• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.103-112
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• 1996

We studied the association of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness with general characteristics, exposure concentration, respiratory symptoms, chest x-ray findings, past histories and pulmonary function. We determined bronchial hyperresponsiveness by methacholine challenge test. And we conducted a respiratory symptom questionnaire and performed spirometry on 111 workers occupationally exposed to isocyanates in various industries. About 21.6% of subjects had bronchial hyperresponsiveness. No significant differences were observed between the hyperresponsive and non-responsive group with respect to age, sex, employment period, height, and smoking histories. Cough and breathlessness were significantly associated with the bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The hyperresponsive group had more experience of bronchitis and asthma in the past than the non-responsive group. The lower $FEV_1\;and\;FEV_1%$ were closely related with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness seems to be associated with some of respiratory symptoms, past histories and pulmonary function parameters in workers exposed to isocyanates.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.71 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2011

Background: The rising prevalence of asthma worldwide may be associated with the rising prevalence of obesity in developed nations. Although several studies have suggested a relationship between asthma and obesity, controversy still remains. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between obesity and asthmatic factors such as atopy, eosinophilia, serum total Ig E and bronchial hyperresponsiveness in chronic cough patients. Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational study in two centers done between January 2007 and June 2008. The subjects included individuals who had a chronic cough. We examined body mass index (BMI) to measure obesity and pulmonary function. We did a metacholine provocation test for airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), a skin prick test for atopy, and tests for blood eosinophils and serum IgE. Results: A total of 1022 subjects were included. Airway hyperresponsiveness was not related with obesity (p=0.06), and atopy incidence was significant higher in non obese patients (p=0.00). There was no significant difference in serum IgE and blood eosinophil counts between obese and non obese patients. Forced expiratory volue in one second ($FEV_1$)/forced vital capacity (FVC) was significantly reduced in obese patients (p=0.03), but FEV1 and FVC were no significant difference between obese and non obese patients. Conclusion: There is no relationship between obesity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The nonobese group appears to have more atopy. The relationship between obesity and bronchial hyperresponsiveness and atopy need further investigation.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.321-328
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• 2008

The number of patient with allergic asthma and atopy have increased in the cities of Korea steadily. In order to elucidate the primary factor, we investigated whether the house dust particles collected from an apartment of the middle classes has promoting effects of allergen-related airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. Mice were treated with 0.1 mL of 1 mg/mL of house dust particles suspension by intratracheal instillation once weekly for 10 weeks combined with ovalalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Intratracheal instillation of house dust particles and OVA sensitization caused an increase in the level of serum L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), immunoglobulun-E (IgE) and histamine, and an elevation in respiratory resistance. It also enhanced infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice, IgE and eotaxin expression in blood, and T helper type 2 cell derived cytokine levels such as of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and IL-5 in the BALF. However, it did not influence T helper type 1 cytokine such as interferon-gamma in the BALF. These results indicate that house dust particles elevate allergen-related airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice and may play an important role in the aggravation of asthma and atopy in Korea.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.121-129
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• 2010

This study was carried out to investigate whether asian yellow sand dust (AS) has promoting effects of allergen-related airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness, because the number of patient with allergic asthma and atopy, and with chronic bronchial inflammation and pneumonia have increased steadily in the cities of Korea. The appearance of AS collected was all round and flat, and the diameter was mostly below about 5 ${\mu}m$. When mice were treated with AS suspension by intratracheal instillation combined with ovalalbumin(OVA) sensitization chronically, the level of serum L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), IgE and histamine, and respiratory resistance was increased. Intratracheal instillation of AS and OVA also enhanced infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), IgE and eotaxin expression, and T helper type 2 cell derived cytokines of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and IL-5 as major contributors to allergy and asthma. These results indicate that AS elevates allergen-related airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in mice and may play an important role in the aggravation of respiratory diseases in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.67 no.6
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• pp.536-544
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• 2009

Background: A combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (SFC) and tiotropium bromide (TIO) is commonly prescribed for COPD patients but there is little data on their effectiveness, particularly in COPD patients with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. This study compared the spirometric improvement based on the change in $FEV_1$, $FEV_1$/FVC, and IC as well as the clinical outcomes of the therapeutic strategies with SFC and TIO versus the individual components in patients with severe COPD and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Methods: This study examined the spirometric data and clinical outcomes of 214 patients with COPD and hyperresponsiveness, who were divided into three groups according to the therapeutic regimen (TIO only, SFC only, and a triple therapy regimen). Results: All regimen groups showed early improvement in the $FEV_1$ and IC (at 3- and 6 months after treatment). However, long-term beneficial effects were observed only in the SFC group (at 24 months after treatment). However, these beneficial effects decreased after a 36-month follow up. In all spirometric results, the 12-, 24-, and 36-months data showed a similar degree of improvement in the three groups. The triple therapy group showed higher St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire scores and lower acute exacerbations and hospitalization. Conclusion: SFC can be a more important component in the pharmacological treatment of severe COPD patients with hyperresponsiveness than TIO, particularly in the spirometric and clinical outcomes.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.548-554
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• 1995

Background: Cardiogenic pulmonary edema increases nonspecific airway responsiveness in humans and animals. Increased extravascular lung water from overt pulmonary edema to subclinical interstitial edema is a common finding in patients with chronic renal failure. Several studies carried out to assess pulmonary function disturbances in this condition have documented a reduction in forced expiratory volume that usually reverses after hemodialysis, suggesting airway edema as the underlying mechanism. This interstitial edema may also lead to nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We hypothesized that patients with chronic renal failure may present nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness due to subclinical interstitial pulmonary edema. Methods: We studied 18 chronic renal failure undergoing regular hemodialysis 3 times a week(New York Heart Association Class II) without concomittent disease. These patients were checked pulmonary function test and metacholine provocation test before hemodialysis and same procedure was repeated if responsive, after hemodialysis. Results: 1) 12 out of 18 patients before hemodialysis were reactive in metacholine provocation test(66.7%) before hemodialysis. This airway hyperresponsiveness were decreased after hemodialysis. 2) Pulmonary function was improved after hemodialysis and change in $FEV_1$ was correlated with change in weight(r=-0.62, p<0.01). 3) There was a close correlation between log $PD_{20}$ and $FEF_{25}$, which is one of the variables of the peripheral airways(r=0.58, p<0.05). Conclusion: We speculated interstitial pulmonary edema may play a significant role in bronchial hyperresponsiveness and lung function impaired in patients with chronic renal failure.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.107-113
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate the effects of alcoholic fermentation beverage using pear, Bae Ro Mi In (BRMI) on airway hyperresponsiveness and immunoglobulin production in asthmatic mice Methods : We investigated the effects of BRMI on airway hyperresponsiveness by measurement of enhanced pause (Penh), and also investigated the effects on production levels of antigen specific antibody and subclasses such as IgG1, IgG2a and IgE by using ELISA methods. Prednisolone (PD, 5 mg/kg) was used as positive control. Results : Treatment with BRMI did not lowered airway hyperresponsiveness, but PD lowered significantly. Oral administration of BRMI lowered production level of ovalbumin (OVA) specific total antibody significantly. Especially, BRMI decreased IgE levels compared to non-treated control effectively. Treatment with PD lowered production levels of total antibody, IgG1 and IgE. Conclusions : These result suggest that BRMI can lower production levels of antigen specific total antibody and IgE in asthmatic mice. We also suggest that BRMI has the possibility to prevent or cure asthma through regulation of antigen specific antibody production.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.90-96
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of crude ginseng total saponins (CGS) against airway inflammation (AI) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AH) induced by diesel exhaust particles (DEP) in mice. AI and AH were induced by the intratracheal instillation with 0.1 $mg/m{\ell}$ of DEP suspension once a week for 10 weeks combined with ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization. Mice were also treated orally with 75 $mg/m{\ell}$ of CGS, 5 days a week for 10 weeks. Oral CGS treatment decreased in the level of serum immunoglobulin (IgE) and histamine increased by DEP and OVA, and declined respiratory resistance. It also dropped an enhanced infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of mice, and an increased T helper type 2 cell derived cytokine levels such as of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-13 and IL-5 in the BALF. However, it did not influence T helper type 1 cytokine such as interferon-gamma in the BALF. These results indicate that CGS may alleviate allergen-related AI and AH in mice and may play an important role in the modulation of asthmatic inflammation.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.49-57
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• 2011

Objective : Allergic asthma is a chronic airway disease that affects millions of people in the developed world. The disease is characterized by concurring airway inflammation, Th2 cytokine production, increased mucus secretion, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) to inhaled antigen, and pulmonary fibrosis. To investigate the therapeutic and anti-asthmatic effects of Drynariae Rhizoma (DR), we examined the influence of DR on the development of pulmonary eosinophilic inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness in a mouse model of allergic asthma. Methods : In this study, BALB/c mice were systemically sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) followed intratracheally, intraperitoneally, and by aerosol allergen challenges. We investigated the effect of DR on airway hyperresponsiveness, pulmonary eosinophilic infiltration, various immune cell phenotypes, Th2 cytokine production and OVA specific IgE production in a mouse model of asthma. Results : In asthmatic mice, we found that DR.treated groups had suppressed eosinophil infiltration, allergic airway inflammation and AHR by suppressing the production of IL-5, IL-13 and OVA specific IgE. Conclusions : Our data suggest that the therapeutic mechanism by which DR effectively treats asthma is based on reductions of Th2 cytokines (IL-5), eotaxin, OVA-specific IgE production and eosinophil infiltration.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.237-244
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• 2015

In this study, essential oils were extracted from the leaf of Chamaecyparis obtusa (CLEO), indigenous to Korea, CLEO constituents were analysed, and the effects of CLEO on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and airway inflammation (AI) were investigated in Ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. Terpenoid components among identified CLEO constituents made up more than 80%. The CLEO-treated group in comparison to the control group showed reduced AHR, the decrease of eosinophil number in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), reduced specific anti-OVA IgE level in the serum, and a significant reduction in Th2 cytokines levels in the BALF with concentration. We concluded that CLEO have an alleviating effect on asthma-like symptoms such as AHR and AI. Further studies about antiasthmatic effect are necessary on the focus of single component of CLEO.