• Journal of Life Science
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• v.15 no.5 s.72
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• pp.703-706
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to investigate the combined effect of L-arginine supplementation and regular physical exercise on HR, BP, eNOS and Macrophage activation using SHR. To examine the differences among HR, BP, eNOS, and Macrophage activity levels, normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats were used as a control. Thirty two male rats (six weeks old) were divided into four groups; eight WKY control (WKYC), eight SHR control (SHRC), eight SHR supplemented with L-arginine (SHRA), and eight SHR trained and supplemented with L-arginine (SHRTA). Obtained results were as follows : In the heart and blood pressure, there was significant differences anong the four group (p<.05) compare to SHRC. In the eNOS levels, there was significant differences among the four groups (p<.05) compare to SHRC. In the macrophage activity, there was significant differences among the four groups (p<.05) compare to SHRC. In conclusion, For the SHRC group, the level of eNOS is higher than that of WKYC, and we can expect tissue damage caused by toxic free radical. However, this can be stabilized by the L-arginine supplementation and regular physical training. we can also conclude regular aerobic training decrease cardiovascular stress caused by stabled macrophage activity. Therefore, we can trace it is the effect of training in SHR.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.228-236
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• 2006

Objectives : Macrophage has an important innate defense role in the immune system. When we are infected with pathogens, macrophage ingests them through phagocytosis or endocytosis, and then secretes many cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-6 and $TGF{\alpha}$, which are regulators of immune responses. The aim of this study is to determine how Samjunghwan effects the expression of cytokine and other immune-related genes in macrophages. Methods : Cells were treated directly with Samjunghwan and/or LPS at regular intervals. Total RNA of cells was isolated using TRIzol reagent, and the changes in cytokine gene expressions were investigated using RT-PCR, western blot and ELISA. Results : $IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 genes were inducibly expressed specifically by Samjunghwan in macrophage. Especially, $IL-1{\beta}$ gene was induced most strongly by treatment with Samjunghwan. Over time, treatment with Samjunghwan showed that the expression levels of $IL-1{\alpha}\;and\;$IL-1{\beta}$ genes increased from 1 to 4h, and then decreased from 4 to ISh. However, the expression level of COX-2 gene increased continuously up to 11h. $IL-1{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and COX-2 genes were expressed synergistically by a simultaneous treatment of both Samjunghwan and LPS in macrophages. Secretion levels of translated $IL-1{\beta}$ increased continuously up to 11h. Conclusions : Though this study is only a start in the investigation of the efficasy of Samjunghwan, these results suggest that Samjunghwan has positive effects on immune responses.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.293-298
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• 2009

Korean mistletoe lectin (KML) is the major component found in Viscum album var. (coloratum), displaying anti-cancer and immunostimulating activities. Even though it has been shown to boost host immune defense mechanisms, the regulatory roles of KML on the functional activation of macrophages have not been fully elucidated. In this study, regulatory mechanism of KML on macrophage-mediated immune responses was examined in terms of KML-mediated signaling event. KML clearly induced mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-$\alpha$, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and phagocytic uptake in RAW264.7 cells. All of these events were strongly suppressed by U0126, whereas TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA was not diminished by SB203580 and SP600125, indicating ERK as a central enzyme managing KML-induced up-regulation of macrophage functions. Indeed, KML strongly induced the phosphorylation of ERK in a time-dependent manner without altering its total level. Therefore, these data suggest that ERK may be a major signaling enzyme with regulatory property toward various KML-mediated macrophage responses.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.67-74
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• 2012

Objectives : The objective of this study is to study the effects of hot aqueous extract and ethanol extract from $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ on nitric oxide(NO) and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ production in macrophage. Methods : $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ was extracted in two ways. One was extracted with distilled water(2L) for 4 h and the other one was extracted with 70% ethanol (2L) for 4h. The RAW 264.7 macrophage was subclutured. In order to evaluate cytotoxicity, MTT assay was performed. The concentrations of NO were measured by Griess assay. The concentrations of $PGE_2$ were measured by enzyme immunoassay. Results : 25, $125{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ hot aqueous extract from $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly. 25, 125, $625{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ ethanol extract from $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ inhibited NO production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly. 150, $200{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ hot aqueous extract and ethanol extract from $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ inhibited $PGE_2$production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages significantly. Conclusions : This study suggests that hot aqueous extract and ethanol extract from $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ suppress NO and $PGE_2$ production. So hot aqueous extract and ethanol extract from $Lonicera$ $japonica$ $Flos$ may have an anti-inflammation effect.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.560-564
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• 2012

The role of peroxiredoxin (Prx) I as an erythrocyte antioxidant defense in red blood cells (RBCs) is controversial. Here we investigated the function of Prx I by using Prx $I^{-/-}$ and Prx I/$II^{-/-}$ mice. Prx $I^{-/-}$ mice exhibited a normal blood profile. However, Prx I/$II^{-/-}$ mice showed more significantly increased Heinz body formation as compared with Prx $II^{-/-}$ mice. The clearance rate of Heinz body-containing RBCs in Prx $I^{-/-}$ mice decreased significantly through the treatment of aniline hydrochloride (AH) compared with wild-type mice. Prx I deficiency decreased the phagocytic capacity of macrophage in clearing Heinz body-containing RBCs. Our data demonstrate that Prx I deficiency did not cause hemolytic anemia, but showed that further increased hemolytic anemia symptoms in Prx $II^{-/-}$ mice by attenuating phagocytic capacity of macrophage in oxidative stress damaged RBCs, suggesting a novel role of Prx I in phagocytosis of macrophage.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2016

Background: Adipocyte-macrophage communication plays a critical role regulating white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammatory gene expression. Because WAT inflammation contributes to the development of metabolic diseases, there is significant interest in understanding how exogenous compounds regulate the adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk. An aqueous (AQ) extract of North American (NA) ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) was previously shown to have strong inflammo-regulatory properties in adipocytes. This study examined whether different ginseng extracts influence adipocyte-macrophage crosstalk, as well as WAT inflammatory gene expression. Methods: The effects of AQ and ethanol (EtOH) ginseng extracts ($5{\mu}g/mL$) on adipocyte and macrophage inflammatory gene expression were studied in 3T3-L1 and RAW264.7 cells, respectively, using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Adipose tissue organ culture was also used to examine the effects of ginseng extracts on epididymal WAT (EWAT) and inguinal subcutaneous WAT (SWAT) inflammatory gene expression. Results: The AQ extract caused significant increases in the expression of common inflammatory genes (e.g., Mcp1, Ccl5, Tnf-${\alpha}$, Nos2) in both cell types. Culturing adipocytes in media from macrophages treated with the AQ extract, and vice versa, also induced inflammatory gene expression. Adipocyte Ppar-${\gamma}$ expression was reduced with the AQ extract. The AQ extract strongly induced inflammatory gene expression in EWAT, but not in SWAT. The EtOH extract had no effect on inflammatory gene expression in either both cell types or WAT. Conclusion: These findings provide important new insights into the inflammo-regulatory role of NA ginseng in WAT.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.739-745
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• 2010

The objective of the current study was to compare the abilities of undigested and enzymatically digested bifidobacteria to induce nitric oxide and cytokine release in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Nine different Bifidobacterium strains derived from herbivorous animals were digested with pepsin and then pancreatin, and the precipitates and supernatants were acquired via centrifugation. The RAW 264.7 cells were incubated with whole cells, the precipitate, or the supernatant, and the macrophage culture supernatants were analyzed with respect to the induction of nitric oxide and cytokines. Pronounced increases in the production of nitric oxide, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) were observed when cultured with whole cells and the precipitates. It is noteworthy that the precipitates in most of the Bifidobacterium strains evidenced a trend toward superior IL-12 release compared with whole cells. The results showed that both whole cells and digested Bifidobacterium sp. are effective at stimulating RAW 264.7 cells to induce the production of nitric oxide and cytokines. The pepsin-pancreatin system used in the current study may be useful in unraveling the mechanism by which ingested lactic acid bacteria modulate the induction of macrophage mediators at the cellular level.

• BMB Reports
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.414-418
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• 2012

Triglycerides (TG) are implicated in the development of atherosclerosis through formation of foam cells and induction of macrophage cell death. In this study, we report that addition of exogenous TG induced cell death in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-differentiated THP-1 human macrophages. TG treatment induced a dramatic decrease in interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$) mRNA expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The expression of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule remained unchanged. To identify signaling pathways involved in TG-induced downregulation of IL-$1{\beta}$, we added p38 MAPK, protein kinase C (PKC) or c-Raf1 specific inhibitors. We found that inhibition of p38 MAPK alleviated the TG-induced downregulation of IL-$1{\beta}$, whereas inhibition of PKC and c-Raf1 had no effect. This is the first report showing decreased IL-$1{\beta}$ expression during TG-induced cell death in a human macrophage line. Our results suggest that downregulation of IL-$1{\beta}$ expression by TG-treated macrophages may play a role during atherogenesis.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.72-78
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• 2013

This work aimed to assess some pharmacological activities of P. leptostachya var. asiatica Hara. The dried roots of P. leptostachya var. asiatica Hara were extracted with 70% ethanol to generate the powdered extract, named PLE. Anti-angiogenic activity was detected using chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated via analyzing nitric oxide (NO) content, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Antioxidant activity was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in the stimulated macrophage cells. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and -2 (MMP-2) activities in the culture media were detected using zymography. PLE exhibits an anti-angiogenic activity in the CAM assay, and displays an inhibitory action on the generation of NO in the LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. In the stimulated macrophage cells, it is able to diminish the enhanced ROS level. It can potently scavenge the stable DPPH free radical. It suppresses the induction of iNOS and COX-2 and the enhanced MMP-9 activity in the stimulated macrophage cells. Both monooxygenase and oxidase activities of tyrosinase were strongly inhibited by PLE. Taken together, the dried roots of P. leptostachya var. asiatica Hara possess anti-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin whitening activities, which might partly provide its therapeutic efficacy in traditional medicine.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 1989

The tumoricidal activity of marine macrophage against K562 tumor cells was studied in the presence of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and ginseng saponin. 1 The tumoricidal activity was increased more by LPS treatment with ginseng saponin (44% in 24 hours) than by LPS only (22% in 24 hours). In the case of diol saponin, the tumoricidal activity was increased as much as 35% at concentrations of 10-3 to 1034%. Triol saponin increased the tumoricidal activity more than LPS only treatment at each concentration . 2. When total, dial and triol saponin were added to K.562 tumor cell in various concentration without macrophage, it was found that the ginseng saponin hall no tumoricidal effect. This result suggests that ginseng saponin increases the tumoricidal activity of K562 tumor celts through the tumoricidal activity of the macrophage.