• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.643-650
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• 2017

Vascular dementia (VaD) is a group of heterogeneous diseases with the common feature of cerebral hypoperfusion. To identify key factors contributing to VaD pathophysiology, we performed a detailed comparison of Wistar and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats subjected to permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAo). Eight-week old male Wistar and SD rats underwent BCCAo, followed by a reference memory test using a five-radial arm maze with tactile cues. Continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow (CBF) was performed with a laser Doppler perfusion imaging (LDPI) system. A separate cohort of animals was sacrificed for evaluation of the brain vasculature and white matter damage after BCCAo. We found reference memory impairment in Wistar rats, but not in SD rats. Moreover, our LDPI system revealed that Wistar rats had significant hypoperfusion in the brain region supplied by the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). Furthermore, Wistar rats showed more profound CBF reduction in the forebrain region than did SD rats. Post-mortem analysis of brain vasculature demonstrated greater PCA plasticity at all time points after BCCAo in Wistar rats. Finally, we confirmed white matter rarefaction that was only observed in Wistar rats. Our studies show a comprehensive and dynamic CBF status after BCCAo in Wistar rats in addition to severe PCA dolichoectasia, which correlated well with white matter lesion and memory decline.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.65.1-65.9
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• 2023

Background: Bone subtraction computed tomography angiography (BSCTA) is a useful alternative technique for improving visualization of vessels surrounded by skull bone. However, no studies have compared computed tomography angiography (CTA) and BSCTA for improving the visibility of canine cerebral blood vessels. Objectives: To evaluate the potential benefit of BSCTA for better delineation of brain arteries of the circle of Willis (CoW) in dogs by comparing BSCTA with non-subtraction computed tomography angiography (NSCTA). Methods: Brain CTA was performed for nine healthy beagle dogs using a bolus tracking method with saline flushing. A total dose of 600 mgI/kg of contrast agent with an iodine content of 370 mgI/mL was injected at a rate of 4 ml/s. Bone removal was achieved automatically by subtracting non-enhanced computed tomography (CT) data from contrast CT data. Five main intracranial arteries of the CoW were analyzed and graded on a scale of five for qualitative evaluation. Results: Scores of basilar artery, middle cerebral artery, and rostral cerebral artery in the BSCTA group were significantly higher than those in the NSCTA group (p = 0.001, p = 0.020, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Scores of rostral cerebellar artery (RcA) and caudal cerebral artery (CCA) did not differ significantly between the two groups. However, scores of RcA and CCA in the BSCTA group were higher than those in the NSCTA group. Conclusions: BSCTA improved visualization of intracranial arteries of the CoW with close contact to bone. Thus, it should be recommended as a routine scan method in dogs suspected of having brain vessel disease.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.29-41
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• 2004

Objective : This experimental studies were performed in order to prove the effect of Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture by using rats that had neuronal damage due to the Middle Cerebral Artery Occulsion(MCAO). Method : We observed the change of extracellular concentrations(${\mu}M$) of dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, HIAA, glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glysine, taurine, alanine, and tyrosine as extracted by vivo microdialysis, in the Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture administrated rats($240{\sim}260g$, Sprague-Dawley) subjected to the MCAO. The dialysates were extracted three times before the MCAO and six times after the MCAO every 20 minutes, and analysed by highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC). Results : Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture significantly inhibited glutamate, aspartate, and tyrosine which are stimulant neurotransmitters at brain ischemia, and it significantly decreased glycine, GABA, taurine, and alanine which are inhibitory neurotransmitters at brain ischemia. Conclusion : Hirudin Herbal-acupuncture may prevent delayed neuronal death(DND) in selectively vulnerable focal areas of the brain effectively.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.1322-1330
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• 2004

This experimental studies were performed in order to prove the effect of Phospholipase A₂(PLA₂) Herbal-acupuncture by using rats that had neuronal damage due to the Middle Cerebral Artery Occulsion(MCAO). We observed the change of extracellular concentrations(μM) Of dopamine, DOPAC, HVA, HIAA, glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glysine, taurine, alanine, and tyrosine as extracted by vivo microdialysis, in the PLA₂ Herbal-acupuncture administrated rats(240-260g, Sprague-Dawley) subjected to the MCAO. The dialysates were extracted three times before the MCAO and six times after the MCAO every 20 minutes, and ana lysed by highperformance liquid chromatography(HPLC). PLA₂ Herbal-acupuncture significantly inhibited glutamate and tyrosine which are stimulant neurotransmitters at brain ischemia, and it significantly decreased glycine, GABA, taurine, and alanine which are inhibitory neurotransmitters at brain ischemia. PLA₂ Herbal-acupuncture may prevent delayed neuronal death(DND) in selectively vulnerable focal areas of the brain effectively.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.117-128
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• 2004

Objectives : This research was performed to investigate effect of Samul-tang-gamibang against focal cerebral ischemic damage after middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO). Methods : This research was used rats which were against focal cerebral ischemic damage by MCAO. It was used Zea Longa's theory and Belayev's methods to give rise to focal cerebral ischemic damage by MCAO. After 7days later, we drew out the brain and then had frozen and dyeing it and we had taken a picture to measure of the damaged area in each brain section. We determined the Neurological Index and tested the Foot-fault test and Roatated test to appraise the fall of motion ability result from cerebral ischemic damage. Results : The results of the experiment are as follows. 1. Samul-tang-gamibang reduced infarct size of sample group compared to control group at 7 day after MCAO. 2. Samul-tang-gamibang reduced infarct volume of sample group compared to control group at 7 day after MCAO. 3. Samul-tang-gamibang reduced foot-fault index of sample group compared to control group at 5,7 day after MCAO. Conclusions : Samul-tang-gamibang has protective effects against ischemic brain damage and had significant reduced infarct size and infarct volume of Rt-MCAO.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.9
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• pp.334-339
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• 2019

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis in infants and young children. However, its natural history has not been fully elucidated because the first case was reported in the late 1960s and patients who have recovered are just now entering middle age. Nevertheless, much evidence has raised concerns regarding the subclinical vascular changes that occur in post-KD patients. KD research has focused on coronary artery aneurysms because they are directly associated with fatality. However, aneurysms have been reported in other extracardiac muscular arteries and their fate seems to resemble that of coronary artery aneurysms. Arterial strokes in KD cases are rarely reported. Asymptomatic ischemic lesions were observed in a prospective study of brain vascular lesions in KD patients with coronary artery aneurysms. The findings of a study of single-photon emission computed tomography suggested that asymptomatic cerebral vasculitis is more common than we believed. Some authors assumed that the need to consider the possibility of brain vascular lesions in severe cases of KD regardless of presence or absence of neurological symptoms. These findings suggest that KD is related with cerebrovascular lesions in children and young adults. Considering the fatal consequences of cerebral vascular involvement in KD patients, increased attention is required. Here we review our understanding of brain vascular involvement in KD.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Objectives : This study evaluates neuroprotective effect of Gastrodiae Rhizoma on apoptosis in the cerebral infarct. Methods : Cerebral infarct was induced by the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 hours with intraluminal thread method in Sprague-Dawley rats. Then ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma was administered orally for 3 days. Infarct area and volume were evaluated with TTC staining. Neuronal apoptosis was identified with TUNEL labeling. Apoptosis modulatory effect was observed with immunohistochemical Bax, Bcl-2, iNOS, and MMP-9 expressions in penumbra. Results : 1. Ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma reduced infarct size partly and volume significantly of in the MCAO rat brain. 2. Ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma reduced TUNEL positive cell ratio in the penumbra of MCAO rat brain significantly. 3. Ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma suppressed Bax, iNOS and MMP-9 expression in the penumbra of MCAO rat brain significantly. 4. Ethanol extract of Gastrodiae Rhizoma did not change Bcl-2 expression in the penumbra of MCAO rat brain. But expression ratio of Bcl-2 against Bax was increased in the Gastrodiae Rhizoma group. Conclusions : These results suggest that Gastrodiae Rhizoma plays an anti-apoptotic neuroprotective effect through suppression of Bax, iNOS, and MMP-9 expressions and relative up-regulation of Bcl-2 in the ischemic brain tissue.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.371-377
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• 2000

In order to investigate the pharmacological properties of fractions of Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix, the effects of the fractions on cerebral ischemia and subsequent reperfusion were studied. Brain ischemia was induced by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion in mongolian gerbil. Brains were recirculated for 30 mins after the 20 min occlusion. Methanol and butanol fractions of Astragali Radix and Polygalae Radix were administered orally 2 hrs before common carotid artery occlusion. Histological observations showed that brain ischemia induced severe brain damage evidenced by the presence of necrotic foci, edema and hemorrhage. This injury was prevented by the methanol fraction and butanol fraction of Polygalae Radix. The level of ATP in brain tissue significantly decreased in ischemic gerbils. This decrease was prevented by the pretreatment with butanol fraction of Polygalae Radix. In contrast, the levels of lactate and lipid peroxide were both elevated in ischemic gerbils. This elevation was inhibited by the pretreatments with methanol fraction and butanol fraction of Polygalae Radix. Our findings suggest that the Polygalae Radix improves ischemia-induced brain damage.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.203-209
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of study was to evaluate the feasibility of brain magnetic resonance (MR) images of the rat obtained using a 1.5T MR machine in several blood-brain barrier (BBB) experiments. Methods : Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. MR images were obtained using a clinical 1.5T MR machine. A microcatheter was introduced via the femoral artery to the carotid artery. Normal saline (group 1, n = 4), clotted autologous blood (group 2, n = 4), triolein emulsion (group 3, n = 4), and oleic acid emulsion (group 4, n = 4) were infused into the carotid artery through a microcatheter. Conventional and diffusion-weighted images, the apparent coefficient map, perfusion-weighted images, and contrast-enhanced MR images were obtained. Brain tissue was obtained and triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining was performed in group 2. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled dextran images and endothelial barrier antigen (EBA) studies were performed in group 4. Results : The MR images in group 1 were of good quality. The MR images in group 2 revealed typical findings of acute cerebral infarction. Perfusion defects were noted on the perfusion-weighted images. The MR images in group 3 showed vasogenic edema and contrast enhancement, representing vascular damage. The rats in group 4 had vasogenic edema on the MR images and leakage of dextran on the FITC-labeled dextran image, representing increased vascular permeability. The immune reaction was decreased on the EBA study. Conclusion : Clinical 1.5T MR images using a rat depicted many informative results in the present study. These results can be used in further researches of the BBB using combined clinical MR machines and immunohistochemical examinations.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.993-999
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• 2005

This research was peformed to investigate protective effect of Sophora Subprostrata fractions against focal ischemic brain damage after middle cerebral artery(MCA) occlusion using intraluminal suture. Rats were divided into six groups: MCA-occluded group(Control): each administered groups with Sophora Subprostrata total phase(Total), Sophora Subprostrata Aqueous phase (Aqueous), Sophora Subprostrata BuOH phase(BuOH), and Sophora Subprostrata Alkaloid phase(Alkaloid) after MCA-occlusion; sham-operated group(Sham). The right MCA was occluded by A poly-L-lysine coated 4-0 nylon suture thread through the internal carotid artery permanently. Sophora Subprostrata and fractions were administered orally(Smg/ml) for 7 days after MCA-occlusion. The Drain tissue was stained with $2\%$ triphenyl tetrazolium chloride on ischemic brain tissue(2mm section). The results showed that 1) Sophora Subprostrata total phase reduced infarct size and total infarct volume compared to the control group at 24 hours after MCA-occlusion, 2) Sophora Subprostrata Aqueous phase reduced infarct size and total infarct volume compared to the control group at 24 hours after MCA-occlusion, 3) Sophora Subprostrata Alkaloid phase reduced infarct size compared to the control group at 24 hours after MCA-occlusion, but 4) at 7 days after MCA-occlusion, Sophora Subprostrata did not show effective recovery compared with control group. Sophora Subprostrata has protective effects against brain damage at the early stage of focal cerebral ischemia. Sophora Subprostrata total and Aqueous phase produced more pronounced protective effect against focal ischemic brain damage.