• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.102-108
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• 2019

This study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) extract for atopic dermatitis through maintaining skin barrier and regulating Th2 cell differentiation. We divided NC/Nga mice into 3 groups as follows; atopy-like dermatitis induced group with CR treatment (CT, n=10), no treatment group(Ctrl), atopy-like dermatitis elicited group(AE). Atopy-like dermatitis was induced to NC/Nga mice by sensitizing with dermatophagoides farinae(DfE) on 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, and 13th week. After inducing atopic dermatitis, CR extract was administered 20 mg/kg daily for the experimental duration to the CT group. We measured the integrity of lipid layers in the epidermis and Th2 differentiation through immunohistochemical staining against filaggrin, loricrin, IL-4, and IL-13. We also measured the distribution of subcutaneous collagen fibers by the Masson's trichrome staining. Administration of CR significantly inhibited the reduction of lipid layers in the skin that caused atopy. The expression of IL-4, IL-13, each of which is a cytokine secreted by T helper type 2 (Th2) cells, was markedly suppressed in the CT group as compared with AE group (p<0.05). CR treatment also decreased the expression of iNOS, $p-I{\kappa}B$. Atopic dermatitis induced dermatological damage to skin, such as hyperplasia of epithelium, and capillary proliferation was significantly reduced by CR administration. CR effectively inhibited the thinning of the skin barrier and inflammatory responses in atopic dermatitis-induced mice. In particular, it showed anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the expression of IL-4 and IL-13, Th2 cell cytokines, which play a crucial role in development of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, CR can be a good candidate to ameliorate and treat atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.522-532
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• 2010

The aims of the present study were to characterize the effect of glucocorticosteroids (GCs) on the normal canine skin and to evaluate the effect of a lipid mixture (LM), containing cholesterol, pseudoceramide, and free fatty acid, on the steroid-induced damaged skin of dogs. Five beagles were involved and the skin of the back of each dog was topically applied with four kinds of GCs twice daily for 28 days. LM was applied after that period of GCs application. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, and skin pH were assessed during experimental periods and histopathological evaluation was performed. TEWL was significantly increased, with a maximum increase obtained on day 28 (p < 0.01). Skin pH was significantly decreased, with a maximum decrease obtained on day 28 (p < 0.01). Skin surface hydration was significantly increased on day 3, but values of skin hydration were progressively decreased and finally reached those of baseline. In histology, as results of steroid application, losses of keratin layers in the stratum corneum and edematous changes in the upper parts of dermis, and consequently, thickness of the epidermis and the stratum corneum were decreased. In addition, the numbers of hair follicles were markedly decreased in steroid control as compared to intact control. However, these skin atrophic changes were markedly inhibited by treatment of LM as compared with steroid control in the present study. Moreover, all biophysical parameters were reached to the baseline after LM treatment. These results showed that the topically applied GCs induced skin barrier impairment and a LM should be effective on repair of disturbed skin barrier function in dogs. Therefore, it is concluded that a LM tested in the present study is expected to treat the steroid-induced skin damages.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.1014-1019
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• 2011

Curcumin is a natural phytochemical present in turmeric, the ground powder of the rhizomes of Curcuma longa. Curcumin has been described as having antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-carcinogenic properties. However, it is still largely unknown whether curcumin inhibits the UVB-induced inflammatory reaction in HaCaT keratinocyte cell lines. In this study, to confirm the photoprotection properties of curcumin, HaCaT keratinocyte cells were irradiated by UVB, and then treated with curcumin. UVB irradiation induced the increased expressions of IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2 in HaCaT cells. These increased expressions of cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-6, IL-8, and COX-2) were down-regulated by curcumin treatment in UVB-irradiated HaCaT cells. In addition skin of hairless mice were damaged by UVB irradiation, which were evidenced by atrophy of epidermis and decrease of collagen in dermis. However, these damages were protected partially by co-treatment of curcumin. Taken together, this data indicate that curcumin may be a promising photoprotection agent, when used in massage pack or sunscreen product, to reduce cell death in UV-damaged skin.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.538-543
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• 2016

Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which occurs in keratinocytes of the epidermis and is the second most common skin cancer, has a more invasive growth pattern and higher potential to metastasize than basal cell carcinoma. Total excision of the primary tumor is the treatment of choice. For clear excision of the tumor, invasion depth is one of the most important factors. This study was conducted to clarify the relationship between the size and the invasion depth of cutaneous SCC. Methods Twenty-six cases were collected for this prospective study. Frozen biopsies were examined after complete resection of the tumor, followed by histological confirmation by pathological examination. The major and minor axis lengths of the tumor, the invasion depth, and the level of invasion were measured. Recurrence or metastasis was recorded through regular follow-up. Results The Pearson correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis. Significant results were observed for the relationship between the major and minor axis lengths and the invasion depth of the tumor (0.747, 0.773). No cases of recurrence or metastasis were observed. Conclusions In head and neck cutaneous SCC, the invasion depth of the tumor is closely related to the major and minor axis lengths of the tumor. Therefore, the invasion depth of the tumor can be estimated by measuring the size of the tumor, and a standard vertical safety margin for head and neck cutaneous SCC can be established, which could be helpful in the development of a preoperative reconstruction plan.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.341-348
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Torreyae semen extract against antimicrobial and allergic contact dermatitis to explore its utility as a herbal resource. To this end, the antibacterial effects of Torreyae Semend extracted with hot water and ethanol (30%, 60%, 90%) were investigated using Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Propionibacterium acnes. And observed the anti-atopic dermatitis efficacy with a mouse model that allergic contact dermatitis induced by DNCB. Experimental results showed that the antibacterial activity against S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa was significantly higher in the hot water extract of Torreyae Semen. We observed that the extracts of 30% ethanol and hot water of Torreyae Semen inhibited growth in a concentration-dependent manner in P. acnes & S. epidermidis. We observed that the administration of hot water extracts and 30% ethanol extract of Torreyae Semen significantly reduce the thickness of ear & back and gross skin condition compared to the control group in the mice with allergic contact dermatitis. As a result of H & E histological staining, it was observed that the Torreyae Semen extraction group had markedly reduced epidermis and skin thickness, granules, and keratinization compared to the control group. The groups administrated with Torreyae Semen hot water extracts had decreased TNF-α and IL-10 contents compared with the control group. As a result, Torreyae Semen may be used as a useful herbal resource because it has a certain level of antibacterial and anti-atopic effects.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.41-50
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• 1993

The iontophoretic delivery across rat skin of quaternary ammonium salts (isopropamide: ISP, pyridostigmine: PS), which are positively charged over a wide pH range, was measured ill vitro. The study showed that: (a) iontophoresis significantly enhanced delivery of ISP and PS compared to respective passive transport; (b) delivery of ISP and PS was directly proportional to the applied continuous direct current density over the range of $0-0.69\;mA/cm^2;$ (c) delivery of ISP and PS was also proportional to the drug concentration in the donor compartment over the range of $0-2{\time}l0^{-2}M:$ (d) sodium ion in the donor compartment inhibited the drug transport possibly due to decreasing the electric transference number of the drug; (e) delivery of ISP and PS increased as the pH of the donor solution increased over the pH range 2-7 suggesting permselective nature of the epidermis, and inhibition of the transference number of the drugs by hydronium ion; (f) some organic anions such as taurodeoxycholate, salicylate and benzoate which form lipophilic ion-pair complexes with ISP inhibited the delivery of ISP. The degree of inhibition by the organic anions was linearly proportional to the extraction coefficient $(K_e)$ of ISP from the partition system with each counteranion between phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and n-octanol. For PS, however, taurodeoxycholate, but not salicylate and benzoate inhibited the iontophoretic delivery. It suggests that not only sodium ion and hydronium ion but also the counteranions which form lipophilic ion-pairs with quaternary ammonium drugs are not favorable components in formulating the donor solution of the drugs to achieve an effective iontophoretic delivery.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.335-343
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• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory skin condition accompanied by symptoms such as edema and hemorrhage. Kimchi is a traditional fermented Korean dish consisting of various probiotics. In this study, the therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus plantarum CJLP55 isolated from Kimchi was studied in AD-induced mice. Orally administered Lactobacillus strain, CJLP55, suppressed AD symptoms and high serum IgE levels. CJLP55 administration reduced the thickness of the epidermis, infiltration of mast cells and eosinophils into the skin lesion, enlargement of axillary lymph nodes, and increase in cell population in axillary lymph nodes. CJLP55 treatment decreased the production of type 2 cytokines, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$, and IL-6,which were stimulated by house dust mite extracts, in the axillary lymph node cells. Orally administered CJLP55 exhibited a therapeutic effect on house dust mite-induced AD in NC/Nga mice after onset of the disease by altering immune cell activation. The Lactobacillus strain, CJLP55, isolated from Kimchi, suppressed AD. Our results suggest its possible use as a potential candidate for management of AD.

• Korean Journal of Ichthyology
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.70-74
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• 2011

During the winter, the rice field-dwelling muddy loach Misgurnus mizolepis is buried in burrows constructed of mud and are subjected to exposure to air at times of shortage of water. To investigate the environmental factors that lead to changes of the skin mucus cells of the muddy loach in rice fields, we carried out an experiment where we artificially exposure the fish to air, duplicating as close as possible winter conditions in nature. During the summer, a water tank containing M. mizolepis was filled with mud, and the water was allowed to evaporate. After a month of evaporation, the loach constructed burrows similar to those in a winter rice field. The epidermis in the experimental fish was mostly occupied by large elongated mucus cells, whose numbers drastically increased in all observed regions of the dorsum, lateral region, and the occiput. Such features are typically seen in fishes in wild habitats during the winter season.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.215-221
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• 2016

Due to the shortage of the fingerling/juvenile mud loach, Misgurnus mizolepis in Korea, these fish have been imported from China. However, the mortality rate during and after their transportation is very high. In this study, we examined various physiological and histological parameters to evaluate the effect of salt treatment on the survival and recovery of mud loaches in holding farms during the quarantine process. Glucose, osmolality, $Na^+$, $Cl^-$, and histological changes were assessed for three different salinities. Non-treated fish (control 0.0%) exhibited lower levels of osmolality, and $Na^+$ and $Cl^-$ concentrations compared with those kept in solar salt solution (0.5% and 1.0%). Glucose levels in control fish were higher than those in fish exposed to 0.5% and 1.0% solar salt solution. Histologically, control fish showed thinner epidermis of skin, branchial hyperplasia and lamellar fusion with an abundance of eosinophilic granule cell-like cells. After solar salt solution treatment, damaged gill structures in the fish almost recovered within 5 days. The present study demonstrates that mud loaches transported from China suffer from skin and gill damage and physiological dysfunction which may increase the mortality and morbidity. Moreover, saline treatment might alleviate the stress responses and ionic/osmotic imbalances, and help heal gill damage.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.445-449
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• 2010

A dog with a history of long-term phenobarbital administration presented to Seoul National University Hospital for Animals with clinical signs of footpad ulceration and facial ulcerative dermatitis. Skin lesions (facial/footpad dermatitis), histopathologic signs (parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, edema and hyperplasia of the epidermis), and liver involvement (increased plasma liver enzymes and nodular lesions) suggested a diagnosis of superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND). The patient died suddenly at home of unknown cause after 8 months medical treatment, but intravenous amino acid supplementation and supportive hepatic medication proved as effective for the skin conditions.