• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.65 no.3
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• pp.177-182
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• 2008

Background: Isoniazid (INH, H) is a key drug of the standard first-line regimen for the treatment of tuberculosis (TB), yet some reports have suggested that treatment efficacy was maintained even though INH was omitted from the treatment regimen. Methods: One hundred forty C57BL/6 mice were infected with the H37Rv strain of M. tuberculosis with using a Glas-Col aerosol generation device, and this resulted in depositing about 100 bacilli in the lung. Four weeks after infection, anti-TB treatment was initiated with varying regimens for 4-8 weeks; Group 1: no treatment (control), Group 2 (4HREZ): 4 weeks of INH, rifampicin (R), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E), Group 3: 1HREZ/3REZ, Group 4: 4REZ, Group 5: 4HREZ/4HRE, Group 6: 1HREZ/3REZ/4RE, and Group 7: 4REZ/4RE. The lungs and spleens were harvested at several time points until 28 weeks after infection, and the colony-forming unit (CFU) counts were determined. Results: The CFU counts increased steadily after infection in the control group. In the 4-week treatment groups (Group 2-4), even though the culture was negative at treatment completion, the bacilli grew again at the 12-week and 20-week time points after completion of treatment. In the 8-week treatment groups (Groups 5-7), the bacilli did not grow in the lung at 4 weeks after treatment initiation and thereafter. In the spleens of Group 7 in which INH was omitted from the treatment regimen, the culture was negative at 4-weeks after treatment initiation and thereafter. However, in Groups 5 and 6 in which INH was taken continuously or intermittently, the bacilli grew in the spleen at some time points after completion of treatment. Conclusion: TThe exclusion of INH from the standard first-line regimen did not affect the treatment outcome in a murine model of TB in the early stage of disease. Further studies using a murine model of chronic TB are necessary to clarify the role of INH in the standard first-line regimen for treating TB.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.451-463
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• 2006

Background : Reactive oxygen species (ROS) take center stage as executers in ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). The protein with DNA-damage scanning activity, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1), signals DNA rupture and participates in base-excision repair. Paradoxically,overactivation of PARP1 in response to massive genotoxic injury such as ROS can induce cell death through ${\beta}$ -nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide ($NAD^+$) depletion, resulting in inflammation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of PARP1 and the effect of its inhibitor in VILI. Methods : Forty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham, lung protective ventilation(LPV), VILI, and PARP1 inhibitor (PJ34)+VILI (PJ34+VILI) groups. Mechanical ventilator setting for the LPV group was $PIP\;15cmH_2O$ + $PEEP\;3cmH_2O$ + RR 90/min + 2 hours. The VILI and PJ34+VILI groups were ventilated on a setting of $PIP\;40cmH_2O$ + $PEEP\;0cmH_2O$ + RR 90/min + 2 hours. As a PARP1 inhibitor for the PJ34+VILI group, 20 mg/Kg of PJ34 was treated intraperitoneally 2 hours before mechanical ventilation. Wet-to-dry weight ratio and acute lung injury (ALI) score were measured to determine the degree of VILI. PARP1 activity was evaluated by using an immunohistochemical method utilizing biotinylated NAD. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the concentration of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$, interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Results : In the PJ34+VILI group, PJ34 pretreatment significantly reduced the degree of lung injury, compared with the VILI group (p<0.05). The number of cells expressing PARP1 activity was significantly increased in the VILI group, but significantly decreased in the PJ34+VILI group (p=0.001). In BALF, MPO activity, $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 were also significantly lower in the PJ34+VILI group (all, p<0.05). Conclusion : PARP1 overactivation plays a major role in the mechanism of VILI. PARP1 inhibitor prevents VILI, and decreases MPO activity and inflammatory cytokines.

• Molecular & Cellular Toxicology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.32-43
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• 2009

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is known to cause severe hepatotoxicity mainly through the depletion of glutathione. In this study, we compared the cytotoxic effects of APAP on both a normal murine hepatic cell line, BNL CL.2, and its SV40-transformed cell line, BNL SV A.8. Gene expression profiles for APAP-treated cells were also obtained using microarray and analyzed to identify differences in genes or profiles that may explain the differences of susceptibility to APAP in these cell lines. These two cell lines exhibited different susceptibilities to APAP (0-$5,000{\mu}M$); BNL SV A.8 cells were more susceptible to APAP treatment compared to BNL CL.2 cells. A dose of $625{\mu}M$ APAP, which produced significant differences in cytotoxicity in these cell lines, was tested. Microarray analysis was performed to identify significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) irrespective of APAP treatment. Genes up-regulated in BNL SV A.8 cells were associated with immune response, defense response, and apoptosis, while down-regulated genes were associated with catalytic activity, cell adhesion and the cytochrome P450 family. Consistent with the cytotoxicity data, no significant DEGs were found in BNL CL.2 cells after treatment with $625{\mu}M$ APAP, while cell cycle arrest and apoptosis-related genes were up-regulated in BNL SV A.8 cells. Based on the significant fold-changes in their expression, a genes were selected and their expressions were confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR; there was a high correlation between them. These results suggest that gene expression profiles may provide a useful method for evaluating drug sensitivity of cell lines and eliciting the underlying molecular mechanism. We further compared the genes identified from our current in vitro studies to the genes previously identified in our lab as regulated by APAP in both C57BL/6 and ICR mice in vivo. We found that a few genes are regulated in a similar pattern both in vivo and in vitro. These genes might be useful to develop as in vitro biomarkers for predicting in vivo hepatotoxicity. Based on our results, we suggest that gene expression profiles may provide useful information for elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms of drug susceptibility and for evaluating drug sensitivity in vitro for extrapolation to in vivo.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.420-427
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• 2006

Immunological activities of the combined-administration of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus were examined in C57BL/6 mice. Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus were extracted with distilled water or 40% ethyl alcohol. Ginseng Radix Rubra water extracts (GW), the mixture (1:1) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus water extracts [GVW(1:1)], the mixture (1:3) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus water extracts [GVW(1:3)], 40% ethyl alcohol extracts of Ginseng Radix Rubra (GE), the mixture (1:1) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus 40% ethyl alcohol extracts [GVE(1:1)] and the mixture (1:3) of Ginseng Radix Rubra and Vitis Fructus 40% ethyl alcohol extracts [GVE(1:3)] were administered p.o. once a day for 7 days, respectively. GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) decreased the viability of thymocytes increased by GW, but GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) increased the viability of thymocytes decreased by GE. GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) increased the viability of splenocytes decreased by GW or GE. Also, GVW(1:1) and GVE(1:1) enhanced the population of helper T cell in thymocytes, and GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) decreased the population of cytotoxic T cells increased by GE. Furthermore, GVW(1:1), GVW(1:3), GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) enhanced the population of $B220^+$ cells decreased by GW or GE, and decreased the population of $Thyl^+$ cells increased by GW or GE, and decreased the population of splenic $CD4^+$ cells increased by GW or GE. In addition, GVW(1:1) and GVW(1:3) decreased the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages increased by GW, but GVE(1:1) and GVE(1:3) enhanced the phagocytic activity and the production of nitric oxide in peritoneal macrophages decreased by GE. These results suggest that Vitis Fructus has an regulative action on immune response of Ginseng Radix Rubra.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.320-327
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• 2020

In current study, we aimed to investigate whether the gentiopicroside (GPS) derived from Gentiana manshurica Kitagawa could block the progression of alcoholic hepatic steatosis to fibrosis induced by chronic ethanol intake. C57BL/6 mice were fed an ethanol-containing Lieber-DeCarli diet for 4 weeks. LX-2 human hepatic stellate cells were treated with GPS 1 h prior to transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) stimulation, and murine hepatocyte AML12 cells were pretreated by GPS 1 h prior to ethanol treatment. GPS inhibited the expression of type I collagen (collagen I), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and tissue inhibitor of metal protease 1 in ethanol-fed mouse livers with mild fibrosis. In addition, the imbalanced lipid metabolism induced by chronic ethanol-feeding was ameliorated by GPS pretreatment, characterized by the modulation of lipid accumulation. Consistently, GPS inhibited the expression of collagen I and α-SMA in LX-2 cells stimulated by TGF-β. Inhibition of lipid synthesis and promotion of oxidation by GPS were also confirmed in ethanol-treated AML12 cells. GPS could prevent hepatic steatosis advancing to the inception of a mild fibrosis caused by chronic alcohol exposure, suggesting GPS might be a promising therapy for targeting the early stage of alcoholic liver disease.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.167-172
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• 2014

Background: Roles of immune reaction and toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) have widely been established in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). Methods: We evaluated the biologic efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), urushiol, and probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus R0011 and Lactobacillus acidophilus R0052) in mouse models of ALD. Sixty C57BL/6 mice were equally divided into six feeding groups for 10 weeks: normal diet, alcohol, control, alcohol + KRG, alcohol + urushiol, and alcohol + probiotics. Alcohol was administered via a LiebereDeCarli liquid diet containing 10% alcohol. TLR-4 expression, proinflammatory cytokines, and histology, as well as the results of liver function tests were evaluated and compared. Results: No between-group differences were observed with regard to liver function. TLR-4 levels were significantly lower in the KRG, urushiol, and probiotics groups than in the alcohol group ($0.37{\pm}0.06ng/mL$, $0.39{\pm}0.12ng/mL$, and $0.33{\pm}0.07ng/mL$, respectively, vs. $0.88{\pm}0.31ng/mL$; p < 0.05). Interleukin-$1{\beta}$ levels in liver tissues were decreased among the probiotics and KRG groups. The tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ level of liver tissue was decreased in the KRG group. Conclusion: The pathological findings showed that alcohol-induced steatosis was significantly reduced by KRG and urushiol. As these agents improve immunologic capacity, they may be considered in potential anti-ALD treatments.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.700-704
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• 2007

In the recent, increased concern has been focused on the pharmacology and clinical utility of herbal extracts and derivatives as a drug or adjunct to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Here we investigated the role of the extract of Anethi Fructus in the expression of inflammatory mediators, surface molecule, and related receptors in vitro. In murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages of C57BL/6N mice, water extract of Anethi Fructus increased the production of secretary tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a and Nitric oxide (NO), and the expression level of CD14, LPS co-receptor and CD86, co-stimulatory molecule compared to negative natural extract ex vivo. The water extract of Anethi Fructus increased the production of interferon (IFN)-g from splenocytes. Also, water extract of Anethi Fructus increased ConA-induced cell proliferation. These results suggest that water extract of Anethi Fructus may enhance the immune response through immune modulation of macrophage and lymphocytes.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.246-256
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• 2022

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 µM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7r-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.3
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• pp.333-344
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• 2024

Objective : Markers of neuroinflammation during ischemic stroke are well characterized, but additional markers of neural damage are lacking. The study identified associations of behavioral disorders after stroke with histologic neural damage and molecular biological change. Methods : Eight-week-old, 25 g male mice of the C57BL/6J strain were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce ischemic stroke. The control group was a healthy wild type (WT), and the experimental group were designed as a low severity MCAO1 and a high severity MCAO2 based on post-stroke neurological scoring. All groups underwent behavioral tests, realtime polymerase chain reaction, triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining and Hematoxylin and Eosin staining. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze statistical significance between groups. Results : In TTC staining, MCAO1 showed 29.02% and MCAO2 showed 38.94% infarct volume (p<0.0001). The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (WT 0.44 vs. MCAO1 2.69 vs. MCAO2 5.02, p<0.0001). From the distance to target in the Barnes maze test, WT had a distance of 178 cm, MCAO1 had a distance of 276 cm, and MCAO2 had a distance of 1051 (p=0.0015). The latency to target was 13.3 seconds for WT, 27.9 seconds for MCAO1, and 87.9 seconds for MCAO2 (p=0.0007). Prospero homeobox 1 (Prox1) was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (p=0.0004). Doublecortin (Dcx) was most highly expressed in MCAO2 (p<0.0001). Conclusion : The study demonstrated that histological damage to neural cells and changes in brain mRNA expression were associated with behavioral impairment after ischemic stroke. Prox1 and Dcx may be biomarkers of neural damage associated with long-term cognitive decline, and increased expression at the mRNA level was consistent with neural damage and long-term cognitive dysfunction.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2000

Objective: The effects of cryopreservation with or without coculture on the in vitro development of blastomere-biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos were investigated. This experimental study was originally designed for the setup of a preclinical mouse model for the preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in human. Methods: Eight-cell embryos were obtained after in vitro fertilization (IVF) from F1 hybrid mice (C57BL(표현불가)/CBA(표현불가)). Using micromanipulation, one to four blastomeres were aspirated through a hole made in the zona pellucida by zona drilling (ZD) with acid Tyrode's solution (ATS). A slow-freezing and rapid-thawing protocol with 1.5M dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 0.1M sucrose as cryoprotectant was used for the cryopreservation of blastomere- biopsied 8-cell mouse embryos. After thawing, embryos were cultured for 110 hours in Ham's F-10 supplemented with 0.4% bovine serum albumin (BSA). In the coculture group, embryos were cultured for 110 hours on the monolayer of Vero cells in the same medium. The blastocyst formation was recorded, and the embryos developed beyond blastocyst stage were stained with 10% Giemsa to count the total number of nuclei in each embryo. Results: The survival rate of embryos after cryopreservation was significantly lower in the blastomere-biopsied (7/8, 6/8, 5/8, and 4/8 embryos) groups than in the non-biopsied, zona intact (ZI) group. Without the coculture, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos after cryopreservation was not significantly different among ZI, the zona drilling only (ZD), and the balstomere-biopsied groups, but it was significantly lower than in the non-cryopreserved control group. The mean number of cells in embryos beyond blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the control group ($50.2{\pm}14.0$) than in 6/8 ($26.5{\pm}6.2$), 5/8 ($25.0{\pm}5.5$), and 4/8 ($17.8{\pm}7.8$) groups. With the coculture using Vero cells, the blastocyst formation rate of embryos after cryopreservation was significantly lower in 5/8 and 4/8 groups, compared with the control, 7/8, and 6/8 groups. The mean number of cells in embryos beyond blastocyst stage was also significantly lower in 4/8 group ($25.9{\pm}10.2$), compared with the control ($50.2{\pm}14.0$), 7/8 ($56.0{\pm}22.2$), and 6/8 ($55.3{\pm}25.5$) groups. Conclusion: After cryopreservation, blastomere-biopsied mouse embryos have a significantly impaired developmental competence in vitro, but this detrimental effect might be prevented by the coculture with Vero cells in 8-cell mouse embryos biopsied one or two blastomeres. Biopsy of mouse embryos after ZD with ATS is a safe and highly efficient preclinical model for PGD of human embryos.