• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7859-7863
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• 2015

Purpose: To compare the efficacy and toxicity of gemcitabine versus docetaxel in a second-line setting of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients previously treated with platin-based combination chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the medical records of 57 patients treated with single agent gemcitabine or docetaxel in second-line setting of advanced NSCLC who received one prior platinum-based therapy. Results: The mean age was $56.7{\pm}8.39$ years with 55 (96.5%) males and two (3.5%) females. Forty of them received docetaxel and 17 gemcitabine. The mean number of chemotherapy cycles was $6.8{\pm}4.0$ in the gemcitabine group, while it was $4.6{\pm}3.0$ in the docetaxel group. Overall response rates were 8% and 12% (P=0.02) for gemcitabine and docetaxel, respectively. The median survival time was 22 versus 21 months for gemcitabine and docetaxel, respectively. The median times to progression were 8 and 5 months. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of incidence of adverse affects (40% vs 47.1%). All of the hematological side effects were grade 1/2. No major toxicity was encountered necessitating stopping the drug for either group. Conclusions: Treatment with gemcitabine demonstrated clinically equivalent efficacy with a significantly improved safety profile compared with those receiving docetaxel in the second-line setting for advanced NSCLC in this study. Based on these results, treatment with gemcitabine should be considered a standard treatment option for second-line NSCLC.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.1112-1121
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• 2019

Objectives: FDY003 is a raw material for medicine consisting of a natural product that is expected to have the advantages of low side effects and high efficacy. In this study, we predict the efficacy and the standardization of the drug by method validation of anticipated index compounds and the measurement of antioxidant activity. Methods: FDY003 is prepared by extracting and purifying 70% of ethyl alcohol (EtOH). The method validation of cordycepin and chlorogenic acid was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-photo diode array (HPLC-PDA) and the content of FDY003 was calculated. In order to monitor the biological activity of FDY003, antioxidant activity was measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). The equivalent values of antioxidants such as trolox, ascorbic acid, gallic acid, and caffeic acid were measured by ABTS and FRAP. Results: Chlorogenic acid and cordycepin were both found suitable for method validation in HPLC and FDY003 containing 9.92±0.50 and 17.97±0.27 ㎍/g, respectively. In DPPH, the electron donating ability (EDA) value of FDY003 was increased in a concentration dependent manner. FDY003 confirmed antioxidant activity by ABTS and FRAP. Conclusions: FDY003 contains certain components including cordycepin and chlorogenic acid and has antioxidant ability by various mechanisms. Therefore, it is expected that FDY003 is capable of various physiological activities including anti-cancer activity.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2006

One of the main attractions of treatment with herbal medicine is its apparent lack of side effects compared with the drug therapies used in allopathic medicine. However, evidence from various countries suggest that Asian herbal medicine carry a significant risk of contamination with toxic heavy metals at levels that may seriously threaten health. The aims of this study were to analyze and compare concentrations of heavy metals in urine and hair from 184 patients taking herbal medicines in the form of decoctions and/or pills in comparison to 101 control subjects taking either Western or no medications. Levels of metal concentrations exceeding WHO reference values were observed in a number of hair and urine samples for all subjects. After adjusting for potential confounders, taking decoctions or pills was associated with higher levels of some metals (such as Cu, Pb in urine), as well a higher odds ratio of exceeding the upper limit of reference ranges for Pb, Hg in hair. In contrast, taking decoctions or pills was associated with lower levels of some metals (such as Cu in urine and Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb in hair), suggesting that some herbal medicines may have a chelating effect on heavy metals in the body. Overall, the results obtained in the study show a mixed picture and suggest that heavy metals contamination in herbs is sometimes present, but may also be counteracted by the potential for some herbal medicines to act as chelating agents. Further study must be followed to obtain more concrete evidence.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.248-254
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• 2011

Biotransformation of pharmacologically inactive lactone prodrug simvastatin (SV) into pharmacologically active simvastatin ${\beta}$-hydroxy acid (SVA) exhibits inter-species differences due to variations in amount and activity of esterase enzymes. In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of SV and its metabolite SVA following oral doses of SV from controlled-release (CR) tablets and immediate-release (IR) tablets in rodent and canine animal models that features different esterase activity. In rat PK study, no SV was detected in plasma for both formulations due to rapid hydrolysis of SV into SVA by plasma esterase. Besides, no significant differences in PK parameters of SV or SVA were observed between both species. In dog PK study, the relative oral bioavailability of CR tablets in terms of SV was 72.3% compared to IR tablets. Regarding formulation differences in dogs, CR tablets exhibited significantly lower $C_{max}$ (p<0.05), and higher $T_{max}$ (p<0.01) and MRT (p<0.01) for both SV and SVA compared to IR tablets. Accordingly, CR tablets of SV with prolonged drug release profiles in both species might be a potential candidate for a more effective delivery of SV with reduced side effects. Besides, similar PK parameters of SV and SVA in both species despite variation in enzyme activities suggested involvement of equally potent biotransformation pathways in these animal species.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.12-16
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• 2014

Tetanus has high lethality and can cause serious complication, so it is very important to have a quick and exact checkup and treatment. In this study, we conducted a study about clinical characteristics and types of tetanus patients in Daegu Emergency Medical Center and we studied possibility of Tetanos Quick Stick (TQS) as a selective check up to treat tentanus by comparing the results of local checkup kit measured from tetanus quick stick developed to check up tetanus antibody titer and results measured from ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay). The result of the study showed that tetanus happens more to males, and by looking at season, tetanus happened most in summer (from June-August) as 19 cases (45.3%), and when patients come to the emergency medical center, the diagnosis name was electrolyte imbalance 14 cases (33.3%), peripheral nerve 11 cases (26.2%), Meningitis 8 cases (19.0%), drug addiction 7 cases (16.7%), and the patients who are diagnosed as tetanus at the beginning of hospitalization was 2 cases (4.8%). The result of TQS usefulness by comparing with ELISA, in TQS, 42 people was positive and 478 people was negative. it was positive when the result was over 0.1 IU/mL, 48 people was ELISA positive while 472 people was negative. TQS checkup has accuracy of 98%, sensitivity of 83.3%, specificity of 99.5%, positive predictability of 95.2% and negative predictability of 98.3%. The evaluation of current immunity statuses of tetanus patients is available for TQS checkup, and it has an advantage of preventing side effects coming from the injection of unnecessary vaccine and immunoglobulin, and it is thought that it can give help to emergency checkup and treatment at the beginning.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.186-192
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• 1994

Amiodarone has a potent suppressive effect on supraventricular and ventricular dysrhythmias, so has widely used as a class III antiarrhythmic agent. However, significant side effects were noted in over 50% of patients treated. Pulmonary toxicity represents the most serious adverse raeaction limiting the clinical efficacy of this new antidysrhythmic drug. A 66-year-old male had received amiodarone 200mg/day for 7 months to control high grade ventricular premature contraction and was admitted due to dyspnea on exertion for 1 week. At the time of admission end-inspiratory crepitant rale was heard on auscultation. The roentgenogram of his chest revealed reticular and granular radioopaque densities on both lower lung fields and high resonance CT revealed interstitial fibrosis and pneumonic consolidations on the periphery of the both middle and lower lobes. Trans-bronchoscopic lung biopsy revealed nonspecific intersitial fibrosis. The laboratory findings were non-specific. We present a case of amiodarone-induced interstitial pulmonary disease clinically improved by cortico-steroid therapy.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.173-181
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• 1998

Rifampin is common drug to treat tuberculosis. Rifampin induced acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia is rare and severe complication. We have experienced a case of rifampin induced acute renal failure, hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Forty-six years old male was suffered from reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis, and had to medicate antituberculosis drugs including rifampin(600mg/day). Seven years ago, antituberdulosis medication were successfully administered to treat pulmonary tuberculosis without any side effects of drugs. But eight days after readministration of rifampin, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, oliguria, elevated BUN and creatinine were developed. And thrombocytopenia was also identified after administration of rifampin. The patient was recovered slowly after discontinuation of rifampin & intensive medical care. The renal function was normalized at 55 days after cessation of rifampin. The renal pathologic findings were interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis. And, the rifampin dependent antibodies were identified by indirect antiglobulin test in the presence of rifampin. So we report this case with a brief review of literature.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.656-661
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• 2006

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a widely used anticancer drug, but at high dose, it can produce undesirable side effects such as hepatotoxicity. Because silymrin has been used to treat liver disorders, the protective effect of silymarin on CDDP -induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated in rats. Hepatotoxicity was determined by changes in serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST], nitric oxide [NO] levels, albumin and calcium levels, and superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] activities, glutathione content, malondialdehyde [MDA] and nitric oxide [NO] levels in liver tissue of rats. Male albino rats were divided into four groups, 10 rats in each. In the control group, rats were injected i.p. with 0.2 ml of propylene glycol in saline 75/25 (v/v) for 5 consecutive days [Silymarin was dissolved in 0.2 ml of propylene glycol in saline 75/25 v/v]. The second group were injected with CDDP (7.5 mg /kg, I.P.), whereas animals in the third group were i.p. injected with silymarin at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days. The Fourth group received a daily i.p. injection of silymarin (100 mg/kg/day for 5 days) 1 hr before a single i.p. injection of CDDP (7.5 mg/kg). CDDP hepatotoxicity was manifested biochemically by an increase in serum ALT and AST, elevation of MDA and NO in liver tissues as well as a decrease in GSH and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including SOD, GSHPx in liver tissues. In addition, marked decrease in serum NO, albumin and calcium levels were observed. Serum ALT, AST, liver NO level, MDA was found to decreased in the combination group in comparison with the CDDP group. The activities of SOD, GSHPx, GSH and serum NO were lower in CDDP group than both the control and CDDP pretreated with silymarin groups. The results obtained suggested that silymarin significantly attenuated the hepatotoxicity as an indirect target of CDDP in an animal model of CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.75-82
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• 2016

Paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), has been reported to have an effect on several ion channels including human ether-a-go-go-related gene in a SSRI-independent manner. These results suggest that paroxetine may cause side effects on cardiac system. In this study, we investigated the effect of paroxetine on Kv1.5, which is one of cardiac ion channels. The action of paroxetine on the cloned neuronal rat Kv1.5 channels stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was investigated using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique. Paroxetine reduced Kv1.5 whole-cell currents in a reversible concentration-dependent manner, with an $IC_{50}$ value and a Hill coefficient of $4.11{\mu}M$ and 0.98, respectively. Paroxetine accelerated the decay rate of inactivation of Kv1.5 currents without modifying the kinetics of current activation. The inhibition increased steeply between -30 and 0 mV, which corresponded with the voltage range for channel opening. In the voltage range positive to 0 mV, inhibition displayed a weak voltage dependence, consistent with an electrical distance ${\delta}$ of 0.32. The binding ($k_{+1}$) and unbinding ($k_{-1}$) rate constants for paroxetine-induced block of Kv1.5 were $4.9{\mu}M^{-1}s^{-1}$ and $16.1s^{-1}$, respectively. The theoretical $K_D$ value derived by $k_{-1}/k_{+1}$ yielded $3.3{\mu}M$. Paroxetine slowed the deactivation time course, resulting in a tail crossover phenomenon when the tail currents, recorded in the presence and absence of paroxetine, were superimposed. Inhibition of Kv1.5 by paroxetine was use-dependent. The present results suggest that paroxetine acts on Kv1.5 currents as an open-channel blocker.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2003

This study was performed to document the weight loss diet practice and dietary habit related to weight control in child-bearing Korean women. The subjects were 1,434 women aged 17-39 years. The subjects were classified into 3 groups based on BMI: low weight(LW) BMI < 18.5; normal weight(NW), 18.5 BMI 22.9; and overweight(OW), 23.0 BMI. Anthropometric, general characteristics, weight control practice, and the quality of diet were assessed by a questionnaire. LW group had higher rate of smoking and drinking. They also complained more subjective symptom of anemia and used less nutritional supplementation. Weight loss diet had been practiced by about 40% of subjects and the percent was increased with increasing BMI. The reason of weight loss diet were significantly different by BMI groups(p<0.05); LW to keep body in shape, OW for health. Low BMI group had experienced more side effects after weight loss diet(p<0.05). LW group usually used inappropriate method to control weight such as skipping meals and some of OW group reported using drug to lose weight. All subjects have been skipped their meals of 3.9 times per week, especially 4.3 times in LW group. By mini dietary assessment, most of the subjects did not have regular meals. LW group tended to eat what they like and OW group preferred fried food. This study showed that child-bearing aged women make a ceaseless effort apart from their weight, and LW group have a matter of grave concern because of their dietary habit and weight control practice. Additional research should be necessary to assess the relation of health and weight loss diet in young women.