• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.143-147
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• 2013

Ginsenoside Rp1 is one of ginseng saponins with chemotherapeutic activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of Rp1 on spleen cells. Spleen is a major immune organ consisted of crucial immune cells, such as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and some antigen-presenting cells. Although the anti-tumor potential of Rp1 was studied, the effects of Rp1 on immune cells have not investigated yet. A viability assay using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), flow cytometric analysis, Western blot analysis were used to detect cellular changes on Rp1-treated spleen cells. MTT assay showed that Rp1 decreased the viability of spleen cells. To further investigate the effects of Rp1 on activated spleen cells, we treated lipopolysaccharide (LPS) as a representative inflammatory agent and Rp1 on spleen cells in a combination. The surface expression levels of activation markers for lymphocytes, CD25 and CD69 were measured. Apoptotic analysis revealed the cytotoxic effects of Rp1 on both na$\ddot{i}$ve and activated cells, and the expression pattern of some apoptosis-related proteins was correlated to apoptotic events of cells. Taken together, ginsenoside Rp1 increases the cellular death of spleen cells and also inhibits the LPS-induced activation of spleen cells.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2014

Fish larvae are immediately exposed to microbes from hatching to maturation of their lymphoid organs, therefore effective innate mechanisms is very important for survival. However, the knowledge of the development of immune system in fish is limited and in demand now. In vertebrates, recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG-1) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) have been considered as very useful markers of the physiological maturity of the immune system. In this study, the expression of the both genes was assessed throughout the early developmental stages of olive flounder larvae (5-55 dph) and used as markers to follow the development of immune system. RAG-1 and IgM mRNA expression was detectable at 5 dph and remained so until 55 dph. These patterns of expression may suggest that the olive flounder start to develop its function around 5 dph. Tissue distribution was found that both genes mRNAs are only expressed in the immune-related organ such as spleen, kidney and gill. The early detection of IgM mRNA led to the investigation of its presence in oocytes. Both RAG-1 and IgM mRNA transcripts were detected in unfertilized oocytes, suggesting that they are maternally transferred. The biological significance of such a phenomenon remains to be investigated.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2012

New onset diabetes is a major complication after kidney transplantation. However, the natural course of posttransplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the detailed natural courses of PTDM according to the onset and persistency of hyperglycemia, and to investigate risk factors for development of different courses of PTDM in renal allograft recipients. The purpose of this study is to develop novel immune suppressants for PTDM using of action mechanism of them. The use of immunosuppressive drugs in transplanted patients is associated with the development of diabetes, possibly due to ${\beta}$-cell toxicity. To better understand the mechanisms leading to post-transplant diabetes, we investigated the actions of prolonged exposure of ${\beta}$-cells to therapeutical levels of tacrolimus (FK506) or cyclosporin A(CsA). The immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine(CsA) is a potent agent widely used after organ transplantations and various autoimmune disorders. After using CsA, some patients suffer severe complications including renal and vascular toxicity. The renal or vascular toxicity is influenced by the degree of the endothelial damage. FK506(tacrolimus) is a widely used immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of various medical conditions, including autoimmune disease, bone marrow and organ transplantations. We found some interesting clusters and confirmed the feasibility of cDNA microarray in the study of Immunosuppressant. In this study, we investigated gene expression patterns induced by Immunosuppressant in RIN-m5F of rat insulinoma cell line. Gene expressions evaluated using cDNA microarry in two clusters were increased or decreased. this study provides comprehensive comparison of the patterns of gene expression changes induced by CsA and FK506 in ${\beta}$-cells. This study could establish that the mode of action mechanism by which currently used insulin inhibitors inducing PTDM could be elucidated at least in part, which raises the possibility that novel immune suppressive PTDM can be developed. The molecular biological study on PTDM will also contribute the progress in diabetes research field as well as in that of PTDM.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.170-176
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• 2021

Anthocyanins are considered as one of the major functional components including cyanidin-3-glucoside and peonidin-3-glucoside anthocyanins of black rice (Oryza sativa L., BR) aleurone layer (OAL) extract. The immunomodulatory biological effects of OAL has rarely been evaluated. This study has extensively studied the immunomodulatory effects of BR in immunosuppressed mice by CPA. The immunostimulatory effects of BR extract in in vivo at 150 (OAL-1) and 300 mg/kg body weight (OAL-2) for OAL groups were measured and compared to the normal group (CON) ingested with distilled water only or other groups. After the 14 days of oral administration, immune related organ weights, serum immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG, and cytokines (IL-12, TNF-α) levels, splenocytes proliferation rate, and NK cell activity were evaluated as immune related biomarkers. The serum IgA and IgG values in the OAL-treated groups increased to the level of the CON. OAL significantly and effectively controlled the IL-12 and TNF-α levels and NK activity compared to the negative control (NC) group. The results suggest that BR aleurone layer with immunomodulatory activities has a great potential as a functional food by itself or as a supplement.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2019

This study was done to examine immunomodulative effects of aged doraji (AD) in the immune-suppressed mice induced by cyclophosphamide. The immune-stimulating effects of ethanol AD extract in in vivo at 75 and 150 mg/kg body weight (BW) for AD and 2AD groups were evaluated and compared to the normal doraji group (2ND, 150 mg/kg BW) treated with a doraji without aging process. After the 10 days of oral supplement, body and immune related organ weights, serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and cytokines levels, splenocytes proliferation rate, and splenic NK cell activity were measured as immune-related biomarkers. Body weight and serum IgG level increased in the 2AD group. But, the serum Th2 cytokine (IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$) levels were lower in the AD and 2AD groups, respectively. Splenic T cell and B cell proliferation and NK cell activity increased in the doraji groups and the significant increases were found only in the 2AD group. Thus, the aged doraji extract may affect body weight, serum IgG level, splenocytes proliferation, and splenic NK cell activity, and normalize the Th2 cytokine levels in the immune-suppressed mice. The results suggest that the aged doraji improves effectively immune system rather than the normal one.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2016

Lectins belong to the pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) class and play important roles in the recognition and elimination of pathogens via the innate immune system. Recently, it was reported that lily-type lectin-1 is involved when a pathogen attacks in the early immune response of fish. However, this study is limited to information that the lectin is involved in the innate immune response against viral infection. In the present study, the lily-type lectin-2 and -3 of Oplegnathus fasciatus (OfLTL-2 and 3) have been presented to be included B-lectin domain and two D-mannose binding sites in the amino acid sequence that an important feature for the fundamental structure. To investigate the functional properties of OfLTLs, the tissue distribution in the healthy rock bream and temporal expression during early developmental stage analysis are performed using quantitative real-time PCR. OfLTL-2 and 3 are predominantly expressed in the liver and skin, but rarely expressed in other organ. Also, the transcripts of OfLTLs are not expressed during the early developmental stage but its transcripts are increased after immune-related organs which are fully formed. In the challenge experiment with RBIV (rock bream iridovirus), the expression of OfLTLs was increased much more strongly in the late response than the early, unlike previously known. These results suggest that OfLTLs are specifically expressed in the immune-related tissues when those organs are fully formed and it can be inferred that the more intensively involved in the second half to the virus infection.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.993-1002
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• 2009

The object of this study was to evaluate the single dose toxicity of Taeumjowui-tang(TUJWT), a polyherbal formula have been traditionally used as prevention or treatment agent for obesity, in male and female mice. Aqueous extracts of TUJWT (Yield = 10.5%) was administered to female and male ICR mice as an oral dose of 2000, 1000 and 500 mg/kg (body wt.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines. Animals were monitored for the mortality and changes in body weight, clinical signs and gross observation during 14 days after dosing, upon necropsy, organ weight and histopathology of 12 principle organs were examined. As results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, and changes in the body and organ weight except for diarrhea restricted in TUJWT 2000 mg/kg treated one male mouse at 1 day after administration, and increases of popliteal lymph node weights in all TUJWT administered groups. In addition, no TUJWT-treatment related abnormal gross findings and changes in histopathology of principle organs were detected except for increases of the frequency of hypertrophy and hyperplasia of lymphoid cells in the popliteal lymph nodes in all TUJWT treatment groups with some sporadic accidental findings. These increases of popliteal lymph node weights with hypertrophy and hyperplasia of lymphoid cells were considered that related to the immune modulate effect of TUJWT not toxicological signs. The results obtained in this study suggest that the TUJWT does not cause any toxicological signs. The 50% lethal dose and approximate lethal dose of TUJWT aqueous extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.399-404
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• 2020

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is associated with a variety of therapeutic effects, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxative, antiallergic, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. Accordingly, the use of ginseng has reached an all-time high among members of the general public. However, the safety and efficacy of ginseng in transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressant drugs have still not been elucidated. Transplantation is the most challenging and complex of surgical procedures and may require causation for the use of ginseng. In this regard, we have previously examined the safety, immunological benefits, and protective mechanisms of ginseng with respect to calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression, which is the most widely used regimen in organ transplantation. Using an experimental model of calcineurin inhibitor-induced organ injury, we found that ginseng does not affect drug levels in the peripheral blood and tissue, favorably regulates immune response, and protects against calcineurin inhibitor-induced nephrotoxicity and pancreatic islet injury. On the basis of our experimental studies and a review of the related literature, we propose that ginseng may provide benefits in organ transplant recipients administered calcineurin inhibitors. Through the present review, we aimed to briefly discuss our current understanding of the therapeutic benefits of ginseng related to transplant patient survival.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.549-554
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• 2016

The present study was conducted to investigate whether dietary essential oils could affect growth performance, relative organ weights, cecal microflora, immune responses and blood profiles of broiler chickens fed on diets containing different nutrient densities. A total of eight hundred-forty 1-d-old male broiler chicks were randomly allotted into twenty-eight pens (7 pens per treatment, 30 chicks per pen). There were four experimental diets containing two different nutrient densities and supplemented with or without essential oils. Experimental period lasted for 35 days. No clear interaction between nutrient density and essential oils on any of growth performance-related parameters was observed. Live body weights were affected (p<0.05) by nutrient density at 21 days and by dietary essential oils at 35 days. Essential oils significantly (p<0.05) increased daily body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the periods of 22 to 35 and 1 to 35 days, but failed to affect feed intake during the entire experimental period. Daily weight gain at 1 to 21 days and feed intake at 1 to 21 and 1 to 35 days were significantly impaired (p<0.05) by nutrient density. There were significant treatment interactions (p<0.05) on relative weights of bursa of Fabricius and abdominal fat contents. Finally, either essential oil or nutrient density did not influence the relative percentages of breast and leg meats, the population of cecal microflora, blood parameters and antibody titers against Newcastle disease and infectious bronchitis in broiler chickens. It was concluded that dietary essential oils, independent to nutrient density, failed to stimulate feed intake, but increased growth performance in broiler chickens.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.431-438
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• 2006

The object of this study was to obtain acute toxicity information (single oral dose toxicity) of lyophilized water extract of Puerariae Radix (PR) in both male and female mice. In order to investigate the 50% lethal dose $(LD_{50})$, approximate lethal dosage (ALD), test substances were once orally administered to female and male ICR mice at dose levels of 2000 and 0 (control) mg/kg (body wt.) according to the recommendation of KFDA Guidelines [2005-60, 2005]. The mortality and body weight changes, clinical signs and gross observation were monitored during 14 days after dosing. Organ weight and histopathology of 12 principal organs were measured. As the results, we could not find any mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes and gross findings except for PR extracts unrelated sporadic findings. In addition, no abnormal changes related PR extracts treatment on the organ weight and histopathology of principal organs were detected except for some sporadic findings including hyperplasia of lymphoid follicles in the popliteal lymph nodes and spleen as pharmacological effects of PR extracts. The results obtained in this study suggest that the PR extracts does not cause any toxicological signs except for pharmacological effects of enhancement of Immune system. The $LD_{50}$ and ALD of PR extracts in both female and male mice were considered as over 2000 mg/kg because no mortalities were detected up to 2000mg/kg that was the highest dose recommended by KFDA and Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development.