• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.32-41
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• 2010

Purpose : Glomerulonephropathy (GN) often manifests as proteinuria and progresses to chronic renal failure without specific therapy. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) has been tried as a therapeutic agent in experimental GN, and previous studies showed that administration of MSC concomitantly to the insult inducing GN or via intra-renal administration ameliorated proteinuria. The purpose of this study was to test the therapeutic potential of MSC administered via intravenous route at the time of clinically evident proteinuria. Methods : MSCs were administered intravenously via tail vain into the mice with adriamycin (ADR) induced nephropathy (ADR-GN), two weeks after ADR injection when massive proteinuria was evident. To test the capacity of MSC modulate the cytokine production in the inflammatory milieu, the concentrations of IFN-$\gamma$ and IL-10 were measured in the supernatant of in vitro mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) with or without additional MSC. Results : MSCs administered intravenously into the proteinuric mice with ADR-GN accelerated the recovery of this experimental GN with disappearance of proteinuria in two weeks when the saline treated (control) mice still showed significant proteinuria. The mice treated with MSC also had a tendency of better survival. Addition of MSC decreased IFN-$\gamma$ and increased IL-10 in the supernatant of MLC. Conclusion : This study showed that MSC had a therapeutic potential even when administered in a more clinically relevant setting into a proteinuric glomerulonephropathy model. Further study to verify the mechanism and long-term safety of this phenomenon is required.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.175-184
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• 1999

Background: Bronchial asthma is characterized by chronic eosinophilic inflammatory airway disease associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness and reversible airway obstruction. Bronchial inflammation in asthma may depend in part on the activation of T helper lymphocytes that elaborate proinflammatory cytokines. T helper (Th) lymphocytes can be divided into two categories; Th1 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-2, IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$, and Th2 lymphocytes, which secrete IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10. Th2 lymphocytes appear to induce allergic responses, whereas Th1 lymphocytes induce delayed-type hypersensitivity response. Some infections, such as tuberculosis, cultivate a Th1 immunological environment and inhibit Th2 lymphocytes function. The presence of such infections might inhibit Th2 immune responses and thus protect development of atopic diseases. Method: 15 patients with allergic bronchial asthma, 10 patients with intrinsic bronchial asthma, and 10 healthy volunteers were studied. The serum concentrations of IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 were measured by ELISA method and tuberculin skin test was estimated in different groups. Results: The positive response rates of tuberculin test were 46.7% in patients with allergic asthma, 100% in patients with intrinsic asthma and 60% in normal controls. The positive response rates were significantly lower in patients with allergic asthma than those of in patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). Degree of responses to tuberculin test were $12.0{\pm}9.6mm$ in patients with allergic asthma, $18.4{\pm}4.5mm$ in patients with intrinsic asthma and $10.9{\pm}8.8mm$ in normal controls. The degree of responses were significantly reduced in patients with allergic asthma than those of patients with intrinsic asthma (p<0.05). The serum levels of IL-5 in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than in patients with intrinsic asthma and normal controls (p<0.05), although it was insignificant. the serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma were higher than that of intrinsic asthma and normal controls. The serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-$\gamma$ in patients with allergic asthma and intrinsic asthma were significantly lower than those in normal controls(p<0.05). The serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and peripheral blood eosinophile counts in patients with allergic asthma were significantly higher than those in normal controls. Peripheral blood esinophil counts had a significant correlation with the serum levels of total IgE, IL-5 and IL-10 in patients with allergic asthma (p<0.05). Conclusion: These results have showed that Th1 lymphocyte functions were lowered and Th2 lymphocyte functions were elevated in patients with allergic asthma than those in normal controls. Suppression of Th1 lymphocyte functions by activation of Th2 lymphocyte might be one of the important aspects of pathogenesis in allergic bronchial asthma.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.59-64
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• 2012

Objective : This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Forsythiae Fructus (FF) ethanol extract on inflammatory cytokine production and its underlying mechanisms in mouse macrophages. Methods : Peritoneal macrophages from thioglycollate medium-injected mice were cultured and stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS) or LPS/interferon(IFN)-${\gamma}$ for cytokine measurement and cellular signaling molecule analysis. Results : FF ethanol extract decreased the levels of secreted tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin(IL)-6 in IFN-${\gamma}$/LPS-stimulated cells in a concentration-dependent manner. FF extract reduced IFN-${\gamma}$/LPS-induced STAT1 phosphorylation and LPS-induced p38 and JNK activation, but not ERK1/2 activity. The extract also inhibited LPS-induced $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ degradation through suppression of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ kinase. Conclusions : These results suggest that FF ethanol extract affects the production of TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 through inhibition of activation of STAT-1, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, p38, and JNK.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.90-100
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Jeokbaekhaogwanjung-tang (JGT) distillate on the immune activity of spleen cells of aged rats. Methods: Spleen cells of 10w, 52w 72w old SD rats were cultured and treated with JGT distillate and the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-${\gamma}$ were measured. Results: 1. The levels of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleen cells of 52w old rats were significantly decreased by JGT treatment. 2. The level of IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleen cells of 72w old rats were significantly decreased by JGT treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that Jeokbaekhaogwanjung-tang distillate has an immune regulative effect by way of suppressing the change of immune activity caused by aging in rats.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2006

BACKGROUND : Socheongryong-Tang(小靑龍湯, SCRT), a herbal medicine, has been widely used for the control of respiratory disease in Eastern countries. Recent years SCRT was known as anti-allergic agent. However, its therapeutic mechanisms, especially an inhibitory effect on inflammatory cell infiltration and airway remodeling in allergic asthma are unclear. METHODS : We investigated the effects of SCRT on levels of IL-4, and IFN-g using flow cytometric analysis and infiltration of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) using cytospin methods in allergen-induced asthma. RESULTS : SCRT decreased levels of IL-4, a Th2-driven cytokine. But INF-g, a Th1-driven cytokine, was not changed. With SCRT treatment, infiltration of inflammatory cells showed reduced tendency. CONCLUSION : In conclusion, we demonstrated that regulation of Th1/Th2 imbalance may be one of mechanism contributed to reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 2003

Objective : To investigate immune enhancing effects of Boummyunyuck-dan (BMD) Methods : In this study I investigated the effect of BMD on cell proliferation and viability. In addition, I investigated production of cytokines (IL-2, IL-4 and $IFN-{\gamma}$), NO, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ in human T-cell leukemia, MOLT-4 cells. The cells were cultured for 24h in the presence or absence of BMD. Result : BMD increased the cell viability by 15% (P<0.05) and enhanced IL-2, IL-4 and $IFN-{\gamma}$ production compared with media control in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01) at 24h. BMD also increased mRNA and protein expression levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ in MOLT-4 cells. In addition, I also assessed the effects of BMD on production of NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ from the peritoneal macrophages because NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ as a potent macrophage-derived immune reaction regulatory molecule has received increasing attention. However, BMD had no effect on NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production in the cells. Conclusion : These data indicate that BMD has some immune-enhancing effect, and that its action may be due to the proliferation and cytokine production of T cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.7
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• pp.1085-1091
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• 2004

Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi- Tang extracts is a traditional oriental medicine in a mixture type exhibiting strong anti-bacterial, analgesic, and chemopreventive activities. In this study, we have evaluated effects of the total and polysaccharide fraction of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi- Tang extracts on the T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and induction of IL-2 receptor and MHC class n. For this experiment, we established CD4$^{＋}$ CD8$^{[-10]}$ T cell line producing IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ when stimulated with ovalbumin antigen in the presence of antigen presenting cells. The significant effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang on antigen-induced T cell proliferation in the presence of antigen presenting cells was observed. The proliferation and IFN-${\gamma}$ production of T cells was increased in a dose dependent manner, and expression of IL-2 receptor on T cells and MHC class n molecule on antigen presenting cells was also induced in the presence of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang polysaccharide fraction. It was demonstrated that polysaccharide fraction of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang stimulates the antigen-induced T cell proliferation and the production of IFN-${\gamma}$ possibly through the increase of IL-2 receptor and MHC class n expression. Therefore Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang can be regarded as a natural and useful immunomodulator having a relatively nonotoxic property. Further studies are needed to better characterize the nature of Bu-Zhong- Yi-Qi-Tang extract.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.28-35
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• 2005

In order to investigate the effects of Gudambopae-Tang on allergic rhinitis, laboratory study about cytokines and OVA-specific IgE was perfomed in the present study. The results are summarized as follow; 1. IL4, IL-5 was increased in medicating group than control group. 2. $IFN-{\gamma}$ was increased in medicating group than control group. 3. total IgE and OVA-specific IgE was significant decreased in medicating group than control group, statistically significant. This study shows experimentally that Gudambopae-tang could reduce allergic reaction in allergic rhinitis. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of herbal medicine in allergic rhinitis model.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.33 no.3 s.98
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• pp.199-210
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• 2003

Tooth movement is the result of bone metabolism in the periodontium, where various cytokines take important roles. Interleukin-6(II-6) and nitrous oxide (NO) were reported to be secreted from osteoblasts in the process of bone resorption. The mechanism of the process has not been clearly understood, but the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was known to be an important process in the release of the inflammatory cytotines in macrophages. In this regard, to prove the role of MAPK in the release of IL-6 and NO in MC3T3E-1 osteoblasts, Northern blot analysis, Western blot analysis and immune complex kinase assay were used. As a result, the treatment of MC3T3E-1 osteoblast cultures with combined $interferon-\gamma(IFN-\gamma)$, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis $factor-\alpha(TNF-\alpha)$ induces expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-6, resulting in sustained releases of large amounts of NO and IL-6. However, $IFN-\gamma,\;LPS,\;and\;TNF-\alpha$ individually induce a non-detectable or small amount of NO and IL-6 in MC3T3E-1 osteoblasts. The role of MAPK activation in the early intracellular signal transduction involved in iNOS and IL-6 transcription in the combined agents-stimulated osteoblasts has been investigated. The p38 MAPK pathway is specifically involved in the combined agents-induced NO and IL-6 release, since NO and IL-6 release in the presence of a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-metylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-metylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole) (SB203580), were significantly diminished. In contrast, PD98059, a specific inhibitor of MEK1, had no effect on NO and IL-6 release. Northern blot analysis showed that the p3a MAPK pathway controlled the iNOS and IL-6 transcription level. These data suggest that p38 MAPK play an important role in the secretion of NO and IL-6 in $LPS/IFN{\gamma}-or\;TNF-\gamma-treated\;MC3T3E-1$ osteoblasts.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.11-23
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• 2018

목적 : 본 연구에서는 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 $IFN-{\gamma}$로 자극한 인간피부각질형성세포 (HaCaT keratinocytes) 모델을 사용하여 지모가 피부장벽 기능에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 방법 : MTT assay를 통하여 지모 주정(70% 에탄올) 추출물 (EAA)이 HaCaT keratinocytes의 세포생존율에 미치는 영향을 확인하였으며 wound healing assay를 통해 EAA가 HaCaT 세포의 이주 능력에 영향을 주는지 관찰하였다. 또한 western blot analysis와 qRT-PCR을 통하여 EAA가 $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$로 자극한 HaCaT 세포에서 iNOS의 단백질 발현 및 IL-4, IL-13, IL-6의 mRNA 발현, filaggrin의 단백질과 mRNA 발현에 미치는 영향을 조사하였다. 결과 : EAA는 처리 농도 $500{\mu}g/ml$까지 HaCaT keratinocytes의 세포생존율에 영향을 미치지 않았다. EAA는 wound healing assay에서 HaCaT 세포의 이주 능력을 증가시켰으며, $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$로 자극한 HaCaT 세포에서 iNOS의 단백질 수준을 감소시켰다. 또한 EAA가 IL-4, IL-13, IL-6의 mRNA 발현을 억제하는 것 역시 확인할 수 있었다. 뿐만 아니라 EAA는 $TNF-{\alpha}/IFN-{\gamma}$ 자극에 의해 감소했던 filaggrin을 단백질과 mRNA 수준에서 회복시켰다. 결론 : EAA가 HaCaT 세포에서 Th2 type cytokines, pro-inflammatory cytokine의 억제와 filaggrin 회복을 통해 피부장벽 기능 손상에 대한 억제활성을 갖는 것을 확인하였으며, 이를 통해 EAA가 염증으로 인해 손상된 피부장벽 기능 개선에 효과적일 것으로 사료된다.