• Journal of Chest Surgery
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.127-132
• /
• 2002

Video-assisted thoracic sympathicotomy is a safe and effective therapy for the treatment of essential hyperhidrosis with immediate symptomatic improvement. However, this is offset by the occurrence of a high rate of side effects, such as embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis. Therefore, by comparing and assessing the degree of symptomatic improvement or compensatory sweating following sympathicotomy at various levels and the extent of block, we are to determine the optimal level of sympathicotomy and which method will result in minimal side effects and maximal benefits. Material and Method: From January 1998 to June 2001, the thoracoscopic sympathicotomy was performed in 150 patients suffering from essential hyperhidrosis in the Dept. of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital. The patients were divided into three groups. GroupI(n=50): patients having undergone 72,3,4 sympathicotomy, GroupII (n=50): patients having undergone 72 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the second rib, and group 111(n=50): patients having undergone 73 sympathicotomy which consist of blocking the interganglionic neural fiber on the third rib. The parameters were composed of the satisfaction rate of treatment, the degree of compensatory sweating, postoperative complications, and changes of plantar sweating. Results: There was no difference in age and sex among the groups. All of the treated patients obtained satisfactory alleviation of essential hyperhidrosis in immediate postoperative period. However the rate of long-term satisfaction were 80%, 92%, and 96% in groupsI,II, and III respectively(p<0.05). More than embarrassing compensatory hyperhidrosis was present in 50%, 28%, and 18% in groups I,II ,and III respectively(p<0.05). Slight but comfortable amounts of palmar humidness was expressed in decreasing order, group III(34%), groupII(6%), and group I(4%) respectively(p<0.05). In regard to plantar sweating, decrease in sweating was expressed in each of the three groups, but was not significant between the groups.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.147-160
• /
• 2008

The present study was designed to examine effects of polyphenolic compounds isolated from red wine (PCRW) on the release of catecholamines (CA) from the isolated perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla, and to clarify its mechanism of action. PCRW (20${\sim}$180 ${\mu}$g/mL), given into an adrenal vein for 90 min, caused inhibition of the CA secretory responses evoked by ACh (5.32 mM), high $K^+$ (a direct membrane-depolarizer, 56 mM), DMPP (a selective neuronal nicotinic $N_N$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}$M) and McN-A-343 (a selective muscarinic $M_1$ receptor agonist, 100 ${\mu}$M) in dose- and time-dependent fashion. PCRW itself did not affect basal CA secretion (data not shown). Following the perfusion of PCRW (60 ${\mu}$g/mL), the secretory responses of CA evoked by Bay-K-8644 (a L-type dihydropyridine $Ca^{2+}$ channel activator, 10 ${\mu}$M), cyclopiazonic acid (a cytoplasmic $Ca^{2+}$-ATPase inhibitor, 10 ${\mu}$M) and veratridine (an activator of voltage-dependent $Na^+$ channels, 10 ${\mu}$M) were also markedly blocked, respectively. Interestingly, in the simultaneous presence of PCRW (60 ${\mu}$g/mL) and L-NAME (a selective inhibitor of NO synthase, 30 ${\mu}$M), the inhibitory responses of PCRW on the CA secretion evoked by ACh, high $K^+$, DMPP, McN-A-343, Bay-K-8644 and cyclpiazonic acid were recovered to considerable level of the corresponding control release compared with those effects of PCRW-treatment alone. Practically, the amount of NO released from adrenal medulla after loading of PCRW (180 ${\mu}$g/mL) was significantly increased in comparison to the corresponding basal released level. Collectively, these results obtained here demonstrate that PCRW inhibits the CA secretory responses evoked by stimulation of cholinergic (both muscarinic and nicotinic) receptors as well as by direct membrane-depolarization from the isolated perfused adrenal gland of the normotensive rats. It seems that this inhibitory effect of PCRW is mediated by blocking the influx of both ions through $Na^+$ and $Ca^+{2$} channels into the rat adrenomedullary chromaffin cells as well as by inhibiting the release of $Ca^{2+}$ from the cytoplasmic calcium store, which are due at least partly to the increased NO production through the activation of nitric oxide synthase. Based on these data, it is also thought that PCRW may be beneficial to prevent or alleviate the cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension and angina pectoris.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.150-153
• /
• 2002

To elucidate the toxic effect of oxygen free radicals on cultured mouse spinal motor neurons damaged by hydrogen peroxide(H₂O₂)-induced neurotoxicity, we examined the neurotoxicity induced by oxygen radicals by NR assay when cultured spinal motor neurons were grown in the medium containing various concentrations of H₂O₂ for 6 hours. In addition, neuroprotective effects of herb extracts such Rhizoma Gastrodiae(RG), on H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in cultured spinal motor neurons were evaluated after cultured spinal motor neurons were preincubated with various concentrations of herb extract, RG for 2 hours before 50uM H₂O₂ for 6 hours. H₂O₂ decreased remarkably cell viability in dose-and time-dependent manner in these cultures, and also herb extract, RG increased cell viability of spinal motor neurons damaged by H₂O₂ in these cultures. From the above results, it is suggested that H₂O₂ was toxic in cultured spinal motor neurons derived from mouse, and RG was effective in blocking the neurotoxicity induced by oxidative stress in these cultures.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.25-34
• /
• 2011

Objectives : Citrus is the fruit that is readily available around us. Therefore, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of fraction isolated from the Citrus hassaku pericarp in RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Methods : The effects of fraction from Citrus hassaku pericarp on cell viability on RAW264.7 cells were measured by the MTT assay. The mRNA levels of iNOS and COX-2, its protein level by fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp treatment in RAW264.7 macrophage cells were investigated by RT-PCR and immunoblots. Nitrite accumulation in the culture was measured colorimetrically by the Griess reaction using a Griess reagent. The amount of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. Results : The results indicated that the fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp concentration highly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) and IL-6 productions without a cytotoxic effect on RAW264.7 cells. fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp inhibited the expressions of LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 protein and their mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp suppressed the level of nuclear factor-${\kappa}B$ (NF-${\kappa}B$) activity, which was linked with the suppression of LPS-induced phosphorylation of p65 at serine 276 and p65 translocation into nuclei, but not MAPK signaling. In addition, treatment with fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp inhibited the production of IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Conclusion : Our results indicate that fraction of Citrus hassaku pericarp potentially inhibits the biomarkers related to inflammation through the blocking of NF-${\kappa}B$ p65 activation, and it may be a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.

• Journal of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.51 no.2
• /
• pp.193-200
• /
• 2007

This study investigated the effects of situational context feedback in CAI upon students' conceptual understanding, science learning motivation, and the perception of CAI. Seventh graders (N = 114) from a coed middle school in Incheon were assigned to the situational context feedback CAI (SCF-CAI), the feedback CAI (F-CAI) and the CAI groups, and were taught about ‘three states of matter' and ‘motion of molecules' for 8 class hours. Prior science achievement test score used as a blocking variable. Two-way ANCOVA results revealed that the conceptual understanding test scores of the SCF-CAI group were significantly higher than those of the other groups. For the higher achievers, the scores of the F-CAI group in science learning motivation test were significantly higher than those of the CAI group. However, there was no significant difference among the lower achievers of three groups. The higher achievers in the SCFCAI and the F-CAI groups perceived the CAI more positively than those of the CAI group. The lower achievers in the FCAI group perceived the CAI more negatively than those of the other groups. Educational implications are discussed.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.1 no.3
• /
• pp.213-220
• /
• 2001

Background: A previous study has shown that Euonymus alatus (EA) has an antidotic activities against inflammation, suggesting possibility that EA can exert this beneficial effects to liver injury by an initial protection against drug-induced hepatocyte demage. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective effect of EA-extract on experimentally induced hepatitis in ICR mice and to investigate some mechanisms responsible for its action. Methods: Water EA extract was used in this experiments. The mice received i.p. a dose of 700 mg/kg galactosamine (GalN) together with $5{\mu}g/kg$ of endotoxin (LPS), or received i.v. 12 mg/kg of concanavalin A (Con A). EA (4 mg/mouse) was administrated on day -2, -1 and 0 before induction of liver injury. Liver injury was assessed by measurement of serum alanin amino-transferase (SGPT) levels on 9 hr after GaIN.LPS, or 8 hr after con A administration. Results: Treatment with either GaIN or LPS alone did not cause hepatitis. However, simultaneous administration of GalN and LPS to mice resulted in LPS-dose dependent fulminant hepatitis. GaLN/LPS-induced liver injury was reduced when mice were given EA for 3 days before induction. This preventive effect of Ea was more prominent when EA was given by intraperitoneal route rather then by oral route. Pretreatment of EA or dexamethasone inhibited significantly $TNF{\alpha}$ production in GalL/LPS-injured mice. However, EA-treatment did not influence $TNF{\alpha}$-induced hepatitis in GalN-sensitized mice, suggesting that $TNF{\alpha}$ is likely to act as one of final mediators of endotoxin action and the protective effect of EA might be manifested chiefly by inhibition of endotoxin-induced $TNF{\alpha}$ production, not by blocking the $TNF{\alpha}$-action. Injection of Con A into mice evoked remarkable liver injury in a dose dependent fashion. This liver damage was reduced by EA-pretreatment. Dexamethasone significantly reduced both GalL/LPS-induced and Con A-induced liver damages, showing synergism with EA. However, indomethacin reduced only GalN/ LPS-induced hepatitis, not for Con A-induced hepatitis. Conclusion: These results led to the conclusion that EA may be able to contribute at least in part to prevent the drug-induced hepatotoxicity, and that its anti-hepatitis effects might be manifested directly by modulation of endogenous mediators, such as leukotriese D4, $TNF{\alpha}$ and free radical, and indirectly by regulation of immune mediated responses. Also these results suggested that EA could be developed as a potential antidotic agent.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Plant Biotechnology Conference
• /
• 2002.04a
• /
• pp.69-75
• /
• 2002

Sterols play two major roles in plants: a bulk component in biological membranes and precursors of plant steroid hormones. Physiological effects of plant steroids, brassinosteroids (BRs), include cell elongation, cell division, stress tolerance, and senescence acceleration. Arabidopsis mutants that carry genetic defects in BR biosynthesis or its signaling display characteristic phenotypes, such as short robust inflorescences, dark-green round leaves, and sterility. Currently there are more than 100 dwarf mutants representing 7 genetic loci in Arabidopsis. Mutants of 6 loci, dwf1/dim1/cbb1, cpd/dwf3, dwf4, dwf5, det2/dwf6, dwf7 are rescued by exogenous application of BRs, whereas bri1/dwf2 shares phenotypes with the above 6 loci but are resistant to BRs. These suggest that the 6 loci are defective in BR biosynthesis, and the one locus is in BR signaling. Biochemical analyses, such as intermediate feeding tests, examining the levels of endogenous BR, and molecular cloning of the genes revealed that dwf7, dwf5, and dwf1 are defective in the three consecutive steps of sterol biosynthesis, from episterol to campesterol via 5-dehydroepisterol. Similarly, det2/dwf6, dwf4, and cpd/dwf3 were shown to be blocked in $D^4$ reduction, 22a-hydroxylation, and 23 a-hydroxylation, respectively. A signaling mutant bri1/dwf2 carries mutations in a Leucine-rich repeat receptor kinase. Interestingly, the bri1 mutant was shown to accumulate significant amount of BRs, suggesting that signaling and biosynthesis are dynamically coupled in Arabidopsis. Thus It is likely that transgenic plants over-expressing the rate-limiting step enzyme DWF4 as well as blocking its use by BRI1 could dramatically increase the biosynthetic yield of BRs. When applied industrially, BRs will boost new sector of plant biotechnology because of its potential use as a precursor of human steroid hormones, a novel lead compound for cholesterol-lowering effects, and a various application in plant protection.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.191-197
• /
• 2000

Objectives : Risperidone is a new antipsychotic drug developed to overcome the therapeutic limitation of conventional antipsychotics. It responses to negative as well as positive symptoms by blocking both dopaminergic and serotonergic receptors, causing no significant side effects such as agranulocytosis and seizure. It is, however, not known whether it induces any serious cardiovascular side effects as evoked by other conventional antipsychotic drugs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect of risperidone on cardiovascular function, and to discuss the factors affecting the cardiovascular function. Methods : For 42 patients(22 males and 20 females) diagnosed as schizophrenia, schizophreniform disorder or schizoaffective disorder according to the DSM-IV classification, the cardiovascular fuctions such as heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, PR interval, QRS interval and QT interval were successively checked before and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks risperidone administration. Furthermore, variables such as body weight, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS), Clinical Global Impression(CGI), Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale(ESRS), Anticholinergic Rating Scale(ARS), serum cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, serum high-density-lipoprotein level, serum WBC, serum Hb, serum platelet level, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time were also analyzed before and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks risperidone administration. Results : 1) Risperidone treatment resulted in a significantly decreased heart rate and increased QT interval after 4 weeks administration(p<0.005 respectively). 2) The scores of BPRS and CGI were significantly decreased after 2 weeks and 4 weeks risperidone administration as compared with baseline(p<0.001 respectively). The scores of ESRS and ASRS were significantly increased after 2 weeks and 4 weeks risperidone administration as compared with baseline(p<0.001 respectively). 3) There were positive correlations between heart rate after 4 weeks and total dose(P<0.05). Blood pressure was significantly(p<0.05) correlated with sex(higher in male) and significantly(p<0.05) positive correlated with body weight. QT interval was significantly(p<0.05) correlated with sex(longer in female) and smoking history(shorter in smokers). Conclusions : Risperidone could induce significant change in heart rate and Q-T interval. Therefore, the cardiovascular safety for risperidone should be reconsidered according to the duration and dosage increase.

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.179-191
• /
• 2017

Objectives : Increased oxidative stress by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been suggested as a major cause of muscle fatigue. Although several studies have demonstrated the various biological properties of Sophora flavescens Aiton, Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer and Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz, but the antioxidative potentials have not been clearly demonstrated. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of their water and ethanol extract mixtures (medicinal herbal mixtures, MHMIXs) on hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$)-induced cell damage and apoptosis in C2C12 myoblasts. Methods : Cytotoxicity was assessed by an MTT assay. Quantitative evaluation of apoptosis induction and ROS production was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis. Expression levels of apoptosis regulatory and DNA-damage proteins were detected by Western blotting. Result : The inhibition of $H_2O_2$-induced cell proliferation was effectively blocked in extracts of 3: 1: 1 (EMHMIXs-1) or 2: 2: 1 (EMHMIXs-2) of S. flavescens, G. uralensis and D. dasycarpus Turcz, ethanol extracts from various complex extracts in C2C12 myoblasts. EMHMIXs-1 and EMHMIXs-2 also effectively attenuated $H_2O_2$-induced C2C12 cell apoptosis, which was associated with the restoration of the upregulation of Bad and death receptor 4, and downregulation of XIAP and cIAP-1 induced by $H_2O_2$. In addition, these herbal mixtures significantly blocked the $H_2O_2$-induced ROS generation and phosphorylation of $p-{\gamma}H2A.X$, which suggests that they can prevent $H_2O_2$-induced cellular DNA damage. Conclusions : The results suggest that EMHMIXs-1 and EMHMIXs-2 could block the DAN damage and apoptosis of C2C12 myoblasts by oxidative stress through blocking ROS generation.

• Proceedings of the Plant Resources Society of Korea Conference
• /
• 2018.10a
• /
• pp.103-103
• /
• 2018

Oenothera biennis, commonly known as evening primrose, a potential source of natural bioactive substances: flavonoids, steroids, tannins, fatty acids and terpenoids responsible for a diverse range of pharmacological functions. However, whether extract prepared from aerial part of O. biennis (APOB) protects skin against oxidative stress remains unknown. To investigate the protective effects of APOB against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage and elucidated the underlying mechanisms in the HaCaT human skin keratinocytes. Our results revealed that treatment with APOB prior to hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) exposure significantly increased viability, and the highest DPPH radical-scavenging activities and reducing power of HaCaT cells. APOB also effectively attenuated H2O2-induced comet tail formation and inhibited the $H_2O_2$-induced phosphorylation levels of the histone ${\gamma}H2AX$, as well as the number of apoptotic bodies and Annexin V-positive cells. In addition, APOB exhibited scavenging activity against intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and restored the mitochondrial membrane potential loss by $H_2O_2$. Moreover, $H_2O_2$ enhanced the cleavage of caspase-3 and degradation of poly (ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP), a typical substrate protein of activated caspase-3, as well as DNA fragmentation; however, these events were almost totally reversed by pretreatment with APOB. Furthermore, APOB increased the levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which is a potent antioxidant enzyme, associated with the induction of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). According to our data, APOB is able to protect HaCaT cells from $H_2O_2$-induced DNA damage and cell death through blocking cellular damage related to oxidative stress through a mechanism that would affect ROS elimination and activating the Nri2/HO-1 signaling pathway.