• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.173-183
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the stress level and HPA axis activity of an internet game addiction group and non-addiction group in adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was performed with 140 male high school students from 9 vocational high schools at W city. Data were collected from July to September, 2012, using a questionnaire for measuring internet game addiction and stress level, blood samples for serum ACTH, and cortisol level for HPA axis activity. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, $X^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS/WIN 15.0. Results: The stress level of the internet game addicted group was significantly higher than that of the non-addicted group (p<.001). The serum cortisol level was also significantly higher in the internet game addicted group than in the non-addicted group (p<.026). The serum ACTH level was higher in the internet game addicted group more than in the non-addicted group (p<.072). Conclusion: These results showed that internet game addiction could increase stress level and HPA axis activity in high school adolescents. Thus, a nursing approach to prevent and relieve internet game addiction should be initiated to stabilize the HPA axis of internet game addicted adolescents.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 2004.11a
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• pp.18-34
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• 2004

This paper will review data obtained primarily from our preclinical investigations that show that exposure to stress has a significant impact on drug taking. Stress increases reward associated with psychomotor stimulants, possibly through a process similar to sensitization, and a growing clinical literature indicates that there is also a link between substance abuse and stress in human addicts. One explanation for the high concordance between stress-related disorders and drug addiction is the self-medication hypothesis, which suggests that a dually-diagnosed person often uses the abused substance to cope with tension associated with life stressors or to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression resulting from a traumatic event. However, another characteristic of drug self-administration is that drug delivery and its subsequent effects on the HPA axis are under the direct control of the individual. This controlled activation of the HPA axis may result in the production of an internal state of arousal or stimulation that is actually sought by the individual (i.e., the sensation-seeking hypothesis). During abstinence, however, exposure to stressors or drug-associated cues can stimulate the HP A axis to remind the individual about the effects of the abused substance, thus producing craving and promoting relapse. Stress reduction, either alone or in combination with pharmacotherapies targeting the HPA axis may prove beneficial in reducing cravings and promoting abstinence in individuals seeking treatment for addiction. Of primary importance is to reduce the impact of cocaine-associated environmental stimuli on the HPA axis so that they no longer function as triggers for relapse.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.215-225
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• 2010

In order to investigate the antidepressant effects of Lycii Radicis Cortex on the change of HPA-Axis system, the forced swimming test was performed. The expressions of CRF and c-Fos in the PVN were measured with immunohistochemical method and the concentration of ACTH in Serum was evaluated with ELISA method. And the results obtained were as follows. Results : 1. The duration of immobility in the forced swimming test was significantly decreased in the LRC100 group and the LRC400 group(P<0.001). 2. The expressions of CRF and c-Fos were significantly reduced in the LRC100 group and the LRC400 group(P<0.001). And the concentration of ACTH in Serum were significantly reduced in the LRC 100 group(P<0.05). According to the results above mentioned, it can be considered that Lycii Radicis Cortex has antidepressant effects.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.6-12
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• 2006

Background: The Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis is an important regulator for the body's stress response. As a primary stress responsive system, HPA-axis secretes various neurotransmitters, hormones, and cytokines, which regulates the immune system. Natural killer (NK) cell which is plays an important role in the innate immune response, is specially decreased their numbers and loose cytolytic activity in response to stress. However, the effect of HPA-axis secreted proteins on NK cell activity has not been defined. Herein, we studied the effect of adrenal secreted adiponectin on NK cell cytotoxicity. Adiponectin which is well-known metabolic control protein, plays important roles in various diseases, including hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, inflammatory disorders, and cancer. Methods: Signal sequence trap was used to find stress novel secretory protein from HP A-axis. Selected adiponectin was treated mouse mature primary NK cells and then examined the effect of adiponectin to NK cell cytotoxicity and cytokine expression level. Results: We found that adiponectin which is secreted from adrenal gland, suppress IL-2 induced NK cell cytotoxicity. And also investigated cytolytic cytokines are suppressed by adiponectin. Conclusion: These data suggest that adiponectin inhibites NK cell cytotoxicity via suppression of cytotoxicity related target gene.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.147-162
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• 2015

Objectives: The objective of this review was to summarize the primary role of three representative endocrine axes in aquatic vertebrates and discuss the effects on endocrine systems and their interactions in teleost fish after exposure to environmental contaminants. Methods: We summarized individual traits and mechanisms for hormonal and transcriptional interactions between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad (HPG), hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT), and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes in fish. We also provided a brief discussion on the effects of nonylphenol-induced toxicity on endocrine systems and their interactions in fish as a demonstration of holistic explanation. Results: Currently-available data showed that thyroid dysfunction is associated with reproductive toxicity due to changes in steroidogenic gene expressions and sex hormone levels as well as gonad glands in fish. As an example, we demonstrated that exposure to nonylphenol could induce estrogenicity in male fish by decreasing thyroid hormones, which contributes to increased aromatase expression. Although the mechanisms are complicated and involved in multiple ways, a number of studies have shown that sex steroids influence the HPT axis or the HPA axis in fish, indicating bi-directional crosstalk. Critically missing is information on the primary target or toxicity mechanisms of environmental contaminants among the three endocrine axes, so further studies are needed to explore those possibilities. Conclusions: This review highlights the interactions between the HPG, HPT, and HPA axes in fish in order to better understand how these endocrine systems could interact with each other in situations of exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 2012

Objectives : In this study the antidepressant effects of mixture of Lycii Radicis Cortex and Gardeniae Fructus on the change of HPA-Axis and Catecholamine system was investigated Methods : The forced swimming test was performed. The expression of CRF, c-Fos in the PVN, and TH in the VTA and LC were measured with immunohistochemical method. And the experimental groups were divided into the Extraction after Mix group(A) and Mix after Extraction group(B). The effects of both group were compared. Results : The duration of immobility in the FST was decreased significantly in three groups except B100(P<0.01). B100 was shown the significant increase(P<0.05). The expression of CRF in PVN was decreased significantly in all group(P<0.05~P<0.01). The expression of c-Fos in PVN was decreased in A100, A400 and was increased significantly in B100, B400(P<0.05). The expression of TH in VTA and LC were decreased significantly in all group(P<0.001). Conclusions : Effects of Extraction after Mix group(A) and Mix after Extraction group(B) on the HPA-Axis system and Catecholamine system were validated.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to describe a psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) framework for postpartum depression (PPD) and discuss its implications for nursing research and practice for postpartum women. Methods: This study explored the role of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as possible mediators of risk factors for PPD through literature review. Results: From this PNI view, human bodies are designed to respond with the reciprocal interactions among the neuro-endocrine and immune system when they are faced with physical or psychological stressors. Chronic stress induces alterations in the function of HPA axis, and a chronic low-grade inflammatory response is associated with depression. The dysfunctions of cytokines and HPA axis have been observed during the postpartum period. Stress promotes glucocorticoid receptor resistance, which can promote inflammatory responses. This, in turn, can contribute to the pathophysiology of depression. This can especially affect populations at vulnerable time-points, such as women in the postpartum. Conclusion: From a PNI perspective, well-designed prospective research evaluating the role of stress and inflammation as an etiology of PPD and the effect of stress reduction is warranted to prevent PPD.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2001

Obesity is a metabolic disease associated with multiple hormonal abnormalities. Therefore, obesity management aims at balancing these endocrine malfunctions nowadays. Although many studies proved interactions of hormones related with obesity, there are still lots of controversies. Most of these malfunctions are more pronounced in central, visceral obesity than in peripheral obesity. Recently, it is revealed that a central lesion of endocrine malfunction in human visceral obesity is probably related with a hypersensitivity of hypothalamopituitary-adrenal(HPA) axis. Probably associated with this axis, Insulin and cortisol promote lipid accumulation by expressing lipoprotein lipase activity, while sex hormones and growth hormone exert the opposite effects. Also reviewed was thyroid hormone which is closely related with thermogenesis. Serotonin is prescribed as antidepressant and it is applied to some eating disorders. Recently, leptin made in fat deposit also took attentions in terms of regulator of appetite and messenger of sex signal.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.161-174
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• 2011

Objectives : The effects of Extraction after Mixture of Bupleuri Radix and Lycii Radicis Cortex on the change of the HPA-Axis system and the Catecholamic system was investigated. Methods : After performing the Forced Swimming Test(FST), the expressions of corticotropin releasing factor(CRF), c-Fos in the paraventricular nucleus(PVN), and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) in the ventral tegmental area(VTA) and locus coeruleus(LC) were measured by immunohistochemical method. Results : The duration of immobility in FST was significantly decreased in A 100(Extraction after Mixture of Bupleuri Radix and Lycii Radicis Cortex, 100mg/kg) and A 400(Extraction after Mixture of Bupleuri Radix and Lycii Radicis Cortex, 400mg/kg)(p<0.001). The expression of CRF in the PVN was shown the tendency to reduce in A100 and A400. The expression of c-Fos in the PVN was shown the tendency to reduce in A100 and A400. The expression of TH in the VTA was shown the tendency to reduce mildly in A100 and A400. The expression of TH in the LC was significantly reduced in A400(p<0.001). And the dose dependent reduction tendency was shown, respectively. Conclusions : According to the results above mentioned, the immobility, c-Fos and CRF expression was reduced at lower dose and was increased at higher dose. Therefore there is contradictory effects on the HPA Axis system in accordance with the dose. But in the effects on the catecholaminergic system, it significantly reduced the expression of TH in the LC. It was validated that the effect on the catecholaminergic system was ruled by Bupleuri Radix rather than Lycii Radicis Cortex via mainly the noradernergic system.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.172-186
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• 2003

Acupuncture therapy has demonstrated efficacy in several clinical areas, and of these areas the understanding of pain has progressed immensely in the last two decades. The underlying mechanisms of acupuncture in general and the analgesic effect in particular are still not clearly delineated. The leading hypothesis include the effects of local stimulation, neuronal gating, release of endogenous opiates, and the placebo effect. Accumulating evidence suggests that the central nervous system(CNS) is essential for the processing of these effects, via its modulation of the autonomic nervous system, neuro-immune system, and hormonal regulation. These processes tap into basic survival mechanisms. As such, understanding the effects of acupuncture within a neuroscience-based framework becomes vital. We propose a model which incorporates the stress-induced hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis(HPA-axis) model of Akil et al., the cholinergic anti-inflamatory observations of Tracey et al., and Petrovic et al.