• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 1997

This study was to elucidate the relation between the periodical requirement of growth factors(Yang et al., 1993) and the synthesis of RNA and protein during the germination of Streptomycn coefic%r A3(2) in mineral liquid medium(ISP-4) without addition of growth factors. As results, The germination time was about 10 hr, and meanwhile, periodical nutritional requirement was verified to be repeated with interval of 2 hr. Spore size was enlarged with time but its number was rather decreased. Spore could be deviJed into viable, dormant, and dead state. In such a germination process it was found that RNA and protein were being synthesized periodically when spores were stained with AO and INT methods and observed under the fluorescence microscope. Those syntheses were coincided with the period of nutritional requirement. Hence, it was discllssed that spore population in early germination would need amino acids related to protein synthesis.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.19 no.10
• /
• pp.1444-1450
• /
• 2009

The number of patients with immune- mediated dermatitis such as contact dermatitis is increasing year by year. Allergic contact dermatitis is a complex phenomenon that involves resident epidermal cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells, as well as invading leukocytes that interact with each other under the control of a network of cytokines and lipid mediators. It is a cell-mediated immune reaction, which occurs after susceptible individuals are exposed to sensitizing chemicals, and characteristic eczematous reaction is seen at the point of contact with an allergen. In this study, we investigated the allergy prevention effects of quercetin on mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation in BALB/c mice. BALB/c mice were sensitized with 40 ${\mu}l$ of 1.5% picryl choloride (PCL) to the left and right ear each. Total serum IgE levels and histamine levels were measured by the sandwich ELISA method using mouse IgE, histamine measuring kit. For histopathological examination, paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE) or toluidine blue(TB). Ear swelling responses were much weaker in the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) than the control group (0 mg/kg). The number of mast cells showed a significant decrease in the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) compared to the control group (0 mg/kg). Degranulation of mast cells was also confirmed by Toluidine Blue (TB) staining method. Both total serum IgE and histamine levels were significantly decreased in the high-dose group (100 mg/kg) compared to other groups. These findings suggest a certain relationship between the elevation of IgE, histamine levels and the degranulation of mast cells. These results show that the pharmacological actions of quercetin indicate its potential activity for prevention of allergic inflammatory diseases through the down-regulation of mast cell activation.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.80-90
• /
• 2003

Background : Goblet cell hyperplasia is a critical pathological feature in hypersecretory diseases of the airways. A bacterial infection of the lung is also known to induce inflammatory responses, which can lead to the overproduction of mucus. Recently, mucin synthesis in the airways has been reported to be regulated by neutrophilic inflammation-induced epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and activation. In addition, it was reported that migration of the activated neutrophils is dependent on the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), especially MMP-9. In this study, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and mucus hypersecretion by EGFR cascade, resulting from the MMPs-dependent neutrophilic inflammation were investigated in the rat airways. Methods : Pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were studied in vivo. Various concentrations of LPS were instilled into the trachea in $300{\mu}{\ell}$ PBS (LPS group). Sterile PBS ($300{\mu}{\ell}$) was instilled into the trachea of the control animals (control group). The airways were examined on different days after instilling LPS. For an examination of the relationship between the LPS-induced goblet cell hyperplasia and MMPs, the animals were pretreated 3 days prior to the LPS instillation and daily thereafter with the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPI; 20 mg/Kg/day of CMT-3; Collagenex Pharmaceuticals, USA). The neutrophilic infiltration was quantified as a number in five high power fields (HPF). The alcian blue/periodic acid-Schiff (AB/PAS) stain were performed for the mucus glycoconjugates and the immunohistochemical stains were performed for MUC5AC, EGFR and MMP-9. Their expressions were quantified by an image analysis program and were expressed by the percentage of the total bronchial epithelial area. Results : The instillation of LPS induced AB/PAS and MUC5AC staining in the airway epithelium in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment with the MMPI prevented the LPS-induced goblet cell hyperplasia significantly. The instillation of LPS into the trachea induced also EGFR expression in the airway epithelium. The control airway epithelium contained few leukocytes, but the intratracheal instillation of LPS resulted in a neutrophilic recruitment. A pretreatment with MMPI prevented neutrophilic recruitment, EGFR expression, and goblet cell hyperplasia in the LPS-instilled airway epithelium. Conclusion : Matrix metalloproteinase is involved in LPS-induced mucus hypersecretion, resulting from a neutrophilic inflammation and EGFR cascade. These results suggest a potential therapeutic role of MMPI in the treatment of mucus hypersecretion that were associated with a bacterial infection of the airways.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 2004

Background : Lung pericytes are important constituent cells of blood-air barrier in pulmonary microvasculature. These cells take part in the control of vascular contractility and permeability. In this study, it was hypothesized that change of lung pericytes might be attributable to pathologic change in microvasculature in acute lung injury. The purpose of this study was how hypoxia change proliferation and genetic expression in lung pericytes. Methods : From the lungs of several Sprague-Dawley rats, performed the primary culture of lung pericytes and subculture. Characteristics of lung pericytes were confirmed with stellate shape in light microscopy and immunocytochemistry. 2% concentration of oxygen and $200{\mu}M$ $CoCl_2$ were treated to cells. Tryphan blue method and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were done. Results : 1. We established methodology for primary culture of lung pericytes. 2. Hypoxia inhibited cellular proliferation in pericytes. 3. Hypoxia could markedly induce vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) and smad-2. 4. Hypoxia-inducible factor-$1{\alpha}$(HIF-$1{\alpha}$) was also induced by 2% oxygen. Conclusion : Viability of lung pericytes are inhibited by hypoxia. Hypoxia can stimulate expression of hypoxia-responsive genes. Pericytic change may be contributed to dysfunction of alveolar-capillary barrier in various pulmonary disorders.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.4
• /
• pp.482-488
• /
• 2002

Purpose : We performed this study to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of endoscopic finding of nodular gastritis, CLO and HpKit test for H. pylori infection in children. Methods : Gastroduodenal endoscopy and mucosal biopsy were performed on 212 children who visited our hospital between Jul. 1999 and May 2000 due to abdominal pain. We performed CLO and HpKit test for H. pylori with the time interval of 15, 30 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 and 144 hours. Histological examination of H. pylori was made by H-E or Alcian yellow stain with biopsy specimens. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative predictive value of nodular gastritis, CLO and HpKit test were calculated from the analysis of above data. Results : Sensitivity and specificity of 3 hour-CLO test was 68.4% and 100% respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of 3 hour-HpKit test was 65.8% and 100% respectively. No significant difference in sensitivity and specificity was found between in 3 hour-CLO and HpKit test(P>0.05). Sensitivity of CLO test increased as time lapsed, but corresponding specificity did not decrease as time lapsed(sensitivity and specificity at 144 hours : 89.5% and 94.8% respectively). However, sensitivity of HpKit test increased as time lapsed, but specificity markedly decreased. Sensitivity and specificity of the nodular gastritis was 78.9% and 93.7% respectively. Conclusion : Both CLO and HpKit test have relatively low sensitivity and specificity for the detection of H. pylori in 3 hours of testing in children. The endoscopic finding of nodular gastritis is another good standard in the diagnosis of H. pylori infection in children.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.25 no.10
• /
• pp.1081-1090
• /
• 2015

Diabetes has been one of major health risks in industrialized countries. Allium hookeri is a wild herb distributed in India and Myanmar. The root of the plant has been used as food and medicine in Southeast Asia. We investigated Allium hookeri extract improves type 2 diabetes mellitus in C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse. C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse arise out of Type 2 diabetes and we treated Allium hookeri methanol extract 400 mg/kg (AH 400), 800 mg/kg (AH 800), positive control group (thiazolidinedine;TZDs) were administered orally for 8weeks. AH treated group normalized lipid enzyme system (triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) and serum glucose, HbA1c and plasma insulin level. AH treated group recovered β-cell damage by hyperglycemia and fatty liver disease. AH treated group significantly up regulated expression of Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase4 (PDK4), Sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP 1) and fork head box O1 (FOX 01) proteins in C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse liver. And we found that AH treated group decreased hepatic malondialdehyde formation in C57BL/KSJ db/db obese mouse liver. These results indicate that Allium hookeri methanol extract might be a potential anti-diabetic agent and could be useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.687-694
• /
• 2008

Background: Although aortic valve sclerosis causes no significant hemodynamic alterations, it is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction. However, the role of ${\beta}_3$ integrin in aortic valve sclerosis remains unclear. Material and Method: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups. Group 1 rabbits (n=10) received a normal chow diet, while group 2 (n=10) rabbits received a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks. After the rabbits were euthanized, their aortic valves and ascending aortas were excised for analysis. Result: Total serum cholesterol ($2,148.3{\pm}1,012.5\;mg/dL$ versus $53.7{\pm}31.8\;mg/dL$, p<0.05), triglyceride ($240.4{\pm}218.3\;mg/dL$ versus $31.6{\pm}6.4\;mg/dL$, p<0.05), and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol($2,065.3{\pm}960.9\;mg/dL$ versus $29.1{\pm}30.9\;mg/dL$, p<0.05) levels were significantly higher in the cholesterol diet group compared with the normal diet group. Myofibroblasts and macrophages were more highly expressed in the aortic valve leaflets of rabbits in the cholesterol diet group than of those in the normal diet group. A real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed decreased ${\beta}_3$ integrin mRNA levels in the hypercholesterolemic aortic valves and aortas. Conclusion: The present study shows that hypercholesterolemia induces aortic valve sclerosis. These findings suggest that alterations in ${\beta}_3$ integrin may playa role in the development of aortic valve sclerosis.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.1-12
• /
• 1991

Fischer 344 rats aged six weeks were diYided into four groups and group 1, 2, and 3 of rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of diethylnitrosamine at 200 mg/kg body weight and group 4 was given saline alone. Two weeks after beginning of the experiment, group 1 and 2 of rats were begun to feed on diets containing 0.02% 2-acetylaminofluorene as a promoter for four weeks. Three weeks after beginning of the experiment, all groups were performed partial hepatectomy. During the last two weeks, group 1 and 3 of rats were received subcutaneously 3 consecutive weekly doses of iron dextran at 0.125 ml/100 g body weight. Subcutaneous injection of iron dextran resulted in hepatic siderosis in group 1 and 3 of rats. Pre neoplastic nodules were identified histopathologically by two markers, resistance to exogenous iron accumulation and glutathione S-transeferase placental form (GST-P) activity, while early carcinogen induced foci were hardly resistant to iron accumulation and though a few lesions were identified, it could hardly be distincted from normal hepatocytes of surroundings. However, GST-P positive nodules as well as foci were clearly distincted from normal hepatic cells of surroundings. In the quantitative analysis of carcinogen-induced nodules and foci, more lesions were detected by immunohistochemical method for GST-P than by prussian blue staining for resistant to iron accumulation. It is concluded that immunohistochemical marker for GST-P is more sensitive and reliable than iron-resistance marker, and that iron-resistance is not useful marker for early detection of carcinogen-induced hepatic lesions.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.356-363
• /
• 2010

Background: Connexin 43-mediated gap junctional communication plays an important role in atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have demonstrated a correlation between mitral valve annular calcification and atherosclerotic disease. However, the relevance of connexin 43 to mitral valve disease remains unclear. We hypothesized that the mechanism contributing to mitral valve disease is associated with alterations in cell-to-cell communication mediated by changes in Connexin 43 expression. Material and Method: Twenty male New Zealand rabbits were divided into two groups: animals in group 1 (n=10) were fed a normal chow diet, whilst those in group 2 (n=10) received a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 12 weeks. After sacrificing the animals, the mitral valves were excised and analyzed with immunohistochemical staining and Real-time Reverse Transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (real time RT-PCR). Result: Myofibroblasts and macrophages were found concentrated within the endothelial layer on the ventricular side of the leaflet in the cholesterol diet group. Immunohistochemial staining showed elevated expression of connexin43 in the cholesterol diet group. Real-time RT-PCR revealed increased connexin43 mRNA levels in mitral valves from hypercholesterolemic animals. Conclusion: Our finding that connexin43 expression is increased in mitral valves of hypercholesterolemic rabbits suggests that alterations in cell-to-cell communication via connexin43 containing gap junctions play a role in the development of mitral valve disease in hypercholesterolemia.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.232-238
• /
• 2002

연구목적 : Cytokine은 유해 미생물에 대한 숙주의 방어기전으로서의 염증반응에서 숙주세포 상호간의 작용을 매개해 주는 역할을 하며, 인간의 치수조직에서도 그 존재가 확인된 바 있다. Interleukin-6와 Interleukin-10은 염증의 초기에 작용하는 cytokine으로 알려져 있으나, 치수 및 치근단 질환에서의 역할과 상호작용에 대해서는 잘 알려져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 치수염의 원인균으로 알려진 Prevotella nigrescens를 이용하여 백서의 치수염을 유도한 후 시간의 변화에 따른 Interleukin-6, Interleukin-10의 농도의 변화를 측정하여 이들의 치수염에서의 작용을 알아보는 것을 목적으로 한다. 방법 : 실험적으로 치수의 염증반응을 일으키기 위하여 치수염의 원인균으로 알려진 Prevotella nigrescens를 이용하였다. 실험동물의 하악절치의 incisal tip부분을 절단한 후(n=120), 치수강을 개방시켰다. 실험군에서는 Prevotella nigrescens를 멸균된 면구에 묻혀서 개방된 치수강 내에 접종하였으며, 대조군에서는 균을 접종하지 않고 멸균된 면구만을 개방된 치수강 내에 위치시켰다. 그 후 1, 2, 5일이 경과되었을 때 실험에 사용된 치아를 발치하여, 치수조직을 적출하였다. Amersham사의 ELISA kit를 사용하여 적출된 치수조직내의 Interleukin-6와 Interleukin-10의 양을 측정하였으며 그 결과를 Mann-Whitney rank sum test를 사용하여 통계학적 유의성을 검증하였다. 조직학적 검사를 위해서는 발치된 치아를 nitric acid를 사용하여 탈회시킨 후 헤마톡실린-에오신 염색을 시행한 후 관찰하였다. 결과 : 1) Interleukin-6의 농도는 균접종 후 1일, 2일, 5일 모두에서 실험군에서 대조군보다 높게 나타났으며, 균접종 1일째의 결과는 통계적 유의성이 있었다(P<0.05). 2) Interleukin-10의 농도는 균접종 후 1일, 2일, 5일 모두에서 실험군에서 대조군보다 높게 나타났으며, 균접종 1일째의 결과는 통계적 유의성이 있었다(P<0.05). 3) Interleukin-10/1nterleukin-6 ratio는 실험군과 대조군 모두에서 1일보다 2일째의 결과에서 더 높은 값을 보였으며 대조군에서는 통계적 유의성을 보였다(P<0.05). 4)조직학적 관찰결과 균접종 후 2일째의 조직표본에서는 림프구의 침윤과 부분적인 조직의 괴사 등 염증반응의 양상을 관찰할 수 있었으며, 균접종 5일째의 조직표본에서는 염증의 정도가 감소되는 양상을 확인할 수 있었다.