• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.171-181
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• 2001

Background : Angiogenesis is an essential process for the growth and metastatic ability of solid tumors. One of the key factors known to be capable of stimulating tumor angiogenesis is the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The serum VEGF concentration has been shown to be a useful parameter related to the clinical features and prognosis of lung cancer and has been recently applied to a the malignant pleural effusion showing a correlation with the biochemical parameters. The VEGF has been shown to play a role in the inflammatory diseases, but rarely in the tuberculosis (TB). The serum and pleural fluid VEGF levels were measured in patients with lung cancer and TB. Their relationship with the clinical and laboratory parameters and repeated measurement 3 months after various anticancer treatments were evaluated to assess the utility of the VEGF as a tumor marker. Methods : Using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the VEGF conoentration was measured in both sera and pleural effusions collected from a total of 85 patients with lung cancer, 13 patients with TB and 20 healthy individuals. Results : The serum VEGF levels in patients with lung cancer ($619.9{\pm}722.8pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those of healthy controls ($215.9{\pm}191.1pg/ml$), However, there was no significant difference between the VEGF levels in the lung cancer and TB patients. The serum VEGF levels were higher in large cell and undifferentiated carcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The serum VEGF levels of lung cancer patients revealed no significant relationship with the various clinical parameters. The VEGF concentrations in the malignant effusion ($2,228.1{\pm}2,103.0pg/ml$) were significantly higher than those in the TB effusion ($897.6{\pm}978.8pg/ml$). In the malignant pleural effusion, the VEGF levels revealed significant correlation with the number of red blood cells (r=0.75), the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)(r=0.70), and glucose concentration (r=-0.55) in the pleural fluid. Conclusion : The serum VEGF levels were higher in the lung cancer patients. The VEGF levels were more elevated in the malignant pleural effusion than in the tuberculous effusion. In addition, the VEGF levels in the pleural fluid were several times higher than the matched serum values suggesting a local activation and possible etiologic role of VEGF in the formation of malignant effusions. The pleural VEGF levels showed a significant correlation with the numbers of red blood cells, LDH and glucose concentrations in the pleural fluid, which may represent the tumor burden.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.397-405
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• 2005

Background : Laminin-1 is known to have regular functions in the development and course of differentiation of the lungs. The morphogenesis and distribution of laminin-1 still remains as a mystery and its distribution and changes in the molecular structure of laminin-1 in the pathogenesis of the lung still is a subject of great controversy. In this study, experiments were done to delineate the distribution and changes in the amount of laminin-1 after inducing inflammation of the lungs by exposing experimental animals to CS gas and especially, to find compositions of laminin-1 within type II pneumocytes. Materials and Methods : The experimental subjects of study were newborn rats and the extracted tissue from the experimental rats were viewed under light microscope and electron microscope after the sections were treated with immunohistochemical methods and immunogold reaction methods using bounded gold particles. Results : 1) Lymphocytes and mononuclear phagocytes invaded the alveolar septa in the 2 day group rats after CS gas exposure and intense interstitial inflammation was seen in the 3 day group. 2) Laminin immunoreactions decreased to a moderate degree in the 2 and 3 day group rats after CS gas exposure and strong laminin immunoreactions were seen again in the 5 and 7 day group rats. 3) Gold particles in basal lamina of the lung blood-air barrier decreased and in the type I pneumocytes decreased in the 2 and 3 day group rats after CS gas exposure. 4) Gold particles were seen only on the surface of the cell membranes of type II pneumocytes of the 1 and 2 day group rats after CS gas exposure. 5) Few gold particles around the lamellar bodies and cytoplasm of type II pneumocytes in the control rat group and at 12 hours after CS gas exposure. Gold particles are seen only on the surface of type II pneumocytes of the 1 and 2 day group rats after CS gas exposure and are evenly distributed in small amounts in the cells of the 3 day group after CS gas exposure. Conclusion : CS gas exposure in the rats caused inflammation of lung alveolar septa and also induced a decrease in laminin-1 in basal lamina and loss of laminin-1 in the cytoplasm of type II pneumonocytes. As the inflammatory cells disappeared, an increase in the distribution of laminin-1 occurred. This reflects tissue regeneration functions of laminin-1 in the pneumocytes of rats and the distribution of laminin-1 in type II pneumocytes can be seen through the electron microscope using immunogold methods.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.45-60
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• 2002

Mouse calvarial osteoblast cells were isolated and cultured. To examine whether the cells produce active gelatinases in culture medium or not,the cells were analyzed using by zymograsphic analysis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We show that mouse calvarial osteoblasts in culture constitutively synthesize progelatinase- A. Then, mouse osteoblasts, which were stimulated by PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, mononuclear cell conditioned medium (MCM) and IL-1 as bone resorption agent's, showed increased collagenolysis by producing the active gelatinase. However, treatment of indomethacin and dexamethasone significantly decreased those effects of collagenolysis in mouse osteoblastic cells. On the other hand, IL-1 in stimulating bone resorption was examined using fetal mouse long bone organ culture. IL-1 stimulated bone resorption and produced marked resorption when present simultaneously. Furthermore, when it was examined the effects of indomethacin and dexamethasone on the dose dependent responses of $IL-1{\alpha}$, indomethacin and dexametasone produced a rightward shift in the IL-1 dose response curve. The results of in vitro cytotoxicities showed that Taeyoungjon-Jahage water extracts(T.Y.J-J.H.G extracts) have no any cytotoxicities in concentrations of $1-200\;{\mu}g/ml$ and furthermore there is no any cytotoxicity even in concentration of $300\;{\mu}g/ml$ on mouse calvarial bone cells. T.Y.J.-J.H.G. extracts had protective activity against PTH (2 units/mI), or MCM (5%, v/v), or $rhIL-1{\alpha}$ (1 ng/mI) or $1,25(OH)_2D3$ (10 ng/ml) , $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}-induced$ collagenolysis in the mouse calvarial cells. Pretreatment of the T.Y.J.-J.H.G.extracts for 1 h, which by itself had little effect on cell survival, did not enhance the collagenolysis, nor significantly reduced the collagenolysis by pretreatment. Furthermore. the medicinal extracts were shown to have the protective effects against collagenolysis induced by $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$. Pretreatment of the extracts for 1 h significantly reduced the collagenolysis. Interestingly, the T.Y.J.-J.H.G. extracts were shown to have the inhibiting effects against gelatinase enzyme and processing activity induced by the bone resortion agents of PTH, $1,25(OH)_2D_3$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and $IL-1{\alpha}$, with strong protective effect in pretreatment with the extracts. T.Y.J.-J.H.G. extracts were shown to have the inhibiting effects against $IL-1{\alpha}-$ and $IL-1{\beta}-stimulated$ bone resorption and the effect of the pretreatment with a various concentrations of the medicinal extracts were significant. The inhibition extent and phenomena of IL-1 stimulated bone resorption by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents of indomethacin and dexamethasone were similar to those obtained by T.Y.J.-J.H.G. extracts treatment in the mouse calvarial tissue culture system. These results indicated that the T.Y.J.-J.H.G.-water extracts are highly stable and applicable to clinical uses in osteoporosis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.56-77
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate effects of Boyanghwano-Tang on the development of experimentally-induced endometriosis in rats. Methods: Endometriosis was induced in rats by autotransplanting uterine tissue to the peritoneum and divided them into three groups: (1) sham-operated group(n=8), (2) surgically induced endometriosis and untreated control group (n=8), (3) surgically induced endometriosis and Boyanghwano-Tang treated group. Boyanghwano-Tang was orally administrated for 15 days after operation. Then we measured the body weight, the volume of endometriotic implants, the weight of uterus and ovary, and investigated the concentration of cytokines (MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6) in peritoneal fluids. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry for COX-2 and VEGF, and histochemistry for mast cell in transplanted uterine tissue were performed. Results: - The volume($mm^3$) of endometriotic implants in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group ($122.3{\pm}45.0$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($222.1{\pm}109.1$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of MCP-1 in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($1026.3{\pm}196.5$) was significantly decreased(p<0.05) compared with control group($1412.5{\pm}345.7$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of TNF-$\alpha$ in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($936.5{\pm}94.3$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($1126.2{\pm}139.9$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of IL-$1{\beta}$ in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($78.5{\pm}13.3$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($105.3{\pm}17.6$). - The concentration(pg/$m{\ell}$) of IL-6 in peritoneal fluids in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($107.4{\pm}15.8$) was decreased compared with control group($122.8{\pm}19.3$). - Histopathologically, proliferation of endometriotic epithelia, infiltration of inflammatory cells and angiogenesis in transplanted uterine tissue of Boyanghwano-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The percentage of positive epithelial layers for COX-2 in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($51.5{\pm}14.1$) was significantly decreased(p<0.01) compared with control group($75.1{\pm}16.3$). - The VEGF expression of endometriotic epithelia, neovascular endothelia and stromal cells in transplanted uterine tissue of Boyanghwano-Tang treated group were weakly observed than those of control group. - The number of mast cells in adjacent tissue of transplanted uterine tissue in Boyanghwano-Tang treated group($75.9{\pm}13.1$) was decreased compared with control group($91.0{\pm}28.3$). Conclusion: On the basis of these results, we concluded that Boyanghwano-Tang have inhibiting effects on the development of transplanted uterine tissue. And these effects may be related with decreased production of MCP-1, TNF-$\alpha$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and decreased expression of COX-2 and VEGF by administration of Boyanghwano-Tang.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.693-702
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• 2015

Blocking new blood-vessel formation (angiogenesis) is now recognized as a useful approach to the therapeutic treatment of many solid tumors. The best validated approach to date is to target the vascular endothelial growth-factor (VEGF) pathway, a key regulator of angiogenesis. Many natural products and extracts that contain a variety of chemopreventive compounds have been shown to suppress the development of malignancies through their anti-angiogenic properties. Phellodendron amurense, which is widely used in Korean traditional medicine, has been shown to possess antitumor, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, among others. The present study investigated the effects of P. amurense hot-water extract (PAHWE) on angiogenesis, a key process in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis. To investigate PAHWE’s anti-angiogenic properties, this study’s authors performed an analysis of angiogenesis and endothelial-cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and tube formation, as well as zymogram assays and the rat aortic ring-sprouting assay. PAHWE inhibited cell growth, mobility, and vessel formation in response to VEGF in vitro and ex vivo. Furthermore, it reduced VEGF-induced intracellular signaling events, such as the activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2 and -9. These results indicate that PAHWE’s anti-angiogenic properties might lead to the development of potential drugs for treating angiogenesis-associated diseases such as cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.8
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• pp.851-859
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• 2014

The present study was designed to investigate whether ethanol extracts of Sophora flavescens (GS), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (GC), Dictamnus dasycarpus (BSP), and their mixtures (GGB-1, -2, -3, and -4) inhibit 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in a mouse model. DNCB was topically applied on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. The pathological phenotypes of AD, such as erythema, ear thickness, edema, scabs, and discharge, were significantly decreased in the GGB (DNCB + GS:GC:BSP = 3:1:1 mixture)-1-treated groups compared with the other treated groups. The weight of the spleen in immune organs was significantly decreased in the GGB-1-treated groups, whereas the weight of the liver in a control group was similar to that of the groups treated with the samples. Furthermore, toluidine blue staining analysis, a method used to specifically identify mast cells, showed that master cell infiltration into the dermis of the GGB-1-treated group was significantly decreased. The immunoglobulin E concentration was lower in the GGB-1-treated group. In addition, the levels of inflammatory cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$, interleukin-1, 4, 5, 6, and 13, $1{\beta}$, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$) were also significantly reduced in the GGB-1-treated group. Taken together, these results suggest that a mixture of GS, GC, and BSP in a proportion of 3:1:1 (GGB-1) may contribute to the relief of AD symptoms and may be considered an excellent candidate for an AD therapeutic drug.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.501-509
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• 2013

Formaldehyde (FA) is widely used in industries, and it is an indoor and outdoor pollutant. Exposure to FA may cause inflammation and respiratory oxidative stress. Studies have demonstrated that FA can cause cancer in animal models. During the regeneration process of injured starfish (Asterina pectinifera), several changes have been observed in the expression of cytokines. In particular, higher TGF-${\beta}1$ expression has been detected in arm cut starfish extract after eight days. The current study was designed to elucidate the in-vitro and the in-vivo pharmacological effects of starfish extract on FA exposure. We investigated the protective effects of intact starfish extract and arm cut starfish extract on an IMR-90 cell line and on mouse lung injury in response to FA exposure. In the presence of FA, inhalation of the arm cut starfish extract was associated with more promising cell proliferation, TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ decrement, and $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$ increment. In the experimental group, the pulmonary structure of the arm cut starfish extract-treated group in the presence of FA exposure was similar to the control group, whereas the FA exposure group showed damage to the pulmonary structure. Moreover, the arm cut starfish extracts was more effective than the intact starfish extracts in terms of the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$, and surfactant protein A. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that arm cut starfish extracts are more effective in protecting pulmonary structure and function against FA exposure than intact starfish extracts.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.111-118
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• 2015

Probiotic, prebiotic, and synbiotic substances as well as microorganisms were added to infant formula in an attempt to influence the intestinal microflora with an aim to stimulate the growth of lactic acid bacteria, especially bifidobacteria and lactobacilli. Over the last 10 years, new synbiotic infant formulas containing probiotics and prebiotics have been proposed in order to simulate the effect of breast-feeding on the intestinal microflora. Owing to their synergistic effect, the new synbiotics are expected to be more helpful than using probiotics and prebiotics individually. Maintenance of the viability of the probiotics during food processing and the passage through the gastrointestinal tract should be the most important consideration, since a sufficient number of bacteria ($10^8cfu/g$) should reach the intended location to have a positive effect on the host. Storage conditions and the processing technology used for the manufacture of products such as infant formula adversely affect the viability of the probiotics. When an appropriate and cost-effective microencapsulation methodology using the generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status and substances with high biological value are developed, the quality of infant formulas would improve. The effect of probiotics may be called a double-effect, where one is an immunomodulatory effect, induced by live probiotics that advantageously alter the gastrointestinal microflora, and the other comprises anti-inflammatory responses elicited by dead cells. At present, a new terminology is required to define the dead microorganisms or crude microbial fractions that positively affect health. The term "paraprobiotics" (or ghost probiotics) has been proposed to define dead microbial cells (not damaged or broken) or crude cell extracts (i.e., cell extracts with complex chemical composition) that are beneficial to humans and animals when a sufficient amount is orally or topically administered. The fecal microflora of bottle-fed infants is altered when the milk-based infant formula is supplemented with probiotics or prebiotics. Thus, by increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, prebiotics modify the fecal microbial composition and accordingly regulate the activity of the immune system. Therefore, considerable attention has been focused on the improvement of infant formula quality such that its beneficial effects are comparable to those of human milk, using prebiotics such as inulin and oligosaccharides and potential specific probiotics such as bifidobacteria, which selectively stimulate the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the microflora and the indigenous intestinal metabolic activity of the microflora.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.8-15
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• 2008

Saussurea lappa (SL) has been used to reduce abdominal pain and tenesmus in traditional oriental medicine. SL and major compounds of SL, sesquiterpene lactones, have been suggested to possess various biological effects, including anti-tumor, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and cardiotonic activities. Recently, it has been reported that ethanol extracts from roots of SL have antiproliferative effects on gastric cancer cells. To explore the possibility that SL has chemopreventive effects on prostate cancer, we examined whether the hexane extract of SL (HESL) inhibits the growth of LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. Cells were incubated with various concentrations ($0{\sim}4$ mg/L) of HESL in DMEM/F12 containing 5% charcoal stripped fetal bovine serum. HESL substantially decreased viable cell numbers and induced apoptosis of LNCaP cells in dose-dependent manners. HESL increased the levels of cleaved caspase-8, -9, -7 and -3, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase. HESL increased the levels of the pro-apoptotic Bak and truncated-Bid proteins whereas it had no effect on the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, or Mcl-1. The present results indicate that HESL inhibits the growth of human prostate cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, which involves the activation of the caspase cascades.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.451-459
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• 1999

Background : In sepsis, excessive generation of reactive oxygen species plays key roles in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury. The serum antioxidants such as catalase and MnSOD are elevated in sepsis and considered as predictors of acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS) and prognostic factors of sepsis. Peroxiredoxin(Prx) has recently been known as an unique and major intracellular antioxidant. In this study, we evaluated the expression of Prx I and Prx II in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells(RAW 267.7) after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin and measured the amount of Prx I, Prx II and thioredoxin(Trx) in peritoneal and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of septic animal model. Methods : Using immunoblot analysis with specific antibodies against Prx I, Prx II and Trx, we evaluated the distribution of Prx I and Prx II in human neutrophil, alveolar macrophage and red blood cell. We evaluated the expression of Prx I and Prx II in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells after treatment of $5\;{\mu}M$ menadione and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and measured the amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx in peritoneal lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals(septic animal model induced with intraperitoneal 6 mg/Kg LPS injection) and those in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals and intravenous septic animals(septic animal model induced with intravenous 5 mg/Kg LPS injection) and compared with the severity of lung inflammation. Results : The distribution of Prx I and Prx II were so different among human neutrophil, alveolar macrophage and red blood cell. The expression of Prx I in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells was increased after treatment of $5\;{\mu}M$ menadione and $1\;{\mu}g/ml$ lipopolysaccharide but that of Prx II was not increased. The amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx were increased in peritoneal lavage fluid of intraperitoneal septic animals but were not increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of intraperitoneal and intravenous septic animals regardless of the severity of lung inflammation. Conclusion : As intracellular antioxidant, the expression of Prx I is increased in mouse monocyte-macrophage cells after treatment of oxidative stress and endotoxin. The amount of Prx I, Prx II and Trx are increased in local inflammatory site but not increased in injured lung of septic animal model.