• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.195-202
• /
• 2014

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex disorder related to insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation. Genetic and environmental factors also contribute to the development of MetS, and through genome-wide association studies (GWASs), important susceptibility loci have been identified. However, GWASs focus more on individual single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), explaining only a small portion of genetic heritability. To overcome this limitation, pathway analyses are being applied to GWAS datasets. The aim of this study is to elucidate the biological pathways involved in the pathogenesis of MetS through pathway analysis. Cohort data from the Korea Associated Resource (KARE) was used for analysis, which include 8,842 individuals (age, $52.2{\pm}8.9years$ ; body mass index, $24.6{\pm}3.2kg/m^2$). A total of 312,121 autosomal SNPs were obtained after quality control. Pathway analysis was conducted using Meta-analysis Gene-Set Enrichment of Variant Associations (MAGENTA) to discover the biological pathways associated with MetS. In the discovery phase, SNPs from chromosome 12, including rs11066280, rs2074356, and rs12229654, were associated with MetS (p < $5{\times}10^{-6}$), and rs11066280 satisfied the Bonferroni-corrected cutoff (unadjusted p < $1.38{\times}10^{-7}$, Bonferroni-adjusted p < 0.05). Through pathway analysis, biological pathways, including electron carrier activity, signaling by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase cascade, PDGF binding, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling, and DNA repair, were associated with MetS. Through pathway analysis of MetS, pathways related with PDGF, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and PPAR signaling, as well as nucleic acid binding, protein secretion, and DNA repair, were identified. Further studies will be needed to clarify the genetic pathogenesis leading to MetS.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.53 no.2
• /
• pp.65-73
• /
• 2020

Life expectancy has dramatically increased around the world over the last few decades, and staying healthier longer, without chronic disease, has become an important issue. Although understanding aging is a grand challenge, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the degeneration of cell and tissue functions with age and its contribution to chronic disease has greatly advanced during the past decade. As our immune system alters with aging, abnormal activation of immune cells leads to imbalance of innate and adaptive immunity and develops a persistent and mild systemic inflammation, inflammaging. With their unique therapeutic properties, such as immunomodulation and tissue regeneration, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered to be a promising source for treating autoimmune disease or as anti-aging therapy. Although direct evidence of the role of MSCs in inflammaging has not been thoroughly studied, features reported in senescent MSCs or the aging process of MSCs are associated with inflammaging; MSC niche-driven skewing of hematopoiesis toward the myeloid lineage or oncogenesis, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and weakening their modulative property on macrophage polarization, which plays a central role on inflammaging development. This review explores the role of senescent MSCs as an important regulator for onset and progression of inflammaging and as an effective target for anti-aging strategies.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2017

Accumulation of tissue macrophages is a significant characteristic of disease-associated chronic inflammation, and facilitates the progression of disease pathology. However, the functional roles of these bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in aging are unclear. Here, we identified age-dependent macrophage accumulation in the bone marrow, showing that aging significantly increases the number of M1 macrophages and impairs polarization of BMDMs. We found that age-related dysregulation of BMDMs is associated with abnormal overexpression of the anti-inflammatory interleukin-10. BMDM dysregulation in aging impairs the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and genes involved in B-cell maturation and activation. Phagocytosis of apoptotic Jurkat cells by BMDMs was reduced because of low expression of phagocytic receptor CD14, indicating that increased apoptotic cells may result from defective phagocytosis of apoptotic cells in the BM of aged mice. Therefore, CD14 may represent a promising target for preventing BMDM dysregulation, and macrophage accumulation may provide diagnostic and therapeutic clues.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2012

Background: Peripheral neuropathy is the most frequent neurological complication in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, related with diverse etiologies including inflammation, opportunistic infection and side effects of medications. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate characteristics of HIV associated neuropathy according to the stage of HIV infection. Methods: In reviewing the medical records of HIV patients who underwent electrodiagnostic studies between 1997 and 2011, total 11 patients (all males; median age, 47 years; range, 28-71 years) with comorbid neuropathy were enrolled. Stage of HIV infection was categorized according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Classification of peripheral neuropathy was based on clinical and electrophysiological features. Results: Distal symmetric polyneuropathy was observed in 8 patients (72.7%), inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 2 patients (18.1%), and polyradiculopathy in 1 patient (9.1%). Median CD4+ T cell count was $123/mm^3$ (range, $8-540/mm^3$) and 7 patients (60%) had the most advanced HIV disease stage (CDC-C3). There was no neuropathy caused by CMV infection. Conclusions: Distal symmetric polyneuropathy was the most common type of neuropathy in HIV infection, but various forms of neuropathy such as inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy and polyradiculopathy were also present. HIV associated neuropathy is more frequently associated with advancing immunosuppression, although it can occur in all stages of HIV infection.

• Journal of the Korean Arthroscopy Society
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.34-38
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To evaluate the association of subacromial bursa inflammation with acromial shape and shoulder pain in subacromial impingement syndrome. Materials and Methods: 24 cases with subacromial impingement syndrome were reviewed. Eighteen patines were males and six females(mean age: 58.3 yrs). During arthroscopic operation, the specimens were taken from subacromial bursa with arthroscopic knife($1{\times}1$ cm size). The shape of acromion were classified according to Bigliani grading system. The shoulder pain of patients was graded with visual analog scale (VAS). The grade of inflammation was classified to the pathological three grade system (mild, moderate, severe) by pathohistological 8 factors. Results: Of total 24 cases, 9 cases were the pathological grade I and 15 cases were grade II. None was grade III. In the 9 cases of pathological grade I, 6 cases were the radiologic grade II of acromial shape and 3 cases were grade III. In the 15 cases of pathological grade II, 5 cases were the radiologic grade II and 10 cases were grade III. The VAS was 7 point at pathological grade I and 8 point at grade II. As the statistical analysis, the pathological grade of subacromial bursa was associated with acromial shape (p<0.05), but not associated with pain of patient (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our study suggests that pathological grade of subacromial bursa inflammation was associated with acromial shape. But pathological grade of subacromial bursa inflammation was not associated with shoulder pain of patients.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.194-201
• /
• 2020

Background: Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are thought to modify systemic inflammation. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between PUFA intake, lung function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: In this study, we used the dataset of 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in which, a total of 22,948 individuals including 573 participants with a high probability of developing COPD were enrolled. Participants with missing data for the investigated variables were excluded. Linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between PUFA intake (omega-3 [N3], omega-6 [N6], and total) with lung function, and HRQoL. HRQoL was determined according to the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D). Subgroup analysis of older patients was performed. Age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, education, residence, total calorie intake, and predicted FEV₁% were adjusted in all analyses. Results: Although lung function was not associated with PUFA intake, EQ-5D index was remarkably associated with N3, N6, and total PUFA intake in a dose-dependent manner. This association was more pronounced in elderly COPD patients. Mean levels of N3, N6, and total PUFA intake were significantly higher in patients having better HRQoL with respect to mobility, self-care, and usual activities. Conclusion: Our results suggest that N3, N6, and total PUFA intake are associated with HRQoL in COPD patients. This association may be attributed to mobility, self-care, and usual activities. Further longitudinal study is required to clarify this relationship.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.84 no.2
• /
• pp.115-124
• /
• 2021

Background: This study aimed to determine the parameters for worsening oxygenation in non-severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included cases of confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia in a public hospital in South Korea. The worsening oxygenation group was defined as that with SpO₂ ≤94% or received oxygen or mechanical ventilation (MV) throughout the clinical course versus the non-worsening oxygenation group that did not experience any respiratory event. Parameters were compared, and the extent of viral pneumonia from an initial chest computed tomography (CT) was calculated using artificial intelligence (AI) and measured visually by a radiologist. Results: We included 136 patients, with 32 (23.5%) patients in the worsening oxygenation group; of whom, two needed MV and one died. Initial vital signs and duration of symptoms showed no difference between the two groups; however, univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a variety of parameters on admission were associated with an increased risk of a desaturation event. A subset of patients was studied to eliminate potential bias, that ferritin ≥280 ㎍/L (p=0.029), lactate dehydrogenase ≥240 U/L (p=0.029), pneumonia volume (p=0.021), and extent (p=0.030) by AI, and visual severity scores (p=0.042) were the predictive parameters for worsening oxygenation in a sex-, age-, and comorbid illness-matched case-control study using propensity score (n=52). Conclusion: Our study suggests that initial CT evaluated by AI or visual severity scoring as well as serum markers of inflammation on admission are significantly associated with worsening oxygenation in this COVID-19 pneumonia cohort.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.233-238
• /
• 2010

Purpose: As the use of soft tissue fillers becomes more popular, complications such as foreign body granuloma (FBG) are increasing. We report 120 cases of facial FBG and review the available literatures. Methods: 120 patients of facial FBG in our clinic from Mar. 2003 to Feb. 2008 were complied and analyzed. A retrospective chart review was done and patient satisfaction was evaluated with a questionnaire using 5 score scale. Patients with severe inflammation sign or bizarre deformity underwent surgical excision and those with minimal symptoms or a history of hyaluronic acid injection received injection therapy using hyaluronidase. Results: 100 females and 20 males were observed. The average age was 43.7 years (from 16 to 74). 84 patients received surgical therapy and 36, injection therapy. Deformity of facial contour, foreign body sensation and inflammation sign were the three main chief complaints. 84 patients did not know what the injection materials were. The known materials are as follows: collagen, hyaluronic acid, silicone oil, paraffin. 92 cases were performed by unlicensed practitioners, 29 by physicians. Anatomical site most frequently affected by the foreign body granuloma was the cheek (25.8%), followed by forehead (19.2%), lips (15.8%), nose (9.2%), mentum (8.3%), eyelid and eyebrow (4.3%) and temple (0.8%). In 21 patients (17.5%), FBGs were found on multiple sites. Patients with inflammation sign got the highest satisfaction ($3.19{\pm}0.73$) (p=0.001) among 3 chief complaints. And patient satisfaction was statistically higher in surgical therapy group ($3.43{\pm}0.72$) than in injection therapy group ($2.97{\pm}0.88$) (p=0.003). Conclusion: We suggest that it may be beneficial to tailor the type of treatment for FBG relying on wound state and patient's chief complaints. In surgical therapy, resolute approach is necessary to correct facial deformity definitely and to minimize inflammation. Injection therapy could be another option for those with minimal symptoms or a history of hyaluronic acid injection. To prevent foreign body granuloma, not only plastic surgeons but also other physicians should inject soft tissue fillers with great caution and we should warn the public of disastrous consequences associated with illegal medical practice.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.49 no.2
• /
• pp.105-110
• /
• 2016

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a natural, hydrophilic nontoxic bile acid, is clinically effective for treating cholestatic and chronic liver diseases. We investigated the chronic effects of UDCA on age-related lipid homeostasis and underlying molecular mechanisms. Twenty-week-old C57BL/6 male and female mice were fed a diet with or without 0.3% UDCA supplementation for 25 weeks. UDCA significantly reduced weight gain, adiposity, hepatic triglyceride, and hepatic cholesterol without incidental hepatic injury. UDCA-mediated hepatic triglyceride reduction was associated with downregulated hepatic expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, and of other genes involved in lipogenesis (Chrebp, Acaca, Fasn, Scd1, and Me1) and fatty acid uptake (Ldlr, Cd36). The inflammatory cytokines Tnfa, Ccl2, and Il6 were significantly decreased in liver and/or white adipose tissues of UDCA-fed mice. These data suggest that UDCA exerts beneficial effects on age-related metabolic disorders by lowering the hepatic lipid accumulation, while concurrently reducing hepatocyte and adipocyte susceptibility to inflammatory stimuli.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.493-502
• /
• 2020

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary vitamin B intake on biomarkers related to lipid metabolism, inflammation and blood glucose control, that are important in the development of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Seventy-six adults (42 males, 34 females) were recruited from a group of diabetes patients who had visited the medical center for treatment. Data on anthropometric characteristics and dietary intake of thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B₆ and folate were collected using 24-hour diet recall and the CAN Pro 4.0 program. Also, data on clinical indices such as serum lipids, blood pressure, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and homeostasis model assessment 2-insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR) were collected and analyzed for correlation with dietary vitamin B intake. Results from the dietary intake survey showed that riboflavin and folate intake (in males) and folate intake (in females) were below the Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans. Statistical analysis revealed a negative correlation between hs-CRP and dietary intake of B vitamins. Riboflavin intake was inversely associated with systolic blood pressure after adjustments for age, BMI, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, ingestion of diabetes mellitus medication and energy intake (p<0.05). Our results suggest that dietary vitamin B may influence inflammation and consequently may help in better management of type 2 diabetes.