• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.384-392
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Enteral nutrition formulas with immune-enhancing nutrients, such as n-3 fatty acids, may manage patients' nutritional status and pathophysiological processes. The aim of our study was to investigate natural killer (NK) cell activity alterations and related cytokine changes resulting from feeding with soybean oil-containing enteral nutrition formula (control group) and plant-derived n-3 fatty acid-enriched enteral nutrition formula. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects participated for 14 consecutive days and consumed enteral formula containing canola and flaxseed oil (n3EN, test group) in nonsurgical patients hospitalized for rehabilitation. Blood samples were collected on the first day and 14 days after the consumption of each formula daily, and anthropometric parameters were collected. Hematology and biochemical values were analyzed, and NK cell activities and serum cytokine concentration were measured. A total of sixty subjects were included in the analysis, excluding dropouts. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in biochemical parameters. The n3EN group's NK cell activities at effector:tumor cell ratios of 10:1, 5:1, 2.5:1 and 0.625:1 were significantly higher than those of the control group after two weeks (P < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant differences in serum cytokine interleukin (IL)-12, $interferon-{\gamma}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6 and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ values between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study elucidates the beneficial effects of plant-derived n-3 fatty acid supplementation in enteral formula on NK cell activity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.307-316
• /
• 1990

This study was undertaken to test the effects of Daturae Flos(DF) and Daturae Semen(DS) on the cellular and humoral immune responses, and the functions of the cells involved in immunoinflammation. Both extracts decreased the activity of superoxide dismutase, and the decrease was greater in the mouse group which was treated with DS. Both extracts decreased the phagocytic activity as measured by assessing the number of the latex particle within the phagocyte after incubation of peritoneal macrophages with fluorochrome-labelled latex particle and decreased natural killer cell activity as measured by enumerating the viable YAC-1 cells after treatment of target cells with splenic natural killer cells. Both extracts also decreased the cell-mediated immunity in vivo as assessed by measuring the ear thickness after sensitization and challenge with dinitrofluorobenzene, however, had no effects on the humoral immune responses as measured by checking hemolysin and hemagglutinin titers after immunization with sheep red blood cells(SRBC). Extracts of Semen caused decrease in the number of rosette forming cells between the splenic cells and SRBC. The results of this study suggested that both Daturae extracts could depress the immunoinflammation by affecting the various cell types involved in inflammation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.193-197
• /
• 2009

We report an evaluation of the immunostimulatory effect of propolis volatiles from a stingless honeybee. We studied 34 elderly residents at a special nursing home. Twenty-one subjects were treated with propolis, 8 with $Binch\hat{o}$ charcoal and 5 subjects acted as controls. Subjects treated with either propolis or Bincho charcoal were housed in rooms separated from the other non-study residents in the nursing home. The effects of each treatment on natural killer (NK) cell activity and lymphocyte levels were examined after 2 months and then for a longer period. The results indicated that NK cell activity was significantly improved to that within the normal range only after propolis treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.208-218
• /
• 1998

To clarify the activating effects of Buthus martensi Karsch on immunological function, its effect on primary and secondary antibodies production in mice of various ages was investigated. Buthus martensi Karsch increased the number of both antibody producing cells(anti-IgM and anti-IgG producing plaque forming cells, PFC) and phagocytic activity of peritoneal macrophage. Futhermore, these phenomena were significantly increased with aging in mice. Buthus martensi Karsch also increased natural killer cell activity concerning to cancer immunology. These results suggest that Buthus martensi Karsch markedly increases the reduced activity in the elderly and activates the immune response in senescence mice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.397-404
• /
• 2022

Natural killer (NK) cell activity is more attenuated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients than normal. Hypoxic-inducible factor (HIF)-1α is highly expressed in tumors to maintain their metabolism in a hypoxic environment. The expression of HIF-1α in cancers can lead to cell growth, proliferation, invasion/metastasis and immune escape. Although apigenin, a flavonoid, is known to have various biological activities, it has not been demonstrated in NK cell immune activity in HCC cells. In this study, NK-92 cells were directly cocultured with HCC SK-Hep1 cells for 24 h to evaluate NK cell activity in HCC cells or HCC cells expressing HIF-1α by apigenin. NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells expressing HIF-1α was significantly increased, and NK cell-activating receptors, NKG2D, NKp30 and NKp44 were highly expressed. The activating effect of apigenin on NK cells substantially induced apoptosis in HCC cells expressing HIF-1α through high expression of CD95L on the surface of NK-92 cells. Moreover, apigenin excellently inhibited the level of TGF-β1 in a coculture of NK cells and HCC cells. In conclusion, apigenin seems to be a good compound that increases NK cell cytotoxicity to HCC cells by controlling HIF-1α expression.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.43-49
• /
• 2018

Background: Chronic pain reportedly exerts complex effects on immune function. Natural killer (NK) cells are lymphocytes that play a critical role in cellular and innate immunity. This study examined changes in the subset populations and cytotoxic activity of peripheral blood NK cells in patients with chronic pain. Methods: Thirty patients with chronic moderate-to-severe pain (group P) and age-matched pain-free subjects (group NoP) were enrolled. Peripheral whole blood was analyzed for the percentage and expression of NK cell surface markers (CD56 and CD16) by flow cytometry. Cytotoxic activity was assayed by evaluating CD69 expression on $CD3^-/CD56^+NK$ cells. Results: The percentage of NK cells among total lymphocytes was not significantly different between groups P and NoP ($16.3{\pm}9.3$ vs. $20.2{\pm}10.5%$). Likewise, the percentages of two major NK cell subsets, $CD56^{bright}$ and $CD56^{dim}$, were also not significantly different between the two groups. However, the percentage of $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, was slightly but significantly increased in group P ($1.0{\pm}0.9%$; P< 0.01) compared with group NoP ($0.5{\pm}0.6%$). The cytotoxicity of NK cells was not different between the two groups, showing similar CD69 expression (P vs. $NoP=29.2{\pm}15.2$ vs. $32.0{\pm}15.0%$). These findings were not influenced by pain intensity, opioid use, or disease causing pain in group P. Conclusions: NK cell cytotoxic activity and major subset populations, with the exception of an increased percentage of the $CD56^{bright}/CD16^+$ subset, are not significantly altered in patients with chronic severe pain.

• The Journal of the Korean Society for Microbiology
• /
• v.17 no.1
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 1982

A model of induction of neoplasia by viruses has develpoed from experimental studies in animals and in cultured cells and oncogenic transformation of cells is the result of integration of viral genetic information into the cellular DNA. The evidence for these associations was derived primarily from seroepidemiologic investigation. However, data indicating that the relation between HSV-2 and cervical cancer fits the model derived from experimental animal studies are not yet sufficient to draw conclusion with regard to the etiologic role the virus in the development of the neoplasms. In other hand, the K562 tumor cell is highly susceptible target for natural killer cell lysis by the lymphocytes of human and murine periperal blood. The characteristics of this effector cell type has been investigated. A study on natural killer cell mediated cytotoxicity(NKMC) against $^{51}Cr$-K562 as target cell was studed in HSV-2 infected ICR mouse. We have studied for susceptibility of HSV-2 against mouse embryo fibroblast(MEF) cells and NKMC from HSV-2 infected mouse. The results obtained that the mouse embryo fibroblast cells culture, the number and size of the cells were markedly increased and formed a monolayers relatively rapid, and become complete monolayer sheet around 72 hrs. Duration of cytopathic effect on MEF cells was rapid by serial passing of HSV-2. The morphology of the HSV-2 infected cells appear to be mainly round, ovium, spindle form and some of them was forming large giant cells. The NKMC was decrease in mouse with HSV-2 and comparison between effector/target cells ratio as 25:1 and 50:1 respectively, the NKMC was found to be more significantly decreased than normal control we have concluded that the natural killer cell activity of the viral infected mouse was shown as a suppressed during the HSV-2 infection, day 7th and 14th.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
• /
• v.38 no.5
• /
• pp.717-719
• /
• 2006

A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled human intervention study involving 62 healthy volunteers was performed to investigate the effects of Keumsa sangwhang (Phellinus linteus) mushroom extracts (KPLE) on natural killer (NK) cell activity in peripheral blood. The volunteers were randomly distributed into two groups, one receiving KPLE (3.3 g/day) and the other a placebo by oral administration for 8 weeks. In this study, the number of NK cells did not increase with KPLE administration, however the cytotoxic activity of NK cells against the Jurkat leukemia cell line increased significantly. This result suggests that administration of KPLE induces cell-mediated immunity by increasing NK cell activity in humans.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.267-278
• /
• 1991

The natural killer (NK) cell activity of splenocytes and recycling capacity of NK cells were observed by combining the $^{51}Cr-release$ cytotoxicity assay and single cell cytotoxicity assay against YAC-1. The ICR mice were infected intranasally with Naegleria fewleri, that is a pathogenic free-living amoeba. The mice infected with $1{\times}10^5$ trophosoites showed mortality rate of 76.7% and mean survival time of 12. 9 days. The cytotoxic activity of NK cells in infected mice was significantly higher than that of non-infected mice during the period between 12 hours and day 3 after infection, and highest on day 1. The target-binding capacity of NK cells in infected mice was not different from that of non-infected ones. Maximal killing potential and maximal recycling capacity were remarkably increased in infected mice as compared with the control. The results obtained in this observation indicated that elevated NK cell activity in mice infected with N. fowieri was not due to target-binding capacity of NK cells but due to the increased activity of NK cells and increased recycling capacity of individual NK cells.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.111-124
• /
• 2002

A line of study reported that electroacupuncture(EA) modulate natural killer cell(NK Cell) activities. One report suggested that EA enhanced splenic interferon-gamma($IFN-{\gamma}$), interleukin-2(IL-2), and NK cell activity in Sprague-Dawley rats. Another study suggested that $IFN-{\gamma}$ mediates the up-regulation of NK cell activity, and endogenous ${\beta}$-endorphin secretion also play a role in the up-regulation of NK cell activity induced by EA stimulation. In order to better understand the molecular regulation underlying the activation of NK cell induced by EA, we have utilized cDNA microarray to elucidate how EA alters program of gene expression of spleen in rats. First, we divided three groups, group I was EA group treated with EA in restriction holder, group II was sham group with only holder stress, and last group III was control group with no treatment. We measured NK cell activity after EA stimulation three times for 2 days using $^{51}Cr$ release assay. Second, Biotin-labeled cDNA probes synthesized from EA group and sham group, were competitively hybridized to the microarray that contained variable genes. Such high-throughput screening has identified a number of EA-responsive gene candidates. Of these, we found that EA induced a subset of genes of genes that functionally could modulatory effects on NK cell activity. Genes(vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, protein-tyrosine kinase, CD94 mRNA) related to boost NK cell activity, were increased by EA And, genes(protein-tyrosine-phospatase mRNA, protein-tyrosine phosphatase(SHP-1) mRNA) related to inhibit NK cell activity, were decreased by EA. These EA-responsive genes may provide key insights from which to understand mechanisms of activation of NK cell induced by EA.