Congenital lobar emphysema concurrent with pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum in a dog.

A two-year-old castrated male Pomeranian dog was referred with the chief complaints of coughing and subcutaneous emphysema. On physical examination, the crepitant areas were palpable. When auscultated, the right chest was absent of respiratory sound, while the sound of the opposite side was enhanced. Radiographs presented pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. On computed tomography, hypoattenuated bulla-like lesion at right middle lung lobe and trapped air in mediastinum were shown. After patient stabilization, surgery for excision of affected lobe was performed. During follow-up period, there were no recurrence and complication on radiographic examination. Based on clinical and pathological findings, the dog was diagnosed as congenital lobar emphysema.

Effects of natural polysaccharides on the growth and peritoneal carcinomatosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma in a nude mouse model.

We have examined the effects of natural polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus (PG) in vitro and in vivo against gastric cancer. PG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. PG also led to a marked inhibition of tumor growth and significant decrease in the incidence of peritoneal carcinomatosis. Histological analysis of tumor confirmed dramatic increase in tumor cell apoptosis by PG, indicating reduced tumor cell proliferation. These data showed that polysaccharides isolated from PG significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic model of human gastric adenocarcinoma, without detectable problematic adverse effects.

Polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus enhances dermal wound healing in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Dermal wound healing is a complex process that involved inflammation leading to re-epithelialization, granulation tissue, and tissue remodeling. Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that polysaccharides isolated from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) have various anti-inflammatory activities. In present study, we have assessed the effect of polysaccharides from PG on the dermal wound healing of polysaccharides from PG in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Six of 6-mm circular wounds were created with biopsy punch on the 4th day after induction of diabetes. After 24 hours, each test substance was applied to the wound twice a day for next 5 days. Circular wounds treated with PG showed significantly reduced wound contraction and complete reepithelialization, as compared to wounds of non-treated (p<0.05). These results show that polysaccharides isolated from PG enhanced wound repair in diabetic impaired healing, and could be developed as a wound healing agent in such clinical settings.

Comparison of intraperitoneal anti-adhesive polysaccharides derived from Phellinus mushrooms in a rat peritonitis model.

AIM: To assess the adhesion- and abscess-reducing capacities of various concentrations of polysaccharides derived from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) or Phellinus linteus (PL) in a rat peritonitis model. METHODS: In 96 SD rats, experimental peritonitis was induced using the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). Rats were randomly assigned to 8 groups; Ringer's lactate solution (RL group), hyaluronic acid (HA group), 0.025%, 0.25%, and 0.5% polysaccharides from PG (PG0.025, 0.25, and 0.5 groups), and PL (PL0.025, 0.25, and 0.5 groups). Adhesions and abscesses were noted at 7 d after CLP. RT-PCR assay was performed to assess the cecal tissue. RESULTS: Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG0.25, 0.5, PL0.25, 0.5, and HA groups (2.5+/-0.7, 2.4+/-0.7, 3.8+/-1.0, 3.6+/-0.8, and 2.7+/-1.1, P<0.05). The incidence of abscesses was significantly reduced in all treated groups compared to RL group (58%, P<0.05). The urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) gene expression was greatly up-regulated by increasing the concentration of polysaccharides. The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA were highly expressed in PG0.25, 0.5, PL0.25, and 0.5 groups. CONCLUSION: We concluded that 0.5% polysaccharide derived from PG and PL was the optimal concentration in preventing adhesion and abscess formation and may act by modulating activity of uPA and TNF-alpha in a rat peritonitis model.

Promotion of dermal wound healing by polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus in rats.

The effects of topical administration of polysaccharides isolated from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) on the healing of rat dermal wounds were assessed. In 10 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, six 6 mm diameter defects were made with a punch biopsy appliance. After 24 hr, test substances were applied to the defects twice a day: 0.025, 0.25, and 2.5% polysaccharides from PG (PG0.025, 0.25, and 2.5 groups), Madecassol ointment (MC group), aqueous gel (AG group) and no treatment (control group). Six days postoperatively, the contraction and reepithelialization of the wound surface were assessed. Wound diameter was significantly reduced in all PG groups (P<0.05). Complete epithelialization and macrophages were noted in the PG0.25 group, as compared to the control group. We conclude that polysaccharides isolated from PG have significant dermal wound healing effects, and this investigation suggests the potential clinical application of PG as a wound healing agent.

Prevention of intraperitoneal adhesions and abscesses by polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus spp in a rat peritonitis model.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether polysaccharides isolated from fungi, Phellinus spp, could reduce the adhesion and abscess formation in a rat peritonitis model. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Although polysaccharides from Phellinus spp is a well-known material with antiinflammatory properties, little is known regarding its ability to prevent intraperitoneal adhesions. We have assessed the adhesion- and abscess-reducing effect of polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG) and Phellinus linteus (PL) in a rat peritonitis model. METHODS: In 60 SD rats, experimental peritonitis was induced using the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). Animals were randomly assigned to 5 groups; ringer lactate solution (RL group), polysaccharides from PG and PL (PG and PL group), hyaluronic acid (HA group), and carboxymethylcellulose (CMC group). Intraperitoneal adhesions and abscesses were noted at 7 day after CLP. RT-PCR assay for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cellular receptor (uPAR), tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA), plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha was performed to assess the cecal tissue. RESULTS: Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG, PL, CMC, and HA groups (P < 0.001) compared with that in RL group. The incidence of abscesses was also significantly reduced in PG and PL groups (P < 0.05) compared with that in the RL group. The level of uPA, uPAR, tPA, and TNF-alpha was highly expressed in PG and PL group, as compared with the RL group. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that PG and PL had significant adhesion- and abscess-reducing effects and may act by modulating fibrinolytic capacity of uPA and/or tPA produced from macrophages in a rat peritonitis model.

Inhibitory effects of polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus on benzo(a)pyrene-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in mice.

AIM: Although polysaccharides from Phellinus mushrooms are a well-known material with anti-tumor properties, there is no information about the effect of polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG) on tumor. The modulating effect of polysaccharides isolated from PG on the benzo(a)pyrene (BaP)-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in ICR female mice was investigated in this study. METHODS: A forestomach carcinogenesis model was established in 40 ICR female mice receiving oral administration of BaP for 4 wk. The mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (10 each). The mice in each group were treated with sterile water or PG for 4 and 8 wk (SW4, PGW4, SW8, and PGW8 groups). Eight or 12 wk after the first dose of BaP, forestomachs were removed for histopathological and RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: In histopathological changes and RT-PCR analysis, sterile water-treated mice showed significant hyperplasia of the gastric mucosa with a significantly increased expression of mutant p53 mRNA compared to mice treated with PG for 8 wk. CONCLUSION: Polysaccharides isolated from PG may inhibit BaP-induced forestomach carcinogenesis in mice bydown-regulating mutant p53 expression.

Polysaccharides isolated from Phellinus gilvus inhibit melanoma growth in mice.

There is no information about the effect of polysaccharides from fungus, Phellinus gilvus (PG) on melanoma. The effect of PG on the proliferation and apoptosis of the B16F10 melanoma cell line was determined by a sulforhodamine B (SRB) and a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The in vivo effect of PG on B16F10 melanoma cells allografted in athymic nude mice was investigated. PG decreased cell proliferation and increased cell apoptosis in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Also, PG significantly inhibits melanoma growth in mice. The PG anti-tumor effect in vivo was associated with a significant increase in the melanoma apoptosis rate. These findings support PG as a therapeutic agent against melanoma.

The effect of polysaccharides and carboxymethylcellulose combination to prevent intraperitoneal adhesion and abscess formation in a rat peritonitis model.

Polysaccharides isolated from fungi, Phellinus spp. is well-known material with anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. We have assessed the adhesion- and abscess-reducing capacity of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and polysaccharides from Phellinus spp. combination in a rat peritonitis model. In 72 Sprague-Dawley rats, experimental peritonitis was induced by means of the cecal ligation and puncture model (CLP). After 24 hr, the abdomen was reopened and the ligated cecum was resected. Peritoneal fluid samples were taken for microbiological examination. Rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups: ringer lactate solution (RL group), polysaccharides from Phellinus gilvus (PG group) and Phellinus linteus (PL group), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC group), and their combinations (PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups). Adhesions and abscesses were noted at day 7 after CLP. RT-PCR assay for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA), its cellular receptor (uPAR), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha was performed to assess the cecal tissue. Microbiological examination showed polymicrobial bacterial peritonitis. Adhesion formation was significantly reduced in PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups (P<0.05). The incidence of abscesses was reduced in all treated groups except the RL group (P<0.05). uPA, uPAR, and TNF-alpha mRNA were highly expressed in the PG+CMC and PL+CMC groups, as compared to the RL group. We concluded that the combination of polysaccharides and CMC had significant adhesion- and abscess-reducing effects compared with their single treatment and the effects may act by modifying the fibrinolytic capacity of uPA, uPAR and TNF-alpha produced from activated macrophages in a rat peritonitis model.

Extracts of Phellinus gilvus and Phellinus baumii inhibit pulmonary inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in rats.

Compared to saline-challenged rats, rats exposed to 50 microg intratracheal lipopolysaccharide showed an increase of total white cells (from 0.3 x 10(6) to 2.4 x 10(6)), neutrophils (from 0.09 x 10(6) to 1.8 x 10(6)), the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha (from 200 pg ml(-1) to 1200 pg ml(-1)), and interleukin (IL)-1beta (from 220 pg ml(-1) to 650 pg ml(-1)) in the bronchial lavage fluid. However, after pretreatment with extracts of Phellinus gilvus and Phellinus baumii, the total white cells, neutrophils, and the level of IL-1beta in lipopolysaccharide-challenged rats were similar to those in saline-challenged rats, except for TNF-alpha. The results indicate that extracts of P. gilvus and P. baumii may be useful in preventing acute pulmonary inflammation in human diseases.