Angelica koreana is an important medicinal plant for some locals in East Asia including Korea. A few reports have shown the efficacy of its phytochemical constituents. We have isolated and purified one compound falcarindiol (FAL) from the methanolic extract of A. koreana roots. At concentrations from to 1 µM to 25 µM, the FAL isolated from the roots of A. koreana exerted no significant cytotoxicity and down-regulated LPS-stimulated pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-8 in colon epithelial cells, while up-regulating anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, the FAL decreased the expression of LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 protein by Western blot analysis. Colon epithelial cells play pivotal roles in regulating the colon immune system and thus FAL is expected to be candidate agent as therapeutic potential for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by modulating LPS-induced inflammation in colon epithelial cells.
Angelica* ; Blotting, Western ; Colon* ; Epithelial Cells* ; Far East ; Immune System ; Inflammation ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Interleukin-10* ; Interleukin-8* ; Korea ; Methanol ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; Plants, Medicinal ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases

Lentinus edodes contains functional metabolites such as polysaccharopeptides, lectins, and secondary metabolites. Fermented soybean paste is representative fermented materials in Korea, and is gradually increasing due to various biological activities. In the present study, ethanol extracts of fermented products with/without L. edodes were designated as SPL and SP, and prepared to develop safer and therapeutic functional foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities for treatment of inflammatory disorders. SP and SPL extracts exhibited antioxidant effects via inhibiting radical activities. Inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation were down-regulated by two extracts. SPL extract more strongly enhanced the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than SP extract. Its’ activities shown more longer fermentation period and more strong inhibitory effects. Taken together, our results suggested that fermented product with medicinal plant has synergic effect and SPL can be a potential candidate for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Lentinus edodes contains functional metabolites such as polysaccharopeptides, lectins, and secondary metabolites. Fermented soybean paste is representative fermented materials in Korea, and is gradually increasing due to various biological activities. In the present study, ethanol extracts of fermented products with/without L. edodes were designated as SPL and SP, and prepared to develop safer and therapeutic functional foods with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities for treatment of inflammatory disorders. SP and SPL extracts exhibited antioxidant effects via inhibiting radical activities. Inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2 ), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) production and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation were down-regulated by two extracts. SPL extract more strongly enhanced the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities than SP extract. Its’ activities shown more longer fermentation period and more strong inhibitory effects. Taken together, our results suggested that fermented product with medicinal plant has synergic effect and SPL can be a potential candidate for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.

Rupture of the sinus of Valsalva is an extremely rare complication after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Because it usually results from the retrograde extension of a dissection of the right coronary artery and may quickly spread to involve the entire aorta, it can cause life-threatening complications such as aortic dissection. If the dissection remains localized, it can resolve spontaneously in the first month. Our patient experienced a delayed rupture of the right sinus of Valsalva into the right atrium at approximately 3 months after PCI.
Aged ; Angioplasty, Transluminal, Percutaneous Coronary/*adverse effects ; Aortic Rupture/*etiology ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Atria/*pathology ; Humans ; Male ; *Sinus of Valsalva ; Time Factors

BACKGROUND: It is well known that various cytokines and growth factors secreted mainly from alveolar macrophages do the key role in the pathogenesis of IPF. But recently it has been known that structural cells like fibroblast can also release cytokines. So the phenotypic changes in fibroblasts of IPF may do a role in continuous progression of fibrosis. The aim of this study is to find out whether there is a change in the biologic properties of the lung fibroblasts of IPF. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The study was done on 13 patients with IPF diagnosed by open or thoracoscopic lung biopsy and 7 control patients who underwent resectional surgery for lung cancer. Lung fibroblast cell lines (FB) were established by explant culture technique from the biopsy or resected specimen RESULT: Basal proliferation of the fibroblast of IPF(IFB) measured by BrdU uptake tended to be highter than control fibroblast(NFB) (0.212+/- 0.107 vs 0.319+/-0.143, p= 0.0922), also there was no signifrcant difference in proliferation after the stimulation with PDGF or 10% serum. On the contrary, the degree of inhibition in proliferation by PGE2 was significantly lower(33.0+/-13.1%) in IFB than control(46.7+/-10.0%, p= 0.0429). The IFB secreted significantly higher amount of MCP-1(1574+/-1283 pg/ml) spontaneously than NFB(243+/-100 pg/ml) and also after the stimulation with TGF-beta (3.23+/-1.31 ng/ml vs 0.552+/-0.236 ng/ml, p= 0.0012). Similarly IL-8 and IL-6 seretion of IFB was significantly higher than NFB at basal state and with TGF-beta stimulation. But after the maximal stimulation with IL-1beta, no significant difference in cytokine secretion was found between IFB and NFB. CONCLUSION: Above data suggest that the fibroblasts of IPF were phenotypically changed and these change may do a role in the pathogenesis of IPF.
Biopsy ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Line* ; Culture Techniques ; Cytokines ; Dinoprostone ; Fibroblasts* ; Fibrosis ; Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis* ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukin-8 ; Lung Neoplasms ; Lung* ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the synthetic S-allyl-l-cysteine (SAC) PMK-S005 on gastric acid secretion, inflammation, and antioxidant enzymes in aging rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into four groups at 31 weeks of age and were continuously fed a diet containing a vehicle control, PMK-S005 (5 or 10 mg/kg), or lansoprazole (5 mg/kg). Gastric acid secretion and connective tissue thickness of the lamina propria were evaluated at 74 weeks and 2 years of age. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and COX-2 levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) or Western blot assays. Levels of antioxidant enzymes, including heme oxyganase 1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), were also measured. RESULTS: As the rats aged, gastric acid secretion significantly decreased, and the connective tissue of the lamina propria increased. However, 74-week-old rats in the PMK-S005 group exhibited greater levels of gastric acid secretion than those of the control and lansoprazole groups. The increase of TNF-α, IL-1β, and COX-2 expression in 74-week and 2-year-old control rats were inhibited by PMK-S005. In addition, the decrease in HO-1 and NQO-1 protein expression that occurred with aging was inhibited by PMK-S005 in the 74-week-old rats. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that PMK-S005 has therapeutic potential as an antiaging agent to ameliorate age-related gastric acid secretion, inflammation, and oxidative stress in the stomach.
Aging ; Animals ; Antioxidants ; Blotting, Western ; Child, Preschool ; Connective Tissue ; Diet ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Gastric Acid* ; Heme ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Interleukins ; Lansoprazole ; Mucous Membrane ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats* ; Stomach* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

BACKGROUND: The BiodivYsio stent is a balloon-expandable stent coated with phosphorylcholine designed to reduce the formation of thrombus and the risk of restenosis. METHODS: We prospectively studied 20 patients who underwent implantation of BiodivYsio stent (group I; 60.8+/-9.3 years, male 60.0%) and compared to 20 patients who underwent balloon angioplasty alone (group II; 60.3+/-7.9 years, male 45.0%) for small coronary arterial lesions (target arterial diameter was between 2.0 mm and 2.8 mm) between February 2001 and October 2001. Major adverse cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and death were evaluated during hospital admission and at 6-months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). RESULTS: During hospitalization, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and death was not different between the two groups. At follow-up coronary angiography 6 months after PCI, the incidence of restenosis was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 3/20, 15.0% vs Group II; 9/20, 45.0%, p=0.032) and the incidence of target vessel revascularization (TLR) was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 3/20, 15.0% vs Group II; 8/20, 40.0%, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Coronary BiodivYsio stenting in small coronary artery leads to excellent short- and mid-term clinical outcomes.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Phosphorylcholine ; Prospective Studies ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: The BiodivYsio stent is a balloon-expandable stent coated with phosphorylcholine designed to reduce the formation of thrombus and the risk of restenosis. METHODS: We prospectively studied 20 patients who underwent implantation of BiodivYsio stent (group I; 60.8+/-9.3 years, male 60.0%) and compared to 20 patients who underwent balloon angioplasty alone (group II; 60.3+/-7.9 years, male 45.0%) for small coronary arterial lesions (target arterial diameter was between 2.0 mm and 2.8 mm) between February 2001 and October 2001. Major adverse cardiac events such as acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and death were evaluated during hospital admission and at 6-months after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). RESULTS: During hospitalization, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization and death was not different between the two groups. At follow-up coronary angiography 6 months after PCI, the incidence of restenosis was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 3/20, 15.0% vs Group II; 9/20, 45.0%, p=0.032) and the incidence of target vessel revascularization (TLR) was lower in group I than in group II (Group I; 3/20, 15.0% vs Group II; 8/20, 40.0%, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Coronary BiodivYsio stenting in small coronary artery leads to excellent short- and mid-term clinical outcomes.
Angioplasty, Balloon ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease* ; Coronary Vessels* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Phosphorylcholine ; Prospective Studies ; Stents* ; Thrombosis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Coronary restenosis after drug-eluting stent (DES) implantation occurs more frequently in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients. We compared the parameters influencing the like-lihood of restenosis after DES implantation in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent DES implantation (619 patients with 917 lesions, 211 diabetics and 408 nondiabetics), followed by 8 months coronary angiogram, were retrospectively identified using the percutaneous coronary intervention database and included in the present study [AH1]. Predictors of restenosis were identified by multivariate logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics of the patients, such as sex, body mass index, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and smoking status, were similar between the diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Restenosis (>50% of the diameter stenosis) occurred in 32 of 408 (7.8%) nondiabetic patients and in 32 (15.2%) of 211 diabetic patients (p<0.001). The use of a paclitaxel-eluting stent (PES), a higher level of C-reactive protein (CRP), longer stent length, smaller reference diameter (RD) before DES implantation, smaller RD and minimal lumen diameter after DES implantation were common predictors of restenosis in both the diabetic and nondiabetic patients after multivariate analyses. Current smoking status [odds ratio (OR)=3.213, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.458 to 7.080 p=0.004] and right coronary lesions (OR=2.444, 95% CI 1.048 to 5.703, p=0.039) were predictors of restenosis in the diabetic patients, while higher body mass index (OR=1.322, 95% CI 1.054 to 1.659, p=0.016) and A-type lesions (OR=0.108, 95% CI 0.022 to 0.530, p=0.006) were predictors of restenosis in the nondiabetic patients. CONCLUSION: The use of PESs and higher levels of CRP were associated with restenosis regardless of the presence of diabetes. Moreover, small baseline and post-PCI reference diameter and longer stent length remained significant angiographic predictors of restenosis in both diabetic and nondiabetic patients, even in the era of DES implantation.
Body Mass Index ; C-Reactive Protein ; Coronary Restenosis* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Drug-Eluting Stents* ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Multivariate Analysis ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Retrospective Studies ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Clodronate liposomes deplete phagocytic cells, thereby suppressing inflammation after vascular injury. We compared the effect of clodronate liposomes on macrophage depletion and neointimal formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice [ApoE (-) mice]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ApoE (-) mice were randomly assigned to the clodronate liposomes group (Clodronate Group, n=7) and the vehicle liposomes group (Control Group, n=7). Clodronate (0.1 mL/10 g) was injected via the tail vein starting 2 days (d-2) before left common carotid artery injury. RESULTS: The percentage of blood monocytes was subsequently decreased after clodronate injection (14.0+/-7.4% at baseline, 6.8+/-4.9% at 24 hours and 0.7+/-0.3% at 1 week after the clodronate liposome injection). The percentage of macrophages in the plaque area was significantly lower in the clodronate group at week 2 (32.0+/-6.5 vs. 68.7+/-7.6%, respectively, p<0.05) and at week 4 (37.3+/-8.5 vs. 62.6+/-9.4%, respectively, p<0.05). The interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha concentrations were significantly decreased in the clodronate group at week 4 (12.3+/-2.5 vs. 22.9+/-3.5 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.05 for IL-6 and 16.6+/-2.2 vs. 43.6+/-6.1 pg/mL, respectively, p<0.05 for TNF-alpha). The plaque volume was significantly greater in the control group at week 2 (0.345+/-0.063 vs. 0.153+/-0.053 mm2, respectively, p<0.05) and at week 4 (0.320+/-0.027 vs. 0.167+/-0.070 mm2, respectively, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of clodronate liposomes depleted monocytes and macrophages, and so this reduced the inflammatory markers and neointimal formation in ApoE (-) mice.
Administration, Intravenous ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins ; Apolipoproteins E ; Carotid Arteries ; Carotid Artery Injuries ; Carotid Artery, Common ; Clodronic Acid ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Liposomes ; Macrophages ; Mice ; Monocytes ; Phagocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vascular System Injuries ; Veins