Gastrodia elata Blume and its pure compounds protect BV-2 microglial-derived cell lines against β-amyloid: The involvement of GRP78 and CHOP

Objectives: Gastrodia elata (GE) Blume (Orchidaceae) has been previously known for its therapeutic benefits against neurodegenerative diseases. Microglial activation and death have been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In this study, GE and its pure components, gastrodin and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol (4HBA), were applied to β-amyloid-induced BV2 mouse microglial cells. Materials and Methods Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay and Western blotting was also performed. Results: β-amyloid-induced cell death was shown to be induced time- and dose-dependently. To examine the cell death mechanism, we confirmed the involvement of ER stress signaling. C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), a pro-apoptotic ER stress protein, was expressed at high levels but glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), an anti-apoptotic ER stress protein with chaperone activity, was only slightly affected by treatment with β-amyloid. However, pretreatment with GE and its components inhibited the expression of CHOP but increased that of GRP78 in β-amyloid-treated cells. This study also showed that a single treatment with GE extracts, gastrodin, or 4HBA induced the expression of GRP78, a marker for enhanced protein folding machinery, suggesting a protective mechanism for GE against β-amyloid. Conclusions: This study reveals the protective effects of GE against β-amyloid-induced cell death, possibly through the enhancement of protein folding machinery of a representative protein, GRP78, and the regulation of CHOP in BV2 mouse microglial cells.

Invasive Tracheobronchial Aspergillosis : Case Reports and a Literature Review

Invasive tracheobronchial aspergillosis (iTBA) is an uncommon clinical manifestation of invasive aspergillosis and this is usually limited to the large airways. Its pathophysiology and clinical features are obscure, but some fatal cases of iTBA in immunocompetent patients have also been reported. We describe 4 cases of iTBA in the patients with hematologic malignancies, that was early diagnosed by bronchoscopy, a computed tomography and successfully treated by proper antifungal treatment. And we also review the cases of iTBA reported in Korea.

A Case of Central Vein Stenosis Complicated by Calcified Lesions of Pulmonary Tuberculosis / 대한신장학회지

Central venous stenosis or occlusion is commonly associated with placement of central venous catheters or devices. Although rare, central venous stenosis or occlusion may also develop without a history of previous central venous catheter placement. Here we report a case of central venous stenosis without a previous central catheter placement. A 76-year-old woman with hypertensive nephropathy was admitted due to deterioration of renal function. Tunneled cuffed catheter for hemodialysis was inserted in the right external jugular vein, and we intended to insert central venous catheter because of poorly functioning peripheral vein. But, left internal jugular vein was not cannulated. The patients had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis and chest x-ray revealed extensive calcified lesions mainly in left upper lung. Venography and CT angiogram showed complete occlusion at the confluent point of the left subclavian vein and left internal jugular vein, and left brachiocephalic vein by calcified lesion. The anterior cervical vein and jugular venous arch forming an anastomosis between the neck vein were marked dilated. The patient did not show any clinical symptoms and signs associated with central venous stenosis, and the central venous catheter functioned well, correction of central vein stenosis was not necessary. After the supportive care including temporary hemodialysis, the patient improved from renal dysfunction.

Huge Infected Thrombus of Right Atrium Related to Hemodialysis Catheter / 대한신장학회지

There has been an increase in the use of central venous catheters for temporary hemodialysis. Infected thrombus of right atrium is a rare but life-threatening complication of the central venous catheterization. A 35-year-old female hemodialysis patient was admitted with fever and dyspnea. She had been inserted tunneled hemodialysis catheter 2 months before. Blood cultures revealed methicillin- resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Chest CT showed multi-focal pneumonia and 4 cm sized huge thrombus in the right atrium. Echocardiography demonstrated same thrombus attached to the catheter tip in the right atrium. The catheter could not be removed because of high risk of pulmonary thromboembolism. Despite intravenous vancomycin treatment, the patient died from esophageal varix bleeding.

A Case of Tuberculosis-associated Hemophagocytic Syndrome during Antituberculosis Medication for Tuberculous Pericarditis / 결핵및호흡기질환

A 63-year old woman was admitted to our hospital for an evaluation of thrombocytopenia. She had been diagnosed with tuberculous pericarditis three months earlier in a local clinic and treated with anti-tuberculosis medication. Two months later, thrombocytopenia developed. The medication was subsequently stopped because it was suspected that the anti-tuberculosis medication, particularly rifampin, might have caused the severe platelet reduction. However, the thrombocytopenia was more aggravated. A bone marrow biopsy was performed, which showed moderate amounts of histiocytes with active hemophagocytosis. This finding strongly suggested that the critical thrombocytopenia had been caused by hemophagocytic syndrome, not by the side effects of the anti-tuberculosis medication. Furthermore, the development of hemophagocytosis might have been due to an uncontrolled tuberculosis infection and its associated aberrant immunity. Therefore, she was started with both standard anti-tuberculosis medication and chemotherapy using etoposide plus steroid. One month after the initiation of treatment, the thrombocytopenia had gradually improved and she was discharged in a tolerable condition. At the third month of the follow-up, her platelet level and ferritin, the activity marker of hemophagocytic syndrome, was within the normal range.