• YAKHAK HOEJI
• /
• v.48 no.4
• /
• pp.247-253
• /
• 2004

We investigated the hypoglycemic effect of formula containing Euonymus alatus (EA) and Mori Folium (MF) in multiple low dose (MLD) streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. In order to iduce hyperglycemic state 25 mg/kg of STZ was injected intraperitoneally for 5 consecutive days. SD rats were randomly divided into diabetic control and treatment groups. Treatment groups were administered with either 250 mg/kg of EA and 250 mg/kg of MF (E1Ml), or 500 mg/kg of EA mixed with same dose of MF (E2M2) for 3 weeks. Blood glucose levels and body weights were measured every 5th or 6th day. E1Ml and E2M2 both significantly reduced food intake, water intake, and fasting blood and urine glucose levels as compared to those in diabetic control group in a dose dependent manner. Body weight in diabetic control group was increased slightly after 3 weeks. Treatment group, however, showed gradual increase in body weights during 3 week-period. While plasma insulin levels of the diabetic control group were decreased to the level of 387$\pm$14 pg/ml from 534$\pm$36 pg/ml, those levels in E1Ml and E2M2-treated groups were both markedly increased by 13% and 26%, respectively. Urine glucose levels in E1Ml and E2M2-treated groups were also remarkably reduced by 17 and 26% compared to the levels of diabetic control group. While expression of membrane-bound glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) protein in skeletal muscle was reduced by 45% in diabetic control compared to the normal control, GLUT-4 protein expressions in E1Ml and E2M2-treated groups were augmented by 2 and 3.5 times compared to the diabetic control, respectively. Pancreatic HE staining experiments showed that E2M2-treated group revealed much less infiltrated mononuclear cells, indicating that E2M2 efficiently blocked insulitis induced by multiple low dose streptozotocin. Taken together, we conclude that formula containing EA and MF may prevent or delay the development of hyperglycemia through overexpression of GLUT-4 protein in skeletal muscle and prevention of insulitis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.2 no.4
• /
• pp.202-207
• /
• 2002

Background: Kawasaki disease is an acute febrile illness with systemic vasculitis which primarily affects children, We examined the production of leptin in plasma and gene expressions of CXC chemokines in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Kawasaki disease. Methods: Consecutive 39 samples from 13 patients according to the different clinical stages (acute, subacute, convalescent) of Kawasaki disease were collected. The plasma leptin levels according to clinical stages of Kawasaki disease were examined by ELISA and the expression of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 mRNAs in 39 samples (13 samples of each stage) from 13 cases were examined by RT-PCR. Results: There were not significant changes of plasma leptin levels according to the clinical stages of Kawasaki disease. The mean values of plasma leptin concentrations during each of the stages (n=13, p>0.05, pg/ml) were $335.8{\pm}549.0$ in acute, $358{\pm}347.6$ in subacute, and $443.6{\pm}645.9$ in convalescent stage. The mRNAs of IP-10, Mig, and IL-8 were expressed in 13/13 (100%), 2/13 (15%), 9/13 (69%) during acute stage, 13/13 (100%), 6/13 (46%), 13/13 (100%) during subacute stage, and 13/13 (100%), 4/13 (31%), 10/13 (77%) during the convalescent stage, respectively. In three patients, the production of leptin and expression of IP-10 mRNA were dramatically decreased according to the process of the clinical stages. In five patients with prominent cervical lymphadenopathy, the expression of IL-8 mRNA during the subacute stage was more elevated than the acute and convalescent stages. Conclusion: This data suggests that the production of leptin and the gene expressions of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 seem to have no significant correlation to the clinical stages of Kawasaki disease. However, expression patterns of IP-10, Mig and IL-8 mRNA may be related to the specific clinical manifestations, and the expression of IP-10 may also be correlated to leptin levels with pericardial involvement.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.263-291
• /
• 2009

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of YHJST on atopic dermatitis in an experiment using an NC/Nga mice induced by DNCB, which has histological and clinical similarities to the condition in humans. Methods To investigate the effect of YHJST on atopic dermatitis(AD), we evaluated atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions by clinical skin index and analyzed immunological parameters in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) and performed skin histology in ears and dorsal skin of NC/Nga ato-mouse. Results YHJST medicines decreased Serum level of IgE, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$. Also total number of $CD69^+$, $CD3^+$ in PBMCs, absolute cell number of $CCR3^+CD3^+$, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ in Dorsal skin tissue, Serum IgG1, IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b decreased significantly. Furthermore YHJST is extremely effective to histological symptoms; dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell infiltration and suppressed histologic infiltration of $CD4^+$ & $CCR3^+$ in ear and dorsal skin lesions significantly. YHJST decreased gene-expression of IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, CCR3, Eotaxin mRNA than that of control group. Conclusions YHJST on atopic dermatitis to atopic dermatitis NC/Nga mouse induced DNCB was incredibly effective.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.413-420
• /
• 2011

We investigated whether Korean red ginseng (KRG) and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) affect the frequency of gross deletion in 5'LTR/gag in 20 hemophiliacs. This study is a prospective study in 20 hemophiliacs who were infected with Korean subclade B of HIV-1 from two cash-paid plasma donors in 1990. Over a 13-year period, we obtained 436 amplicons of 5'LTR/gag genes by nested polymerase chain reaction using 147 peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Of the 436 amplicons, 92 (21.1%) showed gross deletion in 5'LTR/gag. Despite of a 2.3-fold higher monthly dose of KRG intake, the frequency of gross deletion in 5'LTR/gag (16.4%) was significantly decreased during HAART compared with 28.1% prior to HAART (p<0.01). Gross deletion in 5'LTR/gag was 10% more detected on KRG-therapy than prior to KRG-therapy (p<0.05). In addition, we also obtained 28 amplicons containing premature stop codon or isoleucine at initiation codon of 254 amplicons sequenced on KRG intake (7.5%) or HAART (13.6%) compared with 0% before KRG intake. These findings indicate that high frequency of gross deletion in 5'LTR/gag and genetic defects prior to HAART are significantly associated with KRG intake and the detection of gross deletion in 5'LTR/gag is decreased by HAART.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.15
• /
• pp.6127-6130
• /
• 2014

Objective: Explore the feasibility of allo-hemopietic stem cell transplants in treating patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. Methods: Between september 2006 and February 2011, fifteen patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) were treated by allo-hemopietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). Stem cell sources were peripheral blood. Six patients were conditioned by busulfan (BU) and cyclophosphamide (CY) and nine patients were conditioned with TBI and cyclophosphamide (CY). Graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis regimen consisted of cyclosporine A (CSA), methotrex ate (MTX) and mycophenolatemofetil (MMF). Results: Patients received a median of $7.98{\times}10^8{\cdot}kg^{-1}$ ($5.36-12.30{\times}10^8{\cdot}kg^{-1}$) mononuclear cells (MNC). The median time of ANC> $0.5{\times}10^9/L$ was day 12 (10-15), and PLT> $20.0{\times}10^9/L$ was day 13 (11-16). Extensive acute GVHD occurred in 6 (40.0%) patients, and extensive chronic GVHD was recorded in 6 (40.0%) patients. Nine patients were alive after 2.5-65 months follow-up. Conclusion: Allogeneic stem cell transplant could be effective in treating patients with B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.10
• /
• pp.1406-1415
• /
• 2013

The study was conducted to correlate the periparturient immune status in terms of neutrophil functions and cytokine expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture with impending postpartum reproductive disorders in buffaloes. Forty pregnant buffaloes were observed for occurrence of postpartum reproductive disorders (PRD), i.e., metritis, endometritis and delayed uterine involution etc., during one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period. A representative number (n = 6) of buffaloes that did not develop any PRD were included in group I (healthy, control), while the animals which experienced PRD were assigned into group II (PRD, n = 8). The blood samples were collected at weekly interval from one week prepartum to four weeks postpartum period considering the day of calving as 'd 0'. Differential leucocytes counts, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide production activity in isolated neutrophils and the mRNA expression profile of cytokines i.e., IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in PBMC culture were studied in all the samples. A higher total leucocytes, neutrophil and band cells count along with impaired neutrophil functions i.e., lowered level of production of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide before parturition and during early postpartum period were observed in buffaloes developing PRD. Further, a lower expression of IL-2, IFN-${\gamma}$ and IL-4 mRNA in PBMC culture was observed at calving in buffaloes that subsequently developed PRD at later postpartum. Thus, suppression in neutrophil function and cytokine expression at prepartum to early postpartum period predisposes the buffaloes to develop postpartum reproductive disorders. Hence, monitoring of neutrophils function and cytokine expression profile would be effective to predict certain reproductive disorders at late pregnancy or immediately after parturition in buffaloes. In future, this may be a novel approach for determining suitable management and therapeutic decisions for prevention of commonly occurring reproductive disorders in farm animals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.9
• /
• pp.5495-5501
• /
• 2013

Background: Alu elements are one of the most common repetitive sequences that now constitute more than 10% of the human genome and potential targets for epigenetic alterations. Correspondingly, methylation of these elements can result in a genome-wide event that may have an impact in cancer. However, studies investigating the genome-wide status of Alu methylation in cancer remain limited. Objectives: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presents with high incidence in South-East Asia and thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the Alu methylation status in OSCCs and explore with the possibility of using this information for diagnostic screening. We evaluated Alu methylation status in a) normal oral mucosa compared to OSCC; b) peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of normal controls comparing to oral cancer patients; c) among oral epithelium of normal controls, smokers and oral cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Alu methylation was detected by combined bisulfite restriction analysis (COBRA) at 2 CpG sites. The amplified products were classified into three patterns; hypermethylation ($^mC^mC$), partial methylation ($^uC^mC+^mC^uC$), and hypomethylation ($^uC^uC$). Results: The results demonstrate that the $%^mC^mC$ value is suitable for differentiating normal and cancer in oral tissues (p=0.0002), but is not significantly observe in PBMCs. In addition, a stepwise decrease in this value was observed in the oral epithelium from normal, light smoker, heavy smoker, low stage and high stage OSCC (p=0.0003). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses demonstrated the potential of combined $%^mC$ or $%^mC^mC$ values as markers for oral cancer detection with sensitivity and specificity of 86.7% and 56.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Alu hypomethylation is likely to be associated with multistep oral carcinogenesis, and might be developed as a screening tool for oral cancer detection.

• The Journal of Korean Society of Virology
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.107-118
• /
• 1999

To characterize the molecular nature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, we determined the full-length HIV-1 sequences from cultured peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of a Korean long-term nonprogressor (LTNP). Without antiretroviral therapy, the individual has maintained CD4+ T counts over $500/{\mu}l$ from 1989 to 1999. Plasma viral RNA copy was 992 U/ml in 1998. Culture supernatant showed positive from culture days 9. A series of 9 overlapping PCR products were amplified from cultured PBMC and cloned About 9.2 kb from R of 5' LTR to R of 3' LTR was determined by automated sequencing. The G-to-A hypermutations were shown throughout the entire region. As a result of G to A hypermutations, premature stop codon was found in integrase coding region. Though there was no recombination between subtypes over all genomes, TATA box in both LTRs was TAAAA which is detected in subtype E instead of TATAA in subtype B. And, there were nucleotide GC insertion between $NF-{\kappa}B$ I and Sp1 III, and duplication of $TCF-1{\alpha}$ in LTR. We could not find any deletion of amino acid in Nef, Gag, Pol and Env gene. This study is the first report on molecular nature of full genomes of HIV-1 isolated in Korea.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.181-190
• /
• 2000

To investigate resistance to lamivudine (3TC), we examined the incidence of M184V in 20 HIV-1 patients treated with 3TC for $13.1{\pm}9$ months. Fourteen of 20 patients had been exposed to zidovudine (ZDV) or didanosine (ddI) prior to 3TC therapy. Nested PCR targeting to reverse transcriptase (RT) and direct sequencing were performed for peripheral blood mononuclear cells sampled serially. There were resistance mutations to ZDV in at least 9 patients at baseline, although there was no resistance mutation to 3TC. We could detect M184V in 6 (30%) out of 20 patients. The incidence of M184V increased as the duration of therapy prolongs (13% in samples <12 months; 47% in samples ${\ge}12$ months). The frequency of mutation M184V was higher in patients with previous mutation to ZDV than in patients with wild type. Resistance mutation was not detected in 7 patients. This study shows that resistance to 3TC tends to develop rapidly in patients with baseline mutations or two drugs combination therapy than in those treated simultaneously with triple drugs. This report is the first on resistance to 3TC in Korean AIDS patients.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1995.04a
• /
• pp.113-113
• /
• 1995

본 연구는 표고버섯에서 분리정제한 렉틴 성분(LEL)을 말초혈액 단핵세포(PBMC)에 반응시켜 사이토카인 유도능을 지질다당류(LPS)와 비교하여 역전사효소 중합반응법(RT-PCR)으로 측정하였다. 측정 대상 사이토카인은 IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, TNF$\alpha$ 및 IFN${\gamma}$의 다섯가지였으며 이들을 대상으로 PBMC에 렉틴을 적용하여 1, 8, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120분 등의 시간대에서 반응시켜 사이토카인의 유전자 발현 유도에 관한 다음의 결과를 얻었다. LEL의 사용 농도에 따른 편도선 림프구(tonsillar lymphocyte)의 TNF$\alpha$ 유전자 발현 양상은 반응 1시간의 경우 LEL의 일부 농도와 LPS 전농도에서 관찰되었으나 반응 40시간째에는 LEL 전농도와 LPS 전농도에서 TNF$\alpha$ 유전자 발현 양상을 관찰할 수 없었다. RT-PCR 결과 원액이나 회석액 재료로부터 관찰된 TNF$\alpha$유전자 band의 강 약 차이는 나타나지 않았다. LEL의 자극에 의한 반응 시간대 별 PBMC에 의한 사이토카인 유전자 발현 양상은 위에서 언급된 다섯가지 사이토카인을 유도, 생성할 수 있다는 것이 확인되었는데, IL-2, IL-6 및 IFN${\gamma}$는 120시간까지 장시간 지속되는 유전자 발현이 가능한 반면 TNF $\alpha$의 생성 양상은 이들 사이토카인의 생성 양상과는 판이하게 반응 1, 8 및 24 시간대까지만 TNF$\alpha$ 유전자 발현을 관찰할 수 있었고 IL-1은 72 시간까지 반응을 나타내는 등 특이적 양상을 보였다. 한편 LPS는 실험에 사용된 전 사이토카인의 유전자 발현을 120시간대까지 반응이 유지됨을 관찰하였기에 LPS가 PBMC의 강력한 사이토카인 유도체임을 입증할 수 있었으며 LEL과 다소 상이한 결과를 보였으나 LEL 또한 PBMC로부터 사이토카인을 생성 유지시킬 수 있는 유도체로 작용함을 확인할 수 있었다.