PURPOSE: Angiotensin(ANG) II regulates tone of penile smooth muscle for erection. ANG III is a product converted from ANG II by aminopeptidase A. The effects of ANG III have not been clarified in the penile corpus cavernosum. The purpose of the present experiment was to determine whether the ANG III has regulatory function in the control of rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tone. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A strip of rabbit corpus cavernosum was mounted in an organ chamber to measure the isometric tension. We compared the effects of ANG III(10-7M to 10-5M), ANG II(10-8M to 10-6M) and ANG I(10-7M to 10-5M) on the contractility of the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. RESULTS: ANG III, ANG II, and ANG I contracted corpus cavernosum smooth muscle strips dose-dependently. The contraction of smooth muscle induced by ANG III was 10 fold less by ANG II. Contractile response to ANG III was not attenuated by captopril(angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor). Contractile response to ANG III was significantly inhibited by Dup 753 of 10-7M(type 1 specific ANG II receptor inhibitor) but not inhibited by PD 123,319 of 10-6M(type 2 specific ANG II inhibitor). CONCLUSIONS: The present results suggest that ANG III is involved in the regulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle tone, and contractile effect to ANG III produced via activation of type 1 ANG II (AT1) receptor. The rank order of potency of contraction was as follows, ANG II>ANG IIIANG I.
Angiotensin I* ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensin III* ; Angiotensins* ; Glutamyl Aminopeptidase ; Losartan ; Muscle, Smooth*

No abstract available.
Angiotensin I ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Autoradiography ; Receptors, Angiotensin* ; Renin* ; Renin-Angiotensin System*

No abstract available.
Angiotensin I ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Autoradiography ; Receptors, Angiotensin* ; Renin* ; Renin-Angiotensin System*

BACKGROUND: The initial insulin dose is often determined by clinical experience or with a formula using the body weight. However, it may be difficult to determine the initial insulin dose because various factors such as insulin sensitivity and the glycemic status can influence the insulin requirement. The purpose of this study was to assess the factors that influence the initial insulin requirement in insulin naive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A total 128 patients who were admitted for glycemic control were investigated. The patients were managed with long-acting insulin glargine and rapid-acting insulin lispro. RESULTS: The basal insulin requirement was positively correlated with waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), the HbA1C, AST, ALT, fasting plasma glucose and 2-hour postprandial glucose levels and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), but it was negatively correlated with age and the stimulated C-peptide level. The daily insulin requirement was positively correlated with waist circumference, BMI, the HbA1C, AST, ALT, triglyceride, fasting plasma glucose and 2-hour postprandial glucose level and HOMA-IR, but it was negatively correlated with age. On the multiple linear regression analysis, the basal insulin requirement was independently associated with BMI (beta = 0.507, p < 0.001), the 2-hour postprandial glucose level (beta = 0.307, p < 0.001), the ALT level (beta = 0.214, P = 0.015) and the meal-stimulated C-peptide level (beta = -0.209, P = 0.010). The daily insulin requirement was independently associated with BMI (beta = 0.508, p < 0.001) and the 2-hour postprandial glucose level (beta = 0.404, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results show that the BMI and 2-hour postprandial glucose level are useful predictors of the initial insulin requirement in insulin naive type 2 diabetic patients. It may be prudent to consider the other various factors that influence the insulin requirement together when insulin therapy is required.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; C-Peptide ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Lispro ; Insulin Resistance ; Insulin, Long-Acting ; Insulin, Short-Acting ; Linear Models ; Plasma ; Waist Circumference ; Insulin Glargine

BACKGROUND: It has been already known that each trophic hormone in combined pituitary responsiveness according to gender and age brings about variable response, but in Korea, there has been no actual data. In this study, in order to assess the pituitary responsiveness, a combined pituitary stimulation test was performed in Korean subjects with the variation in CRH, GHRH, GnRH, and TRH according to their age and gender. Were these the variables that were changed according to age and gender? Clarify that. Also, it might be good to write out the abbreviations.) METHOD: Fourteen physically and mentally healthy male subjects and fourteen female subjects, also physically and mentally healthy, underwent the combined anterior pituitary stimulation test by CRH, GHRH, LHRH, and TRH. Each gender group was divided further into young(meanSE; male: 231, female: 221) and old (mean; male: 513, female: 522) groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the gender and age groups. The Peak GH level and maximal GH increment were significantly increased in young men compared to old men. The Peak ACTH level and maximal ACTH increment were significantly increased in old men as opposed to young men. The Peak PRL level, maximal PRL increment, Peak TSH level, and maximal TSH increment were significantly increased in old women compared to old men. The Peak FSH level was significantly increased in the two old groups compared to the young groups, which showedindependence in gender, and the maximal FSH increment was significantly increased in old men when compared with the young men. CONCLUSION: These results show that in order to for accurate interpretation of the response from the combined pituitary stimulation test, it is necessary to consider age and gender of the subjects. We suggest response values of the combined pituitary stimulation test in terms of age and gender in healthy Korean subjects.
Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Female ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone* ; Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone ; Humans* ; Korea ; Male

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of 'Guanyuan" (CV 4) on the stress-related hormones, proteins and genes in natural menopausal rats, and explore its protective mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty eight healthy female SD rats were used in this study, in which 16 rats aged 4 months were used as normal control group, the rest 10-month-old rats with disorder of estrus cycle were randomly divided into 7 groups, including 4 control groups at the age of 10, 12, 14 and 16 months, and 3 preventive moxibustion groups at the age of 12, 14 and 16 months, 16 cases in each group. The 10-month-old rats were treated with preventive moxibustion at the acupoint of "Guanyuan" (CV 4), twice a week for 8 weeks consistently, then observed on the following 12, 14 and 16 months. Its effects on the level of heat shock protein 70 (HSP 70), heat shock protein 70 mRNA (HSP 70 mRNA), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in the different nuclei of hypothalamus were examined with radio-immunity, immunohistochemistry or in situ hybridization methods.

RESULTSIn the control groups, the expression of HSP 70 and HSP 70 mRNA was increased in paraventricular, arcuate and supraoptic nucleus, the level of CRH, beta-EP was showed with declining trend in volatility, while the content of ACTH was increased. In comparison to the same-aged control groups, the preventive moxibustion groups were showed that the expression of HSP 70 in the 14-month-old group was lower and the expression of HSP 70 mRNA in the 12 and 16-month-old group was significantly higher in the paraventricular nucleus (all P < 0.05), the expression of HSP 70 in the 12 and 14-month-old groups and HSP 70 mRNA in the 12-month-old group was significantly increased in the arcuate nucleus (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the expression of HSP 70 in the 14-month-old group and HSP 70 mRNA in the 12 and 16-month-old group was significantly decreased in the supraoptic nucleus (all P < 0.05), the content of CRH and ACTH decreased significantly in 14-month group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), but the content of beta-EP obviously went up in the 12-month-old group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPreventive moxibustion at the acupoint of "Guanyuan" (CV 4) can regulate the expression of stress proteins, genes and hormones in the hypothalamus for the natural menopausal rats, which might be playing a protective role.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; metabolism ; Animals ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Female ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypothalamic Hormones ; metabolism ; Menopause ; genetics ; metabolism ; Models, Animal ; Moxibustion ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; beta-Endorphin ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors(ACEi) do not decrease plasma angiotensin II levels in chronic use to the same extent as in acute use. this reincrease in angiotensin II level is explained either by a renin-mediated reactive rise in plasma angiotensin I or by non-ACE dependent angiotensin II generation. The aim of this study was to compare the additive effects of an ACEi and angiotensin II receptor antagonist(AT1a) in antiproteinuric effect, hyperkalemia, and hypotension. METHODS: 58 outpatients with chronic renal insufficiency were included and they were randomly classified into two groups : Group I(prescribed AT1a only), Group II(AT1a and ACEi combination therapy), and the changes of serum creatinine, the amount of proteinuria, the developement of hyperkalemia, and hypotension were evaluated. RESULTS: In group I, the amount of proteinuria decreased to 92.8% of initial amount at 1 month after the start of drugs. 2 of 28 patients(7.1%) developed hyperkalemia, and serum creatinine did not change (1.686+/-1.415mg/dL 1.821+/-1.301mg/dL, p=0.289). But in combination therapy group, serum creatinine level increased from baseline value of 1.466+/-0.619mg/dL to 1.800+/-0.881mg/dL(p=0.05), proteinuria did not change (101% of initial amount), and 7 of 30 patients(23.3%) developed hyperkalemia. CONCLUSION: Combination therapy seems to have no additive antiproteinuric effect, but serum creatinine and potassium levels should be closely monitered during the combination therapy.
Angiotensin I ; Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins* ; Creatinine ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Hypotension ; Outpatients ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A* ; Plasma ; Potassium ; Proteinuria ; Receptors, Angiotensin* ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

No abstract available.
Angiotensin II* ; Angiotensins*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in stress hormones in neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) and explore the clinical value of mild hypothermia therapy for treatment of NPE.

METHODSFifty-two patients with cerebral hemorrhage patients and concomitant NPE were randomly divided into two groups for local mild hypothermia therapy (23 cases, LMH group) or routine treatment (29 cases, RT group). In the former group, local mild hypothermia therapy was applied in addition to the routine treatment. The changes of serum corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosteroid (Cor), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and blood sugar were observed before and 7 days after the treatment, and compared with those of 58 NPE-free patients with cerebral hemorrhage and 40 healthy individuals.

RESULTSSerum CRH, ACTH, Cor, and AVP levels and blood sugar in NPE patients and the NPE-free patients were all significantly higher than those in the healthy individuals (P<0.01), and the levels were significantly higher in NPE patients than in the NPE-free patients (P<0.05). In the NPE patients, the mortality rate and NIHSS score were significantly lower in RT group (P<0.01); after 7 days of treatment, both LMH and RT groups showed significant reduction in serum CRH, ACTH, Cor, and AVP levels (P<0.05), and the reduction was more conspicuous in LMH group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe occurrence of NPE is closely associated with stress reactions, which might be the basis of NPE. Local mild hypothermia therapy improves of the quality of life of NPE patients and also decreases the mortality of NPE possibly by inhibiting the secretion of stress hormones and stabilizing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Adult ; Aged ; Arginine Vasopressin ; blood ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; blood ; Female ; Head ; Humans ; Hypothermia, Induced ; methods ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; blood ; complications ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Edema ; blood ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the anti-motion sickness efficacy and influence on the blood level of some hormones of a Chinese prescription composed of 10 herbs such as spina date seed.

METHODSAccording to the report by Cramptom and Lucot, SD rats and Beagle dogs were rotated around a horizontal axis, and the rat behavior of pica for Kaolin and the latency to vomit in dog were observed. In addition, guinea pigs were rotated around a vertical axis, and the nystagmus was recorded. Blood levels of corticosterone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) in rats were measured with radioimmunoassay. The influences of the extracted mixture of herbs on these variables were simultaneously investigated.

RESULTSCompared with control group, oral administration of the extracted mixture of herbs: (1) significantly inhibited the rat behavior of pica for Kaolin and prolonged the latency to vomit in dog dose-dependently; (2) decreased the frequency of nystagmus and mean slow phase speed in rat; (3) reduced the elevation of corticosterone, ACTH, CRH and AVP in rat blood induced by rotatory stimulation; and (4) these effects of the extracted mixture of herbs were almost identical to dimenhydrinate.

CONCLUSION(1) The extracted mixture of Chinese Medicinal Herbs we used could inhibit motion sickness effectively. (2) This drug could reduce the blood levels of hormones of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis and AVP elevated by provocative rotatory stimulation.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Animals ; Arginine Vasopressin ; blood ; Corticosterone ; blood ; Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone ; blood ; Dogs ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Male ; Motion Sickness ; blood ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley