• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3541-3547
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• 2013

Background: This cross-sectional observational study was undertaken to establish clinico-pathological characteristics of patients with gynecological malignancies, focusing mainly on symptoms, histological type and stage of the disease at presentation, in a tertiary care setting in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: In the gynecology out-patient clinic of a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata, India, the patients with suggestive symptoms of gynecological malignancies were screened. Their diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology. One hundred thirteen patients with histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancies were interviewed. Results: The most frequently reported symptoms by the patients with histopathologically confirmed gynecological malignancies were excessive, offensive with or without blood stained vaginal discharge (69.0%), irregular, heavy or prolonged vaginal bleeding (36.3%) and postmenopausal bleeding (31.9%). The majority of the patients (61.0%) had squamous cell carcinoma on histopathological examination, followed by adenocarcinoma (30.1%). Nearly half of the patients (48.7%) were suffering from the Federation Internationale des Gynaecologistes et Obstetristes (FIGO) stage III, followed by stage II (40.7%) malignancy. Conclusions: This study highlights that most of the patients with gynecological malignancies present late at an appropriate health care facility. Ovarian cancer may often have non-specific or misleading symptomatic presentation, whereas cervical cancer often presents with some specific symptoms. These observations point to the need for increasing awareness about gynecological malignancies in the community and providing easily accessible adequate facilities for early detection and treatment of the disease by optimal use of available resources, i.e. strengthening the primary health care system.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2017

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy of Sasang constitutional herb medicine for the treatment in postmenopausal women having various complaints. Methods From December 2016 to July 2017, four cases of women having climacteric complaints were extracted. Results Their main symptoms were hot flush, insomnia, sweating, cold sensation, and excitation. Their Sasang constitutional types were 2 Soyangin and 2 Taeeumin. Main symptomology of Soyangin was Chest-heat congested symptomology and that of Taeeumin was Esophagus-cold symptomology or Esophagus-cold Lung-dry Symptomology. Conclusions Their symptomolgies of Soyangin and Taeeumin lied in the Interior disease rather than Exterior disease, in the Advanced disease rather than Mild disease. It could show that Sasang constitutional medicine and management is possible to be indicated in climacteric disorders.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2010

Obstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder that predominantly affects adult men than women. However, the prevalence in women increases with menopause dramatically. Menopause has long been described as a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea. Recent large well-designed population studies support that menopause increases the risk for sleep-disordered breathing. The mechanism of that hypothesis is not yet clear. But, the decline in progesterone has been thought to influence the development of obstructive sleep apnea because progesterone is a respiratory stimulant and plays a protective role against sleep apnea. Increased visceral obesity and hypertension as major symptoms of metabolic syndrome are also associated with menopause and place women at increased risk for obstructive sleep apnea and other serious health problem. Hormone replacement therapy has been associated with a lower prevalence of sleep apnea. But, relative risk and benefits of hormone replacement therapy compared with other treatment options will require thorough consideration for each individual woman. Finally, attention should be drawn to the need for obstructive sleep apnea evaluation in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7001-7010
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• 2014

Isoflavones are phytoestrogens and natural plant compounds which are similar to 17-${\beta}$-estradiol in chemical structure. It is known that they can act as estrogen agonists or antagonists, depending on endocrine estrogenic levels, but actions of isoflavones are rather complex due to large number of variables such as chemical structures and mechanisms. Some hypotheses on biological mechanisms have not satisfactorily been confirmed to date and human epidemiological and experimental studies have been relatively limited. Nevertheless, isoflavones and isoflavone rich foods have become a focus onf interest due to positive health benefits on many diseases, especially prevention of hormone-related cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and adverse postmenopausal symptoms, and improvement of physiological condition such as maintaining cognitive function. This review provides an overview of chemistry, analytical techniques (focused on human biospecimens), functions including biological mechanisms, and effects of isoflavones, on the basis of the available meta-analysis and review articles and some original articles, on health and cancer.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.120-123
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• 2020

The causes of tongue pain and discomfort include systemic disease, malnutrition, mental illness, fungal infection, and neuropathy. Three postmenopausal women reported burning sensations and stiffness of the tongue for various periods, from one month to four years. There were no objective etiological factors to cause the tongue pain and discomfort. Muscular tenderness upon palpation of masticatory muscles, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and tongue were observed. Physical therapy approaches such as moist hot pack, ultrasound, and myomonitor were performed on three patients with tongue pain, just as for temporomandibular joint disease. Additional botulinum toxin injection therapy was applied to one patient who displayed a clenching habit. All three patients showed a marked improvement in their tongue symptoms after the muscle relaxation and botulinum toxin injection therapy.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.83-96
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• 2007

Purpose: Ligustri Lucidi Fructus and Ecliptae Herba has long been used for clinical therapy associated especially with menopausal symptoms in Korea. To provide a scientific rationale for such use, we have investigated the antioxidant and vasorelaxant effects of Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Ecliptae Herba and its mixture. Methods: The antioxidant activity of the extracts from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus, Ecliptae Herba and its mixture were evaluated and compared with that of BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), vitamin C and vitamin E, using the ${\alpha}$,${\alpha}-diphenyl-{\beta}-picrylhydrazyl$ (DPPH) radical scavenging method. Results: Antioxidant activity of all extracts using the DPPH radical scavenging method decreased in the order vitamin C>BHA>vitamin E>Ligustri Lucidi Fructus>Ligustri Lucidi Fructus:Ecliptae Herba(1:1)>Ecliptae Herba>BHT. The vasorelaxant effects of extracts were investigated on the vasomotor tone of the rat thoracic aorta in an organ bath. All of the extracts elicited along-term relaxing response in the endothelium-intact as well as endothelium-denuded rat aorta contracted with norepinephrine. This relaxant effect was abolished by Precontraction with 72 mM KCI. Thus, it is suggested that the mechanism of vasorelaxant effect of extracts not involve voltage-operated $Ca^{2+}$ channel blocking but receptor-mediated route. Conclusion: These antioxidant and vasorelaxant effecs of the extracts may contribute to the beneficial effects in postmenopausal women.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.644-653
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• 2004

This study was conducted to detennine the dietary and lifestyle factors related to bone the mineral density (BMD) of postmenopausal women with decreased BMD. The subjects (N =163) were recruited from women who visited a orthopedic clinic for BMD check up. A trained dietition interviewed subjects individually to obtain data about dietary behavior, consumption frequency of foods known as main dietary source of calcium and potassium, and clinical symptoms. The risk factors were identified by correlation and multiple regression analysis of variables. The mean age of the subjects was 66.8 yews. Most of them showed low levels of education and monthly income. The mean age of menarche and menopause were 17.2 and 48 year, respectively. The mean menopause duration was 18.7 year. Most of the consumption of calcium was centered to vegetable foods. Education level were positively correlated (r =0.272, P < 0.05) with BMD whereas age, menarch age, menopause duration, number of children were negatively correlated (r=-0.355, r=-0.240, r=-0.283, r=-0.193, respectively, p < 0.05) with BMD. The consumption of soybean, radish were positively correlated (r=0.187, r=0.158, respectively, p < 0.05) with BMD. Potassium intake with rice showed significantly negative correlation with BMD (r =-0.189, P < 0.05), but calcium intake with brown seaweeds, bean sprouts were positively correlated (r =0.247, r =0.254 respectively, p < 0.05) with BMD. Protein intake with roasted pork was also positively correlated (r =0.216, P < 0.05) with BMD. Multiple regression analysis showed that the most prominent negative predictor influencing the BMD was age. Minor negative factors influencing the BMI were age of menarche, potassium intake from rice. But the significantly positively factors influencing the BMD were consumption of radish and soybean intake, education, and protein intake with roasted pork. In conclusion brown seaweeds, radish or soybeans can be promoted as cheap foods replacing milk and milk products for menopausal women with low income.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.12-26
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• 2012

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of Sagunjatang-Gami(SGJT) on uterine and ovarian function in the ovariectomized rat postmenopause model. Methods: SGJT was administered in ovariectomized Wister albino female rats for three month. After that, uterine weight, uterine index, serum estradiol-$17{\beta}$ levels and phosphorylation of ERK or AKT, and histological analysis of uterus were measured to assess the impact on uterine and ovarian function in ovariectomized rats. In addition, phosphorylation of $ER{\alpha}$, ERK, AKT by SGJT in MDA-MB-231 cells were measured. To identify safety of SGJT, the cell cytoxicity in MDA-MB-231 cells and serum GOT, GPT levels were measured in ovariectomized rats. Results: The results were as follows. 1. SGJT decreased the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. 2. The level of serum GOT, GPT in SGJT-treated group showed significant decrease in comparison with control group. 3. Phosphorylation of $ER{\alpha}$, ERK, AKT by SGJT in MDA-MB-231 cells were increased. 4. Uterus index in SGJT-treated group showed significant increase in comparison with control group. The level of serum estradiol-$17{\beta}$ in SGJT-treated group showed significant increase in comparison with control group. Phosphorylation of ERK or AKT by SGJT in the uterus of ovariectomized rats was increased significantly. 5. Uterus index and the level of serum estradiol-$17{\beta}$ in SGJT-treated group increased at higher rates in comparison with estrogen-treated group. Conclusions: Taken together, we suggest that SGJT has been shown to be effective in preventing postmenopausal uterine and ovarian degeneration and curing postmenopausal low estrogen related symptoms.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.287-294
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• 2021

Background: Ginsenoside Rb1 (G-Rb1), one of the major active compounds in Panax ginseng, has already been shown to reduce inflammation in various diseases. Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been considered a degenerative disease with degradation of joint articular cartilage. However, recent studies have shown the association of inflammation with OA. In the present study, we investigated whether Rb1 had an antiinflammatory effect on monoiodoacetate (MIA)-induced OA in ovariectomized rats as a model of postmenopausal arthritis. Methods: G-Rb1 at a dosage of 3 and 10 ㎍/kg body weight was administered every 3 days intraarticularly for a period of 4 weeks to observe antiarthritic effects. Diclofenac (10 mg/kg) served as a positive control. Results: The administration of Rb1 significantly ameliorated OA inflammatory symptoms and reduced serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, G-Rb1 administration considerably enhanced the expression of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and collagen 2A and reduced the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 genes, indicating a chondroprotective effect of G-Rb1. G-Rb1 also significantly reduced the expression of several inflammatory cytokines/chemokines (interferon gamma (IFN-γ), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)/CCL-2, interleukin [IL]-1β, and IL-6). Histological analysis demonstrated that G-Rb1 significantly attenuated the pathological changes in MIA-induced OA in ovariectomized rats. Safranin O and toluidine blue staining further demonstrated that G-Rb1 effectively prevented the degradation of cartilage and glycosaminoglycans, respectively. Conclusion: Overall, our results suggest that G-Rb1 exerts cartilage protective effect on MIA-induced ovariectomized OA rats, by inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as IL-6, IL-1β, MCP-1/CCL-2, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E₂ (PGE2). These results shed a light on possible therapeutic application of G-Rb1 in OA.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.28 no.7
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• pp.874-883
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• 2018

Osteoporosis is a disease that increases the risk of fracture by decreasing the mass and strength of bone. It is caused by imbalance of osteoclast bone formation and osteoclast bone resorption. Bone formation by osteoblast is activated via bone morphogenetic proteins and runt-related transcription factor 2. $Wnt/{\beta}-catenin$ signaling and bone resorption by osteoclast are initiated by the binding of receptor activator of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$ ligand and receptor activator of nuclear $factor-{\kappa}B$. Menopausal women are at risk for many diseases due to hormonal imbalances, and osteoporosis is the most common metabolic disorder in 30% of postmenopausal women. When estrogen is deficient, bone resorption of osteoclasts is promoted, and the risk of osteoporosis especially increases in postmenopausal women. Hormone replacement therapy has been widely used to relieve or treat the symptoms of menopausal syndrome. However, long-term administration of hormone therapy has been associated with a high risk of side effects, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer. Recently, phytochemicals have been actively studied as a phytoestrogen, which has an estrogen-like activity to cope with symptoms of menopausal syndrome. Therefore, in this review, we investigated the differentiation mechanism of osteoblast and osteoclast and the role of estrogen and phytoestrogen in bone metabolism in relation to previous studies.