• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.39-54
• /
• 2007

Objectives : This study has been done to know which herbs and herbal formulae are frequently used for the treatment of obesity in Korea and overseas since 2000. Methods : We conducted a computerized literature search in KISS (Korean studies Information Service System), Pubmed, Journal of Oriental Association for Study of Obesity ,and Journal of Oriental Rehabilitation Medicine(2000 -Apr. 2006) using search key words obesity, obese, weight loss, weight control combined with herb, herbal formula. Result and conclusion : Seventy-two studies have been identified(50 Korean papers and 22 pubmed papers) and 81 herbs have been found. In USA it was mainly used as single herb for food, but in Korea it was mainly used as herbal formula. For single herb, ephedra(麻黃) was the most studied single herb both in Korea and the USA. For herbal formulae, Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM, 19times) was the most frequently used herbal formula, in which the herbs for Tae-eum type person like Taeyeumjowui-tang(太陰調胃湯, 7times) and Choweseungcheng-tang(調胃升淸湯, 5times) were mainly prescribed. The next was Chegameuiin-tang(體減薏苡仁湯, 11times) and Bangpungtongsungsan( 防風通聖散, 3times). Calculating each herb consisted in each herbal formula, Coicis Semen(薏苡仁), Angelicae gigantis Radix(當歸), and Glycyrrhizae Radix(甘草), Raspberry Ketone, Cnidii Rhizoma(川芎), and Ephedra Herba(麻黃) turned out to be the most frequently used herb.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.55-63
• /
• 2008

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective death of motor neurons. Mutations in the SOD1 gene are responsible for a familial form of ALS (FALS). Although many studies suggest that mutant SOD1 proteins are cytotoxic, the mechanism is not fully understood. To investigate the role of mutant SOD1 in FALS, human SOD1 genes were fused with a PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce in-frame PEP-1-SOD fusion proteins (wild type and mutants). The expressed and purified PEP-1-SOD fusion proteins were efficiently transduced into neuronal cells. Neurones harboring the A4V, G93A, G85R, and D90A mutants of PEP-1-SOD were more vulnerable to oxidative stress induced by paraquat than those harboring wild-type proteins. Moreover, neurones harboring the mutant SOD proteins had lower heat shock protein (Hsp) expression levels than those harboring wild-type SOD. The effects of the transduced SOD1 fusion proteins may provide an explanation for the association of SOD1 with FALS, and Hsps could be candidate agents for the treatment of ALS.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.39 no.3
• /
• pp.253-262
• /
• 2006

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although many studies showed that the aggregation of $\alpha$-synuclein might be involved in the pathogenesis of PD, its protective properties against oxidative stress remain to be elucidated. In this study, human wild type and mutant $\alpha$-synuclein genes were fused with a gene fragment encoding the nine amino acid trans activator of transcription (Tat) protein transduction domain of HIV-l in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein (wild type) and mutant Tat-a-synucleins (mutants; A30P and A53T), respectively, and we investigated the protective effects of wild type and mutant Tat-$\alpha$-synucleins in vitro and in vivo. WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein rapidly transduced into an astrocyte cells and protected the cells against paraquat induced cell death. However, mutant Tat-$\alpha$-synucleins did not protect at all. In the mice models exposed to the herbicide paraquat, the WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein completely protected against dopaminergic neuronal cell death, whereas mutants failed in protecting against oxidative stress. We found that these protective effects were characterized by increasing the expression level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) in the neuronal cells and this expression level was dependent on the concentration of transduced WT Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein. These results suggest that transduced Tat-$\alpha$-synuclein might protect cell death from oxidative stress by increasing the expression level of HSP70 in vitro and in vivo and this may be of potential therapeutic benefit in the pathogenesis of PD.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.191-197
• /
• 2005

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Tat protein transduction domain (PTD) is responsible for highly efficient protein transduction across plasma membranes. In a previous study, we showed that Tat-Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (Tat-SOD) can be directly transduced into mammalian cells across the lipid membrane barrier. In this study, we fused the human SOD gene with a Tat PTD transduction vector at its N- and/or C-terminus. The fusion proteins (Tat-SOD, SOD-Tat, Tat-SOD-Tat) were purified from Escherichia coli and their ability to enter cells in vitro and in vivo compared by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The transduction efficiencies and biological activities of the SOD fusion protein with the Tat PTD at either terminus were equivalent and lower than the fusion protein with the Tat PTD at both termini. The availability of a more efficient SOD fusion protein provides a powerful vehicle for therapy in human diseases related to this anti-oxidant enzyme and to reactive oxygen species.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.4
• /
• pp.930-942
• /
• 2008

Following conclusions were derived from researching various consumption caused after surgical operation. The meaning of surgery in HyungSang medical point of view is a big flaw of the original configuration. Therefore meaning, the loss of container to store something. Changes of the body after surgery can be formation of stagnated blood and abnormal cyst of the removed part and entangled undigested food and stagnant blood. After surgery when the symptoms become chronic or the patients develop side effects as they age, consumption and aging process begins. HyungSang medical treatments of consumption caused after surgery are the followings. We should prevent aging of the framework by using appropriate medication to make up for faults in Gall Bladder, Bladder type and six meridian type by considering its form, color, pulse and symptoms. Stability of emotion that can endure various mental stimulation is needed. Prevent stagnation, indigestion, obstruction and numbness by smoothing up the constructive energy and the defensive energy in the operated part. The Heart and Kidney should be under control and Stomach and Spleen should be reinforced so that food intake is accelerated and produce vital substances and Ki and blood. Eum blood and Yang Ki should circulate around the body well. Examine daily life and if small changes in skin complexion, appetite, sleep and excretion occur, also difference in adaptation of external stimulation and mental health occurs immediate treatment and care is necessary. Treatment of side-effects caused from both aging process and post-surgery in HyungSang's view point is considered better than other ways of treatment and will contribute in expanding the field of medical science.

• The Journal of the Society of Stroke on Korean Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2010

Object : This study was conducted as part of the national project to standardize stroke diagnosis in Korean medicine. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of acute stroke between heat pattern group and cold pattern group. Methods : We recruited stroke patients from 5 universities(Kyung-Hee University oriental medical center, Kyung-Hee University East-West Neo medical center, Kyungwon university lncheon oriental medical center, Kyungwon university Songpa oriental medical center and DongGuk university llsan oriental medical center) from April, 2007 until February, 2010. We diagnosed them and selected 463 heat pattern patients and 182 cold pattern patients. Results : We find that the risk factor of smoking, alcohol, diet(prefer to meat) are more associated with the heat pattern group. On the other hand, inflammation history in recent 3 months and diet(prefer to sea food) are more associated with the cold pattern group. RBC, Hg, Hct, TG, CK and Cl are more related to the heat pattern group. CPT, total cholesterol and HDL are more related to the cold pattern group. Tae-eum type takes high distribution of the heat pattern group, and So-eum type takes high distribution of the cold pattern group. Conclusions : This study provides evidence that the heat pattern group have more risk factor than the cold pattern group.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.71-76
• /
• 2005

Ceruloplasmin (CP) is the major plasma antioxidant and copper transport protein. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human CP were produced and characterized. A total of five hybridoma cell lines were established (CP2, CP10, CP20, CP25, CP30). From the epitope mapping analysis, two subgroups of mAbs recognize different peptide fragments were identified. When the purified CP was incubated with the mAbs, the ferroxidase activity of CP was inhibited up to a maximum 57%. Immunoblotting with various tissue homogenates indicated that all the mAbs specifically recognize a single protein band of 130 kDa. They also appear to be extensively cross-reactive among different mammalian including human and avian sources. These results demonstrated that only one type of immunologically similar CP is present in all of the mammalian tissues including human. The CP mAbs could be of great benefit to design the diagnostic kit for CP-related diseases such as Wilson's disease.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.39 no.2
• /
• pp.208-215
• /
• 2006

The human ribosomal protein S3 (rpS3) was expressed in E. coli using the pET-I5b vector and the monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were produced and characterized. A total of five hybridoma cell lines were established and the antibodies recognized a single band of molecular weight of 33 kDa on immunoblot with purified rpS3. When the purified rpS3 was incubated with the mAbs, the UV endonuclease activity of rpS3 was inhibited up to a maximum of 49%. The binding affinity of mAbs to rpS3 determined by using a biosensor technology showed that they have similar binding affinities. Using the anti-rpS3 antibodies as probes, we investigated the cross-reactivities of various other mammalian brain tissues and cell lines, including human. The immunoreactive bands on Western blots appeared to be the same molecular mass of 33 kDa in all animal species tested. They also appear to be extensively cross-reactive among different organs in rat. These results demonstrated that only one type of immunologically similar rpS3 protein is present in all of the mammalian brain tissues including human. Furthermore, these antibodies were successfully applied in immunohistochemistry in order to detect rpS3 in the gerbil brain tissues. Among the various regions in the brain tissues, the rpS3 positive neurons were predominantly observed in the ependymal cells, hippocampus and substantia nigra pars compacta. The different distributions of rpS3 in brain tissues reply that rpS3 protein may play an important second function in the neuronal cells.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.39 no.5
• /
• pp.642-647
• /
• 2006

Botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) has been used therapeutically to treat muscular hypercontractions and sudomotor hyperactivity and it has been reported that BoNT/A might have analgesic properties in headache. PEP-1 peptide is a known carrier peptide that delivers fulll-ength native proteins in vitro and in vivo. In this study, a BoNT/A gene were fused with PEP-1 peptide in a bacterial expression vector to produce a genetic in-frame PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion protein. The expressed and purified PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion proteins were efficiently transduced into cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner when added exogenously in a culture medium. In addition, immuno-histochemical analysis revealed that PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion protein efficiently penetrated into the epidermis as well as the dermis of the subcutaneous layer, when sprayed on mice skin. These results suggest that PEP-1-BoNT/A fusion protein provide an efficient strategy for therapeutic delivery in various human diseases related to this protein.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.30 no.1
• /
• pp.109-119
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This study was aimed to clarity the relationship between the pattern of dampness-phlegm and metabolic syndrome in acute stroke patients. Methods: Three hundred fifty-nine subjects were recruited from the patients admitted to the Internal Medical Department at Kyunghee University Oriental Medical Center, Donggnk University Ilsan Oriental Medical Center, Kyungwon University Songpa Oriental Medical Center and Kyungwon University Incheon Oriental Medical Center from April 2007 to March 2008. We diagnosed dampness-phlegm by Oriental medical diagnosis and analyzed their characteristics with type of stroke, blood test result, Sasang constitution, lifestyle and metabolic syndrome. Results: I. On the demographic variables of the patients, the weight and body mass index, the rate of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, silent infarction were significantly higher in dampness-phlegm group than in the control. 2. There was no significant difference of stroke type between the dampness-phlegm group and the control. 3. According to the blood test, the dampness-phlegm group showed higher total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting blood sugar and lower high density lipoprotein cholesterol than the control group with statistical significance. 4. According to the Sasang constitution distribution, the rate of Tae-Eum was significantly higher in dampness-phlegm group than in the control. 5. According to lifestyle, smoking and drinking were significantly lower in the dampness-phlegm group than in the control. Otherwise, exercise and dietary habits showed no significant difference between the two groups. 6. There were much more patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome in the dampness-phlegm group than in the control. 7. Metabolic syndrome, silent infarction and obesity showed close relationship with dampness-phlegm pattern in multivariate analysis. Conclusions: According to the analysis, the relationship between the patterns of dampness-phlegm and metabolic syndrome in acute stroke patients were clarified. These results can be utilized in the future as a basis material.