• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-87
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• 2015

Omega-3, a polyunsaturated fatty acid, is an essential fatty acid necessary for human health, and it protects against cardiovascular disease, inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In the present study, we investigated the effects of omega-3-rich harp seal oil (HSO) on the production of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin-(IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) in peritoneal macrophages of mice. The culture supernatants of murine macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), HSO, or HSO+LPS were harvested to assay IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) cytokines and NO. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40) levels, except IL-6, were lower in the culture supernatants of mouse peritoneal macrophages exposed to LPS plus HSO than those of the groups exposed to LPS alone. These observations demonstrate that omega-3-rich harp seal oil downregulates the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-12/IL-23 (p40). These results suggest that HSO could be potentially used as a preventive agent or as an adjunct in anti-inflammatory therapy, if more research results were accumulated.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.140-153
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• 2003

Background : The cell-mediated immune reaction to tuberculosis infection involves a complex network of cytokines. The extent of inflammation, tissue damage and severity of the disease suggested to be determined by the balance between extent and duration of the proinflammatory cytokine response versus those of the suppressive cytokines. The systemic cytokine response in pathogenesis of tuberculosis can be assessed by measuring serum cytokine levels. Method : Serum interleukin-1 beta(IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), interferon-gamma(IFN-${\gamma}$) and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-${\beta}$) levels were measured in 83 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 patients with endobronchial tuberculosis before treatment and 20 healthy subjects by using a sandwich ELISA. In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, they were divided into mild, moderate and far advanced group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare with those of pretreatment levels, we measured serum IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TGF-${\beta}$ levels in 45 of 83 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 and 6 months of treatment. Results : 1) In sera of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis(n=83), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6(p<0.05), TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ were elevated and TGF-${\beta}$ was decreased comparing to control. IL-2, Il-12(p40), IL-4 and IL-10 were similar between the patients with tuberculosis and control. 2) In endobronchial tuberculosis, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were elevated and TGF-${\beta}$ was decreased comparing to control. IL-12(p40) seemed to be elevated comparing to pulmonary tuberculosis. 3) Far advanced tuberculosis showed markedly elevated IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ level(p<0.05). 4) The significant correlations were noted between IL-1, IL-6 AND TNF-${\alpha}$ and between IL-12, Il-2 and IL-4(p<0.01). 5) After 2 and 6 months of standard treatment, the level of IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ was significantly decreased(p<0.05). Conclusion : These results showed that an altered balance between cytokines is likely to be involved in the extent of inflammation, tissue damage and severity of the disease tuberculosis. But, it should be considered diversities of cytokine response according to type of tuberculosis and immunity in clinical application and interpreting future studies.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.141-149
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• 2005

In order to investigate the immunomodulational effects of Lonicerae Caulis et Folium, the author measured cytokines production(IL-10, IL-12(P35), IL12(P40), $IFN-{\gamma}$) in mice splenocytes. The results were obtained as follows : 1. The water extract of Lonicerae Caulis et Folium significantly enhanced the gene expression of IL-12(P35), IL-12(P40), but reduced the gene expression of IL-10, $IFN-{\gamma}$. 2. In water fraction and ethyl acetate fraction, the gene expression of IL-12(P35), $IFN-{\gamma}$ was significantly increased and that of IL-12(P40), IL-10 was decreased. The above results demonstrate that Lonicerae Caulis et Folium has enhancing immune activity by upregulation of these cytokines. Therefore, if we make the relationship between these cytokines(IL-10, IL-12, $IFN-{\gamma}$) besides IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-8, $TGF-{\beta}$ and so on which concerned the immunopotentiation, the immunopotentiational mechanism of Lonicerae Caulis et Folium will be shown clearly.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.51-66
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• 2004

Objectives : To evaluate experimentally the clinical effect of Bojeongjeongcheon-tang, we observed the cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$/TEX>, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-{\alpha},{\;}TGF-{\beta},{\;}IFN-{\gamma}$) and what effect they have on IgE in B cells of a rat. Methods : First of all, we extracted the spleens of healthy Balb/c mice and separated B cells from them. These B cells were cultured with anti-CD40 mAb (500 ng/ml), rmIL-4 (500 U/ml), Bojeongjeongcheon-tang (100 ug/ml, 10 ug/ml, 1 ug/ml). We used rmiL-10 (50 ng/ml) as a control group. Furthermore, we analyzed the expression of IgE, CD23, CD69 and the coherence of HRF in B cells using a flow cytometer. We also analyzed the cytokine gene expression in B cells by reverse transcriptase-PCR. We also measured B cells proliferation using the Liquid Scintillation Counter. Results : In this study, the Bojeongjeongcheon-tang treated group showed a tendency to decrease depending on the density compared with the control group in the expression of IgE+, CD23+, CD69, HRF. All of the Bojeongjeongcheon-tang treated group showed inhibitory effects with $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-4, IL-5 and proliferating effects with IL-6, IL-10, and $IFN-{\gamma}$ on cytokines transcript expression depending on the density. Meanwhile, $TNF-{\alpha}$ increased in all density. In IgE production, there was inhibitory effect on Bojeongjeongcheon-tang (both 100 ug/ml and 10 ug/ml) of significance (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). Also in B cell proliferation, the result revealed an inhibitory effect of Bojeongjeongcheon-tang (both 100 ug/ml and 10 ug/ml), of significance (p < 0.001, p < 0.01). Conclusions : This study shows that Bojeongjeongcheon-tang has an inhibitory effect on the production and activity of B cells. Also it inhibited CD23, IL-4 activity and IgE production and activation. It is obvious that Bojeongjeongcheon-tang treats asthma by inhibiting the production of histamine and HRF, IL-5 and proliferating IL-10. Also Bojeongjeongcheon-tang has some preventive effects on bronchial change by inhibiting $TGF-{\beta}$, which stimulates the bronchial transformation.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.321-327
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• 2009

Licochalcone A is a chalcone isolated from the roots of Glycyrrhiza inflate. In this study, we examined the effects of licochalonce A on the production of cytokines in LPS-activated macrophages. Licochalcone A inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$. The reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines is related to the differences in the mRNA expression of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$. Moreover, licochalcone A inhibited the mRNA expression of IL-12p40, IL-18, and IL-23p19. To investigate its mechanism, we performed gel shift assay. Licochalcone A reduced nuclear NF-${\kappa}B$ binding activity in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that licochalcone A has anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated macrophages and its mechanism could be through the down-regulation of binding to the ${\kappa}B$ site.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2005

The present study was performed to investigate the effects of intra-articular injection of interleukin-1${\beta}$ (IL-1${\beta}$) on the formalin-induced temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. Under anesthesia, a 30-gauge needle was introduced into the right TMJ region for injection of formalin. Microinjection of 50 ${\mu}l$ of 5% formalin significantly produced noxious scratching behavioral response, and the scratching behavior lasted for 40 min. Although the responses produced by formalin injection were divided into two phases, the response of 1st phase did not significantly differ from the scratching behavior response in the saline-treated group. We examined the effects of intra-articular injection of IL-1${\beta}$ on the number of noxious behavioral responses produced by 50${\mu}l$ of 5% formalin injection. Intra-articular injection of 100 pg and 1 ng of IL-1${\beta}$ significantly increased the number of behavioral responses of the 2nd phase, while 10 pg of IL-1${\beta}$ did not change the formalin-induced behavioral responses. To investigate whether IL-1 receptor was involved in the intra-articular administration of IL-1${\beta}$-induced hyperalgesic response, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL- ra, 50 ng) was administrated together with IL-1${\beta}$ injection. IL-1${\beta}$ receptor antagonist blocked IL-1${\beta}$- induced hyperalgesic response in the TMJ formalin test. These results suggest that intra-articular injection of IL-1${\beta}$ facilitated the transmission of nociceptive information in the TMJ area.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1044-1050
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• 2006

The Korean genuine medicine, 'Gigukjihwangtanggami (GJT)' has long been used clinically for hypertension and various cerebrovascular diseases. However, experimental study has been carried out very little. Recently cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play an important role in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction (CI). The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of GJT on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCS) stimulated with lipopolysaccaride (LPS) from Cl patients. The amount of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}\;(TNF-{\alpha}),\;interleukin-1{\beta}\;(IL-1{\beta})$, IL-6, IL-8, IL-4 and IL-10 in PBMC culture supernatant was significantly increased in the LPS treated cells compared to unstimulated cells. GJT inhibited the production of $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS. The maximal inhibition rate of the $TNF-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and IL-8 production by pretreatment of GJT (1 mg/ml) was $57.32{\pm}2.5%$ (p.0.05), $42.02{\pm}3.5%$ (p.0.05), $40.02{\pm}2.3%$ (p.0.05) and $48.02{\pm}3.1$, (p.0.05), respectively. In the Other hand, GJT increased the production of IL-4 and IL-10. The maximal increase rate of the IL-4 and IL-10 production by pretreatment of GJT (1 mg/ml) was $42.4{\pm}3.3%$ (p.0.05) End $56.4{\pm}2.9%$ (p.0.05), respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that GJT Ray have regulatory effects on the cytokine production and suggest that GJT might use clinically for the treatment of CI.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.249-259
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• 2003

Objective : We aimed to identify the inhibitory effects of SocheongRyoungTang on Cytokine Production and Secretion of IgE in Highly Purified Mouse B cells. This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of SoCheongRyongTang(SCRT) on Antiallergy. Materials and Methods : We measured the cytotoxic activity for cytokines transcript expression, production of $IL-1{\beta},\;IL-4,\;IL-6,\;IL-10,\;IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha},\;TGF-{\beta}$ proliferation of B cell in anti-CD40mAb plus rIL-4 plus HRF stimulated murine splenic B cells and histamine in anti-CD40mAb plus rIL-4 plus HRF stimulated mast cells. Results : 1. SCRT increased the gene synthesis of $IFN-{\gamma}(m-RNA)$, the appearance of IL-10, $IFN-{\gamma}$. 2. SCRT decreased the gene synthesis of $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-4,\;TGF-{\beta}(m-RNA)$ and the appearance of $IL-l{\beta},\;IL-4,\;TGF-{\beta},\;IgE$ significantly. Conclusion : SCRT decreased the proliferation of B cell significantly. According to the above results, it is suggested that SCRT extract might be usefully applied for prevention and treatment of Allergic disease.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.245-257
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• 2004

This study was done to evaluate the antiallergic effects of Naenghyohwan(NHH). Cytotoxic activity for lung fibroblast cells, cytokines transcript expression of IL-1, IL-4, IL-5, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$1, IFN-${\gamma}$, production of IL-4, IL-10. IFN-${\gamma}$, IgE in anti-CD40mAb plus rIL-4 stimulated murine splenic B cells and the production of histamin released in mast cells, and the expression of histamine release factor(HRF) in splenic B cells were measurd. The following results were obtained. NHH did not showed cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells. NHH increased the gene synthesis of TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$(m-RNA). NHH decreased the gene synthesis of IL-1${\beta}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, TGF-${\beta}1$(m-RNA). NHH decreased the appearance of IL-4, IgE significantly. NHH increased the appearance of IL-10. IFN-${\gamma}$ significantly. NHH decreased the proliferation of B cells significantly. NHH decreased the appearance of histamin expression of HRF in mast cells significantly. The results suggest NHH is effective against the allergies. Continued studies of the antiallergic effects of NHH are urged.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.103-109
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• 2006

Objective : Activated endothelial cells mediate the cascade of reactions in response to hypoxia for adaptation to the stress. It has been suggested that hypoxia, by itself, without reperfusion, can activate the endothelial cells and initiate complex responses. In this study, we investigated whether hypoxia-induced endothelial products alter the endothelial permeability and have a direct cytotoxic effect on nerve cells. Methods : Hypoxic condition of primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells[HUVEC] was induced by $CoCl_2$ treatment in culture medium. Cell growth was evaluated by 3,4,5-dimethyl thiazole-3,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay Hypoxia-induced products [$IL-1{\beta},\;TGF-{\beta}1,\;IFN-{\gamma},\;TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-10, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-l and VEGF] were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Endothelial permeability was evaluated by Western blotting. Results : Prolonged hypoxia caused endothelial cells to secrete IL -6, IL -8, MCP-1 and VEGF. However, the levels of IL -1, IL -10, $TNF-{\alpha},\;TGF-{\beta},\;IFN-{\gamma}$ and nitric oxide remained unchanged over 48 h hypoxia. Hypoxic exposure to endothelial cells induced the time-dependent down regulation of the expression of cadherin and catenin protein. The conditioned medium taken from hypoxic HUVECs had the cytotoxic effect selectively on neuroblastoma cells, but not on astroglioma cells. Conclusion : These results suggest the possibility that endothelial cell derived cytokines or other secreted products with the increased endothelial permeability might directly contribute to nerve cell injury followed by hypoxia.