This study was designed to characterize the effect of ginsenoside-Rg2 (Rg2), one of panaxatriol saponins isolated from Korean ginseng root, on the release of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla, and also to establish its mechanism of action. Rg2 (3~30 µM), administered into an adrenal vein for 90 min, depressed acetylcholine (ACh)-induced CA secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner.Rg2 also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion induced by 3-(m-chloro-phenyl-carbamoyl-oxy)-2-butynyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (McN-A-343), 1.1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP), and angiotensin II (Ang II). Also, during perfusion of Rg2, the CA secretion induced by high K+ , veratridine, cyclopiazonic acid, methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay-K-8644) depressed, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Rg2 and Nω -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), the CA secretion induced by ACh, Ang II, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine was restored nearly to the extent of their corresponding control level, respectively, compared to those of inhibitory effects of Rg2-treatment alone. Virtually, NO release in adrenal medulla following perfusion of Rg2 was significantly enhanced in comparison to the corresponding spontaneous release. Also, in the coexistence of Rg2 and fimasartan, ACh-induced CA secretion was markedly diminished compared to the inhibitory effect of fimasartantreated alone. Collectively, these results demonstrated that Rg2 suppressed the CA secretion induced by activation of cholinergic as well as angiotensinergic receptors from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland.This Rg2-induced inhibitory effect seems to be exerted by reducing both influx of Na + and Ca 2+ through their ionic channels into the adrenomedullary cells as well as by suppressing Ca 2+ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least through the elevated NO release by activation of NO synthase, which is associated to the blockade of neuronal cholinergic and AT 1 -receptors. Based on these results, the ingestion of Rg2 may be helpful to alleviate or prevent the cardiovascular diseases, via reduction of CA release in adrenal medulla and consequent decreased CA level in circulation.

This study was designed to characterize the effect of ginsenoside-Rg2 (Rg2), one of panaxatriol saponins isolated from Korean ginseng root, on the release of catecholamines (CA) in the perfused model of the rat adrenal medulla, and also to establish its mechanism of action. Rg2 (3~30 µM), administered into an adrenal vein for 90 min, depressed acetylcholine (ACh)-induced CA secretion in a dose- and time-dependent manner.Rg2 also time-dependently inhibited the CA secretion induced by 3-(m-chloro-phenyl-carbamoyl-oxy)-2-butynyltrimethyl ammonium chloride (McN-A-343), 1.1-dimethyl-4-phenyl piperazinium iodide (DMPP), and angiotensin II (Ang II). Also, during perfusion of Rg2, the CA secretion induced by high K+ , veratridine, cyclopiazonic acid, methyl-1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-3-nitro-4-(2-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl)-pyridine-5-carboxylate (Bay-K-8644) depressed, respectively. In the simultaneous presence of Rg2 and Nω -nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME), the CA secretion induced by ACh, Ang II, Bay-K-8644 and veratridine was restored nearly to the extent of their corresponding control level, respectively, compared to those of inhibitory effects of Rg2-treatment alone. Virtually, NO release in adrenal medulla following perfusion of Rg2 was significantly enhanced in comparison to the corresponding spontaneous release. Also, in the coexistence of Rg2 and fimasartan, ACh-induced CA secretion was markedly diminished compared to the inhibitory effect of fimasartantreated alone. Collectively, these results demonstrated that Rg2 suppressed the CA secretion induced by activation of cholinergic as well as angiotensinergic receptors from the perfused model of the rat adrenal gland.This Rg2-induced inhibitory effect seems to be exerted by reducing both influx of Na + and Ca 2+ through their ionic channels into the adrenomedullary cells as well as by suppressing Ca 2+ release from the cytoplasmic calcium store, at least through the elevated NO release by activation of NO synthase, which is associated to the blockade of neuronal cholinergic and AT 1 -receptors. Based on these results, the ingestion of Rg2 may be helpful to alleviate or prevent the cardiovascular diseases, via reduction of CA release in adrenal medulla and consequent decreased CA level in circulation.

Protein C exerts anticoagulatory effects by inactivating factor V and VII and stimulating fibrinolysis. Hereditary protein C-deficient individuals have an increased risk of venous thrombosis and thromboembolism at young age. To our knowledge, the deep cerebral venous thrombosis associated with protein C deficiency has not been reported in Korea. A 34-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of sudden onset of headache with nausea, vomiting and ocular pain. He had suffered from recurrent deep vein thrombosis of the right lower extremity for one year. Brain MRI showed thrombosis of the straight and confluent sinuses and venous infarction of the right thalamus. The result of cerebral angiography corresponded to MRI findings. Protein C antigen concentration was decreased to 65% and its functional activity was 37%. Other coagulation test and routine blood examination was normal. The protein C level of his mother was low in both antigen and activity, but protein C levels of three siblings were normal in functional activity. We speculate that the etiology of the deep cerebral venous thrombosis in this patient is associated with protein C deficiency and suggest it is valuable to measure protein C level in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis.
Adult ; Brain ; Cerebral Angiography ; Factor V ; Fibrinolysis ; Headache ; Humans ; Infarction ; Korea ; Lower Extremity ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mothers ; Nausea ; Protein C Deficiency* ; Protein C* ; Siblings ; Thalamus ; Thromboembolism ; Thrombosis* ; Venous Thrombosis ; Vomiting

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a syndrome of obscure origin, occurs particularly in fat adolescent girls and young women. The usual symptoms are headache, blurred vision, a vague dizziness, horizontal diplopia and transient visual obscurations etc., and ophthalmoscopic examination reveals papillederma, due to increased ICP. Visual field testing usually shows slight peripheral constrictions with enlargement of the blind sports. CSF pressure is elevated in the range of 250 to 450 mm of water. Radiological or the other laboratory tests show no specific abnormalities. Treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension is focused on early detection and prevention of vision loss, the only permanent morbidity. Many different modes of medical treatment, including weight reduction, repeated lumber puncture, corticosteroids, diuretics, glycerol or carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, have successfully been tried up to 90% of the patients. In the remaining patients, particularly in those with measurable impairment of vision that does not respond to conventinal medical therapies, surgical procedure should be considered. We report a case of idiopathic intracranial hypertension successfully treated with optic nerve sheath fenestration.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones ; Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors ; Constriction ; Diplopia ; Diuretics ; Dizziness ; Female ; Glycerol ; Headache ; Humans ; Optic Nerve* ; Pseudotumor Cerebri* ; Punctures ; Sports ; Visual Field Tests ; Water ; Weight Loss

Postoperative hypertension occurs often in hypertensive patients due to pain, hypercapnia, hypoxemia, or excessive intravascular fluid volume. In addition, tracheal extubation exacerbates hypertension and tachycardia, which leads to left ventricular failure, myocardial infarction, or cerebral hemorrhage. We experienced a case of recurrent intracerebral hemorrhage after extubation in the postanesthetic care unit. The patient was 50-year old female who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy. Three months ago, she suffered a hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage with conservative treatment. Anesthesia induction and intraoperative course were relatively uneventful. In the postanesthetic care unit, she had voluntary movement of all limbs to command and fully awake consciousness. Immediately after tracheal extubation, the blood pressure was increased sharply to 200/110 mmHg. After then, the patient's mental status was deteriorated and the motor weakness of left extremities was developed. Brain CT showed a hypertensive hemorrhage at the right putamen and emergency stereotaxic aspiration was performed. After rehabilitative treatment, the patient was discharged with alert mental status and moderate improvement of motor weakness.
Airway Extubation ; Anesthesia ; Anoxia ; Blood Pressure ; Brain ; Cerebral Hemorrhage* ; Consciousness ; Emergencies ; Extremities ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypercapnia ; Hypertension ; Hysterectomy ; Intracranial Hemorrhage, Hypertensive ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; Putamen ; Tachycardia

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate changes of colon transit time according to prokinetic medication and characteristics of the anorectal manometry in patients with neurogenic bowel due to spinal cord injury. METHOD: Twelve patients with cervical and thoracic cord injury were enrolled, and classified into complete and incomplete spinal cord injury according to the severity of injury. The colon transit time before and after prokinetic medications were measured. The anorectal manometry was performed after the first study of colon transit time. RESULTS: The colon transit time of pre-prokinetic medications were 17.1+/-12.6 hours for the right colon, 26.9+/-13.2 for the left colon, 21.5+/-14.0 for the rectosigmoid colon, and the total transit time was 65.5+/-5.3 hours. The time of post-prokinetic medications was 14.3+/-7.6 hours for the right colon, 25.8+/-10.3 for the left colon, 7.4+/-5.3 for the rectosigmoid colon, and the total transit time was 33.1+/-11.5 hours. The rectosigmoid colon transit time and total colon transit time were significantly different between pre- and post-prokinetic medications (p<0.05). In the anorectal manometry, mean resting anal pressure was 33.3+/-10.7 mmHg and maximal resting anal pressure was 99.0+/-43.4 mmHg. There were no difference in the colon transit time and anorectal manometry between complete and incomplete injured patients. CONCLUSION: The difficulties of defecation in spinal cord injured patients were not only due to uncontrolled anal sphincter but also due to dysfunction of colon motility. The prokinetic medications were effective in reducting the rectosigmoid and total colon transit time.
Anal Canal ; Colon* ; Defecation ; Humans ; Manometry* ; Neurogenic Bowel* ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord*

BACKGROUND: Automated border detection (ABD) echocardiography is a convenient and objective tool in the estimation of left atrial (LA) area and function when compared to the off-line, two-dimensional echocardiographic method that requires manual tracing of the endocardial border. In addition, the applicability of the ABD system to instantaneously derive LA area and function may provide a noninvasive method to assess the diastolic interaction between the left ventricle and the left atrium. METHOD: 53 patients with a normal sinus rhythm and an apical four chamber view of LA area (in which at least 75% of the endocardium was clearly visible) were selected for this study. The on-line echocardiographic assessment of LA areas and function with automated boundary detection was performed and compared with the off-line estimation. From the instantaneous cavity area displayed by the ABD system, the extents of left atrial area decrease resulting from rapid ventricular filling (D) and atrial contraction (AC) were measured. The D/AC ratio was compared with the transmitral Doppler flow velocity E/A ratio. RESULTS: 1) The end-systolic area (ESA) and the end-diastolic area (EDA) of the left atrium, diastolic atrial emptying index (AEMI) and the systolic atrial expansion index (AEXI) with the ABD system were not different from those with the off-line, manually trace method. 2) ESA, EDA, AEMI and AEXI determined by the ABD system and the off-line method showed strong correlations (r=0.87, 0.79, 0.52 and 0.49 respectively). 3) D/AC ratio with the ABD system correlated significantly with the transmitral Doppler velocity E/A ratio (r=0.70). CONCLUSION: The ABD system may be used in the assessment of LA area and LA function and the diastolic interaction between the left atrium and the left ventricle.
Echocardiography* ; Endocardium ; Heart Atria ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans

OBJECT: A hangover is characterized by the constellation of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms that occur 8-16hr after alcohol drinking. We evaluated the effects of experimentally induced alcohol hangover on immune functions by the measurement of cytokine production. METHODS: A total of 13 normal adults males participated in this study. They did not have any previous histories of psychiatric or medical disorder. We defined the experimentally induced hangover condition by 13 hours after drinking high doses of alcohol(1.5g/kg of body weight). Venous blood was taken before the alcohol drinking & during the experimental hangover conditions. Monocyte was separated and stimulated with phytohemagglutinin. Cytokine production was measured by ELISA for IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, INF-gamma, TNF-alpha. RESULTS: The production of cytokines IL-10, IL-12 and INF-gamma were increased during hangover conditions. CONCLUSIONS: There is an changes in the production of cytokines IL-10, IL-12 and INF-gamma during hangover conditions. Thus, our results supported the hypothesis that acute alcohol treatment might affect Th1/Th2 immune balance by altering monocyte production of IL-12 and IL-10. These results suggested that elevated monocyte-derived IL-10 can contribute to the cellular immune abnormalities during hangover conditions.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking* ; Cytokines ; Drinking ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-12 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Male ; Monocytes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of recirculation rate according to cannulation direction and interval among hemodialysis patients with arteriovenous fistula (AVF).METHOD: The research used repeated measures design. This study was conducted among thirty patients who received hemodialysis three times a week for longer than a year through AVF at the I University hospital. Three different types of interventions were administered to the participants each week for three weeks. Needles were placed at a different distance and in a different direction each week: 7 cm apart from each other in antegrade direction during the first week, 5 cm apart in retrograde direction in the following week, and 7 cm apart in retrograde direction in the third week.RESULTS: No significant differences in the recirculation rate were found due to any of the three tested methods (p = 1.00).CONCLUSION: This finding suggests that, if the patients have well-functioned AVF, we can choose an appropriate intervention from among the three methods in consideration of the patient's diverse needs.
Arteriovenous Fistula ; Catheterization ; Humans ; Methods ; Needles ; Punctures ; Renal Dialysis

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of the electrical stimulation to the sacral dermatomes for the neurogenic bowel of the spinal cord injured patients. METHOD: Eleven patients with cervical and thoracic cord injury were enrolled, and classified into two groups, control and electrical stimulation (ES) group. The colon transit time before and after electrical stimulation for 4 weeks to the sacral dermatomes were measured on the ES group, and measured at the same time on control group. The rectoanal manometries were performed after studies of colon transit time on the ES group. RESULTS: The colon transit time measured before electrical stimulation were 16.1+/-13.8 hours for the right colon; 20.1+/-23.3 hours for the left colon; 14.7+/-12.3 hours for the rectosigmoid colon; and the total transit time was 51.0+/-23.4 hours. The time of after electrical stimulation was 8.0+/-5.7 hours for the right colon; 12.8+/-2.2 hours for the left colon; 15.4+/-13.8 hours for the rectosigmoid colon; and the total transit time was 36.2+/-12.8 hours. The left colon transit time and total colon transit time before electrical stimulation were significantly improved compared to after electrical stimulation on the ES group (p<0.05). The left colon transit time of the ES group was significantly improved compared with control group (p<0.05). In the rectoanal manometry, the mean resting anal pressure and threshold of rectoanal inhibitory reflex were increased after the electrical stimulation. CONCLUSION: The electrical stimulation to the sacral dermatomes on the spinal cord injured patient could effectively enhance colon transit, especially on the left colon. In addition, muscular activity of the anal sphincter was enhanced.
Anal Canal ; Colon ; Control Groups ; Electric Stimulation* ; Humans ; Manometry ; Neurogenic Bowel* ; Reflex ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord*