• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.23-29
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• 2011

Melatonin, which is the main product of the pineal gland, has well documented antioxidant and immune-modulatory effects. Macrophages produce molecules that are known to play roles in inflammatory responses. We conducted microarray analysis to evaluate the global gene expression profiles in response to treatment with melatonin in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. In addition, eight genes were subjected to real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm the results of the microarray. The cells were treated with LPS or melatonin plus LPS for 24 hr. LPS induced the up-regulation of 1073 genes and the down-regulation of 1144 genes when compared to the control group. Melatonin pretreatment of LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells resulted in the down regulation of 241 genes and up regulation of 164 genes. Interestingly, among genes related to macrophage-mediated immunity, LPS increased the expression of seven genes (Adora2b, Fcgr2b, Cish, Cxcl10, Clec4n, Il1a, and Il1b) and decreased the expression of one gene (Clec4a3). These changes in expression were attenuated by melatonin. Furthermore, the results of real-time PCR were similar to those of the microarray. Taken together, these results suggest that melatonin may have a suppressive effect on LPS-induced expression of genes involved in the regulation of immunity and defense in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Moreover, these results may explain beneficial effects of melatonin in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.15-28
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• 2014

Objectives This study was carried out to find out the Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects of Components of Mahwangbujaseshin-tang in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages. Methods There are 5 experimental groups. ; normal, control, EH (Ephedrae Herba), ALRP (Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata) and AR (Asiasari Radix). The extract of EH, ALRP and AR ($100{\mu}g/ml$) was added to each group. We examined cytotoxicity, total phenolic contents, DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity, Intracellular ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, NO (Total Nitric oxide), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase), PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), COX-2 (cyclooxygenase-2), $IL-1{\beta}$ ($interleukin-1{\beta}$), IL-6 (interleukin-6), $TNF-{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$), MMP-9 (matrix metalloproteinase-9), TIMP-1 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1) and HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) expression level. Results 1. Total phenolic contents of EH were in the highest level. 2. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activity of EH was in the highest level. 3. ROS production was significantly decreased in AR. 4. NO production was significantly decreased in EH, ALRP, AR and iNOS expression was decreased in EH, AR. 5. PGE2 and COX-2 expression was decreased in EH, AR. 6. $IL-1{\beta}$ production was significantly decreased in EH, AR and IL-6 production was significantly decreased in AR. $TNF-{\alpha}$ production was significantly decreased in ALRP, AR. 7. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 production were significantly decreased in EH. 8. HO-1 expression was significantly increased in EH. 9. With simultaneous usage of SnPP which is expression inhibitor of HO-1, NO, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production were partially increased in EH, ALRP, AR. Conclusions According to this study, Components of Mahwangbujaseshin-tang have anti-oxidants and anti-inflammation effects in LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.108-115
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• 2004

Background: Production of nitric oxide (NO) by inducible NO synthase (iNOS) has been implicated in the pathology of autoimmune disease. It is unknown whether iNOS expression is increased within testes and whether iNOS and NO have essential roles in the pathogenesis of EAO. Methods: EAO was induced in guinea pig testes at 17 days after secondary immunization by administration of crude extract (CE) and purified glycoprotein 1 (GP1) from normal guinea pig testes. iNOS gene expression was assessed by RT-PCR and Northern blot analysis in testes. Localization of iNOS and Mac-1 and the indicator of NO-mediated tissue injury, nitrotyrosine, were detected in the testicular lesion by immunohistochemistry. Results: In control testes, inflammation and iNOS gene expression were not detected, whereas, in CE- and GP1-injected testes, inflammation and marked iNOS gene expression were evident at day 17 after secondary immunization. Immunohistochemistry of Mac-1 showed the colocalization with iNOS protein and nitrotyrosyl proteins in intertubules, suggesting that NO produced by infiltrated macrophages may be involved in inflammatory lesions of intertubules. Intraperitoneal administration of aminoguanidine significantly prevented EAO with reduction of inflammation, iNOS expression and nitrotyrosine formation. Conclusion: These results suggest that NO production by macrophages may be important in the pathogenesis of CE- and GP1-induced EAO. Furthermore, this study demonstrated the therapeutic potential of iNOS inhibitor in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune mediated-diseases.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.354-363
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• 2009

Cytotoxic Nitric oxide (NO) overproduced by inducible NO Synthase (iNOS or NOS2), which was induced in inflammatory reactions and immune responses directly or indirectly affects the functions as host defense and can cause normal tissue damage. Microarray analysis was performed to identify gene profiles of both NO-dependent and -independent transcripts in RAW 264.7 macrophages that use selective NOS2 inhibitors aminoguanidine ($100\;{\mu}M$) and L-canavanine (1 mM). A total of 3,297 genes were identified that were up- or down-regulated significantly over 2-fold in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages. NO-dependency was determined in the expressed total gene profiles and also within inflammatory conditions-related functional categories. Out of all the gene profiles, 1711 genes affected NO-dependently and -independently in 567 genes. In the categories of inflammatory conditions, transcripts of 16 genes (Pomp, C8a, Ifih1, Irak1, Txnrd1, Ptafr, Scube1, Cd8a, Gpx4, Ltb, Fasl, Igk-V21-9, Vac14, Mbl1, C1r and Tlr6) and 29 geneas (IL-1beta, Mpa2l, IFN activated genes and Chemokine ligands) affected NO-dependently and -independently, respectively. This NO dependency can be applied to inflammatory reaction-related functional classifications, such as cell migration, chemotaxis, cytokine, Jak/STAT signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Our results suggest that LPS-induced gene transcripts in inflammation or infection can be classified into physiological and toxic effects by their dependency on the NOS2-mediated NO release.

• THE JOURNAL OF KOREAN ORIENTAL ONCOLOGY
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.167-190
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• 1995

Bikiwhan is one of the oriental medicines that have been used for the treatment of tumors since ancient times. However, the mechanism of the drug action is not closely surved. This study was made to investigate the effects of Bikiwhan on the innate immunity were analysed by measuring the functions of phagocytes, and those of specific immunity were analysed by measuring T and B cells activities. The followings are the results obtained from this study : 1. Bikiwhan has direct cytotoxic effects against human lymphoma cell lines (K562) in a dose dependent manner. 2. An administration of Bikiwhan increased allogenic immune response in the mouse. 3. An administration of Bikiwhan increased the antibodies formation against SRBC. 4. An administration of Bikiwhan enhanced the apperance of rosette forming cells in the spleen. 5. An administration of Bikiwhan decreased the delayed-type hypersensitivity against dinitrofluorobenzene. 6. An administration of Bikiwhan has no effect on natural killer cells. 7. Bikiwhan increased the phagocyte activity of peritoneal macrophages in vitro and in in vivo as well. 8. Bikiwhan depressed the formation of reactive oxygen intermediated in vitro and in vivo as well. 9. Bikiwhan has the capacity to make peritoneal macrophages secrete nitric oxide. The above results demonstrate that Bikiwhan has enhancing effects of immune responses against tumors by decreasing tissue demages caused by immune responses.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.180-188
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• 2015

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Paljeong-san on chronic nonbacterial prostatitis induced in rats by estradiol. Methods: Rats were divided into three groups. The normal group included rats with no intervention after sham castration. The control group included rats with prostatitis induced by 17β-estradiol after orchiectomy; these rats were orally administered normal saline. The sample group rats were administered Paljeong-san after prostatitis induction. Evaluations included changes in epithelial score, body weight, and prostate weight and volume, as well as histopathological changes in prostate tissue and gene expression of TNF-α, COX-2, and CD68. Results: Paljeong-san inhibited histopathological changes and monocyte/macrophage infiltration of the prostate. The epithelial score was higher for the sample group than for the control group (P<0.05). Paljeong-san administration decreased the gene expression of TNF-α and CD68. Conclusions: Paljeong-san shows prostate-protective effects by inhibiting infiltration by monocytes/macrophages and by reducing TNF-α gene expression. Conclusions: Paljeong-san shows prostate-protective effects by inhibiting infiltration by monocytes/macrophages and by reducing TNF-α gene expression.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.90-97
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• 2009

Background: CD147, as a cellular receptor for cyclophilin A (CypA), is a multifunctional protein involved in tumor invasion, inflammation, tissue remodeling, neural function, and reproduction. Recent observations showing the expression of CD147 in leukocytes indicate that this molecule may have roles in inflammation. Methods: In order to investigate the role of CD147 and its ligand in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, human atherosclerotic plaques were analyzed for the expression pattern of CD147 and CypA. The cellular responses and signaling molecules activated by the stimulation of CD147 were then investigated in the human macrophage cell line, THP-1, which expresses high basal level of CD147 on the cell surface. Results: Staining of both CD147 and CypA was detected in endothelial cell layers facing the lumen and macrophage-rich areas. Stimulation of CD147 with its specific monoclonal antibody induced the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in THP-1 cells and it was suppressed by inhibitors of both ERK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Accordingly, the stimulation of CD147 was observed to induce phosphorylation of ERK, phosphorylation-associated degradation of $I{\kappa}B$, and nuclear translocation of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 and p50 subunits. Conclusion: These results suggest that CD147 mediates the inflammatory activation of macrophages that leads to the induction of MMP-9 expression, which could play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.478-481
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• 2003

Canine juvenile cellulitis (CJC) is a well-recognized lymphocutaneous disease that is seen in young dogs. CJC seemed to be immunologic disorder and may have a hereditary aspect. Exact pathogenesis and cytokine regulation on the immune system of CJC are not clear. CJC was diagnosed in two puppies hospitalized in Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Chungbuk National University. To investigate the cytokine regulation on CJC, RT-PCR was performed with CJC affected dogs. RT-PCR 1 was performed with whole blood sample (CJC-B) and fine needle aspirates of the inguinal lymph node (CJC-LN) from case 1-dog, which included $TNF-\alpha,$ $IL-1\beta,$ $IFN-\gamma,$ IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12 and $\beta-actin.$ Blood sample from a normal dog (N-B) served for a negative control of RT-PCR 1 (case 1). $IFN-\gamma,$ IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-12 transcripts were not expressed in all sample. $TNF-\alpha$ and $IL-1\beta,$ were not transcripted from CJC-B but from CJC-LN. On RT-PCR 2 (case 2), submandibular lymph node aspirates were used and $TNF-\alpha,$ IL-10, $IFN-\gamma$ and $IL-1\beta$ were expressed. $TNF-\alpha,$ 1L-10 and $IFN-\gamma$ were secreted from activated macrophages enhance the inflammation in tissue. These results imply that abnormally increased macrophages secret $TNF-\alpha$ and $IL-1\beta$ in the affected lymph nodes, which attract neutrophils and cause inflammation in CJC.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.64 no.3
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• pp.263-268
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• 2021

7-Hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (7H-4MC) inhibits hyaluronan production in multiple cell lines and tissue types both in vitro and in vivo. It is a commercially available drug approved for human use, called hymecromone, in European and Asian countries to prevent biliary spasms. Nevertheless, as the pharmacological efficacy of 7H-4MC has not yet been reported in macrophages, this study investigated its anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages. LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations of 7H-4MC (62.5, 125, 250, and 500 μM). The application of 7H-4MC significantly reduced nitric oxide and prostaglandin E₂ production without cytotoxic effects. Additionally, 7H-4MC strongly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase. Furthermore, 7H-4MC reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. Finally, 7H-4MC exerted its potent anti-inflammatory actions via the upregulation of IκB-α production, which led to the inhibition of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activity. These results, obtained in macrophage cell lines, suggest that 7H-4MC prevents inflammatory diseases via the NF-κB signaling pathway and that its use could be beneficial for human health. Ultimately, this is the first report describing the anti-inflammatory activity of 7H-4MC in a macrophage cell line.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.383-393
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• 2022

Purpose: Aloe-emodin (AE), a natural anthraquinone abundant in aloe plants and rhubarb (Rheum rhabarbarum), has long been used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases. However, AE's underlying mechanisms in periodontal inflammation have not been fully elucidated. Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) is a potential biomarker involved in bone remodeling. This study aimed to evaluate AE's effect on periodontitis in rats and investigate AMCase expression. Methods: Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into the following groups: healthy (group 1), disease (group 2), vehicle (group 3), AE high-dose (group 4), and AE low-dose (group 5). Porphyromonas gingivalis ligatures were placed in rats (groups 2-5) for 7 days. Groups 4 and 5 were then treated with AE for an additional 14 days. Saliva was collected from all groups, and probing pocket depth was measured in succession. Periodontal pocket tissues were subjected to histomorphometric analysis after the rats were sacrificed. Bone marrow-derived macrophages and murine macrophages were stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and treated with different concentrations of AE. AMCase expression was detected from the analysis of saliva, periodontal pocket tissues, and differentiated osteoclasts. Results: Among rats with P. gingivalis-induced periodontitis, the alveolar bone resorption levels and periodontal pocket depth were significantly reduced after treatment with AE. AMCase protein expression was significantly higher in the disease group than in the healthy control (P<0.05). However, AE inhibited periodontal inflammation by downregulating AMCase expression in saliva and periodontal pocket tissue. AE significantly reduced RANKL-stimulated osteoclastogenesis by modulating AMCase (P<0.05). Conclusions: AE decreases alveolar bone loss and periodontal inflammation, suggesting that this natural anthraquinone has potential value as a novel therapeutic agent against periodontal disease.