Troglitazone Enhances the Apoptotic Response of DLD-1 Colon Cancer Cells to Photodynamic Therapy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligand troglitazone in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) enhances the apoptotic response of DLD-1 colon cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of troglitazone, PDT, and troglitazone in combination with PDT on cell viability and apoptosis were assessed in DLD-1 cells. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using the tetrazolium-based MTT assay, and apoptosis was evaluated via cell staining with propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V-FITC. The levels of pro-caspase-3 were measured via Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Treatment of troglitazone and PDT induced the growth retardation and cell death of DLD-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, respectively. The combination treatment significantly suppressed cell growth and increased the apoptotic response of DLD-1 and resulted in apoptosis rather than necrosis, as shown by PI/annexin V staining and degradation of procaspase-3. CONCLUSION: Conclusion: These results document the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities of PDT in combination with the PPARγ ligand troglitazone and provide a strong rationale for testing the therapeutic potential of combination treatment in colon cancer.

Troglitazone Enhances the Apoptotic Response of DLD-1 Colon Cancer Cells to Photodynamic Therapy

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the peroxisomal proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) ligand troglitazone in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) enhances the apoptotic response of DLD-1 colon cancer cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of troglitazone, PDT, and troglitazone in combination with PDT on cell viability and apoptosis were assessed in DLD-1 cells. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated using the tetrazolium-based MTT assay, and apoptosis was evaluated via cell staining with propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V-FITC. The levels of pro-caspase-3 were measured via Western blot analyses. RESULTS: Treatment of troglitazone and PDT induced the growth retardation and cell death of DLD-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, respectively. The combination treatment significantly suppressed cell growth and increased the apoptotic response of DLD-1 and resulted in apoptosis rather than necrosis, as shown by PI/annexin V staining and degradation of procaspase-3. CONCLUSION: Conclusion: These results document the anti-proliferative and apoptotic activities of PDT in combination with the PPARγ ligand troglitazone and provide a strong rationale for testing the therapeutic potential of combination treatment in colon cancer.

Panonychus citri induced allergy among Yuzu farm workers in Koheung area / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Citrus red mite (CRM; Panonychus citri), which damages the peels and leaves of Citrus, has been reported as an important occupational allergen in Citrus farm workers. Yuzu belongs to the Citrus genus and its peels are the favorite material for tea in Korea. AIMS: We evaluated the prevalence of the sensitization to CRM in Yuzu farm workers in Koheung area (Southern provinces of Korean peninsula) and analyzed the allergenicity of CRM and the cross-reactivity between CRM and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DP) with the sera of the workers and urbanites. METHODS: One hundred and eleven Yuzu farm workers and 36 respiratory allergic urban patients were enrolled in this study. Skin prick test (SPT) to CRM and DP was performed. CRM specific IgE was detected by ELISA and immunoblotting method. Cross-reactivity was investigated through inhibition ELISA and inhibition immunoblotting. RESULTS: About 39% of the workers showed positive response to CRM in SPT. Prevalence of allergic disease was 66%. Symptoms were associated with their work in 53% of patients. CRM-specific IgE from workers was not inhibited by DP crude antigen but CRM-specific IgE from urban patients was inhibited by DP crude antigen by an average of 70%. With immuno- blotting, we could identify 14.5, 15, 17, 18, 21, 22, 32, 33, 49.5 kDa CRM allergens with the sera of the worker. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that CRM is one of the unique occupational allergens to the Yuzu farm workers. Cross-reactivity between CRM and DP was found in urban patients.

Medical Therapy in Children with Persistent Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia of Infancy(PHHI)

PURPOSE: Persistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia of infancy(PHHI), which is characterised by inappropriate insulin secretion in spite of hypoglycemia, needs urgent treatment to prevent cerebral hypoglycemic damage. Although pancreatectomy is the treatment of choice for PHHI, there are several complications which follow treatment. We suggest that aggressive medical therapy, when effective, is preferable to partial pancreatectomy. METHODS: We evaluated 8 patients with PHHI admitted to the Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center from November 1996 to January 1999. Children with hypoglycemia in the range of 3-50mg/dl were included. Octreotide was administered at dosage of 100-150 microgram/day. When the patients did not respond to octreotide, diazoxide and nifedipine were given in addition. RESULTS: In four of eight patients, octreotide was discontinued after 15 to 165 days. One patient was given diazoxide instead. The remaining 3 patients are still being treated with octreotide. CONCLUSION: We believe that maximum effort should be made to attain euglycemia with medication, and pancreatectomy should be reserved for patients in whom these measures fail to restore normoglycemia.

IL - 5 and IL - 10 production of peripheral blood mononuclear cells by stimulation of D. farinae antigen in atopic asthmatics / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: IL - 5 has been recognized as a potent proeosinophilic cytokine and IL-10 has been reported as an important anti - inflammatory cytokine in allergic inflammation. But the clinical roles of these cytokines in allergic asthma are still unclear. Objectives : We studied the clinical implications of IL - 5 and IL - 10 secretions from stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMC ) in Dermatophagoides farinae ( DF ) atopic asthmatics ( BA ). METHODS: Thirty - six DF sensitized BA and 9 non - atopic BA were enrolled for this study. Twenty - seven out of 36 subjects were challenged by inhalation of DF crude allergen. The isolated PBMCs were cultured for 6 days with DF antigen and the stimulatory index ( SI ) and secretions of IL - 5, IFN - y and IL - 10 from PBMC were measured. We analyzed these parameters with clinical parameters. RESULTS: SI (4.2 +/- 1.0 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.3, p<0.05) and secretions of IL - 5 ( 19.9 vs. 1.7 g/L, p< 0.001 ) and IL-10 ( 185.5 vs. 34.3 g/L, p(0.05 ) from the atopic BA were significantly higher than those of non-atopic BA, but the secretion of IFN - r was not different between the two groups ( 56.6 vs. 47.3 ug/L ). No significant difference in secretions of IL - 5, IL - 10, IFN - r and SI of PBMC was found between responder and non - responder of DF inhalation challenge test. Among responders to antigen challenge test ( n = 17 ), the production of IL - 5 correlated with the productions of IL - 10 (r = 0.773, p< 0.01 ) and methacholine PC20 ( r = 0.503, p< 0.05 ). Production of IL - 5 from the PBMC of atopic mild intermittent BA ( n = 10 ) was higher than that of atopic per'sistent BA ( n = 27 ) ( p< 0.01 ), but no difference in IL - 10, IFN - r and SI was found between the two groups. Conclusions : Allergen specific productions of IL - 5 and IL - 10 from the PBMC may be specific for atopic subjects and secretion of IL - 5 from the stimulated PBMC may contribute to the pathogenesis of atopic BA. The severity of BA may be more influenced by other factors.

One Year result of Dermatophagoides farinae antigen - speciffic autologous antibody complex immunotherapy in respiratory allergic patients sensitized to house dust mite / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Although good clinical effects have been reported, immunotherapy with house dust mite ( HDM ) antigen - autologous specific antibody complex ( IC - IT ) is not yet accepted as an effective immunomodulating tool in HDM allergic diseases. We aimed to prove the clinical effect of IC - IT in HDM sensitized respiratory allergic subjects. Method : Six HDM sensitized respiratory allergic subjects were enrolled. Autologous D. farinae specific IgG was purified with DEAE ion exchange and affinity chromatography. After one year of IC - IT treatment the clinical effects were analyzed with symptom scores, methacholine PC20, ELISA assay of D. farinae specific antibodies and intradermal skin reactivity. Result : The rhinitis symptom score significantly improved after a one - year administration of IC - IT ( 1.23 +/- 0.30 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.15, p< 0.05), but no significant differences were found in asthma symptom score, intradermal skin reactivity to D. farinae and ELISA optic absorbances of D. farinae specific IgE, IgG, and IgG subclasses. Methacholine PC20 values improved in all 6 patients who were administered with IC - IT ( 0.35 vs. 1.66 mg/ml, p< 0.05 ). CONCLUSION: IC - IT may be efficient for management of HDM atopic asthma. Further studies are needed before clinical application of IC - IT in house dust mite atopic subjects.

Cross - reactivity between pollens in patients sensitlzed to multiple pollens / 천식및알레르기

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate cross - reactivity between pollens in patients with strong skin reactivity to multiple pollens. METHODS: A pool of sera from 20 patients who showed strong skin responses( > or = 3+ ) to all three kinds of pollens ( tree, grass, and weed ) was used. Oak, ryegrass, mugwort, ragweed and hop Japanese pollens were chosen for the subject of study. The level and pattern of bound IgE to each pollen and cross - reactivity between pollens were investigated by ELISA and immunoblot experiments. RESULTS: In ELISA, the IgE of a pool of sera reacted to ryegrass and ragweed in 100%, to mugwort in 95%, to oak in 75%, and to hop Japanese in 65%, respectively. In inhibitory ELI - SA, more than 50% of bound IgE was mutually inhibited in oak vs ryegrass, oak vs mugwort, mugwort vs ryegrass and mugwort vs hop Japanese. In immunoblot, the IgE binding rate to major allergens of each pollen was 95% for hop Japanese, 75% for ragweed, 50% for ryegrass, 35% for mugwort, and 30% for oak, respectively. In inhibitory immunoblot, the mutually inhibited bound IgE could not be observed between major allergens of each pollen, but some minor allergens of oak pollen were mutually inhibited by ryegrass. CONCLUSION: Cross - reactivity between major allergens of oak, ryegrass, mugwort, ragweed and hop Japanese pollens was not observed at all, but some minor allergens of oak pollen cross-reacted with ryegrass and mugwort, and so did those of mugwort pollen with ryegrass and hop Japanese.

Variables Influencing 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Values in Newborn Screening for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH), which is classified into salt-wasting, simple virilization and non-classic type according to clinical features, is difficult to detect in early stages. Failure to diagnose it in the initial state may lead to life-threatening adrenal crisis, inappropriate male sex assignment in the genetic female, acceleration of skeletal maturation and subsequent short stature. Therefore, we studied the variables increasing the 17-hydroxyprogesterone(OHP) values for more specific and sensitive diagnosis of CAH. METHODS: We classified 3,532 newborns into variable factors; gestational age, birth weight, gender, delivery type, sampling date and stress. Then, we analysed the relationships between 17-OHP values and variable factors. RESULTS: The mean value of 17-OHP was 4.21+/-0.03ng/ml. There were significant differences among the variable factors except gender. The mean value of male was 4.26ng/ml, and that of female was 4.15ng/ml(P=0.10). The mean value of 17-OHP in vaginal delivered newborn was higher than C-section delivered ones(4.71ng/ml, 3.34ng/ml, P=0.0001). It was also higher in low birth weight(P=0.0001), in prematurity(P=0.001), those sampled within 4 days(P=0.0001), stressful condition and ventilator care-assisted(P=0.004). CONCLUSION: 17-OHP value in neonatal screening is influenced by several variables such as vaginal delivery, ventilator management, low birth weight, sampling date and prematurity. If the 17-OHP value is increased, we have to consider the variables influencing the increase in value and follow up with time interval or analysis of genetic mutations.

Variables Influencing 17-Hydroxyprogesterone Values in Newborn Screening for Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia(CAH), which is classified into salt-wasting, simple virilization and non-classic type according to clinical features, is difficult to detect in early stages. Failure to diagnose it in the initial state may lead to life-threatening adrenal crisis, inappropriate male sex assignment in the genetic female, acceleration of skeletal maturation and subsequent short stature. Therefore, we studied the variables increasing the 17-hydroxyprogesterone(OHP) values for more specific and sensitive diagnosis of CAH. METHODS: We classified 3,532 newborns into variable factors; gestational age, birth weight, gender, delivery type, sampling date and stress. Then, we analysed the relationships between 17-OHP values and variable factors. RESULTS: The mean value of 17-OHP was 4.21+/-0.03ng/ml. There were significant differences among the variable factors except gender. The mean value of male was 4.26ng/ml, and that of female was 4.15ng/ml(P=0.10). The mean value of 17-OHP in vaginal delivered newborn was higher than C-section delivered ones(4.71ng/ml, 3.34ng/ml, P=0.0001). It was also higher in low birth weight(P=0.0001), in prematurity(P=0.001), those sampled within 4 days(P=0.0001), stressful condition and ventilator care-assisted(P=0.004). CONCLUSION: 17-OHP value in neonatal screening is influenced by several variables such as vaginal delivery, ventilator management, low birth weight, sampling date and prematurity. If the 17-OHP value is increased, we have to consider the variables influencing the increase in value and follow up with time interval or analysis of genetic mutations.

Efficacy of an air cleaning device equipped with an electrostatic precipitator and photocatalytic plasma filter in respiratory allergic patients / 천식및알레르기

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a new air cleaning device (LG Electronics, Korea) equipped with electrostatic precipitator (EP) and photocatalytic plasma filter (PCP) in 24 respiratory allergic subjects. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Air cleaning conditioner and air cleaner were placed in living room and bedroom. Both EP and PCP (EP/PCP) filters were used for the first 4 weeks and for another 4 weeks, PCP without EP filter (PCP) was used. We measured symptom scores of asthma and rhinitis, peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), serum eosinophil cataionic prote in? in ECP, Dermatophagoides farinae (DF) specific IgE and IgG in sera, concentrations of major allergens of DF in floor dust of living room, bedroom and in airborne dust. RESULTS: Both asthma and rhinitis symptom scores were significantly improved not only with EP/PCP filters but also with PCP filter. The morning PEFR was significantly improved with EP/PCP filters, but not with PCP filter. Frequency of salbutamol inhalation by air cleaner with EP/PCP filter tended to de crease(p=0.051), with no significant difference in serum ECP concentration. DF specific IgE significantly decreased at the 8th week with no differences in specific IgG. However, the mean Der f I levels in floor dust of bedroom (1, 128 vs. 374 ng/gm dust, p<0.01) and living room (1,516 vs 812 ng/gm dust, p<0.01) decreased, Der f1 in airborne dust measured only in 8 out of 22 subjects, and they decreased significantly with the trial of EP/PCP filter (172.2 pg/4.5m vs. 62.1 pg/4.5m, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the EP/PCP air cleaner may be an effective tool for environmental control in respiratory allergic subjects.