Immunoadjuvant activities of the extract (KM-110) from Korean mistletoe ( Viscum album coloratum) on the induction of humoral and cellular responses against Keyhole limpet hemocyanim (KLH) as an antigen and allogenic tumor cells were examined. When mice were immunized subcataneously (s.c.) with KLH admixed with KM-110, more than 1000-times higher antibody titers to KLH than those immunized with KLH alone was observed. KM-110 induced high level of KLH- specific IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibodies. In an in vitro analysis of lymphocytes proliferation to KLH on week 4, the splenocytes of mice treated with KLH and KM- 110 exhibited significantly higher proliferating activity than those treated with KLH alone. In addition, the culture supernatnats obtained from the splenocytes of mice treated with both KLH and KM-110 showed high level of IL-2 and IL-4. In the test of cellular immune responses, KM-110 enhanced the DTH reaction to KLH in mice. Furthemore, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity using an allogenic CTL induction model where C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were injected with allogenic P815 (H-2d) mastocytoma cells admixed with or without KM-110, mice treated with P815 cells and KM-110 showed higher cytatoxic activity against allogenic tumor cells than those treated without KM-110. This results suggest that KM-110 may possess adjuvant activities to potentially enhance humoral as well as cellular immune responses against antigens.
Animals ; Antibodies ; B-Lymphocytes ; Immunity, Cellular* ; Immunoglobulin G ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Lymphocytes ; Mastocytoma ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; T-Lymphocytes ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; Viscum album* ; Viscum*

Immunological effect of the extract (KM-110) from Korean mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) was examined. Lymphocytes obtained from KM-110-administrated mice showed increased responsiveness to mitogens, concanavalin-A (Con.A) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In order to study cytokine induct ability of the KM-110, macrophages from the Balb/c mice were cultivated in the medium containing the extract. the macrophages were shown to induce secretion of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin 1 and 6 (IL-1, IL-6) and interferon-gamma (INF-gamma). We then tested antitumor activity of the macrophages activated by the KM-110. Peritoneal macrophages harvested from the KM110-treated Balb/c mice exhibited cytotoxicity against the syngeneic 3LL carcinoma cells. ...continue...
Animals ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-1 ; Lymphocytes ; Macrophages ; Macrophages, Peritoneal ; Mice ; Mistletoe* ; Mitogens ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Viscum album* ; Viscum*

OBJECTIVE: The author evaluate the efficacy of surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy as a treatment methods for anaplastic oligodendroglioma patients to provide the standardized treatment option. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of ten pathologically proven cases of anaplastic oligodendroglioma was performed. RESULTS: The ten patients comprised four males and six females. The mean age at diagnosis was 34.4 year (8-70). The mean follow-up was 40.5 months, and two patients died of tumor progression during the follow-up (70, 86 months, respectively). All patients had craniotomy and the tumors were removed as much as possible. The tumos were resected totally in five cases, only subtotally in the rest. Radiation therapy was applied to seven patients, and PCV (procarbazine-CCNU-vincristine) based chemotherapeutic agent was administered to five patients. In the group with PCV therapy, complete remission was observed in two, partial remission was in one, stable disease in one, and disease progression in one who were died of tumor extension. During the follow-up, tumor recurrences were observed in four patients, and they were treated with additional operation and/or chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Anaplastic oligodendrogliomas respond to the surgical and radiological treatment and especially to the chemotherapy, and have a relatively good prognosis. PCV is an effective and safe regimen for suppressing tumor growth, and is feasible for recurrent cases. PCV chemotherapy should be considered for primary treatment method for anaplastic oligodendroglioma patients.
Craniotomy ; Diagnosis ; Disease Progression ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Oligodendroglioma* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide(NO) is implicated in a wide range of biological processes in tumors and is produced in glioma. To investigate the role of NO and its interaction with the tumoricidal effects of anticancer drugs, we study the antitumor activities of NO donors, with or without anticancer drugs, in human glioma cell lines. METHODS: U87MG and U373MG cells were treated with the NO donors sodium nitroprusside(SNP) and S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine(SNAP), alone or in combination with the anticancer drugs 1, 3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea(BCNU) and cisplatin. Cell viability, cell proliferation, DNA fragmentation, nitrite level, and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were determined. RESULTS: NO was markedly increased after treatment with SNP or SNAP; however, the addition of the anticancer drugs did not significantly affect NO production. NO donors or anticancer drugs reduced glioma cell viability and, in combination, acted synergistically to further decrease cell viability in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Cell proliferation was inhibited and apoptosis were enhanced by combined treatment. Bax expression was increased by combined treatment, whereas Bcl-2 expression was reduced. The antitumor cytotoxicity of NO donors and anticancer drugs differed according to cell type. CONCLUSION: BCNU or cisplatin can inhibit cell viability and proliferation of glioma cells and can induce apoptosis. These effects are further enhanced by the addition of a NO donor which modulates the antitumor cytotoxicity of chemotherapy depending on cell type. Further biological, chemical, and toxicological studies of NO are required to clarify its mechanism of action in glioma.
Apoptosis ; Biological Processes ; Carmustine ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Survival ; Cisplatin ; DNA Fragmentation ; Drug Therapy ; Glioma* ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide Donors* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Sodium ; Tissue Donors

INTRODUCTION: Skeletal homeostasis is normally maintained by the stability between bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. However, the correlation between the inflammatory reaction and osteoblastic differentiation of cultured osteoprogenitor cells has not been fully investigated. This study examined the effects of inflammatory cytokines on the osteoblastic differentiation of cultured human periosteal-derived cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periosteal-derived cells were obtained from the mandibular periosteum and introduced into the cell culture. After passage 3, the periosteal-derived cells were further cultured in an osteogenic induction Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) medium containing dexamethasone, ascorbic acid, and beta-glycerophosphate. In this culture medium, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha with different concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10 ng/mL) or interleukin (IL)-1beta with different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, and 1 ng/mL) were added. RESULTS: Both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta stimulated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression in the periosteal-derived cells. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta increased the level of ALP expression in a dose-dependent manner. Both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta also increased the level of alizarin red S staining in a dose-dependent manner during osteoblastic differentiation of cultured human periosteal-derived cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta can stimulate the osteoblastic activity of cultured human periosteal-derived cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Anthraquinones ; Ascorbic Acid ; Bone Resorption ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cytokines ; Dexamethasone ; Durapatite ; Glycerophosphates ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Interleukins ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Periosteum ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

OBJECT: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of fungal infection and ulcer on the feet of diabetic patients and the existence of correlation between ulcer and fungal infection. METHODS: A total of 21, 693 outpatients diagnosed as diabetes mellitus at the department of endocrinology of 32 hospitals were examined. The diabetic patients with foot problems were consulted to the department of dermatology. Physical examination and KOH preparation were performed. RESULTS: 13, 271 patients had certain kinds of foot problem, accounting for 61.2% of 21, 693 diabetics examined. Of these, fungal foot disease were found in 10, 403 that constituted 78.4% (48.0% of the entire diabetic population). Tinea pedis was the diagnosis in 6, 496 (29.9%), onychomycosis in 7, 783 (35.9%), and coexistence was in 3, 883 (17.9%). Foot deformity was in 1, 346 (6.2% of diabetics; 10.1% of foot disease), non-palpable pulse in 1, 051 (4.8% ; 7.9%), and foot ulcer was in 425 (2.0% ; 3.2%), following in a descending order of frequency. Odds ratios for diabetic foot ulcer were 2.5 in patients with the foot deformity, 1.6 with fungal foot disease and 2.2 with non-palpable pulse. Conversely, Odds ratios for fungal foot disease were 2.5 with foot deformity, and 1.6 with foot ulcer. A total of 5, 486 patients paid a visit to the department of dermatology. Of these, 4, 519 patients were diagnosed with fungal infection through physical examination and KOH smear by dermatologists. The population comprised of 2, 272 males and 2, 247 females, showing similar prevalence between sexes. However, age did have positive correlation regarding prevalence of fungal foot disease. The number of diabetic patients with toenail problems was 3, 847 patients (70%) and onychomycosis was proven mycologically in 3, 276. Onychomycosis of distal subungal type was the most common clinical finding, most frequently involving the great toenails. Abnormal skin findings of the foot were seen in 3, 885(70.8%) and tinea pedis was found in 3, 209 (58.5%), most commonly involving the soles. CONCLUSION: This study showed that fungal infection might be regarded as a risk factor of foot ulcer. Treatment of fungal infection in diabetic patients might prevent diabetic foot disease such as ulcer and reduce the disability, morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients.
Dermatology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Foot ; Diagnosis ; Endocrinology ; Female ; Foot Deformities ; Foot Diseases ; Foot Ulcer ; Foot* ; Humans ; Male ; Mortality ; Nails ; Odds Ratio ; Onychomycosis ; Outpatients ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors ; Skin ; Tinea Pedis ; Ulcer*

BACKGROUND: Onychomycosis, especially toenail onychomycosis has become one of the common fungal infection and has historically been regarded as a cosmetic rather than medical problem by many patients, even by physicians. Recently, however, there are several reports that this is a refractory disease which may cause a deleterious effect on patients' quality of life (QOL). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of toenail onychomycosis on QOL in Korea and to assess the changes of QOL after treatment. METHODS: Total 1004 patients with toenail onychomycosis which was confirmed by clinical findings and KOH preparation were enrolled at 47 dermatologic centers in Korea, and interviewed with standardized QOL questionnaire before and after systemic antifungal treatment. Responses to the questionnaire were scored by f-point scale (0~4) and averaged, and were analyzed for 5 dimensions of emotional impact, social impact, symptom and functional impact, patients' views concerning treatment, and relationship with doctor. RESULTS: 1. Before and after treatment, the most serious impact was emotional dimension showing 1.90 and 1.30 in average score (AS), and social (AS: 1.14 and 0.83) and symptom and functional impact (AS: 1.05 and 0.92) was also affected. 2. In female rather than male, statistically more significant impact on patients' QOL was observed in all dimensions. 3. After treatment, 3 of 5 dimensions were improved significantly - emotional dimension (AS: from 1.90 to 1.30), social dimension (AS: from 1.14 to 0.83), patients' view concerning treatment(AS: from 1.34 to 1.02) 4. The degree of patients' satisfaction at the therapeutic effect was very high - 62.4% (immediately after. treatment) and 65.8% (9 months after initiation of treatment) of patients answered excellent or good. CONCLUSION: This study confirms that toenail onychomycosis has significant Impact on the overall QOL of patients. Also the effect of antifungal therapy on patients' QOL were satisfactory. Therefore, both doctor and patient should pay more attention to the treatment of onychomycosis.
Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Nails* ; Onychomycosis* ; Quality of Life* ; Social Change ; Surveys and Questionnaires

BACKGROUND: Since the bioavailability of itraconazole capsule is influenced by patients gastric acidity, it results in treatment failure due to its low dissolution and subsequent low absorption when administered in fasting. Itraconazole Melt-Extrusion tablet has been lately developed in order to improve its dissolution profile. It is the first clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of itraconazole Melt-Extrusion tablet in Korea. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of itraconazole melt-extrusion tablet 400mg daily for 1 week(pulse therapy) for hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and manus. METHODS: A clinical and mycological investigation was made of 812 outpatients with hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus who had visited at 52 general hospitals under the lead of the Korean Dermatological Association from June to December, 1998. Patients confirmed by clinically and microscopically as hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus were administered 2 tablets twice a day for one week and followed up for 8 weeks from the start of the medication. RESULTS: The results were summarized as follows; 1. Clinical symptoms of hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea mauns were significantly improved at the end of study, week 8(p<0.001). 2. Clinical response rate, defined as more than 50% decrease of the sum of the clinical symptom scores, was 79.3%(512/646). 3. Mycological cure rate, dafined as both culture and KOH negative at week 8, was 78.2%(244 /312). 4. 40(5.5%) patients, of the 727 patients evaluable for drug safety evaluation, were reported to have adverse event. CONCLUSION: Itraconazole Melt-Extrusion tablet 400mg/day for 1 week (pulse therapy) is effective and safe in the treatment of hyperkeratotic type of tinea pedis and/or tinea manus.
Absorption ; Biological Availability ; Fasting ; Gastric Acid ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Itraconazole* ; Korea ; Outpatients ; Tablets ; Tinea Pedis* ; Tinea* ; Treatment Failure