• Toxicological Research
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.233-240
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• 1993

Toxic effects of chronic adminstration of methamphetamine (MA) to SD rats were studied in respect to histopathological changes induced in each organ. In experimental groups liver weight decreased and brain weights increased markedly compared with controls in the 12th month after subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mg and 5mg/kg/BW MA. Serum alkaline phosphotase levels increased, but marked decrease of cholesterol, triglyceride, and BUN levels were checked depending on both the dose of MA and duration of treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.336-339
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• 2019

A castrated, 6-year-old, male Turkish Angora cat with a history of respiratory distress was referred to the hospital. Physical examination revealed a cardiac murmur, and thoracic radiographic findings revealed pleural effusion and cardiomegaly. Echocardiography showed abnormality of the tricuspid and mitral valve, and color-flow Doppler imaging revealed regurgitation between both atrium and ventricle. Based on the echocardiographic examination, tricuspid valve dysplasia concurrent with mitral valve dysplasia was diagnosed. However, the patient died a week after treatment. In necropsy, bilateral atrioventricular valve dysplasia and left ventricular hypertrophy were confirmed. This is the first report to describe a middle age Turkish angora cat having bilateral atrioventricular valve dysplasia which has high mortality and only been reported rarely in cats. This case report also describes its clinical signs, diagnostic imaging findings, treatment and discussions how the patient could live long.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.743-754
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• 2023

Background: Myocardial fibrosis post-myocardial infarction (MI) can induce maladaptive cardiac remodeling as well as heart failure. Although 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) has been applied to cardiovascular diseases, its efficacy and specific molecular mechanism in myocardial fibrosis are largely unknown. Herein, we aimed to explore whether TGFBR1 signaling was involved in Rg3's anti-fibrotic effect post-MI. Methods: Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery ligation-induced MI mice and TGF-β1-stimulated primary cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were adopted. Echocardiography, hematoxlin-eosin and Masson staining, Western-blot and immunohistochemistry, CCK8 and Edu were used to study the effects of Rg3 on myocardial fibrosis and TGFBR1 signaling. The combination mechanism of Rg3 and TGFBR1 was explored by surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRi). Moreover, myocardial Tgfbr1-deficient mice and TGFBR1 adenovirus were adopted to confirm the pharmacological mechanism of Rg3. Results: In vivo experiments, Rg3 ameliorated myocardial fibrosis and hypertrophy and enhanced cardiac function. Rg3-TGFBR1 had the 1.78×10^-7 M equilibrium dissociation constant based on SPRi analysis, and Rg3 inhibited the activation of TGFBR1/Smads signaling dose-dependently. Cardiac-specific Tgfbr1 knockdown abolished Rg3's protection against myocardial fibrosis post-MI. In addition, Rg3 downregulated the TGF-β1-mediated CFs growth together with collagen production in vitro through TGFBR1 signaling. Moreover, TGFBR1 adenovirus partially blocked the inhibitory effect of Rg3. Conclusion: Rg3 improves myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function through suppressing CFs proliferation along with collagen deposition by inactivation of TGFBR1 pathway.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.404-407
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• 2012

A 3 years-old female mixed dog (weighing 5.3 kg) was referred to veterinary teaching hospital of Kangwon National University with primary complaints of syncope, severe exercise intolerance, depression and lethargy. Diagnostic studies revealed polycythemia, right sided cardiac enlargement on thoracic radiography and right-to left atrial septal defect, severe pulmonary stenosis (~5 m/s of peak velocity) and right ventricular hypertrophy. Based on diagnostic findings, the dog was diagnosed as trilogy of Fallot. To improve clinical condition of this dog, diltiazem and enalapril were prescribed with weekly phlebotomy. To author's best knowledge, this is the first case of trilogy of Fallot in Korea.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.40 no.8
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• pp.552-557
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• 2007

Background: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a cardiac hormone that is primarily synthesized by the ventricular cardiac myocytes. Increased plasma BNP levels have been observed in patients suffering with congestive heart failure, ventricular hypertrophy and myocaridits and also during heart transplantation rejection. We investigated the serum BNP level as a predictive marker for rejection after heart transplantation. Material and Method: To test the usefulness of measuring the BNP level in cardiac transplant patients, consecutive blood samplings for BNP, right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies, hemodynamic measurements and transthoracic echocardiogram were all done in 10 such patients between January 2004 and August 2005 at the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery in Asan Medical Center. Two groups were identified with using the median value: the low BNP group (n=28, BNP: ${\le}290$ pg/mL) and the high BNP group (n=29, BNP: >290 pg/mL). We retrospectively analyzed rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups. Result: There were no differences in age, gender, rejection, the ejection fraction, tricuspid regurgitation, left ventricular hypertrophy and the right atrial pressure between the 2 groups (p>0.05). However, a higher pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and a higher mean pulmonary atrial pressure were observed in the high BNP group (p<0.05). Further, BNP has linear correlation with the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (r=0.590, p<0.001). Using the cut-off value of 620 pg/mL, the BNP predicted a high PCWP (>12 mmHg) with a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 91.1% (AUC: $0.900{\pm}0.045$, p<0.001). Conclusion: The BNP level after heart transplantation does not show any significant correlation with rejection, yet it might be a predictive marker of ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2011

Objectives : The aim of this study was to examine the effect acupuncture by needle manipulation at acupoints, SP3 HT7, on the blood pressure and renin and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP) in plasma, cardiac hypertrophy in hypertensive rats induced by two kidney one clip (2K1C). Materials and Methods : The experiments were performed on twenty-five Sprague Dawley rats, 2K1C hypertension model was prepared by constricting the left renal artery with a sliver clip. Animals were divided into five groups, control, AC-1a and AC-2a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand 6 times), AC-3a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs), AC-4a(acupuncture at SP3 HT7 bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times). The treatments were started on the 4 week after inducing 2K1C, and they were performed two times a week for 3 weeks in rats. Results : The results are that The blood pressure was significantly decreased at 4 times in Acu-1a, The cardiac hypertrophy was significantly decrease in Acu-2a and Acu-3a. The activity of plasma renin was decreased in all groups without control and Acu-1a, and that of plasma ANP was decrease in Acu-2a and Acu-3a than control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture on SP3 HT7 mostly cause significant changes on controlling renal hypertension induced by 2K1C in the rats.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.165-177
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine effects of acupuncture by needle manipulation at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ on the blood pressure, plasma levels of ANP(atrial natriuretic peptide), renin and cardiomegalic index in hypertensive rat Induced by two kidney one clip(2K1C). Material and methods : The groups divided into 7 groups; Control, no treatment. Acu-1,acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the thumb of the right hand 6 times. Acu-2, acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times. Acu-3, acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally and the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs, Acu-4, acupuncture at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ bilaterally, the needle was inserted in the opposite direction(body direction) as the channel runs and the needle was twirled and rotated forward with the forefinger of the right hand 6 times. The acupuncture executed 5times for 2 weeks. Results : Systolic blood pressure was decreased significantly in Acu-2, Acu-3 and Acu-4. Plasma renin was decreased significantly in Acu-2 and Acu-4. Plasma ANP was increased significantly in Acu-2, however was decreased significantly in Acu-4. Cardiac hypertrophy index was decreased significantly in Acu-1, Acu-2, Acu-3 and Acu-4. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture by needle manipulation at $LR1{\cdot}Kl1$ is effective in hypertension by renal blood problem.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1180-1190
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• 1990

96 patients underwent cardiac valve replacement for valvular heart diseases consecutively between February 1986 to February 1990 in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of Yeungnam University Hospital. The follow up period was between 6 months and 4.5 years postoperatively[mean 23.4$\pm$13.1 months]. 75 cases got mitral valve replacement, 6 cases, aortic valve replacement, 15 cases, double valve replacement. 30[31.2%] patients were male and 66[68.8%] were female and the age ranged from 14 to 66 years old. Early hospital death within 30 days postoperation were 5 patients[5.2%], consisting of by low cardiac output in 2, infective endocarditis in 1, multiple organ failure with sepsis in 1 patient. There was no late postoperative death. Most common early postoperative complication was wound disruption [8.7%] and then low cardiac output, pneumothorax, pleural effusion in order. Most common late postoperative complications were minor bleeding episodes[8.7%] related to anticoagulant therapy which were consisted of frequent epistaxis in 3, gum bleeding in 2, hemorrhagic gastritis in 1, hypermenorrhea in 1, hematoma in right arm in 1 patient. Valve-related complications included valve thrombosis [1.6%/ patient-year], valve failure due to pannus formation[1.1% /patient-year], prosthetic valve endocarditis[1, 1%o/patient-year] and minor anticoagulant hemorrhage[4.4% /patient-year]. 5 cases of reoperations were performed in 4 patients due to valve failure and all of them were in the mitral positions[2.7% /patient-year]. Cardiothoracic ratios in the chest X-ray decreased at the 6th month and 1st year postoperation in all patients. But in New York Heart Association[NYHA] functional class IV, no change in cardiothoracic ratio was found between 6 months and 1 year postoperation. In the echocardiogram, the size of the cardiac chambers decreased, but ejection fraction increased postoperatively in each functional class. In the electrocardiogram, decreases were found in the incidence of atrial fibrillation, left atrial enlargement, left ventricular hypertrophy with right bundle branch block increasing postoperatively in each functional class. The actuarial survival rate was 98.4% for all patients, 98.7% for mitral valve replacement, 83.8% for aortic valve replacement, and 80% for double valve replacement at the end of a 4.5 year follow up period. Meanwhile the actuarial freedom rate was 91.5% for prosthetic valve endocarditis, 91.6% for thromboembolism, 89.0% for prosthetic valve failure and 83.7% for minor anticoagulant hemorrhage. Preoperative NYHA class III and IV were 75% of all patients, but 95% of all patients were up graded to NYHA class I and II postoperatively.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.1619-1627
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• 2021

Objective: This study used cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to compare the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) with those of patients with essential hypertension (EH) and healthy controls (HCs). Materials and Methods: This prospective study enrolled 35 patients with PA, in addition to 35 age- and sex-matched patients with EH, and 35 age- and sex-matched HCs, all of whom underwent comprehensive clinical and cardiac MRI examinations. The analysis of variance was used to detect the differences in the characteristics of left ventricular remodeling among the three groups. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine the relationships between left ventricular remodeling and the physiological variables. Results: The left ventricular end-diastolic volume index (EDVi) (mean ± standard deviation [SD]: 85.1 ± 13.0 mL/m² for PA, 75.9 ± 14.3 mL/m² for EH, and 77.3 ± 12.8 mL/m² for HC; p = 0.010), left ventricular end-systolic volume index (ESVi) (mean ± SD: 35.2 ± 9.8 mL/m² for PA, 30.7 ± 8.1 mL/m² for EH, and 29.5 ± 7.0 mL/m² for HC; p = 0.013), left ventricular mass index (mean ± SD: 65.8 ± 16.5 g/m² for PA, 56.9 ± 12.1 g/m² for EH, and 44.1 ± 8.9 g/m² for HC; p < 0.001), and native T1 (mean ± SD: 1224 ± 39 ms for PA, 1201 ± 47 ms for EH, and 1200 ± 44 ms for HC; p = 0.041) values were higher in the PA group compared to the EH and HC groups. Multivariable linear regression demonstrated that log (plasma aldosterone-to-renin ratio) was independently correlated with EDVi and ESVi. Plasma aldosterone was independently correlated with native T1. Conclusion: Patients with PA showed a greater degree of ventricular hypertrophy and enlargement, as well as myocardial fibrosis, compared to those with EH. Cardiac MRI T1 mapping can detect left ventricular myocardial fibrosis in patients with PA.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.136-141
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• 2012

The hearts of highly trained athletes show morphologic and electrocardiographic (ECG) changes that suggest the presence of cardiovascular disease, including sinus bradycardia, a striking increase in precordial R-wave or S-wave voltages, ST segment depression, and T-wave inversions. Despite a number of previous observational surveys, the determinants of abnormal ECG patterns in trained athletes remain largely unresolved. In this study, we compared the electrocardiographic characteristics of athletes to determine any sensitive indicators. Comparison between ECG patterns and cardiac physiology was performed in 21 junior athletes and 25 untrained subjects with no signs of cardiac disease. Sinus bradycardia was detected in a subset of athletes but not statistically significant between the athletes ($69.9{\pm}11.1bpm$) and the control ($72.7{\pm}9.9bpm$) group. The mean values of the PR and QTc intervals in the athletes' group were $149.2{\pm}15.4ms$ and $402.3{\pm}28.8ms$, respectively. Also, there were no significantly differences between control group and the athletes' group. In addition, the athletes demonstrated a spectrum of alterations in the 12-lead ECG pattern, including marked increase in precordial R-wave or S-wave voltages ($$SV_1+RV_5{\geq_-}35mm$$, 23.8%), QRS duration ($${\geq_-}90ms$$, 90.5%), suggestive of left ventricular hypertrophy. However, left axis deviation, ST segment depression, and T-wave changes in V5, V6 were not observed in either the athletes or control group. Our findings suggest that sinus bradycardia, precordial R-wave or S-wave voltages, and QRS duration seem to be more sensitively detected in athletes than in control group. Further researches on the electrocardiographic patterns of athletes should be carried out to improve the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic criteria.