Anti‑stress effects of Fameyes in in vitro and in vivo models of stresses / 한국실험동물학회지

Background@#Fameyes (a mixture of Clematis mandshurica Rupr. extract (CMRE) and Erigeron annuus (L.) Pers. extract (EAPE)) containing scutellarin and chlorogenic acid as major components has been reported to relieve mental stress in human subjects, which is reflected in improved scores in psychometric tests measuring levels of depression, anxi‑ ety, well-being, and mental fitness. The aim of this study was to examine the anti-stress activity of Fameyes and to investigate the mechanisms of the anti-stress activity using in vitro and in vivo models of stresses. @*Results@#First, we tested the effect of Fameyes on corticosterone-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells (human neurofibroma cell lines). Corticosterone induced apoptosis and decreased cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, but treatment with Fameyes inhibited these cytotoxic effects in a dose-dependent manner. However, CMRE and EAPE (components of Fameyes) did not inhibit the cytotoxic effect of corticosterone individually. Next, we tested the effects of Fameyes on rats that were exposed to different kinds of stresses for four weeks. When the stressed rats were treated with Fameyes, their immobility time in forced swim and tail suspension tests decreased. A reduction was also observed in the serum levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone. Furthermore, upon oral administration of Fameyes, serum serotonin levels increased. These in vitro and in vivo results support the anti-stress effects of Fameyes. @*Conclusions@#In vitro experiments showed anti-stress effects of Fameyes in cell viability, apoptosis, and mitochon‑ drial membrane potential. In addition, in vivo experiments using rats showed anti-stress effects of Fameyes in blood and tissue levels of ACTH, corticosterone, and serotonin, as well as the immobility time in the forced swim and tail sus‑ pension tests. However, we did not specifically investigate which ingredient or ingredients showed anti-stress effects, although we reported that Fameyes contained chlorogenic acid and scutellarin major ingredients.

Changes in Urinary Angiotensinogen Associated with Deterioration of Kidney Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Urinary angiotensinogen (AGT) is potentially a specific biomarker for the status of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in patients with diabetes mellitus. We explored whether changes in urinary AGT excretion levels were associated with the deterioration of kidney function in type 2 diabetes patients with preserved kidney function. Urinary baseline AGT levels were measured in 118 type 2 diabetic patients who were not taking RAS blockers and who had estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFRs) ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m². A total of 91 patients were followed-up for 52 months. Changes in urinary levels of AGT (ΔAGT) were calculated by subtracting urinary AGT/creatinine (Cr) at baseline from urinary AGT/Cr after 1 year. ΔAGT was significantly inversely correlated with annual eGFR change (β = −0.29, P = 0.006; β = −0.37, P = 0.001 after adjusting for clinical factors). RAS blockers were prescribed in 36.3% of patients (n = 33) during follow-up. The ΔAGT values were lower in the RAS blockers users than in the non-RAS blockers users, but the differences were not statistically significant (7.37 ± 75.88 vs. 22.55 ± 57.45 μg/g Cr, P = 0.081). The ΔAGT values remained significantly correlated with the annual rate of eGFR change (β = −0.41, P = 0.001) in the patients who did not use RAS blockers, but no such correlation was evident in the patients who did. ΔAGT is inversely correlated with annual changes in eGFR in type 2 diabetes patients with preserved kidney function, particularly in RAS blocker-naïve patients.

The Effect of Brief Thyroid Functional Changes on Arterial Stiffness in Patients Who Preparing Radioactive Iodine Administration

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Abnormal thyroid function influences the cardiovascular system. In particular, brief thyroid functional change due to levothyroxine (LT4) suppression therapy and withdrawal in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients can affect cardiovascular system and other biochemical markers. However, the effect of brief thyroid functional change on arterial stiffness has not been evaluated. Therefore, we evaluated the changes in arterial stiffness according to short-term thyroid hormone levels in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy for PTC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with PTC (n=17; 15 females, mean age 52 years) who underwent total thyroidectomy and RAI therapy were enrolled in this study. The arterial stiffness was evaluated using the corrected augmentation index for heart rate (AI@75) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (BaPWV). Serum thyroid hormone levels and arterial stiffness parameters were checked three times consecutively: the day before thyroidectomy (Visit 1; baseline euthyroid state), after LT4 withdrawal (Visit 2; pre-RAI hypothyroid state) and 4 weeks after RAI (Visit 3; post-RAI thyrotoxic state). Biochemical markers, which can influence the arterial stiffness, were also measured. RESULTS: The heart rate, AI@75 and serum thyroid hormone levels changed significantly at each visit. BaPWV was not significantly changed. Changes in AI@75 correlated with systolic blood pressure (SBP), serum thyroid hormone levels, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, SBP was the independent factor for AI@75 changes. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that brief thyroid functional changes can influence AI@75. And SBP was important factor for AI@75 change.

Acute Pancreatitis Induced by Methimazole Treatment in a 51-Year-Old Korean Man: A Case Report

Methimazole (MMI)-induced acute pancreatitis is very rare but severe adverse reaction. A 51-yr-old male developed a high fever, chills, and abdominal pain, two weeks after commencement on MMI for the treatment of Graves' disease. There was no evidence of agranulocytosis, and fever subsided soon after stopping MMI treatment. However, 5 hr after taking an additional dose of MMI, abdominal pain and fever developed again. His symptoms, biochemical, and imaging studies were compatible with acute pancreatitis. After withdrawal of MMI, he showed clinical improvement. This is the first case of MMI-induced acute pancreatitis in Korea. Clinicians should be aware of the rare but possible MMI-induced pancreatitis in patients complaining of fever and abdominal pain.

Acute Pancreatitis Induced by Methimazole Treatment in a 51-Year-Old Korean Man: A Case Report

Methimazole (MMI)-induced acute pancreatitis is very rare but severe adverse reaction. A 51-yr-old male developed a high fever, chills, and abdominal pain, two weeks after commencement on MMI for the treatment of Graves' disease. There was no evidence of agranulocytosis, and fever subsided soon after stopping MMI treatment. However, 5 hr after taking an additional dose of MMI, abdominal pain and fever developed again. His symptoms, biochemical, and imaging studies were compatible with acute pancreatitis. After withdrawal of MMI, he showed clinical improvement. This is the first case of MMI-induced acute pancreatitis in Korea. Clinicians should be aware of the rare but possible MMI-induced pancreatitis in patients complaining of fever and abdominal pain.

Concurrent Presence of Sjogren's Syndrome, Warthin Tumor, and MALT Lymphoma in a Parotid Gland and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis / 대한갑상선학회지

A 54-year-old female patient was referred due to a mass in the left salivary gland. A neck CT was performed and surgery was agreed due to a suspected Warthin tumor. The patient was also diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome and Hashimoto's thyroiditis and treated. Warthin tumor and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma were also diagnosed after parotidectomy. The coexistence of the two autoimmune diseases, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Sjogren's syndrome, has been reported, as has the coexistence of Warthin tumor and malignant tumor within a single salivary gland. However, these four diseases have not previously been reported in an individual patient. The authors treated a patient who was first diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome and Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and subsequently also with Warthin tumor and extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma after superficial parotidectomy. Therefore, this case is reported together with a related literature review.

Spurious Elevation of Glucose Concentration during Administration of High Dose of Ascorbic Acid in a Patient with Type 2 Diabetes on Hemodialysis

We describe herein a case of life-threatening hypoglycemia due to spurious elevation of glucose concentration during the administration of ascorbic acid in a type 2 diabetic patient. A 31-year-old female was admitted for proliferative diabetic retinopathy treatment and prescribed high dose ascorbic acid. During hospitalization, she suddenly lost her consciousness and her glucose concentration was 291 mg/dL, measured using self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG) device, while venous blood glucose concentration was 12 mg/dL. After intravenous injection of 50% glucose solution, the patient became alert. We reasoned that glucose measurement by SMBG device was interfered by ascorbic acid. Physicians should be aware of this interference; high dose ascorbic acid may cause spurious elevation of glucose concentration when measuring with SMBG devices.

Delayed Surgery for Parathyroid Adenoma Misdiagnosed as a Thyroid Nodule and Treated with Radiofrequency Ablation

Primary hyperparathyroidism occurs as a result of isolated parathyroid adenoma in 80% to 85% of all cases. A 99mtechnetium (99mTc) sestamibi scan or neck ultrasonography is used to localize the neoplasm prior to surgical intervention. A 53-year-old female was referred for the exclusion of metabolic bone disease. She presented with low back pain that had persisted for the past 6 months and elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (1,253 IU/L). Four years previously, she had been diagnosed at a local hospital with a 2.3-cm thyroid nodule, which was determined to be pathologically benign. Radiofrequency ablation was performed at the same hospital because the nodule was still growing during the follow-up period 2 years before the visit to our hospital, and the procedure was unsuccessful in reducing the size of the nodule. The results of the laboratory tests in our hospital were as follows: serum calcium, 14.6 mg/dL; phosphorus, 3.5 mg/dL; and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), 1,911 pg/mL. Neck ultrasonography and 99mTc sestamibi scan detected a 5-cm parathyroid neoplasm in the left lower lobe of the patient's thyroid; left parathyroidectomy was performed. This case indicated that thyroid ultrasonographers and pathologists need to be experienced enough to differentiate a parathyroid neoplasm from a thyroid nodule; 99mTc sestamibi scan, serum calcium, and iPTH levels can help to establish the diagnosis of parathyroid neoplasm.

Clinical Significance of the Presence of Autonomic and Vestibular Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy

BACKGROUND: We investigated the prevalence of diabetic autonomic neuropathy (DAN) and vestibular dysfunction (VD) in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: Thirty-five diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were enrolled from August 2008 to July 2009. All subjects underwent autonomic function tests. Nineteen of the patients (54.3%) underwent videonystagmography. RESULTS: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was observed in 28 patients (80%). A mild degree of autonomic failure was observed in 18 patients (64.3%), and a moderate degree of autonomic failure was observed in ten patients (35.7%). Factors related to DAN included diabetic nephropathy (P=0.032), degree of chronic kidney disease (P=0.003), and duration of diabetes (P=0.044). Vestibular dysfunction was observed in 11 of 19 patients (57.9%). There was no significant association between DAN and VD. CONCLUSION: Diabetic autonomic neuropathy was observed in 28 diabetic patients (80%) with peripheral neuropathy. Vestibular dysfunction was observed in nearly 60% of diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy who complained of dizziness but showed no significant association with DAN. Diabetic patients who complained of dizziness need to examine both autonomic function and vestibular function.

Differential Diagnostic Value of Total T3/Free T4 Ratio in Graves' Disease and Painless Thyroiditis Presenting Thyrotoxicosis

BACKGROUND: It is important to differentiate Graves' disease from that of painless thyroiditis in patients with thyrotoxicosis. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of total T3 to free T4 ratio in making a differential diagnosis between Graves' disease and painless thyroiditis. METHODS: We reviewed medical records of thyrotoxic patients, who had been diagnosed with Graves' disease or painless thyroiditis, from October 2009 to July 2011. We assessed clinical characteristics, serum levels of total T3, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyrotropin-binding inhibitory immunoglobulin, and findings of 99mTechnetium thyroid scan. We analyzed the total T3/free T4 ratios between Graves' disease and painless thyroiditis patients. RESULTS: A total of 76 untreated thyrotoxic patients "49 Graves' disease and 27 painless thyroiditis" were examined. The total T3, free T4 levels and the total T3/free T4 ratios were significantly higher in patients with Graves' disease than in those with painless thyroiditis (P 73, the possibility of Graves' disease was significantly higher than in painless thyroiditis (sensitivity, 75.5%; specificity, 70.3%). The sensitivity and specificity of the total T3/free T4 ratio in patients with free T4 < 3.6 ng/dL have been increased (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 71.4%). CONCLUSION: The total T3/free T4 ratios was useful for making a differential diagnosis between Graves' disease and painless thyroiditis.

Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Hyperglycemic Emergency State Accompanying Rhabdomyolysis

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of rhabdomyolysis and its association with both clinical course and prognosis and to evaluate the factors associated with rhabdomyolysis in patients with hyperglycemic emergencies. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of patients with hyperglycemic emergencies who visited our hospital from May 2003 to April 2010. We assessed the clinical characteristics, biochemical profiles and clinical course of patients and analyzed these data according to the presence of rhabdomyolysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of rhabdomyolysis was 29 patients (28.4%) among 102 patients. Mean serum osmolarity, glucose and serum creatinine levels were higher in patients with rhabdomyolysis than those without rhabdomyolysis. Patients with rhabdomyolysis had higher rates of hemodialysis and mortality than those without the condition. The factors associated with rhabdomyolysis in the hyperglycemic emergency state were increased serum osmolarity and APACHE II score on admission (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rhabdomyolysis commonly occurred in patients with hyperglycemic emergencies and this could aggravate their clinical course and increase mortality.

A Case of 36-Year-Old Man with Normokalemic Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis / 대한갑상선학회지

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis is not a rare complication of hyperthyroidism in Asian people, but the cases of paralysis with normal serum potassium levels are very rare. A 36-year-old Korean man who had been diagnosed with Graves' disease had experienced recurrent paralysis for 9 months in spite of normokalemia. We measured the patient's serum potassium levels nine times at the time of paralysis. All measurements fell in the range 3.3~4.7 mmol/L. We treated the patient with methimazole, Lugol's solution, beta-blockers, and radioactive iodine. Thyroid function was normalized after anti-thyroid treatment and then no further paralytic attacks have occurred.

Chronic Cyclophosphamide Induced Cystitis that is Improved by Mesna / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Cyclophosphamide is alkylating agent used in the treatment of various solid tumors. Mucosal irritation by acrolein, the metabolite of cyclophosphamide, is believed to cause various symptoms of cystitis. The thiol compound, sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (Mesna), has been found to inactivate acrolein. We present an unusual case of a 64-year-old woman, who was treated as chronic cystitis. Her symptoms did not improve, so she was treated with Mesna under the assumption of cyclophosphamide induced cystitis; her symptoms then improved.

Oxidative Stress Induced--Expression Changes of Zonular Occludens--1 in Tight Junction / 체질인류학회지

The homeostasis of microenvironment in central nervous system, essential for normal function, is maintained by blood-brain barrier (BBB). ZO-1 in tight junctions (TJs) plays an important role in maintaining BBB endothelial ion and solute barriers. Malfunction of BBB by reactive oxygen species has been attributed to disruption of TJs. This study examined H2 O2 effects on paracellular permeability and changes in TJ protein ZO-1 using primary culture of bovine brain microvessel endothelial cells. The BBB permeability,measured as TER, increased in a dose-and time-dependent manner when treated with H2O2 (0.01, 0.1, 1.0 mM). Cytotoxicity test revealed that H2O2 did not cause cell death below 1 mM H2 O2 within 4 hr. H2O2 caused intermittent disruption and loss of ZO-1 at tight junctions, but ZO-1 maintained steady state levels of expression. In conclusion, we report that H2O2 induces increased paracellular permeability of BBB that is accompanied with alterations in localization of ZO-1.