• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.139-143
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• 2009

The anaphylactic allergic reaction is involved in many allergic diseases such as asthma and allergic rhinitis. In this report, I investigated the effect of ripe fruits of Rubus coreanus Miq. (Rosaceae) (RFRC) on the anaphylactic allergic reaction and studied its possible mechanisms of action. RFRC inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylactic reaction in mice. RFRC dose-dependently decreased the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. In addition, RFRC decreased the gene expression and production of tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) and interleukin (IL)-6 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-stimulated human mast cells. These findings provide evidence that RFRC could be a candidate as an anti-allergic agent.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.87-92
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• 2005

Cytokines are the main regulatory molecules of not only immune system but also sleep system. Research on the role of cytokines on sleep has greatly been expanding since the first report of sleep-promoting effects of interleukin-1, the first cytokine molecule. Interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor are most widely studied among various cytokines. Studies over about twenty years demonstrate that most cytokines promote sleep but several cytokines inhibit sleep. Slow wave sleep is the main part that cytokines have effects on. Besides normal sleep physiology, cytokines have more major roles on pathophysiology of various sleep disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea is the representative sleep disorder that shows how deeply cytokines are involved in their pathophysiologic mechanisms of sleep disorders. Though there are many controversial issues on this topic, more mysterious part of normal sleep physiology and sleep disorders will be revealed in near future through thorough studies on sleep and cytokine.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.127-136
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• 2008

Caspase-11 has been known as a dual regulator of cytokine maturation and apoptosis. Although the role of caspase-11 under pathological conditions has been well documented, its physiological role has not been studied much. In the present study, we investigated a possible physiological function of caspase-11 during immune response. In the absence of caspase-11, immunized spleen displayed increased cellularity and abnormal germinal center structure with disrupted microarchitecture. The rate of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the immunized spleen was not changed in the caspase-11-deficient mice. Furthermore, the caspase-11-deficient peritoneal macrophages showed normal phagocytotic activity. However, caspase-11-/-splenocytes and macrophages showed defective migrating capacity. The dysregulation of cell migration did not seem to be mediated by caspase-3, interleukin-$1{\alpha}$ or interleukin-$1{\beta}$ which acts downstream of caspase-11. These results suggest that a direct regulation of immune cell migration by caspase-11 is critical for the formation of germinal center microarchitecture during immune response. However, humoral immunity in the caspase-11-deficient mice was normal, suggesting the formation of germinal center structure is not essential for the affinity maturation of the antibodies.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.232-236
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• 2006

In this study, we investigated the effect of Phellinus baumii (PB) on immediate-type allergic reaction and inflammatory cytokine secretion. PB inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic reactions in mice. PB inhibited compound 48/80-induced plasma histamine release. In addition, PB also inhibited the immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated local allergic reaction. Furthermore, PB decreased the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus calcium ionophore A23187-stimulated tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha$ and interleukin-6 secretion in human mast cells. These results indicate that PB may be beneficial in the treatment of immediate-type allergic reactions.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.99-107
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• 2020

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory degenerative joint disease that is accompanied by irreversible joint cartilage destruction. Recently, the antioxidant effects of Carpomitra costata, which is a type of brown algae, have been reported, but their effects on OA have not been investigated. In this study, the anti-osteoarthritic effect of the ethanol extract of C. costata (EECC) on SW1353 human chondrocytes was studied. Results showed that EECC significantly attenuated the interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced release of pro-inflammatory mediators, including prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide (NO), as well as expressions of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase. EECC also inhibited the IL-1β-induced expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -3, and -13 in SW1353 chondrocytes, which reduced their extracellular secretion. In addition, the oxidative stress induced by IL-1β was confirmed to be blocked by EECC due to the inhibition of reactive oxygen species generation. Moreover, EECC suppressed IL-1β-mediated translocation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) from cytosol into the nucleus and the degradation of IκB-α, which indicates that EECC exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. These results are the first to demonstrate the anti-inflammatory activities of C. costata extracts in chondrocytes, thus suggesting that this algae extract may be used in the treatment of OA.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2018

Nanometric Lactobacillus plantarum nF1 (nLp-nF1) is a biogenics consisting of dead L. plantarum cells pretreated with heat and a nanodispersion process. In this study, we investigated the immune-enhancing effects of nLp-nF1 in vivo and in vitro. To evaluate the immunostimulatory effects of nLp-nF1, mice immunosuppressed by cyclophosphamide (CPP) treatment were administered with nLp-nF1. As expected, CPP restricted the immune response of mice, whereas oral administration of nLp-nF1 significantly increased the total IgG in the serum, and cytokine production (interleukin-12 (IL-12) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$)) in bone marrow cells. Furthermore, nLp-nF1 enhanced the production of splenic cytokines such as IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$, and interferon gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$). In vitro, nLp-nF1 stimulated the immune response by enhancing the production of cytokines such as IL-12, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$. Moreover, nLp-nF1 given a food additive enhanced the immune responses when combined with various food materials in vitro. These results suggest that nLp-nF1 could be used to strengthen the immune system and recover normal immunity in people with a weak immune system, such as children, the elderly, and patients.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2015

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is an essential fatty acid necessary for human health, and it protects against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of omega-3-rich harp seal oil (HSO) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin-(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) in peritoneal macrophages of mice. The culture supernatants of murine macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), HSO, or HSO+LPS were harvested to assay IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) cytokines and NO. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) levels, except IL-6, were lower in the culture supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus HSO than those of the groups exposed to LPS alone. These observations demonstrate that omega-3-rich harp seal oil downregulates the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40). These results suggest that HSO could be potentially used as a preventive agent or as an adjunct in anti-inflammatory therapy, if more research results were accumulated.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.99-109
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• 2006

Objectives : To investigate whether cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 has any immune-enhancing effect in normal rats. Methods : Effects of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 on blood cell counts, cell composition, cytokine and plasma protein levels were investigated in normal rats. Results : Red blood cell count, hematocrit and hemoglobin levels significantly increased in cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups compared with those of the normal group. There was, however, no significant difference in white blood cell (WBC) count and WBC differential count between the normal group and the pharmacopuncture groups. Cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture groups had significantly higher levels of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha})$ and interleukin-6 (IL-6) than the normal group while no significant difference between groups was found in interleukin-$1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$ level. Total protein and albumin levels were not different between groups. Conclusions : The results suggest that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture at CV12 and/or ST25 may have no immune-enhancing effect in normal rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1377-1383
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• 2015

Scopoletin is a component of several plant such as Erycibe obtusifolia, Aster tataricus, Foeniculum vulgare and Brunfelsia grandiflora. It was reported to have anti-angiogenesis and anti-allergy effects. In this study, the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin was investigated in Raw264.7 cells, mouse macrophages. The effects of scopoletin on phagocytosis and nitric oxide (NO) production were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. It was observed that scopoletin exerted inhibitory effects on both phagocytosis and NO production. In addition, scopoletin decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which were related to NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. In particular, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6 were remarkably decreased by treatment with scopoletin. Furthermore, the content of TNFα produced by macrophage was decreased in the presence of scopoletin at 8 hr. These results indicate that the anti-inflammatory effect of scopoletin could exert by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Raw264.7 cells stimulated with LPS. The above results suggest scopoletin could be a new remedial agent for anti-inflammation through inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α expressions as well as supression of phagocytosis and NO production.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.393-401
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• 2000

The feline chemotactic factor(s) for polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in culture supernatant from mononuclear cells (MNC) treated with egg white derivatives (EWD) were examined. Culture supernatant from MNC treated with EWD and human recombinant (hr) IL-8 remarkably enhanced chemo-taxis of feline PMN. To investigate feline chemotactic factor(s), gel electrophoresis was performed with culture supernatant from MNC treated with EWD under denaturing (18% loading gel/5% stacking gel) and nondenaturing (12.5% loading gel/5% stacking gel) condition. Hr IL-8 and culture supernatant from MNC treated with EWD yielded a distinct band in a molecular weight, 6 to 8 kDa. Eluted solution from gel slices of 6 to 8 kDa band in denaturing condition also enhanced feline PMN chemotaxis. These chemotactic activities of feline PMN induced by culture supernatant from MNC treated with EWD, hr IL-8 and eluted solution were inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by rabbit anti-feline polyclonal IgG (RAF pIgG) and monoclonal antibody (mAb) against hr IL-8. RAF pIgG also showed a binding activity with hr IL-8, suggesting that RAF pIgG against feline IL-8-like chemotactic factor(s) had cross-reactivity with human IL-8. These results suggested that feline MNC treated with EWD might release feline IL-8-like chemotactic factor(s) with a molecular weight, 6 to 8 kDa, which induces the chemotaxis of feline PMN.