• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.71 no.4
• /
• pp.254-258
• /
• 2011

Background: Although the aging process and features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have several similarities, the relationship between aging and COPD pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. The klotho gene was found to be related to premature aging and emphysematous changes in an animal model. We investigated whether klotho gene polymorphisms are related to COPD susceptibility and emphysema severity. Methods: A total of 219 COPD subjects from the Korean Obstructive Lung Disease Cohort and 305 control subjects were genotyped for two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the klotho gene associated with coronary artery disease. Logistic regression was performed to determine the association of these SNPs with COPD susceptibility and linear regression was performed to investigate their association with emphysema severity in COPD subjects. Results: The mean age of the COPD subjects was 66 years and their mean FEV1 was 1.46 L. There were no associations between either SNP or COPD susceptibility (p=0.6 and 0.2, respectively) and there were no associations with emphysema severity. Conclusion: Genetic polymorphisms of the klotho gene were not associated with COPD in a Korean population.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.81-103
• /
• 1995

Study on Pulmonary emphysema based on literature and thesis, etc. Knowing the cause of the oriental medicine and treatment. The results were obtained as follows: 1. In the oriental medicine, we could find that emphysema was similiar to Pye-Chang, Huh-Chun. Sang-Qi, Dan-Qi, So-Qi. 2. The cause was divided to asthenia of the lung and kidney, yang-asthenia of the spleen and kidney with energy-asthenia of the lung as the root, and sputum(痰) had been important in the early period of disease, extravasated blood in the latter period. The proximate cause was clonic pulmonary disease, smoking, air pollution. occupation and symptoms of senility, congenital cause etc. 3.The treatment was divided to Gang-Qi-Wha-Dam, Whal-Hyul-Wha-Eo, Jin-Hae-Pyung-Chun in progress of disease and it was divided to Geon-Bi, Nab-Qi, On-Yang, Yang(養)-Eum, Qi-Eum-Ssang-Bo in relieve period. 4.The medicine used to Bu-Bi-Seng-Maek-San, Jo- Jung-Ik-Qi-Tang, Jung-Won-Eum, Geum-Guae-Sin-Qi-Whan, Jin-Mu-Tang, Yuk-Mi-Whan and So-ja-Gang-Qi-Tang, Pae-Mo-Tang, Ja-Won-Tang, Do-Dam-Tang, Chun-min-Tang, Jeon-Ho-Tang etc. The popular used medicine used to Bo-Pae-Tang, Pyung-Chun-Go-Bon-Tang, In-Sam-Hap-Gae-San-Ga-Gam, In-Sam-Yun-Pae-Won, Jung-Chun-Tang, Bo-Shin-Lee-Pae-Tang etc. Exogenous pathogenic fact and increasing of symptom used to Sam-So-Eum, Sang-Gook-Eum, Wol-Bi-Ga-Ban-Ha-Tang, Sa-Baek-Tang, Ma-Hwang-Tang etc.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.59-63
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Elastic fibers are found in the skin, lungs, arteries, veins and other structures. The defects of elastic matrix aggravate hypertension which is associated with alteration in the great arteries, arteries, and arterioles. The elastase inhibitors were undergoing in clinical studies about emphysema and pulmonary hypertension. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Astragali Radix extracts (AR) on elastase activity and anti-oxidative effects. Methods : The elastase inhibitory activity and DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and NO free radical scavenging activities of AR were measured. Results : The elastase activity was significantly inhibited by AR. The significant DPPH and NO free radical scavenging activities were observed in AR as well. Conclusion : AR showed the anti-elastase effects and anti-oxidative activities in vitro. These results suggest that AR may be a possible drug for the treatment of pulmonary emphysema and pulmonary hypertension.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.61-69
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Elastic fibers are found in the skin, lungs, arteries, veins and other structures. Elastases destroy the elastic fibers and cause the emphysema and pulmonary hypertension. Oxidative stress is needed for these pathologic changes. Accordingly, present study was designed to investigate the effect of Yukmigeehwang-hwan extracts (YHE) on elastase activity and anti-oxidative effects of YHE. Methods : The inhibitory effects on elastase and DPPH and NO free radical scavenging activities of YHE were measured. Results : The elastase activity was significantly inhibited by YHE. YHE significantly scavenged DPPH and NO free radicals as well. Conclusion : YHE showed the elastase-inhibiting effects and anti-oxidative activities in vitro. These results suggest that YHE may have potential roles in the treatment of pulmonary emphysema and pulmonary hypertension.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.6
• /
• pp.543-548
• /
• 1999

Background: These days, lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is used as an alternative or a bridge operation to lung transplantation in treating patients with severe emphysema. The procedure can be used in patients with pulmonary nodules combined with severe emphysema. We report the results of 21 months follow up after lung volume reduction surgery in 7 cases including 2 cases of concurrent resection of pulmonary nodules. Material and Method: Seven patients with emphysema, including 2 cases of preoperatively suspected lung cancer were operated with LVRS technique between July 1996 and June 1997. Result: Postoperative mortality was observed in a case of squamous cell carcinoma in LUL with brain metastasis, detected at postoperative 13months. Average of 21months(19-25months) follow up was done for other cases without specific events. Conclusion: LVRS is a useful operation in the treatment of patients with severe emphysema, but further evaluation should be done about the long term results and precise criteria for patient selection. Simultaneous LVRS and tumor resection could be done in patients with emphysema with marginal reserve in the hope of maximizing postoperative lung functions.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.69 no.3
• /
• pp.177-183
• /
• 2010

Background: Smoking reduces pulmonary function and induces various lung diseases. Recently, the rate of emphysema detection has increased due to lung cancer screening with low-dose chest computed tomography (CT). The purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in lung function associated with emphysema in healthy smokers. Methods: One hundred and ninety one healthy smokers, who had undergone a low-dose chest CT (LDCT) scan as part of lung cancer screening and had revisited the health center after a median 23.9 months' time, were recruited into this study. The severity of emphysema was calculated by the direct observation of a radiologist and a pulmonologist indipendently. Longitudinal changes in lung function according to emphysema based on LDCT and type of smoker was analyzed. Results: Of the participants in this study, 25% of healthy smokers had emphysema, which was mild in severity, in older patients (p=0.003) and in heavy smokers (p<0.001). $FEV_1/FVC$ and FEF25-75% were decreased in current smokers with emphysema (p=0.001 and p=0.009, respectively) and without emphysema (p=0.001 and p=0.042). Although lung function was not decreased in ex-smokers without emphysema, $FEV_1/FVC$ and FEF25-75% were decreased in ex-smoker with emphysema (p=0.020 and p=0.010). Conclusion: Upon examination with LDCT, the prevalence of emphysema was higher in healthy smokers was than in non-smokers. Lung function was diminished in smokers with emphysema, in spite of former smoker.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.2
• /
• pp.138-143
• /
• 2008

Pneumatosis intestinalis or spontaneous pneumomediastinum are rarely associated with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). However, the development of both conditions in the same patient simultaneously has not been reported previously. A 56-year-old man with NSIP developed spontaneous pneumomediastinum accompanied by subcutaneous emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis after the treatment with intravenous high dose steroid. The development of spontaneous pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema and pneumatosis intestinalis in this patient was possibly due to the factors such as NSIP, high dose steroid therapy and subclinical dermatomyositis. Treatment with corticosteroid and cyclosporin gradually improved his exacerbated NSIP and pneumomediastinum, subcutaneous emphysema, pneumatosis intestinalis.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.84-90
• /
• 2000

Objective: To determine the effects of respiration on the size of lung cysts by comparing inspiratory and expiratory high-resolution CT (HRCT) scans. Materials and Methods: The authors evaluated the size of cystic lesions, as seen on paired inspiratory and expiratory HRCT scans, in 54 patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (n = 3), pulmonary lymphangiomyomatosis (n = 4), confluent centrilobular emphysema (n = 9), paraseptal emphysema and bullae (n = 16), cystic bronchiectasis (n = 13), and honeycombing (n = 9). Using paired inspiratory and expiratory HRCT scans obtained at the corresponding anatomic level, a total of 270 cystic lesions were selected simultaneously on the basis of five lesions per lung disease. Changes in lung cyst size observed during respiration were assessed by two radiologists. In a limited number of cases (n = 11), pathologic specimens were obtained by open lung biopsy or lobectomy. Results: All cystic lesions in patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphangiomyomatosis, cystic bronchiectasis, honeycombing, and confluent centrilobular emphysema became smaller on expiration, but in two cases of paraseptal emphysema and bullae there was no change. Conclusion: In cases in which expiratory CT scans indicate that cysts have become smaller, cystic lesions may communicate with the airways. To determine whether, for cysts and cystic lesions, this connection does in fact exist, paired inspiratory and expiratory HRCT scans are necessary.

• Experimental and Molecular Medicine
• /
• v.50 no.11
• /
• pp.9.1-9.10
• /
• 2018

Although the positive effects of recombinant fibroblast growth factor-2 (rFGF-2) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been implicated in previous studies, knowledge of its role in COPD remains limited. The mechanism of FGF2 in a COPD mouse model and the therapeutic potential of rFGF-2 were investigated in COPD. The mechanism and protective effects of rFGF-2 were evaluated in cigarette smoke-exposed or elastase-induced COPD animal models. Inflammation was assessed in alveolar cells and lung tissues from mice. FGF-2 was decreased in the lungs of cigarette smoke-exposed mice. Intranasal use of rFGF-2 significantly reduced macrophage-dominant inflammation and alveolar destruction in the lungs. In the elastase-induced emphysema model, rFGF-2 improved regeneration of the lungs. In humans, plasma FGF-2 was decreased significantly in COPD compared with normal subjects (10 subjects, P = 0.037). The safety and efficacy of inhaled rFGF-2 use was examined in COPD patients, along with changes in respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function. A 2-week treatment with inhaled rFGF-2 in COPD (n = 6) resulted in significantly improved respiratory symptoms compared with baseline levels (P < 0.05); however, the results were not significant compared with the placebo. The pulmonary function test results of COPD improved numerically compared with those in the placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant. No serious adverse events occurred during treatment with inhaled rFGF-2. The loss of FGF-2 production is an important mechanism in the development of COPD. Inhaling rFGF-2 may be a new therapeutic option for patients with COPD because rFGF-2 decreases inflammation in lungs exposed to cigarette smoke.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.84 no.3
• /
• pp.188-199
• /
• 2021

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common chronic respiratory disease with increased prevalence in the elderly. Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of the chromosome, which progressively shorten as cells divide. Telomere length is known to be a molecular marker of aging. This study aimed to assess the relationship between telomere length and the risk of COPD, lung function, respiratory symptoms, and emphysema index in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Dusty Areas (CODA) cohort. Methods: We extracted DNA from the peripheral blood samples of 446 participants, including 285 COPD patients and 161 control participants. We measured absolute telomere length using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. All participants underwent spirometry and quantitative computed tomography scan. Questionnaires assessing respiratory symptoms and the COPD Assessment Test was filled by all the participants. Results: The mean age of participants at the baseline visit was 72.5±7.1 years. Males accounted for 72% (321 participants) of the all participants. The mean telomere length was lower in the COPD group compared to the non-COPD group (COPD, 16.81±13.90 kb; non-COPD, 21.97±14.43 kb). In COPD patients, 112 (75.7%) were distributed as tertile 1 (shortest), 91 (61.1%) as tertile 2 and 82 (55%) as tertile 3 (longest). We did not find significant associations between telomere length and lung function, exacerbation, airway wall thickness, and emphysema index after adjusting for sex, age, and smoking status. Conclusion: In this study, the relationship between various COPD phenotypes and telomere length was analyzed, but no significant statistical associations were shown.