• BMB Reports
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• 제54권2호
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• pp.142-147
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• 2021

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing unmethylated CpG phosphorothioate (PS CpG-ODN) are known to decrease IgE synthesis in Th2 allergy responses. Nonetheless, the therapeutic role of PS CpG-ODN is limited due to cytotoxicity. Therefore, we developed a phosphodiester (PO) form of CpG-ODN (46O) with reduced toxicity but effective against allergies. In this study, we first compared the toxicity of 46O with CpG-ODNs containing a PS backbone (1826S). We also investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of 46O injected intravenously in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD). To elucidate the mechanism of 46O underlying the inhibition of IgE production, IgE- and TGF-β-associated molecules were evaluated in CD40/IL-4- or LPS/IL-4-stimulated B cells. Our data showed that the treatment with 46O was associated with a lower hematological toxicity compared with 1826S. In addition, injection with 46O reduced erythema, epidermal thickness, and suppressed IgE and IL-4 synthesis in mice with OVA-induced AD. Additionally, 46O induced TGF-β production in LPS/IL-4-stimulated B cells via inhibition of Smad7, which suppressed IgE synthesis via interaction between Id2 and E2A. These findings suggest that enhanced TGF-β signaling is an effective treatment for IgE-mediated allergic conditions, and 46O may be safe and effective for treating allergic diseases such as AD and asthma.

• 한국임상수의학회지
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• 제39권3호
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• pp.144-148
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• 2022

A one-year-old spayed female Korean Shorthair cat presented to Kangwon National University Veterinary Hospital with vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, loss of appetite, and polyuria that lasted for more than two weeks. The body condition score, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature were abnormally low, and the physical examination findings were consistent with moderate dehydration. Hematological and biochemical tests demonstrated mild azotemia and a low Na:K ratio. Additional abdominal ultrasound imaging revealed reduced size of both adrenal glands. The adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) stimulation test showed decreased post-ACTH cortisol and aldosterone levels and increased endogenous ACTH levels, confirming a diagnosis of primary hypoadrenocorticism. The cat was treated with subcutaneous injections of desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP) and oral prednisolone supplementation, and subsequent electrolyte analysis showed a normal Na:K ratio. Clinical symptoms were also improved in response to treatment. Hypoadrenocorticism in cats is a very rare disease, but it should not be excluded as a potential diagnosis in favor of kidney diseases or other conditions, especially when the Na:K ratio is low. In addition, the prognosis for the disease and the response to DOCP treatment should be further evaluated in cats.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• 제64권6호
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• pp.1117-1131
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• 2022

Previous studies reported that Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis HY8002 (HY8002) improved intestinal integrity and had immunomodulatory effects. Lactobacillus plantarum HY7717 (HY7717) was screened in vitro from among 21 other lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and demonstrated nitric oxide (NO) production. The aims of this study were to investigate the individual and combined ex vivo and in vivo effects of LAB strains HY8002 and HY7717 at immunostimulating mice that have been challenged with an immunosuppressant drug. The combination of HY8002 and HY7717 increased the secretion of cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in splenocytes. In a cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression model, administration of the foregoing LAB combination improved the splenic and hematological indices, activated natural killer (NK) cells, and up-regulated plasma immunoglobulins and cytokines. Moreover, this combination treatment increased Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression. The ability of the combination treatment to upregulate IFN-γ and TNF-α in the splenocytes was inhibited by anti-TLR2 antibody. Hence, the immune responses stimulated by the combination of HY8002 and HY7717 are associated with TLR2 activation. The preceding findings suggest that the combination of the HY8002 and HY7717 LAB strains could prove to be a beneficial and efficacious immunostimulant probiotic supplement. The combination of the two probiotic strains will be applied on the dairy foods including yogurt and cheese.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제28권1호
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• pp.15-21
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• 2013

Objectives : To evaluate the safety of KOB, a polyherbal medicine for allergic rhinitis, we conducted a subchronic toxicology study. Methods : Dried extract of KOB(Lot. No. 11003, yield : 41.1%) was prepared from GLP company (Hanpoong Pharm & Food Co., Ltd). KOB was repeatedly administrated orally of male SD rats at daily dose levels of 500 (G2), 1250 (G3) and 5000 (G4) mg/kg/day for 13 weeks. We recorded the clinical signs of toxicity, body weight, food intake/consumption, optometry, urine analysis, organ weights, hematology, and conducted serum biochemical analysis, necropsy, gross and histological changes in target organs of Sprague-Dawley rats, and clinical chemistry analysis. Results : Neither death nor any toxicological signs were obserbed in KOB at all doses of 500, 1250 and 5000 mg/kg/day during the administration period for thirteen-week. Furthermore, there was no difference in body weight and food-take consumption, optometry, necropsy, organ weight, gross pathological findings, and urine analysis among the groups of rats treated with different doses of KOB, during at the observation period for thirteen-week. The hematological analysis and clinical blood chemistry data were revealed no toxic effects from repeated-dose administration of KOB in rats during the observation period. Conclusions : Based on these results, the no observable adverse effect level (NOAEL) of KOB was considered to be 5000 mg/kg/day for male rats under these study conditions.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.293-301
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• 2000

Toxicity of a combined preparation of ticlopidine and ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in a ratio of 10: 4 was examined in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were treated with the test substance intragastrically at a dose of 0 mg/kg, 17 mg/kg, 52 mg/kg or 156 mg/kg for 91 consecutive days. No death or abnormal clinical sign was observed throughout the administration period. There was no difference in body weight gain, food intake or water consumption among different dose groups. Test sub-stance-related differences were not observed in urinalysis. In hematological results mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) of low and high dose male group was increased. Prothrombin time of medium and high dose female group was decreased. A significant increase in serum total cholesterol was observed in both sexes of rats treated with a daily dose of 156 mg/kg, but all the other values obtained in serum chemistry appeared to be within normal ranges. A dose dependent increase in the relative liver and kidney weights was observed in both male and female rats. There were no gross pathological findings at terminal sacrifice. Microscopic histopathological examination did not show any lesion associated with administration of the test substance. The results suggest that under the conditions employed in this study no observable effect level (NOEL) of the test substance be greater than 17 mg/kg/day, but less than 52 mg/kg/day.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.43.1-43.8
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• 2023

Background: Meloxicam is used widely for exotic animal analgesia, but its toxicity in common raptor species in Thailand is unclear. Objectives: This study evaluated the single-dose effect of intramuscular meloxicam in common raptor species in Thailand for short-term and long-term periods. Methods: Twenty-two raptors were administered a single 1 mg/kg dose of meloxicam individually via intramuscular injection. The following were evaluated: clinical appearance, body weight, body condition score, body temperature, fecal appearance, complete blood cell count, and biochemistry panel before (day 0) and after the injection (1, 7, and 30 days). The collected samples were categorized into three groups: Brahminy kite (Haliastur indus) (n = 10), adult Barn owl (Tyto javanica) (n = 4), and juvenile Barn owl (n = 8). Results: None of the raptors in the study groups showed any abnormalities. The hematological profiles were significantly different in the short-term period (day 1 and day 7). The creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatinine kinase increased in several groups. On the other hand, the packed cell volume decreased in the Brahminy kite and juvenile Barn owl groups. According to the findings, an intramuscular injection of 1 mg/kg meloxicam affected the blood biochemistry panel of the muscle, but the affected raptors recovered within one week. Conclusions: An intramuscular injection of meloxicam at a single 1 mg/kg dose in Brahminy kites and Barn owls was not associated with the morbidity, hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal toxicity, and nephrotoxicity in the short- and long-term periods.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.115-121
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• 2022

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Phellinus linteus (PL) extract for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) a pilot clinical study was performed. Methods: There were 24 patients with KOA who enrolled in this double-blind, randomized, controlled, clinical trial. There were 3 groups: PL 1,000 mg/day (PL 1,000), PL 1,500 mg/day (PL 1,500), and dextrin 3,000 mg/day (placebo). Patients took capsules twice a day, 3 capsules at a time, over 8 weeks. Patients were monitored prior to treatment (Visit 1: Week 0), and followed up every 4 weeks (Visit 2: Week 4 and Visit 3: Week 8) where outcome measurements were taken. The primary outcome measure was the score from the Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities from baseline to Week 8. The secondary outcomes were measurements from the visual analog scale, quality of life scale, erythrocyte sedimentation, and c-reactive protein. Adverse events were recorded at every visit. Results: The Korean version of the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities score showed the greatest improvement in symptoms of KOA in the PL 1,500 group compared with the placebo group. The erythrocyte sedimentation tended to decrease in the PL 1,500 group compared with the placebo group (which was within the normal range). The visual analog scale score decreased in all groups, with no significant differences between groups. No adverse events related to PL were reported. There were no abnormal hematological or physical findings. Conclusion: This pilot clinical trial was the first step to assess the efficacy and safety of PL used in the treatment of patients with KOA.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.70.1-70.14
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• 2023

Background: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes a chronic and progressive granulomatous enteritis and economic losses in dairy cattle in subclinical stages. Subclinical infection in cattle can be detected using serum MAP antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Objectives: To investigate the differences in blood parameters, according to the detection of MAP using serum antibody ELISA and fecal PCR tests. Methods: We divided 33 subclinically infected adult cattle into three groups: seronegative and fecal-positive (SNFP, n = 5), seropositive and fecal-negative (SPFN, n = 10), and seropositive and fecal-positive (SPFP, n = 18). Hematological and serum biochemical analyses were performed. Results: Although the cows were clinically healthy without any manifestations, the SNFP and SPFP groups had higher platelet counts, mean platelet volumes, plateletcrit, lactate dehydrogenase levels, lactate levels, and calcium levels but lower mean corpuscular volume concentration than the SPFN group (p < 0.017). The red blood cell count, hematocrit, monocyte count, glucose level, and calprotectin level were different according to the detection method (p < 0.05). The SNFP and SPFP groups had higher red blood cell counts, hematocrit and calprotectin levels, but lower monocyte counts and glucose levels than the SPFN group, although there were no significant differences (p > 0.017). Conclusions: The cows with fecal-positive MAP status had different blood parameters from those with fecal-negative MAP status, although they were subclinically infected. These findings provide new insights into understanding the mechanism of MAP infection in subclinically infected cattle.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제62권1호
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• pp.64-74
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• 2024

This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of regional and seasonal variations on the prevalence of Theileria orientalis and the hematological profile of non-grazed dairy cows in Korea. A total of 365 clinically healthy lactating Holstein Friesian cows from 26 dairy farms in 7 provinces that were categorized into northern, central, and southern regions were sampled during the warm period from July to August and the cold period from October to December. The detection of T. orientalis major piroplasm surface protein gene and the hematology non-grazed dairy cows were analyzed using peripheral blood samples. The T. orientalis prevalence was 20.0% (73/365). The prevalence in the southern region was 35.9%, which was significantly higher than that in the central (21.6%) and northern (12.9%) regions (P<0.05). The prevalence during warm period was higher (43.0%) than that during the cold season (13.5%). The infected cows showed significantly lower erythrocyte counts in the southern region (5.8±0.6 M/㎕) and during the warm period (5.8±0.7 M/㎕) compared with those in the central and northern regions and during the cold season, which affected the extended RBC parameters, including hematocrit and hemoglobin concentrations. Our findings revealed the prevalence of T. orientalis in Korea, highlighting its high occurrence during warm periods and in certain geographical regions. Climatic factors could contribute to the health and productivity of cattle, as evidenced by the prevalence of T. orientalis and its negative impact on animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.51.1-51.11
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• 2024

Importance: Feline calicivirus (FCV)-associated viral systemic disease (VSD) is a severe systemic disease caused by virulent FCV strains and has a very poor prognosis. Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of a nosocomial FCV-VSD outbreak involving 18 cats in Korea. Methods: Medical records of cats diagnosed with FCV-VSD from March to September 2018 at a referral veterinary hospital were reviewed. The patient's signalment, history, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis were evaluated. Results: Two outbreaks involving 18 cats diagnosed with FCV-VSD occurred over a 6-month period at a referral hospital in Korea. Anorexia, lethargy, fever, and limb edema were the most commonly observed clinical symptoms. Lymphopenia and macrothrombocytopenia were the most common hematological findings, and hyperbilirubinemia and increased levels of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, and serum amyloid A were the most frequent results of serum biochemistry. FCV was detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in 11 patients and the remaining 7 were suspected with FCV-VSD. The overall mortality rate was 72.2%. The hospital was closed and disinfected twice, and no additional outbreaks have occurred since the last patient. Conclusions and Relevance: The clinical and diagnostic characteristics and outcomes of FCV-VSD described in this study can be used to recognize and contain infectious diseases through quick action. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a nosocomial outbreak of FCV-VSD in Asia.