Jong-Cheon Joo

Association between Genetic Polymorphism of Multidrug Resistance 1 Gene and Sasang Constitutions.

Multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) is a gene that expresses P-glycoprotein (P-gp), a drug transporter protein. Genetic polymorphisms of MDR1 can be associated with Sasang constitutions because Sasang constitutional medicine (SCM) prescribes different drugs according to different constitutions. A Questionnaire for Sasang Constitution Classification II (QSCC II) was used to diagnose Sasang constitutions. Two hundred and seven healthy people whose Sasang constitutions had been identified were tested. Genotype analyses, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and pyrosequencing were used in MDR1 C1236T, and in MDR1 G2677T/A and C3435T, respectively. Significant differences in MDR1 C1236T genotypes were found between So-yangin and So-eumin. MDR1 G2677T/A genotype also showed significant differences in allele distribution between So-yangin and Tae-eumin. So-yangin and So-eumin showed significant differences in the distribution of both 1236C-2677G-3435C and 1236T-2677G-3435T, haplotypes of MDR1. The genetic polymorphism of the MDR1 gene was thus shown to be an indicator that could distinguish So-yangin from other constitutions.

Association Between Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Gene Polymorphism and Sasang Constitution in Cerebral Infarction

During the last decade, a growing corpus of evidence has indicated an important role of cytokines in the development of brain damage following cerebral ischemia. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a potent immunomodulator and pro-inflammatory cytokine, has been implicated in many pathological processes. In this study, we examined whether promoter region polymorphism in the TNF-alpha gene at position -308 affects the odds of cerebral infarction (CI) and whether genetic risk is enhanced by Sasang constitutional classification. Two hundred and twelve CI patients and 610 healthy controls were genotyped and determined according to Sasang constitutional classification. A significant decrease was found for the TNF-alpha A allele in CI patients compared with controls (p = 0.033, odds ratio, OR: 0.622). However, there was no significant association between TNF-alpha polymorphism and Sasang constitution in CI patients. Our finding suggests that TNF-alpha promoter region polymorphism is responsible for susceptibility to CI in Koreans.

Candidate genes of cerebral infarction and traditional classification in Koreans with cerebral infarction

Sasang constitutional medicine is a major branch of Korean traditional Oriental medicine. The differences of disease susceptibility to be shown in Sasang constitution may be due to genetic factors. Therefore, the authors examined relationship between candidate genes of cerebral infarction (CI) and Sasang constitution. The homozygous deletion allele of the angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE/DD), homozygous threonine allele of the angiotensinogen gene (AGN/TT), and the ϵ4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE/ϵ4) are reported to be associated with ischemic heart disease. CI is another atherosclerotic disease; and the effects of these polymorphisms on CI have been confusing. This study investigated whether ACE/DD, AGN/TT, and ApoE/ϵ4 genotypes are associated with CI and whether genetic risk is enhanced by Sasang constitutional classification. The authors ascertained these genotypes in patients with CI (N=211), diagnosed by brain computed tomography. Control subjects for the infarction group were randomly selected from 319 subjects matched for age, sex, and history of hypertension with patients. The ACE/DD genotype was not associated with CI. However, there was significant association between ApoE polymorphism and CI (χ2=15.089, p<.05). Furthermore, frequency of AGN/TT genotype was higher in the patients with CI than in the controls (χ2=20.072, p<.05). The frequency of T allele was 0.91 in patients and 0.82 in controls (χ2=17.237, p<.05). However, Sasang constitutional classification did not increase the relative risk for CI in the subjects with ApoE/ϵ4 or AGN/T allele. These results suggest that ApoE and AGN polymorphism predict CI, but Sasang constitutional classification does not enhance the risk for CI associated with ApoE/ϵ4 or AGN/TT in a Korean population.

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.

Modified Panax ginseng Extract Inhibits uPAR-Mediated α5β1-Integrin Signaling by Modulating Caveolin-1 to Induce Early Apoptosis in Lung Cancer Cells

Urokinase receptor (uPAR) is enhanced in many human cancer cells and is frequently an indicator of poor prognosis. Activation of [Formula: see text]1-integrin requires caveolin-1 and is regulated by uPAR. However, the underlying molecular mechanism responsible for the interaction between uPAR and [Formula: see text]1-integrin remains obscure. We found that modified regular Panax ginseng extract (MRGX) had a negative modulating effect on the uPAR/[Formula: see text]1-integrin interaction, disrupted the uPAR/integrin interaction by modulating caveoline-1, and caused early apoptosis in cancer cells. Additionally, we found that siRNA-mediated caveoline-1 downregulation inhibited uPAR-mediated [Formula: see text]1-integrin signaling, whereas caveoline-1 up-regulation stimulated the signaling, which suppressed p53 expression, thereby indicating negative crosstalk exists between the integrin [Formula: see text]1 and the p53 pathways. Thus, these findings identify a novel mechanism whereby the inhibition of [Formula: see text]1 integrin and the activation of p53 modulate the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins that are crucially involved in inducing apoptosis in A549 lung cancer cells. Furthermore, MRGX causes changes in the expressions of members of the Bcl-2 family (Bax and Bcl-2) in a pro-apoptotic manner. In addition, MGRX-mediated inhibition of [Formula: see text]1 integrin attenuates ERK phosphorylation (p-ERK), which up-regulates caspase-8 and Bax. Therefore, ERK may affect mitochondria through a negative regulation of caspase-8 and Bax. Taken together, these findings reveal that MRGX is involved in uPAR-[Formula: see text]1-integrin signaling by modulating caveolin-1 signaling to induce early apoptosis in A549 lung-cancer cells and strongly indicate that MRGX might be useful as a herbal medicine and may lead to the development of new herbal medicine that would suppress the growth of lung-cancer cells.

Effects of bee venom acupuncture on heart rate variability, pulse wave, and cerebral blood flow for types of Sasang Constitution

1. Objectives To evaluate effects of bee venom acupuncture on cardiovascular system and differences according to each constitution. 2. Methods Heart rate variability, pulse wave and the velocity of cerebral blood flow were measured before bee venom acupuncture(BVA), right after and after 30 minuets, had been applied to 20 subjects. 3. Results 1. BVA did not have effects on measurement variables of heart rate variability. 2. BVA had effects on pulse wave, showing total time, radial augmentation index up and height of percussion wave, time to percussion wave, sum of pulse pressure down. 3. BVA did not have effects on the cerebral blood flow velocity when considering not Sasang Constitution. 4. Considering Sasang Constitution, BVA demonstrates different responses in time to preincisura wave, mean blood flow velocity, peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity. 4.Conclusion From those results, the following conclusions are obtained. Cause BVA alters pulse wave and makes differences in the cerebral blood flow velocity according to Sasang Constitution. Various methods of BVA treatment are needed considering Sasang Constitution.

Characteristics of Fatigue in Sasang Constitution by Analyzing Questionnaire and Medical Devices Data

Objectives The purpose of this study was to find correlations between gastrointestinal disorders, pain, sleep disorder, fatigue, and to figure out characteristics of fatigue in Sasang Constitution using medical devices data. Methods Sixty three subjects were divided into fatigue group and non-fatigue group, both groups had to undergo blood tests, questionnaire, Sasang constitutional analysis tool (SCAT), pulse wave analyzer examination, heart rate variability examination, nail fold capillary microscopic examination. Results 1) The results of questionnaire about fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, pain, sleep disorder, quality of life had significant differences between fatigue and non-fatigue groups. 2) Soeumin had more serious gastrointestinal problem and Soyangin had more serious sleep disorder in fatigue groups than non-fatigue groups. 3) According to blood test results, there was no difference between fatigue and non-fatigue groups. 4) Elastic parameter of pulse wave analyzer and nail fold capillary microscopic examination showed significant differences between fatigue and non-fatigue groups in Soyangin. Conclusions We reach the conclusion that fatigue is usually accompanied by gastrointestinal disorder, pain, sleep disorder, deterioration in the quality of life. In Soeumin, treating gastrointestinal disorders can be helpful for treatment of fatigue. In Soyangin, improving sleep disorder may be more effective way to treat fatigue.

Clinical Study on Constitutional Herbal Tea for Treating Chronic Fatigue

Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of constitutional herbal tea for treating chronic fatigue with no diagnosed cause, which is called Mibyeong in Korea. Methods: Males and females with ages between 40 and 59 years who had complained of fatigue for 1 month consistently or for 6 months intermittently without a definite cause were recruited. At the same time, a Chalder fatigue scale (CFS) score of 19 was essential for participation in this study. Sixty five subjects completed the entire process, including blood tests and tests with medical devices. Five assessments of health status were accomplished over 8 weeks by using the CFS and the visual analogue scale (VAS). To ensure that the constitutional herbal tea was being safely used, we conducted and analyzed renal function and liver function tests. For the diagnosis of the Sasang constitution, the Sasang Constitutional Analysis Tool (SCAT) was used, and a specialist in Sasang constitutional medicine made the final diagnosis based on the SCAT result. Constitutional herbal tea was served four weeks after the first visit. The subjects took the constitutional herbal tea twice a day for one month. Results: The results are as follows: The CFS and the VAS scores were significantly improved for the subjects in the constitutional herbal tea. No abnormalities were found on the blood tests to evaluate safety after taking the constitutional herbal tea. The improvements in the CFS and the VAS scores due to the constitutional herbal tea had no significant differences according to the Sasang constitution. Conclusion: Constitutional herbal tea may be used to reduce fatigue and improve health and has no adverse effect on either the kidney or the liver.

A Case Report for Lung Cancer Patient Showing Remission Treated with Cultivated Wild Ginseng Pharmacopuncture

Objectives: To report the effect of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture on the lung cancer patient. Methods: Treatment of cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture was conducted on the patient dur- ing 7 months. Pharmacopuncture therapy was done twice a week with a dosage of 2ml per each treat- ment. Computed Topography(CT) was performed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy. Results: After the treatment of 7 months, chest CT revealed the mass size was decreased. Conclusions: This case provides us a possibility that cultivated wild ginseng pharmacopuncture offers potential benefits for lung cancer patient.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Soyangin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology

Abstract Clinical Practice Guideline for Soyangin Disease of Sasang Constitutional Medicine: Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology Mi-Ran Shin, Jong-Cheon Joo * , Eui-Ju Lee † Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Semyung University. * Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University. † Dept. of Sasang Constitutional Medicine College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee Universitiy ObjectivesThis research was proposed to present Clinical Practice Guideline(CPG) for Soyangin Disease of Sasang ConstitutionalMedicine(SCM): Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology. The CPG was developed by the national-wide expertscommittee consisting of SCM professors.Methods The CPG was developed by the national-wide experts committee considering of the society of Sasang ConstitutionalMedicine. It was performed by search and collection of literature related SCM, opinion of SCM experts and journalsearch and it was followed by CPG’s guideline.Results & ConclusionsThe CPG of Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology in Soyangin Disease include classification, definition andstandard symptoms of each pattern. Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology is classified into severe and criticalpattern by severity. The severe pattern of Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology is classified into the pattern of Heat-related diarrhea accompanied by headache (Sinyeol-dutong Mangeum) and the advanced pattern of Heat-related diarrhea accompanied by headache (Sinyeol-dutong Mangeum). The critical pattern of Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) Symptomatology is classified into the pattern of Cold-related diarrhea accompanied by the abdominal pain (Sinhan-bocktong Mangeum) and the advanced pattern of Cold-related diarrhea accompanied by abdominal pain (Sinhan-bocktong Mangeum).Key Words: Sasang Constitutional Medicine, Clinical Practice Guideline, Soyangin, Yin-Depletion (Mangeum) symptomatology