• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.7-13
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• 2001

Arthritis may be broadly classified as degenerative - related to defects in cartilage and other joint constituents, often age-associated - or inflammatory disease. Inflammatory arthritis called as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory arthropathy and characterized by a destructive arthritis. RA encompasses infectious arthritis, arthritis caused by intra-articular deposits of crystalline material (gout), syndromes associated with genetic defects (familial Mediterranean fever), and the immune-mediated inflammatory arthropathy. Degenerative arthritis called as osteoarthritis (OA), which is most frequently occurring, causes degenerative figures of knee, waist and knuckle, and accompanies severe pain around the cartilage. Also, it may cause morning stiffness, gelling effect, tenderness, bone swelling, crepitus, and motion disorders.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2020

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as an attractive option for osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joint, due to their marked disease-modifying ability and chondrogenic potential. MSCs can be isolated from various organ tissues, such as bone marrow, adipose tissue, synovium, umbilical cord blood, and articular cartilage with similar phenotypic characteristics but different proliferation and differentiation potentials. They can be differentiated into a variety of connective tissues such as bone, adipose tissue, cartilage, intervertebral discs, ligaments, and muscles. Although several studies have reported on the clinical efficacy of MSCs in knee OA, the results lack consistency. Furthermore, there is no consensus regarding the proper cell dosage and application method to achieve the optimal effect of stem cells. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to review the characteristics of various type of stem cells in knee OA, especially MSCs. Moreover, we summarize the clinical issues faced during the application of MSCs.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2002

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment modality for malignant disease of the head and neck, but it is not without risk and complication. Response of the larynx to radiotherapy varies from mild erythema to severe inflammation with edema and induration. possibly leading to necrosis of cartilage. These changes are due to an inflammatory reaction characterized by infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, vascular thrombosis, and obliteration of lymphatic channels. Late changes consist of telangiectasia of the skin, alopecia, loss of subcutaneous fat, degenerative changes in the connective tissues. But, radiation necrosis of laryngeal cartilage is an uncommon complication and it is a devastating process for which further necessitates surgical treatment. It is generally agreed that the only treatment for patient not responding to conservative measures is a total laryngectomy. We experienced 4 cases of delayed radionecrosis of the larynx who underwent radiation therapy for glottic cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer. We report these cases with review of literature.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2007

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between classification based on simple radiographic findings and arthroscopic findings of the cartilage lesions in medial degenerative arthritis of the ankle joint. Materials and Methods: We studied 41 ankles of 36 patients with asymmetrical narrowing of the medial joint space. Degenerative arthritis following fracture and those with generalized arthritic disease were excluded, but those with a history of ankle sprain were included. Standing radiographs of all patients were graded according to the Takakura classification and the Kellgren-Lawrence (K/L) classification. Arthroscopic findings were classified according to the depth, width, and anteroposterior dimension of articular cartilage damage. Results: According to the Takakura classification, 29 ankles were classified as stage II, 7 cases as stage IIIA and 2 cases as stage IIIB. According to our classification of arthroscopic findings of 29 ankles in stage II, 1 ankle was graded as Grade I, 3 ankles as grade II, 10 ankles as grade III, and 15 ankles as grade IV. Spearman correlation coefficient between Takakura classification and arthroscopic classification was 0.342 (P=0.028), and coefficient between K/L classification and arthroscopic classification was 0.480 (P=0.001). Conclusion: Degenerative changes of the articular cartilage are more advanced than radiographic findings in many patients with ankle degenerative arthritis with asymmetrical narrowing of medial joint space. Therefore, we conclude that more aggressive effort should be made for correct diagnosis and treatment of degenerative arthritis.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), one of the major active compounds in Panax ginseng, has already been shown to reduce inflammation in various diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a degenerative disease with degradation of joint articular cartilage. However, recent studies have shown the association of inflammation with OA. In the present study, we investigated whether Rb1 had an antiinflammatory effect on monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal arthritis. Methods: G-Rb1 at a dosage of 3 and 10 ㎍/kg body weight was administered every 3 days intraarticularly for a period of 4 weeks to observe antiarthritic effects. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) served as a positive control. Results: The administration of Rb1 significantly ameliorated OA inflammatory symptoms and reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, G-Rb1 administration considerably enhanced the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and collagen 2A and reduced the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 genes, indicating a chondroprotective effect of G-Rb1. G-Rb1 also significantly reduced the expression of several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (interferon gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL-2, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6). Histological analysis demonstrated that G-Rb1 significantly attenuated the pathological changes in MIA-induced OA in ovariectomized rats. Safranin O and toluidine blue staining further demonstrated that G-Rb1 effectively prevented the degradation of cartilage and glycosaminoglycans, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that G-Rb1 exerts cartilage protective effect on MIA-induced ovariectomized OA rats, by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1/CCL-2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2). These results shed a light on possible therapeutic application of G-Rb1 in OA.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.117-127
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• 2009

Objectives: The primary objective of the study is to analyze the utilization patterns of provincial patients discharged from hospitals located in Seoul area. Methods: For the analysis, the study employed the nationwide data on 'Survey of Injured Patients Discharged from Hospitals' conducted by KCDC (Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The statistical methodology used in the measurement model is a logistic regression model. Results: The study has three major findings. First, compared to other disease groups, the discharged on both 'neoplasm(cancer)' and 'congenital malformation, deformity and chromosomal abnormalities' disease groups are more likely to utilize hospitals in Seoul area. Second, as for 'neoplasm(cancer)' disease group, patients with 'bones and articular cartilage' areas are more likely to utilize hospitals in Seoul area. Finally, Hospitals with more than 1,000 beds was primary factor in selecting Seoul-based hospitals by the discharged in provincial areas. Conclusion: In sum, the study showed that patients in provincial areas are more likely to utilize hospitals located in Seoul area regardless of the severity of their cases. Local authority, therefore, is required to monitor local hospitals on regular basis, as well as support them to establish specialized medical centers by providing human and physical resources.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.304-310
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• 2001

The joint disease including osteoarthris (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are common in the horse. Many studies have been performed to develop biochemical markers reflecting the abnormalities of cartilage and synovial membrane. However, no specific, sensitive and clinically well established assay systems have been yet available to characterize the severity of joint diseases. Indeed, radiography is still doctor's best choice of assessing joint damage in OA/RA. This review focuses on biochemical molecules such as proteoglycan, collagen, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), lectin and cytokine to assess their potential value for not only predicting stage of joint disease but also monitoring treatment efficacy.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.326-341
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• 2023

Background and Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease that leads to the progressive destruction of articular cartilage. Current clinical therapeutic strategies are moderately effective at relieving OA-associated pain but cannot induce chondrocyte differentiation or achieve cartilage regeneration. We investigated the ability of wedelolactone, a biologically active natural product that occurs in Eclipta alba (false daisy), to promote chondrogenic differentiation. Methods and Results: Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining, and immunofluorescence staining assays were used to evaluate the effects of wedelolactone on the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). RNA sequencing, microRNA (miRNA) sequencing, and isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation analyses were performed to explore the mechanism by which wedelolactone promotes the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. We found that wedelolactone facilitates the chondrogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived MSCs and rat bone-marrow MSCs. Moreover, the forkhead box O (FOXO) signaling pathway was upregulated by wedelolactone during chondrogenic differentiation, and a FOXO1 inhibitor attenuated the effect of wedelolactone on chondrocyte differentiation. We determined that wedelolactone reduces enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2)-mediated histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation of the promoter region of FOXO1 to upregulate its transcription. Additionally, we found that wedelolactone represses miR-1271-5p expression, and that miR-1271-5p post-transcriptionally suppresses the expression of FOXO1 that is dependent on the binding of miR-1271-5p to the FOXO1 3'-untranscribed region. Conclusions: These results indicate that wedelolactone suppresses the activity of EZH2 to facilitate the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs by activating the FOXO1 signaling pathway. Wedelolactone may therefore improve cartilage regeneration in diseases characterized by inflammatory tissue destruction, such as OA.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.867-874
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• 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is an inflammatory disease due to wear caused by the continuous use of cartilage. Although many drugs for treating OA are being studied, they have side effects, such as digestive disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Glucosamine, a drug derived from natural products, is known to be less effective. Therefore, the marine organism, Sargassum fulvellum, was studied to determine whether it contains substances with a chondroprotective effect on the inflammatory response of chondrocytes induced by interleukin-1β (IL-1β). A 30% ethanol extract of S. fulvellum (SF30%EtOH) has therapeutic and few side effects. We first confirmed the presence of nitric oxide (NO) and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which is expressed during inflammatory reactions. We then examined the expression of collagen type II, which is the main component of the extracellular matrix and cartilage. Finally, the expression of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes, MMPs and ADAMTS-4 and -5, was confirmed. The results showed that SF30%EtOH reduced the expression levels of NO, iNOS, MMPs, and ADAMT-4 and -5, and increased the expression level of collagen type II in chondrocytes induced with IL-1β. Therefore, SF30%EtOH has a chondroprotective effect against inflammation, indicating its potential use for the prevention and treatment of OA.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.475-477
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• 2019

Stem cell research arose from the need to explore new therapeutic possibilities for intractable and lethal diseases. Although musculoskeletal disorders are basically nonlethal, their high prevalence and the relative ease of performing clinical trials have facilitated the clinical application of stem cells in this field. On the other hand, despite the plethora of in vitro and preclinical studies in stem cell research for regenerative medicine in the musculoskeletal system, few reliable clinical studies have been published. Stem cell therapy can be applied locally for bone, cartilage, and tendon regeneration. The candidate disease modalities in bone regeneration include large bone defects, nonunion of fractures, and osteonecrosis. Focal osteochondral defect and osteoarthritis are the current targets for cartilage regeneration. For tendon regeneration, bone-tendon junction problems, such as rotator cuff tears are hot topics in clinical research. To date, the literature supporting stem cell-based therapies comprises mostly case reports or case series.