• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.333-338
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• 2011

Black ginseng (BG) has been widely used as herbal treatment for improving physiological function. In order to investigate the neuroprotective action of this herbal medicine, we examined the influence of BG on the learning and memory of rats using the Morris water maze, and we studied the effects of BG on the central cholinergic system and neural nitric oxide synthesis in the hippocampus of rats with neuronal and cognitive impairment. After middle cerebral artery occlusion was applied for 2h, the rats were administered BG (100 or 400 $mgkg^{-1}$, p.o.) daily for 2 weeks, followed by training and performance of the Morris water maze test. The rats with ischemic insults showed impaired learning and memory on the tasks. Treatment with BG produced improvement in the escape latency to find the platform. Further, the BG groups showed a reduced loss of cholinergic immunoreactivity and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d)-positive neurons in the hippocampus compared to that of the ISC group. These results demonstrated that BG has a protective effect against ischemia-induced neuronal and cognitive impairment. Our results suggest that BG might be useful for the treatment of vascular dementia.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.73-86
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• 1994

In addition to classic cholinergic and adrenergic pathways, the existence of a third division of autonomic control in the human airways has been proved. It is called a nonadrenergic noncholinergic(NANC) nervous system, and difficult to study in the absence of specific blockers. Neuropeptides are certainly suggested to be transmitters of this NANC nervous system. It is very frustrating to understand the pathophysiologic role of these peptides in the absence of any specific antagonists. However, further studies of neuropeptides might eventually lead to novel forms of treatment for bronchial asthma. Another study of the interaction between different components of the autonomic nervous system, either in ganglionic neurotransmission or by presynaptic modulation of neurotransmitters at the end-organ will elute neural control in airway disease, particularly in asthma. Studies of how autonomic control may be disordered in airway disease should lead to improvements in clinical management. Epithelial damage due to airway inflammation in asthma may induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Axon reflex mechanism is one of possible mechanisms in bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Epithelial damage may expose sensory nerve terminals and C-fiber nrve endings are stimulated by inflammatory mediators. Bi-directional communication between the nerves and mast cells may have important roles in allergic process. The psychological factors and conditioning of allergic reactions is suggested that mast cell activation might be partly regulated by the central nervous system via the peripheral nerves. Studies in animal models, in huamn airways in vitro and in patients with airway disease will uncover the interaction between allergic disease processes and psychologic factors or neural mechainsms.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2013

Acute organophosphate intoxication is important because of its high morbidity and mortality. The mortality is still high despite the use of atropine as specific antidotal therapy and oximes for reactivation of acetylcholinesterase. Inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by organophosphate can cause acute parasympathetic system dysfunction, muscle weakness, seizure, coma, and respiratory failure. Acute alteration in conscious state or a coma, which may occur following organophosphate intoxication, is an indication of severe intoxication and poorer prognosis. This acute decline in conscious state often reverses when the cholinergic crisis settles; however, it may be prolonged in some patients. We report on a case of a 60-year-old male who showed prolonged decline in conscious state due to of Central Nervous System (CNS) toxicity after a suicide attempt with organophosphate.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 1973

The influence of guanethidine on the renal function was investigated in the rabbit. Guanethidine, 1-10mg/kg, i.v., produced no marked change in the renal function, while second and successive doses of guanethidine elicited a significant increase in urine flow and electrolyte excretion as well as renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. It was suggested that the diuretic action was brought about by improvement of hemodynamic state in the kidney ; increased filtration as a result of increased renal perfusion. Atropine alone did not significantly influence the renal function but pretreatment of animals with atropine, 4 mg/kg i.v., completely abolished the diuretic action of guanethidine. It is suggested that guanethidine influences the renal function by activating parasympathetic nervous system or some cholinergic mechanism in the kidney.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2002

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common and devastating dementing disorders of old age. Most AD patients showed significant alternation of sleep structure as well as cognitive deficit. Typical findings of sleep architecture in AD patients include lower sleep efficiency, higher stage 1 percentage, and greater frequency of arousals. The slowing of EEG activity is also noted. Abnormalities in REM sleep are of particular interest in AD because the cholinergic system is related to both REM sleep and AD. Several parameters representing REM sleep structure such as REM latency, the amount of REM sleep, and REM density are change in patients with AD. Especially, measurements of EEG slowing during tonic REM sleep can be used as an EEG marker for early detection of possible AD. In addition, a structural defect in the suprachiasmatic nucleus is suggested to cause various chronobiological alternations in AD. Most of alternations related to sleep make sleep disturbances common and disruptive symptoms of AD. In this article, the author reviewed the alternation of sleep structure and circadian rhythm in AD patients.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.634-639
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• 2001

Central anticholinergic syndrome is defined as an absolute or relative reduction in cholinergic activity in the central nervous system and has a wide variety of manfestations. It is associated with almost any drug given during anesthesia, except neuromuscular relaxants, and treated with the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. The diagnosis of central anticholinergic syndrome is often made when symptoms resolve promptly after the administration of physostigmine. We present a case of a central anticholinergic syndrome diagnosed by treatment with physostigmine, in a patient who received closure of patent foramen ovale associated with stroke.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.287-291
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• 2023

Sugammadex has shown faster reversal of steroidal neuromuscular blockade (NMB) than neostigmine, a traditional reversal agent for NMB, even in the intense block phase. This efficiency is possible because of the unique mechanism of action by encapsulating the NMB molecules. Therefore, with the use of sugammadex, we can also expect to avoid direct interactions with the cholinergic system and its subsequent side effects, which are disadvantages of traditional drugs. However, despite these benefits and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2015, rare adverse events associated with sugammadex have been reported. Herein, we report a case of bronchospasm that developed immediately after sugammadex administration.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.9-14
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• 1994

Substance P[SP] has been known to be a peptide which may be plays a role as a neurotransmitter in central nervous system as well as peripheral autonomic nervous system. It has been reported that SP was widely distributed in the nerve of the tracheal smooth muscle and induced the muscle contraction. However, definite action mechanism of SP in the tracheal smooth muscle was not clear, yet. Thus, present experiment was performed to elucidate an effect of substance P and an action mechanism on contraction of the smooth muscle in rabbits. In order to find a neural mechanism to the effect of SP on the tracheal smooth muscle contraction, atropine sulfate, tetrodotoxin, propranol and phentolamine were administered at 10 min before the addition of SP. Otherwise,to find effect of SP antagonists on the action of SP, [D-Pro2, D-Try7,9]SP, [D-Arg1, D-Pro2, D-Trp7,9, Leu11]SP and [D-Pro4, D-Trp7,9]SP were administered as a same fashion. These following results were obtained. 1] SP induced contraction of the tracheal smooth muscle under resting condition and the contraction was increased dose-dependently. 2] Cholinergic blocker[atropine], neural blocker[tetrodotoxin] and adrenergic blocker[propranol and phentolamine] didn`t have an effect on the contractile response. 3] Three SP antagonists inhibited the contractile response. 4] Isoproterenol relaxed the contraction induced by SP. The above results suggested that SP induced contraction of the tracheal smooth muscle directly act to the smooth muscle in rabbits. The autonomic nervous system did not seem to participate in the SP action.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2020

Nicotine, primary component of tobaco produces craving and withdrawal effect both in humans and animals. Nicotine shows a close resemblance to other addictive drugs in molecular, neuroanatomical and pharmacological, particularly the drugs which enhances the cognitive functions. Nicotine mainly shows its action through specific nicotinic acetylcholine receptors located in brain. It stimulates presynaptic acetylcholine receptors thereby enhancing Ach release and metabolism. Dopaminergic system is also stimulated by it, thus increasing the concentration of dopamine in nuclear accumbens. This property of nicotine according to various researchers is responsible for reinforcing behavioral change and dependence of nicotine. Various researchers have also depicted that some non dopaminergic systems are also involved for rewarding effect of nicotinic withdrawal. Neurological systems such as GABAergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic, and brain stem cholinergic may also be involved to mediate the actions of nicotine. Further, the neurobiological pathway to nicotine dependence might perhaps be appropriate to the attachment of nicotine to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, peruse by stimulation of dopaminergic system and activation of general pharmacological changes that might be responsible for nicotine addiction. It is also suggested that MAO A and B both are restrained by nicotine. This enzyme helps in degradation dopamine, which is mainly responsible for nicotinic actions and dependence. Various questions remain uninsurable to nicotine mechanism and require more research. Also, various genetic methods united with modern instrumental analysis might result for more authentic information for nicotine addiction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.45 no.11
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• pp.1552-1563
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• 2016

To examine the cognitive function of onion (Allium cepa L.) beverages (odourless and fortified), we analyzed in vitro neuronal cell protection against $H_2O_2$-induced cytotoxicity and performed in vivo tests on amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$)-induced cognitive dysfunction. Cellular oxidative stress and cell viability were evaluated by DCF-DA assay and MTT assay. These results show that fortified beverage resulted in better neuronal cell protection than odourless beverage at lower concentration ($0{\sim}100{\mu}g/mL$). Fortified beverage also showed more excellent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activity ($IC_{50}$: 4.20 mg/mL) than odourless beverage. The cognitive functions of odourless beverage and fortified beverage in $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity were assessed by Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. The results show improved cognitive function in both groups treated with beverages. After in vivo tests, cholinergic activities were determined based on AChE inhibition and acetylcholine levels, and antioxidant activities were measured as SOD, oxidized glutathione (GSH)/total GSH ratio, and MDA levels in mouse brain tissue. In a Q-TOF UPLC/MS system, main compounds were analyzed as follows: odourless beverage (five types of sugars and three types of phenolics) and fortified beverages (six types of phenolics and two types of steroidal saponins).