OBJECTIVES: The present study was performed to investigate whether estrogen and progesterone induce the change of vascular tone in endothelium-denuded human uterine artery and vascular reactivity may be mediated by intracelluar calcium modulation through receptor- and voltage-dependent calcium channels. METHODS: The uterine arteries were obtained at the time of hysterectomy from 28 women followed by denudation of endothelium. After confirmation of functional integrity of endothelium-denuded uterine artery, vascular reactivity was measured by using isometric force transducer and recorded by physiograph. Contraction was induced by 10-6 M norepinephrine and 35mM high concentrated potassium chloride solution which activated receptor-dependent calcium channel and voltage-dependent calcium channel, respectively.Thereafter estradiol of 4 different concentrations from 3x10-11M to 3x10-8M was administered. Progesterone was also administered to endothelium-denuded uterine artery which was contracted by 10-6M norepinephrine and high potassium chloride solution. To evaluate the effect of additional progesterone on vascular smooth muscle relaxation effect of estrogen,4 different progesterones in concentrations from 3x10-8M to 3x10-5M were given to vascular smooth muscle which was initially pretreated with norepinephrine followed by relaxation of estradiol. RESULTS: Estradiols from 3x10-11M to 3x10-8M showed in significant dose-dependent vascular relaxation. Progesterones result in significant decrease in vascular contraction in concentration dependent manner. Additional progesterone on estrogenic effects also results in significant decrease in vascular contraction. CONCLUSION: Estradiol may have endothelium independent vasorelaxation effect in human uterine artery. These vasorelaxant effects may be mediated through antagonistic action for receptor-and voltage-dependent calcium channels in vascular smooth muscle. Progesterone also bring about vasorelaxation by same action in endothelium-denuded vascular smooth muscle. On estrogen induced vascular relaxation, progesterone results in additional vasorelaxation.
Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Endothelium ; Estradiol ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Norepinephrine ; Potassium Chloride ; Progesterone* ; Relaxation ; Transducers ; Uterine Artery* ; Vasodilation

Medical device industry has characteristics of multi-disciplinary convergence and is easy to apply with information communication technology. Such nature makes Korea medical device industry more globally competitive than the pharmaceutical industry. The foreign direct investment (FDI) of service industry in Korea continues to be at a standstill and the medical device industry is not an exception. Among this stagnant FDI situation in Korea, Covidien, a global medical device company has established the Covidien Center of Innovation as both an education and training facility for domestic and foreign healthcare professionals and a medical device research and development (R&D) center in August 2013. Along with the global attractiveness of superior clinical outcomes generated by healthcare professionals, the future medical device industry development will be fueled by continued R&D investments, researchoriented hospital R&D activities, and clinical studies, etc. It is important to provide attractive investment environments to embrace FDI similar to Covidien Center of Innovation into Korea in order to leverage healthcare professionals' competency at maximum and lead collaboration between medical device companies and healthcare professionals. It is imperative that 'innovative medical device enterprise' certification system similar to the curent 'innovative pharmaceutical enterprise certification' is created. If additional premium reimbursement prices are granted to medical devices developed and manufactured by the innovative enterprises which contribute to domestic R&D and healthcare professional education and training through FDI in Korea, it will help FDI activation in Korea to a great extent. And the reimbursement coverage for routine care costs in clinical trial will stimulate FDI in Korea.
Certification ; Cooperative Behavior ; Delivery of Health Care ; Drug Industry ; Education ; Education, Professional ; Equipment and Supplies ; Financing, Organized ; Investments* ; Korea

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate whether 1) progestogens induce changes of vascular tone in endothelium-denuded smooth muscles of human uterine artery, 2) endothelium-independent vascular reactivity is mediated by intracelluar calcium ion modulation through 2 types of calcium channel, both voltage- and receptor-dependent and 3) 3 kinds of progestogen such as a progesterone, C19 nortestosterone(norethindrone acetate ; NETA) and C21 progestogen(medroxyprogesterone acetate ; MPA), have a different vasoreactivity. METHODS: The uterine arteries were obtained at the time of hysterectomy from 24 women who had no cardiovascular disease risk factors and the endothelium was denuded. Vascular reactivity was monitored by using isometric force transducer and recorded by physiograph. Endothelial integrity was assessed by adding 10micrometer acetylcholine(endothelium-dependent vasorelaxant) to the specimens, which were pretreated with 1micrometer norepinephrine(alpha-adrenergic stimulant). The integrity of smooth muscle was assessed by adding 10micrometer sodium nitroprusside(endotelium -independent vasorelaxant) and 10micrometer tamsulosin(alpha-adrenergic blocker) to the specimens, pretreated with 1micrometer norepinephrine. The uterine smooth muscles were pretreated with 35mM and 70mM potassium chloride and 10-7M and 10-6M norepinephrine. Three kinds of progestogen - progesterone, NETA and MPA - each at 5 different concentrations(10-9g/ml, 10-8g/ml, 10-7g/ml, 10-6g/ml and 10-5g/ml) were used. RESULTS: The loss of endothelial function and adequacy of smooth muscle function were confirmed. Three kinds of progestogen had concentration-dependent inhibitory effects on vascular smooth muscle contr action induced by high potassium solution and norepinephrine, respcetively. There were no siginificant differences noted among the inhibitory effects of three progestogens in 35mM concentration of potassium solution and 10-6M norepinephrine induced muscular contraction. In 70mM potassium solution, there were significant differences among the three progestogens-induced inhibitory effects. Progesterone showed the most potent inhibitory effect, NETA was intermediate, and MPA had the mildest effect. In 10-7M norepinephrine, progesterone had more potent inhibitory effect than NETA or MPA. The difference between progesterone and NETA/MPA was statistically siginificant, with no significance between NETA and MPA. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that progestogens have a concentration-dependent vaso-relaxant effect on endothelium-denuded vasular smooth muscles via a calcium antagonistic mechanism of direct inhibitory effects on receptor- and voltage-dependent calcium ion channels. This vaso-relaxant effect of progestogens differed among a variety of progestogens. In conclusion, the progestogens combined with estrogens have not antagonistic effect on vaso-relaxation at least and maybe have synergistic effect with estrogens, in vivo.
Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Endothelium ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Muscle Contraction ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Norepinephrine ; Potassium ; Potassium Chloride ; Progesterone ; Progestins* ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Transducers ; Uterine Artery

No abstract available.
Hair Removal*

The biological activity of particles is largely dependent on their size in biological systems. Dispersion in the aqueous phase has been both a critical impediment to and a prerequisite for particle studies. Carbon black has been used as a surrogate to investigate the biological effects of carbonaceous particles. Here, biocompatible methods were established to disperse carbon black into ultrafine and fine particles which are generally distinguished by the small size of 100 nm. Carbon black with a distinct particle size, N330 and N990 were suspended in blood plasma, cell culture media, Krebs-Ringer's solution (KR), or physiological salt solution (PSS). Large clumps were observed in all dispersion preparations; however, sonication improved dispersion - averaged particle sizes for N330 and N990 were 85.0 +/- 42.9 and 112.4 +/- 67.9 nm, respectively, in plasma; the corresponding sizes in culture media were 84.8 +/- 38.4 and 164.1 +/- 77.8 nm. However, sonication was not enough to disperse N330 less than 100 nm in either KR or PSS. Application of Tween 80 along with sonication reduced the size of N330 to less than 100 nm, and dispersed N990 larger than 100 nm (73.6 +/- 28.8 and 80.1 +/- 30.0 nm for N330 and 349.5 +/- 161.8 and 399.8 +/- 181.1 nm for N990 in KR and PSS, respectively). In contrast, 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) exhibited little effect. Electron microscopy confirmed the typical aciniform structure of the carbon arrays; however, zeta potential measurement failed to explain the dispersibility of carbon black. The methods established in this study could disperse carbon black into ultrafine and fine particles, and may serve as a useful model for the study of particle toxicity, particularly size-related effects.
1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine ; Carbon ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Culture Media ; Microscopy, Electron ; Particle Size ; Plasma ; Polysorbates ; Silicones ; Sonication ; Soot

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess how nutrient intakes are related to risk factors for metabolic syndrome according to dietary patterns in the middle-aged adults. METHODS: The subjects (n = 187; 47 men, 140 women) consisted of middle-aged adults over 30 years old in Ilsan area. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the data collected from each subject, including anthropometric measurements and blood analyses. The dietary patterns were derived from the average of two-day dietary intake data. RESULTS: Factor analysis identified three major dietary patterns which were "Meats and alcohol", "Mixed grains, vegetables and fruits", and "Rice, Kimchi and fish & shellfish". The daily intakes of energy, protein, and sodium increased across quartiles of "Meats and alcohol" pattern scores (p < 0.05), whereas the intakes of carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, and fiber increased across quartiles of "Mixed grains, vegetables and fruits" pattern scores (p < 0.001). The "Meats and alcohol" pattern scores were positively correlated with protein and sodium intakes but inversely correlated with carbohydrates, fiber and potassium intakes which were adjusted for age, sex and energy (p < 0.05). The highest quartile pattern score of "Meats and alcohol" pattern had elevated odds ratio of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). The risk of hypertriglyceridemia decreased in the highest quartile of "Mixed grains, vegetables and fruits" pattern (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.12-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that reducing the consumption of meat and alcohol along with increasing fruits, vegetables and mixed grains would be helpful for preventing the metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases.
Adult* ; Calcium ; Carbohydrates ; Edible Grain ; Chronic Disease ; Fruit ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Male ; Meat ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Potassium ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of deaths in Korea. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education in reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake in hypertensive adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects who participated in this study were 88 adults (28 males and 60 females) who were pre-hypertension or untreated hypertensive patients aged ≥ 30 yrs in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. These subjects were divided into 2 groups: a lowsodium education (LS) group and a low-sodium high-potassium education (LSHP) group. Nutrition education of 3 sessions for 12 weeks was conducted. Blood pressure, blood and urine components, nutrient intake, and dietary behavior were compared between the two education groups.RESULT: Blood pressure was decreased in both groups after the nutrition education (P < 0.05). In the LSHP group, levels of blood glucose (P< 0.05), total cholesterol (P< 0.01), and lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol (P< 0.05) were decreased after the program completion. Sodium intake was decreased in both groups after the nutrition education (P< 0.05). However, Na/K ratio was only decreased in the LS group (P< 0.05). Intake frequency of fish & shellfish was only significantly reduced in the LS group (P< 0.05), while intake frequencies of cooked rice, noodles & dumplings, breads & snacks, stew, kimchi, and fish & shellfish were reduced in the LSHP group (P< 0.05). Total score of dietary behavior appeared to be effectively decreased in both groups after the education program (P< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This education for reducing sodium intake was effective in reducing blood pressure and sodium intake. The education for enhancing potassium intake resulted in positive changes in blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to investigate 1) whether equol has the direct modulation on vascular tone of endothelium-denuded human uterine artery, and 2) if present, whether this equol-induced modulation of vascular tone is mediated by intracellular calcium modulation through Ca2+ & K+ channels on vascular smooth muscle cell membrane. METHODS: The uterine arteries were obtained at the time of hysterectomy from 15 women. The uterine smooth muscles were pretreated with phenylephrine, 10(-5) M & high KCl solution 70 mM. The equol at 6 different concentrations from 10(-11) to 10(-6) M were used for the evaluation of modulatory action of equol on precontracted vascular smooth. The cumulative concentration-response for equol were determined on phenylephrine-induced contractions and compared with the results without pretreatment. RESULTS: Equol 10(-11) to 10(-6) M in concentration showed relaxation effect on vascular smooth muscle contraction which was induced by phenylephrine 10(-5) M. This relaxation effect of equol was dose-dependent. Equol in same concentrations showed no significant effects on vascular smooth muscle contraction induced by high KCI solution. Phenylephrine-induced contraction was markedly reduced from 10(-7) to 10(-4) M in concentration by pretreatment of equol, but high KCI-induced contraction was not affected by pretreatment of equol. CONCLUSIONS: This vasodilatation effect of equol may be induced by calcium antagonistic action, which was mediated through antagonistic action for receptor-dependent Ca2+ channel, but not for voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. As far as we know, this is the first report of phytoestrogen equol on vascular reactivity of human vessels.
Calcium ; Cell Membrane ; Equol ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Muscle, Smooth ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; Phenylephrine ; Phytoestrogens ; Relaxation ; Uterine Artery* ; Vasodilation*

The pentacyclic triterpenoid ursolic acid (UA) and its isomer oleanolic acid (OA) are ubiquitous in food and plant medicine, and thus are easily exposed to the population through natural contact or intentional use. Although they have diverse health benefits, reported cardiovascular protective activity is contentious. In this study, the effect of UA and OA on platelet aggregation was examined on the basis that alteration of platelet activity is a potential process contributing to cardiovascular events. Treatment of UA enhanced platelet aggregation induced by thrombin or ADP, which was concentration-dependent in a range of 5-50 microM. Quite comparable results were obtained with OA, in which OA-treated platelets also exhibited an exaggerated response to either thrombin or ADP. UA treatment potentiated aggregation of whole blood, while OA failed to increase aggregation by thrombin. UA and OA did not affect plasma coagulation assessed by measuring prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time. These results indicate that both UA and OA are capable of making platelets susceptible to aggregatory stimuli, and platelets rather than clotting factors are the primary target of them in proaggregatory activity. These compounds need to be used with caution, especially in the population with a predisposition to cardiovascular events.
Adenosine Diphosphate ; Blood Platelets ; Insurance Benefits ; Oleanolic Acid* ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Plants ; Plasma ; Platelet Aggregation* ; Prothrombin Time ; Thrombin

PURPOSE: To investigate involvement of chronic estrogen deficiency in impairment of relaxation response of the clitoral cavernous smooth muscle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand white female rabbits were randomly divided control (sham operation, n=6) and experimental groups; 1) bilateral oophorectomy (n=8), 2) oophorectomy with estradiol replacement (n=7), 3) oophorectomy with flutamide treatment (n=6). All the rabbits were sacrificed 12 weeks after the operations. Blood levels of estradiol and lipid fractions were measured just before the operations and sacrifice. Clitoral cavernous strips were obtained to observe relaxation responses to endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilators, and electrical field stimulation (ESF). RESULTS: The uterus weight and serum estradiol level decreased significantly (p<0.01) in the oophorectomy group compared with the baseline data. The serum levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low density lipoprotein increased significantly (p<0.01) in the oophorectomy group. The relaxations of the clitoral strips to acetylcholine were significantly attenuated in the oophorectomy group compared with those of the control and estrogen replacement groups. However, sodium nitroprusside- and nonadrenergic noncholinergic-induced relaxations were not significantly different among the 4 groups. No significant histologic changes were noted in the clitoral tissues of the oophorectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Chronic estrogen deficiency in the rabbits may cause impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation of clitoral corpus cavernosal smooth muscles. Further studies are needed to determine whether the hypoesterogenemia itself and/or secondary hypercholesterolemia due to the chronic estrogen deficiency may result in the impairment.
Acetylcholine ; Cholesterol ; Estradiol ; Estrogen Replacement Therapy ; Estrogens ; Female ; Flutamide ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Lipoproteins ; Muscle, Smooth* ; New Zealand ; Ovariectomy ; Rabbits ; Relaxation* ; Sodium ; Triglycerides ; Uterus ; Vasodilator Agents