• Mycobiology
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.450-457
• /
• 2015

Medicinal mushrooms have been used worldwide to treat cancer and modulate the immune system. Over the last several years, there has been increasing interest in isolating bioactive compounds from medicinal mushrooms and evaluating their health beneficial effects. Fomes fomentarius is used in traditional oriental medicine and is known to possess antioxidant, antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, and antitumor effects. In the present study, we isolated fomentariol from Fomes fomentarius and investigated its anti-inflammatory effect in murine macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) stimulated with lipopolysaccharides. Fomentariol inhibited the production of nitric oxide and intracellular reactive oxygen species triggered by lipopolysaccharides. Interestingly, fomentariol differentially regulated cytokine production triggered by lipopolysaccharides. Fomentariol effectively suppressed the production of interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and interleukin-6 but not tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$. The inhibitory effect of fomentariol against nitric oxide, interleukin-$1{\beta}$, and interleukin-6 production was possibly mediated by downregulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling pathway. Taken together, our results suggest that fomentariol differentially modulated inflammatory responses triggered by lipopolysaccharides in macrophages and is one of the bioactive compounds that mediate the physiological effects of Fomes fomentarius.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.14-17
• /
• 2001

Recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) has demonstrated as an antineoplastic agent in mice and human, but the relatively low response rates observed in clinical trials. Therefore, the present study was undertaken in order to evaluate therapeutic activities of IL-2 for the establishment of therapeutic applications. At the onset of the experiment, normal C3H/HeN mice were injected with $3{\times}10^6$ RD-995 tumor cells, murine ultraviolet radiation-induced fibrosarcoma, subcutaneously. Beginning on day 25, experimental groups were treated with a 5-day course of IL-2 (subcutaneous injection of 30,000 IU every 12 hours for 5 days). The result of this experiment revealed that RD-995 tumor grew progressively in control mice. Subcutaneous IL-2 therapy decreased tumor growth until day 23, then the tumor grew progressively. No significant difference in the survival of IL-2 therapy decreased tumor growth until day 23, then the tumor grew progressively. No significant difference in the survival of IL-2 therapy decreased tumor growth until day 23, then the tumor grew progressively. No significant difference in the survival of IL-2 treated mice were observed compared with the control mice.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.41-50
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Acupuncture is expected to have somewhat like the efficacy parallel increasing activity of immune system in Western modem medicine. There, already, are many animal researches on activating effect of acupuncture for the immune system in peripheral organs. So, we carried out this experiment to see whether acupuncture has controlling effect on interleukin-6(IL-6) activity in rat's brain. Methods and Results : We had topical application of IL-6(1U=lpg, $10{\mu}l$) on brain of rat. It reduced afferent sensory transmission to the primary somatosensory(SI) cortex from periphery. Whereas, electrical stimulation(ES, 2Hz, 1.5V, 15min) of ST36(足三里) with application of IL-6 prominently activated afferent sensory transmission. ES of non-acupoint(proximal tail) with IL-6 showed suppression of afferent transmission. ES of ST36 without IL-6 application also exerted facilitation of afferent transmission to the SI cortex. Conclusions : Electoacupuncture(EA) on ST36 has noticeable influences on modulating activation of IL-6 in central nervous system, which do major role in immune system.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
• /
• v.4 no.3
• /
• pp.149-155
• /
• 2004

Purpose: According to the recent studies, it is shown that the polymorphism of Interleukin $1\beta$ gene is associated with the incidence of gastric cancer caused by the Helicobacter pylori infection. Interleukin $1\beta$ is a cytokine markedly inhibiting gastric acid secretion. Interleukin $1\beta$ production associated with Helicobacter pylori gastric infection may exacerbate mucosal damage including chronic gastritis and atrophic gastritis, may induce eventual neoplasia. Among these Interleukin $1\beta$ gene polymorphisms, polymorphisms at -31 portion and -511 portion may associated with these processes, eventually increase the risk of gastric cancer. We investigated the risk of gastric cancer according to the Helicobacter pylori infection and genetic polymorphism of Interleukin $1\beta$ in gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: 176 individuals with gastric cancer and 40 healthy controls were analyzed. Each group was divided into two groups whether they infected with Helicobacter pylori or not. DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood in all groups. The PCR-RFLP method was used for investigating the distribution of genotype of C/C, C/T, T/T at -31 portion and -511 portion. Results: T/T genotype at -511 portion was $19.3\%$ in gastric cancer cases and $10\%$ in controls, which was statistically significant. (P=0.0432) The risk of gastric cancer was increased 4.86 ($1.26\∼18.77$) in group which had T/T genotype. In gastric cancer cases, C/C genotype at 31 portion was $27.6\%$ in group with Helicobacter pylori infection and $12.8\%$ in group without infection, which was statistically significant. (P=0.0047) The risk of gastric cancer was increased 4.82 ($1.81\~12.81$) in group which had C/C genotype. Conclusion: T genotype at -511 portion among the Interleukin $1\beta$ genetic polymorphisms may be the risk factor of gastric cancer. And, with Helicobacter pylori infection, C genotype at -31 portion may be the risk factor of gastric cancer.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.43-54
• /
• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups; normal control (n=8), LPS control (n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV4 (CV4, n=8), LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at ST36 (ST36, n=8), and LPS+Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 (CV12, n=8). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by peritoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin-$1{\beta}$ (IL-$1{\beta}$), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-$\alpha$ (TNF-$\alpha$), interleukin-10 (IL-10), thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) from blood and liver tissue were compared before and 5 hrs after inflammation induction. Results : In CV4 and CV12 groups, plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6 and TNF-$\alpha$ levels increased by LPS injection, significantly decreased 5 hrs after injection (p<0.05). For CV12 group, plasma IL-10 concentration significantly increased (p<0.05). Liver IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 levles significantly decreased in CV4 and CV12 groups (P<0.05), while normal and LPS control groups were not significantly different in TNF-$\alpha$ and IL-10 levels. Plasma TBARS concentration was significantly decreased in CV12 group, while there was no significant difference among LPS control and pharmacopuncture groups for liver TBARS concentration. Conclusions : Based on the present findings, Prunella vulgaris pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potentially preventive anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.91-98
• /
• 2009

Infectious bursal disease (IBD) caused by the infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) has an important economic impact on the poultry industry worldwide. This study examined the adjuvant effects of a plasmid encoding chicken interleukin-6 (pcDNA-ChIL-6) and levamisole (LMS) on in ovo prime-boost vaccination using a genetic vaccine (pcDNA-VP243) to prime in chicken followed by a killed-vaccine boost. A pcDNA-VP243 was injected into the amniotic sac alone or in combination with a pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS at embryonation day 18, followed by an intramuscular injection of killed IBD vaccine at 1 week of age. The chicken were orally challenged with very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV) strain at 3 weeks of age and observed for 10 days. No mortality was observed in the groups that received the pcDNA-VP243 alone and pcDNA-VP243 plus pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS compared to 100% mortality in unvaccinated challenge control group. However, as determined by bursal damage (the presence of IBDV RNA, B/B ratio, and lesion score), a pcDNA-VP243 alone group was superior to pcDNA-VP243 plus pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS groups in the protection against post-challenge. These findings suggest that in ovo priming with genetic vaccine and boosting with killed vaccine is an effective strategy for protecting chicken against vvIBDV and the addition of pcDNA-ChIL-6 or LMS did not enhance protective immunity.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.267-277
• /
• 2020

This study was conducted to assess the effect of highly concentrated onion intake on rodents. The experimental animals were divided two groups as follows; water administered group (CON) and Allium cepa administered group (ACE). The ACE group showed a slightly increases in the number of erythrocytes (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (Hct) levels compared to the control group (p<0.05). Hemoglobin, monocyte, lymphocyte and neutrophil had no significant change (p>0.05) in ACE group and control group. The analysis of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) levels showed a significant decrease in ACE group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The blood glucose, total protein, HDL-cholesterol were slightly high in ACE group, while triglyceride, total cholesterol levels were lower in ACE group compared to the control group (p<0.05). The levels of cytokines (interluekin-1α (IL-1α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interferon-γ (INF-γ), interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-2 (IL-2), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)) involved in immunity and inflammation in liver tissue and blood have all been confirmed to be within normal range. These findings could be used as basic data to show that highly concentrated dietary onion extract is not toxic to hematological indicators and immune functions.

• Journal of Embryo Transfer
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.139-145
• /
• 1998

In the present study, effects of interleukin-2 (IL-2), a differentiator and proliferator of T-cells, on nuclear maturation and sperm penetration of bovine oocytes was examined in a serum-free or serum-containing medium. Basic medium was used TCM-199 supplemented with 2.2g / ι sodium bicarbonate, 100 i.u. /rnl penicillin. 100$\mu$g /ml streptomycin, 0.25$\mu$g/ml Fungizone, this medium treated with FCS and IL-2. In experiment 1, we examined the effect of the addition of 0, 1, 5, 10 or 15nM /ml IL-2 to tissue culture medium (TCM-199) on nuclear maturation of oocytes Development of oocytes to the Metaphase II (M II) stage (%) was significantly (P<0.05) higher at 1, 5,10 and 15 nM /ml IL-2(54.2, 73.5, 80.0 and 69.6%, respectively) than at 0 nM /ml IL-2(35.7%). In experiment 2, we examined the effect of the addition of l0nM /ml IL-2 or 5% FCS in oocyte maturation. Nuclear maturation rates were significantly(P<0.05) higher l0nM /ml IL-2(80%) than non-treatment(35.7%) and 5% FCS(63.6%) treatment. On the other hand, there were no significant difference in the proportion of oocytes developed to the 2-cell stage after addition of IL-2 and/or FCS. These results suggest that IL-2 supports nuclear maturation of bovine immature oocytes in vitro. Serum-free maturation system using IL-2 might be useful for evaluation of various factors on oocyte maturation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.20-26
• /
• 2006

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease that is characterized by invasive synovial hyperplasia, leading to progressive joint destruction. Recent studies have described that RA is caused by virus, bacteria or outside material. Approximately 2 to 20% of RA cases arc reported to be associated with infected hepatitis C virus (HCV). However, the mechanisms underlying virus-induced RA are still unknown. Moreover, few molecular studies have addressed the inflammatory aspects of HCV-associated autoimmune RA. In this study, we aimed to determine whe ther or not another HCV core protein transactivates the IL-8 gene expression, prototypic chemokine, in synovial cell. Methods: To establish the HCV core expressing stable synovial cell line, pCI-neo-core, a plasmid encoding HCV core protein, were transfected to HIG-82 cell line that is an established cell line from rabbit periaricular soft tissue. We examined the morphological changes and cell cycle distribution of HIG-82 cells with expression of HCV core protein by inverted microscopy and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. Also, we determined the mRNA levels of Interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 related to the inflammation by RT-PCR and then analyzed regulation of IL-8 expression by the NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Results: Our study showed no significant differences in morphology and cell cycle between HIG-82 control cell line and HIG-82 expressing HCV core protein. However, expression of HCV core protein induces the IL-8 mRNA expression in HIG-82 core cells via activated NF-${\kappa}B$ pathway. Conclusion: These results suggest that HCV core protein can lead to enhanced IL-8 expression. Such a proinflammatory role may contribute to the etiologic pathogenesis in RA patients with HCV infection.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.38 no.2
• /
• pp.98-102
• /
• 2011

Objective: To investigate the effects of pioglitazone on controlled ovarian stimulation (COS), IVF outcomes, and follicular fluid (FF) cytokine concentrations in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Eighty-six infertile patients with PCOS resistant to clomiphene citrate were randomized to receive pioglitazone (30 mg/day) or placebo on the starting day of oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment, followed by an IVF protocol using a GnRH antagonist. Pioglitazone or placebo was administered once daily from the starting day of OC to the day of hCG injection. Results: Total dose and days of recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone administered, and the numbers of retrieved and mature oocytes, were significantly lower in the pioglitazone group than in the control group. FF tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations at oocyte retrieval were also significantly lower in the pioglitazone group. The clinical pregnancy rate was higher and the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome was lower in the pioglitazone group, but the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Pioglitazone reduces FF TNF-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 levels, and may improve ovarian response to COS in patients with PCOS.