Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a common infection during pregnancy that increases the risk of unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes. However, it has not been clearly elucidated which demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy. Objective: This population-based cohort study aimed to determine the risk factors for APN during pregnancy. Methods: Using the database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea, we enrolled Korean women who delivered infants between 2010 and 2014 in Korea and had complete health examination records within 1 year of pregnancy. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for APN during pregnancy. Results: Of 370,248 women, 2,526 (0.7% of the total participants) were treated for APN while in hospitalization during pregnancy. Younger age, history of previous APN within 1 year of pregnancy, and abnormal results of health examination before pregnancy, such as high fasting glucose level (>100 mg/dL) and proteinuria, were associated with an increased risk of APN during pregnancy. Conclusion: Certain maternal demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy, and these should be monitored closely during antenatal care.

Introduction: Acute pyelonephritis (APN) is a common infection during pregnancy that increases the risk of unfavorable maternal and fetal outcomes. However, it has not been clearly elucidated which demographic and clinical characteristics are associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy. Objective: This population-based cohort study aimed to determine the risk factors for APN during pregnancy. Methods: Using the database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea, we enrolled Korean women who delivered infants between 2010 and 2014 in Korea and had complete health examination records within 1 year of pregnancy. We performed multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate the risk factors for APN during pregnancy. Results: Of 370,248 women, 2,526 (0.7% of the total participants) were treated for APN while in hospitalization during pregnancy. Younger age, history of previous APN within 1 year of pregnancy, and abnormal results of health examination before pregnancy, such as high fasting glucose level (>100 mg/dL) and proteinuria, were associated with an increased risk of APN during pregnancy. Conclusion: Certain maternal demographic and clinical characteristics were associated with the incidence of APN during pregnancy, and these should be monitored closely during antenatal care.

Background/Aim: The abnormal growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered a major pathogenic process in vascular diseases. Interleukin (IL)-24 specifically inhibits cancer cell growth through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the role of IL-24 in ROS-induced VSMC growth has not yet been investigated. Methods: An MTT assay, gene expression analysis, flow cytometry and a scratch wound healing assay were performed to determine the anti-growth effects of IL-24 in H₂O₂-treated mouse vascular aortic smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells. To elucidate the effect of IL-24 on ROS-induced signaling, Western blot analysis was employed. Results: IL-24 inhibited the growth of normal MOVAS cells treated with H₂O₂ by inducing a cell cycle arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase through the regulation of p21 and cyclin D1. Furthermore, IL-24 suppressed mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor and subsequently decreased the level of cell migration in response to H₂O₂. Interestingly, IL-24 attenuated the H₂O₂-induced ROS production by reducing the mitochondrial H₂O₂ production and enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes. We also showed that the ability of H₂O₂ to induce the PI3K/Akt and Erk signaling pathways was blocked by IL-24. Conclusion: These findings suggest a novel mechanism in which IL-24 suppresses the growth of normal VSMCs by inhibiting H₂O₂-induced ROS production through the regulation of mitochondrial ROS production and expression of antioxidant enzymes.

Background/Aim: The abnormal growth of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered a major pathogenic process in vascular diseases. Interleukin (IL)-24 specifically inhibits cancer cell growth through the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. However, the role of IL-24 in ROS-induced VSMC growth has not yet been investigated. Methods: An MTT assay, gene expression analysis, flow cytometry and a scratch wound healing assay were performed to determine the anti-growth effects of IL-24 in H₂O₂-treated mouse vascular aortic smooth muscle (MOVAS) cells. To elucidate the effect of IL-24 on ROS-induced signaling, Western blot analysis was employed. Results: IL-24 inhibited the growth of normal MOVAS cells treated with H₂O₂ by inducing a cell cycle arrest at the G₀/G₁ phase through the regulation of p21 and cyclin D1. Furthermore, IL-24 suppressed mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor and subsequently decreased the level of cell migration in response to H₂O₂. Interestingly, IL-24 attenuated the H₂O₂-induced ROS production by reducing the mitochondrial H₂O₂ production and enhancing the expression of antioxidant enzymes. We also showed that the ability of H₂O₂ to induce the PI3K/Akt and Erk signaling pathways was blocked by IL-24. Conclusion: These findings suggest a novel mechanism in which IL-24 suppresses the growth of normal VSMCs by inhibiting H₂O₂-induced ROS production through the regulation of mitochondrial ROS production and expression of antioxidant enzymes.