Pumpkin sweet potato (Ipomoea batas L.) has been known as a traditional remedy and food source, not only in South Korea but worldwide. It is rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and other minerals and vitamins, making it a nutritional food loved by many. showed that pumpkin sweet potato had antioxidant biological effects. The in vitro study showed that both splenocytes and cytokine production byactivated peritoneal macrophages increased when water extracts were supplemented at 100 and 250 μL/mL. Notably, the production of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ by splenocytes was significantly increased at 100 μL/mL. The results suggest that supplementation with pumpkin sweet potato (Ipomoea batas L.) water extract may enhance immune function by stimulating splenocyte proliferation and improving cytokine production, activating macrophages in vitro.

Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn has been usedas a traditional remedy and food source in South Korea. It promotes gastrointestinal function and controls blood pressures. Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn water extracts supplement at 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1,000 μg/mL after a 48 h pre-treatment with the mitogen (ConA or LPS) increased the mouse splenocytes proliferation. Water extract supplement also increased the cytokine production (IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ), measured by a cytokine ELISA kit. For the result of in vitro study, the proliferation of splenocytes and cytokine production activated by peritoneal macrophages increased when water extracts were supplemented in the range of 50~500 μL/mL concentration. Specifically, the levels of the splenocytes proliferation, IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ were the highest at 250 μL/mL concentration. This in vitro study suggestedthat supplementation with Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocyte proliferation and enhancing the cytokine production activating macrophage in vitro.

Disulfiram is a drug used to treat alcohol dependence. Recent studies have shown that disulfiram also has anti-cancer effects. Considering that many anti-cancer agents have side effects, including immunosuppression, it is important to check if disulfiram has some cytotoxicity to immune cells. In this study, mouse spleen cells were treated with disulfiram and the metabolic activity was measured. Disulfiram increased the cell death of spleen cells according to annexin V-FITC/PI staining analysis. In addition, disulfiram decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential of spleen cells. The toxicity of disulfiram was concentration dependent. Interestingly, disulfiram affected the population of lymphocytes and the subset of spleen cells was altered. This study provides clinicians and researchers with valuable information regarding the toxicity of disulfiram to mouse spleen cells, particularly lymphocytes.

Doxorubicin has been used to treating cancers, including breast cancer, bladder cancer, and acute lymphocytic leukemia, however, few studies have investigated its anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, we used mouse spleen cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a representative inflammatory agent to investigate the effects of doxorubicin. Specially, we investigated the effects of doxorubicin on metabolic activity, cell size, cell death, and cytokine production of LPS-treated spleen cells. Doxorubicin significantly decreased the metabolic activity, even when applied at relatively low concentrations (1.6-8 ng/mL). To investigate the potential mechanism, we measured the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of the LPS-treated spleen cells using Rhodamine 123. Doxorubicin decreased MMP and cell size, and induced cell death. Furthermore, doxorubicin suppressed the production of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, a representative cytokine, in LPS-treated spleen cells. Taken together, doxorubicin decreased metabolic activity and the production of inflammatory cytokines, while increasing the death of LPS-induced hyperactivated spleen cells. This results will enable broader application of doxorubicin, as an anti-inflammatory agent, in clinical and research fields.

King oyster mushroom (Pleurotus eryngii), an improved species of oyster mushroom, is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisine. Spleen cells were treated with various concentrations (0, 5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) of king oyster water extracts (KOWE); then, the proliferation of the cells was measured 24, 48, and 72 h after each treatment. Also, type 1 T helper cytokine productions (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-2) were measured in activated macrophage by KOWE in seven concentrations. Under the condition of its 50, 100, 250, and 1,000 μg/mL for 48 h, the proliferation of cells was increased. However, there was no significant fluctuation in the spleen cells proliferation for 24 and 72 h-long KOWE exposure. To determine cytokine (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2) productions of type 1 T helper cells, macrophage was stimulated by KOWE for 48 h. Treatment of KOWE gave a rise to the levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, but not in that of IL-2 productions. These results suggest that king oyster mushroom water extracts may be beneficial for enhancing immune functions in its high concentration.

Plantago asiatica L., observed frequently in East Asia, is a known herb used in traditional medical remedies several studies report that P. asiatica L has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. To determine the production of cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and non-LPS-stimulated macrophages, an ELISA assay was conducted using cytokine kits. Mice splenocytes were cultured for 48 h with various concentrations of P. asiatica L. (5, 10, 50, 100, 250, 500, and 1,000 μg/mL) or with mitogens (ConA or LPS). P. asiatica L. increased the proliferation of mice splenocytes, especially under the condition of its concentration ranging from 250 to 1,000 μg/mL. In addition, Plantago asiatica L. notably induced cytokine production of (IL-2, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) at its concentration of 250~500 μg/mL. These results suggest that supplementation with P. asiatica L. water extracts may play a potential role in enhancing immune function by mediating splenocyte proliferation and cytokine production through its anti-inflammatory activit.

Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide, purified from brown algae. It has multiple biological activities including anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Our previous reports demonstrated that fucoidan can stimulate spleen cells and especially high molecular weight fucoidan is responsible for the immunostimulatory activity. However, we recently found that the activity of fucoidan can be dependent on its individual batch or sources. Four different fucoidans (fucoidan A, fucoidan B, high molecular weight fucoidan, and low molecular weight fucoidan) were used for this study. MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed for analysis of the activity of fucoidan. MTT assay showed that fucoidan B significantly decreased the cellular activity of spleen cells compared to fucoidan A. In addition, fucoidan B consistently killed spleen cells based on the cell size by flow cytometry analysis and the morphology by an inverted microscope. To elucidate the detailed mechanisms of cytotoxicity, fucoidan B-treated spleen cells were stained with Rhodamine 123 solution and Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide for measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and early/late apoptosis, respectively. From these two assays, fucoidan B decreased the MMP and induced early apoptosis of spleen cells. Taken together, we suggest that different batches or origin of fucoidan may have differential activities on spleen cells, immunostimulatory and cytotoxic activity. The present study may provide some valuable information regarding use of fucoidan in the clinical area and in basic research.

Taxol is an anti-cancer agent that stabilizes the microtubules of cancer cells, resulting in inhibition of mitosis and thus preventing the proliferation of cancer cells. However, many anti-cancer agents including taxol work on normal cells as well as cancer cells, resulting in side effects such as immunosuppression. A marine algae-derived sulfated polysaccharide, fucoidan, an anti-cancer agent, also showed immunostimulating effects. This study investigated the effects of fucoidan on taxol-treated spleen cells. Spleen cells were treated with taxol in a concentration-dependent manner and in combination with fucoidan. MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed to measure the viability and activity of treated cells. Two assays demonstrated that taxol induced the death of spleen cells. Fucoidan clearly inhibited the cell death induced by taxol. In addition, fucoidan enhanced the production of nitric oxide in spleen cells, which was decreased by taxol. Taken together, taxol can induce the cell death of spleen cells, a major type of immune cells and fucoidan protects spleen cells from taxol-induced cell death. This finding suggests that taxol and fucoidan can be used in combination for lowering the immunosuppressive effects of taxol.

In vitro 실험을 통한 가시오가피 물 추출물 첨가가 마우스 의 면역세포 증식에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구 결과, 음의 대 조군에 비해 가시오가피 물 추출물을 첨가한 모든 농도에서 비장세포 증식능이 증가하였으며, 특히 고농도인 500~1,000 μg/ mL 농도에서 유의적으로 증가하였다. 반면, 복강 대식세 포로부터 유도된 사이토카인 생성의 경우, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF- α 사이토카인 생성량을 측정한 결과, TNF-α 사이토카인은 가시오가피 물 추출물 50 μg/mL 농도와 250~1,000 μg/mL 농 도에서 대조군보다 유의적으로 높은 분비량을 보인 반면, IFN-γ에서는 변화를 보이지 않았다. IL-2의 경우, 100~500 μg/ mL에서 유의적으로 증가하는 경향을 보여주었다. 이상의 결 과에 의하면 가시오가피 물 추출물은 마우스 비장 세포를 증 식시키고, 사이토카인 분비량에도 영향을 줄 것으로 보이며, 면역 기관의 주요 기능을 증진시킬 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료된다. 따라서 가시오가피 물 추출물이 면역 증진 기능성식 품 개발의 소재로 활용될 가능성이 있을 것으로 기대된다

췌장내 부비장에서 발생하는 유표피 낭종은 매우 드문 양성 질환으로 대부분 건강 검진에서 우연히 발견되는 경우가 많고, CEA 또는 CA 19-9 등의 혈청 종양 표지자의 상승을 동반하는 췌장의 낭성 종양과 감별이 어려운 질환이다. 저자들은 건강 검진에서 CA19-9의 상승으로 복부 전산화 단층촬영을 시행하고, 췌장 미부의 낭성 종양을 진단받은 환자에서 내시경 초음파 유도 세침흡인검사 및 낭종액 분석을 시행하고 점액성 낭성 종양 의심하에 수술을 시행하였으나, 최종적 으로 췌장내 부비장의 유표피 낭종으로 진단된 증례를 경험 하여 보고하는 바이다. 췌장내 부비장 유표피낭종은 다른 악성화가 가능한 췌장 낭성 종양과 감별이 어려운 질환이지만, 내시경 초음파 검사, 자기공명 영상 등의 추가 검사를 통해 췌장 미부의 부비장을 수술 전에 진단하면, 추후 불필요한 수술을 줄일 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

In vitro 실험을 통한 느타리버섯 물 추출물 첨가가 마우스의 면역세포 증식에 미치는 영향에 대한 연구 결과, 음의 대조군에 비해 느타리 물 추출물을 첨가한 모든 농도에서 비장세포 증식능이 증가하였으며, 특히 100~1,000 μg/mL 농도에서 유의적으로 증가하였다. 반면, 사이토카인 생성의 경우, IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α 사이토카인 생성량을 측정한 결과, 느타리버섯 물 추출물 50~500 μg/mL 농도에서 생성된 IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α 사이토카인은 대조군보다 높은 생성량을 보였다. IFN-γ, TNF-α 사이토카인 모두 50, 100, 250, 500 μg/mL의 농도에서 높은 생성량을 나타내었다. IL-2의 경우, 생성량이 유의적인 차이는 보이지 않았지만, 50 μg/mL 이상에서 증가하는 경향을 보여주었다. 이상의 결과에 의하면 느타리버섯 물 추출물은 마우스 비장 세포를 증식시키고, 사이토카인 생성량에도 영향을 주어, 면역 기관의 주요 기능을 증진시킬 가능성이 있을 것으로 사료되며, 느타리버섯이 면역 증진 기능성 식품 개발의 소재로 활용될 가능성이 있을 것으로 기대된다.

부비장은 정상인의 약 10%에서 발견되고 약 16%에서 췌장에서 발견되는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 췌장 내의 부비장에서 발생한 유표피 낭종은 극히 드물고 특이적 방사선 소견이 없어 진단하기 매우 어려워 췌장의 낭성 종양으로 오진하기 쉽다. 저자들은 우연히 발견된 췌장 미부의 낭성 종괴에 췌장 낭성 종양 의심하에 원위부 췌장절제술을 시행하였으나 수술 후 병리학적인 검사상 췌장 내 부비장에서 발생한 유표 피 낭종으로 진단된 증례를 2예를 경험하였기에 문헌고찰 과 함께 보고하는 바이다. 췌장 내 부비장의 유표피 낭종은 영상학적인 검사나 임상양상을 통해서는 다른 췌장의 낭성 종양과 쉽게 구분할 수가 없으며 따라서 췌장 낭성 종양에 대한 감별진단으로 췌장 내 부비장의 유표피 낭종의 가능성도 고려가 필요하겠다.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyopneumoniae) is one of the causative bacteria that can induce chronic enzootic pneumonia, resulting in low production in the swine industry. Potentiation of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus-induced pneumonia by M. hyopneumoniae has also been recognized. Although some available vaccines have been developed for prevention of M. hyopneumoniae infection, protective immunity is still poor. In this study, in order to provide valuable information on vaccine antigen, we investigated the immunogenicity of M. hyopneumoniae on mouse spleen cells. Concanavalin A (ConA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used for generation of activated T and B lymphocytes. M. hyopneumoniae made clusters of spleen cells and also affected the cellular activity and viability of spleen cells by alone or with mitogens. Of particular interest, it induced a significant increase in production of TNF-alpha in ConA- treated spleen cells, meaning T helper 1 response. In addition, cell size and mitochondrial membrane potential of M. hyopneumoniae–treated spleen cells were measured by flow cytometric analysis. M. hyopneumoniae did not affect the cell size by alone, whereas ConA or LPS profoundly increased the cell size. Taken together, M. hyopneumoniae significantly affect the cellular activity and cytokine production of spleen cells by alone or in a combination of ConA. This study provides valuable information for production of the vaccine against M. hyopneumoniae.

Dang, jonghae had written five books on chinese medicine, 『Hyeoljeungron』 is his most important work. He wanted to correct the fallacies of the theory of Jang(臟) and Bu(腑) by comparing with chinese and western medicine. He distinguished Bi(脾) from Cheomyuk(甛肉) by comparing the spleen with the pancreas. He recognized Stomach as the warehouse of foods, and explained that Bi took charge of digestion actually. Bi charged the function of Transportation(運化) and Blood-govering(統血) in addition to plain digestion, he wrote. Dang, jonghae regarded the metabolism of the human body as the interaction of Gi(氣), Blood (血), Water(水) and Fire(火). And he explained that Bi adjusted them. He classified Syndrome of Blood(血證) into five sorts of syndrome and presented four kinds of treatment. Especially he took a serious view of the treatment connected with Bi and Stomach. He set up the theory of Bi and Stomach(脾胃論) practically on basis of anatomy, but he didn't assorted the physiology and pathology of each organ clearly. However he proved the importance of Bi and Stomach by treating Syndrome of Blood and provided with the foundation of merging chinese and western medicine.