• Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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• 1988.08a
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• pp.25-27
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• 1988

To assess the effect of Panax ginseng on the detoxification of ethanol. we examined its effect on blood ethanol clearance in both man and experimental animals and on the rate of ethanol oxidation to carbon dioxide in experimental animals. Fourteen healthy male volunteers were subject to studies. The blood alcohol level in the test group receiving ginseng extract (3g/kg b.w.) along with alcohol (70g/65kg b.w.) was about $35\%$ lower than their control levels at 40 min after ethanol intake. When the blood alcohol level was compared on individual bases. blood alcohol concentrations in 10 subjects ranged from 32 to $51\%$ lower than their control values. The remaining 4 subjects appeared to have a high tolerance level. In experimental animals. the blood alcohol clearance was also much faster in test animals receiving ginseng along with ethanol. The rate of ethanol elimination was determined by the amount of $^{14}CO_2$ in exhaled air following the administration of [$^{14}C$] ethanol. During the first 7 1/4 hr (Phase I) after the ethanol administration. the $CO_2$ output was greater in test animals receving ginseng along with ethanol. whereas from beyond 7 1/4 hr to the near end (Phase II). the $CO_2$ output in control animals was over twice that in test animals. The present studies clearly demonstrate that ginseng promotes the overall metabolism of ethanol. resulting in an enhanced blood alcohol clearance and alcohol elimination.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.233-239
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• 1990

The efect of acute renal failure (ARF) on the pharmacokinetics o sulfobromophthalein (BSP) was investigated in order to elucidate if renal failure modifies the hepatic metabolism of drugs. ARF was induced by intravenous (iv) injection of uranyl nitrate (UN) to rats (5 mg/kg) five days before the experiment. Area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC)of BSP after portal vein (pv) injection increased by 2-fold and total body clearance ($CL_1$) decreased one half (p <0.01) in UN-induced ARF (UN-ARF) rate compared to the control rats. But the plasma disappearance of BSP after iv injection did not differ significantly between control and UN-ARF rats. Since BSP is excreted via the liver, $CL_1$ represented the approximate hepatic clearance of BSP. Therefore, the decrease in $CL_1$ represented the approximate hepatic clearance of BSP. Therefore, the decrease in $CL_1$ represents a decrease in hepatic intrinsic clearance ($CL_{int}$) for BSP since plasma free fraction ($f_p$) of BSP was not affected by UN-ARF. The content of hepatic cytoplasmic Y-protein, which catalyzes BSP-glutathione conjugation and limits the trasfer of BSP from blood to bile, increased significantly (p < 0.01), however its binding activity (BA) for BSP was decreased significantly (p <0.01) by UN-ARF. The decrease in $CL_{int}$might have some correlation with the changed characteristics of hepatic Y-protein, specifically its decreased BA for BSP.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to clarify the efflux transport system of choline from brain to blood across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in rats using the brain efflux index (BEI) method. $[^3H]$Choline was micro-injected into parietal cortex area 2 (Par2) of the rat brain, and was eliminated from the brain with elimination halflife of 45 min. The BBB efflux clearance of $[^3H]$choline was about 124 mL/min/g brain, which was determined from combination of an elimination rate constant $(1.54X10^{-2}min^{-1})$ and the distribution volume in the brain (8.05 mL/g brain). The efflux of $[^3H]$choline was inhibited by unlabeled choline in a dose-dependent manner and was significantly inhibited by cationic substrates, such as hemicholinium-3 and tetraethylammonium (TEA). These results suggest that the BBB may act as an efflux pump for choline to reduce the excessive choline concentration in the brain interstitial fluid.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.65-70
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• 2008

Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is currently promoted as a strategy for treating both uncomplicated and severe falciparum malaria, targeting asexual blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum parasites. However, the effect of ACT on sexual-stage parasites remains controversial. To determine the clearance of sexual-stage P. falciparum parasites from 342 uncomplicated, and 217 severe, adult malaria cases, we reviewed and followed peripheral blood sexualstage parasites for 4 wk after starting ACT. All patients presented with both asexual and sexual stage parasites on admission, and were treated with artesunate-mefloquine as the standard regimen. The results showed that all patients were asymptomatic and negative for asexual forms before discharge from hospital. The percentages of uncomplicated malaria patients positive for gametocytes on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were 41.5, 13.1, 3.8, 2.0, and 2.0%, while the percentages of gametocyte positive severe malaria patients on days 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 were 33.6, 8.2, 2.7, 0.9, and 0.9%, respectively. Although all patients were negative for asexual parasites by day 7 after completion of the artesunate-mefloquine course, gametocytemia persisted in some patients. Thus, a gametocytocidal drug, e.g., primaquine, may be useful in combination with an artesunate-mefloquine regimen to clear gametocytes, so blocking transmission more effectively than artesunate alone, in malaria transmission areas.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.260-264
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• 1997

This study was conducted with adult cockerels to determine whether dietary RNA affects feed intake and renal weight and function, and if the responses are similar to dietary adenine. Chickens were ad libitum fed a RNA diet (100 g/kg) or an adenine diet (9.1 g/kg) for 14 d and catheterized in right jugular vein, hepatic portal vein and both urethers, and saline together with para-amino hippuric acid and sodium thiosulfate was continuously infused into them to evaluate renal functions. Dietary RNA reduced feed intake and body weight, and dietary adenine increased kidney weight expressed as a proportion of body weight (P < 0.05). Feed intake and body weight on the adenine diet and kidney weight on the RNA diet showed similar though non significant tendencies. No calculi were detected in the kidney in chickens fed either the RNA or adenine diets. Plasma inorganic phosphate (IP), Ca and 1,25 $(OH)_2$ vitamin $D_3$ concentrations were increased by dietary RNA and adenine, although the increases of IP and Ca in adenine-fed chickens were not significant. Uric acid and urea concentrations in the blood plasma were unaffected by dietary RNA or adenine. Both dietary RNA and adenine increased renal blood flow rates 3.5-3.7 fold, renal plasma flow rates 3.4-3.7 fold and glomerular filtration rates (GFR) 2.9-3.0 fold (p < 0.01). Clearance of urea, IP and Ca were also enhanced by dietary RNA, but not by dietary adenine. However, neither RNA nor adenine affected uric acid clearance. Only IP clearance was significantly augmented at the glomerular level by dietary RNA (p < 0.05). Glomerular filtration of uric acid, urea, IP and Ca and reabsorption of urea, IP and Ca at the renal tubule were increased by dietary RNA and adenine (p < 0.05), whereas tubular secretion of uric acid was decreased by both dietary treatments. It is concluded that dietary adenine is effective in changing renal function and P and Ca metabolism in chickens.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1996.11a
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• pp.99-113
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• 1996

Taurine, a ${\beta}$-amino acid, plays an important role as a neuromodulator and is necessary for the normal development of the brain. Since de novo synthesis of taurine in the brain is minimal and in vivo studies suggest that taurine does not cross the blood-brain barrier, the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) barrier is likely to play a role in taurine transport between the central nervous system and the systemic circulation. Therefore, we examined in vivo elimination of taurine from the CSF in the rat to characterize in vivo kinetics of elimination for taurine from the CSF is consistent with the in vitro study. Using a stereotaxic device, cannulaes were placed into the lateral ventricle and the cisterna magna of the rat. Radio-labelled taurine and inulin (a marker of CSF flow) were injected into the lateral ventricle, and the concentrations of the labelled compounds in the CSF were monitored for up to 3 hrs in the cisterna magna. The apparent clearance of taurine from CSF was greater than the estimated CSF flow (p<0.005), indicating that there is a clearance process in addition to the CSF flow. Taurine distribution into the choroid plexus was at least 10 fold higher than that found in other brain areas (e.g., cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex). When unlabelled taurine was co-administered with radio-labelled taurine, the apparent clearance of the labeled taurine was reduced (p<0.01), suggesting a saturable disposition of taurine from CSF. Distribution of taurine into the choroid plexus, cerebellum, olfactory bulb and cortex was similarly diminished, indicating that the saturable uptake of taurine into these tissues is responsible for the non-linear disposition. A pharmacokinetic model involving first order elimination and saturable distribution described these data adequately. The Michaelis-Menten rate constant estimated from in vivo elimination study is similar to that obtained in the in vitro uptake experiment Collectively, our results demonstrate that taurine is transported in the choroid plexus via a taurine is cleared from the CSF via a saturable process. This process may be functionally relevant to taurine homeostasis in the brain.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.193-204
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• 1995

In order to examine the effect of extrahepatic cholestasis induced by common bile duct ligation on the hepatic function, the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine and d-propranolol were investigated in rats. In addition, in an attempt to observe the degree of direct hepatic injury, light and electron microscopic observations and conventional pathologic test using serum were performed. Five days after common bile duct ligation, antipyrine(15 mg/kg) and d-propranolol(3 mg/kg) were intravenously administrated to the rats, respectively. The total clearances of antipyrine and d-propranolol were significantly(p<0.05) decreased. Because hepatic clearance of antipyrine poorly extracted by the liver and that of d-propranolol highly extracted by the liver are respectively dependent on the hepatic intrinsic clearance and the hepatic blood flow, it may be concluded that extrahepatic cholestasis following five days after common bile duct ligation decreased the hepatic intrinsic clearance and the hepatic blood flow. SGPT, SGOT, cholesterol, bilirubin(total bilirubin, direct bilirubin) and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased(p<0.05). The proliferation of bile ducts was prominent, and degeneration and necrosis of hepatocytes were observed by light microscope. Also, ultrastructurally, bile canaliculi were containing the amorphous materials and losing microvilli, and SER and RER in hepatocytes were dilated and vacuolated.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.74-79
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• 1990

$^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$ was synthesized, and biodistribution and blood clearance rate were compared with those of $^{131}I-OIH$ in mice and rats respectively. Finally renal image was obtained from a normal male volunteer before and after prescription of probenecid. The results obtained were as follows: 1) The uptake of $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$ by kindey was higher than that of $^{131}I-OIH$ in mice 10 mins after injection (n=6, p<0.05), but slightly lower uptakes were found in all organs (kindney, blood, stomach, intestinge and liver) 2 hrs after injection. 2) For $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$ $4\frac{1}{2}\;\alpha=2.4{\pm}0.0\;min,\;t\frac{1}{2}\;\beta=44.3{\pm}7.4\;min$, and blood clearance=$3.4{\pm}0.5ml/min$, and for $^{131}I-OIH\;t\frac{1}{2}\;\alpha=1.8{\pm}0.2\;min,\;\beta=69.1{\pm}9.5\;min$, and blood clearance=$1.3{\pm}0.1\;min$ were found in rats. 3) From the renogram of normal male volunteer, we could find that tmax=130 sec and $t\frac{1}{2}=430\;sec$ before probenecid prescription, and $tmax=150\sim170$ sec and $t\frac{1}{2}=810\sim1,170$ sec after probenecid prescriprion. From these results we concluded that $^{99m}Tc-MAG_3$ can be used instead of $^{131}I-OIH$ for obtaining renal image.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2013

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to investigate the effect and the mechanism of Geumgoeshingi-whan (GGSGW) Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 on the blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Methods: SHR were injected with normal saline solution (Control-SHR group)or GGSGW Pharmacopuncture (GGSGW-SHR group) at the acupoint GV 4. The systolic arterial blood pressure and renal parameters were measured for two weeks. Results: The systolic arterial blood pressure was decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 in SHR, followed by a significant rise in creatine clearance. The plasma levels of aldosterone were decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopunctureas were the plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). Conclusion: These results suggest that the blood pressure was decreased significantly after GGSGW Pharmacopuncture at the acupoint GV 4 in SHR and that the depressor response of the blood pressure was related to decreases in the plasma levels of aldosterone and ANP.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.130-143
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• 1985

Bumetanide, when given intravenously in dogs, induced a potent diuresis with an increased amounts of sodium and potassium excreted in urine due to inhibition of reabsorbing them in renal tubule. Furthermore, clearances of osmolar substance and para-aminohippuric acid were increased, but clearace of free water diminished without any change of creatinine clearance. Bumetanide, administered directly into a renal artery, elicited diuresis only in the infused(experimental) kidney by the same mode of action as in the intravenous cases in renal function of the dog. Renal effects of intravenous bumetanide after pretreatment with the small dose of indomethacin (5.0mg/kg) revealed reduction only in clearance of paraaminohippuric acid. However the much dose of indomethacin (5.0mg/kg+5.0mg/kg/hr) or arachidonic acid showed a significant inhibition in the change rates of all renal function by bumetanide. Morover, pretreatment of probenecid also made a marked reduction in renal effects induced by bumetanide. From the above results, it is thought that bumetanide causes diuretic action due to dual mechanism inhibiting reabsorption of electrolytes in loop of Henle and increasing blood flow in kindney, that are provoked through the mediation of prostaglandins.