• Toxicological Research
• /
• v.34 no.4
• /
• pp.343-354
• /
• 2018

Aluminum oxide nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$ NPs) are among the most widely used nanomaterials; however, relatively little information about their risk identification and assessment is available. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential toxicity of $Al_2O_3$ NPs following repeated inhalation exposure in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were exposed to $Al_2O_3$ NPs for 28 days (5 days/week) at doses of 0, 0.2, 1, and $5mg/m^3$ using a nose-only inhalation system. During the experimental period, we evaluated the clinical signs, body weight change, hematological and serum biochemical parameters, necropsy findings, organ weight, and histopathology findings. Additionally, we analyzed the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), including differential leukocyte counts, and aluminum contents in the major organs and blood. Aluminum contents were the highest in lung tissues and showed a dose-dependent relationship in the exposure group. Histopathology showed alveolar macrophage accumulation in the lungs of rats in the $5mg/m^3$ group during exposure and recovery. These changes tended to increase at the end of the recovery period. In the BALF analysis, total cell and neutrophil counts and lactate dehydrogenase, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, and interleukin-6 levels significantly increased in the 1 and $5mg/m^3$ groups during exposure. Under the present experimental conditions, we suggested that the no-observed-adverse-effect level of $Al_2O_3$ NPs in male rats was $1mg/m^3$, and the target organ was the lung.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.267-274
• /
• 2013

A beneficial radioprotective agent has been used to treat the radiation-induced lung injury. This study was performed to investigate whether curcumin, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, could ameliorate radiation-induced pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis in irradiated lungs. Rats were given daily doses of intragastric curcumin (200 mg/kg) prior to a single irradiation and for 8 weeks after radiation. Histopathologic findings demonstrated that macrophage accumulation, interstitial edema, alveolar septal thickness, perivascular fibrosis, and collapse in radiation-treated lungs were inhibited by curcumin administration. Radiation-induced transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression, and collagen accumulation were also inhibited by curcumin. Moreover, western blot analysis revealed that curcumin lowered radiation-induced increases of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Curcumin also inhibited the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) p65 in radiation-treated lungs. These results indicate that long-term curcumin administration may reduce lung inflammation and fibrosis caused by radiation treatment.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.40 no.4
• /
• pp.231-236
• /
• 2010

This study was to fabricate the porous poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microparticles with anthocyanin (as a model antioxidant) for pulmonary drug delivery. The highly porous PLGA microparticles were prepared by the waterin-oil-in-water ($W_1/O/W_2$) multi-emulsion method, followed by the decomposition of ammonium bicarbonate (AB) in $W_1$ phase to the base of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor at $50^{\circ}C$, making a porous structure in PLGA microparticles. Herein, hyaluronate (HA), a viscous polysaccharide, was incorporated in the porous microparticles for sustained anthocyanin release. In in vitro release studies, the anthocyanin release from the porous microparticles with HA continued up to 24 hours, while the porous microparticles without HA released 80 wt.% of encapsulated anthocyanin within 2 hours. In addition, these microparticle are expected to be effectively deposited at a lung epithelium due to its high porosity (low density) and avoid alveolar macrophage's uptake in the lung due to its large particle size. We believe that this system has a great pharmaceutical potential as a long acting antioxidant for relieving the oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.42 no.4
• /
• pp.476-484
• /
• 2018

Background: Korean Red Ginseng (steamed and dried white ginseng, Panax ginseng Meyer) is well known for enhancing vital energy and immune capacity and for inhibiting cancer cell growth. Some clinical studies also demonstrated a therapeutic potential of ginseng extract for treating lung inflammatory disorders. This study was conducted to establish the therapeutic potential of ginseng saponins on the lung inflammatory response. Methods: From Korean Red Ginseng, 11 ginsenosides (Rb1, Rb2, Rb3, Rc, Rd, Re, Rf, Rg1, Rg2, Rg3, and Rh2) were isolated. Their inhibitory potential and action mechanism were evaluated using a mouse model of lung inflammation, acute lung injury induced by intranasal lipopolysaccharide administration. Their anti-inflammatory activities were also examined in lung epithelial cell line (A549) and alveolar macrophage (MH-S). Results: All ginsenosides orally administered at 20 mg/kg showed 11.5-51.6% reduction of total cell numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Among the ginsenosides, Rc, Re, Rg1, and Rh2 exhibited significant inhibitory action by reducing total cell numbers in the BALF by 34.1-51.6% (n = 5). Particularly, Re showed strong and comparable inhibitory potency with that of dexamethasone, as judged by the number of infiltrated cells and histological observations. Re treatment clearly inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$, and the c-Fos component in the lung tissue (n = 3). Conclusion: Certain ginsenosides inhibit lung inflammatory responses by interrupting these signaling molecules and they are potential therapeutics for inflammatory lung diseases.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.32 no.12
• /
• pp.1078-1086
• /
• 1999

배경 :폐포내 fibronectin(FN)의 분포와 역할은 많은 연구자에 의하여 연구되어왔다. 흰주에서 폐의 분화시 FN은 태자에서 폐포의 기저막에 주로 분포되고 간엽조직에서도 관찰되면 분화가 진행되면 폐포막의 간질조직에 FN의 함량이 높아진다. 또 FN은 일반적으로 폐포대식세포(alveolar macrophage)에서 분비되고 폐에 질병이 발생하였을 때 다량의 FN이 폐포대식세포에서 분비된다고 보고되어 있다(Schoenberger 등 1984: Ozaki 등 1990; Rom 등 1987 ; Cordier 등 1990) 저자는 흰쥐의 폐포발생이 진행중인 폐포기 후반에서의 폐포막내 정상적인 FN이니 분포의 변화와폐포를 구성하는 큰 폐포세포(type II pneumocyte)에서의 FN의 분비여부를 면역조직염색법과 전자현미경을 이용하여 추적하고자하였다 실험대상 및 방법: 청정동물실에서 사육한 SPF 흰쥐(Sprague-Dawley 계)를 임신시켜 질도말법을 이용하여 태령을 정한 뒤 태아제 17일 및 20일 출생 제 1일, 2일, 3일, 5일, 및 7일의 신생흰쥐를 실험동물로 사용하였으며 대조군의 흰쥐는 체중 200ㅎ의 건강한 수컷을 사용하였다 흰쥐의 폐조직은 면역조직염색을 위해 rabbit anti rat fibronectin polyclonal antibody를 일차항체로 biotinylated goat anti rabbit IgG를 이차항체로 사용하여 폐실질세포내 FN의 분포를 LM으로 관찰하였고 한편 폐포막을 구성하는 세포 중 큰폐포세포가 FN을 분비하는 세포인지를 추적하기 위해 금과립을 첨가한 항체를 사용하여 큰 폐포세포내 FN의 분포를 EM을 이용해서 추적한 결과 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다 결과 : 제 17일 및 20일 태아시기의 폐에서의 혈관주위에 강한 FN반응이 관찰되었다 출생후 폐포막의 FN의 활성은 출생후 5일 및 7일에 최고주에 달했다. 출생직후 1-2일경에 혈관의 조직내 FN의 활성이 양성을 나타내지만 3일이후 활성이감소되었다. 폐포대식세포내 FN의 활성은 출생후 증가되었다. 폐조직내 소기관지의 FN의 활성은 출생후 완만하게 상승되었다. 큰 폐포세포는 출생 1-3일에 일정량의 FN 반응이 세포질과 미세융모내에 관찰되었다. 결론 : 이상과 같은 결과로 흰쥐의 폐포의 분화과정이 계속되는 출생후 폐에서 FN의 분비는 7일이내에 성숙흰쥐의 폐포내 반응과 비슷한 반응으르 보이며 이때 폐의 실질조직은 분화가 거의 완료되었을 것으로 사료되었고 큰 폐포세포에서도 FN이 분비되는 것으로 결론지울수 있다.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.473-483
• /
• 2021

Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the potential toxicity of 2-butoxyethanol after intratracheal instillation in male rats. Methods: In order to calculate median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of 2-butoxyethanol using Probit analysis with SAS program, the 2-butoxyethanol was administered with dose levels of 0, 101.64, 203.28 and 406.56 mg/kg by once intratracheal instillation to male rats. During the test period, clinical signs, mortality, body weights, organ weights, hematology, and serum biochemistry were examined. At the end of 14 days observation period, all animals were sacrificed and gross finding and histopathological examination were performed. Results: All animals of 406.56 mg/kg group died within 2 weeks after the administration of 2-butoxyethanol. Treatment-related clinical signs, gross observation and histopathological changes (mucous cell hyperplasia, alveolar macrophage aggregation, and hemorrhage) of lung exhibited an increased in 2-butoxyethanol treated groups in a dose dependent manner. However, there were no changes in the organ weights, hematology and serum biochemistry, and histopathology of any other organ except lung. Conclusions: On the basis of the results, it was concluded that a single intratracheal instillation of 2-butoxyethanol in male Sprague-Dawley rats resulted in some adverse effects on mortality, clinical sign, and histopathology in the lung. In the experimental conditions, the LD₅₀ of 2-butoxyethanol was considered to be 287.2 mg/kg and lung was founded to be the target organ of 2-butoxyethanol.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.39 no.4
• /
• pp.325-333
• /
• 1992

Background and Methods: To study the effects of corticosteroid (CS) on the parquat (PQ) induced lung injury, serial cellular analyses of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were done with simultaneous histopathologic examination after intraperitoneal injection of PQ on the rats. The sacrificed animals were divided into three groups; control group, PQ group received intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg of PQ, and CS group received daily injection of Methylprednisolone sodium succinate (20 mg/kg) in addition to PQ. Results: 1) Cellular analyses of BAL fluid: The total cell count in the BAL fluid were increased gradually from 6 hours after PQ administration (p<0.05), and was decreased at 3 days after (p<0.05). These changes were mainly due to the effects of PQ on the neutrophil influx (p<0.05). But, the number of macrophage and the percentage of lymphocyte in total cells showed little changes. The CS administration showed the suppression of neutrophil influx in the BAL fluid (p<0.05), but could not show any significant effect on the number of macrophage and lymphocyte. 2) Histopathologic examination: In the PQ group, inflammatory changes especially with prominant neutrophil infiltration were gradually progressed over time. Those changes were found in both alveolar space and interstitium with resultant alveolar structural changes, but subsided from 3 days after. CS suppressed inflammatory changes in the alvolar space and interstitium, especially with decreased infiltration of neutrophil. Conclusion: CS suppressed neutrophil infiltration in the acute lung injury induced by PQ, those findings were ascertained by serial cellular analyses of BAL fluid and histopathologic examination.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.215-228
• /
• 1999

Background: Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous inflammatory disease of unknown etiology often involving the lungs and intrathoracic lymph nodes. The natural course of sarcoidosis is variable from spontaneous remission to significant morbidity or death. But, the mechanisms causing the variable clinical outcomes or any single parameter to predict the prognosis was not known. In sarcoidosis, the number and the activity of CD4 + lymphocytes are significantly increased at the loci of disease and their oligoclonality suggests that the CD4 + lymphocytes hyperreactivity may be caused by persistent antigenic stimulus. Recently, it has been known that CD4+ lymphocytes can be subdivided into 2 distinct population(Th1 and Th2) defined by the spectrum of cytokines produced by these cells. Th1 cells promote cellular immunity associated with delayed type hypersensitivity reactions by generating IL-2 and IFN-$\gamma$. Th2 cells playa role in allergic responses and immediate hypersensitivity reactions by secreting IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10. CD4+ lymphocytes in pulmonary sarcoidosis were reported to be mainly Th1 cells. IL-12 has been known to play an important role in differentiation of undifferentiated naive T cells to Th1 cells. And, Moller et al. observed increased IL-12 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) in patients with sarcoidosis. So it is possible that the elevated level of IL-12 is necessary for the continuous progression of the disease in active sarcoidosis. This study was performed to test the assumption that IL-12 can be a marker of active pulmonary sarcoidosis. Methods: We measured the concentration of IL-12 in BALF and in conditioned medium of alveolar macrophage(AM) using ELISA(enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method in 26 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis(10 males, 16 females, mean age: $39.8{\pm}2.1$ years) and 11 normal control. Clinically, 14 patients had active sarcoidosis and 12 patients had inactive. Results: Total cells counts, percentage and number of lymhocytes, number of AM and CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio in BALF were significantly higher in patients with sarcoidosis than in control group. But none of these parameters could differentiate active sarcoidosis from inactive disease. The concentration of IL-12 in BALF was significantly increased in sarcoidosis patients ($49.3{\pm}9.2$ pg/ml) than in normal control ($2.5{\pm}0.4$ pg/ml) (p<0.001). Moreover it was significantly higher in patients with active sarcoidosis ($70.3{\pm}14.8$ pg/ml) than in inactive disease ($24.8{\pm}3.l$ pg/ml) (p=0.001). Also, the concentration of IL-12 in BALF showed significant correlation with the percentage of AM(p<0.001), percentage(p<0.001) and number of lymphocyte(p<0.001) in BALF, suggesting the close relationship between the level of IL-12 in BALF and the inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs. Furthermore, we found a significant correlation between the level of IL-12 and the concentration of soluble ICAM-1 : in serum(p<0.001) and BALF (p=0.001), and also between IL-12 level and ICAM-1 expression of AM(p<0.001). The AM from patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis secreted significantly larger amount of IL-12 ($206.2{\pm}61.9$ pg/ml) than those of control ($68.3{\pm}43.7$ pg/ml) (p<0.008), but, there was no difference between inactive and active disease group. Conclusion : Our data suggest that the BALF IL-12 level can be used as a marker of the activity of pulmonary sarcoidosis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.1179-1185
• /
• 2008

The immune-stimulating activities of Bordetella bronchiseptica antigens containing dermonecrotoxin (BBD) loaded in chitosan microspheres (CMs) have already been reported in vitro and in vivo with a mouse alveolar macrophage cell line (RAW264.7) and mice. Therefore, this study attempted to demonstrate the successful induction of mucosal immune responses after the intranasal administration of BBD loaded in CMs (BBD-CMs) in colostrum-deprived pigs. The BBD was introduced to the CMs using an ionic gelation process involving tripolyphosphate (TPP). Colostrum-deprived pigs were then directly immunized through intranasal administration of the BBD-CMs. A challenge with a field isolate of B. bronchiseptica was performed ten days following the final immunization. The BBD-specific IgG and IgA titers, evident in the nasal wash and serum from the vaccinated pigs, increased with time (p<0.05). Following the challenge, the clinical signs of infection were about 6-fold lower in the vaccinated pigs compared with the nonvaccinated pigs. The grades for gross morphological changes in the turbinate bones from the vaccinated pigs were also significantly lower than the grades recorded for the nonvaccinated pigs (p<0.001). Therefore, the mucosal and systemic immune responses induced in the current study would seem to indicate that the intranasal administration of BBD-CMs may be an effective vaccine against atrophic rhinitis in pigs.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.44 no.4
• /
• pp.557-562
• /
• 2016

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis are gram-negative bacteria frequently found in lesions from patients with periodontitis manifesting alveolar bone loss. Lipopolysaccharides are a major virulence factor of gram-negative bacteria. Bone resorption is known to be regulated by bacteria and their virulence factors. In the present study, we investigated the effects of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis on bone resorption. Heat-killed A. actinomycetemcomitans (HKAa) and heatkilled P. gingivalis (HKPg) induced bone loss in the femurs of mice after intraperitoneal administration. HKAa and HKPg augmented the differentiation of committed osteoclast precursors into osteoclasts, while they inhibited the differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages into osteoclasts. Concordant with the effects of the heat-killed whole cells, LPS purified from A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis also augmented osteoclast differentiation from committed osteoclast precursors but attenuated it from bone marrow-derived macrophages. Taken together, these results suggest that the whole cells and lipopolysaccharides of A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis induce the differentiation of committed osteoclast precursors into osteoclasts, potentially contributing to bone resorption in vivo.