• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.47-53
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• 2010

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation on changes in blood biochemistry in spinal cord injury (SCI) rats whose cords were damaged by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA). Methods: Twenty-one Sprague-Dawley adult male rats were assigned to one of three groups: normal (n=7), control (n=7) and experimental group (n=7). The experimental group received electroacupuncture (Es-160, ITO, Japan) for 15 minutes in the form of low frequency (2 Hz) stimulation to the zusanli point. After treatment, we observed motor behavior recovery using the inclined plane test. We also measured serum and CNS concentrations and activities of enzymes including creatine kinase (CK), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and Immunoglobulin G (IgG). Statistical analysis was done using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Concentrations of CK, ALP and IgG were lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Functional recovery was evaluated by the maximal angle of the inclined board on which rats could maintain their initial position. This allowed us to monitor progressive locomotor recovery. The maximal angles of the inclined plane test were higher in the experimental group than in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that electroacupuncture to the zusanli point has a therapeutic effect on functional recovery after SCI.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.899-903
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• 1993

Possible enhancement of myocardial protection with oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia and blood cardioplegia were evaluated in a cardiac enzyme study. The bicarbonate-containing solution equilibrated with 100% oxygen becomes highly alkaline as carbon dioxide is released. 95% oxygen and 5% carbon dioxide was added to the crystalloid cardioplegic solution[St. Thomas` Hospital No. 2 Solution] for prevention of severe alkalinity of oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia. Heart was arrested and reinfused every 20 minutes throughtout the ischemic period with crystalloid cardioplegia or oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia or blood cardioplegia. Group I was a patient with crystalloid cardioplegia in 11 patients. Group II was a patient with oxygenated crystalloid cardioplegia in 9 patients. Group III was a patient with blood cardioplegia in 15 patients. The value of CK-MB was evaluated from the patient`s serum at 6 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours postoperatively.In Group I and II, there was no significant change of CK-MB. In Group I and 11I, the value of CK-MB at postoperative 6 hours was 114 + 83 ng/ml and 56 + 22 ng/ml [P [0.05]. In conclusion, blood cardioplegia was superior to crystalloid cardioplegia.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 1998

It is well known that troponin T(below TnT) is present in the myocardial cells and released during myocardial damage, so it`s very specific enzyme to myocardium. Availability of cardiac specific TnT in assessing perioperatively myocardial damage was evaluated from 34 open heart surgery patients. They consisted of 11 ischemic heart, 13 acquired valvular heart and 10 congenital heart cases. Patients were divided into two groups, group A(patients with myocardial damage) and group B(patients without myocardial damage), according to the symptom of chest pain suspecting angina and the ECG findings of ST segment and T wave changes which show myocardial ischemia and injury. Serum TnT levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay method preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, postoperative day 1, day 2, day 3, and day 7. We observed and analyzed the changes of serum TnT levels in two groups and compared the serum TnT levels with CK-MB levels measured at the same time. In group A, serum TnT levels showed 1.37$\pm$0.26$\mu$g/L, 3.16$\pm$0.66$\mu$g/L, 2.39$\pm$0.74$\mu$g/L, 2.49$\pm$0.76$\mu$g/L, and 1.23$\pm$0.60$\mu$g/L, immediate postoperatively, postoperatively day1, day2, day3, and day7, respectively. It was observed there were significant differences compared with those of group B(0.38$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, 0.34$\pm$0.05$\mu$g/L, 0.25$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L, 0.24$\pm$0.04$\mu$g/L, and 0.11$\pm$0.03$\mu$g/L) during identical periods(P<0.01). Serum CK-MB level in group A significantly elevated to 145.04$\pm$35.08 IU/L on the postoperative day 1 compared to group B(31.28$\pm$5.87 IU/L, P<0.05), However, it stiffly decreased from day 2 and returned to preoperative level at day 3. When serum TnT level more than 1.0$\mu$g/L is thought to reflect myocardial damage, serum TnT had 100% of sensitivity and 87% of specificity in diagnosing the postoperative myocardial damage(p<0.01). I conclusion, serum TnT levels increased significantly at very early stage of myocardial damage and persisted much longer period than CK-MB. This suggests that serum TnT has more advantage and availability in assessing the perioperatively myocardial damage than any other tests.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.868-873
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• 2003

Ginsenosides, major active ingredients of Panax ginseng, that exhibit various pharmacological and physiological actions are transformed into compound K (CK) or M4 by intestinal microorganisms. CK is a metabolite derived from protopanaxadiol (PD) ginsenosides, whereas M4 is a metabolite derived from protopanaxatriol (PT) ginsenosides. Recent reports shows that ginsenosides might playa role as pro-drugs for these metabolites. In present study, we investigated the effect of bovine serum albumin (BSA), which is one of major binding proteins on various neurotransmitters, hormones, and other pharmacological agents, on ginsenoside $Rg_{2-}$, CK-, or M4-induced regulation of $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor channel activity expressed in Xenopus oocytes. In the absence of BSA, treatment of ACh elicited inward peak current ($I_{Ach}$) in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor. Co-treatment of ginsenoside $Rg_2$, CK, or M4 with ACh inhibited IAch in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor with reversible and dose-dependent manner. In the presence of 1% BSA, treatment of ACh still elicited $I_{Ach}$ in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor and co-treatment of ginsenoside $Rg_2$ or M4 but not CK with ACh inhibited $I_{Ach}$ in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor with reversible and dose-dependent manner. These results show that BSA interferes the action of CK rather than M4 on the inhibitory effect of $I_{Ach}$ in oocytes expressing $\alpha3\beta4$ nicotinic ACh receptor and further suggest that BSA exhibits a differential interaction on ginsenoside metabolites.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.171-184
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• 2013

Single-and repeated-dose toxicities of Compound K (CK) were evaluated according to Toxicity Test Guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration using Sprague-Dawley rats. For single-dose toxicity study, CK was dissolved in drinking water, orally administered and examined for 14 days. As results, CK up to a dose of 5,000 mg/kg, the limited dose, neither induced death, clinical signs and necropsy findings, nor affected body weight gain and organ weights, in which 10% lethal dose could not be estimated. Based on the results of single-dose toxicity test, CK was administered at doses of 500, 1,000 or 2,000 mg/kg for 28 days for the evaluation of repeated-dose toxicity. All doses including the limited dose (2,000 mg/kg) of CK did not cause any abnormalities of rats, including mortality, clinical signs, body weight gain, feed/water consumption, necropsy findings, organ weights, hematology, blood biochemistry. Rather, high doses (1,000 - 2,000 mg/kg) of CK reduced the serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and triglycerides, in addition to an increase in glucose, indicative of protective effects on hepatic and muscular injuries. Thus, both maximum tolerable dose (MTD) and no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) were not determined. The results indicate that long-term intake of high-dose CK might not induce general adverse effects.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
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• v.27 no.12
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• pp.1238-1244
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• 2004

The suppressive effects of Platycodi Radix (Changkil: CK), the root of Platycodon grandiflorum A. DC (Campanulaceae), on the progress of acute carbon tetrachloride $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic fibrosis were investigated in the rat. CK significantly suppressed $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic necrosis and inflammation, as determined by the serum enzymatic activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferase and serum tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ levels, in dose-dependent manners. In addition, the increased hepatic fibrosis after acute $(CCl_4)$ treatment was suppressed by the administration of CK. CK also significantly prevented the elevation of hepatic ${\alpha}$ 1(I) procollagen (type I collagen) mRNA and ${\alpha}$ -smooth muscle actin (${\alpha}$ -SMA) expressions in the liver of $(CCl_4)$-intoxicated rats and also suppressed the induction of ${\alpha}$ -SMA and type I collagen in cultured hepatic stellate cells, in dose-dependent manners. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of CK against the progress of acute $(CCl_4)$-induced hepatic fibrosis possibly involve mechanisms related to its ability to block both hepatic inflammation and the activation of hepatic stellate cells.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Pathology
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 1999

The present study was undertaken to compare the variation on serum biochemical values by storage in the rats. Sera were prepared from 30 Sprague-Dawley rats of each sex. 5 aliquots from each serum were placed in a -80$^{\circ}C$ freezer with the exception of I aliquots which was analyzed immediately. The analysis was performed on the following months; 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after freezing. The parameters measured) were aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), blood urea nitrogen(BUN) creatinine(CRE), glucose(GLU), total cholesterol(TCHO), triglyceride (TG), total protein(TP), albumin(ALB), total bilirubin(TBIL), calcium(Ca$\^$＋＋/), inorganic phosphorus(IP), creatine kinase (CK), phospholipid(PL), albumin-globulin ratio(A/G), sodium(Na$\^$＋/), potassium(K$\^$＋/), and chloride(Cl$\^$－/) The statistical analysis with Repeated Measures ANOVA, did not show statistical significance in the parameters of AST, ALT, BUN, TG, CK, A/G, Na$\^$＋/ of 1 month freezed sera, in those of AST, TG, CK, K$\^$＋/) of 2 month freezed sera, in those of AST, ALT, BUN, CRE, TCHO, TP, TBIL, CK, PL, Na$\^$＋/), K$\^$＋/), Ct on month fteezed sera, in those of Cl$\^$－/ of 6 month fteezed sera, and in those of ALT, TG, ALB of 12 month freezed sera in male SD rats. On the other hand, it did not show statistical significance in the parameters of AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, GLU, TCHO, TG, TBIL, CK, PL, A/G, Na$\^$＋/ of 1 month freezed sera, in those of AST, TCHO of 2 month freezed sera, in those of AST, BUN, CRE, TCHO, TP, TBIL, CK, PL of 3 month freezed sera, in those of TCHO, IP, PL of 6 month freezed sera, and in those of ALB of 12 month freezed sera in female SD rats. On the basis of the results, although there are some statistical variations in the biochemical values of the sera, it is suggested that if sera are analysed at the same time before 12 months storage in a －80 $^{\circ}C$ freezer, the storing time does not affect the biochemical evaluation of the sera in SD rats.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.611-618
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• 2020

Background: It is well recognized that gut microbiota is involved in the biotransformation of ginsenosides by converting the polar ginsenosides to nonpolar bioactive ginsenosides. However, the roles of the gut microbiota on the pharmacokinetics of ginsenosides in humans have not yet been fully elucidated. Methods: Red ginseng (RG) or fermented red ginseng was orally administered to 34 healthy Korean volunteers, and the serum concentrations of the ginsenosides were determined using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In addition, the fecal ginsenoside Rd- and compound K (CK)eforming activities were measured. Then, the correlations between the pharmacokinetic profiles of the ginsenosides and the fecal ginsenoside-metabolizing activities were investigated. Results: For the RG group, the area under the serum concentratione-time curve values of ginsenosides Rd, F2, Rg3, and CK were 8.20 ± 11.95 ng·h/mL, 4.54 ± 3.70 ng·h/mL, 36.40 ± 19.68 ng·h/mL, and 40.30 ± 29.83 ng·h/mL, respectively. For the fermented red ginseng group, the the area under curve from zero to infinity (AUC_∞) values of ginsenosides Rd, F2, Rg3, and CK were 187.90 ± 95.87 ng·h/mL, 30.24 ± 41.87 ng·h/mL, 28.68 ± 14.27 ng·h/mL, and 137.01 ± 96.16 ng·h/mL, respectively. The fecal CK-forming activities of the healthy volunteers were generally proportional to their ginsenoside Rd-eforming activities. The area under the serum concentration-time curve value of CK exhibited an obvious positive correlation (r = 0.566, p < 0.01) with the fecal CK-forming activity. Conclusion: The gut microbiota may play an important role in the bioavailability of the nonpolar RG ginsenosides by affecting the biotransformation of the ginsenosides.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.62-68
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• 2005

Doxorubicin is a powerful anticancer antibiotic extensively used in the treatment of several types of cancers. Long-term administration of this drug results in cumulative dose related cardiotoxicity due to enhanced production of free radicals leading to oxidative stress. Our earlier investigations have demonstrated significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antitumour properties of Ganoderma lucidum extracts. We extended our investigations to evaluate the protective effect of Ganoderma lucidum extract against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Administration of 3 doses of doxorubicin, 6 mg/kg body weights, i.p. per each dose, alternative days, showed dear signs of cardiotoxicity in rats. The drug enhanced serum creatine kinase (CK) activity and lipid peroxidation in tissue drastically. The drug also induced significant decrease in GSH level and activities of CAT, SOD and GPx. Administration of methanolic extract of G.lucidum (500 and 1,000 mg/kg body weight) significantly increased the level of GSH and activities of CAT, SOD and GPx. Activity of CK was significantly lowered in a dose dependent manner. The treatment also caused significant decrease in lipid peroxidation (MDA). The results thus indicated that methanolic extract of G.lucidum prevented oxidative stress caused by doxorubicin administration and the increase in serum CK activity and lipid peroxidation in the tissue. The experimental findings suggest the therapeutic potential of G.lucidum as adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.639-645
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• 1999

This research was for investigating the physiological effect caused by genetic disorder and others. Serum protein, serum LDH, and serum CPK were analyzed on Fragile X syndrome patients, carriers, unclassified mental retardees, and Down's syndrome patients by cellulose acetate plate electrophoresis. Also enzyme activity of LDH and CPK were measured. Significant differences were observed between normal group and mental retardees in compositions of serum protein, serum LDH, serum CPK, and enzyme activities. Mean percentages of albumin were 53.70$\pm$7.73% for Fragile X syndrome patients, 57.09$\pm$7.73% for carriers, 47.33$\pm$6.06% for unclassified mental retardees, 50.19$\pm$ 15.72% for Down's syndrome patients. Mean percentages of ${\gamma}$-globulin were 19.64$\pm$6.71% for Fragile X syndrome patients, 19.24$\pm$3.38% for carries, 25.66$\pm$4.74 for unclassified mental retardees, 23.41$\pm$6.08% for Down's syndrome patients. Mean percentages of LDH3 were 27.76$\pm$2.72% for Fragile X syndrome patients, 22.70$\pm$2.76% for carriers, 25.42$\pm$1.26% for unclassified mental retardees, 27.72$\pm$2.58% for Down's syndrome patients. Mean percentages of LDH4 were 2.70$\pm$2.04 for Fragile X syndrome patients, 3.79$\pm$2.74% for carriers, so both of them were significantly lower than normal(P<0.05). Mean percentages of CK-MB were 3.96$\pm$5.56% for Fragile X syndrome patients, 8.80$\pm$7.92%. Mean percentages of CK-MM were 95.81$\pm$5.50% for Fragile X syndrome patients, 91.20$\pm$7.92% for carriers. These results showed that significant abnormal compositions of blood proteins might be caused by genetic disorder. However, further analysis of many patients will be needed for clear conclusion.