• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.33-48
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• 2013

Objectives : Peripheral nerve injuries are commonly encountered clinical problems and often result in severe functional deficits. Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang), in oriental medicine, has been used to treat various musculoskeletal disorders. Methods : In the present study, the effects of aqueous extract of Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) on functional recovery, severity of pain, and expressions of neurofilament, cycloxygenease-2(COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$(TNF-${\alpha}$) following sciatic crushed nerve injury in rats were investigated. For this study, walking tract analysis, plantar test, western blot analysis for COX-2 iNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$, and Immunofluorescence test for neurofilament were performed. Results : In the present results, sciatic functional index(SFI) in walking tract analysis was significantly decreased following sciatic crushed nerve injury, and pain severity in plantar test was significantly increased. COX-2, iNOS and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions were increased whereas neurofilament expression was decreased by sciatic crushed nerve injury, In contrast, treatment with Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) improved SFI in walking tract analysis and suppressed the pain severity in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) treatment also suppressed COX-2, iNOS, and TNF-${\alpha}$ expressions and enhanced the neurofilament expression in sciatic crushed nerve injury. Conclusions : In the present study, we have shown that Sukjiyanggeun-Tang(shudiyangjin-tang) is the effective therapeutic modality to ameliorate the symptoms of sciatic crushed nerve injury.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.5-17
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• 2011

Objectives : Gliosis becomes physical and mechanical barrier to axonal regeneration. Reactive gliosis induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion is involved with up-regulation of CD81 and GFAP (Glial fibrillary acidic protein). The current study is to examine the effect of the Angelica gigas Nakai(intravenous injection. 100 mg/kg twice in a day) on CD81 and GFAP of the rat in the brain after middle cerebral artery occlusion. Methods : Cerebral infarction was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. And after intravenous injection of water extract of Angelica gigas Nakai, the size of cerebral infarction was measured. Examination of optical microscope were also used to detect the expression of CD81 and GFAP in the brain of the rat. Results : The following results were obtained : We found that size of cerebral infarcion induced by MCAO (Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion) in rats were decreased after intravenous injection of Angelica gigas Nakai. We injected the extract of Angelica gigas Nakai to the MCAO in rats, and the optical microscope study showed that Angelica gigas Nakai had effect on protecting the cells of hippocampus. We found that GFAP, CD81 and ERK of the brain in rats with cerebral infarction after MCAO were meaningfully decreased after intravenous injecting Angelica gigas Nakai. We found that c-Fos expression of the brain in rats with cerebral infarction after MCAO were significantly increased after intravenous injecting Angelica gigas Nakai. Conclusions : These results indicate that Angelica gigas Nakai could suppress the reactive gliosis, which disturbs the astrocyte regeneration in the brain of the rat with cerebral infarction after MCAO by controlling the expression of CD81 and GFAP. And the effect may be modulated by the up-regulation of c-Fos and ERK.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.465-473
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• 2004

Purpose : The essential triad for nerve regeneration is nerve conduit, supporting cell and neurotrophic factor. In order to improve the peripheral nerve regeneration, we used polyglycolic acid(PGA) tube and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) gene transfected Schwann cells in sciatic nerve defects of SD rat. Materials and methods : Nerve conduits were made with PGA sheet and outer surface was coated with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) for mechanical strength and control the resorption rate. The diameter of conduit was 1.8mm and the length was 17mm Schwann cells were harvested from dorsal root ganglion(DRG) of SD rat aged 1 day. Schwann cells were cultured on the PGA sheet to test the biocompatibility adhesion of Schwann cell. Human BDNF gene was obtained from cDNA library and amplified using PCR. BDNF gene was inserted into E1 deleted region of adenovirus shuttle vector, pAACCMVpARS. BDNF-adenovirus was multiplied in 293 cells and purified. The BDNF-Adenovirus was then infected to the cultured Schwann cells. Left sciatic nerve of SD rat (250g weighing) was exposed and 14mm defects were made. After bridging the defect with PGA conduit, culture medium(MEM), Schwann cells or BDNF-Adenovirus infected Schwann cells were injected into the lumen of conduit, respectively. 12 weeks after operation, gait analysis for sciatic function index, electrophysiology and histomorphometry was performed. Results : Cultured Schwann cells were well adhered to PGA sheet. Sciatic index of BDNF transfected group was $-53.66{\pm}13.43$ which was the best among three groups. The threshold of compound action potential was between 800 to $1000{\mu}A$ in experimental groups which is about 10 times higher than normal sciatic nerve. Conduction velocity and peak voltage of action potential of BDNF group was the highest among experimental groups. The myelin thickness and axonal density of BDNF group was significantly greater than the other groups. Conclusion : BDNF gene transfected Schwann cells could regenerate the sciatic nerve gap(14mm) of rat successfully.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2001

Background and Objectives : Nitric oxide(NO) is a short-lived molecule with messenger and cytotoxic functions in nervous, cardiovascular, and immune systems. Among the three distinct NOS isoforms, the neuronal isoform is expressed in small, discrete neuronal populations of CNS and PNS. Axonal injury in adult animals results in a dramatic NOS up-regulation in many types of central and peripheral neurons which normally lack the enzyme or express it only at very low levels. In previous study, we confirmed the efficacy of PEMS on the early functional recovery in rats with surgically transected and reanastomosed recurrent laryngeal nerve. Therefore, after we obtained functionally recovered rats using PEMS in this study, we studied to evaluate the expression of nNOS through the analysis of the difference between functional recovery group and non-recovery group in the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Materials and Method : Using 84 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, transections and primary anastomosis were performed on their left recurrent laryngeal nerves. Rats were then randomly assigned to 2 groups. The rats in group A(n=42) received PEMS by placing them in custom cages equipped with Helm-holz coils(3 hr/day, 5 days/wk, for 12 wk). The rats in group B(n=42) were handled the same way as the group A, except that they did not receive PEMS. Laryngovideoendoscopy was performed before and after surgery and followed up weekly. Laryngeal EMG was obtained in both PCA and TA muscles. Immunohistochemisty staining using monoclonal anti-neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) antibody was performed to detect nNOS in recurrent laryngeal nerve and nodose ganglion. Results : 20 rats(63%) in group A and 5 rats(17%) in the group B showed recovery of vocal fo1d motion. The number of NOS-positive cells was increased in functionally-recovered rats. NOS-staining intensity was reduced 12 weeks after nerve injury. The difference between PEMS group and non-stimulated group was not found. Conclusion : This study shows that nNOS may exert a beneficial effect on nerve regeneration and functional repair.