Skin barrier function can be assessed non-invasively, including by transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, and sebum level. The aim of this study was to evaluate day-to-day variation in measurements of TEWL, skin hydration, and sebum level at various anatomic sites and the relationship between these parameters in normal dogs. Measurements were repeated five times on two separate days in five clinically normal Beagle dogs at seven anatomic sites, i.e., the left and right pinnae, left and right axillae, left and right groin areas, and ventrum. Coefficient of variation was used to show the variation in measurements. Correlations between each of the measurements were analyzed to determine the contribution of skin hydration and sebum level to TEWL. There was no variation in the measurements obtained according to time or anatomic site (P>.0.05). The coefficient of variation was highest for sebum level (209.0 ± 81.8%) followed in descending order by skin hydration (62.7 ± 34.5%) and TEWL (41.1 ± 6.9%). Of the seven anatomic sites sampled, the left and right pinnae showed the lowest variation in repeated measurements for TEWL (39.2%), skin hydration (29.6%), and sebum level (75.5%). There was no significant relationship between the results for each measurement (P>.0.05). Because of its relatively low variation on repeated measurement, TEWL might be the most useful way of evaluating skin condition in dogs.

Locomotion can be investigated using visual locomotion scoring or computer-assisted techniques such as force plates or pressure plates. Although visual locomotion scoring is inexpensive, it is subjective and depends on observers. Conversely, computer-assisted techniques are objective and more sensitive than visual assessment. Many studies of gait in large breed dogs have been conducted using these techniques; however, there have been few investigations of small to toy breed dogs. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to conduct gait analysis in small to toy breed dogs and to suggest normal reference ranges for clinical application. Twenty healthy dogs with no lameness or orthopedic pain weighing from 2 kg to 12 kg were used. The dogs were divided into two groups according to their weight, after which gait analysis was conducted using a pressure plate. The pressure force ratio between the forelimb and hindlimb was significantly lower in group 2 (mean 4.2 kg) than group 1 (mean 10.4 kg), while the stance time ratio between the forelimb and hindlimb tended to increase in group 2, but there was no significant difference. Other numerical values in group 2 tended to decrease, with some significant differences being observed. Overall, the results suggest that there are different gait features in small to toy breed dogs when compared with middle and large breed dogs.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistant Escherichia (E.) coli is a major problem in pig farms. To tackle this issue, in July 2011, the Korean government banned the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion of animals in farms. Moreover, E. coli encoding the Stx2e gene cause edema disease which results in high mortality and morbidity in pig farms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among E. coli encoding the Stx2e gene isolated from weaned piglets with diarrhea before and after the ban on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in Korea from 2007 to 2016. In this period, 479 E. coli isolates were obtained from weaned piglets with diarrhea, and of them, 144 E. coli isolates encoding the Stx2e gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction. The susceptibility of the E. coli isolates to antibiotics were tested using the standard Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. The most frequently observed resistances in isolates obtained from weaned piglets in the last 10 years were to tetracycline (92.4%) and chloramphenicol (88.9%). The prevalence of resistance to colistin (3.1% to 16.5%) and tetracycline (86.2% to 97.5%) was also observed to have increased over this period. Additionally, multi-drug resistance was also found to have increased (87.7% to 97.5%) after the ban on AGPs. These findings provide useful data for designing prevention and treatment strategies for postweaning diarrhea and edema disease, and can be used in future studies on antimicrobial resistance in Korea.

This study conducted a social network analysis to investigate stem cell research which was actively being studied as an alternative for the treatment of intractable diseases due to infinite proliferation and differentiation ability. Papers was extracted from the PubMed database (DB) on the subject of ‘Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPS) and Embryonic Stem Cells (ES)’, and ‘Adult Stem Cell (AS) and Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MS)’. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) term was filtrated from each area. MeSH term of iPS and ES field was 148 (international), 71 (domestic), otherwise AS and MS were 89 (international), 78 (domestic). Keyword networks were visualized using degree centrality value and the core keywords compared. There was no difference in iPS and ES field compared with the domestic and international high-ranked keywords. Gene Therapy in the international level, Liver Regeneration and the Umbilical Cord in domestic were highly centered. In AS and MS fields, Neuron was high degree centrality both. Time lagged high ranked 30 keywords in slope were different, ‘Adipose Tissue’ increased both, otherwise ‘Stem Cell Transplantation’ did domestically. Although the absolute amounts of the research papers are different, research subjects had become similar to international trends following certain time lags. On the other hand research is conducted on the specific subjects in Korea. Keyword analysis will be useful method for searching a subject to actively being studied in stem cell research area.

Recently, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) has been widely used in the areas of diagnosis, monitoring treatment efficiency, and prognosis for various heart diseases, especially heart failure (HF). In this paper, we try to estimate the prognostic significance of NT-proBNP as a risk evaluation marker in Non-ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI) patients. We selected NSTEMI patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) primarily using a drug-eluting stent within 24 h after the onset of chest pain. We compared incidences of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) including death, myocardial infarction (MI), stent thrombosis (ST), and target vessel revascularization (TVR) in two patient groups according to a high or low serum concentration of NT-proBNP, which was measured in the emergency room (ER). We intend to minimize selection bias selecting comparing groups, considering covariate of observed variables together using propensity score matching (PSM) and propensity score weighting (PSW) based on propensity score (PS) to control the difference in baseline characteristics between high- and low NT-proBNP groups. We found that as the log NT-proBNP value increases by 1 through a hazard function of COX’s analysis, the risk of MACE increases by 1.312 times. This result indicated that the NT-proBNP level on ER admission can be used as a significant prognostic indicator to estimate 1 year of MACE in NSTEMI patients who were treated with PCI within 24 h after the onset of chest pain.

Vitis amurensis, Aralia cordata, and Glycyrrhizae radix have been widely used in Korea, China, and Japan because of their anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study investigated the anti-nociceptive and antiinflammatory properties of an ethanol extract (SSB) of a mixture of three medicinal plants of Vitis amurensis (stem and leaf), Aralia cordata (stem and leaf), and Glycyrrhizae radix. Anti-nociceptive activity was determined using chemical (acetic acid and formalin) and thermal (hot plate) stimuli-induced algesia tests. Formalin-induced paw edema was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. SSB (25–100 mg/kg, p.o.) and ibuprofen (100 mg/kg, p.o.), a positive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), significantly inhibited the acetic acid-induced writhing response caused by peripherally mediated algesia, but failed to protect thermal nociception in the hot plate test that was employed for centrally mediated analgesic activity. However, morphine (5 mg/kg, s.c.) used as a positive opioid control alleviated the acetic acid-induced writhing response and thermal nociception in the hot plate test. In the formalin test, SSB (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) inhibited the second phase response (peripheral inflammatory algesia), but not the first phase response (central algesia), whereas morphine inhibited both phases of the pain response. Both SSB (25-100 mg/kg, p.o.) and ibuprofen (200 mg/kg) caused significant reduction of the formalin-induced increase of paw thickness, which was the index of inflammation. These results suggest that SSB has a significant anti-nociceptive activity that seems to be peripheral, but not central. SSB also displays antiinflammatory activity in an acute inflammatory model. The present study supports a possible use of SSB to treat pain and inflammation.

As diethylnitrosamine (DEN) effect on cell proliferation, DNA damage and stem cell marker(s) expression have been largely unknown in mouse normal hepatocytes (AML-12 cells) cultured over a short-term period, this study was conducted to examine the cell proliferation, Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) and Neighbor of Punc E 11 (Nope) expression in AML-12 cells treated with DEN for 24 and 48 h. Cells were treated with DEN (25-800 μg/mL) and cell phenotype was determined, and the MTT assay was used to quantify the proliferation of cells treated with DEN. Expression and distribution of ATM in AML-12 cells were determined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. And Western blot analysis of EpCAM and Nope was performed. Cell viability was significantly increased in response to all doses of DEN treatment compared to control at 24 h (p<0.05 or p<0.01). However, there was no significant increase at 48 h, even though it showed increased trend. Immunofluorescence staining of ATM showed that there was an increase of ATM expression at doses of 50, 100 and 200 μg/mL of DEN treatment, showing strong nuclear staining. Furthermore, Western blot analysis showed that DEN treatment showed increased trend of EpCAM and Nope expression. Taken together, DEN treatment increased cell proliferation in AML- 12 cells, and it was associated with increased ATM expression.

Rubus coreanus is known to have diverse biological properties, such as free radical scavenging activity and antibacterial activity. In the present study, Rubus coreanus leaf and stem extract (RLSE) was used in boar semen preservation whether it has a beneficial effect on assisted reproductive technology (ART) in mammals. Boar spermatozoa were preserved in Beltsville thawing solution (BTS) in the presence of varying concentrations of RLSE (0-10 μg/mL). Sperm motility, sperm viability, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were examined after 2 days of preservation. The percentage of total motile spermatozoa and progressive motile spermatozoa improved in the spermatozoa preserved with 0.5 μg/mL RLSE. Higher proportions of viable spermatozoa were seen in the presence of 0.5 and 1 μg/mL RLSE than in the control. Intracellular ROS levels decreased when the spermatozoa were preserved in BTS with 0.1–1 μg/mL RLSE. In order to examine the bacterial growth, E. coli was added to liquid semen diluted with antibiotics-free BTS in the presence or absence of RLSE. No anti-bacterial activity of RLSE against E. coli was observed during liquid semen preservation. Although there was no inhibition of E. coli growth, the addition of RLSE might help improve sperm motility and viability during boar semen preservation, suggesting it as a potential reagent for ART in mammals.

The p21-activated kinases (PAKs) are a family of serine/threonine protein kinases and activated by binding with activated Rho GTPases such as Rac or Cdc42. PAKs regulate actin cytoskeletal remodeling, cell motility, cell survival, and apoptosis. Also, PAKs are involved in several diseases such as cancer, virus infectious diseases, mental retardation, Alzheimer and Parkinson's diseases. Therefore, the substances that are able to inhibit PAK activation can be used as powerful tools and medicines for PAK relative diseases or specific inhibitors for study of PAK signaling pathway. In this study, we investigated and characterized the 5 compounds of 4-benzene-1, 2-naphthoquinone (NQ) family as candidate substances to inhibit the PAK1 activation in vitro and in cells. Binding between p21-binding domain (PBD) of PAK1 and Cdc42 was blocked by 5 NQ-compounds in ELISA assay. Myelin basic protein (MBP) phosphorylation was dramatically reduced by treatment of these compounds in vitro kinase assay for Cdc42-induced or constitutive active PAK1 mutant. Also, phosphorylation at Thr 423 of transfected PAK1 was inhibited by treatment of 5 NQ-compounds in 293T cells, respectively. Finally, NQ-5 inhibited strongly the PAK1 activation by PDGF stimulation and cell motility in PDGF-induced wound migration assay in NIH 3T3 cells. Therefore, these NQ compounds will be good candidates as target molecules to regulate PAK1-related diseases or inhibitors to study PAK1 signaling pathway.

With emphasis on native genetic resource, Korean native chicken is one of the major native breeds in poultry in Korea. The weight-age data from 216 pullets of Korean native chicken were used to fit the growth curve using Gompertz model. Live weights have been recorded every three weeks for 36 weeks for 5 strains. All available weight data from birth to the 6 specific ages of week were used for the estimation of parameters. The variation in estimates of mature weight (A) decreased with the increase of age 21 through 36 weeks for all 5 strains studied. However, the variation of rate of maturing (k) showed a tendancy increase with the increase of age. These results indicate that the fitting of growth curve is getting more stable for asymptotic value (A) and more flexible for curve shape (k) with the increase of weight-age data range. Correlations among estimates of A and among estimates of k at various ages showed the highest range of 0.93 ~ 0.99 between 30 and 36 weeks except for the maturing rate (k) of red brown strains. The correlations between A and k tended to fluctuate and were not significant statistically at various ages. Thus, the estimates of growth curve parameters, A and k suitable for genetic studies in Korean native chicken can be derived from accumulated weight-age data after 30 weeks of age.

Programmed cell death (PCD) is decisive in eliminating affected cells in human cancers, whereas there are increasing cases of cancer-related death due to side effects of modern treatment methods. There is an urge for new methods of growth inhibition and elimination of cancer cells with a lower cytotoxicity to normal cells. Irregularity along PCD pathways plays a crucial role in cancer cell carcinogenesis. Apoptosis is a distinct cell death mechanism occurring in multicellular organisms and also called type one programmed cell death. Autophagy and paraptosis are non-apoptotic PCD occurring in multicellular organisms. Natural compounds are the fundament of pharmacological treatments, and flavonoids are natural polyphenolic compounds which are unique due to their diverse chemical structures and various biological active mechanisms like anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and much more. This gives an increasing number of studies indicating that some flavonoids from medicinal plants could be promising candidates for new natural anticancer drugs, which attract high interests of academic researchers and advanced users. An understanding of the underlying mechanism of PCD induced by flavonoids in cancer cells is important as it plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of many diseases. This systematic review is to report flavonoids and their derivatives as new anticancer candidates to stimulate PCD with a different mechanism based on the pharmacological evidence.

The pharmacokinetics of 11-Hydroxyaclacinomycin X (HAMX), a novel anthracycline, were investigated after intravenous bolus administration in mice, rats, rabbits and dogs. Based on animal data, we predicted the following human pharmacokinetic parameters using allometric scaling: 24.1 and 6.99 mL/min/kg for total body clearance (CLt) using simple and maximum life-span potential (MLP)-corrected allometry, respectively; 5.72 L/kg for steady-state volume of distribution (Vdss ). The corresponding allometric equation were CLt = 45.896W0.8452, CLt × MLP = 31.175W1.1405 and Vdss = 10140x0.8653. These allometric equations were extrapolated to predict CLt and Vdss in human based on 70 kg body weight. We also predicted human parameters using species-invariant time transformations (equivalent time, kallynochrons, apolysichrons and dienetichrons). The values of Vdss (15.4-19.4 L/kg) obtained using invariant time transformations were larger than those obtained using simple allometry. However, the lowest CLt (17.0 mL/min/kg) derived usi ngdienetichrons was comparable to that obtained using simple allometry. The results of this study also indicated that the predicted human CLt generated using MLP-corrected allometry can be used for the selection of a safe dose for studies in healthy adult human volunteers. These results suggest that such approaches may be useful in designing pharmacokinetic studies for novel anthracyclines. The preliminary parameter values may be useful in designing early pharmacokinetic studies of HAMX in humans. The results could also be used to determine the safe dose for the therapeutics in various animals.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a major pathogen that may be one of the main reasons for economic losses in the livestock industry. BVDV is a well-characterized member of Flaviviridae family with plus-stranded RNA viruses. Non-structural NS5B protein is RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which is responsible for viral RNA synthesis and genome replication of BVDV. Therefore, the NS5B polymerase is a key target for the discovery of anti-BVDV drugs. A number of small-molecule inhibitors against the NS5B polymerase have been reported in literature of which we collected series molecules having various scaffold with their biological data determined by evident experimental conditions, methods and procedures. Then, we constructed database of 655 small-molecule NS5B inhibitors having definitive activity values, structural parameters, and physicochemical properties (such as molecular hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, polarity, Hbond donors and H-bond acceptors) associated with their absorption and permeability through a cheminformatics approach. The database was opened to provide insight for allosteric NS5B inhibitors of BVDV with an accessible platform on the web (http://nabic.rda.go.kr/chemical genomic database/BVDV RNA dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors). This molecular information in the database would be useful in attempting to identify features and decision factors that enhance anti-BVDV activity or increase selectivity of the allosteric inhibitor. These anti-BVDV molecules could also be screening for the purpose of exploiting potent NS5B inhibitors in the same family (e.g., HCV, CSFV, YFV, WNV, and DENV).

Although stem cells are used as important cell therapies in regenerative medicine, the electrophysiological problems that arise in the expansion of cells have not been known much. This study was conducted to investigate the functional expression of inward rectifying K+ current (IKir) using a patch-clamp technique, and the change in the resting membrane potential and the membrane capacitance were investigated in mesenchymal stem cells derived from human umbilical vein (hUC-MSC). The IKir plays an important role in regulating the resting membrane potential in many cells and is known to contribute to the maintenance of intracellular K+ concentration. In this study, electrophysiologically recorded current exhibited typical IKir characteristics. The current shifted along the K+ equilibrium potential (Ek) with the extracellular K+ concentration change. In addition, IKir was blocked by the divalent Ba2+ in a dose-dependent manner. The frequency of functional expression of IKir changed with number of passages (P2: 5.3% vs P8: 77.8% vs P12: 34.5%). There was no significant change in the resting membrane potential of hUC-MSC (P2: -21.0 mV, P8: -20.1 mV and P12: -21.9 mV). However, the capacitance of the cell membrane was significantly changed after P9 (P2: 8.9 pF vs P9: 16.9 pF) compared to P2. All the results suggest that changes in electrophysiological distribution of IKir as the passages increase may cause changes in K+ permeability even in cell proliferation and differentiation, suggesting a possible physiological role in maintaining cell homeostasis and resting membrane potential (RMP).

The objective of this study is to assess immunomodulatory effects of mixed Weissella (W.) cibaria JW15 strain with water extract of black soybean (Glycine max) and burdock (Arctium lappa) on Listeria (L.) monocytogenes infection in mice. Female 7-9 week old BALB/c mice were given a daily dose of 1 × 109 CFU of viable JW15 and JW15 mixed with black soybean (BS) and burdock (BD) in 200 μL PBS for 2 weeks. The nomal control group (NC) and positive control group (PC) were given 200 μL PBS. After 2 weeks, mice were infected with L. monocytogenes (1.0 × 105 CFU/mouse) via the tail vein. The NC was injected with 100 μL PBS without L. monocytogenes. After 2 days, mice were euthanized and their body weights were determined. In addition, their livers and spleens were weighed, and serum were analyzed for cytokine (Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)) production. The survival rate was monitored using 5 mice in each group in the same way above until the mice died. Two days after infection with L. monocytogenes, mean spleen weight per body weight (g/kg) of JW15 (5.4 ± 0.88 g/kg), JW15 + BS (6.0 ± 0.64 g/kg), and JW15 + BD (5.3 ± 0.38 g/kg) group were significantly lower than that of the PC (6.8 ± 0.57 g/kg). The level of IL-1β in the serum of JW15 + BD (113.6 ± 31.03 pg/mL) was significantly higher than that of the JW15 (67.9 ± 15.15 pg/mL). Collectively, combination W. cibaria JW15 and water extract of BD and BD have ability to induce synergistic immunomodulative effects and are suitable for consideration as a functional food for humans and functional feed additives for companion animals.

The aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (ARSs) are ancient house-keeping enzymes that catalyze the ligation of tRNAs to their cognate amino acids in the first step of protein synthesis. During the evolution of higher eukaryotes, cytoplasmic ARSs have undergone significant changes including the addition of new domains that are not part of the enzymatic core. These additional regions have been found to be associated with a broad range of biological functions beyond protein synthesis. The non-translational functions of ARSs appear to be regulated by their presence within a cytoplasmic multi-tRNA synthetase complex (MSC), which is assembled through the appended domains. We recently reported that the MSC member glutamylprolyl- tRNA synthetase (EPRS) promotes antiviral gene expression through its infection-specific phosphorylation and release from the MSC. Here, we conducted transcriptome analysis of influenza A virusinfected cells. We particularly focused on the analysis of chemokine-related gene expression, in combination with chemokine array analysis against virus infection. Moreover, the correlation between chemokine expression pattern and EPRS function in response to different stimuli was assessed. The results showed that viral infection increases interferon-response and pro-inflammatory chemokine expression. In contrast, the level of chemokine expression was suppressed in interferon-γ treated cells. Thus, these results further demonstrate the previously reported stimulus-specific EPRS functions in immune responses.

Hematometra is defined as the accumulation of blood and blood clots in the uterus. An 8-month-old, intact female Poongsan dog presented with continuous severe hemorrhagic vulvar discharge and anemia. The initial diagnostic evaluation included abdominal ultrasonography, radiography, and physical and laboratory examinations. The electrolyte levels were low: Na ion levels were 128 mmol/L (reference range, 141 - 152 mmol/L), and Cl ion levels were 99 mmol/ L (reference range, 105 - 115 mmol/L). At presentation, the white blood cell count was 60.19 × 103/μL (reference range, 5.05 – 16.76 × 103/μL), packed cell volume was 11.8% (reference range, 37.3% - 61.7%), hemoglobin levels were 4.6 g/ dl (reference range, 13.1 - 20.5 g/dl), and platelet count was 48 × 103/μL (reference range, 148 - 484 × 103/μL). Based on the results of the complete blood count, the dog was given lactated Ringer’s solution and a whole blood transfusion. On abdominal ultrasonography, the left uterine horn was enlarged and filled with echogenic fluid. On laparotomy, the uterus was enlarged and showed an accumulation of blood and blood clots. The incised uterine horn revealed that the endometrium was filled with blood and blood clots and had a cystic appearance. Additionally, thick and yellowish pus had accumulated in the uterine cavity. Gross findings revealed a definitive diagnosis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia- pyometra complex with severe hemorrhage, termed hematometra. This case was the first report of severe hematometra in a young Poongsan dog.

This report describes the different responses to dapsone treatment in two cases of sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP). Two dogs were presented with ulcerative skin lesions, painful and erythematous papules, and nodules. History and physical examination revealed systemic signs such as pyrexia, lethargy, depression, and anorexia, in addition to ulcerated and ruptured nodules on the skin. The dermatological diagnostics included clear taping, trichogram, skin scraping, impression smears, fungal and bacterial cultures, and histopathology and special stainings of multiple punch biopsies obtained from the skin lesions. Based on the clinical and histopathologic findings, the absence of microbiological infection, and the positive response to immunosuppressive therapy, both the dogs were diagnosed with SNP. Although both dogs had been treated with various immunosuppressive drugs including prednisolone, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and triamcinolone, therapy was switched to dapsone due to recurrent dermatological signs and presumed steroidinduced hepatotoxicity. The clinical responses to dapsone were opposite in the two cases. In the first case, combination therapy with prednisolone and cyclosporine was effective in attenuating ulcerative lesions, while dapsone alone did not control the clinical signs. In contrast, in the second case, the therapeutic response to the common immunomodulatory drugs such as prednisolone, triamcinolone, and azathioprine was inadequate. Interestingly, dapsone alone was effective in controlling the clinical signs without causing undue side effects. Although the usefulness of dapsone for the treatment of canine SNP is unknown, it may be considered in mild to moderate cases of SNP when the use of steroids is not recommended due to its low efficacy or side effects.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that deprives the patient of memory, is associated mainly with extracellular senile plaque induced by the accumulation of amyloid β protein (Aβ). Silybum marianum (Asteraceae; SM) is a medicinal plant that has long been used in traditional medicine as a hepatoprotective remedy owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The present study examined the methanol extract of the aerial parts of SM for neuroprotection against Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal death in cultured rat cortical neurons to investigate a possible therapeutic role of SM in AD. The primary cortical neuron cultures were prepared using embryonic day 15 to 16 SD rat fetuses. Cultured cortical neurons exposed to 10 μM Aβ (25-35) for 36 h underwent neuronal cell death. At 10 and 50 μg/mL, SM prevented Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal cell death and apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons. Furthermore, SM inhibited the Aβ (25-35)-induced decrease in anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2, and the increase in the proapoptotic proteins, Bax and active caspase-3. Cultured cortical neurons exposed to 1 mM N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) for 14 h induced neuronal cell death. SM (10 and 50 μg/mL) prevented NMDA-induced neuronal cell death. These results suggest that SM inhibited Aβ (25-35)-induced neuronal apoptotic death via inhibition of NMDA receptor activation and that SM has a possible therapeutic role in preventing the progression of neurodegeneration in AD.

Aging is a growing concern of age-associated aberrations in immune system or immunosenescence. Probiotics contain not only these general health advantages but also other the regulation of host immune function. Among those probiotics, the immunomodulatory effects of Weissella cibaria JW15 (JW15) strain has already been reported in our previous studies. The objective of this study is to assess improved immunity of JW15 strain in aged mice. In experiment, mice were divided into five groups. Twenty eight–month-old C57BL/6J mice were given a daily dose of 1×109 CFU/ mouse (JW15-H group) and 1×108 CFU/mouse (JW15- L group) of viable JW15. The young mice group (YM) and old mice group (OM) were given PBS. After four weeks of administration, mice were euthanized. Mice blood was collected and analyzed for complete blood cell count (CBC). Then, mice spleen was weighed and analyzed for splenocyte. Finally, we measured the concentration of cytokine secreted by splenocyte and serum. The results showed splenocyte proliferation of JW15-L group by the addition of LPS and concanavalin A was significantly higher than that of OM group. Splenocyte TNF-α production was significantly increased by JW15 intake. In particular, splenocyte TNF-α production of JW15-L group by the addition of LPS (5 μg/mL) was significantly greater than that other group. Splenocyte IL-6 production was also the highest in JW15-L group. Serum IFN-γ production of JW15-L (59.13 ± 16.13 pg/mL) group was significantly higher than that of OM group (39.71 ± 2.51 pg/ mL). When compared to the OM group (32.22 ± 1.92 pg/mL), Serum TNF-α production was significantly increased by JW15-H intake (69.01± 26.51 pg/mL). In conclusion, JW15 enhanced immunomodulative effects. In particular, the effect was significantly excellent in JW15-L group (1 × 108 CFU/mouse). Therefore, Weissella cibaria JW15 would be suitable for consideration as a helpful functional food for companion animals and humans.