• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2019

It has been reported that various anti-oxidant substances stimulate non-specific immune responses in fishes. In this study it was examined whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a precusor for anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH) synthesis, can modulate non-specific immune function in Far Eastern catfish Silurus asotus. Immune functions were assessed using the respiratory burst activity monitored by chemiluminescence (CL) responses in isolated leucocyte. NAC stimulated CL responses with doses of 10 or 100 mg/kg, but not with 1 mg/kg after 48 hr injection. It was observed with 10 mg/kg NAC that CL activity continued to elevate from 24 hr through 96 hr post-dosing, and returned to the near preinjection level by 10 days. To understand whether NAC can also activate CL activity in vitro, NAC was directly added to isolated catfish leucocytes. It was observed, however, that NAC can not stimulate CL at reasonable concentration ranges in vitro. As NAC is a precursor for the strong anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH), a putative immune stimulator, it was assessed whether GSH can also stimulate CL responses. Observed results show that GSH activated CL both in vivo and in vitro. The data obtained collectively support the proposition that NAC indirectly stimulates non-specific immune functions in catfish by enhancing GSH biosynthesis, but not by direct action of NAC. Such effects may have beneficial significance in aquaculture for practical utilization.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.384-392
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Enteral nutrition formulas with immune-enhancing nutrients, such as n-3 fatty acids, may manage patients' nutritional status and pathophysiological processes. The aim of our study was to investigate natural killer (NK) cell activity alterations and related cytokine changes resulting from feeding with soybean oil-containing enteral nutrition formula (control group) and plant-derived n-3 fatty acid-enriched enteral nutrition formula. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects participated for 14 consecutive days and consumed enteral formula containing canola and flaxseed oil (n3EN, test group) in nonsurgical patients hospitalized for rehabilitation. Blood samples were collected on the first day and 14 days after the consumption of each formula daily, and anthropometric parameters were collected. Hematology and biochemical values were analyzed, and NK cell activities and serum cytokine concentration were measured. A total of sixty subjects were included in the analysis, excluding dropouts. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in biochemical parameters. The n3EN group's NK cell activities at effector:tumor cell ratios of 10:1, 5:1, 2.5:1 and 0.625:1 were significantly higher than those of the control group after two weeks (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in serum cytokine interleukin (IL)-12, $interferon-{\gamma}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ values between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study elucidates the beneficial effects of plant-derived n-3 fatty acid supplementation in enteral formula on NK cell activity.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.197-202
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• 2007

Background: Immunomodulators enhancing MHC-restricted antigen presentation would affect many cellular immune reactions mediated by T cells or T cell products. However, modulation of MHC-restricted antigen presentation has received little attention as a target for therapeutic immunoregulation. Here, we report that lectins isolated from mushroom Fomitella fraxinea enhance MHC-restricted exogenous antigen presentation in professional antigen presenting cells (APCs). Methods: Lectins, termed FFrL, were isolated from the carpophores of Fomitella fraxinea, and its effects on the class I and class II MHC-restricted presentation of exogenous ovalbumin (OVA) were examined in mouse dendritic cells (DCs) and mouse peritoneal macrophages. The effects of FFrL on the expression of total MHC molecules and the phagocytic activity were also examined in mouse DCs. Results: DCs cultured in the presence of FFrL overnight exhibited enhanced capacity in presenting exogenous OVA in association with class I and class II MHC molecules. FFrL increased slightly the total expression levels of both class I (H-$2K^b$) and class II (I-$A^b$) MHC molecules and the phagocytic activity of DCs. Antigen presentation-enhancing activity of FFrL was also observed in macrophages isolated from mouse peritoneum. Conclusion: Lectins isolated from the carpophores of Fomitella fraxinea increase MHC-restricted exogenous antigen presentation by enhancing intracellular processing events of phagocytosed antigens.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.453-462
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Platycodon grandiflorum (PG), an oriental herbal medicine, has been known to improve liver function, and has both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, little is known about the immune-enhancing effects of PG and its mechanism. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether fermented PG extract (FPGE), which has increased platycodin D content, activates the immune response in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cell viability was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and the nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured using Griess reagent. Cytokine messenger RNA levels of were monitored by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying immunomodulatory actions of FPGE in RAW 264.7 cells, we have conducted luciferase reporter gene assay and western blotting. RESULTS: We found that FPGE treatment induced macrophage cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. FPGE also modulated the expression of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. The activation and phosphorylation levels of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were increased by FPGE treatment. Moreover, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide, an activator of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK), significantly reduced both lipopolysaccharides- and FPGE-induced NF-κB reporter gene activity. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings suggest that FPGE may be a novel immune-enhancing agent acting via AMPK-NF-κB signaling pathway.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2022

Agar, a heterogeneous polymer of galactose, is the main component of the cell wall of marine red algae. It is well established as a safe, non-digestible carbohydrate in oriental countries. Neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) prepared by hydrolyzing agar by microbial β-agarase have been reported to show safety. However, their immunological effects have not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate immune enhancing effects of neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOs) from marine red algae Gelidium elegans in mice by performing ex vivo experiments. Six-week-old mice were fed ad libitum. NAOs were orally administrated at three different concentrations (100, 500, and 2,500 mg/kg B.W./day) twice a week for four weeks. The group fed with NAOs at 2,500 mg/kg showed the highest proliferation of splenocytes and production levels of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α) in the ex vivo experiment. In conclusion, NAOs can enhance immune function, increase proliferation of splenocytes, and increase cytokine production by activating macrophages in mice.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.815-820
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• 2008

Macrophage is the important cell for the immune system. Many of herbal drugs were searched about their immune-modulating activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the biological effect of water extract from ARTEMISIAE ARGI FOLIUM (WAAF) on mouse macrophage Raw 264.7 cells. ARTEMISIAE ARGI FOLIUM was known to have the antibacterial, immune-enhancing, and anticoagulative properties. Cytotoxicity of WAAF was verified by MTT assay. The intracellular production of hydro peroxide ($H_2O_2$) by WAAF was examined. The productions of nitric oxide (NO) and $TNF-{\alpha}$ from Raw 264.7 cell by WAAF were also examined. WAAF showed no cytotoxicity on RAW 264.7 cells for 3 hours. WAAF increased the production of $H_2O_2$ in Raw 264.7 cells. WAAF decrease the production of NO from the cells at low concentrations but increased at high concentrations. WAAF increased the production of $TNF-{\alpha}$ from the cells. Therefore, It could be suggested that WAAF has the immune-modulating effect.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.781-786
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• 1999

This study was designed to investigate the effects of vitamin E supplementation on radical scavenger activity and immune responses in female judo athletes(n=18). The age and sex matched sedentary students were used as controls(n=15). The initial plasma vitamin E concentration, lipid peroxide level and radical scavenger activity (RSA) were not different between two groups. The supplementation of $\alpha$-tocopheryl acetate(400IU/d) for 4 weeks significantly increased plasma vitamin E concentration of the subjects in both groups. In addition, the decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substance(TBARS)(p<0.05) and enhancement of RSA(p<0.05) were observed in both groups. Percentages of total T-cells in the athletic group was lower than that in the control group(p<0.05). However, the ratio of CD4 / CD8(helper T-cal $l^pressor T-cell) was higher in the sports group, due to more decrease in CD8 subset than in CD4 subset. The concentrations of IgG and IgM in the sports group were significantly lower than those in the control group(p<0.05). Therefore, severe training of the athletic group seems to be associated with the changes of supplementation. In conclusion, vitamin E supplementation (400IU/d, 4 weeks) of the female university students improved antioxidative activities of the blood, by decreasing lipid peroxide and enhancing radical scavenger activity. Percentages of T lymphocytes and IgG and IgM concentrations in the athletic group were lower than those in the control group. Meanwhile, vitamin E supplementation had no effects on immune status in both groups.ps.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2005

Natural products are increasingly appreciated as a lead for drug discovery and development. A number of investigators have studied various activities of natural products and have found that they have not only nutritional effects but also beneficial properties to cure various diseases and to maintain good health. Job's Tear(Yul-Moo) is a grass crop that have long been used in traditional medicine and a nourishing food. Job's Tear has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, stomachic, antiallergic activity, and antispastic effects and has been used in China for the treatment of warts, rheumatism, and neuralgia although its mechanism remains unclear. Previous results in our laboratory demonstrated that the ethanol extract and water extract of Job's Tear exerted an immune regulatory function on mice cells in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the ex vivo effect of Job's Tear on immune function. Seven to eight weeks old mices(Balb/c) were fed ad libitum on chow diet and water extract of Job's Tear were orally administrated every other day for two or four weeks at two different concentrations (50 and 500mg/kg B.W.). Proliferation of mice spenocytes and antibody production to sheep red blood cells(SRBC) using hemolytic plague forming cell assay were used to indicate the immune activity. Splenocytes proliferation of Job's Tear with mitogen stimulation such as Con A and LPS was enhanced at 50 mg/kg B.W. concentrations compared to those of control group. In case of antibody production to sheep red blood cells, the number of antibody- secreting cells was increased by administration of 50mg/kg B.W. concentration in mice immunized as a T-dependent antigen. From the present study, Job's Tear water extracts may be suggested to stimulate the mice immune response by enhancing the splenocytes proliferation and the number of plague forming cells.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.135-142
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• 2016

This study was conducted to compare the general composition and immunomodulatory activity of breast and thigh meats from four lines of Korean native chickens: Yeonsan Ogye, Hyunin Black, Hwangbong, and Hoengseong Yakdak. White Leghorn was used as a control. Fifteen male chickens (three chickens in each line) were grown under the same conditions and slaughtered at 13 weeks old. The four lines of Korean native chickens, regardless of the part, had higher contents of crude fat (p<0.05) than White Leghorn. The cholesterol contents were significantly higher in Hyunin Black and significantly lower in Hoengseong Yakdak than those of other chickens (p<0.05). The immunomodulatory effect, assessed by macrophage cell proliferation and nitric oxide production, was only observed in the breast meat of the four lines of Korean native chickens. The phagocytic activity of macrophage cells was significantly augmented by the breast meat of Hyunin Black and Hoengseong Yakdak. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-4, IL-10 and $IFN-{\gamma}$, was significantly suppressed by Korean native chickens compared with White Leghorn. These results suggested that the four lines of Korean native chickens exhibited greater immune-enhancing activity than White Leghorn.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.269-288
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• 1996

Coicis Semen is one of the oriental medicine that has been used for the treatment of the diseases such as pulmonary abscess, periappendicular abscess and wart since ancient times. However, the mechanism of the action of the drug is not well studied. This study was done to investigate the effects of Coicis Semen on the host defence mechanism. Effects of Coicis Semen on the immune responses were analysed by measuring the contact hypersensitivity, hemagglutinin, hemolysin and rosette formation, cytotoxicity, and reactive oxygen intermidiates production. As the results, water extract of Coicis Semen administration enhanced the antibodies (hemagglutinin and hemolysin) formation and the appearance of rosette forming cells of the spleen. Also Coicis Semen increased the allogeneic immune response in the mouse, showed cytotoxic activity against human leukemia cell line(K562) and decreased the contact hypersensitivity against dinitroflurobenzene. Also administration of Coicis Senlen slightly increased NK cell activity and enhanced the production of such reactive oxygen intermediates as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide from the macrophages in vivo and in vitro. The above results demonstrate that Coicis Semen has enhancing effects on cellular and humoral immune responses against disease.