• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.79 no.4
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• pp.257-266
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• 2016

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a common interstitial lung disease; it is a chronic, progressive, and fatal lung disease of unknown etiology. Over the last two decades, knowledge about the underlying mechanisms of pulmonary fibrosis has improved markedly and facilitated the identification of potential targets for novel therapies. However, despite the large number of antifibrotic drugs being described in experimental pre-clinical studies, the translation of these findings into clinical practices has not been accomplished yet. NADH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is a homodimeric enzyme that catalyzes the oxidation of NADH to $NAD^+$ by various quinones and thereby elevates the intracellular $NAD^+$ levels. In this study, we examined the effect of increase in cellular $NAD^+$ levels on bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis in mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated with intratracheal instillation of bleomycin. The mice were orally administered with ${\beta}$-lapachone from 3 days before exposure to bleomycin to 1-3 weeks after exposure to bleomycin. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for analyzing the infiltration of immune cells. In vitro, A549 cells were treated with transforming growth factor ${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) and ${\beta}$-lapachone to analyze the extracellular matrix (ECM) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results: ${\beta}$-Lapachone strongly attenuated bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis, characterized by histological staining, infiltrated immune cells in BALF, inflammatory cytokines, fibrotic score, and TGF-${\beta}1$, ${\alpha}$-smooth muscle actin accumulation. In addition, ${\beta}$-lapachone showed a protective role in TGF-${\beta}1$-induced ECM expression and EMT in A549 cells. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ${\beta}$-lapachone can protect against bleomycin-induced lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice and TGF-${\beta}1$-induced EMT in vitro, by elevating the $NAD^+$/NADH ratio through NQO1 activation.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.425-430
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• 2008

Hydrogen sulfide ($H_2S$) is a by-product of metabolism of amino acids including sulfur and alcoholic fermentation, it is generally thought of in terms of a poisonous gas. Though $H_2S$ can have a negative impact on the perceived quality of fermented drinks due to an undesirable aroma, it plays prominent roles as a neuromodulator in the mammalian brain as well as a smooth muscle relaxant. Nowadays studies on the proteins which produce $H_2S$ are carried out in various fields such as structure, function, and metabolism. Here we propose to develop a simple and rapid $H_2S$ forming assay method, which will lead to speed up preparing the $H_2S$ forming proteins for identification by MALDI-TOF MS analysis. We detected three kinds of proteins which produce $H_2S$ in the crude extract of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Those proteins were cystathionie $\beta$-synthase, O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase, and cystathionine $\gamma$-lyase.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.276-287
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• 2006

Background & Objective : The herbal medicine Sojukgunbihwan granule has been used for the treatment of functional dyspepsia, generally categorized as a gastric dysmotility disease. However, its mechanisms are not yet well known. Therefore, the effects of Sojukgunbihwan granules on gastric motility in rats was investigated. Methods : The myoelectrical activity of the gastric smooth muscle was recorded by a bipolar electrode placed at the gastric antrum of rats. The contractile waves were measured for 30 minutes before and after intragastric administration of each solution(normal saline, Pyungwisan 40mg/kg, Sojukgunbihwan granules 60mg/kg) and expressed as the motility index. Gastric emptying was measured by the number of glass beads expelled from the stomach(containing one hundred 1mm glass beads) within an hour after glass beads and test drugs(normal saline, Pyungwisan 40mg/kg, Pyungwisan 120mg/kg, Sojukgunbihwan granules 60mg/kg, Sojukgunbihwan granules 180mg/kg) were administered. In another series of experiments to evaluate the mechanisms of Sojukgunbihwan granules under delayed conditions, the rats were treated with atropine sulfate(1 mg/kg, s.c.), cisplatin(10mg/kg, i.p.), and NAME($N^G$-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, 75mg/kg, s.c.) respectively. Results : Intragastric administration of Sojukgunbihwan granules increased the myoelectrical activity significantly, gastric motility index rose 25%, and gastric emptying of glass beads was significantly enhanced over a period of 60minutes. Under the delayed gastric emptying induced by atropine sulfate, cisplatin, and NAME, Sojukgunbihwan granules aggravated gastric emptying in the atropine sulfate($5.71{\pm}3.45\;vs\;3.71{\pm}4.42$) and cisplatin($13.86{\pm}3.53\;vs\;5.14{\pm}5.05$, p<0.01) treated groups, but enhanced gastric emptying in the NAME treated group($5.00{\pm}3.21\;vs\;11.71{\pm}5.65$, p<0.05). Conclusions : Results suggest that Sojukgunbihwan granules stimulate gastric motility through cholinergic and 5-hydroxytryptamine 3 receptors. Results are indicative of Sojukgunbihwan as an especially effective remedy in dysmotility-like functional dyspepsia with impaired reservoir functions such as gastric adaptive relaxation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.602-610
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• 2013

This study was aimed to evaluate the cavernosal relaxation effect of Crataegii fructus(CF) in the contracted rabbit penile corpus cavernosum by agonists.In order to study the effect of CF on the vasoconstriction of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, isolated rabbit penile corpus cavernosum tissues were used for the experiment using organ baths containing Krebs solution.To investigate the cavernosal relaxation of CF, CF extract at $0.01{\sim}3.0mg/m{\ell}$ was added after penile corpus cavernosum were contracted by norepinephrine(NE) $1{\mu}M$. To analyze the mechanism of CF's vasorelaxation, CF extract infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after each treatment of indomethacin(IM), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine(L-NNA), methylene blue(MB), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA).To study the effect of CF on influx of extracellular calcium chloride($Ca^{2+}$) in penile tissues, in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, $Ca^{2+}$ 1 mM infused into contracted penile tissues by NE after pretreatment of CF. Cytotoxic activity of CF on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) was measured by MTT assay, and nitric oxide(NO) prodution was measured by Griess reagent. CF relaxed cavernosal strip with endothelium contracted by NE, but in the strips without endothelium, CF-induced relaxation was significantly inhibited. The pretreatment of L-NNA, MB, TEA decreased significantly on the cavernosal relaxation than not-treatment of them. But the pretreatment of IM had no significant effect on the cavernosal relaxation. In $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs solution, when $Ca^{2+}$ infused into contracted penile tissues by NE, pretreatment of CF inhibit contraction induced by adding $Ca^{2+}$.NO production wasn't increased by treatment of CF on HUVEC. This findings showed that CF is effective for the relaxation of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum, and we suggest that CF relax rabbit corpus cavernosal smooth muscle through multiple action mechanisms that include increasing the release of nitric oxide from corporal sinusoidal endothelium, inhibition of $Ca^{2+}$ mobilization into cytosol from the extracellular fluid, and maybe a hyperpolarizing action.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.281-285
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• 2001

This study was performed to investigate the gross anatomical features and microscopical structures of the hemal nodes and the hemolymph nodes in the sheep. The hemal nodes and hemolymph nodes were observed mainly in periphery of the thoracic and abdominal aortae of the animals. The size of hemal nodes was generally smaller than that of the hemolymph nodes, and the shape of the both organs was spherical or ovoid. The color of the hemal nodes was red, while that of the hemolymph nodes was grary with red bands. The hemal nodes were surrounded by a relatively thick connective tissue capsule and there were extensive subcapsular sinuses distended by a great number of erythrocytes. Although a few number of lymphatic nodules and small areas of diffuse lymphatic tissues were observed in the parenchyma, no typical cortex and medulla were defined in the hemal node. Small numbers of blood vessels were found at the connective tissue capsule but lymph vessel was not observed microscopically in this organ. The hemolymph nodes were covered by a relatively thick connective tissue capsule and there was a hilus in each node. The parenchyma was divided into cortex and medulla. The cortex was composed of a few numbers of lymphatic nodules and some diffuse lymphatic tissues. The medulla comprised medullary sinuses and cords. Afferent and efferent lymph vessels were observed at the periphery of the capsule adn the hilus, respectively. The subcapsular and medullary sinuses were not extensive but filled with small numbers of erythrocytes. The stroma of hemal node and hemolymph node was composed of reticular cells and fibers, and the capsule and trabecula consisted of collagenous fibers with smooth muscle fibers.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.167-173
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• 2010

Objects : Glycine max Merr. (black bean), Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) and Oryza sativa L. (rice bran) have been widely used for treatment of relaxion of smooth muscle, gastrointestinal hemorrhage and alopecia in Korean Traditional Medicine. In this research, we examined the effect of the extracts, obtained from EtOH extracts of 3 kinds of traditional plants, on hair growing activity of the DP6 and C3H10T1 cell and physical properties. Materials and Methods : On the basis of previous studies, three traditional plants were selected and we extracted them with ethanol. We evaluated their hairy dermal papillar cell proliferation activity and mouse mesenchymal stem cell in vitro model. Also, 3 herbal extracts were added to the normal shampoo formulation in ranges of 0.1% and we validated tensile properties and physical changes using aged hair. In this research, we compared the tensile strength, shine and color appearance between the hair (general formulation) and the hair after applying shampoo with natural extracts. To analyze the luster and color image, we use the SAMBA hardware and software made by Bossa Nova Technologies. Results : In the comparative test for tensile characteristic between the hair treated general formulation(control) and the hair applying special formulation including 3 kinds of extracts, tensile distance and energy of the latter are larger than control on average. The shine and color appearance were also increased after using shampoo including natural extracts(shine : 10.9%, color appearance: 24.12%). We observed the enhancement of hair growth activity in the DP6 and C3H10T1 cell. Especially black bean extracts had the most powerful effect in the dermal papillar cell proliferation. Conclusion : These experiments suggest that extracts of Glycine max Merr. (black bean), Triticum aestivum L. (wheat) and Oryza sativa L. (rice bran) stimulate the hair growth activity and can improve physical activities of aged hair. Shampoo product, which contains 3 kinds of natural extracts, would be used for the treatment for aged hair.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.311-317
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• 2003

Felodipine is a calcium antagonist that lowers blood pressure by reducing peripheral resistance by meas of a direct, selective action on smooth muscle in arterial resistance vessels. Futhermore, it have been approved for the effective in angina pectoris and cardiac failure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two felodipine extended release (ER) tablets, Splendil (YuHan Corporation) and Stapin (Hana Pharmaceutial Co., Ltd.), according to the guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The felodipine release from the two felodipine formulations in vitro was tested using KP VIII Apparatus II method at pH 6.5 buffer solution. Twenty six healthy male subjects, $22.73{\pm}1.78$ years in age and $66.66{\pm}7.28\;kg$ in body weight, were divided into two groups and a radomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After two tablets containing 5 mg as felodipine were orally administered, blood sample was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of felodipine in serum were determined using column-switching HPLC method with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of two formulations were similar at pH 6.5 buffer solution. Besides, the pharmacokinetic parameters such as $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were calculated and ANOVA test was utilized for the statistical analysis of the parameters using logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$ and untransformed $T_{max}$. The results showed that the differences between two formulations based on the Splendil were 2.53%, 1.32% and 18.32% for $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$, respectively. There were no sequence effects between two formulations in these parameters. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance rage of log(0.86) to log(1.25) $(e.g.,\;log(0.86){\sim}log(1.20)\;and\;log(0.89){\sim}log(1.23)\;for\;AUC_t,\;C_{max},\;respectively)$. Thus, the criteria of the KFDA guidelines for the bioequivalence was satisfied, indicating Stapin ER tablet and Splendil ER tablet are bioequivalent.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2001

When I evaluated the component variation of Naesowhajung-tang by the three types of extraction method, and each type's effects on the gastrointestinal tract, I got the following results. 1. The output ratio of extracts made out of Naesowhajung-tang were not significantly different among 13.8% of water extract(Sample-I), 13.5% of 50% ethanol extract(Sample-II), and 15.6% of water extract by spray dryer(Sample-III). 2. magnolol, honokiol, hesperidin, naringin, poncirin and glycyrrhizin Sample II had the largest amount of the following contents: magnolol, honokiol, hesperidin, naringin, poncirin and glycyrrhizin. 3. All the extracts of Naesowhajung-tang showed the inhibitory effect on the smooth muscle contraction of the isolated ileum in mice and fundus-strip in rats induced by acetylcholine chloride and barium chloride. 4. High concentration Sample-II was recognized to be effective in preventing gastric ulcers in Shay's rats. but not in the other rat group. 5. All the extracts of Naesowhajung-tang were recognized to be effective in preventing gastric ulcers induced by Ethanol-HCl in rats. 6. The increase of transport ability in the small intestine was recognized only when the concentration of all the samples was doubled, but not in the other concentrations. 7. The increase of transport ability in the large intestine was recognized only when the concentration of Sample-II was doubled, but not in other concentration. Using the results mentioned above, I suggest that Sample-II has more significant effects on the gastrointestinal tract than the others.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.88-93
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• 2015

Objective : Elevated cellular retinoic acid binding protein-I (CRABP-I) is thought to be related to the abnormal proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Accordingly, a higher CRABP-I level could cause disorganized vessel walls by causing immature SMC phenotypes and altering extracellular matrix proteins which could result in vulnerable arterial walls with inadequate responses to hemodynamic stress. We hypothesized that elevated CRABP-I level in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) could be related to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Moreover, we also extended this hypothesis in patients with vascular malformation according to the presence of hemorrhage. Methods : We investigated the CSF of 26 patients : SAH, n=7; unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIA), n=7; arteriovenous malformation (AVM), n=4; cavernous malformation (CM), n=3; control group, n=5. The optical density of CRABP-I was confirmed by Western blotting and presented as mean${\pm}$standard error of the measurement. Results : CRABP-I in SAH ($0.33{\pm}0.09$) was significantly higher than that in the UIA ($0.12{\pm}0.01$, p=0.033) or control group ($0.10{\pm}0.01$, p=0.012). Hemorrhage presenting AVM (mean 0.45, ranged 0.30-0.59) had a higher CRABP-I level than that in AVM without hemorrhage presentation (mean 0.16, ranged 0.14-0.17). The CRABP-I intensity in CM with hemorrhage was 0.21 and 0.31, and for CM without hemorrhage 0.14. Overall, the hemorrhage presenting group (n=11, $0.34{\pm}0.06$) showed a significantly higher CRABP-I intensity than that of the non-hemorrhage presenting group (n= 10, $0.13{\pm}0.01$, p=0.001). Conclusion : The results suggest that elevated CRABP-I in the CSF could be related with aneurysm rupture. Additionally, a higher CRABP-I level seems to be associated with hemorrhage development in vascular malformation.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.400-408
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• 2013

This study aimed to investigate the relaxation effects and its underlying mechanisms of Rubus coreanus(RC) extract in contracted rabbit corpus cavernous tissues by phenylephrine(PE) $1{\mu}M$. In order to define the relaxation effects of RC, rabbit corpus cavernous tissues were prepared in $2{\times}2{\times}6mm$ sized strip. The dose-dependent relaxation responses of RC at 0.01-3.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ in contracted strips induced by PE were measured and also observed after endothelial denudation. To analyze the underlying mechanisms of RC-induced relaxation, indomethacin(IM), tetraethylammonium chloride(TEA), $N{\omega}$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), methylene blue(MB) were treated before RC extract infused into precontracted strips induced by PE. To study the effect of RC extract on influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ in corpus cavernous strips, calcium chloride(Ca) 1 mM infused into precontracted strips induced by PE after pretreatment of RC extract in $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs-ringer solution. To investigate cytotoxic activity and nitric oxide(NO) concentration of RC extract on human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC), cell viability on HUVEC was measured by MTT assay, and NO concentration was measured by Griess reagent system. The cavernous strips were significantly relaxed by RC extract at 1.0 $mg/m{\ell}$, 3.0 $mg/m{\ell}$ and the relaxation responses to RC were inhibited significantly by endothelial disruption. The pretreatment of IM, TEA didn't affect RC extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation, but the pretreatment of L-NNA, MB reduced RC extract-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation. When $Ca^{2+}$ was supplied the cavernous strips which were precontracted by PE in a $Ca^{2+}$-free krebs-ringer solution, contraction of strips was increased, but pretreatment of RC inhibited contractile response to $Ca^{2+}$. When RC extract was applicated on HUVEC, NO concentration was increased. Our findings show that RC extract exerts a relaxing effect on corpus cavernosum in part by suppressing influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$ through activating the NO-cGMP system.