• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1037-1049
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• 2003

Numerous lines of evidence indicate that some of the neurotoxicity associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is due to proteolytic fragments of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Most research has focused on the amyloid 6 (M). However, the possible role of other cleaved products of APP is less clear. Lately It has been reported that a recombinant carboxy-terminal 105 amino acid fragment (CT105) of APP induced strong nonselective inward currents in Xenopus oocyte. In a brain with Alzheimer's disease (AD), to investigate the roles of carboxyl-terminal fragment (CT105) of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in apoptosis processes possibly linked to neurodegeneration associated with AD, we examined the effects of the CT of APP with 105 amino acid residues (CT105) on the alteration of apoptosis triggers in neubroblastoma cells. We have investigated whether Radix Polygalae and Rhizoma Acori Graminei mixture extract (RP+RAG) inhibits CT105-induced apoptosis of neuroblastoma cells. We found that RP+RAG inhibits CT105-induced apoptosis in SK-N-SH cells. Treatment of the cells with RP+RAG inhibited CT105-induced DNA fragmentation and Tunel assay of nuclear chromatin and inhibited the caspase-3 expression in SK-N-SH cells. As the result of this study, In RP+RAG group, the apoptosis in the nervous system is inhibited, the repair against the degerneration of neuroblastoma cells by CT105 expression is promoted. These results indicate that RP+RAG possess strong inhibitory effect of apoptosis in the nervous system and repair effect against the degeneration of neuroblastoma cells by CT105 expression

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-66
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• 2012

Oxidative stress has been implicated in cutaneous damage in various inflammatory skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities of the extract of Duchesnea chrysantha (DCE). DEC was prepared by extracting with 80% ethanol. Total flavonoids and polyphenols were measured by a colorimetric assay. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was analyzed by the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) and Griess reagent assay. An oxidative product of nitric oxide (NO), was measured in the culture medium by the Griess reaction. The level of prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured by Western blot analysis. Total flavonoid and polyphenol contents of DCE were included $24.73{\pm}0.45$ and $178.77{\pm}2.65$, respectively. DCE significantly increased electron donating ability (DPPH), nitrite scavenging (NO) and ABTS reducing activity in dose dependant. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of DCE on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. DCE significantly suppressed NO and prdstaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) in dose dependant. Furthermore, the levels of iNOS and COX-2 protein expressions were markedly suppressed by the treatment with DCE in a dose dependent manner. These results suggest that DEC may has value as natural product with its high quality functional components, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.315-320
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• 2017

We investigated the role of autophagy in SNUC5/5-FUR, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) resistant SNUC5 colon cancer cells. SNUC5/5-FUR cells exhibited low level of autophagy, as determined by light microscopy, confocal microscopy, and flow cytometry following acridine orange staining, and the decreased level of GFP-LC3 puncta. In addition, expression of critical autophagic proteins such as Atg5, Beclin-1 and LC3-II and autophagic flux was diminished in SNUC5/5-FUR cells. Whereas production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was significantly elevated in SNUC5/5-FUR cells, treatment with the ROS inhibitor N-acetyl cysteine further reduced the level of autophagy. Taken together, these results indicate that decreased autophagy is linked to 5-FU resistance in SNUC5 colon cancer cells.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.54-59
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• 2018

Pleural paragonimiasis is uncommon in the pediatric population and therefore can be challenging to diagnose. This is a case of a 6-year-old girl with pleural effusion who had been having intermittent persistent epigastric pain and erythematous rash on the face, hands, and arms for 6 months. Exudative pleural effusion with prominent eosinophils and serum eosinophilia were observed. As patient showed high immunoglobulin M (IgM) titers against Mycoplasma pneumoniae, she was treated with antibiotics; however, the pleural effusion did not improve during hospitalization. Despite showing negative stool ova and cyst results, patient's serum and pleural effusion were positive for Paragonimus westermani-specific IgGs on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Respiratory symptoms, pleural effusion, and skin symptoms improved after praziquantel treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.91-97
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• 2018

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate immune regulatory effects of the pharmacopuncture with MOK on hyperthyroid rats. Methods : The experimental hyperthyroidism was prepared by the intraperitoneal injection of L-thyroxine(LT4, 0.5 mg/kg) once daily for 2 weeks in Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats. The pharmacopuncture with MOK extract(MOK pharmacopuncture) at doses of 0.3 or 3 mg/kg was injected on acupuncture points in the thyroid glands of hyperthyroid rats once a day for 2 weeks. Propylthiouracil(PTU, 10 mg/kg) as a reference group was subcutaneously injected into the dorsal neck. We measured the levels of $IFN-{\gamma}$ and IL-4 in the sera of rats using enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay(ELISA) and determined the expression of $IFN-{\gamma}$, IL-4, IL-10, and Foxp3 in spleen tissues by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Results : The treatment of MOK pharmacopuncture in hyperthyroid rats significantly decreased the serum levels of Th1 cytokine, $IFN-{\gamma}$(p<0.01 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU) and significantly increased the levels of Th2 cytokine, IL-4(p<0.05 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.001 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU) compared to control group. Also, the MOK pharmacopuncture significantly increased IL-4 expression(p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.05 for PTU), IL-10(p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg, and p<0.01 for PTU), and Foxp3(p<0.01 for MOK 0.3 mg/kg, p<0.05 for MOK 3 mg/kg and p<0.01 for PTU) in spleen tissues of hyperthyroid rats compared to control group. Conclusions : Our results suggest that MOK pharmacopuncture can help to ameliorate the pathological progression of hyperthyroidism by regulation of the Th1/Th2 imbalance.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.190-196
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• 2005

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is uncommon in developed countries, yet is common in underdeveloped and developing countries. Infection rate of H. pylori is minimally influenced by economic, environmental, and public health status and genetic factors. Korea is a developing country with a high incidence of H. pylori infection and gastric carcinoma, which is one of the leading causes of death. For this reason, accurate clinical and pathologic data on H. pylori-associated disease are very important. Intestinal metaplasia accompanies chronic gastritis and increases the risk of gastric carcinoma. For this reason, the relationship between H. pylori infection and intestinal metaplasia is very closely linked. Because of this, as the antecedent condition is guessed, it examines the relationship of the H. pylori and the intestinal metaplasia. Intestinal metaplasia is thought to be the basis in the development of intestinal type gastric carcinomas. Recent investigations showed that inflammatory reaction in the gastric fundus affect the development of gastric carcinogenesis. To verify neutrophilic activity in the gastric fundus and development of intestinal metaplasia in both gastric fundus and antral mucosa, their relationship was studied using 159 healthy patients who had undergone gastric endoscopic biopsies without any identifiable pathologic disesaes. When neutrophilic activity accompanied, incidence of intestinal metaplasia was significantly increased (p<0.05). H. pylori infection was statistically and significantly associated with the presence of intestinal metaplasia (p<0.05). These results suggest that H. pylori infection affected the development of intestinal metaplasia in the stomach. These results will help our understanding of H. pylori infection in the pathogenesis of intestinal metaplasia, a preneoplastic condition of the stomach. To reduce the incidence of gastric adenocarcinoma, eradication treatment of H. pylori is recommended when there's a neutrophilic activity in the gastric fundus.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.14-21
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• 2015

Background: Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death, and inflammatory bowel disease is a risk factor for this malignancy. We previously reported colon cancer chemoprevention potential using American ginseng (AG) in a xenograft mice model. However, the nude mouse model is not a gut-specific colon carcinogenesis animal model. Methods: In this study, an experimental colitis and colitis-associated colorectal carcinogenesis mouse model, chemically induced by azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was established and the effects of oral AG were evaluated. The contents of representative ginseng saponins in the extract were determined. Results: AG significantly reduced experimental colitis measured by the disease activity index scores. This suppression of the experimental colitis was not only evident during DSS treatment, but also very obvious after the cessation of DSS, suggesting that the ginseng significantly promoted recovery from the colitis. Consistent with the anti-inflammation data, we showed that ginseng very significantly attenuated azoxymethane/DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis by reducing the colon tumor number and tumor load. The ginseng also effectively suppressed DSS-induced proinflammatory cytokines activation using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay array, in which 12 proinflammatory cytokine levels were assessed, and this effect was supported subsequently by real-time polymerase chain reaction data. Conclusion: AG, as a candidate of botanical-based colon cancer chemoprevention, should be further investigated for its potential clinical utility.

• Polymer(Korea)
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.369-375
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• 2010

We used melt polymerization method to prepare a series of aromatic liquid crystals (LCs) based on aromatic ester and amide units with the reactive methyl-maleimide end group, and then the resulting thermally cross-linked LCs to produce LC thermoset films by means of solution casting and the followed heat treatment. The synthesized LCs and LCTs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and polarizing optical microscopy (POM) with a hot stage. All of the LCs prepared by melt polymerization method formed smectic mesophases. The thermal properties of the LC and LCT films were strongly affected by the mesogen units in the main chain structures. The thermal expansion coefficients of samples were in the range of 27.72~50.95 ppm/$^{\circ}C$.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.557-563
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• 2001

Oral tolerance is thought to play a role in preventing allergic responses and immune-mediated diseases. An improved mouse model of the oral tolerance to Japanese cedar pollen (JCP) as antigen was developed in order to detect induction of the tolerance, and the immunological characteristics of this model were also elucidated. Oral tolerance was induced by C3H/ HeN mice given an oral administration of 10 mg JCP 7 days before immunization with an i.p. injection of 0.1 mg JCP in complete Freunds adjuvant (CFA). The effects of oral JCP on systemic immunity were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of immunoglobulin (Ig) levels in serum collected on day 7 or 14 after immunization. Oral tolerance to JCP was adequately induced on day 7 after immunization and was more effective in C3H/HeN mice than in BALB/c mice. The tolerance was primarily concerned with the decreased serum levels of antigen-specific IgG. In these mice, oral administration of JCP also suppressed various immune responses to the antigen including delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), total Igl level and anti-JCP IgGl level. The suppression of these immune responses by the oral antigen was associated with a significant reduction in interleukin-4 (IL-4) production. These findings therefore indicate that this C3H/HeN mice model has potential use in detecting the induction of oral tolerance by JCP and suggest that this tolerance model may be effective in the treatment and prevention of allergic responses caused by the antigen.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.34 no.11
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• pp.1766-1775
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• 2021

Objective: The oxidative stress status and changes of chicken ovary tissue after shading were studied, to determine the mechanism of the effect of shading on follicular development. Methods: Twenty healthy laying hens (40 weeks old) with uniform body weight and the same laying rate were randomly divided into two groups (the shading group and normal light group). In the shading group, the cage was covered to reduce the light intensity inside the cage to 0 without affecting ventilation or food intake. The normal lighting group received no additional treatment. After 7 days of shading, oxidative stress related indicators and gene expression were detected. Results: Analysis of paraffin and ultrathin sections showed that apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) increased significantly after light shading. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay results revealed that the levels of total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione, catalase (CAT), and other substances in the sera, livers, ovaries, and follicular GCs of laying hens increased significantly after shading for 7 days; and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in the livers of laying hens also increased significantly. ROS in the serum, ovarian and GCs also increased. After shading for 7 days, the levels of 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine in the sera and ovarian tissues of laying hens increased significantly. Cell counting kit-8 detection showed that the proliferation activity of GCs in layer follicles decreased after shading for 7 days; the expression level of the anti-apoptotic gene B-cell lymphoma-2 in ovarian tissue and follicular GCs was significantly reduced, and the expression levels of pro-apoptotic caspase 3 (casp3), and SOD, glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2), and CAT were all significantly increased. Conclusion: Oxidative stress induced by shading light has a serious inhibitory effect on follicular development during reproduction in laying hens.