• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-37
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• 2020

Neuroinflammation is an important process underlying a wide variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Carvacrol (CAR) is a phenolic monoterpene commonly used as a food additive due to its antibacterial properties, but it has also been shown to exhibit strong antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Here, we sought to investigate the effects of CAR on inflammation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, as well as the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. In our study, lipopolysaccharide was injected into the lateral ventricle of rats to induce memory impairment and neuroinflammation. Daily administration of CAR (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for 21 days improved recognition, discrimination, and memory impairments relative to untreated controls. CAR administration significantly attenuated expression of several inflammatory factors in the brain, including interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2. In addition, CAR significantly increased expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA, and decreased expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA. Taken together, these results show that CAR can improve memory impairment caused by neuroinflammation. This cognitive enhancement is due to the anti-inflammatory effects of CAR medicated by its regulation of BDNF and TLR4. Thus, CAR has significant potential as an inhibitor of memory degeneration in neurodegenerative diseases.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.27.1-27.16
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• 2022

Background: The role of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in a feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIPV) infection is not completely understood. Objectives: This study examined the expression of TLR3, TLR7, TLR9, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon (IFN)-β, and interleukin (IL)-10 upon an FIPV infection in Crandell-Reese feline kidney (CRFK) cells and feline monocytes. Methods: CRFK cells and monocytes from feline coronavirus (FCoV)-seronegative cats and FCoV-seropositive cats were infected with type II FIPV-79-1146. At four, 12, and 24 hours post-infection (hpi), the expression of TLR3, TLR7, TLR9, TNF-α, IFN-β, and IL-10, and the viral load were measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Viral protein production was confirmed using immunofluorescence. Results: FIPV-infected CRFK showed the upregulation of TLR9, TNF-α, and IFN-β expression between 4 and 24 hpi. Uninfected monocytes from FCoV-seropositive cats showed lower TLR3 and TLR9 expression but higher TLR7 expression compared to uninfected monocytes from FCoV-seronegative cats. FIPV-infected monocytes from FCoV-seropositive cats downregulated TLR7 and TNF-α expression between 4 and 24 hpi, and 4 and 12 hpi, respectively. IFN-β was upregulated early in FIPV-infected monocytes from FCoV-seropositive cats, with a significant difference observed at 12 hpi compared to FCoV-seronegative cats. The viral load in the CRFK and FIPV-infected monocytes in both cohorts of cats was similar over time.ConclusionTLR7 may be the key TLR involved in evading the innate response against inhibiting TNF-α production. Distinct TLR expression profiles between FCoV-seronegative and FCoV-seropositive cats were observed. The associated TLR that plays a role in the induction of IFN-β needs to be explored further.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1112-1121
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• 2019

Objective: Gram-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been reported to be associated with uterine impairment, embryonic resorption, ovarian dysfunction, and follicle retardation. Here, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Methods: First, we developed an in vitro model to study the response of bovine cumulusoocyte complexes (COCs) to LPS stress. After incubating germinal vesicle COCs in $10{\mu}g/mL$ of LPS, we analyzed the following three aspects: the expression levels of the LPS receptor toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in COCs, activities of intracellular signaling protein p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$); and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. Furthermore, we determined the effects of LPS on the maturation ability and parthenogenetic developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Results: The results revealed that LPS treatment significantly elevated TLR4 mRNA and protein expression levels in COCs. Exposure of COCs to LPS also resulted in a marked increase in activity of the intracellular signaling protein p-p38 MAPK and NF-${\kappa}B$. Furthermore, oocytes cultured in maturation medium containing LPS had significantly higher concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-$1{\beta}$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and IL-6. LPS exposure significantly decreased the first polar body extrusion rate. The cytoplasmic maturation, characterized by polar body extrusion and distribution of peripheral cortical granules, was significantly impaired in LPS-treated oocytes. Moreover, LPS exposure significantly increased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and the relative mRNA abundance of the antioxidants thioredoxin (Trx), Trx2, and peroxiredoxin 1 in oocytes. Moreover, the early apoptotic rate and the release of cytochrome C were significantly increased in response to LPS. The cleavage, morula, and blastocyst formation rates were significantly lower in parthenogenetically activated oocytes exposed to LPS, while the incidence of apoptotic nuclei in blastocysts was significantly increased. Conclusion: Together, these results provide an underlying mechanism by which LPS impairs maturation potential in bovine oocytes.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.228-241
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• 2016

Objective: Root mobility due to reciprocating movement of the tooth (jiggling) may exacerbate orthodontic root resorption (ORR). "Jiggling" describes mesiodistal or buccolingual movement of the roots of the teeth during orthodontic treatment. In the present study, buccolingual movement is described as "jiggling." We aimed to investigate the relationship between ORR and jiggling and to test for positive cell expression in odontoclasts in resorbed roots during experimental tooth movement (jiggling) in vivo. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into control, heavy force (HF), optimal force (OF), and jiggling force (JF) groups. The expression levels of cathepsin K, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 protein, interleukin (IL)-6, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1; an IL-8-related protein in rodents), receptor activator of nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin protein in the dental root were determined using immunohistochemistry. Results: On day 21, a greater number of root resorption lacunae, which contained multinucleated odontoclasts, were observed in the palatal roots of rats in the JF group than in rats from other groups. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the numbers of cathepsin K-positive and MMP-9-positive odontoclasts in the JF group on day 21. Immunoreactivities for IL-6, CINC-1, and RANKL were stronger in resorbed roots exposed to jiggling than in the other groups on day 21. Negative reactivity was observed in the controls. Conclusions: These results suggest that jiggling may induce ORR via inflammatory cytokine production during orthodontic tooth movement, and that jiggling may be a risk factor for ORR.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-21
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• 1995

Several populations of lymphocytes possess receptors for autonomic neurotransmitter, which make lymphocytes susceptible to autonomic stimulation. This study was to evaluate the functional alternation of effector cells of the immune system. Female Balb/C mice, 15-20 g, were injected with MA subcutaneously under various conditions. Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) showed certain T cell subsets were affected by MA. The level of interleukin-2 (IL-2) production was inhibited due to a defect in expression of the IL-2 receptor. In mice injected with 20 mg MA/kg, 1 day before assay, phagocytosis of peritoneal macrophages showed $14.07\pm3%$, which was similar degree to 5 mg MA/kg treatment for 4 consecutive days. Phagocytosis was almost recovered to that of control after 4 day in 20 mg/kg injected mice. Maximum inhibition of plaque forming cell (PFC) occurred when MA was given early, indicating the inductive time point of antibody production was affected. The cortisol level increased in the MA treated group (0.05, 0.20, and $0.08{\mu}g$/dl for control, low, and high dose-MA treated mice, respectively). Based on these results, MA has general suppression effects on the immune systems by functional alteration of effector cells. Considering the increment of serum cortisol levels, MA partially impacts the neuroendocrine system to lead to failure of immune response.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.86-95
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• 2011

Objectives : Ulmus davidiana (UD) has been widely used in Korean herbal medicines used for treatment of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, such as rhinitis, asthma, and abscess. In this study, To investigated the protective effect of UD on type 1 allergic response, we determined whether UD inhibits early and late allergic response. Methods : The effect of UD was analyzed by ELISA and RT-PCR in RBL-2H3 cells. Levels of ${\beta}$ -hexosaminidase, interleukin (IL)-4 and TNF-${\alpha}$ were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). mRNA levels of COX-2 and T-helper type 2(Th2) cytokines were analyzed with RT-PCR. Results : We found that UD suppressed ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 not only by the PMA plus A23187 stimulation, but also by the IgE-DNP-HSA stimulation at the antigen-antibody binding stage and antibody-receptor binding stage. UD also significantly inhibited COX2 level, along with reduced Th2 cytokine levels, such as IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, and TNF-${\alpha}$ in RBL-2H3. Conclusions : Our results indicate that UD protects against type 1 allergic response and exerts an anti-inflammatory effect through the inhibition of degranulation and expression of COX2 and Th2 cytokines.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.67-75
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• 2020

Objectives This study is conducted to evaluate Th2 skewed condition control through skin fat barrier formation from the treatment using Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract. Methods The 6-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 4 groups: Control group (Ctrl), lipid barrier eliminate treatment group (LBET), Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza uralensis feeding treatment after lipid barrier elimination group (CGFT), dexamethasone feeding treatment after lipid barrier elimination group (DxFT). After 3 days, differences in skin condition, improvement of skin fat barrier, and control of Th2 skewed condition of each group were observed. Results Pathologic skin damage and tissue changes were less in the CGFT group than in the LBET and DxFT groups, and Transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and pH were also significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The filaggrin intensity and positive response also increased significantly in the CGFT group (p < 0.05). Kallikrein-related peptidase (KLK) 7, Protease activated receptor (PAR)-2, Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), Interleukin (IL)-4, and the products of the Th2 differentiation process also showed a significant decrease compared to the LBET and DxFT groups (all p < 0.05). Conclusions The Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract causes skin barrier recovery and function recovery through the formation of skin fat barrier. This leads to the conclusion that Coptidis Rhizoma and Glycyrrhiza uralensis extract can control Th2 differentiation through the formation of skin fat barrier.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.205-212
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• 2010

Endometritis is one of the primary reasons for reproductive failure. In order to investigate endometritis-associated marker proteins, proteomic analysis was performed on bovine endometrium with endometritis. In bovine endometritis, desmin, $\alpha$-actin-2, heat-shock protein (HSP) 27, peroxiredoxin-6, luteinizing hormone receptor isoform 1, collectin-43 precursor, deoxyribonuclease-I (DNase-I), and MHC class I heavy chain (MHC-Ih) were up-regulated. In contrast, transferrin, interleukin-2 precursor, hemoglobin $\beta$ subunit, and potassium channel tetramerisation domaincontaining 11 (KCTD11) were down-regulated in comparison to normal endometrium. The proteomic results were validated by semiquantitative-PCR and immunoblot analysis. The mRNA levels of desmin, transferrin, $\alpha$-actin-2, HSP27, KCTD11, and MHC-Ih were up-regulated by over 1.5-fold, and showed a pattern similar to their proteomic profiles. Desmin and $\alpha$-actin-2 protein showed positive correlations between proteomic analysis and immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that desmin and $\alpha$-actin-2 may play important roles in endometritis-related function, and could be useful markers for the diagnosis of bovine endometritis.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2014

Klotho (KL) is a single transmembrane protein composed of KL1 and KL2 repeats possessing ${\beta}$-glucuronidase activity and maintains calcium homeostasis in physiological state. It has been implicated in pigs that calcium is important for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, and our previous study has shown that transient receptor potential vanilloid type 6 (TRPV6), a calcium ion transporter, is predominantly expressed in the uterine endometrium during pregnancy in pigs. However, expression and function of KL in the uterine endometrium has not been determined in pigs. Thus, the present study determined expression and regulation of KL in the uterine endometrium during the estrous cycle and pregnancy in pigs. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that levels of KL mRNA decreased between Days 12 to 15 of the estrous cycle, and its expression showed a biphasic manner during pregnancy. KL mRNA was expressed in conceptuses and in chorioallantoic tissues during pregnancy. Explant culture study showed that expression levels of KL were not affected by treatment of steroid hormones or interleukin-1beta during the implantation period. Furthermore, levels of KL mRNA in the uterine endometrium from gilts carrying somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived embryos were significantly lower than those from gilts carrying natural mating-derived embryos on Day 12 of pregnancy. These results exhibited that KL was expressed at the maternal-conceptus interface in a pregnancy status- and stage-specific manner, and its expression was affected by SCNT procedure, suggesting that KL may play an important role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in pigs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2015

Our previous study has shown berberine prevents damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier during early phase of sepsis in rat through mechanisms independent of the NOD-like receptors signaling pathway. In this study, we explored the regulatory effects of berberine on Toll-like receptors during the intestinal mucosal damaging process in rats. Male Sprague-Dawlay (SD) rats were treated with berberine for 5 d before undergoing cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) to induce polymicrobial sepsis. The expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2), TLR 4, TLR 9, the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$), the levels of selected cytokines and chemokines, percentage of cell death in intestinal epithelial cells, and mucosal permeability were investigated at 0, 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after CLP. Results showed that the tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level were significantly lower in berberine-treated rats compared to the control animals. Conversely, the expression level of tight junction proteins, percentage of cell death in intestinal epithelial cells and the mucosal permeability were significantly higher in berberine-treated rats. The mRNA expression of TLR 2, TLR 4, and TLR 9 were significantly affected by berberine treatment. Our results indicate that pretreatment with berberine attenuates tissue injury and protects the intestinal mucosal barrier in early phase of sepsis and this may possibly have been mediated through the TLRs pathway.