Ginsenoside Re Enriched Fraction (GS-F3K1) from Ginseng Berries Ameliorates Ethanol-Induced Erectile Dysfunction via Nitric Oxide-cGMP Pathway

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men and considered to be an early symptom of atherosclerosis and a precursor of various systemic vascular disorders. The aim of the present study was to prepare ginsenoside Re enriched fraction (GS-F3K1, ginsenoside Re 10%, w/w) from ginseng berries flesh and to investigate the enhanced activities of GS-F3K1 on alcohol-induced ED. GS-F3K1 was prepared by the continuous liquid and solid separating centrifugation and circulatory ultrafiltration from ginseng berries flesh. GS-F3K1 was administered for 5 weeks in ethanol-induced ED rat by oral administration of 20% ethanol. To investigate the effects of GS-F3K1 on ED model, the levels of nitrite expression, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and erectile response of the penile corpus cavernosum of rat were measured. The erectile response of the corpus cavernosum was restored after GS-F3K1 administration, to a level similar to the normal group. The level of nitrite and cGMP expression in the corpus cavernosum of GS-F3K1-administered male rats was increased significantly compared to positive control group. GS-F3K1 from ginseng berries should effectively restore ethanol-induced ED in male rats and could be developed as a new functional food for the elderly men.

Cord Blood Erythropoietin Complicated By High Risk Pregnancies / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between umbilical plasma erythropoietin(epo) concentrations and umbilical cord pH in high risk pregnancies. METHODS: We measured epo concentrations and gas in 103 cases of cord blood obtained from 88 cesarean section (15 of twin) composed of 39 cases of normal control (12 of normal twins), 45 cases of high risk pregnancies and 4 cases of unclassified group using an RIA kit from december,1998 to December, 1999. Statistical analysis was performed using the student's t test and regression analysis. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Umbilcal plasma epo concentrations revealed significant inverse correlation (P<0.05) with umbilical acidosis and cord blood epo levels, and it were significantly higher in GDM and IUGR than normal pregnancies (control: 1.60 1.15, n=39 versus GDM: 7.78 7.18, n=11 versus IUGR: 64.77 90.57 n=10, p<0.05), but 11 cases of fetal distress and 13 cases of preeclampsia did not differ significantly from umbilical plasma epo of normal control. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated epo concentrations in cord blood indicate fetal hypoxia and It is significantly increased in IUGR and GDM, these findings show that cord blood epo may serve as a clinically useful marker for chronic fetal hypoxia.

The effect of the sera from severe preeclamptic patients on endothelial cell viability and endothelin-1 in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: In order to assess the effects of sera from severe preeclamptic patients on endothelial cell viability in vitro and endothelin-1 synthesis in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. METHODS: The cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells were incubated with media containing 10% sera from women with either preeclamptic patients or normal pregnancies for 24 hours or 48 hours. After then, their viability was measured by colorimetric MTT{3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide} assay and their production of endothelin-1 was measured. We also measured the serum levels of endothelin-1 level in sera obtained from the normal and severe preeclamptic pregnancies. RESULTS: The calorimetric MTT assay revealed that after 24 hours, the absorbances in the media treated with normal pregnancies and severe preeclampsia sera were 0.0718+/-0.0078 and 0.0837+/-0.0129, respectively and after 48 hours, they were 0.1133+/-0.0103 and 0.1268+/-0.0186, respectively. Serum obtained from severe preeclampsia did not affect endothelial cell viability. 2. The serum mean levels of endothelin-1 in normal and severe preeclamptic pregnancies were 22.66+/-8.6 fmol/ml and 48.98+/-25.27 fmol/ml. The mean level in preeclamptic sera was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women. (P<0.05) 3. After 24 hours, the mean amount of endothelin-1 stimulated by normal pregnant and severe preeclamptic sera were 37.52+/-18.41 fmol/ml and 97.58+/-53.64 fmol/ml, respectively. The mean amount of endothelin-1 in preeclamptic sera-treated cells was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant sera-treated cells. (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The sera from severe preeclamptic women do not affect cell viability but act selectively on specific activation of their function such as endothelin-1 production. And it is necessary that the identification and isolation of the putative serum factor(s) will be performed to resolve the pathogenesis in future.

A Case of Primary Malignant Lymphoma of the Ovary / 대한산부인과학회잡지

A 41-year-old woman was operated under the impression of ovarian malignancy. The ovarian mass was diagnosed as a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diffuse large cell type of B lineage pathologically. Because regional lymph nodes and bone marrow were not involved and Ga67 whole body bone scan was normal, we suspected that ovary was a primary site of lymphoma. After six cycles of CHOP (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone) chemotherapy, complete remission status was maintained for 16 months. We report a case of primary ovarian lymphoma with a review of literatures.

A Case of Adenoid Basal Carcinoma in Uterine Cervix / 대한산부인과학회잡지

We report a rare case of adenoid basal carcinoma in uterine cervix. The patient was a 43-year-old Korean female. She received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with Quick Cis-VP16 (cisplatin and VP16 with 7-10 days interval), three times and radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymph nodes dissection under the diagnosis of cervical cancer stage IIa. After the neoadjuvant chemotherapy, the mass size was 3 x 2.5 Cm and which was protruded in exocervical region. Microscopically, scattered small nests of uniformed small cells with dark nuclei and scant cytoplasm were observed. Peripheral palisading as well as the formation of gland-like or acinar structures were noted. There were also foci of squamous differentiation in same portion of the small nests. The epithelial surface in other portions showed squamous cell carcinoma, large cell non-keratinizing cell type. Distribution between adenoid basal carcinoma of the cervix and other disease, such as adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma with basaloid features, is important for clinical management because the clinical behavior of adenoid basal carcinoma is less malignant than adenoid cystic carcinoma.

A Case of Wernicke's Encephalopathy due to Hyperemesis gravidarum / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Hyperemesis gravidarum is a complication defined as nausea and vomiting during early pregnancy. Wernickes encephalopathy is an illness of acute onset characterized by mental disturbance, paralysis of eye movements, and ataxia of gait cause by thiamine deficiency. We recently experienced a case of Wernickes encephalopalhy due to hyperemesis gravidarum, which is treated by administration of thiamine even though outcome of serious healthy problem to both mother and fetus, and reported it with a brief review of the literature.

Experimental animal model for preeclampsia by the infusion of nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and reverse of preeclampsia by high dose L-arginine infusion / 대한산부인과학회잡지

OBJECTIVES: To learn which inhibition of nitric oxide synthase with L-nitro arginine methylester(L-NAME) induces a preeclampsia-like syndrome in pregnant rabbits and high dose of L-arginine reverse the adverse changes induced by nitric oxide synthesis inhibition in pregnant rabbits. MTERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty Newzealand rabbits with 22-days of gestation were injected subcutaneously with 400mg of L-NAME for 7days and 100mg/kg L-arginine was also given intravenously 10 of 20 L-NAME injected pregnant rabbits. They are compared with the control group in which same volume of saline was subcutaneously injected to 5 rabbits with same condition. They were anesthesized by ketamine 50 mg/kg and roupum 2 mg/kg intramuscularly. Cutdown of femoral artery was performed and 22 gauge angioneedle was inserted. On manometer,three way catheter was connected, zeroed with saline, and blood pressure was read. Blood samples were taken from the vein of ear and checked for count of blood cells and bood chemistry (BUN/Cr, GOT/GPT, LDH, Uric acid). Urine protein was measured with nelaton catheterized urine. We injected drugs for 7 days begining on 22 days after mating and performed cesarian section to deliver fetus. To observe their effects on organs, lung, liver, placenta and kidney were taken and fixed with formalin. The sliced kidney tissue in thickness of 1 mm, was fixed with glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy and stored at 4degree C. Special staining was done for closed observation of pattern changes. For statistical analysis, mean+/-SEM was used. The control and experimental groups were compared by unpaired t-test and the differences were significant if probability level is less than 0.05(<0.05). RESULT: Mean blood pressure(MAP) in the experimental group I was significantly high compared to the control group(P<0.05). There was no significant differences in MAP between experimental group II and control group. Urine Protein, BUN, Cr, GOT/GPT, LDH, platelet count in the experimental group I was significantly high(p<0.05) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference between experimental group II and control group. In light microscopic examination, lung, liver, kidney, placenta showed specific finding in experimental group I. Misconstructive of glomerulus in the experimental kidney was well preserved under EM examination. Interstitium of kidney was widened by increase of mesangial matrix. Mild effacement of foot process and cytoplasm of proximal tubule containing electron dense myelin figure like structure were observed. CONCLUSION: Long term injection of L-arginine analogue produced preeclampsia like syndrome and pathologic changes of organ system in pregnant rabbits. Concurrent high dose of L-arginine reversed such chages.

A Case of Leiomyoma in Vaginal Orifice / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Leiomyomas of the vagina are rare benign solid tumors. A leiomyoma arises frommuscle in the round ligament and appears as a firm movable tumor deep in the substanceof the labium majus, but minority of these tumors occur in vaginal wall. A case of a 39year old woman with leiomyoma of the vaginal orifice was reported with a brief review ofliterature.

Clinical Review of the Hematopymetra of Uterus / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Background: Hematopyometra, an accumulation of bloody, purulent material in the ute-rine cavity, is a relatively uncommon event. The incidence is almost 0.01~0.5% in gynec-ologic patients. The most common cause of this condition is interference with the normal drainage of the uterus;endocervical obstruction by malignant disease. Other obstructive causes are the benign tumors in uterus, senile endocervicitis, long-term use of intrauterine device, cervical occlusion after surgery or radiation, intrauterinel infection, and congenital cervical anomaly. Methods: This report was performed to evaluate the hematopyometra patients, who were diagnosed and treated at Catholic University Medical College Hospitals from 1991 to 1995. Forty cases of hematopyometra were retrospectively reviewed by charts, radiologic and pathologic findings concerning with the clinical features. Results: 1) The most frequent age of hematopyometra patients was 50 to 59 years(45 %) and mean age was 63 years old. 2) Four patients(10 %) were at premenopausal period, and remaining 36 patients(90 %) were at the period of menopause(p<0.01). 3) The clinical manifestations of the patients were variable;profuse vaginal discharge(75 %), vaginal ble- eding or spotting(40 %), and lower abdominal pain(30 %). 4) The associating medical cond- itions or possible risk factors of hematopyometra are senile atrophic change(52.5 %), IUD inserted condition(25 %), genital malignant diseases(17.5 %), and uterine myoma(5 %). 5) The bacterial infection are frequently associated with hematopyometra and the causative ag ents are streptococci(50 %), E. coli(42 %), and mixed type(17 %). 6) Eight cases of them showed generalized peritonitis in the preoperative clinical course and three patients had been serious condition by septicemia. 7) The genital malignant diseases are associated with he- matopyomerta in 7 cases(17.5 %) of them(cervical cancer;4 cases, endometrial cancer;2 cases, and ovarian cancer;1 case). 8) All the cancer patients could be followed-up at le-ast for 2 years. Two patients, who were diagnosed for cervical cancer in the stage IIb and III, died of the persistent or recurrent disease in the period of following-up after the pri-mary treatment.