• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.91-102
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• 2006

We treated KunYangDan (KYK) in SD rats in order toexamine the protective effect against cell damage induced by diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). KYD reduced DEHP toxicity by increasing the function of immune cell numbers weight increase of spleen.red blood cells,HB,and HCT content,sperm number and mobility,resulting in improving reproductive function by judging from the recovery of testosterone content. Interestingly the hormone change of testosterone by KYD significantly recovered the decreased its leve. Taken together,these results suggest that KYD specifically affect the reproductive function induced by DEHP,an endocrine disruptor.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.437-442
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• 2003

To examine the in vivo immunostimulating effect of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in pigs, the change of peripheral blood cells and the phagocytic response of phagocytes were evaluated. Spayed male pigs, 80 kg of average body weight, fed a diet containing either 0.5% 10t-12c CLA or 0.5% CLA mixture (mostly 9c-11t CLA and 10t-12c CLA) for 4 weeks. The change of blood cell values (PCV, WBC, differential count of WBC) and the phagocytic activities of phagocytes were evaluated on week 0, 2, 4, and 5, respectively. There were no change in the PCV values regardless of CLA supplement. The number of WBC, especially neutrophils, in pigs fed a diet with CLA was significantly increased (p<0.05 to 0.01) when compared with control pigs fed a diet without CLA. The phagocytosis of peripheral blood mononuclear cell (MNC) and peripheral blood polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) were analyzed by a flow cytometry system. There was no change in the phagocytic activity of MNC and monocyte-rich cells regardless of CLA supplement. However, the phagocytic activity of PMN composed by approximately 95% neutrophils was remarkably increased (p < 0.05 to 0.01) on week 2, 4, and 5 as compared wth control pigs. These results suggested that supplement of CLA into pigs induces the increase of neutrophil number and the enhancement of neutrophil phagocytosis.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.269-274
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• 2008

Plants have long been used as a food source in Korea. In this study, we investigated the combined immunomodulative effects of a water extract mixture of(pine needles, Sedum sarmentosum Bunge, hijkiaorme, buckwheat and Peril a leaves) on Balb/c mice $7{\sim}8$ weeks old. The mice were fed a chow diet ad libitum and the plant extract was orally administered every other day for four weeks at two different concentrations(50 and 500 mg/kg BW). After preparing the single-cell suspension, splenocyte proliferation was determined by the MTT(3-[4,5-di-methylthiazol-2-y]-2,5-diphenyl terazolium bromide) assay. After 48hrs of incubation with the mitogens(ConA or LPS) splenocyte from the mice groups administered 50 and 500 mg/kg BW of the plant extract showed a significant increased in proliferation compared to the control group. A hemolytic plague forming cell assay was used to indicate antibody production against sheep red blood cells(SRBC). The number of antibody-secreting cells T-dependent antigen. The result of this study suggest that supplementation with this plant extract may regulate immune function by increasing splenocyte proliferation and the number of plaque forming cells.

• Animal cells and systems
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.43-47
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• 2003

The skin of the eel goby, Odontamblyopus lacepedii, consists of epidermis, dermis and subcutis. The epidermis has three layers: the outermost layer, middle layer and stratum germinativum. The outermost layer is composed of polygonal cells or rather flattened cells, and mucous gland cells of acid mucopolysaccharides. The middle layer consists mainly of swollen small or voluminous epidermal cells and shows a web-shaped structure. The thickness of the epidermis depends on the various sizes and the number of layers of the swollen cells. Well-developed lymphatic spaces containing lymphocytes exist in the stratum germinativum and small scales are embedded in the dermis. A large number of blood capillaries are present just below the basement membrane, and a definite area giving AB and PAS positive was present between the basement membrane and scales, Taste buds ave distributed on surface of the epidermis at intervals. Considering the structural features of the skin, it may be considered that O. lacepedii is more likely to be related to cutaneous respiration as a dual respiratory system.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.398-403
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• 2011

Ligusticum chuanxiong (Umbelliferae) is a perennial herb that has been used for invigoration of blood in Korean traditional medicine. It is especially important in gynecological therapy of amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea. In this study, the essential oil of L. chuanxiong was obtained by steam distillation and its main components of L. chuanxiong, Z-ligustilide and butylidene phthalide, were isolated by silica gel column chromatography. We investigated the cytotoxic effects of the essential oil fraction of L. chuanxiong and its main components on MCF-7, HeLa and SK-Hep-1 cell lines by measuring the number of surviving cancer cells after treatment through direct cell counting and MTT analysis, and by examining the morphological changes under the microscope. The essential oil from the rhizomes of L. chuanxiong and its main components showed significant cytotoxic activities for all three tested cell lines. We also observed morphological changes of shrinking and blebbing in the membranes of the three cell lines, depending on the concentration of L. chaunxiong oil or its main components.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.1174-1182
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional status and the immunocompetence of elderly women residing in urban and rural areas. Dietary food records and anthropometric measurements were used to evaluate the nutritional status of subjects. The immune function of subjects was assessed by total and differential white blood cell(WBC) counts. Total B and T Lymphocytes, and T cell subsets were quantified by flow-cytometer. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M concentrations were also measured as an index of humoral immunity. Elderly women in rural area showed a relatively lower dietary intake of total energy, protein, and iron than did urban elderly women. Total WBC, neutrophil counts, eosinophil counts, and the percentage of neutrophils among total leukocytes were significantly higher in urban elderly women than in rural women. Although the numbers of lymphocytes were not significantly different, the percentage of Lymphocytes among total leukocytes as greater in rural elderly women than in urban. Both groups did not show any significant differences in numbers of T cell subsets and NK cells. Immunoglobulin G, A, and M levels were not significantly different between the two groups, but the numbers of subjects placed under the deficient range of immunoglobulins were greater in rural than in urban elderly women. from the present study, it could be suggested that poor nutritional intake may selectively affect the number of immune cells, thereby influencing the immunocompetence of elderly women. (Korean J Nutrition 31(7) 1174-1182, 1998)

• BMB Reports
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• v.56 no.8
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• pp.417-425
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• 2023

In various organisms, the Hippo signaling pathway has been identified as a master regulator of organ size determination and tissue homeostasis. The Hippo signaling coordinates embryonic development, tissue regeneration and differentiation, through regulating cell proliferation and survival. The YAP and TAZ (YAP/TAZ) act as core transducers of the Hippo pathway, and they are tightly and exquisitely regulated in response to various intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli. Abnormal regulation or genetic variation of the Hippo pathway causes a wide range of human diseases, including cancer. Recent studies have revealed that Hippo signaling plays a pivotal role in the immune system and cancer immunity. Due to pathophysiological importance, the emerging role of Hippo signaling in blood cell differentiation, known as hematopoiesis, is receiving much attention. A number of elegant studies using a genetically engineered mouse (GEM) model have shed light on the mechanistic and physiological insights into the Hippo pathway in the regulation of hematopoiesis. Here, we briefly review the function of Hippo signaling in the regulation of hematopoiesis and immune cell differentiation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.23-38
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical prognostic factors affecting facial palsy in 98 idiopathic facial palsy patients who were hospitalized and treated in 2015, using retrospective statistical analysis. Methods : We investigated patients with idiopathic facial nerve palsy, admitted to a Korean medical hospital in 2015, and examined patients' variables and therapeutic variables. For analysis of clinical data, an independent sample t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and simple regression analysis were performed using IBM SPSS version 24.0. Results : 1. The initial degree of facial palsy showed statistical significance with age. The older the age, the more severe the initial palsy. 2. Following treatment degree of facial palsy was statistically significant with age, hypertension, and fasting blood sugar (FBS). The higher the value, the slower the recovery from facial palsy. There was a statistical significance with the number of treatments in a Korean medical hospital. The more frequent the treatment, the faster the facial palsy recovery. 3. Degree of facial palsy after 12 months was statistically significant with age, hypertension, diabetes, FBS, and the initial severity of facial palsy. The higher the value, the slower the facial palsy recovery. 4. Sex, left or right sided palsy, alcohol consumption, smoking, history of facial palsy, season of onset, total number of treatments and bio chemistry (BC), complete blood cell count (CBC), urinalysis (UA) factors had no statistical significance with prognosis of facial palsy. Conclusion : Age, season of onset, hypertension, diabetes, FBS, initial severity of facial palsy, and the number of treatments at a Korean medical hospital showed statistical significance. The number of treatments at the Korean medical hospital positively correlated with facial palsy prognosis, and the others variables showed a negative correlation with facial palsy prognosis.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.122-136
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• 2023

Depression is a prevalent global problem since ages, predominately treated with SSRI. Cipralex, is an antidepressant of the SSRIs class used as a remedy for mood, depression and anxiety. Silymarin (SIL), a natural free radical scavenging, has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This hypothesis evaluates, for the first time, the role of cipralex on the structure of the endocrine and exocrine components of the pancreas and assess the beneficial effects of SIL on these changes. Forty-five rats were divided into control, cipralex, and cipralex plus SIL groups. During sacrifice, all rats and pancreases were weighed and the ratio of pancreatic weight (PW) to rat weight (RW) was calculated, blood samples were collected to estimate fasting glucose, insulin and amylase levels, the specimens were prepared for histological, immunohistochemical (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS], tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], caspase 3, proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA], and anti-insulin antibody), and morphometrical studies. Cipralex group exhibited marked destruction of the pancreatic architecture of the exocrine and endocrine parts, with a dense collagen fiber deposition. Also, there is highly significant decrease (P<0.001) of PW/RT ratio, insulin, and amylase levels, the number and diameter of islets of Langerhans, the number of PCNA positive immunoreactive cells, and the number of insulin positive β-cells. Furthermore, a highly significant increase of glucose level, iNOS, TNF-α, and caspase-3 positive immunoreactive cells in the islets of Langerhans and acinar cells were observed. SIL improves the pancreatic histological architecture, weight loss, biochemical, and immunohistochemical analyses. Administering SIL is advantageous in managing cipralex induced pancreatic injury via its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic qualities.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.126-134
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• 2001

Background : Paeonia japonica Miyabe is a medicinal plant which has been widely used as a component of blood-building decoctions (Chinese medicinal concept : Bu-Xie). The immunopharmacological characteristics of the extract of Paeonia japonica (PJ) were investigated. Methods : The effects of fractions of PJ extract on lymphocyte proliferation were measured by $H^3$-thymidine incorporation assay. The proliferated lymphocyte subsets were analyzed in flow cytometry. The subset cell populations of spleen cells were separated by magnetic cell separation system, and their proliferation by the extract were investigated. The effect of the extract on antibody production was determined in mice challenged with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) using hemolytic plaque forming cell assay. Results : Spleen cells were proliferated by water extract of PJ. Polysaccharide fraction (PJ-P) of the extract was most active in the proliferation. It was found in flow cytometry that the lymphocyte subset proliferated by PJ-P was B cell population. Among the separated subset cell populations, T cell-depleted cell population and macrophage-depleted cell population were most proliferated by PJ-P. However, positively selected populations of B cells and T cells were not proliferated by PJ-P. These results indicate that B cell proliferation by PJ-P may require the assistance of macrophages or T cells. These results suggest that firstly PJ-P may stimulate macrophages or T cells, and then B cells are activated. The number of antibody-secreting cells was increased by administration of PJ-P in mice immunized with SRBC as a T-dependent antigen. Conclusion : These results suggest that macrophages and accessory cells are directly activated by PJ-P and then helper T cells and B cells are indirectly activated. As the results, immune responses might be coordinately improved. In conclusion, PJ-P, a polysaccharide of P. japonica, may be a characteristic immunostimulator, which is analogous to polysaccharides such as lentinan, PSK and ginsan.