• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• 제24권5호
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• pp.69.1-69.11
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• 2023

Background: Kalkitoxin (KT) is an active lipopeptide isolated from the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula found in the bed of the coral reef. Although KT suppresses cell division and inflammation, KT's mechanism of action in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unidentified. Therefore, our main aim was to investigate the impact of KT on vascular calcification for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Objectives: Using diverse calcification media, we studied the effect of KT on VSMC calcification and the underlying mechanism of this effect. Methods: VSMC was isolated from the 6 weeks ICR mice. Then VSMCs were treated with different concentrations of KT to check the cell viability. Alizarin red and von Kossa staining were carried out to examine the calcium deposition on VSMC. Thoracic aorta of 6 weeks mice were taken and treated with different concentrations of KT, and H and E staining was performed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were performed to examine KT's effect on VSMC mineralization. Calcium deposition on VSMC was examined with a calcium deposition quantification kit. Results: Calcium deposition, Alizarin red, and von Kossa staining revealed that KT reduced inorganic phosphate-induced calcification phenotypes. KT also reduced Ca⁺⁺-induced calcification by inhibiting genes that regulate osteoblast differentiation, such as runtrelated transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2), SMAD family member 4, osterix, collagen 1α, and osteopontin. Also, KT repressed Ca²⁺-induced bone morphogenetic protein 2, RUNX-2, collagen 1α, osteoprotegerin, and smooth muscle actin protein expression. Likewise, Alizarin red and von Kossa staining showed that KT markedly decreased the calcification of ex vivo ring formation in the mouse thoracic aorta. Conclusions: This experiment demonstrated that KT decreases vascular calcification and may be developed as a new therapeutic treatment for vascular calcification and arteriosclerosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 1991

To study the frequency of the underlying disease of the diffuse pulmonary infiltrates in korea, we ansalyzed retrospectively 982 patients who were seen at nine university hospitals and one general hospital in Seoul area. The results are folloing: 1) Among the total 982 patients, 490 patients were male and 492 patients were female. The mean age was 44.3 years. 2) The most common etiology was milliary tuberculosis (38%), which was followed by, idopathic pulmonary fibrosis (27%), pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen-vascular disease (15%), and diffuse pulmonary infiltrates by malignancy (10%). 3) Amon the connective tissue disease which was accompanied by the interstitial lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis was the most common disease (43%), systemic lupus erythematosus was the 2nd (28%), and progressive systemic sclerosis was the 3re (16%). 4) Among 101 cases of malignant disease, lung was the most frequent primary site (31%), which was followed by stomach (28%), thyroid (16%), and breast (6%). 5) For the diagnosis of the underlying disease of pulmonary infiltrates, the transbronchial lung biopsy was performed in 21% of the patients and open lung biopsy was done in 7%.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제56권1호
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• pp.19-25
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• 2013

Purpose: Childhood obesity is associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and it has become one of the most common causes of childhood chronic liver diseases which significant as a cause of liver related mortality and morbidity in children in the United States. The development of simpler and easier clinical indices for medical practice is needed to identify advanced hepatic fibrosis in childhood NAFLD instead of invasive method like liver biopsy. FibroScan and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) have been proposed as a simple and noninvasive predictor to evaluate hepatic fibrosis in several liver diseases. APRI could be a good alternative to detect pathologic change in childhood NAFLD. The purpose of this study is to validate the efficacy of APRI for assessing hepatic fibrosis in childhood NAFLD based on FibroScan. Methods: This study included 23 children with NAFLD who underwent FibroScan. Clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluation including APRI was performed. To confirm the result of this study, 6 patients received liver biopsy. Results: Factors associated with hepatic fibrosis (stiffness measurement >5.9 kPa Fibroscan) were triglyceride, AST, alanine aminotransferase, platelet count, APRI and collagen IV. In multivariate analysis, APRI were correlated with hepatic fibrosis (>5.9 kPa). In receiver operating characteristics curve, APRI of meaningful fibrosis (cutoff value, 0.4669; area under the receiver operating characteristics, 0.875) presented sensitivity of 94%, specificity of 66%, positive predictive value of 94%, and negative predictive value of 64%. Conclusion: APRI might be a noninvasive, simple, and readily available method for medical practice to predict hepatic fibrosis of childhood NAFLD.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권6호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Peucedani Radix herbal acupuncture(PR-HA) at St36(joksamni) on ovalbumin-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA(ovalbumin) for 12 weeks(once a week) C57BL/6 mice were injected, inhaled and sprayed with OVA for 12 weeks (3times a week). One of the two experimental groups was just treated with needle-prick on St36 and the other group was treated with 1% concentrations of PR-HAS at St36, for the later 8 weeks (3times /week). Results : 1. The weight and total cells of lung of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 2. Total Leukocytes and Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 3. Eosinophils in BALF of the mice group treated with PR-HA in Photomicrographs decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 4. According to Histological analysis of lung sections, it decreased significantly adhension of collagen in PR-HA than those of control group 5. The concentration of IgE, IL-4, IL-5, in BALF and IL-4, IL-5, Il-13 in serum of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with that of control group. 6. The number of Gr-1+/CD11b+, CD11b+, CD3-/CCR3+, CD4+, CD3e+/CD69+ , CD23+B220+ cells in the lungs of the mice group treated with PR-HA decreased significantly compared with those of control group. 7. The cytokine's manifestation of mRNA of the mice group treated with PR-HA with RT-PCR decreased significantly compared with that of control group. Conclusion : We conclude that PR-HA is effective on OVA-induced asthma of C57BL/6 mouse.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.181-190
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• 2005

Background & Object : The differentiation of osteoblasts controlled by various growth factors and matrix proteins expression in bone. The aim of this study was to identify the Astragalus membranaceus that may induce the osteogenic activity in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Methods : The osteogenic activity of Astragalus membranaceus were evaluated by WST-8 assay, ALP activity, RT-PCR analysis of VEGF, OCN, OPN, Col I mRNA, and ELISA or colorimetric analysis, and mineralization by Alizarin red staining in SaOS-2 cells. Results : Astragalus membranaceus had no effect on viability of osteoblastic cells, and dose dependently increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Astragalus membranaceus markedly increased mRNA expression for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), and type I collagen (Col 1) in SaOS-2 cells. Extracellular accumulation of proteins such as VEGF, and Col I was increased in a dose-dependent manner. Also, Astragalus membranaceus significantly induced mineralization in the culture of SaOS-2 cells. Conclusion : This study showed that Astragalus membranaceus not affect on viability, but it enhanced ALP activity, VEGF, bone matrix proteins such as OCN, OPN and Col I, and mineralization in SaOS-2 cells. These results propose that Astragalus membranaceus plays an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, and possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drug.

• Yonsei Medical Journal
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• 제59권9호
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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.

• 한국약용작물학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.218-231
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• 2019

Background: We recently reported that Salvia plebeia R. Br. extracts suppress leukotriene production and effectively inhibit the airway inflammatory response by modulating inflammatory chemokine and cytokine expression. Here, we investigated the synergistic airway anti-inflammation effect of Salvia plebeia and Panax ginseng (Korean red ginseng, KRG) that has been used to treat various immune diseases such as asthma. Methods and Results: To evaluate the synergistic airway anti-inflammatory effect of Salvia plebeia and KRG, we measured the inhibitory effect of monotheraphy with either or co-theraphy with both on leukotriene and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Using coal a combustion, fly ash, and diesel exhaust particle (CFD)-induced respiratory disease mouse model, we found that co-theraphy synergistically suppressed airway inflammatory signs such as alveolar wall thickness and collagen fibers deposition, and decreased the number of total cell, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ cells, and inflammatory cytokines (IL17A, TNF, MIP-2 and CXCL-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Conclusions: We confirmed respiratory protection as a therapeutic effect of the Salbia plebeia-KRG 3 : 1 complex (KGC-03-PS) via anti-tracheal muscle contraction and expectorant animal studies using a CFD-induced respiratory disease mouse model.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제26권4호
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• pp.799-821
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• 1996

The ultimate goal of periodontal treatment has been to facilitate regeneration of diseased periodontal tissues, destroyed by inflammatory periodontal disease. For regeneration of the periodontium to occur, all of component tissues must be restored to their original position and architecture. Growth factors which were known to promote the cellular processes, ie, proliferation, migration and matrix synthesis, have been in the spotlight of current periodontics. Platelet-derived growth factor(PDGF) stimulates collagen and non collagen protein synthesis, migration and proliferation of periodontal ligament cells. Insulin-like growth factor(IGF) has potentials to induce collagen and bone matrix synthesis so that it regulates normal bone remodeling. Application of the combination have been known to facilitate formation of bone and cementum, and to synergistically interact to promote coronal migration and proliferation of periodontal ligament cells. These two growth factors have been reported to exhibit positive effect in the periodontally diseased teeth or class m furcation defects. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that PDGF-BB alone or the combination of PDGF-BB and IGF-I can predictably enhance regeneration of the periodontium in the dehiscence defect. Following the resection of premolars, roots were embedded. After 12 weeks of healing period, standardized experimental $4{\times}4mm$ dehiscence defects were created on the mid-facial of the premolar roots in each of 4 young adult dogs. In control group, only methylcellulose gel was inserted in the defects. In experimental group I and II, gel with $2{\mu}g$ of PDGF-BB or $2{\mu}g$ of PDGF-BB and $1{\mu}g$ of IGF-I was inserted in the defects, respectively. At 8 weeks postsurgery, the dogs were sacrificed. The results were observed histologically and analyzed histomorphometrically.The results of this study were as follws. 1. The new cementum formation was $1.26{\pm}0.69mm$ in the control group, $1.80{\pm}0.84mm$ in the experimental group I, $1.93{\pm}0.51mm$ in the experimental group II. The experimental group III, the experimental group I, the control group were in the order of cementum formation without statistically significant differences between control and all experimental groups. 2. The new bone formation was $1.00{\pm}0.53mm$ in the control group, $1.53{\pm}0.63mm$ in the experimental group I, $l.33{\pm}0.45mm$ in the experimental group II. The experimental group I, the experimental group II, the control group were in the order of bone formation without statistically significant differences between control and all experimental groups. 3. The root resorption was $1.12{\pm}0.64mm$ in the control group, $1.34{\pm}0.73mm$ in the experimental group I, $0.79{\pm}0.59mm$ in the experimental group II without statistically significant differences between control and all experimental groups. These results suggested that the use of PDGF-BB alone or PDGF-BB and IGF-I in the dehiscence defects might facilitate periodontal regeneration in some degree, but has not shown statistically significant results.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제28권4호
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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 Acupuncture Research
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.93-101
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• 2005

Objective: We have evaluated UDHA into the joint for its effectiveness on immune responses to CII in the rat CIA. In an attempt to gain further insight into the mode of action of UDHA, we also investigated the effects of UDHA on the incidence and development of arthritis in rat CIA with 2 different regimens: (1) started prior to a primary immunization, (2) started on the day of a primary immunization. Methods : Male rats were immunized with an emulsion of $200\;{\mu}g/100g$ of CII and complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA). The rats were then given intraperitoneal(i.p) stimulation of Ulmus davidiana Planch herbal acupuncture(UDHA) or saline during the experiment. Lymph node cells were obtained from rats 14 days after immunization and cultured in vitro with CII. When compared with rats treated with saline as control, UDHA at doses of more than $20\;{\mu}g/100\;g$ rat once a day for 7 days inhibited the ability of inguinal lymph node cells to produce T cell cytokines interleukin-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ $(TNF-{\alpha})$. When rats were injected intraperitoneally with SRBC, hemaglutination titers in UD-treated and control rats did not differ significantly when low doses of UD was given to rats. However, i.p injection of UD at doses of more than $10\;{\mu}g/100\;g/day$ for 7 days slightly suppressed antibody production. Results : The present results show that treatment with UDHA can inhibit the onset and development of arthritis and the immune responses to collagen. Conclusion: Therapeutic i.p injection with UD affect the clinical course of the disease and the immune responses to CII.