• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.584-598
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• 2011

Objectives : Functional dyspepsia is a type of disease characterized by bothersome postprandial fullness, early satiation, epigastric pain and burning without structural gastrointestinal disease. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of functional dyspepsia patients and evaluate changes in symptoms, quality of life, and electrogastrography parameters before and after oriental medical interventions. Methods : We recruited forty-six functional dyspepsia patients who visited gastroenterology clinic in the oriental medicine hospital of Kyung Hee University between November 2009 and February 2011. Patients were assessed for their frequency of dyspepsia (based on short form-Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire: SF-LDQ), quality of life (based on functional dyspepsia-related quality of life questionnaire: FD-QoL), gastric motility (based on electrogastrography: EGG) on the first visit. Then, the effect of oriental medical interventions was evaluated using EGG on the second visit. Results : The majority of patients had symptoms of nausea and indigestion. The largest decrease in EGG parameters was found in the indigestion group. The frequency of regurgitation and postprandial EGG power % bradygastria showed a significant correlation. Also, significant correlations were found between some items of FD-QoL and some EGG parameters. Compared to the EGG parameters before oriental medical interventions, some parameters after treatment had positive results, implying the improvement of gastric motility disorder. We also found improvement of EGG parameters in both digestant medicinal group and digestant combined with qi-tonifying medicinal group. Conclusions : The results of this study suggest that clinical application of EGG can be an objective diagnostic tool in functional dyspepsia patients visiting oriental medical hospital.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1784-1791
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• 2010

In this study, we investigated the effects of ethyl alcohol extracts of Hizikia fusiforme (EHF) on the correlation between tightening of tight junctions (TJs) and anti-invasive activity in human gastric adenocarcinoma AGS cells. Inhibitory effects of EHF on cell proliferation, motility, and invasiveness were found to be associated with increased tightness of the TJs, which was demonstrated by an increase in transepithelial electrical resistance. Activities of matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2 and -9 in AGS cells were dose-dependently inhibited by treatment with EHF, and this was also correlated with a decrease in expression of their mRNA and proteins; however, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 and -2 mRNA levels were increased. Additionally, immunoblotting results indicated that EHF repressed the levels of claudin proteins (claudin-1, -3, and -4), major components of TJs that play key roles in control and selectivity of paracellular transport. Furthermore, EHF decreased expression of insulin such as growth factor-1 receptor proteins, while concurrently increasing that of thrombospondin-1 and E-cadherin. In conclusion, these results suggest that EHF treatment may inhibit tumor cell motility and invasion, and therefore act as a dietary source to decrease the risk of cancer metastasis.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.227-234
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• 2000

Many reports suggest that neurotensin (NT) in the gastrointestinal tract may play a possible role as a neurotransmitter, a circulating hormone, or a modulator of motor activity. NT exerts various actions in the intestine; it produces contractile and relaxant responses in intestinal smooth muscle. This study was designed to investigate the effect of NT on motility of antral circular muscle strips in guinea-pig stomach. To assess the role of $Ca^{2+}$ influx in underlying mechanism, slow waves were simultaneously recorded with spontaneous contractions using conventional intracellular microelectrode technique. At the concentration of $10^{-7}$ M, where NT showed maximum response, NT enhanced the magnitude $(863{\pm}198%,\;mean\;SEM,\;n=13)$ and the frequency $(154{\pm}10.3%,\;n=11)$ of spontaneous contractions. NT evoked a slight hyperpolarization of membrane potential, tall and steep slow waves with abortive spikes $(278{\pm}50%,\;n=4).$ These effects were not affected by atropine $(2\;{\mu}M),$ guanethidine $(2\;{\mu}M)$ and tetrodotoxin (0.2μM). NT-induced contractile responses were abolished in $Ca^{2+}-free$ solution and reduced greatly to near abolition by $10\;{\mu}M$ of verapamil or 0.2 mM of $CdCl_2.$ Verapamil attenuated the effects of NT on frequency and amplitude of the slow waves. Taken together, these results indicate that NT enhances contractility in guinea-pig gastric antral circular muscle and $Ca^{2+}$ influx through the voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel appears to play an important role in the NT-induced contractile mechanism.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.348-353
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• 2006

In this study, a 40% ethanol extract of Chinese yam flour (Dioscoreae rhizoma), containing $177{\pm}58{\mu}g/mL$ of dioscin, was tested in order to evaluate its pharmacological effects on the gastrointestinal tracts of Sprague-Dawley rats. Via the ingestion of the Chinese yam extract, the secretion of gastric acid was suppressed in the rats, and gastrointestinal motility increased by as much as 10%. The fecal quantity of rats fed on the Chinese yam extract also increased, by more than 40% as compared with that of the controls. The Chinese yam extract was found not to affect the growth of normal intestinal bacteria. However, a great deal of lactose-fermenting bacteria was observed in the fecal samples of rats fed for 6 weeks on 2% Chinese yam extract. This finding would appear to suggest that Chinese yam extract not only induces an improvement in digestive capability, but also affects the conversion of some intestinal flora to helpful bacteria. Our serochemical analyses indicated that serum glucose, neutral lipid, and total cholesterol levels were reduced to some degree by long-term feeding on Chinese yam extract. This finding bolsters the notion that Chinese yam extract may prove helpful as a digestion-aiding agent for patients suffering from hyperglycemia or hyperlipidemia.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.499-504
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• 2013

This study aims to address the effect of interferential current therapy and thereby to provide basic resources to physical therapies for internal medicine by identifying symptoms for functional dyspepsia and serum gastrin level that shows gastric motility. Following results were obtained by performing interferential current therapy to 16 subjects composed of 8 for functional dyspepsia group and 8 for control group for 20 minutes a day, 3 days a week, for 6 weeks. In control group, serum gastrin level was significantly( p<.01), lowered after the therapy whereas there was no significant difference observed in all questions from questionnaire for symptoms of functional dyspepsia between before and after the therapy. In functional dyspepsia group, serum gastrin level was significantly(p<.01), lowered after the therapy and there was also significant(p<.01) reduction in every question from questionnaire for symptoms of functional dyspepsia between before and after the therapy. There was more significant decrease in serum gastrin level and reduction in questionnaire for symptoms of functional dyspepsia in the functional dyspepsia group compared to the control group(p<.01). This study confirms the interferential current therapy as an effective therapeutic method for internal diseases including functional dyspepsia since it not only improves the symptoms of functional dyspepsia but also allows the gastric motility close to normal.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.857-869
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• 2010

Objectives : The aim of this study was to evaluate whether rats with non-obstructive antral dilation could be a useful tool resembling functional dyspeptic patients. We also investigated the effect of Bojoongikki-tang (BJ), and Youngkaechulgam-tang (YK) in antral dilated rats. Methods : Non-obstructive antral dilation was performed by first wrapping a non-absorbable rubber ring (D:6mm, W:4mm, T:1mm) around the 1st portion of the duodenum causing pyloric obstruction (PO). After 12 weeks, except for some PO group rats used for the control, the rubber ring was removed by performing another operation. The antral dilated rats (AD) were then divided into three groups, a non-treatment group (AD-NT), and two herbal medicine groups each given an extract solution containing 125 mg/kg of Youngkaechulgam-tang (AD-YK) or Bojoongikki-tang (AD-BJ) for 4 weeks. Then gastric contractility was evaluated by bowel sound measurement, and afterwards the changes of the weight, and morphologic changes of the stomach were evaluated for each group including the normal intact group (NI). Results : Loss of weight and enlargement of the stomach surface area was seen in the PO group. Decrease of gastric motility index was observed in the AD-NT group, while the increased surface area of the stomach was not significantly different from the PO group. Youngkaechulgam-tang seemed to increase gastric contraction, whereas Bojoongikki-tang showed no effect. Weight gain of rats was observed in both the AD-YK and AD-BJ groups, but there seemed to be no change of the dilated stomach surface area. Conclusions : The non-obstructive antral dilated rat seems to be an experimental pathologic model that reflects the gastric dysmotility similar to functional dyspeptic patients with antral dilation. Therefore patients with dysmotility-like dyspepsia with antral function disorders should be treated efficiently. As Youngkaechulgam-tang is shown to increase both gastric contraction and weight in antral dilated rats, it may be used for treating functional dyspepsia. However, Bojoongikki-tang should be used with caution in patients with gastric dysmotility.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.65-76
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• 2007

Purpose: It is generally accepted that smooth muscle contraction is triggered by intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) released from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ stores such as sarcoplasmic teticulum (SR) and from the extracellular space. The increased $[Ca^{2+}]^i$ can phosphorylate the 20,000 dalton myosin light chain $(MLC_{20})$ by activating MLC kinase (MLCK), and this initiates smooth muscle contraction. In addition to the $[Ca^{2+}]_i$MACK-tension pathway, a number of intracellular signal molecules, including mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), protein kinase C (PKC) and others, play important roles in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction. However, the mechanisms regulating contraction of depletion of SR $Ca^{2+}$ in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips is not still clear. Methods: To investigate the rotes of $Ca^{2+}$ influx and SR $Ca^{2+}$ release channel on gastric motility, isometric contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ were examined in mouse gastric smooth muscle strips. Results: High KCl, ryanodine, an activator of $Ca^{2+-}$induced $Ca^{2+}$ release channel, and cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), an inhibitor of SR $Ca^{2+-}$ATPase evoked a sustained increase in muscle contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$. These increases induced by high KCl, ryanodine, and CPA were partially blocked by application of verapamil ($10{\mu}M$), a L-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel inhibitor. Additionally, in $Ca^{2+-}$free solution (1 mM EGTA), ryanodine and CPA had no effect contraction and $[Ca^{2+}]_i$ in fundic muscle strips. Conclusion: These results that extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ influx and depletion of SR trigger $Ca^{2+}$ influx through verapamil-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ channel, and extracellular and SR $Ca^{2+}$ store may functionally involve in the subcellular $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization in mouse gastric muscle.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.133-146
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• 1991

In order to elucidate systematically the effects of serotonin on gastric motility of guinea-pig, the contractile and electrical responses to serotonin were recorded using four kinds of muscle strips prepared from antral circular, antral longitudinal, fundic circular, and fundic longitudinal muscles. Experiments were performed using various methods including isometric contraction recording, transmural electrical field stimulation, junction potential recording, intracellular microelectrode technique, and partition stimulation method. The results were as follows: 1) The effect of serotonin on spontaneous contractions was inhibitory in the circular muscle strips of the antrum and fundus, while it was excitatory in the longitudinal muscle strips of the antrum and fundus. Serotonin changed mainly phasic contractions of both the circular and longitudinal muscle strips in the antrum, while it changed mainly tonic contractions of both the circular and longitudinal muscle strips in the fundus. 2) On the contractions induced by transmural nerve stimulation, serotonin decreased the amplitude in the circular muscle strips of the antrum, but it increased them in the other three groups of muscle strips(antral longitudinal, fundic circular, and fundic longitudinal). 3) On the contractions induced by direct muscle stimulation, serotonin decreased the amplitude in the circular muscle strips of the antrum and fundus. 4) In the fundic circular muscle strips serotonin potentiated excitatory junction potentials (EJPs), and in the antral circular muscle strips it evoked EJPs after inhibitory junction potentials(IJPS). 5) In the antral circular muscle strips serotonin did not affect the slow wave even at the disappearance of spontaneous contractions. On the contrary it increased the amplitude of the slow wave, when the spike component was potentiated and the second component was inhibited. 6) In the antral circular muscle strips the membrane potential was slightly hyperpolarized, but the membrane resistance was not changed. From the above results following conclusions could be made. 1) Serotonin inhibits spontaneous contractions of the circular muscle layer and it increases those of the longitudinal one, irrespective of the gastric region. 2) In the guinea-pig stomach there exists a serotoninergic facilitatory neuromodulation system which exerts its effect on cholinergically mediated contraction. 3) The excitation-contraction decoupling was observed in the effect of serotonin.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.15-27
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• 1990

For the purpose of examing on the efficancy of the Boolwhangumjeonggisan and on the effect of the Boolwhangumjeonggisan, dropsy animals given water boil ding abstraction exgis power. What made an experiment, the motility of isolate ileume, anticathartic action, the action of gastric juice, tied pylous ulcer and inhibited vomitting. 1. Boolwhangumjeonggisan displayed great suppresion effect in regard to automatic movement of the motility of isolated of mice and displayed anti-acethylcholine action, antibarium chloride action. Thus, the origin of muscle relaxation for internal smooth muscle is admitted. 2. It displayed great rexation effect in regard to fraction of rat's stomach and displayed contentional effect in regard to a cetylcholine and barium chloride. 3. It decreased rat of barium sulfate transport through the small intestine of mice. 4. It recognized anti-cathartic action, rat suffered from leading diarrhea by caster oil. 5. Total activity, pepsin secretion decreased and increased the pH of stomach in Shay's method. 6. It recognized powerful prevention effect on tied pylous ulcer. 7. It inhibited vomitting by administration of CuSo4 in frog.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2016

Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPRD) is different with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The lower esophageal sphincter (LES) possesses an intrinsic nervous plexus that allows the LES to have a considerable degree of independent neural control. Sympathetic control of the LES and stomach stems from cholinergic preganglionic neurons in the intermediolateral column of the thoracic spinal cord (T6 through T9 divisions), which impinge on postganglionic neurons in the celiac ganglion, of which the catecholaminergic neurons provide the LES and stomach with most of its sympathetic supply. Sympathetic regulation of motility primarily involves inhibitory presynaptic modulation of vagal cholinergic input to postganglionic neurons in the enteric plexus. The magnitude of sympathetic inhibition of motility is directly proportional to the level of background vagal efferent input. Recognizing that the LES is under the dual control of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, we refer the reader to other comprehensive reviews on the role of the sympathetic and parasympatetic control of LES and gastric function. The present review focuses on the functionally dominant parasympathetic control of the LES and stomach via the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus.