• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.87-103
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• 2023

Backgrounds and objectives: Cardiotonic Pills^® (CP) are used for vascular diseases such as coronary diseases, atherosclerosis, and cerebral infarction. This study aimed to determine the transient effects of CP on cerebrovascular CO₂ reactivity (CVR) and erythrocyte deformability in normal subjects. Methods: This study had a crossover design and included 10 participants who were randomly allocated to 2 groups. The experimental group was given CP with water, while the control group was given only water. CVR was measured by hyperventilation-induced CVR of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) using transcranial Doppler (TCD). Erythrocyte deformability was measured using a Rheoscan-D microfluidic ektacytometer. All measurements were performed prior to and 1, 2, and 3 hours after CP or water administration. Blood pressure and heart rate were also measured before and after administration. Results: CP significantly improved CVR 3 hours after administration in the experimental group compared to the control group (p = 0.042). The corrected blood flow velocity at partial pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide (PETCO₂) = 40mmHg (CV40) was also significantly improved 2 and 3 hours after administration in the CP group compared to the control group (p = 0.036 and p = 0.021, respectively). CP significantly improved erythrocyte deformability 3 hours after administration in the experimental group compared to the control group (p = 0.027). Mean heart rate and mean blood pressure showed no change. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that CP increases CVR and erythrocyte deformability. These results suggested that CP improves cerebral microcirculation which provide evidence for the future use of CP for prevention of ischemic stroke and neurodegenerative diseases.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.578-585
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• 2010

Objectives : Coldness of hands and feet has been regarded to be associated with blood circulation. This study was performed to assess the correlation between erythrocyte deformability and coldness of hands and feet. Methods : 145 patients who had taken an erythrocyte deformability test were selected for this study among hospitalized patients within 4 weeks after their cerebral infarction at the Internal Medical Department at Kyunghee Oriental Medical Center from August 2008 to August 2009. We divided the selected patients into two groups, with and without of coldness of hands and feet groups. The two groups were compared on risk factors for atherosclerosis and examined for variables including erythrocyte deformability. Results : 1. On demographic variables of the patients, only body mass index was significantly lower in the coldness of hands and feet group than the control group. There was no significant difference of the rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, ischemic heart disease, smoking, drinking and carotid artery stenosis between the two groups. 2. According to blood test, the coldness of hands and feet group showed significantly lower erythrocyte deformability index than the control group. 3. Body mass index and erythrocyte deformability index showed a close relationship with coldness of hands and feet in multivariate analysis. Conclusions : The correlation between the erythrocyte deformability and coldness of hands and feet in cerebral infarction patients were decreased erythrocyte deformability participated in the mechanism of coldness of hands and feet.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 1997

The causes of stroke are presumed hypertension, atherosclerosis,. cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus and old age and risk factors of stroke are suggested hypertension, hyperlipidemia. obesity, smoking and drinking etc. Especilly, hypertension is one of the most important cause and risk factor of stroke, therfore without therapy hypertension leads to stroke. The frequence of hypertension is significantly higher in hemorrhage patients of intracranial hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Antihypertensive therapy has an impact not only on the primary prevention of stroke but also on stroke recurrence and the declining of stroke motality has been attributed to the widespread availability and use of antihypertensive therapy. The goals of antihypertensive therapy decrease the complications and motalitv of cardiovascular system and prevent the promoting arteriosclerosis. In this study, we observed the blood pressure change of cb-hemorrhagic patients with hypertension who were hospitalized from 1996. 3. 1 to 1997. 2 .26 in Wonkwang Oriental Hospital. These patients had no antihypertensive therapy and were supplied herb med(Jaum sikpoongtang, Chungrijagamtang, Gojinumja) in medication. Our results suggested as follows. 1. Systolic and diastolic average BP at admission is $150.71{\pm}15.61mmHg$ and $95.00{\pm}8.8mmHg$ and this is hypertension state defining WHO 2. During one week in admission, the blood pressure demostrated a marked declination by SBP 8.97mmHg and DBP 6.22mmHg. 3. During two week in admission, the declination of SBP was significant in paired t-test(p<0.05) but, the declination of DBP was non-significant in paired t-test. 4. The blood pressure during third and fourth weeks gradually declined but, non-significant in test. According to the above results, we suggested that the BP declination Was affected by $Jamyang{\cdot}Jaum$ prescriptions in acute stage of cerebral hemorrhage.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.451-458
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• 2020

Post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) slows the recovery process and reduces the quality of life of stroke survivors. Antiepileptic drugs are empirically prescribed to prevent PSE. However, the long-term use of antiepileptic drugs increases the risk of atherosclerosis, and up to 25% of patients have drug-resistant epilepsy. Herein, We report a patient with PSE who was treated with Korean medicine including Jingansikpungtang-gagambang and Uwhangchungsimwon. A 51-year-old patient had a past medical history of cerebral infarction that occurred in 2014. His first seizure occurred in January 2020 and he was diagnosed with PSE through a brain magnetic resonance imaging. The patient had a partial seizure with secondary generalization. After the initiation of taking Korean medicine, both the rate of progression to generalized seizures and the frequency of seizures was progressively and significantly reduced. This case report suggests that Korean medicine-based treatment may be safe and effective for PSE.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.147-167
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• 2000

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in the pathogenesis of a variety of life threatening conditions such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke. In this study, the effect of Sunghyangchungisan (SHCS) as a cytoproctant against ROS-induced cell injury was studied by investigating its effect on $H_{2}O_2-induced$ cell injury in cultured endothelial cells derived from the human umbilical vein. SHCS effectively proteced the cells against $H_{2}O_2-induced$ injury determined by trypan blue exclusion ability and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. The effect of SHCS was concentration-dependent and the concentrations to inhibit by 50% the cell death and LDH release were $0.9{\pm}0.1$ and $1.2{\pm}0.1\;mg/ml$, respectively. In addition, SHCS effectively protected the cells against t-butylhydroperoside- and menadione-Induced injury as well. SHCS inhibited lipid peroxidation determined by malondialdehyde production. SHCS exerted as an effective scavenger of ROS produced by exposing the cells to $H_{2}O_2$ The activities of the intracellular ROS scavenging enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase were not Influenced by SHCS.These results indicate that SHCS might exert as an effective cytoprotectant against ROS-induced cell injury. Further intensive studies would provide us insights into mechanisms of the pharmacological actions of SHCS.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.165-170
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• 2008

In the present study, we aimed to identify the synergistic effects of concurrent treatment of low concentrations of cilostazol and probucol to inhibit the oxidative stress with suppression of inflammatory markers in the cultured human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAECs). Combination of cilostazol (0.3${\sim}3{\mu}$M) with probucol (0.03${\sim}0.3{\mu}$M) significantly suppressed TNF-${\alpha}$-stimulated NAD(P)H-dependent superoxide, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and TNF-${\alpha}$ release in comparison with probucol or cilostazol alone. The combination of cilostazol (0.3${\sim}3{\mu}$M) with probucol (0.1${\sim}0.3{\mu}$M) inhibited the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) more significantly than did the monotherapy with either probucol or cilostazol. In line with these results, combination therapy significantly suppressed monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells. Taken together, it is suggested that the synergistic effectiveness of the combination therapy with cilostazol and probucol may provide a beneficial therapeutic window in preventing atherosclerosis and protecting from cerebral ischemic injury.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.164-179
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• 2002

Object: Death rate due to hypertension, atherosclerosis, ischemic heart disease and cerebral infarction induced by Westernized diet and increased average life span is on the rise. Decrease in blood circulation, activation of thrombus generation and intravascular lipid accumulation, cited as the principal causes of the above mentioned diseases in recent studies, result in circulatory disturbance and blood vessel obstruction leading to ischemic cell death of heart, brain and peripheral vessels. Method: We investigated the biochemical changes in microvascular permeability, aggregation of platelet and the intravascular lipid accumulation in induced-diabetic rat using Streptozotocin. We also studied the effects of Woohwangcheongsirn-won after oral administration on blood circulation, platelet function and lipid metabolism. The results are as follows: I. Woohwangcheongsim-won increased blood circulation in microvessels. 2. Woohwangcheongsim-won increased the reduced erythrocyte deformability in diabetes. 3. Woohwangcheongsim-won induced the reduction of contents of 2, 3-DPG, but failed to affect the reduced contents of ATP in erythrocyte in diabetes. 4. Woohwangcheongsim-won reduced the activity of Ca/sup 2+/-ATPase in the membrane of erythrocyte. 5. Woohwangcheongsim-won reduced the platelet aggregation evoked by platelet agglutinin factor. 6. Woohwangcheongsim-won reduced the production of platelet-derived granules. 7. Woohwangcheongsim-won reduced the production of metabolites of arachidonic acid in diabetes, and also reduced the production of increased thromboxane B2. 8. Woohwangcheongsim-won reduced the synthesis of oxidized LDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, Woohwangcheongsim-won enhanced blood circulation in microvesseles, erythrocyte deformability and inhibited the increased platelet aggregation and the synthesis of oxidized LDL-cholesterol in diabetes. Therefore Woohwangcheongsim-won is believed to positively affect blood circulation (J Korean Oriental Med 2002;23(2):164-179)

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.945-953
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• 2006

Hyperlipidemia is one of the major factors causing the atherosclerosis of coronary arteries and a well-documented modifiable risk factor for stroke, especially of the ischemic type. Constipation is the condition of being unable to empty the bowels frequently enough or effectively. However, it is usually temporary and not a serious disease. Salicornia herbacea is a sea coast plant that grows on the western and southern coastal beaches and salt flats of the Korean peninsula. Belonging to Chenopodiaceae by biological classification. Salicornia herbacea is not known from research except that it contains plenty of minerals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with Hamcho-hwanand to observe changes in total cholesterol (T-Chol) high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and constipation. After treatment, total cholesterol decreased from 273mg/dl to 235mg/dl. Triglyceride decreased from 201mg/dl to 126mg/dl. HDL cholesterol increased from 30mg/dl to 40mg/dl. Constipation changed for the better. These results support a role for oriental medical therapy in treating hyperlipidemia and constipation. Further case studies of herbal treatment of this ailment are needed.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.207-213
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• 2005

The severity of carotid Intima-media thickness (IMT) is an Independent predictor of atherosclerosis which causes transient cerebral ischemia, stroke, and coronary events such as myocardial Infarction. The IMT consists of Intima thickness (IT) and media thickness (MT). However, the Individual clinical significance of IT and MT has not been well studied. We devised a method of measuring IT, MT, and IMT using B-mode ultrasound Image processing technique for the diagnosis of atherosclerosis. To inspect the clinical significance of IT, MT, and IMT, one hundred forty-four consecutive patients (mean age; 57 years old, 72 males) were underwent common carotid artery scanning using high-resolution ultrasound. Results showed that, the IT (p<0.05), MT (p<0.05) as well as IMT (p<0.01) of patients with atherosclerotic disease were significantly thicker than that of the patients without atherosclerotic disease. Patients with hyperiension showed significantly thicker IT (p<0.01), MT (p<0.001), and IMT (p<0.001). However, only IT was thicker in patients with smoking (p<0.01). The IT (r=0.374, p=0.001), MT (r=0.433, p=0.000), and IMT (r=0.479, p=0.000) showed positive correlation with age. The coefficients of determination ($r^2$) were estimated to be $92.4\%$ for IMT and MT, $49.1\%$ for IMT and IT, and $27.4\%$ for IT and MT. This result suggests that the Intima layer of the carotid artery has a different physiology with the media layer.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.172-178
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• 1997

We present a etrospective analysis of arterial embolectomies performed at the Inje University Seoul Paik Hospital. During the period of March 1987 Feburary 1996 twenty-six patients underwent embolectomies, eighteen patients were male and eight patients were female, mean age of patients was 56.8 years. Rest pain was the chief complaint in 24 patients, the remaining two patients complained of long term history of claudication after recovery of acute symtoms. But only 10 patients had sensBrylmotor symtoms. Heart was the most common source of embolization and frequent predisposing factor of embolism was ischemic heart disease in 8 cases and valvular heart disease in 11 cases. The sites of embolization were upper extremities artery in 6 cases, saddle embolism in 2 cases, lower extremities artery in 18 cases and the most common site of embolism was femoral artery in 1 1 cases. Preoperative angiography was taken in the diagnosis and planning of the embolectomy in 1) patients while in the other patient p eoperative angiography was not taken. Only two cases were operated within the golden period of 6 hours and other cases were operated in more than 6 hours after embolization. In all patients, the Fogarty embolectomy catheter was used without bypass surgery via bachial ateriotomy in the embolism of upper extremities artery, bilateral groin approaches in the saddle embolism and transfemoral approach in the embolism of lower extremities artery. However 3 patients were re-operated via transpopliteal approach in the distal poplitiotibial embolism. Eighteen patients received perioperative anticoagulation therapy by heparin or fraxiparine and wafarin was used in 17 patients at the time of discharge and the indication of anticogulation was patients of valvular heat disease andfor atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery atherosclerosis and recurrent embolism. Postoperative results of the embolectomy were as follows: fouteen pateints had excellent results, five cases had symtom improvement after re-operation, B. K. amputation in 1 case who had severe atherosclerosis of lower extremities, recurrent embolism in 1 case and death in 2 cases the cause of death were acute renal failure and cerebral artery embolism, respectively. The complications of the embolectomy were reperfusion syndrome, pseudoaneurysm and intimal dissection in one case each. Conclusively the problems of embolism is delayed diagnosis and increasing number of old aged patient who had suffered from ischemic heart diease. Preoperative angiography was not always needed for embol ectomy. Selective anticoagulation therapy can decrease incidence of re-embolism. In the distal poplitiotibial embolism, embolectomy of tibial artery was difficult.