Hematopoietic effect of deer antler extract fermented by Bacillus subtilis on murine marrow cells

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We examined the chemical composition and the effect of fermented deer antler on hematopoietic factors in bone marrow cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: For the preparation of fermented deer antler extract (FAB), fermentation was carried out using Bacillus subtilis at 30degrees C for 7 days. The hematopoietic effect of FAB was investigated hematopoietic factors in marrow cells. RESULTS: The contents of total sugar, sulfated glycosaminoglycans, and uronic acid and the dry weight gradually increased with fermentation time. The sialic acid content (from 0.14 mg/mL to 0.54 mg/mL) was the highest on the 4th day of fermentation after which it decreased. The proliferating activity of bone marrow cells increased with fermentation times. The levels of various hematopoietic growth factors were determined to verify the beneficial effect of deer antler extract fermented by B. subtilis on hematopoiesis. FAB increased the number of stem cell factors and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in bone marrow cells. In addition, FAB augmented the burst-forming unit erythroid and total colonies in splenocyte-conditioned medium compared with non-fermented antler extract (NFA). However, FAB did not affect the mRNA levels of erythropoietin, an important factor for erythropoiesis. CONCLUSIONS: FAB, like NFA, did not directly affect hematopoiesis, but contributed to hematopoiesis by stimulating the production of hematopoietic factors.

Advanced Glycation End Products and Management of Diabetes Diet / 임상당뇨병

The amino groups of proteins react non-enzymatically with glucose. This posttranslational modification leads, via reversible Schiff-base adducts, to protein-bound Amadori products. Through subsequent oxidations and dehydrations, including free radical intermediates, a broad range of heterogeneous fluorescent and yellow-brown products with nitrogen- and oxygen-containing heterocycles is formed, the so-called advanced glycation endproducts (AGE). AGE are formed in food and in the human body. Endogenous AGE have been associated with numerous diabetes complications as well as with Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidants in the supplement such as vitamin C or vitamin E have a glycation reducing effect in the human body. In addition to AGE that form within the body, AGE also exist in foods. Because it had previously been assumed that dietary AGE (dAGE) are poorly absorbed, their potential role in human health and disease was largely ignored. However, recent studies showed that dAGE are absorbed and contribute significantly to the body's AGE pool. Animal-derived foods high in fat and protein are generally AGE-rich and prone to AGE formation during cooking. The formation of dAGE during cooking can be significantly reduced by cooking with moist heat, using shorter cooking times, and cooking at lower temperatures. Diet Coke contains more dAGE than classic coke, orange juice, or soda.

Non-surgical treatment and retention of open bite in adult patients with orthodontic mini-implants / 대한치과교정학회지

Successful treatment of the non-growing patient with an open bite of either dental skeletal pattern often presents a difficult challenge. The morphologic pattern in anterior open bite is characterized by longer vertical dimensions, an increase in development of the maxillary posterior dento-alveolar structure and a steep mandibular plane. In such cases, molar intrusion would be a good remedy for treatment. This article reports the successful treatment and retention of two anterior open-bite cases. We used orthodontic mini-implants for treatment and a circumferential retainer with posterior bite block or skeletal fixed retainer for retention. The diagnostic criteria and mechanics for appropriate treatment are discussed. Our results suggest that open bite can be reduced successfully with intrusion of molars using orthodontic mini-implants (OMI) without orthognathic surgery, and that circumferential retainer with posterior bite block and skeletal fixed retainer are effective for retention.

The Surgical Approach for Removal of Inverted Papilloma Originating from the Frontal Sinus / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The surgical approach for the removal of inverted papilloma (IP) involving the frontal sinus (FS) depends on the site of tumor origin. This study was designed to determine the appropriate surgical approach according to the site of origin in the FS. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Eleven patients with IPs originating from the FS, who had surgery at the department of ORL-HNS, Pusan National University Hospital from 1998 to 2007, were retrospectively reviewed for the site of tumor origin, surgical approach, recurrence, mode of reoperation, and complications. The mean age was 53.8 years with a male-to-female ratio of 7:4. The average follow-up duration was 35.7 months. RESULTS: The sites of tumor origin were the whole wall (2/11), medial wall (3/11), intersinus septal cell (2/11), lateral wall (1/11), posterior wall (1/11), anterior wall (1/11) and diffuse whole wall with invasion into the opposite sinus (1/11). In the two cases with whole wall involvement, one was treated by an osteoplastic frontal sinus surgery (OPF) and the other by a modified endoscopic Lothrop operation (MEL). The case with diffuse anterior wall origin was treated by OPF. For the two cases with the intersinus septal cell origin, one was reoperated using MEL after recurrence and the other was initially treated with MEL. A recurrent case with the lateral wall origin was reoperated by MEL. IPs originating from the posterior or medial wall were successfully managed by endoscopic surgery /c or /s trephination. CONCLUSION: IPs originating from the FS were successfully managed by the integrated endoscopic-assisted approach to the FS. Especially, MEL was a safe and effective alternative treatment to OPF for IPs originating from the FS.

Histopathological Changes of Olfactory Epithelium in the Rats Exposed to Cigarette Smoke / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although exposure to cigarette smoke has been reported to be associated with olfactory dysfunction, the pathophysiology is poorly understood. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the histopathological change of olfactory epithelium according to exposure duration of cigarette smoke and to investigate the effects of cigarette smoke on the olfactory epithelium. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-six healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups. Experimental groups (n=28) were exposed to cigarette smoke during 2.5 hours (total 5 cigarettes) per one day for 5 days, 11 days and 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 weeks. Control group (n=8) was placed at the same room without smoke exposure and sacrificed at 4 and 9 weeks. Histopathological changes of olfactory epithelium through light microscope and immunohistochemistric findings of olfactory marker protein (OMP) through confocal microscope were observed. The numbers of cells in olfactory epithelium were counted at each period. RESULTS: From 5 days of cigarette smoke exposure, defection of epithelial cells, random arrangement of olfactory receptor cells and decreased thickness of olfactory epithelium were noticed. Numbers of olfactory receptor cells were significantly decreased at 11 days and 3 weeks after smoke exposure, and this finding of decreased number of olfactory receptor cells were continued until 9 weeks of exposure. Numbers of OMP-positive olfactory receptor cells were continuously decreased according to exposure duration. CONCLUSION: The olfactory epithelial cells could be directly affected by cigarette smoke. The numbers of olfactory epithelial cells including olfactory receptor cells were continuously decreased until 9 weeks after cigarette smoke exposure.

Chemiluminescence in diagnosis of oral lichen planus

PURPOSE: This study was conducted in order to evaluate how chemiluminescent lighting (ViziLite(R)) could increase the sharpness of margin and contrast to normal mucosa in the diagnosis of oral lichen planus (OLP), the most frequent oral premalignant lesion, compared with direct visual inspection under incandescent light. METHODS: 41 consecutive patients, diagnosed to have OLP with visual inspection under incandescent light, were further examined with chemiluminescent light. The degrees of margin sharpness and lesion contrast were ranked on a scale from 1 to 3 for all patients under visual inspection and chemiluminescent light. The presence of additional lesion only detected by chemiluminescent light, complication, and discomfort were checked for each patient. After both screening tests, biopsy specimens were harvested from all patients with scalpels and histopathologic assessments were done. RESULTS: All 41 patients were diagnosed to have OLP by both visual inspection and chemiluminescent light examination. This result was definitively diagnosed by histopathology. Degrees of margin sharpness and lesion contrast were increased by chemiluminescent light compared with visual inspection, but only the difference of lesion contrast was statistically significant. In 22.0% of patients, additional lesions were detected and 88.9% of them were diagnosed to have OLP histopathologically. 17.1% of patients noted discomfort and 9.8% of patients showed complications after chemiluminescent test. CONCLUSION: Chemiluminescent light may not be proper for the screen test of oral cancer or premalignant lesion but showed some possibility for additional diagnostic tool for definitively diagnosed patients in determination of lesion margin and scope.

Correlation of Middle Meatus, Ethmoid Sinus and Maxillary Sinus Microbiology in Patients with Chronic Sinusitis

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The bacteriology of chronic sinusitis helps us to understand sinusitis and plays an important role in selecting appropriate antibiotics. In recent studies, a good correlation was found between middle meatus and maxillary sinus cultures. We correlate middle meatus, ethmoid sinus and maxillary sinus microbiology in patients with chronic sinusitis and try to determine whether middle meatus cultures can replace maxillary sinus and ethmoid sinus cultures as noninvasive alternative methods. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 32 patients with chronic sinusitis who didn't respond to medical therapy and received endoscopic sinus surgery were selected. Intraoperative middle meatus, anterior ethmoid and maxillary sinus samples from 32 patients under endoscopic visualization using sterile cotton swabs (BBL Culture Swab(R), BBL, USA) were collected. RESULTS: The overall correlation rate of middle meatus and ethmoid sinus cultures was estimated to be 84.4%. The overall correlation rate of middle meatus and maxillary sinus cultures was estimated to be 84.4%. The most frequently isolated bacteria were coagulase negative Staphylococci in middle meatus and Staphylococcus aureus in ant. Ethmoid and maxillary sinus. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that middle meatus cultures correlate well with anterior ethmoid and maxillary sinus cultures and can be used to guide antibiotics selection in chronic sinusitis.

Management of Refractory Posterior Epistaxis by Endoscopic Electrocautery or Ligation of the Sphenopalatine Artery / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The treatment modalities of refractory posterior epistaxis includes external carotid artery ligation, transantral ligation of the internal maxillary artery (IMA), transantral ligation of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA) and embolization of the internal maxillary artery (IMA) and its branches. More recently the endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA has been proposed. Authors introduce our operative methods of endoscopic SPA cautery/ligation and analyze the results of experienced cases. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospective review was carried out of 9 patients who have undergone endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA due to refractory posterior epistaxis from January 2002 to June 2004. Frequency of preoperative nasal bleeding episodes, number of performing anterior or posterior nasal packing, preexisting local and systemic factors, operative method, patterns of SPA branches, duration of preoperative and postoperative hospital stay were analyzed. The simple description of operative technique is as follows: under the general anesthesia, a large middle meatal antrostomy is created. Septoplasty and resection of the anterior or inferior portion of middle turbinate can be performed to maximize surgical assess to sphenopalatine area. A mucoperiosteal flap is raised from posterior edge of the antrostomy and dissection is made posteriorly until the sphenoplatine foramen and its emerging branches are identified. Dissection can be proceed to anterior face of the sphenoid to ensure that the posterior septal artery is identified. The SPA branches are ligated with a titanium Ligaclip(R) or nasal forcep styled bipolar electrocautery, and the mucoperiosteal flap is then redrapped. RESULTS: Endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA stopped the refractory posterior bleeding successfully in all patients (male 6/female 3, mean age 41.4 years) without recurrence. The frequency of preoperaive nasal packing was 3.6 times and all cases showed posterior nasal rebleeding. The mean duration of preoperative and postoperative hospital stay were 10.1 and 2.6 days. The most frequent preexisting local and general factor were nasal septal deviation and hypertension, respectively. The pattern of SPA branches included 3 cases of type A, 4 of type B and 2 of type C. Of the 9 patients, 3 cases were managed with clipping and 6 with electrocautery of SPA branches. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic electrocautery or ligation of SPA and its branches are simple, less invasive and more effective methods that can be used to control refractory posterior epistaxis and reduce complications, the duration of hospital stay and rebleeding episodes.

Two Cases of Metachronous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Involving Both Maxillary Sinuses / 대한이비인후과학회지

Malignant tumors of the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses are uncommon, comprising less than one percent of all tumors. Although multiple primary carcinoma of the aerodigestive tract are commonly reported, metachronous squamous cell carcinomas of both maxillary sinuses are extremely rare. The incidence of metachronous maxillary carcinoma involving both sinuses is 1.2-1.4 percent of all patients with maxillary carcinoma. Here we present two cases of metachronous squamous cell carcinoma involving both maxillary sinuses, which are the first reported cases in Korea. A 74-year-old female and 56-year-old male had right maxillary cancer. They had additional carcinoma developed in the contralateral maxillary sinus after 6 years and 12 years, respectively. Although the possibility is rare, metachronous tumors of the contralateral maxillary sinus can occur. An early dianosis and appropriate treatment of the secondary lesion is critical.

Detection of Ammino Acids Using Microdialysis Technique and Changes of Amino Acid Concentrations in Experimentally Induced Nasal Allergy Model / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The basic principle of microdialysis is to mimic the function of a capillary blood vessel by perfusing physiologic liquid implanted into the target tissue. Amino acids are supposed to have functions for controlling the homeostasis of normal nasal mucosa and a role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. However, no studies have been conducted about the existence of amino acids in the nasal cavity. This study measures the concentration of 19 amino acids found in the nasal cavity of normal control and experimentally allergy-induced animal model in order to evaluate the difference in the concentration of amino acids between normal and allergic nasal mucosa. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An experimentally induced nasal allergy model was developed by intraperitoneal and intranasal sensitization with ovalbumin in Dunkin-Hartely guinea pigs according to a programmed protocol. A microdialysis probe was designed to be suitable to nasal mucosa using a Cuprophan hollow fiber (200 micrometer inner diameter, 300 micrometer outer diameter, 45 kDa molecular weight cut-off, Fitral, AN 69-HF). After verification of the probe, microdialysis was performed in the inferior turbinate submucosa of normal control (N=8) and experimental (N=8) groups. The concentration of 19 amino acids was analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analysis was performed using a student t-test. RESULTS: All 19 amino acids were validated at various concentrations in the nasal cavity. Glutamate (p=0.036) and GABA (p<0.001) concentrations were significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group. CONCLUSION: The 19 amino acids measured existed in the nasal cavity at various concentrations, and the concentrations of glutamate and GABA were significantly higher in the allergy group than in the control group. The microdialysis technique is a powerful tool not only to measure endogenous substances for target organ chemistry but also to pharmacokinetically evaluate exogenous drug delivery processes in the nasal cavity.

Sinonasal Distribution of Nasal Drops and Spray according to Head Positions / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare sinonasal distribution of topical nasal drops and spray according to head positions and to suggest optimal head position for effective topical delivery. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study group included five healthy subjects (normal group) and five patients who had got endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS group). A visual assessment of the intranasal distribution of nasal drops and spray was made using Fluorescein Blue Filter System after instillation of TobraDex(R) drops and Nasonex(R) dyed with 0.2% fluorescein. Each group took five kinds of head position for nasal drops and two for nasal spray. RESULTS: Drops instilled with head back position were found along the nasal floor, and drops with Mecca position and vertex to ground position were found in the olfactory cleft in both groups. Drops instilled in Mygind position and Ragan position were found in the middle meatus and head of the middle turbinate in the normal group, and in the middle meatus, ethmoidectomized cavity, and maxillary sinus in the ESS group. The head neutral position showed effective distribution to the septum, lateral nasal wall, and middle turbinate in the normal group, and in the ethmoidectomized cavity in the ESS group, compared to the head forward position which distributed the drops lower depending portion. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that, for the effective delivery of nasal drops, Mecca position and vertex to ground position are recommended to the olfactory cleft, and Mygind position and Ragan position are proposed to the middle meatal region in non-surgery patients and ethmoidectomized cavity and maxillary sinus in post-ESS patients. Head neutral position is recommendable for effective delivery of nasal spray compared to head forward position regardless of ESS.

Clinical Analysis of Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma according to Surgical Approach / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to compare the clinical outcomes according to surgical approach of extranasal, endonasal endoscopic, and a combined approach of the two, suggesting the indication of each surgical approach for excision of sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fifty-six IP patients who had been operated at the department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pusan National University Hospital from January, 1995 to March, 2001 were retrospectively assessed. The patients were arbitrarily divided into three groups such as excision through extranasal approach (EEA), endonasal endoscopic excision (EEE), and EEE combined with Caldwell-Luc's approach (EEE+C-L) group. RESULTS: The most commonly affected sites by CT/MRI preoperatively was the nasal cavity followed in the decreasing order of frequency by maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal sinus. In the EEA group, the originated sites were the nasal cavity (2/6), maxillary (1/6), and frontal sinus (2/6). In the EEE group, the origin sites by operative findings were the nasal cavity (30/41), maxillary (5/41), sphenoid (3/41), and ethmoid (2/41) sinus. In the EEE+C-L group, eight cases (8/9) originated from the maxillary sinus. There were six cases associated with malignant tumors, five synchronous and one metachronous, treated combined with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. A total of eight cases recurred during the follow-up period. The recurrence rate was 16.6% (1/6) in EEA, 14.6% (6/41) in EEE and 10.1% (1/9) in EEE+C-L group, and there was no significant difference according to surgical approaches. CONCLUSION: EEE yielded a successful outcome only when the IP was limited to the originating sites of nasal cavity, medial and upper wall of maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus, and sphenoid sinus. The complete removal of the tumor by EEE alone could not be achieved when the tumor was originated from the anterior, inferior, and posterolateral wall of maxillary sinus, requiring application of C-L's approach at the same time. EEA can be used with more benefits than EEE when the tumor is originated from the frontal sinus or when the mass tends to invade extensively.

Investigation of Helicobacter Pylori Colonization in Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy Specimens using Campylobacter Like Organism Test / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Helicobacter pylori infection is strongly associated with chronic gastritis and ulcer disease and is a risk factor for gastric carcinoma and primary gastric B-cell lymphoma. Palatine tonsils and adenoids are a component of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) and represent an extragastric reservoir for H. pylori infection. This study was designed to find out the settling frequency of H. pylori in tonsil and adenoid tissues by Compylobacter like organism (CLO) test on tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy specimens in Koreans. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We reviewed the records of 52 patients aged 3 to 51 who had undergone an adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy, or adenotonsillectomy procedure under local or general anesthesia. Two millimeter diameter tissue pieces had been obtained from each adenoid and tonsil specimens were placed in CLO test kit. Color changes were noted after 20 minutes and after periods of 1, 3, and 24 hours. RESULTS: Thirty three (63.5%) of the 52 patients were shown to be H. pylori positive. H. pylori positive rate was not significantly different according to operation methods, age and sex. H. pylori positive rate in tonsil specimens (62.7%) was significantly higher than that in adenoid specimens (17.6%)(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that palatine tonsils represent an extragastric reservoir for H. pylori infection. Tonsillectomy may be associated with decreased prevalence of H. pylori colonization. Further study is needed about correlation between H. pylori colonization in tonsil and H. pylori associated gastric disease.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Tonsil / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil has a relatively poor prognosis. Surgery, radiation therapy and combinations of irradiation and surgery have been employed but there exists some controversy about the efficacy of these treatment modalities. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of tonsillar neoplasm. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Medical records of 21 patients who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy for tonsillar neoplasm at Pusan National University Hospital from April 1995 through August 2000 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The three year survival rate was 81.0%. The three year survival rates for stages I,II were both 100%. For stages III, IV, the rates were 83.3%, 87.5%, respectively. The three year survival rate for T1, T2, T3 were 100%, 92.3%, 40.0%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy would be effective treatment modality for tonsillar neoplasm with high survival rate and low morbidity.

Influence of middle ear conditions on measurement of evoked otoacoustic emissions / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) are low level acoustic sounds of cochlear origin. They have several advantages over other methods in auditory testing, particularly in children. However, because of the crucial dependence of emission levels on the healthiness of the middle ear conduction system, some middle ear problems confound the interpretation of evoked OAEs (EOAEs). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of middle ear condition (tympanometry) on DPOAEs and TEOAEs in normal hearers. Materials and Method : Tympanometry, TEOAEs and DPOAEs were measured in 42 subjects (68 ears) who were under 12 years old and have pure tone thresholds within 25 dB HL RESULTS: The OAEs pass rates for the three groups were as follows: 95 % for TEOAEs and 90 % for DPOAEs in the tympanogram type A group; 12 % for TEOAEs and 12 % for DPOAEs in the tympanogram type B group; 27.3 % for TEOAEs and 13.6 % for DPOAEs in the tympanogram type C group. The pass rate and sensitivity of EOAEs were much higher in the type A group than in the type B and C groups. CONCLUSION: OAEs are useful for screening the integrity of outer hair cells in the tympanogram type A group but not in the type B and C groups. Therefore, tympanometry that represents middle ear condition is recommended before the OAE test. In addition, if TEOAEs and DPOAEs are simultaneously performed, sensitivity will be increased.

A case of furosemide induced acute interstitial nephritis in a patient with nephrotic syndrome / 대한내과학회지

Acute interstitial nephritis may result from a variety of causes and may present a variety of clinical and laboratory findings. If there was or going deterioration of renal function in patients with glomerular disease but without any evidence of other causes for that especially after administration of drug, acute interstitial nephritis should be considered as one possible causes for that Acute interstitial nephritis may be progressing more rapidly than expected but since acute interstitial nephritis is reversible with withdrawal of the drug, its early detection is very important. Acute interstitial nephritis induced by furosemide is rarely reported. But furosemide is a well know drug commonly used in the management of edema due to various causes. Therefore considering furosemide as one possible cause of acute interstitial nephritis is clmicaly important. We experienced a case of acute interstitial nephritis in a 29 year old man with nephrotic syndrome after treatment of furosemide. On admission, physical examination lower extremities revealed severe pitting edema. Serum creatinine level was 1.2 mg/dL. For edema control, we started furosemide therapy. After furosemide therapy, his serum creatinine level was elevated to 3.5mg/dL. He had mild but transient fever. Peripheral eosinophilia, eosinophiluria, skin rash were not observed and threr was no evidence of any infection. Definite diagnoisis was established by renal biopsy and renal biopsy revealed a diffuse interstitial nephritis with dense infiltration by lymphocytes and plasma cells. In addition, moderate tubular atrophy and diffuse interstitial edema was present. The patient recovered promptly after withdrawal of furosemide and with steroid therapy.

The Effect of Polygalasaponins in Polygalae Tenuifolia on Apomorphine-Induced Hyperlocomotions in Mice / 대한정신약물학회지

OBJECTIVE: This study was to investigate in vivo antidopaminergic activities of polygalasaponins which included in the roots of Polygalae tenuifolia, one of the natural plants prescribed to treat psychotic disorders in traditional medicine. METHODS: The chemical separations were conducted by chromatographies with various columns and the chemical structures were identified using spectroscopy, NMR and so on. The apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors and climbing behaviors in mice as animal models of psychotic disorders were applied to explore the antidopaminergic activity. RESULTS: The active compounds with antidopaminergic effects in the roots of Polygalae tenuifolia were identified as polygalasaponin A-D. The polygalasaponins showed to suppress the apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors and climbing behaviors in dose-related fashions. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that polygalasaponins might have antipsychotic activities. The natural products need to be explored extensively as sources of new medications in psychiatric fields. Further explorations for chemical and pharmacological properties of polygalasaponins are required.

Analysis of Changes in Nasal Formant, Spectra and Resonant Volume in Rhinosinus after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: There have been some reports about acoustic analysis of nasality changes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but no studies on the relationship between acoustic and volumetric changes of rhinosinus. The aims of this study were to measure and follow the postoperative course of nasal formant and spectral changes of nasal consonants and vowels, to evaluate the relationship between these acoustic and volumetric changes of rhinosinus, and to estimate the effect of rhinosinus as a nasal tract on nasal resonance after operation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The changes of formants and spectral pattern were evaluated in 30 patients before ESS, and one, three and 12 months after ESS. Axial CT planes of 10 patients taken before and one month after the surgery were used for measuring the resonant volume of rhinosinus. RESULTS: The first formant was decreased when ESS was carried out one month after the surgery. However, it almost recovered to the preoperative level within 3 postoperative months. Twelve months after the surgery, the first formant did not show statistically significant differences compared to those of the preoperative state and the postoperative 1 month. The increment of resonant volume in rhinosinus was not correlated with the degree of decrement of the first formant one month after the surgery. CONCLUSION: Having a proper nasal cavity and the sinuses are important for nasality since hypernasality observed in the postoperative 1 month is thought to be caused by significantly increased resonant volume of the nasal tract. Compensatory control of velopharyngeal port as well as the resonant volume of the nasal tract are important factors to changes in nasality.

Alpha-2 Adrenoceptor Binding Profile of Natural Products Used to Treat Psychotic illnesses / 대한정신약물학회지

Natural products have long been major sources of pharmaceutical products in medicine. We have undertaken a series of studies designed to characterize the pharmacologic profiles of natural products used to treat psychotic illnesses in Korean traditional medicine. In our previous screening assays, we found that three of plant extracts (Coptidis j, Citrus u, and Phellodendron a) contain active components which show relatively potent binding to alpha-2 adrenoceptors. The present study is to explore pharmacologic activities of extracts as agonism or antagonism by G-protein modulations in radioligand receptor binding study. We have found that two extracts(Coptidis j and Phellodendron a) contain active ingredients which have antagonistic properties to alpha-2 adrenoceptors, whereas one plant extract (Citrus u) has agonistic properties. The demonstration of three plant extracts used to treat psychotic illnesses in Korea may help in the elucidation or their pharmacologic characteristics and provide insights for the development of new psychotropic drugs.

Effects of Polygalae Radix on Apomorphine-Induced Stereotyped Behaviors in Mice / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate in vivo activities of Polygalae Radix, a natural plant including active components having affinities to central nervous system receptors, using an animal model for psychotic disorders in terms of behavioral psychopharmacology. METHODS: The extracts of Polygalae Radix in two concentrations of 5.0mg/g and 0..5mg/g were administered to mice in order to explore the suppression of apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors visually and to compare with the effects of haloperidol and control. 10 mice were tested in each groups. RESULTS: The capacities of suppressing the apomorphine-induced stereotyped behaviors were observed in decreasing order of haloperidol, Polygalae Radix 5.0mg/g, Polygalae Radix 0..5mg/g and control. The extracts of Polygalae Radix in both concentrations suppressed apomorphine- induced stereotyped behaviors significantly, and Polygalae Radix 5.0mg/g was as potent as haloperidol. CONCLUSION: This suggests that Polygalae Radix contain some effective ingredients to influence the central dopamine pathway in vivo. The identification of the chemical structures and the exploration of the biochemical and pharmacological characteristics of active components are to be required through further studies.