• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.39-46
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• 2016

Objectives: The present study aimed at investigating the effects of Schisandrae Fructus (SF) on menopause symptoms in ovariectomized mice. Methods: 6 weeks old female mice were ovariectomized (OVX), and the OVX mice were fed with a three doses of SF (25, 100, and 400 mg/kg, respectively) or $17{\beta}$-estradiol (E2, 0.5 mg/kg) 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Body weight was measured at every week and uterus weight was also measured at the end of experiment. Lipids and osteocalcin levels in serum were analyzed. Results: The uterine weight was not changed in SF treated group, while E2 intake increased the reduced uterine weight by OVX. Although Body weight was increased since two weeks after ovariectomy compared with sham operated group, there was no change in SF or E2 treated group compared with OVX. But LDL was significantly reduced in SF (400 mg/kg) or E2 fed mice and SF or E2 treatment decreased enhanced osteocalcin level by OVX. Conclusion: These results indicated that SF would be effective in the improvement of LDL level and osteoporosis on menopause.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.109-119
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• 1996

Hormone replacement therapy in menopausal women has recently been a hot issue in medical fields. The author reviewed the physiology of menopause and discussed the physiological mechanism and biological management of vascular flushing and menopausal depression. The above symptoms are hard to distinguish from those of psychiatric disorders.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.501-509
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• 2022

Irisin is a myokine caused by exercise that improves insulin resistance and weight loss. However, under unfavorable conditions such as air pollution, and during the pandemic, outdoor activities are uncomfortable. Therefore, in this study, the effect of heat therapy (half bath 42 ± 0.5℃ for 30 min) on irisin circulation levels as an exercise alternative for middle-aged obese women after menopause was investigated. Subjects were 33 women aged 49.54 ± 6.04 years, with parameters of height, 160.12 ± 4.33 cm, weight, 69.71 ± 7.52 kg, body surface area 1.73 ± 0.13 m², body mass index, 27.19 ± 3.40 kg/m². The results suggest that circulating irisin levels showed a significant increase after one-time thermotherapy (TH-1). However, the increase in circulating irisin levels after 15 treatments (TH-15, 5 days/week, 3 weeks) was significantly varied. The level of adiponectin, which increases fatty oxidation to reduce fatty deposition, increased significantly at TH-1, but further increased at TH-15, which was significantly different from the level of TH-1. In addition, the basic serum free fatty acid (FFA) level was significantly increased at TH-15 compared to TH-1. Significant differences were also found in the lipid profile (body mass index, waist circumference, and % body fat). Thermotherapy can significantly increase the tympanic temperature and induce changes in circulating irisin and adiponectin levels. Thus, it resulted in positive changes in FFA and lipid profiles. Therefore, repeated thermotherapy is effective in increasing circulating irisin levels in postmenopausal obese women.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.46-48
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• 2024

The purpose of this study is to report the effects of Korean medicine treatment, especially herbal medicine on vaginitis in menopausal woman. The patient suffered from vaginitis was treated with herbal medicine such as Yongdamsagan-tang and Jibaekjihwang-tang. The effect of treatment was evaluated through questionnaire. After treatment, symptoms of vaginitis were reduced. This case report shows that herbal medicine treatment may be effective for vaginitis.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.175-202
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted towards developing a screening tool for syndrome differentiation in the diagnosis of menopause in menopausal and perimenopausal women. Methods: We conducted a literature review of studies on menopausal diagnosis based on syndrome differentiation, and examined well-founded differentiated syndromes and their respective clinical symptoms. Based on the findings, we created a questionnaire through consultations with Oriental medicine experts in physiology, pathology, and diagnostics. Finally, the research team conducted an expert Delphi study on differentiated syndromes and the associated clinical symptoms. Results: Seven differentiated syndromes were selected, including Liver Depression (肝鬱), Kidney Yin Deficiency (腎陰虛), Kidney Yang Deficiency (腎陽虛), Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency (肝腎陰虛), Kidney Yin and Yang Deficiency (腎陰陽兩虛), Heart-Kidney Noninteraction (心腎不交), and Dual Deficiency of Heart and Spleen (心脾兩虛); 4 disease locations, including liver (肝), heart (心), spleen (脾), and kidney (腎); and 3 disease natures, including Yin Deficiency (陰虛), Qi Stagnation (氣滯), and Blood Deficiency (血虛). In addition, we added 3 supplemental disease natures, including Yang Deficiency (陽虛), Qi Deficiency (氣虛), and Heat (火熱), in consideration of syndrome differentiation categories that may possibly be added in a follow-up clinical questionnaire. Conclusions: This resulted in a total of 7 differentiated syndromes, 4 disease locations, and 6 disease natures. We translated the clinical symptoms of these 17 categories into Korean Hangeul. After consulting with 5 Oriental medicine experts and a psychology expert, we produced a questionnaire for use in diagnosing menopause based on syndrome differentiation. The calculation of scores for the syndrome differentiation screening tool will be confirmed through clinical research based on the results of a review of existing literature.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2004

It has been reported that osteoporosis induced by the deficiency of estrogens in menopause is associated with the unbalance of Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi levels. Proximal tubule is very important organ to regualte Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi level in the body. However, the effect of estrogens on Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi regulation was not elucidated. Thus, we examined the effect of 17-β estradiol (E₂) on Ca/sup 2+/ and Pi uptake in the primary cultured rabbit renal proxiaml tubule cells. In the present study, E₂(> 10/sup -9/M) decreases Ca/sup 2+/uptake and stimulates Pi uptake over 3 days. E₂-induced decrease of Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulation of Pi uptake were blocked by actinomycin D (a gene transcription inhibitor), cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor). tamoxifen, and progesterone (estrogen receptor antagonists). E₂-induced decrease of Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulation of Pi uptake were blocked by SQ22536 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor), Rp-cAMP (a cAMP antagonist), and PKI (a protein kinase A inhibitor). Indeed, E₂ increased cAMP formation. In addition, E₂-induced decrease of Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulation of Pi uptake were blocked by staurosporine, H-7, and bisindolylmaleimide I (protein kinase C inhibitors) and E₂ translocated PKC from cytoslic fraction to membrane fraction. In conclusion, E₂ decreased Ca/sup 2+/ uptake and stimulated Pi uptake via cAMP and PKC pathway in the PTCs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.59-71
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to show the rationale of point-selection for acupuncture and moxibustion in the Uterine section(in the Naegyeong Chapter) of the Dong-Ui-BO-Gam. Methods : We reviewed the causes of each disease in the Uterine section of the Dong-Ui-BO-Gam, and then explained the rationale of acupoint-selection for the treatment of those diseases referring to etiology and physiology of Oriental medicine, other applications of each acupoints in the Dong-Ui-BO-Gam, characteristic of each acupoints, flow of Gi (Qi) through meridian pathways and specific acupoints etc. Results : There are comments on acupuncture and moxibustion for abnormal menstruation, amenorrhea, metrorrhagia, leukorrhea, bleeding from uterus after menopause in the Uterine section of the Dong-Ui-BO-Gam. Conclusions : Acupoints of conception vessel, and three foot Yin meridians are preferably used for acupuncture and moxibustion in the Uterine section of the Dong-Ui-BO-Gam. Out of them, CV3 is most frequently used and SP6, CV6, BL23, LR2 are also used often.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.60-68
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• 2014

Background: Pattern identification is a unique diagnostic method of traditional Oriental medicine that has recently been the target of questionnaire-based research. Sasang (four-types) constitutional medicine (SCM) is a practice in traditional Korean medicine that seeks to promote objectivity in diagnostics. This paper attempts to illuminate the relationship between constitutions and the pathogenic factors of pattern identification through questionnaires completed by menopausal women about their symptoms. Methods: From March to October 2012, we examined 291 women from the general population, with ages ranging from 40 to 60 years, applying the Kupperman index, the Menopause-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MENQOL), pattern identification based on the Diagnosis System of Oriental Medicine (DSOM), and SCM. We then analyzed the relationship between constitutional type and pathogenic factors. Results: No significant differences were found in the scores of either the Kupperman index or MENQOL questionnaire in relation to constitutional type. However, in a statistical analysis correlating the DSOM pathogenic factor scores (PFS) with the scores of the Kupperman index and MENQOL vasomotor subscale, heat showed a significant positive correlation with SoYang type (SY) and TaeEum type (TE), but not SoEum type (SE), while insufficiency of yin and insufficiency of yang, as well as blood deficiency, showed a significant positive correlation with the TE and SE types. Conclusion: The pathogenic factors in the menopausal symptoms of middle-aged women, specifically the prominent menopausal symptom of facial flushing, differed significantly according to constitutional type.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.118-123
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• 2013

This study was performed from April, 2007 to August, 2012 with female patients who were being treated for and suffering from chronic lumbar pain for periods of 6 months and over. The 53 female patients were diagnosed with osteoporosis by having a T-Score of <-2.5 in a bone mineral density(BMD), as well as showing signs of metabolic syndrome. This was deduced by taking measurements of blood pressure, carrying out blood-chemical examinations and physical measurements such as weight, height, waist measurement and body mass index(BMI). After 5 minutes rest, the patient's blood pressure, height and weight were measured. BMI was calculated using the equation BMI = weight (Kg)/height ($m^2$). The patients had their blood taken in a fasted state(more than 12hours), the fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol were measured. The average BMD and T-score were calculated by measuring BMD(mg/cc) of L1-L3 using QCT. In a correlation analysis of the physical examinations, clinical character of metabolic syndrome and T-score, the result showed that age and T-score had a negative correlation(r=-0.699, p<0.01) as did triglyceride and T-score (r=-0.047, p<0.01), where as weight(r=0.239, p<0.05) and height(r-=0.329, p<0.01) and T-score had a positive correlation. There was no significant correlation with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and T-score. This study showed that there are significant correlations with age, weight, height and T-score. But there are no significant correlations with total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and T-score and that these did not influence bone density. Further research with more subjects is required to determine whether there is a correlation of clinical character of metabolic syndrome and T-score.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2019

Trigonella foenum-graceum L. (fenugreek) is a phytoestrogen, a nonsteroidal organic chemical compound from plants which has similar mechanism of action to sex hormone estradiol-$17{\beta}$. This study aims to assess the effectivity of fenugreek seeds extract on collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) and collagen type III alpha 1 (COL3A1) which are both decreased in aging skin and become worsen after menopause. This in vitro experimental study used old human dermal fibroblast from leftover tissue of blepharoplasty on a postmenopausal woman (old HDF). As a control of the fenugreek's ability to trigger collagen production, we used fibroblast from preputium (young HDF). Subsequent to fibroblast isolation and culture, toxicity test was conducted on both old and young HDF by measuring cell viability on fenugreek extract with the concentration of 5 mg/mL to $1.2{\mu}g/mL$ which will be tested on both HDF to examine COL1A1 and COL3A1 using ELISA, compared to no treatment and 5 nM estradiol. Old HDF showed a 4 times slower proliferation compared to young HDF (p<0.05). Toxicity test revealed fenugreek concentration of $0.5-2{\mu}g/mL$ was non-toxic to both old and young HDF. The most significant fenugreek concentration to increase COL1A1 and COL3A1 secretion was $2{\mu}g/mL$ (p<0.05).