• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.21 no.2
• /
• pp.1-20
• /
• 2004

Objective : The aim of this study was to investigate effects of Angelica gigas Nakai(AGN) on the ischemic injury by intraluminal filament insertion in the rats. Methods : The ischemia was induced by intraluminal filament insertion into middle cerebral artery. AGN herbal acupuncture into SP10 was carried out during 3 weeks after ischemic injury. Eight-arm radial maze was designed for the behavioral task. AGN herbal acupuncture showed neuroprotective agents in cresyl violet, acetylcholinesterase(AchE), choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) and nerve growth factor(NGF)-stain. Then check the effect of regional cerebral blood flow(rCBF) according to AGN herbal acupuncture in rats. Results : The errors in the eight-arm radial maze task were significantly decreased in normal group compared with control group on 1~6days, AGN2(0.02g/kg) herbal acupuncture group on 1~5days, AGN3(0.1g/kg) on 1~3days, AGN4(0.5g/kg) on 1, 3~6days. The rate of correct choice was significantly increased in AGN1(0.01g/kg) and AGN4 herbal acupuncture groups. The density of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 was the most increased in normal group and AGN1, AGN3, AGN4 herbal acupuncture groups compared with control group. The density of AchE in the hippocampal CA1 had a tendency to increase in all the groups when they were compared with control group, but not significant. The density of ChAT in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased in normal group and AGN1, AGN4 herbal acupuncture groups compared with control group. The density of NGF in the hippocampal CA1 was significantly increased AGN4 herbal acupuncture group compared with control group. The rCBF was significantly increased in AGN1, AGN3 and AGN4 herbal acupuncture groups without the change of blood pressure. Conclusions : These results suggest that AGN herbal acupuncture can be used for controlling stroke in early stage as herbal medication.

• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.50-58
• /
• 2008

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the task-oriented training according to the application time with the change of motor and cognition function. Focal ischemic brain injury was produced in Sprague-Dawley rats (20 rats, $250{\pm}50$ g) through middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Before MCAo induction, all rats were trained in treadmill training and Morris water maze training for 1 week. Then they were randomly divided into groups: Group I : MCAo induction ($n_1$=5), Grop II: the application for simple treadmill task training after. MCAo induction ($n_2$=5). Group III: the application for Morris water maze cognitive task training after MCAo induction ($n_3$=5). Group IV: the application for progressive treadmill task training and Morris water maze cognitive task training after MCAo induction ($n_4$=5). Modified limb placing tests (MLPTs) and motor tests (MTs) were performed to test motor function and then Morris water maze acquisition test (MWMAT) and Morris water maze retention test (MWMRT) were performed to test cognitive function. For MTs, there were significant interactions among the groups with the time (p<.001). Group IV showed the steeper increasing pattern than those in other Groups on the 7th and 14th day. For MLPTs, there were significant interactions among the groups with the time (p<.001). The scores in Group III. IV had showed the more decreasing pattern than those in Group I, II since the 7th day and 14th day. For MWMAT, there were significant interactions among the groups with the time (p<.001). Group II found the Quadrant circular platform showed the steeper decreasing pattern than that in Group I on the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th day. Group III. IV found the quadrant circular platform showed the slower decreasing pattern than that in Group I, II, For MWMRT, there were significant differences among the four groups (p<.001). The time to dwell on quadrant circular platform in Group IV on the 13th day was the longest compared with other groups. These results suggested that the combined task training was very effective to improve the motor and cognition function for the rats affected on their focal ischemic brain injury.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.66-80
• /
• 2003

Objectives : Recently, herbal acupuncture has been developed in the Korea since the earlier 1960' applied to various diseases including the cerebrovascular accident. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination the merit of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis (釣鉤藤) has been claimed to possess sedative, anti-spasmodic actions, and treat childhood epilepsy in oriental medical preparation. Also, it has been stated that Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis was antioxidatvie effect and neuroprotection against glutamateinduced neuronal death. Methods : In this study, effects of Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on the $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$, named Baek-hue or Tae-chung, on neuroprotection after the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohistochemistry and ELISA technique. Results : Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group, respectively. These features were observed in the motor cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Especially, cFos expression was more increased at the herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}than{\;}LR_3$, but FosB expression was more decreased in $LR_3$ group than $GV_{20}$ group. Also, pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus ($254.88{\pm}12{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}GV_{20}$ group, $245.93{\pm}44.4{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}LR_3$ group) and the cortex ($85.81{\pm}3.45{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}GV_{20}$ group, $111.51{\pm}15.79{\;}pg/ml{\;}in{\;}LR_3$, group) compared to the hippocampus ($134.07{\pm}2.96{\;}pg/ml$) and the cortex ($61.16{\pm}4.11{\;}pg/ml$) in control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia. Conclusion : These results suggest that pretreatment with Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis' herbal acupuncture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and the herbal acupunture on $GV_{20}{\;}or{\;}LR_3$ may be related to antioxidative effect and calcium channel block of Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis. Also, it could be mentioned there is specificity of acupoints treating ischemic injury through the difference between the herbal acupuncture of $GV_{20}{\;}and{\;}LR_3$.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.63-81
• /
• 2005

Herbal acupuncture has been used to prevent and treat the cerebrovascular accident, such as a stroke, and many studies of acupuncture and moxibustion concerning to the stroke have been undertaken in the human and various animals. The main characteristics of herbal acupuncture are a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine. It was not well known the therapeutic effect and the mechanism of herbal acupuncture on transient forebrain ischemic injury, although it has been used frequently in clinics. In this study, neuroprotective effects of folium artemisiae argyi (艾葉)' herbal acupuncture on the $LR_3$ (Taechung) on the transient forebrain ischemia were investigated in Sprague-Dawely rats. Expressions of cFos, FosB and BDNF protein in the hippocampus and cortex were observed at 2 hrs and 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia by immunohistochemistry and ELISA technique. Expression of cFos protein was increased slightly in the hippocampus and cortex at 2 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia, but FosB protein was increased highly comparing to cFos protein. However, pretreatment with folium artemisiae argyi' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ significantly increased expression of cFos protein and significantly decreased expression of FosB protein compared to control group. These features were observed in the motor cortex and retrosplenial granular cortex as well as the hippocampus. Also, pretreatment with folium artemisiae argyi' herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ significantly increased the expression of BDNF protein in the hippocampus ($263.26{\pm}44.56pg/ml$ extracted by water, $275.35{\pm}51.47pg/ml$ extracted by moxa tar)and the cortex ($102.33{\pm}13.65pg/ml$ extracted by water, $109.54{\pm}9.37pg/ml$ extracted by moxa tar) compared to the hippocampus $(134.07{\pm}2.96pg/ml)$ and the cortex $(61.16{\pm}4.11pg/ml)$ in control group at 48 hrs after transient forebrain ischemia. These results suggest that pretreatment with folium artemisiae argyi'herbal acupuncture on $LR_3$ has neuroprotective effect on transient forebrain ischemia and the herbal acupunture on $LR_3$ may be related to antioxidative function of folium artemisiae argyi.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.3
• /
• pp.629-640
• /
• 2008

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the neuroprotective effect of Jukryuk on 4-vessel occlusion(4-VO) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemia. Method : After administration of Jukryuk, we compared the Jukryuk-treated group, the control, and the sham groups, in view of several points as follows 1) We evaluated the damage characterized by coagulative cell change of pyramidal neurons and pronounced gliosis in each group 2) We counted the number of normal pyramidal shapes after ischemia in each group 3) Immunohistochemistry (cyclooxygenase-2) 4) In focal ischemic injury model, we measured the volume of ischemic area Results : In this experiment, the effect of Jukryuk was determined to be protecting neuron cell shape, reducing the number of neuron cells damaged by ischemia and the volume of the ischemic area. In immunohistochemistry, Jukryuk reduced cyclooxygenase-2 expression Conclusions : According to this study, Jukryuk can protect neuron cells from injury by cerebrovascular ischemia.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.49 no.1
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2011

Objective: Glutamate is a key excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its excessive release plays a key role in the development of neuronal injury. In order to define the effect of nimodipine on glutamate release, we monitored extracellular glutamate release in real-time in a global ischemia rat model with eleven vessel occlusion. Methods: Twelve rats were randomly divided into two groups: the ischemia group and the nimodipine treatment group. The changes of extracellular glutamate level were measured using microdialysis amperometric biosensor, in coincident with cerebral blood flow (CBF) and electroencephalogram. Nimodipine (0.025 ${\mu}g$/100 gm/min) was infused into lateral to the CBF probe, during the ischemic period. Also, we performed Nissl staining method to assess the neuroprotective effect of nimodipine. Results: During the ischemic period, the mean maximum change in glutamate concentration was $133.22{\pm}2.57\;{\mu}M$ in the ischemia group and $75.42{\pm}4.22\;{\mu}M$ (p<0.001) in the group treated with nimodipine. The total amount of glutamate released was significantly different (P<0.001) between groups during the ischemic period. The %cell viability in hippocampus was $47.50{\pm}5.64$ (p<0.005) in ischemia group, compared with sham group. But, the %cell viability in nimodipine treatment group was $95.46{\pm}6.60$ in hippocampus (p<0.005). Conclusion: From the real-time monitoring and Nissl staining results, we suggest that the nimodipine treatment is responsible for the protection of the neuronal cell death through the suppression of extracellular glutamate release in the 11-VO global ischemia model of rat.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.31 no.1
• /
• pp.23-33
• /
• 2007

Ginsenosides are one of the most well-known traditional herbal medicines frequently used for the treatment of cardiovascular symptoms in korea. The anti-ischemic effects of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$, and CK on ischemia-induced isolated rat heart were investigated through analyses of changes in hemodynamics ; blood pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output. The subjects in this study were divided into four groups: normal control, the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK, an ischemia-induced group without any treatment, and an ischemia-induced group treated with the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK. There were no significant differences in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow and cardiac output between them before ischemia was induced. The supply of oxygen and buffer was stopped for five minutes to induce ischemia in isolated rat hearts, and the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK was administered during ischemia induction. Treatments of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK significantly prevented decreases in perfusion pressure, aortic flow, coronary flow, and cardiac output under ischemic conditions. In addition, hemodynamics (except heart rate) of the group treated with the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK significantly recovered 60 minutes after reperfusion compared to the control group (mixture+ischemia vs ischemia - average perfusion pressure: 74.4${\pm}$2.97% vs. 85.1${\pm}$3.01%, average aortic flow volume: 49.11${\pm}$2.72% vs. 59.97${\pm}$2.93%, average coronary flow volume: 58.50${\pm}$2.81% vs. 72.72${\pm}$2.99%, and average cardiac output: 52.47${\pm}$2.78% vs. 63.11${\pm}$2.76%, p<0.01, respectively). These results suggest that treatment of the mixture of ginsenoside $Rg_3$ and CK has distinct anti-ischemic effects in ex vivo model of ischemia-induced rat heart.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.167-174
• /
• 2011

Acute ischemic stroke results from sudden decrease or loss of blood supply to an area of the brain, resulting in a coinciding loss of neurological function. The antioxidant action of melatonin is an important mechanism among its known effects to protective activity during ischemic/reperfusion injury. The focus of this research, therapeutic efficacy of melatonin on recovery of neurological function following long term treatment in ischemic brain injured rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=40; 8 weeks old) were divided into the control group, and MCAo groups (Vehicle, MT7 : MCAo+ melatonin injection at 7:00, MT19 : MCAo+melatonin injection at 19:00, and MT7,19 : MCAo+melatonin injection at 7:00 and 19:00). Rat body weight and neurological function were measured every week for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, the rats were anesthetized with a mixture of zoletil (40 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg) and sacrificed for further analysis. Tissues were then collected for RNA isolation from brain tissue. Also, brain tissues were analyzed by histological procedures. We elucidated that melatonin was not toxic in vital organs. MT7,19 was the most rapidly got back to mild symptom on test of neurological parameter. Also, exogenous melatonin induces both the down-regulation of detrimental genes, such as NOSs and the up-regulation of beneficial gene, including BDNF during long term administration after focal cerebral ischemia. Melatonin treatment reduced the loss of primary motor cortex. Therefore, we suggest that melatonin could be act as prophylactic as well as therapeutic agent for neurorehabilitative intervention.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.83-88
• /
• 2011

A large body of evidence has indicated that induction of endogenous antioxidative proteins seems to be a reasonable strategy for delaying the progression of cell injury. In our previous study, cilostazol was found to increase the expression of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in synovial cells. Thus, the present study was undertaken to examine whether cilostazol is able to counteract tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$)-induced cell death in endothelial cells via the induction of HO-1 expression. We exposed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to TNF-${\alpha}$ (50 ng/ml), with or without cilostazol ($10{\mu}M$). Pretreatment with cilostazol markedly reduced TNF-${\alpha}$-induced viability loss in the HUVECs, which was reversed by zinc protoporphyrine IX (ZnPP), an inhibitor of HO-1. Moreover, cilostazol increased HO-1 protein and mRNA expression. Cilostazol-induced HO-1 induction was markedly attenuated not only by ZnPP but also by copper-protoporphyrin IX (CuPP). In an assay measuring peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ (PPAR-${\gamma}$) transcription activity, cilostazol directly increased PPAR-${\gamma}$ transcriptional activity which was completely abolished by HO-1 inhibitor. Furthermore, increased PPAR-${\gamma}$ activity by cilostazol and rosiglitazone was completely abolished in cells transfected with HO-1 siRNA. Taken together, these results indicate that cilostazol up-regulates HO-1 and protects cells against TNF-${\alpha}$-induced endothelial cytotoxicity via a PPAR-${\gamma}$-dependent pathway.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.185-191
• /
• 2013

Case of ischemic colitis after enema for bowel cleansing have been rarely reported, but there has been no case report of a patient on modiefied fasting therapy. A 26-year old male patient with obesity admitted Korean medical hospital of Kyung Hee university for losing weight. He is on a special diet called modiefied fasting therapy, only took the fermented herbal drink. At 2nd day, he received an enema for bowel cleansing. A few hours after enema, he had a bloody diarrhea with lower abdominal pain. His colonoscopic and histologic findings presented ischemic colitis. He was advised to fast for two days and couldn't complete his diet program. We suggest 4 possible reasons : Increased intraluminal pressure by enema, vascular spasm caused by room-temperature glycerin solution colder than intraluminal temperature, predisposition to bleeding disturbances by taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(SSRI) for depression history and mucosal injury by osmotic effect of glycerin solution itself. For reducing the risk of bowel cleansing, glycerin enema should be carefully prescribed and practiced concerning the condition of each patient.