• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 1997

$\alpha$-Fetoprotein (AFP) has been a useful marker in screening and/or monitoring patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, gonadal germ cell tumor, gastric carcinoma and neural tube defects. In the present study, it was attempted to produce anti-human AFP polyclonal antibodies and to develop a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the measurement of AFP in human plasma and amniotic fluid. AFP was isolated from amniotic fluid using an isolation procedure consisting of affinity chromatography and preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The antibody directed against AFP was raised in rabbits. Double immunodiffusion and Western blotting methods showed that the antiserum was highly specific, reacting with only AFP-containing samples. Standard curve was obtained by using purified AFP and specific antiserum. The assay sensitivity was 5ng/ml and the working range was 5~l,000ng/ml. The within-assay and between-assay coefficient of variance (CV) was 4.5% and 8.5%, respectively. These results indicate that the assay is valuable for the measurement of AFP and found to be simple, reproducible, and accurate.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.375-380
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• 2012

We previously reported that Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ showed high fibrinolytic activity and revealed antithrombotic effect in rat blood plasma based on its ability to suppress collagen-induced platelet aggregation. This research was carried out to verify the clot lysing activity and blood flow enhancing effects of Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ via monitoring and comparing the antithrombotic effects in rat artery between oral administration of Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ and maltodextrin. SD rats were fed with 1.11 mg/kg of Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ for 4 weeks. The effect on arterial thrombosis was then evaluated using an antithrombotic model after induction by $FeCl_3$. Detected fibrinolytic activity was proportional to the content of Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ and statistical extents of the antithrombotic activity was enhanced strongly twice rather than control group. The PT and the aPTT, however, showed only a small difference between two groups. The results suggest that Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ can effectively treat thromboembolism and enhance blood flow, and that Ultra nattokinase$^{(R)}$ can also prevent venous occlusion by aiding clot lysis.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2011

Change in intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-concentration ($[Ca^{2+}]_i$) is an essential event for egg activation and further development. $Ca^{2+}$ ion is originated from intracellular $Ca^{2+}$-store via inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate receptor and/or $Ca^{2+}$ influx via $Ca^{2+}$ channel. This study was performed to investigate whether changes in $Ca^{2+}$/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaM KII) activity affect $Ca^{2+}$ influx during artificial egg activation with ethanol using $Ca^{2+}$ monitoring system and whole-cell patch clamp technique. Under $Ca^{2+}$ ion-omitted condition, $Ca^{2+}$-oscillation was stopped within 30 min post microinjection of porcine sperm factor, and ethanol-induced $Ca^{2+}$ increase was reduced. To investigate the role of CaM KII known as an integrator of $Ca^{2+}$- oscillation during mammalian egg fertilization, CaM KII activity was tested with a specific inhibitor KN-93. In the eggs treated with KN-93, ethanol failed to induce egg activation. In addition, KN-93 inhibited inward $Ca^{2+}$ current ($I_{Ca}$) in a time-dependent manner in whole-cell configuration. Immunostaining data showed that the voltage-dependent $Ca^{2+}$ channels were distributed along the plasma membrane of mouse egg and 2-cell embryo. From these results, we suggest that $Ca^{2+}$ influx during fertilization might be controlled by CaM KII activity.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.163-181
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• 2017

In the field of orofacial surgery, a red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) is occasionally required during double jaw and oral cancer surgery. However, the question remains whether the effect of RBCT during the perioperative period is beneficial or harmful. The answer to this question remains challenging. In the field of orofacial surgery, transfusion is performed for the purpose of oxygen transfer to hypoxic tissues and plasma volume expansion when there is bleeding. However, there are various risks, such as infectious complications (viral and bacterial), transfusion-related acute lung injury, ABO and non-ABO associated hemolytic transfusion reactions, febrile non-hemolytic transfusion reactions, transfusion associated graft-versus-host disease, transfusion associated circulatory overload, and hypersensitivity transfusion reaction including anaphylaxis and transfusion-related immune-modulation. Many studies and guidelines have suggested RBCT is considered when hemoglobin levels recorded are 7 g/dL for general patients and 8-9 g/dL for patients with cardiovascular disease or hemodynamically unstable patients. However, RBCT is occasionally an essential treatment during surgeries and it is often required in emergency cases. We need to comprehensively consider postoperative bleeding, different clinical situations, the level of intra- and postoperative patient monitoring, and various problems that may arise from a transfusion, in the perspective of patient safety. Since orofacial surgery has an especially high risk of bleeding due to the complex structures involved and the extensive vascular distribution, measures to prevent bleeding should be taken and the conditions for a transfusion should be optimized and appropriate in order to promote patient safety.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.384-388
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• 2003

To establish the method of estrus induction using the injection of PGF$_2$$\alpha$ㆍ the 60 dairy cows treated by PGF$_2$$\alpha$ㆍ at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 day of estrous cycle, recpectively. The plasma progesterone concentrations at day of injection of PGF$_2$$\alpha$ㆍ were $1.5\pm$1.3 (mean$\pm$SD) ng/ml at 6 days of estrous cycle, 3.7$\pm$1.4 ng/ml at 8 days, 6.5$\pm$1.8 ng/ml at 10 days, 7.9$\pm$2.0 ng/ml at 12 days, 6.5$\pm$2.5 ng/ml at 14 days, and 2.5$\pm$1.2 ng/m] at 16 days, respectively. The percentages of induction of estrus after PGF$_2$$\alpha$ㆍ treatment were 52.8% at 3th day after treatment, 21.7% at 4th day, 8.3% within 2th day, and ] 7.2% after 5th day, respectively. The percentages of cows conceived at first service after induction of estrus were 73.3% on 16 days of estrous cycle at treatment, 66.7% on 10 and 14 days, 63.3% on 8 and 12 days, and 53.3% on 6 day, respectively. The percentages of cows conceived on first service were 70.5% at 3th day after induction, 66.7% at 4th day and 65% at 5th day, respectively. These results suggest that the PGF$_2$$\alpha$ㆍ treatment at regressing stage of corpus luteum showed high induction of estrus and pregnancy rate, and there were high induction of estrus and pregnancy rate at 3th and 4th day after PGF$_2$$\alpha$ㆍ treatment.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.55 no.8
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• pp.301-305
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• 2012

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is a rare inborn error of amino acid metabolism. A defect in the glycine cleavage enzyme system results in highly elevated concentrations of glycine in the plasma, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain, resulting in glycine-induced encephalopathy and neuropathy. The prevalence of NKH in Korea is very low, and no reports of surviving patients are available, given the scarcity and poor prognosis of this disease. In the current study, we present a patient with NKH diagnosed on the basis of clinical features, biochemical profiles, and genetic analysis. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) allowed the measurement of absolute glycine concentrations in different parts of the brain that showed a significantly increased glycine peak, consolidating the diagnosis of NKH. In additional, serial MRS follow-up showed changes in the glycine/creatinine ratios in different parts of the brain. In conclusion, MRS is an effective, noninvasive diagnostic tool for NKH that can be used to distinguish this disease from other glycine metabolism disorders. It may also be useful for monitoring NKH treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.245-251
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fluvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of repaglinide in rats. The effect of fluvastatin on P-glycoprotein and CYP3A4 activity was evaluated. The pharmacokinetic parameters and blood glucose concentrations were also determined after oral and intravenous administration of repaglinide to rats in the presence and absence of fluvastatin. Fluvastatin inhibited CYP3A4 activity in a concentration-dependent manner with a 50% inhibition concentration($IC_{50}$) of 4.1 ${\mu}M$ and P-gp activity. Compared to the oral control group, fluvastatin significantly increased the AUC and the peak plasma level of repaglinide by 45.9% and 22.7%, respectively. Fluvastatin significantly decreased the total body clearance (TBC) of repaglinide compared to the control. Fluvastatin also significantly increased the absolute bioavailability (BA) of repaglinide by 46.1% compared to the control group. Moreover, the relative BA of repaglinide was 1.14- to 1.46-fold greater than that of the control. Compared to the i.v. control, fluvastatin significantly increased the $AUC_{0-{\infty}}$ of i.v. administered repaglinide. The blood glucose concentrations showed significant differences compared to the oral controls. Fluvastatin enhanced the oral BA of repaglinide, which may be mainly attributable to the inhibition of the CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of repaglinide in the small intestine and/or liver, to the inhibition of the P-gp efflux transporter in the small intestine and/or to the reduction of TBC of repaglinide by fluvastatin. The study has raised the awareness of potential interactions during concomitant use of repaglinide with fluvastatin. Therefore, the concurrent use of repaglinide and fluvastatin may require close monitoring for potential drug interactions.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.451-457
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• 2006

This study was conducted to investigate the contents of lead (Pb) and cadmium(Cd) in honeys (n=60) from April to May in 2004 and to provide the scientific basis for heavy metal regulations of Korea Food Code. The samples were digested with acids, then analyzed for the contents of Pb and Cd by an inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP). The contents of Pb and Cd [minimum-maximum (mean)] were 0.189-1.82 mg/kg (0.568) and not detected (ND)-0.016 mg/kg (0.0008) in domestic acacia honeys (n=20), ND-1.702 mg/kg (0.329) and ND-0.243 mg/kg (0.013) in domestic wild flower honeys (n= 18), ND-0.322 mg/kg (0.073), ND-0.027 mg/kg (0.002) in imported honeys (n=13), ND-3.754 mg/kg (0.671) and ND-0.658 mg/kg (0.073) in foreign honeys (n=9) brought by Korean travellers, respectively. According to the results, foreign honeys brought by Korean travellers were detected with the highest level of Pb and Cd. Therefore, we recommend that heavy metals of domestic and foreign honeys should be continuously monitored. It is also thought that these results could be the important references to establish the standard of Pb and Cd in honey.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.173-179
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• 2009

The analysis of serum free light chains (sFLCs) can improve the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple myeloma and other plasma cell dyscrasias. As with other immunoassays, sFLCstests are subject to potential antigen excess and heterophilic antibody interference. We describe 9 cases of sFLCs antigen excess in patients with multiple myeloma using the FreeliteTM Human Kappa and Lambda Free Kits (The Binding Site ltd., Birmingham, UK) and the Hitachi7600 P module turbidimetric system. A total of 1,247 consecutive samples from 250 patients with multiple myeloma were assayed for sFLCs from April to September, 2009. The samples were assayed using an initial dilution of 1 :5and subsequent dilutions of 1 :50 and 1: 100. The same samples were analyzed for the presence of monoclonal gammopathies using serum protein electrophoresis (SPE) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). There were 9 samples (0.72%) of antigen excess with 3 cases of kappa (0.24%) and 6 cases of lambda (0.48%). These cases represents an example of antigen excess or "hook effect" using the serum free light chain assays and mandates high level of attention to falsely low sFLC levels due to antigen excess, especially when it is disaccordant to other assay results or clinical manifestations.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.25-29
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of atorvastatin on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine (6 mg/kg) after oral administration of nifedipine with or without atorvastatin (0.5 and 2.0 mg/kg) in rats, and also was to evaluate to the effect of atorvastatin on the CYP3A4 activity. The 50% inhibiting concentration ($IC_{50}$) values of atorvastatin on CYP3A4 activity is 46.1 ${\mu}M$. Atorvastatin inhibited CYP3A4 enzyme activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Coadministration of atorvastatin increased significantly (p<0.05, 2.0 mg/kg) the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and the peak concentration ($C_{max}$) of nifedipine compared to the control group. The relative bioavailability (RB%) of nifedipine was increased from 1.15- to 1.37-fold. Coadministration of atorvastatin did not significantly change the terminal half-life ($T_{1/2}$) and the time to reach the peak concentration ($T_{max}$) of nifedipine. Based on these results, we can make a conclusion that the significant changes of these pharmacokinetic parameters might be due to atorvastatin, which possesses the potency to inhibit the metabolizing enzyme (CYP3A4) in the liver and intestinal mucosa, and also inhibit the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux pump in the intestinal mucosa. It might be suggested that atorvastatin altered disposition of nifedipine by inhibition of both the first-pass metabolism and P-glycoprotein efflux pump in the small intestine of rats. In conclusion, the presence of atorvastatin significantly enhanced the oral bioavailability of nifedipine, suggesting that concurrent use of atorvastatin with nifedipine should require close monitoring for potential drug interation.