Se-Young Ahn

Susceptibility for ischemic stroke in Korean population is associated with polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 receptor antagonist and tumor necrosis factor-α genes, but not the interleukin-1β gene

Enhanced release of proinflammatory cytokines may contribute to the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-1beta are proinflammatory cytokine. To determine the role of cytokines in genetic susceptibility to ischemic stroke, we genotyped ischemic stroke patients (n = 152) and the healthy control subjects (n = 165) for IL-1Ra, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta polymorphism by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. The analysis shown the association of IL1RN*1, IL1RN*2 allele (IL1RN*1, OR=0.44, P = 0.0206 IL1RN*2, OR=2.90, P = 0.0141) and TNF1, TNF2 allele (TNF1, OR=2.16, P = 0.0225; TNF2, OR=2.16, P = 0.0225) to ischemic stroke. However, the genetic polymorphism of IL-1beta was not associated with ischemic stroke. Our results suggest that IL-1Ra and TNF-alpha gene polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to ischemic stroke.

Interaction Between Warfarin and Panax ginseng in Ischemic Stroke Patients

BACKGROUND Today, the combined use of Oriental herbal medicines and Western biomedical medicines has been a prevalent yet controversial practice. Case reports and healthy volunteer trials have had conflicting results on the effect Panax ginseng has on warfarins pharmacologic action, some reporting a reductive and others a potentiating influence. OBJECTIVE This study investigated the interaction between warfarin and P. ginseng by observing the prothrombin time (PT) and the international normalized ratio (INR) in ischemic stroke patients who did not have a history of taking warfarin. DESIGN Randomized, open-label, controlled study. SUBJECTS Twenty-five (25) patients newly diagnosed with ischemic stroke by brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in the Korean Medical Hospital, Kyung Hee University (Seoul, Republic of Korea). INTERVENTION Ischemic stroke patients were randomized into 2 groups: the ginseng group (n = 12), given both P. ginseng and warfarin, and the control group (n = 13), given only warfarin, both for 2 weeks. The warfarin dose was restricted to 2 mg in the first week and 5 mg in the second week. RESULTS The peak values and the international normalized ratio (INR) and prothrombin time (PT) areas under the curve (AUC) in both groups significantly increased compared to those at baseline. However, there was no statistically significant difference in peak values and INR and PT AUC between groups in both the first and second weeks. CONCLUSIONS This study suggests that coadministration of P. ginseng and warfarin in ischemic stroke patients does not influence the pharmacologic action of warfarin.

Renoprotective effect of Tanshinone IIA, an active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, on rats with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of end‐stage renal disease. Antihypertensive agents are used clinically to inhibit the progression of CKD, but cannot prevent eventual renal failure. This study investigated the effect of Tanshinone IIA, an active component of Salvia miltiorrhiza, in rats suffering from CKD induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. After development of renal insufficiency, the rats were treated with Tanshinone IIA (10 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Serum creatinine, angiotensin II (Ang II), transforming growth factor β1 (TGF‐β1) and collagen IV levels were significantly reduced in Tanshinone IIA treated rats compared with a control group. In addition, Tanshinone IIA suppressed increases in urinary protein excretion in CKD rats. These findings suggest that chronic oral administration of Tanshinone IIA can improve renal dysfunction associated with CKD. Copyright

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ Pro12Ala polymorphism is associated with the susceptibility to ischemic stroke in Taeeumin classified by Sasang medicine

Abstract Background: Sasang constitutional medicine classifies mankind into four constitutional types according to individual psychologic and physical traits. We hypothesized that differences among constitutional types might be explained by genetic variations. Methods: To evaluate the hypothesis, we determined the possible association in ischemic stroke patients (n = 134) of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma with four constitutional types of Sasang medicine. The constitutional type of each patient and control subject (n = 129) was classified and genotyped for PPAR-gamma polymorphism Pro12Ala by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods. Results: The distribution of the Pro/Ala genotypes in the ischemic stroke patients was not significantly different from that of healthy controls [odds ratio (OR)= 0.46; p = 0.1214]. However, very interestingly, we observed that all six Pro/Ala genotypes in ischemic patients were Taeeumin, one of four constitutional types of Sasang medicine. Statistical analysis revealed that Pro/Ala genotype in Taeeumin increases almost 15-fold the susceptibility to ischemic stroke compared to other constitutional types, Taeyangin, Soyangin or Soeumin (OR= 14.72; p = 0.0110). Conclusion: From the results in this study, we might suggest that Pro/Ala genotype in Taeeumin is associated with the susceptibility to ischemic stroke. To the authors best knowledge, this is the first report to study on genetic level the potential relationship between ischemic stroke and Sasang constitutional medicine, one of traditional Korean medicines (TKM). Authors hope that this study could provide a new approach for the study of ischemic stroke and merit further research.

The effects of humidity and serum on the surface microhardness and morphology of five retrograde filling materials.

The purpose of this study was to compare the surface morphology and surface hardness of five materials 24 h after filling, in conditions of 100% humidity, and fetal bovine serum. The five materials were ProRoot Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA), Super-EBA, Intermediate Restorative Materials (IRM), Zinc Oxide Eugenol (ZOE), and Amalgam. The microhardness of these materials was evaluated by Vickers microhardness test, and their morphologies were compared by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). To evaluate the microhardness, the mixed five materials were measured with Vickers microhardness test. Differences between the experimental groups were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Duncans multiple comparison tests. All analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). For the microstructural morphological evaluation, the cross cut and root-end cavity prepared surfaces followed by retrograde filling with five different materials were observed under a Scanning Electron Microscope (Steroscan 440; Leica, Cambridge, England) at ×500. To summarize, Super EBA was less influenced by storage medium than the other materials, especially MTA. However, further long-term studies considering other factors, such as biocompatibility (i.e. cellular toxicity) and retention, are needed to be collaborated with these findings in the clinical context.

The Effects of Epimedii Herba on a Hypothyroidism Rat Model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil).

Abstract Objectives: The symptoms of hypothyroidism are fatigue, cold intolerance, arthralgia, musclecramps, dry skin and etc. Although hypothyroidism is a relatively common endocrinical disease, wedo have many difficulties treating it effectively. The symptoms of hypothyroidism are similar to thoseof Yang-deficiency in Oriental medicine. Epimedii Herba is a popular herb that has the effect of toni-fying the kidney and strengthening Yang in Oriental medicine. In this study, we investigated the ther-apeutic effects of Epimedii Herba on a hypothyroidism rat model induced by PTU(6-Propyl, 2-thiouracil). Methods: 24 two-month-old Spargue-Dawley(SD) rats were divided into 4 groups: 1) normal(n=6),2) PTU-induced hypothyroidism control(n=6), 3) hypothyroidism rat treated with EpimediiHerba (n=6), 4) hypothyroidism rat treated with levothyroxine(n=6). PTU was administered for 4weeks, Epimedii Herba and levothyroxine was administered for 2 weeks after PTU was initiated for atotal duration of 2 week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples from all the rats were takenfrom their hearts and were analyzed.

Herbal Acupuncture for the Treatment of Obesity

Obesity is the state of excessive body fat accumulation and is mainly caused by consuming more calories than are burned through physical activity. Herbal acupuncture (HA), also known as pharmacopuncture, has been increasingly used in clinics of Korean medical to alleviate obesity. This review analyzed four clinical studies and 16 animal studies on the effectiveness of HA as a treatment for obesity. Clinical evidence suggests that various kinds of HA might be beneficial for treating obesity; however, further investigations with well-designed, evidence-based, randomized clinical trials are needed. Animal studies support the idea that HA might be beneficial for the treatment of obesity and provide possible mechanisms, such as anti-inflammation, antioxidation, modulating lipid metabolism and so on, to explain the effect of HA on obesity. This review, based on the evidence collected, suggests that HA could have a beneficial effect for alleviating obesity by modulating inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, leptin, and the insulin signal.