Numerous studies have demonstrated that aged black garlic (ABG) has strong anti-oxidant activity. Little is known however regarding the anti-inflammatory activity of ABG. This study was performed to identify and compare the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ABG extract (ABGE) with those of fresh raw garlic (FRG) extract (FRGE). In addition, we investigated which components are responsible for the observed effects. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were used as a pro-oxidant and pro-inflammatory stressor, respectively. ABGE showed high ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities and low ROS generation in RAW264.7 cells compared with FRGE. However, inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 and 5-lipooxygenase activities by FRGE was stronger than that by ABGE. FRGE reduced PGE₂, NO, IL-6, IL-1β, LTD₄, and LTE₄ production in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells more than did ABGE. The combination of FRGE and sugar (galactose, glucose, fructose, or sucrose), which is more abundant in ABGE than in FRGE, decreased the anti-inflammatory activity compared with FRGE. FRGE-induced inhibition of NF-κB activation and pro-inflammatory gene expression was blocked by combination with sugars. The lower anti-inflammatory activity in ABGE than FRGE could result from the presence of sugars. Our results suggest that ABGE might be helpful for the treatment of diseases mediated predominantly by ROS.

Kim MA, et al. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2018 Nov;10(6):648-661. https://doi.org/10.4168/aair.2018.10.6.648

The value of the red cell distribution width (RDW) is associated with prognosis in critically ill patients. A simplex combined index—the RDW/albumin ratio—has been proposed for the prediction of mortality, as has the lactate/albumin ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical utility of the RDW/albumin ratio regarding 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with pneumonia. Clinical data of critically ill patients with pneumonia who were hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit from May 2018 to December 2020, and received invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), were reviewed retrospectively. The values of RDW, lactate, and albumin measured at the time of IMV, were used for the index calculations. Of the 234 patients, the median age was 76 years, and 74.2% were male. The 28-day mortality rate was 47.3%. The median RDW/albumin ratio was significantly higher in non-survivors than survivors at 28 days (5.8 vs. 4.9, p < 0.001). A higher RDW/albumin ratio was significantly associated with increased 28-day mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.338, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.094–1.637, p = 0.005). The area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC) was 0.694 (95% CI: 0.630–758, p < 0.005) to discern 28-day mortality without significant difference, compared with that of the lactate/albumin ratio. Our data suggest that high RDW/albumin ratio has a similar predictability to the lactate/albumin ratio in critically ill patients with pneumonia receiving IMV.

Kim M, et al. Yonsei Med J. 2019 Oct;60(10):960-968. https://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2019.60.10.960

The diagnosis and treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) have become mandatory to reduce the burden of tuberculosis worldwide. Close contacts of active TB patients are at high risk of both active and LTBI. The aim of this study is to identify the predominant risk factors of contracting LTBI, persons in close contact with TB patients were recruited. This study also aimed to compare the efficacy of the tuberculin skin test (TST) and QuantiFERON®-TB GOLD (QFT-G) to diagnose LTBI. Close contacts of active pulmonary TB patients visiting a hospital in South Korea were diagnosed for LTBI using TST and/or QFT-G. The association of positive TST and/or QFT-G with the following factors was estimated: age, gender, history of Bacillius Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccination, history of pulmonary TB, cohabitation status, the acid-fast bacilli smear status, and presence of cough in source cases. Of 308 subjects, 38.0% (116/305) were TST positive and 28.6% (59/206) were QFT-G positive. TST positivity was significantly associated with male gender (OR: 1.734; 95% CI: 1.001-3.003, p =0.049), history of pulmonary TB (OR: 4.130; 95% CI: 1.441-11.835, p =0.008) and household contact (OR: 2.130; 95% CI: 1.198-3.786, p =0.01) after adjustment for confounding variables. The degree of concordance between TST and QFT-G was fair (70.4%, κ =0.392). A prevalence of LTBI among close contacts of active pulmonary TB patients was high, and prior TB history and being a household contact were risk factors of LTBI in the study population.

The association between asthma and oxidative stress remains controversial. Oxidative stress-induced ferroptosis has not been extensively studied in asthma models. This study was performed to investigate the anti-asthmatic and anti-ferroptotic effects of fermented and aged ginseng sprouts (FAGS) with enhanced antioxidant activity and its main component, compound K (CK), in a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. The experimental asthma model was sensitized and challenged with OVA. During the challenge period, two different concentrations of FAGS and CK were administered via oral gavage. Asthmatic parameters were analyzed in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), blood, and lung tissue. CK, among the ginsenosides analyzed, was highly increased in FAGS compared with GS. Asthma parameters, such as Th2 cytokine and IgE production, mast cell activation, goblet cell hyperplasia, hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation, were dramatically increased in the OVA group. Oxidation and ferroptosis markers were increased in the OVA group. The asthma parameters and ferroptosis markers were markedly decreased in the OVA + FAGS and OVA + CK groups. These results showed that FAGS and CK alleviated asthma parameters in an allergic asthma mouse model by inhibiting inflammation and ferroptosis. Our findings suggest that FAGS and CK could be used as potential treatments for allergic asthma.