• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.179-186
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• 2002

Objective: Lectins are cell-agglutinating and sugar specific proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that precipitate glycoconjugates having saccharides of appropriate complementarity. Because of these properties, plant lectins have been used to help characterize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in the zona pellucida (ZP) of several mammalian species including pigs. Treatment of oocytes with various lectins blocks sperm binding to the ZP in various mammalian species. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of sugar residues in the ZP of pig oocytes matured in vitro and the ability of spermatozoa to bind to ZP and in vitro penetration in oocytes treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. Materials and Methods: The lectins of Banderiaea simplicifolia (BS-II, bind to $\beta$-D-N-acetylglucosamine), Canavalin ensiformis (Con A, bind to $\alpha$-D-Mannose), Lens culinaris (LCA, bind to a-D-Mannose), Ricinus communis (RCA-I, bind to $\beta$-D-Galactose) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I, bind to $\alpha$-L-Fucose) were examined for spermatozoa penetration, binding capacity to ZP and distribution of lectins. Results: The penetration rates were significantry (p<0.05) higher in control oocytes (63%) than those treated with all lectins, but penetration rates ($40{\sim}49%$) were simililar in group treated with lectins. The incidence of monospermy was similar in oocytes untreated and UEA-I, but it was higher in oocytes treated with BS-II, Con A, RCA-I and LCA. The porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h in TC-199 medium were freed from cumulus cells and treated for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled lectins. When examined under fluorescein illumination, higher (p<0.001) proportions of oocytes showed fluorescein of zona pellucida after treatment with Con A (93%), LCA (93%) and RCA-I (100%) than BS-II (37%) and UEA-I (50%). All of the oocytes treated with RCA-I exhibited strong fluorescein in the outer region of the zona pellucida while those treated with LCA exhibited strong fluorescein throughout the zona pellucida. BS-II bounded mainly to the outer region and UEA-I bounded mainly to the inner region of the zona pellucida, with either strong or weak fluorescein. At 120 min after insemination in vitro, fewer spermatozoa were bound to the zona pellucida of the oocytes treated with BS-II, Con-A and RCA-I. Of the lectins, Con A most inhibited sperm binding. Conclusions: These results suggest that $\beta$-D-Galactose residues in the porcine zona pellucida may act as primary sperm receptors and inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction and these sugar residues may be involved in the block to polyspermy.

• 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.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2146-2152
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• 2015

Apios americana Medik (hereinafter Apios) has been reported to treat diseases, including cancer, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. The therapeutic effect of Apios is likely to be associated with its anti-inflammatory activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of Apios in animal models of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1). Mice were exposed to LPS or H1N1 for 2-4 days to induce acute lung injury. The treatment groups were administered Apios extracts via oral injection for 8 weeks before LPS treatment or H1N1 infection. To investigate the effects of Apios, we assessed the mice for in vivo effects of Apios on immune cell infiltration and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and histopathological changes in the lung. After induction of acute lung injury, the numbers of neutrophils and total cells were lower in the Apios-treated groups than in the non-Apios-treated LPS and H1N1 groups. The Apios groups tended to have lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 in BAL fluid. In addition, the histopathological changes in the lungs were markedly reduced in the Apios-treated groups. These data suggest that Apios treatment reduces LPS- and H1N1-induced lung inflammation. These protective effects of Apios suggest that it may have therapeutic potential in acute lung injury.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.33-39
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• 2009

The effects of white ginseng and red ginseng ethanol extracts on the proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) in human Band T lymphocytes isolated from blood cell of sasang constitution were examined in vitro. White ginseng extract known as medicine suitable for soeumin constitution showed the highest immune activities such as proliferation, NO production and TNF-$\alpha$ in soeumin constitution, and followed by taeeumin and soyangin, respectively (P<0.05). However, there were immunologically insignificant differences among sasang constitution lymphocytes treated by red ginseng ethanol extract. Both white and red ginseng ethanol extracts showed significantly higher immunological activities than LPS-induced sasang constitution lymphocytes on NO production and TNF-$\alpha$ release (P<0.05). The different immunological activities of white and red ginseng extracts in sasang constitution lymphocytes might be due to the component changes during the processing of ginseng. Thus, the findings of components suitable for all constitutions from red ginseng extract could be applied as a new constitution marker.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.186-200
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• 2000

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of Indongdeungjikolpitang water extract(IJTE) on the complication of diabetes. IJTE did not affect the level of blood glucose in alloxan- or streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic mice, but inhibited the motility of gastrointestine. IJTE inhibited the writhing syndrome induced by acetic acid, the permeability of evans blue into peritoneal cavity induced by acetic acid, the paw edema induced by histamine, and the formation of cotton pellet granuloma. IJTE increased the cell viability of thymocytes and splenocytes. IJTE decreased the release of ${\gamma}-interferone$(${\gamma}-IFN$) and interleukin-2(IL-2), but did not affect the release of interleukin-4(IL-4) from murine thymocytes. IJTE increased the release of IL-4 and decreased the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$($TNF-{\alpha}$) and $interleukin-1{\beta}$($IL-1{\beta}$), but did not affect of ${\gamma}-IFN$ and IL-2 from murine splenocytes. IJTE decreased the release of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and $IL-1{\beta}$ from murine peritoneal macrophages. IJTE decreased the production of niric oxide(NO) from murine peritioneal macrophages and increased the phagocytic activity of murine peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest that IJTE has an anti-inflammatory action via the inhibition of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$ and NO production from immune cells.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.242-256
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• 2007

1. Objectives Purpose of this study is to prove anti-aging and anti-oxidative effects of Gongjinhugwon-dan decoction. 2. Methods The SD rats used in this experiment were 6, 18, and 36 weeks old. Each age group was again divided into three groups. These nine groups consisted of 8 rats each. One group was given no treatment, another group was dosed $200{\mu}l$ of normal saline daily, and the last group was dosed $200{\mu}l$ of 1 % Gongjinhugwon-dan and saline mixture. At the conclusion of the experiment, the age groups were relabelled accordingly (10 weeks, 22 weeks, and 40 weeks). After 4 weeks, change of weight and liver markers were measured. Serum LDL cholesterol, total bilirubin, albumin, glucose, GOT and GPT levels were observed in order to check the hematological modification. Also, each organ tissue was biopsied in order to measure the SOD activity and the glutathione content change. 3. Results & Conclusions Aging did not cause any significant change in GOT and LDH, but GPT and albumin levels showed increase after GHD intake. Serum GPT was lower in the experimental group. Serum total bilirubin of the 40 w GHD group was significantly increased. The populations of dendritic cells in the spleens of the GHD groups were significantly increased. The levels of GSH in the liver of the 40 w GHD group and in the kidney of 22w-GSD were significantly increased in comparison with those of the normal groups. The degenerative change of brain tissue was decreased in the 40 w GHD group compared with those of the 40w normal group and the 40 w saline group. These results suggest that anti-oxidative GSH concentration of liver and kidney in rats treated with GHD showed significant increase in the 40 w GHD group. GHD was effective on increasing anti-oxidative substance in liver and dendritic cells in spleen, thus helping immune system and preventing cell mutation and degenerative change of brain tissues. Further studies and clinical investigation with GHD is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.121-141
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• 2011

Objective : This Experimental study was done to investigate the Effect of Taklisodok-um and Hwangryunhaedok-tang(TH) on Atopic Dermatitis. Methods : We assessed effects of TH on the IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgG1, IFN-${\gamma}$ in vivo, on the IL-4, IL-5, CCR3 in the skin tissues of ear and dorsum with NC/Nga mice. And we assessed effects of TH on the COX-2, IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 with RAW 264.7 cell. Results and Conclusion : 1. IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IgM, IgGl levels in the serum of TH treated NC/Nga mouse group were decreased compared to the untreated control mice. IFN-r showed a increase in the experimental group compared to the untreated control group. The spleen weight of TH treated NC/Nga mice was decreased compared to the untreated control group. 2. mRNA expression levels of IL-4, IL-5 and CCR3 in the skin tissues of TH treated NC/Nga mice were decreased, and expression levels of IL-6 in the skin tissues of TH treated NC/Nga mice were decreased compared to the untreated control group. IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA expression levels were increased compared to the untreated control group. 3. Judged from that IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6 express of gene, effect of inflammatory Cytokines revelation were decreased compared to the untreated control group. 4. Depend on the strength of TH, inflammatory RAW 264.7 in the serum of TH were inhibited compared to the untreated control serum that leaded a COX-2 activity model. 5. Histological observation of the ear and skin tissues showed that the extents of inflammation and infiltrated immune cells in the epidermis and dermis of TH treated NC/Nga mice were highly reduced compared to the untreated control group.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.27-33
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• 2012

Oral lichen planus(OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease with cell-mediated immune responses, but the exact cause is unknown. The treatment aim of OLP is not complete cure but to alleviate symptoms. In this study, two kinds of corticosteroid gargling solutions used for comparing the effects. From 2002 to 2010, 180 patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus and received topical steroid therapy in the Pusan National University Dental Hospital. Each of two types of solution contained dexamethasone (dexamethasone disodium phosphate) and prednisolone ($solondo^{(R)}$). A period of relief of symptoms and recurrence was recorded. The group using solution containing dexamethasone(dexa gargle) was prescribed to 33 patients(25 female, 8 male) and another group containing prednisolone (solon gargle) included 147 patients (114 female, 33 male). The effect of dexa gargle seemed faster than the solon gargle. There was no significant difference for recurrent rate between the groups using dexa and solon gargle.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2003

Background: Immunoglobulin (Ig) light chain repertoire has been implicated as a critical determinant in regulation of autoreactive B cells and production of pathogenic anti-DNA antibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We analyzed the impact of Ig ${\lambda}$ chain repertoire on development of autoimmunity in patients with SLE. Methods: We obtained genomic DNA from individual peripheral CD19+ B cells of 3 untreated active SLE patients, and amplified $V{\lambda}$ rearrangements from each single cell by polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total number of 208 $V{\lambda}J{\lambda}$ rearrangements were analyzed. Analyzed sequences included 158 productive rearrangements and 50 nonproductive rearrangements. The differences in $V{\lambda}$ gene usage in the productive and nonproductive repertoire of SLE patients were found compared to the non-autoimmune individuals. $V{\lambda}$ gene, 9A was significantly overrepresented in nonproducative repertoire of SLE patients (P=0.016). In the productive repertoire, $V{\lambda}$ genes, 3L and 1E were found more often in the SLE patients (P=0.001, P=0.043). When the productive and the nonproductive repertoires were compared, 9A was found significantly less in the productive repertoire in the SLE patients (P=0.000). There were no significant differences in the $J{\lambda}$ gene usage between SLE patients and non-autoimmune individuals, but $J{\lambda}2/3$ gene was the most frequently used in SLE, whereas $J{\lambda}7$ gene was the most frequently used in the normal subjects. In the productive SLE $V{\lambda}$ repertoire, 9.4% of the total sequences employed identical CDR3. It was particularly striking to find 7 identical versions of the 1G-$J{\lambda}2/3$ $V{\lambda}J{\lambda}$ rearrangements from one patient and 3 of the same sequence from another patient. Notably, identical $V{\lambda}$ junctions in the SLE patients utilized significantly more homologous joining compared to $V{\lambda}$ junctions of the normal adults (P=0.044). Conclusion: These data demonstrate regulation of ${\lambda}$ light chain expression in the SLE patients by selection of unique $V{\lambda}$ genes. Also, biased selection and clonal expansion of particular $V{\lambda}$ rearrangements are apparent in the SLE ${\lambda}$ repertoire.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.73-82
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• 2008

Dental caries is an infectious disease caused by mutans streptococci, and is a primary etiologic agent of dental caries in humans. The molecular pathogenesis of mutans streptococcal-associated dental caries occurs in three phases. Firstly, S. mutans attaches to tooth surface via a cell surface adhesion termed antigen I/II. In the second phase, the glucosyltransferase(GTFs) synthesize polymers like glucans in the presence of sucrose. In the third phase, the multivalent glucans interacts with glucan binding proteins (GBPs) and they make dental plaque and accumulation of microorganisms. Many studies and clinical trials have indicated that a mucosal immune response to these antigens(Ag I/II, GTFs, GBPs) of S. mutans can influence the pathogenesis of dental caries. So these antigens can be important vaccine candidates for immunologic intervention against dental caries. In this study, we cloned the genes for GTFb, GTFc, GTFd from S. mutans GS-5 and did the nucleotide sequence analysis. And the recombinant proteins of GTFd and N-terminus of GTFd were expressed. Intact GTF which we get from this experiment can be used for antibody production specific for any GTF activity domain through animal experiment.