• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.13-22
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• 2011

Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, muscle cramps, dry skin and etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, we do have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to those of Yang-deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of tonifying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Epimedii Herba on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil). Methods: 24 two-month-old Spargue-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) normal(n=6), 2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with Epimedii Herba(n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4 weeks, Epimedii Herba and levothyroxine was administered for 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for a total duration of 2 week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples from all the rats were taken from their hearts and were analyzed. Results: In comparison with normal group, the PTU-induced control group significantly showed hypothyroidism with low T3, T4 and high TSH. In Epimedii Herba group, T4 was significantly increased(p<0.05). There was no significant difference in TSH between the Epimedii Herba treatment group and the control group. And no significant differences were observed in biochemical labs and weight between the Epimedii Herba group and the control group. Conclusions: These results suggest that Epimedii Herba could help thyroid cells to produce thyroid hormones. And no significant side effects related with Epimedii Herba were found, suggesting that it is safe to administer. According to these results, Epimedii Herba may be a safe alternative medicine for hypothyroidism.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 1998

$Mg^{2+}$ is an important regulator of many cardiac functions. However, regulation of intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ activity in the heart is not well characterized. To assess the effect of histamine $H_2$-receptor stimulation on intracellular $Mg^{2+}$ regulation, changes in extracellular $Mg^{2+}$ concentration were examined under a variety of conditions in perfused guinea pig hearts. $Mg^{2+}$ in the cardiac perfusate was measured by atomic absorbance spectrophotometry. The histamine ($10^{-6}$ M) inuced a marked $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from the heart. The $H_2$-receptor antagonists, cimetidine ($10^{-6}$ M), ranitidined ($10^{-5}$ M), but not a H1-receptor antagonist, diphenhydramine ($3{\times}10^{-6}$ M), completely blocked the histamine-induced $Mg^{2+}$ efflux. The $Mg^{2+}$ efflux could also be induced by forskolin ($3{\times}10^{-6}$ M), 8-Cl-cAMP ($2{\times}10^{-4}$ M), permeable cAMP analogue, or dimaprit, ($10^{-5}$ M). However, the carbachol ($10^{-5}$ M) considerably decreased the efflux of $Mg^{2+}$. In the presence of papaverine ($10^{-5}$ M), a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, dimaprit-induced $Mg^{2+}$ efflux was potentiated. These results suggest that a significant $Mg^{2+}$ efflux from perfused guinea pig heart by histamine can be induced by the histamine $H_2$-receptor stimulation and it is suggested that cytosolic cAMP may be linked.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.481-487
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• 2014

Ischemic postconditioning (IPost) could decrease ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. It has not yet reported whether IPost is useful when ischemic heart disease is accompanied with co-morbidities like hyperthyroidism. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of IPost on myocardial IR injury in hyperthyroid male rats. Hyperthyroidism was induced with administration of thyroxine in drinking water (12 mg/L) over a period of 21 days. After thoracotomy, the hearts of control and hyperthyroid rats were perfused in the Langendorff apparatus and subjected to 30 minutes global ischemia, followed by 120 minutes reperfusion; IPost, intermittent early reperfusion, was induced instantly following ischemia. In control rats, IPost significantly improved the left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) and ${\pm}dp/dt$ during reperfusion (p<0.05); however it had no effect in hyperthyroid rats. In addition, hyperthyroidism significantly increased basal $NO_x$ (nitrate+nitrite) content in serum ($125.5{\pm}5.4{\mu}mol/L$ vs. $102.8{\pm}3.7{\mu}mol/L$; p<0.05) and heart ($34.9{\pm}4.1{\mu}mol/L$ vs. $19.9{\pm}1.94{\mu}mol/L$; p<0.05). In hyperthyroid groups, heart $NO_x$ concentration significantly increased after IR and IPost, whereas in the control groups, heart $NO_x$ were significantly higher after IR and lower after IPost (p<0.05). IPost reduced infarct size (p<0.05) only in control groups. In hyperthyroid group subjected to IPost, aminoguanidine, an inducible nitric oxide (NO) inhibitor, significantly reduced both the infarct size and heart $NO_x$ concentrations. In conclusion, unlike normal rats, IPost cycles following reperfusion does not provide cardioprotection against IR injury in hyperthyroid rats; an effect that may be due to NO overproduction because it is restored by iNOS inhibition.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.9
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• pp.777-785
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• 2006

Nelumbinis Semen (NS), or lotus seed, is one of the most well-known traditional herbal medicines and is frequently used to treat cardiovascular symptoms in Korea. The anti-ischemic effects of NS on ischemia-induced isolated rat heart were investigated through analyses of changes in blood pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output. The subjects in this study were divided into two groups: a control, untreated ischemia-induced group, and an ischemia-induced group treated with NS. There were no significant differences in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow and cardiac output between the groups before ischemia was induced. The supply of oxygen and buffer was stopped for ten minutes to induce ischemia in isolated rat hearts, and NS was administered during ischemia induction. NS treatment significantly prevented decreases in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow and cardiac output under ischemic conditions (p<0.01). In addition, the mechanism of the anti-ischemic effects of NS was also examined through quantitation of intracellular calcium content in rat neonatal cardiomyocytes. NS significantly prevented intracellular calcium increases induced by isoproterenol (p<0.01). These results suggest that NS has distinct anti-ischemic effects through calcium antagonism.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2007

Ginsenosides are one of the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of cardiovascular symptoms in korea. The anti-ischemic effects of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, and CK on ischemia-induced isolated rat heart were investigated through analyses of changes in hemodynamics ; blood pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output. The subjects in this study were divided into four groups: normal control, the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK, an ischemia-induced group without any treatment, and an ischemia-induced group treated with the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK. There were no significant differences in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow and cardiac output between them before ischemia was induced. The supply of oxygen and buffer was stopped for five minutes to induce ischemia in isolated rat hearts, and the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK was administered during ischemia induction. Treatments of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK significantly prevented decreases in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output under ischemic conditions. In addition, hemodynamics (except heart rate) of the group treated with the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK significantly recovered 60 minutes after reperfusion compared to the control group (mixture+ischemia vs ischemia - average perfusion pressure: 74.4${\pm}$2.97% vs. 85.1${\pm}$3.01%, average aortic flow volume: 49.11${\pm}$2.72% vs. 59.97${\pm}$2.93%, average coronary flow volume: 58.50${\pm}$2.81% vs. 72.72${\pm}$2.99%, and average cardiac output: 52.47${\pm}$2.78% vs. 63.11${\pm}$2.76%, p<0.01, respectively). These results suggest that treatment of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK has distinct anti-ischemic effects in ex vivo model of ischemia-induced rat heart.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.275-283
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• 2007

Objective : Although hypothyroidism is a common disease in the endocrinology system, it is reported that there are a lot of difficulties in treating it effectively. Aconiti Ra얕 traditionally has been used in treatment of coldness, fatigue, and bradycardia. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of Aconiti Radix on hypothyroidism rat model induced by 6-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU). Methods : Two-month-old rats were used with administration of PTU which induced hypothyroidism in the rats. After 2 weeks, Aconiti Radix and thyroxine were administered, respectively. The body weights were measured every week. After 4 weeks, the blood samples of all rats were taken from their hearts. They were analyzed biochemically and $T_4$ (thyroid hormone) & TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) was measured by ELISA kits. Results : In comparison with normals, controls showed hypothyroidism with significantly low $T_4$ and high TSH the statistics. In Aconiti Radix administration groups significantly increased $T_4$ was observed in the statistics and its effects were dose-dependent. There was no difference statistically in TSH of Aconiti Radix treatment groups from controls, nor were statistical differences observed significantly in biochemical labs and weight of each group. Conclusions : These findings suggest that Aconiti Radix protects thyroid cells and makes thyroid cells produce thyroid hormones. It is also very safe in the view of liver, kidney function, and other metabolism. It may be a useful agent for treating hypothyroidism.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.139-150
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• 1989

A new motor-driven blood pump for artificial heart was developed. In this blood pump, a small size, high torque brushless DC motor was used as an energy converter and the motor rolls back and forth on a circular track. This movement of the "rolling-cyliner" causes blood ejection by alternately pushing left or right polyurethane blood sacs. This moving-actuator mechanism could be eliminate two potential problems of other motor-driven artificial hearts such as large size and poor anastomosis for the implantation. Theoretical analyses on the pump efficiency, the temperature rise, and the inflow mechanism were also performed. In a series of mock circulation tests, the theoretical analyses were compared to the measured hemodynamic and mechanical values. The pump system was shown to have sufficient cardiac output (upto 9 L/min), sensitivity to preload, and mechanical stability to be tested as an implantable total artificial heart.ial heart.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.220-227
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• 2005

Although ketamine has been used in the field of anesthetic medicine for its safety and favourable respiratory effects, the cardiovascular effects of ketamine is still controversial. To clarify the action and mechanism of ketamine upon cardiovascular system, arterial blood pressure, tension of aortic ring, left ventricular developed pressure and heart rate were measured in rats, Ketamine produced two types of effects on arterial blood pressure in anesthetized rats; monophasic effect (blood pressure lowering) and biphasic effect (initial transient blood pressure increasing following sustained lowering), The ketamine-induced lowering of aterial blood pressure showed a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited by the pretreament of $MgCl_2$ and potentiated by the pretreatment of $CaCl_2$. The ketamine-induced lowering of aterial blood pressure was suppressed by the pretreatment of nifedipine, verapamil or lidocaine. In phenylephrine-precontracted endothelium intact (+E) aortic rings, ketamine sometimes caused a small enhancement of contraction ($112.5{\pm}3.6{\%}$). However, in many experiments, ketamine produced a concentration-dependent relaxation in +E aortic rings precontracted with either phenylephrine or KCl. Ketamine-induced relaxation was significantly greater in KCl-precontracted strips than phenylephrine-precontracted strips. In phenylephrine-precontracted +E aortic rings, the ketamine-induced vasorelaxation was not suppressed by endothelium removal or by the pretreatment of a nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, L-$N^G$-nitro-arginine and a guanylate cyclase inhibitors, methylene blue, suggesting that the ketamine-induced vasorelaxation is not dependent on the endothelial function. In addition, ketamine elicited an increase in left ventricular developed pressure in perfused hearts accompanied by decrease in heart rate. These results suggest that ketamine could evoke a hypotension due to vasorelaxation and decrease in heart rate in rats. The inhibitory effect of cardiovascular system might be associated with modulation of $Ca^{2+}$ homeostasis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.63-66
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• 2006

This case was found in Holstein cow suffering from dystocia. The twin calves in uterus were dead and removed by fetotomy. Gross anatomical analysis of thoracopagus siamese calf was carried out. Two normal heads were present on two necks, however, the twins were fused in the thoracic region. There were four forelimbs and an abnormal orientation of ribs. Two separate vertebral columns along the length of the animal ended with two tails. A single pericardium lay on the midline when opening the thorax. However, there were two almost completely hearts within the pericardial sac. Two heart were joined by a common cavernous venous sinuous. There were two sets of lungs. Each twins had a separate esophagus that entered a separated stomach. A large liver was fused and connected into two duodenums. The pelvis, large intestines and urinary tracts were separated. The twins are female and have a full complement of limb.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.155-166
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• 1969

Heterotopic abdominal homograft of canine heart was carried out in 20 pairs of dogs. Of these 12 cases were subjected as a control and 8 were subjected to immunosuppressive group. The dosage of immunosuppressive agent was 5mg/kg/day of Imuran [Azathioprine] for 3 days preoperatively, 10mg/kg on operative day and 5mg/kg/day postoperatively. For reducing the metabolic demand, the donor heart was preserved in 4degree heparinized saline solution for approximately I4 minutes. In the most of the cases, transplantation was performed with the technique of end-to-side aorto-aortic anastomosis and end-to-side pulmonary artery-inferior vena cava anastomosis at the infrarenal portion. Five out of 20 grafted dogs were survived more than one day. The longest survived 18 days in the control group and survive more than 60 days in the treated group. The survival cases were 3 out of 8[37. 5%] in the group of dogs treated with lmuran and 2`out of 12 [16.6%] in the group of non-treated. A prominent gross findings of the grafted heart was a minimal to moderate degree of dilatation of the heart with or without thrombosis in the cardiac chambers and/or anastomotic site. The case number 10, 15, and 19 showed moderate hypertrophy in grossly. The microscopic findings were as follows; 1. There were early hypersensitive histologic reactions such as interstitial edema, cellular infiltrations and early degenerative changes in the myocardium in the cases of 3 hour survival. 2. In the cases of more than 6 hours survival, organizing thrombosis of myocardial vessels, vasculitis,myocardial necrosis and lymphocyte, plasma cell, round cell infiltrations were noted. In the cases of more than 12 hours survival, the degree of these histologic changes especially in the non-treated group were more intensified than in the treated. 3. In the cases which survived more than one day, so called homograft specific histologic changes were milder in the immunosuppressive group compared with the control. 4. All the host hearts showed no evidence of pathologic findings histologically. Among the homologous canine cardiac transplantation tissue reaction, was milder and suvival time longer in the group treated with immunosuppressive drug.