Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 by ginsenoside Ro attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in macrophage cells

Sokho Kim,Myung-Hoon Oh,Bum-Seok Kim,Won-Il Kim,Ho-Seong Cho,Byoung-Yong Park,Chul Park,Gee-Wook Shin,Jungkee Kwon 고려인삼학회 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.4

Background: The beneficial effects of ginsenoside species have been well demonstrated in a number of studies. However, the function of ginsenoside Ro (GRo), an oleanane-type saponin, has not been suffi- ciently investigated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of GRo in vitro using the Raw 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to clarify the possible mechanism of GRo involving heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which itself plays a critical role in self-defense in the presence of inflammatory stress. Methods: Raw 264.7 cells were pretreated with GRo (up to 200mM) for 1 h before treatment with 1 mg/ mL LPS, and both cell viability and inflammatory markers involving HO-1 were evaluated. Results: GRo significantly increased cell viability in a dose dependent manner following treatment with LPS, and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. GRo decreased inflammatory cytokines such as nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induced by LPS. Moreover, GRo increased the expression of HO-1 in a dose dependent manner. Cotreatment of GRo with tin protoporphyrin IX, a selective inhibitor of HO-1, not only inhibited upregulation of HO-1 induced by GRo, but also reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of GRo in LPS treated Raw 264.7 cells. Conclusion: GRo induces anti-inflammatory effects following treatment with LPS via upregulation of HO-1.

Upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 by ginsenoside Ro attenuates lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in macrophage cells

Kim, Sokho,Oh, Myung-Hoon,Kim, Bum-Seok,Kim, Won-Il,Cho, Ho-Seong,Park, Byoung-Yong,Park, Chul,Shin, Gee-Wook,Kwon, Jungkee The Korean Society of Ginseng 2015 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.39 No.4

Background: The beneficial effects of ginsenoside species have been well demonstrated in a number of studies. However, the function of ginsenoside Ro (GRo), an oleanane-type saponin, has not been sufficiently investigated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of GRo in vitro using the Raw 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to clarify the possible mechanism of GRo involving heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), which itself plays a critical role in self-defense in the presence of inflammatory stress. Methods: Raw 264.7 cells were pretreated with GRo (up to $200{\mu}M$) for 1 h before treatment with 1 mg/mL LPS, and both cell viability and inflammatory markers involving HO-1 were evaluated. Results: GRo significantly increased cell viability in a dose dependent manner following treatment with LPS, and decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide. GRo decreased inflammatory cytokines such as nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 induced by LPS. Moreover, GRo increased the expression of HO-1 in a dose dependent manner. Cotreatment of GRo with tin protoporphyrin IX, a selective inhibitor of HO-1, not only inhibited upregulation of HO-1 induced by GRo, but also reversed the anti-inflammatory effect of GRo in LPS treated Raw 264.7 cells. Conclusion: GRo induces anti-inflammatory effects following treatment with LPS via upregulation of HO-1.

Fatigue Crack Growth Behavior in Ultrafine Grained Low Carbon Steel

Ho,Kyung Kim,Myung-Il Choi,Chin-Sung Chung Dong-Hyuk Shin 대한기계학회 2002 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.16 No.10

Ultrafine grained (UFG) low carbon (0.15 wt.% C) steel produced by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) was tested for investigating the effect of load ratio on the fatigue crack growth rate. Fatigue crack growth resistance and threshold of UFG steel were lower than that of as-received coarse grained steel. It was attributed to the less tortuous crack path. The UFG steel exhibited slightly higher crack growth rates and a lower △K_th with an increase of R ratio. The R ratio effect on crack growth rates and △K_th was basically indistinguishable at lower load ratio (R>0.3), compared to other alloys, which indicates that contribution of the crack closure vanishes. The crack growth rate curve for UFG steel exhibited a longer linear extension to the lower growth rate regime than that for the coarse grained as-received steel.<br/>

독일과 우리나라의 통일비용 및 통일재원 비교 연구

염명배(Myung-bae Yeom),유일호(Il-ho Yoo) 한국재정학회 2011 재정학연구 Vol.4 No.2

독일 통일 20주년을 맞는 시점에서 통일 당시 독일의 여건과 현재 한반도 정세를 비교해 볼 때 우리나라에서 독일형 통일여건이 무르익었다고 보기는 어렵다. 현재 남 · 북한 간 경제력 격차가 독일 통일 당시 동 · 서독 간 경제력 격차의 3.4∼10.3배에 달하는 극심한 불균형 상황에서 급격한 흡수통일이 이루어질 경우 독일에 비해 훨씬 많은 통일비용이 소요될 것으로 예상된다. 우리나라의 통일비용은 통일형태에 따라 향후 30년간 적게는 70여조원에서부터 많게는 6,500여조원에 달할 것으로 추정된다. 통일재원 조달 방안으로는 통일세(목적세 신설, 부가가치세율 인상 등 세목 신설 및 증세 포함) 부과, 통일기금 조성 및 활용, 화폐발행, 예산절감, 해외자금 유치, 외환보유액 활용, 공공기관 및 국유재산 매각, 공공요금부과금 등 공적재원에 의존하는 방안과 채권(국공채 및 지방채)발행, 복권발행, 북한 국유재산 민간매각 수입, 기업의 북한투자 유치, 부동산투자신탁(REITs)이나 프로젝트파이낸싱(PF) 등 민간부문의 자금력에 의존하는 방안 등 다양한 수단을 고려할 수 있겠는데, 이중 어느 한 종류의 재원조달 방식에만 의존하기보다는 통일재원의 성격과 재원필요 시기에 따라 각각의 여건에 합당한 재원조달 방안으로 재정정책 ‘Policy Mix(정책혼합)’을 구성하는 것이 보다 효과적일 것으로 판단된다. 아울러 통일재원 부담을 줄이기 위하여 통일비용을 최소화할 수 있는 방향으로 통일방식이나 통일체제를 모색하는 것도 중요하다. The year of 2010 marks the year that Germany celebrates the 20th anniversary of Unification on one hand, and that President of Korea, Lee, Myung-bak, has officially mentioned the necessity of financial preparation for Korea Unification such as introducing unification tax as well. This paper tries to compare the economic and political situation of national unification between Germany and Korea, and investigate the unification costs and fiscal sources in two countries. Current economic gap between north and South Korea is much worse by 3.4∼10.3 times than East and West Germany when Germany was united 20 years ago. Korean unification costs are estimated to range from US$ 62 billion to 2,140 billion for next 30 years according to the unification pattern. We suggest a fiscal ‘Policy Mix’ consisting of public and private means so as to finance huge unification costs by employing a combination of unification tax, unification fund, national and public bond, foreign debt, lottery, REITs, Project Financing, and so on. In order to minimize the unification costs, it may be important to consider the best ways to or system for unification.

카드뮴 축적 변이주인 Pseudomonas maltophilia H - 8M의 특성

류병호(Beung-Ho Ryu),노명훈(Myung-Hoon Rho),정수자(Su-Ja Jung),배기철(Ki-ChuI Bae) 한국식품영양과학회 1992 한국식품영양과학회지 Vol.21 No.1

본 연구는 cadmium의 축적균주인 Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8을 MNNG로 처리하여 cadmium축적능이 가장 우수한 변이균주인 Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8M을 얻었고 그 특성을 조사하였다. 변이주 Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8M은 카드뮴농도 1,000ppm에서 36시간 배양했을 시 대조구에 비해 약 80%정도의 성장율을 나타내었다. 카드뮴 이외의 중금속의 첨가에 따른 생육상은 Pb^(2+), Zn^(2+), Hg^(2+), Cu^(2+), Cr^(2+), Co^(2+)등에는 별다른 성장 억제는 없었으나 Sn^(2+)에서는 생육억제가나타났다. 또한 50ppm의 카드뮴을 배지에 첨가 하였을 때 균체내 카드뮴 축적율은 52.92%로 가장 높게 나타났으며 축적부위는 세포벽에 80.3%의 축적율을 나타내었다. This study was carried out to investigate the characteristics of a mutant, Pseudomonas maltophilia Ho8M selected with the treatment of Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8 by N-methyl-N-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG). This mutant showed highest ability of cadmium accumulation. The growth rate of Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8M showed about 80% in 1000ppm Cd containing medium when compare with control for 36h at 30℃. Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8M not inhibited on the growth in addition of various heavy metal such as Hg^(2+), Zn^(2+), Pb^(2+), Cu^(2+), Cr^(2+) and Co^(2+), but inhibited in Sn^(2+) containing medium, respectively. Pseudomonas maltophilia H-8M was accumulated the highest cadmium level of 62.3% on whole cell in the medium containing 50 ppm and 80% of accumulated cadmium was distributed in the cell wall.

제2형 당뇨병 동물모델인 OLETF 쥐에서 장기간 라미프릴 투여가 내당능 및 췌도 베타세포에 미치는 효과

고승현,윤건호,김명미,안유배,송기호,유순집,손현식,차봉연,이광우,손호영,강성구 대한당뇨병학회 2002 Diabetes and Metabolism Journal Vol.25 No.6

연구배경:최근 소개된 HOPE(Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation)study의 결과에 의하면, 심혈관질환이나 이에 대한 위험인자가 1가지 이상인 9,541명을 대상으로 안지오텐신 전환효소 억제제의 일종인 라미프릴을 투여하여 사망율과 뇌졸증, 심부전, 당뇨병 합병증이 개선되었을 뿐 아니라 다른 항고혈압제에 비해 새롭게 당뇨병으로 진단되는 환자가 줄었음을 보고한바 있다. 이에 저자들은 라미프릴(ramipril)을 제2형 당뇨병 동물모델에 장기간 투여함으로써 당뇨병을 예방하거나 고혈당 상태 또는 인슐린 감수성을 개선시킬수 있는지를 알아보고자 하였다. 방법:생후 24주된 체중 400∼450g의 OLETF와 LETO 쥐를 대상으로 6개월간 라미프릴 경구투여 하였고 혈압, 24시간 단백뇨 및 인슐린 내성검사를 시행하였다. 6개월 이후로는 8주간 투여군과 대조군의 체중을 비슷하게 맞추어 내당능 상태를 평가하였고 이후 다시 8주간 고농도 포도당을 투여하였다. 경구당부하검사를 시행한 후 희생시켜 조직표본을 만들어 guinea pig anti­human insulin 항체로 염색후 DAB로 발색하여 point count 법으로 베타세포를 정량하였고, 면역염색으로 췌도의 변화와 섬유화의 정도를 관찰하였다. 결과:라미프릴을 6개월간 투여하였을 때 OLETF 쥐에서 1)체중 증가가 적었으며 2)경구 당부하검사시 포도당하 면적은 의미있게 감소하였고 3)인슐린 내성검사상 Kitt가 증가되는 경향을 보였으며 4)수축기, 이완기 혈압과 24시간 단백뇨양이 의미있게 감소하였고 5)체중을 맞추면 내당능 상태가 비슷해졌다가 고농도 포도당 주입시 다시 포도당하 면적이 대조군에서 더 증가되었다. 라미프릴 투여군에서 췌도변형 및 파괴와 탈과립, 췌도내 섬유화가 감소하였다. 결론:본 실험에서는 인슐린 비의존성 당뇨병 동물 모델인 OLETF 쥐에서 당뇨병 발생 이전 단계부터 장기간 라미프릴을 투여할 경우 체중증가가 적었고, 투여군과 대조군의 체중을 맞추었을 때는 내당능상태의 차이가 없아가 고혈당 투여시 다시 투여군과 대조군에서 의미있는 차이를 보였다. 라미프릴 투여가 베타세포의 기능면에서 이로운 효과를 보일 것으로 생각되었다. 따라서 비만한 환자에서 안지오텐신 전환효소 억제제의 장기투여는 단백뇨 감소, 혈압강하 효과 이외에 체중증가의 억제 및 당뇨병 발생을 억제할 가능성을 시사한다. Background : In a Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation HOPE study, ramipril, a long-acting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, significantly reduced the death rates the number of myocardial infarctions, strokes, heart failure as well as the risk of complications related to diabetes and of diabetes itself. However, it is known that ACE inhibitors improve glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity or reduce the incidence of diabetes. Methods : 24 week-old OLETF (Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty) rats weighing 400 ~ 450 g were used in this study. 4 groups of rats were examined in parallel for 40 weeks. The OLETF rats were randomized for treatment with an aqueous solution of ramipril (5 mg/Kg) daily [OL (RMP), n=10)] and with saline [OL (CON), n=10)]. The LETO rats were also randomized in the same was as the OLETF rats (LT(RMP), n=10, LT (CON), n=10). The blood glucose level, body weight, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was assessed every month. At 3 and 6 months, the 24hrs urinary protein concentration was measured, and as insulin tolerance test and oral glucose tolerance test were conducted in all experimental groups. After 6 months, the body·weight was matched for 2 months in each corresponding group. Subsequently, a 15% sucrose loading was done for 2 months. After the glucose tolerance test, the pancreas was excised and immuno histochemical staining was conducted for insulin to quantify the beta cell mass by a point-counting method. In addition, the islet morphology was evaluated in the pancreas. Results : Ramipril treatment for a period of 6 months improved the 2hr blood glucose level, the area under the glucose curve in the oral glucose tolerance test, insulin sensitivity in addition to lowering significantly systolic and diastolic blood pressure and 24hrs urinary protein level significantly in OLETF rats. Of note, a lower weight gain was observed in both the ramipril-treated animals at 6 months. After weight matching, the AUC g and 2hr blood glucose level values were similar between the corresponding groups, but a 15% sucrose loading worsened the AUC g value. Histologically, the islets were less disorganized and the extent of fibrosis was lower in the ramipril-treated OLETF rats in the trichrome stain. Conclusion : Long-term treatment of ramipril, a long acting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor may be useful for suppressing weight gain and proteinuria in addition to having a protective effect on the islet to harmful stimuli such as hyperglycemia (J Kor Diabetes Asso 25:469~482, 2001).

ERK1/2 activation in quercetin-treated BEAS-2B cell plays a role in Nrf2-driven HO-1 expression

이윤진,Jun-Hwan Song,Myung-Ho Oh,Yong-Jin Lee,김용배,Jae-Hyuk Im,이상한 대한독성 유전단백체 학회 2011 Molecular & cellular toxicology Vol.7 No.4

Quercetin, a member of the flavonoids,has been heralded as chemopreventive agent, generally because of its free radical-scavenging and antiproliferative activities. In this process, NF-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) plays a role in protecting cells from oxidative damage; however, the exact mechanisms in which bronchial epithelial cells respond to quercetin by activating Nrf2 are not fully understood. Here, we report the role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation in response to quercetin. Quercetin treatment decreased the viability of human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. ERK1/2 was activated within 10 min of quercetin addition and then remained increased above control level throughout 48 h, whereas AKT phosphorylation was suppressed from the first 1 h of quercetin treatment. Inhibition of Erk1/2 phosphorylation attenuated quercetin-induced loss of cell viability. Nrf2levels in both nuclear and whole cell lysates increased after quercetin treatment and was accompanied by the increase of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein level,indicating that increased HO-1 expression is Nrf2-mediated. Activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 system after quercetin treatment was suppressed by the pretreatment with MEK inhibitor, PD98059. Also, silencing Nrf2 with siRNA decreased cell viability and augmented cytotoxic effect of anticancer drug LBH589. Overall, our results indicate that quercetin induces the up-regulation of Nrf2-mediated HO-1 expression, at least in part, via MEK/ERK1/2 signaling, as an adaptive mechanism which may provide advantages for cell proliferation and enhance survival despite endogenous and/or exogenous oxidative insults.

GIS와 항공정사사진을 이용한 산림정보 관리시스템 구축

김준범,조명희,권태호,김인호,조윤원,신동호 한국지리정보학회 2004 한국지리정보학회지 Vol.7 No.2

우리나라 산림행정 업무의 대부분은 서류 및 대장에 의존하고 있는 실정으로 신속, 정확하고 다양한 업무 처리를 위해서는 첨단의 공잔정보기술을 이용한 과학적인 산림정보 관리시스템의 개발이 시급하다. 특히 지리정보시스템(GIS)과 항공사진 활용기술의 도입은 산림이용기본계획이나 산지개발, 산림자원 관리 및 산림보호 정책 등의 의사결정지원에 효율적으로 기여할 수 있을 것이다. 본 연구에서는 GIS와 항공사진(1998년도 촬영)을 기반으로 주요 산림정보인 수치지도, 수치임상도, 임야도 및 관련 속성데이터 둥을 가공하여 DBMS(data base management system) 내에 저장하였으며, 이를 기반으로 세부 응용시스템인 지번별 임야정보 검색, 산지이용개발 정보관리, 법정제한림 정보관리, 산림자원 정보검색 등의 인터페이스를 개발함으로써 산림 관련 실무자가 산림정보의 종합적인 공간분석 및 질의 검색이 가능한 산림정보 관리시스템을 구축하였다. 본 시스템의 구축으로 산림의 효율적 관리는 물론, 경제적인 산림자원 및 임산업 육성과 쾌적한 산림환경을 조성할 수 있을 뿐만 아니라 관련 부서들 간의 표준화된 공간 자료 공유와 과학적인 정보체계의 연동으로 산림자원 관리를 위한 집약된 공간 및 전자 정보화 인프라 구축의 기반을 마련할 것으로 사료된다. Recently in order to more effectively and scientifically process forest official tasks, which have been focused on documents and inventories, they should be applied with the up-to-date spatial information technologies. Especially, the forest resource information management based on GIS (geographic information system) and aerial orthophoto is expected not only to play an important role as DSS (decision support system) for domestic forest conservation policy and forestry development industry but also to service forest resource information toward people such as the owners of a mountain rapidly. In this study, the important forest information such as digital topography map, digital forest type map, digital forest cadastral map, digital aerial photographs and attribute data were first reprocessed and constructed in DBMS (data base management system). In addition, forest officials could analyze and retrieve forest information by using detail sub-application systems such as forest cadastral retrieval, forest land development information management, reserved forest information management and forest resource information retrieval. For this, the user interface is developed by using Visual Basic 6.0 and MapObjects 2. 1 of ESRI based on CBD (component based development) technology. The result of developing this system will not only perform constructing economical forest and better environment but also be the foundation of domestic spatial technology for forest resource management.

Omeprazole 투여시 위산분비 억제능에 대한 CYP2C19 의 영향

박수헌(Soo Heon Park),김종원(Jong Won Kim),이수연(Soo Youn Lee),최명규(Myung Gyu Choi),김재광(Jae Kwang Kim),정인식(In Sik Chung),정규원(Gyu Won Chung),선희식(Hee Sik Sun),박두호(Doo Ho Park) 대한소화기학회 2001 대한소화기학회지 Vol.38 No.6

Background/Aims: CYP2C19 has an important role in the catabolism of several proton pump inhibitors. However, the relative contribution of CYP2C19-mediated metabolism varies among the different proton pump inhibitors. We investigate to determine the effect of CYP2C19 genotype status on intragastric pH during dosing with omeprazole. Methods: The subjects were 16 healthy volunteers. Their CYP2C19 genotype status was determined by a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Twenty-four-hour monitoring of intragastric acidity were performed on the day without medication and day 4 after omeprazole administration. Results: A single dose of omeprazole significantly decreased 24 hour intragastric acidity (1.7±0.3 vs. 5.1±0.4). Subjects were divided into three groups on the basis of their CYP2C19 genotype status: homozygous extensive metabolizers (Ho-EMs, n=5), heterozygous extensive metabolizers (Ht-EMs, n=6), and poor metabolizers (PMs, n=5). Median 24 hour intragastric pH in the Ho-EM group was 3.1 compared with 5.5 in Ht-EM group and 5.9 in PM group(P<0.05). The median pH during omeprazole administration was influenced by CYP2C19 genotype. On the other hand, the Helicobacter pylori infection did not influence the median intragastric pH during omeprazole administration (p= NS). Conclusions: The effects of omeprazole on intragastric acidity is influenced by the CYP2C19 polymorphism. (Korean J Gastroenterol 2001;38:399-404)

정신분열병에 대한 리스페리돈의 효과 및 안정성

이민수,김용구,김영훈,연병길,오병훈,윤도준,윤진상,이철,정희연,강병조,김광수,김동언,김명정,김상훈,김희철,나철,노승호,민경준,박기창,박두병,백기청,백인호,손봉기,손진욱,양병환,양창국,우행원,이정호,이종범,이홍식,임기영,전태연,정영조,정영철,정인과,정인원,지익성,채정호,한상익,한선호,한진희,서광윤 大韓神經精神醫學會 1998 신경정신의학 Vol.37 No.1

연구목적 : 본 시험의 목적은 임상시험 시작전에 연구자들을 대상으로 PANSS Workshop을 통하여 PANSS, ESRS에 대한 국내에서의 표준화 작업을 구축하고 새로운 정신병 치료제인 리스페리돈의 효과와 안정성을 재확인하여 리스페리돈 사용에 대한 적정화를 이루는데 있다. 연구방법 : 1996년 4월부터 1996년 9월까지 국내 39개 대학병원 정신과에 입원중인 혹은 증상이 악화되어 입원하는 정신분열병 환자 377명을 대상으로 다시설 개방 연구를 시행하였다. 1주일간의 약물 배설기간을 가진후, 리스페리돈을 8주간 투여하였고, 기준점, 1주, 2주, 4주, 그리고 8주후에 평가되었다. 용량은 제1일에는 리스페리돈 1mg씩 1일 2회, 제2일에는 2mg씩 1일 2회, 제3∼7일에는 3mg씩 1일 2회 투여하였다. 이후 환자의 임상상태에 따라 임의로 증량할 수 있으며, 최대 일일 16mg을 초과하지 않도록 하였다. 추체외로 증상을 조절하기 위한 투약을 허용하였다. 임상증상 및 부작용의 평가는 PANSS(Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale), CGI(Clinical Global Impression) 그리고 ESRS(Extrapyramidal Symptom Rating Scale)을 사용하였다. 연구결과 : 377명중 343명(91%)이 8주간의 연구를 완결하였다. 치료 종결시점인 8주후 PANSS 총점수가 20% 이상 호전된 경우를 약물 반응군으로 정의할때, 약물반응군은 81.3%였다. 리스페리돈에 반응하는 예측인자로는 발병연령, 이전의 입원 횟수, 유병기간이 관련 있었다. 리스페리돈은 1주후부터 PANSS양성, 음성, 및 일반정신병리 점수상에 유의한 호전을 보여 효과가 빨랐다. CGI의 경우도 기준점에 비해 1주후부터 유의한 감소를 나타내었다. ESRS의 경우, 파킨슨 평가점수는 기준점과 비교해 투여 1주, 2주, 4주후 유의하게 증가되었다가 8주후 기준점과 차이가 없었다. Dystonia 평가점수는 1주후만 유의한 증가를 보였으며, dyskinesia 평가점수는 유의한 차이가 없었다. 혈압, 맥박수의 생명징후 및 일반 혈액학 검사, 생화학적 검사, 심전도 검사에서 유의한 변화는 없었다. 결 론 : 이상의 다시설 개방 임상 연구를 통해 리스페리돈은 정신분열병 환자에서 양성증상뿐만 아니라 음성증상 및 전반적인 증상에도 효과적인 것으로 사료된다. 보다 명확한 평가를 위해서는 다른 항정신병약물과의 이중맹검 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각되며, 또한 장기적 치료에 대한 평가도 함께 이루어져야 하겠다. Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of risperidone in the treatment of Korean schizophrenic patients. Method : This multicenter open study included 377 schizophrenic patients drawn from 39 university hospitals. After a wash-out period of 1 week, the schizophrenic patients were treated with risperidone for 8 weeks and evaluated at 5 points ; at baseline, and 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. The dose was increased from 2mg/day(1mg twice daily) to 6mg/day(3mg twice daily) during the first week and adjusted to a maximum of 16mg/day over the next 7 weeks according to the patient's clinical response. Medication to control extrapyramidal symptoms was permitted. The psychiatric and neurological status of the patients was assessed by PANSS, CGI, and ESRS scales. Results : 343(91%) of 377 patients completed the 8-week trial period. Clinical improvement, as defined by a 20% or more reduction in total PANSS score at end point, was shown by 81.3% of patients. The predictors of response to risperidone were associated older age, shorter duration of illness, fewer previous hospitalization. Risperidone had rapid onset of action ; a significant decrease of the total PANSS and three PANSS factor(positive, negative, general), and CGI was already noticed at the end of first week. For the ESRS, parkinsonism rating scores were significantly increased until week 4 comparing with baseline. Dystonia rating scores were significantly increased until week 1, and dyskinesia rating scores were not significantly changed during the study. Laboratory parameters including vital sign, EKG, hematological, and biochemical values showed no significant changes during the trial. Conclusions : This study suggests that risperidone is generally safe and effective against both the positive and negative symptoms in our group of patients.