Anti-inflammatory effects of Samsoeum, a Korean medicine for health insurance, on chronic bronchitis caused by lipopolysaccharide in rats

BACKGROUND

Samsoeum (SSE), a Korean medicine, has been used to treat upper respiratory infection including residual coughs after catching a cold, and colds in patients with gastrointestinal disorder. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of SSE against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bronchitis and characterized its optimal dosing range based on the improvement of SSE concentrations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Sprague Dawley rats were intra-nasally administered LPS on day 0, 3 and 6. 2 g kg-1 dose of SSE for rat was determined by the human equivalent dose formula and orally administered once a day from day 3 to day 6. To clarify the optimal administration dose of SSE, various doses including 0.5 (1/4 fold), 1 (1/2 fold), 6 (3 fold), 12 (6 fold), 24 (12 fold) and 36 g kg-1 (18 fold) were also orally administered. In addition, the molecular mechanism of SSE in mucin hyperproduction was investigated in LPS-sensitized A549 cells.

RESULTS

Oral administration of SSE ameliorated alveolar wall thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration of lung tissues in LPS-induced bronchitis at doses of 1/4 fold, 1/2 fold and 1 fold. The total cell and neutrophil numbers in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were reduced in the SSE-treated groups compared with the LPS group. In addition, 0.5, 1 and 2 g kg-1 of SSE suppressed LPS-induced mucin glycoprotein 5AC (MUC5AC) production in BALF. Furthermore, SSE treatment significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines, resulting in the decrease of MUC5AC production by the JAK1/STAT6 signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

1, 2 and 6 g kg-1 of SSE ameliorated chronic bronchitis by inhibiting LPS-induced neutrophil infiltration and MUC5AC release in BALF. These findings suggested that SSE with 0.5-3-fold of general daily intake dose would be a therapeutic agent for chronic bronchitis.

Liquid-type non-thermal atmospheric plasma ameliorates vocal fold scarring by modulating vocal fold fibroblast

Injection laryngoplasty is a widely used therapeutic option for drug delivery into vocal folds (VFs). Efficient injectable materials are urgently needed for treating intractable VF disease. Liquid-type non-thermal atmospheric plasma (LTP) has been found to be useful for various biological applications, including in regenerative medicine. We evaluated the effects of LTP on VF regeneration. Migration and matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated human vocal fold-derived mesenchymal stem cells (VF-MSCs) were enhanced by LTP treatment. LTP treatment not only ameliorated nuclear factor-κB and interleukin-6 activation, induced by LPS treatment, but also the increased manifestation of α-smooth muscle actin and fibronectin, induced by transforming growth factor-ß. In a rabbit VF scarring animal model, histological analyses showed increased hyaluronic acid deposition and decreased collagen accumulation after LTP injection. Videokymographic analysis showed more improved vibrations in LTP-treated VF mucosa compared to those in non-treated group. In conclusion, LTP treatment enhanced the recruitment and activation of VF-MSCs. Regulated extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and eventual functional improvement of scarred VFs were observed upon LTP treatment. The results of this study suggest that LTP injection can enhance wound healing and improve functional remodeling following VF injury.

Impact statement

Voice disorder has a significant impact on life quality, and one of the major causes of this voice disorder is vocal fold scarring. Therefore, various approaches have been tried to treat for voice disorder. However, no method has satisfied all requirements until now. Plasma medicine, which involves the medical application of plasma, is a rapidly developing field. We have confirmed that liquid-type plasma improved vocal fold scarring by mobilizing and activating vocal fold fibroblast. In conclusion, liquid-type plasma is a potential therapeutic agent for promoting vocal fold scarring through simple injection and it may be an alternative therapeutic agent for the current situation to treat voice disorder.

Controlled Release of Hepatocyte Growth Factor from MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PLLA) Diblock Copolymer for Improved Vocal Fold Regeneration

An in situ-forming gel system comprised of diblock copolymer formed from polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) {MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PLLA)} could be used in controlled drug delivery for tissue remodeling. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate favorable vocal folds (VF) regeneration by using MPEG-b-(PCL-ran-PLLA) diblock copolymers (C97L3; CL/LA ratio 97:3) incorporating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). Gradual release of HGF from C97L3 is detected and biochemical properties of released HGF are maintained. A scar is made with microscissors on both VFs in 32 rabbits, followed by injection of HGF-only, C97L3-only, or HGF-C97L3 composite gel in the left side VF, while the right side VF is left untreated. In vivo fluorescence live imaging system demonstrates that C97L3 enables the sustained release of injected HGF in the scarred VF for 12 weeks. The histological analysis shows increased glycosaminoglycan including hyaluronic acid accumulation and decreased collagen deposition. Videokymographic analysis shows more favorable vibrations of HGF-C97L3 treated VF mucosa, compared to other treatment groups. In conclusion, the controlled HGF release helps to regulate extracellular matrix synthesis, and leads to the eventual functional improvement of the scarred VF.

Emergence of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive ST8-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (USA300 clone) in Korea causing healthcare-associated and hospital-acquired bacteraemia

Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL)-positive sequence type (ST)8-MRSA-SCCmec IVa (USA300) is the epidemic strain of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in North America. USA300 is extremely rare in South Korea, and PVL-negative ST72 SCCmec type IVc is the predominant CA-MRSA clone. In a multicentre, prospective cohort study of S. aureus bacteraemia, we identified PVL-positive ST8-MRSA isolates by performing multilocus sequence typing and PCR for PVL. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients with PVL-positive ST8-MRSA bacteraemia, and performed SCCmec, spa, and agr typing, PCR for arginine catabolic mobile element (ACME), virulence gene profiling, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Among a total of 818 MRSA isolates, we identified ten isolates of PVL-positive ST8-MRSA (USA300) (3 from Hospital D, 4 from Hospital G, and 3 from Hospital A), all of which involved exclusively healthcare-associated (5 isolates) and hospital-acquired bacteraemia (5 isolates). This strain accounted for 8~10 % of the hospital-acquired MRSA bacteraemia in Hospitals D and G. Bacteraemia of unknown origin was the most common type of infection followed by pneumonia. All the isolates were SCCmec type IVa, spa type t008, and agr group I. Eight of the isolates harboured ACME. In a PFGE analysis, four isolates were identical to the USA300 control strain, five differed by a single band, and the remaining one differed by two bands. All the isolates were pulsed-field type USA300. This is the first report of healthcare-associated and hospital-acquired bacteraemia caused by USA300 in South Korea. USA300 seems to be an emerging hospital clone in this country.

Tissue-engineered artificial oesophagus patch using three-dimensionally printed polycaprolactone with mesenchymal stem cells: a preliminary report

OBJECTIVES

There has been a recent focus on 3D printing with regard to tissue engineering. We evaluated the efficacy of a 3D-printed (3DP) scaffold coated with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) seeded in fibrin for the repair of partial oesophageal defects.

METHODS

MSCs from rabbit bone marrow were cultured, and a 3DP polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold was coated with the MSCs seeded in fibrin. The fibrin/MSC-coated 3DP PCL scaffold was implanted on a 5 × 10 mm artificial oesophageal defect in three rabbits (3DP/MSC group) and 3DP PCL-only scaffolds were implanted in three rabbits (3DP-only group). Three weeks post-procedure, the implanted sites were evaluated radiologically and histologically.

RESULTS

None of the rabbits showed any infection, stenosis or granulation on computed tomography. In the 3DP/MSC group, the replaced scaffolds were completely covered with regenerating mucosal epithelium and smooth muscle cells as determined by haematoxylin and eosin and Desmin staining. However, mucosal epithelium and smooth muscle cell regeneration was not evident in the 3DP-only group.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of the 3DP scaffold coated with MSCs seeded in fibrin resulted in successful restoration of the shape and histology of the cervical oesophagus without any graft rejection; thus, this is a promising material for use as an artificial oesophagus.

A yellow-emitting phosphor of Mn(2+)-doped Na2CaP2O7

A yellow-emitting Na2CaP2O7:Mn(2+)phosphors have been synthesized by solid state reaction. The crystal structure, photoluminescence properties as well as concentration quenching mechanism have been investigated. The (4)T1-(6)A1 emission of Mn(2+)in Na2CaP2O7 phosphor ranges from 500 to 650 nm and exhibits a red shift while increasing the Mn(2+)concentration. The crystal field strength is calculated based on the combination of excitation spectrum and Tanabe-Sugano diagram. The chromaticity coordinates of Na2CaP2O7:Eu(2+), Mn(2+)phosphors were discussed in order to develop the potential application in white light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Potential anti-cancer activity of N-hydroxy-7-(2-naphthylthio) heptanomide (HNHA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo

Histone deacetylase (HDAC) is an attractive target for cancer therapy because it plays a key role in gene expression and carcinogenesis. N-hydroxy-7-(2-naphthylthio) heptanomide (HNHA) is a novel synthetic HDAC inhibitor (HDACI) that shows better pharmacological properties than a known HDACI present in the human fibrosarcoma cell: suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA). Here, we investigate the anti-cancer activity of HNHA against breast cancer both in vitro and in vivo. HNHA arrested the cell cycle at the G(1) /S phase via p21 induction, which led to profound inhibition of cancer cell growth in vitro. In addition, HNHA-treated cells showed markedly decreased levels of VEGF and HIF-1α than SAHA and fumagillin (FUMA) when accompanied by increased histone acetylation. HNHA significantly inhibited tumor growth in an in vivo mouse xenograft model. HNHA-treated mice survived significantly longer than SAHA- and FUMA-treated mice. Dynamic MRI showed significantly decreased blood flow in the HNHA-treated mice, implying that HNHA inhibits tumor neovascularization. This finding was accompanied by marked reductions of proangiogenic factors and significant induction of angiogenesis inhibitors in tumor tissues. We have shown that HNHA is an effective anti-tumor agent in breast cancer cells in vitro and in breast cancer xenografts in vivo. Collectively, these findings indicate that HNHA may be a potent anti-cancer agent against breast cancer due to its multi-faceted inhibition of HDAC activity, as well as anti-angiogenesis activity.

Development of bacteraemia or fungaemia after removal of colonized central venous catheters in patients with negative concomitant blood cultures

There are limited data on the clinical significance of positive central venous catheter (CVC) tip cultures associated with concomitant negative blood cultures performed at the time of CVC removal. A retrospective cohort study of all patients who yielded isolated positive CVC tip cultures was conducted in a tertiary-care hospital with 2200 beds during a 10-year period. All patients with isolated positive CVC tip cultures were observed for the development of subsequent bacteraemia or fungaemia between 2 and 28 days after CVC removal. An isolated positive CVC tip culture was defined as a case in which (i) a CVC tip culture yielded > or = 15 colonies using a semiquantitative culture method and (ii) at least two sets of blood samples revealed no organism at, or close to, the time of CVC removal (48 h before to 48 h after CVC removal). During the study period, 312 patients with isolated positive CVC cultures were enrolled. Eight (2.6%; 95% CI 1.2-5.1) of the 312 patients yielding isolated bacterial or fungal CVC tip cultures developed subsequent bloodstream infection (BSI) caused by the same species as that isolated from the tip culture (Staphylococcus aureus, 1: Enterococcus spp.; 2: Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and 3: Candida spp.). Among 125 patients from whose CVC tips the above four organisms were grown, seven (12.3%) of 57 patients who did not receive appropriate antibiotic therapy within 48 h after CVC removal subsequently developed BSI, but only one (1.5%) of 68 patients who did receive appropriate therapy developed BSI (OR 0.11, p 0.02).

Modulation of Nad(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) activity mediated by 5-arylamino-2-methyl-4,7-dioxobenzothiazoles and their cytotoxic potential

Synthesized 5-arylamino-2-methyl-4,7-dioxobenzothiazoles 3a-3o were evaluated for modulation of NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) activity with the cytosolic fractions derived from cultured human lung cancer cells and their cytotoxicity in cultured several human solid cancer cell lines. The 4,7-dioxobenzothiazoles affected the reduction potential by NQO1 activity and showed a potent cytotoxic activity against human cancer cell lines. The tested compounds 3a, 3b, 3g, 3h, 3n and 3o were considered as more potent cytotoxic agents, and comparable modulators of NQO1 activity.