PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate the antioxidant activities of 50%, 70%, and 100% ethanol extracts of Lycium barbarum leaf and chlorophyll removal extract. METHODS: The antioxidant activities were estimated by measuring total polyphenol content and by assays of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfate) (ABTS) radical scavenging activities and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA fragmentation, and antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) activities of the extracts were measured in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stressed HepG2 cells. RESULTS: The total polyphenol content, DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, and FRAP value of the extracts increased in an ethanol concentration-dependent manner. The antioxidant activities of the chlorophyll-removal extracts were much higher than those of the chlorophyll-containing extracts. Cytotoxicity was not observed in HepG2 cells with extracts up to 1,000 µg/mL. All extracts inhibited ROS production in a concentration-dependent manner from 31.3 µg/mL and inhibited DNA damage at 250 µg/mL. The SOD and catalase activities of cell lines treated with the extracts and H2O2 were similar to those of normal cells, indicating a strong protective effect. CONCLUSION: Lycium barbarum leaf extracts had high antioxidant activities and protected H2O2-stressed HepG2 cells. Since the chlorophyll-removal extract exhibited higher antioxidant activities than the chlorophyll-containing ones and the cytoprotective effect was similar, chlorophyll removal extract of Lycium barbarum leaf could be developed as ingredients of functional food and cosmetics.
Catalase ; Cell Line ; Chlorophyll ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation ; Ethanol ; Functional Food ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Lycium ; Reactive Oxygen Species

A 28-year-old primi gravida visited our department at 20 weeks gestation. The ultrasound screening revealed twin gestation, and follow up screening revealed a bilobed large fetal neck mass in the 1st twin. We measured thyroid volume with ultrasound which was 5.072 cm3. Other fetal organs appeared normal. Cordocentesis was performed for fetal thyroid function and congenital hypothyroidism was confirmed. In addition, maternal thyroid hormones were checked. The other fetus was normal. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in the maternal serum was increased, but thyroxine (T3) was (within normal range). Two weeks later, we checked TSH and free T4 in amniotic fluid and administered intra-amniotic thyroxine (200 ?g). We repeated the procedures 2 more times in two consecutive weeks. After 3 intra-amniotic thyroxine injection, follow-up cordocentesis revealed euthyroid status of the fetus. Although the thyroid gland had decreased in size and volume, it was still goitrous. At 36 weeks of gestation, the patient was admitted for preterm premature rupture of the membranes and the twin was delivered vaginally. The 1st twin was proved as an euthyroid status and antithyroid antibody was not detected. During the 3 years follow up, the baby had no considerable developmental problem. The intrauterine recognition and treatment of congenital goitrous hypothyroidism may not only reduce the obstetric complications associated with large goiters, but possibly improve the prognosis for normal growth and mental development of affected fetuses.
Adult ; Amniotic Fluid ; Congenital Hypothyroidism ; Cordocentesis ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; Fetus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Goiter ; Humans ; Hypothyroidism ; Mass Screening ; Membranes ; Neck ; Pregnancy ; Prognosis ; Rupture ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Hormones ; Thyrotropin ; Thyroxine ; Twins

The spinal cord is a commonly affected site in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Even though the most common disease of the spinal cord is vacuolar myelopathy, there is no case report yet in Korea. We experienced a case of suspicious vacuolar myelopathy in a 33 year-old male patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. The patient presented with progressive paraparesis, gait disturbance, urinary difficulty, and the loss of sensation below thoracic spine 6~7 dermatome. Cerebrospinal fluid showed mild pleocytosis, increased protein level, and normal glucose content. The spine MRI showed extensive ill defined areas of increased signal intensity through the visualized lower cervical and thoracic spinal cord. Steroid therapy with antiretroviral drugs appeared to be ineffective to improve the symptoms of the patient.
Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome* ; Adult ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Gait ; Glucose ; HIV ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocytosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Paraparesis ; Sensation ; Spinal Cord ; Spinal Cord Diseases* ; Spine

Disseminated cryptococcosis is a systemic infection that occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although the attack rate is much higher among immunocompromised patients, cryptococcal disease does occur in persons without any apparent predisposing conditions. A previously healthy 26-year- old man was admitted to the hospital because of persistent fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Despite empirical antibiotic therapy, he developed cutaneous erythematous papules, generalized lymphadenopathy, miliary pulmonary infiltration, and meningitis successively soon after admission. Biopsy of the skin and the cervical lymph node revealed chronic granuloma with cryptococcal organisms and tissue culture of lymph node confirmed cryptococcal infection. He was treated with intravenous amphotericin B plus flucytosine for 2 weeks, and then with fluconazole for 2 months. After the therapy, there was no evidence of recurrence for 2 years.
Adult* ; Amphotericin B ; Biopsy ; Cryptococcosis* ; Fever ; Fluconazole ; Flucytosine ; Granuloma ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Meningitis ; Recurrence ; Skin

Disseminated cryptococcosis is a systemic infection that occurs most commonly in immunocompromised patients, especially those with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Although the attack rate is much higher among immunocompromised patients, cryptococcal disease does occur in persons without any apparent predisposing conditions. A previously healthy 26-year- old man was admitted to the hospital because of persistent fever and cervical lymphadenopathy. Despite empirical antibiotic therapy, he developed cutaneous erythematous papules, generalized lymphadenopathy, miliary pulmonary infiltration, and meningitis successively soon after admission. Biopsy of the skin and the cervical lymph node revealed chronic granuloma with cryptococcal organisms and tissue culture of lymph node confirmed cryptococcal infection. He was treated with intravenous amphotericin B plus flucytosine for 2 weeks, and then with fluconazole for 2 months. After the therapy, there was no evidence of recurrence for 2 years.
Adult* ; Amphotericin B ; Biopsy ; Cryptococcosis* ; Fever ; Fluconazole ; Flucytosine ; Granuloma ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Meningitis ; Recurrence ; Skin