• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.13-21
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• 2011

Chios gum mastic (CGM) is produced from Pistiacia lentiscus L var chia, which grows only on Chios Island in Greece. CGM is a kind of resin extracted from the stem and leaves, has been used for many centuries in many Mediterranean countries as a dietary supplement and folk medicine for stomach and duodenal ulcers. CGM is known to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in some cancer cells. This study was undertaken to investigate the alteration of the cell cycle and induction of apoptosis following CGM treatment of HL-60 cells. The viability of the HL-60 cells was assessed using the MTT assay. Hoechst staining and DNA electrophoresis were employed to detect HL-60 cells undergoing apoptosis. Western blotting, immunocytochemistry, confocal microscopy, FACScan flow cytometry, MMP activity and proteasome activity analyses were also employed. CGM treatment of HL-60 cells was found to result in a dose- and time-dependent decrease in cell viability and apoptotic cell death. Tested HL-60 cells showed a variety of apoptotic manifestations and induced the downregulation of G1 cell cycle-related proteins. Taken collectively, our present findings demonstrate that CGM strongly induces G1 cell cycle arrest via the modulation of cell cycle-related proteins, and also apoptosis via proteasome, mitochondrial and caspase cascades in HL-60 cells. Hence, we provide evidence that a natural product, CGM could be considered as a novel therapeutic for human leukemia.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Objective ： Lonicera japonica contains anti complementary polysaccharides and polyphenolic compound. Among these polyphenolic substances, chlorogenic acid is the major active component of this plant. However, the immunological mechanisms for these activities, have not been elucidated, nor the active components. To clarify immunomodulatory effects of those we examined the relationship between the activity of CD8+ T cell-mediated lysis and the frequency of cytokine profiles in spleen, thymus (especially IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, GM-CSF etc.) expressing CD8+ T cells activated by IL-2. Methods : To study immunomodulatory effects ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica, chlorogenic acid on cytokine gene expression from spleen, thymus cells, RT-PCR was performed after quantitative normalization for each gene by a densitometry using ${\beta}$-actin gene expression. A modified standard $^{51}Cr$-release assay was used to measure cytotoxic activities of cytotoxic T cells. Spleen, thymus cells from NOD mice were stained with CD3, CD4, CD44, CD69 in staining buffer and analyzed by two color flow cytometry. Results : We showed that ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica in combination with IL-2 resulted in a significant enhancement of PCR products for IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, GM-CSF, IL-6 and cytotoxtic CD8+ T cell proportion in spleen and thymus T cells in NOD mice. This suggests that IFN-${\gamma}$, IL-6 like IL-4 may be acting as a regulatory rather than proinflammatory cytokine. Conclusions : In conclusion, based on the results of the present study which showed that ethyl acetate fraction from Lonicera japonica and chlorogenic acid upregulating cytokine gene expression in spleen and thymus, we are tempted to speculate that some of the therapeutic efficacies such as anti-diabetic activity of Lonicera japonica are due to the immunomodulatory its ethylacetate fraction and chlorogenic acid.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 1999

Dignosis of migraine is only based on the medical history, and objective methods to aid the clinical diagnosisare absent. Although transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) abnormalities in headache-free migraineurs have been reported previously, diagnostic criteria for migraine is still lacking and this may limit the practical application of TCD for migraine. We prospectively studied several abnormal TCD indices in interictal migraineurs and their sensitivity and specificity to define the optimal diagnostic criteria. Young (20 yrs$age=29.0{\pm}6.1yrs$) were compared to 69 controls (M:F=25:44, Mean $age=31.2{\pm}5.5yrs$). Elevated MFV (> 2SD)was observed in 63% of migraineurs while n 12% of control (p<0.01). High AI (>25%) or high HI (>3.0) was present in 17% of migraineurs, while 3% and none in controls (p<0.01). Sensitivity of elevated MFV, high AI, and high HI was 63%, 17%, 17% and specificity was 88%, 97%, 100%, respectively. If all these indices were combined, sensitivity and specificity reached 69% and 86%. These preliminary results suggest pathophysiological implication of vasospasm in interictal migraineurs, and TCD may be practically applicable for migraine. Optimal diagnostic criteria and therapeutic options for patients with abnormal TCD findings remain to bo determined.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.271-289
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• 2012

Objectives : Ganoderma lucidum(Ganoderma or lingzhi, 靈芝) is a well-known oriental medical mushroom containing many bioactive compounds. The possible mechanisms involved in its effects on cancer cells remain to be elucidated. In the present study, the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities of the G. lucidum ethanol extract(GEE), in AGS human gastric cancer cells were investigated. Methods : It was found that exposure of AGS cells to GEE resulted in the growth inhibition in a dose and time dependent manner as measured by trypan blue count and MTT assay. The anti-proliferative effect of GEE treatment in AGS cells was associated with morphological changes and formation of apoptotic bodies, and the flow cytometry analysis confirmed that GEE treatment increased the populations of apoptotic-sub G1 phase. Growth inhibition and apoptosis of AGS cells by GEE were connected with a concentration and time-dependent up-regulation of tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand(TRAIL) expression. Results : The levels of XIAP and survivin expression, members of IAP family proteins, were gradually down-regulated by GEE treatment. However other members of IAP family proteins such as cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 remained unchanged in GEE-treated AGS cells. GEE treatment also induced the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9 and a concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase(PARP) protein, a caspase-3 substrate protein. Additionally, GEE-induced apoptosis was associated with the inhibition of Akt activation in a concentration and time-dependent manner, and pre-treatment with LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/Akt inhibitor, significantly increased GEE-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis. Conclusions : Therefore, G. lucidum has a strong potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing cancers such as gastric cancer cells.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.5-9
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• 2005

Observation of intra-vascular threadlike structures in the blood vessels of rats is reported with the images by differential interference contrast microscope, and fluorescence inverted microscope of the acridine-orange stained samples. The confocal microscope image and the hematoxylin-eosin staining revealed the distinctive pattern of nuclei distribution that clearly discerned the threadlike structure from fibrin, capillary, small venule, arteriole, or lymph vessel. Physiological function of the intra-vascular thread in connection with acupuncture is discussed. Especially, this threadlike duct can be a circulation path for herb-liquid flow, which may provide the scientific mechanism for therapeutic effect of herbal acupuncture.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.1805-1809
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• 2004

In order to validate the use of Radix Curcumae Aromaticae as an anti-inflammatory drug in the traditional Korean medicine, I have investigated the effect of water-soluble extract of Radix Curcumae Aromaticae (ECA) on the expression of inducible heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which ha.s anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects stimulates, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with a high dose of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). The extract protected dose-dependently HUVECs against TNF-α-induced apoptosis, as measured qualitatively by a nuclear staining method using the fluoresoence DAPI and quantitatively by a flow cytometry using fluoresce-enhanced Annexin V antibody, and significantly Increased HO-1 expression, as determined by Western blotting analysis using anti-HO-1 antibody. Biockage of HO-1 activity by a pharmacological inhibitor reversed cytoprotection afforded by the extract, and treatment with carbon monoxide, one of HO-1 metabolites, resulted in cytoprotection comparable to the extract. These results suggest that ECA may have therapeutic potential in the control of endothelial disorders caused by inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.104-107
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• 2015

Purpose: Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilator and inhaled NO (iNO) is used in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) to improve alveolocapillary gas exchange. The mechanism to improve oxygenation is likely to redistribute blood flow from unventilated areas to ventilated areas. Though improvement of oxygenation, iNO therapy has not been shown to improve mortality and considered as only rescue therapy in severe hypoxemia. We conducted the study to investigate an efficacy of iNO in trauma patients with severe hypoxemia. Methods: We reviewed the trauma patients who underwent iNO therapy retrospectively from 2010 to 2014. Degree of hypoxemia was represented as $PaO_2/FiO_2$ ratio (PFR) and the severity of patient was represented with sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. Patients were divided into the survivor group and non-survivor group according to the 28-day mortality. Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled. The mortality of 28-day was 40%. There were no significant differences between survivor and non-survivor group in age, sex, severity of injury, PFR and SOFA score. There was significant difference in initiation time of iNO after injury (p=0.047). Maximum combinations of sensitivity and specificity for timing of iNO therapy were observed using cut-off of 3-day after injury with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 75%. Conclusion: Though iNO therapy does not influence the mortality, iNO therapy may decrease the mortality caused by respiratory failure in the early phase of trauma.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.597-604
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• 2010

Purpose : This study investigated the effects of air stacking exercise on respiratory ability of patients with cervical cord injury. Methods : The subjects of this study were 30 patients with cervical cord injury were randomly placed in an experimental group(n=15) and a control group(n=15), respectively. Basic therapeutic exercise(ROM exercise, stretching exercise, strengthening exercise) were conducted twice a day for 30 minutes each time in all subjects and air stacking exercise was additionally conducted on the experimently group only. Air stacking exercise was conducted for 4 weeks, twice a day, 5 times a week and repeated 10 to 15 times each time. Lung capacity, MIC and, peak cough flow were measured and evaluated. Results : The results showed that FEV1, FVC, MIC, UPCF and APCF were significantly increased(p<.05), but FEV1/FVC didn't show the significant differences in an experimental group. In a control group, the findings showed that FEV1, FVC were increased significantly(p<.05) while FEV1/FVC, MIC, UPCF, and APCF didn't show the significant differences.There were significant differences in FEV1, FVC, MIC, and APCF between a experimental group and a control group in the results of Pulmonary Function Test after conducting the pulmonary rehabilitation. However, no significant differences were found in FEV1/FVC, and UPCF between a experimental and a control group(p>.05). Conclusion : air stacking exercise has positive effects on the improvements of cough functions and that of pulmonary functions such as lung volume, lung elasticity in patients with cervical cord injury.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.847-853
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• 1997

Although the effects of adenosine on the heart, including the clinical suppression of cardiac arrhythmias, have been recognized for more than half a century, it is only in the last decade that the therapeutic potential of adenosine has been recognized. The objective of this study was to determine if augmentation of myocardial adenosine levels during global ischemia improves functional recovery after reperfusion. We used to modified Langendonf system to evaluate myocardial protective effect. Isolated rat hearts were subjected to 90 minutes of deep hypothermic arrest(15$^{\circ}C$) with modified St. Thomas'Hospital cardioplegic solution used to provide myocardial protection. Myocardial adenosine levels were augmented during ischemia by providing exogenous adenosine in the cardioplegic solution. Two groups of hearts w re studied: (1) control group(n=10) cardioplegia alone; (2) adenosine group(n=10) adenosine(0.75mg/kg/min) added to the cardioplegic solution. Significantly better percent recovery(p<0.01) in hemodynamics(except heart rate) at 60 minutes after reperfusion was evident compared to baseline values in the adenosine group. (systolic no란ic pressure : 78.5$\pm$3.6% vs 66.6$\pm$5.9%, airtic overflow volume : 61.7$\pm$ 11.6% vs 37.2$\pm$ 15.4%, coronary flow volume 77.1$\pm$7.5% vs 57.2$\pm$ 11.1%, and cardiac output : 65.6$\pm$ 11.5% vs 44.2$\pm$ 12.4%). Heart rate was similar in two groups(94.4$\pm$4.8% vs 95.3 $\pm$ 6.8%). Adenosine groups resulted in significantly rapid recovery time of heart beat after reperEusion(p<0.01) (24.5$\pm$7.6 sec. vs 179.0$\pm$ 131.1sec.). In biochemical study, CPK levels(0.1 $\pm$0.3U/L vs 1.4$\pm$0.8U/L) and lactic acid levels(0.08$\pm$0.Immol/L vs 0.34$\pm$0.2 mmol/L) were significantly low in adenosine groups(p<0.01). We concluded that adenosine included cardioplegia have better recovery effects after r perfusion in myocardial ischemia compared to adenosine free cardioplegia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 1987

Respiratory care with oxygen inhalation is often a necessity to maintain life, and it is one of the important therapeutic adjuncts in respiratory disease and in intensive care after surgery. However, it has been reported that oxygen toxicity occurs after prolonged exposure to 100% 0, [Smith, 1899; Kistler et al. 1967; Schaffner et al. 1967; Rowland and Newman, 1969. Subjective symptoms of oxygen toxicity include tracheal irritation, frequent cough, some burning sensation in the trachea, tachypnea, severe dyspnea, etc. [Welch, 1963; Fisher et al, 1968; Milier et al, 1970; Clark and Lambertsen, 1971; Sackner, 1975]. Pathologic findings are atelectasis, injuries to the pulmonary capillaries and hemorrhage in the alveoli in gross specimens. There can be inflammation, proliferation of fibrin, thickening of alveolar membranes, degeneration of collagen fibers and interstitial edema in the microscopic findings. [Penrod, 1956; Cedergren, 1959; Bean, 1965; Schaffner, 1967]. Dubois and colleagues [1961] found that the amount of pulmonary surfactant was decreased in oxygen toxicity and atelectasis followed by the decreased pulmonary surfactant. Many authors reported that vital capacity, inspiratory force, pulmonary compliance, pulmonary capillary blood flow and pulmonary elasticity were deceased and arteriovenous shunting increased. [Comroe et al, 1945; Fuson et al, 1965; Kistler et al, 1966; Knowles and Blenner-hassett, 1967; Barber et al, 1978]. Many human volunteers were examined after prolonged exposure in a high oxygenated chamber and there were a few reports on animals with oxygen toxicity, subjects including rabbits. Gas partial pressures of alveoli and arteries were measured in rabbits exposed to 100% $O_2$ and the alveolar-arterial gas gradients were analyzed, which is the basis for the study of oxygen toxicity. These rabbits were divided into two groups; rabbits under natural respiration, and second group under artificial respiration with a respirator. The alveolar $PO_2$ [$P]AO_2$] and $PCO_2$ [$PACO_2$], and the arterial $PO_2$ [$PaO_2$] were measured under varying $O_2$ pressures; 15% $O_2$, 21% $O_2$ and 100% $O_2$.