• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.63-75
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• 2008

Objectives: In the present study, the author intended to investigate whether Gamijinhae-tang (Jiaweizhenke-tang) (GJHT) significantly affects both contractility of tracheal smooth muscle and mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods: Effect of GJHT on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle of rabbit was investigated. Confluent hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of GJHT to assess the effect of the agent on 3H-mucin secretion. At the same time, confluent NCI-H292 cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of GJHT to assess the effect of the agent on MUC5AC secretion by ELISA. Total elution profiles of control spent media and treatment sample (radioactive mucin) through Sepharose CL-4B column were analyzed. Also, effect of the agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured NCI-H292 cells was investigated. Possible cytotoxicities of the agent were assessed by measuring both lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from HTSE cells and examining the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. Results: (1) GJHT inhibited Ach-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle; (2) GJHT significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells. However, it did not affect MUC5AC secretion from NCI-H292 cells, only chiefly affecting the 'mucin' secretion; (3) GJHT did not significantly affect the expression levels of MUC5AC gene in cultured NCI-H292 cells; (4) GJHT did not significantly inhibit the survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. However, it slightly increased LDH release from HTSE cells. Conclusion: The author suggests that effects of GJHT with their components should be further investigated and it is valuable to find, from oriental medical prescriptions, novel agents which might regulate mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.58-67
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• 2018

This study aimed to identify the effects of extracts of fermented Angelica gigas Nakai (A. gigas) with a Monascus purpureus strain on anti-obesity in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into seven dietary groups (n=8 per group), as follows: a normal diet group (N) and six HFD groups (C: control, HFD and no treatment; AG: HFD +10% A. gigas extracts; FAG2.5: HFD +2.5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG5: HFD +5% fermented A. gigas extracts; FAG10: HFD +10% fermented A. gigas extracts; GC: HFD + Garcinia cambogia extracts). FAG-fed rats exhibited effectively lowered rates of increasing body weight and visceral fat accumulation in the HFD-induced obesity model. The activities of several hepatic marker enzymes, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), were increased with HFD-induced obesity, but levels of these marker enzymes were significantly decreased in FAG-fed rats. The consumption of FAG reduced triglyceride concentrations in serum to normal levels. FAG-fed rats showed effectively increased leptin concentrations in the HFD-induced obesity model. HFD ingestion induced a significant increase in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels, which was decreased in FAG-fed rats. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Oil Red O staining of the liver showed that the lipid deposits were decreased via FAG feeding. Moreover, hematoxylin and eosin staining of epididymal adipose adipose tissue showed that the adipocyte were decreased by feeding FAG.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.874-885
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• 2012

In the present study, the possibility of whether the pharmacological effects of Scutellariae Radix Aqueous Extracts(SR) were favorably changed by report that lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced rat acute lung injury was treated with Red-Koji(Monascus purpureus 12002) fermentation. Three different dosages of Red-Koji fermented SR extract(fSR), 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg were orally administered once a day for 28 days before LPS(Escherichia coli 0111:B4) treatments, and then 5 hours after LPS treatment(500 ${\mu}g$/head, intra trachea instillation), all rats were sacrificed. Changes in the body weights, lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit, arterial gas parameters(pH, $PaO_2$ and $PaCO_2$) bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) protein, lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-$1{\beta}$(IL-$1{\beta}$) contents, total cell numbers, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung malondialdehyde(MDA), myeloperoxidase(MPO), proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents were observed with histopathology of the lung, changes on luminal surface of alveolus(LSA), thickness of alveolar septum, number of polymorphonuclear neutrophils(PMNs). As results of LPS-injection, dramatical increases in lung weights, pulmonary transcapillary albumin transit increases in $PaCO_2$, decreases in pH of arterial blood and $PaO_2$, increases of BALF protein, LDH, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents, total cells, neutrophil and alveolar macrophage ratios, lung MDA, MPO, TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$ contents increases were detected with decreases in LSA and increases of alveolar septum and PMNs numbers, respectively as compared with intact control. Especially fSR 125 mg/kg showed quite similar favorable effects on the LPS-induced acute lung injuries as compared with 60 mg/kg of ${\alpha}$-lipoic acid and 250 mg/kg of SR. The results suggest that over 125 mg/kg of fSR extracts showed favorable effects on the LPS-induced acute lung injury mediated by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, increases of the pharmacological effects of SR on LPS-induced acute lung injury were observed by Red-Koji fermentation in this study, at least 2-fold higher.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.273-280
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• 2008

The single intratracheal instillation (ITI) of bleomycin (BLM) is a widely used method for inducing experimental pulmonary fibrosis in rat model. In the present study, pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of tidal volume ($V_T$), minute volume ($V_M$), and respiratory frequency ($F_R$) have been applied to study their possibility as a tool to monitor the progress of BLM-induced lung injury in rat model. Rats were treated with a single ITI of BLM (2.5 mg/kg) or saline (control). Animals were euthanized at 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post-ITI. Lung toxicity effects were evaluated by inflammatory cell count, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and light microscopic examination of lung injury. The PFT parameters were measured immediately before the animals were sacrificed. BLM treatment induced significant cellular changes in BALF-increase in number of total cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes along with sustained increase in number of macrophages compared to the controls at days 3, 7, and 14. BALF LDH level was significantly increased compared to that in the controls up to day 14. On day 3, infiltration of neutrophils was observed in the alveolar spaces. These changes developed into marked peribronchiolar and interstitial infiltration by inflammatory cells, and extensive thickening of the interalveolar septa on day 7. At 14, 21, and 28 days, mild peribronchiolar fibrosis was observed along with inflammatory cell infiltration. The results of PFT show significant consistencies compared to the results of other toxicity tests. These data demonstrate that the most suitable time point for assessing lung fibrosis in this model is 14 days post-ITI of BLM based on the observation of fibrosis at 14, 21, and 28 days. Further, the progress of lung injury can be traced by monitoring the PFT parameters of $F_R$, $V_T$, and $V_M$.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.252-260
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• 2007

As it is needed to assay possible feasibility of extrapolation between in vivo and in vitro systems and to develop a new in vitro method for toxicity testing, we investigated global gene expression from both animal and cell line treated with thioacetamide (TAA) and compared between in vivo and in vitro genomic profiles. For in vivo study, mice were orally treated with TAA and sacrificed at 6 and 24 h. For in vitro study, TAA was administered to a mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2 and sampling was carried out at 6 and 24 h. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by analyzing hepatic enzymes and histopathological examination (in vivo) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and morphological examination (in vitro). Global gene expression was assessed using microarray. In high dose TAA-treated group, there was centrilobular necrosis (in vivo) and cellular toxicity with an elevation of LDH (in vitro) at 24 h. Statistical analysis of global gene expression identified that there were similar numbers of altered genes found between in vivo and in vitro at each time points. Pathway analysis identified several common pathways existed between in vivo and in vitro system such as glutathione metabolism, bile acid biosynthesis, nitrogen metabolism, butanoate metabolism for hepatotoxicty caused by TAA. Our results suggest it may be feasible to develop toxicogenomics biomarkers by comparing in vivo and in vitro genomic profiles specific to TAA for application to prediction of liver toxicity.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2007

As a possible feasibility of the extrapolation between in vivo and in vitro systems, we investigated the global gene expression from both mouse liver and mouse hepatic cell line treated with hepatotoxic chemical, acetaminophen (APAP), and compared between in vivo and in vitro genomic profiles. For in vivo study, mice were orally treated with APAP and sacrificed at 6 and 24 h. For in vitro study, APAP were administered to a mouse hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2 and sampling was carried out at 6 and 24 h. Hepatotoxicity was assessed by analyzing hepatic enzymes and histopathological examination (in vivo) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay and morphological examination (in vitro). Global gene expression was assessed using microarray. In high dose APAPtreated group, there was centrilobular necrosis (in vivo) and cellular toxicity with the elevation of LDH (in vitro) at 24 h. Statistical analysis of global gene expression identified that there were similar numbers of altered genes found between in vivo and in vitro at each time points. Pathway analysis identified glutathione metabolism pathway as common pathways for hepatotoxicty caused by APAP. Our results suggest it may be feasible to develop toxicogenomics biomarkers or profiles by comparing in vivo and in vitro genomic profiles specific to this hepatotoxic chemical for application to prediction of liver toxicity.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.929-934
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• 2013

Aim: To analyze the significance of different clinical factors for prognostic prediction in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients. Methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven DLBCL patients were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were managed with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (CHOP) regimen or rituximab plus the CHOP (RCHOP) regimen. Results: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ${\beta}2$-microglobulin (${\beta}2$-M), B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage and genetic subtypes were statistically relevant in predicting the prognosis of the overall survival (OS). In the CHOP group, the OS in patients with germinal center B-cell-like (GCB)(76.2%) was significantly higher than that of the non-GCB group (51.9%, P=0.032). With RCHOP management, there was no statistical difference in OS between the GCB (88.4%) and non-GCB groups (81.9%, P=0.288). Conclusion: Elevated LDH and ${\beta}2$-M levels, positive B symptoms, Ann Arbor stage III/IV, and primary nodal lymphoma indicate an unfavorable prognosis of DLBCL patients. Patients with GCB-like DLBCL have a better prognosis than those with non-GCB when treated with the CHOP regimen. The RCHOP treatment with the addition of rituximab can improve the prognosis of patients with DLBCL.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.163-177
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• 2008

Periodontal disease, a form of chronic inflammatory bacterial infectious disease, is known to be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Porphyromonas gingivalis has been implicated in periodontal disease and widely studied for its role in the pathogenesis of CVD. A previous study demonstrating that periodontopathic P. gingivalis is involved in CVD showed that invasion of endothelial cells by the bacterium is accompanied by an increase in cytokine production, which may result in vascular atherosclerotic changes. The present study was performed in order to further elucidate the role of P. gingivalis in the process of atherosclerosis and CVD. For this purpose, invasion of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) by P. gingivalis 381 and its isogenic mutants of KDP150 ($fimA^-$), CW120 ($ppk^-$) and KS7 ($relA^-$) was assessed using a metronidazole protection assay. Wild type P. gingivalis invaded HASMCs with an efficiency of 0.12%. In contrast, KDP150 failed to demonstrate any invasive ability. CW120 and KS7 showed relatively higher invasion efficiencies, but results for these variants were still negligible when compared to the wild type invasiveness. These results suggest that fimbriae are required for invasion and that energy metabolism in association with regulatory genes involved in stress and stringent response may also be important for this process. ELISA assays revealed that the invasive P. gingivalis 381 increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and the chemotactic cytokines (chemokine) IL (interleukin)-8 and monocyte chemotactic (MCP) protein-1 during the 30-90 min incubation periods (P<0.05). Expression of RANTES (regulation upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted) and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4, a pattern recognition receptor (PRR), was increased in HASMCs infected with P. gingivalis 381 by RT-PCR analysis. P. gingivalis infection did not alter interferon-$\gamma$-inducible protein-10 expression in HASMCs. HASMC nonspecific necrosis and apoptotic cell death were measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and caspase activity assays, respectively. LDH release from HASMCs and HAMC caspase activity were significantly higher after a 90 min incubation with P. gingivalis 381. Taken together, P. gingivalis invasion of HASMCs induces inflammatory cytokine production, apoptotic cell death, and expression of TLR-4, a PRR which may react with the bacterial molecules and induce the expression of the chemokines IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES. Overall, these results suggest that invasive P. gingivalis may participate in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, leading to CVD.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.59-78
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• 2003

This research was conducted to determine the effects of chitosanoligosaccharide on liver poisoning induced by cadmium (Cd). Three groups of mice were used in this research. The first group was only injected with cadmium (5.0 mg/kg; i.p.) (group Cd) and the second one with cadmium and chitosanoligosaccharide (0.5% solution) at the same time (group Cd+Chi). The third one which had already been injeted with chitosanoligosaccharide (0.5% Solution) aweek before (group Ch7+Cd) was used. In order to investigate the inhibitory action of chitosanoligosaccharide on liver damage, enzyme activity in serum, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activity and glutathione reductase (GR) activity were relatively measured. In addition, histological observations were made to determine the morphologic injury of liver tissues. As the result of enzyme activity in serum, the activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in chitosanoligosaccharide-injected groups Cd+Chi and Chi7+Cd was lower than in group Cd. GSH-Px activity was sharply increased in groups Cd+Chi and Chi7+Cd compared to group Cd. GR activity was conspicuously decreased in groups Cd+Chi and Chi7+Cd compared to group Cd. As the result of light microscopic observation, liver cell necrosis caused by cadmium poisoning was obseved in liver cells. The finding of group Cd+Chi and Chi7+Cd was similar total on of normal groups. As the result of electron microscopic observation, mitochondria in group Cd showed a severe swelling phenomenon, RER fragment and ribosome dropout. However, in groups Cd+Chi and Chi7+Cd, mitochondria wiht high electron density were distributed and RER forming a typical lamellae with ribosome was observed. From these results, cadmium toxicity on rat liver tissues could be lessened by chitosanoligosaccharide.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.219-224
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• 2011

The health status of three groups of Hanwoo steers (n=157) aged 2-3 years, raised at three different altitudes (600 m, n=50; 200-400 m, n=58; plane land, n=49) and environment with more or less similar management have been evaluated through hematological, biochemical and globulin examinations in order to determine the optimum environment suitable for raising cattle while at the same time minimizing the risk of disease. Five mL of blood samples from each animal were collected by jugular veinipuncture and 2 mL was transferred to a tube containing EDTA for complete blood count (CBC) and 3 mL in lithium heparin for chemistry screening (CS) and immunoassay. Among the CBC parameters a significantly higher white blood cell count (tWBC), total red blood cell count (tRBC), hemoglobin (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV) were noticed in the high altitude groups, whereas those were lower in the plane land group. In the CS parameters higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and total bilirubin (TBL) were found in the plane land group, whereas those were lower in the high altitude groups. The total protein (significantly) and globulins were higher in the 600 m group. The results of this study revealed that the overall health status of the Hanwoo cattle based on the hemato-biochemical indices was superior in the highest altitude and inferior in the plane land group but all the parameters were within the reference range in all the groups. Therefore, for recommendation of a suitable environment at an appropriate altitude for raising cattle there need to be further studied along with the hemato-biochemical parameters; considering, breeding, feeding, management, marketing, waste disposal and other factors.