• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2016

Objectives : This study was designed to protect effect on atherosclerosis through regulation of low density lipoprotein(LDL) by 70 % ethanol extract Ganoderma lucidum (GL) in LDL receptor knockout mouse (LDLr ko mice) fed Western diet.Methods : The LDLr ko mice were divided into 3 groups ; Control, GL100, and GL300. After grouping, LDLr ko mice were fed Western diet. The GL (100 or 300 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) was administered every day for 8 weeks. The body weight and food intake were measured every day. The changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatinine, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in serum were analyzed after experiment.Results : The LDLr ko mice fed Western diet were increased body weight gain and blood biochemistry parameters such as ALT, AST, TG, TC, and LDL. However GL300 group significantly reduced the body weight. Also TG, TC, and LDL level did not increase. The levels of ALT, AST, HDL were not changed. Also, LDLr ko mice model liver were observed lipid drop, but GL groups did not appear. Futhermore, histological analysis of GL groups aorta tissue were similar to NOR groups.Conclusions : We confirmed that whether GL administration is protect atherosclerosis or not. As the results, blood biochemistry and histological analysis did not changed much in GL administration groups. This study provides scientific evidence that GL protect the atherosclerosis through the reduction of LDL cholesterol. Therefore GL has potential medicine inhibition of atherosclerosis.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.100-105
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• 2005

Mancozeb (MCZ) is known to have detrimental effects on the reproductive system, but the toxicity of MCZ on immune responses has not been systematically investigated. We investigated the effects of MCZ exposure on the activities of murine peritoneal macrophages through evaluation of MCZ-induced alteration of nitric oxide (NO) production and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}(TNF-\alpha)$ synthesis. Macrophages were examined ex vivo from mice orally treated with various doses of MCZ for 5 consecutive days per week for 4 weeks (subacute exposure, 250, 1000, 1500 mg/kg/day) followed by culture for 2 $(TNF-{\alpha})$ or 3 days (NO) in the presence of LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}$. Macrophages from naive mice were also cultured with various concentrations of MCZ (0.05, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 ${\mu}g//mIL$ in the presence of LPS plus $IFN-{\gamma}$ for 2 $(TNF-{\alpha})$ or 3 days (NO) in vitro. NO production was decreased with the in vitro exposure to all concentrations of MCZ. However, the amount of NO production by peritoneal macrophages from MCZ-subacutely exposed mice was increased in comparision with that of control group. In vitro, MCZ suppressed $(TNF-\alpha)$ secretion with significant reduction at 2 ${\mu}g/mL$ MCZ. Conversely, $(TNF-{\alpha})$ release was enhanced ex vivo. This study provides the substantial evidence on MCZ-induced alternation in macrophage activity. In order to clearly understand the contrasting effect of MCZ on peritoneal macrophage activity, it is necessary to further investigate the influence of major metabolite of MCZ (ETU) exposure on the NO production and $(TNF-{\alpha})$ synthesis.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 2014

Purpose: Periodontitis is an infectious disease caused predominantly by gram-negative anerobes. The host inflammatory response to these bacteria causes alveolar bone loss that is characterized as periodontitis. Omega-3 fatty acids (${\omega}$-3 FAs) have anti-inflammatory properties, thus have been used to treat some chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with ${\omega}$-3 FAs as a host modulating agent in patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Sixty otherwise healthy subjects with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis were enrolled in our randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The control group (CG, n=30) was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP) and given a placebo; the treatment group (TG, n=30) was treated with SRP and dietary supplementation of ${\omega}$-3 FAs (one 300 mg tablet daily for 12 weeks). Periodontal clinical parameters and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated in all patients at baseline, a 6-week and 12-week period after treatment. Results: A significant reduction in the gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level was found in the TG compared to the CG at a 12-week period. However, no statistically significant changes in serum CRP levels were found. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ${\omega}$-3 FAs can successfully reduce gingival inflammation, pocket depth, and attachment level gain. Dietary supplementation with ${\omega}$-3 FAs may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the prevention and/or C management of chronic periodontitis.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.199-209
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• 2017

Purpose: Caffeine is the most widely consumed psychostimulant. It is often adopted as a tool to modulate brain activations in fMRI studies. However, its pharmaceutical effect on task-induced deactivation has not been fully examined in fMRI. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of caffeine on both activation and deactivation under sustained attention. Materials and Methods: Task fMRI was acquired from 26 caffeine naive healthy volunteers before and after taking caffeine pill (200 mg). Results: Statistical analysis showed an increase in cognition-load dependent task activation but a decrease in load dependent de-activation after caffeine ingestion. Increase of attention and memory task activation and its load-dependence suggest a beneficial effect of caffeine on the brain even though it has no overt behavior improvement. The reduction of deactivation by caffeine and its load-dependence indicate reduced facilitation from task-negative networks. Conclusion: Caffeine affects brain activity in a load-dependent manner accompanied by a disassociation between task-positive network and task-negative network.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.177-185
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• 2013

Objectives : Leejung-tang (Lizhong-tang) has been used for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in Korea. In this study, we performed quantification analysis of five marker components, liquiritin, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rg1, glycyrrhizin, and 6-gingerol in Leejung-tang using a ultra performance liquid chromatography- electrospray ionization-mass spectrometer (UPLC-ESI-MS). In addition, we evaluated antioxidant activity of Leejung- tang. Methods : The column for separation of five constituents used a UPLC BEH C18 ($100{\times}2.1mm$, $1.7{\mu}m$) maintained at $45^{\circ}C$. The mobile phase consisted of two solvent systems, 0.1% (v/v) formic acid in H2O (A) and CH3CN (B) by gradient flow. The flow rate was 0.3 mL/min with detection at mass spectrometer. The antioxidative activities conduct an experiment on 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities of Leejung-tang. Results : Calibration curves of five marker compounds were acquired with r2 values > 0.99. The amount of the five compounds in Leejung-tang were 0.07 - 0.84 mg/g. The concentration required for 50% reduction (RC50) against ABTS radical was 119.02 ug/mL. In addition, the scavenging against DPPH radical of Leejung-tang was 11.4%, 14.5%, 19.8%, 29.6%, and 49.2% at 25 ug/mL, $50{\mu}g/mL$, $100{\mu}g/mL$, $200{\mu}g/mL$, and $400{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. Conclusions : The established LC-MS/MS method will be helpful to improve quality control of Leejung-tang. In addition, Leejung-tang is a potential antioxidant therapeutic agent.

• BMB Reports
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2003

Cytoplasmic $\alpha$-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase from fruit-bat-breast muscle was purified by ion-exchange and affinity chromatography. The specific activity of the purified enzyme was approximately 120 units/mg of protein. The apparent molecular weight of the native enzyme, as determined by gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 was $59,500{\pm}650$ daltons; its subunit size was estimated to be $35,700{\pm}140$ by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The true Michaelis-Menten constants for all substrates at pH 7.5 were $3.9{\pm}0.7\;mM$, $0.65{\pm}0.05\;mM$, $0.26{\pm}0.06\;mM$, and $0.005{\pm}0.0004\;mM$ for L-glycerol-3-phosphate, $NAD^+$, DHAP, and NADH, respectively. The true Michaelis-Menten constants at pH 10.0 were $2.30{\pm}0.21\;mM$ and $0.20{\pm}0.01\;mM$ for L-glycerol-3-phosphate and $NAD^+$, respectively. The turnover number, $k_{cat}$, of the forward reaction was $1.9{\pm}0.2{\times}10^4\;s^{-1}$. The treatment of the enzyme with 5,5'-dithiobis-2-nitrobenzoic acid (DTNB) under denaturing conditions indicated that there were a total of eight cysteine residues, while only two of these residues were reactive towards DTNB in the native enzyme. The overall results of the in vitro experiments suggest that $\alpha$-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase of the fruit bat preferentially catalyses the reduction of dihydroxyacetone phosphate to glycerol-3-phosphate.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.468-478
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• 2017

Objectives: This study investigated the effects of Douchi Hataedock on Th2-skewed conditions to control allergic rhinitis. Methods: NC/Nga mice were divided into three groups: 10 mice were assigned to the control group (CTRL; no treatment), 10 mice to allergic rhinitis-induced (ARE) without treatment group, and 10 mice to the allergic rhinitis-induced (FGT) after Douchi Hataedock treatment group. The 3-week-old mice of the FGT group were given one 10 mg/kg dose of Douchi Hataedock extract and resensitized to allergic antigens at weeks four, five, and six. Allergic rhinitis was induced primarily in mice nasal cavities for five days after one week of final sensitization. The second induction used the same method one week after the first induction was completed. After one week, the nasal mucosal tissues of each group were observed. Immunohistochemical staining for IL-4, STAT6, CD40, $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, substance P, MMP-9, $NF-{\kappa}B$ p65, p-IkB, and iNOS in the nasal mucosa was also performed. Results: The FGT group had less respiratory epithelial damage and less mucin secretion in goblet cells than the ARE group and showed a 62% decrease in IL-4, 85% decrease in STAT6, 71% decrease in CD40, 69% decrease in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$, 43% decrease in substance P, 49% decrease in MMP-9, 43% decrease in NF-kB p65, 38% decrease in p-IkB, and 73% decrease in iNOS compared to the ARE group. Conclusions: Douchi Hataedock lessens inflammation in epithelial and goblet cells and reduces inflammatory mediator secretion in a mouse allergic rhinitis model.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.62-71
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• 2012

Lake Doam watershed was surveyed to evaluate non-point source discharge characteristics and discharge load including several water quality parameters in Song Stream from July 2009 to July 2011. Concentrations of water pollutants were high during the rainfall period, especially, SS, TP and COD showed increasing tendencies toward cumulative water discharge but TN did not show much difference. SS, TP and COD had an initial flush effect of over 50 mm rainfall event but there was no clear tendency for rainfalls below that level. Event mean concentration (EMC) regarding the rainy and dry period showed large differences. Especially rainy season EMC (SS, TP, COD) demonstrated an increasingly high tendency. EMCs of COD, SS, TN and TP measured for twelve rain events were as high as 26.1, 866.0, 4.68 and 0.605 mg $L^{-1}$, respectively. COD, SS, TN and TP loadings from the highland agricultural region of the Song Stream watershed were 34,263, 1,250,254, 2,673 and 933 kg $yr^{-1}\;km^{-2}$, respectively, which were relatively higher than the results of other stream systems. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that long-term monitoring and non-point pollution reduction programs for the highland agricultural area to continue. Furthermore, this non-point source pollution loading research acquired from the highland agricultural area could be the base for reassessment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.147-156
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• 2006

Objectives : The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effects of herbal acupuncture with Ginseng Radix for the treatment to intestinal disease in the rat with 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) induced colitis. Methods : All animals were subjected to the injection of saline $(300{\mu}{\ell},\;500{\mu}{\ell})$ for a study control or TNBS $(300{\mu}{\ell},\;500{\mu}{\ell})$ into the lumen of the colon, 8cm proximal to the anus through the intestine. Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture ($20mg/m{\ell},\;0.4m{\ell}$) were injected to the both $Hapgok(LI_4)$ acupoints at 2nd injection of TNBS in rats. Thus, the body weight, RBC count, WBC count, total protein, IgG levels and IgM levels were observed to study the effects of Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture. Results : Ginseng Radix herbal acupuncture on $Hapgok(LI_4)$ for TNBS-induced colitis inhibited the body weight loss rate but did not affect RBC and WBC counts. Furthermore, it inhibited the reduction of total protein concentration and serum IgG and IgM levels in TNBS induced colitis were recovered. Conclusions : Herbal acupuncture with Ginseng Radix helps recover the TNBS-induced colonic damage and may be an important method for treatment of the colitis.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.923-929
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of $PineXol^{(R)}$ on $H_2O_2$-induced cell death in SK-N-MC cells, and in early stage focal ischemia rodent model. SK-N-MC cells were pre-treated with $200{\mu}M$ $H_2O_2$ or various concentrations of $PineXol^{(R)}$ (10, 30, and 50 pg/mL) for 24 h, and then exposed to $H_2O_2$ for 3 h. Cell death was assessed by the CCK-8 assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay, and lactate and dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) expressions were also analyzed by western blotting. Focal ischemia rodent model was used as the in vivo model, and different concentrations of $PineXol^{(R)}$ (1, 10, and 100 mg/kg) were administered. One week after administration, reduction of infarct volume was analyzed by TTC staining. Cell viability of $H_2O_2$-treated SK-N-MC cells significantly increased by pre-treatment of $PineXol^{(R)}$ (p<0.05). $PineXol^{(R)}$ pre-treatment also induced significant decrease of ROS and LDH expressions. However, $PineXol^{(R)}$ did not affect the infarct volume. These results suggest that $PineXol^{(R)}$ has significant neuroprotective effect in vitro, but statistical significance was not confirmed in the in vivo focal ischemia model.