• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.28-41
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• 2024

Objective: Chronic scrotal hyperthermia (SHT) can lead to serious disorders of the male reproductive system, with oxidative stress playing a key role in the onset of these dysfunctions. Thus, we evaluated the impact of caffeine, a potent antioxidant, on cellular and tissue disorders in mice with chronic SHT. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male NMRI mice were allocated into seven equal groups. Apart from the non-treated control group, all were exposed to heat stress. Two groups, termed "preventive" and "curative," were orally administered caffeine. The preventive mice began receiving caffeine immediately prior to heat exposure, while for the curative group, a caffeine regimen was initiated 15 consecutive days following cessation of heat exposure. Each treated group was subdivided based on pairing with a positive control (Pre/ curative [Cur]+PC) or a vehicle (Pre/Cur+vehicle). Upon conclusion of the study, we assessed sperm characteristics, testosterone levels, stereological parameters, apoptosis, antioxidant and oxidant levels, and molecular markers. Results: Sperm parameters, testosterone levels, stereological parameters, biochemical factors (excluding malondialdehyde [MDA]), and c-kit gene expression were significantly elevated in the preventive and curative groups, especially the former, relative to the other groups. Conversely, expression levels of the heat shock protein 72 (HSP72) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κβ) genes, MDA levels, and apoptotic cell density were markedly lower in both caffeine-treated groups relative to the other groups, with more pronounced differences observed in the preventive group. Conclusion: Overall, caffeine attenuated cellular and molecular abnormalities induced by heat stress in the testis, particularly in the mice treated under the preventive condition.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권6호
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• pp.1243-1255
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• 2023

Objective: This study aims to explore the pharmacological effects and mechanisms of enzyme (Viscozyme)-treated garlic extract (EG) in an animal model of acute enteritis induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods: The experiment included four subgroups: normal, control, EG200 (treated with 200 mg/kg EG), and EG400 (treated with 400 mg/kg EG). Drug administration lasted 3 days, followed by the induction of acute enteritis in all groups (except normal) through the intraperitoneal administration of 20 mg/kg of LPS 1 h after the last oral dose. Autopsy was conducted 24 h later to collect serum and colon tissue. Serum was analyzed for reactive oxygen species (ROS) and C-reactive protein (CRP), while Western blotting was performed on the colon tissue. Results: After analyzing the ROS and CRP levels in serum, the EG treatment group exhibited a significant decrease compared with the control group. The EG treatment group exhibited a significant decrease in the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB) pathway compared with the control group. EG administration significantly regulated apoptosis-related factors, including B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X, cysteine aspartyl-specific protease-3, and cytochrome C. Conclusions: EG treatment in mice with LPS-induced acute colitis reduced the ROS and CRP levels, suppressed the MAPKs/NF-κB pathway in the colon, and effectively alleviated acute enteritis by modulating apoptosis-related factors. Based on these findings, EG emerges as a promising candidate for the prevention and treatment of acute colitis, showing its potential therapeutic efficacy in this experimental model.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권2호
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• pp.128-136
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• 2003

목 적 : Hyper IgM syndrome(HIGM)은 크게 세 부류로 나누는데, CD40L 분자의 돌연변이로 초래되며 X-linked로 유전되는 형태를 HIGM1이라고 하고, 상염색체성 열성 형태로 유전되면서 CD40L는 정상적으로 표현되는 형태로 activation-induced cytidine deaminase(AID) 유전자에 이상 때문에 오는 경우를 HIGM2로 분류하고 있다. 다른 한 부류는 X-linked HIGM 증후군의 매우 드문 한 형태로서 발한 저하성 외배엽 이형성증이 동반된 경우로, 이 질환은 전사인자인 nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$의 활성화에 관여하는 nuclear factor ${\kappa}B$ essential modulator를 coding하는 유전자의 돌연변이 때문에 오는 것으로 알려져 있다. 연구자들은 HIGM2와 유사하지만 AID 유전자에 변이는 없는 새로운 형태의 HIGM 환자의 말초 B세포를 이용하여 병인을 조사하고자 본 연구를 시도하였다. 방 법 : 환자의 말초혈액 단핵구를 분리하고, EBV로 immortalization을 시켜 Cycle TEST PLUS DNA Reagent kit를 이용하여 cell cycle을 분석하였다. 환자의 말초혈액 T 세포에서 CD40L의 표현을 immunostaining으로 알아보고, RNA를 추출하여 RT-PCR을 하고 direct sequencing을 통하여 CD40L 유전자의 돌연변이 부위를 찾아보았다. 아울러 AID 유전자의 돌연변이를 찾기 위하여 같은 방법으로 sequencing하고 조사하였다. 환자의 림프절을 병리학적인 검사를 시행하고 CD3, CD23, CD40, Fas-L, bcl-2, BAX의 표현을 알아보기 위하여 immunostaining을 실시하였다. 결 과: 림프절의 광학적 소견은 반응성 여포증식의 소견을 보였으며, 여포와 단구양 증식은 B-세포 표시인자인 L26에 양성을 보였고, 대부분의 형질세포는 IgM에 양성을 보였다. 여포는 CD40, Fas, BAX에 양성반응을 보이고, bcl-2와 Fas-L에 음성반응을 보였다. 말초혈액 B 림프구를 이용하여 cell cycle을 분석한 결과 정상(17.9%)에 비하여 G2/mitosis phase(M3 in figure)가 현저하게 감소(8.5%)되어 있는 양상을 보여주고 있으며, IL-4로 자극한 경우에는 정상인에서 보여주는 양상으로 회복되는 양상을 볼 수 있었다. 단핵수에서 CD40L의 표현은 정상이었고 CD40L 유전자에도 돌연변이는 발견할 수 없었으며, HuAID 유전자에도 돌연변이를 발견할 수 없었다. 결 론 : 환자의 말초혈액 B림프구를 통한 연구 결과, 기존에 보고 되어진 HIGM2 형태와 임상적으로는 비슷하지만, 정상적인 AID유전자를 보이고, G2/mitosis phase가 정상에 비하여 감소된, 새로운 형태의 HIGM이라고 여겨진다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권9호
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• pp.818-826
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• 2021

5-ALA-p는 천연 아미노산인 5-ALA를 암모니아수로 용출하고 인산과 아세톤을 첨가하여 광역학 요법에 적합한 특성을 갖도록 개발된 물질이다. 그러나 항산화 및 항염증에 대한 잠재적인 기전을 포함한 약리학적 효능은 아직 명확하지 않다. 본 연구에서는 LPS로 자극된 RAW 264.7 세포에서 산화적 및 염증성 반응에 대한 5-ALA-p의 효과를 평가하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면, 5-ALA-p는 LPS에 의한 RAW 264.7 세포의 과도한 식균 활성을 유의하게 억제하였고 산화적 스트레스를 약화시켰다. 5-ALA-p는 또한 LPS에 의해 감소된 미토콘드리아 생물 발생을 개선하였으며, 이는 5-ALA-p가 LPS로 인한 미토콘드리아 손상을 복원시켰음을 시사한다. 아울러 5-ALA-p는 NO와 TNF-α, IL-1β 및 IL-6과 같은 염증성 사이토카인의 생성을 현저히 억제하였으며, 이는 iNOS 및 각 사이토카인의 발현 감소와 연관성이 있었다. 나아가 5-ALA-p는 NF-κB의 핵 전이를 감소시키고 MAPKs의 인산화를 억제하여 5-ALA-p의 항염증 효과가 이들 신호전달 경로의 활성 억제와 매개되었음을 보여주었다. 이러한 결과들은 5-ALA-p가 산화적 및 염증성 스트레스를 줄이는 잠재적인 후보 약물로 적용될 수 있음을 의미한다.

• 한국어류학회지
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.61-69
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• 2011

멸종위기 어류 미호종개(Cobitis choii)로부터 중금속해독 단백질(metallothionein) 유전자를 분리, 클로닝하고 중금속 및 고온 스트레스에 대한 전사 발현 특정을 분석하였다. 미호종개 metallothionein는 gDNA, mRNA 및 아미노산 서열 모두에서 경골 어류 MT들의 구조적 특징을 잘 보전하고 있었으며, 생물정보분석을 통해 미호종개 MT 유전자 5'-upstream 영역은 중금속 조절, 면역 반응 및 온도 반응에 관여하는 다양한 전사 조절인자들의 부착 위치들을 포함하는 것으로 관찰되었다. 카드뮴(Cd), 구리(Cu), 니켈(Ni), 망간(Mn) 및 아연(Zn)을 이용한 침지 노출 실험(0.5 및 $1.0\;{\mu}M$; 24시간)에서 미호종개 MT mRNA 발현은 구리 및 카드뮴 처리군에서 가장 많이 유도되었고($1.0\;{\mu}M$ Cu 처리군에서 최대 10배), 망간 처리군에서는 비교적 적은 양의 MT 발현이 유도된 반면(2배), 아연 및 니켈 노출 군에서는 유의적인 MT 발현의 증감이 관찰되지 않았다. 또한 미호종개 MT 전사 발현은 고온 자극 ($25^{\circ}C$로부터 $31^{\circ}C$까지 증가)에도 민감하게 반응하는 것으로 나타나, $31^{\circ}C$ 도달시점에서 $25^{\circ}C$ 초기 MT mRNA 발현 수준보다 9배 높은 mRNA 발현이 관찰되었다. 본 연구 결과는 MT 기반의 유전자 발현 분석을 이용함으로써, 향후 멸종위기 어류 미호종개의 스트레스 반응 연구에 유용한 기초 자료를 제공할 수 있다고 기대된다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.437-444
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• 2016

Background: Although Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) has been traditionally used for a long time, its anti-inflammatory role and underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms have been poorly understood. In this study, the anti-inflammatory roles of KRG-derived components, namely, water extract (KRG-WE), saponin fraction (KRG-SF), and nonsaponin fraction (KRG-NSF), were investigated. Methods: To check saponin levels in the test fractions, KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. The anti-inflammatory roles and underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of these components were investigated using a macrophage-like cell line (RAW264.7 cells) and an acute gastritis model in mice. Results: Of the tested fractions, KGR-SF (but not KRG-NSF and KRG-WE) markedly inhibited the viability of RAW264.7 cells, and splenocytes at more than 500 mg/mL significantly suppressed NO production at $100{\mu}g/mL$, diminished mRNA expression of inflammatory genes such as inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase-2, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interferon-${\beta}$ at $200{\mu}g/mL$, and completely blocked phagocytic uptake by RAW264.7 cells. All three fractions suppressed luciferase activity triggered by interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), but not that triggered by activator protein-1 and nuclear factor-kappa B. Phospho-IRF3 and phospho-TBK1 were simultaneously decreased in KRG-SF. Interestingly, all these fractions, when orally administered, clearly ameliorated the symptoms of gastric ulcer in HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis mice. Conclusion: These results suggest that KRG-WE, KRG-NSF, and KRG-SF might have anti-inflammatory properties, mostly because of the suppression of the IRF3 pathway.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• 제30권11호
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• pp.1614-1625
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• 2020

A number of species of the genus Trichilia (Meliaceae) exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effect of Trichilia martiana C. DC. (TM) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation has not, to the best of our knowledge, yet been determined. Therefore, in the present study, the antiinflammatory effect of TM on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages was evaluated. The ethanol extract of TM (TMEE) significantly inhibited LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin 2 (PGE₂), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). TMEE also reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. The upregulation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF-κB activation was revealed to be downregulated following TMEE pretreatment. Furthermore, TMEE was indicated to lead to the nucleus translocation of nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). In H292 airway epithelial cells, the pretreatment of TMEE significantly downregulated the production of LPS-stimulated IL-1β, and TMEE was indicated to increase the expression of HO-1. In animal models exhibiting LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI), treatment with TMEE reduced the levels of macrophages influx and TNF-α production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of ALI mice. Additionally, TMEE significantly downregulated the activation of ERK, JNK and IκB, and upregulated the expression of HO-1 in the lungs of ALI mice. In conclusion, the results of the current study demonstrated that TMEE could exert a regulatory role in the prevention or treatment of the endotoxin-mediated inflammatory response.

• 대한본초학회지
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.9-19
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• 2022

Objectives : Angelicae Gigantis Radix (AG) is a plant of the Ranunculus family. AG have been reported to have various pharmacological effects on human health which include uterine growth promotion, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immune enhancement. However, research on dermatitis disease is insufficient. Therefore, we investigated the effects of AG on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)/interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulated HaCaT cell. Methods : To investigate the effect of AG on HaCaT cell, HaCaT cells were pre-treated with AG for 1 hour and then stimulated with TNF-α/IFN-γ. After 24 hours, media and cells were harvested to analyze the inflammatory mediators. Concentration of human interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and TNF-α in the media were assessed by ELISA. mRNA expression of human thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), IL-6, and IL-8 were analyzed by RT-PCR. Additionally, the mechanisms of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling pathway were investigated by Western blot. Results : The treatment of AG inhibited gene expression levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TARC and protein expression levels of IL-1β, MCP-1, and GM-CSF. Also, AG significantly reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation and NF-κB translocation in TNF-α/IFN-γ stimulated HaCaT cell. Conclusions : Taken together, these results demonstrate that AG can alleviate inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis by regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokines. Also, it suggest that AG may a promising candidate drug for the treatment of inflammatory disease such as atopic dermatitis.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.402-417
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• 2023

Objective: Liver fibrosis is a highly conserved wound-healing response and the final common pathway of chronic inflammatory injury. This study aimed to evaluate the potential anti-fibrotic effect of the combination of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma water extract (RW) and silymarin in a thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis model. Methods: The liver fibrosis mouse model was established through the intraperitoneal injection of TAA (1 week 100 mg/kg, 2-3 weeks 200 mg/kg, 4-8 weeks 400 mg/kg) three times per week for eight weeks. Animal experiments were conducted in five groups; Normal, Control (TAA-induced liver fibrosis mice), Sily (silymarin 50 mg/kg), RSL (RW 50 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg), and RSH (RW 100 mg/kg+silymarin 50 mg/kg). Biochemical analyses were measured in serum, including aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and ammonia levels. Liver inflammatory cytokines and fibrous biomarkers were measured by Western blot analysis, and liver histopathology was evaluated through tissue staining. Results: A significant decrease in the liver function markers AST and ALT and a reduction in ammonia and total bilirubin were observed in the group treated with RSL and RSH. Measurement of reactive oxygen species and MDA revealed a significant decrease in the RSL and RSH administration group compared to the TAA induction group. The expression of extracellular matrix-related proteins, such as transforming growth factor β1, α-smooth muscle actin, and collagen type I alpha 1, was likewise significantly decreased. All drug-administered groups had increased matrix metalloproteinase-9 but a decreasing tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1. RSL and RSH exerted a significant upregulation of NADPH oxidase 2, p22^phox, and p47^phox, which are oxidative stress-related factors. Furthermore, pro-inflammatory proteins such as cyclooxygenase 2 and interleukin-1β were markedly suppressed through the inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation. Conclusions: The administration of RW and silymarin suppressed the NADPH oxidase factor protein level and showed a tendency to reduce inflammation-related enzymes. These results suggest that the combined administration of RW and silymarin improves acute liver injury induced by TAA.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
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• 제66권
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• pp.519-526
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• 2023

본 연구는 마우스 대식세포 유래 Raw264.7 세포주에서 황기와 산초 1:1 혼합물(AZM-1:1)의 면역 증진 효능을 탐색하였다. Raw264.7 세포에 100-400 ㎍/mL의 A ZM-1:1 처치는 세포 생존율의 변화 없이 inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA의 발현 증가와 함께 nitric oxide의 생성을 통계적으로 유의하게 증가시켰다. 더불어 A ZM-1:1은 처치 농도 의존적으로 cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA의 유도와 함께 세포 배양액 중 prostaglandin E₂의 함량을 증가시켰다. 또한, AZM-1:1은 tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6 및 monocyte chemoattractant protein-1의 전사를 촉진하였다. Immunoblot 분석을 통하여 AZM-1:1은 mitogen-activated protein kinase의 인산화를 증가시키고, inhibitory-κBα의 인산화를 매개한 분해를 촉진하며, p65의 인산화를 증가시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다. AZM-1:1의 처치는 녹색 형광으로 표지된 대장균 파편의 탐식작용을 촉진하였다. 따라서, 이상의 결과는 A ZM-1:1가 대식세포를 포함한 내재면역을 증진시키는 기능성 식의약 소재가 될 수 있음을 나타낸다.