In this study, we investigated the protective effects of processed Panax ginseng, sun ginseng (SG) against the UVB-irradiation on epidermal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Pretreatment of SG in HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts reduced UVB-induced cell damage as seen by reduced lactate dehydrogenase release. We also found that SG restored the UVB-induced decrease in anti-apoptotic gene expression (bcl-2 and bcl-xL) in these cells, indicating that SG has an anti-apoptotic effect and thus can protect cells from cell death caused by strong UVB radiation. In addition, SG inhibited the excessive expression of c-jun and c-fos gene by the UVB in HeCaT cells and human dermal fibroblasts. We also demonstrated that SG may exert an anti-inflammatory activity by reducing the nitric oxide production and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA synthesis in HaCaT keratinocytes and human dermal fibroblasts. This was further supported by its inhibitory effects on the elevated cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-α transcription which was induced by UVB-irradiation in HaCaT cells. In addition, SG may have anti-aging property in terms of induction of procollagen gene expression and inhibition of the matrix metalloprotease-1 gene expression caused by UVBexposure. These findings suggest that SG can be a potential agent that may protect against the dermal cell damage caused by UVB.

In elderly Graves' patients, thyrotoxicosis may have vague or atypical clinical features. It could delay the detection of Graves' disease itself, and also other combined diseases. Here, we report a case of a 73-year-old Graves' patient who complained of several atypical symptoms such as chest discomfort, pain in the lower calf, severe agitation, depression, sense of impending doom, myalgia etc. Despite these discomforts, they had previously been ignored as vague clinical features of Graves' disease. After 4 months with hemoptysis, serious pulmonary embolism was confirmed by computed tomography of the chest, and the patient suddenly died. Clinicians should remember that the atypical symptoms in elderly Graves' patients can suggest hidden comorbidities. This is especially critical in case of acute cardiovascular diseases such as pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal to elderly patients.