• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.89-101
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• 2005

Obesity is increasing worldwide and has become a major health burden in Western societies affecting every third American and every fifth European. Obesity makes a major contribution to morbidity and mortality, predisposing individuals to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Many new substances are currently being investigated for their usefulness in the pharmacotherapy of obesity. Most anti-obesity drugs can be divided into four groups: those that reduce food intake; those that alter metabolism; those that increase thermogenesis; and those that regulate hormone involved in feeding behavior. In this article we review these and other agents available in various countries for the treatment of obesity. Perhaps more importantly, we have focussed on areas of potential productivity in the future. Over the last 5 or so years, this impetus in obesity research has provided us with exciting new drugs targets involved in the regulation of feeding behavior and cellular mechanism involved in energy expenditure. Recent development in the quest for control of human obesity include the discovery of hormones, neuropeptides, receptors and transcription factors involved in feeding behavior, metabolic rate and adipocyte development. For developing new, perhaps even more specific pharmacological agents, further research is needed to understand the individual different genetic and physiological basis of obesity. It remains the hope of research scientists that in the not too distant future we shall see a new class of anti-obesity drugs arising logically from the molecular biology revolutions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 1997

General pharmacological properties of AG 60 (mixture of acriflavine and guanosine (1:1, w/w)), which has anticancer effect, following intramuscular administration were examined in terms of effects on central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system and autonomic nervous system in mice, rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits. AG 60 at the dose of 15 mgtg had no influences on pentobarbital sleeping time, spontaneous motor activity, chemoshock produced by pentylenetetrazole solution, writhing syndromes induced by 0.8% acetic acid solution, and motor coordination of mice. However, AG 60 at the dose of 7.5 and 15 mg/kg caused significant decrease of normal body temperature 1 and/or 2 h after the administration. No influence on body temperature was observed at 3.75 mg/kg in mice. Gastric secretion of rat and intestinal motility of mice were not influenced by the dose of 15 mg/kg. In terms of autonomic nervous system, AG 60 did not show direct effect and inhibitory or augmentative action of histamine- or acetylcholine-induced contractions at the concentration of 5 mg/L in the isolated ileum of guinea-pig. The administration of 15 mg/kg of AG 60 did not affect mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate in rat. AG 60 (15 mg/kg) given to anesthetized rabbits showed no effect on respiratory rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.630-633
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• 2001

Central anticholinergic syndrome is defined as an absolute or relative reduction in cholinergic activity in the central nervous system and has a wide variety of manifestations. It is associated with almost any drug given during anesthesia, except neuromuscular relaxants, and treated with the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. The diagnosis of central anticholinergic syndrome is often made when symptoms resolve promptly after the administration of physostigmine. We present a case of a central anticholinergic syndrome diagnosed by treatment with physostigmine, in a patient who received closure of patent foramen ovale associated with stroke.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.205-214
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• 2010

This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of inappropriate medication use and inappropriate dosage in elderly patients in Korea. A retrospective study was performed for the elderly 65 years or older admitted from January 2007 to December 2007 in a medical center, Seoul, Korea. Potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) use in the elderly was evaluated using Beers criteria. Eighteen drugs out of Beers criteria were included in the formulary of the institute. Inappropriate dosage was set using Beers criteria, CMS (the Centers for Medicare& Medicaid Services) guideline, Geriatric Dosage Handbook. As results, the patients with PIM were 2,172 during the study period. The commonly used inappropriate medications were drugs for the nervous system (n=1237, 44.78%), the alimentary System (n=663, 24.54%) and the cardiovascular system (n=494, 18.28%). The elderly patients with prescription of inappropriate dosage were 10% out of patients with PIMs. The commonly inappropriate dosage drugs were digoxin (n=75, 27.27%), diazepam (n=70, 22.55%) and ferrous sulfate (n=66, 24.00%). Logistic regression analysis showed the number of PIM, days of hospital stay as predictors related to inappropriate dosage use. In conclusion, CNS drugs were frequently prescribed as PIM and inappropriate dosages were identified. It is needed to develop a means of decreasing adverse drug events in elderly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Surface Engineering Conference
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• 2016.11a
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• pp.122.1-122.1
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• 2016

관상동맥 경화나 말초 혈관 동맥 경화 등이 발생한 경우 스텐트를 이용한 치료나 혈관 접합술(bypass grafting surgery)에 의한 치료를 하게 된다. 그러나 많은 경우 치료 부위에 발생한 혈관 조직에의 손상으로 인해 재협착(restenosis)이나 폐색(occlusion)이 일어나 환자의 생명을 위협하는 치명적인 결과를 유발하는 경우가 종종 발생한다. 이러한 재협착이나 폐색은 혈관민무니근세포(smooth muscle cells)의 이상성장(abnormal growth) 때문인데, 이를 억제하기 위한 다양한 약물이 개발되어 왔으나 치료 대상 부위에 높은 효율로 2~3 주간의 기간 동안 약물 전달하기가 어려운 실정이다. 최근 혈관접합 부위 (anastomosis site)등에 적용할 수 있는 메쉬나 실린더 형상의 약물전달 디바이스들이 개발되어 왔으나 약물 전달의 효율 등에서 더 개선이 절실히 필요한 실정이다. 본 발표에서는 혈관 외벽에 장착되어 혈관 중간막 (tunica media) 조직으로의 약물 전달 효율을 높이기 위해 마이크로니들(microneedles)을 이용한 디바이스들을 개발하고 약물 전달 성능과 치료효과를 소개하고자 한다. 열인장 공정 (thermal drawing)과 트랜스포 몰딩(transfer molding) 등의 마이크로 니들 제작공정을 설명하고 이를 바탕으로 제작된 커프(cuff) 형 및 유연 메쉬 (flexible mesh) 형의 디바이스 개발 과정을 소개하고자 한다. 특히, 이 디바이스들의 동물실험을 통한 약물 전달 효율의 향상 및 치료 효과의 증대에 대한 논의를 하고자 한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2010

Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) are the two most recognized ginseng botanicals. It is believed that the ginseng saponins called ginsenosides are the major active constituents in both ginsengs. Although American ginseng is not as extensively studied as Asian ginseng, it is one of the best selling herbs in the US, and has garnered increasing attention from scientists in recent years. In this article, after a brief introduction of the distribution and cultivation of American ginseng, we discuss chemical analysis of saponins from these two ginsengs, i.e., their similarities and differences. Subsequently, we review pharmacological effects of the saponins, including the effects on the cardiovascular system, immune system, and central nervous system as well as the anti-diabetes and anti-cancer effects. These investigations were mainly derived from American ginseng studies. We also discuss evidence suggesting that chemical modifications of ginseng saponins would be a valuable approach to develop novel compounds in drug discovery.

• Journal of The Korean Dental Society of Anesthesiology
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• v.6 no.2 s.11
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• pp.121-126
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• 2006

Generalized anaphylaxis is a most dramatic and acutely life-threatening allergic reaction. Most fatalities from anaphylaxis occur within the first 30 minutes postantigenic exposure. The mechanism of generalized anaphylaxis is the reaction of IgE antibodies to an allergen that causes the release of histamine, bradykinin, and others. These chemical mediators cause the contraction of smooth muscles of the respiratory and intestinal tracts, as well as increased vascular permeability. Four major clinical symptoms are recognized: skin reactions, smooth muscle spasm (gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and respiratory smooth muscle), respiratory distress, and cardiovascular collapse. Epinephrine is the drug of choice for the management. Its syrnpathomimetic effects directly counteract most aspects of the attack. Respiration must be immediately supported by the establishment of a patent airway along with artificial ventilation. The circulation should be supported and the existing hypotension overcome by placing the victim in a position to allow gravity to aid venous return and by administering intravenous fluids, vasopressors, and corticosteroids. When an imperceptible pulse is evident, external cardiac compression must also be instituted. This is a case report of anaphylactic shock care during general anesthesia, possibly due to penicillin, pancuronium and others.

• Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.213-219
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• 2008

Pulse waves continuously change with respect to the characteristics and status of the cardiovascular system and in relation to the blood pressure (BP) and the pulse wave velocity (PWV). Monitoring the vascular condition by analyzing the variations in pulse waveforms has been used to diagnose vascular disorders and in drug treatment of arteriosclerosis and peripheral circulatory obstruction. In this paper, we investigated the vascular characteristic index with regard to the BP and classified by pulse wave signals. The pressure pulse wave and photoplethysmography (PPG) were measured simultaneously while subjects exercised, producing changes in the BP, to analyze the variation in the vascular characteristic index. We investigated the correlation between the BP and vascular characteristic index with regard to the classification methods of the pulse wave. The reflection index (RI) and vascular stiffness index were correlated with the diastolic BP, but no correlation was found between these parameters and the systolic BP. These results suggest the possibility of estimating BP through simple measurements of pulse waves.

• Journal of Menopausal Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.143-149
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• 2018

Lack of adequate sleep has become increasingly common in our 24/7 modern society. Reduced sleep has significant health consequences including metabolic and cardiovascular disorders, and mental problems including depression. In addition, although the increase in life expectancy has provided a dream of longevity to humans, the occurrence of osteoporosis is a big obstacle to this dream for both male and female. It is known that insomnia and bone health problems, which are very critical conditions in human life, interestingly, share a lot of pathogenesis in recent decades. Nevertheless, due to another side effects of the synthetic drugs being taken for the treatment of insomnia and osteoporosis, patients have substantial anxiety for the safety of drugs with therapeutic expectation. This review examines the pathogenesis shared by sleep and osteoporosis together and herbal medicine, which has recently been shown to be safe and efficacious in the treatment of both diseases other than synthetic drugs. We suggestions for how to treat osteoporosis. These efforts will be the first step toward enabling patients to have comfortable and safe prescriptions through a wide selection of therapeutic agents in the future.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.165-171
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• 2018

An overdose of antihypertensive agents, such calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARBs), and the antihyperglycemic agent, metformin, leads to hypotension and lactic acidosis, respectively. A 40-year-old hypertensive and diabetic man with hyperlipidemia and a weight of 110 kg presented to the emergency room with vomiting, dizziness, and hypotension following an attempted drug overdose suicide with combined CCBs, ARBs, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coemzyme A reductase inhibitors, and metformins. A conventional medical treatment initially administered proved ineffective. The treatment was then changed to simultaneous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), which was effective. This shows that simultaneous ECMO and CRRT can be an effective treatment protocol in cases of ineffective conventional medical therapy for hypotension and lactic acidosis due to an overdose of antihypertensive agents and metformin, respectively.