• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.217-224
• /
• 2009

Inhaled inorganic dusts such as coal can cause inflammation and fibrosis in the lung called pneumoconiosis. Chronic inflammatory process in the lung is associated with various cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Expression of some cytokines mediates inflammation and leads to tissue damage or fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of blood cytokines interleukin (IL)-$1\beta$, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$ and monocyte chemoatlractant protein (MCP)-1 among 124 subjects (control 38 and pneumoconiosis patient 86) with category of chest x-ray according to International Labor Organization (ILO) classification. The levels of serum IL-8 (p= 0.003), TNF-$\alpha$ (p=0.026), and MCP-1 (p=0.010) of pneumoconiosis patients were higher than those of subjects with the control. The level of serum IL-8 in the severe group with the small opacity (ILO category II or III) was higher than that of the control (p=0.035). There was significant correlation between the profusion of radiological findings with small opacity and serum levels of IL-$1\beta$(rho=0.218, p<0.05), IL-8 (rho=0.224, p<0.05), TNF-$\alpha$ (rho=0.306, p<0.01), and MCP-1 (rho=0.213, p<0.01). The serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8, however, did not show significant difference between pneumoconiosis patients and the control. There was no significant correlation between serum levels of measured cytokines and other associated variables such as lung function, age, BMI, and exposure period of dusts. Future studies will be required to investigate the cytokine profile that is present in pneumoconiosis patient using lung specific specimens such as bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), exhaled breath condensate, and lung tissue.

• 사료
• /
• s.24
• /
• pp.19-25
• /
• 2007

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.503-510
• /
• 2010

Most allergens have protease activities, suggesting that proteases may be a key link between Th2-type immune reactions in allergic responses. Protease activated receptor (PAR) 2 is activated via the proteolytic cleavage of its N-terminal domain by proteinases. To know the role of PAR2 in Aspergillus protease allergen activated Th2 immune responses in airway epithelial cells, we investigated and compared immune cell recruitment and level of chemokines and cytokines between PAR2 knock out (KO) mice and wild type (WT) mice. There were evident immune cell infiltrations into the bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of WT mice, but the infiltrations in PAR2 KO mice were significantly lowered than those of WT mice. The IL-25, TSLP, and eotaxin gene expressions were profoundly increased after Aspergillus protease, but their expression was significantly lowered in PAR2 KO mice in this study. Compared to PAR2 KO mice, OVA specific IgE concentrations in serum of WT mice were quite increased; moreover, the IgE level of PAR2 KO mice was lower than in WT mice. The IL-25 expression by Aspergillus protease stimulation was significantly reduced by p38 specific inhibitor treatment. In this study, we determined that Th2 response was initiated with IL-25 and TSLP mRNA up-regulation in lung epithelial cells via PAR2 after Aspergillus protease allergen treatment.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.22-32
• /
• 2012

Objectives : In this study, Samhwangsaejaegami extract was tested to prove its anti-atopic dermatitis effect on NC/Nga mice. Methods : In order to evaluate the external use effects of Samhwangsaejae extract on anti-atopic dermatitis, the expression of filaggrin, serine palmitoyltransferase(SPT), and COX-2 were analyzed. In vivo study, clinical skin severity score, IgE, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6 level were analyzed through NC/Nga atopic mice model after 12 weeks external treatment. Results : In vitro study results showed the reduction in the expression of filaggrin, SPT, and COX-2. In vivo study results demonstrated the significant reduction in clinical skin severity score, IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 expression level. Conclusions : These results showed Samhwangsaejaegami extract can be a promising candidate for anti-atopic dermatitis treatment.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.23-35
• /
• 2009

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Kakamsodokum (KKSDU) on atopic dermatitis in an in-vitro experiment using an NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to the condition in humans. Methods We evaluated $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}$, IL-10 mRNA, CD4+/$IFN-{\gamma}+$, and CD4+CD25+foxp3+ in B and T cells of NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse by real-time PCR and intracellular staining in vitro. Results KKSDU medicines supressed $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $TGF-{\beta}$ mRNA and increased IL-10 mRNA in B cells. CD4+/$IFN-{\gamma}+$ and CD4+CD25+foxp3+ in T cells were increased by KKSDU. Conclusions KKSDU on atopic dermatitis might be very effective to the atopic dermatitis treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.77 no.2
• /
• pp.73-80
• /
• 2014

Background: Low levels of serum vitamin D is associated with several lung diseases. The production and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) may play an important role in the pathogenesis of emphysema. The aim of the current study therefore is to investigate if vitamin D modulates the expression and activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in human lung fibroblasts (HFL-1) cells. Methods: HFL-1 cells were cast into three-dimensional collagen gels and stimulated with or without interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) in the presence or absence of 100 nM 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) or 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D ($1,25(OH)_2D$) for 48 hours. Trypsin was then added into the culture medium in order to activate MMPs. To investigate the activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, gelatin zymography was performed. The expression of the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Expression of MMP-9 mRNA and TIMP-1, TIMP-2 mRNA was quantified by real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: IL-$1{\beta}$ significantly stimulated MMP-9 production and mRNA expression. Trypsin converted latent MMP-2 and MMP-9 into their active forms of MMP-2 (66 kDa) and MMP-9 (82 kDa) within 24 hours. This conversion was significantly inhibited by 25(OH)D (100 nM) and $1,25(OH)_2D$ (100 nM). The expression of MMP-9 mRNA was also significantly inhibited by 25(OH)D and $1,25(OH)_2D$. Conclusion: Vitamin D, 25(OH)D, and $1,25(OH)_2D$ play a role in regulating human lung fibroblast functions in wound repair and tissue remodeling through not only inhibiting IL-$1{\beta}$ stimulated MMP-9 production and conversion to its active form but also inhibiting IL-$1{\beta}$ inhibition on TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 production.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.385-400
• /
• 2008

Objectives : This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Soyumjungjang-tang(SJT) on the experimental ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS) in mice. Methods : Ulcerative colitis was induced through supplying 4% DSS solution as the drinking water for 7 days in 6-week-old male ICR mice. The colitic mice were divided into three groups: the sample groups were orally administered SJT in doses of 25mg/kg(S25 group) or 100mg/kg(S100 group) once a day for 10 days, from 3 days before starting drinking the DSS solution, and the control(C) group was administered normal saline instead of SJT. The DSS solution or SJT was not administered to the normal(N) group. The length of colon, histologic finding, the activities of myeloperoxidase(MPO) and alkaline phosphatase(AP), and the expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$, and $I{\kappa}B$ in colonic mucosa was checked using immunoblot, ELISA, etc. The activities of chondroitinase, tryptophanase, ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ and ${\beta}-glucosidase$ in stool were also measured. Results : The length of colon shortened, histologic finding deteriorated, the activities of MPO, AP, chondroitinase, tryptophanase, ${\beta}-glucuronidase$ and ${\beta}-glucosidase$, and the expressions of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, COX-2, $NF-{\kappa}B$ increased, and the expression of $I{\kappa}B$ decreased in the C group. All measures, except $NF-{\kappa}B$, were restored in S25 group, but some measures deteriorated more in the S100 group than in the C group. Conclusions : According to the above results, it is supposed that SJT has a potential therapeutic effect on ulcerative colitis.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.73-78
• /
• 2016

The aim of this study attempted to verify the possibility of bioethanol production using wasted medium density fiberboard (wMDF). In order to produce bioethanol from wood cellulosic materials must be carried out the process of pretreatment, saccharification, fermentation and distillation. First, the wMDF was pretreated using sodium chlorite and pretreated wMDF was prepared to 8% slurry and then slurry was saccharified with the commercial enzyme (Cellic CTec3). The fermentable sugar and pH of saccharified substrate were about 5.5% glucose and 4.4, respectively. Herein we compared the results of ethanol yield according to the nutrients added or without addition to increase ethanol yield. Ethanol fermentation was finished in about 24 hours, but it was delayed in experimental group without nutrients. Ethanol content and fermentation ratio of the final fermented mash prepared by utilizing jar fermenter was 25.40 g/L and 86.64%, respectively. At this time, the maximum ethanol productivity was confirmed as 1.78 g/Lh (ethanol content 21.38 g/L, 12 h), and the overall ethanol productivity was 1.05 g/Lh (ethanol content 25.27 g/L, 24 h). Using fermented liquid we could produced bioethanol 95.37% by continuous distillator packed with copper element in laboratory scale. These results show that wMDF has a potential valuable for bioethanol production.

• Proceedings of the Korean Fiber Society Conference
• /
• 1988.06a
• /
• pp.25-25
• /
• 1988

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.75-81
• /
• 2011

Objectives : This study aims at examining the anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellariae Radix extract. Methods : Scutellariae Radix was hot water extracted to make the samples(SR) for the experiment. Their effects were examined on the increase of cell viability in mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells, the creation of nitric oxide(NO) in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced Raw 264.7 cells, and the creation of cytokines of interleukin(IL)-$1{\beta}$ and others. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. The MTT assay was carried out to check the cellular toxicity of the water extract of Scutellariae Radix. The results were found no significant toxicity caused to macrophages by the water extract of Scutellariae Radix. 2. The water extract of Scutellariae Radix significantly restricted the increase of NO in the LPS-induced macrophages after 24-hour culture. 3. The water extract of Scutellariae Radix significantly restricted the creation of IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, interferon-inducible protein(IP)-10, keratinocyte-derived chemokine(KC), and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in the LPS-induced macrophages at the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : The samples(SR) of hot water extract of Scutellariae Radix caused no significant cellular toxicity to macrophages and significantly restricted the creation of NO, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-17, IP-10, KC, and VEGF in the LPS-induced macrophages at $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher, thus demonstrating significant anti-inflammatory effects.