• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4567-4570
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• 2014

Background: This systemic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based chemotherapy in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer as first or second line chemotherapy. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based regimens on response and safety for patients with breast cancer were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rate (RR) of treatment were calculated. Results: In first line pemetrexed based regimens, 10 clinical studies which including 513 patients with advanced breast cancer were considered eligible for inclusion. For second line pemetrexed based chemotherapy, 5 clinical studies which including 281 patients with advanced breast cancer were considered eligible. Systemic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 32.6% (167/513) in pemetrexed based first line regimens, and 13.9 % (39/281) in pemetrexed based second line regimens. Major adverse effects were neutropenia, leukopenia, fatigue, and anemia in pemetrexed based first line treatment; and lymphopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, as well as anemia in second line chemotherapy. One treatment related death occurred with pemetrexed based second line treatment. Conclusion: This systemic analysis suggests that pemetrexed based first line regimens are associated with a reasonable response rate and acceptable toxicity, however with low response rate for treating patients with metastatic breast cancer when is used in the second line.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.17 no.1 s.28
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• pp.41-46
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• 1981

Eighty of Sarcoma 180 bearing mice, averaging 30 gm of body weight, were divided into eight groups of animals receiving Saline as the control, Corynebacterium parvum, Tubercin-3 and Cyclophosphamide alone and Cyclophosphamide combined with C. parvum, with Tubercin-3 and with both C. parvum and Tubercin-3 and Tubercin-3 combined with C. parvum respectively. Treatment was initiated 4.8 hours after tumor implantation and repeated three times once a day. Doses were suspended or dissolved in 0.2 ml of Saline: 1.4 mg of C. parvum: 0.5 micrograms of Tubercin-3; and 2.7 mg of Cyclophosphamide either in alone or in combination. All the agents given were administered subcutaneously but Cyclophosphamide was given intraperitoneally. The observation on the general conditions of animal took place twice a day following the treatment until the time of death after tumor implantation was determined. Average survival days in each group were as follows: In Control, Saline (11.2 days), C. parvum (14.8 days), Tubercin-3 (16.7 days), Cyclophosphamide(18.7 days). In combination therapy, Cyclophosphamide with C. parvum(22.8 days) with Tubercin-3 (26.9 days). Cyclophosphamide with both C. parvum an Tubercin-3, however, was somewhat longer than in Cyclophosphamide alone but shorter than in combined with either one of C. parvum or Tubercin-3. Finally, in combination with immunotherapeutic agents, Tubercin-3 and C. parvum each other it (8.2 days) was shorter even than Control. Life span of host is, in generally, inversely related to the number of malignant cells and conclusively, the therapeutic potentiation was reflected to be extended survival in combined treatment of a chemotherapeutic Cyclophosphamide with either one of immunotherapeutics, Tubercin-3 or C. parvum. Tubercin-3 and C. parvum in combination, however, appeared to be antagonistic each other.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.95-110
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• 1998

A 13-week dermal toxicity test was conducted to assess the toxicity of DA-5018, a capsaicin derivative. Three groups of Sprague-Dawley rats (10-15 males and 10-15 females) were treated with DA-5018 cream daily by dermal application at concentrations of 0.1%, 0.3% or 0.9% as 500 mg/kg for 13 weeks. One further group of rats (15 males and 15 females) received cream base at 500 mg/kg/day and acted as controls. One male receiving 0.3% DA-5018 cream died during the treatment period. But the animal did not show any signs of treatment-related toxicity until death. There were no local skin reaction of application site and systemic reaction to the treatment of DA-5018 creams in all experimental groups throughout treatment and recovery period. Weight gain and food consumption in animals that received DA-5018 creams appeared to be comparable to that of the controls. Laboratory analyses (hematology, urinalysis and opthalmoscopic examination) did not revealed pathological values. In biochemical investigations, an increase of glucose level associated with increased food consumption and some other significant changes were noted in the animals of both sexes received DA-5018 creams. But these changes were not considered to be of toxicological importance. Postmortem examination did not show macroscopic or histological alterations attributable to the DA-5018 treatments. Based on these results, NOAEL(no-observable-adverse-effect level) of DA-5018 cream if estimated to be over 500 mg/tg/day as 0.9% cream.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2014

In traditional Korean and Chinese medicine, safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) for the treatment of central nervous system-related symptoms such as tremor, seizure, stroke and epilepsy. We investigated the effects of safflower could influence cerebral ischemia-induced neuronal and cognitive impairments. Administration of safflower for 1 day (200 mg/kg body weight, p.o.) increased the survival of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons after transient global brain ischemia. And neurological functions measured as short term memory. Post-treatment with safflower for 2 times decreased the induction/reduction - induced production of neuronal cell loss from global cerebral ischemia. Safflower markedly decreased neuronal cell death and also caused a decrease in the content of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances (TBARS) ($55.2{\pm}9.4{\mu}mol\;mg^{-1}$) and significant improvement of activities of glutathione (GSH) ($27.2{\pm}5.0{\mu}mol\;mg^{-1}$) in hippocampus. We conclude that treatment with safflower attenuated learning and memory deficits, and neuronal cell loss induced by global cerebral ischemia. These results suggest that safflower may be a potential candidate for the treatment of vascular dementia.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.167-179
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• 2021

Objectives : Oxidative stress is a important cause of liver disease, and regulation of oxidative stress is essential to maintain the normal metabolic function of the liver. Until a recent date, there has been no studies on the hepatoprotective effect of Ikwiseungyang-tang (IWSYT). Therefore, this study aims to demonstrate the hepatoprotective effect of IWSYT and its related molecular mechanisms on arachidonic acid (AA) + iron induced oxidative stress model in HepG2 cells. Methods : To determine the cytoprotective effect of IWSYT against AA + iron-induced oxidative stress, cell viability, apoptosis-related proteins, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), GSH, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were measured. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activation was analyzed by immunoblot analysis. In addition, Nrf2 transcription activation through ARE binding was measured by reporter gene assays, and the expression of the Nrf2 target antioxidant genes were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Results : IWSYT increased cell viability from cell death induced by AA + Iron, and inhibited apoptosis by regulating apoptosis-related proteins. Furthermore, IWSYT protected cells by inhibiting intracellular ROS production, GSH depletion, and MMP degradation. Nrf2 activation was increased by IWSYT, and Nrf2 target genes were activated by IWSYT too. Conclusions : These results suggest that IWSYT can protect hepatocytes from oxidative stress through Nrf2 activation and can be potentially applied in the prevention and treatment of liver damage.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.91-95
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• 2014

Objectives : This study was carried out to evaluate whether the water extract from cause the cellular damage in HepG2 cell line. It was reported that Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz(DDT) intake induce poisoning symptoms in human population. These symptoms was closely related to liver toxicity, however, mechanisms for liver toxicity caused by DDT have not been elucidated exactly. Here, hepatotoxicity caused by DDT was evaluated using HepG2 cell line. Methods : Water extract of DDT was treated into HepG2 cell with various doses such as 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and $5.0mg/m{\ell}$. In order to cell viability, both MTT and LDH assay were carried out. Also, apoptosis array kit was used to identify whether cell death caused by DDT is due to apoptosis or not. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured after treatment of water extract. Results : We found out significant changes in the apoptosis related factors of hepatocyte. The cell viability of HepG2 treated with DDT water extract was decreased in dose-dependent. Also most of the apoptosis related factors were significantly increased. We found out that Caspase 3, Cytochrome C and ROS had increased in dose-dependent. In addition, other apoptosis related factors Bcl 2 and Bax, which were also constant changes. However, there was no significance. Conclusions : These results suggest that water soluble extract of DDT is expected to have oral toxicity, including hepatocellular damage Therefore, it is suggested that DDT could cause various side effects and toxicity of clinical conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.65-72
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• 2014

Objectives : The objective of this study was to evaluate the treatment duration and adherence of osmotic-controlled release oral delivery system (OROS) methylphenidate for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods : A total of 843 children with ADHD were recruited : 213 children (25.3%) who had previously taken medications for ADHD and 630 drug-na$\ddot{i}$ve children (74.7%) were recruited. The dosage was adjusted according to the clinician's judgment. The primary efficacy endpoint of this study was treatment retention rate, which was estimated at Week 12 and Week 20 using the Kaplan-Meier curve. The Swanson, Nolan and Pelham-IV (SNAP-IV), Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), Clinical Global Impression-Improvement, and the side effect rating scale were measured at every visit. Remission rates were presented based on SNAP-IV and CGI-S, respectively. Results : The treatment retention rate at 12 weeks and at 20 weeks was 76.2% and 66.8%, respectively. Divided according to 6-8, 9-11, 12-14 and 15-18 years of age, younger children tended to show a statistically higher treatment retention rate (p=.02). Based on SNAP-IV and CGI scores, children with better response to medication showed tendencies of statistically higher treatment retention rate. The most common adverse events included loss of appetite (7.1%) and insomnia (3.3%). There was no serious adverse event related to the treatment, such as death. Conclusion : The use of OROS methylphenidate for treatment of ADHD was safe and tolerable for children. In this study, lower age and better treatment response showed a statistically significant relationship with higher treatment adherence. Boys showed a trend of high treatment adherence. The treatment adherence at 20 weeks was satisfactory, however, the treatment adherence after 20 weeks showed a sharp decrease. Therefore, treatment persistence for six months after the beginning of ADHD treatment is important. In addition, the positive role of psycho-education for children and parents is necessary for increasing treatment adherence.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.489-499
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• 2016

The purpose of this study is to attempt to analyze factors affecting elderly persons' life-sustaining treatment preferences, focusing on ego integrity trait. This study used data from Elderly Profiles and Welfare Needs of the Elderly Persons(2014). The analysis sample was 10,451 cases. 86.4 percent of the sample responded that they disagree with life-sustaining treatment. Analysis results are as follows: being female(${\beta}=-.045$, p<.001), the younger(${\beta}=-.024$, p<.05), having more education years(${\beta}=.027$, p<.05), higher satisfaction of life(${\beta}=.022$, p<.05), responding that they had thought about their own funeral(${\beta}=.032$, p<.01), responding that they had used senior centers over the last one year(${\beta}=-.038$, p<.01) are related to disapproval of life sustaining treatment. This research shows that ego integrity trait such as satisfaction of life, or accepting and preparing one's own death, is related to disapproval of life-sustaining treatment.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.547-552
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• 2004

The present study was carried out to investigate the potential acute toxicity of amitraz by a single subcutaneous dose in beagle dogs. The test chemical was administered subcutaneously to male beagle dogs at dose levels of 0, 2, 10, or 50 mg/kg. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for the 14-day period following the administration. At the end of 14-day observation period, hematology, serum biochemistry, and gross postmortem examinations were examined. A single dog in the 50 mg/kg group was found dead on day 3 after treatment and the other two dogs in the group were sacrificed because of the severe clinical signs on day 7 after treatment. Treatment related clinical signs, including anorexia, edema, mass and abscess formation in the injection sites, depression, vomiting, lacrimation, decreased locomotor activity, ataxia, recumbency, paresis in the limbs, and/or moribundity were observed in all treatment groups in a dose-dependent manner. Decreased or suppressed body weight gain was also observed dose-dependently in all treated groups. In autopsy, dead animals in the 50 mg/kg group showed muscular hemorrhage and inflammation in the injection sites and congestion in the liver and kidney. The terminal sacrificed animals in the 10 mg/kg group also exhibited muscular hemorrhage and inflammation in the injection sites. Whereas, no treatment related effects on hematology and serum biochemistry were observed on day 14 after treatment at any dose tested. On the basis of the results, it was concluded that a single subcutaneous injection of amitraz to beagle dogs resulted in increased incidence of abnormal clinical signs and death, decreased body weight, and increased incidence of abnormal gross findings. In the experimental conditions, the $LD_{50}$value of amitraz was 22.3 mg/kg (95% confidence limit not specified) and the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) was considered to be below 2 mg/kg for male dogs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.9
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• pp.3981-3986
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• 2014

Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides (GLP) extracted from Ganoderma lucidum have been shown to induce cell death in some kinds of cancer cells. This study investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of GLP on HCT-116 human colon cancer cells and the molecular mechanisms involved. Cell proliferation, cell migration, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and intracellular free calcium levels ($[Ca^{2+}]i$) were determined by MTT, wound-healing, LDH release and fluorescence assays, respectively. Cell apoptosis was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. For the mechanism studies, caspase-8 activation, and Fas and caspase-3 expression were evaluated. Treatment of HCT-116 cells with various concentrations of GLP (0.625-5 mg/mL) resulted in a significant decrease in cell viability (P< 0.01). This study showed that the antitumor activity of GLP was related to cell migration inhibition, cell morphology changes, intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ elevation and LDH release. Also, increase in the levels of caspase-8 activity was involved in GLP-induced apoptosis. Western blotting indicated that Fas and caspase-3 protein expression was up-regulated after exposure to GLP. This investigation demonstrated for the first time that GLP shows prominent anticancer activities against the HCT-116 human colon cancer cell line through triggering intracellular calcium release and the death receptor pathway.