Chronic cholesterol depletion by lovastatin suppresses MUC5AC gene expression in human airway epithelial cells.

Background: We recently showed that acute cholesterol depletion in the plasma membrane of NCI-H292 cells by methyl-β-cyclodextrin suppressed IL-1beta-induced MUC5AC gene expression. Because cholesterol depletion is clinically used as an antihypersecretory method, chronic cholesterol depletion by lovastatin is more rational and safe than acute depletion. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether chronic cholesterol depletion by lovastatin is feasible and, if so, suppresses the expression of GMUC5AC in NCI-H292 cells.

Phonatory outcome of 585 nm/pulsed-dye laser in the management of glottic leukoplakia.

Objective: Vocal cord mucosectomy using pulsed-dye laser was assessed for its ability to completely remove lesions without deterioration of vocal quality in cases of vocal cord leukoplakia. To confirm the validity of a pulsed-dye laser, we retrospectively analyzed the treatment outcomes of patients who received surgery preceded by pulsed-dye laser and compared these with the outcomes of patients who received vocal cord mucosectomy using CO2 laser.

Methods: Between February 2007 and June 2012, 36 patients were enrolled.

Clinical characteristics of vocal polyps with underlying sulcus vocalis.

Objective: This study aims to find a correlation between vocal fold polyps and sulcus vocalis and to investigate the character of such vocal fold polyps associated with sulcus vocalis.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical research.

Methods: A retrospective review of 280 patients who have been admitted and operated under general anesthesia for vocal fold polyps at a tertiary care medical center from March 2009 to July 2012 was performed.