• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.260-273
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• 2004

Backgrounds : In recent years, asthma has become recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease associated pathologically with airway epithelial inflammation and airway remodeling. Objectives : To evaluate the different effects of Hirudo depending upon pharmaceutical manufactures on the expression and the activities of IL-6 and GM-CSF in airway epithelial cells, samples of Hirudo(水蛭), Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) and Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) were tested. Methods : After inducing enhanced messenger RNA(mRNA) expression and secretion of each cytokine by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(10 ng/ml) treatment, cultured human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was added to each sample$(l,\;10,\;100\;&\;1000\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Subsequently, DNA activities were analyzed. Specifically mRNA expression and culture supernatants(protein levels) of IL-6 and GM-CSF from BEAS-2B cells, were analyzed using luciferase reporter gene assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) inhibited IL-6 activities in BEAS-2B cells remarkably, and inhibited mRNA expression levels and protein levels in supernatant of IL-6 and GM-CSF at various concentrations, significantly(p<0.05). However, Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) had no effect on mRNA expression levels and showed a slight inhibitory effect on GM-CSF protein levels in supernatant of culture medium. Conclusions : These results strongly suggest that Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) would be serve as effective medicaments in the treatment of airway inflammation and remodeling of asthmatic patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제74권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2013

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be measured easily, rapidly, and noninvasively for the assessment of airway inflammation, particularly mediated by eosinophil, such as asthma. In bronchiectasis (BE), the pathogenesis has been known as chronic airway inflammation and infection with abnormal airway dilatation; however, there are little studies to evaluate the role of FeNO in BE. Methods: From March 2010 to February 2012, 47 patients with BE, diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), performed FeNO, compared with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All patients carried out a complete blood count including eosinophil count, chemistry, sputum examination, and spirometry, if indicated. A retrospective analysis was performed to elucidate the clinical role of FeNO in BE patients. Results: The mean FeNO levels in patients with BE was $18.8{\pm}1.5$ part per billion (ppb), compared to $48.0{\pm}6.4$ and $31.0{\pm}4.3$ in those with asthma and COPD, respectively (p<0.001). The FeNO levels tended to increase along with the disease severity scores by HRCT; however, it was statistically not significant. FeNO in BE with a co-infection of nontuberculous mycobacteria was the lowest at $17.0{\pm}3.5$ ppb among the study population. Conclusion: FeNO in BE was lower than other chronic inflammatory airway diseases, particularly compared with asthma. For clinical application of FeNO in BE, more large-scaled, prospective studies should be considered.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제77권6호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2014

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that comprises a variety of etiologies and inflammatory phenotypes. Clinically, there is a wide range of patients with varying severities and responses to individual drugs. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroid therapy has dramatically changed the treatment of asthma. Recent development of new therapies suggests the possibility of another breakthrough. These can be categorized as follows: anti-cytokine therapies that usually target eosinophilic inflammation, sublingual immunotherapy, and bronchial thermoplasty. In this paper, we will review the major articles related to asthma treatment that were published in 2013.

• 대한약학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한약학회 2003년도 Proceedings of the Convention of the Pharmaceutical Society of Korea Vol.1
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• pp.210.2-211
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• 2003

Eosinophilic inflammation is the main histological correlate of airway hyperresponsiveness and tissue injury in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma. Interleukin (IL)-5 appears to be one of main proinflammatory mediators that induce eosinophilic inflammation. Allergic IL -5-deficient mice do not generate eosinophilia in the bone marrow, blood or lung in response to allergen provocation. (omitted)

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.109-114
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• 2010

The molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are poorly defined. Accumulating evidences indicate that chronic inflammatory responses and adaptive immunity play important roles in the development and progression of the disease. Recently, it has been shown that IL-17 producing CD4 T cells, named Th17 cells, which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, are involved in airway inflammation and COPD. In addition, we and others suggest that autoimmunity may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of COPD. Here, we will review the current understanding of roles of Th17 cells and autoimmune responses in COPD.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제19권3호
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• pp.612-617
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• 2005

Astragali Radix(AR), is a popular tonic herb prescribed for 'insufficient qi' in Korea, Japan and China. The present study examined the effect of AR ethanol extract on ovalubumin induced allergic mouse model. AR administration reduced levels of IFN-gamma, Interleukin(IL)-4, IL-5 and total IgE in the OVA induced allergic inflammation. It also protected the upper airway respiratory epithelium from being damaged by the OVA induced inflammation. Taken together, our results showed that the use of AR alone proved to down-regulate Th1 and Th2 cytokine production and play a protective role in tissue damage in allergic disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제85권3호
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• pp.221-226
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• 2022

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation due to chronic airway inflammation and destruction of the alveolar structure from persistent exposure to oxidative stress. The body has various antioxidant mechanisms for efficiently coping with such oxidative stress. The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) is a representative system. Dysregulation of the Nrf2-ARE pathway is responsible for the development and promotion of COPD. Furthermore, COPD severity is also closely related to this pathway. There has been a clinical impetus to use Nrf2 for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Therefore, in this work, we systematically reviewed the clinical significance of Nrf2 in COPD patients, and discuss the value of Nrf2 as a potential COPD biomarker.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제86권3호
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• pp.151-157
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• 2023

The introduction of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for the management of asthma has led to a decrease in acute exacerbation of asthma. However, there are concerns regarding the safety of long-term ICS use, particularly pneumonia. Growing evidence indicates that ICS use is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whereas the risk in patients with asthma remains unclear. This review discusses the effect of ICS on pneumonia among patients with asthma to update the existing literature. Asthma is associated with an increased risk of pneumonia. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this association, including that asthma impairs the clearance of bacteria owing to chronic inflammation. Therefore, controlling airway inflammation with ICS may prevent the occurrence of pneumonia in asthma. In addition, two meta-analyses investigating randomized control trials showed that ICS use was associated with a protective effect against pneumonia in asthma.

• The Korean journal of internal medicine
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• 제39권2호
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• pp.215-227
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• 2024

Asthma is characterized by airway obstruction and inflammation, and presents significant diagnostic and treatment challenges. The concept of endotypes has improved understanding of the mechanisms of asthma and has stimulated the development of effective treatment strategies. Sputum profiles may be used to classify asthma into two major inflammatory types: type 2-high (T2H) and type 2-low (T2L) asthma. T2H, characterized by elevated type 2 inflammation, has been extensively studied and several effective biologic treatments have been developed. However, managing T2L is more difficult due to the lack of reliable biomarkers for accurate diagnosis and classification. Additionally, conventional anti-inflammatory therapy does not completely control the symptoms of T2L; therefore, further research is needed to identify effective biologic treatments. This review provides new insights into the clinical characteristics and underlying mechanisms of severe T2L and investigates potential therapeutic approaches to control the disease.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제43권3호
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• pp.420-433
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• 1996

연구 배경 : 기도의 신경성 염증에서 산화질소가 관여하는 것으로 알려져 있으나, 그 역할에 대해서는 논란이 많다. 본 연구는 기도 신경성 염증에 관여하는 산화질소의 역할을 보다 명확히 밝히고자 하였다. 방법 150-350gm의 백서를 이용하여 기도의 신경성 염증에서 신경단백질 수용체 차단제인 FK224와 산화질소 합성효소 억제제인 $N^{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) 의 혈장유출에 대한 효과를 먼저 확인하고, 기도 신경성 염증에 관여하는 산화질소가 기도의 신경말단에서만 유리되는 지 또는 신경성 염증에서 유리된 신경 단백질로 인하여 다른 폐장 조직 세포에서도 산화질소가 유리되는 지를 규명하기 위하여 산화질소 합성효소의 종류와 그 분포를 polyclonal anti-NOS antibody에 대한 면역화학효소법으로 확인하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 결과 : 백서의 기도 신경성 염증에서 신경단백질 수용체 차단제인 FK224는 혈장유출을 억제시키며 산화질소 합성효소 억제제인 L-NNA는 혈장유출을 증가시켰다(P<0.05). 기도 신경성 염증유발시 조직내 염증세포의 침윤은 증가되었으며, FK224로 전처치시 조직내의 염증세포의 침윤을 억제시켰다(P<0.05). 염증을 유발하는 것으로 알려진 유도형 산화질소 합성효소(iNOS)의 활성도는 침착된 염증세포에서만 유의하게 증가하였다(P<0.05). 염증을 억제하는 것으로 알려진 산화질소를 생성하는 구성형 산화질소 합성효소(cNOS)인 eNOS의 활성노는 혈관내피세포에서 증가하였으나 의미는 없었고, bNOS의 활성도는 신경성 염증에서 신경세포에서만 증가되었으며, FK224에 의해서도 bNOS의 활성도는 억제되지 않았다. 결론 : 기도의 신경성 염증에서 조직내 염증세포가 증가되며 iNOS에서 생성되는 산화질소가 주로 혈장유출에 관여하는 것으로 사료된다. FK224의 전처치는 염증세포의 조직내 침윤을 억제시키며, iNOS 의 활성도도 감소시켜 기도 혈장유출을 억제시키는 것으로 생각된다. 또한 기도의 신경성 염증에서 NANC신경에서도 산화질소가 유리됨을 알 수 있었으며, 기도 신경성 염증에서 산화질소 합성효소 억제제인 L-NNA로 혈장유출이 증가되는 것은 bNOS에서 유리되는 산화질소의 생성을 L-NNA가 억제시킬 수 있으므로 산화질소 합성효소 억제제가 기도 신경성 염증의 혈장유출을 증가시키는 데에 bNOS가 일부 작용할 것으로 생각되는 바이다.