• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.5
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• pp.610-616
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• 2021

Background: Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) acts as a master switch for inflammatory responses. Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) which is an active ingredient of Panax ginseng Meyer (Araliaceae) is known to possess various therapeutic effects. However, a modulatory effect of Rg3 on TSLP expression in the inflammatory responses remains poorly understood. Methods: We investigated antiinflammatory effects of Rg3 on an in vitro model using HMC-1 cells stimulated by PMA plus calcium ionophore (PMACI), as well as an in vivo model using PMA-induced mouse ear edema. TSLP and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or real-time PCR analysis. Murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression levels were detected using Western blot analysis. Results: Rg3 treatment restrained the production and mRNA expression levels of TSLP and VEGF in activated HMC-1 cells. Rg3 down-regulated the MDM2 expression level increased by PMACI stimulation. The HIF1α expression level was also reduced by Rg3 in activated HMC-1 cells. In addition, Rg3-administered mice showed the decreased redness and ear thickness in PMA-irritated ear edema. Rg3 inhibited the TSLP and VEGF levels in the serum and ear tissue homogenate. Moreover, the MDM2 and HIF1α expression levels in the ear tissue homogenate were suppressed by Rg3. Conclusion: Taken together, the current study identifies new mechanistic evidence about MDM2/HIF1α pathway in the antiinflammatory effect of Rg3, providing a new effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of skin inflammatory diseases.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.77-81
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• 2015

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of embryonic stage and toxicities of cryoprotectant on the rates of survival and development of the cryopreserved mouse early embryo and finally to establish the cryopreservation method of surplus embryos obtained during assisted reproductive technology. Toxicities of two cryoprotectants, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and ethylene glycol (EG) were investigated using a murine embryo model. Female F-1 mice were stimulated with gonadotropin, induced ovulation with hCG and mated. Two cell embryos were collected and cultured after exposure to either DMSO or EG. Embryo development was evaluated up to the blastocyst stage. The total cell count of blastocysts that were treated with DMSO ($68.1{\pm}24.1$) at the 2-cell stage was significantly lower than that were treated with EG ($81.2{\pm}27.0$) or the control ($99.0{\pm}18.3$) (p<0.001). On comparison of two cryoprotectant treated groups, the DMSO treated group showed a decreased cell count compared with the EG treated group (p<0.05). Both DMSO ($15.4{\pm}1.5$) and EG ($10.2{\pm}1.4$) treated groups showed higher apoptosis rates of cells in the blastocyst compared with the control ($6.1{\pm}0.9$, p<0.0001). In addition, the DMSO treated group showed more apoptotic cells than the EG treated group (p<0.001). The potential toxicity of cryoprotectants was uncovered by prolonged exposure of murine embryos to either DMSO or EG at room temperature. When comparing two cryoprotective agents, EG appeared to be less toxic than DMSO at least in a murine embryo model.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.305-310
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• 2007

The principal objective of this study was to compare the effects of whole and hydrolyzed cells (bifidobacteria) treated with gastrointestinal digestive enzymes on the activation of cloned macrophages. Seven different strains of Bifidobacterium obtained from swine, chickens, and rats, were digested with pepsin followed by pancreatin and the precipitate (insoluble fraction) and supernatant (soluble fraction) obtained via centrifugation. The RAW 264.7 murine macrophages were incubated with either whole cells, the precipitate, or supernatant at various concentrations. Pronounced increases in the levels of nitric oxide (NO), interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ were observed in the whole cells and precipitates, but these effects were less profound in the supernatants. The precipitates also evidenced a slight, but significant, inductive activity for NO and all tested cytokines, with the exception of $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ in the macrophage model as compared with the whole cells. By way of contrast, $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ production when cultured with whole cells (100 ng/ml) resulted in marked increases as compared with what was observed with the precipitates. The results of this study indicated, for the first time, that digested Bifidobacterium sp. can induce the production of NO and several cytokines in RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells. In the current study, it was demonstrated that Bifidobacterium strains treated with digestive enzymes, as compared with whole cells, are capable of stimulating the induction of macrophage mediators, which reflects that they may be able to modulate the gastrointestinal immune functions of the host.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.17-23
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• 2005

In the present study, we expected the anti-tumor effect by combined treatment of arsenic trioxide and interferon (IFN)-${\alpha}$ on murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LL2) cells through in vivo study. As a experimental model, LL2 cells ($1{\times}10^{6}$/mouse) were injected subcutaneously into the back region of mice. When the tumor volume reached $100mm^3$, mice were treated with 1 mg/kg arsenic trioxide, 50000 IU IFN-${\alpha}$, or arsenic trioxide and IFN-${\alpha}$. The development of tumor cells was significantly inhibited by combined treatment with arsenic trioxide and IFN-${\alpha}$. In arsenic trioxide and IFN-${\alpha}$ treated group, apoptotic index was reached a peak valve at 48 hr after the treatment and it was restored to approximately the control level at 8 days. Also, positive signals of Bax and Bad were increased at 48 to 96 hr and decreased at 8 day. Whereas, positive cells of Bcl-2 were steadily decreased at 12 to 48 hr and restored to the background level at 8 days. Our data showed that immunoreactivity of Bcl-2 was decreased at 12 to 48 hr, while positive signals of Bax and Bad were increased in accordance with apoptotic index at these times. In conclusion, our results suggest that the combined treatment with arsenic trioxide and IFN-${\alpha}$ significantly inhibited the growth of LL2 tumor cells and induced apoptosis through the up and down-regulation of Bcl-2 gene family.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.536-544
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• 2021

5-amino salicylic acid (5-ASA) is a standard therapy for the treatment of mild to moderate forms of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) whereas more severe forms involve the use of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan that has shown epithelium protective effects in experimental colitis recently. In this study, both 5-ASA (30 mg/kg) and HA (15 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg) were administered rectally and investigated for their potential complementary therapeutic effects in moderate or severe murine colitis models. Intrarectal treatment of moderate and severe colitis with 5-ASA alone or HA alone at a dose of 30 mg/kg led to a significant decrease in clinical activity and histology scores, myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in colitis mice compared to untreated animals. The combination of HA (30 mg/kg) and 5-ASA in severe colitis led to a significant improvement of colitis compared to 5-ASA alone. Combined rectal therapy with HA and 5-ASA could be a treatment alternative for severe cases of IBD as it was the only treatment tested that was not significantly different from the healthy control group. This study further underlines the benefit of searching for yet unexplored drug combinations that show therapeutic potential in IBD without the need of designing completely new drug entities.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.155-161
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• 1991

The mechanisms of demyelination in Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV)-induced chronic central nervous system(CNS) disease are still unclear and are probably multifactoral. This study was intended to culture spinal cord cells isolated from TMEV-induced demyelinating mice. By Percoll density centrifugation of enzymatically dissociated tissue, the cells were collected and then cultured on poly-L-lysine-coated plastic coverslips for 2 weeks. Oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and macrophages were identified using cell-type specific markers. Viral antigens were not present in oligodendrocytes and in astrocytes by double immunofluorescence. Affected mouse oligodendrocytes had less capacities of sheet formation and galactocerebroside immunoreactivity than those of control cell 3. These findings support the hypothesis that immune mediated mechanisms play an important role in the process of demyelination in this animal model.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.95-104
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• 2017

Proviral Integration site of Moloney (Pim) murine Leukemia virus kinases is a serine/threonine specific protein kinase. It is largely involved in cell survival and proliferation. Pim-1 phosphorylates multiple cellular substrates to inhibit apoptosis and promote cell cycle progression. Over expression of Pim-1 kinase is observed in a range of malignancies and various solid cancers. High level of Pim-1 expression is seen in myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia, prostate cancer and liver carcinomas. Hence, Pim-1 is considered as an interesting cancer target. In the present study, we have performed region-focused CoMFA study on a series of imidazopyridazine derivatives as Pim-1 kinase inhibitors. A statistically acceptable region-focused CoMFA model ($q^2=0.571$; ONC=3; $r^2=0.909$) was developed. The model was then validated using Bootsrapping and progressive sampling. The contour map highlighted the regions favorable to increase the activity. Bulky substitutions in $R^2$ position of the phenyl ring could increase the activity. Similarly, small negative substitution in the $R^1$ position of the Pyridine ring could increase the activity considerably. Our results will be useful to design novel Pim-1 kinase inhibitors of this series.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.452-456
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• 2012

Background Phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and deoxycholate (DCA) compound has been recently used for the purpose of partial lipolysis and is valued for its efficacy and lower invasiveness compared to liposuction and dermolipectomy used previously. In this article, the authors discuss the efficacy of the PPC dissolved in DCA via an experimental rat study model, along with suggesting a useful animal experimental model for the study of adipose tissue and lipolysis. Methods Bilateral inguinal fat pads of an experimental rat were elevated with the deep inferior epigastric vessel as the sole vascular pedicle. Normal saline was injected on one side as a control group and a PPC and DCA compound was injected on the other side. After 4 days, the rats were euthanized for microscopic tissue examination. The pathology was scored by a sem-iquantitative system in 4 categories: normal fat amount, fat necrosis, inflammatory activity, and stage of fibrosis. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test powered by SPSS packet program was used for statistical analysis and to determine significance. Results Microscopic examination was performed on the obtained samples, and the experimental data of all four categories showed significant histologic differences compared to the control group. All of the data also showed statistical significance by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (P<0.01). Conclusions In the inguinal fat pad rat model, the control group and the experimental group had a differed significantly in the amount of normal fat tissue, inflammation, necrosis, and fibrosis. We recommend the rat inguinal fat pad model used in this study, as it is likely to be useful in related research.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.448-451
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• 2015

In a previous study, we isolated octaphlorethol A (OPA) from Ishige foliacea and evaluated its anti-melanogenesis activity in a murine melanoma cell line. However, the whitening effect and toxicity of OPA have not yet been examined in vivo. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of OPA on melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in an in vivo zebrafish model. More than 90% of subject embryos survived upon exposure to OPA concentrations below $25{\mu}M$, which was not significantly different from the finding in the control group. OPA markedly inhibited melanin synthesis and tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

Hesperidin, a member of the flavanone group of flavonoids, can be isolated in large amounts from the rinds of some citrus species [e.g., Citrus aurantium L. (bitter orange), Citrus sinensis L. (sweet orange) and Citrus unshiu Marcov. (satsuma mandarin)], and has been reported to have anticarcinogenic, antihypotensive and antimicrobial properties. Despite the efficacy of these polyphenolic compounds as immune modulators, the effects of the flavonoids are poorly understood about allergic effect. In this study, we investigated whether hesperidin could influence on Th1 and Th2 balance. Allergic reactions included an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration into the lung tissue around blood vessels and airways, airway luminal narrowing, the development of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). The administration of hesperidin before the last airway OVA challenge resulted in a significant inhibition of all asthmatic reactions. Accordingly, this study may provide evidence that hesperidin plays a critical role in the amelioration of the pathogenetic process of asthma in mice. These findings provide new insight into the immunopharmacological role of hesperidin in terms of its effects in a murine model of asthma, and also broaden current perspectives in our understanding of the immunopharmacological functions of hesperidin.