• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.59-69
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of Lumbricus pharmacopuncture (LP) on the lipid lowering, anti-oxidative activity and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in rat fed high fat diet. Methods : Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks and experimental groups were divided into 4 groups as follows : Control, Lumbricus Jungwan ($CV_{12}$) pharmacopuncture (T I), Lumbricus Joksamni ($ST_{36}$) pharmacopuncture (T II), Lumbricus Jungwan ($CV_{12}$) and Joksamni ($ST_{36}$) pharmacopuncture (T III). Results : The levels of plasma FFA, TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, TBARS, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and liver total cholesterol, TG, TBARS, SOD, catalase, IL-6 in more than one LP group were significantly lower than those of Control groups. The level of IL-10 in one of LP groups was significantly higher than that of Control group. Conclusions : As the results were shown, LP treatment have considerable effects on lipid lowering, anti-oxidative activity and concentration of proinflammatory cytokines in rat fed high fat diet.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.60 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2016

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by dysregulatory production of proinflammatory cytokines and helper T (Th) cytokine-dependent autoantibody production. This study aims to investigate the protective effect of baicalin on the dysregulatory production of proinflammatory cytokines and Th cytokines in pristane-induced lupus mice. Mice were received i.p. a single injection of 0.5 ml of pristane, and then, later about 3 months, were used as a pristane-induced lupus model. The pristane-induced lupus mice were administrated orally with baicalin 50 mg/kg once in a day for 10 days. Immune cells obtained from the pristane-primed lupus control group (lupus control) and baicalin-treated pristaneprimed lupus mouse group (BAC lupus) were cultured for 24 h or 36 h with/without mitogens. These results demonstrated that LPS-induced production of macrophage and splenic TNF-${\alpha}$ and Con A-induced production of thymic IFN-${\gamma}$ were attenuated in BAC lupus compared to lupus control, while LPS-stimulated production of macrophage IL-10, Con A-stimulated production of splenic IL-10 and, $PGE_2$-reduced production of splenic IFN-${\gamma}$ enhanced. Therefore, these findings suggest that baicalin may protect from autoimmunity and disease activity in lupus via modulatory effect of proinflammatory cytokine overproduction and Th cytokine imbalance.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2005

We investigated the effect of pycnogenol (PYC) supplementation on retarding the immune dysfunction of CS7BL/6 mice after murine AIDS (MAIDS) development. Dysfunction of T and B cell mitogenesis from primary cultured splenocytes has been observed with retrovirus infection and PYC supplementation partially recovered the dysfunction of T and B cells. There was an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern with retrovirns infection, which was designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokines and increased secretion of Th2 cytokines. PYC supplementation increased IL-2 and $IFN-\gamma$ secretion and decreased IL-4, IL-6, and $TNF-\alpha$ secretion, but it was not sufficient enough to maintain the normal level of these cytokines. Hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by retrovirns infection, in accordance with increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level, whereas PYC supplementation normalized the hepatic level of vitamin E and lipid peroxidation. This study suggests that PYC supplementation may partially help retard the incidence of symptoms during MAIDS.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.322-327
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• 2007

Fresh Rehmanniae radix is known as a traditional medicine with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. However, whether Rehmanniae radix attenuates autoimmune inflammation in lupus models characterized by T cell-dependent autoimmune disease including overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, loss of T cell tolerance, and B cell hyperactivity remains unclear. We investigated the effect of fresh Rehmanniae radix methanol extracts (RGMeOH) on the in vitro overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines by immune cells from pristaneinduced lupus BALB/c mice. These results showed that RGMeOH remarkably attenuated Con A-increased overproduction of proinflammatory cytokines, such as IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-6 and IL-10 by splenocytes from pristaneinduced lupus mice. RGMeOH greatly reduced LPS-induced production of TNF-${\alpha}$ by splenic macrophages from pristane-induced lupus mice, while significantly enhanced LPS-induced production of IL-10 but did not alter IL-6 by splenic macrophages and splenocytes. These findings suggest that RGMeOH may ameliorate lupus systemic inflammatory autoimmunity via down-regulation of TNF-${\alpha}$ and T cell-dependent cytokine production.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.252-256
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• 2000

A thymic stromal cell line, TFGD, was established from a thymic tumor mass developed spontaneously in p53 knock out mouse, and was found to produce cytokines that could induce bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to differentiate into macrophages. The cytokines produced by the TFGD line were assessed by immunoassays. High level of macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-6 was detected in the TFGD-culture supernatant, whereas granulocyte/macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF), IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, or interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ was undetectable. Blocking experiments showed that anti-M-CSF monoclonal antibody could neutralize the differentiation-inducing activity shown by the TFGD-culture supernatant. Dot blot analysis of the total RNA isolated from the cultured fetal thymic stromal cells showed that M-CSF transcripts were expressed in the normal thymus. These observations, together with the earlier finding that M-CSF plus IL-6 is the optimal combination of cytokines for the induction of macrophage differentiation from HSCs in vitro, may indicate that thymic macrophages could be generated within the thymus by cytokines involving M-CSF.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.11-20
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• 2018

Objectives : Coronary and cerebrovascular disease with high mortality is a major factor in arteriosclerosis. Pro-inflammatory cytokines damage vascular endothelial cells, leading to vascular inflammation. These vascular inflammation can build up cholesterol and thrombus to cause atherosclerosis. Methods : In this study, we researched the effect of ChungHyul-Plus for vascular inflammation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$). Change in mRNA expression of inflammatory cytokines (CCL5, CXCL8, CX3CL1, and MCP-1), cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1), and anti-inflammation modulators (KLF2 and eNOS) were quantified by qRT-PCR. Results : ChungHyul-Plus decreased expression of inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules and increased anti-inflammation modulators expression in $TNF-{\alpha}$ stimulated HUVECs. Conclusions : These results suggest that ChungHyul-Plus can be used in the treatment and prevention of vascular inflammation and arteriosclerosis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.251-261
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• 2019

Allergic asthma, is a common chronic inflammatory disease of the airway presenting with airway hyperresponsiveness and airway remodelling. T helper cells-derived cytokines are critically associated with asthma pathogenesis. Janus kinase-signal transduction and activation of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling is found to be involved in asthma. Magnolol is a plant-derived bioactive compound with several pharmacological effects. The study aimed to assess the effects of magnolol in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic model. BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Magnolol (12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg body weight) was administered to separate groups of animals. Dexamethasone was used as the positive control. Cellular infiltration into the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced on magnolol treatment. The levels of Th2 and Th17 cytokines were reduced with noticeably raised levels of interferon gamma. Lung function was improved effectively along with restoration of bronchial tissue architecture. OVA-specific immunoglobulin E levels in serum and BALF were decreased by magnolol. Magnolol reduced Th17 cell population and effectively modulated the JAK-STAT and Notch 1 signaling. The results suggest the promising use of magnolol in therapy for allergic asthma.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.82-93
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• 2008

Objective: Previously, the methanol extracts of the semen of Xanthium strumsrium could involved anti-inflammatory effects in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Raw 264,7 cells, We evaluated the anti-allergic effects of X. strumarium on rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-2H3) cells, Methodes : To investigate the effect of X. strumarium on the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and calcium ionophore A23187-induced RBL-2H3 cells. The effects of X. strumarium on the degranulation and the pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and expression from RBL-2H3 cells were evaluated with $\beta$-hexosaminidase assay, ELISA, and RT-PCR analysis, In addition, we examined the effects of X. strumarium on nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activation and $I{\kappa}B-\alpha$ degradation using Western blot analysis. Results : X. strumarium inhibited degranulation and secretions and expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-\alpha$), interleukin (IL)-4 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, on stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, however, X. strumarium not affect cell viability. In stimulated RBL-2H3 cells, the protein expression level of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) was decreased in the nucleus by X. strumarium. In addition, X. strumarium suppressed the degradation of inhibitory protein $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ protein in RBL-2H3 cells. Conclusion : These results suggest that X. strumarium inhibits the degranulation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines through blockade of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and I $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.469-474
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• 2014

Cell therapies utilizing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have a great potential in many research and clinical settings. The mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of MSCs have been studied previously and the paracrine effects elicited by their production of various growth factors and cytokines were recognized as being crucial. However, the molecular controls that govern these paracrine effects remain poorly understood. To elucidate the molecular regulators of this process, we performed a global knockdown of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) by inhibiting DGCR8, a key protein in miRNA biogenesis. Global disruption of miRNA biogenesis in hADSCs caused dramatic changes in the expression of subsets of growth factors and cytokines. By performing an extensive bioinformatic analysis, we were able to associate numerous putative miRNAs with these genes. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that miRNAs are essential for the production of growth factors and cytokines in hADSCs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.123-132
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• 2016

Trichomonas vaginalis causes the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Trichomonads have been detected in prostatic tissues from prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and prostate cancer. Chronic prostatic inflammation is known as a risk factor for prostate enlargement, benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, and acute urinary retention. Our aim was to investigate whether T. vaginalis could induce inflammatory responses in cells of a benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial cell line (BPH-1). When BPH-1 cells were infected with T. vaginalis, the protein and mRNA of inflammatory cytokines, such as CXCL8, CCL2, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-6, were increased. The activities of TLR4, ROS, MAPK, JAK2/STAT3, and NF-${\kappa}B$ were also increased, whereas inhibitors of ROS, MAPK, PI3K, NF-${\kappa}B$, and anti-TLR4 antibody decreased the production of the 4 cytokines although the extent of inhibition differed. However, a JAK2 inhibitor inhibited only IL-6 production. Culture supernatants of the BPH-1 cells that had been incubated with live T. vaginalis (trichomonad-conditioned medium, TCM) contained the 4 cytokines and induced the migration of human monocytes (THP-1 cells) and mast cells (HMC-1 cells). TCM conditioned by BPH-1 cells pretreated with NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitor showed decreased levels of cytokines and induced less migration. Therefore, it is suggested that these cytokines are involved in migration of inflammatory cells. These results suggest that T. vaginalis infection of BPH patients may cause inflammation, which may induce lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).