• 대한한방내과학회지
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• 제44권3호
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• pp.455-465
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• 2023

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is defined as a chronic inflammatory-mediated disease that causes ulceration and inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Among most patients, the course of chronic inflammation repeatedly shows intermittent exacerbations and alternating remissions. However, despite the various therapeutic options to relieve symptoms, such as corticosteroids, TNF-α inhibitors, and antibiotic drugs, there is no known cure for IBD. Nonetheless, previous research has revealed that the autonomic nervous system is involved in the pathophysiology of IBD. In this study, we reviewed clinical trials confirming the therapeutic effect of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on IBD in vivo. We searched in vivo and human studies on Pubmed using keywords combined with "vagus nerve stimulation", "VNS", and "inflammatory bowel disease". All studies included in this review reported that direct VNS is effective in relieving symptoms of IBD and has no severe adverse effects. The most frequently stimulated site was the unilateral cervical vagus nerve area, and parameters for stimulation were set as 5-20 Hz. Based on the results, we aim to summarize the evidence for the efficacy of VNS on IBD and suggest the possibility of auricular electroacupuncture treatment as a therapeutic option for IBD.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.71-80
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• 2008

Objective: There is increasing evidence that chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is recognized to be a local inflammatory disease, and there is substantiating evidence to support the role of the inflammatory responses in its pathogenesis, and clinical value in the evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. Prunella vulgaris has been traditionally used in treatment of inflammatory diseases, including of scrofula, goiter, and allergy diseases. In this study, we investigated the effects of Prunella vulgaris on inflammatory cytokines and cytopathological alternation in the rat model of non-bacterial prostatitis induced by castration and $17{\beta}-estradiol$ treatment. Methods: Two-month-old rats were treated with $17{\beta}-estradiol$ after castration for induction of experimental non-bacterial prostatitis, which is similar to human chronic prostatitis in histopathological profiles. Prunella vulgaris as an experimental specimen, and testosterone as a positive control, were administered orally. The prostates were evaluated by histopathological parameters including the epithelial score and epithelial-stromal ratio for glandular damage, and the expression of inflammatory cytokine genes including the interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$, IL-5, IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$. Results: While prostates of control rats revealed severe acinar gland atrophy and stromal proliferation, the rats treated with Prunella vulgaris showed a diminished range of tissue damage. Epithelial score was improved in Prunella vulgaris over that of the control (P<0.05). The epithelial-stromal ratio was lower with Prunella vulgaris when compared to that of the control (P<0.05). In the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of inflammatory cytokine genes, Prunella vulgaris inhibited the expression of $IL-1{\beta}$ and $TNF-{\alpha}$ genes, while it modulated the expression of IL-5, which is an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Conclusions: These findings suggest that Prunella vulgaris may protect the glandular epithelial cells and also inhibit stromal proliferation in association with the immune modulation including the suppression of inflammatory cytokines and promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokine. From theses results, we suggest that Prunella vulgaris could be a useful remedy agent for treating chronic non-bacterial prostatitis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제12권5호
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• pp.213-216
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• 2012

Our previous report showed that polyacetylene compound, 1-Heptadecene-11, 13-diyne-8, 9, 10-triol (PA) from the root of Cirsium japonicum var. ussuriense has anti-inflammatory activity. In this study we investigated the role of the PA as inhibitor of caspase-1, which converts prointerleukin-$1{\beta}$ (proIL-$1{\beta}$) to active IL-$1{\beta}$ and is activated by inflammasome involved in the inflammatory process. We tested the effect of PA on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-$1{\beta}$ in murine macrophage cell line, RAW264.7. PA inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-$1{\beta}$ production by macrophages at a dose dependent manner. PA also suppressed the activation of caspase-1. The mRNA level of ASC (apoptosis-associated spec-like protein containing a CARD), an important adaptor protein of inflammasome, was decreased in the PA treated group. Therefore our results suggest that the anti-inflammatory effect of PA is due to inhibit the caspase-1 activation.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.5.1-5.12
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• 2019

Autophagy is a homeostatic mechanism that discards not only invading pathogens but also damaged organelles and denatured proteins via lysosomal degradation. Increasing evidence suggests a role for autophagy in inflammatory diseases, including infectious diseases, Crohn's disease, cystic fibrosis, and pulmonary hypertension. These studies suggest that modulating autophagy could be a novel therapeutic option for inflammatory diseases. Eosinophils are a major type of inflammatory cell that aggravates airway inflammatory diseases, particularly corticosteroid-resistant inflammation. The eosinophil count is a useful tool for assessing which patients may benefit from inhaled corticosteroid therapy. Recent studies demonstrate that autophagy plays a role in eosinophilic airway inflammatory diseases by promoting airway remodeling and loss of function. Genetic variant in the autophagy gene ATG5 is associated with asthma pathogenesis, and autophagy regulates apoptotic pathways in epithelial cells in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Moreover, autophagy dysfunction leads to severe inflammation, especially eosinophilic inflammation, in chronic rhinosinusitis. However, the mechanism underlying autophagy-mediated regulation of eosinophilic airway inflammation remains unclear. The aim of this review is to provide a general overview of the role of autophagy in eosinophilic airway inflammation. We also suggest that autophagy may be a new therapeutic target for airway inflammation, including that mediated by eosinophils.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제57권11호
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• pp.465-471
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• 2014

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing disorder of unknown etiology, which is believed to be multifactorial. Recently, the incidence of pediatric IBD has steeply increased in Korea since 2000. Poorly controlled disease activity can result in complications such as intestinal fistulae, abscess, and stricture, as well as growth retardation and delayed puberty in children. Because of a lack of confirmative tests, various diagnostic modalities must be used to diagnose IBD. Onset age, location, behavior, and activity are important in selecting treatments. Monogenic IBD must be excluded among infantile and refractory very-early-onset IBD. Early aggressive therapy using biologics has recently been proposed for peripubertal children to prevent growth failure and malnutrition.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제7권3호
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• pp.165-173
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• 2004

This paper reviews the available published literature on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and COX-2 inhibition properties of phycocyanin from Spirulina. The potential application of for the prevention and mitigation of such radical-induced chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease, and age-related degenerative diseases like Alzheimer＇s disease, Parkinson＇s disease, diabetes and other conditions are discussed based on the available evidence.

• 셀메드
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.6.1-6.6
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• 2024

The prevalence of respiratory diseases is increasing due to social and environmental factors such as increased environmental pollution and air pollution, and among them, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in particular has a high mortality and morbidity rate worldwide. As a result, medical expenses are rapidly increasing, creating a social and economic burden. In response to this, there is a need to discuss ways to reduce the risk from diseases and manage them appropriately, and the most basic starting point in this process is how these chronic lung disease patients are treated in actual clinical settings and how to improve the quality of treatment. There is a need to look into whether there are effective drugs. Western treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is basically a disease in which the airway narrows, so bronchodilators are used to widen the bronchi, and corticosteroids and antibiotics are mainly used to relieve the inflammatory response in the lungs. However, since the mainly used Western medicine does not serve as a fundamental therapeutic drug and contains many side effects, there is a need for drugs that improve the quality of life of patients and are more effective in managing symptoms as symptomatic prescriptions. Therefore, Western and Oriental medicine treatments are needed. The purpose is to suggest better treatments through comparative analysis.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• 제10권1호
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• pp.70-73
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• 2008

By definition, the time to reach nadir in Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is within four weeks. This is in contrast to the chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP), which progress for at least two months. However, CIDP can take a relapsing and remitting form and could mimic treatment related fluctuations of GBS (GBS-TRFs) especially during the early phase of disease. We report a patient with CIDP who initially presented with a rapidly progressive limb weakness mimicking GBS, but finally showed good recovery after long term corticosteroid therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• 제11권6호
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• pp.259-262
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• 2007

Diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) is a pulmonary disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the bronchioles and chronic infiltration of inflammatory cells in the lungs. Macrolides are effective therapeutic agents for chronic respiratory tract diseases, such as DPB. However, the mechanisms by which macrolides modulate the immune responses in patients with DPB remain unclear. To understand clinical efficacy for the treatment of DPB by macrolides, the effects of erythromycin (EM) on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) by human neutrophils were examined. Pre-treatment with EM significantly decreased the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 transcripts by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated human neutrophils. EM also reversed the enhanced survival of human neutrophils by LPS. These data indicate that EM has achieved therapeutic effect for patients with DPB, in part, through decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the survival of neutrophils.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• 제44권1호
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• pp.25-32
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• 2014

Purpose: Periodontitis is an infectious disease caused predominantly by gram-negative anerobes. The host inflammatory response to these bacteria causes alveolar bone loss that is characterized as periodontitis. Omega-3 fatty acids (${\omega}$-3 FAs) have anti-inflammatory properties, thus have been used to treat some chronic inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. We aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with ${\omega}$-3 FAs as a host modulating agent in patients with chronic periodontitis. Methods: Sixty otherwise healthy subjects with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis were enrolled in our randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The control group (CG, n=30) was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP) and given a placebo; the treatment group (TG, n=30) was treated with SRP and dietary supplementation of ${\omega}$-3 FAs (one 300 mg tablet daily for 12 weeks). Periodontal clinical parameters and serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated in all patients at baseline, a 6-week and 12-week period after treatment. Results: A significant reduction in the gingival index, sulcus bleeding index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level was found in the TG compared to the CG at a 12-week period. However, no statistically significant changes in serum CRP levels were found. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ${\omega}$-3 FAs can successfully reduce gingival inflammation, pocket depth, and attachment level gain. Dietary supplementation with ${\omega}$-3 FAs may have potential benefits as a host modulatory agent in the prevention and/or C management of chronic periodontitis.