• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.81-100
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• 2014

Objectives: The object of this study was to observe the in vitro anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of six single aqueous herbal extracts-Quisqualis Fructus (QuF), Meliae Cortex (MeC), Arecae Semen (ArS), Crassirhizomae Rhizoma (CrR), Ulmi Pasta Semen(UlS), Torreyae Semen(ToS)- against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-activated Raw 264.7 cells. Methods: Anti-bacterial activities against S. aureus of aqueous extracts of QuF, MeC, ArS, CrR, UlS and ToS were detected using standard agar microdilution methods. In addition, the effects on the cell viability, prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 productions of LPS activated Raw 264.7 cells were detected. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects were respectively compared with lincomycin and piroxicam. Results: Minimal Inhibition Concentration (MIC) of aqueous extracts of QuF, MeC, ArS, CrR, UlS and ToS against S. aureus was respectively detected $5.625{\pm}4.075$ (3.125~12.500), $0.332{\pm}0.273$ (0.098~0.782), $1.094{\pm}0.428$ (0.782~1.563), $2.969{\pm}2.096$ (0.782~6.250), $9.375{\pm}4.419$ (3.125~12.500)>25 mg/ml. MIC of lincomycin was detected as $0.469{\pm}0.297$ (0.195~0.782) ${\mu}g/ml$ at same conditions. In addition, $ED_{50}$ against LPS-induced cell viabilities and cytokine releases of QuF, MeC, ArS, CrR, UlS and ToS was as follows - Cell viability: 66.370, 2.908, 1.747, 259.553, 18.150 and 34.160 mg/ml; NO production: 389.486, 0.294, 0.138, 523.060, 45.363 and 49.327 mg/ml; $PGE_2$ production: 114.271, 0.223, 0.046, 243.078, 8.829 and 28.947 mg/ml; TNF-${\alpha}$ production: 406.288, 0.343, 0.123, 9404.227, 125.406 and 140.775 mg/ml; IL-$1{\beta}$ production: 117.178, 0.135, 0.019, 237.451, 7.923 and 19.418 mg/ml; IL-6 production: 31.261, 0.105, 0.055, 128.434, 2.290 and 3.745 mg/ml. ED50 of piroxicam against LPS-induced cell viabilities, NO, $PGE_2$, TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6 were detected as 35.179, 6.552, 1.162, 7.273, 7.101 and $5.044{\mu}g/ml$, respectively at same conditions. Conclusions: All six single aqueous herbal extracts showed anti-bacterial effects against S. aureus, in the order of MeC, ArS, CrR, QuF and UlS aqueous extracts except for ToS; they did not showed any anti-bacterial effects (MIC>25 mg/ml). They also showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-activated Raw 264.7 cells in the order of ArS, MeC, UlS, ToS, QuF and CrR aqueous extracts. It means that the ArS and MeC will be showed favorable potent anti-bacterial and related anti-inflammatory effects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.62-72
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• 1992

Background: T-cell mediated cellular immunity has been suggested as an important mechanism in mycobacterial infection and imbalance between helper/inducer and suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell has been suggested as an important immunological abnormality in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis in human. Method: To determine whether there is any difference in T-cell mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis, total numbers of WBC&lymphocytes were counted and helper/inducer and suppressor/cytotoxic cells were calculated by flow cytometry. Blastogenesis after stimulation with Concanavalin-A, Phytohemagglutinin and PPD were measured by $^3H$-thymidine uptake. PPD skin test was performed as an in vivo test. Results: 1)There was no significant difference in the size of PPD skin test between pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis groups. 2)Number of total lymphocytes significantly decreased in tuberculosis patients compared with healthy control group. But there was no significant difference between pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis groups. 3) Number of HLA-DR and Interleukin-2 receptor (+) cells were significantly increased in tuberculosis patients. But there was no significant difference between pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis groups. 4) There was no significant difference in the numbers of WBC, $T_3$, $T_4$ and $T_8$ lymphocytes and $T_4/T_8$ ratio between tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. 5) There was no significant difference in the blastogenesis after stimulation with specific and non-specific blastogens between tuberculosis patients and healthy controls. 6) The percentage and absolute number of $T_4$ lymphocyte were significantly correlated with the size of PPD skin test. (r=0.689 and 0.598). Conclusion: From these results, it is concluded that there was no difference in T-cell mediated immunity between pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis group. But, because it is suspected that there might be some difference in the role of T-cell mediated immunity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis or even among the extrapulmonary tuberculosis patients, further studies would be required.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.544-548
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• 2009

Purpose : To elucidate a potential association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection and iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) in infants and children in terms of the other factors related to iron utilization and storage although the association of ferritin was previously studied. Methods : We evaluated 135 infants (aged 6-24 months) admitted at Gyeongsang National University Hospital from 2000 to 2006. Western blot assays using the HP CagA antigen (120 kD) were conducted to identify infections. The concentrations of six parameters were measured: hemoglobin (Hb), serum ferritin, soluble serum transferrin receptors, interleukin-6, prohepcidin, and C-reactive protein. In addition, the infants were classified into IDA, anemia from inflammation (AI), unclassified anemia (UCA), and normal groups on the basis of Hb and ferritin concentrations. Results : In the IDA group (n=20), seven infants were infected with HP, with the other infants showing no evidence of infection. The mean Hb levels in the IDA group were significantly lower in HP-infected infants than those uninfected (7.1 vs. 8.2 g/dL, respectively); the mean ferritin levels were also significantly lower in the infected infants (3.2 vs. $6.8{\mu}g/L$). The other four parameters did not differ significantly among the IDA infants. No correlations were found between the six parameters and HP infection status in the other groups. Conclusion : There were no significant differences in the HP infection rates among the study groups. However, in the IDA group, the HP-infected infants had significantly lower serum ferritin and Hb levels than the HP-negative infants (P<0.05).

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.280-289
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• 1998

Background: It is sometimes difficult to differentiate tuberculous pleural effusion from malignant pleural effusion by clinical symptoms, signs, by routine tests of pleural fluid, and by pathologic studies. And recently, it was discovered that cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-$\gamma$, TNF-$\alpha$ are elevated in tuberculous pleural fluid, and there have been several attempts to diagnose tuberculous pleural effusion by using these immunological mediators. There are several studies regarding the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$, and there are two studies in Korea. But the diagnostic values of IFN-$\gamma$ in these studies were slightly lower than those in other countries. To compare the diagnostic value of IFN-$\gamma$ with those of CEA and ADA, and to determine the sensitivity and specificity of IFN-$\gamma$ in Korean, we mesured IFN-$\gamma$, CEA level and ADA activity in pleural effusions. Methods: ADA activity, IFN-$\gamma$ level and CEA level as well as cell count, differential count, and biochemical assays such as protein content and lactate dehydrogenase were measured in 40 cases of tuberculous pleuritis and 42 cases of malignant pleural effusion. Results: Tuberculous pleural fluid showed higher levels of IFN-$\gamma$ and ADA ($832.6{\pm}357.2$ pg/ml and $82.5{\pm}25.9$ U/L, respectively) than those of malignant pleural effusion ($2.6{\pm}8.0$ pg/ml and $19.2{\pm}10.9$ U/L, respectively) (p<0.01). Malignant pleural effusions showed higher median value (102.2 ng/ml) than tubercalous pleural effusions (1.8 ng/ml) (p<0.01). The sensitivities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 0.97, 0.87, 0.67 and the specificities of IFN-$\gamma$, ADA, CEA were 1.0, 0.97, 1.0, respectively. There was no significant correlation between ADA activity and IFN-$\gamma$ level. Conclusion: This study showed that IFN-$\gamma$ test would be a very useful clinical test for differential diagnosis of tuberculous pleuritis and malignant pleural effusion because it is very sensitive and specific, although it is an expensive test.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.596-606
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• 2019

The study investigated the physiochemical properties and the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the sea tangle (Saccharina japonica) in a water extract before (STWE) and after (STFL) fermentation with Lactobacillus brevis. The pH values of STWE and STFL were 6.18 and 4.16, and the sugar contents were $8.50^{\circ}Brix$ and $7.40^{\circ}Brix$, respectively. The main free amino acids of STWE and STFL were glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and alanine, and the ${\gamma}$-amino butyric acid (GABA) content was increased by fermentation. The total polyphenol contents of STWE and STFL were 498.29 and 615.77 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/ml, respectively. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of STWE and STFL were markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner, and revealed about 89.89% and 96.94% activities, respectively, at 10% concentration (p<0.05). The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of STWE and STFL were also markedly increased in a dose-dependent manner, and the activity of STFL was significantly increased when compared with STWE (p<0.05). The anti-inflammatory activity was examined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. STWE and STFL decreased the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which had levels of about 189.90% and 174.69% at 1% concentration, respectively (p<0.05). The contents of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were decreased more by addition of STFL than by addition of STWE. The STWE and STFL showed high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, and these activities were increased by fermentation. Therefore, sea tangle extracts can be used as functional food materials.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.127-131
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• 2017

Objectives: Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) constitute the first line of defense against invading microbial pathogens. Early events in inflammation involve the recruitment of neutrophils to the site of injury or damage where changes in intracellular calcium can cause the activation of pro-inflammatory mediators from neutrophils including superoxide generation, degranulation and release of myeloperoxidase (MPO), productions of interleukin (IL)-8 and tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), and adhesion to the vascular endothelium. To address the anti-inflammatory role of flavonoids, in the present study, we investigated the effects of the flavonoids quercetin and vitexin on the stimulus-induced nitric oxide (NO), $TNF-{\alpha}$, and MPO productions in human neutrophils. Methods: Human peripheral blood neutrophils were isolated, and their viabilities were determined by using the Trypan Blue exclusion test. The polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMNL) preparations contained more than 98% neutrophils as determined by morphological examination with Giemsa staining. The viabilities of cultured neutrophils with various concentrations of quercetin and vitexin ($1-100{\mu}M$) were studied using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Neutrophils were cultured in complete Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium, pre-incubated with or without quercetin and vitexin ($25{\mu}M$) for 45 min, and stimulated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) ($10^{-7}M$). NO production was carried out through nitrite determination by using the Griess method. Also, the $TNF-{\alpha}$ and the MPO productions were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and MPO assay kits. Results: Neutrophil viability was not affected up to a concentration of $100{\mu}M$ of quercetin or vitexin. Both quercetin and vitexin significantly inhibited $TNF-{\alpha}$, NO, and MPO productions in human neutrophils (P < 0.001). Conclusion:The present study showed that both quercetin and vitexin had significant anti-inflammatory effects. Thus, treatment with either quercetin or vitexin may be considered as a therapeutic strategy for treating patients with neutrophil-mediated inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.99-110
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• 2020

Purpose: The rice germ fraction is a better source of protein, lipid, and fiber than the rice endosperm. Furthermore, the rice germ is rich in bioactive phytochemicals such as γ-aminobutyric acid, tocopherols, tocotrienols, phytic acid, and so on. In this study, the phytosterol content and antioxidant activity of Keunnunjami germ (KG) or normal rice germ supplement were investigated in healthy adult rats. Methods: In vitro, quantitative assessment of phytosterols, including β-sitosterol, campesterol, cycloartenol, and stigmasterol, was performed. Comparative antioxidant activities of 2 rice germs were measured based on DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power, and ABTS radical scavenging capacity. In vivo, male Spraque-Dawley rats (30-weeks-old) were randomly assigned a diet of normal control (NC, AIN-93M diet), AIN-93M diet supplemented with normal rice germ 3% (NG3), or AIN-93M diet supplemented with KG 3% (KG3) and fed for 8 weeks. Results: KG contained significantly higher campesterol and stigmasterol contents and antioxidant activity than normal rice germ. The KG3 group exhibited significantly lower body weight gain as well as inguinal and total white adipose tissue weights. There were no significant differences in plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, or homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance level among the 3 groups. The plasma tumor necrosis factor-α concentration was significantly lower while leptin, advanced oxidation protein products, and interleukin-6 showed downward trends in the KG3 group. In addition, the superoxide dismutase level of the KG3 group was significantly higher compared to the NC and NG3 groups. Conclusion: This study indicates that KG can be considered as a valuable source of phytosterol components. Lastly, KG has strong antioxidant properties and may have potential to ameliorate elevation of proinflammatory cytokine production with age.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.8
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• pp.894-900
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• 2005

Purpose : Because of the unavailability of marrow transplantation, umbilical cord blood (CB) is increasingly being used. We evaluated the potential of ex vivo expansion and clonality in CD34+ cells separated from cord blood source and mobilized peripheral blood (PB) in a serum-free media. Methods : The CD34+ cells, selected from CB and mobilized PB, were expanded with hematopoietic growth factors. They were then cultured for burst-forming units of erythrocytes (BFU-E), colony-forming units of granulocytes and monocytes (CFU-GM) and colony-forming units of megakaryocytes (CFU-Mk) at culture days 0, day 4, day 7, and day 14 with various growth factors. Results : The CB-selected CD34+ cells showed significantly higher total cell expansion than those from the PB at day 7 (2 fold increase than PB). The CB-selected CD34+ cells produced more BFU-E colonies than did the PB on culture at days 7 and at day 14. Also, the CB-selected CD34+ cells produced more CFU-Mk colonies than did the PB on culture at day 4 and at day 7. Conclusion : The ex vivo expansion of the CB cells may be promising in producing total cellular expansion, CFU-Mk and BFU-E compared with PB for 7 to 14 days. The growth factors combination including megakaryocyte growth and development, flt3-ligand and interleukin-3 showed more expansion in the view of total cells and clonal maintenance compared with less combination.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.12
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• pp.2146-2152
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• 2015

Apios americana Medik (hereinafter Apios) has been reported to treat diseases, including cancer, hypertension, obesity, and diabetes. The therapeutic effect of Apios is likely to be associated with its anti-inflammatory activity. This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of Apios in animal models of acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza A virus (H1N1). Mice were exposed to LPS or H1N1 for 2-4 days to induce acute lung injury. The treatment groups were administered Apios extracts via oral injection for 8 weeks before LPS treatment or H1N1 infection. To investigate the effects of Apios, we assessed the mice for in vivo effects of Apios on immune cell infiltration and the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and histopathological changes in the lung. After induction of acute lung injury, the numbers of neutrophils and total cells were lower in the Apios-treated groups than in the non-Apios-treated LPS and H1N1 groups. The Apios groups tended to have lower levels of tumor necrosis factor-a and interleukin-6 in BAL fluid. In addition, the histopathological changes in the lungs were markedly reduced in the Apios-treated groups. These data suggest that Apios treatment reduces LPS- and H1N1-induced lung inflammation. These protective effects of Apios suggest that it may have therapeutic potential in acute lung injury.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-153
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• 2000

This study was conducted to compare probiotic activities and physiological functions of Bifidobacterium longum Mk-G7 with weveral commercial and type strains of bifidobacteria. bif. longum MK-G7 showed the highest acid tolerance against HCl and acetic acid, whereas bif. infantis Y-1 showed the lowest acid tolerance and more than 4 log cycles of viable cell count decreased due to acid injuty. Viable cell counts of bifidobacteria strains decreased more than 1.5 log cycles owing to oxygen toxicity, with the exception of Bif. longum MK-G7, Bif. infantis Y-2, Bif. longum Y-3, Bif. longum Y-6, and Bif. longum RD-13 showed the highest bile tolerance, whereas Bif. longum MK-G7 showed a medium level of bile tolerance. Only Bif. longum MK-G7 howed much higher antibiotic resistance against both tetracycline and penicillin-G in the MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration) level of 24.8 mg/I and 0.52mg/I, respectively. Bif longum Y-6, and Bif. bifidum ATCC 29539 showed more than 80% of anti-mutagenicity against NQO(4-nitroquinolinel-oxide). Since the production of cytokines such as $TNF(tumor necrosis factor)-{\alpha}$ and IL (interleukin)-6, and NO(nitric oxide) in the macrophage cell line Raw 264.7 cells increased as Bif. longum MK-G7 cell concentration increased, ti was suggested that Bif. longum MK-G7 is able to enhance immunopotentiating activity in vitro. When freeze-dred Bif. longum MK-G7 was administered to mice at the dose of 1,2,4, and 6 g/kg of body weight, all of the mice survived in all feeding groups, proving the GRAS(generally recognized as safe) status of Bif. longum MK-G7. When fermented milk containing Bif. longum MK-G7 was administered to human volunteers, viable cell count of total bifidobacteria and anaerobes in the feces increased up to 0.5 log cycles more than before the administration. In particular, Bif. logum MK-G7 ingibited the growth of Bacteroides at the level of 1.0-1.5 log cycles.