• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.456-463
• /
• 2002

Distraction osteogenesis is a well-established clinical treatment for limb length discrepancy and skeletal deformities. Appropriate mechanical tension-stress is believed not to break the callus but rather to stimulate osteogenesis. In contrast to fracture healing, the mode of bone formation in distraction osteogenesis is primarily intramembranous ossification. Although the biomechanical, histological, and ultrastructural changes associated with distraction osteogenesis have been widely described, the basic biology of the process is still not well known. Moreover, the molecular mechanisms in distraction osteogenesis remain largely unclear. Recent studies have implicated the growth factor cascade is likely to play an important role in distraction. And current reserch suggested that mechanical tension-stress modulates cell shape and phenotype, and stimulates the expression of the mRNA for bone matrix proteins. This article presents the hypotheses and current research that have furthered knowledge of the molecular biology that govern distraction osteogenesis. The gene regulation of growth factors and extracellular matrix proteins during distraction osteogenesis are discussed in this article. It is believed that understanding the biomolecular mechanisms that mediate distraction osteogenesis may guide the development of targeted strategies designed to improve distraction osteogenesis and accelerate bone healing.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.140-146
• /
• 1994

Aureobasidium pullulans produced high concentration of polyols extracellularly in the media of sucrose, glucose and mannose as sole carbon source. Mannitol was the main polyol produced during the late exponential and stationary phases of growth together with small quantities of glycerol. Sucrose and glucose were rather rapidly metabolized to mannitol among carbon sources examined where the initial glucose concentration showed no difference in the amount of mannitol. In contrast 20%(w/v) of sucrose was the most appropriate concentration tested. However, the yield of mannitol based on substrate used($Y_{p/s}$) was independent on the initial concentration, and the mean value of mannitol yield in 10% glucose and sucrose media was 0.144 and 0.188, respectively. Mannitol production was reduced in response to an elevated water stress imposed by salts within the range from 0.25 to IM of NaCl or KCl as stress solutes. However, glycerol contents and its ratio to mannitol were increased at the conditions of high salinity. Based on the results, extracellular mannitol produced by A. pullulans probably resulted partly from osmoregulation(in case of glycerol) and mainly from, as known to occur in most of fungi, enzymatic reduction of the corresponding hexoses through phosphate pathway.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.189-195
• /
• 2010

Water extracts from 20 medicinal plants, traditionally used for postmenopausal symptoms in Korea, were examined for their vasorelaxant activity in isolated rat thoracic aorta rings precontracted with norepinephrine (NE). Among the 20 medicinal plants, Cornus officinalis (CoEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Schisandra chinensis (ScEx, 0.3 mg/mL), Erythrina variegate (EvEx, 0.3 mg/mL), and Epimedium koreanum (EkEx, 0.3 mg/mL) showed rapid relaxation of endothelium-intact aorta ($69\pm4%$, $40\pm3%$, $25\pm2%$, and $23\pm3%$ of active tone induced by NE, respectively). In contrast, the extracts of Erythrina variegata (EvEx), Angelica gigas (AgEx), Pueraria thunbergiana (PtEx), and EkEx lead to gradual (i.e., long-term) relaxation to baseline in endothelium-intact vessels. The time to complete relaxation was 20～40 min. These 6 plant extracts were selected for the investigation of possible underlying mechanisms. The CoEx-, ScEx-, or EkEx-induced rapid relaxations were virtually abolished by endothelium denudation, and were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with nitric oxide (NO) synthase inhibitor $N^G$-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA, 10 ${\mu}M$), indicating that increased formation of NO might contribute to the endothelium-mediated relaxation. In long-term responses, the endothelium denudation did not affect PtEx-induced relaxation, whereas it delayed responses by EvEx and AgEx, and significantly inhibited the effect of EkEx. Among EvEx, AgEx, and PtEx, EvEx attenuated the $CaCl_2$-induced vasoconstriction in high-potassium depolarized medium, implying that EvEx is involved in inhibition of the extracellular calcium influx to smooth muscle through voltage dependent calcium channels. These results provide the scientific rationale for the interrelationships between the use of 20 medicinal plants and their effects on cardiovascular health in estrogen deficient conditions.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.423-430
• /
• 2020

Telmisartan is an angiotensin-II receptor blocker and acts as a selective modulator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ). Several studies have demonstrated that telmisartan ameliorates depression and memory dysfunction and reduces brain inflammation. We hypothesized that the beneficial effects of telmisartan on brain could be due to modulation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function. Here, we examined the effect of telmisartan on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) which plays an important role in leukocyte transcytosis through the BBB. Telmisartan blocked TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression and leukocyte adhesion in U87MG human glioma cells but showed no effect on human brain microvascular endothelial cells. In U87MG cells, a PPAR antagonist, GW9662 did not block the effect of telmisartan on ICAM1 expression but rather potentiated. Moreover, GW9662 caused no change in TNF-α-induced ICAM-1 expression, suggesting no implication of PPARγ in the telmisartan effect. Further studies showed that telmisartan blocked TNF-α-induced activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), p38, and nuclear factorkappa B (NF-κB). In contrast, inhibitors of JNK, ERK1/2 and NF-κB but not p38, blocked ICAM-1 expression induced by TNF-α. Thus, our findings suggest that the beneficial effect of telmisartan is likely due to the reduction of astrocytic ICAM1 expression and leukocytes adhesion to astrocytes, and that this response was mediated by the inhibition of JNK/ERK1/2/NF-κB activation and in the PPAR-independent manner. In conclusion, this study enhances our understanding of the mechanism by which telmisartan exerts the beneficial brain function.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.85-94
• /
• 2005

Purpose: This study was to evaluate the effect of ${\alpha}-lipoic$ acid, a potent free radical scavenger, on the expression of active form of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK1/2) proteins from hindlimb muscles of rats following ischemia-reperfusion injury. Material and methods: 64 health, $280{\sim}350\;g$ weighted Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. In order to make a muscle flap, the gastrocnemius (GC) and soleus (SOL) muscles were dissected and elevated. The popliteal artery was occluded for 4hours and reperfused for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours and 4 hours, respectively. Results: The ischemia by occlusion of the popliteal artery itself caused a minimal change in expression of phosphorylated form of proteins observed in hindlimb muscle. In contrast, after 4 hours of ischemia, immunoreactivity for pERK1/2 in the GC muscle showed dual peaks at 10 minutes and 4 hours after reperfusion. In ${\alpha}-lipoic$ acid treated group, the expression of pERK1/2 was increased significantly compared to I/R-only group. Conclusion: These results suggest that ${\alpha}-lipoic$ acid may protect I/R injury of the skeletal muscle through free radical scavening and activation of intracellular pERK1/2 expression.

• Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
• /
• v.35 no.4 s.100
• /
• pp.326-330
• /
• 2002

A wetland soil was sterilised by two methods and changes in microbial enzyme activities were assessed. The short-term effects were determined by toluene addition, while the longer-term effects of elimination was monitored by ${\gamma}$-radiation. The changes in ${\beta}$- glucosidase, ${\beta}$-xylosidase, cellobiohydrolase, phosphatase, arylsulphatase, and N-acetylglucosaminidase activities were determined by using methylumbelliferyl model substrates and comparing with the activities of control samples. Toluene addition induced different responses of enzymes. For example, phosphatase activity increased by the treatment while ${\beta}$-glucosidase and arylsulphatase activities decreased. In contrast, ${\gamma}$-radiation decreased all enzyme activities compared to control by 40-80%. The overall results of the toluene and ${\gamma}$-radiation experiments indicate that the large amounts of enzymes are stabilised outside of living cells, at least in the short term, but that the persistence of enzymes is maintained by de-novo synthesis of microbes.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.43 no.2
• /
• pp.97-104
• /
• 2008

Objective: Transient receptor potential vanilloid subfamily type 1 (TRPV1), a most specific marker of the nociceptive primary afferent, is expressed in peptidergic and non-peptidergic primary afferents innervating skin and viscera. However, its expression in sensory fibers to skeletal muscle is not well known. In this study, we studied the neurochemical characteristics of TRPV1-positive primary afferents to skeletal muscles. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with total $20{\mu}l$ of 1% fast blue (FB) into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscle and animals were perfused 4 days after injection. FB-positive cells were traced in the L4-L5 (for gastrocnemius muscle) and L2-L4 (for erector spinae muscle) dorsal root ganglia. The neurochemical characteristics of the muscle afferents were studied with multiple immunofluorescence with TRPV1, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and $P2X_3$. To identify spinal neurons responding to noxious stimulus to the skeletal muscle, 10% acetic acids were injected into the gastrocnemius and erector spinae muscles and expression of phospho extracellular signal-regulated kinase (pERK) in spinal cords were identified with immunohistochemical method. Results: TRPVl was expressed in about 49% of muscle afferents traced from gastrocnemius and 40% of erector spinae. Sixty-five to 60% of TRPV1-positive muscles afferents also expressed CGRP. In contrast, expression of $P2X_3$ immnoreaction in TRPV1-positive muscle afferents were about 20%. TRPV1-positive primary afferents were contacted with spinal neurons expressing pERK after injection of acetic acid into the muscles. Conclusion: It is consequently suggested that nociception from skeletal muscles are mediated by TRPV1-positive primary afferents and majority of them are also peptidergic.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.26 no.9
• /
• pp.739-746
• /
• 2003

Ultraviolet B (UVB) is known to induce apoptosis in human melanocytes. Here we show the cytoprotective effect of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) against UVB-induced apoptosis. We also show that UVB-induced apoptosis of melanocytes is mediated by caspase-3 activation and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and that S1P prevents apoptosis by inhibiting this apoptotic pathway. We further investigated three major mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases after UVB irradiation. UVB gradually activated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 MAP kinase, while extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) was inactivated transiently. Blocking of the p38 MAP kinase pathway using SB203580 promoted cell survival and inhibited the activation of caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. These results suggest that p38 MAP kinase activation may play an important role in the UVB-induced apoptosis of human melanocytes. To explain this cytoprotective effect, we next examined whether S1P could inhibit UVB-induced JNK and p38 MAP kinase activation. However, S1P was not found to have any influence on UVB-induced JNK or p38 MAP kinase activation. In contrast, S1P clearly stimulated the phosphorylation of ERK, and the specific inhibition of the ERK pathway using PD98059 abolished the cytoprotective effect of S1P. Based on these results, we conclude that the activation of p38 MAP kinase plays an important role in UVB-induced apoptosis, and that S1P may show its cytoprotective effect through ERK activation in human melanocytes.

• Experimental Neurobiology
• /
• v.26 no.5
• /
• pp.241-251
• /
• 2017

Saturation mutagenesis was performed on a single position in the voltage-sensing domain (VSD) of a genetically encoded voltage indicator (GEVI). The VSD consists of four transmembrane helixes designated S1-S4. The V220 position located near the plasma membrane/extracellular interface had previously been shown to affect the voltage range of the optical signal. Introduction of polar amino acids at this position reduced the voltage-dependent optical signal of the GEVI. Negatively charged amino acids slightly reduced the optical signal by 33 percent while positively charge amino acids at this position reduced the optical signal by 80%. Surprisingly, the range of V220D was similar to that of V220K with shifted optical responses towards negative potentials. In contrast, the V220E mutant mirrored the responses of the V220R mutation suggesting that the length of the side chain plays in role in determining the voltage range of the GEVI. Charged mutations at the 219 position all behaved similarly slightly shifting the optical response to more negative potentials. Charged mutations to the 221 position behaved erratically suggesting interactions with the plasma membrane and/or other amino acids in the VSD. Introduction of bulky amino acids at the V220 position increased the range of the optical response to include hyperpolarizing signals. Combining The V220W mutant with the R217Q mutation resulted in a probe that reduced the depolarizing signal and enhanced the hyperpolarizing signal which may lead to GEVIs that only report neuronal inhibition.

• Research in Vestibular Science
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.142-151
• /
• 2018

Objectives: Excitability o medial vestibular nucleus (MVN) in the brainstem can be affected by changes in the arterial blood pressure. Several animal studies have demonstrated that acute hypotension results in the alteration of multiunit activities and expression of cFos protein in the MVN. In the field of extracellular electrophysiological recording, tetrode technology and spike sorting algorithms can easily identify single unit activity from multiunit activities in the brain. However, detailed properties of electrophysiological changes in single unit of the MVN during acute hypotension have been unknown. Methods: Therefore, we applied tetrode techniques and electrophysiological characterization methods to know the effect of acute hypotension on single unit activities of the MVN of rats. Results: Two or 3 types of unit could be classified according to the morphology of spikes and firing properties of neurons. Acute hypotension elicited 4 types of changes in spontaneous firing of single unit in the MVN. Most of these neurons showed excitatory responses for about within 1 minute after the induction of acute hypotension and then returned to the baseline activity 10 minutes after the injection of sodium nitroprusside. There was also gradual increase in spontaneous firing in some units. In contrast small proportion of units showed rapid reduction of firing rate just after acute hypotension. Conclusions: Therefore, application of tetrode technology and spike sorting algorithms is another method for the monitoring of electrical activity of vestibular nuclear during acute hypotension.