• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.133-150
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• 2021

Purpose: The epidemiologic understanding of allergic diseases, including prevalence and risk factors, is needed for allergy management. This study identified the prevalence of and coping patterns for various types of allergies, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis (AR), atopic dermatitis (AD), allergic conjunctivitis (AC), food allergy (FA), and drug allergy (DA), in Nam-gu, Ulsan, one of the most industrialized districts in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-report multiple choice questionnaire. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) and other measures were reviewed to develop the questionnaire. Data was collected from May 9th to November 30th of 2018. Descriptive and frequency analyses were performed to apprehend the prevalence of symptoms, diagnostic rates, diagnosis dates, treatment history, and others. Results: By randomized sampling, 9,102 children from 25 nurseries, 25 kindergartens, and 15 elementary schools participated in the study. The prevalence of asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 11.1%, 48.7%, 15.5%, 17.6%, 15.1%, and 2.0%, respectively. The respective rate of ever being diagnosed with asthma, AR, AD, AC, FA, and DA were 4.2%, 38.4%, 25.5%, 23.3%, 9.7%, and 1.1%, respectively. Last year's allergy related school absenteeism rates were 10.8%, 4.1%, and 1.3% for asthma, AR, and AD, respectively. Lastly, 59.2% of the participants considered air pollution as the most challenging factor in allergy management. Conclusion: This study comprehensively investigated the current state of various allergic diseases in Nam-gu, Ulsan. The study's findings are expected to be applied to strategies for decreasing the socioeconomic burden of allergic diseases.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.58 no.9
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• pp.546-555
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• 2020

Allergic rhinitis is a specific IgE mediated inflammatory disease of the nasal mucosa, characterized by symptoms such as rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal obstruction, nasal and eye itching, and sneezing. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis varies according to country, age, and surveying methods, but it seems to increase worldwide, also in Korea. Prolonged mouth breathing caused by allergic rhinitis can produce muscular and postural alterations, causing alterations on the morphology, position, growth direction of the jaws, and malocclusion. Also, mouth breathing leads to dryness of the mouth, causing various oral diseases; gingivitis, halitosis, inflammation of tonsil, increased risk of dental caries and dental erosion. In dental clinic, using rapid maxillary expansion to persistent allergic rhinitis patients with narrow maxilla can enlarge maxillary dental arch and nasal cavity anatomy, improving nasal breathing and reducing nasal cavity resistance. However, it is desirable to use along with otolaryngologic treatment. Dentists should be aware of the characteristics of allergic rhinitis and its effects on patients, and consider when planning dental treatment.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.235-241
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• 2004

Gagam-danguiemja (GDGJ), a traditional Korean prescription, has been used as therapeutics for atopic allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis. To evaluate the atopic allergic effect of modified GDGJ, we investigated a possible effect of GDGJ on mast cell-mediated allergic reaction, cytokinases secretion and mRNA expression in vivo and in vitro. Mast cells are a potent source of mediators that regulate the inflammatory response in allergic reaction. In mice orally administered by GDGJ (0.01, 0.1 and 1.0 g/kg) for 1 h, compound 48/80-induced ear oedema was significantly reduced. TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8, and IL-6 secretion were inhibited by GDGJ in the human mast cell line (HNC-1). But TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-8, and IL-6 mRNA expression were not inhibited by GDGJ at the dose of 0.01 mg/ml. These findings may help in understanding the mechanism of action of this herbal medication, leading to the control of mast cells in atopic allergic reaction like AD.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.58-66
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• 2009

Allergic conjunctivitis is the most common allergic disease. These diseases are severe & frequent which requires search of new treatments. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of Tinospora cordifolia (TC), Rubia cordifolia Linn. (RC) on experimentally induced allergic conjunctivitis in rats. In this study, dried water soluble extracts of TC and RC. (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o. for 7 days) were evaluated for their antiallergic activity in Wistar rats. They were tested for inhibition of egg albumin-induced vascular permeability, inhibition of histamine release from the rat conjunctiva as well as in histamine content in tears. TC and RC showed significant (P < 0.05) inhibition in vascular permeability, inhibition in histamine release from the rat conjunctiva which is reflected by reduced level of histamine content in tears. The activities were found to be comparable to azelastine hydrochloride. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect on egg albumin-induced experimental allergic conjunctivitis in rat may be due to the antihistaminic activity of TC and RC. Our studies provide evidence that TC and RC may be beneficial in the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.185-191
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• 2010

Mast cell-mediated allergic disease is involved in many diseases such as anaphylaxis, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The discovery of drugs for the treatment of allergic disease is an important subject in human health. In the present study, the effect of water extract of Gleditsiae Spina (WGS) (Leguminosae), on compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction, anti-DNP IgE antibody-induced local allergic reaction, and histamine release from human mast cell line (HMC-1) cells were studied. In addition, the effect of WGS on phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus calcium ionophore A23187 (A23187)-induced gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines were investigated using HMC-1 cells. WGS was anally administered to mice for high and fast absorption. WGS inhibited compound 48/80-induced systemic allergic reaction. WGS dose-dependently decreased the IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis. WGS reduced histamine release from HMC-1 cells. In addition, WGS decreased the gene expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines in PMA plus A23187-stimulated HMC-1 cells. These findings provide evidence that WGS could be a candidate as an antiallergic agent.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2012

Mast cells play an important role in early and late phase allergic reactions through allergen and IgE-dependent release of histamine, proteases, prostaglandins, and several multifunctional cytokines. In this study, we investigated whether Cudrania tricuspidata extract (CTE) suppresses IgE-mediated allergic responses in mast cells, an allergic animal model, and its mechanism of action in mast cells. We found that CTE inhibited IgE-mediated degranulation and cytokine production in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 mast cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMC), as well as passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. With regard to its mechanism of action, CTE suppressed the activating phosphorylation of spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk), a key enzyme in mast cell signaling processes and that of LAT, a downstream adaptor molecule of Syk in $Fc{\varepsilon}RI$-mediated signal pathways. CTE also suppressed the activating phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and Akt. The present results strongly suggest that the anti-allergic activity of CTE is mediated through inhibiting degranulation and allergic cytokine secretion by inhibition of Syk kinase in mast cells. Therefore, CTE may be useful for the treatment of allergic diseases.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 1998

Mori Cortex Radicis, the root bark of mulberry tree, has been used in the treatment of bronchial asthma and other lung diseases in traditional medicine. There was a recent repor t that the water soluble part with molecular weight of above 10,000 has anti-allergic activity. Therefore, we intended to isolate and purify the anti-allergic compound from hot water extract of the Mori Cortex Radicis. Crude extract of Mori Cortex Radicis was prepared by hot-water extraction, and anti-allergic compound was further purified by alcohol precipitation, successive ultrafiltration, anion exchange chromatography and gel filtration chromatography. This compound had homogeneity which was shown by the sharp single peak in HPLC chromatogram (TSK-GEL G400OPW column, RI detector). The molecular weight of the compound was estimated as 23Kda on the basis of calibration curve plotted against protein standards. This compound was identified as complex of sugar, protein and lignin (19.2: 5.9: 72.7), and proteolysis could not decrease the anti-allergic activity but mild delignification decreased the activity remarkably. Therefore, we concluded that the anti-allergic compound of Mori Cortex Radicis was a lignin-carbohydrate complex.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.317-324
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• 2020

Mast cells play a key role in IgE-mediated allergic response. We investigated whether Swertia pseudochinensis Hara extract (SPE) inhibits IgE-mediated allergic response in mast cells and an allergic animal model. Additionally, we explored SPE's mechanism of action in mast cells. Our results showed that SPE inhibited both antigen-stimulated degranulation and the production of TNF-α and IL-4 in bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and rat basophilic leukemia (RBL)-2H3 cells. SPE also suppressed allergic response in IgE-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) in mice. As for the mechanism of action of SPE in mast cells, it inhibited the activation of Syk kinase, a critical signaling protein in the FcεRI-mediated signaling pathway, and also the activation of LAT, a downstream adaptor protein of Syk. We further observed the reduced activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases (P38, ERK1/2, and JNK) and Akt in mast cells. Our results described for the first time that SPE has an anti-allergic effect by suppressing mast cells through the inhibition of Syk kinase. Therefore, SPE may be useful for the treatment of type I allergic diseases.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.249-273
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• 1997

Hyunggyeyungyotang has been used for treatment of sinusitis and otitis media in oriental medicine since ancient times. It is reported that Hyunggyeyungyotang has good effects on inflammatory and allergic diseases of otorhinolaryngology in clinical medicine. Kamihyunggyeyungyotang was made by adding several herbs to Hyunggyeyungyotang which has such good effects. To investigate the effects of Hyunggyeyungyotang and Kamihyunggyeyungyotang on inflammatory, algesic and allergic diseases, the author examined the analgesic effect by acetic acid reaction, studied the anti-inflammatory effect through the experiments of the protein thermo-denaturation and circumscribed edema. Besides researched the anti-allergic effect through the vascular permeability response to Chemical Mediator and the delayed type hypersensitivity response to Picryl Chloride. The obtained results were as follows ; 1. In the analgesic effect of Hyunggyeyungyotang and Kamihyunggyeyungyotang extract by acetic acid method, both of the sample groups showed the analgesia, but didn't show useful effect. 2. In the anti-inflammatory effect on the protein thermo-denaturation, the sample groups revealed the inhibitory effect in proportion to concentration as compared with the control group. 3. In the inhibitory action on circumscribed edema induced by Caraggeenin, both of Hyunggyeyungyotang and Kamihyunggyeyungyotang administration showed the significant effect after 4 hours in comparison to the control group. 4. In the delayed type hypersensitivity response to Picryl Chloride, both of the sample groups revealed the significant effects. 5. Both of the sample groups decreased the vascular permeability induced by Histamine in comparison with the control group, but the significancy was admitted in only Hyunggyeyungyotang administration. According to above results, Hyunggyeyungyotang and Kamihyunggyeyungyotang are considered to be used for treament of the inflammatory diseases including sinusitis.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.472-481
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• 2012

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the AD (allergic diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis) prevalence among elementary schoolchildren in an industrial city, Ulsan, and identify major environmental risk factors associated with AD prevalence. Methods: Data on the physician-diagnosed prevalence over the past 12 months and potential risk factors of AD were collected through a questionnaire from a 2009-2010 survey of 4,067 schoolchildren living in different urban environments. The logistic regression analysis was performed to assess differences in AD prevalence among the areas and to determine which environmental factors impacted AD. Results: Our survey results showed that the AD prevalence rate ranged between 26.2% and 35.9%. Children living in polluted areas (near industrial and central urban areas) had about a 10% higher prevalence of AD than did those living in coastal or suburban residences. The Chi-Square test demonstrated that this local difference was statistically significant before and after adjustment of major confounders such as parental AD history and parental education. The results of the logistic regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between several environmental factors (ventilation in winter, odor conditions and exposure to traffic smoke, and outdoor $PM_{10}/O_3$ pollution) and the prevalence of AD found by multivariate model after adjusting confounders. Conclusion: These results suggest that local differences in AD prevalence are significantly associated with outdoor environmental factors. Although there are likely to be other risk factors for AD, living in a polluted area and exposure to high levels of air pollutants can contribute to an increased risk of childhood AD.