• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2015

Purpose : This research was conducted to investigate the effect of sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture on paw edema, pain index, anti-inflammatory factor, AST, ALT and complete blood cell count of a rat model with Complete Freund's Adjuvant-induced arthritis. Methods : Five experimental groups were formed with each consisting of six rats: normal group, control group, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture group, lower level laser acupuncture group, and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture, lower level laser acupuncture group. The experimental model of arthritis was induced by two injections of Freund's adjuvant into the left knee joint of Sprague Dawley(SD) rats. The second injection of Freund's adjuvant was given ten days after the first one. Ten days later, sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture were administered separately or together by assigned groups at $GB_{34}$ and $GB_{39}$ of rats twice a week for a total of six times. Thereafter, edema rate, pain index, tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin-6, aspartate aminortansferase, alanine aminotransferase and complete blood cell count were measured. Results : We noticed synergic effects of sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture according to the results of the paw edema and Von Frey pain index. The sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture(BVA) and sweet bee venom pharmacopuncture+ low level laser acupuncture(BVA+LLA) groups experienced a more significant effect when compared with the control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Sweet Bee Venom Pharmacopuncture and low level laser acupuncture at GB34 and GB39 have a significant anti-inflammatory effect on Freund's adjuvant arthritis in rats.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.83-88
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• 2015

The present study was devised to determine the effects of vitamin E and selenium (Selevit) on body weight, organ weight, hematological values and biochemical parameters in the orchidectomized (Orch) rats. Intact group (n=15) received no treatment and operation. Orch+Selevit received operation and Selevit. The body weights of each group increased, but that of the Orch＋Selevit group were significantly lower than those of all the other groups. There were significantly different decreased (p<0.001) of body weights between Orch＋Selevit group and all the other groups. Also, organ weights such as heart, liver, spleen, kidney, lung and skeletal muscle were measured. The heart and liver weights in the Orch＋Selevit group were significantly different decreased (p<0.001) in comparison with those in the Intact and Sham groups. The kidney weights in the Orch＋Selevit group were significantly different decreased (p<0.01, p<0.001) in comparison with those in all the other groups. The number of white blood cell (WBC) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the Orch＋Selevit group than in all the other groups. The hematological values of 12 parameters were not significantly different in any of the groups. The concentrations of serum total protein, albumin and alkaline phosphatase only increased significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) in the Orch＋Selevit group as compared to that in the Orch group. We conclude that Selevit was significantly decreased the body weight in the Orch rats. Our findings suggest that Selevit may influence the process of lipid packaging and absorption in the Orch rats.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.314-330
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• 2010

Objective : This study was performed to investigate the anti-fibrogenic effect and changes of inflammation-related genes by YBR I and YBR II (YBR I: Arteisiae Capillaris Herba, Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, Hoelen/ YBR II: YBR I +Sanguisorbae Radix, Biotae Cacumen, Cirsii Japonici Herba) on HSC(hepatic stellate cells)-T6 and TAA-induced rat liver tissue. Materials and Methods : HSC-T6 were treated with various concentrations of distilled-water extract YBR I and YBR II extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. After the treatment, cell viability, proliferation, procollagen levels and IL-6 levels were measured by using MTT Assay, BrdU Assay, Procollagen Type 1 C-peptide EIA kit, and Murine IL-6 ELISA Development kit. Rat liver fibrosis was induced by intraperitoneal TAA injection of 150mg/kg 3 times a week for 6 weeks. After the treatment, body weight, liver & spleen weights, liver function test, complete blood cell count and change of portal pressure were studied. In addition, gene expressions of ASMA, IL-6, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, all of which are known to be associated with liver fibrosis, were analyzed by using Real-Time PCR. After YBR I and YBR IItreatment, percentages of collagen in TAA-induced rat liver tissue were measured. Results : The viability and proliferation of the HSC-T6 decreased as the concentration increased. The production of procollagen decreased as the concentration increased. The production of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II. There was no difference in rat body weight between the TAA-only group and the YBR groups. Compared with rat liver weight of TAA-only group, that of the YBR groups increased. In the YBR I group, the serum level of AST elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased and in the YBR I and II group, the serum level of ALP and ALT elevated by TAA injection decreased. In the YBR I group, white blood cell count elevated by TAA injection decreased but platelets increased. In the YBR I group, the portal pressure elevated by TAA injection significantly decreased. Decreases in the gene expression of ASMA and MMP-2 were observed in the YBR I group. The gene expression of IL-6 was little influenced by YBR I and YBR II -treated groups. In the histological finding, TAA injections caused severe fibrosis, but YBR I and YBR II treatment significantly reduced the amounts of hepatic collagens. Conclusions : These results suggest that YBR I and II have inhibitory effects on the hepatic fibrogenesis.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.272-277
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• 2010

This experimental study was performed to investigate the antitumor effect of Egg white combined-Chalcanthite (InSan 4, IS4) in xenografted nude mice with NCI-H460 human lung cancer cell. We cultured NCI-H460 cell lines and xenografted them on nude mice. These mice were divided into 3 groups; group with dose of 45 mg/kg IS4 orally, group with dose of 90 mg/kg IS4 orally, and the control group. They had been raised and treated for 28 days. We checked their body weight, tumor weight and volume twice a week, and their absolute organ weight, microhistological observation and biochemical blood analysis at the final day by sacrificing them. We also calculated their tumor inhibition rate (IR), mean survival time and percent increase in life span (% ILS). In this study, we observed that all of the IS4 treated mice have tumor regression, dosage-dependently, compared to the control group. Tumor weight and volume of high dose treated mice were smallest. IR increased in IS4 in a dose-dependent manner. Mean survival time and percent increase in life span (% ILS) in high-dose IS4 treatment group were the highest of the three groups. There was no significant difference in biochemical blood analysis, alanine phopsphatase (ALP), Calcium, creatinine (CRE), alanine transferase (ALT), and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels. The urea nitrogen (UN) level results significantly decreased by IS4 45 and 90 mg/kg (IS4 45 mg/kg, IS4 90 mg/kg, p<0.01). IS4 may have potential anti-tumor effect in a solid tumor induced by NCI-H460 without remarkable side effects.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.47-56
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• 2018

Finding the blood left at a crime scene is very important to reconstruct or solve a criminal case. Although numerous reagents have been developed for use at crime scenes, luminol is the most representative. Bluestar Forensic has been used in recent years, but is expensive and cannot be stored after preparation. This study aims to develop a new luminol reagent that can be stored for a long period of time while maintaining the chemiluminescence intensity at the level of Bluestar Forensic. Because luminol dissolves well in aqueous alkaline solutions, the use of sodium hydroxide in the preparation of luminol reagents can promote the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Magnesium sulfate, sodium silicate, and potassium triphosphate have been used as hydrogen peroxide stabilizers. The effects of the addition of these substances on the chemiluminescence emission intensity and the storage period of the luminol reagents were confirmed. The addition of a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer was shown to have no significant affect on the chemiluminescence emissions intensity or stabilized pH of the luminol reagent during storage. It also greatly increases the shelf life of the reagents. The use of magnesium sulfate as a hydrogen peroxide stabilizer is the most appropriate. When sodium perborate is used instead of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent, there is no significant change in the sensitivity and chemiluminescence emissions intensity, but the storage period is shortened. However, after the reaction with blood, the pH of the mixed solution does not increase significantly, and is judged to be more suitable than a reagent made of hydrogen peroxide.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.544-550
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• 2010

Mistaking pink colored thermal oil for grape wine, a victim drank the oil to death which was analyzed to contain 39% of ethylene glycol. Thermal oil could be used for heat transfer to prevent the malfunction due to the high pressure in the boiler operated at high temperature when using water. Main component of thermal oil is known to be mineral oil or ethylene glycol. From the blood and other tissue of the victim from autopsy, ethylene glycol and its metabolite were simultaneously analyzed by GC/MS after extraction under acidic condition with acetonitrile followed by derivatization with BSTFA. About 0.2 g of the specimens were pretreated with 50 uL of 0.5 M HCl solution to keep acidic condition, then dehydrated with anhydrous sodium sulfate followed by concentration under nitrogen stream. Ethylene glycol and glycolic acid concentration in blood was measured to be $2,755\;{\mu}g/mL$ and $174\;{\mu}g/mL$ respectively. In other specimen, the concentration of ethylene glycol and glycolic acid was $860\;{\mu}g/g\sim1,290\;{\mu}g/g$ and $93\;{\mu}g/g\sim134\;{\mu}g/g$. Especially, crystal appeared in kidney which was supposed xalate from the metabolite of ethylene glycol.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.15-35
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• 2015

Objectives This study was performed to investigate the effects of Bujasasim-tang ethanol extract (BST) on oxidative stress, inflammation and osteoarthritic rat model. Methods To ensure safety of BST, heavy metal levels were measured and cytotoxicity test was done. In vitro, To evaluate antioxidative effects of BST, total phenolic contents, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured. Also, to evaluate anti-inflammatory effects of BST treated group, total nitric oxide (NO) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-$1{\beta}$, IL-6, TNF-${\alpha}$) levels were measured in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. In vivo, We injected MIA $50{\mu}l$ (60 mg/ml) into knee joints of rats to induce osteoarthritis. Rats were divided into total 3 groups (normal, control, BST treated group, each n=7). Normal group was not treated at all without inducing osteoarthritis and taken normal diet. Control group was induced osteoarthritis by MIA and taken with 2 ml of distilled water once a day for 4 weeks. BST treated group was induced osteoarthritis by MIA and taken BST 2 ml (200 mg/kg/mouse) once a day for 4 weeks. We evaluated dynamic weight bearing with the Incapacitance Test Meter. At the end of experiment, the rats were sacrificed to observe the functions of liver and kidney, changes of WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte levels in blood, to evaluate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, tissue inhibitor of metallopreteinases-1 (TIMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$), leukotriene $B_4$ ($LTB_4$) within serum. We observed change of articular structures by Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E), safranin-O staining method and measured amount of cartilage by micro CT-arthrography. Statistical analysis was done by unpaired student's t-test with significance level at p<0.05 in SPSS 11.0 for windows. Results 1. Safety of the BST was identified. 2. AST, ALT, BUN, creatinine levels of BST treated group were within normal limit. In vitro, 1. DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities of BST showed dose-dependent increase. 2. ROS production were significantly decreased. 3. Total nitric oxide (NO) and IL-$1{\beta}$ production were decreased. 4. IL-6 and TNF-${\alpha}$ production were significantly decreased. In vivo, 1. Weight bearing ability was significantly increased. 2. WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte levels in blood were decreased. 3. IL-$1{\beta}$ and TNF-${\alpha}$ levels in serum were significantly decreased. and the IL-6 level was decreased. 4. TIMP-1, MMP-9, $LTB_4$, $PGE_2$ levels in serum were significantly decreased. 5. Cartilage volume of BST treated group was significantly increased. Also changes of cartilage, synovial membrane, fibrous tissue were suppressed. Conclusions The results obtained in this study Bujasasim-tang have effects of antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, relieve pain and protection of cartilage. Therefore we expect that Bujasasim-tang is effective treatment for osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.132-144
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• 2017

Purpose: To identify baseline prognostic factors for survival in patients with disease progression, during or after chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer. Materials and Methods: We pooled data from patients randomized between 2009 and 2012 in 2 phase III, global double-blind studies of ramucirumab for the treatment of advanced gastric or GEJ adenocarcinoma following disease progression on first-line platinum- and/or fluoropyrimidine-containing therapy (REGARD and RAINBOW). Forty-one key baseline clinical and laboratory factors common in both studies were examined. Model building started with covariate screening using univariate Cox models (significance level=0.05). A stepwise multivariable Cox model identified the final prognostic factors (entry+exit significance level=0.01). Cox models were stratified by treatment and geographic region. The process was repeated to identify baseline prognostic quality of life (QoL) parameters. Results: Of 1,020 randomized patients, 953 (93%) patients without any missing covariates were included in the analysis. We identified 12 independent prognostic factors of poor survival: 1) peritoneal metastases; 2) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score 1; 3) the presence of a primary tumor; 4) time to progression since prior therapy <6 months; 5) poor/unknown tumor differentiation; abnormally low blood levels of 6) albumin, 7) sodium, and/or 8) lymphocytes; and abnormally high blood levels of 9) neutrophils, 10) aspartate aminotransferase (AST), 11) alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and/or 12) lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Factors were used to devise a 4-tier prognostic index (median overall survival [OS] by risk [months]: high=3.4, moderate=6.4, medium=9.9, and low=14.5; Harrell's C-index=0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.68). Addition of QoL to the model identified patient-reported appetite loss as an independent prognostic factor. Conclusions: The identified prognostic factors and the reported prognostic index may help clinical decision-making, patient stratification, and planning of future clinical studies.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.1 s.12
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• pp.37-51
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• 2004

Objective : Recently scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture has been a good effect on pain control but it has not been known about clinical safety. The purpose of this study was to investigate acute toxicity of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture. Method : In order to prove the clinical safety of scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, We have observed a bacteriological examination and clinical pathology test after scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment. Balb/c mice were injected intravenous with Scolopendrid aquaacupuncture treatment for $LD_{50}$ and acute toxicity test. We analyzed physical reaction(side effect)and clinical pathology test before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment of mice and 20 patients suffering from pain, who admitted department of Acupunture and Moxibustion, College of Oriental Medicine, Won-Kwang University Kwangju hospital. Results : In the Blood agar plate and Nutrient agar plate, a bacteriological examination did not show a bacillus. In acute $LD_{50}$ toxicity test, there was no mortality thus unable to attain the value. Examining the toxic response in the acute toxicity test, there was no sign of toxication. In acute toxic test, running biochemical serum test couldn't yield any differences between the control and experiment groups. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, hematologic test did not show remarkable change. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Liver function test(AST, ALT, ALP) showed a slight decrease on the contrary, and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. Reanl function test(BUN, Cr) and abnormal rate showed a decrease of 5.0% compared with previous study. In the 20 patients treated with Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture, Electrolyte were normal range before and after treatment. In the Urine analysis of 20 patients, Leukocyte, Protein, Glucose, Keton, Bilirubin, U-bilinogen were not detected before and after Scolopendrid aqua-acupuncture treatment, and the rest almost made no difference.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.105-112
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• 2023

Lycopene, a carotenoid hydrocarbon is known to have effects on reducing cardiovascular risk factors, blood lipids, and blood pressure. Thus, a lot of supplementary foods with lycopene in several dosage forms like soft capsule filled with liquid and hard capsule filled with powder are available in a market. Recently, however, our research group found that the lycopene assay in Supplementary Food Code of South Korea is only valid for oily lycopene preparation. Thus, here, we developed a simple method to determine lycopene in solid preparations for Supplementary Food Code of South Korea using saponification and liquid chromatography with an absorbance detector. The method was validated following Ministry of Food and Drug Safety guidelines. All validation parameters observed in this study were within acceptable criteria of the guidelines (selectivity, linearity of r² ≥ 0.991, lower limit of quantification of 0.0149 mg/mL, accuracy as recovery (R) between 92.70 and 97.18 %, repeatability as relative standard deviation (RSD) values of R between 0.85 and 1.59 %, and reproducibility as the RSD value of interlaboratory R of 3.70 %). Additionally, the practical sample applicability of the validated method was confirmed by accuracy between 98.81 and 101.59 % observed from its lycopene certified reference material (CRM) analyses. Therefore, the present method could contribute to fortify the supplementary food safety management system in South Korea.