• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 1991

Radioaerosol inhalation imaging (RII) has been used in radionuclide pulmonary studies for the past 20 years. The method is well accepted for assessing regional ventilation because of its usefulness, easy fabrication and simple application system. To evaluate its clinical utility in the study of impaired regional ventilation in bronchial asthma, we obtained and analysed RIIs in 31 patients (16 women and 15 men; age ranging 21-76 years) with typical bronchial asthma at the Department of Radiology, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University Medical college, from January, 1988 to August, 1989. Scintiscans were obtained with radioaerosol produced by a BARC(Bhabha Atomic Reserch Center, India) nebulizer with 15 mCi of $^{99m}Tc-phytate$. The scanning was peformed in anterior, posterior and lateral projections following 5-minute inhalation of radioaerosol on sitting position. The scans were analyzed and correlated with the results of pulmonary function study and the findings of chest radiography. Fifteen patients had concomitant lung perfusion image with $^{99m}Tc-MAA$. Follow-up scans were obtained in 5 patients after bronchodilator therapy. The patients were divided into (1) attack type (4 patients), (2) resistant type (5 patients), (3) remittent type (10 patients) and (4) bronchitic type (12 patients). Chest radiography showed hyperinflation, altered pulmonary vascularity, thickening of the bronchial wall and accentuation of basal interstitial markings in 26 of the 31 patients. Chest radiographs were norma! in the remaining 5 patients. Regardless of type, the findings of RII were basically the same, and characterized by the deposition of radioaerosol in the central parts or in the main respiratory air ways along with mottled nonsegmental ventilation defects in the periphery. Peripheral parenchymal defects were more extensive than that of expected findings from clinical symptoms, pulmonary function test and chest radiograph. Broomstick sign was present in 17 patients. The abnormality of RII was poorly correlated with perfusion scans. In all 5 patients treated with bronchodilators, follow-up study demonstrated a decrease in the degree of radioaerosol deposition in the central air way with improved ventilation defects. This study indicates that RII is a useful technique for the evaluation of regional ventilation abnormality and the effect of treatment with bronchodilators in patients with bronchial asthma.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-83
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• 2003

Background : Production of cytokines by bronchial epithelial cells may contribute to the local accumulation of inflammatory cells in patients with bronchial asthma. In many recent studies, molecular biological methods have been used to investigate the role of cytokines in pathogenesis and new therapeutic targets of asthma. Objective : We aimed to identify the dose-dependent inhibitory effects of Socheongryong-tang and Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (Adenophorae Radix) on the mRNA expressions of Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) involved in the asthma model. Materials and Methods : In this study, BEAS-2B cell lines, human epithelial cells, were used. These cells were stimulated by tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha},{\;}IL-1{\beta}$ and histamine for artificial inflammatory expression. ${\beta}-actin$ messenger RNA (mRNA) was used for the internal standard. After each 24 hours of the Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯) and Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (小靑 龍湯加沙蔘) treatment, total cellular RNAs were collected by applying RNAzol directly to the living cells. Then the transcriptional activities of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF were measured by RT-PCR with electrophoresis. Results : In the Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯) study, the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF were significantly inhibited compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). In the Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (小靑龍湯加沙蔘) study, the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF were significantly inhibited compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions : This study shows that Socheongryong-tang (小靑龍湯) and Socheongryong-tang plus Sasam (小靑龍湯加沙蔘) have dose-dependent inhibitory effects on the mRNA expressions of IL-6, IL-8 and GM-CSF in human epithelial cells, so these herbal medicines may inhibit the inflammatory process of asthma. Advanced studies are required to investigate the mechanisms of inhibition by herbal medicine in the asthma model.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.697-704
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• 1998

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by a marked infiltration of eosinophils in the bronchial mucosa. Asthmatic bronchial mucosa produces many factors described as being chemotactic for inflammatory cells. IL-5, RANTES, and MCP-1 alpha are the chemotactic factors for eosinophils, but their roles are controversial. Recently eotaxin that is a potent eosinophil chemoattractant cytokine was detected in a guinea-pig model of allergic airway inflammation, and human eotaxin was cloned. Eotaxin is a specific chemoattractant for eosinophils, but its role in asthma is not confirmed. We examined the in vivo expression of eotaxin in bronchi of asthmatic patients. Methods : 11 asthmatics and 2 normal controls were enrolled. All subjects were underwent bronchoscopy with bronchial biopsies in 2nd or 3rd carina. RNA extraction from biopsy samples was done by acid-guanidium method. Semi-quantitaive RT-PCR was done for evaluation of eotaxin mRNA expression The extent of eosinophil infiltration was evaluated by counting the eosinophils in submucosa in HPF of microscope. Results : Eotaxin mRNA expressed in symptomatic, uncontrolled asthma. Steroid inhibited expression of eotaxin mRNA in asthma. Expression of eotaxin mRNA correlated with eosinophil infiltration in bronchial tissues. Conclusion: Expression of eotaxin mRNA increases in uncontrolled asthma and eotaxin is involved in the recruitment of eosinophils.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.29 no.1 s.52
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• pp.103-112
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• 1996

We studied the association of nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness with general characteristics, exposure concentration, respiratory symptoms, chest x-ray findings, past histories and pulmonary function. We determined bronchial hyperresponsiveness by methacholine challenge test. And we conducted a respiratory symptom questionnaire and performed spirometry on 111 workers occupationally exposed to isocyanates in various industries. About 21.6% of subjects had bronchial hyperresponsiveness. No significant differences were observed between the hyperresponsive and non-responsive group with respect to age, sex, employment period, height, and smoking histories. Cough and breathlessness were significantly associated with the bronchial hyperresponsiveness. The hyperresponsive group had more experience of bronchitis and asthma in the past than the non-responsive group. The lower $FEV_1\;and\;FEV_1%$ were closely related with bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness seems to be associated with some of respiratory symptoms, past histories and pulmonary function parameters in workers exposed to isocyanates.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.176-179
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• 1992

Bronchial webs are rare lesions which often go unrecognized. A 36-year-old female was admitted to our hospital for recurrent cough and dyspnea. A diagnosis of bronchial asthma was made and she was treated with conventional therapy. She did not respond to drug therapy. On the physical examination, there was localized wheezing on the left lung field. By the bronchogram, we found a membrane-like structure in the left main bronchus. A bronchoplasty was performed and now the patient leads her normal life without any medications for asthma.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.146-151
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• 2001

Background and Objectives： Primary benign masses in subglottis and trachea are rare. Symptoms of tracheal obstruction are similar to those of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, as well as malignant lesions. Materials and Methods： Eight patients with benign tracheal masses from April 1992 through June 2001, at otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. department of Seoul national university hospital were studied by retrospective medical record review. Results : They were 3 females and 5 males aged from 0 to 57 years. The pathologies of the intratracheal masses were lipoma. tuberculosis, pleomorphic adenoma, hemangioma(two case), reparative giant cell granuloma, epithelial inclusion cyst and nonspecific lymphadenopathy, respectively. The most characteristic symptoms were dyspnea and stridor, both inspiratory and expiratory. Five of them had been treated as bronchial asthma. Conclusion： For the management of patients with the subglottis and tracheal masses, it is important to establish secure airway. regardless of pathology of the masses. The diagnosis should be considered in any patient with asthma-like manifestation, especially who fails to respond to medical treatment. It is necessary to examine the airway thoroughly, and chest and simple cervical X-ray may contribute to the diagnosis of possible intratracheal mass.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.556-564
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• 2007

Purpose : We hypothesized that the persisting bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) of adolescents with asthma remission may be controlled mainly by genetic factors, and the BHR of symptomatic asthma by airway inflammation. ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene is considered to be a candidate gene in the development of BHR. Thus, ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism may be associated with the BHR of adolescents with asthma remission, but not with the BHR of symptomatic asthma. To evaluate this hypothesis, ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor gene polymorphism at 2 sites (Arg16-Gly, Gln27-Glu) were examined. Methods : Two hundred two adolescents with BHR ($PC_{20}<18\;mg/mL$) and long term remission (neither asthma-related symptoms nor medication during the previous 2 years) of their asthma (remission group), 182 adolescents with symptomatic asthma (symptomatic group), and 200 healthy adolescents (control group) were studied. Asthma phenotypes were determined using methacholine bronchial provocation test and skin prick test. Genotypes of ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor polymorphism were evaluated by PCR-based methods. Results : Gly/Gly allele and Gly16-Gln27 haplotype were more prevalent in the remission group than in the control group (P=0.01, P=0.02), although there was no difference between the symptomatic group and the control group. In the remission group, there was significant difference in geometric mean of $PC_{20}$ among the 3 groups subdivided by the number of Gly16-Gln27 haplotype, showing that the Gly16-Gln27 haplotype was positively associated with BHR. However, no association was found between Gly16-Gln27 haplotype and BHR in the symptomatic group. Conclusion : This study demonstrates that ${\beta}_2$-adrenoceptor polymorphism at amino acid 16 and 27 was associated with BHR persisting in adolescents with asthma remission.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.581-588
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• 2006

Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airway associated with increased bronchial hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of cough, wheezing, breathless, chest tightness. According the recent studies, repeated airway inflammation leads to structural changes so called 'airway remodeling' and associated with decreased pulmonary function. Airway remodeling begins form the early stage of asthma and the early diagnosis and management is very important to prevent airway remodeling. Medication for asthma can be classified into acute symptom reliever and chronic controller. Short acting beta2 agonist is a well-known reliever that reduced asthma symptoms within minutes. Controllers should be taken daily as a long-term basis to control airway inflammation. Inhaled corticosteroid(ICS) is the most effective controller in current use. However, in some patients ICS monotherapy is not sufficient to control asthma. In those cases, other medications such as long acting beta2 agonist, leukotriene modifier or sustained-release theophylline should be added to ICS, which called Add-on-Therapy. Combination inhaler devices are easy to use. Oral leukotriene modifier has a good compliance especially in children. Finally, as asthma is a chronic disease, the development of on-going partnership among health care professionals, the patients, and the patients' family is necessary for the effective management of asthma.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.460-466
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• 2024

Asthma is characterized by chronic inflammation and respiratory tract remodeling. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) play important roles in the pathogenesis and regulation of chronic inflammatory processes in asthma. The role of PPARγ has been studied using synthetic PPARγ agonists in patients with asthma. However, involvement of PPARα/δ has not been studied in asthma. In the present study, we investigated if elafibranor, a PPARα/δ dual agonist, can modulate ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma, which is a potential drug candidate for non-alcoholic fatty liver in obese patients. Elafibranor suppresses antigen-induced degranulation in RBL-2H3 mast cells without inducing cytotoxicity in vitro. In mice with OVA-induced allergic asthma, the administration of elafibranor suppressed OVA-induced airway hyper-responsiveness at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Elafibranor also suppressed the OVA-induced increase in immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Histological studies suggested that elafibranor suppressed OVA-induced lung inflammation and mucin hyper-production in the bronchial airways. In addition, elafibranor suppressed OVA-induced increases in serum immunoglobulin E and IL-13 levels in BALF. Conversely, the present study suggests that elafibranor has the potential for use in patients with allergic asthma.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.815-821
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• 1997

Background : Salmeterol, a new ${\beta}_2$-adrenergic receptor agonist, is a long-acting bronchodilator and benefits patients with asthma who have nocturnal symptoms. We wished to assess the efficacy of inhaled salmeterol ($50{\mu}g$ bid) compared to inhaled salbutamol ($200{\mu}g$ qid) for the treatment of bronchial asthma, particularly nocturnal asthma. Method : We randomly assigned 35 patients (25 female and 10 male patients, 15 to 50 years old) to one of two treatment groups : one group received $50{\mu}g$ of salmeterol twice daily and another did $200{\mu}g$ salbutamol four times per day. And this study was performed as an open-label and the 6 weeks inhalation period. Results : Analysis of symptam score ; Day and night time symptom score showed significant difference between salmeterol and salbutamol Group (p<0.05). Number of days for additional bronchodilator requirements; The number of days and puffs for additional bronchodilator were lower in the salmeterol group in either day and night time (p<0.05). Pulmonary function test ; $FEV_1$ showed significant increase in salmeterol group compared to salbutamol group after 2 and 4 weeks inhalation period. Adverse effects ; We found no evidence of tolerance to the bronchodilating effects of salmeterol, and adverse reactions to all the treatments were infrequent and mild. Conclusion : For the management of bronchial asthma, salmeterol given twice daily is superior to salbutamol given four times daily.