• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.233-237
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• 2009

Lindera obtusiloba has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in Korea and recently known to have an anti-fibrotic effect. In this report, we investigated the effect of hot water extract from L. obtusiloba (WELB) on the mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation and studied its possible mechanisms of action. WELB inhibited phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore A23187 (PMACI)-induced histamine release in HMC-1 human mast cells. WELB reduced PMACI-induced gene expression and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8. The inhibitory effect of WELB on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines was c-jun N-terminal kinase and nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ dependent. These results indicate that WELB may be beneficial in the treatment of mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.10
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• pp.1697-1701
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• 2015

The anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of probiotic Lactococcus lactis NK34 were demonstrated. Treatment of cancer cells such as SK-MES-1, DLD-1, HT-29, LoVo, AGS, and MCF-7 cells with 10⁶ CFU/well of L. lactis NK34 resulted in strong inhibition of proliferation (>77% cytotoxicity, p < 0.05). The anti-inflammatory activity of L. lactis NK34 was also demonstrated in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells, where the production of nitric oxide and proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-18, and cyclooxygenase-2) was reduced. These results suggest that L. lactis NK34 could be used as a probiotic microorganism to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells and production of proinflammatory cytokines.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.823-834
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• 1998

Background: Chronic inhalation of silica induces the lung fiborsis. The alveolar macrophages ingest the inhaled silica; they liberate the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and fibrogenic cytokines, TGF-$\beta$ and PDGF. Cytokines liberated from macrophage have pivotal role in pulmonary fibrosis. There is a complex cytokine network toward fibrosis. However, the exact roles and the interaction among the proinflammatory cytokines and TGF-$\beta$, a fibrogenic cytokine, have not been defined, yet. In this study, we investigated silica induced IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ production and the effect of IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$ on the production of TGF-$\beta$ from lung macrophages of Balb/C mice. Method: We extracted the lung of Balb/C mice and purified monocytes by Percoll gradient method. Macrphages were stimulated by silica ($SiO_2$) in the various concentration for 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours. The supernatants were used for the measurement of protein levels by bioassay, and cells for the levels of mRNA by in situ hybridization. Results: The production of IL-6 was not observed till 4 hours, and reached the peak levels at 8 hours after stimulation of silica. The production of TNF-$\alpha$ increased from 2 hours and reached the peak levels at 4 hours after stimulation of silica. The spontaneous TGF-$\beta$ production reached the peak levels at 24 hours. TNF-$\alpha$ upregulated the silica induced TGF-$\beta$ production. Silica induced TGF-$\beta$ production was blocked by pretreated anti-TNF-$\alpha$ antibody. In situ hybridization revealed the increased positive signals at 4 hours in IL-6, at 4 hours TNF-$\alpha$ and 12 hours in TGF-$\beta$. Conclusion: The results above suggest that silica induced the sequential production of IL-6, 1NF-$\alpha$ and TGF-$\beta$ from macrophages and TNF-$\alpha$ upregultaes the production of TGF-$\beta$ from silica-induced macrophages.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.307-314
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• 2015

Background: Bladder cancer is among the five most common malignancies worldwide. Altered expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling -3 (SOCS-3) has been implicated in various types of human cancers; however, its role in bladder cancer is not well established. Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the mRNA expression of SOCS-3 in normal and cancerous bladder tissue and to explore its correlation with urinary levels of some proinflammatory cytokines, cytokeratin-18 (CK -18) and with tumor histopathological grading, in order to evaluate their role as potential diagnostic markers. Materials and Methods: SOCS3 mRNA expression levels were evaluated using quantitative real time PCR. Urinary levels of interleukins 6 and 8 were estimated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cytokeratin-18 expression was analyzed by immuunohistochemistry then validated by ELISA. Results: SOC3 m RNA expression levels were significantly lower in high grade urothelial carcinoma ($0.36{\pm}0.12$) compared to low grade carcinoma ($1.22{\pm}0.38$) and controls ($4.08{\pm}0.88$), (p<0.001). However, in high grade urothelial carcinoma the urinary levels of IL-6, IL-8, total CK-18($221.33{\pm}22.84pg/ml$, $325.2{\pm}53.6pg/ml$, $466.7{\pm}57.40U/L$ respectively) were significantly higher than their levels in low grade carcinoma ($58.6{\pm}18.6pg/ml$, $58.3{\pm}50.2pg/ml$, $185.5{\pm}60.3U/L$ respectively) and controls ($50.9{\pm}23.0pg/ml$, $7.12{\pm}2.74pg/ml$, $106.7{\pm}47.3U/L$ respectively), (p<0.001). Conclusions: Advanced grade of urothelial bladder carcinoma is significantly associated with lowered mRNA expression of SOC3 as well as elevated urinary levels of proinflammatory cytokines and CK-18. Furthermore, our results suggested that urinary IL-8, IL-6 and CK-18 may benefit as noninvasive biomarkers for early detection as well as histopathological subtyping of urothelial carcinoma.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.71-85
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• 2014

Objectives In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Samhwangsasim-tang (S.H) on the allergic response caused by ovalbumin(OVA) sensitization and challenge in BALB/c mice. Methods The experimental animals were divided into five groups; 1) normal as negative control, 2) OVA-sensitized mice, 3) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 200 mg/kg of S.H 200, 4) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 400 mg/kg of S.H 400, and 5) OVA-sensitized mice treated with 5 mg/kg of Dexamethasone (Dex). Antigen sensitization for allergic mouse model was performed with twice injection of OVA for 2 weeks. After secondary injection, S.H was administrated orally into mice every day for 13 days and the inhibitory effect of S.H on allergic responses was evaluated. Results Treatment of S.H into allergic mice reduced significantly ear edema and infiltration of immune cells in ear tissues induced with OVA challenge in a dose-dependent manner. S.H reduced significantly the serum levels of Total Immunoglobulin(Ig)G and IgE, and particularly inhibited the production of OVA-specific IgE, but not OVA-specific IgG. The serum level of proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and Th2-associated cytokine IL-4 also were significantly decreased by S.H adminstration in a dose denpendent manner. S.H attenuated OVA-induced secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$, but not IL-12 which is a cytokine inducing the development of Th1 cells. It also reduced significantly the secretion of IL-4, which is a cytokine inducing the development of Th2 cells, after splenocytes were stimulated with OVA. However the secretion of IL-5 and IL-13 was influenced weakly or a little. Conclusions These results indicate that S.H could reduce the allergic response through inhibition of antigen-specific IgE and Th2-inducing cytokines. It suggest that S.H may be available clinically for the treatment of allergic patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.140-153
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• 2003

Background : The cell-mediated immune reaction to tuberculosis infection involves a complex network of cytokines. The extent of inflammation, tissue damage and severity of the disease suggested to be determined by the balance between extent and duration of the proinflammatory cytokine response versus those of the suppressive cytokines. The systemic cytokine response in pathogenesis of tuberculosis can be assessed by measuring serum cytokine levels. Method : Serum interleukin-1 beta(IL-$1{\beta}$), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-${\alpha}$), interferon-gamma(IFN-${\gamma}$) and transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-${\beta}$) levels were measured in 83 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 patients with endobronchial tuberculosis before treatment and 20 healthy subjects by using a sandwich ELISA. In patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, they were divided into mild, moderate and far advanced group according to the severity by ATS guidelines. To compare with those of pretreatment levels, we measured serum IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12(p40), TNF-${\alpha}$, IFN-${\gamma}$ and TGF-${\beta}$ levels in 45 of 83 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis after 2 and 6 months of treatment. Results : 1) In sera of patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis(n=83), IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6(p<0.05), TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ were elevated and TGF-${\beta}$ was decreased comparing to control. IL-2, Il-12(p40), IL-4 and IL-10 were similar between the patients with tuberculosis and control. 2) In endobronchial tuberculosis, IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were elevated and TGF-${\beta}$ was decreased comparing to control. IL-12(p40) seemed to be elevated comparing to pulmonary tuberculosis. 3) Far advanced tuberculosis showed markedly elevated IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ level(p<0.05). 4) The significant correlations were noted between IL-1, IL-6 AND TNF-${\alpha}$ and between IL-12, Il-2 and IL-4(p<0.01). 5) After 2 and 6 months of standard treatment, the level of IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ was significantly decreased(p<0.05). Conclusion : These results showed that an altered balance between cytokines is likely to be involved in the extent of inflammation, tissue damage and severity of the disease tuberculosis. But, it should be considered diversities of cytokine response according to type of tuberculosis and immunity in clinical application and interpreting future studies.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.369-376
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• 2008

In the present study, we investigated the radioprotective effect of cyclo(L-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl) on irradiated rat lungs to determine its potential as a radioprotective agent. We found that early lung damage induced by irradiation was reduced by treatment with 40mg/kg of cyclo(L-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl) in the latent and early pneumonitis phases. Expression of $TNF-{\alpha}\;and\;TGF-{\beta}1$ at 2 and TGF-${\beta}1$ at 8 weeks post-irradiation was decreased in animals that received both radiation and cyclo(L-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl) compared with animals that received radiation alone. Evidence indicated that the proinflammatory cytokine TNF-${\alpha}$ and the fibrogenic cytokine TGF-${\beta}1$ likely play a role in the radioprotective effect of cyclo(L-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl). However, besides TNF-${\alpha}$ and TGF-${\beta}1$ expressions, the precise mechanism by which cyclo(L-phenylalanyl-L-prolyl) ameliorates the induced radiation damage is not clear.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 2013

Baicalin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties. IL-6 is a primary proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to impaired insulin signaling in liver. This study was carried out to investigate whether baicalin improves IL-6-mediated insulin resistance in liver. Hepa-1c1c7 cells were pre-treated with 50 and 100 ${\mu}M$ baicalin in complete media for 1 h and then cultured in the presence or absence of IL-6 (20 ng/ml). These results demonstrated that baicalin restored IL-6-suppressed expression of insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1 protein, downregulated IL-6-increased gene expression of C-reactive protein (CRP) and suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3, and inhibited LPS-induced production of IL-6 in Hepa-1c1c7 cells. These findings indicate that baicalin may ameliorate hepatic insulin resistance via improvement of IL-6-mediated impaired insulin signaling in hepatocytes.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.287-292
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• 2005

In the present study, immune gene expression of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, against bacterial endotoxin (LPS) was studied in vivo. The expression of prointflammatory cytokine genes (IL-1$\beta$ and TNF-$\alpha$) and IFN-related genes (IRF-I, Mx-3) at gill was assessed by RT-PCR at different time point of day1 and day 3 post-injection. It was shown that the proinflammatory cytokine gene expression at gill was induced 1 day after LPS injection but the expression was not sustained until day 3. Meanwhile upregulated expression of IFN-related genes was found to be only at day 3 post injection, indicating indirect effect of LPS on these genes.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2002

In our study, the several cytokines were determined in phytohaemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of Adamantiades-Behcets patients. Adamantiades-Behcets disease (ABD) is a systemic inflammatory disorder and might involve immune dysfunction. High levels of $TNF-\alpha,\;IL-1\beta$ and $IFN-{\gamma}$ indicate the activation of inflammatory reactions and immune system in ABD. Gami-Phedoc-San (GPS) is an Oriental herbal medication, which has been used in Korea for the treatment of ABD. GPS (1 mg/ ml) significantly inhibited the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, $TNF-\alpha\;and\;IL-1\beta$, compared to absence of GPS (by $50.5{\pm}1.9%$ inhibition for $TNF-\alpha$ and $106.9{\pm}16.8%$ for $IL-1\beta$). GPS also inhibited the production of $IFN-\gamma$, immunoregulatory Th1 cytokine, by $78.4{\pm}2.8%$. The inhibitory effects of GPS on cytokine secretion showed dose-dependent manner, and the pre-treatment of 1 mg/ml GPS had better effects than immunosuppressive drug for treatment of ABD, cyclosporin A. Our results suggest that GPS treatment for ABD patients might have pharmacological activity of immune and inflammatory responses through the cytokine modulation.