• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.319-328
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Curcuma zedoaria R. (Zingiberaceae) has been used to treat headache, fever, and hypertension-related symptoms in Asian countries, including Korea, China, and Japan. We investigated whether dietary intake of a C. zedoaria extract (CzE) affected atherosclerosis in vivo. MATERIALS/METHODS: Apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^-/-) mice (n = 32) were fed a normal diet (ND), a high-cholesterol diet (HCD), an HCD containing CzE (100 mg/kg/day), or an HCD containing simvastatin (10 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. The anti-atherosclerotic effects were evaluated by observing changes in fatty streak lesions, immunohistochemical analysis, ex vivo fluorescence imaging, lipid profiles, and western blot analysis. RESULTS: The CzE-fed group showed a 41.6% reduction of atherosclerosis. Furthermore, CzE significantly reduced the levels of serum triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein, the chemokine (C-X3-C-motif ) ligand 1, the adhesion molecules vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, and E-selectin; down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, high mobility group box-1, and cathepsin levels in the aortic sinuses and aortas of ApoE^-/- mice were also observed. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the inclusion of a water extract of C. zedoaria in a HCD is closely correlated with reducing the risk of vascular inflammatory diseases in an ApoE mouse model.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.61-68
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• 2013

Objectives : Hibisci Flos has long been used for inflammatory diseases in traditional Korean medicine. However, little scientific investigation has been carried out. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of Hibisci Flos water extract (HF) on inflammatory cytokines production in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by lipopolysaccaride (LPS). Method : HF was prepared by extracting with boiling water for 2 hours. We observed the cell viability of mouse macrophage Raw 264.7, the production of nitric oxide (NO) and the inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-15, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interferon-gamma (IFN-${\gamma}$), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) in Raw 264.7 cells stimulated by LPS. Result : The MTT assay was carried out to check the cellular toxicity of HF. No significant toxicity was observed in the experiment. HF significantly inhibited the increase of NO in the macrophages induced by LPS after 24 hour treatment. HF significantly inhibited the production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-15, TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$, VEGF, GM-CSF and M-CSF in the Raw 264.7 cells induced by LPS in the concentration of $25{\mu}g/mL$ or higher. Conclusion : These results suggest that HF might have regulatory effects on LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of inflammatory disease.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of a 24-week combined exercise training program in older women with hypertension. Women with hypertension who were 70 years and older were randomized into two groups: combined exercise group (CE; n = 15) and a control group (n = 15). The CE group performed a combined exercise training program four times per week for 24 weeks and the control group did not. Five factors, including body composition (percent body fat and skeletal muscle mass), health-related physical fitness, adipocytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), kidney risk factors (glomerular filtration rate [GFR] and cystatin C), and systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured before and after the program. The findings showed that total muscle mass, health-related physical fitness factors, and GFR increased significantly in the CE group compared to those in the control. Additionally, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and IL-6, TNF-α, and cystatin C levels in the CE group decreased significantly after the intervention. In contrast, total muscle mass decreased significantly and blood pressure remained unchanged in the control group. These results suggest that CE training may positively impact circulating levels of adipocytokines and cystatin C and improve physical fitness levels in elderly women with hypertension. Therefore, CE training helps to prevent renal disease and improve health-related physical fitness, eventually leading to a better quality of life.

• Journal of Marine Bioscience and Biotechnology
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.33-40
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory function of Pyropia yezoensis hydrothermal (water) extract (PYWE) in comparison to the group treated only with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells. LPS is known to be an inflammatory mediator that activates macrophages, leading to the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as defense responses. Through enzyme-linked immunoassay and western blot analyses, it was observed that PYWE increased the expression levels of NO, iNOS, TNF-α, and IL-6 in RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner, although to a lesser extent compared with the group treated with LPS alone. In addition, the study examined the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) pathway, which regulates various cellular activities, including gene expression, mitosis, cell differentiation, transformation, survival, and death. The western blot analysis confirmed that PYWE also regulated the MAPKs pathway. Furthermore, the expression levels of immunomodulatory-related factors increased in the group treated with PYWE compared with the control group. Even though the effects of PYWE were usually less strong than those of LPS, the effects of PYWE increased with increasing doses compared to the control group. This suggests that PYWE could be used to control the immune system.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.75-94
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• 2008

Objectives : This study was to investigate the effects of GCP treatment on the monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis in rats. Methods : Arthritis was induced by injection of Monosodium lodoacetate(0.5mg) into knee joints of rats. Arthritic rats were divided into control(n=8) and treated(n=8) group. Control group was taken distilled water for 20 days. Treated group was taken extracts of GCP by oraly for same duration. Normal group(n=8) was injected with normal saline and was taken distilled water for 20 days. Body weight was measured at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 days after injection. Macroscopic examination and histopathological study on articular cartilage of knee joint were operated at 20 days after injection. Proteoglycan(PG) content of articular cartilages of knee joint was represented by safranine O staining, was measured at 20 days injection. Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, $Interleukin-1{\beta}$, Interleukin-6 in synovial fluid were measured with ELISA kit at 20 days after injection. Immunohistochemical staining of COX-2, iNOS in knee joints were observed at 20 days after injection. Results : 1. Body weight of the treated group increased compare with control group at 20 days after injection. 2. Macroscopically, degree of osteoarthritis in the treated group were evaluated compared with the control group. 3. PG content in articular cartilage of the treated group was significantly increased compared with the control group. 4. Histopathologically, osteoarthritic scores of the treated group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. 5. $TNF-{\alpha}$ content in synovial fluid of the treated group was decreased compared with the control group. 6. $IL-1{\beta}$ content in synovial fluid of the treated group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. 7. Positive reaction of COX-2 in chondrocytes and synovial membrane of the treated group was faint compared with the control group. Conclusions : On the basis of these results, we concluded that GCP has inhibiting effects on the $IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 secretion of chondrocytes and synovial membrane in Monosodium lodoacetate-Induced osteoarthritis model of rats.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.250-259
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• 2001

To determine if initial infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis changes the balance of cytokines between T cells and macrophages, we evaluated interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$), interleukin-12 (IL)-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ productions by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 15 untreated active pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients and 12 healthy tuberculin reactors (HTR). Freshly isolated PBMC were stimulated with Triton X-100 solubilized protein (TSP), 30-kDa or purified protein derivatives (PPD) antigen for 6, 18 and 96 hours. IL-12 p40 production by antigen-stimulated PBMC from TB patients was significantly decreased compared with that in HTR. In addition, IFN-${\gamma}$ production was significantly depressed in TB patients than that in HTR at a 96-hr stimulation. However, TNF-${\alpha}$ production was significantly higher in antigen-stimulated PBMC from TB than that of HTR. A pronounced increase in IFN-${\gamma}$ protein followed neutralization of IL-10 in early TB patients. However, neutralization of TNF-${\alpha}$ did not significantly alter IFN-${\gamma}$ induction in PBMC from TB patients. There were no significantly differences in the cytokine productions among three proteins, TSP, 30-kDa or PPD antigen. These results indicate that development of TB may be strongly associated with dysregulated productions of IL-12, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$, during the initial immune responses to M. tuberculosis. Further understanding of operative cytokine networks during human immune cell responses to protein antigens of M. tuberculosis may improve strategies for vaccine development.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.396-405
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was performed to find out the effects of the Er:YAG laser (Key Laser) & Er,Cr:YSGG laser (Water Laser) on inflammatory tissues. Materials and Methods: It was performed on about 20 g, 6 weeks male ICR mouses. They were grouped into the control (negative), the inflammation induced 'control'(positive), Er,Cr:YSGG laser exposured group after inducing inflammation, Er:YAG lasere exposured group after inducing inflammation each 15 mouses. The mouses were applicated 0.5% DNFB 1 cc on ear skin twice a day for 4 days until symptom expression. After laser exposure, ear tissues were extracted and defined gene expression by RT-PCR. Then, tissue staining, lymphocytes observation, electromicroscophic laboratory were carried out. Results: Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ was expressed much less in the A-laser exposed group. Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ & Tumor Necrosis Factor-${\alpha}$ were expressed 7 times lesser in the A-laser exposed group. The number of Lymphocytes related to inflammation was decreased rapidly in the A-laser exposed group in vivo. he number of cavity recovered normal was a little bigger in the A-laser exposed group after 5 days Conclusion: The expression of IL-$1{\beta}$ & TNF-${\alpha}$, hitologic change, observation with electron microscope shows that Erbium laser exposure causes lesser inflammation with A-laser rather than B-laser.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1784-1793
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• 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of tributyrin (TB) on the growth performance, pro-inflammatory cytokines, intestinal morphology, energy status, disaccharidase activity, and antioxidative capacity of broilers challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A total of 160 one-day-old Cobb broilers were allocated to 1 of 4 treatments, with 4 replicated pens per treatment and 10 birds per pen. The experiment consisted of a $2{\times}2$ factorial arrangements of treatments with TB supplementation (0 or 500 mg/kg) and LPS challenge (0 or $500{\mu}g/kg$ body weight [BW]). On days 22, 24, and 26 of the trial, broilers received an intraperitoneal administration of $500{\mu}g/kg$ BW LPS or saline. Dietary TB showed no effect on growth performance. However, LPS challenge decreased the average daily gain of broilers from day 22 to day 26 of the trial. Dietary TB supplementation inhibited the increase of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (in the jejunum and ileum), interleukin-6 (in the duodenum and jejunum), and prostaglandin $E_2$ (in the duodenum) of LPS-challenged broilers. Similar inhibitory effects of TB in the activities of total nitric oxide synthase (in the ileum) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (in the jejunum) were also observed in birds challenged with LPS. Additionally, TB supplementation mitigated the decrease of ileal adenosine triphosphate, adenosine diphosphate and total adenine nucleotide and the reduction of jejunal catalase activity induced by LPS. Taken together, these results suggest that the TB supplementation was able to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and improve the energy status and anti-oxidative capacity in the small intestine of LPS-challenged broilers.

• BMB Reports
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.691-699
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• 2004

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by exaggerated loss of bone mass, with as much as 50 to 85% of the variation in bone mineral density (BMD) commonly accepted as being genetically determined. Although intensive studies have attempted to elucidate the genetic effects of polymorphisms on BMD and/or osteoporosis in several genes, the genes involved are still largely unknown. The possible associations of genetic variants in five-candidate genes (IL10, CCR3, MCP1, MCP2 and GC) with spinal BMD were investigated in Korean postmenopausal women (n = 370). Fourteen SNPs in five candidate genes were genotyped, and the haplotypes of each gene constructed. The associations of adjusted spinal BMD by age, year since menopause (YSM) and body mass index (BMI), with genetic polymorphisms, were analyzed using multiple regression models. Genetic association analysis of Korean postmenopausal women revealed that IL10 -592A > C and/or IL10 ht2 were associated with decreased bone mass, whereas no significant associations were observed with all polymorphisms in other genes. The levels of spinal BMD in individuals bearing the IL10 -592CC genotype were lower ($0.78{\pm}0.16$) than those in others ($0.85{\pm}0.17$) (P = 0.02), and the BMD of IL10 ht2 bearing individuals were also lower ($0.82{\pm}0.15$) than those in others ($0.85{\pm}0.17$) (P = 0.04). Our results suggest that variants of IL10 might play a role in the decreased BMD, although additional study might need to be followed-up in a more powerful cohort.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.193-203
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• 2005

The induction of the IL-8 and MCP-1 by the stimulation of Substance P and TNF-${\alpha}$ (IL-8 agonist) and the specificity for SP using Spantide (SP antagonist) in the dental pulp tissues was measured quantitatively. In addition, the secretion of the IL-8 in the human dental pulp tissue 36 hrs after the stimulation of SP was observed after the stimulation of SP qualitatively. According to this study the results were as follows: 1. There was the significant IL-8 induction at 36 h after SP (10$^{-4}$M) stimulation of the pulp tissue comparing with the unstimulated dental pulp tissues (p < 0.05) . IL-8 irnmunostaining was weakly detected along the periphery of the pulp tissue after Mock stimulation and IL-8 immunostaining was detected around the fibroblast in the pulp tissue 36h After SP (10$^{-4}$M) stimulation, 2. The secretion of MCP-1 from the dental pulp tissues comparing with Mock stimulation was induced at 36 hrs after TNF-$\alpha$ (40 ng/ml) stimulation, but no induction with SP(10$^{-4}$M) TNF-${\alpha}$ (40 ng/ml) did not induce the IL-8 secretion from the pulp tissue, weak IL-8 imrnunostaining was detected along the periphery of the pulp tissue 3. Spantide (10$^{-5}$M) inhibited IL-8 induction from the pulp tissues 36 h after SP (10$^{-4}$M) stimulation These results suggest that SP significantly induces IL-8 recruiting neutrophils in localized human dental pulp tissue MCP-1 appears to be less involved in the early establishment of pulpal inflammation in response to irritation such as mechanical insult of dentin. SP may have positive relation with the inflammation of the human dental pulp tissues.