• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.449-454
• /
• 2009

5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a heterotrimeric complex consisting of a catalytic ($\alpha$) and two regulatory ($\beta$ and $\gamma$) subunits. Two isoforms are known for catalytic subunit (${\alpha}1$, ${\alpha}2$) and are encoded by different genes. To assess the metabolic effects of $AMPK{\alpha}1$, we examined the effects of overexpression of adenoviral-mediated $AMPK{\alpha}1$ in hyperlipidemic type 2 diabetic rats. The Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat is an established animal model of type 2 diabetes that exhibits chronic and slowly progressive hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. Thirty five-week-old overt type 2 diabetic rats (n=10) were administered intravenously with Ad.$AMPK{\alpha}1$. AMPK activity was measured by phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxlyase (ACC). To investigate the changes of gene expression related glucose and lipid metabolism, quantitative real-time PCR was performed with liver tissues. Overexpression of $AMPK{\alpha}1$ showed that blood glucose concentration was decreased but that glucose tolerance was not completely recovered on 7th day after treatment. Plasma triglyceride concentration was decreased slightly, and hepatic triglyceride content was markedly reduced by decreasing expression of hepatic lipogenic genes. Overexpression of $AMPK{\alpha}1$ markedly improved hepatic steatosis and it may have effective role for improving hepatic lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic state.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.30 no.3
• /
• pp.57-69
• /
• 2020

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of ChondroT in indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury rat model. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to intact, control Joins, Celebrex, ChondroT50 and ChondroT200. Indomethacin (25 mg/kg) was used to induce damage to the gastric mucosal injury. ChondroT was administered by orally to inhibit the indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal injury. At the end of the experiment, pH level in stomach, stomach contents volume, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) level, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) level, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, erythrocytes, and thrombocytes were measured. Ophthalmologic and histopathological examination was also analyzed. Results pH level in stomach and Stomach contents volume had no difference between Control, PC-Joins, PC-Cele, ChondroT50 and ChondroT200 group. TNF-α level was decreased in PC-Joins, PC-Cele, ChondroT50 and ChondroT200 group and there were no significant difference. IL-1β level was decreased in PC-Joins group and ChondroT200 group compared to control group. PGE2 level had no significant difference between Control, PC-Joins, PC-Cele, ChondroT50 and ChondroT200 group. MPO level and complete blood count level were decreased in PC-Joins, PC-Cele, ChondroT50 and ChondroT200. Symptom score of ophthalmologic examination was decreased in ChondroT50 and ChondroT200 group compared to control group. Conclusion Based on these results, It could be suggested that ChondroT was effective in reducing damage to the gastric mucosal injury. And further study is needed to conduct a rigorous clinical research.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.54 no.3
• /
• pp.304-310
• /
• 2003

Background : Recent discoveries on the physiology of an erection have demonstrated that the organic causes of impotence are more common, and psychogenic impotence is correspondingly less common than was formally believed. The incidence of sexual dysfunctions in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients is largely unknown or may be perfunctorily attributed to the associated illness or to aging. This study investigated whether or not the impotence was related to the COPD itself as well as whether or not it nay stem from organic causes in a notable proportion of such patients. Methods : The sexual function was evaluated in 10 COPD patients and 10 normal control subjects. A nocturnal Rigi Scan was performed to evaluate the erectile function of each group. The level of hormones such as the free testosterone, prolactin and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) was measured, and a pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis was performed. Results : The time duration and frequency of a penile erection were significantly lower in COPD patients than the controls (p<0.05). In addition, the $PaO_2$ levels correlated with the time duration of the penile erection. Conclusion : These results suggest that COPD is one of the causes of organic erectile dysfunction.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.79 no.1
• /
• pp.31-36
• /
• 2016

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for mechanical ventilation in the patients with scrub typhus admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) at a university hospital. Methods: We retrospectively selected and analyzed clinical data from the medical records of 70 patients (32 men, 38 women) admitted to the ICU with scrub typhus between 2004 and 2014. The patients had a mean${\pm}$standard deviation age of $71.2{\pm}11.1years$ and were evaluated in two groups: those who had been treated with mechanical ventilation (the MV group, n=19) and those who had not (the non-MV group, n=51). Mean ages of the MV group and the non-MV group were $71.2{\pm}8.3years$ and $71.2{\pm}11.1years$, respectively. Results: Significant differences between the two groups were observed with respect to acute respiratory failure (p=0.008), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score (p=0.015), Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (p=0.013), death (p=0.014), and ICU duration (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis indicated that the following factors were significantly associated with mechanical ventilation: acute respiratory failure (p=0.011), SOFA score (p=0.005), APACHE II score (p=0.011), platelet count (p=0.009), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p=0.011). Conclusion: Thus, five factors-acute respiratory failure, SOFA score, APACHE II score, platelet count, and LDH-can be the meaningful indicators for mechanical ventilation for the patients with scrub typhus admitted to ICU.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.6
• /
• pp.1243-1252
• /
• 2002

To experiment the effects between cadmium inhalation toxicity and extracts of Folium Mori, rat inhalation exposure groups were exposed to cadmium aerosol in air by whole-body inhalation exposure for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, and 4 weeks. Cadmium concentration in the air of cadmium aerosol was 1.02㎎/㎥ and mass median diameter(MMD) was 1.40μm. Intraperitoneal injection of extracts of Folium Mori to inhalation exposure groups was done for 4 weeks and the results were as follows: The highest body weight gain for 4 weeks and food intake per day were 126.39g/4 weeks and 19.18g/day from inhalation exposure group III, respectively. The highest lung and liver weight were 1.27g and 8.19g from inhalation exposure group II, respectively. The highest kidney weight was 1.805g from inhalation exposure control. The lowest cadmium content in lung was 86.39μg/g from inhalation exposure group III. The lowest cadmium concentration in blood was 7.12㎍/㎗ from inhalation exposure group III. Cadmium concentrations of 40.02㎍/g in liver and 69.18㎍/g in kidney were the lowest from inhalation exposure group I and III, respectively. For weekly cadmium concentration in urine, the value of the fourth week from inhalation exposure group III was the highest, 3.12㎍/㎖. For weekly cadmium concentration in feces, the value of the fourth week from inhalation exposure group III was the highest, 2.67 ㎍/g. The highest metallothionein concentration in lung was 74.65㎍/g from inhalation exposure group III and the highest metallothionein concentration in liver was 386.84㎍/g from inhalation exposure group II. The highest metallothionein concentration in kidney was 236.17 ㎍/g from inhalation exposure group II.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.700-710
• /
• 2003

For the experiment of the effects between cadmium aerosol inhalation toxicity and ethyl acetate extracts of Folium Mori, 4 inhalation exposure groups of rat were exposed to cadmium aerosol in air by whole-body inhalation exposure for 6 hours/day, 5 days/week, and 4 weeks. Cadmium concentration in the air was 0.96㎎/㎥ and mass median diameter (MMD) was 2.48㎛ with 1.85 of geometric standard deviation(GSD). Intraperitoneal injections of ethyl acetate extracts of Folium Mori to inhalation exposure groups were performed for 4 weeks and the results were as follows: The highest body weight gain for 4 weeks and food intake per day were 159.29/4 weeks in treated group III and 18.45g/day in treated group I, respectively. The highest lung and liver weights were 1.31 g in treated group I and 9.42g in treated group III, respectively. The highest kidney weight was 2.21g from treated group I. The lowest cadmium content in lung was 86.39㎍/g from treated group III and the lowest cadmium concentration in blood was 2.72㎍/㎗ from treated group II. Cadmium concentrations of 22.09㎍/g in liver and 24.82㎍/g in kidney were the lowest from inhalation exposure group I and III, respectively. For weekly cadmium concentration in urine, the value of the fourth week from treated group III was the highest, 1.35㎍/㎖. For weekly cadmium concentration in feces, the values of the second and fourth week from treated group I were the highest, 1.11㎍/g. The highest metallothionein concentration in lung was 31.85㎍/g from treated group III and the highest metallothionein concentration in liver was 205.77㎍/g from treated group III. The highest metallothionein concentration in kidney was 206.55㎍/g from treated group III. The highest Hct and Hb values were 38.26% and 11.63g/㎗ from treated group III, respectively. The highest RBC and WBC values were 7.68×106/㎣ and 9.85×10³/㎣ from treated group I, respectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.17 no.3
• /
• pp.829-836
• /
• 2003

Seogakjihwang-tang (SJT) was widely used to treat patients suffering from cerebral infarction. But scientific investigation has been carried out very little. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of SJT on the production of various cytokines in the patients with cerebral infarction (CI). We investigated interleukin (IL)-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-1 in the sera of 27 patients with cerebral infarction under consciousness disorders and 10 normal controls using an originally devised sensitive sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). We found that plasma levels of IL-4 were slightly elevated in patients with cerebral infarction, whereas plasma levels of IL-10 (P<0.001) and TGF-1 were reduced. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from the patient with CI were cultured for 24 h in the presence or absence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or phytohaemagglutinin (PHA). The amount of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-1, in culture supernatant, was significantly increased in the LPS or PHA treated cells compared to unstimulated cells (P<0.05), We also show that increased cytokines IL-4, and IL-10 level was significantly inhibited by SJT in a dose-dependent manner. Maximal inhibition rate of IL-4 and IL-10 production by SJT was 45.63.3% and 614.7% for LPS-stimulated cell and 27.31.2% and 83.62% for PHA-stimulated cells, respectively (P<0.05). On the other hand, SJT significantly increased the LPS or PHA-induced TGF-1 production (P<0.05). These data suggest that SJT has a regulatory effect on the cytokines production, which might explain its beneficial effect in the treatment of CI.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.399-407
• /
• 2012

To evaluate age and gender differences in the relation of cardiovascular risk factors, cognitive impairment, and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis from aged people using by a cross sectional method. Sixty-nine healthy elders living in the community who had not previously undergone carotid ultrasonography were included. We conducted life style surveys, and cognitive function tests including Korean-mini-mental state examination (K-MMSE) and clinical dementia rating-Korean. Various biomarkers from blood were assessed; fasting insulin-like growth factor-1, lipid-profile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, total homocysteine, glucose, insulin, Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) for insulin resistance index, vitamin B12, and folate level. Carotid intima-media thickness (C-IMT), and plaques were measured using carotid ultrasonography and aortic ultrasonography, a valid index of atherosclerosis. For the elderly subjects (aged 65-82 years), cognition impairment was more prevalent in females while subclinical atherosclerosis was more prevalentin males. Increased C-IMT has been kept in males, and C-IMT shows increasing trend and the peak at about 80 year-old in females with increasing age. The significant correlations between C-IMT and many vascular risk factors including age, triglyceride, abnormal homocysteinein male, and K-MMSE, insulin, HOMA index and abnormal aortic ultrasonography in female were different in each gender, with the exception of homocysteine (p<0.05). This data suggests that there were differences of age and gender characteristics in terms of subclinical atherosclerosis, cognitive impairment and vascular risk factors in community-living elders. Further larger and longitudinal studies across entire age are required to better understand the effects of risk factors on subclinical atherosclerosis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.779-788
• /
• 2009

To establish the fundament for EBM of Traditional Korean Medicine, the papers on Samul-tang which was frequently used in medical institutions of Traditional Korean Medicine were analyzed through researching domestic and international literatures. The papers were classified by the registration of domestic or international journals, by the year of publishment, by experimental methods, by laboratory animals used in biological experiment and by the kinds of studies on biological efficacy. Of total 67 papers on Samul-tang, 58 volumes were registered in domestic journals and 9 volumes were in international journals of which 8 volumes were in SCI journals. Since 1978, publishments of papers have continuously increased. The papers on instrumental analyses were 6, biological studies were 58 volumes, clinical studies were 3. Instrumental analyses were preceeded with standard compounds(gallic acid, albiflorin, paeoniflorin, benzoic acid, ferulic acid, 5-HMF). And biological studies showed improvement of cardiovascular function and circulation, antianemia, brain protection, immunoregulation, antistress, radioprotection, antifatigue, antiinflammation and antiallergy, antioxidative effect. Through clinical studies, antifatigue, improvement of insomnia and osteoporosis were reported. Samul-tang could be used to tonify and activate blood. And further study on clinical field need to be conducted in accordance with biological study.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.1106-1115
• /
• 2009

Mori Ramulus has multiple applications in Korean traditional medicine prescription because it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by reducing macrophage activities. Yet, no studies on the anti-arthritic activity of EMR (extract of Mori Ramulus) have been reported in vitro and in vivo. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease with chronic inflammation characterized by hyperplasia of synovial cells in affected joints, which ultimately leads to the destruction of cartilage and bone. Because collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) is similar to RA in pathological symptoms and immune reactions, there have been several reports concerning RA using CIA mouse model. Here, we investigated the effects of Mori Ramulus on RA using CIA mice. The importance of CD4+ Th1 cells in RA progress was previously indicated and studies further showed that Th17 cells play a prime role in severity of disease. Accordingly, the present study was focused on CIA associated with CD4+ Th1 cells and Th1 7 cells. DBA/1OlaHsd mice were immunized with bovine type II collagen (CII). After a second collagen immunization, mice were treated with EMR once a day for 4 weeks. The severity of arthritis within the paw joints was evaluated by histological assessment of cartilage destruction and pannus formation. Immune cells in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), draining lymph node (DLN) and paw joints, cytokine production and gene expression were assessed from CIA mouse using ELISA, FACS and real-time PCR analysis. Administration of EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and inhibited the production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6 and IL-17 in the serum. The erosion of cartilage was dramatically reduced in mouse knees after treatment with EMR. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that EMR significantly suppressed the progression of CIA and that this action was mediated by the decreased production of TNF-$\alpha$, IL-6, IL-17 and collagen II-specific antibody in the serum. EMR suppressed Th17 cells and reduced level of IL-6 via B cell suppression, and thus, the levels of autoantibodies produced from B cells were decreased. Furthermore, EMR suppressed NKT cells which directly stimulate B cells and develop imbalance of Th1/Th2 cell. Oral administration of EMR (100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg) significantly suppressed the progression of CIA, which is comparable to that of methotrexate (MTX, 0.3 mg/kg) used as a positive control. We are currently studying the mechanism underlying the therapeutic role for EMR in CIA mice.