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.
Apoptosis* ; Bronchioles ; Cytokines ; Erythromycin* ; Humans* ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6* ; Interleukin-8* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Lung ; Lung Diseases ; Macrolides ; Neutrophils* ; Respiratory Tract Diseases

Objective: Adjustment disorder (AD) remains an ambiguous diagnosis that overlaps with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study compared autonomic reactivity to the stress between AD and MDD to test for biological differences. Methods: Physically healthy Korean male soldiers admitted to a psychiatric ward were recruited for participation. Clinical diagnoses indicated that 62 patients with AD and 47 with MDD were selected. Procedures consisted of electrocardiogram measurements according to three consecutive phases lasting five minutes each [i.e., resting, stress (including a mental arithmetic task and Stroop color word test), and recovery]. Results: The reactive trends of all heart rate variability (HRV) parameters related to the stress tasks in participants with AD did not differ from those with MDD. High-frequency HRV (a proxy of parasympathetic activity) increased during times of stress for participants with AD and MDD. Despite similar reactive trends, AD participants had higher HRV values than participants with MDD during whole phases, particularly for variables reflecting overall autonomic activity. Conclusion AD is associated with higher basal activity in the autonomous nervous system when compared to MDD. However, both are associated with pathophysiology indicating an altered autonomic reactivity to stress.

Objective: Adjustment disorder (AD) remains an ambiguous diagnosis that overlaps with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study compared autonomic reactivity to the stress between AD and MDD to test for biological differences. Methods: Physically healthy Korean male soldiers admitted to a psychiatric ward were recruited for participation. Clinical diagnoses indicated that 62 patients with AD and 47 with MDD were selected. Procedures consisted of electrocardiogram measurements according to three consecutive phases lasting five minutes each [i.e., resting, stress (including a mental arithmetic task and Stroop color word test), and recovery]. Results: The reactive trends of all heart rate variability (HRV) parameters related to the stress tasks in participants with AD did not differ from those with MDD. High-frequency HRV (a proxy of parasympathetic activity) increased during times of stress for participants with AD and MDD. Despite similar reactive trends, AD participants had higher HRV values than participants with MDD during whole phases, particularly for variables reflecting overall autonomic activity. Conclusion AD is associated with higher basal activity in the autonomous nervous system when compared to MDD. However, both are associated with pathophysiology indicating an altered autonomic reactivity to stress.