• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.66 no.5
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• pp.370-373
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• 2009

Crohn's disease, a major form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is a chronic inflammatory condition that is characterized by microvascular and macrovascular involvement. Some extraintestinal complications can occur due to chronic systemic inflammation in IBD. Among them, a pulmonary thromboembolism is a rare manifestation of IBD but is associated with a high morbidity and mortality. To our best of knowledge, there is only one case report of a pulmonary thromboembolism as a complication of Crohn's disease in Korea. We present another rare case of pulmonary thromboembolism as complication in a 25-year-old man with underlying Crohn's disease.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.367-374
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• 2012

Cigarette smoking (SM) is considered to be well known environmental toxin which contributes to the onset of various diseases. SM cause direct lungs damage, activate lungs inflammatory responses, and in some cases leads to the development of lung cancer. Cytokines in injured starfish (Asterina pectinifera) is the potential changes in its expression during the regeneration process. Especially, expression of TGF-${\beta}1$ has increased in arm cut starfish extract after eight days. Also, starfish including saponin like the ginseng. Saponin is widely used in the world because of some effective pharmacological activities. Therefore, the current study was designed to elucidate the pharmacological activities of starfish extract against cigarette smoking induced damage in cell line and pulmonary tissue. We investigate that the effect of eight days starfish extract after arm cut (8d) and intact starfish extract on cell line and mouse lung injury by SM. In cell proliferation analysis, although cigarette smoking extract (CSE) was co-treated, the higher proliferation ability is shown in 8d treatment than intact starfish extract. 8d and intact starfish extract was directly transported to pulmonary cells through respiratory organ by nebulizer inhalation. In this case of cigarette smoking, the pulmonary structure was damaged and functions become abnormal. However, 8d treated groups showed similar with the control group compared with SM group. Among them, 8d was proved to be more effective than intact starfish extract. These results demonstrate that 8d could more protect pulmonary structure and function than intact starfish extract against cigarette smoking by ginseng like saponin and regulation of inflammatory cytokines.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.681-686
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• 2010

Background: A chest computed-tomography has become more prevalent so that it is more common to detect small sized pulmonary nodules that have not been found in previous simple chest x-ray. If those detected nodules are undersized or located in pulmonary parenchyma, it is difficult to accomplish a biopsy since it is vulnerable to explore them either grossly or digitally. Thus, in our hospital, a thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection was performed after locating a lesion by means of hook wire with CT-guided. Material and Method: 31 patients (17 males and 14 female patients) from December in 2006 to June in 2010 became our subjects; their 34 pulmonary nodules were subjected to the thoracoscopic pulmonary wedge resection after locating a lesion by means of hook wire with CT-guided. Also we analyzed a possibility of hook wire dislocation, a frequency of conversion to open thoracotomy, time consumed to operation after location of a lesion, operation time, post operation complication, and histological diagnosis of the lesion. Result: 12 of 34 cases were ground glass lesion, whereas 22 cases of them were solitary pulmonary lesion. The median value of the lesion was 8mm in size (range: 3 to 23 mm), while the median value was 12.5 mm in depth (range: 1 to 34 mm). The median value of time consumed from location of the lesion to anesthetic induction was 86.5 minutes (41~473 minutes); furthermore the mean value of operation time was 103 minutes (25~345 minutes). Intrathoracic wire dislocation was found in one case, but a target lesion was successfully excised. Open thoracotomy was performed in four cases due to pleural adhesion. However, there was no case of conversion to open thoracotomy due to failure to detect a target lesion. In histological diagnosis, metastatic cancer were found in 15 cases, which were the most common, primary lung cancer were in 9 cases, non-specific inflammation were in 3 cases, tuberculosis inflammation were in 2 cases, lymph nodes were in 2 cases, active tuberculosis were in 1 case, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia was in 1 case and normal lung parenchymal finding was in 1 case, respectively. Conclusion: In our hospital, in order to accomplish a precise histological diagnosis of ground-glass lesion and pulmonary nodules in lung parenchyma, location of pulmonary nodules were exactly located with hook wire under chest computed-tomography, which was followed by lung biopsy. We concluded that this was an accurate, minimally invasive and valuable method to minimize the complications and increase of cost of medical service provided.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.70 no.4
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• pp.347-351
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• 2011

We report here an unusual case of pericardial tuberculoma that was misdiagnosed as thymic carcinoma on an imaging study. A 48-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of an anterior mediastinal mass. Computed tomography (CT) scans of the chest displayed cystic masses mimicking thymic carcinoma at the anterior mediastinum. Pericardiotomy and surgical drainage of the cystic masses were done, and pathologic examination of the excised pericardial specimen showed a chronic granulomatous inflammation with necrosis, compatible with tuberculosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also identified in the specimen. After treatment with anti-tuberculosis drugs and steroids, the patient showed clinical improvement. Although tuberculous pericarditis usually presents as pericardial effusion or constrictive pericarditis, it can also present as a pericardial mass mimicking thymic carcinoma on CT. Therefore, we suggest that tuberculous pericardial abscess should be included in the differential diagnosis of a mediastinal mass in Korea, with intermediate tuberculosis prevalence.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.353-356
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• 2006

Acute transverse myelitis (TM) is a neurological syndrome caused by inflammation of the spinal cord. TM is rare but is frequently caused by viral or bacterial infections. TM caused by tuberculosis (TB) is extremely rare and there are no reports of TM caused by multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). We report a case of acute TM due to MDR-TB in a 40-year-old man. The patient had been diagnosed with pulmonary TB and was started on the first-line anti-TB treatment. However, the chest radiographic findings were aggravated and neurological symptoms such as weakness in both lower extremities, sensory changes, and voiding difficulty were newly developed. The T2-weighted magnetic resonance image of the spine showed diffusely increased signal intensity in the spinal cord, particularly at the lower cervical and upper thoracic levels, without any definite evidence of myeloradicular compression, which is consistent with a diagnosis of TM. A drug susceptibility test revealed MDR and second-line anti-TB drugs were prescribed. The chest radiographic findings showed improvement after treatment, the mycobacterial culture converted to negative, the MRI findings improved, and there was partial improvement in the low extremity weakness. The patient has been prescribing second-line anti-TB medications for 14 months.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2010

Background: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease that develops following repeated exposure to inhaled particulate antigens. The family of $Fc{\gamma}$ receptors ($Fc{\gamma}Rs$) has emerged as central regulators for modulating both pro-and anti-inflammatory responses. However, the role of $Fc{\gamma}Rs$ in the development of HP has not been investigated yet. Methods: To explore the functional roles of $Fc{\gamma}Rs$ in HP, $Fc{\gamma}R^{-/-}$ and B6 mice were challenged with Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula (SR) antigen intranasally, and compared these mice in terms of the histological change, infiltrated immune cells in BALF and in vitro immune responses. Results: $Fc{\gamma}R^{-/-}$ mice exhibited attenuation of HP in terms of histological alterations, and reduced numbers of neutrophils and macrophages in and the increased CD4 : CD8 ratio of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The lungs of $Fc{\gamma}R^{-/-}$ mice showed high production of Th2 cytokine such as IL-4 and slightly low production of Th1 cytokine, INF-${\gamma}$ compared to those of B6 mice. However, SR-specific adaptive immune responses of $Fc{\gamma}R^{-/-}$ mice were similar to those of B6 mice. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that activating $Fc{\gamma}$ receptors play an important role in activating neutrophils and macrophages in pulmonary inflammation and inducing Th1 differentiation by regulating cytokine expression in SR-induced HP.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.10-19
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• 2013

Objectives: In the present study, we evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of Lonicerae Flos on cigarette-induced lung inflammatory responses in animal model of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods: To inspect the effects of Lonicerae Flos, we evaluated Lonicerae Flos functions in vivo including immune cell profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, cytokine production and tissue morphological changes. Results: Lonicerae Flos significantly inhibited immune cell infiltrations into the BAL fluid (neutrophils, macrophages, lymphocytes). TNF-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were substantially decreased in the BAL fluid of Lonicerae Flos-treated mice compared with cigarette-exposed control mice. In addition, the hypertrophy of goblet cells in the epithelial cells was reduced in both Lonicerae Flos- and roflumilast-treated mice. Conclusions: The results of this study provide evidence that treatment with Lonicerae Flos exerts strong therapeutic effects against cigarette-induced lung inflammation in vivo. Therefore, this herbal medicine may represent a novel therapeutic agent for lung inflammation in general, as well as a specific agent for the treatment of COPD.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2017

HemoHIM, herbal preparation has designed for immune system recovery. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of HemoHIM on cigarette smoke (CS) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mouse model. To induce COPD, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CS for 1 h per day (eight cigarettes per day) for 4 weeks and intranasally received LPS on day 26. HemoHIM was administrated to mice at a dose of 50 or 100 mg/kg 1h before CS exposure. HemoHIM reduced the inflammatory cell count and levels of tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-$1{\beta}$ in the broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) induced by CS+LPS exposure. HemoHIM decreased the inflammatory cell infiltration in the airway and inhibited the expression of iNOS and MMP-9 and phosphorylation of Erk in lung tissue exposed to CS+LPS. In summary, our results indicate that HemoHIM inhibited a reduction in the lung inflammatory response on CS and LPS induced lung inflammation via the Erk pathway. Therefore, we suggest that HemoHIM has the potential to treat pulmonary inflammatory disease such as COPD.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.53-78
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• 2009

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the anti-thrombotic and antiinflammatory efficacy of "Gamijoukyungtang(GJKT)". Methods: We studied inhibitory effects of platelet aggregation, FXa activation, $TXB_2$ and $PGE_2$ biosynthesis and suppressive effects of GPIIb/IIIa activity and oxidative damage, pro-inflammatory cytokine reduction effects of 'GJKT(by press extractor)/GJKT-1(by pressless extractor)' in vitro. Also, we studied suppression of pulmonary embolism, AV shunt model in rats and shortening of Rat tail bleeding time in vivo. Results: GJKT/GJKT-1 extract showed inhibitory effects on GPIIb/IIIaactivities and platelet aggregation induced by ADP, epinephrine, collagen and arachidonic acid. They suppressed biosynthesis of $PGE_2$ but GJKT-1 only supressed biosynthesis of $TXB_2$. In FXa assay, they inhibited activation of FXa. they suppressed pulmonary embolism triggered by collagen and epinephrine. In AV shunt model, they decreased the weights of AV shunt thrombus. they inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased oxidative damages caused by DPPH. Conclusion: We confirmed the anti-thrombosis, and ant-inflammatory efficacy of 'GJKT(by press extractor)/GJKT-1(by pressless extractor)'.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 2010

A 14-year-old gelded dressage horse weighing 500 kg was presented to the Equine Medical Center of the Seoul Racecourse of Korea Racing Authority (KRA) due to coughing and mucopurulent nasal discharge. The horse was initiated with empirical antibiotic in the first place. However, the clinical signs did not improve but were rather exacerbated even after 3 weeks of therapy. Extensive diagnostic procedures including transtracheal wash (TTW) fluid cytology were undertaken. The localized wheezes and crackles were auscultated and an increase in the amount of mucopurulent exudate in trachea was observed at endoscopy. Infiltration of neutrophils was observed in the TTW fluid cytology implying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the systemic glucocorticoid therapy was to be given for 3 weeks with improved ventilation provided at the same time. The respiratory symptoms started to improve in 7 days of therapy and were fully resolved by when the therapy was terminated. The horse is clinically normal now and being monitored for development of any signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.