TGFβ1-Induced Transglutaminase-2 Triggers Catabolic Response in Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes by Modulating MMP-13

Background@#Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) plays an essential role in maintaining cartilage homeostasis. TGFβ1 is known to upregulate anabolic processes in articular cartilage, but the role of TGFβ1 in chondrocyte catabolism remains unclear. Thus, we examined whether TGFβ1 increases catabolic processes in the osteoarthritic joint via transglutaminase 2 (TG2). In this study, we investigated whether interplay between TGFβ1 and TG2 mediates chondrocyte catabolism and cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. @*Methods@#To investigate the role of TGFβ1 and TG2 in osteoarthritis, we performed immunostaining to measure the levels of TGFβ1 and TG2 in 6 human non-osteoarthritic and 16 osteoarthritic joints. We conducted quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to investigate the relationship between TGFβ1 and TG2 in chondrocytes and determined whether TG2 regulates the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, type II, and type X collagen. We also examined the extent of cartilage degradation after performing anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery in TG2 knock-out mice. @*Results@#We confirmed the overexpression of TGFβ1 and TG2 in human osteoarthritic cartilage compared with non-osteoarthritic cartilage. TGFβ1 treatment significantly increased the expression of TG2 via p38 and ERK activation. TGFβ1-induced TG2 also elevated the level of MMP-13 and type X collagen via NF-κB activation in chondrocytes. Cartilage damage after ACLT and DMM surgery was less severe in TG2 knock-out mice compared with wild-type mice. @*Conclusion@#TGFβ1 modulated catabolic processes in chondrocytes in a TG2-dependent manner. TGFβ1-induced TG2 might be the therapeutic target for treating cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis.

TGFβ1-Induced Transglutaminase-2 Triggers Catabolic Response in Osteoarthritic Chondrocytes by Modulating MMP-13

Background@#Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) plays an essential role in maintaining cartilage homeostasis. TGFβ1 is known to upregulate anabolic processes in articular cartilage, but the role of TGFβ1 in chondrocyte catabolism remains unclear. Thus, we examined whether TGFβ1 increases catabolic processes in the osteoarthritic joint via transglutaminase 2 (TG2). In this study, we investigated whether interplay between TGFβ1 and TG2 mediates chondrocyte catabolism and cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis. @*Methods@#To investigate the role of TGFβ1 and TG2 in osteoarthritis, we performed immunostaining to measure the levels of TGFβ1 and TG2 in 6 human non-osteoarthritic and 16 osteoarthritic joints. We conducted quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to investigate the relationship between TGFβ1 and TG2 in chondrocytes and determined whether TG2 regulates the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, type II, and type X collagen. We also examined the extent of cartilage degradation after performing anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) and destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery in TG2 knock-out mice. @*Results@#We confirmed the overexpression of TGFβ1 and TG2 in human osteoarthritic cartilage compared with non-osteoarthritic cartilage. TGFβ1 treatment significantly increased the expression of TG2 via p38 and ERK activation. TGFβ1-induced TG2 also elevated the level of MMP-13 and type X collagen via NF-κB activation in chondrocytes. Cartilage damage after ACLT and DMM surgery was less severe in TG2 knock-out mice compared with wild-type mice. @*Conclusion@#TGFβ1 modulated catabolic processes in chondrocytes in a TG2-dependent manner. TGFβ1-induced TG2 might be the therapeutic target for treating cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis.

Linear Array Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Drainage of a Pancreatic Pseudocyst without Using Fluoroscopy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts is the initial treatment of choice for symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts and nonresolving pseudocysts. Recently, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) has been used as a guide for transmural entry and the safer drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts. We report a case of therapeutic linear array EUS-guided pseudocyst drainage without the use of fluoroscopy in a patient with portal hypertension.

Clinical and Colonoscopic Characteristics of Primary Signet Ring Cell Carcinoma in Colorectum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A primary signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) in the colorectum is unusual. This study evaluated the clinical and colonoscopic characteristics of primary colorectal SRCC. METHODS: Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with a primary colorectal SRCC and 100 patients diagnosed with a primary colorectal nonmucinous adenocarcinoma were enrolled in this study. The medical records and colonoscopic findings were reviewed. RESULTS: The mean age was younger in the SRCC patients than in the nonmucinous adenocarcinoma patients (47.3+/-15.5 years vs. 60.3+/-10.4 years, p<0.001). In SRCC, hematochezia was less frequent while abdominal pain was more common (p<0.001). Duke stages A or B was rare in SRCC (4/28, 14.3% vs. 58/100, 58.0%, p<0.001). The colonoscopic features of Borrmann type 4 was more common in SRCC (10/28, 35.7% vs. 3/100, 3.0%, p<0.001). The occurrence of a tumor in the right colon was more frequent in SRCC (17/28, 60.7% vs. 20/100, 20.0%, p<0.001). The diagnostic yield of the first colonoscopic biopsy was lower in the SRCC patients (85.7% vs. 98.0%, p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Primary colorectal SRCC appears to occur in younger patients compared with nonmucinous adenocarcinoma. A more advanced stage and an infiltrative lesion such as Borrmann type 4 appears to be common and the diagnostic yield of a colonoscopic biopsy tends to be low in primary colorectal SRCC.

Non-exposed type of ampullary adenoma presenting as acute pancreatitis / 대한내과학회지

The adenoma of major duodenal pallilla is a rare cause of acute pancreatitis. Also, ampullary adenoma is known as a premalignant lesion having the potential for malignant transformation. Especially, the diagnosis of the unexposed (intramural) type of ampullary adenoma, which shows normal overlying mucosa, is known to be very difficult. We report a case of an unexposed type of ampullary adenoma presented as acute pancreatitis. On duodenoscopic examination, mucocal abnormality of the mapulla of Vater was not noted. After endoscopic sphicterotomy, a nodular mass was exposed and the tubular adeonoma was histologically confirmed with endoscopic biopsy.

Endoscopic Minor Papilla Intervention in a Patient with Traumatic Ductal Leak without Pancreas Divisum / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Endoscopic treatment has been performed in a variety of pancreatic ductal diseases such as stones, strictures, sphincter stenosis, and ductal disruption and is known to be an effective therapy in some patients. Endoscopic treatment through the minor papilla is frequently done in patients with pancreas divisum. Few data are, however, available concerning endoscopic minor papilla interventions in patients without pancreas divisum but with difficult access to the main pancreatic duct at the major duodenal papilla. We present a 49-year-old man, who had pancreatic ductal leak caused by previous pancreatic surgery. He was treated by endoscopic naso-pancreatic drainage and pancreatic ductal stenting through the minor papilla, so called pancreatic rendezvous technique. Follow-up ductography after two-weeks of naso-pancreatic drainage showed no leak. This case shows that minor papillar orifice could be an alternative access for therapeutic endoscopic intervention in a patient with traumatic pancreatic ductal leak without pancreas divisum.

Spontaneous Rupture of Lumbar Artery & Inferior Epigastric Artery in a Hemodialysis Patient / 대한신장학회잡지

We report a case of retroperitoneal hemorrhage and abdominal wall hemorrhage due to spontaneous lumbar artery and inferior epigastric artery rupture, in a patient with chronic renal failure treated with hemodialysis. There was no history of specific trauma. The bleeding was confirmed by CT and angiography, and controlled successfully by selective angiographic embolization. We suggest that a possibility of spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding should be considered in a case of abdominal pain or mass in a hemodialysis patient.

Analysis of gallstones which cause biliary symptoms or complication / 대한내과학회지

BACKGROUND: Gallstone is one of the most common cause of acute abdominal pain and is increasingly managed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Silent gallstones are usually managed expectantly and are considered for surgery only if the characteristic biliary pain occurs. If predictors of stone-related complications such as acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and cholangitis can be identified, patients at high risk can be selectively referred for treatment regardless of symptoms development, while those at lower risk may be safely observed. The purpose of this study was to find out the predictors of stone-related complication or biliary pain in patients with gallbladder stones. METHODS: We collected clinical data retrospectively on patients who were diagnosed with gallstone at Asan Medical Center. Total gallstone number was classified into 1, 2~4, over 5. Diameter of the gallstones were subdivided into 20 mm. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS program (Ver 6.11). RESULTS: 918 patients (432 men and 486 women) were included in the analysis. The mean age was 54.3 years; that of men was 55 years and women was 53.8 years. Stone-related complications developed in 201 patients of acute cholecystitis, 78 patients of acute gallstone pancreatitis and 80 patients of acute cholangitis. Biliary pain was occurred in 568 patients. 658 patients were experienced cholecystectomy (158 patients open cholecystectomy and 500 patiens LLC). 377 patients were experiened ERCP, and 289 persons of that were experienced EST. Acute gallstone pancreatitis and acute cholangitis were significantly more frequent in older age and patients experiencing biliary pain. Their gallstone size was significantly smaller and the number was significantly more numerous in the univariate analysis. But, in the multiple logistic regression analysis, only age and the smallest stone size were independent risk factors. Patients who experiencing biliary pain were older and had significantly smaller and multiple gallstones in the univariate analysis. However in the multiple logistic regression analysis only age and stone number were independent variables. Acute cholecystitis was significantly more frequent in the old age group and patients with biliary pain. CONCLUSION: In the multiple logistic regression analysis, old age and small gallstones were predictors of acute gallstone pancreatitis and acute cholangitis. Old age and multiple gallstones were associated with biliary pain. Old age and biliary pain were predictors of acute cholecystitis, but the gallstone size and number were not associated in this study. We suggest that a well-designed prospective study is necessary in the future.

A Case of Primary Pure Cholesterol Hepatolithiasis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

In the past, most hepatolithiasis had been brown pigment stones in Korea. However, stones with high cholesterol content are found with increasing frequency. Abdominal ultrasonography is superior to CT for detection of cholesterol hepatolithiasis. The characteristic gross morphology of pure cholesterol hepatolithiasis shown by cholangioscopy is diagnostic. An effective medical management consists of stone removal by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and ursodeoxycholic acid for the prevention of recurrence. We here report a case of primary pure cholesterol hepatolithiasis with a review of the literature. A 29-year-old woman presented with right upper quadrant pain. Abdominal ultrasonography showed right intrahepatic duct stones. A cholangioscopy revealed typical cholesterol stones, mucosal hyperemia, and mild narrowing in stone-bearing intrahepatic duct. Cholangioscopic stone removal via the percutaneous transhepatic route was successfully performed. To prevent recurrence, ursodeoxycholic acid was administered.