• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.212-227
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• 2009

Objective : Membranous nephropathy (MN) is one of the most commonest forms of glomerular disease in man and the most frequent cause of the adult idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. Some investigators recommend no treatment, while others propose aggressive therapy, including prednisolone plus an immunosupressant such as chlorambucil or cyclophosphamide. But a more effective way to treat MN is not defined yet. This study was to evaluate the effects of Patriniae Radix extract (PRE) on the MN induced by cBSA in mice. Methods : Mice were divided into 4 groups. The first group (normal) was injected with saline. The second group (control) was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg i.p) only. The third group, named PRE-2S0, was treated with cBSA (10 mg/kg i.p) and PRE (250 mg/kg, p.o). The fourth group, PRE-500, was treated with cBSA (10mg/kg i.p) and PRE (500mg/kg, p.o). After cBSA and PRE treatment for 4 weeks, we measured change of body weight, 24hrs proteinuria, serum albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, BUN, creatinine, IgG, IgA, IgM, $TNF-\alpha$, $IL-1\beta$, and $IFN-\gamma$ levels and the mRNA expression of $IFN-\gamma$, IL-6, and IL-10. The morphologic changes of renal glomeruli were also observed with a light microscope and an electron microscope. Results : The levels of 24 hrs proteinuria and serum triglyceride. BUN. IgG. $TNF-\alpha$, and $IL-1\beta$ significantly decreased in both PRE groups, while the level of serum albumin significantly increased in both PRE groups. The mRNA expression of IL-10 in splenocytes considerably increased in both PRE groups. The mRNA expression of $IFN-\gamma$ and IL-6 in splenocytes considerably increased in both PRE group. In histological findings of kidney tissue, thickening of GBM decreased in both PRE groups. Conclusions : The present study suggests that PRE is effective when treating mice with MN induced by cBSA. More clinical data and studies are to be done for efficient application.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.213-218
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• 1998

A novel in situ-gelling and mucoadhesive acetaminophen liquid suppository was developed to improve the patient compliance of conventional solid suppository. In this study, acetaminophen liquid suppository, Likipe $n_{R}$, ［aminophen/Poloxamer 407/Poloxamer 188/so4ium alginate (5/15/19/0.6%)] with relation temperature at 30-36 "C and suitable gel strength and bioadhesive force, dissolution pattern similar to conventional solid type suppository, Suspe $n_{R}$, was developed. Furthermore, the bioequivalence of two acetaminophen products was evaluated in 16 normal male volunteers (age 22-27 yr, body weight 56-72 kg) following sidle rectal administration. Test product was Likipe $n_{R}$ suppository (Dong-Wha Pharm. Corp., Korea)and reference product was Suspe $n_{R}$204-212 suppository (Hanmi Pharm. Corp., Korea). Both products contain 125 mg of acetaminophen. Four Suppositories of the test and the reference product were administered to the volunteers, respectively, by randomized two period cross-over study (2$\times$2 Latin square method). The determination of acetaminophen was accomplished using HPLC. Average drug concentrations at each sampling time and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated were not significantly different between two products (p>0.05); the area under the curve to last sampling time (24 hr) (AU $Co_{-2}$4h/) (30.14$\pm$8.64 vs 27.98$\pm$ 6.53 $\mu$g .h/ml), maximum plasma concentration ( $C_{max}$) (3.29$\pm$0.87 vs 3.60$\pm$0.66 $\mu$g/ml) and time to maximum plasma concentration ( $T_{max}$) (2.91 $\pm$0.55 vs 2.69$\pm$0.60 h). The differences of mean AUCo $_{24h}$, C-a. and T-between the two products (7.18%, 9.58% and 7.53%, respectively) were less than 20%. The power (1-7) and treatment difference ($\Delta$) for AU $Co_{24h}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were more than 0.8 and less than 0.2, respectively at $\alpha$=0.1. The confidence limits for AU $Co_{24h}$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ (-0.81 ~13.55%, -1.56~ 17.60 and -3.81 ~18.87%, respectively) were less than $\pm$ 20% at $\alpha$=0.1. These results suggest that the bioavailability of Likipe $n_{R}$ suppository is not significantly different from that of Suspe $n_{R}$ suppsitory. Therefore, two products are bio-equivalent based on the current results.results.lts.sults.results.lts.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.219-224
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• 1998

The bioequivalence of two clarithromvcin products was evaluated with 16 normal male volunteers (age 23-28 yr, body weight 57.5-75.517g) following single oral dose. Test product was ReYon Clarithromycin tablets (ReYon Pharm. Corp., Korea) and reference product was Klarici $d_{R}$ tablets (Abbott Korea). Both products contain 250 mg of clarithromucin. One tablet of the test or the reference product was administered to the volunteers, respectively, by randomized two period cross-over study (2$\times$2 Latin square method). The determination of clarithromycin was accomplished using a modified agar well diffusion bioassay. As a result of the assay validation, the quantification of clarithromycin in human serum by this technique was possible down to 0.03$\mu$g/ml using 100$\mu$l of serum. The coefficient of variation (C.V.) was less than 10%. Average drug concentrations at each sampling time and pharmacokinetic parameters calculated were not significantly different between two products P>0.05); the area under the curve to last sampling time (24 hr) (AU $Co_{24hr}$ (8.10$\pm$ 1.26 vs 8.22$\pm$ 1.627g . hr/ml), AUC from time zero to infinite (AU $Co_{\infty}$) (8.61 $\pm$ 1.28 vs 8.84$\pm$ 1.71 $\mu$g . hr/ml), maximum plasma concentration ( $C_{msx}$) (0.87$\pm$0.22 vs 0.88$\pm$0.19 $\mu$g/ml) and time to maximum plasma concentration ( $T_{max}$) (2.69 $\pm$0.48 vs 2.56$\pm$ 0.51 hr). The differences of mean AU $Co_{24h}$, $C_{msx}$ and $T_{msx}$ between the two products (1.44, 1.39, and 4.65%, respectively) were less than 20%. The power (1-$\beta$) and treatment difference ($\Delta$) for AU $Co_{24hr}$, and $C_{max}$ were more than 0.8 and less than 0.2, respectivly. Although the power for $T_{max}$ was under 0.8, $T_{max}$. of the two products was not significantly different each other (p>0.05). These results suggest that the bioavailability of ReYon Clarithromycin tablets is not significantly different from that of Klarici $d_{R}$ tablets. Therefore, two products are bioequivalent based on the current results. results.sults.sults.s.s.s.s.s.s.s.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.91-95
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• 2002

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis, which shows characteristic eosinophilic inflammation, involves any part of the intestine from esophagus to colon. The immunopathogenesis is expected to be associated with IgE-mediated or non-IgE-mediated reaction, but the precise mechanism is not revealed yet. The clinical manifestation is variably dependent on the extent of eosinophilic infiltration. Usually the symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, wax and wane for a few months result in failure to thrive, which implicates the importance of early detection. Although the diagnosis is made through clinical and histopathologic evidences, we should suspect the illness in a case of anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and peripheral eosinophilia. Recently, we experienced a case of non-IgE-mediated eosinophilic colitis in a 11-year-old male who complained of diarrhea, right lower abdominal pain, body weight loss, was diagnosed with peculiar histopathologic finding of sigmoid colon specimens obtained by sigmoidoscopy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.337-346
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• 2001

Objective : To determine the clinical risk factors associated with the mode of delivery decision and to compare cesarean section rates after adjusting for risk factors identified among Korean hospitals. Methods Data were collected from 9 general hospitals in two provincial regions by medical record abstraction during February 2000. A total of 3,467 cases were enrolled and analyzed by stepwise logistic regression. Performance of the risk-adjustment model (discrimination and calibration) was evaluated by the C statistic and the Hosmer-Lemeshow test. Crude rates, predicted rates with 95% confidence intervals, and adjusted rates of cesarean section were calculated and compared among the hospitals. Results : The average crude cesarean section rate was 53.2%, ranging from 39.4% to 65.7%. Several risk factors such as maternal age, previous history of cesarean section, placenta previa, placental abruption, malpresentation, amniotic fluid abnormality, gestational anemia, infant body weight, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and chorioamnionitis were found to have statistically significant effects on the mode of delivery. It was confirmed that information about most of these risk factors was able to be collected through the national health insurance claims database in Korea. Performance of the risk-adjustment model was good (c statistic=0.815, Hosmer-Lemeshow test=0.0621). Risk factor adjustment did lead to some change in the rank of hospital cesarean section rates. The crude rates of three hospitals were beyond 95% confidence intervals of the predicted rates. Conclusions : Considering that cesarean section rates in Korean hospitals are too high, it is apparent that some policy interventions need to be introduced. The concept and methodology of risk adjustment should be used in the process of health policy development to lower the cesarean section rate in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.215-224
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• 1997

Gamijiyu-tang (GJT) described originally in the Dong Eui Bo Gam, a traditional reference for oriental medicine in the Korea, has been clinically used for treatment of chronic liver disease. In order to evaluate scientifcally a hepatoprotective effect of GJT in the liver fibrotic disease, the present study investigated how GJT improves a hepatic function in the dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-treated rat. DMN treatment caused a significant increase of relative liver weight to the body at 28 days after DMN induction. Administration of with a clinical dose decreased significantly the sAST level $(158.8{\pm}7.76\;IU/L)$ elevated by DMN in jection (p<0.01). A similar phenomenon was also observed at change of both Salt and Salt level in the GJT and/or DMN-treated animal (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). A remarkable increase of hydroxyproline was observed by treatment of DMN with comparing to the normal rat $(361.9{\pm}7.35\;vs.\;1278.1{\pm}52.9\;{\mu}g/g\;tissue,\;p<0.01)$. This was significantly reduced by a simultaneous treatment of GJT with DMN for 21 days (p<0.05), but not recovered completely to its normal value. In addition. GJT administration ameliorated conspicuously the DMN-induces histopathological changes of liver such as hemorrhage. Cell necrosis and fibrosis. Tak'en together, results described here demonstrated scientifically in first the medicinal efficacy of GJT by using in vivo animal model, indicating that GJT improves the DMN-induced hepatic injury through reducing an excessive accumulation of collagen and histopathological changes. The decreased collagen content may be a pivotal process for GJT to improve hepatic function in the DMN-induced liver fibrosis. The present study suggests that GJT may be useful for and applicable to the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in chronic liver disease.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.131-141
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• 2012

Objectives : This study was performed to investigate the effect of invasive laser acupuncture treatment at Liver Brook (LR2) acupoint and Liver Sea (LR8) acupoint on liver damage induced by D-galactosamine (D-GalN) in rats Methods : Liver damage was induced by D-GalN. The experimental rats were divided into two groups (control group, Low Level Laser Treatment (LLLT) group). Control groups were classified into small groups. Intact group had no liver damage and no treatment. D-GalN group was induced liver damage induced by D-GalN and not treated. LLLT group were induced liver damage induced by D-GalN and then treated at the LR2 or LR8 acupoint with 532, 658, 904 nm invasive laser acupuncture. The treatment was carried out three days at a time for 15days at both acupoints. To examine mechanism of the effect of invasive laser acupuncture, we measured the contents of ASP, ALT, ALP, TBIL in serum, CBC in blood and SOD in liver tissue. Results : The change of body weight increased in all groups. That change was AST and ALP, the AST activity decreased significantly compared with the control groups and decreased by 532 nm and 904 nm both LLLT groups. But ALP increased at LR8 acupoint by 658 nm. TBIL level significantly decreased in all LLLT groups. The SOD of LLLT groups increased in the liver tissue of rats compared to the control groups. SOD activity indicated that LLLT can help cellular defense mechanism by preventing scavenging hydrogen peroxide. In the change of WBC, it was increased in D-GalN Control group compared to intact group and LLLT groups. Conclusions : These results suggested that invasive laser acupuncture treatment at LR2 or LR8 acupoint reduced activation of hepatic enzyme and damage of liver tissue. Thus, the effect of invasive laser acupuncture was nearly identical to the way of the traditional acupuncture for the treatment of hepatocytotoxicity.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.49-62
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• 2010

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the effect of manual acupuncture, invasive laser acupuncture and laser skin irradiation at LU8, LR4, HT8 and LR2(Liver Seunggyeok) on D-galN-induced liver injury in rats. Method: Liver injury was induced with D-galN. The experimental rats were divided four groups(Control group, EXP-1, EXP-2, EXP-3). In the Control group, liver injury-induced and not treated. EXP-1 group was liver injury-induced and carried out manual acupuncture with Young-Su(against the meridian course and following the course of the meridian) & Won-Bang(by twisting and rotating the needle) acupuncture method at Liver Seunggyeok. EXP-2 group was liver injury-induced and carried out invasive laser acupuncture at Liver Seunggyeok. EXP-3 group was liver injury-induced and carried out laser skin irradiation at Liver Seunggyeok. Result: In the change of body weight(in 1 week), EXP-1, EXP-2 and EXP-3 groups were significantly increased as compared with control group. In the change AST & ALT, EXP-1 and EXP-2 groups were significantly decreased as compared with control group. In the change of SOD, EXP-1, EXP-2 and EXP-3 groups were significantly increased as compared with control group. In the change of WBC, EXP-2 group was significantly increased as compared with control group. Conclusion: Manual acupuncture, invasive laser acupuncture and laser skin irradiation at Liver Seunggyeok had hepatotherapeutic effect on the treatment of hepatocytotoxity. Invasive laser acupuncture was as effective as manual acupuncture on the treatment of hepatocytotocity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.211-220
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• 2011

This study tested the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects of red garlic extract in obese rats induced by a high fat diet over a period of 4 weeks. Red garlic extract of 15 brix was added in 1, 3, 5 and 7% ratios in diets. The obesity index and body fat content significantly decreased in rats fed a diet with over 3% red garlic extract compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in weight of visceral and epididymal fat in rats fed red garlic extract. Total lipid and triglyceride levels in serum were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner, and AI and CRF also fell. ALT and AST activities in groups fed red garlic extract were decreased compared to the control group. Total lipid level in liver tissue of the groups fed 5-7% red garlic extract exhibited a significant decrease compared to the control group. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in feces were significantly increased in rats fed a diet with over 5% red garlic extract. Lipid peroxide levels were significantly decreased in the groups fed diets with 5-7% red garlic and antioxidant activity in serum was significantly increased in the group fed a diet with 7% red garlic extract compared to the control group. Our results suggest that red garlic extract could have anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects for suppressing obesity index and decreasing lipid profiles.

• Korean Journal of Organic Agriculture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.523-534
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• 2015

Twenty four Holstein steers (average body weight $714{\pm}13.60kg$) were used in this experiment to determine the effect of supplementing of microbial culture and coated vitamin-C on growth performances and carcass characteristics in finishing Holstein steers. Holstein steers were randomly assigned to feeding groups of control group (Con, 12 kg of basal diet/head/day), microbial culture group (MC, 12 kg of basal diet + 30 g of microbial culture/head/day) and coated vitamin-C group (CVC, 12 kg of basal diet + 10 g of coated vitamin-C/head/day). MC and CVC groups were higher in ADG compared to control (P<0.05). FCR was also lower in MC and CVC groups than control group (P<0.05). Back fat thickness, rib-eye area, marbling score, meat color and yield index were not changed by supplementing microbial culture and coated vitamin-C. MC group was higher for maturity compared to control and CVC group (P<0.05). CVC group was higher for fat color compared to control and MC group (P<0.05). Based on the results obtained from the current study, supplementation of microbial culture and coated vitamin-C as an alternative to antibiotic might increase growth performances and enhance carcass characteristics in finishing Holstein steers. However, more studies are needed to find out the optimum supplementing period of microbial culture or coated vitamin-C for high quality meat production from Holstein steers.