Pyranopyran-1,8-dione, an Active Compound from Vitices Fructus, Attenuates Cigarette-Smoke Induced Lung Inflammation in Mice.

Previously, we isolated and identified pyranopyran-1,8-dione (PPY) from Viticis Fructus, as a bioactive compound possessing anti-inflammatory properties. The present study was aimed to evaluate the preventive benefit of PPY on cigarette-smoke (CS)-induced lung inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to CS for 2 weeks while PPY was administrated by oral injection 2 h before CS exposure. To validate the anti-inflammatory effects of PPY, the numbers of immune cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were counted. Proinflammatory cytokines (Tumor necrosis factor-α: TNF-α, IL-6) and keratinocyte chemokine (KC/CXCL1) were also measured. Histopathologic analysis and cellular profiles showed that inflammatory cell infiltrations were significantly decreased in peribronchial and perivascular area by PPY treatment. The alveolar destruction by CS was markedly ameliorated by PPY treatment. In addition, the TNF-α, IL-6, and KC levels were declined in the PPY groups. These observations suggest that PPY has a preventive potential for lung inflammatory diseases.

Microarray analysis of the gene expression profile of HMC-1 mast cells following Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briquet treatment.

It has long been believed that mast cells play a crucial role in the development of many physiological changes during immediate allergic responses. This study was conducted to evaluate the anti-inflammation mechanism of Schizonepeta tenuifolia (ST) extract and ST purified chemicals on the PMA plus A23187-induced stimulation of HMC-1 human mast cells. ST, rosmarinic acid, pulegone, and 2α,3α,24-thrihydrooxylen-12en-28oic acid treatment of HMC-1 cells led to significant suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) in a dose dependent manner. In addition, the results of the microarray and real-time RT-PCR analyses revealed that ST regulates several pathways, including the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction (CCRI), MAPK, and the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathways. ST may be useful for the treatment of inflammation disease via anti-inflammation activity that occurs through inhibition of the CCRI, MAPK, and TLR signaling pathways.

The Efficacy of Unenhanced MR Imaging for the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis: A Performance Comparison Versus Abdominal Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of unenhanced MR imaging compared to the diagnostic accuracy, advantage, and limitations of abdominal ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 40 patients suspected of having acute appendicitis and who were subjected to an unenhanced MR image, as well as an abdominal ultrasonography. A T1 FLASH in an axial image, a chemical shift-selective fat suppressed T2 HASTE in an axial image, as well as a T2 HASTE in an axial and coronal image were obtained as unenhanced MR images. The diagnosis was established based on a surgical or clinical follow-up of the unenhanced MR results, which were then statistically compared to the ultrasonographic results. RESULTS: The surgical or clinical follow-up results revealed that 25 patients were positively diagnosed with appendicitis. Of these, 7 patients had symptoms of acute appendicitis with no pathologic diagnoses, whereas the 8 remaining patients were diagnosed with another condition. The sensitivity and accuracy of the unenhanced MR imaging was 92% and 90%, compared to ultrasonography which was 68% and 72.5% accurate, respectively. The differences in sensitivity and accuracy between the two methods were found to be statistically significant (p < .05, chi-square test). Based on these results, unenhanced MR imaging was superior to sonography for the diagnosis of appendicitis. CONCLUSION: Unenhanced MR imaging may be a useful modality for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, especially for suboptimal or nondiagnostic sonographies, as well as patients that are particularly sensitive to radiation exposure.