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Biomedical subjects

K T Lee

Publications and source records attributed to K T Lee.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Anti-allergic components from the peels of Citrus unshiu.

In a bioassay-guided search for anti-allergic compounds from higher plants of Korea, polymethoxyflavones, 3',4',5,6,7,8-hexamethoxyflavone (1), 5-hydroxy-3',4',6,7,8-pentamethoxyflavone (II) and 3',4',5,7,8,-pentamethoxyflavone (III) have been isolated from the immature peels of Citrus unshiu. Structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. Compounds I and II inhibited dose-dependently histamine release from the rat peritoneal mast cells activated by compound 48/80 or anti-DNP IgE.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Metabolism of liriodendrin and syringin by human intestinal bacteria and their relation to in vitro cytotoxicity.

When liriodendrin or syringin was incubated for 24 h with human intestinal bacteria, two metabolites, (+)-syringaresinol-beta-D-glucopyranoside and (+)-syringaresinol, from liriodendrin and one metabolite, synapyl alcohol, from syringin were produced. The metabolic time course of liriodendrin was as follows: at early time, liriodendrin was converted to (+)-syringaresinol-beta-D-glucopyranoside, and then (+)-syringaresinol. The in vitro cytotoxicities of these metabolites, (+)-syringaresinol and synapyl alcohol, were superior to those of liriodendrin and syringin.

Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic↗
PubMed1999

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression in peribiliary glands of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts.

All cases of hepatolithiasis showed features of chronic proliferative cholangitis, and it has been speculated that the atypical glandular proliferation might be a precursor to overt cholangiocarcinoma. Proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is a nuclear protein synthesized in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle and therefore is related to cell proliferative activity. In an attempt to assess the activity of cell proliferation of stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts, we conducted a study using immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibody to score PCNA in intrahepatic bile ducts. Thirty patients (10 men, 20 women; mean age 52.4 years) having hepatolithiasis surgically resected were studied. Ten stone-free patients served as controls. All 40 specimens were immunostained for PCNA using PC 10 monoclonal antibody. PCNA of both stone-containing and stone-free intrahepatic bile ducts were assessed by counting positive staining nuclei per 500 cells and expressed as labeling index (LI), ie, percentage of positive nuclei to the total number of nuclei. The PCNA LI in stone-free intrahepatic bile ducts was generally low: 10.0+/-13.2%, 10.4+/-10.7% and 7.9+/-9.6% for extramural glands, intramural glands, and epithelial lining, respectively. In contrast, the PCNA LI for stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts were significantly higher than those of controls (P < 0.001): 49.4+/-8.3%, 40.6+/-7.0% and 34.1+/-6.8% for extramural glands, intramural glands, and epithelial lining, respectively. The extramural glands had a significantly higher PCNA LI (P < 0.001) than the intramural glands and controls. Hyperplasia was found in all specimens, while dysplasia was found in six of 30 cases with hepatolithiasis. The dysplastic cells also had a higher PCNA LI (P < 0.001) than the hyperplastic cells and normal epithelium. Our findings showed that there is marked increase of activity of cell proliferation in stone-containing intrahepatic bile ducts. It is well known that genetic mutations are facilitated in proliferating cells. Therefore, our results suggest that the high epithelial turnover in dysplastic cells and extramural glands had higher potential for proliferation and neoplastic transformation in long-standing untreated hepatolithiasis.

Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic↗
PubMed1999

Hypericin induces both differentiation and apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells.

Hypericin is a unique photosensitizing plant pigment and has been separately reported to induce differentiation and apoptosis in neoplastic cells. In this study, we examined the relationship between activities to induce differentiation and apoptosis in human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells, at a concentration range of 0.15 to 0.2 microM. When treated with hypericin, the cell ratio reducible of nitroblue tetrazolium was significantly increased and the cell size was enlarged by flow cytometry analysis. Hypericin also significantly increased the ratio of the cells, which were of positive alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity and phagocytic activity, whereas it hardly influenced the naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase activity in the cells, as well as 1 alpha, 25(OH)2D3 (10 nM). In addition, hypericin increased hypodiploid nuclei and caused a nucleosomal ladder. These results indicate that hypericin induces both differentiation toward monocyte/macrophage lineage and apoptosis in HL-60 cells.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed1999

Metabolism of 6"-O-xylosyltectoridin and tectoridin by human intestinal bacteria and their hypoglycemic and in vitro cytotoxic activities.

6"-O-Xylosyltectoridin and tectoridin isolated from the flowers of Pueraria thunbergiana (Leguminosae), are metabolized to tectorigenin by human intestinal bacteria. Although tectoridin is metabolized to tectorigenin by most intestinal bacteria, 6"-O-xylosyltectoridin is metabolized to tectorigenin via tectoridin by only a few intestinal bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium breve K-110 and Eubacterium A-44. The metabolite, tectorigenin, had more potent hypoglycemic activity as well as in vitro cytotoxic activity against tumor cell lines than 6"-O-xylosyltectoridin and tectoridin. These results suggest that 6"-O-xylosyltectoridin and tectoridin are prodrugs which can be transformed to the active agents by human intestinal bacteria.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Studies on constituents with cytotoxic activity from the stem bark of Syringa velutina.

Cytotoxic compounds, oleuropein (1) and a phenylethanoid glycoside (2) were isolated from the stem bark of Syringa velutina KOM. along with coniferylaldehyde 4-O-glucoside, syringin, ligstroside, (+)-syringaresinol 4-O-glucoside, (+)-medioresinol 4"-O-glucoside and (-)-olivil 4"-O-glucoside. Phenylethanoid glycoside (2) was identified to be 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethyl alcohol 8-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside. This compound showed the most potent cytotoxic effect on several tumor cell lines (P-388, L-1210, SNU-5 and HL-60) among eight compounds isolated in the present study. We suggest that the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethoxy moiety of this compound contributes to cytotoxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

T cell subsets in chronic hepatitis B and the effect of prednisolone withdrawal and interferon alpha-2b.

OBJECTIVES: The evaluations of the pathogenetic roles of cell mediated immunity and of the preventive effect for disease progression with interferon(IFN) treatment in patients with chronic active hepatitis-B(CAH-B) are the objectives of this study. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with CAH-B were treated with interferon alpha-2b(IFN alpha-2b) with prednisolone withdrawal and 30 control patients were treated with conventional hepatotonics for 6 months. Peripheral total T cell fractions and T cell subsets of the patients with CAH-B, treated with IFN alpha-2b with prednisolone withdrawal, were examined 1 month before administration of prednisolone, and compared with 12 normal controls for assessing the potential role of cellular immunity in the development of CAH-B. To estimate the effectiveness of IFN therapy for the patients with CAH-B, levels of various liver function tests, HBsAg, anti-HBs, HBeAg, anti-HBe, HBV DNA, anti-HCV and others were assessed for the treatment group and compared with control patients at pre- and post-treatment period each. RESULTS: The value of CD4 was significantly lower in patients with CAH-B than normal controls (36.3 +/- 7.7% vs 42.1 +/- 5.7%, p < 0.05) and the value of CD8 was significantly higher in patients with CAH-B than normal controls (30.6 +/- 10.3% vs 24.3 +/- 5.2%, p < 0.05) before prednisolone administration. The patients in responder group (n = 26) had significantly lower CD4 cells compared with normal controls, but non-responders (n = 6) did not have. The levels of liver function test(LFT) in the patients with IFN alpha-2b treatment with prednisolone withdrawal were not different from the control patient group at pretreatment, but significantly lower than control patient group's after treatment, regardless of response to IFN alpha-2b treatment with prednisolone withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: The cellular immunity of the host may have a potential role in the pathogenesis of chronicity of hepatitis B infection. IFN alpha-2b treatment with prednisolone withdrawal may be regarded as one of the effective treatment modalities for the inhibition of disease progression in patients with CAH-B.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Spontaneous multiple cholecystoenteric fistulas--a case report.

Spontaneous multiple cholecystoenteric fistulas are relatively rare complications of chronic cholecystitis. One cholecystoduodenal and two cholecystocolonic fistulas were observed in a 65-year-old woman whose symptoms included fever, chills, jaundice, diarrhea, and prolonged right upper quadrant pain. Pneumobilia, which is a pathognomonic sign of bilioenteric fistula, was also detected by her plain abdomen X-ray on admission. Both types of fistulas were correctly diagnosed preoperatively by barium enema, upper GI series and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography. The patient was referred for surgery and fistulas were identified during laparotomy. Cholecystectomy, division of these fistulas, and primary repair of these bowel defects were successfully performed. The postoperative course was unremarkable. We report this unusual case and briefly review the hypothesized pathogenesis, typical symptomatology, radiographic diagnosis, complications and therapeutic modalities of this condition.

Aged↗
PubMed1998

Evidence for accelerated generation of hydroxyl radicals in experimental obstructive jaundice of rats.

We present evidence herein of the accelerated generation of hydroxyl radical (.OH) in the plasma and the liver tissue of common bile duct ligated (CBDL) rats, a model for experimental obstructive jaundice. .OH production in the plasma was monitored in vivo by the identification of dihydroxybenzoates in plasma [2,3-dihydroxybenzoate (2,3-DHB) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate (2,5-DHB)] using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The average concentrations of 2,3-DHB and 2,5-DHB produced in the plasma of the controls were 33+/-3 microM and 232+/-34 microM (n = 15), respectively, whereas their respective concentrations increased to 149+/-28 microM and 604+/-88 microM in the CBDL rats (n = 19). Furthermore, we also observed a time-dependent decreasing trend of 2,3-DHB and 2,5-DHB production after surgical removal of the ligation of the experimental animals. In addition, the generation of .OH in the liver tissue was studied by using dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as a molecular probe and measuring the amount of methanesulfinic acid (MSA), the product of the trapping reaction. The net production of MSA in the liver tissue of the control rats was 1.22+/-0.05 O.D. unit/g protein (n = 5), whereas its respective concentration of MSA in the liver tissue of CBDL rats increased to 2.05+/-0.15 O.D. unit/g protein (n = 5). In addition, we showed that CBDL rats receiving a pretreatment of mannitol, an .OH scavenger, resulted in the decreased production of MSA. Electron micrographic study indicated that the most prominent change observed in CBDL rats was the alteration of mitochondria, which were swollen with distorted cristae. Meanwhile, the bile canaliculi were moderately more dilated than that of the controls, and an increased neutrophil peripheral blood count was found in CBDL rats when compared to the controls. Taken together, our data suggest that accelerated generation of .OH in the CBDL rats is obvious and may play a key role in the pathogenesis of liver damage associated with obstructive jaundice.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Growth inhibitory activities of kalopanaxsaponins A and I against human pathogenic fungi.

Antifungal activities of the compounds isolated from Kalopanax pictus against representative fungi of dermatomycosis were investigated using paper disc diffusion method. It was found that kalopanaxsaponins A and I were effective in inhibiting the growth of Candida albicans KCTC 1940 and Cryptococcus neoformans KCTC 7224 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 25 micrograms/ml. It showed that antifungal activity of both compounds have strong selectivity against the fungi of dermatomycosis.

Antifungal Agents↗
PubMed1998

Induction of differentiation of the human histocytic lymphoma cell line U-937 by hypericin.

Hypericin, a photosensitizing plant pigment, was found to be a potent inducer of differentiation of human myeloid leukemia U-937 cells. At a concentration of 0.2 microM, hypericin exhibited 50% growth inhibition. An effect on cell differentiation by hypericin was assessed by its ability to induce phagocytosis of latex particles, and to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). Approximately 51% of 0.2 microM hypericin-treated cells were stained with NBT and 63% showed phagocytic activity. In order to establish whether hypericin induces differentiation of U-937 cells to macrophage or granulocyte, esterase activities and cell sizes were measured. When U-937 cells were treated with 0.2 microM and 0.15 microM of hypericin, the alpha-naphthyl acetate esterase activity was increased by 38.4% and 48.1%, respectively, but naphthol AS-D chloroacetate esterase activity was not influenced. The size of hypericin-treated cells in terms of cell mass was larger than that observed in untreated cells as determined by flow cytometry. Protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, NA-382, decreased the NBT reducing activity of hypericin, whereas a cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, H-89, did not show any influence on the differentiation. These results indicate that hypericin triggers differentiation toward monocyte/macrophage lineage by PKC stimulation.

Anthracenes↗
PubMed1998

The impact of a modified ileal neobladder on the lifestyle and voiding patterns in Asian patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the modified ileal neobladder reconstruction on lifestyle, voiding habits and functional outcome in Asian patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven Asian patients (25 men and two women, mean age 59 years, range 41-76) underwent modified ileal neobladder reconstruction after radical cystectomy for carcinoma of the bladder. The mean (range) follow-up was 21 (3-75) months. All patients were evaluated retrospectively using case notes, reviews, interviews and voiding charts; 18 patients underwent urodynamic studies. RESULT: Twenty-five patients (93%) achieved diurnal and 23 (85%) nocturnal continence within 6 months. Of the 19 patients who were in employment before surgery, 15 continued to be economically active afterward; 26 patients (96%) reported no change in their daily living activities. Of 16 men who reported being potent pre-operatively only four retained some residual erectile function. Twenty-three patients were interviewed about their voiding habits and satisfaction with the outcome of surgery. Fourteen patients had no sensation of reservoir fullness and of the 21 men, 13 had to squat or sit to void effectively. The mean (range) voiding frequency was 5 (4-8) during the day and 2 (0-4) during sleep. Twenty-two patients were satisfied with the overall outcome. CONCLUSIONS: The modified ileal bladder provides a high urinary continence rate with minimal changes in daily living activities and occupational status. The functional outcome was very satisfactory and accepted well, despite some changes in reservoir sensation, voiding posture and erectile function. The method is a viable option for reconstruction after cystectomy in Asian patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy as an initial treatment for acute cholecystitis in elderly patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute cholecystitis may atypically present itself in the elderly, thus causing diagnostic and therapeutic problems, and it is well recognized as a high-risk condition for morbidity. The outcome has been attributed to the presence of severe co-morbid disease. In an attempt to minimize the postoperative morbidity and mortality, we performed ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy (PC) on elderly patients with acute cholecystitis for both initial treatment and subsequent diagnosis of their biliary tract disorders. METHODS: Those being more than 70 years old, had acute episode of cholecystitis for more than 48 h and still had positive Murphy's signs and distended gallbladders were candidates for ultrasound-guided PC. RESULTS: Forty-two elderly patients underwent ultrasound-guided PC. Once the condition of each patient showed signs of improvement and stability, cholangiography was performed via PC tube. The results of the cholangiography showed 20 patients with gallbladder stones, 16 with common bile duct stones and 6 with acalculous cholecystitis. Once stable enough, 32 patients underwent definite surgery, 18 having cholecystectomies, 14 having cholecystectomies and choledocholithotomies. The 6 patients with acalculous cholecystitis had the PC tube removed 3 weeks later, without further surgery. Two patients had gallbladder stones removed by choledochofiberscope. Two patients had common bile duct stone removed by endoscopic sphincteroplasty. Although postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients (11.9%), no instance of operative mortality was found. CONCLUSION: Our findings lead us to conclude that the use of PC in the early treatment of acute cholecystitis in elderly patients can decrease postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Effect of vitamin E, topical hypothermia and steroid on ischemic liver in rats.

Major hepatic surgery often requires temporary occlusion of the porta hepatis in order to minimize intraoperative bleeding. Occlusion of porta hepatis induces hepatic ischemia and may cause liver damage. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin E, topical hypothermia and administration of steroids on ischemic liver by assessing the hepatic levels of lipid peroxides and examining the ultrastructural change of mitochondria. One hundred and twenty male wistar rats were divided into four groups, each of 30. All rats underwent laparotomy and the liver ischemia experiment was conducted by clamping the porta hepatis for 15 minutes. Group A received no further treatment, group B received vitamin E (30IU/Kg/B.W) supplementation for one week before experiment, group C was topically cooled and group D received preocclusion intravenous methylprednisolone (2mg/Kg/B.W). Hepatic lipid peroxides, expressed as nmol MDA/g wet wt were assessed by spectrofluorometric methods, and were measured immediately before occlusion, 15 min after occlusion, and 15 min after reperfusion. The results showed that the concentration of lipid peroxides increased markedly after occlusion of porta hepatis in group A, which received no treatment in ischemic liver (8.76 +/- 3.19 vs. 10.49 +/- 3.35 MDA nmol/g wet wt, p < 0.05, paired t-test), while the concentrations of hepatic lipid peroxides were not found to increase in groups B, C or D. In the meantime, the ultrastructural study showed marked swelling of mitochondria in ischemic liver of group A rats only. This suggests that vitamin E supplementation, topical hypothermia and administration of steroids will inhibit the propagation of lipid, peroxidation and provide protective effects on liver parenchyma during ischemia.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1998

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic drainage of gallbladder followed by cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis--10 years' experience.

Acute cholecystitis is a common disease which may carry the risk of complications, including empyema, perforation, abscess, peritonitis and sepsis. Percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the gallbladder (PTGBD) with antibiotics can provide prompt decompression of gallbladder in acute cholecystitis and interrupt the natural history of the disease effectively. From July 1986 to June 1996, 154 patients with acute cholecystitis were reviewed retrospectively in Kaohsiung Medical College Hospital. The chief symptoms and signs were pain (98.1%), fever (57.1%) and jaundice (37.7%). WBC count more than 10,000 was noted in 116 (75.3%) patients. Associated diseases included empyema: 42 (27.3%), septic shock: 14 (9.1%), diabetes mellitus: 13 (8.4%), pancreatitis: 10 (6.5%), perforation: 7 (4.5%), liver cirrhosis: 6 (3.9%) and respiratory failure: 1 (0.6%). All of them underwent ultrasound-guided PTGBD immediately after the diagnosis was established. The symptoms and signs disappeared soon after this procedure. Bacterial culture was found positive in 104 (67.5%) of 154 patients in which Escherichia coli (51.9%) was the most common organism, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (20.2%). After acute stage, 138 patients obtained the cholangiography via PTGBD tube. Gallbladder stones were only noted in 56 (40.6%) patients, gallbladder stone concomitant with common bile duct stone in 26 (18.8%), cystic duct obstruction in 25 (18.1%), acalculous cholecystitis in 21 (15.2%), gallbladder perforation in 1 (0.7%), choledochocyst in 1 (0.7%), and cholecystocolonic fistula in 1 (0.7%). There were 135 patients to undergo surgery after the clinical condition was stable. The operative findings included gallbladder stones only in 88 (65.2%), gallbladder stone concomitant with common bile duct stone in 34 (25.2%), acalculous cholecystitis in 13 (9.6%), choledochocyst in 1 (0.7%), and cholecysto-colonic fistula in 1 (0.7%). The postoperative complications included wound infection 8 (5.9%), UGI bleeding 3 (2.2%), acute renal failure 1 (0.7%) and acute respiratory failure 1 (0.7%). The postoperative mortality rate was 0.7% (1/135), which was much lower than those of previous reports, which not undergoing PTGBD initially. It led us to conclude that PTGBD, as an initial preoperative modality to treat acute cholecystitis, is effective in decreasing postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1998

Role of hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver in patients with normal body weight.

OBJECTIVES: The pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver in non-obese persons is poorly understood. We aimed to elucidate whether hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance are associated with development of fatty liver in patients with normal body weight. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with fatty liver were divided into non-obese (n = 25) and obese groups (n = 22) according to age adjusted body mass index. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) elevated transaminase levels during more than 3 months of follow up period, (2) no detectable HBsAg or anti-HCV in the serum, (3) alcohol consumption less than 40 gm/week, (4) no use of potential hepatotoxic drugs within 3 months and (4) sonographic evidence of fatty liver(moderate to severe degree). Baseline insulin levels and oral glucose tolerance test using 75gm of glucose were performed and the results were compared in each group of patients. RESULTS: Mean baseline insulin levels were elevated in both groups above the reference value, 9.3 +/- 3.5 microU/L in non-obese group and 9.9 +/- 3.5 microU/L in obese group (p = 0.26). Seventeen of non-obese patients (68%) had elevated basal insulin level and 16 of obese patients (73%) had elevated basal insulin level (p = 0.39). In oral glucose tolerance test, there was no difference in glucose level between non-obese and obese groups from O minute to 180 minutes (p > 0.05). Eleven patients from the non-obese group (44%) and 8 patients from the obese group (36%) had either impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes (p = 0.29). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that hyperinsulinemia and glucose intolerance may play a role in the pathogenesis of fatty liver in patients with normal body weight as well as in patients with obesity.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Pancreatic pseudocyst involving the spleen.

The pseudocyst of the pancreas is a frequent complication of acute pancreatitis. The splenic involvement from the pancreatic pseudocyst is an uncommon entity. A 40-year-old man, who had a five-year history of alcohol consumption, was referred to our hospital for treatment of throbbing pain over left upper quadrant (LUQ) of the abdomen. Except for LUQ tenderness, physical examination was essentially normal. MRI showed two cystic lesions in splenic hilum and pancreatic tail, and prominent vessels in left infrasplenic area and gastrosplenic ligament. Angiography revealed splenic vein thrombosis. Because of persistent LUQ pain, he underwent laparotomy. During the operation, we found the cysts in pancreatic tail and splenic hilum. The cystic content was aspirated to check amylase, which showed the level of amylase being as high as 20,000 IU/L. The diagnosis of a pancreatic pseudocyst involving the spleen was established. Splenectomy and distal pancreatectomy were performed to remove both cysts. The pathologic examination of the resected spleen showed splenic infarction with cyst formation and pancreatic pseudocyst. The patient recovered uneventfully after operation.

Adult↗