• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.254-277
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• 2019

Inflammation can be a causative factor for carcinogenesis or can result from a consequence of cancer progression. Moreover, cancer therapeutic interventions can also induce an inflammatory response. Various inflammatory parameters are used to assess the inflammatory status during cancer treatment. It is important to select the most optimal biomarker among these parameters. Additionally, suitable biomarkers must be examined if there are no known parameters. We briefly reviewed the published literature for the use of inflammatory parameters in the treatment of patients with cancer. Most studies on inflammation evaluated the correlation between host characteristics, effect of interventions, and clinical outcomes. Additionally, the levels of C-reactive protein, albumin, lymphocytes, and platelets were the most commonly used laboratory parameters, either independently or in combination with other laboratory parameters and clinical characteristics. Furthermore, the immune parameters are classically examined using flow cytometry, immunohistochemical staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. However, gene expression profiling can aid in assessing the overall peri-interventional immune status. The checklists of guidelines, such as STAndards for Reporting of Diagnostic accuracy and REporting recommendations for tumor MARKer prognostic studies should be considered when designing studies to investigate the inflammatory parameters. Finally, the data should be interpreted after adjusting for clinically important variables, such as age and cancer stage.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.169-175
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• 2021

Objectives : Delirium is a temporary brain dysfunction and systemic inflammation is important factor in its pathophysiology. Whether the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), one of the inflammatory markers, can be used as an inflammatory marker in delirium patients was investigated in comparison with C-reactive protein (CRP). Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who were referred for consultation for delirium at hospital for one year. The NLR and CRP values at admission and delirium status were divided into the medical and the surgical treatment group, and the interaction between them was analyzed through repeated measures ANOVA. Results : NLR was maintained without significant difference before and after delirium in the medical treatment group and the surgical treatment group, but CRP decreased in the medical treatment group and increased in the surgical treatment group during delirium, showing a significant interaction. Conclusions : In delirium patients, the NLR remained constant, but the CRP differed according to the treatment group and the delirium state. This suggests the possibility that NLR could be used complementary to CRP as an inflammatory marker in delirium patients.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.71-82
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• 2013

Arterial stiffness(AS) is an important pathologic state of vascular injury. This study was carried out to elucidate the effect of physiological variables on brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity(BAPWV), index of AS. Four hundred adults(volunteers) participated in this study. Body indices, biochemical, cardiac and inflammatory markers, and right(Rt)- and left(Lt)-BAPWV were measured. Body mass index(BMI), Rt- and Lt-BAPWV, glucose, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase(ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase(GGT), creatinine, uric acid, troponin-I(TNI), NT-proBNP and high sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP) levels were higher than the reference value of each variable. Rt- and Lt-BAPWV were directly correlated with age, body weight, BMI, glucose, ketone, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, ALP, GGT, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein-B, blood urea nitrogen, heart rate, TNI, creatine kinase, CK-MB, lactic dehydrogenase, myoglobin, hs-CRP, lipase, reumatoid factor, fibrinogen and D-dimer (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001 or P<0.000, respectively), but inversely associated with total bilirubin, uric acid, apolipoprotein-A1 and GFR (P<0.05). These observations suggest that a variety of physiological variables may influence BAPWV, resulting in increased risk or prevention of cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular attacks. Therefore, physiological variables affecting BAPWV should be regularly controlled.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.619-628
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• 2023

In the modern era, chronic kidney failure due to diabetes has spread across the globe. Prunetin (PRU), a component of herbal medicines, has a broad variety of pharmacological activities; these may help to slow the onset of diabetic kidney disease. The anti-nephropathic effects of PRU have not yet been reported. The present study explored the potential nephroprotective actions of PRU in diabetic rats. For 28 days, nephropathic rats were given oral doses of PRU (20, 40, and 80 mg/kg). Body weight, blood urea, creatinine, total protein, lipid profile, liver marker enzymes, carbohydrate metabolic enzymes, C-reactive protein, antioxidants, lipid peroxidative indicators, and the expression of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2) mRNA genes were all examined. Histological examinations of the kidneys, liver, and pancreas were also performed. The oral treatment of PRU drastically lowered the blood glucose, HbA1c, blood urea, creatinine, serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase, serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, lipid profile, and hexokinase. Meanwhile, the levels of fructose 1,6-bisphosphatase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and phosphoenol pyruvate carboxykinase were all elevated, but glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase dropped significantly. Inflammatory marker antioxidants and lipid peroxidative markers were also less persistent due to this administration. PRU upregulated the IRS-1 and GLUT-2 gene expression in the nephropathic group. The possible renoprotective properties of PRU were validated by histopathology of the liver, kidney, and pancreatic tissues. It is therefore proposed that PRU (80 mg/kg) has considerable renoprotective benefits in diabetic nephropathy in rats.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2021

Objective : Yukgunja-tang is one of the herbal prescriptions widely used for functional indigestion. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacological effect through the Yukgunja-tang formulation development. Methods : The RAW 264.7 cells were pretreated with Yukgunja-tang tablet (YGJT-T : 50, 100 and 200 ㎍/㎖) and then stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS : 500 ng/㎖). Cell viability, inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) were measured. Also, ICR mice induced acute gastritis by oral administration of 150 mM HCl in 60% ethanol. The YGJT-T (30 mg/kg) was pretreated for 3 days, and 150 mM HCl in 60% ethanol was orally administered 1 hour after the last drug treatment. Mice were sacrificed 1 hour after oral administration of 150 mM HCl in 60% ethanol. The gastric mucosa was observed, and inflammatory cytokines in the gastric tissue were measured. Results : The marker components of YGJT-T were determined by simultaneous analysis using HPLC. In RAW 264.7 cells, pretreatment of YGJT-T was non-toxic and inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators such as NO and PGE2 and suppressed inflammatory cytokines. In addition, pretreatment of YGJT-T improved bleeding and edema due to gastric lesions caused by acute gastritis and suppressed inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion : In summary, our results confirmed that treatment with YGJT-T has anti-inflammatory and anti-gastritis effects in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, in this study, YGJT-T could support a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of gastritis.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
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• 2023.04a
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• pp.62-62
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• 2023

Zanthoxylum piperitum ("chopi" in Korean) has been used as traditional medicinal plants with high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antifungal activities. The aims of the study were to identify marker compounds and to investigate metabolites variation of chopi according to different parts and harvest times. Every month from June to September, chopi were harvested with three different parts: leaves, leaf-twig mixtures, twigs. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), two main marker compounds (quercitrin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside) were characterized in 70% ethanol extracts of chopi. Quantification of the two marker compounds were subsequently conducted by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), representing that contents of these compounds were higher in leaves and leaf-twig mixtures rather than twigs. For the comprehensive analysis of metabolites associated with production of marker compounds, 35 primary metabolites were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate analysis results represented that plant parts were main contributors to the separation of chopi. However, significant differences were not observed between leaves and leaf-twig mixtures samples. The partial least square (PLS) predictive model revealed that monosaccharides (fructose, galactose, glucose, mannose, xylose) and branched-chain amino acids (isoleucine, valine, leucine) were important determinants for the production of marker compounds together with alanine, inositol, GABA, and theronic acid. This study could be extended to stabilize and utilize chopi as an industrial material, as well as to find good candidates with various nutritional traits.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has rapidly escalated in Asia (including Korea) due to increasing westernized diet patterns subsequent to industrialization. Factors associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress are demonstrated to be one of the major causes of IBD. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum) on ER stress. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cell line and polarized Caco-2 human intestinal epithelial cells were treated with crude extract of the L. chinense fruit (LF). Paracellular permeability was measured to examine the effect of tight junction (TJ) integrity. The regulatory pathways of ER stress were evaluated in MEF knockout (KO) cell lines by qPCR for interleukin (IL) 6, IL8 and XBP1 spliced form (XBP1s). Immunoglobulin binding protein (BiP), XBP1s and CCAAT/enhancer-binding homologous protein (CHOP) expressions were measured by RT-PCR. Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy (SICM) at high resolution was applied to observe morphological changes after treatments. RESULTS: Exposure to LF extract strengthened the TJ, both in the presence and absence of inflammation. In polarized Caco-2 pretreated with LF, induction in the expression of proinflammatory marker IL8 was not significant, whereas ER stress marker XBP1s expression was significantly increased. In wild type (wt) MEF cells, IL6, CHOP and XBP1 spliced form were dose-dependently induced when exposed to $12.5-50{\mu}g/mL$ extract. However, absence of XBP1 or $IRE1{\alpha}$ in MEF cells abolished this effect. CONCLUSION: Results of this study show that LF treatment enhances the barrier function and reduces inflammation and ER stress in an $IRE1{\alpha}$-XBP1-dependent manner. These results suggest the preventive effect of LF on healthy intestine, and the possibility of reducing the degree of inflammatory symptoms in IBD patients.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.12
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• pp.519-522
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• 2013

Timely diagnosis of hyponatremia is important for preventing potential morbidity and mortality as it is often an indicator of underlying disease. The most common cause of eurvolemic hyponatremia is the syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) secretion. Recent studies have demonstrated that proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL) $1{\beta}$ and IL-6 are involved in the development of hyponatremia, a condition that is associated with severe inflammation and is related to antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion. Serum sodium levels in hyponatremia are inversely correlated with the percentage of neutrophils, C-reactive protein, and N-terminal-pro brain type natriuretic peptide. Additionally, elevated levels of serum IL-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$ are found in inflammatory diseases, and their levels are higher in patients with hyponatremia. Because it is significantly correlated with the degree of inflammation in children, hyponatremia could be used as a diagnostic marker of pediatric inflammatory diseases. Based on available evidence, we hypothesize that hyponatremia may be associated with inflammatory diseases in general. Understanding the mechanisms responsible for augmented ADH secretion during inflammation, monitoring patient sodium levels, and selecting the appropriate intravenous fluid treatment are important components that may lower the morbidity and mortality of patients in a critical condition.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.333-340
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• 2018

Gamiguibi-tang (GGBT) is a traditional herbal medicine generally used to treat anemia, insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness. GGBT is being commercially produced in the form of extract granule and the quality control methods are specified in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopeia (KHP). However, there is no method to simultaneously analyze compound preparations. In this study, a HPLC method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of marker compounds in GGBT. And the contents of marker components and biological activities of the commercial GGBT extract granules (GGBT-2 and GGBT-3) were compared with those of the GGBT decoction (GGBT-1). We confirmed the robustness of simultaneous analytical method by monitoring the contents of the commercial GGBT products and carrying out validation. The marker components of GGBT were geniposide ($8.03{\sim}12.70{\mu}g/mL$), paeoniflorin ($2.79{\sim}4.25{\mu}g/mL$) and glycyrrhizic acid ($5.06{\sim}6.30{\mu}g/mL$). DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities were 47.34~63.17% and 21.52~33.61% in the GGBT products concentration of $1,000{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The GGBT products significantly decreased NO, iNOS and COX-2 production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. The GGBT-2 had higher contents of marker components and biological activities than GGBT-1 and GGBT-3. The research suggest that be used in developing quality control methods for enhancing the quality of herbal medicines.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.349-361
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• 2018

Socheongryong-tang (SCRT) was one of the major traditional herbal medicines wildly used in the treatment of respiratory disease. SCRT is being commercially produced in the form of mix extracts powder and soft dry extract by different extract methods in the Korean Herbal Pharmacopeia (KHP). In this study, the contents of marker components and biological activities of the SCRT mix extract powder were compared with those of the SCRT decoction. To analyze the marker components of SCRT, nine marker from eight herbal preparations were chosen. And the method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detector method was established for the simultaneous analysis. Method validation was accomplished by linearity, precision test, and recovery test. The contents of nine marker components in this extract was ascertained by ratio. The biological activities were examined the effect of SCRT on anti-oxidation and pro-inflammation mediated by LPS-stimulation. We confirmed that both of SCRT mix extrct powder and decoction have the similar contents on total polyphenol and flavonoid and inhibited the secretion of nitric oxide (NO), $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ and the expression of iNOS, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$. These results suggest that SCRT mix extract powder and decoction have a significant correlation.