• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.343-349
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fermentation of dietary fiber results in production of various short chain fatty acids in the colon. In particular, butyrate is reported to regulate the physical and functional integrity of the normal colonic mucosa by altering mucin gene expression or the number of goblet cells. The objective of this study was to investigate whether butyrate modulates mucin secretion in LS174T human colorectal cells, thereby influencing the adhesion of probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and subsequently inhibiting pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. In addition, possible signaling pathways involved in mucin gene regulation induced by butyrate treatment were also investigated. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mucin protein content assay and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining were performed in LS174T cells treated with butyrate at various concentrations. Effects of butyrate on the ability of probiotics to adhere to LS174T cells and their competition with E. coli strains were examined. Real time polymerase chain reaction for mucin gene expression and Taqman array 96-well fast plate-based pathway analysis were performed on butyrate-treated LS174T cells. RESULTS: Treatment with butyrate resulted in a dose-dependent increase in mucin protein contents in LS174T cells with peak effects at 6 or 9 mM, which was further confirmed by PAS staining. Increase in mucin protein contents resulted in elevated adherence of probiotics, which subsequently reduced the adherent ability of E. coli. Treatment with butyrate also increased transcriptional levels of MUC3, MUC4, and MUC12, which was accompanied by higher gene expressions of signaling kinases and transcription factors involved in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, butyrate is an effective regulator of modulation of mucin protein production at the transcriptional and translational levels, resulting in changes in the adherence of gut microflora. Butyrate potentially stimulates the MAPK signaling pathway in intestinal cells, which is positively correlated with gut defense.

• 한국균학회지
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• 제48권1호
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• pp.1-13
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• 2020

버섯은 예로부터 암과 염증 질환의 약재로써 많이 사용되어왔다. Trametes cubensis 버섯종은 현재까지 많은 연구가 이루어지지 않았고, 형태학적 특성만 알려져 있고 효능에 관한 연구 보고가 미흡한 실정이다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 T. cubensis 균사체 추출물(Trametes cubensis extract, TCE)의 혈관생리학적 효능을 알아보기 위해 세포와 분자수준에서의 연구를 수행하였다. 먼저 TCE를 처리하였을 때, 세포 독성은 없었고 세포성장을 촉진시켰다. 또한 세포이동이 TCE에 의해 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 다음으로 LPS (Lipopolysaccharide)에 의해 유도된 THP-1 세포의 내피세포 부착이 TCE에 의해 억제되는 것을 확인하였다. 또한 세포신호전달 경로 분석을 한 결과, TCE에 의해 활성산소가 증가하였으며, Akt억제를 통하여 p38 MAPK가 활성화되었다. 그리고 TCE가 촉발하는 세포성장, 세포이동, 단핵구 부착 등은 p38 MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase)에 의해 조절되었으며, 활성산소와는 관련이 없었다. 결론적으로, TCE는 세포성장, 세포이동, 단핵구 부착을 조절하였으며, 이는 TCE가 동맥경화와 같은 심혈관계 질환의 예방 및 치료제 혹은 혈관기능개선제로 개발될 가능성이 있음을 암시한다.

• 대한한방부인과학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.1-15
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was designed to examine immuno-modulatory effects of Evodia Rutaecarpine by activating innate immune system and inhibiting inflammation. Methods: First, Cell cytotoxicity was examined with 4T1 breast carcinoma and TG-induced macrophage. To investigate activating innate immune system of Evodiamine Rutacarpine Extract (ERE) on macrophage, we tested tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-12 (IL-12), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were measured after treating with ERE to observe innate immune modulating effect of ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Also, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) were examined by western blot analysis. Results: In cytotoxicity analysis, ERE significantly affected tumor cell growth above specific concentration. Also, ERE significantly affected macrophage growth above specific concetration. As compared with the control group, the production of TNF-α, IL-12 and IL-6 were increased in TG-induced macrophage. As compared with the control group, TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly up-regulated in RAW 264.7 cell. The expression of TNF-α and NO induced by LPS after treating ERE was significantly decreased compared with control group. In addition, We observed ERE inhibited the phosphorylation levels of p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), and p-p38 in western blotting by treating ERE on RAW 264.7 cell. Conclusions: ERE seems to have considerable impact on the anti-cancer effect by activation of innate immune system and inflammation control.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제16권4호
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• pp.317-323
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• 2000

The immunosuppressive effects of thirty nine chemicals chosen by their potential toxicity were evaluated using a three-step testing method. The immunotoxicity test method developed in this study consisted of three simple assays of lymphoproliferation, mixed leukocyte response, and interleukin (IL)-2 production. The first step was mitogen-induced proliferation assay. Ten chemicals showed the inhibitory effects on the mitogen (lipopolysaccharide or concanavalin A)-induced proliferation in dose-dependent manners. The second step was mixed lymphocyte response. This step crosschecked the growth-suppressive effects detected at the first step. All of 10 chemicals, which showed suppression of lymphoproliferation, also exhibited the suppressive effects on the mixed lymphocyte response in the similar range of chemical concentration. The third step was planned to determine whether or not this growth suppression was mediated through an early activation of T-cell, which could be represented with IL-2 production. Six out of 10 chemicals decreased the interleukin-2 production in the similar concentration range used in the step 1 and 2. These results suggest that those 6 chemicals might have their targets on the signal transduction path-way toward the IL-2 production. In the meantime the other 4 chemicals might have their targets after the IL-2 production signal. Taken all together, the three-step test would be simple, fast, and efficient to deter-mine whether or not the chemical has immunosuppressive effects.

• 대한수의학회지
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• 제34권2호
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• pp.301-306
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• 1994

This study was planned to estimate the activity of bovine circulating blood lymphocytes using phytohemagglutinin-M(PHA) known as T cell mitogen. Bovine circulating blood mononuclear cells(MNCs) was separated, and cultured with or without macrophage($PHA^+/M{\phi}^+$ or $PHA^+/M{\phi}^-$) in conditioned medium which stimulated with various concentration of PHA(0, 5, 10, 15 and $20{\mu}g/ml$ in medium), and then investigated the blastogenic response and rosette formation of lymphocytes. Blastogenic rate(BR) was especially increased in PHA concentration(10 and $15{\mu}g/ml$) of $PHA^+/M{\phi}^+$ group and their BR were $41.5{\pm}6.8%$ and $44.4{\pm}8.9%$, respectively and BR in PHA concentration(15 and $20{\mu}g/ml$) of $PHA^+/M{\phi}^-$ group was $32.8{\pm}6.2%$ and $31.4{\pm}4.6%$, respectively. BR of lymphocytes was more increased in $PHA^+/M{\phi}^+$ than $PHA^+/M{\phi}^-$ group when these cells were stimulated by PHA. Rosette forming rate(RFR) of lymphocytes to SRBC highly increased when SRBC was treated with AET and/or dextran, respectively. On the orther hand, RFR significantly increased more in $PHA^+/M{\phi}^+$ and $PHA^+/M{\phi}^-$ group than in control group, but when compared with two groups, statistical significancy was recognized only in PHA concentration($15{\mu}g/ml$, p<0.026) of $PHA^+/M{\phi}^+$ group.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제15권1호
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• pp.257-263
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• 2014

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an endothelial cell specific mitogen, has been implicated as a critical factor influencing tumor related angiogenesis. The aim of present study was to evaluate the relationship between VEGF +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms of VEGF with risk of breast cancer in Punjab, India. Materials and Methods: We screened DNA samples of 192 sporadic breast cancer patients and 192 unrelated healthy, gender and age matched control individuals for VEGF +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms using the PCR-RFLP method. Results: For the VEGF +405C>G polymorphism, we observed significantly increased frequency of GG genotype in cases as compared to controls and strong association of +405GG genotype was observed with three fold risk for breast cancer (OR=3.07; 95%CI 1.41-6.65; p=0.003). For the +936C>T polymorphism, significant associations of CT and combined CT+TT genotypes were observed with elevated risk of breast cancer (p=0.021; 0.023). The combined genotype combinations of GG-CC and GG-CT of +405C>G and +936C>T polymorphisms were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of breast cancer (p=0.04; 0.0064). Conclusions: The findings of the present study indicated significant associations of VEGF +936C>T and +405C>G polymorphisms with increased breast cancer risk in patients from Punjab, North India.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제3권3호
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• pp.182-187
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• 2003

Background: The mushroom Phellinus linteus (PL) has been shown to have the anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects. We hypothesized that the hot water extract of PL (WEPL) exerts its significant immunostimulatory effect by inducing production of the Th1-derived cytokine interferon-${\gamma}$ (IFN-${\gamma}$) by T lymphocytes. Methods: T lymphocytes were isolated from the mice fed with 200 mg/kg of WEPL once a day for 4 weeks, and then stimulated with the mitogen concanavaline A (Con A). IFN-${\gamma}$ gene and intracellular protein expressions were analyzed by RT-PCR and flow cytometry, respectively. The production of IFN-${\gamma}$ was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: WEPL significantly enhanced the transcription of IFN-${\gamma}$ mRNA. The effect of WEPL on IFN-${\gamma}$ expression was further supported by a concomitant increase in the number of cells with intracellular IFN-${\gamma}$ protein as well as the secretion of IFN-${\gamma}$. However, WEPL did not modulate either gene expression or protein secretion of interleukin-4, a Th2-associated cytokine, by Con A-stimulated T lymphocytes. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that one of the potentially beneficial anti-tumor and immunostimulatory effects of WEPL may be mediated through the enhancement of IFN-${\gamma}$ secretion by T lymphocytes.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.249-258
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• 1993

원발성 아메바성 수막뇌염을 야기하는 Naegleria fowleri를 사망율에 따라 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^4$개 아메바 영양형 접종군과. $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^5$개 아메바 영양형 접종군으로 나누어 비장세포를 비특이 mitogen인 Phytohemagglutinin(PHA)과 특이항원인 N. fowleri Iysates로 자극하여 T 세포의 interleukin-2 생성정도를 측정하고 T 림프구의 아형 및 아세포화정도를 측정한 결과 N.fowleri 아메바 영양형 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^5$개 접종군에서의 마우스 사망율은 72.2%였으며 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^4$개 접종군에서의 마우스 사망율은 14.3%였다. 또한 IL릭 생성정도를 접종후 7, 14, 24일째 측정한 결과. 접종 후 14일째에는 두 실험군 모두에서 대조군과 비교하여 IL닉의 생성이 유의하게 감소하였으며 접종 후 24일째에는 두 실험군 모두에서 접종 후 14일째 보다는 증가하였으나 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 억제되었다 비장세포내 T 림프구 아형의 변동은 전체 비장 림프구에 대한 $Thy-1.2^{+}{\;}T.{\;}L3T4^{+}{\;}T,{\;}Ly^{2+}{\;}T$ 세포는 N.fowleri아메바 영양형 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^5$개 접종군에서 접종 후 7일째 대조군과 비교하여 유의하게 증가하였고 접종 후 14일째와 24일째에는 대조군과 비교하여 유의한 차이가 없었다. 아메바 영양형 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^4$개를 접종시킨 실험군은 경과 일수에 관계없이 대조군과 비교하여 유의한 차이가 없었다. 비장세포내 T 세포의 DNA의 분획을 관찰한 결과 두 실험군 모두에서 접종 후 7일째에 S phase 분획이 가장 높이 증가하였으며 접종 후 14일과 24일째에도 대조군에 비하여는 유의하게 증가하여 있었다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여 볼 때, N.fowleri를 사망율을 기준으로 접종량을 달리하여 아메바 영양형 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^4$개 접종군과 $1{\;}{\times}{\;}10^5$개 접종군으로 나누어 접종하였을 때, 접종 후 7일을 전후하여 IL-2를 매개로 활성화되는 세포매개성 면역이 N.fowleri감염의 방어기작으로 작용하는 것으로 생각되며 아메바 접종 후 14일째에는 치명적인 수막뇌염으로 진행되어 비장세포의 IL-2의 생성능력이 매우 억제된 것으로 생각된다. 또한 IL-2 생성능력과 T 세포의 아세포화의 증가 및 T세포 아령의 수의 변동과는 잘 일치되지 않는 것으로 나타났다.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.119-131
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• 2023

Objectives: Betula Platyphylla(BP) has been used as a analgesic, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant drug in Eastern Asia. However, it is still unknown whether BP ethanol extract could exhibit the inhibitory activities against ultraviolet B(UVB)-induced skin injury on human keratinocytes, HaCaT cells. This study was aimed to investigate the protective activity of BP ethanol extract on UVB-irradiated skin injury in HaCaT cells. Methods: The skin injury model of HaCaT cells was established under UVB stimulation. HaCaT keratinocyte cells were pre-treated with BP ethanol extract for 1 h, and then stimulated with UVB. Then, the cells were harvested to measure the cell viability, production of reactive oxygen species(ROS), pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin(IL) 1-beta, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-𝛼, hyaluronidase, type 1 collagen, matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)s. In addition, we examined the mitogen activated protein kinases(MAPKs) and inhibitory kappa B alpha(I𝜅;-B𝛼) as inhibitory mechanisms of BP ethanol extract. Results: The treatment of BP ethanol extract inhibited the UVBinduced cell death and ROS production in HaCaT cells. BP ethanol extract treatment inhibited the UVB-induced increase of IL-1beta, IL-6, and TNF-𝛼. BP ethanol extract treatment inhibited the increase of hyaluronidase, MMP and decrease of collagen. BP ethanol extract treatment inhibited the activation of MAPKs and the degradation of I𝜅-B𝛼. Conclusions: Our result suggest that treatment of BP ethanol extract could inhibit the UVB-induced skin injury via deactivation of MAPKs and nuclear factor kappa B(NF-𝜅B) in HaCaT cells. This study could suggest that BP ethanol extract could be a beneficial agent to prevent skin damage or inflammation.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• 제23권1호
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• pp.1-16
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• 2000

Many natural products elicit diverse pharmacological effects. Using two classes of potential chemopreventive compounds, the phenolic compounds and the isothiocyanates, we review the potential utility of two signaling events, the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and the ICE/Ced-3 proteases (caspases) stimulated by these agents in mammalian cell lines. Studies with phenolic antioxidants (BHA, tBHQ), and natural products (flavonoids; EGCG, ECG, and isothiocyanates; PEITC, sulforaphane), provided important insights into the signaling pathways induced by these compounds. At low concentrations, these chemicals may activate the MAPK (ERK2, JNK1, p38) leading to gene expression of survival genes (c-Fos, c-Jun) and defensive genes (Phase II detoxifying enzymes; GST, QR) resulting in survival and protective mechanisms (homeostasis response). Increasing the concentrations of these compounds will additionally activate the caspase pathway, leading to apoptosis (potential cytotoxicity). Further increment to suprapharmacological concentrations will lead to nonspecific necrotic cell death. The wider and narrow concentration ranges between the activation of MAPK/gene induction and caspases/cell death exhibited by phenolic compounds and isothiocyanates, respectively, in mammalian cells, may reflect their respective therapeutic windows in vivo. Consequently, the studies of signaling pathways elicited by natural products will advance our understanding of their efficacy and safety, of which many man become important therapeuitc drugs of the future.