• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.226-236
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• 1995

We studied to evaluate CT characteristics of bronchogenic cysts. We retrospectively evaluated CT of 11 patients with pathologically proved bronchogenic cyst. Precontrast and postcontrast CT scan was performed in all. We analyzed CT with viewpoints of location, size, attenuation on pre- and postcontrast scan, and calcification. Three of 11 bronchogenic cysts were intrapulmonary in location and eight were located in the mediastinum. Two of 3 intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts were located in the right lower lobe, and the remaining one was left lower lobe. Intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts ranged from 6cm to 12cm in diameter (average, 9.7 cm). On CT, intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts appeared as thin-wall air cyst, homogenous water attenuation and soft tissue attenuation with air bubble respectively. Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts were located in posterior mediastinum(n=5), superior mediastinum(n=2), middle mediastinum(n=1) respectively. These cysts ranged in size from 3cm to 8cm in diameter (average, 5.0 cm). On CT, five showed homogenous water attenuation, two soft tissue attenuation similar to that of muscle, one air-fluid level. Calcification or contrast enhancement was not detected in any cases. On operative findings, all of intrapulmonary bronchogenic cysts contained dirty pus-like material and all of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts contained whitish or yellowish mucus material. Bronchogenic cysts showed homogenous water density in many cases, homogenous soft tissue density, air-fluid level and air-filled cyst. The constellation of CT findings may be helpful in the diagnosis and differentiation of bronchogenic cyst.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.189-197
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• 2022

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. The onset of asthma for most patients begins early in life, and current asthma treatment with anti-inflammatory agents can have adverse effects, eventually leading to impaired quality of life. In the pathogenesis of asthma, macrophages and basophils play a vital role during progression. Macrophages not only induce inflammation by secreting inflammatory cytokines but also promote DNA damage and mucus production through nitric oxide (NO) production. Basophils enhance eosinophil recruitment and aggravate asthma through the FcεRIα receptor with high affinity for histamine and IgE. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether the activation of macrophages and basophils is suppressed by the individual extracts of 28 natural products. RAW 264.7 cells (mouse macrophages) were treated with the natural products in LPS, and 4 natural product extracts resulted in decreased NO production. In β-hexosaminidase assay using RBL-2H3 cells (rat basophils), 19 natural product extracts decreased β-hexosaminidase production. In NO production and β-hexosaminidase assay using macrophages and basophils, 3 natural product extracts (Plantago asiatica, Centella asiatica, and Perilla frutescens var. japonica) significantly inhibited NO production and β-hexosaminidase release. Overall, we examined the inhibitory effects of 28 natural product extracts on macrophage and basophil activity, and the findings demonstrated the potential of natural product extracts for treating asthma and macrophage- and basophil-related diseases.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.11
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• pp.923-935
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• 2023

Rubus crataegifolius (RC), Ulmus macrocarpa (UM), and Gardenia jasminoides (GJ) are well-known folk medicines in Asia used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances. The present study evaluated the gastroprotective effect of LS-RUG-com, a mixture of commercially prepared powders of RC, UM, and GJ with a ratio of 3:1:2(w/w/w) against HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, indomethacin-induced ulcers, and esophageal reflux-induced esophageal mucosal damage and Helicobacter pylori infections. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β expressions were also determined and measured in esophageal tissue. As to HCl/ethanol-induced gastritis, the LS-RUG-com treatment at a dose of 150 mg/kg showed a remarkable anti-gastritis effect. Regarding indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers, the LS-RUG-com treatment had a significant anti-gastric ulcer effect. Furthermore, in the gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) model experiment, the LS-RUG-com treatment resulted in the histological recovery of stomach damage and mucosal injuries. Furthermore, the LS-RUG-com treatment led to an increase in gastric content pH, an increase in mucus protection, and a decrease in gastric pepsin output with a significant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1β. As to the Helicobacter pylori infected animal model, LS-RUG-com had a notable inhibitory effect on Helicobacter growth. The use of RC, UM, or GJ in isolation or the LS-RUG-com treatment as whole had good effects in terms of anti-oxidation, anti-neutralization, gastric acid secretion inhibition, and anti-lipid peroxidation, which supported the use of natural products as systemic gastric protective agents. Our results suggest that the LS-RUG-com might be a significant systemic gastroprotective agent that could be utilized for the treatment and/or protection from gastric disturbances and related damage.