• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.315-320
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• 2005

Objective : Toll like receptor(TLR) is known to be involved in innate immunity. Many microbial antigens stimulate TLR, and as a result of intracellular signal transduction, they activate nuclear factor-kB which produces diverse inflammtory cytokines. Until now, many research topics in Kawasaki disease focused on cytokine increasement. In this study, we aim to reveal TLR increasement which might be associated with initiation of inflammatory response. Methods : We obtained the peripheral blood of ten patients who were diagnosed with Kawasaki disease in Yonsei University College of Medicine from March 2003 to August 2003, as well as those of a febrile control group and the same number of a normal control group. Flow cytometry was done in all samples for quantification of TLR-2 expression in CD14 positive monocyte. And we also extracted total RNA of periphral monocyte and quantificated expression of TLR-2 mRNA by RT-PCR. Results : The expression of TLR-2 in Kawasaki disease increased significantly compared with the normal control group but not when compared with the febrile control group. And the expression decreased slightly in the subacute phase of Kawasaki disease compared with the acute phase, but this was statistically insignificant. mRNA expression of TLR-2 in peripheral blood monocyte also increased in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease. Conclusion : Expression of TLR-2 in Kawasaki disease increased when compared with the normal control group, which means that innate immunity is associated with the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.131-138
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• 2009

The radioprotect effects of fractinated fucoidan, derived from Undaria pinnatifida sporophylls, were examined in lung injured rats treated with partial body irradiation. The right lung of Sprague-Dawley rats, eight separately grouped by including radiation only control group (ROG) and fucoidan+radiation treated group (FRG), were treated with various fraction of Undaria-derived fucoidan every other day by intraperitoneal injection 6 days prior to irradiation and during monitoring at 24 hours, 48 hours, 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 12-weeks post-irradiation of 6 Mev/2 Gy. The rats were euthanized at completion of the treatment. Tissue samples from the injured lung, fixed in formaldehyde using lung perfusion prior to extraction, were H/E stained for histological analysis using optical microscopy. Interstitial congestion (IC), hemorrhage in alveolar sac (HM), number of macrophage (MP) and alveolar wall thickness (AWT) as a measure of early indication of fibrosis were measured. AWTs in 24 hrs post-irradiation rats increased in comparison with $2.49{\pm}0.06{\mu}m$ of control group by $3.67{\pm}0.09{\mu}m$, $3.21{\pm}0.08{\mu}m$ (p=0.013), $2.98{\pm}0.08{\mu}m$ (p=0.00) in ROG, F1-fucoidan+radiation, and F3-fucoidan+radiation group, respectively. AWT of the ROG was further increased by $4.30{\pm}0.13{\mu}m$ in the 12 weeks post-irradiation group, but AWT on average was $2.56{\pm}0.05{\mu}m$ in the FRG. MP in the 24 hrs post-irradiation group markedly increased in comparison with $2.6{\pm}0.34/0.14\;mm^2$ of the control group by $8.0{\pm}1.48/0.14\;mm^2$ in the ROG, but it was only $3.6{\pm}0.48/0.14\;mm^2$ in F3-FRG. MP in the 12 weeks post-irradiation group was $7.2{\pm}1.28/0.14\;mm^2$ in ROG, but it was $2.8{\pm}0.37/0.14\;mm^2$ or $2.4{\pm}0.4/0.14\;mm^2$ (p<0.05) in the FRG. In addition, increased IC and HM in ROG were relatively smaller in FRG of the 24 hr and 12 weeks post-irradiation rats. In conclusion, Undaria pinnatifida sporophylls-derived fucoidan fractions exhibited radioprotectant activity on injured rat lung subjected to X-ray irradiation. However, success was variable according to the fractions and also time of injection post injury.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.165-173
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• 2014

Objectives : Platycodon Root is frequently used in traditional medicine to treat inflammatory diseases of the throat. The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of the EtOH extract of fermented Platycodon grandiflorum on the ameliorative effects on the Antipruritic Effect of atopic dermatitis mouse model induced by compound 48/80 and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic responses in mice. Methods : In the present study, we examined the anti allergic effect of Platycodon grandiflorum (PR) and its fermented production (FPR) in several mouse model. We measured acute ear edema in a mouse model caused by TPA and consecutively histological change of Ear tissue was observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. and also Scratching behaviors by compound 48/80 was investigated. The levels of allergic mediators such as immunoglobulin (Ig) E, and anti-oxidant markers such as SOD and MDA in the sera of OVA induced allergic mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : FPR inhibited compoud 48/80-induced scratching behavior in mice, as well as acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The anti-scratching behavioral effect of FPR was more potent than PR. FPR extract significantly decreased the serum levels of IgE and MDA compared with those of OVA control group. Conclusions : These results indicate that Anti allergic effect of Platycodon grandiflorum is enhanced by fermentation with Saccharomyces cerevisae and FPR may be useful for protection from the itching reactions, which are IgE-mediated representative skin allergic diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.399-404
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• 2020

Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) is associated with a variety of therapeutic effects, including antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, vasorelaxative, antiallergic, antidiabetic, and anticancer effects. Accordingly, the use of ginseng has reached an all-time high among members of the general public. However, the safety and efficacy of ginseng in transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressant drugs have still not been elucidated. Transplantation is the most challenging and complex of surgical procedures and may require causation for the use of ginseng. In this regard, we have previously examined the safety, immunological benefits, and protective mechanisms of ginseng with respect to calcineurin inhibitor-based immunosuppression, which is the most widely used regimen in organ transplantation. Using an experimental model of calcineurin inhibitor-induced organ injury, we found that ginseng does not affect drug levels in the peripheral blood and tissue, favorably regulates immune response, and protects against calcineurin inhibitor-induced nephrotoxicity and pancreatic islet injury. On the basis of our experimental studies and a review of the related literature, we propose that ginseng may provide benefits in organ transplant recipients administered calcineurin inhibitors. Through the present review, we aimed to briefly discuss our current understanding of the therapeutic benefits of ginseng related to transplant patient survival.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.306-313
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• 2017

Purple bamboo salt (PuBS) is commonly used as a medicinal food in Korea and has beneficial potentials such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Rubus coreanus is called Bokbunja, which is used as a traditional medicine for treating asthma, impotence, and allergic diseases in Korea. The aim of present study was to investigate the immunostimulatory effect of PuBS composed with Rubus coreanus (PuBS-R). We performed comparative analysis between PuBS and PuBS-R in Raw264.7 cells, which is a mouse macrophage cell line, and peritoneal macrophages isolated primarily from the mouse peritoneal cavity. We evaluated cytotoxicity and the immune cytokine response in PuBS- and PuBS-R-treated cells. Both PuBS and PuBS-R did not have any cytotoxicity in Raw264.7 cells up to $500{\mu}g/mL$. Gene and protein levels of immune cytokines such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), $interferon-{\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$), interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-12 were significantly elevated by PuBS-R more than PuBS in Raw264.7 cells. Moreover, we evaluated the immunostimulatory effects of PuBS-R on mouse primary peritoneal macrophages. Protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-10, and IL-12 were significantly higher in PuBS-R-treated peritoneal macrophages than PuBS-treated peritoneal macrophages. These results suggest the potential immunostimulatory effect of PuBS-R for immunity against harmful infection.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.207-221
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• 2018

Objectives : Present study investigated hepatoprotective effect of Haegan-jeon extract (HE) and tried to elucidate molecular mechanism involved. According to molecular mechanism, present study optimized herbal composition of HE (op-HE) and compared in vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective effects of op-HE to HE. Methods : For in vitro experiments, HepG2 cells were exposed to arachidonic acid (AA, $10{\mu}M$) and iron ($5{\mu}M$) for inducing oxidative stress. Cell viability, GSH contents, $H_2O_2$ production, mitochondrial membrane potential, immunoblot and reporter gene assay were performed to investigate cytoprotective effects and responsible molecular mechanisms. For in vivo experiments, hepatoprotective effect of HE and op-HE were assessed on $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury mice model. Results : HE pretreatment prevented AA+iron-mediated hepatocytes apoptosis. In addition, AA+iron-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, $H_2O_2$ production, glutathione depletion were reduced by HE pretreatment. In addition, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) phosphorylation, antioxidant response element (ARE)-driven reporter gene activity, and antioxidant genes expression were increased by HE. Based on reporter gene and MTT assays, we found that op-HE consisting three medicinal herbs also significantly increased transactivation of Nrf2 and reduced the AA+iron-mediated cytotoxicity. Moreover, in $CCl_4-induced$ liver injury mice model, HE-op had an ability to ameliorate $CCl_4-mediated$ increases in serum alanine transferase and aspartate aminotransferase activity, hepatic degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and collagen deposition. Hepatoprotective effects of op-HE were comparable to those of HE. Conclusions : Present study suggests that op-HE as well as HE exhibit hepatoprotective effect against oxidative stress-mediated liver injury via Nrf2 activation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.992-998
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• 2018

Cancer cells grow in an environment composed of various components that supports tumor growth. Major cell types in the tumor microenvironment are fibroblast, endothelial cells and immune cells. All of these cells communicate with cancer cells. Among infiltrating immune cells as an abundant component of solid tumors, macrophages are a major component of the tumor microenvironment and orchestrates various aspects of immunity. The complex balance between pro-tumoral and anti-tumoral effects of immune cell infiltration can create a chronic inflammatory microenvironment essential for tumor growth and progression. Macrophages express different functional programs in response to microenvironmental signals, defined as M1 and M2 polarization. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) secret many cytokines, chemokines and proteases, which also promote tumor angiogenesis, growth, metastasis and immunosuppression. TAM have multifaceted roles in the development of many tumor types. TAM also interact with cancer stem cells. This interaction leads to tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. TAM obtain various immunosuppressive functions to maintain the tumor microenvironment. TAM are characterized by their heterogeneity and plasticity, as they can be functionally reprogrammed to polarized phenotypes by exposure to cancer-related factors, stromal factors, infections, or even drug interventions. Because TAMs produce tumor-specific chemokines by the stimulation of stromal factors, chemokines might serve as biomarkers that reflect disease activity. The evidence has shown that cancer tissues with high infiltration of TAM are associated with poor patient prognosis and resistance to therapies. Targeting of TAM in tumors is considered a promising therapeutic strategy for anti-cancer treatment.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2007

Background: Cigarette smoking is an important risk factor for chronic bronchitis and COPD. Airway epithelial cells exposed to cigarette smoke components such as nicotine, cotinine and benzopyrene can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and be subject to oxidative stress. This oxidative stress can induce the inflammatory response in the lung by the oxidant itself or by the release of proinflammatory cytokines. It has been reported that nicotine stimulates ROS, which are associated with NF-${\kappa}B$. Methods: Beas2B cells were treated with nicotine, cotinine and benzopyrene. RT PCR was used to measure the expression of several antioxidant factors using the total RNA from the Beas2B cells. The level of superoxide dismutase(CuZnSOD), thioredoxin, glutathione reductase expression was examined. Results: 0.5 to 4 hours after the benzopyrene, nicotine and cotinine theatments, the level of thioredoxin and glutathione reductase expression decreased. Longer exposure to these compounds for 24 to 72 hours inhibited the expression of most of these antioxidant factors. Conclusion: During exposure to smoke compounds, thioredoxin and glutathione reductase are the key antioxidant factors induced sensitively between 0.5 and 4 hours but the levels these antioxidants decrease between 24 hour and 72hours.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.511-522
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• 2007

Introduction : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possibility of the acellular dermal matrix (ADM) as a barrier membrane for bone regeneration, and to evaluate the osteogenic effect of ADM as a carrier system for rhBMP-2 in the rat calvarial defect model. Materials and Methods: An 8-mm, calvarial, critical-size osteotomy defect was created in each of 60 male Spraque-Dawley rats(weight $250{\sim}300g$). Three groups of 20 animals, each received either rhBMP-2(0.025mg/ml) in an ADM carrier, ADM only, or negative surgical control. And each group was divided into 2- and 8-weeks healing intervals. The groups were evaluated by histologic and histomorphometric parameters(10 animals/group/healing intervals). Data were expressed as $means{\pm}standard$ deviations($m{\pm}SD$). Comparisons between experimental and control groups were made using two-way ANOVA and post hoc t-test. Comparisons between 2 weeks and 8 weeks were made using paired t-test. The level of statistical difference was defined as P< 0.05. Results : The ADM group and rhBMP-2/ADM group results in enhanced local bone formation in the rat calvarial defect at both 2 and 8 weeks. The amount of defect closure and new bone formation were significantly greater in the rhBMP-2/ADM group relative to ADM group(P<0.05). At 8 weeks, the majority of ADM in the defect was contracted, and integrated with surrounding host tissues. In addition, host cell infiltration and neovascularization of the ADM in the absence of an inflammatory response were observed, and the newly formed bone around ADM showed a continuous remodeling and consolidation. Conclusion : The results of the present study indicated that ADM may be used as a barrier membrane for bone regeneration and that may be employed as a delivery system for BMPs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.6
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• pp.825-830
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• 1997

Leukotrienes(LTs) are hewn to act as a mediator provoking tissue response in inflammation. This finding implicates that LTs also play important roles in the pathogenesis of H, pylori-induced gastritis and gastric ulceration. Rebamipide is being currently used as a therapeutics for gastritis and peptic ulcer, but their mechanisms of action have not been known clearly yet. One possibility is that their therapeutic effects are ascribed to interfering with the H. pylori-induced release of LTs from neutrophils and gastric mucosal cells. In the present study, this possibility was tested using $LTB_4$ as the test material in human neutrophils and Kato III cells(gastric adenoma cells as a substitute for gastric mucosal cells). The release of $LTB_4$ from both neutrophils and Kato III cells was time and H. pylori-dose dependent. The maximum release of $LTB_4$ was induced by neutrophils and Kato III cells when these cells incubated with H. pylori $(4.8{\times}10^8\;cells/ml$ for 30min. But in the presence of rebamipide the release of $LTB_4$ from these cells was suppressed in dose dependent manners. The release was completely suppressed at 1.0 mM of rebamipide in neutrophils and 2.0 mM of this drug in Kato III cells, respectively. We also obtained the results that the release of $LTB_4$ was induced by A23187$(Ca^{2+}\;ionophore)$ and the A23187-induced release was also inhibited by rebamipide. It seems that the machanism of action of rebamipide is through its interaction with the level of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$. In view of the roles of $LTB_4$ in inflammatory reaction and the roles of H. pylori in gastritis and peptic ulcer, the effects of this drug observed in this study may contribute to their therapeutic action in these gastric disorders.