• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• 제29권1호
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• pp.58-63
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• 2021

Asthma is a chronic obstructive lung disease characterized by recurrent episodes of bronchoconstriction and wheezing. Conventional asthma treatment involves the suppression of airway inflammation or improving airway flow. Rosmarinus officialis, also known as rosemary, is a Mediterranean plant that is used for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Carnosol, a diterpenoid found in rosemary extracts, has been known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-oxidant effects. The effect of carnosol on allergic responses has not been tested yet. The effect of carnosol on a murine allergic asthma model were investigated. Carnosol inhibited the degranulation of RBL-2H3 mast cells. Carnosol treatment inhibited the increase in the number of eosinophils in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of mice treated with ovalbumin. Carnosol treatment also inhibited inflammatory responses and mucin production in histologic studies. Carnosol treatment inhibited the increases of IL-4 and IL-13 cytokines expression in both BALF and the lungs. These results suggest that carnosol may have a potential for allergic asthma therapy.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• 제24권8호
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• pp.795-806
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• 2023

Occupational lung diseases (OLD) are a group of preventable conditions caused by noxious inhalation exposure in the workplace. Workers in various industries are at a higher risk of developing OLD. Despite regulations contributing to a decreased incidence, OLD remain among the most frequently diagnosed work-related conditions, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. A multidisciplinary discussion (MDD) is necessary for a timely diagnosis. Imaging, particularly computed tomography, plays a central role in diagnosing OLD and excluding other inhalational lung diseases. OLD can be broadly classified into fibrotic and non-fibrotic forms. Imaging reflects variable degrees of inflammation and fibrosis involving the airways, parenchyma, and pleura. Common manifestations include classical pneumoconioses, chronic granulomatous diseases (CGD), and small and large airway diseases. Imaging is influenced by the type of inciting exposure. The findings of airway disease may be subtle or solely uncovered upon expiration. High-resolution chest CT, including expiratory-phase imaging, should be performed in all patients with suspected OLD. Radiologists should familiarize themselves with these imaging features to improve diagnostic accuracy.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제71권2호
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• pp.106-113
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• 2011

Background: While asthma control is defined as the extent to which the various manifestations of asthma are reduced by treatment, current guidelines of asthma recommend assessment of asthma control without consideration of airway inflammation. Our aim was to investigate the relationships between fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), a reliable marker of airway inflammation, and levels of asthma control in patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). Methods: We enrolled 71 adult patients with asthma who had been treated with ICS for more than four months. FeNO was measured and spirometry was performed at the time of enrollment. Asthma control was assessed (a) by the physician based on the Global Initiative for Asthma guidelines, (b) by the patients, and (c) by using the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Statistical analyses were done to analyze the relationships between (i) FeNO and (ii) measures of asthma control and clinical indices for asthma manifestations. Results: There was no significant difference in FeNO levels between the three groups according to levels of asthma control (controlled, partly controlled and uncontrolled) as determined by the physician (p=0.81), or by the patients (p=0.81). In addition, FeNO values were not significantly correlated with the ACT scores (r=0.031, p=0.807), while FeNO showed a correlation with peripheral blood eosinophil counts (p<0.001). Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that FeNO levels are not associated with measures of asthma control in patients treated with ICS. Information on airway inflammation from FeNO concentrations seems to be unrelated to levels of asthma control

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.464-470
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• 2000

연구배경 : 기관지 천식은 기도의 과민성과 만성 염증반응을 보이는 질환이다. 저자들은 sIL-6R 및 IL-6 혈중치의 변화를 측정하여 이들의 변화가 증상 악화시 기관지 천식의 병인과 판련이 있는지에 대하여 연구하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 1998년 3월 부터 1999년 3월까지 기관지 천식으로 치료중인 환자중에서 증상 악화로 응급실을 경유하여 전북대학교 병원 내과에 입원한 급성 천식 환자 78예와 무증상 천식 환자 15예 그리고 정상인 10예를 대상으로 하였다. 환자의 병력과 임상 소견, 피부반응검사, 그리고 IgE 및 호산구수를 측정하고 endogen ELISA Kit ($Quantikine^{(R)}sIL$-6R, IL-6)를 이용하여 sIL-6R, IL-6을 측정하였다. 결 과 : 혈청내 IL-6와 sIL-6R농도는 급성 천식 환자에서 대조군에 비해 유의 있는 증가를 보였으며, 무증상 천식 환자와 비교할 때 IL-6의 의미있는 증가를 보였다. 또한 급성 천식 환자에서 혈청내 IL-6와 sIL-6R간에 유의한 상관 관계가 있었다. 하지만 급성 천식환자에서의 IgE와 호산구수는 IL-6 및 sIL-6R와 유의한 상관관계가 없었다. 결 론 : 혈청내 IL-6는 급성 천식의 병태 생리에 관여 할 수 있으며, IL-6와 sIL-6R의 혈청치는 기도 염증의 중증도를 예측하는 표식자로 유용할 것으로 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.495-499
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• 2003

목 적 : 천식 환아에서 호산구 활성도를 반영하는 ECP 혹은 EPX치는 대부분 상승되어 있으므로 이들 지표들은 천식의 질병활성도와 관련되어 있어 치료 효과의 추적 및 판정에 도움을 줄 수 있다. 요중 EPX는 모든 연령의 환아에서 비침습적으로 손쉽게 얻을 수 있는 장점이 있다. 본 연구에서는 호산구 활성 지표로서 요중 EPX의 유용성을 살피고자 메타콜린 기도 유발 시험을 시행하여 천식의 병력 기간, 기관지 과민 반응과의 관계를 살펴 천식의 정도 판정 및 관리에 활용하고자 하였다. 방 법 : 경증 또는 중등증 천식 환아 중 증상이 조절되고 있는 8세에서부터 19세까지의 25명을 대상으로 메타콜린 기도 유발 시험을 시행하고 소변을 채취하여 요중 EPX를 측정하였다. 결 과 : 요중 EPX치는 초기 기도 반응(0-3시간)에서 유발 시험 전의 기저치보다 유의하게 증가하였다. 대부분 환아에서 요중 EPX는 후기 기도 반응(4-7시간)시 약간의 증가를 보이고 이후에는 기저치로 감소하는 양상이었다. 요중 EPX는 PC20 농도가 낮을수록, 천식의 병력이 오래될수록 증가하는 경향을 보였다. 결 론 : 요중 EPX 측정은 비침습적이고 손쉬운 방법으로 기도 염증 반응 및 과반응을 평가하고 나아가 천식 관리에 유용하게 사용할 수 있을 것이다.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제80권3호
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• pp.247-254
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• 2017

Background: Airway epithelial cells are the first line of defense, against pathogens and environmental pollutants, in the lungs. Cellular stress by cadmium (Cd), resulting in airway inflammation, is assumed to be directly involved in tissue injury, linked to the development of lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We had earlier shown that ACN9 (chromosome 7q21), is a potential candidate gene for COPD, and identified significant interaction with smoking, based on genetic studies. However, the role of ACN9 in the inflammatory response, in the airway cells, has not yet been reported. Methods: We first checked the anatomical distribution of ACN9 in lung tissues, using mRNA in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Gene expression profiling in bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B), was performed, after silencing ACN9. We further tested the roles of ACN9, in the intracellular mechanism, leading to Cd-induced production, of proinflammatory cytokines in BEAS-2B. Results: ACN9 was localized in lymphoid, and epithelial cells, of human lung tissues. ACN9 silencing, led to differential expression of 216 genes. Pathways of sensory perception to chemical stimuli, and cell surface receptor-linked signal transduction, were significantly enriched. ACN9 silencing, further increased the expression of proinflammatory cytokines, in BEAS-2B after Cd exposure. Conclusion: Our findings suggest, that ACN9 may have a role, in the inflammatory response in the airway.

• BMB Reports
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• 제50권10호
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• pp.516-521
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• 2017

$CLB_{2.0}$, a constituent of PM, induces secretion of multiple cytokines and chemokines that regulate airway inflammation. Specifically, IL-6 upregulates $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC and MUC1 expression. Interestingly, of the tight junction proteins examined, claudin-1 expression was inhibited by $CLB_{2.0}$. While the overexpression of claudin-1 decreased $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC expression, it increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory mucin, MUC1. $CLB_{2.0}$-induced IL-6 secretion was mediated by ROS. The ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine inhibited $CLB_{2.0}$-induced IL-6 secretion, thereby decreasing the $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC expression, whereas $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC1 expression increased. $CLB_{2.0}$ activated the ERK1/2 MAPK via a ROS-dependent pathway. ERK1/2 downregulated the claudin-1 and MUC1 expressions, whereas it dramatically increased $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC expression. These findings suggest that $CLB_{2.0}$-induced ERK1/2 activation acts as a switch for regulating inflammatory conditions though a ROS-dependent pathway. Our data also suggest that secreted IL-6 regulates $CLB_{2.0}$-induced MUC5AC and MUC1 expression via ROS-mediated downregulation of claudin-1 expression to maintain mucus homeostasis in the airway.

• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제25권4호
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• pp.260-273
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• 2004

Backgrounds : In recent years, asthma has become recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease associated pathologically with airway epithelial inflammation and airway remodeling. Objectives : To evaluate the different effects of Hirudo depending upon pharmaceutical manufactures on the expression and the activities of IL-6 and GM-CSF in airway epithelial cells, samples of Hirudo(水蛭), Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) and Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) were tested. Methods : After inducing enhanced messenger RNA(mRNA) expression and secretion of each cytokine by tumor necrosis factor-alpha(10 ng/ml) treatment, cultured human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B was added to each sample$(l,\;10,\;100\;&\;1000\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Subsequently, DNA activities were analyzed. Specifically mRNA expression and culture supernatants(protein levels) of IL-6 and GM-CSF from BEAS-2B cells, were analyzed using luciferase reporter gene assay, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results : Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) inhibited IL-6 activities in BEAS-2B cells remarkably, and inhibited mRNA expression levels and protein levels in supernatant of IL-6 and GM-CSF at various concentrations, significantly(p<0.05). However, Hirudo toasted with Talcum(水蛭滑石炒) had no effect on mRNA expression levels and showed a slight inhibitory effect on GM-CSF protein levels in supernatant of culture medium. Conclusions : These results strongly suggest that Hirudo toasted with Ephedrae Herba(水蛭麻黃炒) and Hirudo(水蛭) would be serve as effective medicaments in the treatment of airway inflammation and remodeling of asthmatic patients.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제74권1호
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• pp.7-14
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• 2013

Background: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) can be measured easily, rapidly, and noninvasively for the assessment of airway inflammation, particularly mediated by eosinophil, such as asthma. In bronchiectasis (BE), the pathogenesis has been known as chronic airway inflammation and infection with abnormal airway dilatation; however, there are little studies to evaluate the role of FeNO in BE. Methods: From March 2010 to February 2012, 47 patients with BE, diagnosed by high resolution computed tomography (HRCT), performed FeNO, compared with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). All patients carried out a complete blood count including eosinophil count, chemistry, sputum examination, and spirometry, if indicated. A retrospective analysis was performed to elucidate the clinical role of FeNO in BE patients. Results: The mean FeNO levels in patients with BE was $18.8{\pm}1.5$ part per billion (ppb), compared to $48.0{\pm}6.4$ and $31.0{\pm}4.3$ in those with asthma and COPD, respectively (p<0.001). The FeNO levels tended to increase along with the disease severity scores by HRCT; however, it was statistically not significant. FeNO in BE with a co-infection of nontuberculous mycobacteria was the lowest at $17.0{\pm}3.5$ ppb among the study population. Conclusion: FeNO in BE was lower than other chronic inflammatory airway diseases, particularly compared with asthma. For clinical application of FeNO in BE, more large-scaled, prospective studies should be considered.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• 제77권6호
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• pp.237-242
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• 2014

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway that comprises a variety of etiologies and inflammatory phenotypes. Clinically, there is a wide range of patients with varying severities and responses to individual drugs. The introduction of inhaled corticosteroid therapy has dramatically changed the treatment of asthma. Recent development of new therapies suggests the possibility of another breakthrough. These can be categorized as follows: anti-cytokine therapies that usually target eosinophilic inflammation, sublingual immunotherapy, and bronchial thermoplasty. In this paper, we will review the major articles related to asthma treatment that were published in 2013.