• 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.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2009

The sublingual locus has recently received great attention as a delivery site for various immunotherapies, including those that induce allergen-specific tolerance, and for vaccines that generate protective immunity. To further understand the immune functions of the human sublingual mucosa, we characterized the distribution of various immunocytes therein by immunohistochemistry. We identified professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), including Langerhans cells (LCs) and macrophages. $CD1a^+$ and $langerin^+$ LCs were further found to be distributed in the basal and supra-basal layers of the epithelium, and macrophages were identified in the lamina propria. HLA-$DR^+$ cells were observed in both the epithelium and the lamina propria, which mirrors the tissue distribution of LCs and macrophages within these tissues. $CD3^+$, $CD4^+$, and $CD8^+$ T cells were found to be distributed along the basal layer of the epithelium and also in the lamina propria. Although B cells, plasma cells, and $Foxp3^+$ regulatory T cells (Tregs) were only occasionally observed in the human sublingual mucosa in the absence of inflammation, they did show enrichment at inflammatory sites. Hence, we have further elucidated the immune cell component distribution in human sublingual mucosa.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2001

Methanol extracts form four kinds of kimchi, which were differently prepared in kinds and levels of sub-ingredients, were given to Balb/c mice for 3 weeks (0.5 mg/kg/day). Peritoneal macrophages isolated from mice treated with kimchi extracts and saline were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). K3 and K4 kimchis, containing more red pepper powder, garlic, Chinese pepper powder, mustard leaf and organically cultivated Korean cabbage, significantly increased NO production by the activated macrophages (p<0.05). K1, K2, K3 and K4 kimchi extracts (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 $\mu\textrm{g}$) significantly reduced the increased TGF-$\beta$1 production of H.pylori lysate (0.01 $\mu\textrm{g}$)-activated human epithelial RPMI 2650 cells (5$\times$10$^{4}$ cells/mL) at 24 and 48 hrs of treatment (p<0.01). However, the decreased TGF-$\beta$1 $\alpha$ production of RPMI 2650 cells by H. pylori lysate increased by treatment with kimchi extract for 72 hrs. Especially, K4 kimchi (containing organically cultivated Korean cabbage and more ingredients, modulated TGF-$\beta$1 production of H. pylori lysate-activated RPMI 2650 cells to the normal level (control) by treatment for 48 hrs. The treatment of K1 and K4 kimchi enhanced the LPS (0.01 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL)-induced IL-6 production of splenocytes. The results suggest that kimchi might have an beneficial effect on cancer prevention due in part to the function enhancing NO production of activated macrophages. Our data suggest that kimchi could modulate TGF-$\beta$1 production by cancer cells and IL-6 production of splenocytes, thereby possibly contributing to control carcinogenesis and the immune system.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.623-628
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Obesity-induced steatohepatitis accompanied by activated hepatic macrophages/Kupffer cells facilitates the progression of hepatic fibrinogenesis and exacerbates metabolic derangements such as insulin resistance. Heme oxyganase-1 (HO-1) modulates tissue macrophage phenotypes and thus is implicated in protection against inflammatory diseases. Here, we show that the flavonoid quercetin reduces obesity-induced hepatic inflammation by inducing HO-1, which promotes hepatic macrophage polarization in favor of the M2 phenotype. MATERIALS/METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were fed a regular diet (RD), high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with quercetin (HF+Que, 0.5g/kg diet) for nine weeks. Inflammatory cytokines and macrophage markers were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. HO-1 protein was measured by Western blotting. RESULTS: Quercetin supplementation decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines ($TNF{\alpha}$, IL-6) and increased that of the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-10) in the livers of HFD-fed mice. This was accompanied by upregulation of M2 macrophage marker genes (Arg-1, Mrc1) and downregulation of M1 macrophage marker genes ($TNF{\alpha}$, NOS2). In co-cultures of lipid-laden hepatocytes and macrophages, treatment with quercetin induced HO-1 in the macrophages, markedly suppressed expression of M1 macrophage marker genes, and reduced release of MCP-1. Moreover, these effects of quercetin were blunted by an HO-1 inhibitor and deficiency of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in macrophages. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin reduces obesity-induced hepatic inflammation by promoting macrophage phenotype switching. The beneficial effect of quercetin is associated with Nrf2-mediated HO-1 induction. Quercetin may be a useful dietary factor for protecting against obesity-induced steatohepatitis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1270-1275
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• 2008

Effects of polysaccharide fraction from Euonymus alatus Sieb(EPF) on the immune response of T-, B-lymphocytes and macrophages were examined in vitro and in vivo system. EPF (500 mg/kg) were administered p.o. twice a day for 5 days to C57BL/6 mice, and then the cells were separated from mice. EPF decreased the viability of thymocytes, but increased the viability of splenocytes in vitro and in vivo system. Also, the administration of EPF enhanced the population of helper T cell and cytotoxic T cell in thymocytes and did not affect the population of splenocytes. Furthermore, EPF enhanced the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macro phages in vivo system. These results suggest that EPF regulates an immune response via the enhancement of mature T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes viability and phagocytic activity of macrophages.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.501-505
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• 2005

Immu-Forte composed of chitosan, ${\beta}-glucan$, manno-oligosaccharide and pangamic acid was evaluated for its effectiveness as a nonspecific immunostimulator in mice. The effects of Immu-Forte were determined by analysis of cytokines using ELISA and phenotype of leukocyte subpopulations using monoclonal antibodies specific to mouse leukocyte differentiation antigens and flow cytometry. All T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in Immu-Forte A-treated group increased in 1 months posttreatment and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of control at 1 months posttreatment. All T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages and IL-2 in Immu-Forte EX-treated low and middle dose groups increased in 1 months posttreatment and were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of control at 1 months posttreatment. In the Immu-Forte soybean-treated group, NK cells and IL-4 were significantly higher in middle dose-treated group, and IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-r were significantly higher in low dose-treated group. In the Immu-Forte F-treated group, all T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, NK cells, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in high dose-treated group and all T cells, all B cells, CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells, macrophages, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in middle dose-treated group and NK cells, IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 and IFN-r in low dose-treated group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of control at 1 months posttreatment. In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that Immu-Forte had an immunostimulatory effect on mice through proliferation and activation of mouse immune cells.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-211
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• 2007

This study was designed to investigate the suppressive effect of chlorophyll a on nitric oxide (NO) production and intracellular oxidative stress. In addition, chlorophyll a regulation of nuclear factor (NF) ${\kappa}B$ activation and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression were explored as potential mechanisms of NO suppression in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophage cell line. RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were preincubated with various concentrations ($0-10\;{\mu}g/ mL$) of chlorophyll a and stimulated with LPS to induce oxidative stress and inflammatory response. Treatment with chlorophyll a reduced the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), enhancing glutathione level and the activities of antioxidative enzymes including superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px), and glutathione reductase in LPS-stimulated macrophages compared to LPS-only treated cells. NO production was significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05) with an $IC_{50}$ of $12.8\;{\mu}g/mL$. Treatment with chlorophyll a suppressed the levels of iNOS protein and its mRNA expression. The specific DNA binding activities of NFkB on nuclear extracts from chlorophyll a treated cells were significantly suppressed in a dose-dependent manner with an $IC_{50}$ of $10.7\;{\mu}g/mL$. Chlorophyll a ameliorates NO production and iNOS expression through the down-regulation of NFkB activity, which may be mediated by attenuated oxidative stress in RAW 264.7 macrophages.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.58 no.1
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• pp.7-14
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• 2020

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects approximately one third of the human population worldwide. Considering the toxicity and side effects of anti-toxoplasma medications, it is important to develop effective drug alternatives with fewer and less severe off-target effects. In this study, we found that 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde (4-HBA) induced autophagy and the expression of NAD-dependent protein deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) in primary murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Interestingly, treatment of BMDMs with 4-HBA significantly reduced the number of macrophages infected with T. gondii and the proliferation of T. gondii in infected cells. This effect was impaired by pretreating the macrophages with 3-methyladenine or wortmannin (selective autophagy inhibitors) or with sirtinol or EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitors). Moreover, we found that pharmacological inhibition of SIRT1 prevented 4-HBA-mediated expression of LC3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate (LC3-II) and the colocalization of T. gondii parasitophorous vacuoles with autophagosomes in BMDMs. These data suggest that 4-HBA promotes antiparasitic host responses by activating SIRT1-mediated autophagy, and 4-HBA might be a promising therapeutic alternative for the treatment of toxoplasmosis.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.6
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• pp.558-566
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• 1998

Two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) have been identified - COX-1, which is constitlitively expressed in most tissues, and the inducible form, COX-2, of which expression is induced by inflammatory signals and mitogens. It has been considered that the beneficial effects of NSAIDs are due to the inhibition of COX-2 activity and the side effects are from the inhibition of COX-1 activity. Therefore, it is essential to develop selective COX-2 inhibitor for developing new GI-tolerable NSAIDS. To discover new leads for developing selective COX-2 inhibitors, three-hundred extracts of natural products were primarily screened with the system of prostaglandin accumulation in LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages. To identify whether these inhibitory activities of crude extracts on the accumulation of Prostaglandins were derived from direct action against COX-2, the effects of selected extracts on exogenous arachidonic acid-derived production of prostaglandins by LPS-stimulated macrophages were determined. Among them, 5 methanol extracts of natural products, such as Zingiberis Rhizoma, Alpinae Officinarum Rhizoma, Caryophilli Flos, Scutellariae Radix, Dalbergia ordorifera. inhibited more than 70% of the prostaglandin production in LPS-stimulated mouse peritoneal macrophages at a con-centration of 1${\mu}$g/ml.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1 s.61
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• pp.26-36
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• 2005

Objective : Many traditional herbal remedies exhibit several beneficial effects including anti-inflammation. Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb (EA), known as Gui jun woo in Korea, has long been used in folk medicine to regulate Qi (bodily energy) and blood circulation, relieve pain, eliminate stagnant blood, and treat dysmenorrhea in oriental countries. The exact mechanism of the anti-inflammatory action of Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Sieb (EA), however, has not been determined. Methods: Since there is increasing evidence that nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, this study was undertaken to address whether the methanol (MeOH) extract and its fractions of the bark of EA could modulate the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in thioglycollate-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages and murine macrophage cell line, RA W264.7 cells. Results: Stimulation of the peritoneal macrophages and RAW264.7 cells with $interferon-\gamma\;(IFN-\gamma)$ and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) resulted in increased production of NO in the medium. However, the butanol (BuOH) fraction of the MeOH extract of EA barks showed marked inhibition of NO synthesis in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition of NO synthesis was reflected in the decreased amount of iNOS protein, as determined by Western blotting. The BuOH fraction did not affect the viability of RA W264.7 cells, as assessed by methylthiazol-2-yl-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; rather, it reduced endogenous NO-induced apoptotic cell death via inhibition of NO synthesis in RAW264.7 cells. On the other hand, the MeOH and BuOH fraction showed no inhibitory effect on the synthesis of NO by RAW264.7 cells, when iNOS was already expressed by the stimulation with $IFN-\gamma$ and LPS. Conclusion: Collectively, these results demonstrate that the MeOH and BuOH fraction inhibits NO synthesis by inhibition of the induction of iNOS in murine macrophages.