• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.87-91
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• 2008

We induced the activation of melanocytes in the epidermis of C57BL/6 mice by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation and observed the effect of Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-Tang (BZYQT) on the formation, and decrease of UVB-induced epidermal melanocytes. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated by UVB $80\;mJ/cm^2$ (0.5 mW/sec) daily for 7 days, and BZYQT was intraperitoneally or topically applied pre- or post-irradiation. For the estimation of change of epidermal melanocytes, light microscopic observation with dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) stain was performed. Split epidermal sheets prepared from the ear of untreated mice exhibited 11-16 melanocytes/$mm^2$, and one week after UV irradiation, the applied areas show an increased number of strongly DOPA-positive melanocytes with stout dendrites. But intraperitoneal or topical treatment with BZYQT before each irradiation interrupted UVB-induced pigmentation and resulted in a marked reduction in the number of epidermal melanocytes as compared to radiation control skin. The number and size of DOPA-positive epidermal melanocytes were also significantly decreased in intraperitoneally injected or topically applicated group after irradiation with BZYQT at 3rd and 6th weeks after irradiation. The present study suggests the BZYQT as inhibitor of UVB-induced pigmentation and depigmenting agent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.111-120
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• 2020

Purpose: Corosolic acid (CA), also known as 2α-hydroxyursolic acid, is present in numerous plants, and is reported to exhibit anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activities in various cancer cells such as osteosarcoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, lung adenocarcinoma, and colon cancer. However, the anti-cancer activity of CA on human breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the anticancer effects of CA in the human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. Methods: Cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, apoptosis marker protein expression, migration, invasion rate, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were assessed by treating MDA-MB-231 cells to increasing concentrations of CA. Results: The results showed that CA significantly inhibited the cell proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. To assess the effect of CA on apoptosis, nuclei of MDA-MB-231 cells were stained with DAPI solution. Chromatin condensation, which indicates apoptosis, was observed to increase dose-dependently. In addition, western-blot analysis revealed elevated levels of the apoptosis marker proteins (Bax and cleaved caspase 3) subsequent to MDA-MB-231 exposure to CA. ROS production was also increased in the CA-induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 treated cells. Interestingly, CA exposure resulted in significantly decreased migration and invasion rates in the MDA-MB-231 cells. Data further revealed that exposure to CA markedly decreased the VEGF concentration, thereby contributing to a reduction in angiogenesis. Conclusion: Our results determined that exposure to CA induces anti-proliferation, apoptosis, and ROS production, and suppresses cell migration and invasion rate in MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, these results indicate the potential of CA to be applied as an effective chemotherapeutic agent for treating breast cancer.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.1399-1407
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• 2015

Klebsiella pneumoniae is found in the normal flora of the skin, mouth, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and intestines in human. However, the stain is opportunistic pathogen, which is the causative agent of community acquired pneumonia. Corn silk has been known to be effective for antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, including K. pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella spp., Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, et al. In this study we focused on the antimicrobial properties of con silk water extract of K. penumoniae. K. pneumoniae isolates K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883 and broad-spectrum β-lactamase (BSBL), exteded-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), carbapenemase-producers. Antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined by the disk diffusion method. Searches for bla genes were performed by PCR amplication and direct sequencing. MacConkey agar plate medium was prepared using the corn silk extracts (50% or 100%) instead of distilled water for antimicrobial activity test. The microbial growth inhibitory potential of K. pneumoniae was determined by using the MacConkey agar plate spreading method, and the plate was incubated 18 hr at 37℃. Genes encoding β-lactamases including SHV-1 (n=8), SHV-2a (n=8), SHV-5 (n=2), SHV-11 (n=2), SHV-12 (n=18), TEM-1 (n=10), CTX-M-3 (n=2), CTX-M-14 (n=2), CTX-M-15 (n=1), GES-5 (n=5), KPC-2 (n=6), KPC-3 (n=4), and NDM-1 (n=2) were detected. The corn silk extract showed significantly antimicrobial activity against K. pneumoniae ATCC 13883, but BSBLs, ESBLs, and carbapenemase producers were not. Therefore, corn silk extract is thought to be able to assist in the prevention and rapid recovery of infectious disease caused by K. pneumoniae.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.711-720
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• 2005

In the corpus luteum, TNF$\alpha$ is known to induce functional and structural luteolysis. In addition, it acts as luteotropic agent during the initial and early stage of luteal development. In spite of its importance in corpus luteal development, there is still different opinions for the source cells of TNF$\alpha$ in the corpus luteum. One is the macrophages only, and the other is macrophages are the main source and endothelial cells are the minor source. In this experiment, using the porcine corpora lutea of pregnancy and ovulatory stages, hematoxylin-eosin stain, macrophage and TNF$\alpha$ immunohistochemistry were carried to reveal the sources of TNF$\alpha$. As a result, MAC 387-positive macrophages were present in all the stages of corpora lutea. In the mature corpora lutea of nonpregnant stages, the sites of MAC 387-positive macrophages and those of TNF$\alpha$- positive macrophages were coincided, and the sites of endothelial cells and those of TNF$\alpha$-positive endothelial cells were nearly coincided. But, in the mature CL of pregnant stage, mid- and advanced luteolytic stages of both nonpregnant and pregnant stages, the sites of MAC 387-positive macrophages and those of TNF$\alpha$-positive macrophages were coincided, but not in the endothelial cells. Accordingly, it can be concluded that macrophages are the main source of TNF$\alpha$ in the corpus luteum and endothelial cells are the minor source in the mature and mid-lytic stages, but, in the advanced luteolytic stage, macrophages are the only source of TNF$\alpha$.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.1
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• pp.80-87
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• 2018

Background: Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation with heterogeneous features. Neutrophilic asthma is corticosteroid-insensitive asthma related to absence or suppression of $T_H2$ process and increased $T_H1$ and/or $T_H17$ process. Macrolides are immunomodulatory drug that reduce airway inflammation, but their role in asthma is not fully known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of macrolides in neutrophilic asthma and compare their effects with those of corticosteroids. Methods: C57BL/6 female mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). Clarithromycin (CAM) and/or dexamethasone (DXM) were administered at days 14, 15, 21, 22, and 23. At day 24, the mice were sacrificed. Results: Airway resistance in the OVA+LPS exposed mice was elevated but was more attenuated after treatment with CAM+DXM compared with the monotherapy group (p<0.05 and p<0.01). In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid study, total cells and neutrophil counts in OVA+LPS mice were elevated but decreased after CAM+DXM treatment. In hematoxylin and eosin stain, the CAM+DXM-treated group showed less inflammation additively than the monotherapy group. There was less total protein, interleukin 17 (IL-17), interferon ${\gamma}$, and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ in the CAM+DXM group than in the monotherapy group (p<0.001, p<0.05, and p<0.001). More histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) activity was recovered in the DXM and CAM+DXM challenged groups than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Decreased IL-17 and recovered relative HDAC2 activity correlated with airway resistance and inflammation in a neutrophilic asthma mouse model. This result suggests macrolides as a potential corticosteroid-sparing agent in neutrophilic asthma.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.59-64
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• 2007

We induced the activation of melanocytes in the epidermis of C57BL/6 mice by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation and observed the effect of bamboo (Phyllostachys nigra var. henenis Strapf) leaf extract (BLE) on the formation, and decrease of UVB-induced epidermal melanocytes. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated by $UVB\;80mJ/cm^2(0.5mW/sec)$ daily for 7 days, and BLE was intraperitoneally or topically applied pre-or post-irradiation. For the estimation of change of epidermal melanocytes, light microscopic observation with dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) stain was performed. Split epidermal sheets prepared from the ear of untreated mice exhibited 11-16 $melanocytes/mm^2$, and one week after UV irradiation, the applied areas show an increased number of strongly DOPA-positive melanocytes with stout dendrites. But intraperitoneal or topical treatment with BLE before each irradiation interrupted UVB-induced pigmentation and resulted in a marked reduction in the number of epidermal melanocytes as compared to radiation control skin. The number and size of DOPA-positive epidermal melanocytes were also significantly decreased in intraperitoneally injected or topically applicated group after irradiation with BLE at 3rd and 6th weeks after irradiation. The results of present study indicate that BLE is likely to be useful as inhibitor of UVB-induced pigmentation and depigmenting agent.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2016

Large patch disease in Zoysia japonica Steud. is the most destructive disease in turfgrass. For large patch management, it has been dependent on chemical controls but pesticides are harmful to soil, water and biodiversity. In this study, we evaluated 4 Streptomyces spp. strains (S2, S5, S8 and S12) which were selected in previous studies using metagenome approaches. Root colonization of the strains, large patch suppressing effect and the pathogen density change in actual golf course were investigated to evaluate biological control potential of the strains. All strains exhibited reliable root colonization ability that strains populations were higher than $6log\;cfu\;g^{-1}$ in turfgrass rhizosphere. The pathogen density, with S8 treatment, was detected average of 0.7 after a week and average of 1.2 after 4 weeks. Disease control and suppressive the pathogen population by S8 strain showed higher efficiency than other strains. S8 was applied in an actual golf course for the large patch control and pathogen density. The pathogen density in S8 treatment plot was detected below 1.6 per toothpick and lower compared with untreated plot. The results indicated that pathogen density was suppressed by S8 and the stain has great potential as a biological control agent for the large patch.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.200-208
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• 2005

Purpose: Tc-99m labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacctic acid (DTPA)-coupled galactosylated human serum albumin (GSA) is a currently used imaging agent for asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) of the liver, but, it has several shortcomings. Recently a new ASGPR imaging agent, $^{99m}Tc$-lactosylated human serum albumin (LSA), with simple labeling procedure, high labeling efficiency, high stability was developed. In order to assess the feasibility of the $^{99m}Tc$-LSA as a ASGPR imaging radiopharmaceuticals, we performed biodistribution study of the tracer in liver injured mice model and the results were compared with histolgic data. Materals and Methods: To induce hepatic damage in ICR mice, diethylnitrosamine (DEN) ($60mg/kg/week{\times}5time$, low dose or $180mg/kg/week{\times}2times$, high dose) and thioacetamide (TAA) ($50mg/kg{\times}1time$) were administrated intraperitoneally. Degree of liver damage was evaluated by tissue hematoxilin-eosin stain, and expression of asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGPR) was assessed by immunohistochemistry using ASGPR antibody. $^{99m}Tc$-LSA was intravenously administrated via tail vein in DEN or TAA treated mice, and biodistribution study of the tracer was also performed. Results: DEN treated mice showed ballooning of hepatocyte and inflammatory cell infiltration in low dose group and severe hapatocyte necrosis in high dose group, and low dose group showed higher ASGPR staining than control mice in immunohistochemical staining. TAA treated mice showed severe hepatic necrosis. $^{99m}Tc$-LSA Biodistribution study showed that mice with hepatic necrosis induced by high dose DEN or TAA revealed higher blood activity and lower liver activity than control mice, due to slow clearance of the tracer by the liver. The degree of liver uptake was inversely correlated with the degree of histologic liver damage. But low dose DEN treated mice with mild hepatic injury showed normal blood clearance and hepatic activity, partly due to overexpression of ASGPR in mice with mild degree hepatic injury. Conclusion: Liver uptake of $^{99m}Tc$-LSA was inversely correlated with degree of histologic hepatic injury in DEN and TAA treated mice. These results support that $^{99m}Tc$-LSA can be used to evaluate the liver status in liver disease patients.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.101-108
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• 1989

This study was performed to observe the role of Pneumocystis carinii as an etiologic agent of interstitial pneumonia in immunocompromised hosts. Total 90 male Sprague-Dawley rats, approxi. mately 150-180 g, were used. Fifteen of them were used as control group and remaining 75 (5 groups) were as immunosuppression groups; group 1 received prednisolone (25 mg/kg twice weekly) only; group 2 Prednisolone and tetracycline (75 mk/kg/day) ; group 3 Prednisolone, tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole (50~250 mg/kg/day) : group 4 prednisolone and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxasole; and group 5 prednisolone and griseofulvin (300 mg/kg/day) until death. The survival days of each group rat were calculated, and upon death their lungs were removed immediately and then stamp smears were prepared and stained by Giemsa or toluidine blue O. For histopathologic observation, lungs were fixed in 10% formalin, cut into sections and stained with Gomori's methenamine silvei, hematoxylin-rosin, and Brovkn & Brenn stain. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The mean survival time of each group rat was 19.3$\pm$5.2 days (group 1), 41.1$\pm$14.0 days (group 2), 50.5$\pm$18.4 days (group 3), 43.0$\pm$22.9 days (group 4) or 21.8$\pm$5.1 days (group 5). Significant differences were noted between group 1 and group 2(p<0.01), group 1 and group 3 (p<0.01), and group 1 and group 4 (p<0.01), which represented bacterial infections were most fatal in immunocompromised rats. Group 5 revealed no difference in the survival day from group 1, while significant differences were noted between group 2 and group 5(P<0.01), group 3 and group 5(p<0.01), and group 4 and group 5(p<0, 01), which represented little importance of fungal infection as the cause of death of the rats. 2. The first fatality due to p. carinii pneumonia occurred 17 days after the beginning of the immunosuppression. The occurrence rate of P. carinii pneumonia in the decreasing order was 92.9% (group 3), 80.0% (group 2 and group 5), 78.6% (group 4) and 33.3% (group 1). With regard to the pathological stage of P. carinii pneumonia, the stage 1 was 11.3%, the stage 2, 28.3%, and the stage 3, 60.4%. 3. Viewing from the duration of immunosuppression, bacterial pneumonia chieay appeared in 1 month, mixed infections (P. carinii and bacteria, or p. carinii and fungi) in 1~2 months, and pure P. carinii pneumonia after 2 months. The present study revealed that P. carinii pneumonia was the most important cause of death of immunocompromised rats later than 1 month after the start of immunosuppression.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2011

We induced the activation of melanocytes in the epidermis of C57BL/6 mice by ultraviolet-B (UV-B) irradiation, and observed the effect of an herbal preparation (HemoHIM, HH) on the formation, and decrease of UV-B-induced epidermal melanocytes. C57BL/6 mice were irradiated by UV-B $80\;mJ{\cdot}cm^{-2}$ ($0.5\;mW{\cdot}sec^{-1}$) daily for 7 days, and HH was intraperitoneally, orally or topically applied pre- or post-irradiation. For the estimation of change of epidermal melanocytes, light microscopic observation with dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) stain was performed. Split epidermal sheets prepared from the ear of untreated mice exhibited 13~15 melanocytes${\cdot}mm^{-2}$, and one week after UV irradiation, the applied areas showed an increased number of strongly DOPA-positive melanocytes with stout dendrites. But intraperitoneal, oral or topical treatment with HH before each irradiation interrupted UV-B-induced pigmentation and resulted in a marked reduction in the number of epidermal melanocytes as compared to the number found in UV-B-irradiated, untreated control skin. The number and size of DOPA-positive epidermal melanocytes were also significantly decreased in intraperitoneally injected or topically applicated group after irradiation with HH at 3rd and 6th weeks after irradiation. The present study suggests the HH as inhibitor of UV-B-induced pigmentation, and depigmenting agent.