Seok-Hee Chung

Influences of trunk muscles on lumbar lordosis and sacral angle

Background: The strength of abdominal muscle and back extensors or their balances are commonly mentioned as major indicators of potential low back pain (LBP). Former studies on anthropometrics in terms of trunk muscle strength seemed to lack precision in methodology. Furthermore, the extension-flexion ratio, which is a good parameter of trunk muscle balance, was not as much studied as simple maximum torques in this area of study. Objectives: To investigate relationship between trunk muscle strength and lumbar lordosis, sacral angle in patients who did not show significant abnormal findings on their simple lateral radiograph. Methods: Thirty-one subjects were participated and their mean age was 35. Lumbar simple lateral radiograph was taken and lordotic angle was obtained by altered Cobb’s method. Sacral angle was also examined on the same film. The relationship between these angles and muscle strength (isometric maximum torques and ratios of them) was investigated by the correlation analysis. Results: None of the isometric maximum torques was related to sacral angle or lordotic angle. However, the ratio of extension to flexion was significantly related to the lordotic angle (Pearson’s correlation coefficient=0.491, p<0.01). Other ratios were not related to any of the angles. Conclusions: An imbalance in trunk muscle strength can influence significantly lordotic curve of lumbar spine and might be one risk factor for potential low back pain.

The Protective Effect of Cassia obtusifolia on DSS-Induced Colitis

Cassia obtusifolia (CO) has been traditionally used in Korea to treat eye inflammation, photophobia, and lacrimation. However, the regulatory effect and molecular mechanism of CO in intestinal inflammation has not been understood. In this study, we investigate the protective effect of CO in dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. CO reduced clinical signs of DSS-induced colitis, including body weight loss, shortened colon length, and increased disease activity index. The results show that CO significantly suppressed the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in DSS-treated colon tissues. Additionally, we observed that CO reduced the activation of transcription nuclear factor-κB p65 in DSS-treated colon tissues. Taken together, these findings suggest that CO has improving effects on DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, which may explain its beneficial effect in the regulation of chronic intestinal inflammation.

Effects of acupuncture on the 5-hydroxytryptamine synthesis and tryptophan hydroxylase expression in the dorsal raphe of exercised rats

In the present study, the effects of acupuncture on the endurance treadmill exercise, serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) synthesis, and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) expression in the dorsal raphe nuclei were investigated. Acupunctural stimulation were bilaterally inserted into the locus of Zusanli in each hind leg for 20 min. Onset of exhaustion time on the treadmill running was increased significantly by acupunctural stimulation and exercise-induced increments of the 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe were suppressed by acupunctural stimulation. Based on the results, it can be suggested that the suppressive effects of acupunctural stimulation on the 5-HT synthesis and TPH expression in the dorsal raphe during exercise is one of ergogenic mechanisms of acupuncture.

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells promoted by the crude extracts of the mixture of Cortex mori radicis, Patrinia saniculaefolia

The present study investigated the effect of Cortex mori radicis (CMR) and Patrinia saniculaefolia (PS) on the osteogenic differentiation of the human mesenchymal stem cell. CMR and PS have been used as herbal medicine in traditional Korean medicine for a long time. Mesenchymal stem cells that can differentiate into adipocyte, chondrocyte and osteocyte recently issued as a therapeutic agent for degenerative disease. Here, mesenchymal stem cells isolated from synovial fluid of osteoarthritis patient, were cultured in specific media to differentiate into osteogenesis. Osteogenic differentiated mesenchymal stem cells were confirmed using Von Kossa and Arizarion Red S staining. And, the cells were divided into 4 groups: control group, CMR treated group, PS treated group and mixture treated group. To determine the effect of the herbal samples on the osteogenic mesenchymal stem cell, OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG mRNA expressions, known as the key maintenance factors of mesenchymal stem cell was measured using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). As a result, the maintenance factors, OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG, were more increased in cells treated by CMR, PS and the mixture of two herbs than control group. Therefore, we confirmed the enhancing effect of CMR, PS and their mixture on the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells which derived from the synovial fluid of osteoarthritis patient. This study demonstrates that the effect of the herbal samples on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cell may have a possibility to be a therapeutic agent for the osteoarthritis patients.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by Corydalis turtschaninovii on interferon-γ stimulated macrophages.

AIM OF THE STUDY Corydalis turtschaninovii (CT) has been used for tumor therapy. However, it is still unclear how this herb prevents the diseases in experimental models. Nitric oxide (NO) as a potent macrophage-derived effector molecule against a variety of tumors has received increasing attention. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this study, using mouse peritoneal macrophages, we have examined the mechanism by which CT regulates NO production. RESULTS When CT was used in combination with recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma), there was a marked cooperative induction of NO production. However, CT had no effect on NO production by itself. The increase in NO synthesis was reflected as an increased amount of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus CT-stimulated peritoneal macrophages was decreased by the treatment with N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine or N(alpha)-Tosyl-Phe Chloromethyl Ketone, iNOS inhibitor. The increased production of NO from rIFN-gamma plus CT-stimulated cells was almost completely inhibited by pre-treatment with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, an inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB). However, treatment of peritoneal macrophages with rIFN-gamma plus CT had no effect on the increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate that CT increases the production of NO and TNF-alpha by rIFN-gamma-primed macrophages and suggest that NF-kappaB plays a critical role in mediating these effects of CT.

Effects of bee venom on the maturation of murine dendritic cells stimulated by LPS.

AIM OF STUDY This study was performed to elicit the effectiveness of bee venom (BV), a traditional immunosuppressive Korean acupuncture agent, on the maturation of dendrtic cells (DCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Immature dendritic cells (iDCs) were generated from mouse bone marrow cells with GM-CSF. After 10 days of initial differentiation, DCs were activated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) for another 48h in the presence or absence of BV. Surface molecule analysis, intracytoplasmic staining of cytokines, FITC-conjugated antigen uptake, and transwell migration assays were conducted with iDCs and activated DCs. RESULTS Up-regulation of costimulatory molecules, typical of mature DCs (mDCs) was inhibited by addition of BV. Pro-inflammatory cytokines were also found to be reduced with BV treatment in LPS-stimulated DC. A decrease in antigen uptake upon the maturation of DC was reversed in low dose BV treated mDC. In addition, BV treated mDC demonstrated reduced directional migration in response to CCL21, a lymphoid chemokine which directs mDC. CONCLUSIONS BV may have a therapeutic effect an on abnormally activated immune status, such as autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis, through an immune-modulatory effect on DC.

Association of interleukin-18 gene polymorphism with body mass index in women

BackgroundInterleukin (IL)-18 is an important regulator of innate and acquired immune responses and has multiple roles in chronic inflammation and autoimmune disorders. Obesity is characterized by low- grade chronic inflammation. IL-18 has been suggested as an adipogenic cytokine that is associated with excess adiposity. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between IL-18 gene polymorphisms (−137 G/C and −607 C/A) and obesity.MethodsAll 680 subjects were genotyped for the polymorphisms of IL-18 gene promoters (at positions −137 G/C and −607 C/A) using a polymerase chain reaction (271 cases with BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and 409 controls with BMI <25 kg/m2). A chi-square test was used to compare the genotype and allele frequencies between the cases and control populations.ResultsAnalyses of the genotype distributions revealed that IL-18 –607 C/A polymorphism was associated with an increase in body mass index in obese women in the Korean population (chi(2) = 12.301, df = 2, p = 0.015).ConclusionCarriage of the A allele at position −607 in the promoter of the IL-18 gene may have a role in the development of obesity.

Complementary and alternative medicine treatments in the management of chronic fatigue syndrome: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Chronic fatigue greatly deteriorates the quality of life and is a frequent reason for consulting a physician. Since conventional medicine usually provides limited help, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) tend to use complementary and alternative medicines (CAM). The objective of this review was to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of CAM treatments in the management of CFS. Electronic databases were systematically searched up to December 2010. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of CAM used in patients with CFS were considered for inclusion if they included placebo controls or were controlled against a comparator intervention. Methodology quality was assessed using modified Jadad score and the Cochrane criteria for allocation concealment. A total of 414 possibly relevant articles were identified, of which eight RCTs met our inclusion criteria: three dietary interventions, two herbal medicines, one distant healing, one homeopathic medicine, and one massage. The methodology quality of the trials varied, and on average, was moderate (mean Jadad score, 3.625; range, 0–5). Details on allocation concealment were reported for seven of the trials, of which six were classified as adequate. Of the eight included RCTs, three reported significant differences between the treatment and placebo groups in the primary outcome measures. However, the total number of RCTs included in the analysis was too small to provide definite evidence for the effectiveness of CAM in treating CFS. More RCTs on the effectiveness of CAM in the management of CFS should be conducted with larger patient samples, longer treatment periods, and appropriate methodology.

Effect of modified fasting therapy on body weight, fat and muscle mass, and blood chemistry in patients with obesity.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and safety of modified fasting therapy using fermented medicinal herbs and exercise on body weight, fat and muscle mass, and blood chemistry in obese subjects. METHODS Twenty-six patients participated in a 14-day fast, during which they ingested a supplement made from fermented medicinal herbs and carbohydrates (intake: 400-600 kcal/d). The schedule included 7 prefasting relief days and 14 days of stepwise reintroduction of food. The patients also took part in an exercise program that incorporated Qigong, weight training, and walking exercises. The efficacy of treatments was observed by assessing body fat mass and muscle mass, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), cholesterol, and triglycerides in each study period. Specific symptoms or side effects were reported. RESULTS Body weight and body fat mass both decreased significantly by (5.16 ± 0.95) and (3.89 ± 0.79) kg (both P < 0.05), while muscle mass decreased by an average of (0.26 ± 0.22) kg, without statistical significance. ALT levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), while AST levels decreased without statistical significance (P = 0.052). The levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were also significantly decreased (both P < 0.05). There were few adverse events except for mild dizziness, which did not affect everyday living. CONCLUSION These results suggest that modified fasting therapy using fermented medicinal herbs and exercise could be effective and safe on obese patients.

Acupuncture for postoperative pain following total knee arthroplasty: a systematic review protocol.

Introduction Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical method in orthopaedics; however, pain management after TKA remains a significant challenge. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of the effects of acupuncture for postoperative pain after TKA. Methods and analysis The following 10 databases will be searched until August 2015: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, AMED, CINAHL, three Chinese databases (the China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, the Chongqing VIP Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database, and Wanfang Database) and five Korean databases (the Korean Medical Database, the Korean Studies Information Service System, the National Discovery for Science Leaders, the Database Periodical Information Academic, and the Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System). All eligible randomised controlled trials related to the use of acupuncture for postoperative pain after TKA will be included. Assessment of risk of bias will be performed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias method. Mean differences or standardised mean differences will be calculated with 95% CIs for continuous data; the risk ratio will be used with 95% CIs for dichotomous data. Dissemination This systematic review will be presented in a peer-reviewed journal. The result of this review will also be disseminated at a relevant conference presentation. Trial registration number PROSPERO 2015: CRD42015020924.