• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.107-125
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• 2005

Objectives : The aim of this study was to investigate the asthma-suppressive and immuno-regulatory effect of NR-HA(Notopterygii Rhizoma Herbal-acupuncture) at Pyesu(BL13) on OVA(ovalbumin)-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice out of all the experimental sloops, except the Normal group and the NR-HA group, were sensitized and challenged with OVA. The mice in the NR-HA group and the OVA-NR-HA group were treated with NR-HA(1%) at Pyesu(BL13). The mice in the OVA-Saline group were injected with saline at Pyesu(BL13). The mice in the OVA-Needle-prick group were treated with a single prick with an injection needle at Pyesu(BL13). NR-HA, saline injection and needle prick were administered for 8 weeks, three times a week Results : in vitro 1. The populations of granulocytes, $CD3e^-/CCR3^+$cells, $CD69^+/CD3e^+$ cells, $CD4^+\;cells\;and\;CD23^+/B220^+$ cells in the OVA-induced asthmatic mouse lungs decreased significantly by NR-HAS(Notopterygii Rhizoma Herbal-acupuncture solution). 2. The lung weight and total cells in lung of the OVA-NR-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. 3. Total leukocytes and eosinophils in BALF of the OVA-NR-HA group decreas ed significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. 4. The collagen accumulation in the lung sections of the OVA-NR-HA group decreased significantly compared with that of the OVA-control group. 5. The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF and serum of the OVA-NR-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA- Control group. 6. The numbers of $Gr-1^+/CD11b^+,\;CCR3^+,\;CD3e^+, \;CD19^+,\;CD3e^+/CD69^+$ cells in the OVA-NR-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA-Control group. 7. The mRNA expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-5, IL-4 and IL-13 in lung of the OVA-NR-HA group decreased significantly compared with those of the OVA- Control group. 8. The NR-HA group did not show my considerable difference from the Normal group. The OVA-saline group and the OVA-Needle prick group showed suppressive effects on OVA-induced asthma however they were not statistically significant. Conclusion : These results suggest that NR-HA at Pyesu(BL13) is considered to be effective in treating asthma and to be put to practical use in the future asthma clinic.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.1 s.81
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• pp.97-104
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• 2007

Present study aims to investigate the effect of muddy water on gill and kidney tissues and blood components of Opsariichthys uncirostris amurensis in Imha reservoir. As a result of observing the gill tissues in muddy water with light and scanning electron microscopes, the edema, the exfoliation of epithelial cells and fusion of the secondary lamellae were observed. The space between gill lamellae was irregular, and a lots of muddy debris around the secondary lamellae were observed. In case of kidney tissues, the size of glomerulus was smaller and thickness of basal membrane was broader and the empty space in Bowman's capsule was wider than those of the control. The blood cells of O. uncirostris amurensis in muddy water were increased in number. Of the white blood cells, acidophilic granulocytes were highly distributed, and the shapes were irregular. Among the plasma components, the concentration of TP, ALB, A/G ratio, TG, CHOL, and AST were low, whereas that of the inorganic materials was high. Based on the above results, it is considered that muddy water possibly involves in the decrease of respiratory and excretory rates, giving rise to secondary lesion of tissues.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2022

This study investigated the immunostimulatory effect of enzymatic porcine placental hydrolyzate (EPPH) in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-treated rats. This effect of EPPH prevented Cy-induced decreases in body, spleen, and thymus weights and natural killer (NK) cell activity. The numbers of immune cells, such as white blood cells, granulocytes, and lymphocytes, and mid-range absolute counts were significantly higher compared to the control group. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-12, and immunoglobulin G (IgG) were notably reduced by Cy, while EPPH prevented these effects. Histopathological analysis of spleen samples revealed the protective effect of EPPH against Cy-induced immunosuppression. The findings demonstrate that EPPH can alleviate immunosuppression by cell viability, tissue damage, and regulation of the levels of cytokines. EPPH may have value as a component of immunostimulatory agents or an ingredient in functional foods.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.1046-1062
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• 2022

This study investigated the effects of L-glutamine (Gln) supplementation on growth performance, physiological traits, heat shock proteins (HSPs), and gene expression related to muscle and adipose tissue development in Hanwoo steers under heat stress (HS) conditions. Eight Hanwoo steers (initial body weight [BW] 570.7 ± 43.6 kg, months of age 22.3 ± 0.88) were randomly separated into two groups, control and treatment, and supplied with the concentration (1.5% of BW kg/day/head) and rice straw (1.5 kg/day/head). The treatment group were fed the Gln supplementation (0.5% of concentration, as-fed basis) once a day at 08:00 h. Blood samples for the assessment of haematological and biochemical parameters and the separation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected four times, at 0, 3, 6, and 10 weeks of the experiment. Feed intake was measured daily. BW to analyze growth performance and hair follicle collection to analyze the expression of HSPs were executed four times at 0, 3, 6, and 10 weeks. To analyze gene expression, longissimus dorsi muscle samples were collected by biopsy at the end of the study. As a result, growing performance, including final BW, average daily gain, and gain-to-feed ratio, were not different between the two groups. Leukocytes including lymphocytes and granulocytes, tended to increase in the Gln supplementation group (p = 0.058). There were also no differences in biochemical parameters shown between the two groups, except total protein and albumin, both of which were lower in the Gln supplementation group (p < 0.05). Gene expressions related to muscle and adipose tissue development were not different between the two groups. As temperature-humidity index (THI) increased, HSP70 and HSP90 expression in the hair follicle showed a high correlation. HSP90 in the hair follicle was decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group at 10 weeks (p < 0.05). Collectively, dietary Gln supplementation (0.5% of concentration, as-fed basis) may not be influential enough to affect growth performance and gene expression related to muscle and adipose tissue development in steers. However, Gln supplementation increased the number of immune cells and decreased HSP90 in the hair follicle implying HS reduction in the corresponding group.

• Journal of fish pathology
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.167-176
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• 2022

We injected infectious myonecrosis virus (IMNV) to pacific whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, and observed closely with using light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM) for 4-8 days post infection (dpi). As clinical signs, abdominal bodies had mild opaque muscles at 5 dpi. And the mortality was shown at 6 dpi. At 8 dpi, most injected shrimps had severe opaque muscles and humped back that cause of movement disorder. As results of histopathological examinations, local parts of abdominal body muscle had muscle fiber hyalinization, muscle fiber atrophy, rounded muscle fibers, myofibrillar hypertrophy in size, a decrease in number of myofibrils and phagocytosis from the sarcolemmas by multiple hemocytes at 4 dpi. Especially, myofibrillar hypertrophy appeared at the whole or random part of single muscle fiber not in specific locations like the center or edge of muscle fiber. At 6-7 dpi, multiple muscle necrosis, muscle fiber segmentation, myofibril lysis ap- peared and a few hemocytes were infiltrated at lesions. At 8 dpi, extensive muscle necrosis, multiple myofibril lysis and muscle fiber atrophy were shown, and very few hemocytes were infiltrated. In early stage of infection, local viral myositis with zenker's degeneration were shown. These lesions appeared multiply after the early stage. In late stage of infection, extensive coagulative muscle necrosis appeared with few of inflammatory response such as hemocytes infiltration. The lack of hemocytes infiltration response at the late stage might be disadvantage for Litopenaeus vannamei to defense against IMNV and to recover, because hematocytes (granulocyte, semi-granulocyte) eliminate pathogen and damaged tissues from infection sites and help recover. As results of the TEM observation, IMNVs that had nonenveloped icosahedral capsid which was 30-40 nm diameter were in myofibril and beside tubules of sarcoplasmic reticulum and moved to the certain direction. The micro-tears and micro-trau- mas in myofibrils caused muscle fiber necrosis. And semi-granulocytes engulfed IMNVs to eliminate virus.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.349-357
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• 2011

Since nesfatin-1/NUCB2 involved in the control of appetite and energy metabolism was discovered for the first time in hypothalamus, many reports have shown its expression in various tissues. We also recently demonstrated that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 was expressed in the reproductive organs of mouse. However, no data exist on nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression, regulation, and secretion in the uterus. Therefore, we examined the expression of nesfatin-1/NUCB2 in mouse uterus and the effects of PMSG and estrogen on its expression. NUCB2 mRNA expression in the uterus was determined by conventional and real-time PCR and nesfatin-1 protein expression was detected by western blotting. In immunohistochemistry staining, nesfatin-1 protein was localized at the epithelial cells of the uterine glands and endometrium. Nesfatin-1 protein binding sites were displayed at the epithelial cells of uterine glands and specific granulocytes including neutrophils. Additionally, to examine if the nesfatin-1/NUCB2 expression in the uterus is regulated by gonadotropin or estrogen, ovariectomized mice were treated with PMSG or $17{\beta}$-estradiol. The expression levels of NUCB2 mRNA in the uterus was significantly increased in the control mice after PMSG treatment, but not in the ovariectomized mice. In contrast, NUCB2 mRNA expression was dramatically increased in the ovariectomized mice after treatment with $17{\beta}$-estradiol. We report here for the first time that nesfatin-1/NUCB2 mRNA and protein express in the mouse uterus and its expression is regulated by estrogen secreted from the ovary, but not gonadotropin from the pituitary.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.185-200
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• 2005

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate the asthma-suppressive and immune-regulatory effect of AHCR-HA(ASARI HERBA CUM RADICE Herbal-acupuncture) at Pyesu(BLl3) on OVA(ovalbumin)-induced asthma in mice. Methods : C57BL/6 mice out of all the experimental groups, except the Normal group and the AHCR-HA group, were sensitized and challenged with OVA The mice in the AHCR-HA group and the OVA-AHCR-HA group were treated with AHCR-HA(1%) at Pyesu(BL13). The mice in the OVA-Saline group were injected with saline at Pyesu(BL13). The mice in the OVA-Needle-Prick group were treated with a single prick with an injection needle at Pyesu(BL13). AHCR-HA saline injection and needle prick were administered for 8 weeks, three times a week. Result : 1. The populations of granulocytes, CD3e-/CCR3+ cells, CD69+/CD3e+ cells, CD4+ cells and CD23+/B220+ cells in the OVA-induced asthmatic mouse lungs decreased significantly by AHCR-HA. 2. The lung weight, total cells in lung, total leukocytes in BALF, eosinophils in BALF, collagen accumulation in the lung sections of the OVA-AHCR-HA group decreased significantly. 3.The concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IgE in BALF and serum of the OVA-AHCR-HA group decreased significantly. 4. The numbers of Gr-1+/CD11b+, CCR3+, CD3e+, CD19+, CD3e+/CD69+cells in the OVA-AHCR-HA group decreased significantly. 5. The mRAN expressions of $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-5, IL-4 and IL-13 in lung of the OVA-AHCR-HA group decreased significantly. 6. The AHCR-HA group didn't show any considerable difference from the Normal group. The OVA-saline group and the OVA-Needle prick group showed suppressive effects on OVA-induced asthma however they were not statistically significant. Conclusion : These results suggest that AHCR-HA at Pyesu(BL13) is considered to be effective in treating asthma and to be put to practical use in the future asthma clinic.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.104-108
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• 2006

Water extracts of Jehotang were evaluated for their growth-promoting effects on Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus sp., L. acidophilus, and Clostridium perfringens. Addition of Jehotang water extract to modified EG media at 0.1 mg/mL increased growths of B. longum, Lactobacillus sp., and L. acidophilus, with 1.8-fold increase in growth of L. acidophilus compared to that of control. Studies on these strains by agar diffusion method showed Lactobacillus sp. and L. acidophilus were activated by addition of Jehotang extract at 10 mg/disc. Proliferation responses of mice splenocytes and Peyer's patch cells to ConA by LPS-stimulation at 500 mg/kg B.W./day Jehotang extract were investigated in vitro. Upon treatment of 1 mg/mL Jehotang water extract to mice, proliferations of splenocytes and Peyer's patch cells increased 1.4- and 1.6-fold compared to control, respectively. In mice administered Jehotang extract, production of intestinal secretory IgA (sIgA) increased 2.4-fold compared to control. These results indicate water extract of Jehotang stimulated intestinal immune system of mice. In mice treated with Jehotang extract, production of lymphocytes was 4% lower, whereas those of granulocytes and platelets were 4% and slightly higher than control, respectively.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.158-168
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• 2023

Natural products have been used to mitigate the effects of cancer and infectious diseases, as they feature diverse bioactivities, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Here, we chose 10 natural products that are well-known as pulmonary enhancers and investigated their bactericidal effects on Streptococcus pneumoniae. In the disk diffusion assay, the growth of S. pneumoniae was significantly regulated by G. fructus treatment regardless of extraction method used. We first adopted spraying as a novel delivery method for G. fructus. Interestingly, mice exposed to G. fructus three times a day for 2 weeks were resistant to S. pneumoniae intranasal infection (shown both through body weight loss and survival rates compared to the control group). Moreover, we confirmed that exposure to G. fructus regulated the colonization of the bacteria despite the sustained inflammation in the lung after exposure to S. pneumoniae, indicating that migrated inflammatory immune cells may involve a host defense mechanism against pulmonary infectious diseases. While a similar number of granulocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C⁺Ly6G⁺), neutrophils (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G⁺), and monocytes (CD11b⁺Ly6C^intLy6G^-) were found between groups, a significantly increased number of alveolar macrophages (CD11b⁺CD11c^hiF4/80⁺) was detected in BAL fluids of mice pre-exposed to G. fructus at 5 days after S. pneumonia infection. Taken together, our data suggest that this usage of G. fructus can induce protective immunity against bacterial infection, indicating that facial spray may be helpful in enhancing the defense mechanism against pulmonary inflammation and in evaluating the efficacy of natural products as immune enhancers against respiratory diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.376-381
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• 2003

Purpose : This study aimed to demonstrate the possible pathogenesis of granulopoiesis in patients of Kawasaki disease(KD) using quantitative analysis of G-CSF, GM-CSF and their CSFr. Methods : The plasma levels of G-CSF, GM-CSF, G-CSFr and GM-CSFr were studied in 14 patients in the acute phase of KD; 13 children with normal peripheral white blood cell counts were used as the normal control group. The plasma concentration of G-CSF, GM-CSF were analyzed by ELISA. The G-CSFr and GM-CSFr on the peripheral granulocytes were analyzed by a quantitative flow cytometric assay and QuantiBRITE, and the quantitative changes of receptors which did not combine with G-CSF and GM-CSF were measured. Results : The total number of leukocytes in KD was similar to normal control group, but the leukocytes increased according to the number of neutrophils. The plasma concentration of G-CSF were decreased similar to normal control group(P=0.133), but that of GM-CSF decreased more than the normal control group(P=0.227). The quantity of G-CSFr, GM-CSFr were revealed to be no less than the normal control(P=0.721, P=0.912). After incubation with excessive G-CSF, the expressed G-CSFr on the neutrophils were decreased in both groups(P=0.554). The quantities of expressions of GM-CSFr on the neutrophil after incubation with the excessive GM-CSF were always increased in both groups(P=0.255). The amount of GM-CSFr of neutrophils are in proportion to total white blood cells (r=0.788, P=0.035), but it wasn't in the case of KD(P=0.644). Conclusion : The leukocytosis in KD that mediated by increasing neutrophil was not correlated with the plasma concentrations of G-CSF and GM-CSF, and the amount of expression of G-CSFr and GM-CSFr on granulocyte. It is possible that the reduction of concentration of GM-CSF results by increasing the active GM-CSFr.