Keishibukuryogan, a Traditional Japanese Medicine, Inhibits Platelet Aggregation in Guinea Pig Whole Blood.

Effects of keishibukuryogan (KBG) on platelet aggregation were investigated. To ensure the specificity of KBG, tokishakuyakusan (TSS) and kamisyoyosan (KSS), which are known to have platelet aggregation-inhibiting effects, and rikkunshito (RKT) and shakuyakukanzoto (SKT), which are considered to be devoid of such effects, were used for comparison. The platelet aggregation of each test drug was measured by the screen filtration pressure method using whole blood of guinea pigs and expressed as a collagen-induced pressure rate (%) or a collagen concentration required for 50% increase in the pressure rate (PATI value).

Urocortin1-induced anorexia is regulated by activation of the serotonin 2C receptor in the brain.

This study was conducted to determine the mechanisms by which serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptors are involved in the suppression of food intake in a rat stress model and to observe the degree of activation in the areas of the brain involved in feeding. In the stress model, male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were given intracerebroventricular injections of urocortin (UCN) 1. To determine the role of the 5-HT2c receptor (5-HT2cR) in the decreased food intake in UCN1-treated rats, specific 5-HT2cR or 5-HT2b receptor (5-HT2bR) antagonists were administered.

Daikenchuto (TU-100) ameliorates colon microvascular dysfunction via endogenous adrenomedullin in Crohn's disease rat model.

Background: Daikenchuto (TU-100), a traditional Japanese medicine, has been reported to up-regulate the adrenomedullin (ADM)/calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) system, which is involved in intestinal vasodilatation. The microvascular dysfunction of the intestine in Crohn's disease (CD), due to down-regulation of the ADM/CGRP system, is etiologically related to the recurrence of CD. Therefore, we investigated the vasodilatory effect of TU-100 in a CD rat model.

Urocortin 1 reduces food intake and ghrelin secretion via CRF(2) receptors.

Although it is known that urocortin 1 (UCN) acts on both corticotropin-releasing factor receptors (CRF(1) and CRF(2)), the mechanisms underlying UCN-induced anorexia remain unclear. In contrast, ghrelin, the endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, stimulates food intake. In the present study, we examined the effects of CRF(1) and CRF(2) receptor antagonists (CRF(1)a and CRF(2)a) on ghrelin secretion and synthesis, c-fos mRNA expression in the caudal brain stem, and food intake following intracerebroventricular administration of UCN.

Effects of Japanese traditional medicines on circulating cytokine levels in women with hot flashes.

Objective: The effects of the Japanese traditional medicines keishibukuryogan and kamishoyosan on circulating cytokines were examined to clarify the difference in the actions of Japanese traditional medicines in women with hot flashes.

Methods: Seven premenopausal, 51 perimenopausal, 45 spontaneously postmenopausal and 17 surgically postmenopausal women who had complained of hot flashes were enrolled in this study. Eighty women who hoped to receive Japanese traditional medicines were randomly assigned in open, parallel-group fashion to a keishibukuryogan group or kamishoyosan group.

Reduced ghrelin secretion in the hypothalamus of rats due to cisplatin-induced anorexia.

Although chemotherapy with cisplatin is a widely used and effective cancer treatment, the undesirable gastrointestinal side effects associated with it, such as nausea, vomiting, and anorexia, markedly decrease patients' quality of life. To elucidate the mechanism underlying chemotherapy-induced anorexia, focusing on the hypothalamic ghrelin secretion-anorexia association, we measured hypothalamic ghrelin secretion in fasted and cisplatin-treated rats. Hypothalamic ghrelin secretion changes after vagotomy or administration of cisplatin.

An autopsy case of suction injury.

The right upper extremity of a 38-year-old man was entrapped in an underwater intake of a water duct of a dam reservoir, and he died despite being promptly rescued. His right upper extremity was swollen and exhibited purplish-red discolourations. The skin had numerous blisters and increased tension.

Fatal propeller injuries: three autopsy case reports.

Most propeller injuries occur at water recreational facilities such as those with provision for water skiing, boat racing, skin and scuba diving. Propeller injuries resulting from nautical accidents can be fatal. The sharp blades of propellers rotating at high speeds cause multiple and serious injuries such as deep laceration, chop wounds, bone fractures and mutilation of extremities.

Effects of the traditional Japanese medicine Tokaku-jyoki-to in rat-models for menopausal hot flash.

Aim Of Study: Luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) has been suggested as an inducer of centrally mediated elevation of skin temperature, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is one of the potent vasodilator neuropeptides that has been suggested as an inducer of peripherally mediated elevation of skin temperature. We investigate the effect of the Japanese herbal medicine Tokaku-jyoki-to using two rat-models for menopausal hot flash.

Materials And Methods: Tokaku-jyoki-to used in present study was prepared as a spray-dried powder from hot-water extract.

Characteristic features of injuries due to shark attacks: a review of 12 cases.

Shark attacks on humans might not occur as often as is believed and the characteristic features of shark injuries on corpses have not been extensively reviewed. We describe the characteristic features of shark injuries on 12 corpses. The analysis of these injuries might reveal the motivation behind the attacks and/or the shark species involved in the attack.

Changes in circulating cytokine levels in midlife women with psychological symptoms with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and Japanese traditional medicine.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects on serum cytokine concentrations of paroxetine, a selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, and kamishoyosan, a Japanese traditional medicine, in midlife women with psychological symptoms.

Methods: Seventy-six women with psychological symptoms such as anxiety and mild depression as menopausal symptoms were enrolled in this study. Thirty-eight women received oral administration of 10mg paroxetine every day, and 38 women received oral administration of kamshoyosan every day for 6 months.

Raloxifene reduces circulating levels of interleukin-7 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in postmenopausal women.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of raloxifene on changes in circulating levels of cytokines and chemokines in relation to changes in lipid profiles and markers of inflammation in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Fifty-three postmenopausal women aged 45-65 years old were randomly assigned in open, parallel-group fashion to a control group or raloxifene group. Twenty-six women received oral administration of 60 mg raloxifene every day and 27 women did not receive any drugs for 12 months.

Involvement of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant in hypothalamic thermoregulation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone.

We demonstrated in a previous study that serum IL-8 concentrations were significantly higher in women with hot flashes than without hot flashes. To clarify the role of IL-8 in the pathoetiology of menopausal hot flashes, we examined the effect of rat cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), a member of the IL-8 family, on thermoregulation using ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated with intracerebroventricular (i.c.

Associations of interleukin-6 with interleukin-1beta, interleukin-8 and macrophage inflammatory protein-1beta in midlife women.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the associations of interleukin (IL)-6 with other cytokines and chemokines and to compare these associations in peri- and postmenopausal women.

Methods: Ninety-nine perimenopausal and 92 postmenopausal women were enrolled in this study. Serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon gamma, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage (GM)-CSF, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta and monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1 were measured simultaneously using a multiplexed cytokine assay.

Skin temperature rise induced by calcitonin gene-related peptide in gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue-treated female rats and alleviation by Keishi-bukuryo-gan, a Japanese herbal medicine.

The effects of Keishi-bukuryo-gan on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature were investigated in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue-treated female rats. Leupline (1.0 mg/kg) as the GnRH analogue was subcutaneously (s.

Prevention by 17beta-estradiol and progesterone of calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced elevation of skin temperature in castrated male rats.

Objectives: To clarify the relationship between calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and ovarian hormones (17beta-estradiol and progesterone) in hot flashes in men who undergo androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer, we studied the effects of ovarian hormones on CGRP-induced elevation of skin temperature in castrated male rats. The results were compared with those from rats treated with testosterone replacement.

Methods: Adult male rats were castrated by either a single injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (Leuplin, 1.

Significance of measured elevation of skin temperature induced by calcitonin gene-related peptide in anaesthetized rats.

To assess whether peripheral changes related to skin temperature rise were induced by ovarian hormone deficiency, we investigated the effects of anaesthesia on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- or luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH)-induced elevation of skin temperature in female rats. CGRP was used as an inducer of peripherally-mediated elevation of skin temperature, whereas LH-RH was used as an inducer of centrally-mediated elevation of skin temperature. Intravenous (i.

Involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide in elevation of skin temperature in castrated male rats.

Objectives: To assess the involvement of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the occurrence of hot flashes in men after castration for treatment of prostate cancer, we investigated the effects of CGRP on skin temperature in surgically and medically castrated male rats.

Methods: Changes in skin temperature of the hind paws after intravenous injection of 10 microg/kg of CGRP and CGRP family peptides (adrenomedullin and amylin) were measured at 5-minute intervals for 120 minutes, 3 weeks after bilateral orchiectomy or 2 weeks after subcutaneous injection of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue (1.0 mg/kg Leuplin) in male rats.

8-O-cinnamoylneoline, a new alkaloid from the flower buds of Aconitum carmichaeli and its toxic and analgesic activities.

From flower buds of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx., a new alkaloid, 8- O-cinnamoylneoline, was isolated. The structure of the new alkaloid was determined by spectral analysis, and the alkaloid was examined for its toxic and analgesic activities.

Effects of 17 beta-estradiol and the Japanese herbal medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan on the release and synthesis of calcitonin gene-related peptide in ovariectomized rats.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of 17beta-estradiol and the Japanese herbal medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan on the release and synthesis of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The effect of ovariectomy on the release or synthesis was evaluated by measuring CGRP concentration in plasma after capsaicin (1.0 mg/kg, i.