• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.313-318
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• 1995

Reflux of bile and digestive enzymes from the small bowel and duodenum into stomach has been observed in patients with various gastroduodenal diseases. Tc-99m iminodiacetic acid delivatives hepatobiliary scan has been used as a noninvasive method to detect duodenogastric reflux. Sometimes, gastric reflux can be observed incidentally on routine Tc-99m DISIDA hepatobiliary scintigraphy. To evaluate the clinical meaning of gastric reflux on routine Tc-99m DISIDA hepatobiliary scan, we analyzed 36 patients showed gastric reflux incidentally on the routine Tc-99m DISIDA hepatobiliary scintigraphy from December 1991 to June 1995 in Chungnam National University Hospital. The results were as follows : 1) The gastric reflux was observed in 2.3% of 1,553 cases of routine Tc-99m DISIDA Hepatobiliary scintigraphy for 43 months. 2) Nineteen percent of patients with gastric reflux had the past medical history of operations on stomach or biliary system. And that history was more prevalent in patients with reflux than those without reflux, significantly (p<0.01). 3) On fiberoptic gastroduodenoscopic examination, 87% of the patients with gastric reflux had the gastroduodenal diseases such as gastritis, gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, gastric cancer, duodenal cancer and ampullary diverticulosis. We thought that the gastric reflux can be observed considerably in patients without any operation history on stomach or duodenum, although the operation history is more prevalent in patients with gastric reflux than those without reflux, significantly and most of patients with gastric reflux on routine Tc-99m DISIDA scan has various gastroduodenal diseases.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.135-145
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• 2012

Previously, we reported that Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis and gastric cancer are closely associated with increased levels of hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) and that Korean red ginseng significantly reduced the severity of H. pylori-associated gastric diseases by attenuating $H_2S$ generation. Because the incubation of endothelial cells with $H_2S$ has been known to enhance their angiogenic activities, we hypothesized that the amelioration of $H_2S$-induced gastric inflammation or angiogenesis in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) might explain the preventive effect of Korean red ginseng on H. pylori-associated carcinogenesis. The expression of inflammatory mediators, angiogenic growth factors, and angiogenic activities in the absence or presence of Korean red ginseng extracts (KRGE) were evaluated in HUVECs stimulated with the $H_2S$ generator sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS). KRGE efficiently decreased the expression of cystathionine ${\beta}$-synthase and cystathionine ${\gamma}$-lyase, enzymes that are essential for $H_2S$ synthesis. Concomitantly, a significant decrease in the expression of inflammatory mediators, including cyclooxygenase-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase, and several angiogenic factors, including interleukin (IL)-8, hypoxia inducible factor-1a, vascular endothelial growth factor, IL-6, and matrix metalloproteinases, was observed; all of these factors are normally induced after NaHS. An in vitro angiogenesis assay demonstrated that NaHS significantly increased tube formation in endothelial cells, whereas KRGE pretreatment significantly attenuated tube formation. NaHS activated p38 and Akt, increasing the expression of angiogenic factors and the proliferation of HUVECs, whereas KRGE effectively abrogated this $H_2S$-activated angiogenesis and the increase in inflammatory mediators in vascular endothelial cells. In conclusion, KRGE was able to mitigate $H_2S$-induced angiogenesis, implying that antagonistic action against $H_2S$-induced angiogenesis may be the mechanism underlying the gastric cancer preventive effects of KRGE in H. pylori infection.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2013

Objectives : The 7-zone-diagnostic system is a device for predetermining bodily locations by measuring the energy of the living body. The purpose of this study is to examine correlations between gastroscopy results and zone-5 data from the 7-zone-diagnostic system. Methods : This study was carried out with data from gastroscopy procedures. It involved 115 patients who had been diagnosed with gastritis, esophagitis, or gastric ulcers. These patients were divided into three groups according to the different patterns of zone-5 factors AA, FL2 and FL1. Group A was made up of patients for whom the red bar graph of zone-5 was higher than the normal range for factor AA. Group B was made up of patients for whom the red bar graph of zone-5 was within the normal range for factor AA. Group C was made up of patients for whom the red bar graph of zone-5 was lower than the normal range for factor AA. Group D E and F were made up of same way as group A B and C for factor FL2. Group G H and I were made up of same way as group A B and C for factor FL1. After the collection of gastroscopy results and data on zone-5 from the 7-zone-diagnostic system, the data was analyzed statistically. Results : 1. Group D had a higher ratio of medication than group E, and this result was statistically significant. 2. Group D G had a higher ratio of medication than group E G and group E H, and this result was statistically significant. 3. Group G had a higher ratio of esophagitis than group H, and this result was statistically significant. 4. A Group B H had a higher ratio of esophagitis than group B G, group C G, and group C H, and this result was statistically significant. 5. The medication group had a high score on the function index than the non-medication group, and this result was statistically significant. Conclusions : This study suggests that there is a slight correlation between gastroscopy results and zone-5 data from the 7-zone-diagnostic system. The research resulted in significant data that are helpful for diagnosing digestive system problems through the use of the 7-zone-diagnostic system.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2008

Rebamipide, ($\pm$)-2-(4-chlorobenzoylamino)-3-[2(1H)-quinolinon-4-yl] propionic acid, is used for mucosal protection, healing of gastroduodenal ulcers, and treatment of gastritis. It works by enhancing mucosal defense, scavenging free radicals and temporarily activating genes encoding cyclooxygenase-2. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two rebamipide tablets, $Mucosta^{(R)}$ (Korea Otsuca Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.) and Mustar (Korean Drug Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The release of rebamipide from the two rebamipide formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method with pH 6.8 dissolution medium. Twenty six healthy male subjects, $23.46{\pm}2.63$ years in age and $66.62{\pm}8.97\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After a single tablet containing 100 mg as rebamipide was orally administered, blood samples were taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of rebamipide in serum were determined using HPLC with fluorescence detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar in the tested dissolution medium. The pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$ were calculated, and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the reference drug, $Mucosta^{(R)}$ were -5.08, 3.52 and -9.71 % for $AUC_t$, $C_{max}$ and $T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log 0.8 to log 1.25 (e.g., log 0.84$\sim$log 1.07 and log 0.90$\sim$log 1.17 for $AUC_t$ and $C_{max}$, respectively). Thus, the criteria of the KFDA bioequivalence guideline were satisfied, indicating Mustar tablet was bioequivalent to $Mucosta^{(R)}$ tablet.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.47-51
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• 2006

The origin of a submucosal tumor is difficult to determine by endoscopic biopsy. One type of submucosal tumor, which originates in Schwann cell, a schwannoma represents 0.2% of all gastric tumors. We experienced the case of a 57-year-old female patient with a gastric schwannoma presenting with melena and anemia. Computed tomography and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy showed a protruded huge mass from 3 cm below the cardia to angle. Seven endoscopic biopsies indicated only necrotic debri and granulation tissue, chronic gastritis. Because we suspected an advanced gastric cancer, or lymphoma with bleeding, It was performed an operation for an exact diagnosis and a treatment for bleeding. A-post-operative histopathological, immunohistochemical examination led to the final diagnosis of a gastric schwannoma.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.12
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• pp.1729-1739
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• 2012

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of fermented medicinal herbs. A search of the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), PubMed databases and Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine in 2000-2011 located 11 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the clinical efficacy of fermented medicinal herbs. Domestic RCTs reported clinical efficacy on improvement of immune responses and clinical safety on usage of fermented medicinal herbs in subjects suffering from cerebral hemodynamics. Countries other than Chinareported studies on the cause of esophageal cancer and on local inflammatory reactions. In China, studies were reported on the effectiveness of fermented medicinal herbs on scapulohumeral periarthritis of the stasis type, chronic superficial gastritis, dysuria induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia of deficiency of kidney yang, diabetic nephropathy, essential hypertension, and benign prostate hyperplasia. These results indicate that fermented medicinal herbs have obvious clinical effects in some diseases and no adverse reactions. Therefore, we need to initiate more fermentation research with useful bacteria, fungi, and mushrooms to produce fermented medicinal herbs. Both governments and research authorities should focus on research involving fermentation of medicinal herbs.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.760-767
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• 2010

The oxidative damage of lipids, protein, and DNA is known to be involved in not only chronic inflammations such as arthritis, hepatitis, nephritis, gastritis, colitis, and periodontitis but also metastasis. It has given impetus to searching for natural compounds without toxicity, which prevent the development of these diseases. The direct scavenging effects of aged black garlic extract (ABGE) were evaluated in vitro on DPPH radical, hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, and genomic DNA damage related to oxidative stress. Furthermore, its antioxidant effect on lipid peroxidation was investigated in human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080), which were exposed to the hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction. It was observed that ABGE exhibited a greater inhibitory effect on hydrogen peroxide than other reactive oxygen species, and also blocked DNA oxidation and lipid peroxidation induced by the hydroxyl radical. The oxidative stress in live cells was also inhibited in the presence of ABGE. In addition, its inhibitory effects on the activity and expression of MMP-2 and -9 related to metastasis were determined using gelatin zymography and western blot. The data showed that it inhibited MMP-2 and -9 in PMA-stimulated HT1080 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that ABGE show potential as an excellent agent for prevention of metastasis related to oxidative stress.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.24 no.9
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• pp.1012-1018
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• 2014

Sasa quelpaertensis Nakai (Korean name, Jeju-Joritdae) is one of the most abundant plants on Mt. Halla, Jeju Island, and it has long been used in traditional medicines. Recent studies have reported it as possessing various beneficial functions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertension, anti-gastritis, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anti-cancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of S. quelpaertensis on human colon cancer HT-29 cells. Cell growth inhibition by S. quelpaertensis was determined by MTT assay. Apoptosis was performed by DNA fragmentation, flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining (PI), and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to confirm the anti-apoptotic factors, such as inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) family members. $NO^{\bullet}$ production was determined by Griess assay. S. quelpaertensis treatment resulted in the time- and dose-dependent inhibition of the cell viability of HT-29 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the accumulation of the sub-G1 cell population stained by PI, as well as the ladder-like DNA fragmentation in a dose-dependent manner. S. quelpaertensis-inducing apoptosis was accompanied by the induction of S cell cycle arrests, increasing $NO^{\bullet}$ concentrations, and the down-regulation of IAPs, including X-chromosome-linked IAP (XIAP), cellular IAP-1 (cIAP-1), cIAP-2, and survivin. Taken together, these findings have important implications for future clinical developments of S. quelpaertensis in colon cancer treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.342-355
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• 1997

This research was carried out to determine the performance rate of health related practices, to measure the agreement between morbidity by doctor's diagnosis and morbidity by subject' self-reported and the degree of association between health related practices and morbidity rate by doctor's diagnosis, to identify their effects on morbidity among rural area populations. The data were gathered by volunteer residents (over the age of 20) of Haman Myeon, Haman Gun, Kyeongsangnam Do in Korea, from June 10, 1993 to June 12, 1993 (369 male and 516 female). Face to face interview, lab, chest P-A, EKG and physical examination were completed. Descriptive statistics, agreement analysis and multiple logistic regression procedures were employed for analyses. The results of the study were summarized as follows : 1) Age adjusted morbidity rates by doctor's diagnosis and self-reported were 38.5% (male:37.3%, female:36.5%), 26.4% (male:33.3%, female:27.5%), respectively. Kappa coefficient between morbidity by doctor's diagnosis and morbidity by self-reported was 0.21 (male:0.21, female:0.22). 2) The frequency of disease by doctor's diagnosis was as follows: hypertension(15.3%), gastritis (9.6%), diabetes mellitus (8.5%), live. disease (8.1%), and degenerative arthritis (6.2%) in the study population. 3) Order of health practice performance rate was as follows: Males-normal body weight (62.1%), non-heavy alcohol consumption (57.5%), 7-8 hours of sleeping (50.1%), non-smoking (21.7%), and exercise (19.8%). Females- non-heavy alcohol consumption (97.3%), non-smoking (84.7%), normal body weight (57.8%), 7-8 hours of sleeping (45.0%), and exercise (9.9%). 4) There was no significant relationship between health related practice and morbidity except exercise among health related practices. 5) Health related practice index which was recategorized by high, medium, and low had effects on the probability of developing morbidity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.425-430
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• 2012

Rumex acetosa is a perennial herb that is widely distributed across eastern Asia. Although the hot water extract of R. acetosa has been used to treat gastritis or gastric ulcers as a folk medicine, no scientific report exists for the use of this plant to treat gastric ulcers. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the anti-ulcer activity of water and 70% ethanol extracts obtained from R. acetosa, using an HCl/ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in mice. Anti-inflammatory and free radical-scavenging activities of these two extracts were also evaluated and compared. As a result, the administration of R. acetosa extracts significantly reduced the occurrence of gastric ulcers. However, significant differences in protective activity against gastric ulcers were observed between the two samples. In the case of the group pretreated with an ethanol extract dosage of 100 mg/kg, the protective effect (90.9%) was higher than that of water extract (41.2%). Under histological evaluation, pretreatment with R. acetosa extracts reversed negative effects, such as inflammation, edema, moderate hemorrhaging and loss of epithelial cells, presented by HCl/ethanol-treated stomachs. Meanwhile, R. acetosa extracts showed potent DPPH radical-scavenging activity and decreased NO production in a murine macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7, in a dose-dependent manner without affecting cellular viability. The greater anti-ulcer and NO production inhibitory activities exhibited by ethanol extracts compared to water extracts could be ascribed to the higher emodin levels, a major anthraquinone component of this plant.