Cholesterol Depletion in Cell Membranes of Human Airway Epithelial Cells Suppresses MUC5AC Gene Expression

PURPOSE: If cholesterol in the cell membrane is depleted by treating cells with methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (MbetaCD), the activities of transmembrane receptors are altered in a cell-specific and/or receptor-specific manner. The proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1beta is potent inducers of MUC5AC mRNA and protein synthesis in human airway epithelial cells. Cells activated by IL-1beta showed increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Thus, we investigated the effects of cholesterol depletion on the expression of MUC5AC in human airway epithelial cells and whether these alterations to MUC5AC expression were related to MAPK activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After NCI-H292 cells were pretreated with 1% MbetaCD before adding IL-1beta for 24 hours, MUC5AC mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real time-PCR. Cholesterol depletion by MbetaCD was measured by modified microenzymatic fluorescence assay and filipin staining. The phosphorylation of IL-1 receptor, ERK and p38 MAPK, was analyzed by western blot. RESULTS: Cholesterol in the cell membrane was significantly depleted by treatment with MbetaCD on cells. IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA expression was decreased by MbetaCD and this decrease occurred IL-1-receptor-specifically. Moreover, we have shown that MbetaCD suppressed the activation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK in cells activated with IL-1beta. This result suggests that MbetaCD-mediated suppression of IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC mRNA operated via the ERK- and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. CONCLUSION: Cholesterol depletion in NCI-H292 cell membrane may be considered an anti-hypersecretory method since it effectively inhibits mucus secretion of respiratory epithelial cells.

Relationship between Upper Airway Computed Tomography in the Awake State and Polysomnograpy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to evaluate the anatomical features of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) using upper airway computed tomography (CT) in the awake state, and to analyze the correlation between anatomical features and severity of polysomnography (PSG) findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-eight patients presenting with snoring and sleep apnea were included, and upper airway CT in the awake state and PSG were performed in all patients. The average apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and minimal arterial oxygen saturation (minSaO2) values were calculated. The axial and sagittal images from the level of the nasopharynx to that of the hypopharynx were obtained and measured. The correlations of the anatomical parameters with AHI and minSaO2 were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The significant parameters correlated with AHI were nasopharynx anterior-posterior (A-P) diameter and transverse diameter, soft palate transverse diameter, uvula length, tongue length, lingual transverse diameter, and hypopharynx A-P diameter & transverse di-ameter. The parameters correlated with minSaO2 were nasopharynx transverse diameter and lingual transverse diameter. Conclusions: Upper airway analysis using CT in awake OSAS patients provides anatomical parameters which correlate with the severity of OSAS. Therefore, upper airway CT in the awake state may be helpful in diagnosing OSAS.

Clinical Experience of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy with the Dornier Compact Delta(R) / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: To report our experience of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), with the Dornier Compact Delta(R). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 361 cases underwent EWSL using Dornier Compact Delta(R). The location and sizes of stones, session, success rate, and causes of failure and complications of ESWL, were retrospectively reviewed. The mean diameter of the stones was 8.7mm, ranging from 5 to 37mm. RESULTS: Of the 361 cases, there were 71 (19.7%) and 290 (80.3%) cases of renal stones and ureteral stones, respectively. The overall success rate was 92.5%, with success rates of 98.2, 86.2, 62.5 and 100% for stone sizes

Laparoscopic Intraperitoneal Drainage of Lymphocele Developed Adjacent to the Kidney Transplanted / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Lymphoceles are the most frequent surgical complications following kidney transplantation. Symptomatic lymphoceles following kidney transplantation are managed best by surgical marsupialization with intraperitoneal drainage. We performed laparoscopic intraperitoneal drainage in a patient with a large lymphocele and secondary hydronephrosis following a kidney transplant.