• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.26-35
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• 2006

Background: Luteolin, a flavone found in various Chinese herbal medicines is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties through its ability to inhibit various proinflammatory signaling pathways including NF-${\kappa}B$ and p38 MAPK. In this study, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. Materials and Methods: We used a transgenic mouse model expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional control of NF-${\kappa}B$ $cis$-elements. C57BL/6 NF-${\kappa}B^{EGFP}$ mice received 2.5% DSS in their drinking water for six days in combination with daily luteolin administration (1mg/kg body weight, 0.1ml vol, intragastric) or vehicle. NF-${\kappa}B$ activity was assessed macroscopically with a Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) camera and microscopically by confocal analysis. Results: A significant increase in the Disease Activity Index (DAI), histological score (p<0.05), IL-12 p40 secretion in colonic stripe culture (p<0.05) and EGFP expression was observed in luteolin and/or DSS-treated mice compared to water-treated mice. Interestingly, a trend toward a worse colitis (DAI, IL-12p40) was observed in luteolin-treated mice compared to non-treated DSS-exposed mice. In addition, EGFP expression (NF-${\kappa}B$ activity) strongly increased in the luteolin-treated mice compared to control mice. Confocal microscopy showed that EGFP positive cells were primarily lamina propria immune cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that luteolin is not a therapeutic alternative for intestinal inflammatory disorders derived for primary defects in barrier function. Thus, therapeutic intervention targeting these signaling pathways should be viewed with caution.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features and natural history of dietary protein induced proctocolitis (DPIPC) and to detect the causative foods of DPIPC, and to evaluate the effect of elimination of the foods on the course of the disease. Methods: Between March 2003 and July 2004, data from 30 consecutive patients with DPIPC who were followed for over 6 months, was reviewed. The diagnostic criterion used for DPIPC was an increase in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria (${\geq}60per$ 10 high-power fields). In breast feeding mothers, 5 highly allergenic foods were eliminated from the maternal diet for 7 days, namely, allergenic food groups such as dairy products, eggs, nuts and soybean, fish and shellfish, and wheat and buckwheat. We observed the disappearance or appearance of hematochezia after elimination or challenge with the offending foods. Results: Before diagnosis infants were breast-fed (93.3%) or formula-fed (6.7%). Mean age at symptom onset was $11.5{\pm}5.1$ (5~24) weeks, and mean age at diagnosis was $17.8{\pm}9.5$ (8~56) weeks. Duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was $6.3{\pm}6.7$ (0~36) weeks. Mean peripheral blood eosinophil count was $478{\pm}320$ (40~1,790)/$mm^3$ and eosinophilia (> $250/mm^3$) was observedin 90.0% of patients. None of patients were found to have an increased serum IgE level. Of 15 patients that received sigmoidoscopy, nodular hyperplasia with erosion was observed in 93.3%. Of 27 patients whose mother ate the diet eliminated the 5 food groups, hematochezia diappeared in 74.1% of patients. Offending foods were identified as dairy products (37.5%), wheat and buckwheat (27.5%), fish and shellfish (20.0%), nuts and soybean (7.5%) and eggs (7.5%). A free maternal diet without patient's clinical symptoms was achieved at $29.4{\pm}8.7$ (9~44) weeks of patient's age, and a free baby diet without blood in stools was achieved at $37.5{\pm}9.7$ (12~56) weeks of age. Conclusion: DPIPC commonly occurs in exclusively breast-fed babies. Elimination of the above-mentioned 5 hyper-allergenic food groups from the maternal diet for 7days enables the detection of the offending foods. DPIPC is a transient disorder and 96.0% of patients can tolerate the offending foods at 12 months of age.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.34-44
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• 1990

The study was carried out to elucidate the effects of ovarian function on the thyroid gland, adrenal gland and uterus in female rats. One hundred and forty-four mature female rats were allotted into the three groups ; ovariectomized group, estradiol treated group and intact control group. The ovaries of 48 heads of rats were completely removed. Forty eight heads of rats were administered with $200{\mu}g$ of estradiol benzoate every 48 hours. Serum estradiol-$17{\beta}$ and progesterone levels were determined with radioimmunoassay method at 3, 6, 12, 24 hours and 5, 10, 15 days after treatment. The rats were necropsied to measure weights of thyroid gland, adrenal gland and uterus and to examine the histological changes in the organs. The results obtained were as follows ; 1. Serum estradiol-$17{\beta}$ levels were rapidly decreased below 27.20pg/ml 18 hours after ovariectomy. In estradiol treated rats the levels were rapidly increased 18 hours after treatment, but thereafter slowly decreased. The significant differences in the estradiol level were found between the group at every observation time. 2. Serum progesterone levels were significantly decreased after ovariectomy and estradiol injection. The lowest level was found in the group of ovariectomized rats. 3. The weights of thyroid glands decreased in ovariectomized rats rather than in intact rats 5 days after treatment. The weights tended to increase after estradiol injection but significant differences between the groups were seen on 10th and 15th days. 4. In the histological findings of thyroid glands, follicular epithelial cells were changed to be squamous 5 days after ovariectomy and accompanied pyknosis 10 days and karyorrhexis 15 days after ovariectomy. On the contrary follicular epithelial cells were changed to be columnar with hypertrophy 10 days after estradiol injection. 5. The significant differences in adrenal gland weights were recognized between all the groups 5 and 15 days after treatment in ovariectomized rats were lighter than intact rats and the adrenal gland weights were rather heavier in estradiol treated rats. 6. The days after ovariectomy the adrenal glands were atrophied accompanying with pyknosis in the cortical cells of zona fasciculata. The cells in zona fasciculata and zona reticularis started to hypertrophy 5 days after estradiol injection, but no changes were found in the zona glomerulosa of adrenal cortex and in the adrenal medulla. 7. The significant differences in uterus weights were recognized between the groups at each observation time. After ovariectomy the uterus weights decreased rapidly but after estradiol injection they increased rapidly. 8. Through histological examination of uterus, the atrophy and degeneration started to occur in endometrium and lamina propria 12 hours after ovariectomy, and in myometrium one day after ovariectomy, and the changes progressed rapidly after that. On the contrary, the myometrium was proliferated and hypertrophied from 12 hours after estradiol-$17{\beta}$ injection.