• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.519-531
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• 2024

Objectives: This case study reports the effectiveness of Korean medical treatment in a patient with cyclic vomiting syndrome. Methods: A 29-year-old female Korean patient with cyclic vomiting syndrome received acupuncture, electroacupuncture, herbal medicine, and moxibustion for 2 weeks in hospital. Changes in symptoms were evaluated using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Index for Nausea, Vomiting, and Retching (INVR), Nausea Severity Scale (NSS), Nepean Dyspepsia Index-Korean version (NDI-K), quality of life using the Functional Dyspepsia Related Quality of Life questionnaire (FD-QoL), and gastric motility using electrogastrography (EGG). Results: Post-treatment, the patient showed high satisfaction and improvement in symptoms of nausea and vomiting. The following changes were observed in scores: GSRS: 23 to 19; VAS of nausea: 88 to 95; VAS of dyspepsia: 95 to 12; INVR: 13 to 1; NSS: 17 to 5; NDI-K: 107 to 78; and FD-QoL 84 to 27. We also found positive results in Channel 3 of EGG parameters, implying the improvement of gastric motility disorder. Conclusion: Korean medical treatment can be a therapeutic option for cyclic vomiting syndrome.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.185-191
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• 2020

Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) are known as the pacemaker cells of gastrointestinal tract, and it has been reported that acute gastroenteritis induces intestinal dysmotility through antibody to vinculin, a cytoskeletal protein in gut, resulting in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, so that anti-vinculin antibody can be used as a biomarker for irritable bowel syndrome. This study aimed to determine correlation between serum anti-vinculin antibody and ICC density in human stomach. Gastric specimens from 45 patients with gastric cancer who received gastric surgery at Kangwon National University Hospital from 2013 to 2017 were used. ICC in inner circular muscle, and myenteric plexus were counted. Corresponding patient's blood samples were used to determine the amount of anti-vinculin antibody by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Analysis was done to determine correlation between anti-vinculin antibody and ICC numbers. Patients with elevated anti-vinculin antibody titer (above median value) had significantly lower number of ICC in inner circular muscle (71.0 vs. 240.5, p = 0.047), and myenteric plexus (12.0 vs. 68.5, p < 0.01) compared to patients with lower anti-vinculin antibody titer. Level of serum anti-vinculin antibody correlated significantly with density of ICC in myenteric plexus (r = -0.379, p = 0.01; Spearman correlation). Increased level of circulating anti-vinculin antibody was significantly correlated with decreased density of ICC in myenteric plexus of human stomach.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.9
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• pp.1227-1234
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• 2011

We investigated the immunostimulatory effects of doenjang, a famous Korean traditional food made from fermented soybean paste, on the immunohistochemical reaction in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and immune response in mice. Male C57BL/6N mice (6 weeks-old) were divided into 4 experimental diet treatment groups and a basal diet (control) group, and fed with different diets for 4 weeks. The immunoreactive density of $CD4^+/CD8^+$ lymphocytes were strongly stained in the jejunum and colon in Group III. The immunoreactivity of universal nitric oxide synthase (uNOS) was strongly stained in the myenteric plexus in the colon of all doenjang-fedgroups (I, II and III). The colonic immunoreactive density of protein kinase C-${\alpha}$ (PKC-${\alpha}$) was strongly increased in Groups II and III, while that of stem-cell factor (c-kit) was increased in colonic mucosa of all doenjang-fedgroups (I, II and III) and especially increased in the colonic muscle layer of Group III. These morphological and immunological results indicated that the intake of doenjang could improve the mucosal immune reaction, gastrointestinal motility, blood circulation in the GI tract, and the immuneactivity of the body. These results provide experimental evidence about the health benefits of doenjang.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.1-19
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• 2017

Objectives: The object of this study is to observe the possible ameliorating effects of Nokyongdaebo-tang (NYDBT) on the experimental subacute hemorrhagic anemia (SHA) in rats. Methods: In the present study, SHA in rats was induced by exsanguinations from orbital plexus, and ameliorating effects of NYDBT was observed based on the changes of body and hematopoietic organ (spleen, liver and femur) weights, red blood cell (RBC) related hematological values, smear cytology, histopathological changes and immunohistochemistrical analysis of hematopoietic stem cells in the femur bone marrow, liver and spleen. In addition, the gastrointestinal motility and the surface mucosa thicknesses of remnant fecal pellets in the colon lumen, mucosa thicknesses and the mucous producing cell numbers in the colonic mucosa were analyzed to observe the digestive disorders, especially on the constipation, the major discomfort problems in iron supplement. Results: SHA related abnormal anemic signs were markedly and dose-dependently inhibited by oral administration of NYDBT 500, 250 and 125 mg/kg in a condition of this experiment. In addition, no meaningful changes on the gastrointestinal motilities and mucous component on the colon and remnant feces were noticed in all three different dosages of NYDBT treated rats as compared with intact vehicle and SHA control rats in this study. Conclusions: It, therefore, is expected that NYDBT will be promising as a novel alternative hematopoietic and therapeutic agent for anemia.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.1010-1015
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• 2019

The interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) are the pacemaker cells in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the present study, the effects of olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic agent, on pacemaker potentials in cultured ICCs from the small intestine of the mouse were investigated. The whole-cell patch-clamp configuration was used to record pacemaker potentials from cultured ICCs. Olanzapine produced pacemaker depolarizations in a concentration-dependent manner in current clamp mode. Methoctramine, a muscarinic $M_2$ receptor antagonist, did not inhibit olanzapine-induced pacemaker depolarizations, whereas 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-methylpiperidine methiodide (4-DAMP) muscarinic $M_3$ receptor antagonist did inhibit it. When guanosine 5'-[${\beta}$-thio] diphosphate (GDP-${\beta}$-S; 1 mM) was in the pipette solution, olanzapine-induced pacemaker depolarization was blocked. Also, low $Na^+$ solution externally eliminated the generation of pacemaker potentials and inhibited the olanzapine-induced pacemaker depolarizations. Additionally, the nonselective cation channel blocker, flufenamic acid, inhibited the olanzapine-induced pacemaker depolarizations. Pretreatment with U-73122, an active phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitor, also eliminated the generation of pacemaker potentials and suppressed the olanzapine-induced pacemaker depolarizations. These results suggested that olanzapine modulates the pacemaker potentials through muscarinic $M_3$ receptor activation by G protein-dependent external $Na^+$ and PLC pathway in the ICCs. Therefore, olanzapine could affect intestinal motility through ICCs.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.433-437
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• 2005

Bezoars are concretions commonly found in the stomach and small bowel, and four types of bezoars have been described based on their composition : trichobezoar, phytobezoar, lactorbezoar, and miscellaneous. Bezoars most often develop after gastric operations that alter the motility, emptying, and grinding of food in the stomach. Trichobezoars are most common in female children with normal gastrointestinal function and are usually associated with pica, mental retardation, and psychiatric disorders. Although uncommon, bezoars are a well-recognized cause of chronic abdominal complaints which, when undiagnosed, can result in serious complications including gastric ulceration, bleeding, perforation, intussusception and small bowel obstruction. Mortality rates of up to 30 percent have been reported in adults. Trichotillomania is behaviors surrounding hair-pulling, including stroking and playing with hair before pulling, or biting and swallowing the hair after it has been pulled(trichophagia). The most notorious of the medical sequelae of trichotillomania is the trichobezoar. We experienced a case of trichobezoar in an 11-year-old girl who frequently swallowed her hairs from age 4 years up to age 7 years, resulting in intermittent abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.39-48
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• 2017

Objectives : The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Dokhwaljihwang-tang (DJT) intravenous pharmacopuncture on cisplatin-induced emesis and gastric mobility disorder in Wistar rats. Methods : Thirty rats were randomly divided into six groups and cisplatin was administered to all groups except the normal group. The cisplatin group (n=5) received a cisplatin injection only. The saline group (n=5) was injected with cisplatin followed by 0.4 mL of saline. Groups DJT-1, DJT-2, and DJT-3 were injected with cisplatin, followed by 0.315 g/kg, 0.104 g/kg, and 0.034 g/kg of DJT, respectively. Body weight, food intake, and kaolin intake of rats were measured 12 h, 24 h, and 36 h after cisplatin injection. Residual food in the stomach was measured 48 h after cisplatin injection. Results : There was no significant difference in weight. The food intake was not significantly different 12 h after cisplatin administration. All groups except the normal group showed significantly decreased food intake after 24 h. After 36 h, food intake was not significantly different between groups DJT-1, DJT-2, and DJT-3 and the normal group. The kaolin intake of groups DJT-1 and DJT-2 was significantly decreased at 12 h and 24 h after cisplatin injection. Kaolin intake and residual food in the stomach were significantly decreased in groups DJT-1, DJT-2, and DJT-3. Conclusion : In a Wistar rat model, DJT intravenous pharmacopuncture is suggested to be effective for cisplatin-induced emesis and gastric motility disorder. In the future, it is necessary to study the mechanism and chemical composition of each individual constitutive drug.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.276-283
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• 2015

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report bowel sound patterns recorded in 3 diseases associated with structural deformity of the pylorus-duodenum. Methods: : Bowel sound recording is a useful non-invasive tool for the evaluation of gastrointestinal motility. However, the difficulty in manual attachment of the electronic stethoscope on the abdominal wall and noise production against bowel sound signals have prohibited its widespread use. Therefore, I developed a new apparatus that eliminates the noise; it contains a sound absorbing device and a holder for the head of stethoscope. Using the new bowel sound recording system, bowel sounds of the patients were recorded repeatedly. The endoscopic and abdominal computed tomography findings were obtained from other hospitals' medical record, and all patients were confirmed to have structural deformity in the pylorus-duodenum. The records of each patient were compared and assessed. Results: : Patients had either duodenal ulcer scar, pyloric stricture, or far advanced malignant stomach cancer, as diagnosed by the gastroscopy. Their dominant frequency of bowel sound obtained from the new system was checked more than 2 times at regular intervals. All 8 recordings in the 2 patients with duodenal ulcer scar (5 times) or pyloric stricture (3 times) showed a decrease in postprandial than fasting dominant frequency. One patient with stomach cancer showed no significant change between postprandial and fasting states at 2 recordings. Conclusions: The analysis of dominant frequency in bowel sounds can indicate the existence of pyloric obstruction that could delay gastric emptying.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.1518-1524
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• 2008

Ponciri Fructus (PF), the immature fruit of Poncirus trifoliata, has been used for treatment of constipation in Korean traditional medicine. It has been reported that PF has a prokinetic effect on gastrointestinal tract, but little is known about the effect on colonic contraction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PF on spontaneous contractions of proximal and distal colon in rats. The aqueous extract of PF was centrifuged and filtered and its supernatant was used for in vitro motility study. The removed colon from rats was divided into proximal and distal segments. Each segment was mounted in a 10 ml organ bath and measured the change of the spontaneous contraction with increasing dose (1, 5, 10, 50, 100, 500, $1000{\mu}g/ml$) of PF extract administration. Also the effect of PF on the spontaneous contraction was measured under treatment of atropine, acetylcholine (Ach), and tetrodotoxin (TTX). PF increased the spontaneous phasic contraction of distal colon dose dependently, but there was no change in proximal colon. The contractile response induced by PF in distal colon was lower than that of Ach and was partially blocked by atropine ($10^{-6}M$). TTX increased the spontaneous contraction and it was reinforced with Ach addition. But the extract of PF had no or little contractile effect of TTX in colon. PF increased spontaneous contractions selectively in distal colon. The prokinetic effect of PF may be due to enhancement of cholinergic related excitatory neural system.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.211-219
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• 1993

The general and some pharmacological actions of DWP 302 were investigated in animals and the following results were obtained. In central nervous system, DWP 302 had no effects on the pentobarbital induced anaesthesia, locomotor activity, rotarod test, traction test, analgesic action in the mice and body temperature in the rat. DWP 302 showed no depressive action on the convulsion induced by strychnine and electronic shock. From these results, DWP 302 was considered to have no or little pharmacological effect on the central nervous system. Furthermore, DWP 302 had no influences on the normal blood pressure and heart rate. In the isolated ileum of guinea pig, DWP 302 showed neither contractive nor relaxing effects against the acetylcholine ($10^{-6}g/mι$), histamine ($10^{-6}g/mι$) and $BaCl_2$ ($10^{-4}g/mι$) at a concentration of $1.9{\times}10^{-4}g/mι$ in bath. But it caused a slight increase in basal tone at a concentration of $6.3{\times}10^{-4}g/mι$ and this effect was inhibited by atropine $10^{-7}g/mι.$ In the isolated trachea and vas deference, DWP 302 showed no effect on the contractions produced by histamine and norepinephrine, respectively. And DWP 302 showed no effect on the contractions produced by acetylcholine and oxytocin in the isolated nonpregnant rat uterus. DWP 302 had no effect on bile excretion, urine volume, pH and gastrointestinal motility, But, DWP 302 showed a significant inhibitory effect on gastric secretion in the rat.