Protective effect of Rhus verniciflua Stokes extract in an experimental model of post-menopausal osteoporosis / 대한해부학회지

Post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMO) is a major global human health concern. Owing to the need for therapeutic drugs without side effects, natural extracts containing various polyphenolic compounds that may exert estrogenic effects have been studied in depth. Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS), which has been used as a traditional herbal medicine for centuries in Korea, was recently revealed to exert estrogenic effects attributable to its bioactive ingredients sulfuretin and butein, which have strong estrogen receptor–binding affinities. In this study, the protective potential of RVS in PMO was evaluated by using an experimental animal model of PMO, which was established by ovariectomy (OVX) of female Sprague Dawley rats. The oral administration of RVS at 20 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg for 8 weeks markedly protected against OVX-induced atrophy of the uterine tube and reversed the elevation in the ratio of serum receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand to osteoprotegerin, which is a marker of disease severity. In addition, RVS inhibited OVX-induced tibia bone loss, activated osteogenic activity, and suppressed osteoclastic activity in the tibial epiphyseal plate, a region of bone remodeling. Collectively, these factors indicated that the oral intake of RVS might be beneficial for the prevention of PMO.

Anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of crude N-acetylneuraminic acid isolated from glycomacropeptide of whey / 한국실험동물학회지

Helicobacter pylori colonizes the gastric mucosa of about half of the world's population, causing chronic gastritis and gastric cancer. An increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant H. pylori arouses demand on alternative non-antibiotic-based therapies. In this study, we freshly prepared crude N-acetylneuraminic acid obtained from glycomacropeptide (G-NANA) of whey through a neuraminidase-mediated reaction and evaluated its antibacterial ability against H. pylori and H. felis. Overnight cultures of the H. pylori were diluted with fresh media and different concentrations (1-150 mg/mL) of crude G-NANA were added directly to the culture tube. Bacterial growth was evaluated by measuring the optical density of the culture medium and the number of viable bacteria was determined by a direct count of the colony forming units (CFU) on agar plates. For the in vivo study, mice were orally infected with 100 µL (5×108 cfu/mL) of H. felis four times at a day's interval, accompanied by a daily administration of crude G-NANA or vehicle. A day after the last infection, the mice were daily administered the crude G-NANA (0, 75, and 300 mg/mL) for 10 days and euthanized. Their stomachs were collected and bacterial colonization was determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Crude G-NANA inhibited H. pylori's growth and reduced the number of viable bacteria in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, crude G-NANA inhibited bacterial colonization in the mice. These results showed that crude G-NANA has antibacterial activity against Helicobacter and demonstrated its therapeutic potential for the prevention of chronic gastritis and gastric carcinogenesis induced by Helicobacter infection in humans.

Rhus verniciflua Stokes attenuates cholestatic liver cirrhosis-induced interstitial fibrosis via Smad3 down-regulation and Smad7 up-regulation / 대한해부학회지

Cholestatic liver cirrhosis (CLC) eventually proceeds to end-stage liver failure by mediating overwhelming deposition of collagen, which is produced by activated interstitial myofibroblasts. Although the beneficial effects of Rhus verniciflua Stokes (RVS) on various diseases are well-known, its therapeutic effect and possible underlying mechanism on interstitial fibrosis associated with CLC are not elucidated. This study was designed to assess the protective effects of RVS and its possible underlying mechanisms in rat models of CLC established by bile duct ligation (BDL). We demonstrated that BDL markedly elevated the serological parameters such as aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin, all of which were significantly attenuated by the daily uptake of RVS (2 mg/kg/day) for 28 days (14 days before and after operation) via intragastric route. We observed that BDL drastically induced the deterioration of liver histoarchitecture and excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), both of which were significantly attenuated by RVS. In addition, we revealed that RVS inhibited BDL-induced proliferation and activation of interstitial myofibroblasts, a highly suggestive cell type for ECM production, as shown by immunohistochemical and semi-quantitative detection of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin. Finally, we demonstrated that the anti-fibrotic effect of RVS was associated with the inactivation of Smad3, the key downstream target of a major fibrogenic cytokine, i.e., transforming growth factor β (TGF-β). Simultaneously, we also found that RVS reciprocally increased the expression of Smad7, a negative regulatory protein of the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. Taken together, these results suggested that RVS has a therapeutic effect on CLC, and these effects are, at least partly, due to the inhibition of liver fibrosis by the downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7.

Epidemiology of Burns in Korea

PURPOSE: The burns are one of the most devastating trauma. The epidemiological study for the national burn incidence is necessary to establish the national medical plan for providing the proper specialized burn care for these burn victims, burn prevention and burn safety for publics. METHODS: This study is done based on the burn patients data from the Korea National Health Insurance Corporation in 2005~2009 for the review of following issues; the average annual burn incidence, and tendency of burn occurrence in every year, sex distribution of burn patients, the yearly numbers of pediatric burn patients, incidence of specific-age pediatric burn patients, incidence of burns by specific-age group, and prevalent sites of burns. RESULTS: 1) The average annual burn patient is 472,404 in 2005~2009. The average annual incidence of burn patients per 100,000 population is 984. The total annual numbers of burn patient is gradually increasing in tendency. 2) Male and female sex ratio is 57 (mean 270,791 male burn patients per year): 43 (mean 201,613 female burn patients per year). 3) The average pediatric burn patient (1~15 age) is 138,153 and it consists of 29.3% of the average annual burn patients during 2005~2009. 4) The most prevalent age of pediatric burns reveals between 1~2 years old age (23.8%). The incidence of burn patients of 1~3 age occupy 42% of the total pediatric burn patients. 5) The four age group-specific burn incidence are pediatric group (0~15 age) 29.3% (138,153 patients), adolescence-middle age group (16~39 age) 32.1% (151,384 patients), middle-old age group (40~74 age) 36.3% (171,688 patients), super old age group (over 75) 2.3% (11,179 patients). 6) The most prevalent site of burns is hand (29%), and followed by foot (10.7%), lower extremities (10.6%), upper extremities (10.1%), face (7.1%), trunk (6.1%). the combined area etc. (26.2%), respiratory tract (0.2%). CONCLUSION: Based on the data from the Korea National Health Insurance Corporation, the average annual burn incidence is over 472,400 burn patients during 2005~2009 in Korea, and reveals increasing tendency. This epidemiological data could be attribute to providing the specialized burn care to domestic burn victims, and to establish the plans for burn prediction and prevention, burn safety, burn patient transportation, and the measures for mass burn patients.

Restoration of Deformed Ala Caused by Cosmetic Alar Reduction: A Case Report

Cosmetically to correct large, thick and flaring ala, Weir method have been frequently used. But after excessive Weir excision, it causes tightened distal nose, lowered nasal tip, and unnatural shape of ala. A 32-years-old female patient suffered from the marked tightness of distal nose, lowered height of nasal tip, and mild dyspnea after Wier excision 1 year ago. She showed unnatural alar base shape with blunting of alar-facial groove angle up to 110 degree, and it rapidly slanted to the nasal tip. The incision was made along the previous operative scars at alar base, and release of tension were done. There was a 7mm gap in each side of both alar bases. The two wedge shaped composite grafts from the left helical rim were obtained, and insetted to the alar base gaps. Immediately after operation, she showed relief of dyspnea and tightness of nasal tip, and improved shape of distal nose. The 3 months postoperatively , mild hyperpigmentation of the grafted sites were noticed. The overall results were excellent. To correct the deformed ala and unnatural distal nose shape after excessive alar reduction using Wier excision, we present a technique of the composite auricular chondrocutaneous grafts at alar base.

Augmentation Rhinoplasty with Dermofat Graft & Fat Injection

PURPOSE: Even though Augmentation rhinoplasty is very popular surgical procedure, it is not easy to obtain ideal materials for augmentation. Many different synthetic materials are used but frequent complications are seen such as infection, extrusion, deform, and dislocation. Autologous tissues were used for augmentation rhinoplasty. We used dermofat graft and fat injection in augmentation rhinoplasty minimizing these problems. METHODS: From 2006 to 2009, we used autologous tissues in augmentation rhinoplasty in 40 patients, 20 patients with dermofat graft and other 20 patients were treated with fat injection only. Dermofats were harvested from sacral area. gluteal fold, groin and preexisting scar tissue. Dermofats were inserted with small stab wound and fat tissues were injected as Coleman's technique. The patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years. RESULTS: Most of the patients were satisfied in shape and height the nose. Early complications such as hematoma, infection and seroma were not found. Secondary fat injection was performed in 3 patients (15%) of dermofat graft group instead of 7 patients (35%) of fat injection only group. CONCLUSION: We obtained satisfactory results in augmentation rhinoplasty with dermofat graft and fat injection. Secondary fat injections were more often in fat injection group than dermofat graft group. Dermofat graft and fat injection could be another alternative technique for augmentation rhinoplasty and fat injection could be a secondary adjunctive treatment for undercorrection due to absorption.