• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

Background: Although cervical epidural block can be a useful therapeutic treatment for head, neck and upper extremities pain, there is no consensus regarding the volume of injection required for pain management. Herein, the spreading in the vertebral segments after a cervical epidural injection of either a 5 or 10 ml volume was studied. Methods: A total of 78 patients, suffering from head, neck and upper extremity pain, were selected. Cervical epidural blocks were performed consecutively with 5 ml (n = 42) and 10 ml (n = 36) of 0.4% mepivacaine and 222 mg I/ml iopamidol at the C7⁣-T1 levels. Both anteroposterior (AP) and lateral radiographs were obtained under fluoroscopy, and the upper and lower epidural spreading of the contrast media in relation to the vertebral level was evaluated. Results: The cervical epidural blocks were performed without complications. The rostral spreading of the contrast media in the vertebral segments in groups 1 and 2 were $5.6{\pm}1.1$ and $6.1{\pm}1.1$, respectively. The caudal spreading of the contrast media in the vertebral segments in groups 1 and 2 were $5.4{\pm}3.4$ and $7.2{\pm}3.9$, respectively. The total numbers of segments with vertebral spreading of the contrast media in both directions showed significant differences between the two groups. The numbers of patients who showed spreading of the contrast media up to C2 vertebral segment showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: 5 and 10 ml epidural injection volumes may be adequate for the spread of contrast media to the entire cervical spine. A 5 ml epidural injection volume, compared to a 10 ml volume, may be ample when considering the possibility of unnecessary caudal spreading of drugs and volume related complications in the management of head, neck and upper extremity pain.

• Natural Product Sciences
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.113-120
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• 1999

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS). It is believed that NO is an important mediator in numerous physiological and inflammatory responses. Particularly, a large amount of NO released from the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is mostly associated with inflammatory processes. Overproduction of NO in these processes including sepsis and autoimmune diseases can have deleterious consequences and pathophysiologic relevance. Therefore, for the discovery of new inhibitory agents against iNOS activity, we have evaluated about 100 kinds of natural products after partition into three layers (n-hexane, ethyl acetate and aqueous) from 100% methanol extracts to study inhibitory effects on iNOS activity induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells culture system. As a positive control, curcumin, which is known as an anti-tumor promoter, anti-inflammatory agent as an iNOS inhibitor, was used and showed the dose-dependent inhibitory effect $(IC_{50},\;2.5\;{\mu}g/ml)$. Among tested fractions, the n-hexane fraction of Cimicifuga heracleifolia $(IC_{50}:\;9.65\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Forsythiae fructus $(IC_{50}:\;6.36\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Saposhnikovia divaricata $(IC_{50}:\;5.92\;{\mu}g/ml)$, and the ethyl acetate fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum $(IC_{50}:\;2.56\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Gastrodia elata $(IC_{50}:\;3.46\;{\mu}g/ml)$, and the aqueous fraction of Dianthus chinensis $(IC_{50}:\;6.73\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Euonymus alatus $(IC_{50}:\;6.78\;{\mu}g/ml)$, Mechania urticifoloria $(IC_{50}:\;8.01\;{\mu}g/ml)$ showed strong inhibitory activity against LPS-stimulated iNOS. Especially, the ethyl acetate fraction of Chrysanthemum sibiricum $(IC_{50}:\;2.56\;{\mu}g/ml)$, which exhibited the strongest inhibition against iNOS, was fractionated with silica-gel column chromatography. These subfractions exhibited dose-dependent inhibition against iNOS activity in the range of $2.59-5.6\;{\mu}g/ml$ except for fraction No. 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 16. Our study shows that Chrysanthemum sibiricum has the strongest inhibitory effect against iNOS activity and has similar effect to curcumin. Therefore, further studies for the identification of active principles from Chrysanthemum sibiricum and investigation for the mechanism of the inhibition of iNOS by active principles will be performed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.146-153
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• 2011

Background: Morphine has been commonly used for postoperative pain control. We measured plasma concentrations of morphine and compared the efficacy and safety of continuous epidural analgesia (CEA) using morphinebupivacaine with intravenous patient controlled analgesia (IV-PCA) with morphine for 48 hrs after the end of the operation. Methods: Nineteen patients undergoing Mile's operation were assigned to receive a morphine loading dose of 5 mg followed by IV-PCA with 0.1% morphine (IV-PCA group, n = 9) or a morphine loading dose of 2 mg and 0.125% bupivacaine 10 ml, followed by CEA with 0.004% morphine and 0.075% bupivacaine at a rate of 5 ml/hr (CEA group, n = 10). The plasma concentrations of morphine were measured and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain were recorded at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hr postoperatively and the effects on respiration and any other side effects were noted. Results: The mean maximal and minimal levels of plasma morphine were $40.2{\pm}21.2\;ng/ml$ and $23.4{\pm}9.7\;ng/ml$ for the IV-PCA group and $11.8{\pm}3.5\;ng/ml$ and $8.2{\pm}1.9\;ng/ml$ for the CEA group, respectively. Resting and dynamic pain scores were significantly lower in the CEA group than in the IV-PCA group. There were no significant differences for the effects on respiration and for any side effects between the two groups. Conclusions: We evaluated plasma concentrations of morphine with CEA using morphine-bupivacaine and IV-PCA using morphine for the postoperative pain control. The CEA group had better postoperative analgesia than that of the IV-PCA group and the incidence of side effects were not significantly different between the two groups.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 1992

The general and some other pharmacological actions of growth hormone without N-terminal methionine(rhGH) were investigated in animals. The hormone had no influences on the central nervous system and on body temperature at a high oral dose of 40 IU/kg in animals. It had neither analgesic nor antiepileptic actions at the high doses. In the isolated ileum and trachea of guinea-pig and isolated stomach fundus and uterus of rat, it showed neither contractive nor relaxing effects at a concentration of $1{\times}10^{-3}\;IU/ml$ in bath, and no inhibitory action at a dose of $1{\times}10^{-3}\;IU/ml$ against the contractions produced by histamine ($5{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$), serotonin($1{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$), acetylcholine($1{\times}10^{-5}\;g/ml$) and oxytocin($5{\times}10^{-3}\;IU/ml$). Furthermore, the intravenous injection of 20 IU/kg rhGH had no influences on the normal blood pressure and respiration in rabbits. These negative results in pharmacological profile are thought that the hormone may not elicit serious side effects. On the other hand, the rhGH exhibited a weak inhibitory action of glucose tolerance in normal rats, significantly lowered the blood glucose contents in adrenalectomized rats 20 min after i.v. administration of 80 IU/kg, and showed a significant inhibitory effect on in vitro glycerol release in epinephrine-stimulated epididymal fat pad segments of rats.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2001

The skin penetration rate of methidathion in vitro and pharmacokinetics of methidathion in vivo were studied with male Sprague-Dawley rats by dermal treatment. The in vitro skin penetration rates for Sprague-Dawley rats of methidathion technical (50 mg, 100 ${mu}ell$) and emulsifable concentrate (EC,40mg, 100${mu}ell$) were determined as 18.4 $\mu\textrm{g}$/c $m^2$/h (RSD : 6.5) and 18.5 $\mu\textrm{g}$/c $m^2$/h (RSD : 3.2), respectively. Dose-related systemic exposure (AUC) was observed in rats after dermal treatment. The corresponding AUC, $T_{max}$, $C_{max}$, and $T_{1}$2/ of methidathion in plasma were 1.5$\mu\textrm{g}$.hr/ml, 6 h, 0.10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, and 16 h, for 116mg/kg doses, 3.2 $\mu\textrm{g}$. hr/ml, 8 h, 0.12 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, and 23 h, for 232 mg/kg doses and 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$. hr/ml, 12 h, 0.32 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml, and 20 h, for 1,160 mg/kg doses respectively. The urinary excretion of methidathion, estimated wing an equation derived from the in vitro skin penetration study was 0.24~0.35% of the absorbed dose. The concentration of methidathion in kidney was higher than that in liver. Dose-dependent absorption and excretion of methidathion without saturation was observed under in vivo experimental condition.n.n.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-6
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• 2001

To elucidate the apoptosis mechanism of Trichoplusia ni cell, fundamental studies for apoptosis induction and suppression were performed. Hygromycin B, a known inducer of apoptosis, started the inhibition of T. ni cell growth at $200\;{\mu}/ml$ concentration. Furthermore, at $400\;{\mu}/ml$ concentration, DNA fragmentation was detected on day 2 of incubation. Although both dexamethasone and sodium butyrate inhibited T. ni cell growth, DNA fragmentation was not detected by both treatments. Also, when apoptosis induced T. ni cells with $200\;{\mu}/ml$ hygromycin B were treated with caspase inhibitor (Ac-DEVD-CHO), the apoptotsis was suppressed by 36%. In addition, N-acetylcysteine, another apoptosis repressor, also inhibited the apoptosis of T. ni cells. In order to express the anti-apoptosis gene (bcl-2), T. ni cells were transiently transformed with bcl-2 and its expression was confirmed by western blot analysis. These results showed the potential of developing new insect cell lines with suppressed apoptosis.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2007

Background: Postoperative pruritus following the administration of epidural narcotics is a very common and undesirable side effect. Therefore, we evaluated the use of a combination of naloxone and sufentanil via patient controlled epidural analgesia to determine if the incidence of pruritus was decreased when compared to the use of sufentanil alone. Methods: Patients scheduled for subtotal gastrectomy under general anesthesia were enrolled in a prospective, double-blinded and randomized trial. All patients received a $20{\mu}g$ epidural bolus of sufentanil in 5 ml of 0.2% ropivacaine. Following administration of the epidural, patients in the sufentanyl group (S) received a continuous epidural comprised of sufentanil ($0.75{\mu}g/ml$) in 0.2% ropivacaine, whereas patients in the naloxone group (N) received an epidural infusion comprised of naloxone ($4{\mu}g/ml$) and sufentanil ($0.75{\mu}g/ml$) in 0.2% ropivacaine. The infusion rate, demand dose and lockout interval were 5 ml/hr, 0.5 ml and 15 minutes respectively. Next, the occurrence of postoperative analgesia and side effects were evaluated by blinded observers. Results: The incidence of pruritus (47.4% versus 20.0%, P = 0.013) and nausea (42 .1 % versus 20.0%, P = 0.043) were lower in group N than in group S. In addition, there were no significant differences observed in the visual analogue scale, the incidence of vomiting or the incidence of sedation. Furthermore, epidural infusion of naloxone at $0.25-0.4{\mu}g/kg/hr$ did not affect the requirement for postoperative sufentanil. Conclusions: Epidural naloxone reduces epidural sufentanil induced pruritus and nausea without reversing its analgesic effects.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.197-206
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• 1984

The derivatives of N-(alkylcarbamoyl) amino acid methyl ester, N-(2-chloroethylcarbamoyl)-glycine methyl ester (7a), -valine methyl ester (8a), -phenylalanine methyl ester (9a), N-(N'-methylcarbamoyl)-glycine methyl ester (7b), -valine methyl ester (8b), and-phenylalanine methyl ester (9b), were prepared by reacting the corresponding free amino acid methyl ester (glycine-, valine-, phenylalanine-methyl ester) with isocyanate (R-N=C=O${\cdot};R=Cl-CH_2-CH_2-or\; CH_3-)$. The prepared N-(alkylcarbamoyl) amino acid methyl esters (7,8,9) were treated with $NaNO_2$/98% HCOOH in order to obtain their nitrosoated products, N-(alkyl-N'-nitrosocarbmoyl)amino acid methyl ester. The compound (7,8,9) gave N-(2-chloroethyl-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl)-valine methyl ester (14a),-phenylalanine methyl ester (15a), N-(N'-alkyl-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl)-glycine methyl ester (13b),-valine methyl ester. (14b), and-phenylalanine methyl ester (15b) respectively under the nitrosoation. On the other hand, N-(2-chloroethylcarbamoyl) glycine methyl ester produced N-(2-chloroethylcarbamoyl)-N-nitrosoglycine methyl ester (13a). The inhibitory activity of the prepared N-(alkylcarbamoyl) amino acid methyl ester (7,8,9) and N-(alkyl-N'-nitrosocarbamoyl) amino acid methyl ester (13,14,15) towards the growth of L1210 murine leukemia cells were examined. Among them the compound (14a) and (15a) exhibit excellent activity having $ED_{50}\; to\;be\;1.5{\mu}g/ml\;and\;3.0{\mu}g/ml respectively.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.448-452
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• 2015

The bacterial strain that was isolated from chinese cabbage rhizosphere, showed inhibition of yeast growth. This strain was identified as Pseudomonas fluorescens BB2 by API 20NE test and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. P. fluorescens BB2 strain produced antibiotics against yeast as a secondary metabolite effectively when the culture was carried out in YM medium with 3% glucose at $20^{\circ}C$. The protein antibiotic of BB2 strain which was concentrated by ammonium sulfate precipitation and n-butanol extraction inhibited the growth of yeast with the minimal inhibitory concentration of $10{\mu}g/ml$ against Candida albicans KCTC 7965, and the growth of yeast was completely inhibited at $80{\mu}g/ml$. The hydrophilic fraction of n-butanol extraction inhibited the growth of Bacillus cereus ATCC 21366, showed orange halo on chrome azurol S plate, which means the fraction contained iron chelating siderophore. The results of crystal violet uptake through the cell membrane showed that membrane permeability was increased about 9% than control, when the concentration of hydrophobic antibiotic against yeast C. albicans was $60{\mu}g/ml$. As a result, the antibiotic produced by P. fluorescens BB2 against yeast Candida is considered antimicrobial peptide, and this is the first report in the genus Pseudomonas.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.161-168
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• 2007

Salicornia herbacea L. (Chenopodiaceae: S. herbacea) is a salt marsh plant, which has long been prescribed in traditional medicines for the treatment of intestinal ailments, nephropathy, and hepatitis in Oriental countries. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of this herb, we conducted an anti-oxidative activity, the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) production, and the suppression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine genes, with the solvent-extracts of S. herbacea. We found that both ethyl acetate and n-butanol tractions showed potent anti-oxidative effects in comparison to other fractions using xanthine oxidase assay with $IC_{50}$ values of $66.0{\pm}0.5\;{\mu}g/ml$ and $82.5{\pm}3.8\;{\mu}g/ml$, respectively. In addition, both ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed more electron donating activity (EDA) than other tractions, according to DPPH (2, 2-Diphenyl-lpicrylhydrazyl radical) assay. The EDA of ethyl acetate fraction ($IC_{50}$ values of $117.5{\pm}3.8\;{\mu}g/ml$) is more significant than that of n-butanol fraction ($IC_{50}$ values of $375.0{\pm}12.5\;{\mu}g/ml$). Among potential anti-oxidative tractions, ethyl acetate traction dose-dependently suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS, $0.1\;{\mu}g/ml$)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 cell, while n-butanol did not. As expected, ethyl acetate fraction suppressed the expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in RAW264.7 cell stimulated by $0.1\;{\mu}g/ml$ of LPS. Moreover, the ethyl acetate traction suppressed the expression of interleukin-1 $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) mRNA in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, these results suggest that S. herbacea may have anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities by modulating radical-induced toxicity and various pro-inflammatory responses.