Ki-Churl Chang

Synthesis of higenamine, A cardiotonic principle of aconite root

Higenamine (I), a cardiotonic principle of Aconite root, was synthesized from 4-methoxy-phenylacetic acid (II) and β-(3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl)-ethylamine (IV). Condensation ofIV with 4-methoxyphenylacetyl chloride (III) was followed by cyclodehydration yielding 1-(4′-methoxybenzyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-3,4-dihydroisoquinoline (VI). Reduction ofVI to 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (VII) and subsequent demethylation provided desired product higenamine, 1-(4′-hydroxybenzyl)-6, 7-dihydroxy-1, 2, 3, 4-tetrahydroisoquinoline.

Panhypopituitarism in the acute stage of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome: a case report

Necrosis and hemorrhage have been observed in the anterior lobe of the pituitary glands of humans who died in the acute stage of hemorrhage fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). This suggests that patients in the acute stage of this severe disease may have had pituitary apoplexy and subsequent residual pituitary hypofunction. We report an acute case of HFRS with panhypopituitarism, no response to a combined anterior pituitary stimulation test, and with pituitary hemorrhage detected by magnetic resonance imaging.