• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.116-124
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• 2006

Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in chronic pain and severe functional deficits. At the Dept. of Oriental Rehab. Medicine, we have used for pain control a herbal bath containing the following herbs: Harpagophytum radix, Atractylodes japonica and Corydalis tuber. In the present study, we investigated the effects of this herbal bath on the recovery rate of the locomotor function and the expression of c-Fos in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vIPAG) region of the brain following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. In the present study, characteristic gait change with decreasing of the sciatic function index (SFI) was observed and c-Fos expression in the vIPAG was suppressed following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Immersion into herbal bath enhanced SFI value and restored c-Fos expression in the vIPAG to the control value. These results suggest the herbal bath might activate neurons in the vIPAG, and could facilitate functional recovery from peripheral nerve injury.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.7 no.5
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• pp.556-563
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• 2008

Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. The expression of c-Fos is sometimes used as a marker of increased neuronal activity. We have prepared the aqueous extract of amygdalin from Armeniacae semen for pain control. In the present study, we investigated the effects of amygdalin on the recovery rate of the locomotor function and on the expression of c-Fos in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Walking track analysis for the evaluation of functional recovery and immunohistochemistry for the c-Fos expression were used in this study. In the present results, characteristic gait change with dropping of the sciatic function index (SFI) was observed and c-Fos expression in the vlPAG was suppressed following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Amygdalin enhanced SFI value and restored c-Fos expression in the vlPAG to the control value. The present our study indicated that amygdalin activates neurons in the vlPAG, and it facilitates functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury.

• Animal Systematics, Evolution and Diversity
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.42-47
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• 2012

A new gastrotrich species of the genus Crasiella (Planodasyidae) is described from the sublittoral sandy bottom of Jeju Island, South Korea. The family Planodasyidae and the genus Crasiella are recorded for the first time from East Asia. Crasiella clauseni n. sp. differs from its congeneric species by the combination of characters: absence of cephalic sensory pits; unseparated arrangement of anterior tubes and ventrolateral tubes, comprising about 120 adhesive tubes along whole body length; 5-7 horizontal rows of adhesive tubes and a pair of TbV in the anterior part of pharyngeal region; bifid pedicles with 8-11 posterior adhesive tubes; and tube-shaped seminal receptacle and copulatory organ. This paper deals with description of the new species, and provides a key to the species of genus Crasiella.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.59 no.4
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• pp.201-205
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• 2019

This study presents neurogenesis and neuronal migration patterns of gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) neurons during mesencephalic development of mouse. After neurons from embryonic day (E) 10-16 were labelled by a single injection of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), immunohistochemistry was performed. Neurogenesis were mainly generated in the mesencephalic region at E10 to E13. After E14, BrdU positive cells were observed only in the dorsal mesencephalon. GABAergic neurons were mainly originated in the ventrolateral region of the mesencephalon at the early embryonic stage, especially at E11 to E13. E10-labeled cells showed positive for GABAergic neuron in the basal plate of the mesencephalon at E13. At E15, GABAergic neurons were observed in the entire basal plate and some regions of the ventral and dorsal mesencephalon. They were present in the whole basal plate, the ventral and dorsal mesencephalon of E17, spreading more outward of the mesencephalon at P0. Our study demonstrates that major neurogenesis of GABAergic neurons occurs at E11 to E13. However, neuronal migration continues until neonatal period during mesencephalic development.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.203-207
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• 2020

This study presents neuronal migration pattern of dopamine (DA) neurons generated in separate regions occupying the ventral mesencephalic territory. A single pulse 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered at embryonic day (E)10-E15. Distribution of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) positive cells was determined at E13-postnatal day 0 (P0) by immunohistochemistry. BrdU positive cells labeled at E10 were spread out uniformly in the mesencephalon from E13 to E15, migrating through dorsal and ventral routes at E17 and P0. TH expression labeled at E10 was observed at E13 in the ventromedial region and clearly formed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) at E15. At E17, TH expression in the substantia nigra (SN) was observed in the ventrolateral region, spreading more outward of the mesencephalon at P0. Generation of TH-positive cells labeled at E13 was also observed in VTA and SN of the mesencephalon at E17 and P0. The expression of these cells labeled after E15 was markedly decreased. These results demonstrated that an almost complete primary structure of DA neuron was formed at the early embryonic stage in the ventral mesencephalon, showing the most active neuronal migration was occurred at E13-E17.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.39-50
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• 2009

Objective : The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Aconiti ciliare tuber on the descending pain and the recovery of locomotor function that results from sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method : In order to assess the effects of the aqueous extract of Aconiti ciliare tuber on the recovery rate of locomotor function, we investigated the walking track analysis, and for the effects on the pain control we investigated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the sciatic nerve and on the expressions of c-Fos in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region resulting from the sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Result : Treatment with Aconiti ciliare tuber significantly enhanced the SFIvalue, enhanced BDNF expression, decreased iNOS expression, and suppressed c-Fos expression. The present results showed that Aconiti ciliare tuber facilitated functional recovery following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. The recovery mechanisms of SFI by Aconiti ciliare tuber might be ascribed to the increase of BDNF expression for nerve regeneration and reinnervation and to the suppression of iNOS expression for inhibiting nerve inflammation. Conclusion : In this process it has been shown that Aconiti ciliare tuber can be used for pain control and functional recovery from peripheral nerve injury.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.390-395
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• 2017

The present study investigated the sedative effects of Sophora flavescens (SF) and its bioactive compound, matrine through performing locomotor activity test and the electroencephalography (EEG) analysis in the rat. The underlying neural mechanism of their beneficial effects was determined by assessing c-Fos immunoreactivity and serotonin (5-HT) in the brain utilizing immunohistochemical method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The results showed that SF and matrine administration had an effect on normalization of caffeine-induced hyperactivity and promoting a shift toward non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. c-Fos-immunoreactivity and 5-HT level in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus (VLPO), a sleep promoting region, were increased in the both SF and matrine-injected groups. In conclusion, SF and its bioactive compound, matrine alleviated caffeine-induced hyperactivity and promoted NREM sleep by activating VLPO neurons and modulating serotonergic transmission. It is suggested that SF might be a useful natural alternatives for hypnotic medicine.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 1994

The book lung in the wolf spider, Pardosa astrigera was consisted of a series of flattened triangular-shaped air sacs, stacked with about 70 sheets, and was located in the ventrolateral region of opisthosoma. Each hemolymph spaces (average $8{\mu}m$ in thickness) surrounded by the air sacs (average $6{\mu}m$ in thickness). The air sacs was supported by cylindrical cuticular spikes of microfibril bundles. Epithelial cell processes surrounded the hemolymph spaces. The nuclei of the epithelial cells were concentrated near the atrium. In the middle portion of air sac, the epithelial cells formed pillars across the hemolymph spaces and spot desmosome and zonula adherens were seen between the plasma membranes. In the hemolymph space of this spider, granular hemocytes (average diameter $8{\mu}m$) were the most dominant type of hemocytes. In the medial sinus, the hemolymph flow between the air sacs of a paired book lungs and then flow out of the lung vein. The air comes in the atrium through the ventral lung slit and makes a tidal wave in and out of the air sacs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.66-78
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• 2010

Background: Peripheral nerve injuries are a commonly-encountered clinical problem and often result in a chronic pain and severe functional deficits. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and the recovery of the locomotor function that follows sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Method: In order to assess the effects of acupuncture on the descending pain and functional recovery, we investigated the walking track analysis, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its receptor tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) expression in the sciatic nerve, and on the expressions of c-Fos and nitric oxide synthase in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus and in the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (vlPAG) region resulting from sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats. Results: Acupuncture treatment at Huantiao (GB30), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Weizhong (BL40) facilitated functional recovery. C-Fos and nitric oxide synthase expressions in the brain and BDNF and TrkB expressions in the sciatic nerve were decreased by acupuncture treatment. The most potent effects of acupuncture were observed at the GB30 acupoint. Conclusion: It is possible that acupuncture can be used for pain control and functional recovery from sciatic nerve injury.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.531-539
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• 2024

Sleep is one of the most essential physiological phenomena for maintaining health. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, are often accompanied by psychiatric or physical conditions such as impaired attention, anxiety, and stress. Medication used to treat insomnia have concerns about potential side effects with long-term use, so interest in the use of alternative medicine is increasing. In this study, we investigated the hypnotic effects of β-lapachone (β-Lap), a natural naphthoquinone compound, using pentobarbital-induced sleep test, immunohistochemistry, real-time PCR, and western blot in mice. Our results indicated that β-Lap exerts a significant hypnotic effect by showing a decrease in sleep onset latency and an increase in total sleep time in pentobarbital-induced sleep model. The results of c-Fos immunostaining showed that β-Lap decreased neuronal activity in the basal forebrain and lateral hypothalamus, which are wakefulness-promoting brain regions, while increasing in the ventrolateral preoptic nucleus, a sleep-promoting region; all these effects were significantly abolished by 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (DPCPX), an adenosine A₁ receptor (A₁R) antagonist. Western blot analysis showed that β-Lap increased extracellular signal-regulated kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor-kappa B translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus; these effects were inhibited by DPCPX. Additionally, β-Lap increased the mRNA levels of A₁R. Taken together, these results suggest that β-Lap exerts hypnotic effects, potentially through A₁R.