• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2018

In this study, we examined the efficacy of the immune regulation of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and Lactobacillus plantarum LM1004 on atopic dermatitis models. The oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 on mice significantly decreased the amount of scratching, leakage to evans blue, and concentrations of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and histamine compared with the atopic dermatitis - induced group. When atopic dermatitis was induced, the transcription factors (GATA-3, retinoic acid-related orphan receptor ${\gamma}$ T [$ROR{\gamma}T$]) and cytokines (interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-17) of Th2 and Th17 cells were overexpressed at the transcriptional level, and they significantly decreased with oral administration of ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004. In addition, ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 were shown to modulate the immune balance by increasing the expression of Th1 and Treg transcription (T-bet, forkhead box p3 [Foxp3]) and cytokines (interferon-${\gamma}$ [IFN-${\gamma}$], transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ [TGF-${\beta}$]). Galectin-9 and filaggrin were significantly lower in the atopic dermatitis - induced group and significantly higher in the ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan-treated group. In contrast, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was highest in the atopic dermatitis-induced group, while mice that were orally administered ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 showed similar TSLP levels to the control group. These results indicate that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 have immunomodulatory effects and atopic dermatitis improvement effects in an animal model of atopic dermatitis. Therefore, it is expected that ${\beta}$-1,3/1,6-glucan and L. plantarum LM1004 can be used as natural materials in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.153-160
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• 2009

Purpose : The intestinal mucosal defect has been known as one of the pathogenicmechanisms of IgA nephropathy. Oral antigens usually induce the activation of Th2 cells and mast cells. These cells secrete cytokines IL-4, IL-5 and TGF-$\beta$, which increase IgA production. Although ketotifen (benzocycloheptathiophene) is an H1 antagonist and a mast cell membrane stabilizer, it could protect the gastrointestinal membrane through inhibiting the production of IL-4, IL-5, PGE2, and LTB4, and decreasing the activity of nitric oxide synthease. Therefore, we have investigated if ketotifen may protect the development of IgA nephropathy with an oral antigen. Methods : ICR mice were used as an animal model orally with Poliovax only [ketotifen (-)], the other group was given oral ketotifen [ketotifen (+)] in addition to Poliovax. Results : Mesangial IgA deposition developed in 11 out of the 18 mice in the ketotifen (-) group, while in three out of the nine mice in ketotifen (+) group. The mesangial change developed in 16 out of the 18 mice in the ketotifen (-) group, while in five out of the nine mice in the ketotifen (+) group. Serum IL-4 and IL-5 levels were not significantly lower in the latter group than in the former. Conclusion : According to the statistical results from the above, ketotifen therapy would be beneficial to reducing mesangial changes in IgA nephropathy.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.29-50
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• 2016

Objectives There is few Korean medicinal studies about post-operation wound healing despite much effort for minimizing wound or post-op scar. The aim of this study is to evaluate the wound healing effect of Gyejibokryeong-hwan (Guizhifuling-wan, GBH) after skin suture. Methods < In vitro > We observed anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effect by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. For anti-oxidation, we mesured the total amount of polyphenol, flavonoid, DPPH scavenging ability, ABTS scavenging ability and the value of ROS production, and for anti-inflammation, we mesured the amount of NO and pro-inflammatory cytokines ($TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6). < In vivo > Thirty SD rats were divided into five equal groups (n=6, one normal, two controls and two experimentals). All groups except normal group were made a scar (around $1{\times}4cm^2$) in the back by the depth of the fascia and then sutured by a thread and needle. Normal group rats received no treatment at all. Control group rats were fed distilled water, and positive control group rats were percutaneously applied terramycin once in 2 days. GBH 200 group rats were orally medicated GBH 200 mg/kg, and GBH 400 group rats were orally medicated GBH 400 mg/kg per day for two weeks. We analyzed the blood samples (WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil), and the serums (TIMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-2. $PGE_2$, $TGF-{\beta}$, VEGF), and examined the wounded skin tissue histopathologically. Results < in vitro > 1. DPPH and ABTS scavenging activity was increased concentration-dependantly, and ROS production was significantly increased in GBH treated cells ($100{\mu}g/ml$). Therefore in this study, Gyejibokryeong-hwan appears to have the anti-oxidative. 2. NO production was significantly reduced in GBH treated cells ($100{\mu}g/ml$), and $IL-1{\beta}$ production was significantly reduced in GBH treated cells ($1{\mu}g/ml$). But, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-6 did not show uneffective action. Therefore in this study, Gyejibokryeong-hwan did not show any significant effect on anti-inflammatory process. < in vivo > 1. Monocyte and neutrophil was significantly increased in GBH (200, 400) groups. WBC, lymphocyte and eosinophil did not show significant change. 2. TIMP-1, MMP-2, VEGF were significantly increased in GBH 400 group, $PGE_2$ was significantly reduced in GBH 400 group. $TGF-{\beta}$ was significantly increased in GBH (200, 400) groups, and MMP-9 was increased concentration-dependantly in GBH groups, but there was no significance. 3. In histopathological examinations, collagen was significantly increased and keratin was significantly decreased in GBH (200, 400) groups. Conclusions According to in vitro experiment, GBH appears to have the anti-oxidative effect and in vivo experiment, GBH stimulate the wound healing process hematologically and histopathologically. In conclusion, the results suggest that GBH promotes wound healing after skin suture.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on pro- and anti-inflammatory markers in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ACS patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and took medicine during phase II of rehabilitation were recruited for study. Subjects were divided into two groups; exercise group (EX, n=21) and a non-exercise group (non-EX, n=13). Supervised exercise program in hospital consisted of treadmill and bicycle exercise was performed three times per week for 6 weeks. Patients of EX received individual counseling, including knowledge of heart disease, risk factor modification, and physical training. Cardiopulmonary fitness, body composition, and biochemical blood factors were analyzed before and after experiment. There was no significant difference in serum levels of hs-CRP and TGF-${\beta}1$ between groups, and between time intervals. But there was a significant decrease in serum levels of IL-18 (P<.001). And there was a significant increase in ratio of IL-18 to IL-10 (P<.01) and serum levels of IL-10 (P<.001). After cardiac rehabilitation, there was significant increase in exercise duration (P<.001), maximal oxygen uptake ($VO_{2peak}$; P<.001) and decrease in submaximal rate-pressure product (sRPP; P<.05) in EX. In conclusion, exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation during phase II in patients with ACS after PCI decreased serum IL-18 (pro-inflammatory) content and ratio of IL-18 to IL-10 in serum (highly related with disease recurrence), and increased serum IL-10 (anti-inflammatory) content. In addition, it led to improved cardiopulmonary fitness.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.664-673
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• 2018

Background/Aims: Regulatory dendritic cells (rDCs), which can be induced by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), play an important role in inducing and maintaining homeostasis of regulatory T cells and exhibit anti-inflammatory functions. In this study, we investigated whether MSCs could differentiate DCs into rDCs and compared the therapeutic effects of rDCs and MSCs on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced chronic colitis mice. Methods: Immature DCs (imDCs) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated mature DCs (mDCs) were co-cultured with MSCs for 48 hours, and then the profiles of surface markers and cytokines and regulatory roles of these DCs for primary splenocytes were analyzed. In addition, the therapeutic effects of MSCs and DCs co-cultured with MSCs were compared in chronic colitis mice. Results: After co-culture of imDCs (MSC-DCs) or LPS-treated mDCs (LPS+MSC-DCs) with MSCs, the expression of CD11c, CD80, CD86, interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), and interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$), was decreased, but that of CD11b, IL-10, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$ (TGF-${\beta}$) was increased. Furthermore, MSC-DCs and LPS+MSC-DCs induced the expression of CD4, CD25, and Foxp3 in primary splenocytes isolated from mice. In DSS-induced colitis mice, MSCs and MSC-DCs increased colon length, body weight, and survival rate and induced histological improvement. Moreover, in the colon tissues, the expression of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ decreased, but that of IL-10, TGF-${\beta}$, and Foxp3 increased in the MSC- and MSC-DC-injected groups. Conclusions: Our data suggest that MSCs differentiate DCs into rDCs, which ameliorate chronic colitis. Thus, rDCs stimulated by MSCs may be therapeutically useful for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• v.59 no.9
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• pp.1064-1071
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• 2018

Purpose: To explore the influence of S100 calcium binding protein A4 (S100A4) knockout (KO) on methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice. Materials and Methods: S100A4 KO mice (n=20) and their wild-type (WT) counterparts (n=20) were randomly divided into KO/MCD, Ko/methionine-choline-sufficient (MCS), WT/MCD, and WT/MCS groups. After 8 weeks of feeding, blood lipid and liver function-related indexes were measured. HE, Oil Red O, and Masson stainings were used to observe the changes of liver histopathology. Additionally, expressions of S100A4 and proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot, while hepatocyte apoptosis was revealed by TUNEL staining. Results: Serum levels of aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride, and total cholesterol in mice were increased after 8-week MCD feeding, and hepatocytes performed varying balloon-like changes with increased inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fibers; however, these effects were improved in mice of KO/MCD group. Meanwhile, total NAFLD activity scores and fibrosis were lower compared to WT+MCD group. Compared to WT/MCS group, S100A4 expression in liver tissue of WT/MCD group was enhanced. The expression of proinflammatory ($TGF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6) and profibrogenic cytokines ($TGF-{\beta}1$, COL1A1, ${\alpha}-SMA$) in MCD-induced NAFLD mice were increased, as well as apoptotic index (AI). For MCD group, the expressions of proinflammatory and profibrogenic cytokines and AI in KO mice were lower than those of WT mice. Conclusion: S100A4 was detected to be upregulated in NAFLD, while S100A4 KO alleviated liver fibrosis and inflammation, in addition to inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.159-176
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• 2003

Objective : The purpose of this study is to investigate the antioxidant activities of Alismatis Rhizoma herbal acupuncture by experimental methods. Methods : For this purpose, first, we put an emphasis in the control of enzymes of the antioxidant system in various changes inside the cell; these changes caused by the proliferation or the activation of the cell which were brought about by the handling of PMA and $TNF-{\alpha}$ into the THP-1 monocyte cell of the body each other. After that, we caused the acute oxidant symptom by the injection of AAPH into the mouse' abdominal cavity, and then applied the herbal acupuncture on S36 point(足三里), and finally, we measured the change of blood ingredient and the resistance against the activated oxygen of the red blood cell membrane, MDA, SOD, and catalase. Results : In vitro the revelation of $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-8, $TNF-{\alpha}$, NOS II and IL-6 were decreased and the revelation of IL-10, $TGF-{\beta}$, GM-CSFIL-12, GM-CSF and SOD were increased. The DNA-binding of $NF-{\kappa}B$ and AP-1 were activated and the formation of ROS in the THP-1 cell line was decreased. In vivo $IL-1{\beta}$ among producing the cytokine inside the plasma was meaningfully dwindled and the $INF-{\gamma}$ was meaningfully increased. The resistance of red blood cell membrane against the activated oxygen was meaningfully increased and the MDA formation was meaningfully dwindled, In the activation of hepatic antioxidase, the SOD was meaningfully increased. Conclusion : Alismatis Rhizoma herbal acupuncture by experimental methods has effected on the antioxidant activities.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.160-169
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• 2009

Poly-$\gamma$-glutamic acid ($\gamma$-PGA) was mixed natural flora of Bacillus subtilis, contaminated from cooked soybeans. Also, it was performed to find out the antiallergic activity by using NC/Nga mice, in vitro. The $\gamma$-PGA (PGA-HM : PGA-high molecular weight), Molecular weight 300 kDa, was decomposed and made PGA-LM (PGA-low molecular weight) which has molecular weight below 30 kDa by sonication. Therefore, it was same result between PGA-HM and PGA-LM, and reported PGA-LM as basic result. We found that PGA-LM contains antiallergic efficacy that inhibit B cells and Th2 cells activation from isolated CD4+T cells in NC/Nga atopic dermatitis model mice, and not show a cytotoxicity in the hFCs. To investigate the effects of these PGA-LM in vitro, isolation of splenic B cell and CD4+ T cells in atopic dermatitis mice were used. To elucidate the role of PGA-LM in anti-CD40+ interleukin-4 (IL-4)-mediated B-cell activation, showed that the capacity of B cells to expression IL-$1\beta$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ mRNA down-regulated, and IL-10 mRNA up-regulation by PGA-LM treatment, but it had no effect on TGF-$\beta$ expression. In addition to CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+ and CD4+CD25+foxp3+, the functions of PGA-LM in the development of the CD4+CD25+foxp3+ and CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+cells, the phenotype and functions of PGA-LM induced CD4+CD25+foxp3+, and CD4+IFN-$\gamma$+cells in CD4+T cells. These results suggested that PGA-LM could change cytokine production and generate CD4+CD25+foxp3+ Tregs in NC/Nga mice, and may be effective for immunotherapy in patients with AD.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2003

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women in Western countries, and its prevalence is also increasing in Asia. The major risk factor for breast cancer can be traced to reproductive events that influence the lifetime levels of hormones. However, a large percentage of breast cancer cases cannot, be explained by these risk factors. The identification of susceptibility factors that predispose individuals to breast cancer (for instance, if they are exposed to particular environmental agents) could possibly give further insight into the etiology of this malignancy and provide targets for the future development of therapeutics. The most interesting candidate genes include those that mediate a range of functions. These include carcinogen metabolism, DNA repair, steroid hormone metabolism, signal transduction, and cell cycle control. We conducted a hospital-based case-control study in South Korea to evaluate the potential modifying role of the genetic polymorphisms of selected low penetrance genes that are involved in carcinogen metabolisms (i.e., CYP1A1, CYP2E1, GSTM1/T1/P1, NAT1/2, etc.), estrogen synthesis and metabolism (i.e., CYP19, CYP17, CYP1B1, COMT, ER-$\alpha$, etc.), DNA repair (i.e., XRCC1/3, ERCC2/4, ATM, AGT, etc.), and signal transduction as well as others (i.e., TGF-$\beta$, IGF-1, TNF-$\beta$, IL-1B, IL-1RN, etc.). We also took into account the potential interaction between these and the known risk factors of breast cancer. The results of selected genes will be presented in this mini-review.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.138-152
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• 2010

Objective: Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) is one of the representative prescriptions for invigoration of vitality and nourishing of the blood. This study was carried out to investigate the effects of Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) on hair regrowth and cytokine changes in a shaving model of C57BL6 mice. Method: Five-week-old mice were acclimated for 1 week at a temperature between $21-23^{\circ}C{\acute{E}}$, 40-60% relative humidity, and 12h of a light/dark cycle before beginning of the experiment. There were two groups including normal saline (control) and a positive control of oral intake of Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) extract (sample) in 18 female mice. The test compounds were topically treated once a day over 14 days. The hair regrowth was photographically and histologically determined during the experimental period of 14 days. Revelation of TGF-${\beta}1$ and EGF were also determined using immunohistochemistry. In addition to that, IFN-$\gamma$, IL-4 and IL-10 were determined in serum. Results: Hair regrowth in the sample group was promoted earlier and faster than the control group, as shown by concentrations of hairs and thick-hair ratio in the sample group. TGF-${\beta}1$ was not revealed in either control or sample group. EGF was strongly positive in out root sheath of some thick hair of the sample group. Serum IFN-$\gamma$ was significantly decreased in the sample group compared with the control group at 7 experimental days. However, it was not significantly decreased at 14 experimental days. Serum IL-4 was significantly increased in the sample group compared with the control group at 7 experimental days. However, it was not significantly decreased at 14 experimental days. Serum IL-10 was decreased in the sample group compared with the control group, but with no real statistical significance. Conclusion: These results suggest that Yikgeebohyul-tang (Yiqib$\check{u}$xu$\grave{e}$-t$\bar{a}$ng) has hair growth promoting activity and it can be used for treatment of alopecia. Also, these effects relate to EGF revelation of hair roots, a decrease in serum IFN-$\gamma$, and an increase of serum IL-4.