• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.34-45
• /
• 2014

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate intestinal immune system activation and antimetastatic effect of Ojeok-san on cancer cells by oral administration. Methods: Cell viability of Ojeok-san was tested with colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cells and Peyer's patch cells in vitro. Antimetastatic experiments were conducted in vivo mouse model by using colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cell. To observe immunomodulating effects of Ojeok-san on Peyer's patch cells, we measured interleukin (IL)-4, GM-CSF. In addition to observing effects of Ojeok-san on hematopoiesis, we measured proliferation of bone marrow cells mediated by Peyer's patch cells in vitro. IgA induction activated in serum and intestinal content was measured to observe the effect of orally administered Ojeok-san on mucosal immune system. After administering Ovalbumin (OVA) with Ojeok-san, Proliferation of Peyer's patch cell was measured to investigate gut immunostimulatory effect. Results: in vitro cytotoxicity analysis, the inhibitory concentration $(IC)_{50}$ of the colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cell was $890{\mu}g/ml$. $IC_{50}$ of the Peyer's patch cells with LPS was $990{\mu}g/ml$. We found that orally administered Ojeok-san significantly inhibited tumor metastasis in vivo. In addition, the amounts of IL-4 and GM-CSF in the culture supernatant of Peyer's patch cells were significantly increased compared to the control group. The proliferation of bone marrow cell was significantly up-regulated with Ojeok-san. These results indicate that oral administration of Ojeok-san enhances the secretion of hematopoietic growth factors such as GM-CSF and IL-4 from Peyer's patch cells, and these cytokines also act on modulator of bone marrow cell proliferation. After orally administering Ovalbumin (OVA) with Ojeok-san, IgA induction and Proliferation of peyer's patch cell was up-regulated with Ojeok-san. These results means orally administered Ojeok-san activates intestinal immune system and has an inhibitory effect on tumor metastasis. Conclusions: Orally administered Ojeok-san appears to have considerable activity on the anti-metastasis by activation of immune system.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.590-604
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the safety of Korean medicine treatment in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19/AZD1222). Methods: We investigated patients at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital who were vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine between June 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. The safety of Korean medicine treatment was evaluated by examining adverse events that occurred within seven days of vaccination, including liver function and kidney function testing, assessment of the severity of adverse events, and examination of causality to vaccines and Korean medicine treatment. Results: Eleven patients vaccinated with the first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine were included. A total of 19 adverse events were reported: 15 systemic adverse events, three local adverse events, and one alanine aminotransferase increase. The most commonly reported systemic adverse events were fatigue (4 cases, 36.4%), headache (4 cases, 36.4%), and myalgia (4 cases, 36.4%). All adverse events were rated below moderate (grade 2) in severity. Systemic and local adverse events were evaluated as definitely related to vaccination and unlikely to be related to Korean medicine treatment, while alanine aminotransferase increase was evaluated as unlikely to be related to either the vaccine or Korean medicine treatment. Aspartate transaminase, Blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine were measured within the reference range after vaccination. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the severity and frequency of adverse events in patients vaccinated with the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine did not increase after Korean medicine treatment.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.582-596
• /
• 2019

Objective: The aims of this study were to analyze the deficiency-excess pattern identification (虛實辨證) and compare it to the sputum cytokines of asthma patients. Method: 50 asthma patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included in this study. They were divided into two groups: deficiency and excess syndrome groups. Sputum examinations were performed including $TNF-{\alpha}$, Interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13. The Quality of Life Questionnaire for Adult Korean Asthmatics (QLQAKA), the Visual Analog Scale(VAS), and heart rate variability (HRV) were also measured. We also conducted laboratory tests, including the hematological indexes. Results: Based on the pattern identification, 50 asthma patients can be divided into two categories of groups: the deficiency syndrome group (N=24) and the excess syndrome group (N=26). In the analysis of sputum cytokines, although the $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4 and IL-13 were at a higher level in the deficient pattern group than in the excess pattern group, it was insignificantly different. There was a negative correlation in the analysis of QLQAKA and VAS. In the analysis of HRV, although the mean value of VLF, LF, and HF in the deficiency syndrome group was higher than in the excess syndrome group, it was insignificantly different. There was no significant difference in the hematological tests between the deficiency and the excess syndrome group. The mean value of the IgE in the blood tests was five times greater than the reference value. Conclusion: The cytokines of sputum including $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 were indifferent statistically. Reinforcing the healthy and eliminating the pathogenic factors should be considered.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.41 no.6
• /
• pp.1066-1077
• /
• 2020

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of herbal medicine on blood glucose in diabetic patients. Methods: The subjects were patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who had been admitted to Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital for more than 8 weeks for a primary diagnosis other than DM and who had taken herbal medicine for more than 8 weeks from January 2010 to February 2020. The medical records were analyzed retrospectively to confirm the characteristics of the subjects, and examination results included hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine. Changes in HbA1c before and after taking herbal medicine and changes according to subgroups were analyzed. Results: A total of 149 subjects with type 2 DM were selected as participants. After taking the herbal medicine, the HbA1c value was significantly decreased, and the statistical significance was maintained even when the effect of controlling antidiabetic agents was excluded. The decrease in HbA1c was higher in the poor glycemic control group. Liver and kidney functions did not show any significant changes after taking the herbal medicine. Conclusions: Administration of herbal medicine for a long period of 8 weeks or longer did not increase HbA1c in patients with DM complicated by other various diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.1294-1317
• /
• 2023

Background: Post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (PCPF) is a common complication in severe COVID-19 cases, often associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome or mechanical ventilation. Patients with PCPF frequently experience a decline in their quality of life due to persistent COVID-19 sequelae, including cough and chest pain. However, there is currently no established standard treatment, and the efficacy of existing medications remains uncertain. Case Report: A 65-year-old female patient presenting with cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and fatigue due to PCPF received Korean medicine treatment for 25 days. Symptom evaluation utilized the modified Medical Research Council scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, and the Numeral Rating Scale. Quality of life and functional status were assessed using the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status and the EuroQol 5-Dimensional 5-Level. The extent of pulmonary fibrosis was assessed by comparing chest computed tomography (chest CT) scans before and after hospitalization. Following treatment, the patient demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in clinical symptoms, enhanced quality of life, and decreased fibrotic lesions on CT scans. Conclusion: This case report suggests that Korean medicine treatment may be effective in improving clinical symptoms, such as cough and dyspnea caused by PCPF, while also enhancing post-COVID-19 quality of life and ameliorating pulmonary fibrotic lesions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.10-17
• /
• 2011

Objective: To evaluate the immune-stimulatory potential of extracts of Broussonetia kazinoki Siebold (BK) on specific cellular and humoral immune responses in ovalbumin (OVA)-immunized mice. Material and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were immunized intraperitoneally with OVA/alum ($100{\mu}g/200{\mu}g$) on days 1, 8, and 15. BK (100, 300 or 1000 mg/kg) was given to mice orally for 21 days (from day 1 to day 21). At day 22, OVA-, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and concanavalin A (Con A)-stimulated splenocyte proliferation and OVA-specific and total antibodies were measured in plasma. Further, the effects of BK on expression of cytokine mRNA in OVA-immunized mice splenocytes were evaluated by RT-PCR analysis. Results: BK significantly enhanced OVA-, LPS-, and Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in OVA-immunized mice (p<0.01). BK also significantly enhanced total IgM and OVA-specific IgG1 levels in plasma compared with the OVA control group. Moreover, BK up-regulated significantly the expression of mRNA level of IL-2 and IFN-${\gamma}$ in splenocytes. Conclusions: BK has immune-stimulating activity in an OVA-immunized mouse model system, enhancing the Th1 immune response. BK showed no cytotoxicity in this system, suggesting that BK may be a safe and effective adjuvant in humans.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.21.1-21.21
• /
• 2022

As far the current severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), respiratory disease is still the biggest threat to human health. In addition, infectious respiratory diseases are particularly prominent. In addition to killing and clearing the infection pathogen directly, regulating the immune responses against the pathogens is also an important therapeutic modality. Sirtuins belong to NAD+-dependent class III histone deacetylases. Among 7 types of sirtuins, silent information regulator type-1 (SIRT1) played a multitasking role in modulating a wide range of physiological processes, including oxidative stress, inflammation, cell apoptosis, autophagy, antibacterial and antiviral functions. It showed a critical effect in regulating immune responses by deacetylation modification, especially through high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), a core molecule regulating the immune system. SIRT1 was associated with many respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 infection, bacterial pneumonia, tuberculosis, and so on. Here, we reviewed the latest research progress regarding the effects of SIRT1 on immune system in respiratory diseases. First, the structure and catalytic characteristics of SIRT1 were introduced. Next, the roles of SIRT1, and the mechanisms underlying the immune regulatory effect through HMGB1, as well as the specific activators/inhibitors of SIRT1, were elaborated. Finally, the multitasking roles of SIRT1 in several respiratory diseases were discussed separately. Taken together, this review implied that SIRT1 could serve as a promising specific therapeutic target for the treatment of respiratory diseases.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.207-218
• /
• 2014

Chronic virus infection leads to the functional impairment of dendritic cells (DCs) as well as T cells, limiting the clinical usefulness of DC-based therapeutic vaccine against chronic virus infection. Meanwhile, B cells have been known to maintain the ability to differentiate plasma cells producing antibodies even during chronic virus infection. Previously, ${\alpha}$-galactosylceramide (${\alpha}GC$) and cognate peptide-loaded B cells were comparable to DCs in priming peptide-specific $CD8^+$ T cells as antigen presenting cells (APCs). Here, we investigated whether B cells activated by ${\alpha}GC$ can improve virus-specific T cell immune responses instead of DCs during chronic virus infection. We found that comparable to B cells isolated from naïve mice, chronic B cells isolated from chronically infected mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) clone 13 (CL13) after ${\alpha}GC$-loading could activate CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells to produce effector cytokines and upregulate co-stimulatory molecules in both naïve and chronically infected mice. Similar to naïve B cells, chronic B cells efficiently primed LCMV glycoprotein (GP) 33-41-specific P14 $CD8^+$ T cells in vivo, thereby allowing the proliferation of functional $CD8^+$ T cells. Importantly, when ${\alpha}GC$ and cognate epitope-loaded chronic B cells were transferred into chronically infected mice, the mice showed a significant increase in the population of epitope-specific $CD8^+$ T cells and the accelerated control of viremia. Therefore, our studies demonstrate that reciprocal activation between ${\alpha}GC$-loaded chronic B cells and iNKT cells can strengthen virus-specific T cell immune responses, providing an effective regimen of autologous B cell-based therapeutic vaccine to treat chronic virus infection.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.34 no.2
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study was designed to examine immuno-modulatory effects of Evodia Rutaecarpine by activating innate immune system and inhibiting inflammation. Methods: First, Cell cytotoxicity was examined with 4T1 breast carcinoma and TG-induced macrophage. To investigate activating innate immune system of Evodiamine Rutacarpine Extract (ERE) on macrophage, we tested tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured after treating with ERE to observe innate immune modulating effect of ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Also, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were examined by western blot analysis. Results: In cytotoxicity analysis, ERE significantly affected tumor cell growth above specific concentration. Also, ERE significantly affected macrophage growth above specific concetration. As compared with the control group, the production of TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6 were increased in TG-induced macrophage. As compared with the control group, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cell. The expression of TNF-α and NO induced by LPS after treating ERE was significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, We observed ERE inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and p-p38 in western blotting by treating ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Conclusions: ERE seems to have considerable impact on the anti-cancer effect by activation of innate immune system and inflammation control.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.72-78
• /
• 2006

It is essential for robot to have the sensing and communication abilities in the swarm robot system. In general, as the number of robot goes on increasing, the limitation of communication capacity and information overflow occur in global communication system. Therefore a local communication is more effective than global one. In this paper, we propose the novel method for determining the optimal communication radius through the analyzing of the information propagation based on local communication. And we also propose a method of cooperative strategies and group behavior of swarm robot based on artificial immune system.