• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.567-575
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• 1998

Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer has been known for hundreds of years as the most valuable drug having mysterious effects among all the herbal medicines and plants in Korea. Also, many experimental studies have been performed recently that the various effects were identified and applied clinically. So we attempted an experimental study on the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures in an isolated rat heart with the use of the Langendorff model. The objective of this study was to determine whether this ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures would protect the myocardial injury after ischemic arrest and reperfusion. Isolated rat hearts were allowed to equilibrate for 20 minutes and were then subjected to 15 minutes of normothermic ischemia. After this ischemic period, isolated rat hearts were allowed to reperfusion for 10 minutes(Ischemic Group). In other group , isolated rat hearts were perfused for 60 minutes continuously with normothermia( Normothermic Group). Hemodynamic and biochemical parameters such as heart rate, left ventricular pressure, +dp/dt max, coronary blood flow and cardiac enzymes were measured during initial perfusion, ischemia, reperfusion period (Ischemic group) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after continuous perfusion(Normothermic group). After completion of the experiment, this data was evaluated and the following results were obtained. 1. Heart rates showed an increase in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups, but statistically significant differences were not identified. 2. LVP(Left Ventricular Pressure) showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.005, p<0.01). 3. +dp/dt max showed statistically significant differences in both ischemic and normothermic experimental groups(p<0.01, p<0.01). 4. There were no statistically significant differences in coronary blood flow and cardiac cenzymes in all groups, but experimental groups seemed to have better protection and recovery. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 mixtures has a protective effect on the myocardial injury after ischemia and reperfusion.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.516-523
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine relationships between dietary habits and intakes of antioxidants and B vitamins and the risk of ischemic stroke, and to compare dietary factors according to the presence of cerebral artery atherosclerosis and stroke subtypes. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 147 patients and 144 control subjects were recruited consecutively in the metropolitan area of Seoul, Korea. Sixty participants each in the case and control groups were included in analyses after 1:1 frequency matching. In addition, 117 acute ischemic stroke patients were classified into subtypes according to the Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) guidelines. Dietary intake was measured using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items and plasma lipid and homocysteine levels were analyzed. RESULTS: When compared with control subjects, stroke patients had unfavorable dietary behaviors and lower intakes of fruits ($73.1{\pm}83.2g$ vs. $230.9{\pm}202.1g$, P < 0.001), vegetables ($221.1{\pm}209.0g$ vs. $561.7{\pm}306.6g$, P < 0.001), and antioxidants, including vitamins C, E, $B_6$, ${\beta}$-carotene, and folate. The intakes of fruits, vegetables, vitamin C, and folate were inversely associated with the risk of ischemic stroke after adjusting for confounding factors. Intakes of vegetables, vitamins C, $B_6$, $B_{12}$, and folate per 1,000 kcal were lower in ischemic stroke with cerebral atherosclerosis than in those without. Overall vitamin $B_{12}$ intake per 1,000 kcal differed according to the TOAST classification (P = 0.004), but no differences among groups existed based on the post-hoc test. CONCLUSIONS: When compared with control subjects, ischemic stroke patients, particularly those with cerebral atherosclerosis, had unfavorable dietary intake, which may have contributed to the development of ischemic stroke. These results indicate that proper dietary recommendations are important for the prevention of ischemic stroke.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2007

The purpose of this preliminary study is to improve the efficiency of gene transfer of nonviral plasmid DNA by in vivo electroporation in ischemic hindlimb muscle, tibialis anterior. Hindlimb ischemic model was aseptically made by excision of left femoral artery. Each $50\;{\mu}g$ of pEGFP-C1 and pGL3-control in $100\;{\mu}l$ 0.9% NaCl was injected in tibialis anterior muscle. In vivo electroporation was applied on the same site with 10 mm-distance 2 needle array electrodes and ECM830. In 3 groups of normal rat with different electric field strength 0, 200 and 800 V/cm, the expression of pEGFP-C1 was comparatively evaluated. In 8 groups of normal rats, the expression of pGL3-control was evaluated in 0, 40, 50, 80, 100, 150, 200 and 300 V/cm of electric field strength. In 5 groups of ischemic models, the expression of pGL3-control was analyzed on 0, 4, 7, 10 and 14 days elapsed after making ischemic models. In 9 groups of ischemic rats, the expression of pGL3-control was analyzed in the electric field strength 0, 60, 70, 80, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 V/cm. GFP expressions in normal tibialis anterior were high in the extent and degree in order of electric field strength of 200, 800 and 0 V/cm. Luciferase value was highest in $50{\sim}100\;V/cm$ electric field strength. In the case of ischemic models, luciferase expression was significantly increasing in the order elapsed time after making the model. The degree of luciferase expression was higher in cases of application of in vivo electroporation than in that of non-application and was highest in $100{\sim}150\;V/cm$. In conclusion, in vivo electroporation is effective in transfer and expression of plasmid DNA in normal and ischemic tibialis anterior of rat.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.31-37
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• 1996

The protective effect of 'ischemic preconditioning (IP)'on ischemia-reperfusion injury of heart has been reported in various animal species, but the mechanism is unclear. In an attempt to elucidate the mechanism of IP, we examined the effects of blockers against adenosine and protein kinase C in preconditioned heart of rat. The hearts perfused with oxygen-saturated Krebs-Henseleit solution by Langendorff method were exposed to 30 min global ischemia followed by 20 min reperfusion. IP was performed with three episodes of 5 min ischcmia and 5 min reperfusion just before ischemia-reperfusion. IP prevented the depression of contractile function and the myocardial contracture in the ischemic-reperfused heart and reduced the release of lactate dehydrogenase during the reperfusion period. Polymyxin B, chelerythrine and colchicine, PKC inhibitors, attenuated almost completely the anti-ischemic effect of IP, while adenosine receptor antagonists did not. These results indicate that PKC may be a crucial intracellular mediator in anti-ischemic action of IP in ischemic-reperfused rat heart, while adenosine may not be involved in the mechanism of IP.

• The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.9-22
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• 1993

To evaluate the protective effects of calcium antagonists, oxygen radical scavengers and excitatory amino acid (EAA) antagonist on the ischemic brain damage, we induced in vitro ischemic condition (namely, lack of oxygen and glucose) to rat hippocampal slices. And the degree of ischemic damage was determined by assaying changes in biochemical parameters such as ATP content and lactate ralease, MDA production in the presence or absence of the various drugs. During experimental ischemia for up to 60 min, ATP content was decreased and the amount of lactate release was markedly increased time-dependently. By changing the reaction medium which contained oxygen and glucose those biochemical parameters were recovered. But the recovery was not complete in this experimental condition. In the same ischemic conditions verapamil and vitamine E prevented the decrease of ATP content and the increase of lactate release from the slices. And verapamil and diltiazem decreased MDA release to the reaction medium. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and MK-801 (as EAA receptor antagonist) protected the decrease of ATP content and reduced MDA release in 20 min ischemic condition, but glutathione affected ATP content and lactate release at the same condition. When oxygen and glucose were resupplied for 20 min after ischemic condition, verapamil showed the protective effect on the changes of ATP content and lactate release, and vitamine E decreased lactate release (at 20 min ischemia) and MDA release (at 60 min ischemia). These results showed that calcium antagonist and vitamine E protect the ischemic biochemical changes from rat hippocampal slices and calcium antagonist is more potent than vitamine E to protect the ischemical brain damege.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2008

Objectives : Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) has been used for many years as a treatment for cerebrovascular diseases in Oriental medicine. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) on cognition and motor function recovery after ischemic brain injury, and also the expression of BDNF in hippocampus. Methods : This study was designed with 4 subgroups to evaluate the effects of Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san). As control groups, group I has no treatment during 1 week after ischemic brain injury and group II has no treatment during 2 weeks after ischemic brain injury. As experimental groups, group III has been treated with Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) during 1 week after ischemic brain injury and group IV have treated with Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) during 2 week after ischemic brain injury. Each group has been examined by tests as follows, neurological motor behavioral tests, cognitive motor behavior test and histological test. Neurological motor behavior tests consisted of limb placement test, beam-walking test and horizontal wire test. Cognitive motor behavior test was performed by using Morris water maze. In the histological test, TTC(2,3,5-triphenylteterazolium chloride) staining, hematoxylin & eosin staining, and immunohistochemical staining were used. Results : 1. The tests for motor function recovery change had significantly good result in the experimental groups as compared with control groups(p<.05). 2. The Morris water maze test on cognition also had significantly good result in the experimental groups as compared with control groups(p<.05). 3. In the immunohistochemical staining for the expression of BDNF in hippocampus, more immune reaction was investigated in the experimental groups as compared with control groups. Especially group IV has the greatest immune reaction. Conclusions : Ohyaksungi-san(Wuyaoshunqi-san) has good effects on cognition and motor function recovery after ischemic brain injury, and also the expression of BDNF in hippocampus.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.522-529
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• 2019

M1/M2 polarization of immune cells including microglia has been well characterized. It mediates detrimental or beneficial roles in neuroinflammatory disorders including cerebral ischemia. We have previously found that sphingosine 1-phospate receptor subtype 1 ($S1P_1$) in post-ischemic brain following transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) can trigger microglial activation, leading to brain damage. Although the link between $S1P_1$ and microglial activation as a pathogenesis in cerebral ischemia had been clearly demonstrated, whether the pathogenic role of $S1P_1$ is associated with its regulation of M1/M2 polarization remains unclear. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether $S1P_1$ was associated with regulation of M1/M2 polarization in post-ischemic brain. Suppressing $S1P_1$ activity with its functional antagonist, AUY954 (5 mg/kg, p.o.), attenuated mRNA upregulation of M1 polarization markers in post-ischemic brain at 1 day and 3 days after tMCAO challenge. Similarly, suppressing $S1P_1$ activity with AUY954 administration inhibited M1-polarizatioin-relevant $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation in post-ischemic brain. Particularly, $NF-{\kappa}B$ activation was observed in activated microglia of post-ischemic brain and markedly attenuated by AUY954, indicating that M1 polarization through $S1P_1$ in post-ischemic brain mainly occurred in activated microglia. Suppressing $S1P_1$ activity with AUY954 also increased mRNA expression levels of M2 polarization markers in post-ischemic brain, further indicating that $S1P_1$ could also influence M2 polarization in post-ischemic brain. Finally, suppressing $S1P_1$ activity decreased phosphorylation of M1-relevant ERK1/2, p38, and JNK MAPKs, but increased phosphorylation of M2-relevant Akt, all of which were downstream pathways following $S1P_1$ activation. Overall, these results revealed $S1P_1$-regulated M1/M2 polarization toward brain damage as a pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.65 no.5
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• pp.665-679
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• 2022

Objective : Patients with mild ischemic stroke experience various sequela and residual symptoms, such as anxious behavior and deficits in movement. Few approaches have been proved to be effective and safe therapeutic approaches for patients with mild ischemic stroke by acute stroke. Sildenafil (SIL), a phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i), is a known remedy for neurodegenerative disorders and vascular dementia through its angiogenesis and neurogenesis effects. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of PDE5i in the emotional and behavioral abnormalities in rats with mild ischemic stroke. Methods : We divided the rats into four groups as follows (n=20, respectively) : group 1, naïve; group 2, middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo30); group 3, MCAo30+SIL-pre; and group 4, MCAo30+SIL-post. In the case of drug administration groups, single dose of PDE5i (sildenafil citrate, 20 mg/kg) was given at 30-minute before and after reperfusion of MCAo in rats. After surgery, we investigated and confirmed the therapeutic effect of sildenafil on histology, immunofluorescence, behavioral assays and neural oscillations. Results : Sildenafil alleviated a neuronal loss and reduced the infarction volume. And results of behavior task and immunofluorescence shown possibility that anti-inflammation process and improve motor deficits sildenafil treatment after mild ischemic stroke. Furthermore, sildenafil treatment attenuated the alteration of theta-frequency rhythm in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, a known neural oscillatory marker for anxiety disorder in rodents, induced by mild ischemic stroke. Conclusion : PDE5i as effective therapeutic agents for anxiety and movement disorders and provide robust preclinical evidence to support the development and use of PDE5i for the treatment of mild ischemic stroke residual disorders.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.242-254
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• 2003

Most of the studies conducted have investigated the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning on normothermic myocardial ischemia. However, the effect of preconditioning could be attenuated through the use of multidose cold cardioplegia as practiced in contemporary clinical heart surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preconditioning improves postischemic cardiac function in a model of 25℃ moderate hypothermic ischemic heart induced by cold cardioplegia in isolated rat hearts. Material and Method: The isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were randomly assigned to four groups. All hearts were perfused at 37℃ for 20 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit solution before the baseline hemodynamic data were obtained. Group 1 consisted of preconditioned hearts that received 3 minutes of global ischemic preconditioning at 37℃, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion before 120 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (n=6). Cold (4℃) St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegia solution was infused to induce cardioplegic arrest. Maintaining the heart at 25℃, infusion of the cardioplegia solution was repeated every 20 minutes throughout the 120 minutes of ischemic period. Group 2 consisted of control hearts that underwent no manipulations between the periods of equilibrium and 120 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (n=6). After 2 hours of cardioplegic arrest, Krebs solution was infused and hemodynamic data were obtained for 30 minutes (group 1, 2: cold cardioplegia group). Group 3 received two episodes of ischemic preconditioning before 30 min of 37℃ normothermic ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion (n=6). Group 4 served as ischemic controls for group 3 (group 3, 4: warm ischemia group). Result: Preconditioning did not influence parameters such as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate-pressure product (RPP) and left ventricular dp/dt (LV dp/dt) in the cold cardioplegia group. (p=NS) However, preconditioning before warm ischemia attenuated the ischemia induced cardiac dysfunction, improving the LVSP, LVEDP, RPP, and LVdp/dt. Less leakage of CPK and LDH were observed in the ischemic preconditioning group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning improved postischemic cardiac function after warm ischemia, but did not protect cold cardioplegic hearts.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.242-254
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• 2003

Background: Most of the studies conducted have investigated the beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning on normothermic myocardial ischemia. However, the effect of preconditioning could be attenuated through the use of multidose cold cardioplegia as practiced in contemporary clinical heart surgical procedures. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether preconditioning improves postischemic cardiac function in a model of $25^{\circ}C$ moderate hypothermic ischemic heart induced by cold cardioplegia in isolated rat hearts. Material and Method: The isolated Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were randomly assigned to four groups All hearts were perfused at 37$^{\circ}C$ for 20 minutes with Krebs-Henseleit solution before the baseline hemodynamic data were obtained, Group 1 consisted of preconditioned hearts that received 3 minutes of global ischemic preconditioning at 37$^{\circ}C$, followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion before 120 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (n=6). Cold (4$^{\circ}C$) St. Thomas Hospital cardioplegia solution was infused to induce cardioplegic arrest. Maintaining the heart at $25^{\circ}C$, infusion of the cardioplegia solution was repeated every 20 minutes throughout the 120 minutes of ischemic period. Group 2 consisted of control hearts that underwent no manipulations between the periods of equilibrium and 120 minutes of cardioplegic arrest (n=6). After 2 hours of cardioplegic arrest, Krebs solution was infused and hemodynamic data were obtained for 30 minuts (group 1, 2: cold cardioplegia group). Group 3 received two episodes of ischemic preconditioning before 30 min of 37$^{\circ}C$ normothermic ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion (n=6) Group 4 soloed as ischemic controls for group 3 (group 3, 4: warm ischemia group). Result: Preconditioning did not influence parameters such as left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), rate-pressure product (RPP) and left ventricular dp/dt (LV dp/dt) in the cold cardioplegia group. (p=NS) However, preconditioning before warm ischemia attenuated the ischemia induced cardiac dysfunction, Improving the LVSP, LVEDP, RPP, and LV dp/dt. Less leakage of CPK and LDH were observed in the ischemic preconditioning group compared to the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning improved postischemic cardiac function after warm ischemia, but did not protect cold cardioplegic hearts.