• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
• /
• v.22 no.1
• /
• pp.55-64
• /
• 2012

The quinolones are broad-spectrum antibiotics and enhanced antimicrobial activity has extended the use of the quinolones beyond the traditional indications for quinolone antibiotics in the treatment of urinary tract infections. The quinolones are effective in a wider variety of infectious diseases, including skin and respiratory infections. Because of their excellent safety and tolerability, they have become popular alternatives to penicillin and cephalosporin derivatives in the treatment of various infections. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate efficacy and safety of IV quinolones for inpatient use. Total 117 patients who administerd quinolones for longer than 3 continuous days at community hospital from October 1st, 2008 to December 31st, 2008 were reviewed. The criterias for drug evaluation were included the validation of indication, outcome, dosage and side effects. In the results, ciprofloxacin 13 (total 93), levofloxacin 3 (total 59) and moxifloxacin 2 (total 19) cases were not met the criterias based on the culture results. Major indications were pneumonia (ciprofloxacin 16.3%, levofloxacin 67.8%, moxifloxacin 84.2%), urinary tract infection (ciprofloxacin 44.1%), skin infection (ciprofloxacin 7.5%, levofloxacin 20.3%, moxifloxacin 10.5%), intra-abdominal infection (ciprofloxacin 10.8%, moxifloxacin 5.3%), etc.. In the results of quinolone monotherapy, the frequencies were each ciprofloxacin 74.2%, levofloxacin 50.8% and moxifloxacin 47.4%. In the results of dosage validation, the validities were each ciprofloxacin 54.8%, levofloxacin 94.9% and moxifloxacin 100.0%. In the results of duration validation, the validities were each ciprofloxacin 59.1%, levofloxacin 78.0% and moxifloxacin 89.5%. Adverse drug reactions were reported for total 49 cases and those were gastrointestinal tract effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and central nervous system effects including headache, dizziness. In summary, the quinolones appropriately used for hospitalized patients based on this study. A focused approach emphasizing "correct use of quinolones" may reduce development of antimicrobial resistance and maximize class efficacy. Consequently, correct use of antibiotics will contribute to decrease medical expenses for person and community.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.299-308
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Heavy alcohol consumption causes the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), a neglected but important public health problem. Many studies have pointed out that probiotics could improve gut health, which is also considered to be a cause of ALD. Therefore, this study screened the probiotics, Lactobacillus casei GKC1 (GKC1), L. fermentum GKF3 (GKF3), Bifidobacterium lactis GKK2 (GKK2), L. rhamnosus GKLC1 (GKLC1), L. paracasei GKS6 (GKS6), and L. plantarum GKM3 (GKM3), for their potential benefits in alleviating ALD for applications to disease prevention. SUBJECTS/METHODS: C57BL/6N mice were divided into 8 groups (n = 6 in each): normal control, positive control (alcohol-diet fed), and treatments of feeding probiotics GKC1, GKF3, GKK2, GKLC1, GKS6, and GKM3 under an oral dose 0.82 g/kg B.W. per day by oral gavage. The experiment was conducted for 8 weeks, and the concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase, triglyceride (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) in mice were measured. The glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and histology were analyzed after sacrifice. RESULTS: The results showed a decrease in the serum ALT, liver TG, and liver TC levels in the GKS6, GKM3, and GKLC1 groups compared to the positive control. In addition, the decreasing GSH and CAT levels were inhibited in the GKS6 and GKM3 groups. The histopathological results showed that all probiotics could reduce the accumulation of liver fat. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in GKLC1 with lower stomach damage compared to the alcohol-fed mice without any addition of probiotics. CONCLUSIONS: GKLC1, GKS6, and GKM3 can be used as supplements for alleviating the development of ALD.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.27 no.6
• /
• pp.553-561
• /
• 2019

Rab25, a member of the Rab11 small GTPase family, is central to achieving cellular polarity in epithelial tissues. Rab25 is highly expressed in epithelial cells of various tissues including breast, vagina, cervix, the gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Rab25 plays key roles in tumorigenesis, mainly by regulating epithelial differentiation and proliferation. However, its role in skin physiology is relatively unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that Rab25 knock-out (KO) mice show a skin barrier dysfunction with high trans-epidermal water loss and low cutaneous hydration. To examine this observation, we investigated the histology and epidermal differentiation markers of the skin in Rab25 KO mice. Rab25 KO increased cell proliferation at the basal layer of epidermis, whereas the supra-basal layer remained unaffected. Ceramide, which is a critical lipid component for skin barrier function, was not altered by Rab25 KO in its distribution or amount, as determined by immunohistochemistry. Notably, levels of epidermal differentiation markers, including loricrin, involucrin, and keratins (5, 14, 1, and 10) increased prominently in Rab25 KO mice. In line with this, depletion of Rab25 with single hairpin RNA increased the expression of differentiation markers in a human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. Transcriptomic analysis of the skin revealed increased expression of genes associated with skin development, epidermal development, and keratinocyte differentiation in Rab25 KO mice. Collectively, these results suggested that Rab25 is involved in the regulation of epidermal differentiation and proliferation.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
• /
• v.32 no.1
• /
• pp.47-54
• /
• 2002

Cimetropium bromide, a quaternary ammonium compound which is chemically related to scopolamine, exhibits its antispasmodic activity by competing with acetylcholine for the muscarinic receptors of the smooth muscle of gastrointestinal tract. The drug has been used for the treatment of various disorders involving spasms of the musculature of the gastrointestinal, biliary and genitourinary tracts. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two cimetropium bromide tablets, $Algiron^{TM}$ (Boehringer Ingelheim Korea Ltd.) and $Alpit^{TM}$ (Hana Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the prior and revised guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The cimetropium bromide release from the two cimetropium bromide tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method with various different kinds of dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty normal male volunteers, $25.25{\pm}2.10$ years in age and $65.76{\pm}6.39$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After three tablets containing 50 mg of cimetropium bromide per tablet were orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of cimetropium bromide in serum were determined using HPLC method with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of two cimetropium bromide tablets were very similar at all dissolution media. Besides, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using non-transformed and logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets based on the $Algiron^{TM}$ were 2.19%, -5.97% and 3.49%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta})\;at \;{\alpha}=0.05\;and\;1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 13.71 %, 19.05% and 15.11% for $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$, respectively). The powers $(1-{\beta})\;at\;{\alpha}=0.05,\;{\Delta}=0.2\;for\;AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were 97.79%, 83.22% and 95.60%, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals were within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g., $-5.84{\sim}10.21,\;-17.11{\sim}5.18\;and\;-5.35{\sim}12.33\;for\;AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$, respectively). There were no sequence effect between two tablets in logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log(0.8) to log(1.25) (e.g., $0.94{\sim}1.10\;and\;0.85{\sim}1.05\;for\;AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). Two parameters met the criteria of prior and revised KFDA guideline for bioequivalence, indicating that $Alpit^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Algiron^{TM}$ tablet.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.4
• /
• pp.28-39
• /
• 2012

Objectives : This study is aimed to develop the algorithm to diagnose Taeeumin's symptomology, by the method of literature research on Sasang Constitutional Medicine. Methods : Applying the sequential differentiations of Taeeumin's symptomology, or exterior-interior disease differentiation, favorable-unfavorable pattern differentiation, and mild-severe-dangerous-urgent pattern differentiation, "Donguisusebowon" and related literatures have been reviewed. Results and Conclusions : 1) 1st step: Taeeumin's exterior pattern and interior pattern are differentiated by the indexes of whole-body cold or heat pattern, sweating, and facial complexion. 2) 2nd step: The favorable pattern of the Taeeumin's exterior disease can be detected by indexes of the existence of fever, generalized pain while the unfavorable one by indexes of the abnormal condition of digestion and feces, and fearful throbbing. The favorable pattern of the Taeeumin's interior disease can be diagnosed based on indexes of eye pain, dry nose, dry throat, and heat symptoms that occur in various parts of the body, while the unfavorable one by indexes of thirsty, urination, feces and specific symptoms which can be induced by dryness. And in the both unfavorable patterns the dark complexion on the faces is revealed. 3) 3rd step: The mild-severe patterns of the favorably exterior disease are differentiated in terms of the condition of fever, while the mild-severe patterns of the favorably interior disease are in differentiated based on whether abnormal symptoms are revealed in the gastrointestinal tract. Both of the unfavorably dangerous-urgent patterns in exterior and interior diseases are differentiated by the symptoms such as tinnitus, dim vision, weakness of legs and back pain, and lack of strength in legs and thighs.

• Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.122-127
• /
• 2001

4-tert-octylphenol (OP) is a surfactant additive widely used in the manufacture of a variety of detergents and plastic products. Also, OP is known to have estrogenic activity by interacting with development and functions of endocrine system. This study was carried out to obtain toxicokinetic parameters of OP in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Male rats were administered OP, by either single oral (gavage) applications of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg body weight. or a single intravenous injections of 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples taken at several time intervals after administration were obtained from the femoral artery. Analysis of blood samples for OP was performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The detection limit of OP was 1.9 ng/$m\ell$ at SIM (selected ion monitoring) mode of GC/MS. Calibration curve for analysis of the concentrations of OP in plasma was (OP/butylphenol peak area ratio) = 0.0294 $\times$ (plasma cone.) + 0.028 ($r^2$= 0.9991). The OP plasma concentration was 3921 ng/$m\ell$ immediately after single intravenous application, decreased rapidly within 45 min, and was detectable at low concentration up to 6 hr after application. When administered orally in rats (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg), OP was detected in the blood early after gavage administration, indicating the rapid initial uptake from gastrointestinal tract, with Tmax obtained from 0.67~0.83 hr. Using the AUC (area under the curve) of plasma concentration vs. time, low oral bioavailabilities of 1.2, 5.0 and 5.3% were calculated for the 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg groups, respectively.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.51-55
• /
• 2003

Caustic ingestion can produce a progressive and devastating injury to the esophagus and stomach, In the acute stage, perforation and necrosis may occur. Long-term complications include esophageal stricture, antral stenosis and the development of esophageal cancer. Endoscopy should be performed as soon as possible in all cases to evaluate the extent and severity of damage, unless there is evidence of perforation. Endoscopy is the diagnostic procedure of choice. However, when the endoscopy cannot be passed through due to esophageal stricture, upper GI barium studies may be useful as a follow-up measure and in the evaluation of complications. A 44-year-old man visited our hospital complaining frequent vomiting 1 hour after ingestion of unknown amount of hydrochloric acid. At the time of arrival, the patient's oral cavity was slightly swollen and erythematous. On the endoscopic examination fourteen hour after the caustic ingestion, marked swelling of the arytenoids and circumferential ulceration with brown and black pigmentation at the upper esophagus were observed. Four weeks after the caustic injury, upper esophageal narrowing was observed and then the scope could not be advanced to the stomach. Upper GI barium study performed at that time revealed diffuse luminal narrowing of the esophagus and concentric luminal narrowing from prepyloric antrum to pylorus with disturbance of barium passage. At a week after the Upper GI study, through endoscopic examination after bougie dilatation of the esophagus, barium impaction in the stomach and the pylorus was noticed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.3-10
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Previously, Sasa quelpaertensis leaves have been shown to mediate anti-inflammation and anti-cancer effects, although it remains unclear whether Sasa leaves are able to attenuate inflammation-related intestinal diseases. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Sasa quelpaertensis leaf extract (SQE) using an in vitro co-culture model of the intestinal epithelial environment. MATERIALS/METHODS: An in vitro co-culture system was established that consisted of intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells and RAW 264.7 macrophages. Treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation. RESULTS: Treatment with SQE significantly suppressed the secretion of LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), IL-6, and IL-$1{\beta}$ in co-cultured RAW 264.7 macrophages. In addition, expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ were down-regulated in response to inhibition of $I{\kappa}B{\alpha}$ phosphorylation by SQE. Compared with two bioactive compounds that have previously been identified in SQE, tricin and P-coumaric acid, SQE exhibited the most effective anti-inflammatory properties. CONCLUSIONS: SQE exhibited intestinal anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting various inflammatory mediators mediated through nuclear transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kB) activation. Thus, SQE has the potential to ameliorate inflammation-related diseases, including IBD, by limiting excessive production of pro-inflammatory mediators.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.11
• /
• pp.1800-1805
• /
• 2018

Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronically relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) constitute barrier surfaces and play a critical role in maintaining gut health. Dysregulated immune responses and destruction of IECs disrupt intestinal balance. Dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) is the most widely used chemical for inducing colitis in animals, and its treatment induces colonic inflammation, acute diarrhea, and shortening of the intestine, with clinical and histological similarity to human UC. Current treatments for this inflammatory disorder have poor tolerability and insufficient therapeutic efficacy, and thus, alternative therapeutic approaches are required. Recently, dietary supplements with probiotics have emerged as promising interventions by alleviating disturbances in the indigenous microflora in UC. Thus, we hypothesized that the probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis strain BB12 could protect against the development of colitis in a DSS-induced mouse model of UC. In the present study, oral administration of BB12 markedly ameliorated DSS-induced colitis, accompanied by reduced tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$-mediated IEC apoptosis. These findings indicate that the probiotic strain BB12 can alleviate DSS-induced colitis and suggest a novel mechanism of communication between probiotic microorganisms and intestinal epithelia, which increases intestinal cell survival by modulating pro-apoptotic cytokine expression.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.208-214
• /
• 2003

Juvenile polyposis is an uncommon condition characterized by the development of multiple juvenile polyps predominantly in the colon but also in the rest of the gastrointestinal tract. Patients with juvenile polyposis commonly present with rectal bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anemia, prolapse of the polyp. We experienced a juvenile polyposis in a 7 year-old male patient with protein losing enteropathy who was diagnosed by $^{99M}Tc$-human serum albumin abdominal scintigraphy, colonoscopy, and small bowel series. Proctocolectomy with ileostomy was performed and then protein losing enteropathy was resolved.