Inhibition of mast cell-dependent immediate-type hypersensitivity reactions by purple bamboo salt

Purple bamboo salt is a specially processed salt according to the traditional recipe using normal salt and bamboo etc. It has been used as a folk medicine for the purpose of prevention and treatment of various diseases in Korea. This report describes an inhibitory effect of purple bamboo salt on mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions. Purple bamboo salt (0.01-1 microg per site) significantly inhibited the ear swelling response induced by intradermal injection of compound 48/80 in mice. Purple bamboo salt (0.01-1 mg/ml) dose-dependently inhibited the histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) by compound 48/80. Purple bamboo salt (0.01-1 g/kg) also dose-dependently inhibited the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) by oral administration. Our results provide evidence that purple bamboo salt will be beneficial in the regulation of immediate-type of allergic reactions.     

Association between iris constitution and apolipoprotein e gene polymorphism in hypertensives

OBJECTIVE: Iridology is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that involves the diagnosis of medical conditions by noting irregularities of the pigmentation in the iris. Iris constitution has a strong familial aggregation and heredity is implicated. Apolipoprotein E (apoE) gene polymorphism is one of the most well-studied genetic markers for vascular diseases, including hypertension. In this study, we investigated the relationship between iris constitution and apoE polymorphism in hypertensives. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: We classified 87 hypertensives and 79 controls according to iris constitution and determined the apoE genotype of each individual. RESULTS: A significantly higher percentage of individuals with neurogenic constitutions was found in the hypertensive group when compared with the control group (chi(2) = 40.244, p < 0.001). In addition, a neurogenic constitution increased the relative risk for hypertension for subjects with an apo epsilon2 or an epsilon4 allele (chi(2) = 4.086, p = 0.049, odds ratio = 2.633, confidence interval = 1.004-6.905). CONCLUSIONS: Our results imply that a neurogenic iris constitution enhances the relative risk for hypertension in subjects with the apo epsilon2 or epsilon4 allele. Furthermore, we attempted to evaluate the efficacy of iris constitutional medicine and to find an association with hypertension.     

Effects of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction (Yukmijihwang-tang) on Physical Fatigue by Regulating Neurotransmitters in Brain

Objective: To study the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction(六味地黄汤) or Yukmijihwangtang(YJT) on endurance exercise by in vivo experiment. Methods: ICR mice were randomly divided into the control group(distilled water) and the YJT groups(1, 10, 100 mg/kg), 5 animals per group. YJT and distilled water were orally administered. The anti-fatigue effect of YJT was evaluated by open filed test(OFT), forced swimming test(FST), and tail suspension test(TST). Results: In the OFT, YJT significantly increased the total movement distance in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, treatment with YJT significantly decreased immobility time in the FST and the TST. Various neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine(NE), serotonin(5-HT), dopamine(DA) levels were increased by FST. Administration of YJT down-regulated the expression levels of NE, 5-HT, 5-hydroxyindole-acetic acid(5-HIAA), and DA in the brain stem and hypothalamus of mice. Moreover, protein expression of HSP70 in mice liver and heart muscles was significantly increased in the YJT groups. Conclusion: YJT could ameliorate fatigue and enhance exercise tolerance through suppressing of brain monoamines including NE, 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and DA in FST mice model.     

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist gene polymorphism and traditional classification in obese women

Cytokines appear to be the major regulators of adipose tissue metabolism. Interleukin- 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) serum levels are increased in human obesity, and are under strong genetic control. The hypothesis was tested that the IL-1ra gene might be a candidate for obesity. Furthermore, the relationship was investigated between Sasang constitution and IL-1ra polymorphism. The frequency of a penta-allelic 86-bp tandem repeat (VNTR) in the intron 2 of IL-1ra gene in 67 lean (BMI<25 kg/m2), 133 overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2) and 61 obese (BMI>or=30 kg/m2) otherwise healthy Korean subjects was investigated. Total fat mass and percentage body fat were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Subjects were discriminated into four types by QSCC II program as well as clinical data (weight, height, blood pressure, etc.); Teaeumin, Taeyangin, Soyangin, and Soeumin. Genomic DNA was extracted and used for polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping of IL-1ra. The genotypic, or allelic distribution did not differ markedly between the three groups. The relative risk of being obese in comparison with lean was twofold increased in allele 2 carriers, although it was not statistically significant. Carriers of the allele 2 did not show a significant difference in physical and clinical characteristics. However, the relative risk of being obese in comparison with lean was increased in Taeumin subjects (p=.050), and so was in IL-1ra A2- carriers (p=.047). No relationship was found between the IL-1ra polymorphism and BMI in Korean women, but the authors first attempted to find an association among IL-1ra polymorphism, obesity, and Sasang constitution.     

Glutathione s-transferase gene polymorphism and ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms (GST) were examined in 142 cases with ischemic cerebrovascular disease (ICVD) to explore whether the GST polymorphisms confer a risk to an individual to develop ICVD. Tobacco smoke is a major cause of both cancer and vascular disease. The subjects were therefore stratified with ICVD for smoking status, and then the authors examined whether polymorphisms in this detoxification enzyme gene, GST, influence risk of ICVD. The GST genotype was analyzed by the polymerase chain reaction. Neither GSTM1 nor GSTT1 genotypes in the ICVD group was significantly different from the control group (n=344), even in smokers. The authors attempted the combined analysis for GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in ICVD for smoking status. No significant association was observed among the combined genotypes and ICVD. The observations do not confirm the effect of the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes as a risk factor for ICVD, even in smokers. However, this approach provides a way of addressing the hypothesis that environmental genotoxins could play a role in the etiopathogenesis of ICVD.     

Haeamtang induces apoptosis of colon cancer HT-29 cells through activation of caspase-3

The effect of Haeamtang (HAT) on the colon cancer HT-29 cells was investigated in this study. A water extract of HAT significantly decreased the number of HT-29 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner as determined by a MTT assay. Flow cytometry results revealed a dose- and time-dependent increase of dead cells in HT-29 cells treated with HAT extract. The anticancer activity of the H AT extract is attributed to apoptosis induced in HT-29 cells, which was demonstrated by increased caspase-3 activity and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase fragmentation. A selective caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, inhibited the HAT-induced cell death. Taken together, these results demonstrate that HAT extract induces apoptosis in HT-29 cells.     

Relationship between iris constitution analysis and TNF-alpha gene polymorphism in hypertensives

Iridology is a complementary and alternative medicine that involves the diagnosis of medical conditions by noting irregularities of the pigmentation in the iris. Iris constitution has a strong hereditary component. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), a pleiotropic cytokine, has been implicated in many pathological processes including hypertension. In this paper, the relationship between iris constitution and TNFalpha gene polymorphism in those with hypertension is investigated. Eighty seven hypertensive individuals and 79 controls were classified according to iris constitution and the TNFalpha genotype of each individual determined. Compared to the controls, the frequency of the TNFalpha GA heterozygote was lower in the hypertensive group, although the statistical significance was marginal (p = 0.08). This result implies an association with resistance to the disease. In addition, the frequency of the cardio-renal connective tissue weakness type was significantly higher in the hypertensive group with the TNFalpha GG genotype, as compared to the controls (p = 0.001). An association is demonstrated among TNFalpha gene polymorphism, Koreans with hypertension, and iris constitution.     

Inhibitory effect of Patrinia scabiosaefolia on acute pancreatitis

AIM:To investigate the effect of Patrinia scabiosaefolia(PS)on the cholecystokinin(CCK)octapeptide-inducedacute pancreatitis(AP)in rats.METHODS:Wistar rats weighing 240-260 g were dividedinto three groups:(1)Normal saline-treated group;(2)treatment with PS at 100 mg/kg group,in whichPS was administered orally,followed by subcutaneousadministration of 75 μg/kg CCK octapeptide threetimes after 1,3 and 5 h,and this whole procedurewas repeated for 5 d;(3)treatment with saline group,in which the protocols were the same as in treatmentgroup with PS.We determined the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio,the levels of pancreatic HSP60,HSP72 and the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Repeated CCK octapeptide treatment resulted in thetypical laboratory findings of experimentally inducedpancreatitis.RESULTS:PS reduced the pancreatic weight/body weight ratio,the levels of serum amylase and lipase,and inhibited expressions of pro-inflammatory cytokinesin the CCK octapeptide-induced AP.Furthermore,PSpretreatment increased the pancreatic levels of HSP60and HSP72.CONCLUSION:Pretreatment with PS has an anti-inflammatory effect on CCK octapeptide-induced AP.