• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.1294-1317
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• 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.

• 한국식품영양과학회지
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• 제46권11호
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• pp.1300-1307
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• 2017

청국장은 한국의 전통발효식품으로서 다양한 생리활성이 보고되어 있다. 본 연구에서는 B. amyloliquefaciens 균종에 속하는 신규한 균주인 B. amyloliquefaciens(SRCM 100730)에 의한 발효 청국장이 선천면역 세포인 RAW 264.7 대식세포를 활성화하는 효과를 가지는가를 검토하였다. 청국장 추출물을 RAW 264.7 세포에 처리한 결과 처리농도에 의존하여 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 NO의 생성이 증가하였으며, 이러한 면역조절 물질의 증가는 iNOS와 $TNF-{\alpha}$ mRNA 발현에서도 확인되었다. 또한, 청국장 추출물에 의한 대식세포 활성화와 관련한 세포 내 작용기전을 해석한 결과 청국장 처리에 의해 p38과 ERK와 같은 MAPK의 인산화와 $NF-{\kappa}B$ 활성화가 유도되는 것으로 밝혀졌다. 하지만 MAPK에 속하는 JNK에 대해서는 아무런 영향을 주지 않는 것으로 나타났다. 한편 청국장 추출물을 LPS와 함께 처리한 실험에 있어서 청국장 추출물은 LPS에 의한 대식세포 활성화를 촉진하여 $TNF-{\alpha}$와 NO의 생성을 증가시키는 시너지 효과를 나타내었다. 이들 결과로부터 B. amyloliquefaciens(SRCM 100730) 균주로 발효한 청국장 추출물은 대식세포를 활성화하여 선천면역을 증가시키는 효과가 있는 것으로 확인되었다.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.282-286
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• 1998

To determine the immune effect of kimchi extracts in mice, 0.5mg/day of the extracts from kimchis, which were prepared with conventionally (general kimchi)and organically(organic kimchi) cultivated ingredients, were treated orally to male BALB/c mice. Following 1, 3 and 5 weeks of treatment , the Interleukin-2(IL-2) production in the presence (con-A-stimulated )or the absence(spontaneous)of con A 95 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml) and the natural killer cell (NK) activity of the splenocytes were measured. The IL-2 production in most of treatments with methanol extract from general kimchi were significantly higher than those of control(p<0.05).And at the 3 weeks of treatment, the spontaneous or con A-stimulated IL-2 productions from splenocytes of mice treated with it increased more than those of control group, by 2.8 and 2.2 times, respectively. However, the longer the treatment with methanol extracts from organic kimchi showed the higher the enhancing effect on the IL-2 production. The spontaneous or con A-stimulatdIL-2 productions form splenocytes of mice treated with dicholoromethyane fraction from general kimchi also increased at 5 weeks of treatment compared to those of control group, by 2.7 and 2.5 times, respectively. The natural killer cell activity of splenocytes from mice treated with methano lextracts from general kimchi for 1 ~5 weeks significantly higher than that of control goup (p<0.01). The effect of methano extracts from general kimchi was the highest at 3 weeks of treatment, as same as in the IL-2 production. The enhancing effect of methano extracts from organic kimchi on the NK cell activity was the highest at 5 weeks of treatment . The NK cell activity of splenocytes from mice treated with dichloromethane fraction from general kimchi for 5 weeks was significantly higher than those in control and 3 weeks of treatment. These results showed that the effects of kimchi extracts on the IL-2 production and the NK cell activity in mice were profound in long term of treatment (3 and 5 weeks than 1 week) . We suggest that kimchi extracts might have an immune effect in part due to its enhancing action on the IL-2 production and the NK cell activity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제44권4호
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• pp.580-592
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• 2020

Background: Radix et Rhizoma Ginseng (thereafter called ginseng) has been used as a medicinal herb for thousands of years to maintain people's physical vitality and is also a non-organ-specific cancer preventive and therapeutic traditional medicine in several epidemiologic and preclinical studies. Owing to few toxic side effects and strong enhancement on body immunity, ginseng has admirable application potential and value in cancer chemoprevention. The study aims at investigating the chemopreventive effects of ginseng on cutaneous carcinoma and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The mouse skin cancer model was induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene/12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry was used for identifying various ginsenosides, the main active ingredients of ginseng. Comprehensive approaches (including network pharmacology, bioinformatics, and experimental verification) were used to explore the potential targets of ginseng. Results: Ginseng treatment inhibited cutaneous carcinoma in terms of initiation and promotion. The content of Rb1, Rb2, Rc, and Rd ginsenosides was the highest in both mouse blood and skin tissues. Ginseng and its active components well maintained the redox homeostasis and modulated the immune response in the model. Specifically, ginseng treatment inhibited the initiation of skin cancer by enhancing T-cell-mediated immune response through upregulating HSP27 expression and inhibited the promotion of skin cancer by maintaining cellular redox homeostasis through promoting nuclear translocation of Nrf2. Conclusion: According to the study results, ginseng can be potentially used for cutaneous carcinoma as a chemopreventive agent by enhancing cell-mediated immunity and maintaining redox homeostasis with multiple components, targets, and links.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
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• 제27권6호
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• pp.743-750
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• 2012

A tissue cultured wild ginseng (TCWG) suspension was inoculated with lactic acid bacteria and fermented to improve the functionality of TCWG. The utilization of TCWG was increased directly using the freeze-dried powder. The optimal ratio of TCWG powder and water for fermentation was 1:19 (5%), which was selected by measuring the fluidity and viable cell count according to concentration. The effects on ADH activation and immune cell activation by each ferments with 10 kinds of Lactobacillus sp. strains were examined. The ferments with the Lactobacillus casei KFRI 692 strain showed 5.4 times higher ADH activity and 1.3 times higher ALDH activity than the non-fermented TCWG powder (control). The level of NO production and cytotoxicity was also measured by Raw 264.7 cells. The ferment with the Lac. casei KFRI 692 strain showed the highest level of NO production and lower cytotoxicity than the others. Therefore, the Lac. casei KFRI 692 strain was selected as a strain for fermentation of a TCWG suspension to maximize its functionality. To identify the optimal fermentation time of the selected Lac. casei KFRI 692 strain on the 5% TCWG suspension, the viable cell count of lactic acid bacterial and the changes in pH were observed for 72 hours. 24-hrs was found to be the optimal fermentation time. In this way, fermented TCWG with lactic acid bacteria showed higher ADH activation efficacy and immune cell activation than non-fermented TCWG.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.575-585
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• 2000

This study was performed to observe the influence of host immune response on the chemotherapy of mice experimentally infected with Fasciola hepatica. Following immunosuppression with prednisolone or immunoenhancement with Freund's complete adjuvant(FCA), mice were experimentally infected with 3 Fasciola hepatica metacercariae and treated with closantel at 1 week post infection. In the group of mice infected with metacercariae alone, 2 mice of 10 were dead at 10 weeks post infection(20% mortality), and adult flukes were recovered from the liver and the peritoneal cavity of the remaining 8 mice(100% infectivity). In the group of mice treated with prednisolone and infected with metacercariae, 8 of 10 mice died before euthanasia with a mean time of death earlier than the control group (p<0.05). In the group of immunosuppressed mice infected with metacercariae and treated with closantel 20mg/kg, 4 of 10 mice died before sacrifice. In the group of mice infected and treated with closantel 20mg/kg, mortality and infectivity was 10% and 30%, respectively. Similar results were observed in mice infected and treated with closantel 5mg/kg which resulted in 10% and 50% mortality and infectivity, respectively. These results indicated that the efficacy of closantel treatment was decreased in immunosuppressed mice, while the pathogenicity was increased. In immunoenhanced mice infected with metacercariae, on the other hand, the efficacy of chemotherapy with both 5mg/kg or 20mg/kg closantel resulted in only 10% infectivity. The results shown in this study strongly suggest that a close interaction between chemotherapy against F hepatica with closantel and the host immune system exists. Considering that fascioliasis is a zoonosis, treatment regimen against the infection to immunosuppressed patients may require a concurrent prescription of an appro-priate immuno-enhancing adjuvant.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제16권2호
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• pp.247-255
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• 2006

Yeast cell wall matrix particles are composed entirely of mannoprotein and ${\beta}-glucan$. The mannoproteins of yeast cell wall can systemically enhance the immune system. We previously purified and analyzed alkali-soluble ${\beta}-glucans$ [${\beta}$-(1,3)- and ${\beta}$-(1,6)-glucans] [10]. In the present study, a wild-type strain was first mutagenized with ultraviolet light, and the cell wall mutants were then selected by treatment with 1.0 mg/ml laminarinase (endo-${\beta}$-(1,3)-D-glucanase). Mannoproteins of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were released by laminarinase, purified by concanavalin-A affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. The results indicated that the mutants yielded 3-fold more mannoprotein than the wild-type. The mannoprotein mass of mutant K48L3 was 2.25 mg/100 mg of yeast cell dry mass. Carbohydrate analysis revealed that they contained mannose, glucose, and N-acetylglucosamine. Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell wall components, mannoproteins, are known to interact with macrophages through receptors, thereby inducing release of tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and nitric oxide. Mannoprotein tractions in the present study had a higher macrophage activity of secretion of $TNF-{\alpha}$ and nitric oxide and direct phagocytosis than positive control ($1{\mu}g$ of lipopolysaccharide). In particular, F1 and F3 fractions in mannoproteins of K48L3 enhanced and upregulated the activity of nitric oxide secretion and macrophage phagocytosis by approximately two- and four-fold, respectively.

• 대한영양사협회학술지
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• 제12권1호
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• pp.82-88
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• 2006

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench(Sorghum, su-su) extracts on mouse immune cell activation. As ex vivo experiment, different concentrations(0, 50, 500mg/kg B.W.) of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts were orally administrated into mouse every other day for four weeks. The proliferation of mouse splenocytes, the number of plaque forming cells(PFC) and the cytokine IL-1β production by activated macrophage were used as indices for immunocompetence. Splenocyte proliferation was enhanced in mouse orally administrated with 50mg/kg B.W./day concentration compared to that of control group. Especially, the highest proliferation of spleoncyte was seen in the mouse orally administrated at the concentration of 50mg/kg B.W./day. The number of plaque forming cells(PFC) to SRBC were significantly enhanced when compared with control group. Also, the mouse of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts 50mg/kg B.W./day supplementation group with LPS stimulation enhanced level of IL-1$\beta$ cytokine production. This study suggest that supplementation of Sorghum bicolor L. Moench water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation, increasing the number of PFC and enhancing the cytokine production by activated macrophage.

• Molecules and Cells
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• 제38권11호
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• pp.1013-1021
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• 2015

Most of the axons in the vertebrate nervous system are surrounded by a lipid-rich membrane called myelin, which promotes rapid conduction of nerve impulses and protects the axon from being damaged. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic demyelinating disease of the CNS characterized by infiltration of immune cells and progressive damage to myelin and axons. One potential way to treat MS is to enhance the endogenous remyelination process, but at present there are no available treatments to promote remyelination in patients with demyelinating diseases. Sulfasalazine is an anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating drug that is used in rheumatology and inflammatory bowel disease. Its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties prompted us to test the ability of sulfasalazine to promote remyelination. In this study, we found that sulfasalazine promotes remyelination in the CNS of a transgenic zebrafish model of NTR/MTZ-induced demyelination. We also found that sulfasalazine treatment reduced the number of macrophages/microglia in the CNS of demyelinated zebrafish larvae, suggesting that the acceleration of remyelination is mediated by the immunomodulatory function of sulfasalazine. Our data suggest that temporal modulation of the immune response by sulfasalazine can be used to overcome MS by enhancing myelin repair and remyelination in the CNS.

• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.177-188
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• 2017

Background: Radiation-induced pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis are common dose-limiting complications in patients receiving radiotherapy for lung, breast, and lymphoid cancers. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of effective immune cells related to pneumonitis and fibrosis after irradiation. Materials and Methods: After anesthesia, the whole thorax of C57BL/6 mice was irradiated at 14 Gy. The lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were collected at defined time points post-irradiation for the determination of histological and immunohistochemical analysis and inflammatory cell population infiltrated into the lung. Results and Discussion: Whole thoracic irradiation increased the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), lung weight, and pleural effusions, which started to die from 4 months later. At 4 months after irradiation, the numbers of macrophages and lymphocytes as well as neutrophils were increased dramatically in the lung. Interestingly, the macrophages that were recruited into the lung after irradiation had an enlarged foamy morphology. In addition, the expressions of chemokines (CCL-2, CCL-3, CXCL-10) for the attraction of macrophages and T cells were higher in the lung of irradiated mice. The high expressions of these chemokines were sustained up to 6 months following irradiation. In thoracic irradiated mice, infiltrated macrophages into the lung had the high levels of Mac-3 antigens on their surface and upregulated the hallmarks of alternatively activated macrophages such as arginase-1 and CD206. Furthermore, the levels of IL-4 and IL-13 were higher in a BAL fluid of irradiated mice. Conclusion: All results show that thoracic irradiation induces to infiltrate various inflammation-related immune cells, especially alternatively activated macrophages, through enhancing the expression of chemokines, suggesting that alternatively activated macrophages are most likely important for leading to pulmonary fibrosis.