• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.229-239
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• 2022

The high percentage of Vermamoeba was found in tap water in Korea. This study investigated whether Vermamoeba induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. We selected 2 free-living amoebas (FLAs) isolated from tap water, which included Korean FLA 5 (KFA5; Vermamoeba vermiformis) and 21 (an homolog of Acanthamoeba lugdunensis KA/E2). We axenically cultured KFA5 and KFA21. We applied approximately 1×10⁶ to mice's nasal passages 6 times and investigated their pathogenicity. The airway resistance value was significantly increased after KFA5 and KFA21 treatments. The eosinophil recruitment and goblet cell hyperplasia were concomitantly observed in bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and lung tissue in mice infected with KFA5 and KFA21. These infections also activated the Th2-related interleukin 25, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and thymus and activation-regulated chemokines gene expression in mouse lung epithelial cells. The CD4⁺ interleukin 4⁺ cell population was increased in the lung, and the secretion of Th2-, Th17-, and Th1-associated cytokines were upregulated during KFA5 and KFA21 infection in the spleen, lung-draining lymph nodes, and BAL fluid. The pathogenicity (allergenicity) of KFA5 and KFA21 might not have drastically changed during the long-term in vitro culture. Our results suggested that Vermamoeba could elicit allergic airway inflammation and may be an airway allergen.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.587-595
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• 2022

Objective: The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with Bifidobacterium animalis, Agave fructans, and symbiotic of both encapsulated on growth performance, feed efficiency, blood parameters, and immune status in broiler chickens, and to compare these with diets including antibiotic growth promoters and without additives. Methods: A comparative experimental study was carried out with 135 male Ross 308 broiler chickens. Each trial was divided into 5 equal groups. Control group (CON) received a standard diet without growth promoter; GPA, a standard diet with colistin sulfate and zinc bacitracin (0.25 g/kg of feed); PRE, a standard diet with 1% Agave fructans; PRO, a standard diet with Bifidobacterium animalis (11.14±0.70 log CFU/g); SYM, a standard diet with B. animalis and Agave fructans. Results: A significant decrease in food consumption was found for the GPA, PRE, and SYM, compared to the CON group. The results show a better feed conversion index in PRE and GPA with respect to the CON group with the highest conversion index. Interestingly, the weight of the gastrointestinal tract shows a statistically significant difference between GPA and PRE groups. Moreover, the length of the gastrointestinal tract of the GPA group was less than the PRE group. In the total leukocyte count, there was a statistically significant increase in the GPA group compared to the CON, PRE, and PRO groups, and the heterophiles-lymphocytes index was lower in PRO. Regarding the cytokines, interleukin 10 (IL-10) decreased in PRO compared to CON and PRE, while IL-1β increased in the SYM group. Conclusion: Alternative treatments were shown to achieve similar productive results as growth-promoting antibiotics and showed improvement over diet without additives; however, they have immunomodulatory properties and improved the development of the gastrointestinal tract compared to the treatment of growth-promoting antibiotics.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.892-901
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• 2022

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the potential effect of wheat phytase on long-chain inorganic polyphosphate (polyP)-mediated interleukin 8 (IL-8) signaling in an intestinal epithelial cell line, HT-29 cells. Methods: Cell viability and the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in HT-29 cells exposed to polyP1150 (average of 1,150 phosphate residues) treated with or without wheat phytase were measured by the EZ-CYTOX kit and the IL-8 ELISA kit, respectively. Also, the activation of cellular inflammatory factors NF-κB and MAPK (p38 and ERK 1/2) in HT-29 cells was investigated using ELISA kits. Results: PolyP1150 negatively affected the viability of HT-29 cells in a dose-dependent manner. However, 100 mM polyP1150 dephosphorylated by wheat phytase increased cell viability by 1.4-fold over that of the intact substrate. Moreover, the 24 h exposure of cells to enzyme-treated 50 mM polyP1150 reduced the secretion of IL-8 and the activation of NF-κB by 9% and 19%, respectively, compared to the intact substrate. PolyP1150 (25 and 50 mM) dephosphorylated by the enzyme induced the activation of p38 MAPK via phosphorylation to 2.3 and 1.4-fold, respectively, compared to intact substrate, even though it had little effect on the expression of ERK 1/2 via phosphorylation. Conclusion: Wheat phytase could attenuate polyP1150-induced IL-8 release in HT-29 cells through NF-κB, independent of MAP kinases p38 and ERK. Thus, wheat phytase may alleviate inflammatory responses including hypercytokinemia caused by bacterial polyP infection in animals. Therefore, wheat phytase has the potential as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic supplement in animal husbandry.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2018

The aim of this study is to investigate the antioxidant and intracellular anti-inflammatory efficacy of blueberry leaf extracted with hot water (BLW), 70% ethanol (BLE), and 70% acetone (BLA) in RAW 264.7 macrophages. In order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of blueberry leaf extracts, RAW 264.7 macrophages were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to induce the production of inflammation-related factors, which were measure by Western blotting and real-time PCR methods. i-NOS, COX-2 protein, and mRNA expression showed concentration-dependent decrease. The decreases in the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) were concentration-dependent. Further, the antioxidant effects of blueberry leaf on total polyphenol contents, electron donating ability and $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activity were evaluated. The total polyphenol contents of BLW, BLE, and BLA were $217.04{\pm}2.98$, $156.72{\pm}3.90$, and $182.88{\pm}3.02mg\;TAE/g$, respectively, while the electron donating abilities at $1,000{\mu}g/mL$ of BLW, BLE, and BLA were 81.7, 79.6, and 79.3%, respectively. The $ABTS^+$ radical scavenging activity was fond to be concentration dependent. The nitric oxide (NO) production inhibition activities at $50{\mu}g/mL$ of BLW, BLE, and BLA were 35.1, 42.4 and 42.7%, respectively. In conclusion, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory test results indicate that blueberry leaf extracts (BLW, BLE, and BLA) can be used as potential anti-inflammatory agents.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.25-33
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• 2007

Objectives : Oriental pear was used as treatment of asthma, control of blood pressure, diabetes in oriental medicine. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of Phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs to treat asthma. Methods : In order to study the effect of oral administration of phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs(Platycodon grandiflorum, Prunus armeniaca) on allergic asthma, mice were pre-treated by oral administration of the solution before antigen sensitization four times for 8 days. 2 days later, mice were actively sensitized with a subcutaneous injection of ovalbumin and 13 days later, they were provoked with ovalbumin aerosols. The animals were divided into four groups; Saline, orally administered saline. PC-A, orally administered Phenolic compound extracted from pear peel 10mg/kg/ml. PC-B, orally administered Phenolic compound extracted from pear peel and flesh 10mg/kg/ml. PC-C, orally administered pear 10m/kg/ml, Platycodon grandiflorum 24.4 mg/kg/ml and Prunus armeniaca 33.3 mg/kg/ml. Serum level of IgE, IL-4, cell numbers in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF), and in vitro isometric contractile responses of the isolated tracheal smooth muscle(TSM) to acetylcholine(ACh, $0.1-1000{\mu}M$), KCl were measured. Results : Contractile responses of TSM to ACh were decreased in PC-A group at Ach 0.1, 0.3, 1 ${\mu}M$, decreased in PC-B at 0.1 ${\mu}M$ and decreased in PC-C at 0.1, 0.3, 1, 10, 30 ${\mu}M$. The maximal contractile response of TSM to KCl was decreased in PC-C group, The cell numbers of eosinophil in BALF were decreased in PC-C group, and those of macrophages in BALF were decreased in PC-A and PC-C group. Interleukin-4 in BALF was decreased in PC-A, PC-B, PC-C group. Conclusion : Based on the above results it is assumed that oral administration of phenolic compound extracted from pear and herbal drugs can help the treatment of deficiency allergic Asthma.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2007

In this paper, we present evidence that the Korean red ginseng extract shows the immunomodulatory activities during postoperative chemotherapy after curative surgery in patients with advanced colon cancer. We measured the circulating interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-8 (IL-8)and interleukin-10 (IL-10) as a immune modulator to evaluate the effect of Korean red ginseng. The mean preoperative value of IL-2 was similar in the non-RG group and the RG group (5.72 pg/ml versus 6.87 pg/ml, p>0.05). The mean value of IL-2 was compared with IL-2 from healthy control group, there was no significant difference (14.89 pg/ml versus 14.22 pg/ml, p>0.05). The mean preoperative value of IL-8 was higher in the non-RG group comparing with the RG group (30.92 pg/ml versus 36.25 pg/ml, p < 0.05). At postoperative 3 month, the mean values of IL-8 from non-RG and RG group down to 24.56 pg/ml and 21.46 pg/ml respectively. The IL-8 of RG group at 3 month showed no difference with that of HC group(21.46 pg/ml versus 16.31 pg/ml, p>0.05). The preoperative mean value of IL-10 of non-RG, RG and HC group was 11.56 pg/ml, 10.8 pg/ml, and 3.68 pg/ml respectively. At postoperative 3 month, the mean values of IL-10 from non-RG and RG group down to 8.45 pg/ml and 5.04 pg/ml respectively. In spite of decreasing IL-10 levels of both cancer Patients group with time, there was still significant difference with that of HC group (non-RG versus HC group, p=0.00, RC versus HC group, p=0.04). The results of this study suggest that the red ginseng extract may have some immunomodulatory properties associated with IL-2, IL-8 and IL-10 activity in patients with advanced colorectal cancer during postoperative chemotherapy. We think to need the further studies and a larger sample size to fully evaluate the antitumor effect of ginseng and need to establish this mechanism of action as well as identify the active components associated with antitumor activity and immunomodulation in patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2009

To study the biological activity of interleukin-$1\beta$(IL-$1\beta$), a proinflammatory cytokine, in nile tilapia, Oreochromis niliticus, the recombinant tilapia IL-$1\beta$ was produced in E. coli cells based on pQE vector. Ni-NTA (nitriloacetic acid) metal affinity chromatography was used to purify recombinant protein. The eluted fractions exhibited a single band of protein with a molecular weight of about 25kDa, which is in close agreement with 25.4 kDa predicted by the cDNA sequence. The biological activity of the purified recombinant tilapia IL-$1\beta$ was tested through its effects on IL-$1\beta$ gene expression, which are known as IL-$1\beta$ inducible genes in mammals and fishes. IL-$1\beta$ gene expression induced by poly I:C, a synthetic double stranded RNA, was also assessed in tilapia head kidney cells. IL-$1\beta$ gene expression was analysed using QPCR (quantitative polymerase chain reaction). The ratio of the indicated gene expression was expressed as the relative mRNA level to $\beta$-actin mRNA level, which is constitutively expressed in macrophages. Consequently, head kidney cells incubated for three hours with rIL-$1\beta$(10, 2, 1 $\mu{g}$/ml) showed a dose dependent increase in IL-$1\beta$ mRNA levels and 1 $\mu{g}$/ml of poly I:C was also able to induce IL-$1\beta$ gene expression in head kidney in tilapia.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2019

Metformin is a drug used for the treatment of diabetes and is associated with anti-inflammatory reaction, but the underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of metformin on the inflammatory response in BV-2 microglial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8). The results revealed that metformin significantly attenuated several inflammatory responses in BV-2 microglial cells, including the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ and interleukin (IL)-6, involved in the activation of Beclin-1, a crucial regulator of autophagy. In addition, metformin inhibited the LPS-induced phosphorylation of ERK. Metformin also suppressed the activation of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasomes composed of NLRP3, caspase-1, and apoptosis-associated speck like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain, which are involved in the innate immune response. Notably, metformin decreased the secretion of S100A8-induced IL-6 production. These findings suggest that metformin alleviates the neuroinflammatory response via autophagy activation.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.261-267
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• 2019

The rhizomes of Dioscorea japonica Thunb. are widely consumed as food and also used to treat diabetes and polyuria in Korea. This study was undertaken to study the anti-atopic dermatitis effects of a 95% ethanolic extract (DJE) of D. japonica in an oxazolone-stimulated murine model of atopic dermatitis (AD). The therapeutic effects of DJE on AD-like skin lesions were assessed on both ears. DJE (1%) or dexamethasone (0.5%; the positive control) were applied to skin lesions for three weeks. Serum levels of IgE and IL-4 were assessed by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Histopathological examinations were performed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and toluidine blue staining and revealed DJE significantly reduced dermal thickness and inflammatory cell infiltration when applied to oxazolone-treated ear skin. DJE-treated AD mice also showed lower serum levels of IgE and IL-4 than oxazolone-stimulated controls. Our findings demonstrate DJE might be a useful safe, topical agent for the treatment of atopic diseases.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.25-31
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• 2022

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive lipid messenger involved in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation and various diseases. Recent studies have shown an association between periodontitis and neuroinflammatory diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. However, the mechanistic relationship between periodontitis and neuroinflammatory diseases remains unclear. The current study found that lysophosphatidic acid receptors 1 (LPAR1) and 6 (LPAR6) exhibited increased expression in primary microglia and astrocytes. The primary astrocytes were then treated using medium conditioned to mimic periodontitis through addition of Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharides, and an increased nitric oxide (NO) production was observed. Application of conditioned medium from human periodontal ligament stem cells with or without LPAR1 knockdown showed a decrease in the production of NO and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and interleukin 1 beta. These findings may contribute to our understanding of the mechanistic link between periodontitis and neuroinflammatory diseases.