• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.198-204
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• 2004

Backgrounds & Methods : Asthma is considered to be chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and pulmonary eosinophilia. Recently, there has been many researches about asthma. IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome), PUD(peptic Ulcer disease) and GERD(gastroesophageal reflux disease) are the most common diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Recent studies suggest that IBS, PUD and GERD are associated with bronchial hyper-responsiveness and bronchial asthma might be more prevalent in IBS and GERD patients than in control subjects. In addition, there are many comments about the interrelationship between the gastrointestinal problem and asthma in the oriental medical books. Actually, many oriental medical doctors don$^{\circ}$Øt consider the gastrointestinal condition when they deal with the asthmatic patients these days. So, we assessed the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms and histories in a cohort of patients with asthmatic symptoms. We evaluated 128 outpatients with asthmatic symptoms(60 males and 68 females, aged 13-75). All subjects enrolled completed the GSRS(Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale). GSRS is an interview based rating scale consisting of 15 items for assessment of gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS and PUD developed by Jan Svedlund. Results : The limit of total score of GSRS in asthmatic patients is zero to 30. The number of patients with no GI symptoms is 66(51.5%). The number of patients with GSRS>5 is 62(48.4%), GSRS>10 is 24(18.8%), GSRS>15 is 8(6.25%). The number of patients with history of gastritis is 54(42.2%), gastric ulcer is 13(10.2%), gastroptosis is 8(6.25%), IBS is 6(4.68%), others is 6(4.68%). Conclusions : This study suggests that patients with bronchial asthma have an significant prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Additional studies are needed to find the mechanism of the association between gastrointestinal symptoms and asthma.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.20-26
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• 2008

The objective of the study which utilised population based data was to determine the respiratory condition of elementary school children in Gangneung. From October 9th to December 14th, 2006, Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) including Forced Vital Capacity (FVC) and Forced Expiratoy Volume in I Second $(FEV_1)$ were conducted on the target group of children using a spirometer. The prevalence of asthmatic symptoms was 29.8% among boys and 39.6% among girls. By using logistic regression, we found that family history of allergic rhinitis (OR=3.90, CI=1.05-14.51), experience of allergic conjunctivitis (OR=4.67, CI=1.54-14.16) and atopic dermatitis (OR=2.86, CI=1.17-7.05) significantly increased the asthmatic symptoms. Also, a family history of asthma and food allergy were associated with asthmatic symptoms. In relation to housing and environmental risk factors, residences under the ground (OR=3.59, CI=1.35-9.51) and big-size dolls (OR=2.71, CI=0.86-8.53) significantly increased the prevalence of asthmatic symptoms. For PFT, above four families, exposure of passive smoking and pets significantly reduced FVC in both groups (p<0.05). In girls, a big-size doll was significantly associated with decreased lung function (FVC and $FEV_1$). In boys, using bed significantly reduced $FEV_1$. Also, the risk of asthmatic symptoms was found to increase when the house has been built for 5 years or more, the house is close to a road $({\leq}100m)$, a gas/Kerosene heater or carpet is utilized within the house. However, their differences were not significant. It is concluded that genetic factor such as a family history of respiratory disease, allergic symptoms and housing risk factor are related to asthmatic symptoms. These results were worth noting because the findings will help address risk factors related respiratory symptoms especially in relation to housing and environment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.18 no.10
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• pp.1336-1341
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• 2008

Inflammation through the respiratory tract is a crucial event in immune disorders, including asthma, and atopic rhinitis. To investigate whether an aqueous extract of Angelica archangelica L. (AaL) has a beneficial influence in terms of anti-asthmatic activity, its effects on an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic model were examined. Mice sensitized to ovalbumin were orally administered the AaL extract, and their lungs examined by Haematoxylin-Eosin staining to determine IL-4/13 cytokine expression. The AaL extract exerted strong anti-asthmatic effects by regulating each level in the $CD4^+$ cell number, IL-4/13, and other target markers in the lungs. Together, these results collectively indicate that the aqueous AaL extract ameliorates asthmatic symptoms effectively in a mouse ovalbumin-challenge model.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.47-55
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• 2016

Objectives: We investigated whether the rate of depressive symptom is higher among family members of asthmatic patient compared to people who had no asthmatic family member. Methods: This study used data from the fourth and fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2012). In this cross-sectional study, 15,987 men (mean age 46.4) and 20,906 women (mean age 47.4) were included. To compare the rate of depressive symptoms in individuals who had a family member with asthma and those who did not have, we analyzed data using survey logistic regression. Results: Diagnosed depression was reported by 3.0% of the study population, by 4.2% of asthmatic patient's family member, and by 3.0% of individuals who did not have a family member with asthma. Family members of asthmatic patient increased odds of diagnosed depression compared with those who did not had an asthmatic family member (odds ratio = 1.56, p = 0.008). Conclusions: To prevent depression among family members of asthmatic patient, health education for entire family of asthmatic patient need to be considered. Also, government and policy makers should give more attention to caregivers who had a family member with asthma.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.330-335
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• 2006

The present investigation was carried out to determine the efficacy and safety of Abutilon indicum (A. indicum) (Eng: Country Mallow, Fam: Malvaceae) in patients of bronchial asthma. Dried aerial parts of A. indicum were finely powdered and given in the dose of 1 gm tid to 30 patients of either sex in the range of 15 - 80 years with mild to moderate bronchial asthma with or without any concurrent medication. The respiratory functions (FVC, $FEV_{1}$, $FEF_{25-75%}$and MVV) were assessed using a spirometer prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy of the drug in improving clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks was evaluated by interviewing the patient and by physical and hematological examination at the end of the treatment. 4 weeks treatment with the drug showed statistically significant improvement in various parameters of pulmonary functions in asthmatic subjects. Also significant improvement was observed in clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks. None of the patient showed any adverse effect with A. indicum. The results of the present study suggest the usefulness of A. indicum in patients with mild to moderate bronchial asthma.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.451-462
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• 2018

Hubakmawhang-tang (HMT), listed in Geumgweyoryak, is an oriental medicine used for the symptoms of asthma, such as cough and dyspnea. In this study, we investigated the HMT effects on ovalbumin-induced asthmatic in mice. We examined weight changes, airway hyperresponsiveness, histopathological abnormalities, immune cell infiltrations, immunoglobulin and inflammatory cytokine levels, and spleen body weight ratios in asthmatic mice. HMT inhibited airway hyperresponsiveness, immune cell infiltration, and airway remodeling and caused a significant lowering of serum IgE and IgG1 levels. The asthmatic mice had elevated IL-4 levels in lung tissue and this elevation was effectively prevented by HMT. HMT did not cause changes in body weight or in the spleen body weight ratio. Therefore, HMT might have an anti-asthmatic effect in the ovalbumin-induced mouse model.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.118-124
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• 2011

Objectives: Although cigarette smoking is known to be related to the exacerbation of asthma symptoms, several studies have indicated that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among asthmatic adolescents is similar to or even higher than that among non-asthmatic adolescents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between asthma and cigarette use behaviors and whether or not the presence of suicidal ideation modifies this relationship among Korean adolescents. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2008 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, which included a nationally representative sample of middle and high school students. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals of cigarette use behaviors among current asthmatics, former asthmatics, and nonasthmatics, after adjusting for gender, grade, school records, socioeconomic status, current alcohol use, and suicidal ideation. Results: Of 75 238 study participants, 3.5% were current asthmatics and 4.5% were former asthmatics. Compared with non-asthmatics, asthmatics were more likely to report current cigarette use, frequent and heavy cigarette use, and cigarette use before 13 years of age. There were statistically significant interactions between asthma and suicidal ideation in cigarette use behaviors. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that asthmatic adolescents are more likely than non-asthmatic adolescents to engage in cigarette use behaviors and the presence of suicidal ideation is an effect modifier of the relationship between asthma and cigarette use behaviors. Particular attention should be paid to the awareness of health risks of cigarette smoking and mental health problems among asthmatic adolescents.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.654-664
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rg3, isolated from Panax ginseng, has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities. It is known to reduce inflammation in acute lung injury in mice, and to reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines and COX-2 in human asthmatic airway epithelium. In this study, we attempted to determine whether ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the lungs of asthmatic mice. We also investigated its effects on oxidative stress and the inflammatory response in tracheal epithelial cells. Methods: Asthma symptoms were induced in female BALB/c mice sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA). Mice were divided into five groups: normal controls, OVA-induced asthmatic controls, and asthmatic mice treated with ginsenoside Rg3 or prednisolone by intraperitoneal injection. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells (human tracheal epithelial cells) treated with ginsenoside Rg3 to investigate its effects on inflammatory cytokines and oxidative responses. Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 treatment significantly reduced eosinophil infiltration, oxidative responses, airway inflammation, and AHR in the lungs of asthmatic mice. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced Th2 cytokine and chemokine levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids and lung. Inflammatory BEAS-2B cells treated with ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the eotaxin and pro-inflammatory cytokine expressions, and monocyte adherence to BEAS-2B cells was significantly reduced as a result of decreased ICAM-1 expression. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the expression of reactive oxygen species in inflammatory BEAS-2B cells. Conclusion: Ginsenoside Rg3 is a potential immunomodulator that can ameliorate pathological features of asthma by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation

• Toxicological Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 2014

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and their cellular effects warrant further evaluation. In this study, we investigated the effects of an e-cigarette cartridge solution on allergen related asthmatic airway inflammation (AI) and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), when it is delivered by intratracheal route in mice. Asthmatic AI and AHR were induced by systemic sensitization to ovalbumin (OVA) followed by intratracheal, intraperitoneal, and aerosol allergen challenges in BALB/c mice. The cartridge solution of e-cigarette (containing 16 mg/ml nicotine) was diluted 50 times and $100{\mu}l$ of the diluted solution was intratracheally instilled to OVA-sensitized (OVA-S) mice two times a week for 10 weeks. Long-term e-cigarette inhalation elicited no remarkable changes in the activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase enzymes in serum, however, increased infiltration of inflammatory cells including eosinophils, into airways from blood, aggravated the asthmatic AI and AHR, and stimulated the production of cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13, and OVA-specific IgE production. Our data suggest that the inhalation of e-cigarette solutions can function as an important factor to exacerbate the allergy-induced asthma symptoms. Further studies are needed to address the effects of e-cigarette solutions on human health.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2002

The asthma is a clinical syndrome having three symptoms; dyspnea, wheezing and coughing, due to the narrowing of trachea in pulmonary system. Specially the asthma is common in children. The study was designed to identify the effect of Kinesio Taping Treatment as to asthmatic children. The Kinesio Taping Treatment was used on the Pectoralis major and Posterior diaphragm of twenty five asthmatic children(19 male, 6 female) for the period from September 1, 2001 to September 20, 2001. Peak expiratory flow rate(PEFR) for the condition of pulmonary function was measured using the Pocket Peak and wheeling and coughing symptom were measured using questionnaire. The results of this study are as follows: 1. There were statistically significant differences between before using the taping and after the kinesio taping increase of the PEFR(p<0.001). 2 There were statistically significant differences between before using the kinesio taping and after the kinesio taping improvement of the wheezing sign(p<0.001). 3. There were statistically significant differences between before using the kinesio taping and after the kinesio taping improvement of the coughing symptom(p<0.001).