The Application of DNA Chip Technology to Identify Herbal Medicines: an Example from the Family Umbelliferae

Comparative molecular analysis has been frequently adopted for the authentication of herbal medicines as well as the identification of botanical origins. Roots and rhizomes of the family Umbelliferae have been used as traditional herbal medicines to relieve various symptoms such as inflammation, neuralgia and paralysis in countries of East Asia. Since most herbal medicines of the Umbelliferae roots or rhizomes are generally supplied in the form of dried slices, morphological examination does not often provide sufficient evidence to identify the botanical origin. Using species-specific probes developed by the comparative analysis of nrDNA ITS sequences, a DNA chip was developed to identify herbal medicines for 13 species in the Umbelliferae. The developed DNA Chip proves its potential as a rapid, sensitive and effective tool for authenticating herbal medicines in future.

Correlation between Vascular Compliance and Increase of Blood Pressure on Exercising in Normotensive Group

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Vascular compliance is known to be decreased in hypertension, even at an early stage. The blood pressure response to exercise reflects the future risk of developing hypertension. A study was performed on the relationship between the vascular compliance and blood pressure response to exercise, to evaluate whether the vascular compliance is decreased in normotensive persons with a relatively higher future risk of developing hypertension. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects of the study were adults with normal blood pressure (SBP<120 mmHg, DBP<80 mmHg), who had undergone health screening and both echocardiography and treadmill test. Those patients with a history of diabetes mellitus or clinical cardiovascular diseases were excluded form the subjects. An index of overall vascular compliance (SVI/PP) was calculated using echocardiography. The relationship between the peak systolic blood pressure during exercise and vascular compliance was also investigated. RESULTS: The subjects were 77 patients, 54 male and 23 female, with a mean age of 47.6+/-7.7 years. The measured vascular compliance and average of peak systolic pressure on exercising were 1.08+/-0.24 L/m2/mmHg and 154+/-21 mmHg, respectively. The peak systolic pressure was correlated with the vascular compliance (r=-0.24, p<0.05). The peak systolic pressure at stage 3 was also correlated with the vascular compliance (r=-0.24, p<0.05). This relationship persisted after adjustment for age, gender, basal systolic blood pressure and maximal oxygen consumption (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The vascular compliance was lower in subjects with a larger increase in blood pressure during exercise whose basal blood pressure was even below 120/80 mmHg. This finding may suggest that a decreased vascular compliance precedes the changes of hypertension. A longitudinal follow-up study is warranted.

The Risk Factors of Re-bleeding in Peptic Ulcer Patients and the Efficacy of Ethanol Injection Therapy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Acute peptic ulcer bleeding is the most common cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and needs urgent management in cases including large amounts of blood loss. Ernergency endoscopy was performed and evaluation was made on the risk factors of rebleeding in peptic ulcer patients and the efficacy of ethanol injection therapy. METHODS: The clinical and endoscopic variables were evaluated according to the rebleeding rates and the efficacy of ethanol injection therapy for hemostasis and prevention of rebleeding in 161 cases including gastric ulcers (GU) with bleeding (M: F 134: 27, mean age 56.5 years) and 136 cases including duodenal ulcers (DU) with bleeding (M: F 111: 25, mean age 40.7 years).