• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.631-640
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee is a complex chemical mixture, with caffeine being the most well-known bioactive substance. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of coffee and caffeine impact health in various aspects, including the respiratory system. The objective is to investigate the effects of coffee and caffeine on airway hyperresponsiveness and allergic reactions, as well as to analyze and compare associated cytokine profiles. MATERIALS/METHODS: BALB/c mice were intraperitoneally sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and given OVA inhalation to induce airway hypersensitivity. Two weeks after sensitization, they were intragastrically gavaged with coffee or caffeine, both containing 0.3125 mg caffeine, daily for 4 weeks. Control mice were fed with double-distilled water. Serum OVA-specific antibody levels were measured beforehand and 5 weeks after the first gavage. Airway hyperresponsiveness was detected by whole body plethysmography after gavage. Cytokine levels of bronchoalveolar lavage and cultured splenocytes were analyzed. RESULTS: Coffee effectively suppressed T helper 2-mediated specific antibody response. Airway responsiveness was reduced in mice treated with either coffee or caffeine. Compared to the control, coffee significantly reduced OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G, IgG1 and IgE antibody responses (P < 0.05). Caffeine also attenuated specific IgG and IgG1 levels, though IgE level was unaffected. Coffee significantly reduced interleukin (IL)-4 and increased IL-10 concentration in spleen cells and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Coffee effectively attenuated airway hyperresponsiveness and systemic allergic responses induced by OVA food allergen in mice. As a complex composition of bioactive substances, coffee displayed enhanced immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects than caffeine.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.78 no.3
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• pp.210-217
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• 2015

Background: Adenophora triphylla var. japonica is empirically used for controlling airway inflammatory diseases in folk medicine. We evaluated the gene expression and production of mucin from airway epithelial cells in response to lupenone, lupeol and taraxerol derived from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica. Methods: Confluent NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with lupenone, lupeol or taraxerol for 30 minutes and then stimulated with tumor necrosis factor ${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) for 24 hours. The MUC5AC mucin gene expression and production were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Additionally, we examined whether lupenone, lupeol or taraxerol affects MUC5AC mucin production induced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), the other 2 stimulators of airway mucin production. Results: Lupenone, lupeol, and taraxerol inhibited the gene expression and production of MUC5AC mucin induced by TNF-${\alpha}$ from NCI-H292 cells, respectively. The 3 compounds inhibited the EGF or PMA-induced production of MUC5AC mucin in NCI-H292 cells. Conclusion: These results indicated that lupenone, lupeol and taraxerol derived from Adenophora triphylla var. japonica regulates the production and gene expression of mucin, by directly acting on airway epithelial cells. In addition, the results partly explain the mechanism of of Adenophora triphylla var. japonica as a traditional remedy for diverse inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.218-231
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• 2019

Background: We recently reported that Salvia plebeia R. Br. extracts suppress leukotriene production and effectively inhibit the airway inflammatory response by modulating inflammatory chemokine and cytokine expression. Here, we investigated the synergistic airway anti-inflammation effect of Salvia plebeia and Panax ginseng (Korean red ginseng, KRG) that has been used to treat various immune diseases such as asthma. Methods and Results: To evaluate the synergistic airway anti-inflammatory effect of Salvia plebeia and KRG, we measured the inhibitory effect of monotheraphy with either or co-theraphy with both on leukotriene and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Using coal a combustion, fly ash, and diesel exhaust particle (CFD)-induced respiratory disease mouse model, we found that co-theraphy synergistically suppressed airway inflammatory signs such as alveolar wall thickness and collagen fibers deposition, and decreased the number of total cell, $CD11b^+Gr-1^+$ cells, and inflammatory cytokines (IL17A, TNF, MIP-2 and CXCL-1) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Conclusions: We confirmed respiratory protection as a therapeutic effect of the Salbia plebeia-KRG 3 : 1 complex (KGC-03-PS) via anti-tracheal muscle contraction and expectorant animal studies using a CFD-induced respiratory disease mouse model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.68 no.1
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• pp.6-9
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• 2010

Background: The efficacious use of interventional bronchoscope for patients with central airway obstruction due to malignant or benign lesions has been proven. Among many therapeutic bronchoscopic procedures, endobronchial cryotherapy is an established recanalization method for the obstruction of the respiratory tract. Recently, the use of this procedure has been increasing in Korea. However, limited data are available in the literature regarding its efficacy in Korea. Methods: Thirty patients, who had been treated with a flexible cryoprobe for cryotherapy were enrolled; clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes were analyzed. The patients had been treated with the technique using nitrous oxide as a cryogen under local anesthesia. Objective outcomes were 3 different degrees of therapeutic success by use of follow-up bronchoscopic findings as follows: successful, partially successful, and unsuccessful response. Subjective outcomes were evaluated as an improvement in symptoms. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was $59{\pm}11$ years and there was a male (22/30) dominance. Twenty-three patients had malignant tumor and 7 patients had benign lesions with central airway obstruction. Successful recanalization was achieved in 11 (37%) patients, and partially successful response was achieved in 15 (50%) patients. Dyspnea was improved in 84.2% (16/19) of patients. At least one respiratory symptom was resolved in 91.3% (21/23) patients. Seven patients (23.3%) needed additional bronchoscopic electrocautery because of the bleeding as a complication of cryotherapy. Conclusion: Endobronchial cryotherapy is an effective and less expensive procedure for the management of central airway obstruction. However, the procedure should be performed under the preparing for an emergency situation, such as massive bleeding.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.257-272
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• 2009

This case report describes the treatment of an adult patient with a Class I canine and molar relationship but a convex profile with a retrognathic mandible and marked lip protrusion, as well as an excessive lower anterior facial height and reduced transverse width on both arches due to a nasal airway obstruction. The constricted arches were expanded by surgically-assisted rapid palatal expansion and the application of a Schwarz appliance to the maxilla and mandible. Acceptable facial balance was obtained using contemporary directional force technology with microimplant anchorage (MIA), which provided horizontal and vertical anchorage in the maxillary and mandibular posterior teeth, as well as intrusion and torque control in the maxillary anterior teeth, resulting in a favorable counterclockwise mandibular response. The total treatment period was 29 months and the results were acceptable for 13 months after debonding.

• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1993.09a
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• pp.84-93
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• 1993

It has been reported that ginseng is effective in the central nervous system, immune system, and the strong inflammatory responses. However, there has been no research report yet about the effect of ginseng on allergic hypersensitivity reactivity. To confirm the ginseng effects on the release of mediators(histamine. leukotrienes etc.) which cause the hypersensitivity reactivity and inflammatory response, we used actively sensitized guinea pig airway tissues by utilizing the superfusion technique. In this procedure. the contractile response and mediators released after antigen stimulation of sensitized tissues, and IgG and IgE antibody products were measured in sera of immunized animals. Then the results of the controll group were compared to those of ginseng pretreatment groups. In the total saponin(TS) and panaxatriol(PT) pretreatment, histamine release decreased by $20\%$ in the tracheal tissues after active sensitization by ovalbumin(OVA, 10mg/kg), but in the lung parenchyma, histamine release decreased by $40\%.$ Panaxadiol(PD) significantly decreased histamine release by $40\%$ in the both tissues after active sensitization. TS, PT and PD of ginseng poorly blocked leukotrienes (LTs) and prostagrandin $D_2(PGD_2)$ release(less than $10\%$). Ginseng TS and PT had no effect on the serum IgG antibody production by ovalbumin, whereas PD significantly increased serum IgG antibody contents(approximately by 2 times). However, $IgG_1$ antibody products in the serum of guinea pig actively sensitized with ovalbumin after PD pretreatment were decreased, compared to that with ovalbumin alone. IgE antibody production by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA) titer in the TS pretreatment increased 3 times more than in the absence of TS(PCA titer by PT was not detected). These studies show that some ginseng saponins can in part act to inhibit mediator release in antigen - induced airway smooth muscle by inducing the IgG antibody production which has been changed in the specificity.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.162-166
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• 2001

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS) is a complex sleep disorder characterized by intermittent apnea secondary to sleep-induced obstruction of the upper airway. It occurs because of an airway obstruction anywhere between the trachea and the oronasal apparatus. The hallmark of OSAS is snoring, which is caused by vibration of the tissues of the pharynx as the airway narrows. The consequences of OSAS have focused on excessive daytime sleepiness resulting from sleep fragmentation and the cardiovascular derangements producing hypertension and arrhythmias. The primary method of controlling OSAS has been surgery. The current surgical procedures used for OSAS are tracheostomy, tonsillectomy, nasal septoplasty, uvulopalatopharyngoplasty, anterior mandibular osteotomy with hyoid myotomy and suspension, and maxillary, mandibular and hyoid advancement. We report a case of OSAS that was improved by genial advancement with infrahyoid myotomy and suspension. The patient was objectively documented by polysomnography, cephalometric analysis, and physical examination before the surgical procedure. The patient underwent genial advancement with infrahyoid myotomy and suspension. Patient had a good response from surgery.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.83 no.3
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• pp.185-194
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• 2020

Blood eosinophil counts have emerged as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) biomarker that predict the effects of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in clinical practice. Post-hoc and prospective analysis of randomized control trials have shown that higher blood eosinophil counts at the start of the study predict a greater response to ICS. COPD patients with frequent exacerbations (2 or more moderate exacerbations/yr) or a history of hospitalization have a greater response to ICS. Ex-smokers also appear to have a greater ICS response. Blood eosinophil counts can be combined with clinical information such as exacerbation history and smoking status to enable a precision medicine approach to the use of ICS. Higher blood eosinophil counts are associated with increased eosinophilic lung inflammation, and other biological features that may contribute to the increased ICS response observed. Emerging data indicates that lower blood eosinophil counts are associated with an increased risk of bacterial infection, suggesting complex relationships between eosinophils, ICS response, and the airway microbiome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.424-430
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• 2013

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) has been extensively investigated as a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation in asthma. The increased NO expression induced by inflammatory mediators in airways can be monitored easily in exhaled air from asthmatic children. Based on the relationship between the increased NO expression and eosinophilic airway inflammation, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurements become an important adjunct for the evaluation of asthma. In addition, the availability of portable devices makes it possible to measure FeNO more easily and frequently in the routine pediatric practice. Despite various confounding factors affecting its levels, FeNO can be applicable in diagnosing asthma, monitoring treatment response, evaluating asthma control, and predicting asthma exacerbations. Thus, although pulmonary function tests are the standard tools for objective measurements of asthmatic control, FeNO can broaden the way of asthma monitoring and supplement standard clinical asthma care guidelines.