No abstract available.
Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem*

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that Cortex mori ( Morus alba L, Sangbaikpi ; CM ), the root bark of mulberry tree, plays a role in inhibiting mast cell activation. Human seminal plasma ( HSP ) modulates immune systems and activates rat peritoneal mast cells ( RPMC ). However, the inhibitory agents of HSP - induced mast cell activation have not been disclosed yet. OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: This study was undertaken to determine the effects of CM on HSP-induced mast cell activation by morphologic and functional methods. Morphological changes of RPMC by HSP alone or CM plus HSP were observed with the inverted light microscope. And the amounts of histamine and calcium were measured by radioisotopic enzymatic histamine and radioisotopic calcium assays. RESULTS: By inverted microscopy, HSP-induced RPMC degranulation occurred in a dose-dependent fashion. After pretreatment of RPMC with CM, there was no HSP-induced degranulation. Degranulation index (DI) of RPMC treated with Hanks balanced salt solution (HBSS), CM or HSP was 7.0+/-4.3, 9.0+/-6.2, 56.5+/-16.9, respectively. After pretreatment of RPMC with CM, HSP-induced DI was 11.0 +/-7.1. These results indicate that CM inhibited HSP-induced degranulation of RPMC. HSP-induced RPMC histamine release (HR) was dose-dependent. HR of RPMC treated with HBSS, CM or HSP was 0.18+/-0.10, 0.30+/-0.19, 4.48+/-0.86 ug/ml, respectively. After pretreatment of RPMC with CM, HSP-induced HR was 0.52+/-0.21 ug/ml. These results indicate that CM inhibited HSP-induced HR from RPMC. Intracellular calcium level ( ICL) of RPMC was also increased according to the concentration of HSP. ICL of RPMC treated with HBSS, CM or HSP was 6.1+/-1.0, 9.0+/-2.1, 30.2+/-6.5 pmole, respectively. After pretreatment of RPMC with CM, HSP-induced ICL of RPMC was 11.6 +/- 3.3 pmole. These results indicate that CM inhibited HSP-induced calcium uptake of RPMC. CONCLUSION: From these results, it is suggested that CM contains some substances which inhi-
Animals ; Calcium ; Histamine ; Histamine Release ; Humans* ; Immune System ; Mast Cells* ; Microscopy ; Morus ; Rats* ; Semen* ; Trees

Leonardo da Vinci is remembered as the greatest genius of the Renaissance. He left outstanding achievements as an artist, scientist and inventor, and contributes up to today's science. He ranks the best in a variety of fields, such as botany, mathematics, geology, astronomy, geometry and optics. It has well known that Leonardo is an artist, scientist, inventor and philosopher. And he was a great anatomist that dissected dead bodies and animals directly and left many anatomical drawings. He took an interest in anatomy from the point of view of the artist, which is why the human body structure and function to know the sakes were "ignorant of the anatomy should not be upset." Over time, he became interested in the structure and function of the body, even get the human body in a difficult environment; he dissected many the human bodies directly. His scientific inquiry and infatuation made him as an advanced pioneer for more than 100 years, and got enough level to surpass the artistry. Leonardo left about 1,800 anatomical figures of the muscular, skeletal, vascular, nervous and urogenital system, and they are also very scientific and high artistic achievements. The aim of this article is to take a look at Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical achievements and thoughts. In addition, the goal is to knowledge today's anatomists about Leonardo da Vinci's astonishing achievements as a great pioneer in anatomy.
Anatomists ; Animals ; Astronomy ; Botany ; Geology ; Human Body ; Humans ; Inventors ; Mathematics ; Urogenital System

No abstract available.
Anthropology, Physical* ; Optic Nerve

Trimellitic anhydride (TMA) is widely used industrially to make epoxy and alkyd resins, plasticizers and surfactants. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether contact dermatitis is induced by repeated TMA challenge and the role of interleukin (IL)-10 in the TMA-induced contact dermatitis. The repetition of the challenge enlarged the extent of an early and a late phase of contact dermatitis in IL-10(+/+) and IL-10(-/-) mice. In the late phase of TMA-induced contact dermatitis, the peak of ear swelling responses by single challenge showed at 12 h after challenge, but the peak was observed at 8 h after repeated challenge. In the IL-10(-/-) mice, the repetition of the TMA challenges enlarged the extent of the contact dermatitis, but less than those in IL-10(+/+) mice. These results indicate that mice sensitized by TMA could possibly offer a useful model to study the mechanism of contact dermatitis, and IL-10 may act as potential modulators in the TMA-induced contact dermatitis. IL-10 may provide therapeutic tools for the treatment of TMA-induced contact dermatitis.
Animals ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Ear ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukins ; Mice ; Phthalic Anhydrides ; Plasticizers ; Plastics

Mast cells participate in allergies and inflammation by secreting a variety of pro-inflammatory mediators. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is a polyphenolic phytochemical with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-allergic properties. The effects of curcumin on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation and passive cutaneous anaphylactoid reactions are unknown. In this report, we investigated the influences of curcumin on the passive cutaneous anaphylactoid response in vivo and compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation in vitro. The mechanism of action was examined by calcium uptake measurements and cAMP assays in mast cells. Curcumin significantly attenuated the mast cell-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylactoid reaction in an animal model. In agreement with this in vivo activity, curcumin suppressed compound 48/80-induced rat peritoneal mast cell (RPMC) degranulation and histamine release from RPMCs. Moreover, compound 48/80-elicited calcium uptake into RPMCs was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin increased the level of intracellular cAMP and significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced reduction of cAMP in RPMCs. These results corroborate the finding that curcumin may have anti-allergic activity.
Animals ; Calcium ; Curcuma ; Curcumin ; Histamine ; Histamine Release ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation ; Mast Cells ; Models, Animal ; Rats

We studied on change of lens accommodation and pupil light reflex caused by VDT work in six women and compared them with those of other office works. The results were as follows. 1. In VDT work group, the accommodation contraction velocity decreased during the first 2-hr VDT task, then recovered markedly by the end of the one-hour lunch break, and then decreased again by the end of the 2nd 2-hr VDT task. Changes of relaxation velocity showed similar pattern although it was less typical than that of contraction velocity. 2. There was no marked change in accommodation contraction velocity and amplitude of accommodation in general office work group and near-distance office work group, and in the near-distance office work accommodation relaxation velocity decreased according to work load without recovery after lunch break. 3. Initial pupil diameter, initial pupil area of light reflex decreased significantly during VDT task only in VDT work group, and didn't recover after lunch break. These results suggest possibility that changes of accommodation contraction velocity, accommodation relaxation velocity, near point distance, and pupil diameter and area are useful in evaluating characteristics of VDT work. For this, more research adjusted individual differences, circadian rhythm, emotional stress needs.
Accommodation, Ocular ; Circadian Rhythm ; Female ; Humans ; Individuality ; Lunch ; Pupil* ; Reflex* ; Relaxation ; Stress, Psychological

The bear bile has been used as a traditional drug medicine and has been known to have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of bear bile on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation in vitro and anti-dinitrophenyl (DNP) IgE-mediated vascular permeability in vivo. For this, the effects of bear bile on the degranulation, histamine release, calcium influx and the change of the intracellular cAMP levels of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) and the influences of the oral treatment of bear bile on IgE-mediated cutaneous vascular permeability were studied. the results were as follows; the compound 48/80-induced degranulation, histamine release and calcium influx of RPMCs were inhibited by pretreatment with bear bile, the cAMP levels of RPMCs were increased by pretreatment with bear bile, and bear bile inhibited anti-DNP IgE-mediated cutaneous vascular permeability. From the above results, it is suggested that bear bile contains some substances which inhibit anti-DNP IgE-mediated vascular permeability and mast cell activation. Bear bile potentially may serve as an effective therapeutic agent for allergic diseases.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Bile ; Calcium ; Capillary Permeability ; Histamine Release ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mast Cells ; Rats ; Ursidae

Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a principle phenolic antioxidant found in a variety of plants, including green and black tea. The anti-allergic effect of EGCG is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of EGCG on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. For this, the influences of EGCG on the compound 48/80-induced cutaneous reaction were measured in vivo and the effects of EGCG on the compound 48/80-induced mast cell activations were examined in vitro. Results are below: as 1) EGCG significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced passive cutaneous anaphylaxis, 2) the compound 48/80-induced degranulation, calcium influx and histamine release of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) were significantly inhibited by the pretreatment with EGCG, and 3) the compound 48/80-mediated inhibition of cAMP level in RPMCs was significantly increased by the pretreatment with EGCG. These results suggested that EGCG, the most abundant polyphenol in green tea, inhibits the compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation and the increase of vascular permeability, and potentially serve as effective therapeutic tools for allergic diseases.
Animals ; Antioxidants/*pharmacology ; Catechin/*analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Cyclic AMP/metabolism ; Histamine Release/*drug effects ; Mast Cells/*drug effects/metabolism ; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis/*drug effects ; Rats ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; p-Methoxy-N-methylphenethylamine/*antagonists & inhibitors

Arctium lappa Linne (AL) has been widely cultivated for a long time as a popular vegetable. The fruit of AL has been used as an antiphlogistic and expectorant in herbal medicine, the crude drug is known as "burdock" in korea. In pharmaceutical field, a few papers recently reported the antiinflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer effects of this extract. However, the antiallergic effect of AL is unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of AL on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation. For this, the effects of AL on the degranulation, the histamine release, and the change of the intracellular cAMP (cyclic adenosine-3, 5monophosphate) levels of rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMC) and the influences of AL on the compound 48/80-induced cutaneous reaction were studied. The results were as follows; 1) the compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release of RPMC was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with AL, 2) the compound 48/80 decreased the cAMP levels of RPMC, but the compound 48/80-induced the cAMP levels of RPMC were significantly increased by pretreatment with AL, 4) AL significantly inhibited compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability of cutaneous tissue. From the above results, it is suggested that AL contains some substances which inhibit the compound 48/80-induced vascular permeability and mast cell activation.
Animals ; Arctium* ; Capillary Permeability* ; Fruit ; Herbal Medicine ; Histamine Release ; Korea ; Mast Cells* ; Rats ; Vegetables