Eui-Ju Lee

Studies on absorption, distribution and metabolism of ginseng in humans after oral administration

AIM OF THE STUDY This study was aimed to characterize the absorption, distribution and metabolism of ginseng in human subjects using pharmacokinetic experiments based on the metabolism by microflora obtained from the feces. MATERIALS AND METHODS We examined how intestinal microflora transforms ginsenoside-Rb1 (G-Rb1) and ginseng extracts into Compound k (C-K) using in vitro experiments with microbial flora obtained from the feces of 32 male subjects. Subsequently, Cmax, Tmax and the area under the blood concentration curve (AUC) for C-K in plasma were estimated by quantitative analysis using LC-MS/MS. The correlation between C-K transforming activity and the AUC of C-K in plasma and other properties were analyzed. RESULTS C-K was absorbed into the blood 24h after oral administration of ginseng, with average values for Tmax, Cmax, and AUC as follows: 10.76+/-2.07 h, 27.89+/-24.46(ng/ml), and 221.98+/-221.42(microg h/ml), respectively. There was a correlation between the C-K transforming activity of G-Rb1 and the C-K transforming activity of ginseng extract by intestinal microflora (Spearmans correlation coefficient=0.402, p<0.05). CONCLUSION The absorption of the final metabolites ginseng is independent of the metabolite transforming activity of intestinal microflora, but the Tmax, Cmax and AUC of the transformed metabolites are dependent on the activity of each individuals microbial flora.

Sasang constitutional types can act as a risk factor for insulin resistance

The prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) was found to differ across different constitutional types defined by the Sasang constitutional medicine, a sub-division of the Korean traditional medicine, implying that the constitutional type of an individual is a trait that can act as an independent risk factor for IR.

The Sasang Constitutional Types Can Act as a Risk Factor for Hypertension

It has been suggested that an approach to hypertension based on the constitutional make-up of an individual may be effective. We conducted a retrospective chart review to explore the association of Sasang constitution with hypertension. The results show that the prevalence of hypertension was highest in the Taeeum (TE) constitutional type, and that the TE constitutional type can act as an independent risk factor for hypertension (OR in TE group = 1.37 (CI 1.06–1.78) (vs. non-TE group)). This indicates that the Sasang constitutional type could explain the variability in individual susceptibilities to hypertension, suggesting a novel constitution-based approach to hypertension.

Acupuncture for Spasticity after Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The aim of this systematic review was to determine how effective acupuncture or electroacupuncture (acupuncture with electrical stimulation) is in treating poststroke patients with spasticity. We searched publications in Medline, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library in English, 19 accredited journals in Korean, and the China Integrated Knowledge Resources Database in Chinese through to July 30, 2013. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with no language restrictions that compared the effects of acupuncture or electroacupuncture with usual care or placebo acupuncture. The two investigators assessed the risk of bias and statistical analyses were performed. Three RCTs in English, 1 in Korean, and 1 in Chinese were included. Assessments were performed primarily with the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Meta-analysis showed that acupuncture or electroacupuncture significantly decreased spasticity after stroke. A subgroup analysis showed that acupuncture significantly decreased wrist, knee, and elbow spasticity in poststroke patients. Heterogeneity could be explained by the differences in control, acupoints, and the duration after stroke occurrence. In conclusion, acupuncture could be effective in decreasing spasticity after stroke, but long-term studies are needed to determine the longevity of treatment effects.

Perspective of the Human Body in Sasang Constitutional Medicine

The Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM), a medical tradition originating from Korea, is distinguished from the traditional Chinese medicine in its philosophical background, theoretical development and especially, the fundamental rationale that analyzes the structure and function of the human body within a quadrifocal scheme. In SCM, the structure of the body is comprehended within the Sasang quadrifocal scheme, and the function of the body is understood within the context of the energy–fluid metabolism and the water–food metabolism controlled by the four main organs (lung, spleen, liver and kidney). Also, the concept of Seong–Jeong is used to explain the structural and functional variations between different constitutional types that arise from the constitutional variations in organ system scheme, which are in turn caused by deviations in the constitutional Seong–Jeong. Therefore, understanding the SCM perspective of the human body is essential in order to fully appreciate the advantages of the constitutional typological system (which focuses on individual idiosyncrasies) found in SCM.

Sasang Constitutional Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine: A Comparative Overview

Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) is a holistic typological constitution medicine which balances psychological, social, and physical aspects of an individual to achieve wellness and increase longevity. SCM has the qualities of preventative medicine, as it emphasizes daily health management based on constitutionally differentiated regimens and self-cultivation of the mind and body. This reviews goal is to establish a fundamental understanding of SCM and to provide a foundation for further study. It compares the similarities and differences of philosophical origins, perspectives on the mind (heart), typological systems, pathology, and therapeutics between SCM and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM is based on the Taoist view of the universe and humanity. The health and longevity of an individual depends on a harmonious relationship with the universe. On the other hand, SCM is based on the Confucian view of the universe and humanity. SCM focuses on the influence of human affairs on the psyche, physiology, and pathology.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Soeumin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Yang Depletion Symptomatology

Objectives This research was proposed to present Clinical Practice Guideline(CPG) for Soeumin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine(SCM): Yang Depletion Symptomatology. Methods This CPG was developed by the national-wide experts committee consisting of the society of Sasang Constitutional Medicine. it was performed by search and collection of literature related SCM, opinion of SCM experts and journal search. And it was followed by CPG`s guideline. Results & Conclusions No article was selected and included in CPG for Yang Depletion Symptomatology of Kidney Heat-based Exterior Heat disease in Soeumin disease. CPG of Yang Depletion symptomatology in Soeumin Disease include classification, definition and standard symptoms of each pattern. Yang Depletion symptomatology is classified into severe and critical pattern by severity. Yang Depletion Symptomatology severe pattern is classified into initial phase pattern and intermediate phase pattern. And Yang Depletion Symptomatology critical pattern is classified into advanced phase pattern.

Suggestion of new possibilities in approaching individual variability in appetite through constitutional typology: a pilot study

BackgroundAppetite is intricately connected to eating behaviors and shows a high individual variability. In an attempt to approach the problem of gut hormone profiles, appetite, and eating behaviors at the individual level, we have adopted a constitutional typing system widely used in traditional East-Asian medicine, the Sasang constitutional typology, in order to determine the individual variations in appetite, eating behavior, and weight change.MethodsThis pilot study was designed to investigate the variability of appetite among individuals by tracking the gut hormone patterns across different constitutional types. Pre- and post-prandial concentrations of anorectic (peptide YY (PYY), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1)) and orexigenic (active ghrelin) gut hormones were measured in healthy, normal-weight (18.5 kg/m2 ≤BMI <23 kg/m2) male subjects aged 20–35 (Soyang (SY) (n = 9), Taeeum (TE) (n = 9), and Soeum (SE) (n = 10) constitutional types).ResultsSignificant differences were found only in the PYY concentrations across the three groups (p = 0.031). The PYY concentration peaked at 30-min post-prandial in the SE group and was significantly higher compared to the other two groups (p = 0.004). The GLP-1 concentration peaked at 15-min post-prandial in the SE group (not significant). The ghrelin levels at 30-min pre-prandial were relatively lower in the TE group compared to the other groups (not significant).ConclusionsIn conclusion, although with weak statistical power, meaningful gut hormone patterns specific to each constitutional type were discovered in this pilot study, which could offer a new method of approaching the problem of appetite and eating behavior from the angle of individual variability in appetite.

The Study on the Energy and Fluid Metabolism and the Pathology and Symptomatology of Taeeumin based on The Discourse on Viscera and Bowels of Donguisusebowon

Abstract The Study on the Energy and Fluid Metabolism and the Pathology and Symptomatologyof Taeeumin based on The Discourse on Viscera and Bowels of Donguisusebowon Jun-Hee Lee, Eui-Ju Lee, and Byung-Hee KohDept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee Univ.ObjectivesWe aimed to analyze the meanings of the energy and fluid metabolism in the Discourse on Viscera and Bowels of Donguisusebowon , and to find the clues for the explanation of the pathology and symptomatology of Taeeumin.MethodsThe Discourse on Viscera and Bowels of Donguisusebowon was reviewed and examined for relevant information on the energy and fluid metabolism from the structural and the functional point of view respectively. And, basedon the derived meanings of the energy and fluid metabolism, the pathology and symptomatology of Taeeumin were analyzed.Results and Conclusions1. The meanings of the energy and fluid metabolism can be explained by the different attributes of the energy and fluid produced from the esophagus and the small intestine, and the different function of exhaling-dispersingand inhaling-concentrating in the different tract of circulation such as Lung affiliation (esophagus, skin, ear and lung) and Liver affiliation (small intestine, flesh, nose and liver).2. The Exterior disease of Taeeumin starts with the weakness of exhaling-dispersing function at the skin, and leads to the dysfunction of the esophagus and the lung sequently. The dysfunction of the lung aggravates that of the skin and the esophagus.3. The Interior disease of Taeeumin begins with excess of the inhaling-concentrating functions at the flesh and the small intestine, and leads to the dysfunction of the lung, which induces the dysfunction of exhaling-concentrationat the skin and esophagus. And, this disparities between exhaling-dispersing and inhaling-concentrating functionsexasperate the problem at the flesh and the small intestine.Key Words: Discourse on Viscera and Bowels, Energy and fluid metabolism, Taeeumin pathology, Taeeumin Symptomatology

Clinical Practice Guideline for Taeeumin and Taeyangin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Overview

Clinical Practice Guideline for Taeeumin and Taeyangin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Overview Eui-Ju Lee, Byung-Hee Koh, Dal-Rae Kim, Jong-Yeol Kim†, Jong-Won Kim‡, Seong-Sik Park, Il-Byung Song∥, Jeong-Mo Song, Taek-Won Ahn, Hyun-Jin Jang, Hwang-Sung Cho Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Kim Dal-Rae Korean Medicine Clinic, †Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, ‡Dept of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, dong-Eui University, Dept of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, ∥Kyung Hee Ji –Haeng Korean Medicine Clinic, Dept of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woo-Suk University, Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, Oriental Hospital of Daejeon University, Korea, Han-Sung Korean Medicine Clinic, Cho Korean Medicine Clinic Objectives This study was aimed to develop the clinical practice guideline for Taeeumin, Taeyangin symptomatology. This was the second clinical practice guideline, which focuses on symptomatology. Methods Donguisusebowon and many articles were reviewed and examined for developing clinical practice guidelines. Among the previous guidelines, we assessed the guidelines by Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II). After AGREE II assessment, we chose and revised the clinical practice guideline. Results and Conclusions By researching and discussing the Taeeumin, Taeyangin symptomatology, we make the principle of the clinical practice guideline, including classification, definition, algorithm, and treatment assessing tool.