• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.212-218
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• 2010

Korean red ginseng (KRG) has been shown to enhance endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation in experimental animals; however, little is known about its pharmacological effects on vascular stiffness in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial was carried out to determine whether KRG has beneficial effects on arterial stiffness, cardiovascular risk factors such as plasma lipid profiles and blood pressure (BP), and Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) activity. Twenty patients (mean age, 62.5 years) with stable angina pectoris were given KRG (2.7 g/day) and a placebo alternatively for 10 weeks. Blood biochemical analysis and pulse wave velocity (PWV) recording were performed on day 0 and after the completion of each treatment. ROCK activity was assessed based on the level of phospho-$Thr^{853}$ in the myosin-binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase, determined by Western blot analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. KRG significantly decreased the systolic BP, brachial ankle PWV, and heart femoral PWV in the patients (all p<0.05), but did not significantly alter the serum lipid profiles, including triglycerides and total, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. The ROCK activity tended to decrease (p=0.068) following KRG treatment. The placebo did not significantly alter any of the variables. In conclusion, KRG decreased systolic BP and arterial stiffness, probably via the inhibition of ROCK activity, in patients with CAD, but had a neutral effect on serum lipid profiles. Our data suggest that KRG has a therapeutic effect on CAD.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.170-177
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• 2018

Purpose: Preterm infants frequently require red blood cell (RBC) transfusions in neonatal intensive care units (NICU). Storage RBCs undergo many changes during storage periods. We aimed to compare the hemoglobin (Hb) correction effect according to the period of RBC storage and investigate the factors influencing Hb correction. Methods: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 289 patients who received RBC transfusion more than once in the NICU of Kosin University Gospel Hospital between February 2006 and March 2016. The subjects were classified into two storage groups: short-term (${\leq}7days$, n=88) and long-term (>7 days, n=201), according to the period of RBC storage. We checked Hb levels by complete blood cell count tests conducted within 2 days before and 5 to 9 days after the first transfusion. We compared the Hb difference between the two groups and analyzed the factors influencing Hb correction. Results: Excluding the use of an invasive ventilator, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of clinical characteristics. There was no significant difference in the Hb correction effect between the two groups (P=0.537). Birth weight greater than 1,500 g, higher weight at transfusion, and larger volume of transfusion were significant prognostic factors affecting greater changes in Hb. In addition, surgery experience, higher Hb level at transfusion, and additional blood tests were found to be significantly associated with less changes in Hb. Conclusion: The RBC storage period did not affect the Hb correction effect. The Hb correction effect may be diminished in infants with lower birth weight and lower weight at transfusion under unstable clinical conditions.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.153-166
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• 1984

The anticancer activities of petroleum ether extract of Panax ginseng root(crude GX) and its partially purified fraction from silicic acid column chromatography (7:3 GX) were studied with Sarcoma 180(S-180) or Walker carcinosarcoma 256 (Walker 256) in vivo and with L1210 leukemic lympocyte in vitro. Potential cytotoxic activities of the crude GX and against L1210 cells were compared with those of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and saponin derivatives (Panax-diol, Panax-triol, Diol saponin, Triol saponin) in vitro. In order to observe the physiological effects of the crude GX and 7:3 GX on the animals with cancer, hemoglobin(Hb), red blood cell(R.B.C) and white blood cell after treatment with each GX in comparison with corresponding control groups, respectively. The anticancer effects of the crude GX and 7:3 GX were estimated by measuring the survival time of S-180 bearing mice after treatment with them. The experimental results obtained are summarized as follows; 1. The one unit of cytotoxic activity against L1210 cells was equivalent to 2.54$\mu\textrm{g}$ and 0.88$\mu\textrm{g}$of the crude GX and 7:3 GX per ml of culture medium, respectively. 2. The cytotoxic activities of Panax-diol, Panax=triol, Diol saponin and triol saponin against L1210 cells were not detected. 3. The anticancer activities of 5-FU against L1210, S-180 and Walker 256 were very effective in vivo and vitro tests. 4. The significantly increased W.B.C values of mice after inoculation with S-180 cells were reduced to normal range by the crude GX treatment. 5. The significantly decreased Hb values of rats after inoculation with Walker 256 were recovered to normal range by oral administration of the crude GX. 6. The survival times of mice inoculated with S-180 cells were extended about 1.5 to 2 times by the 7:3 GX treatment compared with their control group.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.269-284
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• 2019

This study was to investigate whether cultivated ginseng (CG), cultivated wild simulated ginseng (CWG) and cultivated red ginseng (CRG) extracts influences on the obesity. The saponin contents of 3 kinds of ginsengs were analysed by HPLC-ESI-TOF-MS. Total saponin contents were determined in CG on the most contents and since red ginseng has the highest PD (protopanaxadiol type) / PT (protopanaxatriol type) ratio, there may be differences between ginseng, wild ginseng, and red ginseng with respect to their pharmacological effects. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet(N), HFD (60% Kcal fat, C), HFD with CG, CWG and CRG extracts (800 mg/kg) for 5 weeks. We observed change of total body weight, degree of hepatic lipid accumulation and immunohistochemical change of GLP-1 and insulin-secreting cells. Also this study attempts to use the physiological analysis method to analyze the changes of blood lipids, insulin and leptin concentration. The change of body weight and size of accumulated lipid droplets in liver lobules decreased in all of the experimental groups than the control(C) group. In the pancreas, the immunohistochemical density of insulin-secreting cells were significantly stronger in the CWG and CRG than C group. The levels of serum insulin and leptin significantly decreased 55.6%, 54.3% respectively in CWG and CRG. The changes of triglyceride, total cholesterol in serum decreased in CRG than the C group. Obesity related CG, CWG and CRG extracts might have contribute to improvement of obesity by regulating the levels of blood lipids and biochemical indicator of fat accumulation.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 1968

Changes in gastrointestinal tissue blood volume induced by variations of venous pressure between 6 and 40 mmHg were studied in 32 rabbits. Venous pressure lowering was produced by withdrawal of appropriate volume of blood and venous pressure elevation was obtained by partial occlusion of intra-thoracic vena cava inferior. Estimation of regional tissue blood volume was performed by means of regional distribution of injected $Cr^{51}-labeled$ red blood cells. The following results were obtained. 1. At the normal control venous pressure value of 18 mmHg, spleen showed the highest value of tissue blood volume expressed on weight basis, namely, $111{\mu}l/gm$, Liver tissue blood volume was $95\;{\mu}l/gm$, small intestine 24 and stomach $21\;{\mu}l/gm$, respectively. 2. Linear relationships were observed between venous pressure change and gastrointestinal tissue blood volume. The coefficients of correlation were: in spleen r=0.723; in liver r=0.791; in stomach r=0.704, respectively. In small intestine the relationship was less clear and r=0.358. Tissue blood volume of extrabdominal tissue, such as M. gastrocnemius was not influenced by venous pressure change. 3. The highest change in tissue blood volume expressed on weight basis was observed in spleen. The liver tissue showed the next highest change. Change in total tissue blood volume, however, was greatest in liver and next greatest in small intestine. This was interpreted by the fact that total weight of these two organs was much greater than that of spleen. 4. The mechanism that the change in tissue blood volume lies in the venous system which has a great compliance was discussed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.453-456
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• 2013

Introduction: Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths, is divided into 2 main classes based on its biology, therapy and prognosis: non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Many cases are at an advanced stage at diagnosis, which is a major obstacle to improving outcomes. It is important to define the high risk group patients for early diagnosis and chance of cure. Blood group antigens are chemical components on erythrocyte membranes but they are also expressed on a variety of epithelial cells. Links between ABO blood groups with benign or malignant diseases, such as gastric and pancreas cancers, have been observed for a long time. In this study, we aimed to investigate any possible relationship between lung cancer histological subtypes and ABO-Rh blood groups. Materials and Methods: The files of 307 pathologically confirmed lung cancer patients were reviewed retrospectively. Cases with a serologically determined blood group and Rh factor were included and those with a history of another primary cancer were excluded, leaving a total of 221. The distribution of blood groups of the lung cancer patients were compared with the distribution of blood groups of healthy donors admitted to the Turkish Red Crescent Blood Service in our city in the year 2012. Results: There was no significant difference between patients with lung cancer of either type and the control group in terms of distribution of ABO blood groups and Rh factor (p: 0.073). There was also no relationship with non small cell cancer histological subtypes. Conclusions: In this study, we found no relationship between the ABO-Rhesus blood groups and NSCLC and SCLC groups. To our knowledge this is the first analysis of ABO blood groups in SCLC patients.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.607-613
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• 2014

In a previous study, we have shown that mulberry leaves (Mori Folium) extract MFE) and its compounds have the antioxidant effect in human red blood cells. However, the possible effect of MFE and its compounds on improvement of blood flow were not reported. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of MFE and its compounds on improvement of blood flow in a rat model of topical ferric chloride ($FeCl_3$)-induced carotid artery damage. The $FeCl_3$ treatment seriously damaged the carotid artery: the walls of the artery, blood flow rate, blood vessel diameter, blood vessel area and blood flow amount. However, administration of MFE or its compound has ameliorated the blood flow and suppressed thrombus in blood vessels. Moreover, the concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol in the MET and its compound groups were remarkably reduced in comparison to the control group, and HDL cholesterol concentration was higher in the MET and its compound groups than in the control group. These results suggest that MFE and its compounds ameliorate the thrombosis against blood vessel damage.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.146-153
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• 2017

In this study, we isolated ginseng crude saponin (GCS) from Korean red ginseng (KRG) and determined the ginsenoside content in it to investigate the physiological and pathological effects of GCS on acute pulmonary inflammation induced by intratracheal instillation of cigarette smoke condensates (CSC) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) solution in BALB/c mice. GCS was orally administered at doses of 10 mg/kg and 25 mg/kg for 3 weeks. The recovery rate of GCS from KRG was 6.5 % and total ginsenosides from GCS was 1.13 %, and the content of Rb1 was the highest among them. Total inflammatory cells in the lung homogenates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased following intratracheal administration of CSC and LPS. However, GCS administration impaired this increase. Furthermore, it inhibited the increase in leukocytes in the blood, considerably decreased neutrophils in BALF, and declined infiltration of inflammatory cells and deposition of collagen in the tracheal and alveolar tissue. In this study, GCS was found to have a protective effect against acute pulmonary inflammation and it may be beneficial in preventing various respiratory diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.619-626
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• 2020

Background: The effects of diol-ginsenoside fraction (Diol-GF) and triol-ginsenoside fraction (Triol-GF) from Korean Red Ginseng on the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D) were examined in diabetes-prone biobreeding (DP-BB) rats that spontaneously develop T1D through an autoimmune process. Methods: DP-BB female rats were treated with Diol-GF or Triol-GF daily from the age of 3-4 weeks up to 11-12 weeks (1 mg/g body weight). Results: Diol-GF delayed the onset, and reduced the incidence, of T1D. Islets of Diol-GF-treated DP-BB rats showed significantly lower insulitis and preserved higher plasma and pancreatic insulin levels. Diol-GF failed to change the proportion of lymphocyte subsets such as T cells, natural killer cells, and macrophages in the spleen and blood. Diol-GF had no effect on the ability of DP-BB rat splenocytes to induce diabetes in recipients. Diol-GF and diol-ginsenoside Rb1 significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor α production, whereas diol-ginsenosides Rb1 and Rd decreased interleukin 1β production in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, mixed cytokine- and chemical-induced β-cell cytotoxicity was greatly inhibited by Diol-GF and diol-ginsenosides Rc and Rd in RIN5mF cells. However, nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 cells was unaffected by diol-ginsenosides. Conclusion: Diol-GF, but not Triol-GF, significantly delayed the development of insulitis and T1D in DP-BB rats. The antidiabetogenic action of Diol-GF may result from the decrease in cytokine production and increase in β-cell resistance to cytokine/free radical-induced cytotoxicity.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.208.2-208.2
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• 2016

Many researchers have paid attention to the studies on the interaction between non-thermal plasma and aqueous solutions for biomedical applications. The gas composition in the plasma is very important. Oxygen and nitrogen are the main gases of interest in biological applications. Especially, we focus on the oxygen concentration. In this experiment, we studied the role of oxygen concentration in plasma induced chemical reactions in solution. At first, the amount of ions are measured according to changing the oxygen concentration. And we checked the relationship between these ions and pH value. Secondly, when the oxygen concentration is changed, it identified the type and amount of radical generated by the plasma. In order to confirm the effect of these chemical property change to biological material, hemoglobin and RBCs are chosen. RBCs are one of the common basic biological cells. Thirdly, when plasma treated according to oxygen concentration in nitrogen feeding gas, oxidation of hemoglobin and RBC is checked. Finally, membrane oxidation of RBC is measured to examine the relation between hemoglobin oxidation and membrane damage through relative hemolysis and Young's modulus. Our results suggest that reactive species generated by the plasma differsdepending on the oxygen concentration changes. The pH values are decreased when oxygen concentration increased. OH decrease and NO increase are also observed. These reactive species makes change of chemical properties of solution. We also able to confirm that the difference in these reactive species to affect the oxidation of the Hb and RBCs. The Hb and RBCs are more oxidized with the high oxygen concentration conditions. But membrane is damaged more by plasma treatment with only nitrogen gas. It is shown that red blood cells membrane damage and oxidation of hemoglobin are not directly related.