• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 2010

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes between oral micronized progesterone and dydrogesterone as a luteal phase support in stimulated intrauterine insemination (IUI) cycles. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed in 183 IUI cycles during January 2007 to August 2009. Superovulation was achieved by using gonadotropins combined with or without clomiphene citrate. The luteal phase was supported by oral micronized progesterone 300 mg/day (n=136 cycles) or dydrogesterone 20 mg/day (n=47 cycles) from day of insemination. Results: There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics such as age of female, infertility factors, number of mature follicles ($\geq$16 mm), total motile sperm counts, and endometrial thickness on triggering day between the two groups. The clinical pregnancy rates per cycle were similar between the two groups (21.3% in the micronized progesterone group vs. 19.1% in the dydrogesterone group, p=0.92). The clinical miscarriage rate tended to be 3-fold higher in the micronized progesterone group (34.5% vs. 11.1%, p=0.36). Conclusion: Supplementation of oral dydrogesterone as a luteal support has similar clinical outcomes compared with oral micronized progesterone. Large-scaled randomized study would be required to confirm our findings.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.43-59
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• 2007

Purpose : Astragalus membranaceus is a herb which has effectiveness of energy increase, protection against pathogenic and organ immune response control. Endometriosis has been thought to be related with immune response in uterus. Therefore in this study, the effects of Astragalus membranaceus on endometriosis were investigated. Methods : The endometrial tissue was autografted to rat's small intestine. Rats with surgically induced endometriosis was administerd with Astragalus membranaceus extracts for 40 days orally or rectally. We observed the size of ectopic uterine implants at the mesenteric with the naked eye and examined the concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum. Also, we inquired out the efficiency between oral and rectal administration groups. Results : The size of ectopic uterine implants of oral and rectal treated groups were much smaller than those of control groups. The concentration of estradiol, progesterone. $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2 were significantly decreased in oral administration experimental group compared with the control group. The concentration of progesterone were significantly decreased in rectal administration experimental group compared with the control group. The efficiency of oral administration group was better than that of rectal administration group in the serum concentration of estradiol, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2. Conclusion : Our data suggest that Astragalus membranaceus reduce the size of ectopic uterine implants at the mesenteric wall and inhibit the growth of ectopic uterine implants. Judging from the above results, it can be suggested that Astragalus membranaceus should be a useful agent for inhibiting the proliferation of uterine endometrial tissue. May be, oral administration of Astragalus membranaceus is more effective than rectal administration for inhibiting the proliferation of endometriosis.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.105-110
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• 2005

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that leads to the destruction, one of the major cause of tooth loss in human. Osteoclast Differentiation Factor(ODF), also called as Receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand(RANKL), a surface-associated ligand on bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts, activates its cognate receptor RANK on osteoclast progenitor cells, which leads to differentiation of these mononucleated precursor cells. Osteoprotegerin(OPG), a decoy receptor, is released from stromal cells and osteoblasts to inhibit the interaction between RANKL and RANK. The experiment for the effect of pregnancy on gingival health showed greater gingival inflammation and edema during pregnancy, despite similar plaque index. There should be many factors affecting the periodontal health in pregnancy. In this experiment, we examined the direct effects of sex hormones(estrogen and progesterone) on the ODF/OPG expression in human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells at the serum concentration of pregnancy. The ratio was high in the 1st trimester of pregnancy by estrogen and in the late 2nd trimester by progesterone. Therefore, the local periodontal destruction might be accelerated by these hormonal effect on the periodontal cells.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.41-48
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess appropriate time to convert intramuscular progesterone support to oral administration for luteal phase support in in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Seventy-six cycles of IVF in which fetal heart beat was identified after treatment were included. Patients underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH agonist long protocol (n=7) or GnRH antagonist protocol (n=66). Cryopreserved embryo transfer was performed in three cycles. Luteal support was initiated by daily intramuscular injection of progesterone, and after confirmation of fetal heart beat, converted to oral micronized progesterone (Utrogestan, Laboratoires Besins International, France) 300 mg daily before or after 8 gestational weeks. The oral progesterone was continued for 11 weeks. Results: Overall clinical abortion rate was 3.9% (3/76) and mean time to conversion was $8^{+4}$ gestational weeks ($46{\pm}5.8$ days after oocytes retrieval). The abortion rate was 5.6% (1/17) and 3.4% (2/59) in patients with conversion before 7 weeks and after 8 weeks, respectively, which were not statistically significant (p=0.678). The miscarriages were occurred at $9^{+4}$ weeks, $11^{+3}$ weeks and $11^{+4}$ weeks. Conclusion: Sequential luteal support using intramuscular and oral progesterone yields a relatively low clinical abortion rate. If fetal heart beat confirmed, sequential regimen appears to be safe and convenient method to reduce patients' discomfort induced by multiple injections.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.116-124
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• 2017

Purpose: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a disabling pain that mostly occurs in elderly women, but rarely in men. It is characterized by an unremitting oral burning sensation and pain without detectable oral mucosal changes. We investigated the clinical and hematologic features of middle-aged men with BMS, and compared the results to those of men with oral mucositis. Methods: Five men with BMS ($48.60{\pm}6.19years$) and five age-matched controls with oral mucositis ($49.80{\pm}15.26years$) underwent clinical and psychological evaluations and blood tests. Psychological status was evaluated using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and antidiuretic hormone (ADH) levels and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined from the blood samples. Results: ADH level was significantly lower in men with BMS than in the controls. ADH levels correlated with testosterone (p<0.01), and ACTH levels strongly correlated with ESR (p<0.05). Progesterone level positively correlated with FSH and LH levels. Pain intensity on a visual analogue scale correlated with estradiol level only in men with BMS. Among psychological factors, the obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal-sensitivity, and anxiety scores were higher in men with BMS than in the controls (p<0.05). However, no correlations were observed between the psychological and hematologic factors in both groups. The BMS symptoms presented only on the tongue, with the lateral border being the most prevalent area. Conclusions: Men with BMS may experience dysregulated endocrinologic or psychoneuroendocrinologic interactions, which might affect oral BMS symptoms, aggravating the severity of the burning sensation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.67-73
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• 2007

Periodontitis is a chronic infectious disease that leads to periodontal destruction, and is one of the major causes of tooth loss in humans. The osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), which is also known as the receptor activator of the NF-kB ligand (RANKL), is a surface-associated ligand on bone marrow stromal cells and osteoblasts. RANKL activates its cognate receptor, RANK, on osteoclast progenitor cells, which leads to the differentiation of mononucleated precursor cells. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a decoy receptor that is released from stromal cells and osteoblasts to inhibit the interaction between RANKL and RANK. Although the precise mechanism of bone loss in periodontitis is unknown, the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts by OPG-ODF-RANK signaling might play the role in periodontal bone destruction. The relationship between the concentration of sex hormones and the expression of ODF and OPG was examined by treating human gingival fibroblasts and periodontal ligament cells with the normal serum concentration of estrogen or progesterone during menstruation or at menopause. The ODF/OPG relative ratio was elevated at the concentration observed during ovulation in human gingival fibroblasts and at the concentration observed between ovulation and menstruation in periodontal ligament cells treated with estrogen. However, the ratio was <1 at all concentrations in both cells treated with progesterone. In the case of menopause simulated by estrogen depletion, the ratio was <1 in human gingival fibroblasts but >1 in periodontal ligament cells.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2008

Purpose: Scutellaria baicalensis is a herb which has effect of eliminating heat, drying dampness, purging away fire, detoxicating. Clinically, has been used to remove fever and control of inflammation. We have studied in series to investigate the effective traditional oriental medicines of treatment for endometriosis. In this study, the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis administrated orally or rectally on surgically induced endometriosis in rat were investigated. Methods: The endometrial tissues of rats were autografted to their small intestine. Rats with surgically induced endometriosis were administered with Scutellaria baicalensis extracts for 40 days orally or rectally. We observed the tissue size of ectopic uterine implants at the mesenteric with the naked eye and examined the concentration of estradiol, progesterone, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 in serum. Also, we inquired which was more effective between oral administration groups and rectal administration groups. Results: The size of ectopic uterine implants of orally or rectally treated groups was much smaller than those of control groups. The concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2 and IL-6 were significantly decreased in oral administration experimental group compared with the control group. The concentrations of progesteron, $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-2 and IL-6 were significantly decreased in rectal administration experimental group compared with the control group. The efficiency of oral administration group was better than that of rectal administration group at the serum concentration of estradiol and IL-4. Conclusion: Our data suggest that Scutellaria baicalensis inhibit the inflammation induced from ectopic uterine implants at the mesenteric wall and inhibit the growth of ectopic uterine implants. Judging from the above results, it can be suggested that Scutellaria. baicalensis should be a useful agent for inhibiting the inflammation induced from ectopic uterine implants and the proliferation of endometriosis. Maybe, oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis is more effective than rectal administration.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.106-118
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• 2005

Purpose : Deoyeongjeon(DYJ : 大營煎) is used in female infertility, caused by　ovulation disorder. so this study is to examine what are the effects of the Deoyeongjeon(DYJ) on the vulation and Ovary in Rats Methods : 4weeks Female Sprague-Dawley 12 rats of weighting 160-l80g, were divided into three groups including the DYJ oral administration(4ml/kg) groups(4heads) and DYJ oral administration(8m/lkg) groups(4heads). then we observed changes in the serum concentrations of FSH, LH, and estradiol(E2) and the histological changes of ovary and the immunohistochemical staining for progesterone receptor in ovary of rats. Results : 1. Blood FSH level significantly increased in experimental group as compared with control group. 2. In blood LH level, experimental group showed no efficacy as compared with control group. 3. In blood estradiol(E2) level, experimental group showed no efficacy as compared with control group. 4. In histological observations of ovary, ovulation increased in experimental group as compared with control group, which showed no efficacy. 5. In observations of immunohistochemical staining for progesterone receptor in ovary, immunohistochemical staining score (ISS) of atretic follicles significantly showed a tendency to decrease in experimental group as compared with control group. Conclusion : DYJ influences the pituitary gland and ovary to increase the ovulation of rats.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.83-94
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• 2006

Purpose : This study examined effects of Paljin-tang on endometriosis. Methods : Sugically induced endometriosis in rats were given an oral dose of Paljin-tang for 40 days. The size of the ectopic uterine implants at the serosal wall and the concentration of progesterone, estradiol, tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-${\alpha}$ and interleukin(IL)-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 in the blood were examined and compared with the control group. Results : The size of the ectopic uterine implants in the experimental group was much smaller than of that in the control group. The concentration of estradiol was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. The TNF-${\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-6 levels was significantly lower in the experimental group than the control group and IL-10 level was higher in the experimental group than the control group. The progesterone, IL-2 levels were similar in the experimental and control groups. Conclusion : These results indicate that Paljin-tang reduces the size of ectopic uterine implants at the serosal wall and inhibits the growth of ectopic uterine implants. This suggests that Paljin-tang is an effective treatment for endometriosis.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.251-271
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• 2001

In order to investigate the effect of the oral administration of Guirokyisun-Hwan on the estrogen-deficiency osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in the rats, serum osteocalcin, estradiol, progesterone, follicular-stimulating hormone (FSH), calcium (Ca) and phosphorous (P) levels were monitored. And body weight changes were also monitored throughout whole experimental periods. The results were as follows : 1. Body weight of Control and Treatment group was significantly increased from 6 weeks after ovariectomy but after 2 days of drug administration, body weight of Treatment group were significantly (p<0.01 or 0.05) decreased compared with those of Control group. 2. Serum osteocalcin levels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in control groups compared with those of Sham group but significantly (p<0.01) decreased in the Treatment group. 3. Serum estradiol levels were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in control groups compared with those of Sham group but significantly (p<0.01) increased in the Treatment group. 4. Serum progesterone levels were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in control groups compared with those of Sham group but significantly (p<0.01) decreased in the Treatment groups. 5. Serum FSH levels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in control groups compared with those of Sham group but significantly (p<0.05) decreased in the Treatment group. 6. Serum Ca levels were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in control groups compared with those of Sham group but significantly (p<0.01) increased in the Treatment group. 7. Serum P levels were significantly (p<0.01) increased in control groups compared with those of Sham group and Treatment group. No significant was detected between Control group and Treatment group. According to these results, it is considered that the oral administration of Guirokyisun-Hwan have favorable effect on treatment and prevention of osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy in rats.