It is important to reduce poststroke depression (PSD) to improve the stroke outcomes and quality of life in stroke patients, but the underlying mechanisms of PSD are not completely understood. As many studies implicate dysregulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the etiology of major depression and stroke, we compared the cortisol awakening response (CAR) of 28 admitted PSD patients with that of 23 age-matched caregiver controls. Saliva samples for cortisol measurement were collected immediately, 15, 30, and 45 min after awakening for two consecutive days. Depressive mood status in PSD patients was determined with Beck Depression Inventory and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. Salivary cortisol levels of PSD patients did not rise significantly at any sampling time, showing a somewhat flat curve. Caregiver controls showed significantly higher CAR at 15 and 30 min after awakening compared to PSD patients even though the two groups did not differ at awakening or 45 min after awakening. Area-under-the-curve analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the CAR and the degree of depression in PSD patients. Thus, our findings suggest that poststroke depression is closely related with dysfunctional HPA axis indicated by blunted CAR.

No abstract

Sibjotang (Shizaotang), traditional herbal medicine formula, which was first documented in the Shanghanlun, has long been prescribed for the treatment of impairment of the body fluid homeostasis. The purpose of the present study was to identify the effects of Sibjotang on the secretion of a cardiac hormone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), one of the main hormones involved in the regulation of the body fluid and blood pressure homeostasis. Water extract of Sibjotang increased ANP secretion concomitantly with an increase in atrial dynamics in a concentration-dependent manner. Sibjotang-induced increase in ANP secretion and positive inotropic effect were attenuated by GO6976 and LY333531, selective inhibitors of conventional protein kinase C, but not Rottlerin, an inhibitor of novel PKCδ. Similarly to the effect of Sibjotang, extracts of components of Sibjotang, Euphorbia kansui, and Daphne genkwa, but not Euphorbia pekinensis and Ziziphus jujuba, increased ANP secretion and atrial dynamics. Ingredients of Sibjotang, apigenin, rosmarinic acid, and salvianolic acid B decreased ANP secretion and atrial dynamics. These findings suggest that Sibjotang increases ANP secretion and atrial dynamics via activation of conventional protein kinase C signaling. This finding provides experimental evidence for the rationale in the use of Sibjotang in the treatment of impairment of the regulation of body fluid and blood pressure homeostasis.

No abstract

Body fluid volumes, which are regulated by the kidneys, are related to blood volume and arterial blood pressure. Oryeongsan (ORS), composition of five herbal medicines, has been widely used to traditional prescription for the treatment of body fluid disorders. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of ORS on vascular reactivity and related mechanism in the hypertension model. The experimental models were designed two types of hypertension as follows; 2 kidney 1 clip (2K1C) model and L‐NAME‐induced model. Both 2K1C‐ and L‐NAME‐ induced models were treated with two different dose of ORS (10 and 100 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks. Blood pressure was markedly increased in both 2K1C and L‐NAME‐induced hypertension models. Interestingly, treatment with ORS significantly improved the impairments of acetylcholine (ACh)‐, sodium nitroprusside (SNP)‐, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)‐induced vascular relaxation of aortic rings in both hypertension models. Treatment with ORS also significantly increased cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels of aortic rings (p<0.01). In addition, both 2K1C and L‐NAME‐induced hypertension models increased ANP, aldosterone levels, and renin activity in plasma, by contrast, treatment with ORS attenuated those levels and activity. These results suggest that ORS ameliorates vascular dysfunction in 2K1C and L‐NAME‐induced hypertension models.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether an ethanol extract of Arctium lappa (EAL) augments penile erection in vitro. Isolated rabbit endothelium‐intact corpus cavernosum was preconstricted with phenylephrine (PE). EAL relaxed penile smooth muscle in a dose‐dependent manner, which was significantly inhibited by pretreatment with NG‐nitro‐L‐arginine methyl ester (L‐NAME), a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and 1H‐[1,2,4]‐oxadiazole‐[4,3‐¥á]‐quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ), a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) inhibitor. EAL‐induced relaxation was also significantly attenuated by pertreatment with verapamil and diltiazem, respectively. On the other hand, relaxation of penile smooth muscle induced by EAL was not blocked by several inhibitors including tetraethylammonium (TEA), glibenclamide, indomethacin, atropine and propranolol, respectively. In the perfusion model of penile tissue, EAL also relaxed PE‐precontracted penile tissue tension in a dose‐dependent manner. Moreover, perfusion of penile tissues with EAL significantly increased the levels of cGMP and cAMP. Taken together, these results suggest that EAL may be induced penile erection through the activation of penile tissue NO/cGMP system and/or Ca2+channels in corpus cavernosum.

Sibjotang (SJT), which was first documented in the Shanghanlun, has been prescribed for the remedy of body fluid disorders. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of SJT on Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion, atrial dynamics and the possible mechanisms in beating rabbit left atria paced electrically. SJT significantly increased ANP secretion and atrial dynamics such as stroke volume and pulse pressure in a concentration‐dependent manner in perfused atria. EK or DG, components of SJT, also significantly increased ANP secretion and atrial dynamics, whereas, there were no significance on ANP secretion and atrial dynamics by treatment of EP or ZJ, respectively. Interestingly, the SJT‐induced increase of ANP secretion was significantly higher than the sum of each EK‐induced increase and DG‐induced increase of ANP secretion (p<0.01). SJT‐induced increase in ANP secretion was attenuated by GO6976, PKC ¥á/¥â inhibitor. In addition, LY333531, PKC ¥â inhibitor, also decreased SJT‐induced ANP secretion.In conclusion, SJT‐induced ANP secretion was potentiated by combination with 4 components in beating rabbit atria. It provides an evidence for synergy effects of a herbal medicine decoction consisting of two or more components. Also, the data suggest that SJT‐induced ANP secretion was related with the activation of PKC ¥á/¥â signaling in perfused beating rabbit atria.

Polyimide (PI) alignment layer is essential constituent of LCD. In this research, we made LCD without PI alignment layer by using LC containing self‐align (SA) compound. When we use SA instead of PI, alignment stability and Mura were problems should be solved. We overcome those things by introduction of polymerizable unit and using mixture of SAs compound.