• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.99-108
• /
• 2016

While axons in the peripheral nerve can regenerate and lead to functional recovery to a certain extent after injury, its efficacy varies depending on the severity and duration of the injury. Here, we investigated the effects of Boyanghwano-tang (BYHOT) treatment on the regenerative responses in the sciatic nerves after prolonged transection and coaptation surgery. In mice given crush injury, axonal regeneration was completed when analyzed 1 week later and did not show any difference in regenerative reponses in the distal portion of the nerve between saline- and BYHOT-treated groups. In animal models with transection and reconnection, axonal regeneration was markedly retarded compared to animals with crush injury. Regenerating axons were extended into the reconnected distal portion of the nerve more actively in animals treated with BYHOT than saline controls. Cdc2 protein was similarly induced in nerves with crush injury and with transection and recollection, and its level was lower in BYHOT-treated animal than saline control when measured 2 weeks after nerve reconnection. These results suggest that BYHOT may be useful to promote axonal regeneration in the peripheral nerve after severe injury.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.431-437
• /
• 2008

Sengmaek-san(Shengmai-san; SMS) is used in oriental medicine as one of the key herbal medicine for treating diverse symptoms including cardiovascular and neurological disorders. In the present study, the effects of SMS on axonal regeneration were investigated in the rat model given sciatic nerve injury. SMS treatment enhanced axonal regrowth into and the number of non-neuronal cells in the distal area after crush injury. GAP-43 protein levels were increased in the injured sciatic nerve compared to intact nerve and further upreguated by SMS treatment. GAP-43 protein was increased similarly in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) at lumbar 4 - 6 by nerve injury and SMS treatment, suggesting GAP-43 induction at gene expression level. SMS-mediated increase in phospho-Erk1/2 protein was observed in the DRG as well as in the injured nerve implying its retrograde transport into the cell body as the process of lesion signal transmission. The present findings suggest that SMS may be involved in enhanced axonal regeneration via dynamic regulation of regeneration-associated proteins.

• Medical Lasers
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.195-200
• /
• 2021

Evidence shows that nerve injury triggers mitochondrial dysfunction during axonal degeneration. Mitochondria play a pivotal role in axonal regeneration. Therefore, normalizing mitochondrial energy metabolism may represent an elective therapeutic strategy contributing to nerve recovery after damage. Photobiomodulation (PBM) induces a photobiological effect by stimulating mitochondrial activity. An increasing body of evidence demonstrates that PBM improves ATP generation and modulates many of the secondary mediators [reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and calcium ions (Ca²⁺)], which in turn activate multiple pathways involved in axonal regeneration.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.133-150
• /
• 2008

Objective: This study was performed to examine Danggui (DG, Angelica gigas Nakai)'s potential activity for promoting axonal regeneration in the injured peripheral nerve. Methods: Using the sciatic nerve in the rats, DG extract 5 ${\mu}l$(10 mg/ml in 0.5% saline) was dripped into the injury site of the nerve. Results: DG treatment facilitated axonal elongation responses in the distal portion to the injury site. GAP-43 protein levels were upregulated by DG treatment in the injured nerve and also in the DRG, suggesting the induction of GAP-43 expression at gene expression level after nerve injury. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were upregulated in the injured nerve area and also in the DRG, suggesting retrograde transport of phospho-Erk1/2 protein from the injury area to the cell body. Cdc2 protein levels were slightly upregulated by DG treatment. DG treatment increased the number of non-neuronal cells in the distal portion to the injury site. Conclusions: The present data suggest that DG is effective for enhanced axonal regrowth after sciatic nerve injury.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2020

Objective: The goal of this study is to investigate whether peripheral axonal regeneration is affected by diabetes in experimental animals. Method: Sprague Dawely rat was injected with 45~50 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) to generate an animal model of diabetes. Three months after STZ injection, sciatic nerve (2 cm length) was removed and the same length of nerve segments from STZ-injected animal or from control animal (CTL) was transplanted into STZ-injected animals (STZ-STZ and STZ-CTL respectively). Similarly, sciatic nerve segments from STZ-injected animal or from control animal were grafted into the control animals (CTL-STZ and CTL-CTL respectively). All animals were sacrificed 2 weeks after transplantation. Sciatic nerve sections were prepared and subjected to immunofluorescence staining analysis. Results: Immunofluorescence staining for NF-200 showed that distal elongation of regenerating axons reached 40~80% of proximal neve in both CTL-STZ and CTL-CTL groups. However, distal elongation in both STZ-STZ and STZ-CTL groups were 20~60% of proximal nerve. Furthermore, measurement of axonal regeneration after immuno-staining with SCG10 showed that the scores of distal elongation relative to proximal nerve were 50~90% in CTL-CTL and CTL-STZ groups and 10-60% in STZ-CTL and STZ-STZ. Conclusions: Our data showed that the levels of axonal regeneration were not affected irrespective of whether they were from STZ- or CTL graft, but were greatly reduced when the nerves were transplanted into the STZ host.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.107-112
• /
• 2005

Peripheral axons in vertebrate animals can regenerate after nerve injury and accomplish its functional recovery. Numerous studies have revealed that diverse molecular factors are induced during axonal regeneration and their potential roles in axonal regeneration have been studied. Examples is N-CAM, L1, P0, nerve growth factors, GAP-43 and so forth. However, most of the studies on axonal regeneration have been primarily focused on axon fiber regrowth and elucidating molecular factors, and relatively less is known about functional recovery. Also, specific drugs or drug components used in the oriental medicine in relation to nerve fiber regeneration have not been known. And thus, in the present, a study on the effect of Samul-tang components and Samul-tang extracts to regeneration of peripheral axon fiber is underway by immunofluorescence staining. Therefore, this prior application of Samul-tang with documents consideration is reported with a plea for further investigation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.137-148
• /
• 2007

Objectives : Following central nervous system (CNS) injury, inhibitory influences at the site of axonal damage occur. Glial cells become reactive and form a glial scar, know as gliosis. As well,myelin debris such as MAG inhibits axonal regeneration. Astrocyte-rich gliosis relates to up-regulation of GFAP and CD81, and eventually becomes a physical and mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. It is postulated that when the astrocytic reaction is absent, regeneration of axons can occur. It was reported that treatment with anti CD81 antibodies enhanced functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injury. Methods : MAG is one of several endogenous axon regeneration inhibitors that limit recovery from central nervous system injury and disease. It was reported that molecules which block such inhibitors enhanced axon regeneration and functional recovery. Results : In this current study, the author investigated the effect of the water extract of Ginseng Radix on the regulation of CD81, GFAP and MAG which increases when gliosis occurs. MTT analysis was performed to examine cell viability, and cell based ELISA, Western Blot and PCR were used to detect the expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to confirm in vivo. Conclusions : We observed that Ginseng Radix significantly down-regulates the expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG by means of cell based ELISA, Western Blot and PCR. In immunohistochemistry, expression of CD81, GFAP and MAG also decreased. Taken together, these results suggest that Ginseng Radix can be a candidate for regenerating CNS injury.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.6
• /
• pp.1666-1672
• /
• 2005

Oriental medicinal drugs have a broad spectrum of clinical use for the cure of nervous system diseases including brain ischemic damages or neuropathies. Yet, specific drugs or drug components used in the oriental medicine in relation to none fiber regeneration are not known. In the present study, possible growth promoting effects of oriental medicinal drugs were investigated in the injured sciatic nerve system in the rat. By immunofluorescence staining, we found that Jahageo (JHG, Hominis placenta) increased Induction levels of axonal growth associated protein GAP-43 in the rat sciatic none. Small growth promoting activity was found in Golsebo (GSB, Drynariae rhizoma) and Baikhasuo (BHSO, Polygoni multiflori radix) drugs. JHG also increased cell cycle protein Cdc2 levels in the injured area of the sciatic nerves. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that induced Cdc2 protein was mostly localized in the Schwann cells in the injury area, implying that JHG activity might be related to increased Schwann cell proliferation during axonal regeneration. Moreover, levels of phospho-extracellular signal-regulated (ERK) pathway in the injured neNes were elevated by JHG treatment while levels of total ERK were unaltered. In vivo measurement of axonal regeneration using retrograde tracer showed that JHG, GSB and BHSO significantly enhanced Dil-labeled regenerating motor neurons compared with saline control. The present data suggest that oriental medicinal drugs such as JHG, GSB, and BHSO may be a useful target for developing specific drugs of axonal regeneration.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.1-13
• /
• 2008

Objective : This study is investigate the effects of Sagunjatang-Ga-Nokyong(SGJ-NY) treatment on regenerative responses of corticospinal tract(CST) axons in the injured spinal cord. Methods :Using rats, we damaged their spinal cord, and then applied SGJ-NY extract to the lesion. Then we observed GAP-43 and NGF protein, astrcyte, axonal regeneration responses and axonal elongation. Result :Determination of GAP-43 and NGF protein levels were increased. And increased proliferation of astrocyte and enhanced processes in astrocytes were observed by SGJ-NY treatment. Higher number of astrocytes within the injury cavity in SGJ-NY treated group were showed, yet CSPG proteins were a weaker staining in the cavity in SGJ-NY. CST axons extended into the cavity and to the caudal area in SGJ-NY treated group were increased. Conclusion : SGJ-NY treatment might increase neural activity in the injured spinal cord tissue, and improved axonal regeneration responses. In this process, activation of astrocytes may play a role in promoting enhanced axonal elongation. the current study show that SGJ-NY exerts positive activity on inducing nerve regeneration responses by elevating neural tissue migration activities.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.348-358
• /
• 2009

Diffuse axonal injury(DAI) is a common form of traumatic brain injury and thought to be a major contributor to cognitive dysfunction. Physical activity has been shown to beneficial effects on physical health and influences in hippocampus which is an important location for memory and learning. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of motor training on motor performance and axonal regeneration in hippocampus through the immunoreactivity of GAP-43 after diffuse axonal injury in the rats. The experimental groups were applied motor training(beam-walking, rotarod, and Morris water maze) but control groups were not. The time performing the motor tasks and GAP-43 immunohistochemistry were used for the result of axonal recovery. There were meaningful differences between experimental groups and control groups on motor performance and GAP-43 immunohistochemistry. The control groups showed increasing tendency with the lapse of time, but experimental groups showed higher. Therefore, Motor training after DAI improve motor outcomes which are associated with dynamically altered immunoreactivity of GAP-43 in axonal injury regions, particularly hippocampus, and that is related with axonal regeneration.