• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.121-128
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• 2004

Mast cells and goblet cells have the ability to protect against parasites by increasing mucus production that traps and excludes worms and prevents their intimate contact with the gut mucosa in the host. In this study, we investigated the function of mast cells and goblet cells for the rejection of Echinostoma hortense (E. hortense). In addition, we used both C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice in order to examine whether mast cells and goblet cells function differentially according to the strains of mice. After an oral infection with 30 E. hortense metacercariae, the number of mucosal mast cells and goblet cells, as well as worm recovery rate, were observed in experimentally infected mice between 1 week and 8 weeks post-infection (PI). Worm recovery rates in C3H/HeN and BALB/c mice were 65.7％ and 23％, respectively, in week 1 P.I., indicating that worm expulsion in C3H/HeN mice was higher than in BALB/c mice. Our results demonstrate that the period (week 3 P.I.) in which worm recovery falls rapidly is the same period that the number of goblet cells and mast cells reaches a peak. These results indicate that worm recovery significantly correlates with the growth rate of goblet cells and mast cells (P=0.0482). However, worm expulsion is not associated with goblet cells or mast cells in BALB/c mice.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.263-269
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• 2001

In this study, we tried to investigate whether poly-L-arginine (PLA) (MW 10,800) significantly affect mucin release from cultured hamster airway goblet cells and the mucosubstances of hypersecretory air-way goblet cells of rats. Confluent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with $^3$H-glucosamine for 24 hr and chased for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of PLA to assess the effects on $^3$H-mucin release. Possible cytotoxicities of PLA were assessed by measuring both Lactate Dehydrogenate (LDH) release and by checking the possible changes on the morphology of HTSE cells during treatment. For in vivo experiment, hyperplasia of rat airway goblet cells and increase in intraepithelial mucosubstances were induced by exposing rats to SO$_2$ for 3 weeks and varying concentrations of PLA were administered inhalationally to assess the effects on the mucosubstances of airway goblet cells of rats. The results were as follows : (1) PLA significantly inhibited mucin release from cultured HTSE cells in a dose-dependent manner; (2) there was no significant release of LDH and no significant change on the morphology of cultured HTSE cells during treatment; (3) PLA also affected the intraepithelial mucosubstances of hypersecretory rats and restored them to the levels of control animals. We conclude that PLA inhibit mucin release from airway goblet cells without significant cytotoxicity and possibly normalize the hypersecretion of airway mucosubstances in vivo. This finding suggests that PLA might function as an airway mucoregulative agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.259-266
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• 2005

Mast cells and goblet cells have been known to protect the host against parasites. In this study, we examined the response of the mast cells and goblet cells over a period of 6 weeks in the duodenum, jejunum and ileum of C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice infected with Echinostoma hortense (E. hortense). In addition, we investigated whether the worm recovery rate of uninfected mice (the control group) or E. hortense-infected mice (the experimental group) was associated with the number of mast cells and goblet cells. The worm recovery rate was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice. The number of goblet cells significantly increased in the experimental group of the C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice compared with the control group of both strains (P<0.005). Worm recovery peaked 3 weeks after the infection of the C57BL/6 mice and at 2 weeks after the infection of the C3H/HeN mice, and it was higher in the duodenum than in the jejunum and ileum. However, the infected site in the intestine had no relation with worm expulsion. In the C3H/HeN and C57BL/6 mice, the number of goblet cells in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.005). The number reached a peak 2 weeks after the infection and it even increased in duodenum, jejunum and ileum. The increased number of goblet cells was retained 6 weeks after infection. The number of goblet cells was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice (P<0.01). These results indicate that goblet cells are related with the worm expulsion. Furthermore, immunohistostaining of the antral intestinal walls for lectin showed the significant increase of the number of goblet cells in the experimental group (P<0.001). The high infection rate in the duodenum was found during the early infection. An increased infection rate in the jejunum and ileum was found 3 weeks after infection and the infection rate was higher in the C3H/HeN mice than in the C57BL/6 mice. Taken together, the present study indicates that goblet cells, rather than mast cells, may play critical roles in parasite expulsion.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-64
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• 1990

This experiment was performed to study the morphological changes of the goblet cells in the rabbit duodenal mucosa after common bile duct ligation. Healthy adult rabbits weighting about 2kg body weight were divided to normal and bile duct ligated groups. Common bile duct ligation was performed under ether anesthesia. Experimental animals were sacrificed on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th and 14th day after the operation. Mucosal specimens from the upper part of duodenum were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde-1.5% paraformaldehyde, followed by 1% osmium tetroxide, embedded in araldite mixture, cut with LKB-V ultratome, stained with uranyl acetate - lead citrate, and observed with JEM 100 CX II electron microscope. Observed results were as follow : 1. In the early stages(1st-5th day) of the experiments, the goblet cells showed apocrine and merocrine secretion. But those of the late stage(7th and 14th day) groups showed exocytotic merocrine secretion. 2. In the late stage of the experiments, there found than increase of newly formed goblet cells that contain electron lucent cytoplasms. 3. In the goblet cells of normal rabbit, mucous granules with higher or lower electron densities are found together in the cytoplasm, and electron lucent mucous granules occasionally fused together. But in the early stage of the common bile duct ligation, goblet cells contained granules of higher electron densities. 4. Considering the above findings, common bile duct ligation probably initiates the hypersecretion of mucous granules of goblet cells in the early stage, and may facilitate the differentiation of goblet cells in the later stage.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.207-217
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated the characteristics of CCK-producing cells and mucus-secreting goblet cells with respect to stomach fish and stomachless fish of the Gobiidae in order to provide a basis for understanding the digestive physiology. Hairychin goby (Sagamia geneionema), which is stomachless fish, the numbers of mucus-secreting goblet cells is highest in the posterior intestine portion (P<0.05), while CCK-producing cells are scattered throughout the intestine. Gluttonous goby (Chasmichthys gulosus), which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells are most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05), whereas CCK-producing cells are observed only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Trident goby (Tridentiger obscurus) which is stomach fish, mucus-secreting goblet cells were most abundant in the mid intestine portion (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are found in the anterior and mid intestine portion. Giurine goby, Rhinogobius giurinus which is also stomach fish, the largest number of mucus-secreting goblet cells showed in anterior intestine portion except for esophagus (P<0.05). CCK-producing cells are present only in the anterior and mid intestine portion. In S. geneionema, digestive action occurs in the posterior intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. In contrast, in C. gulosus, T. obscurus and R. giurinus, their digestive action occurs in the anterior and mid intestine portion to protect and functions to activate digestion. Further studies of the modes of food ingestion by these fish, the contents of their digestive tracts, and the staining characteristics of the goblet cells need to be carried out.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.218-223
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• 2001

In the present study, we intended to investigate whether polycationic peptides including poly-L-lysine (PLL) and poly-L-arginine (PLA) specifically inhibit the mucin release and do not affect significantly the release of the other releasable glycoproteins with less molecular weight than mucin's from cultured airway goblet cells. Confluent primary hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hr and chased for 30 min in the presence of varying concentrations of either poly-L-arginine (PLA) or poly-L-lysine (PLL) to assess the effects on 3H-mucin release and on the total elution profile of the treated culture medium. The results were as follows : (1) PLL 78,000, PLL 9,600 and PLA 8,900 inhibited mucin release in a dose-dependent manner; (2) These polycationic peptides did not inhibit the release of the other releasable glycoproteins with less molecular weights than mucin's. We conclude that these polycationic peptides 'specifically'inhibit mucin release from airway goblet cells. This finding suggests that these polycationic peptides might be used as a specific airway mucin-regulating agent.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.329-335
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• 2006

Echinostoma hortense (E. hortense) is an intestinal trematode with the highest infection rate in South Korea. However, the immune response against E. hortense infection has not been explained well. In the present study, we investigated the effect of treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) and histamine receptor antagonists on the cytokine expression and mucosal goblet cells in E. hortense-infected C3H/HeN mice. The alteration of cytokine mRNA expression ($TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-l{\beta},\;IL-4\;and\;IL-5$), intestinal worm recovery rate and goblet cell responses were measured weekly from 0 to 5 weeks post-infection (P.I.) in the control and the following three drug-treated groups: CsA, hydroxyzine and cimetidine. Compared with the control group, the expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4 and IL-5 mRNAs decreased in the CsA- and hydroxyzine-treated groups, but only IL-4 mRNA expression did in the cimetidine-treated group. Worm recovery rate was significantly increased in the drug-treated groups. Mucosal goblet cells and their mucin response significantly decreased in the CsA-treated group (P<0.01), but significantly increased in the cimetidine- (P<0.05) and hydroxyzine- (P<0.01) treated groups. These data suggest that CsA treatment inhibits production of Th1- and Th2-type cytokines which are necessary for the worm expulsion. Histamine receptor increases goblet cells and their mucin activation, although it remains to be elucidated whether it directly affects the worm expulsion period of E. hortense in C3H/HeN mice.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.117-137
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• 2007

Objectives : In the present study, the author intended to investigate Gagam-jeonggitang(GJT), Gami-hwajeongjeon(GHJ) and Gami-tonggyutang(GTT) significantly affect in vivo and in vitro mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Methods : In vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucin, hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells and the increase in intraepithelial mucosubstances by exposing rats to SO2 during 3 weeks. Effects of orally-administered GJT, GHJ and GTT during 1 week on in vivo mucin secretion and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells were assesed using ELISA and staining goblet cells with alcian blue. For in vitro experiment, confluent HTSE cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of each agent to assess the effects of each agent on 3H-mucin secretion. Possible cytotoxicities of each agent were assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase release. Also, the effects of each agent on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle and effects of each agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured HTSE cells were investigated. Results : GJT, GHJ and GTI inhibited hypersecretion of in vivo mucin: GJT and GHJ inhibited the increase of number of goblet cells. However, GTT did not affect the increase of number of goblet cells; GJT and GTT significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity. GHJ increased mucin secretion and showed mild cytotoxicity at the highest concentration: GJT, GHJ and GTT chiefly affected the 'mucin' secretion; GJT, GHJ and GTT did not affect Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle; GTT did not significantly affect the expression levels of MUC5AC gene. However, GJT significantly. inhibit the expression levels of MUC5AC gene and GHJ significantly increased the expression levels of MUC5AC gene. These results suggest that GJT, GHJ and GTI can increase mucin secretion during short-term treatment(in vitro), whereas it can inihibit hypersecretion of mucin during long-term treatment(in vivo) and GJT and GHJ can not only affect the secretion of mucin but also affect the expression of mucin gene. Conclusions : The author suggests that the effects GJT, GHJ and GTT with their components should be further investigated and it is valuable to find, from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate hypersecretion of mucin from airway epithelial cells.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.200-210
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• 2002

Objectives: Dojeckjiyu-tang has been used to treat Hwaseol & Jeokri. The object of this study is examination of the treatment effect of Dojeckjiyu-tang for ulcerative colitis of the mouse descending colon. Methods and Materials : Twenty-one rats were divided into 3 groups and treated as follows: the control group was untreated mice. The UCE group was ulcerative colitis elicited mice. The DJT group was Dojeckjiyu-tang treated mice after ulcerative colitis elicitation. The groups were examined with common morphology, paneth cells in intestinal crypt, absorptive cells and goblet cells in epithelium, cell division in mucose, COX-1 as mucosal protector, COX-2 (which appears to play an important role in inflammation), IL-2R-, ICMA-1-inducing cellular immuno-chainreaction, and the distribution of apoptotic cells. Results: 1. The morphology of colonic mucosa from UCE mice: the disappearance of epithelium and intestinal propria in hemorrhagic erosions were seen, but in the morphology of colonic mucosa from DJT-treated mice, the configuration of epithelium and intestinal propria were the same as normal. 2. The distribution of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli in intestinal propria from UCE mice: a noticeable decrease of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli were seen, but with the distribution of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli in intestinal propria from DJT -treated mice, the configuration of goblet cells and absorptive cells with microvilli were the same as normal. 3. The immunohistochemical stain for BrdD in colonic mucosa and COX-1 in lamina propria from UCE mice: BrdU positive cells and COX-1 positive cells in the region of hemorrhagic erosion disappeared, but in the immunohistochemical stain for BrdU in colonic mucosa and COX-1 in lamina propria from DIT-treated mice, BrdU positive cells and COX-1 positive cells were seen. 4. The immunohistochemical stain for COX-2 in lamina propria, IL-2R-in lamina propria, intestinal propria and submucosa and ICMA-1 in intestinal propria and submucosa from DCE mice: a noticeable increase COX-2, IL-2R-, ICMA-1 positive cells were seen, but in the immunohistochemical stain for COX-2 in lamina propria, IL-2R-in lamina propria, intestinal propria and submucosa and ICMA-1 in intestinal propria and submucosa from DJT-treated mice, a numerical decrease of COX-2, IL-2R-, ICMA-1 positive cells was observed. 5. The distribution of apoptotic cells in epithelium and lamina propria from UCE mice: a noticeable increase of apoptotic cells in region of hemorrhagic erosion was seen, but in the distribution of apoptotic cells in epithelium and lamina propria from DJT-treated mice, a remarkable decrease of apoptotic cells was seen. Conclusions: According to the above results, Dojeckjiyu-tang has a moderate effect on ulcerative colitis in descending colon.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.387-395
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• 1994

The effect of vitamin C on th egramoxone toxicity in the duodenal globlet cells of rats were investigated suing histochemical methods. Rats in control, gramoxone and gramoxone+vitmain C (Vt.C) group, aged 6 to 7 weeks, were fed 18% casein diet. In th egramoxone group, neutral and acid mucins of the globlet cells in villi and crypts of duodenum tended to decrease as compared with the control group. And the globle cells secreting nonsuphated mucins tended to increase in number, being usually accompanied by a decrease of the globlet cells secreting suphated mucins which are prominent in the duodenal mucosa of control group. However, the goblet cells secreting nonsuphated mucins tended to increase in the gramoxone + Vt.C group. Morphological changes of the globlet cells in the gramoxone group were noted vacuolation and demolition of globlet cells, while those changes were not significant in the gramoxone +Vt. C group. It seems to be that Vt. C has alleviating effects on the gramoxone toxicity in secretion and production of the duodenal goblet cells.