• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.139-147
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• 1985

Americal A from the seeds of Phytolacca americana, was investigated for the antiinflammatory activity. The compound significantly inhibited edema induction, granuloma formation, arthritis induction and leucocyte emigration in CMC-pouch. But its anticarrageenin activity was not exhibited in adrenalectomized rats. These findings together with decrease in the contents of ascorbic acid and cholesterol in adrenals by administration of the compound suggest that its activity is mediated through stimulation of the pituitary-adrenal axis. The acute toxicity of the compound is very weak and gastric ulceration was not produced by the compound.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.40 no.5
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• pp.584-594
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• 1993

Background: Among the respiratory diseases, there are a lot of cases of pleural effusion. The most common cause is tuberculosis. But the other cause such as lung malignancy is in an increasing tendency because of the development of diagnostic procedure, the decrease of the prevalence of the tuberculosis and the increase of the longevity. We need to know the accurate diagnosis as soon as possible for the correct therapy. Method: A clinical observation was made on 315 cases of pleural effusion seen at Pusan Adventist Hospital, from Jan, 1989 to Dec, 1992. For diagnostic procedure, thoracentesis, lymph node biopsy, bronchoscopy and percutaneous biopsy of the parietal pleura with Cope needle were performed. The following are parameters used in seperating the exudate from the transudate: pleural protein 3.0 g/dl, pleural protein/serum protein ratio 0.5, pleural LDH 200 IU, pleural LDH/serum LDH ratio 0.6, pleural cholesterol 60 mg/dl and pleural cholesterol/serum cholesterol ratio 0.3. Each parameters were compared, and misclassified rate and diagnostic efficiency were calculated. Results: The most common cause of exudate pleurisy was tuberculosis (82.3%) and malignancy was next (12.2%). The chief complaints of pleural effusion were noted as dyspnea (58.7%), chest pain (54.9%), coughing (50.2%) and fever (36.2%). Location of pleural effusion was noted as right side (51.4%), left side (41.3%) and both sides (7.3%). Amount of pleural effusion of the chest X-ray was minimum (46.8%), moderate (40.5%) and maximum (12.7%). Misclassified rates for each parameters in seperating the exudates from the transudates were as follows; protein: 5.2%, pleural protein/serum protein:7.6%, LDH: 13.9%, pleural LDH/serum LDH: 6.9%, cholesterol: 8.0%, pleural cholesterol/serum cholesterol: 5.6%. On the pleural biopsy, the tuberculosis granuloma was 60.8%, malignancy was 13.6%, infection was 2.3% and nonspecific inflammatory reaction was 23.3%. Conclusion: on the basis of the above results, the most common cause of exudative pleurisy was tuberculosis. We think that the plerual cholesterol/serum cholesterol ratio is the most useful supportive parameter in separating the exudates from the transudates. For accurate diagnosis, the pleural biopsy is the first procedure and repeated pleural biopsy of nonspedcific inflammatory reaction is required.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.221-233
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• 1996

This experiment was carried out to study the toxic effect of solublized methylcellulose (MC). Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed with 1%(w/v) MC in 0.9% saline by gavage at a dose of 10ml/kg b.w/day or by intravenous injection at a dose of 5ml/kg b.w/day for 28 days. Clinical signs were observed once a day. Body weights, water and food consumptions were measured and urinalysis was performed several times during the experiment. Rats were sacrificed on days 3, 7, 15 and 28 for hematology, blood chemistry, organ weights and histopathology. The relative weight of the spleen and foamy cells of the spleen were increased in the gavage group. Body weight gain, food consumptions, the values of RBC, Hb, MCH, Hct, serum proteins, glucose, bilirubin, AST, and ALP were decreased in I.V. treatment group. On the other hand, water consumptions, the values of serum cholesterol, creatinine, and BUN were increased. Microscopic findings were granulomas, distended sinusoids, and hypertrophy of Kupffer cells with vacuoles in the liver. Spleen exhibited granuloma, increased extramedullary hematopoiesis, and congestion. Kidney exhibited foamy cells in the glomeruli, distension of the tubules. The findings appeared more severe when the treatment was extended. In conclusion, MC solution is not a safe vehicle for intravenous administration because of the toxic effects on the liver, kidney and spleen. In addition, a long-term and large dosage of oral administration of MC appears to be unsafe also and needs to be investigated further.