, which was reduced by elastase treatment, was increased by GPH treatment. Labeling intensity with caspase 3 protein in elastase-treated cells was reduced by GPH treatment. Both Erk1/2 and Cdc2 protein levels, which were decreased by elastase treatment, were increased to a level similar to that of the normal cells. mRNA levels encoding IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-$\alpha$ were increased by elastase and then down-regulated by GPH. Conclusion: The present data suggest that A549 cells are subjected to inflammatory damage by elastase and can be recovered by GPH treatment. Further studies examining the protective activity of GPH in elastase-treated lung tissue would be useful for therapeutic strategies of emphysema treatment.