• Title/Summary/Keyword: Integrative Medicine

Search Result 1,645, Processing Time 0.025 seconds

Stem Cells and Cell-Cell Communication in the Understanding of the Role of Diet and Nutrients in Human Diseases

  • Trosko James E.
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
    • /
    • v.22 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-14
    • /
    • 2007
  • The term, "food safety", has traditionally been viewed as a practical science aimed at assuring the prevention acute illnesses caused by biological microorganisms, and only to a minor extent, chronic diseases cause by chronic low level exposures to natural and synthetic chemicals or pollutants. "food safety" meant to prevent microbiological agents/toxins in/on foods, due to contamination any where from "farm to Fork", from causing acute health effects, especially to the young, immune-compromised, genetically-predisposed and elderly. However, today a broader view must also include the fact that diet, perse (nutrients, vitamins/minerals, calories), as well as low level toxins and pollutant or supplemented synthetic chemicals, can alter gene expressions of stem/progenitor/terminally-differentiated cells, leading to chronic inflammation and other mal-functions that could lead to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, atherogenesis and possibly reproductive and neurological disorders. Understanding of the mechanisms by which natural or synthetic chemical toxins/toxicants, in/on food, interact with the pathogenesis of acute and chronic diseases, should lead to a "systems" approach to "food safety". Clearly, the interactions of diet/food with the genetic background, gender, and developmental state of the individual, together with (a) interactions of other endogenous/exogenous chemicals/drugs; (b) the specific biology of the cells being affected; (c) the mechanisms by which the presence or absence of toxins/toxicants and nutrients work to cause toxicities; and (d) how those mechanisms affect the pathogenesis of acute and/or chronic diseases, must be integrated into a "system" approach. Mechanisms of how toxins/toxicants cause cellular toxicities, such as mutagenesis; cytotoxicity and altered gene expression, must take into account (a) irreversible or reversal changes caused by these toxins or toxicants; (b)concepts of thresholds or no-thresholds of action; and (c) concepts of differential effects on stem cells, progenitor cells and terminally differentiated cells in different organs. This brief Commentary tries to illustrate this complex interaction between what is on/in foods with one disease, namely cancer. Since the understanding of cancer, while still incomplete, can shed light on the multiple ways that toxins/toxicants, as well as dietary modulation of nutrients/vitamins/metals/ calories, can either enhance or reduce the risk to cancer. In particular, diets that alter the embryo-fetal micro-environment might dramatically alter disease formation later in life. In effect "food safety" can not be assessed without understanding how food could be 'toxic', or how that mechanism of toxicity interacts with the pathogenesis of any disease.

Pharmacokinetics Interaction between Cardiotonic Pills and Cilostazol in Rats (렛트를 이용한 심적환과 cilostazol에 관한 상호작용 연구)

  • Kim, Ekyune
    • Journal of Life Science
    • /
    • v.26 no.1
    • /
    • pp.123-128
    • /
    • 2016
  • The object of this study was to obtain accurate information about the co-administration effects of cardiotonic pills on the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol were observed as a process of the comprehensive and integrative medicine. Cilostazol is a synthetic anti-platelet and vasodilator agent developed for the treatment of intermittent claudication resulting from peripheral arterial disease. By increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cilostazol induces the activation of protein kinase A, which activates endothelial nitric oxide synthase. In order to evaluate the effect of a single or repeated cardiotonic pill dose on the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol, a single dose of pure_distilled water or a colloidal suspension of distilled water and cardiotonic pills were administered to the control and test groups, respectively. After 30 min, both groups were administered cilostazol. Plasma was collected 30min before administration, and 0.25, 0.5, 0.45, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24h after the end of cilostazol treatment. We then evaluated the pharmacokinetic changes observed with cilostazol between the control and test groups. No statistically significant differences were observed. These findings demonstrated that a single dose of cardiotonic pills did not affect the pharmacokinetics of cilostazol. The results obtained in this study suggest that co-administration of cardiotonic pills and cilostazol may not affect the bioavailability of cilostazol as a potential drug interaction.

Changes in Phosphatase Activity of the Mouse Uterus during the Estrous Cycle (發情週期에 EK른 생쥐子宮의 Phosphatase 活性의 變化에 관하여)

  • Kim, Moon-Kyoo;Kim, Sung-Rye;Cho, Wan-Kyoo
    • The Korean Journal of Zoology
    • /
    • v.23 no.2
    • /
    • pp.61-68
    • /
    • 1980
  • Quantitative analysis of the activities of transport ATPases as well as alkaline phosphatase of the mouse uterus was carried out during the estrous cycle. Even though the proportional patterns of the enzyme activities were similar each another between the stages of estrous cycle, the absolute activities of the enzymes except $K^+$-dependent and $Na^+$, $K^+$-activated ATPases at the time of estrus were significantly (p<0.025) higher than that at any other time of the estrous cycle. That is, the activities of $K^+$-dependent and $Na^+$, $K^+$-activated ATPases were negligible during the period of time from diestrus to estrus while the little activities (0.04 $\\sim$ 0.05$\\mu$M/mg protein/hr in average, $6\\sim7$% of the total enzyme activity) of these enzymes appeared at the time of metaestrus. On the other hand, at the time of estrus, the activities of $Mg^++$-dependent phosphatase, transport ATPase and alkaline phosphatase were rapidly and tremendously increased to be 0.69 (35%), 0.42 (21%) and 1.58 (79%), respectively. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was in the range of 0.60 $\\sim$ 1.58 (79 $\\sim$ 90%) and predominant throughout the estrous cycle. The activity of $Mg^++$-dependent alkaline phosphatase was estimated as 12 $\\sim$ 16% of the total enzyme activity. Therefore, it is assumed likely that $K^+$-dependent and $Na^+$, $K^+$-activated ATPases are not the main factors to control the fluid accumulation at the time of estrus, but may be the factors to reabsorb the luminal fluid into the uterine epithelium at the time of metaestrus, and that $Mg^++$-dependent phosphatase, transport ATPase and alkaline phosphatase must be closely involved in the secretion of luminal fluid from the epithelial cells of the mouse uterus.

  • PDF

Characteristics of Enterotoxigenic genes and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus Isolated from Tomato Farms in Western Gyeongnam (서부 경남지역 토마토 농장에서 분리된 Staphylococcus aureus의 내독소 유전자의 특성과 항생제 감수성)

  • Kim, Jin-Soo;Lee, Jin-Ha;Kim, Ji-Hun;Choi, Ju-Mi;Kim, Se-Ri;Ha, Sang-Do;Kim, Keun-Sung;Lee, Kyu-Ho;Kim, Min-Gon;Kim, Kwang-Yup;Kim, Cheol-Ho;Chung, Duck-Hwa
    • Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
    • /
    • v.38 no.2
    • /
    • pp.295-303
    • /
    • 2006
  • To provide microbial information for the safety of agricultural production, the presence of enterotoxin genes and antibiotic susceptibility of 14 isolated Staphylococcus aureus (11.7%) strains were investigated using PCR-based methods and disk diffusion method, respectively. Among enterotoxin-encoding genes, sea was detected from two isolates (14.3%), sea and sed genes were co-detected from three isolates (21.4%), and sea, sed, and see genes in seven isolates (50.0%), whereas seb, sec, and tsst were not detected in any isolate. Nine (64.3%), eight (57.1%), six (42.9%), two (14.3%), and one (7.2%) isolates were resistant to penicillin, novobiocin, amphicillin, erythromycin and oxacillin, and doxycycline and kanamycin, respectively. Methicilline-resistant S. aureus was found in roller of B farm and in hydroponic solution of D farm.

Effects of Breathing, Meditation and Qigong on the Impairable Dysfunction of Olfactory Sense in the Parkinson's Disease (파킨슨 병(PD)의 후각기능 장애에 대한 호흡 명상 기공 효과)

  • An, So Jung
    • Journal of Naturopathy
    • /
    • v.9 no.2
    • /
    • pp.37-45
    • /
    • 2020
  • Purpose: Symptoms of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) include tremors, bradykinesia, and rigidity. The purpose was to explore the effects of breathing, meditation and qigong on the improving of insight, behavior, mood discomfort, depression, anxiety, and olfactory dysfunction, which are PD non-motor symptoms. Methods: Three stages of An's-4444 healing breathing, An's Gwanjeong healing meditation, and healing qigong performed 12 times for 80 minutes at a time in subjects with PD (11 patients), and pre- and post-measurements compared and evaluated. Results: The Integrated Parkinson's Rating Scale (UPDRSI) for mood discomfort after 12 healings was 69%. The Depression Scale (61%) for HAMD, and 64% for Anxiety (HAMA)), and the smell identification test (TSI) for a trial for olfactory dysfunction, improved to 82%, respectively. However, the numerical values after one month after 12 healing were almost same in all four scales. This means that the healing effect maintained until after one month. Conclusions: An's healing breathing, meditation and qigong therapy significantly improved insight, behavior, and mood discomfort, and non-motor symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and olfactory dysfunction. These results suggest that An's breathing, meditation and qigong therapy are valuable as a primary therapy to improve and heal non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease patients. Further research in biomedical science is needed.

Analysis of Mediating Effects of Eating Habits on the Relationship between Stress and Depression in the Elderly (노인의 스트레스와 우울 간의 관계에서 식습관의 매개 효과 분석)

  • Tak, Sang Sook;Lee, Geo Lyong
    • Journal of Naturopathy
    • /
    • v.11 no.2
    • /
    • pp.93-99
    • /
    • 2022
  • Background: It is necessary to understand the correlation between stress and depression according to eating habits in the elderly. Purposes: To empirically verify the mediating effect of eating habits in the relationship between stress and depression in the elderly. Methods: we distributed an 'online questionnaire' to men and women aged 60 or more living in large cities, medium, and small-sized cities in Korea using Google questionnaires, and 365 replies were collected and used for analysis. Results: First, we found that stress in the elderly directly affected depression. In summary, an increment in the stress level of the elderly induces an increment in the depression level. Second, the eating habits of the elderly indirectly mediated the relationship between stress and depression. Conclusions: This study is meaningful in that it has verified eating habits have a mediating effect on the relationship between stress and depression in the elderly, and healthy eating habits of individuals can reduce depression. Therefore, counseling institution must check their daily eating habits when counseling the degree of depression of the elderly. In addition, eating habits are affected by stress, and it is necessary to grasp the individual stress index for the elderly who has terrible eating habits. Furthermore, it is needed to provide continuous nutrition education in institutions and communities to have proper eating habits.

Isolation and Structural Identification of Antioxidant Substances from Ethyl Acetate Extract of Conyza canadensis (망초(Conyza canadensis) Ethyl Acetate 추출물의 항산화성 물질의 분리와 동정)

  • Hyun Sook Song
    • Journal of Naturopathy
    • /
    • v.12 no.1
    • /
    • pp.7-15
    • /
    • 2023
  • Background: As a result of analyzing the components of wild Conyza canadensis, it contains physiologically active ingredients, so it is necessary to identify the compound. Purposes: It was to study the compound's molecular structure; a previous study showed that C. canadensis contains antioxidant substances. Methods: The ultrasonic pulverized lysate of C. canadensis stem and leaves was first extracted with 90% methanol and then five organic solvents. Next, the extracts was fractionated by HPLC, LC/MS chromatography, and NMR analyzers identified the molecular structure. Results: 100 g of dry C. canadensis was sonicated in 90% methanol and concentrated under reduced pressure to 11.96 g of a crude extract. Then, this crude was extracted with five types of solvents to obtain 123.8 mg of n-hexane, 448.2 mg of dichloromethane, 1047.7 mg of ethyl acetate (EA), 2563.8 mg of butanol, and 7.04 g of water. The EA extracts were fractionated by LC-MS and then re-fractionated to obtain F1 to F20. Next, the F15 was further fractionated to obtain nine fine fractions. Finally, the F17 fraction was re-fractionated to obtain ten fine fractions. As a result of LC-MS and NMR spectrometer analysis of the F15-7, the structure of this compound was confirmed as 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid. As a result of examining the structures of the F17-4 and F17-5 fractions, Quercetin-3-o-β-galactose was identified. In addition, the form of the F17-10 was confirmed to be 1,3,4-tri-caffeoylquinic acid. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that C. canadensis contained phenolic antioxidants, and its utilization may be expected.

Multicorrelation Study on the Change of Menstrual Cycle Affected by Stress and Obesity (스트레스와 비만에 따른 월경주기 변화의 다자간 연관성 연구)

  • Jang, Hee-Jae;Moon, Seung-Joon;Yoon, Young-Jin;Lee, Jin-Moo;Lee, Chang-Hoon;Cho, Jung-Hoon;Jang, Jun-Bock;Lee, Kyung-Sub
    • The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • /
    • v.22 no.4
    • /
    • pp.101-108
    • /
    • 2009
  • Purpose: Integrative studies have been made to review the correlationship of menstrual period with obesity and stress, and the relationship between stress and obesity has been reconfirmed through the study. Methods: Among the first time outpatients who visited the gynecological department of the OO oriental medical center from May 1st to September 1st of the year 2009, total 114 patients were included for the study by excluding the patients who received uterine hysterectomy, patients taking hormonal medications, and the patients who installed intrauterine devices. Survey has been made to investigate patients' age, menstrual period and duration of menstrual period. The investigation for the degree of obesity and stress was conducted as in below. Results: 1. From the menstrual cycle difference reviewed by Gonadosomatic index (GSI), the severe GSI group tended to show longer menstrual cycle than moderative GSI group. 2. From the menstrual cycle difference reviewed by Body Mass Index (BMI), longer menstrual cycle was observed from the abnormal BMI group than the normal BMI group. 3. No correlative probability values of GSI and BMI were observed. 4. Although the linear regression analysis result of BMI and GSI with the menstrual cycle did not show any statistical significance, the study resulted to show a tendency. Conclusion: Although the correlationship of menstrual cycle with obesity and stress did not show any significance, it is considered that the menstrual period could be affected by the combination of the variables rather than by independent variable.

A Comparison of the Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) Isozyme Patterns in Vertebrate Cerebrum and Retina (脊椎動物 腦와 網膜에 있어서 Lactate Dehydrogenase Isozyme Pattern의 比較)

  • Kim, Soon Ok;Park, Sang Yoon
    • The Korean Journal of Zoology
    • /
    • v.22 no.1
    • /
    • pp.1-10
    • /
    • 1979
  • From the experimental results of cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis we concluded the followings in explaining the LDH isozyme patterns found in the retina and cerebrum of vertebrata. Lactate dehydrogenase of the retina and cerebrum of both Carassinus carassinus and Cyprinus carpio was found to have one diffused band located between $LDH_2$ and $LDH_1$. LDH isozyme patterns of heart, pectoral muscle, liver and stomach of the Cyprinus carpio had the same diffused band in all organs. LDH isozyme patterns of the cerebrum of Hynobius leechii and Rana nigromaculata were observed to be different, in Hynobius leeichi a single band moved to the negative pole and two bands of $LDH_5$ and $LDH_4$ were obtained in the Rana nigromaculata. The retina and cerebrum of Natrix tigrina lateralis were observed as one band but amyda maakii had different LDH isozymes of the retina and cerebrum. The retina of Amyda maakii had five distinct LDH isozyme bands which had decreasing activity in the order of $LDH_5, LDH_4, LDH_3, LDH_2 and LDH_1$. The cerebrum of Amyda maakii had one band like Natrix tigrina lateralis but it moved to the negative pole. LDH isozymes in the retina and cerebrum of Gallus gallus domesticus and Melopsittacus undulatus showed one band. Five characteristic LDH isozyme bands were obtained from the retina of mammals, Oryctolagus cuniclus, Canis familiaris, Sus scrofa bos taurus and in the cerebrum of mouse, albino rat, Rhinolophus ferrum-equinum kokai.

  • PDF

Amelioration of colitis progression by ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles through suppression of inflammatory cytokines

  • Jisu Kim;Shuya Zhang ;Ying Zhu;Ruirui Wang;Jianxin Wang
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
    • /
    • v.47 no.5
    • /
    • pp.627-637
    • /
    • 2023
  • Background: Damage to the healthy intestinal epithelial layer and regulation of the intestinal immune system, closely interrelated, are considered pivotal parts of the curative treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Plant-based diets and phytochemicals can support the immune microenvironment in the intestinal epithelial barrier for a balanced immune system by improving the intestinal microecological balance and may have therapeutic potential in colitis. However, there have been only a few reports on the therapeutic potential of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PENs) and the underlying mechanism in colitis. This study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of PENs from Panax ginseng, ginseng-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GENs), in a mouse model of IBD, with a focus on the intestinal immune microenvironment. Method: To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of GENs on acute colitis, we treated GENs in Caco2 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced RAW 264.7 macrophages and analyzed the gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 by real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Furthermore, we further examined bacterial DNA from feces and determined the alteration of gut microbiota composition in DSS-induced colitis mice after administration of GENs through 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis. Result: GENs with low toxicity showed a long-lasting intestinal retention effect for 48 h, which could lead to effective suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 production through inhibition of NF-κB in DSS-induced colitis. As a result, it showed longer colon length and suppressed thickening of the colon wall in the mice treated with GENs. Due to the amelioration of the progression of DSS-induced colitis with GENs treatment, the prolonged survival rate was observed for 17 days compared to 9 days in the PBS-treated group. In the gut microbiota analysis, the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidota was decreased, which means GENs have therapeutic effectiveness against IBD. Ingesting GENs would be expected to slow colitis progression, strengthen the gut microbiota, and maintain gut homeostasis by preventing bacterial dysbiosis. Conclusion: GENs have a therapeutic effect on colitis through modulation of the intestinal microbiota and immune microenvironment. GENs not only ameliorate the inflammation in the damaged intestine by downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines but also help balance the microbiota on the intestinal barrier and thereby improve the digestive system.