• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.39-44
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• 2017

Objectives Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene and plasma levels of cytokines, such as tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF-{\alpha}$), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), have previously been determined to be associated with depression. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of plasma levels of ACE and cytokines with recurrent depression. Methods A total of 52 participants (14 male, 38 female, aged $43.9{\pm}14.0years$) were enrolled after being diagnosed with depression by experienced psychiatrists using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview from the outpatient clinic of the Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center. The participants completed blood sampling, the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and the Scale for Suicidal Ideation. Results ACE plasma levels are higher in patients with recurrent depression ($27.4{\pm}10.4U/L$) than in patients with newly diagnosed depression ($19.1{\pm}7.7U/L$) (p = 0.004). The levels of cytokines, such as $TNF-{\alpha}$, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, are not significantly different between the two groups. Additionally, the ACE plasma level is negatively correlated with a reduction in the HAMD over six weeks (r = -0.429, p = 0.046, n = 22). Conclusions The current findings show that plasma ACE levels may be associated with recurrent depression and further suggest that the renin-angiotensin system could play a role in recurrent depression.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.159-184
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• 1998

The aim of the study was the experiment of the effect that Kami-Daesihotang had on the essential hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Rats were orally administered with Kami-Daesihotang for 30days and the constituent of the plasma and serum were analysed at the 10th, 20th and 30th day from the first day of experiment, respectively. The heart rate, blood pressure, plasma renin activity, plasma level of aldosterone, catecholamine, sodium and angiotensin II were measured after an oral administration of Kami-Daesihotang in SHR. In addition, serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and total lipid were measured with cholesterol-fed rats. The results were summarized as following ; 1. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang remarkably decreased the blood pressure in SHR. 2. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang were recognized as having the effect on the decreased of the pulse rate in SHR. 3. Plasma renin activity was significantly decreasd in SHR after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 4. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang considerably reduced the plasma angiotensin level in SHR. 5. Noticeable decreased of plasma norepinephrine level was showed in SHR, after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 6. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang noticeable reduced body weight in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. 7. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang had a significantly decreasing effect on serum total cholesterol in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. 8. Serum triglyceride level was importantly decreased in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol, after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 9. Remarkable decreased of serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol level was found in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol, after single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang & double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang treatment. 10. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang was showed a significantly decreasing effect on serum total lipid level in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. 11. Single-dosage Kami-Daesihotang noticeably reduced organ weight of liver, kidney, spleen and testis in hyperlipidemia rats which had fed with 1% cholesterol. Double-dosage Kami-Daesihotang significantly decreased organ weight of liver, kidney and spleen in hyperlipidemia rats. These Findings suggest a possible anti-hypertensive and hyperlipidemic effect of Kami-Daesihotang.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.558-565
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• 2005

In this study, Schizandriae fructus which has been used in oriental medicine and folks remedy, was studied to apply to functional foods and oriental medicinal cuisine. The aim of this experiments was to investigate the effects of Schizandriae fructus water extract(SFE) on the renal function, plasma renin activity, plasma levels of aldosterone and arterial natriuretic peptide(ANP) in rats. Spargue-Dawley rats weigh 200g, were randomly assigned to 3 groups such as basal diet only(BDG), basal diet with $0.5{\mu}L/g$ SFE(LAG) and basal diet with $1.0{\mu}L/g$ SFE(HAG). The results were as follows. Water balance decreased significantly after administration for 2 weeks compared with the control period in HAG. Urine volume increased significantly after administration for 1 week compared with the control period in LAG and HAG. Urinary excretion of sodium increased significantly after administration for 1 week and for 2 weeks compared with the control period in LAG and HAG. Urinary excretion of creatinine increased significantly after administration for 2 weeks compared with the control period in HAG. Plama levels of ANL decreased significantly after administration of $SFE(0.5{\mu}L/g)$. Plasma levels of aldosterone decreased significantly after administration of $SFE(1.0{\mu}L/g)$. There results indicated that Schizandriae fructus can improve the renal function through increased urine volume and sodium excretion. These results imply that SFE could be used as a potent food resource for diet therapy or clinical nutrition.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.839-846
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• 2010

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Korean Eucommia ulmodies Oliver tea extract on aluminum administered rats. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats (100${\pm}$10 g) were divided into the following six groups; control group, 3% E. ulmodies tea extract group, 1,000 and 2,000 ppm aluminum ($Al_2(SO_4)_3$ in distilled water) groups, and 1,000 and 2,000 ppm aluminum plus 3% E. ulmodies tea extract groups. The aluminum content in the rat tissues of the aluminum administered group was lower than that in the rat tissue of the aluminum group administered 3% E. ulmodies tea extract. Asparate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase levels increased in the aluminum-administered group but were lower in the 3% E. ulmodies tea extract group. Lactate dehydrogenase was lower in the 3% extract E. ulmodies teaaluminum group than that in the aluminum group. Cholinesterase was higher in the 3% E. ulmodies tea-aluminum group than that in the aluminum group. Plasma renin activity levels increased in the aluminum administration group, compared with the aluminum plus 3% E. ulmodies tea group. Plasma aldosterone levels increased in the aluminum administration group compared with the aluminum plus 3% E. ulmodies tea group. These results suggest that an extract of E. ulmodies tea in water has lowering effects on the accumulation of aluminum. It is believed that the E. ulmodies tea had some protective effects in the aluminum-administered rats, but the mechanisms remain obscure.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.50-52
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• 2001

Licorice is widely used as a Chinese(herbal) medicine. The glycyrrhizin, a main ingredient of the natural licorice, has a potent mineralocorticoid effect which may cause severe hypokalemia and muscle paralysis. We present a 60-year-old woman, who had been ingesting one or two spoonful of licorice powder daily for about one year, developed acute flaccid quadriparesis with high levels of serum muscle enzymes and the typical features of mineralocorticoid excess such as severe hypokalemia and metabolic alkalosis. Both plasma renin activity and serum aldosterone level were below the normal values. This case indicates that licorice-induced hypokalemic myopathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient with acute quadriparesis and hypokalemia.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.261-268
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• 1990

It has long been suggested that the cardiac atrium is a low pressure volume receptor controlling body fluid volume and blood pressure. Recently, the cardiac atrium has been found to contain a family of powerful peptides. To clarify the relationship between high blood pressure and the biologically active atrial peptides, experiments were done to define the characteristics of atrial natriuretic peptide secretion in the isolated perfused atria of renal hypertensive rats. Higher concentrations of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide and renin activity were observed in the two-kidney, one clip hypertensive rat compared to the normotensive rat. Atrial volume changes in response to pressure elevations were attenuated in hypertensive rats compared to normotensive rats. Incremental response to atrial volume changes in ANP secretion was accentuated in hypertensive rats. These date suggest that the accentuated atrial natriuretic peptide response to volume changes of hypertensive rats may be a physiological or pathphysiological adaptation to the high blood pressure and may be, at least in part, responsible for the elevated levels of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide observed in hypertensive rats.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 2018

Nephrotic syndrome in the first year of life, characterized by renal dysfunction and proteinuria, is associated with a heterogeneous group of disorders. These disorders are often related to genetic mutations, but the syndrome can also be caused by a variety of other diseases. We report an infant with nephrotic syndrome associated with a neuroblastoma. A 6-month-old girl was admitted with a 10% weight loss over 10 days and nephrotic-range proteinuria. She was ill-looking, and her blood pressure was higher than normal for her age. Her cystatin-C glomerular filtration rate was decreased, and levels of plasma renin, aldosterone, and catecholamines were elevated. Renal ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography showed a retroperitoneal prevertebral mass encasing both renal arteries and the left renal vein. The mass was partially resected laparoscopically, and the pathologic diagnosis was neuroblastoma. Findings on a simultaneous renal biopsy were unremarkable. The patient was treated with chemotherapy and several anti-hypertensive drugs, including an alpha blocker. Two months later, the mass had decreased in size and the proteinuria and hypertension were gradually improving. In an infant with abnormal renin-angiotensin system activation, severe hypertension, and nephrotic-range proteinuria, neuroblastoma can be considered in the differential diagnosis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.538-546
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• 2008

Large-type goats eating dry forage secreted large volumes of saliva which resulted in the loss of $NaHCO_3$ from the blood and decreased plasma volume (hypovolemia). This research investigated whether or not the loss of $NaHCO_3$ from the blood and hypovolemia brought about by dry forage feeding actually depresses feed intake in large-type goats under free drinking conditions. The present experiment consisted of three treatments (NI, ASI, MI). All treatments in this experiment were carried out under free drinking conditions. In the NI control (NI), a solution was not infused. In the ASI treatment, i.v. infusion of artificial saliva was initiated 2 h before feeding and was continued for a total of 3 h concluding 1 h after the commencement of the feeding perod. In the MI treatment, mannitol solution was infused to replenish only water lost from the blood in the form of saliva. The hematocrit and plasma total protein concentrations during feeding in the NI control were observed to be higher than pre-feeding levels. This indicated that dry forage feeding-induced hypovolemia was caused by the accelerated secretion of saliva during the initial stages of feeding in freely drinking large-type goats. Increases in hematocrit and plasma total protein concentrations due to dry forage feeding were significantly suppressed by the ASI treatment. While hematocrit during feeding in the MI treatment was significantly lower than the NI control, plasma total protein concentrations were not different. From these results, it is clear that the MI treatment was less effective than the ASI treatment in mitigating the decreases in plasma volume brought about by dry forage feeding. This indicates that plasma volume increased during dry forage feeding in the ASI treatment which inhibited production of angiotensin II in the blood. The ASI treatment lessened the levels of suppression on dry forage feeding, but the MI treatment had no effect on it under free drinking conditions. The results indicate that despite the free drinking conditions, increases in saliva secretion during the initial stages of dry forage feeding in large-type goats caused $NaHCO_3$ to be lost from the blood into the rumen which in turn caused a decrease in circulating plasma volume and resulted in activation of the renin-angiotensin system and thus feeding was suppressed.

• Endocrinology and Metabolism
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.485-492
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• 2018

Background: Increasing evidence supports interplay between aldosterone and parathyroid hormone (PTH), which may aggravate cardiovascular complications in various heart diseases. Negative structural cardiovascular remodeling by primary aldosteronism (PA) is also suspected to be associated with changes in calcium levels. However, to date, few clinical studies have examined how changes in calcium and PTH levels influence cardiovascular outcomes in PA patients. Therefore, we investigated the impact of altered calcium homeostasis caused by excessive aldosterone on cardiovascular parameters in patients with PA. Methods: Forty-two patients (mean age $48.8{\pm}10.9$ years; 1:1, male:female) whose plasma aldosterone concentration/plasma renin activity ratio was more than 30 were selected among those who had visited Severance Hospital from 2010 to 2014. All patients underwent adrenal venous sampling with complete access to both adrenal veins. Results: The prevalence of unilateral adrenal adenoma (54.8%) was similar to that of bilateral adrenal hyperplasia. Mean serum corrected calcium level was $8.9{\pm}0.3mg/dL$ (range, 8.3 to 9.9). The corrected calcium level had a negative linear correlation with left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD, ${\rho}=-0.424$, P=0.031). Moreover, multivariable regression analysis showed that the corrected calcium level was marginally associated with the LVEDD and corrected QT (QTc) interval (${\beta}=-0.366$, P=0.068 and ${\beta}=-0.252$, P=0.070, respectively). Conclusion: Aldosterone-mediated hypercalciuria and subsequent hypocalcemia may be partly involved in the development of cardiac remodeling as well as a prolonged QTc interval, in subjects with PA, thereby triggering deleterious effects on target organs additively.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.325-335
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• 1997

Evidence for the existance of at least two subclasses of renal adenosine receptors has been presented. N-6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA) is a relatively selective $A_1$ adenosine agonists, whereas 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (NECA) acts as a preferential agonist of $A_2$ adenoisne receptor. N6-(L-2-phenylisoproryl)-adenosine (PIA) almost unselectively activates both $A_1\;and\;A_2$ adenosine receptors at micromolar concentrations. During the characterization of adenosine receptor in the kidney, we have discovered a novel phenomenon, that is, an intramuscular administration of CHA for 3 days caused a diuresis and a suppression of urinary concentrating ability. To further characterize this novel phenomenon, an intramuscular administration of adenosine and other adenosine angonists, PIA and NECA, and prior treatment of adenosine antagonists, caffeine, theophylline and 1,3-diethyl-8-phenyl-xanthine (DPX) were performed. Systemic administration of CHA, PIA, and NECA for 3 days caused a suppression in heart rate, blood pressure and general motor activity without change in rectal temperature. Systemic administration of CHA, 0.5, 1 and 2 mg/kg/day, for 3 days caused a dose-dependent increase in urine volume and decrease in urinary osmolarity and free water reabsorption. This phenomenon was reversible and repeatable. Administration of adenosine (40 mg/kg/day) produced no apparent effect on the renal function, whereas PIA (2 mg/kg/day) produced an similar effect to CHA on the renal function. Systemic adminstration of NECA, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.25 mg/kg/day, for 3 days caused a dose-dependent increase in urine volume and dose-dependent increases in excreted amount of creatinine, urinary osmolarity and free water reabsorption. These renal effects of adenosine agonist were maximum at second day during the drug administration. In terms of increase in urine volume and the suppression of urinary concentrating ability, NECA was potent than CHA. Prior treatment of caffeine (50 mg/kg/day) or theophylline (50 mg/kg/day) abolished the diuretic effect of CHA, whereas DPX (50 mg/kg/day) did not affect the CHA effect. CHA, 0.5 mg/kg/day, produced no change in plasma renin activity and plasma levels of aldosterone, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. These results suggest that this novel phenomenon produced by an activation of renal adenosine receptors plays an important role in urinary concentrating mechanism.