• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.93-111
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• 2010

Objectives: The present study was performed to evaluate the potential effects of Bupleuri radix (SH) on regenerative activities in the peripheral sciatic nerve after crushing injury in rats. Methods: Axonal regeneration after crush injury in rats was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining using anti-NF-200 antibody and retrograde tracing of DiI-axons. Changes in protein levels in the sciatic nerve axons and DRG tissue were analyzed by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. Effects of SH extract treatment on neurite outgrowth was examined by immunofluorescence staining for cultured DRG neurons. Results: Major findings on the effects of SH extract treatment on axonal regeneration are summarized as follows. 1. SH-mediated enhancement in axonal regeneration was identified by immuno- fluorescence straining of NF-200 protein and retrograde tracing of DiI-labeled axons. 2. Axonal GAP-43 protein levels were upregulated by SH not only in the injured axons but also in the DRG sensory neurons corresponding to sciatic sensory axons. 3. Phospho-Erk1/2 protein levels were increased in both injured axonal area and DRG sensory neurons by SH. Phospho-Erk1/2 was also found in non-neuronal cells in the injured axons. 4. SH elevated levels of Cdc2 protein produced in Schwann cells in the distal portions of injured sciatic nerves. 5. The neurite outgrowth of DRG sensory neurons in culture was augmented by SH, and these changes were positively associated with GAP-43 production levels in the DRG neurons. Conclusions: These data suggest that SH extract improves the regenerative responses of injured peripheral neurons, and thus may be useful for understanding molecular basis for the development of therapeutic strategies.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.31-36
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• 2011

Purpose: This pilot case series study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of continuous radiofrequency (CRF) application on dorsal root ganglia (DRG) to reduce spasticity of spinal cord lesion (SCL) patients. Methods: We performed CRF procedures on DRG in 8 subjects (7 males; mean age 39 years, range 31-53 years) with intractable spasticity that impeded activities of daily living and caregiving, although they had maximal tolerable doses of anti-spastic medications and active rehabilitative treatment. All subjects underwent CRF (90 seconds at $90^{\circ}C$) at multiple lumbosacral and/or cervical DRG. Muscle tone of the extremities was measured by the modified Ashworth scale (MAS) before and one month after procedures. Functional goals were established at baseline, and subjects' satisfaction levels were categorized one month after procedures. Results: A total of 54 CRF treatments were performed in 8 patients. In all patients, we found some improvement in muscle tone measured by the MAS. Six patients reported themselves satisfied with their current status at one month's post-treatment, and 2 patients were fairly satisfied with their gait pattern. In 3 patients, neuropathic pain was present after CRF on DRG. In 1 lumbar case, the pain subsided after several days, and the other 2 cervical cases suffered from tolerable neuropathic pain treated with anti-convulsant medication. Conclusion: CRF on DRG might be a promising alternative treatment to reduce spasticity in SCL patients. Further well-designed clinical trials on the efficacy and safety of CRF application on DRG are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.185-190
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• 2011

Background: Spinal nerve ligation (SNL) injury in rats produces a pain syndrome that includes mechanical and thermal allodynia. Previous studies have indicated that proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) play an important role in peripheral mediation of neuropathic pain, and that altered dorsal root ganglion (DRG) function and degree of DRG neuronal apoptosis are associated with spinal nerve injury. The present study was conducted to evaluate the expression of TNF-${\alpha}$ and the extent of apoptosis in the dorsal root ganglion after SNL in rats. Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to SNL of the left L5 and L6 spinal nerves distal to the DRG and proximal to the formation of the sciatic nerve. At postoperative day 8, TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in the L5.6 DRG were compared between SNL and naive groups using ELISA. In addition, we compared the percentage of neurons injured in the DRG using immunostaining for apoptosis and localization of activated caspase-3. Results: SNL injury produced significant mechanical and cold allodynia throughout the 7-day experimental period. TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels were increased in the DRG in rats that had undergone SNL ($12.7{\pm}3.2$ pg/100 ${\mu}g$, P < 0.001) when compared with naive rats ($4.1{\pm}1.4$ pg/100 ${\mu}g$). The percentage of neurons or satellite cells co-localized with activated caspase-3 were also significantly higher in rats with SNL than in naive rats (P < 0.001, P < 0.05, respectively). Conclusions: SNL injury produces mechanical and cold allodynia, as well as TNF-${\alpha}$ elevation and apoptosis in the DRG.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.92-99
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• 1990

Effects of the methanol extract of Bupleuri Radix on primary cultured chicken embryonic brain cells, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and rat hepatocytes were studied. The methanol extract of Bupleuri Radix at the concentration ranging from $10{\;}{\mu}g/ml\;to\;100{\;}{\mu}g/ml$ significantly recovered the cytotoxicity of rat hepatocytes induced by the treatment of galactosamine; at the concentration of $100\;{\mu}g/ml$, values of GOT and GPT in the culture medium were reduced by the 60% and 75%, respectively of those in the absence of the methanol extract of Bupleuri Radix. The addition of the methanol extract of Bupleuri Radix. into chicken embryonic brain cells which were cultured with a deficient medium significantly increased the number of cells promoting the neurite outgrowth. However, the methanol extract of Bupleuri Radix showed no effect on the activities of PDHC and acetylcholinesterase in primary cultured brain cells.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.1640-1646
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• 2005

An oriental medicinal drugs Jahageo (JHG, Hominis placenta) were examined to determine its effects on the responsiveness of central nervous system neurons after injury. We found that JHG was involved in neurite outgrowth of DRG sensory axons. JHG treatment also increased expression of axonal growth-associated protein GAP-43 in DRG sensory neurons after sciatic nerve injury and in the injured spinal cord. JHG treatment during the spinal cord injury increased induction levels of cell division cycle 2 (Cdc2) protein in DRG as well as in the spinal cord. Histochemical investigation showed that induced Cdc2 in the injured spinal cord was found in non-neuronal cells. These results suggest that JHG regulates activities of non-neuronal cells such as oligodendrocyte and astrocyte in responses to spinal cord injury and protects neuronal responsiveness after axonal damage.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.229-246
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• 1998

This dissertation classifies sample patients by a measure of K-DRG to identify the most frequent group. and investigates the differences in the dependency of nursing by patient classification system in the SICU of Seoul National University Hospital in Korea. It also calculates the mean nursing care hours and costs per craniotomy patient, who is shown to be the most frequent patient group. The results of the research can be used as basic data for the development of relevant nursing cost system in the future. The results of the research are as follows: 1. Using data from 97 sample patients, as many as 26 groups are identified when the patients are classified by K-DRG. KDRG-001 (craniotomy) is found to be the most frequent group(43.30%). 2. The result from patient classification system grouping in craniotomy patients shows homogeneity in terms of dependency of nursing with 35 patients in the 4th group, 145 patients(74.36%) are in the 5th group. and 15 patients are in the 6th group among the total 195 sample patients. 3. The direct nursing care hours for the 4th, 5th, and 6th patient classification system groups are found to be 381 minuites. 483 minuites, and 519 minuites, respectively, which shows that the nursing care hours increases as the dependency of nursing is intensified. The indirect nursing care hours are found to be 454 minuites(7.57 hours). The total mean nursing care hours, which is the sum of the direct nursing care hours(467 min.: 7.78 hours) and the indirect nursing care hours (454 min.: 7.57 hours), is 921 minuites(15.35 hours) per patient a day. 4. The nursing care cost is calculated to be 123,297 won per patient a day. Considering the average duration in the ICU, we can find the total nursing care cost is 610,318 won.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-141
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• 2013

Background: Although paclitaxel is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of solid cancers, side effects such as neuropathic pain lead to poor compliance and discontinuation of the therapy. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) is known to have analgesic effects in several pain models and may inhibit apoptosis. The present study was designed to investigate the analgesic effects of EP on mechanical allodynia and apoptosis in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells after paclitaxel administration. Methods: Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: 1) a control group, which received only vehicle; 2) a paclitaxel group, which received paclitaxel; and 3) an EP group, which received EP after paclitaxel administration. Mechanical allodynia was tested before and at 7 and 14 days after final paclitaxel administration. Fourteen days after paclitaxel treatment, DRG apoptosis was determined by activated caspase-3 immunoreactivity (IR). Results: Post-treatment with EP did not significantly affect paclitaxel-induced allodynia, although it tended to slightly reduce sensitivities to mechanical stimuli after paclitaxel administration. After paclitaxel administration, an increase in caspase-3 IR in DRG cells was observed, which was co-localized with NF200-positive myelinated neurons. Post-treatment with EP decreased the paclitaxel-induced caspase-3 IR. Paclitaxel administration or post-treatment with EP did not alter the glial fibrillary acidic protein IRs in DRG cells. Conclusions: Inhibition of apoptosis in DRG neurons by EP may not be critical in paclitaxel-induced mechanical allodynia.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.71-77
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• 2010

Purpose: To determine whether upregulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) transcription and translation is related to radicular pain in a model of lumbar disc herniation. Also, to investigate the temporal changes of mRNA expression of iNOS and the identity of iNOS and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) 1 channel expression cells in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) of a model of lumbar disc herniation. Methods: A lumbar disc herniated rat model was developed by implantation of the autologous nucleus pulposus, harvested from the coccygeal vertebra of each tail, on the left L5 nerve root just proximal to the DRG. Rats were tested for mechanical allodynia of the plantar surface of both hind paws 2 days before surgery and 1, 5, 10, 20 and 30 days postoperatively. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to follow iNOS mRNA expression. To stain iNOS and TRPV1 in DRG, an immunohistochemical study was done 10 days after surgery. Results: A significant drop in mechanical withdrawal threshold on the ipsilateral and contralateral hind paws was observed 1 day after surgery and was prolonged to 30 days in rats with lumbar disc herniation. The expression of mRNA for iNOS peaked at postoperative day 10 on both sides of the DRG. iNOS-positive sensory neurons in the DRG varied in size from large to small diameter cells. A majority of small and intermediate sensory neurons were TRPV1-positive cells. Double immunofluorescence staining for TRPV1 and iNOS revealed that most intermediate TRPV1-positive sensory neurons co-localized with iNOS-positive neurons. Conclusion: Nucleus pulposus-induced mechanical allodynia can be generated without mechanical compression. This pain is related to temporal changes in expression of iNOS mRNA in the DRG. Co-localization of TRPV1 and iNOS in intermediate neurons of the DRG is correlated with pain modality and intensity.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2010

R-type $Ca_v2.3$ high voltage-activated $Ca^{2+}$ channels in peripheral sensory neurons contribute to pain transmission. Recently we have demonstrated that, among the six $Ca_v2.3$ isoforms ($Ca_v2.3a{\sim}Ca_v2.3e$), the $Ca_v2.3e$ isoform is primarily expressed in trigeminal ganglion (TG) nociceptive neurons. In the present study, we further investigated expression patterns of $Ca_v2.3$ isoforms in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. As in TG neurons, whole tissue RT-PCR analyses revealed the presence of two isoforms, $Ca_v2.3a$ and $Ca_v2.3e$, in DRG neurons. Single-cell RT-PCR detected the expression of $Ca_v2.3e$ mRNA in 20% (n=14/70) of DRG neurons, relative to $Ca_v2.3a$ expression in 2.8% (n=2/70) of DRG neurons. $Ca_v2.3e$ mRNA was mainly detected in small-sized neurons (n=12/14), but in only a few medium-sized neurons (n=2/14) and not in large-sized neurons, indicating the prominence of $Ca_v2.3e$ in nociceptive DRG neurons. Moreover, $Ca_v2.3e$ was preferentially expressed in tyrosine-kinase A (trkA)-positive, isolectin B4 (IB4)-negative and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1)-positive neurons. These results suggest that $Ca_v2.3e$ may be the main R-type $Ca^{2+}$ channel isoform in nociceptive DRG neurons and thereby a potential target for pain treatment, not only in the trigeminal system but also in the spinal system.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.213-220
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• 2012

Background: It has been demonstrated that the expression of tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and apoptotic cell death in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) following spinal nerve constriction injury play a role in the initiation and continuation of hyperalgesia and allodynia. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of ethyl pyruvate (EP) on mechanical and cold allodynia, TNF-${\alpha}$ expression, and apoptosis in DRG after spinal nerve ligation injury. Methods: Rats were divided into 3 groups: control, pre-EP, and post-EP. EP (50 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before (pre-EP) or after (post-EP) surgery. Behavioral tests to determine mechanical and cold allodynia were conducted before surgery and 4 and 7 days after surgery. Seven days after surgery, TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in DRG were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and DRG apoptosis was determined by immunohistochemical detection of activated caspase-3. Results: Treatment with EP significantly reduced mechanical and cold allodynia following spinal nerve ligation injury. TNF-${\alpha}$ protein levels in the pre-EP ($4.7{\pm}1.2$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$; P < 0.001) and post-EP ($6.4{\pm}1.8$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$; P < 0.001) groups were 2-3 times lower than the control group ($14.4{\pm}1.2$ pg/200 ${\mu}g$). The percentages of neurons and satellite cells that co-localized with caspase-3 were also significantly lower in the pre-EP and post-EP groups than the control group. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that EP has a strong anti-allodynic effect that acts through the inhibition of TNF-${\alpha}$ expression and apoptosis in DRG after spinal nerve ligation injury.