• Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.539-556
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine preservice secondary science teachers' understanding of the nature of science, by using nature of science (NOS) questionnaire on the basis of atomic model, and compare this to pre-studies. 'Understanding of nature of scientific model,' 'Tentativeness of scientific knowledge,' 'Subjectivity in science,' 'Use of inference and imagination,' 'Myths of the scientific method,' and 'Comparison between science and art.' were examined. Preservice teachers showed great comprehension of the tentativeness of scientific knowledge (the orbital model) and the subjectivity in science (the different interpretation about the experiment of particle scattering), but displayed the lowest comprehension of the scientific method. For understanding of nature of scientific model (the atomic model) and the comparison between science (Bohr's atomic model) and art (Picasso's work), preservice teachers brought out a combination of ontological and constructivist perspective and showed the contradictory thought about imagination in science research. In the result of comparison to pre-studies using the NOS instruments contains general terms, represented high levels of agreement about the tentativeness of scientific knowledge by using concrete examples of 'atomic model'. When concrete scientists such as Thomson, Rutherford, Bohr were presented, respondents revealed more informed views about the scientists' research method.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.53-63
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study was designed to determine if methylene blue inhibited the lipid peroxidation, the production of NO, and the gene expression of iNOS in acute lung injury induced by paraquat and if the inhibitory effect was dose dependent. Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: the control group, the group treated with paraquat only, the group treated with paraquat and a low dose of methylene blue (2 mg/kg), and the group treated with paraquat and a high dose of methylene blue (20 mg/kg). Methylene blue was administered via the jugular vein 1 h after paraquat administration, and animals were sacrificed 6 and 24 h after paraquat administration. Malondialdehyde (MDA) as lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione (GSH) as an antioxidant defense, the plasma NO concentration, and the expression of iNOS mRNA in the lung tissue were measured Results: Lung MDA contents decreased, with no significant difference between the methylene-blue groups and the paraquat-only group. Lung GSH contents were significantly elevated at 24 h in the methylene-blue groups compared with the paraquat-only group. Plasma NO concentrations were significantly reduced at 6 and 24 h in the methylene-blue groups compared with the paraquat-only group. There was also a significant decrease in the plasma NO concentration at 6 h in the high-dose methylene-blue group compared with the low-dose methylene-blue group. The expression of iNOS mRNA in the lung tissue was slightly decreased in the methylene-blue groups. It was also markedly increased at 24 h in the paraquat-only group compared with the methylene-blue groups. The gene expression was relatively decreased in the high-dose methylene-blue group compared with the low-dose methylene-blue group. Conclusion: This study suggests that methylene blue has an inhibitory effect on the plasma NO concentration and the expression of iNOS mRNA in lung injury induced by paraquat. No inhibitory effect of methylene blue on lipid peroxidation or dose-dependent inhibitory effects were clearly shown.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• v.48 no.3
• /
• pp.246-251
• /
• 2005

The aim of this study was to evaluate an efficacy about activation on macrophage, using model that measured cell viability, nitric oxide (NO), iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) expression and tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) on Raw 264.7 cells following treatment of Germanium-fortified Yeast in 0, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, $200\;{\mu}g/ml$ and the same concentration of dried yeast without germanium. Cell viability (%) and NO produced in activated-macrophage were dose-dependant, a significant increase of the cell viability (132.5%) and NO in $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ (p < 0.05). Increase in iNOS level was in $10\;{\mu}g/ml$. $TNF-{\alpha}$ was produced dose-dependant, e.g. in activated-macrophage with a significant increase of the $TNF-{\alpha}$ in 5 and $10\;{\mu}g/ml$ (p < 0.05). Therefore, Germanium-fortified Yeast had an efficacy of NO mediated iNOS and $TNF-{\alpha}$ production by activated macrophage. This result showed that Germanium-fortified Yeast induced activation of cellular immunity, returned to normalcy on injured immune system and procured anticancer system by activation of macrophage, which was important in immune and anticancer function.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.36 no.1
• /
• pp.21-39
• /
• 2023

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Goihwa-san water extract(GHS) in vitro & in vivo. Methods : In vitro, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of GHS by comparing the Raw 264.7 cells with 10, 30, 100, 300㎍/㎖ of GHS for 1 hour before Lipopolysaccharide(LPS) to the single LPS treated group. We examined the relative cell viability by MTT assay and the relative level of LPS, Loxoribine(LOX), Peptidoglycan(PGN), Flagellin(FLA)-induced NO production by using Griess reagent and measured relative iNOS protein level and COX-2 protein level by using western blot and Image analyzing system. We measured the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 by each ELISA kits and then measured the relative levels of IκBα, p-IκBα in whole-cell lysate fraction and NF-κB in nuclear fraction by using western blot and Image analyzing system. In vivo, we induced the paw edema by subcutaneous injection of 100㎕/rat CA and measured the swelling volume of paw by using a plethysmometer and then measured the relative iNOS protein level by using western blot. Results : As a result, in vitro, LPS, PGN-induced NO production was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with GHS. GHS reduced LPS, PGN-induced iNOS expression, PGN-induced COX-2 expression and LPS-induced production of cytokine(TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6). Expression of IκBα was increased by pretreatment with GHS 100㎍/㎖. And the expression of p-IκBα and NF-κB were decreased by pretreatment with GHS 100㎍/㎖. In vivo, CA-induced inflammation rat model was used for the evaluation of the anti-inflammatory effect of GHS. 0.3 or 1.0g/kg of GHS significantly reduced the increases of paw swelling and iNOS expression in paw tissues. Conclusions : These results show that GHS can decrease inflammatory response via inhibition of the NF-κB pathway in vitro. And in vivo, the anti-inflammatory effect suggest the clinical basis of GHS for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.5
• /
• pp.535-544
• /
• 2017

Carnosol is a phenolic antioxidant present in rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis). It is known for anti-inflammatory effects, analgesic activity and anti-cancer effects. However, no study has been dedicated yet to its effect on atopic dermatitis (AD). Here, we show that carnosol effectively inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) generation and expression of inflammatory marker proteins (iNOS and COX-2) in RAW 264.7 cells. In addition, carnosol effectively inhibits the phosphorylation of STAT3 and DNA binding activity in RAW 264.7 cells. Pull down assay and docking model analysis showed that carnosol directly binds to the DNA binding domain (DBD) of STAT3. We next examined the anti-atopic activity of carnosol ($0.05{\mu}g/cm^2$) using 5% Phthalic anhydride (PA)-induced AD model in HR1 mice. Carnosol treatment significantly reduced 5% PA-induced AD like skin inflammation in skin tissues compared with control mice. Moreover, carnosol treatment inhibits the expression of iNOS and COX-2 in skin tissue. In addition, the levels of $TNF-{\alpha}$, $IL-1{\beta}$, and Immunoglobulin-E in blood serum was significantly decreased in carnosol treated mice compared with those of 5% PA treated group. Furthermore, the activation of STAT3 in skin tissue was decreased in carnosol treated mice compared with control mice. In conclusion, these findings suggest that carnosol exhibited a potential anti-AD activity by inhibiting pro-inflammatory mediators through suppression of STAT3 activation via direct binding to DBD of STAT3.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.284-291
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exercise (EX) and Korean red ginseng (KRG) on inflammation mechanism in aging model rats with diet-induced atherosclerosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 6 groups: Young control (Y-C), Aging control (A-C), A-C with HFD (AHF), AHF with EX (AHF-EX), AHF-EX with KRG (AHF-EX+RG), and AHF with KRG (AHF-RG). Aging was induced by D-gal (100mg/kg) and atherosclerosis was induced by HFD (60% fat) for 9 weeks. The experimental rats were performed swimming (60 min/day, 5 days/week) and supplied KRG orally (dose of 200 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. All rat aorta samples were harvested for biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. REULTS: The EX and KRG supplementation significantly inhibited body weight and levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, and enhance of HDL-C compared with untreated AHF groups. AHF-EX, AHF-EX+RG, and AHF-RG group showed a decreased plasma CRP and increase plasma NO activities compared to AHF group. In addition, these groups revealed reduced 4-HNE, NF-kB, TNF-, ${\alpha}$, IL-6, COX-2, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and enhanced eNOS expression in the aorta. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that EX alone, KRG alone, and combined treatment of EX and KRG may be an effective anti-inflammatory therapeutic for the atherosclerosis, possibly acting via the decreased of CRP and pro-inflammation proteins and the increased NO and eNOS.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.59 no.6
• /
• pp.262-270
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to right ventricular failure (RVF) as well as an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance. Our purpose was to study the effect of sildenafil on right ventricular remodeling in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced RVF. Methods: The rats were distributed randomly into 3 groups. The control (C) group, the monocrotaline (M) group (MCT 60 mg/kg) and the sildenafil (S) group (MCT 60 mg/kg+ sildenafil 30 mg/kg/day for 28 days). Masson Trichrome staining was used for heart tissues. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining were performed. Results: The mean right ventricular pressure (RVP) was significantly lower in the S group at weeks 1, 2, and 4. The number of intra-acinar arteries and the medial wall thickness of the pulmonary arterioles significantly lessened in the S group at week 4. The collagen content also decreased in heart tissues in the S group at week 4. Protein expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)-associated X, caspase-3, Bcl-2, interleukin (IL)-6, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), endothelin (ET)-1 and ET receptor A (ERA) in lung tissues greatly decreased in the S group at week 4 according to immunohistochemical staining. According to Western blotting, protein expression levels of troponin I, brain natriuretic peptide, caspase-3, Bcl-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, IL-6, MMP-2, eNOS, ET-1, and ERA in heart tissues greatly diminished in the S group at week 4. Conclusion: Sildenafil alleviated right ventricular hypertrophy and mean RVP. These data suggest that sildenafil improves right ventricular function.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.13-19
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: One of the mechanisms considered to be prevalent in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is hyper-stimulation of microglia. Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocapa L.) is widely used to treat diabetes and atherosclerosis, and is known to exert anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects; however, its neuroprotective effects have not been elucidated thus far. MATERIALS/METHODS: We undertook to assess the anti-inflammatory effect of the ethanolic extract of black chokeberry friut (BCE) in BV2 cells, and evaluate its neuroprotective effect in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of AD. RESULTS: Following stimulation of BV2 cells by LPS, exposure to BCE significantly reduced the generation of nitric oxide as well as mRNA levels of numerous inflammatory factors such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), interleukin 1 beta ($IL-1{\beta}$), and tumor necrosis factor alpha ($TNF-{\alpha}$). In addition, AD was induced in a mouse model by intraperitoneal injection of LPS ($250{\mu}g/kg$), subsequent to which we investigated the neuroprotective effects of BCE (50 mg/kg) on brain damage. We observed that BCE significantly reduced tissue damage in the hippocampus by downregulating iNOS, COX-2, and $TNF-{\alpha}$ levels. We further identified the quinic acids in BCE using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS). Furthermore, we confirmed the neuroprotective effect of BCE and quinic acid on amyloid beta-induced cell death in rat hippocampal primary neurons. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that black chokeberry has protective effects against the development of AD.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.259-269
• /
• 2016

Objectives : Phyllostachys Folium is leaves of Phyllostachys nigra var. henesis $S_{TAPF}$. In the East Asian traditional medicine, the herb has been used to treat nasal bleeding, dysuria, epilepsy and etc. The present study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Phyllostachys Folium water extracts (PFE) in vitro and in vivo model. Methods : Cell viability was measured by MTT assay after the treatment of PFE and NO production was monitored by measuring the nitrite content in culture medium. iNOS, COX-2, $I{\kappa}B$, $p-I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ amd $NF{\kappa}B$ were detected by immunoblot analysis, and levels of cytokine were analyzed by sandwich ELISA kit. Anti-edema effect of PFE was determined in the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in rats. Results : LPS increased NO and cytokines levels compared with control, these increases were attenuated by PFE. In addition, LPS-induced pro-inflammatory proteins such as iNOS, COX-2 were down regulated by PFE. These anti-inflammatory effect of PFE results from inhibition of phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B$ and translocation of $NF-{\kappa}B$. Conclusion : These results show that PFE has some anti-inflammatory effects which might play a role in gram-negative bacterial infection inflammation and $NF{\kappa}B$ activated diseases.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.12
• /
• pp.695-699
• /
• 2019

Cytokine-induced apoptosis inhibitor 1 (CIAPIN1), known as an anti-apoptotic and signal-transduction protein, plays a pivotal role in a variety of biological processes. However, the role of CIAPIN1 in inflammation is unclear. We investigated the protective effects of CIAPIN1 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed Raw 264.7 cells and against inflammatory damage induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in a mouse model using cell-permeable Tat-CIAPIN1. Transduced Tat-CIAPIN1 significantly reduced ROS production and DNA fragmentation in LPS-exposed Raw 264.7 cells. Also, Tat-CIAPIN1 inhibited MAPKs and NF-κB activation, reduced the expression of Bax, and cleaved caspase-3, COX-2, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-exposed cells. In a TPA-induced animal model, transduced Tat-CIAPIN1 drastically decreased inflammation damage and inhibited COX-2, iNOS, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. Therefore, these findings suggest that Tat-CIAPIN1 might lead to a new strategy for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders.