• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.266-270
• /
• 2001

Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the plasma amitriptyline and nortriptyline level between before and after fluoxetine addition with patients who were currently taking amitriptyline. Method : From the inpatient and outpatient unit of Soon Chun Hyang University Hospital, Chunan, fourteen subjects who were taking amitriptyline 25mg more than 1 week at least were given fluoxetine 20mg. Before and 2 weeks after fluoxetine addition, the plasma level of amitriptyline and nortriptyline are analyzed simultaneously by High Performance Liquid Chromatography(HPLC). At the same times, HAM-D(Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression) score and the UKU(Uldvalg for Klinske Unders${\Phi}$ gelser) side effect scale were checked. Results : After fluoxetine addition to the patients who were taking amitriptyline, the plasma level of amitriptyline, nortriptyline and sum of amitriptyline and nortriptyline had risen. The mean plasma amitriptyline level increased from $168.9{\pm}89.4ng/ml$ to $183.0{\pm}102.0ng/ml$ after fluoxetine addition(p=0.011), but the change was not statistically significant. The mean plasma nortriptyline level increased significantly from $114.3{\pm}70.2ng/ml$ to $168.0{\pm}86.2ng/ml$ after fluoxetine addition(p=0.011). In addition, the mean plasma level of total amitriptyline and nortriptyline increased significantly from $283.1{\pm}125.3ng/ml$ to $350.9{\pm}78.4ng/ml$ after fluoxetine addition(p=0.016). After fluoxetine addition, no significant change was noted in the UKU side effect scale score. Conclusion : As consequence of comparison of plasma amitriptyline and nortriptyline level before and after fluoxetine addition, mean amitriptyline, nortriptyline and total plasma level was increased after fluoxetine addition. This suggests that coadministration of amitriptyline and fluoxetine may induce improvement of depressive symptom in depressive patients by way of increased plasma level of amitriptyline.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.45-53
• /
• 2007

Homocysteine is a sulfur amino-acid produced during the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine. Moderately increased plasma total homocysteine concentration have been implicated as a risk factor for occlusive vascular disease. Smoking is known to be one of the most significant factors leading to elevated plasma homocysteine concentration. However, the main component of a cigarette, nicotine has been not studied whether it is linked directly to the increase of homocysteine concentration in blood. The metabolism of homocysteine is closely linked to that of its cofactors, folate. Here, the effects of nicotine and folic acid on amount of plasma homocysteine were studied. The concentration of homocysteine was increased by about 70% in rat plasma after nicotine treatment for one month. This increased concentration of homocysteine was reduced by about 60% at 6 hours later after folate treatment. Thus, nicotine should be directly involved in increasing the concentration of plasma homocysteine. Also it is suggested that these results can be and applied and used for controlling withdrawal symptoms after stopping smoking as one of oriental medicine formulas.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.9-21
• /
• 2013

Objectives The purpose of this study was investigating effects of Jengjengamiyijin-tang (zhengzhuanjiaweierchentang) (JGYT) on lowering lipid, antioxidation and production of inflammatory mediators being used rats fed on high oxidized fat. Methods We divided fat Sprague-Dawley rats fed on high oxidized into 4 groups. Each of 8 rats was divided into a control group and experimental groups. We fed a control group of rats a basal diet and administered normal saline (100 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. And We fed each experimental group of rats basal diet and administered an extract of JGYT extracts (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, 1 time/1 day) for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed to determine their chemical composition. We measured lipid of plasma and liver, concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, antioxidative activity and plasma tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$), plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6), Apo-B, Apo-E and Leptin gene expression. Results 1. Concentration of plasma FFA, LDL-cholesterol, plasma and liver total cholesterol showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. However, concentration of plasma HDL-cholesterol showed a significant increment in JGYT groups. 2. Concentration of plasma and liver TG, TBARS showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. However, concentration of liver GSH-Px, SOD and CAT showed a significant increment in JGYT groups. 3. Plasma GPT activity and concentration of plasma IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$, NO, Ceruloplasmin, ${\alpha}1$-acid glycoprotein showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. 4. In the analysis of RT-PCR, gene expression of Apo-B and Apo-E in the JGYT groups showed a low expression than that of control group. However, the gene expression of leptin showed no difference in all the treatment groups. 5. The ratio of leptin expression per ${\beta}$-actin expression showed no significant difference among all treatment groups. However, The ratio of Apo-B and Apo-E expression per ${\beta}$-actin expression showed a significant decrement in JGYT groups. Conclusions According to this study, extract of JGYT showed a positive effect in lowering lipid, antioxidation and control of inflammatory mediators production.

• Journal of fish pathology
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.54-58
• /
• 2001

The seasonal trends of plasma protein and glucose concentrations in marbled soles(Limanda yokohamae) and greenlings(Hexagrammos otakii), and the influence of transport stressor on those levels were investigated. Total plasma protein levels of marbled soles and greenlings in late spring and summer were significantly higher than those in winter(January). Plasma glucose levels were consistently increased according to elevation of water temperature both in marbled soles and greenlings. Transport stressor gave rise to decrease of plasma protein levels and increase of blood glucose levels.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.697-701
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to fine proteins, which have significantly different level in plasma between Qi-deficiency and Fire-heat group of Korean Oriental Stroke pattern identification (PI) among Korean stroke patients. Eighteen stroke patients with Qi-deficiency and forty nine patients with Fire-heat, which had critical syndrome of each PI, were participated in this study. Plasma protein pattern were analyzed by SELDI-TOF MS using Q10 strong anion exchange chip and Mass spectral data (m/z) statistically determined. The expression level of proteins, which were different between Qi-deficiency and Fire-heat in the results by SELDI-TOF MS, were confirmed by western blot. As a result of analyzing plasma protein by SELDI-TOF MS, six protein peaks were significantly higher in Fire-heat group than Qi-deficiency group. Two peaks among of them, M15003 and M15745, were respectively identified as hemoglobin alpha and beta in previous study. Expression level of plasma free hemoglobin of Fire-heat group was also confirmed higher in Fire-heat group than in Qi-deficiency group. These findings suggest that plasma free hemoglobin is a candidate for discriminating Qi-deficiency and Fire-heat group according to pattern identification (PI) of stroke.

• Macromolecular Research
• /
• v.17 no.9
• /
• pp.703-708
• /
• 2009

Silk fibroin scaffolds were examined as a biomaterial option for tissue-engineered cartilage-like tissue. In tissue engineering for cartilage repair using a scaffold, initial chondrocyte-material interactions are important for the following cell behaviors. In this study, the surface of nanofibrous silk fibroin (NSF) meshes was modified by a microwave-induced argon plasma treatment in order to improve the cytocompatibility of the meshes used as cartilaginous grafts. In addition, the effects of a plasma treatment on the cellular behavior of chondrocytes on NSF were examined. The plasma treatment resulted in an increase in the hydrophilicity of NSF meshes suggesting that the cytocompatibility of the mesh might be improved. Furthermore, the human articular chondrocytes showed higher viability on the surface-modified NSF meshes. These results suggest that the surface modification of NSF meshes by plasma can enhance the cellular behavior of chondrocytes and may be used in tissue engineering.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
• /
• v.33 no.53
• /
• pp.298.1-298.10
• /
• 2018

Background: The renal function of individuals is one of the reasons for the variations in therapeutic response to various drugs. Patients with renal impairment are often exposed to drug toxicity, even with drugs that are usually eliminated by hepatic metabolism. Previous study has reported an increased plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate and decreased plasma concentration of $4{\beta}$-hydroxy (OH)-cholesterol in stable kidney transplant recipients, implicating indoxyl sulfate as a cytochrome P450 (CYP) inhibiting factor. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of renal impairment severity-dependent accumulation of indoxyl sulfate on hepatic CYP3A activity using metabolic markers. Methods: Sixty-six subjects were enrolled in this study; based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), they were classified as having mild, moderate, or severe renal impairment. The plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate was quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Urinary and plasma markers ($6{\beta}$-OH-cortisol/cortisol, $6{\beta}$-OH-cortisone/cortisone, $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol) for hepatic CYP3A activity were quantified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The total plasma concentration of cholesterol was measured using the enzymatic colorimetric assay to calculate the $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol ratio. The correlation between variables was assessed using Pearson's correlation test. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between MDRD eGFR and indoxyl sulfate levels. The levels of urinary $6{\beta}$-OH-cortisol/cortisol and $6{\beta}$-OH-cortisone/cortisone as well as plasma $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol and $4{\beta}$-OH-cholesterol/cholesterol were not correlated with MDRD eGFR and the plasma concentration of indoxyl sulfate. Conclusion: Hepatic CYP3A activity may not be affected by renal impairment-induced accumulation of plasma indoxyl sulfate.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.19 no.1
• /
• pp.74-80
• /
• 2005

Stress is known to inhibit granule cell proliferation in the hippocampus. However, recent studies suggest that the commonly used dose of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) is insufficient to label all fractions of granule cells. Furthermore, stress-induced changes in BrdU availability may influence the labeling of newly born cells. To investigate whether changes in BrdU availability affect measurements of stress-induced granule cell proliferation, granule cell proliferation was assessed using injection of high doses of BrdU before and after restraint stress lasting 1 h. In addition, to determine whether stress-induced changes in plasma corticosterone levels were influenced by the BrdU, time-dependent changes in plasma corticosterone levels over 2 h after BrdU injection were compared with total accumulated plasma corticosterone levels [as determined by areas under the curve (AUC)]. Restraint stress significantly reduced the numbers of BrdU-labeled cells and clusters in the granule cell layer (GCL) of rats that received BrdU after stress, and decreases of similar magnitude were observed when the rats were given BrdU before stress. BrdU injection enhanced the stress-induced plasma corticosterone response, but there was no difference between the mean AUCs of plasma corticosterone levels of animals injected with BrdU before or after stress. These observations suggest that restraint stress decreases granule cell proliferation, and that this may be influenced by the extent and duration of plasma corticosterone increases rather than by changes in the availability of BrdU.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.77-81
• /
• 2010

Plasma cholesterol is increased in normal aging in both rodents and humans. This is associated with reduced elimination of cholesterol and decreased receptor-mediated clearance of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. The aims of this study were: (1) to determine age-related changes in plasma lipid profiles, and (2) to determine the effect of fenofibrate, an activator of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR $\alpha$), on plasma lipid profiles in normal rats on a standard diet. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n=15) were fed standard chow and water from 10 to 25 weeks of age. During that period, we measured daily food intake, body weight, fasting and random blood glucose levels, plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and free fatty acid (FFA) levels. At 20 weeks of age, all rats were randomly divided into two groups: a fenofibrate group (in which rats were gavaged with 300 mg/kg/day of fenofibrate) and a control group (gavaged with water). Fenofibrate treatment lasted 5 weeks. There were no significant changes in daily food intake, blood glucose, and plasma TG level with age. Body weight, plasma TC, and FFA levels were significantly increased with age. Fenofibrate significantly decreased plasma concentrations of TC and FFA, which had been increased with age. However, fenofibrate did not influence the plasma concentration of TG, which had not increased with age. These results suggest that fenofibrate might have a novel role in preventing age-related hypercholesterolemia in SD rats on a normal diet.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.253-258
• /
• 2005

The aim of this study was to estimate the time of ovulation and mating derived by plasma progesterone and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations. The 11 pregnant Shih-tzu bitches were investigated the plasma progesterone and estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations from proestrus to parturition. Gestation length in the 11 pregnant bitches was $61.9{\pm}1.1\;(mean{\pm}SD)$ days when Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml. The litter size was $3.8{\pm}0.3$ pups. Plasma progesterone concentrations were increased at the first day of vulvar bleeding and showed at Day 0 with $5.2{\pm}0.3$ ng/ml. It was gradually increased to reach a peak at Day 15 with $42.6{\pm}3.7ng/ml$, thereafter it was gradually decreased to below Day 62. Plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentrations were increased above 1.0 pg/ml at the first day of vulvar bleeding and showed a peak at Day -2 with $33.5{\pm}8.0$ pg/ml, thereafter it was gradually decreased. When Day 0 was timed from the day that plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml, plasma estradiol-$17{\beta}$ concentration reached a peak at Day -2. In conclusion, these results indicated that ovulation was estimated to occur the day when plasma progesterone concentration was first increased above 4.0 ng/ml after the first day of bleeding. It was estimated that mating time was the day when plasma progesterone concentration was between $3.0{\~}8.0$ ng/ml.