• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.609-614
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• 2012

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a common cause of acute hepatitis. Regarding the risk of DILI from herbal preparations, there are controversial issues such as exaggerated reports straying far from the truth and lack of discrimination between herbal drugs and folk remedies or food supplements. This study reported one case of a patient with DILI caused by Smilacis Chinae Radix and cured in an Oriental hospital. Smilacis Chinae Radix has been used as an anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, detoxification and anticancer compound, as a folk remedy. This report would provide helpful information for management of DILI by folk remedies or herbal drugs.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.135-143
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• 2018

Tumor necrosis $factor-{\alpha}$ ($TNF{\alpha}$) and the angiotensin system are involved in inflammatory diseases and may contribute to acute kidney injury. We investigated the mechanisms by which $TNF{\alpha}$-converting enzyme (TACE) contributes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal inflammation and the effect of TACE inhibitor treatment on LPS-induced cellular injury in human renal proximal tubule epithelial (HK-2) cells. Mice were treated with LPS (10 mg/kg, i.p.) and HK-2 cells were cultured with or without LPS ($10{\mu}g/ml$) in the presence or absence of a type 1 TACE inhibitor ($1{\mu}M$) or type 2 TACE inhibitor ($10{\mu}M$). LPS treatment induced increased serum creatinine, $TNF{\alpha}$, and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), and TACE increased, while angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) expression decreased in LPS-induced acute kidney injury and LPS-treated HK-2 cells. LPS induced reactive oxygen species and the down-regulation of ACE2, and these responses were prevented by TACE inhibitors in HK-2 cells. TACE inhibitors increased cell viability in LPS-treated HK-2 cells and attenuated oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines. Our findings indicate that LPS activates renin angiotensin system components via the activation of TACE. Furthermore, inhibitors of TACE are potential therapeutic agents for kidney injury.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1210-1222
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• 2020

Objective: The purpose of this study was to report the effect of acupuncture on the splenius muscle and the effect of combined Korean medicine treatment on acute dizziness in patients due to whiplash injury. Methods: Three patients with acute dizziness were treated with acupuncture of the splenius muscle and combined Korean medicine. A numeric rating scale (NRS) and the Korean dizziness handicap inventory (K-DHI) were checked every day from admission to discharge to confirm symptom improvements. Results: In the acute stage of dizziness caused by whiplash injury, acupuncture of the splenius muscle and combined Korean medicine improved the NRS and K-DHI scores. Conclusions: For patients with acute dizziness caused by whiplash injury, a combination of acupuncture on the splenius muscle and Korean medicine treatment may be a solution.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.817-826
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• 2022

Objectives: The aim of this study is to report a case in which a patient showed recovery from hemiparesis after a head injury. Methods: A 60-year-old woman who suffered a head injury received Korean medicine treatment, including herbal decoctions, acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and physical treatment for 32 days. The response before and after treatment was evaluated using the Manual Muscle Test, the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index, and walking status. Results: After treatment, the range of the Manual Muscle Test grades of her left lower extremity increased from 1-3 to 2-4. Her score on the Korean version of the Modified Barthel Index improved from 60 to 90. The patient, who was in a wheelchair at the time of admission, walked with a cane upon discharge. Conclusion: This study suggests that intervention with Korean medicine could be one of the therapeutic options for improving hemiparesis after head injury.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.777-783
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• 2021

Objective: This case report describes a patient who suffered a drug-induced liver injury and was treated with Saengganggeonbi-tang. Methods: A patient was treated with Korean herbal medicine, and the treatment effect was evaluated using liver function tests (LFT) to determine total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Results: The patient's LFT levels were normal on 27 July 2021 but became abnormal by 12 August 2021 after taking Western drugs. After 15 days of treatment with Saengganggeonbi-tang, the LFT levels had improved. Conclusion: This study shows that Saenggangeonbi-tang may be an effective treatment for drug-induced liver injury.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.207-211
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• 2004

Recently a case of liver injury from ingestion of Taeyeumjowi-tang containing Ma-huang(Ephedra sinica stapf) arose. The patient, a 30 year-old woman, was diagnosed with asthenia and anorexia after 6 weeks of ingesting Taeyeumjowi-tang containing Ma-huang(Ephedra sinica stapf) as a treatment for her obesity. Tests showed elevated levels of serum transaminase(ALT 903 IU/L, AST 716 IU/L), alkaline phosphatase (229 IU/L), total bilirubin (1.4 mg/dl). Other possible causes of liver injury were excluded by laboratory test and medical history, so the liver injury was taken to be drug-induced. Saenggangeonbi-tang was administered. After 2 weeks of treatment with this medication, the clinical symptoms and liver function improved. This case is reported with a call for further accumulation of objective data on drug-induced liver injury, and to bring more attention to the relative levels of safety and toxicity of herbal medicines.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.263-269
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• 2001

Monoplegia is the paralysis of either the upper or lower limb. Monoplegia is commonly caused by an injury to the cerebral cortex; it is rarely caused by an injury to the internal capsule, brain stem, or spinal cord. Most cerebral cortex is derived from the occlusion of a brain cortex blood vessel due to thrombus or embolus. According to motor homunculus, lower limb monoplegia occurs from limited damage to the most upper part of the primary motor area(Brodmann's area 4, located in precentral gyrus). Clinically, lower limb monoplegia due to brain cortical infarction is commonly misunderstood as monoplegia due to spinal injury because the lesion is situated at the most upper part of precentral gyrus. We had many difficulties in finding lesion on brain CT, but we diagnosed two patients correctly by using an MRI, who have lower limb monoplegia due to brain cortical infarction oriental treatment.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.93-97
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• 2022

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a rare condition manifested by inflammation in certain areas of the brain. Rhabdomyolysis with acute kidney injury (AKI) complicated by PRES is rarely reported. A 26-year-old female presented with neurological symptoms, high blood pressure, and AKI. Her symptoms improved with blood pressure control, anticonvulsant drug medications, and renal replacement therapy. This case demonstrates that PRES should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have rhabdomyolysis with AKI accompanied by neurological symptoms, including headaches and convulsions.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.247-252
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• 2018

A 58-year-old woman came into our clinic with headache, dizziness, and malaise after an electrical injury. Even though she received conventional treatment about five weeks after the injury, the symptoms did not improve, and she decided to undergo traditional Korean medicine treatment. During a 20-day hospital stay with acupuncture and herbal medicine, the symptoms were reduced to about half, and after six months of further treatment in the outpatient clinic, there was no pain during the day and only moderate headaches occurred intermittently after intense physical activity. As far as we know, this is the first report to treat the aftereffects of electrical injury with traditional Korean medicine treatment. Hence, here we tried to fully describe and announce the detailed progress of the patient through this report.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2009

Objective : Following central nervous system(CNS) injury, inhibitory influences at the site of axonal damage occur. Glial cells become reactive and form a glial scar, gliosis. Also myelin debris such as MAG inhibits axonal regeneration. Astrocyte-rich gliosis relates with up-regulation of GFAP and CD81, and eventually becomes physical and mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. MAG is one of several endogenous axon regeneration inhibitors that limit recovery from CNS injury and disease. It was reported that molecules that block such inhibitors enhanced axon regeneration and functional recovery. Recently it was reported that treatment with anti-CD81 antibodies enhanced functional recovery in the rat with spinal cord injury. So in this current study, the author investigated the effect of the water extract of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus on the regulation of CD81, GFAP and MAG that increase when gliosis occurs. Methods : MTT assay was performed to examine cell viability, and cell-based ELISA, western blot and PCR were used to detect the expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG. Then also immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm in vivo. Results : Water extract of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus showed relatively high cell viability at the concentration of 0.05%, 0.1% and 0.5%. The expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG in astrocytes was decreased after the administration of Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus water extract. These results was confirmed in the brain sections following cortical stab injury by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion : The authors observed that Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus significantly down-regulates the expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG. These results suggest that Uncariae Ramulus et Uncus can be a candidate to regenerate CNS injury.