• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.22-27
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• 2018

Purpose: Podocytes are important architectures that maintain the crucial roles of glomerular filtration barrier functions. Despite this structural importance, however, the mechanisms of the changes in podocytes that can be an important pathogenesis of minimal change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS) are not clear yet. The aim of this study was to investigate whether apoptosis is induced by interleukin (IL)-13 in cultured human podocytes. Methods: Human podocytes were treated with different IL-13 doses and apoptotic cells were analyzed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL assay) and fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Results: The IL-13 increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in a dose-dependent manner at 6 and 18 hours (P<0.05 and P<0.05, respectively). The apoptosis rate was appeared to be increased slightly in the IL-13-stimulated podocytes (8.63%, 13.02%, and 14.46%; 3, 10 and 30 ng/mL, respectively) than in the control cells (7.66%) at 12 hours by FACS assay. Conclusion: Our study revealed that IL-13 expression may increase podocyte apoptosis. Blocking the IL-13 signal pathway can potentially play an important role in regulating the apoptosis of podocytes.

• 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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2000

Background: TNF-$\alpha$ plays a major role in producing left ventricular dysfunction cardio-myopathy pulmonary edema and inhibits the compensatory mechanism of congestive heart failure. IL-6 is an acute reactant of immune reaction and also known to control immune reaction but its function in the myocyte was not clearly investigated. Author's performed this experiment to investigate the contents of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 on the assumption that TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 may reside in nonfailing heart that has gone cardiac surgery and play some role in cardiac function. Material and Method : Right auricular tissues were sampled from 12 patients who had undergone total corrective surgery for both congenital and acquired heart diseases from January 1998 to June 1998 in Kosin Universcfy Gospel hospital. The quantitive analysis of TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-6 were assessed by ELISA method in right auricular tissue. Hemodynamic values about the pressure of ventricle atrium aorta pulmonary artery and cardiac index pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance and cardiac output were measured by echocardiography and cardiac catheterization and biochemical analyses of LDH & AST were done before operation. statistical analysis was by Paired Student t-test. Patients were divided into children(under 15 years olds) and adults groups and the data was compared beween two groups. Conclusion: Mild pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary vascular resistance were existed in both group. The contents of tissue TNF-$\alpha$ IL-6 in each group were independent of each data.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.452-456
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects and cellular mechanism of piperine on murine peritoneal macrophages. To evaluate the effects of piperine, we examined the production of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-10 and IL-12. To investigate inhibitory mechanism of piperine, we examined the MAPKs and Ik-Ba in murine peritoneal macrophages, Piperine itself does not have any cytotoxic effect and reduced lipopolysaccharid (LPS), Poly(I:C), CpG-ODN -induced production of NO, IL-10 and IL-12 in peritoneal macrophages. Piperine inhibited the activation of extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK 1/2) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK 1/2) not the activation of p38 and the degradation of inhibitory kappa B a (Ik-Ba) in the LPS-stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages.ln conclusion, Piperine down-regulated LPS-induced production of NO, IL-10 and IL-12, which could provide a clinical basis for anti-inflammatory properties of piperine.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.157-163
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• 2011

Purpose: Curcumin is known to exert numerous biological effects including anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we investigated the effects of curcumin on the production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) by murine macrophage-like RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Prevotella intermedia, a major cause of inflammatory periodontal disease, and sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: LPS was prepared from lyophilized P. intermedia ATCC 25611 cells by the standard hot phenol-water method. Culture supernatants were collected and assayed for IL-6. We used real-time polymerase chain reaction to detect IL-6 mRNA expression. $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation, nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ subunits, and STAT1 phosphorylation were characterized via immunoblotting. DNA-binding of NF-${\kappa}B$ was also analyzed. Results: Curcumin strongly suppressed the production of IL-6 at both gene transcription and translation levels in P. intermedia LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells. Curcumin did not inhibit the degradation of $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ induced by P. intermedia LPS. Curcumin blocked NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling through the inhibition of nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p50 subunit. Curcumin also attenuated DNA binding activity of p50 and p65 subunits and suppressed STAT1 phosphorylation. Conclusions: Although further study is required to explore the detailed mechanism of action, curcumin may contribute to blockade of the host-destructive processes mediated by IL-6 and appears to have potential therapeutic values in the treatment of inflammatory periodontal disease.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2006

Vascular endothelial cell injury or dysfunction has been implicated in the onset and' progression of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis. A number of previous studies have demonstrated that the pro-oxidative and pro-inflammatory pathways within vascular endothelium play an important role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, Recent evidence has provided compelling evidence to indicate that interleukin-4 (IL-4) can induce proc inflammatory environment via oxidative stress-mediated up-regulation of inflammatory mediators such as cytokine, chemokine, and adhesion molecules in vascular endothelial cells. In addition, apoptotic cell death within vascular endothelium has been hypothesized to be involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Emerging evidence has demonstrated that IL-4 can induce apoptosis of human vascular endothelial cells through the caspase-3-dependent pathway, suggesting that IL-4 can increase endothelial cell turnover by accelerated apoptosis, the event which may cause the dysfunction of the vascular endothelium. These studies will have a high probability of revealing new directions that lead to the development of clinical strategies toward the prevention and/or treatment for individuals with inflammatory vascular diseases including atherosclerosis.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.73-80
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• 2013

Leptin is one of the adipocytokines produced from adipose tissue but its functions in periodontal tissue have not previously been investigated. In our current study, we examined the effects of leptin on the expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and gingival fibroblasts. Leptin receptor expression was evaluated by RT-PCR and the production of cytokines was measured by ELISA. The phosphorylation of Akt and Erk1/2 was assessed by western blotting. mRNA of long and short form leptin receptors were detected in both PDL cells and gingival fibroblasts. Leptin was found to increase the production of IL-6 and IL-8 in both of these cell types, an effect which was not blocked by polymyxin B, an inhibitor of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Leptin did not alter the production of IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS in PDL cells but increased Akt and Erk1/2 phosphorylation in these cells. These results suggest that leptin acts as an inducer of IL-6 and IL-8 in PDL cells and gingival fibroblasts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.529-532
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• 2000

Prostaglandin $E_2$(PG$E_2$) is an abundant eicosanoid in bone that has been implicated in a number of pathological states associated with bone loss, and is also known to stimulate matric metalloproteinase-1 systhesis and secretion in rat and human osteoblast cells, although the intracellular reaction remain unclear. Interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$) is a cytokine that plays a critical role in bone remodelling and appears to act as a downstream effector of most bone-resorbing agents. However, it is still interesting to examine whether PG$E_2$ regulates IL-1$\beta$ expression by mouse osteoblasts or not. Here we demonstrate that PG$E_2$is a potent inducer of IL-1$\beta$ production by fetal osteoblasts.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.238-242
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• 2000

A fusion protein of human interleukin-2(hiL-2) and glucagon which was expressed in Escherichia coli. was digested with enterokinase for recovery of hIL-2 from the fused protein. To obtain hIL-2 of optimum recovery hydrolysis reaction were performed under various conditions of urea additives and reaction time. hIL-2 was finally purified by RP-HPLC(reversed phase-HPLC) to remove cleaved G3 fusion partner and residual uncleaved G3-IL-2 HIL-2 was eluted in a single peak at 100% acetonitrile at 28 min. Optimum urea concentration was found to be 0.5 M and 24 h reaction time was sufficient without any additive such as CaCl2 and Tween-20.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.207-219
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• 2004

Objectives : We investigated to find the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of IL4R, IL-10 and bee venom therapy efficacy in patients with RA treated with bee venom for 8 weeks. Methods : Korean RA patients (n=114) and healthy subjects (n=109) were included in this prospective study. Korean bee venom was dissolved in saline (diluted 1:3000) and administrated into acupuncture points. Bee venom therapy was applied twice a week and continued for 8 weeks. The clinical response was evaluated using various assessments before and after treatment. Disease severity was measured by determining the number of tender joints and swollen joints. Laboratory studies included ESR, CRP, and rheumatoid factor. Genotyping for IL-4R and IL-10 polymorphism was done by pyrosequencing analysis. Results : 1. In IL4R genotypes, there was significant difference between RA ptitients tind controls group. 2. In IL4R genotypes, there was significant difference among Good, Mild and Bad responders to in RA patients, but in the frequency of alleles and carriers, there were no significant difference. 3. There was no significant difference between RA patients and controls group in IL-10 gene genotypes. 4. In IL-10 genotypes, there was no significant difference among Good, Mild and Bad responders to in RA patients. 5. There was no significant difference in the improvement of ESR, CRP and KHAQ scores after bee venom therapy in RA patients among the IL4R or IL-10 genotypes. Conclusions : In IL-4R genotypes, there was significant difference between RA patients and control group, and among Good, Mild and Bad responders in RA patients. However, in IL-10 genotypes, there was no significant difference between RA patients and controls group and among Good, Mild and Bad responders in RA patients.