• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.22-32
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study, Samhwangsaejaegami extract was tested to prove its anti-atopic dermatitis effect on NC/Nga mice. Methods : In order to evaluate the external use effects of Samhwangsaejae extract on anti-atopic dermatitis, the expression of filaggrin, serine palmitoyltransferase(SPT), and COX-2 were analyzed. In vivo study, clinical skin severity score, IgE, IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6 level were analyzed through NC/Nga atopic mice model after 12 weeks external treatment. Results : In vitro study results showed the reduction in the expression of filaggrin, SPT, and COX-2. In vivo study results demonstrated the significant reduction in clinical skin severity score, IgE, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 expression level. Conclusions : These results showed Samhwangsaejaegami extract can be a promising candidate for anti-atopic dermatitis treatment.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2018

Although there has been a steady increase in the prevalence of food allergies worldwide in recent decades, no effective therapeutic strategies have been developed. Modulation of the gut microbiota composition and/or function through probiotics has been highlighted as a promising target for protection against food allergies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the allergy-reducing effects of a probiotic mixture (P5: Lactococcus lactis KF140, Pediococcus pentosaceus KF159, Lactobacillus pentosus KF340, Lactobacillus paracasei 698, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens 26N) in mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy. Administration of P5 significantly suppressed the oral OVA challenge-induced anaphylactic response and rectal temperature decline, and reduced diarrhea symptoms. Moreover, P5 also significantly inhibited the secretion of IgE, Th2 cytokines (interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13), and Th17 cytokines (IL-17), which were increased in mice with OVA-induced food allergy, and induced generation of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. These results revealed that P5 may have applications as a preventive agent against food allergy.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.77-86
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Sea Dong-Il's technique on voice quality in patients with vocal nodules and phonasthenia (vocal fatigue). Ten patients (4 nodules and 6 vocal fatigue) participated in the study. Each subject was assessed acoustically (Fo, Jitter, Shimmer, NNE) in the first and last session. Dr. Speech (version 3.4, Tiger-DRS) was used to compare acoustic parameters of pre-and post-treatment. Sea Dong-Il's technique consisted of breathing exercise, relaxation exercise, and phonation exercise. The results were as follows: First, Sea Dong- Il's technique tended to be effective on improving voice quality in patients with phonasthenia and vocal nodules. Second, the nature of improvements were as follows: there was a significant difference between pre-and post-treatment in shimmer (p < .01) and NNE (p < .001), while there was no significant difference between pre-and post-treatment in Fo and Jitter. Finally, given the fact that the number of subjects was only 10, the jitter might have shown a significant difference if more subjects participated in the experiment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.461-465
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• 2008

IL-18 production may enhance immune system defense against KG-1 cells ; NB4 cells, which are associated with good prognosis, do not produce IL-18. In this study, we treated KG-1 cells with IL-18 and used microarray technology to assess subsequent effects on gene expression. In UniGene-array of 7488 human genes, expression of 57 genes, including stress related genes, increased at least 2-fold, whereas expression of 48 genes decreased at least 2-fold. Following exogenous exposure of KG-1 cells to IL-18, expression of CRYGC, $NF{\kappa}BIA$ and NACA gene were monitored. The latter is a transcriptional coactivator potentiating c-Jun-mediated transcription.$NF{\kappa}BIA$ is an inhibitor of $NF{\kappa}B$, and affects growth regulation, apoptosis and hypoxic stress. Studies, such as this one, are beginning to clarify the differences between cells associated with good and bad cancer prognoses, which may ultimately assist in medical treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2007

Hydroquinone is a toxic compound and a major benzene metabolite. We report that it strongly inhibits the activation of macrophages and associated cells. Thus, it suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-3, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-23], secretion of toxic molecules [nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS)] and the activation and expression of CD29 as judged by cell-cell adhesion and surface staining experiments. The inhibition was due to the induction of heme oxygenase (HO)-1 in LPS-activated macrophages, since blocking HO-1 activity with ZnPP, an HO-1 specific inhibitor, abolished hydroquinone's NO inhibitory activity. In addition, hydroquinone and inhibitors (wortmannin and LY294002) of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway had very similar inhibitory effects on LPS-induced and CD29-mediated macrophage responses, including the phoshorylation of Akt. Therefore, our data suggest that hydroquinone inhibits macrophage-mediated immune responses by modulating intracellular signaling and protective mechanisms.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.238-244
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• 2020

Yangdan-tang (YD) is recorded as a treatment to treat exterior-related fever illness in the Korean medicine. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of YD, using YD water extract and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. First of all, we measured the amount of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), the products of inflammatory metabolism. Also, we measured enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). YD suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner and reduced the amount of protein and the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, YD reduced the mRNA expression of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α and IL-1β. In conclusion, YD decreased production of LPS-induced inflammatory factor, which could be a clinical basic subject for inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.319-325
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• 2020

Mahwanghangingamchosukgo-tang (MH) is recorded as a treatment to treat exterior-related respiratory diseases in the Korean medicine. In this study, we examined the anti-inflammatory effects of MH, using MH water extract and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells. First of all, we measured the amount of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), the products of inflammatory metabolism. Also, we measured enzymes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), as well as cytokines such as interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α), and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β). MH suppressed the production of NO and PGE2 in a dose dependent manner and reduced the amount of protein and the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2. Also, MH reduced the mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1α and IL-1β. In conclusion, MH decreased production of LPS-induced inflammatory factor, which could be a clinical basic subject for inflammatory diseases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.83-99
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• 2020

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with frequent relapses. This study was to investigate the effects of Gammakdaejo-tang(GMD) in DNCB induced atopic dermatitis mice. Methods : The study was divided into five comparion groups. 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB) solution was applied to Nc/Nga mice to induce atopic dermatitis, followed by normal group, negative control group with distilled water, positive control group with Dexamethasione and GMD 200mg/kg or 400mg/kg. The control group was orally administered 200㎕ once daily for 4 weeks. Visual skin condition, Immunoglobulin E, Histamine, Cytokine, Immune cells, Tissue biomarkers were observed. Results : As a result of the dermatitis score evaluation, it was confirmed that the GMD-administered group improved symptoms compared to the negative control group. As a result of measuring IgE, the GMD-administered group significantly decreased compared to the negative control group. As a result of measuring Histamine, GMD group except 200mg/kg of GMD significantly decreased compared to negative control group. As a result of measuring cytokine, GMD 200mg/kg significantly reduced IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α compared to the negative control. 400mg/kg significantly reduced IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α and significantly increased IL-2, IFNγ. As a result of confirming the immune cells, all experimental groups showed no difference in basophil, GMD group significantly reduced monocyte and eosinophil compared to negative control group, and GMD 400mg/kg group significantly reduced white blood cell and neutrophil. And significantly increased lymphocytes. As a result of measuring the gene expression level, all GMD group significantly increased TGF-β1 compared with the negative control group, and filaggrin, VEGF and EGF were significantly increased in GMD 400mg/kg group. Epidermis, dermis thickness, and eosinophil infiltration were found to be decreased in all GMD groups compared with the negative control group. Conclusions : GMD is effective in atopic dermatitis by reducing imbalance of immune response of T cells (Th1 / Th2) and reducing skin tissue damage and inflammatory response.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.426-430
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• 2014

Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer. Although prostate tumors respond to androgen ablation therapy at an early stage, they often acquire the potential of androgen-independent growth. Elevated transcriptional activity of androgen receptor (AR) and/or signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) contributes to the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. In the present study, we examined the effect of resveratrol, a phytoalexin present in grapes, on the reporter gene activity of AR and STAT3 in human prostate cancer (LNCaP-FGC) cells stimulated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) and/or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Our study revealed that resveratrol suppressed the growth of LNCaP-FGC cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Whereas the AR transcriptional activity was induced by treatment with either IL-6 or DHT, the STAT3 transcriptional activity was induced only by treatment with IL-6 but not with DHT. Resveratrol significantly attenuated IL-6-induced STAT3 transcriptional activity, and DHT- or IL-6-induced AR transcriptional activity. Treatment of cells with DHT plus IL-6 significantly increased the AR transcriptional activity as compared to DHT or IL-6 treatment alone and resveratrol markedly diminished DHT plus IL-6-induced AR transcriptional activity. Furthermore, the production of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was decreased by resveratrol in the DHT-, IL-6- or DHT plus IL-6-treated LNCaP-FGC cells. Taken together, the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on IL-6- and/or DHT-induced AR transcriptional activity in LNCaP prostate cancer cells are partly mediated through the suppression of STAT3 reporter gene activity, suggesting that resveratrol may be a promising therapeutic choice for the treatment of prostate cancer.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.304-310
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• 2019

Interleukin-21 is a common ${\gamma}$-chain cytokine that controls the immune responses of B cells, T cells, and natural killer cells. Targeting IL-21 to strengthen the immune system is promising for the development of vaccines as well as anti-infection and anti-tumor therapies. However, the practical application of IL-21 is limited by the high production cost. In this study, we improved IL-21 production by codon optimization and selection of appropriate signal peptide in CHO-K1 cells. Codon-optimized or non-optimized human IL-21 was stably transfected into CHO-K1 cells. IL-21 expression was 10-fold higher for codon-optimized than non-optimized IL-21. We fused five different signal peptides to codon-optimized mature IL-21 and evaluated their effect on IL-21 production. The best result (a 3-fold increase) was obtained using a signal peptide derived from human azurocidin. Furthermore, codon-optimized IL-21 containing the azurocidin signal peptide promoted $IFN-{\gamma}$ secretion and STAT3 phosphorylation in NK-92 cells similar to codon-optimized IL-21 containing original signal peptide. Collectively, these results indicate that codon optimization and azurocidin signal peptides provide an efficient approach for the high-level production of IL-21 as a biopharmaceutical.