• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.165-172
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• 2005

The aim of this study was to determine the roles of ET-1 and NO on uterine blood flow in pregnancy. Uterine arteries were isolated from 17 nonpregnant and 12 pregnant women. Nonpregnant group included patients with median age of $48.6{\pm}2.3$ years who underwent hysterectomy, because of myoma. Pregnant group included patients with median age of $31.3{\pm}1.4$ years undergoing cesarean delivery. ET-1 and ET-2 induced concentration-dependent contraction in isolated nonpregnant and pregnant uterine arteries. The contractile response and maximal contraction were increased in pregnant uterine arteries. In nonpregnant uterine arteries, there was no contraction in response to ET-3, whereas pregnancy induced concentration-dependent contraction by ET-3. Tissue nitrite/nitrate level and immunohistochemical staining of eNOS and iNOS were increased in pregnant uterine arteries, compared with nonpregnant uterine arteries. In addition, the expressions of eNOS and iNOS mRNA were significantly increased in pregnancy. Moreover, contractions by ET isopeptides, including ET-1, were enhanced, and immunohistochemical staining of ET-1 and ET-1 mRNA expression was increased in pregnant uterine arteries. These results suggest that NO production by increased NOS activity, especially eNOS activity, is related to placental and uterine blood flow. Furthermore, ET-1 appears to play a pathophysiological role in pregnant complications such as hypertension.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.167-172
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• 2006

In the present study, we developed a simple method to predict the neuronal cell death in the mouse hippocampus and striatum following transient global forebrain ischemia by evaluating both cerebral blood flow and the plasticity of the posterior communicating artery (PcomA). Male C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized with halothane and subjected to bilateral occlusion of the common carotid artery (BCCAO) for 30 min. The regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured by laser Doppler flowmetry. The plasticity of PcomA was visualized by intravascular perfusion of India ink solution. When animals had the residual cortical microperfusion less than 15% as well as the smaller PcomA whose diameter was less than one third compared with that of basilar artery, neuronal damage in the hippocampal subfields including CA1, CA2, and CA4, and in the striatum was consistently observed. Especially, when mice met these two criteria, marked neuronal damage was observed in CA2 subfield of the hippocampus. In contrast, after transient BCCAO, neuronal damage was consistently produced in the striatum, dependent more on the degree of rCBF reduction than on the plasticity of PcomA. The present study provided simple and highly reproducible criteria to induce the neuronal cell death in the vulnerable mice brain areas including the hippocampus and striatum after transient global forebrain ischemia.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.189-195
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• 2005

To assess the effect of pinitol supplementation and strength training for two weeks on the anaerobic capacity during and after exercise, and improvement of glucose metabolism during the recovery period of muscular fatigue with repeated acute bouts of cycling exercise, a total of 24 healthy young men were recruited and randomly and equally divided into three groups; pinitol supplementation group (PSG), placebo group (PLG), and control group (CON). Using a randomized double-blinded design, subjects in PSG were provided pinitol supplement, consumed orally 1.2 g/day, and participated in the resistance exercise program and cycling exercise for two weeks. Subjects in PLG underwent the same protocol as those in PSG but consumed the same amount of placebo. No supplementation and exercise program was given to CON. Before and after the intervention, all subjects were tested for their anaerobic capacities evaluated by Wingate test twice separated by 30 min. During the test, peak anaerobic power (PP), mean anaerobic power, total work, and fatigue index were evaluated During resting and recovery, blood samples were drawn and plasma pinitol, myo-inositol, chiro-inositol, insulin, free fatty acid, glucose, and lactate levels were analyzed After two weeks, PP and relative PP of the second biking were improved from the first biking in PSG only (p<0.05). No changes were found in all other variables of Wingate test in all groups. No statistical differences between groups and pre- and post-intervention were observed in concentrations of pinitol, myo-inositol, and chiro-inositol, but pinitol concentration was higher during recovery compared to the baseline in all groups and testings (p<0.05). Lactate level during recovery was higher than the resting level, but no other blood parameters were significantly changed. In conclusion, two weeks of pinitol supplementation in conjunction with short duration of anaerobic training in healthy young men did not induce any obvious benefits in terms of anaerobic capacity and energy metabolism Individual and/or population susceptibility may be one factor responsible for adopting pinitol supplementation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.5
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• pp.555-563
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• 1998

The renal function is under regulatory influence of central nervous system (CNS), in which various neurotransmitter and neuromodulator systems take part. However, a possible role of central GABA-benzodiazepine system on the central regulation of renal function has not been explored. This study was undertaken to delineate the renal effects of diazepam. Diazepam, a benzodiazepine agonist, administered into a lateral ventricle (icv) of the rabbit brain in doses ranging from 10 to 100 ${\mu}g/kg,$ elicited dose-related diuresis and natriuresis along with improved renal hemodynamics. However, when given intravenously, 100 ${\mu}g/kg$ diazepam did not produce any significant changes in all parameters of renal function and systemic blood pressure. Diazepam, 100 ${\mu}g/kg$ icv, transiently decreased the renal nerve activity (RNA), which recovered after 3 min. The plasma level of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) increased 7-fold, the peak coinciding with the natriuresis and diuresis. Muscimol, a GABAergic agonist, 1.0 ${\mu}g/kg$ given icv, elicited marked antidiuresis and antinatriuresis, accompanied by decreases in systemic blood pressure and renal hemodynamics. When icv 0.3 ${\mu}g/kg$ muscimol was given 3 min prior to 30 ${\mu}g/kg$ of diazepam icv, urinary flow and Na excretion rates did not change significantly, while systemic hypotension was produced. These results indicate that icv diazepam may bring about natriuresis and diuresis by influencing the central regulation of renal function, and that the renal effects are related to the increased plasma ANP levels, not to the decreased renal nerve activity, and suggest that the effects may not be mediated by the activation of central GABAergic system.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.319-327
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• 2004

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of defibrotide on the development of the surgically induced reflux esophagitis, on gastric secretion, lipid peroxidation, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) accumulation, polymorphonuclear leukocytes adherence, superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production in PMNs, scavenge of hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide, cytokine (interleukin-1 ${\beta}$, tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$) production in blood, and intracelluar calcium mobilization in PMNs. Defibrotide did not inhibit the gastric secretion and not change the gastric pH. Treatment of esophagitis rats with defibrotide inhibited lipid peroxidation, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the esophagus in comparison with untreated rats. Defibrotide significantly decreased the PMN adherence to superior mesenteric artery endothelium in a dose-dependent manner, Superoxide anion and hydrogen peroxide production in $1{\mu}M$ formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (fMLP)- or $0.1{\mu}g/ml$ N-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-activated PMNs was inhibited by defibrotide in a dose-dependent fashion. Defibrotide effectively scavenged the hydrogen peroxide but did not scavenge the hydroxyl radical. Treatment of esophagitis rats with defibrotide inhibited interleukin-1 ${\beta}$ production in the blood in comparison with untreated rats, but tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ production was not affected by defibrotide. The fMLP-induced elevation of intracellular calcium in PMNs was inhibited by defibrotide. The results of this study suggest that defibrotide may have partly beneficial protective effects against reflux esophagitis by the inhibition lipid peroxidation, PMNs accumulation, PMNs adherence to endothelium, reactive oxygen species production in PMNs, inflammatory cytokine production(i.e. interleukin-1 ${\beta}$), and intracellular calcium mobilization in PMNs in rats.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.211-219
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• 2008

목적 : 전통적으로 태충($LR_3$)과 양릉천($GB_{34}$)은 운동기능과 관련된 질환에 사용되어 왔다. 우리는 두뇌에 신경독을 주입하여 파킨슨병 쥐모델을 제작하였고, 쥐는 운동기능이 손상되고 도파민성 신경세포가 선택적으로 소멸하였다. 병증 모델 쥐에게 태충과 양릉천에 자침한 결과 운동기능이 개선되고 신경세포보호효과가 나타남을 관찰한 바 있다. 이에 실제로 태충과 양릉천에 자침하여 운동기능과 관련된 추체외로 영역에서 신경의 활성화가 나타나는지를 fMRI를 통하여 관찰하였다. 방법 : 자침은 수기침을 선택하였으며, 혈위는 (1) 태충, (2) 양릉천, (3) 태충+양릉천의 세군데를 설정하였고, 자침에 대한 대조자극으로 피부자극을 채택하였다. fMRI 스캐너는 3T를 사용하였고 뇌신경 활성화의 신호는 BOLD(blood-oxygen-level dependant)를 관찰하였다. 두뇌에서 관찰부위는 중뇌를 중심으로 추체외로로 한정하였다. 결과 : 태충에 자침하였을 때 두뇌의 substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, red nucleus, pons 등이 활성화 되었다. 양릉천에 자침하였을 때 substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, caudate nucleus, thalamus가 활성화 되었다. 태충과 양릉천에 동시에 자침하였을 때는 substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, red nucleus, globus pallidus가 활성화되었다. 대조자극에 의해서는 위의 영역들이 활성화되지 않았다. 결론 : 태충, 양릉천, 태충+양릉천 자극은 대뇌에서 추체외로 영역을 활성화시키며 특히 substantia nigra의 활성화는 파킨슨병과 같은 질환의 조절가능성을 시사한다.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.919-924
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• 2009

The liver is one of the principal organs involved in glucose metabolism. Diabetes mellitus(DM) commonly develops in patients with liver cirrhosis as a result of hepatocyte dysfunction. Hepatic encephalopathy(HE) is a major neuropsychiatric complication of liver cirrhosis. HE develops frequently in advanced stage of liver cirrhosis due to portal hypertension. We experienced a case of liver cirrhosis with DM and HE in 67 years old male patient. The patient's symptoms were lethargy, general malaise, asterixis, dizziness, and heavy headedness. Hwangryunjihwang-tang, Saengkankunbi-tang, Injinchija-tang and Injinho-tang were prescribed to the patient. Finally, the symptoms had been improved, however significant change was not observed from serum ammonia, fasting blood sugar and postparandial blood sugar. So we hope that this case report will be helpful in treating patient of liver cirrhosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.1194-1201
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• 2003

Jaeumgenby-tang(JGT) have been used in oriental medicine for many centries as a therapeutic agent of vertigo caused by deficiency of qi(氣) and blood(血). Effect of Aurantii Fructus(AF) take off the phlegm by promoting the circulation of qi, Gastrodae Rhizoma(GR) has effects treating for headarch, vertigo by calming the liver and suppressing hyperactivity of the liver-yang (陽). I investigated whether injection of JGT adding AFㆍGR extract(JTG) affects cerebral hemodynamics [regional cerebral blood f1ow(rCBF), pial arterial diameter(PAD) in cerebral ischemia rats by MCA occlusion method, and I designed to make manifest whether JTG is mediated by adrenergic β-receptor, cyclooxygenase or guanylate cyclase. The changes of rCBF was determinated by laser-doppler flowmetry(LDF), and the changes of PAD was determinated by video microscope and width analyzer. The results were as follows in cerebral ischemic rats; The changes of rCBF and PAD were increased stabilizly by treatment with JTG(10 ㎎/kg, i.v.) during the period of cerebral reperfusion, and pretreatment with propranolol and indomethacin were increased JTG induced increase of rCBF and PAD during the period of cerebral reperfusion. Pretreatment methylene blue was decreased JTG induced increase of rCBF and PAD during the period of cerebral reperfusion. In conclusion, JTG causes a diverse response of rCBF and PAD, and action of JTG is mediated by adrenergic β-receptor and cyclooxygenase. I suggest that JTG has an anti-ischemic effect through the improvement of crebral hemodynamics.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.460-466
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• 2006

We wondered whether the mechanisms of antiplatelet aggregation of DJS-WE were through multiple pathways. Danggijakyak-san(DJS) consisting of 6 herbes of Paeoniae Radix, Poria Cocos, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Cnidii Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Alismatis Rhizoma, is a crude mixture of a commonly used Korean herbal medicine. The water extract (DJS-WE) of DJS has been known to have an anti-platelet aggregation activity. We have reported that DJS-WE inhibited ADP-induced aggregation as well as arachidonic acid-induced aggregation of human platelet. Clinical studies on the cardiovascular effects of DJS-WE have been done in Korea. The DJS has been used as a remedy for gastrointestinal disorders (abdominal pain, dysentery), headache, amenorrhea, and postpartum hemorrhage. It has also been claimed to have a remarkable central stimulant effect, a transient hypertensive effect, and positive inotropic and chronotropic effects. In this paper, we evaluated the possible mechanisms of the antiplatelet activity of DJS-WE using human platelets. On the other hand, the role of DJS-ethanol extract on the inhibition of platelet aggregation and hemolytic effect have not yet been investigated in detail. We also used the method of activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) for the first time to study the inhibition on platelet aggregation activity of DJS-ethanol extract. The effect of DJS-WE on hemolysis was also investigated. DJS-WE showed a high hemolysis ability on human blood.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.361-369
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• 2015

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) is a common disease among male. However, its cause and treatment are not known and it is easy to relapse to the patients again after some treatment. Chinese has got an active research on BPH of traditional Chinese medicine. We researched the Chinese clinical papers from 2000 to 2014. After translating those papers, we analyzed total 45 papers by classifying those according to frequently used prescriptions, differentiation of symptoms, signs, addition and subtraction of each medicine and the quantity of frequently used medicines. Through this study it was to provide evidence in the diagnosis and treatment of BPH. The prescription of BPH was classified according to its stage. Mainly damp heat patterns(濕熱型) induce dysuria, Qi-stagnation and blood stasis patterns(氣滯血瘀型) induce pain, While Kidney deficiency patterns(腎虛型) induce sexual function disorder. This analysis report would be able to provide the basis of taking a research on BPH. In addition, it could be applied on a stereotype of BPH as well as a variety of symptoms with frequently used prescription and addition and subtraction of each medicine.