• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.227-232
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• 2017

Although water is an essential component of the human body and is involved in many physiological processes, the effect of a steady and sufficient water intake on blood components has not well elucidated. Therefore, we investigated the changes in hematological parameters, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and immunoglobulin G (IgG) after water intake in 13 healthy adults. They were divided into two groups: The control group (N=4), which consumed water ad libitum, and the experimental group (N=9), which consumed 2 L of water per day. Two weeks later, blood cell counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin content had increased in the experimental group, although not significantly (p>0.05); however, there was a significant increase in the mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (p<0.05; and p<0.01, respectively), and a significant decrease in the mean platelet volume (MPV) (p<0.05). Of the immunologic parameters, a non-significant decrease in the concentration of hs-CRP, an indicator of cardiovascular disease risk, was observed (p>0.05). However, there was a dramatic and significant increase in the concentration of IgG (p<0.05). In conclusion, a steady and sufficient water intake may contribute to alleviate anemia by increasing hemoglobin. Additionally, it may decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease by decreasing platelet activation and concentration of hs-CRP. Furthermore, a steady intake of water may improve immune function by increasing the concentration of the components of humoral immunity.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1348-1358
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• 2017

To enhance the physiological activity of the Rhynchosia volubilis (RV), R. volubilis (RVHE-A) and R. volubilis-added herbal powder (RVHE-B) were fermented with a solid state culture of Hericium erinaceum mycelia (HE). The total isoflavone contents of the non-fermented RV-A ($489.9{\mu}g/g$) and RV-B ($571.1{\mu}g/g$) were remarkably increased in fermented RVHE-A ($1,836.4{\mu}g/g$) and RVHE-B ($1,276.7{\mu}g/g$). In particular, aglycone isoflavones such as daidzein and genistein were significantly higher in the RVHE-A than any other sample. When hot-water (HW) and EtOH extracts (E) were fractionated from the RV and RVHE, both extracts from the RVHE-A were higher than those from the RV-A in total polyphenol and flavonoid contents. However, the RVHE-B-HW showed a lower polyphenol and flavonoid content level than did RV-B-HW. RVHE-A-HW and -E also had more potent ABTS radical scavenging activity than any extract from the non-fermented RV and other ferments (RVHE-B). In the meanwhile, RVHE-A-HW potently stimulated the production of macrophage activation-related cytokines such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-6 and IL-12 ($841.7{\pm}71.3pg/mL$, $3.9{\pm}0.1ng/mL$, $179.3{\pm}30.2pg/mL$) from peritoneal macrophage more than RV-A-HW ($92.5{\pm}1.5pg/mL$, $0.1{\pm}0.0ng/mL$, $37.4{\pm}5.4pg/mL$) as well as RVHE-B-HW ($557.0{\pm}21.3pg/mL$, $1.8{\pm}0.0ng/mL$, $90.0{\pm}10.0pg/mL$). However, all the EtOH extracts did not show significant activity. In addition, the RVHE-A-HW showed a significantly higher intestinal immune system modulating activity through Peyer's patch and GM-CSF production than did any other extract from RV and RVHE-B. In conclusion, these results suggest that the fermented R. volubilis with H. erinaceum mycelia possesses a possible use as an industrial application as functional food or material.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.04a
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• pp.19-29
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• 1996

The neurological manifestations of AIDS include dementia, encountered even in the absence of opportunistic superinfection or malignancy. The AIDS Dementia Complex appears to be associated with several neuropathological abnormalities, including astrogliosis and neuronal injury or loss. How can HIV-1 result in neuronal damage if neurons themselves are only rarely, if ever, infected by the vitus\ulcorner In vitro experiments from several different laboratiories have lent support to the existence of HIV- and immune-related toxins. In one recently defined pathway to neuronal injury, HIV-infected macrophages/microglia as well as macrophages activated by HIV-1 envelope protein gp120 appear to secrete excitants/neurotoxins. These substances may include arachidonic acid, platelet-activating factor, free radicals (NO - and O$_2$), glutamate, quinolinate, cysteine, cytokines (TNF-${\alpha}$, IL1-B, IL-6), and as yet unidentified factors emanating from stimulated macrophages and possibly reactive astrocytes. A final common pathway for newonal suscepubility appears to be operative, similar to that observed in stroke, trauma, epilepsy, and several neurodegenerative diseases, including Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This mechanism involves excessive activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-operated channels, with resultant excessive influx of Ca$\^$2+/ leading to neuronal damage, and thus offers hope for future pharmacological intervention. This chapter reviews two clinically-tolerated NMDA antagonists, memantine and nitroglycerin; (ⅰ) Memantine is an open-channel blocker of the NMDA-associated ion channel and a close congener of the anti-viral and anti-parkinsonian drug amantadine. Memantine blocks the effects of escalating levels of excitotoxins to a greater degree than lower (piysiological) levels of these excitatory amino acids, thus sparing to some extent normal neuronal function. (ⅱ) Niuoglycerin acts at a redox modulatory site of the NMDA receptor/complex to downregulate its activity. The neuroprotective action of nitroglycerin at this site is mediated by n chemical species related to nitric oxide, but in a higher oxidation state, resulting in transfer of an NO group to a critical cysteine on the NMDA receptor. Because of the clinical safety of these drugs, they have the potential for trials in humans. As the structural basis for redox modulation is further elucidated, it may become possible to design even better redox reactive reagents of chinical value. To this end, redox modulatory sites of NMDA receptors have begun to be characterized at a molecular level using site-directed mutagenesis of recombinant subunits (NMDAR1, NMDAR2A-D). Two types of redox modulation can be distinguished. The first type gives rise to a persistent change in the functional activity of the receptor, and we have identified two cysteine residues on the NMDARI subunit (#744 and #798) that are responsible for this action. A second site, presumably also a cysteine(s) because <1 mM N-ethylmaleimide can block its effect in native neurons, underlies the other, more transient redox action. It appears to be at this, as yet unidentified, site on the NMDA receptor that the NO group acts, at least in recombinant receptors.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.16 no.12
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• pp.1919-1927
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• 2006

Tumor cells genetically engineered to secrete cytokines are effective in tumor therapy, but various unexpected side effects are observed, which may result from the bulk activation of various bystander cells. In this study, we tested tumor vaccines expressing various membrane-bound forms of IL-2 (mbIL-2) on MethA fibrosarcoma cells to focus antitumor immune responses to CTL. Chimeric forms of IL-2 with whole CD4, deletion forms of CD4, and TNF were expressed on the tumor cell surface, respectively. Tumor clones expressing mbIL-2 or secretory form of IL-2 were able to support the cell growth of CTLL-2, an IL-2-dependent T cell line, and the proliferation of spleen cells from 2C TCR transgenic mice that are responsive to the $p2Ca/L^d$ MHC class I complex. Expression of mbIL-2 on tumor cells reduced the tumorigenicity of tumor cells, and the mice that once rejected the live IL-2/TNF tumor clone acquired systemic immunity against wild-type MethA cells. The IL-2/TNF clone was inferior to other clones in tumor formation, and superior in the stimulation of the CD8+ T cell population in vitro. These results suggest that the IL-2/TNF clone is the best tumor vaccine, and may stimulate CD8+ T cells by direct priming. Expression of IL-2/TNF on tumor cells may serve as an effective gene therapy method to ameliorate the side effects encountered in the recombinant cytokine therapy and the conventional cytokine gene therapy using the secretory form of IL-2.

• CELLMED
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.18.1-18.7
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• 2013

Inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by immune cell infiltration and cytokine secretion. In particular, mast cells and their cytokines play an important role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. Korean medicine, BaekJeol-Tang (BT) was designed by traditional Korean medicine theory. We already reported therapeutic effect of BT in rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we report the specific underlying mechanism of BT in activated human mast cells, HMC-1 cells. In addition, we report for the first time that BT significantly inhibited the production and mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines including thymic stromal lymphopoietin, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ in activated HMC-1 cells. BT also decreased the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, and caspapase-1. Taken together, these results indicate that BT has potential as a regulator of inflammatory reactions for the treatment of arthritis such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.7
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• pp.624-629
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• 2007

Hizikia fusiforme(sea weed fusiforme) has long been used for food source in this country. This study was performed to evalute the immunomodulative effects of Hizikia fusiforme (sea weed fusiforme) in mouse, using in vivo experiments. In vivo experiment, different concentration (0, 50, 500 mg/kg B.W.) of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts were orally administrated into mouse every other day for two weeks. The proliferation of mouse splenocytes, the production of three cytokines ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha})$ secreted by activated macrophage. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced in mouse orally administrated with 50 mg/kg B.W. and 500 mg/kg B.W. concentration compared to that of control group. Especially, the highest proliferation of spleoncyte was seen from the mouse orally administrated at the concentration of 50 mg/kg B.W. Also, the mouse of Hizikia fusiforme water extracts supplementation group in the both concentrations showed enhanced levels of cytokine production by activated peritoneal macrophages compared to those in control group. The highest level of cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha})$ production was observed at 50 mg/kg B.W. supplementation group with LPS stimulation in all cases.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.61-67
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• 2008

Objective: This study was attempted to look at the effect of dexamethasone on the luteolysis of corpus luteum in rats by immunohistochemical study. Methods: Counting with an optical microscope was conducted to make a comparison on difference in luteolysis and penetration of macrophage into three groups: control group of 30 female rats at 8 weeks of age, dexamethasone 0.1 mg administered group, and dexamethasone 1mg administered group. Results: As a result of TUNEL immunostaining, the percentage of luteolysis was significantly reduced in both dexamethasone 0.1 mg administered group and 1 mg administered group, and after ED1 immunostaining, macrophage invasion was reduced in dexamethasone 1 mg administered group. As a consequence of ED1 immunostaining, the immune response of macrophage was much decreased in dexamethasone 1 mg administered group than control group. Conclusion: Dexamethasone works on luteal cell, so it can suppress apoptosis. It can suppress luteolysis by suppression macrophage invasion into corpus luteum or suppress macrophage activation in corpus luteum.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.242-247
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• 2003

Background: Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder that is characterized by a marked proliferation of keratinocytes, vascular dilation and leukocyte infiltration. Cytokines play important roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. An overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines was characterized in psoriasis plaque. Among these cytokines, IL-$1{\beta}$ is major pro-inflammatory cytokine synthesized during the infection and inflammatory process. The IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) competes for the same IL-1 receptor for $IL-1{\alpha}$ and $-1{\beta}$, which prevents activation of the target cells. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-$1{\beta}$ gene have been reported at position -31, -511 and +3954. Within the IL-1Ra gene (IL-1RN), there is a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of an 86 bp length in intron 2. These polymorphisms related to cytokine production and associated with various diseases. Methods: We investigated the polymorphisms of IL-1B (promoter -511 and +3954) and IL-1RN on 114 psoriasis patients and 311 healthy normal controls in Korean. We performed PCR-RFLP on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of IL-1B (promoter -511 and +3954) and fragment analysis on IL-1RN 86 bp VNTR polymorphism. Results: The frequency of IL-1B $-511^*1$ allele (patients vs. controls; 50.0% vs. 42.3%, RR=1.4) was significantly increased and IL-1B $-511^*2$ allele (patients vs. controls; 50.0% vs. 57.7%, RR=0.7) decreased in psoriasis patients compared to normal controls. We also analyzed the IL-1B -511 polymorphism according to patients' characters (age of onset, sex and family history). The IL-1B -511 alleles were significantly associated in patients with male and family history than health normal controls. There were no significant associations of IL-1B +3954 and IL-1RN polymorphisms with psoriasis patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that the polymorphism of IL-1B -511 could be genetic susceptibility to psoriasis in Koreans.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.64-73
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• 2009

Background: 15d-$PGJ_2$ has been known to act as an anti-inflammatory agent and has anti-hypertensive effects. As a result of these properties, we examined the effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on the LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA expression in VSMCs from SHR. Methods: Effect and action mechanism of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on the expression of LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA in VSMCs from SHR and WKY were examined by using real-time polymerase chain reaction, electrophoretic mobility shift assay for NF-${\kappa}B$ avtivity, Western blotting analysis for ERK and p38 phosphorylation and flow cytometry for NAD(P)H oxidase activity. Results: 15d-$PGJ_2$ decreased the expression of LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA in WKY VSMCs, but increased the expression of LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA in SHR VSMCs. The upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ in SHR VSMCs was mediated through PPAR${\gamma}$, and dependent on NF-${\kappa}B$ activation and ERK phosphorylation. However, inhibition of the p38 signaling pathway augmented the upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA. A NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitor inhibited the upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 mRNA expression in SHR VSMCs, and an increase in NAD(P)H oxidase activity was detected in SHR VSMCs treated with 15d-$PGJ_2$/LPS. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the upregulatory effect of 15d-$PGJ_2$ on LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 expression in SHR VSMCs is mediated through the PPAR${\gamma}$ and ERK pathway, and may be related to NAD(P)H oxidase activity. However, p38 inactivation may also play an important role in 15d-$PGJ_2$/LPS-induced IL-8/CXCL8 expression in SHR VSMCs.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.307-313
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• 2015

The present study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts on natural killer (NK) cells and T cells. We treated Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts at concentrations of 20, 50, 100, and $150{\mu}g/mL$ to murine NK cells co-incubated with YAC-1 cells. Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts resulted in increased NK cell activity compared to the control group at all concentrations. In the groups treated with Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts, CD69 and IFN-${\gamma}$ expression levels significantly increased compared to the control group at 100 and $150{\mu}g/mL$. In addition, Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts induced significant elevation of CD8+ T cell numbers in a dose-dependent manner. However, Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts also led to reduction of CD4+ T cell and MHCII numbers. The findings of this study suggest that Curcuma longa L. ethanol extracts could enhance the immune response through activation of NK and cytotoxic T cells due to a proliferative shift of antigen presentation from MHCII to MHCI, presumably.