Chemical Constituents from Buddleja officinalis and Their Inhibitory Effects on Nitric Oxide Production

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of a methanolic extract of Buddleja officinalis led to the isolation of two monoterpenes, crocusatin M (1), crocusatin C (2), a flavonoid, acacetin (3), three lignans, lariciresinol (4), pinoresinol (5), and syringaresinol (6), and two triterpenoidal saponins, mimengoside B (7) and songarosaponin A (8). The structures of isolates were identified based on 1D-, 2D-NMR, and MS data analysis. All isolates were tested for their inhibition on LPS-induced NO production in RAW 264.7 cells. As a result, mimengoside B (7) and songarosaponin A (8) showed a mild inhibitory activity of NO production.

Antioxidant Effect of CoQ10 on N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced Oxidative Stress in Mice

The antioxidant effect of CoQ10 on N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced oxidative stress was investigated in mice. Food intake and body weight were similar in both CoQ10 and control groups during the 3-week experimental period. NDEA significantly increased the activities of typical marker enzymes of liver function (AST, ALT and ALP) both in control and CoQ10 groups. However, the increase of plasma aminotransferase activity was significantly reduced in the CoQ10 group. Lipid peroxidation in various tissues, such as heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen and plasma, was significantly increased by NDEA, but this increase was significantly reduced by 100 mg/kg of CoQ10. Superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly upon NDEA-induced oxidative stress in both the control and CoQ10 groups with the effect being less in the CoQ10 group. Catalase activity decreased significantly in both the control and CoQ10 groups treated with NDEA, again with the effect being less in the CoQ10 group. The lesser effect on superoxide dismutase and catalase in the NDEA-treated CoQ10 group is indicative of the protective effect CoQ10. Thus, CoQ10 can offer useful protection against NDEA-induced oxidative stress.

The Effect of Caffeic Acid on Wound Healing in Skin-incised Mice

This study was carried out to investigate the wound healing effect of caffeic acid in skin-incised mice. Caffeic acid showed significant effects on anti-inflammatory activity and wound healing, such as myeloperoxidase activity, lipid peroxidation, phospholipase A2 activity and collagen-like polymer synthesis, in incised-wound tissue. On the other hand, it significantly stimulated collagen-like polymer synthesis in NIH 3T3 fibroblast cells, while inhibited both silica-induced reactive oxygen species generation and melittin-induced arachidonic acid release and PGE2 production in Raw 264.7 cells, and histamine release in RBL 2H3 cells stimulated by melittin or arachidonic acid. Therefore, caffeic acid appears to have a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect in cell culture system, which may be related to wound healing in skin-incised mice.

Efficacy and Safety of Long-term Lamivudine Therapy in the Patients with Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis Secondary to Hepatitis B / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine use in patients with decompensated cirrhosis B has been reported to improve the hepatic function and often delay the need for liver transplantation. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of long-term lamivudine therapy in patients with decompensated cirrhosis by comparative study using a matched, untreated cohort. METHODS: 41 patients with decompensated cirrhosis B were included for this study (31 male and 10 female; mean age, 50 years; mean observation period, 18 months). They were divided into two groups: a lamivudine treatment group and an untreated control group. 21 patients in the treatment group were treated with lamivudine 75 or 150 mg daily for at least 12 months. Biochemical and serologic markers were evaluated at two to three-month intervals for all patients. Clinical improvement was defined by a decrease in the Child-Pugh score of at least 2 points. RESULTS: During the observation period, 62% (13/21) was responders, 33% (7/21) was breakthrough, and 5% (1/21) was non-responder in the treated group. The mean Child-Pugh score was significantly improved from 8.6 to 6.0 in the treatment group, but aggravated from 8.7 to 10.0 in the control group during the follow-up. The HBeAg seroconversion rate was 31% in the treatment group (5/16) and none in the control group (0/14). Clinical improvement was observed in fifteen of 21 in the treatment group (71%) and only one of 20 in the control group (5%). According to the treatment responses, clinical improvement was observed in ten of 13 responders (77%), four of 7 breakthrough (57%), and one non-responder. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term administration of lamivudine for patients with decompensated cirrhosis B is effective and safe, although breakthrough and non-response occurred in some patients.

Lamivudine-Resistance in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B and/or Cirrhosis and Detection of Mutations in YMDD Motif of Hepatitis B Virus Genome / 대한간학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Lamivudine is an antiviral nucleoside analogue effective for the treatment of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection via the inhibition of DNA polymerase activity. The mutations, however, in YMDD motif, such as YVDD and YIDD, have been found to interfere with the therapeutic efficacy of lamivudine. This study was performed to identify the role of such mutant-type HBV among Korean hepatitis B patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis receiving lamivudine treatment. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from four groups of patients; patients with breakthrough (group I, n = 8); patients who showed no response after the treatment (group II, n = 6); patients who showed good response (group III, n = 6); patients with chronic hepatitis B without any treatment (group IV, n = 4). Mutations were detected by PCR-cloning and automated sequencing. RESULTS: Mutations in YMDD were found in only 4 (50%) in group I and were negative in group II. No mutations could be identified in the serum samples collected before treatment and from groups III and IV. YVDD mutation was found to be associated with two additional mutations, 'L-to-M' in 528th amino acid and 'L-to-V' in 577th amino acid. CONCLUSIONS: Lamivudine resistance appeared in three different patterns: (1) breakthrough related to the mutations in YMDD motif; (2) breakthrough not related to the YMDD mutations; and (3) primary non-responder not related to the YMDD mutations.

A Case of Pulmonary Embolism Induced by Complication of Histoacryl Injection Therapy in Gastric Varix Bleeding / 대한소화기내시경학회지

N-Butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (Histoacryl) has been used successfully to control bleeding from esophagogastric varices since the first report in 1986 by Soehendra. Complications of Histoacryl injection include local sloughing with ulcer formation, rebleeding, sepsis, mediastinitis, esophageal strictures and fever. Systemic embolization, including pulmonary and cerebral embolization, has been reported. We describe here the presentation of an un-usual complication of Histoacryl injection. A 42-year-old woman presented with an attack of massive hematemesis. Endoscopy revealed bleeding evidence of gastric varices. Sclero-therapy was carried out using Histoacryl mixed with Lipiodol (ratio 1 : 1), with complete solidification of the varix. Next morning she complained of dyspnea and tachycardia. The chest x-ray showed multiple metallic densities, consistent with cyanoacrylate mixed with lipoidol, located at central portion. She was diagnosed as having pulmonary embolism by convential precontrast chest CT. She was treated conservatively using oxygen and analge-sics. She recovered soon and was discharged without significant problems.

Unusual Location of the Hemodialysis Catheter in Persistent left Superior Vena Cava in a Patient with Chronic Renal Failure / 대한신장학회잡지

A persistent left superior vena cava(SVC) is found in about 0.3% of healthy individuals and 4.3% of patients with congenital heart disease. This anomaly is most frequently found in conjunction with a right-sided SVC, but may also be solitary. Recently, we experienced a case of persistent left SVC in patient with chronic renal failure. He required subclavian catheterization for hemodialysis due to leakage of peritoneal dialysate into external genitalia and pleural cavity. Because he had had a history of right subclavian catheterization for hemodialysis 3 months ago, the hemodialysis catheter was inserted in the left subclavian vein without any complication. Chest X-ray after insertion of the catheter showed that the distal tip of the catheter seemed to be within the aorta. Venography showed that the catheter was located within the left SVC and MRI showed isolated two SVC. He is receiving hemodialysis through the left subclavian catheter which is positioned within the left SVC without any problem.

A Case of Boerhaave Syndrome with Empyema in both Lungs in Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Spontaneous esophageal perforation (Boerhaave Syndrome) is an unusual condition that frequently leads to fatal complications. It typically occurs with rigorous emesis after an unduly large meal or heavy drinking. Its diagnosis is often delayed in almost all cases due to nonspecific symptoms and signs, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Therefore early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are very important. Recently we experienced a case of esophagogastric junctional perforation accompanied by bilateral empyema and mediastinitis after heavy alcohol drinking in a 56-year-old male patient. He was presented with hematemesis and abdominal pain. We diagnosed him using esophagography and chest CT. Thus, we report a case with a brief review of related literatures.

Esophagus, Stomach & Intestine; A Case of Menetrier's Disease / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Menetrier' disease is a rare disease characterized, histologically, by epithelial hyperplasia involving the surface and foveolar mucous cells, accompanied by atrophic or normal oxyntic glands of the stomach. The 48 year-old man with epigastric discomfort and peripheral edema was admitted to St. Paul Hospital. Gastrofiberscopic examination revealed extremely thickened mucosal fold in fundus and body especially greater curvature of stomach, and microscopically there was marked hyperplasia of foveolae and cystic dilatation. Serum albumin concentration was decreased and clearance of a1-antitrypsin was markedly increased in the stool, suggesting the protein-losing enteropathy. He was diagnosed to Menetrier's disease and treated with H2 blocker, antacids, diuretics and albumin replacement.

A case of very slowly progressed pneumonic consolidation / 결핵

Bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is originated from the periphery of the lung and can be mistaken for lobar pneumonia or atypical pneumonia clinically and at gross examination. Recently the authors experienced a 67-year-old woman who had slowly progressed pulmonary lesions for four years. At first, she visited this hospital for intermittent chest pain four years before. And she visited other hospitals for the same problem and had a series of evaluation including two times of biopsy but did not have any conclusive diagnosis. With aggravation of chest pain, she was referred to this hospital again and the lesion was reexamined and confirmed as bronchioloalveolar carcinoma by ultrasonography-guided needle biopsy. Being performed left lower lobectomy, she kept good condition without any complication.