• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.336-344
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• 2004

Background : Immunotherapy for cancer has not been successful because of several obstacles in tumor and its environment. Inappropriate secretions of cytokines and growth factors by tumors cause substantial changes in the immune responses against tumors, affording the tumors some degree of protection from immune attack. Uteroglobin (UG, Clara cell secretory protein) has been known to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-cancer activities. However, in lung cancer cells, UG expression is decreased. This study investigated the role of UG in the immunomodulation of lung cancer. Methods : The UG protein was overexpressed by Adenovirus(Ad)-UG transduction in non-small cell lung cancer cell lines. The concentration of Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from whole blood were prepared with Ficoll. PBMC were cultured in RPMI 1640, supernatant of A549, or A549 with UG or NS-398. Concentration of Th 1 type and Th 2 type cytokines from PBMC were measured by ELISA. Results : UG suppressed $PGE_2$, Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) product. Both Th1 type such as Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) and Tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and Th2 type cytokines such as IL-10 and Tumor growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) were increased when PBMC were cultured with supernatant of non small lung cancer cells. UG and COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398 induced normal immune response of PBMC. Although Th 1 type cytokines were increased, Th 2 type cytokines were reduced by UG. Conclusion : UG suppressed PGE2, COX-2 product. Supernatant of NSCLC induced imbalance of immune response of PBMC. However, UG reversed this imbalance. These results suggest that UG may be used in the development of immunotherapy for lung cancer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.30 no.3 s.151
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• pp.407-411
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• 2006

This study was carried out to investigate the physiological responses of obese children after a short-term wear training and education. A ten-week program was conducted on thirteen obese elementary school children of six boys and seven girls in the 4th to the 6th grade. During the program, the children were instructed to measure daily ambient temperature and weight of their clothing. Physiological responses of the sedentary children in 100$\%$ cotton short sleeved t-shirt (0.13clo) and T/C short pants(0.09clo) were observed in the climatic chamber of 23.0$\pm$0.5$^{circ}C$ and 50$\pm$5$\%$RH before and after program. During the experiment, internal ear temperature ($T_{ear}$), seven site skin temperatures, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, and subjective responses of thermal comfort and thermal sensation were measured every 5minutes. Mean skin temperature($T_{sk}$) and mean arterial pressure(MAP) were calculated. Obtained data are statistically analyzed and main results are as follows. There was highly significant correlation between the ambient temperature and the total clothing weight. $T_{ear}$ and MAP were reduced in the post-program compared to the pre-program. The obese girls felt slightly warmer than the obese boys and the girls were likely to prefer lower ambient temperature in the post-program than the pre-program. It was concluded that the 10 week wear training is apt to be more applicable to the obese girls than the obese boys. However, a more comprehensive study including. diverse measurements of deep body temperature with a long-term training would be needed to clarify the improvement of temperature adaptability in the obese children.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7229-7234
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• 2014

Trichoderma spp. are known as a rich source of secondary metabolites with biological activity belonging to a variety of classes of chemical compounds. These fungi also are well known for their ability to produce a wide range of antibiotic substances and to parasitize other fungi. In search for new substances, which might act as anticancer agents, the overall objective of this study was to investigate the cytotoxic effects of Trichoderma harzianum and Trichoderma asperellum cultural filtrates against human cervical and breast cancer cell lines (HeLa and MCF-7 cells respectively). To achieve this objective, cells were exposed to 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 mg/ml of both T. harzianum cultural filtrate (ThCF) and T. asperellum cultural filtrate (TaCF) for 24h, then the cell viability and the cytotoxic responses were assessed by using trypan blue and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-biphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Morphological changes in cells were investigated by phase contrast inverted microscopy. The results showed that ThCF and TaCF significantly reduce the cell viability, have cytotoxic effects and alter the cellular morphology of HeLa and MCF-7 cells in a concentration dependent manner. A concentration of 80 and 100mg/ml of ThCF resulted in a sharp decline in the cell viability percent of HeLa and MCF-7 respectively (25.2%, 26.5%) which was recorded by trypan blue assay. The half-maximal inhibitory concentrations ($IC_{50}$) of ThCF and TaCF in HeLa and MCF-7 were recorded as 16.6, 12.0, 19.6 and 0.70mg/ml respectively by MTT assay. These results revealed that ThCF and TaCF have a substantial ability to reduce the viability and proliferation of human cervical and breast cancer cells.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.411-418
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• 2007

Exposure to low frequency noise(LFN) can lead to vibroacoustic diseases(VADs), which include a systemic disease with lesions in a broad spectrum of organs and a psychiatric condition. It is known that VAD is an established risk factor for the development of many psychological conditions in humans and rodents, including major depression and anxiety disorder. The present study investigated the effects of LFN on neuronal stress responses in the rat brain. The neuronal expression of the proto-oncogene c-fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN) of the hypothalamus and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the LC was observed. The immunocytochemical detection of the Fos protein and TH has been used as a marker of neuronal activation in response to stress. In addition, corticosterone concentration was evaluated by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The LFN groups were exposed to 32.5Hz and 125Hz of noise(4hr/day for 2days). The numbers of c-fos and TH-immunoreactive cells in the PVN and LC were significantly increased in the LFN groups(32.5Hz and 125Hz) compared to the normal group. Corticosterone concentration in plasma was also increased in LFN groups. The present results demonstrated that exposure with LFN produced a pronounced increase in expression of c-Fos and TH in stress-relevant brain areas. These results suggest that the neural characteristics involved in LFN are similar to those activated by typical processive stressors. These results also suggest that the central and peripheral activations by LFN may be related to LFN-related negative behavioral dysfunctions such as VADs.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2019

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Hataedock treatment using Coptidis Rhizome and Glycyrrhiza Uralensis (CG) mixed extract in allergic rhinitis induced NC/Nga mice. We divided NC/Nga mice into 3 groups as follows; allergic rhinitis-induced group after CG Hataedock treatment (CGT, n=10), no treatment group (Ctrl), allergic rhinitis elicited group (ARE). To induce allergic rhinitis, NC/Nga mice of 3 weeks age were sensitized on 7, 8 and 9week by Ovalbumin (OVA) antigen in intranasal space. Hataedock using CG extract was administered on week 3 in allergic rhinitis-induced group (CGT) after Hataedock treatment. To identify distribution of Interlukin (IL)-4, Cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), high-affinity IgE receptor ($Fc{\varepsilon}RI$), substance P, Matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9), Nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65, Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), we used histological examination. CGT significantly inhibited IL-4 and CD40 response compared with ARE. The reduction of Th2 cytokine expression decreased inflammatory mediators such as $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, iNOS and COX-2. Such immunological improvement induced reduction of respiratory epithelial damage and mucin secretion in goblet cell. These results indicate that Hataedock treatment suppresses allergic rhinitis through modulating of Th2 responses and diminishing various inflammatory mediators in nasal mucosal tissue. It might have potential applications for prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.77-90
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• 1995

The Purposes of this study were to examine plasma homovanillic acid(pHVA) levels and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(pHIAA) levels in schizophrenics during haloperidol treatment, and to assess the association of pHVA and pHIM levels with their psychopathology and treatment responses. Fourteen patients entered the study and pHVA, pHIAA levels were measured at baseline, first week, second week and fourth week during treatment. Also, plasma haloperidol levels were measured at first week, second week and fourth week. Psychopathology was evaluated with Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS) at baseline, 1st week, 2nd week and 4th week. 1) There were significant differences on the duration of illness and total BPRS scores at baseline between higher pHVA group(baseline pHVA level >7.72ng/mL) and lower pHVA group(baseline pHVA level <7.72ng/mL). 2) There was no significant difference on the duration of illness between higher pHIM group(baseline pHIAA level >3.18ng/mL). and lower pHIAA group(baseline pHIAA level <3.18ng/mL). 3) The Means of pHVA levels at 1 st week and 2nd week after treatment decreased significantly in the higher pHVA group and did not change in the lower pHVA group. 4) In the higher pHIAA group, the mean of pHIAA levels at 4th week after treatment decreased significantly, but did not change in the lower pHIAA group. 5) Between the higher pHIVA group and lower pHVA group, the response rates(percentile improvement) after treatment were not different from each other, but there was significant difference on the response rate between the lower pHIAA group and higher pHIM group at 2nd week. 6) There was significant correlation between total BPRS scores and pHVA levels in the higher pHVA group during treatment. The results suggest that repeated measurement of pHVA levels and pHIAA levels following antipsychotic treatment have prognostic significance for response. Also, shcizophrenics whose have relatively nigh levels of pHVA, or relatively low levels of pHIAA before treatment will show a favorable early responses to antipsychotics.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.231-246
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• 2000

Acupuncture has been used for treatment of numerous diseases, especially for pain control in the oriental culture. However, the mechanism of pain control by acupuncture was not clear so far. The present study was examined that the effects of electro-acupuncture (EA) applied to the acu-point of extra-segmental area on modulation of formalin induced pain in Sprague - Dawley rats. In order to apply EA to acu-points in the plantar area of right fore paws, a pair of teflon - coated stainless steel wires were implanted in HT 7 (shin-mun) and PC 7 (dae-neong) 5 days before behavioral test. A behavioral test was performed by means of video camera after injection of 5% formalin ($50{\mu}l$) into the lateral plantar region of left hind paw. EA was delivered by a constant current stimulator at 4~5 mA, 2 ms, and 10 Hz for 30 min. The electromyographic activities were recorded in the biceps femoris muscle under chloral hydrate anesthesia. Test stimuli with 1~9mA were applied to the sural nerve territory including the medial portion of the 4th toe and the lateral portion of the 5th toe. Behavioral responses including favoring, flinching and bitting were occured in the biphasic pattern, such as the lst phase (0~5 min) and the 2nd phase (20~45 min) after formalin injection. However, EA (4~5 mA, 2 ms, 10 Hz) significantly inhibited Che behavioral responses. EMG activities of flexor reflex had a latency of 100~300 ms and thresholds of test stimuli for EMG were 4~5 mA in normal rats. Injection of formalin decreased threshold of test stimuli and increased EMG activities for 2hrs after injection. However, EA significantly inhibited EMG activities of flexor reflex increased by formalin and recovered EMG evoked thresholds. These results suggest that contralateral extra-segmental EA inhibits the first and second phases of formalin induced pain but their mechanism be needed to examine additionally.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.479-486
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• 2005

Arabinoxylan, a complex polysaccharide in cereal cell walls, has recently received research attention as a biological response modifier. The immunomodulating effect of arabinoxylans from rice bran (AXrb) was studied using a combined process of extrusion and commercial hemicellulase treatment in order to elucidate the augmentation mechanism of cell-mediated immunity in vitro. The cytotoxicity of mouse spleen lymphocytes against YAC-1 tumor cells was significantly enhanced by treatment with AXrb at $10-100\;{\mu}g/mL$. In an attempt to investigate the mechanism by which AXrb enhance NK cytotoxicity, we examined the effect of AXrb on cytokine production by spleen lymphocytes. Culture supernatants of the cells incubated with AXrb were collected and analyzed for IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ synthesis by ELISA. IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ production were increased significantly. These results suggest that AXrb may induce Th1 immune responses. Macrophages play an important role in host defenses against tumors by killing them and producing secretory products, which protect against bacterial, viral infection and malignant cell growth. AXrb were examined for their ability to induce secretory and cellular responses in murine peritoneal macrophages. When macrophages were treated with various concentrations ($10-100\;{\mu}g/mL$) of AXrb, AXrb induced tumoricidal activity, as well as increasing phagocytosis and the production of NO, $H_2O_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6. These results indicate that reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and inflammatory cytokines are likely to be the major mediators of tumoricidal activity in AXrb-treated macrophages. Therefore, AXrb may be useful in cancer immunotherapy and it is anticipated that AXrb obtained using extrusion and subsequent enzyme treatment can be used as an ingredient in nutraceuticals and cereal-based functional food.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.33.1-33.19
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• 2020

We tested how adjuvants effect in a cancer vaccine model using an epitope derived from an autoactivation loop of membrane-type protease serine protease 14 (PRSS14; loop metavaccine) in mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV)-polyoma middle tumor-antigen (PyMT) system and in 2 other orthotopic mouse systems. Earlier, we reported that loop metavaccine effectively prevented progression and metastasis regardless of adjuvant types and TH types of hosts in tail-vein injection systems. However, the loop metavaccine with Freund's complete adjuvant (CFA) reduced cancer progression and metastasis while that with alum, to our surprise, were adversely affected in 3 tumor bearing mouse models. The amounts of loop peptide specific antibodies inversely correlated with tumor burden and metastasis, meanwhile both T_H1 and T_H2 isotypes were present regardless of host type and adjuvant. Tumor infiltrating myeloid cells such as eosinophil, monocyte, and neutrophil were asymmetrically distributed among 2 adjuvant groups with loop metavaccine. Systemic expression profiling using the lymph nodes of the differentially immunized MMTV-PyMT mouse revealed that adjuvant types, as well as loop metavaccine can change the immune signatures. Specifically, loop metavaccine itself induces T_H2 and T_H17 responses but reduces T_H1 and T_reg responses regardless of adjuvant type, whereas CFA but not alum increased follicular T_H response. Among the myeloid signatures, eosinophil was most distinct between CFA and alum. Survival analysis of breast cancer patients showed that eosinophil chemokines can be useful prognostic factors in PRSS14 positive patients. Based on these observations, we concluded that multiple immune parameters are to be considered when applying a vaccine strategy to cancer patients.