• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.3-6
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• 2001

Inflammation is an outcome or an end effect of disruption of complex immunological balance. A variety of approaches to control immunological unbalance have been tried, and some of them are in practice in the clinic. Since inflammatory disorders are reflection of very complex immunological responses, it should be difficult to have such disorders under complete control. Thus, most of the drugs, being marketed and under development, possess some degrees of undesired side offsets originating from disruption of immunological balance. Steroids are excellent drugs suppressing inflammation in short term, however, long-term use of steroids would incur a serious side effect of "rebound". Another example is TNF-${\alpha}$-neutralizing agents, such as enbrel and infliximab. TNF-${\alpha}$ has been known to play a key role in the exacerbation of inflammation, and knock-out of TNF-${\alpha}$ is regarded essential to control of chronic inflammation. The TNF-${\alpha}$-neutralizing drugs in the market are regarded very efficient in the management of rheumatoid arthritis. Upon long term use, however, those drugs cause sepsis to a certain proportion of patients. It is ironical that a high plasma level of TNF-${\alpha}$ is known to be responsible for sepsis, and that the drugs scavenging TNF-${\alpha}$ cause sepsis. The above two examples illustrate well the difficulty of discovering an anti-inflammatory drug without unwanted immunological side effects. An anti-inflammatory drug would make a case in the market, as long as the drug has huge therapeutic benefits compared to its expected but unwanted immunological side effects, where cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are positioning. In this presentation, will be discussed general aspects of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition in conjunction with 3(2Η)furanone derivatives, a novel class of COX-2 inhibitors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6711-6714
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• 2015

Background: Insomnia is a common condition in cancer patients. In spite of the high prevalence its associations have not been well studied. Existing data suggests that insomnia is related to depression and pain. However, the impact of ongoing chemotherapy on sleep is not investigated. Aim: To study the relationship between insomnia and chemotherapy after analysing confounding variables. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients who visited New England Oncology Clinic in Tamworth were recruited. Insomnia was assessed with the Bergen insomnia scale. The Montgomery Asberg Depression rating scale was used to measure depression. Pain was assessed with the Brief Pain inventory. Chronic medical conditions, type of cancer, side effects to chemotherapy, role of steroids and other drugs were studied as confounders. Results: A total of 56 patients participated in the study. Age ranged from 33 to 83 years (mean: 63.6, SD=10.97). There were 29 men and 27 women. 42 patients received at least one form of chemotherapy and 15 were receiving radiotherapy at the time of assessment. Mean insomnia score was significantly higher in those receiving chemotherapy than in those without chemotherapy (8.92 vs 17.2, two tailed p=0.005, 95% CI=2.63-13.71). There was no significant variation in insomnia scores in terms of chronic medical condition, type of cancer, psychiatric history, use of steroids or adverse effects of chemotherapy. However, total insomnia score was correlated with depression rating score (Pearson correlation, r=0.39, p=0.003) and magnitude of pain (r=0.37, p=0.006). On regression analysis only pain was found to be predictive of insomnia. Conclusions: Insomnia in patients with cancer is found to be associated with concurrent chemotherapy and correlated with degree of depression and pain. Identifying factors related to insomnia in cancer population has implications in its management and patient education.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.166-173
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• 2024

Steroids have a temporary skin improvement and whitening effect by controlling vasodilation, but they also cause side effects when used for a long time. Therefore, steroids were designated and managed as raw materials that cannot be used in cosmetics in Korea. However, steroids are continuously being detected in cosmetics, causing social issues. In this study, we developed a certified reference material (CRM) for the determination of steroids such as hydrocortisone in cosmetics. A cream-type cosmetic CRM was manufactured and subsequently certified following the guidelines outlined in ISO Guide 35. Homogeneity, short-term stability, and long-term stability were evaluated using isotope dilution mass spectrometry (ID-MS). The certified values were determined by using NIST's primary reference material to ensure traceability. From now on, we intend to supply the certified reference material as a cosmetic CRM to national and international companies, as well as research institutes after certification as certified reference material from KOLAS and registering on COMAR.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.604-614
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• 2020

The application of steroids has steadily increased thanks to their therapeutic effects. However, alternatives are required due their severe side effects; thus, studies on the activities of steroid derivatives are underway. Sugar derivatives of nandrolone, which is used to treat breast cancer, as well as cortisone and prednisone, which reduce inflammation, pain, and edema, are unknown. We linked O-glucose to nandrolone and testosterone using UDP-glucosyltransferase (UGT-1) and, then, tested their bioactivities in vitro. Analysis by NMR showed that the derivatives were 17β-nandrolone β-ᴅ-glucose and 17β-testosterone β-ᴅ-glucose, respectively. The viability was higher and cytotoxicity was evident in PC12 cells incubated with rotenone and, testosterone derivatives, compared to the controls. SH-SY5Y cells incubated with H₂O₂ and nandrolone derivatives remained viable and cytotoxicity was attenuated. Both derivatives enhanced neuronal protective effects and increased the amounts of cellular ATP.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.70-79
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• 2021

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the possibility of using herbal medicine for the management of psoriasis focusing on lipid metabolism. Methods : We reviewed studies about pathophysiology, and medical treatment of psoriasis, the relationship between psoriasis and metabolic syndrome and lipid metabolism, and herbal medicine on Pubmed and Google scholar. Results : Psoriasis is a chronic multi-organ inflammatory disease not limited to skin, and steroids, immuno-suppressants, and biological agents are used. It is known that psoriasis and metabolic syndrome act as mutual risk factors, and lipid metabolism are involved in psoriasis. The effects of various single herbal preparations and complex herbal extract, decoction on improving lipid metabolism have been consistently reported, and there was an improvement of psoriatic skin lesions and improvement of blood lipid levels through herbal medicine. Conclusions : Herbal medicine research in psoriasis has focused on the anti-inflammatory effect and the suppression effect of certain immune mediators. However, considering that psoriasis is affected by lipid metabolism and side effects of Western medicines, the use of herbal medicines for the purpose of controlling lipid metabolism in psoriasis is useful in aspects of reducing side effects of concurrent Western medicine, improving the severity of psoriasis, and managing metabolic risk factors.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.570-585
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• 2007

A clinical study of 106 cases of $Henoch-Sch{\ddot{o}}nlein$ purpura was made. The author analyzed the result of Korean traditional medical therapy. It was observed more frequently in female at the sex ratio of 1:1.3. The most prevalent age group was $4{\sim}9$ years(56.6%). In seasonal incidence, the cases were frequent during spring(50%), and the main specific history was upper respiratory tract infection(48.1%). The duration of contraction was $420.9{\pm}1079.3$ days. The adults were more chronic than children (p<0.05), The clinical manifestation showed in the skin (100%), the gastrointestinal tract(62.3%), the joints(64.2%), the kidney(25.3%), genitourinary system(11.3%), headache(6.6%), and scalp edema(4.7%) respectively. The first outbreak of symptoms was showing of skin purpura in 77 cases(72.6%) the highest frequency. and the gastrointestinal tract and joints were 16(15.1%) and 12 cases(11.3%) respectively. Of all patients, 22 cases(20.8%) experienced recurrences and 47 patients(44.3%) experienced hospitalization treatment. In the patients group which were recurrence experiences, the recurrence rate was high with patients(63.2%) who usually enjoyed meats and convenience foods and in patients(84%) who treated URI with chemical drugs(p<0.05). The patients group(68.9%) that took steroids also experienced a relatively high recurrence rate. Out of the patients(68.9%) who took treatment with steroids, 46.6% experienced side effects, in orders moon face(100%), weight gain(47.1%), appetite increase(52.9%), and acne. alopecia(11.8%), etc. There was a statistically significant relationship between the period of taking the steroid and the side effects(p<0.05), As the result of the herbal medicine treatment(treatment period: $6.7{\pm}6.2$ weeks, a follow-up survey during $15{\sim}24$ months), 67 patients(91.8%) among the 73 patients(68.9%) under 18 years old recovered completely but 3 cases(4.5%) recurred. 23 patients(69.7%) among the 33 patients(31.3%) above 19 years recovered completely but 5 cases(21.7%) recurred.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.237-246
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• 2021

Background: Pembrolizumab, an anti-cancer drug, is known to increase the activity of the immune system, leading to side effects called immune-related adverse events (irAE), including type 1 diabetes. This study analyzed the correlation between blood glucose level and pembrolizumab administration and investigated the covariates that affect those changes in cancer treatment. Methods: The information of 133 adult cancer patients was obtained from the electronic medical record (EMR) to identify the changes in random blood glucose (RBG) levels during the pembrolizumab treatment. Subjects were classified into subgroups according to their baseline RBG level, history of diabetes, and the use of steroids, and linear regression analysis was conducted. In addition, a secondary analysis was performed within the group of subjects having a strong correlation to glycemic change, which was based on the Pearson correlation coefficient being less than -0.7 or greater than +0.7. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to identify the risk factors to glycemic increase. Results: The RBG level tended to descend without significant differences in total patients during the administration period of pembrolizumab. Despite the insignificance, the logistic regression analysis presents that the odds ratios of baseline RBG less than 130 mg/dL, prophylactic steroid use, and higher dose of pembrolizumab per cycle (mg/kg/cycle) were greater than 1. Conclusions: Prophylactic administration of steroids and a higher dose of pembrolizumab per cycle may increase the blood glucose level as irAE in cancer patients with a strong tendency to glycemic change.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.9.1-9.21
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• 2020

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been changing the paradigm of cancer treatment. However, immune-related adverse effects (irAEs) have also increased with the exponential increase in the use of ICIs. ICIs can break up the immunologic homeostasis and reduce T-cell tolerance. Therefore, inhibition of immune checkpoint can lead to the activation of autoreactive T-cells, resulting in various irAEs similar to autoimmune diseases. Gastrointestinal toxicity, endocrine toxicity, and dermatologic toxicity are common side effects. Neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, and pulmonary toxicity are relatively rare but can be fatal. ICI-related gastrointestinal toxicity, dermatologic toxicity, and hypophysitis are more common with anti- CTLA-4 agents. ICI-related pulmonary toxicity, thyroid dysfunction, and myasthenia gravis are more common with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. Treatment with systemic steroids is the principal strategy against irAEs. The use of immune-modulatory agents should be considered in case of no response to the steroid therapy. Treatment under the supervision of multidisciplinary specialists is also essential, because the symptoms and treatments of irAEs could involve many organs. Thus, this review focuses on the mechanism, clinical presentation, incidence, and treatment of various irAEs.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.155-158
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• 2016

Sorafenib (Nexavar) has been regarded as a treatment for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with side effects that include hand-foot skin reaction, diarrhea, rash, fatigue, hypertension, nausea, anorexia, weight loss, and alopecia. Thyroid disorder, such as endocrine side effect, has also been reported. However no case involving adrenal insufficiency has been reported. Here, we report a case of adrenal insufficiency which occurred after taking sorafenib in a patient with HCC. A 56-year-old man visited our hospital due to right upper quadrant abdominal pain and he was diagnosed as multiple disseminated and unresectable HCCs with portal vein invasion; therefore transarterial chemoembolization was performed and sorafenib administration was started. Two months later, he was admitted to the hospital complaining of severe fatigue. The laboratory results showed cortisol of <$0.2{\mu}g/dL$ and adrenocorticotropic hormone of <1.00 pg/mL. The patient had no history of taking steroids or herbal medications. Secondary adrenal insufficiency was diagnosed and prednisolone 10 mg per day was started immediately; as a result, fatigue remarkably improved. This may be the first report indicating a possible association between sorafenib and adrenal insufficiency and it implies that the possibility of adrenal insufficiency should be considered in patients taking sorafenib who complain of severe fatigue.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.287-293
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• 2021

Tablets were conventionally used to treat choline urticaria. Disadvantages of tablets included sleep inducing problems, accessibility and reduced dosage. To address this, hydrogel containing Cetirizine HCl was manufactured. The experimental method was to measure viscosity, gel fraction, degree of swelling, content evaluation, and permeability. Studies have shown that hydrogels containing Cetirizine HCl can be directly applied to occurrence area to improve Cholinergic urticaric with minimal side effects associated with the marketable tablets. This hydrogel includes other important substances including steroids which gives it an advantage when applied on the skin, improving its accessibility. In addition, it is expected that the drug manufacturing process will be able to proceed as this hydrogel is effective even when used alone.