• Molecules and Cells
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2007

Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) are frequent forms of genetically heterogeneous peripheral neuropathies. Reciprocal unequal crossover between flanking CMT1A-REPs on chromosome 17p11.2-p12 is a major cause of CMT type 1A (CMT1A) and HNPP. The importance of a sensitive and rapid method for identifying the CMT1A duplication and HNPP deletion is being emphasized. In the present study, we established a molecular diagnostic method for the CMT1A duplication and HNPP deletion based on hexaplex PCR of 6 microsatellite markers (D17S921, D17S9B, D17S9A, D17S918, D17S4A and D17S2230). The method is highly time-, cost- and sample-saving because the six markers are amplified by a single PCR reaction and resolved with a single capillary in 3 h. Several statistical and forensic estimates indicated that most of these markers are likely to be useful for diagnosing the peripheral neuropathies. Reproducibility, as determined by concordance between independent tests, was estimated to be 100%. The likelihood that genotypes of all six markers are homozygous in randomly selected individuals was calculated to be $1.6{\times}10^{-4}$, which indicates that the statistical error rate for this diagnosis of HNPP deletion is only 0.016%.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.51-53
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• 2003

This study was conducted to compare the bioavailability of a generic product of Sinil Atenolol Tablets (Sinil Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Korea) with the innovator product, $Tenormin^{\circledR}$ Tablets in 20 healthy Korean volunteers. The volunteers received a single 50 mg dose of each atenolol formulation according to a randomized, two-way crossover design. Plasma samples were obtained over a 24-hour interval, and atenolol concentrations were determined by HPLC with a fluorescence detector. From the plasma atenolol concentration vs time curves, the following parameters were compared: area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC), peak plasma concentration $(C_{max})$, time to reach peak plasma concentration $(T_{max})$, and terminal first order elimination half-life $(t_{1/2})$. No statistically significant difference was obtained between the $T_{max}$ values, and the logarithmic transformed AUC and $C_{max}$ values of the two products. The 90% confidence for the ratio of the logarithmically transformed AUC and $C_{max}$ values of Sinil Atenolol Tablets over those of $Tenormin^{\circledR}$ Tablets were calculated to be between 0.99 and 1.07, and 1.04 and 1.16, respectively; both were within the bioequivalence limit of 0.80-1.25. The mean of $T_{max}$ in $Tenormin^{\circledR}$ Tablet group was 3.68 hour, and that in Sinil Atenolol Tablet group was 3.65 hour. The values of $t_{1/2}$ between the two products were found comparable, and the mean $t_{1/2}$ values of $Tenormin^{\circledR}$ Tablets and Sinil Atenolol Tablets were 5.9 and 6.0 hour, respectively. Based on these results, it was concluded that Sinil Atenolol Tablets were comparable to $Tenormin^{\circledR}$ Tablets in both the rate and extent of absorption, indicating that Sinil Atenolol Tablets were bioequivalent to the reference product, $Tenormin^{\circledR}$ Tablets

• International Journal of Vascular Biomedical Engineering
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2003

Axillo-bifemoral (Ax-Fem) bypass are now well accepted for bilateral iliac artery occlusion as the second best option. This extra-anatomical (unnatural) bypasses, however, have various hemodynamic liabilities affecting the patency. Hemodynamic conditions of each different type of Ax-Fem bypass were assessed with computer simulation model to determine the hemodynamically more sound type. Simulation models of five different types of Ax-Fem bypass were constructed. Our investigation based on the computer simulation models have shown distinct differences between two most popular Lazy-S type and Inverted-C type on the distribution of flow volume, shear stress and recirculation zone, etc., though both types have shown similar clinical results. Lazy-S type has shown better hemodyanmic status than inverted-C type. The theoretical advantage of "Lazy-S" type has never been adequately proved for its superiority clinically over the inverted-C type. Inverted-C type is now in more favor with clinically better results in spite of many hemodynamic liabilities including retrograde flow to the branching graft. The improvement of over-all long-term patency rate of various extra-anatomical bypasses is still warranted through proper correction of the hemodynamic liability. Even though clinical outcome of the extra-anatomical bypass has been equal regardless of the type of crossover femoral graft configuration, there are distinct differences on the hemodynamic characteristics among various types of configuration. Further hemodynamic study in the pulsatile flow status is warranted to correct hemodynamic defects with proper modification of various hemodynamic factors of each model.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.894-899
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• 2007

An experiment was conducted using a [6, 6-$^2H$]glucose isotope dilution method to determine the effects of plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) on plasma glucose metabolism in sheep taken from a thermoneutral environment and exposed to a hot environment. The sheep were fed either mixed hay (MH) of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) at a 60:40 ratio or MH and plantain (PL) at a 9:1 ratio in a crossover design for each 23-day period. In both dietary treatments the metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein intake were designed to be isoenergetic and isoproteinous at around maintenance level. The sheep were taken from a thermoneutral environment ($20^{\circ}C$, 70% RH) and exposed to a hot environment ($28-30^{\circ}C$, 70% RH) for 5 days. The isotope dilution method using a single injection of [6, 6-$^2H$]glucose was performed on the $18^{th}$ day of the thermoneutral environment and on the $5^{th}$ day of heat exposure. Plasma glucose pool size was numerically lower (p = 0.26) during heat exposure on both dietary treatments, and numerically higher (p = 0.13) on the MH diet irrespective of environmental temperature. Plasma NEFA concentration (p = 0.01) and glucose turnover rate (p = 0.03) were decreased during heat exposure, but remained similar between diets. It could be concluded that, although no positive impact of plantain on glucose metabolism was found under the present experimental conditions (plantain constituted only 10% of basal diet), plantain herb is an alternative to MH for rearing sheep in both thermoneutral and hot environments.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.249-254
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• 2007

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two baclofen tablets, $Baclan^{TM}$ tablet (Yooyoung Pharm. Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea, reference drug) and Taepyungyang Baclofen tablet (Pacificpharma Corporation, Seoul, Korea, test drug), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). Twenty-four healthy male Korean volunteers received three tablets containing baclofen 10 mg in a $2{\times}2$ crossover study. There was a one-week washout period between the doses. Plasma concentrations of baclofen were monitored for over a period of 24 hr after the administration by using an LC-MS/MS. $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were compiled from the plasma concentration-time data. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$. The 90% confidence intervals of the $AUC_t$ and the $C_{max}$ for Taepyungyang $Baclofen/Baclan^{TM}$ were $log0.92{\sim}log1.06\;and\;log1.03{\sim}log1.22$, respectively. These values were within the acceptable bioequivalence intervals of $log0.80{\sim}log1.25$. It was concluded that Taepyungyang Baclofen tablet was bioequivalent to $Baclan^{TM}$ tablet, in terms of both rate and extent of absorption.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.309-315
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• 2011

A sensitive and specific liquid chromatographic method coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was developed for the analysis of ambroxol (active moiety of acebrophylline). After acetonitrile precipitation of proteins from plasma samples, ambroxol and the domperidone (internal standard, IS) were eluted on a C18 column. The isocratic mobile phase was consisted of 10 mM ammonium acetate and methanol (10 : 90, v/v), with flow rate at 0.2 mL/min. A tandem mass spectrometer, as detector, was used for quantitative analysis in positive mode by a multiple reaction monitoring mode to monitor the m/z 379.2${\rightarrow}$264.0 and the m/z 426.2${\rightarrow}$175.1 transitions for ambroxol and the IS, respectively. Twenty four healthy Korean male subjects received two capsules (100 mg ${\times}$ 2) of either the test or the reference formulation of acebrophylline HCl in a 2 ${\times}$ 2 crossover study, this was followed by a 1week washout period between either formulation. $AUC_{0-t}$ (the area under the plasma concentration-time curve) was calculated by the linear trapezoidal rule. $C_{max}$ (maximum plasma drug concentration) and $T_{max}$ (time to reach $C_{max}$) were compiled from the plasma concentration-time data. The 90% confidence intervals for the log transformed data were acceptable range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., log 0.8964 - log 0.9910 for $AUC_{0-t}$ log 0.8690 - log 1.0750 for $C_{max}$). The major parameters, $AUC_{0-t}$ and $C_{max}$ met the criteria of Korea Food and Drug Administration for bioequivalence indicating that Acephyll$^{(R)}$ capsule (test) is bioequivalent to Surfolase$^{(R)}$ capsule (reference).

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2005

The interaction of cyclosporine A (CsA), an immunosuppressant, with rat brain Kv1.5 (Kv1.5) channels, which were stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells, was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. CsA reversibly blocked Kv1.5 currents at +50 mV in a reversible concentrationdependent manner with an apparent $IC_{50}$ of 1.0μM. Other calcineurin inhibitors (cypermethrin, autoinhibitory peptide) had no effect on Kv1.5 and did not prevent the inhibitory effect of CsA. Fast application of CsA led to a rapid and reversible block of Kv1.5, and the onset time constants of the CsA-induced block were decreased in a concentration-dependent manner. The CsA-induced block of Kv1.5 channels was voltage-dependent, with a steep increase over the voltage range of channel opening. However, the block exhibited voltage independence over the voltage range in which channels were fully activated. The rate constants for association and dissociation of CsA were $7.0{\mu}M{-1}s^{-1}$ and $8.1s^{-1}$, respectively. CsA slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon. Block of Kv1.5 by CsA was use-dependent. CsA also blocked Kv1.3 currents at +50 mV in a reversible concentration-dependent manner with an apparent $IC_{50}$ of $1.1{\mu}M$. The same effects of CsA on Kv1.3 were also observed in excised inside-out patches when applied to the internal surface of the membrane. The present results suggest that CsA acts directly on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker, independently of the effects of CsA on calcineurin activity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.193-200
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• 2016

Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been reported to lead to cardiac toxicity even at therapeutic doses including sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmia. And in a SSRI-independent manner, sertraline has been known to inhibit various voltage-dependent channels, which play an important role in regulation of cardiovascular system. In the present study, we investigated the action of sertraline on Kv1.5, which is one of cardiac ion channels. The effect of sertraline on the cloned neuronal rat Kv1.5 channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Sertraline reduced Kv1.5 whole-cell currents in a reversible concentration-dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value and a Hill coefficient of $0.71{\mu}M$ and 1.29, respectively. Sertraline accelerated the decay rate of inactivation of Kv1.5 currents without modifying the kinetics of current activation. The inhibition increased steeply between -20 and 0 mV, which corresponded with the voltage range for channel opening. In the voltage range positive to +10 mV, inhibition displayed a weak voltage dependence, consistent with an electrical distance ${\delta}$ of 0.16. Sertraline slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon when the tail currents, recorded in the presence and absence of sertraline, were superimposed. Inhibition of Kv1.5 by sertraline was use-dependent. The present results suggest that sertraline acts on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.71-80
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• 2018

In patients with epilepsy, depression is a common comorbidity but difficult to be treated because many antidepressants cause pro-convulsive effects. Thus, it is important to identify the risk of seizures associated with antidepressants. To determine whether paroxetine, a very potent selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), interacts with ion channels that modulate neuronal excitability, we examined the effects of paroxetine on Kv3.1 potassium channels, which contribute to high-frequency firing of interneurons, using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Kv3.1 channels were cloned from rat neurons and expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Paroxetine reversibly reduced the amplitude of Kv3.1 current, with an $IC_{50}$ value of $9.43{\mu}M$ and a Hill coefficient of 1.43, and also accelerated the decay of Kv3.1 current. The paroxetine-induced inhibition of Kv3.1 channels was voltage-dependent even when the channels were fully open. The binding ($k_{+1}$) and unbinding ($k_{-1}$) rate constants for the paroxetine effect were $4.5{\mu}M^{-1}s^{-1}$ and $35.8s^{-1}$, respectively, yielding a calculated $K_D$ value of $7.9{\mu}M$. The analyses of Kv3.1 tail current indicated that paroxetine did not affect ion selectivity and slowed its deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon. Paroxetine inhibited Kv3.1 channels in a use-dependent manner. Taken together, these results suggest that paroxetine blocks the open state of Kv3.1 channels. Given the role of Kv3.1 in fast spiking of interneurons, our data imply that the blockade of Kv3.1 by paroxetine might elevate epileptic activity of neural networks by interfering with repetitive firing of inhibitory neurons.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.256-262
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• 2015

Background: Heart attack is the most common cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Daily aspirin therapy is a preventative measure used to reduce the morbidity of heart attacks but may decrease the ability to dissipate heat by reducing skin blood flow. Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, firefighters were randomized to receive 14 days of therapy (81-mg aspirin or placebo) before performing treadmill exercise in thermal-protective clothing in a hot room [$38.8{\pm}2.1^{\circ}C$, $24.9{\pm}9.1%$ relative humidity (RH)]. Three weeks without therapy was provided before crossing to the other arm. Firefighters completed a baseline skin blood-flow assessment via laser Doppler flowmetry; skin was heated to $44^{\circ}C$ to achieve maximal cutaneous vasodilation. Skin blood flow was measured before and after exercise in a hot room, and at 0 minutes, 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and 30 minutes of recovery under temperature conditions ($25.3{\pm}1.2^{\circ}C$, $40.3{\pm}13.7%\;RH$). Platelet clotting time was assessed before drug administration, and before and after exercise. Results: Fifteen firefighters completed the study. Aspirin increased clotting time before and after exercise compared with placebo (p = 0.003). There were no differences in absolute skin blood flow between groups (p = 0.35). Following exercise, cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) was $85{\pm}42%$ of maximum in the aspirin and $76{\pm}37%$ in the placebo groups. The percentage of maximal CVC did not differ by treatment before or after recovery. Neither maximal core body temperature nor heart rate responses to exercise differed between trials. Conclusion: There were no differences in skin blood flow during uncompensable heat stress following exercise after aspirin or placebo therapy.