Biomedical subjects

Seung-Heon Hong

Publications and source records attributed to Seung-Heon Hong.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Immune-enhancing effect of the Korean natural medicine WooKiEum.

WooKiEum (WKE) has been used for the purpose of the development of increased immune-system strength in Korea. In the present study, we examined the anti-immobility effect of WKE on the forced swimming test (FST), and then measured blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue: glucose (Glc), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine, and total protein (TP). WKE (0.1, 1 g/kg) was administered orally to mice for 7 d. After 2 d, the immobility time was decreased in the WKE-administered group. After 7 d, the immobility time was significantly decreased in the WKE-administered group (64.6+/-9.0 s for 0.1 g/kg) in comparison with the control group (101.3+/-32.7 s). In addition, amount of Glc in the blood serum was increased, whereas the contents of BUN, LDH and TP decreased in the WKE-administered group. Next, we investigated the effect of WKE on the production of cytokines in a human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages. WKE (1 mg/ml) significantly increased interferon (IFN)-gamma and TNF-alpha production compared with the media control (about 2.2-fold for IFN-gamma, about 1.7-fold for TNF-alpha, p<0.05) after 24 h. WKE increased the protein expression of IFN-gamma in MOLT-4 cells. These results suggest that WKE may be useful in immune function improvement.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2004

OK205 regulates production of inflammatory cytokines in HMC-1 cells.

OK205 is a traditional Korean prescription containing water-soluble chitosan, glucosamine HCl, chondroitin sulfate, and extract of herbal medicine, and has been used commercially to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Because infiltrated mast cells and their mediators may contribute to the initiation and progression of the inflammatory process and matrix degradation of RA, we tested the inhibitory effects of OK205 on cytokine production in a human mast cell line (HMC-1 cells). Production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha was significantly decreased to 0.091+/-0.010 ng/ml after treatment of HMC-1 cells with OK205 100 microg/ml. The inhibition rate was about 43.57%. In addition, production of interleukin-6 in OK205 1 pg/ml-treated cells was 2.779+/-0.071 ng/ml, and the inhibition rate was about 50.22%. However, OK205 did not significantly inhibit the production of interleukin-8. These findings may help in understanding the mechanism of action of OK205, leading to control of mast cells in inflammatory conditions like RA.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗

PubMed2004

The Oriental medicine "Cool-Cool (Cool-X-A)" inhibits inflammatory cytokine production and migration in mast cells.

Plant medications have been applied to treat pains from various types of arthritis in Korea. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is well known to be a chronic autoimmune/inflammatory disease that leads to progressive joint damage and cartilage destruction. Accumulation and activation of mast cells have been demonstrated in rheumatoid synovial tissue. Because infiltrated mast cells and their mediators may contribute to the initiation and progression of the inflammatory process and matrix degradation of RA, we tested the inhibitory effects of "Cool-Cool" (CC, Cool-X-A), an Oriental medication, on the production and migration of major inflammatory cytokines in mast cells. CC was treated in vitro before activation of human mast cell line (HMC-1) with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, and the cytotoxicity of CC was assessed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. CC had no cytotoxic effects on HMC-1 cell viability. The inhibitory effects on cytokine production were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). CC inhibited not only the secretion but also the expression of TNF-alpha and IL-8 in HMC-1 cells. CC also suppressed migration of mast cells induced by stem cell factor. These findings may help in understanding the mechanism of action of this herbal medication, leading to the control of mast cells in inflammatory conditions like RA.

Cell Movement↗

PubMed2003

Expression of proinflammatory cytokines via HIF-1alpha and NF-kappaB activation on desferrioxamine-stimulated HMC-1 cells.

We investigated the expression and the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) on the desferrioxamine (DFX)-induced cytokine production in human mast cells, HMC-1 cells. HIF-1alpha mRNA was constitutively expressed in mast cell lines including the P815, RBL-2H3, and HMC-1. DFX (100 microM) resulted in a great increase in protein levels of HIF-1alpha in HMC-1 cells, but it did not affect HIF-1alpha mRNA expression. Iron (HIF-1 inhibitor) inhibited increase of HIF-1alpha and NF-kappaB protein levels. Pyrriolidine-dithiocarbamate (PDTC, NF-kappaB inhibitor) inhibited increase of NF-kappaB protein levels, but it slightly increased HIF-1alpha protein levels. In addition, DFX significantly increased the production of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha in HMC-1 (P<0.05). These increased cytokine levels were significantly inhibited by treatment of iron or PDTC in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). We demonstrated the regulatory effects of HIF-1alpha on the DFX-induced proinflammatory cytokine production in human mast cells for the first time. These data indicate that inflammatory cytokines seem to be under HIF-1alpha or NF-kappaB transcriptional regulation in the hypoxic conditions on mast cells.

Blotting, Western↗

PubMed2003

Immune-enhancement effect of the herbal combination Allergina.

BACKGROUND: The herbal formulation, Allergina, has long been used for various diseases. It is known to have an anti-microbial and anti-virus activity. However, it is still unclear how Allergina has these effects in experimental models. We investigated the effect of Allergina on the proliferation of T cell and production of cytokines in human T-cell line, MOLT-4 cells, and mouse peritoneal macrophages. METHODS: The MOLT-4 cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of Allergina. Allergina significantly increased the cell viability by 26.9+/-5.4% (P<0.05) and interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4 and interferon (IFN)-gamma production compared with media control (about 4-fold for IL-2, 2.5-fold for IL-4 and 3.4-fold for IFN-gamma, P<0.05). Maximal effective concentration of Allergina was 1 mg/ml for IL-2 and, 0.01 mg/ml for IL-4 and IFN-gamma. Allergina alone or Allergina plus recombinant IFN-gamma (rIFN-gamma) increased the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, but Allergina decreased the production of TNF-alpha on rIFN-gamma plus LPS-stimulated macrophages. In addition, Allergina increased the production of IL-12 on mouse peritoneal macrophages and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CONCLUSION: Allergina may have an immune-enhancement effect through the cytokine production.

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

PubMed2003

Inulin stimulates NO synthesis via activation of PKC-alpha and protein tyrosine kinase, resulting in the activation of NF-kappaB by IFN-gamma-primed RAW 264.7 cells.

Inulin, an active component of Chicorium intybus root, has been shown to stimulate the growth of bifidobacteria, and inhibit colon carcinogenesis. NO mediates a number of the host-defense functions of activated macrophages, including antimicrobial and tumoricidal activity. We examined the effect of inulin on the synthesis of NO in RAW 264.7 cells. Inulin alone had no effect, whereas inulin with IFN-gamma synergistically increased the NO production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) expression in RAW 264.7 cells. Synergy between IFN-gamma and inulin was mainly dependent on inulin-induced TNF-alpha secretion. Also, protein kinase C (PKC)-alpha was involved in the inulin-induced NO production. Inulin-mediated NO production was inhibited by the protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitor, tyrphostin AG126. Since iNOS gene transcriptions have been shown to be under the control of the NF-kappaB/Rel family of transcription factors, we assessed the effect of inulin on NF-kappaB/Rel using an EMSA. Inulin produced strong induction of NF-kappaB/Rel binding, whereas AP-1 binding was slightly induced in RAW 264.7 cells. Inulin stimulated phosphorylation and degradation of IkappaB-alpha. These results suggest that in IFN-gamma-primed RAW 264.7 cells inulin might stimulate NO synthesis via activation of PKC-alpha and PTK, resulting in the activation of NF-kappaB.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Induction of apoptosis by Paljin-Hangahmdan on human leukemia cells.

Paljin-Hangahmdan is an Oriental herbal formulation under intensive investigation for its ability to modulate growth and survival in cancer cells. This research was performed to study the anticancer effects of Paljin-Hangahmdan water extract (PHWE) in human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cells. After HL-60 cells were routinely cultured, tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay was performed for cytotoxicity test. Cytotoxicity of PHWE (200-800 microg/ml) in HL-60 cells was increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. However, PHWE (200-800 microg/ml) had less cytotoxicity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from a healthy subject. To explore the mechanism of cytotoxicity, we used several measures of apoptosis to determine whether these processes were involved in PHWE-induced leukemic cell death. Our results showed PHWE induced the cell shrinkage, cell membrane blebbing, apoptotic body, and DNA fragmentation. In addition, the flow cytometric analysis revealed PHWE (200-800 microg/ml) dose-dependently increased apoptotic cells with hypodiploid DNA contents. These results indicate that PHWE can control leukemic HL-60 cells through apoptosis and may have a possibility of potential anticancer activities.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Inhibitory effects of Xanthii fructus extract on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction in murine model.

The effect of aqueous extract of Xanthii fructus (XF) on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction has been investigated. XF inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic anaphylaxis in mouse. This dose-dependently inhibited histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) by compound 48/80. Additionally, XF inhibited local immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylatic reaction. When XF (0.1mg/ml) was added, the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) from anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE antibody-stimulated mast cells was inhibited by 56%. Our studies provide evidence that XF may be beneficial in the treatment of various types allergic diseases.

Anaphylaxis↗

PubMed2003

Production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha by Smilacis rhizoma in mouse peritoneal macrophages.

Using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined the mechanism by which, Smilacis rhizoma (SR) regulates nitric oxide (NO) production. When SR was used in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. However, SR had no effect on NO production by itself. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus SR-stimulated cells was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). Furthermore, treatment of peritoneal macrophages with rIFN-gamma plus SR caused a significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. PDTC also decreased the effect of SR on TNF-alpha production significantly. These findings demonstrate that SR increases the production of NO and TNF-alpha by rIFN-gamma-primed macrophages and suggest that NF-kappaB plays a critical role in mediating these effects of SR.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Forsythia fructus inhibits the mast-cell-mediated allergic inflammatory reactions.

Mast cells are key as effector cells in the early phase allergic inflammation and in diverse immunological and pathological processes. Forsythia fructus (F. fructus) has used as a traditional medicine for inflammatory diseases. In the present study, we determined the effect of F. fructus extracts on compound 48/80-induced paw oedema and vascular permeability in vivo. In addition, we investigated in vitro whether F. fructus has inhibitory effects on compound 48/80-induced histamine releases from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC), and on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus A23187-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) releases from human mast cells (HMC-1). In mice orally administrered F. fructus (100 microg/g) for 1 h, compound-48/80-induced oedema and vascular permeability were significantly reduced rather than those receiving intravenous injection of ketotifen, mast cell stabilizer. F. fructus dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release induced by compound 48/80 from RPMCs. Moreover, F. fructus had no cytotoxic effects on cell viability and had inhibitory effects on TNF-alpha secretion from HMC-1. These results suggest that F. fructus is a potential herb medicine for treatment of inflammatory diseases through downmodulating mast cell activation.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

The effect of acupuncture on proinflammatory cytokine production in patients with chronic headache: a preliminary report.

Acupuncture has been widely used as a treatment for various conditions like headache and stroke, especially in Asian countries such as Korea and China. But few scientific investigations have been carried out. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of acupuncture on the production of inflammatory cytokines in patients with chronic headache (CH). Patients with CH were treated with acupuncture during the acute stage. Clinical signs of CH disappeared markedly after three months of treatment with acupuncture. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from a normal group and those from the patients with CH, before and after treatment with acupuncture, were cultured for 24 hours in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The amount of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in LPS culture supernatant was significantly increased in the patients with CH compared to the healthy control group (p < 0.05). But those cytokines came down toward the levels of the healthy group (p < 0.05) after treatment with acupuncture, although the levels still remained elevated. Plasma cytokine levels were analyzed to evaluate any change due to acupuncture treatment. There was little difference in the levels of IL-1 or IL-6 due to the treatment with acupuncture in the patients with CH, but significantly reduced plasma levels of TNF-alpha were observed. These data suggest that acupuncture treatment has an inhibitory effect on pro-inflammatory cytokine production in patients with CH.

Acupuncture Analgesia↗

PubMed2003

Inhibition of the stem cell factor-induced migration of mast cells by dexamethasone.

Mast cell accumulation can be causally related to several allergic inflammations. Previous work has demonstrated that glucocorticoids decreased tissue mast cell number, and stem cell factor (SCF)-induced migration of mast cells required p38 MAPK activation. In the present study we investigated the effects of dexamethasone on SCF-induced migration of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). SCF significantly induced the migration of RPMCs at 4 h. Dexamethasone dose-dependently inhibited SCF-induced migration of RPMCs (approximately 90.1% at 100 nM; P < 0.05). The MAPK p38 inhibitor SB203580 (20 microM) also inhibited the SCF-induced migration. The ability of SCF to enhance morphological alteration and filamentous actin formation was also abolished by treatment with dexamethasone. Dexamethasone inhibited SCF-induced p38 MAPK activation to near-basal levels and induced MAPK phosphatase-1 expression. In addition, SCF-induced inflammatory cytokine production was significantly inhibited by treatment with dexamethasone or SB203580 (P < 0.01). Our results show that dexamethasone potently regulates SCF-induced migration, p38 MAPK activation, and inflammatory cytokine production through the expression of MKP-1 protein in RPMCs. Such modulation may have functional consequences during dexamethasone treatment, especially mast cell-mediated allergic inflammation disorders.

Actins↗

PubMed2002

Inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-6 production by Aucubin through blockade of NF-kappaB activation RBL-2H3 mast cells.

Antigen (Ag)-stimulated mast cells induce synthesis and production of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-6 with proinflammatory and immune regulatory properties. Expression of TNF-alpha and IL-6 was regulated by a transcription factor, nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB. The iridoid glycoside, aucubin, has been found as a natural constituent of many traditional oriental medicinal plants. We studied the effect of aucubin on the TNF-alpha and IL-6 expression in Ag-stimulated rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells. We show that aucubin inhibited Ag-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 production and expression in a dose-dependent manner with IC(50) of 0.101 and 0.19 microg/ml, respectively. Maximal inhibition of TNF-alpha and IL-6 production was 73 +/- 4.3% and 88.8 +/- 5%, respectively. Aucubin also inhibited Ag-induced nuclear translocation of p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and degradation of IkappaBalpha. Inhibition of NF-kappaB activation by aucubin might be specific since activator protein-1 binding activity was not affected. In conclusion, these results suggest that aucubin is a specific inhibitor of NF-kappaB activation in mast cells, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of chronic allergic inflammatory diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

SunghyangJungki-San Ga Pogongyoung inhibits IL-1 mediated tumour necrosis factor-alpha secretion in astrocytes.

Astrocytes play an important role in initiating and modulating inflammatory responses within the central nervous system (CNS). Extensive studies in rodents have shown that substance P induces inflammatory cytokine production in astrocytes. In this study we have examined whether an aqueous extract of SunghyangJungki-San Ga Pogongyoung (SSGP) inhibits the secretion of TNF-alpha from primary cultures of rat astrocytes. SSGP (10-1,000 microg/mL) significantly inhibited the TNF-alpha secretion by astrocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and substance P (SP). Interleukin-1 (IL-1) has been shown to elevate TNF-alpha secretion from LPS-stimulated astrocytes while having no effect on astrocytes in the absence of LPS. We therefore examined whether IL-1 mediated inhibition of TNF-alpha secretion from primary astrocytes by SSGP. Treatment with SSGP (10-1,000 microg/mL) to astrocytes stimulated with both LPS and SP decreased IL-1 secretion significantly. Moreover, the secretion of TNF-alpha by LPS and SP in astrocytes was progressively inhibited with an increasing amount of IL-1 neutralizing antibody. Our results suggest that SSGP may inhibit TNF-alpha secretion by inhibiting IL-1 secretion and that SSGP has an antiinflammatory activity in the CNS.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Inhibitory effect of apoptosis in human astrocytes CCF-STTG1 cells by lemon oil.

The effects of lemon pure essential oils on the heat shock-induced apoptosis in human astrocytes cell line CCF-STTG1 were examined. In previous studies, heat shock has been reported to induce the apoptosis or programmed cell death through the activation of caspase-3. Treatment of heat shock on CCF-STTG1 cells markedly induced apoptotic cell death as determined by flow cytometry. Interestingly, pre-treatment with lemon pure essential oils on CCF-STTG1 cells inhibited the heat shock-induced apoptosis. Lemon oil also inhibited the heat shock-induced apoptosis in primary cultured rat astrocytes. To determine whether lemon oil inhibits the heat shock-induced activation of the apoptotic proteases, activation of caspase-3 was assessed by Western blotting. DNA fragmentation, giemsa staining, and heat shock-induced activation of caspase-3 were blocked by lemon pure essential oil, which is consistent with flow cytometry. Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), the cysteine protease substrate, was fragmented as a consequence of apoptosis by heat shock. Lemon oil inhibited the PARP fragmentation. These results suggest that lemon pure essential oils may modulate the apoptosis through the activation of the interleukin-1 beta -converting enzyme-like caspases.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

CancerB increases production of nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in peritoneal macrophages.

BACKGROUND: CancerB (CCB, IMSF-5), herbal combination, may be able to stimulate potential toxic mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in isolated mouse peritoneal macrophages. METHODS: NO production was determined by Griess method, and TNF-alpha production by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Amounts of proteins were observed by Western blotting. RESULTS: CCB had no effect on NO production by itself, but CCB alone did stimulate the production of TNF-alpha. When CCB was used in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production, TNF-alpha production and NF-kappa B activation. The increase in NO synthesis was reflected as an increased amount of inducible NO synthase protein. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus CCB-stimulated peritoneal macrophages was decreased by the treatment with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine or N(alpha)-Tosyl-Phe Chloromethyl Ketone. Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was able to completely inhibit the production of NO and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that CCB increases the production of NO and TNF-alpha by rIFN-gamma-primed peritoneal macrophages and suggest that NF-kappa B plays a critical role in mediating these effects of CCB.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Role of Ca(2+) on TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion from RBL-2H3 mast cells.

Ca2+ acts as an important second messenger in mast cells. However, the mechanisms involved in the secretion of inflammatory cytokines from activated mast cells are unknown. In this study, we examined the signaling pathway involved in calcium-related cytokine secretion in a mast cell line, RBL-2H3 cells. We report that treatment with 1,2-bis (2-aminophenoxy) ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM), a chelator of intracellular calcium, can inhibit IgE-stimulated TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion in a concentration-dependent manner with IC50 values of 0.41 and 0.014 microM, respectively. Maximal inhibition of TNFalpha- and IL-6 secretion was 58.5 +/- 3% and 87 +/- 8% in BAPTA-AM, respectively. BAPTA-AM also completely inhibited the IgE-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 mRNA levels. In activated RBL-2H3 cells, the expression level of NF-kappaB/Rel A protein increased in the nucleus. However, the level of NF-kappaB/Rel A in nucleus was decreased by treatment of BAPTA-AM. In addition, BAPTA-AM completely inhibited the IgE-induced IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta) activation and IkappaBalpha phosphorylation. These observations demonstrate that the intracellular Ca2+ may play an important role in IgE-induced TNF-alpha and IL-6 secretion from mast cells via IKKbeta activation.

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus↗

PubMed2002

Yangkyuk-Sanhwa-Tang induces changes in serum cytokines and improves outcome in focal stroke patients.

Yangkyuk-Sanhwa-Tang (YS-Tang), a specific prescription composed of nine herbal mixtures, has been developed as a formula for the Soyangin cerebral infarction (CI) patients according to Sasang constitutional philosophy. However, the mechanisms by which this formula affects CI remain unknown. This study revealed changes in cytokine production in the acute stage of Soyangin constitution CI patients after YS-Tang administration. Clinical signs (vertigo, headache and slurred speech) of CI disappeared significantly in about 2 weeks after oral administration of YS-Tang (P < .05). The mean interleukin (IL)-2 plasma levels were lower by 15% in the patients with CI than in the normal groups, whereas the mean TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-6 and IgE levels were significantly higher in the patients (P < .01). There were no significant differences in interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels between the groups. Serum IFN-gamma and IL-2 levels were elevated significantly (P < .01) in the patients with CI by YS-Tang administration. Significant reduced plasma levels (P < .01) of TNF-alpha, IL-4, IL-6 and IgE were observed in the patients treated with YS-Tang. During the period of YS-Tang administration, there were no other adverse effects. The data indicate that YS-Tang has an enhancing effect on antiinflammatory cytokines and an inhibitory effect on inflammatory cytokines. These results may implicate a good CI treatment effect of YS-tang and that its action may be due to regulation of cytokine production.

Adult↗