• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
• /
• v.28 no.1
• /
• pp.81-89
• /
• 1992

Enuresis is a common voiding disorder among children. There are several therapeutic regimens for the disorder available today; behavioral therapies, psychotherapy, bladder training, sleep interruption, hypnosis and drug therapy. Recently, the efficacy of drug therapy has been acknowledged, particularly of antidepressants. Among the tricyclic antidepressants, imipramine is most frequently employed for the treatment of enuresis. Present study was undertaken to investigate the mechanism of imipramine on the contractility of urinary bladder in relation to the calcium modulation using isolated strips of rat detrusor urinae. 1. The electric fileld stimulation-induced contraction was abolished by imipramine, but partially inhibited by atropine. 2. Imipramine reduced the basal tone and diminished the phasic activity of detrusor muscle concentration-dependently, which was similar to that of diltiazem, a calcium channel blocker. 3. Imipramine suppressed the maximal responses and shifted the concentration-response curves of bethanechol and ATP to right. 4. Imipramine inhibited the calcium-induced recovery of tension in calcium-free physiologic salt solution (PSS) with a mode of action similar to that of diltizaem. 5. A23187, a calcium ionophore recovered the basal tone which had been reduced by imipramine in normal PSS. 6. In calcium-free PSS, A23187 could recover the abolished basal tone with the pretreatment of imipramine, but it exerted a partial recovery with the pretreatment of TMB-8, an inhibitor of intracellular calcium release. Based on these results, it is suggested that the inhibitory action of imipramine on the detrusor muscle exerted in part by blockade of the muscarinic and purinergic receptors, and interference with the influx of extracellular calcium, but not with the release of intracellular stored calcium, is involved in its mechanism of action.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.49 no.3
• /
• pp.278-286
• /
• 2006

Purpose : Although suprapubic bladder aspiration(SBA) is the most reliable technique for identifying bacteriuria in young infant, no report has been published about the clinical manifestations of urinary tract infection(UTI) diagnosed by aspirated urine in Korea. This study was performed to examine clinical manifestations and related factors of UTI confirmed by a positive urine culture obtained by SBA in young infants. Methods : We reviewed medical records of 159 infants younger than six months of age, who had been admitted for UTI to Korea University Ansan Hospital from January 2002 to June 2005. Results : The male:female ratio was 5.1 : 1. The most common pathogen in urine culture was Escherichia coli(92.5 percent). Most of the gram-negative pathogens had high sensitivity to amikacin, or third generation cephalosporins and had low sensitivity to ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or gentamicin. Hydronephrosis and vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) were present in 32.7 percent and 27.7 percent respectively. Renal cortical defects observed on DMSA scans were detected in 37.1 percent. Prolonged fever duration and hospital day, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR) and C-reactive protein(CRP) levels, hydronephrosis and VUR were related to the renal cortical defects(P<0.05). Rates of UTI-associated bacteremia and aseptic meningitis were 8.3 percent and 6.6 percent. Conclusion : Early differential diagnosis is very important in infants younger than 6 months of age with UTI because the clinical findings are non-specific and UTI-associated bacteremia and aseptic meningitis are concomitantly found. Because prolonged fever and higher ESR and CRP levels are risk factors of the renal cortical defects, radiologic evaluations and nephrologic follow-up were needed in identifying the predisposing congenital abnormalities and chronic renal scarring.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.155-160
• /
• 1997

Purpose : Tethered cord syndrome is characterized by progressive motor and sensory disturbances in lower extremities, foot deformities caused by a pathologic fixation of spinal cord resulting in excessive stretching of the spinal cord. It is also frequently associated with urological symptoms include urinary frequency, incontinence, enuresis, urgency and recurrent urinary tract infection. Because there is few report in the literature about urological manifestations of theterd cord syndrome, we conducted a retrospective study on the patients diagnosed as tethered cord syndrome to delineate the characteristics of urologic manifestations in tethered cord syndrome and to establish the policy to evaluate patients who is suspected of tethered cord syndrome. Method : A retrospective study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of nine patients who was diagnosed as tethered cord syndrome from November 1991 to July 1996 in Yeungnam University Hospital. Result : 1) The age distribution of nine patients was as follows; 5 patients were under 2 years, 1 case from 2 to 6 years and 3 cases from 6 to 10 years. 2) Of 9 patients 6 had voiding frequency, urinary incontinence, enuresis, urgency and loss of micturation sense. Radiologic urodynamic studies revealed neurogenic bladder in 5 patients, hydronephrosis and hydroureter in 3, vesicoureteral reflux in 3. 3) Of 6 patients with urological abnormal manifestations 4 underwent spinal cord surgery (detethering). In spite of surgical intervention, the urological manifestations improved in only one patient. Conclusion : Urological abnormalities were common in tethered cord syndrome. Abnormal laboratory findings including urodynamic study were found even before the onset of urological symptoms. We have to concern tethered cord syndrome as one of common causes of voiding frequency and enuresis and to evaluate urological abnormalities as thetered cord syndrome is diagnosed.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.261-266
• /
• 2015

Intravenous urography (IVU) for urolithiasis is a radiologic examination to diagnosis stone in the ureter path using iodine contrast media, which is radioopacity material. The method includes compression on the upper iliac crest. The compression band prevents outlet of the contrast media through the bladder and enables easier movement to upper urinary tract. This usage depends on the policy of a hospital. Therefore, this study aimed to review and compare the characteristic of progress of contrast media either in compression and non-compression. The retrospective image measurement on 60 cases of intravenous pyelography was conducted at a hospital with the identical type and amount of contrast media as well as criteria for testing. Image measurement was limited to 5 minutes clip, which is optimal for progress of contrast media depending on usage of the compression band. Also, anatomical regions were set as following: "RP" is from renal pyramid to renal pelvis, "PL" is from renal pelvis to lumbar three endplate, and "IU" and "IL" for upper and lower parts from both iliac crests. Analysis has been conducted through the statistical method based on Fisher's Exact Test to find if there are differences of distribution with the anatomical regions with compression or no compression. It has been confirmed that there is no statistical significant difference as the video measurement on 30 cases of compression and non-compression group respectively resulted in P value of 0.580 from left and 0.711 from right (both 0.960). Therefore, it has been concluded that application of a compression band on an intravenous pyelography for urolithiasis patient does not meaningfully affect the progress of contrast media.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.28-37
• /
• 1996

Benzidine, an aromatic amine used primarily in the manufacture of azo dyes, is recognized as a urinary bladder carcinogen in humans. In rats, mice, and hamsters, chronic exposure to benzidine resulted in tumors of the liver. The present study was undertaken to suggest analyzing the metabolites of benzidine with the optimal condition, identify the metabolites of benzidine, and observe time variance of the metabolites in the isolated perfusated rat liver. N-acetylbenzidine was synthesized by acetylation of benzidine with acetic anhydride and separated by thin layer chromatography(TLC) and high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). To analysis benzidine and the metabolites of benzidine, HPLC operating condition has been optimized by means of preliminary experiment. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile(37%) in phosphate buffer, flow rate maintained at 1.0 ml/min. Optimal detective conditions were electrochemicaldetector(ECD) at 0.75 V for benzidine and N-acetylbenzidine and ultravioletdetector(UVD) at 287 nm for N,N'-diacetylbenzidine. The separation system was composed of a guard column and a separation column(Polymer C18, $4.6{\times}250cm$) at a temparature of $40^{\circ}C$. The perfusion system was equilibrated for 30 minutes before addition of benzidine to the perfusate. Samples of the perfusate were collected at time intervals(0, 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, 120 min) during the 2 hour perfusion. Before analyzing samples by HPLC/ECD/UVD, samples had been treated with sep-pak. Samples of perfusate analyzed by HPLC/ECD/UVD and the metabolites of benzidine in the isolated perfused rat liver were N-acetylbenzidine and N,N'-diacetylbenzidine. Benzidine metabolized over 60% during the initial 30 minutes of perfusion, extensively by 1 hour, and was undetectable in the perfusate. N-acetylbenzidine increased by 30 minutes of perfusion, declined. N,N'-diacetylbenzidine increased the 0-90 minutes period, remained constant during the 90-120 minutes period.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.301-314
• /
• 2005

Objective: Rebamipide is a propionic acid derivative that has an action of the inhibition of superoxide production and removal of hydroxyl radical with the sperm incubation and cryopreservation. In the present study, to investigate whether rebamipide is useful to treat male infertility and sterility, the author observed the antioxidative effects in patient with male infertility and also examined its absorption and distribution in rat genital organ. Methods: To measure the distribution of rebamipide in reproductive organ in the rat, carbon indicated rebamipide, $^{14}C-OPC-12759$, was orally administered to 10 Spraque-Dawley rats and its organ concentration in serum, liver, kidney, stomach, duodenum, colon, urinary bladder, seminal vesicle, epididymis and testicle were measured each time after 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 24 hours by using HPLC fluorescent method. The concentrations in semen were measured by HPLC fluorescent method in a sample of 50 infertile males who took 900 mg of rebamipide daily for 3 months. To measure the antioxidative effect and fertility rate for 3 months, each month before and after the treatment, sperm motility, vitality, the oxygen free radical formation, level of peroxidation, fetilizing capacity of semen sample which were obtained from infertile male patients by masturbation after at least 48 hours abstinence were analyzed by computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid method and hypo-osmotic swelling test. Simultaneously in a sample that wanted baby, both pregnancy and delivery were researched. Results: The $^{14}C-OPC-12759$ concentration in the body of white rats was highest in gastrointestinal organ like stomach, smal intestine and duodenum and followed by genital organ like seminal vesicle, testis and epididymis. The rebamipide concentration in semen of infertile males was $220.77{\pm}327.84ng/mL$ (SD) which showed a large deviation but it was higher than serum which was $126{\pm}76ng/mL$ (SD). In the infertile males, after the treatment with rebamipide, the level of seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation have significantly decreased in duration of the treatment (p<0.05) and sperm vitality and fertilizing capacity except sperm motility significantly improved on post treatment of 2~3 months (p<0.05). Out of the 41 cases who hoped for pregnancy, 15 cases (36.6%) became pregnant and 12 cases had childbrith, 2 cases had miscarriage and one case is ongoing. The side effect was observed in 1 case (2%) which experienced diarrhea but it was lost spontaneously. Conclusions: We conclude from this study that rebamipide showed relatively high tendancy of absorption and excretion in the genital organ. In infertile males who had elevated ROS in semen, by specifically inhibiting the cell damage from the antioxidation, a way to preserve sperm motility, vitality and fertilizing capacity was confirmed.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.219-225
• /
• 2004

The pelvic ganglia provide autonomic innervations to the various urogenital organs, such as the urinary bladder, prostate, and penis. It is well established that both sympathetic and parasympathetic synaptic transmissions in autonomic ganglia are mediated mainly by acetylcholine (ACh). Until now, however, the properties of ACh-induced currents and its receptors in pelvic ganglia have not clearly been elucidated. In the present study, biophysical characteristics and molecular nature of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) were studied in sympathetic and parasympathetic major pelvic ganglion (MPG) neurons. MPG neurons isolated from male rat were enzymatically dissociated, and ionic currents were recorded by using the whole cell variant patch clamp technique. Total RNA from MPG neuron was prepared, and RT-PCR analysis was performed with specific primers for subunits of nAChRs. ACh dose-dependently elicited fast inward currents in both sympathetic and parasympathetic MPG neurons $(EC_{50};\;41.4\;{\mu}M\;and\;64.0\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$. ACh-induced currents showed a strong inward rectification with a reversal potential near 0 mV in current-voltage relationship. Pharmacologically, mecamylamine as a selective antagonist for ${\alpha}3{\beta}4$ nAChR potently inhibited the ACh-induced currents in sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons $(IC_{50};\;0.53\;{\mu}M\;and\;0.22\;{\mu}M,\;respectively)$. Conversely, ${\alpha}-bungarotoxin$, ${\alpha}-methyllycaconitine$, and $dihydro-{\beta}-erythroidine$, which are known as potent and sensitive blockers for ${\alpha}7$ or ${\alpha}4{\beta}2$ nAChRs, below micromolar concentrations showed negligible effect. RT-PCR analysis revealed that ${\alpha}3$ and ${\beta}4$ subunits were predominantly expressed in MPG neurons. We suggest that MPG neurons have nAChRs containing ${\alpha}3$ and ${\beta}4$ subunits, and that their activation induces fast inward currents, possibly mediating the excitatory synaptic transmission in pelvic autonomic ganglia.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.237-242
• /
• 2016

A 1.86 kg, 3-year-old, female, Maltese was presented to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Seoul National University after being hit by a car. The patient was diagnosed with urinary bladder rupture, diaphragmatic hernia and fracture of ilium, tibia and fibula. Repair surgery was performed after stabilizing treatment. During the surgery, hypoxia was identified and it worsened after positive pressure ventilation (partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood ($PaO_2$): 52 mmHg, pulse oximetry ($SpO_2$): 87%, arterial hemoglobin oxygen saturation ($SpO_2$): 85.8%). In addition to hypoxia, blood pressure decreased to 30 mmHg. Positive pressure ventilation was discontinued because hypoxia and hypotension were aggravated. After suturing the diaphragm, air was withdrawn to form negative pressure within the thorax. However, negative pressure was not attained despite continuous withdrawal of air. A thoracostomy tube was placed because tension pneumothorax was strongly suspected. The patient recovered through close monitoring with the tube for 3 days. Due to limitation of evaluation of the lung, predicting occurrence of tension pneumothorax is difficult in patient of diaphragmatic hernia. Therefore, it is recommended that indicators of tension pneumothorax should be closely monitored during diagnosis and repair procedures of diaphragmatic hernia.

• Journal of Radiopharmaceuticals and Molecular Probes
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.108-112
• /
• 2016

Molecular imaging with the radiolabeled RGD peptides for ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$ integrin has been an increasing interest for tumor diagnosis and the treatment monitoring. Recently, $^{64}Cu$-NODAGA-gluco-E[c(RGDfK)]$_2$ was developed for quantification of ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$ integrin and its biological properties was elucidated. To better understand the molecular process in vivo, we performed the kinetic analysis for the $^{64}Cu$-NODAGA-gluco-E[c(RGDfK)]$_2$. After preparation of a radiotracer, dynamic PET images were obtained in the U87MG xenograft mice for 60 min (n = 6). Binding potential values were estimated from the 3-tissue compartment model, reference Logan and simplified reference tissue model. In the early time frame (0-20 min), the liver, kidney, intestine, urinary bladder and tumor were visualized but these uptakes were diminished as time went by. The tumors showed a good contrast at 40 min after administration. $^{64}Cu$-NODAGA-gluco-E[c(RGDfK)]$_2$ showed the 2-fold uptake in the tumor compared with that in the muscle. The parametric maps for binding values also provide the higher tumor-to-background contrast than the static images. A binding value obtained from the 3-tissue compartment model was comparable to other modeling methods. From these results, we conclude that $^{64}Cu$-NODAGA-gluco-E[c(RGDfK)]$_2$ may be a promising PET radiotracer for the evaluation of angiogenesis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.1096-1103
• /
• 1999

A study was conducted to clarify the impact of recombinant porcine somatotropin (pST) on the efficiency of absorbed nitrogen use for protein deposition in growing pigs. Three levels of dietary crude protein (9.0, 11.5, 14.0% CP) were used. Each had either a sub-optimum or near optimum lysine: CP concentration (Low-lysine, 3.8 g/100 g CP and High-lysine, 5.5 g/100g CP) in order to achieve different metabolic efficiencies for nitrogen deposition (ca. 45 vs. 60%). Twelve crossbred female pigs $(59{\pm}4kg\;BW)$ were placed in metabolism cages and fitted with bladder catheters. Each pig received an excipient injection daily for the first 10-d, a pST (5 mg/d) injection for the second 10-d, and then excipient for the last 10-d. Pigs were randomly assigned to one of six dietary treatments (2 pigs/diet) and fed 4 times per d at $92g/kg\;BW^{0.75}$ $(3{\times}maintenance)$. Means for the excipient period were compared to means for the pST period. Urinary nitrogen (N) output declined in pST-treated pigs (p<0.01) irrespective of dietary protein content or lysine level. Nitrogen retention increased by an average of 11% (p<0.01) with pST treatment (726 vs. $803mg\;N/kg^{0.75}\;BW/d$). Forty-eight percent of the absorbed N was retained with Low-lysine diets, but this increased to 53% with pST injection (+11%, p<0.01). Pigs fed High-lysine diets retained 62% of absorbed N which increased to 69% with pST (+11% p<0.01). the addition of lysine improved N use by 27% (High vs. Low, p<0.01), but the effect of lysine and pST was additive (+40%). Therefore, pST improves N retention and the efficiency of apparently absorbed N use in growing pigs (>60kg). It does so with diets having the potential for either low or high efficiencies of N use (48% and 62%). More work is needed to determine if the partial efficiency of N use improves in direct proportion to pST dose since the improvement in protein deposition is a function of pST dose.