• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.59-70
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• 2006

Purpose: This study is intended to examine the aquatic exercise on the improvement of muscle atrophy and motor function in an ischemic stroke model induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods: We used 60 Sprague-Dawely rats which were divided into 4 groups; the subjects were divided into group of 5 rats. Group I was a group of high dose aquatic exercise after inducing ischemic stroke; Group II was a group of low dose aquatic exercise after inducing ischemic stroke; Group III was a control group, Group IV was a sham group without ischemic stroke. Results: Muscle weight of gastrocnemius muscle was significantly difference in Group II compared to Group III on 8 weeks(p<0.05). For the changes in relative muscle weight of gastrocnemius muscle, there was significant increase in Group II compared to Group III on 8 weeks(p<0.05). For neurologic exercise behavior test, Group II generally had the highest score, compared to other groups. The results of behavior test that Group II improved in degeneration and inflammation of muscle fiber and decreased in destruction of nerve cells and cerebral infarction, indicating a similar state of muscle fiber and brain to Group III. Conclusion: Based on these results, aquatic exercise may improve muscle atrophy and contribute to the improvement of motor function.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.105-119
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• 2006

Objectives & Methods : This present study was performed to investigate the effect of Hwadamtongrak-Tang extract (HTT) on the regulation of cerebral hemodynamics in terms of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP)] in normal and cerebral ischemic rats. Also the effects of HTT on changes in local blood flow, inhibition of LD H activity in neuronal cells, and levels of cytokine production in the serum were determined in the ischemic rat model. The major findings are summarized below. Results : 1. HTT significantly increased rCBF in a dose-dependent manner, but MABP was not changed by HTT treatment. These results suggest that HTT may increase rCBF by dilating cerebral arterial diameter. 2. HTT-induced increase in rCBF was blocked by pretreatment with cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (IDN, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) and MABP was significantly increased by ID N. 3. Pretreatment of methylene blue $(MTB,\;10\;{\mu}g/kg,\;i.p.)$, an inhibitor of guanylate cyclase, significantly decreased both rCBP and MABP in HTT-treated rats. 4. HTT treatment significantly increased rCBP to a stable level during the period of cerebral reperfusion. 5. HTT significantly inhibited LD H activity in neuronal cells, suggesting a neuroprotection by HTT. 6. Serum interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels were significantly decreased in the femoral artery 1 hr after middle cerebral arterial occlusion in HTT-treated rats. IL-10 levels in the serum were significantly increased by HTT treatment whereas transforming growth factor $(TGF)-{\beta}$ levels were similar between HTT-treated and control groups. 7. Serum interleukin $(IL)-1{\beta}$ and tumor necrosis factor $(TNF)-{\alpha}$ levels were significantly decreased in the femoral artery 1 hr after reperfusion in HTT-treated rats. Serum IL-10 levels were significantly decreased in HTT-treated rats compared with the control group, and no significant changes in $(TGF)-{\beta}$ in the serum were observed by HTT treatment. Conclusions: The present data suggest that HTT may have an anti-ischemic effect via the improvement of cerebral hemodynamics and thus protect the brain from ischemic damage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.6
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• pp.544-550
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• 2016

Objective : Cerebral endothelial cells have unique biological features and are fascinating candidate cells for stroke therapy. Methods : In order to understand the molecular mechanisms of human cerebral endothelial cell (hCMEC/D3) transplantation in a rat stroke model, we performed proteomic analysis using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Protein expression was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Results : Several protein spots were identified by gel electrophoresis in the sham, cerebral ischemia (CI), and CI with hCMEC/D3 treatment cerebral ischemia with cell transplantation (CT) groups, and we identified 14 differentially expressed proteins in the CT group. Proteins involved in mitochondrial dysfunction (paraplegin matrix AAA peptidase subunit, SPG7), neuroinflammation (peroxiredoxin 6, PRDX6), and neuronal death (zinc finger protein 90, ZFP90) were markedly reduced in the CT group compared with the CI group. The expression of chloride intracellular channel 4 proteins involved in post-ischemic vasculogenesis was significantly decreased in the CI group but comparable to sham in the CT group. Conclusion : These results contribute to our understanding of the early phase processes that follow cerebral endothelial cell treatment in CI. Moreover, some of the identified proteins may present promising new targets for stroke therapy.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.239-252
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• 2024

Dexmedetomidine displays multiple mechanisms of neuroprotection in ameliorating ischemic brain injury. In this study, we explored the beneficial effects of dexmedetomidine on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity and neuroinflammation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1.5 h and reperfusion for 24 h to establish a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Dexmedetomidine (9 ㎍/kg) was administered to rats 30 min after MCAO through intravenous injection, and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor, 200 ㎍/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before MCAO. Brain damages were evaluated by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Nissl staining, and brain water content assessment. BBB permeability was examined by Evans blue staining. Expression levels of claudin-5, zonula occludens-1, occludin, and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) as well as M1/M2 phenotypes-associated markers were assessed using immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and gelatin zymography. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to examine inflammatory cytokine levels. We found that dexmedetomidine or SB203580 attenuated infarct volume, brain edema, BBB permeability, and neuroinflammation, and promoted M2 microglial polarization after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Increased MMP-9 activity by ischemia/reperfusion injury was inhibited by dexmedetomidine or SB203580. Dexmedetomidine inhibited the activation of the ERK, JNK, and p38 MAPK pathways. Moreover, activation of JNK or p38 MAPK reversed the protective effects of dexmedetomidine against ischemic brain injury. Overall, dexmedetomidine ameliorated brain injury by alleviating BBB permeability and promoting M2 polarization in experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury model by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 MAPK pathways.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.55-59
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• 2019

Cerebral vessels are functionally and structurally specialized to provide adequate blood flow to brain which shows high metabolic rates. Cerebral hemorrhage or ischemic infarction due to cerebrovascular injury or occlusion can cause the immediate brain damage, and if not treated rapidly, can lead to serious or permanent brain damages, and sometimes life-threatening. Unlike these popular cerebrovascular diseases, there are diseases caused by genetic problems. Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is one of them. CADASIL does not show the high incidence, but it is considered to be significantly affected by regional obstructiveness such as islands and therefore, to be an important genetic disease in Jeju. This paper aims to summarize the possibility of animal model research that can provide preclinical data for CADASIL disease research and to evaluate its applicability in future research plans.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2000

Objective : We studied to clarify the effective time zone of mild hypothermic neural protection during ischemia and/or reperfusion after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods : In a reversible cerebral infarct model which maintained reperfusion of blood flow after middle cerebral artery occlusion for two hours, the size of cerebral infarction, cerebral edema and the extent of neurological deficit were observed and analyzed for comparison between the control and the experimental groups under hypothermia($33.5^{\circ}C$). The temporalis muscle temperature was reduced to $33.5^{\circ}C$ by surface cooling for two hours during middle cerebral artery occlusion for study group I. The following groups applied hypothermia for two-hour periods after reperfusion : group II(0-2 hours), group III(2-4 hours), and group IV(4-6 hours). They were rewarmed to $36.5^{\circ}C$ until sacrified at 2, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after reperfusion. Control group was maintained at normothermia without hypothermia. Results : In the experimental groups with hypothermia, the average value of the size of cerebral infarction($mean{\pm}SD$) was $1.97{\pm}1.65%$, which was a remarkable reduction over that of the control, $4.93{\pm}3.79%$. In the control, a progressive increase was shown in the size of infarction from point of reperfusion to 6 hours after reperfusion without further changes in size afterward. Intra-ischemic hypothermia(group I) prevented ischemic injury but did not prevent reperfusion injury. Group II examplified the most neural protective effect in comparison to the control group and group IV(p<0.05). The cortex was more vulnerable to reperfusion injury than the subcortex. Mild hypothermia showed more neural protective effects on the cortex than subcortex. Conclusion : The most appropriate time zone for application of mild hypothermia was defined to be within four hours following reperfusion.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.275-282
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• 2022

Background: Stroke is a neurological disorder characterized by brain tissue damage following a decrease in oxygen supply to brain due to blocked blood vessels. Reportedly, 80% of all stroke cases are classified as cerebral infarction, and the incidence rate of this condition increases with age. Herein, we compared the efficacies of Korean White ginseng (WG) and Korean Red Ginseng (RG) extracts (WGex and RGex, respectively) in an ischemic stroke mouse model and confirmed the underlying mechanisms of action. Methods: Mice were orally administered WGex or RGex 1 h before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), for 2 h; the size of the infarct area was measured 24 h after MCAO induction. Then, the neurological deficit score was evaluated and the efficacies of the two extracts were compared. Finally, their mechanisms of action were confirmed with tissue staining and protein quantification. Results: In the MCAO-induced ischemic stroke mouse model, WGex and RGex showed neuroprotective effects in the cortical region, with RGex demonstrating superior efficacy than WGex. Ginsenoside Rg1, a representative indicator substance, was not involved in mediating the effects of WGex and RGex. Conclusion: WGex and RGex could alleviate the brain injury caused by ischemia/reperfusion, with RGex showing a more potent effect. At 1,000 mg/kg body weight, only RGex reduced cerebral infarction and edema, and both anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic pathways were involved in mediating these effects.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Applied Pharmacology
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• 1995.04a
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• pp.38-40
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• 1995

There have reports suggested that cerebral blood flow (CBF) has decreased in patients with both senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type and multi-infarct dementia, which are characterized by marked cognitive impairments. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that decrease of CBF precedes the onset of multi-infarct dementia. These findings further suggest that chronic reduction of CBF may play an important role in the formation and progression of cerebral vascular dementia. Although transient cerebral ischemia, based upon vascular “reperfusion”, is apparently not paralleling the clinical condition, the transient cerebral ischemia model is one of the major methods investigated and the other is the cerebral embolism operation. Cognitive impairment and neuronal damages have been fully studied using these transient and/or embolic ischemia models. There are, however, few investigations focused the attention on the influence of chronic decrease of CBF on cognitive processes. In the present study, we have chosen a chronic ischemic model which is produced by permanent occlusion of bilateral common carotid arteries (2VO) in rats to investigate the neuronal damage and cognitive deficits through radial maze performance. We investigated furtherly the effects of tetramethylpyrazine (TMP), a constituent isolated from Ligusticum Chuanxiong on such a model.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2003

Object : This research was performed to investigate the protective effect of Aurantii Immaturus Fructus against ischemic damage using PC12 cells and global ischemia in gerbils. Methods : To observe the protective effect of Aurantii Immaturus Fructus on ischemia damage, viability and changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed after treating PC12 cells with Aurantii Immaturus Fructus during ischemic insult. Gerbils were divided into three groups : a normal group, a 5-min two-vessel occlusion (2VO) group, and an Aurantii Immaturus Fructus administered after 2VO group. The CCAs were occluded by microclip for 5 minutes. Aurantii Immaturus Fructus was administered orally for 7 days after 2VO. The histological analysis was performed at 7 days after the surgery. For histological analysis, the brain tissue was stained with 1% cresyl violet solution. Results : The results showed that 1. Aurantii Immaturus Fructus had a protective effect against ischemia in the CAI area of the gerbil hippocampus 7 days after 5-minute occlusion, 2. In the hypoxia/reperfusion model using PC12 cells, the Aurantii Immaturus Fructus had a protective effect against ischemia in the dose of $0.2{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml,{\;}2{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml{\;}and{\;}20{\;}\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ 3. Aurantii Immaturus Fructus increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase, 4. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased by ischemic damage, which might represent self protection. This study suggests that Aurantii Immaturus Fructus has some neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia in vivo with a widely used experimental model of cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils, and it also has protective effects on a hypoxia/reperfusion cell culture model using PCq2 cells. Conclusions : Aurantii Immaturus Fructus has protective effects against ischemic brain damage at the early stage of ischemia.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.110-121
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• 2003

Objective : This research was performed to investigate the protective effect of Angelicae Dahuri Radix against ischemic damage using PC12 cells and global ischemia in gerbils. Methods : To observe the protective effect of Angelicae Dahuri Radix on ischemia damage, viability and changes in activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase and production of malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed after treating PC12 cells with Angelicae Dahuri Radix during ischemic insult. Gerbils were divided into three groups : a normal group, a 5-min two-vessel occlusion (2VO) group, and an Angelicae Dahuri Radix administered after 2VO group. The CCAs were occluded by microclip for 5 minutes. Angelicae Dahuri Radix was administered orally for 7 days after 2VO. The histological analysis was performed at 7 days after surgery. For histological analysis, the brain tissue was stained with 1% cresyl violet solution. Results : 1. Angelicae Dahuri Radix has a protective effect against ischemia in the CA1 area of the gerbil hippocampus 7 days after 5-minute occlusion, 2. In the hypoxia/reperfusion model using PC12 cells, Angelicae Dahuri Radix has a protective effect against ischemia in the dose of $0.2\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, $2\mu\textrm{g}/ml$ and $20\mu\textrm{g}/ml$, 3. Angelicae Dahuri Radix increased the activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase. 4. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was increased by ischemic damage, which might represent self protection. This study suggests that Angelicae Dahuri Radix has some neuroprotective effect against neuronal damage following cerebral ischemia in vivo with a widely used experimental model of cerebral ischemia in Mongolian gerbils, and it also has protective effects on a hypoxia/reperfusion cell culture model using PC12 cells. Conclusions : Angelicae Dahuri Radix has protective effects against ischemic brain damage at the early stage of ischemia.