• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.69-75
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was designed to investigate effects of the combination with Korean Red Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), Gastrodia Rhizoma (Gastrodia elata Blume) and Polygoni Multiflori Radix (Polygonum multiflorum Thunberg) on metabolic disorders including cholesterol and erectile dysfunction in hyperlipidemia rats.Methods : Animals were divided into six groups; Control with normal diet, high fat/cholesterol-diet (HFCD), fluvastatin, Korean Red Ginseng treated (KRG), and the combination treated (Korean Red Ginseng, Gastrodia Rhizoma and Polygoni Multiflori Radix; 1:1:1 for KGP1 and 2:1:1 for KGP2). The experimental groups initially received HFCD for 10 weeks and then treated orally with fluvastatin, KRG, KGP1 and KGP2 during the final 6 weeks. Erectile function was determined by the measurements of intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and maximal arterial pressure (MAP) after electrical stimulation of the cavernosal nerve.Results : KGP2 decreased the level of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol in the sera of HFCD rats without no changes of body weights. KRG, KGP1 and KGP2 decreased the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels except of fluvastatin, synthetic HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. KRG, KGP1 and KGP2 significantly increased the ICP, ICP/MAP ratio, area under the curve (AUC) compared with those of normal rat. Morphometric analyses showed that KRG, KGP1 and KGP2 increased the volume of smooth muscle and the regular arrangement of collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum of HFCD rats. The penile expression of eNOS was increased by KRG, KGP1 and KGP2.Conclusions : Based on these results, we suggest that the combination with Korean Red Ginseng, Gastrodia Rhizoma and Polygoni Multiflori may improve hyperlipidemia through regulating the lipid profiles and erectile dysfunction in rats.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.63-70
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• 2005

The extracts in n-hexane layer from Lespedezea cuneata G. Don exelled at sexual activity according to in vitro experiment using biopsy of rabbit corpus cavernosum to investigate effects on sexual function. The extracts were injected into 9 samples at $10{\mu}l$. The lowest relaxation was showed at sample C, $4.8{\pm}1.4%$ and the highest relaxation was showed at sample A, $20.2{\pm}6.0%$. The relaxation by every sample, except sample C and G-1, were higher than by $10^{-7}M$ ACh, $7.8{\pm}5.1%$, and their effects were above 10%. Also, the extracts were injected into 9 samples at $15{\mu}l$. The lowest relaxation was showed at sample C, $15.4{\pm}9.7%$ and the highest relaxation was showed at sample J, $54.8{\pm}9.7%$. The relaxation by sample A and D was as much as by $10^{-6}M$ ACh, $28.0{\pm}20.1%$. The relaxation by sample H was $41.9{\pm}7.3%$. The relaxation by sample J was $54.8{\pm}9.7%$ and it was higher than by $10^{-5}M$ ACh, $53.9{\pm}25.9%$. Also, the extracts were injected into 9 samples at $20{\mu}l$. The lowest relaxation was showed at sample E, $28.9{\pm}0.6%$ and it was a little higher than by $10^{-6}M$ ACh. The relaxation by sample G was as much as by $10^{-5}M$ ACh. The two higher relaxation were showed at sample H, $99.4{\pm}16.0%$ and J, $95.7{\pm}7.2%$, and their relaxation against contraction reaction by PhE were near 100%. Experiment by sample I was not performed for lack of sample amount.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.600-604
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• 1995

Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare disease in women of childbearing age, is the result of benign nodular hypertrophy of the smooth muscle of the lypmhatics and other tissues of the abdomen and thorax. We report a 36-years-old woman with pulmonary and retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomat.osis who responded with hormone treatment. She developed vaginal pruritis and a pelvic ultraound was done given her significant past medical history. Ultrasound examination demonstrated a large mass in the right side of her pelvis. Therefore she was admitted to St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto for laparoscopy. Result of cytology was to be consistent with the diagnosis of retroperitoneal lymphangioleiomyomatosis. High resolution CT sacn of the thorax demonstrated multiple small cystic lesions, without associated nodularity compatible with a diagnosis of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis. She has been taking Provera tablets 100mg po tid since Dec. 15, 1993. We have given her a prescription for Depo provera 500mg IM monthly since she came back to Korea. and made arrangements for regular follow up monthly. We performed chest X-ray, CT of chest(high resolution), abdomen and pelvis, pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas analysis. Chest X-ray and CT findings showed no significant change since July. 20, 1993.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.61 no.5
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• pp.484-489
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• 2006

A primary pulmonary leiomyosarcoma is a very rare pulmonary malignancy that arises from smooth muscle of either the bronchial or arterial walls. Common symptoms of the tumor are cough, dyspnea, chest pain and hemoptysis. The diagnosis of a primary pulmonary sarcoma can be established only after extensive clinical and radiologic examinations have failed to identify an alternative primary source. The only effective treatment for the tumor is a complete surgical resection when feasible. The type of resection is dictated by the local anatomic extent of the tumor. We report a case of a 21-year-old male with a primary endobronchial leiomyosarcoma who presented with massive hemoptysis. A necrotic ulcerative endobronchial lesion was observed in the orifice of left lower lobe bronchus on a bronchoscopic examination. He was treated with a complete sleeve resection of the left lower lobe. Three months later, local recurrence of the tumor was noticed on the follow up bronchoscopy and a then left pneumonectomy was then performed. Fifteen months later, the patient died from empyema with a bronchopleural fistula that was associated with tumor recurrence at the stump of the pneumonectomy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.101-121
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• 2000

The purpose of this morphological studies was to investigate the relation to the meridian, acupoint and nerve. The common locations of the spinal cord and brain projecting to the the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve were observed following injection of transsynaptic neurotropic virus, pseudorabies virus(PRV), into the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve of the rabbit. After survival times of 96 hours following injection of PRV, the thirty rabbits were perfused, and their spinal cord and brain were frozen sectioned($30{\mu}m$). These sections were stained by PRV immunohistochemical staining method, and observed with light microscope. The results were as follows: 1. In spinal cord, PRV labeled neurons projecting to the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve were founded in thoracic, lumbar and sacral spinal segments. Densely labeled areas of each spinal cord segment were founded in lamina V, VII, X, intermediolateral nucleus and dorsal nucleus. 2. In medulla oblongata, The PRV labeled neurons projecting to the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve were founded in the A1 noradrenalin cells/C1 adrenalin cells/caudoventrolateral reticular nucleus, rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus, medullary reticular nucleus, dorsal motor nucleus of vagus nerve, nucleus tractus solitarius, raphe obscurus nucleus, raphe pallidus nucleus, raphe magnus nucleus, gigantocellular nucleus, lateral paragigantocellular nucleus, principal sensory trigeminal nucleus and spinal trigeminal nucleus. 3. In Pons, PRV labeled neurons were parabrachial nucleus, Kolliker-Fuse nucleus and cochlear nucleus. 4. In midbrain, PRV labeled neurons were founded in central gray matter and substantia nigra. 5. In diencephalon, PRV labeled neurons were founded in lateral hypothalamic nucleus, suprachiasmatic nucleus and paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. 6. In cerebral cortex, PRV labeled neuron were founded in hind limb area.This results suggest that PRV labeled common areas of the spinal cord projecting to the gallbladder, GB34 and common peroneal nerve may be first-order neurons related to the somatic sensory, viscero-somatic sensory and symapathetic preganglionic neurons, and PRV labeled common area of the brain may be first, second and third-order neurons response to the movement of smooth muscle in gallbladder and blood vessels.These PRV labeled neurons may be central autonomic center related to the integration and modulation of reflex control linked to the sensory system monitoring the internal environment, including both visceral sensation and various chemical and physical qualities of the bloodstream. The present morphological results provide that gallbladder meridian and acupoint may be related to the central autonomic pathways.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2009

The myosin light chain kinase (MYLK) gene encodes both smooth muscle and nonmuscle cell isoforms. Recently, polymorphisms in MYLK have been reported to be associated with several diseases. To examine the genetic effects of polymorphisms on the risk of asthma and related phenotypes, we scrutinized MYLK by re-sequencing/genotyping and statistical analysis in Korean population (n = 1,015). Seventeen common polymorphisms located in or near exons, having pairwise $r^2$ values less than 0.25, were genotyped. Our statistical analysis did not replicate the associations with the risk of asthma and log-transformed total IgE levels observed among African descendant populations. However, two SNPs in intron 16 (+89872C> G and +92263T> C), which were in tight LD (|D'| = 0.99), revealed significant association with log-transformed blood eosinophil level even after correction multiple testing ($P=0.002/P^{corr}=0.01$ and $P=0.002/P^{corr}=0.01$, respectively). The log-transformed blood eosinophil levels were higher in individuals bearing the minor alleles for +89872C> G and +92263T> C than in those bearing other allele. In additional subgroup analysis, the genetic effects of both SNPs were much more apparent among asthmatic patients and atopic asthma patients. Among atopic asthma patients, the log-transformed blood eosinophil levels were proportionally increased by gene-dose dependent manner of in both +89872C> G and +92263T> C(P = 0.0002 and P = 0.00007, respectively). These findings suggest that MYLK polymorphisms might be among the genetic factors underlying differential increases of blood eosinophil levels among asthmatic patients. Further biological and/or functional studies are needed to confirm our results.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.293-303
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• 1990

The contractile action of barium $(Ba^{2+})$ was investigated in the arterial strip of rabbit renal artery. The helical strip of isolated renal artery was immersed in the Tris-buffered Tyrode's solution equilibrated with 100% $O_2$ at $37^{\circ}C$ and its isometric tension was measured. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction of arterial strip was dose-dependent and its maximal tension corresponded to $92.1{\pm}4.5%$ of tension by $K^+(100\;mM)$. $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction did not show the tachyphylactic phenomenon in the normal Tyrode's solution. $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ tyrode's solution and that was increased by the extracellula addition of $Ca^{2+}$. During the repeated exposure of the same dose of $Ba^{2+}\;(10\;mM)$ in the $Ca^{2+}-free$ Tyrode's solution, $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was progressively decreased. Even though the intracellular NE-and caffeine-sensitive $Ca^{2+}$ was depleted, $Ba^{2+}$ induced the tonic contraction. After the pretreatment of lanthnum or verapamil, $Ba^{2+}$ did not induce contraction. $Ba^{2+}-induced$contraction was suppressed by extracellular $K^+$ in the normal Tyrode's solution and that was dependent on $K^+$ concentration. Suppressive effect of $K^+\;(14\;mM)$ on the $Ba^{2+}-induced$ contraction was also dependent on the intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ concentration. From the above resuts, it is suggested that $Ba^{2+}$ activate indirectly the contractile process by promoting the mobilization of intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ and the influx of extracellular $Ca^{2+}$. It is also suggested that action of $Ba^{2+}$ on the $Ca^{2+}-activated$ $K^+$ channel can result in the depolarization of cell membrane in the rabbit renal artery.

• Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.47-54
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• 2002

Cimetropium bromide, a quaternary ammonium compound which is chemically related to scopolamine, exhibits its antispasmodic activity by competing with acetylcholine for the muscarinic receptors of the smooth muscle of gastrointestinal tract. The drug has been used for the treatment of various disorders involving spasms of the musculature of the gastrointestinal, biliary and genitourinary tracts. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of two cimetropium bromide tablets, $Algiron^{TM}$ (Boehringer Ingelheim Korea Ltd.) and $Alpit^{TM}$ (Hana Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.), according to the prior and revised guidelines of Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA). The cimetropium bromide release from the two cimetropium bromide tablets in vitro was tested using KP VII Apparatus II method with various different kinds of dissolution media (pH 1.2, 4.0, 6.8 buffer solution and water). Twenty normal male volunteers, $25.25{\pm}2.10$ years in age and $65.76{\pm}6.39$ kg in body weight, were divided into two groups and a randomized $2{\times}2$ cross-over study was employed. After three tablets containing 50 mg of cimetropium bromide per tablet were orally administered, blood was taken at predetermined time intervals and the concentrations of cimetropium bromide in serum were determined using HPLC method with UV detector. The dissolution profiles of two cimetropium bromide tablets were very similar at all dissolution media. 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 non-transformed and logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$. The results showed that the differences in $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ between two tablets based on the $Algiron^{TM}$ were 2.19%, -5.97% and 3.49%, respectively. Minimum detectable differences $({\Delta})\;at \;{\alpha}=0.05\;and\;1-{\beta}=0.8$ were less than 20% (e.g., 13.71 %, 19.05% and 15.11% for $AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$, respectively). The powers $(1-{\beta})\;at\;{\alpha}=0.05,\;{\Delta}=0.2\;for\;AUC_t$, $C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$ were 97.79%, 83.22% and 95.60%, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals were within ${\pm}20%$ (e.g., $-5.84{\sim}10.21,\;-17.11{\sim}5.18\;and\;-5.35{\sim}12.33\;for\;AUC_t,\;C_{max}\;and\;T_{max}$, respectively). There were no sequence effect between two tablets in logarithmically transformed $AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$. The 90% confidence intervals using logarithmically transformed data were within the acceptance range of log(0.8) to log(1.25) (e.g., $0.94{\sim}1.10\;and\;0.85{\sim}1.05\;for\;AUC_t\;and\;C_{max}$, respectively). Two parameters met the criteria of prior and revised KFDA guideline for bioequivalence, indicating that $Alpit^{TM}$ tablet is bioequivalent to $Algiron^{TM}$ tablet.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.547-556
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• 2016

Myometrial relaxation of mouse via expression of two-pore domain acid sensitive (TASK) channels was studied. In our previous report, we suggested that two-pore domain acid-sensing $K^+$ channels (TASK-2) might be one of the candidates for the regulation of uterine circular smooth muscles in mice. In this study, we tried to show the mechanisms of relaxation via TASK-2 channels in marine myometrium. Isometric contraction measurements and patch clamp technique were used to verify TASK conductance in murine myometrium. Western blot and immunehistochemical study under confocal microscopy were used to investigate molecular identity of TASK channel. In this study, we showed that TEA and 4-AP insensitive non-inactivating outward $K^+$ current (NIOK) may be responsible for the quiescence of murine pregnant longitudinal myometrium. The characteristics of NIOK coincided with two-pore domain acid-sensing $K^+$ channels (TASK-2). NIOK in the presence of $K^+$ channel blockers was inhibited further by TASK inhibitors such as quinidine, bupivacaine, lidocaine, and extracellular acidosis. Furthermore, oxytocin and estrogen inhibited NIOK in pregnant myometrium. When compared to non-pregnant myometrium, pregnant myometrium showed stronger inhibition of NIOK by quinidine and increased immunohistochemical expression of TASK-2. Finally, TASK-2 inhibitors induced strong myometrial contraction even in the presence of L-methionine, a known inhibitor of stretch-activated channels in the longitudinal myometrium of mouse. Activation of TASK-2 channels seems to play an essential role for relaxing uterus during pregnancy and it might be one of the alternatives for preventing preterm delivery.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.537-550
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• 2009

During the last two decades, there has been an increasing interest in the impact of oral health on atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, some periodontal pathogens including Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) have been reported to be relevant to CVD. Porphyromonas endodontalis (P. endodontalis), which shares approximately 87% sequence homology with P. gingivalis, is mostly found within infected root canals. However, recent studies reveal that this pathogen also resides in the dental plaque or periodontal pocket in patients with periodontitis. It has been shown that P. endodontalis invades human coronary artery endothelial cells (HCAEC) and coronary artery smooth muscle cells (CASMC). To evaluate whether P. endodontalis can participate in the progression of atherosclerosis and CVD, we examined the changes in transcriptional gene expression profiles of HCAEC responding to invaion by P. endodontalis in this study. The following results were obtained. 1. Porphyromonas endodontalis was invasive of HCAEC. 2. According to the microarray analysis, there were 625 genes upregulated more than two-folds, while there were 154 genes downregulated by half. 3. Upregulated genes were relevant to inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, coagulation and immune response. Enhanced expression of MMP-1 was also noticeable. 4. The transcription profiles of the 10 selected genes examined by real-time PCR agreed well with those observed in the microarray analysis. Thus, these results show that P. endodontalis presents the potential to trigger and augment atherosclerosis leading to CVD.