• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.46-64
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• 2003

Therapeutic angiogenesis is the controlled induction or stimulation of new blood vessel formation to reduce unfavourable tissue effects caused by local hypoxia and to enhance tissue repair. Therapeutic ultrasound can be considered as a physical agent to deliver therapeutic angiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of therapeutic ultrasound after muscle contusion injury by observed immunoreactivity of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) that plays an important role in angiogenesis and substance-P in pain transmission. Ultrasound irradiation(1MHz, $1W/cm^2$, continuous mode, treatment time 5 min) was applied through water submersion technique to 1 limb daily by kept off 5cm from muscle belly of gastrocnemius. The result of this study were as follows. 1. In morphological observation, there were no significant changes excepts of 7 days. At 7 days, granular tissue viewed abundantly in control group. In other groups, general feature were increased interspace of muscle fiber; centronucleated muscle fiber; collapsed of muscle and nerve tissue; appeared inflammatory cell. 2. The VEGF was expressed in interspace of muscle fiber. Especially, at 7 days in experimental group, VEGF was showed in connective tissue surrounding gastrocnemius muscle. 3. The VEGF was higher expressed in experimental group at 2 and 3 days, but in control group at 7 days. These data suggest therapeutic ultrasound enhanced production of VEGF in the early day relatively, therefore stimulated angiogenesis in the skeletal muscle induced contusion injury. Also therapeutic ultrasound may stimulate pain relief by diminish of substance-P in dorsal horn of spinal cord.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.261-268
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• 2013

The ginseng plant (Panax ginseng Meyer) has a large number of active ingredients including steroidal saponins with a dammarane skeleton as well as protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol, commonly known as ginsenosides, which have antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-adipocyte, and sexual enhancing effects. Though several discoveries have demonstrated that ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) as the most important therapeutic agent for the treatment of osteoporosis, yet the molecular mechanism of its active metabolites is unknown. In this review, we summarize the evidence supporting the therapeutic properties of ginsenosides both in vivo and in vitro, with an emphasis on the different molecular agents comprising receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B, and matrix metallopeptidase-9, as well as the bone morphogenetic protein-2 and Smad signaling pathways.

• BMB Reports
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• v.39 no.5
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• pp.479-491
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• 2006

Heme oxygenase (HO), the rate limiting enzyme in the breakdown of heme into carbon monoxide (CO), iron and bilirubin, has recently received overwhelming research attention. To date three mammalian HO isozymes have been identified, and the only inducible form is HO-1 while HO-2 and HO-3 are constitutively expressed. Advances in unveiling signal transduction network indicate that a battery of redox-sensitive transcription factors, such as activator protein-1 (AP-1), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-${\kappa}B$) and nuclear factor E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), and their upstream kinases including mitogen-activated protein kinases play an important regulatory role in HO-1 gene induction. The products of the HO-catalyzed reaction, particularly CO and biliverdin/bilirubin have been shown to exert protective effects in several organs against oxidative and other noxious stimuli. In this context, it is interesting to note that induction of HO-1 expression contributes to protection against liver damage induced by several chemical compounds such as acetaminophen, carbon tetrachloride and heavy metals, suggesting HO-1 induction as an important cellular endeavor for hepatoprotection. The focus of this review is on the significance of targeted induction of HO-1 as a potential therapeutic strategy to protect against chemically-induced liver injury as well as hepatocarcinogenesis.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.119-126
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• 2015

Among the various human growth factors, epidermal growth factor (hEGF, consisting of 53 amino acids) has various effects on cell regeneration, stimulation of proliferation, migration of keratinocytes, formation of granulation tissues, and stimulation of fibroblast motility, which are important for wound healing. Owing to their multiple activities, EGFs are used as pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents. However, their low productivity, limited target specificity, and short half-life inhibit their application as therapeutic agents. To overcome these obstacles, we fused the collagen-binding domain (CBD) of Vibrio mimicus metalloprotease to EGF protein. About 18 or 12 amino acids (aa) (of the 33 total amino acids), which were essential for collagen-binding activity, were combined with the N- and C-termini of EGF. We constructed, expressed, and purified EGF (53 aa)-CBD (18 aa), EGF (53 aa)-CBD (12 aa), CBD (18 aa)-EGF (53 aa), and CBD (12 aa)-EGF (53 aa). These purified recombinant proteins increased the numbers of cells in treated specimens compared with non-treated specimens and control hEGF samples. The collagen-binding activities were also evaluated. Furthermore, CBD-hybridized hEGF induced phosphorylation of the EGF receptor. These results suggested that these fusion proteins could be applicable as small therapeutic agents in wound tissue healing.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1885-1887
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• 2014

Skin metastases of breast cancer are usually late events in the course of tumor progression and signify a poor prognosis. They may remain as a therapeutic challenge especially after failure of standard treatments. Topical interventions, together with or without radiotherapy, may only palliate the symptoms temporarily. However, there may be alternative treatment modalities for unresectable breast cancer skin metastases resistant to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. There are various genetic alterations in tumors and therapeutic potential of expression patterns for factors like epidermal growth factor receptor may have important clinical implications in case of disease refractory to the conventional treatments. Here, we clarified the therapeutic options and genetic alterations in skin metastatic breast cancer patients refractory to standard chemotherapeutics.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.91-104
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• 2017

Acute bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) are essentially lung inflammatory disorders. Various plant extracts and their constituents showed therapeutic effects on several animal models of lung inflammation. These include coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, iridoids, monoterpenes, diterpenes and triterpenoids. Some of them exerted inhibitory action mainly by inhibiting the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and nuclear transcription $factor-{\kappa}B$ activation. Especially, many flavonoid derivatives distinctly showed effectiveness on lung inflammation. In this review, the experimental data for plant extracts and their constituents showing therapeutic effectiveness on animal models of lung inflammation are summarized.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2016

Stroke leads to a variety of pathophysiological conditions such as ischemic infarct, cerebral inflammation, neuronal damage, cognitive decline, and depression. Many endeavors have been tried to find the therapeutic solutions to attenuate severe neuropathogenesis after stroke. Several studies have reported that a decrease in the neuropeptide regulator 'galanin' is associated with neuronal loss, learning and memory dysfunctions, and depression following a stroke. The present review summarized recent evidences on the function and the therapeutic potential of galanin in post-ischemic stroke to provide a further understanding of galanin's role. Hence, we suggest that galanin needs to be considered as a therapeutic factor in the alleviation of post-stroke pathologies.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.291-300
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• 2024

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), a congenital genetic disorder, is a notable contributor to the prevalence of chronic kidney disease worldwide. Despite the absence of a complete cure, ongoing research aims for early diagnosis and treatment. Although agents such as tolvaptan and mTOR inhibitors have been utilized, their effectiveness in managing the disease during its initial phase has certain limitations. This review aimed to explore new targets for the early diagnosis and treatment of ADPKD, considering ongoing developments. We particularly focus on cell polarity, which is a key factor that influences the process and pace of cyst formation. In addition, we aimed to identify agents or treatments that can prevent or impede the progression of renal fibrosis, ultimately slowing its trajectory toward end-stage renal disease. Recent advances in slowing ADPKD progression have been examined, and potential therapeutic approaches targeting multiple pathways have been introduced. This comprehensive review discusses innovative strategies to address the challenges of ADPKD and provides valuable insights into potential avenues for its prevention and treatment.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.96-100
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• 2006

Korea Food and Drug Administration (KFDA) has been expediting the Biological Equivalence Examination (BEE) project to encourage generic substitution without expense of inappropriate therapeutic outcome. However, little is known about which considerations are most important in making the decision to prescribe a drug among many generic drugs. The purpose of this survey was to identify how strongly the KFDA certification of BEE influenced doctors when they make a choice between brand and generics of glimepiride preparations. Telephone survey was performed towards doctors working at local clinics by using a questionnaire. Most influential factor to doctors' decision was drug cost followed by pharmaceutical representatives, therapeutic efficacy, and review guideline for reimbursement. Advertisement of the drug was the least influential followed by KFDA certification of BEE. The meaning of BEE was best understood by relatively young doctors with specialty in surgical parts. This survey result further indicated that the doctors considered the therapeutic equivalence examination a preferred measure to expedite generic substitution.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.51-68
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• 2005

Objective : Rumenshiqin(儒門事親) was compiled by Zhang Zi Huo(張子和) of the Jin(金) Dynasty of China. He invented unique medical theory and treatment such as three excretive methods(perspiratory, vomitory and purgative therapy). The aim of this study was to make the best use of the therapeutic theory of Rumenshiqin(儒門事親) connected with pediatrics. Methods: We conducted literature search in detail for contents of Rumenshiqin(儒門事親) and reviewed various kinds of books. Results : Zhang Zi Huo(張子和) recognized that children had pure-yang bodies(純陽之體) and emphasized that children need to prevent heat-stagnation(鬱熱) and asthenic yin(損陰). He instructed that a principle of raising such as wearing thin clothes, eating fresh food, harboring little desire and little anger, and taking temperate medicine. He described that pathogenic factors were mistake of rearing, misuse of medicine, exogenous factor, and excessive emotion. Conclusion : According to the above results, it is concluded that his therapeutic theory should be used at present.