OBJECTIVE The purpose of our study was to measure the glucocorticoid receptor(GR)protein level in the nuclei of nasal polyp cells and compare the results in nasal polyposis patients with chronic rhinosinusitis alone and with chronic rhinosinusitis accompanied with asthma, before and after glucocorticoid(Glu)therapy. METHODS We used enzyme-linked immunosorbentassay(ELISA) techniques to quantitatively measure the activated- GR protein level in the nuclei of the nasal polyp cells. Nasal polyp tissues were obtained from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis alone and with chronic rhinosinusitis accompanied with bronchial asthma. In the latter, polyp tissues were obtained before and after Glu therapy seperatively. RESULTS Our data showed no significant differences between the activated- GR protein level of the nasal polyposis patients with chronic rhinosinusitis alone and with chronic rhinosinusitis accompanied with bronchial asthma before Glu therapy. However, the activated-GR protein level was significantly upregulated after Glu therapy in the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis accompanied with bronchial asthma. CONCLUSION The result of our research clearly showed that Glus upregulated the activated-GR protein level in the nuclei of nasal polyp cells and that the upregulation is essential for Glus anti-inflammatory action.

Objectives: The present study was examined the effects of dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate on Blood Pressure, QOL and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Constitution. Methods: Forty subjects with slightly high blood pressure were assigned randomly to 2 groups (active group and placebo group). Kurozu-containing foods or the placebo was administered to the subjects daily for 12 weeks. At week 0, 6 and 12, blood samples were collected, physical measurements were taken, and the quality of life (SF-36v2) and TCM constitution were examined. Results: Significant differences on blood pressure and TCM constitution between the groups were observed at week 12. The change of QOL between the groups was observed significantly at week 6. Conclusion: These findings suggest that foods containing Kurozu have hypotensive action and improve effects on constitutional problems. In addition, it was confirmed that foods containing Kurozu are safe to ingest.