• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.373-379
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• 2009

This study was conducted to develop a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model of a direct thrombin inhibitor, argatroban to predict the concentration-effect profiles in rats. Argatroban was i.v. injected to rats at 0. 2, 0.8 and 3.2 mg/kg doses (n = 4-5 per dose), and plasma drug levels were determined by a validated LC/MS/MS assay. The pharmacokinetics of argatroban was linear over the i.v. dose range studied. The thrombin time (TT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) were measured in rat plasma and they were found to linearly increase with increasing the dose. A 2-compartment pharmacokinetic model linked with an indirect response pharmacodynamic model was successfully utilized to evaluate the drug concentration-response relationship.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.165-177
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• 1993

The relationship between the plasma haloperidol (HP) concentration and clinical response, and the effects of its active metabolite, reduced haloperidol (RH) on clinical response of HP were investigated in schizophrenic patients. In clinical study I, with 17 schizophrenic patients (male 8, fermale 9) who were administered with three different fixed doses of HP (15, 30 and 50 mg/day) for 3 weeks, the concentrations of HP and RH in plasma and blood and clinical response had been checked before and every week during the study. The clinical response was evaluated by the method of brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS), and relative improvement of clinical response based on baseline BPRS (before drug treatment) was calculated. The concentrations of HP and RH in plasma and blood were assayed by HPLC. In clinical study II, the plasma RH/HP concentration ratios were checked in 11 patients who were administered with high doses of HP, over 60 mg a day, because of the poor clinical response at usual doses of HP. Plasma HP concentration and relative improvement of BPRS at 3 week in schizophrenic patients showed a 'curvilinear' relationship, and the clinical response was improved relatively over 50% based on the baseline BPRS in the range of $5{\sim}57\;ng/ml $ of HP in plasma. Also, the plasma RH concentrations were increased nonlinearly as the plasma HP concentration increased, and in high plasma HP concentration, over 30 ng/mI, clinical response gradually decreased, while the plasma RH/HP concentration ratio increased nonlinearly. Blood partition coefficients of HP and RH were not changed according to daily HP dose and duration of drug therapy. From these results, it is noted that the higher plasma RH/HP concentration ratio, resulted from the accumulation of RH as HP concentration increased, might explain the 'curvilinear' decrease of HP clinical response.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.198-210
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• 1997

To examine the double-faced thymoleptic(antidepressant and antimanic) effects of risperidone in mood disorders, this article reviews the psychotropic-induced mania, thymoleptic effects of antipsychotics, therapeutic effects of risperidone and risperidone(RIS)-induced mania(RIM) in mood disorders, risk factors of RIM, possible neurochemical mechanism of these thymoleptic effects, pathophysiological and clinical significance of thymoleptic effects, and suggestive clinical guideline of RIS in mood disorders. RIS appeared effective for bipolar disorder at a lower dose than that recommended for schizophrenia, especially in the cases of maintenance of mood stabilizers, and gradual titration from low doses. Manic induction/exacerbation can occur by chance during RIS treatment in mood disorders, schizoaffective disorders, and schizophrenias. The possible risk factors for RIM are refractory mood disorder, especially in bipolar I disorder with poor initial response ; refractory schizoaffective disorders, especially in bipolar type with poor initial response ; refractory chronic schizophrenias, especially with initial responses ; psychotic features ; higher initial doses ; rapid titration ; combined therapy with antidepressants in refractory depression ; and RIS monotherapy in mania/hypomania. RIS is a drug that preferentially block 5-HT2 receptors. The effects of low dose are due mainly to the blockade of 5-HT2 receptors. There are more gradual increase in D2 blockade with increasing dose and this D2 blocking properties become apparent at higher doses. This may be related to a modulation of dopaminergic transmission by 5-HT2 antagonism at lower doses with the direct action of RIS on DA receptors coming into play at higher dose. The serotonergic antagonistic effect may be important for its effects on depressive symptoms. This, together with adequate blo-ckade of D2 receptors, may not necessarily lead to destabilization of mood disorder, but rather to more therapeutic effects. Therefore, this dose-receptor affinity relationship with both antidepressant and antimanic effects according to treatment duration can explain a continuum of antidepressant effect, antimanic effect, behavioral stimulation, and manic/hypomanic induction/exacerbation. It was the recognition of a useful psychiatric side effects by a thoughtful observer with fertile minds that led to their ultimate utilization as psychotropic drugs, i.e., phenothiazine, MAOI, TCA, and lithium. And, in vivo pharmacological challenge by novel psychotropics, as a neurochemical probe, with more specific actions is a useful tool to select pharmacologically homogeneous subgroup of the same phenotypical(clinical) condition, to further study the unknown underlying pathogenesis of various mental illnesses. Finally, RIS may be a useful alternative or adjunctive drug for patients with mood disorders without psychotic features or refractory to treatment with standard antipsychotic drugs. The more conservative doses(tirated slowly from 1-3 mg/d) of RIS, and maintenance of mood stabilizer in the cases with risk factors of RIM are recommended in mood disorder.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2001

Legal permissible limit of herbal drugs metal level in Korea is define 'less 30.0ppm in total(except mineral drugs)' including Pb Hg Cd As Cr Ni etc. This limit has a lot of problems in several factors, that is, not divide hazard and essential elements, not consider high and low toxic effect in each metal, not calculate dose-response relationship and average health behavior in Korean etc. As a that result, It has strong limits and weakness in the basic toxicology and Oriental medicine. To improve and correct these factors, We need to several new approach as like below. It must be radical study following problems in short and middle-long period in the future, toxic metal and essential element must be divide to basic toxicology and also be diverse toxic effect. But mineral drugs that included a amount of severe toxic metals is being used as active prescription drug until now. If toxic, safety and side-effect of metals will be considered, mineral drugs must prohibit instantly or use at least after examined toxic effect. But one of the most important things about herbal drugs contamination, all people and department (government, farmer and trader, oriental medicine doctors and association) will be participate cooperative and collection for preventive or the least contamination in herbal drugs.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.571-578
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• 2001

To evaluate if the apoptotic fragment assay could be used to estimate the dose prediction after radiation exposure, we examined apoptotic mouse crypt cells per 1,000 cells after whole body $^{60}Co$ $\gamma$-rays and 50MeV ($p{\rightarrow}Be^+$) cyclotron fast neutron irradiation in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, respectively. The incidence of apoptotic cell death rose steeply at very low doses up to 1 Gy, and radiation at all doses tigger rapid changes in crypt cells in stem cell region. These data suggest that apoptosis may play an important role in homeostasis of damaged radiosensitive target organ by removing damaged cells. The curve of dose-effect relationship for the data of apoptotic fragments was obtained by the linear-quadratic model $y=0.18+(9.728{\pm}0.887)D+(-4.727{\pm}1.033)D^2$ ($r^2=0.984$) after $\gamma$-rays irradiation, while $y=0.18+(5.125{\pm}0.601)D+(-2.652{\pm}0.7000)D^2$ ($r^2=0.970$) after neutrons in mice. The dose-response curves were linear-quadratic, and a significant dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of apoptotic cell and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of apoptotic crypt cells with increasing dose. Both the time course and the radiation dose-response curve for high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation modalities were similar. The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) value for crypt cells was 2.072. In addition, there were significant peaks on apoptosis induction at 4 and 6h after irradiation, and the morpholoigcal findings of the irradiated groups were typical apoptotic fragments in crypt cells that were hardly observed in the control group. Thus, apoptosis in crypt cells could be a useful in vivo model for studying radio-protective drug sensitivity or screening test, microdosimetric indicator and radiation-induced target organ injury. Since the apoptotic fragment assay is simple, rapid and reproducible in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, it will also be a good tool for evaluating the dose response of radiation-induced organ damage in vivo and provide a potentially valuable biodosimetry for the early dose prediction after accidental exposure.

• Laboraroty Animal Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.232-238
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• 2018

Animal models have been used to elucidate the pathophysiology of varying diseases and to provide insight into potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Although alternatives to animal testing have been proposed to help overcome potential drawbacks related to animal experiments and avoid ethical issues, their use remains vital for the testing of new drug candidates and to identify the most effective strategies for therapeutic intervention. Particularly, the study of metabolic diseases requires the use of animal models to monitor whole-body physiology. In line with this, the National Institute of Food and Drug Safety Evaluation (NIFDS) in Korea has established their own animal strains to help evaluate both efficacy and safety during new drug development. The objective of this study was to characterize the response of C57BL/6NKorl mice from the NIFDS compared with that of other mice originating from the USA and Japan in a chemical-induced diabetic condition. Multiple low-dose treatments with streptozotocin were used to generate a type-1 diabetic animal model which is closely linked to the known clinical pathology of this disease. There were no significantly different responses observed between the varying streptozotocin-induced type-1 diabetic models tested in this study. When comparing control and diabetic mice, increases in liver weight and disturbances in serum amino acids levels of diabetic mice were most remarkable. Although the relationship between type-1 diabetes and BCAA has not been elucidated in this study, the results, which reveal a characteristic increase in diabetic mice of all origins are considered worthy of further study.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.99-104
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• 2001

To determine if micronucleus (MN) assay could be used to predict the absorbed dose of victims after accidental radiation exposure, we carried out to assess the absorbed dose depending on the numerical changes of MN in human peripheral blood lymphocytes after $^{60}Co\;{\gamma}-rays$ exposure in the range of 0.25 to 1 Gy, respectively. The MNs were observed at very low doses, and the numerical changes according to doses. Satisfactory dose-effect calibration curve is observed after low dose irradiation of human lymphocytes in vitro. When plotting on a linear scale against radiation dose, the line of best fit was $Y=(0.02{\pm}0.0009)+(0.033{\pm}0.010)D+(0.012{\pm}0.012)D^2$. The dose-response curve for MN induction immediately after irradiation was linear-quadratic and has a significant relationship between the frequencies of MN and dose. These data show a trend towards increase of the numbers of MN with increasing dose. The number of MN in lymphocytes that were observed in the control group is $0.1610{\pm}0.0093/cell$. Accordingly, MN assay in human peripheral lymphocytes could be a useful in viva model for studying radio-protective drug sensitivity or screening test, microdosimertic indicator and radiation-induced target organ injury. Since MN assay is simple, rapid and reproducible, it will also be a biodosimetric indicator for individual dose assessment after accidental exposure.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.183-190
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• 2018

Background: Vitamin B12 deficiency has been associated with peripheral neuropathy, loss of sensation in the peripheral nerves, and weakness in the lower extremities. Methylcobalamin is the most effective analogue of vitamin B12 used to treat or prevent the complications associated with vitamin B12 deficiency. The current study aimed to compare the serum cobalamin levels after administration of two different regimes of methylcobalamin in peripheral neuropathy patients. Methods: The present study was a prospective, randomized, comparative study. The study consisted of two parallel groups, group A (methylcobalamin $500{\mu}g$ injection intramuscularly three times a week) and group B (methylcobalamin $1500{\mu}g$ injection intramuscularly once a week). A control group of healthy volunteers was also included. Results: A total of 24 patients (12 in each group) were included in the study. Five healthy volunteers were also included as a control in each group. At the end of treatment, serum cobalamin levels were significantly (P = 0.028) higher in group A ($1892.08{\pm}234.50$) as compared with group B ($1438.5{\pm}460.32$). The serum cobalamin levels in Group A healthy volunteers were also two times higher than that of group B (P = 0.056). Both the LANSS scale and DN4 questionnaire reported similar results at end of treatment. Conclusions: The $500{\mu}g$ methylcobalamin thrice weekly regime is more effective in increasing the serum cobalamin levels as compared to the $1500{\mu}g$ methylcobalamin once weekly regime.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 1996

This study was undertaken to evaluate a behavior-electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern relationship in pilocarpine- and kainic acid-induced convulsions of rats. Also we intended to examine the effect of a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, MK-801, and diazepam on the pilocarpine-induced behavioral and electrical seizures in rats. The electrical activities at frontal and hippocampal areas and behavior activities were measured in freely moving rats. At the beginning of the experiments, the rats displayed an exploratory behavior. This awake and moving phase with a low amplitude, irregular, 4-10 Hz wave was followed by a still phase. Pilocarpine (400 mg/kg, i.p.) and kainic acid (0.5 mg/kg, i.c.v.) induced tonic and clonic seizures. The pilocarpine-induced change in electrical activities exhibited a weak correlation with behavioral convulsion at all stages. The amplitude and duration of the electrical response were not linear with the degree of behavioral score. An application of MK-801 (dizocilpine, 7.5 mg/kg) did not affect the amplitudes of the convulsant-induced electrical activities, though the same dose of this drug caused the deformation of the electrical pattern. There was no effect of MK-801 on the behavioral and electrical activities as expected. Diazepam (1 mg/kg) did not affect the amplitude of the electrical activities induced by pilocarpine but changed the pattern of these activities. Our study shows that there is no linear relationship between degree of behavior and amplitude of electrical activities of convulsants. This may indicate that the NMDA receptor stimulation can be processed by the neocortical or hippocampal network in a different way between behavioral and electrical activities.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.11 s.256
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• pp.761-772
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• 2005

Background: Following the implantation of heart valve prostheses, it is important to maintain therapeutic INR to reduce the risk of thromboembolism. The objective of this study was to suggest a practical dosing guideline for Korean outpatients with prosthetic heart valves managed by a pharmacist-run anticoagulation service (ACS). Material and Method: A retrospective chart review was completed for all patients enrolled in the ACS at Seoul National University Hospital from March, 1997 to September, 2000. Patients who were at least 6 months post-valve replacement and had nontherapeutic INR value (less than 2.0 or greater than 3.0) were included. The data on 688 patients (1,782 visits) requiring dosing adjustment without any known drug or food interaction with warfarin were analyzed. The amount of adjusted dose and INR changes based on the INR at the time of the event were calculated. Aortic valve replacements (AVR) patients and mitral or double valve replacement (MVR/DVR) patients were evaluated separately. Result: Two methods for the warfarin dosage adjustment were suggested: Guideline I (mg-based total weekly dose (TWD) adjustment), Guideline II (percentage-based TWD adjustment). The effectiveness of Guideline 1 was superior to Guideline II overall in patients with both AVR and MVR/DVR. Conclusion: The guideline suggested in this study could be useful when the dosage adjustment of wafarin is necessary in outpatients with mechanical heart valves.