• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.14-29
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• 2013

Objectives: Samul-tang and Rhizome of Cyperus rotundus L. have been frequently used in gynecologic disease. The purpose of the present study is to explore the behavioral and neurobiological effects of Samul-tanggahyangbuja (SGH) on ovariectomized rats and to form a basis for clinical treatment. Methods: Ovariectomized rats were repeatedly stressed for over 2 weeks. After orally medicated with SGH (200 or 400 mg/kg/day), the anxiety response was tested using the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM) in rats. The serum levels of estradiol and IL-4, and immunohistochemical changes of IL-4 in the Locus coeruleus (LC) and Paraventricular Nucleus (PVN) were measured. Results: 1. In the EPM, SGH 400 mg significantly increased time spent on the open arms and decreased time spent on the closed arms, compared with the control group (p<0.05). 2. SGH tended to increase numbers of crossings in the open and closed arms in the EPM. However, it did not reach statistical significance. 3. SGH significantly increased the serum levels of estradiol compared with the control group (p<0.05). 4. SGH 400 mg significantly increased the serum levels of IL-4 compared with the control group (p<0.05). 5. IL-4 immunoreactivity was reduced in the control group compared with the normal group (p<0.05). However, SGH groups (200 and 400 mg) did not produce any significant effects on levels of IL-4 in the LC and PVN. Conclusions: These results suggest that SGH possesses the anti-depressant and immuno-modulatory effects on ovariectomized rats.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Objectives: Previous studies have shown that periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) could be one of risk factors for cardiovascular morbidity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between PLMS and blood pressure changes during sleep. Methods: We analyzed data from 358 adults (176 men and 182 women) aged 18 years and older who were free from sleep apnea syndrome (Respiratory Disturbance Index < 5) and sleep disorders such as REM sleep behavior disorder or narcolepsy. Demographic characteristics, polysomnography records, and clinical variable data including blood pressure, body mass index, alcohol, smoking, and current medications were collected. In addition, self-report questionnaires including the Beck Depression Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were completed. Blood pressure change from bedtime to awakening was compared between the two periodic limb movement index (PLMI) groups [low PLMI ($PLMI{\leq}15$) and high PLMI (PLMI > 15)]. Blood pressure change patterns were compared using repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: Systolic blood pressure in the high PLMI group was lower than that in the low PLMI group (p = 0.036). These results were also significant when adjusted for gender and age, but were not statistically significant when adjusted for BMI, alcohol, smoking, anti-hypertension medication use and sleep efficiency (p = 0.098). Systolic blood pressure dropped by 9.7 mm Hg in the low PLMI group, and systolic blood pressure in the high PLMI group dropped by 2.9 mm Hg. There was a significant difference in delta systolic blood pressure after sleep between the two groups in women when adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol, smoking, antihypertensive medication use and sleep efficiency (p = 0.023). Conclusion: PLMS was significantly associated with a decreasing pattern in nocturnal BP during sleep, and this association remained significant in women when adjusted for age, BMI, alcohol, smoking, antihypertension medication use and sleep efficiency related to blood pressure. We suggest that PLMS may be associated with cardiovascular morbidity.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.202-210
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• 2020

Fluoxetine is used widely as an antidepressant for the treatment of cancer-related depression, but has been reported to also have anti-cancer activity. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of fluoxetine to human gastric adenocarcinoma cells; as shown by the MTT assay, fluoxetine induced cell death. Subsequently, cells were treated with 10 or 20 µM fluoxetine for 24 h and analyzed. Apoptosis was confirmed by the increased number of early apoptotic cells, shown by Annexin V- propidium iodide staining. Nuclear condensation was visualized by DAPI staining. A significant increase in the expression of cleaved PARP was observed by western blotting. The pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK was used to detect the extent of caspase-dependent cell death. The induction of autophagy was determined by the formation of acidic vesicular organelles (AVOs), which was visualized by acridine orange staining, and the increased expression of autophagy markers, such as LC3B, Beclin 1, and p62/SQSTM 1, observed by western blotting. The expression of upstream proteins, such as p-Akt and p-mTOR, were decreased. Autophagic degradation was evaluated by using bafilomycin, an inhibitor of late-stage autophagy. Bafilomycin did not significantly enhance LC3B expression induced by fluoxetine, which suggested autophagic degradation was impaired. In addition, the co-administration of the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine and fluoxetine significantly increased fluoxetine-induced apoptosis, with decreased p-Akt and markedly increased death receptor 4 and 5 expression. Our results suggested that fluoxetine simultaneously induced both protective autophagy and apoptosis and that the inhibition of autophagy enhanced fluoxetine-induced apoptosis through increased death receptor expression.

• Korean Security Journal
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• no.31
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• pp.125-155
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• 2012

Terrorist organization has shown the trend of secret organization and it is harder to cope with terrorism because of uncertainty of terrorism. Homegrown terrorism is the one, whose preparation, execution and effect are restricted to domestic area. By the way, in the worldwide economic depression, violence and radical demonstration have shown the expansion trends as in Middle East, political revolution of Africa, anti-social resistance of Europe and Wall Street Occupation of USA. Homegrown terrorism is occurring in various countries such as UK and Spain as well as USA. Specialists warn homegrown terrorism in Korea. The purpose of this study was to prospect the possibility of homegrown terrorism that can be generated in the transfer to multi-culture society as various foreigners come to Korea rapidly and suggest the method to cope with the trend. The study analyzed environment and analysis of homegrown terrorism that Korea faces now. The methods to cope with homegrown terrorism are as follows. First, distribution of radical homegrown terrorism via internet should be prevented. Second, the connection between terrorist organization and homegrown terrorist should be prevented. Third, there should be a cooperation among government, residents and religious group. Fourth, there should be an open approach against multi-culture society. Fifth, there should be a systematic control for cause of new conflict. Finally, there should be a long-term approach to cause of new conflict. If we do not make an effort to prevent homegrown terrorism, terrorism environment may face new aspect and national and social cost for it will increase.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2010

Purpose: These studies were undertaken to evaluate the anti-oxidative and neuroprotective effects of Gamisoyo-san(GMSYS). Materials and Methods: We studied the antioxidant effects of GMSYS by assessing the DPPH free radical and the ABTS radical cation inhibition activities, the total polyphenolic contents(TPC). To evaluate the effects of GMSYS in the human neuroblastoma cells, we measured the cell viabilities in SH-SY5Y cells treated with GMSYS. Then we observed the protective effects of GMSYS against 6-OHDA induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. To confirm the neuroprotective effects of GMSYS in the primary culture of mesencephalic dopaminergic cells, we counted the TH-immunopositive cells and measured the NO and TNF-$\alpha$ after the treatment of GMSYS and 6-OHDA. Results: The DPPH free radical and the ABTS radical cation inhibition activities were increased in a dose dependent manner and the IC50 were $133.60{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and $106.20{\mu}g/m{\ell}$, respectively. The TPC was 0.78%. There were no differences between the various concentrations of GMSYS and the control in the cell viability of SH-SY5Y cells. The neuroprotective effects of GMSYS were shown in the co-treatment group at the low concentrations of $25{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ and the post-treatment group at all concentrations. After the treatment of GMSYS and 6-OHDA in the primary culture of dopaminergic cells, the TH-immunopositive cells were significantly increased in $0.2{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GMSYS than the 6-OHDA group. The NO and TNF-$\alpha$ were significantly decreased in $0.2{\mu}g/m{\ell}$ of GMSYS than the 6-OHDA group. Conclusions: This study shows that GMSYS has the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, especially in the mesencephalic dopaminergic cells. We suggest that GMSYS could be useful for the treatment of postmenopausal depression related with the degeneration of dopamine neuron.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.601-610
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• 2022

P. tenebrifer (PT) belongs to the Diptera order and Stratiomyidae family. Recently, insect industry have been focused as food, animal feed and environmental advantages. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and melatonin have been associated with regulating sleep and depression. GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter and is synthesized via biotransformation of monosodium glutamate (MSG) to GABA by lactic acid bacteria. In this study, we first used a GABA-enhanced PT extract, wherein GABA was enhanced by feeding MSG to PT. The underlying mechanisms preventing stress and insomnia were investigated in a corticosterone (CORT)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and chronic restraint stress (CRS)-exposed mouse model, as well as in pentobarbital (45 mg/kg)-induced sleep behaviors in mice. In the present study, the GABA peak was detected in high-performance liquid chromatography-evaporative light scattering detector (HPLC-ELSD) analysis and showed in Ptecticus tenebrifer water extract (PTW) but not in non-PTW extract. The results showed that PTW and Ptecticus tenebrifer with 70% ethanol extract (PTE) exerted neuroprotective effects by protecting against CORT-induced downregulation of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) expression. In addition, PTW (300 mg/kg) significantly reduced CORT levels in CRS-exposed mice. Furthermore, PTW (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly reduced sleep latency and increased total sleep duration in pentobarbital (45 mg/kg)-induced sleeping behaviors, which was related to serum melatonin levels. In conclusion, our results suggest that PTW exerts anti-stress and sleep-enhancing effects by regulating serum CORT and melatonin levels.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.569-581
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• 2016

This experimental study employs a pretest -posttest method concerning the integrated therapy of neurofeedback training, brain gymnastics, and oriental herbal tea effects on seniors living alone. The purpose of the study is to identify effects on brain functions and quality of life. The study participants included 23 seniors living alone (male 10, female 13), ranging in age from 65~90. The experiment lasted 8 weeks, from December 22, 2014, to February 28, 2015. The neurofeedback training utilized the 2 Channel neurofeedback system by Braintech Corporation and was conducted a total of 16 times over 8 weeks, having two sessions per week lasting for 30 minutes focusing on relaxation, concentration and memory. Brain gymnastics, developed by the Korean Science Institute of Psychiatry, ran for 30 minutes, twice a week for a total of 16 sessions administered over 8 weeks. Participants were required to drink 3 cups of oriental herbal tea developed according to Donguibogam for 8 weeks. The results of applying integrated therapy found positive effects on brain function resulting from changes in level of tension and anti-stress quotient. Quality of life, daily life basic measurements, and depression symptoms were significantly influenced by decreases in blood pressure and blood sugar. Results of this study find the integrated therapy of neurofeedback training, brain gymnastics, and oriental herbal tea can significantly enhance brain functions and quality of life within seniors living alone. Therefore integrated therapy involving neurofeedback, brain gymnastics, and oriental herbal tea is a necessary intervention to improve the quality of life of seniors living alone, and will improve the quality of life through healing both mind and body in a more practical and systematical manner.