Yoshie Usuki

Successful Treatment of a Senile Diabetic Woman with Cataract with Goshajinkigan

A 65-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus (DM) and suffering a cataract in the left eye, that was resistant to Western medical treatment, was treated with goshajinkigan (GJ), a herbal medicinal drug, in combination with eye drops. This treatment remarkably improved the visual disturbance due to the senile cataract. Ten days after commencement of the GJ treatment, her visual acuity did not deteriorate any further. There was also no further deterioration of DM condition. These results suggest that GJ may be valuable in the treatment of diabetic women with cataracts.

Hachimijiogan Treatment is Effective in the Management of Infertile Women with Hyperprolactinemia or Bromocriptine-resistant Hyperprolactinemia

Twenty-seven infertile women with hyperprolactinemia were treated with Hachimijiogan (5.0 to 10.0 g/day), Chinese herbal medicine. In 15 out of 18 patients, who were treated with Hachimijiogan, the serum prolactin levels dropped to 19.4 +/- 10.5 ng/ml during Hachimijiogan treatment, and the levels in 8 patients remained essentially unchanged during 6 months after the cessation of Hachimijiogan treatment. Three patients with 100 to 300 ng/ml did not drop to the level below 30 ng/ml. Four of 6 patients with amenorrhea ovulated. Eleven patients conceived and delivered normally. The hormonal profiles during or after pregnancy were normal. These results indicate that Hachimijiogan is a new safe treatment for hyperprolactinemic women.

Treatment with Hachimijiogan, a Non‐Ergot Chinese Herbal Medicine, in two Hyperprolactinemic Infertile Women

Two hyperprolactinemic infertile women, one with and one without a pituitary adenoma, who were resistant to bromocriptine treatment, were treated orally with Hachimijiogan, a Chinese herbal medicine. This treatment reduced the serum prolactin level, resulting in a normal ovulatory cycle and pregnancy, without side effects.

A Proposal of Ovarian ERAANPS (Endothelin-Renin-Angiotensin-Atrial Natriuretic Peptide System) and Effects of Tokishakuyakusan, Keishibukuryogan, Shakuyakukanzoto and Unkeito on the ERAANPS

We have previously shown the presence in a high concentration of endothelin-1 (ET) in the corpus luteum and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and binding sites for atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the ovarian follicle. The present study was undertaken to identify the existence of ET, renin, angiotensin II and the binding site for ANP in the ovary at proestrus and examine in vivo the effects of herbal medicines [Tokishakuyakusan (TS), Keishibukuryogan (KB), Shakuyakukanzoto (SK) and Unkeito (UT)] on them. ET, all components of RAS and binding sites for ANP were found at high levels in the ovary. TS, KB, SK and UT decreased the ET levels in ovary, while components of RAS and binding sites for ANP have the propensity to increase. However, ET, renin, angiotensin II and ANP levels in plasma were not at all affected before and after treatment with TS, KB, SK or UT. Taken together with previous observations showing the existence of ET, RAS and the binding site for ANP in the ovary, we propose here the ERAANPS (endothelin-renin-angiotensin-ANP system) in the ovary as a functional regulator. Further, these results suggest that TS, KB, SK or UT may regulate the ovarian ERAANPS.

Effects of tokishakuyakusan, keishibukuryogan, shakuyakukanzoto and unkeito on ovarian endothelin, renin and angiotensin II in pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin-treated immature rats.

We have previously proposed the ovarian ERAANPS (endothelin-rein- angiotensin-atrial natriuretic peptide system). The present study was undertaken to examine in vivo the effects of herbal medicines [Tokishakuyakusan (TS), Keishibukuryogan (KB), Shakuyakukanzoto (SK) and Unkeito (UT)] on endothelin-1 (ET), renin and angiotensin II (A II) in the ovaries, of immature rats treated with 10 IU PMS for 48 h. ET and all components of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) were found at high levels in the ovary. Concomitant treatment with PMS plus TS, KB, SK or UT, especially TS and UT, tended to decrease the ET levels in ovary, while components of RAS tended to increase. However, ET, renin and A II levels in plasma were not at all affected after treatment with TS, KB, SK or UT. These results suggest that TS, KB, SK or UT may regulate the ovarian ERAANPS.

Ultrasonographic Follow-up of Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma in a Child

Ultrasound examination was performed in addition to MRI for the primary diagnosis of rhabdomyosarcoma in a young child. The echographic findings are described during a follow-up on chemotherapy and proton beam irradiation treatment.