• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.925-935
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• 1996

Background : In order to elucidate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS associated with pulmonary surfactant and oxidant injury, acute lung injury was induced by N-nitroso N-methylurethane (NNNMU). In this model, the role of phospholipase $A_2$ ($PLA_2$), surfactant, gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) and morphology were investigated to delineate one of the pathogenic mechanisms of ARDS by inhibition of $PLA_2$ with high dose of dexamethasone. Method: Acute lung injury was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by NNNMU which is known to induce acute lung injury in experimental animals. To know the function of the alveolar type II cells, GGT activity in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage was measured. Surfactant phospholipid was measured also. $PLA_2$ activity was measured to know the role of $PLA_2$ in ARDS. Morphological study was performed to know the effect of $PLA_2$ inhibition on the ultrastructure of the lung by high dose of dexamethasone. Results : Six days after NNNMU treatment (4 mg/kg), conspicuous pulmonary edema was induced and the secretion of pulmonary surfactant was decreased significantly. In the acutely injured rats' lung massive infiltration of leukocytes was observed. At the same time rats given NNNMU had increased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity tremendously. Morphological study revealed bizarre shaped alveolar type II cells and hypertrophied lamellar bodies in the cytoplasm of the alveolar type II cells. But after dexamethasone treatment (20 mg/kg, for six days) in NNNMU-treated rats, these changes were diminished i.e. there were decrease of pulmonary edema and increase of surfactant secretion from alveolar type D cells. Rats given dexamethasone and NNNMU had decreased $PLA_2$ and GGT activity in comparison to NNNMU induced ARDS rats. Conclusion : Inhibition of $PLA_2$ by high dose of dexamethasone decreased pathological findings caused by infiltration of leukocytes and respiratory burst. Based on these experimental results, it is suggested that an activation of $PLA_2$ is the one of the major factors to evoke the acute lung injury in NNNMU-induced ARDS rats.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.763-771
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• 2014

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between dietary sodium intake and prevalence of abdominal obesity in Korean adults. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V-1 and analyzed data on 4,475 Koreans (${\geq}30$ years old). Subjects were divided into three groups according to fasting plasma glucose (FPG): 1) normal (FPG <100 mg/dL), 2) pre-diabetes ($100mg/dL{\leq}FPG{\leq}125mg/dL$), and 3) diabetes (FPG ${\geq}126mg/dL$ or subjects diagnosed with diabetes). The subjects in each category were stratified by dietary sodium intake as well as index of abdominal obesity. We found that dietary sodium intake was positively correlated with waist circumference (WC) (P=0.002) and was particularly high in the pre-diabetes group. In multiple logistic regression analysis, the normal and diabetes groups showed no association between dietary sodium intake and WC, whereas the pre-diabetes group with a high sodium intake exhibited a significant association (odds ratio (OR)=1.479, P=0.029) between dietary sodium intake and WC. Further, the OR for abdominal obesity in the high sodium intake group with pre-diabetes was 1.590 after adjusting for age and sex (P=0.012). In addition, the ORs for the prevalence of abdominal obesity with fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance were significantly higher in the pre-diabetes group with high sodium intake compared with low sodium intake. Moreover, these associations were significant even after adjusting for confounding variables (model 2: age and sex; model 3: age, sex, and total energy intake). Our results suggest a strong association between sodium intake and abdominal obesity in pre-diabetes Korean adults.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.86-92
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• 2019

Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is an environmental contaminant that is used as a plasticizer. Endometriosis is a complex disease with an unknown etiology that is believed to be associated with exposure to DEHP. The present study examined the potential toxicity of DEHP by exposing endometrial adenocarcinoma cells (Ishikawa cells) to DEHP. In the experiments, the cells were treated with stepwise DEHP concentrations (0, 0.01, 0.1, 1, and $5{\mu}M$) for different exposure times (24, 48, and 72 h). When the relationship between the resulting survival rate of the cells and initial inflammation was examined, the cell viability, expression of $TNF-{\alpha}$, an inflammatory mediator, and the expression of MMP-9, an ECM degradation protein, were increased remarkably when the cells were exposed to $5{\mu}M$ DEHP for 48 and 72 hours. These results suggest that the exposure of Ishikawa cells to certain concentrations of DEHP, estrogen mimics, may cause time-dependent toxicity that affects the cell viability and inflammation, implying a potential role in the etiology of endometriosis. Further research on the effects of endocrine disruptors on the pathogenesis of endometriosis may reveal strategies to prevent this disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.705-713
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• 1998

Background: An association between diabetes and tuberculosis has long been implied. The severity of diabetes appears to correlate with the degree of tuberculous activity. Methods: A retrospective chart review of 82 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in diabetics (DMTB) and 83 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis in nondiabetics (Non-DMTB) admitted to the Kyung Hee Medical Center between January 1995 and December 1996 was underiaken. Results: The sex ratio of DMTB was 58 : 24, and that of Non-DMTB was 62 : 21. Male patients predominated in both groups. The highest incidence of DMTB was 6th and 7th decades and that of Non-DMTB was 3rd and 4th decades. In case which the tuberculosis developed after diagnosis of diabetes, the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was the highest in diabetes for 5-10 years. On chest X-ray findings, the moderate advanced tuberculosis cases were the most common (60.9% in DMTTB and 50.6% in Non-DMTB). There was no relation between the degree of tuberculosis activity on chest x-ray(minimal, moderate, and far advanced tuberculosis) and presence of diabetes. The incidence of lower lung field tuberculosis in DMTB was significantly higher than Non-DMTB(p<0.05). The multiple lobe involvement was the predominant chest roentgenographic finding in both groups. There was no significant difference of treatment response between DMTB and Non-DMTB. There was no relationship between initial HbA1c and the severity of pulmonary tuberculosis on chest X-ray. During treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in excellently and well controlled diabetes, the cure rate of pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher than the poorly controlled diabetes and the rate of treatment failure was significantly lower than poorly controlled diabetes. (p<0.05). Conclusion: Poor control of blood glucose is related with increased rate of treatment failure in pulmonary tuberculosis with diabetes mellitus. Further investigation will be needed to study the mechanisms of treatment failure in poorly controlled diabetics with pulmonary tuberculosis.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.127-137
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• 2015

Purpose: The main aim of this study was to compare and analyze expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) to establish miRNA signature of Fabry nephropathy related epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Methods: Expression profiles of miRNAs in kidney tissue samples and cell lines from normal and Fabry disease mouse model were examined by miRNA expression microarray analysis followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis (qRT-PCR). Results: In the miRNA expression microarray analysis of Fabry mouse kidney tissues compared to wild type mouse, 5 and 3 miRNAs among 1,247 miRNAs examined were up- and down-regulated, respectively. Among them, miR-149-5p was down-regulated about 2-fold in Fabry kidney samples. The down-regulations of miR-149-5p were observed in kidney tissues of under 35 week-old-Fabry mice. However, this down-regulation was not observed in kidney tissues of 42 week-old Fabry mice. In SV40 MES 13 cells, mouse mesangial cells, treated with globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3), miR-149-5p was also downregulated. The down-regulation of miR-149-5p induced up-regulation of its target genes related to EMT. Conclusion: The miRNA expression array and qRT-PCR results show that miR-149-5p expression was decreased in kidney tissues of Fabry mice compared to wild type mice under 35 weeks of age. Along with the observation of miR-149-5p expression in Fabry disease cell models, these results indicate that the down-regulated miR-149-5p were related to the biological response of mesangial cells to lyso-Gb3 and also have influence to the transcriptional up-regulation of its target genes. These results suggest miR-149-5p might play important roles in the Fabry nephropathy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.578-585
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• 2013

In this study, we evaluated the antidiabetic effect of a chloroform fraction of a methanol extract of Vigna nakashimae (designated VN) and compared it with that of a water fraction. Both fractions were administrated to eight-week old db/db mice for two weeks, after which the plasma glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were measured. The chloroform fraction (VN-C) lowered the fasting glucose and blood glycated hemoglobin in the db/db mice more effectively than those of the water fraction (VN-W). VN-C also improved the glucose tolerance and led to a significant decrease in the plasma levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides. VN-C enhanced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increased the expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) in HepG2 and C2C12 cells more significantly than VN-W. Consistent with AMPK activation, VN-C inhibited cAMP/Dex-stimulated expression of gluconeogenic genes and increased glucose uptake in C2C12. Collectively, these results suggest that VN-C has an antidiabetic effect, which is exerted via AMPK activation, and that this effect is stronger than that of VN-W.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.60 no.3
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• pp.337-341
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• 2006

Objectives : Endobronchial anthracofibrotic pigmentation, which presents as dark black or brown pigmentation mucosal changes of multiple bronchi combined with bronchial fibrosis and obstruction, is not a rare finding when performing diagnostic bronchoscopy for Koreans. This study was performed to define the clinical characteristics and to determine the association of these finding with the Korean life style and such other diseases as coal workers, pneumoconiosis or tuberculosis in the patients with anthracofibrotic pigmentation. Methods : This retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 (5.2%) patients with endobronchial anthracofibrotic pigmentation, among a total of 1340 patients who underwent bronchoscopy. The distinctive clinical features, the personal life style, the past medical history, the histology and microbiology, the radiologic finding and the natures of the bronchoscopic lesions were analyzed. Results : This mean age of the patients with anthracofibrotic pigmentation was $60.6{\pm}9.2$ year old and the male to female ratio was 1:1.7. The common respiratory symptoms of these patients were coughing and sputum (81%, 57/70), and this was followed in order by dyspnea and hemoptysisir. The symptoms were not related with smoking and an occupational history such as being a coal worker and so on. Pneumonia was most common finding on the radiologic studies. On bronchoscopy, the right middle lobe bronchus was most commonly involved. The most common associated disease was tuberculosis, and 40 cases (57.1%) were diagnosed by AFB staining, TB PCR, bronchoscopic guided tissue biopsy and a past history of tuberculosis. Other diseases related with anthracotic pigmentation were hypertension, diabetes, COPD, lung cancer, pneumoconiosis and asthma. Conclusion : These results suggest that endobronchial anthracofibrotic pigmentation was mostly related with pulmonary tuberculosis rather than with coal- related disease. Endobronchial anthracofibrotic pigmentation was more prevalent in older age females in Korea.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.569-583
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• 1995

Background: The expression of the adhesion molecules on the cell surface is important in the movement of cells and the modulation of immune response. DILD starts as an alveolitis and progresses to pulmonary fibrosis. So adhesion molecules in these patients is expected to be increased. There are several reports about adhesion molecules in DILD in terms of the percentage of positive cells in immuno-stain, in which the interpretation is subjective and the data were variable. Methods: So we measured the relative median fluorescence intensity(RMFI) which is the ratio of the FI emitted by bound primary monoclonal antibody to FI emitted by isotypic control antibody of the cells in BALF of 28 patients with DILD(IPF:10, collagen disease:7, sarcoidosis:9, hypersensitivity pneumonitis:2) and 9 healthy control. Results: RMFI of the ICAM-1 on AM($3.30{\pm}1.16$) and lymphocyte($5.39{\pm}.70$) of DILD were increased significantly than normal control($0.93{\pm}0.18$, $1.06{\pm}0.21$, respectively, p=0.001, P=0.003). RMFI of the CD18 on lymphocyte was also higher($24.9{\pm}14.9$) than normal($4.59{\pm}3.77$, p=0.0023). And there was a correlation between RMFI of ICAM on AM and the % of AM(r=-0.66, p=0.0001) and lymphocyte(r=0.447, p=0.0116) in BALF. Also RMFI of ICAM on lymphocyte had a significant (r=0.593, p=0.075) correlation with the % of IL-2R(+) lymphocyte in BALF. The soluble ICAM(sICAM) in serum was also significantly elevated in DILD($499.7{\pm}222.2\;ng/ml$) compred to normal($199.0{\pm}38.9$) (p=0.00097) and sICAM in BAL fluid was also significantly higher than normal control group($41.8{\pm}23.0\;ng/ml$ vs $20.1{\pm}13.6\;ng/ml$). There was a Significant correlation between sICAM level in serum and the expression of ICAM-l on AM(r=0.554, p=0.0259).Conclusion: These data suggest that in DILD the expression of adhesion molecules is increased in the AM and BAL lymphocytes with elevated serum sICAM, and these parameter may be useful in determining disease activity.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.17-29
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• 2014

GRAS probiotics can be used to modulate intestinal microbiota and to alleviate various gastrointestinal disorders. In several recent studies, researchers have explored the potential expansion and usability of probiotics to reduce the risk factors associated with diseases, including obesity, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia, and oxidative stress. In this review, our aim was to clarify the mechanism underlying interactions between hosts (animal or human) and probiotics and the beneficial effects of probiotics on human health.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.24-40
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• 2007

Background : Accumulating evidence shows that interleukin(IL)-1 plays a critical role in inflammation and connective tissue destruction observed in both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. IL-1 induces gene expression related to cytokines, chemokines and matrix metalloproteinases by activation of many different transcription factors. Materials and Methods : The chondrosarcoma cell line, SW1353, is known to be a valuable in vitro system for investigating catabolic gene regulation by IL-$1{\beta}$ in chondrocytic cells. To explore and analyze the changes in gene expression by IL-1 responsible for arthritis, SW1353 was treated with IL-1 for 1, 6 and 24 h and then total RNAs were purified for each time. The changes in gene expression were analyzed with 17k human cDNA microarrays and validated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results : Greater than a two-fold change was observed in 1,200 genes including metallothioneins, matrix metalloproteinases, extracellular matrix proteins, antioxidant proteins, cytoskeleton proteins, cell cycle regulatory proteins, proteins for cell growth and apoptosis, signaling proteins and transcription factors. These changes appeared to be correlate with the pathophysiological changes observed in early osteoarthritis. Conclusion : cDNA microarray analysis revealed a marked variability in gene expression, and provided insight into the overall molecular changes. The result of this study provide initial information for further studies to identify therapeutic targets in osteoarthritis pathogenesis.