Konkuk University

About: Konkuk University is a education organization based out in Seoul, South Korea. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Apoptosis. The organization has 13405 authors who have published 27027 publications receiving 506313 citations.

Anti-inflammatory activity of herbal medicines: inhibition of nitric oxide production and tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in an activated macrophage-like cell line.

Abstract: Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HC), Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (GU), Forsythia suspense (Thunb) Vahl (FS), and Lonicera japonica Thunb (LJ) are Chinese herbs known to possess anti-inflammatory properties The effects of aqueous extracts of these herbs on the production of the pro-inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were examined in an activated macrophage-like cell line, RAW 2647 cells Aqueous extracts from FS at 00625-20 mg/ml inhibited in vitro production of NO and secretion of TNF-alpha in a dose-dependent manner FS at 10-20 mg/ml and 0125-20 mg/ml significantly inhibited NO production and TNF-alpha, respectively An extract of LJ demonstrated potent inhibition of both NO production and TNF-alpha secretion in a dose-dependent manner An aqueous extract from HC inhibited NO production in a dose-dependent manner, but minimally (approximately 30%) inhibited TNF-a secretion at 00625 and 0125 mg/ml In contrast, an aqueous extract of GU had a minimal effect on both the production of NO and the secretion of TNF-alpha Viability of cells at all concentrations studied was unaffected as determined by MTT cytotoxicity assay and trypan blue dye exclusion These results suggest that aqueous extracts from FS, LJ and HC have anti-inflammatory actions as measured by inhibition of NO production and/or TNF-alpha secretion

The role of evidence-based algorithms for rotational thromboelastometry-guided bleeding management

Abstract: Rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a point-of-care viscoelastic method and enables to assess viscoelastic profiles of whole blood in various clinical settings. ROTEM-guided bleeding management has become an essential part of patient blood management (PBM) which is an important concept in improving patient safety. Here, ROTEM testing and hemostatic interventions should be linked by evidence-based, setting-specific algorithms adapted to the specific patient population of the hospitals and the local availability of hemostatic interventions. Accordingly, ROTEM-guided algorithms implement the concept of personalized or precision medicine in perioperative bleeding management ('theranostic' approach). ROTEM-guided PBM has been shown to be effective in reducing bleeding, transfusion requirements, complication rates, and health care costs. Accordingly, several randomized-controlled trials, meta-analyses, and health technology assessments provided evidence that using ROTEM-guided algorithms in bleeding patients resulted in improved patient's safety and outcomes including perioperative morbidity and mortality. However, the implementation of ROTEM in the PBM concept requires adequate technical and interpretation training, education and logistics, as well as interdisciplinary communication and collaboration.

Adiponectin is a negative regulator of NK cell cytotoxicity

Abstract: NK cells are a key component of innate immune systems, and their activity is regulated by cytokines and hormones. Adiponectin, which is secreted from white adipose tissues, plays important roles in various diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. In this study the effect of adiponectin on NK cell activity was investigated. Adiponectin was found to suppress the IL-2-enhanced cytotoxic activity of NK cells without affecting basal NK cell cytotoxicity and to inhibit IL-2-induced NF-kappaB activation via activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase, indicating that it suppresses IL-2-enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity through the AMP-activated protein kinase-mediated inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. IFN-gamma enhances NK cell cytotoxicity by causing an increase in the levels of expression of TRAIL and Fas ligand. The production of IFN-gamma, one of the NF-kappaB target genes in NK cells, was also found to be suppressed by adiponectin, accompanied by the subsequent down-regulation of IFN-gamma-inducible TRAIL and Fas ligand expression. These results clearly demonstrate that adiponectin is a potent negative regulator of IL-2-induced NK cell activation and thus may act as an in vivo regulator of anti-inflammatory functions.