• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.75-87
• /
• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to inquire into the effect of different concentrations of bee venom pharmacopuncture to inhibit genesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and to inhibit nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation on type II collagen induced arthritis. Methods : The experiment was divided into category of the normal group (NOR)-no treated group, control group (CON)-CIA (collagen induced arthritis) induced group, and 4,000 : 1 bee venom group (BV-L)- 4000:1 bee venom pharmacopuncture treated group after CIA, and 2000:1 bee venom group (BV-H)- 2,000 : 1 Bee venom pharmacopuncture treated group after CIA. RA was induced in the mice via injecting $50{\mu}{\ell}$ C II mixed CFA. The bee venom pharmacopuncture was applied on $ST_{35}$ for 19 days from the 3rd day of RA inducement. To research the effect on the expression of IKK ($I{\kappa}B$ kinase), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) & COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2) mRNA, RT-PCR was performed on synovial membrane cells from the knee joint of CIA mice. Results : The PMA-induced $I{\kappa}B$ kinase (IKK), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase -2 (COX-2) mRNA expression were dose-dependantly decreased in bee venom treated with synoviocytes. In mice treated with bee venom pharmacopuncture, foot thickness and the damage of synovial membranes of the joint was lessened, and the activation of RA-related pro-inflammatory cytokines such as MIF, TNF-${\alpha}$ and MMP-9 was significantly decreased. The activation of iNOS and COX-2 was suppressed by the inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$. In addition, each data was shown that 2,000 : 1 bee venom pharmacopuncture was more effective than 4,000 : 1 bee venom pharmacopuncture. Conclusions : It is speculated that bee venom pharmacopuncture has the therapeutic effect of palliating the damage of the synovial membrane and inflammation on RA by suppressing of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.26-32
• /
• 2004

Background:The dopaminergic genes have been implicated with some personality traits. Many recent studies indicated that there is a correlation between D2 dopamine receptor gene(DRD2) polymorphisms and the personality traits. The purpose of this study is to investigate a possible association between DRD2 gene (TaqI A, TaqI B) polymorphism and personality traits. Methods:The subjects were consisted of 173 blood-unrelated young female Koreans with a mean age(${\pm}SD$) of 13.88(${\pm}0.29$) years. These volunteers were recruited from one of the junior high schools in Seoul and were tested by the Korean version of the Temperament and Character Inventory(TCI). Genotyping of the DRD2 polymorphisms by PCR methods were carried out. Two DRD2 gene polymorphisms were classified and individually assessed as follows:TaqI A1+ vs A1-, TaqI B1+ vs B-. The associations between the TCI scores and TaqI A, TaqI B polymorphisms were assessed by Student's t-test. Results:In the 173 subjects, the allele frequencies of the DRD2 TaqI A1, TaqI B1 alleles ranged from 0.42 to 0.43, and these results are quite different from the ranges of 0.15-0.20 in the case of a Caucasian population. The genotype frequencies of DRD2(TaqI A1, TaqI B1) variants showed no significant deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. RD4(dependence vs. independence) of Cloninger's TCI, a sub-dimension of Reward Dependence, was significantly higher in the subjects having DRD2 less frequent alleles than those without these alleles. Conclusion:This study suggests that the female subjects carrying the less frequent DRD2 alleles exhibited higher reward-dependent personality trait compared to those without these alleles.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.598-602
• /
• 2004

The Tongcheng pig breed is a famous Chinese indigenous breed. The Ministry of Agriculture of China has filed it as 1 of 19 national key conservation breeds selected from more than 100 Chinese indigenous pig breeds in 2000. In order to improve the reproductive performance, it has been intensively selected to increase the litter size for about 10 years. The population randomly sampled from conservation nucleus of eight families in the Tongcheng pigs was genotyped for identification of their estrogen receptor locus polymorphisms with the PCR-RFLPs method. Only AB heterozygotes and BB homozygotes were detected, and $X^2$ test demonstrated that the locus was in disequilibrium at a significant level (p<0.05). In the present paper, the litter sizes in different parities were regarded as different traits. Holistic status of other unspecific and unidentified genes was estimated by using the statistical methods. Coefficients of kurtosis and skewness showed that the litter size still presented segregating characteristic in the 2nd, 5th, 7th, 8th and 9th parities. Analysis of homogeneity of variance between families confirmed the results for the 5th, 7th and 8th parities. The heritability of litter size for the 1st to 10th parities was estimated with paternal half-sib model and individual estimated breeding values (EBVs) were evaluated by a single trait animal model as well. We found that the averages of EBVs for litter size in each parity did not differ significantly between genotypes, despite the significant difference for original phenotype records in the 3rd, 4th and 5th parities (p<0.05 or p<0.01). The results may be explained by the deduction that the polymorphisms of ESR locus are no longer the important genetic base of litter size variation when the frequency of allele B accumulated in the experience of selection procedure, and further conferring that there exist special genes associated with litter size in the recent Tongcheng pigs population can be made.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.46-52
• /
• 2006

High-density micromass culture was needed to take three dimensions culture with ASCs(adipose derived stromal cells) and chondrogenesis. However, the synthetic polymer has hydrophobic character and low affinity to cells and other biomolecules. Therefore, the surface modification without changes of physical and chemical properties is necessary for more suitable condition to cells and biomolecules. This study was performed to investigate the effect of surface modification of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) scaffold by plasma treatment (P(+)) on the adhesion, proliferation and chondrogenesis of ASCs, and not plasma treatment (P(-)). ASCs were isolated from human subcutaneous adipose tissue obtained by lipectomy and liposuction. At 1 hour 30 minutes and 3days after cell seeding onto the P(-) group and the P(+) group, total DNA amount of attached and proliferated ASCs markedly increased in the P(+) group (p < 0.05). The changes of the actin under confocal microscope were done for evaluation of cellular affinity, at 1 hour 30 minutes, the shape of the cells was spherical form in all group. At 3rd day, the shape of the cells was fiber network form and finely arranged in P(+) group rather than in P(-) group. RT-PCR analysis of cartilage-specific type II collagen and link protein were expressed in 1, 2 weeks of induction. Amount of Glycoaminoglycan (GAG) markedly increased in P(+) group(p < 0.05). In a week, extracellular matrix was not observed in the Alcian blue and Safranin O staining. However in 2 weeks, it was observed that sulfated proteoglycan increased in P(+) group rather than in P(-) group. In conclusion, we recognized that plasma treatment of PLGA scaffold could increase the hydrophilic property of cells, and provide suitable environment for high-density micromass culture to chondrogenesis

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.39-45
• /
• 2006

This study is to examine the relationship between TGF-b1 expression and CTGF expression, and to evaluate the effect of Sp1 blockade on the expression of TGF-b1, CTGF and extracellular genes, clones of fibroblasts stably transfected with Sp1 decoy ODN. R-Sp1 decoy ODN was highly resistant to degradation by nucleases or serum, compared to the linear or phosphorothioated-Sp1 decoy ODN. Skin wounds were created on the back of 36 anesthetized rats. They were divided into four groups-the rats with normal skin, with wounded skin without decoy, with wounded skin injected with R-Sp1 decoy, and with wounded skin injected with mismatched R-Sp1 decoy, respectively. Skins were collected at 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th day after wounding. Cellular RNA was extracted by RT-PCR analysis. TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF were deeply related with skin fibrosis during scar formation and it appeared that TGF-${\beta}1$ may cause the induction of CTGF expression. R-Sp1 decoy ODN inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$ and CTGF expression both in cultured fibroblasts and in the skin of rats. These results indicate that targeting Sp1 with R-type decoy efficiently blocks extracellular matrix gene expression, and suggest an important new therapeutic approach to control the scarring in normal wound healing and fibrotic disorders.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.12
• /
• pp.1718-1723
• /
• 2009

In this study, we characterized extended-spectrum $\beta$-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolated from clinical specimens in Korea and found two strains harboring plasmid-mediated $bla_{SHV-11}$, Klebsiella pneumoniae. First, the isolates were detected using the Vitek system and confirmed by the double-disk synergy test. The classification of gene coding for ESBL was also performed by polymerase chain reactions and followed by DNA sequencing. The transmission of genes was confirmed by transconjugation and transformation. Resistant expression of transformants was determined by broth microdilution minimal inhibitory concentration test. Genotypic analysis revealed that one strain harbored the $bla_{TEM-1}$, $bla_{SHV-11}$ and $bla_{CTX-M-15}$ and the other strain harbored the $bla_{SHV-11}$ and $bla_{CTX-M-15}$. They showed high resistance to oxyiminocephalosphorins (3rd-generation cephalosporins), while the transformant containing only $bla_{SHV-11}$ did not show any resistance to the antibiotics.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.107-113
• /
• 2011

Background: Metabolic disorders, including type II diabetes and obesity, present major health risks in industrialized countries. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has become the focus of a great deal of attention as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of metabolic syndromes. In this study, we evaluated whether dietary aloe could reduce obesity-induced inflammation and adipogenesis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 54 days received a supplement of aloe formula (PAG, ALS, Aloe QDM, and Aloe QDM complex) or pioglitazone (PGZ) and were compared with unsupplemented controls (high-fat diet; HFD) or mice fed a regular diet (RD). RT-PCR and western blot analysis were used to quantify the expression of obesity-induced inflammation. Results: Aloe QDM complex downregulated fat size through suppressed expression of scavenger receptors on adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) compared with HFD. Both white adipose tissue (WATs) and muscle exhibited increased AMPK activation through aloe supplementation, and in particular, the Aloe QDM complex. Obesity-induced inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$ and -6) and $HIF1{\alpha}$ mRNA and protein were decreased markedly, as was macrophage infiltration by the Aloe QDM complex. Further, the Aloe QDM complex decreased the translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 from the cytosol in the WAT. Conclusion: Dietary aloe formula reduced obesity-induced inflammatory responses by activation of AMPK in muscle and suppression of proinflammatory cytokines in the WAT. Additionally, the expression of scavenger receptors in the ATM and activation of AMPK in WAT led to reduction in the percent of body fat. Thus, we suggest that the effect of the Aloe QDM complex in the WAT and muscle are related to activation of AMPK and its use as a nutritional intervention against T2D and obesity-related inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.345-353
• /
• 2005

The complex ecosystem of intestinal micro flora is estimated to harbor approximately 400 different microbial species, mostly bacteria. However, studies on bacterial colonization have mostly been based on culturing methods, which only detect a small fraction of the whole microbiotic ecosystem of the gut. To clarify the initial acquisition and subsequent colonization of bacteria in an infant within the few days after birth, phylogenetic analysis was performed using 16S rDNA sequences from the DNA iso-lated from feces on the 1st, 3rd, and 6th day. 16S rDNA libraries were constructed with the amplicons of PCR conditions at 30 cycles and $50^{\circ}C$ annealing temperature. Nine independent libraries were produced by the application of three sets of primers (set A, set B, and set C) combined with three fecal samples for day 1, day 3, and day 6 of life. Approximately 220 clones ($76.7\%$) of all 325 isolated clones were characterized as known species, while other 105 clones ($32.3\%$) were characterized as unknown species. The library clone with set A universal primers amplifying 350 bp displayed increased diversity by days. Thus, set A primers were better suited for this type of molecular ecological analysis. On the first day of the life of the infant, Enterobacter, Lactococcus lactis, Leuconostoc citreum, and Streptococcus mitis were present. The largest taxonomic group was L. lactis. On the third day of the life of the infant, Enterobacter, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, S. mitis, and Streptococcus salivarius were present. On the sixth day of the life of the infant, Citrobacter, Clostridium difficile, Enterobacter sp., Enterobacter cloacae, and E. coli were present. The largest taxonomic group was E. coli. These results showed that microbiotic diversity changes very rapidly in the few days after birth, and the acquisition of unculturable bacteria expanded rapidly after the third day.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.367-377
• /
• 2001

Objectives: We aimed to identify. the effect of Jeongcheon-tang(定喘湯) and Cheongsangboha-tang(淸上補下湯) on the transcriptional activities of cytokine IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 involved in asthma model. Materials and Methods: RBL-2H3 cell lines were used. Cells were stimulated with calcium inophore($2{\mu}M$ : Sample group 1, $4{\mu}M$ : Sample group 2) for maximal gene expression. After 3rd treatment of samples and incubation(per 24hours), total cellular RNAs were collected using Trizol solution method. Then transcriptional activities of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured by RT-PCR with electrophoresis. Results: In IL-4 study, Jeongcheon-tang treated group showed 82.76%(Sample group 1) of transcriptional activities compared to the control group and Cheongsangboha-tang treated groups showed 85.77% (Sample group 1), 89.42% (Sample group 2) of transcriptional activities compared to the control groups. In IL-5 study, Jeongcheon-tang treated groups showed 88.24%(Sample group 1), 98.83%(Sample group 2) of transcriptional activities compared to the control groups and Cheongsangboha-tang treated group showed 73.66%(Sample group 2) of transcriptional activities compared to the control group. In IL-6 study, Jeongcheon-tang treated group showed 92.95%(Sample group 2) of transcriptional activities compared to the control group and Cheongsangboha-tang treated group showed n.40%(Sample group 2) of transcriptional activities compared to the control group. In IL-10 study, Jeongcheon-tang treated group showed 118.46% (Sample group 2) of transcriptional activities compared to the control group. Conclusions: This study shows that Jeongcheon-tang has the inhibitory effect on the transcription of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 gene expression and the increasing effect on the transcription of IL-10 gene expression, and Cheongsangboha-tang has the inhibitory effect on the transcription of IL4, IL-5 and IL-6 gene expression in RBL-2H3 cell lines. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of inhibition or increase by herbal medicine in asthma model.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the odontoblast gene expression related to the subculture speed of supernumerary dental pulp stem cells (sDPSCs). The stem cell is undifferentiated cells which has the ability to differentiate into various cells. Specific stimulation or environment induces cell differentiation, and these differentiation leads to bone or muscle formation. 20 sDPSCs were obtained from 20 children under aseptic condition. During the culture through the 10th passage, the third passage cells which showed short subculture period and 10th passage cells which showed long subculture period were earned. Each cell was divided into differentiated group and non-differentiated group. Quantitative real-time polychain reaction (q-RT-PCR) was performed for each group. The genes related to odontoblast differentiation, Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Osteocalcin (OCN), Osteonectin (ONT), Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and Dentin matrix acidic phosphoprotein 1 (DMP-1), were measured. Differentiated cells showed more gene expression levels. Undifferentiated cells showed higher gene expression level in 10th passages but differentiated cells showed higher gene expression level in 3rd passages. Cells that showed faster subculture period showed relatively lower gene expression level except for OCN and DSPP.