• BMB Reports
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• 제42권4호
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• pp.206-211
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• 2009

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) plays an essential role in the stress response of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and is the precursor of biologically active peptides such as adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), $\alpha$-melanocyte-stimulating hormone ($\alpha$-MSH), $\beta$-melanocyte-stimulation hormone ($\beta$-MSH) and $\beta$-endorphin. We have synthesized two different forms of POMC cDNA clones, POMC-I and POMC-II, from a pituitary cDNA library for Paralichthys olivaceus, or Japanese flounder. jfPOMC-I cDNA consists of 954bp and encodes a polypeptide of 216 amino acid residues, whereas jfPOMC-II consists of 971bp which encode a polypeptide of 194 amino acid residues. The high levels of jfPOMC-I and -II mRNAs detected in the pituitary tissue and moderate levels detected in the brain tissue plus our quantitative RT-PCR analysis, which showed there to be no significant difference between the levels of jfPOMC-I and -II mRNAs, indicate that there may be no functional separation between these two mRNAs in the flounder.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제24권4호
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• pp.115-124
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• 2007

Objective: To evaluate the effect of acupuncture on streptozotocin(STZ)-treated rats by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic pump. Methods: STZ was administered to rats at a low dose with osmotic pump to induce beta cell death and diabetes (STZ osmotic pump model), The experimental animals were divided into 4 groups: 1. The control group which was not treated in the STZ osmotic pump model 2. The sham group which was acupunctured at an arbitrary point in the STZ osmotic pump model 3. The sample A group which was acupunctured at the Chung-wan($CV_{12}$) in the STZ osmotic pump model 4. The sample B group which was acupunctured at the Chok-samni($ST_{36}$) in the STZ osmotic pump model. The effect of acupuncture in the STZ osmotic pump model was observed by measuring the serum glucose level and immunostaining of pancreatic tissue of the rats. Results : STZ injection by subcutaneous implantation of osmotic pump caused hyperglycemia by destroying the pancreatic beta cell selectively. Acupuncture at the Chung-wan acupuncture point($CV_{12}$) and Jhok-samni acupuncture point ($ST_{36}$) in the STZ osmotic pump model separately resulted in a decrease of the serum glucose level. In addition, the cyto-protective effect of the pancreatic beta-cell was detected in the STZ osmotic pump model by acupuncture. And there were few differences between the effects of acupuncture at the CV12 and $ST_{36}$. Conclusion : Acupuncture at the CV12 and ST36 had beneficial effects on Type II diabetes mellitus, and action mechanism of the effect was thought to be concerned with secretion of endogenous beta-endorphin.

• 한국생물공학회:학술대회논문집
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• 한국생물공학회 2005년도 생물공학의 동향(XVII)
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• pp.608-609
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• 2005

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• 제34권3호
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• pp.123-129
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• 2009

Taste is associated with hedonic evaluation as well as recognition of quality and intensity. Taste information is sent to the cortical gustatory area in a chemotopical manner to be processed for discrimination of taste quality. It is also conveyed to the reward system and feeding center via the prefrontal cortices. The amygdala, which receives taste inputs, also influences reward and feeding. In terms of neuroactive substances, palatability is closely related to benzodiazepine derivatives and $\beta$-endorphin, both of which facilitate consumption of food and fluid. The reward system contains the ventral tegmental area, nucleus accumbens and ventral pallidum and finally sends information to the lateral hypothalamic area, the feeding center. The dopaminergic system originating from the ventral tegmental area mediates the motivation to consume palatable food. The actual ingestive behavior is promoted by the orexigenic neuropeptides from the hypothalamus. Even palatable food can become aversive and avoided as a consequence of postingestional unpleasant experience such as malaise. The brain mechanism of these aspects of taste is elucidated.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.377-381
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• 2023

This study included a 42-year-old female farmer with a 2-year history of Graves' disease who visited the hospital for a total thyroidectomy for her grade III goiter based on World Health Organization classification. Besides Hegu (LI4) and Neiguan (PC6), extensively used for acupuncture analgesia in thyroid surgery in previous studies, three additional acupuncture points for acupuncture analgesia in thyroidectomy were evaluated in this study: Shuitu (ST10), Quepen (ST12), and Yifeng (SJ17). In this case, we used an electroacupuncture stimulator to stimulate the acupuncture points and combined acupuncture analgesia with diazepam and atropine sulfate administration as adjunct medications to calm the patient. The operation was completed without any complications. The findings revealed that stimulating the five acupuncture points, i.e., Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Shuitu (ST10), Quepen (ST12), and Yifeng (SJ17), for acupuncture analgesia combined with adjunct medications is safe for maintaining an adequate level of analgesia and hemodynamic stability during thyroidectomy.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.123-131
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• 1987

Morphine을 비롯한 opioid peptide가 말초 또는 중추에 투여시 혈압하강과 심박동수감소를 보이며 opiate 수용체 길항제인 naloxone에 의해 길항됨이 관찰되었던바 근래 몇몇 보고들은 중추신경내에서 adrenergic및 opioidergic system이 서로 관련되어 있음을 시사하고 있다. 이에 본 실험에서 고혈압 연구에 널리 사용되고 있는 2-kidney, 1-clip (2K1C) 방법으로 실험적 고혈압을 유발시킨 백서의 측뇌실내 clonidine또는 morphine의 심맥관계에 대한 효과와 각각의 차단제에 의한 영향 그리고 정상 및 고혈압상태 백서의 뇌내 ${\beta}-endorphin$의 함량과 specific opiate receptor binding을 정량하여 고혈압 유발에 따른 뇌내 opiate system의 변동을 관찰하였다. 2K1C 고혈압 또는 sham-operated대조백서에서 측뇌실내 clonidine $(3-30\;{\mu}g/kg)$은 용량에 비례하여 혈압하강과 심박동수감소를 일으켰으며 clonidine의 혈압강하 효과는 2K1C고혈압 백서에서 더욱 현저하였다. clonidine의 혈압강하효과는 고혈압 백서에서 측뇌실내 yohimbine 또는 naloxone 전처리에 의해 약화되었고 대조군에서는 yohimbine ($30\;{\mu}g/kg$, i.v.t.)에 의해 억제되었으나 naloxone ($50\;{\mu}g/kg$, i.v.t.)에 의해서는 영향 받지 않았다. clonidine과 마찬가지로 측뇌실내 morphine $(10-100\;{\mu}g/kg)$은 2K1C 고혈압 또는 sham-operated 대조백서에서 용량에 비례하여 혈압하강과 심박동수감소를 일으켰으며, morphine의 혈압강하효과는 2K1C 고혈압백서에서 더욱 현저하였다. 대조군과 고혈압군에서 morphine의 혈압강하효과는 naloxone 전처리에 의해 현저히 약화되었으나 yohimbine에 의해서는 영향 받지 않았다. 2K1C 시술익일부터 투여한 clonidine은 2K1C 시술에 의한 혈압 상승을 억제하였으며 naloxone (2 mg/kg, i.p.)에 의해 반전되었다. 2K1C 시술에 의해 고혈압이 유발된 백서의 뇌내 ${\beta}-endorphin$ 함량은 sham-operated 군에 비하여 유의하게 감소되어 있었고 (3H)-naloxone의 specific binding의 Bmax는 증가되었으나 Kd치는 변동되지 않았다. 이상의 실험 성적은 뇌내 opiate계가 혈압조절에 중요한 역할을 담당하고 있으며 2K1C 고혈압백서의 고혈압상태 유지에 뇌내 opiate계의 기능저하가 일부관여하고 있음을 강력히 시사한다.

• 대한약리학회지
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.57-75
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• 1987

Two modalities of gonadotropin secretion, pulsatile gonadotropin and preovulatory gonadotropin surge, have been identified in the mammals. Pulsatile gonadotropin secretion is modulated by the pulsatile pattern of GnRH release and complex ovarian steroid feedback actions. The neural mechansim that regulates the pulsatile release of GnRH in the hypothalamus is called "GnRH pulse generator". Ovarian steroids, estradiol and progesterone, appear to exert thier feedback effects both directly on the pituitary to modulate gonadotropin release and on a hypothalamic site to modulate GnRH release; estradiol primarily affects the amplitude while progesterone decreases the frequency of the pulsatile GnRH. Steroid hormones are known to affect catecholamine transmission in brain. MBH-POA is richly innervated by NE systems and close apposition of NE terminals and GnRH cell bodies occurs in the MBH as well as in the POA. NE normally facilitates pulsatile LH release by acting through ${\alpha}-receptor$ mechanism. However, precise nature of facilitative role of NE transmission in maintaining pulsatile LH has not been clearly understood. Close apposition of DA and GnRH terminals in ME might permit DA to influence GnRH release. Action of DA transmission probably is mediated by axo-axonic contacts between GnRH and DA fibers in the ME. Dopamine transmission does not normally regulate pulsatile LH release, but under certain conditions, increased DA transmission inhibit LH pulse. Endogenous opioid acts to suppress the secretion of GnRH into hypophysial portal circulation, thereby inhibiting gonadotropin secretion. However, an interaction between endogenenous opioid peptides and gonadotropin release is a complex one which involves ovarian hormones as well. LH secretion appears to be most suppressed by endogenenous opioids during the luteal phase, at a time of elevated progesterone secretion. The arcuate nucleus contains not only cell bodies for GnRH and ${\beta}-endorphin$ but also a dense aborization of fibers suggesting that GnRH release is changed by the interactions between GnRH and ${\beta}-endorphin$ cell bodies within the arcuate nucleus. The frequency and amplitude of pulsatile LH release seem to be increased during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge. Estradiol exerts positive feedback action on the hypothalamo-pituitary axis to trigger preovulatory LH surge. GnRH is also crucial hormonal stimulus for preovulatory LH surge. It is unlikely, however, that increased secretion of GnRH during the preovulatory gonadotropin surge represents an obligatory neural signal for generation of the LH discharge in primates including human. Modulation of preovulatory LH surge by catecholamines has been studied almost exclusively in rats. NE and E may be involved in distinct way to accumulate GnRH in the MBH and its release into the hypophysial portal system during the critical period for LH surge on proestrus in rats. However, the mechanisms whereby augmented adrenergic transmission may facilitate the formation and accumulation of GnRH in the ME-ARC nerve terminals before the LH surge have not been clearly understood.

• 셀메드
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• 제4권1호
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• pp.3.1-3.8
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• 2014

Spa represents a treatment widely used in many rheumatic diseases (RD). The mechanisms by which immersion in mineral or thermal water ameliorates RD are not fully understood. The net benefit is probably the result of a combination of factors, among which the mechanical, thermal and chemical effects are most prominent. Buoyancy, immersion, resistance and temperature play important roles. According to the gate theory, pain relief may be due to the pressure and temperature of the water on skin; heat may reduce muscle spasm and increase the pain threshold. Mud-bath therapy increases plasma ${\beta}$-endorphin levels and secretion of corticotrophin, cortisol, growth hormone and prolactin. It has recently been demonstrated that thermal mud-bath therapy induces a reduction in circulating levels of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, interleukin-$1{\beta}$ and tumour necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, important mediators of inflammation and pain. Furthermore, balneotherapy has been found to cause an increase in insulin-like growth factor-1, which stimulates cartilage metabolism, and transforming growth factor-${\beta}$. Beneficial anti-inflammatory and anti-degenerative effects of mineral water were confirmed in chondrocytes cultures, too. Various studies in vitro and in humans have highlighted the positive action of mud-packs and thermal baths, especially sulphurous ones, on the oxidant/antioxidant system. Overall, thermal stress has an immunosuppressive effect. Many other non-specific factors may also contribute to the beneficial effects observed after spa therapy in some RD, including effects on cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. adipokines) and changes in the environment, pleasant surroundings and the absence of work duties.

• 종양간호연구
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• 제1권2호
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• pp.157-167
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• 2001

Purpose : This study was 1) to determine the relationship between endogenous opioid-peptides and hope 2) to evaluate the availability of the opioid- peptides, known as biochemicals of emotion in psychoneuroimmunology, as a variable to explain hope. Method : blood sampling for 20 cancer patients' (age range 18-73, 13 men and 7 women, having mild pain or no pain, can do ADL) were made under approval from the doctors in a university hospital at 8 A.M. and quantitative analysis of opioid peptides were done by the internal standard method. In 10min after blood sampling, hope was measured using Kim and Lee's hope scale which had acceptable reliabilities and validity after making consent about interviewing. Blood was sampled from the seven normal adults for comparing the degrees of the opioids. None-parametric statistical analysis was used. Results : There was a significant difference in leucine enkephalin between normal adults and cancer patients. And significant positive relationship existed between chemotherapy and leucine enkephalin. So, the relationships between hope and the endogenous opioids in the patients before chemotherapy were re-tested, excluding the effect of chemotherapy on opioids. As a result, a significant negative relationship between hope and beta- endorphin(r=-.841<.05) showed. And there were highly negative relationships between leucine enkephalin and methionine enkephalin and hope, but not significant statistically. Conclusions : This results implies endogenous opioids can be used as a biological variable to explain hope. More researches in sophisticated design would be needed ,especially in human model.

• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제21권6호
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• pp.1543-1548
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• 2007

Recent experiments investigating the analgesic or anti-stress effects of electro-acupuncture provide extensive evidence that opioid or stress hormone system is involved in those effects, respectively. It has been also suggested that opioid or stress hormones modulate long-term memory consolidation or retrieval in animals and human subjects. This article reviews the possibilitythat electroacupuncture can modulate memory consolidation or retrieval. The release of serum cortisol is enhanced or reduced by high-frequency or low-frequency electroacupuncture, respectively. Also the release of beta endorphin and enkephalin is enhanced by low-frequency electroacupuncture and the release of dynorphin is enhanced by high-frequency electroacupunture. The memory consolidation is enhanced by post-training injection of Glucocorticoids, Naloxone or Dynorphin. So this review suggests strongly that memory consolidation can be modulated by electroacupuncture.