• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.48-55
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• 2013

Objective: The use of nanoparticle products is expected to present a potential harmful effect on consumers. Also, the lack of information regarding inhaled nanoparticles may pose a serious problem. In this study, we addressed this issue by studying pulmonary toxicity after nasal instillation of Al-NPs in SD rats. Methods: The animals were exposed to Al-NPs at 1 mg/kg body weight (low dose), 20 mg/kg body weight (medium dose) and 40 mg/kg body weight (high dose). To determine pulmonary toxicity, bronchoalveolar lavage (ts.AnBAL) fluid analysis and histopathological examination were conducted in rats. In addition, cell viability was investigated at 24 hours after the treatment with Al-NPs. Results: BAL fluid analysis showed that total cells (TC) count and total protein (TP) concentrations increased significantly in all treatment groups, approximately two to three times. Also, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-6 dose-dependently increased following nasal instillation of Al-NPs. However, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) levels showed no significant changes in a dose dependant manner in BAL fluid. In the cytotoxicity analysis, the treatment of Al-NPs significantly and dose-dependently induced cell viability loss (20 to 30%) and damage of cell membrane (5 to 10%) in rat normal lung epithelial cells (L2). Conclusions: Our results suggest that inhaled Al-NPs in the lungs may be removed quickly by alveolar macrophages with minimal inflammatory reaction, but Al-NPs have the potential to affect lung permeability. Therefore, extensive toxicity evaluations of Al-NPs are required prior to their practical application as consumer products.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.125-138
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• 2014

Objective : Polycan, exopolymers purified from Aureobasidium pullulans SM-2001 and calcium gluconate have been showed favorable inhibitory effects on the periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, respectively. In the present study, we intended to observe the possible synergic effects of mixed formula consisted of Polycan and calcium gluconate on ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses in rats, and to select the fittest compositions for further developing as effective agents to ameliorate periodontal diseases. Method : Experiments were conducted as two separated two tests - first is synergic effects of Polycan and calcium gluconate 1:1, 1:9 and 9:1 mixtures, and second is 1:99, 2:98, 4:96, 8:92 and 1:9 mixtures. Experimental periodontal diseases were induced by ligature placed around the cervix of upper left incisior teeth of rats. One day after ligation placements, 200mg/kg of each single or mixed formulas of Polycan or/and calcium gluconate were orally administered for 10 days. The changes on the alveolar bone loss index and maxillary bone mineral density (BMD) were observed for detecting alveolar bone losses, and for anti-inflammatory effects, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor; TNF-${\alpha}$) contents were also evaluated in gingival tissues around ligature placed incisior teeth. The results of mixtures were compared with those of singe Polycan and calcium gluconate treated rat. Results : Each single or mixed formulas of Polycan or/and calcium gluconate favorably and significantly inhibited the inflammatory changes. The inhibitory effects of mixed formula consisted of Polycan and calcium gluconate 1:9 showed against periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses as compared with those of each Polycan and calcium gluconate single formula (p<0.05). In second experiment, Polycan and calcium gluconate 2:98, 4:96, 8:92 and 1:9 mixed formulas also showed significant increased anti-inflammatory and inhibitory effects against alveolar bone losses as compared with those of each single formula. Among them, Polycan and calcium gluconate 2:98 showed the highest efficacy against to ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses. Conclusion : The results obtained in this study suggest that appropriated mixtures of Polycan and calcium gluconate showed synergic inhibitory effects against ligation-induced experimental periodontitis and related alveolar bone losses in rats. Moreover, Polycan and calcium gluconate 2:98 showed the highest efficacies in this experiment, suggesting the fittest composition for further developing as effective agents to ameliorate periodontal diseases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.69-93
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• 2008

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of KKHS on atopic dermatitis in an in-vivo experiment using an NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse, which has histological and clinical similarities to this condition in humans. Methods To investigate the effect of KKHS 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), splenocytes, draining lymph node(DLN) and performed skin histology in ears and dorsal skin of atopic dermatitis of NC/Nga mouse in vivo. Results In vivo, clinical skin severity score was significantly lower in the KKHS group than in the control group. IgE, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, IgM, IgG2a and IgG2b levels in serum decreased remarkably in the KKHS group than in the control group, and the level of IFN-${\gamma}$ production which is secreted from Th1 cell was increased by KKHS. After this experiment we analyzed immunological cells ($CD3^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$, $CD8^+$, $CD3^+CD69^+$, $CD4^+CD25^+$ and $CD49b^+$) by flow cytometry. It results that the total absolute number of $CD3^+$, $CD19^+$, $CD4^+$ and $CD8^+$ cells were recovered as much as normal state, and the level of $CD3^+CD69^+$ in isolated DLN and PBMCs were significantly decreased, and total absolute number of $Gr-1^+$, $CD11b^+$ and $CD3^+$ in dorsal skin of NC/Nga mouse were decreased by KKHS. We analyzed ear, DLN, and neck-back skin after biopsy and dyeing by hematoxyline/eosin(H&E), toluidine staining (mast cells marker). KKHS were very effective to the histological symptoms which are in dermal and epidermal thickening, hyperkeratosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Ear thickness was significantly decreased compared with the control group and the size of inflammatory lymphocytes cells (ILC) and plasma cells (PC) in DLN were also decreased. Conclusions KKHS on atopic dermatitis in an in-vivo experiment using an NC/Nga atopic dermatitis mouse was very effectiveness to the atopy dermatitis treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.415-422
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• 2001

Objectives: We aimed to identify the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of Yukmijihwang-tang-Hap-Sabaek-san(YMHSB) and Root cortex of Morus alba L.(RCM) on the mRNA expression of Interieukin(IL)-6, IL-S, granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor(GM-CSF) involved in the asthma model. Methods: In this study BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells, were used. These cells were stimulated by tumor necrosis $factor(TNF)-{\alpha},\;IL-1{\beta}$ and histamine for artificial inflammatory expression. ${\beta}-actin$ messenger RNA(mRNA) was used for the internal standard. After each 24 hours of the YMHSB and RCM treatment, total cellular RNAs were collected by treating RNA zol directly on the living cells. Then the transcriptional activities of IL-6, 8 and GM-CSF were measured by RT-PCR with electrophoresis. Results: In the YMHSB study, the mRNA expression of GM-CSF and IL-8 is significantly inhibited compared to that of control group. But the mRNA expression of IL-6 is not significantly inhibited. In the RCM study, the mRNA expression of GM-CSF and IL-S is significantly inhibited compared to that of control group. But the mRNA expression of IL-6 is not significantly inhibited. Conclusions: This study shows that YMHSB and RCM have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the mRNA expression of IL-S and GMCSF in human epithelial cells. So these herbal medicines may inhibit the inflammatory process of asthma. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.279-288
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• 2012

Rats were administered zearalenone (ZEA) via gavage at dosages of 0, 1, 5, and 30 mg/kg for 36 days. On treatment day 8, inactivated porcine parvovirus vaccine (Vac) was injected intraperitoneally. Antibody production against porcine parvovirus was then measured as a function of ZEA treatment. Compared to the vaccine alone, ZEA treatment, with or without Vac, decreased the serum level of IgG. The level of IgM decreased in all ZEA groups at day 22, but the decrease was sustained only in the medium-dose ZEA group at day 36. The level of IgA was unchanged in the Vac only and ZEA groups at day 22, but was decreased in the 5 mg/kg ZEA plus Vac group compared to the Vac only group at day 36. The level of IgE was decreased by all doses of ZEA at day 22, but was unaffected in ZEA plus Vac groups compared to the Vac only group. The levels of IL-1 in the thymus and spleen; INF-${\gamma}$ in serum; IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10 in the thymus; and IL-10 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleen decreased after ZEA administration. Furthermore, the levels of IL-$1{\beta}$ in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node, IL-$1{\beta}$ in the thymus, IL-2 in the thymus and spleen, IL-6 in the thymus, IL-10 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in the spleen, and GM-CSF and TNF-${\alpha}$ in the thymus decreased after vaccination in rats exposed to ZEA. In conclusion, these results suggest that ZEA exposure via drinking water can cause an immunosuppressive effect by decreasing immunoglobulins in serum and cytokines in lymphoid organs.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.431-437
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• 2011

Aberrant activation of microglia has been reported to cause neuronal damages by releasing a variety of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Besides where microglia become active, damages have been also observed in remote places, which is considered due to the migration of activated microglia. Therefore, an agent that could suppress abnormal activation of microglia and their subsequent migration might be valuable in activated microglia-related brain pathologies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of betulinic acid on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Pretreatment of betulinic acid significantly attenuated LPS-induced NO production and protein expression of iNOS. Betulinic acid also significantly suppressed LPS-induced release and expression of cytokines such as TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-$1{\beta}$. Furthermore, betulinic acid significantly uppressed LPS-induced MMP-9 expression, which has been suggested to play an important role in the migration of activated microglia. In order to understand the possible mechanism by which betulinic acid suppresses LPS-induced cytokine production and migration of microglia, the role of NF-kB, a major pro-inflammatory transcription factor, was examined. Betulinic acid significantly suppressed LPS-induced degradation of IKB, which retains NF-kB in the cytoplasm. Therefore, nuclear translocation of NF-kB upon LPS stimulation was significantly suppressed with betulinic acid. Taken together, the present study for the first time demonstrates that betulinic acid possesses anti-inflammatory activity through the suppression of nuclear translocation of NF-kB in BV2 microglial cells.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2017

Previous studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation significantly improves the recovery of neurological function in a rat model of intracerebral hemorrhage. Potential repair mechanisms involve anti-inflammation, anti-apoptosis and angiogenesis. However, few studies have focused on the effects of MSCs on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation after hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). In this study, MSCs were transplanted intracerebrally into rats 6 hours after HICH. The modified neurological severity score and the modified limb placing test were used to measure behavioral outcomes. Blood-brain barrier disruption and neuronal loss were measured by zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and neuronal nucleus (NeuN) expression, respectively. Concomitant edema formation was evaluated by H&E staining and brain water content. The effect of MSCs treatment on neuroinflammation was analyzed by immunohistochemical analysis or polymerase chain reaction of CD68, Iba1, iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation, and by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of pro-inflammatory factors (IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$). The MSCs-treated HICH group showed better performance on behavioral scores and lower brain water content compared to controls. Moreover, the MSC injection increased NeuN and ZO-1 expression measured by immunochemistry/immunofluorescence. Furthermore, MSCs reduced not only levels of CD68, Iba1 and pro-inflammatory factors, but it also inhibited iNOS expression and peroxynitrite formation in perihematomal regions. The results suggest that intracerebral administration of MSCs accelerates neurological function recovery in HICH rats. This may result from the ability of MSCs to suppress inflammation, at least in part, by inhibiting iNOS expression and subsequent peroxynitrite formation.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.295-301
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• 2015

The functions of probiotics, particularly Lactic acid bacteria, have been studied in a range of human diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and allergies. Among the many benefits associated with the consumption of probiotics, modulation of immune activity has received the most attention. This study aimed at investigating the improved immune stimulatory and stability of L. plantarum when cultivated on modified basal media supplemented with the Undaria pinnatifida co-cultured with L. plantarum. An in vitro test showed that U. pinnatifida media cultured L. plantarum is strong enough to survive in the gastric juice (gastric and bile acid). Mouse macrophage-derived cell lines RAW 264.7 was used to measured immune stimulating activity of L. plantarum. When U. pinnatifida media cultured by L. plantarum was NO and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production is significantly increased compared to basal media cultured L. plantarum. These results show that U. pinnatifida could be applied for a component for cultivation of L. plantarum. This optimized U. pinnatifida medium can be used the improving of stability and immune function on production of probiotics.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.171-177
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• 2015

Sodium butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid derivative found in foods, such as Parmesan cheese and butter and is produced by anaerobic bacteria fermentation of dietary fibers in the large intestine. There have been reports that butyrate prevented obesity, protected insulin sensitivity, and ameliorated dyslipidemia in dietary obese mice. This study investigated the effects of sodium butyrate on fasting blood glucose level and serum lipid profile in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic mice. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed AIN-93G for four weeks prior to intraperitoneal injections with STZ (100 mg/kg body weight). Diabetic mice had supplements of 5% sodium butyrate for four weeks. The 5% sodium butyrate diet significantly improved fasting blood glucose level and lipid profile in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Inflammation has been recognized to decrease beta cell insulin secretion and increase insulin resistance. Circulating cytokines can directly affect beta cell function, leading to secretory dysfunction and increased apoptosis. Thus, anti-inflammatory therapies represented a potential approach for the therapy of diabetes and its complications. In this animal study, the 5% sodium butyrate supplementation also inhibited inflammatory cytokine production in STZ-induced diabetic mice. These results suggested that sodium butyrate can be a potential candidate for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.32-42
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• 2007

This study was conducted on the immunoregulatory effect of Saengshik on gut-associated lymphoid tissue with inflammatory bowel disease. Although the contents of IgA increased in mesenteric lymph node, IgE content was suppressed by Saengshik. The same results were found in spleen, but IgA and IgE responses were very weak. Concentration of fecal IgA was high from the first day through the third day in Saengshik group. In DSS + Saengshik group, concentration of IgA was high till the 2nd day and it maintained the highest level among the test groups on 5th day. Concentration of IFN-gamma and IL-2 was the highest in the Saengshik group, but the concentration of TNF-alpha was lower in DSS + Saengshik compared to DSS. The expressions of STAT1 in Saengshik group were high, while those of STAT6 were low According to these findings, Saengshik exhibited effectiveness via increasing the IgA production, suppressing the IgE production, followed by inhibiting the production of IL-4 and IL-10. Saengshik also strengthened the immune system and alleviated injury in DSS -induced inflammation.