Kwan-il Kim

Docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil and pectin have a hypolipidemic effect, but pectin increases risk factor for colon cancer in rats

Abstract This study was designed to compare the effect of fish oil rich in DHA and pectin on the level of plasma lipids, hepatic HMG CoA reductase activity, microsomal membrane fluidity, colonic luminal content of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and fecal excretion of bile acids and neutral sterols in rats. Male SD rats (7wks) were divided into three groups according to dietary fat sources, beef tallow (BT), corn oil (CO), fish oil (FO) and each group was subdivided into cellulose and pectin groups. The rats were fed for 25 wks the experimental diet containing 15% fat and 6% fiber and all rats were intramuscularly injected. with DMH. FO significantly reduced the levels of plasma Chol, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and hepatic HMG CoA reductase activity and increased membrane fluidity as compared with BT and CO. Pectin significantly reduced the levels of plasma Chol, VLDL-C and LDL-C, but increased HDL-C, HMG CoA reductase activity and membrane fluidity (p

Effects of Chung-Pae Inhalation Therapy on a Mouse Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chung-pae (CP) inhalation therapy is a method frequently used in Korea to treat lung disease, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study investigated the effects of CP inhalation on a COPD animal model. C57BL/6 mice received porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) alternately three times for 3 weeks to induce COPD. Then, CP (5 or 20 mg/kg) was administered every 2 h after the final LPS administration. The effect of CP was evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid analysis, histological analysis of lung tissue, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of mRNA of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, IL-6, and tumor growth factor- (TGF-) β. Intratracheal CP administration reduced the number of leukocytes and neutrophils in BAL fluid, inhibited the histological appearance of lung damage, and decreased the mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, and TGF-β. Intratracheal CP administration effectively decreased the chronic inflammation and pathological changes in a PPE- and LPS-induced COPD mouse model. Therefore, we suggest that CP is a promising strategy for COPD.

Genetic Polymorphism of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

The relationship between polymorphism of the angiotensin I converting enzyme (ACE) gene and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been examined in many previous studies. However, their results were controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between the ACE gene and the risk of COPD. Fourteen case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled p value, odds ratio (OR), and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were used to investigate the strength of the association. The meta-analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis software. Our meta-analysis results revealed that ACE polymorphisms were not related to the risk of COPD (p > 0.05 in each model). In further analyses based on ethnicity, we observed an association between insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene and risk of COPD in the Asian population (codominant 2, OR = 3.126, 95% CI = 1.919–5.093, p < 0.001; recessive, OR = 3.326, 95% CI = 2.190–5.050, p < 0.001) but not in the Caucasian population (p > 0.05 in each model). In conclusion, the present meta-analysis indicated that the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the ACE gene may be associated with susceptibility to COPD in the Asian population but not in the Caucasian population. However, the results of the present meta-analysis need to be confirmed in a larger sample.

Association Between Secretoglobin Family 3A Member 2 (SCGB3A2) Gene Polymorphisms and Asthma in a Korean Population

Background Secretoglobin family 3A member 2 (SCGB3A2) plays an important role in secreting lung surfactant protein, which is a downstream target of thyroid transcription factor. Material/Methods We investigated whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of SCGB3A2 gene contribute to susceptibility to asthma. To explore this possible association, 2 promoter SNPs (rs6882292, 659 G/A and rs1368408, −112 G/A) and missense SNP (rs151333009, stop codon) were tested in SCGB3A2 gene in 101 asthma patients and 377 healthy control subjects. SNPStats was used to obtain odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and P value adjusted for age and sex as covariables. Logistic regression method in each model (dominant, recessive, and log-additive) was applied to analyze genetic data. Results rs151333009 SNP showed a monomorphic genotype. Two promoter SNPs (rs6882292, −659 G/A and rs1368408, −112 G/A) showed significant association with asthma (rs6882292, OR=2.66, 95% CI=1.42–5.01, p=0.0033 in dominant model, OR=2.45, 95% CI=1.33–4.54, p=0.0055 in log-additive model; rs1368408, OR=1.59, 95% CI=1.02–2.49, p=0.041 in dominant model, OR=3.02, 95% CI=1.15–7.90, p=0.03 in recessive model, OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.63, 95% CI=1.12–2.37, p=0.012 in log-additive model). Conclusions These results suggest that the promoter SNPs (rs6882292 and rs1368408) of SCGB3A2 gene may contribute to susceptibility to asthma in a Korean population.

A traditional herbal medication, Maekmoondong-tang, for cough: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Maekmoondong-tang (MMDT) is a traditional herbal medication widely used to improve cough in Korea, Japan, and China. It is composed of six herbs (Ophiopogonis Tuber, Pinelliae Tuber, Glycyrrhizae Radix, Zizyphi Fructus, Ginseng Radix, and Oryzae Semen). AIM OF THE STUDY This study is aimed to systematically review the relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the effectiveness and safety of MMDT for cough. MATERIALS AND METHODS Electronic and hand-searching of 7 databases (Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, OASIS, RISS, CNKI and CiNii) was systematically conducted up to February 2015 for RCTs testing MMDT in patients with cough. The primary outcome was cough symptom improvement using cough diary, visual analog scale, or response rate. Risk of bias of the included trials was evaluated with the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. The dichotomous data were pooled to obtain a risk ratio (RR) of cough persisting after treatment, with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Nine RCTs involving 2453 participants were included. The methodological quality was largely poor for a majority of the studies. MMDT reduced the severity of cough by 74% compared with the conventional antitussive medications in various conditions (n=1145; RR of cough persisting after treatment=0.26; 95% CI, 0.19-0.34, I(2)=0%). The addition of MMDT to conventional medication in patients with postinfectious cough significantly alleviated symptoms up to day 5 but the effect was not maintained one week afterwards. For other diseases/conditions including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer surgery, and asthma, the evidence is inconsistent for MMDT/mMMDT for cough. Adverse events appear to be rare but the reporting was poor. CONCLUSIONS The current evidence from our systematic review and meta-analysis on MMDT for cough is inconclusive and we propose that rigorously designed, placebo-controlled trials of MMDT should be conducted to establish its place in management of cough.

Oral administration of herbal medicines for radiation pneumonitis in lung cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Radiation pneumonitis is a common and serious complication of radiotherapy. Many published randomized controlled studies (RCTs) reveal a growing trend of using herbal medicines as adjuvant therapy to prevent radiation pneumonitis; however, their efficacy and safety remain unexplored. Objective The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines as adjunctive therapy for the prevention of radiation pneumonitis in patients with lung cancer who undergo radiotherapy. Methods We searched the following 11 databases: three English medical databases [MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)], five Korean medical databases (Korean Studies Information, Research information Service System, KoreaMed, DBPIA, National Digital Science Library), and three Chinese medical databases [the China National Knowledge Database (CNKI), Journal Integration Platform (VIP), and WanFang Database]. The primary outcome was the incidence of radiation pneumonitis. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Results Twenty-two RCTs involving 1819 participants were included. The methodological quality was poor for most of the studies. Meta-analysis showed that herbal medicines combined with radiotherapy significantly reduced the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (n = 1819; RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.45–0.63, I2 = 8%) and the incidence of severe radiation pneumonitis (n = 903; RR 0.22, 95% CI 0.11–0.41, I2 = 0%). Combined therapy also improved the Karnofsky performance score (n = 420; WMD 4.62, 95% CI 1.05–8.18, I2 = 82%). Conclusion There is some encouraging evidence that oral administration of herbal medicines combined with radiotherapy may benefit patients with lung cancer by preventing or minimizing radiation pneumonitis. However, due to the poor methodological quality of the identified studies, definitive conclusion could not be drawn. To confirm the merits of this approach, further rigorously designed large scale trials are warranted.

Anti-inflammatory effects of embelin in A549 cells and human asthmatic airway epithelial tissues

Abstract Objective: Allergic asthma is the most common type in asthma, which is defined as a chronic inflammatory disease of the lung. In this study, we investigated whether embelin (Emb), the major component of Ardisia japonica BL. (AJB), exhibits anti-inflammatory effects on allergic asthma via inhibition of NF-κB activity using A549 cells and asthmatic airway epithelial tissues. Methods: Inflammation was induced in A549 cells, a human airway epithelial cell line, by IL-1β (10 ng/ml) treatment for 4 h. The effects of Emb on NF-κB activity and COX-2 protein expression in inflamed airway epithelial cells and human asthmatic airway epithelial tissues were analyzed via western blot. The secretion levels of NF-κB-mediated cytokines/chemokines, including IL-4, 6, 9, 13, TNF-α and eotaxin, were measured by a multiplex assay. Results: Emb significantly blocked NF-κB activity in IL-1β-treated A549 cells and human asthmatic airway epithelial tissues. COX-2 expression was also reduced in both IL-1β-treated A549 cells and asthmatic tissues Emb application. Emb significantly reduced the secretion of IL-4, IL-6 and eotaxin in human asthmatic airway epithelial tissues by inhibiting activity of NF-κB. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that Emb may be used as an anti-inflammatory agent via inhibition of NF-κB and related cytokines.

Efficacy and safety of Maekmoondong-tang for chronic dry cough: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

AbstractBackgroundChronic cough, defined it lasts more than 8 weeks. The symptom is common, but highly troublesome, and it reduces quality of life. Despite much effort to develop a protocol for diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough, it remains problematic to determine its cause. As a result, treatment is often unsuccessful. Thus, there is much interest regarding the use of symptomatic drugs to control chronic cough. Maekmoondong-tang is widely used in East Asian countries to treat chronic dry cough. Several experimental studies have reported that the herbal medicine has immunomodulatory and antitussive effects. Clinical studies involving Maekmoondong-tang have also been carried out; however, these studies have involved treating various diseases as a whole rather than chronic cough itself. Thus, we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Maekmoondong-tang in chronic dry cough patients with a randomized controlled trial.Methods/DesignThis study is designed as an exploratory, single-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel group clinical trial. Patients with dry cough that has lasted more than 8 weeks will be recruited, after a 1-week run-in period, and randomly allocated to either the Maekmoondong-tang treatment group or the placebo group. The patients will receive Maekmoondong-tang or placebo granules 3 times daily for 4 weeks, with a 2-week follow-up. The primary outcome is a 10-point cough diary that will be recorded on a daily basis. The secondary outcomes comprise a cough visual analog scale, the Leicester Cough Questionnaire (Korean version), the Pattern Identification for Chronic Cough Questionnaire, biomarkers, safety testing, etc. Adverse events will also be reported.DiscussionThis trial will assess the efficacy and safety of Maekmoondong-tang in chronic dry cough.Trial registrationKorean Clinical Trial Registry (http://cris.nih.go.kr; registration number: KCT0001646). Date of registration: October 5 2015