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AbstractBackground The lack of association between serum testosterone levels and symptoms suggestive of hypogonadism is a significant barrier in the determination of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in men. This study explored whether testosterone levels increase after morning awakening, likewise the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, and whether testosterone levels during the post-awakening period are associated with age and symptoms suggestive of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) in men.Methods Testosterone and cortisol levels were determined in saliva samples collected immediately upon awakening and 30 and 60 min after awakening, and scores of the Aging Males’ Symptoms (AMS) questionnaire were obtained from 225 healthy adult men.Results A typical CAR (an increase in cortisol level ≥ 2.5 nmol/L above individual baseline) was observed in 155 participants (the subgroup exhibiting typical CAR). In the subgroup exhibiting CAR, testosterone levels sharply increased during the post-awakening period, showing a significant negative correlation with age, total AMS score, and the scores of 11 items on the somatic, psychological, and sexual AMS subscales. Of these items, three sexual items (AMS items #15–17) were correlated with age. Meanwhile, there was no notable increase in testosterone levels and no significant correlation of testosterone levels with age and AMS score in the subgroup exhibiting no typical CAR (n = 70).Conclusions The results indicate that the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad (HPG) axis responds to morning awakening, and determining testosterone levels during the post-awakening period in men with typical CAR may be useful for assessing HPG axis function and LOH.

Objective: This study was eanied out to investigate the effects of Raphani Semen on immuno-response in the mouse model of allergic asthma. Methods: In this study, BALB/C mice were divided into 6 groups: Normal (Non-treated group), Control (Group with not treated after allergic sensitization and induction by ovalbumin), Treat I (Group with the oral administration of saline after allergic sensitization and induction by ovalbumin), Treat n (Allergic asthma group treated with acupuncture (BL 13)), Treat III (Allergic asthma group treated with the oral administration of Raphani Semen) and Treat lV (Allergic asthma group treated with the herbal-acupuncture of Raphani Semen (BL 13)). The effect on cytokine was assessed by measuring cytokine (lL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-r) in bronchoalveoar lavage fluid(ELISA). ResuJts : The results obtained as follows: 1. The production of Interleukin-2 was decreased significantly in Treat I group, Treat n group and Treat IV group as compared with Control group. 2. The production of Interleukin-4 was decreased significantly in Treat I group, Treat II group and Treat IV group as compared with Control group. Among them. the production of Interleukin-4 was decreased remarkably in Treat IV group as compared with other groups. 3. The production of Interleukin-5 was decreased significantly in Treat I group and Treat IV group as compared with Control group. 4. The production of Interleukin-10 was decreased significantly in Treat I group and Treat III group as compared with Control group. 5. The production of Interleukin-12 was all decreased significantly in Treat I group, Treat n group, Treat m group and Treat IV group as compared with Control group. 6. The production of Intelferon- showed no significant changes in Treat I group, Treat n group. Treat m group and Treat Ⅳ group as compared with Control group. Conclusion: These results show that the production of Interleukin-4, 5 was decreased significantly in aJlergic asthma group treated with the herbal-acupuncture of Raph Semen (BL 13), It is known that inactivity of Th2 cell constrained the revelation and controlled hypersenstive action. As to this mechanism, it is suggested that the herbal-acupuncture of Raphani Semen(BL 13) constrained the revelation of allergic asthma.

Objective: To investigate effects of Cervi Cornu on Adjuvant Athritis in rats, the edema inhibit rate, the anaJgesic effects, the number of WBC, RA facter, Platelet, the quantity of CRP, total protein, albumin and globuline in the blood serum were measured in the arthritis part. Results: The results obtained as fonows ; 1. After arthritis of Sprague dawley(SD) rats was induced by injecting Freund's complete adjuvant for 2 weeks, any treatment was not for Control group, acupunctured for Treat Ⅰ group. normal saJine was ora] administrated for the Treat Ⅱ group, Cervi Cornu Ex. was oral administrated for Treat Ⅲ, and Cervi Cornu Herbal-acupullcture was injected for Trea Ⅳ group during 2 weeks every other day. Selected point was on pressure pain point in both groups. And then the edema inhibit rate were checked. The edema inhibit rate was in Treat I group, Treat IV group, in Treat III. there was significance in the edema inhibit rate between Control group and Treat group, in order of Treat Ⅰ, Ⅳ, Ⅲ.(p

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the possibility of Hypertension by moistening Herbal-acupuncture at Blood Pressure Point(HN136). Methods: We reviewed 14 patients of Hypertension. They were hospitalized at oriental medical hospital of Sang-Ji university for 2002. 1. 2. - 2002. 5. 2. First, we divided into two groups; Group Ⅰ was administrated by moistening Herbal-acupuncture at Blood Pressure Point(HN136), and was not given any western medicine about Hypertension during the period of experiment. Group Ⅱ was administrated by moistening Herbal-acupuncture at Blood Pressure Point(HN136), and given western medicine about Hypertension during the period of experiment. we observed the change of systolic and diastolic for 2 weeks, and compared Group Ⅰ with Group Ⅱ . Results: The results obtained as follows: 1. The figure of systolic in Group Ⅰ was decreased, but there was no signification. There was a significant decrease in Group Ⅱ (p