• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.8
• /
• pp.1066-1071
• /
• 2012

In this study we investigated the change in antigenicity and allergenicity of Meju, a traditional Korean soybean product, by fermentation via 3 different microorganisms. The steamed soybeans were fermented with Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis and/or Aspergillus oryzae and/or Bacillus subtilis. Proteins in soybean were degraded after fermentation. Antigenicity or allergenicity were analysed by immunoblotting and ELISA using soybean protein-specific polyclonal antibodies or soybean allergic patient sera. The best degradation was achieved by three step fermentation using nisin-producing Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis IFO12007, A. oryzae and B. subtilis. Allergenicity and antigenicity were also starkly reduced after three step fermentation. The three-step fermentation method developed in our lab suggests an excellent alternative to reduce the allergenicity of soybeans.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.82-89
• /
• 2008

Background: Although a skin test is the primary option for detecting allergen-specific IgE in clinics, the serum IgE immunoassay is also important because it allows for the diagnosis of allergy without any accompanying adverse effect on the patient. However, the low detection limit of IgE levels by immunoassay may restrict the use of the method in some occasions, and improving its sensitivity would thus have a significant implication in allergy-immunology clinics. Methods: In this study, we attempted to detect specific serum IgE by using immuno-polymerase chain reaction (IPCR) which combines the antigen-antibody specificity of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with the amplification power of PCR. Results: Our results demonstrated that Blo t5-specific serum IgE can be detected by IPCR with a 100-fold higher sensitivity than ELISA, and cross-reactivity of serum IgE to other mite allergens is able to be analyzed by using only $0.3{\mu}l$ of serum sample. Use of real-time IPCR seemed to permit more convenient determination of specific serum IgE as well. Conclusion: We believe that IPCR can serve as a valuable tool in determining specific serum IgE, especially when the amount of serum sample is limited.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.83-91
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Alpiniae oxyphyllae Fructus (AOF) is an herbal medicine, which has been used for the treatment of fatigue, chills, and poor physical conditions. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of AOF hot aqueous extract. Methods : The cytotoxicity of AOF extract was evaluated using the MTT assay. Nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by the Griess reaction. Prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) production was measured by a commercial competitive enzyme immunoassay. Cytokine production (IL-1tion co6, and TNF- F- was measured by ELISA. The anti-oxidative effect of AOF extracts was measured by the DPPH method. Polyphenol and flavonoid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteu's phenol reagent and aluminum chloride, respectively. Results : AOF hot aqueous extract did not show toxicity at doses of 25, 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extract significantly inhibited NO production at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL.PGE_2$ production was inhibited by AOF extract treatment at doses of 100 and $200{\mu}g/mL$. AOF extracts reduced IL-6 production in a dose-dependent manner. IL-1ent maTNF- F- 1ent mannerd IL-6 production in uction at doses of 100 and ${\mu}g/mL$. The DPPH free radical scavenging capability was above 50% at $200{\mu}g/mL$. Conclusion : This study suggests that AOF hot aqueous extract may exert anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are required for validating the safety and efficacy of AOF.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.158-167
• /
• 2007

Background & Objective : Uncaria rhynchophylla is traditional medicine herb used for enhancing body resistance against various diseases. The aim of this study was to identify if Uncaria rhynchophylla extracts induce osteogenic activity in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Methods : The osteogenic activity of Uncaria rhynchophylla was evaluated on cell proliferation assay by WST-8, and osteoblast-specific genes, such as VEGF, type I collagen (Col I), osteocalcin (OCN), and osteopontin (OPN) by RT-PCR analysis and ELISA assay in osteoblasts-like SaOS-2 cells. Bone mineralization was stained with Alizalin red method. Results : Uncaria rhynchophylla had significantly increased cell proliferation at a dose dependent manner in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Uncaria rhynchophylla markedly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression at 7 days and dose dependently increased ALP activity and VEGF secretion in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells. Also, Uncaria rhynchophylla time-dependently increased type I collagen (Col I), osteopontin (OPN), and osteocalcin (OCN) mRNA in SaOS-2 cells. Extracellular accumulation of proteins such as Col I and OCN was maximal increased by Uncaria rhynchophylla at 10 ${\mu}g/ml$. Also, Uncaria rhynchophylla significantly induced mineralization in the culture of SaOS-2 cells. Conclusion : This study showed that Uncaria rhynchophylla had enhanced proliferation, ALP activity, VEGF, bone matrix proteins such as OCN, OPN, and Col I, and mineralization in SaOS-2 cells. These results propose that Uncaria rhynchophylla can play an important role in osteoblastic bone formation, osteogenesis, and may possibly lead to the development of bone-forming drugs.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
• /
• v.35 no.1
• /
• pp.9-19
• /
• 2005

Both nitric oxide (NO) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been thought to have a role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease as it does in other inflammatory diseases, and the inhibitors of NO and IL-6 production have been considered as potential anti-inflammatory agents. In this study, we evaluated methanol extract of Sophorae Flos for inhibition of NO and IL-6 production in Prevotella intermedia LPS-induced mouse macrophages RAW264.7 cells. Dried Sopharae Flos was sliced, and extracted with 100% methanol. LPS from p. intermedia ATCC 25611 was prepared by the standard hot phenol-water method. NO production was assayed by measuring the accumulation of nitrite in culture supematants and IL-6 was measured using mouse IL-6 ELISA kit. Western blot analysis of iNOS and analysis of reverse transcription (RT)-PCR products were carried out. The methanol extract of Sophorae Flos concentration-dependently reduced the production of NO and the expression of iNOS protein and mRNA in RAw264.7 cells treated with P. intermedia LPS. Sophorae Flos also suppressed IL-6 production and the expression of IL-6 mRNA in RAw264.7 cells stimulated by P. intermedia LPS. The inhibition of NO and IL-6 production by Sophorae Flos may be useful in the therapy of inflammatory diseases such as periodontitis. This hypothesis, however, remains to be tested.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.371-374
• /
• 2012

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the major agents of infectious abortions and due to its worldwide distribution can threat healthy pregnant women who had no previous exposure to this parasite. The present study was designed to investigate the contribution of T. gondii to spontaneous abortions in Zanjan, Northwest of Iran, using ELISA method. Blood Samples were collected from 264 mothers referred to the provincial hospitals of Zanjan due to spontaneous abortion. The sera were isolated and subjected to evaluate the anti-Toxoplasma IgG, IgM and IgA antibodies. The results showed IgG positive ($IgG^+$) in 99 cases (37.5%). A total of 68 women (25.8%) showed seroconversion with IgM or IgA or both IgM and IgA. They included: $IgM^+$ in 21 (8.0%), $IgA^+$ in 23 (8.7%) and both $IgM^+$ and $IgA^+$ in 24 (9.1%) subjects. In 23 cases, positive titers of IgM and IgG were accompanied. In general, the analysis of anti-Toxoplasma antibody patterns, showed that about 17% of the spontaneous abortions were associated with serological patterns of acute infection. According to these findings, a considerable proportion of spontaneous abortions can be attributed to T. gondii in the study area.

• Journal of environmental and Sanitary engineering
• /
• v.4 no.1 s.6
• /
• pp.17-28
• /
• 1989

Having studied the production of monoclonal antibodies for developing a diagnosis medicine which shall be detected by a high-sensitivity test by using Rhodotorula rubra as a fungi-host which had been extracted through biochemical tests and follow-up examinations on Yeast-like fungi obtained from pulmonary tissues of pulmonary tuberculosis patients who had been in Kong ju National Tuberculosis Hospital from Jun. to Dec. in 1987, I. have gained such results as follows: 1. The fusion rate was influenced by feeder cell layers, cell density and time required to the cell fusion with cells in myelona subculture. 2. The fusion rate did not show any significant difference when the cell was applyed with two molecular weights, i.e., 1500 and 4000, of polyethylene glycol. 3. Fused cells after the addition of HAT selection media were bright and round, whereas unfused myelona cells and spleen cells were shrunk and granulated. 4. The cell fusion rate turned out to be about $57.2\%$(150 wells / 264 wells). 5. $10\%$(15 wells / 150 wells) of the positive reaction was detected in monoclonal antibody screening. 6. The titer which had reacted positively to Rhodotorula rubra fungal-host was 800 times in density after the gradual dilution of the produced monoclonal antibodies with Indirect ELISA method. 7. The Strongest specific reaction came out after the peroxidase labelled anti-human Immunogobulin had been applyed to Rhodotorula rubra for activating its nature after making drift with Carbonate-bicarbonate buffer (pH 9.6) and drying completely.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1243-1250
• /
• 2005

This study was performed to investigate the effect of oral administration of deer horn against the asthma. Deer horn improves body metabolism and strengthens overall health, especially in elderly persons and young children. Additionally, it stimulates sexual function in females and can stimulate wound healing. Asthma was induced to Balblc mouse by i.p. injection and aerosol immunization with ovalbumin. It was observed the change of the eosinophil number in the BALF. Concentrations of IL-4, IL-5 in BALF and splenocyte were assessed by ELISA, IgG and IgE from serum were calculated by same method. The number of eosinophil in BALF was not significantly changed in deer horn group compared with control group. Concentration of IL-4 in BALF was significantly decreased in deer horn group compared with control group. Levels of IL-5 from BALF and splenocyte were significantly decreased in deer horn group compared with control group, respectively. Concentrations of IgE and IgG in serum were significantly decreased in deer horn group compared with control group, separately. We found that the effect of deer horn extract in asthma was implicated in reductions of IL-4, IL-5 released from Th2 cell, and decreases of IgG, IgE from plasma cell. These findings suggest that deer horn extract can produce anti-asthmatic effect, which may play a role in allergen-induced asthma therapy.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.5
• /
• pp.1419-1426
• /
• 2005

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of herbal extracts on the skin inflammatory reactions which use the makeup preparations. In experiment 1, among the herbal ingredients of herbal extracts, ethanol extracts and 1,3-BG(Butylene Glycol) extracts of Galla Rhois showed potent radical scavenging activity, more than 91% at all concentrations, tested by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hyrazyl) method. In experiment 2, ethanol extracts of Chrysanthemi Flos, Gardenias Flos, Galla Rhois showed potent inhibitory activity of the lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide(NO) production, more than 87% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, by the macrophage RAW 246.7 cells. And 1,3-BG extracts of Taraxaci Herbs, Corm Fructus, Galla Rhois showed potent inhibitory activity of nitric oxide production, more than 89% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. In experiment 3, ethanol extracts of Chrysanthemi Flos, Gardeniae Flos, Galla Rhois showed potent inhibitory effects of cyclooxygenase-II activity, more than 78% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, by using ELISA kit. And 1,3-BG extracts of Galla Rhois, Carthami Flos, Chrysanthemi Flos, Taraxaci Herba, Corm Fructus showed potent inhibitory effects of cyclooxygenase-II(COX-II) activity, more than 80% at $10{\mu}g/m{\ell}$. Therefore, 1 expect that herbal extracts, especially Galla Rhois may be used as a drug for treatment on skin inflammation and a material of the makeup preparations.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
• /
• 1995.04a
• /
• pp.86-86
• /
• 1995

The analysis of membrane receptors for hormones and neurotransmitters has progressed considerably by pharmacological and biochemical means and more recently by the use of specific anti-receptor antibodies. A 14-mer peptide (from Phe102 to Leu115 of ${\beta}$2-adrenergic receptor) was synthesized and this peptide was coupled to carrier protein Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin(KLH) by glutaraldehyde method. A 0.5mg of KLH-coupled peptide was emulsified with equal volume of complete Freund's adjuvant and injected via popliteal lymph node to each of the three Newzealnd White rabbits. Booster injections were repeated at 4 weeks interval for three times with incomplete Freund's adjuvants. One week after the final injection, serum was prepared from ear artery. Nonspecific immunoglobulins were removed by passing the serum through KLH-Sepharose 6B affinity matrix and further by incubation with bovine lung aceton powder. The titer of the antibody for synthetic peptide which was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was about l/l,000. The antibody produced in this study revealed 67kDa protein band in the western blot of partially purified guinea pig lung ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor preparation. The antibody inhibited ${\beta}$-adrenergic antaginist [3H] Dihydroalprenolol binding to soluble ${\beta}$-adrenergic receptor by 25% while control sera did not show any inhibitory effects, The result of this study suggests that the peptide sequence selected in this study may play some important roles in adrenergic receptor-ligand interaction.