We evaluated the effects of SCP bathing on the body by compared with those of a-EG, one of major component of SCP, bathing and the control bathing with tap water alone. Healthy adults were used as the subjects. The effects of bathing on blood pressure and pulse rate were not significantly different among the three bathings, indicating that effects of SCP and α-EG bathing on the lung and heart were similar to those of an ordinary bathing. The surface skin temperature at the forehead decreased more slowly in the subjects after taking a SCP bathing than the other two, suggesting that SCP has temperature holding effects. Also, the results of deep body temperature suggested that α-EG might be related to the heat absorbing effects of SCP bathing, which were significantly marked than those of the other two bathings. The present results regarding the changes in blood flow and deep body temperature during bathing suggest that SCP might produce an environment that allows more rapid heat transfer from bath water to the body and less releasing it from the body. Therefore, we concluded that some component other than α-ethylglucoside would be involved in the heat transfer and moisturizing during SCP bathing. Measurement of skin water content indicated that a region directly contacting with hot water was moisturized in a short time, but this condition quickly returned to the pre-bath condition. Whereas, for regions not contacting with bath water, the skin was much more moisturized by taking SCP bath than the other two bathings. Therefore, it was concluded that SCP is effective for enhancement of skin moisturizing.

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the effects of duloxetine on the plasma levels of catecholamine metabolites and serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in 64 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: Major depressive episode was diagnosed using the Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition (DSM-IV) according to the DSM-IV text revision (DSM-IV-TR) criteria. The severity of depression was evaluated using the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17). Blood sampling and clinical evaluation were performed on days 0, 28, and 56. RESULTS: Duloxetine treatment for 8 weeks significantly increased the plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) levels but not the homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in responders with MDD. CONCLUSION: These results imply that noradrenaline plays an important role in alleviating depressive symptoms.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major* ; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ; Homovanillic Acid* ; Humans ; Norepinephrine* ; Plasma* ; Duloxetine Hydrochloride

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the association between the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (Val66Met) polymorphism and the response to the addition of an atypical antipsychotic drug to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) in treatment-refractory depression. METHODS: The study enrolled 64 patients meeting the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV criteria for major depressive disorder who were treated with at least two courses of a single antidepressant, but who had Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) scores > or =15 points that were reduced less than 50% over at least a 4-week treatment period. There were 24 males and 40 females (age range 27-68 years; mean+/-SD, 48+/-13 years). The patients' clinical improvement was evaluated using the HAMD-17. Patients with at least a 50% decrease in the HAMD-17 score were defined as responders. Serum BDNF levels were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and the presence of the BDNF (Val66Met) polymorphism was determined using the TaqMan genotyping assay. RESULTS: No correlation was found between the BDNF (Val66Met) polymorphism and a positive response to adding an atypical antipsychotic drug. No differences were observed in the changes in the serum BDNF levels and HAMD-17 scores between Val66Val and Met-carriers. In addition, in patients who experienced remission, the atypical antipsychotic drug was discontinued after at least 3 months of treatment and the patients were then followed for 1 year; 14 of 27 patients (52%) relapsed within 1 year. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the BDNF (Val66Met) polymorphism is not associated with the response to the augmentation of a SSRI or SNRI with an atypical antipsychotic drug, and that the combination of an atypical antipsychotic drug and a SSRI or SNRI should be continued for 3 months or more in refractory depressed patients in the Japanese population.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Norepinephrine ; Serotonin

OBJECTIVE: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has proven to be effective in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). In recent reports, 70% to 90% of patients with TRD responded to ECT. However, post-ECT relapse is a significant problem. There are no studies investigating risk factors associated with reintroducing ECT in depressive patients after remission previously achieved with former ECT. The aim of the present study is to examine such risk factors using a sample of TRD patients. METHODS: We conducted a chart review to examine patient outcomes and adverse events over short- and long-term periods. Forty-two patients met the criteria for major depressive disorder. RESULTS: The response rate was 85.7% (36/42). There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics of patients exhibiting remission, response or non-response. The rate of adverse events was 21.4% (9/42). Among 34 patients who were available for follow-up, 18 patients relapsed (relapse rate, 52.9%), and 6 patients were reintroduced to ECT. The patients' age and age of onset were significantly higher in the re-ECT group than non re-ECT group. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that older age and older age of onset might be considered for requirement of re-ECT after remission previously achieved with former ECT.
Age of Onset ; Aging ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Treatment-Resistant ; Electroconvulsive Therapy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: It is important to predict a response to an antidepressant in early time after starting the antidepressant. We previously reported that serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in responders to treatment with antidepressants were increased, whereas, those in nonresponders were not. Therefore, we hypothesized that the changes in serum levels of BDNF from baseline (T0) to 4 weeks (T4) after treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) predict the response to the treatment at 8 weeks (T8) in depressed patients. To confirm the hypothesis, we measured serum BDNF at T0, T4, and T8 during the treatment with SSRIs (paroxetine, sertraline, and fluvoxamine). METHODS: One hundred fifty patients (M/F; 51/99, age; 50.4+/-15.1 years) met major depressive disorder (MDD) using by DSM-IV-TR enrolled in the present study. We measured serum BDNF concentrations at T0, T4, and T8 in patients with MDD treated with SSRIs. RESULTS: The changes in serum BDNF, age, sex, dose of SSRIs, and HAMD-17 score did not predict the response to SSRIs at T8. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the changes in serum BDNF levels from T0 to T4 could not predict the subsequent responses to SSRIs at T8.
Antidepressive Agents ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor* ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder, Major ; Humans ; Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors ; Sertraline

This paper discusses the research situation of the standard decoction of medicinal slices at home and abroad. Combined with the experimental data, the author proposes that the standard decoction of medicinal slices is made of single herb using standard process which should be guided by the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, based on clinical practice and referred to modern extraction method with a standard process. And the author also proposes the principles of establishing the specification of process parameters and quality standards and established the basis of drug efficacy material and biological reference. As a standard material and standard system, the standard decoction of medicinal slices can provide standards for clinical medication, standardize the use of the new type of medicinal slices especially for dispensing granules, which were widely used in clinical. It can ensure the accuracy of drugs and consistency of dose, and to solve current supervision difficulties. Moreover the study of standard decoction of medicinal slices will provide the research on dispensing granules, traditional Chinese medicine prescription standard decoction and couplet medicines standard decoction a useful reference.