• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 1993

In the previous study, we observed that Purine has a time dependent effect in maintaining the oocytes in meiotic arrest, and human fetal cord serum(HFCS) and human mature follicular fluid(HMFF) reverse the GVBD suppressed by purines. And it was reported that purine has a harmful effect on the development of oocytes or embryos, when they were cultured for a long time, in vitro. Therefore this study was performed to investigate the effects of purine on extrusion rates of 1st pb and viability of oocytes cultured for a long time, in vitro. Immature oocytes(GV stage) were collected from ovaries of 25~28 day old ICR mice at 48 hrs after PMSG injection. Cumulus-enclosed and denuded oocytes collected were assigned randomly to one of several culture conditions. Some of the oocytes were cultured in 4mM hypoxanthine for 24hr, and the extrusion rates of 1st pb and viability of the oocytes were assessed at every 12 hrs. In the viability, the oocytes showed granulation, pigmentation of cytoplasm or lysis of 1st pb extruded were regarded as degenerating oocytes. Also some of the oocytes were cultured in hypoxanthine for 12 hrs then the resulting oocytes were transferred to hypoxanthine-free medium and cultured for 12 hrs to determine whether the inhibitory effect of hypoxanthine on the 1st pb extrusion was reversible. The rest of the oocytes were cultured in medium containing hypoxanthine and adenosine for 18 hrs to compare the 1st pb extrusion be attendant upon hte concentration of HFCS or HMFF supplemented. Hypoxanthine suppressed the extrusion of 1st pb and viability of the oocytes significantly, when they were cultured for more than 12 hrs and the harmful effect of hypoxanthine was showed in denuded oocytes, prominently. The suppressive effect of hypoxanthine was reversed by just removal of the hypoxanthine from the cultrue medium. Also there was no difference in reverse the pb extrusion rate suppressed between HFCS and HMFF. The extrusion rate of 1st pb in medium containing adenosine and hypoxanthine was increased in line with the concentration of HFCS or HMFF supplemented. Hypoxanthine suppressed the extrusion of 1st pb and viability of the oocytes significantly, when they were cultured for more than 12 hrs and the harmful effect of hypoxanthine was showed in denuded oocytes, prominetly. The suppressive effect of hypoxanthine was reversed by just removal of the hypoxanthine fromthe culture medium. Also there was no difference in reverse the pb extrusion rate suppressed between HFCS and HMFF. The extrusion rate of 1st pb in medium containing adenosine and hypoxanthine was increased in line with the concentration of HFCS or HMFF supplemented.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.134-143
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• 2017

Background: The prevalence of allergic inflammatory diseases such as atopic dermatitis (AD), asthma, and allergic rhinitis worldwide has increased and complete recovery is difficult. Korean Red Ginseng, which is the heat-processed root of Panax ginseng Meyer, is widely and frequently used as a traditional medicine in East Asia. In this study, we investigated whether Korean Red Ginseng water extract (RGE) regulates the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines via the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs)/nuclear factor kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) pathway in allergic inflammation. Methods: Compound 48/80-induced anaphylactic shock and 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNFB)-induced AD-like skin lesion mice models were used to investigate the antiallergic effects of RGE. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) and human mast cells (HMC-1) were also used to clarify the effects of RGE on the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Results: Anaphylactic shock and DNFB-induced AD-like skin lesions were attenuated by RGE administration through reduction of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin (IL)-6 levels in mouse models. RGE also reduced the production of proinflammatory cytokines including $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8, and expression of chemokines such as IL-8, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) in HaCaT cells. Additionally, RGE decreased the release of tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, and IL-8 as well as expressions of chemokines including macro-phage inflammatory protein $(MIP)-1{\alpha}$, $MIP-1{\beta}$, regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1, and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells. Furthermore, our data demonstrated that these inhibitory effects occurred through blockage of the MAPK and $NF-{\kappa}B$ pathway. Conclusion: RGE may be a useful therapeutic agent for the treatment of allergic inflammatory diseases such as AD-like dermatitis.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.225-230
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• 2012

Interferon induced transmembrane protein-1 (Ifitm-1) has been reported to have an important role in primordial germ cell formation, and it has expressed in female reproductive organ. In the present study, Ifitm-1 gene expression was identified in testes and all part of epididymis using western immunoblot and immunohistochemistry. Interestingly, Ifitm-1 expression was observed on the head of spermatozoa. To investigate the role of Ifitm-1 gene expression in behavior of spermatozoa after acrosome reaction, fresh sperm was incubated with calcium ionophore to induce acrosome reaction, whereas the expression of Ifitm-1 was not altered after the acrosome reaction. Then to identify the effect of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and other seminal parameters, different concentration of Ifitm-1 antibody was incubated with spermatozoa, and seminal parameters were assessed using computer-assisted semen analysis (CASA). Interestingly, motility, progressive, and VAP were increased in the sperm with Ifitm-1 antibody treated compared to rabbit serum, however other parameters such as straightness were not changed. In order to identify the functional significance of Ifitm-1 in fertilization, capacitated spermatozoa were pre-incubated with anti-Ifitm-1 antibody and subsequently examined the ability to adhere to mouse oocytes. However, any defection or alteration in sperm-egg fusion was not found, Ifitm-1 antibody treated or non-treated spermatozoa showed a normal penetration. Although the precise role of Ifitm-1 in sperm motility and following fertilization need to be elucidated, this study suggests that the activation of Ifitm-1 on the sperm may enhance the motility of spermatozoa in mice.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.865-873
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• 2002

The primary cause of tooth loss after 30 years of age is periodontal disease. Destruction of alveolar bone by periodontal disease is done by bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts. Understanding differentiation and activation mechanism of osteoclasts is essential for controling periodontal disease. The purpose of this study is to identify the possible effects of Vitamin D and cytokines affecting osteoclasts and its precursor cells. Four to six week-old mice were killed and humerus, radius, tibia and femur were removed aseptically and washed two times with Hank's solution containing penicillin-streptomycin and then soft tissue were removed. Bone marrow cells were collected by 22 gauge needle. Cells were cultured in Hank's solution containing 1 mg/ml type II collagenase, 0.05% trypsin, 41mM EDTA. Supernatant solution was removed 5 times after 15 minutes of digestion with above mentioned enzyme solution, and remained bone particles were maintained in alpha-MEM for 15 minutes and $4^{\circ}C$ temperature. Bone particles were agitated for 1 minute and supernatant solution containing osteoclast precursor cells were filtrated with cell stainer. These separated osteoclast precursor cells were dispensed with 100-mm culture dish by $1{\times}10^7$ cells unit and cultured in ${\alpha}$- MEM containing 20 ng/ml recombinant human M-CSF, 30 ng/ml recombinant human soluble osteoclast differentiation factor and 10% fetal calf serum for 2 and 7 days. Total RNA of osteoclast precursor cells were extracted using RNeasy kit. One ${\mu}g$ of total RNA was reverse transcribed in $42^{\circ}C$ for 30 minutes using SuperScriptII reverse transcriptase. Expression of transcribed receptors of each hormone and cytokine were traced with 1 ${\mu}l$ of cDNA solution by PCR amplification. Vitamin D receptor WAS found in cells cultured for 7 days. TNF-${\alpha}$ receptor was found in cells cultured for 2 days and amount of receptors were increased by 7 days. IL-1 type I receptor was not found in cells cultured 2 and 7 days. But, IL-1 receptor type II was found in cells cultured for 2 days. TGF-${\alpha},{\beta}$type I receptor was found in cells cultured 2 and 7 days, and amount of receptors were increased by 7 days of culture. These results implies Vitamin D and cytokines can affect osteoclasts directly, and affecting period in differentiation cycle of osteoclasts is different by Vitamin D and cytokines.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.14.1-14.17
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• 2021

Scrub typhus develops after the individual is bitten by a trombiculid mite infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Since it has been reported that pneumonia is frequently observed in patients with scrub typhus, we investigated whether intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi (OMPOT) would induce a protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. It was particular interest that when mice were infected with O. tsutsugamushi, the bacteria disseminated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. The i.n. vaccination with OMPOT induced IgG responses in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The anti-O. tsutsugamushi IgA Abs in BAL fluid after the vaccination showed a high correlation of the protection against O. tsutsugamushi. The vaccination induced strong Ag-specific Th1 and Th17 responses in the both spleen and lungs. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that i.n. vaccination with OMPOT elicited protective immunity against scrub typhus in mouse with O. tsutsugamushi infection causing subsequent pneumonia.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.317-324
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• 1990

Liposome was labelled with $^{99m}Tc$ after negative charged liposome was formed with combination of a few lipid components. $^{99m}Tc$ liposome was injected through the tail vein of C3H mice bearing fibrosarcoma and biodistribution of $^{99m}Tc$ liposome was evaluated. The results were as follows: 1) We confirmed formation of liposome which was small unillamellar and multilamellar vesicles. 2) In this experiment the optimal concentration of $SnCl_2$ was $156{\mu}g/ml$ to label liposome with $^{99m}Tc$ and labelling efficiency was 95%. 3) The labelled liposome was stable when it was incubated with human serum for 24 hours. Mean labelling efficiency was 94% at 24 hour. 4) The main uptake sites of Tc-99m liposome were liver and spleen. It showed significantly higher uptake than $^{99m}Tc$ HSA (p < 0.001). 5) $^{99m}Tc$ liposome uptake in tumor tissue was not significantly higher than $^{99m}Tc$ HSA uptake. In conclusion, $^{99m}Tc$ liposome disclosed high labelling efficiency and was highly stable. Liver and spleen were main uptake sites of $^{99m}Tc$ liposome. The uptake mechanism of $^{99m}Tc$ liposome also seemed to be different from that of $^{99m}Tc$ HSA. We conclude that $^{99m}Tc$ liposome would be a promising agents for the imaging of some tumor.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-92
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• 2012

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Hwangryunhaedok-tang (HHT) and Gungangbuja-tang (GBT) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of inflammation. HHT and GBT are one of the representative prescriptions of cold drug and one of the representative prescriptions of hot drug, respectively. For experimental evaluation of their efficacy, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of HHT and GBT on LPS-induced inflammation and the mechanisms of their action. Methods : ICR mice were given a HHT (50, 500 mg/kg), GBT (100, 1000 mg/kg) extract orally on three consecutive days. On the third day, they were administered LPS intraperitoneally (35 mg/kg), 1 h after the last sample administration. Blood and liver samples were taken 6 h after the LPS challenge. Cytokine expression and inflammation-related protein factor analyses were performed by Western blotting. Results : Oral administration of HHT significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, and interferon (IFN)-${\gamma}$ in the serum. While GBT inhibited an increase of IL-6, IFN-${\gamma}$ was not affected. Immunoblot analysis showed that LPS-induced NF-${\kappa}b$ activation was inhibited by GBT, meanwhile HHT only inhibited NF-${\kappa}b$ expression at high does (500 mg/kg). In addition, HHT and GBT inhibited LPS-induced phosphorylation of Erk1/2, Jnk and p38 MAPKs. GBT also significantly inhibited i-Nos and Cox-2 expression, and HHT inhibited only i-Nos expression. Conclusions : Both of HHT and GBT showed anti-inflammatory effects against LPS-induced endotoxemia. However, HHT significantly decreased inflammatory cytokine levels, such as IL-6 and IFN-${\gamma}$ more than GBT, while GBT significantly inhibited inflammatory proteins, including NF-${\kappa}b$, MAP Kinases, i-Nos and Cox-2, more than HHT. These results suggest that HHT and GBT regulate the different mechanisms of action and pathways, presumably by regulating cytokine levels (IL-6, IFN-${\gamma}$), NF-${\kappa}b$ activation, and several pro-inflammatory gene expression, although both of HHT and GBT have anti-inflammatory effects.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.71-80
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• 2021

Objectives : This study investigated cellular-protective effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against oxidative stress induced by arachidonic acid (AA)+iron or tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP). Methods : In vitro, MTT assay was assessed for cell viability, and immunoblotting analysis was performed to detect expression of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and autophagy related proteins. In vivo, mice were orally administrated with the aqueous extract of NSCE of 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then injected with CCl₄ 0.5 mg/kg body weight to induce acute damage. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) analysis. Results : Treatment with NSCE inhibited cell death induced by AA+iron and tBHP. NSCE induced the phosphorylation of AMPK, and this compound also induced the phosphorylation of LKB1, an upstream kinase of AMPK, and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), a primary downstream target of AMPK. NSCE increased the protein levels of autophagic markers (LC3II and beclin-1) and decreased the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and simultaneously increased the phosphorylation of unc-51-like kinase-1 (ULK-1) in time-dependent manner. Conclusions : NSCE has the ability 1) to protect cells against oxidative stress induced by AA+iron or tBHP. NSCE 2) to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and 3) to regulate autophagy, an important regulator in cell survival.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.246-256
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• 2022

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 µM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7r-NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2022

Objectives : This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects of Nardotidis seu Sulculii Concha water extract (NSCE) against restraint-induced stress. Methods : In vivo, NSCE was orally administered to male white mice at concentrations of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 3 days, and then restraint-induced stress was induced for 6 hours. The level of liver damage was measured by serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The stress-related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were measured by ELISA assay. Also, western blot analysis was performed to detect expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) proteins. Pathological changes were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the liver tissue, and Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was performed to examine liver inflammation through macrophage infiltration. Results : The AST, ALT, LDH and the stress related hormones such as cortisol and corticosterone were significantly decreased in the NSCE treated group compared with stress group. In histological analysis, H&E staining of liver tissues did not detect the hepatic injury or damage in all groups. As a result of IHC staining, it was confirmed that infiltration of macrophages was increased in the stress-induced group, but decreased in the group treated with NSCE. The COX-2 and MAPK proteins expression was significantly increased by restraint-induced stress, but these proteins were decreased in the NSCE treated group. Conclusions : These results suggest that NSCE has the anti-inflammatory activity in restraint-induced stress model, and it is believed that NSCE can be used for the prevention of liver inflammation.