• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1391-1398
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• 2005

The anti-thrombic properties of the oriental herbal medicine Daejowhan(DJW, 大造丸) which consists of 11 kinds of herbs (indicated as ratio) of Rehmanniae Radix 24%, Hominis Placenta 5%, Testudinis Carapax 9%, Eucommiae Cortex 9%, Asparagi Radix 9%, Phellodendri Cortex 9%, Achyranthis Radix 7%, Liriopis Tuber 7%, Angelicae Sinensis Radix 7%, Ginseng Radix 5% and Schizandrae Fructus 3% were investigated. The water extracts from DJW inhibited Platelet-activating factor(PAF) induced platelet aggregation. DJW was extracted with methanol and further fractionated by ethylacetate. A 70% methanol extract showed a strong inhibition against PAF-induced aggregation in vitro and in vivo assays. The ethylacetate soluble fraction was shown to have inhibitory effect on PAF-induced platelet aggregation in vitro assay. The ethylacetate soluble fraction specially protected against the lethality of PAF, while verapamil did not afford any protection. These results indicate that the water extracts and alcoholic-fractions inhibit the action of PAF in vivo by an antagonistic effect on PAF, so that it may be useful in treating disorders caused by PAF, such as acute allergy, inflammation, asthma, gastrointestinal ulceration, toxic shock and so forth. DJW was investigated regarding its assumed anti-thrombic action on human platelets which was deduced from its ability to suppress Arachidonic acid(AA)-induced aggregation, exocytosis of ATP, and inhibition of Cyclooxygenase(COX) and Thromboxane synthase(TXS) activity. The latter two effects were estimated from the generation of Prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ and Thromboxane $A_2(TXA_2)$ respectively. Exogenously applied AA ($100{\mu}mol/{\ell}$) provoked a $89\%$ aggregation of platelets, the release of 14 pmol ATP, and the formation of either 225 pg $TXA_2$ or 45 pg $PGE_2$, each parameter being related to 106 platelets. An application of DJW 5 min before AA dose-dependently diminished aggregation, ATP-release and the synthesis of $TXA_2$ and $PGE_2$ with $IC_{50}$ values of 74, 108, 65, $72{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. The similarity of the $IC_{50}$ values suggest an inhibition of COX by DJW as primary target, thus suppressing the generation of $TXA_2$ which induces aggregation of platelets and exocytosis of ATP by its binding on $TXA_2$-receptors.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2001

In order to investigate a pathogenesis of liver damage induced by skin burn, thermal injury was induced by scald burn on entirely dorsal surface in rats (total burn surface area $20\sim25\%$) except for inhalated injury. At 5 and 24 h after scald burn, biochemical assay and morphological changes in serum and liver tissue were examined. Skin burn increased liver weight (% of body weight, p<0.05) and the activity of serum aniline amino-transferase (ALT, p<0.05), in addition, the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), an enzyme of oxygen free radical generating system, was elevated (p<0.01) in serum, but not in skin and in liver. Postburn treatment of allopurinol intraperitoneally decreased liver weight, serum ALT activity and serum XO activity. Scald burn induced ultrastructurally swelling of endoplasmic reticulum, ribosome detachment, accumulation of lipid, dilatation of bile canaliculi and intercellular space, neutrophil infiltration, activation of Kupffer's cells and degeneration of hepatocytic microvilli. Futhermore , thermal injury decreased not only the protein concentration in plasma but also the number of intravascular leukocytes, that indicates induction of edema formation with protein exudation and inflammation by neutrophil infiltration into the internal organs. However allopurinol injection after burn inhibited post burn ultrastructural changes. These data suggest that acute dermal scald burn injury leads to liver damage, that is related to elevation of xanthine oxidase activity in serum. Xanthine oxidase may be a key role in the pathogenesis of liver damage induced by skin burn.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.177-184
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• 2006

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a disease model of multiple sclerosis (MS) that is characterized by remittance and relapse of the disease and autoimmune and demyelinating lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). Autoimmune inflammation is maintained by secretion of a large number of protein. Previous studies have suggested that transcripts encoding osteopontin (OPN) are frequently detected in the mRNA population of MS plaques. To elucidate the functional role of OPN in initiation and development of EAE, we examined the expression and localization of OPN in the spinal cord during acute EAE. We demonstrated that OPN significantly increased at the early stage of EAE and slightly declined thereafter by western blot analysis. An immunohistochemical study revealed that OPN was constitutively expressed in some glial cells (microglia, astrocytes) of white matter and neurons in the CNS of control rats. OPN expression was shown to be increased in the same cells at the early and peak stage of EAE. To identity cells expressing OPN by double-immunofluorescence labeling, we labeled rat spinal cord sections for OPN with a monoclonal OPN antibody and with mAbs for astrocyte (GFAP), microglia/macrophage (OX42)-specific markers. The major cell types of OPN-expressing cells were activated astrocytes and microglia in the adjacent inflammatory lesions. Interestingly, OPN was mainly expressed in the end feet of astrocytes around vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expressing endothelial cells of CNS blood vessel. These findings suggest that increased levels of OPN in activated glial cell may play an important role in the recruitment of inflammatory cells into the CNS parenchyma during EAE.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.431-437
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• 2009

To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Ephedrae Herba in vivo and in vitro acute inflammation was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) shock in rats fed Ephedrae Herba extracts and inflammatory cytokine concentrations were examined. In addition, the effect of Ephedrae Herba extracts on the production of inflammatory cytokines was examined in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 cells. In an in vivo experiment, plasma interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$) concentrations were increased at 2 h and reached to maximal levels at 5 h after LPS treatment in all groups. Compared with control group, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ levels were lowered at 5 h after LPS treatment, but plasma IL-10 level was higher in at 2 and 5 h after LPS treatment in Ephedrae Herba extract group. In an in vitro experiment using Raw 264.7 macrophages, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ concentrations in the Ephedrae Herba extract group were lower than those in control group. Compared with control group, IL-10 concentration appeared to be higher in the Ephedrae Herba extract group, but this trend was not significant. In conclusion, these results suggested that functional compound (s) in Ephedrae Herba extract may play a role in alleviating inflammatory response.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.141-154
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was planned to evaluate clinical status of the alopecia patients who had visited oriental medicine clinic. Methods : 80 patients with alopecia, who had visited oriental medicine clinic from January 2004 to August 2004, were examined. Results & Conclusions : 1. The kinds and incidences of Alopecia : androgenetic alopecia 57.5%(46/80), alopecia areatea 20.0%(16/80), telogen effluvium 16.3%(13/80), seborrheic alopecia 6.3%(5/80). 2. In distribution of sex, the rate of male to female was 1:1 and most patients belonged to 20-30 year old group. 3. The most common onset of age was adolescence(63.8%) and the most common duration of hair loss was 1 to 3 years. 4. Among the 30 male androgenetic alopecia patients, Hamilton's type 4 was most common and among the 16 female androgenetic alopecia patients, Ludwig's type II and III were most common. 5. Family history of baldness in Androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata were 56.5% and 25.0%, respectively. 6. Self-conscious causes of hair loss : stress(48.8%), irregular eating habits(21.3%), and lack of sleep(20.0%). 7. Associated diseases with alopecia patients : chronic neck pain(58.8%), temporomandibular disorders(55.0%) and seborrheic dermatitis(20.0%). 8. Associated symptoms with alopecia Patients : stress(78.8%), sleep disorders(68.8%), irregular eating habits(55.0%), Hot flush(43.8%), Stool disorders(43.8%), cold hands and feet(37.5%) and menstruation disorders(31.3%). 9. The most common scalp type was oily scalp(70.0%) and the symptoms of scalp were iching, dandruff, pain, inflammation. 10. $Bi{\grave{a}}n$ $zh{\grave{e}}ng$(辨證) of alopecia patients : $xu{\grave{e}}-r{\grave{e}}-f{\bar{e}}ng-z{\grave{a}}u$(血熱風燥) (25.0%), $g{\bar{a}}n-sh{\grave{e}}n-b{\grave{u}}-z{\acute{u}}$(肝腎不足) (23.8%), $shi-r{\grave{e}}-sh{\grave{a}}ng-zh{\bar{e}}ng$(濕熱上蒸) (16.3%), $xu{\grave{e}}-r{\grave{e}}-sh{\bar{e}}ng-f{\bar{e}}ng$(血熱生風) (13.8%), $xu{\grave{e}}-x{\bar{u}}-f{\bar{e}}ng-z{\grave{a}}u$(血熱風燥) (13.8%), $y{\bar{u}}-xu{\grave{e}}-z{\check{u}}-lu{\grave{o}}$(瘀血阻絡) (7.5%).

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.607-622
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• 2004

Recently epidemiologic studies have indicated that the patients with periodontitis may have increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events, and have suggested the important roles of blood cytokines and acute reactant proteins in the systemic infection and inflammatory response. Periodontitis and coronary heart disease (CHD) may share the common risk factors and the genetic mechanism associated with interleukin(IL)-1A, B and RA genotype may be involved in the production of IL-1. This study was aimed to investigate the relationship between angiographically defined CHD and periodontitis as chronic Gram-negative bacterial infection and to determine whether the IL-1 gene polymorphism is associated in both diseases. Patients under the age of 60 who had undergone diagnostic coronary angiography were enrolled in this study. Subjects were classified as positive CHD (+CHD, n=37) with coronary artery stenosis more than 50% in at least one of major epicardial arteries, and negative CHD (-CHD, n=30) without significant stenosis. After recording the number of missing teeth, periodontal disease severity was measured by means of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and radiographic bone loss around all remaining teeth. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected from the 4 deepest periodontal pockets and assessed for cytokine ($IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-1ra, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$, and prostaglandin $E_2$). Additionally, blood CHD markers, lipid profile, and blood cytokines were analyzed. IL-1 gene cluster genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction and enzyme restriction using genomic DNA from buccal swab, and allele 2 frequencies of IL-1A(+4845), IL-1B(+3954), IL-B(-511), and IL-1RA(intron 2) were compared between groups. Even though there was no significant difference in the periodontal parameters between 2 groups, GCF level of $PGE_2$ was significantly higher in the +CHD group(p<0.05). Correlation analysis showed the positive relationship among PD, CAL and coronary artery stenosis(%) and blood $PGE_2$. There was also significant positive relationship between the periodontal parameters (PI, PD, CAL) and the blood CHD markers (leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and lactic dehyrogenase). IL-1 gene genotyping showed that IL-1A(+3954) allele 2 frequency was significantly higher in the +CHD group compared with the -CHD group (15% vs. 3.3%, OR 5.118,p=0.043). These results suggested that periodontal inflammation is related to systemic blood cytokine and CHD markers, and contributes to cardiovascular disease via systemic inflammatory reaction. IL-1 gene polymorphism might have an influence on periodontal and coronary heart diseases in Korean patients.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.28-33
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• 2013

Zaltoprofen, a propionic acid derivative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was known to have powerful inhibitory effects on acute, subacute and chronic inflammation. For initial release and sustained release, the microspheres were prepared using an emulsion-solvent evaporation method like an O/W emulsion method with varying the ratio of zaltoprofen-loaded polyoxalate (POX)/PLGA micropheres. The morphology of the microspheres was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. The crystallinity of microspheres was analyzed by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimeter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the chemical structure of microspheres. The increased ratio of POX microspheres affected the initial drug release, and the sustained release of drug was influenced by ratio of PLGA microspheres. In this study, the initial release behavior of zaltoprofen can be controlled by the ratio of POX/PLGA microspheres.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2015

Background: Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, binds to a wide variety of synthetic and naturally occurring compounds. AhR is involved in the regulation of inflammatory response during acute and chronic respiratory diseases. We investigated whether nuclear receptor coactivator 7 (NCOA7) could regulate transcriptional levels of AhR target genes and inflammatory cytokines in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-treated human bronchial epithelial cells. This study was based on our previous study that NCOA7 was differentially expressed between normal and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lung tissues. Methods: BEAS-2B and A549 cells grown under serum-free conditions were treated with or without TCDD (0.15 nM and 6.5 nM) for 24 hours after transfection of pCMV-NCOA7 isoform 4. Expression levels of cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1), IL-6, and IL-8 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The transcriptional activities of CYP1A1 and inflammatory cytokines were strongly induced by TCDD treatment in both BEAS-2B and A549 cell lines. The NCOA7 isoform 4 oppositely regulated the transcriptional activities of CYP1A1 and inflammatory cytokines between BEAS-2B and A549 cell lines. Conclusion: Our results suggest that NCOA7 could act as a regulator in the TCDD-AhR signaling pathway with dual roles in normal and abnormal physiological conditions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.576-584
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• 2011

Purpose: The shape and location, the amount of the wound and the characteristics of the remaining tissues are known to influence wound contraction. The previous studies using small animals have not been an appropriate model because the wound healing mechanisms and skin structures are different from those of the human. The purpose of this study is to evaluate wound contraction according to the shape and location of the wound using a $Micropig^{(R)}$. Methods: Four $Micropigs^{(R)}$ (Medikinetics, Pyeongtaek, Korea) that were 10 months of age weighed 25 kg were used. Full thickness skin defects were made by clearing all the tissues above the fascial layer in the shape of square, a regular triangle and a circle of 9 $cm^2$ each on the back around the spine. Eight wounds were created on the back of each pig, 50 mm apart from each other. The randomly chosen wound shapes included 11 squares, 11 regular triangles, and 10 circles. Wound dressing was done every other day with polyurethane foam. The wound size was measured using a Visitrak $Digital^{(R)}$ (Smith & Nephew, Hull, UK) on every other day after surgery from day 2 to day 28. A biopsy was performed on day 3, and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks to investigate the degree of acute and chronic inflammation, the number of microvesssel and myofibroblast density using H & E stain and immunohistochemistry. The wound contraction rate was calculated to figure out the differences among each of the shapes and the locations. Results: The ultimate shape of the circle wound was oval, and that of the regular triangle and square were stellate. The maximum contraction rate was obtained on 8 to 10 days for all the shapes, which corresponds with the immunohistochemical finding that myofibroblast increases in the earlier 2 weeks whereas it decreases in the later 2 weeks. Epithelialization was seen in the wound margin on day 7 and afterwards. The final wound contraction rates were highest for the regular triangle shapes; however, there were no statistically significant differences. The wound contraction rates by locations showed statistically significant differences. The wound in the cephalic area presented more contractions than that of the wounds in the caudal area. Conclusion: The location of a wound is more important factor than the wound shape in wound contraction.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.406-409
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• 2007

A 12-year-old female mixed Chihuahua dog was referred because of acute blindness and progressive tetraparesis. Mutifocal lesions in the cerebrum were noted on brain magnetic resonance images and cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed monocytic pleocytosis. Based on these results, granulomatous meningoencephalitis (GME) was strongly suspected. Cerebral lesions were definitely diagnosed as GME based on histopathological findings and positive results of immunohistological stains of brain with T-cell marker (CD3). This report describes the clinical findings, diagnostic imaging characteristics, and immunohistopathologic features of GME in an old dog. In addition, this case demonstrates that clinical signs of GME were mediated by perivascular infiltration of T lymphocytes and identification of causes in T cell-mediated inflammation should be further studied.