• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1994.11a
• /
• pp.61-67
• /
• 1994

One fundamental problem in developing an AIDS vaccine is antigenic variation of HIV. Despite a substantial induced immune response in gp120-immunized monkeys and humans, high titers of V3-directed type specific neutralizing antibodies may not be sufficient to neutralize continuously emerging new isolates. Several studies analyzing anti-gp120 antibodies in HIV-infected individuals have clearly indicated that most broadly neutralizing antibodies are directed to conformation-dependent epitopes. Therefore, it seems important to evaluate the potential efficacy of candidate gp120 vaccines at inducing such antibodies, that might be potentially protective against multiple HIV strains. One concern in the development of any recombinant protein as a vaccine is its stability when mixed with an adjuvant. This could be a particularly important factor for recombinant gp120, given the conformational nature of its major, broadly neutralizing, epitopes. We hypothesized that gp120 complexed with recombinant CD4 could stabilize the conformation-dependent epitopes and effectively deliver these epitopes to the immune system. In this study, a soluble gp120-CD4 complex in Syntex Adjuvant Formulation was tested in mice to analyze the anti-gp120 antibody response. With the aim of defining the fine specificity and neutalizing activities of the immune response, 17Mabs were generated and characterized. The studies indicate that the gp120-CD4 complex elicits neutralizing anti-gp120 antibodies, most of which are directed to the conformation dependent epitopes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.22 no.5
• /
• pp.420-425
• /
• 2014

Esophageal reflux of gastric contents causes esophageal mucosal damage and inflammation. Recent studies show that oxygen-derived free radicals mediate mucosal damage in reflux esophagitis (RE). Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an ester of caffeic acid and quinic acid, is one of the most abundant polyphenols in the human diet and possesses anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-oxidant activities. In this context, we investigated the effects of CGA against experimental RE in rats. RE was produced by ligating the transitional region between the forestomach and the glandular portion and covering the duodenum near the pylorus ring with a small piece of catheter. CGA (10, 30 and 100 mg/kg) and omeprazole (positive control, 10 mg/kg) were administered orally 48 h after the RE operation for 12 days. CGA reduced the severity of esophageal lesions, and this beneficial effect was confirmed by histopathological observations. CGA reduced esophageal lipid peroxidation and increased the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio. CGA attenuated increases in the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 protein. CGA alleviates RE-induced mucosal injury, and this protection is associated with reduced oxidative stress and the anti-inflammatory properties of CGA.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.106-113
• /
• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between unhealthy eating behavior and depression in adolescents, with confounding variables adjusted. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of the data collected from the 2013 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS). The analysis included 72,435 participants (36,655 male and 35,780 female). The data were analyzed by $x^2$ test, t-test, and logistic regression analysis using SPSS Version 21 by complex samples analysis. Results: Compared with male adolescents with healthy eating behavior, those who with unhealthy eating behavior were more likely to suffer depression with other factors controlled (OR=1.37, 1.07~1.75). On the other hand, female adolescents with unhealthy eating behavior were less likely to feel depressed compared with female adolescents with unhealthy eating behavior and with other factors controlled (OR=0.98, 0.64~1.50). However, it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that healthy eating behavior may be a protective factor against depression in male adolescents, but not in female adolescents. Furthermore, our results suggest that the longitudinal associations between mental health and healthy eating behavior and other lifestyle factors are complex.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.43 no.9
• /
• pp.604-608
• /
• 2010

Tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) mediates proinflammatory responses in primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and it upregulates the expression of secretory group IIA phospholipase $A_2$ ($sPLA_2$-IIA). $sPLA_2$-IIA plays a pivotal role in inflammation, and antithrombin (AT) possesses properties that are beneficial to endothelial cells. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AT on the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA in TNF-$\alpha$-stimulated HUVECs. TNF-$\alpha$ potently upregulated the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA, and prior treatment of cells with AT inhibited the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA in HUVECs. Also, antibodies or siRNA for syndecan-4 blocked the protective effect of AT. Furthermore, PI3-kinase and the AKT pathway are significantly involved in the AT-mediated inhibition of the expression of $sPLA_2$-IIA. These results show that AT effectively suppresses the upregulated $sPLA_2$-IIA expression, which might contribute to the cytoprotective effects of AT in the treatment of severe inflammatory diseases.

• ALGAE
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.163-175
• /
• 2008

Phenolic compounds play a major role in the interaction of plants with their environment. They are thought to have been a feature of higher plants since early colonization of the land. Phenolics are crucial for many important aspects of plant life. They can play structural roles in different supporting or protective tissues, for example in cell walls, they can be involved in defence strategies, and signalling properties particularly in the interactions between plants and their environment. In brown algae, phenolic compounds are contained within membrane bound vesicles known as physodes, and their roles in algae are thought to be similar to those of higher plant phenolics. They can be stained using various histochemical stains, however, none of these stains are phenolic specific so care must be taken during interpretation of such results. Many, but not all phenolics are also autofluorescent under UV or violet light. Physodes are involved in cell wall construction, both in primary and secondary walls in brown algae. They bind together with other wall components to make a tough wall. They have also been found to play a role at fertilization, in blocking polyspermy in some species. Sperm are very quickly rendered immobile after phenolic release from newly fertilized zygotes seconds after fertilization. Phenolic compounds are thought to be important herbivore deterrents in some species due to their astringent nature. Phenolic compounds also offer effective UV protection in the early life stages and also the adults of many algal species. In the future, this factor may also make them an important player in the pharmaceutical and skincare industries.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.225-231
• /
• 2009

The present study deals with the amelioration by Lagerstroemia speciosa Linn. leaf extract against hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride ($CCl_4$), which was evaluated in terms of serum marker enzymes like serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum total bilirubin, total protein levels along with concomitant hepatic and antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxidation enzymes were monitored. These biochemical parameters altered by the single dose level of $CCl_4$ (0.75 ml/kg body weight, i.p). Pre treatment with L. speciosa prior to the administration of $CCl_4$, at the doses of 50 and 250 mg/kg. body weight/day, p.o. for 7 days, significantly restored all the serum and liver tissue parameters near to the normal levels, respectively. Silymarin was used as a reference standard, prior to the administration of $CCl_4$ to rats. These findings indicate the protective potential of L. speciosa against hepato toxicity which possibly involve mechanism related to its ability of selective inhibitors of (reactive oxygen species like antioxidants brought about significant inhibition of TBARS suggesting possible involvement of $O_2{\cdot}-$, $HO_2{\cdot}$, and ${\cdot}OH$. In conclusion, the amelioration may be attributed to the synergistic effects of its constituents rather than to any single factor as the leaves are rich in tannins, sterols, flavonoids, saponins etc.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.49-53
• /
• 2013

Paeonia lactiflora Pall (PL) has been used as a traditional herbal medicine in China, Korea, and Japan for more 1,200 years. PL has reported to have antioxidant activity and protective effect of cells from oxidative stress, although the mechanism has not been verified. FOXO3a is a transcription factor that binds to its target gene's consensus FOXO binding site. FOXO3a protein modulates the various biological functions including cell cycle control, apoptosis, DNA repair, and ROS detoxification. Therefore, FOXO3a activity is associated with cancer, aging, diabetes, infertility, neurodegeneration, and immune system dysfunction. Here we found that FOXO3a was activated by PL extract. Transcriptional target genes such as MnSOD, p27, and GADD45 were activated by PL extract. Protein levels of MnSOD and catalase were increased, consequently, ROS level was reduced in HEF cells by PL extract. These findings suggest that PL extract has an antioxidant activity through FOXO activation and thereby activation of FOXO target genes, MnSOD and catalase.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.301-310
• /
• 1999

Anthrax caused by Bacillus anthracis is one of the most important zoonotic diseases. The bacterium produces several virulence factors. Of the factors, protective antigen (PA) of tripatite toxin has been identified as a central component in the pathogenesis of anthrax. However, precise roles of PA and other cellular components in the reaction with the target cells remain to be elucidated, especially in the initial stage of the disease. Three B anthracis antigens were prepared for investigation; PA, sonicated cellular antigens (S-Ag) and formalin-inactivaed whole cell antigens (W-Ag). PA was purified from culture supernatant of the bacterium using FPLC system with MonoQ. S-Ag and W-Ag were prepared by sonication and formalin inactivation of the cultured cells, respectively. Purity of the antigens was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The roles of these antigens in the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO, IL-6 and $TNF{\alpha}$ from mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated. PA alone did not induce the production of the inflammatory mediators while the other antigens, S-Ag and W-Ag, did in a dose and time dependent manner. These results suggested that in addition to major virulence factors, other cellular antigens are also involved in the initial stage of the disease by the induction of inflammatory mediators.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.198-206
• /
• 2007

Hydroquinone is a toxic compound and a major benzene metabolite. We report that it strongly inhibits the activation of macrophages and associated cells. Thus, it suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-23], secretion of toxic molecules [nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and the activation and expression of CD29 as judged by cell-cell adhesion and surface staining experiments. The inhibition was due to the induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in LPS-activated macrophages, since blocking HO-1 activity with ZnPP, an HO-1 specific inhibitor, abolished hydroquinone's NO inhibitory activity. In addition, hydroquinone and inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway had very similar inhibitory effects on LPS-induced and CD29-mediated macrophage responses, including the phoshorylation of Akt. Therefore, our data suggest that hydroquinone inhibits macrophage-mediated immune responses by modulating intracellular signaling and protective mechanisms.

• Textile Coloration and Finishing
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 2014

The object of this research is to perform the basic research for the development of selectively permeable membrane fabrics which is suitable for korean military in sense of embattlement. As a key factor of selectively permeable membrane fabrics which is suitable for korean military, this study selected the best PVA thickness and membrane selection for DMMP protection, pre-treatment method for conformational stability of face fabric and water/oil repellent process condition. Especially as the PVA coating thickness of the fabrics increase, peneration of DMMP decrease including water vapor permeation is lower. This study shows how physical features and permeability of chemical agents can be influenced by pre-treatment methods, the selection of selectively permeable membrane, the thickness of PVA etc. Results showed that outer shell / PVA / e-PTFE materials possessed performance with superior water vapor permeation (Over $3,000g/m^2/day$) and protective capability against DMMP vapor ($0.6{\mu}g/cm^2{\cdot}16hr$).