• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제84권4호
• /
• pp.299-316
• /
• 2021

Background: The lack of effective medications for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to a trend of drug repurposing such as the case of azithromycin which shows immunomodulatory and anti-viral effect. Several clinical trials have shown conflicting results. It is currently unclear whether the available evidence is in favor or against the use of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of azithromycin in COVID-19 patients. Methods: Four independent reviewers selected relevant studies from PubMed, ScienceDirect, EBSCO, and ProQuest published prior to March 2021. The protocol used in this study has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020224967). Results: We included 17 studies and found that the mortality rate (odds ratio [OR], 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-1.19), need of respiratory support (OR, 1.30; 95% CI, 0.98-1.73), hospitalization rate (standardized mean difference, 0.12; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.27), and intensive care unit transfer (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.79-1.86) of azithromycin-treated group did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from those of the control group. Azithromycin treatment did not significantly increase the risk of getting secondary infection (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.83-1.82), hypoglycemia (OR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.38-1.40), gastrointestinal problems (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.73-1.45) or electrocardiogram abnormalities (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.94-1.42). The overall quality of evidence ranged from low to very low. Conclusion: Azithromycin did not result in a superior clinical improvement in COVID-19 patients, although it was well-tolerated and safe to use.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제85권1호
• /
• pp.67-73
• /
• 2022

Background: Bronchiectasis patients with neutrophilic airway inflammation develop symptoms of chronic cough, sputum production, and recurrent exacerbations. Roflumilast has anti-inflammatory actions via decreased neutrophilic airway inflammation. The effectiveness of roflumilast to reduce bronchiectasis exacerbation has never been evaluated. Methods: We conducted a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Our primary objective was to assess the effect of roflumilast compared with that of a placebo in reducing exacerbation rates in bronchiectasis patients. The secondary objectives were the changes in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV₁) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Bronchiectasis patients older than 18 years who had had two exacerbations during the previous 12 months were randomly assigned to receive either 500 ㎍ of either roflumilast or a placebo once daily for 6 months in a 1:1 ratio. Results: Forty bronchiectasis patients who had experienced exacerbations were screened. Thirty patients completed the study after 6 months of treatment: roflumilast group (n=15) and placebo group (n=15). The rates of exacerbations were 0.57 and 0.59 per patient in the roflumilast and placebo groups, respectively. Prebronchodilator FEV₁ increased by 0.07 L from baseline in the roflumilast group and decreased by 0.015 L in the placebo group, but the difference was not significant. No significant differences were observed in the change of SGRQ scores between the roflumilast and placebo groups. Roflumilast had significant side effects, including loss of appetite and headache. Conclusion: Roflumilast did not significantly affect the rate of exacerbations or quality of life. However, FEV₁ tended to improve more in the roflumilast group than in the placebo group.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제76권3호
• /
• pp.114-119
• /
• 2014

Background: Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a major biologically active component of green tea, has anti-cancer activity in human and animal models. We investigated the schedule-dependent effect of EGCG and paclitaxel on growth of NCI-H460 non-small cell lung cancer cells. Methods: To investigate the combined effect of EGCG (E) and paclitaxel (P), combination indices (CIs) were calculated, and cell cycle analysis was performed. For the effect on cell apoptosis, western blot analysis was also performed. Results: CI analysis demonstrated that both concurrent and sequential E ${\rightarrow}$ P treatments had antagonistic effects (CIs >1.0), but sequential P ${\rightarrow}$ E had synergistic effects (CIs <1.0), on the growth inhibition of NCI-H460 cells. In the cell cycle analysis, although paclitaxel induced $G_2/M$ cell cycle arrest and increased the sub-G1 fraction, concurrent EGCG and paclitaxel treatments did not have any additive or synergistic effects compared with the paclitaxel treatment alone. However, western blot analysis demonstrated that sequential P ${\rightarrow}$ E treatment decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 and increased poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage; while minimal effects were seen with concurrent or sequential E ${\rightarrow}$ P treatments. Conclusion: Concurrent or sequential E ${\rightarrow}$ P treatment had opposite effects to P ${\rightarrow}$ E treatment, where P ${\rightarrow}$ E treatment showed a synergistic effect on growth inhibition of NCI-H460 cells by inducing apoptosis. Thus, the efficacy of EGCG and paclitaxel combination treatment seems to be schedule-dependent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제45권1호
• /
• pp.36-44
• /
• 1998

연구배경: IFN-$\gamma$는 단핵식세포를 활성화시키며 여러 종류의 세포내 세균에 대한 숙주의 방어기전에 중요한 역할을 하는 것으로 알려져있다. 그러나 사람에 있어서 IFN-$\gamma$의 항 결핵 효과와 작용기전에 대해서는 거의 알려진 바가 없다. 본 연구에서는 결핵의 발병기전에서 IFN-$\gamma$의 역할을 알아보기 위해 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식과 TNF-$\alpha$ 생산에 IFN-$\gamma$가 미치는 영향을 알아보았다. 방 법: 활동성 폐질환이 없는 8명의 사람에게서 얻은 기관지 폐포세척액에서 폐포대식세포를 표면흡착법으로 분리하여 결핵균과 같이 배양하면서 ($1{\times}10^6$ cells/ml, $3{\times}10^7$ bacteria/ml) 배양액에 IFN-$\gamma$(300U/ml), LPS(0.5ug/ml), 자가혈청(10%)을 첨가하여 2시간 배양 후 항산성 염색(modified Kynion method)을 하여 결핵균을 탐식한 폐포대식세포를 관찰하였다. 그리고 폐포대식세포배양액에 IFN-$\gamma$(300U/ml), MTB($1{\times}106bacteria/ml$) and LPS(0.5ug/ml)를 각각 첨가하여 24시간 배양 후 상층액에서 TNF-$\alpha$의 농도를 ELISA method로 측정하였다. 그리고 IFN-$\gamma$(300U/ml), LPS(0.5ug/ml)로 24시간 자극한 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식율도 관찰하였다. 결 과: IFN-$\gamma$는 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식율을 증가시키지 않았으며(percentage of PAM-phagocytosed MTB: control: $22.1{\pm}4.9$, IFN-$\gamma$: $20.3{\pm}5.3$), 폐포대식세포를 24시간 자극하였을 때 폐포대식세포의 TNF-$\alpha$의 생산을 증가시키지 않았다 (control: $21{\pm}38pg/ml$, IFN-$\gamma$: $87{\pm}106pg/ml$). 그리고 IFN-$\gamma$로 24 시간 전처치한 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식율 또한 증가하지 않았다(control: $24.5{\pm}9.5$, IFN-$\gamma$: $23.4{\pm}10.1$). 결 론: IFN-$\gamma$는 폐포대식세포의 결핵균 탐식과 TNF-$\alpha$ 생산에 영향을 미치지 않는다.

• Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry
• /
• 제64권3호
• /
• pp.245-251
• /
• 2021

더덕(Codonopsis lanceolata)은 주로 한국, 중국 등 동아시아 지역에 재배되고 있으며, 더덕의 뿌리는 기침, 기관지염, 천식, 결핵, 소화 불량의 증상을 치료하기 위한 기능성 식품 및 전통 의학으로 사용되어져 왔다. 보고된 바에 의하면 phenylpropanoids, polyacetylenes, saponins, flavonoids와 같은 다양한 식물 천연물 성분들이 항비만, 항염, 항암, 항산화, 항미생물 활성과 같은 약리학적 작용에 관여한다고 보고되어 있다. MS기반 대사체학 분석을 이용한 주산지의 마커 성분을 선정하는 것은 다른 지역에서 재배된 약용 식물의 안전성뿐만 아니라 화학적 조성과 생물학적 효능의 변화와도 관련이 있기 때문에 부작용 없이 더덕의 유익한 효과만을 보장하는데 중요하다. 본 연구에서는 국내산 더덕의 주산지 특성을 구별하기 위해 UPLC-QTOF-MS를 기반으로 하는 대사체 프로파일링과 다변량 통계분석 기법인 PCA 분석을 수행하여 판별모델을 확립하였다. 그 결과 인제(강원도), 횡성(강원도), 무주(전라북도)의 3개 그룹이 PCA와 loading plot 분석결과 tangshenoside I, lancemaside A, lancemaside G는 더덕 주산지를 구별하기 위한 잠재적 대사체 마커들로 제안하였다.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• 제25권6호
• /
• pp.634-640
• /
• 2017

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common inflammatory skin disorder mediated by inflammatory cells, such as macrophages and mast cells. Rifampicin is mainly used for the treatment of tuberculosis. Recently, it was reported that rifampicin has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressive activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of rifampicin on atopic dermatitis in vivo and in vitro. AD was induced by treatment with 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in NC/Nga mice. A subset of mice was then treated with rifampicin by oral administration. The severity score and scratching behavior were alleviated in the rifampicin-treated group. Serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels were also ameliorated in mice treated with rifampicin. We next examined whether rifampicin has anti-atopic activity via suppression of mast cell activation. Rifampicin suppressed the release of ${\beta}$-hexosaminidase and histamine from human mast cell (HMC)-1 cultures stimulated with compound 48/80. Treatment with rifampicin also inhibited secretion of inflammatory mediators, such tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$) and prostaglandin $D_2$ ($PGD_2$), in mast cells activated by compound 48/80. The mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) was reduced in the cells treated with rifampicin in a concentration-dependent manner. These results suggest that rifampicin can be used to treat atopic dermatitis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제43권3호
• /
• pp.348-358
• /
• 1996

연구배경 : Interleukin-5(IL-5)는 호산구 보이는 여러 질환들과 관련이 있으며 특히 알레르기성 천식에서 호산구의 침윤정도와 밀접한 관계가 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 그러나 IL-2도 증상있는 천식환자의 기도에서 상승됨이 관찰되어 호산구 침윤정도와 상관관계가 있는 것이 밝혀졌다. IL-2가 호산구의 생존을 증가시키는 기전이 IL-5의 표현을 증가시킴으로써인지 또는 다른 경로를 통하여 작용하는 것인지 알기위해 다음과 같은 방법으로 호산구 생존에 미치는 IL-2의 영향을 관찰하였다. 방법 : 호산구증다증을 보인 환자의 말초혈액으로부터 호산구를 분리하여 trypan blue dye exclusion test를 이용하여 생존율을 측정하였으며 Randolp 용액을 이용하여 호산구를 계수하였다. 1) IL-2, IL-5 존재하의 호산구 생존율 및 IL-2와 anti IL-5 존재하의 호산구 생존율을 측정하였다. 2) IL-2 존재하의 말초혈액단핵구에서 IL-5 m-RNA 표현을 Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction(RT-PCR) 방법을 통하여 관찰하였다. 3) IL-2로 자극한 호산구의 IL-2 수용체 발현 증가를 유세포분석기(Flow cytometer)로 측정하였다. 결과 : 1) 호산구의 생존율은 IL-2 및 IL-5에 대한 농도의존성을 보이며 증가하였다. 2) IL-2에 의해 증가된 호산구의 생존율은 anti IL-5에 의해 억제되지 않았다. 3) IL-2로 자극된 말초혈액단핵구는 IL-5 m-RNA를 표현하지 않았다. 4) IL-2는 호산구에서 IL-$2{\alpha}$ 수용체의 표현을 증가시키며 IL-$2{\beta}$ 수용체의 표현은 변화가 없었다. 결론 : 사람에서는 IL-2는 IL-5 형성증가를 통하지 않고 호산구에 IL-2 수용체를 증가시킴으로써 호산구의 생존율을 증가시킨다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제56권5호
• /
• pp.514-522
• /
• 2004

연구 배경 : 비스테로이드성 항염증제는 대장암의 화학 예방에 이용되고 있다. 지속적으로 비스테로이드성 항염증제를 복용한 결과 대장암 발생의 위험이 40-50% 감소하였다. Sulindac은 비스테로이드성 항염증제의 일종으로 대장암의 예방 효과가 있으며 암세포의 성장 억제와 세포 고사를 유도시킨다. 이에 저자들은 3가지 비소세포 폐암 세포주에서 sulindac의 영향을 알아보고자 하였다. 방 법 : A549(선암), NCI-H157(편평상피암), NCI-H460(대세포암) 세포주에 sulindac을 농도별로 투여하여, MTT assay로서 암세포의 생존율을, 유식세포 분석법과 핵산 염색으로 세포 고사의 비율을, 유산탈수소효소유리로서 세포 사멸의 정도를 시간대별로 측정하였다. 결 과 : Sulindac에 의해 농도와 시간에 의존적으로 비소세포 폐암 세포주에서 암세포의 생존율이 감소하였고, 유산 탈수소 효소 유리는 증가하였으며, 세포 고사 역시 농도, 시간에 의존적으로 증가하였다. 결 론 : Sulindac은 비소세포 폐암 세포주에서 농도, 시간에 의존적으로 암세포의 생존율 감소와 세포 고사증가를 유도하였다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• 제75권1호
• /
• pp.9-17
• /
• 2013

Background: In cancer cells, autophagy is generally induced as a pro-survival mechanism in response to treatment-associated genotoxic and metabolic stress. Thus, concurrent autophagy inhibition can be expected to have a synergistic effect with chemotherapy on cancer cell death. Monensin, a polyether antibiotic, is known as an autophagy inhibitor, which interferes with the fusion of autophagosome and lysosome. There have been a few reports of its effect in combination with anticancer drugs. We performed this study to investigate whether erlotinib, an epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor, or rapamycin, an mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitor, is effective in combination therapy with monensin in non-small cell lung cancer cells. Methods: NCI-H1299 cells were treated with rapamycin or erlotinib, with or without monensin pretreatment, and then subjected to growth inhibition assay, apoptosis analysis by flow cytometry, and cell cycle analysis on the basis of the DNA contents histogram. Finally, a Western blot analysis was done to examine the changes of proteins related to apoptosis and cell cycle control. Results: Monensin synergistically increases growth inhibition and apoptosis induced by rapamycin or erlotinib. The number of cells in the sub-$G_1$ phase increases noticeably after the combination treatment. Increase of proapoptotic proteins, including bax, cleaved caspase 3, and cleaved poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and decrease of anti-apoptotic proteins, bcl-2 and bcl-xL, are augmented by the combination treatment with monensin. The promoters of cell cycle progression, notch3 and skp2, decrease and p21, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, accumulates within the cell during this process. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that concurrent autophagy inhibition could have a role in lung cancer treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권7호
• /
• pp.3195-3199
• /
• 2014

Inonotus obliquus is a medicinal mushroom that has been used as an effective agent to treat various diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis and cancer. Inotodiol, an included triterpenoid shows significant anti-tumor effect. However, the mechanisms have not been well documented. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of inotodiol on proliferation and apoptosis in human cervical cancer HeLa cells and investigated the underlying molecular mechanisms. HeLa cells were treated with different concentrations of inotodiol. The MTT assay was used to evaluate cell proliferating ability, flow cytometry (FCM) was employed for cell cycle analysis and cell apoptosis, while expression of cyclinE, p27, bcl-2 and bax was detected by immunocytochemistry. Proliferation of HeLa cells was inhibited by inotodiolin a dose-dependent manner at 24h (r=0.9999, p<0.01). A sub-$G_1$ peak (apoptotic cells) of HeLa cells was detected after treatment and the apoptosis rate with the concentration and longer incubation time (r=1.0, p<0.01), while the percentage of cells in S phase and $G_2$/M phase decreased significantly. Immunocytochemistry assay showed that the expression of cyclin E and bcl-2 in the treated cells significantly decreased, while the expression of p27 and bax obviously increased, compared with the control group (p<0.05). The results of our research indicate that inotodiol isolated from Inonotus obliquus inhibited the proliferation of HeLa cells and induced apoptosis in vitro. The mechanisms may be related to promoting apoptosis through increasing the expression of bax and cutting bcl-2 and affecting the cell cycle by down-regulation the expression of cyclin E and up-regulation of p27. The results further indicate the potential value of inotodiol for treatment of human cervical cancer.