• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제15권4호
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• pp.411-430
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• 2021

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a frequently diagnosed gastrointestinal (GI) disorder characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in the stool form or frequency without any structural changes and overt inflammation. It is not a life-threatening condition but causes a considerable level of discomfort and distress. Among the many pathophysiologic factors, such as altered GI motility, visceral hypersensitivity, and low-grade mucosal inflammation, as well as other immunologic, psychologic, and genetic factors, gut microbiota imbalance (dysbiosis), which is frequently found in IBS, has been highlighted as an etiology of IBS. Dysbiosis may affect gut mucosal homeostasis, immune function, metabolic regulation, and even visceral motor function. As diet is shown to play a fundamental role in the gut microbiota profile, this review discusses the influence of diet on IBS occurring through the modulation of gut microbiota. Based on previous studies, it appears that dietary modulation of the gut microbiota may be effective for the alleviation of IBS symptoms and, also an effective IBS management strategy based on the underlying mechanism; especially because, IBS currently has no specific treatment owing to its uncertain etiology.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제6권2호
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• pp.86-92
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• 2006

Background: Germanium compounds are increased to use in nutrient foods and medicines in terms of antibiotics to microbes, anticancer, modulation of immune system and neutralizing heavy metal toxins. Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, containing stable organic germanium and bound to the yeast protein was developed by Geranti Pharm. LTD. and the modulation effect in the immune system was examined in vivo and in vitro. Methods: The compound, Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast, was fed to female Balb/c mice (each group has 10 mice) for 4 weeks and the yeast powder and steamed red ginseng powder were used as control during the same feeding time points. During 4 weeks there was no symptom to be considered, and after 4 weeks feeding all mice were sacrificed to check the changes of related immune cells and subsidiary responses (i.e. cell counting, FACS, MTT, LDH, PFC assay). Results: In pre-post comparison, B cell population was increased in the group of Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast in a dose dependent manner (100 to 800 mg/kg). However, the population of T cell, dendritic cell and macrophage was not comparably changed in all doses. The ability of cytokine production and proliferation was almost same level as shown in control group. In contrast, PFC assay informed that the compound increase the antibody production ability when fed over 200 mg/kg implying that the increase of PFC number might be due to the increase of B cells. Conclusion: Over the entire study, we concluded that the compound, Geranti Bio-Ge Yeast has better potential in immune response in terms of B cell proliferation than that of positive control, red ginseng, and the compound can be one of the future candidates for a new supplementary source improving immune system activity.

• 약학회지
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.241-246
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• 2004

Mercury is a widespread metal and consequently there are large populations that currently exposed to low levels of mercury. Endotoxin is a component of the gram-negative bacteria and promotes inflammatory responses. The present study was designed to determine the impact of mercury on lymphocytes phenotype populations and endotoxin-induced inflammatory cytokine expressions in immune organ, spleen and thymus. Male BALB/c mice were exposed continuously to 0, 0.3, 1.5, 7.5, or 37.5 ppm of mercuric chloride in drinking water for 14 days and at the end of the treatment period, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 2 h prior to euthanasia. The dose-range of mercury used did not cause hepatotoxicity. Mercury at 7.5 and 37.5 ppm dose-dependently decreased CD3$^{+}$ T lymphocytes in spleen; both CD4$^{+}$ and CD8$^{+}$ single positive lymphocyte populations were decreased. Exposure to 7.5 and 37.5 ppm of mercury decreased the CD8$^{+}$ T lymphocyte population in the thymus, whereas double positive CD4$^{+}$ / CD8$^{+}$ and CD4$^{+}$ thymocytes were not altered. Mercury altered LPS-induced inflammatory cytokine gene expressions such as, tumor necrosis factor $\alpha$, interferon ${\gamma}$, and interleukin-12 in spleen and thymus. Results indicated that decreases in T lymphocyte populations in immune organs and altered cytokine gene expression may contribute to the immune-modulative effects of inorganic mercury.ganic mercury.

• BMB Reports
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• 제39권6호
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• pp.662-670
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• 2006

It is well documented that an extract of European mistletoe has a variety of biological effects, such as the stimulation of cytokine production from immune cells, and additional immunoadjuvant activities. While the European mistletoe has been studied intensively, we know less about Korean mistletoe as a therapeutic plant, especially as a possible immunomodulating drug. This study will investigated the effects of Korean mistletoe lectin (Viscum album L. var. coloratum agglutinin, VCA) on murine splenocytes to investigate whether VCA acts as an immunomodulator, which could lead to improved immune responses in these cells. The results showed that VCA inhibited cell proliferation at higher concentrations (at 1-8 ng/ml) and enhanced cell proliferation at lower concentrations (at 4-32 pg/ml). Further studies were carried out to determine if the pro-proliferative or anti-proliferative activity exhibited by VCA was correlated with cytokine secretion. Consequently, interferon (IFN)-$\gamma$ secretion was decreased in concanavalin A (ConA)-stimulated murine splenocytes by VCA (4-64 ng/ml), but there was no change in IL-4 levels. This suggests that VCA has the ability to modulate murine splenocyte proliferation and can possibly act on the balance of Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제44권5호
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• pp.318-327
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• 2021

CD4+ T helper (Th) cells play a crucial role in the modulation of innate and adaptive immune responses through the differentiation of Th precursor cells into several subsets, including Th1, Th2, Th17, and regulatory T (Treg) cells. Effector Th and Treg cells are distinguished by the production of signature cytokines and are important for eliminating intracellular and extracellular pathogens and maintaining immune homeostasis. Stimulation of naive Th cells by T cell receptor and specific cytokines activates master transcription factors and induces lineage specification during the differentiation of Th cells. The master transcription factors directly activate the transcription of signature cytokine genes and also undergo post-translational modifications to fine-tune cytokine production and maintain immune balance through cross-regulation with each other. This review highlights the post-translational modifications of master transcription factors that control the differentiation of effector Th and Treg cells and provides additional insights on the immune regulation mediated by protein argininemodifying enzymes in effector Th cells.

• 한국축산식품학회지
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• 제34권5호
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• pp.630-637
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• 2014

We previously demonstrated that water-soluble egg yolk extract is not related to elevation of serum immunoglobulin E, which can initiate allergic reactions; however, it increases the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and the activity of B lymphocytes. In this study, egg white (EW) was fed to BALB/c mice to determine its influence on growth efficiency, immune modulation, and changes in serum lipid levels. A total of 50 five-wk-old BALB/c male mice were divided into 5 groups, 4 of which were fed 0, 10, 50, or 100 mg/d EW for 4 wk. Mice with an uptake of 10, 50 and 100 mg/d EW showed no significant changes in daily weight gain, feed efficiency rate, or populations of white blood cells. However, the activities of both B and T lymphocytes were significantly increased in all three EW groups at the final week of treatment. Interestingly, serum levels immunoglobulin E were not altered by EW consumption, but the IgG level was significantly increased in the 100 mg/d EW group. Serum lipid profile analyses showed no significant changes in total cholesterol, HDL, low density lipoprotein, or triglyceride levels by EW consumption. Taken together, these data demonstrate that consumption of EW promotes immune cell activities and the upregulation of serum IgG levels. However, we found no changes in serum lipid profiles and IgE levels. Therefore, our study suggests that consumption of EW might not be related to the risk of food allergy, but could be an excellent candidate for the maintenance of physiological homeostasis.

• 농업과학연구
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• 제43권1호
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• pp.14-20
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• 2016

One of the most powerful health management practices is the use of antibiotics, but their use is being restricted because of health safety issues. The swine industry has been looking for various alternatives to antibiotics and increasingly considers the use of dietary factors like feed ingredients, feed additives, feed formulation practices, or feeding methods, instead of using antibiotics to improve pig health and performance. Among other alternatives to antibiotics, spray-dried plasma may be a candidate. Spray-dried plasma is a blood product that provides bioavailable nutrients and physiologically active components such as immunoglobulins, glycoproteins, growth factors, peptides, etc. It is an excellent protein source with balanced and highly digestible amino acids. Several beneficial physiological activities depend on components of spray-dried plasma, such as immune competence (antibacterial activity), modulation of microbiota and/or immune system, integrity of intestinal barrier function, etc. These beneficial effects can contribute to improvement of pig performance and health by modulation of microbiota in the digestive tract and/or immune system. Therefore, it is suggested that spray-dried plasma has great potential as an antibiotics alternative.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.429-438
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• 2018

Objective: Although the efficacy of Rubus coreanus (RC) byproducts as a feed additive has been recognized, its effects on intestinal microorganisms and the immune system are still unknown. Methods: Six-week-old male rats were treated with 0.5% RC (T1), 1.0% RC (T2), and 1.5% RC (T3) for 4 weeks. Results: We found that treatment with RC byproducts significantly increased the daily gain of body weight and feed intake. Treg-cell differentiation was enhanced in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen from the rats fed with RC byproducts. Illumina sequencing showed that bacteria in the phylum Firmicutes decreased and while those in the phylum Bacteroidetes increased in RC-treated groups. Particularly, the pathogenic microorganisms in the family Peptococcaceae decreased, and the non-pathogenic families Lachnospiraceae and S24-7 increased. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that the RC byproducts increased the lactic acid bacteria Bifidobacterium spp., Oscillospira spp., Leuconostoc citreum, and Weissella cibaria in a concentration-dependent manner. Conclusion: RC byproducts may be effective in immunomodulation by affecting intestinal microorganisms.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.768-773
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• 2002

Behcets disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder. The etiology and pathogenesis of Behcets disease has yet been fully elucidated but might involve immune dysfunction. Cytokines involved in the regulation of inflammatory reactions and immune responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of Behcets disease (BD). Onchungeum is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been successfully used in Korea for the treatment of BD. This report describes modulation effects of Onchungeum on cytokine production from phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Behcets patients by ELISA. Onchungeum significantly inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. TNF-α and IL-1β, compared to absence of Onchungeum (by 52.3 1.4 % inhibition for TNF-α and 113.5 3.3 % for IL-1β, p < 0.001). Onchungeum also inhibited the production of IFN-γ, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by 89.4 0.8 % (p < 0.001). The inhibitory effects of Onchungeum on cytokine production showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml Onchungeum had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of BD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that Onchungeum treatment for Behcets disease patients may have pharmacologic activities and abilities of regulation of immune and inflammatory responses by cytokine modulation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.210-215
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• 2011

It is already known that high concentration of vitamin C induces apoptosis on tumor cells. However, there is no report regarding the function of vitamin C on the modulation of immune susceptibility of cancer. Therefore, we investigated whether vitamin C can modulate immune susceptibility of tumor cells, especially on the induction of Fas-mediated apoptosis. First, the optimal concentration of vitamin C, which cannot induce damages on tumor cells for 36 hrs. We found that 2 mM of vitamin C did not show harmful effect. In addition, the optimal concentration of agonistic anti-Fas Abs for 18 hrs was examined. As a result, 400 ng/ml of agonistic anti-Fas Abs did not induce apoptosis on tumor cells. Next, we tried to find the effect of 2 mM of vitamin C on the modulation of the susceptibility to agonistic anti-Fas Abs. When tumor cells were cultured with 400 ng/ml of agonistic anti-Fas Abs for 18 hrs, after pre-treatment with 2 mM of vitamin C for 24 hrs, viability of cells was decreased. Interestingly, we found that the expression of Fas (CD95) and MHC class I was increased by the treatment of vitamin C. Taken together, vitamin C increases the susceptibility of tumor cells to anti-Fas Abs and the expression of Fas (CD95) and MHC class I on tumor cells.