• KSBB Journal
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.383-392
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• 2009

Xanthii fructus which is well known as "Chang-ihjah" in Korea is the dried fruit of Xanthium strumarium L. (or Xanthium sibiricum PATR. Ex WIDD., Asteraceae. XS). Water extract of this fruit has been used for treatment of various inflammatory diseases such as tympanitis, allergic rhinitis, or ozena as alternative therapy material usually by oral administration in far Eastern countries including Korea. In this study, the effect of XS extract (XS-E) or XS-30% acetone fraction layer (XS-30% AFL) on the differentiation of $CD4^+$ T cells isolated from NC/Nga mouse and the production of IL-17 was investigated. The experimental results showed that $100\;{\mu}g$/mL of XS-E could decrease the production of IL-17 by $CD4^+$ Th17 cells by 2 fold and only $20\;{\mu}g$/mL of XS-30% AFL could inhibit 3.5 fold. The amount of IL-17A and IL-22 mRNA determined by real-time PCR was decreased remarkably when XS-E or XS-30% AFL was treated on $CD4^+$ Th17 cells(p<0.01, p<0.001). The amount of IL-17A protein determined by ELISA was also decreased remarkably(p<0.05, p<0.001). To study the effect of XS-E or XS-30% AFL on the proliferation of Th17 cells, $CD4^+$ T cells of a NC/Nga mouse was firstly differentiated by rIL-6/TGF-$\beta$ and then stimulated by rIL-23. The control group of Th17 cells were doubled every each day, while those of XS-E or XS-30% AFL treated group were shown to be delayed remarkably by these extracts. In conclusion, XS can inhibit the differentiation of Th17 cells of NC/Nga mouse and the production of IL-17 successfully, which may be a beneficial result for the treatment of atopic skin dermatitis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2015

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a form of allergic skin inflammatory characterized by late eczematous skin lesions. The incidence of AD is increasing, and it causes problems with administrative costs. Therefore, development of an AD treatment with no side effects is needed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tuna heart ethanol extract (THEE), a functional extract from by-product of tuna. AD was induced by spreading 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) on the backside of BALB/c mice. The effect of THEE was tested by measuring skin clinical severity score, secretion of cytokines and IgE, and proliferation. Secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and IgE significantly decreased in a THEE-independent manner. In contrast, levels of IL-10 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ significantly increased in mice sera and splenocytes. In addition, THEE alleviated AD symptoms compared to the DNCB only group. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that THEE has an inhibitory effect on AD and may be a useful substance for the development of cosmeceuticals.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2018

Chamaecyparis obtusa (CO) has recently been attracting attention because of its beneficial effects on skin allergies, atopic dermatitis, and skin diseases, such as acne and eczema. In the present study, the extract from CO leaf grown in Jangseong gun, Jeollanam-do, Korea was evaluated for its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects in vitro. The total polyphenol content of the CO leaf extract was $25.89{\pm}0.31mg$ gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g. Gas-chromatography mass-spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of six compounds in the CO leaf extract: ${\alpha}-terpinene$ (3.03 mg/g), ${\alpha}-terpineol$ (9.48 mg/g), limonene (5.96 mg/g), borneol (59.78 mg/g), myrcene (4.85 mg/g), and sabinene (11.31 mg/g). The $RC_{50}$ values of the CO leaf extract for $H_2O_2$ and ABTS radical were $5.47{\pm}0.13mg/mL$ and $4.00{\pm}0.01mg/mL$, respectively. In addition, the CO leaf extract showed significant inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells and IgE-induced release of ${\beta}-hexosaminidase$ (degranulation) in mast-cell like RBL-2H3 cells. The cell viability assay showed that the CO leaf extract ($100{\sim}800{\mu}g/mL$) did not affect the viability of human normal skin fibroblast CCD-986sk cells significantly. Overall, these results suggest that the CO leaf extract is a potential functional cosmetic ingredient that can exert anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.559-568
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• 2019

Purpose: This study examined the prevalence of food allergies and allergenic factors in a selected sample of children living in Seoul, Korea, along with their dietary habits, environmental factors, and diseases as risk factors for food allergy. The results of this study will provide basic data for addressing food allergies. Methods: We selected 3,004 pre-school and school-age children, aged 0 ~ 12, in the 25 districts of Seoul as the study sample. Structured self-report questionnaires were administered over a two-month period in July-August 2018, and the children's parents recorded the answers on their children's behalf. The research tools in this study included the Korean version of the questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Results: The physician-diagnosed prevalence rate of food allergies was 14.2%, while 20.4% of the children experienced allergic symptoms at least once and 17.4% reported symptoms within the previous 12 months. The children's symptoms included skin problems (88.1%), gastrointestinal issues (19.2%), oral issues (16.7%), respiratory issues (12.7%), and systemic issues (1.3%). The causes of allergies included eggs, peaches, milk, peanuts, and shrimps. The factors influencing the experience of food allergies were the consumption of cereal (aOR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.09 ~ 2.10; p = 0.013), potatoes (aOR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.33 ~ 2.65; p < 0.001), and fast food (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.10 ~ 2.72; p = 0.017). Having food allergy symptoms was associated with a higher risk of experiencing asthma (aOR, 4.22 95% CI, 3.10 ~ 5.76; p < 0.001), allergic rhinitis (aOR, 2.53; 95% CI, 2.03 ~ 3.15; p < 0.001), and atopic dermatitis symptoms (aOR, 3.56; 95% CI, 2.88 ~ 4.40; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Episodes of food allergies warrant examining regular food consumption and placing dietary restrictions through early diagnosis as these episodes may imply the presence of other allergies. Our findings offer basic insights into the patterns, prevalence and symptoms of children's food allergies in Seoul, and our findings will contribute to identifying effective interventions for food allergies.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.84-94
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• 2005

Objective: In order to help clinical approach on OME patient in progress observation and decision on improvement by clinical research results using tympanometry. Methods: Data was collected from 163 ears of 96 patients who were treated in Dept. of Oriental Medical Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology & Dermatology, Kyung-Hee Medical Center from 2001-2-12 to 2005-4-29 for Otitis Media with Effusion(OME). Tympanometry was applied to all patients and the test result was used to evaluate progress and improvement. F/U cases below 3 times were excluded. Results & conclusion: 1. Age and sex distribution was as follows: Mean Age 5.5years old(Standard deviation: 2.1), age distribution 2-61years old, below 10years old 151cases(92.6%) and above 10years old 12cases(7.4%). Male and female ratio was 1.81:1. 2. There were 67people(69.8%) with bilateral affected ear. Unilateral was 29people(30.2%). Affected ear distribution according to sex came out similarly. 3. Affected period distribution was as follows: over 12weeks 71cases(43.6%), under 12weeks 92cases(56.4%). Out of under 12weeks cases, 2-4weeks was 34cases(20.9%), 0-1weeks and 5-8weeks 20cases(12.3%), 9-12weeks 18cases(11.0%). There was evident difference about affected period between male and female. 4. All patients who served previous Tx in medical clinic(118 cases) took antibiotics. Only 6cases took tube insertion. The period of Taking antibiotics was as fellows: over 6weeks 42cases(35.6%), under 5weeks 37cases(31.4%). unknown 25cases(21.2%), jntermittent 14cases(11.9%). 5. In Period of Tx distribution, 5-6weeks showed 40cases(24.5%) which was highest number. In Improved cases(85cases), 3-4weeks and 5-6weeks each 22cases(25.9%) which was highest number. 1-2weeks 3cases(3.5%), 7-8weeks 12cases(14.1%), 9-10weeks 9cases(10.6%), 11-12weeks 10cases(11.8%), over 12weeks 7cases(8.2%). 6. The cases which have gastrointestinal Sx were 71cases(43.6%), the others 92cases(56.4%). Details of gastrointestinal Sx were as follows: Sx associated with appetite 47cases(47.5%), constipation 15cases(15.2%), abdominal pain and diarrhea 14cases(14.1%), frequent vomitting Teases(7.1%), etc 4cases(4.0%). 7. The cases which have accompanying disease were 116case(71.2%), the other 47cases(28.8%). Details a accompanying disease were as follows: sinusitis 57cases(35%), rhinitis 55cases(3.7%), allergic rhinitis 20cases(12.3%), atopic dermatitis 19cases(1.7%), urticaria 4cases(2.5%), asthma 3cases(1.8%), nasal polyp and conjunctivitis 2cases(1.2%) each, laryngitis 1case(0.6%).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.822-835
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• 1997

Background : There have been many in vitro evidences that interleukin-4(IL-4) might be the most important cytokine inducing IgE synthesis from B-cells, and interferon-gamma(IFN-$\gamma$) might be a main cytokine antagonizing IL-4-mediated IgE synthesis. Recently some reports demonstrated that IFN-$\gamma$ might be used as a new therapeutic modality in some allergic diseases with high serum IgE level, such as atopic dermatitis or bronchial asthma. To evaluate the in vivo effect of IFN-$\gamma$ in bronchial asthma we tried a clinical study. Methods : Fifty bronchial asthmatics(serum IgE level over 200 IU/ml) who did not respond to inhaled or systemic corticosteroid treatment, and 17 healthy nonsmoking volunteers were included in this study. The CD 23 expressions of peripheral B-cells, the IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells, the serum soluble CD23(sCD23) levels, and the superoxide anion(${O_2}^-$) generations by peripheral PMN were compared between bronchial asthmatics and normal subjects. The IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells were analyzed by T-cell supernatant (T-sup)-induced CD23 expression from tonsil B-cells. In bronchial asthmatics the serum IgE levels and histamine $PC_{20}$ in addition to the above parameters were also compared before and after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. IFN-$\gamma$ was administered subcutaneously with a weekly dose of 30,000 IU per kilogram of body weight for 4 weeks. Results : The ${O_2}^-$ generations by peripheral PMNs in bronchial asthmatics were higher than normal subjects($8.23{\pm}0.94$ vs $5.00{\pm}0.68\;nmol/1{\times}10^6$ cells, P<0.05), and significantly decreased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment compared to initial values($3.69{\pm}0.88$ vs $8.61{\pm}1.53\;nmol/1{\times}10^6$ cells, P<0.05). CD23 expression of peripheral B-cells in bronchial asthmatics was higher than normal subjects($47.47{\pm}2.96%$, vs $31.62{\pm}1.92%$, P<0.05), but showed no significant change after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. The serum sCD23 levels in bronchial asthmatics were slightly higher than normal subjects($191.04{\pm}23.3\;U/ml$ vs $162.85{\pm}4.85\;U/ml$), and 11(64.7%) of 17 patients showed a decreasing pattern in their serum sCD23 levels after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. However the means of serum sCD23 levels were not different before and after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. The IL-4 activities of peripheral T-cells in bronchial asthmatics were slightly higher than normal subjects($22.48{\pm}6.81%$ vs $18.90{\pm}2.43%$), and slightly increased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment($27.90{\pm}2.56%$). Nine(60%) of 15 patients showed a decreasing pattern in their serum IgE levels after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment. And the levels of serum IgE were significantly decreased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment compared to initial values ($658.67{\pm}120.84\;IU/ml$ vs $1394.32{\pm}314.42\;IU/ml$, P<0.05). Ten(83.3%) of 12 patients showed an improving pattern in bronchial hyperresponsiveness after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment, and the means of histamine $PC_{20}$ were significantly increased after IFN-$\gamma$ treatment compared to initial values ($1.22{\pm}0.29mg/ml$ vs $0.69{\pm}0.17mg/ml$, P<0.05). Conclusion : Our results suggest that IFN-$\gamma$ may be useful as well as safety in the treatment of bronchial asthmatics with high serum IgE level and that in vivo effects of IFN-$\gamma$ may be different from its in vitro effects on the regulations of IgE synthesis or the respiratory burst of PMN.