• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.75-84
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• 2005

Objectives : Acupuncture has been used as treatment of disease in the korean medicine. In this study, it was investigated that effects of reduction of acupuncture techniques of five evolutive phase for appling excess in the heart, kidney on cardiovascular system as blood pressure and renin and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in plasma, cardiac hypertrophy. Materials and methods : The experiments were performed on Sprague Dawley rats, 2K1C hypertension model was prepared by constricting the left renal artery with a sliver clip. Animals were then divided into seven groups, 2K1C induced and no treated group (Control), acupuncture on SP3 HT7(AC-1), LR1 KI1 (AC-2), SP3 HT7 LR1 KI1 (AC-3). The treatments were performed once a day for 10 days in rats. Results : The results are that the blood pressure was significantly decreased at 15days in AC-1 group. The cardiac hypertrophy was significantly decrease in AC-3 group. The activity of plasma ANP was increased in all groups without AC-1 group and the that of plasma Rein was decrease in AC-1, AC-2 groups than control group. Conclusions : These results suggest that acupuncture at SP3 HT7 and SP3 HT7 LR1 KI1 can be used as a therapy for controlling renal hypertension induced by 2K1C in the rats.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.60-63
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• 2020

Primary aldosteronism has been found more often among patients with hypertension. Primary aldosteronism can be caused by an aldosterone-producing adenoma, bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, or rarely by an adrenal carcinoma. An initial diagnostic test for aldosteronism is a measurement of the plasma renin activity and aldosterone concentration. For example, up to 20% of patients with hypertension showed increased plasma aldosterone concentration/renin activity ratio. If surgery is planned, an adrenal vein sampling is necessary for exact localization. Spironolactone, an aldosterone antagonist, is the drug of choice for patients with an aldosterone-producing adenoma or hyperplasia. It can control elevated blood pressure in most primary aldosteronism patients. However, unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy is the best treatment for aldosterone-producing adenoma or asymmetrical aldosterone production in patients with uncontrolled hypertension. Here we report a patient with primary aldosteronism caused by unilateral adrenal hyperplasia and a contralateral adrenal adenoma who required as many as five different kinds of antihypertensive medications for controlling elevated blood pressure. The adrenal adenoma was successfully removed by unilateral adrenalectomy and the blood pressure had been controlled well after the surgery.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 1978

To find out a convenient and reliable method of. detecting low renin status, we employed intravenous furosemide injection as a stimulatory maneuver. The results thus obtained were compared with those from the postural stimuli and basal plasma renin activity (PRA) in relation to sodium excretion. Intravenous furosemide test was performed in 66 control subjects and 44 patients with essential hypertension. The results were as follow; 1) Mean PRA in control subjects rose from $2.5{\pm}1.95$ ng/ml/hr (basal) to $4.5{\pm}2.51,\;5.2{\pm}2.49\;and\;4.2{\pm}2.44$ ng/ml/hr at 1, 2 and 3hrs after IV injection. One-hour response is more convenient in clinical practice. 2) Postural stimuli by assuming an upright posture for 3 hrs gave rise to considerable increase in PRA ($4.0{\pm}2.92\;from\;2.4{\pm}1.85$), but we found it less convenient than stimulation with furosemide. 3) The increase in PRA was much less marked in patients with essential hypertension as a whole ($2.9{\pm}2.75$). Hyporesponsiveness to furosemide stimuli was found in 34.1%. Of these hypo responders, a third had a normal basal PRA, indicating the need for this kind stimulatory procedure. 4) Younger age group showed greater renin responsiveness than older age group after furosemide stimuli. Likewise mean age of low renin patients ($52.9{\pm}5.38$ years old) was significantly higher than that of high and normal renin patients ($44.1{\pm}13.78$ years old).

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.193-198
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• 2001

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Korean Lycii Fructus water extract in Pb-administered rats. The Pb exposed rats were given 100 ppm and 200 ppm in the distilled water. Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 90 and 110g were blocked into 6 groups according to body weight. The control group was fed a normal diet, without lead. The experimental groups, which was fed a normal diet plus 100 ppm and 200 ppm lead, and one group received a normal diet plus Lycii Fructus water extracts. The results: the Food intake, the weight gain, and the kidney weight content in the cadmium added groups were lower than those in the Lycii Fructus water extracts group. The contents of Pb in the kidneys of the rats were determined by using ICP(lnductively Coupled Plasma Spectrophotometer). The accumulation of lead in the kidney was lower in the Lycii Fructus water extracts group. The Plasma levels of renin activity was higher in the lead administration groups, as compared with the Lycii Fructus water extracts. Plasma levels of aldosterone activity was higher in the lead administration group, as compared with Lycii Fructus water extracts. These results suggest that Lycii Fructus water extracts has a lowering effects on the accumulation of pb on kidney and it is believed that the Lycii Fructus water extracts have some protective effects on lead-induced nephrotoxicity in rats, but the mechanism of these effects was obscure.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 1994

To assess the role of adrenal medulla and renin-angiotensin system in the regulation of sympathetic neurotransmission, the pressor response to PNS was evaluated in pithed SHR and normotensive WKY or SDR with or without adrenal demedullation and/or enalapril pretreatment. Three weeks after adrenal demedullation, MAP and the heart rate of demedullated rats were similar to their corresponding sham-operated groups. The pressor response to PNS was frequency-dependent, and blocked by prazosin. In contrast to the normotensive rats, in SHR, the pressor response to PNS was attenuated in demedullated rats as compared with sham-operated rats. However, the attenuation of PNS-induced pressor responses in demedullated SHR was not observed in enalapril-treated SHR. The adrenal demedullation in SHR did not affect the plasma and aortic catecholamine contents in spite of the decreased catecholamine contents of adrenal gland, nor ACE activity in aortic strips. But, in WKY rats, the aortic catecholamines, especially epinephrine, contents as well as ACE activity were increased by adrenal demedullation. These results suggest that the facilitatory role of adrenal medulla in sympathetic neurotransmission depends upon the activation of renin-angiotensin system, and that the compensatory regulation of renin-angiotensin system takes place in normotensive rats but not in SHR.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2012

Primary aldosteronism is characterized by hypertension, hypokalemia, and metabolic alkalosis, associated with excessive aldosterone production and suppressed plasma renin activity. Hypokalemia-induced rhabdomyolysis has been rarely reported in primary aldosteronism patients. This paper reports a case of primary aldosteronism presented with rhabdomyolysis due to severe hypokalemia. A 48-year-old male with a three-year history of hypertension presented himself at the authors' hospital with generalized weakness and myalgia in both legs over a period of several days. His laboratory findings showed hypokalemia (1.8 mEq/L) with elevations of his serum creatine phosphokinase and serum myoglobin. His plasma aldosterone level was also elevated, and his plasma renin activity was reduced. An abdominal computed tomography revealed a 2.0 cm hypodense mass in the left adrenal gland, which suggested adrenal adenoma. The accordingly underwent laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Three months later, his plasma potassium level and blood pressure became normal without the use of medications.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.313-318
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• 1986

Primary aldosteronism is a disease that the stimulus for the excessive aldosterone production resides within the adrenal gland. It was first described by conn in 1955. And many cases were reported by physicians at present in the world. But it is relatively rare in Korea, probably due to lack of attension and medical facilities. Only about 13 cases have been reported at present. The clinical, biochemical features in 1 case of primary aldosteranism caused by adrenal hyperplasia that was diagnosed at Yeungnam University Hospital was observed and the following result were obtained. 1. Clinical feature: The present case was 27-year-old woman who was admitted due to general weakness and easy fatigability. The above mensioned chief complaints occurred 8 months prior to admission when she delivered of second baby by cesarian section. Symptoms such as above chief complaints, intermittent muscle paralysis and cramping were noticed. Trousseau's sign was also present. The average blood pressure ranged from 170/90 to 200/120. 2. Biochemical abnormalities: Severe hypokalemia lower than 2.5 mEq/L was presented and 24 hours urine potassium showed markedly increased urinary loss.(228 mEq/day). Plasma renin activity was decreased under normal range with furosemide administration.(Basal renin; 0.01ng/ml/hr, stimulated renin 0.12ng/ml/hr). Saline suppression test revealed markedly elevated levels of aldosterone higher than normal range. (Basal aldosterone; 320.68pg/ml stimulated aldosterone; 451.86pg/ml). And posture test showed decreased plasma renin activity and increased plasma aldosterone level. - PRA(ng/ml/hr)=Bsal: 0.05(0.15~2.33), Stimulated: 0.22(1.31~3.95) - Aldosterone(pg/ml)=Bsal: 242.77(10~160), Stimulated: 432.09(40~310) 3. Adrenal CT scan revealed no abnormal findings. 4. Treatment and course: Spironolactone was given at OPD with regular follow-up. Her blood pressure ranged from 150/90 to 160/100 and symptoms were improved. The effect of treatment was satisfactory and further follow up would be performed.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 1978

It has been suggested that plasma renin activity (PRA) and its response to volume depletion may be abnormal in that it shows little or exaggerated change in patients with chronic renal failure and hypertension. Intravenous furosemide stimulation test was performed in 46 control subjects and 51 patients with chronic renal failure and/or malignant hypertension in order to evaluate PRA response. In contrast to the consistent increase in PRA in control subjects (from $2.5{\pm}1.95\;to\;4.5{\pm}2.51ng/ml/hr$), no consistent increase was observed in patients with chronic renal failure, especially in those who showed favorable response to antihypertensive therapy (from $2.5{\pm}2.21\;to\;2.9{\pm}2.46ng/ml/hr$). But poor responder to antihypertensive treatment showed considerably higher PRA before and after furosemide stimulation (from $4.9{\pm}1.96\;to\;6.4{\pm}1.71ng/ml/hr$) than the responder group did. Moreover, this group seemed to retain the ability to increase PRA in response to intravenous furosemide stimulation. Thus it became apparent that responder group was unable to increase PRA normally in response to furosemide as well as volume depletion, while poor responder seemed to retain that ability. Thus intravenous furosemode may serve as a convenient way to differenfiate those who might be benefited by conservative antihypertensive measures from those who would require more drastic measures such as bilateral nephrectomy for their optimal blood pressure control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.468-474
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• 2015

This study was designed to investigate the effects of Korean Lycii fructus water extract in Al (Aluminum) administered rats. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups: Control group, water extract group with 3% Lycii fructus, 1000 and 2000 ppm of Al groups, and 1000 and 2000 ppm of Al with 3% Lycii fructus water extract group. The Al content of rat tissue in the Al administered group was lower than that in rat tissue in the Al with 3% Lycii fructus water extract group. Plasma levels of renin and aldosterone activity was higher in the Al administration group, compared with the 3% Lycii fructus water extract group and Al administered group. Aspartate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase activities were elevated in the Al administered group and lower in the 3% Lycii fructus water extract group. Lactate dehydrogenase was lower in the 3% Lycii fructus water extract Al group than in the Al group. Choline acetyltransferase was higher in the 3% Lycii fructus water extract Al group than in the Al group.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.220-225
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• 1993

Effect of BR-900317 on the angiotensin I-induced pressor response in pithed rats and the effects of its single oral administration on plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities in normotensive rats and on the cardiovascular system in hypertensive model rats (SHR, RHR), were compared with those of captopril. BR-900317 attenuated the angiotensin I-induced pressor effects in pithed rats. In a single oral dose administration study, BR-900317 inhibited the plasma ACE activities in a dose-dependent fashion. Duration of the action of BR-900317 was similar to that of captopril. BR-900317 produced antihypertensive effect in spontaneously hypertensive rats and dose-dependent antihypertensive effect in 2-kidney Goldblatt hypertensive rats without affecting heart rate. These results suggest that the main mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of BR-900317 is the suppression of angiotensin II production due to the inhibition of the ACE.