• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.55-60
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• 2010

Clinical measures that Quantify falling risk factors are needed for the accurate evaluation of patients and to plan an intervention strategy. The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest and interrater reliability of the dynamic gait index (DGI) for persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). A total of 22 idiopathic PD patients were recruited from rehabilitation hospital, Korea in this study. The DGI was assessed in two sessions that were, three days apart. We also measured Berg balance test (BBT) and geriatric depression scale (GDS) for concurrent validity with DGI. Intrarater and interrater reliability (.96 and .98 respectively) for DGI were high. indicating good agreement. The DGI was showed a good positive correlation with the BBS (r=.852). but not GDS (r=-.462). Intrarater and interrater reliability of DGI were high in people with PD. The DGI could be a reliable measure to evaluate functional postural control during gait activities in the PD population, and the ability of DGI to detect real change is acceptable in research and clinical settings.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.90-97
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• 2022

Recently, increasing evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may be a critical factor in the development of Parkinson's disease (PD) in addition to the ratio of acetylcholine/dopamine because dopaminergic neurons are particularly vulnerable to inflammatory attack. In this study, we investigated whether botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) was effective for the treatment of PD through its anti-neuroinflammatory effects and the modulation of acetylcholine and dopamine release. We found that BoNT-A ameliorated MPTP and 6-OHDA-induced PD progression, reduced acetylcholine release, levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α as well as GFAP expression, but enhanced dopamine release and tyrosine hydroxylase expression. These results indicated that BoNT-A had beneficial effects on MPTP or 6-OHDA-induced PD-like behavior impairments via its anti-neuroinflammation properties, recovering dopamine, and reducing acetylcholine release.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.423-429
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• 2022

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder caused by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, leading to decreased dopamine levels in the midbrain. Although the specific etiology of PD is not yet known, oxidative stress, inflammation, and subsequent apoptosis have been proposed to be closely related to PD pathophysiology. Cera Flava (CF) is a natural extract obtained from beehives and is isolated through the heating, compression, filtration, and purification of beehives. CF has been used in traditional medicines for its various clinical and pharmacological effects. However, its effects on neurodegenerative diseases are unknown. Therefore, we investigated the effects of CF against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD in mice and explored the underlying mechanism of action. In MPTP-induced PC12 cells, CF protected NADH dehydrogenase activity and inhibited lactate dehydrogenase. In the mouse model, CF promoted recovery from movement impairments, prevented dopamine depletion, and protected against MPTP-induced dopaminergic neuronal degradation. Moreover, CF downregulated glial and microglial activation. Taken together, our results suggest that CF improves behavioral impairments and protects against dopamine depletion in MPTP-induced toxicity by inhibiting glial and microglial activation.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.363-373
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• 2011

Purpose: Fatigue is a common problem in Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting 30~65% of patients with that diagnosis. Only recently has fatigue been recognized as an important clinical feature of PD. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of fatigue and related factors in patients with PD. Methods: Between March 1, and September, 30, 2010, a sample of 181 PD patients agreed to be interviewed. Results: The female patients' PFS (Parkinson Fatigue Scale) score was higher than those of the male patients. Household income and having a Job were significantly correlated with the PFS scores. Among the disease characteristics, motor fluctuations, dyskinesia and modified Hoehn and Yahr stage were significantly correlated with the PFS scores. On stepwise regression analysis, the most important factors related to the PFS scores were depression and sleep disturbance. Conclusion: Fatigue in patients with PD was associated with many factors and strongly associated with depression and sleep disturbance. Fatigue is a multidimensional construct; therefore, multidimensional strategies for relieving specific aspects of fatigue are needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.2
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• pp.242-248
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• 2007

Purpose. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor disabilities and increasing dependence on others for daily life activities with consequent impact on patients' and caregivers' quality of life. The aim of this study was to elucidate the burden on primary caregivers of patients with PD, and identify related factors. Methods. A cross-sectional descriptive study. Seventy-six primary caregivers of PD patients in a neurology out-patient clinic, Seoul, Korea completed structured questionnaires, of which 68 were analyzed. The structured self-report questionnaire included (1) demographic information on the caregivers, (2) information regarding the disease characteristics of the patients, and (3) the subjective and objective caregiver burdens as assessed on Montgomery, Gonyea, & Hooyman's scale. Results. The mean age of the caregivers was 54.56 years, and spouses represented the largest proportion (47.0%). Caregivers of PD patients experienced high levels of burden (mean scores on the subjective and objective burdens were 45.22 and 34.90, respectively), which were comparable to the caregiver burdens in stroke, and higher than the caregiver burdens in general chronic disease. Older caregivers and spousal caregivers experienced significantly higher burdens (p=.004 and p=.019, respectively). A greater motor disability and higher modified Hoehn and Yahr grade were related to higher caregiver burden (p=.001 and p=.018, respectively). Conclusion. Caring for PD patients is associated with a high level of caregiver burden. Therefore, healthcare professionals should identify the burden of caregivers who look after PD patients and develop comprehensive management strategies both for patients and their caregivers.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.32 no.9
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• pp.1168-1177
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• 2022

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second-most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by dopaminergic neuronal death in the midbrain. Recently, the association between alterations in PD pathology and the gut microbiota has been explored. Microbiota-targeted interventions have been suggested as a novel therapeutic approach for PD. Agathobaculum butyriciproducens SR79^T (SR79) is an anaerobic bacterium. Previously, we showed that SR79 treatment induced cognitive improvement and reduced Alzheimer's disease pathologies in a mouse model. In this study, we hypothesized that SR79 treatment may have beneficial effects on PD pathology. To investigate the therapeutic effects of SR79 on PD, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced mouse models were used. D-Amphetamine sulfate (d-AMPH)-induced behavioral rotations and dopaminergic cell death were analyzed in unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Treatment with SR79 significantly decreased ipsilateral rotations induced by d-AMPH. Moreover, SR79 treatment markedly activated the AKT/GSK3β signaling pathway in the striatum. In addition, SR79 treatment affected the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and its downstream target genes in the striatum of 6-OHDA-lesioned mice. Our findings suggest a protective role of SR79 in 6-OHDA-induced toxicity by regulating the AKT/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway and astrocyte activation. Thus, SR79 may be a potential microbe-based intervention and therapeutic strategy for PD.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2023

Objective: There are currently no disease-modifying medications or definite long-term sustainable interventions for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), indicating an unmet treatment need. Our goal was to create a long-term sustainable intervention for PD patients that can be used in Korean medicine clinics. Methods: The Meridian Activation Remedy System (MARS) was created to stimulate a patient's 12 meridians and sinew channels using a combination of acupoint stimulation and exercise. The acupoints and motions used in MARS were selected through literature studies and expert advice. The methodologies were refined using observational and case studies. With slow and fast movements, the MARS intervention was intended to activate both slow- and fast-twitch muscle fibers. Intradermal acupuncture and motion that shift the center of gravity were employed to enhance the patient's balance and proprioception. In addition, the intervention included alternating movement exercises to address the complex cognitive decline commonly occurring in PD patients. Results: The following acupoints were chosen for the MARS intervention: bilateral Hegu (LI4), Houxi (SI3), Waiguan (TE5), Neiguan (PC6), Zhongchong (PC9), Yuji (LU10), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), Taichong (LR3), Kunlun (BL60), and Taixi (KI3). We also developed actions that can stimulate the body's 12 meridians. Conclusion: We developed the MARS intervention, which combines acupuncture and exercise, to address the unmet therapeutic needs of PD patients. We hope that with additional research, the MARS intervention can be set as an effective therapeutic program for PD patients.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.483-491
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• 2021

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that involves the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Matrix metalloproteinases-8 (MMP-8), neutrophil collagenase, is a functional player in the progressive pathology of various inflammatory disorders. In this study, we administered an MMP-8 inhibitor (MMP-8i) in Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) G2019S transgenic mice, to determine the effects of MMP-8i on PD pathology. We observed a significant increase of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive activated microglia in the striatum of LRRK2 G2019S mice compared to normal control mice, indicating enhanced neuro-inflammatory responses. The increased number of Iba1-positive activated microglia in LRRK2 G2019S PD mice was down-regulated by systemic administration of MMP-8i. Interestingly, this LRRK2 G2019S PD mice showed significantly reduced size of cell body area of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive neurons in SN region and MMP-8i significantly recovered cellular atrophy shown in PD model indicating distinct neuro-protective effects of MMP-8i. Furthermore, MMP-8i administration markedly improved behavioral abnormalities of motor balancing coordination in rota-rod test in LRRK2 G2019S mice. These data suggest that MMP-8i attenuates the pathological symptoms of PD through anti-inflammatory processes.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.182-186
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• 2021

Parkinson disease (PD) is becoming one of the most neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. The deposited aggregates have been connected in the pathophysiology of PD, which are degraded either by ubiquitin-proteasomal system (UPS) or autophagy-lysosomal pathway (ALP). Leucin-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), one of the neurodegenerative proteins of PD is also stringently controlled by both UPS and ALP degradation as well. However, the polyubiquitination pattern of LRRK2 aggregates is largely unknown. Here, we found that K63-linked polyubiquitinations of G2019S mutant, most familial variant for PD, is highly enhanced compared to those of wild type LRRK2 (WT). In addition, in the presence of overexpressed p62/SQSTM-1, ubiquitination of LRRK2 WT or D1994A was reduced, whereas G2019S mutant was not diminished significantly. Therefore, we propose that degradation of G2019S via UPS is more involved with K63-linked ubiquitination than K48-linked ubiquitination, and overexpressed p62/SQSTM-1 does not enhance degradative effect on G2019S variant.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.79-92
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• 2009

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to explore the neuroprotective effect and the possible mechanism of the PD-1 extracts on 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophridine (MPTP)-lesioned C57BL/6 mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: The mice were supplemented (or not) with 50 or 100 mg/kg/day of PD-1 for 2 weeks, after which MPTP was injected intraperitoneally. We observed that daily administration of PD-1 prevented MPTP-induced depletion of striatal DA, and maintained striatal and nigral tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) protein levels. Results: Our results demonstrated that mice treated with PD-1 prior to MPTP administration showed more abundant TH-immunopositive (TH-ir) fibers and neurons than mice given only MPTP, indicating that PD-1 protects dopaminergic striatal fibers and nigral neurons from MPTP insults. Possible neuroprotective effect of PD-1 was further studied by the detection of antiapoptotic protein (bcl-2) and proapoptotic protein (Bax). In this assay, MPTP elevated the Bax protein and decreased the bcl-2 protein, while these expressions were prevented by PD-1 pre-treatment. Conclusions: The present results suggest that PD-1 is able to protect dopaminergic neurons from MPTP-induced neuronal injury with anti-apoptotic activity being one of the possible mechanisms.