• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.483-497
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• 2017

Background : Behavioral stress has been suggested as one of the significant factors that is able to disrupt physiological systems and cause depression as well as changes in various body systems. The stressful events can alter cognition, learning, memory and emotional responses, resulting in mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. Results : We used a restraint stress model to evaluate the alteration of behavior and stress-related blood parameter. The animals were randomly divided into two groups of five animals each group. Furthermore, we assessed the change of body weight to evaluate the locomotor activity as well as status of emotional and anxiety in mice. After 7 days of restraint stress, the body weight had significantly decreased in the restraint stress group compared with the control group. We also observed stress-associated behavioral alterations, as there was a significant decrease in open field and forced swim test, whereas the immobilization time was significantly increased in the stress group compared to the control group. We observed the morphological changes of neuronal death and microglia by immunohistochemistry and western blot. In our study restraint stress did not cause change in neuronal cell density in the frontal cortex and CA1 hippocampus region, but there was a trend for an increased COX-2 and iNOS protein expression and microglia (CD11b) in brain, which is restraint stress. Conclusion : Our study, there were significant alterations observed in the behavioral studies. We found that mice undergoing restraint stress changed behavior, confirming the increased expression of inflammatory factors in the brain.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.1063-1074
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) according to the Sasang constitution (SC) and cold and heat pattern identification (CHPI). Methods: SC, CHPI, MetS, and component data were obtained from 2,561 participants in 26 Korean medical clinics from 2007 to 2013. SC, diagnosed by Korean medicine doctors, was confirmed by positive responses to herbal medicines administered according to that constitution. The CHPI was verified by a questionnaire about thermal sensitivity and drinking habits. The diagnosis criteria for MetS were: 1) waist circumference (WC) ≥90 cm (male) and ≥80 cm (female); 2) triglycerides ≥150 mg/dL; 3) high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) <40 mg/dL (male) and <50 mg/dL (female); 4) blood pressure ≧130/85 mmHg; and 5) fasting blood glucose ≥100 mg/dL. Odds ratios (ORs) and differences in MetS and its components were compared using logistic regression and ANCOVA. Results: The MetS prevalence rates were 54.1%, 22.0%, and 33.3% for Taeeumin (TE), Soeumin (SE), and Soyangin (SY), respectively, and 30.5% and 44.5% for the cold and heat patterns, respectively. ANCOVA for MetS components showed significantly higher WC in TE than in SE or SY, and all components except HDL were higher in the heat pattern group than in the cold pattern group. Logistic regression for MetS prevalence showed a significant association between TE and the heat pattern group (OR=1.653) but not for non-TE and the cold pattern group. Conclusions: Considering SC and CHPI together may be more effective in managing MetS than considering SC alone.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.10-24
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• 2021

Objectives: Yongdamsagan-tang (YST) and Paljung-san (PJS) in traditional medicine and finasteride in modern medicine are used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). In recent, the use of combination herbal remedies with conventional drugs has been increasing. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of these drugs to treat BPH and the influence of herbal formulas on finasteride metabolism. Methods: The inhibitory effects of the herbal formulas and finasteride on the production of inflammatory mediators and cytokines were determined in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated RAW 264.7 cells. Additionally, the influence of herbal formulas on activities of human drug metabolizing enzymes (DMEs) was assessed using human microsomal enzymes. Results: We observed that YST, PJS and finasteride inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in RAW 264.7 cells. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of YST on PGE₂ production was calculated to be below 25 ㎍/mL. YST inhibited the activity of uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransterase (UGT) 1A4 with an IC₅₀ value of 49.35 ㎍/mL. The activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 1A2, CYP2B6, CYP2C19, CYP3A4, and UGT1A1 were inhibited by PJS (IC₅₀ < 100 ㎍/mL, each). Although PJS and YST inhibited the activities of CYP3A4 and UGT1A4, respectively, these formulas may not influence the metabolism of finasteride because the IC₅₀ values of herbal formulas on DMEs are too high to affect metabolism. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the combination of finasteride and YST or PJS might not influence their drug metabolism and that the drugs may have synergistic effects against BPH.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2015

Objectives The aim of this study is to develop a structured clinical protocol related with acquisition of radial pulse wave in the randomized, $2{\times}2$ cross-over design, and cold-heat intervention trial for a pilot and preliminary study. Methods The protocol was contrived based on wide ranging literature searches for cold-heat intervention experiments and radial pulse diagnoses. Results Sample size of 60 subjects was calculated based on an effect size derived from the previous study designed to detect the pre-post cold-heat differences in the radial pulse. Each subjects will be randomly assigned to the cold (first) to heat (last) group (n=30) or heat (first) to cold (last) group (n=30). All subjects will fill out a case report form and questionnaires related with pattern identification, dietary patterns, sleep quality, and physical activity will be surveyed and used as a secondary outcomes. Safety assessment will be reported at the final stage. Conclusions This protocol will provide an additional reference to future studies related with observation of radial pulse during any interventions and also expect to be used as a guideline for acquisition of reliable radial pulse wave data.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.46-55
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• 2013

Objectives: Classifying the pattern of jaundice during diagnosis will significantly improve the outcome of common KM interventions. This study aimed at determining an objective index for accurately diagnosing heat and dampness KM patterns in patients with jaundice. Methods: We systematically reviewed laboratory findings from case reports published in the scientific literature of Korean medicine. Cases were classified as following either the heat or dampness pattern. Biochemical indices were compared using a Bayesian factor (BF) analysis and standard t-tests. Results: The laboratory findings of 32 patients were evaluated. The heat pattern was observed in 17 patients and the dampness pattern in 15. No significant differences were observed between the 2 groups in terms of white blood cell count (BF=1.659); hemoglobin concentration (BF=2.627); platelet count (BF=1.019); or levels of direct bilirubin (BF=1.453), aspartate aminotransferase (BF=1.226), alanine aminotransferase (BF=1.340), alkaline phosphatase (BF=2.344), or gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (BF=2.782). However, total bilirubin levels were significantly higher in the dampness pattern group (BF=0.854, P-value=0.070). Conclusions: Patients with high total bilirubin levels may predominantly follow the dampness pattern, while those with low levels may predominantly follow the heat pattern. These results are expected to be useful for the development of timely and efficient KM treatments as well as new integrative therapeutic approaches for jaundice. However, further studies are essential to fully validate the utility of total bilirubin as a biomarker for differentiating between heat and dampness patterns.

• The Korean journal of sports medicine
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to study changes in pituitary hormone in anterior lobe and thyroid hormone before, after, and during recovery time in severe 100 km ultramarathon. Methods: Healthy middle-aged runners (age, $52.0{\pm}4.8$ years) participated in the test. Grade exercise test is done, and then blood is taken from those participants before and after completing 100 km ultramarathon at the intervals of 24 hours (1 day), 72 hours (3 days), and 120 hours (5 days) to analyze their luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and free thyroxine (Free T4). Results: For LH, it decreased more significantly at 100 km than pre-race. However, after 1 day result increased more than that of 100 km. At 3 days, it was significantly higher than pre-race and 100 km, recovering at 5 days. In terms of FSH, it decreased at 100 km, 1 day, and 3 days more than pre-race but recovered at 5 days. TSH was higher at 1 day and 5 days compared to pre-race. T3 was only higher at 100 km than pre-race. T4 was higher till 5 days at 100 km than pre-race. Free T4 increased more significantly at 100 km than pre-race. Conclusion: In terms of severe long distance running, LH and FSH which belong to hormone from anterior lobe as well as T3, T4, and Free T4 which belong to thyroid hormone showed their variation within the standard range. However, TSH showed abnormal increase from enhanced concentration of blood after marathon becoming hyper-activation even during the recovery period.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.5 no.sup
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• pp.1-5
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to review main symptoms of outpatient in Lee young Jun clinics who developed the functional cerebrospinal therapy and to investigate the therapeutic effects on one time application of functional cerebrospinal therapy (FCST). Methods: Patients who visited at least twice at an oriental medical clinic and treated with FCST were included. They were asked to write 216 numeric rating scale (NRS)-based questionnaire about degree of various symptoms at each visit. Prevalence and degree decrease of all reported symptoms were analyzed. Results: Total of 744 outpatients were included. There were fourteen symptoms of which more than half of all patients commonly complained. All symptoms were significantly reduced after one administration of FCST. About four to seven percent of patients reported at least five-point reduction on NRS in each symptom after FCST. Conclusions: FCST might have potential immediate effect on not only TMJ related symptoms, but also diverse kinds of pain, psychological symptoms, and fatigue-related symptoms.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.1-4
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• 2016

We investigated the potential of electromyography (EMG) for diagnosing imbalance in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) to apply functional cerebrospinal therapy (FCST). The electromyography signals were measured in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) in patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD) while a FCST specialist conducted a restricted cervical rotation test. In addition, we also observed the changes in the electromyography signals according to pre-treatment or treatment with a TMJ balancing appliance (TBA), a customized TMJ balancing appliance (CBA), or a CBA with one paper bar. The right SCMs of the two patients with right TMJ imbalance had high EMG signals in the right cervical rotation test, while the left SCMs showed low EMG signals in the left rotation. In addition, the high EMG signals in the right SCMs decreased when using the TBA or the CBA, but the EMG signals of the left SCMs showed low EMG values during the treatments. Furthermore, the EMG signals of the right SCMs rose again after artificial imbalance of the right TMJ by the CBA with one paper bar. This case report demonstrated the potential of EMG as an objective diagnostic method for FCST.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.29-38
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the acute oral toxicity of 77 herbal formulas and performed in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats as per the guidelines mentioned in Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Methods: Each sex of SD rat were administered a single dose (2000 or 5000 mg/kg) of 77 herbal formulas via oral gavage; the control group received vehicle only. After administration, the mortality, clinical signs, gross findings, and body weight were followed up for 15 days. Results: After administration of 77 herbal formulas, mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, and gross findings related to the test substances were not observed in both male and female groups. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate the single-dose oral administration of 77 herbal formulas produced no mortality indicating the approximate lethal dose is greater than 2000 or 5000 mg/kg body weight.

• Journal of Sensor Science and Technology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.138-142
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• 2016

A pulse measurement by tonometry provides useful information for diagnosis, including not only blood pressure and heart rate but also parameters for estimating a condition of the cardiovascular system. Currently, various pulse measurement devices based on the tonometry have been developed. A reliability of these devices is determined by a positioning technic between the sensor and the blood vessel and a controlling technique of the pressurization level. An angle of the sensor for the pulse measurement seems to be highly related with a measured signal, however, the objective studies for this issue have been not published. In this paper, the variation of the pulse signals by tonometry direction was experimentally assessed according to the angle of the sensor. In order for guaranteeing the repeatability of the experiment, we used a pulse generator device, which can generate human pulse signal by using silicon tube and fluid pump, and developed a structure for precise adjustment of the angle and the pressurization level of the sensor. The angle of the sensor was acquired by an inclinometer, which was attached at the opposite side of the sensor. As results, a coefficient of variation (CV) of a maximum amplitude (MA) of the pulse wave was largely increased over the angle range of $-9{\sim}9^{\circ}$. Furthermore, the changes of the pulse shape showed different aspects according to the sign of the angle tilted along the blood vessel. It is expected that the results of this study can be helpful for developing more precise pulse measurement devices based on the tonometry and applying in clinic.