• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.95-102
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• 1985

This report offers descriptive data about the drugs utilized in out patient department (OPD) of Yeungnam University Hospital (YUH) in the period of march to august in 1985. The data in this report were produced by the computerized totalization of the number of mentions of individual drugs included in the prescriptions. The 100 drug entries that were most frequently recorded are listed in rank order. The listing is arbiturarily restricted to the drugs that were prescribed as single preparations, the drugs of basis of compound preparations and the drugs of adjuvent or corrective of compound preparations that have significant therapeutic effects either by generic names. And in addition, the listing also involves the compound preparations used in relatively large frequency, and the individual components of which have the unique pharmacological actions each other by proprietary names. And all routes of administrations were allowed. The 10 drugs most frequently named are diazepam, aluminum compounds, acetaminophen, isoniazid, metoclopramide, $polaramine^{(R)}$, carboxymethylcystem, ephedrine, codeine and caroverine in order. The 521,855 drug mentions listed as above are described by the chief therapeutic usage that each is intended to apply generally. The drugs which account the largest proportion of total mentions were those acting on the central nervous system (20.57%), including tranquilhzers and sedative hypnotics (11.71%), analgesic antipyretics (5.55%), antidepressants (2.15%) etc. Gastrointestinal drugs and smooth muscle preparations (18.64%) included antacids and anti-ulcer drugs (9.24%), antiemetics (3.57%), spasmolytics (3.14%) and others. Respiratory drugs (16.11%) included expectorants and cough preparations (10.99%) and bronchodilators (5.12%). Chemotherapeutic agents (15.12%) included the antiTbc drugs (7.09%) most frequently, and the penicillins (3.33%) accounted the largest proportion among the antibiotics. Cardiovascular drugs (5.64%) included cardiac drugs and coronary vasodilator (4.12%) and antihypertensives and vasodilators (1.06%). And anti-inflammatory drugs (4.33%), vitamins of single preparations (3.76%), hormones and their antagonists (3.29%), common cold preparations (3.12%), diuretics (2.81%), drugs supporting liver function (2.02%), drugs affecting autonomic nervous system(1.89%) including anti-glaucomas, atropine and cerebral vasodilators, antihistamine drugs (1.02%) and disinfectants (0.74%) were following in order. The data in this report were compared to those reported by H. Koch, et al. in United States (US), 1981 as "Drugs Most Frequently Used in Office Practice:National Ambulatory Medical Case Survey, 1981." Cardiovascular drugs prescribed in YUH were much less in proportion than in US (10.56%), but gastrointestinal drugs accounted the larger proportion than in US (3.72%). Expectorants and cough preparations in YUH also accounted the larger proportion than in US (2.74%). In conclusion, in the period of march to august, 1985, OPD of YUH prescribed the CNS drugs including diazepam most frequently, and gastrointestinal, repiratory and chemotherapeutic drugs in next orders. It is supposed that the eating habits of Koreans and a unique atmospheric condition in Taegu as a basin were some important factors that affected the proportions of drugs acting on gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1772-1776
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• 2010

Transcription factors Nrf2 and NF-${\kappa}B$ are important regulators of the innate immune response, and their cross-talks in inflammation have been reported. Previously, we demonstrated that gold(I)-compound auranofin, an inhibitor of NF-${\kappa}B$ signal, induced Nrf2 activation in human synovial cells and monocytic cells. To investigate whether the Nrf2 activation is involved in the mechanism of the auranofin-attenuated NF-${\kappa}B$ signaling, we examined the effects of Nrf2 knockdown on NF-${\kappa}B$ activation using rheumatic synovial cells. When the cells were transfected with a specific siRNA for Nrf2, the gene expression was perfectly blocked. However, the Nrf2 knockdown did not cancel the suppressive effect of auranofin on TNF-$\alpha$-induced $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. Treatment with a specific siRNA for HO-1, which is a target of Nrf2 and plays a role in anti-inflammation, also did not affect the blocking activity of auranofin on $I{\kappa}B-{\alpha}$ degradation. In addition, auranofin-inhibited ICAM-1 expression was not restored by Nrf2 knockdown. These findings indicate that the activated Nrf2 and HO-1 are not associated with the suppressive action of auranofin on the pro-inflammatory cytokines-stimulated NF-${\kappa}B$ activation. This suggests that Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-${\kappa}B$ signals, which are regulated by auranofin, participate in the anti-inflammatory action of auranofin via independent pathways in rheumatic synovial cells.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.1663-1670
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• 2012

The inhibitory effects of rose hip (Rosa canina L.) water extracts from two different manufactures on osteoarthritis was comparatively investigated in primary cultures of rat cartilage cells. To identify the effects of rose hip extracts against $H_2O_2$ (300 ${\mu}M$, 2 hr) treatment, cell survival was measured by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Cell survival increased by rose hip extracts in the range of 100 to 600 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $H_2O_2$ treatment. To determine the anti-inflammatory effects of rose hip extracts, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-${\alpha}$), nitric oxide (NO), and Cox-2 expression were measured after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation. TNF-${\alpha}$ level with rose hip extract treatment was decreased by 27.4% and 31.9% at 600 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $H_2O_2$ treatment. Nitric oxide was inhibited by rose hip extract at 100~600 ${\mu}g/mL$ of $H_2O_2$ treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, Cox-2 protein expression was dose-dependently decreased while Cox-1 had no change in expression level. The severity of osteoarthritis is controlled by a balance between anabolic and catobolic factors in an articulation, therefore the expression of these factors plays a critical role in preventing osteoarthritis. In measuring anabolic factors, the genetic expression of collagen type I increased with rose hip treatment, while the genetic expression of collagen II did not change. In addition, the genetic expression of aggrecan (proteoglycan core protein) was significantly increased. while the genetic expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 3, 7 and 13, known catabolic factors, was significantly inhibited by treatment with rose hip extract. The expression of MMP13 was especially highly influenced. In conclusion, rose hip water extracts show inhibitory effects on cell death by $H_2O_2$ mediated oxidative stress, which is related to inhibitory effects on inflammation due to TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, and Cox-2. The ability of rose hip extracts to ameliorate inflammation in primary cultures of cartilage cells seems to associate with an increased genetic expression of specific anabolic factors, collagen type I and aggrecan, and a decreased expression of catabolic factors, MMPs (3, 7, and 13). However, there were no significant differences between rose hip extracts from the two manufacturers.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.1415-1421
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of an L-arginine supplementation and regular exercise training on NF-${\kappa}B$, TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS, Cav-1, eNOS and Ang II in the aortas of D-galactose (D-gal) induced aging rats. The male Strague-Dawley rats were treated with a D-galactose aging inducing agent; the D-gal injection (50 mg/kg) was given intraperitoneally for 12 wk. Experimental groups were divided into five groups: (1) Young control group (Y-Con, n=8), (2) Aging control group (A-Con, n=8), (3) Aging exercise group (A-Ex, n=8), (4) Aging exercise group with L-arginine supplementation group (A-Ex+A, n=8), and (5) Aging with L-arginine supplementation group (A-A, n=8). The exercise consisted of running on a treadmill for 60 min/day at 20 m/min for 6 day/wk, at 0% gradient for 12 wk. The L-arginine supplementation was given orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day for 12 wk. The findings of this study were as follows: 1. NF-${\kappa}B$, TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS, Cav-1 and Ang II proteins in the aortas of D-gal induced rats were significantly increased, however, L-arginine supplementation and regular exercise resulted in a significant inhibition in the expression of NF-${\kappa}B$, TNF-${\alpha}$, iNOS, Cav-1 and Ang II proteins. 2. eNOS protein in the aortas of D-gal induced rats was significantly decreased, however, L-arginine supplementation and regular exercise resulted in a significant increase in the expression of eNOS proteins. In conclusion, the findings of the present study reveal that L-arginine supplementation alone or regular exercise alone or in combination with L-arginine supplementation for 12 wk increases anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing NF-${\kappa}B$, TNF-${\alpha}$, and iNOS protein expressions within the aortic tissue. In addition, L-arginine supplementation alone or regular exercise alone or in combination with L-arginine supplementation may prevent endothelial function by up-regulation of eNOS protein in the aortas of D-gal induced aging rats.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 2017

As a part of ongoing research to elucidate and characterize antiinflammatory nutraceuticals, the crude extracts from Atriplex gmelinii C. A. Mey. and their solvent-partitioned fractions were tested for their antiinflammatory potential in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 mouse macrophages. The crude extracts of A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. were fractioned according to polarity with n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol (85% aq. MeOH), n-butanol, and $H_2O$. Their antiinflammatory activities were investigated in LPS-induced inflammation in mouse macrophages by measuring nitric oxide (NO) generation and mRNA expression of inflammation mediators, namely, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-$1{\beta}$ ($IL-1{\beta}$), and IL-6. As a result, we confirmed that the crude extracts of A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production and mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 as important inflammatory factors. The inhibition of NO production through the downregulation of important inflammatory factors such as iNOS, COX-2, $IL-1{\beta}$, and IL-6 was found by treatment with all solvent-partitioned fractions. Among all tested fractions, 85% aq. MeOH showed the strongest antiinflammatory response. Based on the current results, A. gmelinii C. A. Mey. was suggested to possess natural antiinflammatory components, indicating that it could be used as a valuable source of antiinflammatory substances.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.39-49
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• 2007

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease involving multiple joint. In order to access the suppressive effects of JTT on rheumatoid arthritis and it's effects on immune system we investigated whether JTT could suppress the disease progression of collagen-induced arthritis. DBA/1 mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen. After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with DW, JTT (200 or 400 mg/kg) or methotrexate (MTX, 30 mg/kg) as a positive control. Oral administration of JTT significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which extend is comparable to that of MTX. Histological examination reveled that JTT inhibited infiltration of inflammatory cells into affected paw joint and bone erosion and cartilage destruction were greatly reduced compared with control. Total cell number of spleen, lymph node and peripheral blood were significantly reduced. The absolute number of CD19$^+$, CD3$^+$/CD69$^+$, CD4$^+$/CD25$^+$ cell in spleen from JTT treated mice were significantly decreased. The absolute number of CD19$^+$, CD3$^+$, CD3$^+$/CD69$^+$, CD4$^+$, CD4$^+$/CD25$^+$ CD8$^+$, CD49b, CD3/CD49b cells in draining lymph node were significantly increased compared with control. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells of JTT treated mice, the absolute number of CD4$^+$, CD4$^+$/CD25$^+$, CD3$^+$/CD69$^+$ cells were significantly decreased compared with control, while that of CD49b$^+$ was slightly increased. Infiltration of CD3$^+$ cells and CD11b$^+$/Gr-1$^+$ cells into paw joint was significantly reduced in JTT treated mice. The levels of pathologic cytokines including TNF-a and IL-6 in serum were significantly decreased by oral treatment with JTT The levels of IFN-g in the culture supernatant of splenocyte stimulated with CD3$^+$/CD28$^+$ or collagen were dramatically decreased, while the levels of IL-4 was increased under CD3$^+$/CD28$^+$ or collagen stimulation. Rheumatoid factors including IgG, IgM and collagen specific antibody were present much lower in the serum of JTT treated mice than control. Taken together, JTT has suppressive effects on rheumatoid arthritis by modulating immune system, and has potential to use anti-rheumatic arthritic agent in human.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.361-369
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• 2015

The precise mechanism underlying the therapeutic efficacy of an extraction powder of Angelica gigas (AGE) for the treatment of degenerative osteoarthritis was investigated in primary cultured rabbit chondrocytes and in a monosodium-iodoacetate (MIA)-induced osteoarthritis rat model. The treatment with AGE (50 μg/mL) effectively inhibited NF-B activation. The anti-inflammatory mechanism was clarified by gelatin zymography and western blotting measurements of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activities. The AGE (50 μg/mL) treatment significantly reduced MMP-9 activity. The constituents of AGE— decursinol, decursin, and decursinol angelate—were determined by LC-MS/MS after a 24 hr treatment of rabbit chondrocytes. The contents of the major products, decursin and decursinol angelate, were 3.62±0.47 and 2.14 ±0.36 μg/mg protein, respectively in AGE-treated (50 μg/mL) rabbit chondrocytes. An in vivo animal study on rats fed a diet containing 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg AGE for 3 weeks revealed a significant inhibition of the MMPs in the MIA-induced rat articular cartilage. The genetic expression of arthritic factors in the articular cartilage was examined by RT-PCR of collagen Type I, collagen Type II, aggrecan, and MMP (MMP3, MMP-9, MMP13). Specifically, AGE up-regulated the expression of collagen Type I, collagen Type II, and aggrecan and inhibited MMP levels at all tested concentrations. Collectively, AGE showed a strong specific site of action on MMP regulation and protected against the degeneration of articular cartilage via cellular regulation of MMP expression both in vitro and in vivo.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.40.1-40.14
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• 2016

Background: Due to the paucity of oceanic resources utilized in the preparation of diets for cultured fish, commercial feed producers have been trying to replace fishmeal (FM) using alternative protein sources such as vegetable protein meals (VMs). One of the main drawbacks of using VMs in fish feed is related to the presence of a variety of anti-nutritional factors, which could trigger an inflammation process in the distal intestine. This reduces the capacity of the enterocytes to absorb nutrients leading to reduced fish growth performances. Methods: We evaluated the mitigating effects of butyrate and taurine used as feed additives on the morphological abnormalities caused by a soybean meal (SBM)-based diet in the distal intestine of sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax). We used three experimental diets, containing the same low percentage of FM and high percentage of SBM; two diets were supplemented with either 0.2% sodium butyrate or taurine. Histological changes in the intestine of fish were determined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Infiltration of $CD45^+$ leucocytes in the lamina propria and in the submucosa was assessed by immunohistochemistry. We also quantified by One-Step Taqman$^{(R)}$ real-time RT-PCR the messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance of a panel of genes involved in the intestinal mucosa inflammatory response such as $TNF{\alpha}$ (tumor necrosis factor alpha) and interleukins: IL-8, IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-10, and IL-6. Results: Fish that received for 2 months the diet with 30% soy protein (16.7% SBM and 12.8% full-fat soy) developed an inflammation in the distal intestine, as confirmed by histological and immunohistochemistry data. The expression of target genes in the intestine was deeply influenced by the type of fish diet. Fish fed with taurine-supplemented diet displayed the lowest number of mRNA copies of IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-8, and IL-10 genes in comparison to fish fed with control or butyrate-supplemented diets. Dietary butyrate caused an upregulation of the $TNF{\alpha}$ gene transcription. Among the quantified interleukins, IL-6 was the only one to be not influenced by the diet. Conclusions: Histological and gene expression data suggest that butyrate and taurine could have a role in normalizing the intestinal abnormalities caused by the SBM, but the underling mechanisms of action seem different.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.109-115
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• 2016

Hataedock is a Korean medical treatment that administers herbal extracts orally to newborn infants. This method is used for alleviating harmful heat and excreting fetal wastes by meconium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate anti-inflammatory effect of Hataedock method with Douchi on 2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD). The 3-week-old NC/Nga mice were divided into 3 groups: the control group (Ctrl), the AD-induced group (AE), and the Hataedock-treated group (GT). Only the GT group was treated with Hataedock at the 3rd week. After 28 days from Hataedock treatment, we induced AD-like dermatitis to the AE and GT group by DNFB. The effects of Hataedock were evaluated by immunohistochemical method. In the epithelium, PKC-positive reaction of the GT group was decreased by 57%. In the dermal papillae, IL-4-positive reaction was decreased by 34%. In the dermis, the distribution of degranulated mast cells was decreased and substance P-positive reaction was decreased by 49%. In the skin tissue, edema was decreased and MMP-9-positive reaction was decreased by 71%. Tissue damage such as epithelial cell hyperplasia, infiltration of granulocyte and lymphocyte, and capillary distribution were also decreased. The Hataedock method with Douchi maintained skin barrier and inhibited skin-damaging factors via regulating Th2 differentiation. In conclusion, Hataedock has a potential for preventative treatment of AD. Further studies are necessary to investigate the immune-regulating mechanism and verify the safety and efficacy of the Hataedock method.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.74-92
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• 2005

Objectives/Methods : To analyze the effect of Injinchunggantang(IJCGT) to Interferon-${\alpha}/{\beta}$ signal transmission system in HepG2 cells, HepG2 Cell were treated with IJCGT. Also, revelation of MxA, 2'5'-OAS mRNA leaded by Interferon-${\alpha}/{\beta}$ and revelation and activation of Jak1, TYK1, and STAT 1, all main signal transmission factors, were analyzed. Results : The analysis resulted in the following 1. With interferon ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ there was no affect cell propagation of Hep G2 cells. With IJCGT alone, cell propagation of HepG2 was promoted, and cell propagation control function was recovered. 2. With interferon ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ cell death was unaffected. With IJCGT apoptosis of HepG2 cell was restrained, and the cell's reaction to interferon was unaffected. 3. With interferon ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ treatment mRNA revelation of MxA and 2'5'-OAS was induced. When HepG2 cells were injected with IJCGT without interferon ${\alpha}/{\beta}$ treatment, mRNA revelation of MxA and 2'5'-OAS increased in proportion to the treatment density. With pre-treatment of IJCGT, leaded with interferon ${\alpha}/{\beta}$, promoted revelation of MxA, 2'5' -OAS mRNA. 4. Though mRNA revelation of lakl, TYK1 and STAT1 was unaffected with IJCGT, activation of STAT1 was promoted with an increase of phosphorylation of STAT1 protein. With pre-treatment of IJCGT, Jak1, TYK2, STAT1 phosphorylation, leaded with interferon, strengthened. 5. TNF-a, IL-1b and LPS present, revelation of MxA and 2'5'-OAS mRNA leaded by interferon was restrained when HepG2 cells were treated with IJCGT, and the interferon signal transmission system restraint action leaded by inflammatory cytokines was moderated. Conclusion : These results support a role for IJGCT in promotion of anti-virus action through maintainance of the liver's sensibility toward interferon. A clinical study of an interferon treated patient treated also with IJGCT is needed to determine its efficacy.