• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.34-45
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• 1998

We provide the reader with a brief introduction to the neurobiology of neuropeptides. Several comprehensive reviews of the distribution and neurochemical, neurophysiological, neuropharmacological and behavioral effects of the major neuropeptides have recently appeared. In reviews of the large number of neuropeptides in brain and their occurance in brain regions thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of major psychiatric disorders, investigators have sought to determine whether alternations in neuropeptide systems are associated with schizophrenia, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, alcoholism and neurodegenerative disease. There is no longer any doubt that neuropeptide-containing neurons are altered in several neuropsychiatric disorders. One of the factors that has hindered neuropeptide research to a considerable extent is the lack of pharmacological agents that specifically alter the synaptic availability of neuropeptides. With the exception of naloxone and naltrexone, the opiate-receptor antagonists, there are few available neuropeptide- receptor antagonists. Two independent classes of neuropeptide-receptor antagonists has been expected to be clinically useful. Naltrexone, a potent ${\mu}$-receptor antagonist, has been used successfully to reduce the need for alcohol consumption. And cholecycstokinin antagonists are now in development as a new class of anxiolytics, which would be expected to be free from tolerance and physical dependence and lack of sedation. In this review, we deal with these two kinds of neuropeptide system, the opioid system and cholesystokinins in the brain. The role of opioid systems in the reinforcement after alcohol consumtion and that of cholesystokinins in the pathogenesis of anxiety will be discussed briefly. As we know, the future for neuropeptides in psychiatry remains bright indeed.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.30 no.3 s.47
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• pp.295-305
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• 2004

Colloid and surface chemistry have been focused on surface area and surface energy. Local surface properties such as surface density, interaction, molecular orientation and reactivity have been one of interesting subjects. Systems of such surface energy being important would be listed as association colloid, emulsion, particle dispersion, foam, and 2-D surface and film. Such nanoparticle systems would be applied to drug delivery systems and functional cosmetics with biocompatible and degradable materials, while nanoparticles having its size of several nm to micron, and wide surface area, have been accepted as a possible drug carrier because their preparation, characteristics and drug loading have been inves-tigated. The biocompatible carriers were also used for the solubilization of insoluble drugs, the enhancement of skin absorption, the block out of UV radiation, the chemical stabilization and controlled release. Nano/micro emulstion system is classified into nano/microsphere, nano/microcapsule, nano/microemulsion, polymeric micelle, liposome according to its prep-aration method and size. Specially, the preparation method and industrial applications have been introduced for polymeric micelles self-assembled in aqueous solution, nano/microapsules controlling the concentration and activity of high concen-tration and activity materials, and monolayer or multilayer liposomes carrying bioactive ingredients.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.488-495
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• 2018

The p53 gene plays a critical role in the transcriptional regulation of cellular response to stress, DNA damage, hypoxia, and tumor development. Keeping in mind the recently discovered manifold physiological functions of p53, its involvement in the regulation of cancer is not surprising. In about 50% of all human cancers, inactivation of p53's protein function occurs either through mutations in the gene itself or defects in the mechanisms that activate it. This disorder plays a crucial role in tumor evolution by allowing the evasion of a p53-dependent response. Many recent studies have focused on directly targeting p53 mutants by identifying selective, small molecular compounds to deplete them or to restore their tumor-suppressive function. These small molecules should effectively regulate various interactions while maintaining good drug-like properties. Among them, the discovery of the key p53-negative regulator, MDM2, has led to the design of new small molecule inhibitors that block the interaction between p53 and MDM2. Some of these small molecule compounds have now moved from proof-of-concept studies into clinical trials, with prospects for further, more personalized anti-carcinogenic medicines. Here, we review the structural and functional consequences of wild type and mutant p53 as well as the development of therapeutic agents that directly target this gene, and compounds that inhibit the interaction between it and MDM2.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.25-33
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• 2002

Serotonin transporter(5-HTT) is one of the major action site of antidepressants in neuronal cells. According to the recent studies, it is known that the functional polymorphism in the promoter region of the 5-HTT gene(5-HTT linked polymorphism repetitive element in promoter region, 5-HTTLPR) is associated with antidepressant responsiveness, and the distributions of 5-HTTLPR is various among the different populations. Our preliminary study suggested that it is possible to measure the endophenotype of 5-HTTLPR genotype by examining the pharmacodynamic research of the 5-HTT in platelet membranes. However, there are limitations to predicting the antidepressant responsiveness only from the endophenotypic characteristics of 5-HTT gene promoter polymorphism, and therefore we propose to use the pharmacogenomic methods for overcoming these limitations. We found that the significant correlations existed among the genetic polymorphisms of biogenic amine transporters whose structure and characteristics are similar to the 5-HTT, and the predictable odds ratio of antidepressant responsiveness are increased significantly by combining the effect with other associated polymorphisms, compared to the effect of 5-HTT promoter polymorphism only. These results support the hypothesis that antidepressant treatment has to be individualized according to the genetic and ethnic background of depressed patients. It would be possible to develope the evaluation tools to predict the antidepressant responsiveness and its side effect profile, if scientists reveal the genes related to the action mechanism as well as the metabolism of antidepressants so as to discover the interaction of those genes and contribution of endogenotypes toward antidepressant responsiveness.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2013

Objectives: Among many new drugs that are under investigation with intent to treat cancer, oral kinase inhibitors are proven to be effective in numerous clinical trials and easy to administer. Due to these advantages the use of oral kinase inhibitors is increasing. Oral kinase inhibitors are metabolized by CYP450 which can result either increase of adverse effect or decrease of drug effect by drug interaction when used concurrently with other agents. In this research, the medication records of patients on oral kinase inhibitors from Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2011 were reviewed to investigate potential drug interactions. Methods: From Oct. 2010 to Nov. 2011, cancer patients in Inha University Hospital who took oral kinase inhibitors more than once were included. The patients' medication records were reviewed to list out concurrent medications that have interaction potential with oral kinase inhibitors, the frequency of concurrent use, and the severity of interaction result using Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ as references. Results: As a result, 90 cases of drug with interaction potential were prescribed by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 179 cases by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ data. In case of severity, 33.3% by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 26.3% by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ were categorized as Major and 65.6% by Micromedex$^{(R)}$ and 72.6% by Lexicomp-online$^{(R)}$ as Moderate. The number of adverse events was 92 cases which 58.7% were on skin and 19.6% on Gastro-intestinal tract. Conclusions: Considerable number of drug with interaction potential was used though each oral kinase inhibitors showed differences in extent. Hence there exists the risk of drug interaction in patients taking oral kinase inhibitors with other drugs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2020

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in patients using oral anticancer treatment are more common than in those using injectable anticancer agents. In addition, DDIs related to anticancer treatment are known to cause clinically significant outcomes, such as treatment failure and severe toxicity. To prevent these negative outcomes, significant DDIs are monitored and managed using the information provided in drug databases. We aimed to evaluate the consistency of information on clinically significant DDIs for tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) between representative drug databases. Methods: We selected clinically significant DDIs involving medications that are co-prescribed with TKIs and met the following criteria: the severity level of DDIs was equal or greater than "D" in Lexicomp^® or "major" in Micromedex^®. We then analyzed the consistency of the severity classification and evidence level between the drug databases. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to identify the relationship between DDI information in the drug databases. Results: In total, 627 DDI pairs were identified as clinically significant; information on these was provided by Lexicomp^® and Micromedex^® for 571 and 438 pairs, respectively, and both drug databases provided information on 382 DDI pairs. There was no correlation between the severity and evidence level of DDIs provided in the two databases; Spearman's correlation coefficient for Lexicomp^® and Micromedex^® was -0.009 (p=0.861) and -0.064 (p=0.209), respectively. Conclusion: To judge the significance of DDIs, healthcare providers should consider that the information on DDIs may be different between drug information databases; hence, clinical factors must be considered concurrently.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.51-63
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• 1997

The effect of cimetidine administration on the pharmacokinetic parameters of cyclosporine were determined in healthy voluteers. This study was performed in 10 volunteers of age ranged 22-48 years and body weight 48-62 kg. This study was performed with cross-over design. Mono cyclosporine and cyclosporine metabolites was extracted from whole blood analysed by fluororescence polarization immune assay (TDX-FLX, Abbott). After coadministration of cimetidine (300 mg) with cyclosporine (300 mg) orally, maximum concentration of mono cyclosporine was significantly increased $1221{\pm}143\;ng/ml\;to\;1562{\pm}184\;ng/ml$ (P<0.05), area under the time curve of cyclosporine (12 hr) also was significantly increased $7478{\pm}829\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr\;to\;9721{\pm}879\;ng/ml{\cdot}hr$ (P<0.05) and absolute baioavailability of cyclosporine was increased $50\pm5.6\%\;to\;57.6\pm6.1\%\;(P<0.05)$ compared to control group. The blood concentrations of cyclopsorine metabolites were significantly decrased (P<0.05) after coadministration of cimetidine. In cimetidine pretreated group, blood mono cyclosporine concentrations were increased significan시y $1220.0\pm203.00\;ng/ml\;to\;1510.0\pm204.00\;ng/ml$ compared with control group (P<0.05). In the mono cyclosporine pharmacokinetic parameter after oral administration absorption rate and maximum concentration were significantly higher in cimetidine coadministered and pretreated group than control group (P<0.05). The ratio of metabolites and mono cyclosporine concentrations was decreased significantly from $70.8\%\;in\;control\;to\;34.8\%$ in coadministration of cimetidine orally. As matter of facts these reults are considered to inhibition of cyclosporine hepatic metabolism and increasing of cyclosporine absorption rate in gastrointestinal tract because of maintaining cyclosporine stability in elevated gastric pH by cimetidine. We considered, it appeares that cimetidine increase bioavailability of cyclosporine by increasing oral absorption and by decreasing hepatic clearance. But the absorption and clearance of cyclosporine was highly variable individually, and therefore we consider that cyclosporine blood level monitoring would be essential in patients with cimetidine co-administration.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.209-213
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• 2002

Diltiazem inhibits calcium channels and Iεads to vascular smooth muscle rεlaxation and negative inotropic and chronotropic effects in the hεart. Diltiazem is almost completely absorbεd after oral administration, but its extent of absolute oral bioavailability is reduced because of considerable first-pass hepatic metabolism. Diltiazem is able to dilate renal vasculature and can increase the glomerular filtration rate and renal sodium excretion. The purpose of this study was to report the pharmacokinetic changes of diltiazem after oral administration of diltiazem, 20 mg/kg, in rabbits coadministered with cimetidine, 20 mg/kg and pretreated twice per day for 3 days at cimetidine dose of 20 mg/kg. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) of diltiazem was significantly higher in rabbits pretreated with cimetidine than that in control rabbits (p<0.01), showing about 149% increased relative bioavailability. The peak plasma concentration $(C_{max})$ and elimination half-life of diltiazem were increased significantly (p<0.05) in rabbits pretreated with cimetidine compared with those in control rabbits. This findings could be due to significant reduction of elimination rate constant by pretreated with cimetidine. The effects of cimetidine on the pharmacokinetics of oral diltiazem were more considerable in rabbits pretreated with cimetidine compared with those in control rabbits. The results suggest that the dosage of diltiazem should be adjusted when the drug would be co-administerεd chronically with cimetidine in a clinical situation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2009

Pimobendan is a recently developed cardiac drug which is useful to control moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF) from chronic mitral valvular diseases (CMVI). Because of controversy related to the efficacy and safety of pimobendan in dogs, the optimal efficacy and safety of pimobendan was assessed in 20 dogs with CMVI in this study. Scores for quality of life, respiratory failure, circulatory failure and heart failure were evaluated along with radiographical and echocardiographical assessments for about 2 months period after the addition of pimobendan into the regular cardiac medications. This study proved clear evidence that pimobendan had beneficial therapeutic effects in dogs with advanced CMVI, without particular adverse effects. However, further studies are warranted to address the drug interaction with other cardiac therapeutics and to assess therapeutic effects in CHF from other type of heart diseases in dogs and other animals.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.138-144
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• 2015

Objective: It is to evaluate the drug interaction monitoring program as a pilot project to develop a pharmaceutical care model in a medical intensive care unit and to analyze the influencing factors of drug interactions. Method: Electronic medical records were retrospectively investigated for 116 patients who had been hospitalized in a medical intensive care unit from October to December in 2014. The prevalence of adverse reaction with risk rating higher than 'D' was investigated by Lexi-$Comp^{(R)}$ Online database. The factors related with potential drug interaction and with treatment outcomes were analyzed. Results: The number of patients with a potential interaction of drug combination was 92 (79.3%). Average ages, the length of stay in the intensive care unit and the numbers of prescription drugs showed significant differences between drug interaction group and non-drug interaction group. Opioids (14.4%), antibiotics (7.2%), and diuretics (7.2%) were most responsible drug classes for drug interactions and the individual medications included furosemide (6.4%), tramadol (4.9%), and remifentanil (4.5%). There were 950 cases with a risk rating of 'C' (84.6%), 142 cases with a risk rating of 'D' (12.6%), and 31 cases with a risk rating of 'X' (avoid combination) (2.8%). The factors affecting drug interactions were the number of drugs prescribed (p < 0.0001) and the length of stay at intensive care unit (p < 0.01). The patients in intensive care unit showed a high incidence of adverse reactions related to potential drug interaction. Therefore, drug interaction monitoring program as a one of pharmaceutical care services was successfully piloted and it showed to prevent adverse reaction and to improve therapeutic outcomes. Conclusion: Active participation of a pharmacist in the drug management at the intensive care unit should be considered.