• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.1
• /
• pp.48-55
• /
• 2019

Current studies have been reported that fruits such as berries may contain both antioxidant and antitumor polyphenols that may be important in this regard. We investigated the immunostimulatory effect of fermented blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in animal model. Rats were administered blueberry yeast fermented powder (BYFP) at doses 30, 100, and 300 mg/kg for 4 weeks after cyclophosphamide (Cy) treatment, respectively. The immunomodulatory effect of BYFP were measured both in vitro and in vivo, and the changes of blood components were also analyzed. We found that BYFP recovered immunosuppression-mediated decreased liver, spleen, and thymus weights as well as up regulation of white blood cell, lymphocyte, and neutrophil in blood. Moreover, BYFP up-regulated IL-2, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IFN-${\gamma}$ pro-inflammatory cytokine production compared to immune suppressed control group, respectively. According to histological studies, BYFP regenerated significantly on Cy-mediated injured spleen at the high doses (BYFP 300) comparison with Cy-treated groups (immunosuppression). Collectively, these findings suggest that BYFP may have the potential as a dietary immunostimulatory agent.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.55 no.10
• /
• pp.512-517
• /
• 2022

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage which is caused by the impact of external mechanical forces. TBI can lead to the temporary or permanent impairment of physical and cognitive abilities, resulting in abnormal behavior. We recently observed that a single session of early exercise in animals with TBI improved their behavioral performance in the absence of other cognitive abnormalities. In the present study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of continuous exercise during the early stages of TBI in rats. We found that continuous low-intensity exercise in early-stage improves the locomotion recovery in the TBI of animal models; however, it does not significantly enhance short-term memory capabilities. Moreover, continuous early exercise not only reduces the protein expression of cerebral damage-related markers, such as Glial Fibrillary Acid Protein (GFAP), Neuron-Specific Enolase (NSE), S100β, Protein Gene Products 9.5 (PGP9.5), and Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), but it also decreases the expression of apoptosis-related protein BAX and cleaved caspase 3. Furthermore, exercise training in animals with TBI decreases the microglia activation and the expression of inflammatory cytokines in the serum, such as CCL20, IL-13, IL-1α, and IL-1β. These findings thus demonstrate that early exercise therapy for TBI may be an effective strategy in improving physiological function, and that serum protein levels are useful biomarkers for the predicition of the effectiveness of early exercise therapy.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.36 no.4
• /
• pp.329-336
• /
• 2023

Purpose: In this study, we aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with trauma by age group in a single center in Korea to identify the clinical characteristics and analyze the risk factors affecting mortality. Methods: Patients aged ≥18 years who visited the Chungbuk National University Hospital Regional Trauma Center between January 2016 and December 2022 were included. The accident mechanism, severity of the injury, and outcomes were compared by classifying the patients into group A (18-64 years), group B (65-79 years), and group C (≥80 years). In addition, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors affecting death. Results: The most common injury mechanism was traffic accidents in group A (40.9%) and slipping in group B (37.0%) and group C (56.2%). Although group A had the highest intensive care unit admission rate (38.0%), group C had the highest mortality rate (9.5%). In the regression analysis, 3 to 8 points on the Glasgow Coma Scale had the highest odds ratio for mortality, and red blood cell transfusion within 24 hours, intensive care unit admission, age, and Injury Severity Score were the predictors of death. Conclusions: For patients with trauma, the mechanism, injured body region, and severity of injury differed among the age groups. The high mortality rate of elderly patients suggests the need for different treatment approaches for trauma patients according to age. Identifying factors affecting clinical patterns and mortality according to age groups can help improve the prognosis of trauma patients in the future.

• Journal of Korean Society of Forest Science
• /
• v.83 no.4
• /
• pp.486-497
• /
• 1994

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of air pollution on Pinus thunbergii forests surrounding Sasang industrial complex in Korea. The injury index, contents of chlorophyll and mineral elements, and concentrations of water soluble sulfur in needles were investigated at sample plots surrounding industrial complex and compared with those of control far from industrial complex. The results obtained are as follows ; 1. Discoloration of Pinus thunbergii needles was severe in the vicinity of industrial complex, and the older needle age classes was the more severe its injury appeared. Injury index was increased in the vicinity of industrial complex. 2. Water-soluble sulfur concentration was high in the vicinity of industrial complex at all of needle age classes, and those of all plots were higher than that of control. 3. Chlorophyll a contents were lower at surrounding industrial complex than that at control. It was supposed that chlorophyll a was destroyed by air pollutants. Total chlorophyll contents and content ratio of chlorophyll a to b were influenced by decrease of chlorophyll a contents. 4. Phosphorus contents in needles were decreased even in remoted regions with the increase of needle age classes. Colcium contents in needles were decreased near industrial complex at all needle ages classes. 5. There were negative correlation, between injury index and chlorophyll contents, injury index and calcium contents, and there were positive correlation between injury index and calcium contents. 6. Cluster analysis was carried out to divide the injured regions on sample plots. As a result of the analysis, there were devided 3 regions, severe regions(1-8 plots), medium regions(9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17 plot), slight(13, 14, 16, 18, 19 plot and control). 7. The cross section of visible injured needle showed the destruction of mesophyll cell, sclerenchyma cell in the outside of resin duct and endodermis, partially.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.501-509
• /
• 2013

Formaldehyde (FA) is widely used in industries, and it is an indoor and outdoor pollutant. Exposure to FA may cause inflammation and respiratory oxidative stress. Studies have demonstrated that FA can cause cancer in animal models. During the regeneration process of injured starfish (Asterina pectinifera), several changes have been observed in the expression of cytokines. In particular, higher TGF-${\beta}1$ expression has been detected in arm cut starfish extract after eight days. The current study was designed to elucidate the in-vitro and the in-vivo pharmacological effects of starfish extract on FA exposure. We investigated the protective effects of intact starfish extract and arm cut starfish extract on an IMR-90 cell line and on mouse lung injury in response to FA exposure. In the presence of FA, inhalation of the arm cut starfish extract was associated with more promising cell proliferation, TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$ decrement, and $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$ increment. In the experimental group, the pulmonary structure of the arm cut starfish extract-treated group in the presence of FA exposure was similar to the control group, whereas the FA exposure group showed damage to the pulmonary structure. Moreover, the arm cut starfish extracts was more effective than the intact starfish extracts in terms of the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$, NF-${\kappa}B$, $I{\kappa}-B{\alpha}$, and surfactant protein A. The results obtained in this study demonstrate that arm cut starfish extracts are more effective in protecting pulmonary structure and function against FA exposure than intact starfish extracts.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.181-191
• /
• 2013

Purpose : To evaluate the usefulness of in vivo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for tracking intravenously injected superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) in an acute renal failure (ARF) rat model. Materials and Methods: HUVECs were labeled with SPIO and poly-L-lysine (PLL) complex. Relaxation rates at 1.5-T MR, cell viability, and labeling stability were assessed. HUVECs were injected into the tail vein of ARF rats (labeled cells in 10 rats, unlabeled cells in 2 rats). Follow-up serial $T2^*$-weighted gradient-echo MR imaging was performed at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after injection, and the MR findings were compared with histologic findings. Results: There was an average of $98.4{\pm}2.4%$ Prussian blue stain-positive cells after labeling with SPIOPLL complex. Relaxation rates ($R2^*$) of all cultured HUVECs at day 3 and 5 were not markedly decreased compared with that at day 1. The stability of SPIO in HUVECs was maintained during the proliferation of HUVECs in culture media. In the presence of left unilateral renal artery ischemia, $T2^*$-weighted MR imaging performed 1 day after the intravenous injection of labeled HUVECs revealed a significant signal intensity (SI) loss exclusively in the left renal outer medulla regions, but not in the right kidney. The MR imaging findings at days 3, 5 and 7 after intravenous injection of HUVECs showed a SI loss in the outer medulla regions of the ischemically injured kidney, but the SI progressively recovered with time and the right kidney did not have a significant change in SI in the same period. Upon histologic analysis, the SI loss on MR images was correspondent to the presence of Prussian blue stained cells, primarily in the renal outer medulla. Conclusion: MR imaging appears to be useful for in vivo monitoring of intravenously injected SPIO-labeled HUVECs in an ischemically injured rat kidney.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.44 no.6
• /
• pp.406-412
• /
• 2011

Background: Development of thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections (TAAD) is attributed to unbearable wall tension superimposed on defective aortic wall integrity and impaired aortic repair mechanisms. Central to this repair mechanisms are well-balanced and adequately functional cellular components of the aortic wall, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), inflammatory cells, and adventitial fibroblasts. Adventitial fibroblasts naturally produce aortic extracellular matrix (ECM), and, when aortic wall is injured, they can be transformed into SMCs, which in turn are involved in aortic remodeling. We postulated the hypothesis that adventitial fibroblasts in patients with TAAD may have defects in ECM production and SMC transformation. Materials and Methods: Adventitial fibroblasts were procured from the adventitial layer of fresh aortic tissues of patients with TAAD (Group I) and of multi-organ donors (Group II), and 4-passage cell culture was performed prior to the experiment. To assess ECM production, cells were treated with TNF-${\alpha}$ (50 pM) and the expression of MMP-2/MMP-3 was analyzed using western blot technique. To assess SMC transformation capacity, cells were treated with TGF-${\beta}1$ and expression of SM ${\alpha}$-actin, SM-MHC, Ki-67 and SM calponin was evaluated using western blot technique. Fibroblasts were then treated with TGF-${\beta}1$ (10 pM) for up to 10 days with TGF-${\beta}1$ supplementation every 2 days, and the proportion of transformed SMC in the cell line was measured using immunofluorescence assay for fibroblast surface antigen every 2 days. Results: MMP-3 expression was significantly lower in group I than in group II. TGF-${\beta}1$-stimulated adventitial fibroblasts in group I expressed less SM ${\alpha}$-actin, SM-MHC, and Ki-67 than in group II. SM-calponin expression was not different between the two groups. Presence of fibroblast was observed on immunofluorescence assay after more than 6 days of TGF-${\beta}1$ treatment in group I, while most fibroblasts were transformed to SMC within 4 days in group II. Conclusion: ECM production and SMC transformation are compromised in adventitial fibroblasts from patients with TAAD. This result suggests that functional restoration of adventitial fibroblasts could well be a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of TAAD.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.512-519
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of a novel tissue engineering approach to regenerate intervertebral disc. In this study, thermosensitive scaffold (chitosan-Pluronic hydrogel) and nanofiber were used to replace the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus of a degenerated intervertebral disc, leading to an eventual regeneration of the disc using the minimally invasive surgical procedure and organ culture. In preliminary study, disc cells were seeded into the scaffolds and cellular responses were assessed by MTT assay and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Based on these results, we could know that tissue engineered scaffolds might provide favorable environments for the regeneration of tissues. Organ culture was performed in fresh porcine spinal motion segments with endplates on both sides. These spinal motion segments were classified into three groups: control (Intact), injured NP (Defect), and inserting tissue engineered scaffolds (Insert). The specimens were cultivated for 7 days, subsequently structural stability, cell proliferation and morphological changes were evaluated by the relaxation time, quantity of DNA, GAG and histological examination. In these results, inserting group showed higher relaxation time, reduced decrement of DNA contents, and accumulated GAG amount. Consequently, the tissue engineered scaffolds used in this study seen to be a promising base scaffolds for regenerative intervertebral disc due to its capacity to absorb external dynamic loading and the possible ideal environment provided for disc cell growing.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.189-197
• /
• 2018

Objective: Hemicastration is a unilateral orchiectomy to remove an injured testis, which can induce hormonal changes and compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining testis, and may influence spermatogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of hemicastration on remaining testicular function. Methods: Prepubertal mice (age 24 days) were hemicastrated, and their growth was monitored until they reached physical maturity (age 72 days). Subsequently, we determined testis DNA methylation patterns using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing of normal and hemicastrated mice. Moreover, we profiled the testicular gene expression patterns by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to examine whether methylation changes affected gene expression in hemicastrated mice. Results: Hemicastration did not significantly affect growth or testosterone (p>0.05) compared with control. The genome-wide DNA methylation pattern of remaining testis suggested that substantial genes harbored differentially methylated regions (1,139) in gene bodies, which were enriched in process of protein binding and cell adhesion. Moreover, RNA-seq results indicated that 46 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in meiotic cell cycle, synaptonemal complex assembly and spermatogenesis were upregulated in the hemicastration group, while 197 DEGs were downregulated, which were related to arachidonic acid metabolism. Integrative analysis revealed that proteasome 26S subunit ATPase 3 interacting protein gene, which encodes a protein crucial for homologous recombination in spermatocytes, exhibited promoter hypomethylation and higher expression level in hemicastrated mice. Conclusion: Global profiling of DNA methylation and gene expression demonstrated that hemicastration-induced compensatory response maintained normal growth and testicular morphological structure in mice.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.135-147
• /
• 1990

This study was devised to observe the cytotoxic activities of garlic extracts against various cancer cells, that is, murine leukemic lymphocyte(L1210 and P388) and human rectal(HRT-18) and colon cancer cells(HCT-48 and HT-29) in vitro, and murine ascitic tumor cell(S-180) in vivo. Each cell-line except S-180 was cultured in medium containing serial concentration of the garlic extract in vitro. Inhibitory effect n the growth rate of the cancer cells was stronger in extracts of petroleum ether than that of ethanol. A lipid soluble compound in the extracts of garlic was cytocidal to murine leukemic cells, human rectal and colon cancer cells in vitro. The growth rates of the cancer cells in medium containing garlic extracts were inhibited gradually to a significant degree in proportion to the increase of the extract concentration. The cytotoxic activity of garlic active fraction from TLC was about 2.3 times more potent than that of crude garlic extract, one unit of cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells being equivalent to 4.2$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 1.8$\mu\textrm{g}$ from the crude garlic and active fraction, respectively. The Rf value of the active fraction on silica-gel TLC was 0.18 in condition that petroleum ether/ethyl ether/acetic acid mixture(90:10:1, v/v/v) was used as a developing solvent. The survival times of mice inoculated with S-180 cells were extended about 1.5 to 2 times in the groups treated with garlic extract(through i.p. and oral administration) compared with their control group(no garlic extract treatment). Observations were carried out on S-180. Ethanol extracts of garlic injured markedly tumor cells within 3 hours after injection.