Immune enhancement effect of an herb complex extract through the activation of natural killer cells and the regulation of cytokine levels in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model

Objective: To investigate the effects of a herb complex extract (HCE) prepared from Cornus officinalis Sieb. Et Zucc., Eriobotrya japonica Lindley, and olive leaves on immune response of mouse spleen NK cells in vitro and in vivo analysis. Methods: The activity of natural killer (NK) cells was measured in splenocytes and YAC-1 cells. Mice were immunosuppressed using cyclophosphamide (5 mg/kg body weight). Three different doses of HCE (200, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight) and red ginseng extract (800 mg/kg body weight) which was used as standard immunomodulatory herb were administered orally for 4 weeks. The body weight, dietary, water intake, organs (liver, thymus, and spleen) weight, completed blood count, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha, interferon gamma, and interleukin-2) production was measured. Results: At the maximum concentration of HCE, the activity of NK cells was increased by 48.5%. HCE increased liver, spleen, and thymus weights without altering numbers of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and neutrophils in a cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression rat model. However, HCE recovered the inhibited cytokine expression; HCE (800 mg/kg) increased cytokines levels. The results indicate the immune enhancement potential of this HCE. Conclusion: The HCE enhances immunity by increasing NK cell activity, regulating cytokine levels, and maintaining spleen weight. Therefore, it may be used as a potential immunity enhancer.

Green coffee bean extract improves obesity by decreasing body fat in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objectives To evaluate possible lipid catabolism and body fat regulation effects of 3-caffeoylquinic acid in Green coffee bean extract (GCBE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods Obesity was induced in mice using a HFD for four weeks. Then, mice were fed only HFD or HFD with GCBE at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Fatty acid synthesis mechanism regulation of body fat was investigated through real-time PCR and Western blot assay. Body fat reduction was measured through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results In HFD-induced obese mice, GCBE treatment significantly decreased body weight gain, liver weight and white adipose tissue weights with regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis hormones, like adiponectin and leptin. GCBE treatment decreased mRNA expression levels of adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism related genes in adipose tissues and the liver, and decreased the corresponding protein expression. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements were used to compare body fat between mice on high-fat and those treated with GCBE. GCBE treated mice had a lower fat mass compared to HFD alone fed mice and relative body weight and fat mass were markedly decreased. Conclusions GCBE has a potential anti-obesity effect with lowering body fat accumulation by regulating adipogenesis and lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins in WAT and liver.

Protective effects of a polymethoxy flavonoids-rich Citrus aurantium peel extract on liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in mice

Objective To evaluate the possible protective effect of Citrus aurantium peel extract (CAE) against apoptosis in cholestatic liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in mice. Methods Male ICR mice were divided to 5 groups: 1) Control group (Sham-operated mice), 2) Cholestatic liver injury group induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), 3) BDL mice treated with silymarin (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, 4) BDL mice treated with 50 mg/kg CAE for 4 weeks, 5) BDL mice treated with 200 mg/kg CAE for 4 weeks. Mice were sacrificed and liver fibrosis was evaluated by serum and hepatic tissue biochemistry tests and liver histopathological examination. Effects of CAE on inflammation and apoptosis gene regulation were investigated through real-time PCR. CAE effect on lipid metabolism related signaling was determined by western blot analysis. Results In BDL mice, administration of CAE for 4 weeks markedly attenuated liver fibrosis based on histopathological alteration. Serum and hepatic tissue biochemistry results revealed that CAE (50 and 200 mg/kg) decreased the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, nitric oxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis showed that CAE regulated inflammation, apoptosis, and lipid metabolism factors increased by BDL. Interleukin family, tumor necrosis factor α, and related apoptosis factors mRNA levels were increased by BDL treatment. However, these increases were suppressed by CAE administration. In addition, CAE effectively increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, and related cytoprotective proteins. Conclusions CAE can efficiently regulate BDL-induced liver injury with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.

Protective effects of a polymethoxy flavonoids-rich Citrus aurantium peel extract on liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in mice

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the possible protective effect of Citrus aurantium peel extract (CAE) against apoptosis in cholestatic liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation in mice.@*METHODS@#Male ICR mice were divided to 5 groups: 1) Control group (Sham-operated mice), 2) Cholestatic liver injury group induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), 3) BDL mice treated with silymarin (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks, 4) BDL mice treated with 50 mg/kg CAE for 4 weeks, 5) BDL mice treated with 200 mg/kg CAE for 4 weeks. Mice were sacrificed and liver fibrosis was evaluated by serum and hepatic tissue biochemistry tests and liver histopathological examination. Effects of CAE on inflammation and apoptosis gene regulation were investigated through real-time PCR. CAE effect on lipid metabolism related signaling was determined by western blot analysis.@*RESULTS@#In BDL mice, administration of CAE for 4 weeks markedly attenuated liver fibrosis based on histopathological alteration. Serum and hepatic tissue biochemistry results revealed that CAE (50 and 200 mg/kg) decreased the levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, total bilirubin, nitric oxide, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Real-time PCR and western blot analysis showed that CAE regulated inflammation, apoptosis, and lipid metabolism factors increased by BDL. Interleukin family, tumor necrosis factor α, and related apoptosis factors mRNA levels were increased by BDL treatment. However, these increases were suppressed by CAE administration. In addition, CAE effectively increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2, and related cytoprotective proteins.@*CONCLUSIONS@#CAE can efficiently regulate BDL-induced liver injury with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic activities.

Green coffee bean extract improves obesity by decreasing body fat in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

OBJECTIVES@#To evaluate possible lipid catabolism and body fat regulation effects of 3-caffeoylquinic acid in Green coffee bean extract (GCBE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.@*METHODS@#Obesity was induced in mice using a HFD for four weeks. Then, mice were fed only HFD or HFD with GCBE at 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg. Fatty acid synthesis mechanism regulation of body fat was investigated through real-time PCR and Western blot assay. Body fat reduction was measured through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.@*RESULTS@#In HFD-induced obese mice, GCBE treatment significantly decreased body weight gain, liver weight and white adipose tissue weights with regulation of adipose tissue lipolysis hormones, like adiponectin and leptin. GCBE treatment decreased mRNA expression levels of adipogenesis and adipocyte metabolism related genes in adipose tissues and the liver, and decreased the corresponding protein expression. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements were used to compare body fat between mice on high-fat and those treated with GCBE. GCBE treated mice had a lower fat mass compared to HFD alone fed mice and relative body weight and fat mass were markedly decreased.@*CONCLUSIONS@#GCBE has a potential anti-obesity effect with lowering body fat accumulation by regulating adipogenesis and lipid metabolism-related genes and proteins in WAT and liver.

Roots extracts of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica improve obesity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To investigate the anti-obesity activity and the action mechanism of the roots of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract (ATE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: The roots of Adenophora triphylla were extracted with 70% ethanol. To demonstrate the compounds, linoleic acid was analyzed by using gas chromatography; and the anti-obesity effects and possible mechanisms of ATE were examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice. Results: Treatment with ATE inhibited the lipid accumulation without cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE treatment significantly decreased the body weight gain, white adipose tissues (WATs) weight and plasma triglyceride level, while 100 and 200 mg/kg ATE treatment increased the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in the HFD-induced obese mice, as compared with the HFD group. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE also lowered the size of adipocytes in adipose tissue and reduced the lipid accumulation in liver. ATE treatment showed significantly lower expression level of adipogenesis-related proteins, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid binding protein (aP2), fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; and furthermore, decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, aP2, fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression levels in WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice. Conclusions: These results suggested that the ATE has an anti-obesity effect, which may be elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes and proteins in adipocytes and WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice.

Monascus pilosus-fermented black soybean inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes and in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective: To explore the anti-obesity effects and the mechanism of action of Monascus pilosus(M. pilosus)-fermented black soybean (MFBS) extracts (MFBSE) and MFBS powders (MFBSP) in adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, respectively. Methods: Black soybean was fermented with M. pilosus, and the main constituents in MFBS were analyzed by HPLC analysis. In vitro, MFBSE were examined for anti-adipogenic effects using Oil-Red O staining. In vivo, mice were fed a normal-fat diet (NFD) control, HFD control or HFD containing 1 g/kg MFBSP for 12 weeks, and then body weight gain and tissues weight measured. Real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to determine the mechanism of anti-adipogenic effects. Results: MFBSE inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without exerting cell cytotoxicity. MFBSP treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly decreased the body weight gain compared with the HFD control mice. MFBSE and MFBSP treatment resulted in significantly lower mRNA levels of adipogenesis-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPAR γ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and fatty acid synthase (FAS), in adipocytes and in white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD-induced obese mice. Conclusions: These results suggest that the anti-obesity effects of MFBS are elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in adipocytes and WAT of HFD-induced obese mice.

Roots extracts of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica improve obesity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obese mice

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the anti-obesity activity and the action mechanism of the roots of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica extract (ATE) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.@*METHODS@#The roots of Adenophora triphylla were extracted with 70% ethanol. To demonstrate the compounds, linoleic acid was analyzed by using gas chromatography; and the anti-obesity effects and possible mechanisms of ATE were examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice.@*RESULTS@#Treatment with ATE inhibited the lipid accumulation without cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE treatment significantly decreased the body weight gain, white adipose tissues (WATs) weight and plasma triglyceride level, while 100 and 200 mg/kg ATE treatment increased the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in the HFD-induced obese mice, as compared with the HFD group. Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE also lowered the size of adipocytes in adipose tissue and reduced the lipid accumulation in liver. ATE treatment showed significantly lower expression level of adipogenesis-related proteins, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, fatty acid binding protein (aP2), fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes; and furthermore, decreased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, aP2, fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c, and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression levels in WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggested that the ATE has an anti-obesity effect, which may be elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes and proteins in adipocytes and WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice.

Monascus pilosus-fermented black soybean inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes and in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the anti-obesity effects and the mechanism of action of Monascus pilosus(M. pilosus)-fermented black soybean (MFBS) extracts (MFBSE) and MFBS powders (MFBSP) in adipocytes and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, respectively.@*METHODS@#Black soybean was fermented with M. pilosus, and the main constituents in MFBS were analyzed by HPLC analysis. In vitro, MFBSE were examined for anti-adipogenic effects using Oil-Red O staining. In vivo, mice were fed a normal-fat diet (NFD) control, HFD control or HFD containing 1 g/kg MFBSP for 12 weeks, and then body weight gain and tissues weight measured. Real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to determine the mechanism of anti-adipogenic effects.@*RESULTS@#MFBSE inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without exerting cell cytotoxicity. MFBSP treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly decreased the body weight gain compared with the HFD control mice. MFBSE and MFBSP treatment resulted in significantly lower mRNA levels of adipogenesis-related genes, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPAR γ), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4), and fatty acid synthase (FAS), in adipocytes and in white adipose tissue (WAT) of HFD-induced obese mice.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These results suggest that the anti-obesity effects of MFBS are elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in adipocytes and WAT of HFD-induced obese mice.

Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activities of Streptomyces sp. strain MJM 10778

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant activity of soil-borne actinobacteria. Methods: The total phenolic contents, the level of antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging activity, NO scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity in ethyl acetate extract were determined. Results: The 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp. strain MJM 10778, which was isolated from Hambak Mountain, Korea, has 99.9% similarity to Streptomyces misionensis (S. misionensis) NBRC 13063. The physiological and the morphological test revealed that the strain MJM 10778 has different characteristics from the strain NBRC 13063. The entire antioxidant assay with the ethyl acetate extract displayed good radical scavenging activity. The IC

Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activities of Streptomyces sp. strain MJM 10778

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antioxidant activity of soil-borne actinobacteria.@*METHODS@#The total phenolic contents, the level of antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging activity, NO scavenging activity, and ABTS radical scavenging activity in ethyl acetate extract were determined.@*RESULTS@#The 16S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp. strain MJM 10778, which was isolated from Hambak Mountain, Korea, has 99.9% similarity to Streptomyces misionensis (S. misionensis) NBRC 13063. The physiological and the morphological test revealed that the strain MJM 10778 has different characteristics from the strain NBRC 13063. The entire antioxidant assay with the ethyl acetate extract displayed good radical scavenging activity. The IC50 values of the strain MJM 10778 extract on DPPH, NO, and ABTS radicals were identified to be 92.8 μg/mL, 0.02 μg/mL, and 134.9 μg/mL, respectively. The ethyl acetate extract of the strain MJM 10778 showed an 81.50% of cell viability at 100 μg/mL in Raw264.7 cell viability assay.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The results obtained suggest that the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp. strain MJM 10778 could be considered as a potential source of drug for the diseases that is caused by free radicals with its anti-oxidant activities and low cytotoxicity.

Predictive Factors for Short-term Mortality in Terminal Cancer Patients Who Visit an Emergency Department

PURPOSE: Although some predictive tools are widely used for the prognostic assessment of terminal cancer patients in hospice-palliative care units, it remains unclear which factors predict survival of terminal cancer patients presenting at an emergency department (ED). The aim of this study was to find predictive factors for 1 week and 1 month mortality in ED patients with terminal cancer. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on patients with terminal cancer who visited the ED. Patient data included demographics, clinical symptoms and signs, severity scales, and laboratory test results. We estimated differences in survival rate at 1 week and 1 month using Cox-proportional regression analysis. For those variables that were significant, we did multivariate analysis. RESULTS: One hundred and ten patients were enrolled. The median survival duration was 10 days. Univariate analysis showed that tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, cognitive dysfunction and acute renal dysfunction were statistically significant predictors of mortality. The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score, the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, leukocyte and neutrophil counts, serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and sodium were also predictors of mortality. Multivariate analysis showed that hypotension and serum levels of CRP, BUN and sodium were independent predictors. CONCLUSION: In ED patients with terminal cancer, hypotension and serum levels of CRP, BUN and sodium may be useful for predicting 1 week and 1 month mortality.

Frameless Fractionated Stereotactic Radiotherapy Using Linear Accelerator in Large Brain Tumors

OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study are to introduce the method of fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT), to make treatment plans and to evaluate the role of frameless FSRT in large brain tumors. METHODS: Between August 1997 and December 2000, FSRT was performed in 47 patients with brain lesion. Eighteen patients had brain tumor larger than 3cm. We used 'Point Reference System' of Northwest Medical Physics Center. Three gold markers were fixated at a given place instead of sticking the frame in the head. We used multiple-arc FSRT for round tumor and conformal FSRT for irregular tumor. RESULTS: There was no acute toxicity, except for transient headache and dizziness in two patients. Patients did not need to be hospitalized, and also did not suffer from being invasive with frames. In the radiological response of tumor volume, 2(11.1%) showed complete remission. 8(44.5%) were reduced. 4(22.2%) showed no change. 4(22.2%) were not followed up. In the clinical response of symptoms, 9(50%) were improved, 7(38.9%) were continued, and 2(11.1%) were aggravated. There were limitations that the clinical results of each patient were varied in diagnosis and underlying disease. CONCLUSION: We can apply FSRT for brain tumor larger than 3cm safely and effectively, regardless of shape irregularity and minimize the injury of normal brain tissue.

Olfactory Groove Schwannoma: Case Report

The authors present a case of olfactory groove schwannomas in a 55-years old man presented with headache. Physical and neurological examination was normal. Olfactory and visual function were also preserved. Magnetic resonance(MR) imaging of brain showed a 5cm-size round well enhanced mass in the right olfactory groove. The patient underwent bifrontal craniotomy for the mass removal. Postoperatively, patient has no neurological deficit and no specific complication. Follow-up MR imaging two months later showed no residual mass. Histopathological diagnosis was schwannoma.