• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.24-36
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of moxibustion on cerebral blood flow, peripheral blood flow and blood pressure. Methods : We designed a randomized, cross-over study that included 20 healthy, male volunteers who were randomly assigned to one of two groups (the moxibustion group or the control group). The initial trial was followed by a washout period of one week before the groups were switched and the trial repeated. The cerebral blood flow and peripheral blood flow of the volunteers in both groups were measured by mean velocity (Vm), peak systolic velocity (Vs), pulsatility index (PI), perfusion units (PU) and mean blood pressure (BP) before the intervention (baseline), 30 minutes after the intervention, and again 60 minutes after the intervention. Results : 1. The Vm increased significantly in the moxibustion group. The Vs also constantly increased in moxibustion group, but there was no significant difference. 2. The PI decreased significantly in the control group at 0-30 minutes and in the moxibustion group at 30-60 minutes. 3. The PU constantly decreased in moxibustion group. In control group, the PU decreased at 30 minutes and increased slightly at 60 minutes. 4. The mean blood pressure did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions : This study shows that moxibustion at CV12 increased the cerebral blood flow. Based on this result, we can suggest that moxibustion at CV12 might be helpful in improving the functional recovery of stroke patients. However, further research needs to be conducted on a larger numbers of subjects in order to confirm these effects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.145-150
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• 2016

Background: Extracorporeal circulation (ECC) can induce alterations in blood viscoelasticity and cause red blood cell (RBC) aggregation. In this study, the authors evaluated the effects of pump flow pulsatility on blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation. Methods: Mongrel dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: a nonpulsatile pump group (n=6) or a pulsatile pump group (n=6). After ECC was started at a pump flow rate of 80 mL/kg/min, cardiac fibrillation was induced. Blood sampling was performed before and at 1, 2, and 3 hours after ECC commencement. To eliminate bias induced by hematocrit and plasma, all blood samples were adjusted to a hematocrit of 45% using baseline plasma. Blood viscoelasticity, plasma viscosity, hematocrit, arterial blood gas analysis, central venous $O_2$ saturation, and lactate were measured. Results: The blood viscosity and aggregation index decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC and then remained low during ECC in both groups, but blood elasticity did not change during ECC. Blood viscosity, blood elasticity, plasma viscosity, and the aggregation index were not significantly different in the groups at any time. Hematocrit decreased abruptly 1 hour after ECC in both groups due to dilution by the priming solution used. Conclusion: After ECC, blood viscoelasticity and RBC aggregation were not different in the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups in the adult dog model. Furthermore, pulsatile flow did not have a more harmful effect on blood viscoelasticity or RBC aggregation than nonpulsatile flow.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.375-383
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• 2006

The physiological responses following stress are different in individual or personality. We performed this study to clarify gender differences in influences of noise stress on physiological factors. 70 healthy subjects, which was divided man (n=30) and woman (n=40) groups, were exposed to 85 decibels of excavator noise for 15 minutes. Cardiac factors such as heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures (SBP and DBP, respectively), and heart rate-systolic pressure product (RPP) were determined. Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) was used to measure mean blood flow velocity (Vm), pulsatility index (PI), and resistance index (RI) in the middle, anterior and posterior cerebral arteries (MCA, ACA and PCA, respectively) before and during noise exposure. Cortisol level and hematological variables were also measured before (baseline) and immediately after the end of noise exposure. In the both groups HR, SBP, and RPP significantly decreased during noise exposure (P<0.05) but not significantly different between two groups (P>0.05). Vms of three cerebral arteries in man group decreased, whereas Vm of PCA in woman group fell during noise exposure (P<0.05). Vm, PI and RI in MCA and ACA during noise exposure were low in man group compared with woman group (P<0.05). Vm of PCA was low, whereas PI and RI of PCA were high in man group compared with woman group during noise exposure (P<0.05). Total leukocyte and red blood cell (RBC) counts slightly decreased during noise exposure but not significant (P>0.05). Levels in hematological variables decreased but not significant changed following noise exposure. Decreased rate of total leukocyte in man group was higher (P<0.05). Cortisol levels in the both groups decreased immediately after the end of noise exposure, while the decreased rate in man group was greater than that in woman group (p<0.05). These findings indicate that a transient exposure to experimental excavator noise may cause decreased changes in cardiac factors, cerebral hemodynamics and cortisol levels and the changes may be greater in men than in women.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.418-426
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• 2004

Objectives : This study was designed to research whether transcranial doppler ultrasound(TCD) can yield a suitable diagnosis or prognosis for dizziness. Methods : To evaluate the blood flow, we measured the mean velocity(Vm), peak systolic velocity(Vs) and pulsatility index(PI) of the middle cerebral artery(MCA), vertebral artery(VA) and basilar artery(BA) in 54 dizziness patients and 44 normal subjects. To investigate the difference between dizziness patients and normal subjects, we selected 54 dizziness patients diagnosed normal by Brain MRI, and 44 normal subjects who did not have any symptoms of hyperlipemia, hypertension, diabetes melitus, heart disease, or smoking, diagnosed normal by Brain MRI. 30-69 year olds were divided into 30-49 year olds, 50-59 year olds and 60-69 year olds. Results : In normal subjects, there was a significantly higher Vm, Vs in the MCA and BA, and Vs in the VA of female subjects, and there was a significant difference in PI in the MCA and BA increasing with age. In comparison with normal subjects, dizziness patients had a significantly lower Vm in the BA. Male dizziness patients had significantly lower PI in the MCA. 30-49 year olds had significantly lower Vm in the BA. Conclusions : The significant difference in blood flow velocities in the BA between dizziness patients and normal subjects suggests that dizziness is related to blocking of blood flow in the BA and that diagnosis and prognosis can be made through TCD. More detailed study of dizziness patients will be needed.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.250-261
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the blood flow using doppler ultrasound of the MCA, ACA, PCA, BA, ICA in the patients with risk factor for stroke. Methods : 110 patients with risk factor for stroke were selected who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or heart disease, as well as 89 healthy adults who did not have any symptoms of those diseases. To evaluate the blood flow, the Vs and Vm of the MCA, ACA, PCA, BA, and ICA in the two groups were measured. Result : In normal healthy adults, subjects showed a decrease in the Vs and Vm: with advancing in age, there was a significant difference in the Vs of MCA, PCA, BA, and ICA. There was a significant difference in the Vm of MCA, PCA, BA, and ICA. In normal healthy adults, females showed high velocities in all examined vessels. There was a significant difference in the Vs of BA. There was a significant difference in the Vm of BA, and ICA. There was a decrease in the Vs, and Vm of all examined vessels of patients with risk factors for stroke in comparison with normal healthy adults. There was no significant difference in the Vs. There was a significant difference in the Vm of MCA, ACA, and PCA. Results were the same between patients aged under 50 and total patients in the Vs and Vm of examined vessels. There were differences between patients aged over 50 and total patients in the Vs of MCA, PCA, BA and for patients aged over 50; patients with risk factor for stroke who had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, or heat disease has higher Vs than healthy adults. Conclusions : There was a significant difference in the blood flow velocity between patients with risk factors for stroke and healthy adults. However, this result was different from results of comparison of TCD findings between patients and healthy individuals by age. Therefore, more detailed studies about aged patients are needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.1513-1520
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare cerebral blood flow between hyperlipidemic patient group and normal healthy aldult group using transcranial doppler ultrasonography(TCD). I investigated cerebral blood flow of 63 hyperlipidemic patients and 42 healthy adults. To evaluate the cerebral blood flow, I measured the systolic peak velocity(Vs) and mean flow velocity(Vm) of the milddle cerebral artery(MCA), anterior cerebral artery(ACA), posterior cerebral artery(PCA), basilar artery(BA), internal carotid artery(ICA) in the two groups using TCD. In normal healthy adults, subjects showed a decerease in Vs and Vm with advancing in age. There was a significant difference in the Vm of ICA. There was no significant differences in the Vm of ACA and ICA. In normal healthy adults, females showed high velocities of all examined vessel. There was a significant difference in the Vs of ICA. There was a significant differences in the Vm of MCA and ICA. Normal healthy adults higher than hyperlipidemic patients in the Vs of MCA, ACA, PCA. There was no significant difference in the Vs of all exmined vessels. Hyperlipidemic patientsincrease higher than normal healthy adults in the Vm of ACA. There was a significant difference in the Vs of BA. In the patients aged under 50's, normal healthy adults higher than hyperlipidemic patients in the Vs and Vm except BA. But there was no significant difference in all exmined vessels. In the patients aged over 50's, hyperlipidemic patients higher than normal healthy adults in all examined vessel expect PCA. There was a significant difference in the Vs of BA and ICA. And hyperlipidemic patients higher than that normal healthy adults in all exmined vessels. There was a significant difference in BA and ICA. In this study, visible differences in blood flow between hyperlipidemic patient group and normal healthy aldult group were shown. However, these results do not come up to the previous values that were reported and known worldwide.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.199-205
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• 2001

Background and Purpose : Transcranial doppler ultrasonography(TCD) is a noninvasive and nonradioactive technique for evaluation of the hemodynamics in large cerebral vessels. Sahyangsohap-won(SS) has been considered to be effective for the treatment of various disease, especially cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, and psychosomatoform disorders. But, there is no study about the effect of SS on the cerebral hemodynamics in humans. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of SS on the changes in cerebral hemodynamics and the dose-dependant effect by using TCD. Subjects and Methods : 30 healthy subjects were randomly divided into three group: group 1 took no drug, group 2 took SS one pill, and group 3 took SS 2 pills. Changes in the mean blood flow velocity(MBFV) and pulsatility index(PI) in the middle cerebral artery were evaluated by means of TCD. We obtained hypercapnia with breath-holding and evaluated cerebrovascular reactivity with the breath-holding index(BHI). Systolic blood pressure(SBP), diastolic blood pressure(DBP), and heart rate(HR) were measured by means of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. In group 2 and group 3, the evaluations were performed during the baseline and were repeated at 20, 40, and 60 minutes after SS administration. In group 1, the evaluation was performed at corresponding time intervals. Results : In mean values of MSFV, PI, SSP, DBP, and HR, no stastically significant differences were found between the 3 groups. However, BHI values were significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 than in group 1 at 40 minutes after SS administration(P<0.05, group 1 vs group 2, group 1 vs group 3 by post-hoc analysis: Scheffe's test) but in dose-dependant effect, there was no difference between group 2 and group 3. Conclusion : These results suggest that SS can decrease vascular resistance in cerebral small arteries or arterioles and enhance their distensibility. Further studies on larger numbers of subjects are needed to confirm these effects and the dose-dependant effects.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.38 no.10 s.255
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• pp.661-668
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• 2005

Background: We have hypothesized that, if a low resistant gravity-flow membrane oxygenator is used, then the twin blood sacs of TPLS can be located at downstream of the membrane oxyenator, which may double the pulse rate at a given pump rate and increase the pump output. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal configuration for the ECLS circuits by using the concept of pulse energy and pump output. Material and Method: Animals were randomly assigned to 2 groups in a total cardiopulmonary bypass model. In the serial group, a conventional membrane oxygenator was located between the twin blood sacs. In the parallel group, the twin blood sacs were placed downstream of the gravity-flow membrane oxygenator. Energy equivalent pressure (EEP) and pump output were collected at pump-setting rates of 30, 40, and 50 BPM. Result: At the given pump-setting rate, the pulse rate was doubled in the parallel group. Percent changes of mean arterial pressure to EEP were $13.0\pm1.7,\; 12.0\pm1.9\;and\;7.6\pm0.9\%$ in the parallel group, and $22.5\pm2.4,\; 23.2\pm1.9,\;and\;21.8\pm1.4\%$ in the serial group at 30, 40, and 50 BPM of pump-setting rates. Pump output was higher in the parallel circuit at 40 and 50 BPM of pump-setting rates $(3.1\pm0.2,\;3.7\pm0.2L/min\;vs.\;2.2\pm0.1\;and\;2.5\pm0.1L/min,\;respectively,\;p=0.01)$. Conclusion: Either parallel or serial circuit configuration of the ECLS generates effective pulsatility. As for the pump out, the parallel circuit configuration provides higher flow than the serial circuit configuration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1658-1665
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• 2009

This study was carried out on thirty men to define the association of inflammatory markers with physiological factors on one-time aerobic exercise (for 15 min. Post-exercise interleukin-6 (IL-6), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and pulsatility and resistance index of middle cerebral artery (PI and RI, respectively) levels were elevated compared to those measured pre-exercise. Total leukocyte and platelet counts, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), free radical (FR), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels tended to decrease after exercise. Pre-exercise IL-6 levels were positively correlated with pre-exercise SBP levels, while post-exercise IL-6 level was positively correlated with post-exercise PI and RI levels. Post-exercise, hs-CRP levels were negatively related to SBP and HR. Pre-exercise, FR levels were positively associated to SBP, DBP, and HR. Post-exercise FR levels were negatively related to the post-exercise blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery. Pre-exercise erythrocyte indices (RBC, MCV, MCH, and MCHC levels) were in inverse proportion to pre-exercise IL-6 levels. Post-exercise FR levels were inversely related to post-exercise total leukocyte, lymphocyte, monocyte, and MCH levels. Pre-exercise $Mg^{++}$ levels were in inverse proportion to pre-exercise IL-6, hs-CRP, or FR levels. These findings suggest that one-time aerobic exercise offers a significant relationship between inflammatory markers and some biochemical markers or electrolytes. Further studies need to be carried out for investigation of differences between genders or age groups following one-time or regular aerobic exercise.