• BMB Reports
• /
• v.45 no.2
• /
• pp.79-84
• /
• 2012

In asthma, T helper 2 (TH2)-type cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13 are produced by activated $CD^{4+}$ T cells. Dendritic cells played an important role in determining the fate of naive T cells into either $T_H1$ or $T_H2$ cells. We determined whether RG-II regulates the $T_H1/T_H2$ immune response by using an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. RG-II reduced IL-4 production but increased interferon-gamma production, and inhibited GATA-3 gene expression. RG-II also inhibited asthmatic reactions including an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues, airway luminal narrowing, and airway hyperresponsiveness. This study provides evidence that RG-II plays a critical role in ameliorating the pathogenic process of asthmatic inflammation in mice. These findings provide new insights into the immunotherapeutic role of RG-II in terms of its effects in a murine model of asthma.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.521-532
• /
• 2006

Backgrounds and Objectives: A major goat in asthma therapy isto reduce or prevent the inflammatory response associated with bronchial hyperresponsiveness, reversible airway obstruction and airway remodelling. Many studies have shown that eosinophilic infiltration is a prominent feathure in the pathophysiology of asthma. The importance of the Presence of eosinophils in the airways of asthmatics has long been recognized, but the mechanism by which these cells are recruited and retained in the lung are only now being elucidated Production of chemotactic cytokines by bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to the local accumulation of eosinophils in Patients with bronchial asthma. This study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of extraction of herbal dicoction, Gamichungsangbohatang(GMCSBHT) on eosinophil chemotactic cytokines. Material and Methods:We used water and 70% ethanol extracts of GMCSBHT and pulmonary epithelial cell lines A549(human type II -like epithelial cells). We estimated cytotoxic effects of GMCSBHT, and estimated the effects of water and 70% ethanol extracts of GMCSBHT on chemokines from prestimulated A549 cells by sandwich ELISA. Results: Chemokines of eotaxin, IL-8 were inhibited by GMCSBHT in dose-dependent manner. And ethanol extract of GMCSBHT has more inhibitory effects on eotaxin, IL-8 than hot water extract. Conculusions: These findings indicate that the supression of the expression of chemokines can be accomplished by GMCSBHT treatment, so GMCSBHT may inhibit the iuflammatory process by eosinophils in asthma.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.79-86
• /
• 2022

With external air pollution forcing many people indoors, new methods of facilitating healthier indoor life are necessary. This study, therefore, investigates the effects of indoor oxygen concentration and respiration methods on biosignals and cognitive ability. The study included twenty healthy subjects who inhaled air through a mask from a gas delivery system. All subjects were asked to perform three types of breathing (nasal, oral, and oral breathing with high oxygenation) and respond to cognitive stimuli (rest close eye, rest open eye, 1-back and 2-back working memory tasks). The changes in cognitive load according to respiration were analyzed by measuring response time, accuracy, and biosignals to stimuli. The result showed that, in all three respirations, heart rate significantly increased with the increase in cognitive load. Also, in oral respiration, the airway respiration rate significantly increased according to the increase in cognitive load. The change appeared to compensate for insufficient oxygen supply in oral respiration during cognitive activity. Conversely, there was no significant change in airway respiration rate during oral respiration with a high concentration oxygen supply as in nasal respiration. This result suggests that a high concentration oxygen supply might play a role in compensating for insufficient oxygen concentration or inefficient oxygen inhalation, such as oral respiration. Based on the results of this study, a follow-up study is necessary to determine the impact of changes in the autonomic nervous system, such as stress and emotions, to find out more precise and comprehensive effects of oxygen concentration and breathing type.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2015

Background: To prepare for possible emergency situations during dental treatment, it is helpful to know how often and what kinds of emergencies may arise. This study set out to evaluate the incidences, causes, treatments, and outcomes of emergency situations in the outpatient clinic of a dental teaching hospital in Korea. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who had experienced an emergency situation and emergency response team activated in a selected outpatient clinic between November 2004 and November 2013. Specific information about the emergency cases was collected, including the patient characteristics and the frequency, types, treatments, and outcomes of the emergency situations. Results: We identified 35 instances of emergency situations in 2,890,424 patients (incidence = 0.012 per 10,000 outpatients). The number of cases was as follows: 10 (28.6%) in the Department of Periodontics, 10 (28.6%) in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 6 (17.1%) in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, 4 (11.4%) in the Department of Prosthodontics, 2 (5.7%) in the Department of Conservative Dentistry, 2 (5.7%) in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, and 1 (2.9%) in the Department of Orthodontics. Three (8.6%) of the emergency situations arose before treatment, 22 (62.9%) during treatment, 7 (20.0%) after treatment, and 2 (5.7%) in a patient's guardian. Conclusions: In accordance with the growing elderly population and more aggressive dental procedures, the number of emergency situations may increase in the future. We recommend that clinicians keep in mind airway management and the active control of emergency situations.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.211-223
• /
• 2001

Background : Rhinovirus infection of the airways results in increased permeability of the airway vascular endothelium with the influx of plasma proteins, including lipids such as LDL. In vitro studies on the effect of oxLDL on leukocytes has shown many pro inflammatory effects on multiple leukocytes. We hypothesized that oxLDL is one mechanism for recruiting granulocytes to the airways during a RV infection. Therefore, chemotaxis and transendothelial migration, in response to nLDL, was determined for these granulocytes. Methods : nLDL was oxidized with 5mM Cu2S04 for 20-24 hours. 3-5 105 cells were loaded into the Transwell filter while the chemotatic agonists were placed in the lower well for chemotaxis. Confluent monolayers on HPMEC were grown on Transwell filters for transendothelial migration. The filters were washed and eosinophils and neutrophils loaded on to the filter with the chemotatic agonist was were placed in the lower well. The wells were incubated for 3 hours. The number of migrating cells was counted on a hemocytometer. Results : OxLDL, but not nLDL, is chemotatic for eosinophils and neutrophils. The level of granulocytes chemotaxis was dependent on both the concentration of LDL and its degree of oxidation. OxLDL stimulates eosinophil and neutrophils migration across HPMEC monolayers (+/-IL-$1{\beta}$ preactivation) in a dose dependent manner. Conclusion : Increased vascular permeability during a RV infection may lead to the influx and oxidation of LDL. The resulting oxLDL. is one possible mechanism for the recruitment of neutrophils and eosinophils to the airway interstitial matrix. Once in the airways, granulocytes can further interact with oxLDL to promote airway inflammation.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.17 no.8 s.88
• /
• pp.1090-1099
• /
• 2007

Myristicin, l-allyl-3,4-methylenedioxy-5-methoxybenzene, was one of the major essential oils of nutmeg. However, its anti-allergic effect in the Th1/Th2 immune response was poorly understood. Recently, it was shown that T-bet and GATA-3 was master Th1 and Th2 regulatory transcription factors. In this study, we have attempted to determine whether myristicin regulates Th1/Th2 cytokine production, T-bet and GATA-3 gene expression in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma model mice. Myristicin reduced levels of IL-4, Th2 cytokine production in OVA-sensitized and challenged mice. In the other side, it increased $IFN-{\gamma}$, Th1 cytokine production in myristicin administrated mice. We also examined to ascertain whether myristicin could influence eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) activity. After being sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) showed typical asthmatic reactions. These reactions included an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration into the lung tissue around blood vessels and airways, and the development of airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). The administration of myristicin before the last airway OVA challenge resulted in a significant inhibition of all asthmatic reactions. Accordingly, these findings provide new insight into the immunopharmacological role of myristicin in terms of its effects in a murine model of asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.1
• /
• pp.104-113
• /
• 2003

Background : Rhinovirus(RV) infections frequently trigger dyspnea and paroxysmal cough in adult patients with asthma and are the most prevalent cause of the common cold. However, the mechanisms of a RV-induced airway inflammation is unclear. Since the RV does not directly destroy the airway epithelium, it is presumed that the immune response to the RV contributes to the pathogenesis of the respiratory symptoms. In order to test this hypothesis, this study characterized the time-sequenced alterations in interleukin(IL)-8 elaboration from the human bronchial epithelial cells and evaluated the role of NF(nuclear factor)-${\kappa}B$ in the RV-induced IL-8 production by pretreating the inhibitors of NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. Methods : The ability of RV-infected human bronchial epithelial cells and BEAS-2B cells to produce the IL-8 was compared with the controls. This study infected BEAS-2B cells with the RV14 obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. The supernatants were harvested from the RV infected BEAS-2B cells and the controls at 2hr, 4hr, 6hr, 12hr, 24hr, 48hr from the inoculation time. This study measured the IL-8 concentration using the ELISA kits. In order to elucidate the role of NF-${\kappa}B$ in the RV-induced IL-8 production, the effect of the NF-${\kappa}B$ inhibitors was evaluated on RV-induced IL-8 production. Results: The BEAS-2B cells produced small amounts of IL-8 that accumulated slowly with time in the culture. The RV was a potent stimulator of the IL-8 proteins production by BEAS-2B human bronchial epithelial cells. Antioxidants, N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC),\ and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate(PDTC), blocked the IL-8 elaboration by the RV-infected BEAS-2B cells, which was dose-dependent, but N-Tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone(TPCK) did not. Conclusion: Some antioxidants inhibited the RV-induced IL-8 production by blocking the NF-${\kappa}B$, which may have a therapeutic potential in asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.6
• /
• pp.490-501
• /
• 1992

Background: Isocyanate is the most significant cause of occupational asthma in this country. The mechanism of isocyanate induced bronchoconstriction is unclear. Subjects and Method: To observe its immunologic and clinical findings, we performed methacholine bronchial challenge test (MBCT), toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-bronchoprovocation test (BPT) and RAST to TDI-, diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI)-, and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI)-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate in 22 isocyanate-sensitive asthmatic workers. Results: BPT revealed early (11), dual (5), and late only (6) asthmatic responses. Their latent period ranged from 3 to 120 months (mean:45.9 months). Three cases (13.6%)showed a negative response on initial MBCT, but following MBeT performed 24 hours after TDI-BPT revealed the development of airway hyperresponsivenss. Twelve (54.5%) workers had increased specific IgE to TDI-HSA, seven (31.8%) had to MDI-HSA, and nine (40.9%) had to HDI-HSA conjugate. The prevalence of specific IgE was not associated with latent period, type of asthmatic responses, smoking, and atopic status. After 3 months' avoidance from workplace, airway hyperresponsiveness was improved in 10 (38.3%), among 12 followed cases. Conclusion: It is suggested that isocyanate can induce IgE-mediated bronchoconstriction in 59.1% of isocyanate-sensitive asthmatic workers. Isocyanate-induced asthma can occur even though MBeT showed a negative result, and measurement of the changes of airway hyperresponsivenss after isocyanate-BPT could be helpful to diagnose isocyanate-sensitive asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.853-860
• /
• 1997

Background : Chronic cough, defined as a cough persisting for three weeks or longer, is a common symptom for which outpatient care is sought. The most common etiologies of chronic cough are postnasal drip, asthma, and gastroesophageal reflux. Methacholine challenge is a useful diagnostic study in the evaulation of chronic cough, particularly useful in chronic cough patients with asthmatic symptom. Patients with chronic cough may have dysfunction of bronchial and extrathoracic airways. To evaluate if dysfunction of the bronchial and extrathoracic airways causes chronic cough, we assessed bronchial (BHR) and extrathoracic airway (EAHR) responsiveness to inhaled methacholine in patients with chronic cough. Method : 111 patients with chronic cough were enrolled in our study. Enrolled patients had no recorded diagnosis of asthma, bronchopulmonary disease, hypertension, heart disease or systemic disease and no current treatment with bronchodilator or corticosteroid. Enrolled patients consisted of 46 patients with cough alone, 24 patients with wheeze, 22 patients with dyspnea, 19 patients with wheeze and dyspnea. The inhaled methacholine concentrations causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1s($PC_{20}FEV_1$) and 25% fall in maximal mid-inspiratory flow ($PC_{25}MIF_{50}$) were used as bronchial and extra thoracic hyperresponsiveness. Results : There were four response patterns to methacholine challenge study : BHR in 27 patients, EAHR in 16 patients, combined BHR and EAHR in 8 patients, and no hyperresponsiveness in 60 patients. In patients with cough alone, there were BHR in 3 patients, EAHR in 9 patients, and combined BHR and EAHR in 2 patients. In patients with wheeze and/or dyspnea, there were BHR in 24 patients, EAHR in 7 patients, and BHR and EAHR in 6 patients. Compared with patients with wheeze and/or dyspnea, patients with cough alone had more common EAHR than BHR. In patients with wheeze and/or dyspnea, BHR was more common than EAHR. Conclusion : These results show that among patients with hyperresponsiveness to methacholine, those with dyspnea and/or wheezing had mainly bronchial hyperresponsiveness, whereas those with chronic cough alone had mainly extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.45 no.10
• /
• pp.1204-1212
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Early surfactant therapy with either gentle ventilation, high-frequency ventilation or aggressive weaning of mechanical ventilation are principles for the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome(RDS). We studied to determine the accessibility of noninvasive nasal continuous positive airway pressure(CPAP) rather than mechanical ventilation by invasive intubation after early surfactant therapy. Methods : The study group consisted of 14 infants who were born and diagnosed with moderate respiratory distress syndrome and received early surfactant therapy with nasal CPAP of PEEP 5-6 cm $H_2O$ within two hours after birth in the Fatima neonatal intensive care unit for two years from January 1999 to August 2001. The control group consisted of 15 infants who were diagnosed with the disease and could be weaned from mechanical ventilator within five days after birth during the same period. Results : The characteristics, the severity of clinical symptoms and laboratory findings in the two groups at birth showed no significant difference. Neither did the interim analysis of laboratory data in two groups. Of 14 infants in the study group who received nasal CPAP after early surfactant therapy, only two infants showed weaning failure with this therapy. In the response cases, duration of CPAP was five days and mean airway pressure was $5.4{\pm}0.5cm$ $H_2O$. Two had the complication of CPAP with abdominal distension. Final complications and outcomes in the two groups showed no signifcant difference(P>0.05). Conclusion : The clinical courses in the two groups showed no significant difference. Therefore, we suggest that early surfactant therapy with noninvasive nasal CPAP is a simple and safe method rather than aggressive weaning after invasive mechanical ventilation in moderate respiratory distress syndrome.