• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.6
• /
• pp.643-647
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Recently, incidences of chronic cough with allergic disease have been increased. The identification of specific allergens for chronically coughing children is significant for diagnosis, proper treatment and prevention. The aim of this study was to identify significant contributors for sensitization in chronically coughing children. Methods : A total of 106 children, aged 1-6 years, visiting for chronic cough(>3 weeks), were tested for inhalant multiple allergosorbent assay(MAST), eosinophil count and total IgE. Parents completed a questionnaire on past history of atopy(infantile eczema) and bronchiolitis, family history of allergy, breastfeeding, smoking, pets and floor coverings at home. Results : Significant contributors for sensitization were : age(4-6 years), infantile eczema, positive family history of allergy and smoking by family. Conclusion : We were able to identify significant contributors for sensitization in chronically coughing children.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.479-486
• /
• 2011

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an allergic, inflammatory skin disease characterized by chronic eczema and mechanical injury to the skin, caused by scratching. Korean red ginseng (RG) has diverse biological activities, but the molecular effects of RG on allergic diseases, like AD, are unclear. The present study was designed to investigate whether RG inhibits 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD in a mouse model. DNCB was applied topically on the dorsal surface of Balb/c mice to induce AD-like skin lesions. We observed the scratching behavior and examined the serum IgE level and interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 in splenocytes compared with dexamethasone. We also evaluated the DNCB-induced mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), NF-${\kappa}B$, and Ikaros activities after RG treatment using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and ELISA. Our data showed that the topical application of RG significantly improved the AD-like skin lesions and scratching behavior. RG decreased not only the mRNA expression of IL-4 and IL-10, but also the secretion of IL-4 protein and serum IgE in mice. Additionally, RG treatment decreased the DNCB-induced MAPKs activity and subsequent Ikaros translocation irrespective of NF-${\kappa}B$. We suggest that RG may be useful as a therapeutic nutrition for the treatment of AD.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
• /
• v.20 no.3
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Atopic dermatitis is a recurrent or chronic eczematous skin disease with severe pruritus. Although the pathogenic mechanisms of atopic dermatitis are yet unknown, recently hyperresponsive Th2 cells in the acute phase are reported as the important mechanisms. Cheonggisan(CGS) is used in oriental clinics for curing acute skin lesions of eczema, atopic dermatitis or urticaria. There have been no studies on the therapeutic mechanism of CGS for curing atopic dermatitis. We aimed to find out the therapeutic mechanism of CGS on atopic dermatitis, so we observed Th2 cell differentiation in EL 4 cells and $NF-kB$ p65 activation in RAW 264.7 cells. Materials and Methods : EL 4 cells were induced the increase of IL-4 mRNA expression by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate(PMA) and 4-tert-Octylphenol(OP) and treated with CGS extract. RAW 264.7 cells were induced the increase of cyclooxygenase(COX)-2 mRNA expression by lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and treated with CGS extract. Results : The PMA and OP induced IL-4 mRNA expression was dose-dependantly decreased in CGS treated EL 4 cells. The LPS-induced COX-2 mRNA expression was dose-dependantly decreased in CGS treated RAW 264.7 cells. Conclusion : The results may suggest that the CGS inhibits Th2 cell differentiation in EL 4 cells and inhibits $NF-kB$ p65 activation in RAW 264.7 cells.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.1-6
• /
• 2012

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, allergic inflammatory skin disease that is accompanied by pruritic chronic eczema and markedly increased levels of inflammatory cells in endothelial cells. Arctium lappa L. is a popular edible vegetable cultivated in Asia. This study examined the effect of butanol extracts of A. lappa (ALBE) on the expression of adhesion molecule, ICAM-1 and the production of NO-iNOS induced by TNF-alpha in A549 endothelial cells. We also studied the effects of ALBE on the proliferation of keratinocyte. We observed significant inhibition of NO-iNOS production in dose-dependant manners and ALBE at $100\;{\mu}g$/mL suppressed the expression of ICAM-1 in TNF-${\alpha}$-induced A549 cells. In addition, the treatment of ALBE for 48 hrs increased the proliferation of HaCaT keratinocytes. These results support that ALBE has an anti-inflammatory effects for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
• /
• v.30 no.4 s.48
• /
• pp.533-541
• /
• 2004

Atopic dermatitis, also called congenital fever, is a allergic eczema of chronic itching disease. It is a recurrent and familial disease and appears on a wide age group from infant to adult. It is very common, and the ratio of occurrence is about $9{\~}l2\%$ of a child. However. it is showing trend of continuous increase by social and natural environment, food culture, and life style, recently. The human skin plays a barrier role against a physical and chemical stimulus from external environment. According to the latest study, the decreased amount of ceramide in horny layer impairs the bier function and moisture-maintaining function of skin in atopic dematitis patient. Ceramide is a kind of the sphingolipid in which a fatty acid is connected to sphingosin. Ceramide constitutes about $40\%$ of total lipid between keratinocytes and has the function of defense wall and building regular structure to suppress moisture vaporization in horny layer. In horny layer of skin a comified cell is composed of multi-layer structure of a brick shape, and, as for this cornified cell, it is strongly connected by ceramide, cholesterol, and free fatty acid. Here, we described the effects of a cream containing ceramide on the recovery of skin harrier function of atopic dermatitis patient. The safety and efficacy of latex and liquid formula were evaluated as cosmetics for atopic dermatitis. The latex products was composed of intercellular lipid components-ceramide, cholesterol, and free fatty acid-to restore skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis patients. The liquid one contained beta-glucan, magnolia extracts, and licolice extracts, which have skin immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. It is also confirmed that their possibility on new cosmetic market of atopic dermatitis.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.103-113
• /
• 1999

The authors surveyed the inhabitants of a rural area to assess the patterns of medical utilization on dermatoses. Seven hundred and sixty new outpatients of dermatoses were examined and surveyed with formed questionnaire from March 1997 to February 1999. The results are as follows; 1. Among 760 new outpatients, the number of male patients was 283(37.2%) and that of female patients was 477(67.3%). 2. The most common dermatoses was Tinea pedis(34.9%), and follows senile pruritus, contact dermatitis, housewife eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, numular dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, Tinea corporis, Tinea ungium, acne vulgaris, impetigo, keratolysis exfoliativa, chronic urticaria, Tinea cruris and Molluscum contagiosum in orders. 3. Drug store was the most frequent places where patients initially visited for their skin diseases(39.6%) and followed by non dermatologic clinic, dermatologic clinic and general hospital in orders. 4. One hundred and twenty one(15.9%) patients have been experienced folk treatment. It was founded that the topical vinegar application or soaking was the most common method. Many patients felt no symptom improvement after the folk treatment(48.8%). Seventeen point four percent of patient felt symptom worsened. The results of this study suggest that many of the rural inhabitants are lack of understanding on their dermatoses. So many physician who are in charge of the primary care in rural area have to pay attention to the common dermatoses and educate patients on their medical utilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.592-597
• /
• 2010

Hyperimmunoglobulin E syndrome (HIES) is a rare immunodeficiency disease which is characterized by high serum IgE levels, eczema, and recurrent infections. Herein we present the case of a patient with HIES associated with STAT3 gene ($stat3$) mutation. A 16 year-old girl was admitted to our hospital due to hemoptysis caused by pneumonia with bronchiectasis. She had a history of recurrent skin and respiratory tract infections, such as pneumonia caused by MRSA (methicillin-resistant $Staphylococcus$ $aureus$) and $Pseudomonas$ $aeruginosa$. On physical examination, a broad round shaped nose, oral thrush, and chronic eczematous skin rash over her whole body were found. Laboratory data showed an elevated eosinophil count ($750/{\mu}L$) and total IgE level (5,001 U/mL). The patient's National Institutes of Health (NIH) score for HIES was 44. Direct sequencing of the STAT3 gene revealed that the patient was heterozygous for a missense mutation in the DNA binding domain of the STAT3 protein (c.1144C>T, p. Arg382Trp). HIES should be suspected in patients with recurrent infections and can be confirmed by clinical scoring and genetic analysis.