• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.511-520
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• 2013

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) plays an important role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Genetic polymorphism in the regulatory regions of MCP-1 could affect MCP-1 expression. The purpose of the study was to explore the possible association of MCP-1 -2518 A/G genetic polymorphism and CVD risk factors in the elderly Korean population. Dietary, anthropometric, and biochemical factors were assessed in 168 subjects. The frequency of A/A, G/A, and G/G genotypes was 14.2%, 45.8%, and 40.0%, respectively. The blood level of MCP-1 was significantly higher in subjects with A/A genotype. The MCP-1 level was significantly higher in A/A genotype with hypercholesterolemia than in other genotypes. Meat intake and percent energy from lipids were significantly positively correlated with the MCP-1 level, especially, stronger in A/A genotype. In the stepwise discriminant analysis, TNF-${\alpha}$ level, meat intake, HDL-C were associated with MCP-1 in all subjects (model $R^2=24%$). TNF-${\alpha}$ level, sugar intake, cholesterol intake, and meat intake affected MCP-1 in A/A genotype (model $R^2=82%$), but not in G/A or G/G. In conclusion, subjects possessing A/A genotype exhibited higher levels of MCP-1 than other genotypes in Korean elders. Further, meat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes affected the MCP-1 level. Therefore, the decrement of meat, sugar, and cholesterol intakes helps to normalize the MCP-1 level and can decrease CVD risk in A/A genotype.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.333-340
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• 2015

This study measured the plasma and liver concentrations of cytokines, the distribution of blood lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4 and CD8), plasma levels of nitrite (NO₃^–) and nitrate (NO₂^–), intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 1 (CINC-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) and CINC-1 in order to examine the anti-inflammatory activity of the cinnamon extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed rats. The plasma concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were lower in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at both 2 and 5 h after LPS injection. Furthermore, the liver concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were lower in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at 5 h after LPS injection. Plasma IL-10 concentrations were higher in the cinnamon extract groups than in the control group at both 2 and 5 h after LPS injection, and liver concentrations of IL-10 did not differ significantly among all treatment groups at 5 h after LPS injection. The distribution of CD4 tended to increase, and that of CD8 tended to decrease in the cinnamon extract groups. The CD4/CD8 ratio was increased in the cinnamon extract groups. The plasma concentrations of NO₃^–/NO₂^–, ICAM-1, CINC-1, and PGE2 and the PLF concentrations of MCP-1 and CINC-1 exhibited a tendency to decrease in the cinnamon extract groups. These results indicate that cinnamon extract can exert functional anti-inflammatory effects.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.81 no.4
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• pp.305-310
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• 2018

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) deficiency leads to increased susceptibility to infection. We investigated whether serial changes in MBL levels are associated with the prognosis of patients diagnosed with septic shock, and correlated with cytokine levels. Methods: We enrolled 131 patients with septic shock in the study. We analyzed the serum samples for MBL and cytokine levels at baseline and 7 days later. Samples on day 7 were available in 73 patients. Results: We divided the patients with septic shock into four groups according to serum MBL levels (< $1.3{\mu}g/mL$ or ${\geq}1.3{\mu}g/mL$) on days 1 and 7. Patients with low MBL levels on day 1 and high MBL levels on day 7 showed a favorable prognosis for 28-day survival (odds ratio, 1.96, 95% confidence interval, 1.10-2.87; p=0.087). The high MBL group on day 7 showed a significant decrease in monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, interleukin (IL)-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, IL-8, interferon-${\gamma}$, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor levels compared with the low MBL group on day 7. Conclusion: The increase in MBL levels of patients with septic shock may suggest a favorable prognosis and attenuate pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.296-301
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• 2015

Chronic kidney diseases are based on uncontrolled immunological and inflammatory responses to pathophysiological renal circumstances such as glomerulonephritis, which is caused by immunological mechanisms of glomerular inflammation with increased production of renal pro-inflammatory cytokines. Pentoxifylline (PTX) exhibits anti-inflammatory properties by inhibiting cytokine and chemokine production through aggregation of erythrocytes and thrombocytes. We synthesized a series of 1,7-substituted methylxanthine derivatives by the Traube purine reaction, and the formation of purine ring was completed through nitrosation, a reduction of the nitroso to the amine by catalytic hydrogenation as derivatives of PTX. Then we studied biological activities such as renal anti-inflammatory effects of the synthesized compounds in the production of cytokines such as nitric oxide (NO), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and of chemokines such as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and IL-8 in Raw 264.7 and HK-2 cells. Renal antiinflammatory activities of this novel series of N-1 and N-7-substituted methylxanthine showed that the N-7 methyl-group-substituted analogs (S7b) showed selective 61% and 77% inhibition of the production of NO and IL-8. The other replacement of the N-1-(CH₂)₄COCH₃ roup, as in the case of compound S6c, also showed an effective 50% and 77% inhibition of TNF-α and IL-8 production in LPS-stimulated Raw 264.7 and HK-2 cells.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.55-68
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• 2009

Objectives : To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory rat model. Methods : Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups; LPS control (n=6), LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at BL23 (n=6, BL23), LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at CV12 (n=6, CV12), and LPS+Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at GV4 (n=6, GV4). Pharmacopuncture was given every two days for 4 weeks followed by inflammation induction by intraperitoneal LPS injection (5mg/kg). Blood, liver tissue, and peritoneal lavage fluid were taken and proinflammatory cytokines and other related factors were analysed. Results : For proinflammatory cytokines, CV12 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different compared with the control group in plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-10 5 h after LPS injection (P<0.05). For plasma IL-$1{\beta}$ and IL-6, CV12 pharmacopuncture group also showed significant difference at 2 h compared with the control (P<0.05). GV4 pharmacopuncture group was significantly different compared with the control at 5 h in plasma IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, and TNF-$\alpha$ and at 2 h in IL-10 (P<0.05). Liver cytokines were analyzed at 5 h after LPS injection; only CV12 pharmacopuncture group showed significant difference in IL-$1{\beta}$ (P<0.05) and others including IL-6, TNF-$\alpha$, and IL-10 had no difference compared with the control group. CD4/CD8 ratio and the phagocytic activities of polymorphonuclear neutrophils were not different from those of control group in all pharmacopuncture groups (P>0.05). Plasma NO3-/NO2- and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 of CV12 pharmacopuncture group were significantly lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). In the plasma concentration of prostaglandin E2, all 3 pharmacopuncture groups had significantly lower values than that of the control group (P<0.05), but there was no difference among pharmacopucnture groups. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and cytokine-induced neutorphil chemoattractant-1 in peritoneal lavage fluid was significantly decreased in CV12 pharmacopuncture group compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusions : These results indicate that Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi pharmacopuncture at CV12 may have a potent anti-inflammatory effect in an LPS-induced inflammatory rat model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.13-25
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• 1999

Background: Ineffective cell-mediated immune response in human tuberculosis is associated with a depressed Thl cytokine response and reduced production of IFN-$\gamma$. Most persons infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis are healthy tuberculin reactors with protective immunity, but a minority with ineffective immunity develop extensive pulmonary tuberculosis. The cell-mediated immune response is an important aspect of host resistance to mycobacterial infection and is believed to be tightly regulated by a balance between Th1 cytokines including IFN-$\gamma$, IL-12, IL-18, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and Th2 counterparts such as IL-4, monocyte chemoattractant protein-l (MCP-l). Methods: Proliferation and mRNA expression of IFN-$\gamma$, RANTES and MCP-l by RT-PCR in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in response to in vitro stimulation with mycobacterial antigens were compared in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with cured and treatment failure and in tuberculin-positive and tuberculin-negative healthy subjects. Results: Defective proliferative responsiveness to aqueous TSP antigen was involved with treatment failure tuberculosis patients. Aqueous TSP antigen-induced IFN-$\gamma$ and RANTES mRNA expression was decreased in treatment failure tuberculosis patients compared with healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (23.1 % versus 90.0% for IFN-$\gamma$ and 46.2% versus 70.0% versus 46.2% for RANTES). The frequency of MCP-l mRNA expression to aqueous TSP antigen in treatment failure tuberculosis patients was greater than in healthy tuberculin reactors and cured tuberculosis patients (76.9% versus 40.0%). Conclusion: The increasing expression of MCP-1 mRNA in response to aqueous TSP antigen might be predicted to favor Th1 responses and restricted Th1 responses in treatment failure of pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.344-347
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• 2013

The S100A8 and S100A9 proteins play important roles in inflammatory diseases. The house dust mite acts as a major allergen that induces allergic diseases. We investigated the effect of the house dust mite on S100A8 and S100A9 protein expression in monocytes. We also examined the effect of CCL2, a powerful monocyte chemoattractant, on the expression of both proteins. Extract of Dermatophagoides pteronissinus (DP), recombinant Der p 1 and Der p 2, or CCL2 had no effect on S100A8 and S100A9 expression in human monocytic THP-1 cells. Monocytes were isolated from healthy donors and treated with DP, Der p 1, and Der p 2. S100A8 expression in monocytes increased after a 24 h stimulation with DP, Der p 1, and Der p 2, and CCL2 also increased S100A8 production. However, S100A9 expression in monocytes was not altered by DP, Der p 1, Der p 2, or CCL2. These results indicate that house dust mite and CCL2 may trigger an inflammatory response by altering S100A8 expression.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.369-377
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• 2018

Spinal tuberculosis (ST) is the tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections in spinal curds. Isoliquiritigenin (4,2',4'-trihydroxychalcone, ISL) is an anti-inflammatory flavonoid derived from licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), a Chinese traditional medicine. In this study, we evaluated the potential of ISL in treating ST in New Zealand white rabbit models. In the model, rabbits (n=40) were infected with Mtb strain H37Rv or not in their $6^{th}$ lumbar vertebral bodies. Since the day of infection, rabbits were treated with 20 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of ISL respectively. After 10 weeks of treatments, the adjacent vertebral bone tissues of rabbits were analyzed through Hematoxylin-Eosin staining. The relative expression of Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2), transcription factor ${\kappa}B$ ($NF-{\kappa}B$) p65 in lymphocytes were verified through reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR), western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The serum level of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and interferon ${\gamma}$ ($IFN-{\gamma}$) were evaluated through ELISA. The effects of ISL on the phosphorylation of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$, $IKK{\alpha}/{\beta}$ and p65 in $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling pathways were assessed through western blotting. In the results, ISL has been shown to effectively attenuate the granulation inside adjacent vertebral tissues. The relative level of MCP-1, p65 and IL-4 and IL-10 were retrieved. $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling was inhibited, in which the phosphorylation of p65, $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ and $IKK{\alpha}/{\beta}$ were suppressed whereas the level of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ were elevated. In conclusion, ISL might be an effective drug that inhibited the formation of granulomas through downregulating MCP-1, $NF-{\kappa}B$, IL-4 and IL-10 in treating ST.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.169-178
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• 2008

Objectives : Inflammation is important event in the development of vascular diseases including hypertension, atherosclerosis, and restenosis. Injinho-tang(IJHT) has been used as a traditional Korean herbal medicine since ancient times, and today it is widely used as a medication for jaundice associated with inflammation of the liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether IJHT and its components inhibit production of nitrite, an index of NO, and proinflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Methods : Cytotoxic activity of IJHT and its components on RAW 264.7 cells was using 5-(3-caroboxymeth-oxyphenyl)-2H-tetra-zolium inner salt (MTS) assay. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured by Griess reagent system. And proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA kit. The levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression were detected by western blot. Results : IJHT and its components significantly inhibited the LPS-induced NO production and iNOS expression accompanied by an attenuation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), interleukin-6 (1L-6), IL-$1{\beta}$ and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) formation in macrophages. Conclusions : IJHT and its components inhibit LPS-induced inflammation via decreasing cytokines production. These results indicate that IJHT and its components have potential as an anti-inflammation and anti-artherosclerosis agent.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.14-18
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• 2010

Stevia rebaudiana (SR) is an herb used traditionally as a sweetener in Paraguay and Brazil, whose use is spreading to other countries, such as Japan, Korea and China. In addition to its low calorie sweet taste, SR appears to have other beneficial properties, such as hypotensive capabilities and inflammation reduction. To identify the bioactive natural constituents exerting anti-inflammatory activities, we examined the EtOAc fraction of SR. In the inflammatory mediator inhibitory assay from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated macrophages, the EtOAc fraction significantly, and dose dependently, inhibited the enhanced production of nitric oxide (NO) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression. We also found that treatment of cells with the EtOAc fraction significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) reporter gene expression. Such inhibition of NF-${\kappa}B$ was closely associated with the inhibition of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). Therefore, we suggest that SR has the potential for development as a functional food for the treatment of immune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.