• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.797-807
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Mahwangyunpye-tang(MYT) significantly affects mucin secretion from airway epithelial cells. Methods : Confluent hamster tracheal surface epithelial (HTSE) cells were metabolically radiolabeled with 3H-glucosamine for 24 hrs and chased for 30 min in the presence of MYT to assess the effect of the agent on 3H-mucin secretion. Total elution profiles of control spent media and treatment sample through Sepharose CL-4B column were analyzed. Effect of MYT on contractility of isolated tracheal smooth muscle was investigated; also investigated was effect of the agent on MUC5AC gene expression in cultured NCI-H292 cells. Possible cytotoxicities of the agent were assessed both by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from HTSE cells and examining the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. Results : MYT significantly increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells, without significant cytotoxicity. MYT chiefly affected the 'mucin' secretion. MYT inhibited Acetylcholine-induced contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle. MYT did not significantly affect the expression levels of MUC 5AC gene in cultured NCI-H292 cells. Conclusions : Based on the above results, it is suggested that MYT increased mucin secretion from cultured HTSE cells without significant cytotoxicity and inhibited contraction of isolated tracheal smooth muscle.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.650-666
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• 2010

Objectives : In this study, the author tried to investigate whether wood vinegar produced from Morus alba (MA) significantly affects the increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances and hyperplasia of tracheal goblet cells of rats, and in vitro airway mucin secretion and PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production / gene expression from human airway epithelial cells. Materials and Methods : For the in vivo experiment, the author induced hypersecretion of airway mucus and goblet cell hyperplasia by exposure of rats to SO2 over 3 weeks. Effect of orally-administered MA over 2 weeks on increase in airway epithelial mucosubstances from tracheal goblet cells of rats and hyperplasia of goblet cells were assessed using histopathological analysis after staining the epithelial tissue with alcian blue. For the in vitro experiment, confluent RTSE cells were chased for 30 min in the presence of MA to assess the effect of MA on mucin secretion by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Also, effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production and gene expression from human airway epithelial cells (NCI-H292) were investigated. Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated for 30 min in the presence of MA and treated with PMA (10 ng/ml), EGF (25 ng/ml) or TNF-alpha (0.2 nm) for 24 hrs, to assess both effects of MA on PMA- or EGF- or TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Possible cytotoxicities of MA in vitro were assessed by examining LDH release from RTSE cells and the rate of survival and proliferation of NCI-H292 cells. In vivo liver and kidney toxicities of MA were evaluated by measuring serum GOT/GPT activities and serum BUN/creatinine concentrations of rats after administering MA orally. Results : 1. MA decreased the amount of intraepithelial mucosubstances of rats exposed to sulfur dioxide inhalationally. 2. MA decreased in vitro mucin secretion from cultured RTSE cells. 3. MA significantly inhibited PMA-, EGF-, and TNF-alpha-induced MUC5AC mucin productions and the expression levels of MUC5AC mRNA from NCI-H292 cells. 4. MA did not show either in vitro or in vivo hepatic or renal toxicities. Conclusion : The results from this study suggests that MA can regulate the secretion, production and gene expression of airway mucin observed in diverse respiratory diseases accompanied by mucus hypersecretion and does not show in vivo toxicity to liver and kidney functions after oral administration. Effects of MA should be further studied using animal experimental models that simulate the diverse pathophysiology of respiratory diseases via future research.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.99-106
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• 2010

Luteolin is a flavonoid that exists in a glycosylated form in celery and green pepper. Flavonoids possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can reduce the expression of key inflammatory molecules in macrophages and monocytes. It has been reported also that some flavonoids have effects on bone metabolism. The effects of luteolin on the function of osteoblasts were investigated by measuring cell viability, alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen production, osteoprotegerin secretion, Wnt promoter activity, BMP-2 and Runx2 expression and calcified nodule formation. Luteolin has no effects upon osteoblast viability but induced an increase in alkaline phosphatase activity, type I collagen production and a decrease in osteoprotegerin secretion in these cells. Luteolin treatment also upregulated BMP-2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that luteolin may be a regulatory molecule that facilitates the differentiation of osteoblasts.

• Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.291-299
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• 2023

Background: Leydig cells, crucial for testosterone production, express ion channels like ANO1 that influence hormone secretion. This study investigates the expression and role of the Tandem of P domains in a weak inward rectifying K⁺ channel-related Acid-Sensitive K⁺-1 (TASK-1) channel in these cells, exploring its impact on testicular function and steroidogenesis. Methods: TASK-1 expression in Leydig cells was confirmed using immunostaining, while RT-PCR and Western Blot (WB) validated its expression in the TM3 Leydig cell line. The effect of a TASK-1 channel blocker on cell viability was assessed through live/dead staining and MTT assays. Additionally, the blocker's effect on testosterone secretion was evaluated by measuring testosterone levels. Results: Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a predominant presence of TASK-1, along with c-Kit and ANO-1, in Leydig cells adjacent to seminiferous tubules and also in Sertoli and spermatogenic cells. Expression levels of TASK-1 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in TM3 Leydig cells compared to TM4 Sertoli cells. In addition, blocking TASK-1 in TM3 cells with ML365 induced cell death but did not affect LH-induced testosterone secretion. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TASK-1 in Leydig cells is crucial for their viability and proliferation, highlighting its potential importance in testicular physiology.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.157-163
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• 2020

Chronic inflammatory airway diseases, such as chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma, are associated with excessive mucus production. Hence, the regulation of mucus production is important for the treatment of upper and lower airway diseases. Eupatilin is a pharmacologically active ingredient obtained from Artemisia asiatica Nakai (Asteraceae) and exerts potent anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, and anti-tumor activities. In the present study, we investigated the effect of eupatilin on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced MUC5AC and MUC5B expression in human airway epithelial cells. We found that eupatilin treatment significantly inhibited PMA-induced mucus secretion in PAS staining. In addition, qRT-PCR results showed that eupatilin dose-dependently decreased the mRNA expression of MUC5AC in human airway epithelial cells. Western blot and immunofluorescence assay also showed that PMA-induced protein expression of MUC5AC was inhibited by eupatilin treatment. Finally, we investigated MAPKs activity after stimulation with PMA using western blot analysis in human airway epithelial cells. The results showed that eupatilin downregulated the levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK. In summary, the anti-inflammatory activities of eupatilin, characterized as the suppression of MUC5AC expression and secretion in human airway epithelial cells, were found to be associated with the inhibition of p38/ERK/JNK MAPKs signaling pathway of MUC5AC secretion.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.125-142
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• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study is to observe the effect of Aqua-acupuncture with Stephania Tetrandra Solution (ST-AS) on arthritis. Methods : The author performde several experimental items : that isgene expression and secretion of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, MMP-2, production of ROS, paw thickness, DTH, weight of spleen, expression of CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ in the spleen, production of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, examination of histology. Results : The obstain results are summarized as follows. 1. IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ gene expression of hFLS were significantly inhibited in treatmentgroup, and gene expression of MMP-2 was not inhibited in treatmentgroup. 2. The secretion amount of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ were significantly inhibited in treatmentgroup. 3. Expression of P-38 MAP kinase and production of ROS were inhibited in treatmentgroup. 4. Treatmentgroup were significantly inhibited the incidence of arthritis, hind paw edema, the index of arthritis and DTH of CIA (collagen II-induced arthritis) mice. 5. Treatmentgroup were significantly decreased splenetic weight and the number of CD4+, CD8+, CD19+ activated cells and secretion aroout of IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$ of CIA (collagen II-induced arthritis) mice.. 6. Treatmentgroup were expressed form of new bone, synoviumin, new margine in histology imperison to controlgroup. Conclusions : Taking all these observations into account, ST-AS injection is considered to be effective in treating arthritis and put to practical use in future arthritis clinic.

• BMB Reports
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.40-45
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• 2011

Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is an antioxidant enzyme that protects cells and tissues from extracellular damage by eliminating superoxide anion radicals produced during metabolism. Two different forms of EC-SOD exist, and their different enzyme activities are a result of different disulfide bond patterns. Although only two folding variants have been discovered so far, five folding variants are theoretically possible. Therefore, we constructed five different mutant EC-SOD expression vectors by substituting cysteine residues with serine residues and evaluated their expression levels and enzyme activities. The mutant EC-SODs were expressed at lower levels than that of wild-type EC-SOD, and all of the mutants exhibited inhibited extracellular secretion, except for C195S ECSOD. Finally, we demonstrated that co-expression of wild-type EC-SOD and any one of the mutant EC-SODs resulted in reduced secretion of wild-type EC-SOD. We speculate that mutant EC-SOD causes malfunctions in systems such as antioxidant systems and sensitizes tissues to ROS-mediated diseases.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.69-80
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• 2000

ADP-rubosylation may be involved in the process of macrophage activation. Nitric oxide (NO) has emerged as an important intracellular and interacellular regulatory molecule with function as diverse as vasodilation, neural communication or host defense. NO is derived from the oxidation of the terminal guanidino nitrogen atom of L-arginine by the NADPH -dependent enzyme, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) which is one of the three different isomers in mammalian tissues. Since NO can exert protective or regulatory functions in the cell at a low concentration while toxic effects at higher concentrations, its role may be tightly regulated in the cell. Therefore, this paper was focused on signal transduction pathway of NO synthesis, role of endogenous TGF-$\beta$ in NO production. effect of NO on superoxide formation. Costimulation of murine peritoneal macrophages with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) increased both NO secretion and mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) when PMA abolished costimulation. Pretreatmnet of the cells with PMA abolished costimuation effects due to the depletion of protein kinase C (PKC) activities . The involvement of PKC in NO secretion could be further confirmed by PKC inhibitor, stauroprine, and phorbol ester derivative, phorbol 12,13-didecanoate. Addition of actinomycine D in IFN-γ plus PMA stimulated cells inhibited both NO secretion and mRNA expression of iNOS indication that PMA stabilizes mRNA of iNOS . Exogenous TGF-$\beta$ reduced NO secretion in IFN -γ stimulated murine macrophages. However addition of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) to TGF-$\beta$ to this system recovered the ability of NO production and inhibited mRNA expression of TGF-$\beta$. ACAS interactive laser cytometry analysis showed that transportation of FITC -labeled antisense ODN complementary to TGF-$\beta$ mRNA could be observed within 5 min and reached maximal intensity in 30 min in the murine macrophage cells. NO released by activated macrophages inhibits superoxide formation in the same cells . This inhibition nay be related on NO-induced auto -adenosine diphosphate (ADP) -ribosylation . In addition, ADP-ribosylation may be involved in the process of macrophage activation .

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.40-49
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• 2023

Objectives : This study was conducted to confirm the skin anti-aging effect of Chungpyesagan-tang(CPSGT) extract. Methods : We performed MMT assay to confirm the cytotoxicity of CPSGT. After inducing matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) with tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), we investigated mRNA expression and protein secretion of MMP-1 by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. In addition, we measured the protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases(MAPKs) and transcription factors by western blot. Results : CPSGT was not cytotoxic at 25-800㎍/㎖. The mRNA expression and protein secretion of MMP-1 decreased when treated with CPSGT. The protein expression of p-ERK, p-JNK, p-p38 was decreased by CPSGT. In addition, the protein expression of p-c-jun and p-NF-κB, which are transcription factors, were also decreased. Conclusion : This suggests that CPSGT can inhibit MMP-1 and thus be a potential anti-aging substance.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.445-451
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• 2005

Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is needed for Ig class switch recombination (CSR). We explored the effect of LPS on the expression of AID during B cell differentiation, and the role of AID in IgA isotype expression. In normal spleen B cells, LPS increased AID transcription up to 48 h post-stimulation, i.e. around the time of Ig CSR. TGF-${\beta}1$ and AID were required for IgA expression, and LPS contributed to $TGF{\beta}1$-induced IgA production largely by inducing AID. Interestingly, LPS repressed AID transcription in $sIgA^+$ B cells but still stimulated IgA production mainly by increasing the rate of IgA secretion. Our data indicate that LPS contributes to $TGF{\beta}1$-induced IgA isotype expression in at least two ways: by stimulating AID transcription before CSR and by enhancing the IgA secretion rate after CSR.