• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.1240-1249
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• 2008

Kamigingansikpung-tang(KGST) has been used for many years as a therapeutic agent for acute stage of cerebrovascular disease and hypertension in oriental medicine. But the effect of KGST on hypertension and vascular system is not well-known. This study was done to investigate the effects of KGST on hypertension. The results were obtained as follow: KGST showed scavenging activity on DPPH free radical. KGST showed the inhibitory effect on ROS and ACE, and the accelerated SOD activity. KGST significantly decreased the blood pressure and pulse in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive rat. KGST significantly decreased the levels of aldosterone in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive rat. KGST significantly decreased the levels of dopamine, epinephrine in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive rat. KGST significantly decreased the levels of potassium(K+) and chloride(Cl-) in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive rat. KGST significantly decreased the levels of uric acid and creatine in DOCA-salt induced hypertensive rat. KGST has an effect on inhibiting cell damage of the heart, liver, kidney, and adrenal gland. results suggest that KGST might be effective in treatment and prevention of hypertension.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.1176-1184
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• 2007

Chunmagudeungeumgamibang(CGE) has been used for many years as a therapeutic agent for acute stage of cerebrovascular disease and hypertension in oriental medicine. But the effect of CGE on hypertension and vascular system is not well-known. This study was done to investigate the effects of CGE on hypertension. The results were obtained as follow : CGE showed a safety in cytotoxicity and toxicity of liver. CGE showed scavenging activity on DPPH free radical. CGE showed the inhibitory effect on ROS and ACE. CGE significantly decreased the blood pressure and pulse in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat. CGE significantly decreased the levels of aldosterone in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat. CGE significantly decreased the levels of dopamine, epinephrine in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat. CGE significantly decreased the levels of potassium and chloride in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat. CGE significantly increased the levels of calcium in DOCA-salt hypertensive rat. These results suggest that CGE might be effective in treatment and prevention of hypertension

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.723-728
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• 2000

Objective : Pneumonia is a frequent complication in stroke and is very important as a prognostic factor. So We had a clinical study about pneumonic patients combined with stroke in which we administered both antibiotics and oriental herbal medicine to them. Methods : The 14 cases were patients that admitted visited 31CU at neurologic department in Kyunghee medical center from the 1st of October to the 31st of November, 1998. because of stroke. We selected cases complicated pneumonia. We diagnosed stroke as brain CT or MRI and pneumonia as chest simple X-ray, fever, sputurn culture et al. We divided the group into several categories(衛分證, 氣分證, 營分證, 血分證, 正虛邪退證) and medicined them both Paerum-bang(肺炎方) and antibotics. We evaluated the results as increased signs and some tests including chest simple X-ray, GOT, GPT, BUN and Creatinine. Results : Among total 14 cases, cases of perfect cure including improvement were 10, aggravation were 2 and discontinued cases were 2. We observed 17.4 days on the average. Their functions of liver and kidney weren't aggravated as medicining both antibiotics and oriental herbal treatment. Conclusion : We suggest that eastern treatment need to improve resistance of pneumonic patients and may reduce the side effect of western antibiotics therapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.309-316
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the status of Kampo medicine services in Japan. Methods: We surveyed the literature or reports regarding health insurance, clinics for Kampo medicine, human resources and medical fees for Kampo medicine services. Results: The Japanese government abolished the system of the Oriental doctor in 1874, but Kampo medicine has been maintained and developed continuously. The national health insurance covers Kampo medicine services including acupuncture and moxibustion, and 674 products of 149 herbal drugs are now involved in items for health insurance. A total of 78 university medical schools or hospitals have Kampo clinics. As of 2012, 1,775 Kampo specialists, 100,881 acupuncturists and 99,118 moxibustion therapists provide Kampo medical services. Conclusions: Japan has a unique system of Kampo medicine which is much different from Korean medicine or traditional Chinese medicine. This study provides basic information about Kampo medicine, and can be useful to establish a globalization-strategy for Korean medicine for Japan.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.203-214
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• 2011

Objectives: The objective of the current study is to determine whether an ultrasound device system is adequate for measuring distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver. Methods: We recruited 3 healthy young male subjects and 2 sonographers. The each sonographer measured vertical shortest distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver with a ultrasound device with three methods of 3.5 MHz convex probe and gel, 9 MHz linear probe and gel, and 9 MHz linear probe and solid gel pad, three times in random order. Because the total variation could be divided into repeatability, reproducibility and subject-to-subject variation in Gage R&R method, we compared the sources of variation associated with the measurement system with an analysis of variance model. Results & Conclusions: Number of distinct categories is calculated on the basis of standard deviation of subject-to-subject divided by standard deviation of total Gage R&R. If the number of categories is five or more, the measurement system may be acceptable for the analysis of the process. The number of distinct categories of the ultrasound device system for measuring distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver were 9.20 (9 MHz linear probe and gel), 14.70 (9 MHz linear probe and solid gel pad). So we concluded that repeatabilities and reproducibilities of the ultrasound device system for measuring distance from the abdominal surface of Sangwan (CV13) to peritoneum in front of anterior surface of liver with the methods of 9 MHz linear probe and gel, and 9 MHz linear probe and solid gel pad were acceptable.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.275-283
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• 2007

Objective : Although hypothyroidism is a common disease in the endocrinology system, it is reported that there are a lot of difficulties in treating it effectively. Aconiti Ra얕 traditionally has been used in treatment of coldness, fatigue, and bradycardia. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Aconiti Radix on hypothyroidism rat model induced by 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU). Methods : Two-month-old rats were used with administration of PTU which induced hypothyroidism in the rats. After 2 weeks, Aconiti Radix and thyroxine were administered, respectively. The body weights were measured every week. After 4 weeks, the blood samples of all rats were taken from their hearts. They were analyzed biochemically and $T_4$ (thyroid hormone) & TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was measured by ELISA kits. Results : In comparison with normals, controls showed hypothyroidism with significantly low $T_4$ and high TSH the statistics. In Aconiti Radix administration groups significantly increased $T_4$ was observed in the statistics and its effects were dose-dependent. There was no difference statistically in TSH of Aconiti Radix treatment groups from controls, nor were statistical differences observed significantly in biochemical labs and weight of each group. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Aconiti Radix protects thyroid cells and makes thyroid cells produce thyroid hormones. It is also very safe in the view of liver, kidney function, and other metabolism. It may be a useful agent for treating hypothyroidism.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.989-995
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• 2011

Hypothyroidism is the most common disease in the endocrine system. Cistanche Deserticola has been used traditionally in the treatment of kidney deficiency and Yang deficiency syndrome. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Cistanche Deserticola on Hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU. 24 Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into 4 groups : 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Cistanche Deserticola(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks. Cistanche Deserticola and levothyroxine was administered 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. Body weights were checked every week and after 4 weeks, biochemical analysis was performed and T3, T4 and TSH were measured by ELISA kits. In comparison with the normal group, the control group showed hypothyroidism with lower T3, T4 level and higher TSH level. In the Cistanche group the level of T4 was significantly increased and TSH level was significantly decreased. There was no significant difference in biochemical labs and weight between the Cistanche group and the control group. These findings suggest that Cistanche Deserticola could help the production of thyroid hormones under PTU suppression. And there is no harmful effect on liver and kidney function, and other metabolism. According to these results Cistanche Deserticola could be an useful agent for treating hypothyroidism.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.64 no.2
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• pp.10.1-10.9
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• 2024

Hyperthyroidism, characterized by elevated thyroid hormone levels and thyroid gland hyperplasia or adenoma, is a prevalent endocrinopathy in older cats. Treatment options include antithyroid drugs, surgical thyroidectomy, and radioiodine therapy (RAIT), which is non-invasive treatment option that can achieve complete remission. However, efficacy and safety of RAIT in hyperthyroid cats have not been investigated in South Korea. This study includes 10 hyperthyroid cats with RAIT. Initial assessments comprised history, physical examination, blood analysis, and serum total T4 (tT4) concentration. Thyroid scintigraphy revealed hyperactivity and enlargement of thyroid gland at 24 hours before the RAIT. Radioiodine (RAI) was injected subcutaneously with 2 to 6 mCi, determined by the fixed dose or the scoring system based on severity of clinical signs, tT4 concentration, and thyroid size individually. After RAIT, the concentration of serum tT4 and liver enzymes were significantly decreased at discharge. However, no significant differences were noted in blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, symmetric dimethylarginine, hematocrits, and white blood cell counts pre- and post-treatment. Although 4 cats received RAI twice, clinical signs disappeared and tT4 levels decreased following the RAIT. All 10 cats achieved complete remission after 6 months without critical adverse effect. The safety and the effectiveness of RAIT was confirmed based on protocols reported other countries. Therefore, RAIT could be considered the treatment option and prevent adverse effects from medication or surgery. This preliminary study presents the first evaluation of RAIT for hyperthyroid cats using locally produced RAI in South Korea and provide valuable insight for clinicians and further studies.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.957-964
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• 2004

Herbal medicines are increasingly used to treat various diseases and lots of studies have been reported that they had benefits in treating and preventing of diseases. But organic toxicity is increasingly recognized as herbal medicines become more popular in industrialized countries. Some herbal products potentially benefit people with lots of diseases, however these benefits remain generally unproved in humans, and a greater awareness for potential adverse effects is required. A herb containing a wide variety of, mostly unknown, substances may well include some with unwanted effects. This review focuses on emerging organic toxicities that have been observed associated with various herbal preparations involving the liver, kidney, and heart, and patterns of organ injury, potential risk factors for organic toxicities. In addition to the potential for organic toxicities, drug drug interactions between herbal medicines and conventional agents may affect the efficacy and safety of concurrent medical therapy. Appropriate reporting and regulatory system to monitor herbal toxicity are required, in conjunction with ongoing scientific evaluation of the potential benefits of phytotherapy.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.425-434
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• 2011

Objectives : Hypothyroidism is the most common pathological disease of the endocrine system. Morinda Officinalis Radix has been used in treatment of Yang deficiency. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Morinda Officinalis Radix on a rat model of hypothyroidism induced by 6-propyl, 2-thiouracil (PTU). Methods : Two-month-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were used with injection of PTU which induced rats into hypo-thyroidism. During 2 weeks, rats were treated with Morinda Officinalis Radix and thyroxine. Body weights were checked every week, the after 4 weeks, biochemical analyses were performed. The levels of T3, T4 and TSH was measured by EILSA. Results : In the Morinda Officinalis Radix group, we could observe the level of T4 significantly increased and TSH level significantly decreased. Conclusions : Morinda Officinalis Radix could help the thyroid to produce thyroid hormones under PTU suppression. There is no harm effect on liver and kidney function, or other metabolism. According to these results it could help to treat hypothyroidism patients and relieve their symptoms.