• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.432-441
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• 2024

Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory reactions and fibrosis. Myofibroblasts are considered therapeutic targets for preventing and reversing the pathogenesis of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. Although the mechanisms that differentiate into myofibroblasts are diverse, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is known to be a key mediator of fibrosis in systemic sclerosis. This study investigated the effects of extracellular vesicles derived from human adipose stem cells (ASC-EVs) in an in vivo systemic sclerosis model and in vitro TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts. The therapeutic effects of ASC-EVs on the in vivo systemic sclerosis model were evaluated based on dermal thickness and the number of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)-expressing cells using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Administration of ASC-EVs decreased both the dermal thickness and α-SMA expressing cell number as well as the mRNA levels of fibrotic genes, such as Acta2, Ccn2, Col1a1 and Comp. Additionally, we discovered that ASC-EVs can decrease the expression of α-SMA and CTGF and suppress the TGF-β pathway by inhibiting the activation of SMAD2 in dermal fibroblasts induced by TGF-β1. Finally, TGF-β1-induced dermal fibroblasts underwent selective death through ASC-EVs treatment. These results indicate that ASC-EVs could provide a therapeutic approach for preventing and reversing systemic sclerosis.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.469-476
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to report on a systemic sclerosis patient diagnosed with Yulgyuk and Banui syndrome improved by Korean medical treatment. Methods: We treated a 70-year-old woman who had swallowing disorders and frequent vomiting caused by systemic sclerosis with herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment for six months. Treatment was evaluated with a numerical rating scale (NRS). Results: After treatment, swallowing disorders and frequent vomiting decreased. The NRS decreased from 8 to 3. Conclusions: This case suggests that Korean medical treatment was effective for alleviating a swallowing disorder and frequent vomiting caused by systemic sclerosis as a conservative treatment.

• Journal of TMJ Balancing Medicine
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to report the effect of Korean medicine on trigeminal neuralgia in a patient with systemic sclerosis. Methods: We treated a 49-year-old male patient who has systemic sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia by Korean medicine. He was treated from October 29th, 2022 to November 12th, 2022. The treatment applied was herbal medicine, acupuncture, pharmacopuncture. The evaluation was conducted by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Results: After 14 days of treatment, the symptoms were alleviated. Facial pain and dullness of taste improved. VAS of discomfort was decreased from 10 to 2. Conclusions: These results showed that Korean medicine may have an effect on reducing symptoms of systemic sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.72-75
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• 2011

Aortic thrombi are important because it can cause the central and peripheral embolizations. Aortic thrombi can occur anywhere in the aorta but extremely rare in ascending aorta without atherosclerosis, aneurysm, cardiosurgical or traumatic state. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disorder of connective tissue and it can involve multisystem. Enhanced coagulation pathways, decreased fibrinolysis, and endothelial dysfunction probably contribute to vascular events in SSc. We report a case of a highly mobile thrombus in the ascending aorta, presented as an acute embolic stroke in the patient with systemic sclerosis. Surgical removal was performed to prevent recurrent embolic events.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.429-441
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• 2020

Objectives : Systemic sclerosis(SSc) is an autoimmune disease characterized by fibrosis of the skin and internal organs and vasculopathy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trend in the research on SSc using herbal medicine. Methods : We searched for papers which had both systemic sclerosis and herbal medicine from Pubmed, KCI and NDSL. After searching papers, we classified according to the study design and analyzed selected studies. Results : 18 studies were searched. The types and numbers of study were as follows: 11 were in vitro or in vivo studies using herbal medicine or active components, and 7 were clinical research including case reports. 1. Herbal medicines include the therapeutic effects of "tonifying qi(補氣)" or "active blood(活血)" improved systemic sclerosis in vivo and in vitro studies. 2. Active components isolated from Herbal Medicine such as Astragalus membranaceus(黃芪), Zhizi(梔子), Salvia miltiorrhiza(丹蔘) have anti-fibrotic effects. 3. Clinical trials showed that herbal medicine can improve the symptom of systemic sclerosis including skin fibrosis, Raynaud's phenomenon, pain and gastric dysmotility. Conclusions : This study showed that herbal medicine can be effective for treating SSc. However, further studies are needed to develop novel medicine for SSc.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.207-218
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to report the clinical effect of Korean Medical Treatment and acupuncture based on M-test theory & herbal medicine for treating systemic sclerosis. Methods : We treated a patient diagnosed with systemic sclerosis. We used general acupuncture & acupuncture based on M-test theory, herbal medicine, moxibustion, and physical therapy. The outcomes were evaluated by using peripheral body temperature measurement, numeric rating scale(NRS), visual analog scale(VAS), and an activities of daily living(ADL) questionnaire for systemic sclerosis. Results : The average peripheral body temperature increased from $36.16^{\circ}C$ to $36.38^{\circ}C$. The NRS showed no difference, but VAS decreased from 7.43 to 5.43. The ADL questionnaire score decreased from 17 to 12. Conclusion : This case study suggests that Korean Medical Treatment and acupuncture based on M-test theory & herbal medicine could be effective for treating systemic sclerosis. However, further studies are needed to confirm this result.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.344-351
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• 2004

Systemic sclerosis Sine scleroderma(ssSSc) is an uncommon subtype of Systemic sclerosis(SSc), which is believed to attack internal organs without causing changes in the skin. Electrogastrography has been known to be a simple, non-invasive, and effective method in assessing gastric motility. In this new study, a case of Systemic sclerosis Sine Scleroderma exhibiting gastric symptoms was observed. For this, we applied herbal medicine. manual acupucture, electro-acupucture, and lumbar skin wanning. After applying these therapies, both systemic and dyspeptic symptoms of the patient improved. Electrogastrography suggests a relation between gastric myoelectrical activity and the patient's improvement in dyspeptic symptoms. Therefore, based on study of Oriental medical classics and recent medical articles, clinically emperical success in treating gastric dysmotility was seen in a patient with Systemic sclerosis Sine Scleroderma.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.151-154
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• 2015

Extensive tumoral calcinosis affecting a large joint is uncommon in patients with systemic sclerosis. We report the case of a 52-year-old female patient referred for a growing calcified mass in the shoulder. She was diagnosed with interstitial lung disease and progressive systemic sclerosis. Although the pain and disability associated with the affected joint was not severe, the patient underwent surgical excision because the mass continued to grow and was likely to produce shoulder dysfunction and skin ulceration. The patient appeared well 10 months after surgery with no signs of recurrence. This report highlights the timing and indication of surgical excision in similar cases.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.108-116
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• 2018

Objectives : A Report on the Improvement of korean medical treatment of Secondary Raynaud's Syndrome Caused by Systemic Sclerosis. Methods : We treated a Secondary Raynaud's syndrome 59-year-old woman with herbal medicine and acupuncture treatment for 3 months. The evaluation of treatment was confirmed by photographs before and after treatment, VAS, and palm skin temperature. Results : After treatment, the color of both fingernails and finger skins recovered from white to purplish red, and Raynaud phenomenon and palm flaring were decreased. VAS decreased from 8 to 2 and palm skin temperature increased by left hand 1.4 degrees right hand 1.2 degrees. Conclusions : It was shown that korean medical treatment was effective in the conservative treatment of Secondary Raynaud's syndrome caused by systemic sclerosis.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.493-498
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• 2001

Lung involvement in systemic sclerosis(SSC) is common but usually occurs late in the course. Skin changes usually occur before the pulmonary findings. In this report, a patient who developed pulmonary interstitial fibrosis without skin changes is presented. A diagnosis of SSC lung involvement was made histologically. The a nti-scl-70 antibody test was positive. Esophageal manometry revealed a lower amplitude in the lower two-third of the esophagus and pressure in the lower esophageal sphincter. Here we report a case of systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma presenting as pulmonary interstitial fibrosis with a review of the relevant literatures.